Bleacher Report - Front Page

Chelsea Transfer Rumours: Blues Linked with Luka Modric, Isco

Michael Cummings — Sat, 25 May 2013 10:55:12 -0400

With the reported return of the Special One and a rumored £100 million transfer budget, this summer had already promised to be a memorable one for Chelsea. Now, as the potential targets trickle into news reports, we have the names to go with the speculation.

Jose Mourinho, who has been linked heavily with a return to Chelsea this summer, per The Sun, is interested in bringing several players with him to Stamford Bridge, according to the Daily Mirror. One—Atletico Madrid's on-loan keeper Thibaut Courtois—is already a Chelsea player. The rest are not.

Atop the list is Atletico striker Radamel Falcao, who has also been linked with a £50.7 million move to Monaco, according to Metro. Also on the list are Zenit St. Petersburg forward Hulk, Bayer Leverkusen forward Andre Schurrle, Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala, Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini and Malaga midfielder Isco.

The Sun, meanwhile, reports that Mourinho wants to bring midfielder Luka Modric with him from Real to Chelsea.

Together, these reports make for an impressive shopping list, and that should give Chelsea supporters reason to be cautiously optimistic.

Isco, 21, is one of Spain's best young talents, as B/R's Allan Jiang outlines here. He has also been linked heavily with Real Madrid, according to Marca.

Modric, 27, has Premier League experience, having played for Tottenham from 2008-12. This season, he was a key to Real Madrid's victory over Manchester United in the Champions League, per Michael Cox at The Guardian, and B/R's Sam Tighe has rated Chelsea as Modric's best Premier League fit based on "financial and suitability terms."

Schurrle, 22, has been linked with Chelsea for some time and is reportedly close to completing his transfer, according to BBC Sport. His arrival would give the Blues more options in the attack. Mangala, also 22, would help shore up the defense as 32-year-old captain John Terry ages.

Another consideration involves Mourinho himself. The Portuguese led Chelsea to back-to-back titles in 2004-05 and 2005-06, his first two seasons in England. Back then, he benefited from heavy investment on the part of owner Roman Abramovich, and this summer could bring a similar scenario.

With so much money reportedly available and such a talented manager reportedly on his way back, Chelsea fans have much to be excited about this summer. And before long, at least some of the reports should start turning into reality.

Follow @MikeCummings37

Championship Playoff Final: Would Crystal Palace or Watford Be Better EPL Side?

Alex Gruber — Sat, 25 May 2013 10:49:45 -0400

The nPower League Championship season draws to a close Monday afternoon, as Crystal Palace and Watford do battle at Wembley Stadium. At stake: the right to play in the Premier League beginning in August.

One of the biggest questions that will be asked in the build-up and aftermath of this match is how the teams would fare in the Premier League. Recent history has been kind to newly-promoted teams: Of the last nine to come up, only three have gone down: Blackpool, Reading and QPR.

Palace manager Ian Holloway was in charge of that Blackpool side for both the promotion and the relegation. He would certainly understand what it takes to make this leap. Indeed, the Tangerines were not relegated until the last day, as they lost to champions Manchester United.

Holloway also has experience in the Premier League as a player, having spent five years at QPR in the early 1990s. His counterpart at Wembley, Gianfranco Zola, also has plenty of experience in the English top-flight with an eight-year spell at Chelsea and a three-year stint managing West Ham.

The two clubs involved here have had a combined five years of Premier League experience since the league's inception in 1992. Crystal Palace has had three of those, the last coming in 2004-05. Watford's last season in the league was 2006-07.

But when breaking things down to see which squad is better suited to take on the Premier League, it is imperative that the actual squad of players is examined.

Crystal Palace's squad has been led by two key figures. One of these is star man Wilfried Zaha, who will be joining Manchester United next season. The winger has been a major revelation for the Eagles, and his sale could net his current club up to £15 million to replace him.

The other major factor in Palace's lineup has been striker Glenn Murray. He racked up a whopping 30 goals in the Championship, topping the league's scoring charts. However, he suffered a knee injury in the playoff semi-finals that could see him out for nine months.

Losing these two key players would be a tough way to start a campaign in the Premier League. As such, it would be up to midfield players like Andre Moritz, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Mile Jedinak and Owen Garvan to pick up some of the slack.

One thing they may not have to worry about is their back line. They lost captain and veteran defender Paddy McCarthy to injury before the season started, which might have been a harsh blow were it not for reinforcements.

Summer signings Damien Delaney and Peter Ramage have formed a formidable duo to protect goalkeeper Julian Speroni. The flanks have been well guarded by the likes of Jonathan Parr and Joel Ward. Parr also suffered a season-ending injury late on, but hopes to be back to start next season.

Watford, on the other hand, have had a series of big contributions from a number of players that has seen them score the most goals in the Championship. Leading the way is Championship Player of the Year Matej Vydra, whose team-leading 22 goals in all competitions saw him win the award over Murray.

Second on the team's scoring charts is Troy Deeney. The English attacker burst onto the scene in the dramatic victory over Leicester, scoring the goal to send the Hornets to Wembley in the 97th minute. His 19 goals in league play put him sixth in the Championship.

Almost lost in the fury of Deeney's goal was the spectacular double save by the goalkeeper at the other end not 20 seconds prior. That man was Manuel Almunia, the long-time Arsenal stopper who joined on a free transfer over the summer and has been reliable between the sticks.

Also among the influential faces at Vicarage Road are Fernando Forestieri, who was involved in the build-up to Deeney's strike, and Almen Abdi, a Swiss international whose creativity in midfield has been backed up by a dozen goals.

The one thing that Abdi and Vydra have in common is that they are on loan from Udinese. In fact, Watford have a total of eight on-loan players from the Italians, largely because the two share owners in Giampaolo Pozzo, who took over the English club in July. The clubs made Forestieri's loan permanent in January.

This is the biggest factor that would be working against the Hornets here: they are set to lose about a dozen players once loan deals expire. This includes the eight Udinese men, two from Spanish side Granada—also owned by Pozzo—and one each from Chelsea and Belgian giants Standard Liege.

Also working against Watford is a transfer embargo put in place by an independent disciplinary committee. This stems from unreported third-party involvement in various transfers, including the sale of current Sunderland striker Danny Graham, during the previous owner's tenure.

Per Matt Barlow of the Daily Mail, this would prevent Watford from making new signings until deadline day, August 31. They should be able to make loan signings permanent, an important fact since they've gotten such big results from the players mentioned earlier.

Should Pozzo be able to retain his Udinese starlets, his team looks the better bet to be successful in the Premier League. This group has tons of confidence and a great work ethic under Zola, with a free-flowing system allowing players to express their talents.

This is no knock on Holloway's men. They've built a solid squad of their own and deserve their place in this playoff final. But it seems like their reliance on a couple of main threats—Murray, Zaha and Kevin Phillips are the only players with more than five total goals—could haunt them.

Velasquez vs. Silva Fight Card: Who's Under the Most Pressure at UFC 160?

Dustin Filloy — Sat, 25 May 2013 10:41:10 -0400

While the remainder of his peers positioned at the top of the main card will enter the bout on a winning streak, former UFC heavyweight champ Junior dos Santos will attempt to avoid his first career losing skid.

"Cigano," who surrendered his belt to Cain Velasquez at UFC 155 in December, can vindicate his second career loss and punch his ticket to another title shot with a win in tonight's co-main event at UFC 160.

However, with surging former K-1 champion Mark Hunt standing in his path, Dos Santos surely has more pressure on his shoulders than any other fighter at UFC 160.

Cigano reeled off 10 straight wins, including nine in the Octagon, before absorbing a five-round thumping from Velasquez in their rematch.

Originally slated to square off with Alistair Overeem, Dos Santos received word in early March that an injury would be forcing the former K-1, Dream and Strikeforce champ to pull out of their scrap at UFC 160.

Days later, Dos Santos discovered that he'd instead be forced to lock horns with Hunt, a significant underdog who's garnered "Knockout of the Night" honors in two of his last four bouts.

While a win catapults Cigano back into title talks, a loss against Hunt, whom Bovada has deemed a 3.25-1 (+325) underdog, could devastate Dos Santos.

Regardless of how severe the element of pressure has become, Dos Santos refuses to deviate from his typical modest and carefree attitude.

"I'm really, really, really happy with everything what is happening in my career," Dos Santos said during an interview with MMA Heat's Karyn Bryant. "Even if I lost my last fight. I don't care about that...you know...because I'm having good times."

Cigano also sounded off on the nature of matching up a pair of heavy-hitting knockout artists on such a significant stage by saying: "For sure he's going to try to stand and bang, but it's MMA. I think I'm faster than him and I will try to knock him out. My first strategy is always to try to knock my opponent out. But if I see I have to take him down, I will do that, because he's really dangerous, and I respect that."

Chicago Blackhawks: 5 Keys to Winning Game 5 vs. Detroit Red Wings

Jon Fromi — Sat, 25 May 2013 10:35:37 -0400

The Chicago Blackhawks have a simple goal heading into Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinal. Chicago can't make up a 3-1 series deficit Saturday night. Any comeback hinges on extending the series against the Detroit Red Wings.

Forget about wresting home ice back from Detroit or a potential Game 7 showdown at the United Center. The only thing that matters is getting a win Saturday and staying alive in the postseason.

How do the Blackhawks keep their season going? Here are five keys to taking the first step and winning Game 5.

Begin Slideshow

Indy 500 Schedule 2013: Start Time, TV Info, Weather Updates and More

Mike Chiari — Sat, 25 May 2013 10:28:29 -0400

With qualifying complete and everything in place, the only thing left to do is go racing at the Indianapolis 500. "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" is always exciting, but this year's edition could be especially interesting due to the fact that there are so many contenders.

Only four drivers in the field have won the Indy 500 before, so the odds of a first-time winner breaking through are quite good. Although the Daytona 500 is certainly in the argument, the Indianapolis 500 is still considered to be the biggest race in motorsports and it could very well launch someone to superstardom on Sunday.

Here is all the information you need to know ahead of Sunday's Indy 500 including when and where to watch it, what type of weather you can expect and where every driver will be starting when the green flag waves.

Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

When: Sunday, May 26 at 12 p.m. ET

Watch: ABC

Live Stream: LiveStream.com

Weather Updates

Although heavy showers aren't expected to mar the Indy 500, it does appear as though rain could play a slight factor. According to Weather.com, the high temperature in Indianapolis on Sunday will be a comfortable 68 degrees. There is also a 30 percent chance of showers during the day, whereas the chances increase to 60 percent at night.

Since the weather promises to get worse as the day goes on, officials will likely have to find a way to finish the race before the evening. Luckily, the race starts at noon ET, so they should have plenty of time even if rain stalls the race for a period of time. As long as the showers aren't extended, though, there isn't much to worry about.

Race fans have actually gotten quite lucky weather-wise when it comes to the Indy 500 in recent years as rain hasn't often been a factor. According to Jenny Anchondo of FOX 59 in Indianapolis, measurable rainfall has occurred at the Indy 500 just four times since 2000.

It seems like rain could very well fall for a fifth year since 2000 on Sunday, but unless the forecast changes drastically, it won't be a big deal. Look for the Indy 500 to go off largely without a hitch.

Starting Grid

Grid Spot	Driver	Four-Lap Average (MPH)
1	Ed Carpenter	228.762
2	Carlos Munoz	228.342
3	Marco Andretti	228.261
4	E.J. Viso	228.150
5	A.J. Allmendinger	228.099
6	Will Power	228.087
7	Ryan Hunter-Reay	227.904
8	Helio Castroneves	227.762
9	James Hinchcliffe	227.070
10	JR Hildebrand	227.441
11	Alex Tagliani	227.386
12	Tony Kanaan	226.949
13	Oriol Servia	226.814
14	Justin Wilson	226.370
15	Sebastien Bourdais	226.196
16	Scott Dixon	226.158
17	Dario Franchitti	226.069
18	Takuma Sato	225.892
19	Charlie Kimball	225.880
20	James Jakes	225.809
21	Simon Pagenaud	225.674
22	Townsend Bell	225.643
23	Ryan Briscoe	225.265
24	Simona De Silvestro	225.226
25	Josef Newgarden	226.731
26	Graham Rahal	225.007
27	Sebastian Saavedra	224.929
28	Tristian Vautier (R)	224.873
29	Ana Beatriz	224.184
30	Pippa Mann	224.005
31	Conor Daly (R)	223.582
32	Buddy Lazier	223.442
33	Katherine Legge	223.176

* Qualifying results and starting grid via Indy 500's official website.

Sleepers to Watch

James Hinchcliffe

There is plenty of talk about the likes of Dario Franchitti and Helio Castroneves as either of them can move into a tie as the all-time winningest Indy 500 driver with a victory on Sunday, but James Hinchcliffe may have something to say about that. The Canadian star is currently fourth in the IndyCar standings and he has already won two races in this young season.

After winning the opening race of the season, Hinchcliffe took the checkered flag in the most recent race as well in Sao Paulo, Brazil. His fellow drivers showered him with praise after the race, including Ryan Briscoe.

Hinchcliffe's daring style can backfire at times, but being conservative isn't an effective way to win the Indy 500. If Hinchcliffe is near the front in the closing laps, look for him to make a big move and go for the gusto as he seeks his first Indy 500 win.

Scott Dixon

Scott Dixon already knows how it feels to win the Indy 500 as he turned the trick in 2008, but there is no doubt that the Kiwi from New Zealand would love to turn the trick again. Dixon has been very consistent this year as he is fifth in the points. He has yet to win a race, but he has been able to remain in the mix, which is something that will serve him well on Sunday.

Despite the fact that Dixon has won the race before, it doesn't seem like there is a lot of hype surrounding him. Most of the focus is on Franchitti and Castroneves, which may end up being a good thing for Dixon as he can fly under the radar. With that said, oddsmakers understand that he is a threat to win as he is listed as the No. 2 favorite, according to Lewis Franck of ESPN the Magazine.

Dixon definitely has the tools necessary to win and his winning experience could very well come into play during the latter stages. Don't be surprised if he is able to pull it off.

Takuma Sato

While avid followers of IndyCar racing are well aware, many viewers who tune in to the Indy 500 on Sunday will probably have no idea that Takuma Sato is the current points leader. He has been excellent through four races with one victory and two podium finishes. No win would be sweeter than the Indianapolis 500, however.

Sato will starting in the middle of the field at No. 18, but that doesn't preclude him from winning the race. He has done a great job at staying out of trouble on the track this year, and that is something that should help him on Sunday. There aren't many people picking Sato to win, but he definitely deserves to be in the conversation.

History will be made if Sato is triumphant as no Asian driver has even won the Indianapolis 500. Sato could inspire people across Japan and Asia as a whole if he is able to win the biggest race in motorsports. He'll have some stiff competition to contend with, but it's certainly possible.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter

French Open Schedule 2013: Dates, Times, Live Stream Info and More

Tim Daniels — Sat, 25 May 2013 10:13:56 -0400

Grand Slam tennis is back four months after Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka captured major titles at the Australian Open. The world's best players have arrived to the red clay of Roland Garros for the 2013 French Open.

Rafael Nadal, who's won the event an Modern Era-record seven times, and Maria Sharapova return to defend their 2012 championships. Nadal missed several months due to injury after last year's triumph, but has returned to top form in time for his best Grand Slam tournament.

As always, there's a strong group of contenders hoping to take them down. On the men's side, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer will serve as Nadal's chief hurdles. Sharapova will have to outlast Serena Williams, Li Na and Azarenka, among others.

The season's second major is always interesting because the surface adds a unique factor into the mix. Let's check out all the key information for the clay-court spectacle, followed by previews and predictions for both draws.

Where: Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France

When: Sunday, May 26 – Sunday, June 9

Watch: NBC, ESPN2 and Tennis Channel

Live Stream: ESPN3.com

Tournament Schedule

Date	Time (ET)	Round	TV
Sunday, May 26	5 a.m.-10 a.m.	First Round	ESPN2
Sunday, May 26	10 a.m.-7 p.m.	First Round	Tennis
Sunday, May 26	12 p.m.-3 p.m.	First Round	NBC
Monday, May 27	5 a.m.-10 a.m.	First Round	ESPN2
Monday, May 27	10 a.m.-7 p.m.	First Round	Tennis
Monday, May 27	12 p.m.-3 p.m.	First Round	NBC
Tuesday, May 28	5 a.m.-10 a.m.	First Round	ESPN2
Tuesday, May 28	10 a.m.-7 p.m.	First Round	Tennis
Wednesday, May 29	5 a.m.-10 a.m.	Second Round	ESPN2
Wednesday, May 29	10 a.m.-7 p.m.	Second Round	Tennis
Thursday, May 30	5 a.m.-10 a.m.	Second Round	ESPN2
Thursday, May 30	10 a.m.-7 p.m.	Second Round	Tennis
Friday, May 31	5 a.m.-10 a.m.	Third Round	ESPN2
Friday, May 31	10 a.m.-7 p.m.	Third Round	Tennis
Saturday, June 1	5 a.m.-12 p.m.	Third Round	Tennis
Saturday, June 1	12 p.m.-3 p.m.	Third Round	NBC
Sunday, June 2	5 a.m.-1 p.m.	Round of 16	Tennis
Sunday, June 2	1 p.m.-4 p.m.	Round of 16	NBC
Monday, June 3	5 a.m.-10 a.m.	Round of 16	ESPN2
Monday, June 3	10 a.m.-7 p.m.	Round of 16	Tennis
Tuesday, June 4	8 a.m.-1 p.m.	Quarterfinals	Tennis
Tuesday, June 4	1 p.m.-7 p.m.	Quarterfinals	ESPN2
Wednesday, June 5	8 a.m.-1 p.m.	Quarterfinals	ESPN2
Thursday, June 6	9 a.m.-2 p.m.	Women's Semifinals	ESPN2
Thursday, June 6	11 a.m.-2 p.m.	Women's Semifinals	NBC
Friday, June 7	7 a.m.-11 a.m.	Men's Semifinals	Tennis
Friday, June 7	11 a.m.-2 p.m.	Men's Semifinals	NBC
Saturday, June 8	9 a.m.-12 p.m.	Women's Final	NBC
Sunday, June 9	9 a.m.-2 p.m.	Men's Final	NBC

Schedule courtesy Tennis.com.

Men's Draw Preview

When Nadal was preparing for his return it was unclear how effective he would be. After all, he hadn't played since Wimbledon, missing two majors and the Olympics, and it wouldn't have been a surprise if it took him awhile to round into top form.

Instead, he's posted a 36-2 record and won six of eight tournaments. When you combine that success with the Spanish star's unmatched track record at the French Open, he's the prohibitive favorite. He's virtually unstoppable at Roland Garros.

Nadal also caught a minor break when it was announced Andy Murray would be forced to miss the event. Although the French Open isn't Murray's best event, removing one of the top players in the world from contention helps the three-time defending champion.

That leaves Djokovic and Federer as the biggest threats to Nadal. Djokovic was drawn onto the same side, which means a potential semifinal looms large. Federer has a more promising draw and could very well be waiting in the final.

As for sleepers capable of making deep runs, keep an eye on Juan Monaco and Grigor Dimitrov. Monaco is due for a breakthrough on a major stage and excels on clay. Dimitrov is finally showing signs of reaching his sky-high potential.

In the end, however, Nadal is the man to beat at the French.

Prediction: Rafael Nadal

Women's Draw Preview

The main focus on the women's side will be one two players. Sharapova, who showed improvement movement en route to the title last year, and Williams. The American star enters the tournament on a 24-match winning streak.

Neither player has had a great amount of success in Paris, though. Prior to last year, Sharapova reached the semifinals just twice in nine years. Williams hasn't made the semifinals since 2003 and was eliminated in the first round last year.

So it's not a foregone conclusion that one of them will win the tournament. Look out for Li Na. The 2011 French Open champion is back in fine form. She reached the Australian Open final, something she also did before winning the French title two years ago.

Other top contenders include Azarenka, Petra Kvitova and 2012 finalist Sara Errani. Aside from Williams, who isn't at her best on clay, there isn't a dominant player on the women's side. It leaves the door open for multiple scenarios.

In terms of long shots, don't forget about Ana Ivanovic. The 2008 French champion has gone through some rough patches ever since that huge triumph, but still has that talent to make a deep run. Carla Suarez Navarro, who's 13-6 on clay this season, is another player to watch.

Prediction: Li Na

Neymar Transfer Gossip: Sorting Through the Rumours

Michael Cummings — Sat, 25 May 2013 10:11:52 -0400

Neymar, a 21-year-old Brazil international forward, is perhaps the most sought-after young talent in world football. But despite the worldwide attention surrounding his future, his next move largely remains in the realm of speculation.

Here's what we know for sure, along with what we think we know.

Neymar's current contract with Santos runs until 2014, according to Bloomberg. At that point he would be allowed to leave the club for free.

On Friday, Santos announced that it had accepted two bids for the player's transfer. Santos also announced on the official club website that Neymar would decide his future in the coming days (links here and here, both in Portuguese).

Beyond those facts, speculation reigns.

As the Daily Mail reports, most observers assume that the teams behind the bids are Barcelona and Real Madrid. This makes sense. Barca and Real are two of the world's richest clubs, and both have been linked with Neymar literally for years, according to reports from Spanish online newspaper El Confidencial (h/t talkSPORT) and ESPN.

No matter which club he joins, Neymar will generate plenty of publicity. His courtship has been a drawn-out process, with several clubs involved. As the AP reports:

The player officially rejected a €35 million offer from Chelsea in 2010, and a year later Santos said five European teams contacted the club to try to sign the youngster, who eventually re-signed with Santos until the 2014 World Cup, with a buyout clause of €65 million ($84 million).

Bayern Munich reportedly also was trying to sign the 21-year-old forward, who is touted as the future of Brazilian football and the main player carrying the country's hopes to win the 2014 World Cup at home.

Mundo Deportivo has reported that Barcelona and Neymar already have a deal in place. Brazilian paper O Globo published a similar report earlier this week; soon after that, Diario AS quoted a Barcelona source as saying the agreement did not yet exist.

The AS report also hinted at what could be a complicated negotiation process. Neymar's release clause is reportedly set at €65 million, and his rights are reportedly shared by three parties: Santos (55 percent), DIS (40 percent) and Teisa (five percent).

More rumors abound over the transfer fees and wage packets offered by the two mystery clubs.

Real Madrid offered a massive transfer fee for Neymar and also more salary than Barcelona, but Neymar still opted for the Catalan club.
— Santo (@Zizouology) May 25, 2013

…

Sounds like Barcelona have finally agreed on a price for Neymar. I read 30 million euros... More to come....
— Max Bretos (@mbretosESPN) May 24, 2013

"I do not know if in the end (Neymar) will sign with Barca. That only he knows," Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi was quoted as saying this week, according to Marca. "I know this is a player who has very different individual solutions. It is clear that for Barcelona he would be a wonderful hire."

At this point in the process, even that seems to be a matter of speculation. Neymar will eventually join a new club, but for now, we can only wait to see how the facts sort themselves out.

Follow @MikeCummings37

Rafael Nadal Edges Novak Djokovic as Champion Elect for Roland Garros Title

Devil in a New Dress — Sat, 25 May 2013 10:10:16 -0400

It was only in the middle of February earlier this year when Rafael Nadal made his tentative, oft-postponed return to tennis after seven months out with injury.

Through his absence, conspiracy theories and rumors of all sorts spread about his absence from the sport.

Had the ATP suspended him on a drug charge? Were his knees even as bad as they were being made out to be? Were they worse?

The one abiding truth that we could all believe in was that Nadal, whose last act on the tennis court was picking up the thrown racket of his conqueror Lukas Rosol off the floor, would come back with all his virtues of dignity, circumspection both in victory and defeat and respect wholly intact.

Six titles in eight tournaments later, Nadal has inched his way back from the edges of our psyche to the forefront of our consciousness.

Regardless, the Spaniard still has his wits about him. Where Novak Djokovic talks and talks of the Roland Garros title being the number one goal of his year and his season, Nadal knows to pace himself and to look at the bigger picture. He is just pleased that he's back healthy and playing tennis.

Asked in Rome if entering Roland Garros as the fifth seed (and having to potentially play three of the top four players to win the title) would be a problem, Nadal answered:

The draws are tough and if you are fifth then you can have tougher draws but being 7 months out of the competition and still being number 5 is a miracle and I had a very good chance to be number 10 and there are lots of chances to be worse and I accept the situation [....] if I am fourth or fifth or sixth it is no difference. The important thing is to be healthy and play well.

Nadal eventually won the Rome title, defeating Roger Federer in the final, and in so doing ensured he would be ranked as one of the top four seeds. Not so long after, his seeding would go on to improve even more as Andy Murray pulled out of the tournament citing injury.

So entering the draw as the No. 3 seed was certainly better than entering it as the No. 5, that is, up until he was drawn as a potential opponent for Djokovic in the semifinal stage.

Speaking about what is driving him to win at Roland Garros, Djokovic explained: "I know that if I win this tournament it's going to be a part of history. I would be very honoured to be part of that small, small group of players that managed to win all four Grand Slams."

Nadal, on the other hand, whose place in tennis is already sealed, isn't faced with such existential worries. We know that Djokovic knows that Nadal knows he is the one guy who can beat him.

I was talking recently to an old tennis comrade, and he expounded on that: "And the problem is recursive as Nadal knows he knows Nadal knows he is the one guy who can beat him."

Where Nadal edges Djokovic, however, is that he is just driven to be the better player on the day. Nadal believes the rest will take care of itself.

Speaking to the media following a close match against Ernests Gulbis in Rome, Nadal gave an insight into his way of thinking.

Tennis is not like football where you score a goal and you stay back and you can win the match. If you hit as hard as you can and hit every ball at 216 or 220 and then that means being the best player then perhaps he [Gulbis] was the best player.

For me the best player is to try and find solutions against the other player and when I served for the second set and I lost and also in the third and I still was fighting and I found solutions so the best player won. Gulbis is a fantastic player [but] he needs to pace himself a little more.

Novak Djokovic is a fantastic player, but he needs to pace himself a little more.

Babe Ruth Upsets Honus Wagner in Classic Baseball Card Slugfest

Rich Mueller — Sat, 25 May 2013 10:01:38 -0400

The sports memorabilia world is still buzzing over an auction result that can rightly be considered an upset. For the first time ever, a 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth rookie card sold for more money than the famed T206 Honus Wagner.

It happened at Robert Edward Auctions (REA), where one of only about 10 known examples of the Ruth card sold for a record price of $450,300. That was nearly $48,000 more than a 1909 T206 Wagner, which was offered in the same grade and was once the subject of an FBI “card hunt” after it was stolen from a restaurant display in the 1990s.

The red-bordered Ruth card shows a young Babe as a pitcher with the Baltimore Orioles not long after he was signed out of St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys. It was apparently issued as part of a set created as a promotion for the newspaper. A Ruth rookie graded PSA 2 (Good) sold privately last year for an amount that netted the seller a tidy profit over just five years. The transactions illustrate the explosive growth of the 99-year-old card over the past several years.

The T206 Wagner remains the most recognizable baseball card ever made, but with several dozen known to exist, it isn’t as rare as the Ruth.

The two cards were among several lots that brought record prices in the REA auction, which traditionally attracts some of the most avid and determined baseball memorabilia collectors in the world.

The selling prices all included an 18.5 percent buyer’s premium. There were hundreds of rare individual cards, sets and pieces of memorabilia dating back to the 19^th century offered by REA, which specializes in rare baseball memorabilia.

The Wagner card carries quite a story. It was once owned by actor Charlie Sheen and subsequently stolen from a New York City restaurant in the 1990s; it also set a new record for its PSA 1 grade. Most Wagner cards have been profitable investments over the years.

Also selling in the auction was one of only two 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle cards graded PSA 8.5 (NM/MT+) which totaled $272,550. The last 8.5 Mantle had sold at auction for about $118,000 less just three years ago. High grade Mantle cards from what was the first major set ever issued by Topps are in high demand by advanced collectors. PSA graded cards (and those authenticated by competitors SGC and Beckett) utilize a numeric grading scale to rate the condition of cards, which are then encapsulated and labeled.

Joe Jackson baseball cards also continue to attract strong interest. Shoeless Joe’s 1910 Old Mill tobacco card, which pictured the slender outfielder as a New Orleans minor leaguer, is his most sought after. The REA auction included one graded SGC 30 (Good), which sold for $118,500.

Some memorabilia also required six figure winning bids. A PSA/DNA 8.5-graded ball signed by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig realized $343,650, a new record price for a signed baseball. Most collectors prefer their autographed baseballs to carry a single signature but Ruth-Gehrig would be an example of the exception to that rule.

A 1963 Sandy Koufax game-worn Dodgers jersey in outstanding condition rocketed to $201,450 in the auction, the most ever paid for a Koufax jersey.

In all, more than 1,800 lots were sold in the auction for a total of $10,177,000.

French Open TV Schedule: Day by Day Listings for Entire Tournament

Patrick Clarke — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:53:57 -0400

The 2013 French Open main draw will begin this weekend, as Rafael Nadal begins his journey for an eighth career title in Roland Garros on the men's side.

Nadal boasts a remarkable 52-1 career singles record on the Paris clay, winning seven of the past eight championships there and dropping just 14 sets total since 2005. The Spaniard enters the French capital as the overwhelming favorite to repeat.

In the women's draw, surging Serena Williams looks the player to beat, ranking No. 1 in the world and acing the eye test in recent weeks.

But she'll have to overcome defending champion Maria Sharapova and a field of hungry female competitors this summer in order to claim her second career French Open title.

Here we'll get you set for what's sure to be a wild two weeks of Grand Slam tennis in Paris.

Full TV Schedule

Time (ET)	Matches	Channel
Sunday, May 26
5 a.m.-10 a.m.	First Round	ESPN2
10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.	First Round	Tennis
Noon-3 p.m.	First Round	NBC
Monday, May 27
5 a.m.-10 a.m.	First Round	ESPN2
10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.	First Round	Tennis
Noon-3 p.m.	First Round	NBC
Tuesday, May 28
5 a.m.-10 a.m.	First Round	ESPN2
10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.	First Round	Tennis
Wednesday, May 29
5 a.m.-10 a.m.	Second Round	ESPN2
10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.	Second Round	Tennis
Thursday, May 30
5 a.m.-10 a.m.	Second Round	ESPN2
10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.	Second Round	Tennis
Friday, May 31
5 a.m.-10 a.m.	Third Round	ESPN2
10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.	Third Round	Tennis
Saturday, June 1
5 a.m.-Noon	Third Round	Tennis
Noon-3 p.m.	Third Round	NBC
Sunday, June 2
5 a.m.-1 p.m.	Round of 16	Tennis
1 p.m.-4 p.m.	Round of 16	NBC
Monday, June 3
5 a.m.-10 a.m.	Round of 16	ESPN2
10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.	Round of 16	Tennis
Tuesday, June 4
8 a.m.-1 p.m.	Quarterfinals	Tennis
1 p.m.-7 p.m.	Quarterfinals	ESPN2
Wednesday, June 5
8 a.m.-1 p.m.	Quarterfinals	ESPN2
Thursday, June 6
9 a.m.-2 p.m.	Women's Semifinals	ESPN2
11 a.m.-2 p.m.	Women's Semifinals	NBC
Friday, June 7
7 a.m.-11 a.m.	Men's Semifinals	Tennis
11 a.m.-2 p.m.	Men's Semifinals	NBC
Saturday, June 8
9 a.m.-1 p.m.	Women's Final	NBC
Sunday, June 9
9 a.m.-2 p.m.	Men's Final	NBC

*Schedule information courtesy of TimesUnion.com

Must-See Stars to Watch

Rafael Nadal

Love him or hate him, Rafael Nadal is the greatest player to ever slide across a clay tennis court, without question.

The undisputed King of Clay, Nadal will be the main attraction during the fortnight at Roland Garros. It doesn't matter that nearly everyone is crowning him before the tournament even begins. Just watching Rafa fire away with those heavy topspin, lefty forehands is worth the price of admission.

Plus, watching Nadal is watching history unfold.

In 2012, Nadal was aiming to surpass Bjorn Borg by becoming the first in the Open era to win seven French Open titles. But in 2013, he'll look to add to his legacy, winning an eighth crown to tie France's Max Decugis, who won eight times in the early 20th century during the Amateur era when it was a French-only tournament.

Serena Williams

It will be very interesting to see how world No. 1 Serena Williams performs early on at the French Open this summer.

While the 31-year-old is currently playing on an entirely different level than the rest of the women's field, she hasn't won this Slam since 2002, and hasn't reached the semifinals since 2003. Plus, she's coming off a first-round upset here a year ago. That first-round defeat was her first ever at a Grand Slam event.

In 2013, Williams enters Roland Garros in the midst of a 24-match winning streak and with three clay-court titles under her belt. What's more, Serena has dominated the defending champion of this event, Maria Sharapova.

Williams hasn't lost to the Russian star since 2004 and is 3-0 against her all-time on clay surfaces.

Therefore, it's no surprise that the 15-time Grand Slam champion is being picked by almost everyone to win it all this June.

Novak Djokovic

Men's world No. 1 Novak Djokovic will be looking to win his first-ever French Open championship in 2013. The 26-year-old Serb has won the Australian Open four times and both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open once each.

All he needs now is a title in Roland Garros to complete the career Grand Slam. Plus, if Djokovic wins in Paris this June, he'll still be alive to complete the Slam sweep in 2013, needing wins at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open to become the first player since Rod Laver in 1969 to win all four Slams in the same year.

Despite some lackluster play as of late, though, Djokovic's history at the French Open is very promising.

He's reached the semifinals in Paris three times and, following a quarterfinal exit in 2010, he's bounced back with runs to the semifinals in 2011 and the final last year, where he fell to Nadal in four sets.

A talented all-court player, Djokovic, who is 0-4 all-time against Rafa at the French Open, was the last man to beat Nadal on clay, taking him out in straight sets in the final at the Monte Carlo Masters in April.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.

The Biggest Flaws in NFL Officiating

Matt Miselis — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:52:08 -0400

Like most competitive professional sports, the NFL continues to deal with negative press regarding the consistently poor performances from its referees. In a sport where its focus is to enhance the safety of the game, the result has led to questionable rulings on calls, along with the interpretation of these rules.

What are the flaws of NFL officials in recent memory? Here is a breakdown of the struggles involving the referees.

Begin Slideshow

Spurs' Tony Parker Turned Away from Memphis Restaurant

Tyler Conway — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:50:56 -0400

Tony Parker has led the San Antonio Spurs to a 2-0 lead in their Western Conference Finals matchup versus the Memphis Grizzlies, but it looks like he may be walking into Saturday's Game 3 with an empty stomach.

As first reported by the Houston Chronicle, Parker attempted to dine at the popular Memphis establishment Restaurant Iris on Friday night. Arriving without a reservation, Parker was denied service.

But he's Tony Parker, NBA point guard. There has to be room for him somewhere, right? Not in Memphis. Parker was turned away from the restaurant, a move which was confirmed by the establishment's proprietor, Kelly English on Twitter:

Before we go too far in accusing Restaurant Iris ownership of mind-games chicanery to help out the hometown Grizzlies, that doesn't seem to be the case. English expanded on his reasoning for sending Parker away, stating that the restaurant was booked and plays no favorites with its patrons:

Seeing that the situation had escalated into a national story—because, of course it would—Restaurant Iris' official website released a statement on the incident Saturday morning. Here is a snippet of that statement:

At Restaurant Iris we pride ourselves on the service we provide to our guests. From the moment you make a reservation, to when you walk out of our door, it’s our job to ensure you experience both incredible food and service.

That experience begins with a reservation. Due to the size of our restaurant, there is currently a two week delay for a weekend reservation. We would not cancel a reservation that a guest made-and waited two weeks for- in order to make room for someone else without a reservation- celebrity or not. We respect our guests and their time, and appreciate their choice to dine with us.

Even if this is merely an "everyone plays by the same rules" situation, it would at least be interesting to see what would happen if Marc Gasol or Zach Randolph rolled through. Restaurant Iris' public statement did finish with the Grizzlies' season-long slogan, #gritgrind, after all.

Plus, it would be understandable if all Memphis businesses did what they could to hinder Parker...because the Grizzlies sure haven't done so.

Parker is averaging 17.5 points and 13.5 assists through the first two games of the series, carving up the Grizzlies' vaunted defense by running through a barrage of never-ending pick-and-rolls. The 31-year-old guard had 18 assists in the Spurs' Game 2 victory, which sent Memphis back home facing a critical 2-0 deficit.

Though the Grizzlies came back from a similar deficit against the Clippers in Round 1, San Antonio seems to be carrying all the momentum.

Game 3 is set for 9 p.m. ET Saturday at FedExForum. Hopefully by then Parker has found a nice McDonald's willing to serve him or something.

Follow Tyler Conway on Twitter:

Miguel Cabrera: Tigers' Superstar on Track to Smash 'Untouchable' MLB Record

James Morisette — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:22:41 -0400

On Friday, Basebook Baseball Magazine writer Paul Goode wrote a very intriguing feature that begged the question: Has Miguel Cabrera passed Albert Pujols as the premier all-round hitter in baseball?

While reading Goode’s feature, I could not help but notice one of Cabrera’s gaudy stats. Through 46 games, Cabrera is batting .388 with 14 homers and a whopping 1.154 OPS.

More striking is Cabrera's 57 RBI. Per ESPN, Cabrera is on pace for 201 RBI this year.

Already an MVP, Batting Champion and a Triple Crown winner, Cabrera is on track to have one of the best individual seasons in MLB history. Should Cabrera stay healthy and avoid a few dry spells in the batter’s box, he has a shot (albeit small) to bust Hack Wilson’s major league record for the most RBI in a single season.

According to Baseball Almanac, Wilson posted 191 RBI in 1930. Trailing Wilson is Lou Gehrig, who earned 184 RBI in 1931. Hank Greenberg is third in baseball history with 183 RBI. Greenberg sits eight RBI ahead of Jimmie Foxx (175 RBI).

Wilson’s record has been deemed by many to be one of the most untouchable records in MLB history, alongside Joe DiMaggio’s record 56-game hitting streak. This philosophy rings especially true in the post-steroid era.

Fans that think nobody will ever come close to Wilson’s gaudy RBI record have a valid point. The closest any modern player has come to Wilson’s feat is Manny Ramirez. He earned 165 RBI with the Cleveland Indians in 1999. Alex Rodriguez mustered 156 RBI with the New York Yankees in 2007 (also per Baseball Almanac).

But consider this about Cabrera. Last season, the 30-year-old slugger had 139 RBI for the Tigers in 161 games. Yet Cabrera did not get RBI 57 until June 25 vs. the Texas Rangers.

Cabrera is nearly a month ahead of schedule this season.

If injury is a concern, Cabrera has been as sturdy as baseball players come. Looking at Cabrera’s career stats, he has not played less than 150 games in a season since his rookie year (2003). From 2004-12, Cabrera has averaged 158 games played on a 162-game schedule.

Of course, all ballplayers endure slowdowns and slumps. Cabrera is no exception (although his slumps pale in comparison to other MLB players).

But should Cabrera maintain his rabid video game pace, he may come eerily close to breaking Wilson’s seemingly untouchable RBI record.

And if Cabrera does, scientists may have to consider testing him to see if this superstar really is human.

World Football Managers Gossip: Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Rafa Benitez

Michael Cummings — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:22:24 -0400

The managerial merry-go-round continues to spin, and we have all the latest updates here.

Where will Rafa Benitez end up after leaving Chelsea? When will the Special One return?

What's next for Walter Mazzarri and Roberto Martinez? And will PSG let Carlo Ancelotti go?

We have the latest news on all those stories inside. Keep reading for all the details.

Begin Slideshow

World Football Transfer Window Gossip

Karl Matchett — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:20:38 -0400

With the end of all the major European leagues in sight and the UEFA Champions League final effectively marking the end of the 2012-13 season, transfer rumours surrounding the biggest club and player names in football are on the increase.

The latest batch has incoming Manchester United manager David Moyes heavily involved in early summer dealings—although he doesn't officially take up his post until July 1 according to the Independent.

Some deals are already being completed by now, with Monaco confirming the £60 million double capture of Porto duo Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez, as per the BBC.

Here's the latest roundup of all the big rumours and links around the game this week.

Begin Slideshow

The Good, the Great and the Awesome from SmackDown (5/24/13)

Erik Beaston — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:20:11 -0400

Friday's SmackDown featured the continued dominance of The Shield, as Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose defeated Randy Orton, Kofi Kingston and Sheamus in a wild six-man tag team main event.

Elsewhere on the show, Damien Sandow made an impact, hosting his own segment in what may be a sign of things to come.

Daniel Bryan unleashed his fury and frustration over losing the WWE Tag Team titles, defeating former No. 1 contender Jack Swagger and brutalizing him with a second No Lock after the bell.

Curtis Axel continued to make a name for himself as he battled Sin Cara, The Miz hosted an edition of Miz TV that featured Fandango before challenging Wade Barrett for the Intercontinental title and two former WWE champions met up as Chris Jericho squared off with the giant Big Show.

What did WWE get right on this edition of SmackDown? What was good, great and awesome?

Find out inside.

Begin Slideshow

The 10 Most Shocking Pennant-Winning Teams in MLB History

Ely Sussman — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:15:00 -0400

Entering the 2013 season, hardly anyone chose the Colorado Rockies or New York Yankees to contend for pennants. Both have shocked the baseball world by overcoming depth and injuries concerns, but we've seen plenty of that throughout MLB history.

The teams featured on this list made journeys all the way to the World Series despite being perceived as underdogs prior to Opening Day. Each slide reflects on previous seasons to explain why there was pessimism, identifies the difference-makers who made the pennant possible and states whether or not the team was victorious in the Fall Classic.

Every generation has had its unlikely successes.

Begin Slideshow

10 Best 'Failed' Starters in MLB History

Rick Weiner — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:07:20 -0400

Nobody likes to be labeled a failure.

Whether it's failing an exam in school, your first road test or not performing up to expectations in any of your endeavors, not finding success can be a deflating feeling, one that some people can move past more easily than others.

Professional athletes are no different.

Whether their failures came in the minor leagues or once they arrived in the big show, for the 10 pitchers that we are about to look at, failure was the best possible thing that could have happened for their careers.

For it was their ineptitude at the beginning of games that ultimately led to unthinkable levels of success pitching out of the bullpen, primarily in the ninth inning.

While there are a number of failed starting pitchers who were able to reinvent themselves as quality relievers, these 10 pitchers stand out from the pack.

Begin Slideshow

2013 NBA Mock Draft: Best Player Targets for Every GM

Tyler Brooke — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:00:00 -0400

The NBA Draft is about a month away, and the prospects are making their cases as to why they should be drafted in June. For NBA general managers, they will have to make sure they bring in the right players.

Here is an NBA mock draft with the best player each team should target. The best player is based off of overall potential, upside and how he fits with the team.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky

The ACL tear makes Noel a risky pick, but there’s really no one else coming out that is a better overall player.

According to a report from ESPN.com, Noel’s rehab is going ahead of schedule. Before the injury, Noel was having a fantastic season at Kentucky.

A big man underneath the basket to complement Kyrie Irving could make this a very interesting team to watch next year.

2. Orlando Magic: Ben McLemore, G, Kansas

The next best thing to Noel is McLemore, and there are plenty of reasons why.

One of the truly elite scorers coming out of this class, McLemore can score inside the paint and outside with a solid jumper. He’s an impressive athlete with loads of potential.

The Magic are likely still hurting from not getting the No. 1 overall pick, but McLemore isn’t a very bad consolation prize.

3. Washington Wizards: Victor Oladipo, G, Indiana

One of the most exciting players in the NCAA last year, Oladipo can really do it all.

While being an excellent slasher, Oladipo was also an impressive shooter. His long arms made him an exciting player on both sides of the court, making big play after big play on defense during the year.

Putting Oladipo in the backcourt with John Wall could do wonders for this team. Having two big impact guards on this team can finally bring it into relevancy in the Wall era.

4. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Bennett, F, UNLV

This is an incredibly young team with plenty of talent in guys like Kemba Walker and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, but it’s time that this team drafted a big man.

As far as power forwards and centers go, Bennett is the best available. He can stretch the floor and score from a variety of places. Defense is still a question mark, but a solid coaching staff can develop him into a well-rounded player.

With so many young players, the Bobcats are bound to start winning. With a big presence at power forward, maybe they can start making some big steps toward a better team.

5. Phoenix Suns: Otto Porter, F, Georgetown

There are some talented players on the Suns, but they are nowhere near where they used to be during the days of Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudemire.

One way to start turning things around is to bring in a guy with superstar potential. Porter was an impressive player at Georgetown, and may actually be the most NBA-ready player in the draft class.

Other teams may take Porter early, but the Suns would have no problem taking him without hesitation. They need a go-to scorer, and Porter can be that guy.

6. New Orleans Pelicans: Michael Carter-Williams, G, Syracuse

This is a tough one between Trey Burke and Carter-Williams, but the Pelicans could use a lengthier point guard to complement Anthony Davis.

At 6’6’’, Carter-Williams has impressive length for a point guard. He also did an excellent job running the offense for the Orange, averaging 7.3 assists per game last season.

Burke is the better scorer, but a floor general is a player that can help this team quickly start winning games.

7. Sacramento Kings: Trey Burke, PG, Michigan

Isaiah Thomas and Jimmer Fredette simply aren’t the long-term answer at point guard for the Kings, but Burke certainly could be.

Burke is a scoring point guard that can also effectively run an offense. His size will be questioned since he’s listed at only 6’0’’, but his clutch gene certainly won’t be questioned.

The Kings are another team with some young talent and are a few pieces away from being a good team. Burke can get that ball rolling.

8. Detroit Pistons: Shabazz Muhammad, F, UCLA

A one-year player in college, Muhammad was a big name coming into UCLA. The Pistons need big names, so this match makes a lot of sense.

Muhammad was an impressive scorer despite only being a freshman last year, averaging 17.9 points per game. He has good size to play as a small forward and make plays.

There is no star player on the Pistons right now, but Muhammad has All-Star potential.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves: C.J. McCollum, G, Lehigh

The emergence of Nikola Pekovic to go along with Kevin Love gives the Timberwolves a solid frontcourt. Now, they need someone in the backcourt to go with Ricky Rubio.

McCollum has shot up draft boards despite being from a smaller program. He was a sensational scorer his entire career, finishing his career averaging over 20 points per game.

If healthy, the Timberwolves will be a great team. McCollum will be yet another threat on this team.

10. Portland Trail Blazers: Alex Len, C, Maryland

Damian Lillard took the NBA by storm this season, but now the Trail Blazers need more depth down low.

Alex Len is a risky pick, but he definitely has a lot of upside. According to Andy Katz, Len recently had surgery for a stress fracture.

The surgery likely pushes Len down a bit, but the Trail Blazers will be happy to have him. Another big guy that can score down low will help this team a lot.

11. Philadelphia 76ers: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, G, Georgia

An athletic wing player is just what the 76ers need to play with Jrue Holliday.

Caldwell-Pope is a solid shooter and can defend well behind the arc. He is an impressive guy athletically and can add some scoring to this team.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Raptors): Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville

The Thunder don’t have many huge needs, but a defensive-minded big man would be a welcome addition.

There might not have been a better defensive player in college last year than Dieng. According to Sports-Reference.com, he was fifth in the NCAA with a defensive rating of 81.7. He was a dominant defender and could score down low, so there’s a lot to like about this pick.

13. Dallas Mavericks: Cody Zeller, C, Indiana

The Mavericks don’t have a dominant big man. Zeller can fix that.

Zeller struggled against bigger guys, but he can play as either a power forward or center in the NBA. He can play well in the post and has a solid jump shot that he rarely used in college. Learning under Dirk Nowitzki will help him significantly.

14. Utah Jazz: Shane Larkin, G, Miami

The Jazz need an athlete at the guard position, and Larkin is probably the best athlete in the draft class.

The combine helped out Larkin quite a bit. A tweet by ESPN Stats & Info reported that Larkin’s 44-inch vertical was quite a rare feat.

Larkin still is a raw player, but his athleticism makes him a top-15 pick.

15. Milwaukee Bucks: Jamaal Franklin, F, San Diego State

There’s not much excitement coming out of the Bucks franchise, with the exception of Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings.

An exciting playmaker the Bucks could take is Franklin. He can get to the rim with some impressive moves and has some nice moves to create space with his jumper. He has some long arms as well to help him on defense.

16. Boston Celtics: Mason Plumlee, C, Duke

Plumlee has been a dominating player in college for some time, and now it’s time for him to make a name for himself in the NBA.

The Celtics would be wise to bring in Plumlee. He can score, play defense and overall make a big impact on a team. His free throws could use some work, but there’s not really another big weakness in his game.

17. Atlanta Hawks: Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga

Despite playing at a small program, Olynyk and company were able to earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

Olynyk is an NBA-ready prospect. He has a solid jumper but can also play in the post. His impressive play in college translates well to the NBA, and not all prospects can say that. The Hawks need depth down low, and Olynyk does just that.

18. Atlanta Hawks (via Houston): Allen Crabbe, G, California

With two picks in a row, the Hawks have plenty of options. One pick can help out the backcourt a bit.

Crabbe is a deep threat to score, but he struggles to make his own shots and play solid defense. Going to the Hawks helps him out since other players like Josh Smith are the go-to scorers and can help get Crabbe open.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Suns from Heat): Tony Snell, G, New Mexico

The combine helped out Snell dramatically, and now he’s becoming a hot pick to move into the first round.

An athletic player, Snell can make plays on both defense and offense thanks to his size and length. He makes a good fit with the Cavaliers to add more depth to this team.

20. Chicago Bulls: Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh

If Derrick Rose is back next year, there aren’t many big holes on this team. Although the team still has Joakim Noah, Adams makes sense.

Despite being a big man, Adams has a nice shooting touch and athleticism to make him a change-of-pace center when Noah is off of the floor. Having two unique centers on this team would provide some mismatches for the Bulls.

21. Utah Jazz (via Warriors): Tim Hardaway Jr., G, Michigan

Even if the Jazz pick Larkin earlier, they could still use even more scoring in that backcourt.

Hardaway looked good at Michigan, but the combine helped him out even more. At 6’6’’, he provides excellent size as a shooting guard. He can definitely add some scoring to this Jazz team.

22. Brooklyn Nets: Sergey Karasev, F, Russia

Even if you can’t pronounce his name, Karasev is certainly a good option for the Nets to look at in the first round.

As a small forward, Karasev has an excellent three-point shot and understands when and when not to shoot the ball. It takes a smart player to know when to shoot, and that can help the Nets a lot next season.

23. Indiana Pacers: Dennis Schroeder, PG, Germany

Another overseas player, Schroeder is a good fit to play behind George Hill at the point guard position.

Schroeder is an excellent ball-handler and can break ankles with his dribbling skills. He can make plays scoring or distributing, making him an exciting potential prospect at point guard.

24. New York Knicks: Jeff Withey, C, Kansas

This draft class seems to be filled with big men, and Withey is yet another impressive one.

A terrific defender and solid scorer in the post, Withey would do well learning under a guy like Tyson Chandler. He wouldn’t start with the Knicks, but the team could use another guy under the basket.

25. Los Angeles Clippers: Archie Goodwin, G, Kentucky

Lob City has plenty of star power, but it needs some bigger scorers off of the bench.

Goodwin averaged 14.1 points per game in his only season at Kentucky. He was a good scorer, but wasn’t very impressive from behind the arc. He was an inconsistent player in college, but he has the upside to become a great player in the NBA with time.

26. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Grizzlies): Giannis Antetokoumpo , F, Greece

There’s no way I’m going to even try to pronounce that.

As a power forward, the prospect out of Greece has some very impressive ball-handling skills, which can help him get to the basket. He’s a different breed of power forwards, which can add some versatility to this team that already has plenty of international prospects.

27. Denver Nuggets: Ricky Ledo, G, Providence

Ledo didn’t play last year for Providence due to being academically ineligible, but he was a big name recruit out of high school.

Another gifted athlete, Ledo is extremely raw, but his upside is just ridiculous. The Nuggets don’t have an immediate need in the backcourt, so developing a player like Ledo could be a great decision in the long term.

28. San Antonio Spurs: Glen Rice, G, NBA D-League

An interesting pick, Rice was kicked off of Georgia Tech for violations, but he impressed many with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

Rice can be an impressive scorer, but he still likely needs time to develop into a more mature player. The Spurs are a great franchise with a solid coaching staff that can do just that for Rice.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Tony Mitchell, F, North Texas

The Thunder have another pick in the draft, and they can continue to add depth off of their bench.

Mitchell can be an athletic backup to Kevin Durant while developing into a better overall player. He’s a guy that loves to make exciting dunks, but is also working on becoming better in other areas. The Thunder have that kind of patience based off of their current roster and can wait for Mitchell to develop.

30. Phoenix Suns (via Cavs from Lakers): Reggie Bullock, F, North Carolina

The final pick in the first round, the Suns could be getting quite the player in Bullock.

Bullock developed into a well-rounded player during his time with the Tar Heels. After being a heavy three-point shooter his first two seasons, he developed into an all-around scorer in his junior season.

The Suns need all of the scoring they can get and, with time, Bullock can be another efficient scorer that can quickly put up points.

Power Ranking Top 10 Dual-Threat QBs Heading into 2013 College Football

Ian Berg — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:00:00 -0400

Dual-threat quarterbacks have stolen the college football spotlight over the past half-decade. Tim Tebow led the charge, but now three straight Heisman Trophies have been handed to dual-threat QBs.

This year the position is loaded with talented dual-threat players, and this is a look at how the 10 best stack up against one another.

Johnny Manziel is the favorite heading into fall, but Braxton Miller is a challenger stealing some of the spotlight this summer. Don’t forget the power of MACtion and the leap that Jordan Lynch took onto the national stage last fall.

Who else makes the cut?

Note: All stats confirmed with CFBStats.com

Begin Slideshow

Ways the MLB Draft Can Improve to Be More Like the NFL Draft

Ben Stepansky — Sat, 25 May 2013 08:57:47 -0400

When is the 2013 MLB Draft?

I'll give you the amount of time it takes for your eyes to cross the following ellipses to figure it out...June 6-8. Twelve days from today the top amateur baseball players from high schools and colleges around the country will be selected through one of 50 rounds in the MLB draft.

You read that right, 50 rounds.

I'll stop right here and state that the first way in which the MLB draft can mold itself to be more like its superior NFL brethren is to cut back some baggage; the chances of finding a professional-caliber player in rounds later than the 15th is like finding a needle in a haystack.

However, there are more pressing issues as to why the MLB draft pales in comparison to the media-crazed, and frankly over-hyped, NFL draft.

For one, the talent from the high school or college level to professional competition does not translate the same way between the two sports. An NFL-ready quarterback drafted in the first round can seamlessly step into the leadership role after participating in just a single preseason (See: Robert Griffin III, Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson, etc.).

On the other hand, a dominant college starting pitcher like Mark Appel — who was drafted eighth overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2012 and offered a $3.8 million initial contract before deciding to return to Stanford for his degree — may not reach a major league mound for one, three or even ten years. There are no guarantees in the MLB.

Without the instant gratification fans receive from NFL rookies, who can make an immediate impact on ones favorite team, the spectator interest is stunted, leaving a challenging hurdle for the MLB to overcome.

Let's consider a few scenarios that can increase the popularity of the MLB draft.

Begin Slideshow

Biggest Bros and Hipsters of 2013 Playoffs

Brendan Bowers — Sat, 25 May 2013 08:46:08 -0400

Hipsters use their creativity to make bold fashion choices.

They are not afraid to challenge traditional standards for what's acceptable from a style standpoint.

NBA hipsters, in many ways, are led by the audaciously fashionable Russell Westbrook.

The fashion-forward point guard was essentially sidelined for his Oklahoma City Thunder's entire the playoff run; however, so in his place, Dwyane Wade has carried that mantle.

Meanwhile, the NBA bros are players with more conservative styles. While they possess the over-the-top confidence necessary to make bold fashion choices, they instead choose to keep it simple.

This list is highlighting the best of both worlds during the 2013 postseason.

Begin Slideshow

Adrian Peterson Gets the Glory but Doug Martin Is Future of NFL Running Backs

Dan Hope — Sat, 25 May 2013 08:37:22 -0400

Adrian Peterson made a clear statement last season that he is the NFL's most spectacular running back.

A recovery from a torn ACL didn't stop Peterson from rushing for 2,097 yards, the second-highest total in NFL history. He had 348 rushing attempts, on which he averaged more than six yards per carry.

Although Peterson is coming off of a career-best season, the window of his prime could only have a couple more seasons left. He is 28 years old, leaving him just two more years before he reaches the magic age of decline—30—for most NFL running backs.

Only four running backs—Thomas Jones (twice), Fred Taylor, Willis McGahee and Ricky Williams—have rushed for more than 1,000 yards in any of the past six seasons after turning 30, according to Pro Football Reference's player season finder index. In contrast, eight running backs have rushed for more than 1,000 yards in the season they were 29 years old.

If Peterson's career follows recent trends, he likely has two more seasons left as a top-tier running back. While Peterson could certainly go above the trend, he should not be counted on to remain an elite NFL running back four or five years from now.

When Peterson's career starts to wind down, who will be the NFL's new star running back? 24-year-old Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin looks like a good bet entering his second season in the league.

Martin became an immediate standout in his rookie season. He finished the season among the NFL's top five in rushing yards (1,454), rushing touchdowns (11) and total carries (319).

Martin ran for more than 100 yards in five individual games last season, highlighted by a 251-yard, four touchdown performance against the Oakland Raiders in Week 9. To the contrary, he had two games in which he had less than 10 rushing attempts and 50 rushing yards.

Martin had his big plays and big games last season, but he was one of the league's most consistent and reliable backs. The No. 31 overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft saw his well-rounded game as a running back translate to immediate league success.

Unlike Peterson, whose combination of size, power and speed make him spectacular, Martin does not have impressive measurables. His size (5'9", 215 pounds) and speed (4.55-second 40-yard dash at 2012 NFL Scouting Combine) are both considered average at best for an NFL running back.

This is where I must confess that I overlooked Martin's ability as a running back prospect. Following the 2012 NFL draft, I called Martin's selection as a first-round pick "poor value." One year later, it appears that the Buccaneers instead got one of the draft's steals by getting him as late in Round 1 as they did.

Considering Martin to be a "reach" as a first-round draft pick came as a result of placing too much focus on his lack of explosive measurables. There are many traits in Martin's game that allow him to overcome those shortcomings and consistently frustrate defenses.

Taking Advantage of Open Lanes

Martin does a good job out of the backfield of not only finding holes but committing to them and accelerating through them to make plays.

Martin has very good vision. He exhibits great awareness of where his blockers are picking up defenders, and follows his blocks to find holes in the defense. He is a patient but not hesitant runner; he allows his blocks to set up for him, but consistently keeps his legs moving forward toward the opposing end zone.

Martin also has the lateral quickness to quickly make a move into a hole. He uses both his quickness and ability to run through contact to squeeze through tight holes. When he makes it through a tight hole which leaves him with room to run, he can then take advantage of the open field by quickly accelerating to full speed.

Making Defenders Miss

The key trait that makes Martin a big-play threat is his ability to make sharp yet smooth cuts in the open field without disrupting the flow or speed of his rush.

When a runner has to fully plant or slow his forward momentum to make a cut, his ability to extend a run is diminished. Martin is able to keep himself moving forward with speed while making slight but effective cuts to bounce away from a defender.

Making a cut is rarely an accentuated point in Martin's run because he has very active feet and consistently makes subtle moves within his open-field runs. He has shown, however, that he can also make a defender miss with a devastating stop cut, such as the move below at the end of his 67-yard rushing touchdown versus the Raiders last season.

Hard to Bring Down

In order to stop Martin, a defender must wrap him up and make a sound tackle. Martin consistently runs hard and bounces away from weak tackling attempts.

Martin has the strength to absorb hits and consistently keeps his legs driving forward through contact. As a result, Martin constantly extended plays after contact, as he does a good job of maintaining his momentum and balance. Even when he is taken to the ground, he gets an extra yard or two by falling forward through the tackle.

Martin was one of three NFL running backs to gain more than 1,000 yards after contact last season, according to Pro Football Focus premium statistics.

Durability and Reliability

Martin had the second-most snaps (841) and fourth-most rushing attempts (319) of any NFL running back last season, according to PFF. Even with his heavy work load, he remained strong as the season progressed. Two of his 100-yard games came in the final four weeks of his rookie season.

Martin maintained an impressive 4.6 yards per carry last season, showing that he did not just run the ball often, but did it effectively. Even more impressive, Martin fumbled the ball one time last season which ranked him the best among the five running backs with 300 rushing attempts last season.

Three-Down Asset

Martin is a rarity in today's NFL, a true three-down running back. In addition to being a durable and consistent runner, he is an asset in the passing offense.

Martin does a good job of getting open out of the backfield and making catches, and then using his open-field running traits to extend short receptions into bigger gains. Martin had the fourth-most receiving yards among all running backs last season with 472 yards on 49 receptions.

Martin's combined total of 1,926 yards from scrimmage last season was third among all NFL players last season, behind only Peterson and Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson.

Martin is also an effective pass blocker. His pass blocking efficiency rating of 94.2 last season was third among running backs with 100 or more pass block snaps last season, according to PFF.

Combining all of these elements into his total game, Martin already makes a strong case for being the league's most well-rounded back. His long-term future looks the brightest of any young running back in the NFL.

Let's take a look at two of his four touchdowns versus the Raiders last season to see how Martin combines the many strengths of his game to be a dangerous runner.

On the first touchdown shown (67 yards), Martin accelerates quickly out of the backfield and immediately takes off left. He follows a block with his speed, then runs through a poor tackling attempt just past the line of scrimmage.

He accelerates through the contact and takes off to the left sideline where he hits full speed. At the 10-yard line, he makes the stop cut illustrated earlier to beat the last line of defense and stroll into the end zone.

Martin's run to a 70-yard touchdown, also shown in the video, started by using his vision and quickness at the line of scrimmage. He started right, but as his blockers set up a hole to the left, he makes a sharp cutback while continuing to accelerate and hits the hole with speed.

From there, he quickly hits full speed running up the middle of the field, and maintains that speed even through two tackling attempts. He outran the defense by maintaining his momentum all the way to the end zone.

Martin's best performance of last season may have come against one of the NFL's weakest defenses, but it was an illustration of how special a player Martin can be. Combined with his consistency throughout the year, Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans and Martin fantasy owners alike should feel great promise about his future.

Dan Hope is an NFL draft featured columnist for Bleacher Report.

Follow @Dan_Hope

Coca-Cola 600 2013: Start Time, Lineup, TV Schedule and More

Tim Daniels — Sat, 25 May 2013 08:33:25 -0400

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to points racing on Sunday night with one of the season's most anticipated races: the Coca-Cola 600. Last week, five-time series champion Jimmie Johnson won the All-Star race, receiving a big paycheck but no points.

Johnson will once again be among the top contenders at the annual Memorial Day weekend showcase. He's won the marquee race three times before but not since 2005. Kasey Kahne, who won last year's race, and Jeff Gordon are the other active drivers with three Coca-Cola 600 wins.

The midseason spectacle also provides an opportunity for struggling drivers such as Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart to begin turning things around. With the All-Star race in the rear-view mirror, the mad dash for the Chase should start to heat up.

It all adds up to an intriguing night at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Let's take a look at all the vital viewing information for the race, followed by a list of top qualifiers and a deeper dive into some drivers worth watching on Sunday.

Where: Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.

When: Sunday, May 26 at 6 p.m. ET

Watch: Fox

Live Stream: NASCAR RaceView

TV Schedule

Sprint Cup Series practice – Saturday, 10 a.m. ET on SPEED

Sprint Cup Series final practice – Saturday, 1 p.m. ET on SPEED

2013 Coca-Cola 600 – Sunday, 6 p.m. ET on Fox

Race Lineup

Pos.	Driver	No.	Make	Top Speed
1	Denny Hamlin	11	Toyota	195.624
2	Kurt Busch	78	Chevrolet	195.221
3	Matt Kenseth	20	Toyota	195.094
4	Mark Martin	55	Toyota	194.595
5	Clint Bowyer	15	Toyota	194.503
6	Kasey Kahne	5	Chevrolet	194.349
7	Greg Biffle	16	Ford	194.238
8	Kyle Busch	18	Toyota	193.952
9	Jamie McMurray	1	Chevrolet	193.694
10	Ryan Newman	39	Chevrolet	193.639

For the complete qualifying order, visit NASCAR's official site.

Drivers to Watch

Denny Hamlin

Not only did Hamlin secure his second pole of the season, he did so in record-breaking fashion. His top speed during qualifying was several fractions better than any other car in the field, which bodes well for his chances in the race itself.

Hamlin is playing catch up after missing four races earlier in the season due to injury. He's going to need a consistent run of top finishes in order to make up for lost time. He currently sits in a tie for 26th place—more than 100 points behind the wild cards.

The driver of the No. 11 Toyota must do better to capitalize on his pole position than he did at the Auto Club 400. There Hamlin started up front but faded to a 25th-place finish. The good news is he has four top 10s in seven Coca-Cola 500 starts.

Jimmie Johnson

Johnson is having yet another terrific season. He's finished in the top 10 eight times in 11 races, including six of the past seven. The star has also won twice—three times if you count the All-Star race—and hasn't finished worse than 22nd.

The last fact is often overlooked but crucial for any championship contender. Avoiding the deep-pack finishes is just as important as the top 10s. Johnson has done a great job of staying out of trouble, and it's allowed him to build a big lead.

He will start 12th, which obviously isn't ideal, but it doesn't count him out. When he won the race for the first time in 2003, he started in 37th. A race that lasts 600 miles provides plenty of time for drivers to make up ground, and few are better than Johnson at doing exactly that.

Kurt Busch

Busch would fall into the category of drivers needing to make their move. He's had a solid season with a couple top fives and a pole, but two DNFs have set him back a bit. Starting on the front row gives the veteran a great chance to make up some ground.

The 34-year-old Las Vegas native won the Coca-Cola 600 three years ago. His track record in the race is otherwise spotty, however, with an average finish outside the top 20. Anything close to that on Sunday would be a major disappointment.

He's clearly got the car to make a serious push toward victory lane. Given that his margin for error to make the Chase will only continue to shrink from here, he can't let these golden opportunities slip away. Expect a strong showing from the No. 78 Chevy.

Carlo Ancelotti: 5 Potential Targets If He Joins Real Madrid

Laura Greene — Sat, 25 May 2013 08:30:00 -0400

Real Madrid are hoping to sign Carlo Ancelotti as their next manager, according to the Daily Mail.

Ancelotti’s previous managerial experience includes Juventus, AC Milan, Chelsea and most recently Paris St-Germain.

BBC Sport have reported that PSG are not willing to lose the Italian, who has a year remaining on his current contract.

But, as Marca reported this week, Los Blancos are still hoping to unveil Ancelotti as head coach on June 3.

It’s been a far from successful season for Real Madrid, who end the 2012/13 campaign without silverware.

Here we look at five potential Ancelotti targets, if he gets a move to the Bernabeu.

Begin Slideshow

F1 Monaco 2013: Start Time, Lineup, TV Schedule and More

Patrick Clarke — Sat, 25 May 2013 08:20:48 -0400

Australian Mark Webber will be looking to win for the third time in four years in the principality on Sunday as a field of elite drivers take to the streets of Monte Carlo in the Grand Prix of Monaco.

This weekend's circuit is like no other on the Formula One schedule. The shifts in elevation and tight corners make for a challenging ride and are sure to separate the more skillful drivers from the rest. There are 19 turns in all, and also a unique tunnel stretch at one of the fastest points of the circuit.

In addition to Webber, points leader Sebastian Vettel is sure to be in the mix, along with Spanish Grand Prix champion Fernando Alonso. All three have won here before and have looked strong in practice thus far.

Here we'll get you set for the 2013 Monaco Grand Prix

Where: Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco

When: Sunday, May 26 at 8 a.m. ET

Watch: NBC

Starting Lineup

Pos	No	Driver	Team
1	9	Nico Rosberg	Mercedes
2	10	Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes
3	1	Sebastian Vettel	Red Bull Racing-Renault
4	2	Mark Webber	Red Bull Racing-Renault
5	7	Kimi Räikkönen	Lotus-Renault
6	3	Fernando Alonso	Ferrari
7	6	Sergio Perez	McLaren-Mercedes
8	15	Adrian Sutil	Force India-Mercedes
9	5	Jenson Button	McLaren-Mercedes
10	18	Jean-Eric Vergne	STR-Ferrari
11	11	Nico Hulkenberg	Sauber-Ferrari
12	19	Daniel Ricciardo	STR-Ferrari
13	8	Romain Grosjean	Lotus-Renault
14	17	Valtteri Bottas	Williams-Renault
15	21	Giedo van der Garde	Caterham-Renault
16	16	Pastor Maldonado	Williams-Renault
17	14	Paul di Resta	Force India-Mercedes
18	20	Charles Pic	Caterham-Renault
19	12	Esteban Gutierrez	Sauber-Ferrari
20	23	Max Chilton	Marussia-Cosworth
21	22	Jules Bianchi	Marussia-Cosworth
22	4	Felipe Massa	Ferrari

*Information via Formula1.com.

Circuit de Monaco

Drivers to Watch

Mark Webber

Australian star Mark Webber has won the Grand Prix of Monaco twice in the past three years, and on Sunday he can join an elite list of men who have won here three times.

The 36-year-old has yet to win in five races this season, but did manage his second top-five finish of the year in his last outing in Barcelona.

Webber has some serious catching up to do in the standings (thanks to a 20th-place finish in China last month) if he hopes to win his first-ever Formula One championship in 2013. Trailing Sebastian Vettel by nearly 50 points, a win this weekend would be huge for the Aussie as he looks to build some momentum moving forward.

But given the sort of skill Webber has displayed in Monte Carlo in recent years, it's safe to say that, barring any mechanical issues, he'll be vying for the win in the late stages on Sunday.

Fernando Alonso

Fresh off a victory in Barcelona two weeks ago, Spanish superstar Fernando Alonso looks poised for yet another strong finish in Europe.

The 31-year-old veteran already has two wins to his name through five races this season, conquering the Grand Prix of China in Shanghai last month to earn his first victory of the year.

A two-time Formula One champion, Alonso has picked up more than 30 wins over the course of his career. But more so than wins, the Spaniard is after points. He's currently 17 points back of Sebastian Vettel in the driver standings.

After finishing second behind Vettel in 2010 and again last year, you can bet Alonso will be zipping around the circuit in his Ferrari on Sunday.

Keep in mind that he won this race in back-to-back years in 2006 and 2007, but has not won since.

Sebastian Vettel

Current driver points leader Sebastian Vettel will look to bounce back this weekend following a disappointing fourth-place finish in Spain two weeks ago.

The three-time defending Formula One champion has looked strong for the most part in 2013, winning in Malaysia and Bahrain. Plus, the 25-year-old German has yet to finish outside the top five in any race this year.

Vettel ran well but ultimately finished fourth in Monte Carlo a year ago, missing out on opportunity to repeat after breaking through and winning here for the first time in 2011.

Like Webber and Alonso, Vettel is a past champion of Monaco, which bodes well for his chances on Sunday. After all, you don't get to be the best Formula One has to offer without possessing some serious talent behind the wheel.

To this point in the year, consistency has been the name of the game for Vettel and his Red Bull Racing team, and they look primed for another solid run this weekend.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.

Chelsea Transfer News: Blues Should Let Thibaut Courtois Remain on Loan in Spain

Joseph Zucker — Sat, 25 May 2013 08:00:01 -0400

If Petr Cech is going to remain a Blue next season, Chelsea should let Thibaut Courtois continue his loan spell with Atletico Madrid.

He's set to return to Stamford Bridge this season, but his path to the first team is blocked by Cech. Courtois is good enough to get first-team football at almost any other club, so he deserves to be playing each and every week.

Courtois has already made his plea to stay with Atletico Madrid next season (h/t John Cross of the Daily Mirror):

"The Premier League is different to Spain. I think Chelsea want me to adapt with a loan deal but I would prefer to play for Atletico in the Champions League rather than a team which fights for eighth place in the Premier League.

"I know Chelsea don't want to loan me to another big English team and I understand that but it is a difficult situation."The club has one of the strongest goalkeeping situations in the world."

With Cech, Chelsea has one of the best keepers in the Premier League. With Courtois, the club has arguably the best young goalkeeper in the world. It's an embarrassment of riches.

Some might have gotten a first look at Courtois during Atletico's 2-1 win over Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey. But he's been stellar ever since moving to the Vicente Calderon, as Dan Thomas of ESPN pointed out:

Courtois has been prone to making some silly mistakes, most of which are down to his overall inexperience. He's only going to turn 22 on May 11. When you watch Courtois, though, you see a keeper who is wise beyond his years and athletic enough to make the difficult saves look easy.

There is an argument to be made that Courtois should be the first-choice keeper for Chelsea next season. Jake Allingan of Squawka has crunched the numbers and determined, in his opinion, the difference between Courtois and Cech is not all that great.

Sure, there's going to be a transition as he adapts to the Premier League and his teammates. But Courtois is a much more developed keeper than David de Gea, so there won't be the same kind of magnified mistakes. Plus, it's clear to see how much de Gea has improved over the past few seasons.

You can't blame Chelsea for sticking with Cech next season, though. He's an established player and, at 31 years old, is far from finished.

With Courtois having to look elsewhere to get first-team football, it makes the most sense to let him stay at Atletico Madrid. He's comfortable there and has established a rapport with his back four and has the full confidence of Diego Simeone.

Going to a mid- to lower-table Premier League side would get Courtois acquainted with English football. Joe Hart helped himself a lot when he played with Birmingham City before moving to the Manchester City first team.

The question is, would that be the same as playing in the Champions League with Atletico? By virtue of finishing third in La Liga, Atletico Madrid is guaranteed Champions League football. Every player wants to play in the competition because it offers the highest quality of football in the world.

By playing in the group stage, Courtois will at least acquaint himself with the pressure cooker that is the Champions League. That will be massive when joining a club like Chelsea that demands UCL qualification and success every year.

Whether it's in England or Spain, Courtois needs to play regular football. If that's not going to happen at Stamford Bridge, then it should be at the Calderon.

French Open 2013: Breaking Down Favorites to Win Grand Slam Event

Tyler Brooke — Sat, 25 May 2013 08:00:01 -0400

All of the stars in tennis will be present at the French Open, particularly in the Men’s Singles bracket.

The second Grand Slam event of the season will take place over the next few weeks. With the event starting up on Sunday, let’s go ahead and look at some of the big favorites to win the French Open in 2013.

Rafael Nadal

This has been Nadal’s event to win over the course of his career. He’s won the event the last three years and seven of the last eight, with Roger Federer the only other winner during that stretch, back in 2009. His overall record at this event is 52-1.

There’s little doubt that Nadal is the best clay-court player of all time. Since his return from a knee injury, Nadal has gone 31-2 on clay this season, with four tournament championships already.

If there’s any player in the field that’s the heavy favorite, it’s Nadal, plain and simple.

Novak Djokovic

The guy that fan will be looking to potentially upset Nadal in this event will be Djokovic.

So far this season, Djoker is 7-2 on clay with a tournament win at Monte Carlo. He has improved each of the past three years at the French Open, losing in the quarterfinals in 2010, semifinals in 2011 and finals against Nadal in 2012.

The two will likely go against each other again in the semifinals this year. In their six meetings against each other on clay, they are tied with three wins each. The winner of this potential match would advance to the finals and likely be the favorite to bring home the win.

If the two face each other in the semis, it will certainly be a very entertaining match.

Roger Federer

As said earlier, Federer is the only other player to win the French Open in the past eight years. However, this is Federer’s worst event in the Grand Slam series, with only an 80.6 win percentage at the French Open. This season, he has yet to win a tournament on clay, going 5-2 in two clay tournaments.

Still, Federer has been to the finals five times in the last eight attempts, with an appearance in the semifinals just last season. He’s one of the true greats in tennis, and nothing he does should be surprising to even the casual fan.

David Ferrer

While Nadal is the greatest player on clay, Ferrer has enjoyed quite a bit of success himself. In his career, 10 of his 20 career titles have come on clay.

This season has been a little shaky on clay for Ferrer, going 15-5 with only one title at the Copa Claro in Buenos Aires. He was the runner-up at the Mexican Open and Portugal Open, but was also upset in the very first round at the Barcelona Open.

Ferrer is not a heavy favorite by any means. However, he has enough career success on clay and looked good enough at this event last year—making it to the semifinals—to warrant some attention in 2013.

Leading Candidates to Be Manchester United's Next Ryan Giggs

Max Towle — Sat, 25 May 2013 08:00:01 -0400

Is there a greater Manchester United hero than Ryan Giggs?

The one-club man has won it all at Old Trafford over an incredible 23-year career: 13 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two Champions League titles and many other trophies.

He has made well over 900 appearances and is easily the club's most capped player in history.

Earlier this month, it was announced that the flying winger has signed a one-year contract extension with the Red Devils, one that will see him play in United red aged 40, according to the BBC.

His ability to play at the highest level for so long, and to be so loyal, is incredible. He is the best possible professional role model for his teammates.

But who in the current Manchester United squad could even come close to replicating his achievements?

Who could replicate his longevity, or even his playing style?

Here are the four most likely contenders to be the next Ryan Giggs in the current Manchester United squad:

Phil Jones

Twenty-one-year-old defender/midfielder Phil Jones has all the necessary attributes to be a Manchester United legend.

He is an honest, hard-working, determined footballer and man. His passion and zest for the game is noticeable to all who witness him in action.

Of all the young players in the Red Devils' squad, he seems to me to be the most likely to see out the rest of his career at Old Trafford.

The only issue would be his physicality. If he wants to play into this mid- to late-30s, he'll need to stop throwing himself into tackles with such vigour.

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Jones is on the right path to success.

According to ESPN, last month the Scotsman said "[Phil] Jones, arguably the way he is looking, could be our best ever player. I think Jones may be one of the best players we have ever had, no matter where we play him."

Sir Alex's words are daring but testament to the attitude and talent of the versatile Englishman.

Jones is only going to get better under David Moyes and is certain to be a key member of United teams of the future.

Nick Powell

My second contender is young midfielder Nick Powell.

Having moved from Crewe last summer, Powell has not had as much impact in his first season at Old Trafford as he would have liked, making only six total appearances.

He did show his talent in brief spurts, though, most notably scoring 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute on his debut.

Still only 19 years old, great things lie ahead for the attacking midfielder.

Sir Alex has already highlighted Powell's potential to be a key player for the Red Devils in this Daily Mail article.

He seems to have a good head on his shoulders and a healthy attitude to the game.

Upon signing for United, he said "I’ve proved myself at a certain level but I want to prove myself here at the top level. I hope I can do well," as reported on the club website.

Like with Phil Jones, it is difficult to predict that someone of his age will spend the entirety of his career at one club, but Powell is a good bet in this respect.

Chris Smalling

It would be fair if Chris Smalling felt a little neglected from time to time at Old Trafford.

In the buildup to United's final game of the season against West Brom, Sir Alex said "I want to play Jonny Evans and Phil Jones at centre-half because they are the future," according to The Telegraph.

Although Smalling was out injured, it was odd that the former manager didn't mention him in this regard.

The 23-year-old has had good spells of form at the heart of the United back line and is a player marked for future greatness.

In terms of longevity, Smalling is an intelligent, level-headed man who could very well see out his career playing for the Red Devils.

He recently said "I should be in with a shout of starting [next season]. That’s the aim. You look for those opportunities to get in the side."

Central defenders tend to have some of the longest shelf lives as well. Fans will just have to hope Smalling stays healthy.

Wilfried Zaha

My final pick for a future Ryan Giggs is new signing Wilfried Zaha.

His inclusion is less about him seeing out his career playing for United, more in terms of his style of play.

The 20-year-old is a tricky, lightning-quick winger like the Welshman in his formative years.

A versatile threat, Zaha also spends much of his time on the left wing. This will continue next term as he pushes Ashley Young for a place in the starting XI.

His manager at Crystal Palace, Ian Holloway, said "[Zaha] has all the ability it takes to make his mark at United and will always be able to treasure the golden memory of the day when Sir Alex and Sir Bobby Charlton told him he is made for Old Trafford," according to The Mirror.

If he can buckle down and quickly iron out the flaws in his game, Zaha could live up to Holloway's high opinion of him.

In terms of longevity, though, it would be difficult to see Zaha remain at Old Trafford for half as long as Ryan Giggs has.

We should treasure any player who does.

Follow @MaxBentleyTowle

How We Would Realign the NFL Divisions

Russell S. Baxter — Sat, 25 May 2013 07:47:39 -0400

In the 93-year history of the National Football League, the game, its teams and its players have evolved.

While tradition is certainly cherished, change is only natural.

So when asked how the league would look should there be another realignment, it was time to go for broke.

Hence, what you see ahead of you is the NFL of the future. It’s also a league that could include an 18-game regular-season schedule sooner than later.

So taking into account some geography, a little rivalry and perhaps a bit of insanity, here’s the new-look NFL. While we are aware of certain bylaws that insist certain teams remain together, we’ve opted to bypass those bylaws.

However, we were careful to reference the league’s past. In 1967, the National Football League was first divided into four divisions: Capital, Century, Coastal and Central. Three years later and with the merger on the field, the NFL was divided into two conferences (AFC and NFC) with six divisions, a format that held until the current eight-division alignment that began in 2002.

Hence, with a lot of rhyme and reason, here’s an idea of what a revised NFL could actually look like.

Begin Slideshow