Bleacher Report - Front Page

AC Milan: Why the Rossoneri Can Overtake Juventus Next Season

Sumeet Paul — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:36:14 -0400

Despite requiring a dramatic late show to secure their place in the Champions League for next season, Milan have shown enough in the second half of the campaign to suggest they can challenge Juventus next year.

Massimiliano Allegri's future at the club remains uncertain, and while that will undoubtedly be the first matter to be decided upon now that the season has concluded, the current Rossoneri squad has shown signs of being capable of competing both at home and abroad in the forthcoming years.

While they will be unable to benefit from increased revenue at the level that Juventus have as a result of their stadium project in the years ahead, the Milan hierarchy have made a conscious effort to improve the financial position of the club.

The wage bill continues to be reduced, while the emphasis in the transfer market has switched to young, promising talents as opposed to regular big-money moves that may well undo all the hard work done thus far.

The acquisition of Mario Balotelli in January has arguably put in place a potent strike-force for years to come, and having benefited from the six months together this season, they will return refreshed and ready to lead the line.

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has proven to be a shrewd businessman over the past two decades and will undoubtedly understand the requirements needed to improve the squad further.

He has witnessed the Rossoneri evolve from a crisis zone into one of the most promising projects in Italy over the course of the season just gone, and what makes them a potential Scudetto rival for Juventus next season is their clear vision.

Having had to part with numerous key figures over the past two years, Milan have finally found themselves in a position where they can build for the future and lay the foundations for a new cycle of success.

It will be important to acquire the right players this summer and not bring in additional squad players to provide quantity rather than quality.

Regardless of what Milan do, the Bianconeri will remain a formidable obstacle to overcome. Their consistency sets them apart from their competition and they boast perhaps the best squad in Italy, both in individual talents and as a collective unit.

They can conceivably continue to dominant Serie A given the squad they have assembled and are likely to improve further over the summer as they look to conquer Europe.

However, perhaps most important to Milan's chances next season will be the result of the managerial merry-go-round this summer in Serie A. Should Allegri stay, they will hope to continue their promising work done thus far. Should he leave, his replacement must be capable of overseeing and improving a project that has all the ingredients necessary to flourish over the next few years.

Assessing Julio Cesar's Contribution for QPR and Where His Future Lies

Christopher Atkins — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:31:49 -0400

While QPR's second season since returning to the Premier League was nothing short of an unmitigated disaster, for goalkeeper Julio Cesar it was a campaign that brought great personal successes.

Having arrived at the club last August on a free transfer from Serie A giants Inter Milan, there were many who saw the move as the beginning of the end for the giant Brazilian's career.

After all, in his final campaign at the San Siro, Cesar had been far from impressive. A series of individual errors littered his performances, while he had been removed from the Brazil setup following failure at the 2011 Copa America.

Ambitious QPR, though, offered a shot at redemption, and, while others to pull on the blue and white hoops this year may have failed to impress, the Brazilian set about restoring his once formidable reputation.

The Rs may not have won as many points as they would have hoped this season, which ultimately ended in an embarrassing relegation, but it cannot be said that Cesar did not contribute.

Indeed, had it not been for some of the former Flamengo star's heroics, they may not have even amassed the number of points they did.

He was getting plenty of practice shot-stopping behind a defence with more holes than Swiss cheese, but there was also visible improvement throughout the season in terms of Cesar's command of his area. While he was accused of "flapping" at crosses in early appearances, his restored confidence would bring much improved all-around displays.

There were mistakes, that is to be expected. In the second half of the campaign, a groin strain was a persistent source of difficulty for the Brazilian and led to a couple of poor performances. In general, though, the Brazilian could not be faulted for his performances or attitude.

On a reported wage of between £70-90,000-a-week, though, there is no doubt that he will leave the Loftus Road side this summer. The club simply cannot afford to pay such wages in the Championship.

While the goalkeeper has kept his next destination under wraps thus far, he did confirm to the media last week that he has been told to look for a new club this summer:

"It is confidential. My future today is a question mark," he told SporTV (H/T Football365). "I have three more years on my contract, but the manager has already made it clear that it will be hard for me to stay at the club."

Of course, he could sit out the rest of his current deal at QPR and reap the financial rewards that staying would bring. However, having worked so hard to win back his place in the Brazil national team, that is surely not an option with just one year until the 2014 World Cup.

According to the Mirror newspaper, it is Arsenal who are in pole position for the goalkeeper's signature this summer. The report, though, suggests there are several players in line to take the Gunners' No. 1 shirt this summer, with Cesar just one of the options.

A return to Brazil has been ruled out by the player, who hopes to continue his career in Europe for the time being. (Football 365) There will no doubt be many interested parties across the continent, although wages could be a potential stumbling block.

The only door the 'keeper would appear to have closed is on a return to Milan—either with former side Inter, or with rivals AC Milan. (Football Italia) Remaining in the Premier League, and in London, has been a stated preference, breathing life into the Arsenal rumours.

It may not, though, be the player's choice. QPR will be keen to offload his salary, while he himself will keen to end speculation over his future quickly. Ahead of the World Cup, he simply cannot afford to fall out of the public eye.

The Confederations Cup is fast approaching, and Julio Cesar will be an integral figure for the selecao at the event. A few good performances in that event, and the race for his capture could quickly hot up.

MLS, Yankees and Manchester City Announce Partnership to Create New York City FC

Patrick Clarke — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:27:42 -0400

Major League Soccer has announced a partnership between English Premier League club Manchester City and Major League Baseball's New York Yankees to create the soccer league's 20th expansion franchise, according to MLSSoccer.com.

The club will be named New York City Football Club, according to the league announcement.

Manchester City is expected to be the majority owner of the club, but the Yankees will also play a pivotal part in the process, as the team's president, Randy Levine, will have a leadership role with the new club.

Both powerhouse sports franchises have worked together in the past, developing international entertainment and marketing organization Legends Hospitality.

New York City FC, which will become an instant crosstown rival to the Eastern Conference-leading New York Red Bulls, is expected to begin play in 2015.

MLS commissioner Don Garber had the following to say in a statement released by the league (via MLSSoccer.com):

We proudly welcome two of the most prestigious professional global sports organizations to Major League Soccer. This is a transformational development that will elevate the league to new heights in this country. The New York area is home to more than 19 million people, and we look forward to an intense crosstown rivalry between New York City Football Club and the New York Red Bulls that will captivate this great city.

The club has now begun the search for a venue. According to the announcement, the New York City Football Club will seek an interim stadium for the time being before ultimately finding a permanent venue to call home.

One potential destination for the new club is Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens. Most sports fans will recognize Flushing Meadows as the annual site of tennis' final Grand Slam tournament, the U.S. Open.

There are currently 19 clubs in MLS, with the Eastern Conference comprising 10 teams and the Western Conference featuring nine teams. It's not yet known if or how the league will realign to accommodate the new club.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.

Where LSU's Wide Receivers Need to Improve to Help QB Zach Mettenberger

Barrett Sallee — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:24:06 -0400

With six early entrants to the NFL draft gone from last year's defense, there's a lot of pressure on LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger and first-year offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.

While they will soak up most of the preseason spotlight, LSU's success or failure this season may be riding on the shoulders of the Tigers' wide receivers

Despite finishing 11th in the SEC in passing offense last season with 200.5 yards per game, the team's talented and experienced wide receiving corps—highlighted by Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry and Kadron Boone—has the ability to kick-start the offense and prevent the Tigers from having a true rebuilding season.

While Mettenberger takes a lot of grief for LSU's passing woes, it's not all on him. His wide receivers have room for improvement.

We saw some of that this spring.

Timing is key, and Mettenberger certainly looked like he was on the same page with his wide receivers during the Tigers' 2013 spring game in April.

In the screenshot below, Mettenberger's primary target is Odell Beckham Jr. at the top of the screen. Mettenberger has already set his feet and is in the process of throwing the football as Beckham makes his break on a 10-yard hitch.

The timing wasn't always there last season.

In the screenshot below, which is essentially the same play, Mettenberger is almost done with the throw when Beckham starts his break. This pass fell incomplete and led to a turnover on downs in the second quarter of the Arkansas game.

Sure, timing was disrupted a bit by a blitzing cornerback off the edge, but Beckham could have broken off his route a bit early and this play would have resulted in a first down.

Beckham is the leader of the group and will likely have a decision to make at the end of the season. After all, he is ranked in the top 50 of CBSSports.com's draft-eligible players for the 2014 NFL draft.

But it isn't a one-man show in Baton Rouge.

Landry showed that he has what it takes to become a superstar last season with 56 catches for 573 yards and five scores, leading the Tigers in receptions and touchdowns.

During his first two years in Baton Rouge, Landry has proven that he has the ability to make the highlight-reel catch, including a spectacular one-handed grab in the final game of the regular season against Arkansas.

The 6'1", 195-pounder will be counted on this year to be a big-play receiver and someone who can go over the middle and take the punishment. According to ESPN.com, Landry looked the part of a superstar this spring.

Timing was an issue with all of LSU's wide receivers last spring, but Landry showed that he and Mettenberger were on the same page during the spring game, as he caught six passes for 132 yards—including this tough catch over a safety on a corner route.

If Boone takes the next step, this wide receiving corps could be one of the best in the SEC.

The 6'0", 207-pound senior caught 26 passes for 348 yards and four touchdowns last season. He has the big body and plays physical, but needs to be more consistent with his route running and getting separation from defensive backs.

He only caught one pass in the spring game, but it was nice 35-yard reception in which Zach Mettenberger hit him in stride down in tight coverage.

Don't fall into the trap and write this LSU team offense off because it sputtered at times last season.

The experience and depth at wide receiver is going to be a huge benefit to Mettenberger, especially now that Cameron is calling the shots on offense. The trio of Beckham, Landry and Boone has a ton of talent and will be pushed by James Wright and several incoming freshmen this summer.

LSU's wide receivers could be one of the SEC's most pleasant surprises this season. They have the talent, and now that they've had time to become even more familiar with Mettenberger, it could be all LSU needs to re-energize the offense.

Follow @BarrettSallee

Indie Baseball Team to Host 'Manti Te'o Girlfriend' Bobble Head Night

Dan Carson — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:21:59 -0400

It’s official—Manti Te’o jokes have jumped the shark and nuked the fridge.

The running series of puns and promotions making light of the former Notre Dame linebacker and his imaginary girlfriend Lennay Kekua have finally crossed over from “tired and expired” into sad and possibly obsessive territory.

The culprit of this shift is an independent minor league baseball team called Florence Freedom (of the Frontier League), who are throwing caution to the wind and putting on a “Manti Te’o Girlfriend Bobblehead Giveaway” night this Thursday that’s sure to be one of the most ridiculous joke-burying events of the year (via CBS Sports).

Florence Freedom are going all out, offering free “Lennay bobblehead dolls” to the first 1,000 fans that show up, which sounds like a generous offer until you realize the jokes on you and they're just giving out empty boxes.

The invisible gags will keep rolling from there, according to the Florence Freedom website, which mentions that the game will also feature “an air guitar contest, a pretend kiss cam, [and] an imaginary good fight.”

But wait—there’s more.

Fans with “imaginary friends, girlfriends/boyfriends or spouses” are encouraged to sit in a special section down near the left field line, where they presumably will be seated next to their invisible companions.

Yes, Florence Freedom is going “scorched earth” with this promotion, hammering all the nails they can grab into this joke’s coffin until their metaphorical arms go numb.

Isn’t that what minor league baseball is all about, though? People who might be drifters sitting alone and talking to themselves while everyone else pretends it’s okay?

No, it’s not, and if you were one of the many of us who thought Lennay Kekua jokes died for the final time when she appeared in Maxim’s Hot 100...

Welp, we were wrong.

While we're talking shameless self-promotion, you can follow me on Twitter:

Follow @Dr__Carson

NBA Draft 2013: Under-the-Radar Prospects That Will Sneak into First Round

Alex Kay — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:20:20 -0400

The 2013 NBA draft is inching closer and closer, with Tuesday evening’s lottery one of the last major steps prior to the big event.

While the lottery is certainly an important date for many prospects and franchises, it’s likely not going to have a real impact on whether or not many of the fringe first-round picks in this class receive a guaranteed contract or fall into the second.

These young men are going to have to continue impressing suitors via workouts and interviews over the next few weeks, as that is the best way to bolster draft stock now that the scouting combine is in the rearview.

With the way things are currently going, a handful of solid players have separated from the pack, look to be off the bubble and now locks for the first round.

Let’s take a look a closer look at these fast-rising prospects.

Tony Snell, SG/SF, New Mexico

Snell shocked Lobos fans when he announced he wouldn’t return for his senior season, instead opting to start his NBA career early.

Initially it seemed that the swingman was making a mistake and wouldn’t even have a chance to crack the first round come June, but all signs are pointing towards him coming off the board in the early-to-late twenties.

At the combine, Snell wowed onlookers with his measurements and athleticism, proving that he has the prototypical size and raw skills to compete in the Association.

His scoring touch was a bit inconsistent in college, but Snell’s streaky touch allows him to quickly rain buckets down on the opposition—when he’s feeling it.

He certainly was during the Mountain West Conference tourney, as the guard/forward went 10-15 from three-point land in the final two games and secured a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament for New Mexico.

Snell then went 4-of-12 against Harvard and his team was upset by the underdog, proving that he has a long way to go in terms of consistency.

Regardless, expect a team in the late-first to take a chance on this athletic young man with plenty of upside.

Tim Hardaway Jr., SG, Michigan

While some of his teammates decided to return to Michigan for another run at a national title, Tim Hardaway Jr. elected to hire an agent and turn pro after his excellent junior campaign.

The sweet-shooting Wolverines guard has been on the fence—as either a late first-round selection or early second-pick—for months now, but when push comes to shove, it’s hard to see approximately 30 general managers passing on this kid.

He’s simply too skilled from beyond the arc, while also possessing the size and athleticism required to defend the position at the next level.

These “three-and-D” off-guards are a rarity in the NBA, but an absolute must-have for any contender looking to dethrone the Miami Heat and win a title.

Even if Hardaway Jr. has some work to put in on his handle and much to learn about shot selection, there’s nothing that a good coach with contending squad picking at the end of the first-round can’t teach.

This long-range gunner is likely coming off the board in the late-teens to mid-20’s.

C.J. Leslie, SF, NC State

As the Wolfpack disappointed during the 2012-13 campaign, Leslie’s stock dipped, from potential lottery selection to consensus second-rounder.

However, the lengthy forward is climbing back up and is now generating some buzz as a potential selection worthy of a first-rounder this June.

He’s a freakish athlete that measured in at 6’7.5”, ran a 3.14-second 3/4 court sprint, blitzed through the underrated lane agility drill in a 2013-best 10.19 seconds and showed an eye-popping max vertical leap of 40.5”.

Those are wild numbers and prove that Leslie could carve out a niche in the NBA solely based on his physical abilities. He could become a terrific shut down defender that could guard anyone out on the perimeter with his length and wingspan.

If he’s able to show a bit more on the offensive end during private workouts, don’t be surprised if this prospect is selected in the mid-to-late 20’s.

San Francisco Giants: 5 Biggest Surprises so Far This Season

Matt Foster — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:18:42 -0400

Even though the San Francisco Giants sit near the top of the National League West, they have been presented with some unpleasant surprises to begin the 2013 season.

The starting pitching has been among the worst in the league.

The defense has been porous, committing 35 errors (second-most in the league) through 45 games.

Still, mostly because of an impressive offense and a spectacular bullpen, the club has held its own in a tough division.

But in order for the Giants to have any chance of defending their World Series crown, they must find a way to counter the negative surprises while maintaining the positives.

*All stats courtesy of MLB.com unless stated otherwise. Stats current through May 20.

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Detroit Lions Will Reportedly Create New Bowl Game at Ford Field

Randy Chambers — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:15:24 -0400

Ford Field has decided to kick out the little guys and add a little more excitement to the bowl season. Once the proud host of the Little Caesar Pizza Bowl, there will likely be a new matchup between two BCS conferences being played beginning in 2014.

Brett McMurphy of ESPN reported the news:

Say goodbye to another cheesy bowl name.

The Little Caesar Pizza Bowl, which has gone by many different names in the past, has been played at Ford Field since 1997. Usually a matchup between teams from the Big Ten, MAC and Sun Belt, it isn't quite one of those bowls that is high on the college football radar. However, seven of the last eight games have been decided by a touchdown or less.

Maybe Ford Field has decided to continue to push its luck with the close contests and finally add a matchup that the majority of fans would be interested in. Even with the reputation of a game coming down to the wire, attendance dipped drastically last season, according to the USA Today.

A possible meeting between Michigan and Florida State does sound a lot more appealing than being forced to watch Florida International and Toledo.

A chance to host the Wolverines at Ford Field would also fill the seats up quickly and bring in big numbers for everybody involved. The only thing these bowl sites can hope for is a packed house.

The loser in all of this would be the fans of the MAC, who looked forward to a bowl game close to home and didn't have to travel across the country to see their favorite teams play. The winner is Ford Field, which will see a spike in interest due to a more competitive and sexier bowl matchup.

Follow @Randy_Chambers

Sean Sherk: 'I'd Like to Be Recognized as a UFC Hall of Famer'

Craig Amos — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:12:42 -0400

Former UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk has been out of the Octagon for nearly three years, but he maintains that he has not retired from mixed martial arts.

At 39, one must wonder how much "The Muscle Shark" really has left to offer the sport and how well he will be able to add to his legacy moving forward.

According to Sherk himself, who recently spoke with bjpenn.com, the question of legacy is irrelevant at this point, as he believes he has already done enough to earn the honor of immortality via entrance to the UFC Hall of Fame.

"I want to be known as one of the best fighters in the world during my era," he proclaimed. "I think I did make my mark, I fought the best of the best. I've fought for world title in multiple weight classes."

For much of his UFC career, Sherk was forced to compete at welterweight, though his diminutive frame regularly put him at a marked size disadvantage. He was often able to overcome the handicap, earning a title shot opposite Matt Hughes in 2003.

After losing to Hughes, Sherk bolted from the promotion but returned in 2005, splitting contests with Georges St-Pierre (loss) and Nick Diaz (win).

In 2006, Sherk became the first champion of the UFC's refurbished lightweight class, defeating Kenny Florian in a bloody five-round affair.

Sherk successfully defended his belt one time, but he and and opponent Hermes Franca both tested positive for PEDs in their post-fight screenings.

During Sherk's suspension, B.J. Penn captured the vacated lightweight strap. When Sherk returned to action, he was thumped by Penn, who concluded their bout via TKO at the end of the third round.

After failing to regain his title, Sherk posted a 2-1 record in the Octagon before a laundry list of injuries put a halt to his career. He last competed in September of 2010.

All in all, Sherk's UFC career is most certainly an impressive one. He overcame a size disadvantage to post impressive results before winning a title at a more natural weight.

But his 8-4 record with the UFC is unspectacular, if good, and the positive PED test somewhat mars his accomplishments.

Still, Sherk remains steadfast in his belief that he should be enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame.

"I think I did create myself a legacy as being one of the best in my era," he reaffirmed. "I'd like to be recognized as a UFC Hall of Famer."

What do you think? Did Sherk do enough in the Octagon to ticket himself to the Hall of Fame? Or was he good but just not good enough to join such elite company?

Leave your thoughts in the comments.

Champions League: World Football Fans Pray Mario Gotze Fit for Dortmund-Bayern

Ian Rodgers — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:12:23 -0400

His name might not have been a household one before this season, but football supporters across the globe will be praying that Mario Gotze will feature in the Champions League final at Wembley on Saturday.

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder is facing a race against time to be fit for the UEFA showpiece this weekend after tearing his hamstring in the semifinal second leg against Real Madrid last month, as ITV reported.

However, it is arguable that the 20-year-old might be better served by remaining on the sidelines for the final.

Gotze will join Dortmund's opponents at Wembley, Bayern Munich, at the end of the season after the clubs agreed a £31.5 million fee last month for the player, as BBC Sport reported.

Gotze insists he will not allow his future career to dictate his performance at Wembley this weekend if he recovers in time to face Jupp Heynckes' team, as German newspaper Bild highlighted (via ESPN).

His current manager Jurgen Klopp has likened Bayern to a James Bond villain ahead of the Champions League final, as The Guardian reported. "What can I say? If that's what Bayern wants," said Klopp. "It's like James Bond—except they are the other guy [the villain]."

However, Klopp concedes the loss of Gotze, just a day after his team's thrilling quarterfinal win over Malaga at the Westfalenstadion was a major blow, as The Sun reported.

It was like a heart attack. I heard it one day after we beat Malaga. I had one day to celebrate and somebody thought it’s enough and threw me on the floor. In a way it was like grieving. The next morning was much better. I had more time to handle this. For the team it was hard.

I called six or seven players because I know which players were heartbroken. They felt it was because of the team — ‘we are not good enough’. But that’s not the reason. The reason is Pep Guardiola. He said ‘They told me it’s now or never’. And I told him ‘They will come back next year and in two or three years.’ But he’s 20 and he wanted it now.

Gotze's influence on Dortmund's success cannot be underestimated. This season alone, despite Dortmund finishing the Bundesliga campaign 25 points behind Bayern, the midfielder has scored 12 goals in the domestic and European leagues.

But the most crucial statistic for Dortmund and Bayern is his 14 assists in both competitions this season (via Whoscored.com).

The video clip shown on this page is an indication of just what Dortmund will be looking for on Saturday, while Bayern will be hoping Gotze is unavailable to damage their hopes of a first Champions League triumph since 2001.

There could be a certain irony to the Champions League final. If Bayern can thwart Gotze, could their tactics be copied by opposition teams next season?

New York Rangers' Tortorella Has Overstayed His Welcome

Joseph Browne — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:11:19 -0400

The time, ladies and gentlemen, is fast approaching. If the New York Rangers' organization expects to realize the full potential of a host of young and talented players and capitalize on an all-world, in-his-prime goalie in Henrik Lundqvist, John Tortorella, their feisty, brusque, irreverent and stubborn coach, simply must go.

This is not about being down two games to none against Boston. This is not about what has happened in this playoff season or about what is to come, really, short of a Stanley Cup championship, of course. If the Rangers' win the Cup this year, well, forget you ever read this article, and, more importantly, forget who wrote it.

In the end, it’s about a coach who values his rigid view of how hockey should be played over the qualities of his personnel. It’s about a coach who lavishes trust on those who repeatedly fail to earn it, enter Brad Richards, for example, while showing little patience for those who have the ability to one day carry this organization, for example Chris Kreider, J.T. Miller, Michael Del Zotto and others.

Yes, American sports is a win-now proposition, and, yes, this is even more so the case in the spotlight of New York. With that said, though, Tortorella is not making decisions based on any fear he has over potentially losing his job, but rather based on his relentless adherence to a self-created doctrine that he will not sway from, regardless of how sensible it would seem to do so.

Much has been made over these past two seasons of the Ranger's identity. They are often billed as a blue-collar team that typically works harder than their opponents, a team that has little margin for error because it lacks the talent level to do anything other than plod along

As any Rangers observer would tell you, though, there are some significant problems with this assessment as it relates to the 2012-2013 team, so much so that this notion that the Rangers have little margin for error has become something of a self-fulfilling prophecy.

In reality, it is Tortorella's penchant for under-utilizing and stifling talent that has led to the margin of error being so unbearably small. It is always system above substance, and so we see, time and again, young players struggling and established players being forced out of their respective rhythms.

Whether you are an athlete or not, you know from experience that having someone over your shoulder at every turn tends to diminish your individual performance, specifically as it concerns out-of-the-box thinking. While structure is important, it is also by definition limiting, and when your career is on the line you’re less likely to look beyond the box that's been provided for you.

Such is the case with talented young forwards like Chris Kreider and J.T. Miller, and in the case of Marian Gaborik, the recently departed winger, the box proved not only limiting, but suffocating as well. What's more, Gaborik's personal box, so to speak, included a shift to the opposite wing with no latitude granted for creativity.

Alexander Ovechkin, you may remember, was also famously shifted to the opposite wing this year, however he was also trusted enough by coach Adam Oates to improvise on the fly and create as he saw fit. The result, after an adjustment period, of course, was an MVP-caliber regular season that saw Ovechkin return to his all-world form. His return to form also coincided with a dominating run for his team, and there was nothing accidental about that.

Gaborik, on the other hand, found himself in Columbus. As time has seemed to show, of course, Gaborik going to Columbus has actually benefited the organization in terms of the assets received in return. It stands to reason, though, that had Gaborik been producing at his career norms, and had assets like Miller and Kreider been given some oxygen, the need for outside resources wouldn't have been there.

Moreover, being paired with Brad Richards this year was akin to Gaborik being asked to skate with cement in his boots. Richards, though, was out there game after game during the regular season, logging critical minutes despite being slow of foot and mind, and still Tortorella wasted the opportunity to develop younger players, specifically Miller in this case.

Tortorella was, of course, trying to get Richards out of his funk by playing him regardless of results. Richards' body of work over his career would seem to indicate that time and opportunity would result in better performance, but it became clear to any interested observer that Richards' struggles should have resulted in diminished ice time sooner rather than later.

Tortorella's stubbornness regarding Richards, however, prevented the development of J.T. Miller, a captain-like presence that the Rangers chose to keep on their roster and not send down to Juniors at the start of the season. While Miller was not ready to assume the mantle of a first or second line center, he was unquestionably capable of contributing more than he was permitted to.

Instead, Tortorella moved him back and forth from wing to center, changed his linemates for what seemed like every shift and ultimately chose not to utilize him at all even after he was ready to return from a wrist injury. Short season or not, this is not how you handle a player who projects to be your top-line pivot.

In the case of Chris Kreider, Tortorella had at his disposal a 6'3", 230-pound winger with a cannon shot who skates as fast, if not faster, than Carl Hagelin, his teammate that just so happened to win the speed segment at the 2012 NHL All Star skills competition. Despite expressing concern over damaging the psyche of his young player, though, Tortorella seemed to have about as much patience for Kreider as would a toddler strapped in a car seat for a long trip to grandmas.

Every blown assignment, it seemed, led to long stretches on the bench or in the stands. There were multiple demotions to the farm and, moreover, Kreider's ice time when he has been in the big club's lineup is reminiscent of the ice time granted to Mike Rupp throughout his brief tenure with the team. Simply stated, six to eight minutes a game does not encourage growth.

Again, there are pressures associated with being the coach of any professional sports franchise. Additionally, in a lockout-shortened season the need for playoff revenue is heightened tremendously. The team did struggle to find its way for long stretches, only really establishing momentum after the trade that saw Gaborik leave and the signing of free agent Mats Zuccarello. Making the playoffs, then, was of paramount concern and certainly no foregone conclusion.

With this said, though, the struggles the Rangers encountered early on this season were not the result of poor performance from their promising rookies, Miller and Kreider, but rather from a lack of performance from established veterans such as Richards, Gaborik, Brian Boyle and even Rick Nash early on.

For his part, Richards was slow on his feet from day one, made horrific decisions with the puck in virtually every game and circumstance and stunted the performance of Gaborik, if only because Gaborik was forced to learn a new position with a center who was always several steps behind.

When 18-20 minutes of ice time are being stubbornly granted to a pivot who cannot skate with speed, pass with precision or be trusted to run the power play, it doesn’t matter what your 20-something year olds are doing.

Perhaps the most glaring manifestation of Tortorella's stubbornness, however, is his decision-making process as it relates to power-play personnel. It is no secret that the Rangers' power play is tactically deficient; they don’t shoot, they don’t create traffic in front and they don’t support the puck enough to win the battles along the boards.

It is the personnel decisions by Tortorella, however, that cause the most concern. He has repeatedly stuck with players who under-perform while ignoring assets that can contribute. Additionally, Tortorella has a mind-numbing inability to realize that off-wing shooters are critical components of every power play.

Despite this etched-in-stone reality, though, we repeatedly see lefty-shooting Brad Richards on the left point, righty-shooting Dan Girardi on the right point and in a shocking example of poor decision-making, there are at times five lefty shooters on the ice at the same time.

There is simply no excuse for the level of ineptitude displayed by the Rangers' power play, especially during these playoffs, and the blame falls squarely on the shoulders of the head coach. When a component of your game is suffering you need to find new solutions. For a moment, think about where the Boston Bruins would be in their series against the Rangers if Torey Krug was nailed to the bench.

While it’s true that Krug is in the Boston lineup solely due to injuries to veteran defensemen, it cannot be denied that Boston coach Claude Julien could have chosen any number of assets to man the point on his power play.

Instead, Julien chose to trust a young player, so much so that Krug has become a staple of a Bruins power play that contributed virtually nothing to the team's 2011 Cup run and very little to its victory over Toronto in this year’s first round.

The Rangers organization, full of talented young defensemen and forwards, is at a turning point. They have a 31-year-old goalie who can carry them when need be, but who is asked to do so far too often. They will also face personnel decisions in the coming seasons that could see their core dismantled before it has the chance to reach its potential.

There is a window, though, perhaps two seasons wide, where they should be expected to seriously contend for the Cup. If they are smart, they do with Brad Richards what they did with Wade Redden, banish him from the big club with a compliance buyout and eat some dollars. This frees up ice time for pivots Derek Stepan, Derick Brassard, J.T. Miller and perhaps even Brian Boyle if they choose to keep him in the fold.

Most importantly, though, the Rangers need a new skipper. Tortorella's brand of hockey simply doesn’t fit the assets he currently has at his disposal. His stubborn need to force a system on personnel that can rise above that very system should be his undoing, just as his ability to extract performance from lesser talent has been his calling card for years.

Tortorella has achieved much in his tenure behind the Rangers bench, and along with Glen Sather, he's created an organizational credibility that simply didn’t exist prior to his arrival. In every way, John Tortorella has earned whatever praise he's been given and then some. If the Rangers want to reach that next level, though, Tortorella is not the man to get them there.

NBA Lottery 2013: Viewing Info, 1st Pick Odds and Preview for Key Draft Event

Tim Daniels — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:10:51 -0400

The NBA draft lottery is a key turning point for teams that didn't qualify for the playoffs. Luck will determine where they will select in the draft, which is scheduled for June 27, and whether or not they are able to secure the prospect they want.

What makes the lottery so interesting is the sheer number of possibilities. For example, the Orlando Magic had the worst record in the regular season. While that gives them the best chance to land the top pick (25 percent), there's still a 75 percent chance they don't pick first.

All 14 teams that didn't make the postseason have at least a small chance to win the top pick. It makes for a tense night in front offices around the NBA. Knowing that, let's check out where to catch the lottery, followed by complete odds for the top pick and a preview.

Viewing Information

When: Tuesday, May 21 at 8:30 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN

Live Stream: WatchESPN.com

Odds of Winning Top Pick (via NBA.com)

Team	Record	% Chance
Orlando Magic	20-62	25
Charlotte Bobcats	21-61	19.9
Cleveland Cavaliers	24-58	15.6
Phoenix Suns	25-57	11.9
New Orleans Pelicans	27-55	8.8
Sacramento Kings	28-54	6.3
Detroit Pistons	29-53	3.6
Washington Wizards	29-53	3.5
Minnesota Timberwolves	31-51	1.7
Portland Trail Blazers	33-49	1.1
Philadelphia 76ers	34-48	0.8
Toronto Raptors	34-48	0.7
Dallas Mavericks	41-41	0.6
Utah Jazz	43-39	0.5

Lottery Preview

The NBA draft lottery has provided some shockers over the years, including one in 2008 that saw the Chicago Bulls land the top pick despite less than a two percent chance of winning. It gave them the right to draft Derrick Rose.

In response, there's been a rise of conspiracy theories about the league having a hand in the results. Of course, the most notable example is the New York Knicks earning the top spot and a prospect to revitalize the franchise in Patrick Ewing.

Whether or not a new one is created Tuesday night depends on the result, but nothing has ever been proven to illustrate the lottery is anything more than luck of the draw.

There are no prospects on the level of Ewing or Rose available in the 2013 class, but there are still some players capable of making a major impact at the next level. The lottery will determine where they continue their promising careers.

Ben McLemore of Kansas has the inside track on the top pick if the team needs a guard. He averaged 16 points and five rebounds while shooting 42 percent from beyond the arc in his only season with the Jayhawks. He should develop into a go-to scorer at the next level.

If the lottery-winning team needs a post player, it will likely look toward Nerlens Noel. The Kentucky product is hoping for a return around Christmas from an ACL injury, according to The Associated Press. His combination of size and athleticism will make him a defensive force immediately.

Another player that should be in the conversation for the first pick is Otto Porter. He made major strides in his second season at Georgetown. He possesses the across-the-board skills necessary to thrive at small forward in the NBA.

The fates of those three players and several others will be decided by the lottery. Once the order is finalized, a much clearer outlook for the 2013 NBA draft should start to emerge.

NBA Draft Lottery 2013: Highlighting Teams with Best Shot to Land No. 1 Pick

Patrick Clarke — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:09:36 -0400

The 2013 NBA draft lottery will commence on Tuesday night as 14 franchises vie for the coveted No. 1 overall pick in next month's draft.

Orlando, Charlotte, Cleveland, Phoenix and New Orleans each have a 8.8-percent or better shot to win the lottery, but the Magic have the best odds, possessing 250 of the 1,000 ping pong balls.

The last time the Magic won the NBA draft lottery in 2004, its No. 1 selection turned into Dwight Howard. Will this be the year Orlando gets lucky and wins another franchise cornerstone?

Here we'll get you set for Tuesday's much-anticipated NBA draft lottery, breaking down the teams with the best shot to land the No. 1 pick in this June's draft.

What: 2013 NBA Draft Lottery

Where: Disney/ABC’s Times Square Studios in New York

When: Tuesday, May 21 at 8:30 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN

Live Stream: ESPN3.com

Teams and Odds

Team	Odds
Orlando Magic	25 percent
Charlotte Bobcats	19.9 percent
Cleveland Cavaliers	15.6 percent
Phoenix Suns	11.9 percent
New Orleans Pelicans	8.8 percent
Sacramento Kings	6.3 percent
Detroit Pistons	4.3 percent
Washington Wizards	2.8 percent
Minnesota Timberwolves	1.7 percent
Portland Trail Blazers	1.1 percent*
Philadelphia 76ers	0.8 percent
Toronto Raptors	0.7 percent*
Dallas Mavericks	0.6 percent
Utah Jazz	0.5 percent

*Portland's pick goes to Charlotte if outside top 12, Toronto's pick goes to Oklahoma City if outside top three.

Orlando Magic (20-62), 25 percent

Although there may be some debate as to whether the Orlando Magic were the worst team in basketball last year, their NBA-worst 12-29 home record speaks for itself.

Since Dwight Howard departed for sunny Los Angeles last summer, Orlando hasn't been the same. Don't believe me? Consider this: The Magic's 20 wins this season were the fewest since the franchise's inaugural season back in 1989-90 when it won just 18.

Despite reaching the NBA Finals just four years ago, this franchise is desperate for a game-changing talent.

The Magic hope that co-founder and senior vice president Pat Williams will bring good luck on Tuesday night (via Orlando Sentinel's Josh Robbins):

Charlotte Bobcats (21-61), 19.9 percent

The Charlotte Bobcats have been around the NBA for nine seasons now, but have put together just one winning campaign in the franchise's brief history.

Charlotte's 21 wins in 2012-13 were an improvement on its seven wins from a season ago, but disappointing nonetheless. The Bobcats ranked toward the bottom of the league in nearly every critical category last year and saw second overall pick Michael Kidd-Gilchrist struggle immensely, averaging just nine points and 5.8 rebounds per game as a rookie.

A perennial loser, Charlotte must have a successful lottery on Tuesday in order to begin a turnaround.

Cleveland Cavaliers (24-58), 15.6 percent

Two years after landing the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NBA draft and selecting Kyrie Irving first overall, the Cleveland Cavaliers are once again in position to win the top pick.

The Cavs finished with the third-worst record in the NBA last season, losing six straight games to end the year and secure a 15.6-percent chance of landing the No. 1 pick.

Irving has been a stud since entering the league two seasons ago, averaging 22.5 points and 5.9 assists per game last year for the lowly Cavs, earning All-Star honors in the process. But unless Cleveland can find another superstar to team Irving with for the years to come, the Cavs won't be contending for a championship anytime soon.

The good news for Cleveland fans, though: the Cavs have 156 ping pong balls in this year's lottery, and they only need one to pop up in order to win.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.

WWE Payback: What to Expect from Possible John Cena vs. Ryback Ambulance Match

Ryan Dilbert — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:00:08 -0400

Should John Cena and Ryback face off at WWE Payback in an ambulance match, fans will see the feud intensify and the action mimic the past.

On Monday's WWE Raw, Ryback climbed atop an ambulance and issued a challenge to the WWE champ. He demanded that they follow their Last Man Standing match with one centered around an ambulance.

After smashing on each other at Extreme Rules with convincing intensity, their ambulance match should see things escalate.

Ryback told the crowd on Monday that it would be Cena who would end up in the back of the ambulance on June 16. He also promised to take him and the fans to the morgue. Don't bet on that happening.

The rules of the match are simple. There are no disqualifications, no count-outs, no pins or submissions. An ambulance will be waiting at the entrance ramp and the winner will be the man who can put his opponent inside that vehicle and close the doors.

That should lead to another grueling brawl between champion and challenger. Expect steel chairs and ring steps to play major part of the battle. Fists will outnumber headlocks and aggression will be the foundation of the action.

As much as a potential ambulance match at Payback will look like Cena and Ryback's Extreme Rules clash, it will have even more parallels to Kane vs. Cena at Elimination Chamber 2012.

Kane and Cena's match had a slow, grinding pace to it, and Cena vs. Ryback should be the same in that department. Neither Cena nor Ryback are known for their speed and the stipulation tilts the match in the direction of being more of a brutal slugfest than a wrestling match.

Much of Kane and Cena's offense at Extreme Rules was made up of punches, fighting on the outside of the ring and dragging each other around the ring. The ambulance itself became a weapon several times over. Cena slammed Kane into the vehicle and eventually gave him an Attitude Adjustment from off its roof.

Don't expect Cena and Ryback to repeat that exact spot, but there should be plenty of ambulance-centric attacks. It's what makes this match different from their last battle or any other gimmick match, so it will likely be the central figure of the narrative.

In 2012, Kane used a wheelchair as a weapon on Cena, tying that night's action to when Kane shoved Zack Ryder off the entrance ramp in a wheelchair days before the fight. The wheelchair could be replaced at Payback with a stretcher. It was how Cena exited their last match as medical personnel tried to slide him into an ambulance.

Ryback will want to hurt and embarrass Cena and forcing him into the ambulance on a stretcher or, better yet, beating him senseless with it would accomplish that.

As for the outcome, don't bet on Ryback coming away with the title.

This is the second consecutive time he has chosen a kind of match that Cena has already proven himself to be capable of winning. After beating Batista and Umaga in Last Man Standing bouts, Ryback thought he could do what those men couldn't. Now he is asking to face Cena in a match that the WWE title holder won against Kane.

Losing to Cena in an ambulance match is much more of a feud-capper than a standard match, so Payback may just be Ryback's last shot at Cena's title.

Fans will see violence, a departure from the rules, two powerhouses trying to incapacitate each other and, most likely, Ryback getting shoved into an ambulance and leaving the arena to the sound of sirens blasting.

Tottenham Hotspur: Examining Spurs' Narrow Champions League Qualification Miss

Thomas Cooper — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:54:12 -0400

Tottenham Hotspur have just recorded their highest points total of the Premier League era. Yet they still missed out on qualifying for the Champions League.

Football is cruel like that.

Ultimately, Tottenham narrowly missed out on a top-four finish (by one point) because both Chelsea and Arsenal's late-season form was marginally better than their own.

Spurs finished the season on an eight-match unbeaten run. Unlike in 2011-12, it would be wrong to accuse this team of bottling it.

The fact is though, Spurs did finish fifth.

Their season should not be regarded as a failure. The disappointing note on which it ended does, however, give us scope to examine the factors that contributed to them falling just short of their primary target.

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How Eddie Vanderdoes Potentially Not Attending Notre Dame Would Impact Irish

Andrew Kulha — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:48:13 -0400

According to the rumors, Eddie Vanderdoes, 2013 5-star defensive tackle, may not play football at Notre Dame. If these rumors are true, this will impact the Fighting Irish in a big way, both on the field and on the recruiting trail.

Joe Davidson of sacbee.com has been close to Vanderdoes throughout the process of his recruitment. Davidson reports that the 5-star defensive tackle may not end up in South Bend, despite singing a letter of intent back in February:

The 6-foot-4, 305-pound Placer High School senior defensive end signed a national letter of intent in February with Notre Dame, ending a whirlwind recruiting run, but there was rampant speculation on the Internet from media outlets, recruiting services and chat boards professing to be in the know on Monday night that the All-American may not head to South Bend.

Speculation about Vanderdoes ranged from character concerns to an academic fall out. Vanderdoes' coaches continued to rave about his upstanding character on Monday, and his father Eddie Vanderdoes on Monday night texted of his son, "One thing I can tell you is grades or eligibility is not and has never been an issue."

He added in the text, "let people speculate, but you will be the first to know, as always, when it's time to let people know."

The most important thing to take out of this is that the rumors are indeed just that—rumors. Davidson's report wasn't able to confirm nor deny the rumors of Vanderdoes potentially not playing for Notre Dame, but it does debunk the rumors character or academic concerns, though, so take that how you will.

Still, where there's smoke there's usually some sort of fire, so one would be remiss not to at least examine the possibility of life without Vanderdoes for the Fighting Irish.

At 6'2'', 310 pounds Vanderdoes could play nose tackle in Notre Dame's 3-4 scheme, which would be perfect because star nose tackle Louis Nix III is a senior this year and the NFL is calling. That said, Vanderdoes also has the quickness and technique to play defensive end in the 3-4, and that's huge for Notre Dame considering that junior Stephon Tuitt could very well bolt for the NFL after next season as well.

Fellow 2013 signees Isaac Rochell or Jacob Matuska have potential, but Rochell still needs to put on mass at just 6'5'', 260 pounds and Matuska seems to be more of a situational player at 6'5'', 240 pounds, running a 4.70 40, according to 247Sports. Even if they exceeded expectations, neither player projects to have the dominant presence that Vanderdoes would have for Notre Dame.

Looking at the current depth chart, Sophomore Sheldon Day doesn't have the size to play the nose—thus he projects as an end—and Jarron Jones (6'5'', 299 pounds) is still somewhat of an unknown after a redshirt season. Jones may also be better suited on the edges of the defensive line because of his height.

If Vanderdoes was to exit the picture for Notre Dame, there would be some major concerns and uncertainties, specifically at defensive tackle, in 2014. The Fighting Irish could get away with potentially losing Vanderdoes in 2013, but that loss could cause some serious trouble for the defensive line rotation in 2014 and beyond.

Switching gears to the 2014 recruiting class, losing Vanderdoes would make the commitments of 4-star defensive end Andrew Trumbetti (6'5'', 250 pounds) and 4-star defensive tackle Jay Hayes (6'5'', 260 pounds) that much more important. Still, much like 2014 commits Rochell and Matuska, both 2014 commitments will need to bulk up to play in the 3-4.

That's also assuming that they stay committed until singing day, which is never a guarantee.

That would also increase the need to go after elite defensive linemen recruits like 4-star defensive tackles Khari Clark and Josh Frazier, but Notre Dame will have major competition. The Fighting Irish are in the top six on Clark's 247Sports interest list, but Miami is the top team. Notre Dame is in Josh Frazier's top five (247Sports), but so is Alabama, Arkansas, Texas A&M and USC.

If Notre Dame was to lose Vanderdoes it would create pressure to land a star defensive tackle recruit in 2014, but frankly, even Clark and Frazier aren't anywhere near Vanderdoes' level just yet.

All of this said, let's refocus on the fact that, for now, this is just a rumor. Also, if the rumor is proven true, Notre Dame would have the power to say no to Vanderdoes leaving.

Still, that would become a rough situation especially from a PR standpoint, and does a coach really want a player on his roster that isn't invested in being there?

Most coaches would say no to that question.

Notre Dame's 2013 class appeared to be dominant and the future of the program looked bright. While losing one player wouldn't completely derail the class or its potential, the possibility of losing Vanderdoes is certainly one that should be worrisome for Notre Dame.

Right now it's just a rumor, and hopefully for Notre Dame, that's all it will ever be.

The 11 Best Returns in WWE History

Andy Soucek — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:47:49 -0400

Professional wrestling is unpredictable.

Unlike a regular job, no one is able to consistently work year after year without significant time off.

The wrestlers get hurt, they have personal problems and creative disagreements with management that keep them out of the limelight for months or years.

But with the right story and surprise, the moment a wrestler returns can remain etched in the minds of fans forever.

Here is a list of 11 wrestlers who were away from us for too long, but eventually made unforgettable returns.

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The Good, the Great and the Awesome from May 20's Raw

Erik Beaston — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:45:58 -0400

One day after Extreme Rules delivered hard-hitting, violent hardcore matches, Monday night's Raw featured great professional wrestling matches, solid story development and the return of a young Superstar with the potential to be an impact player for World Wrestling Entertainment in the years to come.

Ryback made his presence felt, issuing a challenge to John Cena for an Ambulance Match at WWE's next pay-per-view offering Payback before making an example out of Cena's friend Zack Ryder.

The Shield, Team Hell No and Kofi Kingston delivered one of the best matches of 2013 while Randy Orton continued his roll of solid in-ring outings with a hard-fought win over Jack Swagger.

Alberto Del Rio was celebrating his win over Swagger at Extreme Rules and the realization that he was the number one contender to World Champion Dolph Ziggler when he ran into the physical specimen that is Big E. Langston and suffered a surprising loss.

AJ Lee continued to pick up steam heading into an eventual showdown with Kaitlyn for the Divas title while Sheamus rolled over Titus O'Neil in a physical match that showcased the potential major star WWE has in O'Neil.

What was good, great and awesome about Monday's Raw?

Find out inside.

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Heat vs Pacers Eastern Conference Finals Game 1: Big Baby Preview

NBA365 Productions — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:39:31 -0400

The Eastern Conference Finals are near so Glen "Big Baby" Davis joins Bleacher Report to preview Game 1 between the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat.

In one corner, you have the Indiana Pacers, the league's top defense anchored by big man, Roy Hibbert. In the other corner, you have the Miami Heat, the NBA's most explosive offense led by 4-time MVP, LeBron James.

Will Indiana's defense be able to rattle the Heat and steal home-court from the defending champs?

Watch now to find out who "Big Baby" thinks will take Game 1.

Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Follow Big Baby

Chicago Blackhawks: Urgency Obvious After Game 3 Loss to Detroit Red Wings

Jon Fromi — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:38:55 -0400

For the Chicago Blackhawks, it isn't time to panic. It may be time to sweat, but there's no need to panic.

Following a 3-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings in Game 3 of Chicago's Western Conference semifinal series, the 'Hawks find themselves in an unfamiliar spot. For perhaps the first time in the 2013 season, Chicago is in what amounts to a must-win situation.

In the first game of the series in Joe Louis Arena, the Red Wings got a 39-save performance out of Jimmy Howard to fend off a strong opening period on the part of Chicago. Despite getting 15 shots on goal in the opening period, the Blackhawks couldn't arrange a meeting of rubber and twine.

Detroit took control of the contest with a pair of goals within 31 seconds of each other. Chicago rallied with a Patrick Kane goal in the final 20 minutes. However, a potential tying goal was disallowed and Pavel Datsyuk nailed the door shut in the seventh minute.

The frustration was evident on the part of the 'Hawks. Five times in the final period, Chicago skaters were sent to the penalty box. Bryan Bickell attempted to drop the gloves with Niklas Kronwall with no success. Andrew Shaw, who had been penalized twice earlier in the game, was assessed a 10-minute misconduct near the game's end.

The Blackhawks are now down 2-1 in the series and face a Game 4 in Detroit on Thursday that requires a response to the previous two losses. It is imperative that Chicago return home with the series knotted at two games apiece.

Sure, several shots beat Howard only to meet up with a post or crossbar. However, the 'Hawks are too good a team to settle on such excuses.

Shaw may or may not have interfered in the crease on what could have been the tying goal. Regardless, more legal traffic needs to congregate in front of the net.

This isn't rocket science here. There are few revelations in what is required to even up the series. What is needed is an ability to convert on opportunities in Game 4. Otherwise, the 'Hawks will return to Chicago on the brink of elimination.

Ike Davis: How Should New York Mets Handle First Baseman's Early Struggles?

Andrew Gould — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:33:53 -0400

This is going to sound awfully familiar, but New York Mets first baseman Ike Davis is marred in an awful slump to start the season. He might be testing the organization's patience too far this time around.

Through 40 games, Davis is posting an unequivocally abysmal .152/.234/.254 slash line. While the team has waited for him to snap out of his funk, Davis has instead dived deeper into the abyss. He's notched one hit in his last 33 at-bats, striking out 13 times during that stretch.

Entering the season, Davis figured to serve as the franchise's premier power bat, but the 26-year-old has earned just four home runs and nine RBI for the "Amazins." (Can we really still sincerely refer to the Mets as amazing?)

Last season's stumble out of the gate figured to be a one-time blip stemming from unordinary consequences. Not only was Davis recovering from an ankle injury that sidelined him for nearly the entirety of 2011, but he also came down with valley fever that spring.

Although he was hitting .163/.221/.304 a year ago from today, the Mets stuck with their young gun, correctly counting on him to turn his season around. Will they demonstrate the same patience after another dreadful start?

According to ESPNNewYork.com's Adam Rubin, there is growing support within the front office to demote Davis.

Ike Davis demotion talk intensifying es.pn/14eKL7L #NYM #Mets
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) May 18, 2013

Before deciding Davis' fate, let's first examine how we got to this scenario in the first place (again).

April Showers Bring Even More May Showers

The following portion of this article should come with a warning label for those who root for the Mets and/or own Davis in a fantasy baseball league.

Every number you can find on his FanGraphs player page will make you queasy. Beyond his batting average, Davis is sporting a .101 Isolated Power (ISO) rate that is lower than the 5'5", 173-pound Jose Altuve's mark. His slugging percentage ranks 30th among qualified first basemen, and yes, there are only 30 Major League Baseball teams.

The most concerning stat of all is his 31.2 percent strikeout rate. When he offered a glimpse of brilliance in his brief stint on the field in 2011, Davis struck out in 20.8 percent of his plate appearances. His 24.1 percent mark from last season is considered way too high.

You know it's bad when a "Did Ike Davis Strikeout?" Twitter handle pops up.

Yes. But better than a double play.

While one could point to his .195 BABIP as a sign of poor luck, it's hard to give him a free pass after making the same excuse last year. Sure, anyone needs a few bad breaks to hit well below .200, but his BABIP should be expected to remain low if he continues to operate as a dead-pull hitter with a 43.3 percent ground-ball rate.

In less than two months, Davis has managed to cost the Mets nearly a full win, generating a minus-0.8 WAR as per FanGraphs' calculation. His WAR suggests that he is worse than an average replacement player, but do the Mets even have an average replacement player?

Dispersing Davis' Playing Time

Andrew Brown appeared to be emerging as a replacement option and began to see time at first base in Triple-A. Then he strained his oblique, which likely means Davis has one less candidate hunting for his job.

If the Mets want to replace him with someone from the farm, they could look to Josh Satin or Zach Lutz.

Satin is hitting .313/.425/.500 in Triple-A, producing six homers and 24 RBI through 40 games. Those numbers, however, are coming in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, and the 28-year-old is rarely perceived as a future major league starter.

Also swinging in Triple-A Las Vegas, Lutz is not wowing anyone with a .273/.347/.432 slash line. The 27-year-old is not much more than organizational depth for New York.

No in-house option will garner much excitement among Flushing fans, so would they peruse the open market for alternatives? Now that the Oakland Athletics recently designated Daric Barton for assignment, the Mets may look to him as a stop-gap if they demote Davis, according to the New York Post's Joel Sherman.

#Athletics DFAd Barton who is patient/can field 1B, so asked #Mets exec if interest perhaps instead of Ike, and said no talks yet on him.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) May 18, 2013

Barton's .370 career slugging percentage certainly is not what you want from a first baseman, but Sandy Alderson might be attracted to his .359 on-base percentage spawned by a 14.2 percent walk rate.

But the most sensible solution is to shift Lucas Duda over to first base, a position much more suited for the burly slugger. Duda's snail-like speed makes him a liability in the outfield, where he has posted a minus-5.6 ultimate zone rating (UZR) this season.

That, however, makes the murky outfield situation even more of a mess, with no reliable regular to man Citi Field's spacious terrain. The likes of Rick Ankiel, Mike Baxter, Juan Lagares, Marlon Byrd and Jordany Valdespin, who combined have amassed 10 homers and a 0.4 WAR, would scrap for playing time.

Any mix of those three in the outfield with Duda at first would currently provide more production than a lineup with Davis present, but the difference is minuscule for a team with no real chance of playoff contention.

For demoting Davis to pay off, the move would have to spark a flame under the slumping slugger and bring him back to New York a changed man.

Will a Visit to Minors Yield Major Changes?

There is an underlying notion that sending a player down to the minors is a near-guaranteed fix to his flaws. While it often helps, it's far from a foregone conclusion.

The idea is that Davis regains his confidence by feasting on inferior Triple-A pitching for a couple weeks, before carrying over that success back to the majors.

But Davis has struggled to combat offspeed pitches, and facing pitchers with little ability to master those pitches will not help Davis improve. It may just lure him into a false sense of security before returning to a traumatizing Clayton Kershaw curveball.

It probably helps if the player embraces the demotion as a challenge, but Davis doesn't seem to think it'd make much of a difference.

"As far as making me a better hitter, I don't think it's going to happen down there," he said, according to Newsday's Marc Craig.

Unless the coaches in Triple-A are hoarding some of Michael Jordan's secret stuff, a trip to the farm is not an automatic fix to all of Davis' woes.

Do We Still Like Ike?

Essentially, the Mets are damned if they do and damned if they don't.

If they decide that Davis means too much to the franchise to send down, they will have to put up with horrible offensive production from their first baseman.

If they send him down, their offense will still falter as the team continues to cement real estate at fourth place.

For now, their best course of action is to ride out his cold streak as long as they can. He hit .253 with 27 homers last year after May, so there's hope that he eventually kicks it into gear.

However, collecting one hit through nine games is awfully hard to ignore. If that persists, the Mets will no longer be able to sweep his start under the rug and pretend that everything is fine.

Maybe Matt Harvey can play first base. At .158, the ace actually has a better average.

Tony Pulis Leaving as Manager of Stoke City

Timothy Rapp — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:33:41 -0400

After 10 total years as manager of Stoke City, including the current run of seven straight seasons, Tony Pulis is leaving the club.

From Sky Sports News:

According to Ed Malyon of the Daily Mirror, the decision for Pulis and the club to part ways was made on Tuesday morning after the manager met with chairman Peter Coates.

Pulis' longevity was certainly impressive, as Paul Carr of ESPN noted:

BBC Sport also noted Pulis' career record and win percentage:

All in all, a lot of managers with longevity at their clubs have departed this offseason. First, Sir Alex Ferguson retired. Then David Moyes left Everton, albeit to replace Ferguson at Manchester United. Now, Pulis is leaving Stoke.

His reign was mostly successful. Pulis took over in November of the 2002-03 season and managed to stave off relegation, keeping the team in the championship for the three years he spent at the club. He would then leave the club and manage Plymouth Argyle in the 2005-06 season.

But his parting from Stoke would be short-lived, and he returned to the club in the 2006-07 season. He would then lead Stoke City to its first stint in the Premier League in 23 years for the 2008-09 season, where they've remained since.

He became the first manager in Stoke City history to guide the team to an FA Cup final in 2011, which also led to a berth in the 2011-12 Europa League.

In 2012-13, Stoke City finished in 13th place and six points clear of relegation, a decent finish for the club but hardly progress. Still, for a club that had gone 23 years between Premier League stints, the fact that Pulis never finished below 14th on the table during his tenure was impressive.

Man Destroys World Record for Consecutive Backflips on a Pogo Stick

Dan Carson — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:24:36 -0400

What’s the world record for consecutive backflips on a pogo stick?

That’s a strange question, but the answer is now 15.

A video recently surfaced of a young man going to town on a pogo stick, flipping backward over and over again. The footage feels more like the beginning of a GoPro commercial, but just when you’re expecting the soul-devouring womp-bass of dubstep to kick in, you see it’s (allegedly) a world record-breaking performance (via Deadspin).

Fifteen was the number of backflips performed by “Dmitry” in this video, which breaks the prior world record of 11 (held by Fred Grzybowski) by a healthy four-flip margin.

What do we know about Dmitry at this point? Not much, besides the fact that he’s known to us simply as a one-name genius (like Seal) and that this feat was cake for him.

After pulling off a stunt that makes you lightheaded just watching it, Dmitry throws down the stick like an emcee dropping the mic. His helmet comes flying off. Holler at your boy.

While we’re talking pogo (and who doesn’t enjoy talking pogo?), let’s take a look at some other pogo records—the “highest forward flip pogo-stick jump” and the “most pogo-stick jumps in one minute.”

That’s some intense sticking for a recreational toy—oh wait, these are high-performance pogo sticks.

Photo courtesy of Flybar

Yes, we live in a world where you can get big air off a device once reserved for children with pigtails, and I can definitely get behind that.

Are you for pogo?

Follow @Dr__Carson

5 Best Contenders Named to 2013 Rimington Trophy Watch List

Randy Chambers — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:20:01 -0400

The watch list for the 2013 Rimington Trophy has been released, and it includes 44 players in all. The award will be handed out to the most outstanding center in college football at the end of the season.

Center is often a position that is overlooked in today's game. With most focused solely on the skill position players, a lot of the stars wouldn't be as well-known if it wasn't for a productive and aggressive offensive line. The award was first introduced in 2000, and it's good to see this position receive some credit for the job these guys do.

The SEC leads the list with nine candidates, while the Pac-12 and MWC is second with five nominees.

Here are the five best contenders for the Rimington Trophy.

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Wayne Rooney: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Matt Cheetham — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:17:01 -0400

Wayne Rooney is one of the highest profile players potentially on the brink of a transfer during this summer's window.

Here's a breakdown of his numbers and a brief scouting guide to the Manchester United man, along with a few potential destinations, should he indeed end up leaving Old Trafford.

Age: 27

Contract Situation: Rooney signed a new 5-year contract in 2010 that expires in the summer of 2015.

Career Stops: Everton (2002-2004), Manchester United (2004-current).

Current Campaign

Premier League—27 games, 12 goals, 10 assists

Champions League—6 games, 1 goals, 3 assists.

Video Showreel:

Scouting Guide

Rooney's new manager, David Moyes, recently described him as "the last street footballer," which explains a lot of his best traits.

He's one of the most naturally gifted footballers his country has produced, with instinctive ability that makes him adept in a number of positions. His deft touch and sublime vision lead many to consider his best role as behind the striker, while he can also be clinical when playing in attack himself.

His selfless work ethic and on-field commitment have almost become detrimental to his own plight, as he's often used in a wider role to capitalise on this industry.

Where Next?

As the Premier League season reached its climax, Manchester United sensationally revealed Rooney had asked for a transfer, which several outlets, including The Telegraph reported.

Since then, numerous options have been mooted in the media. The Mirror claim Chelsea are keen on the England international, with PSG also in the frame, while Arsene Wenger has denied interest after Arsenal were linked with a move in the Daily Mail.

Bayern Munich also insist they are not interested in The Guardian, highlighting how his price and wage demands put only a select few in contention for him.

Of course, his desire to leave was when Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge of Manchester United. Moyes will have his own opinions on his former player and, as The Guardian report, may want him to remain at Old Trafford.

Either way, it's a story likely to remain in the headlines for a proportion of the summer.

The 6 Best and Worst Moves of the Dallas Cowboys' 2013 Offseason

Peter Matarazzo — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:15:35 -0400

The Dallas Cowboys have had a rather interesting offseason so far, as they prepare for the 2013 season. While fresh off back-to-back 8-8 campaigns, it was hard to gauge what exactly the Cowboys would do or what they would be able to do in improving their team.

Despite facing many questions and tough decisions, it was ultimately the salary cap that proved to be a thorn in their side of any offseason plans. So, as a result, many contracts were tweaked and adjusted, and one player even got a Brinks truck full of cash dumped right in his lap.

Yes, the offseason brings so much enjoyment, agony and unanswered questions all in one neat little bundle. As fast as everybody was happy with the spending spree on Brandon Carr, it's almost a forgotten event, as the fans starve for improvement.

So, Jerry Jones went back to the drawing board and made moves he felt were in the best interests of the team and were necessary for success. Will they work? It's anybody's guess, but one thing is for certain, and that is Jones' ability to grab the spotlight just when you think it's slipping away.

Ultimately, some of the 2013 offseason moves could turn out to be the elixir this team needs, or they could turn out to be the downfall for this franchise.

Let's examine the Cowboys' best and worst moves of the 2013 offseason.

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Chicago Bulls: Players Whose Returns Are Doubtful for Next Season

James Tillman III — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:11:14 -0400

The Chicago Bulls' season came to a close almost a week ago with a 94-91 loss to the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

While most of us will look back at what could have been, it is time to begin looking ahead towards next season.

Based on that premise, here is a quick glance at some of the players who may not be back in the Windy City in 2013-14.

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Ronaldinho: Why His World Cup 2014 Dream with Brazil May Be Over

Alex Richards — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:11:13 -0400

Heading toward the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, there remains the romantic Brazilian football fan who believes history from 12 years ago, the Selecao's fifth and last triumph, will repeat itself.

With Luiz Felipe Scolari at the helm once more and a certain swaggering No. 10 back in irresistible club form, the romantic hopes that Brazil will claim a sixth world crown next summer, led by the two old favourites.

However, the pragmatic Scolari has never been one for romance. The man who rejected Romario in the face of much public outcry in 2002 has offered proof of this once again by overlooking a man who played a major role in that success 11 years ago for next month's Confederations Cup: Ronaldinho.

Whilst the likes of Kaka and Alexandre Pato have also been overlooked, both exclusions are much more understandable. Neither are guaranteed a starting place with their respective clubs and are struggling to make an impact when they do get playing time.

Ronaldinho, on the other hand, has had no such problems.

Now 33, the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year has been in fine form for Brazilian club Atletico Mineiro, leading them not only to the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals, but also to the Campeonato Mineiro title at the expense of rivals Cruzeiro.

The explosive bursts of his Barcelona days may have gone and the physique may have altered, but the mind remains as sharp as ever, as do the extravagant array of flicks and tricks.

Positioned in the centre of manager Cuca's 4-2-3-1 formation for Galo, directing on-field traffic with his intelligence and range of passing Ronaldinho has been outstanding over the course of the last 10 months.

Performances of such majesty were prevalent in his winning the 2012 Bola de Ouro (Brazilian Golden Ball) and it is no wonder that in tandem with Diego Tardelli, the brilliant youngster Bernard and the Manchester City reject Jo, Atletico are favourites to claim the Libertadores crown.

Additionally, he has recently returned to the national team with three appearances already in 2013, most recently in a 2-2 draw between Brazil's home-based players and Chile. Despite a performance in that contest which could hardly been described as vintage, and amidst reports that he turned up late for the squad get together, the general consensus was that Scolari would call upon Brazil's most recognisable face this summer, as he looks to settle his squad moving towards next year.

That he hasn't, in the face of such irresistible club form, doesn't bode well for Ronaldinho's 2014 chances.

Over the course of the next month Brazil are guaranteed to play five matches; two friendlies against England (June 2) and France (June 9) and three Confederations Cup group games: Japan (June 15), Mexico (June 19) and Italy (June 22).

It is a competition in which Scolari's side will be expected to make a statement of intent ahead of next year's competition. In the eyes of many Brazilian supporters, the only way to do that is by winning.

That Ronaldinho doesn't make the grade can only make one wonder whether Felipao has determined he can no longer get the job done against such exalted company.

Yet the make-up of Scolari's first 11, especially in an attacking sense, remains somewhat up in the air. Whilst the prodigious Neymar is a guaranteed starter—his exact role (wide left, false-nine) is still very much open to debate—the other forward/attacking midfield roles are very much up for grabs. Yet whilst Lucas Moura, Chelsea's Oscar, Sao Paulo's Jadson, Lazio's Hernanes and the diminutive Bernard have all been offered the chance to stake their claim, Ronaldinho has been, for want of a better word, ditched.

The player himself has intimated that he certainly won't give up. His dream remains to play for his country when they host next year's tournament:

"I wanted to be in the list and I was hopeful, but it didn't happen the way I wanted," said Ronaldinho, according to Supersport.com.

"But this motivates me even more to try to play better and be recalled in the future. There's still a long way to go until the World Cup and my goal remains the same."

Nonetheless, all things considered and taking into account the players age—he will be 34 come next summer—you have to query that time may well have been called on his international career.

NBA Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz Heading into Draft Lottery

Mike Chiari — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:58:52 -0400

With the NBA draft lottery forthcoming, there is plenty of buzz regarding what teams may or may not do with their first-round selections. Even though the draft order has yet to be determined, that hasn't stopped teams from inquiring about potential moves and getting prepared ahead of time.

There is usually a flurry of trades around draft time in the NBA, so it's interesting to note that teams are already posturing. Whether or not rumors come to fruition is anyone's guess as there is a lot that goes into making a trade, but it's certainly fun to speculate.

Here are the latest rumors and happenings surrounding the draft as Tuesday night's lottery draws near.

No. 1 Overall Pick Possibly on the Move?

The Orlando Magic have the best odds when it comes to securing the No. 1 overall pick at 25 percent, according to SI.com, but it is far from a guarantee. The Charlotte Bobcats, Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Hornets round out the top five. All of those teams have different needs and mindsets, but it's certainly possible that any of them could trade out of the top spot if they get it.

According to Sam Amico of FOX Sports, with so much uncertainty surrounding the top of the draft this year, it wouldn't be surprising to see the No. 1 pick get traded.

While trading the pick obviously depends upon who wins the lottery, Amico's assessment makes a lot of sense. There is usually a surefire top selection, but things aren't quite so black and white this year. Most figured that Kentucky center Nerlens Noel would go first, but he could be out until Christmas due to his ACL injury. Kansas guard Ben McLemore is the other option, but he just doesn't seem like No. 1 pick material due to the amount of holes in his game.

There is usually very little drama when it comes to the top pick, so a trade or at least talk of a trade is welcomed. Every team has different opinions when it comes to a guy like Noel, so while the team that gets the top selection may not want him, there's another team that might be willing to give up a king's ransom in order to draft him. Whatever the case, this promises to be one of the most intriguing drafts in recent memory.

Blazers Potentially Looking to Trade Lottery Pick

Things didn't go according to plan for the Portland Trail Blazers this season as they missed the playoffs and are slated to pick No. 10 if the lottery is chalk, but they are actually in a pretty advantageous position.

They already have a legitimate star in power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, and Rookie of the Year Damian Lillard figures to be a big-time point guard for many years to come. With plenty of youth and talent already on the roster, Portland has options when it comes to the draft.

According to Joe Kotoch of ProBasketballDraft.com, the Blazers are looking for center depth and may be willing to part with their lottery pick if the right deal comes along.

Portland already has a starting five fitting of a playoff team with Aldridge, Lillard, Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum and J.J. Hickson, but depth is definitely a problem and the main reason why the Blazers only went 33-49. Hickson had a great year as he averaged nearly 13 points and 10 rebounds per game, but he isn't a traditional center at just 6'9".

The Blazers do have 2012 first-round pick Meyers Leonard behind him, but they are taking their time when it comes to developing the talented seven-footer. Bringing in another center could a smart move for Portland, especially since it's unlikely an immediate-impact player can be found around the No. 10 pick. It is unclear which centers the Blazers might be targeting, but it is certainly worth monitoring.

Jazz Interested in Moving Up?

Perhaps no team is more firmly entrenched in no man's land than the Utah Jazz. Utah narrowly missed the postseason and has the lowest odds of any lottery team when it comes to landing the No. 1 pick. They also own the Golden State Warriors' No. 21 selection, so they certainly have some options.

In order for Utah to truly become a player in the Western Conference, it needs to make a big splash on draft night.

According to Bill Oram of The Salt Lake Tribune, Jazz general manager Dennis Lindsey is weighing all options, including potentially moving up in order to nab a desired player.

The Jazz already have a ton of depth in their front court with players like Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, Enes Kanter, Derrick Favors and Marvin Williams. Utah's guard play suffered this season, though, so it could certainly use a bona-fide point guard or a shooting guard who can take over games. It's unclear if those types of players exist in this class, but the Jazz probably won't find them at No. 14 or No. 21.

If Utah can potentially get inside the top 10, then perhaps Michigan's Trey Burke or Indiana's Victor Oladipo become options. The Jazz need a player who can step in and contribute immediately at guard, and trading up is probably the best way to make that happen.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter

Cincinnati Bengals: The 5 Best and Worst Offseason Moves

David Campbell — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:52:03 -0400

The NFL is deep into offseason mode with teams hitting the field for minicamps and OTAs. Training camp is still two and a half months away, but for most teams, the roster appears to be set.

With that in mind, this is a good time to take a look back at the Cincinnati Bengals' offseason so far. The Bengals are coming off a second-straight playoff appearance, and are one of the up-and-coming teams in the league.

A lot of what the Bengals have done this offseason has been applauded, but not every move they made was a great one. Let's take a look at the best and worst moves the team has made.

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