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Why the Philadelphia Eagles Will Win the NFC East in 2013

Brad Gagnon — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:41:33 -0400

The NFC East is expected to be incredibly tight once again this year. Bovada Online Gaming in Las Vegas predicts that all four teams in the division will win between seven and nine games. With that in mind, you can make perfectly valid arguments in favor of the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins finishing first, or last, in the league's most popular division.

Let's do exactly that for the Eagles, starting with the glass-half-full perspective...

ON THE OTHER HAND: WHY THE EAGLES WILL FINISH DEAD LAST IN THE NFC EAST IN 2013

There's a new mentality in Philly

New head coach Chip Kelly means business. Once staples in the team's cafeteria during the Andy Reid Era, "Taco Tuesday" and "Fast Food Friday" are gone. Practices have become more fast-paced and efficient. Players have personalized smoothies, for crying out loud. The energy Kelly has brought to the NovaCare Complex could be enough to take an underachieving, talented roster from worst to first. The right pieces are in place, especially if Kelly and his smoothies can get the most out of each and every one of them.

On paper, they got a hell of a lot better this offseason

The Eagles were always better than 4-12 anyway, but then Kelly and Howie Roseman went out in the offseason and did some serious work revamping and upgrading the offense and defense. While the cap-strapped Giants, Cowboys and Redskins sat relatively idle, Philly added at least half a dozen new starters in free agency and some serious playmakers in the draft. Bradley Fletcher, Cary Williams, Earl Wolff and Jordan Poyer have the ability to breathe new life into the secondary, while Zach Ertz, Lane Johnson and James Casey could be immediate difference-makers on offense.

The offensive line might be fixed

Johnson was selected fourth overall so that he could step in right away and start at right tackle, enabling the Eagles to move Todd Herremans inside to guard. That means the ineffective Danny Watkins gets benched and the line as a whole improves dramatically. Remember, this line was missing left tackle Jason Peters as well as center Jason Kelce and Herremans at right tackle for a huge portion of the 2012 season. Hard to do anything when your offensive line is that depleted, but all of those guys are healthy now.

Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson are also back

Philly's most lethal offensive weapons spent large parts of 2012 sidelined due to injury, In fact, between the line and the skill positions, the Eagles lost more adjusted games due to injury than any other offense in the NFL last season, according to Football Outsiders. If Vick, McCoy, Jackson, Peters, Kelce and Herremans can stay healthy, the Eagles will have one of the most talented offensive units in the NFL.

Kane Challenges Tennessee State Official to Debate over Internet Sales Tax

Bill Atkinson — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:34:48 -0400

Kane may not be running for political office in Tennessee—yet—but he is making his presence known in that state’s political circles.

Kane, whose real name is Glenn Jacobs, tells Knoxville TV station WATE that he is challenging Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey to a debate over the proposal to place a sales tax on out-of-state Internet purchases. Jacobs opposes the tax, while Ramsey supports it.

Jacobs appears in an interview on the TV station in a coat and tie, not showing any inkling of anger-management issues his wrestling alter ego does. His once-bald head now sports some slicked-back hair, and his eyes are the same color, not different like Kane’s.

In the video, which is on the ABC affiliate’s website, he is very engaging with the reporter, speaking intelligently about the issue and—gasp!—smiling frequently.

Jacobs tells the reporter that, should the Internet sales tax go through, that means a Tennessee resident who makes a $100 purchase online would wind up paying $10 more. The sales tax in Tennessee is 9.44 percent, he points out.

Ramsey and other tax supporters claim that the money generated by the Internet sales tax would allow the state to cut other consumer taxes. They also claim it is not a new tax because customers are supposed to—but do not often—file a sales tax on online purchases.

But Jacobs, who has supported Libertarian causes in the past, tells WATE that he does not buy that argument.

“The bottom line is whether technically or legally if you want to say this is not a new tax, if it's not being enforced, then the economic impact is that it is a new tax,” Jacobs tells the station.

Jacobs has been making the mainstream media news lately amid rumors that he may run against incumbent U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander in next year’s GOP primary. Earlier this week, he announced he would not seek that political office—a point he reiterates during the WATE interview.

So far, according to WATE, the lieutenant governor has not accepted Jacobs’ invitation. But Jacobs tells the station that the politician will have nothing to fear.

“No there will be no physicality in the debate. It'll be purely intellectual,” Jacobs says in the interview.

Follow Bill Atkinson on Twitter at @BAtkinson1963.

Los Angeles Dodgers Rumors: Latest News Surrounding the Dodgers

Geoff Ratliff — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:22:53 -0400

The Los Angeles Dodgers may be last in the National League West standings, but they are certainly first in the news. The team with the highest payroll in baseball has gotten off to a miserable 19-26 start, leading to speculation about the futures of several key figures within the organization.

Needless to say, this is not what Magic Johnson and the other members of Guggenheim Baseball Management expected when they paid more than $2 billion for the Dodgers last spring.

General manager Ned Colletti was given license to overhaul the team by any means necessary. So far, however, the expensive contract extensions, blockbuster trades and glamorous free-agent signings have not resulted in many victories on the field.

Injuries have unquestionably played a significant role in the Dodgers’ disappointing start. But most of the latest rumors making the rounds in Los Angeles are focused on the team’s failure, regardless of the reason.

At this time last season, the Dodgers were 30-14 and had the best record in baseball. Now, the team is a significant winning streak away from just getting back to .500—thanks largely to an offense that is second to last in all of MLB in runs scored.

As the organization scrambles to salvage a season that began with enormous expectations, here are a few of the biggest stories and rumors surrounding the Dodgers.

Begin Slideshow

Why Ohio State's Carlos Hyde Will Be the Best Big Ten RB in 2013

Ian Berg — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:13:12 -0400

The competition to become the best running back in the Big Ten will soon be underway. The conference is loaded with able bodies, but only one player will be considered the top back in 2013.

Ameer Abdullah of Nebraska has his argument, as does Venric Mark at Northwestern, but Carlos Hyde will be the best the Big Ten has to offer in 2013.

Mark is the hot name for Northwestern after a big 2012 and Abdullah took over for an injured Rex Burkhead last season and gained a bit of the national spotlight. Still, the best back in the Big Ten plays for Ohio State and his knack for finding the end zone is one of the key reasons why.

Hyde began the 2012 season as the Buckeyes' starter but fell to an injury early in the year. He sat out the Cal and UAB games, returning at the end of September against Michigan State.

He still managed 970 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns last fall. He averaged 5.2 yards a carry. Hyde was able to rush for at least one score in each of the last seven games of 2012.

In just the final seven games, he accumulated 14 of his 16 scores.

When the Buckeyes get to the red zone, it is game over with Hyde in the backfield. At 240 pounds, he is a bruiser that plows through defenses. The Buckeyes will often use Hyde close to the goal line, increasing his numbers heading into his senior year.

One of the factors that will help Hyde push for extra yards will be the talented Buckeyes offensive line.

Having a veteran offensive line is often overlooked, but it is one of the most important factors for a team’s success.

This fall, the Buckeyes return four of five starters along the line, giving Hyde a strong and experienced group to lead block for him this fall. It will consistently produce huge holes for him to push through.

As talented a back as Hyde is, without a solid group producing blocks, he would be rendered useless.

The final piece that will help Hyde take the Big Ten over will be the balance in the offense. There are a number of playmakers that will share the load this fall, helping take the focus off the talented back.

With the spotlight shining elsewhere, Hyde will be able to push for a lot of tough yards. Managing 18-20 carries a game is very achievable and historically, when Hyde gets his carries, the Buckeyes win big.

The Ohio State offense will be one of the premier attacks in the Big Ten this fall and it will rely heavily on the balanced approach that made Urban Meyer a legend at Florida.

Braxton Miller will join Hyde in creating an elite backfield heading into 2013.

With Hyde carrying the load, the Buckeyes will march into the BCS.

Follow @ShugJordanPkwy

LeBron James Disagrees with Michael Jordan's Scouting Report on Him

Tyler Conway — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:09:43 -0400

When LeBron James stopped on a dime, spun over his right shoulder and blew past Paul George for a game-winning layup on Wednesday night, he wasn't just giving the Miami Heat a 1-0 lead over the Indiana Pacers in their Eastern Conference Finals matchup.

He was also proving Michael Jordan wrong—again.

When James received the inbound pass, George's momentary imbalance allowed James to drive to his left for the score. However, if Jordan's assessment of James' game had been correct, LeBron would have pulled up for a jumper rather than finishing at the rim.

Speaking with ESPN's Wright Thompson for a fantastic profile that ran earlier this year in celebration of MJ's 50th birthday, Jordan spoke at length about LeBron and how he would guard the four-time MVP if he were still playing.

"So if I have to guard him," Jordan said, "I'm gonna push him left so nine times out of 10, he's gonna shoot a jump shot. If he goes right, he's going to the hole and I can't stop him. So I ain't letting him go right."

It seems His Airness' scouting report got back to James, and he made a point of addressing it in his meeting with the media on Thursday.

"That theory is wrong, I guess," James said (per ESPN's Brian Windhorst).

This isn't the first time James has responded to Jordan-related criticisms or comparisons. LeBron sent out a cryptic tweet in February to his eight-plus-million followers that made it clear he was looking to pave his own NBA legacy:

As noted by Windhorst, the stats are on James' side. According to Synergy Sports, which tracks each possession of every game for the NBA, James is quite adept at finishing when going to the left. He shot 56.3 percent in isolation situations when driving to the left, compared to a 48.5 percent success rate when going right.

James also tends to go left more than he does right. He made an astounding 76 percent of his shots in the restricted area during the regular season, the most among any player with at least 150 attempts, per NBA.com.

Though going left was a weak point earlier in his career, James expanded on his initial quote by saying that playing ambidextrously has been an emphasis dating back to his youth:

Frank Walker, my first basketball coach, taught me how to make a left-handed layup. He wouldn't let me dribble the ball until I got the steps down to make a left-handed layup consistently. We used to do it before practice every day. He always told me I'd be a much better player if I could make shots with both hands.

We all knew James was good and could finish with both hands. Perhaps the biggest takeaway from this entire endeavor is that James heard Jordan's quotes in the first place and seems to have taken them to heart.

Throughout his career, Jordan was known for taking small slights and turning them into internal motivational ploys. His "Shrug Game" ended the Jordan vs. Clyde Drexler debate by itself, and his MVP losses to Charles Barkley and Karl Malone ended catastrophically for the two big men in the playoffs.

Maybe Jordan's jab at LeBron's left-handed drive game is working similarly for James. Either way, the Pacers learned the hard way not to cheat too far right on the planet's best player in Game 1.

Follow Tyler Conway on Twitter:

UNC Basketball Recruiting: Does Pinson Commitment Signal a Title Run Brewing?

C.J. Moore — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:09:24 -0400

Roy Williams is putting together the banner recruiting class that usually leads to Final Fours and net-cutting.

It's a bit early to predict future greatness for the Tar Heels, and Williams could still sign another star or two, but UNC fans have to be excited about the latest commitment from Theo Pinson. The local product became the third player ranked in the top 21 of the 2014 class (according to Rivals.com's rankings) to commit to Williams. No other program has had more than one player ranked in the top 30 commit.

This is the kind of class that usually re-energizes ol' Roy. He usually recruits in cycles and every few years—even back to when he was at Kansas—he'll land a star-studded class or back-to-back great classes that give him the players necessary to win a title.

Take a quick stroll through Williams' past.

In 1993, he signed Scott Pollard and Jacque Vaughn. The next year he landed Raef LaFrentz, followed by Paul Pierce the following season. In Vaughn's senior season with that core of future pros, the Jayhawks had one of the best teams ever to not win a national title.

In 1999, Williams signed Nick Collison, Kirk Hinrich and Drew Gooden. That trio led KU to the Final Four in 2002. Collison and Hinrich then took KU to the title game in 2003.

Williams' first championship was led by Sean May, Rashad McCants and Raymond Felton. He can thank Matt Doherty for that one.

The 2009 title team was led by two seniors—Tyler Hanbrough and Danny Green—and three juniors—Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Deon Thompson. Brandan Wright, the star of that junior class left early, but Williams had recruited enough depth to compensate for his loss.

Now take a look at what the 2014-15 Heels could look like.

In the post, Williams will have 2013 signees Isaiah Hicks and Kennedy Meeks along with Brice Johnson and Joel James as juniors. Desmond Hubert and Jackson Simmons will provide depth as seniors. It's not likely, but there's a possibility that James Michael McAdoo could be around for his senior year.

On the wing, Pinson will be joined by fellow five-star recruit Justin Jackson. Both could potentially start as freshmen if P.J. Hairston leaves after next season. Off the bench, J.P. Tokoto should be a solid option as a junior.

At point guard, Williams will have Marcus Paige in his third year as a starter. 2014 signee Joel Berry could create a situation similar to Kendall Marshall's freshman season, where he eventually displaced Larry Drew II as the starter.

Paige also has enough height and a good enough jumper to slide over to the 2 spot. Incoming 2013 point guard Nate Britt should also provide depth at the point.

Here's a realistic starting lineup for the 2014-15 team with the Rivals' ranking of each player coming out of high school in parentheses.

PG: Marcus Paige (34)
SG: Theo Pinson (15)
SF: Justin Jackson (14)
PF: Isaiah Hicks (16)
C: Brice Johnson (49)

That's an average ranking of 25.6. It would drop to 17 if you replace Pinson with Hairston (13) and Johnson with McAdoo (8), or it could be as low as 14.4 if you also replace Paige with Berry (21).

Here's how those lineups compare with UNC's last seven starting lineups, ranked as prospects:

2006-07: 20.4
2007-08: 26.0
2008-09: 26.0
2009-10: 60.2
2010-11: 21.2
2011-12: 16.4
2012-13: 19.8

These are all hypothetical scenarios. Last season proved that these projections don't always pan out, especially when you lack experience. But Williams has to love the versatility he'll have in 2014-15 and going forward. There's enough depth in the 2012, 2013 and 2014 classes that the Heels will be able to survive if anyone bolts for the NBA.

And Williams might not be finished yet with this class.

According to CBSSports.com's Jeff Borzello, North Carolina is being considered by 2014's consensus top-ranked recruit Jahlil Okafor. UNC was also a leader for star shooting guard Rashad Vaughn several weeks ago.

The fact that the current class is missing a top 10 stud might not be the worst thing. Williams has thrived when he's been able to get his best players to stick around for a few years and get used to his system.

In the one-and-done era, Williams might just be putting together his ideal roster.

If for some reason anyone was questioning whether Williams still had it as a recruiter when the Heels were struggling this past season or when they didn't land Andrew Wiggins, go ahead and stop.

Williams is building again and he's still one of the best architects in the game.

Comparing AJ McCarron to Other Alabama QBs of the BCS Era

Randy Chambers — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:02:22 -0400

Since Alabama has few weaknesses and is the favorite to win a third straight national title, much of the focus is on quarterback A.J. McCarron. Is he really as good as his numbers indicate, or is he just another game-manager who is benefiting from the system?

Yeah, when your team wins back-to-back national championships, you can waste time debating whether or not a quarterback that threw 30 touchdowns last year is as good as the numbers indicate.

There's plenty of time to argue whether or not McCarron has the goods to be a productive NFL player. As of right now, that remains a mystery.

A more logical question at this point is where McCarron ranks among other Alabama BCS quarterbacks. Once you break things down, you'll soon notice that the Crimson Tide have not had a quarterback this effective in a long time, possibly ever.

Alabama actually hasn't had that much quarterback success during the BCS era. Besides John Parker Wilson and Greg McElroy, all of the other 'Bama quarterbacks were mainly forgettable.

Spencer Pennington split time with Brodie Croyle in 2004. The coaching staff had little trust in Tyler Watts who, while leading the Tide to a 7-5 record in 2001, also split time with Croyle the following season. There was also a four-year starter in Andrew Zow, who was an interception machine and didn't amount to much.

Croyle had a couple of seasons where he was reliable, but he wasn't much of a difference maker the way the other guys were.

So there's McCarron, Wilson and McElroy.

Wilson once held the school record for career touchdowns passes at 47, a mark that McCarron (currently at 49 touchdowns) will have shattered as long as he remains healthy.

But the interesting part is that Wilson needed 1,176 pass attempts to set that record (one TD pass for every 25 passes attempted), while McCarron has thrown the ball only 690 times, which comes to one TD for every 14 passes.

This screams of McCarron's efficiency—as does his interception total: While Wilson finished his career with 30, McCarron has thrown only nine picks. Wilson had more interceptions in two of his three years as a starter than McCarron has had in his whole career to this point.

Parker does hold the Alabama career passing yards record at 7,924, but that is another record that a healthy McCarron will soon call his own. McCarron already has 5,956 passing yards. Even counting the 2010 season in which he didn't play much, McCarron has averaged 1,985 yards per season in his time with Alabama. He should pass the career yardage record with his eyes closed.

McElroy was known for his completion percentage, as he threw high percentage passes and always put the ball where it needed to be placed. He is the Alabama career leader for completion percentage, connecting on 66.3 percent of his passes.

But not so fast. If McCarron was to walk away right now, he would hold this record as well with a completion percentage of 66.6 percent.

Hopefully he remains healthy because those numbers are kind of scary. With McCarron completing 66.8 and 67.2 percent his throws the last two seasons, it would take an unusual season for that record not to fall.

McCarron will soon hold every Alabama passing record that matters. He also has two national championship rings. If he's lucky, there is a third one waiting for him this season. McElroy is the only other Alabama quarterback to win one during the BCS era.

Expect much of the talk this upcoming season to dwell on McCarron's future as a pro. Whether or not he excels at the NFL level, he is easily the best Alabama quarterback of the BCS era and possibly of all time.

Follow @Randy_Chambers

Patrick Roy Agrees in Principle to Become Colorado Avalanche Head Coach

Ethan Grant — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:55:20 -0400

Patrick Roy completed a long and successful NHL playing career by retiring from the sport of hockey as a member of the Colorado Avalanche in 2003.

On Thursday afternoon, he struck a deal with Colorado management to return to the franchise as both the head coach of the team and the Vice President of Hockey Operations. The team's Twitter account had the news of the hiring:

NHL.com's Dan Rosen also confirmed that the Avs and Roy had agreed in principle to the move:

Roy completed a 19-year NHL career with the Avs following the 2002-03 season. He led the NHL in save percentage four times, made the All-Star team 11 times, was a three-time winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy and also had four Stanley Cup triumphs—two with the Montreal Canadiens and two with Colorado.

Both the Canadiens and the Avalanche have retired Roy's No. 33 jersey.

Colorado's Instagram account also posted a pic of Roy and what he might look like on the bench with the Avs next season:

The deal to sign Roy comes over three weeks after the Avalanche fired former head coach Joe Sacco after finishing with just 39 points and missing the 2013 NHL playoffs. He takes over a team desperate for a fresh start, as it has missed the playoffs in five of the last seven seasons.

During an interview as Roy was announced as the team's new head coach, he expressed excitement in earning the job and optimism for helping Colorado get back to the success it had when he was in the net, according to Brian Stubits of CBS Sports:

This is an unbelievable day for me...It's a new and exciting challenge that I am really looking forward to. I would like to thank Stan and Josh Kroenke for this opportunity as well as Joe Sakic for the trust they are putting in me. Almost 10 years to the day that I announced my retirement as a player I am back in Denver and hope the fans are as excited as I am.

Roy comes on board after coaching the Quebec Remparts in the QMJHL. He was also the general manager of that team, and he'll continue to help the front office and former teammate Joe Sakic—the new President of Hockey Operations—on player personnel decisions.

As Dave Krieger posted on Twitter, Sakic is also happy to have Roy back on board with the franchise in two significant capacities. According to this tweet, he was always the top candidate during the search for a new head coach:

Team president Josh Kroenke also noted how important this day could turn out to be after Roy's tenure is all said and done (via Krieger):

Only the Florida Panthers finished with fewer points (36) than Colorado did during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season. A front office and coaching staff turnover was imminent at the conclusion of the regular season, and the next domino has dropped in the form of a new head coach.

It just so happens to be man who is beloved both by the franchise he once played for and the city to which he brought two championships.

Roger Federer's Biggest Strengths Will Be Neutralized at 2013 French Open

Patrick Clarke — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:55:07 -0400

Roger Federer has always been a strong player on clay, but his limited success at the French Open compared to his record at the other three Grand Slams is telling.

While much of the blame for Fed's shortcomings at Roland Garros falls squarely on the shoulders of Rafael Nadal, the impact that the slower-playing surface has on the 17-time Slam champion's game cannot be ignored.

More so than any of the other three Slam events, the French Open neutralizes Federer's biggest strengths out on the court.

Sure, Fed has always been an above-average mover on the tennis court, but he's never been the sort of relentless scrambler that Nadal has been over the past decade. Not only can players like Nadal and Novak Djokovic stop, plant and change direction quickly on the clay, they can turn defense into offense.

Meanwhile, Federer's dominance on grass—specifically at Wimbledon—has been well-documented over the years.Unlike the clay in Paris, the London grass plays super-fast, with winners coming much more easily.

Therefore, Fed's precise shot-making sets him apart from the rest of the men's field at the All-England Club.

In addition to his playing style, the Swiss legend's one-handed backhand has no doubt hurt him a bit against the likes of Rafael Nadal at the French Open in the past.

With younger players like Nadal, Djokovic and Andy Murray all utilizing two-handed backhand shots in order to put their opponents under pressure, Fed is trailing the other members of the Big Four in the power game.

While Fed has unlimited slice and spin he can put on his single-handed backhand, he'll continue to struggle to get his backhands past excellent scramblers like Nadal and Djokovic.

Then there's the issue of Federer's serve. Despite possessing one of the greatest serves in the history of the game, the clay makes Fed slightly less effective in this area. He's unable to pick up easy aces quite as often and the result is fewer cheap points.

And nearing age 32, Federer needs as many quick points as he can get over the course of a best-of-five-set Slam tournament.

The beauty of Fed's game is that he is more than capable of overcoming all of these issues. As arguably the greatest champion men's tennis has ever seen, no moment will be too big for him at a tournament of this magnitude.

Plus, his vast arsenal of shots makes him one of the most versatile players in the draw year in and year out.

Given all that Roger Federer has accomplished over the past decade and the simple fact that he still ranks among the top four players on the planet, you have to love his chances of making yet another deep run at the French Open this summer.

But if he's going to win his 18th major title this June, he'll have to do it without his most effective game.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.

New York Giants' Fate Lies in Contract Situations of Nicks and Cruz

Chris Trapasso — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:53:44 -0400

Eli Manning has led the New York Giants to two Super Bowl titles, but what type of quarterback would he be today without Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz?

Well, Nicks has 255 receptions for 3,726 yards and 27 touchdowns on 436 targets in 55 games played since 2009.

Cruz has 168 receptions for 2,628 yards and 19 touchdowns on 274 targets in 32 games since 2011.

Cruz has 949 yards after the catch since his debut season with the G-Men and over the same time frame Nicks has amassed 567 yards after the catch.

Over the last two seasons, the duo has accounted for 50.8 percent of Manning's passing yardage, 43.6 percent of his completions and 35.1 percent of his touchdown tosses.

Safe to say, Nicks and Cruz are integral to the New York Giants offense and Manning's annual production.

While some believe an elite quarterback doesn't necessarily depend on his pass-catching talent, the two established receiving stars are needed to make Manning's life much easier.

But now, Cruz is in the midst of a contract dispute, and Nicks is entering the final year of his rookie deal.

Like Cruz, Nicks has missed the first two OTA sessions, but unlike Cruz, Nicks' absences were not due to any contract disagreements with the team according to Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports.

However, the Giants will have to make some important decisions this year regarding their top two wideouts.

With Cruz holding out and Nicks' contract expiring at season's end, which receiver should be the Giants' top priority, and can they keep them both?

As the Cruz vs. Nicks debate rages on, here's a comparison of the two on a per-game basis since 2011:

Name	Catches Per Game Since 2011	TDs Per Game Since 2011	Catches Per Target Since 2011
Victor Cruz	5.25	.59	.61
Hakeem Nicks	4.60	.38	.55

Some of Cruz's numbers may be inflated due to the fact that Nicks missed four games over the last two seasons, but the undrafted free-agent has clearly been a more efficient figure in the Giants offense.

Also there's a notion that Nicks' presence goes beyond the quantifiable. He does play bigger than his 6'1'', 210-pound suggests, and he excels on the perimeter in a traditional No. 1 receiver role.

Many believe outside wideouts who can outmuscle cornerbacks, win jump balls and consistently beat press coverage at the line are harder to find and more valuable, which thereby leads to the idea that Nicks should be New York's primary contractual concern.

However, Cruz isn't an easy slot receiver to replace.

Here's how he compares to the league's best slot guys over the last two years:

Name	Yards Gained Per Route Run (from slot)	Catches on Targets 20+ Yards Downfield	Yards Per Catch
Percy Harvin	2.08	5	11.0
Randall Cobb	2.43	10	12.7
Wes Welker	2.44	12	12.2
Victor Cruz	2.82	21	15.6

The Giants realized Cruz was as fast down the field as he was laterally quick, and they have used him as a threatening vertical threat, especially as a rookie.

Basically, it can be argued that it's just as difficult, if not harder, to find a receiver of Cruz's physical abilities who's capable of beating the defense underneath and over the top.

In other words, he can make a strong argument at the negotiating table that he's not simply another slot receiver and therefore shouldn't be paid like one.

Cruz and Nicks will likely ask for between $8-10 million per season, and, frankly, the Giants should pay them both to keep Manning's favorite targets around as the quarterback enters his 10th professional season.

However, it's not inconceivable that New York is preparing itself and is willing to replace Nicks' production in the future with Rueben Randle and the recently re-signed Ramses Barden.

Follow @ChrisTrapasso

Is 2013 the Year of the JUCO in the Big 12?

Lisa Horne — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:49:34 -0400

Junior College transfers are becoming the most wanted men in college football.

The reason why is simple—they are playing at a higher level.

Quarterback Cam Newton transferred from Blinn College to Auburn and won the 2010 Heisman Trophy the same year. Diablo Valley Junior College defensive end Morgan Breslin transferred to USC in 2012 and was a Hendricks Award finalist and named to the All-Pac-12 team.

Coaches are fighting over JUCOs because they're a proven commodity. No one really knows how a teenager will adjust to college life. The JUCO transfer already has two years of college academics under his belt. He's a man, not an 18-year-old freshman.

With more and more underclassmen declaring early for the NFL draft, teams are facing an unexpected shortage of experienced players.

LSU had 11 underclassmen declare early for the 2013 NFL draft. Head coach Les Miles was probably not expecting such a high number of defections—his depth chart was decimated. Four turnkey JUCOs in his class of 2013 will certainly alleviate the mini-crisis.

The Big 12 has taken its love affair with the JUCO to a new level.

Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops signed four JUCO linemen in the class of 2013, including the late addition of 3-star guard Andrew Tony Feo (Fullerton College). Texas Tech signed five, Baylor four, Oklahoma State and Iowa State three, TCU and Texas two.

So far, nothing to get excited about, right?

Kansas State lost just about everyone on its defense—linebacker Tre Walker is the front seven's returning starter. Head coach Bill Snyder signed five JUCOs in 2013's class. That's a low number for a school that signed 39 between 2007 and 2010, according to an AL.com report.

Perhaps it is because so many other coaches are going after the same prospects as Kansas State. The word is out.

Quarterback Jake Waters (Iowa Western Community College) caused a tug-o-war between Penn State and Kansas State. Waters set a new single-season completion percentage record (73.3) that was previously held by Blinn College's Newton. He also led his team to its first 2012 NJCAA national championship.

Two schools fighting over Waters is pretty impressive, but we're just getting warmed up.

West Virginia returns 10 starters this fall—on the offense, only three. Head coach Dana Holgorsen had a major problem on his hands: too many inexperienced players. So he signed nine JUCOs to the class of 2013.

That still cannot hold a candle to what the Jayhawks did to their class of 2013.

Kansas head coach Charlie Weis signed 17. When cornerback Brandon Holloman signs his paperwork, Weis will have 18 JUCOs on his team.

A high school football player that went the junior college route ten years ago was generally considered not ready for FBS football. Maybe he was not mature enough or did not have the GPA to get in to his college of choice. Maybe he just wasn't good enough.

That was then.

Now he is being wooed by Nick Saban, Les Miles, Bob Stoops and Bill Snyder. Legendary coaches, all of them.

The year of the JUCO in the Big 12 is here. His time has come.

Red Sox Pitcher Koji Uehara Nearly Killed Shane Victorino with a High-Five

Gabe Zaldivar — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:37:38 -0400

Someone better teach Koji Uehara proper high-five form before he kills someone.

Larry Brown Sports, Yahoo! Sports and many others spotted what has to be the most ecstatic setup man high-five in baseball at the moment.

Uehara comes out of the game after a successful eighth inning against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.

Really, there was nothing shocking about the moments before Uehara blasts Shane Victorino with the full force of a man who hasn't mastered the fine art of restrained high-fives.

The 38-year-old struck out two in an inning of work, which is status quo for a pitcher who boasts one save, 10 holds and a .96 WHIP on the season.

Also, he is renowned for his energetic post-inning dugout greetings, so every last Red Sox player should be ready with a prepared outstretched palm, or at the very least some armor.

Victorino has neither and gets every last pound of force from his exuberant pitcher. Thankfully, the outfielder who is currently nursing a tight hamstring seems fine right after and laughs it all off.

It could be worse:

Still, this is exactly how you get a player sent straight to the disabled list with a broken jaw or seriously bruised bicep. It's just a good thing he wasn't going in with knuckles or else this might be a far more unfortunate tale altogether.

In all seriousness, you have to love Uehara and his enthusiasm. If he wants to put every last bit of his soul into slapping five, by all means.

Someone just make sure Victorino is awake first.

Hit me up on Twitter like Koji Uehara: Follow @gabezal

Stanford Football: Can't-Miss Games on Cardinal's 2013 Pac-12 Schedule

Ethan Grant — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:36:04 -0400

As the Stanford Cardinal prepare for the 2013 season this summer, focus will invariably deviate to the team's Pac-12 Conference schedule during the meat of the regular season.

The reigning Rose Bowl champions have lost some of their talent on offense, including standout running back Stepfan Taylor and tight end Zach Ertz, but will return undefeated quarterback Kevin Hogan and a number of contributors on the defensive side of the ball.

Early word around college football circles also place the offense more in Hogan's hands than the coaching staff did at the end of the 2012 season, largely because they now feel he can handle the mental and physical load of the job, per Dave Miller of the National Football Post.

Expectations are high for the Cardinal to repeat as Pac-12 North champions, and maybe even represent the conference in a BCS bowl again at the conclusion of the 2013 season. Better yet, the Cardinal are an early dark-horse candidate to make the BCS title game for the last time before the system changes to a playoff.

As usual, Stanford will have its work cut out for it to accomplish those goals.

For starters, the non-conference schedule is no joke. The team will take on an upstart San Jose State team with nothing to lose to open up the season, and then travel to Army for a day game before Pac-12 play begins. Stanford will close the season with Notre Dame, which will likely be a top-10 team to open up the season if you listen to college football analyst Phil Steele.

As Kevin Gemmell of ESPN.com puts it, if Stanford escapes from this 12-game slate unscathed heading into bowl season, it will have truly earned it.

Since Stanford will ride-or-die on its Pac-12 conference record this year, and college football fans everywhere are chomping at the bit for the season to begin, here's a look at three can't-miss games both Stanford and CFB fans should circle on their calendars to have something to look forward to in the coming months.

2013 Stanford Cardinal Football Schedule

Date	Game	Time	TV
Sept. 7	vs. San Jose State	TBD	TBD
Sept. 14	at Army	Noon ET	CBS Sports Network
Sept. 21	vs. Arizona State*	TBD	TBD
Sept. 28	at Washington State*	TBD	TBD
Oct. 5	vs. Washington*	TBD	TBD
Oct. 12	at Utah*	TBD	TBD
Oct. 19	vs. UCLA*	TBD	TBD
Oct. 26	at Oregon State*	TBD	TBD
Nov. 7	vs. Oregon*	TBD	TBD
Nov. 16	at USC*	TBD	TBD
Nov. 23	vs. California*	TBD	TBD
Nov. 30	vs. Notre Dame	TBD	Fox Sports 1

*Denotes Pac-12 Conference game. Schedule via ESPN.com.

Stanford's Can't-Miss Pac-12 Games

Oct. 19 vs. UCLA

Stanford has won five straight games against the UCLA Bruins, making this game somewhat of a farce if you buy into the notion that dominance doesn't make for an exciting matchup of teams in conference play.

However, Jim Mora Jr. has UCLA headed in the right direction. The Bruins lost two straight games to close the regular season that would have otherwise led to a Rose Bowl bid for the team, and UCLA will feature a young QB of its own that has Heisman hopes at heart.

Brett Hundley will be back under center for UCLA next season, and by Oct. 19 we'll know whether or not his freshman success will be curbed by the infamous sophomore slump. Either way, Hundley will be eager to atone for his zero-touchdown, one-interception performance in the air during UCLA's three-point loss in the Pac-12 title game.

For Stanford, UCLA will provide the Cardinal with one of their first true tests of the conference slate.

Returning home after facing Utah, Stanford will need to find a way to deal with UCLA's dual-option attack and find a way to slow down Hundley in the running game, too—he ran for over 80 yards and a touchdown the last time these two teams met.

UCLA isn't expected to be a national championship contender after losing running back Jonathan Franklin and other supporting pieces on offense, but is a capable young squad who took Stanford to the brink last season and is a program on the rise in the conference. If UCLA can equal its success on the ground from 2012, this could be Stanford's first close game and first true test of defensive fortitude.

Nov. 7 vs. Oregon

Oregon and Stanford are turning into one of college football's premier rivalries.

Chip Kelly will be gone from the Oregon sidelines, but the offensive minds for the Ducks will not, and Stanford didn't lose any muster after David Shaw took over for Jim Harbaugh once his move to the NFL became official.

The clash of high-flying offense against stingy defense makes for must-see TV each time these two teams take the field in a battle of Pac-12 North rivals.

Oregon, like UCLA, will feature a dark-horse Heisman candidate in sophomore signal-caller Marcus Mariota, who accounted for over 3,400 yards of total offense and 38 touchdowns (including a two-yard touchdown catch) during his freshman season.

Stanford also holds the last victory over the Ducks, a 17-14 overtime thriller that ended Oregon's national championship hopes toward the end of last season. With those kind of stakes hanging over this game and Stanford given an extra few days to prepare for this Thursday night game, it will be interesting to see how the offense-defense clash continues as the Ducks travel to Palo Alto.

Nov. 16 at USC

Stanford has also quietly won four straight games over the Trojans, including a 21-14 upset of the team when Matt Barkley and company were the No. 2 team in the nation.

Stanford can't afford to let No. 5 slip away, especially if they hold an undefeated mark at this point in the season.

It might be too early to start labeling games on Stanford's schedule of the "trap" nature, but traveling to USC late in the season after facing several other teams who will be nationally ranked at the time of the meetings (wishful thinking perhaps, but the Pac-12 has several who should be) makes this year's USC game just as interesting as last year's upset victory.

With the Trojans reloading, there's little doubt the talent will be flocking to the program. It does each year, and USC finished in the top 20 in recruiting again, according to 247Sports' rankings.

Like UCLA, USC will have revenge on the mind and maybe even a chance to upset Stanford's perfect season in this mid-November matchup. With Stanford bordering on being a national powerhouse for the next few years and USC always in games just on sheer talent, this is another can't-miss game on the current slate.

All 12 of Stanford's games should be fun to watch, even if you're just a casual college football fan. With the team expected to contend this year instead of being an upset candidate on everyone's schedule, how Shaw's team responds will define where Stanford is playing in bowl season.

Follow Bleacher Report FC Ethan Grant on Twitter:

Ex-Penn State QB Steven Bench Will Transfer to South Florida

Randy Chambers — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:26:39 -0400

Steven Bench has decided he will leave Happy Valley for the palm trees and bright sun of South Florida.

Joe Schad of ESPN reported the news:

Bench informed head coach Bill O'Brien that he no longer wanted to play for Penn State, which is in the middle of a quarterback controversy. O'Brien granted those wishes and allowed the young man to visit schools such as North Carolina State and Mississippi State before Bench decided that South Florida was the place for him.

The new Bulls quarterback grew up in Georgia, about a half-hour away from Tallahassee. Both of his parents went to Florida State, which helps give him some familiarity with the Florida area.

According to the Schad report, Bench is ready to go and feels confident he can win the starting job.

"I want to get my face in the playbook and get ready to go," Bench said. "Coach [Willie] Taggart is a real confident guy. He will play anybody anywhere anytime."

Much like the school he just left, South Florida is searching for answers at quarterback as well, with veteran B.J. Daniels graduating. Bench will certainly provide some competition to the rest of the guys.

The former Penn State quarterback was considered a 2-star recruit by Scout.com. He didn't have many intriguing offers on the table, which played a role in how he ended up at Penn State. Bench didn't see much playing time last season, throwing the ball only seven times for 12 yards while running three times for 18 yards.

He is capable of making plays with his legs and has above-average arm strength. He should have no problem fitting into the system and becoming a reliable quarterback for a program that was searching for an answer at the position.

Follow @Randy_Chambers

Iker Casillas: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Garry Hayes — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:25:14 -0400

It's been the talk of football and the question we've wanted answered ever since Jose Mourinho dropped Iker Casillas at Real Madrid—just what is going at the Bernabeu?

The Spanish No. 1 came through the ranks at the club, and, similar to Raul before him, he has a God-like status in Madrid. To fall out with him is to fall out with every Madridista, which has happened with Mourinho this term.

A mixture of injuries and Mourinho's insistence that he remain benched has meant he hasn't featured for Real since late January.

With Mourinho's departure now confirmed, it seems there's a light at the end of the tunnel for Casillas as he bids for the nightmare to end, or will this season have proved his last for Los Blancos?

Age: 32

Contract Situation: As you would imagine for one of the club's proudest sons, Real Madrid have Casillas tied down to a long-term deal, His contract runs through to June 2017, when he will be aged 36.

Career Stops: Real Madrid (1999-current)

Current Campaign: La Liga: 19 games, eight clean sheets; Copa del Rey: three games, two clean sheets; Spanish Super Cup: two games; Champions League: five games

Video Showreel:

Scouting Guide: Despite being in his early 30s, Casillas remains as agile as he was when Europe first caught a glimpse of the talented stopper in his teenage years when he became Real's No. 1.

He hasn't given up the jersey until this season for good reason, either. He is athletic and reads the game excellently, proving a commanding presence in the box.

Despite his 6'1" frame—relatively short for a goalkeeper in the modern era—he is rarely intimidated. Ahead of Mourinho dropping him earlier this term, he did admittedly have a drop in form, but make no mistake, even at his worst, Casillas is a fine goalkeeper.

What's Next?

Now that Mourinho is leaving the Bernabeu, it should be a case of business as usual for Casillas. Be truthful, can we really imagine him leaving Real Madrid?

Whoever replaces the Portuguese manager will need to win over the dressing room instantly, and what better ally to have than club captain Casillas?

That said, Arsenal were rumored to be looking to make the most of the Mourinho-Casillas fallout, although the The Mirror's April report of a potential bid now seems rather premature.

In early May, Sky Sports reported that Casillas had no intention of leaving his boyhood club.

Ramses Barden Signing Won't Alter Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz Contract Disputes

Tyler Conway — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:18:59 -0400

The New York Giants' voluntary offseason workout program began earlier this week, but all everyone has been talking about is who Eli Manning would be throwing to.

Or, rather, who he wouldn't be throwing to.

New York's star duo of wide receivers, Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks, were both absent from the drills this week, suddenly leaving Manning with a dearth of familiar faces surrounding him.

On Thursday, the Giants made sure Eli will have at least one familiar face the next time the team convenes for OTAs. According to a press release by the team, wide receiver Ramses Barden officially re-signed with the club earlier in the day.

The full details of the contract were not released publicly. However, Mike Garafolo of USA Today is reporting the deal is for one year and the veteran's minimum:

The move had been expected to come for about the past 24 hours. It was reported earlier this week that Barden would arrive at Giants facilities on Thursday to undergo a physical, with the expectation of signing a new deal if all went well. He will immediately be eligible to join the team's offseason workouts, which will take place sparingly over the next few weeks.

Barden, a third-round pick by the Giants in 2009, spent each of his first four seasons in East Rutherford.

Though Barden said it was "probably best" for him to move on in February, it seems the harsh realities of NFL free agency changed his tune. Unable to land long-term deal this offseason, the 27-year-old Barden seemed more than happy to be back in the team's press release announcing the move:

I’m happy to be back. This is where I wanted to be and now I’m here. I was out there listening to the calls, getting back into the rhythm of the cadence, enjoying the camaraderie and absorbing everything. I remember everything; I’ve had four years to soak it all up. I’m happy to be back on the field. I feel great. I expect the best.

Barden may be happy to land a new NFL contract, but the Giants adding a player who didn't want to be there three months ago seems curious on the surface.

Then again, it doesn't take much time to figure out New York's motivations. By signing Barden to a minimum contract, the Giants are about as beholden to Barden as someone driving around a Rent-A-Car in an unfamiliar city. They can pay him for the days they use him, beat the hell out of him in the process and then ship him back off to the free-agent factory once they're done.

There is literally no risk.

What's more, as noted by ESPN's Adam Schefter, the uncertainty of when—or if—Cruz or Nicks will show up also created some urgency to get the deal done:

Both Giants receivers are looking for new, long-term contracts and it's unclear when—or if—either guy will show up this offseason.

Cruz, a Pro Bowler last season, was a restricted free agent this winter and did not receive a tender after the Giants placed a first-round value on prying him away. The answer to why Cruz didn't receive a tender from another team is one of those semi-collusionary things about the NFL I guess we're just supposed to ignore.

But Cruz is now stuck negotiating with the Giants for a long-term deal or simply playing out the 2013 season for $2.879 million. Because this is the NFL, where players usually dive on the money where they can, we know where this is headed. It's just taking a while to get there.

Nicks is a more curious case. He's in the last season of his five-year rookie contract, and there seemed to be some confusion as to why he wasn't at organized team activities this week. There had been reports that Nicks was holding out due to the contract dispute, but his agent quickly refuted those assertions to Yahoo! Sports' Jason Cole on Thursday.

Still, it's become clear that the Giants want their top stars back in the fold. Manning spoke to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News, this week and said Nicks and Cruz need to get to camp soon.

"You've still got to work on your timing," Manning said. "You’ve still got to work on the basics and everybody needs it. I need the basics. How many times have I thrown a hitch in my life? Or a curl route? I’ve still got to do it. I’ve still got to get those things and work them."

It would be easy, then, to draw the conclusion that the Giants signed Barden to send a message to their two stars.

Let's just end that mindless speculation now. Mr. Minimum will have no bearing on Nicks' or Cruz's contract situations. Both wideouts are too ingrained in the fabric of New York's offense to even be slightly threatened by Barden.

Barden, for lack of better term, is a warm body. His entire career contributions in four NFL seasons are 29 catches for 394 yards without a touchdown. He's best known to fantasy football players as that guy who blew up in Week 3 last season—nine catches for 138 yards—and was pretty much never heard from again.

While Barden is an athletic, big body at 6'6", four years is enough time to safely speculate superstardom isn't forthcoming. He's a very nice player and a committed worker who can help teach new players like Louis Murphy the offensive philosophy while the others are out getting their money.

He can be thrown in Nicks' role in organized team activities, working as a facsimile the way he did in Week 3 last season. To draw any other conclusions from this signing is beyond reaching; it's Gumbying.

Nicks and Cruz will show up to camp whenever the Giants choose to pay them. Barden's role (or lack thereof) won't speed up or slow down the process for a second.

Follow @tylerconway22

Notre Dame Football: Potential Superstars Who Have Yet To Shine

Jesse Reed — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:17:51 -0400

Every season, players leave college for the NFL ranks, and every season another crop of young players rises up to take their place.

The Notre Dame Football program, led by head coach Brian Kelly, features some up-and-coming stars that have yet to hit their stride on the field. It won't take long once the games begin this fall, however, for these young men to become household names across the nation.

These players will emerge as the next batch of Golden Domers who will excel at the college level and eventually take their talents to the next level.

Jarrett Grace, Inside Linebacker

Grace has the unenviable task of following in Manti Te'o's legendary footsteps as the team's inside linebacker in 2013. Fans of the Fighting Irish should prepare themselves to start falling in love with this young man, however, because he has what it takes to become a star.

Studying behind Te'o for the past couple of years, Grace has learned much.

ESPN's Joe Schad recently talked to the young man, who learned how to "attack the field with a purpose" from Te'o. He has also been studying Luke Kuechly and intends on becoming a "tackling machine":

According to Sean Stires of IrishSportsDaily.com, Grace has impressed defensive coordinator Bob Diaco, who said of his new linebacker:

He's got good speed and good change of direction. Intangibly he's got a great sense for where the ball's gonna end up. He's got a good feel in coverage. He's got a good feel for fitting the runs, so we're excited about what we have there.

Undoubtably, Grace will benefit from having Louis Nix and Stephon Tuitt clogging up the lanes in front of him. He's as ready as he'll ever be to take over the role Te'o owned the past couple of years, and by all accounts he's ready to have a monster season in 2013.

James Onwualu, Wide Receiver

Incoming freshman Onwualu has a chance this year to make an incredible impact on this team's offense. A first-team All-State running back in high school, Onwualu is the most explosive playmaker on the roster right now.

Keith Arnold of NBCSports.com profiled Onwualu earlier this year and praised the young man's natural talent, intangibles and big-play abilities:

With natural size and speed (Onwualu trained daily, but never lifted weights), he was a powerful player that’ll only get bigger, stronger and faster now that he’s in a collegiate training program...Dangerous with the ball in his hands, even if he doesn’t have elite top-end speed.

With strong intangibles off the field, Onwualu was an early offer by the Irish coaching staff...With depth at running back and wide receiver not overflowing, finding a place for Onwualu should be easy enough.

An early enrollee, he's had a chance to get acclimated to the demands of Kelly's offensive scheme.

At this time, according to Rivals.com, Onwualu is behind starter T.J. Jones on the depth chart. Jones, while effective as a pass-catcher, isn't an explosive receiver. He caught 50 passes for 649 yards (13.0 yards per reception) last year and hauled in four touchdowns.

If given the chance to play, Onwualu would become a favorite big-play target for quarterback Everett Golson.

Ishaq Williams, Outside Linebacker/Defensive End

Jason McIntyre of TheBigLead.com recently mocked Williams to the Seattle Seahawks with the No. 32 overall pick of the 2014 NFL draft. In response, SI.com's George Dohrmann suggested on Twitter that McIntyre hadn't watched much Notre Dame football in 2012:

Perhaps McIntyre has simply been paying attention to what's being said about Williams heading into the 2013, rather than looking to the past.

Nix and Tuitt are the top defensive players for Notre Dame in 2013, to be sure. That said, don't be surprised if Williams ends up joining these two behemoths as a potential first-round pick for the 2014 NFL draft.

The former 5-star recruit out of Brooklyn hasn't been a factor for the Irish the past couple of years. He lacked the strength and technique to make his presence felt on to the field, and in two years he has only logged 28 total tackles.

That doesn't mean he's a bust, however.

Kelly likes to develop his players properly, and he doesn't play them until they're ready to shine.

According to Eric Hansen of the South Bend Tribune, the time for Williams to shine could be now after speaking with Diaco:

"Ishaq is starting to come into his own," Diaco said of the 6-5, 255-pound junior from Brooklyn, N.Y. "I don't want to heap a bunch of pressure on him as it relates to the fall of 2013, but he's starting to learn how to prepare professionally in practice and in meetings."

"There's so much more effort involved in his play, so much more intensity," Diaco said. "He's playing lower. He got stronger. When he kind of unlocks now on a player in block destruction and tackling, and in his different jobs, even if it's just accelerating on push rush, it looks different. It's a more sudden, a more explosive moment, not only based on strength but also energy."

Should Williams come into his own as the player Notre Dame thought he'd become a few years ago, it's not inconceivable to think the team's defense could be even more dominant up front than it was in 2012.

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78

Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown 2013: Schedule, Special Guests, Dates, and Locations

Alex Kay — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:10:51 -0400

NBA Nation has teamed up with Sprite for an exciting tour across America this summer.

This thrilling roadshow will feature a number of NBA players, some former greats, celebrities, dancers and other entertainers making eight stops in eight different cities from late May through mid-July.

The highlight will certainly be the Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown, in which local contestants will be competing to win $2,500 and a chance to contend in the national championship with $10,000 on the line.

There’s also stuff for do for those of you without aerial skills, as the Kevin Durant Unlimited Free Throw Competition, Steve Nash Fast Break Challenge and other events will be available for participants to compete in and win prizes.

Keep reading to find out where you can attend these awesome events, which special guests and celebrities will be present in each city, the players that are scheduled to be in attendance and more.

*Info and Photos courtesy of NBANation (NBA.com)

Full Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown and NBANation Schedule, Special Guests, Locations and More

*Tour stop info provided by NBA.com, please check for updated and detailed player and celebrity scheduling.

San Francisco

Where: Carnaval San Francisco

When: Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26

Time: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Admission: Free

Special Guests/Events

DJ D Sharp, Terrence Ross, Darryl Dawkins

Local Team Appearances

Harrison Barnes, Festus Ezeli, Kent Bazemore, Flying Dubs and Warrior Girls

Los Angeles

Where: Universal CityWalk

When: Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2

Time: 12 – 8 p.m.

Admission: Free

Special Guests/Events

DJ Dense, Power 106 Flava Unit, DJ P-JAY, Darren Collison, Darryl Dawkins, Power 106 All-Star Game

Local Team Appearances

L.A. ClipPercussion, Clippers Spirit Dance Team, Laker Girls

Charlotte

Where: Taste of Charlotte

When: Friday, June 7 through Sunday, June 9

Time: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. (June 7 and June 8), 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (June 9)

Admission: Free

Special Guests/Events

N/A

Local Team Appearances

N/A

Chicago

Where: Taste of Randolph

When: Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16

Time: 12 – 10 p.m.

Admission: Free

Special Guests/Events

N/A

Local Team Appearances

Taj Gibson, Marquis Teague

Washington D.C.

Where: Safeway Barbecue Battle

When: Saturday, June 22 and Sunday, June 23

Time: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. (June 22), 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. (June 23)

Admission Cost: $15 (at gate), Free (children under 5)

Special Guests/Events

Jeff Green

Local Team Appearances

Bradley Beal

East Rutherford

Where: State Fair Meadowlands

When: Friday, June 28 through Sunday, June 30

Time: 6 – 11 p.m. (June 28), 2 – 11 p.m. (June 29), 2 – 10 p.m. (June 30)

Admission Cost: $9 (adults), $7 (children)

Special Guests/Events

N/A

Local Team Appearances

Tyshawn Taylor

Philadelphia

Where: Wawa Welcome America! Taste of Philadelphia

When: Friday, July 5 through Sunday, July 7

Time: 12 – 10 p.m. (July 5 and July 6), 12 – 3 p.m. (July 7)

Admission Cost: Free

Special Guests/Events

N/A

Local Team Appearances

N/A

Dallas

Where: Taste of Dallas

When: Friday, July 12 through Sunday, July 14

Time: 4 – 11 p.m. (July 12), 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. (July 13), 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. (July 14)

Admission Cost: $10 (adults), Free (children under 5)

Special Guests/Events

Jeremy Evans

Local Team Appearances

N/A

Nick Saban's Non-Committable Offers Show How Alabama Doesn't Recruit, It Drafts

Barrett Sallee — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:09:11 -0400

With three straight 247Sports.com composite recruiting titles under his belt, Alabama head coach Nick Saban has established himself as not only the best coach in the country, but also the nation's unquestioned king of recruiting.

Just how good is it these days for Saban?

According to Mike Herndon of AL.com, Saban told fans at a Crimson Caravan event in Orange Beach, Ala., that all of Alabama's offers to quarterbacks in the class of 2014 are non-committable until Saban sees them work out personally at Alabama's camp.

It is our philosophy at certain positions that we really like to learn a lot about players and one of the best ways to learn about a player is when they come and visit you, because you're limited in terms of the contact you can have with them off-campus. To get some of them to come here in the summer I think is a really big tool in evaluation as well as an opportunity to get to know guys, to see if they have the right character and attitude to fit in your program.

Sure, the words "non-committable" and "offer" contradict each other, but semantics aren't exactly important in the recruiting game. After all, a commitment isn't a commitment until national signing day.

As the Atlanta Journal-Constitution points out, non-committable offers aren't uncommon—especially at quarterback. In fact, it's good business.

In this case, it speaks to the power of the Alabama football program.

Two players mentioned in the AJC that have non-committable offers from Alabama are 247Sports.com 4-star Clemson commit Deshaun Watson—the fourth-best pro-style quarterback in the composite index, and 4-star pro-style prospect Tyler Harris from Blackshear, Ga.

These aren't exactly no-name prospects who are destined to be buried on college depth charts. These are two studs who already have offers from several schools and will receive plenty more between now and signing day.

Former Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley said it best before his team hosted the Crimson Tide in 2012 (via: AL.com):

"They draft, we recruit," Dooley said. "And they get the first 25 picks of the draft."

In the case of Alabama's 2014 recruiting efforts, it's also a situation caused by numbers.

Starting quarterback AJ McCarron will exhaust his eligibility after the 2013 season, leaving Alec Morris, Blake Sims and Cooper Bateman as the primary competitors for the quarterback spot in 2014. That's a lot of competition for any incoming freshman, but McCarron's departure certainly makes Alabama a little more attractive to any quarterback in the upcoming recruiting class.

Since Saban insists on evaluating quarterbacks on campus prior to truly issuing a scholarship offer, it's as much a matter of selecting the quarterback as it is recruiting.

In other words, the situation is a coach's dream.

Alabama's recruiting efforts, success on the field and ability to send players to the NFL through the draft—22 over the last three seasons—have created the perfect recruiting scenario.

While non-committable offers are common, not every school can get away with them. Whether a prospect is interested in championships, draft status or playing time, Alabama can offer it up in 2014.

That's scary.

Follow @BarrettSallee

Why David Otunga's Legal Background Needs to Be Used More

Ryan Dilbert — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:07:27 -0400

With as loathed as lawyers are by some people, it's a surprise WWE isn't tapping into that hatred more often by using David Otunga as an on-screen legal figure.

WWE fans haven’t seen much of Otunga in the ring lately. He has been busy being in and promoting the movie The Call, speaking to middle school kids and other out-of-the-ring duties.

If WWE chooses to bring him back anytime soon, his real-life background in law is a treasure chest of heel heat. Zeb Colter gave WWE an idea for a potential Otunga storyline with the following tweet:

Otunga, as WWE fans have heard him say on TV several times, attended Harvard Law School. Kevin Pang of the Chicago Tribune wrote, "Otunga did pass the bar exam. And if entertainment doesn't work out, he has that degree from Harvard as a fallback."

No one would fault him if he did as Pang said and "fell back" on his Harvard education, but the real world is already teeming with lawyers. The WWE world, however, could use an attorney character to drum up hatred and stir up the crowd. There is a ready-made villain under that sweater vest, one that WWE should utilize.

From Irwin R. Schyster playing on the crowd's negativity toward the I.R.S. to Vince McMahon reminding fans of their overbearing bosses, WWE has a long history of using archetypes of people from society that the general public distrusts and dislikes.

Making Otunga's legal background into his gimmick as a wrestler would be difficult to prevent from being corny. Think back to Barry Darsow's turn as Repo Man. Instead of heading back that road, WWE can make use of Otunga's smooth-talking ways and real-life background to have the company's resident attorney be a prominent figure in storylines and backstage segments.

Otunga's scenes as Alberto Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez's legal advisor are just a preview of the kinds of things WWE can do with him.

Otunga is equally irritating and smug here. Combining those qualities with him creating unfair concessions and loopholes for WWE's heels could make him one of the most hated men on the roster.

Have him work for Superstars trying to get new contracts. Have him finagle management into giving guys title shots and rematches. This way Otunga's presence doesn't take away from someone else, it enhances other guys on the roster.

Even though he hasn't been around in recent months, fans know who he is and so WWE doesn't have to create a character from scratch. WWE has already built the foundation for the kind of exasperation and anger Otunga can stir up. The company just needs to add on to it, to ignite the existing sparks.

WWE needs a variety of villains. It needs its monsters, psychos, narcissists and weasels. A villainous attorney adds depth to that mix.

Reemphasizing Otunga's legal background can better the product as he gets under our collective skin like only a lawyer can.

Best NFL QBs the SEC Has Produced

Ian Berg — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:05:34 -0400

The SEC is a factory for NFL talent that has produced some of the most talented quarterbacks to play in the pros.

Guys like Joe Namath and Peyton Manning will be remembered as some of the game’s best at the position. They won big in college and continued their success in the pros.

There are some players working on becoming future legends, but these names have solidified their legacies as the best quarterbacks in conference and NFL history.

This is a look at the six best to depart the SEC and land in the NFL.

Begin Slideshow

Michigan Football: Ranking Toughest Games on 2013 Schedule

Rob Goldberg — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:05:29 -0400

Michigan will look to get back to a BCS bowl next season, but there are a bunch of tough opponents who stand in the team's way.

The Wolverines certainly have a lot of promise in 2013. A full year with Devin Gardner at quarterback should help create a more balanced offence, especially with Taylor Lewan blocking his blind side. Meanwhile, the defense should continue to improve under Brady Hoke.

However, there are difficult games on the schedule starting as early as August. While Michigan should be able to get a lot of wins this season, these are going to be the most daunting matchups of the year.

5. Michigan State (Road), Nov. 2

Going on the road against an in-state rival will always be a tough game. Michigan finally ended a four-game losing streak against the Spartans last season and is looking to build a new winning streak this year.

The problem is that Michigan State still has one of the top defenses in the country and will be tough to score against. This game could end up being similar to last year's 12-10 victory for the Wolverines.

Fortunately, the Spartans struggled on offense all year in 2012 and lost their best offensive weapon in Le'Veon Bell. It is unlikely the squad improves on that side of the ball this year, giving Michigan a good chance of earning a road victory.

4. Nebraska (Home), Nov. 9

Nebraska is very likely to be Michigan's biggest threat to come out of the Legends Division. Taylor Martinez is heading into his senior season as one of the best rushing quarterbacks in the country with an improved passing game.

Adding in some talented running backs like Ameer Abdullah will make this offense incredibly difficult to defend.

While the defense is still improving, it is clear that the Cornhuskers are one of the teams to beat in the Big Ten this year.

The good news, however, is that Michigan gets to play this game at home in the Big House, where the team won every game last season. All four of Nebraska's losses last season were away from home, so it gives Michigan a much better chance of winning.

3. Penn State (Road), Oct. 12

Few expected Penn State to be as good as it was last season. In Bill O'Brien's first year as head coach, the squad went 8-4 with the No. 16-ranked defense in the country.

While the Nittany Lions are still ineligible for the postseason, they should be even better this year with an improved young roster and an infusion of young talent in the most recent recruiting class.

This is one of Michigan's first Big Ten games and it could be a quick loss for the Wolverines if they are not prepared to go into Happy Valley. Penn State is clearly their toughest road game of the year, so they must be ready for a battle.

2. Notre Dame (Home), Sept. 7

Notre Dame lost a lot of talent from last year's team that went to the national championship game, but there are plenty of players ready to pick up the slack.

Most importantly, Everett Golson returns as the team's undisputed starting quarterback and should have more confidence heading into the year. The young player was relatively mistake-free down the stretch and will look to continue that this season.

This experience will play a big role in the second game of the season. He was certainly less than stellar last year when these teams played, which gave Michigan a chance of winning.

On the other hand, Gardner will still be coming into his own and could struggle against a strong defensive front for the Irish. If the young offensive line is not ready to compete, it will be destroyed by defensive tackle Louis Nix and the rest of the Notre Dame defense.

1. Ohio State (Home), Nov. 30

Every year, this is the game that is circled when the schedule comes out. This season, the game might be even more important, as Ohio State looks to challenge for a national championship.

Braxton Miller is clearly one of the top players in the country with his ability as a passer and runner. He finished last season with over 2,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards and is always a threat to make a big play.

Additionally, the Buckeyes defense will be just as strong with quick pass-rushers and playmakers in the secondary to force turnovers.

Either this game will be a final test for the Wolverines to clinch their division or it will be a chance for them to play spoiler against their biggest rivals. Either way, this will be a big one to watch.

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Belmont Stakes 2013: Top Contenders for Final Leg of Triple Crown

Tim Daniels — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:05:23 -0400

The biggest loser in the Preakness Stakes wasn't Orb. In fact, it wasn't any of the horses that finished behind Oxbow at Pimlico. It was horse racing, which missed out on yet another chance to steal the spotlight with a possible Triple Crown winner.

Instead of heading into the Belmont Stakes with a chance to break the 34-year drought, the top storyline is a potential rematch between Orb and Oxbow. While an interesting plot, it doesn't come anywhere close to a Triple Crown pursuit.

That said, the Belmont is still a marquee race and should attract an elite field of contenders. Horse Racing Nation provides a list of every horse being considered. So let's take a closer look at top horses capable of winning the final jewel of horse racing's spring trifecta.

1. Orb

Orb was tremendous in the Kentucky Derby. His stretch run, which saw him fly past the huge field with amazing ease, will be shown for many years to come. He wasn't able to back up that performance in the Preakness, however, finishing fourth.

A strong workout has trainer Shug McGaughey thinking about the Belmont, reports David Grening of the Daily Racing Form. They are going to keep an open mind moving forward in his training and then make a final decision.

"If everything's right, he's doing right, puts his weight back on, his energy level's good, we would like to run in the Belmont," said McGaughey, who trains Orb for co-owners/breeders Ogden Mills Phipps and Stuart Janney III. "If we hit any stumbling block along the way there are plenty of other good opportunities."

Assuming Orb does reach the Preakness goal, the biggest unknown is what version of the colt will show up. When he's at his best, there won't be a horse in the field that can beat him. So he should still hold favorite status for now.

2. Oxbow

The biggest difference for Oxbow from the Kentucky Derby to the Preakness Stakes was the early pace. Since it was a more reasonable start, veteran jockey Gary Stevens was able to put him in prime position without exerting too much energy. It paid off.

Jockeys are not miracle workers. If a horse doesn't have the talent to win, there's only so much they can do. But Stevens showed how a jockey can make a good horse great. By having the perfect plan of attack, he ended Orb's Triple Crown quest.

Oxbow's chances will be heavily dependent on the field size. He's at his best when he can get near the lead, but if the early fractions are too fast (like the derby) he's in trouble. The Preakness showed he can overcome a Grade 1 field, though.

3. Revolutionary

Revolutionary had a strong third-place showing in the Kentucky Derby. After skipping the Preakness Stakes, he's one of at least three Todd Pletcher horses expected at Belmont Park, according to Mark Singelais of the Albany Times Union. The extra rest will help.

Three straight victories, including the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby, heading into the derby made Revolutionary one of the top contenders. Although he ultimately fell short, his run was good enough to believe he can bounce back to win the Belmont.

If Orb and Oxbow both enter the race, they will dominate the headlines. But Revolutionary is one of the few horses capable of keeping pace with both. With the couple extra weeks of rest, he should also be prepared to handle the added distance. Definitely a strong contender.

Serena Williams Will Parlay Hot Play into 2nd French Open Title

Mike Chiari — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:01:05 -0400

As the No. 1-ranked female player in the world, it should come as no surprise that Serena Williams is considered the favorite heading into the French Open. While Serena actually hasn't had a ton of success at Roland Garros over the years, her recent play suggests that a second title is on the horizon.

Serena has been nearly unbeatable this year with a 36-2 record. In fact, both of her losses were the direct result of an injury as she was hobbled by a back injury in an Australian Open loss to Sloane Stephens and was forced to bow out of the Dubai Tennis Championships with the same ailment.

It almost seems like the only person who can beat Serena is Serena herself. She has five titles to her credit this year and has rolled past top contenders such as Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova in recent weeks. No female player is competing at a level that rivals Williams right now.

Clay has never been Serena's best surface, but she has been dominant on it in 2013. Her loss to Virginie Razzano in the first round of last year's French Open may very well have been a turning point in her career. Serena went on an absolute tear after that loss, winning Wimbledon, a gold medal in the Olympics and the U.S. Open.

No player in all of tennis has been as locked in as Serena over the past year, and all it took was a shocking upset to make it happen. Based on the way Serena is playing right now, it's tough to imagine a repeat occurring at Roland Garros. She is too focused and is playing too consistently to let her guard down this time around.

Although Melissa Isaacson of ESPN.com is right when she says that Williams has nothing to prove in the French Open, Serena may very well feel otherwise.

Serena has won only one French Open title and that was way back in 2002. That means she hasn't triumphed at Roland Garros in more than a decade, so she probably has a chip on her shoulder. Serena has multiple victories in every other Grand Slam tournament and would certainly love to pick up another in the French Open.

Williams' game isn't exactly crafted to excel on clay, but there aren't any clay-court specialists who can hurt her. Since Justine Henin won three straight at Roland Garros from 2005 through 2007, there have been five different winners. Williams can overpower the other power players such as Azarenka and Sharapova, and the clay-court players don't have enough weapons.

Unless Williams suffers an injury at some point during the tournament, she is poised to conquer her French Open demons. It's incredibly rare for someone to play their best tennis at the age of 31, but it can certainly be argued that Serena is doing precisely that. It's almost as if she is playing in a different league than her competitors.

There have been times in the past when it seemed impossible for Serena to lose, yet she found a way to falter. That is obviously a present danger, but there seems to be something different about Williams right now. If her recent success is any indication, Serena won't be denied at Roland Garros.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter

Indy 500 Starting Grid: Top Qualifiers That Will Struggle Sunday

Donald Wood — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:59:22 -0400

The 97th Indy 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 26, and the excitement surrounding the race has shifted to the starting grid and which top qualifiers will struggle at the biggest IndyCar race of the year.

With 33 cars lining up to vie for the win at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a car and driver qualifying well doesn’t mean they will be able to sustain that position with every other competitor breathing down their necks.

All of the following drivers performed well in qualifying—earning their way into the Fast Nine—but will be overtaken by better drivers behind them in the starting order.

Full Indy 500 Starting Grid

Grid Spot	Driver	Four-Lap Average (MPH)
1	Ed Carpenter	228.762
2	Carlos Munoz	228.342
3	Marco Andretti	228.261
4	E.J. Viso	228.150
5	A.J. Allmendinger	228.099
6	Will Power	228.087
7	Ryan Hunter-Reay	227.904
8	Helio Castroneves	227.762
9	James Hinchcliffe	227.070
10	JR Hildebrand	227.441
11	Alex Tagliani	227.386
12	Tony Kanaan	226.949
13	Oriol Servia	226.814
14	Justin Wilson	226.370
15	Sebastien Bourdais	226.196
16	Scott Dixon	226.158
17	Dario Franchitti	226.069
18	Takuma Sato	225.892
19	Charlie Kimball	225.880
20	James Jakes	225.809
21	Simon Pagenaud	225.674
22	Townsend Bell	225.643
23	Ryan Briscoe	225.265
24	Simona De Silvestro	225.226
25	Josef Newgarden	226.731
26	Graham Rahal	225.007
27	Sebastian Saavedra	224.929
28	Tristian Vautier (R)	224.873
29	Ana Beatriz	224.184
30	Pippa Mann	224.005
31	Conor Daly (R)	223.582
32	Buddy Lazier	223.442
33	Katherine Legge	223.176

* Qualifying results and starting grid via Indy 500's official website.

Top Qualifiers That Will Struggle

Ed Carpenter

Despite qualifying on the pole, IndyCar veteran Ed Carpenter will not have the dream run that anyone starting from the front thinks about. There is a chance Carpenter finishes in the top 10, and driver and his team would consider that a success.

After just two top-10 finishes in nine career starts at Indianapolis Motor Speedway—his best finish was fifth in 2008 with Vision Racing—there is no reason to expect a better finish from a racer that has finished 11th three times.

Carpenter is also racing for his own team now and likely put all of his eggs into the qualifying basket. When it comes to Sunday’s race, the veteran will be lucky to finish in the top 10.

E.J. Viso

While there is no discounting how exciting it is for E.J. Viso and the Andretti Autosport/HVM Racing teams that Viso was able to fun the fourth-fastest lap in qualifying, it's where he will finish that should have everyone worried.

Viso has started the Indy 500 five times—finishing 24th or worse in four of the five chances—and only managed his best finish last season, taking home 18th-place honors.

The hope from the driver and his team is that the lessons learned over the years will help him maintain throughout the race and have a solid finish, but the track record for Viso speaks volumes about where he’ll end up finishing.

Ryan Hunter-Reay

The excitement surrounding Ryan Hunter-Reay and his seventh-place starting position has the entire Andretti Autosport team and IndyCar fanbase at a fever pitch, but this grid spot comes with a caveat: This driver doesn't finish races well.

Hunter-Reay has been eligible to race the Indy 500 for five years since he left the Rahal Letterman Racing team, and he has never finished better than 18th in that time.

As great as his sixth-place finish was in 2008—Hunter-Reay’s first chance at the illustrious track—the lack of success since then is indicative of what race fans should expect this time around as well.

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Comparing LeBron James' Playoff Buzzer-Beating Shots to Michael Jordan's Best

Dan Favale — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:56:13 -0400

There is no escaping the LeBron James and Michael Jordan comparisons. None whatsoever.

LeBron and Jordan are two of the best—arguably the two best—players the NBA has ever seen, forever destined to be pitted against one another.

But while the debate as to who the better player overall is rolls on, the postseason opens up a realm of other possibilities.

Championship rings are the ultimate barometer for a player's success; they're the tangible hardware through which most (all?) legacies are measured against.

Equally as telling is a player's performance in the clutch, when the game is on the line. Those moments are big, so big the NBA has built an entire campaign around it. No-names become stars; stars become legends; and history is written. That's clutch.

The Chosen One has laid claim to more than his fair share of accolades with the outcome of the game in his hands. Once considered the most prolific choke artist of the generation, his image has since transcended most criticism.

Is what LeBron has done in the clutch during the postseason thus far comparable to that of His Airness?

Titles tell part of the story, just not all of it.

What is "Clutch?"

There are countless definitions of what it means to be "clutch."

Some interpretations are more common than others and there are also those who are a bit to cavalier with the term.

LeBron was clutch for his most recent Game 1 winner against the Indiana Pacers, Jordan was clutch for his NBA Finals-winning shot against the Utah Jazz in 1998 and Steve Nash was clutch for handing Metta World Peace a towel to wipe his face with what he had just used on his sweaty armpits.

So, what is clutch?

For our main focus here—buzzer beaters/game winners—we're going to use the criteria provided by ESPN's Alok Pattani (via Henry Abbott of ESPN.com):

-Playoff games only (no regular season)

-Go-ahead or game-tying shot attempts (free throws, turnovers and the like were ignored)

-Final 24 seconds of the fourth quarter or overtime

Simple enough?

Good.

LeBron James and Michael Jordan By The Numbers

Advanced analytics have never been more popular to employ. Which is awesome. It also means that clutch playoff statistics for Jordan are hard to come by.

Luckily for us, Pattani has us covered there as well.

According to Pattani, Jordan was 9-of-18 for his career in our playoff version of clutch.

A 50 percent clip on such shots is simply outstanding. As of 2011, when this data was compiled, the NBA shot just 27.8 percent with the game on the line as a whole. Jordan nearly doubled that.

Right up through to 2011, only Kobe Bryant attempted more postseason shots in the clutch. He put up 25, hitting on just seven (28 percent).

Only four other players managed to knock down 50 percent of their clutch attempts during that time as well (Ray Allen, Michael Finley, Tayshaun Prince and Robert Horry). None of them put up more than 12 such shots.

In fact, Jordan was the only player who attempted at least 13 shots and managed to even hit on 42 percent or more of them.

But this isn't 2011 anymore. This is 2013. The data has had time to change. It's LeBron's league now.

Per ESPN.com, since LeBron entered the league in 2003, he has hit on the highest number of clutch field goals in the NBA. Thus far, he is 7-of-16 on those shots, good for a 43.8 percent clip, significantly lower than Jordan's.

LeBron's average is still well above that of the league's, though. As of now, the NBA average on these clutch shots is just 28.3 percent. LeBron's clip is more than 15 percentage points above that.

Below is a chart that shows how LeBron has stacked up against some of the NBA's best in this clutch department since entering the league. Jordan's career clip is also included.

Player	Makes	Attempts	FG%
Michael Jordan	9	18	50
LeBron James	7	16	43.8
Kevin Durant	5	12	41.7
Dirk Nowitzki	5	12	41.7
Kobe Bryant	5	17	29.4

Once again we find Jordan on a whole other level. Even more so than LeBron.

That said, Jordan shot 50 percent for his career. How did he fare through his first 10 seasons?

Jordan's concluded his 10th season in 1995. Per Chasing23.com, Jordan was 6-of-10 in the clutch for the postseason through his first 10 years. His 60 percent clip trounces LeBron's 43.8.

If we were to break it down even further to see how he fared through his first 16 attempts—the number LeBron is currently at—it gets a little bit closer.

Jordan hit on eight of his first 16 clutch attempts in the playoffs, just one more than LeBron. Though that gives him a 50 percent ratio to LeBron's 43.8, one shot really isn't that much of a difference. So Kudos to LeBron.

Still, Jordan was able to maintain a 50 percent conversion rate for his career, which is beyond impressive.

Will LeBron be able to elevate his current numbers and do the same, or perhaps even better?

We'll just have to wait and see.

The Made Shots Themselves

It's time for us to move beyond the numerical side of clutch and award style points.

LeBron and Jordan have 16 clutch postseason makes between them, all of which were fun to watch and will be thrilling to relive.

Our grading criteria will consist of us evaluating the difficulty. Layups obviously aren't as tough as a fadeaway, and fadeaways aren't as hard as blind-folded half-court heaves.

You get the point.

Now, onward.

Michael Jordan's Makes

1985 NBA Playoffs vs. Milwaukee Bucks

Down by one with 25 seconds remaining in Game 3 of a first-round series against the Bucks, Jordan came off a screen and hit a strong-side half-fadeaway.

Admittedly, it wasn't that difficult. Jordan didn't have to create space for himself and was wide open on the catch.

That in mind, his release was both quick and perfect. It doesn't hurt that he ripped the bottom of the net on it either.

Grade: B

1989 NBA Playoffs vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

You're going to get double your money's worth on this one.

With the Chicago Bulls first-round series against the Cavaliers notched up at two games apiece, Jordan hit a two to put his Bulls up by one.

It wasn't especially impressive. Not that it wasn't awesome, because it was. But Jordan was able to create space without a ball or head fake. The moment was far more difficult than the shot.

Grade: B-

Craig Ehlo wasn't going down without a fight, though. His path to the rim went basically unimpeded and was able to hit a layup. The Cavs had regained the lead.

With just three seconds remaining, Jordan caught the inbounds pass. He took two dribbles to his left before elevating for a pull-up jumper over Ehlo. And he drilled—in style.

Seriously, he hung in the air forever. It doesn't get (much) better.

Grade: A

1989 NBA Playoffs vs. Detroit Pistons

With nine seconds remaining against the Pistons in Game 3 of the 1989 Eastern Conference Finals, Jordan went to work.

He caught the ball near the timeline, went right and buried a shot off the glass to give the Bulls the lead with three seconds remaining.

Though he had some space, he wasn't afforded the best of angles. He also had more time to get close to the rim.

Once again we saw him use his excessive air time to his advantage, though, getting enough of a look so that he could heave it in off the glass.

Just a great shot by an even greater player.

Grade: A-

1991 NBA Playoffs vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Chicago was down two with just under 11 seconds remaining in Game 3 of the 1991 NBA Finals, so what did the Bulls do? Give the ball to Jordan.

His Airness took it the length of the floor—which would never happen today with only 10.9 seconds remaining—and pulls up for a shot to tie the game.

At first glance, it looks easy. But it wasn't. Not even close. The 7'1" Vlade Divac nearly blocked it.

You try hitting that shot, even just for fun. Tell me how it turns out.

Grade: A-

1993 NBA Playoffs vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Ehlo and the Cavs just couldn't catch a break.

Chicago and Cleveland were tied at 101 points a piece with only 18.5 seconds to play in Game 4 of the 1993 Eastern Conference Semifinals. Jordan got the ball with around seven seconds remaining.

After being nearly stripped he fades and drains the game/series winner over two Cleveland defenders. Why? Because he's Jordan.

This one really makes you wonder: Were any of Jordan's clutch playoff shots even close to gimmes?

1996 NBA Playoffs vs. New York Knicks

Jordan loved to play at Madison Square Garden.

Down by three points inside a half-minute to play in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Jordan took one dribble to the right before drilling a fadeaway three over his defender to tie the game with just 19.4 seconds to play.

Contested threes are never good looks (unless you're Stephen Curry). Jordan's body was actually falling away from the basket, making this even more complicated a shot.

Do we think he should have tried to get closer? Absolutely. But he made it, so it doesn't matter.

The Knicks went on to win the game in overtime, but Jordan's shot is etched in the memories of New Yorkers everywhere. Trust me.

Grade: A-

1997 NBA Playoffs vs. Utah Jazz

MJ also liked to torment the Jazz too.

Tied at 82 in Game 1 of the 1997 NBA Finals, Jordan rose up like he had so many times before and knocked down a two as time expired to give Chicago a victory

There's really no such thing as a "bad" or "easy" buzzer beater, but compared to the others, this was child's play for Jordan.

Oh, and poor Bryon Russell.

Grade: B-

1998 NBA Playoffs vs. Utah Jazz

The final shot of Jordan's career was amazing. It would have been even more amazing if it was actually his final shot. But anyway...

Trailing by one, Jordan stole the ball with about 20 seconds to go. He dribbled up the floor, showing left. Instead, he went back to his right toward the middle of the floor. And then he changed directions again, crossing over to his left hand and pulling his body back in the process.

Jordan's defender fell and the rest is history. He gave the Bulls a one-point lead with 5.2 seconds remaining and went onto to win his sixth and final NBA championship.

Like I said, poor Bryon Russell.

Grade: A+

LeBron James' Makes

2006 NBA Playoffs vs. Washington Wizards

Trailing 96-95 with just 23.4 seconds left in Game 3 of the first round, LeBron found himself with the ball in his hands. He walked it up the floor as the seconds ticked off the block before getting into the paint where a slew of defenders awaited.

Somehow, LeBron got that shot off. And somehow, it went in.

It was the first postseason-game winner of his career. What a way to usher himself into the playoffs.

Grade: A+

2006 NBA Playoffs vs. Washington Wizards

Cleveland was down by one with just 3.6 seconds remaining in Game 5 of the first round when LeBron went beast mode.

He caught the ball on the weak side, dribbled into about four Wizards and still managed to finish at the rim to give the Cavs the lead with just 0.9 seconds to play.

This appears to be a much easier look than Jordan ever got, and to an extent it was. LeBron still had to make his way out from under the basket and convert in traffic, though. That he was able to find enough space to do so in just 3.6 seconds is incredible.

Grade: B+

2007 NBA Playoffs vs. Detroit Pistons

Let's go two for the money again, shall we?

In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Cavs were down two with just 22.9 seconds left on the clock. LeBron walked the ball up the floor and went right at Tayshaun Prince. He got the first step and was able to lay the ball in for an easy two with 9.5 seconds to play.

I say "easy," because that's really what this was. The pressure was real; Prince's defense was not.

Grade: B-

There was just over 11 seconds to play in this double-overtime thriller when LeBron took Chauncey Billups and the rest of the Pistons to school.

James dribbled his way into the paint and hit a go-ahead layup with under three seconds remaining to lock up a Game 5 victory for his Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The finish wasn't what was impressive. It was how James got there. He split four defenders, cutting his way through Billups, Richard Hamilton Jason Maxiell and Prince. So while the look was easy, the work he did to get it wasn't simple at all.

Grade: B

2009 NBA Playoffs vs. Orlando Magic

This was easily my favorite of LeBron's.

Cleveland trailed by two in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals with just one second left on the clock. LeBron caught the inbounds and drilled a deep three to give the Cavs a one-point victory.

Why so impressive? Because this wasn't the 2012-13 campaign when LeBron knocked down over 40 percent of his treys. This was the 2009 playoffs, when he was converting on just a third of his shots from downtown.

LeBron barely had time to catch the ball and his body wasn't even squared toward the basket, yet he still nailed it.

Absolutely sensational.

Grade: A+

2013 NBA Playoffs vs. Indiana Pacers

You're getting double your money's worth again.

Tied at 99 in overtime, LeBron took the ball into the paint and would not be denied. He put in a layup to give the Heat a two-point lead with 10.8 seconds left.

Layups are rarely ever impressive, but LeBron survived a reach-in by David West and perhaps a head-tap by George Hill to get the job done.

No, it wasn't especially difficult. Compared to what you're about to see though, it most certainly was.

Grade: B-

This is still fresh in our minds (I hope).

Miami was trailing the Pacers by one with just 2.2 seconds to play. Paul George cheated to his right and LeBron went left upon catching the inbounds. He reached the basket completely unimpeded to lift the Heat to a victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

What LeBron did here took great instincts. He knew exactly where to go and how much time he had to get there. But this was underwhelming. It was as if the Pacers wanted him to score. With Roy Hibbert—their best shot-blocker—sitting on the bench, I'm not entirely convinced they didn't.

Nothing against LeBron here, but we've seen better—especially from him.

Grade: C+

Who Has Hit the More Difficult Clutch Shots in the Playoffs?

There really isn't a question.

Most of LeBron's looks came right at the rim, while Jordan predominately buried jumpers. One could argue Jordan settled for those jumpers—and they'd be correct for the most part—but he still had to hit them. And he did.

This isn't to say that LeBron's clutch makes aren't clutch or even impressive enough. They are. Jordan's were just better. Some of them—the ones that came in the NBA Finals—meant more to his team's postseason cause, too.

Appreciate what we're currently bearing witness too. LeBron is tearing it up; he's putting on a show. Just remember that there was someone who did exactly what he was doing not to long ago.

And did it even better.

Follow @danfavale

*All stats from this article were compiled from Basketball-Reference, ESPN.com and NBA.com unless otherwise attributed.

Top 2013 NBA Draft Prospects with the Most Long-Term Upside

Jonathan Wasserman — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:52:50 -0400

Long-term upside is another way of talking about a prospect's ceiling.

A ceiling is the best-possible player a prospect can become. But it usually takes a while to get there, which is why we call it long-term upside.

Though these players have the highest ceilings and upsides, it doesn't make them the six best prospects. Victor Oladipo is likely to get selected before Alex Len, though if they both reach their ceilings, Alex Len will end up the better player.

These are the guys who could end up being the top players from this draft if they all reach their NBA ceilings.

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David Luiz: How the Chelsea Defender Became One of the Best in Europe

Joe Krishnan — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:48:55 -0400

Many football followers will remember transfer deadline day of January 2011 for Fernando Torres' £50 million transfer from Liverpool to Chelsea, and rightfully so. It was the British transfer record, after all.

But another Chelsea signing slipped right through the net. Few seem to recall that a certain frizzy-haired Brazilian also made a significant career leap on the very same day.

Benfica defender David Luiz joined Chelsea in a £25 million deal, which saw reserve player Nemanja Matic move to the Lisbon-based club. This was the beginning of something great at Stamford Bridge.

While Torres was very much seen as the typical marquee signing made by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, due to the nature and the cost Luiz was the top transfer target for Carlo Ancelotti, who was in charge of the Blues at the time.

The Italian coach must have seen the potential in the Brazilian, splashing out a hefty amount that easily trounced the Blues' previous record transfer for a defender, which was their signing of Porto centre back Ricardo Carvalho for £19 million in 2004.

It's fair to say Luiz had a bumpy start to his Chelsea career, giving away a 93rd-minute penalty—which was saved by Petr Cech—on his full debut during the 0-0 draw against Fulham.

But one brilliant aspect about having the madcap defender in the Premier League is that you always receive exhibitions of his best and worst qualities. Despite almost costing his side a crucial away point, Luiz was chosen as the Man of the Match for his overall performance.

It's easy to see how similar Carvalho and Luiz are. They are not just connected by their large transfer fees. Luiz operates with the same erratic style that made Carvalho a household name in the Premier League. This, however, can lead to him being caught out by the defence.

He always plays with a smile on his face and his attitude towards football is something to be admired, with the 26-year-old shedding tears after Chelsea's 1-0 defeat to Corinthians in the Club World Cup final.

The natural passion that Brazilian players have for the game highlights why signing players from the region usually pays off. Their work ethic, technical ability and desire to progress gives some insight into why Brazilians are so successful in the Premier League.

Luiz also represents the upcoming breed of modern style centre backs. Standing at 6'2", he possesses great ability in the air. Despite his height, he shows confidence in his ability with the ball at his feet.

Additionally, having him play from the back is key to Chelsea's build-up. The ex-Vitoria man has shown on numerous occassions that he is capable of slicing the opposition open with a slick pass; the highlight being a pinpoint 60-yard pass to Fernando Torres, which the Spaniard finished, against Rubin Kazan.

No doubt the biggest improvement in David Luiz's game has been in the set-pieces department. Using his famed side-foot technique to strike the ball, Luiz has scored some stunning free-kicks, with his most recent coming in the final moments against FC Basel. The dip and swerve makes it difficult for goalkeepers to judge the flight of the ball. To his credit, Luiz rarely misses the target.

Using a lethal combination of pace and determination, Luiz is one of the best defenders around when it comes to closing on an opposing player. But like every player, there are downsides to his game that continue to hinder him.

One of his main vulnerabilities—which can lead to him being exposed at the back—is his positioning. As the last man before the goalkeeper is called into action, Luiz is prone to leave gaping holes behind him as he charges down his opponent.

In which case, Rafa Benitez must be commended for his improvisation for moving Luiz in front of the defence. The reason behind pushing him into midfield, where he can operate as a deep-lying play-maker, is so that a more conservative defender like Branislav Ivanovic can hold his position without straying.

Obviously, it must be strange for Luiz to have already played under four managers since he moved to Chelsea two-and-a-half years ago. Nevertheless, the improvement under each manager is clear.

Perhaps his biggest step towards becoming a world class centre-back has been under the guidance of Benitez, therefore explaining why the Blues star continues to praise the Spanish coach despite his impending departure.

Nevertheless, every player can improve. If rumours of Jose Mourinho's return to Chelsea (per Goal.com) are true, the Real Madrid coach could work with Luiz to enhance his attributes, allowing him to make the next step up at Stamford Bridge.

The world may see David Luiz as a lighthearted character, but inside there is a burning desire to compete with, and be, one of the best players in the world.

WWE Sign Two New Divas from the Bodybuilding World

Sharon Glencross — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:46:56 -0400

In what looks like a bid to fill up its depleted women's roster, WWE has signed two new Divas. Both come from the world of fitness and bodybuilding and are newcomers to the business.

Per Dave Meltzer in this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter, 28-year-old Christina Vargas and 21-year-old Alexis Kaufman have recently signed contracts with America's No.1 wrestling promotion.

Discussing Vargas, Meltzer writes:

She was a junior national champion in 2009 in fitness and figures, and has been competing on the pro circuit ever since, including competing the past two years in the Olympia bikini contest, although never placed in the top echelon. She’s been featured in a ton of bodybuilding magazines over the past few years.

He describes Kaufman as someone who has "also had exposure in bodybuilding magazines" and notes she placed 14th in a recent Arnold Classic figure and bikini contest.

While many fans may roll their eyes at the addition of two inexperienced models to the roster, on paper these signings look pretty smart on WWE's part.

One reason the Diva Search contest struggled to produce good women's wrestlers is that the girls involved were rarely athletes.

Most of them were simply models and aspiring actresses from Hollywood, not women cut out to take big bumps on a regular basis.

Due to their physiques, however, Vargas and Kaufman have a far greater shot of taking to wrestling than many of the women who join the company. Notably, women's wrestling legend Trish Stratus was a fitness model before joining WWE in 2000.

Of course, it's worth mentioning that Celeste "Kaitlyn" Bonin and Zivile "Aksana" Raudoniene were bodybuilders before signing too. And neither of them are very good in the ring at all. So, nothing is guaranteed.

But, still, credit to WWE for at least taking a step in the right direction.

Michigan Football: Wolverines-Buckeyes Feud May Erupt This Season

Adam Biggers — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:42:59 -0400

For all intents and purposes—and to be as strikingly blunt as possible—the Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes just don’t like each other.

That’s why they’ve been in the midst of one of the sporting world’s greatest rivalries since the late 1960s.

In 2012, Michigan-commit Logan Tuley-Tillman of Peoria Manual (Ill.) burned a recruiting letter from Ohio State; the 6’7”, 300-pound, 4-star lineman posted a photo on Twitter of the Buckeyes’ flame-engulfed offer wasting away in Maize-and-Blue glory.

Later that same year, Gareon Conley flipped from Michigan to Ohio State, prompting more Wolverines-Buckeyes banter on message boards and within corresponding media circles.

The 6’1”, 175-pound, 4-star cornerback anchored Massillon Washington’s secondary. In hindsight, his decommitment from Michigan isn’t a shocker. Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer has the full attention of high-end Ohio-bred prospects.

There have been others—like the “family” searching Justin Boren and Ohioan Kyle Kalis—to switch from one school to the other, and there will be more in the future. The rivalry has deep-rooted recruiting battles that fan the fire of Michigan vs. Ohio State.

The 10-Year War and Bo vs. Woody are cherished cornerstones in the opposing programs’ histories. Bo Schembechler was Woody Hayes’ assistant before leaving the state of Ohio to join “That Team Up North.” Hayes would never say “University of Michigan” or “Michigan” if he could avoid it, thus coining the phrase.

Today, Wolverines coach Brady Hoke simply refers to Ohio State as “Ohio”—again, a subtle but oh-so-obvious verbal stab.

Shots are traded on the Internet more often these days. The Big Ten Network showcased the digital war by posting a photo (taken and posted on Twitter by Michigan’s Bo Dever) of Michigan’s new team ball.

The Wolverines apparently support American-made products and Dever was proud, we assume, of the craftsmanship that went into the Adidas Rifle pigskin, which wasn’t made in Ohio, an important selling point.

The ball is actually an import, not made here in the good-old U. S. of A., according to an update on the Big Ten Network’s post. But you get the hint. There is no love lost between Michigan and Ohio State.

With Jabrill Peppers almost certainly giving a verbal commitment Sunday to Hoke, Michigan can rack up another win over Ohio State. Peppers was thought to be a firm Buckeyes-lean just a couple of weeks ago, but 247Sports.com rates the 5-star athlete’s likelihood of choosing Michigan at 96 percent.

Ohio State went 12-0 last year while Michigan disappointed at 8-5. Meyer is landing recruiting classes that match or better what Hoke produces. The war is ever present in everything each program does.

Even the Bentley Library has gotten into the mix. The keeper of Michigan’s official athletic records makes note of Ohio State’s vacated 37-7 pounding of the Wolverines in 2010. However, instead of a standard asterisk or bullet, the library affixed a dollar sign ($) in the game’s column.

Why?

It wasn’t enough to simply show that the Buckeyes won when it didn’t really count. No, the library had to let you know that it was because of improper financial benefits given to (or supplied by outsiders) student-athletes. Maybe a book with a “no” symbol over it would have been appropriate, too. Some of the Buckeyes were academically ineligible during the year.

The hatred for one another will never subside, but with Michigan and Ohio State positioned—maybe something like what happened in 2006—to compete head-to-head on the national stage, one can only assume that the neighborly feud is due to erupt.

With the “Made in USA, not in Ohio” stamp on the Wolverines game ball, followers of each team have been given the green light to add their two cents to rivalry talk—and that’s great for Michigan versus Ohio State.

As a matter of fact, the burning offers, flips from one school to the other, and Hoke’s stubbornness not to say “State” after “Ohio” are all much-needed components to get the show back on the road. It’s once been called “The Game,” but it hasn’t been much of one since 2006 (No. 1 Ohio St. defeated No. 2 Michigan in thrilling fashion, 42-39).

Follow Bleacher Report’s Michigan Wolverines football writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81