Bleacher Report - Front Page

Real Madrid Manager Tracker: Latest News on Replacing Jose Mourinho

Tre' Atkinson — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:45:00 -0400

As the summer quickly approaches, so does the imminent exit of Jose Mourinho from Real Madrid. With sources such as ESPN claiming that the Portuguese manager is expected to leave really soon, the club will be in the market for a new manager.

Mourinho will not leave Spain with his head held high, mind you.

The Special One came to Real Madrid with the plans of ending Barcelona’s dominance and bringing La Decima. He will leave having only won three trophies since he joined the club.

This leaves Real Madrid with a very tough task this summer in finding a replacement. Every time Mourinho has left a team, the club has suffered. So Florentino Perez will be hard pressed to make sure his new manager is capable of leading Los Blancos his first season in charge.

Though rumors have been swirling since the New Year began, it appears as though the club has its heart set on only one man for the job.

The Daily Mail has reported that the club is already making the plans to bring in Carlo Ancelotti and may have already contacted the current PSG manager. Florentino Perez is dead set on bringing Ancelotti to the Santiago Bernabeu, and the feeling is obviously mutual.

It was reported less than 24 hours ago on Fox Sports that Carlo Ancelotti has actually requested to leave PSG in an attempt to make a move to Madrid. The manager has already made up his mind of where he wants to be next season, but will it actually happen?

Both the club and the manager are in agreement that Ancelotti should take over when Mourinho leaves. However, there is one little problem that could make a mess of the whole thing.

The Telegraph has reported that PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi has told Ancelotti that he will not be allowed to leave the French club despite his wishes to do so.

In an interview with BeIn Sports quoted on the Telegraph Khelaifi had these words to say on the matter.

“Yes, we had discussions; he asked to depart for Real Madrid. I said it is not possible because he has a contract for one more year, so that is our decision.”

That is about as clear an answer as you can get in today’s footballing world. At this moment PSG will not be allowing Carlo Ancelotti to leave France.

Now it is certain that Real Madrid will need to look elsewhere for their Mourinho replacement. The club cannot afford to make a bad decision, nor can they wait one year for Ancelotti’s contract with PSG to end.

There has been no official statement on the matter from Real Madrid. But fans everywhere should expect there to be big rumors linking other managers to Madrid in the coming weeks.

Carlo Ancelotti could still find his way to the Santiago Bernabeu; nothing is impossible. But that looks very unlikely. Real Madrid have now been left in the cold and must work very quickly to replace Mourinho before his departure sends shockwaves.

Who should be the club’s top managerial target? What changes need to take place at the club in general? Leave your thoughts and comments below.

Tre’ Atkinson. Follow me on Twitter for more discussions on Real Madrid and La Liga.

Follow @TreAtkinson

Summer Transfer Window: How Tactics Will Influence the Big Buys in Europe

Sam Tighe — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:39:56 -0400

Heading into the summer transfer window, tabloids and papers will often link nondescript players senselessly to random clubs.

Here, we offer you a rough guide on what sort of players will be market hits over the coming months, using tactical trends from the 2012-13 season to help.

Positions change, duties change. Here's what your manager is looking for.

The Midfield Game-breaker

The 4-2-3-1 is still the de facto best formation despite losing a little gloss, and there are two distinct types of teams utilising it.

There are those who have the correct combination at holding midfield and therefore enjoy wild success, and there are those who do not and thus limit themselves in what becomes a cagey system.

The missing ingredient is often the rarest of breeds: the all-round, box-to-box midfielder who can defend superbly then break off a 50-yard run and force matters.

They are tough to find, and that means they'll go for big bucks this summer as managers source them out. Ideally, you're looking for a Sami Khedira to accompany your Xabi Alonso.

Fernandinho is on the market...

Multifunctional Forwards

Gone are the days when a striker's sole job was to score goals. Need proof? See Darren Bent's imprint on the Aston Villa bench despite being fit all season.

A forward needs to be multifunctional and add value in nearly every area of the game, be it holding the ball up, double-teaming with wingers, drifting between the lines or closing down deep-lying playmakers.

Mario Mandzukic played a big role in neutralising Andrea Pirlo during Bayern Munich's victory over Juventus, helping Thomas Mueller exert pressure on the maestro and limit both time and options.

In Euro 2012, Mandzu played as a deep-lying forward and did the very same job on Pirlo, and he has usurped Mario Gomez this season despite not being as gifted a finisher as the German.

Christian Benteke does a lot more for Villa than just finish—he's the focal point of everything, and clubs are searching for the next Benteke or Romelu Lukaku.

The Suffoco

Mario Manduzkic's exploits lead us to the hardworking No. 10 perfectly, and we've seen plenty of top tacticians utilise these this season.

The No. 10 role has undergone surgical changes over the past decade, moving from the static playmaker in the mould of Juan Roman Riquelme to the dynamic version in (healthy) Kaka and Mesut Oezil and finally to the "suffoco" version we see today.

In what possible capacity could a player like Duda start a UEFA Champions League quarterfinal? As a suffoco, of course, tasked with marking Ilkay Gundogan and playing it simple when on the ball.

The modern combination of speed, defensive commitment, stamina and creative wizardry for an attacking midfielder has seen the "elite pool" slim down to very, very few. That's why No. 10s who have it all are getting so very, very expensive.

Surging/Ball-Playing Centre-Back

Sensing a theme? You should be.

Ultimately, football in 2013 comes down to the following principle: The more diverse you are, the more multifunctional you are and the greater the pallet of tasks you can take on, the more valuable you become as a commodity.

The playmakers have to be able to do it all. The strikers have to put the hard yards in. The midfielders need to be capable of taking the game by the scruff of the neck and changing it if their strikers can't do so themselves. And the defenders must now be able to initiate attacks from the back.

Managers will be on the lookout for the next Jan Vertonghen as surging centre-backs continue to rise to the fore. It's emerged as a perfect way to overcome strict man-marking.

One has already gone in Toby Alderweireld (Ajax to Roma).

Follow @stighefootball

Tottenham, Liverpool Would Be in Champions League If Not for Woodwork

Michael Cummings — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:38:49 -0400

It sounds like a hypothetical question, but thanks to stats, we now know the answer.

What if all the shots that hit the woodwork in the 2012-13 English Premier League season had counted as goals? It turns out Opta ran the numbers (h/t 101 Great Goals), and the EPL table would look quite a bit different this morning after the final matches of the season.

Most noticeably, Tottenham Hotspur would have finished third with 76 points, 83 goals scored and a goal differential of plus-31. Compare that to Spurs' fifth-place finish in the real table, with 66 goals scored and a goal differential of plus-20. That's a difference of 17 goals scored and two very valuable places.

With a third-place finish, Spurs would have qualified directly for next season's Champions League group stage. Instead of a summer full of Gareth Bale exit rumors, Tottenham fans would probably read about several high-priced stars being linked with their club.

Anyhow, the table appears below in graphic form. All stats were compiled by Opta.

Just below Spurs in the imaginary table were Liverpool, who would have finished fourth without the tyranny of crossbars and uprights. The Reds gained 19 goals and three whole places in the non-woodwork table, and by finishing fourth, Brendan Rodgers' men would have clinched a spot in the Champions League qualifying rounds.

There was no room for Arsenal or Chelsea in the top four, and Everton still missed out. At the top of the table, Manchester United still won the title easily and even gained 24 goals in the process.

In a cruel twist, the non-woodwork table kept Wigan in the Premier League at Newcastle's expense. So in a sense, it turns out Wigan's fatal flaw wasn't just their run to the FA Cup, but also an inability to stop hitting the crossbar.

And as for Reading and QPR? There's a good chance neither had a chance this season, after all.

Follow @MikeCummings37

Manchester United Summer Transfer News: Tracking Latest Rumours, Updates

Max Towle — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:35:51 -0400

You can look at the next three months in two ways.

One—a long, arduous period without any meaningful football. Two—the return of what has the potential to be one of the most exciting transfer windows in recent memory.

Yes, silly season is back, ladies and gentlemen—where tabloid newspapers try to outdo each other in inventing the most unbelievable stories.

This article should be your home base for all things transfer gossip-related for Manchester United.

Let the hearsay commence!

Begin Slideshow

WWE Extreme Rules 2013 Results: Sheamus Beats Mark Henry and What It Means

Ryan Dilbert — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:33:01 -0400

Sheamus outlasted the monstrous Mark Henry at Extreme Rules 2013 to win their strap match, a victory that signals the Celtic Warrior's ascent back up the WWE food chain and stalling for Henry's momentum.

Sheamus defeated a man who, going into Sunday, looked unstoppable, a man who beat Ryback at WrestleMania 29 and who recently dragged an insane amount of weight. Henry was built up as the king of the jungle, and then Sheamus managed to knock him off his throne.

Henry outweighs Sheamus by almost 150 pounds. Putting these two in a strap match after Henry whipped Sheamus so mercilessly on WWE Raw made it seem like the Irishman would spend Extreme Rules surviving. Instead, he thrived.

It was Sheamus who kept touching three consecutive corners before Henry prevented him from reaching the fourth. It was Sheamus who dictated the pace of the match and who got most creative with the strap. He tried to make it around the ring from the outside and at one point tied Henry to the ring post.

He led for much of the dance.

After Sheamus had touched three corners yet again, Henry tried to smash him with a World's Strongest Slam. Sheamus slipped out and countered with a Brogue Kick. The blow gave him the space he needed to finally hit the fourth corner and get the win.

Having Sheamus not only come out on top against Henry, but to win so convincingly is a major boost to his momentum.

In all likelihood, this victory is a stepping stone back toward the World Heavyweight Championship picture. Once Alberto Del Rio and Dolph Ziggler's feud comes to a close, it will be Sheamus charging toward the champion.

Ziggler needs heroes to fend off in order to make his championship run an entertaining one. Sheamus, fresh off felling a giant, looks like a mighty challenger.

Josh Isenburg of WrestleZone.com agrees.

For Henry, the loss has him in need of a victim or a series of victims.

After Sheamus robbed him of some of his indestructible aura, Henry needs to find some human punching bags to get back his mojo. Expect an even angrier Henry in the coming weeks. His opponents on WWE Raw will find themselves in the Hall of Pain as Henry looks to redeem himself, to regain his dominance.

He needs to find a slew of victims to crush, to have them so devastated by his power that the memory of being drubbed by Sheamus fades away.

Having Sheamus and Henry's feud progress from backstage brawls, to tug-of-wars and arm wrestling competitions to a violent, personal match on a pay-per-view has the feeling of finality to it.

It feels like we just witnessed two beasts colliding in the jungle. One now goes off to lick his wounds before setting out in search of new prey. The other is, for now, the alpha male.

Armed with the Brogue Kick, the Irish brawler is headed Ziggler's way as he looks to reclaim the title he wore for over 200 days.

Kobe Bryant Talks Retirement on Twitter, Black Mamba Not Ready Yet

Dan Favale — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:30:11 -0400

Kobe Bryant is going to retire soon, but not yet.

Still recovering from a ruptured Achilles, the Black Mamba's future has never been more in doubt. Not only are we unsure if he'll be able to return to form, but we're unsure of just how long he'll be able to play.

This latest injury humanized Bryant in ways he never has been before. Is it possible that it has provided him with some perspective, the kind that would give him an exact idea of when he's going to hang it up?

Apparently not, and he took to Twitter to make that clear.

Going on 35, Bryant wants it understood that he isn't done. He seems surprised that the notion of his retirement being imminent is even being entertained.

To be fair, it's shocking that Bryant is so shocked about that. He hasn't exactly been candid about what he plans to do in the future. Depending on his mood, he's either retiring after next season or not until he's 40. He himself doesn't appear to know when he'll walk away.

In this case, that's a good thing.

Normally, Bryant's ambivalent talk of retirement triggers anxiety. That he admits it's coming "soon" would usually send the Los Angeles Lakers faithful into a frenzy—but not now.

With him rehabilitating from such a serious injury, the NBA sphere should be grateful he's prepared to stay the course. Nearly two decades into his career, it would be easy for him to admit he won't play beyond next season.

Though he doesn't make any guarantees that he'll play past next year, one must assume that's the plan. If "Vino still has work to do," he cannot seriously believe he'll get all of it done next season.

Los Angeles' roster isn't yet set in stone, nor will it be for quite some time. Even if Dwight Howard re-signs, the Lakers continue to have one eye on 2014 and all the free-agency splurging they'll be able to do.

To call next season a transition year would be a bit harsh, but knowing what their plans are and that Bryant will only just be returning from his latest bout with mortality, it's unlikely next year serves as his swan song.

Of course, I could be wrong, or Bryant could be lying. He could retire after next season. If the Lakers managed to procure a sixth ring for the Mamba, that has the potential to change things.

As is always the case with Bryant, we just don't know. Seventeen years into his professional tenure and he's still impossible to figure out; he's a walking paradox. For now, we''ll accept that. Embrace it, even.

We're just thrilled he's prepared to play on, at all.

Preakness 2013: Goldencents' Poor Showing Proves Derby Finish No Fluke

Jesse Reed — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:30:00 -0400

Once thought to be one of the hottest horses in North America, Goldencents' stock is at an all-time low after finishing in fifth place at the Preakness Stakes.

Speed was the word associated with Goldencents heading into the Kentucky Derby. This horse impressively won the Santa Anita Derby and posted outstanding speed numbers heading into the the first leg of the Triple Crown.

James Scully of BrisNet.com highlighted these numbers before the Derby, writing that Goldencents posted the "top last-race BRIS speed rating (106)" of any horse entered to race at Churchill Downs.

Andrew Beyer of the Washington Post was completely sold on Goldencents' speed and was convinced the horse would win the Derby, writing:

In Saturday’s Derby, there is a colt whose most recent speed figure towers over his rivals’ and whose running style ought to give him a significant tactical advantage. I’m not going to be distracted by any handicapping subtleties. I’m betting on Goldencents.

But then the track turned out to be a mud pit, and though a 17th-place finish was certainly a huge disappointment it seemed easy to explain away.

After the race, Leandro Mora, an assistant trainer to Doug O'Neill, talked about the disappointing finish, via horseracingnation.com:

He came back A-OK. With all the rain and mud, let’s just say the track was not on our side. (Goldencents) never had to face conditions like that in California. I thought (jockey) Kevin (Krigger) did a great job protecting him...he saw it was hopeless, he eased him up the last part of the race. The track condition made a big difference.

Basically, Goldencents' poor finish at Churchill Downs was easily attributed to the simple idea that he's not a mudder.

But after another miserable performance at the Preakness, it's clear that Goldencents was highly overrated to begin with.

Oxbow wasn't considered to be a sprinter before the Preakness, per se. This was a horse that hadn't won a race since January and hadn't finished in the money in its two prior races.

Surprisingly, if any horse exemplified speed on Saturday at Pimlico it was Oxbow, not Goldencents. Handicapper Nick Tammaro was baffled by this result:

Jockey Kevin Krigger got his horse out to a nice start and displayed nice speed for the first half of the race, but Goldencents was unable to keep up with the torrid pace set by Gary Stevens atop Oxbow.

In the end, two dismal performances at the Derby and the Preakness have marked Goldencents as an over-hyped horse that was tested and found to be lacking the true characteristics of elite race horses.

According to KY Derby Contenders, O'Neill, who appeared on HRTV, isn't likely to take Goldencents to Belmont and lamented that his horse "came up empty" at the Preakness:

It's a disappointing pill to swallow for O'Neill, who was hoping to have another banner year after I'll Have Another's Triple Crown near-miss.

But that's how it goes in professional sports.

One thing's for sure, O'Neill will be back with another hot horse in 2014.

For now, the only way to characterize Goldencents' 2013 campaign is to say it was completely underwhelming.

C'est la vie.

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78

Fantasy Baseball: Week 8 Start 'Em or Sit 'Em Breakdown

Andrew Gould — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:26:02 -0400

Another week, another set of choices to make with your fantasy baseball lineup.

If you listened to my advice last week, you took a shot on Scott Kazmir, only to see him give up four runs, and steered clear of Francisco Liriano as he shined.

You also finally caved in and sat (or dropped) Jonathon Niese before he delivered a quality start against the St. Louis Cardinals. But at least you got a complete-game shutout from Brandon McCarthy.

This week presents a completely new batch of dilemmas for fantasy owners. Is it time to stray away from Dan Haren and Marco Estrada? Is it safe to believe in Ubaldo Jimenez and Rick Porcello? Should you give up on that Justin Verlander bum? (If you're in one of my leagues, then absolutely).

Let's take a look at some starting pitchers whom fantasy gamers may be on the fence with playing or benching this week.

Note: Statistics, unless otherwise noted, courtesy of FanGraphs.com

Begin Slideshow

13 of the Greatest Moments from the 2012-13 Premier League Season

Joe Krishnan — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:23:27 -0400

After completing it's 21st season in existence, it's fair to say that the English Premier League is quite something, isn't it?

Too often does the phrase "the best league in the world" get thrown about without much thought for what is being said.

Perhaps it's not the best in terms of attracting the world's most talented footballers when you consider the Ballon d'Or top three—Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Andres Iniesta—all play in the Spanish La Liga.

Nevertheless, there can be no denying that some of the most entertaining and thrilling encounters take place in the Premier League. It is a league where any of the 20 teams can beat each other on their day. That's how competitive it is.

On the last day of the 2012-13 Premier League season, the 10 matches brought home 36 goals, an incredible total considering the only notable last-day action was for the last Champions League spot.

So maybe it's not the best, but certainly for entertainment value, it's the best to observe. And here we've compiled some of the most memorable moments of this enthralling campaign.

Believe us when we tell you it was not easy to limit it to just 13. Enjoy!

Begin Slideshow

Yankees: Biggest Winners and Losers so Far This Season

Anthony Maimone — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:18:37 -0400

Havng played a little over a quarter of the MLB regular season, the New York Yankees can consider themselves big winners.

Despite all the preseason talk of the end of the Yankee era, the Yanks are once again in familiar territory in the AL East—first place.

The Yankees are 27-16 on the season and own a half-game lead on the rival Boston Red Sox for the lead in the AL East while trailing only the Texas Rangers for the top record in the American League.

The Yanks have achieved that spot despite more injuries and poor starts to several key players.

However, it is the production from several newcomers, as well as some familiar faces, who have kept the Yankees more than afloat

Begin Slideshow

Real Madrid: Why They Will Win La Liga Next Season

Samuel Marsden — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:00:01 -0400

A wounded animal, it is said, is an extremely dangerous one.

Real Madrid certainly fit this category. In reality they blew the title race before Christmas, Borussia Dortmund dumped them out of the Champions League and Atletico Madrid came and won the Copa del Rey against them in their own garden.

Next season, they'll be a squad with plenty to prove after being battered both internally and externally at various points throughout the current campaign.

It has become a case of when, not if, Jose Mourinho will be pushed from his perch—84 percent of AS readers want him gone immediately.

On Sunday it was reported that Carlo Ancelotti had told PSG he's ready to leave (via ESPN), and in Monday's Independent, Pete Jenson detailed just how toxic Los Blancos' dressing room has become these past few weeks:

With [Ancelotti] now apparently available and the atmosphere at Real Madrid understood to be at breaking point, Perez is being urged to take action.

He attended a Real Madrid B-team match on Saturday with the club's second string playing Lugo in Spain's second division. There were around 2,000 supporters at the game and he was vocally encouraged to move to bring Mourinho's three-year reign at the club to an end.

Ian Ladyman detailed in the Daily Mail, in the wake of Roberto Mancini's departure, what a poisonous place a football club can be and, whether the blame lies with Mourinho or a number of his senior players, it can be agreed the Portuguese coach's departure is for the best.

As far as replacements go, Ancelotti could prove a good one.

"The Peacemaker," as he was labelled on the front cover of Monday's Marca, has plenty of experience in dealing with big names (and egos) at some of Europe's richest clubs.

At Stamford Bridge he won the Premier League in his first season with Chelsea, the only manager to bring the club that honor in the Roman Abramovich years other than Mourinho.

The Italian was arguably the last manager who didn't cede power to John Terry and Frank Lampard—possibly Rafa Benitez fits this category, but his reign has come at a different time in their careers.

Moving on to PSG he has brought together an expensively assembled squad from all over the world to win Ligue Un. They looked impressive against Barcelona in the Champions League too, that will surely count as a plus point at the Bernabeu.

He won't inherit an ageing squad either. Ricardo Carvalho (35) is the oldest, but he's been a bit-part player and has long been expected to move on this summer.

Iker Casillas is 32, Xabi Alonso 31 and they will probably be his oldest starters; Pepe, Alvaro Arbeloa and Michael Essien, all 30, are all replaceable.

He will inherit a hungry squad though. One possibly united in their disdain towards Mourinho recently, one definitely motivated by their failure to lift a major trophy this season.

President Florentino Perez will make sure the 53-year-old is well equipped with what he wants and, if the players remain loyal to him, then his fourth league title in his fourth country could well follow.

Follow @samuelmarsden

WWE Extreme Rules 2013: Biggest Winners from Sunday Night's Epic PPV

Ethan Grant — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:00:01 -0400

There were winners all around at WWE Extreme Rules 2013, the company's first pay-per-view card since WrestleMania 29 and the culmination of the events following that card earlier this year.

There were nine matches in St. Louis on Sunday night, and from top to bottom, Extreme Rules served as more than just a filler card for the company to help push the bigger events of the season—a role Extreme Rules has played in the past.

Sunday, it was an impressive card all in itself. At the very least it was worth the money to see how the events of Monday Night Raw and the carryover from WrestleMania would play out at the Scottrade Center.

The biggest surprise of the night was John Cena and Ryback's match not being in the spotlight. The WWE chose to give that designation to Triple H and Brock Lesnar in the main event, and it made for an excitement in the next-to-last match that might not have been there with a normal card.

All in all, the company has some major storylines to develop in the next few weeks. It has also given way to the idea of winners emerging from the action, and here's a look at three winners that emerged from the remains of the nine-fight card on Sunday night.

Extreme Rules Results

Note: (c) denotes champion heading into match

Pre-show: The Miz defeats Cody Rhodes via submission (figure-four)
Chris Jericho defeats Fandango via pinfall
United States Championship: Dean Ambrose defeats Kofi Kingston (c) via pinfall
Strap Match: Sheamus defeats Mark Henry
No. 1 Contender "I Quit" Match: Alberto Del Rio defeats Jack Swagger via submission
Tag Team Championship: Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins defeat Team Hell No (c)
Extreme Rules Match: Randy Orton defeats Big Show via pinfall
WWE Championship Last Man Standing Match: John Cena (c) and Ryback ends in no contest
Brock Lesnar defeats Triple H via pinfall

Biggest Winners from Sunday Night's Action

The Shield

From start to finish, Extreme Rules featured The Shield in a prominent role. In fact, if the WWE changed Sunday's entire card to the 2013 Shield Takeover, there were very few that would bat an eye to argue.

Dean Ambrose got things started with a United States Championship win over Kofi Kingston, in which he captured the belt and got things started on what turned out to be a memorable night for a group who has quietly started taking WWE fans by storm over the past few months.

Mick Foley, for one, feels Ambrose is just getting started on what could be a long run:

Ambrose then watched as teammates Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns managed to take down team Hell No for the tag team championship, capping a huge night for the trio and one that could be the start of a long run atop the WWE world.

Wrestling Capshuns had a look at the team's gold belts on Twitter:

In terms of entertainment value, talent and trust from the company, there isn't a threesome that can or should be able to take this group down anytime soon. The Shield are just getting started, and no matter your take on that assertion—it makes them winners on Sunday.

Randy Orton

We've been waiting for an Orton heel turn for quite some time. It wasn't coming against Big Show, but it doesn't change the fact that Orton brought back the Punt Kick to finish off his opponent in what turned out to be the loudest match of the night in St. Louis.

Justin Roberts had this post on Twitter before the match began:

After it got underway, Orton and Show gave us a solid match, considering the build up for the fight was consistent and many have been dissatisfied with Show's place in the company's bigger fights for the last few years.

However, it was Orton who reigned supreme, and as noted by Bleacher Report's Sharon Glenross, it proves that Orton is a valuable member of the WWE who is going to have to step up over the next few weeks.

With CM Punk and The Rock both away into other ventures right now, Orton is arguably a star that needs to shine while the big names are gone, and he started that process with a solid match in an environment that suited him well.

It will be interesting to see where the story goes next, but for now, Orton is a huge winner and figures to reap the benefits of being a star that fans are going to see a lot more of over the next few weeks.

The WWE

After WrestleMania, not everyone was satisfied with the events of the show.

Rock/Cena wasn't the biggest success and it wasn't the biggest failure, either, but it did serve to prove that some fans were tired of seeing the same old matches getting publicized to help recreate the "good old days" of the company.

Extreme Rules 2013 was anything but that.

The Cena-Ryback match was thrilling, and was the first time we've seen this storyline play out in front of a national, paying audience. HHH and Lesnar managed to also throw together a solid storyline that paves the way for a traditional third bout—something many will likely pay to see after a 1-1 draw so far.

Throw in Sheamus knocking off Mark Henry in a strap match and the other matches we've mentioned throughout the piece, and the WWE came out looking creative, motivated and excited to bring you—the fan—a spectacular show on Sunday night.

WrestlingZone.com was among those who celebrated the PPV:

The numbers likely won't come in for a couple of days, but the excitement in the crowd, the events in the ring and the aftermath should all bode well for the WWE. Setting things up for Payback in June, the WWE has to be happy with this card overall.

Follow Ethan Grant on Twitter:

Indy 500 Qualifying: Anticlimactic Bump Day is Calm Before Storm for Big Race

Jesse Reed — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:00:01 -0400

The field is set for the 2013 Indianapolis 500 after the final nine cars qualified for the race on Sunday.

Bump Day had compelling potential. With nine spots remaining and 10 drivers left in the field, it could have produced a war for that final spot in one of the world's most prestigious races.

Unfortunately, Michel Jourdain Jr.'s car didn't cooperate, and the Mexican racer finally called it quits with 20 minutes still left on the clock. Per Indy Motor Speedway, his pain was Katherine Legge's gain, as she made it in as the final contestant:

All in all, Bump Day was rather boring for fans watching at home and on the track. But don't worry, racing fans, this is just the calm before the storm.

Here's the official start order for the big race, courtesy of the official website of the Indianapolis 500:

Start Position	Driver	Car
1	Ed Carpenter	20
2	Carlos Munoz	26
3	Marco Andretti	25
4	EJ Viso	5
5	AJ Allmendinger	2
6	Will Power	12
7	Ryan Hunter-Reay	1
8	Helio Castroneves	3
9	James Hinchcliffe	27
10	JR Hildebrand	4
11	Alex Tagliani	98
12	Tony Kanaan	11
13	Oriol Servia	22
14	Justin Wilson	19
15	Sebastien Bordais	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	Conor Daly	41
32	Buddy Lazier	91
33	Katherine Legge	81

Taking a look at this list of names—the top IndyCar racers in the world—it's quite clear the 2013 Indy 500 will be an incredibly competitive race.

Ed Carpenter shocked the field by capturing the pole. He's only won two events in his career and hasn't finished higher than 14th place in 2013.

Lurking below him are IndyCar legends and rising stars Carlos Munoz, Marco Andretti, Will Power, Helio Castroneves and last year's IndyCar champ, Ryan Hunter-Reay.

James Hinchcliffe is the only racer to win twice in 2013, and he'll surely put up a good fight from the No. 9 spot, while Japanese sensation Takuma Sato will start in the middle of the pack.

Last year's Indy 500 winner Dario Franchitti will come charging hard from the middle of the field, too.

From top to bottom, this grid is full of racers capable of winning the big event.

So, while the action on Bump Day may not have titillated your senses the way you hoped, the Indy 500 next Sunday will certainly give you what you desire.

The action will be intense from the first lap until the bitter end, and as we know from experience, anything can happen on the track when the drivers start pushing their cars and their senses to the limit.

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78

Radamel Falcao: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Daniel Edwards — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:00:01 -0400

Atletico Madrid sharpshooter Radamel Falcao is among the many players being tipped for a possible transfer in the summer window.

Here's a breakdown of his numbers and a brief scouting guide to the Colombia international, along with a few hints as to where he might be playing next summer.

Age: 27

Contract Situation: Falcao is tied to the Colchoneros until June 2016.

Career Stops: Lanceros (1999-01), River Plate (2001-09), Porto (2009-11), Atletico Madrid (2011-present).

Current Campaign Stats

La Liga: 33 games, 28 goals.

Europa League: 2 games, 1 goal.

Copa del Rey: 4 games, 2 goals.

Super Cup: 1 game, 3 goals.

Video Showreel

Scouting Guide

There is no doubt that in front of goal, there are few better natural scorers in today's game than Falcao. Quick, strong and good in the air, the Colombian has all the assets to make him a deadly prospect for any opposition.

He has proved that he can adapt to varied systems—playing well as a sole forward as well as with a smaller, nimbler partner—but has yet to prove himself decisively in the top levels such as the Champions League.

Where to Next?

Although Falcao declared to Antena 3 in a press conference that he is currently not thinking about any move away from the Spanish club, a host of possible suitors have already emerged to try and tempt him and Atletico into a transfer.

Monaco have emerged as one of the favourites for the Colombian's signature. Speaking recently to the French press, goalkeeper at the French club Danijel Subasic gave the strongest hints yet that Falcao was on the way, stating that the forward was 90 percent likely to move to the principailty in this report from Depor.

With no confirmation from the player himself, however, and interest reported also from Chelsea and the two Manchester clubs in England, according to Give Me Football, the deal appears to be far from a sure thing.

Gareth Bale: Summer Transfer Window Profile and Scouting Report

Daniel Edwards — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:00:01 -0400

Tottenham Hotspur wide man Gareth Bale is among the many players being tipped for a possible transfer in the summer window.

Here's a breakdown of his numbers and a brief scouting guide to the Wales international, along with a few hints as to where he might be playing next summer.

Age: 23

Contract Situation: Bale is under contract at White Hart Lane until 2016.

Previous Clubs: Southampton (2006-07), Tottenham (2007-present).

Current Campaign: Premier Division — 33 games, 21 goals; Europa League — 8 games, 3 goals; FA Cup — 2 games, 1 goal.

Video Showreel:

Scouting Guide: Bale's greatest assets are physical, possessing both a devastating turn of pace and acceleration as well as the engine to keep that explosive style up for 90 minutes. Originally a left-back before he was pushed upfield at Spurs, he marks tightly on the left but excels with the ball at his feet from either open play or dead ball situations.

Where Next? Six sterling years of service have turned Bale, still only in his early 20s, into one of football's hottest properties. Both Real Madrid and Barcelona have been linked with the Spurs superstar in 2013.

According to Marca, Madrid have made the winger one of their top priorities for the coming transfer window, as they look to improve a team that missed out on glory both in La Liga and the Champions League during the current season. A recent poll by AS, meanwhile, stated that 93% of Barca fans would rather see Bale signed than Brazil star Neymar.

Their approaches may be in vain, however. According to The Express, Bale has been offered a mammoth £170,000 a week to extend his current deal for a year and pledge his future to Tottenham.

Real Madrid Summer Transfer News: Tracking Latest Rumours, Updates

Samuel Marsden — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:00:00 -0400

Welcome to your one-stop-shop for all the news, however feasible or stretched it may well be, from the Santiago Bernabeu ahead of what's shaping up to be a busy summer for Real Madrid.

----LAST UPDATE: MONDAY, MAY 20 at 0800 ET---

The Spanish capital looks set to see movement from the top down during the transfer window.

A managerial change looks odds on, squad players look set to be moved on and any incoming manager may well have Florentino Perez's cheque book available to add some fresh faces.

There's a feel of anything goes around Los Blancos at the moment, so don't be surprised to see some potentially massive transfers.

This slideshow will be constantly updated with the most recent news, rumors and rubbish pushed to the first few slides.

With that in mind, make sure you're continuously heading back—you wouldn't want to miss anything.

Begin Slideshow

UFC 160 Preview: Cain Velasquez vs. Bigfoot Silva 2 Head-to-Toe Breakdown

Riley Kontek — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:00:00 -0400

UFC 160 is rapidly approaching and the main event hosts a rematch between current UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez and top contender Antonio "Big Foot" Silva.

The first time around, Velasquez dominated Silva using his wrestling and ground-and-pound attack. The scene of the fight looked like a massacre, as Velasquez busted Big Foot open and he was bleeding like a stuck pig.

Here is a head-to-toe breakdown of the rematch between Velasquez and Silva.

Begin Slideshow

2013 NFL Free Agents: Overlooked Players Who Have Massive Potential

John Rozum — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:00:00 -0400

There's plenty of talent still residing in the NFL's 2013 free-agent market.

And because of that, multiple players will go overlooked as the more established talents garner greater attention. Factor the impact from when free agency began, as well as the 2013 NFL draft and that only puts less appealing players farther off the radar.

By the same token, however, that makes players such as the following a gem acquisition add once the season nears.

Kerry Rhodes, Safety

Kerry Rhodes went drastically overlooked during his tenure for the Arizona Cardinals.

Although he was responsible for 14 turnovers in three seasons (eight picks, six fumbles recovered), Rhodes' production can rightfully be attributed to the presence of Adrian Wilson. Still, Rhodes also recorded 191 tackles, defended 27 passes and racked up 213 interception return yards.

Prior to Arizona, Rhodes had a sound career with the New York Jets from 2005 through 2009. There, he defended 47 passes, snagged 15 picks and accounted for 417 tackles.

In short, his nose for locating the ball and helping win the field position battle is an appealing part of Rhodes' impact.

Jackie Battle, RB

Jackie Battle isn't going to rush for 1,000-plus yards, because he's not that type of back.

However, Battle's style is a competitive advantage when facing any short down-and-distance situation. With the power to burst through would-be tacklers, Battle also provides reliable vision and quickness in narrow space to immediately redirect.

That all-encompassed ability also helps inside the red zone simply in terms of setting up the pass. As for production, he proved dependable for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2011 (665 total yards) and the San Diego Chargers last year (419 total yards).

Possessing No. 2 back potential, Battle's a better dual threat than given credit for and will answer the call when given opportunities.

Ramses Barden, WR

The NFL world was briefly introduced to Ramses Barden in 2012.

Against the Carolina Panthers he caught nine passes for 138 yards on 10 targets. It was the only game where he significantly contributed to the New York Giants last fall. Just because he didn't consistently impact, though, doesn't mean Barden lacks potential.

Measuring at 6'6" and 224 pounds, Barden features the body frame to fend off Cover 1 press and Cover 2 jams. In addition, his size is an advantage inside the red zone, over the middle and on third down.

As a result, Barden's snapshot talent from a season ago paired with his size is quite useful. Ultimately, he'll keep a secondary occasionally occupied and help extend running lanes by blocking downfield.

Liverpool Transfer Rumors: Thomas Ince Would Be Smart Addition for Reds

Timothy Rapp — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:00:00 -0400

As Liverpool continues to rebuild under manager Brendan Rodgers, it's clear the team has a few pressing needs. Reinforcements defensively (namely at centre-back) are needed, while the club could also use another sturdy holding midfielder.

With that being said, one of the most important needs at Anfield is an upgrade at winger.

Though the team has options at the positions out wide in Fabio Borini, Raheem Sterling and Stewart Downing, adding a bit more flair while Sterling continues to develop and Borini bounces back after an injury-laden season is a must.

Truthfully, adding more goals from the wide positions is necessary for Rodgers in his 4-3-3 system.

Enter Tom Ince.

From Alan Oliver of the Mirror:

Blackpool's highly-rated winger Tom Ince will be given the chance to join his father's former club—and not only Liverpool, writes the Sunday People.

The Reds and Spurs are leading a host of Premier League clubs who want the £7 million-rated son of Blackpool manager and former Liverpool and England skipper Paul Ince.

But PEOPLE SPORT can reveal that Inter Milan have now thrown their hat into the ring.

Ince has been absolutely fantastic for Blackpool this season, totaling 18 goals and 14 assists. The 21-year-old combines solid pace and a smooth touch with a natural goal-scoring ability and an absolute cannon of a left foot.

He is perhaps at his most dangerous on the right side, where he can cut inside on defenders and let rip with his favored left foot. He truly is a threat from distance, and defenders have to be wary of allowing him inside and must force him wide.

But Ince is versatile and he could also play on the left side or even slide more centrally as a second striker if needed (though Philippe Coutinho probably has that role locked up for the time being).

While Daniel Sturridge was an excellent midseason addition, there's no doubt that Liverpool needs to add another goal-scorer to its lineup to take some pressure off Luis Suarez.

Scoring goals wasn't the main problem for Liverpool this season—the team's 70 goals was fourth-most in the Premier League—but the team often became too reliant on Suarez to score. With another natural goal-scorer on the pitch—truthfully, a role Borini was supposed to play this season—the Reds could be very dangerous next season.

Liverpool will have no shortage of competition for Ince's signature, of course, but the Blackpool winger would be the perfect addition for the Anfield side this summer. Don't be surprised if Rodgers' first piece of summer business is to ensure Ince is wearing red next season.

NHL Playoffs 2013: Detroit Red Wings' Players to Watch in Game 3 vs. Blackhawks

Eric McKelvie — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:55:35 -0400

The Detroit Red Wings snuck by the Anaheim Ducks in Round 1 of the NHL playoffs, despite trailing by a game three times in the series. After falling behind to the Chicago Blackhawks in Round 2, they responded again in a big way.

Detroit won Game 2, 4-1, and outshot the Blackhawks, 30-20. Although it may have been their best game of the playoffs, there is still plenty of room for improvement for the Red Wings.

Game 3 is set for Monday May 20, at 7:30 p.m. ET at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. With that in mind, here are four players to keep an eye on throughout the course of the game.

Stats courtesy of NHL.com.

Begin Slideshow

The Difference Between Regular-Season LeBron and Postseason LeBron James

Brendan Bowers — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:48:45 -0400

Both on the court and off, LeBron James approaches the game differently during the playoffs.

Off the court, for example, James has logged off Twitter and turned off his cell phone for the second consecutive year.

The only commentary he appears to be paying attention to directly relates to his Miami Heat teammates and their postseason opponent.

On the court, while he is still the all-around player he's always been during the regular season, James is more of a rebounder during the playoffs while also increasing his scoring output when needed.

After cashing in his first championship during the 2012 playoffs, James also appears more confident than ever before in his postseason ability.

Begin Slideshow

Boston Celtics Guard Terrence Williams Arrested for Alleged Gun Threats

Alex Kay — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:47:30 -0400

Boston Celtics guard Terrence Williams, 25, has been arrested for making threats with a gun and is currently under investigation by Kent, Wash., police for a domestic violence case.

According to The Seattle Times, Williams—who played high school basketball at Rainier Beach in Seattle—was taken into custody following an argument with a woman who informed police she was the mother of his 10-year-old son.

At approximately 1:55 p.m., during a scheduled visitation of the boy, Williams exposed the gun in a downtown Kent parking lot, made threats and left before law enforcement could arrive.

The staff of the Kent Reporter found that Williams was taken into custody without issue. Police detective Melanie Frazier commented, "We investigate and treat all cases such as this very seriously regardless of the status of those involved."

With the investigation ongoing, details are still emerging. This is certainly concerning for Williams’ NBA career, as the former lottery pick has bounced around the league during his first four seasons.

After getting selected No. 11 overall by the New Jersey Nets in 2009, the former Louisville Cardinals star has spent time with the Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings, Boston Celtics, Springfield Armor of the D-League and Guangdong Southern Tigers in China.

His most recent contributions in the Association came as a backup point guard coming off Boston’s bench.

He turned a 10-day contract into a two-year deal that has a non-guaranteed option for the upcoming 2013-14 campaign. It remains to be seen if general manager Danny Ainge will exercise it.

Williams holds career averages of 4.6 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists.

Picking a Rising Stars Premier League XI for 2013-14

Sam Tighe — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:44:12 -0400

On Sunday, B/R picked an English Premier League Team of the Season following the culmination of the 2012-13 campaign.

In the same 4-2-3-1 formation, we've picked out a "rising stars XI"—a set of 11 players who've improved drastically over the course of the season and look primed to hit 2013-14 in great form.

The label "rising star" is difficult to quantify, so we've laid on a few restrictions: Every player is 23 or under, and each of them have seen their reputations explode over the course of one single year in the game.

See if you agree with our selections, and comment below if you've any to add!

Begin Slideshow

Arsenal 2012-13 Review and End-of-Season Awards

James McNicholas — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:19:18 -0400

Arsenal fans were able to end the 2012-13 season on something of a high, celebrating Champions League qualification after their victory over Newcastle United. Their pleasure was augmented by the fact that they snatched a top-four spot from neighbours Tottenham Hotspur.

It had looked impossible. Back in March, Spurs' victory over the Gunners gave them a seven-point lead. However, Arsene Wenger's team then responded brilliantly to pip their rivals to the post.

Despite the elation of the final day, this was anything but a uniformly successful season for Arsenal.

Over the next few slides, we discuss the merits of Arsenal's 2012-13 campaign and highlight the individual players and moments most worthy of recognition.

Begin Slideshow

Jamie Carragher: 10 Reasons to Love the Retired Liverpool Star

Ryan Bailey — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:15:40 -0400

After 737 games, a shelf full of silverware, 195 Premier League clean sheets and 16 years at Liverpool, Jamie Carragher finally hung up his boots after Sunday's Premier League match with QPR.

The former England defender was given a guard of honour by both teams as he stepped onto the turf at Anfield for the final time, and received a roaring ovation as he was substituted in the 86th minute.

To put his stay at Liverpool in perspective, Reds debutant Jordan Ibe was 13 months old when Carra made his first appearance.

Here's 10 reasons to love the retired Liverpool legend.

Begin Slideshow

Figuring out What Went Wrong in Chicago Bulls' Second Round Loss

Jay Wierenga — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:14:10 -0400

The Chicago Bulls saw their improbable playoff run ended by the Miami Heat last week. And while it might be tempting to dismiss their loss as a simple injury issue, there were deeper matters that led to their ouster.

For a team that survived on emotion and defense throughout the regular season, those emotions boiled over and the defense wasn't enough against a mighty team like the Heat.

Let's explore just exactly what went wrong in the Bulls' second-round loss to the Heat.

Giving up the boards

The Bulls won the first game in this series and nearly won the fifth game. In the middle games, the Bulls gave up a decided advantage that they had over the Heat.

They didn't dominate the boards.

The Bulls were an elite rebounding team during the regular season. With Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer and Taj Gibson they have one of the best frontcourt rotations in the East. Where they really excel is on the boards.

In the first game of the series, the Bulls crushed the Heat by 14 rebounds and in the fifth game they beat them by eight, including a nine-rebound advantage on the offensive glass.

During the middle games of the series, the Bulls were beaten by five.

There are plenty of reasons why this could be the case, but the biggest culprit was a lack of focus. The Bulls allowed themselves to get too emotional and this led to losing their focus on fundamentals.

The Heat didn't suddenly get better at rebounding. They simply allowed the Bulls to take themselves out of the game.

Don't believe me? Look at how many fouls the Bulls committed in the middle three games. They committed 57 in the first two losses and another 19 in their third loss. That is not a team that is playing under control.

Had they been able to play with controlled rage rather than emotional disruption, they could have kept their bigs on the floor and kept the rebounding edge intact.

Boozer disappears

For much of his career, Carlos Boozer has been considered an elite power forward.

His combination of power and touch have made him a double-double machine for years and have made him a lot of money.

But despite not having an elite defender guarding him for much of this series, Boozer seemed to vanish.

His effort in the rebounding department was atrocious, grabbing a total of eight in their first two losses.

Sure, he got off the rebounding slump in the fourth and fifth games with 12 and 14, but for much of the series he was pushed around down low.

He also didn't offer much in the line of scoring. Sure, the Heat keyed on the down low game as they grew less and less afraid of the drive, but Boozer never really looked for his shot.

The Bulls needed a dynamic scorer down low, but Boozer settled for bad shots or simply allowed himself to be taken out of the game.

For a guy who is earning serious scratch, this was a pathetic showing.

Injuries were critical

Just because injuries weren't the only issue, doesn't mean they weren't a big issue.

The Bulls' most underrated players all season were Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich.

Deng can score in multiple ways and provides points on the wing. He also has size to help disrupt on defense even if his athleticism doesn't always do him any favors at this point of his career.

Hinrich is a scrappy player who not only plays soundly with the ball in his hands, but is a pest on the defensive side of the ball. He also tends to hit big shots in the clutch.

These two players were critical to the success of the team throughout the regular season and the first round against the Brooklyn Nets. Deng led the team in scoring during the season and Hinrich led in assists.

And these two players missed the entire second-round series with the Heat.

A team that already isn't overly deep cannot afford to lose two starters and beat the defending champs.

And we haven't even mentioned the ongoing Derrick Rose saga that started out intriguing and ended up becoming a distraction.

Why exactly didn't the Bulls declare him inactive prior to the series? Were they hoping for a Willis Reed moment? Or did they just not know if he could be available?

At best it was annoying to the players, at worst it was a distraction and a warning about how their team feels about their talent.

The Bulls would have needed all of their players just to make a series with the Heat, but without them they really didn't have a chance.

Room to grow

The Bulls certainly need to keep their collective heads high after this series.

Few had them winning a game, much less the series.

The Bulls banded together and became the Bad News Bears of the NBA. Everyone was rooting for this band of misfits held together by a small but tough point guard in Nate Robinson and a big French guy with crazy hair in Noah.

They also saw plenty of their role players step up and hit big shots. Jimmy Butler played out of his mind at times and Marco Belinelli knocked down some big shots.

Overall, the Bulls saw their reserves and little-used players step up and come through.

The Bulls have a tricky off-season to maneuver but it certainly isn't impossible.

They have to make some tough decisions on personnel and will need a bit of luck to bring back all of their free agents.

Robinson appears to be a safe bet to leave town, but that exit will be more than made up for by Rose's eventual return.

Belinelli will have to give the Bulls a hometown discount in order to stay, but that isn't impossible.

The Bulls have tricky salary issues. Their top four players make a combined $60 million.

That being said, they do have options. They likely will choose to not pick up Rip Hamilton's $5 million option. They also have the option of using the Amnesty Clause to cut ties with Boozer if they get into trouble.

Overall, however, they should feel good about their future. They have all of their most important players locked up under contract for at least a couple more years, they have one of the best young players in the league in Rose and they just played a tough five-game series against the Heat despite being without several starters.

Tito Vilanova: Why Comparing and Blaming Is Not the Solution for Barca

Roberto Alvarez-Galloso — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:14:05 -0400

FC Barcelona ends the 2012/13 season searching for answers to questions arising in the post-Pep Guardiola era, with the majority of them related to its spectacular loss to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League semifinals.

Tito Vilanova and his period as FC Barcelona manager are at the center of many of the questions and answers, with many comparisons between he and Guardiola.

There are others that ask if Vilanova is the problem or part of it at La Blaugrana. The Guardian reported that Vilanova would talk with the players via video while undergoing medical treatment in New York.

However, the problems at Barca existed before and during the Vilanova era and are unrelated to him. Vilanova deserves to be praised for his ability to manage Barca in spite of his health problems.

Before addressing the existing problems and why Vilanova is not one of them, let us address Vilanova vs Guardiola.

Vilanova vs. Guardiola

The comparisons between Vilanova and Guardiola must come to an end. Back in January, Vilanova conceded that he would lose any comparisons with Guardiola as he simply hasn't had enough time to match the most successful club manager in recent years.

Vilanova said that his and Guardiola’s style of coaching are different. Midfielder Andres Iniesta agrees with Vilanova about the comparisons with his former coach, saying it was wrong to compare the two in an interview with GoIT via the FC Barcelona website.

The main problems with FC Barcelona lie in its excessive dependence on Lionel Messi and the team’s defense.

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi is one of the greatest footballers in the 21st Century. He was instrumental in the majority of Barca´s victories, especially in the UEFA Champions League (UCL).

Unfortunately, Messi suffered a hamstring injury during the UCL quarterfinals. While he was able to save Barca from defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain despite his injury, Messi was unable to prevent Bayern Munich walking away with a 7-0 aggregate win in the semifinals.

Defense

The Barca defense is in serious trouble with an almost total dependence on Carles Puyol, who is injured constantly and cannot perform adequately.

This leaves the defense unable to cope with attacks from opponents like Bayern Munich. Puyol is currently 35 years old and may not improve with time.

There is a possibility that Barca's defense may worsen in the 2013-14 season with disastrous results.

Conclusion

Instead of blaming Vilanova and making comparisons, Barca must address the Messi and defense situation. La Blaugrana must resolve the situation during the summer transfer window instead of next season.

It remains to be seen whether this can be achieved.

NBA Trade Rumors: Latest Pre-Draft Chatter from Around the League

Justin Onslow — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:00:05 -0400

With 26 teams now eliminated from title contention, much focus has shifted to the NBA offseason and what those teams plan to do prior to the draft on June 27.

For those teams that fell short of the ultimate prize, this is a time of reevaluation, planning and forward thinking. This is a time to make some decisions.

Some of those decisions will involve coaching changes and roster moves, but every organization in the league must be prepared to improve through the draft. With a premium placed on lottery selections—and finding the right players outside the top 14 picks—general managers are scrambling to craft a plan for acquiring the players they want.

But some of those general managers are looking at poor draft position. For those teams, this is a time to consider making some decisive moves to put their team in the best position to make a splash in the draft.

Let’s take a look at some rumors from around the league and identify a few squads looking to potentially move up or down the draft board to acquire the players they want in the 2013 NBA draft.

Portland Trail Blazers

The 2013 campaign was a disappointing season for the Portland Trail Blazers, but they have a solid foundation on which to build for the future. With Rookie of the Year Damian Lillard and leading scorer LaMarcus Aldridge in place for next season, general manager Neil Olshey should be focused on finding another talented scorer to lead his team through the playoff barrier in the Western Conference.

According to Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com, Olshey may have a target in mind. Sources indicate the Trail Blazers “really like” Indiana swingman Victor Oladipo and may try to move up in the draft to acquire him.

The draft lottery on May 21 will give a clearer indication, but Portland is currently slotted for the No. 10 pick in the draft—a position in which it will likely have to trade up to obtain the athletic perimeter scorer. Should the Trail Blazers not crack the top five when the ping pong balls are drawn, Olshey may have to get creative to trade up.

This year’s draft isn’t being lauded for its elite talent, though, and with the recent success of non-lottery picks like Kenneth Faried and Chandler Parsons, there may be a bevy of teams hoping to add extra picks by moving back in the first round—like the Charlotte Bobcats.

Charlotte Bobcats

According to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer, the Bobcats may be interested in moving out of the top five—a rare occurrence in a draft that typically focuses on top-tier talent:

Here’s what I noticed: The Charlotte Bobcats, a team assured of drafting no lower than fifth in the first round and having no second-round pick, seem oddly curious about players projected to be drafted in the middle of the first round.

So I asked several writers covering teams with similarly high picks if they thought their general managers were receptive to trading down. “Absolutely,” I kept hearing.

Every general manager will be doing his due diligence prior to the draft, and the talk of trading down may simply be a smokescreen to keep other teams on their toes, but there could be some validity to the rumors if the Bobcats have their heart set on a player who isn’t a projected top-five talent.

Bonnell offers an observation involving one of those potential players on Twitter:

As is the case with Portland, what Charlotte ultimately decides to do will hinge on how the draft lottery plays out, but it’s hard to imagine a top-five team willingly trading back in the first round, even in a weak draft class. The Bobcats can’t afford to get too creative and miss out on a proven talent and future building block.

Los Angeles Lakers

It’s hard to put a positive spin on the Los Angeles Lakers’ season. Despite adding superstar talent this offseason, the Lakers floundered much of the year and met their fate at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs, as Kobe Bryant watched on with a season-ending injury.

There’s no timetable for Bryant’s return and general manager Mitch Kupchak will have his hands full with trying to retain Howard. What that means, however, is Pau Gasol may be the odd man out in Los Angeles.

According to Sam Amico of Fox Sports, the Lakers may be willing to trade the forward in exchange for youth and better draft positioning, potentially in the lottery, as he also noted on Twitter:

The unrest involving Gasol in Los Angeles has been palpable, and it shouldn’t be a surprise that the team could look to move him this offseason. With Bryant’s 2013 future in question and the prospect of potentially losing Howard to free agency, Kupchak has to be willing to reshape his roster and get younger through the draft.

Brock Lesnar vs. Triple H: Previewing Each Star's WWE Future After Extreme Rules

Maxwell Ogden — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:00:04 -0400

WWE Extreme Rules was an event of extraordinary brutality, with no contest quite as brutal as the steel cage match between Brock Lesnar and Triple H. The two went back and forth with no remorse, eventually seeing the end when Lesnar hit Triple H with a one-legged F-5 to pick up the win.

So, what's next for each of these Superstars after their rubber match at Extreme Rules?

Lesnar and Triple H went to battle in the only manner we've come to expect, holding nothing back while bringing the pain. Both men went for shots with the sledgehammer, steel chairs and the unforgiving steel structure.

More times than not, they connected.

The action started fast, as Triple H took it to Lesnar during his entrance, attacking him from behind and slamming him head first into the cage. Triple H even jumped off of the top rope for a strike, displaying how far he was willing to go to win.

Unfortunately, even on one leg, Lesnar proved to be too much.

Lesnar missed with a knee strike and collided with the steel cage, but that was hardly enough to hold him back. From furious grapples to dangerous shots with steel chairs and sledgehammers, there was no love lost in this one.

Where will these two stars go from here?

Brock Lesnar

After taking part in their third, and potentially final, match, there's reason to believe that Brock Lesnar and Triple H will move on to new pursuits. In Lesnar's case, that appears to be the only rational option at this stage of the game.

After all, Lesnar hasn't done much other than wrestle Triple H since returning to the WWE.

Assuming Lesnar wants to work on a consistent basis, there's reason to believe that he'll enter the chase for the WWE Championship. John Cena and Ryback appear to be locked into their feud for the foreseeable future, but we'd be remiss to ignore the potential here.

Cena and Lesnar were the biggest stars of their respective eras, and their last legitimate—or at least noteworthy—feud came before Cena entered his prime.

There's reason to believe that Cena and Lesnar will be able to draw headlines, even if it is months down the road. If the WWE opts to pursue that route, Lesnar must be thrust into a storyline of note as soon as possible.

Randy Orton would be the most intriguing storyline for clear reasons, while Sheamus appears to be the only other rational face for Lesnar to tackle.

Regardless of whom Lesnar draws, the only way to make his weekly appearances work is to have him in the main event. If Lesnar is to remain limited in his appearances, however, the approach doesn't change as much as you'd think.

Even if he's not doing a weekly program, Lesnar needs to be with a top draw for the WWE to produce a believable storyline.

Triple H

Triple H has been ruling WWE television and pay-per-views for nearly 20 years. From his time as the Connecticut Blue Blood to his tenure as the leader of Evolution, there isn't much that Triple H hasn't done in this industry.

The question is simple: What more can he do as a wrestler?

Triple H is an eight-time WWE champion, a six-time World Heavyweight champion and a five-time Intercontinental champion, amongst various other feats. He was the second-ever Grand Slam champion, and he won the 1997 King of the Ring and conquered the 2002 Royal Rumble match.

Heck, he's even won the Slammy Award for best hair.

At 43, however, we can't help but wonder what more this active legend can achieve from here on out. Prior to his feud with Brock Lesnar, it appeared as if Triple H would be hanging up the boots and taking on a larger role as a backstage presence.

Even as he does the latter, however, Triple H has managed to perform at a high level in the ring.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, Triple H is unlikely to wrestle in weekly appearances. While his tenures as world champion have always come with great results—and likely would again if he were crowned—there's only so much a man of Triple H's age can offer on a weekly basis.

If anyone can do it, however, we know it's The Game.

With that being said, this match ended with Lesnar resting the sledgehammer across Triple H's chest. That was the ultimate burial style ending, which sparks the rational belief that his career is all but over in the ring.

Anything is possible, but there are only so many storylines you can work out of this ending.

NBA Lottery 2013: Full Odds and First-Round Order for Each Team

Justin Onslow — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:00:04 -0400

Tuesday’s draft lottery will give a much clearer indication of what to expect when the 2013 NBA draft takes place on June 27. As it stands, much of the selection process is still very much up in the air.

In posting a 20-62 record, the Orlando Magic have put themselves in position to secure the No. 1 selection in this year’s draft. While they hold 25 percent odds of doing just that, recent history suggests we could see another surprise team take the stage for the first selection, though.

Only four times in the 28 years of the lottery has the team with the worst regular-season record secured the first pick in the draft, the last of which was in 2004. The team to do so? The Orlando Magic.

Maybe this will be the year we finally see things shake out according to the odds.

The Charlotte Bobcats and Cleveland Cavaliers are also in good position to win the first pick, however. With 19.9 and 15.6 percent odds, respectively, it wouldn’t be surprising to see one of the two teams jump the magic in draft positioning to acquire some of this draft’s class’ elite talent.

Let’s take a look at the lottery odds and draft order and break down which players could be in line to be the first selected in the June 27 entry draft.

Lottery Odds

Team	Lottery Odds
Orlando Magic	25 percent
Charlotte Bobcats	19.9 percent
Cleveland Cavaliers	15.6 percent
Phoenix Suns	11.9 percent
New Orleans Pelicans	8.8 percent
Sacramento Kings	6.3 percent
Detroit Pistons	3.6 percent
Washington Wizards	3.5 percent
Minnesota Timberwolves	1.7 percent
Portland Trail Blazers	1.1 percent
Philadelphia 76ers	0.8 percent
Toronto Raptors	0.7 percent
Dallas Mavericks	0.6 percent
Utah Jazz	0.5 percent

Remaining First-Round Order

Pick	Team
15	Milwaukee Bucks
16	Boston Celtics
17	Atlanta Hawks
18	Atlanta Hawks (via Brooklyn and Houston)
19	Cleveland (via Los Angeles Lakers)
20	Chicago Bulls
21	Utah Jazz (via Brooklyn and Golden State)
22	Brooklyn Nets
23	Indiana Pacers
24	New York Knicks
25	Los Angeles Clippers
26	Minnesota Timberwolves (via Houston and Memphis)
27	Denver Nuggets
28	San Antonio Spurs
29	Oklahoma City
30	Phoenix Suns (via Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland and Miami)

*Odds and order acquired from Pro Basketball Talk.

Nerlens Noel: C, Kentucky

Despite suffering a devastating ACL tear during the 2012-13 season, Nerlens Noel should be in line to be one of the first players selected in the NBA draft. He has the talent and tremendous potential to be the first overall pick, but teams will be especially interested in how far along the center is in recovering from that injury.

At 6’11” and 216 pounds, Noel has the length and athleticism to be a nightmare for opposing frontcourts. In 31.9 minutes per game with the Wildcats, the big man recorded 10.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 4.4 blocks per contest, drawing comparisons to the likes of Bill Russell.

It remains to be seen how he will perform at the NBA level, but hopefully we won’t have to wait too long to find out. Regardless of his timetable for return to the court, Noel will be one of the first players to find a home in the draft.

Ben McLemore: SG, Kansas

Noel’s knee injury may open the door for Kansas shooting guard Ben McLemore to assume the role as No. 1 overall pick this year. As good as the Kentucky center could be, there’s much less risk in selecting the purest shooter in college basketball.

At 6’5” and 185 pounds, McLemore has the ideal frame for the 2-guard position in the NBA. Paired with an extremely quick release and a three-point stroke often compared to that of Ray Allen, McLemore is practically unguardable.

The freshman didn’t play all that well in the NCAA tournament, but his regular-season statistics (15.9 points per game, 42 percent from behind the arc) suggest a small drop in postseason production should be nothing to worry about.

The first selection will likely depend on which team manages to secure the No. 1 pick, however. No team is without the need for a tremendous perimeter scorer like McLemore, but positional need could play a big part in where he is ultimately selected.