Bleacher Report

2012 NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers Solidifying Their Backcourt

Kyron Mainer — Sun, 27 May 2012 13:13:20 -0400

After a second straight season of being ousted out of the playoffs in May, the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves in a state of confusion. Every person's position on the roster other than Kobe Bryant is in question.

Their is no longer a question about if Pau Gasol will be traded. The only question about Pau is where he will be traded to. It's been reported as of last season that the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves have interest in Gasol.

The Lakers need to solidify the point guard and small forward positions in the starting lineup. With Kyle Lowry requesting a trade from the the Rockets, that makes a Lowry/Gasol swap make plenty of sense. Ramon Sessions isn't a starting PG in this league. He can lead the second unit, which was been below average all season.

As far as the small forward spot goes, expect Metta World Peace to be another product of the amnesty provision. He just doesn't play up to his pay. Matt Barnes' playoff performance gives us all great indication that he won't be re-signed.

His replacement? 76ers G/F Andre Iguodala. Iguodala has been on the trading block for quite a while, and it's time for him to be moved. The Lakers can use him on the defensive end most, but his ability to penetrate the lane and finish strong, as well as make the open three, makes him the perfect candidate to fix the Lakers issues at the small forward spot.

The Lakers can get this all accomplished in one three-team trade:

Lakers Receive: PG Kyle Lowry; G/F Andre Iguodala

Rockets Receive: F/C Pau Gasol, PG Steve Blake

76ers Receive: SG Kevin Martin, G Andrew Goudeluck, future 1st Round pick (from Lakers)

The Lakers get the backcourt help they need to pair with the dominance of Andrew Bynum in the low post so they can return to being one of the top three teams in the league.

The Rockets get a consistent big that will bring it on a nightly basis for them and also become a playoff team once again.

The 76ers get a scorer to insert into the lineup that can put pressure on the defense. They had problems get a score when they needed them against the Celtics in the playoffs. Martin is a 20-plus ppg scorer that will give the Sixers offense another dimension.

This deal makes each team considerably better and can push them further than they went in the 2012 playoffs. Expect a busy offseason this year. Time to wheel and deal.

Will Fairley's Second Arrest Force the Detroit Lions to Clean Up Their Act?

Aaron Nagler — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:57:47 -0400

The Detroit Lions just can't stop making headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Earlier this offseason, I wrote that the Detroit Lions would go as far as their petulant nature allowed. From the head coach on down, the Lions need to have a serious look in the mirror about how they operate. I ended that post saying that I honestly believe the Lions have the talent to be Super Bowl contenders, a stance I reiterated in this video I did with Zerkle last week.

Last week, Mike Freeman of CBS Sports wrote something similar, writing in the wake of the Titus Young sucker-punch that the Lions desperately need some semblance of control if they are to realize their ample potential.

As if on cue—"Hey, it's been almost a week since someone did something stupid..."—defensive lineman Nick Fairley, he of the April 3 arrest for marijuana possession, was arrested yet again - this time for driving under the influence and attempting to elude police, per the Mobile, Ala. FOX affiliate.

I well understand Mr. Fairley's desire to elude authorities after this latest transgression. You can bet his employers will be quite unhappy when they hear of his latest escapades.

But what will they do about it?

Too much has happened off the field, and too little has changed in how the Lions handle these types of things to think this time will be any different. Look no further than how the team attempted to sweep the Young incident under the rug. When reports came out that Young had been barred from the facility for sucker-punching Delmas Young, it seemed as though they were finally starting to push back against this group of malcontents. Then, Tim Twentyman, a reporter for the team's website, indicated that no, in fact, no such ban had been put in place.

What is truly sad about this stream of unfortunate headlines is that they seem to drown out all the great things guys like Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford have done in the community this offseason.

Perhaps this latest Fairley arrest will be some kind of tipping point, but I'm not holding my breath.

Dallas Cowboys Need to Keep Mike Jenkins at All Costs

Ryan Thomas — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:53:25 -0400

According to numerous sources (Adam Schefter, ESPN Dallas), the Indianapolis Colts are working very hard to trade for Mike Jenkins. No, seriously. Specifically, they are proposing a package that "many teams would be interested in."Jenkins has decided to not participate in Organized Team Activities because he wants either a long term contract from the Cowboys or to be traded to another team. Unfortunately for him, Jason Garrett and other team officials have maintained that they will not move him to another team. Regardless of what the Colts (or any other team) realistically offers for him, Dallas has to keep Jenkins on the roster.

It's tough to know exactly what Jenkins' value is to other teams—exactly what is an offer that teams "would be interested in", anyway? But the Cowboys know exactly what Jenkins' value to this team is. Say what you want (and I've said plenty) about Jenkins' inconsistent play, but he is better than the average NFL starting cornerback. Depending on how rookie Mo Claiborne pans out in training camp, Dallas could have a quality player as their dime cornerback, and the nickel corner at the very least—not many teams can say that. As a team that struggled mightily against the pass last season, it is vital to stockpile as much talent on that part of the depth chart as possible.

Injuries also necessitate Jenkins staying at Valley Ranch. Last season showed how quickly an injury can take a position of strength and turn it into one of weakness (see Mike Jenkins, DeMarco Murray, and almost Miles Austin). Having a set of three solid cornerbacks is good, but having four viable options is better. Being able to have a former Pro Bowl player in your sub packages is a luxury that few teams have, and sets the defense up well against elite receiver corps.

What would the Cowboys be turning down? Not much. Looking at the Indianapolis Colts' roster, is there any player that you would want in exchange for Jenkins? Obviously the Colts aren't parting ways with Dwight Freeney, Andrew Luck, or Reggie Wayne. After that, there's no one that is worth depleting the deepest cornerback group in the league. And unless they're going to offer a first or second round pick (not very likely since he's in the last year of his contract), Jenkins is more valuable to the team as a depth builder than an extra fourth round pick.

Jenkins wants to be traded and has found a willing trade partner, but Dallas is not allowing a player's demands to direct the course of the personnel department. Instead, they are looking out for the club's best interests. Jenkins may feel like he's in a horrible position, but he will find plenty of playing time on the field with this team—either through injury, sub packages in a pass heavy league, or by beating out familiar foe Orlando Scandrick for the third cornerback spot. At the end of the season the Cowboys will either re-sign him or he will be able to test the market and find a new team. Either way, it is in his best interest to contribute at a high level for the team he plays on this season and increase his market value. It's in Dallas' best interest to ensure that that team is the Cowboys.

Stanley Cup Playoffs 2012: Jonathan Quick and Top Conn Smythe Trophy Candidates

Patrick Clarke — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:50:42 -0400

If the Los Angeles Kings can win four more games this postseason, then goalie Jonathan Quick will become the 41st player to be awarded the NHL's prestigious Conn Smythe Trophy that's given to the most valuable player in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Quick has been exceptional and without a doubt LA's best player throughout the past three series, saving 94.6 percent of the shots he's faced in these playoffs and allowing less than 1.6 goals per game.

But Quick is not alone in the Conn Smythe conversation. Here are some other notable players up for the award in 2012:

Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings

L.A. Kings goalie Jonathan Quick has faced 406 shots through the Stanley Cup playoffs' first three series and has stopped 384. To put it bluntly, Quick has been lightning-quick for the Kings through 14 playoff appearances and will be the man responsible for leading them to a Stanley Cup championship this summer if they win it all.

Just like Boston's Tim Thomas in 2011, Quick has single-handedly elevated the Kings and given them a chance to compete for the Cup. Although his boringly consistent play in net is beginning to slide under the radar, something tells me we haven't heard the last from LA's puck stopper.

Ilya Kovalchuk, New Jersey Devils

New Jersey Devils winger Ilya Kovalchuk has 18 points in 17 playoff games this postseason. Kovalchuk has been getting teammates involved as well as finding the back of the net himself. Never was the Russian talent more worthy of recognition than after Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals. Kovalchuk's five points in the series' last three games (all Devils wins) lifted New Jersey out of a 2-1 deficit and put them four wins away from a title.

Whether the Devils win it all or Kovalchuk is honored with the Conn Smythe at season's end, he has changed many fans' opinions about him. This has been a legacy-altering postseason for Kovalchuk without question.

Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings

Kings captain Dustin Brown has been remarkably consistent for L.A. throughout the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs, scoring at least five points in each of the Kings' three postseason series. Brown had two goals in the Game 4 closeout win over the St. Louis Blues in the second round and boasts a solid plus-13 in these playoffs.

Brown's leadership as a captain and his willingness to do what it takes to win has been front and center during LA's march to the Stanley Cup finals. If Quick struggles to see pucks against New Jersey in the playoffs' final series, then Brown will be the hands-down favorite to run away with the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Follow Patrick Clarke on Twitter for more on the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals.

Thunder vs. Spurs: Kendrick Perkins and Role Players Who Will Decide West Finals

Nicholas Goss — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:45:33 -0400

Kendrick Perkins is one of several role players who will have a profound impact on the Western Conference Finals series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.

Whether it's the bench-scoring sixth man, the defensively strong center or the veteran forward who rebounds, the performance of the role players will ultimately make the difference in this series.

Let's look at the crucial role players in this series.

Kendrick Perkins

The Oklahoma City Thunder became a championship contender when they traded for Boston Celtics center Kendrick Perkins at the trade deadline last year.

Perkins gives Oklahoma City the defensive and rebounding center they have lacked for a long time, even for much of the team's Seattle SuperSonics days.

He's a strong one-on-one post defender and also does a great job being a help defender when the perimeter players get beat by their man.

Perkins' shot blocking with power forward Serge Ibaka is a major component of the Thunder's defensive strength, and this tandem will be huge in the series. Stopping Duncan and the other Spurs big men will be a key battle.

Lastly, Perkins' championship experience will be immense for a young Thunder squad who are returning to the Western Finals after being convincingly beaten by the Dallas Mavericks last season.

Tiago Splitter

Spurs center Tiago Splitter will have to defend well against the Thunder scorers such as Durant and point guard Russell Westbrook for San Antonio to win this series.

The Thunder have several players, especially Westbrook, who love to drive to the basket and score at the rim. This means Spiltter's defense in the paint must be strong throughout the series.

Nick Collison

The Thunder forward is one of the most experienced players on the team and someone who will play an important role on defense.

When Collison comes off the bench, he will likely guard Duncan. If he can frustrate Duncan and make him work hard at both ends of the floor, the Thunder will be able to exploit the Spurs' veteran late in the game.

Collison's rebounding and post defense will be a big part of Oklahoma City's bench in this series.

Follow @NicholasGoss35

Nicholas Goss is an NBA Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report

WWE: If John Cena Gets Legitimately Injured, Who Would Step Up?

John Nizinski — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:45:02 -0400

After his match against Brock Lesnar at Extreme Rules, it appeared as if John Cena had a real injury that would have put him on the shelf. As we know now, that injury wasn't real.

However, if it were real, which superstar on the WWE roster would be able to step up with Cena out?

Cena has been the workhorse for the company. He has been able to stay healthy and is consistently on the weekly programming.

Whether you love him or hate him, you cannot deny the importance of Cena to the company. Lately, John Cena has been going through some personal issues. He is in the middle of a divorce, and some time off could be required.

There is also a chance for him to get actually injured. It is difficult to stay as healthy as Cena has been, and an injury is definitely possible. Could the WWE afford a Cena injury? Is there anyone on the current roster that could truly step up and fill the void that Cena would leave?

Here is a look at some superstars who may be able to step up if Cena gets legitimately injured.

CM Punk

There are two obvious choices for superstars who could to step up in the event of a Cena injury. One of those superstars is CM Punk.

Punk has been the WWE Champion for almost 200 days. He gained strong support and popularity from the fans over the summer and remains arguably the most popular superstar right now. However, there is more that Cena brings than just popularity.

There is a special ability to be the most important storyline and feud on the roster. Despite being the WWE Champion, CM Punk has not been the main event of every pay-per-view. Punk has been able to be the popular WWE Champion, but has always had the safety net of Cena if something were to go wrong. The WWE and Punk wouldn't have that safety net with a Cena injury.

Cena's match has been the main event match of the last four pay-per-views. With Cena out, Punk would have to take that next step and become the main event superstar of the pay-per-views.

Randy Orton

The other obvious person to step up if Cena were to really get hurt would be Randy Orton. Orton is only 32 years old, but is a veteran and has more experience in the WWE than a majority of the superstars on the roster.

Since Orton has turned face awhile back, he has been a fan favorite. Similar to Cena, he has been out of the title picture for quite some time. Despite Orton's success, he has never had to be "the guy."

Orton has been at the top of the company without being at the very tip. With Cena out, Orton could finally make the jump up to the top.

Orton is extremely popular and has the in-ring ability and WWE experience to be able to carry the load with Cena out. It would be interesting to see how he performs and how the fans react to Orton being the No. 1 superstar.

Triple H

Triple H could have to get in the ring more often if Cena were to go down for an extended period of time. Triple H proved at WrestleMania he has plenty left in the tank, and he still gets a huge reaction from the crowd.

If the WWE doesn't have faith in any superstars on the current roster, we could see Triple H be used as a last resort.

Heel-to-Face Change

The WWE has always used the changing of superstars from heel to face or face to heel as a way to build momentum. We recently saw it CM Punk over the summer and could see it again if Cena were to go down with a legitimate injury.

Some potential superstars that could get a surge from a heel to face change could be Dolph Ziggler or The Miz.

WWE and TNA: Top 5 Things to Look Forward to This Week in Wrestling

Justin Watry — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:43:41 -0400

Last week was a relatively "slow" news week for the wrestling business, but that changes this week. This is going to be a big week for the wrestling business. In 10 years, many may look back to this stretch of five days as being a new era.

That may seem ridiculous, but a lot is riding on the next week for the industry. Some will end up being a positive experience. Others will not.

What will happen this week? Let's find out!

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Arsenal Must Beat Manchester United to Signing of Nick Powell

James Dudko — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:41:50 -0400

Arsenal should do all they can to beat Manchester United in the race for Crewe Alexandra wonderkid Nick Powell. The precocious 18-year-old is the kind of young talent Arsenal should target in this summer's transfer window.

Powell just capped a superb campaign by netting a wonder goal as the Alex triumphed in the League 2 playoff final. In a move reminiscent of Thierry Henry's famous winner against United in October 2000, Powell used a quick and deft touch to flick the ball up. He then fired a thunderous volley on the turn which arrowed into the net.

It was just one more indication of the level of Powell's natural ability. It's that ability that has led to rumoured interest from United, with the Daily Mail suggesting on May 19th, that the Red Devils had finalised a £4 million swoop.

However, on the 24th, talkSport.co.uk reported Crewe's denial of a completed deal. Arsenal must contend any deal and secure Powell's signature. Arsene Wenger has long been an admirer of Powell, having scouted him since the age of 16.

A tall and rangy youth, Powell has decent natural strength on the ball and is technically very gifted. The young forward if full of bright ideas and flair.

He has seen time at midfield and played most of this season as a striker, yet his creativity and eye for goal should see him as a natural No. 10 who can link the midfield and attacking areas.

Playing for Crewe means that Powell has been developed in a team structure, which demands slick and quality passing football. His fluidity and subtle off-the-ball movement mean that Powell would have no trouble fitting into Arsenal's attractive brand of football.

He can occasionally be guilty of ignoring a pass in favour of trying to go around defenders and his decision-making could be sharper, but those are two things that can reasonably be expected to improve with age and experience.

Powell's raw talent and Wenger's expert tutelage would make the jump from English football's lower echelons to its top tier easier. Back in July 2011, this author suggested the Gunners should make a move for Powell. Almost 12 months on, Wenger should act quickly and sign this fast-rising young star.

Bryce Harper: Video Compilation of Greatness

Marko Realmonte — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:38:33 -0400

How can you tell when a legend is in the making?

One way is by looking at the highlight reel. Bryce Harper is already piling up the clips, both offensively and defensively, that will cement his place in baseball history.

Here is a look at a few big memories Bryce has provided in the short time he has been in the majors.

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Indy 500 Live Stream: Updated Online Info to Watch Prestigious Race

Brian Mazique — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:38:33 -0400

The Indy 500 is upon us, and the racing world is abuzz with excitement. The expected record heat and the back-stories surrounding the 96th running of the Indy 500 should make this year's race one of the most memorable in history.

Team Penske is going for their 15th win in the historical race and their fourth-straight Indy car win this season.

The team has pole-sitter Ryan Briscoe and three-time winner Helio Castroneves to augment their chances of taking the top podium spot.

In case you can't get to a television or the track, here is how you can catch the race via live stream:

When: Sunday, May 27 at 12:00 p.m. ET

Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, IN

Watch: ABC

Live Stream: IndyCar.com and Watch on ESPN 3

This race is about more than just Team Penske.

Third-generation racing star Marco Andretti is looking to capture the title that his legendary grandfather, Mario, only won once, and his father, Michael, never won. Marco had seemingly captured the family's second title in 2006, but Sam Hornish Jr. stole the victory away from him in the final seconds of the race.

It was just another heartbreaking loss in a long list of disappointments for the Andretti family at Indianapolis.

Coincidentally, 2006 was the last time an American won the race. As the best American hope, Andretti is not only carrying the hopes of his family, but also the hopes of a nation.

That is a ton of pressure for one driver. Can he rise to the occasion?

My mind says: no, he can't. It seems the heat, the pressure and the overall quality of Team Penske will be too much for Marco to overcome.

We'll have to wait and see, but my money (figuratively speaking) is on Castroneves.

Follow Brian Mazique and Franchiseplay.net for reactions, analysis and news from the world of sports and sports video games.

Follow @BrianMazique

Follow @franchiseplay

Fantasy Baseball 2012: 5 Middle Relievers for Your Consideration

Charles Bennett — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:36:04 -0400

If you're in a large league, an AL or NL-only league, a league with deep rosters or a league that tracks holds, you'll need to get a middle reliever. And you'll want a middleman who can do as many as possible of the following:

Have great metrics (ERA, WHIP, BA allowed, etc.)
Have a solid number of strikeouts per nine
Get a lot of holds
Have a strong chance of taking over the closer slot

Here are five middle relievers, all of whom are free agents in at least 80 percent of leagues, for your consideration.

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CM Punk, AJ, and Daniel Bryan: Mind Games in Matters of the Heart

Shane Combs — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:34:49 -0400

What exactly is happening between CM Punk and A.J. Lee? Between Daniel Bryan and A.J. Lee? What, simply, is going on with A.J. Lee?

Your guess is as good as mine.

I can tell you this: If anyone had told me last summer that Daniel Bryan would have been a former world champion at this point, I would have thought it would have been against guys like CM Punk and Chris Jericho.

Yet it was Daniel Bryan who went against a giant in the Big Show and the world’s strongest man in Mark Henry.

Despite that, Daniel Bryan may be up against his biggest and strongest opponent in a once-too-often publicly-scorned A.J. Lee.

Or is he?

A.J. Lee has gone into attack mode on Divas who tried to comfort her and Divas who were supposed to be her friend. But again and again she has stood in front of Daniel Bryan as he tore her down and she never went fists of fire on him.

But is it that she hasn’t done it yet or is it that she will not do it ever?

Two times WWE has left in place the possibility of A.J. Lee interfering in PPV title matches involving Daniel Bryan. Both times she has been absent from ringside.

But she’s getting closer, isn’t she?

For the rematch with Sheamus, only the ghost of her WrestleMania participation lingered, but when Daniel Bryan faced CM Punk at Over the Limit, A.J. Lee showed up to talk to CM Punk.

And what about the WWE Champion CM Punk?

He’s not falling for what A.J. is doing, is he?

I would argue CM Punk has been at his best in his interactions with A.J. Lee. Early on, he’d look over his shoulder and give facial expressions that screamed, I’m in a horror movie. I know I’m in a horror movie. I’m getting ready to die, right?

The interactions with A.J. Lee have moved CM Punk away from his sometimes Cena-like status in WWE. It has taken him away from zingers on the boss, John Laurinaitis. It should, if you’ve been watching carefully, remind you that CM Punk is a crafty man who will take advantage of whatever he must to benefit his cause.

But is he taking advantage of A.J. Lee or is A.J. Lee taking advantage of him?

In their latest encounter, this past week on Monday Night RAW, CM Punk again appeared jumpy early on, but before the interaction was over, he had let A.J. in.

Literally.

Slowly.

Cautiously.

He embraced A.J. Lee.

There are instincts you have after watching years of wrestling. One would be that if A.J. has yet to go off on Daniel Bryan, to attack him, to pay him back, then she will eventually cost him or brutalize him for what he has done.

Another matter, however, is the root of Daniel Bryan’s WWE success. They gave him a title reign where every time you thought he would lose, there would be a Hail Mary save. Against giants, against stronger men, against all odds.

Is it possible, knowing the Daniel Bryan history, that A.J. Lee could, when you most expect her to get her revenge, present Daniel Bryan with the opportunity to become the WWE Champion? It is possible, knowing CM Punk, that he could use the A.J. situation to his advantage?

The character we know the least about is A.J. Lee, and that is what makes this a compelling story.

She was first presented as a victim, and truly she was abused by Daniel Bryan. Yet, it has also become apparent that Daniel Bryan never treated her with respect and that she was the first to say "I Love You" and rather than reacting because she was mistreated, she may well be reacting because she is, in the words of CM Punk, a crazy chick.

Before A.J. is done, she may have CM Punk and Daniel Bryan on the same side. Or, if she happens to be walking down the hall and sees Kane without his mask, the two of them may jump into a car and ride off into a perfect and blissful and crazy happiness together.

Again, your guess is as good as mine.

This much I do know: A.J. Lee is going to do something sometime, and not only will it have an impact, it will clarify who she truly is in WWE right now.

U.S. Men's Nationl Team vs. Scotland: USMNT Player Rankings

Kevin Koczwara — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:34:35 -0400

This was the kind of performance U.S. Soccer was hoping for on a regular basis when it hired Jurgen Klinsmann as Bob Bradley's replacement. The U.S. Men's National Team thumped Scotland, 5-1, on Saturday night in Jacksonville thanks for Landon Donovan's hat-trick and a dominate performance in the midfield.

Here's how the U.S. players rated on the night (1-10, 10 being the best and 1 being the worst)

Tim Howard (6): The lone goal Scotland scored was an own goal that Howard had no chance of saving. He was solid when he needed to be, but his distribution out of the back still needs work for a top-caliber goalkeeper. At times, Howard tried to play the ball out on the ground, but made poor decisions with where and how was getting the pass there.

Steve Cherundolo (6.5): Cherundolo doesn't look a day over 24; too bad for Klinsmann the 35-year-old defender is long past 24 because he is still the best option the U.S. has at right back. His game was solid, but not outstanding. His overlapping was great and his defense sturdy, but he struggled at times in his own half with clearances.

Geoff Cameron (5.5): The own goal tarnishes what was an otherwise very good performance from Cameron. The center back needed to stay closer to Kenny Miller when the cross came in that lead to the own goal. Cameron can't get away with leaving his mark at all on the international stage; otherwise, more goals will come.

Carlos Bocanegra (capt.) (6.): Again, there wasn't any trouble with Bocanegra's game. The defense did what it was supposed to and held Scotland toothless save the one goal, but Bocanegra's passing still isn't his strong suit of the back. If Klinsmann wants this revolution of attacking, eye-pleasing soccer to grow, he needs his defense to be sure of their feet on the ball and work it out of the back better.

Fabian Johnson (7): Johnson has solidified himself as the USMNT first-choice left back, which isn't saying much because the depth there is slim to say the least.The converted midfield had another solid game getting up-and-down the left flank. He took advantage of Jose Torres' movement inside and found plenty of space to get forward and push Scotland's midfielders deep. Now the real test comes against Brazil on Wednesday; let's see how he fairs coming off a solid game.

Maurice Edu (5.5): Edu made some great tackles and was tight in the midfield as the anchor, but he was sloppy in possession more than once, and that can't happen against better opponents.

Michael Bradley (8): Bradley was the engine and the creator in the midfield three. His positioning and passing were superb. Moving to play in Serie A has been a blessing for the midfielder as his game has stepped up to a new level since the move to Chievo.

Jermaine Jones (6): If it weren't for a lenient referee, Jones could have seen himself to the exit, or at least picked up a card and had to be substituted. Jones was all action and scored a wonderful goal, but his chippy play can be costly in big games. He needs to know when to tone it down and when to turn it on still. He also needs to learn to speed the game up in the attacking-third, not slow it down. Klinsmann wants one or two touches on the ball; too often, Jones stepped on the ball and slowed the game down so much that his teammates stood around watching.

Landon Donovan (7.5): Yes, he scored a goal and had an assist, but Donovan's game wasn't his best in a U.S. jersey by far. Scotland had no answer to his pace on the break, and it showed because he was the catalyst to the counter-attacks, but his play in possession and even his movement off the ball at times was stagnant. Donovan is the prototypical counter-attacking player, and sometimes, like in this game when the U.S. enjoyed good spells of possession, that goes against him because he stands around waiting for the ball. With that said, he tracked back well and finished his three chances with class.

Terrence Boyd (7): There is a lot of raw talent in Boyd; now it's time he starts to refine it. Boyd played as a lone forward up top and did his best to hold up play and distribute. His pressure, along with Torres, lead to the Scotland giveaway that led to the opening goal of the game. But Boyd lacked the know-how and patience to score when his chances came. Over time, that will come. For now, Boyd is still learning, and he continues to show positive signs.

Jose Torres (8): Torres touches were quick and precise. He looked more comfortable in the more forward role and with less defensive responsibilities; he tracked back well, though. He played the way Klinsmann wants, with quick touches, forward movement and vision. Torres laid off passes and operated with with precision. It looks like he has found a more comfortable role further up the field.

Subs

Joe Corona (68th minute for Jose Torres) (5.5): It was Corona's debut for the senior national team, and he looked a bit nervous out there. He had some nice touches and played in his space well, but he didn't break out and show that he is 100 percent ready for this level.

Herculez Gomez (64th minute for Terrence Boyd) (5.5): Gomez's valiant touch under pressure freed up Donovan for the cross to set up Jones' goal, but other than that, Gomez was invisible. He didn't get in the game and prove he deserves another look-in. He will need to do better in his next chance.

Kyle Beckerman (64the minute for Maurice Edu) (6): Beckerman came in when the game was already in hand and the U.S. was playing off of Scotland. He did his job and held down the space between the defense and the midfield, but he didn't do anything to set himself apart, which was more to the condition of the game.

Edgar Castillo (73rd minute for Fabian Johnson) (6): Castillo provided good cover after replacing Johnson and did well with Corona on the left to stop any Scotland attack down that flank.

Oguchi Onyewu (63rd minute for Carlos Bocanegra) (6.5): Onyewu is still the strongest center back the U.S. has in the air. He is still a bit raw with the ball on the ground, but he is showing improvements there. It was good to see him out there and healthy again after all his injury problems in the past few years.

Brad Guzan (71st minute for Tim Howard) (6.5): It's hard to even give Guzan a rating, he barely had to do anything. Guzan was barely busy as Scotland wasn't able to break down the U.S. midfield, never mind its defense after he replaced Howard.

Subs not used:

Chris Wondolowski

Indy 500 Lineup: Sleepers That Could Steal the Show in Indianapolis

Donald Wood — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:30:12 -0400

With the 2012 Indianapolis 500 being one of the biggest events of the auto racing year, it’s time to break down which stars will be trying to steal the spotlight in Indy.

Certain stars didn’t have the best qualifying effort, but they are far too talented to be held back by where they start the race. As the old adage goes, the cream rises to the top.

Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Ind.

When: Sunday, May 27 at 12 p.m. ET

Watch: ABC

Listen: IMS Radio Network

Lineup

1. Ryan Briscoe

2. James Hinchcliffe

3. Ryan Hunter-Reay

4. Marco Andretti

5. Will Power

6. Helio Castroneves

7. Josef Newgarden

8. Tony Kanaan

9. E.J. Viso

10. Rubens Barrichello

11. Alex Tagliani

12. Graham Rahal

13. Ana Beatriz

14. Charlie Kimball

15. Scott Dixon

16. Dario Franchitti

17. James Jakes

18. J.R. Hildebrand

19. Takuma Sato

20. Townsend Bell

21. Justin Wilson

22. Michel Jourdain

23. Simon Pagenaud

24. Sebastian Saavedra

25. Sebastien Bourdais

26. Wade Cunningham

27. Oriol Servia

28. Ed Carpenter

29. Mike Conway

30. Katherine Legge

31. Bryan Clauson

32. Simona De Silvestro

33. Jean Alesi

Sleepers That Will Shine

J.R. Hildebrand

At only 24 years old, J.R. Hildebrand is one of the brightest stars the IndyCar series has amongst its ranks.

Despite crashing on the last lap of this race last year to cost himself a win, there is no doubt amongst the teams and the drivers that Hildebrand is a favorite to win the race Sunday.

Dario Franchitti

With two previous Indy 500 wins, Dario Franchitti may be one of the best racers to have a poor qualifying effort.

Despite starting in the middle of the pack, Franchitti has more than enough talent behind the wheel and power beneath the hood to make Sunday tougher for anyone trying to steal the win form him.

Charlie Kimball

In only his second Indy 500 of his life, the young Charlie Kimball has shown that he has the talent to get his IndyCar into a good position at the end of races, but he has yet to prove he has the closer mentality to win a race.

There is no better place to make your mark than the hallowed track at Indianapolis.

Follow @Donald_Wood

NBA Playoffs 2012: Why Russell Westbrook Is OKC'S X-Factor Against the Spurs

Baily Deeter — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:27:00 -0400

Kevin Durant is the one who makes the big shots. He's the scoring champion, the one known as Mr. Clutch.

But what people don't realize is that without Russell Westbrook, Durant wouldn't even be able to take those shots.

Don't get me wrong, Durant's a great player. He makes a lot of shots and averages almost 30 points per game. I think he's the most dangerous player in the playoffs because he has great chemistry with Westbrook, he can rebound and he can always score.

However, Russell Westbrook averages over 20 PPG and he's putting up great numbers in the playoffs.

Take Game 4 of the Lakers-Thunder series. Durant hit the game-winner, but without Westbrook, there's no way the Thunder would've won the game. While injured, Westbrook scored 23 second-half points.

In the fourth quarter, with the Thunder down nine, Westbrook scored nine points in just 2:16, cutting LA's lead to four. Durant took over from there, leading the Thunder to a 103-100 victory.

Westbrook was aggressive, just like he always is, and as a result, the Thunder came away victorious.

On defense, Westbrook is an absolute menace. In Game 1 against the Mavericks, he changed the game in the fourth quarter by guarding Jason Terry, who was lighting up the Thunder with 20 points.

Coach Scott Brooks assigned Westbrook to guard Terry and follow him wherever he went. Terry got just one more shot off, which was a miss, and the Thunder ended up winning the game.

Against Tony Parker and the Spurs, Westbrook's defense will be crucial. San Antonio runs a very effective system chock full of penetration and passing, backdoor cuts and easy points.

If Westbrook can get Parker out of his rhythm by deflecting passes, forcing turnovers and getting fast-break points, San Antonio's system could fail. The Thunder would run all over the Spurs and win the series.

While Gregg Popovich will prepare the Spurs very well, Westbrook can definitely take over the series.

On offense, his job will be to set Durant and James Harden up for good looks. Because of the Spurs' lack of size, Westbrook would want to get Kendrick Perkins involved as well.

As the point guard, Russell Westbrook runs the team. Wherever he goes, the Thunder go. So if Westbrook plays like the Russell Westbrook who's guided the Thunder to the WCF, OKC will be good to go.

But if he doesn't, the Spurs will be in the NBA Finals.

UFC 146 Results: How Does Dan Hardy Stack Up Against the Welterweight Elite?

Vince Carey — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:26:46 -0400

After losing four straight fights in the UFC, many thought Dan Hardy was living on borrowed time as a Zuffa-employed fighter going into UFC 146.

That still may be true, but Hardy certainly bought himself some time last night when he knocked out Duane “Bang” Ludwig with a solid left hook that sent the muay thai specialist crashing to the mat in the very first round.

Now that Hardy is coming off of arguably the most impressive win of his UFC career, it won’t get any easier for “The Outlaw,” and it may not be long before he finds himself competing against the welterweight division's elite once again.

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Nick Fairley: Detroit Lions Star Reportedly Arrested for DUI

Donald Wood — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:25:23 -0400

Detroit Lions star defensive tackle and prized first-round draft pick in 2011, Nick Fairley, was reportedly arrested for driving under the influence and attempting to elude police in Alabama Sunday morning, according to FOX 10 News.

This reported arrest comes less than two months after the former Auburn star was arrested for marijuana possession in Mobile, Alabama.

With two arrests in the span of less than eight weeks, there may be serious consequences handed down by the court that could affect the star’s playing time with the Lions this season.

What It Means

Fairley had character concerns coming out of college, but the Lions felt that they had the leadership on the team to keep the potential star on the straight and narrow.

Obviously, that hasn’t been the case.

With two arrests this close together, there is a chance that the courts could make an example out of the local star. I wouldn’t be surprised if Fairley gets the stiffest punishment possible from the Alabama courts.

What’s Next?

Depending on whether or not there was some sort of probation associated with his first arrest, Fairley may be facing jail time. At the very least, the former Auburn tackle will be punished with hefty fines and plenty of community service.

The Detroit Lions have to enact their own form of punishment, though.

Before Roger Goodell has to make the move, the Lions organization has to act fast to save its future star from ruining his career. Not only does Detroit have to suspend Fairley, it has to get him into a rehab center to clean himself up.

This isn’t college anymore.

Check back for more on the National Football League as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s NFL Page to get your fill of all things football.

Follow @Donald_Wood

NBA Playoffs 2012: What the Boston Celtics Must Do to Beat the Miami Heat

Matthew Schmidt — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:22:17 -0400

Both having endured hard-fought battles in their respective Eastern Conference Semifinals series, the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat are meeting once again in the playoffs.

Last year, the Heat bounced the Celtics in five games in the second round. This time, the two teams will be meeting to decide which will represent the East in the NBA Finals.

Most people—fans and media pundits alike—have already written off Boston, claiming that it has no chance against the younger and more athletic Miami squad. However, while the Heat may have the physical edge, there are several key factors that could swing the series in the Celtics favor. At the same time, though, there some aspects that can hurt Boston, as well.

Let's go over each of these factors for the C's.

1. Injuries

For the second consecutive year, Boston will be playing as a banged up team. Last year, Shaquille O'Neal had a bad Achilles, and Rajon Rondo had his elbow gruesomely dislocated in Game 3—a moment I am sure we all vividly remember.

This time around, Avery Bradley is out after undergoing surgery on both shoulders, Paul Pierce is still gimpy on that sprained MCL and Ray Allen looks 10 years older due to the bone spurs in his right ankle.

The Celtics aren't the only team in this series dealing with injuries, though. There is still no exact timetable on Chris Bosh's return, as he has been out with a strained abdominal muscle. He may come back later in the series, or he may not return at all. That is obviously huge for both teams, and I'll get into that later.

It's unfortunate that these two squads will not be playing each other at full strength, but that is the nature of the sport.

2. Kevin Garnett and Rondo Could Dominate this Series

I don't think I'd be breaking any news by saying that the Heat have no answer for Rondo. He is an impossible cover for Mario Chalmers, and I don't care how much everyone talks about the fact that LeBron James can defend almost any player in the league—he cannot defend Rondo. Rondo is just too quick, and his quickness would open up things for Pierce.

The same goes for Garnett.

K.G. generally abuses the Heat's frontcourt even when Bosh is in the lineup, but without Bosh, Garnett may end up having a field day. He will see a steady dose of Joel Anthony, Udonis Haslem and Ronny Turiaf, so it would not be the least bit surprising to see Garnett have his way in this series.

Also, keep in mind that with Bosh out, K.G. can now roam a bit defensively and make life more difficult for James and Dwyane Wade when they attempt to get to the basket. Having Bosh off the floor essentially eliminates the bailout for LeBron and Wade, as they like to kick the ball back out to their sharp-shooting big man when the defense collapses.

If the Celtics are going to win this series, they are going to need to continuously exploit these mismatches.

That means isolating Garnett in the post and letting him go to work. That also means Rondo being aggressive and keeping Miami's defense back on its heels. Everyone likes to say that Boston wants to slow the pace of the game down, and while that may be true in some respects, I think the C's are at their best when Rondo can get out and run in the open court.

3. Allen May Have Built Up Some Confidence

After starting 0-for-5 from three-point range in Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers, Allen drained two colossal treys in the fourth quarter, just two of the seemingly thousands of clutch threes he has hit over the course of his illustrious career.

Even though Allen is clearly not 100 percent, those two shots may have gone a long way to getting his confidence back. I can't remember the last time this postseason he hit back-to-back threes. That could end up paying huge dividends against the Heat, and, trust me, Boston is going to need Allen to score against Miami.

If he can get going, it will completely change the complexion of this series.

4. Bradley's Absence Will Hurt

Bradley became Boston's Wade-stopper this season, severely limiting Wade this year when he faced off against the All-Star guard.

Now, with Bradley out, Boston has to search for a defensive answer to the explosive scorer.

Given Allen's health, there is no way he can keep up with Wade over the course of the series, and that means bench players like Mickael Pietrus or Marquis Daniels are going to have to step up and provide what could end up being some of the biggest defensive stops in this series.

Both Pietrus and Daniels are capable defenders, but Wade is a different animal when he is feeling it. At least one of those two (probably be Pietrus) is going to have to bring their A game in this series, and they could ultimately be the X-factor in determining how tough the C's play the Heat. If they can at least inhibit Wade, Boston has a great chance, as it's not like Miami has many other options outside of Wade and James.

5. The Celtics Won't Be Playing Down to Their Competition

Ever since the Big Three was established in 2007, Boston developed the nasty habit of letting inferior teams drag out playoff series. For example, in the Big Three's first year together, the Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers took the Celtics to seven games. Of course, the C's would go on to win the title that year, but neither the Hawks nor the Cavaliers had any business stretching either series that far. But, they did.

Then, this year, Boston could not close out Atlanta when it had a 3-1 series lead, and had to finish the Hawks off in a nail-biter of a Game 6 at home. Following that, the C's allowed the 76ers to push them to the limit in the semifinals, finally eliminating them in Game 7 in Boston.

For some reason, though, the Celtics level of play completely changes when they play a team they know is more than capable of beating them. I guess you can call it human nature, but Boston always plays better when it feels legitimately threatened.

You can obviously count the Heat as a legitimate threat.

I expect the C's to play inspired ball in this series, if for no other reason than this last factor.

6. The Last Hurrah

We have been over this countless times, but barring any unforeseen circumstances in the offseason, this postseason is the last time we will be seeing Garnett, Pierce, and Allen wearing the same uniform.

They know the stakes, and you can bet that they are going to leave every ounce of themselves on the floor in this series.

The fact that the Celtics are playing Miami in the conference finals is extremely fitting. Either they lose the series and fully pass the torch to the Heat for Eastern Conference supremacy, or they upset them and provide basketball with a feel-good story as the wily veterans move on to their third NBA Finals in five years.

Conclusion

This is going to be a good series. Regardless of the fact that Miami may be the more spry (and more well-rested group), Boston is not just going to lie down. The C's will make this a very competitive series, and it would not surprise me to see them beat the Heat.

I am not saying that I expect it, but I am not gasping at the possibility.

Dan Wheldon: Honoring Indy 500 Legend Heading Into Today's Race

Nicholas Goss — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:20:37 -0400

IndyCar has done a phenomenal job remembering and honoring the late Dan Wheldon at Sunday's Indianapolis 500, a race that the Englishman won twice in his career, including last year.

Let's look at how the racing world will honor Weldon at Indianapolis.

ABC and ESPN ran a brilliant piece on Wheldon's life and career during their coverage of the Indy 500 on Sunday. Video found on ESPN's Youtube page.

Fans at Indianapolis Motor Speedway were given these white glasses to wear on laps 26 and 98 during the race, according to Adam Hay-Nicholls. Picture of the glasses courtesy Derek Schultz of 1260 WNDE.

Dan Wheldon tribute glasses being handed out at the entrance gate. twitter.com/Schultz1260/st…
— Derek Schultz (@Schultz1260) May 27, 2012

Several drivers also wore the white glasses, according to Vince Welch of ESPN.

At public driver mtg TK, Dario, Dixon all sporting white shades n honor of friend Dan Wheldon. #indy500 twitter.com/vincewelch/sta…
— Vince Welch (@vincewelch) May 26, 2012

Country music star Martina McBride sang the national anthem at today's race wearing Dan Wheldon's winning ring, according to SpeedFreaks.tv.

I'm sure it's already been tweeted, but Martina McBride will wear @DanWheldon winning ring when she sings anthem today #Indy500
— Crash Gladys (@CrashGladys) May 27, 2012

IndyCar driver Bryan Herta was featured in a recent SpeedTV.com piece remembering Dan Wheldon, where he talked about Wheldon's competitiveness and love for the sport.

He was a beast. He loved this place before he got here. The fact that he loved racing here so much, and he was so good at it, that was tough; that was a lot of competition to deal with. Because when you showed up at this place, Dan showed up to win every year. He showed up to win every practice session. He wanted to be fast every day. It wasn't even just about the race. He wanted to be fast every day that his car was on track at this place. Like I said, how do you deal with that?

IndyCar and the drivers deserve a lot of credit for their strong effort to remember and honor Wheldon at Sunday's Indy 500. ABC's video also did a wonderful job explaining what a great driver and person the Englishman was. He certainly had a positive impact on so many people.

Wheldon's work ethic, dedication, love for the sport and respect for his fellow drivers set an example that IndyCar drivers will follow for many years to come. His contribution to motorsports and the friendships he made with the drivers will help ensure that Wheldon's memory will not be forgotten.

Predicting the 2012-2013 Los Angeles Lakers Roster (Revised)

Kwame Fisher-Jones — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:19:30 -0400

No franchise is in need of a superstar more than the Los Angeles Lakers, and in a league controlled by superstars, it always appears the Lakers find one. The 2012-2013 roster will feature the point guard L.A. fans have long waited for. The roster will be a mixture of something old and something new.

The last two seasons, the Lakers have been the biggest team on the floor, but they have no postseason success to show for it. Management tipped their hand this preseason when they shipped Sixth Man of the Year Lamar Odom and tested warrior Pau Gasol for point guard Chris Paul.

When David Stern voided that deal, there was no way for L.A. to convince the NBA world they were content with their point guard situation.

After receiving the ultimate boobie prize in Ramon Sessions, there is little doubt Los Angeles is in the market for a true floor general. The perception is that the Lakers are stretched to the limit and it will be
difficult for them to make a move, but this is the Lakers.

Yes, Los Angeles has some difficult contracts to move, but since when did difficult mean impossible?

Armed with no first-round picks and the league’s third-highest payroll, things will be tough. However, that is the difference between L.A. and the rest—Los Angeles always gets it done.

Aside from their glaring need at point guard, the Lakers must get younger and faster. They have tried the “we are bigger” approach, and it has not worked. L.A. must find a way to keep their size but gain some youth and energy.

For years, the Lakers have been “Emperors of the League” because their superstars were merely superior to those they faced. Unlike any other sports franchise, the Lakers have found a way to acquire the established star and pair him with above-average role players.

It is this mixture of George Mikan and Slater Martin or Happy Hairston and Wilt Chamberlain or Magic Johnson and AC Green or Shaquille O’Neal and Robert Horry or Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher.

It is that perfect blend of heart, determination and elevation of each player that has brought about multiple championships. It is that fusion of knowledge and will that they are seeking today.

These are the players who will bring L.A. its next title.

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Junior dos Santos vs. Frank Mir: Cigano's Lopsided Victory Sets Up Epic Rematch

Ian Hanford — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:18:56 -0400

Junior dos Santos' violent fists ended Frank Mir's heavyweight title hopes in UFC 146 on Saturday night, and will look to dispel Cain Velasquez's dreams in the coming future.

Dos Santos' second-round TKO of Mir cemented Cigano among UFC's greats, at least for the time being. Beating Velasquez for the second time, in about a year, would make his elite position permanent.

Velasquez dominated Antonio Silva in UFC 146. Dos Santos pummeled Mir.

This sets up a clash between UFC heavyweights, sure to be even better than their first battle.

Let's take a look at Dos Santos and Velasquez's first matchup last November and what to expect the next time.

What Happened the First Time?

Dos Santos embarrassed Velasquez one minute into their first fight last November. He knocked Velasquez out on national television with his vicious striking power.

Dos Santos attacked Velasquez with relentless precision, knocking him out in 64 seconds. Knocking Velasquez out so quickly was incredible, especially considering Dos Santos' questionable health coming into the fight.

Don't think both fighters will not remember this first clash.

Velasquez will remember getting knocked out in FOX's first main event in decisive fashion. Dos Santos will remember every winning ingredient and try to perform to those standards again.

Now, let's examine the upcoming matchup.

How Will Each Fighter Adjust?

I don't see how Dos Santos needs to adjust, but he will if Velasquez does his homework.

Velasquez should be healthier, stronger and more prepared this time around. He needs to use his fitness and conditioning to turn this fight into his ideal situation.

Dos Santos is not comfortable on his back and has never been chased around the Octagon. Velasquez is a physical freak, definitely capable of wearing Dos Santos down over the course of multiple rounds.

Dos Santos wants to stay on his feet and dictate the tempo. His fists inflict ridiculous damage, something Velasquez is familiar with and Mir just found out.

If Velasquez wants to win the rematch, he must take Dos Santos' strengths away. If he can force Dos Santos to fight his type of fight, he has a chance of stealing the UFC heavyweight belt.

Dos Santos wins easily if Velasquez allows this to become a fist fight. However, if Dos Santos winds up on his back, this fight could be over quickly.

Two great fighters with different approaches creates a very interesting situation in the coming months. The fact that the two have already squared off once recently, with explosive results, creates an even bigger stir about the pending rematch.

Monaco Grand Prix 2012 Winner: Mark Webber Captures Great Win from the Pole

Andrew Kulha — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:12:48 -0400

Mark Webber has won the 2012 Monaco Grand Prix in what will go down as a great win for the Red Bull Racing Team.

Webber was closely followed by Nico Rosberg of Mercedes and Fernando Alonso of Ferrari, who finished the race second and third, respectively.

Webber started from the pole, and he finished in first. A win like this just goes to show you how important pole position can be, especially at a track like Monaco.

AP sports writer Jerome Pugmire chronicles both Webber and Red Bull Racings' recent success from the pole at Monaco via newsday.com:

The 35-year-old Australian did just that to stay ahead of Nico Rosberg and Alonso for his eighth career win. It was his second victory in three years at Monaco for Red Bull, which has won the last three at this track from the pole position.

"I'm feeling incredible," Webber said. "It was reasonably straightforward at the start. It's just a matter of then getting back into a reasonable gap (with) the weather threatening."

This was a huge win for Webber, and he's got to be feeling pretty good about the track at Monaco. The same could be said for Red Bull Racing, who had a great race highlighted by Webber, but a race that also included teammate Sebastian Vettel finishing fourth.

Those two finishes garnered Red Bull Racing 37 total points, and they find themselves on top of the team standings.

As far as the overall Formula One driver standings, the third-place finish pushed Alonso to the top with 76 points, with both Red Bull drivers, Vettel and Webber, tied at 73 points right behind him.

This was Webber's sixth race of the year and his first win on the year.

All-in-all, this was a huge race for both Webber and Red Bull. Not only did they get the great win at Monaco, but they are putting themselves in extremely good position for success from here on out in 2012.

ACC Baseball Tournament 2012: Scorching Georgia Tech Sure to Win Automatic Bid

Patrick Clarke — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:02:53 -0400

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are set to take the ACC's automatic bid to the College World Series this summer with a win in Sunday's ACC Baseball Championship Game (12:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2) in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The Yellow Jackets will take on the Miami Hurricanes in a one-game, winner-take-all matchup for the conference crown and an automatic bid—much like in college basketball.

Miami went 16-14 in the ACC this past season and has looked beatable in North Carolina for the most part. The Hurricanes have gone 2-1 and outscored their opponents only 13-9 over those three games.

Georgia Tech had lost five of seven games coming into the 2012 ACC Tournament this May, but has since turned it on and won three straight this past week in North Carolina, outscoring its opponents 27-10 in the process.

On Friday, the Yellow Jackets put up 17 runs on defending conference champion Virginia, and on Saturday they topped Clemson 5-1 after dropping two of three against the Tigers during the regular season.

Even more impressive, Georgia Tech has ripped through the competition in Greensboro as the No. 8 seed of the tournament. The Yellow Jackets went 12-18 in conference play this season, and are surprisingly on the verge of heading to the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament.

Georgia Tech has not earned a bid to the College World Series since 2006, and the strong play from the Yellow Jackets as of late suggests that they could easily be one of the last eight teams remaining and head to Omaha as a feared squad.

Whether they go all the way, it will be sparked by a win in the ACC Championship Game on Sunday.

Follow Patrick Clarke on Twitter for more on the upcoming 2012 College World Series.

Owen Hart: The Biggest Tragedy in Wrestling History

Travis Wakeman — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:01:45 -0400

It was May 23, 1999. I remember the day very well. I was getting ready to order the upcoming pay-per-view event as I always did. WWE Over the Edge was going to be great, in my mind.

We were getting The Rock vs. Triple H and The Undertaker vs. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin for the WWE title.

Shortly into the event, I recall the cameras wildly circling around the arena as Jim Ross stated they were having problems, technical difficulties, or something to that effect. They cut back and showed some promos from earlier to kill some time, one of them involving The Blue Blazer, who Owen Hart was competing as at the time.

He was set to face The Godfather that night, but it soon became evident that we weren't going to get that match. It started to seem like we weren't going to get any more matches at all, as something was clearly wrong, though they wouldn't say anything on camera.

A savvy WWE viewer knew something had to be up, especially when the Blue Blazer-Godfather match was just scrapped and they ushered out Jeff Jarrett and Debra to face Val Venis and Nicole Bass in a tag-team match.

What had happened? Suddenly, the focus was no longer on the show but what was going on in Kansas City that night. We didn't have to wait long for an answer.

"Ladies and gentlemen, earlier tonight here in Kansas City, tragedy befell the World Wrestling Federation and all of us. Owen Hart was set to make an entrance from the ceiling, and he fell from the ceiling. I have the unfortunate responsibility to let everyone know that Owen Hart has died. Owen Hart has tragically died from that accident here tonight."

That was a quote directly from Jim Ross at the event (via The Examiner). What? I remember being in utter shock, and even, though some fans thought for sure it was part of the show, I knew it wasn't. I knew we had just been part of the biggest black eye the industry had faced to that point.

The 13th anniversary of Owen Hart's death just passed. As I've done several times over the years, I went back and watched the opening of Monday Night Raw the following night and still, 13 years later, it's both hard to believe and very emotional.

Owen Hart came from one of the greatest wrestling families the business has ever known. It doesn't seem like anyone had anything bad to say about him, and there was no doubting his ability to perform.

I know the wrestling industry has had plenty of sad and tragic events, but this one is the most unfortunate and most tragic to me. It's the one that will stick with me forever.

Owen Hart is truly missed, and we can only hope that he is now in a better place.

Indy 500 TV Schedule: When and Where You Can Watch First 2 Rows Dominate Race

Timothy Rapp — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:01:33 -0400

At the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, look for Team Penske and Team Andretti to do battle and ultimately field the winner.

The two teams comprise every spot in the first two rows, after all, and Penske's Ryan Briscoe is sitting on the pole for the race. Keep in mind that four of the last eight pole-sitters have won this race.

Team Penske has started off this season 4-0, with Will Power winning three races and Helio Castroneves taking home a win as well. Castroneves will be looking for his fourth win at the Indy 500, and would join A.J. Foyt, Al Unser Sr. and Rick Mears as the only four-time winners.

No driver has ever won the race five times.

But Team Andretti has a strong presence in the front as well. James Hinchcliffe barely lost the pole to Briscoe and is considered one of the sport's brightest young stars. He's currently third in the point standings heading into the race as well.

Ryan Hunter-Reay will be joining Hinchcliffe in the first row and is a threat to surprise some folks with a win.

And let's not forget about Marco Andretti in the second row, who will be trying to end the long Andretti curse at the Indianapolis 500. The famous family of racing has only won the race once, when Mario Andretti did so in 1969.

Marco Andretti has come close, finishing in second place once and third place twice. And he's confident he can take home a win on Sunday (from Reuters via Fox News):

He has not had a great start to this season, finishing outside the top 10 in each of the four IndyCar races this year but rather than be frustrated, the 25-year-old is supremely confident his luck is about to change after qualifying fourth in the 33-car field.

"I think this is our race to lose, I really do," he told reporters. " I'd rather be lucky than good at this place. But if we can show up good and get a little bit of luck, that's all you need."

My pick?

Though he's never won the race, I'm going with Will Power. He's the hottest driver in the field, having won three straight races, and he desperately needs to add an Indianapolis win to his solid resume. If he is able to do so, he should be on a fast track to winning his first IndyCar championship.

Here's your info on today's race:

When: Sunday, May 27 at 12 p.m. ET

Where: Indianapolis Motor Speedway

TV: ABC, 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. ET, 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. PT

Pole: Ryan Briscoe

Hit me up on Twitter—my tweets pack more punch than Junior dos Santos.

UFC 146: Is It Time for Cain Velasquez to Get a Chance to Win His Belt Back?

Khurram Aziz — Sun, 27 May 2012 11:54:49 -0400

On Saturday night, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Cain Velasquez mercilessly demolished the Brazilian Antonio “Big Foot” Silva and proved why many consider him the best heavyweight fighter in the world.

The performance was so convincing, so cold in its effectiveness, that Velasquez makes a strong case for why he should get the next title shot.

There are two men in his way, however—neither of whom is more deserving than him.

The first is Alistair Overeem, who was meant to fight Junior dos Santos for the title last night, but was pulled after he failed a drug test.

Now, of course, due process has taken place and despite the excuse being as convincing as a three-dollar bill, the Nevada State Athletic Commission didn’t challenge Overeem’s contention that he was inadvertently given testosterone injections by an unfit doctor. This is one of the many reasons why his sentence was a paltry nine-month suspension.

But a failed drug test is a failed drug test. His excuse wasn’t tested in a court of law, so there’s no reason for us to think anything other than how ridiculously obvious it was that a man who put on 40 lbs. of pure muscle in just a few years was going to fail a drug test sooner or later.

What incenses us more is how he was caught—a random drug test he knew was coming because of his previous “dance” with the testers. And out of the 10 fighters tested after that press conference in Vegas earlier in the year, Overeem was the only one to piss hot.

Dana White, it seems, is as incensed as the rest of us. He barely hides his anger at being lied to about Overeem being clean—thereby placing all the blame of the failed test on the Dutch heavyweight. With that said, there’s no reason to give Overeem the benefit of the doubt and put him straight back in with a title shot.

If his behaviour is ever going to have consequences, he’ll have to work his way back to championship contention, just like Chael Sonnen did after his narrow loss.

That leaves Daniel Cormier as the other contender for Dos Santos’ belt. Last week, Cormier won the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix and made his case for being the best heavyweight in the world. The fact that his victory was achieved against the much-fancied Josh Barnett makes a stronger case for him to be given the nod.

But let’s not get carried away. As good as Barnett was, he is no Dos Santos or Cain Velasquez. The fact of the matter is Cormier hasn’t fought the best MMA fighters consistently enough in his short 10-fight career to warrant being given Dos Santos.

He still needs to prove himself against the best the UFC has to offer. For several years now, it has contained the best heavyweights in the world, and the likes of Soa Pelelei and Jeff Monson just don’t cut it.

To give him the immediate title shot, while making logical sense in an effort to unite two belts, would be unfair to those who have been in the mix in the UFC at the top level for far longer.

When you look at those guys, Velasquez immediately jumps out as the best of the bunch. He’s a monster, and the bloody mess he made of Silva’s face was a statement of just how much of a monster he is.

He should get his rematch against Dos Santos as soon as it’s possible.

For more MMA goodness, check out my blog: The Fight Week

UFC 146 Results: 5 Fights for Roy Nelson to Take Next

Matthew Ryder — Sun, 27 May 2012 11:54:32 -0400

Roy Nelson, the rotund, bearded thorn in Dana White’s side, looked crisp in dispatching Dave Herman with a single punch at UFC 146.

With his quick, decisive win on the first all-heavyweight main card in company history, many have turned their attention to the possible fights that lurk out there for the Renzo Gracie jiu-jitsu black belt.

Some possibilities include:

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MLB All-Star Game: Predicting Both 34-Man Rosters

Jeremy Dorn — Sun, 27 May 2012 11:51:18 -0400

The 83rd Midsummer Classic is rapidly approaching for MLB players and fans. This year has seen an extraordinary amount of all-league worthy talent.

From Josh Hamilton's mind-boggling total of 20 home runs so far to Brandon Beachy's ridiculous start in Atlanta, 2012 has been chock full of impressive performances.

Unfortunately, that means there will be a large number of snubs. Naturally, things will change between now and July, but we can get a rough idea of the rosters.

Factoring in that every team must have one representative and that fans vote on names, not on actual numbers, here is my take at who will represent each league at the All-Star Game in Kansas City:

*Stats current as of 5/26/12*

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Yankees History: George Steinbrenner a Laughingstock When He Took over the Team

Harold Friend — Sun, 27 May 2012 11:49:58 -0400

On June 22, 1988, the New York Yankees had completed a nine-game road trip in which they lost seven games. Mr. George Steinbrenner fired manager Billy Martin for the fifth time.

The Yankees owner’s actions often made him the laughingstock of the sports world.

Martin replaced Lou Piniella as manager at the start of the 1988 season after Mr. Steinbrenner moved Piniella to the front office as general manager. Piniella had been Yankees' manager in 1986 and again in 1987.

One consequence of the disastrous 2-7 road trip under Martin was that the Yankees dropped out of first place. Guess who took over for Martin? Yes, Mr. Steinbenner moved Piniella from the front office back to the field.

Piniella, who should have known better, thought that he would be a long-term manager. He told reporters, "I am not an interim manager, that I can tell you. I wouldn't come back on an interim basis."

Piniella was the 16th Yankees manager in 16 seasons. Mr. Steinbrenner refused to tolerate anything less than excellence in anyone but himself. After all, it was he who hired the 15 managers whom he had to fire.

Mr. Steinbrenner wasn’t pleased with the way Martin had been managing. Cecilio Guante, not Dave Righetti, was Martin’s “stopper.” Today, a “stopper” is a closer.

Martin used Tommy John, who was 45 years old and was the first pitcher to undergo Tommy John surgery, three times in a five-day period. The Yankees had a seven-man pitching rotation.

None of that pleased the owner.

Off the field, Martin had been involved in a fight at a topless bar in Dallas. His frequent confrontations with umpires and use of his pitchers helped force Mr. Steinbrenner’s hand.

When Piniella took over, the Yankees were 40-28, two and one-half games behind the first place Detroit Tigers. Under Piniella, they went 45-48 to finish fifth.

Mr. Steinbrenner refused to accept a fifth-place finish. He fired Piniella and replaced him with Dallas Green for the 1989 season.

On August 18, 1989, Green was fired.

The Yankees were in sixth place. Bucky Dent was hired, which meant that the Yankees now had 18 managers in 17 seasons.

True to form, about one week before, Mr. Steinbrenner told reporters that he had no intention of getting rid of his good friend, Green: "I'm still supportive of my manager and have no plans to replace him."

Green was not as trusting as Piniella had been, saying: "Any management situation is liable to explode. I know it's part of the game."

When Mr. Steinbrenner refused to take advice from baseball men, the Yankees were no threat to win the division, the pennant or the World Series.

Sixers vs. Celtics: Rondo Proves He Is a Celtic with Triple-Double in Game 7 Win

Frances White — Sun, 27 May 2012 11:45:45 -0400

For all his idiosyncrasies, Rajon Rondo knows he belongs and last night the rest of the NBA was served notice after his 18-10-10 game saved the Boston Celtics' season.

This particular triple-double, put him in the history books as one of a hand full of players who have had a triple-double in a Game 7. In fact, he is the second Boston Celtic to do so—the first being Larry Bird.

The Celtics had their backs against the wall facing a scrappy Philadelphia 76ers team in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Each team's signature defense made it a messy, low-scoring affair. Something only a true connoisseur of the sport could appreciate.

Paul Pierce became the first casualty of the stingy Philly defense—he was called for his sixth foul with 4:10 left in the fourth quarter. The Celtics were left with a gimpy Ray Allen, an older Kevin Garnett who needed help creating his shot and a Rondo who had floundered in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.

In that game, Kendrick Perkins had just ripped up his knee and the team was reeling—especially Rondo, who failed after his best friend went down. He looked at the situation as adversity instead of an opportunity to make sure his team was the last one standing.

Also, "The Big Three" weren't quite ready to invite him to the party.

Fast-forward two years to the 2012 Eastern Conference semifinals, faced with the same opportunity wrapped in a different situation, Rajon Rondo thrived. You could see it in the way he confidently took a three-pointer well beyond the three-point line with plenty of time remaining on the shot clock. The Garden faithful held their collective breath, then exploded with joy as it fell through.

Rondo had arrived—he didn't just demand respect, he took it. He outscored the young Philly squad 11-7 in the fourth quarter by himself and gave his vets another opportunity to bring home Banner 18.

His post-game presser saw him highlight his errors as the reason that Pierce had fouled out and his redemption for his Round 1 Game 2 suspension against the Atlanta Hawks.

Paul Pierce could be seen praising the basketball gods as he pounded the parquet floor with his fists. Doing the only thing he could do from the sidelines, cheering because he knew he was witnessing the birth of a Celtic.