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Slava Voynov and Drew Doughty are the L.A. Kings' Key to Success Going Forward

Eric McKelvie — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 07:21:03 -0400

The core of the Los Angeles Kings includes the likes of Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, Mike Richards, Jeff Carter and of course, Jonathan Quick. There are also two young defensemen, Drew Doughty and Slava Voynov, who have the potential to be franchise cornerstones for the next 10, or even 15 years.

The two defensemen are only 23 years old. Doughty was born on December 8, 1989, while Voynov was born just over a month later, on January 15, 1990.

Doughty is set to enter the third year of an eight-year, $56 million contract, which is good through the 2018-19 season.

Voynov signed a six-year, $25 million contract earlier in the week, which carries an affordable cap hit of just $4.16 million (per TSN.ca). So, like Doughty, he is locked up through 2018-19.

Not only do both players have the talent and hockey smarts to play strong, sound defense, they also have the ability to play a significant role on offense. Having two players with this skill set makes GM Dean Lombardi’s job a little easier, as he can look to sign second- and third-line defensemen at an affordable price.

Doughty was born in London, Ontario and grew up a fan of Wayne Gretzky and the Kings. Now standing 6'1" and weighing 208 pounds, Doughty is living out his dream in Los Angeles.

He has a good mix of size and speed, which allows him to play physical, force turnovers and carry the puck through the neutral zone with ease. Doughty averages well over 130 hits per season and is never afraid to put himself in shooting lanes.

He already has five years of NHL experience under his belt and received a Norris Trophy nomination in 2010. Doughty was also selected to the 2010 Canadian Olympic team, much to the surprise of many in the hockey world, as he was just 20 years old at the time.

Meanwhile, Voynov is quickly becoming one of the best Russian defensemen in the NHL. He made huge improvements in his game from 2012 to 2013 and was rewarded with nearly four more minutes of ice time per game.

Although he may be a little undersized, the 6'0", 190-pound defenseman isn’t afraid to take the body. He racked up 83 hits this season, in addition to 48 blocked shots. But Voynov made an even bigger impact offensively, specifically in the playoffs.

Voynov set a Kings record for goals by a defenseman in a single playoff year with six. He also set the mark for the most game-winning goals with four. He and Jeff Carter finished with a team-best six goals and 13 points in 18 playoff games this year.

Even though the Kings have a one of the league’s best goaltenders and great depth at forward, it is Doughty and Voynov who could play a huge role in the team’s success going forward.

They will eat up anywhere from 25 to 30 minutes per game in ice time, help shut down some of the opposition's top lines and play a crucial role in the transition game. Not to mention the work they will do generating offense from the point, especially on the power play.

As for the rest of the Kings defense, only Robyn Regehr is signed through 2014-15, while Willie Mitchell and Matt Greene have one year remaining on their contracts. Alec Martinez, Jake Muzzin and Keaton Ellerby are restricted free agents, making Rob Scuderi the lone unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Kings fans are certainly lucky to have Doughty and Voynov commanding the blue line for the foreseeable future.

Stats courtesy of NHL.com.

Contract information courtesy of CapGeek.com.

Spain vs. Tahiti: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

Tim Daniels — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 07:15:00 -0400

Spain passed its toughest test of the Confederations Cup group stage with a 2-1 victory over Uruguay in the tournament opener for both sides. La Roja now prepare to face an overmatched Tahiti squad, which was already defeated 6-1 by Nigeria.

The defending World Cup and European champions looked ready for another deep tournament run in knocking off Uruguay. So, given the drop in the level of competition, it wouldn't be a surprise to see head coach Vicente del Bosque give some of his top stars a rest.

Quite simply, Tahiti doesn't pose a serious threat to Spain. While the nation deserves credit for earning a berth in the marquee tournament, a five-goal loss to Nigeria shows the uphill battle its facing. The talent level just isn't up to par for this type of event.

With that in mind, let's check out all the viewing information for what should be a full display of Spain's dominance. It's followed by a closer look at some players to watch throughout the match and a prediction.

Where: Estadio do Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

When: Thursday, June 20 at 3 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN

Live Stream: ESPN3.com

Spain Player to Watch: David Villa

Villa was left on the bench against Uruguay as Spain went with Roberto Soldado and Pedro atop the formation. The veteran should get back in the mix against Tahiti, which would provide him with a golden opportunity to make his case to start moving forward.

The 31-year-old striker has scored 53 international goals, the most in Spanish national team history. His 89 appearances also rank inside the top 10 of all time. A player with that type of track record is a valuable asset, whether it's as a starter or off the bench in the second half.

Villa also faces an uncertain future with Barcelona, as his name has been constantly involved in transfer talk, as illustrated by Goal.com, since season's end. Strong performances in the Confederations Cup could increase the number of interested clubs or get Barca to reconsider his stance with the club.

Tahiti Player to Watch: Jonathan Tehau

Tahiti understood the challenge it faced upon arriving to Brazil. When Tehau scored against Nigeria in the first match, the Toa Aito celebrated hard despite still being down 3-1 in the match because it was still a major accomplishment.

No matter what happens throughout the rest of the tournament or in Tehau's international career, he can be proud of the fact he scored in a major event. It should make him a star in Tahiti, and will be something he never forgets.

Scoring against Spain would elevate him to another level. It's an extreme long shot, of course. But this tournament is all about small victories for a country that wasn't viewed as a threat. His goal in the opener was one. Now the Toa Aito seek another.

Matchup to Watch: Spain midfield vs. Tahiti defense

In typical fashion, Spain was able to control Uruguay by dominating possession in the midfield. It scored two goals within the first 32 minutes and just played utilized a ball-control approach to secure the three points. A late goal by Luis Suarez made the match seem closer than it was.

Even though La Roja may employ a different group in the middle against a less dangerous Tahiti side, the approach will remain the same. Juan Mata and Santi Cazorla are two players coming off solid campaigns in the Premier League that could get a look for Spain.

Ultimately, the Tahiti back line, led by Nicolas Vallar, will be no match. The only unknown is whether Spain plays hard for 90 minutes to rack up as many goals as possible or backs off in the second half. Either way, it should be a very comfortable triumph for the title contenders.

Prediction

Spain 7, Tahiti 0

Blackhawks vs. Bruins: Biggest Questions Heading into Game 5

Alex Ballentine — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 07:00:02 -0400

The Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins are engaged in a series that hockey fans won't be forgetting anytime soon, and Game 5 back in Chicago on Saturday figures to be the next exciting chapter.

After four games, the two conference champs have battled to a 2-2 tie. But while some series can appear even while each team trades blowouts, these games have been as compelling on the ice as the results would indicate.

Chicago's 6-5 overtime win on Wednesday night in Game 4 continued the late-night trend of the Bruins and Blackhawks needing extra periods to settle the score in three of their four games. The action has been as intense and dramatic as any Stanley Cup Final in recent memory.

So what can fans expect heading into pivotal Game 5? Following are the burning questions that will impact who comes out on top.

Will Tuukka Rask Rebound?

Bruins netminder Tuukka Rask has been on fire throughout the postseason. He's sporting a 94.1 save percentage for the postseason and has earned three shutouts—including one against the Blackhawcks in Game 3.

According to ESPN SportsCenter, Rask had not allowed a goal in over 190 minutes of play when Chicago notched its first score of the night en route to beating Rask for six goals.

The whole Game 4 loss, however, can't be pinned on Rask alone. The Bruins' defense allowed far too many quality looks for them to expect a great performance from their goaltender.

This is the biggest moment of the season for the Bruins and it's important that they get a stellar performance from Rask if they hope to shut down the Blackhawks' attack on Saturday.

Can the Blackhawks Beat The Bruins' Penalty Kill Again?

The Bruins' penalty kill was having a historically great run throughout the playoffs heading into Game 4. They had kept teams out of the net in penalty kill situations in seven consecutive games, including a perfect five-for-five in Game 3.

But that all changed in Game 4. As Jesse Spector of Sporting News tweeted, Patrick Sharp scored the team's first power play goal of the series with just 8:41 remaining in the final period:

The Bruins would go on to tie it in regulation, but it was Sharp's goal that allowed the Blackhawks the opportunity to win in overtime.

Beating the Bruins' penalty kill again would be a huge boost to the Blackhawks' chances of winning another game in the series.

Are We In For Another Shootout?

Pace has played an incredibly important role in this series.

When the game is slow and defensive in nature, the Bruins have won. When the Blackhawks are able to push the pace, move the puck and score goals, it plays to their advantage.

That being said, the team that is able to enforce its style of hockey is going to win. In the Bruins' two wins so far, they have outshot the Blackhawks, 35-28, in Game 3 and were actually outshot, 28-34, in their Game 2 win.

However, in the games that they Blackhawks have won, they've outshot Boston, 63-54, in Game 1 and again in Game 4, 47-33. That's a sharp untick in shot attempts.

With both teams using clearly contrasting styles throughout the playoffs, the team that establishes a rhythm early will control Game 5 to take the upper hand.

Stanley Cup Finals 2013: Blackhawks Must Start Ray Emery in Game 5

Maxwell Ogden — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 07:00:02 -0400

The 2013 Stanley Cup Finals continued on Wednesday, June 19, as the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Boston Bruins 6-5 in an overtime thriller. The offense was at a premium and the Blackhawks controlled the pace of this game, which has some believing that all is well in Chicago.

The truth of the matter is, it's about time that the Blackhawks make a change at goaltender—they need to start Ray Emery.

It's beyond unorthodox to switch to a new goaltender this deep into the postseason, but that doesn't make the move unwise. While Crawford's postseason totals may be elite, the numbers are misleading in this instance.

Crawford has allowed at least three goals in three of his past five games and can't seem to protect his glove side against Boston's attack.

A concerning sign for a Blackhawks team that is attempting to find any light of day against Tuukka Rask and the Bruins.

Crawford has held his own, and he did win this past game, but his weakness is glaring, and the Bruins are attacking his glove side time after time. While conventional wisdom would say that Chicago should trust their goaltender, they're in a rare position.

Their backup goaltender was one of the best players of the 2012-13 NHL season.

Emery's Extraordinary Success

During the 2012-13 NHL regular season, Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Ray Emery was virtually unbeatable. While some might be labeled in such a manner with a form of hyperbolic praise, Emery actually has a genuine reason.

Emery was 17-1-0, thus boasting the best win percentage of any player with at least 20 appearances.

Emery wasn't just a winner, but he was dominant, ranking second in the NHL with a Goals Against Average of 1.94. Emery was also 10th in save percentage at .922, pitching three shutouts in 19 games started.

While Corey Crawford was equally as dominant, the point here is simple—with Crawford struggling, bringing in a goalie of equal ability is of minimal risk.

If the Blackhawks opt to keep Crawford in goal, they place their season in the hands of a goaltender that cannot flash his glove. If Chicago is to go with Emery, however, they send a spark of energy throughout the squad that suggests that no one is safe.

Not even after a victory.

Past Postseason Success

There is a legitimate chance that bringing in Ray Emery would backfire, as he hasn't played since Apr. 24. There's an equal possibility that the 30-year-old steps in and falters under the bright lights of the Stanley Cup Finals.

With that being said, this wouldn't be Emery's first rodeo.

Emery led the Ottawa Senators to the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals, starting 20 games in that time. He posted a goals against average of 2.26 and pitched three shutouts as Ottawa stunned the world by running through the competition.

What's the harm in taking a gamble on taking a chance on a repeat performance?

There may be six years between the current series and his previous appearance, but Emery has never played as well as he currently is in Chicago. From his ability to shut down high-octane offenses to his significantly improved fundamentals, Emery has been dominant.

It's time to see if he can step up at home—even if it means pulling Crawford in the middle of this series.

FIFA Confederations Cup 2013: Complete Preview for Spain vs. Tahiti

Rob Goldberg — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 07:00:02 -0400

Some of the most talented players in the world will be on display for Spain as the reigning World Cup champs take on Tahiti.

Spain came through with an impressive win over Uruguay in its first match of the Confederations Cup. With another win on Thursday, it can clinch a spot in the tournament's semifinals.

Meanwhile, Tahiti is clearly just happy to be here after advancing out of Oceania. The squad lost 6-1 against Nigeria, and yet the one goal represented one of the biggest moments in national history. Here is a look at how it was celebrated.

Still, the club continues to fight hard and will be happy to do anything against Spain in the upcoming match.

Where: Estádio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

When: Thursday, June 20

Time: 3 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

Live Stream: Watch ESPN

What They're Saying

Tahiti head coach Eddy Etaeta did not come into this tournament expecting to win based on his roster. Although you can expect them to play hard, as he told the media, with quotes reported by FIFA:

Of the 23 players we have, we have nine players who don't work, who are practically unemployed. Some are delivery men, some are PE teachers, one works in accounting, and I also have a player who is a sports coach.

We won't have the same weapons, technically, tactically, and physically, but tomorrow, we'll certainly have the heart and that's our weapon - our heart and spirit.

This was referring to the matchup against Nigeria, but the match against Spain will be even tougher.

Spain Player to Watch: Pedro

Throughout Spain's dominant run to winning the World Cup and two European Championships, the squad still lacked a consistent threat at forward.

While the midfield has the ability to control possession and create opportunities in the box, the team missed out on potential goals in these international matches because of struggles by Fernando Torres and others.

Recently though, Pedro has been incredibly efficient in his scoring. and it has made the best team in the world even better.

The Barcelona man must continue to show he can get it done as Spain prepares for the tougher opponents in this tournament.

Tahiti Player to Watch: Marama Vahirua

Although Tahiti had a rough time against Nigeria, Marama Vahirua showed plenty of signs of life in the match.

The midfielder was aggressive near the net with his time on the pitch and led the team with three shots, one of them on net. He made solid runs to get himself open, and he eventually got the assist on the team's only goal.

Vahirua is one of the more veteran players on this roster and needs to be a leader throughout this tournament. Otherwise, Tahiti will have a tough time getting on the scoreboard again.

Prediction: Spain 6, Tahiti 0

In reality, this is not going to go well for Tahiti. In FIFA's latest rankings, Spain is No. 1 in the world while Tahiti is No. 138.

Best case scenario is that Spain gets a few early goals and then controls possession throughout the rest of the match without running up the score. With arguably the most talented midfield in the world, this should not be an issue.

Tahiti will fight hard as usual, but Spain is much more disciplined than Nigeria and another goal is unlikely. The squad must hope for a better opportunity against Uruguay in the next match.

Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for the latest updates in sports.

Wimbledon 2013: Serena Williams Will Be Impossible to Stop in London

Jesse Reed — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 07:00:02 -0400

Serena Williams was unstoppable on the red clay at Roland Garros, winning the 2013 French Open in impressive fashion. The scary thing about her performance in France is that clay is her worst surface, as noted by Ben Rothenberg of The New York Times, who marveled at her perfect record on clay in 2013:

Williams is superb on grass, and it's going to take nothing less than a miracle for someone to beat her at the All England Club in London.

The younger Williams sister is on a legendary tear right now.

She famously lost in the first round of the French Open last summer to Virginie Razzano—an embarrassing loss and her first (and only) first-round loss in a Grand Slam event.

But the loss was a salient moment in Williams' career. Since that time, she's compiled an otherworldly record of 74-3—her last loss coming when she withdrew from the Dubai Championships in mid-February with a back injury.

Since February, Williams has been flawless, compiling a record of 31-0, as noted by Tennis.com:

The answer to Tennis.com's question, as far as Williams is concerned, is an emphatic "No!"

Nobody's capable of stopping her on grass surfaces when she is at the top of her game.

Period.

A five-time champion at Wimbledon, Williams has won a title in London three times in the last four years.

Furthermore, Williams is playing with a renewed passion and fervor these days, and her form is perhaps as good, if not better, than she's ever shown.

Just one day removed from her second career victory at Roland Garros, Williams was already looking ahead to Wimbledon. She spoke with USA Today Sports' Douglas Robson, who visited her in her home in Paris:

I feel like my career is almost beginning again or something. I'm already focused on Wimbledon...I'm playing better. I'm working harder. I'm doing more things. And I feel like I deserve to win because I'm honestly working very hard.

Williams' hard work is paying off right now.

She is in phenomenal physical condition, and her game is honed to a razor's edge.

A powerful server who hits the ball harder than any other woman on tour, Williams' game is suited to the speed of grass surfaces. She will plow through her competition in the early rounds at the All England Club in even more impressive fashion than she did at Roland Garros.

At this point, it seems as if the only person who can stop Williams is Williams herself.

Judging by recent history, that's not an outcome anyone should expect.

Williams will claim her 17th Grand Slam victory by winning the Venus Rosewater Dish at Wimbledon this summer.

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78

NBA Trade Rumors: Deals That Could Go Down During NBA Draft

Benjamin Klein — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 07:00:02 -0400

The NBA draft order isn’t completely set in stone, as several teams will be looking to move up and down throughout the night.

Organizations trading picks and players are something that happens nearly every year during the draft. Last year, a few deals got done—mainly in the second round. But there’s a great chance that some teams trade their first-round picks this year, according to the spiraling rumor mill.

What’s going to happen this year, you ask?

Here’s everything you need to know about the teams thinking about playing “Let’s Make a Deal” next Thursday night. If the rumors prove to be true, it’s going to be one of the most exciting nights of the year.

Dallas’ Pick As Good As Gone

The Mavericks want absolutely nothing to do with the No. 13 overall pick in the draft, and for good reason. The 13th pick is obviously bad luck—joking, of course. Dallas is trying to avoid adding to its cap for the rest of the summer, with its hopes high for landing a top free agent.

That knowledge comes via a report from Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News, who wrote that there’s a zero-percent chance of the No. 13 pick being on the roster next season, according to a source. The source also told Sefko that there’s an 80-percent chance that pick is dealt before or during the draft.

Sefko notes that the chance Dallas selects a player who can be kept overseas for next season sits at around 15 percent. The goal, as previously mentioned, is to refrain from taking a player who would take up cap space. But why?

Well, the Mavericks are saving all of their money to try to lure Dwight Howard—the top free agent on the market this summer—to Dallas. It’s certainly a risky move, but it’s one that could pay off. Dallas could be passing up a player who turns into a star, and Howard might not even sign. But if Howard does sign…touché, Mark Cuban.

Cavs Pondering Dealing No. 1

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a lot of options regarding the No. 1 pick in the draft, which they won in the NBA draft lottery. There are several players worth taking at No. 1, and Cleveland could end up dealing the pick as well. That last option may not seem very likely to you, but it is possible.

Here’s what Sam Amico of Fox Sports reported about the Cavs’ intentions:

Trading the top pick is another option the Cavs have explored, and they will likely continue to do so. They’ve also recently taken part in a trade discussions involving “a viable” small forward, according to an FSO source.

Amico also reported that if the Cavs are going to hang onto the first overall pick, they’re likely to choose from Nerlens Noel, Ben McLemore, Alex Len and Otto Porter. While all four of those prospects appear to have very promising futures, the Cavs are smart to take offers on the pick and see what they can get.

There might be a team out there that so desperately wants the first pick that they’re willing to blow Cleveland away with an offer. If someone makes an offer that the Cavs can’t refuse, would anyone really blame them? The Cavs know how valuable a No. 1 pick can be. Remember LeBron James? They’re not going to mess this up.

Philly Might Trade to Take a Center

The Philadelphia 76ers enter the draft with a major need on their minds: a scorer. Jrue Holiday led the team this past season with 17.7 points per game, which was tied for the 21st most in the game. No one else averaged 15 points per night.

But while the 76ers need a scorer, they’ll also apparently look to draft a big man as well, according to Alex Kennedy of USA Today. Kennedy writes that Philly is interested in acquiring a late-round pick in order to draft a big man if they can’t get a good one with the No. 11 pick—where they’d be likely to take a scorer, in my opinion.

In my latest mock draft, I had the 76ers taking Steve Adams, a center from Pittsburgh, with the 11th pick. The problem with that selection, though, is that he doesn’t solve both problems. He’s a center, but he’s not a scorer, and the 'Sixers need both. So, what should Philadelphia do?

Well, the 76ers need to go into next Thursday night with an option and a plan, depending on how things might go. If there isn’t a center that they want at No. 11, they need to have a late-round draft partner. If they don’t have that, they might just have to go with either a big man or scorer—like Adams or someone similar.

NBA Rumors: Latest Coaching Buzz Around the League

Alex Kay — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 07:00:02 -0400

With the 2013 NBA Finals set to conclude on Thursday night, it’s time to start looking forward to the offseason and the major personnel changes teams are making.

In this edition of the rumor roundup, I’ll focus on the head coaching vacancies around the league and what the latest buzz is on the likely candidates to fill these positions.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the hottest rumors around the league concerning the most notable openings.

Clippers May Not Be Done Pursuing Doc Rivers Yet

Talks may have broke down between the Los Angeles Clippers and Boston Celtics concerning a potential megatrade involving coach Doc Rivers and veteran forward Kevin Garnett being shipped to L.A., but that doesn’t mean they are done forever.

In fact, if the Clips fail to replace Vinny Del Negro by the time next week’s NBA draft comes along, Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times has found that negotiations could resume.

Insider sources believe that the Clippers will remain interested in Rivers until they actually go out and hire another coach. Until that happens, the door will remain open for the 2008 NBA Finals-winning headman to make his way to Tinseltown.

The Celtics refused to back down from their high price of two first-round picks, but L.A. seems to be overvaluing what would likely be selections in the mid-to-late 20’s of the draft.

Doc Rivers could be the difference between superstar point guard Chris Paul staying and departing in unrestricted free agency. He could be the difference between this team being eliminated in the first round of the postseason and making the Finals in the wide-open Western Conference.

Don’t be surprised if the Clippers smarten up and make the wise decision to reopen discussions next week, possibly hammering out a deal that satisfies both parties.

Grizzlies Interviewing Ed Pinckney for Second Time, No Front-runner

The Memphis Grizzlies recently parted ways with Lionel Hollins, the winningest coach in franchise history who was fresh off a Western Conference Finals appearance.

Now they have the unenviable task of interviewing candidates that can hopefully replace Hollins' production and ability to get the most out of his roster, otherwise they will look like foolish failures that made a terrible decision.

One of those candidates that has been invited for a second round of interviews is Chicago Bulls assistant Ed Pinckney, who has been thriving under defensive-minded coach Tom Thibodeau.

CSN Chicago insider Aggrey Sam found that Pinckney’s initial meeting with Griz CEO Jason Levien went swimmingly, and he has made enough of an impression to warrant more consideration.

Former Phoenix Suns head coach Alvin Gentry is also set to have a second interview, while current Memphis assistant Dave Joerger and former Denver Nuggets HC George Karl are reportedly (as per Sam) also in consideration.

With the Clippers job the only other notable opening in the league at this juncture, the Griz should take their time and hold as many interviews as possible to find the right candidate.

If they don’t find the perfect fit, they are going to take a major step back in 2013-14 and their ridiculous decision to cut ties with Hollins will look even more reckless.

Is This Really a Do-Or-Die Season for Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland?

Erik Frenz — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 07:00:01 -0400

The 2013 season doesn't have to be a make-or-break season for Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland, but it's hard not to view it as such.

Just know that whatever happens, it didn't have to be this way. That's in the words of Ireland himself, who said that he doesn't feel this is a "make-or-break" or a "do-or-die" offseason for him, while also saying that the team's abundance of cap space and draft picks were not a coincidence, but were by design:

I'd say neither ["make-or-break" or "do-or-die"]. I think it's very, very important time period for this off-season. We've put a lot into getting into this position so we obviously are in this position by design. We plan to use some of our money and plan to obviously draft the best players available if we can and try to address some of the needs and musts we have on our football team.

[...] I feel like I've been aggressive where I need to be aggressive. There have been some decisions that have been smart. I think the decisions that we've made up to this point to get us where we're at in terms of our cap space, in terms of our draft picks, that's all by design. We've got a clear vision of how we are going to help this football team moving forward."

The Dolphins spent $248.02 million total this offseason to bring in new talent, including $157.9 million on free agents. Several of the team's free-agent signees were brought in on one-year deals. They selected nine players in the 2013 NFL draft, and traded up to the No. 3 pick to grab defensive end Dion Jordan to immediately bolster the defense.

They executed their vision, and now, the true test is whether they improved the team. With all the additions, certainly, someone has to pay if things don't work out immediately, right?

Maybe not.

The Philadelphia Eagles went through a little free-agency binge of their own a couple of years back, and while they recently underwent a major house cleaning that saw them fire their head coach and general manager, both were considered safe following the 2011 season despite falling well short of their "dream team" expectations.

In that light, it wouldn't be shocking for Ireland to retain his job even if the Dolphins fall short of their expectations.

The Dolphins still have all seven of their original 2014 draft picks.

Even though they have spent money like like it's going out of style this offseason, they still have a reasonable amount of cap space for next year—around $20 million according to Spotrac, and that's not including a potential $12 million the team has left on their 2013 salary cap which they could roll over to 2014.

Plus, the structure of many of the contracts gives the appearance that this is a two-year deal for Ireland. The contracts are mainly frontloaded in terms of guaranteed money, but several of the team's biggest investments this offseason will earn a majority of their guaranteed money in 2014.

At that point, if things still haven't panned out, the team could cut bait from those players and Ireland in one fell swoop, to allow the next GM freedom to do as they wish with the roster.

Give Ireland credit for pushing his chips to the middle, but it looks like he's still got a few left, even if he loses this hand. Whether he's the one who gets to use those chips or not, that will be up to owner Stephen Ross at the end of the season.

Follow @ErikFrenz

Erik Frenz is also a Patriots/AFC East writer for Boston.com. Unless otherwise noted, all stats obtained from Pro Football Focus' premium section, and all quotes obtained firsthand or via team press releases.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/23/3194972/miami-dolphins-jeff-ireland-says.html#storylink=cpy“I feel like I’ve been aggressive where I need to be aggressive,” Ireland said. “There have been some decisions that have been smart. The decisions we’ve made to get us where we’re at, as far as cap space and draft picks, that’s by design.”

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/01/23/3194972/miami-dolphins-jeff-ireland-says.html#storylink=cpy

Confederations Cup 2013 Schedule: When and Where to Watch Thursday's Matchups

Tim Keeney — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 07:00:00 -0400

Group B action from the Confederations Cup on Thursday is going to be, well, contrasting.

In the day's first matchup, you will probably want to shield your eyes because tournament favorite Spain (three points) will be taking on Oceania representative Tahiti (zero points), AKA whatever the opposite of tournament favorite is.

Going up against an extremely talented Uruguay side in the tournament's first match, Spain put on an absolute clinic.

They knocked the ball around in the midfield, displaying what the beautiful game is truly all about and setting a Confederations Cup record in the process, per Opta Sports:

Luis Suarez's late free kick made the scoreline 2-1 in the end in favor of Spain, but if felt like the defending World Cup champs were up 10-1 with the way they thoroughly controlled the game.

Tahiti, meanwhile, lost to Nigeria 6-1 in the opener, looking sloppy and altogether on a different (lower) level from a talent perspective.

As such, it's no surprise that this is an actual bet, courtesy of Betfair:

The second match from the group, which features Uruguay (zero points) and Nigeria (three points), should be much more competitive.

Essentially fighting for the second spot in the semifinals, each team will be playing with loads of urgency and will likely push forward.

Considering the strikeforce on each side, that should result in a heap of goals.

Nigeria's electric young Nnamdi Oduamadi, who plays for Milan but has been out on loan the past two seasons, netted a hat trick in the opener and made some history in the process, per ESPN's Paul Carr.

But Uruguay counters with Edinson Cavani, Serie A's top goal scorer, and Suarez, who can do magical things like this when he's not biting other humans:

Despite one match undoubtedly headed for a blowout, Thursday should once again feature a lot of entertaining football.

Here's a look at how you can catch all the action.

Note: A complete look at the Confederations Cup schedule can be found here.

Team 1	vs	Team 2	Date	Time (ET)	TV	Live Stream
Spain	vs	Tahiti	Thursday, June 20	3 p.m.	ESPN	ESPN3 or WatchESPN App
Nigeria	vs	Uruguay	Thursday, June 20	6 p.m.	ESPN	ESPN3 or WatchESPN App

Why Chicago Bulls Can't Afford to Lose Nate Robinson in 2013 Free Agency

Maxwell Ogden — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 06:58:59 -0400

According to Aggrey Sam of CSN Chicago, the Chicago Bulls are not expected to re-sign Nate Robinson this summer. This comes during an odd time for the Bulls, as they're mere weeks removed from Robinson leading them through the postseason.

Plain and simple, the Bulls cannot afford to let Robinson walk.

Robinson was sensational during both the regular season and playoffs, nearly matching a fourth-quarter scoring record set by Michael Jordan and pushing Chicago past the Brooklyn Nets. Even without Derrick Rose, Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich, Lil' Nate came through.

At this point, however, it appears as if his time with Chicago is running thin:

"You have to look at all the aspects of what we're doing, where we are salary-cap wise, what the market calls for," Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau said. "Nate had a great year. So we'll evaluate it moving forward."

"The thing is about Nate, and again I thought he had a very good year, but in the last month and a half I thought he and Kirk played extremely well together, and Nate was more at the two. I like that versatility, so I wouldn't rule anything out."

Undersized or not, Robinson was beyond effective.

The 29-year-old finished the season with averages of 13.1 points and 4.4 assists in 25.4 minutes of action. He shot 40.5 percent from three-point range and ranked in the top 20 amongst point guards with a player-efficiency rating of 17.43.

This exceptionally efficient season comes as Robinson was 10th amongst all point guards in usage rate—a sign that the little guard can be used in big doses.

2nd-Unit Spark

The Chicago Bulls have an elite starting lineup, as evidenced by the fact that they reached the Eastern Conference Semifinals without Derrick Rose. With that being said, Chicago has lacked a sixth-man-of-the-year type of player that can step in and provide instant offense while coming off of the bench.

Nate Robinson can be that player.

After the All-Star break, Robinson saw an increase in minutes, and his numbers went up with it. After going for 12.0 points and 4.2 assists in 23.8 minutes, Robinson upped the ante by tallying 15.0 points and 4.7 assists in 28.4 minutes.

Robinson shot better than 40.0 percent from beyond the arc both before and after the All-Star break.

Furthermore, Robinson proved that, regardless of how many minutes he receives, he now knows how to score and facilitate in an efficient manner. That isn't just a one-way deal where he can do more in fewer minutes, but instead a sign that he can take on a heavy burden, as well.

Lord knows Chicago needs a point guard who can offer that type of security.

The D-Rose Factor

Derrick Rose is a former league MVP, a perennial All-Star selection and one of the better clutch performers in the NBA. He's also coming off of back-to-back seasons in which injuries kept him off of the court.

Don't think for a second that the well-documented torn ACL was the only issue he's been battling.

In 2011-12, Rose played in 39 of a possible 66 games for the Chicago Bulls. During that time, Rose battled five separate injuries before he tore his ACL.

I repeat, five separate injuries.

In January of 2012, Rose fell victim to turf toe and thus saw his leg-related issues begin. One month later, Rose went down with muscular damage in his back.

After appearing to finally reach full health, Rose sustained a groin injury and was forced to miss 12 more games. It didn't take long for Rose to suffer separate injuries to his right ankle and foot.

Throw in a season-ending torn ACL, and you have yourself a list of injuries that suggests aggravation is a legitimate possibility—something Chicago cannot let derail its season.

Uncertainty at Point Guard

If Kirk Hinrich can remain healthy for the better part of 82 games and play through the entirety of the postseason, this conversation may not be necessary. Hinrich is one of the best defenders at his position and manages the game as well as you could ask of him.

With that being said, the Bulls are preparing to enter the 2013-14 season with their success resting on the shoulders of Hinrich, Derrick Rose and Marquis Teague—two injury-prone point guards and a second-year player with minimal experience.

Should the Bulls re-sign Nate Robinson, however, they would have the comfort of knowing that a proven postseason performer is on their roster. It's also encouraging to know that Robinson played in all 82 regular-season games.

When it comes right down to it, the Bulls simply do not have enough reason for confidence in their current point-guard situation to let Robinson walk.

CWS 2013: Breaking Down Remaining Team's Critical Flaw

Alex Ballentine — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 05:18:47 -0400

Only five teams remain alive in the 2013 College World Series. And none of those five squads can say they're perfect.

Sure, each team has earned the right to be where they are. It takes a special team to advance this far in college baseball's marathon postseason.

But as tournament favorite LSU showed with its surprising first-round exit at the hands of UCLA and then North Carolina, favorites don't matter, and any team can be eliminated. Here's a look at all five teams still fighting for the national championship and the one flaw that just might be their undoing in Omaha.

UCLA

Fatal Flaw: Lack of Firepower in the Lineup

The Bruins have been the surprise team of Omaha. If you had polled all the experts and asked them who was going to win the national title, LSU and North Carolina would have been the overwhelming answer. But the Bruins opened up the tournament by upsetting LSU then upsetting N.C. State after it beat North Carolina in the first round.

UCLA still has a lot of work to do before calling itself a championship team, though. A lack of firepower in the lineup is going to be difficult to overcome at some point.

The Bruins earned both of their wins by a score of 2-1 in the World Series. Manufacturing just two runs works when your pitching staff can hold the opponent to just one run, but it's going to be difficult to keep that up.

The Bruins were 253rd in the nation in batting average at just .251. The Bruins' dependence on squeezing runs out of an innocuous lineup is a flaw that can only be covered up for so long.

N.C. State

Fatal Flaw: Inconsistent Lineup

A look at N.C. State's run production in its 2-1 loss to North Carolina in May gives off a strong yo-yo vibe. The Wolfpack have scored four, one, nine, four, five, eight and one runs in games since then.That's the definition of inconsistent.

Even within the small sample size of Omaha, the Wolfpack have been erratic. After scoring eight runs against North Carolina to win its first game, N.C. State was almost held scoreless against the Bruins.

The Wolfpack will have to fend off their interstate rivals one more time. They had better hope that the offensive powerhouse version of the team shows up. The lineup that went against UCLA won't cut it.

North Carolina

Fatal Flaw: Slow Starts

As the North Carolina Tar Heels' first three innings go, so goes the whole game.

According to Fox Sports Carolinas, the Tar Heels have been incredibly efficient in the first three innings of their tournament wins—with a team batting average of .358 and score of 17-8, the Heels are great when they get things going early.

However, their tournament losses show a team that can't come back from a poor start. They hit just .188 in the first three innings of their tournament losses and have been outscored by opponents 10-1.

The fatal flaw may not be in starting slowly—most teams deal with that from time to time—but the inability to rise above a bad start is something that could prevent the No. 1 seed from hoisting the trophy in Omaha.

Mississippi State

Fatal Flaw: Slow Starts

The Bulldogs have proven they belong among the nation's elite teams—they just take a while to warm up.

The Hunter Renfroe-led team has depended on back-to-back late-game surges to make it to the semifinals against Oregon State. First, they had to score two runs in the eighth inning to get the better of the Beavers in the opening round. Then they needed a three-run eighth inning to beat the Indiana Hoosiers and secure a bid.

Now the Bulldogs get Oregon State again. Relying on a third straight eighth-inning rally will be pushing the Bulldogs' luck. They'll need to figure things out at the plate early on.

Oregon State

Fatal Flaw: Late-Game Pitching

Speaking of the Beavers, they will get their shot at redemption against the Bulldogs thanks to a spectacular individual performance from Matt Boyd, who went all nine innings with 11 strikeouts and just four hits allowed in the Beavers' 1-0 win against Indiana on Wednesday.

The Beavers needed him to go the distance, too. Turning things over to the bullpen has been an issue lately. Oregon State lost to Mississippi State thanks to starter Andrew Moore fading down the stretch and allowing the Bulldogs to get back into it.

Even in the team's 11-4 win against Louisville, three of the Cardinals' runs came in the seventh inning. The Beavers have been good when it matters most, but late in the game is when you want the pitching staff to be at its best.

The late-game struggles could come back to haunt them once again against Mississippi State.

Arsenal: Are the Gunners Better with or Without Jack Wilshere?

James McNicholas — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 05:00:00 -0400

Jack Wilshere's return from injury was undoubtedly one of the highlights of Arsenal's 2012-13 campaign. He was viewed by many fans as a messiah who could single-handedly save the Gunners' season.

His early form suggested that the expectation levels were justified. Wilshere marked his return from his 18 month lay-off by starting the home match with QPR in October. Instantly, Arsenal fans were reminded of his extraordinary gifts. It was as if he hadn't been away.

By December, Arsene Wenger was heralding the return of Wilshere's "little burst" on the club website:

He is getting closer to the player we know he is and today I think he made a big step. You could see it already this week in training, that he has gained a little burst again, a little zip in the first three or four yards.

The reappearance of that characteristic acceleration was a sure sign that the young midfielder's game was returning to its former glory. Wilshere's performances reached their zenith in January's FA Cup clash with Swansea, as he capped a man-of-the-match display by crashing home the winning goal with a volley from the edge of the box.

However, when Arsenal faced Tottenham in early March, Wilshere suffered damage to his vulnerable ankle.

He missed eight weeks of action before returning in a 3-1 win over Norwich. Even then, Arsene Wenger admitted to the BBC that he had “rushed” the midfielder back in to action.

Between March and the end of the season, Wilshere faded into the background, spending more time on the substitutes' bench than in central midfield.

The reason for Wilshere’s absence was two-fold.

First and foremost, there was a concern over the player’s fitness. Arsene Wenger was evidently keen to protect a player who required minor surgery at the end of the season. Using Wilshere as a substitute allowed Arsenal to postpone the surgery without incurring great risk.

It was also a tactical choice. After the derby defeat against Spurs, Arsene Wenger restructured his side around a midfield trio of Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey and Tomas Rosicky. All three players are arguably more defensively disciplined than Wilshere.

Along with the central defensive pairing of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny, the new-look midfield established a solid platform upon which a pragmatic Arsenal side would build their successful campaign for Champions League qualification.

The statistics suggest this iteration of the Arsenal XI was more successful than its predecessor:

It’s no surprise to see that Arsenal conceded fewer goals without Wilshere. Even when Wilshere starts in a holding midfield role he is unable to deny his attacking inclinations, and this can lead to the Gunners being caught on the counterattack.

The surprising stat is that Arsenal also scored more goals without Wilshere in the side. This is best explained by the fact that Wilshere’s withdrawal from the first XI also coincided with Santi Cazorla being moved into the front three, where he was able to wreak havoc more freely.

The win ratio of 60 percent speaks for itself. In 2012-13, Arsene were better without Wilshere.

However, this is unlikely to be the case in 2013-14.

Wilshere remains one of the squad’s most talented players and a talisman for supporters. Arsene Wenger must find a way to reincorporate the young playmaker in to his team, as he is destined to be a huge part of the club’s future.

Why Arsenal's 2013-14 Season Will Be Make or Break for Arsene Wenger

James McNicholas — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 05:00:00 -0400

Arsene Wenger might be immortal at Arsenal, but that doesn’t mean to say he will be manager forever.

As the 2013-14 season approaches, there is a growing sense that this campaign will determine whether or not Wenger’s future lies in North London.

The coming season could be his last.

As things stand, Arsenal’s French manager has just one year remaining on his Arsenal contract. According to the Daily Mail, Ivan Gazidis has expressed his desire to tie Wenger down to a new deal, but the spectre of PSG looms large.

The French giants have thus far been unable to lure a new manager to replace the departing Carlo Ancelotti, and according to The Telegraph they have a long-standing interest in Wenger.

The Guardian suggests the Parisian club are currently looking for a manager on a one-year deal. That would mean that come next summer a vacancy would appear again—Wenger would suddenly reappear on the agenda.

Arsenal will fear the negative impact caused by a season of speculation over their manager’s future.

Wenger’s recent record is far from flawless, but the Arsenal hierarchy will be keen to retain the services of a man who has achieved 15 consecutive top-four finishes. Gazidis will be eager to eradicate any suspicion that Arsenal’s manager is eyeing a departure via the Eurostar, and a new contract is the obvious way to remedy that.

However, even if Wenger decides to sign a new deal and the threat of PSG is assuaged, next season remains crucial.

For the first time in almost a decade, Arsenal are preparing to join European football’s big spenders. Speaking to the BBC, Gazidis said:

We have a certain amount of money which we have held in reserve. We also have new revenue streams coming on board and all of these things mean we can do some things which would excite you, but what excites Arsene isn't necessarily what excites you.

This year we are beginning to see something we have been planning for some time - the escalation in our financial firepower.

Those plans are already coming to fruition. The Telegraph suggest that Gonzalo Higuain is on the verge of completing a move from Real Madrid to the Emirates Stadium. Such a deal would instantly smash the Arsenal records for highest transfer fee and biggest salary.

Higain could be the figurehead of a new-look Arsenal team. The Gunners now have the financial power not just to keep their existing stars but also to augment them with genuinely world-class talent.

2013-14 could be a chance for Arsene Wenger to go out in style. If this is to be his final season in London, he’ll be desperate to redeem himself by ending Arsenal’s extended trophy drought.

Equally, it could be an opportunity to demonstrate he’s the man to lead Arsenal into an exciting future. Having spent so long prudently managing the club’s finances, Wenger might feel he has earned the opportunity to build a side capable of of challenging for major honours.

An Arsenal with financial might and Wenger at the helm could be a force to reckon with in 2013-14 and beyond.

Report: Possible Undertaker Match at SummerSlam Revealed

Imaan Jalali — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 04:33:06 -0400

According to the rules of the WWE Universe, The Undertaker may be the most accomplished and decorated superstar in history.

No other performer has had his longevity, jaw-dropping bouts, inclusion in memorable storylines and a win-loss ratio that is second to none.

For the past few years, though, "The Phenom" has slowed down his in-ring activity to a halt, gracing only the WrestleMania stage where his streak has taken on mystical proportions.

Plagued by year-round injuries or not, "The Deadman" has hit indelible home runs in his last several WrestleMania classics with Shawn Michaels, Triple H and, most recently, CM Punk.

But just when one thought The Undertaker would dial it back even more, the 48-year-old decided to get his hands dirty with The Shield on WWE TV following WrestleMania. Unfortunately for the legend, it culminated with him being triple-powerbombed through the announce table.

The Shield may not have gotten the last laugh, however, if the Undertaker chooses to ramp up his involvement this year even more, as reported by Dave Meltzer of the members-only Wrestling Observer Newsletter (subscription required):

A match floating around for SummerSlam, if Undertaker will work the show, is Undertaker & Kane vs. The Shield. They already shot the angle since The Shield gave Undertaker a triple team power bomb on his last appearance, which is the storyline reason for him being gone.

Certainly, it would be a treat to see Undertaker in action at SummerSlam again, which, not counting his surprise appearance in 2009, last happened in 2008 against Edge.

Not to mention, if the slated match does come to fruition, it will likely prove to be a stellar affair not unlike the rousing six-man tag on April 22, which saw Undertaker's team barely fall short.

In addition, from a storyline standpoint, The Undertaker's continued involvement against The Shield would make sense in that it would be out of character for the former to decline the opportunity.

Furthermore, there probably isn't a more deserving group of wrestlers backstage than The Shield, who should be rewarded for rising to the occasion the moment they appeared at Survivor Series 2012.

Thus, as he gets ready to go off into the sunset, the right decision for The Undertaker would be to accept the proposed SummerSlam match.

It goes without saying that it would be a great way for him to give back to the new generation of stars without the drastic measure of relinquishing his fabled streak.

Follow me on Twitter @ImaanJK

Manchester United Lose Millions on Irish Property Deal

Willie Gannon — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 04:30:00 -0400

Manchester United are still paying the price for one of the worst financial deals in the club's history. The Red Devils' are still paying rent on their Dublin Megastore in Ireland—11 years after the store closed its doors for the last time.

According to Jack Fagan of The Irish Times, United have spent €520,000 per year on rent since they first bought the store in 1999—the year they famously won the Treble.

Considering that the failed venture closed in 2002, just over two years after first opening its doors, this, in the fullness of time, can be seen as nothing but a dreadful deal gone wrong. So confident were United in 1999 when agreeing to rent the landmark Lafayette building, that they agreed to a 15-year lease of €520,000 per year.

Add their rent together since 1999 and you come up with a cool €7.8 million. On top of which the Red Devils must pay a further €390,000 penalty fee to finally end the leasing arrangements. The total sum United will have paid out by August 15, 2015, when the lease finally ends, will be a whopping €8.2 million.

The famous six-storey landmark building, on the corner of Westmoreland Street and D'Olier Street, will go on sale next week for just €3.5 million.

The Dublin Megastore opened to huge fanfare in November 1999, with Roy Keane, Sir Alex Ferguson, Gary Neville and Mark Bosnich all coming over to Ireland for the grand opening. At the time, a United spokesman described the shop as the "closest experience you can get to actually going to a game" for United fans. Time would prove how wrong he was.

Part of the enticement to get fans to shop in the store was live Premier League Manchester United matches. Fans would also get the chance to buy the official match program, which would be flown in especially for matchdays.

However, the store proved to be an unmitigated disaster despite the club having a rich and long history with Irish players and coaches. Former Ireland and Manchester United legend Roy Keane was captain of the side when the Irish store opened in '99.

Somewhat embarrassingly, the much-vaunted 15,000 square foot Megastore closed in February 2002 amidst poor sales and the club's plummeting stock price. Since then the famous building has been used as a clothing store, cafe and in 2011, as lease holders, United helped renovate part of the old shop into the Lafayette cafe and bar.

The backdrop to this failed property venture began in September 1998 when BSkyB tried to buy the club for £623 million.

United, on the verge of an unprecedented treble, saw how the potential deal could send the club into the stratosphere and began to expand rapidly across the world. They opened over 20 stores across Europe and Asia and announced a further 150 such ventures. It is worth noting that Dublin was the first such Megastore outside the Old Trafford HQ.

The proposed sale to BSkyB was eventually turned down by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

The government-based body found that a merger between the Premier League broadcaster and United would give the club an unfair advantage when negotiating broadcasting rights.

Upon being turned down by the MMC, BSkyB immediately lobbied the government for approval.

However, on April 9, 1999, just two days after United drew 1-1 with Juventus in the first leg of the semifinal of the Champions League, the Department of Trade and Industry followed the MMC's recommendation and barred Rupert Murdoch and BSkyB from buying the club.

The end result was seen by many fans as a major victory against corporate football. The government's decision, however, cost Manchester United an estimated £85 million. Fifteen percent was wiped off their stock value after the DTI's announcement.

The off-the-pitch announcement did little to deter the team on the field of play. Led from the front by Keane, United stormed to the Premier League title, the FA Cup and Champions League and went unbeaten for 33 games after Christmas.

The 1999 team is still hailed today as one of the greatest English teams of all time. They set the precedent for all the United players and teams that followed. They also put the club back on the map as a world power instead of just being a massive club.

Today, Manchester United is owned by Malcolm Glazer after the American tycoon won control of the club in 2005 with a £790 million takeover.

On the field, the club could not be more different.

Sir Alex Ferguson has departed and has been replaced by ex-Everton boss David Moyes. The club also took a huge stock market hit when the Scot announced his decision to retire. United lost almost five percent of its value in the first 10 minutes of trading on the New York stock exchange on May 8.

Most of that money was recouped when Moyes was announced as his successor, however.

Moyes will find that he is now under an unscrupulous microscope. His every move and decision will be analyzed to the nth degree like never before—especially his transfer dealings.

One thing is almost for sure: He won't make a deal that will still haunt the club in 15 years—or will he?

Statistics from PremierLeague.com

You can follow me on Twitter @WillieGannon.

And listen to me on the Hold the Back Page podcast.

MLB Prospects Update: Hottest, Coldest Hitters at Every Minor League Level

Jason Martinez — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 03:42:03 -0400

The last edition of this feature included Wil Myers and Xander Bogaerts as the "Who's Hot" in Triple-A and Double-A so it's not surprising that both have earned promotions since.

Myers debuted with the Rays on Tuesday and is 2-for-12 with a double and two runs batted in thus far. Bogaerts, a 20-year-old shortstop who is easily the top prospect in the Red Sox system, homered in his second Triple-A game but only has five hits in his first 23 at-bats.

On the flip side, it seems that I've also motivated the pair of "Who's Cold" hitters from the same levels. Giants center-field prospect Gary Brown has turned it on since a rough start with 17 hits in his last 41 at-bats, including five homers and five doubles for Triple-A Fresno.

My Double-A pick, Diamondbacks shortstop Nick Ahmed, is doing what he can to turn his season around. He still has a long way to go, but he's raised his average to .183 with 12 hits in his last 37 at-bats, including a homer, triple and three doubles.

Triple-A

Hot
OF Nick Castellanos, Detroit Tigers
Season stats: .296 BA, 10 HR, 38 RBI, 21 2B, 35 BB, 57 K, 3 SB in 74 games

One of my recent predictions for the "Next 8 Top Prospects To Make Their MLB Debut," Castellanos continues to make a case for the starting left field job in Detroit while Andy Dirks is clearly losing his grip on the gig (.448 OPS in June).

The 21-year-old can still have the occasional game where he looks far from being ready—he went 0-for-9 with eight strikeouts on June 15-16—but his overall numbers tell a different story. He's hitting .317 with seven homers, 28 runs batted in, 12 doubles, 26 walks and 34 strikeouts over his last 47 games.

At the least, he should be platooning with Dirks early in the second half. If the current trend continues, the job will be his much sooner.

Cold

IF Carlos Sanchez, Chicago White Sox
Season stats: .227 BA, 0 HR, 19 RBI, 10 2B, 3B, 18 BB, 43 K, 9 SB in 64 games

The switch-hitting infielder rose up the prospect ranks in 2012 quickly as he went from High-A to Triple-A with a stop at the Futures Game on the way.

After hitting well over .300 in 122 games between High-A and Double-A, Sanchez struggled in a late-season 11-game stint with Triple-A Charlotte. The 20-year-old appeared close, however, so it's surprising that he's continued to struggle at the level in 2013.

Double-A

Hot

OF Reymond Fuentes, San Diego Padres
Season stats: .332 BA, 5 HR, 26 RBI, 14 2B, 2 3B, 31 BB, 50 K, 23 SB in 63 games

Acquired from the Red Sox in the Adrian Gonzalez deal, the former first-round prospect fell completely off the prospect radar after two mediocre seasons with the organization (.711 OPS in High-A in 2011; .604 OPS in Double-A in 2012).

But the 22-year-old Fuentes, who is the cousin of Cardinals outfielder Carlos Beltran, is finally starting to live up to his potential in a repeat of Double-A. If he finishes out the year strong, the Padres could end up with one of those good problems to have with Fuentes knocking down the door to the majors by 2015 and current center fielder Cameron Maybin signed through the 2016 season.

Cold

3B Kaleb Cowart, Los Angeles Angels
Season stats: .209 BA, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 11 2B, 3B, 22 BB, 60 K, 7 SB in 68 games

When the Angels signed third baseman Alberto Callaspo to a contract extension this offseason that pushed his free agency back to the end of the 2014 season, I was not a fan of the move.

For starters, Callaspo is not a highly productive third baseman—he had a .692 OPS in 2012 and has a .682 OPS this season. And then there was Cowart, the top prospect in the organization and "Third Baseman of the Future" who was coming off of a strong season between High-A and Low-A (.276 BA, 16 HR, 103 RBI, 31 2B, 7 3B, 67 BB, 111 K, 14 SB).

Why block his chances of breaking through to the majors in 2014 by bringing back Callaspo?

Well, this is why. And by "this," I mean he is completely overmatched in Double-A, which is a good test for any prospect. At 21 years old, Cowart is not proving to be ready. It doesn't mean he won't be a good big leaguer, but expecting him before 2015 is unrealistic.

High-A

Hot

SS Alen Hanson, Pittsburgh Pirates
Season stats: .291 BA, 4 HR, 27 RBI, 14 2B, 5 3B, 24 BB, 49 K, 19 SB in 63 games

Low-A teammates Alen Hanson and Gregory Polanco proved in 2012 that the Pirates didn't just have elite pitching prospects in their system. Hanson, a switch-hitting shortstop, finished the season with a .909 OPS, 62 extra-base hits (16 HR, 33 2B, 13 3B) and 35 stolen bases, while center fielder Polanco showed off his plus tools with a .910 OPS, 48 extra-base hits (16 HR, 26 2B, 6 3B) and 40 stolen bases.

It's been more of the same in 2013 with Polanco so impressive that he earned a call-up to Double-A after just 57 games. The 20-year-old Hanson, who struggled in April (.654 OPS), had a big May (.840 OPS) and is now doing what he can to rejoin Polanco with an even better June (.920 OPS).

Cold

OF Luis Domoromo, San Diego Padres
Season stats: .198 BA, 5 HR, 21 RBI, 7 2B, 3B, 12 BB, 54 K, 2 SB in 50 games

One of the top prospects in Latin America when the Padres inked him to a seven-figure deal in 2008, Domoromo has been a bust thus far with only one decent season under his belt (.740 OPS in Low-A in 2011).

The 21-year-old is now struggling for a second consecutive season in the hitter-friendly High-A California League, which usually means the end of the line for a minor leaguer. If you can't hit there, it's not a good sign, although the Padres will probably be more patient with him considering the investment made.

Low-A

Hot

OF Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins
Season stats: .344 BA, 8 HR, 52 RBI, 15 2B, 8 3B, 40 BB, 51 K, 29 SB in 64 games

The 19-year-old is clearly a man among boys in the Midwest League, dominating in all facets of the game. It's not a stretch to think he's the top prospect in all of baseball after his impressive run.

Between Buxton and power-hitting third baseman Miguel Sano, the Twins also probably have the top prospect duo in all of the minors. Both could reach Minnesota as 21-year-olds in 2015.

Cold

3B Dante Bichette Jr.
Season stats: .201 BA, 4 HR, 36 RBI, 7 2B, 3B, 20 BB, 66 K in 63 games

A second-round pick in 2011, Bichette looked like the second coming of his father, Dante Bichette Sr., the former member of the Rockies' famed Blake Street Bombers, after he posted a .952 OPS in 52 rookie league games.

But the 20-year-old third baseman is having trouble with Low-A pitching for the second consecutive season—he had a .653 OPS there in 2012. He's only 3-for-44 in the month of June and could be a candidate for a demotion to short-season ball so he can try to get some confidence back.

Buying or Selling LA Lakers Rumors Ahead of the NBA Draft

Richard Le — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 03:39:41 -0400

As the NBA draft nears, it is clear that the Los Angeles Lakers don't have a lot of options.

With their contracts for next season eclipsing the salary cap even without re-signing Dwight Howard, they can't make any significant pickups in order to restructure their team.

Despite their salary cap issues and the looming decision Howard has to make in regards to the team he wishes to sign with, there are a myriad of rumors involving the Lakers and their next moves.

Mark Stein from ESPN Los Angeles does a good job of recapping the rumors involving Howard and a possible sign-and-trade to the Los Angeles Clippers for a package of Blake Griffin and Eric Bledsoe.

While Stein makes it apparent that the Lakers won't dismiss this option, they are more inclined to take on a reprieve from their salary cap woes if they lose Howard rather than making a hasty deal for other players via a sign-and-trade.

Further debunking this rumor is the fact that the Clippers are deep in talks with the Celtics in terms of trying to acquire Doc Rivers and Kevin Garnett in order to convince Chris Paul to re-sign, according to ESPN's Marc Stein and Ramona Shelburne.

If the Clippers were to make this deal with the Celtics, that could possibly include Blake Griffin or DeAndre Jordan, they won't be in a position to offer the Lakers enough to convince them to do a sign-and-trade involving Howard.

While there are a myriad of rumors involving the Clippers, there have also been rumblings that Howard and Paul are in constant communication in terms of trying to end up on the same team.

ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard reports that Howard and Paul are trying to determine possible destinations that could potentially house both superstars.

While the Atlanta Hawks are a viable team that could make that move, the original rumor regarding the Clippers has merit because they would have the cap space to fit both superstars if the Lakers would agree to a sign-and-trade.

Again, this rumor, though probably valid, could lead to nothing, given the Clippers' current attempt to trade for Rivers and Garnett.

There have also been rumors, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, that Howard is leaning toward the Houston Rockets as a possible destination as well.

This would be a great destination for Howard, who has shown himself to be unaccustomed to the media spotlight and scrutiny that the Los Angeles spotlight garners.

There would be less pressure to succeed in Houston. However, the Rockets are also a proven playoff team with a young nucleus and a co-star for Howard in James Harden.

Their uptempo style and three-point shooting barrage was only missing a true interior presence. Howard can give them that interior force while also running alongside their fast-paced shooters.

Cost-Effective Moves the LA Clippers Can Make in Free Agency

Oren Friedman — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 03:22:13 -0400

With six players set to enter unrestricted free agency on July 1, the Los Angeles Clippers’ front office will be looking to bolster a talented roster with solid veteran additions.

The Clippers' future is unsettled, as much of this summer will be dictated by Chris Paul’s free agency decision. The team’s coaching vacancy as well as revived discussions with the Boston Celtics to acquire Kevin Garnett, Doc Rivers and potentially Paul Pierce also bring to light more personnel management and salary-cap ramifications.

LAC has key players like Blake Griffin and Jamal Crawford locked up for the foreseeable future. Although DeAndre Jordan is on the books through the 2014-15 season, he could be on his way out if the Celtics’ deal goes through. Prized young backup point guard Eric Bledsoe might also be out of Los Angeles if the Clips can secure Paul’s signature on a contract extension this summer.

Given that the complexion of the roster might be entirely different by opening night, it is challenging to anticipate what sort of major moves the Clips will make this summer. If the Celtics deal goes through, will Los Angeles try to acquire Pierce if he is bought out of his current contract? Will rumors of a Bledsoe swap for Orlando Magic swingman Arron Afflalo come to fruition if Paul re-signs?

If the Clips build an instant contender and another superteam, will veterans take a pay cut to chase a ring? Over the last couple seasons, both Shane Battier and Ray Allen, among others, have taken smaller contracts in pursuit of a ring.

As a result of these scenarios, we will focus on three potential cost-effective signings that could bolster an already-loaded roster.

Samuel Dalembert

A tough interior defender and a monster rebounder, Samuel Dalembert could provide some much-needed toughness to the Clippers’ front line.

Having played on four NBA teams over his 11-year career, Dalembert could make his first deep playoff run in Lob City. Over his career, Dalembert has averaged 8.1 rebounds per game.

Significantly, Dalembert is coming off of a down year. Playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, he averaged the fewest rebounds in his career since his rookie season in 2001-02. He saw virtually no postseason action, appearing in just one playoff game in the Bucks’ first-round series against the Miami Heat.

Consequently, the Clips might be able to acquire Dalembert for less than his market value. He could play the role of veteran enforcer, similar to Reggie Evans or Kenyon Martin in 2011-12.

Regardless of whether the Clippers have Jordan, Garnett or someone else starting at center, Los Angeles could benefit from the interior toughness provided by Dalembert.

Matt Bonner

A career 41.7 percent shooter from downtown, Matt Bonner’s sweet stroke would give the Clippers a dead-eye three-point shooter that could space the floor.

Bonner has made a living for the San Antonio Spurs over the last seven seasons by feasting on open jumpers as a result of the dribble penetration from Tony Parker and skilled passing of Tim Duncan.

The Red Rocket was paid around $3.6 million this season and has a non-guaranteed contract with the Spurs for roughly $3.95 million next season. Despite the Spurs’ culture of loyalty and player cultivation, Bonner might be let go this summer.

Role players are not immune to the type of security afforded to San Antonio’s big three.

Remember, Stephen Jackson was released after playing 55 games this season to make room for Tracy McGrady. Given the host of three-point shooters in San Antonio such as Gary Neal and Danny Green, Bonner’s services might be dispensable this summer.

Having chased championships with the silver and black for the majority of his career, Bonner might want to continue on a contender. Although he is not the greatest defender, his shooting and championship savvy would be a welcome addition to the Clippers.

Convincing the 33-year-old to take less than his market value might be a challenge, but the allure of another ring would certainly be enticing. Beyond the love affair that the Clipper faithful will have with Bonner’s New Balance shoes, the sharpshooter’s presence would be a welcome upgrade to the roster.

Matt Barnes

Having earned under $900,000 on his one-year deal with the Clippers this season, Matt Barnes’ production should certainly earn him a raise this summer.

Barnes’ renaissance year should open the door for many potential suitors willing to sign the UCLA product to a multi-year deal. However, Barnes’ comfort in Los Angeles and integral role in the team’s success might compel the 33-year-old veteran to re-sign with the Clippers this summer.

Caron Butler’s role as starting small forward is certainly unsustainable. Even this season, Barnes earned a more prominent role than Butler in the rotation while outperforming him on the floor. Barnes scored the most points per game in his career this season despite starting in only four games.

Barnes has already expressed interest in re-upping in Los Angeles this summer. If the Clips can hang on to Barnes without breaking the bank, then they should definitely consider bringing back the gritty defender.

All statistics used from Basketball-Reference.com, ESPN.com and Hoopsworld.com.

5-Star Offensive Lineman Damian Prince Visits Buckeyes Today

Austin Kemp — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 03:20:54 -0400

There’s no question that while Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes were reeling in the top recruiting class last February, the offensive line was the area that was not fully addressed.

Not wanting a repeat for the 2014 class, coach Meyer hit the recruiting trail hard early in this year’s process and has received verbal commitments from two offensive linemen, Marcelys Jones and Kyle Trout—and that’s only the tip of the iceberg.

On Thursday, June 20, another O-line prospect steps on campus—6’6", 300-pound 5-star lineman Damian Prince.

Damian Prince will visit #OhioState http://t.co/WZL7pvmPX8 RT @HeavyGleesh Ohio state visit tomorrow, its official!

— Alex Gleitman (@alexgleitman) June 19, 2013

Prince is a Maryland native and holds offers from just about every top program in the country. While Ohio State is in the mix, it could be a fight all the way to the end alongside Alabama and Florida State. Already holding an invite to one of the most prestigious summer camps in America, The Opening held in Oregon, Prince is just the player the Buckeyes need to ink once February comes around.

Getting Prince on campus is huge for Ohio State. Coaches can make calls, visit schools, talk to parents, but until a prospect takes the time to visit, there’s no serious shot. What does this mean for Ohio State? The Buckeyes are a contender—a serious contender.

Though last year’s offensive line haul wasn’t what most preferred from a numbers standpoint, Urban Meyer can pitch something a lot of top tier programs cannot—a chance at early playing time.

When dealing with such a highly touted prospect like Prince, kids start to see the path to the NFL. The best way to prove your draft stock while in college is to play early and often. Prince would have that ability if he does in fact end up in scarlet and grey. Sure, national championships and bowl games are nice, but in more cases than not, they're not something top recruits base their "which school should I attend" decision on.

Urban Meyer has already imposed himself as arguably the top recruiter at the college level. He knows what it takes to land a top prospect like Prince, and he’ll chase him all the way to signing day. When Meyer is your coach, there is no reason why you should worry about recruiting. The guy gets it.

Prince is not a make-or-break player for the 2014 class, but he would certainly be a great get. Meyer and his staff realize this is a big year to address the line, and they won’t be denied a player at the position they need most.

Doc Rivers' Hesitation Over Boston Celtics Return Means It's Probably Time to Go

Sloan Piva — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 03:05:13 -0400

As the old, familiar bar-room saying goes, “You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here.” Doc Rivers may deserve this phrase more than any other Boston Celtics commodity, especially considering his tentativeness to come back for another year.

At this point, most of Celtics Nation is probably saying “good riddance,” and for good reason. The times got tough, and the formerly honorable head coach decided it might be too tough for him to endure.

Of course, that completely nullifies his contract, which has him on board with the C's for three more seasons for a grand total of another $21 million. Doc apparently feels that he deserves better, despite the fact that he currently rests as the highest-paid coach in the National Basketball Association.

Fine, Doc. Go on your merry way. You sat through a rough rebuilding stage with the Celtics after a failed Orlando Magic career that sparked most sports pundits to declare your coaching career over. You sat by Paul Pierce while he tried his hardest to make something out of nothing. Then, you won the championship when Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen joined forces with you and Rajon Rondo emerged as an elite point guard.

You've done a lot. And at this point, you probably think that you deserve better than your current situation entails.

Never mind the fact that times get tough for a lot of coaches, regardless of salary cap issues or player injuries. You're above that. Gregg Popovich, arguably the best coach in the league (who coincidentally makes $1 million a year less), has never had to sort through such issues, right? You're in a boat all by yourself, and everyone feels sorry for you.

When the Boston Globe first reported that you were struggling to decide whether to stay or go, fans got a little uneasy. How could he leave us? Why would he go after the Celtics nearly made another championship bid in 2012, and defied the odds to make the playoffs in 2013?

Then, a league source told CSNNE that you could return to color commentating. Well, that's special. You'd rather talk about basketball than coach it, completely deserting the team to which you committed yourself.

You've now placed the Celtics in a pretty serious conundrum. President of basketball operations Danny Ainge can grant a trade-worthy team the rights to your coaching duties, or pretty much get screwed over completely. Because, let's face it: you will not be coaching the Boston Celtics in 2013-14.

How would that work, anyway? Will a team leader like Rajon Rondo, with all of his vast intelligence, really listen to a coach who never wanted to return in the first place? Will Celtics Nation, arguably the most ardent fanbase in basketball, willingly accept someone who hesitated to finish the most lucrative contract among head coaches?

No. The time has come to either get “traded,” hopefully in the Los Angeles Clippers deal—in which the Celts would net DeAndre Jordan and a couple draft picks for Kevin Garnett—or hit the high road. Regardless of the potential trade dividends, you have no place in Boston any longer.

Everyone in the city thought you were gone for good, until trade talks reportedly subsided earlier this week. Then, one day later, Adrian Wojnarowksi of Yahoo Sports claimed that talks started back up, with the still-stagnated concept of the Clippers giving up the second of two first-round picks.

The Clips have meanwhile pushed forward with their pursuit of a head coach, looking otherwise for former coaches like Byron Scott (New Orleans Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers) and Lionel Hollins (Memphis Grizzlies), as well as continually underrated assistant Brian Shaw of the Indiana Pacers.

Nobody expected Garnett to enjoy the concept of being traded away from Boston, the city in which he has already made clear he wants to retire. Similarly, 15-year veteran and captain Paul Pierce never uttered a word about wanting to leave (although rumors now run rampant, including this report from Sam Amick at USA TODAY, regarding the potential of the “Truth” departing with Rivers, should KG and the coach move to L.A.).

In some bizarre twist, all reports lead to the fact that it's the all-too-special Doc Rivers that remains unclear with his current situation. And not only that, it seems you also feel no ill will when it comes to shaking up the entire franchise that helped build your "esteemed” coaching career.

And your inability to commit comes at an even steeper price to the Celtics: your assistant coaches all have expiring contracts. The franchise could be without an entire coaching staff as early as July 1. Assistant coach Mike Longabardi recently met with the Phoenix Suns, and the Toronto Raptors want Tyronn Lue, according to the Boston Globe's Baxter Holmes and Gary Washburn respectively. Maybe you tipped them off that you're “peacing out.” Or, maybe they just want to jump ship before you have to face the idea of keeping it afloat.

Can confirm that Celtics assistant coach Mike Longabardi has interviewed with Phoenix. Currently mulling options.
— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) June 18, 2013

The #Raptors have asked for permission to speak with #celtics asst. Tyronn Lue for position on Dwane Casey's staff, according to Danny Ainge
— gary washburn (@GwashNBAGlobe) May 11, 2013

It's OK, though. As fellow coach and (loyal) New England Patriot Bill Belichick often says, “It is what it is.”

Celtics Nation just hopes they get something in return before the door hits you on the backside.

Arsenal FC: Picking a 2013-14 Starting XI to Include Three Transfer Targets

Matthew Celentano — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 02:44:12 -0400

It wouldn't be a transfer window in world football without Arsenal being linked to just about every decent player across Europe, and that certainly doesn't look like changing for the summer of 2013.

The Gunners apparently have money in the bank—the number being thrown around is £70 million—and if rumors are to be believed, it's looking like the club are willing to spend it.

With Arsenal's current squad in need of some bulking up, especially in the striking and defensive midfield departments, it could be a new look team lining up on the first day of the 2013-14 season.

Here's a prediction for Arsenal's starting XI next season, in a 4-2-3-1 formation, to include three transfer targets.

Agree/disagree with any selections? Let me know what your preferred starting XI would be for next season in the comments below.

Note: All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.

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Why Game 7 of NBA Finals Is Bound to Disappoint

Grant Hughes — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 02:42:29 -0400

There's no way Game 7 between the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs will measure up to the impossibly high standard the two teams set in Game 6. Not that there's any shame in that; the epic battle that resulted in Miami staving off elimination with a 103-100 win will surely go down as an all-time great.

While it seems like the built-in drama of a winner-take-all Game 7 would naturally produce a more memorable contest, realistically it's going to be nearly impossible to top what we've already seen.

Chances are we won't witness another five-point advantage being erased in the final 28 seconds or an 18-point outburst from a headband-less LeBron James in the fourth quarter and overtime.

And logically, it seems unlikely that Tony Parker will hit an impossible step-back three over James or that Tim Duncan will start the game by making nine straight shots.

The NBA will have a champion after Game 7, but fans who watched Game 6 have already seen the best theater both teams have to offer. Cue the slo-mo highlights:

Dramatic, huh?

Apart from the basic truth that it'd be almost impossible to produce a game as exciting as the one we saw on June 18, there seems to be some kind of historical precedent for breathtaking Game 6s overshadowing the subsequent Game 7s. It's hard to say why that tends to happen. Dumb luck? Some kind of emotional hangover effect? Pure exhaustion?

Recent history provides plenty of examples in which the penultimate game in a series stands out as the high point (or at least the most memorable one), with the decisive Game 7 failing to match the intensity of its predecessor.

Buckner's Boot

I'm willing to bet that a lot of casual sports fans don't even realize that the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets went to a Game 7 in the 1986 World Series. Everyone certainly remembers Bill Buckner's game-changing error in Game 6, though.

Sox fans know all too well that Buckner's gaffe came in extra innings of Game 6, and the Boston still had a great chance to knock off the Mets in Game 7. In fact, the Red Sox led Game 7 by a score of 3-0 in the sixth inning before the Mets rallied to take the title.

The most iconic error in baseball history endures as the lasting image of that World Series, and the drama surrounding it clearly overshadowed the game that ultimately decided the championship.

Eight Outs Away

In the 2002 World Series, the San Francisco Giants had a 5-0 lead and needed to retire just eight Anaheim Angels batters to secure the title. But Giants manager Dusty Baker yanked starter Russ Ortiz in the seventh inning after the righty surrendered a pair of singles.

In relief, Felix Rodriguez gave up a three-run jack to Scott Spiezio, and then the Giants allowed another three runs in the eighth. The riveting 6-5 win for the Angels sucked the life out of the Giants, who then lost Game 7 by a final score 4-1.

If you're starting to see that a devastating Game 6 tends to have a negative effect on the losing team in Game 7, congratulations. The Spurs probably shouldn't be spending any time at Baseball-Reference.com between now and Game 7. They might start to realize that history—baseball history, anyway—doesn't bode well for them.

David Freese: Hero

The St. Louis Cardinals were down to their final strike in the ninth and 10th innings of Game 6 of the 2011 World Series. David Freese ripped a two-run triple to right field to tie the game up against Texas Rangers closer Neftali Feliz with two strikes and two outs in the bottom of the ninth.

Then he hit a solo shot to lead off the bottom of the 11th inning that forced a Game 7. That's the short synopsis of what might very well have been the best playoff game of the last 50 years.

Just as a rhetorical exercise—does anyone outside of Missouri or Texas recall what happened in Game 7? Of course not.

The Cards won 6-2 in a Game 7 that absolutely nobody remembers.

Olajuwon and Starks (And O.J.)

Game 6 of the 1994 NBA Finals was a tightly contested affair that saw the Knicks have a chance to win the title down the stretch. John Starks had a shot at the game-winner, but Hakeem Olajuwon recovered on a switch to block the attempt. Houston survived and went on to win by six in a forgettable Game 7.

Like all of the preceding examples, the signature moment of the series came in the second-to-last game.

Well, to be fair, O.J. Simpson's infamous "Bronco chase" preempted Game 5. I guess that was a pretty big deal, too.

Anyway, you get the idea.

The Game in Question

So, returning to the present, we've already established that the spectacular nature of Game 6 between the Heat and Spurs is going to be hard to duplicate. San Antonio is likely to struggle in its effort to recover from the mental anguish of coming so close to victory, only to watch it slip away faster than Ray Allen's perfect release on a jumper.

And the Heat, emboldened by their triumph, seem likely to ride the momentum to an easy victory. Anything could happen, and Miami hasn't won back-to-back playoff games since May, but all signs point to a ho-hum Game 7 (relatively speaking).

But hey, Game of Thrones may have already prepared us for the letdown by blowing everyone away (who hadn't read the books) when it (SPOILER!) offed Robb and Cat Stark in the second-to-last episode of the season.

In other words, Game 6 was the "Red Wedding," while Game 7 will be, uh, whatever the hell happened in the season finale.

Follow @g30three

Arsenal Transfer Rumours: Latest Buzz on Asier Illarramendi and Yaya Sanogo

Richard Langford — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 02:39:21 -0400

Arsenal certainly looks like they are embarking on a busy summer. Rumors about possible targets have been flying left and right.

While Gonzalo Higuain to Arsenal is hogging the bulk of the attention (the Daily Mail reports that Higuain will make the switch this summer), he certainly isn't the only possible future Gunner out there.

There are two young players connected to Arsenal, and I think both would be a nice fit and quality additions.

Asier Illarramendi

We'll start with Spain's Asier Illarramendi. He isn't the most well-known player, but he is a scintillating talent and could be on his way to Arsenal. This comes to us from Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail:

Meanwhile, The Gunners are leading the chase for Spain Under-21 international Asier Illarramendi.

The £10 million-rated Real Sociedad defensive midfielder has been outstanding all season and has attracted attention from Real Madrid.

This is a shrewd target for Arsenal. The 23-year-old is beginning to come into his own, and he is a nice fit for the Gunners.

He is a fantastic holding midfielder. He is a good tackler, has a knack for interceptions and is a quality passer. He also is fairly cheap. This would allow the Gunners to fill a hole while still having financial flexibility to make other additions. And we all know this will appeal to the fiscally minded Arsene Wenger.

Illarramendi made 32 starts for Real Sociedad this season and earned a solid 7.18 rating at Who Scored. He's also picked up valuable experience with Spain's U-21 team.

Yaya Sanogo

This acquisition could happen in a hurry. Check out this quote from Sanogo to France Football, which comes to us via ESPN UK:

Gilles Grimandi [Arsenal scout] came to see me from time to time at Auxerre too. One day he called me for a meeting in a Paris hotel and Arsene Wenger was there. I was very impressed. Wenger told me I would get opportunities and reassured me about my injury. He told me he had followed me for years. That meeting was very important and today I am an Arsenal player.

Then there was a report from John Cross of Mirror Football, stating this could happen in the next few days.

So, not only does it appear that Sanogo is headed toward Arsenal, but that he could be headed to the first team. Sanogo is just 20 years old, and there will be some growing pains, but there is no denying his talent.

He is an explosive forward with a fantastic first touch. Sanogo is physically gifted. He has a nice mix of size and speed. He will draw comparisons to Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke.

If there is one concern with Sanogo, it is with injuries. He has had a hard time staying healthy. While this could lead to frustration while he sits inactive, his upside makes that risk well worth it.

25 Best Ways for College Football Fans to Get over Tough Losses

Lafe Peavler — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 02:35:58 -0400

All college football fans suffer tough losses. Even the most successful programs can't win every single game.

Knowing how to deal with a devastating loss is part of loving the game.

National champion Alabama lost to Texas A&M, after all.

Many fans look to drown their sorrows in alcohol, but these 25 ways to get over tough losses won't require a hangover cure. Whether it's doing some physical activity, eating some good food or just shouting, there are plenty of things fans can do to help themselves feel better.

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Are the Minnesota Vikings the Most Underrated Team in the NFL?

Matthew Stensrud — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 02:33:40 -0400

The Minnesota Vikings finished the 2012 NFL season with a 10-6 record, which included one of the best single-season rushing performances in league history by Adrian Peterson.

The six-year veteran was a mere nine yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson's record of 2,105 yards on his way to receiving the 2012 MVP award—the first running back to do so since LaDanian Tomlinson in 2006.

In addition to coming off surgery to repair the torn ACL that Vikings' all-time leading rusher suffered a year earlier against the Washington Redskins, Peterson also underwent surgery for a sports hernia following the 2012 season.

With Peterson at 100 percent entering the upcoming season, one could anticipate high expectations for a team sporting a top offensive line behind Matt Kalil, John Sullivan and Phil Loadholt.

Add in a draft that included three selections in the first round—Sharrif Floyd, Xavier Rhodes and Cordarrelle Patterson—which all met immediate and future needs for the Vikings, you might expect the team to be on the radar as a potential contender in the NFC for a deep playoff run.

Right?

Well, not so fast.

Instead, the Minnesota Vikings appear to be a team once again on the outside looking in as forecast by "experts" as another convoluted NFL season approaches.

ESPN has the Vikings ranked 17th in its recent power rankings, with nine other teams ahead of them in the NFC. This means that even after the playoffs are set, Minnesota ranks fourth among teams watching from home.

Out of all playoff teams from 2012, ESPN's rankings put the Vikings dead last prior to the start of the 2013 season, with two sub-.500 teams, the New Orleans Saints (7-9) and St. Louis Rams (7-8-1), both rated ahead of Minnesota.

The experts over at Bristol are not the only ones down on the Vikings this year. Will Brinson of CBSSports.com predicts the Vikings will be under the win total odds of 7.5 set by Las Vegas. A difficult schedule and regression by Peterson are cited as the rationale for the prediction.

Continuing with Vegas odds, Minnesota is the greatest long shot to win the Super Bowl among all 2012 playoff teams, coming in at 50-1 to bring home the Lombardy Trophy.

And while Christian Ponder seems to be a common target for criticism, finishing 21st in passer rating at 81.2, the third-year quarterback has an improved arsenal of receivers with former Packer Greg Jennings and rookie Cordarrelle Patterson joining the team.

Combine that with Pro Bowl MVP Kyle Rudolph and an emerging threat in slot receiver Jarius Wright, it would be fair for fans to scratch their head as to why so many pundits expect a 10-win playoff team to regress so much.

However, this tends to be the trend for analysts predicting the fate of the Minnesota Vikings, a team that has not been to a Super Bowl since the 1976 season and has lost three NFC Championship Games over the last 15 years.

History seems to be battling the likelihood for success of this upcoming season, one that includes the best running back in the NFL, young players continuing to develop at key positions and an overall improved team following free agency and the NFL draft.

Looking at the overall landscape of the NFL, it's hard to find a team more underrated than the Minnesota Vikings in 2013.

But maybe that's just the type of motivation the team needs to shake its harshest critics.

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Follow @MattStensrud

A Very Early Look at Potential Texas Ranger 2014 Free-Agent Targets

J.J. Matthews — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 02:33:10 -0400

With the 2013 season almost at it's halfway point, the Texas Rangers find themselves sitting in second place in the American League West, currently two games behind the division-leading Oakland Athletics as of June 20.

With the trade deadline a little more than a month away, Rangers fans will soon start wondering what moves Texas will make in order to keep pace with the A's. But what about after the end of the 2013 season?

The Rangers go into the 2013-14 offseason with offensive starters Nelson Cruz, David Murphy, Lance Berkman (player option for 2014) and A.J. Pierzynski all set to hit free agency. The offense is not the only question moving forward either, as pitchers Colby Lewis, Jason Frasor, Kyle McClellan and Joe Nathan (player option for 2014) all face free agency as well.

With that in mind, the Rangers will go into the 2014 offseason with a lot of questions to answer. So who exactly will the Rangers be targeting next offseason?

Jacoby Ellsbury

Jacoby Ellsbury has been tied to the Texas Rangers since last season's trade deadline. At one point, rumors had leaked that Ellsbury, along with Josh Beckett and Kelly Shoppach were nearly dealt to the Rangers in what would have been a deadline blockbuster.

So far in 2013, Ellsbury has done nothing to hurt his chances of landing a big contract at the end of the season. Ellsbury has hit .281/.347/.389 to go along with 42 runs scored while stealing a MLB leading 31 bases as of June 20.

The big question with Ellsbury is whether or not he is still the MVP-type player that he showed in 2011 before suffering through a pair of injury-plagued seasons in 2012 and 2013. In 2011, Ellsbury batted .321/.376/.552 with 32 homers, 105 RBI and 39 stolen bases on his way to finishing as the runner-up in the AL MVP Award.

In fact the only thing that kept Ellsbury from winning the award was Justin Verlander having a season for the ages.

With the Rangers potentially looking at losing two starting outfielders this offseason, Jacoby seems to be the most logical target for a Rangers team that would love to continue to put pressure on opposing teams with its speed on the base paths.

Most likely, the Rangers will be looking at surrendering a first-round draft pick in order to sign Ellsbury, as the Red Sox would be foolish not to slap Ellsbury with a qualifying offer before letting him leave. It is also most likely that the Red Sox will not be willing to overpay for Ellsbury, as both sides have yet to discuss a contract extension, according to Rob Bradford of WEEI.

Shin-Soo Choo

Choo is currently in the midst of a career season for the Cincinnati Reds, and with his contract set to expire at the end of the 2013 season, it couldn't have been at a better time.

Choo has hit .277/.425/.466 with 10 home runs, 23 RBI and 49 runs scored while batting leadoff and playing center field. Now, Choo is not a natural center fielder; he was more of a square peg in a round hole when he was acquired this offseason. Choo has posted a -1.1 DWAR to date and is more suited for a corner outfield position for wherever he winds up next season.

Similar to Ellsbury, Choo would fit a need for the Rangers and would actually be a better fit overall for Texas than Ellsbury; especially if the power numbers stay the same moving forward.

Choo is a better fit as a three-hole hitter and spent the better part of his last two seasons in Cleveland batting there. If the Rangers are not able, or choose not to, re-sign A.J. Pierzynski, Nelson Cruz or Lance Berkman, they will need to fill a few holes in the middle of the order.

Choo will most likely cost the Rangers a first-round pick as well, as it would be surprising if the Reds didn't give Choo a qualifying offer; especially if he continues to play like he has so far in 2013.

Tim Lincecum

Some people may be surprised to see Lincecum on this list, but he would be a perfect fit for the Rangers.

With Yu Darvish and Derek Holland leading the rotation, Lincecum wouldn't be brought in and expected to be a top-of-the-rotation starter like he use to be. In fact, with the emergence of young pitchers Nick Tepesch and Justin Grimm, along with the return of Alexi Ogando and Matt Harrison from injuries, Lincecum may not even be guaranteed a starting spot in the rotation.

The tricky part here is deciding whether or not Lincecum is looking for the money now or if he wants to give himself the chance to rebuild his stock with a one-year deal. There will always be a market for quality starting pitchers, especially ones who have two Cy Young awards under their belt.

If Lincecum wants to look for money now, he could find himself with a middle-of-the-pack team that is willing to overpay on the idea that Lincecum will revert back to his 2008-09 form. If Lincecum wants to prove he is still capable of being an ace, then signing a one-year deal with Texas may be one of his best options.

This is a low-risk, high-reward signing for the Rangers if they target Lincecum, especially if they only commit one year to "The Freak."

Brian McCann

McCann may wind up being one of the biggest targets for the Rangers this offseason, especially if they decide not to re-sign A.J. Pierzynski or back up Geovany Soto.

McCann's average is down this season as he is batting .243, which is 35 points lower than his career average. At 29 years of age, McCann may finally be starting to feel the wear and tear of being an everyday catcher for Atlanta since 2006.

McCann's veteran leadership, along with his solid bat, would play well in Arlington. The Rangers would also have the ability to put him in the designated hitter role on days when he doesn't catch, allowing McCann to keep his bat in the lineup every day. Now, the market for McCann should be pretty competitive, especially with teams like the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox also looking for a better option behind the plate.

For More Rangers and Baseball jargon, feel free to hit me up on Twitter. You'll be glad you did.

Follow @thejagepage

MLS Wrap: Recapping Wednesday's Games

Oliver Field — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 02:10:39 -0400

It was business as usual for the home teams in midweek action. All four of Wednesday's matches saw the host emerge with at least a point, but not without a bit of drama.

Chicago came from behind to beat Colorado, while Vancouver had to do the same against Chivas later in the evening.

The Timbers continued their remarkable unbeaten run in a closely contested match in SoCal, while Montreal showed why they are the pride of Canada with another impressive shutout at home.

There are plenty of goals to discuss, so read further to recap all the action from the day.

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2014 World Cup: Africa's World Cup Qualifying Thrown into Chaos by Controversy

Frank Wagner — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 02:01:51 -0400

The qualification process for the 2014 World Cup in Africa has encountered some massive upheavals that threaten to send it into disarray.

With just one match remaining for every team in CAF's second round of qualifying, the proceedings seemed to be wrapping up nicely with five of the 10 groups already decided.

However, two of those groups could be back in play heading into September's final matches, as world governing body FIFA has confirmed, via its website, that it is investigating "three member associations for each having allegedly fielded an ineligible player in the preliminary competition for the 2014 FIFA World Cup."

The two nations whose progress has been put in doubt are Ethiopia and Tunisia, while the third nation being investigated is Togo.

In Group A, Ethiopia seemed to clinch the group with a victory over South Africa Sunday, eliminating Bafana Bafana from qualification less than three years on from the World Cup they hosted.

However, despite the fact that Minyahile Beyene had been booked in a draw at South Africa and a home victory over Botswana, the Ethiopian played in victories over Botswana and South Africa when he should have been suspended for a match.

The Ethiopia football federation has since admitted the mistake and said that they will accept any disciplinary action thrown their way, according to BBC.

FIFA has set a precedent in this qualification process for such matters, overturning three results to 3-0 losses for teams fielding ineligible players.

In fact, Sudan's 2-0 victory over Zambia was overturned to a 3-0 Zambia victory for a nearly identical situation to Ethiopia's.

Should Ethiopia's 2-1 win at Botswana be overturned, their lead over South Africa would be just two points.

Further, if both that result and their 2-1 victory over South Africa are overturned, Bafana Bafana would stunningly go from eliminated losers to group winners without playing a match.

Meanwhile, in Group B, Tunisia seemed to book progress to the CAF playoffs with a draw on Sunday.

However, the north Africans' group victory has been put in doubt by the result of a match that they had no part in.

Cape Verde Islands has appealed a 4-3 loss they suffered to Equatorial Guinea in March, claiming that their opponents had fielded an ineligible player.

If the result is overturned, the gap between Tunisia and Cape Verde would be just two points, meaning the group would still be in the balance heading into the September match between the two nations.

Finally, Togo is being investigated for having allegedly fielded an ineligible player in their 2-0 victory over Cameroon.

If the result is overturned, Cameroon would move from two points behind Libya to a point clear at the top of the group.

Hence, the complexion of the group heading into the final match between Cameroon and Libya hinges on this clerical decision.

With places in next summer's World Cup on the line, these decisions carry huge weight for the nations involved.

While it is certainly wrong for nations to field ineligible players, it is hard to imagine a place in the world's most prestigious tournament being decided by a clerical error.

Given the way these investigations and the playoff round go, though, that could very well be the case.

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The NFL's Biggest Medical Concerns so Far This Offseason

Dave Siebert, MD — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 02:01:11 -0400

Usually, the NFL injury discussion ramps up during the preseason, but this year's offseason is not exactly devoid of pivotal medical storylines either. In fact, several injuries already pose major threats to some teams' 2013 seasons.

With that in mind, let's take a look at a few of the more notable injuries, ranked in order from least to most potential impact based on a combination of injury severity, recovery progress and player importance.

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