Farmar scores career-high 30 as Lakers beat Kings

Basketball Hot News

Andrew Bynum practices 3-on-3, Vogel hopeful he can play “soon”

The Indiana Pacers do plan on putting Andrew Bynum on the court in one of their uniforms.

Of course, that can only happen when Bynum is fully healthy and in condition and that is going to happen whenever it happens (I have gotten out of the Bynum timeline business, I’d rather be Carnival Cruise Line’s PR person right now).

Pacers coach Frank Vogel isn’t in the Bynum timeline business either other than to say “soon.” Bynum is working out 3-on-3 Vogel told the Indy Star.

Andrew Bynum practiced three-on-three Thursday, and Vogel said he was optimistic the 7-foot center would be ready to play soon. Soon doesn’t mean a week from now, the coach said.

“The goal is to get him to the point where he’s able to play every night,” Vogel said. “We don’t want him to play one game and sit three games….

“We know what we can expect from him when he’s healthy and in shape. He’s one of the best centers in the NBA,” Vogel said. “We’ve seen flashes of that in practice that he’s shown here.”

They saw flashes of that in Cleveland, too. It’s what is between the flashes that is the issue.

My guess is between now and the end of the season the Pacers will try to get him in a few games and then make a decision on what direction they want to go. Maybe he helps, maybe he doesn’t. If it ends up with the worst-case scenario then from the Pacers’ perspective at least he’s riding their pine and not a member of the Heat (as much as Larry Bird may publicly deny it people around the league say that was part of the motivation for bringing Bynum in).

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Duncan posts double-double, leads Spurs past Bobcats

Basketball Hot News

Pelicans’ Jrue Holiday out for season after surgery on tibia

The Pelicans’ new look roster had potential — if all the new pieces could meld and Anthony Davis could start to blossom they would be a very interesting team the second half of the season.

Injuries undid that dream — Ryan Anderson led a list of key Pelicans who have had to miss significant time this season.

Jrue Holiday was part of that mix. The point guard had been out since Jan. 8 and now we know why — he just underwent surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right tibia, the team announced Friday. He will not return this season.

Holiday’s numbers dipped a little this season (14.3 points, 7.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game) but some mistook that for his game taking a step back — rather than having to score Holiday had a variety of weapons to set up and with that both his true shooting percentage and assist percentage actually climbed. He had a PER of 17.4 this season.

Holiday came to the Pelicans on a draft-day trade with the Sixers that sent Nerlens Noel back to Philly (he has yet to play). Holiday should be back next season healthy. If he and the rest of the Pelicans’ core is maybe then things get interesting in New Orleans on the court.

In the short term, Brian Roberts is your New Orleans point guard.

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San Diego State RB Muema resurfaces in Florida

Adam Muema was out of touch for several days after leaving the combine. (USATSI)

Former San Diego State running back Adam Muema has resurfaced, five days after he abruptly left the NFL combine citing religious reasons. According to U-T San Diego, Muema showed up on Friday at a Florida-based performance facility where he trained for the combine.

"I know he's fine. I know he's safe," a person close to Muema told U-T San Diego. "But I don't know what happens from here. There are good people that are helping him."

Muema said he left the combine Sunday because God told him to and then basically disappeared. After leaving the combine, Muema went to the Indianapolis airport, where he spoke to a reporter from U-T San Diego on the phone. After that conversation, Muema apparently didn't communciate with anyone for the next five days.

However, that wasn't the last time Muema was seen. The former Aztec running back was spotted by a CBSSports.com video producer Monday at the Indianapolis airport. It's not clear where Muema slept Sunday night and it doesn't seem like he changed clothes as he was wearing the NFL's combine-issued gear on both Sunday and Monday.

Even more interesting is that Muema was still wearing the combine-issued gear on Friday when he showed up at his training facility, according to U-T San Diego, a full four days after leaving Indianapolis.

It's not clear either where Muema was from Monday until Friday, but it was most likely somewhere in Florida. Muema and our CBSSports.com video producer were on an Indianapolis to Ft. Lauderdale flight together on Monday, a flight that landed around 1:30 p.m. in Florida.

As you can see below, Muema was still wearing his NFL-issued combine gear on the Monday flight.

Adam Muema was on a flight from Indianapolis to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (CBSSports.com/Matt Brodsky)

After Muema left the baggage check Monday, he wasn't seen or heard from again until Friday when he called a reporter from U-T San Diego.

And here's where the story gets stranger, apparently Muema never left the airport in Ft. Lauderdale after arriving on Monday. Former Oklahoma linebacker Corey Nelson, who had been training with the San Diego State running back, told U-T San Diego that Muema spent four straight days at the airport without eating because God told him to.

Muema began tweeting again on Friday -- after four days of no tweeting -- and confirmed that he did leave the combine because God told him to.

@AztecRob10 @youkwait : Jesus is the Messiah. Why are you telling me this? I left combine for him.

— Adam Muema (@So_Lucrative) February 28, 2014

Muema left Indianapolis early because he said he believes that God has a plan for him and that plan involves him getting drafted by the Seahawks. Muema said that God told him that if he skipped the combine workouts, he'd get drafted by Seattle.

"Can't go wrong with God," Muema said on Sunday. "He told me to sit down, be quiet and enjoy the peace." Muema told UT-San Diego that he communicates with God through numbers.

Although he was in Florida on Friday morning, Muema is expected to fly to Los Angeles at some point on Friday. The running back was at an undisclosed airport on Friday and told a U-T San Diego reporter that he plans to fly "home."

"I'm glad he's safe, obviously," a source close to Muema told U-T San Diego on Friday. "But the last thing I think he needs to be doing is be talking to anyone, on Twitter, media, anything like that. He just needs to get his life right... I hope he stops being a story."

NFL Hot News

Report: Eagles, WR Riley Cooper agree to a 5-year, $25 million deal



Yesterday, it was reported that the Eagles and wide receiver Riley Cooper will make a four-year contract official on Thursday. That report apparently came up a year short. ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted this morning that Cooper's new contract is for five years and $25 million with $10 million guaranteed.Schefter adds via sources that wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and the team are also talking about a deal but are "not close" right now.



I still contend that if the Eagles re-sign Maclin to only a one-year deal, he will still be more productive than Cooper despite the latter having the richer contract. Cooper made the best of his opportunity this season, but Maclin is the better player when healthy. I think the Eagles will end up somewhat regretting this contract in the near future.

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Former Raptors’ GM Colangelo admits to tanking

Bryan Colangelo admits that he set the Raptors up to tank a few years ago. (Getty Images)

Tanking has been a cantakerous issue over the past few years. It's looked at as a disingenuous way to set your team up if you're hoping they fail while trying to sell season tickets to a fan base that wants wins. While it may end up being better for the future of your ball club, a lot of people don't accept this as an honest tactic. That doesn't stop general managers from putting together bad teams in the hopes of securing top draft picks. Just ask Bryan Colangelo.

From 2006-2013, Colangelo was the general manager of the Toronto Raptors. After experiencing immediate success there that included a 47-win season in 2006-07 and an executive of the year award from the NBA, the magic in Toronto eventually wore out. Colangelo apparently set his team up to tank in the 2010-11 season after Chris Bosh left via free agency for the Miami Heat.

Former GM Bryan Colangelo: "Admittedly, I will say I tried to tank a few years ago."

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) February 28, 2014

Colangelo added that he never told the coach of the team, Jay Triano, to lose games. He just didn't give Triano much to work with in his final season as the Raptors' coach. The team went 22-60 that season and ended up with the fifth pick in the draft. They used that pick to grab Jonas Valanciunas out of Lithuania, who is now looked at as a cornerstone for that franchise.

Some of the moves Colangelo made prior to the 2010-11 season were a sign-and-trade that allowed Bosh to easily go to the Heat. He received the Raptors' pick that was traded away in 2009 when Toronto traded with the Heat for Shawn Marion. He also received the pick that would become Norris Cole, which was moved for James Johnson of the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls later moved Cole to the Wolves who moved him to the Heat. Colangelo also traded Hedo Turkoglu to the Suns for Leandro Barbosa and Marco Belinelli to the Hornets for Julian Wright.

Colangelo was fired this past offseason after being replaced by Masai Ujiri.

Topics: Chris Bosh, Hedo Turkoglu, Jonas Valanciunas, Julian Wright, Marco Belinelli, Norris Cole, Shawn Marion, Toronto Raptors, NBA

Basketball Hot News

Larry Brown: Allen Iverson says Allen Iverson was greatest player ever

Confidence was never Allen Iverson’s issue.

The guy who might be the first you think of when you think of Philadelphia 76ers basketball (that Dr. J guy was pretty good, too) will have his number retired by the organization on Saturday night. It’s the hottest ticket in Philly.

Talking Iverson, Bryant Gumbal and HBO Sports went to the coach that got the most out of him — Larry Brown. Who is having a very strong season as the coach of SMU.

What followed was Larry Brown describing vintage Iverson (credit Ben Golliver at SI’s The Point Forward for the transcription):

Bryant Gumbel: “When’s the last time you talked to him?”

Larry Brown: “He was here about a month ago. He spoke to our team, Bryant, and it was the most unbelievable talk I’ve ever heard. Our kids were spellbound. And he was so open and honest with ‘em. He talked about the good things he did and the things he’d like to change, which weren’t a lot. But the one thing that stuck out in my mind, one of the kids said, ‘Who’s the best player to ever play?’ Who do you think he said?”

Bryant Gumbel: “Himself.”

Larry Brown: “Allen Iverson. And he said, ‘I’m not disrespecting Michael [Jordan] or Magic [Johnson] or Julius Erving or any of those guys.’ He said, ‘I couldn’t have done what I did at my size if I didn’t feel that way.’”

Long live Allen Iverson.

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NASL shifts to 4-team playoff format for 2014

The North American Soccer League will move to a four-team playoff format called The Championship while retaining its split-season format with spring and fall campaign winners advancing to playoffs, the league said Thursday.

Playoff participants will be comprised of the winners of each season, plus the two teams with the best overall records over the course of both campaigns. The winners of the spring and fall seasons will host the semifinals, with the top overall points leader getting the top seed.

The spring season starts on April 12 with four matches.

If the same team wins both seasons, then the team with the second most points over the course of the two campaigns will host the other semifinal. In previous campaigns, the league championship saw just the winner of the spring and fall seasons squaring off in a one-game playoff.

"Spring champion and fall champion are very important to us," said NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson Thursday during a conference call with reporters. "It puts pressure on our teams to go out and play 90 minutes every week. We think that delivers the most excitement to our fans.

"What we’re doing by adding these two challengers is obviously keeping more teams in play longer, so it adds some excitement."

Peterson added that the spring season winner would have more of an incentive to keep playing for the top seed, instead of cruising through the fall season knowing that a spot in the final is guaranteed. He also added that the playoff competition will take place at the end of the fall season, although Peterson stated that the league might decide in the future to reset its calendar so that it is more in alignment with FIFA’s calendar.

In terms of potential expansion, Peterson added that while the league has plans to move to 18 teams, he does not anticipate that the playoff format will include more clubs as the NASL grows.

"The vision or plan is to never expand beyond that format," he said. "We really do believe that with the spring and fall season, we don't need to admit half of your league into the playoffs. It just takes away from importance of the regular season to us, and allows [the risk of] too much mediocrity into your championship game."

In recent years, the NASL has occupied an awkward space in the continent’s soccer pyramid. The league is ostensibly the second division in the U.S. and Canada, yet has been forced to engage MLS on a limited basis, as more and more markets have teams in both leagues. There have also been instances of competition for players as well, including the recent battle for Jamaican youth international Andre Lewis, who was signed by the NASL's New York Cosmos before being loaned to the Vancouver Whitecaps of MLS.

In the past, Peterson downplayed talk of direct competition.

"[The level of competition] is starting to change a little bit now when technically we were in New York before they made that (New York City FC) announcement," said Peterson. "Now, they’re talking about Minnesota and Atlanta and San Antonio and other places, Miami. I can’t follow it.

"I think every market is a little bit different. I think in some cities we feel very comfortable that we can continue doing what we’re doing and growing the way we’re growing and that there will be no adverse effects to what we're trying to accomplish. Other cities, they're trying to figure that out but it’s a little difficult because (MLS is) not very clear -- not that they have to be -- on what they're doing or where they're going. There seems to be some NFL alignment with teams and stadiums. If that’s the way they’re going, that might not affect us at all. That’s the opposite direction of where we’re going."

Peterson indicated that the league is looking to add more teams in the Midwest and on the west coast of the U.S., and is currently in discussions with potential ownership groups in San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Two markets on the east coast are also vying for expansion teams, he said.

"We don’t have a timeline," he said. "I’m fortunate that the owners have said, 'Take your time and make sure we get the right owners in the right cities.' It's hard to handicap expansion, and what we won't do is create any false timelines, or put ourselves in a corner where we have to make decisions."

Soccer Hot News

International Friendly Preview: Greece v South Korea

Greece can ensure themselves of a year-long unbeaten run should they not lose their friendly with South Korea in Piraeus on Wednesday.

The hosts at the Karaiskaki Stadium have not lost in eight international matches, winning seven in that run to help them reach the World Cup finals in Brazil.

Greece are drawn in Group C for the pinnacle event, and will continue their march towards taking on each of Colombia, Japan and Ivory Coast when Korea visit.

Fernando Santos’ men have not suffered defeat since losing a World Cup qualifying match away at Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-1 in March last year, and should they hold off Korea – who are in losing form – their unbeaten run will extend beyond 12 months.

Korea’s recent swing of North America saw them beat Costa Rica 1-0, before losing comfortably to both Mexico (4-0) and the United States (2-0).

Myung-Bo Hong’s men are also Brazil bound, and will feature in Group H against Belgium, Algeria and Russia.

Santos named his 20-man squad for the hosts on Friday, with star attractions Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Borussia Dortmund), Giorgos Karagounis (Fulham) and Georgios Samaras (Celtic) named.

The coach rested first-choice goalkeepers Orestis Karnezis and Michalis Sifakis.

“Surely the preparation we strive in this friendly is to have some similarities with the teams we will face,” Santos said.

“In this context the match against South Korea will help us find similarities with Japan. It is a very good test and will help us against a team with a completely different style than one sees in Europe.”

Santos recently announced he would stand down after the World Cup, with the 59-year-old Portuguese revealing ‘emotionally it was very difficult’.

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Dolphins shopping 2013 No. 3 overall pick Jordan

Dion Jordan had just two sacks during the 2013 season. (USATSI)

More NFL offseason: NFL Mock Drafts | Prospect Rankings | Top free agents

A year after trading up to get Dion Jordan with the third overall pick in the draft, the Dolphins have begun shopping him to other clubs, league sources said. Miami has talked to other teams already to gauge Jordan's trade value.

Numerous league sources, including executives from other teams, say the Dolphins might also be open to dealing receiver Mike Wallace and pass-rushing ace Cam Wake. That perception has only grown through the course of this week, through conversations with numerous decision-makers from other clubs, as Miami looks to retool its roster under a new regime.

The Dolphins need to revamp their offensive line, possibly by moving up the draft board to land an offensive tackle.

Sources close to Wallace, Jordan and Wake expressed a belief that a trade would not be a shock this offseason, though Wallace's hefty contract would limit his options.

The Dolphins, with head coach Joe Philbin assuming even greater influence after the dismissal of general manager Jeff Ireland, and with rookie GM Dennis Hickey now in his place, are in transition mode as it awaits league discipline from the Wells Report.

Miami wants to secure top cornerback Brent Grimes and could be losing several defensive linemen in free agency as well, creating holes that must be filled. With draft picks so cheap in this CBA, and Miami parting with some already last year to move up and get Jordan, including players in trades might be preferable to current or future picks.

Jordan did not click with the coaches last season, he had to play through a very difficult shoulder injury, and was not seen as a strong fit in their scheme (he's an edge rusher that best fits a 3-4 defense).

The man who drafted Jordan (former GM Jeff Ireland) is gone, so it might be time for Jordan to move on as well. With Koa Misi and Olivier Vernon occupying defensive end spots with Miami in its 4-3 scheme, finding playing time for Jordan might be tough barring injury.

Jordan's return time from a shoulder injury limited his progress, and with rookie compensation so low, it is easy to trade even first-round picks (the 49ers and Chiefs swapped recent first-round picks last year, for instance, and the Browns traded Trent Richardson to the Colts).

It may prove tough to get decent value for such an unproven commodity, and word continues to make the rounds among GMs that the Dolphins may end up moving a more established player, like Wallace or Wake, to be positioned to move up; and select an elite tackle in this draft, or to address other issues on the roster.

NFL Hot News

Kicker news! Panthers K Graham Gano signs; Jets K Nick Folk gets tagged



We've got stories today on a fantasy commodity getting the franchise tag and other ones getting signed. And in the realm of the kicker, we've got one of each.Panthers kicker Graham Gano was rewarded for a career-best season Friday with a four-year contract worth $12.7 million. He made 24 of 27 field goals in 2013.Jets kicker Nick Folk is also coming off the best year of his career, but he was assigned the franchise tag, which is worth about $3.3 million for next season. He went 33 for 36 on field goals. Neither player missed any of their combined 69 extra-point attempts.



Both players had what feel like outlier seasons. Folk's conversion percentage shot up close to 92 after spending three consecutive years in the 70s. Gano's accuracy also improved drastically. He possesses one of the league's strongest legs, but neither player here sits in the elite class of fantasy kickers. They, like most kickers, are options only if you are streaming every week.

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Tight end Seferian-Jenkins opts for surgery now

Austin Seferian-Jenkins will likely miss Washington's pro day. (USATSI) More Draft: NFL Mock Drafts | Big Board | NFL combine news

Former University of Washington tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins underwent surgery in North Carolina Friday to stabilize a stress fracture in his left foot.

Seferian-Jenkins, currently NFLDraftScout.com's No. 3 TE and No. 45 overall prospect, looked to be in great shape when he took the podium and spoke to the assembled media at the scouting combine last week. He announced his expectation to run "a 4.6-something" after measuring in at 6-foot-5, 262 pounds -- a loss of nearly 20 pounds.

Shortly before the tight ends were to compete in their first athletic drills in Indianapolis, however, the reigning Mackey Award winner was informed that doctors had discovered a pre-existing injury and that he was not medically cleared to participate.

In an interview given to the NFL Network after the tight end workouts ended last Saturday, Seferian-Jenkins sounded understandably disappointed.

"Everything is good," he said. "I'm fine."

He acknowledged to the Seattle Times on Monday, however, that he was "glad they found it," and that now he'd "finally found out why my foot was hurting all year."

After a consultation with agents, Todd France and Brian Ayrault of Five Star Athlete Management and family, Seferian-Jenkins opted for surgery to repair the issue.

The expected recovery is approximately eight weeks, which makes it unlikely he'll be able to participate in Washington's Pro Day, April 2.

Those close to Seferian-Jenkins weren't willing to count out the possibility of a later workout should he prove a quick healer.

The 2014 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday, May 8, just under 10 weeks from now.

Since signing with Washington as one of the elite prep talents in the country, Seferian-Jenkins has proven a difference-maker, using his extraordinary combination of size, body control and soft hands to prove a matchup nightmare for opponents. Despite leaving after his true junior season, Seferian-Jenkins ranks as Washington's career record-holder among tight ends in catches (146), receiving yards (1,840) and touchdowns (21).

Though he was recognized with the Mackey Award as the nation's top tight end in 2013, Seferian-Jenkins was actually more productive as a sophomore, setting the university's single-season records for his position with 69 receptions for 850 yards and seven touchdowns. For that production Seferian-Jenkins was named a finalist for the Mackey as a sophomore but was beaten out by Notre Dame's (and future Cincinnati Bengals' first round pick) Tyler Eifert, whose numbers (50 catches for 685 yards and four scores) paled in comparison.

While undeniably gifted, Seferian-Jenkins proved more of an after-thought rather than go-to target in his final season with the Huskies. Then-head coach Steve Sarkisian incorporated more of a spread offense, asking Seferian-Jenkins to block more frequently. He caught a career-high eight touchdowns but otherwise sunk to 36 catches for 450 yards, the lowest production of his collegiate career.

Seferian-Jenkins' junior season got off to an inauspicious start with an arrest for DUI in March of last year. He then broke his pinkie - which also required surgery - in mid-August.

Despite the less-than-ideal junior campaign, Seferian-Jenkins elected to leave early for the NFL, reportedly earning a second round grade from the NFL Advisory Committee.

He does not boast the breakaway speed that most (but not all) of CBSSports.com's analysts think will result in North Carolina's Eric Ebron earning a top 20 pick but catches the ball as well as any tight end in this draft class, in part due to his basketball background, which has taught him to catch the ball with his hands.

Seferian-Jenkins offers a pro-ready all-around game that reminds me a bit of Jacksonville Jaguars' 6-6, 272-pound Marcedes Lewis, a former UCLA Bruin and the 28th overall pick of the 2006 draft.

NFL Hot News

Cardinals RB Rashard Mendenhall hints at retiring. Kind of. Maybe. Perhaps



It's a slow news day, so let's take an trip inside the mind of Cardinals running back Rashard Mendenhall.Mendenhall wrote a blog entry for The Huffington Post on Tuesday in which he describes a vision he had the day after he tore his right ACL during the Steelers' regular-season finale of 2012. Mendenhall writes that his vision consisted on swimming in dark, cold, dangerous waters late at night. As he moved through the waters, Mendenhall, who is not Catholic, writes that he saw the mother of Christ."Through it all, I knew that after much toil ... that undoubtedly I would reach her," Mendenhall wrote. "And that once I had, this particular journey would be over for good. I would finally be at peace. Soon after to embark on a new voyage, hardened from the experience, and no longer alone, but with light by my side"The journey I envisioned is the two years of rebuilding that would follow. And as I write this, today is the day that the journey is over and I am fully at peace. Eagerly looking to a new way, which lies ahead."



Mendenhall frequently writes poetry, and while his latest account is solid writing, some of the wording can obviously be interpreted differently. I think it sounds like a man who feels he is fully healthy for the first time in 14 months and pleased to be at the end of the long "journey" he took to get back to 100 percent.But fragments such as "embark on a new voyage," and "fully at peace" do give off a vibe that the 26-year-old may not be fully committed to continuing his NFL career. However, some interest on the open market and a nice, new contract may change those presumed feelings. As of Tuesday night, Mendenhall hasn't revealed the true meaning of his musings.

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Bills, Giants to kick off NFL preseason in Canton

The Bills and Giants will meet in the HOF game for the first time. (Buffalo Bills Twitter feed)

More NFL offseason: NFL Mock Drafts | Prospect Rankings | Top free agents

It might still be February, but the NFL season is never far off. The league offered up a reminder Thursday when it announced that the 2014 Hall of Fame game will feature the Bills and the Giants. Mark your calendars -- 158 days to go.

The game is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 3, at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

It will be the Bills' fourth appearance in the game, the last coming in 2009 when they met the Titans. Previous trips were in 1974 and 1989. The Giants, meanwhile, played in the first Hall of Fame game back in 1962 and made subsequent appearances in 1972, 1985 and 2002.

On the Saturday before the game, former Bills wide receiver Andre Reed and former Giants defensive end Michael Strahan will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Other inductees include: linebacker Derrick Brooks, punter Ray Guy, defensive end Claude Humphrey, tackle Walter Jones and defensive back Aeneas Williams.

* Image via @BuffaloBills

NFL Hot News

Cardinals RB Rashard Mendenhall hints at retiring. Kind of. Maybe. Perhaps



It's a slow news day, so let's take an trip inside the mind of Cardinals running back Rashard Mendenhall.Mendenhall wrote a blog entry for The Huffington Post on Tuesday in which he describes a vision he had the day after he tore his right ACL during the Steelers' regular-season finale of 2012. Mendenhall writes that his vision consisted on swimming in dark, cold, dangerous waters late at night. As he moved through the waters, Mendenhall, who is not Catholic, writes that he saw the mother of Christ."Through it all, I knew that after much toil ... that undoubtedly I would reach her," Mendenhall wrote. "And that once I had, this particular journey would be over for good. I would finally be at peace. Soon after to embark on a new voyage, hardened from the experience, and no longer alone, but with light by my side"The journey I envisioned is the two years of rebuilding that would follow. And as I write this, today is the day that the journey is over and I am fully at peace. Eagerly looking to a new way, which lies ahead."



Mendenhall frequently writes poetry, and while his latest account is solid writing, some of the wording can obviously be interpreted differently. I think it sounds like a man who feels he is fully healthy for the first time in 14 months and pleased to be at the end of the long "journey" he took to get back to 100 percent.But fragments such as "embark on a new voyage," and "fully at peace" do give off a vibe that the 26-year-old may not be fully committed to continuing his NFL career. However, some interest on the open market and a nice, new contract may change those presumed feelings. As of Tuesday night, Mendenhall hasn't revealed the true meaning of his musings.

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Pierce scores 18, Nets rebound with rout of Nuggets

Basketball Hot News

Mask-wearing LeBron James appears a go against Knicks Thursday

This is not a surprise, and coaches always tend to cover their bases when speaking to media, but it looks like LeBron James is a go against the Knicks wearing a mask to protect his broken nose.

Erik Spoelstra says LeBron went through walkthrough and anticipation is he plays, "So I would say in strong pencil."—

Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) February 27, 2014

LeBron suffered a broken nose when hit by Serge Ibaka on a drive late in the game against Oklahoma City. LeBron finished the drive with a basket (and no foul was called) but had to leave the game. He sat out the Heat’s game Sunday against Chicago because of it.

LeBron played for part of a season in Cleveland with a mask and his numbers pretty much paralleled his regular season stats (if anything they were slightly better).

Getting used to the mask against the Knicks “defense” seems a good way to break in slowly.

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Ravens release two vets: FB Leach, LB McClain

For the second time in nine months, Vonta Leach has been cut by the Ravens. (USATSI)

For the second offseason in a row, Vonta Leach has been cut by the Ravens. The Baltimore fullback was released on Thursday along with linebacker Jameel McClain in a cost-cutting move that will free up almost $5 million in cap space for the Ravens.

Leach and McClain might be gone for now, but they could be back. Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome didn't rule out a possible return for either player, "There could come a point later on when we would consider bringing back Vonta and Jameel," Newsome said in a statement.

That's exactly what happened last offseason. Leach was cut in mid-June after the two sides couldn't agree on how to reduce his $3 million 2013 salary. Baltimore then brought Leach back in late July with a two-year deal.

In three seasons with the Ravens, Leach has been to two Pro Bowls (2011-12), but his playing time was cut back in 2013 after Baltimore started running more one-back sets.

Leach took to Twitter on Thursday and didn't exactly sound like a player that might return.

Thanks for the memories #Ravenation http://t.co/csrsQJ5Ptv http://t.co/GaoYiZLZg0

— VontaLeach44 (@vleach44) February 27, 2014

As for McClain, he's been in Baltimore since coach John Harbaugh's first season in 2008. McClain was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Syracuse and has started 55 games for the Ravens over the past six seasons.

NFL Hot News

Cardinals RB Rashard Mendenhall hints at retiring. Kind of. Maybe. Perhaps



It's a slow news day, so let's take an trip inside the mind of Cardinals running back Rashard Mendenhall.Mendenhall wrote a blog entry for The Huffington Post on Tuesday in which he describes a vision he had the day after he tore his right ACL during the Steelers' regular-season finale of 2012. Mendenhall writes that his vision consisted on swimming in dark, cold, dangerous waters late at night. As he moved through the waters, Mendenhall, who is not Catholic, writes that he saw the mother of Christ."Through it all, I knew that after much toil ... that undoubtedly I would reach her," Mendenhall wrote. "And that once I had, this particular journey would be over for good. I would finally be at peace. Soon after to embark on a new voyage, hardened from the experience, and no longer alone, but with light by my side"The journey I envisioned is the two years of rebuilding that would follow. And as I write this, today is the day that the journey is over and I am fully at peace. Eagerly looking to a new way, which lies ahead."



Mendenhall frequently writes poetry, and while his latest account is solid writing, some of the wording can obviously be interpreted differently. I think it sounds like a man who feels he is fully healthy for the first time in 14 months and pleased to be at the end of the long "journey" he took to get back to 100 percent.But fragments such as "embark on a new voyage," and "fully at peace" do give off a vibe that the 26-year-old may not be fully committed to continuing his NFL career. However, some interest on the open market and a nice, new contract may change those presumed feelings. As of Tuesday night, Mendenhall hasn't revealed the true meaning of his musings.

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Kings’ Fredette, too

Jimmer Fredette has been placed on waivers. (USATSI)

The Jimmer Fredette era in Sacramento is officially over.

The Kings announced Thursday they have come to a buyout agreement with Fredette, placing him on waivers. After 48 hours if he clears waivers, he'll become an unrestricted free agent.

“This was a very tough decision, but we're confident that the agreement reached today represents the most productive path forward, both for Jimmer and the Kings,” said general manager Dave D'Alessandro. “Echoing a sentiment that everyone who knows him appreciates about Jimmer, he's a tremendous person and a consummate professional. We thank him for the meaningful contributions he made to the team and in the Sacramento community. On behalf of an entire organization, we wish him nothing but great success in the future.”

The Kings took Fredette with the 10th overall pick in 2011, but weren't ever to fully develop him into the scoring star he was at BYU. With other players playing in front of him at his position, he never really got the necessary playing time.

The Kings shopped Fredette hard before the trade deadline, but couldn't find a taker.

Potential candidates for Fredette once he clears waivers could be the Bulls, Grizzlies, Heat, Thunder or Spurs.

Fredette is averaging 5.9 points and 1.5 assists while shooting 49.5 percent from 3 in 41 games this season.

Topics: Jimmer Fredette, Chicago Bulls, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, NBA

Basketball Hot News

Report: Nets expected to keep Jason Collins on roster for rest of season

A 10-day contract in the NBA is often really a tryout. A first date. Let’s see if this works for both of us and if it does we can continue, if not we go our separate ways.

Jason Collins got a 10-day contract with the Nets, which made him the first openly gay player in any of Americas’ four major team sports. It was almost assumed around the league from the second Brooklyn brought him in they planned to keep him past that first contract.

That is the Nets thinking, reports the New York Post. That in spite of the fact Collins struggled some against Portland in his second game as a Net.

“Game action is game action,” Collins said afterward. “But tonight, Portland attacked from the start, and it was hard to try to get back into the game.”

Collins’ 10-day contract expires early next week, but the Nets are all but certain to keep him for the rest of the season.

Collins has proven popular — the NBA isn’t really in the habit of releasing jerseys of guys on 10-day contacts (for obvious reasons) but they did with Collins and his was the biggest selling jersey on Tuesday. Collins wears the No. 98 in honor of Matthew Sheppard, a gay boy beaten and killed in Wyoming, a story that became national news.

But that’s not why the Nets signed him, rather they brought him in to provide post defense, set tough screens and provide some size inside. Two games in they are relatively happy with how he is doing on that count. Most likely Collins is given a second 10-day contract before his option is picked up for the rest of the season.

But that is the path the Nets seem to be on.

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Arrest warrant issued for Sharper in rape case

New Orleans police have issued an arrest warrant for Darren Sharper. (USATSI)

New Orleans police announced on Thursday that an arrest warrant has been issued for former NFL safety Darren Sharper. Sharper and an accomplice are wanted on two counts of aggravated rape, a police spokeswoman told the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

The warrant comes one week after Sharper was in court Los Angeles, where he entered a plea of not guilty to a felony charge of drugging and raping two women. Sharper was also charged with four counts of furnishing a controlled substance and one count of possession of a controlled substance

During that hearing, Sharper's bail was also raised from $200,000 to $1 million, according to USA Today. The prosecution had requested that Sharper's bail be raised to as high as $10 million.

Sharper has been accused of raping at least eight women in five different states. The Los Angeles case and the New Orleans case are the only ones so far where he's facing charges. However, Sharper's also under investigation in Arizona, Nevada and Florida.

The 38-year-old former safety is currently under a judge's orders to remain in Los Angeles. At Sharper's Feb. 20 court hearing, the judge set several bail terms, including one that requires Sharper to stay in Los Angeles County. Sharper also isn't allowed to go to clubs or talk to any women he met after the first alleged rape occurred in Los Angeles on Oct. 30, 2013.

Sharper's attorneys have maintained his innocence, "All of these were consensual contact between Mr. Sharper and women who wanted to be in his company, who voluntarily ingested alcohol and drugs in many cases," Sharper's lawyer, Leonard Levine, told the judge at the Feb. 20 hearing.

If convicted on either aggravated rape charge in New Orleans, Sharper will likely be spending the rest of his life in prison. According to the statement issued by New Orleans police, an aggravated rape conviction can carry a potential life sentence of hard labor.

NFL Hot News

Cardinals RB Rashard Mendenhall hints at retiring. Kind of. Maybe. Perhaps



It's a slow news day, so let's take an trip inside the mind of Cardinals running back Rashard Mendenhall.Mendenhall wrote a blog entry for The Huffington Post on Tuesday in which he describes a vision he had the day after he tore his right ACL during the Steelers' regular-season finale of 2012. Mendenhall writes that his vision consisted on swimming in dark, cold, dangerous waters late at night. As he moved through the waters, Mendenhall, who is not Catholic, writes that he saw the mother of Christ."Through it all, I knew that after much toil ... that undoubtedly I would reach her," Mendenhall wrote. "And that once I had, this particular journey would be over for good. I would finally be at peace. Soon after to embark on a new voyage, hardened from the experience, and no longer alone, but with light by my side"The journey I envisioned is the two years of rebuilding that would follow. And as I write this, today is the day that the journey is over and I am fully at peace. Eagerly looking to a new way, which lies ahead."



Mendenhall frequently writes poetry, and while his latest account is solid writing, some of the wording can obviously be interpreted differently. I think it sounds like a man who feels he is fully healthy for the first time in 14 months and pleased to be at the end of the long "journey" he took to get back to 100 percent.But fragments such as "embark on a new voyage," and "fully at peace" do give off a vibe that the 26-year-old may not be fully committed to continuing his NFL career. However, some interest on the open market and a nice, new contract may change those presumed feelings. As of Tuesday night, Mendenhall hasn't revealed the true meaning of his musings.

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NFL feels no new rule needed to punish slurs?

An incident involving Trent Williams reportedly helped push for eliminating racial epithets. (USATSI)

When CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora initially reported the news last weekend that the NFL wanted to ban racial slurs -- specifically the "N-word" -- from the field, there was some skepticism about how the league would manage to do that. Apparently they believe no new ruling is needed to do so.

Mark Maske of the Washington Post reports the NFL might not even change the rules in order to enforce the usage of racially-charged language on the field. And, based on an examination of the NFL Rule Book, they won't have to.

Section 3, Article 1 (b) of the 2013 NFL Rule Book is a pretty obvious example of how the NFL could enforce the policy. Section 3 is entitled "Unsportsmanlike Conduct." (Emphasis mine.)

Article 1: Prohibited Acts. There shall be no unsportsmanlike conduct. This applies to any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship. Such acts specifically include, among others:

(a) Throwing a punch, or a forearm, or kicking at an opponent, even though no contact is made.

(b)Using abusive, threatening, or insulting language or gestures to opponents, teammates, officials, or representatives of the League.

The resulting penalty of all unsportsmanlike conduct fouls is a 15-yard penalty from the "succeeding spot or whatever spot the Referee, after consulting with the crew, deems equitable."

Additionally, an automatic first down is awarded if the foul is on the defense.

And, as noted in the rule book, Article 1 (b) is eligible for disqualification.

The issue, as far as I can tell, is whether or not the league will have officials specify that the language used was a racial epithet when the foul is announced.

It's worth noting, somewhat ironically, that the impetus for the Fritz-Pollard was Redskins lineman Trent Williams engaging in a verbal altercation with umpire Roy Ellison, the latter who was eventually suspended one game without pay for "making a profane and derogatory statement" to Williams.

Williams said that Ellison called him a "garbage ass" and a "disrespectful motherf----r."

Ellison should've penalized Williams and/or ejected him during the game. Beginning next year, he'll probably have the full authority to do so.

NFL Hot News

Cardinals RB Rashard Mendenhall hints at retiring. Kind of. Maybe. Perhaps



It's a slow news day, so let's take an trip inside the mind of Cardinals running back Rashard Mendenhall.Mendenhall wrote a blog entry for The Huffington Post on Tuesday in which he describes a vision he had the day after he tore his right ACL during the Steelers' regular-season finale of 2012. Mendenhall writes that his vision consisted on swimming in dark, cold, dangerous waters late at night. As he moved through the waters, Mendenhall, who is not Catholic, writes that he saw the mother of Christ."Through it all, I knew that after much toil ... that undoubtedly I would reach her," Mendenhall wrote. "And that once I had, this particular journey would be over for good. I would finally be at peace. Soon after to embark on a new voyage, hardened from the experience, and no longer alone, but with light by my side"The journey I envisioned is the two years of rebuilding that would follow. And as I write this, today is the day that the journey is over and I am fully at peace. Eagerly looking to a new way, which lies ahead."



Mendenhall frequently writes poetry, and while his latest account is solid writing, some of the wording can obviously be interpreted differently. I think it sounds like a man who feels he is fully healthy for the first time in 14 months and pleased to be at the end of the long "journey" he took to get back to 100 percent.But fragments such as "embark on a new voyage," and "fully at peace" do give off a vibe that the 26-year-old may not be fully committed to continuing his NFL career. However, some interest on the open market and a nice, new contract may change those presumed feelings. As of Tuesday night, Mendenhall hasn't revealed the true meaning of his musings.

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Melo says making playoffs won’t affect FA decision

Will Melo re-sign with the Knicks if he opts out? (USATSI)

On Thursday, Carmelo Anthony said that while the craziness of this Knicks season will affect his decision making in free agency, whether the Knicks make the playoffs will not.

FWIW, Carmelo says "us making the playoffs and my [free-agency decision] have nothing to do with each other."

— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) February 27, 2014

He said the craziness of the season would, but... MT @NG2_4: Isola tweeted that this season WILL weigh into Melos decision. Which one is it?

— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) February 27, 2014

... Carmelo said reaching the playoffs, specifically, wouldnt be much of a factor on his free-agency decision. The craziness of the yr might

— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) February 27, 2014

The Knicks are games back of the Hawks for the 8th seed with 25 games left, and Detroit and Cleveland still hanging around with a chance to make a move. Atlanta's also going to get healthy again at some point (their entire frontcourt minus Elton Brand has been out). So the odds aren't great.

Anthony's decision should be predicated more on the direction of the franchise. A late playoff push and an early first-round exit, a clear step backwards, might do more harm than good compared with a simple "everything went wrong" justification. The big key will be what teh Knicks can offer Anthony this summer in the way of improving the team.

But I still return to the same idea over and over. Anthony has always opted for the money. That's why getting traded to New York before he was a free agent under the old CBA, so he could re-sign for the max, was so important to him. On some level, you have to believe he's going to re-sign, if only becauss that fits his M.O. the most.

Topics: Carmelo Anthony, Elton Brand, 2014 NBA Free Agency, Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks, NBA

Basketball Hot News

Mask-wearing LeBron James appears a go against Knicks Thursday

This is not a surprise, and coaches always tend to cover their bases when speaking to media, but it looks like LeBron James is a go against the Knicks wearing a mask to protect his broken nose.

Erik Spoelstra says LeBron went through walkthrough and anticipation is he plays, "So I would say in strong pencil."—

Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) February 27, 2014

LeBron suffered a broken nose when hit by Serge Ibaka on a drive late in the game against Oklahoma City. LeBron finished the drive with a basket (and no foul was called) but had to leave the game. He sat out the Heat’s game Sunday against Chicago because of it.

LeBron played for part of a season in Cleveland with a mask and his numbers pretty much paralleled his regular season stats (if anything they were slightly better).

Getting used to the mask against the Knicks “defense” seems a good way to break in slowly.

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Hernandez isolated after fight

Hernandez is in jail awaiting trial on first-degree murder charges. (USATSI) Aaron Hernandez has been in jail since he was arrested last summer and charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Odin Lloyd. Earlier this week, he was involved in an altercation with another inmate at the Bristol County House of Corrections, though the Bristol County Sheriff wouldn't offer specifics into exactly what happened.

But according to TMZ, Hernandez attacked another inmate and "beat the guy up pretty good." And NECN reports that the inmate was handcuffed while Hernandez was not.

"Hernandez and the other inmate had been taunting each other in the days leading up to the altercation," the NECN story added.

"We're investigating it now to find out why two inmates would have been out at the same time in that unit," said Sheriff Thomas Hodgson. ... "I'm not happy that there may have been a breakdown in our system and our protocols."

The Sheriff's Department says that Hernandez has been moved to a more restrictive unit for the next 30 days. NECN, which took a tour of the jail, described Hernandez's new home for the next month:

His cell looks similar to the one he was in prior to the altercation. It's a small barren room, with bars on the windows, a double bunk bed, stainless steel toilet and a small sitting area. However, Hernandez can no longer eat meals by himself in the cafeteria; instead, he must take meals in his cell....

Some other conditions remain the same: Hernandez must spend 23 hours a day in this cell, except for three showers a week, and one hour of recreation a day. He can also take phone calls at times and have lawyer visits.

Hernandez remains in jail awaiting trial.

NFL Hot News

Terrell Owens, Plaxico Burress say they can still play in the NFL



We know it's tough for an athlete, a competitor to call it quits. From the age of perhaps a toddler, they have been groomed, focused to reach the top of their craft. They have been praised as one of the best at what they do and lavished with many enticing things. And then, in their mid-to-late 30s, still in the prime of their actual life, they are told it's over.Well, for Terrell Owens and Plaxico Burress, it isn't completely over. Not yet.Let's start with T.O., who told the Associated Press last week "No doubt there's not a question that I can still play" at age 40. Owens hasn't played in an NFL regular-season game since 2010, but said he can run a 4.43 40-yard dash and play better than many NFL wideouts. However, Owens acknowledges that a comeback is unlikely, because of his media image."But perception, media portrayal is so negative," Owens said. "Anytime there's a rumor that a team is interested in bringing me in, there's all this media attention, and the negative things they have to say are more than the positives. It's not about what I can bring to them. It's about stuff I did 5, 10 years ago."Burress was a guest on ESPN's Outside The Lines on Tuesday to talk about the arrest of New York Knicks guard Raymond Felton, and his own experiences with getting into trouble with a gun in New York City. At the end of the interview, host Bob Ley asked Burress, 36, if he has any football left in him."I believe I do," Burress said. "... I think I may go out and give it one more big push. That's just the competitor in me."Burress last played for the Steelers in 2012. He caught three passes in four games. Burress' 2013 season was washed out by a season-ending shoulder injury in August. He is currently rehabbing and is a free agent.



Owens comments that it's "disappointing" that players with heavy legal, off-the-field problems -- "domestic violence, players killing players" -- are given second and third chances. While, yes, Owens has never gotten into trouble with the law, he had his chances. There's a reason why he played on five different teams, although he was consistently productive for his entire career.In his last season, 2010 with the Bengals, Owens caught 72 passes for 963 yards and nine touchdowns. And that was despite missing two games. That will definitely work, even at age 37. Yet, when the Bengals went 4-12 during his only season in Cincy, Owens the blame on other people, as he is wont to do. We saw how it played out in Philadelphia with him versus Donovan McNabb. We saw how it played out in Dallas with him versus Tony Romo. It doesn't matter if he can still play at an NFL-caliber level; no team wants to put up with his inevitable divisive diva act. Burress looked like molasses in pads in 2012. His final "big push" may all be for naught, but at least he doesn't sound nearly as delusional as T.O.

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Adriano already in trouble in comeback attempt

Brazil: Top 5 plays of the week

The best plays of the week from the regional tournaments in Brazil including a wonder strike from Corinthians striker Romarinho.Tags: Brazil, Top 5, Plays, Goals, Romarinho, Bolatti, Ceni, Barcos, Cardozo, Corinthians, Flamengo

Brazil: Top 5 plays of the week

SAO PAULO -- Former Brazil striker Adriano is already attracting headlines for the wrong reasons as he tries to come back to football after nearly two years without playing.

Just two matches into his high-profile return with Atletico Paranaense, Adriano caused controversy by showing his disappointment at only coming on late as a substitute in a recent Copa Libertadores game against Velez Sarsfield.

Adriano, 32, had been warming up for the entire second half, but went into the match only in the 83rd minute, and after a brief stare at coach Miguel Angel Portugal.

GettyImagesAdriano has not had much joy since his recent comeback.

The ex-Inter Milan forward opened his arms when he was told to get on, visibly upset he didn't get an earlier chance. After the match, he sped through reporters without making any comments.

Adriano was given a chance to play by Brazilian club Atletico after a series of off-the-field problems and left Achilles surgery kept him sidelined and brought up retirement.

Adriano played less than 10 minutes in the club's 1-0 win over The Strongest of Bolivia two weeks ago, which was his first time on the field since March 2012. He played a total of 10 minutes again against Velez Sarsfield in Argentina on Tuesday, with his only significant chance being a header that sailed over the crossbar late in the Copa Libertadores match.

Atletico Paranaense coach Portugal downplayed Adriano's disappointment, saying: "We have to take it slowly when it comes to Adriano so eventually he can start doing good things for our team.

He played a few minutes in the first match, and now a few more minutes in this second match, and it's clear that he is happy and has a lot of desire to do well. He did the best he could."

A headline at the Gazeta do Povo newspaper on Wednesday read: "Imperial Dissatisfaction," referring to the striker's "Emperor" nickname from the time he thrived with Inter Milan.

"We wanted him to get in, but it's the coach who makes these decisions," defender Manoel said. "He keeps telling us how much he wants to play and score goals, but we have to respect the coach."

Adriano recently admitted it might be a while before he regains his top form, but said he was still hopeful of returning to his glory days and even playing for Brazil at the World Cup at home.

Ronaldo, who successfully came back to Brazil's national team after a long period without playing, recently said Adriano can also make it happen.

"It's difficult after all this time without playing," his former Brazil teammate said recently. "But it's up to him to work hard and show on the field what he can do."

Soccer Hot News

Hernandez: Comment ´nothing to do with RVP´

Manchester United forward Javier Hernandez has refuted claims he delivered a social-media jibe at team-mate Robin van Persie.

Van Persie was quoted blaming his team-mates for a lack of space after their 2-0 loss to Olympiacos in the UEFA Champions League in mid-week.

The Mexico international posted a message on photo-sharing app Instagram that read, “Without your team-mates you can’t be somebody in football, always be thankful.”

But Hernandez used another social networking tool, Twitter, to banish speculation the post was directed at his Dutch team-mate.

“Before I go to sleep, I need to put this cause things get a little out of context…” Hernandez said.

“Why do the press always take my comments out of context, my comment on Instagram had nothing to do with RVP. We are great teammates working for the same goal, the TEAM! & Cause the team isn’t doing as well as we’d like everyone just wants to make everything look like a bad thing!”

Van Persie’s post-match comments sparked plenty of furore, including from former United midfielder Johnny Giles who labelled the goalscorer a ‘prat’.

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Report: Nets likely to sign Collins for rest of season

Jason Collins could stay with the Nets the rest of the year. (USATSI)

The Brooklyn Nets faced a media typhoon when they signed Jason Collins, the first openly gay American pro sports athlete. There was a concern in some circles that would prove to be too much of a distraction. But with Collins' 10-day contract set to expire next week, the New York Post reports that the Nets are probably keeping Collins not just for another 10-day but for the rest of the season.

In his second game with the Nets, Jason Collins, the first openly gay player in major American sports, received a few more minutes against the Blazers. After sitting for the first three quarters, Collins came in to begin the fourth and played just over seven minutes, with his lone contribution on the stat line being one shot attempt that got blocked.

“Game action is game action,” Collins said afterward. “But tonight, Portland attacked from the start, and it was hard to try to get back into the game.”

Collins' 10-day contract expires early next week, but the Nets are all but certain to keep him for the rest of the season.

via New Net Thornton shows skills on offense | New York Post.

There will still be speculation that the decision to bring Collins on is more about PR than it is about basketball. But the options for the Nets to find a better fit in terms of locker room presence, whatever his sexuality, and on-court skillset are limited. Collins being re-signed would be a good thing for the league and avoid the perception that Collins was cut on account of his being a distraction.

We'll see what the Nets decide next week.

HT: HoopsHype

Topics: Brooklyn Nets, NBA

Basketball Hot News

Mask-wearing LeBron James appears a go against Knicks Thursday

This is not a surprise, and coaches always tend to cover their bases when speaking to media, but it looks like LeBron James is a go against the Knicks wearing a mask to protect his broken nose.

Erik Spoelstra says LeBron went through walkthrough and anticipation is he plays, "So I would say in strong pencil."—

Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) February 27, 2014

LeBron suffered a broken nose when hit by Serge Ibaka on a drive late in the game against Oklahoma City. LeBron finished the drive with a basket (and no foul was called) but had to leave the game. He sat out the Heat’s game Sunday against Chicago because of it.

LeBron played for part of a season in Cleveland with a mask and his numbers pretty much paralleled his regular season stats (if anything they were slightly better).

Getting used to the mask against the Knicks “defense” seems a good way to break in slowly.

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Madden: Niners owner should side with Harbaugh

If the 49ers only keep one of these guys, John Madden says it should be Jim Harbaugh. (USATSI)

Former NFL coach and broadcaster John Madden lives just outside of San Francisco, so he's had a front row seat to the ongoing drama that the 49ers have become. It's gotten so bad in the Bay Area that there could come a day where the team has to choose between coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Trent Baalke, according to CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora.

More 49ers San Francisco's 2014 offseason preview

If that day comes, Madden thinks the 49ers should dump Baalke and keep Harbaugh, "It's a lot easier to get a suit than it is to get a coach," Madden told KCBS on Wednesday. "The owner has to pick the coach."

Basically, Madden doesn't think the 49ers should get rid of Harbaugh because they won't find anyone better to replace him with.

"Jim Harbaugh has done a great job of coaching in the NFL no matter how you put it," Madden said. "Getting to three championship games in a row with that group or with any group is a heck of a thing that he's done... You tell me where they're going to get a guy that's any better than him."

Madden knows something about dysfunction, he won Super Bowl XI as the coach of a Raiders team owned by Al Davis. The 77-year-old Pro Football Hall of Famer says the power plays need to stop in San Francisco.

"The best model [for running the team] is they get along," Madden said. "Eventually they have to come to a decision together. It can't be a power play. It can't be where one wants one player and one wants the other, and they have to have a power play over it. And if they do, I think the coach has to have it, because if he doesn't like the guy and if he's not going to coach him and play him, then it doesn't do any good to draft him."

Madden thinks that Harbaugh should absolutely have the final call on the 49ers roster, "When you get down to 53 [players], I think the coach has to do that. He has to decide who the players are going to be," Madden said. "The other power -- salary cap and all of that stuff -- I wouldn't want anything to do with that and I don't think coaches should."

NFL Hot News

Chiefs intend to reduce RB Jamaal Charles' workload



Jamaal Charles had a marvelous season. He gained more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage, averaged five yards per carry and scored a league-high 19 touchdowns. He led the Chiefs in rushing yards, receiving yards and receptions. He finished second in the MVP voting and led many of you to fantasy championships.What's possibly even more amazing is how Charles' body was able to handle everything the Chiefs demanded. Charles touched the ball 329 times and remained relatively healthy for the entire season despite weighing about 200 pounds. Actually, Charles has remained unbroken in the last two seasons as he took on 649 combined touches. That much work on a small frame usually spells disaster in the NFL, and head coach Andy Reid recognizes that. According to ESPN.com's Adam Teicher on Thursday, Reid indicated that he intends to use Charles a little less and backup runing back Knile Davis a little more in 2014."Knile was a rookie and he was learning every week and getting better every week," Reid said. "As the season went on we were able to give him the ball a little bit more. Coming into this season, we'll be able to mix it up a little bit better than what we did early in the season last year."



Charles rested in Week 17 and exited the Chiefs' playoff game during the first quarter due to a concussion. In those two games, Davis carried the ball 45 times for 148 yards and three touchdowns. He added nine receptions for 38 yards and another score. Davis is close to 230 pounds and ran a 4.37-40 at the 2013 Combine, which is just freaky. He broke a leg in that playoff game but should be ready for OTAs.Kansas City's offense will still be centered around the ground game, and Charles will still be their horse. So he won't touch the ball 330 times again; how do you feel about 290? He'll be just fine. Davis' late-season burst makes him a must-own handcuff.

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A-League: Wanderers maintain the momentum

Western Sydney Wanderers turned up the pressure on A-League leaders Brisbane Roar with a 2-0 win at Perth Glory.

Goals in either half from Mateo Poljak and Tomi Juric secured Wanderers the win as they moved to within four points of Brisbane, who face in-form Melbourne Heart on Sunday looking to bounce back from last week's home loss to Newcastle Jets.

Staying four points behind the Wanderers in third place are Melbourne Victory after they edged a seven-goal thriller against Adelaide United 4-3.

Adelaide forward Sergio Cirio who struck all three of his side's goals, netting in the third, 45th and 83rd minutes, but he still ended on the losing side as Victory took the spoils with strikes from Guilherme Finkler (15 and 57), Archie Thompson (66) and Kosta Barbarouses (75)

Also on Saturday, Alessandro Del Piero was on the scoresheet as Sydney FC won 2-0 at Newcastle, the former Italy star netting a 73rd-minute penalty after Sasa Ognenovski had broken the deadlock on the hour.

Soccer Hot News

Hernandez: Comment ´nothing to do with RVP´

Manchester United forward Javier Hernandez has refuted claims he delivered a social-media jibe at team-mate Robin van Persie.

Van Persie was quoted blaming his team-mates for a lack of space after their 2-0 loss to Olympiacos in the UEFA Champions League in mid-week.

The Mexico international posted a message on photo-sharing app Instagram that read, “Without your team-mates you can’t be somebody in football, always be thankful.”

But Hernandez used another social networking tool, Twitter, to banish speculation the post was directed at his Dutch team-mate.

“Before I go to sleep, I need to put this cause things get a little out of context…” Hernandez said.

“Why do the press always take my comments out of context, my comment on Instagram had nothing to do with RVP. We are great teammates working for the same goal, the TEAM! & Cause the team isn’t doing as well as we’d like everyone just wants to make everything look like a bad thing!”

Van Persie’s post-match comments sparked plenty of furore, including from former United midfielder Johnny Giles who labelled the goalscorer a ‘prat’.

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Thursday picks: Pacers will cover 15.5 vs. Bucks

Basketball Hot News

Report: Sacramento Kings to sign Royce White

It’s easy to forget now, but Royce White was the No. 16 pick in the 2012 NBA draft for a reason.

He projected to have enormous upside thanks to his ball-handling and passing ability for his size, and he still had big-man skills to form the full package as a prospect. Before Giannis Antetokounmpo, there was Royce White.

The off-court concerns about White existed then, too, though. They’re why he slipped so far.

If not for those, the main draft debate about him would have been whether he’d be picked in the top or bottom half of the lottery. Prospects like that don’t lose all their value in two years, not even White, who has yet to play in the NBA as he’s dealt with mental-health issues.

Sam Amick of USA Today:

The Sacramento Kings recently worked out 22-year-old forward and mental health advocate Royce White and are likely to sign him to a 10-day contract, two people with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports.

Announcement: Pro Basketball Talk’s partner FanDuel is hosting a one-day $70,000 Fantasy Basketball league for Thursday night’s games. It’s $25 to join and first prize is $9,000. Starts at 7pm ET on Thursday. Here’s the FanDuel link.

The Kings definitely aren’t making the playoffs this season, and they’re wisely tilting their rotation in favor of young players. That’s a good way to evaluate and develop potential future contributors – and earn a better draft pick in the process.

It’s a sound strategy, one that shouldn’t include only players already on the roster. White is a longshot to become a significant NBA contributor, but there’s little downside fir the Kings in trying to make him into one.

There are a host of obstacles to clear, even just to get White onto the basketball court. This experiment likely won’t work, and if it doesn’t, Sacramento might even improve its lottery odds while trying it. But if it does, the Kings get value where there was none.

It’s really a can’t-lose situation. How much could White harm them in 10 days?

There’s only upside here.

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Ravens’ Elam working at sporting goods store

Ravens safety Matt Elam works part time at the mall. (USATSI)

For most NFL players, the offseason goes something like this: Take a few weeks off after the season then begin training for voluntary workouts, OTAs and training camp. It's predictable and unexciting but it beats, say, working at the mall.

Unless you're Ravens safety Matt Elam, who just finished his rookie season and now works part time at the Finish Line in a Gainesville, Fla. mall. Elam, the team's first-round pick last April, signed a $6.7 million contract last summer so it's not like he's hurting for money. But this is about preparing for life after football.

“I just need to get retail knowledge,” he told BaltimoreRavens.com. “That's basically what I'm doing. I'm getting that knowledge for when it's time. ...

Everybody was surprised when I started," . "They were like, ‘Why? You got enough money.' But it's not about the money. It's just me building. I went to the store and I just talked to them and told them what my plan was. They were happy to hire me and they hired me two or three days later.”

This is Elam's first non-football-related job since he was a camp counselor in high school. Not surprisingly, the former University of Florida standout runs into fans all the time.

“A lot of people have started recognizing me,” he said. “Kids will come in for pictures and fans will come in asking for pictures, autographs. People will be buying stuff just for me to sign it. It's pretty exciting.”

Also not a surprise: They must wonder why he's selling shoes. It's simple, really.

"I know you can't do football forever," Elam said. "I'm going to use it to benefit me when I'm doing so that my kids won't have to worry about this. I take a lot of pride in that because I feel like a lot of kids are blind to this, and don't have these opportunities, and don't have the knowledge. I hope I can open a lot of their eyes.”

NFL Hot News

Colts WR Reggie Wayne expected to be ready for training camp



Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne is 35 years old. Players of that age don't exactly recover quickly from major knee injuries, but general manager Ryan Grigson said last week that he expects Wayne to be good to go when the team opens training camp. Head coach Chuck Pagano said Wayne "is working hard to get back." The 13-year vet tore his right ACL on Nov. 3 versus the Texans.



That means Wayne would go from moment of injury to fully healthy in less than nine months. Even in today's world with incredible medical advancements, that seems like an incredibly short period of time to heal from an ACL injury, especially for an older player. Wayne was on pace for another 1,000-yard season prior to the injury. He should be seen as just a WR3 for 2014. He turns 36 in November.

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NBA open to discussing addition of a 4-point shot

Update 1:44 p.m. Well, nevermind. The league issued this statement yesterday:

"No one at the NBA,nor the competition committee, has had any serious conversations about increasing the size of the floor or adding a 4-point line. Rod Thorn and Kiki VanDeWeghe were entertaining a line of questioning about out of the box ideas and ESPN chose to make a story that doesn't exist.”

So there's that.

... But they've thought about it! (Just kidding.)

1:30 p.m.

ESPN reports that NBA president of basketball operations Rod Thorn recently acknowledged that the league has at least considered adding a four-point shot to the game.

Rod Thorn, NBA president of basketball operations, didn't balk at the idea.

During a sit-down TrueHoop TV interview with our own Henry Abbott, Thorn was asked about the chances that a 4-pointer -- as outlandish as it may seem -- could be brought to the NBA at some point.

Turns out, Thorn didn't think the advent of a 4-pointer would be outlandish at all. Rather than reflexively squash the radical idea, as you might expect from a 72-year-old NBA lifer who has worn just about every hat in the league, Thorn seemed genuinely intrigued at the notion and revealed that the 4-pointer has "come up" in league discussions.

"Oh man," Thorn told Abbott, "Some of the players we have can shoot the ball from I assume it would be 30 feet? 28-30 feet. Somewhere in there. Some of the guys we have can shoot that as easily as a 23-, 24-foot shot." One of those players? Vince Carter. Thorn recalled a moment when he ran the New Jersey Nets from 2000 to 2010 as team president and general manager. As players tend to do at practice, Carter would showcase his shot-making abilities from far, far away.

"I remember when we had Vince Carter in New Jersey," Thorn said. "Well, he could shoot the ball from the seats and make half of 'em."

Don't we want to see that? Players pushed to the limits of their abilities?

"It would be unbelievable," Thorn said. "But you know coaches would go crazy because now you've got another line out there. That's crazy."

via Jamal Crawford would be among the NBA's top 4-point shooters - NBA - ESPN.

The standard idea is to implement a 4-point line somewhere beyond 28 or 30 feet. But I have an alternative. Implement circled zones. If officials can see when players in the clogged-up paint are inside the restricted circle they can see them from on the court.

Observe.

This makes the degree of difficulty higher, helps defense to defend it better and differently, and makes the shots more amazing. I'd also be fine with zones of different shapes and sizes that randomly change game by game, but the stickers on those would be slick and cause injury.

Anyway, it's a fun idea. The leader of course would be Jamal Crawford, who has four-such makes this season, but Kyrie Irving is right behind him.

Basketball Hot News

Washington Wizards reportedly tried hard to trade for Jameer Nelson

It was no secret the Washington Wizards needed point guard help behind John Wall. It’s also no secret the rebuilding Orlando Magic are no longer a great fit for 32-year-old Jameer Nelson.

The two teams would have made sense as trade partners before last week’s deadline.

In fact, the Wizards reportedly really wanted to be trade partners with the Magic.

John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com:

Has to be surreal for #Magic PG Jameer Nelson being in Wash. considering #Wizards made several attempts to trade for him before deadline.—

John Denton (@JohnDenton555) February 25, 2014

The Wizards settled for Andre Miller, and so far, so good. Washington is 3-0 with Miller, because he’s stabilized their play when John Wall sits.

Before the the trade, the Wizards were outscored by 11.7 points per 100 possessions without Wall. Since, Miller has played all 44 minutes Wall has sat, posting a modest 12 points and nine assists total. But he’s turned the ball over just twice and improved Washington’s net rating to -1.2 without Wall.

I doubt the Wizards have much regret.

But, at the time, I would have narrowly preferred Nelson if I were Washington. So, what were the Magic seeking that prevented the trade from happening?

The Wizards surrendered the Pelicans’ 2015 second rounder for Miller, so Orlando likely wanted more than that. Washington can’t trade any future first-round pick due to its trade for Marcin Gortat, so that limits options. Maybe the Wizards own 2014 second rounder or multiple second rounders? That wouldn’t be totally unreasonable, but if Orlando were willing to accept less and was just playing hardball, it backfired when Washington traded for Miller.

Either way, the Magic took a risk. At 32, Nelson’s production projects to decline further. Their best chance of getting better value for him is trading him after the season for a bigger contract to a team seeking cap relief. Then, that team could buy out Nelson for just $2 million (of an $8 million salary) on or before July 15.

Will that return best the Pelicans’ 2015 second rounder? That’s the bar for Orlando.

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Eagles ink WR Cooper, C Kelce to long-term deals

Riley Cooper landed a big new deal on Thursday. (USATSI)

More NFL offseason: NFL Mock Drafts | Prospect Rankings | Top free agents

A day after locking down left tackle Jason Peters to a large contract that will keep him with the Eagles for the rest of his career, Chip Kelly and Howie Roseman secured another pair of in-house players for the long haul. Philly announced Thursday deals for wideout Riley Cooper and center Jason Kelce.

Cooper, who was reportedly close to a deal Wednesday, landed a five-year contract that is worth a reported $25 million according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Here's a salary breakdown via ESPN's Andrew Brandt.

Riley Cooper to make $5M in 2014 - $4M bonus, $1M salary. Has $4M guaranteed 2015 salary and $1M of $4.5M 2016 salary guaranteed.

— Andrew Brandt (@adbrandt) February 27, 2014

That means this offseason is already better than last for the wideout, who made national headlines when he was caught using a racial slur on camera at a Kenny Chesney concert. Cooper rebounded both in the public eye and on the field, where he posted the best year of his career, catching 47 passes for 835 yards and eight touchdowns.

“Riley is one of the toughest and hardest-working guys in our locker room. We talk a lot about how players have to make the most of their opportunities, and he did just that last year," Kelly said. "He used his size, strength and speed to make a lot of big plays for our team and I'm excited to watch him build upon his success."

Cooper developed an instant rapport with Nick Foles, who took over at quarterback when Michael Vick suffered an injury and never looked back.

"Riley's a tough player who can not only go up and catch the football and make big plays, but who also takes a great amount of pride in his ability to block and be physical down the field," Roseman said. "He made the most of his opportunities last year and we all expect him to build upon that. Riley wants to be an Eagle and expressed that several times to us throughout this process. We were very excited to get this done before the start of free agency."

Kelce's deal is a seven-year contract that will keep the 26-year-old center in Philly through his prime. The deal is worth $37.5 million total with $13 million in guaranteed money per Adam Caplan of ESPN.

“Jason is the epitome of the type of player we want around here, both on and off the field," Kelly said. "He's tough, extremely intelligent and is a leader by his actions and by his words. His athleticism is something that really sticks out when you watch him play. There aren't many centers that can get down the field like he does."

Drafted in the sixth round by the Eagles in 2011, Kelce blossomed last year in Kelly's system, starting 16 games for the second time in his three-year career and helping to pave the way for the top rushing defense in the NFL. He moved pretty seamlessly between two very different quarterbacks in Vick and Foles.

“You just don't see many interior linemen with the athleticism that Jason Kelce possesses," Roseman said. "It shows up on film many times where you just see him 10 or 15 yards down the field making blocks. His intelligence, work ethic and pride in his game are just off the charts. He's the proverbial gym rat and is always at the NovaCare Complex working on his game.

"This was the first off-season we had to re-sign Jason and we jumped all over the opportunity."

Kelce is the first big extension to be done for a member of the 2011 NFL Draft class and now becomes a top-five paid center in the NFL.

NFL Hot News

49ers RB Marcus Lattimore is close to 100 percent healthy



49ers running back Marcus Lattimore suffered a horrendous knee injury in 2012 while playing of the University of South Carolina -- torn right ACL, MCL and PCL along with a kneecap dislocation. As a rookie in 2013, he was in no shape to play. But 2014 should be a different story. Lattimore told the Associated Press that his knee feels close to 100 percent and he is eagerly awaiting April 21, the date the 49ers open offseason workouts and Lattimore says he'll be allowed to run at full bore."The left knee, it feels like nothing ever happened," Lattimore said. "The right knee, it feels great. Both feel balanced. I've got my speed and I rarely get any soreness ...."Lattimore tore the ACL in his left knee in 2011.



Lattimore also said he's delved deeply into the Niners' thick playbook so he can be mentally prepared for OTAs. I am rooting so hard for this kid. Not only because it's awesome when a person can overcome so much adversity to achieve a dream, but also because Lattimore can be a game-changing player if his previous injuries haven't taken away too much of his immense talent. He may be only second fiddle to Frank Gore at best next season, but Lattimore's dynasty value is sizeable ... IF he can truly come back as his old self. He is only 21 years old.

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Davis injures shoulder

New Orleans Pelicans' big man Anthony Davis is undoubtedly the franchise player on his team and after making the All-Star Game in just his second season, his play on the court has been validated early in his career. Unfortunately, keeping him on the court is proving to be difficult. In the Pelicans' nationally televised game against the Dallas Mavericks Wednesday night, Davis was going up for a rebound against Samuel Dalembert when he sprained his left shoulder.

He left the game and went into the locker room. He will not return in Wednesday's game. From the Pelicans' site:

During halftime, the Pelicans announced that Anthony Davis will not return to Wednesday's game. He has a left shoulder sprain.

Holding his left shoulder, New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis headed to the locker room with 4:13 left in the second quarter at Dallas. The severity of his injury was unknown at the time he left the court.

Davis left the game after just 13 minutes of play with six points, nine rebounds, and two blocks. He's already missed eight games this season after sitting out 18 games his rookie season. He's averaging 20.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks (leads the league).

Topics: Anthony Davis, Samuel Dalembert, New Orleans Pelicans, NBA

Basketball Hot News

D’Antoni says Pau Gasol should have kept complaints out of media

It’s a little trick coaches use now and again, one Phil Jackson used to great effect — criticize a player to the media so he gets the message. A little humiliation can go a long way to getting a player to fall in line.

But if a player uses the same tactic, oh lord, it’s an abomination in the coach’s eye. An affront to all things good about the game.

Which brings us to Lakers’ coach Mike D’Antoni. He’s more publicly positive than most but he’s used the tactic of knocking a player publicly to get his point across. Remember last season when D’Antoni was asked why he didn’t re-insert Pau Gasol in a game and he said “Because I wanted to win.”

Tuesday night after another Lakers loss Gasol complained about D’Antoni’s lineups — going small even when that doesn’t work — and added “I don’t think there’s a lot of discipline right now.”

D’Antoni’s response? Gasol shouldn’t have said that to the media. Here are his exact quotes, via Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com.

“The thing I just don’t appreciate … You just keep it in-house,” D’Antoni said before the Lakers’ 108-103 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. “It’s very easy just to come over and talk about your frustrations. We’ll try to work something out. We’ll figure something out.

“But to go to (the media) and to do it in the papers, that’s disturbing. I just don’t think that’s the way to go and people should understand that we’re all trying to solve the same problem, so let’s just put our heads together and do the best we can.”

I’d suggest Gasol and D’Antoni sit down and hash their differences out, but really what’s the point?

Gasol is gone from the Lakers after this season and he’s done suffering fools gladly. He’ll speak his mind, something he has a right to do as a veteran — and he’s right, D’Antoni’s rotations are confusing and odd at times.. His game has deteriorated some but he’s also been forced into uncomfortable roles under this system and he has every right to voice that objection.

D’Antoni has pretty much become the interim coach in Los Angeles — nobody much thinks he’s the guy to lead this team back to contention, but so long as they are light on talent (and that could extend into next season depending on how summer free agency goes) he’s the man. Los Angeles can hope system can find some diamonds in the rough. Or if not diamonds some role players. Maybe he can inflate the stats of some guys who can then be traded for something of value.

For 25 more games, Gasol and D’Antoni need to be at least civil to one other and try to find a happy medium. Then come April 18 they can go their separate ways.

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