OMAHA, Neb. -- Longtime Omaha World-Herald sports writer Steve Pivovar has died. He was 63.Sue Pivovar said her husband died at a hospital Wednesday. He had battled kidney cancer for nine months and, more recently, pneumonia.Steve Pivovar worked more than 40 years for the World-Herald . The Omaha native covered a wide range of beats, most recently Creighton University sports, and was considered an authority on the history of the College World Series.Pivovar covered the CWS for four decades and wrote a book about Rosenblatt Stadium, where the CWS was played until 2010.The NCAA paid tribute to Pivovar on June 20 during what would have been the 500th consecutive CWS game staffed by Pivovar. PIV, as he was known, was etched behind home plate and along the foul lines. A press box seat was left empty in his honor throughout the tournament.---This version corrects Pivovars age to 63 in the first paragraph. Discount Adidas Nmd . Giroud, who wasnt in the starting lineup for two matches after allegations about his private life and a decline in form, scored twice in the first half. Tomas Rosickys chip made it 3-0 before half time at Emirates Stadium, while defender Laurent Koscielny scored an unmarked header in the second half. Cheap Mens Nmd Shoes . Laudrup revealed Thursday he was notified of his dismissal in "the briefest of letters which gave no reasons why such hasty and final action was deemed necessary. http://www.nmdsneakerssale.com/yeezy-boost-350-deals.html . -- When the Florida Panthers fell behind by two goals in the first period to the top team in the NHL, it appeared they were on their way to yet another loss. Cheapest Nmd Shoes . -- Ty Montgomery had 290 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, and fifth-ranked Stanford held on to beat No. Cheap Adidas Nmd Xr1 . After dropping their final six games of December, the Wild opened the new calendar year with four consecutive wins. Following a loss to Colorado on Saturday, Minnesota rebounded the following night to blank Nashville 4-0, but then had the tables turned on them Tuesday. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Cody Zellers unplanned move to center is paying major dividends for the Charlotte Hornets.When Al Jefferson went down last season with an injury, coach Steve Clifford asked the 7-foot, 240-pound Zeller to fill in by shifting from power forward to the 5 spot. Zeller played so well that Clifford decided to keep him there even after Jefferson returned.It was kind of a freak thing how it happened and I dont think anyone was planning on it, Zeller said Monday. But Im glad it worked out that way.The Hornets liked what they saw from Zeller so much last season they rewarded him with a four-year, $56 million contract in the offseason. They didnt re-sign Jefferson.Zeller spent the offseason working at improving his skills as a center. Hes still a work in progress midway in his fourth NBA season, but is averaging career highs in points (10.8), rebounds (6.3) and blocks (1.2) per game.And yet its hard to completely quantify Zellers worth in statistics.Hes the type of player who does the little things -- setting a solid screen to free up Kemba Walker or Nic Batum, tapping out an offensive rebound to a teammate or hustling back on defense to prevent a transition basket.What he lacks in physicality against the leagues taller and stronger centers he makes up in hustle -- something that at times tends to result in a trip to the training room.I dont think there are many guys willing to break their nose like he has, Batum said with a laugh on Zellers uncanny knack for taking shots to the face. I mean that guy is diving on every ball and he doesnt fear anybody. Hes facing guys like (Hassan) Whiteside, DeAndre (Jordan), (Rudy) Gobert and Dwight Howard every night. Hes been huge for us.Clifford agrees.Hes been thrilled with Zellers progression since taking over as a starter, particularly his rolling in the pick-and-roll game for the Hornets (15-13).That sounds like a small thing, but its not, Clifford ssaid.dddddddddddd. He has a good feel for screening, which helps the ball handlers.Clifford would like to see Zellers rebounding numbers improve, particularly on defense because the team is not particularly tall.But that appears to be getting better.He has 21 rebounds in his past two games after averaging 6.1 in his previous nine December games.Outside of Mike (Kidd-Gilchrist) and Nic (Batum) we dont have guys at their position who are good at that, and its a critical part of the game, Clifford said. We have had a couple games when we played good enough on defense (to win) but lost because of our rebounding.Zeller is working hard to improve his mid-range jump shot and become a more consistent scorer.He took for jumpers Saturday night against the Atlanta Hawks.The Hornets know if he can make them consistently it will force opposing big men to step out and guard him, thus opening up more scoring opportunities for his teammates.He isnt hesitating to take those shots, which is good, Batum said. It will help his game a lot. We all know he can run and he can dunk on people. He has a gift to play this game. And if he can shoot like that...Charlotte lost its chance to acquire a dominant center in 2012 when it failed to land the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft lottery -- and the rights to Anthony Davis -- despite finishing 7-59 the season before. It was a gut-wrenching break for the team at the time, knowing that talented centers like Davis dont come along very often in the NBA.Zeller, the No. 4 overall pick the following year, may never develop into the type of player Davis has become, but its pretty clear the Hornets like what they have in him.I mean, hes a 5-man, Clifford said. The way the league is now hes a 5, at both ends of the floor. And it definitely suits him better. ' ' '