Bleacher Report - Front Page

Crowne Plaza Invitational Play Suspended Due to Inclement Weather on Day 2

Tyler Conway — Fri, 24 May 2013 22:45:02 -0400

Inclement weather was just about the only thing that could stop Matt Kuchar in Friday's second round of the 2013 Crowne Plaza Invitational.

Kuchar was five-under par through 15 holes and standing in good position on the 16th green when officials suspended play at Colonial due to an impending storm in the area (h/t Jimmy Burch of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram). The 34-year-old Kuchar is the highest-ranked player who made the trip to Fort Worth this week, and he's looked it as the course has mostly stayed in low numbers.

Kuchar will return to the course Saturday morning to finish his final three holes, where he will take a one-stroke lead over Graham DeLaet.

Here is a look at how the leaderboard shook out, with some top contenders still having holes to play:

Position	Player	Score (Hole)
1	Matt Kuchar	-10 (15)
2	Graham DeLaet	-9 (F)
T3	Josh Teater	-8 (F)
T3	Jordan Spieth	-8 (F)
T3	Steve Flesch	-8 (F)
T3	Ryan Palmer	-8 (12)
T7	Freddie Jacobson	-7 (F)
T7	Chris Stroud	-7 (F)

Weather played a major factor throughout Friday's second round, as play was suspended twice due to thunderstorms in the area. In all, 18 groups (54 golfers) that did not finish their rounds on Friday and will have to come back early Saturday morning.

For those in contention, the rain out will be a massive inconvenience. The second round will resume at 7:15 a.m. ET, bringing the golfers back to the course less than 12 hours after play was suspended. Kuchar, who was unhappy with the decision to suspend play, was noticeably dejected about returning to the course so soon.

"That's a bit of a bummer," said Kuchar (per ESPN). "It's no fun to wake up at 4:30 to get out here and play three holes."

Assuming Kuchar finishes his round at even-par or better, he will likely be in the last group of Round 3—giving him a lengthy wait in the clubhouse. If all holds, he would be paired with DeLaet, who followed up his opening-round 64 with a three-under 67 on Friday. The 31-year-old Canadian is coming off an excellent performance at the Byron Nelson and seems to be hitting his groove.

Other notables on the leaderboard include 19-year-old Jordan Spieth, whose expertise on this course dates back to his days at the University of Texas.

Saturday's third round will commence at Colonial as normally scheduled. There are no plans at this time for a Monday finish.

Follow @tylerconway22

10 Fighters Who Challenge Stereotypes About Professional Boxing

Briggs Seekins — Fri, 24 May 2013 22:44:41 -0400

Boxing is a brutal and bloody sport, so it should be no surprise if boxers are cut from rougher cloth than the general citizenry. At the same time, to master the sport well enough to have any sort of professional career takes extreme self discipline and hours of technical training. So for a lot of reasons, a fighter is not your average cat.

At the same time, an individual sport like boxing attracts a wide array of personalities. True enough that a boxer is not your average type of person. But that doesn't mean there is any such thing as an average type of boxer.

Still, some fighters challenge the typical stereotypes about boxing more than others. Inside the ring they might be classic warriors in every detail. But away from the action, they have interests, or other careers, that you just wouldn't associate with a person who gets paid to beat people up.

Begin Slideshow

Watch LeBron James End 1st Half with Twitter's Favorite Pass of the NBA Playoffs

Grant Hughes — Fri, 24 May 2013 22:23:20 -0400

Mike Miller hit the shot that pulled the Miami Heat to within six points at halftime, but LeBron James' utterly incredible pass was easily the most impressive part of the play.

James drove hard to his left as the clock ticked down in the second quarter, left his feet with no real plan and somehow saw Miller camped out in the opposite corner. As he floated down and away from the direction of his target, James reared back and fired a bullet to Miller without ever putting his left hand on the ball.

And as I read that back, I realize that words can't do justice to the inhuman way in which James delivered the ball. For what it's worth, Rudy Gay agrees about the "inhuman" part of my analysis.

Aint no way a human should be able to throw a cross court pass like @kingjames just did lol
— Rudy Gay (@rudygay22) May 25, 2013

For those of us watching at home, it was hard to appreciate how amazing the dime was. But thanks to the magic of our giant televisions, HD and slow motion, that task got easier in the immediate aftermath.

You appreciate that pass by LeBron more when you see it in slo-mo.
— Rey-Rey (@TheNoLookPass) May 25, 2013

You know when else you appreciate that pass? When you try to imagine yourself doing it.

Think about what would happen if you tried the fading, one hand, cross-court corner jump pass LeBron just pulled off.
— Couper Moorhead (@CoupNBA) May 25, 2013

I just did. And now, if anyone reading this would be so kind, could you please look up how to treat a ruptured spleen, torn labrum and whiplash all at once? I'm asking for a friend.

Hell, Mike Miller came away grimacing after he made the shot. Maybe he was vicariously injured by James' impossible contortions.

If biology isn't your thing, just think about the physics of what James did. He was fading away from Miller, already descending and had to somehow see through a sea of Pacers. There was no angle to make that pass, and what's more, there was no way he should have been physically capable of making it.

That pass LeBron made was technically impossible.
— chris palmer (@ESPNChrisPalmer) May 25, 2013

Everyone likes to joke about how James could play almost any other professional sport if he wanted to. Now, we're seeing things that imbue those jokes with a hint of seriousness.

Not sure any QB in NFL can make it. With feet planted. RT @ethanjskolnick Anyone else in the NBA make that pass from that angle?
— Steve Aschburner (@AschNBA) May 25, 2013

Unless you're James, it's probably a good idea to listen to the coaches who told you to never leave your feet unless you knew what you were going to do with the ball.

But like so many other things, the regular rules just don't apply to LBJ. And this pass proved it.

New NBA Stars Basking in the Playoff Limelight

Bryant Knox — Fri, 24 May 2013 22:15:45 -0400

There's a fine line between being a good NBA player and a great one. There's no one definition to distinguish between the two, but the postseason is where we start to separate the posers from the superstars.

The playoffs offer a grand stage for players to make the transition. The regular season is where players show what they have to offer, but the postseason is where they tease us about what is yet to come.

In case you're wondering, 2013 has been no exception.

It goes without saying that LeBron James has dominated the show. He's the best player on the planet for a reason, and the championship is his to lose at this point in the process.

But there are a handful of players who don't care about James and his status as the best player in the league. Every player has something different to offer, and we're seeing the future of the league begin to develop before our eyes.

Begin Slideshow

Cruz Azul vs America Final 2013: What Each Team Needs to Do to Win

Jeremy Fuchs — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:54:53 -0400

The Cruz Azul vs. America Final 2013 will feature a lot of good players battling it out in the second leg of the Liga MX Final.

Cruz Azul took the first leg by a score of 1-0. What do they need to do to score a second upset? And what can America do to advance?

Cruz Azul

Cruz Azul needs a superhuman performance from goalkeeper Jose de Jesus Corona. Corona stopped all 22 shots in the first leg, and held Club America scoreless.

Corona is probably the best goalie in Mexico. He was the starting goalkeeper on the 2012 Mexican gold medal-winning Olympic team. He has 81 saves in 21 games this year.

In order to advance, Corona needs to be at his best. In the second half of the first leg, America dominated. Top scorers Cristian Benitez and Raul Jimenez will be threats, and Jesus Molina and Juan Carlos Medina ran circles around Cruz Azul and midfielder Gerardo Torrado in the first leg.

Club America dominated possession in the first leg, meaning they will have more time to get quality shots off. With Cruz Azul only getting six shots off in the last match, they will need all they can get from Corona.

If he's up to the task, then Cruz Azul has a chance. However, Club America needs just one goal to advance. Corona needs to pitch another shutout against a top offensive team. It will be quite the task.

Club America

Club America has to keep up their performance from the second half of the first leg. Despite losing, America dominated possession, keeping the ball for 58 percent of the time. They had 22 shots and looked like the much better team.

Their offense had an easy time getting around the Cruz Azul defense. If not for Corona, America could have scored at least three goals.

They will take that momentum into the second leg. By keeping the pressure on Corona, it will make it more likely that the goalkeeper will make a mistake. With Cristian Benitez, Raul Jiminez and Jesus Molina making life tough for the shaky Cruz Azul defenders, a goal will eventually squeak by Corona.

Final Thoughts

Club America is a better team that Cruz Azul. Without Corona's top performance, it's likely that America would have won. They'll bring an offensive assault, something that even Corona will be hard-pressed to stop.

Look for Club America to win this one pretty easily, and advance in the Liga MX final.

Pacers Assistant Coach Brian Shaw Draws T, Yells 'Ball Don't Lie' at Missed FT

Zach Buckley — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:54:37 -0400

The Indiana Pacers know they don't have the offensive firepower to entertain thoughts of a finesse series against the Miami Heat.

They want to bring some ugliness to the Eastern Conference Finals, to physically challenge the mental fortitude of the defending champs. With a pair of bulky bruisers filling the paint and a trio of athletic, blue-collar grinders on the perimeter, they have the bodies to do it.

But there's a variable in that approach that's outside of their control. The players can only be as physical as the officials will allow.

Hoops heads might bemoan the decade-long transition away from the black-and-blue basketball that used to take center stage come playoff time.

But more than anything, players and fans simply want the game called consistently, and those nonstop whistles that have been chirping since Game 1 have at least set the tone for the series.

Of course, desiring consistency doesn't have to mean enjoying it.

Those whistles didn't relent in Game 2, and after Pacers forward Sam Young drew a questionable technical-foul call, Indiana assistant coach Brian Shaw had seen enough:

Sam Young gets a tech. Brian Shaw gets a tech, then earns the admiration of millions by yelling, "Ball don't lie!" after missed FT.
— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) May 25, 2013

Rasheed Wallace's colorful catchphrase has certainly taken on a life as large as the 6'11", four-time All-Star himself.

But there's something unique about Wallace's take on the basketball gods extending their long hands of justice, something that's forced the expression deeply into the hoops vernacular.

It often feels far more like an accurate assessment than just a memorable slogan:

Ray Allen is proof that Ball Don't Lie is a scientific principle #AmexNBA
— ok creelman (@futurematic) May 25, 2013

Free throws are never a guarantee, but they certainly seem like one when Ray Allen (a career 89.4-percent foul shooter) strolls to the charity stripe.

So if you're grading the officials on Shaw's (or Wallace's) scale, then make the technical foul on Young the right call and the one assessed to Shaw the wrong one.

Anibal Sanchez's No-Hitter vs. Twins Broken Up in 9th Inning

Patrick Clarke — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:52:27 -0400

Detroit Tigers ace Anibal Sanchez was phenomenal on Friday night, nearly throwing the second no-hitter of his career in a 6-0 win over the Minnesota Twins (via SportsCenter).

Sanchez threw 130 pitches, striking out 12 and getting plenty of run support from Miguel Cabrera and company as the Tigers picked up their fourth consecutive win, sending the reeling Twins to their 10th straight loss in the process.

Sanchez was just two outs away when Joe Mauer singled to shallow center, deflating the crowd inside Comerica Park and breaking up the no-hit bid.

It's been nearly seven years since Sanchez accomplished the feat. He threw the only no-hitter of his career as a member of the Florida Marlins in September 2006, striking out six in a 2-0 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Minnesota's starting pitcher, Samuel Deduno wasn't quite as fortunate as Sanchez on Friday, allowing nine hits and six earned runs in a little over five innings pitched.

Sanchez has made 10 starts for Detroit this season, boasting a 5-4 record. Although his ERA was decent coming into Friday's game, his season prior to this performance had been highlighted by inconsistency on the mound.

This stat from Bleacher Report MLB writer Zachary Rymer tells the tale:

A native of Maracay, Venezuela, the 29-year-old Sanchez played for the Marlins from 2006 to 2012 before being traded to Detroit last summer.

The win helps the Tigers keep pace with the Cleveland Indians in the American League Central Division, pulling Detroit to 27-19 on the season, 15-7 at home.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.

Pyscho T and Friends Open Tech Floodgates in Confrontations with LeBron, Wade

Grant Hughes — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:48:30 -0400

Physical play has marked virtually every recent meeting between the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers, and Game 2 was no different as Tyler Hansbrough and his teammates got into it with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade early and often.

Sam Young actually started things off by taking a swipe at the ball James was cradling after the whistle. It was a relatively benign play, but James took exception, probably because he knew the officials would be quick to quell any issues with a technical foul.

It also didn't hurt that James was pretty sure he'd avoid a tech himself.

Young earned the violation in the opening minutes of the second quarter, but his technical wasn't the last. Moments later, Pacers assistant Brian Shaw got his very own technicals foul for getting into it with referee Bill Kennedy.

Apparently, Kennedy thought one good tech deserved another.

Best of all, Shaw screamed "Ball don't lie!" after Ray Allen missed the second technical free throw. It appears Rasheed Wallace's absence from these playoffs won't keep us from enjoying his signature howl.

Just a couple of minutes later, we had another incident.

The Heat had been having remarkable success with their pump fakes all game long, as the Pacers defenders seemed particularly intent on preventing open jumpers. Either that, or they were a little wound up for a game they really needed to win to avoid a 0-2 hole.

At any rate, Indiana players were jumping out of their shoes at the slightest eyebrow raise from the Heat's cadre of scorers. Naturally, the insanely aggressive, bug-eyed lunatic known as "Psycho T" was chief among the leapers.

Shortly after the Young and Shaw technicals, Wade got Hansbrough airborne with a solid fake from the left wing. As the Pacers forward came down, Wade leaned in, easily drawing enough contact to earn a whistle.

But then Hansbrough, who ended up behind Wade, actually reached up and gave the Heat guard a little shove on his right shoulder. Wade, never afraid to hit the deck with slight contact, went down. Probably seeking to aggravate the situation, Wade hopped up and stared Hansbrough down.

In the midst of all that, the officials administered a technical foul to Psycho T, which was understandable. I mean, considering the guy's nickname (and incomprehensibly annoying habit of hacking everything in sight), it's hard to understand how he ever avoids techs.

The action continued after halftime, as David West took a shot at Mario Chalmers' sore shoulder. Thanks to some hard contact by West on a screen, Chalmers' shoulder is going to be hurting for a while longer.

It's hard to be sure what West's intentions were. Just kidding! He was definitely gunning for Chalmers' sore spot.

The Pacers are continuing to play well despite the few instances in which they've lost their cool, so it appears as though the Heat are in for a fight in more ways than one.

The 25 Greatest Players in Tennessee Titans History

Daniel Barnes — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:35:02 -0400

The Tennessee Titans' 2013 squad features a lot of very promising young players. Just from the last three drafts, there is Jake Locker, Akeem Ayers, Jurrell Casey, Kendall Wright, Zach Brown, Chance Warmack and Justin Hunter.

All have tons of potential, and all could end up being franchise players, but they've got a long way to go.

There have been a lot of great players in the Titans's short history in Tennessee, and here are, in this writer's opinion, the 25 best.

Begin Slideshow

Robbie Rogers Reportedly Returning to LA Galaxy as 1st Openly Gay MLS Player

Tyler Conway — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:32:23 -0400

A little more than three months after outing himself as being gay and retiring from soccer in an open letter to fans on his blog, Robbie Rogers is reportedly returning to the pitch.

According to a report from USA Today's Mike Foss and Erik Brady, the 26-year-old Rogers will join the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer next season. He will become the first openly gay player in MLS history.

There are no details on Rogers' contract, and neither the Galaxy nor Rogers have released an official statement about the signing at this time. The Chicago Fire currently hold Rogers' MLS rights, so there will be more details forthcoming about the agreement.

Rogers, a winger who last played for Stevenage on loan from Leeds United, retired from professional soccer in February after revealing his homosexuality. When announcing his retirement, he wrote at length about the difficulties faced in hiding his sexuality from the public and what a toll it took on him:

Secrets can cause so much internal damage. People love to preach about honesty, how honesty is so plain and simple. Try explaining to your loved ones after 25 years you are gay. Try convincing yourself that your creator has the most wonderful purpose for you even though you were taught differently.

However, Rogers' stance on a return to the pitch has changed in recent weeks. He's trained with the Galaxy since early in the month and has made it clear that is the only MLS franchise he had true ties to.

When asked whether he would even consider joining the Fire, Rogers said he would probably not return if that was forced upon him.

"I don’t want to go to Chicago," said Rogers (h/t Pro Soccer Talk). "I think if it comes down to you can only play in Chicago, then I probably won’t go back."

With an agreement in place to send him to Los Angeles, Rogers can go on with his career and goal of inspiring gay youth. Speaking with USA Today, Rogers said his comeback decision stemmed from a visit with Portland's Nike Be True LGBT Youth Forum in April.

"I seriously felt like a coward," Rogers said. "These kids are standing up for themselves and changing the world, and I'm 25, I have a platform and a voice to be a role model. How much of a coward was I to not step up to the plate?"

Rogers also said he hopes to join the United States Men's National Team to inspire gay youth. He was a member of the senior club from 2009-11, making 18 appearances and scoring two goals.

While Rogers actually came out first, many will be quick to compare the United winger to NBA center Jason Collins. The 34-year-old Collins became the first active openly homosexual athlete in the United States' "Big Four" male professional sports leagues via a first-person story written for Sports Illustrated.

In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter who was first. Collins and Rogers have started the conversation regarding the acceptance of homosexuality in sports and will serve as inspiration to youth dealing with the same issues.

Exposing the Luckiest Pitchers in Baseball in 2013

Jason Catania — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:18:52 -0400

Ah, to be lucky.

They say it's preferable to being good.

When it comes to Major League Baseball pitchers, it's best to be both.

So let's take a statistical stroll through the land of the lucky—a happy place filled with the starting pitchers who have been fortunate in one way or another so far this season.

FIP

You've heard of FIP, yes? That'd be Fielding Independent Pitching, if you haven't. In short, this metric measures how good a pitcher has been based on the factors he can best control—strikeouts, walks and homers—and it's scaled to look like ERA.

The chart at right lists the 20 starting pitchers who have the biggest disparity between their current ERA and their current FIP.

Put another way, these 20 hurlers are outperforming their peripherals (i.e., pitching better than expected based on the numbers).

Let's take Jeremy Guthrie, for example. As you can see, the Royals right-hander's ERA is 3.49—plenty respectable, even in today's pitching-dominated game. But Guthrie's FIP? Well, that's a not-very-respectable 5.88—worst overall in baseball.

The reason? Well, there are three:

Guthrie is striking out just 4.9 per nine
Guthrie is walking 3.0 per nine
Guthrie is allowing homers on 18.3 percent of his fly balls

Put it all together, and Mr. Guthrie has been one extremely lucky pitcher.

While all of the pitchers in the list are benefiting from some form of good fortune or another, this doesn't mean they're anywhere near as lucky as Guthrie, and it doesn't mean their performances to date are bound to come crashing down.

To figure that out, we'll dig a little deeper and explore some revealing underlying metrics that show who's really gettin' lucky, if you will.

BABIP

BABIP's full name, as you well know by now, is Batting Average on Balls in Play.

This is a key component to help determine lucky pitchers—those with extremely low BABIPs—since we can compare a hurler's BABIP in a given season against his career number, which is what the chart below shows with regard to the 10 arms who have the lowest BABIPs in baseball.

First, it's worth pointing out that the bottom of the chart indicates the league-average BABIP in 2013 is .292. Typically, this number is in the .295-.300 range, but again, pitchers are ruling the world, so even the leaguewide BABIP number is lower than usual.

The third column is the operative one. If a pitcher's 2013 BABIP is well below his career norm, this is marked in red. If it's not egregiously lower, that's yellow. And the green indicates a current BABIP that's not too far off from career BABIP.

The gist here? BABIPs tend to regress to the league average (.292), while taking an individual pitcher's career BABIP into account.

So when you see the BABIPs of Travis Wood (.193 BABIP) and Matt Moore (.197 BABIP) compared to the league average (.292) and their career figures (.262 and .275, respectively), the conclusion is that they've had more than a little luck when batters make contact against them.

No wonder Wood's ERA is 2.24, and Moore's is 2.29.

LOB%

LOB% stands for Left On Base percentage.

This bad boy puts a percentage on the number of runners a pitcher leaves on the bases. The higher the percentage, the luckier the pitcher: A LOB% of 100 would mean that every runner a pitcher put on base didn't come around to score.

Here are the 10 highest:

The league average this year is 73.1, and any pitcher who strays too far from that is likely to regress.

Since all 10 of the hurlers above are well above the MLB average, the third column—the difference between career LOB% and current LOB%—comes into play.

Similar to the BABIP chart above, red means a very large disparity that is likely to come down, yellow a decent-sized one and green is minor.

Looking at the lone green box, Hisashi Iwakuma of the Mariners appears to have a knack for preventing baserunners from scoring, as his career LOB% is almost 10 percent north of the 2013 league average.

Of course, he also has an incredible 0.87 WHIP, so he's not letting many runners get on in the first place.

Iwakuma's been lucky compared to all other pitchers, but maybe not as lucky as you might think based on his history (which, admittedly, encompasses only a season-and-a-half in the majors).

HR/FB

This one's short for Home Runs per Fly Ball rate, and it measures how often a fly ball hit against a pitcher goes over the fence.

Luck comes into play here in that a low HR/FB corresponds to good fortune, because fewer flies are flying far (and gone).

Again, the 10:

The MLB average rate at which fly balls turn into home runs is 11.1 percent—basically one out of every nine goes over the fence.

Let's check column No. 3. This time, there's no green box, because no pitcher who's been fortunate in the percentage of homers-to-flies is all that close to their career rates. In other words, all of them are candidates to see a spike in homers allowed.

To put some some context to this in the form of actual numbers, take Jhoulys Chacin. The Rockies righty has given up 43 fly balls this season—and only a single homer.

That obviously won't last, which is why Chacin has been lucky, and why his 4.10 ERA will likely rise.

Who's Been the Luckiest?

Now that we've run through FIP, BABIP, LOB% and HR/FB, which starters have been the most lucky so far?

Among those in the top 20 in FIP-ERA differential:

Matt Moore also ranks in the top 10 in lowest BABIP and highest LOB%
Patrick Corbin places in the top 10 in highest LOB% and lowest HR/FB
Hisashi Iwakuma comes into the top 10 in lowest BABIP and highest LOB%
Jordan Zimmermann is in the top 10 in lowest BABIP, highest LOB% and lowest HR/FB

A good argument could be made that all four of those arms have had luck on their side as a big part of their hot starts. Whether their inevitable regressions will be slight or more severe remains to be seen, but there's something else to point out about those four.

They've not only been lucky, they've been good.

All statistics from FanGraphs, unless otherwise noted.

UFC 160: Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio Silva Weigh-in Results Video Highlights

Trent Reinsmith — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:14:49 -0400

The weigh-ins are over for UFC 160 and all but one fighter came in on weight. The only fighter to come in over was preliminary-card fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov checked in at 158.5 for his 155-pound lightweight limit bout against Abel Trujillo.

For missing weight, Nurmagomedov will surrender part of his purse:

The only other fighter who had a problem was Nah-Shon Burrell, who came in at 172 on his first attempt. Burrell received an earful from White, most likely due to the fact that he also missed weight in his first UFC bout, but Burrell made weight on his second attempt:

The weigh-ins had a special guest accompany Dana White to the stage, Mike Tyson. It was interesting to watch a clearly excited Tyson stand beside White during the weigh-in process. The former champ looked genuinely excited to meet the fighters as they squared up for their staredowns.

Here are the highlights from the co-main event and main event weigh-ins:

Full UFC 160 weigh-in results:

Cain Velasquez (240) vs. Antonio Silva (263)

Junior dos Santos (239) vs. Mark Hunt (264)

James Te Huna (206) vs. Glover Teixeira (205)

T.J. Grant (155) vs. Gray Maynard (156)

Donald Cerrone (155) vs. KJ Noons (156)

Mike Pyle (170) vs. Rick Story (169)

Dennis Bermudez (146) vs. Max Holloway (145)

Colton Smith (170) vs. Robert Whittaker (171)

Khabib Nurmagomedov (158.5) vs. Abel Trujillo (155)

Nah-Shon Burrell (172)* vs. Stephen Thompson (170)

Brian Bowles (135) vs. George Roop (135)

Estevan Payan (145) vs. Jeremy Stephens (146)

* made weight on second attempt

Spurs vs. Grizzlies: Biggest Storylines Through First 2 Games

Tyler Brooke — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:06:51 -0400

The Western Conference Finals has featured plenty of intriguing storylines. Even if the San Antonio Spurs are up 2-0 over the Memphis Grizzlies, this has still been an entertaining series to watch.

After the Oklahoma City Thunder fell to the Grizzlies, the expectations were that the Spurs would represent the West in the NBA Finals. It’s certainly looking like that right now, but there are a few other stories that earn some attention through the first two games.

The Struggles of Zach Randolph

After playing quite well during the first two playoff series, the Spurs have certainly frustrated Randolph early on in the series.

Game 1 was not pretty for Randolph, who was one of the top scorers for the team during the regular season. He went only 1-for-8 from the field, scoring only two points in the entire game.

By the time Game 2 came around, Randolph seemed determined to take more shots. He finished the game with 15 points and 18 rebounds, but shot 6-of-18 from the floor and a terrible 3-of-8 from the free throw line.

Through the first two games of this series, Randolph is only shooting 26.9 percent. The frontcourt of Tim Duncan and Tiago Splitter has done a great job of containing him, and the Grizzlies have sorely missed his consistent contributions.

Randolph will look to make a bigger impact during the remainder of the series. If he doesn’t turn it around, the Grizzlies will be in big trouble.

Kawhi Leonard the Spurs’ X-Factor

Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili get plenty of attention from opposing teams, but Leonard has stepped up in the playoffs.

Leonard has actually looked better and better as the playoffs go on. His numbers have improved after each series, and now things are looking very impressive through the first two games.

The first game of the series was big for Leonard. He went 7-of-10 from the floor and 4-of-5 from behind the arc, putting up 18 points in the victory. In Game 2, he went 5-of-9 and finished with 12.

Everyone likes to focus on the Spurs’ Big Three, but Leonard has already made a big impact on this series.

Can the Grizzlies Turn it Around at Home?

The Grizzlies were unable to win either game in San Antonio, but it’s a different story for this team when they play at home.

While playing at home, the Grizzlies went 32-9 in the regular season. In the playoffs, they’ve gone 5-0 when in Memphis.

The fans in Memphis are always intense. The motto of “Believe Memphis” has been popular for some time around the city, and fans are hoping that the Grizzlies can win yet again at home.

In the last 20 games between these two teams, the home team has won 17 of them. There seems to be something about these teams playing at home, and that could be a sign of things to come in the next two games in Memphis.

Breaking Down the Transfer Rumour: Wayne Rooney to Paris Saint-Germain

Will Tidey — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:06:44 -0400

Wayne Rooney has handed in a transfer request at Manchester United, this we know.

The 27-year-old, who has won five Premier League titles and a Champions League at Old Trafford, is clearly ready for a new challenge, and Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly keen to offer it to him.

The Guardian reports PSG are prepared to match Rooney's estimated wage of £300,000 per week at United. The transfer fee being mooted is around $60 million (Bloomberg).

French champions PSG would be looking to pair Rooney with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the maverick genius who led their quest to the French title and Champions League quarterfinals this season.

Will Rooney take up their offer? And, if he does, what would United stand to lose without him? What might they gain?

Equally, let us consider the implications for PSG should Rooney swap England for France next season.

In this clip, B/R's Will Tidey breaks down the implications of a possible deal and weighs up the likelihood of it coming to fruition.

J.A. Happ's Return Will Make or Break Toronto's Playoff Hopes

Benjamin Klein — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:02:59 -0400

Between poor pitching and a severe injury, 2013 has not been friendly to Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher J.A. Happ.

Happ was drilled with a comebacker off the bat of Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Desmond Jennings on May 7. Happ was rushed to the hospital and was later diagnosed with a minor fracture to the left side of his skull, according to Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com.

Happ also managed to twist his knee while falling to the ground, but it will not require surgery, reports Chisholm.

Happ was placed on the 15-day disabled list by Toronto a day later and on Friday was moved to the 60-day DL, according to Andrew Simon of MLB.com. July 7 is now the earliest that Happ can return, but as Shi Davidi of SportsNet reports, he’s still waiting on his knee to fully recover:

Before the injury, Happ hadn’t been pitching very well. He made seven starts for the Blue Jays, going 2-2 with a 4.91 ERA in 33 innings of work. He had some serious command issues, though, averaging 5.18 walks per nine innings, the most of any Toronto starter with at least five starts.

The Blue Jays have started the season on a poor note, entering Friday in the cellar of the AL East, 8.5 games behind the division-leading New York Yankees. While most of the team has yet to click yet, the starting rotation has clearly been Toronto’s biggest weakness.

Over the winter, though, it appeared the Blue Jays would have a very strong staff. They acquired R.A. Dickey from the New York Mets and Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle from the Miami Marlins. None of those three have an ERA under 4.50.

The Blue Jays in general have the fourth-worst starting rotation in baseball in terms of WAR, according to FanGraphs. They’re walking more batters every nine innings than all but two teams in the league. Things just haven’t gone according to plan for the team north of the border.

Once Happ comes off the disabled list, presumably after the All-Star break, in my non-professional opinion, it’s make-or-break for the Blue Jays. He can either spark this team and potentially lead them to a postseason berth or he can continue to pitch like he did before getting hurt and Toronto can battle for a top draft choice.

Toronto certainly has the talent to make a strong second-half push, but everyone is going to have to hit and pitch their best, including Happ.

Since 2009, though, Happ hasn’t been very good. He went 6-4 with a 3.40 ERA and a 4.84 BB/9 in 2010 between the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros. He went 6-15 in 2011 with Houston and 10-11 with the Astros and Blue Jays last season. This season has easily been his worst nightmare, though.

In Happ’s first full season in the big leagues, he looked great. He went 12-4 with a 2.93 ERA in 35 appearances (23 starts). He had solid command of nearly all of his pitches and looked to have a high ceiling. As I mentioned, he’s been a bit of a letdown ever since.

Happ is more than capable of pitching like an ace—or at least a front-of-the-rotation stater. It may be a bit bold to say, but the remainder of the Blue Jays’ season rests in the left hand of Happ.

His teammates will want to put as many runs on the board as possible for him once he returns, and if he can have a couple of quality starts, Toronto could turn its season around. But it could go even more south just as quickly.

Curtis Granderson Injury: Updates on Yankees Star's Hand

Ethan Grant — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:01:18 -0400

The New York Yankees had just welcomed outfielder Curtis Granderson back into the lineup after an injury forced him out of action for the early part of the 2013 season, but on Friday night against the Tampa Bay Rays, the 32-year-old had another medical scare.

UPDATE: Friday, May 24, at 10:46 p.m. ET by Ian Hanford

According to MLB.com reporter Bryan Hoch, Granderson will miss a minimum of four weeks:

---End of update---

UPDATE: Friday, May 24, at 9:50 p.m. ET by Ian Hanford

According to New York Daily News reporter Mark Feinsand, Granderson has a fracture in the fifth metacarpal of his left pinky finger:

---End of update---

Hit on the left hand by a pitch in the top half of the fifth inning by Rays reliever Cesar Ramos, Granderson did not return to the outfield for the bottom half of the frame.

ESPN's Buster Olney tweeted as Granderson left the lineup:

Bryan Hoch of MLB.com then reported that Ichiro had replaced Granderson in right field:

Granderson was originally forced out of the lineup prior to the season after a fastball thrown by Toronto Blue Jays starter J.A. Happ drilled him on the right forearm.

As Jack Curry later noted on Twitter, the way teammates were patting him on the back in the dugout could indicate a serious malady that will need attention in the next few days:

He made his return to the lineup on May 14 against the Seattle Mariners, going 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in his first MLB action of the 2013 season.

Playing in seven other games since, Granderson had seven hits (one home run) in 26 at-bats heading into Friday night's showdown with Tampa Bay. He was 0-for-2 when he exited with the hand injury, but did come around to score in the fifth after being struck.

Granderson is a career .262 hitter and has 211 home runs during his time in the pros.

Traded to the Yankees prior to the 2010 season, Granderson had no problem staying healthy during his first three seasons in pinstripes. He played in 156 and 160 games, respectively, during the past two seasons and was an All-Star in both.

He also led the league in runs scored and RBI during the 2011 campaign.

As Olney noted on Twitter, this would be the definition of bad luck for the Grandy Man if he is forced to return to the disabled list due to an injury that is similar in nature to the one that originally forced him out of the lineup:

After exiting the game and heading to the locker room after the inning, all we can do now is await the news of further tests on his left hand to see what the diagnosis might be.

Why Nate Robinson Is as Good as Gone for Chicago Bulls

Kelly Scaletta — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:53:20 -0400

Nate Robinson may have provided Chicago Bulls fans with many of their greatest thrills of the 2012-13 season, but unfortunately, he is as good as gone from the Bulls. There are just too many realities getting in the way.

First, there is the fact that the Bulls have an abundance of point guards already under contract. Derrick Rose will be back at long last, and obviously he is going to get the bulk of the minutes. (As an aside, let’s set aside any silly debates about the return for one article please.)

Kirk Hinrich has another year on his contract and will serve as Rose’s primary backup and probably serve some time as a shooting guard. Whatever thoughts you have on Hinrich, two things are indisputable. He is on a guaranteed contract, and in coach Tom Thibodeau’s mind, he’s ahead of Robinson on the depth chart.

Marquis Teague is going to be getting the remaining minutes of playing time, if there are any scraps left to give. It would appear the long-term plan here is to cultivate Teague for the backup job after Hinrich’s tenure is done following the season.

Teague will need to at least play enough minutes to gain the experience to assume that job, or at least indicate whether or not he has the potential to fill it.

That isn’t going to leave a lot of minutes for a fourth-string point guard.

Second, If Robinson were still available for the minimum on a non-guaranteed contract, it would be one thing, but he won’t be. Fortunately for him, he played too well to have to settle for another such contract. He will garner around $3 million and a multi-year deal, neither of which is something the Bulls are poised to offer.

Chicago just doesn’t have the money or financial flexibility to do anything to keep Robinson. You might think $3 million isn't much money, but for the Bulls—who will be handcuffed by taxpayer constraints—it is a lot of money because it's all they can spend.

They have very little funds to play with, already committed to $73 million next season, according to Sham Sports (minus Hamilton's salary).

By rule, they can only add a taxpayer mid-level exception (TME) for $3.2 million and fill out the rest with veteran's minimum players. Are they going to use that on Robinson, a fourth-string point guard, when they have greater needs?

Chicago has two priorities this offseason. First, it needs a fourth big man who can play meaningful minutes. Nazr Mohammed had his moments, but it’s pretty evident he isn’t going to ever be a part of the regular rotation.

Second, it needs another wing. While Jimmy Butler did a fantastic job at shooting guard, and looks to be the new starter moving forward, it means that now there is a giant hole at a backup wing. With Luol Deng playing massive minutes, and now Butler as well, it’s evident the Bulls need to bring in a player who can fill that void.

They need to fill these two voids, and the best options are to use the draft to fill one and their TME to fill the other, rounding out the team with veteran minimum players. What they do with which may well depend on who is available to them in the draft at the No. 20 spot.

They may use the exception to keep Marco Belinelli and use the pick to land a big. That would present a problem in that Belinelli is not big enough, or a capable enough defender to guard the 3, which would probably mean that Deng would play excessive minutes again.

Chicago could try to grab Ronnie Brewer, who signed last year for the veteran’s minimum, and bring him back to back up both Butler and Deng, then use the draft pick to find a wing to cultivate and use the minimum mid-level to bring in a respectable defender, such as Samuel Dalembert (although some of these things are a mystery as to how much players get paid and why).

Regardless of how it works out, the inevitability is that Robinson is going to be out in the cold. He would be a nicety for the Bulls to have, but when you have necessities to be met, you need to forgo niceties.

Why Jose Mourinho's Return to Chelsea Will Herald a New Era of Success

Rowanne Westhenry — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:45:22 -0400

2013 marks 10 years since Roman Abramovich turned around the fortunes of Chelsea FC. The club were in dire financial straits before he arrived, and the decade of success that they have since enjoyed was beyond their wildest dreams.

It is also nine years since he first brought Jose Mourinho to Chelsea. Having given incumbent manager Claudio Ranieri a year and an open chequebook, Abramovich looked to the Special One to provide him with the glory that he craved. Mourinho delivered beyond expectation, and a love affair was born.

The passionate relationship was short-lived, and what followed has been well-documented, as the Russian has seen off another seven managers since Mourinho. However, the 10th anniversary of his takeover offers the rare opportunity of a clean slate.

It has been an emotional time for the supporters, from the greatest highs to some crushing lows, but this is a chance to make up for some of the mistakes that have been made. Bringing Jose Mourinho back to the club that loves him most is the best possible situation for all involved, if his words in the Guardian are to be believed.

Including those currently out on loan, Chelsea will have 39 players for 2013-14 with an average age of 23.5 years. Mourinho will also inherit six players that he worked with six years ago, giving him the perfect blend of youth, experience and incredible talent.

Whilst his probable return has prompted a glut of ridiculous transfer rumours, the Special One won't need to splash much cash at all to fine-tune the squad.

The midfield is overloaded with attacking talent, and the emergence of Nathan Ake along with David Luiz in a more advanced role is beginning to stabilise the back. The Blues need another centre-half to work within a rotation system, but with 19-year-old Brazilian Wallace joining the fight for the right-back position, it looks as if Mourinho could create another unbreachable defence.

The most virulent rumours surround strikers and enormous sums of money, but there is a case to be argued that they should look closer to home for their saviour.

Romelu Lukaku scored more Premier League goals on a seasonlong loan at West Bromwich Albion than Fernando Torres has scored in his three years at Chelsea. The towering Belgian is ready to compete with the superstars within the squad, and the Special One is the perfect manager to give him his chance.

There have also been suggestions in the Daily Mail that Thibaut Courtois will be brought back to Stamford Bridge to compete for Petr Cech's position on the teamsheet, and the likes of Nathan Chalobah and Lucas Piazon could join the senior squad.

All things considered, Mourinho has the potential to build an incredible dynasty at Chelsea. Money is not an obstacle; rather it all hinges on whether Abramovich has learnt how to be patient.

The first 10 years of the Roman Empire have been about establishing Chelsea's position on the global stage by any means necessary. Mourinho's return brings the perfect chance to complement their success with the one thing that the club has lacked: stability.

Amnesty Provision Plan for LA Lakers

Jeff Nisius — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:42:57 -0400

The Los Angeles Lakers are in for a tumultuous summer. Not only are they going up against the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks to retain the services of Dwight Howard, but their payroll is also unbelievably high. Oh yeah, and they still need to make a decision on Mike D’Antoni’s future and hope Kobe Bryant’s rehab goes according to plan.

With so much at stake and very little wiggle room to sign free agents, the Lakers brass could choose to use their amnesty provision on someone. This would allow them to clear that player’s contract from their payroll, no longer counting against the salary cap or luxury tax.

Many have discussed the idea of using the clause on Pau Gasol, who was basically misused under D’Antoni, or Metta World Peace. Peace is clearly not worth the $7.7 million he is due to be paid this season, although it is the last year of the contract.

There have also been talks of the Lakers potentially using the amnesty clause on Kobe Bryant. While that might sound like a great idea for Lakers fans because it could help free up enough cap space to make a run at Chris Paul while re-signing Dwight, it’s inconceivable.

No franchise player deserves to be treated that way, especially Kobe Bryant, who has brought five championships to the franchise. Not to mention he had another age-defying season and has proven he is still one of the elite players in the NBA.

Let’s take a look at how amnestying Pau Gasol would impact the Lakers. Also, for both of these scenarios, we would expect Dwight Howard to re-sign with the Lakers; otherwise, it might not make much sense to use it on either player.

Amnestying Pau would save $19.28 million for certain. However, with Dwight re-signing, that would bump the Lakers’ payroll near $97 million for next season with only five guaranteed deals on the books, which includes Kobe’s contract.

Due to the new collective bargaining agreement, the NBA’s new luxury tax penalties are beginning this season. Larry Coon summarized the new tax system extremely well in an ESPN article.

Teams pay $1 for every $1 their salary is above the luxury-tax threshold in 2011-12 and 2012-13. Starting in 2012-13, teams pay an incremental tax that increases with every $5 million above the tax threshold ($1.50, $1.75, $2.50, $3.25, etc.). Teams that are repeat offenders (paying tax at least four out of the past five seasons) have a tax that is higher still -- $1 more at each increment ($2.50, $2.75, $3.50, $4.25, etc.)[…]

Taxpaying teams have a smaller mid-level exception, can acquire less salary in trade, and cannot use the biannual exception. Starting in 2013-14, teams more than $4 million above the tax level cannot receive a player in a sign-and-trade transaction.

Teams pay $1 for every $1 their salary is above the luxury-tax threshold in 2011-12 and 2012-13. Starting in 2012-13, teams pay an incremental tax that increases with every $5 million above the tax threshold ($1.50, $1.75, $2.50, $3.25, etc.). Teams that are repeat offenders (paying tax at least four out of the past five seasons) have a tax that is higher still -- $1 more at each increment ($2.50, $2.75, $3.50, $4.25, etc.)[…]

Taxpaying teams have a smaller mid-level exception, can acquire less salary in trade, and cannot use the biannual exception. Starting in 2013-14, teams more than $4 million above the tax level cannot receive a player in a sign-and-trade transaction.

With Gasol on the roster and Howard being brought back, the Lakers would pay a minimum of $72.25 million just in luxury taxes. Amnestying Gasol would reduce the Lakers’ payroll back down to around $77 million with between six and eight players on the roster. The Lakers would then have the taxpayer mid-level exception and the veteran minimum to fill out the roster.

It seems unlikely the Lakers would opt to cut Gasol free. The more likely scenario would be to amnesty Metta World Peace or not use the exception at all. The Lakers would not gain much, other than some tax savings, by amnestying Metta, but they would also lose a key member of their rotation.

The Lakers have notoriously spent what it takes to build a championship-caliber contender. While they certainly could save a considerable amount of money by using the clause on either player, Kobe Bryant’s injury might have changed the strategy.

The Lakers are going to need every single wing on the roster to be productive next season while Kobe is sidelined. Amnestying Metta would definitely leave a big hole in the wing rotation, and using it on Pau would eliminate the team’s second-best healthy player. Expect the Lakers to keep all hands on deck in order to appease Kobe and attempt to stay within striking distance of the playoffs until Kobe can return.

Big Baby Davis: NBA Playoffs Podium Police

NBA365 Productions — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:36:47 -0400

The NBA playoffs are an exciting time of year. The best players and teams get to compete for the most coveted trophy in basketball. Players exhibit some of their best abilities on the court, yet that is not the only place they show off.

NBA players have a certain dress code to follow. They must present themselves in a professional manner pre- and postgame. Their attire is somewhat regulated, so these athletes have taken professionalism to the next level, and the playoffs are the perfect time to show off their style.

Glen "Big Baby" Davis and Lance Fresh join us to break down podium fashion from some of the NBA's best.

Which players got it right? Let us know in the comments below.

#AYO

Follow Big Baby

Follow Lance Fresh

Fallon Fox vs. Allanna Jones: Live Play-by-Play and Twitter Reaction

Matt Juul — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:32:31 -0400

Transgender female fighter Fallon Fox takes on Allanna Jones in tonight's co-main event at CFA 11.

The featherweight has garnered a ton of attention recently after Sports Illustrated published a profile of her. The news caused a bit of controversy in the MMA community and even made national headlines.

There's no doubt that all eyes will be on Fox when she enters the cage for tonight's semifinal bout.

Make sure to catch the fights when they start at 9 p.m. ET live on AXS TV, and don't forget to check back here for all of the latest reactions from Twitter before, during and after tonight's must-see women's matchup.

Indy 500 Lineup: Ranking Top Contenders in the Field

Joseph Zucker — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:19:38 -0400

The eyes of the motorsports world are descending upon the Indianapolis 500 this Sunday.

While there are 33 drivers in the field, there are a select few that have distanced themselves from the pack in terms of contention. Sure any driver could hypothetically win, but fans will be focusing on the drivers with the best chances to reign victorious at the Indy 500.

Here is the lineup for the Indy 500, followed by the top contenders based on current standings and history in the race.

Starting Lineup (via IndyCar.com)

Pos.	Driver	Car No.
1	Ed Carpenter	20
2	Carlos Munoz	26
3	Marco Andretti	25
4	E.J. Viso	5
5	A.J. Allmendinger	2
6	Will Power	12
7	Ryan Hunter-Reay	1
8	Helio Castroneves	3
9	James Hinchcliffe	27
10	J.R. Hildebrand	4
11	Alex Tagliani	98
12	Tony Kanaan	11
13	Oriol Servia	22
14	Justin Wilson	19
15	Sebastien Bourdais	7
16	Scott Dixon	9
17	Dario Franchitti	10
18	Takuma Sato	14
19	Charlie Kimball	83
20	James Jakes	16
21	Simon Pagenaud	77
22	Townsend Bell	60
23	Ryan Briscoe	8
24	Simona de Silvestro	78
25	Josef Newgarden	21
26	Graham Rahal	15
27	Sebastian Saavedra	6
28	Tristan Vautier	55
29	Ana Beatriz	18
30	Pippa Mann	63
31	Connor Daly	41
32	Buddy Lazier	91
33	Katherine Legge	81

4. Helio Castroneves

Helio Castroneves is one of two active drivers who have won the Indy 500 on three different occasions. The last one came in 2009. Since that win, Castroneves has been solid, if unspectacular at the Indy 500. He finished ninth in 2010, 17th in 2011 and 10th in 2012.

Regardless of that run, Castroneves is not a driver you want to count out at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Plus, he's had a nice start to 2013. He's third in the standings and has finished in the top five in half of his races.

With his recent history in Indianapolis, Castroneves shouldn't be considered the favorite, but he's definitely in the discussion.

3. Marco Andretti

Marco Andretti would be higher if it wasn't for the Andretti Curse. Nobody in the famed Andretti family has managed to win the Indy 500. Bad luck has hit any Andretti driver at the most inopportune occasions, and it's gotten to the point where you have to see an Andretti win the race before you can believe it can happen.

Curses aside, Andretti is a very good driver. He's second in the points standings this year, only 13 behind Takuma Sato. He's finished in the top five twice and in the top 10 three times. If Andretti doesn't win, you should expect him to remain somewhere near the leading drivers.

Starting out at third lets Andretti get out to a fast start and near the top quickly without actually competing to be the leader.

2. Scott Dixon

Scott Dixon has remained one of the most consistent drivers in IndyCar over the last five or so seasons. He won the points title in 2008, and has since finished second in 2009 and third in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Dixon sits fifth through the first four races of 2013.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been kind to Dixon as well. He won in 2008 and has runner-up finishes in 2007 and 2012.

Having already conquered the race before, Dixon knows how to plan a winning strategy. At 16th, he can sit back and make a run for the lead at the most opportune time.

1. Dario Franchitti

Dario Franchitti is the other active driver along with Castroneves who has won the Indy 500 three times.

He hasn't had a great start to 2013. Franchitti is just 15th in the standings with two DNFs. It's an inauspicious beginning, and one he'll look to be atoning for in Indianapolis.

If there's one place where Franchitti can find his groove, it's at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He's been the winner there three of the last five years. It's a bit like when two rivals go against one another and the announcers say, "Throw the records out the window."

With Franchitti, forget about his poor start and focus just on the driver. He's already proven himself on multiple occasions and should be considered the favorite for the Indy 500.

Why Do Boxing Fans Want the Superfights and Not the Better Fights?

Kevin McRae — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:16:44 -0400

Boxing fans, it seems, spend more of their time discussing, debating and arguing over mythical superfights than actually enjoying the good fights going on right in front of them.

Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao rumors are still one of the hottest topics in the sport today. This despite the fact that the fight is further away than ever, and the debate over who deserves the title of pound-for-pound king is settled.

But yet, these rumors garner more mainstream attention, from both boxing fans and sports media, than great fights like we've seen recently between Brandon Rios and Mike Alvarado, and Abner Mares and Daniel Ponce De Leon. Even Timothy Bradley was highly entertaining in a very good scrap against Ruslan Provodnikov earlier this year.

Despite these great fights, and great moments, the boxing world seems fixated on the concept of superfights. Floyd Mayweather, fresh off his dominant win over Robert Guerrero, has been linked to Saul "Canelo" Alvarez since the rising Mexican star captured a world title.

Would Mayweather vs. Alvarez be a huge event? Absolutely. Would it generate huge money for both competitors and raise the profile of the sport? Without question. But is it the best fight out there? That's a whole different question.

It all depends on what you look for in a fight. Canelo presents some unique wrinkles that Mayweather hasn't faced in some time—he's bigger, stronger and heavier—but he's also 22 years old, raw and still growing into the game.

Same thing with Manny Pacquiao. Many have been critical of the Pacman's recent decision to face Brandon "Bam Bam" Rios in China this November, rather than seek out a bigger fight. Leaving to the side the lack of bigger available fights, this logic too quickly discredits Rios as a challenger.

Would facing Marquez, Bradley or Mayweather be a bigger fight? Yes. But again, that doesn't equate to a better fight.

So why do boxing fans obsess over superfights, rather than better fights?

There are a few reasons for that are easily identifiable.

For one, boxing is no longer the huge mainstream sport it once was during its peak. During the 1980s and early 1990s, boxing was one of the biggest sports in the nation.

Network television, and cable providers such as ESPN, invested heavily in the sport, carrying not only fights, but fight preview specials for the biggest contests.

That emphasis has shifted in recent years, as resources have tightened and been reinvested toward other sports, which now forces the major sports media outlets to only cover the biggest of the big fights. And as a consequence, they only cover the biggest of the big fighters.

That's why Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao will always find a home on ESPN, but lesser-known fighters will never receive that sort of mainstream attention. To the casual fan, who doesn't slog through the hundreds of boxing blogs and websites available for up-to-date information, his universe consists of only what he receives from mainstream outlets.

The fact is that networks and the mainstream sports media just don't invest in boxing the way they once did. And that constricts the universe of fights people want to see.

Running hand in hand with the lack of mainstream attention to the sport, which holds a great number of fighters back, is the proliferation of pay-per-view as the vehicle for delivering big fights. Fights like Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao haven't appeared on regular pay cable in years.

When boxing fans decide to shell out upward of $60 bucks for a PPV, even more for high definition, they not only want to be able to identify both fighters, they want an event of some significance for their money.

Take for example the most recent PPV event involving the sport's pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather. The main event of that card featured Mayweather vs. Robert Guerrero for the WBC Welterweight Championship.

Now you can argue that any fight involving Mayweather is by definition a superfight, due to his box-office draw and appeal to mainstream fans, but it's clear that he elevated Guerrero to this level and not vice versa.

The best fight on the card, however, both on paper and in the ring that night, was Abner Mares and Daniel Ponce De Leon. But how many people bought the PPV for that fight? Probably a few, but certainly a pittance compared to those who tuned in for the superfight main event.

And this trend will continue as long as boxing gets short shrift in the mainstream sports media, which prevents most fighters from reaching the public's eye, and as long as PPV remains the venue for the biggest fights.

But there is reason for optimism, even if it's guarded. Recent efforts to return boxing to free network television could not only draw more fans to the sport, but also give fighters a chance to showcase their skills to a wider audience.

When the fans get to see more fighters, and exciting ones they may never have been exposed to otherwise, they will start to see that there are better fights out there than the so-called mythical superfights. And that way, all of us will be treated to better fights, even if they don't meet the standards of a so-called superfight.

Barcelona Transfer Rumors: Latest Buzz on Neymar and Thiago Alcantara

Patrick Clarke — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:12:43 -0400

Despite securing the La Liga title this season, Barcelona suffered some gut-wrenching defeats in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League this spring, suggesting that changes are necessary in order for the European power to reach new heights in 2013-14.

With Lionel Messi in the midst of his prime and playing at an unrivaled level, luring top talent to Camp Nou shouldn't be all that difficult.

Here we'll break down a pair of transfer rumors surrounding the club, both of which could potentially have a mighty impact on the look of the squad moving forward.

Neymar On His Way to Camp Nou?

According to ESPN's Max Bretos, Barcelona is getting very close to acquiring electric forward Neymar from Brazilian club Santos:

The 21-year-old striker has been linked to Barca through numerous reports recently, and given that the Spanish powerhouse is routinely vying for La Liga titles and seemingly always in the UEFA Champions League mix, who wouldn't want to be in Camp Nou?

Neymar has scored 136 goals in over 220 appearances for Santos since 2009 and is widely regarded as one of if not the top young strikers in the game today.

A player with very few weaknesses on the pitch, Neymar is a wizard with the ball at his feet, capable of creating for himself or others. There are no questions about his ability to finish around the box or navigate through opposing defenses.

If teamed with Lionel Messi at the top of the Barcelona lineup, Neymar could become even more lethal.

Thiago Alcantara Headed to Old Trafford?

While Barcelona looks set to bring in a new talent this summer, there's a chance that the club could be waving goodbye to another young face.

According to Goal.com's Paul Clennam, English Premier League champion Manchester United still has interest in Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara, a 22-year-old who has struggled to earn playing time in Camp Nou:

Manchester United's new manager David Moyes has identified Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara as a key transfer target this summer.

The former Everton boss, who arrived at Carrington on Monday to meet with club staff after replacing Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, is set to maintain United's long-standing interest in the 22-year-old.

Sir Alex made informal enquiries regarding the youngster's availability two years ago but was rebuffed by Barcelona, who rewarded Thiago with a four-year contract in 2011.

Alcantara has 11 goals in 99 appearances for Barca since 2009, but hasn't been featured quite as often as he would like for the Spanish Primera Division champions.

Clennam adds the following regarding Alcantara's release clause:

The midfielder has a release clause of €90 million (£77m) in his current contract with the Spanish champions - though reports in Spain have suggested this may have been dropped to as low as €17m (£14.5m) in recent weeks.

It's not expected that finances will be much of an issue to bring Alcantara to Old Trafford, assuming the club can muster up roughly £15 million to cover his release clause. And given the energy and skill Alcantara can bring to United's midfield, it's hard to argue he isn't worth every bit.

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.

NFL Reportedly Proposes New HGH Testing to Players Union

Ethan Grant — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:11:10 -0400

The NFL is determined to require players to submit to human-growth-hormone testing during the 2013 season and onward, and talks between the league and the NFL Players Association are reportedly heating up.

According to NFL.com's Albert Breer, the NFL delivered a new proposal to the Players Union on April 24. In that report, the league apparently relaxed its standards on game-day testing to try to appease the needs of the players. Avoiding game-day testing had been a big hang-up during previous negotiations.

Here's an excerpt from Breer's piece:

One union source said the issue now is that the league's proposal calls for testing to begin immediately. The samples would then be tested, and results would be stored, until the World Anti-Doping Agency comes up with the baseline standard for acceptable levels. The union, per the source, would rather wait to start drawing blood and testing until the baseline is determined and full testing is ready to be implemented.

The news that a new proposal has been submitted also comes on the heels of an early May report from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, who sourced an anonymous NFC starter's claims that an estimated 10-to-15 players on each NFL team use the now-banned substance.

Per a league source in Breer's report, the NFLPA received the offer through a conference call this week and is preparing a counterproposal to send to the NFL in the next week or so.

Another NFL source claimed the league hasn't heard anything in the now-month window that has passed since the revised proposal was first given to NFLPA for review.

In summation—progress is apparently being made, but the two sides still do not see eye to eye.

The latest on HGH testing is a step in the right direction for the league, especially if you listen to the opinions of those like CBS Sports' Mike Freeman:

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell expressed confidence back in February that the league and the players would come to an agreement to get testing in place prior to the start of the upcoming 2013 season (h/t NFL.com).

The issue has also made its way to Washington, D.C. this offseason, where Congressman Elijah Cummings told USA Today that it is now "put up or shut up" time with respect to the NFL having no consistent HGH testing plan in place.

Spurs vs. Grizzlies: Key Player on Offense, Key Player on Defense

NBA365 Productions — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:09:38 -0400

The San Antonio Spurs bullied the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, leading some to believe that this series could be over fairly quickly. In Game 2 we saw a different Memphis team, one who would not go down without a fight; exactly what we were hoping for from the two best teams in the Western Conference.

The Spurs may be up 2-0, but there's a feeling of optimism in Memphis; the Grizzlies fought back from being down in their previous two series.

Each team has their go-to guys for the series, but which players must stand out in order to help their team come out on top? Raja Bell joins Bleacher Report to tell you who the most important offensive and defensive player is in the Western Conference Finals.

Let us know in the comments below who you think is the key player on each side of the ball is.

Heat vs. Pacers: Key Player on Offense, Key Player on Defense

NBA365 Productions — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:07:26 -0400

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat definitely did not disappoint. We witnessed the two best teams in the East fight each other until the very last second.

The Pacers went into Miami with the confidence that any team would need to take down the reigning champs. Behind Paul George and his key three-pointers, Indiana basically had the game sealed; that is until the four-time MVP, LeBron James, took it to the rim with the game-winning layup.

Each team has its go-to guys for the series, but which players must stand out in order to help their team come out on top? Raja Bell joins Bleacher Report to tell you who the most important offensive and defensive player is in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Let us know in the comments below who you think is the key player on each side of the ball is.

2013 MLB Rookie of the Year Stock Watch, Week 8

Zachary D. Rymer — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:06:56 -0400

With the one-quarter mark of the 2013 season in the rear-view mirror and June just on the horizon, we have a pretty good idea of which youngsters are Rookie of the Year contenders.

The picture is a bit more exciting on the National League side, as the NL is overrun with exciting young players like Shelby Miller, Didi Gregorius and Jose Fernandez. It's looking like the Rookie of the Year race in the Senior Circuit is going to be a Royal Rumble affair all season long.

The story in the American League is different. No Mike Trout-ish superstar has emerged yet, and to call the guys who are in the race "stars" is pushing the limit of the word. They're more like...well, guys.

But it's time to check in with the top rookies in both leagues all the same. Here's a look at how their stocks are trending.

American League

1. Nick Tepesch, RHP, Texas Rangers

GP (GS)	W-L	ERA	WHIP	IP	BAA	K/BB
8 (8)	3-4	3.98	1.33	43	.260	31/13

There's no dominant hitter in the American League Rookie of the Year race, nor is there a dominant pitcher.

But Nick Tepesch certainly comes the closest to fitting the latter description, as he's in the middle of a decent season that's been trending more towards "good" recently.

The 24-year-old right-hander started May off on a sour note by allowing 10 earned runs in his first two starts but has since allowed just three earned runs over 11 innings in his last two outings. He gets bonus points for only allowing a mere double to the seemingly immortal Miguel Cabrera against the Detroit Tigers last Friday.

Tepesch had to be scratched from a Wednesday start due to a blister, but the word from The Dallas Morning News is that he's fine now and will be able to start again on Sunday in Seattle, where he'll look to build on his solid rookie campaign.

Stock: Up

2. Oswaldo Arcia, OF, Minnesota Twins

GP	AVG	OBP	SLUG	HR	R	RBI
29	.263	.327	.463	4	11	14

Oswaldo Arcia has talent. It just hasn't been on display all that much recently.

Arcia hasn't cracked the Twins' starting lineup since Sunday, when he went 0-for-3 in a loss to the Boston Red Sox. It was his fourth straight 0-fer, for which his punishment has been a few days on the pine.

Arcia has only gotten three at-bats this week, so he hasn't had much of a chance to add to his solid numbers. He did what he could on Wednesday against the Atlanta Braves, though, launching a solo homer in a pinch-hit appearance.

Last week saw Arcia atop Mike Rosenbaum's ranks for American League rookies, but his lack of action over the last few days makes it too hard to keep him there.

Stock: Even

3. Conor Gillaspie, 3B, Chicago White Sox

GP	AVG	OBP	SLUG	HR	R	RBI
40	.276	.341	.422	3	10	8

Last year, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com wrote the following about Conor Gillaspie while he was a prospect in the San Francisco Giants organization:

"Whether he has the stuff to be an everyday player remains to be seen, but at the very least, he looks like a solid Major League contributor in the very near future."

Given what we've seen from Gillaspie this year, I'd say Mr. Mayo hit the nail on the head.

Gillaspie has indeed been a solid contributor, as he's done a decent job at third base for the White Sox both offensively and defensively. His OPS was over .800 as recently as last week, and he owns a 3.2 UZR and three Defensive Runs Saved (see FanGraphs).

Gillaspie hasn't done much to build on his ROY resume over the last week, collecting only one hit in 11 at-bats in a span of three games, but he's still a candidate for the award.

Stock: Even

4. Justin Grimm, RHP, Texas Rangers

GP (GS)	W-L	ERA	WHIP	IP	BAA	K/BB
7 (7)	3-3	4.02	1.44	40.1	.270	36/14

I really shouldn't say that things were looking grim for Justin Grimm for a while there. That's just too easy.

...But shoot, how can I not?

Things certainly were looking a little grim for Grimm. He had allowed 10 earned runs in two road starts at Milwaukee and Oakland, inflating his ERA from 2.28 to 4.48. He was in need of a face-saving start.

Grimm got one his last time out against the Tigers, allowing only two earnies in six-and-a-third. And if Tepesch deserves points for holding Cabrera to a double, Grimm certainly deserves more points for holding Miggy to a single.

Grimm still isn't quite on his teammate's level just yet, but at least he's back on the right track.

Stock: Up

5. Cody Allen, RHP, Cleveland Indians

GP (GS)	W-L	ERA	WHIP	IP	BAA	K/BB
19 (0)	1-0	2.05	1.00	22	.188	30/7

Cody Allen's 2013 season did not get off to the best start. He allowed three earned runs in his first two outings on six hits and three walks in only three innings.

Since then, however, Allen's been a money pitcher.

Over his last 17 appearances, Allen has allowed two earnies in 19 innings for a 0.95 ERA. He's struck out 27 of the 70 batters he's faced and has held them to a .423 OPS.

From what I understand about the job description, numbers like these are generally what you want out a reliever. Terry Francona and the Indians have themselves a good one in their 24-year-old righty.

Stock: Up

On the Bubble: Carter Capps (Mariners), Aaron Hicks (Twins), Dan Straily (A's)

National League

1. Shelby Miller, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals

GP (GS)	W-L	ERA	WHIP	IP	BAA	K/BB
9 (9)	5-3	1.74	0.93	57	.188	62/15

It's saying something about how good the pitching in the National League has been so far this year that Shelby Miller's 1.74 ERA is only good enough for fourth among starters.

Oh, and I suppose that ERA also says something about how good Miller has been, period.

Granted, he's been a little more human recently. After coming through with one of the most dominant performances of the season against the Colorado Rockies a few weeks back, Miller has failed to last six innings in each of his last two starts. The most recent one of those saw him surrender three earned runs in five-and-two-thirds in San Diego, like he was some kind of mortal or something.

Miller better be ready to put that behind him, because his next start is on Sunday at Dodger Stadium against a guy named Clayton Kershaw.

You're going to want to be near a TV for that one.

Stock: Even

2. Didi Gregorius, SS, Arizona Diamondbacks

GP	AVG	OBP	SLUG	HR	R	RBI
24	.348	.406	.554	3	14	8

And there I was thinking the Diamondbacks had made a trade for a shortstop prospect who couldn't hit.

As were many, to be sure, and we now have no choice but to tip our caps to Didi Gregorius. Dude can hit after all.

Gregorius was slowing down a little bit, but he picked himself up with back-to-back three-hit efforts on Sunday and Monday and is now sitting on a .960 OPS. Among National League rookies with at least 20 games under their belts, that's the best.

Gregorius is also getting it done in the field. Per FanGraphs, he has a slightly better than average 0.5 UZR and three Defensive Runs Saved, making him a solid all-around shortstop the D-Backs should be very pleased with.

Stock: Up

3. Jose Fernandez, RHP, Miami Marlins

GP (GS)	W-L	ERA	WHIP	IP	BAA	K/BB
9 (9)	2-2	3.31	1.16	49	.215	46/18

With Giancarlo Stanton on the shelf, Jose Fernandez is really the only reason to watch a Marlins game these days.

He makes for a pretty good reason, though, as Fernandez's starts are can't-miss affairs based on his stuff alone. It's electric and he's been putting it to good use lately.

After a solid April, Fernandez is having a better May. The 20-year-old righty has made four starts this month, posting a 2.16 ERA and racking up 23 strikeouts in 25 innings.

If there's something to keep an eye on, it's that Fernandez's strikeouts have been trending the wrong way. He struck out nine in his first start this month, then seven, then five and then only two in his most recent outing against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Either this is him trying to be more efficient, or it's the league adjusting to the scouting reports on him.

Time will tell. For now, Fernandez is doing just fine.

Stock: Even

4. Hyun-Jin Ryu, LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers

GP (GS)	W-L	ERA	WHIP	IP	BAA	K/BB
10 (10)	5-2	3.30	1.26	62.2	.245	60/22

Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke are the super-big money guys in the Dodgers' starting rotation, but what Hyun-Jin Ryu is doing this season should not be overlooked.

The South Korean lefty has settled in nicely after an up-and-down introduction to Major League Baseball. Ryu has a 2.84 ERA over his last six starts, spanning 38 innings. He's allowed only five earned runs over 19 innings in his last three starts, the most recent of which saw him pitch into the eighth inning in Milwaukee.

Ryu doesn't have the most eye-popping numbers in sexy departments like ERA and WHIP, but he's tied for the National League lead in starts among rookies, and no rookie in baseball has logged as many innings as he has.

The Dodgers aren't getting a whole lot of bang for their buck, but their investment in Ryu is panning out about as well as they could have expected.

Stock: Up

5. Evan Gattis, C/OF, Atlanta Braves

GP	AVG	OBP	SLUG	HR	R	RBI
37	.256	.308	.587	10	17	27

A message for a Mr. Jedd Gyorko: I see you out there, and I want you to know that you're this close to cracking the top of the list.

But Evan Gattis has to get out of the way first, and he doesn't seem to be too keen on doing that.

Gattis has become a man without a position now that the Braves have gotten Brian McCann and Jason Heyward back, but he's finding ways to contribute when he can. Recently, Gattis has slugged three homers in his last six at-bats. The most recent of those came with the sacks full for his first career grand slam.

It looked for a while there like Gattis' great story had run out of juice, but apparently not quite yet.

Stock: Up

On the bubble: Jedd Gyorko (Padres), Jim Henderson (Brewers) Trevor Rosenthal (Cardinals)

Note: Stats are courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com unless otherwise noted and are current as of the start of play on Friday, May 24.

If you want to talk baseball, hit me up on Twitter.

Peyton Siva Will Prove to Be Great Value in Second Round of NBA Draft

Alex Ballentine — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:03:51 -0400

Despite two Final Four appearances and a national championship to his name, Peyton Siva isn't a slam dunk to even be drafted in June's NBA Draft.

A decorated college career doesn't always guarantee success. In fact, there are plenty of college stars that just don't find a way to translate their game to the NBA (see: Morrison, Adam).

At just 6'0", 185 pounds and with flaws in his jumper, it's easy to see why many analysts are a little down on Siva's draft stock. Although he was part of a successful program as a four-year contributor, it wasn't as though he was carrying the team on his back.

However, Siva did show in his college career that he has what it takes to break into an NBA rotation. Here's why Siva is going to make a team that takes a chance on him very happy:

Defensive Prowess

There are issues with Siva's jumper, sure. He only shot 40 percent from the field in his senior season and an even worse 28 percent from beyond the arc. But where Siva really excelled, and could carve a niche in the NBA is on defense.

Siva is a relentless on-ball defender that led a pressure Louisville defense that forced its opponents to turn the ball over on 27 percent of their possessions. Siva himself averaged 2.3 steals per game.

Head Coach Rick Pitino told Kentucky.com that Siva's defense as the main reason for the Cardinal's success in the tournament:

He dominated the tournament at the defensive end and ran his team to success... Because you know the reason we won the thing — it was Peyton Siva who dominated the game at the defensive end. You very rarely see a point guard just in every crucial situation rotate for a steal and make the big play, and then he ran the team.

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2013/03/19/2564464/pitino-has-cards-full-attention.html#storylink=cpy

One key ingredient for success as an NBA bench player is energy. When Siva steps onto the floor, you know you are getting an athletic defender that will play with full effort as long as he's in.

Athleticism

Offensively, there are issues with Siva. Not only is his shooting stroke a concern, but his diminutive stature may allow him to be bullied by bigger, stronger point guards in the league. However, his athleticism will be something that helps him compensate for those issues.

Siva erased any doubts that he may not be an NBA-type athlete at the combine. He registered a 41.5" max vertical and was the second-fastest point guard behind Miami's Shane Larkin. That speed not only helps him as a defender, but was what he relies on to make him an offensive threat.

Siva is an explosive athlete that can force defenders to move laterally to stay in front of him. Throw in his court vision and ability to dish (5.7 assists per game), and he is more than capable of keeping an offense going with his slashing ability.

Intangibles

Team success in the college ranks can't be taken too seriously when evaluating college prospects. Some players are just more suited for the college game and never make the leap. However, it at least plays a small role.

Evidenced by his four years and two Final Four appearances at Louisville, Siva is a proven leader. His consistency was a big reason for Louisville's success last season, and he has been part of a winning culture.

Siva isn't the flashiest player available in the draft. He'll never be an elite scorer and questions about his shooting will likely be a career-long plague.

That being said, he's a fierce defender that knows what it takes to be part of a winning team. For a prospect that is likely to be assigned a much smaller role than he was in college that's important. Siva has the mental makeup and skills to contribute as a high-energy change-of-pace point guard off the bench.

For a player that isn't likely to have is name called until the end of Round 2, that's a great value pick.

The 25 Most Dominant Players in the NFL Today

Wes Stueve — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:02:54 -0400

The NFL has many high-profile players, and everyone in the league is obviously a terrific athlete compared to the rest of us. But some players stand out as especially dominant.

Just what does dominant mean? It doesn't just mean being a great player, though that is certainly a factor. In fact, being a great player is probably the biggest factor in defining the NFL's 25 most dominant players.

The word dominant is key, however. It may sound a bit obvious, but this means that a player is capable of taking over, that he is nearly impossible to stop. That he dominates.

This isn't based on just 2012 results. Of course, recent dominance is preferred, but the player is more important than the results. This is a projection.

Some names on this list will be no surprise. Obviously, Calvin Johnson will make an appearance toward the top. Some names, however, might not be so clear.

Begin Slideshow