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WWE Extreme Rules 2013 Results: WWE Masterfully Avoids Disaster with Cena-Ryback

Big Nasty — Mon, 20 May 2013 01:32:57 -0400

John Cena and Ryback competed in a Last Man Standing match at WWE Extreme Rules that had no happy ending in sight.

With Ryback on a long pay-per-view drought, he was one more loss from his ship sailing in the eyes of WWE fans. How could one be a money-drawing babyface or heel if he loses every meaningful match he's booked in?

Ryback winning wouldn't have been much better. John Cena and the WWE would have virtually wasted the last year of Cena's career. That was a year spent trying to seek redemption in winning the WWE Championship from The Rock. The end of that match at WrestleMania XXIX, where Cena would find said redemption, saw The Rock pass the proverbial torch to him.

That iconic, and somewhat poorly received, moment needs a bit more time to breathe before Cena drops the title.

A Cena-Ryback draw on paper sounds worse than both options. But the execution was so magnificent, the WWE bought itself more time with the once-floundering Cena-Ryback rivalry.

Ryback speared John Cena through the Extreme Rules setup in a visually stimulating spot that ended the match. Ryback walked out on his own power with help from referees. John Cena was stretchered out. The title didn't change hands, but Ryback was kept strong.

Advantage Ryback.

WWE's next pay-per-view is aptly named Payback. With what fans just saw, Ryback suddenly appears as a threat to beat John Cena, which he virtually did by being the last man standing. No phony Achilles injury will be needed to sell this rematch.

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Seattle Seahawks OTA: Jerrod Johnson Most Intriguing Prospect?

Thomas Holmes — Mon, 20 May 2013 01:18:09 -0400

Jerrod Johnson intrigues me.

Intrigues me in the same way that receiver Mike Williams did a few years back when Pete Carroll first came to town to take over the Seattle Seahawks.

I use the word intrigue here, because based on his performance in rookie camp, it's hard to judge exactly what Johnson brings to the table. Basically all we saw were a handful of raw prospects playing two-hand touch, so forgive me if I'm hesitant to get too excited about what we've seen or heard thus far.

Yet much like Williams, Johnson is a raw and well-traveled prospect who might be worth rooting for this week as the team participates in official voluntary workouts.

Honestly, though, when I first heard that the 'Hawks had signed Johnson, per Seahawks.com, a few weeks ago, I didn't really give too much thought to the move.

It was only after seeing him at rookie camp that I started to recall the story of a passer at Texas A&M who looked like a potential Heisman candidate with a touching story of loss and the hope for redemption that ESPN's David Ubben penned prior to the 2010 season.

Unfortunately, I lost track of Johnson soon after as he struggled with the Aggies that season and lost the starting job to future Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

Such is life in sports—one minute you're the starting quarterback for a major college football team trying to put your life back together after losing your father unexpectedly, the next you're a journeyman simply hoping to catch on in the NFL.

After stops in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh with the Eagles and Steelers, not to mention stints in both the UFL and AFL, could a player who still qualifies as a rookie make the 'Hawks' final roster?

For all we know, Johnson may end up as nothing more than a passing fancy that over the course of a weekend caught Pete Carroll's eye, who in a few days, months or weeks could be cut loose like so many other prospects.

Still, I'd like to say that I have hope for Johnson simply because the options behind current starter Russell Wilson leave me feeling a little uneasy.

Looking back, I can understand why the 'Hawks traded Matt Flynn to Oakland, but the choice of Brady Quinn to serve as backup to Wilson seemed uninspired. It was almost as if the front office begrudgingly opted for Quinn in seeing him as the least objectionable choice from a bland mix of contestants.

Maybe with a fresh start in Seattle Quinn can make a name for himself after kicking around the league himself for several years, but quite frankly, I hope the 'Hawks never need to find out.

As for Josh Portis, by this point I feel we know what we're getting after having seen him at camp for several years now. He's a developmental prospect who really hasn't developed. Where you wish to lay blame for that is up to you, but I'd imagine everyone sees this year as a now-or-never situation for him in terms of his future.

Of course, in a few weeks' time who knows what will happen, but I like Johnson's odds and give him a puncher's chance. He has the size and skill to potentially put the likes of Quinn and Portis on edge, and if he continues to show that his mechanics are sound, he could make it this year.

Either way, fingers crossed that by the end of summer the 'Hawks have a new quarterback waiting in the wings who intrigues a few more people than just me. If that happens to be Jerrod Johnson, I think it may solid step forward for both him and the team.

Updated 2013 NBA Title Odds for Every Playoff Team Still Standing

Jimmy Spencer — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:54:03 -0400

Nope, no one is shocked by the final surviving teams of the postseason.

And no, it should come as no surprise how this chase for a title will likely end.

The reigning champions and favorite Miami Heat still stand, looming over a field of the mostly expected.

The San Antonio Spurs eliminated the only remaining dark horse, the Golden State Warriors.

As for the other two series—while they were less anticipated—it soon became clear the Oklahoma City Thunder couldn’t compete without Russell Westbrook and the New York Knicks offense was no good without J.R. Smith.

So the No. 5 Memphis Grizzlies and No. 2 Indiana Pacers both bullied their way into their respective conference finals.

While the Grizzlies and Pacers may not qualify as “predictable,” the advancement of the nettlesome defenses is no surprise.

But as the final stages play out, could the unforeseen be given a role?

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Big 12: The Most Dominant Conference in the NCAA Softball Tournament

Nathaniel Walters — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:49:29 -0400

I know we all kind of kick softball to the back burner when it comes to other sports, but it's important to note how dominant one conference has been in the NCAA tournament. The Big 12, which featured five current or recently previous (Missouri, Texas A&M, Nebraska) teams, had a great showing over the weekend. Of the five teams, four advanced. The only team that didn't was Baylor. They were in the same bracket as the Aggies and forced a decisive elimination game in the regional final. Here's how the five teams fared.

(1) Oklahoma: 3-0. The Sooners, deservedly playing as the top overall seed in the tournament, overwhelmed their competition over the weekend, winning by a margin of 39-6. They beat Marist 17-0, Arkansas 10-5, and then run-ruled the Razorbacks 14-1 in the regional final. This was the type of dominance many expected from the tournament favorite. After all, the Sooners have just four losses all season. They'll host Texas A&M next weekend.

(4) Texas: 3-0. Welcome to Austin, home of elite pitcher and former Longhorn Cat Osterman. Osterman announced she intends to retire at the end of the year, and I guess the Longhorns are trying to show the world they have other pitchers ready to dominate the world much like the talented left hander. Texas swept through its weekend, shutting out Army 5-0 in their first game, smacking South Carolina 11-2 in the winners bracket and then shutting out the Gamecocks 6-0 in the regional final to advance to the Super Regional. The Longhorns will host Florida State, which upset South Alabama in the Mobile Regional.

(6) Missouri: 3-1. The Tigers are just one year removed from the Big 12, and you can tell they haven't lost their fight. They didn't have much offense over the weekend, scoring just nine runs, but their defense came to life when it had to. This was definitely one of the more interesting and heart-pounding regions to watch over the weekend. Missouri defeated Stony Brook 3-0 in their first game and blanked Hofstra 1-0 in the winners bracket before taking a 10-0 beating by the Pride (Hofstra's mascot...seriously) in Game 1 of the regional final. The Tigers were finally able to put the Pride away with a dominant 5-0 win in Game 2. The Tigers will host No. 11 Washington, which also had trouble with offense, in the Super Regional next weekend.

(14) Nebraska: 3-0. The Cornhuskers are just two years removed from the Big 12, and more than half their current roster played on the team that finished the season with a 41-14 record and lost 4-1 to Stanford in the regional final in Palo Alto, California. This year the Huskers welcomed Stanford, Tulsa, and Northern Iowa to Lincoln. They beat Northern Iowa 4-0 in the first game, upended the Cardinal 7-1 in the winners bracket, then repaid Stanford the favor given to them in 2011, doubling up the Cardinal 10-5 in the regional final. The Cornhuskers will head to Eugene, Oregon, to battle the No. 3 Ducks in the Super Regional next weekend. The Ducks are 19-0 at home and beat the Cornhuskers 11-2 in February.

(16) Texas A&M: 3-1. If there was ever a team that could run with the Sooners, it's Texas A&M. The Aggies scored 26 runs in their three wins and added another five in their sole loss in the first game of the regional final. In their first game, the Aggies scored 12 runs in five innings to run-rule Penn. They followed that with a 6-5 win over Baylor in the winners bracket. Then, in the regional final, they faced their old Big 12 nemesis again. The Bears won the first game 9-5 before the Aggies found their defense again and run-ruled the Bears 8-0 on the back of five home runs to advance to the Norman Super Regional next weekend.

Baylor: Baylor wasn't far behind Texas A&M in runs scored, and the Bears' fight was more evidence of the depth of the conference. They beat Arizona 7-0 in the first game before falling 6-5 to Texas A&M in the winner's bracket. In order to advance to the Super Regional, the Bears would need to win three straight. They almost did. They doubled up Arizona 8-4 to eliminate the Wildcats and then had Texas A&M on the ropes before falling in the second game of the regional final.

Other conferences have teams in the Super Regionals as well. The SEC has four teams, including No. 2 overall seed Florida. The Pac-12 has No. 3 seed Oregon and No. 5 Arizona State. That's all well and good. Both conferences are well represented. When it comes down to it, though, no conference has the depth and talent of the Big 12 this year. Even if three of the teams mentioned did their work in other conferences this year.

WWE Extreme Rules 2013 Results: Brock Lesnar, Cena-Ryback and 5 Things I Loved

Big Nasty — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:48:42 -0400

WWE Extreme Rules 2013 out-performed its otherwise low-profile lineup with a card that delivered from all angles.

Bolstered by a hot St. Louis crowd—probably lobbying to finally get a WrestleMania—WWE shrewdly navigated around growing booking concerns to lay the groundwork for coherent storytelling.

Here are five standout moments from the event.

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Urban Meyer's 3 Biggest Challenges for the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2013

Tim Bielik — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:44:55 -0400

The Ohio State Buckeyes are certainly among the favorites to win the national championship this season, and Urban Meyer is a big reason why.

He guided the Buckeyes to a 12-0 season in his first year with a team that had only won six games the year before.

Now with a more veteran club better versed in his explosive offense, the Buckeyes appear poised to reassert themselves on the national stage.

But the Buckeyes are by no means a perfect football team, and Meyer has a few challenges in front of him.

Here are three of those biggest challenges.

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WWE Extreme Rules 2013 Review: The Shield Steals Spotlight at Epic PPV

Richard Langford — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:39:54 -0400

John Cena vs. Ryback and Triple-H vs. Brock Lesnar were the hogging the headlines of WWE Extreme Rules leading into the pay-per-view, but it is The Shield who is the story after it.

In all, it was an entertaining evening of wrestling, which really displays the evolution of this event. Coming on the heels of WrestleMania, it's been hard for Extreme Rules to really gain a foothold, but this unique event has clearly found its way now.

Take a look at the results from the event, and then I'll get into The Shield's epic night.

Note: (c) denotes champion heading into match

Pre-show: The Miz defeats Cody Rhodes via submission (figure four)
Chris Jericho defeats Fandango via pinfall
United States Championship: Dean Ambrose defeats Kofi Kingston (c) via pinfall
Strap Match: Sheamus defeats Mark Henry
No. 1 Contender "I Quit" Match: Alberto Del Rio defeats Jack Swagger via submission
Tag Team Championship: Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins defeat Team Hell No (c)
Extreme Rules Match: Randy Orton defeats Big Show via pinfall
WWE Championship Last man Standing Match: John Cena (c) and Ryback end in no finish
Brock Lesnar defeats Triple-H via pinfall

Dean Ambrose started off The Shield's epic night as he battled Kofi Kingston for the United States championship.

This was an action-packed match that highlighted the technical skill of Ambrose. Back and forth they went as they traded blows, and then Ambrose ducked out of the way of a Trouble In Paradise and countered to fall Kofi.

Kofi fell to his face and Ambrose covered him while earning the win. And while Ambrose was escorted to the ring by his Shield cohorts, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns, the two disappeared backstage before the match started.

That means Ambrose took this victory on his own, and while this belt is nowhere near the top of the pecking order, this was a definite statement made by the company.

Big things are in store for Ambrose, which Hall of Famer Mick Foley pointed out:

Next, it was Rollins and Reigns' turn. They were battling Team Hell No for the tag team championship.

Rollins and Reigns were took a pounding early, but they came out on top in the end. Rollins Pele kicked Daniel Bryan, was then carried off in an inverted fireman by Reigns and was hit with a flying knee by Rollins, and with that, the match was over.

It was an exciting match that left fans buzzing. It helped remind everyone how amazing a good tag team match can be, and it finished off an impressive night for The Shield.

This led to an impressive haul of gold for the trio. DaShieldSocietyRules tweeted them displaying their mighty bounty:

This meant that The Shield not only stole the show with their performance, but with what it all means for them going forward.

After the run on hardware, it is pretty clear that The Shield are in the process of moving from invaders to superstars.

Power Ranking Each Remaining Goaltender in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Steve Silverman — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:28:37 -0400

When the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010, goalie Antti Niemi was not the dominant reason that they were able to emerge with the silver chalice.

Chicago was a puck-possession team that used its skills and abilities to make more plays in the offensive zone than its opponents on a consistent basis. Niemi played well and was an important contributor, but he was not the main reason the Blackhawks lifted the Stanley Cup for the first time in 49 years.

When the Boston Bruins and Los Angeles Kings won in 2011 and '12, respectively, you could not make the argument that the goaltenders were merely along for the ride. Tim Thomas and Jonathan Quick both won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Players in the postseason.

Whether the goaltender is a Stanley Cup contender's MVP or merely a role player, he plays a key role in every playoff series.

Here's our power rankings of the eight remaining goaltenders still playing postseason hockey.

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Ryback Is the Right WWE Superstar in the Wrong Era

Sebastian Maldonado — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:23:57 -0400

Ryback is the right WWE Superstar in the wrong era.

This monster went to Extreme Rules and fought in a draw against John Cena for the WWE Championship. Throughout the Last Man Standing match, Cena tried valiantly but couldn’t overcome Ryback’s monstrous attack.

Their battle only proved why Ryback came in the wrong era. Granted, this “PG era” brings a more friendly approach to the WWE fans. More kids watch wrestling as opposed to the late 1990s, where the controversial Attitude Era was only beginning.

However, Ryback doesn’t belong in the PG era. It’s a weird realization, considering he has the look of a 1980s prototype wrestler. Where he stands out is the attitude.

Ryback’s heel persona shows more of who he is than his babyface run. He cuts straightforward promos; it's no humor and all business for Ryback. His explanation for why he turned on Cena in the first place made sense.

After the April 15 edition of Raw, Ryback stated how Cena didn’t have his back, even though Cena supported him when Ryback first challenged CM Punk in October for the WWE Title.

The attitude matches his physical, smash-mouth style. In the 1980s, that style would rarely be seen. The Attitude Era brought on the physical style on a daily basis. Ryback would have fit in just fine.

It’s no secret that Vince McMahon loves Ryback. Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer (via AllWrestling.com) first reported this last June. That standing hasn’t changed, as Ryback is still a prominent figure in the WWE.

It makes sense, as Ryback’s build is reminiscent of the 1980s Superstar. But that is where it stops.

Ryback would have been better suited as a monster in the Attitude Era. He would probably have a manger to help with the promos, while he would’ve destroyed his opponents.

Ryback is the right Superstar in the wrong era. If he had debuted in the Attitude Era, things would have turned out a lot differently for Ryback: He would have been the Superstar the WWE needs right now.

Current Stock Reports for St. Louis Cardinals' Top 10 Prospects

Jeff Sucher — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:20:17 -0400

The St. Louis Cardinals are finding out earlier than they probably would have liked about how their top prospects will perform at the big league level.

As the season is already a quarter of the way over, the Cardinals have found themselves dipping into their strong farm system to help fill holes due to injury. Thankfully for Cardinals GM John Mozeliak, those prospects he's helped to draft have done a nice job when called upon.

The good thing for the Cardinals is that almost every prospect on this list is currently trending upward.

Here is a current stock report for the top 10 prospects in the organization.

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Why 'Good' Just Isn't Good Enough for QBs in Today's NFL

Ryan Alfieri — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:19:27 -0400

It is hardly a secret that NFL teams cannot survive with poor quarterback play. After all, nearly every team in need of a quarterback this year found themselves picking in the top 10 picks of April's draft.

Still, as desperate as teams are to find a quarterback who gives them a chance to win every week, settling for a solid-if-unspectacular quarterback out of desperation is a trap that many general managers put themselves in, sometimes without even realizing it.

Of course, anyone would prefer a competent, NFL-caliber quarterback to the Ryan Lindleys and Charlie Whitehursts of the world, but too often is the potential of championship-caliber rosters capped because of the limitations of their quarterback. In today's offensive-minded NFL that features some of the best quarterbacking in NFL history, trotting out a run-of-the-mill passer is simply not enough to be the last man standing in February.

A New Era

Not long ago, there was a time in which it was very possible to compete for championships with a balanced team with solid, competent quarterback play.

In 2004, the Seattle Seahawks rode Matt Hasselbeck all the way to the franchise's first Super Bowl, only to be beaten at the hands of the defensive-minded Pittsburgh Steelers. Just a few months later in the 2005 draft, three of the top five picks were comprised of running backs.

Fast-forward to 2013, where it was not until the fifth pick in the second round when the Cincinnati Bengals finally made Giovanni Bernard the first running back taken.

The league has come a long way since its run-only days in the middle of the 20th century, but this recent trend of video game-like NFL passing games is a relatively new phenomenon. Passing and receiving records are being broken on a yearly basis as elite quarterbacks continue to raise the standard of excellence.

For comparison, take a look at just how much passing totals have increased since 2005, highlighted by Drew Brees' 2011 season in which he broke Dan Marino's single-season record.

2012	Drew Brees (33)	5,177	NOR
2011	Drew Brees (32)	5,476	NOR
2010	Philip Rivers (29)	4,710	SDG
2009	Matt Schaub (28)	4,770	HOU
2008	Drew Brees (29)	5,069	NOR
2007	Tom Brady (30)	4,806	NWE
2006	Drew Brees (27)	4,418	NOR
2005	Tom Brady (28)	4,110	NWE

What could explain this recent spike in passing totals? For one, there are simply a lot of great quarterbacks playing the game at the same time. Not only are we still watching the likes of Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Drew Brees play as well as ever, but we are also treated to a second generation of superstars in Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson, Colin Kaepernick and RGIII.

It would be impossible to overlook the impact that rule changes have had on the game as well. New legislation against helmet-to-helmet hits and reduced contact downfield have only made it easier to move the ball more efficiently through the air.

With quarterbacks breaking passing records on a regular basis, it has become nearly impossible for the "good" quarterbacks to survive.

Modern Case Studies

The problem with building teams with an elite quarterback is that there simply are not many to go around. Without an elite signal-caller to mask a team's deficiencies, there is far less room for error when building teams on both sides of the ball.

In 2010, the Green Bay Packers lost a slew of key starters early in the season, including tight end Jermichael Finley and starting running back Ryan Grant. However, a historic late-season performance by Aaron Rodgers propelled the franchise to their fourth Super Bowl title.

Conversely, just last season, the New York Jets stumbled to a 6-10 record. Just like the 2010 Packers, they too lost two key starters in Santonio Holmes and Darrelle Revis early in the season, but they did not have the caliber of quarterback play needed to mask the team's deficiencies.

In short, it was the evaluation of one position that separates Ted Thompson as world champion and Mike Tannenbaum as a former general manager.

Last year's AFC Wild Card featured a matchup of two teams with a severe case of "good quarterback syndrome": the Houston Texans and the Cincinnati Bengals.

Both teams fielded top-10 defenses and have two excellent receiving threats in A.J. Green and Andre Johnson. Yet, both of them face the awkward situation of replacing a quarterback who is good enough to win games but incapable of winning a championship.

According to Pro Football Focus, Andy Dalton was the 25th-best starting quarterback in 2012. Dalton was just in his second season as a pro and did reach the playoffs for the second time in a row, but for a second-round selection with limited arm talent, there is a real concern that Dalton may never get the Bengals into real championship contention.

Matt Schaub ranked significantly higher at 13, but he has slowly declined since winning the league passing title in 2009. At the age of 31, Schaub's upside has been exhausted, and the team's recent ousting from the playoffs before making the conference title game has put the clock on his tenure as the team's starter.

Nonetheless, both players enter the 2013 season as the unquestioned starter for both their teams and will be favored to earn a playoff spot, but is that enough?

Hardly.

Getting to the playoffs is nice and buys some job security, but sooner or later, questions about a quarterback's limitations will come to the forefront if neither player makes strides next season.

To Replace, or Not to Replace?

While there are plenty of teams who would trade their quarterback situation with that of the Texans and the Bengals, these two teams are in the awkward situation of building around a quarterback who is good enough to keep his job, but at the same time, sets the franchise back because of his inability to maximize the talent of the roster.

These teams sell market Dalton and Schaub jerseys and tote them as their franchise player, but deep down, Mike Brown and Rick Smith both have reservations about their ability to ever get their team over the hump.

To exacerbate the situation, these two teams are both competitive enough so that they will never be selecting high enough in the draft to land themselves the next Andrew Luck or RGIII.

So, what can these teams do to upgrade their quarterback position without blowing up their entire operation? First, most teams will try to draft a mid-round developmental quarterback who can take his time to learn the ropes, all while never letting the incumbent starter get too comfortable.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers utilized this strategy when they selected NC State’s Mike Glennon in the third round of April’s draft. Glennon has a tremendously gifted arm, but he will need to get better under pressure before he is ready to start.

Even if Glennon isn’t ready, the Bucs have sent a clear message to Josh Freeman that they are not content with his inability to reach the playoffs in four seasons as the starter.

Unlike most other jobs, running an NFL franchise with above-average production will eventually get you fired. Being a perennial contender is an impressive feat in itself, but ultimately, fans and owners will not be satisfied with anything but a Super Bowl ring.

Teams like the Bengals, Texans and Buccaneers will eventually have to make the same decision the 49ers did in the middle of the 2012 season. Alex Smith was playing the best football of his career, but as a limited arm talent, Jim Harbaugh knew that he was only delaying the inevitable and holding his team back by sending Colin Kaepernick to the bench.

As catastrophic of a move as it could have been, Kaepernick was the clear difference between an early playoff exit and a Super Bowl berth.

Moving on from these solid quarterbacks goes against conventional wisdom of hanging onto the few “good” quarterbacks who walk this earth. After all, losing in the Wild Card Round every year sounds just fine for the teams that were picking in the top 10 this year.

Yet ultimately, if these teams are more interested in establishing themselves in history, dumping their “good” quarterbacks in favor of the unknown could be the only way to do it.

Advanced stats provided by ProFootballFocus.com (subscription required).

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WWE Extreme Rules 2013 Results: Brock Lesnar Beats Triple H and What It Means

Travis Wakeman — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:16:05 -0400

At the Extreme Rules event on Sunday night, Brock Lesnar not only defeated Triple H in the steel cage match, but he also did so by using his own sledgehammer against him.

The hard-fought win for Lesnar was made even more symbolic by the way he left Triple H after the match: with his sledgehammer on his chest and his arms folded across it.

Yes, it took involvement from Paul Heyman in order for Lesnar to pick up the win, but Lesnar has now taken two out of three matches from the 13-time WWE and World champion.

So what does this result mean for the future of these men in the WWE?

As Mick Foley explained on the Extreme Rules post-show following the event, the two men need to have one final match, but only if Triple H puts something big on the line.

Why, Mick? Why do we need to see these men face off again?

The way things ended in the cage on Sunday night is the way this feud should end. After SummerSlam, Triple H looked like he was ready to call it a career. Instead, he came back to meet Lesnar at WrestleMania 29.

After a win in that no-holds-barred contest, the rubber match was set for Extreme Rules. Lesnar has only had four matches in WWE since returning the night after WrestleMania 28. Three of those have been against Triple H.

It is time for Lesnar to move on and face the other Superstars of the WWE. If Lesnar is to be part of WrestleMania 30, WWE would be smart to book him on a dominant run from now until then. Randy Orton and Sheamus are two opponents that come to mind whom Lesnar could battle over the next several months.

As for Triple H, it remains to be seen how much longer his very part-time in-ring career will go on. As COO of the WWE, his responsibilities will grow at a rapid pace, and his time as a competitor should be all but done.

It's hard to imagine the last sight of Triple H's career being the one with him laying on the mat the way he was at Extreme Rules. But he and Lesnar have put together a trilogy of matches the WWE Universe will remember for years to come.

Jerry Lawler was asked prior to the match at Extreme Rules who had the most to lose in the match, and his response was Triple H. He couldn't be more wrong. Triple H has literally done it all in his career, he had nothing to lose. Lesnar, on the other hand, can move on with the victory and continue to be the pay-per-view draw that WWE knows he is.

The dust has settled, and Lesnar is the man left standing after Extreme Rules. Between now and WrestleMania 30, his path of destruction will be widespread.

Boston Celtics Shoudn't Bring Al Jefferson Back to Beantown

Grant Rindner — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:14:35 -0400

There are not many knocks that can be made against the Boston Celtics as a franchise, but the one criticism that holds true over history is that the team has rarely, if ever, been a major player in free agency.

The C's have had more than their share of great players, but the vast majority of them have either come through the draft (Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Paul Pierce, John Havlicek, the immortal Fab Melo) or a trade (Robert Parish, Kevin McHale, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett).

After finishing the 2012-13 season with a disheartening first-round playoff loss to the New York Knicks, it is evident that if Boston wants to contend again, it is going to need more talent than it had this past season.

That makes the fact that free-agent center Al Jefferson is open to a return to Boston (per CSN New England) an exciting prospect.

Jefferson, who was drafted 15th overall out of high school by the Celts in 2004 and spent three seasons with the club, has emerged as one of the best scoring big men in the league today. He was dealt by Boston to Minnesota in the blockbuster trade for Kevin Garnett and quickly emerged as a first-rate offensive player, averaging 23.1 points in his 2008-09 campaign with the Timberwolves.

Over the 2012-13 season, Big Al averaged an impressive 17.8 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists on 49.4 percent shooting from the floor while leading the Utah Jazz in minutes per game at 33.1.

There is no denying Jefferson's talents. He is a nightly 20-10 threat, a true post-up presence with a reliable mid-range jump shot and one of the few elite centers left in the NBA.

With Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter waiting in the wings, it would be incredibly surprising if Utah decided to bring Jefferson back to Salt Lake City on a long-term deal.

All of that being said, Jefferson simply is not the player Boston should be targeting during the 2013 offseason.

For all of his offensive talent, Jefferson has always been a world-class defensive liability. Though he does block the occasional shot thanks to his size and length, he does not protect the rim consistently, struggles at times to rotate properly and is a poor low-post defender.

He has difficulty covering the league's more physical centers, but is not quick-footed enough to cover the game's more athletic power forwards or guard out on the perimeter.

Doc Rivers' Celtics teams have always been defense-first and featured the likes of Kendrick Perkins and Garnett serving as defensive anchors during their most successful years.

For all of Jefferson's offensive ability, he will never be the kind of defensive paint presence that this team has thrived with during the Big Three era.

At 28 years old, Jefferson is in the midst of his prime, but is unlikely to make any dramatic improvements. Big Al has proven fairly durable over his career, but is still a nine-year veteran with plenty of mileage on his legs and a surgically repaired ACL from a knee injury sustained in 2009.

Unlike fellow free-agent big man Josh Smith, Jefferson is really only capable of making an impact on one end of the floor and cannot log much time at power forward. He has improved as a passer, but is not an elite passing big man like a Pau Gasol or Blake Griffin.

Jefferson is a capable pick-and-roll center thanks to his shooting touch, but Boston's offense—particularly with Rondo—has never been as pick-and-roll-oriented as other offenses around the league.

Though not entirely his fault, Jefferson has little postseason experience or success. He has appeared in the playoffs just twice, once as a bench player with Boston in 2005 and once with Utah in 2012. He averaged 18.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game on 52.9 percent shooting, but his Jazz team was swept by San Antonio.

His 2012-13 Jazz were in good position to make the playoffs before a slump in March that included two four-game losing streaks cost them their postseason spot to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Beyond just Big Al's fit in Boston as a player, there is the significant matter of how much it would cost to bring him back to Beantown. Jefferson just finished the final year of a five-year, $65 million contract and, as one of the few top-shelf free agents available in the 2013 offseason, is sure to earn a max or near-max deal.

With Paul Pierce's contract and the non-guaranteed deals for Shavlik Randolph, Terrence Williams and D.J. White, the Celtics have over $76 million on the books for 2013-14 (per Spotrac.com).

This means that, in order to sign Jefferson, they would need likely to get rid of both Pierce and Garnett.

Pierce is a free agent after the 2013-14 season while Garnett is under contract until the end of the 2014-15 season, but could possibly retire earlier, meaning that neither player is locked in long-term.

While Jefferson is a special talent, his production alone does not replace the value of having both Pierce and Garnett back in green for one more season. One option for the Celtics is to give Pierce and Garnett one more title run with a healthy Rondo and a resurgent Jeff Green before opting for a complete and total rebuild.

The 2014 free-agent class boasts plenty of intriguing talent, including Eric Bledsoe, Luol Deng, Pau Gasol, Marcin Gortat, DeMarcus Cousins and Andrew Bogut.

The Celtics are not expected to be major players for marquee stars like Chris Paul or Dwight Howard, making it a serious gamble for Boston to risk blowing up its roster this offseason and landing nothing more than Jefferson to build around.

The team also needs to preserve some cap room for when Avery Bradley and Rondo come off the books, as both will likely fetch plenty of interest on the open market.

Even among the free agents available in the 2013 offseason, there are pieces who would fit the team better than Jefferson.

Josh Smith is a versatile talent who can play multiple positions, has a close relationship with Rondo and would give the team another young athlete who can run the floor along with Green in transition.

Jefferson's Utah teammate, Paul Millsap, is capable of playing both forward spots and is both a good rebounder and a solid defender who will not be as costly in free agency as Big Al.

If the C's do choose to rebuild sooner rather than later, they could also target younger players like Tyreke Evans (23), O.J. Mayo (25) or J.J. Hickson (24), all of whom would fill needs on Boston's roster and have yet to reach their respective ceilings as players.

Jefferson is by no means a bad player; he is an efficient scorer and a strong offensive rebounder who could immediately jump into a starting role for the Celtics.

However, given the cost of bringing him in, the style of basketball Boston plays and the other free agents available in both 2013 and 2014, it simply does not make sense for the C's to bring Jefferson back to town this offseason.

Miguel Cabrera Clubs 3 Home Runs as Rangers Defeat Tigers 11-8

Maxwell Ogden — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:12:26 -0400

In 2012, MLB crowned their first triple crown winner since Carl Yastrzemski in 1967 when Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera hit for 44 home runs and 139 RBI on a batting average of .330.

In 2013, Cabrera is picking up where he left off.

The Texas Rangers may have won 11-8, but it was Cabrera that shined on Sunday, May 19 with three home runs.

I think that's good.

Cabrera finished the day at 4-for-4 with three home runs, five RBI and four runs scored. Even as his team lost, it's hard to place blame on a player that put on one of the best performances you'll see all season.

In fact, his individual outing was one for the record books.

This is one of those games where you can't help but ask—how did they lose?

As one might expect, the Twittersphere erupted in praise for Cabrera, providing unbiased evaluation on his greatness. Regardless of how it was said, the general consensus was that he is the best hitter in the world.

Is there a rational argument against that belief?

Amongst the players weighing in on his greatness was none other than Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen. McCutchen, quite the well-rounded player in his own regard, kept it short and sweet.

Cabrera is pretty good.

Just a little bit.

Another individual to sing Cabrera's praises was Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper. Harper, making his case for MVP by playing well in every sense of the word, wasn't so modest about his praise.

The second-year player spoke it how we know it to be.

If you can find a player who matches Cabrera, we'll listen.

When it comes right down to it, there are only so many words that can describe what Cabrera does as a hitter. Not only is he one of the world's best at making contact, but he's an elite deep-ball threat that appears to be the class of the American League in every statistical area.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports put it best.

After Sunday night, there's only one thing that Cabrera deserves—our admiration.

Winners and Losers of the NHL Playoff Weekend

Steve Silverman — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:12:01 -0400

What a difference a week can make in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Last Sunday night, the Boston Bruins had blown a 3-1 lead against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and they were coming home to host a seventh game in their first-round playoff series.

In Game 7, with less than 11 minutes to go in the third period, the Bruins were down by three goals on their home ice. Then they miraculously tied the game and won it in overtime.

They have now built a 2-0 series lead in their conference semifinal matchup with the New York Rangers, and a team that was on life support is now thriving in the postseason.

The Bruins were certainly winners this weekend. Here's a look at this weekend's winners and losers.

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St. Louis Rams: What to Watch for at OTAs

Steven Gerwel — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:06:30 -0400

The St. Louis Rams are wrapping up their rookie minicamps, which means it's time for the next phase of the offseason—organized team activities (OTAs).

It will be the first time rookies such as Tavon Austin and Alec Ogletree get to suit up and play alongside the veterans. It's a vital first step in building team chemistry and integrating the newcomers into the system.

This is a sluggish time of the year for NFL football, but OTAs will give us a sneak peak at the 2013 Rams and give us an idea of what to expect when training camp arrives.

So, based on the questions surrounding the team this offseason, here are several key items to keep an eye on during OTAs.

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Seattle Seahawks: What to Watch for at OTAs

Todd Pheifer — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:03:10 -0400

The Seattle Seahawks have reached that crucial part of the season when commitment is truly measured. That’s right, it’s time for OTAs (Organized Team Activities).

This is where you start to find out some things about players, particularly rookies. Obviously these activities have a role in the entire process, but that doesn’t stop some players from skipping out on these “optional” events.

For the Seahawks, OTAs are scheduled (via NFL.com) May 20, 21, 23, 28, 29 and 31. Workouts are also scheduled from June 3 through 6.

Will this be the year that the Seahawks finally win the Super Bowl? If so, the road to a championship may start with these workouts. After all, the team that is dedicated to winning is willing to put in the work from start to finish.

With that in mind, here are some things to watch for at the Seattle Seahawks’ OTAs.

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Ranking the 10 Biggest Surprises from the PGA Tour in 2013

James McMahon — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:02:05 -0400

The first half of 2013 really has seen it all. Unexpected accomplishments, unforeseen struggles, the emergence of new personalities and headline-grabbing controversies on and off the golf courses have made for an entertaining past five months.

That said, the best stories are the ones we do not see coming, and there have been plenty of unexpected left-hand turns since the PGA Tour started anew this past January.

A new rival for Tiger, controversy surrounding the world's best player and the emergence of unexpected new stars, including a 14-year-old Chinese golfer and a 19-year-old Texan, are just a few of the surprises that have owned our attention this past year.

It's a list we fully expect to have to update later this summer, but here are the top 10 surprises on the PGA Tour as of May 20.

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Norris Cole Should Be Miami Heat's Starting Point Guard

Roy Burton — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

During the regular season, Norris Cole's ESPN Player Efficiency Rating was an underwhelming 7.85 (the league average is 15.0), putting him in the company of players such as the Los Angeles Lakers' point guard tandem of Chris Duhon and Darius Morris.

However, under the bright lights of the NBA postseason, the former Cleveland State standout has shined like a diamond.

In fact, as crazy as it sounds, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra should seriously consider putting Cole in the starting lineup going forward.

In nine playoff games this year, the 6'2" Cole is averaging 8.8 points per game while shooting 60.4 percent from the field and a ridiculous 68.8 percent from beyond the arc.

When the 24-year-old backup point guard is on the floor, Miami averages more points per 48 minutes than it does while he's on the bench (101.1 PPG vs. 96.4 PPG). As a whole, the team shoots better from three-point range (37.1 percent vs. 30.8 percent) thanks to Cole's ability to stretch the floor.

"Right now, I'm feeling pretty comfortable out there on the court," said Cole in an interview with Shandel Richardson of the Sun-Sentinel in early May. "I'm pleased with my progress so far."

As good as he's been on the offensive end, Cole's true value may come in his ability to stay in front of opposing point guards. Each of the three remaining teams not named the Miami Heat has a solid floor general, but Cole is more than capable of defending nearly anyone that he would be matched up against.

"Norris' ability, with his speed and his strength, is on defense," said LeBron James while speaking to George Richards of The Miami Herald after the first round. "I think he's one of the best on-ball defenders that we have in the Eastern Conference, if not the whole league."

Meanwhile, starting point guard Mario Chalmers has been anything but super since the end of the regular season. He is averaging 7.0 points and 4.1 assists per game in the playoffs, but is shooting worse than 42 percent from the field and 24 percent from downtown.

And as we've seen in recent years, the trend of Miami's "Big Three"—James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh—being visibly upset at Chalmers continues.

In Game 3 of the Heat-Bulls semifinal, Bosh and Chalmers had an animated discussion that prompted Chicago center Joakim Noah to applaud the proceedings.

To be fair, Cole isn't the playmaker that Chalmers is. In the postseason, Chalmers is averaging nearly twice as many assists per 36 minutes as Cole is.

But with Wade at less than 100 percent and the Heat desperate for a complementary option, Chalmers has only managed one double-figure scoring game in the 2013 playoffs. Conversely, Cole scored 18 points in back-to-back games in the Bulls series (Games 2 and 3).

Cole has already played more minutes in this postseason (199) than he did during the Heat's title run last year (170). As his commitment to working on his game has increased in recent months, his time on the court has risen as well.

"He's getting so much more education and experience than he had last year," Spoelstra told Richards in early May, well before Cole's star turn in the Heat's series versus Chicago. "He's earned a bigger role."

WWE Extreme Rules 2013: What Happens Now for Both John Cena and Ryback?

David Levin — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

First Ryback injures then-WWE champion CM Punk, forcing him out of TLC last year, and now it appears the neophyte who was rushed to superstardom has hurt "Superman."

The image of Ryback driving the current WWE champion, John Cena, through the lighting and onto the back flooring of the arena is a chilling one, causing this writer to ask plenty of questions—including if Ryback is a threat to hurt anyone he wrestles because he appears to be "raw" and misses marks at times, causing injury.

This is one instance where you hope this was "planned" and it is part of the WWE's plan to bring back CM Punk as a face again with the company.

But what if it isn't?

With one month until Payback in Chicago, if this was not a "fix," then the WWE may be in a world of hurt. It cannot afford to lose any more faces within the franchise. Numbers are dwindling. Fans are in shock, and I am still trying to figure out who will come to aid of the WWE and save it from its depletion.

Dolph Ziggler is out with a concussion. Christian is MIA. Punk will be involved with Payback because it is in Chicago. Undertaker is out on injured reserve.

Ryback and Cena's match, which was fairly decent up until the end, has such an impact on what will happen in the next few weeks, more so on other wrestlers than themselves. It appeared this was not part of the plan and Cena was indeed injured. Ryback was helped backstage, and Vince McMahon must be on the phone calling one of his lifelines for help.

Oh, and by losing, Triple H cannot wrestle again.

Who fills the void? Does Cena play through the pain? Does Ziggler come back as a face and turn on AJ. It would be awesome if he was Kaitlyn's secret admirer. What a tangled web the WWE weaves.

But let's stay focused here on Ryback and Cena. Cena is more affected by this than Ryback if both are injured, where it looks like Cena took the brunt of the injury. But booking, planning, hoping and staging have now all been compromised.

I am sure Vince was on the phone immediately to Punk, asking him to return sooner than later and possibly to Batista, asking Dave to come back and save the day. A lot can happen in a month, and in this case, it needs to get better than worse.

In the WWE's case, the later is more likely. Everyone is in a "wait and see" mode until Monday night, when the real message will be sent. If the WWE does, in fact, lose Cena to an extended injury, this changes the whole dynamic of the company and possibly makes Vince and the boys plan a new road to recovery that will focus on new superstars and force the company to see the error of putting too many gimmicks in one basket.

Extreme Rules was average at best Sunday night. John Cena being injured may have made it worse than WrestleMania based on the impact his injury would have.

That is if it was not planned and actually happened. We shall wait and see.

WWE Extreme Rules 2013 Results: The 10 Most Memorable Moments

Hector Diaz — Sun, 19 May 2013 23:58:00 -0400

It has been six weeks since the last pay-per-view, which gave WWE the opportunity to book compelling matches without all the hype that is usually attached with WrestleMania.

And that’s a good thing, especially considering that the name of the event is Extreme Rules where, ironically, rules are placed to make matches seem more chaotic.

He had Ryback and John Cena in a last man standing match, Alberto Del Rio and Jack Swagger in an I Quit match and Triple H and Brock Lesnar in a steel cage match.

We also had one of the most surprising midcard results in a long time. Every match with a gimmick had its special moment, so here are 10 of the most memorable moments from Extreme Rules 2013.

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WWE Extreme Rules 2013 Results: Cena vs. Ryback No-Contest and What It Means

Drake Oz — Sun, 19 May 2013 23:57:48 -0400

John Cena didn’t win at WWE Extreme Rules 2013, but neither did Ryback.

The WWE pulled the infamous no-contest finish out of its bag of tricks tonight, and the WWE Championship match between Ryback and Cena ended without a winner or a loser.

Both men crashed through the PPV set, and even though Ryback rose to his foot before Cena did, the bout was ultimately ruled a no-contest. Once again, Ryback left a major PPV match without a major PPV win.

What’s this all mean? Quite simply, it’s that this was the only way the WWE could have continued the Ryback/Cena feud—at least in its own eyes.

Of course, there are a ton of different ways tonight’s match could have ended—like, you know, with Ryback actually winning. Hell, maybe The Shield could have laid out both men.

But no. The WWE instead went to the old no-contest finish, the main point of which is obviously to protect both guys in the match and keep them looking strong.

Ultimately, though, all that the no-contest ending really served as was a painful reminder that this feud was going to continue past Extreme Rules and it was only going to do so with Cena as the WWE Champion.

Barring some sort of fluke finish, Cena was never going to lose his first PPV title defense because, well, come on. Does that really even need an explanation?

Cena was always going to leave this PPV as the WWE Champion. The only real question was how he would be able to do so. With Ryback involved, that answer quickly became obvious.

How do you protect both men? You have neither lose.

At least on paper, that’s a wise philosophy. After all, why have one of your top superstars suffer another loss when he doesn’t have to?

Unfortunately for the WWE, however, that philosophy was very poorly executed. Ryback walked away from the match while Cena didn’t, so technically speaking, Ryback should have been declared the winner and the new WWE Champion.

But the WWE wanted this feud to continue on its own terms, and those terms are this: Ryback and Cena will continue to feud, but if and only if Cena is the WWE Champion.

Now, we’ve seen Ryback come up short in a major match yet again, which has been a disturbing trend in his career. He simply never wins major matches, and as a result, he’s unable to get over to the level that the WWE wants him to.

Sure, Ryback has undoubtedly gotten over during his run at the top. But now that he’s turned heel, he desperately needed that signature win to solidify himself as a top villain.

But the WWE just wouldn’t give it to him.

As a result, Ryback is now in the same position as a heel that he was in as a babyface. He’s kinda sorta pushed like a top-level superstar, but at the same time, he’s also booked so poorly as a top star that it’s hard to really buy him as one.

Top superstars are supposed to win consistently, and any which way you look at it, Ryback has done exactly the opposite. Instead of consistently winning, he’s consistently failed in his attempts to become the WWE Champion.

Just because his match against Cena at Extreme Rules ended in a no-contest doesn’t make things any different. In fact, they’re exactly the same.

Ryback the villain is a mirror image of Ryback the hero. No matter how hard the WWE wants us to take him seriously as a top star, we just can’t do it.

And the WWE can blame itself for that.

Drake Oz is a WWE Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter!

What Shelby Miller Must Do to Win the 2013 NL Cy Young Award

Corey Noles — Sun, 19 May 2013 23:56:23 -0400

St. Louis Cardinals rookie starter Shelby Miller has been causing quite the stir among MLB pundits and baseball writers.

With so much attention being pointed toward Matt Harvey (well-earned attention, mind you), Shelby Miller slipped through the early weeks of 2013 with little or no national attention despite his accomplishments.

During his first eight starts, however, Miller has put together an impressive rookie effort.

As of the season’s quarter mark, Miller is on pace for 20 wins, 204 innings pitched, 228 strikeouts and only 48 walks.

With his name firmly implanted in the Rookie of the Year discussion, those numbers go far beyond that—they’re Cy Young Award-caliber numbers.

It’s very early in the season, but that’s why we have projections, predictions and analysis.

While expecting Miller to keep up this pace might be unrealistic, it would not be impossible. There’s a reason so much excitement has surrounded his ascension through the minor leagues—it’s because he really is that good.

So, what would Miller need to do to win a Cy Young Award in his rookie effort? Plenty—but, don’t underestimate him.

Most importantly, he needs to keep his run total low.

So far, Miller has surrendered only eight earned runs in 2012. That’s an average of one per start.

His actual ERA, however, is currently tied for the best in MLB at 1.40. It’s safe to say that’s not where he will finish the season, but if he could finish with even as high as double that (2.80), he would have a clear shot at the award.

There’s more to winning a Cy Young Award, though, than just having a good ERA.

Another goal for Miller will be to keep his hits down—way down.

To date, he’s given up 33 hits over eight starts and 51.1 innings pitched. He’s done a good job of keeping hitters at bay simply from the movement on his fastball and samples in the curveball most regularly with two strikes against left-handed batters, according to data from Brooks Baseball.

For now that’s working well, but over time, batters will begin to figure him out, and that will likely require at least some minor adjustment for him.

When the time comes, expect to see expanded use of his off-speed pitches. His four-seam fastball will likely remain his main tool, but the ability to keep batters off-balance is something that will benefit him for years to come.

For a strikeout pitcher, Miller has also kept his walks quite low. Through May 19, he’s walked only 12 of the 83 batters he’s faced. It’s not perfect, but if he can keep his walks near 50, that will go a long way toward keeping him in the running for the pitchers' top honor in MLB.

There has been one flaw in Miller’s game that will need some attention if the Cy Young Award is to become a true possibility.

The problem is that he’s not putting up much of a fight against potential base stealers. Through his first eight starts, runners are 7-of-8 against Miller.

His lack of attention has even made it difficult for Gold Glove catcher Yadier Molina to throw out baserunners, having caught only one.

While it is a flaw, it’s not exactly a deal breaker.

There are plenty of other pitchers who will have solid seasons, so who wins the award is all but impossible to predict at this early stage.

With an explosive team behind him and the best active catcher in the game behind the plate, Miller has what it takes to stay in the running throughout the year.

Updated Stanley Cup Playoff Power Rankings

Franklin Steele — Sun, 19 May 2013 23:49:29 -0400

The second round of the 2013 NHL playoffs have been a treat so far, with several overtime games, some rough-and-tumble stuff and plenty of goal scoring to go around. Some teams have still been better than others, which naturally leads to NHL playoff power rankings.

This round is loaded with divisional and geographical rivalries, from the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks out West to the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers back East. It's been a blast to watch every team so far, but sadly there must be a No. 8 and there must be a No. 1.

If you think we got 'em wrong—which happens occasionally—feel free to make your case in the comments below. Extra points for keeping things civil.

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Penguins vs Senators Game 3: Recap, Twitter Reaction and Analysis

Ryan Rudnansky — Sun, 19 May 2013 23:45:38 -0400

When it was all said and done on Sunday, the Ottawa Senators came from behind to stun the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins in double overtime on Sunday, 2-1.

As expected, the first period of play was physical. There were three power plays off penalties in the first 20 minutes.

The Senators' Chris Phillips was given two minutes for holding Tyler Kennedy six minutes and 26 seconds into the game, but Pittsburgh wasn't able to capitalize.

The Penguins' Tanner Glass got two minutes for slashing against Jason Spezza at the 16:31 mark, but the Senators managed only one shot on goal during the power play.

Ottawa's Marc Methot was called for tripping Evgeni Malkin with just three seconds remaining in the period. Kris Letang's shot was blocked by Phillips with one second to go. The score was 0-0 at the first intermission.

Andi Petrillo of CBSSports.ca/hockey tweeted after the first period:

In the first period, the Penguins registered 12 shots on goal, exemplifying the threat the team posed in the first 20 minutes of action. Malkin and Letang posted three shots apiece.

You had to admire Ottawa goaltender Craig Anderson in this regard, as he kept the Penguins scoreless in the opening frame. Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson was also important, blocking three shots early on.

Spezza's return clearly made the Penguins more dangerous, as Mike Colligan of Forbes.com noted:

The second period got more physical, with four power plays spread between the two teams.

It started with the Senators having too many men on the ice and continued with Ottawa's Zack Smith roughing Malkin. At the 8:31 mark, the Penguins' Sidney Crosby was whistled for high-sticking Jared Cowen.

At the 11:25 mark, Pittsburgh's Douglas Murray received two minutes for holding Karlsson, who received two minutes for diving. Murray's penalty was served by Jarome Iginla.

Interestingly enough, no goals were scored during this time. The Penguins finally got on the board at the 18:53 mark when Tyler Kennedy connected on a 30-foot wrist shot, assisted by Matt Cooke.

It was redemption for Kennedy, who took his fair share of abuse from fans during the regular season.

Stand-up comedian Bill Crawford tweeted:

After two periods, the Penguins were up, 1-0.

Thomas Drance of CanucksArmy.com wrote on Twitter:

Through six minutes in the third period, Pittsburgh was still holding a 1-0. The presence of goaltenders Tomas Vokoun and Craig Anderson were clear.

TheCover4.com tweeted at the juncture:

At the 8:55 mark, Chris Neil had a shot at tying the game off a rebound from point-black range, but Vokoun made another brilliant save, sticking his right leg out to trap the puck.

But inside 30 seconds to play, Ottawa struck in dramatic fashion. Interestingly enough, it came on a Penguins power play. After Karlsson's was called for slashing at 18:33, Daniel Alfredsson's shot found the net, setting up overtime.

Ron Musselman of Muscle Media LLC in Pittsburgh tweeted:

Pittsburgh had a power play to start overtime, but wasn't able to convert on two long shots on goal by Letang.

Both teams battled back and forth, creating numerous scoring chances, but the play of Anderson and Vokoun was simply exemplary. After the first overtime, both teams were still tied despite getting off 87 shots on goal.

Rob Metzger of WTOV9 Steubenville tweeted during the thrilling affair:

Pittsburgh received a power play at the 18:04 mark of the second overtime when Phillips was given two minutes for holding Cooke. But it wasn't able to capitalize.

Penguins defenseman Matt Niskanen was given two minutes for tripping minutes later, but the Senators weren't able to score on the power play.

Then, to cap a dramatic comeback, the Senators scored at the 7:39 mark when Colin Greening scored off assists from Andre Benoit and Erik Condra.

Anderson ceded just one goal in 50 Pittsburgh attempts. Vokoun ended up saving 46 of Ottawa's 48 shots on goal.

Pittsburgh holds a 2-1 series lead.

Chicago Blackhawks' 5 Most Impressive Players During 2013 Playoffs

Nicole Blum — Sun, 19 May 2013 23:44:46 -0400

The Chicago Blackhawks have seen contributions from every single line in the playoffs this year. This kind of depth makes the Blackhawks a team that's hard to beat.

The playoffs have brought out the best in most of the 'Hawks, and there have definitely been a few standout players thus far.

But not all of the standouts are the usual stars like Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.

Here are the five most impressive Blackhawks players during the playoffs.

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Why NBA Teams Are Buzzing About Shane Larkin After 2013 Combine Performance

Jonathan Wasserman — Sun, 19 May 2013 23:43:48 -0400

Shane Larkin might have pulled off something few can do. He might have moved the needle at the NBA combine.

The NBA holds this combine to get the top prospects in the country all under one roof at the same time. It's a lot easier to evaluate and compare when everyone's packed together instead of spread across the country in isolated gyms.

A big portion of the event is the athletic testing—five separate drills that test five separate dimensions of athleticism.

And Shane Larkin put on a show.

But before the show, it should be noted that Larkin measured in at 5'11.5" in sneakers. Considering his size, it became even more important that Larkin blow scouts away with his athleticism.

He got up for a max vertical leap of 44", the second-highest in the history of the event. Victor Oladipo and Ben McLemore, two pretty explosive athletes, both finished second at 42".

Let's look at some past leapers:

Isaiah Thomas: 40"

John Wall: 39"

Ty Lawson: 36.5"

Blake Griffin: 35.5"

Larkin's jump crushed some of the NBA's most explosive leapers and undersized starting point guards, and though it says nothing about his game, it just goes to show the caliber of athlete we're talking about.

Not surprisingly, Larkin's 34.5" standing leap was tied for second-highest of anyone at the combine.

Jumping translates to finishing at the rim and snatching up loose balls, but more than anything, it represents athleticism. The highest leapers are usually the best athletes.

Larkin was also the fastest player at the combine. He ran the three-quarter court sprint in a blazing 3.08 seconds. This was big for Larkin, who needed to show he has the speed to help make up for that extra inch of height.

Previous sprinters:

Darren Collison: 3.10

John Wall: 3.14

Avery Bradley: 3.14

Ty Lawson: 3.12

Kemba Walker: 3.16

Isaiah Thomas: 3.14

Speed will be a big part of Larkin's game when he gets to the next level. Clearly, he'll be in that elite class with some of the fastest guards in the league. And with more space and transition opportunities in the NBA, Larkin could thrive as an uptempo point guard.

Lastly, Larkin finished seventh amongst all participants in the lane agility drill, coming in at 10.64 seconds. This drill tests lateral quickness, which translates to on-ball defense and staying in front of your man.

It's just something else to help alleviate that under-six-foot label.

Between Larkin's elite ability to jump, sprint and change directions, it's fair for us to crown him the best athlete in the draft class.

And if you don't think that's going to stick in general managers' minds, think again. The NBA digs athleticism.

There is going to be someone out there who finds it in his heart to ignore that half-inch that seems oh-so important.

Scouts will do their homework. They'll look at scores of previous guards who've made it. If Ty Lawson can excel as a 6'0.5" starter, can't Larkin do the same at 5'11.5"?

Everyone may not think that way, but someone is bound to. And all it takes is one—one general manger to say "forget that one inch." We saw Larkin guide Miami to a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament. He demonstrated the leadership qualities and ball skills that allows point guards to succeed, and he did so at a high level.

The arrow was pointing up before the combine, but the buzz is really strengthening now given his new status as the draft's best athlete.

All test results can be found at NBADraft.net

5 Key Adjustments San Antonio Spurs Must Make to Win Western Conference Finals

David Kenyon — Sun, 19 May 2013 23:40:18 -0400

After waltzing past the Los Angeles Lakers in the opening round of the 2013 NBA playoffs, the San Antonio Spurs battled their way into yet another Western Conference Finals by defeating the Golden State Warriors in six games.

Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson's hot shooting pushed San Antonio to the limit, but head coach Gregg Popovich's adjustments would not allow the series to go any further.

The Spurs had plenty of changes to make for the conference finals against the Memphis Grizzlies, and in a surprising Game 1 result, San Antonio came away with a dominant 105-83 victory.

Here are five adjustments San Antonio must make to win the Western Conference Finals.

Note: All statistics from NBA.com unless otherwise noted.

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Buffalo Bills: What to Watch for at OTAs

Joshua Cornwall — Sun, 19 May 2013 23:40:16 -0400

Organized team activities started for the Buffalo Bills last Monday, and the team will run practices three days a week for the remainder of the month. OTAs are completely volunteer-based—although it is unwise to not attend them—and it gives players their first shot at proving themselves worthy of a roster spot.

Plays run during OTAs are dumbed down to accelerate a more fluid style of practice, but players young and old will soon be asked to master the new Buffalo Bills’ playbook.

There are many storylines headlining the Bills’ offseason event this year with a completely reshuffled front office and a newly-drafted quarterback with charisma that can charm even the hardest-hearted media members. Not to mention, Buffalo’s franchise-tagged safety Jairus Byrd is missing in action without the long-term contract that is well overdue.

As the Bills cap off a busy week of practice and front-page pressers, there is plenty still to be watching for in the next two weeks.

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Boston Celtics: Front Office Thinking to Terminate Paul Pierce Must Be Outlawed

Joshua J Vannuccini — Sun, 19 May 2013 23:34:55 -0400

The Boston Celtics have a major decision to make this offseason: what to do with Paul Pierce. He's been the face of the franchise for more than a decade, remaining as competitive as possible despite the team's struggles. The very idea of waiving or trading Pierce should be completely disregarded by the front office, as doing either would tarnish the past and current legacy of the Celtics.

Being one of the league's perennial franchises is a badge few organizations can wear proudly, and it comes with a plethora of unwritten rules. The Celtics pride themselves on loyalty, teamwork and defense. While the latter comes based on the team's roster and abilities, the attitude of being one group and leaving it all out on the floor stems from the early years of Boston.

While it is now epitomized in head coach Doc Rivers and the Celtics' current Big Three, it is lacking from the staff in the front office. Ray Allen was crucified for his decision to leave Boston and sign with the Miami Heat last offseason.

Make no mistake, leaving your brothers and joining your rivals is no easy decision. Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce both expressed their contempt for Allen's choice, including the majority of the Boston fanbase.

It was ultimately Allen's decision to make, but the backlash was monumental. One could hardly blame him, after being featured in several trade scenarios to the point Rivers contacted him to inform him of a move to the Memphis Grizzlies. Rivers ultimately had to call back and report the deal fell through, but it was clear Allen was fed up with being treated as trade bait.

Signing with the Heat was a surprise. Danny Ainge's offer—which included a no-trade clause—could not sway Allen. The no-trade clause was an indication of "too little, too late" as Ainge tried to patch things up at the last minute.

As it was Allen's decision, he receives the fingers pointed in terms of blame or fault. However, the same treatment should fall on Ainge's shoulders. Had he never dangled Allen to other teams, it's unlikely he would have ever left the team where he secured his first championship ring.

Fans were disgusted at Allen turning his back on the Celtics' passion and togetherness, which while completely correct, was not the driving factor in his relocation to South Beach.

The concept of sending away Pierce, the franchise's second-leading scorer, would carry the same backlash, but in Ainge's direction. It would be Pierce's 16th season in a Boston uniform next year, which is not only indicative of his loyalty, but his commitment to keep the team competitive.

His 2012-13 campaign saw 18.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists to keep the Celtics' afloat without Rajon Rondo. Pierce shot 43.6 percent from the field, and although it isn't as accurate as he's been in the past, it remains a solid percentage.

In addition, Pierce knocked down 38 percent of his attempts from long range. Keeping in mind he did all of this in a career-low 33.4 minutes per game, and it's clear he has plenty left in the tank to compete.

In the playoffs, his field goal percentages dropped to 36.8 (overall) and 26.8 (from three). The general consensus is that age is the grounds for this, however it is more likely fatigue played the biggest role.

Pierce played an average of 42.5 minutes per game against the New York Knicks in the first round, which is almost the equivalent of another entire quarter of play when compared to his regular-season usage.

He still managed to post a stat line of 19.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists, which is extremely efficient, considering Pierce will turn 36 in October.

To see him leave the Boston Celtics through a waive or a trade would be catastrophic to what the organization stands for. It is Ainge's job to keep the team competitive, but sending away one of the franchise's greatest players to keep the Celtics in the middle of the East is not worth it.

The decision on Pierce's future ultimately hinges on the financial flexibility of the team. His $15.3 million for next season is non-guaranteed, meaning Boston would only pay a fraction of that total should they waive him.

It seems arbitrary to shed their best player while Rondo is out, only to save money for one season, when they would be better off shipping out Brandon Bass' $6.4 million or Courtney Lee's $5.2 million.

Neither player was overly effective in the postseason for the Celtics, with Lee playing an average of 9.8 minutes for the entire series. He played at a satisfactory level in the regular season, but is well overpaid at a little over $5 million.

Bass is an important role player for Boston, thus trading him would be hard, however the pros of keeping Pierce vastly and inexplicably outweigh the cons. Jared Sullinger showed a lot of promise this season, and should be ready to go next year. He can seamlessly replace Bass' production, and signing someone to step in should Sullinger be injured again is the best route to take.

It would be the equivalent of the Miami Heat cutting Dwyane Wade, or the Los Angeles Lakers trading Kobe Bryant. The concept of it being a realistic move for the Celtics front office is ridiculous.

As mentioned, it is Ainge's job as general manager to do what is in the best interest for the team's success. However this is not a situation like Dwight Howard's last season; this is Paul Pierce. When the NBA world thinks of the Celtics, they think of Pierce as well.

Prematurely ending his tenure with what is considered one of the classiest and professional franchises in all of American sports would forever tarnish their storied legacy. After leading his team to its first NBA title in more than 20 years, Pierce deserves a better farewell.

All information sourced from ESPN.com/NBA/stats and HoopsWorld.