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Breaking Down How Ben McLemore Would Fit in with Cleveland Cavaliers

Patrick Clarke — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:17:43 -0400

Most NBA draft experts consider Ben McLemore to be the top shooting guard entering the league with the Class of 2013.

Will the Cleveland Cavaliers use the No. 1 pick in the 2013 NBA draft on him?

The former Kansas Jayhawk was highly touted coming out of high school (Christian Life Centre Academy in Houston), and certainly lived up to the hype last season as a freshman in Lawrence, leading Bill Self's Jayhawks with 15.9 points per game on 49.5 percent shooting from the field and 42 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

In addition to shooting 87 percent from the foul line, McLemore averaged 5.2 rebounds and two assists per game.

Only 20 years old, the St. Louis native has a bright future ahead of him.

McLemore's brilliant shooting and explosiveness on the offensive end has even drawn comparisons to NBA great Ray Allen. Both players have an extremely quick release on their jump shot, and like Allen, the game comes easy to McLemore, who rarely looks like he's forcing the issue out on the court.

More recently, McLemore has been compared to NBA rookie Bradley Beal (via NBA.com's Adam Zagoria), who averaged 13.9 points per game for the Washington Wizards last season after being drafted No. 3 overall in the 2012 NBA draft:

Like Beal, McLemore is a tremendously athletic wing player with elite shooting touch and seemingly endless range.

But unlike McLemore, Beal struggled to find the mark at times in college. He shot just 44.5 percent from the field and 34 percent from beyond the three-point arch during his one season at Florida.

The big question with McLemore potentially heading to Cleveland is this: Do the Cavs want to commit themselves to small ball?

They already have an All-Star point guard in Kyrie Irving that has become the face of the franchise. Last year, they selected the 6’4’’ combo guard Dion Waiters with the fourth overall pick. Does Cleveland roll the dice with McLemore, arguably the player with the highest ceiling in the draft? They would be lethal in the open court and could provide plenty of mismatches.

The problem with Cleveland is that almost all of its core players are still unproven aside from veteran Anderson Varejao in the frontcourt. Is Tristan Thompson capable of being a star? What is Tyler Zeller’s ceiling? How about Marreese Speights?

Odds are the Cavs will be looking toward drafting a big man like Nerlens Noel, who can defend the rim and bolster the numbers for a team that ranked 22nd in the league in rebounding a season ago.

But you can't deny the appeal of landing the best pure scorer in the draft.

While McLemore has struggled with consistency himself from time to time, there were only six games last season (out of 37 total) in which he failed to score in double figures. Still, some will blame those type of efforts on a lacking motor, something that several NBA scouts and general managers feel is potentially holding him back.

Here's one NBA scout's take on McLemore's drive (via ESPN Insider):

You want a player who's going to be great with teammates off-the-court and a role model in the community. But on the court, I want an [expletive]. Ben has zero [expletive] in him. I'm not sure how he'll fare as a rookie if he isn't going to demand the ball and try to prove to his peers he can play with them. But the upside is really there if he gets that he's an elite player.

It's definitely fair to say that the only question mark regarding McLemore is his motor at this point.

He boasts all the physical traits required of a lethal NBA shooting guard and we know he's capable of dominating on both ends of the floor.

The only question now is, will his drive match up to his talent?

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.

Breaking Down How Nerlens Noel Would Fit in with Cleveland Cavaliers

Alex Kay — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:12:25 -0400

The Cleveland Cavaliers have won the 2013 NBA lottery, giving them the rights to the No. 1 pick in June’s draft. That selection very well may become Nerlens Noel out of the University of Kentucky, as the big man fits in perfectly with what this young and upcoming franchise is trying to do.

At 6’10” with nearly a 7’4” wingspan, Noel possesses adequate height and plenty of reach. When healthy, he’s a tremendous shot-blocker that uses his athleticism and long arms to send back anything that goes up in his vicinity.

Approximately two weeks prior to tearing his ACL in mid-February, the freshman set a UK record with 12 blocks in a game. His ability to consistently alter and swat away shot attempts is easily his best asset.

However, Noel isn’t a slouch in other areas, as he has big, quick hands that allow him to swipe steals easily. He’s also a great rebounder who can bounce up and clean the glass with ease.

Those are all areas in which Cleveland needs to improve. As a team, the Cavs were +0.28 in steals per game last year. That was only good enough for 20th in the NBA, according to NBA.com.

Rebounding wise, Thompson and Anderson Varejao can each hold their own on the glass, but Noel's lanky, athletic presence will give teams another factor to worry about on both ends of the floor.

While he may be able to soak minutes right away as a defensive specialist, the flat-topped star will require a good bit of polish on his offensive game.

The raw talents are certainly there, but Noel has to put the time in before they show. He already can throw down oops without effort and catch lob passes in the paint for easy finishes, but he has to work on contributing to a set offense and honing a back-to-the-basket game.

Due to his non-stop motor and high ceiling, it’s hard to see him failing to develop into some semblance of an offensive force for the Cavaliers. With Tristan Thompson's budding game drawing attention in the post, it shouldn’t be long before Noel is piling in buckets on a regular basis.

The other main concern that Cleveland must address is Noel’s weight.

This prospect’s stock took a blow (membership required) at the scouting combine last week, when it was revealed that he tipped the scales at a mere 206 pounds—the lightest player listed at center in the past decade.

Some of that skinniness can be attributed to his injury and inability to work out regularly, but he’s going to need to add some serious bulk between now and his Christmas time target for a return.

Regardless, Noel is the closest thing to a consensus top pick this class has to offer. Although he isn’t laden with superstar potential and may not be the piece Cleveland needs to push to the next level, he could be a starting-caliber big man that plays big minutes on a nightly basis for years to come.

He doesn't make the Cavaliers a finished product in the Eastern Conference, but he certainly pushes them further in the right direction. If he can expand on his limited offensive repertoire, he could exceed early expectations and make Cleveland fans very happy in the process.

Spurs vs Grizzlies: Big Baby's Position-by-Position Breakdown

NBA365 Productions — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:02:29 -0400

The San Antonio Spurs easily took Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals away from the Memphis Grizzlies. Yet, even after watching that disaster, one cannot rule Memphis out, especially since they went down in their previous two series and still managed to advance.

There is plenty of talent between the two teams and Glen "Big Baby" Davis joins Bleacher Report to break down the series, position-by-position.

Who has the ultimate advantage between the two teams? Watch now to find out which team "Big Baby" thinks has superior talent.

Think he got it right? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Picking New Nicknames for College Football's 8 Top Stars

Amy Daughters — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:57:08 -0400

One of the great sidebars in sports is nicknames, and when you start talking college football and monikers, something magical is bound to happen.

Yes, while it’s one thing to give tennis players or golfers the perfect nickname, it’s another thing entirely to rename a guy who lines up as a menacing defensive end, elusive receiver or fearless quarterback.

And with inspiration from the college game’s rich history which includes such gems as RGIII, the Tyler Rose, Honey Badger, the Kansas Comet, the Grey Ghost, the Boz, Rocket, the Comet, the Elmira Express, Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside and Prime Time, it’s difficult to not want to give it a whirl.

The following slideshow does just that and assigns new nicknames for eight of college football’s top stars coming into 2013.

Even though these bold attempts to label this season’s stars might seem to fall short on the surface, who knows, maybe fate will intervene and declare that one of these humble tags is the stuff that legends is made of.

And, then again, maybe not so much.

Begin Slideshow

Complete Timeline of the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs So Far

Nicholas Goss — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:44:48 -0400

The 2013 NHL playoffs have provided hockey fans with some truly memorable moments, and we are only halfway through the second round.

As of May 21, 20 games have gone into overtime, and there were an NHL-record 17 games that needed bonus hockey in the first round.

The majority of the series played have been competitive, which is great for everyone. Five of the eight first-round matchups went six or seven games, and five of the eight teams that made the conference semifinals upset a higher-seeded opponent in Round 1.

Let's look at a complete timeline of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs thus far.

April 30: OT Heroics and a Goalie Gaffe Highlight Opening Day of 2013 Playoffs

The Minnesota Wild were forced to make a goaltending switch before Game 1 of their first-round series with the Chicago Blackhawks when Niklas Backstrom picked up an injury in warm-ups. Backup netminder Josh Harding started in net and gave the team one of its best goaltending performances of the season.

Unfortunately for Harding and the Wild, they lost in overtime when Bryan Bickell scored to give Chicago a 1-0 series lead.

Goaltending was also the main story in Game 1 of the Los Angeles Kings and St. Louis Blues' first-round series. After playing magnificently in regulation, Kings netminder Jonathan Quick cost his team the game when he tried to play the puck behind his net in overtime and turned it over to Blues forward Alexander Steen, who scored on an open net. It was a frustrating start to the Kings' Stanley Cup defense.

May 2: Huge Hit Sparks Suspension Debate, Red Wings Almost Blow Huge Lead

The Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens were the last teams to start their first-round series, and it didn't take long for controversy to erupt. In the second period, Senators defenseman Eric Gryba was given a major penalty for interference and an ejection for a scary hit on Canadiens center Lars Eller, who had to be stretchered off the ice and taken to a hospital.

A fierce debate on whether the hit from Gryba was clean dominated NHL discussions after that game, and the league ended up suspending the Ottawa blueliner for two games.

Out West, the Detroit Red Wings appeared to have Game 2 of their series with the Anaheim Ducks wrapped up with a 4-1 lead in the third period. But the Ducks fought back to force overtime, where the Red Wings would earn a much-needed split in Anaheim thanks to the first playoff goal of rookie forward Damien Brunner's career.

May 3: Sidney Crosby Returns to Penguins in Losing Effort

Sidney Crosby's return to the Pittsburgh Penguins lineup after missing 13 games with a broken jaw was a success from an individual standpoint as the world's best player scored two goals in the first period. To protect his jaw from further injury, No. 87 wore a special helmet with a protective shield.

However, it was the New York Islanders who would steal the show with a 4-3 comeback victory to shock Penguins fans at Consol Energy Center and even the series.

May 5: Senators and Canadiens Line Brawl Ends One-Sided Affair

The Montreal Canadiens embarrassed themselves with some of their antics in the third period of Game 3 in Ottawa by firing pucks at opposing players from behind, slashing players for no reason and intentionally elbowing guys in the head.

The result of these classless actions was a full-scale line brawl at the end of the game in which the Senators won each individual fight. To make matters even more comical, Ottawa head coach Paul MacLean called a timeout with 17 seconds left with his team up 6-1, which Montreal bench boss Michel Therrien was not too happy about, via Dave Stubbs of The Montreal Gazette:

May 7: Sharks Complete Sweep of Canucks, Islanders Put Scare into Penguins

The San Jose Sharks became the only team to reach the second round with a sweep when they beat the Vancouver Canucks in overtime of Game 4 at HP Pavilion. The Sharks were led by their top forwards against the Canucks with Logan Couture, Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski combining for 27 points.

The Islanders evened their series versus the Penguins at two games apiece with a 6-4 victory at Nassau Coliseum. Pittsburgh's starting goaltender, Marc-Andre Fleury, let in a few soft goals and sparked a goalie controversy with his third poor performance in four games against New York.

May 8: Overtime Thrillers Provide Hockey Fans with Great Excitement

Three of the four games on the schedule for May 8 went into overtime, including a thriller in Toronto between the Leafs and the Boston Bruins. After falling behind 2-0 in the first period, the Bruins battled back to tie the game. The two teams went to overtime after regulation ended with a 3-3 score, where Boston forward David Krejci completed a hat trick to win the game and give the Bruins a commanding 3-1 series lead.

The Kings took a 3-2 series lead with a goal from defenseman Slava Voynov in overtime to beat the Blues on the road in Game 5, while the Ducks also earned a 3-2 advantage with an overtime victory over the Red Wings thanks to a goal from a Nick Bonino.

May 9: Penguins Bench Star Goalie, Two Teams Clinch Second-Round Berths

Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma was forced to start veteran backup Tomas Vokoun in net for Game 5 of his team's series with the Islanders after Fleury gave up 14 goals in three games after a shutout in Game 1. Vokoun responded with a shutout (the first of his playoff career) to help the Penguins take a 3-2 series lead.

The Senators and Blackhawks also secured a berth into the second round with victories in their Game 5s. Ottawa's series win was the team's first since it reached the 2007 Stanley Cup Final, and Chicago's victory ended its streak of two consecutive first-round exits.

May 10: Kings' Stanley Cup Defense Continues, Red Wings Force a Game 7 in OT

The Kings eliminated the Blues from the playoffs with their fourth straight win of the series to become the first defending Stanley Cup champion to reach the second round since the 2009 Detroit Red Wings. Speaking of the Red Wings, they forced a Game 7 in their series against the Ducks when captain Henrik Zetterberg sent Joe Louis Arena into a frenzy with an overtime-winning goal.

May 12: Two Teams Force Game 7, Red Wings Complete Upset

The Leafs and Rangers forced Game 7s with brilliant performances from their goaltenders. Toronto's James Reimer allowed just one goal with 29 saves to beat the Bruins in Game 6, while Henrik Lundqvist carried New York to a 1-0 victory at Madison Square Garden.

The Red Wings became the second team seeded seventh or lower to reach the second round when they defeated the Ducks 3-2 in Game 7 on the road.

May 13: A Comeback for the Ages Highlights Great Night of Game 7s

The Bruins made history in their Game 7 against the Leafs by overcoming a 4-1 third-period deficit, including two goals in the final two minutes.

In overtime, Boston forward Patrice Bergeron, who also scored the tying goal in regulation, scored on a rebound to send the Bruins to the second round for the fourth time in the last five years. ESPN Stats & Info provided some great stats on Boston's legendary comeback:

The other game on the night was a Game 7 between the Rangers and Capitals, which New York won 5-0 with a dominating performance. Lundqvist became the first goaltender in over a decade to pitch back-to-back shutouts in a Game 6 and Game 7, via ESPN Stats & Info:

Here is a great graphic of some notable first-round stats, via TSN:

May 16: More OT Magic in Boston, Kings Complete Remarkable Comeback

The Bruins improved their overtime record in this year's playoffs to 3-0 with a 3-2 victory over the Rangers to take the series opener. Brad Marchand scored the game-winner for Boston in the extra frame, which was his first goal of the postseason and just his second in the last 15 playoff games.

The story of the game was the impressive performances of the Bruins' three rookie defensemen (Torey Krug, Dougie Hamilton and Matt Bartkowski). Krug's first career NHL goal tied the game at 2-2 in the third period.

The other game on the schedule featured the Kings and Sharks in Game 2 of their second-round series. Facing a 3-2 deficit with less than three minutes left in the third period, Los Angeles scored two goals (one from Dustin Brown and Trevor Lewis) to shock San Jose and take a 2-0 series lead.

May 18: Red Wings Even Series With Blackhawks, Sharks Avoid 0-3 Deficit

The Red Wings dominated the Blackhawks in Game 2 with a 4-1 win to become the first team to beat Chicago at the United Center in this year's playoffs.

In the late game, the Sharks defeated the Kings in overtime with a goal from superstar center Logan Couture. San Jose improved to 20-2-5 at home this year (including the postseason) with a Game 3 victory.

May 19: Bruins Dominate Rangers, Ottawa and Pittsburgh Play First 2OT Game

A third-period surge from the Bruins resulted in a 5-2 win over the Rangers in Sunday's Game 2 at TD Garden. It was one of the worst playoff performances of Lundqvist's career. Stats via Arthur Staple of Newsday and Dan Rosen of NHL.com:

The second matchup of the day was Game 3 of the Penguins and Senators' second-round series. This was the first game of the 2013 playoffs to reach double overtime, where Colin Greening scored for Ottawa. Stat via Ian Mendes of Sportsnet:

May 20: Detroit Rattles Chicago with Impressive Victory

The only game on Monday's schedule was Game 3 of the Red Wings and Blackhawks' second-round series. Detroit earned an impressive 3-1 victory over Chicago, which is now trailing in a series for the first time in this year's playoffs.

After Blackhawks star winger Patrick Kane scored on a breakaway in the third period to make the score 2-1 Detroit, the Red Wings extended their lead shortly after with a beautiful shot from Pavel Datsyuk. Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard stopped a late third-period surge from Chicago to pick up his sixth win of the playoffs with a 39-save performance.

The Blackhawks have now lost six of their last seven playoff games to the Red Wings.

Nicholas Goss is an NHL Lead Writer at Bleacher Report. Nick was a credentialed reporter at the 2011 Stanley Cup Final and 2012 NHL playoffs, and he is also a credentialed writer at the 2013 NHL playoffs in Boston.

Mock Help Wanted for Atlanta Hawks Head Coaching Position

Joe Wirth — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:43:23 -0400

Although Larry Drew has made the playoffs in each of his three years as coach of the Atlanta Hawks, there are rumors (via Sports Illustrated) that Atlanta management may be pursuing candidates to replace Drew in an effort to vault the team into the elite of the NBA.

Seeing the writing on the wall, Drew and his coaching staff have been interviewing for other positions in the NBA because most feel there is a slim chance of them returning to the Hawks bench next year.

The Hawks franchise has a great history of hiring elite coaches. Lenny Wilkens, Hubie Brown and Red Auerbach are just some of the names that have been at the helm of this franchise.

Although Atlanta is a franchise with tradition and one that has experienced regular season success over the past few years, it is not an easy place to win and this offseason will be crucial in determining the direction of the franchise.

With his probable dismissal of Drew, general manager Danny Ferry is making a statement that regular season success is not good enough. Ferry wants playoff success, and he does not think Drew is capable of bringing that to Atlanta.

Positives of the Job

The Hawks cap situation is attractive to any prospective coaching candidate. With the expiration of many high-paying contracts, the Atlanta Hawks will have plenty of cap space to pursue a solid free-agent market in the 2013 offseason.

The most notable contract that is set to expire is that of Josh Smith. Smith is currently making $13.2 million per year and is looking for more in his next contract.

Do not expect the Hawks to re-sign Smith. He has been a good player for the franchise throughout his nine-year career, but he is not worth superstar money.

Other Hawks players whose contracts will be coming off the books include Devin Harris, Zaza Pachulia, Kyle Korver, Johan Petro and Dahntay Jones.

With the expiration of these contracts, Atlanta will be saving $25.5 million. Considering Korver is the only player from that group who averages more than 10 points per game, the franchise will be in a position to get better value for its money.

It is likely that the Hawks will re-sign some of these players, but it also gives them the ability to have more freedom with their money and play a more active role in the 2013 free-agency scene.

This type of salary cap freedom would allow a new coach to put his own stamp on the team and allow him to sign the right players to fit his system.

The Hawks job is also attractive because there is talent. Yes, they will likely lose Josh Smith, but this is a team that has made the playoffs in each of the last six seasons. They have another frontcourt star, Al Horford, who is about to hit his prime.

Over the past two years, Horford has become one of the best big men in the game and with a number of teams transitioning to a more perimeter, outside-shooting approach, a skilled big man is a tremendous asset. Combined with Horford, a skilled backcourt and the potential to add significant talent in the offseason, the Atlanta head coaching position will be a highly sought after one.

There are far worse jobs in the NBA, and if Ferry can find the right man for the job, the Hawks could develop into a serious threat in the Eastern Conference.

Challenges of the Job

The two main challenges for the incoming coach will be winning over the fanbase as well as improving Atlanta’s defense.

Atlanta has always been a fickle sports town. Even during the Braves heyday in the mid-1990s, they suffered from low attendance.

Although things have improved in recent years for the Hawks, a new coach still has to come in a drum up support from the community.

During the 2012-13 season, the Hawks averaged 15,125 people per game which was good for No. 26 in NBA attendance. The Hawks have been a winning franchise for each the last six years, but last season’s attendance numbers finished behind the likes of such floundering franchises as the Bobcats and Wizards.

Winning does not necessarily mean people will come. If a coach is to succeed in Atlanta, he must develop a report with the fanbase.

The biggest challenge the new coach must resolve is fixing the Hawks’ porous defense. The Hawks have offensive firepower, but it became apparent in their defeat to the Indiana Pacers in the first round that they will have a tough time advancing in the playoffs if they do not develop a defensive identity.

In Games 1 and 2, the Pacers shredded Atlanta's defense as the barely competitive Hawks gave up an average of 110 points per game.

After returning home, the Hawks evened the series. But back in Indianapolis for Game 5, Atlanta returned to its porous defensive ways, giving up 106 points and allowing the Pacers to shoot 51 percent from the field.

Although the Hawks defense played well in a sloppy Game 6, it was not enough to stave off elimination.

The breakdown of this series is very simple. When the Hawks were able to play well defensively, they won. But when their defense struggled, they had no chance against Indiana.

Defense wins championships and, as constructed now, the Hawks defense is too suspect for them to go on a deep playoff run.

WWE Main Event Superstars in the Making

Justin LaBar — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:35:32 -0400

WWE has a lot of talented guys on its roster but have few stars.

So many established main event stars have left, retired or moved to a part-time schedule in the past few years. This all happened at the same time WWE really structured their developmental system with NXT.

The result is a lot of young guys whom WWE has to build new guys to be top stars.

In this video, I tell you what key thing I look for in stars who are destined for the main event and who they are.

Follow @JustinLaBar on Twitter

San Francisco Giants: Why It's Too Soon to Panic for the Giants

Kyle Brown — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:33:25 -0400

After the most recent road trip, when the San Francisco Giants went 1-5 against the Toronto Blue Jays and Colorado Rockies, fans are starting to run around like Chicken Little, proclaiming that the sky is falling. And while it was undoubtedly a disastrous week in terms of pitching and defense, there is reason to be optimistic about how the rest of the season will unfold for the Giants.

The first issue with the Giants as of late has been their atrocious defense. During the six-game road trip, the Giants committed 13 errors, some of which came on more-than-routine plays, like Marco Scutaro's drop of an easy pop up that he would've normally caught blindfolded. It was uncharacteristic for the Giants, who are generally a very sound defensive team.

On the season, the Giants have accumulated 35 errors, which is tied for the second most in the majors. That is certainly an alarming amount, but there is no reason to believe this trend will continue with the individual fielders the Giants have on the roster.

Brandon Crawford, Brandon Belt and Buster Posey all have potential to win Gold Glove awards in the future, and Pablo Sandoval, Marco Scutaro and Gregor Blanco are all plus fielders as well. And while Angel Pagan and Hunter Pence aren't going to find themselves making web gems on a regular basis, they are by no means liabilities in the field. A team does not devolve into a bad defensive team overnight.

The starting pitching, however, is a bit more problematic at the moment, and there is some cause for concern. On this road trip alone, the Giants' starting pitching had an ERA of 9.82. As a result, the rotation's ERA on the season is now 4.78, which is eighth highest in the major leagues.

It has been quite some time since the Giants' starting pitching has struggled this much. In fact, you'd have to look all the way back to 1999 to find when the rotation had a higher ERA than it has now, which was 4.96. It's even a tougher pill to swallow now since the Giants have had a top-five rotation in baseball for the past four seasons.

While it's too soon to say that those days are nothing more than a distant memory, the inconsistencies of Tim Lincecum over the past two years and the recent injury to Ryan Vogelsong makes one wonder if it's time to shake up the rotation for the first time since the beginning of 2012.

While it is impossible to predict how the Giants rotation will fare for the rest of the season, the law of averages tends to balance itself out over the course of the season. If you were to tell me that Matt Cain, Lincecum and Vogelsong would finish with ERAs of 5.43, 4.70 and 7.19, respectively, I would probably bet against that.

And even with the struggling pitching staff, the Giants have been evolving as a team over the past year anyways. Believe it or not, the Giants have scored 210 runs this year, which is the third most in the NL. They also have a .274 batting average, which is the highest in the NL.

The Giants are no longer an offensively challenged team like they were in 2010. They can put runs on the board with the best of them and have multiple come-from-behind victories this season.

And when it's all said and done, the Giants are still five games over .500 and only one game behind the first-place Diamondbacks.

The rotation may not regain its dominance, but it's only a matter or time before it gets better. And once that happens, there won't be a scarier team in the NL.

10 NBA Players Who Will Definitely Switch Uniforms This Offseason

Alec Nathan — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:31:49 -0400

This summer, an impressive class of free agents is set to hit the open market.

While the futures of superstars Dwight Howard and Chris Paul remain up in the air, there are several impending free agents who look like locks to switch uniforms this offseason.

Some would argue that the best way to build a contender is to do so through free agency. If that's the opinion your favorite team holds, then you're in luck.

Note: All stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference and all salary figures courtesy of HoopsHype unless noted otherwise.

Begin Slideshow

Indiana Basketball: 5 Burning Questions for Hoosiers' Offseason

Scott Henry — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:29:15 -0400

A team lauded for its transition game in 2012-13 faces a major one heading into the 2013-14 campaign.

Four talented starters departed the Indiana basketball program after its Sweet 16 loss, leaving behind more urgent questions than proven answers.

Tom Crean is now in a position to reload rather than rebuild, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have his work cut out for him. A handful of role players must become leaders and a group of talented newcomers must be integrated quickly.

What follows is a sampling of the issues facing Crean and the Hoosiers during this pivotal offseason.

Begin Slideshow

Duke Basketball: 5 Biggest Reasons Blue Devils Will Be ACC Favorites in 2014

David Aldridge — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:26:30 -0400

The past two seasons of ACC basketball have seen new teams emerge as competitors in the battle for conference supremacy. Duke finished second in the regular-season standings in each of the last two years, and Florida State and Miami have won the past two conference titles.

Considering the importance Mike Krzyzewski places on winning the ACC, he will be hungry to bring a conference title back to Cameron Indoor Stadium in 2014.

In looking at the way Duke's roster has been put together, it's easy to see why the Blue Devils have a good chance at returning to the top of the league.

Let's take a look at the five biggest reasons Duke will be the favorite to win the conference in 2014.

Begin Slideshow

Why Ben Roethlisberger Must Take Ownership of Steelers' Offense

Chris G. — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:25:48 -0400

After one season in Todd Haley’s offense, you can put to rest the talk that Ben Roethlisberger and his offensive coordinator would not get along. But while the two functioned together, there is still room to grow as the Pittsburgh Steelers try to fix their offense.

Gone is Roethlisberger's best receiving option in Mike Wallace. No longer does he have that deep threat to just heave the ball up to.

Without this crutch, Roethlisberger must go “all-in” with Haley’s offense.

Pittsburgh's offense is now littered with small, quick receivers who are going to fit perfectly into the quick rhythm passing attack that was implemented last season.

But not all was well with this type of play.

Roethlisberger caused a bit of a stir when he spoke out about the offensive scheme in the middle of the 2012 season (via Joe Starkey of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review).

“Haley’s offense is not a big-play offense,” Roethlisberger said. “It’s kind of a dink-and-dunk offense.”

Not exactly the big blowout that some were expecting between Roethlisberger and Haley, but enough to get you thinking, is Haley taking Roethlisberger out of his comfort zone?

It was a valid question.

Roethlisberger was never a rhythm passer. He doesn’t like to take a three-step drop and get rid of the ball. That was not the style of play that made him one of the great quarterbacks in the game.

Instead, it was his improvisational skills: the ability to scramble around the pocket, avoid going down on first contact and making a play downfield. No quarterback is better at extending plays.

But the now-31-year old quarterback is not the same athlete he was five years ago.

Roethlisberger isn’t as fast as he used to be. His body cannot recover from the types of hits he takes on a weekly basis. While he is not fragile, he does get hurt a lot.

Injuries have gotten the best of Roethlisberger and the Steelers. It could be argued that the injuries he’s suffered over the past two seasons have been the main reason for the team's end-of-season failures.

There cannot be a repeat this season if the Steelers are going to compete for a playoff spot. They need Roethlisberger healthy and on the field for the entire season. That means he has to take full ownership of what Haley is trying to accomplish on offense.

The first thing Roethlisberger will have to do is adjust to the new offensive line.

Expect Marcus Gilbert to take over for Max Starks at left tackle and to experience some growing pains. Not exactly what you want from the man protecting the quarterback’s blind side, but it is a reality.

So is the fact that the likely starter at right tackle—Mike Adams—struggles in pass protection.

Roethlisberger is going to face a ton of pressure from the edge, and he is going to have to fully embrace the short passing game.

The receiving trio of Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders and Markus Wheaton will certainly help him in this area. They are all dangerous options on short routes as well as over the middle of the field and have the speed to break a short completion into a long gain.

But timing will be the key for the offense to be successful. Training camp will be important for Roethlisberger and his receivers to establish their rhythm.

This was not a luxury that Roethlisberger had last season when he was without his top receiver for camp as he held out for a new contract. That should not be an issue this year.

Neither should any perceived—or potential—disagreements that Roethlisberger has with the offensive philosophy.

Though he may not have liked the dink-and-dunk approach, it was showing signs of success prior to Roethlisberger's injury last season. However, it still needed some tweaks.

Apparently those changes have been made and Roethlisberger is feeling much better about his comfort level with the offensive heading into 2013 (via Steelers.com).

Yeah, a little bit. There’s a little more comfort. There has been some changes this offseason in some of the offensive philosophies, playbook and some things that I think are good. It’s some compromise from all different position coaches, running back coaches, line, and quarterback coaches. I think we’ve taken a little bit of everything and made it a lot better. You can ask anybody on offense that, including coaches, and they’ll tell you that we all like the way the offense is and where it’s going.

That sounds like a happy quarterback. It also sounds like a quarterback who realized the offense still needs to get better in many areas.

More short throws and fewer hits on Roethlisberger was nice, but the lack of points on the scoreboard wasn’t.

There is still a place for defense in the NFL, but it is an offensive league now, and to succeed, teams have to put points on the board. That is one problem that has plagued the Steelers in recent years.

But with his comments, Roethlisberger sounds pleased with the direction in which the offense will be moving.

While we are months away from seeing what they have in store for us, you have to believe that Roethlisberger, Haley and the rest of the offensive coaching staff took the best of what Roethlisberger does and combined it with the best of Haley’s offense.

More importantly, it sounds like an offense that Roethlisberger is ready to take ownership of.

In a quarterback-driven league, great play from your signal-caller is the difference between a Super Bowl contender and a team sitting at home for the playoffs.

Roethlisberger must take command of the offense to remind everyone why he is recognized as one of the best in the game. More importantly, it will get his team back to competing for championships.

Follow @ChrisG_FC

How Maurice Jones-Drew Can Return from Injury, Regain Top 5 Form in 2013

Jon Shumake — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:22:50 -0400

The Jacksonville Jaguars' offense has run through Maurice Jones-Drew since he took over the starting role in 2009, but his body may have started breaking down after all the years of constant pounding.

Jones-Drew has been run into the ground since becoming the starting running back. He is seventh among active running backs with almost 1,600 career rushing attempts, and more than 1,000 of the rushes have come since 2009.

He wasn't just the focal point of the offense; Jones-Drew was accountable for the the majority of it.

Counting his 343 rushes and 43 receptions in 2011, Jones-Drew had his hands on the ball on almost 53 percent of the team's plays.

That trend continued last season as he was responsible for 76 percent of Jacksonville's rushing attempts through the first five games.

Jones-Drew was the engine that kept the Jaguars offense running, but the high mileage on his tires could be to blame for the engine breaking down.

All the touches caught up to him last year, as he suffered a season-ending foot injury early in the Jaguars Week 7 game against the Oakland Raiders. The team hoped the injury would heal itself, but Jones-Drew ultimately underwent surgery in December to repair the injury, according to an ESPN.com report.

Despite undergoing surgery to repair the mid-foot fracture, according to Ryan O'Halloran of The Florida Times Union, Jones-Drew still has plenty of time to recover and return to being one of the league's best running backs.

It's been a long road, though, as the delay to undergo surgery has meant he hasn't been able to participate in offseason workouts thus far.

Although he hasn't been on the field, he's been steadily progressing throughout the offseason. The walking boot he was in was removed in late March, and he began jogging soon after, according to Gene Frenette of The Florida Times-Union.

He's continued to progress and is slowly getting closer to being 100 percent.

Jones-Drew will continue his rehabilitation in Miami for the next two weeks with Pete Bommarito, who has worked with ex-Jaguar Fred Taylor in the past. First-year head coach Gus Bradley told Vito Stellino of The Florida Times-Union that he wanted Jones-Drew in attendance at the minicamps as the team installed the offense, but that phase of the offseason is over.

Bradley said, per Stellino:

“I said we need you here and he did that and he said, ‘OK, now that we’ve all the installs done let’s take the next step.’ ’’

Jones-Drew is expected back by June, but it's unclear whether he will be ready for July's training camp, according to Stellino's report.

Jones-Drew is doing all the right things to recover from the injury to ensure he returns to form, but the Jaguars are also doing their part to make sure they load the offense with as much talent as possible to give him the chance to succeed.

That began with first-round pick Luke Joeckel, who immediately steps in as the team's right tackle. This should allow for for running lanes and give all the team's running backs, including Jones-Drew, chances to run free.

The Jaguars also won't rely almost exclusively on Jones-Drew to move the ball. The team added players this offseason who could develop into playmakers who should take some of the pressure off Jones-Drew.

The most notable of these additions is fifth-round pick Denard Robinson. The Jaguars plan to give Robinson 10-15 touches a game, according to Alex Marvez of Fox Sports. By doing so, the Jaguars are lessening the amount of punishment Jones-Drew takes, which could lengthen his career.

Jones-Drew has also always been a player who's been motivated by outside forces; his jersey number acts as a reminder of the number of teams that passed over him in the first round. He is entering the final year of his contract, which will drive him to perform well to earn the biggest contract possible.

If he continues to recover from surgery the way he has, there is no reason to believe he won't return as one of the league's top running backs. The Jaguars won't solely rely on him to be the entire offense anymore, but he will still play a vital role for the young team.

Auburn Football: What Game Has the Best Chance to Be an Instant Classic in 2013?

Brett Mixon — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:22:35 -0400

Throughout the history of the Auburn football program, there have been many classic games that helped shape the rich and proud tradition of the Auburn Tigers.

At least once a year, there is a game that becomes one of those instant classics. You know the ones, the types of games that are hard to ever forget. The 1993 and 1994 Florida games and the 2004 Georgia game are some of the great Auburn classic games.

Some classics are so good that they become ingrained into the Auburn history books.

There's "17-16," "Bo Over The Top," "The Barn Burner" and of course, "28-27." Even in the horrible 2012 campaign there was a classic game that Auburn fans will remember. Auburn nearly upset LSU, who was ranked No. 2 in the country at the time.

What does 2013 have in store for Auburn fans? Approximately 100 days away from the start of the college football season, one game that is primed to be an instant classic for Auburn fans in 2013 is the matchup with the Georgia Bulldogs in "The Deep South's Oldest Rivalry." The Bulldogs travel to Jordan-Hare Stadium for the second consecutive year on November 16.

These classic games involving Auburn usually have a few of the same ingredients—they occur against one of Auburn's natural rivals, it's a game where the Tigers are an underdog and there is usually a lot at stake.

The Georgia game in 2013 has all of those ingredients and then some.

The Bulldogs have dominated the rivalry since 2006. Auburn's only win since that season came in 2010. Georgia has pulled even in the record books over the last few years and the overall series record is 54-54-8.

The rivalry between Georgia and Auburn is one of the best in college football. Except for three years that saw World War I and World War II interrupt the series, the Bulldogs and Tigers have clashed on an annual basis since 1892.

It's a rivalry where many fans of the two institutions work closely among each other daily. Auburn's campus is only 28 miles from the Georgia state line.

The pain of losing to the other team is almost greater than the joy of winning. It's a true rivalry.

Auburn will definitely be a heavy underdog in November.

The 2012 SEC championship game was a game that saw time run out on Georgia's bid to upset Alabama and make an appearance in the national championship game. The Bulldogs return a lot of talent from the 2012 team on the offensive side of the ball, including QB Aaron Murray—who has torched the Tigers in his time wearing the red and black of Georgia.

ESPN's Mark Schlabach has the Bulldogs ranked No. 7 in his very early 2013 preseason poll.

Given that the annual meeting between the Bulldogs and Tigers is always played in November, there is also always a lot at stake.

In 2010, Auburn clinched a spot in the SEC championship game when it defeated Georgia. The Bulldogs did the same when it defeated Auburn last fall inside Jordan-Hare Stadium. There is a good chance Georgia could be trying to do the same thing in November when it returns to Jordan-Hare Stadium.

So, the ingredients for a classic game or even a classic upset are there for the Tigers. Why Georgia?

A few things stand out here to make me think this game will be closer than it should be and give Auburn a chance to make this game one of the best in recent memory.

As much talent as Georgia has on its roster, the defense took a big hit to graduation and the NFL draft. According to Dave Miller of The National Football Post, 12 players that started two or more games on defense for Georgia have departed.

Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee liked what he saw from the revamped defense of the 'Dawgs in their spring game. Still, for a defense that was ranked No. 77 in rushing defense in 2012 along with losing a lot of veteran starters, that is a stock that needs to be held and not bought quite yet.

That young defense will have all the game experience under their belt by the time the Auburn game rolls around in November. However, other than the matchup against Clemson in Week 1, the Bulldogs do not see an offense that is paced and run-oriented quite like Auburn will run in 2013.

Speaking of Auburn's offense, when Malzahn's offense was unbridled in 2009 and 2010, it had plenty of success against Georgia's defense (to be fair, Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham was not the defensive coordinator in 2009). In 2010, Auburn treated Grantham's defense like it did every other defense in the league. It racked up 49 points and 484 yards (336 rushing, 148 passing).

In 2011, Georgia dominated Auburn from start to finish, although it should be noted that the tempo aspect of Auburn's offense had been long gone at that point.

If the improved Auburn defense can get a few stops, chances are that Auburn's offense will likely be able to keep up with Georgia.

Lastly, this rivalry has been known to turn out instant classics and its share of upsets. Georgia fans remember the 2006 game fondly. Auburn was ranked No. 5 in the country and a young QB named Matthew Stafford led the Bulldogs to a 37-15 upset.

Who can forget the SEC's first overtime game in 1996 between these two teams? Or in 2005 when Auburn's John Vaughn kicked the game-winning field goal against No. 9 Georgia in Athens?

It's way too early to say that Auburn will pull off a big upset against Georgia in November. However, with the game nearly five months away, it's easy to say this game more than any other on the schedule is one that you won't want to miss.

Follow @TrueBlueAU

The Bugs Are Back in Town: Charlotte Prepares to Renew Love Affair with Hornets

Austin Penny — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:16:10 -0400

When Michael Jordan announced Tuesday evening that the Charlotte Bobcats will officially begin the rebranding process associated with bringing the Hornets moniker back to the city it originated (and belongs) in, you may have been able to hear the cheers as far away as New Orleans.

While there have been, and will continue to be, naysayers who believe that the name should remain a memory in the city of Charlotte and not be returned to the spotlight, the vast majority of people in town have supported the movement to bring the Hornets namesake back to its home.

It's not that we're so jaded that we believe that changing the colors of the jersey and the name on the front will somehow magically turn this franchise into a perennial contender, or that it will even fill up the seats in Time Warner Cable Arena on a nightly basis. It's the fact that now, after over a decade of having a basketball team with no identity and next to no appeal, there is a reason to be proud of the team.

After a long and mostly fruitless battle to be heard in the community, those who were advocates to bringing the Hornets back to Charlotte received a major boost in late 2010 when the much-maligned George Shinn was finally forced out of the NBA after becoming unable to pay loan payments to the NBA.

He sold the team to the league to try to keep the franchise in New Orleans, ultimately opening the door for the possibility of the name becoming available down the line.

The push to bring back the nickname grew exponentially from there and reached a boiling point earlier this year when the new owner of the New Orleans franchise, Tom Benson, announced that the team would be changing its nickname from Hornets to Pelicans. Benson, who also owns the NFL's New Orleans Saints, said then that the name Hornets "didn't mean anything to (the New Orleans) community."

The name surely means something to the community of Charlotte. Bobcats Executive Vice President and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Pete Guelli, who joined Jordan at the press conference on Tuesday, said that about an 80 percent of those polled were in favor of rebranding the franchise as the Hornets.

Social networking groups dedicated solely to the purpose grew dramatically and even arranged meet-ups at Bobcats games decked out in Charlotte Hornets gear. The most rewarding thing about this name change is the realization that the team heard the community, listened and gave the fans what they wanted.

The next step is to find a way to recreate the amazing atmosphere that was present at The Hive back in the Hornets' heyday in Charlotte while also updating the brand to a time-appropriate entity. While I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem for most, it is unrealistic to expect to step into a time machine to the early '90s every time you step foot in Time Warner Cable Arena going forward.

As Guelli said Tuesday, it will have been 12 years since the Hornets were last in town, and every business adapts and evolves in some way during that kind of time frame.

There are certain aspects of the old Hornets experience that can be easily transitioned to the 2014-and-beyond version. Things such as nicknaming the arena "The Hive," having the team sport the iconic purple-and-teal color scheme and having Hugo as the mascot are no-brainers.

Other traditions like the THX sound effect being played before tip-off and Super Hugo performing dunks to Billy Idol's "Mony, Mony," after the third period would be great to see as well.

Obviously, pop culture has changed dramatically since the last time the city of Charlotte rejoiced about the arrival of the Hornets, but the franchise should do its best to sprinkle in nostalgia where it can, at least to begin with.

The 2014-15 season could be the first legitimate step towards finality in this seemingly never-ending rebuilding period this team has been going through since making its only playoff run in 2009-10. Not only will the Hornets name be back, but they could potentially have three lottery picks in what is shaping up to be one of the better NBA drafts in the last several years.

They will finally be rid of a slew of bad contracts and, as of right now, will have only roughly $11.4 million on the books. While that number is sure to go up, it's not out of the realm of possibility that the team could be at the podium three times during the lottery, or that they could package together two or more of those picks to take whomever they want.

The real cause for optimism, though, is the fact that this franchise has heard the voice of its fanbase and its community and responded positively. As we saw in Charlotte when the original Hornets were in their fledgling years, fan support can play a role in the success of a team. When a team knows the arena it is playing in has the back of the team, magic can happen.

This team was in dire need of finding a way to re-engage and expand its franchise, and it has done just that.

This is a great day for this franchise and for the city of Charlotte. Hopefully this time, the Hornets are here to stay.

---

Follow me on Twitter @AustinPenny

What's Next for Stephen Curry After Impressive 2012-13 Season?

Jimmy Spencer — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:15:30 -0400

Stephen Curry’s tormenting of the net in the 2013 NBA Playoffs signified his arrival as a marquee player.

The Golden State Warriors’ point guard was the darling of the first two rounds, as he used his formidable three-point stroke to convince us all that he’s enough to carry a winning franchise.

That may not mean Curry can do it on his own—not even LeBron James has proven that—but the 25-year-old has propelled himself into the type of leader it takes to center a championship cast.

The fourth-year scorer meets all qualifications: He can take over a game, emotionally lead teammates and has proven that he can win. After catapulting Davidson ahead of its potential in college days, Curry has now led the Warriors to do the same.

So what's next for the breakout star? Here are some possible scenarios.

Can Curry’s Ankles Hold Up?

The ankles. Yes, always the ankles.

Mentioning Curry without first confessing that his vulnerable ankles can turn the Warriors’ future in an instant is ignoring the obvious.

The evidence is clear: Curry suffered a right ankle sprain three times in the regular season. He then sprained his left ankle in Game 2 of the first round against the Denver Nuggets, then re-sprained it in Game 3 of the conference semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs.

The right ankle has received two surgeries already, one to repair ligaments and another as a measure of clean-up. He has missed 54 games through four NBA seasons because of ankle issues.

He has flower-petal-thin ankles, and the problem isn’t rolling away.

But that doesn't spell doom for the league’s newest superstar; his career won’t be torn apart by bad ankles.

Let’s not forget, he missed only four games this entire season and postseason because of ankle injuries. The ankle sprains, as constant as they have become in the last two seasons, have not had a long-term negative effect on the scorer. It is doubtful the sprains from the 2012-13 season will result in further surgeries.

He has bounced back as quickly as he goes down. This postseason, he averaged 23.4 points and 8.1 assists in 41.4 minutes per game, despite each and every one of those ankle injuries.

It will ultimately be a question of luck for the Warriors. Curry is going to spend time icing his ankles, but Golden State simply hopes it just doesn’t occur again in the playoffs.

A Closer Look at His 2012-13 Numbers

Curry isn’t going anywhere, even if he limps through a career of burying three-pointers. If this version of bad ankles sets a precedent, remember that Curry hit an NBA record 272 three-pointers this season, and then 42 more in 12 playoff games.

He gave an early preview of what he'd end up doing in the postseason when he scored a career-high 54 points on 11 three-pointers in February against the New York Knicks.

Curry was widely thought to be the biggest All-Star snub this season, but that became irrelevant the deeper the team pushed into the playoffs.

Still, his numbers deserve recognition: He ranked seventh in the NBA's regular season with 22.9 points per game and and was the fifth-best scorer in the postseason at 23.4 points per game.

Curry can create his own shot due to his ability to release with the slightest window from anywhere on the floor. Of his 272 three-pointers, 105 of them came unassisted. He was also incredible on corner threes, hitting 52.8 percent.

Curry became more involved as a scorer as the season progressed. The Warriors' point guard upped his field-goal attempts from 17.8 in the regular season to 19.6 in the postseason. It wasn't simply an effect of All-Star David Lee's absence, as Curry's shot attempts jumped from 17 per game to 19.1 per game after the All-Star break.

Curry raised his three-point attempts from 3.5-of-7.7 (45.1 percent) in the regular season to 3.5-of-8.8 (39.6 percent) in the playoffs.

Overshadowed by Curry’s prolific shooting is his passing. His ambidextrous capabilities paired with underrated court vision to set up teammates. His ability to attract defenses through his shooting makes him an even greater threat for point guards.

Curry ranked 14th in assists per game (6.9) this regular season, and in the playoffs he tallied the second-most assists per game (8.1).

Curry does need to improve on his scoring at the basket, though. It may be partially credited to his fear of landing the wrong way on his ankle in the lane, but Curry only finishes at just 49.2 percent inside eight feet and 53.1 percent in the restricted area.

Projected 2013-14 Season

26.1 PPG / 4.0 RPG / 8.4 APG / 45.7 FG% / 44.6 3PT%

“If Curry remains healthy” is going to start being worn as t-shirts around the Bay Area.

But yes, if he stays on the floor, Curry can replicate his 2012 postseason into an entire 2013-14 season for the Warriors.

Fellow three-point artist Klay Thompson will remain as Curry’s consistent backcourt mate, which helps keep perimeter defenses honest in trying to shade heavy to Curry’s side of the floor.

Whether or not the Warriors return free agent Jarrett Jack in the offseason could have an effect on Curry.

Jack’s abilities to handle the ball for heavy stretches during games allowed Curry to run free off cuts and find openings along the arc. The veteran Jack assisted Curry 98 times during the season, more than any other Golden State player.

Curry still needs to decide whether his primary motivation is to involve his team as an authentic point guard or if he needs to seek as many scoring opportunities as possible.

The best-case scenario for Curry, and perhaps the Warriors, is if the point guard continues to let his shooting dictate the offense. The more he connects on deep looks, the more the center of the floor opens and he can create for teammates.

His assists numbers will remain high, while his scoring will climb another notch.

The Crystal Ball

As the leader of a young core that includes Thompson and Harrison Barnes, Curry’s ability to again reach the postseason stage with the Warriors is now expected. Barnes averaged 16.1 points and Thompson averaged 15.2 points in the playoffs.

The Warriors will clear $24 million after the contracts of Andrew Bogut, Andris Biedrins and Richard Jefferson expire at the end of next season. That's good spending money for a high-priced free agent to play alongside Curry, while allowing the Warriors to extend the contract of Thompson.

Curry is a superstar on the rise, as humble as they come, with a shot that’s just as humbling. It’s his demeanor, and the all-around congenial nature of the Warriors, that will create a desirable landing spot for veteran free-agent talent.

Yes, the franchise is improving to the point of conceivably hanging a championship banner in its anticipated waterfront arena in San Francisco.

If that’s the case, the Warriors might as well adorn the arena with a statue celebrating the three-point stroke of the region’s only true basketball superstar of a generation. They already gave him the key to the city in San Francisco on Tuesday.

One gingerly taken step at a time, Curry moves the franchise ahead. Next season, Curry should likely take another leap forward.

If healthy, of course.

Follow @JimmySpencerNBA

Microsoft Woos Sports Fans with Extensive Fantasy Football Content for Xbox One

Gabe Zaldivar — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:08:49 -0400

Microsoft, you have our attention.

A video game-mad world sat with eager anticipation on Tuesday when Microsoft announced their next console named Xbox One. As we would soon learn, there is indeed a great deal involved to interest sports fans.

Mashable brings what has to be amazing news for fantasy football owners who were already planning on plunking down a handsome sum to get the console whenever it releases.

One of the most interesting developments is the NFL will partner with Microsoft to bring exclusive content to the system as well as to an owner's "tablet and smartphone apps that ties the TV experience in with your fantasy league teams."

In the simplest of terms, users will be able to watch live games and get updates on their fantasy teams all on the same TV screen.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had this to say, via Mashable.

From the use of instant replay to the yellow first-down line that has become an important element of the at-home television viewing experience, the NFL is committed to leveraging technology to improve our game for coaches, players and fans. We're thrilled to be teaming with a true innovator like Microsoft to shape the future of the NFL game experience, both on-field and in the living room.

The following video hints at what one might expect from the marriage of NFL coverage and Xbox One's software.

That's not all, because it seems sports fans will be able to seamlessly go between video game playing and sports watching.

The following Wired video touches upon that very thing.

Wired also reports on what Xbox One owners can expect from the system in what they call "Snapping in," which is "the Xbox One’s task-switching mechanism, and it’s made possible by some serious operating system kung fu. The Xbox One simultaneously runs three separate operating systems."

That "Snapping" allows users to instantly go from playing a game to watching SportsCenter. As they note, it also helps fantasy sports owners.

Keeping an eye on your fantasy football team while you watch Monday Night Football? Done. It’s the second-screen experience—all on one screen.

So far, there is no word on whether the fantasy sports tool works across multiple website platforms like Yahoo! Sports, or if this is simply isolated to leagues run by NFL.com.

Either way, it's interesting to see where living room entertainment is headed for sports fans.

I remember the days when dedicating time to playing Bases Loaded or Madden meant missing some vital sports programming.

Microsoft may have inched us closer to having all we could ever want as far as sports entertainment. While I need to see it to actually believe this is a game changer, I can't say that I am not extremely interested to see how it all works out.

You had me at football, Microsoft.

Hit me up on Twitter for more pop in your culture: Follow @gabezal

Preview of Champions League Final

Michael Cummings — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:07:19 -0400

European club football’s most prestigious prize is at stake this weekend in the UEFA Champions League final at Wembley Stadium in London. The all-German matchup of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund promises plenty of intrigue, excitement and drama.

Bayern won the Bundesliga in fantastic style this season, setting several records while blowing away the competition. After an early slip-up in the group stage against BATE Borisov, Bayern have been just as impressive in the Champions League, sweeping aside mighty Barcelona by a 7-0 aggregate score in the semifinals.

Borussia Dortmund, meanwhile, won the Group of Death—which also contained Real Madrid, Manchester City and Ajax—before surviving Malaga in the quarterfinals and eliminating Real in the semis.

These teams know each other well. Dortmund won back-to-back Bundesliga titles before Bayern reclaimed the crown this season, when the teams drew both league meetings. As added spice, Dortmund’s Mario Gotze is set to switch sides in the summer and join Bayern, per BBC Sport.

How will the match play out? Which team will lift the Champions League trophy? B/R World Football Lead Writer Michael Cummings previews the match in the clip above. After watching, be sure to add your prediction in the comments section.

Follow @MikeCummings37

Analyzing Otto Porter's Best Attributes Heading into 2013 NBA Draft

Jesse Reed — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:06:11 -0400

Otto Porter is one of the most talked-about players leading up to the 2013 NBA draft, and for good reason. The 19-year-old small forward out of Georgetown is supremely talented, selfless to a fault, understands the nuances of the game and treats every single play like it's his last.

Last year at Georgetown, Porter helped the Hoyas earn a No. 2 seed in the 2013 NCAA tournament before the team was stunned in the round of 64 by Florida Gulf Coast.

He averaged 16.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.9 blocks per contest, displaying an excellent all-around game.

Here's a closer look at some of his best qualities—the big reasons why NBA teams are salivating over the chance to land him in the 2013 NBA draft.

Physique

Professional teams aren't just looking for skilled players; they are looking for skilled players who are also elite athletes and who possess outstanding height and length.

Porter, a 6'8", 198-pound small forward, possesses these qualities.

Not only does he have the height to make big plays inside and out, but Porter also has an impressive wingspan, as ESPN's Chad Ford reports:

Though Porter isn't necessarily the quickest man on the perimeter, he is an excellent slasher who can score inside when playing off the ball.

His length allows him to shoot over the top of his defenders on offense and smother his opponent on the defensive side of the court.

Old-School Mentality, Old-School Game

Too many young players these days abandon the mid-range game. In fact, the mid-range jumper is almost becoming a lost art in the NBA—barring the big men who have become adept at stepping out, that is.

Porter is an excellent mid-range shooter who can hit 15- to 18-foot jumpers in his sleep. He is strong at moving without the ball and is an excellent catch-and-shoot player.

He's also an aggressive, tenacious defender on the perimeter and down low in the paint.

These are traits that many young players lack coming into the NBA, and his maturity on and off the court has impressed many people during his time at Georgetown.

Mike Wise of the Washington Post recently wrote a column about Porter's old-school tendencies. He detailed Porter's selflessness, his beyond-his-years maturity and his team focus. Leading to his conclusion, Wise paints a vivid picture with these words:

Porter is an old basketball soul, from somewhere around 1960, trapped in a 2013 Nike Summer Jam universe. He has some of Scottie Pippen’s elongated arms, a little of George Gervin’s smooth and a bit of John Havlicek’s clutch.

And now he’s all but gone — headed for the NBA, where K.D., LeBron and Kobe will soon have to contend with O.P., the new-jack cat with the ancient game.

If that's not poetry, then I don't know what is.

Conclusion

Porter may never develop into an elite scorer like LeBron James or Kevin Durant, but he's going to make an immediate and positive impact on the team that drafts him.

If drafted by a franchise that already features an excellent point guard and a big man who can score, Porter will flourish, as will his new team.

His team-first mentality, phenomenal work ethic and jack-of-all-trades skill set make him a rare treasure. NBA teams love to get their hands on young men like him, and you can be sure Porter will be one of the early selections when the 2013 NBA draft kicks off on June 27.

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78

Michigan State Basketball: 5 Burning Questions for Spartans' Offseason

Adam Biggers — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:02:58 -0400

The obvious question facing the Michigan State Spartans is this: How far will they go in March?

While there are certainly droves of other factors that will play into Tom Izzo's methodology in 2013-14, the focus is always on The Big Dance—and shuffling along long enough to see the Final Four.

Without Derrick Nix, the Spartans are in need of another tough guy.

Sophomore Gary Harris was an absolute gem during his first year in the Big Ten. He could blossom into a national-level star, so tracking his progress during the offseason is a must.

Adreian Payne will get consideration for player of the year honors if he exceeds what he did as a junior for Izzo this past season.

This slideshow will touch on those issues, among others, as it addresses five of the biggest questions as Michigan State prepares for next season.

Begin Slideshow

Les Miles' Biggest Challenges for the LSU Tigers in 2013

Jake Martin — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:00:00 -0400

It's time for Les Miles to earn that $3.75 million annual salary, not that he hasn't already.

In order for the Tigers to win an SEC Championship and win another national championship in 2013, Miles must produce one of his greatest coaching jobs to date.

His job begins internally. Here again, aren't we Tigers fans? Oh the headaches these players induce with their troublemaking.

Overcoming departures/suspensions

Before we get into all that, first things first—fill the gaps. This is what Miles is best at.

Miles can recruit with the best of them, and because of this, he has plenty of talented players to choose from. So when Tigers fans worry about filling the gaps on the defensive side of the ball, I simply say, rest easy—The Mad Hatter has plenty of tools in his toolbox.

The defensive line is depleted, but Anthony Johnson returns, along with many flashy 4-star newcomers such as Frank Herron, Tashawn Bower, Kendell Beckwith, Maquedius Bain and Greg Gilmore.

Will they be as effective as M&M (Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo) and Bennie Logan? Eh, that's not likely, but they'll be talented nonetheless.

As for the linebacker position, this is where LSU's fantastic 2012 recruiting class comes in handy. You know, the one LSU fans moaned about. The Tigers recruited three linebackers in the ESPN 150 that year.

That's all good news...Are you ready for the bad news? The Tigers may have to play this season without Jeremy Hill at running back. "Big deal, this happens every year. Somebody new will step up," a Tigers fan will usually say.

Normally that's the case, but this year is different. The Tigers no longer have Spencer Ware and Michael Ford, and who knows if Alfred Blue will return to form after injuring his knee last season? That puts a heavy load on Kenny Hilliard. Meanwhile, Terrence Magee will have to step up and be a regular contributor.

Behind a strong offensive line, Blue, Hilliard and Magee can carry the load for the Tigers, but that means they must all remain healthy. Here's to hoping Hill's legal troubles don't sideline him too long. To go along with that, here's to hoping LSU players stay out of the bars this offseason.

Overcoming a daunting schedule

SEC scheduling rant commence. Just who is booking these SEC schedules nowadays?

Is it a coincidence that Texas A&M and Alabama have the easiest schedules in the conference? There's no sense in sugarcoating it. This is the toughest schedule LSU has inherited in the past decade, and meanwhile, the Aggies and Crimson Tide benefit from much easier schedules.

Via ESPN Video, Miles has already set the pace for this schedule with his comments about it a few weeks ago: "We like to think there's only one school in the country that can go through it."

Taking it one game at a time will be a must for the Tigers. Besides UAB, Kent State and Furman, LSU will face two of the top three teams from the SEC East, SEC West and TCU.

To quote, via the Sporting News, the always quotable Les Miles, "Strap it up," boys.

Putting the offense in the hands of Cam Cameron

Change can be good.

Miles has to realize this after the Tigers had a meltdown in the 2012 Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson. It's time to hand the offense over to somebody who knows what he's doing.

Cam Cameron is that man.

Cameron has done nothing but impress since he's accepted the offensive coordinator position. Sure, the Tigers have yet to play their first game, but hurrying up the offense, utilizing more spread formations and giving Zach Mettenberger more options (spreading running backs wide) in the spring are a great start.

It might be somewhat delusional to expect Cameron to come in and contribute greatly in his first year, but then again, isn't that what LSU is all about? Just like Miles successfully inserts freshmen into the offense and defense, Cameron will impressively fine-tune the offense, 2007 Gary Crowton style (when his play-calling was innovative).

Yes, the deck is stacked heavily against the Tigers this year, but we've seen crazier things happen with Miles serving as the Tigers head coach. Missouri and West Virginia getting upset to allow a two-loss LSU team to advance to the national championship game in 2007 ring any bells?

Stay optimistic, Tigers fans.

Nerlens Noel Should Not Be a Lock to Go 1st Overall at 2013 NBA Draft

Maxwell Ogden — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:59:39 -0400

With the 2013 NBA draft is just over one month away, 30 general managers are scrambling to figure out which player is worthy of the No. 1 overall selection. This isn't because of the abundance of superstars, but instead the lack of franchise players.

While Nerlens Noel appears to be the popular choice, there's something we must acknowledge—no player should be a lock to go No. 1.

There's good reason to perceive Noel as the top prospect, as he's the most dominant interior defender we've seen all season. Not only is he an explosive athlete, but he has extraordinary length with a 7'4" wingspan and displays maturity while defending the rim.

For those in need of statistical evidence, Noel averaged 10.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 4.4 blocks and 2.1 steals during the 2012-13 college basketball season.

Unfortunately, there are knocks against Noel that have some questioning whether or not he should, in fact, be the first pick. Despite the imposing nature of his near 7'0" frame with a 7'4" wingspan and explosive athleticism, most of the questions have to do with his body.

Weighing in at 206 pounds and coming off of a torn ACL are certainly ways to cause some to question your ability to be a dominant interior player at the next level.

The truth of the matter is, Noel is not the issue with this year's draft, as he'd likely have gone in the top 10 of the 2012 draft. The true issue is that Noel joins his peers in a draft without a transcending athlete.

For that reason, it all comes down to fit, as the value is unclear.

Who Needs What?

There are more than a handful of teams that could use Nerlens Noel, as rim protecting centers are the heart of almost every title contender. With that being said, there are also teams that feel confident at center and could thus pass over Noel.

That includes the Orlando Magic, who possess the best odds to win the first overall draft choice.

Need has rarely been an issue for teams drafting first overall, as there is often a superstar ripe for the picking. In 2013, however, we experienced a season in which no individual college or international athlete emerged as the cream of the crop.

To this date, we still haven't found that player.

For that reason, it's going to come down to which position a team targets in this year's draft. If that isn't center, then Noel has yet to prove he's the future All-NBA selection that going No. 1 overall would suggest he is.

Unless that changes from here until the draft, there's no reason to draft blindly.

Balanced Draft

When it comes right down to it, Nerlens Noel has yet to separate himself from any of the top players in this year's draft. Noel may have a higher upside, but since his injury, all we've had to go on is the success or failure of his competition.

With Ben McLemore, Otto Porter, Trey Burke and Anthony Bennett all proving enough to warrant consideration, that makes this decision even more difficult.

The top debate is between Noel and McLemore, as they appear to be the class of the draft at their respective positions. McLemore is an elite jump shooter with tantalizing athleticism and the frame to develop into a strong physical specimen, while Noel is a dominant interior defender.

The rest of the group simply adds intrigue.

Burke was the National Player of the Year, winning both the Naismith and Wooden awards, while Porter is easily the most complete player in the draft. Bennett, meanwhile, is 6'8" and 240 pounds with a 7'1" wingspan and explosive athleticism.

And we haven't even touched on Victor Oladipo—the player who I've consistently labeled as the best in this draft.

One way or another, the decision made on draft night is going to be one that comes without ease. No player is a guaranteed star, nor are they proven in the sense of being able to lead a franchise into the future.

Noel may be the most attractive name, but one thing is clear—no one is guaranteed to do anything in this year's draft.

Updated Report Card Grades for Every 2013 NBA Playoff Team Left Standing

Josh Martin — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:59:31 -0400

It's been a couple of weeks since we last sat down for NBA playoffs "Parent-Teacher Conferences." The field of competitors has been trimmed down to four, with the most intense games yet to be played.

As you can imagine, then, the grades for the remaining teams have shifted considerably. We might as well consider these marks as extra credit, seeing as how 26 other squads won't have any say in how things play out from this point forward.

But that's what it takes to claim the Larry O'Brien Trophy in any given year, isn't it? One hoops collective must go above and beyond the usual call of on-court duty to achieve something much bigger, much more desirable and much more permanent historically than any single paycheck.

Enough with the fluff, though. Go ahead and have a look at how the NBA's most dedicated "students" have fared in the proverbial classroom to this point.

Before I get too far up my own you-know-what with philosophical froo-froo.

Begin Slideshow

Brock Lesnar: WWE Needs to Book Him Against More Superstars

Bill Atkinson — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:49:53 -0400

When is Brock Lesnar going to start proving that the two-year contract he signed earlier this year is not amounting to anything more than a license to steal cash?

I know, I know. He’s 36 years old and is showing signs of what living life at full throttle can do to a body. He really has nothing left to prove.

Since returning to WWE in 2012, the man Paul Heyman calls “The Beast” has been in a grand total of four matches—three of them against the same opponent. And that same opponent, Triple H, is in the same boat as Lesnar—a long-time, battle-tested veteran whose body could be starting to betray him.

The fourth match was a loss to John Cena at the 2012 Extreme Rules pay-per-view that saw quite an intense buildup.

The night after WrestleMania 28, Lesnar burst back onto the scene in a big way by dropping Cena with his F5 finisher. In the month before their Extreme Rules match, Lesnar and Cena had some encounters that left Cena bloodied.

Yes, Lesnar is a tough individual whose ferocity has been tested and proven over the years. And the two-year contract that will bind him to WWE through WrestleMania 31 must be one heck of a sweetheart deal to let him pick when, where and against whom he will wrestle.

In fact, the only other WWE folks Lesnar has come in close contact with are Vince McMahon, Josh Matthews and 3MB. And the McMahon encounter served a dual purpose in justifying McMahon’s hip surgery and sparking the WrestleMania 29 match against Triple H.

But Josh Matthews and 3MB? Really? No offense, but have you seen them?

Lesnar’s grandmother probably could have handled them with little effort.

The story is not unique to Lesnar. I said the same thing when The Rock came back to WWE. During his time there, he also faced basically two opponents in Cena and CM Punk.

But unlike Lesnar, Rock had other entertainment opportunities. He had Hollywood, and everyone knew WWE was basically a respite between films.

Lesnar did not have such a fallback. The only thing he knew—make that, knows—is fighting.

Fighting is in his blood. That’s why he has been so successful.

Now, it’s time for Lesnar to do a little more than just work to the WWE contract. It’s time for WWE to make him face someone else besides Triple H or John Cena. If he is still as beastly as Paul Heyman claims he is, then Lesnar should have no trouble accepting any challenge.

There are many other top Superstars in WWE who would welcome the opportunity to show their mettle against him.

Who out there would not love to see Lesnar face Randy Orton? Now that would be an intense match.

Sheamus? If you look beyond the goofiness, you will see that he is one of the toughest young stars in WWE. His recent programs with The Big Show and Mark Henry proved that Sheamus does his best ring work when his opponent is bigger, stronger and meaner than him.

A Sheamus-Lesnar program could be quite the contest.

Let’s look on the other side of the coin.

What about a Lesnar program with Mark Henry, The Big Show or Wade Barrett? Of those three, I would enjoy seeing Lesnar face off with Barrett the most.

Barrett’s Bull Hammer elbow would face its stiffest challenge yet against that big, hard head of Lesnar’s. And the tough Brit has more speed than either Henry or Big Show, so it would not look like Lesnar is fighting against a glacier.

Why am I suggesting Barrett? Based on what I saw on Raw Monday night when Fandango argued with and then ignored Barrett in their tag-team match, I have an inkling that a Barrett face turn may not be far away.

Of course I am purposely waiting until the end to mention one particular wrestler’s name as a potential Lesnar opponent. That would be the ultimate feud for Lesnar—one that could double or triple the intensity of any of the previous Lesnar matches.

CM Punk.

How about a Paul Heyman guy against a Paul Heyman guy? Punk may not match up size-wise against Lesnar, but he does match him pound-for-pound in terms of toughness and intensity. He also would more than hold his own in terms of talking against Paul Heyman.

A Punk vs. Lesnar match would blow the roof off any arena in which it would be.

And we could finally get rid of the perception that Brock Lesnar is stealing his money instead of earning it.

Follow Bill Atkinson on Twitter at @BAtkinson1963.

Cesc Fabregas: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Garry Hayes — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:42:40 -0400

It was the move that saw one of Barcelona's greatest sons return home to much media and supporter fanfare, but in the two years since Cesc Fabregas left Arsenal for Barcelona, things have not worked out as many had hoped.

During his time at the Gunners, Fabregas was very much the No.1 man at the club—the lynchpin. Everything went through him and the team was built around his talents.

Given his Catalan heritage, he is loved just as much at Barca, but not in the same way as at the Emirates and it has impacted Fabregas' performances. He has struggled for form over the past two seasons, which has led many to suggest his time at the Nou Camp will come to an end soon. So, will it?

AGE: 26

CONTRACT SITUATION: Fabregas departed Arsenal for his hometown club Barcelona in 2011 for an estimated five-year £35 million deal. He still has three years to run on that, with his contract expiring in the summer of 2016.

CAREER STOPS: Arsenal (2003-11), Barcelona (2011-current)

CURRENT CAMPAIGN: La Liga: 29 games, 10 goals, 12 assists; Copa del Rey: seven games, two goals; Spanish Super Cup: one game; Champions League: eight games, one goal

VIDEO SHOWREEL:

SCOUTING GUIDE: Fabregas showed during his time at Arsenal that he was one of the most talented players of his generation. But when you're competing for places against the likes of Andres Iniesta, it's a little tougher to shine.

That's been the story at Barcelona, but it doesn't mean Fabregas doesn't remain a fine talent. He is an exceptional attacking force, linking up play from defence and attack to great effect. It's perhaps this transitional aspect of his game that isn't as lauded as his ability to find the back of the net, yet it remains just as important.

A return of 10 goals in La Liga this term outlines what a threat he can be in the box, while his 12 assists demonstrate a player who is adept at laying it on a plate for his teammates.

WHAT'S NEXT: Rumors were abound that Arsenal included a 50 percent sell-on clause in the sale of Fabregas in 2011 (via The Telegraph), so if Barca decides they've seen enough of the 26-year-old, it could prove an excellent deal for the Gunners.

The same report from The Telegraph in 2011 suggests Arsenal have the right to first refusal on Fabregas, so while the rumor mill is filled with tales of Manchester United's apparent interest (via The Independent) in the Spaniard, it could prove somewhat premature if Arsene Wenger acts upon that agreement.

Indeed, he has refused to rule out a return to the Emirates, as Metro reports, so could Cesc be returning "home" yet again thus summer?

How Far Away Is Brandt Snedeker's First Major Victory?

Ron Juckett — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:41:15 -0400

Brandt Snedeker will win a major. In fact, his overall game is good enough to give him a chance at taking home all four.

A five-time winner on the PGA Tour in his career, Snedeker has five top-10 finishes in majors already.

Twice, he has finished tied for third. The first time was at the 2008 Masters, and he matched that last year at the Open Championship.

Snedeker does two things very well.

He can find the fairway off the tee and he can get his approaches on greens. In 2013, his 69.39 percent of fairways hit and 69.84 percent of greens are good for 10th and 13th, respectively, on tour.

However, he is very short off the tee. His average drive of 278.7 is 147th best this year.

Length, on the other hand, is not everything it is cracked up to be in a major. Accuracy is and—because he is so accurate—even with a lower iron in his hand, he has a better chance of getting in position to make two-putt pars.

Par is never a bad score on any hole at any major.

Whenever that magic week happens for Snedeker, however, the club that will make him a major champion will be his putter.

He does fine on fast greens, as he has a pair of top 10s at Augusta. If he gets into that zone where he can make everything—like he did last year at the Open Championship—he can putt his way to a low round and has the game to hold that score the rest of the championship.

When Snedeker upset Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy last year to win the FedEx Cup at the Tour Championship, he did it by hitting more than two-thirds of fairways and greens while playing the par-fours at 10-under.

If and when he breaks through, he will need to come close to hitting the same percentage of fairways and greens and be selectively aggressive enough to leave himself birdie chances on those par-four holes.

As to how far away he is to pulling this off, look no further than the next major, the United States Open at Merion.

Merion is a short precision course that plays right into his strength of finding and placing tee shots on the fairway. His best success this year has been at similar courses such as TPC Sawgrass, Riviera and his win at Pebble Beach.

Snedeker is not a player who is going to go out and shoot a low score on a Thursday and run away from the start. He is a player who will establish himself in a good position early and pounce.

If not Merion, then Augusta would be his next best chance. Snedeker has had success making putts on those lightning-fast greens and is long enough off the tee to put himself into good scoring position on all four par-fives.

His day is coming. He has all the skill to do it. It is just a question of when, not if.

*Statistics courtesy of PGATour.com and are current as of May 20, 2013

Notre Dame Football: Why Notre Dame Can't Afford to Lose Eddie Vanderdoes

Connor Killoren — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:40:00 -0400

A key catalyst of the current renaissance period Notre Dame undeniably finds itself in has been the development of a nationally renowned defensive line, though that attribute may receive a damaging body blow in the coming days.

It appears as if Eddie Vanderdoes, a 5-star defensive tackle who signed with the Irish on national signing day, may not be enrolling at Notre Dame.

The outlook of the situation is grim if you're a Notre Dame supporter, as neither the university nor the Vanderdoes family have given any official statements to either confirm or deny the rumors.

However, Sacramento Bee reporter Joe Davidson—the closest source to the Vanderdoes family—provided some meaningful insight on Monday evening.

I did get this from Vanderdoes family: grades, eligibility or conduct/character "is not and has never been an issue."
— Joe Davidson (@SacBee_JoeD) May 21, 2013

If indeed those areas of concern are not hangups in Vanderdoes' ability to enroll at Notre Dame, then the writing is on the wall: Vanderdoes has likely experienced a change of heart surrounding his collegiate destination.

Should that be the case, "surprise" shouldn't be a term that comes to mind.

On the morning of national signing day, Vanderdoes' parents informed Notre Dame of their son's decision but instructed officials to keep quiet on the matter, as to allow Vanderdoes the opportunity to enjoy his signing ceremony, which transpired in the evening hours.

Unfortunately, Notre Dame officials botched that request, as Vanderdoes was listed on the commitment list that afternoon during a media session on campus.

While that snafu surely was received unfavorably in the Vanderdoes household, it's unlikely that it was the singular reason for Vanderdoes' apparent change of heart. Yet it appears as if the rocky start to Vanderdoes' official relationship with Notre Dame may have been simply the beginning of what appears to be a rather complex situation.

Because the 6'2", 310-pound defensive lineman signed a letter of intent, he would need to be granted a release by Notre Dame to enroll at another school of his choice, and that's where the situation becomes murky.

There's no telling what decision the university would make in that regard, though if it were to deny Vanderdoes a release, Notre Dame would be viewed in a negative light in recruiting circles. And if that's the case, the Irish's recruiting abilities would likely suffer as a consequence.

The consequences wouldn't be limited to just recruiting, though.

On the field, the Irish would be significantly undermanned along the defensive line in 2014 without Vanderdoes.

It is widely expected that both nose guard Louis Nix and defensive end Stephon Tuitt will enter the 2014 NFL draft despite each having one more season of eligibility remaining following the 2013 season.

In fact, the guys over at WalterFootball.com have Tuitt (10th overall) and Nix (22nd overall) pegged as first-round selections.

That would leave the Irish with defensive ends Sheldon Day, Tony Springmann, Jarron Jones, Isaac Rochell and Jacob Matuska as the only available defensive linemen currently on the roster. Thus, the Irish coaching staff would be hard at work to add pieces along the defensive line in the 2014 class, which already includes end Andrew Trumbetti and tackle Jay Hayes.

What's even more alarming is the nose guard position.

Reserves Kona Schwenke and Tyler Stockton will each see their eligibility clocks expire after the 2013 season, leaving the cupboard bare assuming Nix enters the NFL draft. Because Vanderdoes was widely expected to assume the vacancy left behind by Nix, questions abound as to who will fill that role.

Clearly, the Vanderdoes situation has initiated a tidal wave of concerns to which answers are simply far and few between.

How Paul George Can Solidify Superstar Status Against LeBron James

Dan Favale — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:28:11 -0400

Paul George has a career-altering opportunity against LeBron James and the Miami Heat.

Sure, the Indiana Pacers have the chance to pull off what is considered an improbable upset and move on to the NBA Finals, but for George, this Eastern Conference Finals matchup is bigger than even that.

Against the LeBron-led Heat, George can remove the "up-and-coming" that currently precedes his "superstar" status. This is his time to show the league he's for real.

Not that George isn't already a star, because he is. He has yet to have that defining course of events, though, that puts any and all debate to end.

George had a spectacular regular season that saw him earn his first All-Star selection and win the NBA's Most Improved Player award. And he's fresh off a semifinals performance that saw him frustrate the hell out of the New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony.

But that's not enough. Or rather, it's not the same as going up against the best in the world and walking away with a feeling of immense satisfaction.

Part I: Understanding What Constitutes Success

The Pacers want to creep their way past Miami and into the finals, George included. For him to prove his mettle and procure an unquestioned superstar label, though, it's not necessary.

Also unnecessary is completely stopping LeBron. Why? Because it's impossible.

Pacers coach Frank Vogel explained to Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star,

(James) is the best offensive player in the world and Paul’s just got to do the best that he can, like he did on (New York’s) Carmelo (Anthony). Carmelo went off a couple of times, LeBron’s going to have some moments where he’s going to go off. (Paul’s) just got to try to compete, do the best he can and do it without fouling.

Like 'Melo—only more so—LeBron cannot be contained. You can only hope to make things difficult for him. Which is a notion George didn't seem to grasp last season.

In just his second season, George floundered in the second round against the Heat. LeBron picked apart the Pacers to the tune of 30 points and 6.2 assists on 50.4 percent shooting per game. George wasn't able to hinder LeBron the way he would have liked, and he let his defensive struggles carry over to the offensive end, where he averaged just 10 points on 36.5 percent shooting.

Sophomores who are pitted against LeBron don't stand a chance. In fact, most players, be they neophytes, seasoned veterans or superstars, aren't equipped to handle him. That's just how it is.

George's length and athletic ability give him a better shot at matching up against James than many other players. But that's not going to be enough to shut him down. Nothing is.

All George can hope to do is impede him, a la Jimmy Butler. If he does that, he'll have bridged whatever gap still exists between him and the rest of the Association's stars.

Part II: How Do You 'Impede' LeBron?

You pray. And I'm only half-kidding.

LeBron has really expanded his offensive arsenal over the years. He's turned perceived weaknesses into strengths (his jump shot) and added elements to his game no one thought he could (obscene efficiency).

George's job is to recognize LeBron doesn't have a legitimate Achilles' heel. There isn't anything he can't do, hence the whole unguardable song we all sing. The task then becomes limiting him where he's absolutely dominant.

Immediately, it's his transition offense that comes to mind.

LeBron, and the Heat as a team, are scary good on the break. There's no other way to put it. When they're on the run, you're inevitably on a poster.

Preventing those transition opportunities comes down to protecting the ball and getting back on defense following jumpers.

Taking care of the ball is especially important for George. He's been a turnover machine during these playoffs, coughing the ball up 3.6 times a night.

Many of his ball-protection issues come down to attempting to make impossible passes, though some can be attributed to a less-than-tight handle. Now's the time for him to shore up both his court vision and precision off the dribble.

It's also the time to give LeBron the three-ball. You can't keep him out of the paint consistently. Again, it's (here's that word again) impossible. If you smother him, he'll go around you. If you take a step or two back, he'll call for a screen and do the same thing.

What's George to do then? Give him even more space. I'm talking more than Coach Vogel would likely prefer.

Backing up to the point where screens are useless complicates LeBron's offensive sets. He can still opt to attack the paint, but if George is already back, he's dribbling into traffic (i.e. David West and Roy Hibbert). From there, he'll be more likely to defer—in which case George has done his job—or take a lower percentage shot, which the Pacers will live with.

Should LeBron decide not to go through the theatrics that come with getting pummeled in the paint, he can simply step up and shoot the three. George is giving him that space; why not use it? He did shoot over 40 percent from downtown during the regular season, after all.

LeBron is connecting on just 32.1 percent of his deep balls for the postseason, though, a regrettable number by his standards. Affording him that open look from beyond the arc beats attempting to pick up his penetration.

This is also where George's length comes in handy. Not only is he quick enough to recover should LeBron opt to attack the paint, but as soon as The Chosen One enters his shooting motion, George has the arm span necessary to get a hand in his face.

Could LeBron begin to hit those threes? Of course. He's LeBron. If he does, George will have to alter his method of attack and relegate to hounding him, which isn't optimal, but something an agile athlete like Indy's young stud can attempt.

None of this is a blueprint for stopping LeBron, though. Once again, such a schematic doesn't exist.

Understanding his preferences (going right over left and things like that), however, assists in the ultimate goal—taking the ball out of his hands or forcing him into more difficult shots.

Part III: Maintain Composure

Even if LeBron goes bonkers on the offensive end, George cannot let it affect him.

The Pacers need George to be the offensive catalyst he's been during the postseason. He's putting up 19.1 points and five assists per game, and though his 40.4 percent field-goal clip is unfortunate, Indiana needs him to be active.

When LeBron goes off, that becomes more difficult. When he's defending you as well, as he'll do against George, it's even worse.

George can't let that get to him. Even if LeBron is on pace to drop 50 points or George himself can't buy a shot.

Unlike other superstars, George can be effective when he's not scoring. He can facilitate or act as a three-point shooting decoy. He needs to remember that.

Nobody expects him to outplay LeBron. No one can. He can't forget that he himself is a star, though. He's not LeBron, but he's a star.

James said of George (via Wells),

Just the opportunity, the opportunity that presented itself with (leading scorer) Danny Granger going down. He had to step up. And I think he was ready for it. And he’s taken full advantage of it.

I think he’s one of the up-and-coming, new superstar that we have in our league. He’s a kid who loves to get better, loves to work on his game and it’s shown.

George has already garnered the respect and praise of LeBron; he's right there. All that's left to prove is his confidence won't be shaken, no matter how bright the lights or intimidating the opponent.

“It’ll be fun,” George said of facing LeBron “I always embrace challenges.”

So long as that doesn't suddenly change, George's standing in the league will.

Follow @danfavale

*All stats used in this article were compiled from Basketball-Reference and NBA.com unless otherwise noted.

Tennessee Titans Running Back Breakdown: Evaluation and Depth Chart Analysis

Chad Minton — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:27:09 -0400

It's been a fluid situation at running back over the past few seasons for the Titans as they've constantly shuffled through backup running backs for Chris Johnson.

Last season the running game could not be relied upon, and it was a major factor into why the Titans slid to a 6-10 record.

For 2013 the running back situation seems to be a little bit more balanced to help out Jake Locker at quarterback.

Here's the breakdown at running back in the middle of the offseason.

Begin Slideshow

Arsenal Transfer News: Yaya Sanogo Confirms Desire to Join Gunners over Summer

Dan Talintyre — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:24:49 -0400

Arsenal have been given a huge boost ahead of the summer transfer window with the news that transfer target Yaya Sanogo is keen on joining the North London club.

The Ligue 2 striker—who was confirmed last week by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger as a transfer target—has publicly stated via Sky Sports that if he is to leave Auxerre this summer for England, he would relish the opportunity to play at Arsenal alongside some of the the best players in world football.

Sanogo was quoted as saying:

Arsenal could be a great club for me, I scored nine goals this season with Auxerre and they think I can improve my level in England. I am pleased to be following in the footsteps of Abou Diaby who came through Auxerre. There are many teams interested in me, but Arsenal is my choice...

The news is a huge boost for the Gunners, who will head into the summer transfer window with a strong budget and plans for many potential additions.

And whilst the signing of Sanogo isn't likely to attract a plethora of media attention, it is still a great move by Arsenal. As I noted earlier this week, it's a smart, savvy move by the Gunners for a striker with huge potential—making it a win-win situation for the North London club this summer.

Standing at 6'3", Sanogo has the size and physicality required to thrive in the English Premier League. Moreover, he has great skill on both feet and has a keen eye in front of the goal—shown most clearly in the seven goals that he scored in just two games earlier this season for Auxerre.

The Daily Mirror reports that Sanogo broke the French national under-16 goal scoring record, and has shown many of the attributes that great French and Arsenal striker Thierry Henry had at his age.

But perhaps the best part, for Arsenal, is the transfer cost.

The Gunners will only have to pay a small compensation fee to Auxerre for the striker, and when they do sign him, the striker's wages will be very minimal.

That, in turn, will still allow them to make whatever big moves they desire over the summer transfer window—meaning they can still make moves for the likes of Stevan Jovetic, Kevin Strootman or any others they desire to add to their squad.

Signing Sanogo isn't an exclusive transfer in that it will hinder their chances of landing one of their more-fancied targets.

And for next to nothing in terms of cost, it's seemingly a great deal for Arsenal.

Signing him is a low-risk deal that, potentially, could have very high rewards.

Hit me up on Twitter for more sports goodness: Follow @dantalintyre