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Twitter Reacts as Bears Legend Brian Urlacher Retires After 13-Year Career

Donald Wood — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:55:47 -0400

After 13 years in the NFL as one of the most dominant middle linebackers in the history of the game, former Chicago Bears star Brian Urlacher has retired from the league, according to his Twitter account:

The veteran was a staple of the Bears’ defense for years and one of the most feared players to ever step onto a football field. With unwavering passion, it was clear from Urlacher’s statement that he didn’t believe he had the same drive he regularly displayed throughout his shining career (h/t ESPN's Kevin Seifert):

After earning eight Pro Bowl nominations and the winning the 2005 Defensive Player of the Year Award, Urlacher proved that the mediocre last years of his career will not ruin the legacy he built in the prime of his career.

While many experts believe Urlacher will be a Hall of Fame member soon enough, current Hall of Fame defensive tackle Warren Sapp came out in support of his defensive brethren:

As one of the most feared men in football for the better part of a decade, Matt Murschel of the Sun Sentinel talked about how Urlacher embodied Chicago’s spirit:

Urlacher’s numbers were incredible, but as ESPN Chicago’s Michael C. Wright points out, he was an incredibly special athlete:

The Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs reveals that the defender’s decision to retire also has some interesting timing:

As hard as it will be to see Urlacher walk away from football, Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller talks about why this retirement hurts even more this year:

Urlacher racked up 1,229 combined tackles, 41.5 sacks, 12 forced fumbles, 22 interceptions and two defensive touchdowns during his tenure in Chicago, and while those numbers are impressive, it’s the legacy he left on the NFL for which he will be remembered.

The NFL will feel odd this year without Urlacher on the field.

Chicago Blackhawks: Does Andrew Shaw Need to Get His Game Under Control?

Jon Fromi — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:44:37 -0400

Chicago Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw has made edgy play his calling card since coming up midway through the 2011-12 campaign. Now might be a good time to make the young man aware of the line between sandpaper and quicksand.

It's definitely a tightrope for any player to walk. For a player like Shaw, full-throttle is what got him into the NHL. However, his game is going to be a liability at times.

Nowhere is that more evident than in Chicago's Western Conference semifinal with the Detroit Red Wings.

Shaw has exhibited some undisciplined play in two of the first three games of the series. The 'Hawks trail 2-1 going into Thursday night's Game 4 in Detroit.

Shaw earned 14 penalty minutes in Monday night's contest. That included a pair of two-minute minors and a ten-minute misconduct penalty as the game was nearly over. Shaw also picked up two infractions in Game 1's 4-1 victory.

So...does Shaw's play hinder or help Chicago's playoff chances?

Chicago has killed Shaw's penalties as it has with all penalties incurred during the playoffs. On the other hand, being saddled with shorthanded time isn't the best way to generate offense.

Shaw was a big factor in the forecheck that made the Blackhawks so tough in the opener of this series. If the key to scoring on Jimmy Howard is getting to some of the rebounds he's leaving out in front of the crease, Shaw could be the answer. That's his bread and butter as far as scoring is concerned.

It also created quite a stir in Game 3, where a goal that would have tied the game was disallowed because of goalie interference. Guess who was at the center of the action?

Yahoo Sports' Greg Wyshynski does a tremendous job breaking down the play along with video, so I'll just say that Shaw was in the crease but didn't interfere with Jimmy Howard.

As fans, we have moaned for the 'Hawks to crash the net. Net presence is a big reason I wouldn't mind seeing Ben Smith on the fourth line. The by-product of getting bodies in front of the net is the occasional penalty.

Did the officials use the fact that Shaw was the player in the crease to make a decision on the play? I'd like to think not, but Shaw has built his reputation all by himself. In what is still an NHL career in it's infancy, Shaw makes no bones about what his style of play entails.

You can dig the way Shaw goes about his business. You also have to then accept the repercussions his exuberance is going to create.

Coach Joel Quenneville has likely made Shaw aware of the dangers of playing too close to the edge. It's one thing to remind a player of the line they are not to cross. It's another thing to skate along that line and not cross it.

Andy Murray's Absence at 2013 French Open Will Have Little Impact

Patrick Clarke — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:41:17 -0400

Andy Murray's decision to withdraw from the 2013 French Open was a smart one considering that his health, specifically his aching back, should be the single most important thing on his mind right now.

The 2012 U.S. Open champion announced Tuesday that he would skip the season's second major while dealing with a chronic back injury (via ESPN.com):

It's a really tough decision and I love playing in Paris, but after seeking medical advice I am not fit to compete. Apologies to the organizers and thanks to everyone for the messages of support. Now my complete focus is on getting back on the court as soon as possible.

While Murray's absence is certainly disappointing news for tennis fans, it will have very little impact on the May/June Slam in Roland Garros.

After all, Rafael Nadal has owned this event for the past eight years, and if there's a player at the top capable of upending him in 2013, many would consider it would be world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, who has gotten the better of Nadal three out of the past six times they've met on clay.

Meanwhile, the French Open has been Murray's weakest Grand Slam by the numbers.

The 26-year-old is just 18-6 for his singles career on the red clay in Paris (he's won at least 29 singles matches at every other Slam), reaching the semifinals only once in 2011, where he was wiped out in straight sets by Nadal. Last year, Murray was bounced by David Ferrer in four sets in the quarterfinals and in 2010 he fell in the fourth round, losing in straight sets to Tomas Berdych.

Also keep in mind that Murray is a combined 0-6 all time against both Nadal and Djokovic on clay. Murray has never played Roger Federer on clay.

But it's certainly no secret that Murray's game is much better suited for the faster-playing grass and hard courts. Few players in today's game are better at turning defense into offense on the hard court than Murray. His past success at the Australian Open and U.S. Open certainly speaks to that.

Plus, Murray is just 3-3 on clay this season following his early exit at the Rome Masters last week.

Therefore, if there were ever a major tournament that Murray could afford to miss in the prime of his career, it's the French Open.

Unlike the other three Slams, one player has had a stranglehold on the French Open over the past decade. Nadal's 52-1 career singles record in Roland Garros is almost unthinkable, and to suggest that Murray would have been able to bring Rafa his second career loss while dealing with a bad back would be outright foolish.

The bottom line is that while Murray's decision to withdraw from the French Open is notable considering he ranks No. 2 in the world, it will have little to no impact on the tournament seeing as he has struggled in Paris more than anywhere else over the years.

The draw will obviously be affected by Murray's absence, but the end result will be without an asterisk.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.

Kirstin Nakatani Part of Heart and Soul for Lethbridge Steel

Mark Staffieri — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:40:55 -0400

Donning the No. 99 for the Lethbridge Steel, Kristin Nakatani proves she is a great contributor to the success of the franchise. With great heart and soul, Nakatani is part of Lethbridge’s effort towards becoming one of the premier franchises in the Western Women’s Canadian Football League.

Having played footall with boys as a teenager, Nakatani is not afraid of a challenge. Like many competitors in the WWCFL, her introduction to the game came courtesy of the great Western franchises in the Canadian Football League. Her love of the game was also strongly influenced by her father.

“My dad introduced me to football at a young age. He had season tickets to the Edmonton Eskimos and would take me to games every summer when I visited him.”

“When I decided I wanted to play football in grade 8 for the St. Francis Bombers, he did not question it and signed the permission slip. When I learned of the Lethbridge Steel in 2011, and after playing grades 8, 9 and 11 with the boys, I knew I had to play for the women's team—it was only natural.”

For Nakatani, a great point of pride is the fact that she is more than just a football player, but she is also a mother. As the WWCFL has many mothers that compete in the league, it is an aspect that she finds very unique and special to the game.

“Even though my daughter is still very young, I want to be a positive role model in her life. Someone she can look up to as being a strong, confident and independent woman—football lets me showcase these traits.”

In addition to competing on the field, Nakatani also contributes to the Steel off the field. A former team president, she currently serves on the club’s executive as a director, providing the players of the franchise with a strong presence. When asked if she considered herself a leader, she replied:

I've never really thought about it, but I guess I must be! When our founder, Becky Medel, stepped down as president to pursue an education in Edmonton, I felt very strongly about stepping into the president role and it seemed only natural. I am passionate about being involved in an organization that breaks stereotypes about women and provides positive role models for young girls in our community.

I stepped down from the president role after having my daughter simply because the work load was too much. Yet I wanted to continue to be involved on and off the field—being a director allows that while providing a voice for the women I play with.

Nakatani and her Steel teammates had the opportunity to play for the WWCFL championship in 2012. While their ambitions of claiming their first ever title were denied by the undefeated Saskatoon Valkyries, it has only served to fuel the motivation for this season. Nakatani mentioned what it will take for the Steel to win a championship in 2013:

“A lot of hard work and dedication. We are a small team, both in size and stature, but we've always had big heart. Our big heart brings us together and we are, really, a big cohesive family. When we have that cohesiveness, we play really well together, and that's key.”

Working tirelessly on and off the field, Nakatani is an integral component towards providing the franchise with a solid future. After the 2012 season, Nakatani had earned one of the team’s awards. Having won the Steel’s Coaches Award, it provided her with a great sense of accomplishment. To have the honor bestowed upon her was truly one of the highlights in her career.

“I was extremely shocked when I heard my name! It is just that, an immense honor. It feels amazing to have your hard work recognized and acknowledged. My trophy sits proudly in my living room where I am reminded to always give my best and strive for better.”

*All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated*

WWE: Jim Ross Meets with NFLPA About Recruiting New Talent

Joe Johnson — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:31:05 -0400

It's been reported that Good Ol JR, Jim Ross, has met with the NFL Player's Association about developing a working relationship that connects players with the WWE. According to the reports, WWE isn't interested in recruiting Robert Griffin III, Adrian Peterson or Patrick Willis. They are looking for guys who don't make NFL rosters and are looking for a different career path.

Source: WWE Looking to recruit cut NFL-ers (Fox Sports).

Some notable football-turned-wrestling success stories include Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Bill Goldberg, Ron Simmons, John "Bradshaw" Layfield, Lex Luger and Ernie Ladd. Football players possess many of the integral skills WWE looks for when recruiting untrained wrestlers: size, speed, athleticism and physique.

The key ingredient to all success wrestlers, though, is an innate charisma. This can't be graded at a combine, which is why WWE casts a wide net in hopes of catching the next breakout star.

This approach isn't new to the WWE, as Ross and fellow scout Gerald Brisco have long been spotted at amateur sports competitions. WWE signed former Oregon State wrestler Clayton Jack this winter. Brock Lesnar and Jack Swagger were each NCAA Champion amateur wrestlers prior to signing developmental contracts.

While not being new, it is a departure from WWE's most recent push to sign top independent wrestlers, including Sami Zayn (El Generico), Kassius Ohno (Chris Hero) and main roster stars Dean Ambrose (Jon Moxley) and Seth Rollins (Tyler Black). It's recently been reported that Sami Callihan is on his way to the WWE, as well.

WWE has dipped its toes in international waters, bringing in Sin Cara (Mistico) and reportedly Samuray Del Sol, who worked the U.S. independent scene as well as AAA in Mexico.

This is all part of Triple H's major push to improve the developmental system. Earlier this year, Triple H announced the construction of a state-of-the-art training facility in Orlando, which will also be home to NXT tapings.

Unrequited Love: My Man Crush on UFC 160 Heavyweight Mark Hunt

Jonathan Snowden — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:30:45 -0400

No offense to Junior dos Santos, but I want to see his head in the third row Saturday night, courtesy of a Mark Hunt uppercut.

I have no personal animus toward JDS at all, mind you. I enjoy watching him fight and have found him to be a class act—so save the indignant "hater" replies in the comments. I wish him all the best. Just not at UFC 160. And not against Hunt.

They say there's no cheering in the press box. But my press box is at home, on the couch, with a giant plate of chicken wings and the volume turned up to 11. My family's used to it, and I'm pretty sure my two cats, Jack and Jill, won't mind if I do my Lenne Hardt impression early and often. And so I will.

Putting into words my special relationship with Mark Hunt is hard. In truth there is no relationship, or at best, it's one that is completely one-sided.

I've never met Mark Hunt. He's one of the elusive few fighters who have managed to avoid an interview with yours truly. Our few interactions on the Internet, in the midst of the #RallyforMarkHunt movement that swept hardcore MMA circles last year, were tantalizingly brief and unsatisfying.

So how to explain why this man means so much to me as a fight fan?

I tried in vain on Twitter. The best I could come up with was a simple description: He's a fat, fearless, indestructible, bowling ball of a man who punches hard. Really hard.

That doesn't quite express exactly who Hunt is, though. Fat? Hard-punching? I could just as easily be talking about Roy Nelson—and trust me, Roy Nelson has never done anything remotely Huntian in the cage. Hunt is a force of nature, a man put on this earth to destroy cities. We're lucky the power of his rage has been harnessed and focused on prize fighting. Armies have fallen to lesser men than Mark Hunt.

The best thing about Hunt is the inner troll he lets loose every time he fights. He wants to sucker his opponent in, make him careless and sloppy. Hands hanging low, he's waiting for a mistake, for a chance to trade punches, even if it's two of yours for one of his haymakers. Hunt is willing to bet the fight that his one blow is worth more than his opponent's entire output. And, all too often, he's exactly right.

His head is the bait. Think about that for a minute. That seems like an awful big risk to take, and it is for any normal human. Watch him above take the best Ray Sefo has to offer and never even change expressions, let alone flinch. Sefo is no slouch, a kickboxer who had beaten some of the best in the world, including the great Peter Aerts. Hunt treated his punches like they were gnats—annoying, stinging, but ultimately inconsequential.

Of course, this sport is full to bursting with men doing the unthinkable, fighters taking insane risks and living with the consequences. That alone doesn't make Hunt special. It's the way he does it that turns a fun fighter into a legend. Hunt, despite looking like the kind of guy who wears Zubaz pants with pride, has the kind of swagger you just can't teach.

There's something cool about Mark Hunt. Witness his knockout of Chris Tuchscherer if you don't believe me. Hunt landed his trademark uppercut, one that started at his hip and collided with the wrestler's jaw line at the apex of its power and destructive force, and then just walked away. Not even walked—he straight sauntered off, not even bothering to finish the fight with ground-and-pound.

It's like he knew the fight was over—he is Mark Hunt after all, and when Mark Hunt hits you, well, you stay hit.

Amazingly, he managed to top that performance against Stefan Struve, landing a huge left hook that dropped the giant, breaking his jaw and the Internet as MMA fans rushed to post GIFs of the incredible moment. Hunt, who again walked away like it wasn't no thing, looked like he was already thinking about where to find fried chicken in Japan after the post-fight presser was done.

None of this is meant to suggest that Hunt is going to walk through Dos Santos this weekend. He's lost 21 times in 61 career fights. Unbeatable he isn't. And we wouldn't want him to be. It's his human qualities that make him special, his vulnerability that makes his fearlessness so remarkable.

Mark Hunt can lose. Mark Hunt can be hurt. Mark Hunt doesn't seem to care. And that's exactly why we do.

LSU Head Coach Les Miles Won't Get His Wish Regarding Future SEC Scheduling

Barrett Sallee — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:28:11 -0400

Election season is typically the time where campaigning reaches an all-time high. But for SEC head coaches, the time to campaign for the future of the SEC's scheduling format is now.

The conference is expected to adopt a long-term scheduling format next week during the annual SEC spring meetings in Destin, Fla. That format could include the addition of a ninth conference game and/or the elimination of permanent cross-division rivalries.

LSU head coach Les Miles made waves after spring practice, when he voiced his displeasure for permanent cross-division rivalries within the SEC's 6-1-1 scheduling format. But he wasn't done.

Miles appeared on the Tim Brando Show on Sirius/XM radio and CBS Sports Network on Wednesday, where he made his case for the future scheduling format of the SEC.

"Eight games is plenty," Miles said. "I recognize that we play in one of the more conferences and that week-in week-out, we're going to play our share of great teams. If you play the six teams from your division and two from the other division and rotate them through, you're going to play some great teams."

In the format, teams play all six teams from their own division, one rotating opponent from the other division and one team from the other division which is an annual fixture on the schedule.

The reason for the permanent cross-division rivalries is to protect long-standing SEC rivalries like Alabama vs. Tennessee and Auburn vs. Georgia after the divisional split prior to the 1992 season.

Since LSU is paired up with Florida, it gets the short end of the stick. Brando noted that since 2000, LSU has played Florida and Georgia—the two most powerful teams from the East—17 times while Alabama has only played the duo eight times.

Unfair? Yes. But it isn't changing any time soon.

Why?

The SEC is now heavily involved in the programming business.

The new SEC Network that launches on cable and satellite providers in August 2014 will feature three SEC games per weekend for 13 weekends. That makes providing top-tier inventory a priority for the SEC, and eliminating traditional rivalries that created the foundation of the conference fly in direct opposition of that.

Miles contended that keeping the current eight-game conference schedule and allowing programs to continue to schedule quality out-of-conference matchups would provide quality inventory.

"You have an opportunity to look around in this country and go play other opponents and in different conferences in different places," Miles told Brando. "I think TV content can be served in those four games just as comfortably as a nine-game [conference] schedule."

Well no, it can't. If you're scheduling a home-and-home series with an out-of-conference opponent, that opponent typically holds the media rights when the game is away from Baton Rouge.

That doesn't help the SEC's television interest from a business standpoint, it hurts it.

The combination of an eight-game conference schedule and the elimination of permanent non-division rivalries is simply not realistic. Not in this landscape.

While the big-time cross-division rivalries like Alabama vs. Tennessee and Auburn vs. Georgia won't directly impact the SEC Network since they will likely land on CBS or ESPN , they will knock other quality matchups down in the pecking order.

So what's the compromise?

Considering what Miles wants, there really isn't one.

A nine-game conference schedule that keeps the permanent cross-division rivalries intact, incorporating the new Missouri vs. Arkansas and Texas A&M vs. South Carolina matchups, would limit creating more crossover between divisions. That wouldn't necessarily make things easier for LSU, but it would, in theory, make things harder for teams that have benefited lately from scheduling quirks.

It also would create more inventory, which—fair or not—benefits everybody long-term.

*Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were taken from the Tim Brando Show on CBS Sports Network.

Follow @BarrettSallee

Rafael Soriano Blames Bryce Harper for Misplayed Fly Ball in Loss to Giants

Joe Giglio — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:26:25 -0400

From slumping to pointing fingers, the Washington Nationals are not enjoying the type of season most expected. The narrative went from bad to worse in the aftermath of a 4-2 loss at the hands of the San Francisco Giants when closer Rafael Soriano, fresh off a blown save, pinned the blame on Bryce Harper, according to USA Today, for not reeling in a Gregor Blanco liner in the bottom of the ninth.

While the replays clearly show that Harper pulled up short as he came within 20 feet of the right field wall, there's legitimate precedent for having the yips just a week after smashing into the Dodger Stadium outfield fence and suffering concussion-like symptoms.

In fact, Harper acknowledged the fact that it was a catchable ball, vowed to get the nerves out of his system and basically took full responsibility for the loss.

That's admirable, but Washington is now sitting at .500 for reasons well beyond a misplay in the outfield last night. From injuries to key offensive players, to a pitching staff performing below their 2012 standards, to the inability to dominate anyone except the Miami Marlins, this Nationals group is lucky to be in second place in the NL East standings.

Soriano, brought in during the winter to solidify the back end of the bullpen, should be aware that blaming the loss on Harper, defensive alignments in the outfield and insinuating that his four-year-old son could have made the play won't change the outcome of Tuesday's game.

It also shouldn't take Soriano off the hook for allowing a lead-off single, failing to put Blanco away after getting ahead in the count 0-2, or hanging the slider than Blanco crushed. In fact, if the batter was anyone but the 29-year-old Blanco, owner of a .336 career slugging percentage, the ball would have likely been in McCovey Cove.

On the list of problems for Nationals' manager Davey Johnson, finding a solution for Harper's yips around the outfield walls should rank much lower than Soriano's mediocre start to the 2013 season.

The $7 million closer has now give up earned runs in back-to-back outings, while failing to strikeout a batter in either appearance. Soriano arrived in Washington with a career strikeout rate of 9.4 per nine innings. In 2013, that number has plummeted to 6.8.

Of course, anyone who has followed the career of Soriano, specifically when it pertains to post-game interactions with the media, shouldn't be surprised by his comments last night.

During his time in New York, Soriano sometimes fled the clubhouse without speaking to the media after a blown save or poor performance. In defeat, accountability isn't his strongest attribute.

For Nationals fans, take solace in the fact that Harper is back in the lineup to give a suddenly anemic offense a desperate jolt, and the fact that Stephen Strasburg's changeup was filthy against an improved Giants offense.

On some teams, with a different manager or mercurial young star, this scene could become a tipping point for infighting over the course of a long season.

That's unlikely to happen with this Nationals team, led by Davey Johnson and the accountable Bryce Harper. We'll never know what the 20-year-old truly thought of Soriano's blame game, but at least he had the awareness to not engage in a war of words in the aftermath of a difficult defeat.

As the season goes on, expect another eyebrow-raising moment or two from Soriano in the aftermath of a blown save, but count on Harper to provide enough value to ensure more wins than losses for this group.

For now, it will be interesting to see how Washington fans react to the news.

On one hand, Soriano was correct. The play could have been made by proper defensive alignment—assuming you believe in "no doubles" defense—along with a better play by Harper.

The counterargument has Soriano hanging a pitch, after already allowing a hit, and a lack of accountability in blaming a teammate.

Davey Johnson isn't likely to let this become a Soriano vs. Harper battle, but it feels like that around the water cooler today for Nationals fans.

Was Soriano justified in calling out Harper's defense?

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

NBA Draft 2013: Latest Big Board and Top 30 Projections for Week of May 22

Alex Kay — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:26:15 -0400

With the NBA scouting combine complete and the post-lottery draft order set, it’s now crunch time for the many prospects hoping to get selected in next month’s event.

Some of these young men improved their stock after being measured and undergoing athletic testing in Chicago last week, while others are slipping down the big board and need to dominate at private workouts in order to get back into the rankings.

Let’s take a look at how our latest top-30 list of draft-eligible talent looks, provide some analysis for these potential picks and highlight a few potential landing spots for each.

Last week’s big board can be found here. Please note this is not a mock draft, but an overall ranking based on grade. Grade for each prospect is based on athletic testing, production in college (or overseas), measurements and NBA projections on a curve.

No. 1: Nerlens Noel, PF/C, Kentucky (Remains No. 1)

Noel is still the top pick in this class, but he hurt his stock a bit by only tipping the scales at a paltry 206 pounds last week.

While some of that skinniness can be attributed to his injury, the simple fact remains that this young man must bulk up before he’s ready to play the 4, let alone the 5 at the NBA level.

Expect the Cleveland Cavaliers to exercise extreme caution and do their homework before selecting this high-upside prospect.

Grade: A+

No. 2: Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas (Remains No. 2)

McLemore’s stock remained steady at the combine, as he athletically tested and measured up to expectations.

The biggest knocks on his game—the inconsistent shooting and tendency to disappear for prolonged stretches—aren’t issues that tend to show up at an event like that. He shouldn’t come off the board later than No. 4 to the Charlotte Bobcats.

Grade: A+

No. 3: Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana (Up from from No. 6)

Oladipo proved that he’s a top-notch athlete and perfectly sized to play the 2 at the next level.

Most teams picking early in the lottery need a prospect that can impact the game without the ball in his hands, defend in an inspiring manner and hustle up and down the court with infectious energy.

This Hoosiers star certainly hits all those notes and may be one of the most important players in this class when all is said and done. The Cavs may consider Oladipo at No. 1, but he’ll likely head to Charlotte at No. 4 or Phoenix at No. 5.

Grade: A

No. 4: Otto Porter, SF, Georgetown (Down from No. 3)

Porter projects to be an ideal swingman for a franchise that already has other players shouldering the scoring load.

Due to his non-stop motor, penchant to bang for boards, defensive tendencies and ability to knock down open looks, he’d be a perfect fit with the Wizards at No. 3.

Grade: A

No. 5: Trey Burke, PG, Michigan (Remains No. 5)

Burke is the top point guard in the class, as he brings a ton of different assets to the table.

The Michigan man is a proven winner (as evident by his Wolverines’ run to the national title game), a capable scorer and great facilitator. Those intangibles and pure point skills are exactly what the Orlando Magic need at No. 2.

Grade: A

No. 6: Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLV (Down from No. 4)

Bennett is a bit of a tweener, but his ability to play either the 3 or 4 could be beneficial for him in this draft.

Teams that aren’t afraid to gamble on an undersized PF will get a strong player with great range on his jumper, and the UNLV just needs to continue to work on his quickness to guard other SFs.

He could work with a number of lottery teams, including the Wizards at No. 3 and Detroit Pistons at No. 8.

Grade: A

No. 7: C.J. McCollum, SG, Lehigh (Remains No. 7)

McCollum looked perfectly healthy at the combine, which is relieving since a foot injury cut his senior campaign short.

The sniper may be a bit undersized for a 2, but there’s hope he can handle the ball and make enough plays to run the point at the next level. It’ll be interesting to see where he goes, but the Minnesota Timberwolves at No. 9 seem to be the best option.

Grade: A-

No. 8: Cody Zeller, C, Indiana (Up from No. 15)

Zeller dominated in Chicago, proving to his doubters that he is a top-notch athlete with prototypical size for an NBA big man.

With that performance, he’s firmly back in the lottery and could come off the board as early as No. 6 when the New Orleans Pelicans pick, but seems to be a better selection for the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 11.

Grade: A-

No. 9: Michael Carter-Williams, G, Syracuse (Down from No. 8)

Carter-Williams has some issues to iron out, including poor handles and inability to shoot consistently, but has the best passing skills in this class and utilizes his 6’6” frame to lock down his man.

With plenty of organizations looking for a set-up man to help their stars get open looks, MCWshould be a popular name on the short lists. Don’t sleep on the Sacramento Kings nabbing him at No. 7, while there should be no chance he slips past the Utah Jazz at No. 14.

Grade: A-

No. 10: Dario Saric, SF, Croatia (Up from No. 13)

Saric is the top international prospect in this year’s draft class, although he may be a few years from being NBA ready.

Regardless, a general manager looking to take a gamble on a potential star would be foolish to pass up this Croatian in the late lottery. He possesses a high IQ and is one of the better passingswingman we’ve seen in a while.

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks, picking No. 12 and 13—respectively, are both options for this 19-year-old project.

Grade: B+

No. 11: Shabazz Muhammad, SF, UCLA (Down from No. 9)

Any franchise looking for a scorer should look no further than Muhammad. While his upside is a bit limited and he doesn’t seem to be much more than a point producer, his ability to generate buckets is valuable skill in the Association.

The UCLA star is a bit of a wildcard this year, as he could land in the top-three—likely with Washington—or outside of the lottery, but he shouldn’t fall past the Milwaukee Bucks at No. 15.

Grade: B+

No. 12: Alex Len, C, Maryland (Remains No. 12)

Len hasn’t participated in any pre-draft workouts and will not be able to due to ankle surgery. Ithasn’t impacted his stock much, considering most scouts already had a good enough look at this offensive-minded big man.

Even with the injury, the Wizards may take a look at No. 3, the Pelicans should highly consider him at No. 6 and the Maryland star’s floor is the Thunder at No. 12.

Grade: B+

No. 13: Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville (Down from No. 11)

Dieng is a bit older at age 23 and doesn’t have the upside some of these other big men do, but he’ll be ready to contribute on Day 1.

His offensive game clearly needs some polish, but the Cardinals pivot can block shots, protect the rim, defend his position and even pass at a high level out of the post.

The lottery may be a bit of stretch for this national title-winner, but he’s an option for the Thunder at No. 12, Boston Celtics at No. 16 and Chicago Bulls at No. 20.

Grade: B

No. 14: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia (Remains No.14)

The “three-and-D” off-guard is a dying breed in the modern NBA, which is why there should be a handful of suitors clamoring for a chance to nab KCP come June.

This Georgia star can create his own shot, fire away from anywhere on the court and possesses the athleticism to shut down his man on defense.

He could go as early as No. 10 to the Portland Trail Blazers, although it’s a bit more likely the Atlanta Hawks grab him at No. 16 or 17. Chicago will not let him past No. 20, as he’s an ideal fit in the backcourt with Derrick Rose.

Grade: B

No. 15: Steve Adams, C, Pittsburgh (Up from No. 29)

Adams did himself a huge favor by showing up at the combine and proving to scouts that he’s not a clumsy, foreign seven-footer that has bust written on his forehead.

He was dominating the competition in athletic tests, measured out above expectations, interviewed well and now looks to be a firm lottery pick.

The Pitt star looks to be a strong option for Portland at No. 10, Philly at 11, OKC at 12 and Dallas at 13.

Grade: B-

No. 16: Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga (Down from No. 10)

Olynyk showed some pretty unimpressive athleticism and short arms at the combine, but no one was drafting him based on his ability to jump out of the gym or touch his toes standing up.

The ‘Zags star can simply score the basketball and uses an impressive array of face-up and low-post moves to get his buckets. Don’t be surprised if the Hawks use one of their picks on him, the Brooklyn Nets take a stab at No. 22 or the Indiana Pacers grab him at No. 23.

Grade: B-

No. 17: Mason Plumlee, PF, Duke (Remains No. 17)

Plumlee isn’t going to be a star in the NBA, but he’s a solid garbage man that will clean up the glass, work hard on defense and gain extra possessions for his team.

He’s looking like a perfect member of the Hawks, although the Celtics at No. 16 and Nets at No. 22 should be interested.

Grade: B-

No. 18: Allen Crabbe, SG, California (Up from No. 22)

Crabbe is a bona fide sniper that can shoot the lights out.

He has the size to get his jumper off over anyone and should be a decent defender when he’s motivated. Don’t be shocked if the Bucks nab him at No. 15, although his long-range gunning will be coveted by numerous organizations.

Grade: C+

No. 19: Dennis Schroeder, PG, Germany (Up from No. 20)

Schroeder put himself on the map at the Nike Hoops Summit a few weeks ago and has held steady as a possible mid-to-late first-rounder.

The German can get into the lane with ease and is a skilled finisher around the hoop, although he’s more than capable of passing it to the open man for an easy shot.

Boston will be interested at No. 16, Chicago is a good spot at No. 20 and the New York Knicks cannot let him past No. 24.

Grade: C+

No. 20: Jeff Withey, C, Kansas (Down from No. 16)

Withey is another older player that doesn’t have a high ceiling, but should be a regular contributor in the Association.

He’s capable of defending his position, protecting the rim and sending back shots that go up anywhere near him. That’s the type of player the Nets (No. 22) need behind Brook Lopez, although he could come off the board earlier.

Grade: C+

No. 21: Jamaal Franklin, SG, San Diego State (Up from No. 26)

Franklin is a freakish athlete that is one of the best rebounding guard prospects we’ve ever seen.

The guy jumps out of the gym and is a jumper away from being a fixture on the team that drafts him, which may be the Hawks (No. 17 and 18), Bulls (20), Los Angeles Clippers (25) or Denver Nuggets (27).

Grade: C

No. 22: Sergey Karasev, SG, Russia (Down from No. 18)

This Russian sniper is arguably one of the top long-range shooters in the 2013 class, which makes him an instant asset coming off a bench.

He’d fit in perfectly with the Timberwolves at No. 26, as the team boasts two other players from his home country—Andrei Kirilenko and Alexey Shved.

Grade: C

No. 23: Shane Larkin, PG, Miami (Unranked last week)

Larkin blew up at the combine, proving to onlookers that he’s a freakish athlete that deserves to be picked in the first round of the draft.

If the Jazz hasn’t addressed their PG situation by the time they pick for a second time (No. 21), the Miami star should be the slam-dunk selection. The Clips and Knicks are both options if he sneaks past Utah.

Grade: C

No. 24: Glen Rice Jr., SG, D-League (Down from No. 19)

Rice’s stock dipped at the combine, as he didn’t seem to be the same lights-out shooter he was during his D-League championship run with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.

That definitely hurts his projections as a possible swingman that could play the 2 as well as the 3, but he may mesh with the Cavs at No. 19, San Antonio Spurs at No. 28 or Suns at No. 30.

Grade: C

No. 25: Tim Hardaway Jr., SG, Michigan (Down from No. 21)

Hardaway Jr. is someone that could throw up a shot from anywhere in the arena and have a good chance of making it. He proved that in Chicago and showed a fire to boot, wowing talent evaluators with his interviews and hustle in every single event.

It wouldn’t be that much of a stretch if the Knicks make a move for him to replace J.R. Smith, although the Pacers, T-Wolves and Nuggets are all great landing destinations as well.

Grade: C

No. 26: Giannis Adetokunbo, SF, Greece (Down from No. 23)

Not much is known about this international man of mystery, but he could be an elite point forward with his crazy long arms and immense athleticism. He could also be a bust that never makes it to American shores to play in an NBA game.

A team with nothing to lose—such as the OKC Thunder at No. 29---will likely make a play on this young man and let him develop overseas until he’s ready.

Grade: C

No. 27: Tony Mitchell, SF, North Texas (Remains No. 27)

Mitchell is an athletic beast that can guard either forward position and bang for rebounds with the best of them.

He has to work on his scoring touch, but the upside is certainly still there. As holders of the last pick in the first round, the Suns are an ideal candidate to snag this underrated prospect.

Grade: C-

No. 28: Tony Snell, SF, New Mexico (Unranked last week)

Snell’s performance at the combine turned a lot of heads, meaning he could sneak into the first round come June 27.

The New Mexico star has one of the sweetest strokes and grades out as one of the top athletes in this crop of talent. Denver (27), San Antonio (28) and Phoenix (30) should all take a close look at this young man.

Grade: D+

No. 29: Lucas Nogueira, C, Brazil (Down from No. 25)

Noguiera is inconsistent as they come, but his upside is undeniable.

The big man excels down in the post and uses his superior size to grab boards and score points. He has some polishing to do on both ends of the court, but may go as early as No. 19 to Cleveland.

Grade: D+

No. 30: Rudy Gobert, PF, France (Remains No. 30)

At the combine, Gobert showed that his athleticism is subpar and only thing going for him is height and reach at this juncture.

While some teams may try to mold his big body into something resembling a serviceable PF or C, it’s unlikely to happen and this Frenchman seems like a major bust. However, he could still go as early as No. 12 to OKC, is an option at No. 19 with Cleveland and any franchise after that needing a big will give him a look.

Grade: D

Grading the Chicago Bulls' Starting Five from the 2012-13 Season

James Tillman III — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:23:12 -0400

For the second time in three postseasons, the Chicago Bulls' season ended with a 4-1 series loss to the Miami Heat.

While it was disappointing to see the Bulls come up short in the second round against a healthier Heat squad, the team has nothing to hang its head about after enduring a season in which multiple players had to battle through injuries.

Here is a quick look at how the starting rotation graded out this year.

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Manuel Pellegrini Moves Closer to Manchester City After Malaga Resignation

Ian Rodgers — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:19:59 -0400

Manuel Pellegrini has opened the door for a move to Manchester City after announcing his departure from Malaga at the end of the season.

Pellegrini was linked with the City role in February when Roberto Mancini shrugged off the speculation, as The Times highlighted.

However, the speculation refused to go away and resurfaced on the eve of the FA Cup final against Wigan Athletic, as The Independent reported on the morning of the Wembley match.

Two days after the defeat to the Latics, Mancini was axed by the City hierarchy following the team's surrender of the Premier League title to Manchester United and their failure to qualify out of their Champions League group for the second consecutive season.

Now Pellegrini, 59, has called time on his career with the Costa del Sol club and is widely expected to take over at City after citing "sporting reasons" for his exit to Spanish sports newspaper Marca (via ITV.com).

My coaching staff and I are separating from Malaga but our union with this city will be eternal. I'm going for sporting reasons.

Pellegrini has a good pedigree in the European game after moving to Villarreal in 2004. He guided the team to a fourth-place finish in La Liga in his first season in charge before leading them to the Champions League semifinals against Arsenal the following year.

In 2008, Villarreal split Barcelona and Real Madrid in the La Liga table with their second-placed finish.

Pellegrini joined Real Madrid in 2009 but left after a disappointing season with the club. He joined Malaga in June 2010 where he progressed the team to the top four in 2012.

Subsequently, he led the Costa del Sol team to the Champions League quarterfinals this season, where only two late Borussia Dortmund goals denied them a place in the last four.

Malaga have been dubbed "the Manchester City of football" (via Footballspeak.com) after the money spent by club owner Sheikh Al Thani following his takeover in June 2010.

But it's not just finances which are required to forge a team. Pellegrini is the only manager to lead two different clubs to the last eight of the Champions League in their debuts in UEFA's elite tournament.

The former Chile international has already received the backing of Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri, as Sky Sports reported.

Now it appears likely that Pellegrini will be given the opportunity to prove himself in the Premier League.

Calling True of False on the Hottest Premier League Transfer Rumours

Nick Akerman — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:13:20 -0400

The Premier League 2012-13 season is tied up, so it's time to start considering the hottest transfers of the summer.

Countless names will be linked with moves to and from England's top division. As momentum builds towards the summer transfer window, which rumours can we believe will actually take place? Let's take a look at a recent handful of links to start deciphering exactly that.

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Brian Urlacher Retires After 13 NFL Seasons

Donald Wood — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:09:07 -0400

Veteran middle linebacker and longtime Chicago Bears star Brian Urlacher has retired from the NFL after 13 seasons in the league, according to the player's Twitter feed:

Taken by Chicago with the ninth pick in the 2000 NFL draft, Urlacher spent his entire career with the Bears, earning eight Pro Bowls and two AP Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Over the course of his career, Urlacher became one of the most feared run-stoppers in the NFL, causing havoc in the middle of the Bears’ defensive front seven and giving opposing offensive coordinators nightmares.

The five-time All-Pro linebacker recorded 1,229 combined tackles, 41.5 sacks, 12 forced fumbles, 22 interceptions and two defensive touchdowns in his career.

If that’s not Hall of Fame worthy, nothing is.

As great as Urlacher’s career in Chicago was, the Bears made the contentious decision not to re-sign the former face of the franchise and move in another direction this offseason (h/t Adam Schefter):

Money and declining performance—hamstring injury or not—likely factored in to Chicago's decision to not give him a new contract.

Urlacher will go down as one of the best middle linebackers of his generation.

Rutgers Football: Scarlet Knights' Top 10 Division I Quarterbacks of All Time

Mark Bator — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:09:06 -0400

With a few solid performances in 2012 sandwiched between a slow start and a dreadful finish, fans and alumni have every right to be wary about the type of season that junior quarterback Gary Nova may put forth in 2013. On the sidelines, however, is capable senior Chas Dodd—along with several underclassmen—just waiting for an opportunity to become the starting signal caller for the Scarlet Knights.

Historically, defense and a running attack have been the hallmarks of Scarlet Knights football, not a dazzling aerial attack. However, there have been several quarterbacks whose careers at Rutgers did forge memorable moments in the nearly-40-year history of RU D-I football:

1. Mike Teel - Teel owns most of the Scarlet Knights passing records, but it may well be due to the fact that he played the most games and was surrounded by superior talent. Teel benefited from sharing the field with future-NFL players like Kenny Britt, Tiquan Underwood, Ray Rice and Brian Leonard.

With 59 TD passes and a QB rating of 135.4 for his career, Teel also led the Scarlet Knights to their first-ever postseason victory in the 2006 Texas Bowl. The team MVP in 2008, Teel was also the quarterback for some of the biggest victories in RU history, including wins over No. 3 Louisville and No. 2 USF. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks.

2. Ryan Hart - Hart played in just 38 games (10 less than Teel) in his four years at Rutgers, amassed 8,482 yards passing and threw for 52 touchdowns. He finished with a QB rating of 124.5 and averaged 223.2 yards passing per game. Despite having a lower level of talent around him than Mike Teel (Hart played just one year with Underwood and Rice), he was the RU quarterback that ended the 27-year bowl drought, leading the Scarlet Knights to the 2005 Insight.com Bowl.

By the time he graduated, Hart owned almost every major RU passing record, and had many of them by the end of his junior year. The offensive MVP in 2003, Hart had a brief stint with the Albany Conquest of the Arena Football League, but is best remembered for his lawsuit against EA Sports, wherein he contended that the video game company used his likeness in its NCAA football game without his permission.

3. Mike McMahon - With 6,608 yards and 41 TDs, McMahon finished with a 109.7 QB rating in his 35 games for the Knights. In truth, McMahon suffered through the era of head coach Terry Shea, where the only receiver of note was tight end L.J. Smith (who enjoyed a seven year NFL career of his own). Selected in the fifth round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, McMahon played five seasons in the NFL before moving onto the CFL and UFL.

4. Ray Lucas - Despite the fact that he went on to a six-year career in the NFL with the Jets and Dolphins, Lucas' biggest game may have been the 1994 victory over West Virginia. While at Rutgers, Lucas threw for nearly 5,900 yards and 43 touchdowns, with a passer rating of 120.2. Lucas now works as a television and radio analyst.

5. Ed McMichael - McMichael led the Scarlet Knights to a 9-3 record in 1978, which earned them a berth to their first-ever bowl game. The next season, he was the Rutgers QB for 1979's monumental victory over the Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville. In 33 career games, McMichael posted a 130.6 passer rating, a 61.6 passing percentage, 20 touchdowns and 3,584 yards through the air. McMichael later went on to a brief professional career with the New Jersey Generals of the USFL.

6. Scott Erney - Erney was a prolific passer at RU, slinging 41 touchdowns and 7,188 yards through the air in just 39 contests. The signature game of the Scott Erney Scarlet Knights was the 1988 victory over Michigan State on the Spartans' home field. The team MVP in 1987, 1988, and 1989, Erney went on to a brief professional career with the Barcelona Dragons of the WLAF.

7. Eric Hochberg - Hochberg's greatest moment as a Rutgers quarterback came on November 10, 1984, when he led the Scarlet Knights to a 23-19 victory over West Virginia. In 42 games as Rutgers' quarterback, Hochberg had a rating of 105.7, with 3,825 yards passing and 18 touchdowns.

8. Tom Savage - It's difficult to assess what might have been with Tom Savage, but if his first season was any indication, it is likely that he may well have re-written the Rutgers record books by the time his career was done. After a stellar true freshman campaign (for which he won the offensive MVP in 2009), he was injured in his sophomore year.

A very public falling out with head coach Greg Schiano followed, and Savage transferred from the Scarlet Knights. He is now enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh for the 2013 season. For his career at Rutgers, Savage had 16 TDs and 2,732 yards passing in just 18 games with the Scarlet Knights.

9. Bryan Fortay - In his two years as Rutgers' starting quarterback, Fortay threw for 25 TDs and 2,374 yards in 20 games following his transfer from the University of Miami, FL. The highlight of his RU career was the 1992 Homecoming Game, where he led the Scarlet Knights to a come-from-behind victory over Virginia Tech. Fortay had a brief professional stint with the Frankfurt Galaxy of the WLAF.

10. Bert Kosup - The quarterback of the Scarlet Knights during their last undefeated season in 1976, Kosup was the first Rutgers QB of the Division-I era. Although he was only a 47.8 percent passer for his career, Kosup threw for 25 TDs in three years as the Scarlet Knights' starting signal caller and still ranks eighth in passing yards (3,613).

While current QBs Gary Nova and Chas Dodd may eventually find their way onto this list, neither seems poised to set school records any time soon. The 2013 recruiting class brings in freshman quarterback Chris Laviano, while 2014 will see QB prospect Tyler Wiegers join the Scarlet Knights. Whether Laviano or Wiegers will make their marks in the University's record book remains to be seen, especially given Rutgers' future competition in the Big Ten Conference.

4 Offseason Moves the New York Mets Clearly Should Have Made

Nathan Tessler — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:08:56 -0400

After a surprisingly strong first month of the season, the New York Mets are now 17-25 and sitting in a disappointing fourth place in the NL East.

This offseason was a very busy one. The highlights for the Mets were signing star David Wright to an eight-year, nine-figure extension while also trading 2012 Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey.

Surprisingly, despite the poor record this season, those two moves have paid off. Wright has gotten on base all season, even though he consistently has no protection from the hitters around him. And Dickey has already allowed nine home runs and 28 walks in 62.0 innings en route to a mediocre 4-5 record, 4.50 ERA and 1.31 WHIP.

Nonetheless, the Mets are bad. Really bad. There was a lot that could have and should have been done this offseason to improve the roster at hand.

Here are four moves the Mets clearly should have made this offseason:

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ACC Baseball Tournament 2013 Bracket: Championship Odds for Every Team

Tim Daniels — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:05:41 -0400

The ACC featured plenty of parity during the regular season with five teams finishing within four games of the top overall seed in the conference tournament. Add in the fact last year's tournament champion was the No. 8 seed and things should get interesting in Durham.

Coastal Division winner North Carolina is the No. 1 seed and will lead Pool A. Florida State, which won the Atlantic Division during the regular season, is the top team in Pool B and the No. 2 overall seed. A total of eight teams made the postseason tourney.

The tournament will take on a round-robin format. Each team will play everybody else in its group once between Wednesday (May 22) and Saturday (May 25). The top teams in each pool will then battle for the championship on Sunday afternoon.

Let's take a closer look at every team in the tournament and create odds of winning the title for each. First, here's a complete schedule for the 2013 ACC Baseball Tournament, including television information, for the annual event.

Game	Team	Team	Date	Time	TV
1	Georgia Tech	Florida State	May 22	11 a.m.	RSN
2	Virginia Tech	Virginia	May 22	3 p.m.	RSN
3	Clemson	NC State	May 22	7 p.m.	RSN
4	Virginia	Georgia Tech	May 23	11 a.m.	RSN
5	Miami	North Carolina	May 23	3 p.m.	RSN
6	Florida State	Virginia Tech	May 23	7 p.m.	RSN
7	NC State	Miami	May 24	11 a.m.	RSN
8	Georgia Tech	Virginia Tech	May 24	3 p.m.	RSN
9	North Carolina	Clemson	May 24	7 p.m.	RSN
10	Virginia	Florida State	May 25	11 a.m.	RSN
11	Miami	Clemson	May 25	3 p.m.	RSN
12	NC State	North Carolina	May 25	7 p.m.	RSN
Title	Pool A Winner	Pool B Winner	May 26	1 p.m.	ESPN2

All tournament and schedule information courtesy TheACC.com.

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NBA Draft 2013: Is It Time to Change the Way the Draft Order Is Selected?

Matthew Wolfe — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:05:23 -0400

Ever since the current lottery system was put into place in 1985, there has been speculation about whether or not it is the right way to decide the draft order.

The way the lottery works is confusing to some, and rightfully so.

The 14 teams that do not make the NBA Playoffs are ranked in reverse order of their regular season record and are assigned a certain number of chances to receive the first pick.

1000 different outcomes of the experiment exist and are equally likely to occur.

A certain number of outcomes are assigned to each non-playoff team.

The largest number of outcomes is assigned to the team with the worst regular season record (25 percent chance of winning the lottery).

The experiment is conducted until a team wins, giving that team the first pick in the NBA Draft.

The experiment is then conducted again until another team wins, and that team receives the second pick. The same thing is done to decide who picks third.

After the first three picks are decided, the rest of the order is determined based on weakness of record.

The experiments are done off camera, and leave many people wondering about the accuracy of the results, thus putting the whole system into question.

A lot of sports fans prefer the way the NFL and MLB pick their draft order, which is decided based solely on the weakness of record with any ties being resolved by a coin-flip.

The Cleveland Cavaliers were the winners of last night's NBA Draft Lottery despite having only a 15.6 percent chance of receiving the first pick.

The Orlando Magic, the team that finished with the worst record in the NBA, having had a 25 percent chance of receiving the first pick, will pick second.

This marks the ninth year in a row that the team with the worst record in the NBA will not be picking first in the draft.

This begs the question, is it time for a new system to determine the draft order?

Or is it effective as it is?

Logically, it makes sense to give the team with the worst record the best pick in the draft so they have the best shot at improving their franchise.

The current system that the NBA has in place does make sense in it's own way, giving the league something unique to differentiate itself from the others.

It also prevents teams from throwing games at the end of the season to earn a higher pick, since nothing is guaranteed.

There are positives and negatives to the NBA Draft Lottery, and it is always something that will remain suspect as long as it exists.

It will be interesting to see whether the NBA looks to make a switch to a highly speculated new system under new commissioner Adam Silver.

New York Giants Running Back Breakdown: Full Evaluation and Depth Chart Analysis

Kevin Boilard — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:57:29 -0400

To fuel quarterback Eli Manning’s fruitful passing attack in 2013, the New York Giants need to keep opposing defenses honest by featuring a balanced ground game.

New York’s offensive backfield will undergo a changing of the guard this season, as Ahmad Bradshaw—a contributor on the ground since 2007, the teams’ featured running back since 2010—is without a team after the Giants terminated his contract back in February.

Although Bradshaw missed a lot of time with injury, he was a tough runner that would push through pain when the team needed him most, as he proved in back-to-back wins against Cleveland in Week 4 (30 rushes, 200 yards, 1 TD) and San Francisco in Week 5 (27 rushes, 116 yards, 1 TD). Bradshaw finished the 2012 season with 1,105 yards and six touchdowns on 221 attempts.

The two running backs expected to shoulder the majority of the load Bradshaw leaves behind are David Wilson, an electrifying track star, and Andre Brown, a brittle bruiser.

As a former first-round selection, Wilson is the favorite to win the starting job. Head coach Tom Coughlin kept Wilson on a very short leash during his rookie season, but the speedster could enjoy some extra slack as the team’s top back.

In the last four games of his rookie season, when he saw the most action, Wilson maintained an average of 5.7 yards per carry while also scoring five total touchdowns (three rushing, one receiving, one kick return).

The second-year pro will get to showcase his playmaking ability more often in 2013, as his role is sure to expand beyond kick returns and change-of-pace carries.

While he may have explosive ability, Wilson will only reach his full potential if he can become a trusted every down back. His biggest improvement needs to be in pass protection, but he also needs to adjust to a heavier workload.

Wilson will surely see more than 20 carries in some games, which will drastically increase the amount of hits he absorbs. More attempts also means more chances to fumble and greater risk of injury. In addition to being flashy, Wilson will also have to be a savvy runner.

General manager Jerry Reese selected Brown back in the fifth round of the 2009 draft, but the nomadic back has considered four other teams (Panthers, Redskins, Broncos, Colts) his home since then.

After spending the Super Bowl season on the Giants’ practice squad, Brown enjoyed a breakout season in 2012. The 227-pounder excelled in short yardage situations, especially on the goal line. Brown scored eight touchdowns last season, while also leading the team with a 5.3 yards per carry average.

Brown’s only downfall is his questionable durability. He spent his rookie season on the Giants’ injured reserve, recovering from a torn Achilles’ tendon.

Injuries prevented Brown from making an impact in 2010, regardless of the city or team he was suiting up for. Even during his breakout 2012 season, head and shoulder injuries—as well as a broken leg, which ended his season prematurely—hampered Brown’s production. Unless Brown shakes the injury bug, he won’t be a permanent fixture in the Giants’ offensive backfield.

Third-year running back, Da’Rel Scott, and several other members of the 2011 draft class will be in a make-or-break year this season. Scott has great straight-line speed, but he hasn’t had much of a chance to unleash it on Sundays.

The former seventh-rounder surrendered his kick return duties last season and spent the last 10 weeks of the season on injured reserve to make room for defensive tackle Chris Canty, who was returning from the physically unable to perform list. If Scott is equally expendable in 2013, the Giants will simply cut him.

Michael Cox, a rookie running back from the University of Massachusetts, poses interesting potential as a ball carrier. The seventh-round selection weighs in at 220 pounds, but his ability has gone almost untapped. After three quiet seasons with the Michigan Wolverines, Cox transferred to UMass and collected 710 yards on just 198 touches during his senior season. He may have the freshest legs of any running back in camp.

Former Washington Redskin Ryan Torain and undrafted free agent Jeremy Wright are long shots to make the 53-man roster at the end of camp.

Torain had one strong season with the ‘Skins in which he rushed for over 700 yards and four touchdowns. Wright led the Louisville Cardinals in rushing last season but waived his final year of collegiate eligibility.

The Giants’ running back situation is far from set in stone. Wilson’s offseason development is unknown, Brown’s durability is in question, and those beneath them on the depth chart are largely untested.

One of the underdog backs could work his way up the ranks through impressive play on special teams. The Giants have many options at running back, but none are particularly experienced. A veteran back could be added to the unit—possibly even Bradshaw—before camp ends.

2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Is Defense Overrated?

Casey DeMarco — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:56:46 -0400

The NHL postseason is the most thrilling playoff there is.

The best way to attain the league's ultimate goal, the Stanley Cup, is a process fans, coaches, general managers and everyone in between will theorize about for as long as the coolest sport on Earth is played.

It all starts with a basic question though: Is solid defense or reliable offense the best way to see your team hoist Lord Stanley's Cup in June?

B/R NHL Analyst Ryan O'Leary and I debate that very issue in the video above.

Will the Pittsburgh Penguins fall as they did against the Philadelphia Flyers last year because they've continued their offense-first mentality? Will the New York Rangers fall short again because they cannot muster more than a goal or two a game?

These are the many questions that will be answered as the playoffs march on, but in the meantime, what do you guys think?

Is the cliche about defense correct or outdated? Comment below!

Best NFL QBs the Big Ten Has Produced

Randy Chambers — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:49:47 -0400

It may hard to believe with today's Big Ten style of play, but this conference has produced some quality NFL starting quarterbacks. This is somewhat surprising when you consider that the Big Ten has earned the reputation of being an old school conference that prefers to run the ball and wear the opposing defense down.

Some of the best quarterbacks to ever play have come from Big Ten schools. There are a couple of Hall of Famers on this list, as well as two guys who will be giving a Hall of Fame speech once they retire. There are also a few guys who were slightly underrated during their NFL playing days.

The list of successful quarterbacks from this conference is much better than the running back position has provided.

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Mario Gotze Injury: Updates on Borussia Dortmund Star's Hamstring

Tim Daniels — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:49:19 -0400

Borussia Dortmund will be without Mario Gotze in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich due to injury, reports ESPN. The attacking midfielder has already agreed to join the German rivals after the campaign.

Gotze suffered a hamstring injury during the second leg of Dortmund's semifinal triumph over Real Madrid. A setback in training, as passed along by ESPN, will prevent him from playing against his future club in the championship match.

But despite resuming light training recently, a shadow has been cast over the 20-year-old's rehabilitation with news surfacing he was forced to pull out of a training session after experiencing a reoccurrence to the injury.

"Mario has felt something again in his hamstring," Dortmund general manager Michael Zorc told Bild. "That is why he stopped. We don't know how bad it is and whether he is still suffering from it."

Gotze has accounted for 12 goals and 14 assists in 39 matches across Bundesliga and Champions League play this season. The versatile playmaker's absence is a major blow to the club's chances against a Bayern side that's been downright dominant.

Skeptics will probably suggest Gotze's failure to suit up for the final has something to do with his impending move to Bayern during the summer. However, there's nothing concrete to suggest it's anything more than an injury issue.

The German international has been a key cog for the Borussians. Along with Robert Lewandowski, Marco Reus and Jakub Blaszczykowski, the club presumably had enough firepower to keep pace with a Bayern side that dropped seven goals over two legs against Barcelona.

Without Gotze, the path to victory becomes more complicated. It will put more pressure on Blaszczykowski to jump-start the Dortmund attack. The rising star's creativity will be sorely missed, though, especially on the counterattack.

Interestingly enough, the hamstring woes are also of interest to Bayern. They don't want Gotze to arrive to the club as damaged goods, so they are probably happy to see him out of the lineup for two reasons. It improves their chances of winning and will help him recover.

The Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich is set for Saturday at 2:45 p.m. ET at Wembley Stadium in London.

2013 NBA Draft Breakdown and Scouting Report for Cal's Allen Crabbe

Jonathan Wasserman — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:44:44 -0400

Allen Crabbe took a big leap forward his junior year at California, putting himself on first-round radars with his 18.4-point per game average.

He was one of the top shooters at this year's NBA combine, and if scouts were unfamiliar with him before it, chances are that's no longer the case. Crabbe is a late-rising prospect after putting up impressive numbers both during measurements and athletic testing.

The buzz is getting louder, as Crabbe is no longer considered a potential draft-day sleeper.

Physical Tools

Crabbe has excellent size for the position he plays. You can call him a 2-guard or a small forward, but to simplify things, I just refer to him as a wing.

He measured in at 6'6'' with a 6'11'' wingspan, both appealing numbers. He got off the ground for a 36'' max vertical leap, surprising some with his athleticism.

Crabbe isn't the most explosive athlete, and isn't necessarily a high-flying easy-bucket type of guy, but for the position and role he's projected to play, his physical tools work just fine.

Adding strength of course will improve his efficiency as a scorer around the rim, but that's realistically the case with every kid out of college.

Off-Ball Scoring

Despite Crabbe's ability to score in volume, he's not much of a ball-dominator. Instead of creating shots for himself off the dribble, Crabbe uses off-ball movement to free himself up for scoring opportunities. He reminds me of a young Rip Hamilton, with his ability to come off screens, catch and shoot or slash toward the rim.

Crabbe's ability to score without dominating the ball should allow him to slide into a lineup and complement whatever is in place.

Slashing

Crabbe isn't quick enough to beat his defender off the dribble, so he chooses to beat him without the ball and use that momentum once he catches it.

Below is a perfect example of how Crabbe use screens to free himself up, keeping his defender on his back hip and one step behind.

Once he catches, he only needs two dribbles to get to the rim and finish. He wouldn't have been able to beat his man with the ball in his hands, but through off-ball movement, he's able to lose him before he catches the rock.

Spot-up Shooting

Crabbe is an excellent spot-up shooter with NBA range. He's made 209 threes in three years at California with a career mark of 38.2 percent. He's sports excellent rhythm in catch-and-shoot opportunities with a clean, high release that's tough to contest.

Defenders won't be able to play an inch off him at the next level. Coaches will use Crabbe to spread the floor and provide his playmakers with a target around the perimeter.

Shooting Off Curls

Going back to off-ball movement, Crabbe is really effective in the mid-range coming off curls and catching and shooting. He's able to catch, gather and square before rising and firing with balance.

Coaches will love his ability to score with the game slowed down, and in a way that doesn't keep the ball from sticking.

Weaknesses

Without the ability to create, Crabbe's ceiling is somewhat limited at the next level. He can finish plays as a shooter and cutter, but playmaking off the dribble is not really his forte.

Crabbe will need to improve his isolation game if he wants to take that next step as a scorer.

Finishing at the rim could also be a challenge, though most of his work is likely to come from eight feet away and out.

Crabbe has also been criticized for his defense. Some wonder whether he has the strength and motor. Depending on the coach, this could keep him Crabbe from getting consistent minutes. Proving he can D up should be a point of emphasis for Crabbe during workouts and training camp.

Draft Breakdown and NBA Outlook

Crabbe is an excellent off-ball scorer, which is exactly what his role will be at the next level. Coaches will appreciate his shot-making skills and ability to move without the ball.

Many volume scorers in college struggle to make the NBA transition because they aren't used to playing without the ball in their hands. This is where Crabbe differs, as he doesn't need it in his hands in order to be effective.

After his strong showing at the combine, Crabbe is moving up boards as a potential mid-first round pick. He'll be competing with other guards and wings like UCLA's Shabazz Muhammad, Michigan's Tim Hardaway Jr., Georgia's Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, New Mexico's Tony Snell, San Diego State's Jamaal Franklin and North Carolina's Reggie Bullock.

Crabbe will have plenty of competition, but he'll try and convince teams that his shooting stroke and off-ball scoring instincts are all top-notch, and that he's capable of becoming a dedicated NBA defender.

Anywhere from outside the lottery should be a possible landing spot for Crabbe.

Marc Gasol Made Two Ridiculous Shots That Didn't Count Last Night

Dan Carson — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:35:05 -0400

They should’ve counted as five points a piece, but officials cut them down in their prime.

To put it simply, Marc Gasol had himself an interesting game last night.

The Memphis Grizzlies center played strong defense, packaged up a turnaround jumper by Tim Duncan and generally brought the ruckus you’d expect from the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year in spite of a losing effort against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.

What has been glossed over in the overtime blitz and the “We did it!” hubbub was the multiple circus shots he had last night. They must be catalogued and brought into the light, if only for posterity’s sake.

Gasol threw up a shot that nobody saw coming—a behind-the-back looper typically reserved for schoolyard games and Globetrotter exhibitions—and they didn’t even count it.

No big whoop, right? Wrong. It usually wouldn’t be a big deal, but Gasol kept hitting these wildly improbably shots.

What is going on here? This isn’t Gasol’s thing. His job description reads “Bulldozing the block” and “bear-bearding.”

Nowhere in the book on Gasol is there a mention that he was a former employee of the Ringling Brothers and/or a H.O.R.S.E. lord.

At this rate, he might drain some kind of weird no-look sky hook through contact. What? He's done that before?

He's done that before.

Wait, that one didn’t count either? Oh, c’mon!

The Tactical Evolution of Manuel Pellegrini: Madrid, Malaga, Premier League?

Sam Tighe — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:34:52 -0400

Manuel Pellegrini admitted today that Malaga's game against Deportivo La Coruna will be his last at la Roselada.

The Chilean is a world-class tactician who seems set for an English Premier League job in the 2013-14 season, but which club will snap him up?

Malaga coach and reported Manchester City target Manuel Pellegrini confirms that he will leave Malaga at the end of the season.
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 22, 2013

Manchester City have been linked with him since before Roberto Mancini was officially sacked (via BBC), but he's been paired with Chelsea by The Telegraph too.

So what's the low-down on the new manager likely arriving on British shores?

Pellegrini made his name in Europe as Villarreal manager, leading them to a historic second-placed finish in La Liga and reaching the UEFA Champions League semifinals.

He became famous for his obscure 4-2-2-2 tactical setup, and his flexibility on the team sheet ensured he enjoyed five glorious at el Madrigal.

In 2009, Real Madrid activated the release clause in his contract and took him to the Santiago Bernabeu, the task at hand: lead the second coming of the Galacticos.

Dutch tactical writer Nikos Overheul summed up the Chilean's tactical approach at los Blancos extremely well to me during private conversation:

During his time at Real Madrid, Manuel Pellegrini proved himself to be an adaptable tactician.

Kaka, Raul, Rafael van der Vaart, Esteban Granero, Guti and Cristiano Ronaldo were all excellent players, but they didn't fit together in an obvious tactical set-up. Pellegrini would switch formation from game to game, often employing a 4-2-3-1 or a midfield diamond.

No matter the formation, Pellegrini's Madrid would regularly play with four creative midfielders while largely maintaining defensive stability. This is the main characteristic of Pellegrini's tactical set-ups.

Like Carlo Ancelotti he excels in building a system that allows for creative expression, but not to the detriment of his defence.

Although he used his resources extremely well, he was never able to build a side in his own image due to the hierarchy dictating the transfer policy.

After Madrid, Pellegrini landed at current club Malaga and restored his reputation as one of tactical football's true greats.

He has unlocked the very best in wunderkind Isco, allowing him to drift into midfield and find the ball irrespective of position, thus stopping teams from double-marking him or figuring him out.

His strong coaching and systematic work has allowed players like Ignacio Camacho—who was a forgotten talent—rise to the fore and become one of La Liga's premier defensive midfielders, while he's also sculpted one of the nation's meanest defences from a modest set of players.

Despite los Boquerones consistently selling players, he's been able to use the transfer market to replenish the team: A Nacho Monreal-less Malaga were just minutes (or yards) from a Champions League semifinal.

He's done things so differently throughout his career, he can truly be labelled one of the most tactical reactive and flexible managers in world football. Where possible, he likes to use an enganche and a strike partnership, but he will always devise the optimum formation given the players at his disposal.

If you're looking for a new manager, you can't go wrong with Manuel Pellegrini.

Follow @stighefootball

UEFA Champions League: Borussia Dortmund's Mario Gotze to Miss Final

Michael Cummings — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:33:02 -0400

Borussia Dortmund have confirmed (link in German) that playmaker Mario Gotze will miss Saturday's UEFA Champions League final.

It's good news for Bayern Munich, who otherwise would have faced the uncomfortable prospect of playing against a future teammate. But it's also good news for fans of drama and conspiracy theories.

Gotze, a 20-year-old German international midfielder, is set to join Bayern Munich this summer in a €37 million transfer from Borussia Dortmund. In this week's build-up to the match, Gotze told Bild (via ESPN FC) "To win the final in my last game for Dortmund would be by far the greatest for me. I want to take part in the game in London, absolutely, and will give my all for Borussia. I want to help the team lift the trophy."

That will not happen now. Dortmund might indeed win, but Gotze will take no part after failing to recover in time from a muscle strain suffered in the second leg of Dortmund's semifinal win over Real Madrid.

Question: Now, who does Mario Gotze want to win the Champions League final?
— 101 Great Goals (@101greatgoals) May 22, 2013

…

There was no way Bayern was going to let their €37 signing involved in another CL upset #Gotze
— Cristiano Acconci (@MrAcconci) May 22, 2013

Gotze played a key role in Dortmund's back-to-back Bundesliga title-winning sides of 2010-11 and 2011-12. This season he scored 10 goals and assisted nine more in 28 Bundesliga appearances. In the Champions League, he has recorded two goals and five assists in 11 appearances (WhoScored?).

Dortmund and Bayern drew both league matches this season, but Bayern won the title in record style. Bayern reached the Champions League final last year as well, losing to Chelsea on penalties.

Former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola is set to take over at Bayern this summer, and according to B/R tactical analyst Sam Tighe, Gotze is an ideal fit to play as a "False 9" in the style of Lionel Messi.

That's a bold statement that hints at Gotze's talent and potential. Unfortunately for Dortmund, that talent won't be available against Bayern this weekend.

Follow @MikeCummings37

Why Manuel Pellegrini Never Stood a Chance at Real Madrid

Tim Stannard — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:30:01 -0400

Comparing the relationship between Florentino Perez and former Sporting Director Jorge Valdano to Mr. Burns and Smithers from The Simpsons is all too tempting. Especially when reflecting on the goings-on of the cash-splashed summer of 2009 when the Real Madrid president was beginning his second tenure in charge of the club.

Perez had been through his sticker album of famous footballers and signed Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema in a huge splurge. The poor sap who had to manage this gaggle of Galacticos was a decision left up to the assistant, considering it seems unlikely that the Real Madrid president was familiar with any names aside from the then-unavailable Jose Mourinho.

“Who is this Manuel Pellegrini? Never heard of him,” is how the question is imagined from Perez to his Argentinean underling, when the former Villarreal boss was unveiled, with considerably less fuss and attention than his three star signings who were paraded at the Santiago Bernabeu.

As it turned out, Pellegrini was an astute selection by the Sporting Director with the serious, experienced, thoughtful, dignified South American having turned Villarreal from a small town club into Champions League semifinalists in 2006 over five years in charge. The constant problem that current Malaga manager had during a tumultuous spell at Madrid, is that Pellegrini was not a certain Portuguese coach, and therefore an irritating stopgap for Perez to endure.

This attitude explains why his coach was shut out of the tactical planning at the club in terms of squad selection. Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder, two key parts of Pellegrini’s strategy for the season, were sold off shortly before the start of the campaign, to help fund the pricey new arrivals.

“I missed having a debate on sporting issues with the coach included,” was the reflection from Pellegrini to Spanish radio station, Cadena Ser, in May 2010 soon after being sacked just one season into a two-year deal. From that point on, communication seemed to worsen with the trainer revealing that he had not spoken to his club president since August of the previous year.

The feeling was while Real Madrid’s performances in La Liga were quite acceptable with the side finishing on 96 points, behind a truly outstanding Barcelona, the trainer was doomed from the off with two many enemies within the club and outside, too. The biggest of those was leading influential sports daily, Marca, a paper that ran a vicious campaign against an undeserving figure.

The Madrid manager certainly did not help himself in the face of such slings and arrows when his side were defeated over two legs by lower league Alcorcon in the Copa del Rey, with headlines calling for an instant dismissal.

Matters worsened with a defeat in the last 16 stages to Lyon in the Champions League at the beginning of 2010. Pellegrini appeared to be without a single friend in the local media. Conspiracies suggested that this was because the Chilean had no friends in the boardroom of Real Madrid either, to offer protection from increasingly personal attacks.

When Mourinho became available, fresh from winning the Champions League with Inter Milan, Pellegrini’s number was up and the Chilean was sacked at the start of what was supposed to be a long-term project. “I came here with high hopes and great pride. Unfortunately, I was not able to do what I wanted and I had differences from the beginning of the season,” he said.

Detractors will say that Pellegrini was not dynamic enough to handle the job of Real Madrid manager, and that the poor performances in the Copa del Rey and Champions League reflect a coach that was not at the level of one of the world’s biggest jobs. However, the 59-year-old had built the foundations of the team that Mourinho went on to manage to a league title two seasons later.

His players enjoyed a sense of peace and tranquility in the dressing room that was to be lost during the spell of the South American’s successor. “He is a coach that should have stayed at Real Madrid,” stated Guti, the former Real Madrid midfielder, after Pellegrini’s dismissal. Only speculation can say what would have happened had Guti had his way.

Sadly, that was never going to happen with his boss not wanting Pellegrini on the Santiago Bernabeu bench in the first place.

Possible Juventus Tactics to Include Zlatan Ibrahimovic Next Season

Matteo Bonetti — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:26:36 -0400

The potential arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a mouthwatering possibility which would definitely shore up the biggest hole in the Juventus starting XI and give the reigning Serie A champions yet another formidable weapon.

The Swedish behemoth has once again topped the scoring charts with 29 strikes so far in France with Paris St. Germain, and added yet another domestic title to his impressive résumé.

However, with the likes of coach Carlo Ancelotti leaving the French capital this summer, one has to wonder who will follow his lead and part ways with the ambitious Parisienne side.

Ibrahimovic has made no secret about his admiration for Italy, as he has said on numerous occasions that he had a great time living in the peninsula.

With that in mind, Juventus has welcomed the possibility of an Ibrahimovic return. Such a move would propel them to the upper echelons of the European class, giving them a potent goalscorer and creator alongside the arriving Fernando Llorente.

Juventus doesn't need to change anything in the midfield or defense for a possible Ibra inclusion. As a matter of fact, it would be a novel idea to start two gigantic, creative strikers up front. Both Ibrahimovic and Llorente stand at a menacing 6'5" and have fantastic feet to go with their hulking frames.

Even though Juventus director Beppe Marotta ruled out the possibility of Ibrahimovic returning to Turin, we know about the usual cat-and-mouse game played in Italy between club higher-ups and potential summer transfer targets.

The most important thing the Bianconeri need to do this summer is get an adequate striker for the Champions League. While their defense and midfield can go toe-to-toe with the best in Europe, they're missing a true goal threat up front who can score on a consistent basis.

While Fernando Llorente has proven to be a potent goal scorer when he gets regular time, the Spaniard has rarely played in the past season because of spats with Athletic Club coach Marcelo Bielsa, and one has to wonder how long it'll take him to get back in the form that made him a household name in Spain. Llorente made his desire to leave Bilbao evident earlier in the season and fell out with fans and management alike.

Either way, the possible pairing of Llorente with someone like Ibrahimovic is unheard of in world football. In no other instance have two strikers with the technical makeup and physique of these two spearheaded a team. Not only could they both create for each other, but Juventus also has the finest deep-lying playmaker in world football perched right behind them in Andrea Pirlo.

La Vecchia Signora is already to be the Scudetto favorite for next season, but if a move of this nature unfolds, expect them to be one of the main forces to be reckoned with in Europe as well.

Follow @TheMilanGuy

Sergio Garcia's Racial Comments Will Forever Taint His Image

Fred Altvater — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:21:54 -0400

Since golf fans watched a youthful Sergio Garcia close his eyes and attempt the go-for-broke shot from behind the tree at No. 16 in the final round at Medinah Country Club in the 1999 PGA Championship, he has been a media darling.

His jubilant hop-skip-and-jump across the fairway to watch his golf ball slicing onto the green grabbed golfers across the world and everyone became immediate fans of the exuberant 19-year-old Spaniard.

Even through the difficulties of watching an uncertain Garcia grip and re-grip his club while unsympathetic New York golf fans audibly counted out his twitches at Bethpage Black in the 2002 U.S. Open, the rest of the world still gave him the benefit of the doubt.

The golf kingdom, especially European golf fans, felt the deep despair of his failure to make that eight-foot putt for the win on the last hole in the 2007 Open Championship at Carnoustie. Totally deflated, he went on to lose the four-hole aggregate playoff to Padraig Harrington.

Garcia revels in the team atmosphere of the Ryder Cup matches. He never fails to excel for the European team. Even though he was not a playing member of the 2010 team that defeated the USA at Celtic Manor, European team captain Colin Montgomerie asked Garcia to be an assistant captain for his enthusiasm and spirit.

Sergio Garcia has felt the highs and the lows of professional golf. He wears his feelings prominently for the entire world to see, warts and all.

His recent dust up with Tiger Woods at the Players Championship while the two were paired together is just another in the continuing saga that surrounds him.

Garcia may have tainted his image forever with his latest comments, however.

While on stage in an a black tie affair at Wentworth Club preceding the BMW PGA Championship, he was asked if he would be inviting Tiger Woods to dinner during the U.S. Open at Merion.

Golf Channel reported that he replied, “We will have him around every night.”

The assembled crowd was amused at this comment and laughed.

But then Garcia added the following quip: “We will serve fried chicken.”

This blatant racist remark harkened back to remarks that Fuzzy Zoeller made after Tiger Woods won the 1997 Masters.

When asked if he had any comments on Woods winning the Masters, Zoeller replied, “Tell him to enjoy it and not serve fried chicken at next year’s champions dinner.”

Golfers are competitors. They are trying to beat each other every time they tee it up. Golf likes to see itself as a “gentlemen’s game,” but it is still a very serious sporting battle among serious combatants.

Woods is the ultimate competitor. He has to have a heart like Secretariat to continue to win golf tournaments on aging knees after surviving the personal problems he has faced.

Golfers do not need to like each other. They just have to display appropriate etiquette on the golf course. It would be nice, however, if that proper conduct would carry over into their off-course comments.

Garcia is trying to make amends by apologizing in a press conference and by trying to reach out to Woods.

He has opened a Pandora’s Box with his most recent comments.

Just ask Fuzzy Zoeller. Attacking Tiger Woods in the media and especially in a racist manner is not a very good strategy.

Why Philadelphia 76ers Must Be Draft-Day Wheeling and Dealing at 2013 NBA Draft

Bryan Toporek — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:20:38 -0400

The Philadelphia 76ers failed to strike lottery gold on Tuesday.

After entering the night with the 11th-best odds of landing the No. 1 draft pick, the Sixers ended the night in the No. 11 spot.

For the next month, the organization now has two missions: Figure out which late-lottery prospects intrigue them the most, then decide whether they can find an amenable draft-day trade partner.

The Sixers should see how the top 10 of the draft plays out before making any dramatic moves. If Cody Zeller is still on the board at No. 11, for instance, they should grab him without thinking twice. For a team lacking any semblance of a stretch-4, Zeller could grow into a valuable contributor for Philadelphia.

Based on Zeller's better-than-expected showing at the 2013 draft combine, however, there's a decent chance that he's now moved into top-10-pick territory.

Assuming both Zeller and Alex Len are gone by the time the Sixers pick, new general manager Sam Hinkie will have a conundrum on his hands: Are the players projected in the 11 to 14 range considerably better than those in the 15 to 25 range?

If not, can he find a willing trade partner?

As you pore over mock drafts in the coming weeks, you'll likely notice that outside the top 10, the projections vary wildly. Some will have Pittsburgh center Steven Adams as a lottery pick, while others may consider him a fringe first-round prospect (subscription required). Gorgui Dieng could just as easily go at the No. 12 spot as he could at No. 22.

For a Sixers team with a wealth of needs (except for a starting point guard), the key will be not to fall too deeply in love with one particular player. Is drafting Kelly Olynyk at No. 11 considerably better than grabbing a guy like Dieng, Allan Crabbe or Tony Mitchell 10 picks later?

Sixers fans can rest assured of one thing: Hinkie will do his due diligence. After all, he's the one who, in his introductory press conference, preached the value of meeting prospects at the combine presumed to be outside the Sixers' projected draft range, as reported on the official NBA website.

Even if it's not a target who you could reach to now... I very much want to meet him. I very much want to quiz him. I very much want to try to understand what makes him tick, because he will be a trade target in the coming years. He will be a free-agent target in four years. He might be a maximum target to recruit on July 1 in nine years. And this instance now is worth collecting and learning.

So, if the Sixers start bringing in prospects who aren't projected lottery picks for workouts, we'll know why.

It's not necessarily that the team is considering making a crazy reach on a player who has no business being a top-15 pick, it's that Hinkie recognizes the value of keeping all of his options on the table, including a draft-day trade.

Mike Trout Cycle: Does It Matter If the Angels Star Was out on the Single?

Dan Levy — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:18:43 -0400

Mike Trout is one of the bright young stars in baseball. As a fellow South Jersey native, I'm not only happy for the kid's early success, I find myself rooting for him to succeed. It came with great joy and civic pride, then, when I saw Trout hit for the cycle in the Angels' 12-0 rout of the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday.

I immediately clicked the video on MLB.com to see the highlights and share in the excitement.

Well now, Trout sure looked out on that infield single, didn't he?

Trout's first hit of the four-hit night was a bang-bang play at first base in the third inning. While he may have looked safe at live speed, the replay sure as heck looked like Aaron Harang got his foot on the bag before Trout.

Was Trout out? More importantly, should we care if Trout was out?

Yes and yes, if you ask me. (Note: My editor and I have both watched the video many times, and he thinks Trout is safe while I see him out every time. Good thing for me, I'm writing this story, not him.)

Trout looks to be out, but with the play coming in the third inning of a game that was already 3-0—and ended up a one-sided laugher—the call had little impact on the outcome. In fact, the play had almost no impact at all, as Trout was stranded on base after Harang struck out Albert Pujols and forced a pop out from Mark Trumbo to retire the side. No harm, no problem, right?

Well…in a way, sure. The call didn't impact the outcome of the game, but it did change everything that happened after it. Pujols would have been at the plate with two outs and nobody on instead of one out and a man on first (Trout eventually stole second base).

Trumbo would have led off the fourth inning, which might have changed the horrible outcome of that stanza for Harang, who started the fourth by giving up a triple, a home run and a double to the first three batters. Not to get all Chaos Theory on Harang's outing, but the guy couldn't get out of the fourth and left the game giving up seven runs on nine hits in 3.2 innings. Things could only have been better for Harang had Trout been called out in the third.

This story, however, isn't about Harang. In a way, it's not really about Trout, either.

This is about getting the calls right.

Even if you think Trout was safe, the play was really close—so close that if he needed a single at the end of the game for the cycle (and not the home run he hit to complete the cycle) the story of the game would be as much about the call at first as the cycle itself.

It's much easier to forget about a questionable call when it doesn't have much impact at the time, but had the play come in a more significant moment, we would surely be scrutinizing the call with as much zoom and frame-by-frame video technology as we can find.

Why? Because bang-bang plays at first do matter. When a close play at first happens, all roads lead back to Armando Galarraga, don't they? What if Trout wasn't running to first base in the third inning of a blowout win where the kid eventually hit for the cycle?

What if Trout was trying to beat out a throw to first in the ninth inning of perfect game?

Would Trout have been out then?

What if Trout was trying to beat out a throw at first that plated the game-winning run against a division opponent that, come September, could be the difference between making the playoffs or not? Would Trout have been out then?

The goal of the umpires—sorry, the strictly defined role of the umpires who are employed by MLB—is to get the call right. Out or safe. That's it. That's their job.

It has been proven time and time again that it's impossible for a human being to get every call right when the game is as fast as a professional baseball game can be.

Replay is faster and better than ever, and it has been used time and again to show how often umpires miss calls at first base.

Of course, instant replay challenges are the easiest way to correct umpire mistakes—or validate the calls they get right—but truth be told, this particular play at first probably wouldn't have called for replay, especially given the circumstances of the game.

The only real answer is robot umpires.

I say that somewhat in jest—as someone working on a fictional book about robot umpires taking over baseball, my brain immediately goes to that joke every time—but the fact remains that some sort of artificial intelligence to aid the human umpires is the only way MLB is going to ensure all the bang-bang plays are correct.

What if the batters and infielders had sensors on their shoes they could easily snap in place before going out to their position, and whichever sensor touches the bag first lights up a signal to the umpire like a game of laser tag?

What if MLB allows calls to be left in the hands of the umpires until a manager chooses to challenge a bad call, and that call then gets handled by the league office like the NHL does its replays, completely taking the decision out of the hands of egomaniacs (like Angel Hernandez) who refuse, despite clear visual evidence, their call was wrong? The challenge system isn't perfect—just ask the NFL—but it's better than what baseball does now.

What if the first-base umpire was replaced by a robot? What if all the umpires other than home plate—where there is still some nuance to calling balls and strikes—were replaced by a tennis-like Hawkeye system where we could all see on the big screen whether a guy was safe or out?

None of this, of course, will happen anytime soon. For now, we have to rely on the human umpires getting most of the calls right and hoping that when they get the call wrong, it doesn't impact the outcome of that contest, or the history of the game.

Trout is in the record books as the youngest American League player in history to hit for the cycle. He was called safe at first, so he was safe at first. The hit was a single, even if maybe, just maybe, it wasn't. I suppose we all just have to be OK with that for a little while longer.