Bleacher Report - Front Page

Rafael Nadal Defeats Roger Federer to Win 2013 Rome Masters

Steven Cook — Sun, 19 May 2013 11:48:05 -0400

In what was a completely dominating victory for Rafael Nadal, the Spaniard further proved his claim as the "King of Clay Courts" with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Roger Federer to win the 2013 Rome Masters championship.

Bryan Armen Graham of Sports Illustrated reveals the incredibly fast pace of the championship match on Twitter:

Now finished with the Italian championship, the two world-class tennis stars will immediately start preparing for the French Open, which is set to begin the following weekend, May 26.

Heading into this matchup, it seemed the tables were tilted pretty heavily in Nadal's favor despite the two possessing a very even rivalry throughout their careers. That only proved to be true, as the Spaniard showed utter dominance from the opening game to the final point.

Federer showed enough resolve to fight back to deuce time after time, but Nadal would quickly rattle off two winners in that span. His best strength Sunday was the ability to shoot down the outside line and hit winners that were just inches from landing out of bounds.

Nadal surely looked better than the No. 5 player in the world throughout the Rome Masters, as he proved able to regain the consistency he had lost throughout his 2012 campaign. In doing so, he has showed his critics that injuries are not currently a problem.

The biggest thing going for Nadal right now is that he's headed to a clay-court major. Oh, and it doesn't hurt that he has won it seven out of the last eight years.

The biggest obstacle in his way is likely Federer, who won the only French Open not won by Nadal since 2004. That year was 2009, which seems like ages ago for the Swiss star who has only won two majors—both at Wimbledon—since that championship.

That's why the win is so crucial for Nadal. Even if he has to face the daunting Federer in the French Open final shortly, he can look back to this performance as an indicator of how far apart he is from Federer on clay courts.

NBA Lottery 2013: Date, Time, TV Schedule and More

Timothy Rapp — Sun, 19 May 2013 11:43:39 -0400

Are you ready for the NBA draft lottery?

If you live in one of the 14 cities that has a team with ping pong balls in play, you most certainly are. Nothing is as exciting for fans of struggling teams as finding out your team will have the top overall pick in the draft.

This year, the Orlando Magic will have the best odds of winning the top pick. But the team and its fans probably shouldn't get their hopes up—the team with the best odds has won the lottery just two times in 22 years.

It's an exciting time for teams that didn't offer a lot of excitement this past season. Let's preview this year's NBA draft lottery.

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

Where: Disney/ABC's Times Square Studios, New York City, New York

Watch: ESPN

Odds of Winning Top Overall Pick

1. Orlando Magic, 25 percent

2. Charlotte Bobcats, 19.9 percent

3. Cleveland Cavaliers, 15.6 percent

4. Phoenix Suns, 11.9 percent

5. New Orleans Pelicans, 8.8 percent

6. Sacramento Kings, 6.3 percent

7. Detroit Pistons, 4.3 percent

8. Washington Wizards, 2.8 percent

9. Minnesota Timberwolves, 1.7 percent

10. Portland Trail Blazers, 1.1 percent

11. Philadelphia 76ers, 0.8 percent

12. Toronto Raptors, 0.7 percent

13. Dallas Mavericks, 0.6 percent

14. Utah Jazz, 0.5 percent

Remainder of Draft Order

15. Milwaukee Bucks

16. Boston Celtics

17. Atlanta Hawks

18. Atlanta Hawks (via Brooklyn Nets and Houston Rockets)

19. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers)

20. Chicago Bulls

21. Utah Jazz (via Brooklyn Nets and Golden State Warriors)

22. Brooklyn Nets

23. Indiana Pacers

24. New York Knicks

25. Los Angeles Clippers

26. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies)

27. Denver Nuggets

28. San Antonio Spurs

29. Oklahoma City Thunder

30. Phoenix Suns (via Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat)

Lottery Notes

Per Sean Highkin of USA Today, if Portland's pick falls outside of the top 12, it will then belong to the Bobcats. And if the Raptors don't land a top-three selection, their pick will be transferred to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

According to Kurt Helin of Pro Basketball Talk, the Pistons won a tiebreaker over the Wizards, the Sixers won a tiebreaker over the Raptors, the Rockets won a tiebreaker over the Bulls and Lakers (the Lakers then won a tiebreaker over the Bulls) and the Clippers won a tiebreaker with the Grizzlies.

Top Prospects

There may not be a can't miss superstar in this class, but there is plenty of talent throughout.

Nerlens Noel from Kentucky is probably the top prospect in this class. The one-and-done star is a force in the middle and averaged 10.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 4.4 blocks per game this season. He is recovering from a torn ACL suffered this season, but he's loaded with talent and potential.

After that, the order of the prospects taken will likely depend on the lottery and team needs.

Ben McLemore is a versatile shooting guard with dynamic athleticism.
Otto Porter Jr. is probably the most NBA-ready prospect and doesn't really have any weaknesses. He's a small forward who can defend multiple positions and is a team-first guy.
Trey Burke is a classic dual-threat point guard, capable of beating teams as both a scorer and facilitator.
Anthony Bennett is an extremely athletic power forward (albeit a slightly undersized one) who has solid range on his jumper and likes to run the floor.
Victor Oladipo is an amazing athlete and a lock-down defender. He needs to work on his offensive game, but he'll instantly contribute as a high-energy, defensive stalwart.
Shabazz Muhammad has dropped down boards, mostly because he's primarily a scorer. That being said, he's probably the draft's best pure scorer.
C.J. McCollum, Cody Zeller, Alex Len, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Gorgui Dieng, Dario Saric, Mason Plumlee, Michael Carter-Williams and Kelly Olynyk are also possibilities to crack the top 10.

WWE Extreme Rules 2013: Preview and Predictions from B/R's Evolution

Graham 'GSM' Matthews — Sun, 19 May 2013 11:41:10 -0400

With WrestleMania 29 said and done, we move forward to May's aftermath show that should not be overlooked by any means. As said in its explanatory title, most matches at Extreme Rules will be contested under a special stipulation.

With every competitor looking for vengeance from the greatest spectacle of the year, we look to analyze each bout and its potential to be worthy of watching or just fall flat. If history has taught us anything about this event, it's that it could certainly exceed expectations, but only time will tell.

Since turning heel the night after WrestleMania, Ryback has been a major thorn in the side of John Cena. Will Ryback finally capture the WWE Championship, or will Cena be able to put an end to Big Hungry's reign of terror?

In other action, Triple H will do battle with Brock Lesnar in a Steel Cage match. With this bout being a year in the making, which of these warriors will walk out of St. Louis with bragging rights?

Here, I am once again joined by the past, present and future of Bleacher Report to help me analyze tonight's electric pay-per-view with their intelligent insight on all things wrestling.

Without further ado, please allow me to introduce the recognizable talent of Jon Fisher and SiD, otherwise known as the Evolution of Bleacher Report, for the most jam-packed prediction article ever conducted.

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Bruins Blueliner Krug Comes Through in Stanley Cup Playoff Debut

Roman Uschak — Sun, 19 May 2013 11:29:52 -0400

Score one for the small guy.

Former Michigan State defenseman Torey Krug, a 5’9” native of Livonia, MI, made his Stanley Cup playoff debut more than a little memorable by notching the Bruins’ second goal in Boston’s 3-2 overtime victory over the New York Rangers on Thursday night.

His slapper from the left circle just under three minutes into the third period beat Henrik Lundqvist in the opener of the team’s Eastern Conference semifinal series, the first postseason meeting between the two clubs in four decades, and was also his first goal in NHL play.

"I just remember moving the puck to Marshy [Brad Marchand], and he was getting in the zone with speed and he curled up and gave it to Dougie [Hamilton],” Krug, 22, said to the Bruins Daily afterwards. “Dougie made a great play by drawing the guy out to him and then he slid it over to me. I had a lot of time to make that shot.”

The goal came after after former Wisconsin star Derek Stepan had put the Rangers up, 2-1, with a goal 14 seconds into the final frame. Krug would up playing nearly 17 minutes in all in replacing Dennis Seidenberg, who was injured early on in the Bruins' miracle comeback on May 13 in Game 7 of the first round against Toronto.

It was just Krug’s fourth game overall with the Bruins, following his NHL debut at the tail end of the 2011-12 regular season in which he recorded one assist in two games. He also had one assist in his only appearance in this abbreviated 2013 NHL campaign, while recording 13 goals and 32 assists in 67 American Hockey League contests on the farm with the Providence Bruins.

‘‘What we've seen from (Krug) the few games he’s played with us, he doesn’t seem to be intimidated by anything, or any circumstances,’’ said Bruins head coach Claude Julien to the Associated Press. ‘‘I didn’t see a guy that was nervous at all. If anything, I saw a guy that was extremely confident at making the executions that he needed to make.’’

After starring in juniors with Indiana of the United States Hockey League, Krug played three years at Michigan State, from 2009 to 2012, and notched 83 points in 114 career outings. He was the Central Collegiate Hockey Association Rookie of the Year in 2009-10.

His best season with the Spartans came as a junior in 2011-12, when he registered 12 goals and 22 assists in 38 games to lead MSU in scoring, while earning both NCAA First Team All-America and CCHA Player of the Year status.

Krug signed as a free agent with Boston shortly after MSU’s 3-1 defeat to Union College in the first round of the 2012 NCAA East Regional in Bridgeport, CT. Now he's up in the big leagues, and looking to stick on a Bruins' blueline that is playing three rookies in himself, Hamilton and Matt Bartkowski.

He's certainly off to a good start.

“It was amazing,” said Krug (via Bruins Daily). “I’ve said it before that my main goal is to come in here and try to help the team win, and I was fortunate enough to do that.”

NBA Playoff Schedule 2013: Conference Finals Viewing Info and Predictions

Justin Onslow — Sun, 19 May 2013 11:27:59 -0400

And then there were four.

The Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs and Memphis Grizzlies traversed the first two rounds of the NBA playoffs without much resistance to secure a place in the conference finals, but don’t expect any of the four teams to waltz into the NBA Finals without some bumps along the way.

In the Eastern Conference, Miami faces arguably its most difficult matchup of the season in the Pacers, who finished the regular season second in scoring defense and stifled the New York Knicks in the second round of the playoffs. Miami demolished the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls, but it will be in for a monumental test against Indiana in the conference finals.

Like Indiana, Memphis boasts a stifling defense (No. 1 in the regular season) and surprised many with upsets over the Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder. In each of those series, the Grizzlies dispatched their opponent in six games or fewer, never encountering enough resistance to suggest Memphis can’t upend the No. 1 Spurs in this series.

Let’s take a look at Game 1 for each conference finals series and preview each matchup, complete with viewing information, regular-season series records and predictions for each game’s score.

Date	Matchup
5-19	San Antonio vs. Memphis (3:30 p.m. ET on ABC)
5-21	San Antonio vs. Memphis (9 p.m. ET on ESPN)
5-22	Miami vs. Indiana (8:30 p.m. ET on TNT)
5-24	Miami vs. Indiana (8:30 p.m. ET on TNT)
5-25	Memphis vs. San Antonio (9 p.m. ET on ESPN)
5-26	Indiana vs. Miami (8:30 p.m. ET on TNT)
5-27	Memphis vs. San Antonio (9 p.m. ET on ESPN)
5-28	Indiana vs. Miami (8:30 p.m. ET on TNT)
5-29	San Antonio vs. Memphis (9 p.m. ET on ESPN)
5-30	Miami vs. Indiana (8:30 p.m. ET on TNT)
5-31	Memphis vs. San Antonio (9 p.m. ET on ESPN)

*Full schedule can be found at ESPN.com.

Memphis Grizzlies vs. San Antonio Spurs

Where: AT&T Center; San Antonio, Texas

When: Sunday, May 19, at 3:30 p.m. ET

Television: ABC

Season Series: 2-2

Memphis Injuries: None

San Antonio Injuries: Kawhi Leonard (knee, probable)

Betting Lines (per Bovada.lv): Spurs minus-4.5, Over/Under 183

The Spurs have been one of the most dominant NBA franchises of the last decade, but how much longer can we expect that dominance to continue?

If this year’s playoffs are any indication, San Antonio is far from finished, and Tim Duncan and company appear focused on securing their first title since 2007.

But it certainly won’t be easy.

The Grizzlies have embarked on one of the best postseason runs we’ve seen in recent years, taking the No. 5 seed all the way to a marquee matchup with the old guard of the Western Conference. There isn’t a better defensive team in the league, and this matchup has the potential to be a thrilling seven-game affair.

While all eyes have been fixed on Tim Duncan as he attempts to lead his team to at least one more title before his eventual retirement, Tony Parker has quietly put together one of the most impressive playoff performances of the season. In 10 postseason games this year, the point guard is averaging 22.4 points and 6.3 assists, including four performances of 25 points or more in San Antonio wins.

Memphis counters with an exceptional point guard of their own in Mike Conley, who has averaged 17.6 points and 7.6 assists in 11 postseason games. While there’s sure to be a lot of action in the paint in this series, the matchup between Parker and Conley will be a lot of fun to watch.

As well as both teams have played this postseason, home-court advantage will play a huge role in this series. Look for the Spurs to edge out the Grizzlies on their home floor in Game 1 by a slim margin and create some momentum for Game 2 on Tuesday.

Prediction: San Antonio 89, Memphis 86

Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers

Where: AmericanAirlines Arena; Miami, Florida

When: Wednesday, May 22, at 8:30 p.m. ET

Television: TNT

Season Series: Pacers 2-1

Miami Injuries: None

Indiana Injuries: George Hill (head), Danny Granger (knee, out for season)

Betting Lines: Unavailable as of May 19 at 11 a.m. ET

If there’s any team in the Eastern Conference that matches up well against Miami, it’s Indiana.

The Pacers have been phenomenal at the defensive end this year and rebound as well as any team in the league. Against a Heat squad predicated on perimeter scoring, the Pacers hold a big advantage in the paint and on the glass.

Indiana edged out Miami in their regular season-series 2-1—a good sign that we could be in for a long series in the Eastern Conference Finals.

But the Heat haven’t exactly looked shaky thus far. In fact, they’ve looked unstoppable.

Miami dismantled Milwaukee in four games in the opening round and went on to decimate a depleted Bulls squad in the second round. In nine playoff games, the Heat are averaging 98.6 points per game, led by LeBron James and his 24 points per contest.

For Indiana to have a chance in the conference finals, it has to continue rebounding at a torrid pace to limit Miami’s second chances at the offensive end. If the Pacers can build on their 47.3-reounds-per-game clip in the postseason, Miami will be at a serious disadvantage.

But like the Memphis-San Antonio series, home-court advantage stands to play a big part in how this series shakes out. The Heat are well-rested and on a roll, and they shouldn’t struggle too much in taking Game 1 from Indiana at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Prediction: Miami 94, Indiana 87

UFC on FX 8: What's Next for the Losers

Nathan McCarter — Sun, 19 May 2013 10:35:05 -0400

UFC on FX 8 has come and gone, and the focus is now on the victors of the evening. However, there are 13 others fighters who competed on the card.

Not all will stay with the promotion, but many will get another shot at UFC glory.

In the main event, No. 5-ranked Luke Rockhold got dropped by a spectacular spinning back kick from a UFC legend. Vitor Belfort finished Rockhold off with some big ground-and-pound. It was an unfortunate end for Rockhold, but the loss will not define his career.

Ranked fighters and unranked alike failed on Saturday.

This is what is potentially next for the losers of UFC on FX 8.

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Amar'e Stoudemire Questions Role with NY Knicks After Disappointing Season

Dan Favale — Sun, 19 May 2013 10:34:27 -0400

Amar'e Stoudemire wants answers.

After appearing in just 33 games this season (playoffs included), the New York Knicks superstar turned injury-riddled disappointment wants to know where he stands within the organization. And following New York's season-ending Game 6 loss to the Indiana Pacers, he said he plans to sit down with head coach Mike Woodson and get his answers.

“We didn’t give it a chance,’’ Stoudemire said of re-entering the starting lineup (via Marc Berman of the New York Post). “We need to understand exactly what my style of play is and what I bring to the table. It’s something I have to sit down with Coach Woody and express to him.’’

If Stoudemire seems frustrated, that's because he is.

Not only was he forced to battle through knee injuries all season, but he saw himself relegated to a seventh-man role and benched entirely in New York's final two games against the Pacers. For a six-time All-Star, that has to be difficult to stomach.

My advice to him, though? Stomach it. I've been one of Stoudemire's biggest supporters all year, but even I'll admit he's not in a position of power here.

Stoudemire has embodied a "team-first" mantra all season. He embraced his role as a reserve and willingly handed the reins of the Knicks over to Carmelo Anthony. He's made sacrifices. Boatloads of them. And it's only natural for him to be upset and confused.

But he has to understand that these were the playoffs. The Knicks didn't have time for him to play through his rust the way he needed to, let alone insert him into the starting lineup. That just wasn't an option.

If Stoudemire weren't a former All-Star earning nearly $20 million this year, he probably wouldn't have played at all. He should think about that.

Leading into next season, Stoudemire is right, the specifics of his role need to be discussed. He's owed more than $45 million over the next two seasons, so he's not going anywhere. The Knicks will have to find a place for him in the rotation, and he needs to know where it's going to be.

But now? After this loss? Before New York's roster for next season is even close to etched in stone? The Knicks can't offer him that type of clarity.

The futures of J.R. Smith, Chris Copeland, Jason Kidd and Pablo Prigioni all need to be determined before the Knicks make any definitive decisions about next season. Free agency and trade dust needs to settle before Amar'e can get any answers. And more light needs to be shed on his health before he begins to lodge any inquiries.

“It’s alright—as long as we won the game," Stoudemire previously said about his Game 5 benching. "That’s all that matters.’’

All that matters now is that Stoudemire remain patient. He's not the only one with questions.

The Knicks have plenty of their own.

Follow @danfavale

Vitor Belfort and TRT: Technique or TRT? That's the Wrong Question.

James MacDonald — Sun, 19 May 2013 10:25:08 -0400

With UFC on FX 8 now in the books, it is once again time to review the particulars of yet another Vitor Belfort knockout win.

Belfort’s use of Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) has become so controversial in recent months that it is now impossible to discuss his increasingly age-defying Octagon feats without questioning their legitimacy.

The 36-year-old has more detractors than can fit inside the Rogers Centre, but a vocal minority of TRT apologists continue to deny that the UFC veteran’s success has anything to do with his steady diet of synthetic testosterone.

After Belfort knocked Michael Bisping silly with a left high kick at UFC on FX 7, a few apologists mumbled something about TRT not being able to teach a fighter how to execute a head kick.

We heard similar claims last night (go here, here and here for just a few examples) in the aftermath of “The Phenom’s” highlight-reel knockout of Luke Rockhold.

While it is true enough that PEDs can't teach you technique, it’s a little silly to take such a narrow view of the issue.

The problem seems to be that we cannot see the effects of TRT in real time. We have no way of knowing how Belfort would have performed on Saturday night had he forgotten to take his “medicine.” We are instead forced to make subjective judgments about the legitimacy of his performance.

Interestingly, we only ever seem to hear the “TRT doesn’t teach technique” argument in response to flashy knockouts. When Dan Henderson starches someone with a bog-standard overhand right, you won’t find anyone shouting, “That’s all technique, baby!”

Where exactly are these people drawing the line? At what point do they make the distinction between the exceptional and the mundane? Should the merits of a TRT-fueled performance be judged based on the level of technique on display?

In truth, we shouldn’t be attempting to make that distinction. The fact that TRT is a performance enhancer is all that should matter to us. People who attempt to parse the variables in order to lend some additional credibility to Belfort’s performance are missing the point.

One could make the case that the Brazilian’s use of TRT did have a direct effect on the fight-ending sequence of blows. But that isn’t even the most salient issue up for discussion.

The disproportionate focus on the knockout blow—as though everything that occurred prior is somehow orthogonal to the discussion—obscures the deeper point.

The assumption seems to be that events would have unfolded exactly as they did even if we removed TRT as a variable: At 2:25 of the first round, Belfort would have been in position to deliver the fight-ending spinning heel kick, with or without the help of some additional testosterone.

This perspective fundamentally misunderstands the principle of cause and effect.

Without the aid of TRT, perhaps “The Phenom” would have been a step slower on Saturday night. As a result, maybe he doesn’t get in position to land the decisive kick. Who knows? What we do know is that the fight would have unfolded differently, even if we don’t know to what extent.

It’s all speculation, really. So let’s put that to one side and focus on something a little more concrete.

One of the most well-documented effects of TRT is the impact it can have on a fighter’s ability to train. It can lead to greater muscle mass and strength (these effects last for some time after the athlete has cycled off the treatment), but crucially it also allows athletes to train for longer and recover faster.

By any standard, this constitutes a competitive advantage. The quality of a fighter’s training directly impacts his performance inside the cage. Indeed, a premium is placed on preparedness in this business. It doesn’t merely boost a fighter’s physical well-being but also his mental well-being.

If one fighter is training like Superman and the other is training like the average human being, wouldn’t you expect to see this disparity reflected inside the cage on fight night? I certainly would.

To focus narrowly on the final seconds of Saturday night’s main event is to miss the bigger picture. This issue cannot be distilled down to a single technique.

The good news is that the vast majority of the MMA community seems to be on the right side of this issue. Now all we have to do is convince the contrarians amongst us.

WWE Extreme Rules 2013 Live: How to Watch Your Favorite Stars at PPV Event

Rob Goldberg — Sun, 19 May 2013 10:20:28 -0400

One of the biggest pay-per-view events of the year is finally here as fans prepare for WWE Extreme Rules.

The great thing about this PPV is not just the matchups, but the stipulations. Virtually every battle on the card has a twist or two to make each match exciting. It also keeps fans on their toes as far as knowing the sport's full encyclopedia of types of bouts.

This year's event has the interesting matches like usual, plus a long list of exciting individual battles that will allow Extreme Rules to rank among the best main events of the year.

Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming PPV.

When: Sunday, May 19 at 8 p.m. ET

Where: Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Missouri

Watch: PPV (order details)

Live Stream: WWE.com

Full Extreme Rules Card

Match	Stipulation	Title
The Miz vs. Cody Rhodes	Pre-Show	N/A
John Cena vs. Ryback	Last Man Standing	WWE Championship
Brock Lesnar vs. Triple H	Steel Cage	N/A
Alberto Del Rio vs. Jack Swagger	I Quit	WHC No. 1 Contender
Sheamus vs. Mark Henry	Strap	N/A
Team Hell No vs. Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns	Tornado Tag	Tag Team Championships
Kofi Kingston vs. Dean Ambrose	N/A	United States Championship
Randy Orton vs. Big Show	Extreme Rules	N/A
Chris Jericho vs. Fandango	N/A	N/A

*Card courtesy of WWE.com

Best Matches to Watch

Brock Lesnar vs. Triple H (Steel Cage)

Anyone who has been a fan of wrestling for more than a few years has to be excited for this match. The two stars are legends in the sport and are looking to finally settle a beef that has now spanned into a third bout.

These two competitors have split the first two meetings, with Triple H more recently getting the edge at WrestleMania. However, this rubber match will be for all of the marbles and bragging rights forever.

To make things more interesting, the fight will take place in a Steel Cage. As good as Brock Lesnar is in every type of arena, Triple H has the experience in these more hardcore types of battles and that should help him do well this time around.

While there is nothing on the line except pride, both challengers have a lot of that and neither wants to lose this battle.

John Cena vs. Ryback (Last Man Standing)

With the WWE Championship on the line, this is certainly one of the matches you cannot afford to miss. In a normal bout, you would expect John Cena to have the obvious edge as the 11-time champion against a man still looking to make a name in the sport.

However, in a Last Man Standing match, the only way to win is by knockout. The biggest question in this bout is whether Cena is tough enough to handle this high-stakes battle.

Meanwhile, Ryback has proven this level of toughness plenty of times in the past and he is already a strong technical fighter.

He has taken his lumps on the way to the top and he now deserves this opportunity to win a title. It is tough to imagine a better chance for the fighter.

Randy Orton vs. Big Show (Extreme Rules)

Two of the biggest fighters in the sport will compete in a match titled after the event itself. Randy Orton and the Big Show have no real rules, and things can get ugly in and out of the ring.

Orton has made a bit of a personal rivalry with the World's Largest Athlete, and this is usually not a smart idea. However, the hardcore nature of the match might end up working in his favor.

As big as his opponent is, there are plenty of weapons that can bring the man down with a big hit or two. On the other hand, the Big Show is likely to get a chokeslam on the challenger, and who knows what Orton will land on.

This match will not only be about technical prowess, but also creativity. The fighter who can best utilize the opportunity presented by the match's stipulation will come out on top.

Follow @TheRobGoldberg

Green Bay Packers: A Scout's Perspective on the Changing of the Offensive Line

Bob Fox — Sun, 19 May 2013 10:02:03 -0400

Like I normally do each Friday, I had an opportunity to talk with Chris Landry on the Steve Duemig show. When it comes to scouting talent in both the NFL and college football, Landry is one of the best in the business. Chris shared his thoughts about the offensive line changes that the Green Bay Packers are making in 2013:

Well, Bulaga doesn't have great feet for a left tackle, but he's got good feet and he's a great technician. I think he's the best left tackle that they have. So moving him there makes sense. I like Sitton at left guard. And Lang at right guard with an open competition so to speak at right tackle. I think it makes them better. There's no doubt in my mind it does.

The biggest reason the Packers made the move had to be with No. 12 in mind. That would be quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The last two seasons, left tackle Marshall Newhouse has given up 24.5 sacks. In 2011 and 2012, Rodgers was sacked 87 times.

Still, even with those issues the last two seasons, Rodgers threw 84 touchdown passes versus just 14 interceptions for 8,938 yards. He had a quarterback rating of 122.5 in 2011 and 108.0 in 2012. He was also the NFL MVP in 2011. Imagine what he could do with solid pass protection.

Landry talked about how important it is to protect Rodgers:

"It kind of solidifies things. And certainly you've got to protect the best quarterback I think in the league."

Running the football should also be better for the Packers, according to Landry:

It also helps them in the running game, with the two running backs, Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin. I'm not so sure that Franklin won't be as much of a factor, because he can help in the passing game as well. I think this makes them a lot better offensively. If they can just stay healthy and get better play defensively, they are going to be real good.

Bottom line, Landry thinks Mike McCarthy and company made the right move by putting Bryan Bulaga and Josh Sitton on the left side of the offensive line:

I like the moves on the offensive line. I think it improves them at a couple of positions. If they had an elite, left-footed left tackle, then maybe you could probably (play him). Here's what it does. It give you some flexibility because Bulaga can play left or right tackle, but I do think he's their best left tackle.

The big question, says Landry, will be at right tackle:

How it ends up at right tackle will be the real key as I look at it. I think this makes them better along left to right, and except for the right tackle position I think it's pretty much solidified. I think they will be fine at right tackle eventually. I think they've got a couple of guys they want to take a look at and we'll see how that plays out there.

Time will tell how the offensive line changes pan out for the Packers in 2013, but you can count Chris Landry as one who believes it was the correct move for the team to make moving forward.

Preakness Stakes 2013: Oxbow'S Big Win Sets Up Unpredictable Belmont

Jesse Reed — Sun, 19 May 2013 10:00:00 -0400

The Belmont Stakes is already the most unpredictable of all the three major horse races that comprise the Triple Crown, but Oxbow's victory at the 2013 Preakness Stakes has turned this upcoming race into must-see TV.

Oxbow won the Preakness in wire-to-wire fashion, busting out with an early lead off an incredible start and never looking back.

Pure sprinters Goldencents and Govenor Charlie couldn't keep up with Oxbow's torrid pace and ended up falling to the back of the pack to finish in fifth and eighth place, respectively.

Itsmyluckyday finished the race in second place, while rising star Rosie Napravnik and Mylute finished the race in third place.

Here's a look at the results from the Preakness, courtesy of Bovada:

Pos.	Horse	Jockey	Trainer	Post
1	Oxbow	Gary Stevens	D. Wayne Lukas	6
2	Itsmyluckyday	John Velazquez	Eddie Plesa Jr.	9
3	Mylute	Rosie Napravnik	Tom Amoss	5
4	Orb	Joel Rosario	Claude McGaughey	1
5	Goldencents	Kevin Krigger	Doug O'Neill	2
6	Departing	Brian Hernandez Jr.	Albert M. Stall Jr.	4
7	Will Take Charge	Mike Smith	D. Wayne Lukas	7
8	Govenor Charlie	Martin Garcia	Bob Baffert	8
9	Titletown Five	Julien Leparoux	D. Wayne Lukas	3

According to Yahoo! Sports, Oxbow's wire-to-wire victory was the first at the Preakness in 31 years:

Orb's win at the Kentucky Derby was just as impressive, however.

In muddy conditions that made endurance count more than ever, Orb was able to mount an incredible home-stretch, come-from-behind sprint that left the rest of the horses looking slow.

Both races were run on tracks roughly the same length:

Kentucky Derby: One-and-a-quarter miles—10 furlongs.
Preakness Stakes: One-and-three-sixteenths miles—9.5 furlongs.

The race at Belmont Park to determine the winner of the Belmont Stakes is a full quarter-mile longer than the Derby—12 furlongs.

These extra two furlongs are what makes the Belmont such an unpredictable race. Even in both shorter races, some of the top horses in the world lost stamina down the home stretch. Winning at Belmont requires perfect physical conditioning and a bit of luck.

There are many horses that could race in 2013 capable of winning this year's Belmont.

Derby second-place finisher Revolutionary will likely run, as will third-place finisher Golden Soul. Overanalyze and Palace Malice are also both capable of winning the race after skipping out on the Preakness.

Oxbow, Orb, Itsmyluckyday and Mylute could win the race, too.

Some people may think that Orb's failure at the Preakness makes the race at Belmont somehow "less than." The reality of the situation, however, is that the unpredictable nature of the field will make the race even more compelling.

The length of the race and incredible quality of competition makes it any horse's race to win, and that makes it all the more exciting to watch.

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78

2013 Fantasy Football Profile and Projection: Jets RB Chris Ivory

Kevin Hanson — Sun, 19 May 2013 09:53:37 -0400

When it comes to fantasy sports, a player's opportunity can be nearly as important as his talent. Chris Ivory should finally get the opportunity to showcase his talent in 2013.

Although Ivory led the New Orleans Saints in rushing in 2010 as a rookie with 716 yards, he has been buried on the team's depth chart over the past two seasons behind Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles. In fact, he played in only 12 games over those two seasons combined.

In the offseason, the New York Jets traded their fourth-round pick to the Saints for Ivory, who agreed to a three-year deal with the Jets.

With Shonn Greene leaving in free agency, Ivory will compete for touches with Mike Goodson, Bilal Powell and Joe McKnight. Of those backs, Goodson is Ivory's biggest competition when it comes to workload.

Considering that Goodson was recently arrested, however, it's possible that his days with the Jets are numbered. Speaking of Goodson's arrest, teammate Willie Colon recently said to Seth Walder of the NY Daily News: "It's one of the things where it's zero-tolerance with stuff like that. It's sad. Mike could have been huge for us."

Whether or not Goodson is given his walking papers, Ivory should still lead the squad's backs in touches.

Over the past three seasons, Ivory has been productive when given the opportunity. Carrying the ball 256 times during that span, he rushed for a total of 1,307 yards, for an average of 5.1 yards per carry. Ivory was little used as a receiver with the Saints, though, as he caught only three passes in his career.

As a big back (6'0" and 222 pounds), Ivory scored eight touchdowns for the Saints. With the Jets, he should get the short yardage and goal-line opportunities as well. Considering the team's low-powered offense (2012: 30th in total offense, 28th in scoring offense), however, there may not be many goal-line opportunities.

The days of Mark Sanchez under center appear to be numbered, and it's possible that the Jets will start Geno Smith, their second-round pick, at some point this season. Whether it's the turnover-prone Sanchez or the inexperienced rookie under center, it would make sense for the Jets to go with a ground-and-pound approach to limit turnovers.

With RB2 upside, Ivory is a nice value from where he is currently being drafted. Based on current average draft position (ADP) data from Mock Draft Central, Ivory is the 28th running back, on average, off draft boards recently.

Fantasy Strength of Schedule

Based on the cumulative fantasy points allowed by their opponents from Week 1 to 16, Ivory and his fellow Jets' running backs have the league's most favorable schedule in both standard-scoring and point-per-reception (PPR) leagues.

In the fantasy postseason (typically Weeks 14, 15 and 16), the Jets face the Oakland Raiders, Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns, respectively.

Projection: (rushing) 245 attempts, 1,176 yards, eight touchdowns; (receiving) five receptions, 45 yards

Also, check out:

Indiana's George Hill Releases 'All Gold Everything Pacers' Rap Song

Dan Favale — Sun, 19 May 2013 09:51:59 -0400

Trinidad James would not be proud.

Indiana Pacers guard George Hill released an "All Gold Everything Pacers" rap song just before the NBA playoffs began. He along with a few of friends—one of whom included Mike Epps—wrote and recorded the song in less than 48 hours.

“With Mike Epps and I being from here, we thought it would be a good collaboration,” Hill told Scott Agness of Pacers.com. “We just had fun and tried to interact with the fans and get the fans involved. That’s what we tried to do.”

To their credit, the idea was good. Great, even.

Playing off Trinidad James' "All Gold Everything" (NSFW language) made sense because, well, the Pacers wear all gold (and blue). And being a native of Indianapolis, who better to pay tribute to the city, its team, players and the fans than Hill himself?

The execution, while somewhat comical, did have a local feel to it. Here's an excerpt from Hill's not-so-masterul rendition (via Agness):

All I bleed is blue / old-school but it’s new / shout out to Broad Ripple because I do this for you / I started from the bottom, 34th is my home / my jump shot is too sweet and it tastes just like Long’s / a trey-ball or layup, to me it’s all the same / it feels like the West Rink when I’m skating all in that lane

Don't you just see a Grammy in Hill's future? Yeah, me neither.

A few parts of the song were downright hysterical, and pointed out the obvious.

"The playoffs, we in it."

Um, thanks?

Aside from rapping about the blatantly apparent—"Pacers is our name"—and fellow teammates (Danny Granger included), Pacers head coach Frank Vogel earns a mention as well.

"Frank Vogel, you a good coach and we down with ya."

Even if the Pacers hadn't advanced past the New York Knicks, it doesn't seem Vogel's job would be in jeopardy. Not when his team is so down with him.

Speaking of the Knicks, they're discussed (once again, briefly) as well.

"I don't mess with no Knicks, so don't tell me they winning."

This song was released nearly a month before Indiana unseated New York, so Hill's accurate premonition is to be admired.

As for the rest of the song? Not so much. Should you hail from Indiana, specifically Broad Nipple, perhaps this tune can be held dear to your heart.

The rest, though? We're just left hoping Hill ignores any desire to release a follow up.

Follow @danfavale

5 Key Takeaways from UFC on FX 8

Nathan McCarter — Sun, 19 May 2013 09:49:31 -0400

UFC on FX 8 outperformed expectations. We were treated to a variety of competitive action and finishes, and it was capped off with Vitor Belfort's stunning spinning back kick.

The UFC finds a way to deliver more often than not.

Belfort was not the only fighter to impress. "Jacare" Souza, Nik Lentz and Yuri Alcantara are just three others who came with their best at UFC on FX 8 and inched closer to their goals in their respective division.

It was a fun night of action.

Here are five key takeaways from UFC on FX 8.

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MLB's Longest Home Run Blasts of the Week

Rick Weiner — Sun, 19 May 2013 09:48:39 -0400

Over the past week of MLB action, 194 home runs have been hit by 142 different players off of 136 different pitchers, according to ESPN's Home Run Tracker.

Combined, the week's home runs would have traveled a total of 77,490 feet—roughly 14.7 miles—with your average blast landing 399.4 feet away from home plate had its path not been impeded by fans, scoreboards and the like.

Angels left fielder Mark Trumbo and Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo remain tied for the longest home runs of 2013, with each slugger hitting a 475-foot blast earlier this season.

Did anyone come close to challenging for the top spot this week?

Let's take a look.

T-10. Miguel Cabrera (439 Feet)

Date: May 14

Vs. Hector Ambriz, Houston Astros

Season HR: 8

Career HR vs. Ambriz: 1

Total 2013 HR Distance: 3,227 feet

Average 2013 HR Distance: 403.4 feet

Is it crazy to think about Miguel Cabrera not only winning back-to-back MVP awards, but back-to-back Triple Crowns?

Maybe—but I'm not going to be the one who says that Miggy can't do something on the diamond.

While his current pace has him on track to hit 32 home runs, a number that's likely too low to lead the league, it's the same pace that he was on at this point last year, when he ended up with 44.

When Cabrera flashes his power, as he did against Houston's Hector Ambriz, it serves as a reminder that the best hitter in baseball is more than capable of having a power surge at any time—and that the idea of back-to-back crowns isn't as far-fetched as it may seem.

T-10. Josh Hamilton (439 Feet)

Date: May 14

Vs. Jeremy Guthrie, Kansas City Royals

Season HR: 5

Career HR vs. Guthrie: 3

Total 2013 HR Distance: 2,032 feet

Average 2013 HR Distance: 406.4 feet

While we have yet to see the Angels fearsome foursome of Josh Hamilton, Albert Pujols, Mike Trout and Mark Trumbo all go yard in the same game, Kansas City's Jeremy Guthrie gave us a chance to see Angels history be made this past Tuesday:

For first time ever, Pujols, @trouty20 and @thejoshhamilton all homered in the same game:twitter.com/MLB/status/334…
— MLB (@MLB) May 15, 2013

Of the three, Hamilton's solo-shot was by far the most impressive, landing about halfway up the grassy patch beyond the outfield wall in straightaway center field at Angels Stadium and giving the home team a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning.

T-10. Travis Snider (439 Feet)

Date: May 16

Vs. Hiram Burgos, Milwaukee Brewers

Season HR: 1

Career HR vs. Burgos: 1

Total 2013 HR Distance: 439 feet

Average 2013 HR Distance: 439 feet

Since Travis Snider hit 14 home runs in 82 games for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2010, the long ball has been an elusive accomplishment for 25-year-old outfielder, who heading into the week had hit only seven big league home runs since then.

We can make that eight bombs for Snider, who took hold of a fastball from Hiram Burgos and promptly deposited it in the Allegheny River beyond the right-center field seats, giving the Pirates a 3-1 lead over Milwaukee in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Both of the home runs that Snider has hit in a Pirates uniform have traveled more than 420 feet, with four of the last five home runs that he's hit in his career eclipsing the 400-foot mark.

7. Justin Upton (440 Feet)

Date: May 13

Vs. Wade Miley, Arizona Diamondbacks

Season HR: 13

Career HR vs. Miley: 1

Total 2013 HR Distance: 5,983 feet

Average 2013 HR Distance: 427.4 feet

Justin Upton's return to Arizona couldn't have gone much better.

The Braves won convincingly, 10-1, with Upton picking up four hits, including this mammoth blast off of former teammate Wade Miley.

Justin Upton's 6th inning home run traveled 440 feet, his second-longest of the season (460-foot HR on April 1)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 14, 2013

Spoiler alert: This isn't Upton's only appearance on this week's list, and as a result, what was Upton's second-longest home run in a Braves uniform no longer is.

6. Mark Trumbo (441 Feet)

Date: May 18

Vs. Hector Santiago, Chicago White Sox

Season HR: 10

Career HR vs. Santiago: 1

Total 2013 HR Distance: 4,174 feet

Average 2013 HR Distance: 417.4 feet

When Mark Trumbo unleashed a massive solo shot off of Chicago's Hector Santiago for his 10th home run of the season, CSN Chicago's Dan Hayes made this comparison:

Mark Trumbo just rivaled Alex Rios' homer from two nights ago. Solo shot cuts #WhiteSoxlead to 4-1.

— Dan Hayes (@DanHayesCSN) May 18, 2013

Not only did Trumbo's bomb against Chicago's Hector Santiago rival this 438-foot blast from Rios (off of the Angels' Jerome Williams), but it traveled far enough to bounce Rios from this week's Top 10 list, clearing both left field bullpens at Angel Stadium on the fly.

5. Brian McCann (444 Feet)

Date: May 13

Vs. Tony Sipp, Arizona Diamondbacks

Season HR: 3

Career HR vs. Sipp: 1

Total 2013 HR Distance: 1,239 feet

Average 2013 HR Distance: 413 feet

Remember last season when people were saying that Brian McCann was washed up?

Well, Atlanta's All-Star catcher has returned from offseason shoulder surgery and silenced his detractors with mammoth blasts like this one off of Arizona's Tony Sipp this past Monday, which at the time was his third home run in his first 26 at-bats of the season and the third-longest blast for the Braves this year.

McCann hasn't gone yard in 12 at-bats since, and his impressive 444-foot bomb has been outdone by, you guessed it, Justin Upton, who hit an even more impressive blast later in the week that is coming up.

4. Brandon Moss (449 Feet)

Date: May 13

Vs. Justin Grimm, Texas Rangers

Season HR: 6

Career HR vs. Grimm: 1

Total 2013 HR Distance: 2,446 feet

Average 2013 HR Distance: 407.6 feet

Things were looking grim for Texas starter Justin Grimm before Oakland's Brandon Moss came to the plate with one out in the bottom of the third inning at the O.co Coliseum.

The A's put two runs across the board in the bottom of the second, and the A's Yoenis Cespedes had just taken the Rangers rookie deep, giving Oakland an early 3-1 lead. Moss, who struck out swinging an inning earlier, worked a 2-and-2 count on six pitches.

Then came the seventh, a fastball that Moss sent screaming to straightaway center field, setting a bit of team history in the process:

Brandon Moss follows with the 7,000th home run in Oakland history. #Athletics lead is now 4-1.

— Oakland Athletics (@Athletics) May 14, 2013

3. Pedro Alvarez (456 Feet)

Date: May 17

Vs. Hector Ambriz, Houston Astros

Season HR: 7

Career HR vs. Ambriz: 1

Total 2013 HR Distance: 2,901 feet

Average 2013 HR Distance: 414 feet

Things haven't gone according to plan when it comes to Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez, who has consistently failed to live up to the lofty expectations that the team had for him when selecting him second overall in the 2008 draft.

He doesn't hit for average, doesn't get on base consistently, plays mediocre defense and is allergic to drawing a walk—but he's got power, something that Astros reliever Hector Ambriz became all-too familiar with this past Friday night.

Alvarez hit the ball with so much force that the Pirates dispute the official distance on this tape-measure shot:

The @pirates estimate this Pedro Alvarez bomb at 462 feet. It nearly hit the river on the fly, so, yeah: atmlb.com/12iiPhd

— MLB (@MLB) May 18, 2013

2. Justin Upton (461 Feet)

Date: May 17

Vs. Paco Rodriguez, Los Angeles Dodgers

Season HR: 14

Career HR vs. Rodriguez: 1

Total 2013 HR Distance: 5,983 feet

Average 2013 HR Distance: 427 feet

Justin Upton's second appearance on this week's Top 10 list was even more impressive than the first, absolutely crushing a pitch from Paco Rodriguez deep into the left field stands at Turner Field for a grand slam, giving the Braves a 6-4 lead over the Dodgers.

Upton's torrid start to the season continues, and he has quickly become this year's most prodigious slugger, a fact that ESPN Stats and Info helps to confirm:

Justin Upton's average HR for @braves is traveling 427.4 feet this season, the longest average distance for any player with 5+ HR
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 18, 2013

If that wasn't enough evidence of how much Upton loves wearing a Braves uniform, consider this:

Justin Upton has 10 HR this season of 420 feet or longer.Last season he had 5 HR of 420 feet or longer.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 18, 2013

That MVP award that we've been waiting for Upton to finally win?

With the way he's been swinging the bat, you have to like his chances in 2013.

1. J.D. Martinez (464 Feet)

Date: May 15

Vs. Max Scherzer, Detroit Tigers

Season HR: 3

Career HR vs. Scherzer: 1

Total 2013 HR Distance: 1,218 feet

Average 2013 HR Distance: 406 feet

While J.D. Martinez continues to struggle to hit for average in the big leagues, recording only seven hits in 28 at-bats (.250 BA) since being recalled from Triple-A on May 7, the 25-year-old left fielder is making his hits count.

Of those seven hits, five have gone for extra bases—four doubles and this massive 464-foot blast off of Detroit's Max Scherzer, a bomb that ties Martinez with David Wright of the Mets for the sixth-longest home run in baseball this season and made a bit of history as well, courtesy of Fox Sports' Dave Hogg:

J.D. Martinez's homer (464 feet) was the longest by a visiting player at Comerica since ESPN's HR tracker started in 2006.

— Dave Hogg (@Stareagle) May 16, 2013

For Martinez, the blast was the longest of his career and only the fifth time that he's had a home run travel at least 400 feet.

Follow @RickWeinerBR

Italian Serie A Final Day: Live Scores, Comment, and Updates

Matteo Bonetti — Sun, 19 May 2013 09:45:27 -0400

Sadly, the final weekend of 2012-2013 Italian Serie A is finally upon us.

I'm here to bring you the latest commentary, updates and musings on a day that will tell us who will grab the third and final Champions League spot in Italy.

Every significant match will kick off this Sunday at 2:45 p.m. ET, so join me two hours before for a live marathon of updates.

The main focus will be on the two most important matches of the day: Siena vs. Milan, and Pescara vs. Fiorentina.

Keep it here for the latest updates, lineups and everything else you'll need to know!

Serena Williams Defeats Victoria Azarenka to Win 2013 Rome Masters

Steven Cook — Sun, 19 May 2013 09:44:48 -0400

American tennis icon Serena Williams kept her hot streak going through the 2013 Rome Masters on Sunday as she took down Victoria Azarenka in straight sets for a 6-1, 6-3 victory.

It was the 51st professional title of Williams' star-studded career, according to Tennis Connected on Twitter.

For Azarenka, the loss will prove to be a hard pill to swallow. Just earlier this year, she lost her No. 1 ranking to Williams, and the end result from the Rome Masters won't help that cause.

Things proved to be heading toward a tight match from the get-go, as Azarenka took Williams to deuce in each of the match's opening three games. However, things quickly went awry for Azarenka as she was dusted 6-1 in a 45-minute first set.

Azarenka was visibly displeased with her performance in the first set, and despite a valiant effort, she couldn't turn things around in the second. Williams quickly asserted her dominance, and despite allowing Azarenka to break and cut it to 4-3, the American put her foot on the gas and cruised through the championship-clinching final two games.

After a dominating performance in Italy for what is usually a tune-up for the French Open, Williams looks to be headed in the right direction to continue her 24-match win streak at Roland Garros.

Williams has only won the French Open once (2002), but the 31-year-old looks to be on top of her game in 2013.

Preakness 2013 Winner: Oxbow Victory Means More Than Just Stakes Win

Pete Schauer — Sun, 19 May 2013 09:40:17 -0400

Oxbow's improbable 2013 Preakness win was an enormous feat, but the victory in the 138th running at Pimlico Race Course was about so much more than a horse winning a race.

Sporting 15-1 odds, Oxbow spoiled any hopes of racing fans seeing a Triple Crown winner in 2013, as he cruised to a 1 3/4 lengths victory over second-place finisher Itsmyluckyday (h/t Liz Clarke of the Boston Globe).

Affirmed was the last horse to win the Triple Crown back in 1978, meaning it'll be at least 36 years until we potentially see another Triple Crown victor. Orb, the favorite to win the Preakness after his victory at the 2013 Kentucky Derby, finished the race fourth.

Yet the storylines weren't all about Orb's shortcomings on Saturday.

With Oxbow's first-place finish, Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas earned his 14th Triple Crown racing win, giving him more wins than any other trainer. Despite Lukas' success in his profession, it had been quite some time since the famous trainer found success (via David Grening of the Daily Racing Forum):

Clearly, Lukas has a knack for preparing his horses to the best of their abilities—a talent that has cemented him as a Hall of Famer and one of the best trainers throughout the business.

Let's not forget the man who jockeyed Oxbow to the finish line, though.

Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, a 50-year-old grandfather might I add, came out of a seven-year retirement to ride Oxbow to the winner's circle on Saturday, his first Preakness race since he finished sixth aboard Noble Causeway in 2005 (h/t Preakness.com).

Stevens, who portrayed George Woolf in 2003's "Seabiscuit," already boasted two Preakness Stakes victories entering the 2013 event, having won in 1997 and 2001 aboard Silver Charm and Point Given.

ESPN highlights the Hall of Famer's success in Triple Crown races, tweeting:

While the 138th running at the Preakness Stakes was surely one for the ages, I think the historical storylines go further than just an unexpected horse winning a race.

After all, it's not often that we see a trainer set a record for most Triple Crown wins in history or a 50-year-old jockey come out of retirement to bolster his standing as a Hall of Fame rider.

Follow me on Twitter: Follow @Pete_Schauer

Belfort vs. Rockhold Fight Card: Post UFC on FX 8 Stock Report

Nathan McCarter — Sun, 19 May 2013 09:24:49 -0400

UFC on FX 8 packed a punch, and a kick, for the fans. Thirteen fights emanated from Brazil with fighters bringing their best inside the cage in the hopes of picking up a victory.

Vitor Belfort stole the show with a shocking spinning back kick that landed flush on Luke Rockhold. The explosive middleweight finished up his business on the ground. The victory puts Belfort back in serious talk for title contention.

Plenty of other action happened across multiple divisions. Potential contenders emerged, and others faltered.

This is your post-UFC on FX 8 stock report.

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Manchester United Summer Transfer Guide: What the Reds Need in the Window

Darren Richman — Sun, 19 May 2013 09:18:05 -0400

It is all change at Old Trafford.

Manchester United will begin next season without the services of Paul Scholes, arguably the finest British footballer of his generation, and Sir Alex Ferguson, inarguably the finest manager.

Many fans are not old enough to recall a time before Ferguson, and after 26 years, it is truly the end of an era.

David Moyes will have his work cut out if he wishes to emulate the near-constant level of success seen under his predecessor. With Manchester City and Chelsea likely to pose a far greater threat under new new managers, reinforcements will be essential for United.

Although Ferguson has experimented with Phil Jones and Wayne Rooney in the middle of the pitch, a bona-fide central midfielder is still the No. 1 priority. Particularly given it seems increasingly likely that Rooney will not be around for much longer.

United have forward men of genuine quality, a fine goalkeeper and, with the exception of left-back, real strength in depth at the back. Assuming the money is unavailable to lure Cristiano Ronaldo or recruit Gareth Bale, a midfield enforcer should be the priority.

Michael Carrick has arguably been United’s player of the season, and it is tempting to suggest brawn might be the perfect accompaniment to his brains.

Too often in the biggest games, Jones has been fielded in the middle of the pitch when an out-and-out central midfielder would clearly be preferable. Celtic’s Victor Wanyama would seem a decent option, not to mention Newcastle’s Cheick Tiote, even if it has been a disappointing season for the Ivorian on Tyneside.

A marquee signing would be the absolute ideal scenario, however. Although Ferguson has stressed the importance of giving the new man time, a backlash is inevitable if the team start slowly under Moyes. Capturing Bale or bringing Ronaldo back to Manchester would reassure the fans that money is available and the club has lost none of its lustre without Ferguson at the helm.

It is hard to believe Ronaldo would leave Madrid to join a United side no longer overseen by his former mentor, but perhaps Ferguson will still have some sway over transfers in his capacity as a director. The fans can but hope.

The Premier League's player of the year, Gareth Bale, is another possibility. With Ryan Giggs unlikely to continue beyond the end of next season, it might be a comfort to the United faithful to land the Welsh winger who considers Giggs an idol. Much will depend on whether Tottenham can qualify for the Champions League and, if not, whether Bale is the type of player who would consider moving abroad.

If Spurs fail to make the top four and the Welshman has the desire to leave the club but not the country, United and City are the only real candidates for his signature. The Reds would be unlikely to match the wages on offer at City, but sometimes money isn't everything. Robin van Persie is proof of that.

One can only hope Moyes manages to bring in a player on a par with Van Persie. And that it works out as well as that particular transfer.

Follow @darrenrichman

WWE Extreme Rules 2013: Can Chris Jericho and Fandango Steal the Show?

Erik Beaston — Sun, 19 May 2013 09:11:54 -0400

At WrestleMania 29, Chris Jericho and Fandango had a solid, if unspectacular, match that went a long way in helping the Fandango character continue to get over with fans. In the weeks that followed, their rivalry continued, each man showing a new level of aggression and adding further intrigue to what many felt would be a rematch at the annual post-Mania event, Extreme Rules.

Now, just hours away from the return match, one has to wonder if Jericho and Fandango can steal a show that is theirs for the stealing.

Despite Jericho's absence from WWE programming while touring Europe with his band Fozzy for the majority of the build to Extreme Rules, he and Fandango were a part of a segment on Monday's Raw that went a long way in establishing the ballroom dancer as a manipulative, cunning heel, his dance partner Summer Rae as a willing and devious conspirator and the feud with Jericho as a heated one.

On Raw, Fandango was aggressive and violent in his attack of Jericho, adding a new element to his character. Leading up to WrestleMania, fans knew there was a rage inside of the young star that would manifest itself if someone did not pronounce his name correctly. But the way he assaulted the former WWE Undisputed champion on Monday night introduced an all-new cerebral violence few expected from him, perhaps hinting that the flamboyance of Fandango is his way of playing mind games with his opponent.

Not unlike Goldust did in the mid-to-late 1990s.

Jericho, in the past week, has tossed all jokes aside and appears more focused on his match with Fandango than he has any other since returning in January. His promo after being attacked on Raw, in which he vowed to beat Fandango at Extreme Rules, showed great focus and determination.

The only thing lacking from the Jericho-Fandango match Sunday night is a stipulation. Every match on the Extreme Rules card has some kind of special stipulation surrounding it in order to live up to the promise of being WWE's "most extreme night". That means Jericho and Fandango will have to overcome the handicap put on their match, and a crowd that had enjoyed hardcore bouts the rest of the night, to try and deliver a show-stealing performance using no frills or gimmicks.

With one of the better built feuds on a card that was very lazily thrown together, two highly talented performers and a heated segment from Raw fresh on the minds of the fans, that may not be as difficult as it seems.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves: Live Score, Analysis and Reaction

Tyler Duma — Sun, 19 May 2013 09:11:30 -0400

The Los Angeles Dodgers are in Atlanta again on Sunday to take on the Braves in the final game of a three-game set.

The Braves took the first two games by scores of 8-5 and 3-1, respectively. Now, the Dodgers find themselves in last place in the NL West—7.5 games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks—hoping to stave off a sweep at the hands of the Braves.

The Braves are enjoying a far greater level of success. They currently have the third best record in the National League—behind the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds—and sit atop the NL East, holding a 1.5-game lead over the Washington Nationals.

In today's Game 3, the Dodgers will send rookie right-hander Matt Magill to the mound for his fourth start of the year. Magill has struggled in his brief time with the team, working to a 6.92 ERA and a 1.77 WHIP with ratios of 9.0 H/9, 6.9 BB/9 and 7.6 K/9.

The Braves starter, 25-year-old left-hander Mike Minor, has enjoyed more success this year. He has a 5-2 record, 2.75 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and ratios of 7.1 H/9, 1.7 BB/9 and 7.2 K/9.

Lineups will be posted below when they are made available.

Preakness 2013 Results: Biggest Winners and Losers from Triple Crown's 2nd Leg

Tyler Brooke — Sun, 19 May 2013 09:00:00 -0400

The Preakness ended the possibility of a Triple Crown winner, but it also showcased a dominating performance by Oxbow.

For some, the Preakness was a great race that they can be really proud of. For others, they have to be disappointed that they weren’t able to reach their goals.

Let’s take a look at the biggest winners and losers from Saturday’s race.

Results

Place	Horse	Jockey
1	Oxbow	Gary Stevens
2	Itsmyluckyday	John Velazquez.
3	Mylute	Rosie Napravnik
4	Orb	Joel Rosario
5	Goldencents	Kevin Krigger
6	Departing	Brian Hernandez Jr.
7	Will Take Charge	Mike Smith
8	Govenor Charlie	Martin Garcia
9	Titletown Five	Julien Leparoux

Winners

Gary Stevens

Coming out of retirement in 2013 after not racing since 2005 should be a big enough deal for the legendary jockey, but winning his third race at the Preakness is huge.

At 50 years old, Stevens became the oldest jockey to ever win at the Preakness. Along with three Preakness wins, he also has three wins at the Kentucky Derby and three more at the Belmont Stakes in his career.

Leading Oxbow the entire way, the duo was able to hold the lead for the entire race, making it the first wire-to-wire win at the Preakness in 31 years (h/t Yahoo! Sports).

The Hall of Famer can now add another impressive win to his resume. He may be considered an old man, but he smoked the younger guys on the track on Saturday.

Rosie Napravnik

Even if she didn’t win the Preakness, Napravnik certainly has to be proud of how well she has finished in the first two legs of the Triple Crown.

Earlier in May, Napravnik had the best finish by a female at the Kentucky Derby, finishing fifth while riding Mylute. She did even better at the Preakness, finishing in the money with a third-place finish.

While she obviously wanted to win the last two races, she has become a popular figure in the world of horse racing, particularly for women in the sport.

Losers

Shug McGaughey

While horses don’t really feel pressure, trainers certainly do.

After winning his first ever Kentucky Derby with Orb, McGaughey had to have felt a sigh of relief. That sigh must have been pretty short after realizing that now the whole world would be expecting him and his horse to go for the Triple Crown.

Orb just didn’t look like he did coming into the Derby. Maybe it was because of the off track due to the muddy conditions at Churchill Downs, but Orb simply didn’t have the edge over the other horses at the Preakness. He simply didn’t have the stuff to pull out a win, and finished out of the money with a fourth-place finish.

For McGaughey, this one certainly had to sting a little. He can still enjoy his win at the Derby earlier this month, but missing the chance at making history is always tough.

Goldencents

The storylines surrounding Goldencents for the past month gave him a lot of hype heading into the Preakness, but he simply wasn’t able to do much.

Doug O’Neill was searching for back-to-back wins at the Preakness as a trainer, but Goldencents got tired and fell from second to fifth at the end of the race, finishing out of the money.

For Kevin Krigger, he was the lone African American jockey in the race and looking to make a big finish to make a statement.

Unfortunately, Goldencents didn’t live up to the hype for the second straight race. Despite looking incredibly fast at the Santa Anita Derby a while back, he simply hasn’t been able to get it done through the first two legs of the Triple Crown.

Preakness Results: Breaking Down Entire Field at Pimlico Race Course

Jesse Reed — Sun, 19 May 2013 09:00:00 -0400

Oxbow's wire-to-wire victory at Pimlico Race Course was unexpected, to say the least, but surprises were the order of the day at the 2013 Preakness Stakes.

A 16-1 long shot at the start of the race, Oxbow took an early lead over Goldencents and the rest of the field. By the time the nine-horse pack rounded the first corner, Oxbow had established a nice lead, and veteran jockey Gary Stevens never took his foot off the gas.

Itsmyluckyday and Mylute finished in second and third place, respectively, while heavy betting favorite and Kentucky Derby winner Orb finished out of the money in fourth place.

Here's a look at the full results, courtesy of Bovada.

Pos.	Horse	Jockey	Trainer	Post
1	Oxbow	Gary Stevens	D. Wayne Lukas	6
2	Itsmyluckyday	John Velazquez	Eddie Plesa Jr.	9
3	Mylute	Rosie Napravnik	Tom Amoss	5
4	Orb	Joel Rosario	Shug McGaughey	1
5	Goldencents	Kevin Krigger	Doug O’Neill	2
6	Departing	Brian Hernandez Jr	Albert M. Stall, Jr	4
7	Will Take Charge	Mike Smith	D. Wayne Lukas	7
8	Govenor Charlie	Martin Garcia	Bob Baffert	8
9	Titletown Five	Julien Leparoux	D. Wayne Lukas	3

Oxbow's wire-to-wire win was the first such victory in 31 years, according to Yahoo! Sports:

For those of you who may not consider post position to be a huge factor in these races, perhaps this will convince you otherwise, per ESPN Stats & Info and David Grening of the Daily Racing Form:

Orb got trapped inside for much of the race, and jockey Joel Rosario couldn't find a clear path for his horse to charge through. Oxbow, on the other hand, got off to a nice start in the middle of the pack and never had to work through any traffic.

Not surprisingly, Titletown Five (33-1 odds), Will Take Charge (14-1 odds) and Govenor Charlie (14-1 odds) all finished the race outside the money. Before the start, these three horses were considered to be the longest shots to win, apart from Oxbow.

Itsmyluckyday and Mylute both finished in the money, which wasn't a huge surprise given the fact that both had 9-1 odds to win at the start of the race.

But the horses with the shortest odds to win heading into the race—Orb (5-7), Goldencents (7-1) and Departing (9-1)—all finished outside the money.

Needless to say, these results were shocking.

Goldencents looked like a true contender to start the race. Jockey Kevin Krigger had him running well behind Oxbow heading out of the second turn. Toward the end of the race, however, Goldencents didn't have the stamina to keep up with Oxbow's torrid pace and fell back badly.

Departing looked good early on and was in excellent position for a strong finish, but when jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. needed more from his horse there was nothing left in the tank.

Orb's Triple Crown hopes are now a thing of the past, and looking ahead to the mile-and-a-half Belmont in June there's no way of knowing what will happen.

For now, however, it's time to reflect on Oxbow's perfect race.

From start to finish, this horse was large and in charge at the front of the pack and never looked back.

Note: All betting odds courtesy of Bovada.

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78

2013 NBA Mock Draft: Simple Solutions to Every Team's Draft Needs

Maxwell Ogden — Sun, 19 May 2013 09:00:00 -0400

With the 2013 NBA draft scouting combine taking the world by storm, countless fans and analysts are trying to analyze what every measurement and interview truly means. While some will overvalue the power of a high vertical or strong bench press, others will find the true meaning.

Regardless of what they do, every team is looking for the simple solution for their draft needs—so what are they?

Some teams enter the draft with specific needs, while others are simply looking for the player that can turn their organization around. In that same breath, there are a select few squads that are doing quite well but need to add youth or athleticism.

One way or another, the draft will do wonders to shape the next generation of the NBA.

1. Orlando Magic: Nerlens Noel, C, Kentucky Wildcats

The Orlando Magic can go in a variety of directions here, but it truly depends on how much they believe in Nikola Vucevic. Orlando's 22-year-old center was second in rebounding and third in double-doubles during the regular season, but he isn't quite the dominant defender Nerlens Noel projects to be.

Noel has a significantly higher upside, and Vucevic is one heck of a trade piece—I'm going out on a limb.

The Magic have two options here, as the versatile Vucevic could go out to play the 4 due to his ability to back an opponent down or step out for a mid-range J. Keep in mind, Vucevic shot a strong 43.3 percent from mid-range.

As a 22-year-old center.

If Vucevic is unable to play the 4, the Magic have a dominant interior presence in Noel to protect the rim. This not only creates a bright future defensively, but it also opens the door for the Magic to take advantage of one important truth.

Vucevic's trade value is phenomenal, and the Magic could construct quite the impressive package to acquire another early selection in a deep 2014 NBA draft.

2. Charlotte Bobcats: Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas Jayhawks

The Charlotte Bobcats are a team with many holes, as Kemba Walker and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist serve as their only true building blocks. With Nerlens Noel off of the board, this opens the door for Charlotte to create the trinity along the perimeter.

With Walker serving as a dynamic playmaker and Kidd-Gilchrist a defensive specialist, the Bobcats add a potentially elite scorer in Ben McLemore here.

McLemore could go first overall, as he is a creative scorer that can create his own shot and attack or work off of screens to shoot the three. Most importantly, McLemore is an exciting athlete that can score in transition and has high defensive potential.

Landing Noel would be the dream pick, but McLemore is hardly a poor fallback plan.

Keep in mind, the Bobcats were 27th in both three-point field goals made per game and three-point field goal percentage. In order to move forward in a positive manner, Charlotte must cure its shooting woes.

Ranking 26th in scoring offense offers a fair glimpse into what's wrong in Charlotte—well, part of it.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers: Otto Porter, SF, Georgetown Hoyas

Unless Nerlens Noel drops to the Cleveland Cavaliers, this pick will not change any time soon. Not only do the Cavaliers need a small forward, but they've needed one since LeBron James left the team.

In 2010.

Cleveland addresses that need by drafting the most well-rounded player in this year's draft class in Otto Porter out of Georgetown. Not only is Porter a dynamic offensive player, but he possesses extraordinary length and defensive prowess.

A strong comparison would be Indiana Pacers small forward Danny Granger.

Porter is a poised player who finished the 2012-13 season with averages of 16.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. He also shot 48.0 percent from the field and 42.2 percent from beyond the arc.

Those numbers are a testament to what Porter can do—each of those skills is translatable, and his versatility could make him an instant starter.

4. Phoenix Suns: Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana Hoosiers

The Phoenix Suns enter this position with a variety of options, but it really comes down to shooting guard Victor Oladipo and power forward Anthony Bennett. With their best options at the 2 currently Jared Dudley and Shannon Brown, the decision has been made.

Victor Oladipo is the only rational option.

Phoenix has athleticism in Brown and polished fundamentals with Dudley, but no combination of the two. Fortunately, Oladipo has that rare combination, which makes him something that few are acknowledging: a potential All-Star.

Oladipo can defend at an elite level, smothering players at any of the three perimeter positions with his combination of length and explosive athleticism. Offensively, Oladipo is far more developed than the average fan gives him credit for.

Phoenix lands the player who, in terms of upside, is far above the rest.

5. New Orleans Pelicans: Trey Burke, PG, Michigan Wolverines

The New Orleans Pelicans have multiple needs and a roster that management appears to be delusional about. Eric Gordon is a fan favorite without legitimate star power, Greivis Vasquez is a quality facilitator with no other skills, and Robin Lopez can only take this team so far at the 5.

In a point-guard-driven league, the target is clear.

Trey Burke is the best point guard available, and it goes well beyond skills and athleticism. Burke has the uncanny ability to make the right play, which cannot be valued enough at the next level.

You can debate his upside, but when you see players such as George Hill and Mike Conley playing so well in late-game situations, Burke's niche is determined.

Burke's greatest strength is not his clutch scoring, which has many scouts and general managers drooling. Instead, it's his decision making, as Burke rarely turns the ball over, despite having such a high usage rate.

New Orleans has been a bottom-feeder since Chris Paul departed, and Burke is the perfect player to team with Anthony Davis for a turnaround.

6. Sacramento Kings: Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Syracuse Orange

The Sacramento Kings are deep in terms of talent but lack any form of chemistry or direction. Their new management should help in that regard, with one thing becoming perfectly clear.

Point guards are vital in the NBA, and the Kings need one more than any other team in the league.

The Kings lack any form of direction on the floor, often falling into isolation sets and damaging their odds of winning games. In order to cure that devastating woe, they target this year's top facilitating prospect: Michael Carter-Williams.

The 5'9" point guard Isaiah Thomas is a strong player, but Carter-Williams stands at 6'6" and has two-way potential. Not only was he third in the nation in assists, but he was sixth in steals per game.

He may not be able to shoot, but Carter-Williams is the best fit here.

7. Detroit Pistons: Shabazz Muhammad, SF, UCLA Bruins

The Detroit Pistons are in a pinch here, as they needed a point guard, but all rational options are off of the board. Their choices here are thus limited to a crop of players that one could make the case shouldn't be drafted this high.

For that reason, Detroit will look to trade down—unfortunately, no suitors present ideal value.

So the Pistons take a gamble here and pursue Shabazz Muhammad out of UCLA. Muhammad's stock is dropping, but Detroit has its interior of the future and needs a source of instant offense.

That's exactly what Muhammad provides, as the swingman attacks the basket with power and possesses strong defensive potential.

Muhammad may be a reach at No. 7, especially after a lackluster showing at the scouting combine, but Detroit is limited in options here. It's better to take Muhammad now and build towards the future than make a senseless trade.

Limited options make this choice pretty clear.

8. Washington Wizards: Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLV Rebels

The Washington Wizards are in the running to select Alex Len out of Maryland, as he's a local product and they need a long-term option at center. They're also in position to find a small or power forward.

Len is an option, but his inconsistency is concerning, and Anthony Bennett's upside is unquestioned—Washington lands the latter.

The Wizards are a strong, young team that thrives defensively, ranking eighth in scoring defense and ninth in rebounding. Len is a legitimate option, but Bennett is viewed as a potential star, and there's strong reason.

Bennett weighs in at 6'8" and 240 pounds with a 7'1" wingspan and explosive athleticism.

If that's not enough, Bennett is a nightly double-double threat when he's focused on the glass and avoiding big man iso-ball. With John Wall running the show and Bradley Beal at shooting guard, there are few situations as ideal for Bennett.

Having Nene Hilario and Emeka Okafor as mentors certainly isn't a bad way to go, either.

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

The Minnesota Timberwolves can go in multiple directions here, as center Nikola Pekovic is a free agent and the team simply cannot shoot the three-ball. For that reason, they take a fast-rising name in C.J. McCollum out of Lehigh, a combo guard that always appears to be in control of the game.

McCollum stands just over 6'3" but has a 6'6" wingspan and has one heck of a jump shot. Not only can he work off of screens and complement Ricky Rubio, but he can create his own shot.

Something the T-Wolves lacked in 2012-13.

Alexey Shved can attack, and Rubio is a dynamic playmaker, but the Timberwolves need a long-term replacement to J.J. Barea and Luke Ridnour. By creating a three-man rotation of Shved, Rubio and McCollum at the guard spots, the T-Wolves would certainly have a bright future.

With a healthy Kevin Love and Pekovic potentially returning, Minnesota would have a bright future.

10. Portland Trail Blazers: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia Bulldogs

The Portland Trail Blazers have their starting lineup intact, whether J.J. Hickson returns at center or not. Meyers Leonard was a lottery pick in 2012, which suggests that Portland is set in their front court.

Where they're well below ideal, however, is on their bench.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a rangy shooter with the ability to take it to the basket off of the bounce and defend at a high level. For a Trail Blazers team that was dead last in second unit scoring, adding a scoring spark is the key.

Caldwell-Pope can provide just that.

Will Barton has high upside as an athletic slasher, averaging 12.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists and 1.2 steals in April. By pairing him with Caldwell-Pope along the perimeter, Portland could have a two-way tandem worth marveling off of the bench.

Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum need rest, and those two players can provide that to prevent another season of fatigue and overworking.

11. Philadelphia 76ers: Alex Len, C, Maryland Terrapins

The Philadelphia 76ers need to create depth at center, regardless of what happens with Andrew Bynum during the upcoming offseason. For that reason, they take the best available big man in the upside-driven Alex Len.

Standing at 7'1" with a near 7'4" wingspan and a varied skill set, Len certainly offers intrigue.

Len's greatest strength is his offensive versatility, as he's capable both with his back to the basket and facing up. With a strong mid-range game and the ability to pass, that makes him one of the toughest players to defend in this draft.

As a quality shot-blocker, Len's risk is often overstated, although his star potential can be called into question. Fortunately, Philly needs a security blanket at the 5.

Len can be that player.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Raptors): Cody Zeller, C, Indiana Hoosiers

The Oklahoma City Thunder need an offensive alternative down low, as they currently lack any form of a back-to-the-basket presence. Even if they do hold onto Kendrick Perkins as their defensive specialist, they need a scorer.

Enter Cody Zeller.

Zeller may not be a star, but he weighed in significantly bigger than we'd previously believed. After coming into the draft process at a believed 6'11" and 210 pounds, he weighed in at 7'0" and 230 pounds.

More importantly, he was the most explosive leaper at the combine.

Who saw that coming?

With a strong face-up game and an improving back-to-the-basket attack, Zeller is ideal here. For a Thunder team that doesn't need a star, this is as low-risk as it comes.

Zeller would be a very strong fit.

13. Dallas Mavericks: Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville Cardinals

The Dallas Mavericks won the 2011 NBA championship led by the tandem of power forward Dirk Nowitzki and center Tyson Chandler. That created a balance of elite offensive production and a strong rim protection.

Without Chandler, the Mavericks have been nothing close to that team.

By drafting Gorgui Dieng, they'd find a player with a similar, if not higher, upside to Chandler. Not only is he a powerful defender that protects the rim with his length, athleticism and anticipation, but he's also an underrated offensive product.

With an improving mid-range game and precise passing skills, Dieng is the perfect fit for a Mavericks team that needs an interior defender. In fact, Dieng is the dream selection for Dallas.

Defense wins championships, and Dieng certainly has the pedigree after leading the Louisville Cardinals to the 2013 NCAA Division I title.

14. Utah Jazz: Dario Saric, SF, Croatia

The Utah Jazz have the opportunity to go in a variety of directions, including a step towards creating depth along the interior. With that being said, Utah's top void is its lack of perimeter playmakers that can create for others.

Enter Dario Saric.

Saric has extraordinary size for the position, standing at 6'10" with a 6'11" wingspan. Not only is he a capable facilitator, but he creates well off of the bounce and has the upside to be a threat from beyond the arc.

When his feet are set, he's already a strong option in that regard.

Saric would benefit from bulking up and could draw NBA comparisons to Jan Vesely. With that being said, Saric appears to have a more defined skill set that simply needs honing.

The upside is there for big things.

15. Milwaukee Bucks: Jamaal Franklin, SG, San Diego State Aztecs

The Milwaukee Bucks have the opportunity to trade down here, as they need to create depth on their thin roster that pairs inexperience with aging veterans. They do just that by adding one of the most intriguing athletes in this year's draft: Jamaal Franklin out of San Diego State.

Franklin stands just over 6'5", possessing a 6'11" wingspan and explosive leaping ability. Not only does he run the floor well, but he also attacks with power in the half court and rebounds as well, if not better than, any other perimeter player available.

For a Bucks team that could lose Monta Ellis, you couldn't think of a replacement that fits their needs quite as well as Franklin.

16. Boston Celtics: Jeff Withey, C, Kansas Jayhawks

The Boston Celtics have multiple options, as they need to find an interior defender that can protect the rim and must get more athletic. Boston can tackle one of those issues by drafting Jeff Withey.

The key here is the Memphis Grizzlies.

Mason Plumlee is the more ideal fit due to his athleticism, but Memphis has sent a statement during the postseason. Pairing Withey with Jared Sullinger would make, arguably, the least athletic frontcourt in the NBA, but here's the kicker.

Sullinger has powerful offensive upside, Withey could be an All-Defensive Team selection, and the two suddenly appear to be similar to Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol in terms of playing style—a calculated risk.

17. Atlanta Hawks: Mason Plumlee, C, Duke Blue Devils

Trading down here is a legitimate option, but the Atlanta Hawks need to add more players to their very thin roster. With back-to-back picks, they'll field offers, but take advantage of the fact that they can draft two strong players.

Atlanta's selections here will go a long way towards defining their future.

For starters, the Hawks address their greatest void, bringing in an athletic center in Mason Plumlee out of Duke. Not only is Plumlee one of the draft's top athletes, but he's a player that has improved in every season he's played.

With Plumlee, a walking alley-oop threat with solid interior fundamentals, the Hawks would find a safe pick at a low-risk draft spot.

18. Atlanta Hawks (via Rockets): Glen Rice Jr., SG, NBA D-League

The Atlanta Hawks can go value here, as they look to build their roster of the future with quality players at every position. They make an intriguing selection here, going with a defensive-minded swingman that would bring a sense of consistency to Atlanta's perimeter: the fast-rising Glen Rice Jr., formerly of the local Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Rice Jr. was dismissed from the Georgia Tech team during the 2011-12 season and spent this past season playing for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the Developmental League.

Rice Jr. weighed in at just under 6'6" with a 6'9" wingspan and enticing athleticism. Not only is he a legitimate deep threat that can space the floor at every turn, but Rice Jr. also thrives defensively and can lock down an NBA slasher or shooter.

For a Hawks team that appears to value the three-ball but lacks any form of perimeter defense—prior to free agency, of course—going local makes sense here, with Rice Jr. as the pick.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Suns, from Heat): Steven Adams, C, Pittsburgh Panthers

The Cleveland Cavaliers could trade up with their abundance of second-round draft choices, thus selecting Steven Adams in the early 20s. With that being said, few players were as impressive as Adams at the NBA scouting combine.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again—Adams is a future All-Star, and he will end up in the lottery before it's all said and done.

Adams weighed in at 7'0" and 254 pounds with a 7'4.5" wingspan and powerful athleticism. More importantly, he was making jump shots at the combine and was one of the most impressive players per 48 minutes during the college season.

In limited action, Adams put his abilities on display with quit telling statistics—7.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 23.4 minutes of action.

20. Chicago Bulls: Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga Bulldogs

The Chicago Bulls are in dire need of depth at multiple positions, but none quite as significant as center. Joakim Noah has proven capable of playing through devastating injuries and topping 40 minutes, but Tom Thibodeau needs an alternative.

Consider Kelly Olynyk to be Thibodeau's new Omer Asik.

Much like Asik, Olynyk is an aggressive player that plays with passion, energy and an unquestioned motor. The difference here is that Olynyk's offensive upside is significantly higher than Asik's, as he finishes well around the basket both in transition and in the half court.

Chicago proved that they need depth this postseason, and Olynyk is a dream fit at No. 20.

21. Utah Jazz (via Warriors): Dennis Schroeder, PG, Germany

Dennis Schroeder is quite the physical specimen, weighing in at 6'2" with a near 6'8" wingspan. While he has a build like Rajon Rondo, Schroeder plays like Denver Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson.

With his paralyzing stutter-step, blazing quickness and an uncanny ability to finish around the basket, the stage has been set for Schroeder to experience a strong NBA career.

For a Utah Jazz team that lacks playmakers, Schroeder is the ideal selection at No. 21. Not only is Schroeder's ability that of a starting NBA point guard, but his upside is on par with the top two point guards in this year's draft.

Schroeder is a safe gamble here for Utah.

22. Brooklyn Nets: Rudy Gobert, PF, France

The Brooklyn Nets are a legitimate threat to trade down here, as they will not find very many value picks here that fit their needs. With that being said, Rudy Gobert is an intriguing player due to his 7'1" height and 7'9" wingspan.

Brooklyn needs a power forward, so why not invest in the future?

The Nets are strong enough at the 4 with Reggie Evans dominating the glass, but they need a future power forward. Gobert can be that player, as his raw game will take years of honing and his body is as intriguing as humanly possible.

Brooklyn takes a gamble, but one with little risk.

23. Indiana Pacers: Sergey Karasev, SG, Russia

The Indiana Pacers are a strong team through and through but lack the necessary depth to produce offensively. Danny Granger's potential return offers reason for intrigue, but Paul George is the team's small forward of the future, and Lance Stephenson keeps on getting better.

It's time for Indiana to find their sixth man.

Sergey Karasev has a strong offensive skill set, as he is more than capable of taking it off of the bounce and attacking the rim. Equally as importantly, Karasev can also step out for a three-point shot, which is something Indiana needs to improve.

They could be more inclined to land a college prospect such as Allen Crabbe, but Karasev is legitimate, and the Pacers will take that chance.

24. New York Knicks: Shane Larkin, PG, Miami Hurricanes

The New York Knicks need interior depth, but there just aren't enough qualified big men to make it work here. Instead, the Knicks will acknowledge what has proven to be the key to their success and the reason for their failure.

New York lives and dies by their point guard play, and two of their top floor generals are older than 35.

In order to cure those aging woes, they land one of the best point guards available in Shane Larkin out of Miami. Larkin doesn't have size on his side, but he's a fierce defender that racks up steals and locks down his man.

With dynamic playmaking ability and strong defensive abilities, Larkin gives the Knicks a clear cut choice at No. 24.

25. Los Angeles Clippers: Allen Crabbe, SG, California Golden Bears

The Los Angeles Clippers could go in multiple directions here, but it all ties back to the shooting guard position. They need to improve in the offensive half court, as they possess few players that can create their own shot or hit the three-ball with consistency.

Fortunately for L.A., Allen Crabbe possesses both of those traits and more.

Crabbe, a member of the California Golden Bears, has deep three-point range and a tight handle. He often played as a combo guard at Cal, which displays his ability to step up as a facilitator on top of being able to score.

The clincher here, however, is that Crabbe stands at 6'6" with a 6'11" wingspan and possesses a strong skill set with defensive upside—why pass up on this golden opportunity to land a local product with high two-way upside?

26. Minnesota Timberwolves (via Grizzlies): Giannis Antetokounmpo, SF, Greece

Giannis Antetokounmpo is an enticing prospect, as he is a 6'9" point guard. With that being said, most fans and analysts that are jumping on his bandwagon are basing their evaluation off of YouTube clips and size.

Antetokounmpo is still a major risk, but not enough to fall any further than this.

Antetokounmpo could go in the lottery, albeit questionably, and thus help transform the image of a team. With that being said, it's the Timberwolves that appear most likely to gamble on a European prospect.

Not only is that a part of their identity, but they won't find much better value at No. 26 than this young man.

27. Denver Nuggets: Isaiah Canaan, PG, Murray State Racers

The Denver Nuggets are an elite offensive team, ranking first in scoring offense and third in assists per game. With that being said, Denver has a 37-year-old backup point guard and cannot shoot the three-ball.

It's time to address both of those needs.

Canaan stands at 6'0", but he has a wingspan just under 6'5" and shoots with range and consistency. He's strong, physical, quick and explodes off of screens both as a scorer and facilitator, which fits perfectly into what Denver needs in the half court.

Canaan is the type of player you'll be hearing a lot about as he develops into a fine NBA point guard.

28. San Antonio Spurs: Archie Goodwin, SG, Kentucky Wildcats

The San Antonio Spurs are a team with depth at every position, but they have an undeniable need to get younger and more athletic. Kawhi Leonard is a legitimate building block for the future, while Danny Green is a very strong defender with consistent three-point shooting ability.

With Manu Ginobili aging, however, the Spurs need to find a slasher to take his place in the long-term—Archie Goodwin can be that player.

Goodwin stands at 6'5" with a 6'9" wingspan and possesses the type of slashing athleticism necessary to thrive at the next level. His jump shot is less than consistent, but the Spurs have a long history of turning poor shooters—Leonard, for example—into strong ones.

Goodwin has very high upside and would be a very good fit in San Antonio.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Reggie Bullock, SF, North Carolina Tar Heels

The Oklahoma City Thunder have quality players at virtually every position, especially after they found their offensive center. With that being said, OKC still has a significant void that they must address at this point of the draft.

Their bench can't score when Kevin Martin's shot isn't falling.

Reggie Jackson has upside, and Martin is a sharpshooter, while Jeremy Lamb and Perry Jones III are young with potential. Even with that being known, however, the Thunder must find shooters if they're to continue living by the jump shot.

Reggie Bullock just so happens to be one of, if not the, best pure shooter in the draft.

30. Phoenix Suns (via Cavs, from Lakers): Tony Snell, SF, New Mexico Lobos

The options are limitless here, as the Phoenix Suns can either choose the best value or go for a player that fits a need, Conveniently, the Suns will be able to do both of those things at once by landing Tony Snell out of New Mexico, an athletic dynamo with consistent three-point shooting ability.

I'd rather see Phoenix go with Deshaun Thomas, as he has the upside to be a starting small forward at the next level. With that being said, the Suns were 28th in three-point field goal percentage during the 2012-13 regular season.

Snell's athleticism and three-point marksmanship are just too much to pass over, especially after he measured at 6'7" with a 6'11" wingspan, thus displaying defensive upside.

Miami Heat Playoff Run Demonstrating the Real Problem with the Decision

Andrew Brining — Sun, 19 May 2013 08:45:00 -0400

"The Decision" was such a monumental nightmare that it obscured the real problem with LeBron James' actual decision to take his talents to the Miami Heat.

Namely, their collection of talent virtually guarantees them an annual trip to the NBA Finals regardless of whether they play their best basketball. Which means they can (do) coast along on the brute force of that advantage, even in the postseason, when intensity is supposedly maxed out.

And lackadaisical basketball on the sport's biggest stage isn't a good look for anyone, least of all the class of the league.

When King James joined forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh down in South Beach, you had a triumvirate of talent unlike anything else in the league.

LBJ is undoubtedly the best basketball player currently walking Planet Earth, and he's probably the most physically gifted cager of all time. Wade is well into the back nine of his career, but he was one of the most dynamic players in the Association during his peak years and can still channel a similar standard of play when feeling right.

Bosh takes a lot of heat (thank you) because much of what he does is awkward and, thus, hilarious to the Internet. But the man was drafted by the Toronto Raptors as a franchise centerpiece and was doing a decent impersonation of one before pulling up stakes for warmer climes and an infinitely better team.

Yes, Miami failed in its first bid for the hardware, but even transcendent talent will take a while to mesh when you're talking about any endeavor practiced at its highest level.

A reality evidenced by the Heat's 2012 Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy and the others they're about to win. Even with Wade in decline, you've still got James and Bosh in their physical primes. Meanwhile, you're starting to see aging-but-still-effective athletes gravitate toward the American Airlines Arena and the promise of glory offered within—Ray Allen, Chris Anderson, Shane Battier and Rashard Lewis jump to mind.

Those guys aren't useful as primary, secondary or even tertiary options, but that's why Pat Riley has 'Bron, D-Wade and Bosh. When used as and sold on being role players—as they must be if they're even considering a contract with the franchise—they're significant weapons (granted, that might be too generous with regard to Lewis).

Really, though, it's about the Big Three.

With the trio acclimated to each other and relatively healthy, the Heat should breeze through the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals and then beat either the San Antonio Spurs or Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA Finals.

The Grizz could give LeBron and company a run for their money with Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol inside, but the modern NBA is engineered to maximize the more fan-friendly perimeter play, which is Miami's bread and butter.

Consequently, while Memphis seems to stand the best chance, it's not a good one from where I sit.

Of course, the Heat's recent charlie foxtrot versus the Chicago Bulls has convinced a lot of people otherwise and for good reason.

Did you watch that series?

Some of the mess was Chicago's fault because Tom Thibodeau's crew made a conscious effort to slow things down in an attempt to neutralize their adversary's aforementioned bread and butter.

But Miami did its part to make the series an unsightly war of physical/mental attrition.

Most obviously, the South Beach boys fell for the Bulls' trick. They allowed themselves to be dragged into the muck, getting technicals of their own and generally taking the bait. But, hey, basketball is an emotional game, and it's never easy absorbing cheap shots, so let's give them a mulligan for that.

What was inexcusable was the Heat's blatant lack of focus and heart.

Instead of showing the pride of a champion and dismissing an overmatched team from the playoffs with extreme prejudice, Miami let Chicago hang around when it had no business doing so. The Heat dropped Game 1 in South Beach and let Chicago scratch its way back into Game 5 before clinching the series and moving on to the conference finals.

At first blush, that doesn't sound so bad.

Favorites lose a game or two in the postseason every year, and the Heat held on to win the decisive game after squandering a big lead.

Except that the Bulls are probably outgunned against the Heat even when 100-percent healthy, i.e. when Derrick Rose is on the court wreaking havoc in hyperdrive.

As you might've heard, D-Rose was not in uniform, but neither were Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich. Additionally, Joakim Noah was playing with plantar fasciitis, which is no picnic from what I hear, regardless of severity.

An underdog under ideal circumstances got exactly zero minutes from its Miana (Rose), regular-season leader in minutes per game (Deng), regular-season leader in points per game (Deng again) and regular-season leader in assists per game (Hinrich, who also finished fourth in minutes per game). For his part, the hobbled Noah was the club's regular-season leader in the rest of the major statistical categories and checked in at No. 2 with regard to minutes per game.

Consequently and with all due respect, you can take your "anyone can beat anyone at this level" platitudes and light them on fire.

A determined and focused Miami Heat team would've blown the doors right off their weakened opposition. You don't even have to take my word for it—just go back and watch tape of the Game 2 shellacking, the Game 4 romp or the stretches in Game 5 where LeBron and friends took Chicago behind the woodshed.

So how did the Heat drop Game 1 and allow the others to be so close?

Whatever happened to the "playoff mode" bluster?

I get that these are professional athletes, and they all have pride, but that's really the point: If they all have pride and Miami had a massive edge in talent...well?

Which brings us back to King James' decision.

This is why many call it the easy way out. He and his buddies have assembled a dazzling array of talent around an other-worldly nucleus. They've also created a buffer that can absorb lapses in concentration and/or effort that result in mediocre (for them) basketball.

And they're using that buffer.

You can't totally fault LeBron for choosing this route because it's smart from a competitive perspective. The goal is win a championship every year, and the game is unpredictable so, if you want to achieve the goal, you create as much margin for error as possible.

But it lacks a certain element of heart.

It's not Drake soft (Ghostface Killah's words; I don't know the man), but it's hard to imagine Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant making the same decision. For all their faults—and both men have their share—they went about their careers with a sort of wild competitive abandon that is more congruent to the world of sports than The Chosen One's colder, more calculated approach.

The drive to be the best seemed organic in MJ and Kobe while it almost feels like a marketing necessity for James.

While that's a meaningless distinction in the grand scheme of things, it's a important one if King James wants to be remembered as the greatest of all time.

The safety net of talent all but assures the championships necessary to be in the G.O.A.T discussion, but it's likely to keep LeBron James from gliding by the other legends in it.

The Evolving Tactical Role of Chelsea's Frank Lampard

Rowanne Westhenry — Sun, 19 May 2013 08:25:45 -0400

Frank Lampard recently extended his contract, which will see him through his 13th season at Chelsea FC. Since signing for the club in 2001, he has scored a record 203 goals from midfield, under 10 different managers. Those goals are alongside the 120 assists that he has provided for his teammates throughout the years.

Lampard has constantly adapted and evolved his game within different tactical systems, without compromising his work rate and professionalism.

In his first season at the club, Super Frank played alongside the likes of Boudewijn Zenden, Sam Dalla Bona and Mario Stanic as he scored seven goals in 53 appearances. Claudio Ranieri deployed him as an attacking midfielder in a variation on a standard 4-3-3, supporting Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Gianfranco Zola.

Roman Abramovich's billions brought a host of new midfielders, with Geremi adding to Jesper Gronkjaer's skill on the wing and Claude Makelele partnering Lampard in the middle of a more traditional 4-4-2. Makelele's ability to act as an effective shield for the defence gave Lampard further license to venture forward, and he scored 15 goals in the 2003-04 season.

The arrival of Jose Mourinho saw the system change again, with the midfield wingers pushed further forward into a 4-3-3, but Lampard again improved on his goal tally with 19 in all competitions from the middle of the park.

In 2005, Michael Essien joined the club and became a complete box-to-box midfielder, allowing Lampard to use his natural ability to read the game to become Chelsea's top scorer for the season, with 20 goals.

The Makelele-Essien-Lampard trio continued for a further two seasons, and Lampard kept up his consistent goal scoring form, with 21 and 20 goals in 2006-07 and 2007-08 respectively. When Mourinho and Makelele left Chelsea within months of each other, Frank was able to adapt his playing style again, scoring 20 goals in 2008-09 under three different managers.

He formed a new partnership with Michael Ballack and John Obi Mikel, scoring 26 goals in Chelsea's title-winning season in 2009-10 before the first long-term injury of his career saw him sidelined for four months. When he returned, he made fewer bursting runs forward, and at the age of 33, there were concerns that he might not regain his form.

Andre Villas Boas made it clear that Lampard was not part of his plans for a revolution at Chelsea, despite the midfielder impressing when he did get into the side. He remained patient throughout Villas Boas' short tenure and, by the triumphant end of the season, had returned 16 goals from 38 starts.

Roberto Di Matteo recognised Lampard's importance as a leader and the difference his presence makes to the side. Since turning 30, he has begun to drop into a deeper midfield position, using his ability to translate training ground tactics onto the match-day pitch. With 4-2-3-1 becoming the preferred formation for the Blues, Frank has adapted again to become one of the holding midfielders.

The addition of the Three Amigos has ensured that Lampard's role will be that of a veteran as his career begins to wind towards retirement. He will continue to give everything he has to Chelsea and add to his record goals tally, evolving all the while as only a living legend can.

Figuring out What Went Wrong in New York Knicks' 2nd Round Loss

Mike Benjamin — Sun, 19 May 2013 08:25:39 -0400

We all know what the goal we had set. Everybody wants to win the championship: that’s the goal, that’s the ultimate goal…We’ll take this time off this offseason to regroup and come back better and stronger next season. – Carmelo Anthony, NBA.com.

Ay Dios mio! What happened?

This Eastern Conference semifinal matchup between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks played out like the tune of a disorganized swing band at the Hollywood Bowl. A brawl broke out between the brass and woodwind sections, and the thin Knicks got their reeds snapped.

New York wasn’t always this pitiful. Perhaps this Knicks team emptied their can of smack on the wrong set of foes, trampling most of the NBA—including the Pacers—during their season-ending 15-1 run. Carmelo Anthony was the headliner, stealing the scoring title fair and square from Kevin Durant.

The Knicks were the toast of the town and were primed to make good on their great expectations.

However, despite those great leaps, the second season’s start pointed to apparent demise. After a J.R. Smith elbow made sweet chin music with Jason Terry’s face in the Eastern quarterfinals, the Knicks began to play possum and feign doom. It was a move worthy of a daytime Emmy.

God bless the Boston Celtics. They play a mean live underdog. But the Knicks protected their house.

No matter. As the beautiful Dionne Warwick sings, a house is just not a home. The younger Pacers marched into Madison Square Garden with their work boots on and muddied up the pristine parquet, snatching Game 1 and forcing the Knicks to win a game under the yellow sea of Indiana Pacers tees.

As expected, road Game 3 was a total Knicks cop-out. Big Roy Hibbert danced on the Knicks with the grace of Alvin Ailey and the savvy of a certain San Antonio Hall of Famer, leaving Coach Woodson more shaken than Mobb Deep.

In fear, Coach Woody disavowed the small lineup pledge and instead gave his erratic hothead Kenyon Martin Game 4 starting minutes at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. It was a move that failed spectacularly.

Suddenly, with more Carmelo isolations and J.R. bricks than ever before, the Knicks were a game away from defeat.

Thank God for a good home crew. Those Gotham fans chewed their cuticles and cheered this squad back to Indianapolis, even though both teams played a disgusting Game 5.

It’s tough to be out of the playoffs, period…it hurts right now. That’s all I can really say. It hurts. – Raymond Felton, MSG Network.

Alas. Game 6, the Knicks' entertaining final number, would be given short shrift on the Pacers stage. It was Indianapolis’ night and season, with New York falling apart down the stretch like Bleek Gilliam’s final solo in Mo’ Better Blues.

J.R. Smith was 4-of-15 in Game 6. Raymond Felton was 0-of-7. Carmelo Anthony got his dunk blocked. And Jason Kidd flat left his hoop game in Macy’s Christmas Santaland. The Pacers were smarter, tougher and wiser, beating the older Knicks with a young man’s interpretation of the old man game.

Still, a round of applause is due the Knicks. New York won 60 games and a playoff series, racing to an exciting Game 6 finish like the thoroughbred horses that ran the Pimlico short track a few hours earlier. Like those stallions, the Knicks were slowed by a downpour (courtesy of Lance Stephenson) and now watch as their future becomes their present.

What happens now?

Yeah, it’s tough. It’s never easy to sit there and watch…it’s something that I think I’ll have to sit down with Coach Woody and express to him. – Amar'e Stoudemire, MSG Network.

Amar'e Stoudemire is owed more than $40 million in guaranteed dough over the next two seasons. Smith makes less than he's worth and is going to ask for more money. Tyson Chandler already has 12 good NBA years under his belt and is closing in on his 31st birthday. Anthony is at his physical peak. And the old guys (Kidd, Marcus Camby, et al) aren’t getting any younger.

Can the New York Knicks hold their championship window open for another season? Or will they just tease their fans like a girlfriend playing hard to get? Together, we’ll watch this new tale get told.

Vaya con Dios, Nueva York.

Mike Benjamin is an NBA Featured Columnist with Bleacher Report. Check out his stuff here and elsewhere, or just hit him up on Twitter: @MBauthor.

Nine Premier League Stars Who Could Be Back with a Rival Club Next Season

Alex Richards — Sun, 19 May 2013 08:15:00 -0400

The summer, a glorious time for football managers.

A time to recharge the batteries after a gruelling campaign.

A time of mental preparation, where one can think extensively about how to right the wrongs of the previous season or how to build upon the past year's success.

And perhaps most importantly for football fans, a time where transfers can be made and a club's future plans can be shaped.

This offseason will of course be no different. At clubs throughout the English top flight, signings will come, and players will go.

With that in mind, here's a look at nine Premier League stars who could be donning the colours of a rival club this summer:

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5 Teams Guaranteed to Have an Interest in Trading for Pau Gasol

Hadarii Jones — Sun, 19 May 2013 08:01:36 -0400

I'm not sure which direction the Los Angeles Lakers will take when it comes to the future of forward Pau Gasol, but if he is made available this offseason there are at least a few teams that would be interested in acquiring the Spaniard.

Gasol is no longer the same player that he was in 2008, but he's still one of the most fundamentally skilled big men in the league, and the fact that his $19 million contract expires at the end of next season doesn't hurt either.

It shouldn't be difficult to draw interest for a player who has Gasol's talent and an expiring $19 million contract to boot, and the following slides will explore the teams who will be standing in the front of the line if the Lakers place Gasol on the open market.

Unfortunately for the Lakers there is little to no chance they will receive fair market value for Gasol if he is made available, so management must be creative by seeking a combination of young players and draft picks that offer a window into the future.

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