Bleacher Report - Front Page

Tony Parker Notches Career High in Assists as Spurs Outlast Grizzlies in Game 2

Jesse Dorsey — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:44:59 -0400

Tony Parker led the San Antonio Spurs in a squeaker over the Memphis Grizzlies, a 93-89 Game 2 overtime win, thanks in part to his career-high 18 assists.

Tony Parker's 18 assists are tied for 2nd-most in Spurs playoff history, 2 shy of Johnny Moore's 20 in 1983.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 22, 2013

All night long, Parker was finding open shooters and streaking slashers, with shot after shot falling for the first three quarters.

San Antonio's second quarter was an amazing all-around performance, with the team notching an assist on each of its 11 field goals in the quarter. Parker was able to pick up six of those 11 assists, but somehow that wasn't the most impressive stretch from the Frenchman on the evening.

Perhaps most impressive, San Antonio came up with 11 field goals in the third quarter, 10 of which involved Parker. Parker assisted on the first eight, scored the next two and then Manu Ginobili came home with a selfish layup with four seconds left in the quarter.

In all, Parker had a hand in 24 consecutive points.

He had 16 assists after that eight-dime third, but his teammates suddenly stopped making shots in the fourth.

Zero assists came Parker's way in the period as the Spurs scored just nine points.

Parker, not generally known for putting up huge assist numbers (he averages six per game in his career and 7.6 per game this season) actually set his previous career-high earlier last season.

He picked up 17 assists in a two-point win over the New Orleans Hornets late last January, marking just the third time in his career that he surpassed the 15-assist mark.

With a dime dropped to Tim Duncan on the first play of overtime in San Antonio's playoff win, Parker was able to tie that mark, and another dish to Duncan to give the Spurs a four-point lead with a minute remaining put him in uncharted territory.

Upset Meter for Every 2nd-Round Stanley Cup Playoff Series

Tom Urtz Jr. — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:18:10 -0400

The second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs has been exciting up to this point, and each series has the potential for an upset. The New York Rangers are the most unlikely to pull off an upset, as they are in an 0-3 hole trailing the Boston Bruins.

The Chicago Blackhawks could go down 3-1 if they lose Game 4 on Thursday night, and that would put them in a ton of trouble. The other series going on in the NHL playoffs also feature great matchups, and here is where the upset meter is for every second-round Stanley Cup playoff series.

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49ers Running Back Breakdown: Full Evaluation and Depth Chart Analysis

Joseph Akeley — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:15:38 -0400

The San Francisco 49ers have one of the most productive running games in the NFL.

Led by a mauling offensive line and talented group of running backs, the Niners ranked fourth in rushing yards per game in 2012.

Colin Kaepernick's dual-threat ability also played in a major role in the rushing assault. The 49ers featured more read-option plays with Kaepernick behind center, and it resulted in a more explosive ground attack.

Just ask the Green Bay Packers.

Let's take a look at the top five running backs in Red and Gold. What will their roles be in 2013?

Frank Gore: The Starter

Gore is quietly making a case for a Hall of Fame induction. He ranks 34th in all-time rushing yards and third among active players.

However, he just turned 30. Is he due to slow down?

He showed no signs of slowing down in 2012.

Gore rushed for 1,214 yards on a 4.7 yards-per-carry average—his best mark since 2009. He was even better in the playoffs, accumulating 319 rushing yards on a 5.1 per-carry average in three games.

Gore doesn't have the speed of a Chris Johnson or the power of an Adrian Peterson, but his combination of vision, patience and elusiveness makes him one of the most efficient runners in the NFL.

He's also a quality receiver out of the backfield, and he does everything expected of a running back when picking up oncoming blitzers.

In the 2012 regular season, Gore placed ninth in Pro Football Focus' overall ranking for qualified running backs (subscription required). Until he clearly loses a step, he should be San Francisco's starter.

LaMichael James: Change of Pace

James appeared in San Francisco's last seven games (playoffs included) in 2012, and he immediately showed why the Niners used a second-round pick on him.

He has the quickness to attack the edges of the defense, which can be absolutely deadly with an athletic quarterback running the read-option.

At the 46-second mark of the video to the right, you get a glimpse of James' explosiveness. Before some Falcons defenders know he has the ball, he's around the right side of the line with a straight line to the end zone.

However, questions remain about James' ball security and durability.

The diminutive back had only 38 carries last year, and it's yet to be determined whether he can stay healthy for a full NFL season. He also had several minor injuries in his career at the University of Oregon, but he played through them to become the school's all-time leading rusher.

As for ball security, he had two fumbles last year, one of which was recovered by the Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII.

Still, with Kendall Hunter's health in question, James may be relied upon heavily as San Francisco's No. 2 running back in 2013.

Kendall Hunter: Wild Card

According to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle, Hunter was running sprints in mid-April, but he could not make cuts yet. Still, Hunter seems to be on the right track to return for training camp from the torn Achilles he sustained in November.

And what a lift it would be if he was at full strength for the 2013 season.

Hunter actually had a better rushing score on Pro Football Focus' rankings than Gore did in 2011 (subscription required). And last year, Hunter averaged 5.2 yards per carry.

He deserves to be mentioned as a possible starting replacement for Gore down the road.

The issues with Hunter are his porous run-blocking and health concerns. In blitz pickup, he often chops at bigger defensive players, which leaves San Francisco's quarterback vulnerable at times.

I've already alluded to the health concerns. If the Niners don't feel he's ready for the 2013 season, they could put him on the temporary IR until midseason to give Jewel Hampton a roster spot or add more depth to another position.

Anthony Dixon: Short-Yardage Back

Dixon should make the roster over Hampton and any other unexpected challengers due to his special teams contributions.

The 2009 sixth-round pick won't see the field much on offense, but he still might be the best option for the Niners on a 3rd-and-1 play due to his powerful running style.

San Francisco called on him against the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship Game, and he delivered.

Dixon should settle in as the third- or fourth-string running back for the 2013 season.

Marcus Lattimore: The Future

Will Lattimore suit up in 2013?

Your guess is as good as any at this point.

According to Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee, head coach Jim Harbaugh hinted at giving Lattimore a year to recover from the torn ACL, MCL and PCL he sustained in October.

That being said, the 49ers could put him on the temporary IR (only one player per team is allowed the spot) and activate him around midseason in case several running backs get injured.

Or, he could be like Adrian Peterson and come back in 2013 better than ever...but I wouldn't bet on it.

With all the running back talent on the San Francisco roster, I'm guessing Lattimore does sit out the entire season. He has the talent to be San Francisco's starter down the road.

10 NFL Players Who Will See the Most Dramatic Stat Increases from 2012 to 2013

Alessandro Miglio — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:11:13 -0400

Every season, we see a smattering of NFL players dramatically increase their production.

Here are 10 players set to see big increases in their statistical output next season. A few might surprise you, given they were pretty good last year. Others are simply logical progressions given new situations.

Statistics courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com.

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San Antonio Spurs Out-Ugly Memphis Grizzlies in Game 2 of Western Finals

Josh Martin — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:10:56 -0400

You'd hardly know the San Antonio Spurs were a high-flying finesse team after the way they closed out Game 2 of the 2013 Western Conference Finals against the Memphis Grizzlies Tuesday night.

The Spurs were up by as many as 18 points in the third quarter and 14 in the fourth. Tony Parker appeared poised to challenge the NBA playoff record for assists in a game, with 16 dimes through the first three frames. All five of San Antonio's starters had already scored in double figures while helping to hold the Grizzlies well under 40 percent from the field.

Then, the wheels came off the wagon, and the Spurs found themselves on the brink of blowing a crucial contest at home. Over the last 8:10 of regulation, San Antonio missed all but one of its 12 attempts from the floor (including an ugly fadeaway by Tim Duncan at the end of the game), turned the ball over four times, and racked up six fouls—four of which came on the same possession.

Not that the Grizzlies played any prettier. Zach Randolph had himself another forgettable game. He had just two points at the half and (once again) struggled to get his shot off from among San Antonio's trees. Tony Allen airballed his fair share of shots, as did Jerryd Bayless, who clanked a three off the backboard in the closing seconds of overtime.

In fact, only two Memphis players (Quincy Pondexter and Keyon Dooling) managed to hit at least half of their shots.

And those two combined for all of nine shots.

But ugly is the way Memphis has long preferred to play. The Grizzlies sport the lowest effective field-goal percentage of any team that's participated in these playoffs. During the regular season, they played at the second-slowest pace, tallied the third-worst effective field-goal percentage and ranked among the bottom 10 in assists per game. When things went sour in San Antonio, Memphis reverted to its signature, muck-making ways and managed to force overtime as a result.

The thing is, San Antonio has a long, storied history of not only playing unattractive basketball but also riding such a style all the way to the top. With Tim Duncan as the anchor, the Spurs fashioned their four-title dynasty around a stifling, fundamentally sound defense and a deliberate offense that grounded out buckets.

The other thing is, these Spurs are still entirely capable of succeeding under such circumstances if need be. When fastbreak-fueling turnovers are hard to come by and the shots aren't falling and the pick-and-roll isn't generating the looks that it normally does, San Antonio can still count on its ability to stop the opposition.

They can also count on Timmy to come through in the clutch, as he did on Tuesday night. Duncan scored six of San Antonio's eight points in overtime, including a crucial bucket off an offensive board that opened up after Marc Gasol switched onto Tony Parker in the pick-and-roll.

Basketball fans have been treated to such vintage Duncan all season, and Game 2 was no different. He finished the evening with about as stuffed a stat line as you'll ever see from a 37-year-old: 17 points, nine rebounds, three assists, four blocks and two steals in 31 minutes.

For all of the work that the Spurs have done to reorganize themselves around Parker's particular talents, the Big Fundamental remains the rock upon which San Antonio leans in times like these. He anchors their defense and protects the rim, even though he can no longer move and leap as well as he once did. He bails them out with big buckets, like a rusty but reliable safety valve.

Duncan can play a beautiful brand of basketball (as the game was meant to be played) but he is just as comfortable down in the proverbial dirt. He's won nearly a handful of championships that way without apology, even as so much of the basketball-watching public once turned on San Antonio for being slow, boring and ugly.

The Spurs are no longer that squad. They play fast, pass the ball and score at an elite rate. Tony Parker is their best player and leader, with young guns like Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green and Tiago Splitter taking their rightful place on Gregg Popovich's decorated mantle of raw prospects-turned-pivotal pieces.

But lurking deep within San Antonio's soul are the vestiges of a team that can (and sometimes does) win sans aesthetics. That will always be the case, so long as Timmy and Tony and Manu Ginobili are still lacing 'em up as a trio.

It's that very versatility that has propelled the Spurs to this point, allowing them to squash the Los Angeles Lakers, outlast the upstart Golden State Warriors, and now beat the Memphis Grizzlies at their own game.

To be sure, the Spurs aren't without their weaknesses. They don't have a ton of size and have been known to play fast and loose with the ball at times. They'll be hard-pressed to pummel the Grizzlies in Memphis the way they did in San Antonio if such sloppy play becomes the order of the day.

Then again, the Spurs don't seem to mind playing ugly basketball. If that's what it takes to win this series and advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2007, then you can be sure they'll do it.

After all, they've done it before.

Follow @Josh_E_Martin

Mike Trout Hits for the Cycle vs. Seattle Mariners

Ryan Rudnansky — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:03:49 -0400

Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout hit for the cycle against the Seattle Mariners Tuesday night.

CBSSports.com tweeted:

Coming into the contest, Trout had been hitting .293 with nine home runs, 34 RBI, 31 runs and nine stolen bases. He's hitting .308 with six home runs, 13 RBI, 14 runs and four stolen bases in May.

The 21-year-old has been phenomenal for the Angels since getting regular playing time last season. In 2012, he batted .326 with 30 home runs, 83 RBI, 129 runs and 49 stolen bases as the AL Rookie of the Year.

Trout's impact on the baseball field was on full display Tuesday. After striking out looking in the first inning, he roared back. First, it was an infield single in the third inning. Then, it was a triple in the fourth. Then, it was a double in the sixth inning.

The second-year pro saved the best for last versus Seattle, homering to center field in the bottom of the eighth to help the Angels on its way to the 12-0 victory over their division foes.

Pedro Moura of the Orange County Register tweeted:

And so continues the story of Mike Trout, a true five-tool player whose legend only continues to grow. He's certainly done what he can to help the ailing Angels this season.

Perhaps Trout's wonderful achievement will help rejuvenate the team. Los Angeles is now just 18-27 after the victory—far below expectations, to say the least.

One thing's for sure: If Mike Trout keeps this up, it's going to be difficult for the Angels to lose ballgames. Tack on another accolade for the young star.

San Antonio's 'We Did It' Guy Adds to List of Overly Excited Spurs Fans

Jesse Dorsey — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:01:43 -0400

A 17-point lead dissolved and the Memphis Grizzlies forced overtime, but the San Antonio Spurs took care of business at home and notched a Game 2 win. One Spurs fan might have been the most excited person on the face of the planet.

Just as time runs out and the Spurs are passing hugs around, a man starts shouting, "We did it! WE DID IT!" in close proximity to the camera crew.

And we're thankful that he did.

We did it!
— Bethlehem Shoals (@freedarko) May 22, 2013

There have been a ton of fans in the running to be this year's honorary hilarious fan audio bite of the year, but I think this guy finally takes the cake.

If you recall, last year we had, "Good job, good effort" kid, who has finally been supplanted by the "WE DID IT!" guy.

He easily knocked off "Screaming Spurs Lady," who was doing nothing more than shrieking for what seemed like an eternity during Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.

I bet the "WE DID IT" guy is married to the screaming Spurs lady.
— Rey-Rey (@TheNoLookPass) May 22, 2013

There's still time for somebody else to take the throne with nearly two full rounds of basketball still to go, but he's going to be a tough one to knock off.

Kansas City Chiefs: Takeaways from May 21 OTAs

Brett Gering — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:58:33 -0400

Head coach Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs returned to the practice field on May 21, which marked the team's fourth day of organized team activities (OTAs).

Throughout the first wave of sessions (May 14–16), the defense consistently pestered its offensive peers—the tides have begun to turn.

But that's not to say that the defense was overshadowed; more like the balance of power has teeter-tottered to a stalemate.

Offense Making Up Ground

Andy Reid arrived at KCI with packed bags, lofty ambitions and a highly touted West Coast offense. He soon grabbed headlines by adding former Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress to his staff—designating him as a "spread game analyst." Recently, Reid enlisted the services of Chris Ault: the mastermind behind the pistol scheme.

This isn't your grandfather's offense (nor Brian Daboll's, for that matter). A handful of practices barely allow the players to scratch the surface.

But backup quarterback Chase Daniel affirmed that the inexperienced playmakers are rounding the learning curve, claiming in an article in the Kansas City Star, "There were no, ‘What?’ calls in the huddle to us or 'What does this mean?’ You can tell our guys are studying."

Donald Stephenson Pulls Guard Duty

According to the Kansas City Star's Adam Teicher, offensive tackle Donald Stephenson split time at both guard positions.

The transition sells two notions: Donald Stephenson has proven to be too valuable an asset not to utilize, and Jeff Allen has ceased to effectively make his case.

The move sprouts a host of additional questions concerning Allen's development. Last season's second-round selection was consistently bullied by bull-rushers in 2012.

Defensive Aggression

The Chiefs forced a measly total of 13 turnovers in 2012—tied for last in the NFL. That won't be the case under new defensive coordinator Bob Sutton.

In 2013, the Arrowhead faithful can expect to see a gambling man's defense.

Pro Bowl outside linebacker Justin Houston noted the difference to KCChiefs.com's Reid Ferrin, saying, "There are a few changes. Some of the calls, and the way our big guys play up front. They’re attacking more, instead of reading."

Sutton's piranha-like mentality bodes well for two linemen in particular: Dontari Poe and Tyson Jackson.

At the 2012 combine, Poe strutted off the field as a mobile mountain. However, he faced adversity while reading and reacting throughout his rookie campaign.

Jackson recorded three sacks—more than he tallied in his previous three seasons—within a four-game stretch last season. And the aforementioned takedowns stemmed from his deployment in sub packages (i.e. pass-rushing scenarios).

Playmakers can't showcase their talents if they're not put in a position to do so—Bob Sutton appears to agree.

Brett's Twitter: Follow @BrettGering

Brett's Email: gering.brett@gmail.com

Seattle Seahawks Running Back Breakdown: Evaluation and Depth Chart Analysis

Todd Pheifer — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:52:24 -0400

When it comes to the running back position, the Seattle Seahawks have one of the best groups in the NFL. Granted, running back can be a position that has some extreme ups and downs. If a star running back goes down, it can drastically change the effectiveness of the offense.

The emergence of Russell Wilson as an effective quarterback has certainly given the Seahawks more options on offense, but this is still a running team. You could even argue that Wilson’s running ability gives them another ground option out of the backfield.

Assuming that players stay healthy, Seattle should remain one of the most dangerous running teams in the NFL. The Seahawks averaged 161.2 yards in 2012, which was good for third in the league.

Here is a breakdown of the Seattle running backs and how the depth chart should unfold.

Marshawn Lynch

2012 season: 315 carries, 1,590 yards, 11 TDs (one TD receiving)

Get ready for another season of Beast Mode. Marshawn Lynch remains one of the top backs in the NFL, and the Seahawks are likely to depend on their tough running back yet again in 2013. After all, he still has one of the best runs in NFL history, and it is hard to get tired of seeing it.

Adding Christine Michael may help share the load and change the way that the Seahawks use their running backs. However, look for Lynch to be the starter and featured back for the foreseeable future.

The drafting of Michael does not mean that the Lynch era is coming to an end. If anything, Marshawn Lynch may be in his prime for the next season or two. However, NFL running backs can have short careers, and declines can happen very quickly.

For now, fans in the end zone should keep their Skittles at the ready.

Position: Starter

Robert Turbin

2012 season: 80 carries, 354 yards, zero TDs

Robert Turbin was a solid back in 2012, and he may play a similar role in the 2013 season. What is unclear is what the long-term plan is for the second-year running back.

Is Turbin destined to be a backup, or could he see an expanded role at some point?

Adding Christine Michael will almost certainly cost Turbin some touches, though Michael will still have to prove that he can be an effective NFL running back. Turbin did survive his rookie campaign, so he may be all the more effective in 2013 with a year under his belt.

Position: First Backup

Christine Michael

2012 season (college): 88 carries, 417 yards, 12 TDs

It is fair to suggest that the selection of Michael was a surprising pick in the second round since the fans and experts probably expected the Seahawks to go in a different direction in the NFL draft. However, Pete Carroll and John Schneider have been anything but predictable in the last couple of years.

Michael is a talented player, so the potential is definitely there. However, he did have some issues in college. In addition, how do you use a rookie with notable ability when Marshawn Lynch is your established starter?

It will be interesting to see how Michael performs in training camp and the preseason. This may give a clue as to his role in the regular season. Depth is great in certain positions, but you also want particular players to get into a flow.

Position: Second Backup

Michael Robinson

2012 season: 12 carries, 49 yards, zero TDs (two TDs receiving)

Obviously the stat line for a fullback is never going to be particularly impressive from a numerical standpoint. However, football fans know that the fullback is not necessarily supposed to rack up the numbers.

If anything, the numbers of Marshawn Lynch say something about the effectiveness of the fullback. In that regard, Michael Robinson continues to be an excellent blocker and a guy who can break off the occasional run to keep the defense honest.

It seems reasonable to assume that Robinson will remain the guy who sets the table for Marshawn Lynch in 2013. The job isn't glamorous, but it is vitally important.

Position: Starter

Spencer Ware

2012 season (college): 94 carries, 367 yards, one TD

The Seahawks thought enough of Spencer Ware to select him in the sixth round of the NFL draft. Whether he can make the team is an entirely different issue.

Overall, the LSU running back has the ability to contribute at fullback, but there just may not be a roster spot for him. The same could be said for Derrick Coleman, who is also currently on the roster.

Both Ware and Coleman will probably have to put on some excellent performances if they are going to make the deep team.

Position: Wild Card

Follow @tpheifer

Memphis Grizzlies vs. San Antonio Spurs: Game 2 Postgame Grades and Analysis

Dan Favale — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:49:05 -0400

Now, on to Memphis. The San Antonio Spurs jumped out to a 2-0 series lead after defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 93-89 in overtime.

Tony Parker went bonkers on the offensive end while Tim Duncan saved his best for last. Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol struggled to find the bottom of the net while Tony Allen had to resort to flopping to make an impact.

This one was that crazy.

Gregg Popovich's Spurs led by as many as 18 points and held a 12-point lead headed into the fourth quarter, but they just weren't able to close it out in regulation.

Memphis outscored San Antonio 21-9 in the fourth, forcing overtime. The Grizzlies' luck stopped there, though, as they managed to tally just four points in the extra period.

San Antonio now heads to Memphis two victories away from advancing to the NBA Finals, which isn't likely to sit well with the Grizzlies.

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Kings vs. Sharks Game 4: Score, Twitter Reaction and Analysis

Ryan Rudnansky — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:44:50 -0400

After a rough visit to Los Angeles, the San Jose Sharks have roared back against the Kings in the Western Conference semifinals, posting a 2-1 victory on Tuesday to even the series.

The Sharks took control six minutes into the game when Brent Burns scored on a 15-foot slap shot off assists from Joe Thornton and T.J. Galiardi.

The Sharks tweeted:

At the 13:19 mark, the Kings' Colin Fraser was whistled for hooking Patrick Marleau. But the Sharks were only able to get off one shot on goal during the ensuing power play, as numerous attempts were blocked by Los Angeles.

At the 15:26 mark, San Jose received another power play after Drew Doughty got two minutes for slashing Marc-Edouard Vlasic. But despite three shots on goal for the Sharks (including an eight-footer by Galiardi), the Kings emerged unscathed.

After the first period, San Jose was leading 1-0. The Kings rarely threatened in the first 20 minutes, only getting off three shots on goal. On the flip side, the Sharks got off 15 shots on goal, testing Los Angeles goaltender Jonathan Quick's reflexes. The Sharks also won 17-of-22 faceoffs in the period.

Dan Moriarty of the Los Angeles Kings broadcast team tweeted after the first period:

That turned out to be foresight.

At the 3:14 mark in the second period, Fraser was once again whistled. This time, he got two minutes for roughing Andrew Desjardins.

The Sharks made sure to capitalize on their third power play of the game, as Dan Boyle's 54-foot slap shot at the 3:55 mark was deflected into the net by Logan Couture. Boyle and Joe Pavelski got the assists.

Mark Purdy of the San Jose Mercury News tweeted:

Los Angeles was awarded its first power play of the game at the 8:33 mark when Galiardi was whistled for interference. But despite receiving an opening, the Kings only managed one shot on the man advantage.

At the 16:58 mark, the Sharks' Scott Hannan was whistled for interference, setting up another power-play opportunity for the Kings. But again, the Kings weren't able to capitalize, getting off just two shots (zero on goal).

The second period ended with San Jose leading, 2-0.

David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News tweeted after two periods:

Both teams battled back and forth before the Kings' Matt Greene was given two minutes for high-sticking Couture at the 5:18 mark. On the power play, the Sharks were unable to score, only getting off one shot that was blocked.

Burns displayed poor judgment at the 8:14 mark, boarding Anze Kopitar with the Sharks trying to close off the game.

It proved to be costly, as Los Angeles finally executed on the man advantage. Mike Richards was the man who narrowed the Sharks' lead, swinging home a five-foot wrist shot on assists from Jeff Carter and Kopitar.

At the 9:46 mark in the third period, the Kings were trailing 2-1.

The Sharks tweeted:

The LA Kings Ice Crew was noticeably happy:

But, despite a few scoring opportunities for the Kings down the stretch, they ultimately weren't able to tie up the game.

Sharks goaltender Antti Niemi saved all but one of Los Angeles' 23 shots on goal. Quick was also outstanding (21-of-23), but was saddled with the loss.

The Sharks have squared up the series at two games apiece. Game 5 will be played on Thursday at Staples Center.

Josh Barnett Rejoins UFC, Signs Multi-Fight Deal

Joe Chacon — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:33:52 -0400

The age-old philosophy that "time heals all" appears to be flowing freely within the UFC. Dana White and Josh Barnett have come together once again.

According to USA Today, Barnett has signed a new multi-fight deal with the UFC and will be fighting in the Octagon later this year. An official announcement from the promotion is expected within the next couple of days.

Barnett is best known for his powerful wrestling, charismatic persona and unfortunately, a career marred by failed drug tests. "The Warmaster" has a career record of 32-6 (4-1 in the UFC), but has not fought inside the Octagon since 2002 when he beat Randy Couture for the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Barnett was later stripped of the title for testing positive for multiple banned substances.

The 35-year-old didn't let the mishap from the UFC detour his fighting aspirations. Barnett went on to a successful Pancrase and Pride career before showcasing his skills more recently in Strikeforce.

While fans have been clamoring for Barnett to get back with the UFC for quite some time, things didn't look so good based on what White had to say in this 2010 interview with Ariel Helwani of MMA Fighting (emphasis mine):

All of us are going to make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. It's how you deal with those mistakes. You take a guy like Josh Barnett. This guy's tested positive three times and denies every time that he's taken steroids, okay? He comes out with an interview last week basically saying, 'I don't care about anybody else; the only person I care about is myself. I got some fans out there and thanks for following me or whatever, but I'm not fighting for you. I'm fighting for me and I'm doing everything for me.' This is a guy who single-handedly put a company out of business -- single-handedly put a company out of business for doing what he was doing and has zero remorse for it. Couldn't care less. [He's like,] 'I don't care that you bought tickets to that fight and were planning on going. I don't care that Fedor flew all the way in from Russia to fight me and trained and spent his own money to do this. I don't care that this company, Affliction, believed in me and was allowing me to make a living and I put them out of business. All I care about is me. Those are the guys that I have zero tolerance for. And that's why he's not in the UFC and never will be.

Gradually over the last few years since White made these comments, it became evident that there was at least a window of opportunity for Barnett to come back. Now that a multi-fight deal has been made with the former "Baby-Faced Assassin," UFC fans will see exactly how he stacks up with the best heavyweights the world has to offer.

NBA Coaching Carousel: Why the Los Angeles Clippers Should Hire Avery Johnson

Charles Bennett — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:25:05 -0400

It’s been recently revealed by ESPN that the Los Angeles Clippers are going to let Vinny Del Negro walk as coach.

This comes after he won the Clip Show’s first division title and followed that up with a first-round playoff exit amidst much criticism.

I see the choice of the next Clippers coach as being governed by two factors. One is that the Clippers need a coach who would make Chris Paul happy enough to not bolt to the Dallas Mavericks or some other team in the offseason.

Another is that Clippers owner Donald T. Sterling doesn’t want to shell out the big bucks for a marquee coach like Phil Jackson.

To placate Chris Paul, I suggest hiring a coach who is a former point guard and runs a point guard-centric offense. Maybe a coach who has won rings as a player, then taken a team to the NBA Finals.

Such a coach exists in Avery Johnson.

The 5'11" Avery Johnson spent 16 seasons in the NBA, mostly with the San Antonio Spurs, where he won a title in 1999. Less than a year after retiring as a player, the “Little General” was a head coach.

Johnson has a career 58-percent winning percentage, with a Coach of the Year Award and three 50-win seasons. He has won four playoff series, with three of those coming in the 2006 campaign.

Johnson's best record came in 2007, when the Mavericks posted 67 wins against 15 losses in Dirk Nowitzki's MVP year.

Avery Johnson runs a very point guard-centric offense that looks for, amongst other things, fast-break and lob opportunities. If there is any team in the NBA that is built for such opportunities, it is the LA Clippers.

Another thing to like about Johnson is that he likes rotating in bench players. He did this with a good bench in Dallas and a weak bench in New Jersey. He could do it again with good Clippers players.

Sure, Avery Johnson is one of the better commodities on the market and won’t come cheap, but he certainly won’t command Phil Jackson money, and perhaps not even Van Gundy money. Johnson’s exit from the Nets has seriously deteriorated his ability to command cash.

Some would point out that Avery Johnson didn't mesh with one of the league's other top-tier point guards, Deron Williams. Then again, Deron Williams didn't mesh with John Stockton's coach, either.

Another thing Johnson is faulted for is being a poor developer of talent. Fortunately, the Clippers have a solid veteran core that has little need for a developer.

Bottom line: There are a number of candidates the Clippers could look at for their head coaching job. But the best candidate is Avery Johnson.

Charles Woodson's Return to the Oakland Raiders Tops off Productive Offseason

D.J. O'Connor — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:22:00 -0400

The Oakland Raiders, led by GM Reggie McKenzie, have had a very busy offseason in which many players were released and replaced by under-the-radar free-agent signings.

In Oakland, players like Rolando McClain have been replaced by Nick Roach while Ron Bartell and Shawntae Spencer have been replaced by D.J. Hayden and Tracy Porter.

The Raiders' defensive makeover has been so drastic that only three starters are returning on defense. Now, we can technically say they will have four returning starters.

According to Josh Dubow of the Associated Press, Charles Woodson will return to the Oakland Raiders on a one-year contract. Woodson was a Raider from 1998-2005 after being selected by Oakland with the fourth overall draft pick in 1998.

Woodson returns to a team that is very much different than the franchise that drafted him in 1998. He last played for the Raiders when Al Davis ran the organization and the Raiders had the same defensive philosophy they had used since the 1960s. That philosophy was man-to-man coverage for the defensive backs and the basic four-man pass rush.

Woodson will have a much more complex playbook this time around, as the Raiders now utilize much more zone coverage and blitzes than when Woodson last wore silver and black in 2005.

Woodson will now be the starting free safety in Oakland. Woodson can serve as a coach on the field for the younger defensive backs, such as Tyvon Branch and D.J. Hayden.

At the very least, a Woodson-Raiders reunion is nostalgic for the fans who remember when Woodson was a Raider in the early 2000s, when the team last appeared in a Super Bowl.

10 College Football Players Who Will Make Excellent Coaches Someday

Jonathan McDanal — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:20:53 -0400

College football players have many options for a bright future. Playing in the NFL, pursuing a career in the field of their chosen degree or coaching. Coaching is almost always an option, unless they spend more than a decade outside the realm of football.

What does it take to be an excellent coach? You have to be able to win national championships, raise up players with incredible integrity and moral character or both. No coach is going to be retained if he can't find success either on or off the field.

It takes intelligence, specific knowledge of football and the ability to lead in order to be an excellent coach.

Here are 10 players on 2013 rosters who will someday make great coaches.

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Memphis Grizzlies vs. San Antonio Spurs: Game 2 Score, Highlights and Analysis

Alec Nathan — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:16:33 -0400

In an overtime thriller, the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 93-89, to take Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals and assume a 2-0 series lead.

The Spurs held a 12-point lead entering the fourth quarter, but the Grizzlies mounted a 15-2 run down the stretch to tie the game with 15 seconds remaining on a floater by Mike Conley. After outscoring the Spurs, 33-30, in the third quarter, the Grizzlies torched the Spurs in the fourth by a margin of 21-9.

In overtime, it was the Tim Duncan show. Duncan scored six of the Spurs' eight points in the extra period and proved to be the difference.

Tony Parker finished with 15 points and a playoff career-high 18 assists, and did an excellent job of pushing the pace and penetrating the lane throughout. All five Spurs starters finished in double figures, including Tiago Splitter, who was an efficient 6-of-8 from the field and contributed 14 points.

Duncan, who scored just six points in Game 1, responded with a clutch 17-point, nine-rebound, four-block effort in the win.

And, once again, San Antonio's perimeter trio held things down from beyond the arc. Kawhi Leonard (12 points), Matt Bonner (five points) and Danny Green (11 points) accounted for six of the team's nine three-pointers, pacing a balanced attack.

Manu Ginobili led Gregg Popovich's reserves with seven points and four assists.

Conley, who was in out and of the game early due to foul trouble, responded with a big second half. In 35 minutes, Conley tied a team-high with 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting.

Coming off of a 1-of-8 performance in Game 1, Zach Randolph responded in a big way in Game 2. Although he shot 33 percent from the field, Randolph was able to post 15 points and 18 rebounds.

Marc Gasol was the most active Memphis player on both ends of the floor, but was hounded by the Spurs' aggression in the post. The Spaniard finished with 12 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and two blocks.

Both the Spurs and Grizzlies struggled to create offense early (shooting 31.8 and 27.8 percent, respectively), as defense reigned supreme. Memphis was forced into four first-quarter turnovers, but was buoyed by Gasol's stout defense (two first-quarter blocks).

With Conley in early foul trouble and Tony Allen struggling to produce offensively, Lionel Hollins was forced to turn to a backcourt of Keyon Dooling and Jerryd Bayless. Surprisingly, the move paid off as Bayless wound up posting a mark of plus-six in four first-quarter minutes.

Then, the second quarter happened.

Not only was the Memphis offense harsh on the eyes (34-percent shooting for the game), but the Spurs' defense didn't do it any favors. As a team, the Spurs compiled nine first-half blocks, limiting the Grizzlies to 31 points over the game's first 24 minutes.

By comparison, the Spurs scored 31 points in the second quarter alone.

On the night, Bayless and Dooling finished with 18 and five points, respectively.

Game 3 tips off Saturday at 9 p.m. ET from Memphis.

Twitter Reaction

The Spurs took an early lead thanks to some brilliant off-ball cuts and precise passing.

However, the pace favored the Grizzlies for the game's first 12 minutes. A deliberate, defensive battle will always favor the Grizzlies, as the Spurs finished the season ranked sixth in pace (per Basketball-Reference).

Conley picked up two fouls midway through the first quarter, which forced Lionel Hollins to turn to Dooling rather early.

Bonner is known as a three-point specialist, but his defense throughout the first two games of the Western Conference Finals has been superb.

A wild sequence near the close of the second quarter resulted in a flurry of Grizzlies misses. Charles Smith flashbacks were in order.

Philadelphia Eagles Running Back Breakdown

Yueh Ho — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:11:10 -0400

With LeSean McCoy and Bryce Brown leading the way, running back is a position of strength on the Philadelphia Eagles. The team currently carries five running backs and the question is not whether someone will get cut, but rather who.

It's no secret that Chip Kelly likes to run the ball, and with an offensive line that is expected to improve, the Eagles rushing attack should improve as well. The question is how much we can expect each of the backs currently on the roster to contribute.

Here is a prediction for the impact of each of the team's running backs in 2013.

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WWE SmackDown Spoilers: Complete Results and Analysis for May 24

Tim Keeney — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:06:17 -0400

After the curious ending to Raw on Monday night, there were plenty of questions to be answered at the next SmackDown.

While Triple-H, the center of many of those questions, wasn't at Tuesday's taping in Omaha, Neb., Curtis Axel was there to explain how it was he who took out The Game, before he went on to squash Sin Cara.

Additionally, Daniel Bryan was in singles action, the Intercontinental and U.S. titles were on the line, and several other stars were showcased in the seemingly jam-packed event.

Let's take a look at the complete spoilers.

Quick Results

Intercontinental Championship: The Miz defeats Wade Barrett via disqualification. Barrett keeps the title.

Daniel Bryan defeats Jack Swagger via submission. Bryan and Kane argue afterwards.

Chris Jericho defeats The Big Show via countout.

Curtis Axel defeats Sin Cara.

United States Championship: Kofi Kingston vs. Dean Ambrose ends with a disqualification.

The Shield defeats Randy Orton, Sheamus and Kingston via pinfall.

Where Does The Shield Go Next?

On Raw last night, The Shield, Team Hell No and Kofi Kingston combined for a pay-per-view-worthy match:

I'm guessing no one would mind if we saw another month of that exact same feud, but it would appear the WWE is heading in another direction.

After Kingston vs. Ambrose ended with Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins interfering on SmackDown, it wasn't Team Hell No, but rather Sheamus and Randy Orton coming through with the save.

Teddy Long then booked the six-man tag match.

The Shield ended up winning when Ambrose pinned Kingston, but Team Hell No came down the ramp and threw Ambrose and Rollins back into the ring, where they were subsequently met with an RKO and Brogue Kick to finish the show.

Was that the passing-of-the-torch moment by Team Hell No? Will Orton and Sheamus team up at WWE Payback?

It will certainly be intriguing to see how this plays out in the upcoming weeks.

Daniel Bryan to Singles Competition?

Here's another sign Orton and Sheamus (along with Kingston) could be the new feud for The Shield.

Not only did Bryan look good in his singles win over Jack Swagger, who appears to be toast, but the Submission Specialist reportedly looked "crazy" before getting into an argument with Kane.

That sounds somewhat like the beginning of a heel turn to me, but it's something we'll have to monitor closely on Friday before jumping to conclusions.

Nevertheless, the breakup of Team Hell No was highly anticipated earlier in the year, and even if Bryan doesn't turn heel, the loss of the tag team titles could mean that separation is finally coming.

Will Wade Barrett Ever Win a Match?

Poor Wade Barrett.

Even when he defends his Intercontinental title, he doesn't actually win a match on his own.

However, it is certainly worth noting that the DQ came when Fandango interrupted and Barrett hit him with the Bullhammer.

Nevertheless, there is hope. Combine these events with Monday's tag team match, and it would appear Barrett is at least actually getting a feud:

Perhaps we are headed for Barrett vs. The Miz vs. Fandango at WWE Payback.

Follow @t_keen

Twins Notes: Thielbar Call-Up, Deduno's Friday Starter, Plouffe Hurt

Collin Kottke — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:05:30 -0400

So, if you haven’t been paying attention to the Minnesota Twins over the past handful of days, I, frankly, envy you. It has been a rough patch, to say the least, for the Minnesota boys of summer.

The highlight of the weekend was probably the team’s beat writers geeking out about the presence of Ham and Squints from the 1993 baseball classic The Sandlot. The two were in town for the Twins Sandlot weekend in honor of the 20th anniversary of the film.

The film was supposed to be shown after the game on Sunday afternoon. Instead, it was shown on the Target Field big screen during the three hour rain delay—which resulted in a 5-1 loss to the Red Sox and the end of Joe Mauer’s hitting streak.

Yup. That’s how great the Twins have been over this past spell.

Well, that and the seven game losing streak they are currently on.

Here are a couple stories that have been dominating Twins talk over the past couple of days:

Call-up of Caleb Thielbar and the Demotion of Pedro Hernandez

Pedro Hernandez had the joy of facing the Boston Red Sox on Sunday and it didn’t exactly go well for the leftie. Hernandez needed over 100 pitches just to get into the fifth inning of the ballgame, which was both not effective and even more taxing on a currently over-worked bullpen.

The call then came Monday that the Twins were sending Hernandez back to Triple-A Rochester and recalling left-handed relief pitcher Caleb Thielbar from the Red Wings.

Why should we care about Thielbar? And, why does that name sound slightly familiar?

Thielbar is a native Minnesotan, attended Randolph High School and he went to South Dakota State.

The main reason his name might ring a bell is that he pitched for the St. Paul Saints in 2011, before being signed by the big league team across the river. Thielbar is the first-ever former Saint to play for the Minnesota Twins.

Thielbar had appeared in 17 games for Rochester this season with a 3.76 ERA before his promotion on Monday. Not only was he promoted to the big leagues on Monday, but it ended up being Thielbar’s major league debut.

It was a near-perfect debut. The first pitch Thielbar tossed in the major leagues was hit for a single by Atlanta Braves leadoff hitter Andrelton Simmons. After that, nothing went wrong for the 29th native Minnesotan to play for the Twins.

The 26-year-old retired six straight—pitching two scoreless innings, allowing only one hit and recording three strikeouts in his major league debut.

Not a bad night at all for a former independent league hurler.

Thielbar’s performance wasn’t the big talker out of this roster move though.

Who’s going to start Friday?

The demotion of Hernandez meant the spot in the rotation for Friday night against the Detroit Tigers was open. Suddenly, the heavens opened and everybody knew that it was time for Kyle Gibson…or at least we thought.

The signs pointing to the major league debut of Gibson were all right there.

Gibson’s spot in the rotation was up on Friday and his last start for Rochester just happened to be a complete-game, three-hit shutout.

Twins fans were all excited to get a glimpse of the future that is supposed to be so bright, but that excitement died away on Tuesday afternoon when manager Ron Gardenhire announced that ‘Smiling’ Sam Deduno would get the start on Friday night.

Twins fans will have to wait for a little bit longer for that glimpse of the future.

Hopefully, someone will still be watching the Twins as they have slipped to four games under .500.

Darin Mastroianni Ankle Surgery

Everybody’s favorite fourth, probably fifth now, outfielder is going to need ankle surgery to repair a bone chip in his left ankle.

Darin Mastroianni has only appeared in eight games for the Twins in 2013, and has been on the disabled list since April 16.

Mastroianni may be placed on the 60-day disabled list in order to open up a 40-man roster spot.

Rich Harden Progress

I’ve been flying the Rich Harden flag ever since the Twins signed him and, even though I may want to hide behind that flag sometimes, it is important to stay informed on his progress.

This tweet basically says it all though:

Trevor Plouffe Hurt

In Tuesday’s extra-inning contest against the Atlanta Braves, which also featured a rain delay, third baseman Trevor Plouffe was hurt sliding into second base in the 10th inning.

Plouffe received a knee to the head and was immediately taken out of the game. Plouffe was seen shielding his eyes from light as he headed towards the clubhouse.

No official word has been passed down yet, but it was reminiscent of Justin Morneau’s concussion in Toronto a couple years ago. Plouffe shielding his eyes from light is also not a good sign.

5 Reasons Why the Minnesota Vikings Will Make the Playoffs Next Season

Giancarlo King — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:04:15 -0400

With OTAs just one week away, the upcoming 2013 NFL season is laced with all sorts of questions for our beloved Minnesota Vikings. In a league that is notorious for teams turning things around in a hurry, the Vikings sit on the edge of a grueling NFC North division, looking to improve on their prior year's success.

Last season, the purple-and-gold machine finished a surprising 10-6, earning themselves a Week 17 rematch with division foe the Green Bay Packers during Wild Card Weekend. Thanks to an injury to starting quarterback Christian Ponder and the dismal play of backup signal-caller Joe Webb, the Vikings' season came to an abrupt ending on a chilly night in Lambeau.

Now, on the heels of a great draft this past April and some key roster additions, the Vikings are poised to break through once again and make a deep playoff run.

Here are five reasons why the Minnesota Vikings will make the playoffs next season.

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Sergio Garcia vs. Tiger Woods: Remarks Sink Spaniard Deeper into Tiger Trap

Steve Silverman — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:02:04 -0400

Tiger Woods has two homes.

One of them is in Jupiter, Fla.

The other is in Sergio Garcia's head.

The unfriendly rivalry between the two continues to spin out of control. Garcia decided to utter a racist remark at Tiger's expense while attending a European Tour awards dinner in England Tuesday.

According to Ewan Murray of the British newspaper The Guardian, Garcia was asked by moderator Steve Sands if he would be having dinner with Tiger Woods during the U.S. Open. "We will have him 'round every night," García said. "We will serve fried chicken."

Garcia has apologized for his remarks, but it's hard to excuse his racial insensitivity. Garcia said the question was meant as a joke and so was his response.

“I apologize for any offense that may have been caused by my comment on stage during the European Tour Players' Awards dinner," Garcia explained through CBSSports.com "I answered a question that was clearly made towards me as a joke with a silly remark, but in no way was the comment meant in a racist manner.”

Nobody's buying that explanation.

When the two played together in the third round of The Players Championship in Florida earlier this month, Garcia took umbrage with Woods for taking a club out of his bag just as the Spaniard was preparing to hit early in the third round. Garcia shot Woods a look at the time, and he appeared to be on edge throughout the rest of the round.

In the final round, Woods and Garcia continued to duel for the lead, but with a chance to either win the tournament outright or push it to a playoff, Woods hit consecutive shots in the water at the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass and another in the water on 18.

Woods would go on to win the The Players Championship, his fourth victory of the 2013 season.

After the tournament, verbal sparring between the two continued. Woods recently called Garcia a whiner, and Garcia said that he thought Woods' unflattering assessment was accurate (via Golf.com). But he also said that it was probably the first true statement that Woods had made in 15 years.

Woods and Garcia have been sparring with each other for a long time and their relationship has had frequent flares. Bleacher Report's James McMahon detailed the awkward meetings the two have frequently engaged in since they first started competing with each on a prime-time basis in the 1999 PGA Championship.

Garcia is going to have a significant public relations problem at the U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa. next month. He will likely be the subject of intense media scrutiny that will manifest itself in questions about the remarks he made at the European Tour dinner.

However, he appears to have an even bigger professional problem. No matter what Garcia says, he can't get comfortable when he has to compete with Woods. His dunkathon at The Players Championship at the finishing holes in the tournament was basically a Garcia admission that he is not good enough to beat Woods.

Garcia may have a beautiful swing and a brilliant short game, but when the money is on the table and Woods is in sight, he turns into a blubbering oaf who simply loses his focus.

That would have been bad enough. Now he's made a racist remark that is going to stay with him for a long time.

Bruins vs. Rangers: How Will New York Respond to Playoff Crisis?

Nicholas Goss — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:59 -0400

The New York Rangers were pushed to the brink of elimination on Tuesday when they lost 2-1 in Game 3 of their second-round playoff matchup with the Boston Bruins to fall behind 0-3 in the series.

After opening the scoring in the second period with a goal from Taylor Pyatt, the Rangers could not handle the Bruins' third-period surge which resulted in two goals, one from defenseman Johnny Boychuk and another from fourth-line winger Daniel Paille.

New York will now try to become the fourth team in NHL playoff history to win a series after losing the first three games.

References will be made to the 2010 Eastern Conference Semifinals series between the Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers, which Boston lost in seven games after taking a 3-0 advantage. But this is a Bruins team that has won a Stanley Cup since that historic collapse. The Bruins are more talented and much deeper at forward and on the blue line compared to the 2010 edition.

The concern for the Rangers is that star goaltender Henrik Lundqvist played a near-perfect game on Tuesday night, and the team still couldn't find a way to win.

After a terrible Game 2 performance in which he allowed five goals, Lundqvist was the best player on the ice in Game 3 with 32 saves on 34 shots. Many of those saves should be put into a highlight reel when this series concludes.

The Rangers' response must start with a one-game-at-a-time attitude, and for a veteran team, this shouldn't be a difficult plan.

For starters, New York has to play better defensively, and one specific area of weakness from Game 3 that needs to be addressed is defensive zone faceoffs (stat via TSN):

Boston leads all playoff teams with a 58.6 faceoff percentage, and it had a 34-21 advantage in the faceoff dot in Game 3. Winning faceoffs is so critical in the playoffs, and if the Rangers continue to be dominated in this aspect of the game, erasing the 0-3 deficit will be an impossible task.

Despite the fact that Lundqvist is one of the best goaltenders in the world, when defensive breakdowns force him to make unreal saves every few minutes, the losses are going to pile up.

New York has turned the puck over way too much in the neutral zone during this series, and the team has also failed to prevent the Bruins' defensemen (most notably the three rookies) from starting the breakout by skating the puck from one end to the other.

Another problem for the Rangers is that their head coach has no answers for his team's inability to score goals at even strength or on the power play.

New York has just five goals in three games, and its power play is 2-of-38 through 10 games (worst percentage of all remaining playoff teams). John Tortorella has used a lot of different line combinations and power-play units in this series, but nothing has worked.

The issue for the Rangers is that it's hard to score goals and generate enough chances if the team doesn't spend enough time in the attacking zone. The Bruins' forecheck did a tremendous job of taking away the time and space of the Rangers defensemen in Game 3, which helped Boston create some sustained offensive zone pressure in the second and third periods.

If New York doesn't move the puck quickly and get it up the ice with a good first pass out of the defensive zone, the team won't score enough goals to beat a Bruins squad that's rolling four good lines right now.

The Rangers look like a beaten team at this point in the series, and there are a few reasons for that.

The amount of shots they are blocking is far lower than what we're accustomed to seeing from them. After blocking 29 shots in a 3-2 overtime loss in Game 1, the Blueshirts have prevented just 29 shots from reaching Lundqvist in the last two games combined.

Boston is also outworking New York in all three zones, especially in puck battles along the boards. The Bruins are tenacious, aggressive and wearing down the Rangers physically with a heavy game.

After falling behind 1-0 in the second period, the Bruins turned their effort level up a few notches and the Rangers were unable to match it.

Tortorella's team got a lead and lost all of its aggressiveness, evidenced by the fact that it had just four shots on goal after scoring 3:53 into the second period. There was also a period of 14 minutes and 53 seconds in the second period when New York failed to register a shot on goal.

The Rangers pride themselves on being a blue-collar team that works hard for 60 minutes, but they have shown nothing in this series to make their fans believe that a comeback is possible given their embarrassing lack of effort. It's not like New York has lost three close games. Even though two of their losses in this series have been by one goal, the Rangers have been outplayed in all three matchups.

But as we have seen with Boston time and time again during the Claude Julien era, closing out teams is difficult for this club.

The Bruins have been unable to close teams out before Game 7s in recent seasons, evidenced by their 2-8 record in non-Game 7 closeout games since the start of the 2010 playoffs. Boston has lacked a killer instinct in this year's playoffs and allowed the Toronto Maple Leafs to erase a 3-1 series deficit in Round 1.

As a team that has been dominated in nearly every facet of the game in this series, the Rangers don't have what it takes to extend this second-round series beyond five games. The Bruins have more depth, a healthier and fresher squad, better coaching and a goaltender playing with a ton of confidence.

Unless the Rangers show drastic improvement in Game 4, the team's disappointing 2013 season will end on Thursday at Madison Square Garden.

Follow @NicholasGoss35

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

Curtis Axel and the Case for Finding the Right Manager

David Levin — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

While the basic goal of a manager never changes—to give the wrestler a push—how he goes about it will depend on several factors, especially alignment. A heel manager, for example, may have his wrestler constantly duck tougher opponents while cheating to help him win when he does actually wrestle.

On Monday night, we saw again how brilliant Paul Heyman is and how his connection to Curt Axel (Joe Hennig) not only gives Axel the push he needs to be a true star in the WWE, but also reminds us just how great his father, Curt Hennig, and his grandfather, Larry “The Axe" Hennig, truly were in this business.

It also speaks to the genius of Paul Heyman, a man who, whether on camera or behind the scenes, seems to touch gold wherever he lands.

Axel’s “alliance” with Heyman proves the WWE is relying on newer talent to push through this rougher time within the company. While wrestlers like Undertaker, Kane, Big Show, Triple H and Mark Henry are on the downside of their careers, wrestlers like Cody Rhodes, Hennig and members of The Shield are the future of this business, and they are being counted on to step up.

Rhodes role is still to be determined.

The last time we saw Axel (or Mike McGillicutty) was on Raw two years ago as a WWE Tag Team champion with David Otunga (yes, remember that?). We also remember him asking Jerry Lawler if he knew who he was and who his daddy was.

Sorry, Hennig, you are still no Curt Hennig. Maybe in time, but right now, you are not even close. Maybe your connection with Heyman can get you there.

And all of this is in addition to the mastery of Heyman. He is a newer version of Bobby Heenan with the crafty side of Playboy Gary Hart and the smarmy side of Jimmy Hart, all catapulted in one body.

And for a manager who has been associated with the likes of Mark Callous, Adrian Adonis, Eddie Gilbert, Sabu, RVD, Brock Lesnar, Big Show and CM Punk among others, there is no reason to believe Curt Axel will not be a success.

Actually, he has to be.

If Axel is anything less than a success, then the WWE failed miserably.

But the move is so incredibly right at the moment, we cannot help but think it is another win for the WWE's greatest mind.

Why Paul Millsap Is Ideal Under-the-Radar Signing for Houston Rockets

Roy Burton — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

In the wake of their first playoff appearance in four years, it's unlikely that the Houston Rockets will rest on their laurels this offseason.

Assuming that the team retains Chandler Parsons, Patrick Beverley and Greg Smith, Houston figures to have close to $18 million in cap space this summer. But instead of using most of that money to lure in a single big-name free agent, the Rockets would be better off using a portion of it to sign Utah Jazz power forward Paul Millsap.

You won't find many YouTube clips of Millsap in action, and due to his relative obscurity on the NBA landscape, you may not have heard much about his exploits out in Salt Lake City.

But the former Louisiana Tech star isn't just one of the most underrated players in the game today—he may be one of the top five players in this year's free-agent class.

Millsap is all but certain to part ways with Utah this summer. With Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter waiting in the wings at the 4 and 5 spots respectively, Millsap and center Al Jefferson have likely played their last games in a Jazz uniform.

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey is seen as the godfather of the "advanced statistics" movement in the NBA, so the smart money says that he's well aware of how efficient Millsap has been throughout his career.

And with a clear need for a legit low-post scoring threat, don't be surprised to see Houston make a run at Millsap in July.

Millsap's Player Efficiency Rating this past season (19.89—30th in the NBA) was higher than that of Dirk Nowitzki, Marc Gasol, Dwight Howard and David Lee. His career Offensive Rating of 113.2 is the 18th-highest mark among active players, and he's had at least seven Win Shares in each of the past five seasons.

Defensively, Millsap has his fair share of shortcomings—at 6'8" and 245 pounds, he doesn't possess the ideal height and quickness for his position. But with Omer Asik serving as the Rockets' rim protector, many of Millsap's weaknesses could be easily obscured.

In James Harden, the Rockets already have a player who dominates the ball on offense. Millsap, meanwhile, is used to operating in the wings as a No. 2 option. He's never averaged more than 13.5 shots per game in any of his seven seasons.

Houston's offense all but eschews long twos, making Millsap and his exceptional ability around the rim the perfect complement for the Rockets' cadre of long-range specialists. Four hundred eighty-four of Millsap's 875 shots this past season came from within eight feet, and the 28-year-old power forward shot 57.2 percent from the field on those attempts.

Millsap's ability to set a good screen is often overlooked, and the Rockets could potentially have one of the best two-man games in the league if they play their cards right.

According to Synergy Sports, Harden is one of the premier players in the league as the ball-handler in a pick-and-roll set (1.0 points per possession in 2012-13—fifth in the NBA). Meanwhile, Millsap knocked down nearly 47 percent of his shots as the "roll man" in those same situations as a member of the Jazz last season.

Of course, any deal for Millsap shouldn't preclude any bigger moves that could potentially be on the table. According to Ken Berger of CBS Sports, free-agent center Dwight Howard is intrigued by the possibility of playing in Houston. If the Rockets can pull off a sign-and-trade deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, then that should be their offseason priority.

That said, Howard has been known to change his mind quite a bit, and there's no guarantee that a desire to play in Texas today will lead to him actually signing a contract to that effect two months down the road.

On the other hand, Millsap is a solid, low-risk, high-reward investment who would fit in well with the pieces already in place in Houston. Millsap may not bring the glamour and glitz that comes with signing a superstar like Howard, but he doesn't bring the drama, either.

NBA Draft Lottery Results 2013: Biggest Winners and Losers from Lottery

Dan Talintyre — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:51:28 -0400

The order has been set for the 2013 NBA draft, with the Cleveland Cavaliers again winning the No. 1 overall selection for the second time in just three years.

Cleveland came into the lottery only holding the third-best chance of taking the No. 1 pick (15.6 percent) but managed to win out ahead of the Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards, who will pick at No. 2 and 3, respectively.

Bleacher Report's graphic below shows the full order for the 2013 draft.

As delighted as the Cavaliers are with their selection, there's no doubt plenty of other teams who aren't so thrilled with their final standing. Read on to see who emerged as the biggest winners and losers from the lottery this year, as well as a full 2013 draft order—scheduled to take place on June 27, 2013.

Winner: Cleveland Cavaliers (No. 1)

The Cavs didn't come into the lottery with the best odds, but they still finished with the desired outcome—the No. 1 overall pick—and emerged as big winners as a result of that. Especially, as ESPN Stats and Info notes, the odds of them winning another No. 1 pick weren't all that great.

Their selection that year was Kyrie Irving, who has shown to be a brilliant pickup for them in his first few seasons. They'll be hoping for more of the same in 2013, and whilst many will be quick to say the name Nerlens Noel, Cavs general manager Chris Grant is keeping his cards very close to his chest at the moment—not giving away anything as to who the No. 1 pick will be.

Noel fills a huge hole for Cleveland and would be a great addition alongside Irving, with the athleticism of the pair making for a potentially dangerous Cavaliers team.

Definitely big winners of the lottery this year.

Loser: Phoenix Suns (No. 5)

Before the lottery, ESPN's Chad Ford ran their mock draft simulator and ended up with the Phoenix Suns taking out the No. 1 overall pick.

However, once the actual balls had been set in motion, the odds weren't so helpful for the Suns—giving them the No. 5 overall pick for the draft.

Having never had the top pick in their 40-year franchise history, the struggling Suns could definitely have used one of the big names in the draft this year to boost their stock for the year ahead. And whilst they will still be able to pick up a very strong player at No. 5, the reality is that it isn't as high as they would have expected, or hoped, coming into the lottery this year.

It could be another long season for the Phoenix Suns.

Winner: Orlando Magic (No. 2)

Some might want to suggest that the Orlando Magic were losers of the draft this year, having slipped from a projected No. 1 pick to the No. 2 slot.

Yet in terms of players available and of all the teams to possibly land the top spot, they still ended up in the winner's circle this year.

Cleveland will more than likely take Noel, whom the Magic most likely weren't going to take anyway. That leaves them in a position with the second overall pick to take the player that best fits their current needs—Kansas' Ben McLemore—without being forced into trading the No. 1 overall pick.

Alternatively, if McLemore isn't the way they want to go, there's every other option at point guard, including Trey Burke, whom they could pursue at No. 2.

Either way, the Magic were still big winners from the lottery this year despite not landing the No. 1 overall pick like the numbers suggested they would.

Loser: Charlotte Bobcats (No. 4)

It's hard not to consider Charlotte a loser and feel sorry for them all at the same time after missing out on the No. 1 pick in a big way this year.

After a woeful season, the Bobcats could desperately have used the No. 1 selection this year to try to rebuild their franchise. Yet they didn't get the top pick and ended up falling behind the Washington Wizards, who entered the lottery with just a 3.5 percent chance of winning the No. 1 spot.

Just like they missed out on Anthony Davis, they again missed out here.

The good news for Charlotte is that this year's draft class is very level and that there's a slew of prospects who could be selected in the first three picks.

It'll desperately be hoping that's the case come draft day.

Pick	Team	Odds
1	Cleveland Cavaliers	15.6 percent
2	Orlando Magic	25.0 percent
3	Washington Magic	3.5 percent
4	Charlotte Bobcats	19.9 percent
5	Phoenix Suns	11.9 percent
6	New Orleans Pelicans	8.8 percent
7	Sacramento Kings	6.3 percent
8	Detroit Pistons	3.6 percent
9	Minnesota Timberwolves	1.7 percent
10	Portland Trail Blazers	1.1 percent
11	Philadelphia 76ers	0.8 percent
12	Oklahoma City Thunder (from Raptors)	0.7 percent
13	Dallas Mavericks	0.6 percent
14	Utah Jazz	0.5 percent
15	Milwaukee Bucks	N/A
16	Boston Celtics	N/A
17	Atlanta Hawks	N/A
18	Atlanta Hawks (from Rockets)	N/A
19	Cleveland Cavaliers (from Heat)	N/A
20	Chicago Bulls	N/A
21	Utah Jazz (from Warriors)	N/A
22	Brooklyn Nets	N/A
23	Indiana Pacers	N/A
24	New York Knicks	N/A
25	Los Angeles Clippers	N/A
26	Minnesota Timberwolves (from Grizzlies)	N/A
27	Denver Nuggets	N/A
28	San Antonio Spurs	N/A
29	Oklahoma City Thunder	N/A
30	Phoenix Suns (from Lakers)	N/A

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Victor Oladipo Is the Cream of the Crop in 2013 NBA Draft

Maxwell Ogden — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:47:57 -0400

The 2013 NBA draft is being perceived as one without a franchise player or superstar athlete. While the paper evaluation certainly suggests that to be true, there's one player that has consistently reminded us that we play the games for a reason.

That player is Victor Oladipo—the best player in this draft class.

Oladipo has been given a variety of label—most notably, he's a defensive-minded player without any defined offensive skills. This comes after a season in which Oladipo was a finalist for the Naismith and Wooden Awards.

With a closer evaluation, however, we'll see just how close Oladipo is to breaking out at the next level.

Physical Attributes

According to Chad Ford of ESPN Insider, (subscription required) the 6'4", 213-pound Oladipo boasts a 6'9" wingspan and the prototypical body of a 2-guard at the NBA level.

Even for those who might question Oladipo's overall strength, here's your reason to walk away peacefully.

That's far from a quality general managers care for, but it's a testament to his strength—something that does have a place on the court.

It's important to note that Oladipo didn't stop there, as he continued to impress during his drills. Not only was he posting strong numbers, but he was proving just how elite of an athlete he truly is.

Allow his leaping ability to speak volumes to that.

It doesn't stop there.

The comparisons between Oladipo and Ben McLemore will likely continue throughout their careers; they are top prospects in the same draft class and play the same position. In terms of what they did at the combine, the edge was clear.

It just wasn't in the person's favor you expected.

Athleticism isn't an issue for Oladipo—not one bit.

Elite Defensive Presence

When you combine strength, elite athleticism, blazing lateral quickness and a massive wingspan, you have the tools necessary to be a dominant perimeter defender. When you're a smart player with a great sense of timing, you have the complete package.

Oladipo does an excellent job of remaining in front of his man, maintaining his defensive base and keeping his feet and shoulders in the proper position to cut off driving lanes. Oladipo also explodes on the ball in the passing lanes at opportune moments.

If that's not enough, he blitzes the pick-and-roll with poise and precision and tenaciously attacks the defensive glass. The proof of that is in the numbers.

Oladipo averaged 6.3 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 0.8 blocks per game.

Perhaps nothing is as intriguing about Oladipo's defensive ability than the way he thinks. While some players wait for a play to develop, Oladipo sees it break down before it happens and almost always comes out as the victor on those plays because of his ability to anticipate.

Remember folks, this article isn't calling Oladipo the next Michael Jordan. But as was Jordan's, Oladipo's anticipation is impeccable and his mental game a few steps ahead of the competition.

Offensive Misconceptions

The most common misconception about VOladipo is that—though he's capable of scoring in transition—he's all but helpless in the half court. The reason for this belief is that Oladipo didn't create his own shot at Indiana and thus averaged a pedestrian 13.6 points per game.

How quickly we forget that those 13.6 points came on nearly 60 percent shooting from the floor, including 44 percent from beyond the arc.

The truth of the matter is, Oladipo was a victim of his system, as Tom Crean ran an uptempo offense that looked for whichever player was open. That approach worked to an extent, as Indiana finished the season at 29-7 overall and 14-4 in the Big Ten.

Unfortunately, Indiana fell in the Sweet 16 of this year's NCAA tournament—a loss that saw Oladipo go for 16 points with just one missed field goal attempt.

Upon further evaluation, Oladipo actually has a stronger handle than most shooting guards at his level of progression. His jump shot is at it's best while his feet are set, but Oladipo has a strong enough pump fake where he can take the opposition off of the bounce.

As the video above displays, he's certainly doing everything he can to patch the remaining holes to his game.

The Intangibles

You can teach a player how to shoot, box out and dribble. You could even show a player how to run an offense given the proper tools and time in a room with game film.

What you can't teach a player, however, is what Victor Oladipo and many of the NBA's best possess—intangibles.

Oladipo isn't just a supremely athletic player with the skill set necessary to be a star at the next level. You can find those same traits in a number of players who have never competed for a title or made an All-Star appearance.

The difference between those players are the things that you can't see.

Chad Ford of ESPN Insider is one of the many who have labeled Oladipo as the player with the "best motor in college basketball." The difference between Oladipo and the player who had that label last season, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, is simple.

Oladipo has the established skills to go with it.

This is no knock against Kidd-Gilchrist, who has the work ethic necessary to develop those abilities and become a star in his own right. But Oladipo possesses the heart, will power, work ethic and motor necessary to do the things that the average player wouldn't even attempt.

Whether he's diving for a loose ball or even just throwing his body into a player 50 pounds heavier than him, Oladipo does the things that coaches dream of—he gives everything he has.

When it comes right down to it, Oladipo may not be the best jump-shooter in this draft class or the most skilled slasher. He isn't the most dominant shot-blocker and won't lead the league in double-doubles.

What he will do, however, is scratch and claw his way to victory by any means necessary—the sign of a true star.

The separating factor between Oladipo and the rest of this draft class.

Ken Shamrock Says UFC 'Misused' Brock Lesnar, Forebodes Downfall of Chael Sonnen

Jordy McElroy — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:44:18 -0400

If the UFC gave him ample time to grow, Brock Lesnar could have been the best fighter in MMA history, according to Ken Shamrock.

In an exclusive two-part interview with Sportnet's Joe Ferraro, the MMA legend claimed the UFC missed out on a golden opportunity by throwing Lesnar to the wolves too soon:

I think Brock mentally got beat, but I always thought that they didn't treat Brock right either. I thought they threw him in too soon. He's fighting guys that had 20 fights in his second fight because he's so massive and so impressive. It wasn't fair to him. If he would have got groomed properly, he could've been the best fight in any weight class, best pound-for-pound ever.

Upon entry into the UFC, Lesnar made it clear that he didn't want any easy fights.

The UFC obliged his request by matching him up against former heavyweight champ Frank Mir. After an impressive start, Lesnar's inexperience caught up with him in the end, as Mir latched on a kneebar for the first-round submission finish.

Lesnar would eventually bounce back and capture the UFC heavyweight title from Randy Couture along with avenging his loss to Mir. After losing to Alistair Overeem in December 2011, he officially announced his retirement from MMA with a 5-3 professional record.

Many believe his decision to hang up the gloves was based primarily on his constant battle with diverticulitis, an intestinal disorder. Shamrock, on the other hand, thinks there were other contributing factors that lead to Lesnar's early exit:

I'm not sure that [the diverticulitis] is everything. I know that's a big part of it, but what if he was training properly? Would that have even been a factor? I don't even know. I'm just saying this guy had an opportunity to be great, and I just saw him mentally get dwindled down because he was thrown right into that.

There's no use crying over spilt milk, especially now that the UFC has seen the emergence of pay-per-view juggernaut Chael Sonnen.

The Oregon native's persistent trash talking is often frowned upon by his peers, but he has certainly earned a warm spot in the heart of UFC President Dana White. Since nearly upsetting Anderson Silva at UFC 117, Sonnen has quickly grown into one of the UFC's biggest stars.

His ability to play off the media and hype fights is unrivaled in MMA. It isn't just about the trash talking. Sonnen is a perennial middleweight contender who has challenged Silva twice for the UFC title. Their blockbuster rematch at UFC 148 is widely considered as the biggest event in UFC history.

He also received an opportunity to compete against Jon Jones for the light heavyweight title at UFC 159.

For Shamrock, it's all about respect, and he believes Sonnen's style of trash talking is a major turnoff. He has no problem with Sonnen throwing verbal jabs at opponents. The problem lies in the talk being aimed at random individuals:

I don't think [Chael Sonnen] even realizes that the minute his market goes away, he's done. ... He just mouths off at things that don't matter. Mouth on to something that's going to make you money, not something that's not going to make you money.

Right now it's working for him, but when it's over, it's like a Mike Tyson syndrome. When it's over, they're gonna step on your head, the same people you're talking trash about are the same ones you're gonna meet on the way down, and they're gonna help you down faster.

With all of the people Sonnen has upset in his MMA career, there should be quite a line awaiting his arrival at the pearly gates.

Biggest Surprises for the Red Sox so Far This Season

Jess Lander — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:38:38 -0400

The 2013 Boston Red Sox have been the surprise of Major League Baseball. Following one of the worst seasons in franchise history—in which they finished last in the AL East—Boston got off to a hot 12-4 start in 2013.

Currently at 27-19, the Sox are second in the AL East, and just 1.5 games behind the Yankees—a place where few fans thought they'd be a few short months ago.

Aside from the team's overall success, a few players have surprised Red Sox nation both individually and in a good way.

Here are the three biggest surprises for the Red Sox so far this season.

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10 College Basketball Teams Most Likely to Overachieve in 2013-14 Season

C.J. Moore — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:37:43 -0400

Every year there are a handful of teams that make those of us who make preseason polls look really dumb.

So in an effort to allow ourselves the ability to say “we told you so,” this is a prediction of those teams that we shouldn’t be overlooking.

You’ll notice a trend. Most of these programs are coached by men who have made a career of turning preseason rankings into confetti.

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Ranking the Chicago Bulls' Most Likely NBA Free Agency Moves

Andres Montero — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:34:15 -0400

The Chicago Bulls don't have a lot of cap room to make a big splash this offseason, but that doesn't mean there won't be a few changes.

Upcoming free agents like Nate Robinson and Marco Belinelli increased their value with their great performances during the regular season and playoffs, so it might not be possible to re-sign both players.

There's also the possibility of bringing in some new faces. The Bulls need a big man on their bench, and they'll need some backup 2-guards and someone to spell Luol Deng.

Chicago might not make a ton of noise, but there are more than a few moves—both in-house and on the market—they could make.

Rankings will be based on the likelihood of the signing.

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