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Andy Murray Withdraws from French Open Due to Back Injury

Tyler Conway — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:56:30 -0400

Andy Murray's career-long quest to make the final at Roland Garros will not be happening in 2013.

According to BBC Sport's Twitter feed, Murray officially withdrew from the 2013 French Open on Tuesday due to lingering back issues:

Murray's decision was made after undergoing a scan, per the Daily Mail's Mike Dickson. It's unclear what damage the scan Murray underwent Tuesday showed.

While this news undoubtedly comes as a disappointment to the world's second-ranked player, there had been speculation about Murray's status for weeks. The 26-year-old Murray was forced to retire during his second-round matchup versus Marcel Granollers in last week's Italian Open due to the issue, casting a shadow of doubt over his French Open status.

Speaking after his retirement against Granollers, Murray acknowledged it was unlikely we'd see him in Paris.

"I pulled out because there is a good chance I wouldn't be playing tomorrow. We'll have to wait for Paris. I'd be very surprised if I were playing in Paris," Murray said (via Yahoo! Sports).

All things considered, Murray is likely making a sound long-term decision. The French Open is the only Grand Slam tournament where he has never made the final, and his only semifinals appearance was in 2011. Last year, the fourth-seeded Murray was upset by sixth-seeded David Ferrer three sets to one in the quarterfinals.

With the grass-court season—Murray's speciality—getting underway after the French Open, Murray is making a forward-thinking decision to sit out. Ben Rothenberg of The New York Times noted that Murray likely made the correct decision considering his up-and-down history at Roland Garros:

Murray's withdrawal obviously makes things easier for contemporaries Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. The defending champion Nadal had already passed David Ferrer for the No. 4 seed, but Murray's withdrawal changes the complexion of the entire event.

Nadal will now be the No. 3 seed and on Federer's side of the bracket, thus allowing Nadal and Djokovic—the tournament's two favorites—to avoid one another until the final.

The official draw for the 2013 French Open will be held on Friday, May 25, and action gets underway at Rolland Garros Sunday.

Update on When John Cena Will Be Back on WWE Television

Sharon Glencross — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:16:27 -0400

Following his electrocution at the hands of Ryback at Sunday's Extreme Rules pay-per-view, when can we expect to John Cena back on television again?

Sans a post-show dark match, the current champion didn't appear at all on Monday's Raw, still selling his injuries from the event.

Instead, Ryback came out at the start of the show, complained about the strange no-contest finish to the match and issued a challenge for an Ambulance match at the Payback event next month.

He later took out Cena's old friend Zack Ryder and sent him off in a nearby ambulance for emphasis.

Well, it appears Cena will be answering the challenge sooner rather than later. In today's F4Wonline Daily Update, Dave Meltzer reveals:

"John Cena is expected back on Raw next week. He was off TV last night selling injuries, but he worked before the live crowd in the dark match main event."

Oh, come on. You didn't really expect Cena to miss any real time in an attempt to get over the seriousness of his injuries, did you?

This is the same man that famously "retired" from Raw in late 2010 only to make his, er, long-awaited return less than an hour later.

WWE brass obviously doesn't want one of the few top draws the company has left off of television for any prolonged period of time, which is a valid point.

Besides, in the storyline, this makes perfectly logical sense. Cena already emerged miraculously unscathed after being tossed by The Big Show into a massive spotlight, which then exploded, at 2009's Backlash event.

Like some comic book superhero, the guy is clearly immune to electricity at this point and cannot be seriously damaged by it.

Hey, maybe Nick Fury should show up at the end of next week's Raw and try to recruit Cena into The Avengers? Just a thought.

NBA Playoffs 2013: Why Chris Bosh Is the X-Factor in Heat vs. Pacers

Eric Bost — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:11:16 -0400

Chris Bosh will make his presence known when the Eastern Conference Finals start Wednesday.

The member of the Miami Heat's "Big Three" has taken on the most criticism by far from the media and fans, who claim he is soft around the rim. But after Bosh went down with an abdominal injury in Game 1 of the Heat's Eastern Conference semi-final matchup with the Pacers in last year's playoffs, people wondered if Miami could compete without their third star.

It took superhuman efforts by both LeBron James and Dwyane Wade to move the Heat into the Eastern Conference Finals, but this year Bosh is back and primed to contribute to Miami's championship run.

Yes, LeBron James is the face of this team; he is the best player in the world, after all. But while he's going to continue putting up numbers, Bosh will be the deciding factor on what the reigning NBA champions can do offensively.

The Indiana Pacers run a more traditional defense with two big men down low. While David West is the more skilled perimeter shooter, Roy Hibbert operates from the low block and isn't afraid to muck it up trying to crash the boards.

Hibbert is a huge threat around the rim, just ask Carmelo Anthony. He leads all NBA centers this postseason in offensive rebounds (55) and offensive rebounds per game (4.6) and is first among remaining centers in blocks per game (2.5).

Now Bosh doesn't need to score more points in order for his team to win. His biggest contribution will come more from the perimeter and being able to drag Hibbert away from the rim.

The Pacers need Hibbert down low on defense to create shot blocking opportunities and alter opposing shot attempts. With the Heat's style of slash-and-kick, there will be numerous chances for Hibbert to swat away shots. James, Wade, Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole can all use picks to drive to the basket, and without Bosh, Hibbert will be waiting for them.

The Heat love to play small ball on both sides of the court. They don't have a conventional center; they use Bosh at the five while James moves down to the power forward. That way the Heat can get more athleticism on the court and can use that to create turnovers and run up and down in transition with ease.

With Bosh out there, it gives the Heat another shooter along the perimeter instead of a big center that takes up space in the middle. Bosh is more of a finesse forward that loves a mid-range jumper, like Kevin Garnett is with the Celtics.

Bosh has been a constant shooting threat in the 2013 playoffs. Even though he's scoring 13.2 points per game, he is making the most of his chances when the ball is in his hands. Bosh is third among remaining forwards in field goal percentage (51.6), only behind Kawhi Leonard of the Spurs and LeBron.

Bosh isn't just a hot shooter, he's also made himself dangerous from beyond the arc. He leads all forwards this postseason in three-point accuracy, making a remarkable 46.7 percent of his shots from downtown, according to CBSSports.com.

With Bosh being such a hot shooter lately, Hibbert has to make sure he keeps his eye on him during this series. He is going to be wandering out near the three-point line, far away from where Hibbert likes to be. The 7' 2" center isn't quick enough to get back and help on defense if one of the Heat slashers make a move toward the basket.

Bosh's ability to shoot drags the opposition's big man away from the paint, giving the Heat better scoring chances at the rim and more rebounding opportunities. If Hibbert does stay inside to help the defense, then the ball can be kicked to Bosh on the wing, leaving him wide open for a jump shot.

Chris Bosh may not have been able to play last year against the Pacers in the playoffs, but this time he comes back better than ever. Indiana has to account for Bosh on the wing, but that leaves the NBA's MVP room to charge the rim with authority.

Examining Pittsburgh Steelers' Offseason and Key Preseason Positional Battles

Justin Onslow — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:06:33 -0400

As has been the case several times in recent Pittsburgh Steelers history, consecutive playoff seasons gave way to a marginal campaign in 2012 that saw the Steelers post an 8-8 record, missing out on the playoffs behind the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC North.

General manager Kevin Colbert promised changes in the Steel City this offseason, and he certainly delivered. Mike Wallace was left to walk in free agency (inking a massive contract with the Miami Dolphins), and oft-injured linebacker James Harrison will be facing his former team at least twice this year in the black and orange of Cincinnati.

Longtime nose tackle Casey Hampton remains without a contract—due in part to Pittsburgh’s lack of cap room and in part because of injury issues. And while Rashard Mendenhall had a few very productive seasons in Pittsburgh, his injury problems and poor attitude necessitated a change as well. He signed a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals to play for former Steelers offensive coordinator and new Arizona head coach Bruce Arians.

But this offseason wasn’t all about cleaning house and starting fresh.

The Steelers still have a solid core in place for the 2013 season, including linebackers Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley, wide receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown and two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger—to name just a handful.

Colbert also made his mark as he so often does with a strong 2013 draft class that features multiple starting-caliber players, including first-round linebacker Jarvis Jones and second-round running back Le’Veon Bell. Pittsburgh isn’t known for rushing its rookies into starting roles, but both players could be in line to see substantial playing time this season.

The 2013 season holds a lot of question marks for the six-time Super Bowl winners, though.

Todd Haley took the reins of the offense last season with underwhelming results. While injuries to Roethlisberger and general sloppy play from the likes of Mendenhall and Wallace didn’t help matters, it was obvious the Steelers' offense would need more time to adjust to Haley’s system.

But with a year of experience under their belt, the Steelers will be in much better position to take another run at the Super Bowl champion Ravens in the AFC North. Provided Roethlisberger can stay healthy—and Bell stabilizes a running game that finished 26th in the league last season—there’s no reason Pittsburgh can’t be a dominant force in the AFC again this season.

Dick LeBeau is one of the best defensive coordinators in the history of the league, and he continues to churn out top-three units year in and year out. This season should be no different, but a few fresh faces will have to step up.

2009 third-round cornerback Keenan Lewis had a tremendous 2012 campaign after earning the starting role to begin the season. However, much like with Wallace and Hampton, salary cap restrictions forced the Steelers to allow their best corner to walk in free agency. He signed a five-year, $26 million contract with the New Orleans Saints in March.

Lewis’ departure proves LeBeau has faith in 2011 fourth-rounder Cortez Allen and third-rounder Curtis Brown to fill his shoes, but Colbert also orchestrated the return of former Steelers corner William Gay to aid in those efforts. Allen is a favorite to get the nod across from Ike Taylor, but Brown and Gay should still play a sizeable role this season, especially in nickel and dime packages.

Pittsburgh may not have experienced its usual success last season, but Mike Tomlin will have his squad prepared to turn things around in 2013. Here, we’ll take a closer look at some of these storylines and break down several key position battles to watch this offseason.

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2013 NBA Free Agents: Biggest Gambles on the Market

Chris Imperiale — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:05:16 -0400

The 2013 NBA free-agency market has plenty of big names who will create a lot of impact next season. This year’s class is filled with superstars, however, some of these players are the biggest gambles out there.

A few of the top free agents include Josh Smith, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and Andre Iguodala.

Since the Miami Heat signed Chris Bosh and LeBron James three years ago, there’s been a larger emphasis on landing big players in free agency. This year will be the same, despite the risk that comes with a few of the marquee names.

Dwight Howard

While he'll attract any number of NBA teams, Dwight Howard is one of the biggest gambles on the free-agent market. Howard has shown throughout his career that he’s one of the best big men in the league, one who produces quality numbers each year.

The reason he’s such a gamble is the baggage and drama that will accompany his on-the-court talent. Howard turned his latter years in Orlando and his only season in Los Angeles into soap operas.

For years he demanded to get out of Orlando, and once he got his wish, he never seemed satisfied. In the Lakers' up-and-down 2012-13 season, Howard had his share of issues with the team and its on-court leader Kobe Bryant.

There’s no doubting Howard’s importance in a league where there aren’t many dominating centers, but his reputation will cause some teams to think twice.

Andrew Bynum

Andrew Bynum is in a very similar situation as Dwight Howard. With there being so few good frontcourt players in the NBA, Bynum will be highly sought after. He’s considered a risk, though, for reasons including his attitude and maturity problems.

Bynum will not get nearly the amount of attention Howard will based on the gap between their skill set. Bynum is regarded as a solid young player, but he’s never put together the numbers like Howard.

Another main reason Bynum is a gamble is that he didn’t play a single game last season for the Philadelphia 76ers due to knee issues. Philadelphia took a risk on trading some key players for Bynum last offseason, just to see it all go to waste on their bench.

Bynum will land a big deal somewhere, but he’s absolutely a risk.

Monta Ellis

If Monta Ellis declines his player option for next season, he too will be one of the best free agents on the market this summer.

Ellis has solidified himself as one of the top scoring options in the NBA, averaging just under 20 points per game during his career.

The gamble that comes with Ellis is that he’s the type of guy who can shoot his team both in and out of games. Ellis is a volume shooter and is known to be somewhat of a ball hog at times.

He’s also a risk because his lack of experience on winning teams. In his eight-year career, Ellis’ teams have made the playoffs only twice.

Best Potential Replacements for Vinny Del Negro to Keep Chris Paul with Clippers

Dan Favale — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:59:01 -0400

Chris Paul has decided that Vinny Del Negro will not return as head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Ahem, excuse me, I mean the Clippers as an organization have decided to move forward without Del Negro.

According to Adrian Wojnaorwski of Yahoo! Sports, the Clippers have parted ways with their head coach. His contract had expired and he was up for a new deal, which Los Angeles will not be giving him.

Del Negro spent the last three seasons with the Clippers, compiling a combined record of 128-102 and leading them to two consecutive playoff berths, a feat that hadn't been accomplished since Los Angeles qualified for back-to-back postseason runs in 1992 and 1993.

With Paul set to enter unrestricted free agency this July, the search for Del Negro's replacement must begin immediately.

By "Del Negro's replacement," I of course mean "Chris Paul's hand-picked preference."

One of the reasons Del Negro was reportedly ousted was because Paul wasn't a fan, so the Clips must sift through all the available options and find one that appeases their prized point man.

Among the biggest reasons the Clippers let Vinny Del Negro go today, sources say: Chris Paul was not a fan.
— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) May 21, 2013

Where will that quest take Lob City?

Let's take a look.

*All stats in this article were compiled from Basketball-Reference unless otherwise attributed.

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SEC Football Freshmen with Brightest Future

Ian Berg — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:50:00 -0400

The SEC is loaded with rising stars throughout the freshman ranks with 20 of last year’s Top 50 signing with conference schools.

The No. 1 player Robert Nkemdiche is preparing to build a masterful career at Ole Miss, and O.J. Howard is expected to change the way that the Alabama offense pushes the football down the field.

The next few years will bring a lot of quality football with these five freshmen lining up on Saturdays.

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San Francisco Awarded Super Bowl L, What Does it Mean for 49ers?

Zach Kruse — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:45:39 -0400

While the San Francisco 49ers have their sights set on playing in a second consecutive Super Bowl next season, the franchise was presented Tuesday with a rare but obtainable goal for later down the road.

According to NFL Network, NFL owners voted to award Super Bowl L—the league's 50th anniversary of the first Super Bowl—to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2016. The city beat out South Florida to host the iconic Super Bowl, which will be held in the 49ers' new stadium in Santa Clara, California.

As currently constructed, the young, talented 49ers should have an opportunity to become the first NFL team to play a Super Bowl in their home stadium.

Of course, it's impossible to look three years into the NFL future and determine whether or not the 49ers will still have the elite roster they currently possess. Predicting the league year by year is difficult enough; attempting to pin down what will happen three years down the road might require Nostradamus.

However, nothing about how the 49ers have been built in recent years suggests they will not be in the running for a Super Bowl in 2016. In fact, it's much harder to envision the franchise going south than continuing on as a contender.

From the staff to the front office to the roster, San Francisco is well prepared for longevity.

The 49ers are led by 49-year-old head coach Jim Harbaugh, who holds a 24-7-1 regular season record with three playoff wins in just two seasons at the NFL level. He was named the Coach of the Year in 2011 and could have won it again last season.

Harbaugh has won early in his NFL coaching career in large part to the roster provided to him by general manager Trent Baalke.

The 49ers have a promising young quarterback in Colin Kaepernick, who took the NFL by storm in 2012 and nearly won a Super Bowl during his first season as a starter. He appears to be the ideal running-and-throwing hybrid that is defining the future at the position.

The rest of the offense is littered with young talent, between the league's best (and one of its youngest) offensive lines, tight end Vernon Davis, running backs LaMichael James and Marcus Lattimore and a deep and talented receiving corps.

While San Francisco figures to be competitive on offense for the foreseeable future, the defense possesses as much if not more talent.

Inside linebackers NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis represent the best young duo the NFL has seen in some time, while 2011 first-round pick Aldon Smith flirted with 20 sacks in 2012. The 49ers also added a first-round safety in Eric Reid to an already talented and hard-hitting secondary.

In between their Super Bowl loss and the 2013 NFL draft, we broke down how the 49ers became such a talented franchise. The same holds true today. The 49ers are built to win on both sides of the ball—both now and in the future.

Barring unforeseen structural changes in the front office and coaching staff or regression from the talent in key positions on the field, the 49ers appear capable of being among the NFL contenders for the long haul.

If the franchise can continue its winning culture for the next several years, the 2016 season could be a special one for the San Francisco Bay Area.

As of the 2013 season, no team in the history of the Super Bowl has played the biggest game in their home stadium.

There's no tangible way to say whether or not the 49ers will become the first to do so three years from now, but all evidence in 2013 points to San Francisco having that opportunity.

Thankfully for this bunch of talented 49ers, the Super Bowl worth worrying about right now is the one taking place in the New Jersey this coming February.

NBA Playoffs 2013: 4 Keys for the Indiana Pacers to Beat the Miami Heat

Chris Landers — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:44:38 -0400

The 2013 NBA playoffs have reached their final four, and now things really get fun. On paper, the Eastern final is akin to a Biblical showdown. The grit-and-grind Indiana Pacers against the pyrotechnic show that is the Miami Heat. Blue collar, Midwestern pride against the sinful vanity of South Beach. Lance Stephenson against, well, just about everyone in a red and white jersey.

A title would put the 2013 Heat in rarefied air, squarely in any debate about the greatest teams of all time. They ripped off a 27-game winning streak while practically sleepwalking through half of them. They have arguably the greatest (and certainly the most versatile) player to ever pick up a basketball. So how, exactly, can anyone throw a wrench in the Miami coronation? Those humble, hardworking Pacers may have the personnel to pull it off, if they can follow these four keys to victory.

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Why Steven Jackson Will Be Even Better in Atlanta Than St. Louis

Scott Carasik — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:41:20 -0400

Steven Jackson will have one of the best years of his long career now that he's with the Atlanta Falcons. While he was excellent in St. Louis, he was toiling away on a team that was mired in mediocrity.

Jackson is one of the few players in NFL history with over 10,000 rushing yards and 3,300 receiving yards for his career. He's also known for a bruising style that makes him one of the top backs for a team like the Falcons to have. He will prosper will in their scheme that mixes of zone and man blocking for its running game.

The biggest things that will make Jackson more of a threat in Atlanta than during his Rams career are the options he will have around him, the more improved defensive line and how Dirk Koetter loves to run his screen-based scheme in the passing game.

Offensive Line is Better Than What He Had

In St. Louis, the Rams offensive line was mediocre at best. While Rodger Saffold, Scott Wells and former Falcon Harvey Dahl looked good, the rest of the line was terrible. Left guard was a revolving door while right tackle had the extraordinarily weak combination of Barry Richardson and Wayne Hunter there. That doesn't look as good as the Falcons current projected starting offensive line.

What it may lack in experience, the lineup of Sam Baker at left tackle, Justin Blalock at left guard, Peter Konz at center, Mike Johnson at right guard and Lamar Holmes at right tackle shows a ton of natural talent. It also shows a ton of investment. From left to right, it goes first-round pick, second-round pick, second-round pick, third-round pick, third-round pick.

It's also one of the biggest offensive lines in the league. Baker is the runt of the litter at 6'5", 310 pounds, but Blalock flanks him at 6'3", 330 pounds. Konz and Johnson increase the size at center and right guard as both are 6'5", 315 pounds. Holmes (6'6" 330 pounds) is actually bigger than the make he's replacing in Tyson Clabo (6'5" 325 pounds).

Investment-, size- and talent-wise, this is one of the best lines Jackson has been able to play behind. It may be unproven, but Pat Hill has done more with a lot less. I mean, he did coach the Browns for a long time and was known for turning 2- and 3-star prospects at Fresno State into draftable offensive linemen.

Offensive Threats Keep Defenders Out of the Box

Not only does his group of linemen look better than what he had in St. Louis, but the overall talent around him will open up the offense and allow him less defenders in the box to have to weave through. Receivers Julio Jones, Harry Douglas and Roddy White combined with tight end Tony Gonzalez will make it tough for any team to stack the box.

Jones, White and Douglas are a trio who could challenge for a combined 3,000 yards again this season after falling just 56 yards short of that mark last year. Gonzalez is still the best tight end of all time, but he doesn't have the same kind of speed he once did. He can still throw up over 900 yards and a handful of touchdowns every year though.

When the Falcons come to play in the fall, don't be surprised if quarterback Matt Ryan is given a pass-run combination call every down. The Falcons have the running back and blockers to take advantage of six- and seven-man boxes. And they have the receivers to burn the defenses deep in eight- and nine-man boxes.

All Dirk Koetter will have to do is make sure Ryan sees how many deep safeties and corners there are on the field. In a four defensive backs formation with a safety dropped into the box, Ryan should check to the pass call from the huddle. However, when the box is containing just six or seven men, Jackson should be given the ball, and he'll have a field day with it.

Jackson Doesn't Have to Come Out on Third Downs

One of the biggest strengths in having a running back like Steven Jackson is that he can run the ball like a monster from any formation. But even more important than that is his ability to catch the ball out in the flats as a checkdown and still be able to gain important yardage. Jackson's amassed over 3,300 career receiving yards from this skill and that should continue through this year.

Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter loves using the four verticals concept in his passing offense. The best part of a four verticals call is the ability to check down to a short route run by a hard-charging running back underneath the verticals. Jackson can not only run that route, but it could be one of the most effective routes on the play for the Falcons.

Add in how the Falcons will be able to enhance their already effective screen game with the addition of the bruiser, and Atlanta could have just made an offense that was already unstoppable even better. A scary thought if you are Tampa Bay, New Orleans or Carolina. There isn't really anyone who can stick with Jackson on all three downs.

Because he doesn't have to come out, the Falcons will be able to maximize their return on the future Hall of Fame running back. And in the end, Jackson will have one of the finest seasons of his career. If he ends up stealing the show and the Falcons make it to the Super Bowl, he will be the man that brought them over the hump and into the promised land.

And who knows?

Maybe Tony Gonzalez and Jackson can earn the Super Bowl rings that would cap off their already amazing careers.

All stats used are either from Pro Football Focus's Premium Stats, ESPN, CFBStats or the NFL. All contract information is courtesy Spotrac. All recruiting rankings come from 247Sports.com.

Scott Carasik is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He covers the Atlanta Falcons, NFL and NFL Draft. He also runs DraftFalcons.com.

Follow @ScottCarasik

Big Ten Football Freshmen with Brightest Future

Randy Chambers — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:31:55 -0400

Despite what you may hear through the grapevine, there are elite recruits that decide to take their talents to the Big Ten. Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer made it known he isn't impressed with the recruiting classes overall, but there are top recruits that have turned down offers from the SEC to play in this conference.

A lot of these guys are from the 2013 recruiting class who will have a chance to make an impact as early as this season. Whether it is a star running back, hard-nosed defensive player or a future star quarterback, the Big Ten is a conference you want to pay attention to for the next couple of years.

Here are the Big Ten freshmen who have the brightest future.

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NBA Lottery 2013: Teams Most in Need of Winning No. 1 Selection

Richard Langford — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:24:52 -0400

Every team in the NBA would like to win the No. 1 overall selection, but a few of these franchises need it more than others.

This NBA draft class isn't receiving a lot of hype, but there is some difference-making talent at the top. Kentucky center Nerlens Noel will likely be the first pick. Noel has a dominant defensive game and the potential to develop into a solid offensive weapon.

These next three teams don't necessarily need Noel, but they need the value of the No. 1 pick. These floundering franchises could either take Noel, trade the pick or even take another player (likely Kansas guard Ben McLemore).

We'll get into those three teams below, but first, here is your guide to this year's lottery.

Viewing Information

When: Tuesday, May 21, at 8:30 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN

Live Stream: WatchESPN.com

Odds of Winning Top Pick (via NBA.com)

Team	Record	% Chance
Orlando Magic	20-62	25
Charlotte Bobcats	21-61	19.9
Cleveland Cavaliers	24-58	15.6
Phoenix Suns	25-57	11.9
New Orleans Pelicans	27-55	8.8
Sacramento Kings	28-54	6.3
Detroit Pistons	29-53	3.6
Washington Wizards	29-53	3.5
Minnesota Timberwolves	31-51	1.7
Portland Trail Blazers	33-49	1.1
Philadelphia 76ers	34-48	0.8
Toronto Raptors	34-48	0.7
Dallas Mavericks	41-41	0.6
Utah Jazz	43-39	0.5

No. 1: Charlotte Bobcats (19.9% chance of winning draft lottery)

The Bobcats need all the help they can get. This is a franchise that appears to be lost at sea.

Last year, after one of the most unsuccessful seasons the sports world has ever seen, the Bobcats missed out on the top overall selection and the opportunity to draft Anthony Davis.

Karma has to be on their side this time, right?

All of this said, the Bobcats are not without young talent. They have point guard Kemba Walker and forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. These are two solid pieces to a winning foundation, but they aren't complete enough players to do it on their own.

This team needs a big boost down low. It could also use a shooting boost on the perimeter. The Bobcats' best hope is actually to win the No. 1 pick and then find a couple of assets via a trade. Still, this downtrodden franchise needs all the value it can find right now.

No. 2: Orlando Magic (25.0%)

Finishing with the league's worst record, the Magic have odds on their side to win the top pick, and they need it.

The season after trading franchise big man Dwight Howard saw the Magic take a huge step backward.

This team is not without young talent in the likes of Nikola Vucevic, Tobias Harris and Andrew Nicholson. However, much like the Bobcats, these guys can't turn around the franchise on their own.

Also, like the Bobcats, the Magic's best option would be a trade for the No. 1. However, even if they couldn't pull off a desirable trade before the draft, they could down the road. HOOPSWORLD's Steve Kyler shows he feels this is the strategy with this retweet:

Winning this lottery would put the Magic on the fast track to rebuilding.

No. 3: Phoenix Suns (11.9%)

Other than Goran Dragic at point, the Suns need to upgrade all over the court.

This is a franchise headed in the wrong direction. With new GM Ryan McDonough looking to build through the draft, landing the No. 1 pick would be a way to jump start the rebuilding process.

And while Dragic is a solid point guard, he isn't the kind of elite scorer who can lift an offense by himself. He needs more talent around him.

If the Suns took Noel, it would allow them to get back to being the kind of fast-break team that can run other teams out of the gym. And McLemore would give this team the kind of perimeter shooting it needs to help space the floor.

And both potential impact players would definitely be a step in the right direction.

Chris Andersen: Miami Heat X-Factor

NBA365 Productions — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:21:28 -0400

The Miami Heat had the best regular season in franchise history. Behind their 27-game win streak and 66-win season, the only thing missing to cap off this historic year is the Larry O'Brien trophy.

The start of the season was far from special for the Miami Heat. They were playing as though they were just waiting for late April to come around so they could start their real season.

Yet, once they acquired big man Chris "Birdman" Andersen, it seemed as though they found the energy they needed, as they went on to lose only 5 games since he joined the team in late January.

Watch now to hear about "Birdman's" impact and let us know what you think in the comments below!

Carlos Tevez: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Garry Hayes — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:16:59 -0400

Carlos Tevez has had a long, protracted history of pining for a move away from Manchester City.

In 2011-12 he went AWOL from the club, returning to his native Argentina as he looked to force through a transfer, but he later returned to see out the rest of the season.

With 2012-13 now in the rearview mirror, will this summer be the year he moves on? Big changes are expected at City, especially after Roberto Mancini's departure as manager.

Here's a breakdown of Tevez's vital statistics and where he might end up, should he depart the Etihad Stadium.

AGE: 29

CONTRACT SITUATION: The Argentinian's contract will expire at the end of 2013-14, leaving him free to leave Manchester City for nothing.

CAREER STOPS: Boca Juniors (2001-04), Corinthians (2004-06), West Ham United (2006-07), Manchester United (2007-2009), Manchester City (2009-current)

CURRENT CAMPAIGN: Premier League: 34 games, 11 goals, eight assists; Community Shield: one game, one goal; FA Cup: Six games, five goals, two assists; Capital One Cup: one game; Champions League: Five games.

VIDEO SHOWREEL:

SCOUTING GUIDE: Tevez is a tenacious competitor. It's often a cheap slight on his character and ability from opposing fans and managers to suggest that his best quality is that very tenacity, but he brings a lot more to the table.

He is skillful when running at defenders, forcing them into conceding free kicks and penalties, while his movement off the ball is also impressive. He has a knack for arriving unnoticed in dangerous positions and often evades the attention of his marker. His energy allows City to press high up the pitch when needed, and he often forces his opponents into mistakes.

WHERE NEXT: A report from The Mirror suggests that Tevez is interested in extending his contract at City beyond the end of next season, but given his chequered history, the club may be looking to cash in now while they have the chance.

The Guardian indicates Juventus or Paris Saint-Germain could be a likely destination this summer, while the Daily Mail has reported Monaco have also shown an interest in acquiring his signature.

All three clubs will need to act fast, as Inter Milan are also chasing Tevez, according to The Express.

NBA Draft 2013: 1st-Round Prospects Who Helped Themselves Most at Combine

Tyler Conway — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:16:58 -0400

You'll be super surprised to hear this, but people tend to overreact to the results at the NBA draft combine.

Held last week in Chicago, the two-day event puts players in a series of positional drills, scrimmages and athleticism testings that has very little correlation to NBA success. While not quite the Underwear Olympics that takes place every year in the NFL, it's very hard for a player to come out of obscurity to wow scouts at the NBA combine. The player pool is just too small and teams have watched enough tape to know what they're getting for the most part.

For fans, that can be frustrating. Arguably the most important aspect of the entire process—the team interviews—happens behind closed doors. So even though you'll hear about players "impressing" certain squads in interviews, it's impossible to know just how much tangible evidence you can take away.

However, that's not to say combine results are meaningless. They're far from it. Last week's festivities in Chicago were an opportunity for teams, scouts and analysts to start gathering a consensus. And even though many top prospects chose not to participate in the positional drills—mostly at the behest of risk-controlling agents—last week's action still had some very good takeaways.

Namely, there were a few players who were just good enough to send their stock on the upward swing. With that in mind, here is a look at a few first-rounders who had excellent stays in Chicago.

Steven Adams (C, Pittsburgh)

You don't have to look hard to find warts in Adams' game from his one-year stop at Pittsburgh. The New Zealand-born center arrived in the States as a seven-foot mass of potential and athleticism, but with plenty of work left on, you know, playing basketball.

Averaging 7.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and two blocks a night, Adams was everything scouts thought he was and nothing more as a freshman. Those hoping to see Adams develop an offensive game other than "dunk" were sorely disappointed. He was deer-in-the-headlights scared outside the restricted area on offense and thus only received a little over 23 minutes per game.

There were a few tangible positives, most notably his rebounding and shot-blocking prowess. But as the season progressed, it was clear Adams wasn't getting any better. He left Jamie Dixon's stead arguably looking no better than when he arrived.

Heading into the combine, most of the focus was on Adams' offensive game and the colorful adjectives used to describe it. None were positive and the most frequent was possibly "broken." Seriously, Adams looked like a three-year-old playing NBA 2K13 for the first time in his worst moments.

Well, it seems the 19-year-old has already improved more in the two months since the college basketball season ended than he did his entire time at Pitt. Adams was arguably the biggest "winner" of this year's combine, as he confirmed all the good things about him (size, athleticism, etc.) while showing a vastly improved touch around the basket.

He measured in at a full seven feet with shoes and had 11-inch hands, which was tied for the second-widest hands of anyone at the combine. While his leaping numbers were only middle of the pack, where Adams most helped his stock was in the individual offensive drills.

Jonathan Givony of Draft Express noted how much better Adams was than most expected:

Meanwhile, Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix said that NBA general managers are "tantalize[d]" by the center's potential:

A first-round lock before heading to Chicago, there's some real lottery buzz about Adams now. His collegiate production doesn't justify it whatsoever—Adams' decision to go pro seemed jarring at the time—but he's true evidence of how much the combine can help an already-intriguing product.

If the draft were held today, don't be surprised if he landed somewhere in the back half of the lottery.

Tim Hardaway, Jr. (G, Michigan)

Adams spent his time in Chicago flashing skills few thought he had. Hardaway spent his time again flashing skills everyone already knew he had—and still amazing scouts in the process.

Overshadowed this past season by Trey Burke, Glenn Robinson III and even Mitch McGary during the tourney, Hardaway's NBA stock was a collective "meh" at this point a week ago. He was in no danger of going undrafted by any stretch, but was a victim of a phenomenon we see every year around draft time—scouts had seen so much of him they stopped caring.

It's easy to say the fans at home have inherent biases toward major conference players because they see them play on national television. But what goes unmentioned is that most teams send their top scouts to the same games the Regular Joe fan—generally because that's where top talents will take on the best opposing competition.

Of course, I'm speaking in generalities here and NBA teams have far greater resources to scour the world for the Giannis Antetokounmpos waiting in second-division clubs overseas. Teams and scouts still in get "bored" of a player like Hardaway, simply because any average college basketball fan has a general idea of what he's good at and what he's not.

In a draft so filled with uncertainties, though, Hardaway came into Chicago and reinvigorated his stock simply by showing up as a better basketball player than his buzzed-about contemporaries. Hardaway was among the most comfortable shooters among 2-guards during drills, with Allen Crabbe of Cal also impressing Jonathan Givony of Draft Express:

And after performing excellently for a guard in the athleticism drills—besting similar borderline first-rounders like Reggie Bullock—Hardaway's name looks like it's creeping into the first round. Seth Davis of CBS Sports "can't think of one" reason why the former Wolverines star shouldn't go ahead of players like Archie Goodwin, who boast a ton of untapped talent but little in the way of performance:

I tend to agree with Davis. There's a time to jump at the potential in Goodwin, and that's in the second round where contracts are non-guaranteed. Hardaway solidified himself as a back-half first rounder for me in Chicago and he'd be a great fit at No. 27 for the Denver Nuggets, a team in need of some shooting.

Cody Zeller (C, Indiana)

Zeller's performance in Chicago was a combination of a little Hardaway in reinvigorating his draft stock and a little Adams in showing off some unforeseen skills.

The former Indiana center's stock heading into the combine was in something of a malaise. An expected top-five pick prior to the 2012-13 college basketball season, the zest had almost completely evaporated from Zeller's name. His overall lack of improvement from his freshman year to his sophomore year was apparent simply by looking at a stat sheet:

Year	PPG	RPG	BPG	FG%	TS%	ORtg	ORB%	USG%
2011-12 (Frosh)	16.5	8.1	1.3	56.2	62.3	119.4	12.4	26.6
2012-13 (Soph)	15.6	6.6	1.2	62.3	66.5	126.8	11.2	24.3

All advanced stats via Ken Pomeroy.

By the end of the season, it was clear that Victor Oladipo was the top NBA prospect on the Hoosiers roster. And as Zeller's campaign concluded with a disappearing act against Syracuse in the NCAA tournament, plenty of folks wondered whether he could even stick in the lottery.

Fast-forward to lottery selection day and Zeller is almost firmly a top-10 selection again. Though Zeller did not perform in the position drills in Chicago, he had arguably the best athletic performance of anyone—and most certainly among big men.

As Jeff Rabjohns of Peegs.com notes, Zeller had the best standing vertical, sprint and lane agility drill numbers among big men:

And Zeller's standing vertical of 35.5" is the best in a decade among players 6'9" or bigger, per ESPN's Chad Ford:

Now, these test results should come with enough grains of salt to fill a Brinks truck. The standing vert is more meaningful for big men because it helps grabbing rebounds underneath, but this is still the equivalent of vaulting an NBA player simply because he had a good 40-yard dash time. There are plenty of other factors.

Zeller deserved to be a top-10 pick based on merit before the combine. He's always been the second-best center in this class behind Nerlens Noel, and the growing talk of him becoming a 4 at the NBA level is intriguing. If Zeller can flash some versatility and increased shot-making in individual workouts, you may see him claw his way back into the top-five discussion by mid-June.

Follow Tyler Conway on Twitter: Follow @tylerconway22

NBA Draft 2013: Prospects with the Best Chance to Win ROY Award

Jesse Reed — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:13:19 -0400

Nerlens Noel is the hottest name entering the 2013 NBA draft, but he won't win the NBA's Rookie of the Year award next season.

In addition to the fact that he's a big man coming off of knee surgery (Greg Oden asks, "what could go wrong?"), Noel lacks the necessary strength and bulk to contend with the elite big men in the NBA. Additionally, he's not likely to be ready for any action until Christmas, per SI NBA:

Even if he stays healthy throughout his career, Noel will likely struggle to play with consistency—especially on offense in the low post—for the first couple of seasons as he builds up strength and works on his footwork.

So, if Noel isn't going to win the ROY award, who will?

Here are a few players with an excellent chance to blow the hinges off their first year in the NBA.

Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas

When you look at this young man and his incredible, natural basketball talent, one word comes to mind: upside.

He's already good enough to step into an NBA starting lineup and produce at a high level, but given his athleticism, length and natural shooting abilities, it's clear his best days are ahead of him.

Some have compared McLemore to a young Ray Allen, and it's a comparison he agrees with, according to Jonathon Givony of Draft Express:

His athleticism, length and speed allow McLemore to make plays inside the paint, and he's one of the best pure shooters to come into the NBA in the past few years. He hit on nearly half his field-goal attempts last year and converted 42 percent of his three-point attempts.

Combined with McLemore's ability to defend on the perimeter, it's no surprise that some have suggested he could be selected No. 1 over Noel. Even if he isn't, he has a strong chance to be the most productive rookie next season.

Trey Burke, PG, Michigan

Burke is a do-it-all point guard who's likely going to get a unique opportunity to become the face of an NBA franchise. He's also going to have his hands on the wheel of an NBA offense as a rookie.

Burke is a strong leader who excels on and off the court. He can hit the outside shot with consistency (38.4 percent last year), is adept at penetrating into the paint where he can finish strong or find his teammates for open shots.

Some have questioned whether or not Burke's size (or lack thereof) will negatively impact his NBA career. According to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel, he measured in at 6' 1.25" at the combine with shoes on:

He's bigger than Ty Lawson and almost identical to Mike Conley—both of whom have managed to successfully transition to the NBA game.

Given the fact that Burke will likely be a key player for his new team as an offensive leader, it shouldn't be a shock if he ends up winning the ROY award next season.

Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana

One of the hardest workers in all of college basketball the past few years, Oladipo discovered his shooting stroke this past season at Indiana.

After struggling with his shot in his first two years, Oladipo converted nearly 60 percent of all field-goal attempts and made 44.1 percent of his three-point attempts.

When you factor in his prowess on the defensive end of the court and his ability to clean up the glass from his guard spot, it's clear Oladipo is the most complete 2-guard heading to the NBA in 2013.

Therefore, it's no surprise to hear that Oladipo is being considered by some NBA scouts to be a top-five pick heading into the draft, per Jeff Rabjohns of Peegs.com:

If Oladipo's improved field-goal percentage from last year carries over into the 2013-2014 NBA season, he has the overall game to become an elite player early in his career and the NBA's ROY next year.

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78

Liverpool Transfer Rumors: Reds Have Bigger Needs Than Adding Danny Rose

Timothy Rapp — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:07:06 -0400

The latest rumors involving Liverpool suggest the team has eyes for Tottenham's left-back Danny Rose, who played for Sunderland on loan this season.

The question is, why would Liverpool go after Rose with so many other needs on the team?

First the rumor, from the Daily Mail:

Liverpool have revived their interest in Tottenham left back Danny Rose.

The England Under 21 star was one of Sunderland's best performers during his loan spell, and boss Paolo Di Canio is keen on the 22-year-old.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers failed to sign Rose in the last two transfer windows and is struggling to make his £20million budget stretch.

He will have to offload Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing and Jose Enrique, and Pepe Reina may also go.

Look, I understand why the Reds would be intrigued by the young, talented left-back. And I get moving on from players like Carroll, Downing and Reina. But why exactly would Liverpool sell off Enrique, who was pretty solid at left-back for the team this year?

Why focus on a position that has been solidified, at least with Enrique as the starter, when there are more pressing needs at centre-back, defensive midfield and on the wing?

I know Enrique is 27 and can be inconsistent, but with a Who Scored match rating of 6.93 on the season, he was far from Liverpool's biggest issue. Only Leighton Baines of Everton, Patrice Evra of Manchester United, Gaël Clichy of Manchester City and Kieran Gibbs of Arsenal graded out higher in league play at left-back.

In my opinion, Liverpool's first priority should be adding a replacement for the retiring Jamie Carragher at centre-back. That's easier said than done, of course, but solidifying the center of the back line is a must.

Then, it should be on to winger. While I think the attack is generally strong up the middle with Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and youngster Philippe Coutinho, I have questions about the quality of options on the wing.

And while Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva are a nice pair in central midfield, adding a more rugged holding midfielder would be a priority if I were manager.

Besides, we don't even know if Tottenham would be keen on selling Rose. Given his strong form this season and the fact that Benoit Assou-Ekotto is 29 years old, Spurs may be satisfied with loaning him out for one more year or even allowing him to challenge Assou-Ekotto for the starting gig next year.

Simply put, I don't envision Rose ending up at Liverpool. With more pressing needs and plenty of reasons to think Tottenham will either keep him to challenge for a starting spot or loan him out again this season, this rumor is coming up more thorns and less Rose for Liverpool.

Why Evgeni Malkin Is the Engine Driving the Pittsburgh Penguins' Playoff Run

Steve Silverman — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:05:29 -0400

The first player you think of when it comes to the Pittsburgh Penguins is Sidney Crosby.

It makes sense. A healthy Crosby is the face of the NHL. He may be hated in Philadelphia and New York City, but he is a truly magical player who is gifted in many ways.

When it comes to consistency and all-around play, though, the Penguins look to the other Hart Trophy winner on their roster. They look to Evgeni Malkin.

Geno may not be quite as charismatic or dramatic as the healthy version of Crosby. However, when it comes to playing the game in all three zones and handling defensive responsibilities, Malkin can do even more for his team than Crosby can.

While Crosby is scoring at a great rate in the postseason—12 points in eight games—he is not 100 percent healthy and comfortable.

Remember, Crosby suffered a broken jaw and lost several teeth when a deflected slap shot hit him in the face in late March. His mouth is still a mess, according to the colorful description of the Toronto Star's Rosie DiManno.

Crosby missed the final 12 games of the regular season and the Penguins' first playoff game.

Since returning, he has been one of the best offensive players in the NHL playoffs, but he has also been protective and concerned about his jaw. He is skating with speed and explosiveness, but he knows he can't afford to get hit with the puck again. He has to make sure he stays upright and healthy.

Malkin is scoring at an even higher rate than Crosby's. He has 14 points in nine games and an array of offensive moves that allow him to score or set up a teammate in an instant.

Combining the talents of Malkin and Crosby is what gives the Penguins a huge advantage over nearly every team in the league. No one can match the 1-2 punch of the two best Penguins.

But Malkin can give the Penguins something that Crosby can't. He can play superbly in the defensive zone. He knows how to shut down opponents in the biggest moments.

Malkin did just that in Game 2 against Ottawa when he blocked a third-period shot that kept the Senators from possibly tying the game and sending it to overtime.

Crosby had a hat trick in that 4-3 Pittsburgh victory, so Malkin's heroics were easily overlooked, but he got back into proper position and kept the Senators from capitalizing on a legitimate scoring opportunity.

In the Game 3 loss to Ottawa, Malkin was again in the perfect position to deflect Milan Michalek's pass to Daniel Alfredsson that resulted in the tying goal in the final seconds of regulation, but he was looking at the puck instead of Alfredsson.

Malkin will make the occasional mistake, but he usually finds a way to make up for it. He was flying in the Ottawa zone in the overtime that followed, but was foiled by Senators goalie Craig Anderson.

Malkin is a proven playoff performer. He won the 2009 Conn Smythe Trophy when the Pens won their last championship. He combines his incredible skill set with the ability to outwit opposing defensemen and goalies when he has a chance to score.

That makes him nearly unstoppable.

If Crosby was flying the way he was earlier in the regular season, Malkin could go along for the ride and play his role as the No. 2 scorer.

Even though Crosby is producing, there is some self-preservation to his game. That's understandable, given the circumstances.

The Penguins don't have to worry. They have Malkin to lead the way.

Mark Munoz Tells Us What Bigfoot Silva Needs to Do to Beat Cain Velasquez

Trent Reinsmith — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:02:59 -0400

UFC 160 is just a few days away and as with every UFC fight card, one of the hot topics of discussion is who is going to have their hand raised in the evening’s main event. Top billing on the May 25 event will go to UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez and Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva.

Saturday will mark the second meeting between the fighters. The first, which occurred at UFC 146, ended after 3:36 with Velasquez walking away with the TKO win.

How will the rematch end? That’s what we asked UFC middleweight Mark Munoz.

Should Manny Pacquiao Retire If He Loses to Brandon Rios?

Lou Catalano — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:00:38 -0400

Last week, we discussed the implications of an emphatic Manny Pacquiao win over Brandon Rios.

But what would happen if Pacquiao were to lose the fight? Would it be time for the Filipino star to hang up the gloves?

The answer really depends on how he loses.

Before the epic knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez, Pacquiao lost a decision to Timothy Bradley that was roundly criticized by pretty much anyone who watched the fight other (than this guy). If the same thing happens again here, or even if he loses a close decision that could go either way, then he should continue fighting.

If he is able to withstand 12 rounds of Brandon Rios punching him in the face, then the effects of the Marquez fight haven’t lingered. It will further prove that his skills have eroded, but it will at least prove that the knockout he suffered was just a perfect shot fired on a bad night.

If this fight had taken place just a couple of years ago, Pacquiao probably would have stopped Rios. His speed and movement would have been too much to handle. But he's slowed down just enough that the fight is more interesting now, and tougher to call.

But a Pacquiao loss by close decision wouldn’t end his career; it would merely signify an end to his long reign as an elite fighter.

He doesn't have to be elite to sell tickets. He's a worldwide star because he's one of the more entertaining fighters to come around in recent memory, and he genuinely cares about putting on a show for fans. He'll still be able to do that and make plenty of money in the process, even if it's at a slightly diminished level.

However, if Pacquiao is knocked out again, then it's time for him to step away from the ring. The Marquez fight was one thing—he was caught on the button by one of the deadliest counterpunchers in the game. But if Rios does the same thing to him, he will have reached a point where it would be dangerous for him to continue.

When Antonio Tarver knocked out Roy Jones in their rematch in 2004—as shocking as it was to see—it wasn’t the end for Jones. The end came a few months later, when Glen Johnson took him to Snoozeville all over again. A pattern was established, one where a once-elite fighter could no longer handle the punches thrown his way.

If Pacquiao can’t stay on his feet against Rios, fighting on would be a bad idea. His defense has never been exceptional, but his incredible offensive bursts have more than made up for it. But if his once-granite chin is now suspect, then he’ll be a health risk every time he fights.

Rios can punch extremely hard, and he’ll no doubt land his share of shots on Pacquiao. We’ll be able to tell right away if Manny can handle the blows. Judging from his past fights, he should be able to take them; he took Margarito’s best and kept on going.

If he doesn’t take the punches well, it’s a clear sign that he’s too far removed from his former self to continue his career.

Money might always be an issue for Manny Pacquiao; that will happen when your assistants have assistants. He’ll probably be forced to keep boxing even long past his expiration date. He may not be there yet, but he’s obviously closing in on the end of an illustrious career.

Winning this fight simply means more huge fights for him, but losing the fight signifies something entirely different—that the end is closer than we realized. Rios will be a difficult fight; he’s not going to be an easy out for anybody at this point.

But even if Pacquiao has stepped just outside of his prime, he’s the better fighter. He’s too fast, too accurate, and he hits too hard for the plodding Rios to be able to keep up all night. But if Rios does drop and stop Pacquaio, he needs to call it a career.

Continuing would prove nothing—he’s done remarkable things and will go down as one of the best to ever fight. The only thing it would do is tarnish a legacy that has been built by punching power and sheer fury.

Manny Pacquiao may have one more great performance left in him, or perhaps he has several more. But if Brandon Rios becomes the second straight fighter to knock him out, Pacquiao’s friends and family should convince him to shut it down. If he is stopped, hopefully they’ll succeed in getting him to walk away.

Too many fighters don't turn away until it’s far too late.

SEC Baseball Tournament 2013: Top Stars to Watch in Marquee NCAA Tourney

Mike Chiari — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:00:18 -0400

The SEC is among the premier college baseball conferences in the nation, so it should come as no surprise that all eyes or on the ongoing SEC tournament. There are 12 teams vying for a spot in the College World Series, so the competition will be fiercer than ever.

Several potential Major League Baseball prospects will take part in the tournament and they must shine in order for their respective teams to advance. Every team has players that have a shot at playing in the big leagues one day, but a select few look to be surefire studs.

Here are the top players to watch as the SEC Baseball Tournament continues over the next week.

Ryne Stanek, P, Arkansas

Pitching is obviously a huge key to success in baseball and that is why the Arkansas Razorbacks had such a strong 2013 season. Right-handed pitcher Ryne Stanek is Arkansas' ace and he will have a huge role in whether the Razorbacks are able to win the SEC. If he pitches like he did during the regular season, Arkansas has an excellent chance.

Stanek has steadily improved in each of his three seasons at Arkansas. In 12 starts this season, he went 6-2 with a 1.87 ERA. Stanek also struck out 59 batters in 67.1 innings and walked just 26. His impeccable control is huge in a double-elimination tournament such as this one because giving out free passes can directly lead to a loss.

Stanek is among the top prospects eligible for the 2013 MLB draft and he can certainly bolster his draft stock with a strong SEC tournament. Stanek has basically been untouchable all season long, so there is nothing to suggest that he will falter. As long as Stanek is on his game, Arkansas will be very difficult to beat.

Bobby Wahl, P, Ole Miss

Few pitchers in all of college baseball were more dominant this season than Bobby Wahl of the Ole Miss Rebels. Mississippi is the No. 6 seed in the SEC tournament, so it will need an unlikely run through the tourney in order to win. Wahl can't do it all by himself, but he can definitely put the Rebels in a position to do some damage.

Ole Miss won its first game against Kentucky without Wahl, but the Rebels will need their ace when the games get bigger. Wahl's numbers this season were absolutely unreal as he went 8-0 with a 1.22 ERA in 10 starts. Wahl also racked up 56 strikeouts and opposing batters hit just .183 against him. Ole Miss may not have the overall talent that a team like Arkansas, LSU or Vanderbilt does, but Wahl is the great equalizer.

As important as hitting is, most people would rather have a great pitcher on the mound than a great lineup in a one-game situation. There are so many good pitchers in the SEC this year that it's tough to say one guy is better than another, but it can be argued that Wahl had a better year than anyone. That will be put to the test as he tries to lead his team to an improbable championship.

Colby Suggs, P, Arkansas

While Stanek started many of the Razorbacks' victories this season, closer Colby Suggs finished several in his own right. Suggs recorded 10 saves this season along with a 1.72 ERA. While he didn't record a single save prior to this season, he has been one of the best relievers in college baseball since his freshman season, so his reputation certainly gives him an advantage on the mound.

Suggs pitched 30 games in relief last season and accrued a 7-1 record with a 1.38 ERA. His ERA was a microscopic 0.90 as a freshman as well. Suggs has been a key member of the Razorbacks' bullpen over the past three years and his value will be put to the test in this tournament. Arkansas will be facing some of the best teams in the country and Suggs may have to put them away.

Being a closer is one of the toughest jobs in sports as they only have one inning to prove themselves. In many cases they are either the hero or the goat. Suggs has been the hero on almost every occasion since coming to Arkansas, so history is on his side. No SEC team has a better endgame option than Arkansas with Suggs, so they have an automatic leg up on the competition.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter

Boston Red Sox: Will Boston Move Jose Iglesias Away from Shortstop Long-Term?

Benjamin Klein — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:59:34 -0400

The Boston Red Sox have begun an experiment to see what else Jose Iglesias is capable of defensively.

It’s well-known that Iglesias is a great defensive shortstop—easily the best in the organization—but it’s been his offense that’s kept him from being a starter in the big leagues. As Iglesias currently continues to develop in Triple-A Pawtucket, there are plans in place to move him around the infield.

Iglesias will be getting playing time at second and third base in the near future in addition to fielding grounders at shortstop frequently, according to Brian MacPherson of The Providence Journal.

“They said I’m moving around, just to get an idea,” Iglesias told MacPherson. “They haven’t told me anything else.”

Well, Pawtucket told Iglesias that he was going to make his first career start away from shortstop on Tuesday afternoon. MacPherson was present for the game and tweeted out some of his thoughts on Iglesias at playing the hot corner.

MacPherson noted in his article that “all indications are that Iglesias will remain primarily a shortstop” and “the work at positions other than shortstop is not a sign that Iglesias is becoming a utility infielder.”

While this is important to keep in mind, it’s also interesting to ponder what the future could hold for Iglesias if he’s able to play positions other than shortstop at a high level defensively. For one, it would certainly open up a series of doors.

The Red Sox are relatively set at second and third base for the moment. Dustin Pedroia is under contract through the 2014 season and there’s an $11 million team option for the 2015 season. Will Middlebrooks is under team control for even longer, considering he just made his major league debut last season.

Depth, though, could turn out to be a problem. The Red Sox don’t really have a major-league-ready backup at third base if anything were to happen to Middlebrooks.

There are a handful of prospects in the minor leagues that could be impactful in the next couple of seasons.

There isn’t a clear-cut replacement for Pedroia either. Pedro Ciriaco is the backup middle infielder for now, but he’s hitting .184/.289/.342 in 19 games this season while playing mediocre defense at best. To say that he’s a replaceable backup would be a major understatement.

If Iglesias could play second or third base well enough, it would definitely increase the odds that he stays with the Red Sox long-term the next time he gets promoted.

But his offense still needs to improve, considering he entered Tuesday hitting .205/.262/.330 in 31 games for Pawtucket.

As I’ve now mentioned twice, offense is Iglesias’ biggest weakness. It’s going to become an even bigger problem at some point this season or definitely next season when Xander Bogaerts—Boston’s top prospect—gets promoted to Triple-A.

MacPherson and his co-worker, Tim Britton, told me in a chat a few weeks ago that “every indication is that the Red Sox want to keep Bogaerts at short as long as possible.” That came after I asked whether it would make sense to transition the top prospect to third base in the wake of Middlebrooks’ offensive struggles.

Bogaerts played a little third base for Team Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic, but has been a shortstop throughout his career.

Because of his size, though, some think that he might be better-suited at third base or at a corner outfielder position in the future.

If Boston plans to keep Bogaerts at shortstop, Iglesias is basically out of the job. This is why these next couple of weeks are so important for Iglesias’ future. If he can handle grounders and routine plays easily at positions other than shortstop, he boosts the likelihood that he’ll eventually be in the major leagues full-time.

If Iglesias can’t play second or third base well, which I think is unlikely, then he’s going to continue to struggle finding time with the Red Sox. Defensive versatility can do a lot of positive things for his career.

UFC 160 Interview: TJ Grant Discusses Huge Fight Against Gray Maynard

Jeremy Botter — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:56:44 -0400

Since dropping to the lightweight division, Canadian fighter TJ Grant is undefeated.

Grant's last two victories came against Evan Dunham and Matt Wiman. They were wins against very tough and durable fighters, and the victories propelled him to the biggest fight of his career.

Grant takes on Gray Maynard this Saturday at UFC 160, and the winner will face Benson Henderson for the lightweight championship.

Bleacher Report recently sat down with Grant to discuss the technical details of the battle with Maynard, where he feels he has an advantage over him, and his prediction for how the fight will go down.

Check out the video above, and then leave your prediction for the outcome of Maynard vs. Grant in the comments below!

Dan Henderson vs. Rashad Evans Set as New Main Event for UFC 161

Damon Martin — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:55:35 -0400

With Renan Barao now officially out of UFC 161 due to injury, the promotion has bumped up one of the featured bouts on the undercard to main event status.

The UFC announced via Twitter on Tuesday that the light heavyweight bout pitting former champion Rashad Evans against former Strikeforce and Pride champion Dan Henderson will now take the main event slot at UFC 161.

UFC officials also confirmed with Bleacher Report that the new main event will be a three-round fight. Typically all main events (even non-title fights) are scheduled for five rounds, but because Henderson and Evans are bumping up to the headline spot on short notice, their fight remains a three-round bout as scheduled.

Barao suffered torn ligaments in his foot that forced him out of his scheduled title fight against top contender Eddie Wineland, and it left the UFC in a precarious position with less than a month to go until UFC 161 takes place on June 15 in Canada.

The UFC has now turned to the co-main event on the card to fill the headline slot with Evans taking on Henderson in a light heavyweight showdown.

Evans returns to action at UFC 161 following back-to-back losses in his last two fights with his eyes set on redemption. The former UFC light heavyweight champion suffered a defeat at the hands of his former teammate Jon Jones at UFC 145 last year, and followed that up with a lackluster performance against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in February as well.

Now Evans has a chance to get back on the horse again and return to his winning ways with a main event bout against a legendary multi-weight class champion.

For many years, Dan Henderson has been considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters on the planet with a willingness to literally take on all challengers. He was both the middleweight and light heavyweight champion when Pride Fighting Championships was bought out several years ago, and went on to capture the Strikeforce light heavyweight title as well.

Henderson even managed to bump up to heavyweight for a bout against iconic heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, and the Team Quest fighter won by knockout in the first round.

Following a disappointing loss in his last fight to Lyoto Machida at UFC 157, Henderson now hopes to jump right back into title contention with a win at UFC 161.

He'll face Evans in the new main event for UFC 161, which goes down on June 15 from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

The new co-main event for the card is expected to be another light heavyweight fight pitting former champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.

Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report

Twitter Reacts to Clippers Parting Ways with Vinny Del Negro

Rob Goldberg — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:50:43 -0400

After three seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers, Vinny Del Negro will no longer serve as the team's head coach.

Del Negro led the team to a 56-26 record this season, although the squad lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Memphis Grizzlies in six games. Overall, he put together a 128-102 regular-season record in Los Angeles with a 6-11 mark in the postseason.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports first reported the news via Twitter:

Of course, he was not the last person to comment on the move. Plenty of experts and average fans have an opinion on the situation one way or another.

Kelly Dwyer of Yahoo! Sports was one of the first to poke fun at the coach's style:

The parody account Not SportsCenter seems to think that a picture of a good coach can be better than a bad one in person:

Chris Emma of Fox Sports compares the coach with another sports figure who is currently looking for a job:

It is simply not easy to keep a job as a basketball coach in Los Angeles, according to Doug Gottlieb of CBS Sports:

Maybe Del Negro should start coaching football instead.

Still, it was not always bad for the man in charge of the Clippers. Ethan J. Skolnick of the Palm Beach Post points out the fact that Del Negro did earn one first-place vote for Coach of the Year:

That voter does seem to be in the minority, though, when it comes to the coach's perceived success.

This has some people thinking that there are good times on the horizon. Josh Newman of SNY.tv believes that the Clippers are now a very attractive spot for a new coach:

With so much talent on the squad, Los Angeles is likely to get whoever it wants as the next man in charge.

Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated speculated that Phil Jackson could be in play, although no contact has been made:

Ethan Strauss of ESPN comes up with another possibility for the next coach:

The big question still is what this means for the future of Chris Paul. The point guard is a free agent this year, but the team wants to keep him around.

Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News seems to think the All-Star has a lot of say in the process:

Either way, it is mostly speculation at this point. We must all wait to see whether the next coach can take the Clippers further than Del Negro, and whether Del Negro can land with another organization in the near future.

Michigan Football: Analyzing Jabrill Peppers' Upcoming Announcement

Austin Fox — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:50:25 -0400

The eyes of the college football world will be on ESPNU Sunday afternoon when Paramus, New Jersey 5-star cornerback Jabrill Peppers announces his college destination.

Not only is Peppers looked at as a 5-star by every major recruiting site, but also as one of the two or three best players in the country regardless of position.

Simply put, Peppers is one of those freakish athletes that comes along only once every few years, versatile enough to play a number of positions in college and excel.

His 6'1", 210-pound body frame allows perfectly for that versatility; he plays both running back and corner at Paramus Catholic. He definitely projects as primarily a cornerback in college, though.

So which school will he announce to play for Sunday afternoon? Nobody knows for sure, but there's no question who the front-runner is: the Michigan Wolverines.

Michigan has been in front for about a month now, ever since Peppers canceled his Stanford trip and took a visit to Ohio State that he wasn't exactly thrilled about.

In fact, for a while the Bucks were considered to be Peppers' leader, and not only did they fall from that perch after the visit, but out of his top five altogether. Sorry, Urban, but not every recruit is going to fall for your sweet-talking antics.

That's about the time when Stanford looked to be Michigan's biggest competitor, but the canceled visit looks to have dropped the Cardinal out of the equation.

Then, as recently as two weeks ago, it was announced that Peppers planned to take a trip to Happy Valley to visit Penn State.

While some believe he may have legit interest in the Nittany Lions, others think he is only taking the trip out of courtesy to his high school coach and to garner some interest for his teammates. I'm going with the latter on this one.

Then there was even talk of a surprise visit in the coming days, likely to home state Rutgers. While there may be actual interest in newcomers Penn State and Rutgers, most people agree that these schools have only been thrown into the equation to create excitement and suspense for Sunday's announcement. Again, I'm going with the latter.

I think Michigan is the clear cut favorite here and would be downright shocked if he picked anybody else. Recruiting experts on the major outlets seem to agree.

Just as so many elite athletes do, Peppers simply fell in love with the university when he visited, also forming a close connection with this amazing coaching staff. While some expected that excitement to fade, it never did.

The fact that he wants to get the recruiting process over with so he can focus on his senior year of high school shows what kind of kid he really is—this is not about him. Academics also are very important to him, evidenced by his flirtations with Stanford.

Should he choose Michigan on Sunday, there's no doubt he'll fit right in. In fact, comparisons have already began popping up comparing him to Charles Woodson. That may be a bit premature, but it does go to show you the kind of potential this kid has.

There's no doubt Sunday afternoon will be filled with plenty of suspense and excitement, but hopefully it will be well worth it in the end.

5 Players Who Might Join Falcao at Monaco This Summer

Jonathan Johnson — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:45:20 -0400

With Monaco’s Ligue 1 status for next season secured after they sealed the Ligue 2 title last week, transfer debate surrounding the Principality outfit is heating up.

ASM are currently awaiting reconciliation hearings (via ESPN FC) with the French Football Federation and French Football League. This is regarding the seven-time domestic champions’ privileged tax position (via ESPN FC).

Once that future is either assured or rectified, the club can start buying up some of the big names that they have been linked with.

One of those names is Atletico Madrid’s prolific Colombian striker Radamel Falcao, who has been told that he can leave the club if he chooses (via ESPN FC).

Monaco are reported to have 90 percent of a deal complete with the 27-year-old marksman (via ESPN FC).

Falcao would be just the first in a host of big names through the door at Stade Louis II, though. Here are five more players that could join him shortly.

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HS Baseball Player Steals Show at Playoff Game by Hurdling Catcher

Gabe Zaldivar — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:43:01 -0400

It seems like the one thing better than a collision at home is the moment a player goes above and beyond to prevent such a baseball explosion.

Bob's Blitz (h/t Busted Coverage) spotted evidence that high school players are getting quite creative nowadays.

The magic came during Monday night's Section Division I North playoffs action that saw unranked Franklin High School (Elk Grove, Calif.) take out highly touted Bee No. 1 Davis, 12-3.

The Sacramento Bee has a full report on a raucous game that saw what seems to be a surging squad put in all together in the seventh inning.

Franklin blew it open with seven runs in the top of the seventh. Catcher Nick Frei, the No. 9 hitter, homered to left for a 5-3 lead and then came up again in the same inning to drive in two with a base hit, including Sean Nicholson, who jumped over catcher Hayden Duer to land on the plate in a Sportscenter-like highlight.

I am not exactly an expert on the finer particulars surrounding high school baseball and the rules on making contact at home. If any of you out there do know, by all means share in the comments below.

It certainly seems like Nicholson never thought to take out the catcher and we are certainly grateful, because we now have this amazing highlight of a baseball player turning into an impromptu track star to score.

These crazy kids these days are now jumping over catchers. What will they think of next?

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

Memorial Cup 2013: Updated Bracket, Teams, Schedule and More

Donald Wood — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:31:52 -0400

The Memorial Cup is one of the most interesting events on the sports calendar each year, and the 2013 edition of the wild amateur hockey tournament featuring the best Canada has to offer is setting up to be one of the best ever.

Not only is Saskatoon hosting its first Memorial Cup since 1989, but the elite field of champions is also as good as any hockey fan could dream of. The Saskatoon Blades won the right to host this annual event by outbidding both the Kelowna Rockets and the Red Deer Rebels.

With amazing teams like the London Knights (Ontario Hockey League champions), the Portland Winterhawks (Western Hockey League champions), the Halifax Mooseheads (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League champions) and the Blades all involved, the Memorial Cup has become the focus of amateur hockey fans everywhere.

It’s not the NHL playoffs, but the action can be just as exciting.

Where: Credit Union Centre, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

When: May 17-26

Watch: Sportsnet, TVA Sports (Canada Only)

Official Page: Memorial Cup

Round-Robin Standings

Team	GP	W	L	GF	GA
Portland Winterhawks (WHL)	2	1	1	10	10
Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)	2	1	1	9	9
Saskatoon Blades (Host/WHL)	2	1	1	7	5
London Knights (OHL)	2	1	1	6	8

*Updated through May 21 at 2:20 p.m. ET

Full 2013 Memorial Cup Schedule

Round Robin
	Date	Away		Home		Time
1	May 17	London	3	Saskatoon	2
2	May 18	Portland	4	Halifax	7
3	May 19	Saskatoon	5	Halifax	2
4	May 20	Portland	6	London	3
5	May 21	Halifax	0	London	0	8 p.m. ET
6	May 22	Saskatoon	0	Portland	0	8 p.m. ET

Playoff Bracket

7	Thu May 23	8 p.m. ET	Tiebreaker
8	Fri May 24	8 p.m. ET	Semifinal
9	Sun May 26	7 p.m. ET	Final

All schedule and bracket information via tournament's official website.

Tournament Prediction

Despite having to contend with three of the toughest teams in the sport, look for the Halifax Mooseheads to realize their potential throughout the rest of this schedule and make a charge at winning the entire tournament.

Led by the elite play of center Nathan MacKinnon and winger Stephen MacAulay (combined for six goals and eight points), the Mooseheads have been playing well but will have to gather themselves after losing to the underdog Saskatoon Blades Sunday.

As long as Halifax handles its business Tuesday night against the London Knights—a team that the Mooseheads should have no problem beating—there is little doubt that this squad is a serious contender for the Memorial Cup.

Halifax is the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League champion, and the Mooseheads will look to add the Memorial Cup to the team’s dream 2013 run.

Predicted Winner: Halifax Mooseheads

Follow @Donald_Wood

Ranking Kane's 11 WWE/World Tag Team Title Reigns

Ryan Dilbert — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:23:32 -0400

Whether he was paired with Rob Van Dam, Big Show, Undertaker or most recently, Daniel Bryan, Kane has always seemed to find WWE tag team gold.

Tag team championship reigns are a major part of Kane's Hall of Fame resume. Eleven times he has been either the WWE or World tag team champ. His most recent reign tops them all.

His other teams may have been more intimidating, but Team Hell No held the belts for longer than any of his other teams and made fans laugh again and again.

Looking back at his other reigns as tag champion reveals a history of dissension among his allies, odd pairings and surprising success. Out of all the times that Kane could say, "I the tag team champions," which were his best?

Ranked here on reign length and entertainment value, here are Kane's best WWE/World tag title reigns.

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