MILWAUKEE -- There were a lot of questions facing the Milwaukee Bucks as they prepared to open training camp. Now, on the eve of the 2016-17 season opener, there are even more.Last season was a forgettable one for the Bucks, who were fresh off the heels of a surprise surge into the playoffs but plummeted back into the realm of lottery participants with a 33-39 record.Milwaukee struggled in all aspects of the game, but it was the Bucks defensive effort that was most concerning. Among the best in the NBA in 2015-16, the Bucks finished 17th in both points per game (103.2) and defensive shooting percentage (45.4 percent).A lot of that drop-off had to do with Milwaukees reliance on younger players; veterans Jared Dudley and Zaza Pachulia were shipped elsewhere last season, leaving the Bucks collection of young -- but long -- talent to learn on the fly.Its being able to use our length, deflections, rebounding the ball, coach Jason Kidd said. I thought in preseason we had some halves or quarters where we didnt (play strong defense); but, as a whole, the different combinations we had were positive ones.The team also struggled to score -- especially from beyond the 3-point arc, where the Bucks were among the leagues worst in attempts, makes and percentage.So when shooting guard Khris Middleton went down on the eve of training camp with an ACL injury, there was reason for concern. But the Bucks are confident that the offseason additions of Matthew Dellavadova, Mirza Teletovich, Jason Terry and Tony Snell will complement Milwaukee forwards Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who will handle the bulk of the Bucks ballhandling duties.Its the balance, being able to finish in the paint, and we create a lot of threes, Kidd said. We have to be able to make them. Tony (Snell), Mirza, Delly. Now, Giannis and Jabari are shooting more. You have Jason Terry and Malcolm.Theyll have their work cut out for them right off the bat, as the Charlotte Hornets come to town looking to build off a breakout 48-victory campaign that culminated in a hard-fought, seven-game playoff series with the Miami Heat.Charlotte returns much of the same group from last season but will have to deal with some depth issues early on.A bone bruise in his right knee kept Cody Zeller out of action for a majority of Charlottes preseason; as a result, he will see limited minutes to start the season.Power forward Marvin Williams is expected to start Wednesday despite suffering a non-displaced fracture of his left middle finger. But his primary backup, 7-footer Frank Kaminsky, has battled a sprained foot and is listed as questionable.Marvin is fine, so hell start, coach Steve Clifford told the Charlotte Observer. In these first two games, they downsize a lot anyway, so (Michael Kidd-Gilchrist) could play some there. Also, Spencer (Hawes) can play some (at power forward).Charlotte won the 2015-16 season series, 3-1. Kemba Walker averaged 19.3 points and 4.8 assists in those four games to lead the Hornets while Parker paced the Bucks with 15.8 points and 6.8 rebounds.After facing the Bucks, the Hornets travel to Miami on Friday for a rematch with the Heat before opening the home portion of their schedule Saturday night against the Boston Celtics.Milwaukee will return to action Saturday, at home against Brooklyn, before heading to Detroit on Sunday for the first road contest of the season. Clearance Vans Shoes Ireland Free Shipping . Defencemen Drew Doughty, Shea Weber and forward Ryan Getzlaf also scored for the Canadians, who started their gold-medal defence 2-0. Goalie Roberto Luongo, getting the call in place of Game 1 starter Carey Price, was solid when needed in making 23 saves for the shutout. Cheap Shoes Ireland .Y. - General manager Billy King says the Brooklyn Nets are looking to add a big man and confirmed the team worked out centre Jason Collins, who would become the first openly gay active NBA player if signed. http://www.clearancevansireland.com/ . Q: Team Canada announces their Olympic roster three weeks from today. Who is general manager Steve Yzerman watching? LeBrun: Over the last 48 hours, hes taken in the home-and-home between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche with Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene being the obvious targets. Vans Ireland Outlet .4 million title. Ryan Riess emerged with the title after a session in which he started behind, but used expert skill to gather the chips to his side amid the unpredictability of no-limit Texas Hold em. Riess put his final opponent Jay Farber all-in with an Ace-King. Vans Shoes Ireland . The No. 1-ranked Nadal tweaked his back warming up for the Australian Open final, which he lost almost four weeks ago in a major upset against Stanislas Wawrinka. His first stop after the layoff is the clay in Rio as he tests the back and tries to stay healthy for the French Open in three months. NEW ORLEANS -- Drew Brees passed for 465 yards and four touchdowns, Will Lutz kicked a 52-yard field goal with 11 seconds left, and the New Orleans Saints pulled out a 41-38 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.With his 15th 400-yard game, Brees broke a tie with Peyton Manning for the most all time in the regular season.Brees also led the Saints (2-3) to a second straight victory while Carolina lost its fourth straight despite the return of quarterback Cam Newton, who missed last weeks loss to Tampa Bay because of a concussion.Newton passed for 322 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for a 2-yard score and threw a 2-point conversion to Devin Funchess that tied the game at 38 with 2:58 left, and completed a comeback from an early 21-0 deficit.However, he was also intercepted by Sterling Moore in the back of the end zone, stalling a promising drive in the first half -- a turnover that came back to haunt the defending NFC champions.Tight end Josh Hill scored the Saints final TD on a difficult, leaping 8-yard catch that was initially ruled incomplete. But coach Sean Payton challenged the call and officials ruled on review that Hill had possession long enough for a completion before the ball was knocked from his grasp.Coby Fleener ran for a 2-yard touchdown on his first career carry -- an end-around on a fourth-and-1 play that capped New Orleans opening drive. He also caught a 50-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter and finished with six catches for 74 yards.Saints receiver Brandin Cooks had an 87-yard touchdown catch to highlight his career-high 173-yard outing on seven catches. Saints rookie Michael Thomas caught his thirrd touchdown pass in as many games.ddddddddddddunchess and tight end Ed Dickson each caught touchdown passes for Carolina (1-5).PENALTY PRONEThe Saints were flagged for pass interference three times at or near the goal line, and the Panthers cashed in all three times with touchdowns. In all, New Orleans had 10 penalties for 126 yards.BACK IN ACTIONNewton was among several regulars from both teams returning from absences of one or more games. His teammate, running back Jonathan Stewart, returned after missing three games with a hamstring injury and rushed for 85 yards on 19 carries, including two short touchdowns in the fourth quarter.Saints tight end Hill played for the first time since injuring his ankle in Week 1, while guard Senio Kelemete (hamstring) and linebacker James Laurinaitis (quadriceps) returned from one-game absences.INJURIESSaints left tackle Andrus Peat, who was filling in for injured starter Terron Armstead, left the game late in the first half with an apparent left leg injury. He was replaced by veteran Tony Hills. ... Saints rookie defensive tackle David Onyemata also appeared to have a leg injury after a pileup near the New Orleans goal line in the fourth quarter and gingerly walked off the field. ... Panthers cornerback Daryl Worley was evaluated for a possible concussion.NEXT UPPanthers: Carolina has a bye week to try to figure out how to reverse its sinking fortunes.Saints: New Orleans travels to Kansas City next Sunday.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '