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Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Yankees: Live Score, Analysis and Reaction

Joe Tansey — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:21:07 -0400

When: 7:05 p.m. ET

Where: Yankee Stadium; Bronx, NY

Where to Watch: ESPN2

Pitching Matchup: Chris Capuano (LA; 1-4, 5.45 ERA) vs. Phil Hughes (NYY; 3-5, 4.89 ERA)

There will be no rest for the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees on Wednesday.

Just hours after completing the first game of their day-night doubleheader, the two storied franchises will be back under the lights in Bronx tonight.

While the Dodgers have seen plenty of press recently for the impressive debut of Yasiel Puig, the Yankees have received attention for their string of injuries to older players like Mark Teixeira and Kevin Youkilis.

Who will win the second game of the twinbill in the Bronx?

Find out when comprehensive live coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET right here on Bleacher Report.

LeBron James Says He Will Start Game 7 With His Headband On

Ken Dorset — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:13:42 -0400

Looks like LeBron James' run of playing with no headband is coming to a quick end. Here is what journalist Rachel Nichols tweeted after interviewing LeBron.

LeBron had fun w/his headband during our interview - kissed it, said sorry for abandoning it. He'll start Game 7 w/it on & see how he plays.
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) June 19, 2013

LBJ and his headband are back together.

But we will always have the "No headband" game.

During 11-3 run, LeBron has scored or assisted on nine of the points. Heat lead 84-82. Headband stays off.
— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) June 19, 2013

LeBron without a headband is like an unlockable character
— Team Athlete™ (@Team_Athlete) June 19, 2013

Mike miller took his shoe off. LeBron took his headband off and looks nekid. Next??? Pat riley should take his shirt and read Shakespeare.
— Metta World Peace (@MettaWorldPeace) June 19, 2013

I'm never wearing my headband again either #riptotheheadband
— Ty Lawson (@TyLawson3) June 19, 2013

Neymar Volleys Brazil Ahead of Mexico Early in Confederations Cup (GIF)

Michael Cummings — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:01:49 -0400

This Neymar kid might just be worth all the hype.

Neymar, Brazil's 21-year-old attacking starlet, scored another golazo Wednesday at the FIFA Confederations Cup, exciting the home fans and providing further evidence of what a talented player FC Barcelona have signed for next season.

This time the victims were Mexico in a Group A match in Fortalez. It was Neymar's second goal in as many matches at the Confederations Cup and his 22nd overall in 36 senior appearances with Brazil.

Both of his goals this week have come early in the match, and both were well taken.

On Sunday, Neymar opened the scoring for Brazil against Japan in the third minute with a powerful, accurate volley from long range following Fred's chest-down outside the box. Brazil went on to win the match 3-0.

Wednesday's opener wasn't quite as early, nor was it quite as impressive. Still, it once again demonstrated Neymar's superb technique and touch.

In the ninth minute, Dani Alves crossed from the right, and after Mexico failed to clear properly with a defensive header, Neymar buried his first-time volleyed shot at the near post. The goal appears in GIF form below (HT 101 Great Goals). Enjoy, and for another angle, check out this video.

Neymar scored his goal against the backdrop of civil unrest in his homeland, which is set to host the FIFA World Cup next summer. Tens of thousands of Brazilians have taken to the streets to protest the government's "policing, poor public services and high costs for the World Cup," per The Guardian.

Neymar said before the match that the protesters had "inspired" him.

Neymar said on Facebook before Brazil-Mexico game he'd be inspired by the protesters in the streets. Took him just 9 mins to score
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) June 19, 2013

Brazil went into halftime leading Mexico 1-0.

Follow @MikeCummings37

Charles Barkley Breaks Down '90s 'Dream Team' Fashion

Lance Fresh — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:01:44 -0400

In this day and age, fashion has become essential in the NBA. Players are constantly diving into the latest trends, mixing it with their own personal flare.

The Miami Heat are notorious around the league for the different outfits they wear. While most criticize them, many of the other players and fans have followed the lead of stars like LeBron and Wade.

While fashion has changed over the years, the stylistic impact that star NBA players have on the league and youth has not.

I caught up with Charles Barkley to talk about some of his "Dream Team" teammates and their fashion sense.

Watch now to hear Barkley talk about the looks that Jordan and Magic would wear and let me know what you think in the comments below!

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Denver Broncos: Why QB Peyton Manning Will Win 2013-14 NFL MVP Award

Soven Bery — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:39:46 -0400

Peyton Manning is one of the best active players in the NFL and his four MVP awards only solidify that fact. The Denver Broncos quarterback should be making room on his trophy shelf this season for a fifth MVP, though.

The Most Valuable Player award, voted upon by sportswriters at the end of the season, is given to a player who is considered to be indispensable to his team. Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson won the prize last season after he ran for 2,097 rushing yards, the second-most ever for a running back in a single season. However, the MVP is usually given to a quarterback, as four of the last five winners have played under center.

Two of those four quarterback winners have been named Peyton Manning.

Manning took home MVP in 2003, 2004, 2008 and 2009. He will do it again in 2013.

Last season, 2012, was the first year that the future Hall of Fame signal caller played for the Denver Broncos. Nonetheless, Manning finished second in MVP voting. He received 19.5-of-50 first-place votes.

“The Sheriff” should build on a terrific 2012 season en route to an amazing 2013. Manning was arguably the best quarterback last year as he finished with a 105.8 quarterback rating. He also threw for 4,659 yards with a 68.6 completion percentage, an NFL best for starting quarterbacks.

It follows that the Denver Broncos had the second best passing attack in the league. They were beat out by only the New England Patriots. However, the best wide receiver in New England, Wes Welker, is set to be a Bronco in 2013.

Manning was brilliant with Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker after only a couple months. But, the All-Pro signal caller is a quarterback who is a student of the game. He needs to have a connection with his wide receivers or everything could fall apart. The Broncos were amazing in 2012 with just one offseason for Manning to work with his pass catchers. Give him another year to gel with Thomas, Decker and now Welker and their chemistry, and the ensuing results, will skyrocket.

When Manning becomes more comfortable with his receiving corps, a good 2012 season will turn into a great outing in 2013. It doesn’t hurt that Manning is protected by the second best pass blocking offensive line in the NFL.

The Broncos were 13-3 in 2012 and one of the best teams in the AFC. They are poised to become even better and, if Manning can keep up high numbers while Denver keeps winning games, then it will be difficult to not hand Peyton the MVP award.

Manning was a legitimate candidate for the MVP last season. With another year in Denver and a rejuvenated wide receiving corps, he may very well take home the award this upcoming season.

He tore apart the NFL in last year’s comeback season as he set single-season Broncos franchise records for yards, completions (400) and touchdowns (37) thrown. Denver could not be as good as they were without Manning.

Voters will recognize that as the quarterback is set to be a focal part of the Bronco’s offense. The team recently released lead running back Willis McGahee. This means that Manning has to step up and play an even greater part in the success of Denver. With his football skills on display and his knack for leadership guiding the Broncos, Manning should once again catch the eye of sportswriters and fans alike.

The stars are aligned for Peyton Manning to have a MVP caliber season in 2013 and take home the award for an unprecedented fifth time.

Greg Biffle and Carl Edwards Raise Interesting Teammate Question

Paul Carreau — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:35:47 -0400

This past Sunday, in the Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway, Carl Edwards twice looked for some help from teammate Greg Biffle to help remove some paper from the grille of his No. 99 Ford.

He got that help neither time.

The first situation arose around lap 70. At the time, the teammates were running 6th and 7th respectively. Edwards asked his spotter to talk to Biffle's spotter and see if Biffle could drop back and let Edwards get close enough to his back bumper to attempt to get a piece of paper off of his grille.

Biffle did not do it. After the race, he told reporters that he had never received word of Edwards' request.

The second time Edwards was looking for help came during the closing laps of the event. With approximately 40 laps to go, another piece of debris had lodged itself on to the grille of Edwards' car.

Edwards again asked for help from his teammate. This time, Biffle was relayed the message but declined to offer assistance, as he was the race leader by some 20 car lengths.

Edwards has since said that he completely understands Biffle's decision not to drop back and help him in that situation, as the race was nearing its conclusion and that Biffle was contending for the win, which he would ultimately get.

It was the first time that Edwards needed some assistance and didn't receive it that had him confused and a little frustrated.

"I want us to be the best teammates we can be. My hope is he never heard the communication on lap 70," Edwards told ESPN.com

Biffle reiterated that he never heard about Edwards' lap 70 request during the race. He told ESPN.com "I'll help Carl absolutely any time I can. We go out of our way to help each other. It's a team sport."

The Roush Fenway Racing teammates are set to meet at Sonoma this coming Friday to further discuss the incidents. In all likelihood, the two will clear the air after a brief discussion, and all will quickly be forgotten.

But it does lead to an interesting question. How much responsibility do teammates have in helping each other during a race?

I completely understand the concept of working together all throughout the week, and even at the start of a race weekend. Of course it makes sense to share as much information within an organization as possible to make each individual driver better, but once the race starts, shouldn't it be every driver for himself?

As soon as the green flag waves, there are 42 other drivers on the race track with one goal in mind, and that is to beat you and win the race. So why, at any point, does it make sense to help someone who has that mindset?

What if Biffle had helped Edwards in either instance at Michigan? Who knows how that could have affected the final outcome of the race?

That could have been the difference between winning or second place for Greg Biffle, and ultimately, that could be the difference between making the Chase or missing it.

Obviously teamwork and communication go a long way in helping a driver win races, and win championships. But at the end of a race, when the checkered flag is waving, if it came down to you and your teammate, wouldn't you rather be called winner as opposed to runner up?

Krzysztof Wlodarczyk vs. Rakhim Chakhkiev: Fight Time, Date, TV Info and More

Brian Mazique — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:31:52 -0400

There is a slugfest on tap in the cruiserweight division on Friday night.

Krzysztof "Diablo" Wlodarczyk (47-2-1, 33 KO) of Poland will defend his WBC cruiserweight title against the undefeated Rakhim "The Machine" Chakhkiev (16-0, 12 KO) in the challenger's home country at the Dynamo Palace of Sports in Krylatskoye, Moscow, Russia.

This is Wlodarczyk's fifth defense of his title, and the fact that he is traveling to the challenger's country to fight is noteworthy. This should be an exciting battle.

Though the bout is only televised in Poland for the public, here is the information for viewing the fight and a deeper look at the matchup.

The Book on Wlodarczyk

Road Warrior

This isn't the first time Diablo has taken to the road in a title fight. The first time he fought for the WBC title, he took on Italian Giacobbe Fragomeni in his home country in 2009.

The result was a draw, though Wlodarczyk would later defeat Fragomeni in Poland to win the title in 2010. Wlodarczyk's third defense was against Aussie Danny Green in Western Australia.

To this point, Wlodarczyk hasn't lost any of his championship road ventures. He'll be looking to remain undefeated away from Poland in championship bouts on Friday.

In the Ring

Diablo is a boxer-puncher who throws a pushing but stiff jab to set up the strong right hand. He also has a sneaky left hook that can do damage. You'll see evidence of this in his KO win over Green in the video below.

Though Wlodarczyk isn't blessed with great quickness, he's strong and physical on the inside. He excels at in-fighting and has a solid chin.

Defeating him would be a tall task for any 175-200 pound fighter in the world.

The Book on Chakhkiev

On the Fast Track

The Machine has had only 16 bouts in his career, but he's 30 years old. Because of his age, it makes sense for him to take on an established champion like Wlodarczyk relatively early in his professional career.

Needless to say, Chakhkiev is really raising the bar with this matchup as it compares to his previous fights. Only five of his 16 bouts have been scheduled for 10 rounds, and Friday's clash will be his first fight set for 12.

Chakhkiev will have a lot to get acclimated to in the ring, but such is the plight of an inexperienced 30-year-old contender.

In the Ring

Chakhkiev's power is easy to see. He throws heavy shots with bad intentions, as he comes in looking to finish his opponents with power punches straight down the middle of their guard.

Take a look at him in this KO win over Zack Page in May 2012.

One potentially perilous habit Chakhkiev has is the tendency to drop his right hand when he's still in punching range for his opponent.

It is quite possible that he hasn't faced an opponent with the quickness or training to take advantage of that deficiency; but if he hasn't cleaned that up, it could spell trouble for him against Wlodarczyk.

Prediction

This should be an exciting fight filled with good offense, but Wlodarczyk's experience and power on the inside gives him an edge. The jab and lead left hooks should be the key punches in what I predict will be a fifth-round KO win for Diablo.

Follow me for boxing news, previews, predictions and opinions

Michigan's Motivational Locker Room Sign Adds Fuel to Ohio State Rivalry

Brian Leigh — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:29:33 -0400

Before Notre Dame players take the field every day, they're reminded to play like champions. But Michigan players, before they leave the locker room for a hard afternoon's practice, are reminded how long it's been since they beat Ohio State.

Revered quarterback guru George Whitfield Jr. tweeted out this picture on Wednesday, an inside look at the Wolverines' daily dose of motivation:

The sign doesn't explicitly say "Ohio State," but we know Michigan isn't talking about the Bobcats. That scarlet and gray palette—not to mention the exact amount of days its been since Michigan beat Ohio State—lets us know precisely who they're referring to.

So why the omission? Whitfiled has it covered once again. Apparently, Michigan doesn't use full names for either of their rivals, Ohio State and Michigan State, presumably since they DON'T DESERVE NO RESPECT:

College football's version of North Carolina-Duke, Ohio State vs. Michigan is (arguably) the sport's most bitter rivalry. From the Snow Bowl of 1950 to the Ten Year War waged between Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes, this series is lined with moment after moment of antagonistic history.

Michigan is 58-45-6 in the all-time series, but the modern era has been dominated by the Buckeyes. Ohio State has won eight of the last nine and 10 of the last 12, including a seven-game win streak between 2004 and 2010.

That streak ended on November 26, 2011, exactly 565 days before Mr. Whitfield took that picture. Denard Robinson was the hero of that meeting, throwing for 167 yards, rushing for 170 more, and combining to score five total touchdowns.

The Buckeyes exacted revenge as part of their undefeated 2012 campaign, beating Michigan 26-21 in a game the Wolverines needed to tie Nebraska atop the Big Ten Legends. And as Ohio State-Michigan is always the last game of the season, that put to rest any hope Brady Hoke & co. had of making the Rose Bowl.

This year's game is scheduled to take play on November, 30th in Ann Arbor. Whether or not that sign will read "zero" at the post-game press conference...well, that part is up to the Wolverines.

Comparing Matt Harvey-Zack Wheeler to Other Young MLB Pitching Duos

Zachary D. Rymer — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:19:51 -0400

The Matt Harvey-Zack Wheeler duo officially became a thing on Tuesday, and it was glorious.

The New York Mets featured both of their talented young right-handers in their doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves. Harvey got things started by taking a no-hitter into the seventh and ultimately walked away with 13 strikeouts in a 4-3 Mets win. Wheeler then tossed six scoreless innings in his major league debut, striking out seven to lead the Mets to a 6-1 win.

Harvey is 24 years old.

Wheeler is only 23.

As horrendous as this season has been for the Mets, at least it looks like they have an elite duo of young pitchers on their hands.

There aren't many of those out there. Per FanGraphs, the list of qualified starters 26 years old or younger is only 35 players long. There are only a handful of teammates in that mix, and an even smaller handful who boast a combined WAR of at least 3.0.

They are:

Note: Harvey and Jon Niese also make the grade with a combined fWAR of 4.1, but...nah...

Comparing Harvey and Wheeler to these guys is tough simply because there's a lot we still don't know about Wheeler. But based on the things we do know about him and Harvey, it's safe to make at least a couple comparisons.

We can start with the tales from the radar gun.

You Shall Know Our Velocity!

There's one thing you might have noticed while watching Harvey and Wheeler on Tuesday. Both of them throw really freakin' hard.

For the season, Harvey is averaging 95.4 miles per hour with his hard stuff, according to Baseball Info Solutions by way of FanGraphs. There's only one other starting pitcher in baseball regularly throwing that hard, and he goes by the name of Stephen Strasburg.

But for whatever reason, Harvey's usual velocity wasn't good enough for him on Tuesday. Brooks Baseball clocked his average fastball against the Braves at over 97 miles per hour, and ESPN Stats & Info had this to note:

In the nightcap, Wheeler wasn't throwing quite as hard as Harvey. Per Brooks Baseball, the slacker was only averaging 96.5 miles per hour with his four-seamer, and only got as high as 98.4.

Though he wasn't throwing as hard as Harvey, Wheeler was still having little trouble baffling Braves hitters. Of his 14 swings-and-misses, Wheeler got 12 on heaters. Harvey only got eight whiffs on his four-seamer on Tuesday.

You're going to want to appreciate the velocity of the Harvey-Wheeler duo, because there's no other young duo in baseball that can light up the radar gun quite like they can.

Right now, the hardest-throwing young duo in the league is Yu Darvish and Derek Holland, who both average better than 93 miles per hour. After them, the hardest-throwing duo is Shelby Miller and Lance Lynn. Miller averages 93.5 miles per hour, and Lynn averages 92.1 miles per hour.

We know all about how hard Harvey can throw, and the book on Wheeler has always had very kind things to say about his velocity. A few weeks from now, the two of them should be at the tippy-top of the velocity charts with no other set of teammates around them.

But it's not just the heat that sets these two apart. They also like to spin things more than your average pair of teammates.

Breaking Good

It's easy to geek out over fastball velocity where Harvey and Wheeler are concerned, but their breaking balls deserve some props as well. They both have two good ones, and they're not shy about going to them.

And that's what makes them special.

Per Baseball Info Solutions, Harvey throws his curveball 13.6 percent of the time and his slider 19.9 percent of the time. That makes him a special breed, as he's the only pitcher in the 26-or-younger group who throws both a curve and a slider at least 13 percent of the time.

Harvey isn't wasting his time with these pitches either. According to Brooks Baseball, hitters have sub-.200 batting averages against both of his breaking balls. And while linear weights favor Harvey's curveball—he owns a 1.08 wCB/C to a 0.93 wSL/C—he's shown that his slider can be a downright dominant pitch.

Just watch it go to work against the New York Yankees:

Wheeler also features a curve and a slider. Time is going to tell exactly how dominant both pitches are in the majors, but they drew positive reviews in the minors and he was breaking both of them out a fair amount in his debut.

Of Wheeler's 102 pitches on Tuesday, 71 were fastballs. But he mixed in 12 curveballs and 18 sliders. That's 11.8 percent curveballs and 17.6 percent sliders, numbers that compare pretty favorably to Harvey's.

Want to know how many other teams have two young pitchers who throw curves and sliders at least 10 percent apiece?

Just one.

Only the Los Angeles Dodgers know what it's like to have two young pitchers like that, as Clayton Kershaw and Hyun-Jin Ryu both throw a ton of sliders and curves. The only other tandem that comes close is Mike Minor and Julio Teheran in Atlanta, as Teheran's CB% of 9.7 is just shy of our 10 percent cutoff.

Velocity and breaking stuff are where Harvey and Wheeler are similar. There's one area where they're a lot different, and where we can make another super-duper-intriguing comparison.

One's in Command, the Other is Still in 'Command 101'

When you watch Harvey pitch, the thing that stands out besides his awesome stuff is just how much command he has of it. He's not quite Cliff Lee, but he can generally put his pitches where he wants to.

Baseball Info Solutions has Harvey's Zone%—that being the percent of pitches he throws inside the strike zone—at an even 48.0 percent. Among the young pitchers on our radar, that ties him for 11th with Wade Miley. Harvey is also among the best at getting ahead of hitters, as he boasts an impressive 65.1 first-pitch strike percentage.

We don't yet have a BIS Zone% for Wheeler, but his command didn't pass the eye test on Tuesday. He threw first-pitch strikes to only 10 of the 26 batters he faced and ended up walking five. And if it felt like his fastball command was all over the place, that's because it was.

Courtesy of TexasLeaguers.com, here's a look at where Wheeler's fastballs ended up:

And here's a look at which ones were and weren't called strikes:

The first plot shows how many fastballs Wheeler never came close with, as well as how many he left up in the zone. The second shows that he didn't get a couple calls, which will happen when you're not pounding the zone consistently and you're making your catcher's glove move too often.

But if you were watching, you know that it didn't matter. The same conclusion can be drawn just from looking at the numbers. Wheeler's stuff was nasty enough for him to be effectively wild.

There's only one other young duo in baseball that has a similar sort of dynamic to Harvey and Wheeler, and it's Darvish and Holland.

Holland is much like Harvey. He has a Zone% of 49.3 and a first-pitch strike percentage of 61.3. Pounding the zone is his thing.

Darvish is different.

His Zone% is 43.9 and his first-pitch strike percentage is 58.6. He doesn't operate like Harvey and Holland because, frankly, he doesn't need to. Darvish's stuff is so good that he can render the strike zone practically moot.

Darvish's O-Swing%—that being the percentage of pitches outside the zone he gets batters to chase—of 31.2 isn't mind-blowing. It ranks 13th out of our 35 young pitchers. Harvey is first with an O-Swing% of 35.8, which goes to show that he can expand the zone in addition to pounding it.

But then there's this: Darvish's O-Contact% is a mere 45.4 percent, by far the lowest among the 26-or-younger group. When hitters chase his pitches, they miss. Plain and simple.

Wheeler is probably going to operate along those same lines for a little while until he masters the art of fastball command, and that's OK. If Tuesday was any indication, Wheeler's wildness works pretty well next to Harvey's precision.

The "We'll see" caveat obviously applies. Harvey and Wheeler have only performed Act I of a longer production. The big picture could change drastically, and likely will.

But for now, it looks like the Mets have quite the duo on their hands. The similarities to other young duos are there, but the total package is something wholly unique.

If you want to talk baseball, hit me up on Twitter.

Denver Broncos: Breaking Down Options at the Center Position

Christopher Hansen — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:19:06 -0400

The Denver Broncos were hoping to have a healthy J.D. Walton start at center in 2013, but it appears that plan will have to be pushed back once again.

According to Jeff Legwold of The Denver Post, Walton had another surgery on his injured ankle and is likely to miss the 2013 season.

The injury to Walton leaves the Broncos with only the unproven Quentin Saulsberry and Philip Blake on the roster at center. The team will likely comb through the available free agents for a veteran to snap the ball to Peyton Manning.

Walton originally hurt his ankle in Week 4 of the 2012 season, but the Broncos had wisely signed veteran center Dan Koppen to a one-year contract and he ended up starting 12 games.

Though the Broncos didn’t re-sign Koppen this offseason, there’s nothing stopping them from bringing him back for the 2013-14 season.

The fact that Koppen wasn’t re-signed could be an indicator that they weren’t all that happy with his production last year. Koppen will be 34 in September, so the Broncos may have to bring in multiple players even if they decide to bring him back.

Outside of Koppen, there are several less obvious options the Broncos could consider, including one player that is already a proven performer and on the roster.

ESPN Denver's Cecil Lammey believes the Broncos might consider sliding right guard Chris Kuper over to center. Kuper doesn’t have an obvious path to playing time after the Broncos signed right guard Louis Vasquez in free agency, so a move to center might make sense for both him and the team.

Kuper is younger than several of the free agents on the market and seems to have the skills to be a solid center. The obvious challenge for Kuper would be the quarterback-center exchange, but that is something he should be able to learn quickly.

Ryan Lilja made the transition from guard to center on the fly in 2012 for the Kansas City Chiefs and there’s reason to believe Kuper could have similar success.

Coincidentally, Lilja is also a free agent and could be an option for the Broncos.

He will be 32 during the season, but has missed only three games in the last four years. Lilja also played five seasons with Manning. Even if he didn’t win the starting spot, he would provide good veteran depth if the younger players don’t develop.

Another veteran option would be Eugene Amano, who was released by the Tennessee Titans this offseason. Amano is coming off a torn triceps that caused him to miss all of the 2012 season. He had poor seasons in 2011 and 2010, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Amano is also 31, so he is probably not a good bet to turn around his career. However, he is a veteran who has started 68 games in his career and only missed four games from 2008-2011.

It’s probably worth having Amano in for a tryout to see where he is physically.

There are also two younger linemen who have experience with Manning, but not the experience to push for the starting job.

Kyle DeVan started 21 games from the Indianapolis Colts at guard and has some experience at center, but according to his Twitter profile, he is retired and starting a career as a coach at Oregon State University.

The other option would be Jamey Richard, who played guard and center for the Colts from 2008-2011 and started 11 games—including a few at center. Richard and Koppen would be the only free agents available with experience snapping to Manning.

Richard spent all of last season on injured reserve with a concussion after signing with the Patriots, so the Broncos would have to make sure he is completely recovered before considering him. Richard would likely be brought in to push the other guys more than to be used as a legitimate starting option.

The Broncos have several options to consider, but they don’t have to make a decision until the start of training camp on July 24. Koppen, Kuper and Lilja seem like the likeliest options.

Breaking Down 2014 NFL Draft Prospect Dominique Easley

Dan Hope — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:16:13 -0400

Sharrif Floyd quickly shot up draft boards to become one of the hottest defensive line prospects in the 2013 NFL draft. Another Florida defensive lineman, Dominique Easley, could be in line for a similar rise in 2014.

Throughout the months of June and July, I am looking ahead to the 2014 draft here at Bleacher Report and breaking down 10 of the top defensive linemen in the upcoming draft class.

This week's installment focuses on Easley, an explosive and versatile defensive lineman who projects as a potential impact player in any NFL defensive scheme. While Floyd stole the spotlight on the Gators defensive line last season, Easley could be viewed by some NFL teams as a better prospect for the 2014 draft than Floyd in 2013.

Last season's Sugar Bowl loss to Louisville wasn't a night to remember for Florida as a whole, but it was for Easley. In the national spotlight, he played arguably the best game of his career. He dominated the Louisville offensive line with quickness and power and finished the game with 3.5 tackles for a loss, while also deflecting a pass that was intercepted by a teammate.

The Minnesota Vikings selected Floyd with the No. 23 overall selection in the 2013 draft. If Easley finishes his Florida career strong in his senior season, he could follow in Floyd's footsteps as a first-round pick in 2014.

Explosive Penetration

The strength of Easley's game is his ability to explode off the line of scrimmage and make plays at or behind the line.

With a strong combination of quickness and power, Easley doesn't have much trouble generating explosion and momentum into his opponent.

He has a good first step off the line and accelerates quickly. He is very good at anticipating snap counts and timing his jump off the snap, although he needs to cut down on his tendency of jumping too quickly and drawing offsides penalties.

He can beat offensive linemen with his quickness alone, but he combines that quickness with the power and strength to push through offensive linemen or drive them back.

Easley can get into an offensive lineman's pads quickly to catch his opponent off-guard. After initiating contact, he can quickly shift to a power game and combine his strength and athleticism to generate momentum and drive his opponent back.

In the following video example, courtesy of Draft Breakdown, Easley gets a good jump at the line of scrimmage and decides to bull rush straight into the center. From there, he quickly generates the power to drive the center back into the quarterback for a sack.

Easley often draws double-team blocks from opposing offensive lines in efforts to neutralize his explosiveness off the line of scrimmage. He has shown that he can work through those as well, as he did for one of his tackles for a loss in last year's Sugar Bowl versus Louisville.

Easley is very good at getting into the backfield to make plays, and can do so from both inside and off the edge.

Physical Attributes/Versatility

Easley is a quick-footed defensive lineman who moves fluidly across the field. He is a nimble athlete who displays the ability to move laterally with agility and change directions with his hips.

Easley can also make plays with his speed in pursuit. When he gets free as a rusher, he has enough speed to track down the ball with a proper angle. He also displays the ability to track down a run that goes to the opposite side of the line by chasing the ball-carrier upfield and making a play from behind.

Easley is far from being a speed rusher, but if he has an angle to the quarterback, he can close quickly. An example of that came last year versus Louisiana-Lafayette, when Easley buried quarterback Terrence Broadway for a deep sack.

Easley has the strength to hold up against blockers both inside and out. He generates power effectively but also holds his ground well at the point of attack.

As a result, Easley has the versatility to line up in multiple spots on a defensive line. Playing primarily in a four-man front at Florida, Easley has experience lining up inside as both a nose tackle over the center and as a 3-technique between the guard and tackle. He has also played on the edge at defensive end.

The following pictures show a three-play sequence versus Louisiana-Lafayette in which Easley lined up first as a defensive end on the edge, then as a 1-technique nose tackle and finally in the 3-technique spot.

Size will be one of the biggest knocks on Easley in pre-draft evaluations. Listed at 6'2" and 280 pounds by Florida's official website, Easley will have trouble escaping the dreaded "'tweener" label.

Easley is undersized for a defensive tackle, but lacks the length and speed desired in a defensive end.

If Easley can bulk up and add 15-20 pounds to his frame, he is likely to receive more attention as a defensive tackle or 3-4 defensive end. That said, Easley must be able to maintain his explosiveness while adding weight to remain an impact player and difference-maker on the defensive line.

Stuffing the Run

While Easley projects to have a size disadvantage against NFL interior linemen, he has shown to be a very good run-stopper at the collegiate level. He is best-known for his ability to penetrate the line of scrimmage, but is also very good at maintaining gap control and clogging run lanes.

By holding his ground and driving his opponent back with power, he can quickly shut down a run lane. He is effective with bull-rushing his opponent back up the middle of the offensive line to force a runner to pop outside and find a new lane.

Easley is strong with plugging a gap and holding his ground. He can effectively occupy a double-team and maintain his space to not only close a gap but also take multiple blockers out of a play.

The concern with Easley will lie in whether the interior run-stopping ability he has displayed in college will translate against stronger, faster opponents at the next level.

One area where Easley does struggle is allowing his opponents to initiate contact and get into his pads. Easley lacks the counter moves to consistently disengage from blocks and, as a result, he can get driven back or turned out of a play by his opponent.

Rushing the Passer

Easley's explosiveness gives him potential as an inside pass-rusher, but his game as a rusher remains very much a work in progress.

As demonstrated above with his sack versus Auburn, Easley is most effective as a bull rusher. With his quickness off the snap and ability to generate power, he can drive his opponent back quickly and put heat on the quarterback.

Easley has the athleticism to chase down a quarterback when he gets free, but breaking free from his opponent can be troublesome. In order to be an effective three-down player at the next level, Easley must become better at beating blockers with his hands.

Most of Easley's sacks at Florida have come as a result of winning on speed thanks to a breakdown in protection. He does not have a strong array of pass-rushing moves, which he needs to develop to consistently beat blockers at the next level.

When Easley does not win his initial start off the line, he struggles to disengage from pass protection. While he still makes some big plays as an inside rusher by jumping a snap and exploding out of his stance, his pass-rushing efforts are neutralized too often.

Projecting Easley's Fit and Draft Stock

Easley's ability to play various spots on the defensive line makes him a very intriguing prospect for both 4-3 and 3-4 defenses.

If he can bulk up while maintaining his quickness, he has incredible upside as a 3-technique defensive tackle in a 4-3 or as a 5-technique defensive end in a 3-4. His ability penetrating inside makes him a good fit to play either position, especially if he can become a more complete pass-rusher.

He brings more versatility to a four-man front, as he could play defensive end situationally against the run with his strength and ability to maintain gap control. He is likely limited to playing end in a 3-4, as he lacks the size to play nose tackle and the all-around athleticism to drop to outside linebacker.

While Easley will be stacked up against Sharrif Floyd given their time as teammates at Florida, he is a more comparable prospect to Sheldon Richardson. While the 2013 NFL Draft's No. 13 overall pick has more pass-rushing skill, Easley is comparable in terms of size, explosiveness and schematic versatility.

Had Easley declared for the 2013 NFL Draft, he likely would have been a mid-to-late Day 2 selection. With a strong senior season, however, he could vault himself into the first round.

Also Read:

Breaking Down Jadeveon Clowney

Breaking Down Jackson Jeffcoat

Dan Hope is an NFL draft featured columnist for Bleacher Report.

Follow @Dan_Hope

Chris Bosh Tells Fans Who Left Game 6 Early to Stay Home for Game 7

Dan Favale — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:15:47 -0400

Chris Bosh has a message for the "fans" who filed out of their seats when the Miami Heat were trailing the San Antonio Spurs late in Game 6.

"For all those guys who left, don't come back for Game 7," Bosh said, according to Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun.

Good for Bosh. He showed some backbone at the right time.

More than a few of the Miami not-so-faithful fled from the AmericanAirlines Arena inside a minute to play when it was a two-possession game.

Two possessions. Anything can happen at that point. The Heat were a pair of threes and a botched free throw away from tying it up—which is exactly what they did.

LeBron James and Ray Allen knocked down a couple of treys to tie the game up at 95, and the Heat proceeded to win in overtime to force a Game 7.

Meanwhile, those who began their journey home tried to get back in and ultimately couldn't.

Serves them right, if you ask me.

Down by 10 or more inside of a minute to go during a regular-season game, feel free to head home early. But this wasn't a regular-season game, and the Heat weren't down by 10. It's the NBA Finals; a time when a little hometown appreciation should be shown even in the face of a loss.

Those outside of Miami would be free to call the Heat a failure had they lost Game 6. Alleged die-hard fans have an unspoken obligation to their team, though—the same team that was (and still is) battling through their third consecutive finals.

You don't just leave. You applaud them, maybe offer up a "good job, good effort" if the mood strikes. Don't, under this particular circumstance, leave.

For those who did, I, like Bosh, implore you to watch Game 7 from home, if at all. Plopped down on the couch is where you'll have control of the remote, leaving you free to remain loyal to your team when it's most convenient for you.

Follow @danfavale

NHL Draft 2013: Should We Believe Avalanche Will Pass Up Seth Jones at No. 1?

Steve Silverman — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:13:34 -0400

The Colorado Avalanche have let word out that they are not going to draft Seth Jones with the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft later this month.

Jones, a right-handed shooting defense prospect, has been rated as the top prospect available in the 2013 draft for the last six months. Jones appears to have superstar-level potential.

Joe Sakic, the team's executive vice-president of hockey operations, will make the team's pick June 30. Sakic told Adrian Dater of the Denver Post that the Avs will not take the young defenseman and will choose one of the three top-rated forwards in the draft if they hold on to the pick.

Could subterfuge be at hand? Does Sakic have any need or desire to fool his competitors with his first-ever pick in the NHL Draft?

It is within the realm of possibility, but it does not seem likely.

This will be the first major move of Sakic's career as an NHL executive. He told Dater that he believes the Avalanche are going to turn to one of the top three forwards—Nathan MacKinnon, Jonathan Drouin or Alexander Barkov—instead of Jones.

Jones is the son of former NBA player Popeye Jones. If Sakic is just trying to pull the wool over his competitors' eyes or he trades the pick to another team and Jones is selected, the 18-year-old would become the first African-American taken with the initial pick in the NHL Draft.

Jones will face quite a bit of scrutiny no matter when he's selected, but that pressure would increase dramatically if he is selected as the No. 1 pick.

Additionally, it is often takes longer for a young defense prospect to develop into a star NHL player than it does a forward.

However, the Avs have a number of solid young forwards, including Gabriel Landeskog, Ryan O'Reilly and Matt Duchene. The Avs had a poor year on defense (allowed 3.12 goals against per game, ranked 27th in NHL) and a strong need for help on the blue line.

Dater suggested that Sakic will attempt to improve the Avs' defense by going after free-agent blue liners as well as pursuing trades.

Here's a brief scouting report about Jones and the other three prospects that Sakic says the Avs are considering with the No. 1 pick in the draft:

Jones is 6'4" and 205 pounds, and an excellent skater, according to The Hockey Writers' mock draft. Jones played for the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League. He scored 14 goals and had 42 assists along with a plus-46 rating for Portland this year.

MacKinnon is listed as that online publication's No. 2 pick. He played for the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The 6'0", 180-pound center has the quickness and skill level that makes him an elite player. MacKinnon scored 32 goals and had 43 assists this season, along with a plus-40 rating.

Drouin played with MacKinnon in Halifax. Drouin is an explosive left wing who has been called the most skilled player in the draft. He's not huge at 5'11" and 180 pounds, but he can take a hit and keep going towards the net. He can also score, as his 41 goals, 64 assists and plus-48 rating indicates.

Barkov has the size and strength at 6'2" and 205 pounds that all teams look for in young prospects. He scored 21 goals and 27 assists while playing for Tappara in Finland. He suffered a season-ending shoulder injury during his team's playoff run.

NBA Finals 2013: How the Miami Heat Won Game 6 and Forced a Game 7

Andrew Goldberg — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:12:48 -0400

Just in case you were without some form of electronics last night or were living under a rock, the Miami Heat came back with a 103-100 Game 6 overtime victory over the San Antonio Spurs last night. The win saves the legacy of both the Miami Heat and LeBron James—for now.

When all looked lost in the closing moments of Game 6 as James missed a game-tying three-pointer, Chris Bosh and Ray Allen both made defining plays to allow the Heat to force overtime and eventually win the game.

As everyone tries to pick up the pieces the day after an epic Game 6, including the Spurs themselves who were about thisclose to winning their fifth ring, what exactly happened last night?

Did the Spurs blow it or did the Heat win it? Did James have another performance like his Game 6 effort in Boston during last year's Eastern Conference Finals? Or was it the role players who helped extend the series?

The answers (or some of them) await you.

Begin Slideshow

Tracy McGrady, 7-Time All Star, is Now Getting Clowned by Arby's on Twitter

Gabe Zaldivar — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:11:39 -0400

Arby's is serving up delectable burns much as they serve up delicious sandwiches.

For evidence of this, take a gander at the tweet from D'Brickashaw about the Spurs' Tracy McGrady and the response from Arby's.

Oh, would you like Arby's sauce with that, McGrady?

Here is just a smattering of the response from fans who were essentially shouting, "Burn!"

Really, making fun of the NBA star is quickly becoming comedic low-hanging fruit. As a member of the Spurs, he has been relegated to a barometer of a game's final moments: If McGrady is playing, chances are the Spurs have a huge lead or have given up hope.

The 34-year-old joined the Spurs in April and has pretty much warmed a seat on the bench since that time.

During the NBA Finals, McGrady has seen action in just two games, playing a little over seven minutes in a 103-84 Game 2 win for Miami, and then getting on the floor for six minutes in a Spurs blowout the very next game, 113-77.

Essentially, if you see McGrady taking off the warm-ups, things are not going well for one of the teams, which has led to some Twitter hilarity.

McGrady wasn't always a social media punching bag, and was once considered one of the best in the NBA. This is the same guy who featured in seven All-Star games and won two scoring titles.

Still, he is nearly five seasons removed from a year wherein he averaged double-digit points. You would even have to look as far back as the 2007-2008 season for the last time he averaged over 35 minutes per game.

So how do you know if it's time to hang up the sneakers and move on into retirement? Some might look to rickety knees, back pain or a jumper that yields a massive amount of bricks.

For McGrady, having a fast-food chain try out their best open-mic material on Twitter is as good a sign as any.

Hit me up on Twitter for more NBA nonsense: Follow @gabezal

Daniel Bryan's Backstage Confrontation with Triple H Will Benefit His Career

Joe Johnson — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:09:23 -0400

Triple H has changed a great deal during the last 25 years, as he's risen from unknown enhancement talent to WWE main event star and current WWE chief operating officer.

He's cleaned up his look and sought ways, from the boardroom, to lead the wrestling business into a brighter future. All of this—pardon the pun—evolution doesn't change the fact that Triple H is a hardcore wrestling fan at heart.

Having grown up in the old school, where it was common to show intestinal fortitude both in the ring and backstage, Triple H likely sees Daniel Bryan's blow-up backstage on Raw as a positive.

Most talents would never have the guts to step toe-to-toe with not only a legend but their boss and give them a piece of their mind. Bryan did it publicly, reportedly with great passion, which is a sign that Triple H most certainly found admirable.

On CM Punk's DVD documentary, he speaks of a time that he stood up to Vince McMahon backstage and how it earned him respect. He discusses writing out several months of storyline for his character and the Straight Edge Society, dropping it on Vince's desk and telling him this is where he is going. Punk, similar to Bryan, doesn't possess the quintessential WWE look that Vince desires from his superstars.

Nonetheless, Vince respects men with opinions and passion.

Now, don't get carried away by thinking that calling out Triple H or Vince McMahon is the best way to advance at WWE. Both men have been known to be vindictive and territorial. They'd probably spin it by saying they are "proud." Ultimately, challenging either man could lead to a pink slip or complete burial of a wrestler's character.

But in the right circumstances, a performer with enough recognized talent and momentum can pick the perfect time to challenge authority and it will win them a greater push.

Daniel Bryan is at a pivotal moment in his career. He's never been this popular with such a large and varied audience. He's white hot in the ring and on the mic. He's forcing WWE's hand, as they cannot discount the reaction from the crowd, even if he was not initially planned to receive a main event push.

With speculation stirring that Bryan may be in line for a WWE title match against John Cena at an upcoming pay-per-view, the Goat-Faced Gremlin himself knows that he cannot risk losing momentum due to a questionable backstage call to stop his match against Randy Orton.A pinfall or submission victory over Orton, a legitimate main eventer and perpetual title contender, would have been one of the biggest wins of his career. Instead, he was forced to stop the match.

Reports from sources such as PWInsider have noted that Bryan and Triple H came to a mutual understanding on the matter at the conclusion of their confrontation. Knowing the adrenaline rush a performer experiences during a hot match and the frustration Bryan must've felt, Triple H could certainly relate to his perspective. If Bryan conveyed anything in his spat, it's that he has a passion for the business, he wants to be great and he wants to excite the crowd.

All of these things mean dollar signs to Triple H and the WWE. It's the type of energy you want out of your top stars and your locker room leaders. I'm willing to bet that Daniel Bryan is probably now a "Triple H Guy," even if he wasn't before.

Brazil vs. Mexico: What a Win Would Mean for Each Squad

Timothy Rapp — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:04:12 -0400

For both Brazil and Mexico, Wednesday's meeting at the Confederations Cup is extremely important. But just how important?

Good question. While Brazil are in a strong position after winning their first game, Mexico will surely be desperate for a victory after losing to the Italians. Let's break down what this match means for both sides.

When: Wednesday, June 19 at 3 p.m. ET

Where: Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza, Brazil

TV: ESPN

Streaming: WatchESPN

What This Game Means For Brazil

For Brazil, a win would either put Brazil in an excellent position to advance to the group stage or guarantee that they will be moving on to the semifinals, if Italy either defeats or draws with Japan in the other Group A game.

Anything less than a win, however, and Brazil will be fighting for its tournament life with a game against a tough Italian side still to come.

Losing to Mexico would be a major opportunity squandered for Brazil. The Mexicans come into this match having won just one of their last six World Cup qualifying games and having drawn eight of their last 10 matches overall.

El Tri is not playing its best football, in other words.

As Brazil won't have another competitive match until the World Cup—only friendlies, since they automatically qualify for the World Cup as hosts—the Confederations Cup is a vital test for the Brazilians.

Don't expect the Brazilians to take the Mexicans lightly.

What This Game Means For Mexico

In a word, everything.

A win for Mexico would put them in an excellent position to advance, with a winnable game against Japan still to come. And while a draw wouldn't be ideal, Mexico would still have a shot to reach the semifinals.

But a loss would be potentially devastating. If El Tri lose this contest and Italy beat or draw against Japan on Wednesday evening, Mexico would be eliminated from the knockout phase. And while a loss and Japan win would keep them technically alive, El Tri wouldn't control their own destiny, needing a win against Japan, an Italy loss against Brazil and the advantage in goal differential over both teams.

Got all of that?

As noted above, Mexico has really struggled of late, and a strong performance in the Confederations Cup could be just what the team needs to reverse its recent World Cup qualifying woes. Mexico has just eight points from its first six Hexagonal games, and while they currently sit in third on the table, putting them in World Cup qualifying position, they have absolutely no room for error in their final four games.

What it all adds up to is a win being a very, very important result for Mexico today. A loss could have ripples that last long beyond the Confederations Cup.

Prediction

Given how dangerous Brazil looked against Japan and how mediocre Mexico has been of late, look for Brazil to take this one, 2-1.

Pacers' Stephenson Joins Some Elite Hoops Company in Brooklyn

Jerry Milani — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:03:11 -0400

It has been a good spring for Lance Stephenson.

He was a central piece of the Indiana Pacers' surprising run to the Eastern Conference Finals; he is the centerpiece of the relaunch of an iconic basketball brand; he has helped kick-start some youth programs in his native Brooklyn; he is having his jersey retired by his high school; Larry Bird loves him—heck, he was even the surprise guest at an Indianapolis prom.

His biggest issue these days?

“We gotta figure out the laces,” he jokingly said about his signature AND1 shoes. “Sometimes they are too long.”

Those are some of the minor details the 6'5" swingman mulled over as he watched the Heat and Spurs go to an epic Game 7 in this week’s NBA Finals, a Finals which, with a few bounces the right way, could have featured the Pacers.

For the guy nicknamed “Born Ready,” watching this year is alright, but planning for a future on basketball’s biggest stage is where his focus is.

“We knew what we were capable of doing this year, even when others did not,” he said. “Were we surprised how far we went? No. Our goal was to play aggressive, play smart and take care of the ball. It was not about being stars, it was about winning games, and we definitely made progress this year.”

So did Stephenson, who went from being something of an unknown quantity for the squad to a stalwart defender and multifaceted offensive player, who became a key member of Indiana’s success.

While some were surprised by Stephenson's success, Hall of Famer Larry Bird was not. He has been one of Stephenson's most loyal defenders and confidantes since the team took him with the 40th overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft.

Bird and Stephenson have an ongoing dialogue about his on and off court demeanor, and he said those talks and texts helped him to improve his game and adjust to life in Indiana this past winter.

“Larry has been an inspiration to me, we have similar values in what is needed to succeed, and he constantly reminded me all season to work on various parts of my game, to listen to the coaches and to stay focused on basketball.

“Every week he would give me little tips about defending a player or handling a situation, and those little things really helped change things,” Stephenson said.

Change for Stephenson came not just from basketball, but in his living arrangement as well. While some players from the hard courts of the inner city might have trouble fitting into the Midwestern environment of Indianapolis, Stephenson loved the change.

“The people, the fans, have all been great, it's like family, very few distractions that you would have playing in a big market and that’s what I needed, to concentrate on basketball and help the Pacers win.”

Stephenson also found ample time to help in the community both in Indianapolis and back in New York. He has been a regular at Pacers community events when kids have been involved, and, in New York, he founded his own youth program, giving young people the opportunity to exceed both in basketball and in the classroom.

He also stepped into another unique role in Indiana this past Spring, creating the “Ultimate Prom Experience,” picking up all the expenses for a local high school couple who had written to him—one of several thousand—for the chance to have all expenses paid for their special night out.

“Her story (Megan Conlin) was special to me,” he said. “She talked from the heart about some of her struggles in life, many of which I could relate to from growing up, and it was an honor to help them out.”

All that hard work and dedication on and off the court paid off with when Stephenson linked up with a key business partner, the relaunched AND1 brand this past year.

AND1, founded, 20 years ago in Philadelphia, has undergone a dramatic rebranding under new ownership which sought to recapture the presence the company had with the rise of streetball.

Stephenson became their first NBA player since Rafer Alston, and the latest in a line that has included Vince Carter and Stephon Marbury when the brand was in its heyday. His rise on the court and in the community fit in perfectly with AND1’s new positioning, and he has been an integral part of the new marketing vision for the company.

“They were there when no one else was, a company that came along and gave me a chance, and it is a pleasure to be associated with AND1, a brand we grew up with, as they make their move again,” he said.

Some of those moves will take place in the coming weeks, as the brand looks for new faces for its signature streetball series with a number of open tryouts this summer, and refits the thousands of kids who play in the legendary St. Francis DeSales Summer League in Rockaway, a league which has given rise to stars like Kenny Smith, Mark Jackson and Chris Mullin, but was heavily damaged by Superstorm Sandy.

Stephenson will also be back in Brooklyn this weekend for yet another honor: seeing his jersey join very hallowed ground at Lincoln High School in an alumni ceremony. He remains New York State’s all-time leading scorer in high school basketball (2,946 points), with four city basketball championships with Lincoln, a New York State Mr. Basketball and a McDonald’s All-American Team selection in 2009.

“The values I learned at Lincoln with Coach [Dwayne "Tiny"] Morton, that’s where all this came from,” he said. “Without getting my start there, I would never be where I am today.”

Where he is, is at the cusp of greatness for a team many labeled as "throwback" by some and “exciting” by others, as the NBA season unfolded. For now, Stephenson is looking forward to hitting the courts around New York, working with AND1 on its promotional events and getting ready for the fall.

Jerry Milani is a featured writer at Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless noted.

Lakers News: Tight Cap Situation Increases Pressure on LA to Succeed Next Season

Matt Fitzgerald — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:59:23 -0400

The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off a year in which they faced heavy scrutiny for falling short of massive, championship expectations. After getting swept in Round 1 of the NBA playoffs, the organization finds itself in a precarious position, which is compounded by the team's tight cap situation.

As reported by Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times, this is the first offseason since the new collective bargaining agreement was struck in 2011.

Under the new CBA, teams above the "tax apron" are prohibited from acquiring sign-and-trade players, though are able to ship sign-and-trade players to other teams.

The luxury tax that teams are hit with is extremely penal if the franchise is above the tax apron. Pincus notes that the tax threshold is expected to be at $71.5 million, but there is an allowance of an additional $4 million, which constitutes the tax apron.

Thus, the Lakers can have a maximum of $75.5 million in player salaries for 2013-14 to avoid the luxury tax.

Unfortunately, unless the squad amnesties the contract of Kobe Bryant, there is no feasible way to avoid the massive luxury tax if the Lakers want to re-sign superstar center Dwight Howard.

So what does all this mean, exactly?

Basically, if Howard is brought back into the fold for an expected $20.5 million and the Lakers don't shock the world by letting Bryant go, LA is looking at approximately $100 million in salaries for next season.

Not only do the Lakers have to pay those $100 million in salaries, but they are taxed for every dollar over the projected cap they go, and would have to dish out an additional $80 million in luxury tax expenses.

With the careers of both Bryant and Nash winding down, and the colossal disappointment of last season, this upcoming year could be the last shot the Lakers have in quite some time at raising the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

It's going to be hard enough for Bryant to get ready after tearing his left Achilles tendon, but the scenario for head coach Mike D'Antoni's bunch is more pressure-packed than ever.

If such a substantial amount of money is utilized to bring Howard back into the fold, keep Bryant and the rest of the current nucleus intact—including Metta World Peace—and the team falls short or even misses the playoffs again, the Lakers could be looking at years of rebuilding.

Both Bryant and star power forward Pau Gasol are also unrestricted free agents after next season, which indicates that the Lakers' reign as a perennial title contender is coming to an end for the foreseeable future.

Even before the extremely pivotal 2013-14 campaign begins, the Lakers' brass have some seriously difficult decisions to make.

However, the pressure is on either way. If all the stars stay put, nothing less than a championship will do. Should Howard go to another team, LA will still likely be over the cap and the expectation to still make a playoff push in what could be Bryant's final season.

Mark Appel: 2013 Draft's No. 1 Overall Pick Agrees to Houston Astros Contract

Joe Giglio — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:58:57 -0400

The future has officially arrived, Houston Astros fans.

According to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, the No. 1 overall pick in this year's MLB draft, Mark Appel, has reached a contract agreement with the Houston Astros.

A press conference is scheduled for 3 p.m. in Houston to announce the Appel agreement.

Since the Astros were armed with the biggest pool of draft money available to pay their picks, there was little doubt that Appel would eventually don a Houston uniform, but the quick nature of the agreement is a win-win for both the player and team.

As the rules within the framework of contracts and negotiations with draft selections have changed over the years, so has the leverage of certain picks.

At first glance, Appel, a Stanford senior without any college eligibility remaining, seemed to have far less leverage than he did a year ago when selected in the top 10 of the draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. After failing to reach an agreement on a contract, Appel spurned Pittsburgh to remain at Standford.

As Dave Cameron of Fangraphs pointed out in the aftermath of the Appel selection, the right-handed pitcher did come into this round of negotiations, specifically with a very, very far off deadline to which a contract had to be agreed upon. While Appel couldn't dangle the specter of going back to Stanford on the Astros' ownership and upper management group, he could have basically held the rest of their draft class hostage by delaying a contract agreement.

For both parties, player and team, it's a boon for the short- and long-term future of the organization.

In Appel, Houston secures the services and development of a pitcher that could one day anchor its staff. By removing his allotment of the pick pool they have been given this year, the franchise can focus on signing as many of its other draft picks as possible before the new, quicker deadline this summer.

The business judgment, or, in other words, gamble placed upon himself worked out in a big way for Appel. By producing startling numbers in his senior year at Stanford (106.1 IP, 2.12 ERA, 130 K, 23 BB), he vaulted himself from a promising, eighth overall selection last summer to the top pick in the world this time around.

For a rebuilding team like the Astros, his availability and arrival give instant credence to the plan being put into place.

Despite Appel's large workload at Stanford, the Astros will likely be cautious with him this summer, resisting the urge to rush him to the majors on a 100-plus loss club, but his presence could be felt as soon as 2014.

According to Bleacher Report's Mike Rosenbaum, placing Appel on a list of candidates for the 2014 Rookie of the Year award isn't far-fetched. In fact, it's likely he'll compete for a spot in the rotation as early as next spring training.

If current staff ace Bud Norris is traded this summer, it would open up another spot without an entrenched veteran in the rotation for Appel to beat out.

Comment below, follow me on Twitter or "like" my Facebook page to talk all things baseball.

Does SEC Hold Edge in 4-Star Trent Harris' Newly Released Top 6 Schools?

Andrew Kulha — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:58:18 -0400

There's simply no way around the fact that the SEC is the best conference in college football right now, but that does not mean that the SEC has an advantage in every recruiting race.

In the case of 4-star weak-side defensive end Trent Harris, the SEC is prominent on his newly minted top-six list, but don't just assume that the SEC has the edge.

Derek Tyson of ESPN.com (subscription required) reports on Harris' top six:

The 6-foot-2, 227-pound athlete said Florida, Georgia, Ohio State, Alabama, Florida State and Vanderbilt are his final six schools.

Harris said he chose those six schools because they all have what he is looking for in academics and athletics.

"Those schools are standing out because from the ones I have been to they have great football environments," he said, "and they are all like families and care about the players and have good coaches and produce players to the league."

Harris also explains what he's looking for in a school, per Tyson:

"I'm looking for a school that is going to push me and get me where I need to be," Harris said. "A school where I feel most comfortable and get a good education.

While the SEC will get you where you want to be as a football player, so will Florida State and especially Ohio State.

Urban Meyer has the Buckeyes poised to make a national championship run, and he has the track record that proves he can win the big game. Harris is from Winter Park, Fla. and Meyer is still one of the bigger names associated with football in that state.

Last cycle, Ohio State signed 4-star strong-side defensive end Joey Bosa and 4-star receiver James Clark, both from Florida, so it's not as if the state is out of Meyer's range as a recruiter.

Finally, check out this bit of information from Tyson's report:

Harris was set to announce his decision in the spring, but an Ohio State offer forced him to rethink his decision date. Instead, Harris now says he will make his final decision in early July.

Ohio State's offer drastically changed Harris' recruitment, and there's no reason to believe OSU won't be a major player as his decision date draws near.

The SEC may be king, but if there's a program that can dethrone the mighty recruiting power—at least in this instance—it would be Ohio State.

Florida State has also been a recruiting power as of late, especially now that Jeremy Pruitt is recruiting for the 'Noles. FSU has landed some marquee recruits because of him, so don't count the Seminoles out either.

It's hard to deny the power and draw the SEC logo has with elite recruits, but at this point, saying the SEC has an edge in this race would be wrong.

Le Mans 24 2013: Route, Start Time, TV Schedule and More

Richard Langford — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:57:27 -0400

Audi is back and looking strong to add another title in the LMP1 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Whether the mighty Audi team dominates the premier class once again or not, the endurance race features a lot for racing fans to sink their teeth into.

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the grand race. The occasion is being extravagantly marked by a Louis Vitton-crafted trophy case, and not quite as extravagantly marked by a small eight-car field in the LMP1, according to SPEED's John Dagys.

Take a look at the coverage details and some of the vitals for this event, and below I'll offer up three racing teams worth keeping an eye on.

Start Time: Saturday, June 22, at 9 a.m. ET

TV Coverage: SPEED will bring coverage of this event, which begins on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET and 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 a.m. ET.

Live Stream: SPEED.com on Saturday 2-4 p.m. ET and 7-7:30 p.m. ET

Entry List: View the entire entry list on the event's official website.

Route

Schedule of Events

*All times ET; schedule via SPEED.com.

Sunday, June 16

8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.—Administrative Checks and Scrutineering (Place de la Republique)

Monday, June 17

4 to 11: 30 a.m.—Administrative Checks and Scrutineering (Place de la Republique)

Tuesday, June 18

11 a.m.—Drivers' Autograph Session (Pit Lane)

Wednesday, June 19

On-Track Activity: Practice: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Qualifying 7:10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Thursday, June 20

ACO Press Conference at 5 a.m.

On-Track Activity: Qualifying 2: 1-3 p.m., Qualifying 3: 4-8 p.m.

Friday, June 21

2 a.m. to 12 p.m.—Fan Pit Walk (Pit Lane)
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.—Drivers' Parade (City Center)

Saturday, June 22

On-Track Activity: Warmup: 3-3:45 a.m., Race: 9 a.m.

Sunday, June 23

On-Track Activity: Race Finish: 9 a.m.

Teams to Watch

Audi Sport Team Joest

Audi has won at Le Mans 11 of the last 13 years, and it will likely add to that impressive total this year. Featuring three identical diesel-powered R18 e-tron quattro hybrids.

As SPEED's John Dagys notes, Audi posted the three fastest times during testing with the fastest coming from a driving group headed by eight-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen.

While that group posted the fastest time and Kristensen is the all-time leader in Le Mans victories, it is the group of Andre Lotterer, Benoit Treluyer and Marcel Fassler that is widely considered the favorites.

The defending WEC champions will try to grab their third consecutive win at Le Mans.

Toyota Racing

If Audi is upset, it will almost certainly come as a result of this team stepping up. Toyota has been rapidly closing the gap on Audi, and Toyota ended the WEC last year as the dominant team.

This team will be running the Toyota TS030 Hybrid, which was debuted at this race last year, but as Dagys noted, the gas-powered hybrids added three liters of fuel capacity.

Could this be enough to push Toyota past Audi? It certainly is not out of the question—even though Audi has been faster in testing.

The driver lineup is also the same as last year. This racing team features two groups. The first features Nicolas Lapierre, Alex Wurz and Kaz Nakajima and the other boasts of Anthony Davidson, Stephane Sarrazin and Sebastien Buemi.

Dempsey/Del Piero Racing

Grey's Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey is back for his second run at Le Mans.

In 2009, as noted by the LA Times' Jim Peltz, he drove an AF Corse Ferrari to a ninth-place finish in the GT2 class.

This year he'll be behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR in the GTE Am division. Joining him behind the wheel are co-drivers Joe Foster and Patrick Long.

Long brings some needed experience to this all American group. He is a two-time Le Mans class winner and is the only American Porsche factory driver.

Make no mistakes about it: This group isn't out just for the experience; it aims to win.

MMA's Great Debate Radio: King Mo Lawal, Greg Jackson and Joe Warren

Damon Martin — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:57:03 -0400

MMA's Great Debate Radio is back with all new guests and debate topics, including interviews with "King" Mo Lawal and Bellator Fight Master coaches Greg Jackson and Joe Warren, plus debate about the fallout from UFC 161.

Lawal joins the show today to preview his fight on Wednesday night against Seth Petruzelli, while also discussing the recent addition of Quinton "Rampage" Jackson to the Bellator roster and his recent loss to Emanuel Newton.

Bellator's Fight Master reality show also kicks off on Wednesday, and today we welcome two of the coaches from the show.

Joe Warren talks about being the youngest coach on the show and sharing space with three legendary names in the industry, while Greg Jackson explains why Fight Master is a much different experience than anything fans have seen on The Ultimate Fighter.

Finally, today's debate topics heat up with discussion about UFC 161, Roy Nelson's future and much more.

Today's debate topics include:

—How would you rate UFC 161 as a whole on a scale of 1-10?

—Do you believe Roy Nelson will return to the UFC following his loss last Saturday night?

—Can Bellator find the same kind of success through Fight Master that the UFC did through The Ultimate Fighter?

This is MMA's Great Debate Radio for Wednesday, June 19, 2013

(If the embeddable player does not work please click HERE to listen. Don't forget to subscribe to the show via iTunes and listen via Stitcher Radio)

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Bale, Thiago & Mata Headline Wednesday's Transfer Gossip

Jerrad Peters — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:56:15 -0400

Most European clubs won’t break camp for another three weeks, but managers and coaches will be back in their offices by the beginning of next month, if they’re not so already.

Of course, when it comes to the transfer window, the agents and directors of football who are the point-men during silly season have already been busy for some time, playing one rumour off another so as to drum up as much interest in their clients as possible.

Much of today’s gossip centres on Tottenham Hotspur attacker Gareth Bale, although Chelsea’s Juan Mata and Barcelona’s Thiago Alcantara are generating headlines as well.

So are a handful of other players, and over the next few slides we’ll take a look at many of the big names dominating the front and back pages throughout Europe.

Begin Slideshow

Stock Up Stock Down for Cardinals' Top 10 Prospects for Week of June 10

Tyler Poslosky — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:48:12 -0400

The St. Louis Cardinals are not only dominating at the major league level, but down on the farm as well. As an organization, the Cardinals continue to develop top-notch talent through their rugged minor league feeders.

Here’s a look at how the Cardinals Top 10 prospects fared for the week of June 10.

Begin Slideshow

Manu Ginobili's No-Call, as Called by Don Draper

Tristan Thornburgh — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:43:28 -0400

Manu Ginobili was pretty upset that he didn't get a call on what he thought was a foul, and he showed it by complaining to the ref.

Well Mad Men's Don Draper wasn't having it.

Vine created by edsbs.

Sarah Attewell represents a bright future for Halifax Xplosion

Mark Staffieri — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:32:14 -0400

As the Halifax Xplosion of the Maritime Women’s Football League work tirelessly toward building a championship—caliber team, Sarah Attewell is emerging as an invaluable component. Part of the hopeful championship blueprint, Attewell is a multiple MWFL All—Star whose leadership and experience make her a leader for the improving franchise.

Like many of her peers in the MWFL, Attewell’s first exposure to the sport came through rugby. In participating at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport level with the St. Thomas Tommies varsity rugby squad, Attewell quickly learned the values of leadership and teamwork. Those values have served her well with Halifax as she is part of a team culture that fosters friendship and belonging.

“When I was young I had an interest in a lot of sports but it was not until I started playing rugby in high school that I really fell in love with a sport. I continued to play rugby when I went to St. Thomas University.

Playing university rugby fostered a real appreciation for team sport and an understanding of what it takes to work as a team. When I moved to Halifax, I wanted to meet new people and be part of a team. I saw a poster about the Xplosion and I got really excited to learn a new sport. I knew nothing about football before I started playing with the Xplosion. The team was so welcoming and I instantly felt like I belonged with them.”

While Attewell is working tirelessly to provide the franchise with a championship, her career has been showered with numerous accolades and honors. Being named to the MWFL All—Star team is a great point of pride in her budding career,

“It is an honor to be selected a MWFL All—Star. I do not play football for awards, I play for the feeling I get when I am on the field and after a game. If my whole body hurts I know I had a great game and that is my motivation.”

Having joined the Xplosion in 2011, her career continues to evolve and grow in one where she employs a stronger leadership role. As the MWFL is a player—run league, many players have to wear the hats of both player and manager. Attewell understands the demands and is displaying true commitment as a team player by also trying to contribute off the field.

“This is my third season playing for the Xplosion and I am finding myself in more of a leadership position on and off the field. There is a lot of work behind the scenes with a football team and I like to help our team out the best I can.

On the field I try to keep a positive attitude and encourage other players. I have had the opportunity to learn different positions and I try to help newer players gain confidence in their spot on the field. I am always ready to go on the field wherever and whenever the coaches need me.”

Still in the prime of her career, Attewell is able to reflect on the frustrations of losing with strong dignity. Not afraid of the responsibilities required to help her team elevate to the next level, Attewell understands that the first necessary change is confidence. In discussing what it will take for the Xplosion to win a championship, Attewell discussed,

“For the Xplosion to win the championship, we need to believe that we can win. I think we are so used to being the underdog, that we do not know how to approach the game as winners. This season has been monumental for our team.

I know we have not put a win on the board yet but I know it will be happening soon. Anyone who watched our games in the past, and then watched our last three games (in 2013) knows we are working for a win. Once we have that first win I think we will be unstoppable. Our coaches have set us up to win. We just have to finish it on the field.”

Despite the lean years of losing, it has not quelled her desire to compete and excel. The motivation to succeed only runs stronger and it has helped to further the appreciation that she has toward other teammates that have helped to put the franchise on stronger footing.

“We have been so blessed to have leaders on our team like Tasha McMaster and Heather Archibald that give of their time and do not give up on us. I am also very thankful for all the time and effort our coaches put into the sport. We could not do any of this without them.

We are lucky to have a great group of women playing on our team that are giving it their all. It is easy to be part of a team when they are winning but being part of a team that is struggling for a win takes real heart. When we have our first win it is going to be the best feeling! I will cry like a baby and I cannot wait.”

With the 2013 campaign signifying the MWFL’s landmark tenth anniversary season, the growing league is currently the only women’s sporting league in Canada to have reached the ten year mark. The opportunity to be part of the historic year is one that provides Attewell with great happiness.

“I LOVE that I am playing in the MWFL's tenth anniversary season. I am thankful for every game that I can lace my cleats up and play this sport. I just love to play. I hate when the game is over and hate even more when the season is over.”

Like many of her peers in the MWFL, Attewell is an articulate and educated individual. Her spirit for the game represents the culture that makes the MWFL an exciting and dynamic league.

As the sport of women’s football continues to grow throughout the world, the MWFL helped to lead the charge in Canada by empowering ambitious and remarkable women. Attewell is part of the next generation of amazing women who are getting the well—deserved chance to experience athletic glory.

“I am very excited for the growth of women's football and women's sports in general. I want every young girl to have a chance to play a sport like football so they can feel empowered by what they are capable of. I would not be half the person I am now if I did not play sports. The great part about our league is that you do not have to be 'young' to play. Anyone who wants the chance to experience football can with us.”

“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”

Serena Williams Apologizes for Reported Comments on Steubenville Rape Case

Timothy Rapp — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:31:33 -0400

After making some controversial comments regarding the Steubenville rape case in a Rolling Stone article by Stephen Rodrick, women's tennis star Serena Williams has publicly apologized.

From her website:

What happened in Steubenville was a real shock for me. I was deeply saddened. For someone to be raped, and at only sixteen, is such a horrible tragedy! For both families involved—that of the rape victim and of the accused. I am currently reaching out to the girl’s family to let her know that I am deeply sorry for what was written in the Rolling Stone article. What was written—what I supposedly said—is insensitive and hurtful, and I by no means would say or insinuate that she was at all to blame.

I have fought all of my career for women’s equality, women’s equal rights, respect in their fields—anything I could do to support women I have done. My prayers and support always goes out to the rape victim. In this case, most especially, to an innocent sixteen year old child.

The comments in question came toward the end of the June 18 article:

We watch the news for a while, and the infamous Steubenville rape case flashes on the TV—two high school football players raped a drunk 16-year-old, while other students watched and texted details of the crime. Serena just shakes her head.

"Do you think it was fair, what they got? They did something stupid, but I don't know. I'm not blaming the girl, but if you're a 16-year-old and you're drunk like that, your parents should teach you: Don't take drinks from other people. She's 16, why was she that drunk where she doesn't remember? It could have been much worse. She's lucky. Obviously, I don't know, maybe she wasn't a virgin, but she shouldn't have put herself in that position, unless they slipped her something, then that's different."

Williams caused an immediate stir because of what she was quoted as saying, and she is clearly trying to rectify the situation.

Serena likely had to know that anything she said was fair game to be printed unless specified otherwise. Nevertheless, she wanted to clarify her intentions, and it's evident from her apology that she did not mean for her initial comments to come off as they did.

It sounds as though Williams will later insist that her remarks were misprinted or changed—she doesn't seem convinced the words printed were hers, based on the "what I supposedly said" statement—but for the time being she at least wanted to offer an apology for her words as printed in the article.

This incident is a bad moment for Serena in a year where so much has gone right for her. She's 43-2 on the season and has won six tournaments total, including the French Open, and hasn't lost a match since the final of the Qatar Total Open back in February.

Her win at the French Open was her 16th Grand Slam title and her third in four slam appearances. She also won two gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics (singles and doubles) and has reasserted herself as the most dominant player in women's tennis.

With Wimbledon scheduled to start on Monday, the red-hot Williams will look to put this behind her and build on her recent string of victories.

Mexico vs. Brazil: El Tri's Confederations Cup Bid Will Be Dealt Fatal Blow

Richard Langford — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:26:46 -0400

After falling to Italy 2-1 in its Confederations Cup opener, Mexico is in a desperate situation as it takes the pitch on Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET in Castelao Stadium.

Another loss will put an end to their hopes of advancing, and they are facing Brazil. The hosts look ready to roll through Group A.

Brazil waltzed to a 3-0 win over Japan in the opener. However, it has always been Italy and Mexico who promised to give them a more severe test. After all, it was Mexico that has had the upper hand when these two have met recently.

Check out the Group A standings as these teams prepare to play their second round of games.

Group A

Team	Pts	GD
Brazil	3	3
Italy	3	1
Mexico	0	-1
Japan	0	-3

El Tri defeated Brazil in the gold medal match in the London Games, and they also won the last encounter between the first squads in a friendly last year.

However, times have been changing for both.

Mexico has suddenly encountered a dearth of scoring. In their last four matches (which includes three World Cup hexagonal contests) Mexico has notched a total of just two goals. They have also drawn eight of their last 10 matches.

Considering El Tri's attack features Javier Hernandez and his 33 international goals in 51 games, this lack of production is stunning.

Alas, Chicharito needs some help. When he notched this goal against Italy, he ran his international goal total in his last 11 games to eight:

The Brazil squad that Mexico will face will be vastly different than the last time these two faced off. Not so much for the players on the pitch but the man on the sideline. Gone is Mano Menezes, as he has been replaced by the more aggressive Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Scolari has infused life into the Brazilian attack, and Brazil has won their last two matches by a combined score of 6-0 with a win over Italy to go with the victory over Japan.

While this has led to some brilliant attacking, it has also led to some sloppy defending, however. That offers a glimpse of hope that Mexico can end its offensive struggles.

However, with Mexico's preferred lone-striker attack in a 4-2-3-1, El Tri will not be able to hang with Brazil's firepower.

With players like Neymar, Oscar, Marcelo, Thiago Silva and Hulk all looking to gain revenge on the Olympic defeat, and with Mexico distracted by their struggling attempt to qualify for the 2014 World Cup, this match will be all Brazil.

Brazil will win, 3-1.

Do San Antonio Spurs Have 48 More Minutes of Championship Basketball in Them?

Dan Favale — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:25:46 -0400

Never, ever count out the San Antonio Spurs.

It's a lesson I learned a long time ago and one I continue to brush up on today. It's one you've probably come to grips with as well. At one point or another, we all have.

Doubters have emerged every year since Tim Duncan took his well-rounded game to the NBA. Detractors flocked San Antonio's way in bunches after 2007, the last time the Spurs won a title.

Since then, the Spurs weren't considered capable of contending the way they did previously. They were too old, Duncan couldn't keep playing as well as he had, they were too old, Gregg Popovich's piercing voice would soon go hoarse, Tony Parker would have to win on his own and he wasn't enough...Oh, and they were considered too old. Did I get everything?

The last six years were spent proving the vast majority of the population wrong. Save for a pair of first-round exits, the Spurs have embodied consistency, keeping their streak of consecutive 50-win regular seasons alive that dates back to 1999-00.

Still, the world is always one loss away from falling into what has become an all-too-common trap.

Being the idiot that I am sometimes, I picked against the Spurs in two of their three playoff series.

I had them beating the Los Angeles Lakers (who didn't?), falling to the Golden State Warriors (to be fair, they were my sleeper team) and then mistakenly picked the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference Finals (crap).

Because I'm a glutton for potential punishment, I went with the Miami Heat in the Finals. Once again, they have the opportunity to prove me and a lot of other people wrong.

Never again, though, will I underestimate the Spurs. Never.

In making my Finals pick, I had a firm grasp on the risk involved, as did many others. Picking the Heat wasn't a sure bet; it wasn't the safe bet. Going against the Spurs (again) could be another mistake.

That's how good these Spurs are, how disciplined they play. They're always in it, never out of it, even approaching a Game 7 on the road after choking away what would have been a title-clinching Game 6.

Perfectly imperfect—that's the Spurs. They struggle like any other team (see the end of Game 6), but unlike most, there isn't an off button.

San Antonio didn't play its best basketball through the final 17 minutes of Game 6. What we saw wasn't even close to the Spurs' best. And they almost won.

It took a transcendent fourth quarter from LeBron James, a few botched free throws by San Antonio, a pair of unlikely three-pointers and some improbable miscues on the part of Popovich to sink these Spurs.

Some would posit that the Heat didn't beat the Spurs, that instead the Spurs beat themselves, and they would have a strong case.

Game 5 didn't bring with it the best version of San Antonio, either. Manu Ginobili went off for 24 points and 10 assists, Parker persevered through hamstring issues to drop 26 and five and the ever-ageless Tim Duncan was as consistent as anything, notching yet another double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Danny Green (24 points) and Boris Diaw (sensational defense on LeBron) joined the party as well.

That still wasn't the Spurs at their finest. They had 18 turnovers and played suspect perimeter defense for a large portion of the game. Had LeBron and Dwyane Wade not combined to go 9-of-25 around the basket—many of which were easy looks—we'd also be talking about the Spurs' need to improve their interior defense.

But the Spurs won by 10 in a game where the Heat never really threatened until the final four minutes of the fourth quarter. Counting them out now shouldn't even be debated.

Game 6 was an agonizing one to lose. Minutes away from the fourth championship of the Big Three era, the Spurs, well, they choked. Never did they stop swinging, though. Not all their punches landed, but they stayed in the fight. Parker hit big shots down the stretch, and in an overtime period where they scored a mere five points, they were never out of reach, holding the Heat to eight.

Those are the Spurs we've seen all series. Playing resilient basketball is all they know. When they're at their worst or at the lowest of points—like now—they're not done.

San Antonio won't submerge in a pool of self-pity or languish in Game 6 failures come Game 7. The Spurs will come to play.

Parker won't be any healthier, Duncan or Ginobili any younger, Coach Pop any less bitter or gray, but they'll be ready.

No matter what type of game needs to be played or which personality of the alarmingly schizophrenic Heat the Spurs face, they'll be ready.

This shouldn't even be a question. But it is, because we have to ask it. We have to respond to it, too. And if it was the only one we had to answer, the Spurs would be crowned champion now. There would be no need to play Game 7.

Other factors are at play, though. There's another team on the floor who is packed with enough firepower to beat the Spurs even when they're at their best.

The Spurs can win Game 7. They may even win Game 7, at which point inquiries such as ours become irrelevant. Just know that if they lose, it won't be because they don't have enough championship basketball in them. They've already proved otherwise.

Instead, if they lose, it will be because the Heat were better. Not that they wanted it more or deserved it more, but were just better. Refuge from any loss can be found there, in understanding that the Spurs weren't incompetent. Rather, they fell to a (potentially) superior opponent.

Follow @danfavale