Wide receiver Jarius Wright says he’s eager to play again for Carolina offensive coordinator Norv Turner – regardless of where he lines up.

Wright signed his three-year contract with the Panthers on Tuesday Authentic Chukwuma Okorafor Jersey , one day after agreeing to terms .

The 28-year-old Wright figures to compete with Curtis Samuel for Carolina’s third down slot receiver spot behind starters Devin Funchess and Torrey Smith. Wright worked primarily as a slot receiver when he played 2 seasons under Turner with the Minnesota Vikings but said he’s ready to do it all.

”With Norv I have played outside and inside and he does a great job of moving guys around,” Wright said Tuesday on a conference call. ”I think we have a lot of guys who can do a lot of different things.”

The former fourth-round pick out of Arkansas spent all six NFL seasons with the Vikings prior to be released last week. He had 18 receptions for 198 yards and two touchdowns last season.

His most productive season came in 2014 in Turner’s first season with the Vikings when he caught 42 passes for 588 yards and two touchdowns.

Wright said he thinks Turner will be a good fit in Carolina and great for quarterback Cam Newton because of the way he likes to attack down the field.

”He does a good job of getting the receivers the ball down the field, as well as on screens and reverses,” Wright said. ”With Cam and his strong arm I know he will get the ball down the field because that is what Norv likes to do.”

Wright has become known for his production on third downs where he has registered more than 40 percent of his career receptions and more than 45 percent of his yards receiving.

He’s the second experienced wide receiver to join the Panthers this offseason. The Panthers previously traded for Smith, giving them a player with more big play speed to play opposite Funchess.

Wright said getting released by the Vikings didn’t affect his confidence.

”I have full belief in my talents so I knew I would be playing somewhere, but I didn’t know where,” Wright said.

—

Ricky Rubio waited seven years for a night like this.

Rubio, who never reached the playoffs in his first six seasons with Minnesota, had 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for Utah’s first playoff triple-double in 17 years to help lead the Jazz to a 115-102 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night.

”We were down by 10 … and I just changed my mentality Authentic Kerryon Johnson Jersey , trying to be more aggressive and make some shots,” Rubio said. ”We made a run and it helps a lot when you’re making shots and it felt great.”

At one point, Rubio walked toward half-court with his arms outstretched, drinking in the deafening roar and subsequent ”RU-BI-O! RU-BI-O!” chants from the fans.

Donovan Mitchell added 22 points for Utah, which took a 2-1 lead in its first-round series with Oklahoma City.

Rubio has never been known as a knockdown shooter, but his recent accuracy has opened new opportunities for his playmaking.

”Ricky attacked,” Utah coach Quin Snyder. ”He attacked, but with poise and he was making some shots. I thought he took good shots and it really stabilized our group.”

The Spaniard has previously recorded five triple-doubles in his career and has played in big EuroLeague and Olympic games, but different than the energy and pressure of the NBA playoffs.

”He was on, in so many ways Davante Adams Jersey Youth ,” Mitchell said.

Joe Ingles, who had 21 points, made two 3-pointers around two free throws to spark a 13-0 surge that ended on Mitchell’s 3 to put Utah up by 20 points in the fourth quarter. The big run was just par for the course in a series characterized by large runs by one team, then countered by the other.

Rubio’s triple-double was the first by a Jazz player in the postseason since John Stockton in the 2001 playoffs against Dallas.

”Having my name next to his name is an honor,” Rubio said of joining the Hall of Famer in making franchise history. ”I have huge respect for him.”

Paul George scored 23 points and Carmelo Anthony, Russell Westbrook and Raymond Felton each had 14 for the Thunder. Westbrook also had 11 rebounds and nine assists, just missing his ninth playoff triple-double but also had eight turnovers and shot 5 for 17.

Rudy Gobert’s dunk and pair of free throws capped a 9-0 run in the third quarter to give Utah an 84-70 lead. Minutes later, Rubio hit a running 28-foot 3-pointer to make it 89-75 entering the final period.

The Jazz changed coverages on Westbrook throughout the game and surprised the perennial All-Star with different players in his expected passing lanes.

Utah also outrebounded the Thunder 48-33 and seemed much quicker to the loose balls in the midst of a charged atmosphere. The Jazz’s hustle plays energized the packed arena festooned in the colors of Southern Utah – red, orange and yellow.

With Utah trailing 47-43, Rubio scored 10 consecutive Jazz points and his 3-pointer and subsequent three free throws gave Utah a 53-49 lead.

Rubio Youth Weston Richburg Jersey , playing just his third playoff game in his seven-year NBA career, had 19 at the half and the Jazz led 58-53.

The Thunder, shot 16 for 24 on field goals and 7 for 11 on 3s, to lead 45-33 on Westbrook’s layup with 7:26 left in the second quarter.

Asked if the Rubio might have an encore in Game 4, Westbrook defiantly declared that he would shut down any chance of that happening.

”Guarantee that!” Westbrook said.

TIP-INS

Thunder: Oklahoma City was outscored 30-14 after Adams sat down with his third foul early in the second quarter. … Both Adams and Mitchell picked up their fourth fouls in the first half of the third quarter. … Adams finished with two rebounds. … The Thunder shot 14 for 28 from 3-point range.

Jazz: Utah started the game by converting nine of its first 10 shots, then missed eight of the next nine. … Royce O’Neale and George each got technicals for some pushing and words early in the fourth quarter. … Carlos Boozer had the last triple-double for the Jazz in 2008, but it came in the regular season. … Utah had 19 second-chance points to the Thunder’s eight.

INGLES REAPPEARS

Ingles, who was a primary cog in Utah’s offense as the Jazz got better and better throughout the season, was nearly invisible in the first two games against the defense of George. After only 16 total points and three assists in Oklahoma City, Ingles provided the offensive firepower down the stretch. ”I thought Joe just had a more aggressive mindset tonight http://www.saintsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-tre_quan-smith-jersey ,” Snyder said. ”Joe just threw himself into the defensive end as well. When you do that, your offense kind of comes more naturally.”

WESTBROOK OUT OF SORTS?

Westbrook didn’t take a shot in the fourth quarter, but said he doesn’t have any specific physical injury. Some of his eight turnovers happened when he was headed to the rim with Gobert looming. ”I’m getting in trouble jumping in the air and getting caught,” he said. Perhaps Gobert’s defensive presence is making one of the game’s most instinctive players think twice. ”I just try to make them think. Everyone in the league knows that I protect the rim. I know that they know,” Gobert said.

FRIENDS

Rubio arrived at the arena Saturday wearing a sweatshirt with the `Friends’ sitcom logo. A team that emphasizes ”connectivity”, the Jazz moved in concert on offense and passes – even long skip passes – arrived in shooters’ sweet spots ready for launch. In the postgame press conference, Rubio joked that he knew he was close to a triple-double, but Ingles missed a layup on purpose to t.