Bleacher Report - Front Page

LeBron James on Unbelievable Game 6: 'By Far the Best Game I've Been a Part Of'

Jesse Dorsey — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 02:15:07 -0400

LeBron James has been in the league for a decade now, is playing in his fourth NBA Finals, and has had his fair share of high-stakes games in the process, but he said after Game 6 that his career hit a peak.

It wasn't necessarily the way he played that was at a peak, he was talking about the level of intensity, entertainment, and terrific play from either team that really saw a high on Tuesday night.

"By far the best game I've ever been a part of. " - LeBron
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) June 19, 2013

There are definitely examples of games in which he preformed better—Game 5 against Detroit in 2007 comes to mind, as does last year's Game 6 in the Eastern Conference playoffs against the Boston Celtics, but as far as overall quality is concerned, LeBron may have hit the nail right on the head.

This game really had everything you could ask for when it comes to the NBA Finals—runs from either team, incredible defense met with equally impressive offense, a magnificent game from a 37-year-old man, ridiculous three-point shots, an extremely involved crowd (although a handful of people left with the Spurs up by five in the fourth quarter), and of course, overtime.

From the start of the fourth quarter all the way through the end of overtime, every possession was high in intensity and extremely important to the outcome of the game.

There was an outcome that was all but decided, a thrilling comeback, and a splendid overtime period giving us a solid ending.

If there was one complaint someone could have about the game, it would be the referees sticking their noses into it just a bit too much, and perhaps, a bit too little near the end.

Otherwise, what we had in Game 6 was a near-perfect basketball game, at least from an entertainment standpoint.

Let's just hope that Game 7 can live up to the hype and rival what we saw on Tuesday night.

Manu Ginobili 'Devastated' After Spurs' Crushing Game 6 Defeat to Miami

Jesse Dorsey — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:44:59 -0400

After the San Antonio Spurs let a championship slip just out of their fingers in Game 6 as the Miami Heat came back and took a 103-100 victory in overtime Tuesday night, Manu Ginobili stands out.

Ginobili was miserable in the potential NBA Finals clincher, his team having entered with a 3-2 series lead. He fumbled away a career-high eight turnovers, including a shot knocked out of his hands and into Ray Allen's with just under two seconds remaining in overtime, and let his frustration show.

After Allen knocked down his free throws and Danny Green's desperation three-pointer was blocked by Chris Bosh, the Spurs were forced to tuck their tail between their collective legs and regroup for a Game 7 in Miami Friday night.

Unfortunately for the Spurs, Ginobili didn't exactly exude confidence in the postgame press conference.

"I have no clue how we're going to be re-energized [for Game 7]. I'm devastated." Manu Ginobili
— Ben Golliver (@blazersedge) June 19, 2013

While Ginobili argued on the court that his final turnover was forced by a foul, that doesn't take away the other seven cough-ups he had in Game 6. Or the minus-21 rating he posted with his nine points and three assists.

The fact remains that he was utterly terrible in the most important game of the season for the Spurs, and you could even argue that he's directly responsible for them not winning a championship on Tuesday night.

San Antonio held a four-point lead with less than 30 seconds left in the game, and Ginobili went to the line to give the Spurs a six-point advantage that would be borderline insurmountable.

He made just one of two free throws (same as Kawhi Leonard a few seconds later), LeBron James and Ray Allen hit three-pointers, and on to overtime we went.

Regardless of what Ginobili said after the loss, he and the Spurs will have to find a way to get re-energized. Otherwise the Heat could run away with a championship that was so nearly headed to San Antonio.

Gregg Popovich Chokes Away Spurs' Best Shot at NBA Title

Zach Buckley — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:43:46 -0400

The San Antonio Spurs wanted their season to come to a close with Tuesday night's Game 6.

Sure, this was only the first of San Antonio's two chances to secure the title, but neither of those two games would be held on its home floor. A win on Tuesday would've been an emphatic exclamation point at the end of its dynasty. A loss would bring a number of question marks between now and Thursday's Game 7.

Coach Gregg Popovich allotted his minutes accordingly. Tim Duncan, a 37-year-old 16-year veteran, tied his season-high with 44. Tony Parker, who's been dealing with a nagging hamstring injury, logged 43. Manu Ginobili, who gave away eight of San Antonio's 13 turnovers, played 35.

But Popovich's paper-thin rotation was far from his biggest coaching gaffe. Well, except for maybe Ginobili's prolonged run:

Gregg Popovich had a bad night. Manu Ginobli had no business playing. That was obvious early and often.
— John Buccigross (@Buccigross) June 19, 2013

All of this would have been forgiven if the Spurs ultimately found themselves on the right side of the scoreboard.

But thanks to a pair of crunch-time triples from LeBron James and Ray Allen and an untimely showing of the legendary coach's mortality, that wasn't the case.

The Spurs carried a 10-point lead into the third quarter, but they watched it all dissipate over the next 12 minutes. San Antonio's meager five-point showing in overtime wasn't enough to ward off the backs-against-the-wall Miami Heat, who lived to see another day with a 103-100 win.

With nothing more than two sleepless nights left separating these teams from a winner-take-all Game 7, Popovich would love to fast-forward the next 40-odd hours. Surely he didn't seem like he'd be searching for the rewind button during the postgame press conference:

Gregg Popovich might choke a reporter tonight
— Ethan J. Skolnick (@EthanJSkolnick) June 19, 2013

The what-if questions are going to haunt this team until the opening tip gets tossed on Thursday night.

So why not let the haunting begin here?

What if Popovich hadn't benched Duncan with 28.3 seconds left and the Spurs holding a five-point lead? Given that Erik Spoelstra sidelined his own big man, Chris Bosh, during the same break, it would have led to a tough matchup, but it's hard to imagine The Big Fundamental not tracking down at least one of Miami's two crucial offensive boards that set up James and Allen's bombs:

#spurs coach Gregg Popovich is a genius, but not having Tim Duncan on floor late in reg. was huge. Mia got 2 boards that led to 3s for #Heat
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) June 19, 2013

What if Popovich had just left Parker on the floor for the entire final 78 seconds of the extra session rather than pull him twice with a title on the line? Presumably that pulls the ball out of Ginobili's hands, who coughed up turnovers seven and eight in the final 45 seconds of the contest.

The Spurs' legacy is already set. Popovich's team wasn't expected to be in this position, so surely his career wasn't going to go down in the history books based off of this series alone.

But that doesn't free the coach from facing the same criticisms that would hammer his peers under the same circumstances:

Gregg Popovich coached like Vinny Del Negro at crunch time, with a title on the line.
— Marcel Mutoni (@marcel_mutoni) June 19, 2013

There's not going to be another 30-point, 17-rebound effort coming from Duncan. That's not me saying that; it's the body of work he's put forth over the last two months.

Kawhi Leonard had 22 points and 11 rebounds in this game. His last 20-10 game? A Spurs loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder back on April 4.

Another disastrous game from Ginobili would surprise no one; he's been a non-factor in five of the six games in this series.

This was a game the Spurs had to win. Not just because Miami's a 46-7 team at home, but because San Antonio had that 10-point lead with 12 minutes left, that five-point edge with 28.2 seconds remaining:

That was probably San Antonio's best punch. No matter how you slice it, Spurs choked. And that's on Gregg Popovich.
— Got 'Em Coach (@GotEm_Coach) June 19, 2013

And then Popovich lost his cool. He forgot why the Spurs were even in this position to begin with:

Almost any other coach but Pop would be ripped for the last moments of regulation and OT..no Duncan, no Parker, no sense
— Bill Plaschke (@BillPlaschke) June 19, 2013

Popovich has the kind of wildly successful coaching resume that we're never supposed to question.

But on Tuesday night, with a fifth championship ring at his fingertips, he left us with no other choice.

Follow @Hoops_Guru

Miami Heat Fans Leave Game 6 Early and Miss Team's OT Win

Ryan Rudnansky — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:43:26 -0400

Miami Heat fans have developed a reputation recently of not being the most faithful to their team.

Tuesday night could not have proven that point any more.

There was a mass exodus of Heat fans at AmericanAirlines Arena down the stretch in Game 6 on Tuesday. You know, the same Game 6 that saw the Heat come from behind in the fourth quarter. The same Game 6 that saw Ray Allen force overtime with a three-pointer with five seconds left. The same Game 6 that saw Chris Bosh block Danny Green at the buzzer in overtime.

The Dan Le Batard Show tweeted:

Le Batard added:

When fans heard the Heat were mounting a furious comeback, they reportedly begged to be let back into the arena, but weren't allowed to.

Victor Oquendo of WPLG tweeted:

Well, perhaps the guilty will learn their lesson: never lose hope in your team.

Game 6 was a stunning display of resiliency by the defending champions. Their season appeared to be over and done with when they found themselves down by five points with 28 seconds left. One missed free throw and two three-pointers later, they had forced overtime.

The Heat found themselves trailing by three points with 2:42 remaining in overtime, but went on to score six unanswered points down the stretch to force a Game 7.

For fans of perennially-struggling franchises, what some Heat fans did on Tuesday night was inexcusable. It was the kind of display that gives an entire city a bad reputation.

We can only hope Heat fans show up and stay at Game 7. That's the least they can do at this point, for the sake of die-hard sports fans everywhere.

Takeaways from Unforgettable NBA Finals Game 6

Josh Martin — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:34:34 -0400

Wow. Just...wow.

What more could you ask for from an NBA Finals game? Great players from two great teams making big plays in crunch time.

That's what basketball fans were treated to in Game 6, which the Miami Heat won 103-100 in overtime against the San Antonio Spurs Tuesday night. It was an instant classic, and one that Thursday's Game 7 will have a tough time topping.

(LeBron James would probably agree.)

Not that it won't. You can bet some theatrics will ensue when no fewer than seven Hall of Famers are involved in a winner-take-all tussle for the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

But before we get too wrapped up in a hotly anticipated season finale, let's look back at the biggest takeaways from Game 6.

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San Antonio Spurs vs. Miami Heat Game 6: Video Highlights and Recap

Maxwell Ogden — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:32:03 -0400

That. Was. Extraordinary.

For five games, the world was crying in outrage, as few games of the 2013 NBA Finals were competitive. Fortunately for those that were willing to wait, Game 6 was one of the best games we've seen all season long.

Talk about being worth the price of admission.

Ray Allen was the hero of the game, hitting a three-pointer with 5.2 seconds remaining to force overtime. LeBron James added a triple-double with 32 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, while Mario Chalmers stepped up with 20 huge points on 7-of-11 shooting.

Allen finished with nine.

For the Spurs, Tim Duncan went off for 30 points and 17 rebounds, while Kawhi Leonard added 22 points, 11 rebounds and three steals. Tony Parker finished with 19 points and eight assists, including a fourth-quarter spurt for the ages.

Manu Ginobili added nine points on just five field-goal attempts.

The question is: Were the Heat able to capitalize on Allen's momentous three-pointer and pick up the victory? Or were the Spurs able to overcome the late rally and win the 2013 NBA Championship?

Check the video provided above to find out.

San Antonio Spurs vs. Miami Heat: Game 6 Postgame Grades and Analysis

Peter Emerick — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:28:52 -0400

With the season, a shot at an NBA title and an entire legacy on the line, LeBron James stepped up, put the Miami Heat on his back and willed them to a 103-100 overtime win over the San Antonio Spurs.

Once LeBron's headband came off, his play elevated to an entirely different, epic level, on his way to a triple-double consisting of 32 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists.

Without Ray Allen's game-tying three ball with under six seconds left in the game, none of LeBron's production would've mattered. But luckily for the Heat, that wasn't the case.

Most importantly though, LeBron set the tone defensively in the fourth quarter, helping his Miami Heat hold the Spurs to just 20 fourth-quarter points.

The Spurs just couldn't get the production they needed down the stretch, with Tim Duncan scoring just five of his 30 points in the second half.

Tony Parker, with 19 points and eight assists, had an average game, but his horribly inefficient shooting—6-of-23 from the field—held him and the Spurs back.

If the Spurs fail to win Game 7, they will see Game 6 as one of the biggest missed opportunities in franchise history.

If the Heat go on to win Game 7 and the NBA title, it will go down as one of the most memorable in franchise history and one of the defining moments of LeBron's career.

We're all set for a Game 7 on Thursday, June 20, and it's going to be nothing short of incredible.

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LeBron James Unleashes a Whole New Level of Beast Mode in Epic 'Headband Game'

Jimmy Spencer — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:27:59 -0400

The tearing down of LeBron James was beginning to stir.

The league’s greatest player was submersed in mediocrity for three quarters of Game 6 despite the cries for him to be legendary. His Miami Heat trailed by 10 points entering the fourth quarter, and James’ stat line was stagnant at 14 points on 3-of-12 shooting.

A legacy was on the line; this was James’ moment to decide how his story would be told.

He roared with his response.

James scored 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting in the fourth quarter in captaining the comeback and eventual 103-100 overtime victory against the San Antonio Spurs Tuesday night. Now, the 2013 NBA Finals carries on to Game 7 Thursday night.

The league MVP finished with a triple-double, tallying 32 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. But it wasn’t even what James did; it was how he did it.

James became mystically transformed after his trademark headband was knocked from his head by Tim Duncan early in the fourth quarter.

The Heat superstar became crazed, losing his signature accessory while gaining an urgency that he has lacked during these finals against the Spurs.

James had done a better job of attacking the basket through the first three quarters, yet he uncharacteristically missed on finishes.

He was playing like a mortal—like a star who was about to lose his third finals in four attempts. He looked ready to be roasted as a player whose legacy would be more remembered for shrinking in the moment.

Instead, the emblematic moment of shedding his headband shifted his character. James drove with an unstoppable ferocity. He finished with strength and balance, appearing a step quicker, a leap higher and with more strength than any player on the floor.

He dominated with his defense.

He was something enchantingly unique, taking over the fourth quarter with a force performed only by legends. There were moments when, with the ball in his hands, you knew he would do something great.

Of course, it wasn't all magical. The stretch of dominance didn’t endure the remainder of the game, though it led Miami back into a position to steal the win. And there was an ugly run at the end that could have shifted the narrative back to "unclutch."

With four minutes left and the Heat leading 87-84, James missed a 17-foot jumper in a head-scratching moment when he decided to settle after having just prior reached the rim with such ease.

He lost another possession with 3:17 remaining when he was called for an offensive charge against Tony Parker. As the Heat trailed 91-89 with 39 seconds remaining, James turned the ball over, and he did it again trailing 93-89 with 28 seconds remaining with a bad pass.

It appeared as if he was shrinking in the moment.

James seemed to have gone completely cold again with 23 seconds left and his Heat trailing 94-89 when he missed a three-point attempt. But then luck swung his way, and an offensive rebound led back to another James three-point attempt that, this time, he hit to pull Miami within two with 20 seconds left.

Ultimately, it was Ray Allen’s game-tying three-pointer in the final seconds that sent the game to overtime and allowed James to be remembered as a hero and not a failure, even if he only had one basket in overtime.

It's funny how being picked up by a teammate can change a personal story line.

Still, it was James’ ability to take over the game that lifted the Heat to a Game 7 and the opportunity to win a second consecutive title. When LeBron James watches the Game 6 tape of his fourth-quarter performance, he will see what it takes to create a legacy as an all-time great.

If he plays like as did in the fourth quarter for an entire Game 7, the Heat will undoubtedly be crowned champions once again.

Follow @JimmySpencerNBA

Johnny Manziel Reportedly Considered Transferring Prior to 2012 Season

Ryan Rudnansky — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:17:59 -0400

Johnny Manziel reportedly thought about transferring from Texas A&M before his Heisman campaign in 2012, according to Kate Hairopoulos of the Dallas Morning News.

When Manziel was arrested in College Station's Northgate bar district last summer, the Aggies suspended the dual-threat quarterback for the 2012 season. Only after an appeal overturned the suspension did the 20-year-old settle on staying at A&M.

Talk about a close call.

While A&M had a solid overall team last season, the Aggies never would have gone 11-2 and won the Cotton Bowl if Manziel wasn't the quarterback. The fact that he was named the starter as late as August at College Station is stunning in hindsight.

Manziel's 2012 campaign was something special. He not only threw for 3,706 yards and 26 touchdowns (nine interceptions), but he also rushed for 1,409 yards and 21 touchdowns.

His performance against eventual national champion Alabama on November 10 will long be remembered in Aggies history. He threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns in that game while adding 92 rushing yards. It led to a 29-24 upset victory over Nick Saban's squad.

Of course, the pressure after winning the Heisman, not to mention the pressure headed into the next season, can get the best of athletes.

Per the Dallas Morning News report, Manziel tweeted over the weekend, “Bull [expletive] like tonight is a reason why I can’t wait to leave College Station…whenever it may be.”

Manziel later deleted the tweet and tweeted, “Don’t ever forget that I love A&M with all of my heart, but please please walk a day in my shoes.”

To say the pressure appears to be getting to Manziel would be an understatement. He's already exhibiting signs of fame squeezing him like a vice.

Texas A&M has the potential to do big things this season. But the Aggies can only go as far as Manziel takes them. They better hope he's mentally sound when he steps on the football field to start the 2013-14 campaign.

Tim Duncan's Game 6 Will Go Down in History Despite Spurs Loss

Steven Cook — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:15:37 -0400

It was a performance for the ages by San Antonio Spurs star forward Tim Duncan, but unfortunately for him, late heroics from the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals will forever dampen what was a historic performance.

Duncan's line for the night was 30 points and 17 rebounds to go along with a plus-16 rating. It's absolutely baffling how a team's star player can rack up such a high plus-minus rating in a playoff loss.

But it's not the final stat line from the Big Fundamental that garners praise from the basketball world, it's how he led his team early on in what looked to be their shining moment.

The Spurs came out flat-footed in the first quarter, but it was Duncan who kept their heads well above water. You couldn't tell it by the scoreboard as San Antonio went into the locker room with a 50-44 lead, but the Spurs weren't getting much from their other two stars. Manu Ginobili was 0-of-2 in the game's first 30 minutes, while Parker shot 2-of-6.

Heck, even Danny Green missed a three-pointer in the opening frame.

But they didn't have to worry, because their all-time great power forward decided to show up early and often after cruising his way through much of the series' first five games.

And the incredible thing is that Duncan didn't even need to see his teammates' struggles to get him going. He was a perfect 6-of-6 in the first quarter, wasting no time in taking over the paint early on, as all of those makes were either in the paint or on the blocks.

His 25 points and eight rebounds to close out the first half was more legendary visually than it was statistically, and that's saying something.

Going 10-of-12 in the first half of a potential closeout Game 6 with a fifth ring on the line? Somehow, I feel as if using the word "legendary" is a smack in the face of that performance.

ESPN Stats and Information summed up his jaw-dropping first half with an interesting tidbit:

Duncan may not have had his same effect in the second half with just five points in the scoring column, but he protected the paint with a daunting presence and cleaned up the boards for San Antonio.

When the game reaches its boiling point like it did on Tuesday night, it often gets dominated by guard play. That kept Duncan from getting the ball on the paint in crunch time, as Gregg Popovich opted to trust Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili with their penetration.

But don't let that allow you to overlook what was a monumental performance from Duncan on Tuesday night.

The 37-year-old is already the greatest power forward of all time in my opinion, but what he was able to do in such a clutch Game 6 is beyond me and only assures more admiration for Duncan's career.

Who knows, perhaps we'd be referring to him as 2013 NBA Finals MVP if that Ray Allen three-pointer with just five seconds left in regulation hadn't gone down.

It's too bad for Duncan and the Spurs that one of the all-time great playoff performances will be remembered for this fourth-quarter block by LeBron James in what was a stunning comeback.

While his plan to put the final touches on a trophy-filled career with a fifth ring came up just short on Tuesday, you can bet that the Big Fundamental will be more ready than ever for Game 7.

After all, it could be Duncan's last true attempt at making history.

Is New England Patriots Rookie Zach Sudfeld a Viable Replacement for Gronk?

Sean Keane — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:05:16 -0400

In light of All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski’s offseason back surgery, on top of enough arm surgeries to construct him a bionic limb styled after Inspector Gadget, the New England Patriots may find themselves in quite the pickle come September.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported (via Rotoworld) that Gronk will begin training camp on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list, and if he remains on that list to begin the season, he will find himself ineligible for game action until Week 7.

Missing the league’s best tight end is nothing new for the Patriots. They played five games without him last season and still scored the most points in the NFL, so his absence may not be a death knell for the offense, but that was then and this is now.

Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd aren’t around to pick up the slack anymore. Outside of Aaron Hernandez, quarterback Tom Brady will have an entirely new cast of starters trying to reel in his throws, none of whom are proven commodities.

So while I expect great things from newly acquired Danny Amendola and Hernandez can help soften the blow, Brady figures to miss his reliable stud taking on the teeth of the defense more than he did last season.

That’s where undrafted rookie tight end Zach Sudfeld comes in.

Heading into offseason workouts, former New York Giant Jake Ballard seemed poised to slide into that role if things went ill for Gronkowski, which they have. Unfortunately for Ballard, he also succumbed to injury, although not of the surgical variety. He went down with an ankle injury during OTAs, and suddenly the unknown, undrafted rookie was thrust into action with the first-team offense.

Sensing his opportunity, Sudfeld pounced, opening a lot of eyes in the process.

The 6'7", 255-pound rookie from Nevada earned praise via Twitter from Mike Reiss at ESPN Boston.

He caught the attention of NESN’s Doug Kyed as well. The recurring theme? Sudfeld looks comfortable putting his incredible size and athleticism to use in the passing game.

He didn’t have many opportunities to showcase those skills at Nevada because he couldn’t stay healthy. He finally made it through a full season in 2012, and the results were impressive: 45 receptions, 598 yards, eight touchdown.

Considering he played in a pistol offense that requires tight ends to take on active roles as blockers and suppresses their numbers—see Davis, Vernon circa 2012—posting those stats was no small feat. In fact, his numbers bear a strong resemblance to what another Patriots tight end posted during his final year of college: 47 receptions, 672 yards, 10 touchdowns.

The second set of stats is obviously better, but considering they belong to Gronkowski himself, they aren’t as superior as one might imagine. To be clear, Sudfeld isn’t the Gronk, but he can do a lot of the same things, albeit not quite as well.

The two are even the same age (24) and also share another far less fortunate similarity with a mutual propensity for injury. Sudfeld missed the equivalent of nearly two full seasons due to injury while at Nevada, and that health risk caused him to go undrafted despite measurables that seem better suited to an early-round selection.

At Nevada’s pro day, NFLDraftScout.com recorded him finishing with a 4.78 40-yard dash, 37” vertical leap, 9’5” broad jump, 4.41 20-yard shuttle and 7.08 three-cone drill.

Based on the combine results at NFL.com, he had a nearly identical workout to that of former Stanford tight end Zach Ertz, who landed with the Philadelphia Eagles after being taken 35th overall.

Again, to be clear, I’m not saying Sudfeld is a second-round talent, but once players enter the NFL, their draft status becomes irrelevant, especially for players like Sudfeld who don’t even have a draft status to fall back on. What he does have are staggering size, uncanny athleticism, surprising agility and steady hands—all traits that helped propel Gronkowski to the pinnacle of his craft.

As a rookie free agent he entered OTAs as an unknown, but as we head toward training camp, Sudfeld looks like a legitimate weapon. With a solid camp and subsequent preseason, he’ll likely earn a spot in Bill Belichick’s tight end rotation and give the Patriots one more reason not to rush Gronkowski back.

Assembling Jonathan Papelbon Trade Packages from the Red Sox, Tigers, Cardinals

Jason Martinez — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:04:17 -0400

Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe reported in a recent column that the Philadelphia Phillies believed that the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals all had interest in their closer, Jonathan Papelbon. Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has also recently stated his lack of interest in trading any of his most valuable assets and an unwillingness to break up the core of his team and start over.

In the case of Papelbon, he mentioned that his team doesn't have a replacement ready to step in for one of the best closer's in the game. And there is no one "on the market", according to Amaro —I'm assuming he's referring to external options in the upcoming offseason.

Amaro's job, however, is to make sure that his team is competitive year in and year out. In order to do so, he must weigh his options and not mortgage the future to try and win now when his roster is not good enough to do so.

While trading Papelbon doesn't fit Amaro's philosophy not to "do five-year plans" —which actually makes sense now if he thinks he'll be out of a job if the 2013 or 2014 team isn't competitive— the organization may need to decide as a whole on the club's direction. If that direction is to get younger and improve the farm system, trading their 32 year-old closer might be a start.

Here's what it might take for the three aforementioned teams to acquire Papelbon.

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LeBron James Leads Heat to Victory with Triple-Double in Game 6 of NBA Finals

Tyler Conway — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:00:40 -0400

Who needs a headband when you're the greatest player alive?

In one of the most thrilling games in NBA Finals history, the Miami Heat kept their repeat chances alive on Tuesday night, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 103-100 in overtime.

LeBron James, who went sans headband for the fourth quarter and overtime, finished with his fourth career NBA Finals triple-double. James had 32 points on 11-of-26 shooting, 11 assists and 10 rebounds—most of which came in the fourth quarter and overtime.

As noted by Couper Moorhead of NBA.com, James' penchant for finals triple-doubles will probably go down on his bust in Springfield:

While their counting stats were less impressive overall, the Heat also got ice-water-clutch performances from Chris Bosh and Ray Allen down the stretch.

Bosh, who had 10 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks, got his most important of the latter statistic as time expired, stuffing a Danny Green shot in the corner that would have tied the game.

Allen went scoreless in the first three quarters before finishing with nine points in the fourth quarter and overtime, including a game-tying three pointer with a little over five seconds left that had many calling out Jesus Shuttleworth references.

The Heat's win will also slightly obscure a throwback performance from Tim Duncan.

Seeing one-on-one coverage for most of the night by Miami's overmatched bigs, Duncan scored 30 points and grabbed 17 rebounds, including five San Antonio misses. Much of Duncan's work scoring-wise came in the first half, as he took advantage of coach Erik Spoelstra's decision to push Udonis Haslem—the only Heat big who can handle Duncan's size—out of the rotation.

As for the Spurs' other star, point guard Tony Parker, perhaps that's where James' most noteworthy contribution took place.

The league MVP was suction-cupped to Parker's hip throughout most of contest, fighting through a gauntlet of screens the Spurs threw his way to disrupt the guard's rhythm. Parker finished the game 6-of-23 from the field, by far his worst offensive performance of the finals thus far.

Despite James' defensive contributions arguably being more important for Miami, the conversation will center on his fourth-quarter ascent.

For much of the first three quarters, it looked like James and the Heat were satisfied to meekly bow out, a champion without much fight.

James was 3-of-12 during the first 36 minutes of Game 6, again swallowed up by Gregg Popovich's impeccable defensive game plan. He had taken only four shots in the restricted area in the first three quarters, settling for jumpers or highly contested floaters in the middle of the lane.

And then, seemingly out of nowhere, something went off in the defending champion. With his team down 10 points heading into what could have been the final quarter of his season, James exploded. He scored 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting in the fourth period, including a run when he scored 13 of the team's first 22 points.

Continually attacking the Spurs defense, James bullied his way through an assemblage of defenders. Boris Diaw, Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green, Tim Duncan—it didn't matter. James found the attack mode so many had called for throughout the series, leading the Heat to a late lead that culminated a brilliant fourth quarter.

Well, almost culminated. James and the Heat's fourth-quarter story almost had a bitter ending, as San Antonio stormed back and took a commanding lead, two LeBron turnovers being the catalyst.

But for one of the few times in this postseason, James' teammates picked him up when he needed it most. Bosh rebounded a missed three-pointer from James and kicked to Allen, who coolly sent the game to overtime.

From there, again it was all a team effort. Allen chipped in four points, Bosh two and LeBron capped off his triple-double (plus adding two more points), saving Miami's repeat efforts as the AmericanAirlines Arena hit unforeseen decibels of glee.

It's unclear what these teams have in store for Thursday's Game 7. But after Tuesday night, anything is possible.

Follow Tyler Conway on Twitter:

Cost-Effective Moves the Milwaukee Bucks Can Make in Free Agency

Jordan Rodewald — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:53:57 -0400

Much like the rest of the world, money means everything in the NBA.

Getting the numbers correct when it comes to signing players can make a world of difference for a given franchise moving forward. For the Milwaukee Bucks, it's no different.

As the free-agency period rapidly approaches, the Bucks will not only need to sort out their backcourt issues, but they'll need to spend money wisely in order to avoid future disasters.

For the upcoming season, the Bucks owe $29.5 million in guaranteed money.

With Monta Ellis opting out of his contract and losing Brandon Jennings a real possibility, the team will likely have plenty of money to spend. But being thrifty is always better than overpaying, which is why the Bucks must be smart and target players that won't hurt them in the long haul.

Devin Harris

When Jennings becomes a restricted free agent on July 1, it's tough to imagine some other team not offering him more than the $4.5 million qualifying offer he has from the Bucks for 2013-14. If he does receive an offer sheet from someone else and the Bucks decide not to match, they'll be in the market for a new point guard.

One possibility is veteran—and Milwaukee native—Devin Harris.

Harris is coming to the end of a five-year, $43 million deal, and due to his decline in play, he probably won't see anywhere near the $8.5 million he made with the Atlanta Hawks this past season.

And while his numbers have dropped, he could still be a valuable piece if the price is right.

With the Hawks, Harris averaged 9.9 points and 3.4 assists per game in 58 appearances—primarily coming off the bench.

At 30 years old, Harris isn't a kid anymore. However, if he can remain healthy, he could provide his hometown team with the production it needs from the point guard position if Jennings does in fact end up elsewhere. He still has the explosiveness needed to get by defenders, and he's always had a knack for getting to the free-throw line.

While he may never return to his 2008-09 form, Harris could come home and, if healthy and if given the reins, provide affordable value for the Bucks.

Half of the salary he made last season—or maybe even less—would be reasonable for his services.

Andray Blatche

Despite young talent like Larry Sanders and John Henson in the frontcourt, the Bucks could use some added depth, especially with the concern over Sanders' ability to stay out of foul trouble.

One player who may provide a bit of intrigue is Andray Blatche.

Blatche averaged 10.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game this past season with the Brooklyn Nets and proved to be a solid option off the bench.

But along with his skill set comes a fair amount of baggage that many teams might not have the patience to deal with.

Entering the free-agent market after making a little over $854K this season, he'll almost certainly be looking for more money and deservedly so. A veteran presence who is willing to grind in the post is exactly what the Bucks need to go along with the length and athleticism of Henson and Sanders.

For the right price, Blatche could be that guy.

Chase Budinger

With Mike Dunleavy slated to become a free agent when July 1 rolls around, the Bucks could very well be looking for another option off the bench at small forward.

And Chase Budinger may be a good one.

A younger, more athletic version of Dunleavy, Budinger seemed to be slowly establishing himself as a legitimate contributor for the Minnesota Timberwolves before suffering an injury that forced him to miss 59 games.

After making just over $885K last season, he'll like be seeking a raise and should get one. However, any salary hike likely won't be substantial, and the Bucks could easily get him for less than it'd cost them to re-sign Dunleavy.

Not to mention, at age 24, Budinger still has plenty of years to grow as a player and could potentially become a big value at a low cost, much like Chandler Parsons has become with the Houston Rockets.

Whether he does or not is yet to be seen, but Milwaukee general manager John Hammond should take a close look at him once the free-agent period begins.

Martell Webster

Another option the Bucks may have at the small forward position is the Washington Wizards Martell Webster.

At 26 years old, Webster put together the best season of his career in 2012-13 by averaging 11.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists while shooting 42.2 percent from three-point territory. Like Budinger, Webster would provide the Bucks with more athleticism at the 3 than Dunleavy and, given the minutes, could prove to be an excellent scoring weapon at an efficient cost.

He made $1.75 million with the Wizards in 2012-13, but will probably command at least another million or so as he seeks a new deal.

Still, spending more to acquire his services would certainly be in Milwaukee's interest.

He's still young, can score and showed this past season that he can also defend a little bit by recording 2.4 defensive win shares.

As it currently stands, the Bucks won't be forced to penny-pinch, but spending money wisely, instead of handing out bad contracts, is always in the franchise's best interest. The ability to spread the wealth out wisely will be a major determining factor in the future success of the organization.

And it all begins this summer.

Twitter Goes Off as LeBron's Missing Headband Sparks Epic Game 6 Comeback

Jesse Dorsey — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:50:53 -0400

LeBron James may have a reason to think about a wardrobe change. He completely dominated in the fourth quarter of Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs without his signature headband Tuesday night, leading the Miami Heat to a 103-100 win in overtime.

During one sequence early in the fourth, James was absolutely mugged in the post as he went up for a shot, with Miami doing everything to get back into a game held firmly in San Antonio's clutch. With about seven Spurs hitting him (and no whistle following), LeBron's headband went flying after missing a layup, and it didn't reappear for the remainder of the game.

Up to that point, LeBron had 20 points and was looking tentative. Following the headband getting knocked off, LeBron racked up 12 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, along with two assists, three rebounds, a block and a steal. And, most important of all, the victory to force Game 7.

For the rest of the fourth quarter, James led the Heat on a run to give them the lead, forcing the Spurs to fight back in order to have a chance at the end of the game.

LeBron looked like a completely different player for the remainder of the game, both in terms of actual play and his physical appearance.

Please put the headband back on, LeBron. It's like you're naked. I feel like I'm supposed to avert my eyes.
— SBNation NBA (@SBNationNBA) June 19, 2013

LeBron #NoHeadband pic.twitter.com/hbAMlCbzYO
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 19, 2013

As with any other slightly odd thing going on throughout a basketball game, Twitter took to the headband-less LeBron like Skip Bayless to a Heat loss.

LeBron wanted the lob, but no one recognizes him without his headband.
— Tas Melas (@TasMelas) June 19, 2013

Imagine being someone who doesn't follow sports and trying to figure out the connection between basketball and headbands right now
— Brendan O'Hare (@brendohare) June 19, 2013

Things going in the Heat Hall of Fame after tonight: Mike Miller's shoe, LeBron's headband, Chris Bosh's fossilized body...
— SportsNation (@SportsNation) June 19, 2013

RT @TyLawson3: F**k it!!!!! I'm never wearing my headband again either!!!!!!
— Beyond The Buzzer (@BeyondTheBuzzer) June 19, 2013

LeBron's headband is the inverse of Samson's hair.
— Jared Dubin (@JADubin5) June 19, 2013

Mike miller took his shoe off. LeBron took his headband off and looks nekid. Next??? Pat riley should take his shirt and read Shakespeare.
— Metta World Peace (@MettaWorldPeace) June 19, 2013

During 11-3 run, LeBron has scored or assisted on nine of the points. Heat lead 84-82. Headband stays off.
— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) June 19, 2013

This HAS to be the moment LeBron permanently ditches the headband.
— Taco Trey Kerby (@treykerby) June 19, 2013

Spurs need to get that headband back on LeBron somehow.
— James Chism Young (@JamesChismYoung) June 19, 2013

I'm all ready for the "LeBron ditches the 2002-era headband, finally grows up"-narrative.
— Kelly Dwyer (@KDonhoops) June 19, 2013

Tim Duncan should run over, pick up Bron's headband, put it on and say, "Now, I'm the King."
— Royce Young (@dailythunder) June 19, 2013

In one of the most thrilling playoff basketball games in some time, the folks who entertain us all throughout the season on Twitter were on top of their game (as was LeBron, who finished the night with 32 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists in 50 minutes of action).

Game 6 may have been won on the court, but we have to thank what fell off the court for the story of "LeBron's Headband Game."

Let the silly speculation begin: Will he decide to go headband-free for Game 7?

5 Biggest Disappointments for the Washington Nationals So Far

Michael Nargi — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:47:58 -0400

The Washington Nationals were expected to be the team to beat in the National League this season, but things have not panned out that way. They find themselves off to a 34-36 record while sitting in third place, seven games back in the NL East.

After a blazing hot start, Bryce Harper cooled off and eventually ended up on the disabled list. Meanwhile, Stephen Strasburg has gotten off to a 3-6 start and also has spent time on the DL.

However, do these injuries justify calling Strasburg and Harper disappointments so far this season?

What about more conventional, clean-cut disappointments, such as the season Danny Espinosa had put together before landing on the DL? Despite spending time on the DL, his struggles were well established before any injuries started to dominate his season.

Where do these guys rank in the Nats' top disappointments this season?

Begin Slideshow

San Antonio Spurs vs. Miami Heat: Game 6 Score, Highlights and Analysis

Michael Walsh — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:29:33 -0400

It should have been easy to predict around 11 p.m. ET Tuesday night that we were all about to see something amazing.

One hour later, things still hadn't been decided. Another five minutes is what it took to reach a Miami Heat Game 6 victory. Miami took down the San Antonio Spurs 103-100 in overtime.

If Tim Duncan owned the night up until the fourth quarter, LeBron James stole it from him in the most vicious way possible. James destroyed everything in the fourth quarter, getting whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted it.

But then, there was the little guy waiting for the moment to get bigger. Tony Parker picked his moment and ripped whatever James had stolen from Duncan back into a black and silver uniform—with five straight points, and a steal in between, inside two minutes to push San Antonio ahead.

Of course, Ray Allen couldn't let the series go by without being heard from. His contested three from the right corner tied things at 95 and sent Game 6 to overtime.

Then in the extra period, Allen was able to rip the ball away from Manu Ginobili on his game-winning attempt. Two freebies at the other end put the Heat out of reach. Allen scored seven of Miami's final 11 points, including four in overtime.

Lost in the wild night was another James triple-double. The MVP had 32 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds on the night. At times he seemed completely unstoppable, but in the end enjoyed the team effort needed to win.

James was joined by Mario Chalmers' 20 points, most coming early while the Heat were treading water. Chris Bosh came up huge with some late-game defensive stands. He also registered a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Duncan's game was not an exaggeration. He had his way with Bosh and the Heat in the first half, and finished with 30 points and 17 rebounds. Unfortunately, he was silenced after the third quarter, as 44 minutes caught up with him.

Kawhi Leonard posted 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Parker finished with 19 points and eight assists.

The Heat didn't score for the final four minutes, 30 seconds of the first half, allowing the Spurs to ride a 11-0 run into the half. Duncan, who finished the half with 25 points on 11-of-13 shooting, scored seven of those points. He helped his team to a 50-44 lead at the break.

When the third quarter buzzer sounded, James was just 3-of-12 from the field. He and the Heat spent a lot more time worrying about the referees in the quarter than the Spurs. However, it was San Antonio, not the officials, that was beating them 75-65 with a quarter to play.

Less than one minute into the final quarter, the Heat cut the lead to five. An immediate Chalmers trey, his fourth of the game, followed by a James layup got them there. Shortly after, with 10:26 remaining, Mike Miller hit a three with one shoe off to bring Miami within 77-73.

James had a hand in the first 14 points Miami scored in the fourth quarter. He made four baskets of his own, and assisted on both Chalmers' and Miller's threes. His defense-to-offense layup with 6:45 to go knotted things up at 82. James blocked Duncan's attempt at one end and penetrated for the bucket at the other.

Parker scored five straight points, starting with a long three from the top of the key to tie the game at 89. He followed it up by stealing a pass at the other and coming down to hit a spinning jumper in the paint. The Spurs were up 91-89 with 58 seconds to glory.

After four Ginobili freebies, James got two chances at a three. Thanks to a huge offensive board by Miller, he hit the second one. That pulled the Heat to within 94-92 with 20 seconds on the clock.

Bosh came up with an offensive board and found the guy he needed to. Allen netted a corner three with five seconds remaining, which tied the game at 95.

Leonard scored the first four Spurs points of overtime, giving his team a 99-97 lead with 3:08 remaining.

Ball movement got the Heat back into the lead. Numerous passes flurried about, with Wade's handoff to James the final move. James lofted it in for the 101-100 lead with 1:01 to go. James assisted on the first two baskets of overtime, as well.

Some great individual defense at both ends by Danny Green and Bosh kept the score the same inside the 20-second mark. With the Heat up 103-100, Bosh snuffed out Green's buzzer-beating attempt from the corner.

That sealed the deal for one more night of amazing.

Thursday. Game 7. Miami hosts San Antonio for the 2013 NBA championship.

The Best GIFs From NBA Finals Game 6

Ken Dorset — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:22:17 -0400

Here are the best from Miami's 103-100 OT win in Game 6.

Kawhi Leonard puts Mike Miller on a poster.

Tony Parker with the and-1 bucket.

Shoeless Mike Miller knocks down a three.

LeBron James blocks Tim Duncan with no headband.

Ray Allen sends it to OT with a three with 5.2 seconds left.

The final play.

See you Thursday.

Exclusive: Chael Sonnen Details History, Beef with LeBron James

Jeremy Botter — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:17:47 -0400

One week ago, UFC light heavyweight Chael Sonnen appeared on The Jim Rome Show on the cable network Showtime.

During the show, Sonnen gave his candid opinions on Miami Heat superstar and four-time MVP LeBron James.

I think LeBron's a dork. He won one world championship, and that was in the Olympic Games. It's so aggravating to hear a title be called a 'world champion' when it's only done in America. It's not a global event where the whole world can participate. You didn't win a world title. You won a national title.

To me, the shot at James came out of nowhere. I'd never heard Sonnen mention LeBron's name anywhere; why was he starting now? Was Chael being Chael, or was there something more to the story?

I had to know, and so I connected with Sonnen on Tuesday evening while James was helping guide the Heat to a 103-100 win over the San Antonio Spurs in a thrilling NBA Finals Game 6. What follows is a transcript of our very candid interview.

Bleacher Report: What prompted you to call LeBron James a dork on the Jim Rome show? Is there any sort of history between the two of you?

Chael Sonnen: His name being brought up prompted it. He makes Urkel look cool. I would have liked to call him a twat, but they changed subjects.

Let me tell you a story about LeBron. He asked the UFC for tickets for my fight against Anderson Silva. We sit the guy front row, and all through the night he snubs our fans. He’s a guest in our house and he refuses to sign any autographs or take any pictures unless your cup size was later in the alphabet than he was able to learn.

And from what I understand, he thinks the letter purple comes after C. This guy walked up to my fiancee backstage and asks her if there’s a Tic Tac in her blouse or if she was just happy to see him.

I had a UFC employee tell me he saw a mother wheel her handicapped child up to him to get a picture. Lebron was walking towards them. When he reached the kid, the mother stopped the wheelchair. Lebron took the wheelchair, wheeled it out of the way and kept walking.

I'd like to slap the divots right off his face.

B/R: You've become a staple of Jim Rome's radio show and now his TV show. Do you ever talk to Jim outside of those times when you're appearing on his program?

CS: Is that his real name? See, I just thought he was doing a Larry Sanders-type thing. I guess that makes it less awkward next time I’m at his show and no longer have to call him "buddy" since his name is, in fact, Jim.

But yes, I have a great relationship with Jim. He calls me when he needs a boost in ratings and needs some buzz around his show. And then I wait for the blank check to arrive.

B/R: You've told me in the past that you don't follow any of the major sports. Is that still true, or have you started watching anything outside of MMA and wrestling?

CS: There’s a few great websites I frequent, but we’ll leave that between me and the NSA.

B/R: You also said that you don't believe the NBA, or any other sporting league that's contested solely in the United States, is truly contesting a world title in their championships. In your mind, which major sports can truly claim to crown a real world champion?

CS: And I’m right. Football, out. Baseball, out. Hockey, out. I don’t even think their champions are recognized in warm weather states, let alone around the world. Basketball, out.

I’ve seen more heart in the kids playing on the cul-de-sac than in the NBA. So where does that leave us?

B/R: You versus LeBron James at UFC 200. Who wins the fight, and how?

CS: He’d run away faster than his hairline. His hair went North, his talents went South, and his mother went West.

B/R: Will we see you challenge LeBron to a fight any time soon?

CS: No challenge. It's happening. Next time I see him he will shake that little boy's hand, even if I have to break his arm off and take it to the boy.

Spurs vs. Heat Game 6 Video: Watch Ray Allen Force OT With Game-Tying 3

Maxwell Ogden — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:17:32 -0400

Just when we thought it was over, Ray Allen reminded us why he's going to the Hall of Fame.

With the San Antonio Spurs leading 95-92 and just 5.2 seconds remaining in regulation, Miami had one last shot to tie it up. After LeBron James missed his attempt at a three-ball, Chris Bosh picked up a huge rebound and found Allen in the corner.

Rising over the extended arms of Tony Parker, Allen did what he does best—he hit a clutch three-pointer.

After Tony Parker failed to hit a game-winner on the other end at the buzzer, the Heat and Spurs proceeded to go to overtime, where the Heat would eventually claim the 103-100 victory to force Game 7.

While we can talk about what transpired during the first 47 minutes and 54.8 seconds, we all know that all that matters is Allen did it again.

That game-tying 3-pointer was the first 3-pointer of the game for Ray Allen.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 19, 2013

We're naive to have expected anything less.

Allen, a former NBA champion with the Boston Celtics, knows what it means to hit big-time three-pointers. Not only is he the all-time leader in career three-point field goals, but he also holds that same mark during the NBA playoffs.

Just another day in the life of a legend.

Mike Miller Uses 3-Pointer on 1 Shoe to Headline Huge Heat Run in Game 6

Jesse Dorsey — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:13:44 -0400

With the Miami Heat fighting for the right to play another game of basketball, they were looking for help from any and every person possible, even if that person was Mike Miller without a shoe.

Miami found themselves digging out of a hole early on in the fourth quarter as Miller had the shoe knocked off his left foot, but the play was still going on.

The ball went in the other direction, Miami transitioning on offense, which is pretty much the only reason Miller was on the court.

So, instead of taking himself completely out of the game to put his shoe back on, he picked it up, tossed it to the bench and kept on playing.

For whatever reason, Gary Neal decided that Miller with one shoe was not a threat, and he left him to run out to the three-point line by himself.

Miller was so open that he nearly had a quarter of the court to himself, so Miami got the ball over to him.

Lopsided, one-shoed and wide open, Miller reared back and knocked down the three with no problem as Neal sprinted over to him in an attempt to make up for his huge mistake.

Mike miller took his shoe off. LeBron took his headband off and looks nekid. Next??? Pat riley should take his shirt and read Shakespeare.
— Metta World Peace (@MettaWorldPeace) June 19, 2013

I once hit 18 consecutive threes in a pair of alligator boots. One-shoe dressin' is less than impressin'!
— (Not) Walt Frazier (@NotWaltFrazier) June 19, 2013

Maybe Neal needs a quick refresher on basketball rules. You see, it's not a guy's feet that can make him dangerous, it's pretty much mostly the upper half of their body.

Mike Miller throws his shoe to the sideline, Gary Neal immediately leaves him on the wing. Apparently, Neal doesn't know how hands work.
— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) June 19, 2013

A guy can play without one shoe, it's not like he just had a hand chopped off.

7 Early Winners and Losers of the Washington Redskins' Offseason

Shae Cronin — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:00:02 -0400

Consider this a mid-offseason checkup.

Although we're still more than a month away from July 25 and the start of NFL training camp, we're glued to our team's activity by way of every possible media outlet. We make mountains out of mole hills, something out of nothing, and we do our best to speculate like we're working Wall Street. It's the genetics of a rabid football fan.

And it's certainly no different for Redskins fans.

So far this offseason, we've been entertained. Perhaps not by way of signings like Jeff George or Albert Haynesworth, but with mostly positive things. Things like Robert Griffin III performing rollouts, and Brian Orakpo coming off the edge appearing fully healthy.

Again, us gridiron addicts still have a way to go before we experience real football. But until then, here are some winners and losers from the Washington Redskins thus far.

Begin Slideshow

Ray Allen Sends Game 6 To OT With A Clutch Three

Ken Dorset — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:57:38 -0400

Chris Bosh gets the offensive rebound and dishes it out for Ray Allen for the clutch three to tie the game.

Jesus, Shuttlesworth does it again.

United States vs. Honduras: 5 Things We Learned

John D. Halloran — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:49:19 -0400

The United States men’s national team defeated Honduras 1-0 on Tuesday night to keep itself atop of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying hexagonal.

The win gives the U.S. 13 points from its first six games and puts the team in pole position to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Here are five things we learned from the match.

Begin Slideshow

UFC 162: Cub Swanson Looking to Keep Momentum Rolling Against Dennis Siver

Duane Finley — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:39:25 -0400

Cub Swanson is a man on a mission.

After running the table in 2012 and picking up three consecutive victories, the resurgent featherweight entered 2013 looking to shift his drive to a title shot into high gear. Swanson was successful on the first step of his quest to become a contender in the new year when he defeated Dustin Poirier in the co-main event of UFC on Fuel TV 7 in London, England.

The 29-year-old Palm Springs native was originally slated to face Dennis Siver in the bout, but the German-born striker was forced to withdraw due to injury. With Siver on the sidelines, the talented young American Top Team product stepped up to the plate, and after a three-round back-and-forth, Swanson emerged victorious on the judge's score cards.

The victory in England pushed Swanson further into the crowded pack of contenders in the 145-pound division, and he will be looking to take another step toward title contention when he steps back into action at UFC 162.

In a fitting turn of fate, the Jackson's MMA-trained fighter will get the fight he was preparing for back in February as "Killer Cub" will square off with Siver on July 3.

With the divisional race heating up, Swanson understands how much is on the line at UFC 162, and he intends to bring the fight directly to Siver.

"I always love this point," Swanson told Bleacher Report. "I'm in shape and all my coaches agree on the game plan and my motivation for the fight. I'm very comfortable. I know he's tough as hell but I'm going to try to knock his teeth in."

"I know he's going to be strong. He's a muscular guy and I know he's going to try to take me down. He's going to try to mix it up and he has some fancy stuff, but I've been working everywhere. I'm trying to fall back in love with my jiu-jitsu. I've been getting the gi back on and really getting back into that aspect of my game. My takedown defense is rock-solid right now. My striking is always evolving and I'm trying to always be better. I'm never satisfied with where I'm at and I work hard to keep my skills moving forward."

The bout between Swanson and Siver comes at a crucial and chaotic time for the featherweight division. While champion Jose Aldo was originally slated to face surging lightweight contender-turned-145-pound-title challenger Anthony Pettis, an injury to "Showtime" forced the Duke Roufus-trained fighter out of the bout.

With Pettis out, the UFC tapped Chan Sung Jung to step in against the Brazilian phenom. The "Korean Zombie" was slated to face Ricardo Lamas at UFC 162, but the shake-up ultimately forced him off the card entirely and further clouded the title picture in the 145-pound division.

"With Pettis' last win and beating Cowboy—that's impressive," Swanson answered when asked about the divisional shake-up. "Cowboy is my teammate, and I believe he had an off night, but that win was still impressive. He's fought top guys and I really can't say anything about him. Yeah, it sucks that he drops down and gets a title shot right away, but I can see how it happened. But the Korean Zombie I just don't see it. I don't think the level of competition he's faced has been on the level of what [Ricardo] Lamas or I have faced. It's kind of baffling. I just don't think he deserves it."

"The division is definitely crazy right now and I'm ready to take whatever fight is going to get me to the top. I'm confident and whatever fight they are going to give me I'm ready for. Right now, that fight is against Siver. He's a tough dude and we are both right there in the rankings at No. 5 and No. 6. That's the fight I'm concentrating on right now and I'm ready to go."

While his days competing in the WEC brought mixed results, Swanson has been a wrecking ball under the UFC banner. The proud Southern Californian has racked up four consecutive victories with three coming via devastating finish. His performances inside the Octagon have lead to an elevated profile in the sport, and because of his rise to contention, his inspiring backstory has come to light.

Before Swanson was handling business inside the cage, he battled through a rough period in his life. A series of bad decisions landed the heavy-handed featherweight in the juvenile detention program, and it was a negative experience he's turned into a positive by mentoring local youths at the same facility he was incarcerated in.

From Bleacher Report's own The Fighting Life to Fuel TV's The Ultimate Insider, Swanson's story has now been shared with a large audience. And while the sudden attention has created some friction in his life, Swanson can see the inspiration his story has brought to those who need it the most.

"I've always thought everything about me was kind of normal," Swanson said. "I know everybody goes through hard things in their lives, and I can't say I've had things super-hard because I know there are a lot of people who have gone through much worse. But I've definitely had an interesting life. The only reason I'm really enjoying my story getting out there is because I've seen how inspiring it has been for kids in my area that are getting into trouble and don't really feel like they can become something.

"It's been hard for my family as well because these stories have shed light on some things that have never really been talked about. It's been a little hard for me sometimes but I think it's worth it. For kids who come from where I come from or are in similar situations like I had growing up, it is proof that you can overcome things. You play the cards you are dealt. You can't choose who your family is going to be or the situation you are born into, but you can choose who you are going to be and what you turn out to be."

"It's just like a loss in a fight. You hit a rough patch and it doesn't define who you are. You make a mistake in life and that doesn't mean you are a bad person. You just learn from it and try to do better. If you don't, that shows who you are. If you are not prepared to always be better, that not something to be proud of. If you learn and always try to be better, then you can't be mad about that."

With past struggles behind him, Swanson now focuses on the next obstacle on his path to a title shot. He knows the dangers Siver brings to the cage, but the crafty veteran has a versatile arsenal of his own. Both fighters have the ability to end things in brutal fashion, and Swanson is looking forward to the scrap.

"I have to watch out for him getting comfortable and letting him play his game," Swanson added. "But I'm not going to do that because that is what I do. I play my game. I focus on me. I know what to look out for from him, but I'm going to fight my fight because he's stepping into my cage. That is the bottom line. I'm going to try to knock his teeth in."

Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.

LeBron James Loses His Headband, Becomes Unstoppable

Ken Dorset — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:38:56 -0400

LeBron James should never put his headband on again.

He may be starting a trend in the NBA.

I'm never wearing my headband again either #riptotheheadband
— Ty Lawson (@TyLawson3) June 19, 2013

LeBron says " pop my headband I'm sweating, woo"
— Metta World Peace (@MettaWorldPeace) June 19, 2013

Jozy Altidore Scores 4th Goal in 4 Games to Lead U.S. Past Honduras

Michael Cummings — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:37:28 -0400

Jozy Altidore scored his fourth international goal in as many matches to lead the United States men's national team to a 1-0 victory over Honduras on Tuesday at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah.

Altidore scored the winner in the 73rd minute, giving the U.S. its third straight win in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. Captain Clint Dempsey started the move with a chip to Graham Zusi, whose slight touch freed left-back Fabian Johnson in an advanced position.

Johnson passed back for Altidore, who had pulled away from his marker. Altidore's left-footed, first-time shot beat the keeper at the far post.

(h/t SB Nation)

It was Altidore's fourth goal in as many games with the U.S., a run that has ended his recent scoring drought emphatically. The four-game streak is tied for best in American history, according to ESPN's Paul Carr:

Jozy Altidore ties a #USMNT record by scoring in four straight games.
— Paul Carr (@PCarrESPN) June 19, 2013

Altidore also put the ball in the net in the 59th minute but was correctly ruled offside after a fast U.S. move. The 23-year-old now has 17 goals in 59 appearances with the U.S.

Dempsey came close with a header that was saved in the 70th minute, and Honduras escaped a penalty after the ball hit a defender's hand in the box in the 63rd.

With the win, the U.S. maintained first place in the Hexagonal and moved onto 13 points. Up next is a trip to second-placed Costa Rica in September, followed by a home match against rival Mexico.

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Big Ten Football: Power Ranking the Best Uniforms in the Big Ten

David Fitzgerald II — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:31:33 -0400

Get ready, Big Ten fans. Those beautiful Hoosier uniforms will be crossing your country this season, trying to pull an Oregon and steal some kids more interested in pizazz than actual football capability.

And then Maryland comes in 2014. Oh my, here comes the ugly.

Every year brings a few new tweaks to uniforms and usually a handful of alternate uniform designs normally used for a single game only. A good college football uniform must both appeal to older fans by having a traditional feel while also (and more importantly) appealing to the next generation of fans and boosters. And these younger folks like extra flair for the most part.

A good uniform must also include a good mix of colors, as well as a unique appearance. These teams should look just as good as professional teams, considering the high budgets and interest in the sport. But the most important part of a uniform is the helmet, the icing on the top of the cake, as it were.

So let's take a look at how the uniforms in the Big Ten stack up. These rankings are subjective, but each of the four factors (appeal to tradition and pizazz, good colors, uniqueness, great helmet) were considered to come up with the following list.

Thanks to the Helmet Project for tracking historical records of football helmets, a huge help in putting together this list. Check them out here.

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Justin Rose's Confidence From 1st Major Victory Will Fuel Tremendous 2013 Season

Justin Onslow — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:21:56 -0400

Justin Rose is already well on his way to one of the best 2013 campaigns of any golfer on the PGA Tour this year. With a U.S. Open victory at Merion Golf Club last weekend, there’s no reason to expect anything less than a stellar year from the 32-year-old.

Rose notched his first major victory with that performance, breaking through the barrier that has held back some of the best golfers on the planet. It may just seem like another win to the casual observer, but winning a major after years of coming up short goes a long way toward building confidence—confidence he could very well harness in pursuit of a second major title.

The PGA Tour official Twitter account may have captured the perfect image to illustrate that fact:

Confidence may have been the missing piece in Rose’s pursuit of a major title. The world No. 3 has already posted four top-10 finishes in 2013 apart from his triumph at Merion, and as world No. 9 Graeme McDowell voiced on Twitter, Rose has been one of the best players on tour in recent years:

But as well as Rose has played recently, not every facet of his game has been up to par.

Confidence is absolutely crucial to playing winning golf, especially with the putter in hand. For as much buoyancy as he probably gained from winning his first major, there’s nothing like the assurance gained from besting a course that featured some of the most devastating greens of any track on the circuit this season.

Rose knocked down putt after putt on Merion’s demanding greens, tallying just 90 total putts for the tournament. Of the top seven finishers, only Hunter Mahan, Charl Schwartzel and Luke Donald attempted fewer putts though four rounds.

With the missing piece of his game seemingly solved, Rose couldn’t be in better position to churn out a few more wins this season. If he can win at Merion, he can win anywhere.

There’s still a lot of golf to be played this year, but there are also few players in better position to make a spectacular run this season. If the U.S. Open proved anything, the tour is still wide open.

With a major victory now in his pocket, Rose proved to himself and the rest of the golf world that there isn’t anything he can’t do at this point in his career. Don’t expect that to change in 2013.

Mike Miller Drains a 3-Pointer with One Shoe

Ken Dorset — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:15:27 -0400

Mike Miller only needs one shoe to knock down a three.