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World Football: Transfer Window Gossip

Karl Matchett — Sat, 25 May 2013 09:20:38 -0400

With the end of all the major European leagues in sight and the UEFA Champions League final effectively marking the end of the 2012-13 season, transfer rumours surrounding the biggest club and player names in football are on the increase.

The latest batch has incoming Manchester United manager David Moyes heavily involved in early summer dealings—although he doesn't officially take up his post until July 1 according to the Independent.

Some deals are already being completed by now, with Monaco confirming the £60 million double capture of Porto duo Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez, as per the BBC.

Here's the latest roundup of all the big rumours and links around the game this week.

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Biggest Bros and Hipsters of 2013 Playoffs

Brendan Bowers — Sat, 25 May 2013 08:46:08 -0400

Hipsters use their creativity to make bold fashion choices.

They are not afraid to challenge traditional standards for what's acceptable from a style standpoint.

NBA hipsters, in many ways, are led by the audaciously fashionable Russell Westbrook.

The fashion-forward point guard was essentially sidelined for his Oklahoma City Thunder's entire the playoff run; however, so in his place, Dwyane Wade has carried that mantle.

Meanwhile, the NBA bros are players with more conservative styles. While they possess the over-the-top confidence necessary to make bold fashion choices, they instead choose to keep it simple.

This list is highlighting the best of both worlds during the 2013 postseason.

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Coca-Cola 600 2013: Start Time, Lineup, TV Schedule and More

Tim Daniels — Sat, 25 May 2013 08:33:25 -0400

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to points racing on Sunday night with one of the season's most anticipated races: the Coca-Cola 600. Last week, five-time series champion Jimmie Johnson won the All-Star race, receiving a big paycheck but no points.

Johnson will once again be among the top contenders at the annual Memorial Day weekend showcase. He's won the marquee race three times before but not since 2005. Kasey Kahne, who won last year's race, and Jeff Gordon are the other active drivers with three Coca-Cola 600 wins.

The midseason spectacle also provides an opportunity for struggling drivers such as Kurt Busch and Tony Stewart to begin turning things around. With the All-Star race in the rear-view mirror, the mad dash for the Chase should start to heat up.

It all adds up to an intriguing night at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Let's take a look at all the vital viewing information for the race, followed by a list of top qualifiers and a deeper dive into some drivers worth watching on Sunday.

Where: Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.

When: Sunday, May 26 at 6 p.m. ET

Watch: Fox

Live Stream: NASCAR RaceView

TV Schedule

Sprint Cup Series practice – Saturday, 10 a.m. ET on SPEED

Sprint Cup Series final practice – Saturday, 1 p.m. ET on SPEED

2013 Coca-Cola 600 – Sunday, 6 p.m. ET on Fox

Race Lineup

Pos.	Driver	No.	Make	Top Speed
1	Denny Hamlin	11	Toyota	195.624
2	Kurt Busch	78	Chevrolet	195.221
3	Matt Kenseth	20	Toyota	195.094
4	Mark Martin	55	Toyota	194.595
5	Clint Bowyer	15	Toyota	194.503
6	Kasey Kahne	5	Chevrolet	194.349
7	Greg Biffle	16	Ford	194.238
8	Kyle Busch	18	Toyota	193.952
9	Jamie McMurray	1	Chevrolet	193.694
10	Ryan Newman	39	Chevrolet	193.639

For the complete qualifying order, visit NASCAR's official site.

Drivers to Watch

Denny Hamlin

Not only did Hamlin secure his second pole of the season, he did so in record-breaking fashion. His top speed during qualifying was several fractions better than any other car in the field, which bodes well for his chances in the race itself.

Hamlin is playing catch up after missing four races earlier in the season due to injury. He's going to need a consistent run of top finishes in order to make up for lost time. He currently sits in a tie for 26th place—more than 100 points behind the wild cards.

The driver of the No. 11 Toyota must do better to capitalize on his pole position than he did at the Auto Club 400. There Hamlin started up front but faded to a 25th-place finish. The good news is he has four top 10s in seven Coca-Cola 500 starts.

Jimmie Johnson

Johnson is having yet another terrific season. He's finished in the top 10 eight times in 11 races, including six of the past seven. The star has also won twice—three times if you count the All-Star race—and hasn't finished worse than 22nd.

The last fact is often overlooked but crucial for any championship contender. Avoiding the deep-pack finishes is just as important as the top 10s. Johnson has done a great job of staying out of trouble, and it's allowed him to build a big lead.

He will start 12th, which obviously isn't ideal, but it doesn't count him out. When he won the race for the first time in 2003, he started in 37th. A race that lasts 600 miles provides plenty of time for drivers to make up ground, and few are better than Johnson at doing exactly that.

Kurt Busch

Busch would fall into the category of drivers needing to make their move. He's had a solid season with a couple top fives and a pole, but two DNFs have set him back a bit. Starting on the front row gives the veteran a great chance to make up some ground.

The 34-year-old Las Vegas native won the Coca-Cola 600 three years ago. His track record in the race is otherwise spotty, however, with an average finish outside the top 20. Anything close to that on Sunday would be a major disappointment.

He's clearly got the car to make a serious push toward victory lane. Given that his margin for error to make the Chase will only continue to shrink from here, he can't let these golden opportunities slip away. Expect a strong showing from the No. 78 Chevy.

Chelsea Transfer News: Blues Should Let Thibaut Courtois Remain on Loan in Spain

Joseph Zucker — Sat, 25 May 2013 08:00:01 -0400

If Petr Cech is going to remain a Blue next season, Chelsea should let Thibaut Courtois continue his loan spell with Atletico Madrid.

He's set to return to Stamford Bridge this season, but his path to the first team is blocked by Cech. Courtois is good enough to get first-team football at almost any other club, so he deserves to be playing each and every week.

Courtois has already made his plea to stay with Atletico Madrid next season (h/t John Cross of the Daily Mirror):

"The Premier League is different to Spain. I think Chelsea want me to adapt with a loan deal but I would prefer to play for Atletico in the Champions League rather than a team which fights for eighth place in the Premier League.

"I know Chelsea don't want to loan me to another big English team and I understand that but it is a difficult situation."The club has one of the strongest goalkeeping situations in the world."

With Cech, Chelsea has one of the best keepers in the Premier League. With Courtois, the club has arguably the best young goalkeeper in the world. It's an embarrassment of riches.

Some might have gotten a first look at Courtois during Atletico's 2-1 win over Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey. But he's been stellar ever since moving to the Vicente Calderon, as Dan Thomas of ESPN pointed out:

Courtois has been prone to making some silly mistakes, most of which are down to his overall inexperience. He's only going to turn 22 on May 11. When you watch Courtois, though, you see a keeper who is wise beyond his years and athletic enough to make the difficult saves look easy.

There is an argument to be made that Courtois should be the first-choice keeper for Chelsea next season. Jake Allingan of Squawka has crunched the numbers and determined, in his opinion, the difference between Courtois and Cech is not all that great.

Sure, there's going to be a transition as he adapts to the Premier League and his teammates. But Courtois is a much more developed keeper than David de Gea, so there won't be the same kind of magnified mistakes. Plus, it's clear to see how much de Gea has improved over the past few seasons.

You can't blame Chelsea for sticking with Cech next season, though. He's an established player and, at 31 years old, is far from finished.

With Courtois having to look elsewhere to get first-team football, it makes the most sense to let him stay at Atletico Madrid. He's comfortable there and has established a rapport with his back four and has the full confidence of Diego Simeone.

Going to a mid- to lower-table Premier League side would get Courtois acquainted with English football. Joe Hart helped himself a lot when he played with Birmingham City before moving to the Manchester City first team.

The question is, would that be the same as playing in the Champions League with Atletico? By virtue of finishing third in La Liga, Atletico Madrid is guaranteed Champions League football. Every player wants to play in the competition because it offers the highest quality of football in the world.

By playing in the group stage, Courtois will at least acquaint himself with the pressure cooker that is the Champions League. That will be massive when joining a club like Chelsea that demands UCL qualification and success every year.

Whether it's in England or Spain, Courtois needs to play regular football. If that's not going to happen at Stamford Bridge, then it should be at the Calderon.

French Open 2013: Breaking Down Favorites to Win Grand Slam Event

Tyler Brooke — Sat, 25 May 2013 08:00:01 -0400

All of the stars in tennis will be present at the French Open, particularly in the Men’s Singles bracket.

The second Grand Slam event of the season will take place over the next few weeks. With the event starting up on Sunday, let’s go ahead and look at some of the big favorites to win the French Open in 2013.

Rafael Nadal

This has been Nadal’s event to win over the course of his career. He’s won the event the last three years and seven of the last eight, with Roger Federer the only other winner during that stretch, back in 2009. His overall record at this event is 52-1.

There’s little doubt that Nadal is the best clay-court player of all time. Since his return from a knee injury, Nadal has gone 31-2 on clay this season, with four tournament championships already.

If there’s any player in the field that’s the heavy favorite, it’s Nadal, plain and simple.

Novak Djokovic

The guy that fan will be looking to potentially upset Nadal in this event will be Djokovic.

So far this season, Djoker is 7-2 on clay with a tournament win at Monte Carlo. He has improved each of the past three years at the French Open, losing in the quarterfinals in 2010, semifinals in 2011 and finals against Nadal in 2012.

The two will likely go against each other again in the semifinals this year. In their six meetings against each other on clay, they are tied with three wins each. The winner of this potential match would advance to the finals and likely be the favorite to bring home the win.

If the two face each other in the semis, it will certainly be a very entertaining match.

Roger Federer

As said earlier, Federer is the only other player to win the French Open in the past eight years. However, this is Federer’s worst event in the Grand Slam series, with only an 80.6 win percentage at the French Open. This season, he has yet to win a tournament on clay, going 5-2 in two clay tournaments.

Still, Federer has been to the finals five times in the last eight attempts, with an appearance in the semifinals just last season. He’s one of the true greats in tennis, and nothing he does should be surprising to even the casual fan.

David Ferrer

While Nadal is the greatest player on clay, Ferrer has enjoyed quite a bit of success himself. In his career, 10 of his 20 career titles have come on clay.

This season has been a little shaky on clay for Ferrer, going 15-5 with only one title at the Copa Claro in Buenos Aires. He was the runner-up at the Mexican Open and Portugal Open, but was also upset in the very first round at the Barcelona Open.

Ferrer is not a heavy favorite by any means. However, he has enough career success on clay and looked good enough at this event last year—making it to the semifinals—to warrant some attention in 2013.

Leading Candidates to Be Manchester United's Next Ryan Giggs

Max Towle — Sat, 25 May 2013 08:00:01 -0400

Is there a greater Manchester United hero than Ryan Giggs?

The one-club man has won it all at Old Trafford over an incredible 23-year career: 13 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two Champions League titles and many other trophies.

He has made well over 900 appearances and is easily the club's most capped player in history.

Earlier this month, it was announced that the flying winger has signed a one-year contract extension with the Red Devils, one that will see him play in United red aged 40, according to the BBC.

His ability to play at the highest level for so long, and to be so loyal, is incredible. He is the best possible professional role model for his teammates.

But who in the current Manchester United squad could even come close to replicating his achievements?

Who could replicate his longevity, or even his playing style?

Here are the four most likely contenders to be the next Ryan Giggs in the current Manchester United squad:

Phil Jones

Twenty-one-year-old defender/midfielder Phil Jones has all the necessary attributes to be a Manchester United legend.

He is an honest, hard-working, determined footballer and man. His passion and zest for the game is noticeable to all who witness him in action.

Of all the young players in the Red Devils' squad, he seems to me to be the most likely to see out the rest of his career at Old Trafford.

The only issue would be his physicality. If he wants to play into this mid- to late-30s, he'll need to stop throwing himself into tackles with such vigour.

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Jones is on the right path to success.

According to ESPN, last month the Scotsman said "[Phil] Jones, arguably the way he is looking, could be our best ever player. I think Jones may be one of the best players we have ever had, no matter where we play him."

Sir Alex's words are daring but testament to the attitude and talent of the versatile Englishman.

Jones is only going to get better under David Moyes and is certain to be a key member of United teams of the future.

Nick Powell

My second contender is young midfielder Nick Powell.

Having moved from Crewe last summer, Powell has not had as much impact in his first season at Old Trafford as he would have liked, making only six total appearances.

He did show his talent in brief spurts, though, most notably scoring 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute on his debut.

Still only 19 years old, great things lie ahead for the attacking midfielder.

Sir Alex has already highlighted Powell's potential to be a key player for the Red Devils in this Daily Mail article.

He seems to have a good head on his shoulders and a healthy attitude to the game.

Upon signing for United, he said "I’ve proved myself at a certain level but I want to prove myself here at the top level. I hope I can do well," as reported on the club website.

Like with Phil Jones, it is difficult to predict that someone of his age will spend the entirety of his career at one club, but Powell is a good bet in this respect.

Chris Smalling

It would be fair if Chris Smalling felt a little neglected from time to time at Old Trafford.

In the buildup to United's final game of the season against West Brom, Sir Alex said "I want to play Jonny Evans and Phil Jones at centre-half because they are the future," according to The Telegraph.

Although Smalling was out injured, it was odd that the former manager didn't mention him in this regard.

The 23-year-old has had good spells of form at the heart of the United back line and is a player marked for future greatness.

In terms of longevity, Smalling is an intelligent, level-headed man who could very well see out his career playing for the Red Devils.

He recently said "I should be in with a shout of starting [next season]. That’s the aim. You look for those opportunities to get in the side."

Central defenders tend to have some of the longest shelf lives as well. Fans will just have to hope Smalling stays healthy.

Wilfried Zaha

My final pick for a future Ryan Giggs is new signing Wilfried Zaha.

His inclusion is less about him seeing out his career playing for United, more in terms of his style of play.

The 20-year-old is a tricky, lightning-quick winger like the Welshman in his formative years.

A versatile threat, Zaha also spends much of his time on the left wing. This will continue next term as he pushes Ashley Young for a place in the starting XI.

His manager at Crystal Palace, Ian Holloway, said "[Zaha] has all the ability it takes to make his mark at United and will always be able to treasure the golden memory of the day when Sir Alex and Sir Bobby Charlton told him he is made for Old Trafford," according to The Mirror.

If he can buckle down and quickly iron out the flaws in his game, Zaha could live up to Holloway's high opinion of him.

In terms of longevity, though, it would be difficult to see Zaha remain at Old Trafford for half as long as Ryan Giggs has.

We should treasure any player who does.

Follow @MaxBentleyTowle

How We Would Realign the NFL Divisions

Russell S. Baxter — Sat, 25 May 2013 07:47:39 -0400

In the 93-year history of the National Football League, the game, its teams and its players have evolved.

While tradition is certainly cherished, change is only natural.

So when asked how the league would look should there be another realignment, it was time to go for broke.

Hence, what you see ahead of you is the NFL of the future. It’s also a league that could include an 18-game regular-season schedule sooner than later.

So taking into account some geography, a little rivalry and perhaps a bit of insanity, here’s the new-look NFL. While we are aware of certain bylaws that insist certain teams remain together, we’ve opted to bypass those bylaws.

However, we were careful to reference the league’s past. In 1967, the National Football League was first divided into four divisions: Capital, Century, Coastal and Central. Three years later and with the merger on the field, the NFL was divided into two conferences (AFC and NFC) with six divisions, a format that held until the current eight-division alignment that began in 2002.

Hence, with a lot of rhyme and reason, here’s an idea of what a revised NFL could actually look like.

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Serena Williams Will Continue Impressive Run with Win at French Open

Joseph Zucker — Sat, 25 May 2013 07:30:00 -0400

Serena Williams has been a force in 2013, and you can expect her to run through her opponents at the French Open with relative ease.

It's hard to believe that around this same time last year, Williams was getting bounced by Virginie Razzano in the first round at Roland Garros. It was the nadir in what was an underwhelming beginning to 2012.

Fast forward to this year, and Williams is coming in much more dominant and primed for her second French Open win.

The clay of Roland Garros has never been too kind to Williams. The single win is her fewest among the four Grand Slams, and she hasn't gotten further than the quarterfinals since 2003.

It's a rather poor run for Williams and belies her consistency in the other three major tournaments.

Whether it's a lack of motivation or health problems, Williams had a hard time over the past few years getting everything to click on the court.

Part of what has gotten Williams to the top of women's tennis is her insatiable drive to be the best. That's led her at times to be very prickly with fans, media and other players—just ask Sloane Stephens. However, in the buildup to the tournament, Williams has been very different, much more open and content with her progress (h/t Simon Cambers of The Guardian):

"I felt this past year I had nothing to lose and just really wanted to enjoy my career," she said. "In the past when I played I was always so stressed out and always wanted to win, win, win. Now I'm definitely having a lot more fun than I used to on the court and really enjoying every moment of me walking out there. That definitely makes a big difference."

A dialed-in Williams has to be frightening for her competition. Even when she isn't at her best, Williams can be the best women's singles player in the world. At her peak, she's untouchable.

Just think back to how great Williams was during the 2012 Olympics. She made Sharapova look like some unranked nobody who has never played professional tennis. It was some of the most dominant tennis you're ever going to see.

Then she concluded her 2012 by winning the U.S. Open.

It's a superb run of form Williams has carried into this year, Australian Open aside. ESPN's Chris Fowler was particularly impressed with the way she performed at the Rome Masters:

She beat Victoria Azarenka 6-1, 6-3 in the final after dropping a paltry 10 games in the previous four rounds.

Considering she's 31 years old, it's amazing to see how high a level at which Williams remains. Normally a player hitting his or her 30s means a quick decline into mediocrity. Williams, on the other hand, remains almost as good as she was in her prime.

There's no reason to start questioning Williams' chances now.

Losing to Stephens at the Australian Open hurt, but you could see Williams was not herself. Her back was giving her problems, and she was visibly in pain. That's not to take credit away from Stephens but rather to explain what was the worst performance for Williams so far in 2013.

Despite that disappointment at the Australian Open, she has to be considered the prohibitive favorite for the French Open.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where: FedExForum, Memphis

Series: San Antonio 2-0

TV: ESPN

Game 5 Key Storyline: Defensive Savvy vs. Home Cooking

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Series Star So Far: Tony Parker

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

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

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

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

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

Projected Starting Lineups:

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

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

Spurs Injury Report: (via CBSSports .com)

None reported

Grizzlies Injury Report:

None reported

Spurs Will Win If...

Their interior defense continues to stymie the Grizzlies.

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

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

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

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

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

Grizzlies Will Win If...

They figure out Tony Parker and crash the offensive glass.

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

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

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

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

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

Prediction:

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

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

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

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

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

Grizzlies 92, Spurs 86

Manchester City vs. Chelsea: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

Mike Chiari — Sat, 25 May 2013 07:15:00 -0400

EPL powers Manchester City and Chelsea continue their United States tour on Saturday as they will meet for the second time in three days at Yankee Stadium in New York. If this match is anywhere near as exciting as their previous encounter on Thursday night, there is no question that it will be a highly entertaining affair.

The two teams met at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on Thursday in what was a tale of two halves. Chelsea charged out to a 3-0 lead, but the Citizens battled back and were able to erase the deficit before netting the winning goal in the final seconds. City's 4-3 victory was certainly a great showcase for high-level soccer on the American stage.

As big as that match was, their forthcoming meeting at Yankee Stadium is even bigger. Manchester City recently partnered with the New York Yankees as they will co-own an MLS team known as New York City FC, which will begin play in 2015.

Man City will absolutely want to put on a show for the New York fans in anticipation of NYCFC, so look for a style of play similar to what they displayed on Thursday.

Here is everything you need to know about the second friendly showdown between Manchester City and Chelsea on Saturday, including when and where to watch it as well as which players to keep tabs on.

Where: Yankee Stadium, New York

When: Saturday, May 25 at 5:30 p.m.

Watch: FOX Soccer

Live Stream: Fox Soccer 2 Go (available on tape delay at 11:59 p.m. ET)

Rosters (courtesy of Yankees PR Department)

Manchester City Player to Watch: Micah Richards

It's easy to get caught up in Manchester City's offensive talent, as there is plenty of it with players like Edin Dzeko and Carlos Tevez in attack, but defender Micah Richards was the star on Thursday night. After Man City managed to erase Chelsea's 3-0 lead, Richards scored the game-winning goal in front of a 48,000-strong crowd, according to the official Premier League Twitter account.

Richards didn't score a single goal for the Citizens this season, but he provided solid defense and got better as the year went on. It probably isn't fair to expect Richards to score again on Saturday, but Manchester City figure to be even more aggressive than usual in a friendly setting, so it's possible that Richards will jump into the play and take aim.

Even if Richards is conservative offensively, though, he will be extremely important from a defensive standpoint. Chelsea has a large stable of offensive stars, and they were on full display early in Thursday's match as they helped Chelsea jump out to a 3-0 lead. Man City were able to shut them down the rest of the way, and Richards' play had a lot to do with that.

No matter how Saturday's game is ultimately paced, Richards promises to be a factor. Manchester City will use this match against a top-level opponent to play squad members that are deserving of more playing time. Richards definitely fits into that category, and he proved it on Thursday. Look for more great things from him at Yankee Stadium.

Chelsea Player to Watch: Juan Mata

There are so many players on Chelsea's roster who can strike at any moment, but there is little doubt that the attack runs primarily through forward Juan Mata. He was fantastic for Chelsea this season as he netted 12 goals and led the team with 12 assists. He plays well with the team's other attackers, and opposing defenders never know if he is looking to shoot or if he is trying to set up a teammate.

Mata didn't score on Thursday night, but he was a big factor. He set up Demba Ba's headed goal with a solid cross. After that, he was fouled in the box, which led to a penalty kick and another goal for Chelsea. Mata is always in the middle of things on the pitch, and that was quite apparent on Thursday.

Despite Chelsea's disappointing loss, Mata enjoyed his time in St. Louis. He tweeted about the fun atmosphere that the fans provided and even posted a photo that showed how many people were in attendance to support international soccer.

If he thought St. Louis offered a great atmosphere, he is sure to love New York. There are tons of soccer fans in the city who have been craving a big-time international match, and that is precisely what they are getting on Saturday.

Mata is an energetic player who seems to feed off the energy of the crowd at times, so he could be in for a huge performance at Yankee Stadium.

Matchup to Watch: Joe Hart vs. Petr Cech

While it's tough to pinpoint one important matchup in a friendly since there are many more substitutions than usual, the goalkeeping battle will certainly be something to watch. The regular starting goalkeepers did start Thursday's match; Joe Hart and Petr Cech were in for Man City and Chelsea respectively. Cech performed quite well, but the same can't be said for Hart.

The Citizens' goalkeeper surrendered two goals before being lifted in favor of Richard Wright. Chelsea's issues didn't start until Jamal Blackman came in for Cech. Had the two starting goalies remained in the game throughout, it's certainly possible that Chelsea would have won the match. With that said, it will be interesting to see if Hart and Cech go head-to-head again on Saturday.

Since both Manchester City and Chelsea want to put on a great show for the fans, it's likely that they will start their best players. That means Hart will have a chance to gain redemption, while Cech can try to build on his impressive showing. The goalkeepers are sure to be busy as both teams figure to employ offensive tactics and play a wide-open game.

Cech outplaying Hart ultimately didn't help Chelsea on Thursday, but Hart will definitely be playing with fire if he has another subpar outing on Saturday.

Prediction

Since Manchester City will be playing at its de facto home away from home in the form of Yankee Stadium, look for the Citizens to be fired up and for them to pick up another one-goal victory in a match featuring plenty of offensive fireworks.

Manchester City 3, Chelsea 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where: Wembley Stadium in London, England

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

Watch: Fox and Fox Deportes

Live Stream: Fox Soccer 2Go

Borussia Dortmund Player to Watch: Robert Lewandowski

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

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

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

Bayern Munich Player to Watch: Mario Mandzukic

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

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

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

Matchup to Watch: Battle of the midfielders

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

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

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

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

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

Prediction

Bayern Munich 2, Borussia Dortmund 1

UFC 160 Predictions: Who Will Win Each Main Card Fight

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Cerrone

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

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

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

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

Winner: Grant

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

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

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

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

Winner: Teixeira

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

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

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

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

Winner: dos Santos

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Velasquez

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

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

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

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

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

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

Welcome to the Cain Velasquez era—again.

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

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

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

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

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

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

All statistics via FightMetric unless otherwise noted.

Striking

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

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

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

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

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

Grappling

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

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

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

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

Verdict

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

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

Dos Santos vs. Hunt: Biggest Strengths and Weaknesses for Each Fighter

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

Junior dos Santos and Mark Hunt have things that they’re good at and things they struggle with, and both fighters will be looking to use these to their advantages to win at UFC 160.

The big fight of the night on Saturday will be the championship fight between Cain Velasquez and Antonio Silva, but the next biggest fight will clearly have to be the heavyweight bout between Cigano and The Super Samoan.

Let’s take a look at the biggest strengths and weaknesses for each fighter.

Note: All statistics are provided by FightMetric.com unless specified otherwise.

Junior dos Santos (15-2)

Strengths

On his feet, dos Santos is an impressive fighter. He lands an average of 5.51 significant strikes per minute. The case can be made that he’s one of the most effective boxers in the division.

What helps make Junior a solid fighter on his feet is that he can stay upright. He is a tough fighter to get to the floor, staying upright on 74 percent of attempted takedowns.

Despite the heavyweight limit being at 265 pounds, Junior only weighs in around 240. This lack of bulkiness makes him a much quicker fighter in the Octagon.

Weaknesses

The issue with being so solid on his feet is that dos Santos is untested on the ground. If he ends up on the ground, chances are that he will be much less effective. He lost one of his two fights in his career due to a submission.

When fighting against Velasquez at UFC 155, Junior looked quite winded. This was uncommon for a fighter who usually appears to have pretty good stamina. This will be something else to watch for during the fight.

Mark Hunt (9-7)

Strengths

The Super Samoan is known best for his impressive power. He almost always pushes the weight limit around 265 pounds, giving him a big weight advantage on dos Santos. Six of Hunt’s nine wins have come by way of knockout.

Despite being listed at 5’10’’, Hunt can move around the Octagon quite well.

Before Hunt’s MMA career, he was actually a professional kickboxer. He went 30-13 as a kickboxer, including 13 knockouts. This past profession helps out Hunt tremendously, as he can really surprise opposing fighters with devastating shots.

Weaknesses

Just like Junior, Hunt struggles when it comes to fighting on the ground. Six of his seven losses in his career have come from submission. Luckily for Hunt, dos Santos only has one win by submission ever.

Stamina is an issue as well with the Super Samoan. This is likely due to that same stocky frame that helps him with his power. Typically when fights go the distance or close to it, his technique gets sloppy and he starts making big mistakes.

Velasquez vs. Silva 2: Why Velasquez Will Win Rematch

Jeremy Fuchs — Sat, 25 May 2013 07:00:02 -0400

Velasquez vs. Silva 2 should be an epic rematch of their heavyweight fight in UFC 146. Cain Velasquez won that match easily, and Antonio Silva will be eager to seek revenge. In Saturday's UFC 160 pay-per-view main event, we should see a pretty bloody fight.

Velasquez will be inclined to keep his heavyweight crown, while "Bigfoot" Silva, who beat Travis Browne and Alistair Overeem to get here, will do all he can to steal the title away.

However, Velasquez is just too good and Silva doesn't really stand a chance.

Let's remember that in UFC 146, Velasquez absolutely dominated. He scored a TKO victory at just 3 minutes and 36 seconds into the first round.

In addition, Velasquez is much better on the mat than Silva. Velasquez was a two-time All-American at Arizona State in wrestling. If this becomes a wrestling match, Silva will be at a huge disadvantage. Velasquez is simply quicker and more agile.

Velasquez has also improved his conditioning, something he showed off in his five-round victory against Junior Dos Santos. Silva, a big man at 6'4" 263 pounds, can tire easily.

The longer this match goes on, the better chance Velasquez has. Silva has only gone past the first round seven times and has never gone five rounds in any fight in his career.

Silva does pack a pretty powerful punch, and he can win if he scores a knockout early. If he gets one big punch in, then we could see an upset.

However, Velasquez is too quick to get knocked out by one punch. His agility will make it hard for Silva to land a solid punch. Silva will have to be so overpowering that Velasquez has nowhere to go.

The blueprint for Velasquez to win is simple—get Silva tired and then use the mat to finish him. Velasquez doesn't need to win early, although that would be welcome. In fact, Velasquez has a bigger advantage the longer the match goes on.

By forcing this match to be settled on the mat, Velasquez will dominate Silva. Of course, Silva will do what he can to get as many powerful punches in early on and knock Velasquez out before it can turn into a wrestling match.

That said, Velasquez has the upper hand. He's the reigning champ and knows how to beat Silva. He's very well-rounded and is solid, if not spectacular, in all aspects. He has the right skill set to beat Silva, and that's why he will win this rematch.

2013 NBA Mock Draft: Obvious Choices for 1st-Round Teams

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

With the draft combine having passed and Tuesday's draft lottery having set the order for this year's picks, we're finally starting to get a sense of how things are going to play out in the 2013 NBA draft.

Of course, it won't be until next month that things begin to crystallize, and we'll be able to get something concrete about these picks. Until then, we'll be seeing a never-ending series of reports filled with smokescreens and false "promises" leaked by agents trying to drum up interest in their clients.That's the fun part of this process.

But having the draft order and talking to scouts after the combine puts analysts in a good place to determine fact from fiction with these rumblings.

The Cleveland Cavaliers' victory in the draft lottery takes names like Ben McLemore and Trey Burke completely out of consideration for the top pick. It also alleviates the concern of the Orlando Magic, who would have had to decide whether taking the most talented player in this class—Nerlens Noel—was worth alienating an already burgeoning center in Nikola Vucevic.

Those things we "know" create a domino effect, allowing the rest of the picks to almost flow like clockwork. With that in mind, here is a complete look at our latest breakdown for Round 1.

All combine measurements are via ESPN's Chad Ford as are the athleticism drills.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Nerlens Noel (C, Kentucky)

The ping-pong balls might have went their way, but that doesn't mean the Cavs are satisfied with getting the No. 1 pick. Sure, the scene at the draft lottery resembled a frat house. Dan Gilbert and Co. just weren't celebrating because they won the Nerlens Noel sweepstakes.

Instead, it seems they were jumping up and down at acquiring another asset. ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported the Cavs will shop around the top pick with hopes of landing another superstar to put alongside Kyrie Irving. But while we'd probably wager that this pick gets traded at this juncture, we're not getting into slippery slopes here.

If an amenable deal does not present itself, Noel will be the pick. Cleveland reportedly loves Otto Porter and for good reason. He's a near-perfect fit on the wing for Irving and Dion Waiters, two guys who need the ball to be effective.

Landing Porter at No. 3 would have been fine. Doing so at the top of the draft just isn't a realistic option. Noel is the only player in this class with superstar potential, though weighing in at 206 pounds is yet another sign it's a few years down the line until he is one.

Gilbert may want to win now. Give him a bottle or something. It's time he and the Cavs exercise patience—something never done during the LeBron James era. Noel's journey to stardom might be a slow burn, but it could be worth in the long haul.

2. Orlando Magic: Ben McLemore (G, Kansas)

If recent reports are to be believed, the Magic have already decided they're picking between two players: McLemore and Trey Burke.

The National Player of the Year in college basketball, Burke is a name who many have pegged in Orlando's direction. Jameer Nelson is only 31 years old, but the days of anyone thinking he's even a replacement-level starting point guard are over. Burke defaulted his way into the top-dog spot at point guard after Marcus Smart returned to school, making him a logical fit for the Magic.

McLemore's presence, though, makes this classic needs vs. value pick for Orlando. A prototypical shooting guard with dunk-contest athleticism and a sweet stroke from distance, McLemore is a potential All-Star in the making. He needs to be more consistent and show a little more competitive fire, but the talent is real here.

And while the Magic have two promising young wings in Tobias Harris and Moe Harkless, neither projects as a shooting guard long-term. They're not looking at a Nikola Vucevic-Nerlens Noel situation the way they would with the top pick.

McLemore should—and ultimately will—get the nod here because he has the higher upside.

3. Washington Wizards: Otto Porter (F, Georgetown)

Just abut everything nice we said about Porter in the Cleveland section can be applied to Washington. Bradley Beal isn't as ball-needy as Waiters at the 2-guard spot, but John Wall is at his best whenever he's using his prodigious speed and quickness to create shots.

Though Porter has some point-forward in him, he's often best playing off the ball. He sets good, smart screens, knows where to be spacing-wise and plays with a headiness that leaps off the film. There aren't many guys in this class you fall in love with the more you watch them. Porter is one, which is why most astute scouts didn't bat an eye when those top-pick rumors got floated.

Perhaps more importantly for Washington, Porter fits with the team's defensive identity. The Wizards were the fifth most efficient defense on a per-100 possessions basis during the regular season, thanks in large part to the presences of Emeka Okafor and Nene. Porter is an excellent wing defender who can switch on 4s without losing much.

There aren't many teams where Porter wouldn't fit, and Washington would be more than happy to land him.

4. Charlotte Bobcats: Alex Len (C, Maryland)

Michael Jordan better hope his plan to bring back the Hornets' nickname comes with some positive lottery karma, because the Bobcats' nickname sure hasn't cut it. In the same way Jordan's franchise has become the NBA's unlovable losers on the floor, it's continually fallen short in the league's lottery system as well.

Just a year after missing out on Anthony Davis, Charlotte will likely face an untenable position at No. 4. Victor Oladipo is the best player remaining on the board in this scenario, but his long-range shooting woes would only compound the ones already on the Bobcats' roster.

Len isn't a perfect prospect by any stretch. He was consistently bullied by tougher players at Maryland, and ankle surgery has left him unable to prove himself in workouts. A true seven-footer who is comfortable in the mid-range, Len's feathery touch around the basket is his calling card. There were signs of an array of post moves at Maryland, so it will be interesting to see how he develops.

With the Bobcats already having the offensively broken Bismack Biyombo in their frontcourt, Len might provide a good contrast.

5. Phoenix Suns: Victor Oladipo (G, Indiana)

Look for the celebratory fist-bumping to commence in Phoenix's war room if Oladipo is still on the board. The Indiana product has scouts smitten after measuring bigger than expected and showing off jaw-dropping athleticism at the combine.

With many wanting to see how much Oladipo's outside shot has improved since the end of the college basketball season, what comes of his workouts will be intriguing.

There have been some NBA teams already saying he's worthy of the top overall selection, per Peegs.com's Jeff Rabjohns:

While it would take a trade for Oladipo to go No. 1, the hype is considerable. At the very worst, he's a future All-Defense selection as a perimeter menace, equipped with the lateral quickness and athleticism of a young Tony Allen. Oladipo won't get past this pick if he's still available.

6. New Orleans Pelicans: Trey Burke (G, Michigan)

The newly branded Pelicans are in an interesting spot this summer. Their roster looks very promising on paper. Anthony Davis is a star in the making, and Eric Gordon is one of the league's best young 2-guards when healthy. Also, Ryan Anderson is arguably the league's best stretch 4, and Austin Rivers serves the best Gatorade in the business.

But there are cracks in that foundation. Gordon could be on the move this summer. Greivis Vasquez—a revelation at the point guard spot this past season—is due a fat long-term contract in the next 12 months.

Other than a defensive-minded forward center, New Orleans could go anywhere with its pick—in theory. Burke gets the nod here mostly because of value.

Questions about his size and middling first step are valid, but Burke's vision and craftiness driving to the hole is something you rarely see from a 20-year-old player. He's a competitive dynamo as well, the type who could be motivated by an incumbent starter like Vasquez (and vice versa).

It's possible Burke never gets past No. 2, but the basement of his value is at No. 6.

7. Sacramento Kings: Anthony Bennett (F, UNLV)

Speaking of teams that don't know what the hell they are doing, I present you with the Sacramento Kings. Folks in California's capital finally know their team is staying, but who returns from this rotten-to-the-core roster is very much up in the air.

As such, we're just going to peg the best player available at this spot for now. Bennett's shoulder surgery will prevent him from working out for teams prior to draft day, but most already know what they're getting. At UNLV, Bennett was a bruising 4 who used his raw power to send opposing bigs to their backsides in the post.

He'll have to develop some post moves and some finesse, but his acceptable outside shooting shows he's not totally one-dimensional offensively. That being said, he's one of the most indifferent defenders I've ever watched. So there's a distinct possibility the Kings pass just because they don't want a dreadful Boogie Cousins-Bennett front line defense.

8. Detroit Pistons: Shabazz Muhammad (G, UCLA)

The Pistons have built a promising core entirely out of mid-lottery picks over these past few years, But there is still work left to be done—namely in the perimeter scoring department. Brandon Knight and Kyrie Irving obliterations aside, he is a very strong on-ball defender, but he's not a prolific enough scorer to be a 2-guard and not a good enough passer to play the point.

Though Knight was better once Jose Calderon came over to take over most of the ball-handling duties, Joe Dumars still needs to find someone who could develop into a 20-point scorer. For all of the fuss about Muhammad and overzealous hatred of this young man, he's arguably the player best-equipped to score right now at the NBA level.

Muhammad has a strong NBA body and enough athleticism and strength to finish around the basket. And while he'll probably never be a superstar, that will be more than good enough for Detroit at No. 8.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (G, Georgia)

Caldwell-Pope didn't wow scouts the way I expected him to at the combine, but it seems he's found his way into the top-10 regardless. The sweet-shooting guard has been a player I've touted since this process began—a potential two-way player who will almost welcome a reduced responsibility after carrying the world at Georgia.

Minnesota has long been an ideal fit from both sides. The Timberwolves shot a league-worst 30.5 percent from distance last season. Folks can say Ricky Rubio has a developing outside shot until they're blue in the face, but until he actually starts showing it, I'm not buying it.

Caldwell-Pope could fit alongside Rubio in the starting lineup or help Alexey Shved carry the bench units. Either way, the less Shved and Rubio are on the floor next season, the better.

10. Portland Trail Blazers: Cody Zeller (F-C, Indiana)

I'm not one to go all crazy over Zeller's impressive athletic performance at the combine. He's No. 8 on my prospect board at the moment and has fluctuated somewhere between Nos. 7-10 throughout this process. During the college basketball season, I found myself becoming a Zeller detractor because of the top-five hype, but now that he's on the fringes of the top 10, we might have gone too far.

Oladipo, while the better NBA prospect, was never the best basketball player on last year's Indiana team. The Hoosiers went how Zeller did, making it no surprise when they were eliminated in a game against Syracuse where he was dreadful.

Portland won't expect him to carry the same load—only to provide desperately needed frontcourt depth with J.J. Hickson hitting free agency. With Zeller pushing his own bandwagon to power forward, his versatility would be welcomed by a Blazers bench in need of warm bodies.

11. Philadelphia 76ers: C.J. McCollum (G, Lehigh)

The Sixers were a bottom-10 team in just about every meaningful offensive category during the regular season, and they can't be feeling like too hot of a free-agent destination at the moment. Jrue Holiday is the only blue chipper on the roster, the remaining positions being filled by guys slightly above replacement value—an injured Andrew Bynum and the terrible Nick Young.

Philly can go a long way toward eradicating the Young problem and its scoring woes by landing McCollum. A local kid who played his college ball at nearby Lehigh, McCollum has identified himself as a Sixers fan and openly said he hoped to play in Philadelphia.

Considering what McCollum brings to the table—elite dribble-drive game, excellent quickness and an improving outside shot—and what the Sixers need ("we'll take scoring, pleeez"), this is a perfect fit.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Steven Adams (C, Pittsburgh)

There aren't many teams in this lottery that I can justify them taking Adams. Though his combination of size, athleticism and toughness is intriguing, showing increased touch against air at the combine isn't all that inspirational. Adams is raw—so raw that he probably shouldn't be a part of an NBA rotation for at least a full season.

Essentially, he'll be a redshirt rookie next season—and that's probably a good thing.

The Thunder are the one team in a position to take that redshirt. Oklahoma City walks into its offseason needing an eventual replacement for Kendrick Perkins in the middle (now would be great) and microwave scoring off the bench. Size is available in this scenario, and Adams is the likeliest to turn into a home run.

Even if it's a big-time risk, Sam Presti is going to have to gamble here if he hopes to land anything substantial for the James Harden deal.

13. Dallas Mavericks: Dario Saric (F, Croatia)

The Mavs are going to shop this pick hard. They don't want any unnecessary cap holds for an impending run at Dwight Howard, so that means cutting all expenditures deemed unnecessary. In this case, that means auctioning off a potential future asset for the hefty sum of "whatever we can get." It's not exactly the most responsible way to run a franchise, but I get the logic.

If by some weird stroke of fate Dallas has to make this selection, Saric will be the pick. He's just 19 years old, has a veteran's feel for the game on offense and can work out his kinks (free-throw shooting and defense) overseas for the next couple seasons. That way Dallas doesn't have to pay him a dime and gets to keep its asset.

Everybody wins.

14. Utah Jazz: Michael Carter-Williams (G, Syracuse)

Speaking of "everybody wins" scenarios, Carter-Williams might not view Salt Lake City as his idea of a good time, but the Jazz's point guard situation is one of the worst in the league. Mo Williams—who is still living off that time LeBron James made him an All-Star—and Randy Foye will both hit free agency.

It's questionable whether either will be back. Even if one of the duo does return, Utah hopes it's in a backup capacity.

Carter-Williams could make that dream a reality. Though he's not the most NBA-ready prospect in this draft—it's called a jump shot, Michael—Carter-Williams possesses an almost limitless potential. His court vision at 6'6" is the type you dream about, and he has the lateral quickness and athleticism to defend both guard positions.

Even if it's a rough transition, which I suspect it will be, Carter-Williams' best bet at making it in the league could be for a team to throw him into the fire immediately.

15. Milwaukee Bucks: Kelly Olynyk (C, Gonzaga)

The fit in this scenario is perfect for Milwaukee. Already equipped with arguably the league's best interior defender in Larry Sanders, Olynyk would provide almost a polar opposite of his theoretical teammate. Scouts' knock on Olynyk is that he's not tough, struggles against bigger defenders with his back to the basket and isn't a rim protector.

Well, Sanders is all of those things, and he's also still pretty broken in the areas where Olynyk excels. The Grizzlies have proven that you can win with two elite big men who know how to play with one another. There's no comparing a potential Olynyk-Sanders pairing to Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph, but Milwaukee could have a burgeoning facsimile when all is said and done.

16. Boston Celtics: Mason Plumlee (F, Duke)

The murky future of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett in Boston make this a pick difficult to discern. Boston doesn't seem like it wants to blow things up and start all over again. Danny Ainge would seemingly rather retool and build around Rajon Rondo, Jeff Green and a third player to see where that takes them.

If that's the case, then the Celtics have to address their abhorrent rebounding and athleticism down on the low block. Garnett, even if he returns, is mostly a spot-up shooter on offense and has become increasingly unable to have big-time rebounding games.

Plumlee is an instant contributor who could help in both of those departments. He's an athletic marvel when on the floor, able to leap up for an offensive rebound at a moment's notice and send it down with a thunderous jam. And while most will focus on the untapped resource of his offensive potential, Plumlee's high-energy style could help mix things up for a Celtics team that looked lifeless at points last season.

17. Atlanta Hawks: Dennis Schroeder (PG, Germany)
18. Atlanta Hawks (via Houston Rockets): Gorgui Dieng (C, Louisville)

Much like any other team with significant cap space, the Hawks have become fixated on landing either Chris Paul or Dwight Howard—and perhaps both. With news that Howard has "considered" coming back to his hometown while thinking about his future, the Hawks may choose to punt these picks elsewhere and focus on keeping their cap room.

By mid-June, I have a feeling Atlanta will know it has little chance of landing Howard or Paul.

Assuming they're out of the D12 running, Danny Ferry needs to make the most of these picks and do so in a semi-traditional fashion. When the Celtics had back-to-back picks a year ago, they went with a boom-or-bust guy (Fab Melo) and one they felt would instantly contribute (Jared Sullinger).

Atlanta could do something similar here with Schroeder and Dieng. A German-born point guard, Schroeder has been flying up draft boards after impressing at the Nike Hoop Summit.

Though there are some basketball IQ kinks that need worked out and he's not much of a passer, Schroeder is nothing short of lethal with the ball in his hands. He has possibly the quickest first step in this class and has ridiculous length that makes him interesting to project as a defender.

Dieng is more of a sure thing. He's still raw offensively—other than his smarts passing the ball out of the post—but he is a top-shelf rebounder and shot-blocker who—at the very least—will give you 15-20 good minutes a night.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Lakers): Jamaal Franklin (G-F, San Diego State)

As with all of the Cleveland picks, we're not sure the Cavs will be picking here on draft night. But if they are, the team's revamp into a league-average defensive club could be completed in June if Franklin is on the board.

Though he spent many of his collegiate days playing out of position and thus unable to develop an outside shot, Franklin is one of this class's toughest defenders. He brings everything he has to the floor on a nightly basis, whether that be taking a team's best player on defense or exploding to the hole for a dunk on offense.

A year from now, Franklin might turn into a Kawhi Leonard-like asset if he works on knocking down corner threes.

20. Chicago Bulls: Glen Rice Jr. (G, NBA D-League)

Let's go all Twitter on this one and bang it out in 140 characters: Name me a coach more equipped than Tom Thibodeau to handle a player like Rice—a mercurial talent who put it together in the D-League. You can't.

(OK, I cheated. That was more than 140 characters. Go here if you'd like a full refund for this column.)

21. Utah Jazz (via Golden State Warriors): Rudy Gobert (F, France)

The measurements on Gobert's freakish length came back positively: He's 7'2" in shoes with nearly a 7'9" wingspan and 9.75-inch hand length.

But everything else came up a little short at the combine. His athleticism numbers were shockingly awful, as he had a maximum vertical of 29 inches. That's not very good, even for someone of Gobert's freakish strength.

So maybe the French JaVale McGee comparisons were a little off. But Gobert has the length to make up for a lot of his athletic deficiencies, which should still make him a lock for Round 1.

Utah, with Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap hitting free agency, should be in the market for a big with its second pick. The Jazz won't invest another lottery pick inside with Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter on the board, and adding Gobert to the mix would be a menacing defensive threesome to throw at opposing teams.

Plus, who wouldn't be entertained by seeing the Jazz take the two freakishly long players in this draft with Gobert and Carter-Williams?

22. Brooklyn Nets: Tony Snell (F, New Mexico)

Snell's time at New Mexico was filled with frustration for anyone who wished he would develop into a consistent offensive force. Though he had the length, athleticism and shooting prowess to become a real scoring threat with the Lobos, Snell was better known as the enigma who could never put it together consistently.

When he left school a year early, some thought it would be a one-way ticket to Europe. But after his scintillating display at the scouting combine—knocking down shots and showing off strong athleticism—Snell has some first-round buzz.

That being said, Brooklyn is one of only a few places where Snell makes sense at this juncture. The Nets need a wing player who can help space the floor and spell Joe Johnson and Gerald Wallace, something the versatile Snell has the size to do.

If Brooklyn passes, it could punch Snell's ticket to Round 2.

23. Indiana Pacers: Shane Larkin (G, Miami)

If you think the Pacers are putting one hell of a scare into the defending champion Miami Heat now, just think what they could do with any competency off the bench. Indiana's bench scored a whopping five points in its Game 2 victory over Miami on Friday—a figure that's indicative of just how bad management has miscalculated its offseason additions.

The return of Danny Granger next season will help as will someone like Larkin—if he's available. Though the Miami standout is a bit small in the backcourt, the Pacers lived with D.J. Augustin all season long. And I would venture to say Frank Vogel would trade Augustin for Larkin in about one-third of a second

A fiery competitor on both ends of the floor, Larkin impressed with his athleticism at the combine. His 44-inch vertical leap was the second-highest ever recorded at the event, and he ran a blazingly fast 3.08 seconds in the three-quarter court sprint.

That performance was enough to make him a rising name on most boards, so it'll be interesting to how high his stock soars in the coming weeks.

24. New York Knicks: Jeff Withey (C, Kansas)

After watching him get manhandled by Roy Hibbert for six games in the Eastern Conference semifinals, Knicks fans are on red alert in their Tyson Chandler decline meter. New York cannot subsist as a serious contender next season without Chandler at something resembling 100 percent, even if he's not a Defensive Player of the Year candidate.

Kenyon Martin did a brilliant job picking up minutes and slack from Chandler in the playoffs, but he's not a long-term solution. Asking Martin to play extended minutes as a top backup is an awfully tall task for someone who turns 36 in December.

Withey could instantly step in and lessen the load on all involved. The four-year Kansas standout won't ever be a star. He probably won't even be an NBA starter, except when subbing in for an injured veteran. But he's an instant contributor who plays rock-solid defense and won't back down against any of the league's best bigs.

25. L.A. Clippers: Tim Hardaway, Jr. (G, Michigan)

To paraphrase the great Mike Singletary, the Clippers need winners. They need players who actually give a damn, who won't lead a mutiny against Chris Paul and have enough collegiate experience they won't need to be spoon-fed the NBA lifestyle.

And most importantly, they need players who can knock down spot-up jumpers. Tim Hardaway, Jr. fits all that criteria and could instantly slide into the back half of Los Angeles' rotation.

26. Minnesota Timberwolves: Giannis Antetokoumpo (G-F, Greece)

There are some scouts who are sold on Antetokoumpo to the point they say he has one of the highest upsides in this draft. I'm not one of those analysts. He's playing against the second division in Greece, which has about all the competitiveness of a local YMCA league game.

And while Antetokoumpo was impressive in the limited amount of film I've seen from those games, there's just nothing there that denotes first-round ability for me yet.

Apparently at least one NBA team disagrees. Antetokoumpo receiving a promise could be a smokescreen thrown up by his management, but the hype surrounding his name has been considerable enough to make it plausible.

Minnesota is one of a select few Round 1 teams where he would make sense at. The team has pushed for more international faces since bringing Ricky Rubio over and have had a decent amount of success. Antetokoumpo will stay overseas for at least a year, anyway, so it's no harm no foul if he decides to stay there forever.

27. Denver Nuggets: Allen Crabbe (G, California)

The Nuggets don't know who will be running their front office at this juncture, so they might want to figure that out before making any rash decisions. But whether it's Masai Ujiri or an underling of the NBA's Executive of the Year, this draft's top priority has to be landing a cheap player who can shoot from distance.

Enter Allen Crabbe. While it seems he's more interested in, I dunno, the LPGA than he is in playing defense on a basketball court, Crabbe is arguably this draft's best pure shooter. He put on a show at the combine, knocking down 72 percent of his shots—a number that was among the leaders at all positions.

If he's on the board and Denver doesn't want to go draft-and-stash, Crabbe seems like an obvious fit.

28. San Antonio Spurs: Sergey Karasev (G, Russia)

The Spurs' penchant for plucking international prospects is legendary. Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Tiago Splitter are all integral parts of a team that's likely headed to the NBA Finals, and they are also all international players San Antonio plucked later than their ultimate values.

Karasev might never even match Splitter's NBA success, but he has a very good shot. Though not gifted athletically in the same way as other tantalizing Euros, Karasev is arguably the smartest and most skilled. He's a craftsman around the basket, making up for his mediocre athleticism with an array of finishes that remind me a bit of a young Manu on film.

They're obviously not in the same conversations at this juncture. But with Ginobili showing signs of creakiness in these playoffs, Karasev could become San Antonio's long-term replacement option.

29. Oklahoma City Thunder: Isaiah Canaan (G, Murray State)

In this scenario, the entire draft works out perfectly for the Thunder. They get a long-term project in Adams with their top selection, and Canaan has steal-of-the-draft potential.

A scoring machine for each of the past two seasons at Murray State, Canaan's excellence as a senior was overshadowed by his team's mediocrity. He scored 21.8 points per game while launching an absurd 8.2 three-pointers per game, making 37 percent of those attempts.

Life was a nightly struggle for Canaan to get shots off, as defenses tailored their entire plans around stopping him. And NBA teams have begun noticing his interesting game.

It's possible that Canaan winds up impressing a team enough to vault even higher. But for now, Oklahoma City would be thrilled to land him.

30. Phoenix Suns (via Miami Heat): Pierre Jackson (G, Baylor)

In the same vein as the Thunder, Phoenix is in desperate need of bench scoring—or rather, any scoring whatsoever. The Suns would be ecstatic to land Oladipo, but all involved understand that he's still developing on the offensive end. There won't be many (if any) 25-point nights out of the Indiana product his rookie season.

Strangely, I can't say the same thing about Jackson. He'd be small for an NBA point guard, but Jackson has the instant-offense gene that makes him attractive late in the first round. The former Baylor product is also a freakish athlete, making teams wonder whether they could land their own non-headcase version of Nate Robinson.

At No. 30 and with little else on the board, Phoenix would be wise to find out.

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

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

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

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

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

UFC 160 Main Card TV Information

When: Saturday, May 25

Where: MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nev.

Start Time: 10 p.m. ET on PPV

Live Stream Info: UFC.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

French Open 2013 TV Schedule: When and Where to Catch Early-Round Action

Patrick Clarke — Sat, 25 May 2013 07:00:02 -0400

The opening rounds at the 2013 French Open this coming week are sure to produce a few fireworks.

Whether it's a qualifier knocking off an established Tour player or a top-10 player exiting early, the first few rounds at Roland Garros are as unpredictable as you'll find on the tennis schedule.

Perhaps the one thing fans can bank on each and every year is that Rafael Nadal will be standing with the trophy in his hands at the end of the fortnight. Not surprisingly, the seven-time French Open champion enters this year's Slam as the man to beat while world No. 1 Serena Williams also heads into the women's draw with a mighty target on her back.

With nothing left to do but watch, here we'll get you set for the next two weeks of Grand Slam tennis.

Full TV Schedule

Date	Time (ET)	Matches	Channel
Sunday, May 26	5 a.m.-10 a.m.	First Round	ESPN2
Sunday, May 26	10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.	First Round	Tennis
Sunday, May 26	Noon-3 p.m.	First Round	NBC
Monday, May 27	5 a.m.-10 a.m.	First Round	ESPN2
Monday, May 27	10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.	First Round	Tennis
Monday, May 27	Noon-3 p.m.	First Round	NBC
Tuesday, May 28	5 a.m.-10 a.m.	First Round	ESPN2
Tuesday, May 28	10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.	First Round	Tennis
Wednesday, May 29	5 a.m.-10 a.m.	Second Round	ESPN2
Wednesday, May 29	10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.	Second Round	Tennis
Thursday, May 30	5 a.m.-10 a.m.	Second Round	ESPN2
Thursday, May 30	10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.	Second Round	Tennis
Friday, May 31	5 a.m.-10 a.m.	Third Round	ESPN2
Friday, May 31	10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.	Third Round	Tennis
Saturday, June 1	5 a.m.-Noon	Third Round	Tennis
Saturday, June 1	Noon-3 p.m.	Third Round	NBC
Sunday, June 2	5 a.m.-1 p.m.	Round of 16	Tennis
Sunday, June 2	1 p.m.-4 p.m.	Round of 16	NBC
Monday, June 3	5 a.m.-10 a.m.	Round of 16	ESPN2
Monday, June 3	10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.	Round of 16	Tennis
Tuesday, June 4	8 a.m.-1 p.m.	Quarterfinals	Tennis
Tuesday, June 4	1 p.m.-7 p.m.	Quarterfinals	ESPN2
Wednesday, June 5	8 a.m.-1 p.m.	Quarterfinals	ESPN2
Thursday, June 6	9 a.m.-2 p.m.	Women's Semifinals	ESPN2
Thursday, June 6	11 a.m.-2 p.m.	Women's Semifinals	NBC
Friday, June 7	7 a.m.-11 a.m.	Men's Semifinals	Tennis
Friday, June 7	11 a.m.-2 p.m.	Men's Semifinals	NBC
Saturday, June 8	9 a.m.-1 p.m.	Women's Final	NBC
Sunday, June 9	9 a.m.-2 p.m.	Men's Final	NBC

*Schedule information courtesy of TimesUnion.com

Under-the-Radar Players to Watch For in Early Rounds

Stanislas Wawrinka

While everyone will be tuning in to see how well seven-time champion Rafael Nadal is faring this summer, many tennis fans will be watching with one eye on Stanislas Wawrinka.

The 28-year-old Swiss star has been playing fantastic this season, and is giving Roger Federer a run for his money when it comes to the King of Switzerland. Thanks to a 26-9 start to singles play this year, Wawrinka has moved all the way up to No. 11 in the ATP world rankings.

He's made three tournament finals already, all three on clay. He won the Portugal Open earlier this month before reaching the final of the Madrid Masters a week later, where he lost to Nadal in straight sets.

In addition to his current form, Wawrinka has reached the fourth round at each of the past three French Open tournaments. But he's never advanced to the quarters. Is this the year he gets over the hump?

He'll begin his journey against Dutch player Thiemo De Bakker in Round 1.

Dominika Cibulkova

Dominika Cibulkova is just 12-12 this season with zero titles to her name coming into the French Open, but don't let her 2013 struggles fool you—she can play.

A semifinalist at the 2009 French Open, Cibulkova is fresh off a quarterfinal appearance in Paris a year ago, where she defeated Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka in straight sets in the fourth round.

The 24-year-old Slovakian star is still improving on clay, but she has clearly emerged as one of the top female players on the surface. Prior to reaching the quarters in Roland Garros in 2012, Cibulkova made a run all the way to the final of the Barcelona Open in April 2012.

Cibulkova, who will be seeded 16th in the women's draw, will take on Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko in the opening round this coming week.

Philipp Kohlschreiber

Like Wawrinka, Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber is any excellent clay-court player and an experienced one in the men's game. At age 29, Kohlschreiber has played in every Grand Slam tournament dating back to the 2004 U.S. Open, going 44-33 in those matches.

In one of his best performances at a Grand Slam, Kohlschreiber reached the fourth round at the French Open in 2009. In all, he boasts an 8-8 singles record at Roland Garros since 2005. Although that mark is hardly impressive, keep in mind that one of those wins came against current world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.

The German took out Djokovic in dominant fashion, winning in straight sets in the third round of the French Open four years ago.

Kohlschreiber is a comfortable mover on clay and knows which shots to play and when. He has two clay-court titles and four clay-court final appearances to back that up.

Kohlschreiber will battle Czech qualifier Jiri Vesely in the opening round of this year's tournament.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.

NBA Playoff Schedule 2013: TV Info for Remaining Conference Finals Games

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

The Conference Finals are in full swing, but there is still even more basketball to be played before the NBA Finals.

Both series have featured some intense matchups, with physical basketball being played. Luckily for fans, both of the series still have a number of games to be played.

Here’s the TV schedule for each of these series, followed by some big stories surrounding each.

Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers

All Games on TNT starting at 8:30 p.m. ET

Game 3 – Sunday May 26 at Indiana

Game 4 – Tuesday May 28 at Indiana

Game 5 – Thursday May 30 at Miami

Game 6 – Saturday June 1 at Indiana

Game 7 – Monday June 3 at Miami

This series has taken on a physical tone from the start. Hard fouls and extracurricular contact has been present throughout the first two games. The Pacers were able to go 2-1 against the Heat in the regular season, but now things are much tougher for this team.

Frank Vogel received plenty of criticism in Game 1 after benching Roy Hibbert on two key possessions, including the final possession where LeBron James drove in for a game-winning layup as time expired. The move has led to a new thing known as "Vogeling".

After an intense playoff series last year when the Pacers took it to six games against the Heat, this is beginning to turn into a pretty big rivalry in the Eastern Conference. While the Heat have the Big Three, the Pacers have been playing solid team basketball and stifling defense.

The two teams have already made this quite a series in the first two games, and it will likely end in an equally thrilling finish.

San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies

All games on ESPN starting at 9 p.m. ET

Game 3 – Saturday May 25 at Memphis

Game 4 – Monday May 27 at Memphis

Game 5 – Wednesday May 29 at San Antonio

Game 6 – Friday May 31 at Memphis

Game 7 – Sunday June 2 at San Antonio

The Spurs have had complete control of this series to this point, leading 2-0 against the Grizzlies. While the Grizzlies boasted the lowest points against per game in the regular season, the Spurs have already put up 93 and 105 points in the first two games.

The big story for the Grizzlies through the first two games has been the struggles of Zach Randolph. He finished with only two points on 1-for-8 shooting in Game 1, hurting the team’s chances significantly. He was able to put up 15 points and 18 rebounds in Game 2, but he still only shot 6-for-18 from the field.

For the Spurs, Tony Parker has been huge to start the series. In Game 1, Parker put up 20 points on 9-for-14 shooting while also posting nine assists. In Game 2, Parker was a dime dropper with an incredible 18 assists to go along with 15 points.

Can Randolph get out of this cold spell and become an efficient scorer down low? The Grizzlies are hoping so, as their frontcourt of Randolph and Marc Gasol will need to challenge Tim Duncan and the Spurs’ dominating guys down low.

Roger Federer Will Cruise into Quarterfinals at 2013 French Open

Patrick Clarke — Sat, 25 May 2013 07:00:01 -0400

Roger Federer hasn't failed to reach the quarterfinals at a Grand Slam since the 2004 French Open, and don't expect that to change anytime soon.

The world No. 3 lucked out with the draw for the 2013 French Open, avoiding both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. And with Andy Murray out with a bad back, Fed looks like a lock to reach the tournament final for the sixth time in his career.

While Federer certainly demands respect as a 17-time Grand Slam champion, it's hard to argue that he's not ecstatic to avoid both Nadal and Djokovic considering those two men were responsible for his two most recent defeats at the French Open.

Nadal took out Fed in four sets in the final two years ago before Djokovic wiped him out in straight sets in the semifinals in 2012.

In 2013, Federer will open up the tournament against Spain's Pablo Carreno-Busta in the first round and won't face a seeded player until the third round potentially, assuming Frenchman Julien Benneteau can get through the first two rounds.

If not the 30th-seeded Benneteau, than perhaps it will be 15th-seeded Gilles Simon or 18th-seeded Sam Querrey who gives Federer his toughest test in the fourth round.

The toughest opponent in Fed's quarter of the bracket is sixth-seeded French star Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the man who beat him in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon two years ago despite trailing two sets to love.

But Federer wouldn't meet Tsonga until the quarterfinals. Therefore, it should be smooth sailing for Roger through the first four rounds in Paris. He should be able to pick up where he left off before the Rome final, fine-tuning his game and gaining confidence in each and every one of his shots for the late-round matches.

Federer simply doesn't lose in the early rounds at Grand Slams, and nothing about his draw suggests that he's going to start now.

While the red clay at Roland Garros hasn't been nearly as kind to Federer as the fast grass of London, keep in mind that he's won over 80 percent of his singles matches at the French Open, boasting a 54-13 record there dating back to 1999.

Roger Federer isn't going to stroll into the French Open final this June, but he should have no problem cruising through his first four matches in Paris this coming week.

Don't be surprised if he doesn't drop a set.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.

French Open 2013: Dark-Horse Candidates to Make Deep Runs at Roland Garros

Mike Chiari — Sat, 25 May 2013 07:00:01 -0400

While it's only natural that most tennis fans are talking about the likes of Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova in relation to the 2013 French Open, there are some soft spots in both draws that could potentially lead to some surprising names making it deep in tournament.

The absence of the injured Andy Murray in the men's draw definitely opens things up as the "Big Four" have become the "Big Three" and a semifinal spot is seemingly there for the taking. Also, while Williams and Sharapova appear to be the dominant players on the women's side, neither is a clay-court specialist, so there are upsets to be had.

Here are some potential dark-horse candidates on both the men's and women's sides who could make some noise and last much longer than anticipated at Roland Garros.

Nicolas Almagro

While nobody measures up to Rafael Nadal, it seems as though most Spanish players are very good at playing on clay. That is the case with world No. 13 Nicolas Almagro as well.

Almagro hasn't had the greatest 2013 season, thus far, as he has yet to win a title, but he has reached two finals, and his track record on clay is impeccable. Almagro has reached 20 finals in his career and won 12 tournaments, all of which came on clay.

Almagro has never advanced past the quarterfinals at the French Open, but this could be his year. Not only has he excelled on clay in the past, but he has really developed other areas of his game that could potentially help him at Roland Garros. According to tennis journalist Chris Goldsmith, Almagro is third among top-20 players on tour this year in aces per match.

Serving is an underrated aspect of clay-court play as great serves can get opponents off balance, which is a death wish on clay. When you mix that with great movement, Almagro has all the tools.

Perhaps most importantly, Almagro is in the easiest quarter of the tournament as it contains David Ferrer and Tomas Berdych as its top seeds. Neither player is a pushover, but Almagro could very well reach the semis and possibly even upend Roger Federer to make it to the final.

Ana Ivanovic

Serbian bombshell Ana Ivanovic was once the No. 1 player in the world, but she has dropped off noticeably over the past several years. She is certainly in the mix at No. 14, but her most recent success was a quarterfinal appearance in last year's U.S. Open.

Recent play doesn't suggest that Ivanovic will do much damage at Roland Garros as she has yet to reach a final this year, but history and a weak draw are on her side.

It may be hard to believe, and perhaps it's difficult to remember at this point, but Ivanovic is a former French Open titlist. She won the tournament back in 2008, and that stands as the only Grand Slam victory of her career.

Picking her to win it again in 2013 would constitute going out on a very shaky limb, but she is comfortable at Roland Garros and looks pretty loose heading into the tournament, according to the WTA's official Twitter account.

Even if Ivanovic isn't playing her best tennis right now, she has a chance to take the path of least resistance to the semifinals. She is in the quarter headed by Agnieszka Radwanska, and while Radwanska is a very solid player, she's certainly vulnerable.

If things go as expected, Ivanovic will have a chance to reach the quarters by beating Radwanska and could then potentially reach the semis by defeating Sara Errani. Her luck would run out against Serena in the semifinals, but that would be a great result for Ivanovic.

Juan Monaco

Much like Almagro, Juan Monaco is a clay-court specialist who has had marginal success in Grand Slam tournaments. While the Argentine has never advanced past the fourth round at Roland Garros, he is in a pretty good position to do so this year.

His play over the course of the 2013 season has been spotty, but he just reached his first final of the year at Dusseldorf and has a chance to enter the French Open on a winning note, according to Live Tennis.

Monaco has seven career titles, and seven of them have come on clay. In fact, 2012 was his best year yet as he won four tournaments. It didn't translate to French Open success, but he has been on the precipice of reaching the final eight at Roland Garros for quite some time. Based on the way his draw appears on paper, he definitely has a chance to make it this year.

Federer resides on the bottom part of his quarter, but he wouldn't have to worry about him until the quarterfinals. Monaco's biggest roadblocks until that point include Marin Cilic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Both of them are ranked higher than Monaco, but neither is as proficient as he is on clay. Monaco has a big opportunity in front of him, and he has to seize it in order to reach the next level.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter

ACC Baseball Tournament 2013: Where and When to Watch Saturday's Action

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

The Virginia Tech Hokies are now a lock for the ACC Tournament Championship, but who will play them in the final game on Sunday? Saturday’s action will determine that and will feature a couple of other exciting games to watch as well.

Here’s where and when to watch all three games on Saturday, along with some quick background information on each game.

No. 2 Florida State vs. No. 3 Virginia

Coverage begins at 11 a.m. ET on ESPN3

The ACC tournament has not been kind to the Seminoles. They’ve lost both of their games up to this point, including a heartbreaking loss to the Virginia Tech Hokies on Thursday. Mark Zagunis hit a home run in the ninth inning for the Hokies to grab a 3-2 win over the Seminoles.

Meanwhile, the Cavaliers were able to rebound from a loss against the Hokies by hammering the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 8-2. Nick Howard and Kenny Towns had back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning to help the top hitting team in the ACC get back on track.

Neither team is in the running for the championship game, but both are looking to end the tournament on a positive note. The Seminoles will be looking to at least come away with one win from the tourney, while the Seminoles will be looking to show off their offensive power a bit more.

No. 5 Clemson vs. No. 8 Miami

Coverage begins at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN3

No team has struggled more in the tournament than the Hurricanes. They lost their first game against the Tar Heels 10-0, then fell to the Wolfpack 7-1 on Friday.

For the Tigers, they lost a close game to N.C. State 6-3, then lost in 14 innings to the Tar Heels.

Neither team has won a game in this tournament, and both will be looking to end the tournament with at least something to take home.

No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 4 N.C. State

Coverage Begins at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN3

This is the game that everyone will be watching, as the winner will advance to the ACC championship to play the Virginia Tech Hokies.

The Tar Heels easily won their first game against Miami 10-0, but barely pulled off a win against Clemson. The game went 14 innings, but a five-run rally helped them pull out the win, 12-7.

It’s been a solid outing in the tournament for the Wolfpack. They won their first game against Clemson 6-3, then came back and torched Miami 7-1.

The Wolfpack will be looking to upset the top-seeded Tar Heels for a spot in the ACC championship game. However, the Tar Heels have shown they can be an offensive force in the tournament, making this game one of the more exciting games to watch in the tourney.

UFC 160: Fighters Who Will Prove Themselves Worthy of Title Shot

Brian Mazique — Sat, 25 May 2013 07:00:00 -0400

On Saturday night, the MGM Grand will be the proving grounds for several UFC fighters.

With so many promising youngsters and serious contenders on the UFC 160 card, we're bound to see a few men take huge steps toward a title shot.

Some are closer than others, but even the fighters who are two or three fights away have an opportunity to further build their case.

Junior "Cigano" dos Santos is On the Cusp

The scenario is quite simple for dos Santos; defeat Mark "The Super Samoan" Hunt and earn a chance to regain his UFC heavyweight championship.

While the terms are easy to understand, completing the task won't come without difficulty.

Hunt has a great chin and explosive power. The combination of the two makes him a very tough matchup for Cigano. Against most opponents, dos Santos would prefer to stand and blast away.

Following that strategy against Hunt would simply be playing into the opposition's hands. While it is possible dos Santos could win a stand-up brawl, he would be smart to use his jiu-jitsu to control Hunt on the ground.

Because of how important gaining an opportunity to regain his title is, dos Santos won't let his pride put him in danger.

He'll defeat Hunt by late stoppage via ground and pound, or by decision.

T.J. Grant Won't Be Denied

If I were making a list of the fighters who have shown the most significant improvement over the past three years, Grant's name would definitely be on it.

He's been fighting in the UFC since 2009; but quite honestly, he didn't appear to be anything special until late 2011.

What has most impressed me about Grant lately is his ability to strike. He stopped Matt Wiman at UFC on Fox 6 on the ground, but he has held his own in stand-up, too. Grant didn't appear to have this ability earlier in his career.

Of his 20 wins, 13 have come by submission; so that will always be his bread and butter. However, the improved striking has balanced out his submission game.

Grant has won four straight bouts and his quality of opposition has ascended in each. He has taken out Shane Roller, Carlo Prater, Evan Dunham and Wiman in the last 19 months.

The level of competition will continue to increase on Saturday night when he faces Gray Maynard.

The man they call "The Bully" is as tough as nails. Though he rarely stops his opponents with power shots, his cardio is excellent and his heart is huge.

Grant has been in bloody fights the last two times out; he best be prepared for a third.

While Maynard will make it a great fight, Grant's well-rounded attack will earn him the decision in what I predict will be the Fight of the Night.

Another strong win should put Grant just one or two fights away from a title shot.

Khabib "The Eagle" Nurmagomedov Will Prove He is the Real Deal

Soon the MMA world will respect Khabib Nurmagomedov's undefeated record. Heading into UFC 160, The Eagle is 19-0, but he hasn't faced a ton of notable opposition.

He did defeat Gleison Tibau at UFC 148 and Thiago Tavares at UFC on FX 7; still he probably needs three more wins before he can challenge for the lightweight title.

The explosive and athletic Abel Trujillo will provide a significant test for the 24-year-old Russian on Saturday night.

Trujillo's strength and viciousness will push Nurmagomedov. Sometimes we don't see just how good a fighter can be until a formidable opponent forces him to rise to the occasion.

I like Trujillo and I believe he has a bright future, but Nurmagomedov's ability to strike, wrestle and submit his opponents will prove to be the difference.

Watch for Nurmagomedov to use Trujillo's aggressiveness against him. A fantastic triangle choke could be the deciding maneuver.

This is my pick for Submission of the Night.

Follow me, because Royce Gracie started me on this MMA path, and now I'm out of control.

Rafael Nadal's Biggest Hurdles to Eighth French Open Title

Mike Hoag — Sat, 25 May 2013 07:00:00 -0400

Rafael Nadal is the third seed, yet he is the favorite to win the men’s 2013 French Open title. A win at Roland Garros would bolster an already remarkable comeback season for the Spanish phenom.

We knew he would be back to top form in time, but there is no way we could have guessed he would seamlessly bounce back into contention this quickly. He has reached the finals of all eight of the tournaments he has played in, winning six, since returning from a seven-month layoff due to a left knee injury.

The French Open will be his first Grand Slam appearance since his return. On Roland Garros’ clay courts he has enjoyed much success, winning seven of his eight appearances during his impressive career.

That left knee has shown no signs of weakness while Nadal has surged back to the top of the tennis totem pole.

His recent straight-set trampling of Roger Federer on the clay courts in Rome is evidence of just how far he has come in his rehabilitation. Questions about his knee are slowly beginning to fade as he piles up victory after victory.

However, don’t be too quick to dispel those concerns.

Toni Nadal, Rafa’s uncle and coach, said he is struggling with a lot of pain in that worrisome left knee, according to Kevin Jones of Livetennisguide.com.

What will happen when his knee, and his resolve, are put to the test in a best-of-five Grand Slam environment?

Everyone in the men’s draw is gunning for the tournament’s top performer. He needs to make short work of his competition and not drop too many sets. Minimizing wear and tear on his knee will be crucial if he hopes to be in top shape in the later rounds.

Who can challenge the king of clay, though, even if he’s not at 100 percent? Federer is struggling to say the least and Nadal has certainly been on the rise.

Novak Djokovic is the most immediate and daunting threat to Nadal's eighth French Open crown. He also has extra motivation this year as he is currently without a French Open title in his trophy case.

He had his shot last year. Djokovic was handily dispatched by Rafa in last year’s French Open final.

There will be no finals rematch in 2013 as the two were placed in the same half of the men’s draw. Although they could still find themselves in a thrilling head-to-head semifinals clash.

If there is anyone who could halt Nadal’s 2013 success in dramatic fashion it’s the world’s top-ranked star.

After all, Djoker has gotten the better of Rafa in three of their 15 career matches on clay. All three of those wins have come in their last six meetings. The most recent was at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 in Monte Carlo.

Djokovic’s game is nearly infallible and he is beginning to get the upper hand over his Spanish foe.

Other than Rafa himself (his knee), Djokovic is the biggest challenge for Nadal at Roland Garros.

Where Liverpool Will Be in 12 Months' Time and Why

Mark Jones — Sat, 25 May 2013 07:00:00 -0400

It is May 2014, and as Liverpool supporters drift away from Anfield for the final time of the season―all of them eager to get home and watch Jamie Carragher’s expert punditry on their television screens―they can reflect on another eventful campaign.

The lack of European football in 2013/14 made it seem a less hectic season than usual, but Reds supporters were streaming out of the ground knowing that real signs of progress were made during the campaign, much more so than in the previous one, when it often became necessary to strain your eyes to try and see just what manager Brendan Rodgers was so upbeat about.

This time around a much more settled Liverpool side were more consistently capable of playing attractive, winning football, which often troubled the elite.

Whilst a degree of uncertainty reigned at the previous season’s top three clubs following their appointment of new managers in the summer, now there was a real sense that Liverpool were becoming much more of a cohesive unit.

Luis Suarez―now mercifully free of any more incidents which drew criticisms from despotic world leaders, as reported here in The Guardian―bagged 30 goals for the second consecutive season, whilst Daniel Sturridge followed the 11 goals he scored in his first half of a campaign in a red shirt by reaching over 20 this time. In addition, Philippe Coutinho scored 10 and created almost twice as many.

It was these extra goals―strikes so conspicuous by their absence in the first half of the previous campaign―that ensured that Liverpool could cling onto the coattails of the clubs near the top of the table far longer than at any time in the previous four seasons. Where points were dropped in the past, they were clung onto tightly now.

The reason for that was partly down to an improvement in central defence, where Daniel Agger and the previous summer’s biggest signing, Kyriakos Papadopoulos, according to the Daily Mirror, had formed an impressive pairing that combined both speed and skill with brute force and creativity.

Playing in front of goalkeeper Pepe Reina, the partnership proved an incredibly effective one, with the addition of experienced two-time Premier League winner Kolo Toure, according to the BBC providing reliable backup to both whenever it was needed. Carragher―whilst hugely missed around the dressing room―was hardly missed on the pitch.

His good friend, Steven Gerrard, had managed to complete every minute of every one of Liverpool’s Premier League matches over the season after coming so close to completing the feat in the previous campaign.

Thriving in the centre of midfield as the likes of Coutinho and Jordan Henderson did the majority of his running for him, Gerrard was able to back up his strong form from 2012/13 with another impressive year.

Henderson, too, continued his rapid progress with a season that saw him become a regular in the England squad, whilst youngsters Raheem Sterling and Jordon Ibe alternated roles within the side as their games continued to come on leaps and bounds.

Rodgers, too, seemed to continue to be learning on the job.

Gone was the relentless positivity of his first campaign as―with the club now devoid of the distractions of the manager’s first season in charge―things settled down somewhat.

The scouting and coaching departments set up by Fenway Sports Group were making a difference behind the scenes, and Rodgers himself seemed more relaxed as a result. Things were ticking over quite nicely.

A trophy helps with that, of course, and with Liverpool extending their haul of League Cups to nine with a win at Wembley in late February, Rodgers was able to add a warming glow to the campaign.

But it is the Premier League that matters most, of course, and Liverpool’s ongoing quest to get back among the elite in the Champions League.

Getting as close as possible to the top four places was always the goal throughout the season, and just whether or not the Reds reached their goal remains to be seen.

Some things in life, and football, just can’t be confidently predicted…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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3 Questions We Have About Mark Hunt Ahead of UFC 160

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stay Consistent

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

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

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

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

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

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

Start to Convert the “Klay-ups”

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

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

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

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

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

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

Use the National Team Experience to His Benefit

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

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

Attack More

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

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

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

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

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

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

5 Free Agents the Boston Celtics Must Avoid

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scratch that, we are definitely desperate.

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

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

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

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

Recent Coaching Experience

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

Well, that is a great question.

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

No Second-Guessers Needed

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

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

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

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

Must Be Able to Work with and Develop Young Players

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

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

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

You need to be a leader in that process.

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

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

That has to end now.

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

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

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

We look forward to hearing from you.