Bleacher Report - Front Page

Michael Ballack Explains Why Borussia Dortmund Can Topple Bayern Munich

Ryan O'Leary — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:09:56 -0400

German international and former Bayern Munich star Michael Ballack knows a thing or two about the UEFA Champions League final. After all, the superstar midfielder played in two European finals in his illustrious career with Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen.

Ballack is also very familiar with both clubs in the final, as he's from Germany and played for several years in Munich.

We caught up with legend during Champion's League week in London to get his take on the final and what gives Borussia Dortmund a real chance at reigning supreme over Europe by toppling their rival, Bayern Munich.

Leave a comment below, and let us know if you think Dortmund can compete.

Follow Ryan O'Leary on Twitter.

Serena Williams Is Ready to Win Again at Roland Garros

Mike Hoag — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:09:45 -0400

Despite a recent dominant stretch over her competition, Serena Williams has history against her at Roland Garros.

Not only has she not won the French Open since 2002, she hasn’t even advanced past the quarterfinals since. Factor in the struggles of No. 1 seeds on the French Open's clay courts and suddenly Williams’ title seems less than a foregone conclusion.

Just one top seed has won the women’s title there since 1997.

Keep in mind that history is broken every day in sports. There is no reason to discredit her chances just because of that. However, it’s hard to ignore those daunting numbers.

She does have some very important things working in her favor too.

Williams received the best-case-scenario when draws were announced for the women’s singles tournament. She will play in a different group than Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka, Li Na and other top competitors.

Caroline Wozniacki and Adnieszka Radwanska are her biggest threats to reaching the finals, but neither has impressed on clay this season.

Plus she has been lights out on the court this year and for much of last season, beginning with her gold medal performance at the London Olympics.

Let’s put her dominance in perspective for a minute.

After capturing gold, winning the U.S. Open and Wimbledon, Williams has been nearly flawless in 2013. She is currently 3-0 in clay-court tournaments and has an impressive 36-2 record this season.

That record includes two finals victories over Sharapova and Azarenka during the last month.

Those wins have extended a 24-match winning streak. During that span, she has captured four consecutive titles.

Still, her first-round shocker to Virginie Razzano last year at Roland Garros is fresh in our minds.

That early-round upset has to be very fresh in her mind too. It was an embarrassment and probably a critical factor that sparked her dominant run. She’s unlikely to come into the French Open with anything less than complete and total focus to avoid a similar finish.

A focused and on-fire Serena Williams isn’t someone anyone wants to meet, in any round, of a Grand Slam tournament.

She still has to prove it on the court, and that’s exactly what she’s going to do.

NBA Draft 2013: Ranking Players with Best Chance to Win Rookie of the Year

Benjamin Klein — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:59:45 -0400

Many teams in the upcoming 2013 NBA Draft will be looking to land an impact player that can turn an organization’s future around, improve postseason chances or potentially win it all.

There are plenty of playmakers in this year’s draft class that are sure to help their new teams but only one is going to win Rookie of the Year at the season’s conclusion.

Portland Trailblazers star Damian Lillard took home this year’s honors with ease after a very impressive season. Lillard played in all 82 games for Portland, averaging 19 points, 6.5 assists and 3.1 rebounds in 38.6 minutes per game.

So which draft prospect has the best chance at doing what Lillard did—or in a similar fashion—next season? Let’s take a look at the three soon-to-be rookies that have a strong chance at winning the 2013-14 NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

No. 3: Trey Burke, PG, Michigan

Projected Selection: Orlando Magic (No. 2 overall)

Trey Burke was a fantastic college player for the Michigan Wolverines and it’s likely that his success with transition to the NBA.

As a sophomore last season, Burke averaged 18.6 points and 6.7 assists per game, carrying Michigan through the NCAA Tournament and being named the National Player of the Year. He can make a shot from nearly anywhere on the floor but isn’t necessarily the best defensive prospect available.

The Magic should take the best player available once they’re on the clock, which is good for them considering only one player will be off the board. While Orlando could go in a lot of directions, Burke is a safe and smart pick.

Orlando desperately needs a star that can fill the void left by Dwight Howard and Burke can be that guy. He showed the world what he was capable of in college and there’s no question he wants to prove what he can do at the next level.

No. 2: Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas

Projected Selection: Charlotte Hornets (No. 4 overall)

Charlotte will likely take the best player on the board as long as it isn’t Burke. It’s still somewhat early to forget about Kemba Walker, who led the team in scoring and assists this past season.

That means the Hornets will likely be able to take Ben McLemore, the sharpshooter from Kansas. McLemore should be available at No. 4, depending on what happens with the first three picks in the draft, and would be a solid addition for Charlotte.

Charlotte needs to find another shooter that it can pair alongside of Walker and McLemore is that guy. Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated even compared McLemore to Ray Allen, only more athletic, according to Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel.

McLemore will enter the NBA with just a year of college experience under his belt, but he sure made the most of it. He averaged 15.9 points per game and shot 49.5 percent from the field in 37 games for the Jayhawks.

It would be rare to see McLemore shoot close to 50 percent in the NBA, but by scoring around 16 points per game—along with some other solid statistics—could earn him some hardware at the end of the season.

No. 1: Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky

Projected Selection: Cleveland Cavaliers (No. 1 overall)

The Cavaliers were lucky to have won the NBA Draft Lottery and I doubt that they make the mistake of selecting anyone but Nerlens Noel with the No. 1 overall pick.

Noel is by far the most talented player in the draft and has a very high ceiling for the future. Cleveland does need a forward that can shoot, but adding Noel to the mix that already includes Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters would make for an impressive young group.

Noel is only 19 years old, but he’s been coached by one of the best in college sports in John Calipari. In his first and only season at Kentucky, he averaged 10.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 4.4 blocks in 31.9 minutes per game.

Most of Noel’s competition for the coveted award will be shooters. He has the opportunity to lead all rookies in rebounds and blocks. Not to mention, the guy can score from inside the paint and will most likely average double-digits in his first season.

A center hasn’t won Rookie of the Year in nearly a decade—Emeka Okafor in 2004-05—but there’s already a strong likelihood that Noel ends the drought in the upcoming seasons.

Oakland Raiders Running Back Breakdown and Position Analysis

Jeff Spiegel — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:54:14 -0400

There are very few positions on the depth chart that could waver anywhere between the team's strongest position and their weakest, but, for the Oakland Raiders, that's exactly where the running back position lies.

If healthy, Darren McFadden remains Oakland's most dangerous weapon.

Having played just 19 games in the past two seasons, however, he's also their most fragile player.

Behind McFadden are two newcomers—veteran Rashad Jennings and rookie Latavius Murray, making the Oakland backfield something of a mystery.

Darren McFadden

Once considered to be on the track to stardom, Darren McFadden has battled the injury bug throughout his career, never playing more than 13 games in any of his five seasons.

Then again, Run-DMC is still just 25 years old.

McFadden's best year came in 2010 when he broke the 1,000 yard mark for the first (and only) time, rushing for 1,157 yards with seven touchdowns. He also had an astonishing 5.2 yards per carry.

The following year, McFadden actually improved his rushing average to 5.4 yards per carry, but another injury derailed his season after just seven games.

So what can Oakland expect from the insanely talented, yet incredibly fragile, McFadden?

For one, they can expect to learn a lot about his future with the team.

As a free agent after this season, McFadden has a lot to prove heading into the offseason about whether he can stay healthy for an entire season.

The good news for Oakland is that they're slated to have plenty of cap space, so signing a healthy and productive McFadden doesn't figure to be an issue.

On the flip side, however, if McFadden were to go down injured once again, who do the Raiders have waiting in the wings?

Rashad Jennings

Coming in to back up McFadden is fifth-year man Rashad Jennings out of Liberty, who has spent all four seasons of his career backing up Maurice Jones-Drew in Jacksonville.

While fantasy football owners know Jennings well, having seen plenty of action behind the fragile MJD, Jennings hasn't always been as effective as most would have hoped.

In three seasons with the Jaguars (Jennings missed the entire 2011 season), Jennings has amassed 944 yards and seven touchdowns.

In 10 games last season, however, Jennings averaged just 2.8 yards per carry on 101 carries.

The similarities between Jennings and last season's veteran addition, Mike Goodson, are numerous, and I think as far as expectations go, Goodson is a good place to start.

Both guys were career backups who had shown flashes of potential but not enough to earn them a starting job anywhere.

Like Goodson, Jennings will be a serviceable fill-in for McFadden should he go down with an injury, but I have little hope for Jennings to make a major impact this season.

Latavius Murray

Sitting third on the depth chart is Oakland's sixth-round pick from Central Florida, Latavius Murray.

Having played four seasons at Central Florida, Murray is coming off the best season of his career in which he rushed for 1,106 yards with 15 touchdowns. He also added four receiving touchdowns.

While no team expects a whole lot out of a sixth-round pick immediately, there is always hope that Murray could be this year's version of a guy like Alfred Morris.

At 6'2", 233 pounds, Murray will provide the big back that Oakland has long been lacking in the power running game.

Despite his size, however, the aspect of his game that stuck out to coaches during rookie camp was actually Murray's ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.

With the size that he has, if Murray can establish himself as a reliable third-down back, the rookie could find himself on the field more often than expected.

While many are hoping that Murray turns into a diamond in the rough, we have to remember that there's a reason he lasted until the sixth round.

Yes, the reports are positive about him after rookie camps, but, ultimately, he's nothing more than a guy to watch during the preseason to see how he performs.

If he can impress the coaches in real games against real opponents, it's feasible to think he could play himself into the role of backup.

Then again, it's only May, so we've got a long way to go.

UFC 160 Fight Card: Which Fighter Has the Most to Gain

Matt Juul — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:52:43 -0400

If you told any MMA fan just a few years ago that Mark Hunt would end up being a major player in the UFC's heavyweight title picture, he or she would scoff and laugh you out of the room.

Fast-forward to 2013, and the once maligned former K-1 champ is now one of the promotion's most popular—and dangerous—heavyweights.

Set to face former heavyweight king Junior "Cigano" dos Santos in Saturday's co-main event, the Kiwi veteran may have the most to gain from his bout at UFC 160.

When Hunt joined the UFC's roster following the dismantling of Pride, the "Super Somoan" was riding a dismal losing streak that was, unfortunately, extended after a submission loss to Sean McCorkle in his Octagon debut. However, over the past three years, Hunt has completely turned his career around and is now riding an impressive four-fight winning streak, highlighted by a series of brutal KO finishes.

A convincing win over Cigano on Saturday would not only cement his status among the division's elite, but it very well could lead to a future showdown for the heavyweight belt.

Sure, you could argue that Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva has the most to gain since he actually is fighting champ Cain Velasquez on Saturday night, but the Brazilian hasn't had to overcome as many obstacles in his career as Hunt has.

Considering how far the New Zealand native has come since his early days in the sport, it's remarkable that Hunt is still fighting at all, let alone jockeying for position atop the UFC's heavyweight rankings. At 39 years of age, Hunt is defying the odds just by setting foot inside the Octagon.

But if the Super Somoan wants to be taken seriously as a top heavyweight, he needs an impressive win.

Surviving a dog fight with dos Santos will certainly earn Hunt some street cred with the fans, but it won't help him get that coveted UFC strap. If the Kiwi wants to sure up his combat sports legacy by, at the very least, fighting for a title, a win over the No. 2-ranked heavyweight is a necessity.

Be sure to like Matt on Facebook and follow @MattchidaMMA.

Freedom 100 Video: Watch Peter Dempsey Win Race in Wild Finish

Ethan Grant — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:50:44 -0400

Irishman Peter Dempsey had never won an Indy Lights race in his career before the green flag waved at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Friday afternoon for the 2013 Firestone Freedom 100.

His first win on the circuit couldn't have come in more dramatic fashion.

A four-wide finish at the most historic track in racing history transpired down the backstretch, with Dempsey hovering behind Gabby Chaves, Carlos Munoz and Sage Karam when things started to get heated.

Dempsey then made his own move to the outside as the racers approached the finish line, edging out Chaves at the checkered flag in what was the closest finish ever at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Better yet, four drivers crossed the line a fraction of a second apart.

The track's official Twitter account posted that Dempsey had won the race by the closest margin ever in an oval-track race at IMS:

The 4-wide finish of today's Firestone Freedom 100 is the closest oval finish in @ims history! @peterdempsey won with a margin of .0026!
— Indy Motor Speedway (@IMS) May 24, 2013

Dempsey's finish was one for the books, and one that racing fans everywhere will be talking about for years to come.

As Dempsey, who races for Belardi Auto Racing, put it, "It was unreal" (h/t Miami Herald). It was his third career race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, one that will be hard to top when he returns to Indiana each racing season.

Make sure you watch the video above to see just how impressive Dempsey's late-race heroics were, and take a second to gander at the majesty that is the four-wide finish at this event on Friday afternoon. As the announcers note over and over again during the tape, you won't see anything quite like this on your run-of-the-mill afternoon at the track.

Especially not at IMS.

Ohio State, LSU, USC and Others Highlight 5-Star S Jamal Adams' Top 12

Andrew Kulha — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:44:51 -0400

Jamal Adams, a 5-star safety from Carrollton, Texas, has released his top 12, and there are plenty of marquee schools that have made the cut.

Damon Sayles of ESPN.com (subscription required) reports Adams' new interest list:

Friday afternoon, Adams opened up and announced the schools that have made his first cut. Those schools in alphabetical order: Arkansas, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, UCLA and USC.

“It was really hard,” Adams said of narrowing down a list of nearly 30 offers. “The hardest [part] is telling coaches you’re not interested.”

Notable programs that have offered Adams that aren't on this list include Notre Dame, Michigan, Oregon, Nebraska and Stanford, according to 247Sports.com.

Sayles reports that Adams' next move will be cutting the list in half, and that should happen sometime during the 2013 season.

Adams is 6'0'', 199 pounds and is the No. 4 safety in the 2014 class. He's also the No. 6 player from the state of Texas, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

He's taken a number of unofficial visits to Texas—his 247Sports timeline records five visits—so look for the Longhorns to remain a major option for Adams. That said, he's also visited Texas A&M and Oklahoma twice each.

Overall, with coaches like Urban Meyer, Will Muschamp, Kevin Sumlin, Hugh Freeze, Bob Stoops, Jimbo Fisher, Les Miles, Mack Brown, Jim Mora, Lane Kiffin, Kliff Kingsbury and Bret Bielema all vying for Adams' commitment, this should be one of the more interesting recruiting races to watch in the 2014 cycle.

German Fans Invade London, Debate Who's Best in Europe

Ryan Bailey — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:39:29 -0400

For the first time ever, the Champions League Final is an all-German affair.

On Saturday, the seemingly unstoppable Bayern Munich will square off with their closest Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund at London's Wembley Stadium—for the right to be named Champions Of Europe.

As German fans descend upon the English capital, B/R took to the streets to find out who they believe will win club football's most prestigious prize.

Have your say on the outcome of the game in the comments below.

Check out my Bold Predictions for the 2013 Champions League FInal as well.

Helio Castroneves Would Gladly Give Up Sex Just to Win Indy 500 Again

Gabe Zaldivar — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:36:58 -0400

According to Helio Castroneves, winning the Indianapolis 500 is better than sex, which means we are now putting winning the Indy 500 on our bucket lists.

Fox Sports spotted an interview the three-time Indy winner gave to Detroit's 97.1 The Ticket's "Stoney and Bill" show.

The normal back and forth about the upcoming race devolved into a rather interesting topic when one of the hosts apparently asked, "If you had a choice… would you give up sex for a year with your wife to win Indy?"

Well, Castroneves is not married but he is dating the lovely Adriana Henao, and the two shared in the birth of their daughter, Mikaella, back in 2009.

Apparently, the IndyCar star tried his best to tiptoe around the question but ultimately made his decision on what is more enjoyable, winning Indy or sex, via Fox Sports.

At first, Castroneves responded with a joke — and looking for an out — asking, “So that means I can have sex someplace else?”

But when faced with a rephrased question of whether he’d give up lovemaking altogether, the former Dancing With the Stars champion responded: “I would not give up Indy, my friend, I’ll tell you that. I think I can handle one year without sex, because Indy is Indy.”

Again, this is a man who has taken the famed race three times, yet he is willing to to have a self-inflicted dry spell of one year.

It sort of puts things into perspective and makes you kick yourself for not becoming a famous driver, because it seems the greatest thrill in life is crossing the finish line first at the Indy 500.

Castroneves can do pretty much anything: winning at Indianapolis, taking the fifth season of Dancing with the Stars and being a rock of self-restraint with his beautiful girlfriend.

Of course, nobody is asking the 38-year-old to give up such things, because that would be ridiculous. Still, we have to think his answer now mandates a stop by the flower shop before retuning home.

The correct answer when asked whether there is anything better than sex with your significant other is always no. Just a tip to keep you all safe out there.

Hit me up on Twitter for more sage wisdom: Follow @gabezal

Cold Hard Fact for Friday, May 24, 2013

Daily Cold Hard Facts — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:35:31 -0400

Fact: Major League Baseball teams use about 850,000 balls per season.

Bleacher Report will be bringing sports fans the interesting and engaging Cold Hard Fact of the day, presented by Coors Light.

Recapping the 2013 NBA Playoffs Through 'Arrested Development' Quotes

Andrew Gould — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:32:53 -0400

Now the story of a wealthy sports organization, and the one man forced to keep it all together longer by stretching out the NBA playoffs into a nearly two-month affair.

It's the 2013 NBA postseason, as explained by Arrested Development.

A decade ago, the critically-adored but ratings-challenged sitcom about the dysfunctional Bluth family premiered on Fox. Despite drawing a loyal following, not enough viewers tuned into the unconventional, fast-paced comedy.

That's what happens when you lose the laugh track and all the cheery comedy tropes while firing incest jokes at rapid speed.

Seven years after Arrested Development was taken away from us, Netflix will exclusively air an entire new season of episodes, all at once, on Sunday, May 26. Don't worry, the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers don't play until 8:30 p.m EST, so there's plenty of time to power through the 15 episodes during the day.

Luckily, we have been treated to weeks of playoff basketball to fill our preceding days in anticipation. While a largely unlikable family in danger of losing all of its wealth does not figure to strike any resemblance to the NBA, there is some overlap.

Just in case you've been playing catch-up on the first three seasons during the past month, let's break down some of the postseason's highlights through the most memorable quotes and phrases from Arrested Development.

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Questions That Still Must Be Answered in NFL Training Camps

Ty Schalter — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:20:16 -0400

NFL offseason training activities give the NFL world the first glimpse into the coming regular season. Rookies mix with stalwart veterans and free-agent signees, and new coaches get their bearings and install their systems.

Depth charts, position battles and possible alignment changes get their first exposure to the outside world—sometimes there are surprises, and sometimes there aren't.

Either way, the outside world only gets a peek: the general public sees nothing, and even the local media that covers each team every day only gets limited viewing windows. From those tidbits, information-hungry fans and media alike extrapolate as much as they can about where teams and players will be at headed into training camp.

Of course, this leaves a lot of huge questions unanswered, or only partially answered. We still don't know a lot of very important things about some of these teams, even after the first wave of OTAs.

Which are the biggest questions that won't be answered until training camp?

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New England Patriots: Top 5 Reasons Tom Brady and Co. Will Win Super Bowl 48

Andrew Bromstedt — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:14:05 -0400

I know it's May. I know Wes Welker's gone. I know Tom Brady isn't getting any younger, and I know the Ravens whooped them in the AFC Championship Game.

None of these things change the fact that the Patriots are likely candidates to win the Super Bowl in the Meadowlands next year. While plenty of Broncos, Seahawks, Falcons, and 49ers fans will have something to say about it, the Patriots have more than enough weapons to win their first Super Bowl since defeating Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid in 2005.

Yeah, it's been a while.

Nobody knows that more than Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, whose legacies won't be considered complete until a fourth ring is added to their collection.

Considering Brady has never missed the playoffs since taking over for Drew Bledsoe back in 2001, Patriots fans have every reason to think next year, that evasive fourth Lombardi Trophy will finally be paraded through the streets of Boston.

Here's just five of them.

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NCAA Lacrosse Championship 2013: Bracket, Live Stream, TV Info & More

Brian Mazique — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:10:52 -0400

Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa. is the site for the 2013 NCAA Lacrosse championships.

The final four is set with the top-seeded Syracuse Orange highlighting the field. The Orange Lacrosse program has long been a force having won nine NCAA championships.

Syracuse isn't the only storied program vying for the title, though. The Duke Blue Devils are making their seventh consecutive appearance in the national semifinals.

Is this the year they add a second national championship?

Neither of these colossal programs will have easy paths to the title game.

Cornell awaits Duke and they have defeated the Blue Devils six of the last nine times the teams have met. The Orange will tangle with fourth-seeded Denver.

Denver's sophomore attackman Wesley Berg racked up 56 goals this season. He'll be a handful for the Orange to contain.

Both semifinal matchups should be exciting. Here is a look at the brackets, schedule and a deeper look at both semifinal matchups.

Time	Semifinal Matchup	Finals - May 27 - 1 p.m ET
May 25 - 2:30 p.m. ET	Cornell vs. (7) Duke
May 25 - 5:00 p.m. ET	(1) Syracuse vs. (4) Denver

Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pa.

TV: ESPN, ESPN 2

Live Stream: Watch ESPN

Breaking Down the Semifinal Matchups

Duke Blue Devils vs. Cornell Big Red

The squad from Durham comes to the semifinals playing a different role than they did in 2012. Last year many viewed them as the favorites coming in; they had knocked off Syracuse and Colgate en route to this same position.

This season has been different.

The Blue Devils started the year 2-4 and have had to rally to gain championship form.

Jordan Wolf is Duke's best offensive player, but to be victorious this weekend, the Blue Devils will lean heavily on their goalkeeper Kyle Turri. The sophomore will be charged with slowing the powerful scoring attack from Cornell.

Turri may look relaxed in this image from Duke Athletics' Instagram account, but that could change on Saturday.

His play could very well dictate who advances to the national championship game.

After compiling a 14-3 record this season and a 2-0 mark in neutral sites, the Big Red should be confident heading into this game.

Having scored 32 goals in their previous two games combined doesn't hurt either. Rob Pannell has been brilliant all season and he'll be a major concern for the opposition.

Just as Turri will be the man in the spotlight for Duke, senior goalkeeper A.J. Fiore will have to be big for Cornell to win as well. The team that can establish itself on defense will have the clear advantage.

Get ready for a high-scoring, exciting affair.

Syracuse Orange vs. Denver Pioneers

Defense is the name of the game for the Orange this season. The team has only surrendered 13 goals in the entire tournament.

They will be looking to smother the Denver Pioneers on Saturday to reach the national championship game. It won't be easy as the Pioneers have two very explosive players on offense.

Eric Law and Berg combined for 96 goals this year. It will take a major effort from Brian Megill and the other Orange defensemen to slow this duo.

While Denver is the more balanced team, the Orange's defense has been so stifling, that their advantage in that area may be enough to reach the championship.

The Pioneers have scored 12.67 goals per season while Syracuse has only allowed an average of 8.61. It is clear something has to give on Saturday.

If you're looking for a rough, physical and passionate game, this is the one to watch.

Follow me for Sports Did You Knows, News and Spirited Opinions

Walter Mazzarri Named as New Inter Milan Manager

Ethan Grant — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:05:19 -0400

Former Napoli manager Walter Mazzarri is on the move just days after stepping down from his post at Stadio San Paolo, and has been named as the new manager for Inter Milan for the upcoming season.

CNN's Tancredi Palmeri had the news on Twitter:

ESPN FC confirmed the move once the club announced Mazzarri's place as manager became official:

Inter's official website also released a statement on Friday afternoon after reports leaked linking Mazzarri to the club as its new manager. Here's that press release in its entirety:

FC Internazionale would like to announce that the club has appointed Walter Mazzarri as the new head coach. FC Internazionale would like to thank Andrea Stramaccioni for the great commitment and professionalism he showed in a particularly difficult year. Walter Mazzarri has signed a two-year deal.

The news comes on the same day it was reported that former Inter manager Andrea Stramaccioni was fired. Milan finished ninth in the Serie A table following the completion of the 2012-13 campaign and didn't factor a win in any of their final four fixtures in league play. Although his contract ran through 2015, team Massimo Moratti made the tough choice to let him go in favor of new blood on the sidelines.

Interisti Kaskus had this tweet with a direct quote from Moratti about the move:

Mazzarri will take over the difficult task of bringing glory back to San Siro Stadium.

He led Napoli to a second-place finish in Serie A play this season, and also captained the team to a first-place finish in the Coppa Italia during the 2011-12 campaign. Napoli will also be in Champions League play next season for the second time in the last three years. He went 1-1 against Inter Milan with Napoli this year, including a 3-1 victory at home on May 5.

Inter Milan will be the seventh club that Mazzarri has coached since his playing days have been behind him. Other stops include Livorno, Reggina and Sampdoria.

The 51-year-old Mazzarri declined a contract extension during the middle of his fourth and final season with Napoli, stating at the time of his exit that he felt the need to move on at this stage of his managerial career (h/t Sports Illustrated via the AP).

Speculation about Mazzarri joining Inter after his resignation at Napoli has been rampant over the last few days. The club made the move official on Friday just hours after announcing it had parted ways with Stramaccioni earlier in the day.

Livorno president Aldo Spinelli, who hired Mazzarri in 2003, is among those who thinks that he is the right man to help turn things around at Inter Milan. In a report from Football Italia, Spinelli endorses Mazzarri as one of the top minds in Italian football right now.

Inter Milan has a long way to go after a disappointing season, but the hiring of Mazzarri will certainly incite fans to get excited about the possibility of improvement during Mazzarri's first season at the helm.

San Jose Sharks Earning Conn Smythe Consideration in 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs

MJ Kasprzak — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:04:41 -0400

The San Jose Sharks have two wins in the Western Conference semifinals. Like every team that wins games after the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, there are certain players emerging as leaders.

Right now, those players are in contention to be San Jose's most valuable players. If they can lead the team past the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings and win the Western Conference Finals, they will become candidates for the Conn Smythe Award given to the best postseason player.

Only five Sharks teams have ever finished with more than their six wins. Patrick Marleau was part of all three previous teams to get more than seven, and the coaches and most of the core players have been to the next round twice.

Other players have the experience elsewhere in the NHL. They know what it takes to win at this level.

More than anything, this is their last chance. They know it and the fans know it. At least one of the core will be gone before next season, and they are playing like it.

Thus, merely examining San Jose's best players would only make a list that anyone could rattle off. The difficulty is in ranking six very good performances...

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Michael Vick Claims He's Still NFL's Fastest Quarterback

Matt Fitzgerald — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:02:08 -0400

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick proclaimed on The Dan Patrick Show on Friday that he is still the fastest quarterback in the entire NFL.

ESPN.com news services documented Vick's comments in the interview, during which he declared himself swifter than San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick and Washington Redskins signal-caller Robert Griffin III:

These guys are young and they're fast and they're quick; the thing I do have is a very quick get-up. I really don't feel like there's a quarterback in the league who can beat me in a 40-yard dash. If somebody wants to set something up, I'll be more than glad to accept the challenge. But as of right now I'm going to say me. But Colin Kaepernick is fast and RG III is fast as well.

Prospective challengers should be wary of Vick, despite the fact that he's taken a pummeling over the past two nightmarish seasons and is turning 33 on June 26.

Vick outraced electric running back and Eagles teammate LeSean McCoy in a 40-yard dash earlier this offseason, although McCoy has accused Vick of cheating, saying he jumped the gun and left too early.

With regard to being the fastest QB in the league, that is is quite a bold claim coming from Vick. First of all, Vick has to focus on beating out Nick Foles and Matt Barkley for the starting quarterback job in training camp. Otherwise, he won't be able to prove how electric he can still be.

The selection of offensive tackle Lane Johnson at No. 4 overall will certainly help, and the new offense head coach Chip Kelly brings to the table demands fast tempo and exceptional speed, which Vick clearly possesses.

Though he didn't run at the combine in 2001, it's possible that Vick's time would have beaten Griffin's recently-set QB record of 4.41 in the 40. Kaepernick ran a 4.53 at the 2011 combine but appears faster than that these days.

The read-option is catching on in the pros in a strong way, and Vick could have far more opportunities to show off his epic running ability in those sets under Kelly.

It's just a matter of Vick staying healthy, which hasn't been the case recently. His occasionally reckless style must change if he's meant to carry on his career. Vick leads all quarterbacks in NFL history with 5,551 rushing yards.

Why Jose Mourinho Returning to Chelsea Will Be a Disaster

Christopher Atkins — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:55:36 -0400

The rumour mill had whirred into action long before Real Madrid president Florentino Perez confirmed the departure of manager Jose Mourinho this week, but it would now appear almost inconceivable that the Portuguese manager will not fall into the arms of former club Chelsea once more this summer.

For Mourinho, it is the perfect job.

A homecoming to a place where he feels loved by players and supporters alike, following a tumultuous relationship with both groups in Madrid. Add to that his better dealings with the English press and everything begins to click into place.

Chelsea, likewise, would be delighted to see his return. The Portuguese manager won two league titles and three cups in his three complete seasons in charge at the club and his spectre has loomed large ever since.

Despite subsequent triumphs, there was still a longstanding feeling that this was "Jose's team."

But, will the marriage made in heaven taste as sweet in reality? After all, it is only six years since Mourinho parted ways with the club after significant fallings-out with club owner Roman Abramovich. Judging by their actions in the intervening period, neither would appear to have mellowed greatly.

It has been widely speculated that Mourinho wanted the hot seat at Old Trafford following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, but was considered to be too disruptive to succeed at a club who take pride in their image and stability.

Also, Abramovich is said to have idolised Barcelona and thus signed the likes of Juan Mata, Oscar and Eden Hazard for his side. These are not typical "Mourinho players" and will certainly require a different approach to the one that served the Portuguese well on his first sojourn at Stamford Bridge.

Other changes, too, might not sit so well with the image that Mourinho will want to portray. He may be coming home, but will his former loyal servants be staying?

What of outcasts Michael Essien and Florent Malouda? Frank Lampard may have got a new deal, but will John Terry and Ashley Cole remain much longer?

These are all questions Mourinho must answer, and while he may value loyalty, he cannot afford to retain players who are not pulling their weight anymore.

Mourinho will need to resolve such issues. He doesn't have the players to come back and play the same game plan, but he will be expected to be successful.

Chelsea finished 14 points behind Manchester United this season, despite the Red Devils easing their way to the end of the season. It could, and should, have been an even bigger gap.

With the departure of both Sir Alex Ferguson and Roberto Mancini from the top two sides, many of the club's fans will expect Mourinho to overturn that gap. It will not be an easy task, though.

Then there is the youth development argument. It has been the stick used to beat the Portuguese boss at Real Madrid and is also said to have influenced United's decision to overlook his claims for the managerial position at Old Trafford.

Chelsea simply cannot afford to overlook their young talents. The likes of Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois, Kevin de Bruyne and Lucas Piazon have arrived in West London at great cost, but must soon be offered a route into the first team.

South American teenagers Wallace and Cristian Cuevas will also arrive this summer.

Beyond that, 17-year-old Nathaniel Chalobah has been one of the revelations of the Championship in his performances on loan at Watford, while fellow 17-year-olds Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Andreas Christensen have both been included on the club's end-of-season tour to the USA.

That is all before considering the fact that Chelsea's Under-18 side have reached two FA Youth Cup finals in succession—winning one—and have gone on to win the Europe-wide NextGen Series at Under-19 level.

Mourinho did little to bring through young players at Chelsea, Inter Milan or Real Madrid, but simply cannot waste the abundant talent that he will encounter in West London. It would be a major disaster for the club's long-term planning.

But therein lies the problem with hiring Mourinho—it is never long-term. He may have turned over a new leaf, but just how long will his relationship with Abramovich hold firm?

The odds of a stay of over three or four years will be generous to say the least.

Despite all this, though, Mourinho remains an excellent manager. He could well lead the side to great success and bring through youngsters in the process. It is not a case of him not being capable of doing so.

Mourinho's admiration for Ferguson is well-known, but he would do well to learn from the Scot regarding his coming opportunity.

A fleeting visit will do little to benefit Chelsea overall, bar to boost the immediate size requirements of the trophy cabinet. The Blues, more than anything, need stability and a long-term development strategy.

Perhaps now, then, it is time for Mourinho to show that he has more strings to his bow. If he doesn't, then his decision to return could be a disaster.

New York Giants: How FB Henry Hynoski's Injury Affects the Offense

Kevin Boilard — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:44:58 -0400

On Wednesday, May 22, New York Giants fullback Henry Hynoski was carted off the field after suffering a knee injury during the team's very first practice of organized team activities. A day later, after an MRI examination, Hynoski's injury was clarified as a torn MCL and a "chip to the lateral plateau of his tibia," according to Mike Garafolo of USA Today.

Hynoski will need to undergo corrective surgery on his damaged knee, but he has set a goal to return in time for the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 8. Doctors have told Hynoski that his goal is "not an unrealistic" one, according to Garafolo's report.

However, injuries like these, suffered in the late spring to early summer, are often lingering when the season begins in the fall, and the effects are still felt when the team is pushing for a playoff spot as the temperature plummets in the early winter. See wide receiver Hakeem Nicks' broken foot, which he suffered during last year's OTAs, and the domino effect it had on the entire season. Even if Hynoski is ready to go by Week 1, the former undrafted free agent will be resting and recovering during most of training camp and the preseason.

In two seasons' time, Hynoski has become a fan-favorite, always making the most of a few sparse receptions when he isn't bowling over linebackers. In Week 17, during a blowout victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, Hynoski stole the show by paying tribute to his nickname—the Hynoceros—after scoring the only touchdown of his career.

During his rookie season (2011), Hynoski earned the role of starting fullback, but the early-going wasn't pretty for the young blocking back. The Giants posted the league's worst rushing attack, averaging a meager 3.5 yards per attempt. Hynoski injured his neck during the middle of the season, missing action in Weeks 6 through 10, but ultimately earned Super Bowl champion experience by the season's end.

The Giants found consistency at fullback during Hynoski's sophomore season (2012), as the former Pitt Panther played in all 16 games of the season. Behind an offensive line that none would describe as imposing, Hynoski became an effective lead-blocker, allowing the New York running backs to rush for over 1,800 yards. The team averaged 4.6 yards per carry in 2012, the seventh-best rate in the league.

Although Hynoski's job isn't glorious, he has gotten the recognition he deserves for his hard work. In January, USA Football named Hynoski to its 2012 All-Fundamentals team, which honors players "[not] based on statistics and athleticism but because they embody the most essential part of the game…fundamentals," according to the organization's website.

Although Hynoski's presence is not a prerequisite for the Giants' offensive success, he has played a pivotal part in turning around the team's once-floundering rushing game. Quarterback Eli Manning has proven that he can accomplish a lot with his arm, but he can't bulldoze a blitzing linebacker to clear an open running lane. The recent departure of veteran Ahmad Bradshaw doesn't ease the pain either. With a cast of young, largely untested backs set to carry the load, the Giants need Hynoski's services now more than ever.

In today's NFL, traditional fullbacks are becoming an endangered species. Many teams choose not to carry a fullback on the roster, and the Giants don't have a true backup for Hynoski. Reserve tight end Bear Pascoe has filled in at fullback in spot duty—including the stretch of games Hynoski missed with a neck injury in 2011—but he is not an ideal candidate for an entire season.

Perhaps one of the Giants' larger running backs could step into the void. Former Washington Redskin Ryan Torain and seventh-round draft pick Michael Cox each weigh in at 220 pounds, and both could be on the outside looking in as far as making the Giants' final 53-man roster at the end of training camp. Still, Torain and Cox lack 45 pounds of meat, compared to Hynoski.

The free agent market for fullbacks is scant, so maybe the Giants will reunite with Joe Martinek, an undrafted free agent from Rutgers who spent about half of the 2012 season on New York's practice squad. As a former running back, Martinek also lacks ideal size for an NFL-level fullback (225 lbs.).

Hynoski's recovery will be closely monitored this summer, as New York's fresh crop of running backs patiently await the return of their trusty trailblazer.

Four Bowl Games Kicking Off Within 1 Hour on Jan. 1? Ridiculous

Lisa Horne — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:39:40 -0400

College football fans are going to be facing major some major decisions on January 1, 2014. The Football Bowl Association released its 2013-14 bowl schedule and for the second consecutive year, four bowls kick off within one hour on New Year's Day.

This needs to stop.

The Gator Bowl and Heart of Dallas Bowl kick off at 12 p.m. (ET) and the Capital One Bowl and Outback Bowl kick off at 1 p.m. Three of those bowls will feature Big Ten and SEC teams—the Heart of Dallas Bowl will have a Big Ten team take on a C-USA team.

Why are four bowls playing simultaneously?

January 1, 2014 falls on a Wednesday but since it is a legal holiday most people will be off work and tuning in to watch the games. The networks have a captive audience. Scheduling a morning game is probably ill-advised since many football fans will be recovering from the previous night's festivities. The current solution is to cram all four games in the early afternoon so as to not conflict with the the two BCS Bowls played later on that day.

Unfortunately, those four bowls will be competing against each other for viewers. ESPN and ABC win, but college football fans lose.

There is a solution that should sate most college football fans.

The BBVA Compass Bowl is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. on January 4. It is the only bowl scheduled that day. The ridiculousness of this is obvious. It's feast or famine on January 1 and 4.

Scheduling the Capital One Bowl at 4:30 p.m and the Outback Bowl at 8 p.m on January 4 would solve most of the conflict but there is a caveat. The NFL wild card playoffs start on January 4.

The bowls don't want to compete with the NFL—that is understandable. The bowls also like their traditional dates but that no longer makes sense. The College Football Playoff 2014-15 schedule shows major changes for some high-profile bowls:

December 31: Chick-fil-A Bowl host bowl (East).

December 31: Fiesta Bowl host bowl (West).

December 31: Orange Bowl hosts ACC vs Big Ten, SEC or Notre Dame

January 1: Cotton Bowl

January 1: Rose Bowl semifinal

January 1: Sugar Bowl semifinal

January 12: BCS Championship at Arlington, Tex.

The Fiesta Bowl has deviated twice (1980 and 1997) from playing on January 1 since 1980. In its 79-year span, the Orange Bowl was held every January except in 1996, when Nebraska and Virginia Tech played on December 31. Next year they both will be playing in December.

So much for tradition.

The Capital One Bowl, Gator Bowl, Heart of Dallas Bowl and Outback Bowl should also change their traditional scheduling. They are alienating fans.

College football fans want the opportunity to watch every bowl.

Oh sure, they complain about dreadful match-ups. They complain there are too many bowls. But they complain while watching the games.

The NFL didn't force its fans to choose between games in 2012's postseason.

Neither should college football on January 1.

ACC Baseball Tournament 2013 Scores: Day 3 Results, Highlights and Analysis

Matt Fitzgerald — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:33:40 -0400

The third day of the Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Tournament has gotten off to an exciting start as clubs continue to fight for a spot in the championship game through hotly competitive pool play.

North Carolina State and the University of Miami kicked off the action at 11 a.m. ET, and the Wolfpack's 7-1 win eliminated Clemson from championship contention. The Tigers take on top seed North Carolina later this evening, but before then, a showdown between Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech looms.

Durham hasn't disappointed thus far in this high-stakes display on the diamond, and it seems destined to continue the excitement on Friday.

Let's take a look at how the early action shook out, first with a breakdown of what transpired between the Wolfpack and Hurricanes.

Note: All statistics and information, unless otherwise indicated, are courtesy of TheACC.com.

North Carolina State Dominates Miami, 7-1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
NC State	0	4	0	0	1	1	0	0	1	7	11	1
Miami (FL)	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	5	1

The Wolfpack got off to a fast start with a four-run second inning to hand the Hurricanes their second blowout loss in as many days.

It was a two-out rally that seemed so improbable, especially with the minimal contact NC State was getting off of Miami starting pitcher Chris Diaz.

After DH Jake Armstrong dove headfirst into first base for an RBI infield single and a throwing error allowed another run to come in, NC State baseball's official Twitter page documented what transpired:

Leadoff-hitting shortstop Trea Turner remarkably dove into first himself and was also called safe. That stretched the lead to a commanding 4-0 as the Wolfpack truly stuck together and played small ball to succeed.

CBS Sports' Will Brinson humorously commented on the ineffectiveness of the Hurricanes' jittery, indecisive infield:

Turner finished 3-for-5 with two runs knocked in, but left fielder Bryan Adametz provided key production from the No. 7 spot in the order.

Adametz had three hits of his own in five appearances, socking an RBI single in the seventh and a run-scoring double in the ninth. He also scored a run himself to lead the relatively weak but effective offensive charge for NC State.

The Hurricanes charged back with a run in the bottom of the third, but that was bested by NC State, who scored once in the fifth and sixth, thwarting any comeback chance.

Southpaw sophomore Diaz was truly a victim of a lot of bad breaks and a lack of run support. Though his outing didn't look pretty in the box score, it did take him a ridiculous amount of pitches due to the lackluster play of the defense behind him, per ACC Baseball:

Wolfpack starter Logan Jernigan had more significant control issues of his own, walking six hitters in just four innings of work—including Miami first baseman Brad Fieger with the bases loaded, which plated the Hurricanes' only run.

The next time Jernigan faced that type of jam with the sacks full, he struck out Fieger looking for the first out and emerged ultimately unscathed to keep NC State on top to stay.

With this latest triumph, the Wolfpack have now won 26 of their last 29 games to improve their record to 44-13 on the season. Meanwhile, Miami will have to feel empty with all the runners it left on base and producing just one run in two ACC contests.

North Carolina, who dominated the Hurricanes 10-0 in its last outing, will square off with the Wolfpack to determine one of the participants in the championship showdown.

Spurs Star Tim Duncan Might Be in Middle of Reported Divorce from Wife Amy

Gabe Zaldivar — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:32:27 -0400

Any postseason glory Tim Duncan takes from these particular NBA playoffs might be bittersweet as he may be going through a divorce at the moment.

The San Antonio Express-News' Patrick Danner (h/t Slam Online) does a sizable amount of legal sleuthing to uncover what very well might be a pending divorce between Duncan and his wife of over 11 years, Amy.

So far there has been no confirmation that Duncan is indeed one of the parties featured in divorce documents at the Bexar County District Court. However, Danner spotted evidence to assume that the end of Duncan's season will coincide with a split from his wife.

The report notes that the pending divorce includes a specific request that, "legal discovery in the case be postponed until after the Spurs' last playoff game."

The following is a telling list Danner provides that points to an unfortunate end to a 2001 marriage between college sweethearts.

The style of the case is A.S.D. vs. T.T.D. Tim Duncan's middle name is Theodore.

The petition says the couple married on or about July 21, 2001, which coincides with the date of the Duncans' nuptials.

Two children were born to the parties in the petition: A daughter with the initials S.I.D., born June 27, 2005, and a son, W.D.D., born Aug. 3, 2007.

The Duncans have a daughter, Sydney, who reportedly was born on that date. Their son, Draven, is believed to have been born in 2007, though an exact birth date couldn't be determined.

Duncan, who is now 37-years old, began dating his wife (35) when both attended Wake Forest University. As reported, the divorce was initiated by the party ascribed "A.S.D." as their initials.

There has been no comment from either attorney. Both remain tight-lipped. Richard Orsinger, the lawyer representing A.S.D. in the proceedings, is also the one who represented Tony Parker through his divorce from Eva Longoria, as noted by Danner.

The San Antonio Spurs are in the middle of the Western Conference Finals against the Memphis Grizzlies, which they will resume on Saturday in Memphis with the Spurs leading 2-0 in the series.

Duncan, for his part, is coming off a solid Game 2 performance wherein he garnered 17 points and nine boards in 31 minutes.

While we will wait until final confirmation is reached to conclude Duncan's marriage is at an end, it certainly seems as though the star big man has a great deal on his mind as he plays out the final games of the season.

Hit me up on Twitter: Follow @gabezal

NBA Championship Odds: Miami Heat Continue as Huge Favorites

Mike Pickett — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:32:08 -0400

It's better to be lucky than good.

If the Miami Heat are going to be both, then good luck to the rest of the NBA.

Miami should be down a game for the second-straight NBA playoff series, but LeBron James was good and the Indiana Pacers were unlucky.

"Pacer bettors could take solace in covering the spread in that OT loss, but true fans have to feel they are in big trouble now," said Mark Presley, an analyst at OddsShark.com.

In the West, the San Antonio Spurs are up 2-0 over the Memphis Grizzlies, but they also needed a mix of good and lucky to escape Game 2, coughing up a late lead before prevailing in overtime.

What do these close calls mean for the NBA futures betting market? Very little apparently, as the Heat and Spurs remain heavy favorites to meet in the upcoming NBA Championship series.

"It seems the basketball betting strategy of backing teams that have not overworked their stars during the season will continue as neither the Heat nor the Spurs had a player with more than 3,000 minutes," added Presley.

That angle prematurely doomed the Thunder as Kevin Durant was comfortably over 3,000 minutes played in the regular season.

Defending champion Miami, the top seed in the East, had a very difficult time with Indiana Wednesday night, never leading by more than five points and allowing the Pacers to tie the game on a Paul George three-point shot near the fourth-quarter buzzer.

And the Heat trailed by a point with two seconds to go in the overtime. But Miami inbounded the ball to James, who made a hard drive to the hole. With Indiana inexplicably having benched center Roy Hibbert, the Heat escaped with a 103-102 Game 1 victory.

Miami, however, failed to cover the point spread Wednesday as eight-point home chalk.

Heading into Game 2 of that series Friday night, the Heat were lined at -1000 to win the Eastern Conference, with the Pacers getting +700 to rally and win the series.

Over in the West, San Antonio took Game 1 of their conference finals rather easily, beating the Grizzlies 105-83, covering as five-point favorites. But the Spurs made things interesting in Game 2, blowing a late 13-point lead, allowing Memphis to force overtime.

San Antonio then hung on for a 93-89 victory to take a 2-0 series lead.

Heading into Game 3 of this series Saturday night in Memphis, San Antonio was a -480 favorite to go on and win this series, while the Grizz were getting +380 to come from behind and take it.

Finally, on the updated NBA championship odds board, Miami tops the betting at odds of 1/3, followed by San Antonio at 7/2, Memphis at 13/1 and Indiana at 20/1.

And on the “exact matchup” board at Bovada, a Heat-Spurs Finals series was listed at odds of 4/11, followed by a Heat-Grizzlies series at 4/1, a Spurs-Pacers series at 7/1 and a Pacers-Grizzlies series at 28/1.

Alabama Picks Up First 2014 D-Lineman Commitment in 320-Pound O.J. Smith

Andrew Kulha — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:19:15 -0400

A comparison to former Alabama star Marcell Dareus is worth a thousand recruiting letters—just ask new Alabama commitment O.J. Smith.

Smith is the seventh recruit to commit to the Crimson Tide's 2014 class, and he's the first defensive tackle to choose Nick Saban's program. He is a 3-star defensive tackle recruit, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, and he checks in at 6'2'', 320 pounds.

More impressive than Smith's size, though, is his quickness. He runs a 4.90 40, according to 247Sports, which is elite speed for a defensive lineman over 300 pounds.

Andrew Bone of Rivals.com (subscription required) reports on the commitment:

O.J. Smith defensive tackle from Airline High School in Bossier City, La, ended his recruitment Friday morning after speaking with Alabama head coach Nick Saban.

"I committed to Alabama," said Smith. "I talked to Coach Saban this morning on Skype. He compared me to Marcell Dareus. I talked to my family after we spoke with him. I decided to go ahead and commit. They offered me today. I have been talking to them for a while though."

Isn't it nice to have a star alumnus like Dareus to compare defensive linemen to if you're Alabama? It makes the recruit feel notable and gives him a star to compare his potential to. It also lets the recruit know that Saban has recruited players that have gone on to be stars.

While we're at it, let's throw Trent Richardson and Mark Ingram in for running backs, Mark Barron and Dre Kirkpatrick in for defensive backs, Courtney Upshaw and Dont'a Hightower for linebackers and Julio Jones for wide receivers. And that's just mentioning a few former Alabama standouts.

But back to Smith. To make his commitment even sweeter, he's a native of Muscle Shoals, Ala. He's being recruited out of Airline High School in Bossier City, La., but if he stays committed, he'll be coming home to Alabama as a member of the Crimson Tide's 2014 recruiting class.

Smith projects to be a nose tackle who will demand double teams because of his size, but he'll also be able to get into the backfield and shoot the gap because of his quickness.

Dallas Stars' New Logo Potentially Leaked on Team App

Ethan Grant — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:18:00 -0400

The Dallas Stars were set to release the designs for a new logo and corresponding jerseys on June 4, but it appears a leaked photo of the new logo(s) has leaked on the team's iPhone app, giving fans an early glimpse of what their team is going to look like on the ice next season.

If you don't want to see the new logo before the official release, now would be a good time to divert your eyes.

Jason Brough of Pro Hockey Talk was amongst the reporters who got his hands on the new logo designs, as did Dale Lamontagne, who posted this picture of the new logo on Twitter once it was confirmed that there had been a leak:

For the Boys also had a look at both designs that were seen on the app, taking a chance to poke fun at the notion that it looks a bit like a national coffee chain that patrons might be familiar with (via Twitter):

As mentioned, the Stars were set to release designs for the logo and uniforms on June 4, as the franchise officially announced earlier in the week that the unveiling became official:

Chris Botta of the New York Times also reported on Twitter that the team claimed the design would be simple in nature. After seeing some of the leaked photos, it's up for you to debate whether the new logo follows suit to that claim or isn't appropriate for the team at all.

According to a report from Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News, the Stars will neither confirm nor deny that the logo is in fact the one chosen for the franchise and will be released on the pre-set June 4 date. The Stars are apparently committed to honoring the terms of that release.

Heika does speculate that the logo is likely accurate, as it moves away from the green and gold color scheme that many expected the design to lose and encompasses more of a green, silver and black feel throughout.

The Stars completed another disappointing season during the 2012-13 campaign, missing the playoffs for a fifth-straight time and finishing fifth in the Pacific Division for the third time in four seasons. Change has been a constant for the team since the offseason began, including the hiring of new general manager Jim Nill and the subsequent firing of two-year head coach Glen Gulutzan.

Looking to shake things up throughout the organization, the Stars have moved away from the designs that captured the history of the team from its beginnings as the Minnesota North Stars and are apparently using this modern approach to hockey in Big D.

It won't fix the result on the ice, but the new logo is the first step toward completely changing the culture of the franchise moving forward.

Lessons Frank Vogel and Indiana Pacers Better Have Learned for Game 2

Josh Martin — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:13:54 -0400

Heartbreakers are hardly unusual in the NBA Playoffs, but the Indiana Pacers' 103-102 overtime loss to the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals figures to sting more (and for longer) than your run-of-the-mill defeat of this order.

The backlash (and the backlash to the backlash) (and the backlash to the backlash to the backlash) to some of Pacers coach Frank Vogel's decisions during the game is the sort that's tough to live down, and that will likely be re-dissected and re-analyzed for years to come.

Unless, of course, Indy can leave behind the pain of its initial shortfall and/or use that pain to propel itself to a strong showing in Game 2 and beyond. The fact that the Pacers were in it until the end and had their fair share of opportunities to seal the deal, speaks volumes of their competency in this matchup.

If Vogel and his players heed a few key warnings inherent in their Game 1 performance, they may well give the defending champs a run for their money before this series is through.

Trust in What's Worked

According to NBA.com's John Schuhmann, Frank Vogel has never been shy to praise Roy Hibbert as one of the game's premier protectors of the paint. He also suggested, just prior to Game 1, that he wouldn't play into the Heat's hands, as he doesn't and wouldn't downsize just to match up with Miami's shooters.

Then, in the heat of the moment, Vogel betrayed his better judgment not once, but twice during the final 24 seconds of overtime. First, he subbed out Hibbert for Sam Young, only to see LeBron James scurry right by George Hill for an uncontested layup. Then, with 2.2 seconds left on the clock, Vogel sent Hibbert back to the bench, with Young and Tyler Hansbrough on the bench, only to see James once again sprint to the rim for an easy, game-winning finish.

Vogel's dual decisions prompted all manner of immediate second-guessing from those who disagreed with them, as well as defense from those (like Ric Bucher) who felt that Paul George was more at fault for overplaying LeBron and/or that Vogel was right to trot out a more switch-friendly lineup.

For the record, I'm in the camp among those who think Hibbert should've been out there. According to Grantland's Kirk Goldsberry, Hibbert is not only an elite rim protector, but also a bona fide LeBron deterrent as ESPN.com's Henry Abott points out. Under those circumstances (i.e. 2.2 seconds left, a one-point lead to protect), your team's goal should be to prevent the easiest two points and, if possible, keep the best player in basketball from attempting those two. There's no way to know exactly how things would've played out had Hibbert been present for that last possession, though it's reasonable to suggest that Miami's clinching shot might not have come so easily had Hibbert been there to disrupt the action, be it at the rim, on the inbounds or elsewhere.

The more important point is, Vogel, while still an excellent coach, fell into a trap that so many of his colleagues have under such unfamiliar pressure in the past: he over-coached. Rather than trusting in what'd worked for him all season—and what'd helped his Pacers reach the Conference Finals for the first time in the post-Reggie Miller era—he opted to flip the script.

Vogel, of all coaches, should've understood the follies inherent in such a switch, and probably does now. He'd just finished up a series against the New York Knicks in which Mike Woodson attempted to match the Pacers' unmatchable size, only to see his Knicks lose handily while Kenyon Martin gobbled up crucial minutes (and threw off New York's rotational balance) whilst in the starting five.

One antsy screw-up was enough to remind Woodson of Shania Twain's First Rule of Success and should prove sufficient in Vogel's case, as well.

Avoid Sam Young Like the Plague

It's possible that the Pacers could've contested LeBron's "gimme" layups even without Hibbert on the court. Ian Mahinmi, Hibbert's primary backup, is a long, athletic, 6'11 center who'd played with tremendous energy that night and might've done well to provide help on either (or both) of James' drives.

But Frank didn't call Mahinmi's number in those instances. Instead, he turned to Sam Young, a 6'6 swingman whose size made him "ideal" for an all-switching lineup, but whose performance in these playoffs rendered him an all-around liability.

What makes him such a liability, you ask? Where do I begin?

He's missed 10 of his 14 shots to this point. He's racked up nearly as many fouls (11) as points (12). The Pacers have been outscored by 22 points in the 69 minutes he's played in this postseason (though, to be fair, he's hardly alone in that regard among Indy's reserves ). He looked like a bumbling fool in Game 1 against the Knicks, wherein he picked up a foul and turned the ball over three times in a minute-and-a-half.

And, in the case of the Pacers' loss to the Heat, Young doesn't exactly sport the sort of height, length, strength or athleticism to protect the rim—especially when the player most likely to challenge him (i.e. LeBron) owns every physical edge imaginable in that matchup.

By and large, then, Young's presence on the floor has hardly coincided with positive outcomes for the Pacers. It's one thing for Vogel to call Young's number when his starting bigs are in foul trouble or if they need a rest. It's another, though, for him to willingly waste the most meaningful minutes on a guy who's been such a massive "minus" in so many ways in these playoffs.

Ball Security is Key

As easy as it is to harp on one or two moments for supposedly deciding the outcome of a game, it's just as easy to forget that every possession counts toward the final result.

As does every possession lost. The Pacers gave the ball away a whopping 20 times in Game 1, off which the Heat scored 22 points.

That may not seem quite so bad when considering that Miami gave up 18 points off 21 turnovers. But, unlike the Heat, the Pacers can't count on a crisply run, up-tempo offense and/or a superb fast break to make up the difference in scoring opportunities. Indy counts on a slow, deliberate style of play to grind out points, and, as such, can ill-afford to allow its teased-out possessions to end without a shot attempt.

Granted, this is nothing new for the Pacers. They tallied the NBA's second-highest turnover percentage during the regular season, at 16.2 percent and have seen that share climb to 17.6 percent in these playoffs—a mark "bested" only by the Boston Celtics, who were eliminated three weeks ago.

It's probably unrealistic to expect that the Pacers will correct a season-long bad habit at this point. And, truth be told, they've done well to get to this point and compete with the Heat, in spite of their own mistakes.

Still, if Indy doesn't want to worry about games coming down to the wire, it'd do well to take better care of the ball beforehand.

Put a Body on the Birdman

And, for that matter, to watch where the ball's going, especially when the recipient is Chris Andersen. The Birdman torched the Pacers for 16 points on a perfect 7-of-7 from the field in just 18 minutes off the bench in Game 1. Predictably enough, all seven of those makes came at the rim—six assisted, one following an offensive rebound.

To be sure, Andersen is hardly Miami's most menacing offensive threat. With the likes of LeBron, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Ray Allen on the floor at any given moment, it's incumbent upon the opposition to pick its personnel-oriented poison.

But if we're thinking in terms of spatial probabilities instead of strictly individual ones, then it makes more sense to protect more vigorously against layups and dunks than against, say, jump shots. In that case, it makes perfect sense for Vogel to emphasize the importance of getting a body on the Birdman.

Lest he watch his team be victimized by a never-ending series of high-percentage shots from the tattooed tormentor.

You Can Dooo Iiiiit!

Beyond the minutiae of in-game tactics and day-to-day adjustments, it's imperative that Vogel and the Pacers take to heart the most important lesson of all from Game 1: that they belong in the Eastern Conference Finals and that they can compete with the Heat now that they're here.

Indy's success against Miami is no fluke. The Pacers possess the size and strength to punish the Heat inside, the length and athleticism to bother them on the perimeter, and the team-wide commitment to stifling defense to make Miami sing for its supper every time down the floor.

The Pacers managed to take two of three from the defending champs during the regular season, and nearly stole Game 1 of this series by playing to their own strengths rather than by trying to beat the Heat at their own game. They also owned a 2-1 series lead on Miami last year, albeit with the help of Chris Bosh's absence.

Nonetheless, Indy must know full well that it can win one game on Miami's home floor—which is all the Pacers might need, considering their perfect record (and impressive point differential) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in the 2013 playoffs.

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Tim Tebow Must Take Arena Football Opportunity

Jeremy Fuchs — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:09:57 -0400

Polarizing quarterback Tim Tebow has been offered an opportunity to play in the Arena Football League. If he wants to rehabilitate his career, then Tebow must take this opportunity.

Ron Jaworski, a former NFL quarterback and current NFL analyst, is a part owner of the AFL's Philadelphia Soul. He reached out to Tebow to play for the Soul, according to Fox Sports, but he has not yet heard back.

''I love the guy,'' Jaworski told Fox Sports. ''I want him here just for his leadership.''

Tebow had a difficult year with the New York Jets and is currently a free agent with no immediate NFL interest. He has yet to prove he can be a consistent, effective quarterback. He was never able to get on the field ahead of Mark Sanchez, who had a disappointing year in his own right.

Not only would the AFL give Tebow a chance to play and start—something he's unlikely to find in the NFL—it will also give him a chance to improve his craft, according to Jaworski [via Fox Sports]:

''You've got to learn to get rid of the football, quick. You've got to process information, quick,'' he said. ''If those are challenges Tim has, that's it. If you get reps and you're dropping back 40-45 times, with people in your face, you get better. He needs to play. He needs to be on the field.''

''He's a hard worker, that's great,'' he said. ''But you've got to be on the field in live action getting that experience. I think the Arena Football League would give him that opportunity.''

The AFL differs from the NFL in that the field is just 50-yards. It requires even quicker decisions than the NFL entails. However, the level of competition is not as good, and Tebow would enter the AFL as one of the best players.

It's not yet clear if Tebow is interested in joining the AFL. However, he has little choice. No NFL team seemingly wants him. Even if he does sign with a NFL team, he will be relegated to backup duty.

Tebow certainly has skills. He's a terrific runner and has had success in the NFL in a Wildcat scheme. He's a terrific leader and motivator. However, his passing needs work, as he's completed just 47.9 percent of his passes in the NFL.

Steve Addazio, the Boston College head football coach, notes that Tebow's skill-set matches that of many of the young NFL quarterbacks. Like Robert Griffin III, Colin Kaepernick and Cam Newton, he has tremendous running ability. With some passing improvement, Tebow could really succeed:

If he were to join the AFL, he will get the reps that are needed to improve. He will be able to refine his passing ability to become a more complete quarterback. As Jaworski noted, with more reps, he will get better. He can then take the skills learned from the AFL and apply it to the NFL.

It would not be the first time someone made a successful jump from the AFL to the NFL. Famously, Kurt Warner spent three years in the Arena League before jumping to the NFL and becoming one of the most prolific passers in history.

Tebow's pride might be hurt by going to the AFL. After all, all Tebow has known is success. He was a two-time National Champion in college and won the Heisman Trophy in 2007. He won a playoff game with the Denver Broncos, as well.

But right now, Tebow has no other option. He has no other choice. Going to the Philadelphia Soul will give Tebow much needed playing time. It will allow him to rehabilitate his career in a lower-pressure environment. And eventually, it will allow him to earn a starting job in the NFL.

If Nick Diaz Returns to Fighting, UFC Interested in Carlos Condit Rematch

Damon Martin — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:04:08 -0400

Following a UFC 158 loss to Georges St-Pierre in Canada, Nick Diaz announced that unless he was receiving an immediate rematch he was likely retired from the sport of mixed martial arts.

This wasn't the first time Diaz hinted around at walking away from the sport, but in the two months since then, the Stockton, Calif. native has kept fairly quiet until recently when it was announced he was entering the fight promotion business.

WAR mixed martial arts—a Nick Diaz promotion—has applied for a promoter's license in the state of California and has targeted a late-June date for its first show. Diaz along with attorney Jonathan Tweedale are in charge of the promotion, and it's keeping the former UFC welterweight contender busy outside of his own fight career.

Still it's hard to ignore at just 29-years of age, Diaz would seem to have plenty of time left in the fight game if he chooses to return.

The always colorful fighter's name came up to UFC President Dana White on Thursday during a media gathering ahead of UFC 160, and it's obvious he hasn't been in contact with Diaz since the end of UFC 158 in March.

The question came up about a potential fight for Diaz in the UFC, and White reacted with some surprise believing that he was retired and trying his hand at promotion instead of fighting.

"I thought he was a retired promoter now? Is that not the case?" White asked when Diaz's name came up.

White, who has had plenty of experience in promoting fights over the years including the years where the UFC incurred massive debt while trying to get off the ground, wished Diaz the best, but said he shouldn't expect a windfall of cash anytime soon.

"Good for him," White said about Diaz's new promotion. "Welcome to the losing money business."

White's comment came with a laugh, but in all reality very few MMA promotions survive more than a few shows in the current market without a major financial backer supporting along the way.

If Diaz decides to return to fighting, White has no problem accepting him back even if he's still promoting in his own organization. Other fighters have done it in the past, and White is happy to give Diaz a fight if he opts to compete again.

As far as matchups go for Diaz, the one name that came up was former interim UFC welterweight champion Carlos Condit.

Condit defeated Diaz to win the interim belt in 2012 in a close fight that stirred quite a bit of controversy with certain perceptions of how the fight was scored. Following the conclusion of the bout, Condit was ready to accept a rematch with Diaz, but the Stockton bad boy tested positive for marijuana for the second time in the state of Nevada and ended up with a one-year suspension from the sport instead.

Now with Condit sitting idle without a fight currently, White appeared open to making the rematch with Diaz if he decides to come out of retirement.

"Sure," White answered when asked if he was interested in Condit vs. Diaz 2.

Diaz has made no public statement if he has any intention of ever returning to fighting, and with his new promotion just about to get off the ground, his mind may be occupied with other matters. Still, it has to be tempting for Diaz to get a chance to avenge a loss and add another big payday by facing Condit in the UFC.

Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and all quotes were obtained first hand unless otherwise noted.

NBA Draft 2013: The Chicago Bulls' 5 Most Important Draft Targets

Matthew Wolfe — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:59:55 -0400

It was an interesting season for the Chicago Bulls in 2013, one that ended with a disappointing loss to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Unless you live under a rock, you are most likely aware that the Bulls were without superstar and former MVP Derrick Rose all season.

The absence of Rose has many Bulls fans feeling optimistic that if they can have this successful of a season without him, then things can only go up from here.

The Bulls will be picking 20th in the NBA Draft this June and have multiple needs that they could address.

Here is a look at the Chicago Bulls' 5 most important draft targets.

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Chelsea Transfer Rumors: Wayne Rooney Would Secure 2013-14 EPL Title for Blues

Benjamin Klein — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:59:12 -0400

Chelsea hasn’t made it to the English Premier League championship since the 2010-11 season and hasn’t captured a title since 2009-10. Acquiring striker Wayne Rooney would provide the talent Chelsea needs to win it all next season.

This past season, Chelsea finished just three points out of second place, a tough way to end the year. But there is hope that the Blues will be active to land players that will lead them to a title appearance in 2013-14.

Simon Rice of The Independent writes that Chelsea “will go out and spend big this summer to ensure no repeat of their early Champions League elimination. The Europa league finalists have never been shy of signing up the best players in the Premier League and Rooney would fit the bill.”

Rooney, who scored 12 goals for Manchester United in EPL play this past season and 27 a year ago, has become a top target as of late.

Matt Law of the Daily Mirror writes that Chelsea “would be prepared to splash out over £30 million for Rooney and match his £250,000-a-week United salary.”

“Chelsea want to make sure that if Wayne leaves united, there is only one place he will go,” a source told the Sunday Mirror Sport. “They are prepared to spend big, big money on Rooney and they have told United that. Mourinho would love to manage Rooney. He thinks he can get him back to his best and use him in a similar way to how Didier Drogba operated for Chelsea.”

The problem for Chelsea, though, is that United might not be willing to give Rooney up, even if he wants out. The Sun is reporting that David Moyes, the replacement for the retired Sir Alex Ferguson, said that he’s confident Rooney will be back next season:

“He’s a great, great player and the club doesn’t want to lose its star players,” Moyes said. “So I’m sure every bit of work is being taken with Wayne and his advisors and the club to make sure that happens. I’m not a betting man but I’m confident when I sit at Old Trafford next season I Will see Wayne Rooney running out.”

Chelsea, however, is hoping that Rooney will be running out in a Blues kit instead of a United one.

The Blues desperately—using desperately lightly—need to find a striker that can get them over the hump and into the finals once again. Rooney is one of the top players in the league and one of the top players “available” this summer.

Chelsea could certainly use the scoring that Rooney would provide, and if he was anything like Drogba, I’m sure the fanbase would be happy no matter how much it took to pry him from United.

Chelsea is determined to land Rooney from United no matter what it takes, and that’s the right mentality to have, considering the position the club is in.

Chelsea needs a winner, and Rooney is a winner. Acquiring him this summer would boost the team’s 2013-14 title hopes mightily. Heck, Chelsea would most likely be the favorite if Rooney would move to the Blues.

Chelsea just needs to keep its foot on the gas and hope that United caves.