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San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies: Game 3 Previews and Predictions

Michael Walsh — Sat, 25 May 2013 07:29:45 -0400

One year ago, the San Antonio Spurs were in this exact same position. They took the first two games of the Western Conference Finals at home. However, this time around, the opposition has transitioned from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Memphis Grizzlies.

After those two wins, the tables started turning rapidly. The Thunder won the next four straight, earning a spot in the finals. The Spurs were left scratching their head, trying to figure out what went wrong.

In 2013, the Grizzlies will be trying to befuddle those same Spurs. After falling down 0-2 in the series, they return home to FedExForum where they are 5-0 this postseason.

San Antonio simply torched the Grizzlies in Game 1. Memphis clearly wasn't prepared for this level of play, and they fell, 105-83. Zach Randolph stood out in a bad way, going just 1-of-8 for two points. Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard had their way on offense, shooting a combined 16-of-24 for 38 points.

Game 2 saw the Grizzlies look more like a team deserving of a spot in a conference final. Though they lost, 93-89, Memphis' bigs showed up with both Marc Gasol and Randolph posting double-doubles. Unfortunately for the visitors, Parker went off for 15 points and 18 assists, helping the Spurs spread the ball around on offense.

With a return trip to their home city, the Grizzlies will be looking to match what Oklahoma City did a year ago and get right back into this series.

Time: Saturday, May 25, 9 p.m. ET

Where: FedExForum, Memphis

Series: San Antonio 2-0

TV: ESPN

Game 5 Key Storyline: Defensive Savvy vs. Home Cooking

A common misconception is that to be a great defender in the NBA, one has to be athletically superior. While that helps and makes for great highlights, it is only part of the equation.

Seldom do Randolph and Gasol run into defenses that are as sophisticated and stout as their own. Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan are high-flyers and incredible athletes. Serge Ibaka is as talented a shot-blocker as you'll find, and Kendrick Perkins is a massive body.

So, why is it that Tim Duncan, Tiago Splitter and Boris Diaw are giving the Grizzlies the most trouble. Randolph has shot 7-of-26 through two games, while Gasol is 11-of-28. As a team, Memphis is at just 38 percent in the series.

The Spurs bring the other half of the defensive equation—intelligence and communication. Facing facts, Vinny Del Negro and Scott Brooks are not Gregg Popovich, and thus, the defenses Memphis has played have not been as difficult to counter.

Until the Memphis frontcourt figures out a way to match San Antonio's offensive production, they'll be down and looking up.

The counter for this in Game 3 will be a return home for Memphis and a road trip for San Antonio.

While the Spurs are 4-1 on the road this postseason, they were a rather average 23-18 during the regular season. In comparison to their 35-6 home record, there is a definitive difference.

In the fist round, the Grizzlies were in the exact same position they are in now, down 0-2 to the Los Angeles Clippers. In the second round, Memphis dropped Game 1 on the road against the Thunder. After those three road losses in each series, Memphis didn't lose another game.

The Grizzlies get to play at home in Game 3, and that should concern the Spurs.

Series Star So Far: Tony Parker

Running through a series against the Thunder without Russell Westbrook must have left the Grizzlies lost on how to defend the point guard position. Tony Parker has been relatively unimpeded in his dominance thus far.

Memphis was able to force Chris Paul out of his comfort zone in the first round, getting him to look for his shot more than he wanted. Though Paul was scoring 22.8 points per game, his assist numbers were way down at just 6.3 per game.

Through two games, Parker has been able to do whatever he wants, and more importantly, whatever the Spurs need him to do. In Game 1, he went 9-of-14 for 20 points and nine assists. Though his shot wasn't falling in Game 2, Parker posted 18 assists, five rebounds and three steals.

Despite shooting 6-of-20 for 15 points, Parker was able to be a major contributor to the Spurs' win. In the overtime period, he assisted on two of the team's three baskets, hit 1-of-2 free throws and grabbed a steal.

With both Duncan and Manu Ginobili's minutes being limited at this stage, Parker has to be at the top of his game for the Spurs to advance. Right now, he is unstoppable because of his versatility at the position.

Projected Starting Lineups:

San Antonio: Tony Parker, PG; Danny Green, SG; Kawhi Leonard, SF; Tim Duncan, PF; Tiago Splitter, C

Memphis: Mike Conley, PG; Tony Allen, SG; Tayshaun Prince, SF; Zach Randolph, PF; Marc Gasol, C

Spurs Injury Report: (via CBSSports .com)

None reported

Grizzlies Injury Report:

None reported

Spurs Will Win If...

Their interior defense continues to stymie the Grizzlies.

Memphis bases their entire attack around the post play of their starting frontcourt. Whatever Mike Conley and Jerryd Bayless can get going on the perimeter is all a credit to the space and attention Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol are taking up on the interior.

The Spurs' interior defense includes everything from throwing multiple and different bodies at Memphis to defensive rebounding. The Grizzlies simply aren't talented enough on offense to keep up with San Antonio. If they can clear up all those missed shots, Memphis won't have a chance.

San Antonio has also gotten some nice perimeter help from smaller places. Both Danny Green and Matt Bonner have come up big from beyond the arc.

Typically, the road is where those types of players shrink from their home personalities. If guys like them can continue giving a boost in Memphis, the Spurs are in good shape.

Right now, Memphis is still a little lost offensively. San Antonio must stop them from finding a groove at all costs.

Grizzlies Will Win If...

They figure out Tony Parker and crash the offensive glass.

In their 33-point third quarter during Game 2, Memphis racked up a bunch of offensive rebounds and easy buckets. Since the Grizzlies can struggle to get offense elsewhere, their second-chance points are incredibly important. The work inside frees up their perimeter scorers for open threes on kick-outs as well.

In the first round, Mike Conley was able to play Chris Paul pretty evenly. While he hasn't been bad through two games, we have yet to seem his raise his play. A great gage this postseason has been his free-throw shooting. When Conley is aggressive and senses something, he gets to the line a lot.

In the clinching game of the first round, Conley got to the line 17 times, scoring 23 points. In Game 1 of this series, he also didn't attempt a single three.

In each of the first two games, the Grizzlies received outlier performances from different bench players. In the return home, Memphis will hope to catch both Jerryd Bayless and Quincy Pondexter at their best in the same game.

The Grizzlies defense will fix itself in their home gym, but they'll still have to score enough points to win.

Prediction:

The Grizzlies have yet to lose in Tennessee this postseason, and it is hard to believe they will start in Game 3.

Though their dominating series win over the Thunder seems far away, following two losses, it wasn't long ago at all. All the Grizzlies needed to take control of that series was a trip home. Same went for the first-round matchup with the Clippers.

These are two teams that split the regular season, with two of the games going into overtime. Memphis and San Antonio are more tightly matched than a 3-0 series would dictate. The Grizzlies will win Game 3 and bring this matchup back into balance.

As poor of an offensive team as Memphis was overall this season, Gasol and Randolph are not as inefficient as they are showing right now. The Spurs should also have more trouble guarding Conley with the confidence of a home crowd behind him.

If those three guys figure out an offense, the rest will take care of itself.

Grizzlies 92, Spurs 86

Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

Tim Daniels — Sat, 25 May 2013 07:15:00 -0400

German rivals Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich are set to fight for the Champions League title. It marks the third time in four years Bayern are in the championship match of the marquee club event, while Dortmund are making their first appearance since 1997.

Dortmund weren't even a lock to advance beyond the group stage. They were stuck in the "Group of Death" alongside Real Madrid and Manchester City. Not only did they win the group, they didn't drop a single match against the elite competition.

From there, it was clear the Borussians were a legitimate title threat. Bayern have been in that category throughout after falling just short last season. FCB were downright dominant leading up to the final, eliminating Juventus and Barcelona by a combined score of 11-0 over four legs.

The clubs have already faced off four times this season. Bayern won twice—in the DFB Super Cup to start the campaign and in the DFB Pokal quarterfinals—while both Bundesliga meetings ended in draws. Dortmund hope their first triumph comes in the biggest matchup of them all.

Here's a look at all the key viewing information for the Champions League final, followed by some players to watch and a prediction for which club will capture the coveted trophy.

Where: Wembley Stadium in London, England

When: Saturday, May 25 at 2:45 p.m. ET

Watch: Fox and Fox Deportes

Live Stream: Fox Soccer 2Go

Borussia Dortmund Player to Watch: Robert Lewandowski

Lewandowski hopes to finish his second straight terrific campaign on a high note. The 24-year-old striker's biggest highlight, at least heading into the UCL final, was scoring four goals in the semifinals against Real Madrid.

The most amazing thing about the Polish international is his ability to dominate a match without extraordinary physical gifts. He won't be the fastest or tallest player on the pitch in the final, but he will outrun players for 50-50 balls and jump over them for headers.

It all comes down to effort. He's willing to do the little bit extra for 90 minutes, and it usually results in good things for Dortmund. The matchup isn't a good one for him, however. He's scored just once in the four matches against Bayern this season.

Bayern Munich Player to Watch: Mario Mandzukic

Bayern added Mandzukic last summer after a couple solid yet unspectacular seasons with Wolfsburg—an interesting decision considering the club already had Mario Gomez. It could very well turn out to be the move that puts them over the top in the Champions League.

The Croatian star has enjoyed a breakout campaign playing in front of the talented Bayern midfield. He scored 15 goals in 24 league appearances. His combination of pace and a deadly final touch has been a major problem for opposing back lines.

Mandzukic has been in a minor slump as of late, though. He's failed to score in his last four starts. So while he deserves to draw the start given his strong play overall, don't be surprised if Gomez gets a chance right after halftime if the Bayern attack is sluggish.

Matchup to Watch: Battle of the midfielders

Lewandowski and Mandzukic often provided the final touch, but the reason these clubs are in the final is their midfield dominance. Both sides have been able to control the middle of the pitch—even against clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid—to spark their runs to the final.

Dortmund suffered a major setback when it was announced Mario Gotze, who will move to Bayern ahead of next season, would miss the final due to injury. The 20-year-old attacking midfielder has been one of the top young players in Europe.

His absence will put immense pressure on fellow midfielders Jakub Blaszczykowski and Marco Reus, who will probably take over the central playmaking role. Although still a formidable group, Dortmund can't expect the same level of production without Gotze.

Bayern will likely counter with the trio of Thomas Muller flanked by Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery. They combined to score five goals in the semifinal rout of Barcelona. Finding a way to contain them is the biggest key for the Borussians.

If Gotze was healthy, the advantage for either side from this terrific matchup would be minimal. The edge shifts clearly to Bayern since he can't play. It should be enough for Muller and Co. to control the match and capture the trophy.

Prediction

Bayern Munich 2, Borussia Dortmund 1

UFC 160 Predictions: Who Will Win Each Main Card Fight

Tyler Brooke — Sat, 25 May 2013 07:00:02 -0400

UFC 160 is going to have a number of great matchups, and predicting the winners of these will be quite a challenge.

Everyone is looking for the main event between Antonio Silva and Cain Velasquez, the defending heavyweight champion. However, there are a few other fights that should be quite exciting as well.

Let’s take a look at each match and project the winner.

Donald Cerrone (20-5, 1 NC) vs. K.J. Noons (11-6)

Winner: Cerrone

Back in the day, Cerrone was a top lightweight contender. After going 2-2 in his last four fights, that hype has died down a bit, but he should still be the favorite to win this fight.

Noons is just 1-4 in his last five fights, and he struggles mightily with takedowns. On the other hand, Cerrone has some strong jiu-jitsu skills, with 14 of his 20 wins coming by submission.

If this fight is heavily on the ground, it’s going to be all Cerrone. He is just too dynamic of a fighter not to win this fight, even if there’s a bit of fighting on their feet.

Gray Maynard (11-1-1, 1 NC) vs. T.J. Grant (20-5)

Winner: Grant

This is going to be Maynard’s first fight in almost a year due to a knee injury, so there will likely be some rust to shake off for The Bully. On the other hand, Grant has been hot since making the switch to lightweight, winning all four fights in the division.

Grant is a solid striker as well as a dangerous fighter on the ground. He’s looked much stronger since becoming a lightweight, and has some power coming behind his punches on his feet. He must work on defending takedowns, as that’s been an issue for him.

For Maynard, he likes to focus on dragging out fights to decision. This likely won’t be the case against Grant, as he is a strong fighter that will likely extend his winning streak in the lightweight division.

James Te-Huna (16-5) vs. Glover Teixeira (20-2)

Winner: Teixeira

It’s hard to go against the fighter that’s won 18 straight fights with his last loss dating back to 2005. His latest win was against Rampage Jackson, winning by decision.

Te-Huna is replacing Ryan Bader, who had to withdraw due to injury. He’s pretty good on his feet, but he seriously struggles when a fight goes to the ground.

Meanwhile, Teixeira is a solid all-around fighter who prefers to be on his feet as a striker. His jiu-jitsu background shows, and he can be a solid player when it comes to the submission game, where Te-Huna really struggles.

Junior dos Santos (15-2) vs. Mark Hunt (9-7)

Winner: dos Santos

After losing his title belt to Velazquez in UFC 155, dos Santos is looking to finally get some revenge by getting a win and a chance to take back his belt in the near future.

I wouldn’t go against this guy when he’s motivated like that.

Both fighters love to duke it out on their feet, but dos Santos has an advantage in quickness. He’s around 25 pounds lighter, which gives him the ability to move around the Octagon more effectively.

Although Hunt has an advantage in power, dos Santos is probably the best fighter in the heavyweight division. Expect some big blows throughout the fight, but Junior should come away with the victory.

Cain Velasquez (11-1) vs. Antonio Silva (18-4)

Winner: Velasquez

This will be the first time Velasquez will have to defend the title belt in his second reign, but he should be able to successfully fend off Silva at UFC 160.

This will still be a close fight, however, as Silva is a monster striker who can knock out just about anyone, including Brock Lesnar.

Velasquez will need to get Silva to the ground to avoid his big shots as a striker. He is a strong wrestler and should do a good job making an impact on the ground, but it will be a very close match if they are on their feet.

This is a rematch from UFC 146 when Velasquez beat Silva by TKO, and there should be a similar outcome on Saturday.

Velasquez vs. Silva: Breaking Down UFC 160 Heavyweight Title Fight

Alex Ballentine — Sat, 25 May 2013 07:00:02 -0400

Welcome to the Cain Velasquez era—again.

Considering the UFC's heavyweight division has been among the most volatile divisions in the organization's history, it feels silly to deem any champion's reign as an era, but Velasquez is at least the baddest man on the planet for now.

At UFC 160, he'll be looking to make this reign much more impressive than his last. After originally winning the championship at UFC 121 against Brock Lesnar, he failed to defend it successfully even once. He found himself on the wrong side of a Junior dos Santos overhand right that put him out in just over a minute.

This time around, Velasquez will look to defend his title against another massive power puncher. But this time, he comes in with the confidence that he has already beaten his opponent once.

Antonio Silva had the misfortune of making his Octagon debut against Velasquez at UFC 146 and the results weren't pretty.

Silva has since redeemed himself with back-to-back knockout victories over Travis Browne and Alistair Overeem.

While those wins may not be enough to erase the memory of Silva's bloody bludgeoning at the hands of Velasquez, it's reasonable to think that he could have had UFC debut jitters and has improved since then. Here's how the two match up.

All statistics via FightMetric unless otherwise noted.

Striking

Cain Velasquez may have a serious wrestling background, but his boxing is an underrated tool that can be overlooked. He doesn't have the best one-punch power in the division, but his pace is something that most heavyweights just can't deal with.

Velasquez averages an incredible 6.21 significant strikes landed per minute at 58 percent accuracy. For comparison, that's more than the combined rate of fellow UFC 160 combatants TJ Grant (3.81) and Gray Maynard (2.05).

Silva only averages 2.76 significant strikes per minute, there's simply no way that he can keep up with the pace that Velasquez sets on the feet.

This means that Bigfoot must look to land big shots early on when they present themselves. Velasquez's cardio allows him to maintain that pace for five rounds. Silva won't survive if he doesn't get to the champion early.

Silva has knockout power as evidenced by his finishes of Overeem and Browne, but he'll have to swing for the fences.

Grappling

This is yet another decided advantage for Velasquez on paper. The champion is adept at using his elite wrestling background to wear on opponents, regardless of size.

He averages 6.61 takedowns per 15 minutes and can just demoralize opponents with his grappling prowess. Even if Silva gets the best of him on the feet, it's likely that Velasquez will be able to take him down; Cain lands 52 percent of his attempts.

If Silva wants to utilize his size to set up takedowns, he's going against long odds. Velasquez uses his athleticism to shut down takedown attempts at an alarming rate (88 percent).

The champion may not be a submission ace. He's never won a fight by submission and prefers to use his nasty ground and pound, but he holds the advantage on the ground, too.

Verdict

There's a reason that Velasquez is a heavy favorite here. He holds a distinct advantage where the fight winds up going and already holds a dominant win.

That being said, this is the heavyweight division. Every fight can change with just one strike and this one should be entertaining as long as it lasts.

UFC 160 Start Time: Where and When to Watch Pay Per View Event

Tyler Brooke — Sat, 25 May 2013 07:00:02 -0400

UFC 160 has picked up quite a bit of steam heading into Saturday, with some exciting matchups headlining the event.

The main card will feature two exciting heavyweight fights, with a championship on the line in one of them, as well as a light heavyweight and two lightweight matches.

Here’s a look at when you can catch the exciting night of fights, along with a quick preview of each fight.

UFC 160 Main Card TV Information

When: Saturday, May 25

Where: MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nev.

Start Time: 10 p.m. ET on PPV

Live Stream Info: UFC.com

Donald Cerrone (20-5, 1 NC) vs. K.J. Noons (11-6)

After being a hot fighter for some time, Cerrone has struggled recently, going 2-2 in his last four fights. Meanwhile, Noons is making his UFC debut after recently fighting at Strikeforce.

For both fighters, they tend to do better while on their feet. Noons in particular struggles with takedowns. Both will be looking to make an impact on their feet rather than on the ground.

Both fighters have had struggles recently, so a win would be a nice way to get back on track for each.

Gray Maynard (11-1-1, 1 NC) vs. TJ Grant (20-5)

According to a report by TopMMANews.com, Dana White announced the winner of this fight will be able to compete for the UFC lightweight title that is currently held by Benson Henderson. A knee injury has sidelined Maynard for quite a while, but now he is back and ready to fight.

Maynard is a good wrestler and is good at getting takedowns against his opponents, where Grant struggles against takedowns. Both are solid fighters on the ground, but Grant is the better striker and has shown off some pretty solid strength since making the switch to the lightweight division.

James Te-Huna (16-5) vs. Glover Teixeira (20-2)

Ryan Bader was originally expected to fight Teixeira at UFC 160, but an injury forced him to step out with Te-Huna replacing him in this fight. Teixeira will be looking to extend his win streak to 19 fights, with his last loss dating back to 2005.

Both fighters are pretty strong strikers, but the mismatch is on the ground. Teixeira’s jiu-jitsu background helps him in the submission game, while four out of the five losses for Te-Huna came by way of submission.

If Teixeira can get a hold of Te-Huna on the ground, this could be a quick fight. If not, Te-Huna’s stamina could become a valuable asset in later rounds, particularly if these fighters stay on their feet.

Junior dos Santos (15-2) vs. Mark Hunt (9-7)

Hunt replaced Alistair Overeem due to injury, but even Hunt struggled to make it to this fight. According to MMAFighting.com, Hunt actually struggled with getting a visa and struggled to make the fight. Hunt often vented his frustration over Twitter, but fortunately he was able to make it for the fight. For Junior, he will be look for a win after losing his belt at UFC 155.

When it comes to knockouts, these two are experts. The two have combined for 18 wins by knockout. The fight will likely be spent with the fighters on their feet for most of the time, with punches being furiously thrown.

This is going to be a slugfest, and it will be quite fun to watch.

Cain Velasquez (11-1) vs. Antonio Silva (18-4)

The championship fight will be the first time Velasquez will defend his title belt that he won against dos Santos. The fight is a rematch from UFC 146, where Velasquez dominated Silva, winning by TKO in the first round.

The two are opposites when it comes to size, with Velasquez hovering closer to 240 pounds while Silva usually pushes near the 265-pound limit in the division. Not much stands out in regards to Velasquez’s weaknesses, but his only loss was by knockout in the first round.

Due to the previous match, Velasquez will be the favorite heading in, but a few solid shots by Silva could end the night early.

It will be the speed of Velasquez against the power of Silva, and it will likely be the most exciting fight of the night.

NFL Players with the Biggest Chips on Their Shoulders Heading into 2013 Season

Ryan Riddle — Sat, 25 May 2013 06:36:45 -0400

There could easily be 25 names on this list with a brief blurb dedicated to each of them. But some guys carry a chip on their shoulders so big that they must be given their due.

These five men have made the list because they endured some of the most difficult and frustrating situations in the league heading into the 2013 season. Most are old faces in new places, while others are either making a return to their origins or simply fighting for a third chance at redemption.

One requirement to qualify is they have to be currently on a roster—no free agents allowed. After that, the bigger a chip on a player's shoulder, the more likely he is to make the list. Any ties or close calls naturally went to the higher profile player.

Each of these vengeful competitors has much to prove this season, complete with intriguing storylines and challenging odds. Though playing with a chip can give a player a significant advantage, there isn't room for everyone here to have a happy ending.

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3 Questions We Have About Mark Hunt Ahead of UFC 160

Scott Harris — Sat, 25 May 2013 06:29:38 -0400

If UFC 160's hype week showed anything, it's that everybody loves them some "Super Samoan" Mark Hunt. The wildly popular heavyweight is adored not just for his ability to punch through an oak tree, but his tendency to turn and walk away while the tree is still on its way down, not unlike Barry Bonds or Paul Bunyan. And his Cinderella run to the top of the division has inspired everymen across the MMA world.

Junior dos Santos undoubtedly provides Hunt's toughest test to date in the UFC Octagon. Hunt is a substantial underdog against the ex-champ, himself a powerful striker and possibly the best boxer in the promotion. Can Hunt pull it out? Sure he can. But to do so, he'll need to answer these questions.

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To-Do List for Golden State Warriors' Klay Thompson to Return Better Next Season

Scott Burns — Sat, 25 May 2013 03:55:29 -0400

Klay Thompson has evolved from a catch-and-shoot weapon to a more well-rounded player with a defensive focus, but he still has a to-do list to make him even better next season.

Thompson improved significantly between his rookie year and his second season by working hard to become the Warriors’ best perimeter defender and diversifying his offensive routine. He also worked harder to get more involved in different phases of the offense.

Klay has a high ceiling and has the worth ethic to ascend even higher. He will only be going into his third year as a professional and is still developing at the young age of 23.

He has very strong basketball roots, with his father, Mychal Thompson, being the No. 1 pick in the 1978 NBA draft. His older brother, Mychel, is currently playing in the NBA Development League, but he has also played for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Klay put on a highlight show in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs. As you can see from the video, his shot was deadly that night.

Klay scored 29 points in the first half, where he hit 11 out of 18 shots from the floor and was 7-of-8 from behind the arc. He was a man amongst boys because he also came down with 14 rebounds, three steals and a block, but he only scored five more points after halftime.

Stay Consistent

After the fireworks show in the first half of Game 2, Thompson disappeared for most of the rest of the series. He scored 17 points in the Game 3 loss, but in Games 4 and 5, he did not make a single three-pointer. He didn’t even attempt one in Game 5.

Coach Gregg Popovich made the correct adjustments and minimized Thompson’s presence. Klay needs to fight through it when he gets stuck in a lull by using his other skills.

He can set up and run a pick-and-roll, or even better with his skill set, he can set up a pick-and-pop. He can also make a defensive play to change the momentum in the game.

He is a key component of this young and athletic basketball team, as he is one of the “Splash Brothers." Thompson was on the floor for an average of 35.8 minutes this season, an uptick from the 24.4 minutes that he received as a rookie.

He started all 82 games for the Warriors as he averaged 16.6 PPG, 3.7 RPG and 2.6 threes. His shooting percentages dipped from his rookie season, probably because of all the extra minutes and the increased amount of shots he was taking.

Thompson will need to rely on his strengths, but he will also need to change the pace every so often. Instead of being the spot-up shooter, he will need to drive to the hoop, make layups or create scoring opportunities.

Start to Convert the “Klay-ups”

Speaking of layups, Klay has a penchant of bricking or missing his easy opportunities at the net. So, his unfinished layups earned the nickname “Klay-ups."

As you can see from the video, there is no soft touch and no hope of the ball falling into the basket.

He needs to work very hard this summer to learn how to use a soft touch at the rim. Instead of being content to just reach the rim, he needs to use the same tools as Steph Curry and finish his drives to the bucket.

It will take practice and regular-season success to get him comfortable with this practice, but if he can master the layup, he will significantly improve his offensive game.

If he can make the conversion, defenders will have that doubt in the back of their mind that Klay might take it to the rack. The more consistently he can complete the finish, the more room he will have to operate when he gets the ball.

Here is a good example of Klay finishing at the rim without any doubt.

Use the National Team Experience to His Benefit

Thompson has been invited back to the U.S. Team minicamp, where he excelled last year by impressing Kobe Bryant. He learned how to drive to the basket and improved on his defensive abilities.

With his size, wingspan, length and athleticism, Thompson has significantly improved on defense and is the Warriors' main lockdown defender. He succeeded in his confrontations against Bryant this season and will need to bring that experience to the quicker and smaller guards he will face next season.

Attack More

Finally, Klay needs to focus on attacking the basket more. He is one of the best shooters in the game, but in order to create more room for those shots, he needs to drive to the bucket.

Just like Curry, he needs to earn more trips to the foul line. This season, he averaged only 1.9 free-throw attempts per game.

He has a large, lanky frame that could easily draw more foul shots if he tried. Compared to other shooting guards, he was last in the league in free-throw attempts.

He needs to start faking the jumper and put the ball on the floor in order to draw the foul. He is a very solid shooter from the charity stripe, where he hits an average of 84.1 percent.

Klay is still a very young player with tons of upside. He will continue to grow and utilize his high basketball IQ.

He is still developing with his explosive guard partner, Steph Curry. If Thompson can mature faster than expected, he should put the Warriors in a real solid position to contend for an NBA title.

5 Free Agents the Boston Celtics Must Avoid

Sloan Piva — Sat, 25 May 2013 03:46:54 -0400

The Boston Celtics clearly have a lot of work to do this offseason, with very little cap space. Injuries and large veteran contracts further complicate an already murky scenario, so every free-agent acquisition counts.

Earlier in the week, I highlighted the five most likely options for the Celtics on the open market, explaining why each of them would be a good fit in the short- and long-term future.

Now it's time to pinpoint which free agents the Celtics must avoid, in order to remain competitive now and down the line.

The following list consists of realistic free-agent targets, based on rumors, salaries and team needs. It also explains why Celtics management should avoid offering any of them contracts to play for the Green.

All statistics are from ESPN.com, NBA.com/stats and Basketball-Reference.com.

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Mock Help Wanted Ad for Philadelphia 76ers' Open Head Coaching Position

Zachary Arthur — Sat, 25 May 2013 03:06:53 -0400

Not going to lie to any of you out there...everyone here at the Philadelphia 76ers organization feels a little disappointed about trying to find a head coach by posting a "help wanted" ad, but we are a bit desperate.

Scratch that, we are definitely desperate.

Going 34-48 and missing the playoffs after getting to the Eastern Conference semifinals the previous year isn't what we were trying to do. Our goal now is to get back into a winning routine and to do it quickly.

As many of you know out there, Doug Collins was the former head coach of this team. We used his services for three years, and he did some positive things for the Sixers. Our defense grew, the younger players began to blossom and he even taught players like Thaddeus Young to play at a new position.

Unfortunately, he did all of this while losing control of what was supposed to be his team.

Please see our qualifications for the head coaching position with the Philadelphia 76ers and let us know if you have what it takes.

Recent Coaching Experience

Sometimes life is about learning from your mistakes, and that is something that we will strive to do. One of our recent mistakes was hiring a man that hadn't been a head coach in seven years. In hindsight, it almost sounds like a ridiculous mistake. Why would we hire someone that hasn't recently coached?

Well, that is a great question.

Our new guy needs to have been an NBA head or assistant coach withing the last year. The NBA is a league full of change and getting somebody that is up to date on how to coach is vital toward Philadelphia's success.

No Second-Guessers Needed

Please do not apply if you can't stick with a decision you have decided to make.

The Sixers went through countless changes to their rotation as the season progressed this past year. Some of them were necessary due to injuries or fatigue, however, a number of them were random and didn't make sense.

Frustration and an inability to progress as a team soon followed.

Philly needs a coach that is willing to come up with a realistic rotation and sticks to his guns. He needs to understand that there will be times when it works out and times when it doesn't. Making small adjustments will be needed, but completely revamping certain parts of the lineup won't be tolerated.

Must Be Able to Work with and Develop Young Players

Jrue Holiday, Evan Turner and Thaddeus Young are three of our best players and all of them are 24 years old or younger. If we choose to bring Andrew Bynum back, then you can add a 25-year-old to that list.

Our new head coach has to show that he has experience with developing young players. Having the ability to teach and help some of our younger players grow is going to be necessary toward our future success.

We truly believe that we have most of our future's core members already on this team. The problem is that we won't get anywhere unless they reach their potential and take us there.

You need to be a leader in that process.

Last but Not Least, Bring a Needed Fire to the Team

It's hard to put a finger on it, but the Sixers have been missing somewhat of a competitive mindset for the past couple of years. It feels like we are okay with being just another team. "There are 29 others so we'll sit this season out."

That has to end now.

The only way to the top is to want to get to the top. We need a coach that is determined to fight through any adversity with the intention of being the best team in the NBA. We don't expect you to get there overnight, but the expectation to eventually get to that point is there.

What is the point in playing if being at the top isn't your ultimate goal?

If you meet the previous criteria and agree with that philosophy, then please apply for the Sixers' head coaching position.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Fallon Fox Laments on Victory over Allanna Jones, Haters and Unique Submission

Michael Stets — Sat, 25 May 2013 02:42:26 -0400

After two months of controversy, and national headlines leading up to Friday’s CFA 11 co-main event at Bank United Center in Coral Gables, Fla., transgender fighter Fallon Fox finally got to fight an opponent as opposed to harsh criticism.

She defeated Allanna Jones via submission by a modified North-South choke, riding her shin across Jones' throat to force the tap at the 1:26 mark of the third round, advancing to the women's 145-pound tournament final.

Fox landed some good leg strikes early and scored some takedowns throughout the three-round contest. Jones showed she was an evenly matched opponent as she avoided any big strikes early, worked some offense from her guard on a couple of armbar attempts and stuffed several of Fox’s takedowns.

The Chicago-based fighter’s takedowns proved to be the difference in the fight. After her final takedown, Fox avoided an armbar attempt, passed Jones' guard and secured an advantageous position before ending Jones' night with the unique submission.

This was the toughest test to date for the polarizing fighter. The cries of Fox having an unfair advantage over her opponents have now moved on to the sentiment that she isn’t that deft of skill (according to Twitter) and needs to greatly improve.

“It’s pretty funny huh? That’s pretty hilarious,” Fox told Bleacher Report, when asked about the criticism after the fight.

Perhaps if the 37-year-old Fox dispatched Jones as quickly as the 36 seconds it took her to defeat Ericka Newsome in her last fight, the critics would be singing a different tune. Haters are going to hate, according to Fox.

"It’s all just from haters,” Fox stated about the backlash on her skill. “The ones who hated me in the beginning are going to say that I had an unfair advantage, and then when I go three rounds with someone and win by submission it’s hey all the sudden…I was pretty sure that was going to happen.”

Allanna Jones fired the first salvo of the night, walking out to Aerosmith’s “Dude looks like a lady.” Fox’s entrance was met with a cascade of boos. Fox would ultimately have the last laugh, as she earned the victory with the crafty submission finish in front of over 2,000 fans in attendance.

Could the submission of the fighter nicknamed “The Queen of Swords” earn a moniker of its own? Maybe it should be called “The Fox”? Not so fast, the 3-0 fighter explained. She learned that submission by studying a veteran women’s fighter with a high-level grappling background.

“I’ll give credit to Shayna Bazler for that one, to be honest,” admitted Fox. “I saw that in one of her matches one time and I was studying it and I’ve been trying to pull it off, and I finally did. It’s pretty awesome that I got to pull it off in this fight.”

Going into the third round for the first time seems to have quieted the discussion of if Fox has any clear unfair physical advantage over women fighters. If anything, it has helped her case going forward.

“Clearly, clearly, if I go can go to the third round, of course,” Fox said convincingly. “I agree with you on that.”

Fox will face Ashley Evans-Smith in the CFA women’s 145-pound tournament final, the winner takes home $20,000. A date has yet to be announced.

Michael Stets is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained first hand unless other wise noted.

Biggest Coaching Fails of 2012-13 NBA Season

Zach Buckley — Sat, 25 May 2013 02:24:31 -0400

Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel knows NBA sidelines have no room for thin skin.

His decision to bench Roy Hibbert on both of the Miami Heat's final two offensive possessions in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals has been examined from every angle imaginable since Tuesday night.

Those in agreement with his idea to replace the lumbering seven-footer in favor of smaller, quicker defenders (first Tyler Hansbrough, then Sam Young) say that's simply how you have to defend Miami's versatile offensive weapons.

The Heat flanked MVP LeBron James with four shooters, and Hibbert didn't have the quickness to check any of them. With only 2.2 seconds left on the clock for Miami's final trip, denying initial penetration and contesting a jumper (neither of which are Hibbert's strengths) trumped protecting the rim.

As for those who said he got it wrong, the majority in this debate, they said there's no excuse for removing an intimidating rim protector when the league's best slasher was clearly going to be the focal point of the offense. James exploded for a driving layup on the first chance with 10 seconds left on the clock, then did the very same thing to beat the buzzer and seal Miami's 103-102 overtime victory.

Vogel himself appeared to be a part of the latter, saying after the game that if presented with the same situation again he "would probably have (Hibbert) in the game," according to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press.

Just how bad was Vogel's decision in Game 2? Bad enough to crack this list, but far from the worst coaching fail of the 2012-13 NBA season.

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Indy 500 Lineup 2013: Breaking Down Each Driver's Starting Position and Odds

Jerry Bonkowski — Sat, 25 May 2013 02:06:11 -0400

The Indianapolis 500 isn't called "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" for nothing.

It's given racing fans some of the highest drama of any sport, including four-time winners and racing legends Rick Mears, A.J. Foyt and Al Unser.

Sadly, the 500 has also claimed 14 drivers on race day, the last being Swede Savage in 1973, and another 25 killed during testing, practice or qualifying in pursuit of racing's greatest prize.

This year's race is perhaps the most wide-open it's been in at least the last decade, with a number of compelling storylines, including pole-sitter Ed Carpenter, who qualified with a out-of-this-world speed of 228.762 mph.

Defending 500 winner Dario Franchitti, along with Helio Castroneves, are both hoping to finally join the exclusive four-win club that counts Foyt, Unser and Mears as its only members. Other past winners looking to repeat in victory lane are Scott Dixon and Buddy Lazier.

There's also a heavy Chevrolet contingent—which hasn't won a 500 since 2002—led by Marco Andretti, who has perhaps his best chance ever of doing something his father Michael never did, and something grandfather Mario did just once: win the 500. In fact, the first 10 starters in Sunday's race are driving Chevy-powered cars.

There are also four rookies in the field, including Carlos Munoz, who qualified in the middle of the front row, almost won Friday's thrilling four-car, side-by-side Indy Lights race at the finish line, and has shown an uncanny lack of fear around the 2.5-mile Brickyard.

As we prepare for Sunday's 102^nd running of perhaps the most famous auto race in the world, we break down the 33 drivers in the field, where they'll start, their odds of winning, prior 500 record and overall chances.

Speaking of odds, we've simplified things. Rather than going with outrageous predictions like 1,000 to 1, we're going to count down the odds of a driver winning from 33:1 on down to 2:1 (keep in mind there may be a few ties, as well).

Begin Slideshow

Anibal Sanchez's 1-Hit Shutout: Another MLB No-Hitter Effort Goes by the Wayside

Alex Sanderson — Sat, 25 May 2013 01:47:12 -0400

Anibal Sanchez of the Detroit Tigers did not allow a hit throughout the first 25 outs of his outing on Friday against the Minnesota Twins.

It was looking good for the right-hander to record the season's first no-hitter and second of his career; he had already accomplished the feat back in 2006 with the Florida Marlins.

When Sanchez threw that no-no against the Arizona Diamondbacks, it was the first such feat in the major leagues in over 24 months. Times have changed in recent history, however, as there were seven no-hitters in the league just last season alone.

Let's go back to Friday night's ninth inning. After Jamey Carroll struck out looking, Joe Mauer came to the plate and hit a Sanchez breaking ball right back up the middle for a base knock. Of all the players to break up a no-no, it would be Mauer, as he has a career batting average of .324. This was the third no-hitter Mauer has broken up in the ninth inning in his career.

Sanchez battled back to strike out Josh Willingham and Justin Morneau to close out a one-hit shutout in a 6-0 Tigers victory. It sure was a great outing, but he won't be able to have his name featured on a select list of pitchers with multiple no-nos just yet.

This masterpiece by Sanchez was one of several close calls of no-hitters throughout the season, but there has still yet to be one recorded. Maybe the moment on April 2 (just the third day of the season) when Texas ace Yu Darvish came within just one out of a perfect game was a great foreshadowing of what was to come.

Sanchez needed 130 pitches to get the complete game, and did show some signs of fatigue toward the end of the outing. In an era where the pitch counts of most pitchers are very much watched over and limited, they become a big factor in pitchers being able to close the deal on these rare feats.

Of the seven pitchers to throw no-hitters last season, only two have been up to par this year. That would be Felix Hernandez and Homer Bailey, who are actually the last two pitchers to record no-hitters.

Kevin Millwood (who combined with several relievers on a no-no) is retired from baseball, Philip Humber is in the minor leagues, Johan Santana may never pitch again with shoulder trouble, Matt Cain has given up 13 home runs in 10 starts and Jered Weaver has been on the disabled list for most of the season.

Based on what was just described, it proves that the no-hitter can be somewhat of an anomaly. Sure, there are going to be exceptions (Nolan Ryan being the most glaring), but the feat is not always a good barometer of what kind of pitcher the player really is.

The way pitchers have been starting to dominate more lately, there will no doubt at least be one no-hitter thrown in the 2013 season. Still, it has been almost excruciating to see so many pitchers lose out on that distinction in the seventh inning or later thus far, and will be something to watch closely going forward.

George Hill Says God Only Person Scarier Than LeBron James After Game 2 Win

Maxwell Ogden — Sat, 25 May 2013 01:41:41 -0400

Until the end of time, NBA pundits will compare LeBron James to Michael Jordan, thus attempting to determine which player truly is the best of all time. Despite losing to the Indiana Pacers during Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Finals series, LeBron joined MJ in a unique category.

They've now both been compared to God.

Pacers point guard George Hill was asked about James' extraordinary Game 2 performance, and with good reason. LeBron finished with 36 points on 14-of-20 shooting, also grabbing eight rebounds, dishing out three assists and picking up three steals.

Hill put it in terms that anyone can understand:

George Hill on playing against LeBron: "There's only like one person who's scarier, and that's God."
— Beyond The Buzzer(@BeyondTheBuzzer) May 25, 2013

To paraphrase, LeBron is a bad, bad man.

In 1986, Michael Jordan received similar praise from an opponent. After Jordan scored 63 points against the Boston Celtics, Larry Bird claimed that it wasn't MJ who went out and put on that still legendary performance.

It was God, Bird said via NBA.com:

I didn't think anyone was capable of doing what Michael has done to us. He is the most exciting, awesome player in the game today. I think it's just God disguised as Michael Jordan.

The stuff of legends.

Hill is far from Larry Legend, and 36 points is only a fraction of Jordan's 63, but the comparison is warranted here. Even when LeBron appears to be playing in a rather pedestrian manner, he's pulling out one of the best performances of the season.

As Hill so elegantly put it, there is no man scarier than LeBron when he's on his game.

Fallon Fox Stays Unbeaten, Stops Allanna Jones in Spectacular Fashion at CFA 11

Jordy McElroy — Sat, 25 May 2013 01:31:16 -0400

With the MMA community deadlocked in an endless debate over sexual orientation and ethics, Fallon Fox continued to do what she always does at Cage Fighting Alliance 11 on Friday night: beat people up and get her hand raised.

The openly transgendered female fighter moved onto the finals of the inaugural featherweight tournament after submitting Allanna Jones with a shin choke.

Jones, who put up a valiant effort throughout the bout, writhed in pain before finally giving in at 3:36 of the third round. A chorus of boos echoed throughout the arena after the fight, but the crowd never flustered "The Queen of Swords," who was all smiles after winning her third straight professional bout.

"I noticed she just tried to get away from me so it was hard trying to catch up to her," Fox said in her post-fight interview. "[The submission] was kind of a knee ride choke that chokes them out, pretty awesome."

Fox has been the subject of controversy since the big reveal of her sexual orientation to Sports Illustrated in March.

In an exclusive interview with MMA journalist Loretta Hunt, Fox stated that she had undergone gender reassignment surgery back in 2006, which also included supplemental hormonal therapy.

According to a tweet by Hunt, Fox "wasn't required to provide transgender history" to get sanctioned for the bout with Jones, per the Florida State Boxing Commission.

Jones played defensive the entire fight in an attempt to avoid Fox's devastating knockout power. Her entire game plan appeared to be based on countering and avoiding wild stand-up exchanges, which worked extremely well at certain points in the fight.

Fox would often push forward with punches in an attempt to bait Jones into unnecessary exchanges. As she backpedaled, Jones was able to find openings to counter effectively and keep things interesting on the feet.

Fox, who had blood trickling from her nose early in the first round, showed composure and the ability to adjust on the fly. Instead of being overaggressive, she settled down and really began to dig into Jones' leg with outside leg kicks.

When Jones attempted to fire back with kicks of her own, Fox would change levels and secure a takedown. The takedowns proved pivotal in this fight for Fox, who was completely gassed by the end of the first round.

After snagging a leg for a takedown in the final round, Fox transitioned to the north-south position, slid her shin across Jones' neck and waited for the tap.

With her third win, talks have continued to heat up from Fox's camp about the possibility of joining the women's bantamweight division in the UFC.

When asked about the chances of the UFC signing Fox, UFC President Dana White claimed it was too far into the future to even talk about,during an appearance on The Abe Kanan Show. For now, her primary focus should be on her upcoming finals matchup with Ashlee Evans-Smith, and everything else will eventually fall into place.

If Fox is licensed and continues to win impressively, it could only be a matter of time before the UFC opens its doors.

Pacers Leave Roy Hibbert in Game, LeBron James Loses Ball in Clutch

Zach Buckley — Sat, 25 May 2013 01:14:43 -0400

Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel wasn't lying.

After his questionable decision to pull his hulking 7'2", 280-pound rim protector, Roy Hibbert, on a pair of crunch-time possessions in Game 1, he admitted afterward that he'd probably do things differently the next time around.

It could have been a public relations move. Vogel was widely chastised by fans and analysts abound as soon as LeBron James' buzzer-beating layup tickled the twine to give the Miami Heat a 103-102 overtime win in the first game of the series.

It could have been a proactive attempt to avoid any awkward moments with the aforementioned mountain of a man. Or perhaps simply an off-the-cuff response to the exact question he'd been asking himself during a long walk back to the visitors' locker room inside AmericanAirlines Arena.

Turns out it was none of the above. Rather, it was simply an honest answer, and Vogel's decision to hold true to his word just helped his team swipe home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference finals.

Game 2 wasn't all that different from the series opener.

The superstar battles between James (36 points, eight rebounds) and Paul George (22 points, six assists) were mesmerizing. There were 50 fouls between the two teams, and the high amount of turnovers—13 for Indiana, 14 for Miami—helped keep the contest choppy.

Hibbert (29 points, 10 boards) continued his interior dominance. George Hill (18 points, 6-of-8 from the field) took over the supporting scoring role from David West (13 points, 2-of-9). Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh gave the MVP some assistance (31 points combined), but Miami's support staff struggled once again. (Chris Andersen's seven points were next in line for the Heat.)

Same story for the most part, only a completely different conclusion—one that Vogel allowed Hibbert to see through to the end.

The Pacers scored eight of the game's final 10 points and escaped with a 97-93 win. James had his chances for another heroic late-game performance, but faltered in the face of Indiana's new-look defensive closers.

The driving lanes James had found in Game 1 disappeared when Hibbert was on the floor.

Here's what James saw on the first of his two layups in the final 10 seconds of overtime on Tuesday night.

A Norris Cole screen forced Paul George off the basketball, leaving only the 6'2", 190-pound Hill standing between the 6'8", 250-pound James and the basket. The threat of Cole, Wade and Ray Allen receiving open looks on the weak side held a trio of potential help defenders at bay.

The only possible helper was West, whose defensive ability extends to physical play in post isolations or battling on the glass. Only once in his nine-year career had he averaged at least one swat a game, maxing out at 1.3 per night in 2007-08—0.5 less than Hibbert's career average.

Didn't it sound too good to be true for the best slasher in the business?

James wasn't going to waste any time to find out, and he powered his way right to the tin for a go-ahead layup.

After George helped the Pacers regain the lead hitting all three free throws on the opposite end, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra spoke with James about what they should do on the final possession.

Surely working around Hibbert was part of that game plan. But Vogel kept him off the floor yet again, trading speed for size by thrusting forward Sam Young into the action.

Consider the playbook scrapped at that point.

A series of cuts gave Miami ideal court spacing again, and Indiana's interior looked completely barren.

West, the Pacers' biggest presence on the floor, was glued to the sideline in an effort to harass Shane Battier's inbounds pass. Hill and Hansbrough held tight in the perimeter passing lanes.

An overzealous George closed too hard on James, and the King's quick direction of reversal put his defender on his hip.

He had the basketball at the top of the key, with his momentum pulling him away from the rack with 2.2 seconds to operate. But he was only a power dribble away from the paint, with the 6'6", 225-pound Sam Young as the only defender left to challenge his drive.

It played out as exactly as would be expected.

Now fast-forward 48 hours.

The Heat are in dire need of points after a pair of Hill free throws gave Indiana a 95-93 edge with less than 50 seconds left in regulation.

Miami looked to James to once again work his magic, but he attempted to catch Indiana napping by whipping the ball across the wing to Allen. West sniffed out the move, though, and intercepted the look.

The Heat came up with a swarming defensive effort at the other end, forcing a shot-clock violation to keep their comeback hopes alive. James wouldn't make the same mistake again, so he poked and prodded for any path to the cup.

But what he saw lurking on the inside was nothing like what he'd seen just two nights before.

George didn't budge off Mario Chalmers' screen and kept stride with James. Indiana's weak side defenders moved closer to the paint.

Its strong side defender was none other than Hibbert himself, who dared James to pass the ball by leaving a wide-open Bosh in the corner.

When James picked up his dribble, Hibbert then moved out to deny his closest target. George held his ground as James tried to look for a shot over his right shoulder, and when he stepped again, West was there for the trap.

James saw an open Allen on the wing and thought he could thread the needle.

He guessed wrong.

And it wasn't only on the game's final possession that Hibbert made his presence felt. James was simply a different player throughout the night when the former Georgetown Hoya was on the floor.

Just like in Game 1, the outcome wasn't decided solely on the clutch-time possessions. James will need more out of his teammates, as the Pacers clearly have no intention of letting him create late-game miracles again:

Vogel made the right adjustment on Friday night.

Spoelstra's ability to find a counterstrike won't be known until these two teams square off again on Sunday night in the Circle City (8:30 p.m. ET on TNT).

What's the True Free-Agency Value of Disgruntled Scorer Monta Ellis?

Jordan Rodewald — Sat, 25 May 2013 01:02:09 -0400

One question looming large for the Milwaukee Bucks this summer is whether or not Monta Ellis will be back with the team next season. With an early-termination option on his contract, Ellis could become available on July 1 when the free-agency period begins.

If he does, what is his true value on the market?

One cannot deny the success that Ellis has had as a scorer since arriving in the league. In fact, for his career he's averaging 19.4 points per game. On the surface, that number doesn't appear to be too impressive, but it's good enough to rank 61st all-time and is 14th among active players.

With excellent quickness and an array of acrobatic moves around the rim, Ellis certainly can put the ball in the hoop.

But he's never really done so with great efficiency.

He's shooting a decent 45.6 percent from the field for his career, but that number has continued to decline over the course of the past several seasons.

Part of the reason for that decline is Ellis' infatuation with the jump shot—an aspect of his game that is subpar at best.

Ellis shot just 41.6 percent from the field during the 2012-13 season, as depicted in the shot chart from NBA.com/Stats above.

Take a moment to look at the distribution of the 1,436 shots he took over the course of the year.

Does anything stand out?

For someone who's so good at getting to the hoop and making tough shots, Ellis took just 568 shots around the rim. When you do the math, the equates to 39.5 percent of the shots he took.

That number is too low, especially when you consider that he almost negated it by taking 328 three-point field goals—the second-most of his career—and connected on just 28.7 percent of them.

And it's those threes and forced mid-range shots that prevented Ellis from having a great season.

In December, Ellis compared himself to Dwyane Wade but he'll never reach that status unless he elevates his basketball IQ and becomes a smarter player.

But what separates the two players is basketball smarts.

Wade knows he isn't a great three-point shooter, so he doesn't take very many. In fact, he's taken more than 100 threes just three times in his career.

Ellis should take note of his 2007-08 season. That year, he scored the most total points he's ever scored and also shot 53.1 percent from the field.

How many threes did he attempt? A total of 52.

He is, without question, a vastly improved player when he's attacking the basket and not relying on his mid-range or long-range jump shot.

And while his inefficiency doesn't help his cause in free agency, it doesn't mar his image as much as a report following Milwaukee's first-round series against the Miami Heat.

According to Ken Berger of CBSSports.com, Ellis and Larry Sanders almost physically fought after the conclusion of Game 3 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center:

After the Bucks lost 104-91 to the Heat in Milwaukee on April 25, Sanders vented in the locker room and said in a fiery speech, “We need to start playing together as a team and stop worrying about next year,” according to one of the people briefed on the confrontation. “We need to stop being selfish and start worrying about right now.”

Ellis “took umbrage,” according to another person with knowledge of the situation. Correctly assuming that Sanders' comments were directed primarily at him and backcourt mate Brandon Jennings, who both are prospective free agents, Ellis approached Sanders and squared off with him, sources said. A teammate got between the two players and separated them before the conflict became physical.

While tensions were surely running high after suffering another loss to the defending champions, it doesn't excuse the behavior of Ellis.

No one has ever accused him of being a terrible teammate, but the high volume of shots he takes and a noticeable tendency to give up on plays if he makes a mistake don't exactly bolster an argument for him being a great one either.

In the end, Ellis and his agent will have to determine what the best option is.

He can exercise his early-termination option and leave $11 million on the table to seek greener pastures outside of Milwaukee. But his inefficient play and the immaturity he displayed in the aforementioned scuffle with Sanders don't exactly help his cause.

It comes down to what he values most between money and winning games.

If he wants play on a winning team, he's almost certainly going to have to take a pay cut. It would be shocking if a contending team paid him more than what he would make with the Bucks if he returned next season.

Ultimately, he may find that his value on the market isn't nearly what he thinks it is, and that could prove to be detrimental to the growth of the Bucks next season.

Predicting 2013-14 All-NBA Teams

Grant Hughes — Sat, 25 May 2013 00:54:14 -0400

The league announced the members of the 2012-13 All-NBA teams on May 23, which means it's already time to start looking ahead to the guys who'll be named to the 2013-14 squads.

Before getting started, it's important to keep a couple of things in mind.

First, these predictions will cover which players the voters (comprised of a pool of 119 sportswriters and broadcasters) are most likely to select to the 15 available spots among the three teams. Admittedly, it was hard to keep out personal feelings about who should earn the honors, but you'll find that, by and large, these selections line up with the thinking these voters have used in the past.

Voters get stuff wrong all the time—witness David Lee's inclusion on this year's Third Team and, looking at this season's awards more broadly, Defensive Player of the Year Marc Gasol's head-scratching exclusion from the All-Defense First Team.

Hopefully, they'll get these right.

Second, there are bound to be some painful omissions. Father Time is a cruel master, as Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade are about to learn. But hey, the league's up-and-coming stars have to push somebody out of the way on their rise to the top.

Let's get to it.

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MLB Umpire Angel Hernandez: Twitter Reacts to Another Blown Call

Doug Mead — Sat, 25 May 2013 00:51:20 -0400

MLB umpire Angel Hernandez was trending on Twitter on Friday night after yet another blown call. At least this time it didn't cost a team a victory. But it was egregious nonetheless.

I know, you're thinking to yourself, "Wait, didn't MLB suspend him after he blew that home run call a few weeks ago?"

Well, this is Major League Baseball you're talking about. Hernandez wasn't disciplined in any way, although MLB at least acknowledged that Hernandez blew it.

Just to refresh your memory: With the Oakland Athletics down to the Cleveland Indians 4-3 in the top of the ninth inning on May 8, shortstop Adam Rosales hit what appeared to be a game-tying home run. But Hernandez thought otherwise, saying the ball bounced off the wall rather than the railing above the yellow line. Rosales was given a double on the play.

After A's manager Bob Melvin pleaded for a video review, Hernandez and the rest of the umpiring crew relented, stepping off the field to review the play. After several minutes, they returned, and Hernandez was apparently not swayed by the video he reviewed.

Needless to say, Melvin was beside himself. He was ejected from the game, and Rosales was stranded at second base with the A's eventually losing 4-3.

At the time, the A's beat reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, Susan Slusser, said everyone in the press box knew Hernandez completely blew the call:

Slusser was also the pool reporter sent in to interview Hernandez about the call. He refused to have his comments taped:

The following day, MLB vice president of operations Joe Torre admitted that Hernandez blew the call.

Via the New York Daily News:

“By rule, the decision to reverse a call by use of instant replay is at the sole discretion of the crew chief,” Torre said. “In the opinion of Angel Hernandez, who was last night’s crew chief, there was not clear and convincing evidence to overturn the decision on the field. It was a judgment call, and as such, it stands as final.

“Home and away broadcast feeds are available for all uses of instant replay, and they were available to the crew last night. Given what we saw, we recognize that an improper call was made. Perfection is an impossible standard in any endeavor, but our goal is always to get the calls right. Earlier this morning, we began the process of speaking with the crew to thoroughly review all the circumstances surrounding last night’s decision.”

Hernandez saw what everyone else saw, yet still made an "improper" call. And MLB handed out no discipline.

Let's fast-forward two weeks, shall we?

On Friday night during the 10th inning of a game between the Chicago White Sox and Miami Marlins, the White Sox loaded the bases with one out. Alex Rios grounded into a double play to end the threat.

But on closer inspection, it appeared that Rios beat the throw to first base. Another blown call by Hernandez.

Fortunately for the White Sox, Jeff Keppinger hit a game-winning single in the bottom of the 11th. The White Sox, unlike the A's 16 days before them, didn't have a win taken away from them.

It was just delayed by an inning.

By another blown call by Hernandez.

We can't show the video here, but we'll let you make the call.

White Sox play-by-play man Ken Harrelson nearly blew a gasket. I expected another F-bomb on TV, but he was able to hold his tongue.

People on Twitter, however, weren't afraid to hold back their feelings.

Dan Hayes of CSNChicago.com didn't exactly have a birds-eye view of the play, but he thought Rios was safe:

Bleacher Report's own Zachary Rymer thought it was the right time to mention that Hernandez was prominently featured in his column about people in baseball ruining the sport:

Chris Rongey is one who believes the MLB needs to act immediately in the wake of yet another blown call:

For the record, I completely agree with Rongey, but we'll get to that later.

Britton Robinson believes that Hernandez could be collecting unemployment checks in the very near future:

I'm not quite that convinced.

Another Twitterer thought that the reason Hernandez still has a job might have something to do with blackmail:

Well, I don't think I'd go quite THAT far.

Needless to say, baseball fans are out of their minds with anger, wonderment and incredulity. The fact that Hernandez was in a position to make another bad call in the first place is bad enough. With MLB essentially doing nothing in the wake of the fiasco 16 days ago, Hernandez was given free rein to continue blowing calls.

MLB has no one to blame but themselves. They had a golden opportunity to clean up a situation that cost a team a ballgame. How are the A's going to feel if they lose out on a postseason berth by one game at the end of the season?

This latest egregious and obvious error by Hernandez must be dealt with—and severely. There have been far too many instances this season already in which umpires—rather than baseball games—have been the story.

Susan Slusser had to leave her tape recorder behind when interviewing Hernandez after the blown call in the A's game. Was it because he simply didn't want to leave a digital trail?

Jim Joyce didn't have a problem owning up to his error with his blown call in the near-perfect game thrown by Armando Galarraga. And that cost Galarraga a piece of history.

This won't be a history-altering blown call, but for the A's, it well could decide their fate at the end of the season if they're in the thick of a playoff race.

Joe Torre and MLB need to act on Hernandez's latest outrageously bad call. Torre's got incontrovertible evidence, and he needs to use it.

Enough is enough.

Doug Mead is a featured columnist with Bleacher Report. His work has been featured in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, SF Gate, CBS Sports, the Los Angeles Times and the Houston Chronicle.

Feel free to talk baseball with Doug anytime on Twitter.

Carolina's Key to Success Rests on the Strength of Its Defense

Charles Edwards — Sat, 25 May 2013 00:51:04 -0400

Defense wins championships. A lot of coaches have been saying it for years. The Carolina Panthers have been identified as being defensive-oriented since their inception. From Dom Capers to Ron Rivera, every head coach to grace the sidelines for the Panthers has been one with a defensive background.

When the right personnel have been on the field or the unit has remained healthy, Carolina has a defense that is among the best in the league.

While the Cam Newton-led offense may garner much of the attention, the defense will be the backbone of the team’s success and failures in 2013. Last year, the Panthers were in every game but two, and a few of those losses were due to the defense being unable to stop its opponents in the waning minutes of the game.

Enter Dave Gettleman, who brought his “hog molly” philosophy to Carolina and proceeded to beef up the defensive line through both the draft and free agency.

He made Utah defensive tackle Star Lotulelei his first pick in the draft and followed it up by selecting Purdue’s Kawann Short. What was a liability on defense became an immediate strength in just two rounds.

But will it be enough?

In a perfect world, the tandem of Lotulelei and Short will be a staple of Carolina football for years to come and should anchor a line that can be one of the league’s elite on an annual basis. However, the football world is far from perfect, and the Panthers haven’t tasted playoff glory since 2008.

These two young men will be charged with shoring up a weak interior on the line, stuff the run and free up the linebackers and defensive ends to create all kinds of problems for opposing quarterbacks.

That is asking a lot of two rookies who will be seeing plenty of playing time this upcoming season. The good news is they will have plenty of veterans to help them make the transition into the Carolina defense and practice against an offense that has the potential to be great in 2013.

With the rookies in place, there is still the matter of the veteran starters who will be counted on to either improve last year’s numbers or rebound from a horrible 2012 campaign.

Carolina Needs to Combat the Injury Bug

Veteran and team captain Jon Beason has been very limited the past two seasons because of injuries. He only appeared in five games between the 2011-12 seasons and has seen his stock drop because of it.

Additionally, there has been speculation about his time in Carolina coming to an end, but if he can stay healthy and play the outside with the same kind of skill that he did at middle linebacker, he could stick around longer.

The same can be said of Thomas Davis, another Carolina linebacker who dealt with his own injury issues and came back with a strong season in 2012. That year marked his first full season since 2008; though he did miss one game last season.

Davis and Beason will be closely watched as their health will be paramount to how good the defense will be when the season gets under way.

Fortunately, the Panthers do have Chase Blackburn and rookie A.J. Klein to step in and make an immediate impact if necessary. The ideal situation would be to keep them both in a backup role, but anything is possible on any given week.

If the middle of the defense can stay intact along with the secondary and defensive front, the Panthers will have going for them during the season.

Pass Rush Will be Key

Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy are both coming off great seasons where they each recorded more than 10 sacks. With an improved defensive line, expect the blitz packages to be more frequent and Carolina’s pass rush off the edge to be more lethal. Most quarterbacks are not nearly effective under pressure, and the key to the defense’s success will be to upset their opponent’s tempo.

Lotulelei, Short and Dwan Edwards should be able to take away the double-teams, which will allow Johnson, Hardy or any of the linebackers to penetrate the backfield and cause a plethora of problems.

Teams like Atlanta, New Orleans, New England and the New York Giants all have quarterbacks who are dangerous when they have a lot of time inside the pocket. An effective pass rush will make all of those teams and this year’s opponents one dimensional.

The same can be said about those teams with a mobile quarterback. Fortunately, the Panthers have a great mobile quarterback to practice against. Having that luxury could help the defense prepare for the likes of Seattle, San Francisco, Buffalo and the New York Jets (the latter assuming Geno Smith is named the starter for their matchup).

Ultimately, having an excellent pass rush will nullify the need for a shutdown corner or an elite player in the secondary.

Secondary Is a Weak Link, But It Can Be Solid

There is no doubt that this year’s weak area is the secondary.

Until the season starts in September, let’s assume the starting cornerbacks will be Captain Munnerlyn and Josh Norman. Neither one is very flashy, but both did play well last year in the wake of former Panthers corner Chris Gamble being lost for the season. They combined for three interceptions in 2012 and both have proved durable on the field.

Safety is the wild card among the group, and with the lone exception to Charles Godfrey, the other safety position will be up for grabs heading into training camp. Haruki Nakamura struggled last season, and his spot on the roster is not guaranteed with the likes of Colin Jones and Robert Lester looking to challenge him for the starting job. Mike Mitchell and D.J. Campbell cannot be overlooked either.

The pass defense was middle of the road last season, finishing 14 out of 32 teams in the league. However, Carolina’s total defense rounded out the top 10, and that should be looked at with a sense of optimism moving forward.

There should be no reason why both the pass defense and rush defense won’t improve in 2013 and make the defense a formidable one during the course of the season.

Carolina has an excellent blend of veteran leadership and promising rookies on defense, and the outlook should be favorable not only on the team but among the fanbase. If the Panthers defense can correct the mistakes of last year and help close out the tight ballgames, they could very well see an win increase of three or four games at the end of this season.

The offense may get all the accolades, but defense wins championships.

Can Indiana Pacers Do Unthinkable and Upset Miami Heat?

Grant Hughes — Sat, 25 May 2013 00:47:25 -0400

Now that the Indiana Pacers have evened their Eastern Conference finals series with the Miami Heat by taking a hard-fought 97-93 win in Game 2, it appears that the impossible is actually possible. The Pacers have a legitimate shot to beat the Heat.

Paul George was phenomenal again, piling up 22 points and six assists on 9-of-16 shooting. It's hard to laud his defense against LeBron James, who poured in 36 points on only 20 shots, but it's no coincidence that George's plus-17 rating was the highest of any player on either team. He made James work for his buckets and got plenty of his own on the other end.

In fact, George even matched James in the highlight category, throwing down more than one vicious dunk.

The budding superstar wasn't fighting the Heat alone, though; Roy Hibbert turned in yet another great performance, scoring 29 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. At times, the big man looked like he was out there on the court with nine kids playing "keep away" by himself on the glass. His six offensive boards were absolutely critical to Indiana's surprising win.

The Pacers got production from the other three members of their starting lineup as well.

George Hill had a couple of ball-handling gaffes (as usual), but he scored with terrific efficiency (18 points on only eight field-goal attempts) and actually attacked in pick-and-roll sets for the first time all series. Plus, David West worked his way to the line 10 times and doled out plenty of physical punishment.

Ask Mario Chalmers how his shoulder is feeling after a hard shot from West.

Even Lance Stephenson chipped in with a terrific floor game. Though he was visibly upset with his 4-of-12 shooting night, the gritty 2-guard supplemented his 10 points with eight rebounds, five assists and a pair of steals.

If all five members of the Pacers' starting unit can continue to play well, it'll go a long way toward helping them pull off a previously unthinkable upset.

Looking ahead, though, there are some other signs from Game 2 that certainly favor the Pacers as the series returns to Indiana.

First, Indy seemed to shore up a major weakness that had plagued it during the regular season and playoffs. In the 2012-13 campaign, only the go-go Houston Rockets had a higher turnover ratio than the Pacers. Yet in Game 2, Indiana committed only 13 giveaways.

Frank Vogel clearly made an adjustment that helped relieve the pressure Norris Cole had been applying to Hill in the backcourt by having his players immediately fire the ball up the floor to the first available wing player. The strategy was a simple version of a press break—the kind you'd see in plenty of high school games. But it definitely helped.

And ironically, it was James who committed the most crucial turnovers, as he gave the ball up on bad passes twice in the final minute.

It's definitely unrealistic to expect James to make those mistakes again, and it's probably unlikely that the Pacers will be so careful with the ball during the rest of the series. But Indiana has at least addressed a major problem. That'll help as these games get even more tense going forward.

In addition to smaller tactical changes, the Pacers will now get to enjoy the benefit of two games at home.

During the regular season, Indiana amassed an excellent 30-11 mark in its own gym. A 6-0 home playoff record shows that its home dominance has clearly carried over into the postseason.

And speaking of records, consider the following as it pertains to Indy's chances of pulling off the upset: Coming into Game 2, everyone was fixated on the Heat's 47-3 mark over their past 50 games. Some cited it as proof that there was no way the Pacers could be expected to take four games out of six after losing Game 1.

Objectively, that makes a ton of sense. But remember, these Pacers took two out of three games from the Heat during the regular season. That number should matter more than the gaudy record Miami ran up against the rest of the league over the past few months.

We now know that the Pacers aren't like the rest of the league. They're better.

Plus, Indiana has actually had a taste of what it's like to have an edge on the Heat in the postseason. Perhaps it'll be motivated to savor that taste this time around.

And finally, the biggest thing the Pacers have going for them is sheer confidence. They know they could have taken Game 1 if not for a couple of late miscues and James' heroics. After bouncing back to notch a statement win in Game 2 on Miami's home floor, Indiana should believe it can win this series.

Look, there are plenty of reasons for the Heat to continue to be the favorite to advance. The Pacers still don't have a bench, and there's almost no way James' supporting cast pulls another disappearing act like it did in Game 2.

Plus, the Heat have finally been hit in the mouth in a game that really counts. Sure, they lost a couple of tough regular season games and even dropped a playoff contest to the Chicago Bulls, but perhaps this latest loss will finally remind the Heat that they've got to play with urgency all the time.

They haven't had to do that yet, and if there's another gear the Heat have yet to hit, Indiana's big win might actually force them to find it.

I said the Pacers had "a chance" to win this series earlier, and that's just what it is: a chance.

The Heat still have the best player in the series, a better bench and more playoff experience. If forced to make a pick, I'd still say they are more likely to win this series. At the same time, it definitely won't be a shock if Indiana wins either.

The Heat are a great team. But now we know they're not invincible.

2013 NBA Playoffs: Paul George Is Blossoming into a Star

Thomas Duffy — Sat, 25 May 2013 00:35:42 -0400

Physically, Paul George could almost look like a younger brother of LeBron James. The reigning MVP is stronger, has more ink and has less hair than the leader of the Indiana Pacers, in addition to possessing seven more years of professional experience. But like any younger sibling playing his big brother, George has not backed down from the challenge of taking on the league’s best player in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Although he has three seasons under his belt, this is really George’s first year playing the role of Indiana’s top gun. In the absence of Danny Granger, the 2013 NBA’s Most Improved Player put up All-Star numbers of nearly 18 points and eight rebounds per game. He had already established himself as a tremendous defender, but George increased his offensive production by more than five points per game from last season (via ESPN).

When you think of superstars in the NBA, who do you think of? LeBron, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony—George really doesn’t come up in that discussion. After this season, however, that is going to change.

George is blossoming into a star, right before our very eyes, here in the playoffs. His Game 1 performance in the conference finals against the Miami Heat was unreal: 27 points on 7-of-16 shooting (3-6 from three-point territory), including a 30-footer to send the game into overtime and then three cold-blooded free throws with 2.2 seconds left to give his Pacers a one-point lead.

On the following play, George overplayed James on the inbound pass and allowed LBJ to surge in for the game-winning layup as time expired, 103-102 Miami. George is 23 years old, though; that’s going to happen. How he would respond to that kind of adversity is what mattered.

And boy, did he respond.

In Game 2 on Friday, George poured in 22 points (9-16 from the field) in 39 minutes while keeping his composure in the biggest game of his career. His smothering defense forced James into two turnovers with less than a minute left en route to a 97-93 victory in Miami.

Now that the away team has won on their opponent's home court, we have a series (as the saying goes). And you know what else we have? A rising star in Paul George, who is going toe-to-toe with one of the greatest players of all time and loving every second of it.

Game 3 will be played on Sunday, May 26 at 8:30 p.m. on TNT.

Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat Game 2: Video Highlights and Recap

Tyler Conway — Sat, 25 May 2013 00:24:20 -0400

Just when we thought the "is LeBron clutch?" conversation had ended, Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals will undoubtedly get the NBA's most oft-debated conversation heated up once again.

James turned the ball over twice in the final minute of Friday night's action, helping the Indiana Pacers defeat the Miami Heat, 97-93, to even the best-of-seven series at 1-1.

The critical turnovers obscure an otherwise brilliant performance from the league MVP. James scored a game-high 36 points and grabbed eight rebounds on a night where Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh both turned in disappointing outings.

Wade scored only 14 points, while Bosh had a customary 17 but grabbed only five rebounds. Both shot 6-of-14 from the floor.

While most will focus on the implications for Miami as the series heads back to Indiana, Game 2's biggest star was Pacers center Roy Hibbert.

The 7'2" big man, who was infamously benched for James' game-winning basket on Wednesday, scored 29 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. And on Miami's final meaningful offensive possession—James' second turnover of the final minute—it was Hibbert's length that forced LeBron to stop in his tracks and attempt a difficult pass.

The man who tipped that pass, David West, was involved with both James turnovers—making up for a dreadful offensive evening.

Meanwhile, Paul George's leap to superstardom continued. The 23-year-old All-Star scored shot 9-of-16 en route to scoring 22 points, including a ferocious dunk that will assuredly make highlight shows across the nation.

Indiana now heads back home having done what all underdogs aspire to do—win one of the first road games. The pressure will now be firmly on the Heat, as the series gets back underway Sunday night in Indianapolis.

Follow @tylerconway22

Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat: Game 2 Postgame Grades and Analysis

Peter Emerick — Sat, 25 May 2013 00:21:09 -0400

I feel like we've been here before. A playoff series between the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers tied up at 1-1 as the series heads back to Indiana?

Thanks to a 97-93 Game-2 win over the Heat, the Pacers are treating fans to another thrilling series, only this time the stakes are higher with a trip to the 2013 NBA Finals on the line.

Paul George and LeBron James went back and forth throughout the night, with George ending with 22 points and six assists and LeBron ending with 36 points on 14-of-20 shooting.

With the game going back and forth, George rose to the occasion and threw down one of the filthiest dunks you'll ever see, shoving Chris Andersen out of his way.

LeBron had a great game throughout the first 47 minutes, but with the game on the line, he turned the ball over twice, which sealed the Heat's fate.

Roy Hibbert owned the interior on both sides of the ball, with 29 points and 10 rebounds. It's clear that the Heat need to find an answer for the Pacers' size and strength in the paint. If they don't, they may be watching the 2013 NBA Finals from the comfort of their own homes.

Game 3 is set for Sunday at 9 p.m. ET. You won't want to miss a single minute of this series, that's for sure.

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The Day the Rams Sued

Barry Shuck — Sat, 25 May 2013 00:15:10 -0400

The Los Angeles Rams were comfortable in their new home since moving from Cleveland in 1946. The fanbase was excellent and growing each season. Their home stadium, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, was cavernous, seating over 93,000, which meant more revenue for each contest.

Movie and television stars were being seen at home games. And the franchise had become the most financially solvent club in the National Football League.

The Rams had plenty of success on the field, winning four division titles and playing in the NFL Championship Game four times, winning it all in 1951. The squad made famous a wide-open offense and led the league in scoring several seasons.

Back in 1950, L.A. was the first NFL team to have all its games televised by the Admiral Television Co. This idea of televising home games ensured that the majority of Southern California would get the exposure the NFL (and the Rams) needed week after week.

But, that was then. This was the year 1960. And those high-scoring teams of the 1950s were gone or retired. The team was in a rebuilding mode after having finished 2-10 the year before.

The NFL was finally a national league with the Rams moving to L.A., the merger of the San Francisco 49ers melding into the league (in 1950), an expansion team in Dallas for 1960, plus a new club to be situated in Minneapolis beginning in 1961. No longer was the league simply comprised of teams east of the Mississippi River.

The Rams had lost their swagger that the club was known for. New blood was needed to turn the franchise around and regain their glory days. Head Coach Sid Gillman was fired, but he landed as the head man with the startup Los Angeles Chargers of the newly formed American Football League (AFL).

The Rams new head coach was Bob Waterfield, who had been a star player for the Rams in the 1940s and 1950s. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and won the NFL Player of the Year award in 1945 and also in 1950. Later, he would be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965. He was also married to the movie goddess Jane Russell.

One thing Waterfield wanted as a head coach was more team speed. Despite the poor showing in 1959, that roster had four players make the Pro Bowl: WR Del Shofner, DE Lamar Lundy, LB Les Richter and RB Jon Arnett. Both quarterbacks, Frank Ryan and starter Billy Wade, would be returning as well.

And the Rams had one more thing: the very first pick in the upcoming NFL college draft.

Back then only college seniors were eligible to be taken in the draft, which lasted 20 rounds. Often, last season’s Heisman Trophy winner was chosen somewhere in the first round or as the very first player taken overall. This year would be no exception.

Running back Billy Cannon was a triple-threat coming out of Louisiana State University (LSU). He had a sprinter’s speed, a golden arm and sure hands. In addition, his strength resembled a brute mentality, but with an intelligence to digest any offense.

He helped LSU win the national championship in his junior year and won the UPI Player of the Year award in 1958 and 1959. Plus, he had just won the Heisman Trophy as college football’s best player.

The Rams’ general manager at the time was Pete Rozelle, who later would be elected the league’s commissioner. For now, he ran the L.A. show. And he wanted Cannon. Bad.

With the first selection in the NFL draft, this was a certainty. Or was it? In past seasons, the only hindrances that prevented a blue-chip player from signing was playing another sport (like professional baseball), or entering the business world with a lucrative offer from a well-established firm. But this year, for the first time ever, there was another obstacle.

The AFL.

The AFL was the new kid in town. Originally, it wasn’t taken very seriously with the Old Guard of the NFL owners. And since the AFL also had a college draft, that too wasn’t taken in consideration as a threat to the tranquility that the older league had enjoyed for decades.

The AFL held its draft on Nov. 22, 1959. Each of the eight AFL teams selected players regionally instead of in reverse order of the previous year’s standings as was the case with the NFL. Their thoughts were that if more local college stars were playing in their new league, that the fanbase would follow them and increase ticket sales.

The Houston Oilers of the AFL held all rights to players coming out of the state of Louisiana. This meant Cannon was eligible to become property of the Oilers.

To counter, the NFL held its draft on Nov. 30, 1959 at a secret location. With the AFL’s drafting process being strictly regionally, there weren’t any surprises for the older league. However, the secretive method the NFL utilized stymied the younger league from knowing which teams selected which players.

Of course, the Rams selected Cannon with the first overall pick. Now all they had to do was sign him.

At that time, the NFL and the NCAA, college football’s governing body, had lived by the agreement that no NFL club would sign any college player until their college eligibility had ceased. For seniors, this meant after the season was completed. For most teams, this meant the end of November. For the teams playing in a bowl game, this meant his eligibility would not be fulfilled until Jan. 1.

But on this year, many NFL GMs secretly negotiated with college seniors and signed contracts after the NFL draft was completed; and before the bowl games were played in order to sway players from the startup AFL. If known, this would mean any player signing a contract would not have been eligible to play in their school’s bowl game.

To make things worse, the NFL and the NCAA had peace regarding the professional game not stealing players until their time was over. All throughout the 1920s until the 1940s, college players playing under assumed names were rampant. This agreement between the pros and the colleges was decades old and even today serves as a feeder system for the professional ranks.

On the day of the 1960 NFL draft, held in Philadelphia, Cannon checked into a Philly hotel under an assumed name. The Rams signed Cannon to a three-year deal worth $15,000 a season, a $10,000 signing bonus, plus a $500 expense check.

The contract would be undated and was agreed upon that it would begin after LSU had completed its Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl game in New Orleans. All parties were sworn to secrecy.

If this became known, Cannon would have been ineligible for the Sugar Bowl, and the NFL would be in hot water with the NCAA.

In the meantime, Oilers’ owner Bud Adams was getting frustrated with not being able to contact Cannon after the AFL draft was concluded. Adams had the personal phone numbers to Cannon’s parents, his girlfriend and his college dorm room, yet to no avail.

Finally, he contacted the gym where he knew Cannon worked out and left a message that he would double any offer the Rams proposed.

Less than an hour later, Adams’ phone rang. The operator said it was long distance calling, to which Adams accepted the charges. It was Cannon. During the conversation, Adams found out what he already had perceived, in that his prized territorial player had already signed with the Rams. True to this word, Adams offered Cannon $30,000 a season with a $20,000 signing bonus.

To which Cannon verbally agreed. The really interesting occurrence is what the Oilers did next, which was nothing short of genius.

Houston arranged with Cannon that he would sign his new pro contract at the conclusion of the Sugar Bowl. Right there on the field. On national television. With a live audience.

Brilliant.

On New Year’s Day, after the conclusion of the Ole Miss-LSU Sugar Bowl game, the nation’s most well-known player signed a contract with the Oilers under the aura of the goalposts. Even though Rozelle was at the game, he had not been able to find Cannon until after the final gun in the locker room.

He told Cannon that Los Angeles was really excited about having him in uniform next season, to which Cannon calmly explained that he had just signed with the Oilers.

The Rams later sued the AFL because they possessed the first signed contract. The case was heard in Los Angeles County Court and eventually the courts ruled with the Oilers.

In 1960, wearing the powder blue of the Houston Oilers, Cannon led the team in rushing with 644 yards. The Oilers took the AFL’s first championship with a 24-16 victory over the Chargers.

The following season, Cannon gained 2,043 all-purpose yards and led the AFL in rushing with 948 yards while scoring 15 touchdowns on the ground and through the air. He was named to the AFL All-Star team. The team once again won the AFL title, their second in as many seasons.

On Jan. 1, 1960, Rozelle was in New Orleans trying his best to retain his prized bull. Twenty-six days later, the NFL owners voted him in as the new commissioner of the league. His experience with the Cannon fiasco and the AFL’s tactics left a bad taste and a disdain in his soul for the younger league for the many years of war to come.

Yet in 1970, when all 10 AFL teams merged into the NFL, it was Rozelle who was there to greet them into the fold as the commissioner of the expanded National Football League.

Kobe Bryant Gets a New Tattoo, Posts Pic on Instagram

Maxwell Ogden — Sat, 25 May 2013 00:14:31 -0400

Entering the 2012-13 NBA regular season, it appeared as if Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers were on pace to add another championship ring to his collection. After tearing his Achilles tendon and watching his team lose in the first round, however, those dreams failed to come to fruition.

Kobe opted to settle for some new ink.

Bryant posted a photograph of the process on his personal Instagram account. The social media world has instantly responded, providing their take on what Kobe is doing during his offseason.

As one might expect, Bryant is displaying no signs of pain.

The legend of Kobe's pain threshold continues.

Yesterday, Bryant took to Twitter to ask his loyal fanbase what they believed he should get. Before they could offer up a definitive answer, the five-time NBA champion offered up a suggestion of his own.

A rosary.

It didn't take much time for Bryant to get it done.

There's something to be said about a man who garners this much media attention for getting a tattoo. After all, we are in the midst of the 2013 NBA playoffs, where we unexpectedly saw a year without Kobe taking the floor.

When you're as accomplished as Bryant, however, the news is bound to circulate, no matter what you do—this time around, it's about getting a tattoo.

Reasons to Root for Each Team Left in NBA Playoffs

Stephen Fenech — Sat, 25 May 2013 00:02:56 -0400

With only four teams remaining in the NBA playoffs, most fanbases across the country are already looking forward to next season. That being said, the two conference finals being contested currently are producing high-quality basketball games.

Even if your favorite team is already on summer vacation, there are a plethora of reasons to cheer for the remaining squads.

While each team still in contention is different, they all have a few things in common. They are all competent on the defensive end and are composed of mature players who understand how to fit into their team's system.

At this point of the postseason, making mental mistakes can be the difference between a win and a loss. That was the case at the end of overtime between the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, when Paul George overplayed LeBron James, allowing the MVP to take an uncontested layup that won the game.

With stars such as James, Tim Duncan, Marc Gasol and George all vying for the championship, the final weeks of the season promise to be exciting.

Each team has a couple of compelling reasons as to why people should jump on their bandwagon as the playoff action gets even more intense and dramatic.

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Reasons Nick Diaz's War MMA Is Destined to Fail

Adam Hill — Fri, 24 May 2013 23:59:27 -0400

Following his recent “retirement,” Nick Diaz, the Stockton-born bad boy, is looking to fill his newfound free time with another attention-grabbing stunt.

Diaz announced that he is putting together his own mixed martial arts promotion, aptly named War MMA.

While an intriguing proposition, Diaz lacks the follow-through to bring such a large venture to fruition. Over the last few years, he has proven himself more blow than go. It is likely that War MMA will be about as prosperous as his failed foray into professional boxing.

Many factors must be taken into account when entering into the complicated business of competitive fight promoting.

And to think that Diaz is going to get all of these factors to fall into place prior to the proposed promotional debut on June 22 is downright laughable.

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5 Free Agents the Chicago Bulls Must Avoid

Andres Montero — Fri, 24 May 2013 23:50:58 -0400

Free agency will start in just over a month and the Chicago Bulls have some needs they must address. However, they also have to make sure they avoid any players that may not be great fits for them.

With most of this season's bench players on one-year deals, the Bulls will have to fill their bench once again with free agents.

Jermaine O'Neal is a potential target for the Bulls' backup center spot, but his age and injury history should raise some flags.

With the Bulls' lack of cap room, they'll have to offer up a couple of minimum contracts to add some extra bodies to the second unit. That being said, they still have to make sure that player will contribute and fit Tom Thibodeau's system.

So which free agents should Chicago avoid?

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