Advanced stats are the joy of some fans and analysts and the bane of others. While the numbers reveal much, some of what they “reveal” is highly misleading. And when people use those misleading things as “evidence” in an argument, it turns the reasonable off.
The thing we need to bear in mind is that advanced stats aren’t designed to prove arguments. They simply show what things happen, not why things happen. That’s where analysis steps in.
Looking at which players “cheat” the stats and how they do it can give us fresh insight into both the numbers and the “basketball” of the conversation.
The important thing to remember is the “why” doesn’t replace the “what.” Statistics are not opinions. At their heart they are nothing more than recording events (e.g. a block, a rebound, a basket, a missed field goal, etc.). They are not distinct from what happens on the court because they are just annotations of what happened.
We can’t arbitrarily brush aside the things that happen because they don’t fit what we expect. We have to understand why they happened.Here are three examples of players who cheat the metrics and how they do it. In each case, the numbers can bring us to a misleading conclusion, but when properly understood, they make a telling point.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2311344-3-nba-players-who-cheat-advanced-stats-and-how-they-do-it
Monday, 29 December 2014
The Weakest Link on Every Top NBA Contender
NBA contenders have weak links, too. Just don't tell anyone—wouldn't want you guys stealing my thunder, after all. Disrupting flaws may not be as evident on championship-chasers, but they are there. And we're going to find them.
In order to preserve the sanctity of exclusiveness, we'll be looking at only the top contenders—the teams with the best shot at winning their respective conference.
Worthwhile candidates will invariably be left off. That's just a symptom of exclusivity. More than half the Western Conference would be listed if this were a loosey-goosey, open invite.
Instead of cheapening the contender classification, we're going to honor it. While subjective, chosen teams' inclusions are, again, based on their ability to make the NBA Finals.
Subsequent weakest links will be limited to positions and specific players. Most of the time, it will be the former. In special cases, though, we're going to make an exception, singling out underachieving players who are supposed to be having a much bigger impact than they actually are.
Unflattering statistics will be our primary guide. Positions and players that hurt teams in specific areas—in a noticeable way—are up for consideration. Those harming said squads the most, well, they're here.
Now, with that in mind, it's time to invade the pedestal upon which some of the NBA's finest franchises presently sit.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2310587-the-weakest-link-on-every-top-nba-contender
In order to preserve the sanctity of exclusiveness, we'll be looking at only the top contenders—the teams with the best shot at winning their respective conference.
Worthwhile candidates will invariably be left off. That's just a symptom of exclusivity. More than half the Western Conference would be listed if this were a loosey-goosey, open invite.
Instead of cheapening the contender classification, we're going to honor it. While subjective, chosen teams' inclusions are, again, based on their ability to make the NBA Finals.
Subsequent weakest links will be limited to positions and specific players. Most of the time, it will be the former. In special cases, though, we're going to make an exception, singling out underachieving players who are supposed to be having a much bigger impact than they actually are.
Unflattering statistics will be our primary guide. Positions and players that hurt teams in specific areas—in a noticeable way—are up for consideration. Those harming said squads the most, well, they're here.
Now, with that in mind, it's time to invade the pedestal upon which some of the NBA's finest franchises presently sit.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2310587-the-weakest-link-on-every-top-nba-contender
Predicting the Biggest Breakout NBA Players of 2015
The 2014-15 NBA season has seen numerous breakout players since opening day. However, with nearly two-thirds of the year to go, there are opportunities for others to step up as we head toward the playoffs.
Omitted from consideration are players who have already broken out. Consider guys such as DeMarcus Cousins, Brandon Knight and Jimmy Butler in that category.
Also left out are players who have been pleasant surprises, but aren't going to shock us with another boost of production. We're talking about guys such as Nikola Vucevic, Draymond Green and Tony Wroten.
No; this won't be a list of 10, 15 or 20 players who could break out. We're looking at only the top candidates, and that's an exclusive list with plenty of basketball yet to be played.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2311869-predicting-the-biggest-breakout-nba-players-of-2015
Omitted from consideration are players who have already broken out. Consider guys such as DeMarcus Cousins, Brandon Knight and Jimmy Butler in that category.
Also left out are players who have been pleasant surprises, but aren't going to shock us with another boost of production. We're talking about guys such as Nikola Vucevic, Draymond Green and Tony Wroten.
No; this won't be a list of 10, 15 or 20 players who could break out. We're looking at only the top candidates, and that's an exclusive list with plenty of basketball yet to be played.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2311869-predicting-the-biggest-breakout-nba-players-of-2015
San Antonio Spurs Using Familiar Formula to Survive Turbulent Stretch
SAN ANTONIO — Even when the San Antonio Spurs aren't quite themselves, some things just refuse to change.While shooting guard Danny Green led the reigning champions with 24 points and five steals in Sunday night's much-needed 110-106 home win against the Houston Rockets (marking his fourth game with at least 20 points this month), he got help from some old friends—37- and 38-year-old friends, in fact.
Together, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan totaled 31 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, five steals and two blocks. They weren't dominant performances, but they were enough to temporarily stop San Antonio's bleeding against a Rockets team that's only lost four games in December while making continued strides with the recent additions of Corey Brewer and Josh Smith.
Now 7-9 this month, the Spurs won't celebrate this one too much. Perhaps, however, they can build upon it."This is a huge win for us, especially in the middle of this thing," Duncan said after the game, referring to the club's December difficulties. "We aren't playing very well. We're up and down with who's in and who's out. We're playing a lot of good teams down this stretch, so it is a huge win for us.
"We got some tough games ahead, and we are going to continue that and get some confidence down. We didn't play well down the stretch. We made a whole lot of mistakes again ... things we need to clean up sooner rather than later. We got a win here, and hopefully that kind of puts us in the right direction and we can go from there."
Injuries and scheduling have pushed this team into uncharacteristically dangerous territory, narrowly ahead of the eighth-seeded Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference with little hope of orchestrating an imminent turnaround. Thanks to Houston's 25 turnovers and Patty Mills' first game since offseason shoulder surgery, the Spurs' luck changed ever so slightly for one evening.
Unfortunately, that hardly qualifies as a trend.Six-time All-Star Tony Parker missed his 10th game of the month on Sunday and will likely take his time before permanently returning from an injured hamstring. Reigning Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard has been sidelined for nine games by a torn ligament in his right hand, and there's still no timetable for his return.It remains to be seen just how much longer the organization's elder statesmen can keep this up. The unstated hope is probably that they won't have to, that Parker and Leonard will enjoy speedy recoveries and spearhead a prompt turnaround.
The reality, of course, may not be so kind.And that's where things could get tricky. Inflating Duncan and/or Ginobili's minutes for a month or two probably isn't the end of the world, but nor is it consistent with the philosophy to which Popovich has clung so consistently in recent years. He isn't one to mortgage San Antonio's playoff fate in a bid for short-term success, but the now 19-13 club may need all hands on deck just to make those playoffs.
Fortunately, this isn't the first time the franchise has experienced a little adversity. And it certainly isn't the first time Duncan and Ginobili have had a little something to do with fighting through it.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2312976-san-antonio-spurs-using-familiar-formula-to-survive-turbulent-stretch
Together, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan totaled 31 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, five steals and two blocks. They weren't dominant performances, but they were enough to temporarily stop San Antonio's bleeding against a Rockets team that's only lost four games in December while making continued strides with the recent additions of Corey Brewer and Josh Smith.
Now 7-9 this month, the Spurs won't celebrate this one too much. Perhaps, however, they can build upon it."This is a huge win for us, especially in the middle of this thing," Duncan said after the game, referring to the club's December difficulties. "We aren't playing very well. We're up and down with who's in and who's out. We're playing a lot of good teams down this stretch, so it is a huge win for us.
"We got some tough games ahead, and we are going to continue that and get some confidence down. We didn't play well down the stretch. We made a whole lot of mistakes again ... things we need to clean up sooner rather than later. We got a win here, and hopefully that kind of puts us in the right direction and we can go from there."
Injuries and scheduling have pushed this team into uncharacteristically dangerous territory, narrowly ahead of the eighth-seeded Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference with little hope of orchestrating an imminent turnaround. Thanks to Houston's 25 turnovers and Patty Mills' first game since offseason shoulder surgery, the Spurs' luck changed ever so slightly for one evening.
Unfortunately, that hardly qualifies as a trend.Six-time All-Star Tony Parker missed his 10th game of the month on Sunday and will likely take his time before permanently returning from an injured hamstring. Reigning Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard has been sidelined for nine games by a torn ligament in his right hand, and there's still no timetable for his return.It remains to be seen just how much longer the organization's elder statesmen can keep this up. The unstated hope is probably that they won't have to, that Parker and Leonard will enjoy speedy recoveries and spearhead a prompt turnaround.
The reality, of course, may not be so kind.And that's where things could get tricky. Inflating Duncan and/or Ginobili's minutes for a month or two probably isn't the end of the world, but nor is it consistent with the philosophy to which Popovich has clung so consistently in recent years. He isn't one to mortgage San Antonio's playoff fate in a bid for short-term success, but the now 19-13 club may need all hands on deck just to make those playoffs.
Fortunately, this isn't the first time the franchise has experienced a little adversity. And it certainly isn't the first time Duncan and Ginobili have had a little something to do with fighting through it.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2312976-san-antonio-spurs-using-familiar-formula-to-survive-turbulent-stretch
10 Biggest Question Marks in the NBA Entering 2015
It's almost the New Year, which means it's time to pop a bottle of your favorite beverage and ponder the NBA's most pressing questions. At least, I think that's how this goes.
With a third of the 2014-15 campaign in the rearview mirror, we'll take stock of the league's many uncertainties and explore how things may shake out over the next few months.
From Stephen Curry's MVP odds to the Oklahoma City Thunder's place in the Western Conference and the tragic state of New York's two franchises, it's time to indulge in a little forward thinking.
As a guide, keep in mind that these questions relate strictly to the remainder of the 2014-15 season and do not take into account free agency or next year's draft to a significant degree.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2311826-the-10-biggest-question-marks-in-the-nba-entering-2015
With a third of the 2014-15 campaign in the rearview mirror, we'll take stock of the league's many uncertainties and explore how things may shake out over the next few months.
From Stephen Curry's MVP odds to the Oklahoma City Thunder's place in the Western Conference and the tragic state of New York's two franchises, it's time to indulge in a little forward thinking.
As a guide, keep in mind that these questions relate strictly to the remainder of the 2014-15 season and do not take into account free agency or next year's draft to a significant degree.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2311826-the-10-biggest-question-marks-in-the-nba-entering-2015
Picking a World Football Worst XI for December
With the new year will come new hopes, dreams and expectations, while for some clubs, players and fans, it'll simply be a sense of relief that December is over.
There were some shocking performances around world football throughout the month, so what if we were to take the worst offenders and create some sort of hellish team of December's worst players?
Well, it'd look a little like this.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2311676-picking-a-world-football-worst-xi-for-december
There were some shocking performances around world football throughout the month, so what if we were to take the worst offenders and create some sort of hellish team of December's worst players?
Well, it'd look a little like this.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2311676-picking-a-world-football-worst-xi-for-december
Alan Pardew and Newcastle Are a Bad Match, It's Easy to See Why He Wants out
These are strange times at Newcastle. After a four-game losing streak they grabbed a morale-boosting 3-2 win over Everton on Sunday, but now they look likely to lose their manager, a man still unpopular with large sections of their support.
Alan Pardew is bookies' favourite to take the Crystal Palace job, vacant after Neil Warnock was dismissed following the Boxing Day defeat to Southampton, with several sources, including the Guardian, reporting that he is the Palace board's choice to step in.
Pardew encouraged the rumour mill on Sunday, sending his assistant John Carver to conduct the post-match media duties, ostensibly to avoid any questions about the Palace job.
From Palace's point of view, it's an understandable appointment, should it happen. Pardew is a former player at Selhurst Park, and has a record of doing a decent job in straitened circumstances, as his time at Newcastle most certainly has been.
Yet what does it say about Newcastle that Pardew could want to leave?Of course, there are emotional factors in such a decision, Pardew returning to a former club and close to his own home (he was born in Wimbledon). However, at Newcastle he has a relatively secure job, an owner he clearly has a good relationship with and of course he is at a bigger club.
Why would he swap a side in ninth place for one currently fighting a relegation battle for the second season in a row? A club at which he will inevitably be compared with Tony Pulis, the man who arrived at Selhurst Park in similar circumstances last term, and dug Palace out of the hole they were in with time to spare?
That he wants to leave Newcastle surely only emphasises the issues at St James's Park. Pardew, objectively, has done a perfectly good job with relatively limited resources, but he remains unpopular with the fans for any number of reasons. He is seen as Mike Ashley's man, a symbol of the hated regime at the club, while his antics do little to endear him to any supporters, such as headbutting Hull midfielder David Meyler on the touchline or getting into a deeply undignified row with Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini last season.
More than that though, there is the sense that while he has done a reasonable job, it could have been much more than that. Pardew (and indeed Ashley) seem perfectly happy to tread water, to do just about enough to keep the bottom line happy and the club chugging along.
This, at a club that for better or worse has one of the most emotional fanbases in the country, will never wash on the terraces. These fans want more from their club, as most do but even more so in this case, so Pardew was perhaps never going to be a good fit at Newcastle.
For this reason alone, it is understandable that Pardew would want to leave. He may well feel his efforts have been unappreciated, but at the very basic level nobody wants to be in a job when they're not wanted.
It might not turn out to be much better at Palace, but at the moment one can see very well why Pardew would want to give up a relatively safe job for something different.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2313215-alan-pardew-and-newcastle-are-a-bad-match-its-easy-to-see-why-he-wants-out
Alan Pardew is bookies' favourite to take the Crystal Palace job, vacant after Neil Warnock was dismissed following the Boxing Day defeat to Southampton, with several sources, including the Guardian, reporting that he is the Palace board's choice to step in.
Pardew encouraged the rumour mill on Sunday, sending his assistant John Carver to conduct the post-match media duties, ostensibly to avoid any questions about the Palace job.
From Palace's point of view, it's an understandable appointment, should it happen. Pardew is a former player at Selhurst Park, and has a record of doing a decent job in straitened circumstances, as his time at Newcastle most certainly has been.
Yet what does it say about Newcastle that Pardew could want to leave?Of course, there are emotional factors in such a decision, Pardew returning to a former club and close to his own home (he was born in Wimbledon). However, at Newcastle he has a relatively secure job, an owner he clearly has a good relationship with and of course he is at a bigger club.
Why would he swap a side in ninth place for one currently fighting a relegation battle for the second season in a row? A club at which he will inevitably be compared with Tony Pulis, the man who arrived at Selhurst Park in similar circumstances last term, and dug Palace out of the hole they were in with time to spare?
That he wants to leave Newcastle surely only emphasises the issues at St James's Park. Pardew, objectively, has done a perfectly good job with relatively limited resources, but he remains unpopular with the fans for any number of reasons. He is seen as Mike Ashley's man, a symbol of the hated regime at the club, while his antics do little to endear him to any supporters, such as headbutting Hull midfielder David Meyler on the touchline or getting into a deeply undignified row with Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini last season.
More than that though, there is the sense that while he has done a reasonable job, it could have been much more than that. Pardew (and indeed Ashley) seem perfectly happy to tread water, to do just about enough to keep the bottom line happy and the club chugging along.
This, at a club that for better or worse has one of the most emotional fanbases in the country, will never wash on the terraces. These fans want more from their club, as most do but even more so in this case, so Pardew was perhaps never going to be a good fit at Newcastle.
For this reason alone, it is understandable that Pardew would want to leave. He may well feel his efforts have been unappreciated, but at the very basic level nobody wants to be in a job when they're not wanted.
It might not turn out to be much better at Palace, but at the moment one can see very well why Pardew would want to give up a relatively safe job for something different.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2313215-alan-pardew-and-newcastle-are-a-bad-match-its-easy-to-see-why-he-wants-out
Tottenham Must Remain Cautious over Potential Transfer of Vlad Chiriches
Speculation that Tottenham Hotspur defender Vlad Chiriches might be transferred to Roma has persisted since last summer.The Mirror's Darren Lewis and Mail Online's David Kent reported interest from the Serie A club back in July. In November, the London Evening Standard's Tom Collomosse suggested Juventus had joined the Giallorossi in keeping tabs on the Romania international.
Now with the January transfer window approaching, Il Tempo, via Football Italia, believes a loan move for Chiriches with the option of a permanent transfer is set to be completed.The impending arrival of DeAndre Yedlin could mean Chiriches isn't needed there if the American settles quickly. But injuries or bad form in defence could necessitate his selection down the line. Spurs' shortage of defenders at points after Christmas last year shows the swiftness with which a club can quickly become shorthanded.
For the club's decision-makers to rob themselves of that option mid-season is unnecessarily risky.Hot and cold since his summer 2013 arrival in north London, Chriches' long-term future might be elsewhere. For now, though, there have been enough hints of quality that the prospect of him fully finding his feet at the club should not yet be dismissed.
If nothing else, he could still prove useful this season. Should Tottenham decide to move him on this summer, a full international like Chiriches would attract interest regardless of his form.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2313179-tottenham-must-remain-cautious-over-potential-transfer-of-vlad-chiriches
Now with the January transfer window approaching, Il Tempo, via Football Italia, believes a loan move for Chiriches with the option of a permanent transfer is set to be completed.The impending arrival of DeAndre Yedlin could mean Chiriches isn't needed there if the American settles quickly. But injuries or bad form in defence could necessitate his selection down the line. Spurs' shortage of defenders at points after Christmas last year shows the swiftness with which a club can quickly become shorthanded.
For the club's decision-makers to rob themselves of that option mid-season is unnecessarily risky.Hot and cold since his summer 2013 arrival in north London, Chriches' long-term future might be elsewhere. For now, though, there have been enough hints of quality that the prospect of him fully finding his feet at the club should not yet be dismissed.
If nothing else, he could still prove useful this season. Should Tottenham decide to move him on this summer, a full international like Chiriches would attract interest regardless of his form.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2313179-tottenham-must-remain-cautious-over-potential-transfer-of-vlad-chiriches
Ranking the 6 Ligue 1 Players Who Were at the Same Club 10 Years Ago
Ten years is a long time in football. It has become a rare occurrence to see a player spend a decade at the same club, but even more unlikely for players coming through the ranks in Ligue 1.
Loyalty has become a forgotten word in modern-day football. In recent times Ligue 1 has become a breeding ground for Europe’s elite clubs. All too often, talented youngsters are allowed no more than three or four years in the first team before being sold to the highest bidder.
Some of them, like Eden Hazard and Karim Benzema, have become superstars. Others have often returned to the league years later after failing to make the grade.
There are players like Alexandre Lacazette, Clement Chantome and Jordan Veretout that have been part of their current club setup for over 10 years, but that includes their time in the youth system.
Then you have the careers of Steed Malbranque and Sylvain Marchal. Both were at their current clubs 10 years ago, but have moved around before returning.
Going into the current Ligue 1 season, only six players have played first-team football for 10 years at the same club.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2312253-ranking-the-6-ligue-1-players-who-were-at-the-same-club-10-years-ago
5 Defensive Midfielders for Arsenal to Consider in January Transfer Window
Although much of the discussion of Arsenal's possible January transfer window activity has focused on their need for a new centre-back, the Gunners may also be targeting a holding midfielder.
Neither Mikel Arteta nor Mathieu Flamini have fully convinced at the base of the Arsenal midfield, and Arsene Wenger may seek to recruit a new signing to bring stability and defensive cover to his team.
In this piece, we run through five potential January targets who could shore up the Gunners' fragile midfield.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2313199-5-defensive-midfielders-for-arsenal-to-consider-in-january-transfer-window
Neither Mikel Arteta nor Mathieu Flamini have fully convinced at the base of the Arsenal midfield, and Arsene Wenger may seek to recruit a new signing to bring stability and defensive cover to his team.
In this piece, we run through five potential January targets who could shore up the Gunners' fragile midfield.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2313199-5-defensive-midfielders-for-arsenal-to-consider-in-january-transfer-window
MMA in 2014: Biggest Breakthrough Performances
For what the sport had at its disposal, 2014 was a fairly competitive and entertaining epoch for mixed martial arts as a whole.Injuries certainly played a role in prohibiting a higher degree of excellence, but the handful of elite fighters leftover were able to efficiently suffice for the loss.
From memorable title upsets to unforgettable headliners, the past 12 months offered excitement of all shapes and sizes.But for the fans who enjoy witnessing a fighter come out of his or her shell in effort to stake their divisional claim, certain fights stood out more than others.
Here are the biggest breakthrough performances of 2014 as new names have launched themselves to the front line of the sport.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2310748-mma-in-2014-biggest-breakthrough-performances
Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier: Complete Timeline of Their Beef
You might think it all started in August, when that little modular stage groaned under the anger of the planet's two baddest light heavyweights, one steaming toward the other, with only a goggle-eyed PR rep and the restrictions of civilian clothing holding them back.
But the history of this beef between Jon Jones, the champion, and Daniel Cormier, the undefeated challenger, runs much deeper. It's personal, it's physical, it's emotional and, yeah, it's even a little racial.
MMA fans, casual and otherwise, are on a razor's edge as they wait for these two to mix it up this Saturday at UFC 182, for real and in the cage and with nothing much in place this time to stop the violence.
If you're not stoked for this one, you're not paying much attention. Let me help you with that. Here's a full timeline of the history between these two, chronologically displayed in six easy slides.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2311515-jon-jones-vs-daniel-cormier-complete-timeline-of-their-beef
But the history of this beef between Jon Jones, the champion, and Daniel Cormier, the undefeated challenger, runs much deeper. It's personal, it's physical, it's emotional and, yeah, it's even a little racial.
MMA fans, casual and otherwise, are on a razor's edge as they wait for these two to mix it up this Saturday at UFC 182, for real and in the cage and with nothing much in place this time to stop the violence.
If you're not stoked for this one, you're not paying much attention. Let me help you with that. Here's a full timeline of the history between these two, chronologically displayed in six easy slides.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2311515-jon-jones-vs-daniel-cormier-complete-timeline-of-their-beef
Brock Lesnar Is Still Big Business After All These Years
There is a short list of athletes who can step away from the fight game and instantly become the hottest topic of discussion when there's a mere mention of them possibly, maybe, perhaps making a return.
Fedor Emelianenko, the great Russian heavyweight. Gina Carano, the first female mixed martial arts star. Never mind the fact that they've been out of action for years. Forget about the notion that the sport may have passed them by. People still love to talk about them, and any publication that likes money is in the business of giving readers the things they like to talk about.
And then there's Brock Lesnar. You know the guy. He was the pro wrestler who enraged hardcore MMA fans by having the gumption to jump into mixed martial arts with very little experience (this sounds familiar, does it not?) and then proceeded to anger them even further by winning the UFC heavyweight championship.
Then Cain Velasquez stole his soul, and Alistair Overeem kicked a little dirt him him, sending him scampering back to Vince McMahon, who willingly paid him millions of dollars to show up to work 20 or so times a year.And now, three years later, the Lesnar train appears ready to roll back into mixed martial arts one more time. According to Dave Meltzer (subscription required), officials at World Wrestling Entertainment are working under the assumption that Lesnar will leave the WWE once his contract expires in April and return to the UFC.
"The Lesnar people always keep things quiet, but within the company, the belief is that he’s going back to UFC," Meltzer said. "His showing up lighter to TV last week confirmed that to people who thought it."
And then you have Coker revealing that Bellator will make a serious run at Lesnar when he becomes a free agent."There's not going to be a fighter on the planet we can't afford and have access to," he said. "There hasn't been any serious dialogue [with Lesnar], but when the time comes to have serious dialogue, we'll be right there."
Just like that, Lesnar is the hottest free agent in mixed martial arts, even though he's not a free agent. But that doesn't matter. It's a technicality. The Lesnar news cycle has almost always been built on the potential of what he might do, not what he actually does. It is built on people who don't care that he lost to Velasquez and Overeem, that he doesn't respond well to being punched in the face.
These are the same people who could not care less about Phil Brooks having no fighting experience. They're the masses, not the few, and they are the ones who have been purchasing UFC pay-per-views at a rapidly declining rate over the past few years.
The promotion has to figure out a way to bring them back if they want to turn their ship around. That's why you'll see Brooks step in the Octagon next year, and it's why you'll see the UFC make a major play to bring Lesnar back.
But unlike the last time the UFC secured Lesnar's services, there is competition. Coker is rebuilding Bellator by focusing almost exclusively on reeling in those casual fans. He'll throw the hardcore fans a bone by booking, say, Melvin Manhoef vs. Joe Schilling. But if he needs to put Tito Ortiz vs. Stephan Bonnar in the main event over a Bellator title fight, well, that's what he'll do.
What better way to bring in those casual fans than by signing Lesnar and putting him on free television against, say, Bobby Lashley? Yeah, that would do the trick. Viacom's stellar advertising sales department will have a field day selling ads against that fight.And unless his second run at mixed martial arts is a catastrophic failure, Lesnar will be one of the biggest stars in the sport yet again. He'll help the UFC bring back some of those fans who have been missing in action for the past few years, or he'll help Bellator gain more eyeballs than many of us ever imagined they would.
But either way, everybody—from Lesnar and the promotion that signs him to the halfwits like me who are lucky enough to cover this sport for a living—wins in the Lesnar business.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2312796-brock-lesnar-is-still-big-business-after-all-these-years
Fedor Emelianenko, the great Russian heavyweight. Gina Carano, the first female mixed martial arts star. Never mind the fact that they've been out of action for years. Forget about the notion that the sport may have passed them by. People still love to talk about them, and any publication that likes money is in the business of giving readers the things they like to talk about.
And then there's Brock Lesnar. You know the guy. He was the pro wrestler who enraged hardcore MMA fans by having the gumption to jump into mixed martial arts with very little experience (this sounds familiar, does it not?) and then proceeded to anger them even further by winning the UFC heavyweight championship.
Then Cain Velasquez stole his soul, and Alistair Overeem kicked a little dirt him him, sending him scampering back to Vince McMahon, who willingly paid him millions of dollars to show up to work 20 or so times a year.And now, three years later, the Lesnar train appears ready to roll back into mixed martial arts one more time. According to Dave Meltzer (subscription required), officials at World Wrestling Entertainment are working under the assumption that Lesnar will leave the WWE once his contract expires in April and return to the UFC.
"The Lesnar people always keep things quiet, but within the company, the belief is that he’s going back to UFC," Meltzer said. "His showing up lighter to TV last week confirmed that to people who thought it."
And then you have Coker revealing that Bellator will make a serious run at Lesnar when he becomes a free agent."There's not going to be a fighter on the planet we can't afford and have access to," he said. "There hasn't been any serious dialogue [with Lesnar], but when the time comes to have serious dialogue, we'll be right there."
Just like that, Lesnar is the hottest free agent in mixed martial arts, even though he's not a free agent. But that doesn't matter. It's a technicality. The Lesnar news cycle has almost always been built on the potential of what he might do, not what he actually does. It is built on people who don't care that he lost to Velasquez and Overeem, that he doesn't respond well to being punched in the face.
These are the same people who could not care less about Phil Brooks having no fighting experience. They're the masses, not the few, and they are the ones who have been purchasing UFC pay-per-views at a rapidly declining rate over the past few years.
The promotion has to figure out a way to bring them back if they want to turn their ship around. That's why you'll see Brooks step in the Octagon next year, and it's why you'll see the UFC make a major play to bring Lesnar back.
But unlike the last time the UFC secured Lesnar's services, there is competition. Coker is rebuilding Bellator by focusing almost exclusively on reeling in those casual fans. He'll throw the hardcore fans a bone by booking, say, Melvin Manhoef vs. Joe Schilling. But if he needs to put Tito Ortiz vs. Stephan Bonnar in the main event over a Bellator title fight, well, that's what he'll do.
What better way to bring in those casual fans than by signing Lesnar and putting him on free television against, say, Bobby Lashley? Yeah, that would do the trick. Viacom's stellar advertising sales department will have a field day selling ads against that fight.And unless his second run at mixed martial arts is a catastrophic failure, Lesnar will be one of the biggest stars in the sport yet again. He'll help the UFC bring back some of those fans who have been missing in action for the past few years, or he'll help Bellator gain more eyeballs than many of us ever imagined they would.
But either way, everybody—from Lesnar and the promotion that signs him to the halfwits like me who are lucky enough to cover this sport for a living—wins in the Lesnar business.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2312796-brock-lesnar-is-still-big-business-after-all-these-years
UFC 182: The Evolution of Myles Jury Continues
A career in prize fighting is one where the total sum of wins, dollars earned and recognition gained typically dictates how successful a fighter's time spent in the realm of combat sports is viewed. Much like its peers, mixed martial arts is a rigorous trade where very few things are given out freely, as every victory or rung on the ladder climbed is earned on a high-risk tilt.
It's not referred to as the "hurt business" for nothing, and at the end of the day, it's the business side of things that can cast different shades of gray.
Given the nature and conditions of such a hectic environment, personal progress and the quest for growth on all fronts can easily get lost in the shuffle or pushed to the background, but Myles Jury has never let such things fall out of scope. The surging young talent has continued to push for further development, and in the process, he has crafted a versatile and well-rounded skill set.The 26-year-old Michigan native has also kept a keen eye on his affairs and all things that connect to his personal profile, taking sound advice from his inner circle and making sound business moves when they are there to be made.
The hard work invested in every one of his endeavors yields the fruits that progress has made possible, and his ability to capitalize on opportunities that continue to get bigger serve as further proof and validation that Jury's methods are working.
"I feel my career both inside and outside of the cage is happening just how we planned it," Jury told Bleacher Report. "Things are happening how I wanted and expect it to go. I feel very fortunate for that because not a lot of people have come out of the gates as successful as I have."
The Team Alliance representative has become a surging force in the talent-rich ranks of the UFC's lightweight division and has continued to look more impressive with each and every step.
His 15-0 record speaks for itself, and with six of those victories coming inside the Octagon—his latest coming by way of knockout over legendary Japanese lightweight Takanori Gomi back in September—expectation and potential fulfilled appear to be lining up perfectly.
Yet, Jury isn't one to get hung up on labels. He's focused on doing what he's poured everything he has into doing, and answering each challenge with steady progression is what matters most.
"Everything feels great right now, and the hard work I put in is visible," Jury said. "All of the sacrifices I've made and obstacles I've overcome in my past are showing...especially when I go out there and fight. I'm good standing up on my feet. I'm good on the ground, and I'm good in the places in between. I'm good wherever the fight goes, and I've worked hard to make sure of that.
"Labels like 'prospect' or 'contender' really don't matter to me because I want to become the champion one day. That's the one that matters, and people can make their labels and put them where they want, but I don't look at things that way.
"I look at each fight individually because each new opponent brings a different set of challenges and a different set of weapons, and I have to deal with that on a fight-by-fight basis. I don't think about being a prospect or a contender because that's all just perceived pressure, and if anything, all it is going to do is affect your focus."While the San Diego transplant has steadily climbed the ladder of what is arguably the most competitive division under the UFC banner, he'll face the toughest test of his career when he squares off with Donald Cerrone at UFC 182 on Jan. 3 in Las Vegas.
Cowboy has been a perennial contender in the 155-pound fold since coming over from the WEC back in 2011 and has amassed an impressive body of work over that three-year stretch, winning all but three of his 15 showings inside the cage.
The Jackson/Winkeljohn-trained fighter has become a staple in the lightweight divsion's upper tier and will come into his tilt with Jury on a red-hot, five-fight winning streak. Yet, while Cerrone carries the bigger name and set of credentials in the sport, Jury sees his bout with the former WEC title challenger as the perfect next step in his quest to earn a championship opportunity.
Cerrone is an established fighter with an entertaining style, and if Jury can add that name to his resume and extend his own winning streak, his case for future title contention becomes hard to ignore.
"I got into this sport to get big fights and to fight the best in the world," Jury said. "I've put myself in a position to fight a great fighter like Cowboy, and I'm looking forward to going out there and competing. It's a dream come true, and I'm looking forward to throwing down for 15 minutes.
"I want to be the best in the world, and in order to do that, you are going to have to beat some of the best guys out there. Right now Cerrone is on a hot streak. He is a big name—a household name—and that's what it's all about."In addition to future title contention being on the line when the two top-ranked lightweights step in to handle their business at UFC 182, the bout warrants additional interest due to the respective styles each fighter brings to the Octagon.
Both have proven finishing abilities no matter where the fight takes place and will have deep arsenals at their respective disposals. Where some matchups are fairly clear cut—at least on paper—the tilt between Jury and Cerrone has the potential to explode into an action-packed affair in any number of avenues.
And this only lends further appeal for Jury. Cerrone's status in the game makes him a suitable target as is, but with the diverse skill set he brings, the crafty lightweight is looking forward to testing himself and stepping up to the challenges Cerrone presents. He's excited to mix it up with one of the best the division has to offer and will be looking to get the jump from the opening bell.
"I won't know until I get in there and get things going, but this could definitely be one of those fights where it is a back-and-forth chess match," Jury said. "Then again, it could be a fight that gets finished early. There are a lot of different scenarios as to how this fight could play out, and I think that's what makes it so exciting.
"Like I said, I won't know until I get out there, but if I can take advantage and capitalize early, that's a given. I think any fighter would want that, so if I can put him away early, I definitely will."
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2309197-ufc-182-the-evolution-of-myles-jury-continues
It's not referred to as the "hurt business" for nothing, and at the end of the day, it's the business side of things that can cast different shades of gray.
Given the nature and conditions of such a hectic environment, personal progress and the quest for growth on all fronts can easily get lost in the shuffle or pushed to the background, but Myles Jury has never let such things fall out of scope. The surging young talent has continued to push for further development, and in the process, he has crafted a versatile and well-rounded skill set.The 26-year-old Michigan native has also kept a keen eye on his affairs and all things that connect to his personal profile, taking sound advice from his inner circle and making sound business moves when they are there to be made.
The hard work invested in every one of his endeavors yields the fruits that progress has made possible, and his ability to capitalize on opportunities that continue to get bigger serve as further proof and validation that Jury's methods are working.
"I feel my career both inside and outside of the cage is happening just how we planned it," Jury told Bleacher Report. "Things are happening how I wanted and expect it to go. I feel very fortunate for that because not a lot of people have come out of the gates as successful as I have."
The Team Alliance representative has become a surging force in the talent-rich ranks of the UFC's lightweight division and has continued to look more impressive with each and every step.
His 15-0 record speaks for itself, and with six of those victories coming inside the Octagon—his latest coming by way of knockout over legendary Japanese lightweight Takanori Gomi back in September—expectation and potential fulfilled appear to be lining up perfectly.
Yet, Jury isn't one to get hung up on labels. He's focused on doing what he's poured everything he has into doing, and answering each challenge with steady progression is what matters most.
"Everything feels great right now, and the hard work I put in is visible," Jury said. "All of the sacrifices I've made and obstacles I've overcome in my past are showing...especially when I go out there and fight. I'm good standing up on my feet. I'm good on the ground, and I'm good in the places in between. I'm good wherever the fight goes, and I've worked hard to make sure of that.
"Labels like 'prospect' or 'contender' really don't matter to me because I want to become the champion one day. That's the one that matters, and people can make their labels and put them where they want, but I don't look at things that way.
"I look at each fight individually because each new opponent brings a different set of challenges and a different set of weapons, and I have to deal with that on a fight-by-fight basis. I don't think about being a prospect or a contender because that's all just perceived pressure, and if anything, all it is going to do is affect your focus."While the San Diego transplant has steadily climbed the ladder of what is arguably the most competitive division under the UFC banner, he'll face the toughest test of his career when he squares off with Donald Cerrone at UFC 182 on Jan. 3 in Las Vegas.
Cowboy has been a perennial contender in the 155-pound fold since coming over from the WEC back in 2011 and has amassed an impressive body of work over that three-year stretch, winning all but three of his 15 showings inside the cage.
The Jackson/Winkeljohn-trained fighter has become a staple in the lightweight divsion's upper tier and will come into his tilt with Jury on a red-hot, five-fight winning streak. Yet, while Cerrone carries the bigger name and set of credentials in the sport, Jury sees his bout with the former WEC title challenger as the perfect next step in his quest to earn a championship opportunity.
Cerrone is an established fighter with an entertaining style, and if Jury can add that name to his resume and extend his own winning streak, his case for future title contention becomes hard to ignore.
"I got into this sport to get big fights and to fight the best in the world," Jury said. "I've put myself in a position to fight a great fighter like Cowboy, and I'm looking forward to going out there and competing. It's a dream come true, and I'm looking forward to throwing down for 15 minutes.
"I want to be the best in the world, and in order to do that, you are going to have to beat some of the best guys out there. Right now Cerrone is on a hot streak. He is a big name—a household name—and that's what it's all about."In addition to future title contention being on the line when the two top-ranked lightweights step in to handle their business at UFC 182, the bout warrants additional interest due to the respective styles each fighter brings to the Octagon.
Both have proven finishing abilities no matter where the fight takes place and will have deep arsenals at their respective disposals. Where some matchups are fairly clear cut—at least on paper—the tilt between Jury and Cerrone has the potential to explode into an action-packed affair in any number of avenues.
And this only lends further appeal for Jury. Cerrone's status in the game makes him a suitable target as is, but with the diverse skill set he brings, the crafty lightweight is looking forward to testing himself and stepping up to the challenges Cerrone presents. He's excited to mix it up with one of the best the division has to offer and will be looking to get the jump from the opening bell.
"I won't know until I get in there and get things going, but this could definitely be one of those fights where it is a back-and-forth chess match," Jury said. "Then again, it could be a fight that gets finished early. There are a lot of different scenarios as to how this fight could play out, and I think that's what makes it so exciting.
"Like I said, I won't know until I get out there, but if I can take advantage and capitalize early, that's a given. I think any fighter would want that, so if I can put him away early, I definitely will."
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2309197-ufc-182-the-evolution-of-myles-jury-continues
With Contract Fight Brewing, Rampage Jackson Not Worth the Trouble for UFC
Perhaps there was a time when Quinton “Rampage” Jackson was worth the hassle.Maybe back in 2007—when he entered the UFC with three straight victories and won the light heavyweight championship from Chuck Liddell—it was possible to block out all his background noise.Considering his advanced age and considerable baggage (Warning: link contains NSFW language), picking a fight over the 2015 version of Rampage Jackson just feels like a lot of trouble the embattled UFC doesn’t need at the moment.
It certainly struck a very weird note on Saturday when the organization breathlessly announced Jackson’s return. It was less than two years ago, after all, that the notoriously disgruntled fighter left the UFC amid scorched earth (more NSFW language) and hard feelings, and, as of right now, we don’t even know if he’s legally allowed to come back.Rampage contends he’s terminated his relationship with Bellator MMA after the smaller company failed to live up to the terms of their contractual agreement. But Bellator CEO Scott Coker says not so fast, and a court battle now appears in the offing.Nonetheless, everybody managed to keep a straight face over the weekend. The UFC gave Jackson a welcome-back video package and an interview spot on Fox Sports 1 while mostly ignoring the fact it’ll probably take legal action to actually get him back in the Octagon."You have no idea how excited I am to come back," Jackson said on TV that night. "This is where I belong."Still, this is a man who clearly ain’t what he used to be.
But for much of the last year, the UFC has looked like it needed all the help it could get at the box office, and it's now pulling out all the stops. Despite an avalanche of stellar fights already planned to open 2015, it thinks it needs even more help. It needs recognizable names, and perhaps that’s the last thing Jackson can still provide.
If the ratings Bellator pulled last month letting Tito Ortiz and Stephan Bonnar duff around the cage for 15 minutes are any indication, there is still a sizable crowd of fight fans eager to watch the fading stars of yesteryear. Jackson should neatly fill that niche and maybe even succeed in propping up pay-per-view buyrates and television ratings for a fight or two.
But the run will be short, and it will no doubt end in flames.Knowing the bother it will take to even make it happen, it hardly seems worth it.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2307109-with-contract-fight-brewing-rampage-jackson-not-worth-the-trouble-for-ufc
It certainly struck a very weird note on Saturday when the organization breathlessly announced Jackson’s return. It was less than two years ago, after all, that the notoriously disgruntled fighter left the UFC amid scorched earth (more NSFW language) and hard feelings, and, as of right now, we don’t even know if he’s legally allowed to come back.Rampage contends he’s terminated his relationship with Bellator MMA after the smaller company failed to live up to the terms of their contractual agreement. But Bellator CEO Scott Coker says not so fast, and a court battle now appears in the offing.Nonetheless, everybody managed to keep a straight face over the weekend. The UFC gave Jackson a welcome-back video package and an interview spot on Fox Sports 1 while mostly ignoring the fact it’ll probably take legal action to actually get him back in the Octagon."You have no idea how excited I am to come back," Jackson said on TV that night. "This is where I belong."Still, this is a man who clearly ain’t what he used to be.
But for much of the last year, the UFC has looked like it needed all the help it could get at the box office, and it's now pulling out all the stops. Despite an avalanche of stellar fights already planned to open 2015, it thinks it needs even more help. It needs recognizable names, and perhaps that’s the last thing Jackson can still provide.
If the ratings Bellator pulled last month letting Tito Ortiz and Stephan Bonnar duff around the cage for 15 minutes are any indication, there is still a sizable crowd of fight fans eager to watch the fading stars of yesteryear. Jackson should neatly fill that niche and maybe even succeed in propping up pay-per-view buyrates and television ratings for a fight or two.
But the run will be short, and it will no doubt end in flames.Knowing the bother it will take to even make it happen, it hardly seems worth it.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2307109-with-contract-fight-brewing-rampage-jackson-not-worth-the-trouble-for-ufc
WWE Raw: Live Results, Reaction and Analysis for December 29
Welcome to Bleacher Report's live coverage for WWE Raw on Dec. 29.It's the final episode of 2014, and by the looks of things, WWE is planning on ending the year on a high note.
James Wortman of WWE.com is reporting that Edge and Christian will take on hosting duties this week. As one of the most popular tag teams in WWE history, you can expect a warm welcome for the Canadian legends.
Also being hyped is the main roster debut of The Ascension. The duo had a match on Main Event a few months ago, but that was to draw attention to a NXT event. This is the pair's real moment to shine.
With Roman Reigns climbing back up the ladder, Dolph Ziggler enjoying the greatest period of success in his career and Brock Lesnar finally back in the picture, there is a lot to be happy about right now.
How will Ziggler cap off his best year in WWE?What do Edge and Christian have in store for the roster?Will anyone special show up to help end the year with a surprise?
What is Daniel Bryan's big announcement?And lastly, who will be the first targets of Konnor and Viktor?Make sure to bookmark this page and come back Monday night at the start of WWE Raw at 8 p.m. ET. Bleacher Report will have answers to these questions and live coverage of all the action.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2313801-wwe-raw-live-results-reaction-and-analysis-for-december-29
James Wortman of WWE.com is reporting that Edge and Christian will take on hosting duties this week. As one of the most popular tag teams in WWE history, you can expect a warm welcome for the Canadian legends.
Also being hyped is the main roster debut of The Ascension. The duo had a match on Main Event a few months ago, but that was to draw attention to a NXT event. This is the pair's real moment to shine.
With Roman Reigns climbing back up the ladder, Dolph Ziggler enjoying the greatest period of success in his career and Brock Lesnar finally back in the picture, there is a lot to be happy about right now.
How will Ziggler cap off his best year in WWE?What do Edge and Christian have in store for the roster?Will anyone special show up to help end the year with a surprise?
What is Daniel Bryan's big announcement?And lastly, who will be the first targets of Konnor and Viktor?Make sure to bookmark this page and come back Monday night at the start of WWE Raw at 8 p.m. ET. Bleacher Report will have answers to these questions and live coverage of all the action.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2313801-wwe-raw-live-results-reaction-and-analysis-for-december-29
WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from December 29
The Dec. 29 edition of WWE Raw looked to be on its way to churning up a surplus of momentum heading into the new year.
The Usos won the tag titles in an outstanding match. Daniel Bryan made an announcement worth celebrating. Then the show spiraled downward, a plane with its wings cut off.
The Ascension's debut underwhelmed. The night's final segment outdid that match in terms of leaving fans unsatisfied. Seth Rollins forced John Cena's hand, getting him to bring The Authority back.
Just when 2015 looked to be a year promising progress, WWE returned to a familiar formula. The following recaps, pick apart and grade that decision, as well as the promos and in-ring battles that went down on Monday's Raw.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2313580-wwe-raw-results-winners-grades-reaction-and-highlights-from-december-29
The Usos won the tag titles in an outstanding match. Daniel Bryan made an announcement worth celebrating. Then the show spiraled downward, a plane with its wings cut off.
The Ascension's debut underwhelmed. The night's final segment outdid that match in terms of leaving fans unsatisfied. Seth Rollins forced John Cena's hand, getting him to bring The Authority back.
Just when 2015 looked to be a year promising progress, WWE returned to a familiar formula. The following recaps, pick apart and grade that decision, as well as the promos and in-ring battles that went down on Monday's Raw.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2313580-wwe-raw-results-winners-grades-reaction-and-highlights-from-december-29
Daniel Bryan Announces He Will Return to Action in 2015 Royal Rumble
Daniel Bryan shot down any chance that he's walking away from WWE on Monday night's edition of Raw.With many speculating that the former WWE World Heavyweight champion would announce his retirement, Bryan instead proclaimed that he will enter the 2015 Royal Rumble match, per the WWE:He'd been suffering from various health problems over the past year, between neck surgery in May and reportedly Tommy John surgery in August, so many jumped to the conclusion that his in-ring career was now officially over.Instead, Bryan will now enter the Royal Rumble match as the heavy favorite. The company is short on top stars at the moment, and Roman Reigns hasn't exactly set the world ablaze since returning. Meanwhile, guys like Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler and Bray Wyatt aren't in a position to main event WrestleMania right now.WrestlingINC.com thinks a main event between Bryan and Brock Lesnar would tell a great story at WrestleMania 31:There's also the slim chance that John Cena beats Lesnar at Royal Rumble, setting up another Bryan-Cena title match at WrestleMania. This time, Cena sides with The Authority in order to beat Bryan, making his long sought-after heel turn and setting up a months-long feud with Bryan. It would be similar to Stone Cold Steve Austin aligning with Vince McMahon at WrestleMania 17 in order to topple The Rock.No matter what happens a few months from now, WWE fans will simply be happy to see Bryan back in the ring and healthy enough to wrestle.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2314183-daniel-bryan-announces-he-will-return-to-action-in-2015-royal-rumble
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2314183-daniel-bryan-announces-he-will-return-to-action-in-2015-royal-rumble
Bad News Barrett Returns to WWE Programming During Raw
After several months on the shelf due to injury, Bad News Barrett made his anticipated return to WWE programming on Monday night on the final Raw of 2014.
WWE had the news as he battled Cesaro right away:Barrett would go on to be victorious in his first match back, finishing Cesaro with the Bull Hammer.
Brooklyn Brawler snapped a picture of the winner standing triumphantly on the second rope:The 34-year-old Superstar was quickly becoming one of WWE's top characters before being put out of action in late June. Barrett injured his shoulder after being thrown into the barricade by Jack Swagger and was forced to undergo surgery to repair the damage, according to WWE.com.
"Bad News Barrett underwent a ligament reconstruction in his shoulder, as well as a distal clavicle resection, where the end of the collar bone is shaved off," WWE physician Dr. Chris Amann said. "The operation went very well, he's resting comfortably."No immediate timetable was given for Barrett's return, but the injury couldn't have come at a much worse time. Barrett was picking up steam due to his innovative gimmick, which featured him delivering bad news to his opponents as well as the WWE Universe.
In addition to that, Barrett was in the midst of his fourth reign as intercontinental champion.Barrett was forced to relinquish the title at Battleground, but not before bidding it adieu backstage, as seen in this photo courtesy of the Englishman's Instagram account:Barrett faded into the background after that as he focused on rehabbing his injury. He provided his fans with some hope in September, however, as he revealed when he might possibly return in an interview with Sportskeeda during a visit to India.
"I'm going through my recovery phase right now," Barrett said. "It has been great, I'm feeling great. I will be back probably by December, with WWE doing their European tour this winter."
That was welcome news because injuries to the likes of Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns had decimated WWE's roster depth since Barrett was put out of commission.
WWE fans got a taste of Barrett on Nov. 23 when he appeared on the Survivor Series Kickoff show. Although BNB wasn't quite ready to return to action, his involvement signaled that it was only a matter of time before he was back on the active roster.WWE can always benefit from a star of Barrett's caliber returning to the fold. He also received a favorable reaction since fans haven't seen him for a while, and it will be interesting to see if he can parlay that into some momentum and ultimately some championship success.
Barrett has been on the verge of greatness ever since he started on WWE programming in 2010 as the leader of Nexus. He was instantly thrust into the main event spotlight and proved capable of handling it despite limited experience.
As good as Barrett was back then, he has improved in all facets over the past few years and seems ready to take that next step.Now that he has some fan support behind him, it will be interesting to see how the creative team handles him moving forward.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2223175-bad-news-barrett-returns-to-wwe-programming-during-raw
WWE had the news as he battled Cesaro right away:Barrett would go on to be victorious in his first match back, finishing Cesaro with the Bull Hammer.
Brooklyn Brawler snapped a picture of the winner standing triumphantly on the second rope:The 34-year-old Superstar was quickly becoming one of WWE's top characters before being put out of action in late June. Barrett injured his shoulder after being thrown into the barricade by Jack Swagger and was forced to undergo surgery to repair the damage, according to WWE.com.
"Bad News Barrett underwent a ligament reconstruction in his shoulder, as well as a distal clavicle resection, where the end of the collar bone is shaved off," WWE physician Dr. Chris Amann said. "The operation went very well, he's resting comfortably."No immediate timetable was given for Barrett's return, but the injury couldn't have come at a much worse time. Barrett was picking up steam due to his innovative gimmick, which featured him delivering bad news to his opponents as well as the WWE Universe.
In addition to that, Barrett was in the midst of his fourth reign as intercontinental champion.Barrett was forced to relinquish the title at Battleground, but not before bidding it adieu backstage, as seen in this photo courtesy of the Englishman's Instagram account:Barrett faded into the background after that as he focused on rehabbing his injury. He provided his fans with some hope in September, however, as he revealed when he might possibly return in an interview with Sportskeeda during a visit to India.
"I'm going through my recovery phase right now," Barrett said. "It has been great, I'm feeling great. I will be back probably by December, with WWE doing their European tour this winter."
That was welcome news because injuries to the likes of Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns had decimated WWE's roster depth since Barrett was put out of commission.
WWE fans got a taste of Barrett on Nov. 23 when he appeared on the Survivor Series Kickoff show. Although BNB wasn't quite ready to return to action, his involvement signaled that it was only a matter of time before he was back on the active roster.WWE can always benefit from a star of Barrett's caliber returning to the fold. He also received a favorable reaction since fans haven't seen him for a while, and it will be interesting to see if he can parlay that into some momentum and ultimately some championship success.
Barrett has been on the verge of greatness ever since he started on WWE programming in 2010 as the leader of Nexus. He was instantly thrust into the main event spotlight and proved capable of handling it despite limited experience.
As good as Barrett was back then, he has improved in all facets over the past few years and seems ready to take that next step.Now that he has some fan support behind him, it will be interesting to see how the creative team handles him moving forward.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2223175-bad-news-barrett-returns-to-wwe-programming-during-raw
Tyson Kidd, Damien Mizdow and the Year of the Sideshow
During last week's Divas match on Raw, a pocket of fans chanted for Tyson Kidd.An otherwise forgettable moment embodied WWE's latest revolution. Kidd stood ringside in a supporting role as his wife, Natalya, competed. But his antics as an obnoxious, jealous spouse made him the center of attention. Kidd's effectiveness in such a small role is a sign of the times. In a more cynical era, attention spans are at a premium. One can't help but watch Kidd's growing popularity and wonder if Matilda the Bulldog was before her time.
With a WWE product optimized for social media, anything is liable to trend on Twitter. And those who make a living from ringside stand to benefit.Damien Sandow spent much of 2014 as an impressionist. He lampooned more noteworthy celebrities and wrestling personalities. From LeBron James to Vince McMahon, Sandow embraced a gimmick of mocking household names. Although featured in weekly segments on Raw, he served as ancillary entertainment at best.Far from the center of attention, Sandow was just pretending.
Sandow flourished, however, after using his sideshow qualities to become a bit player. Rebranded Damien Mizdow, his career exploded after exclusively mimicking The Miz. Now, chants of "We want Mizdow!" are the norm every time the team appears on screen.During last week's Raw, James Caldwell of PWTorch wrote, "Once the bell sounded, the focus went to Sandow getting cheers ringside." The less Mizdow is used as a wrestler, the more ardent the support.
The Miz is trumpeted as a tongue-in-cheek movie star. He never met a camera he didn't like and draws heat by talking up his so-called A-list accolades. Miz's actions set the stage for Mizdow to be the darling.No longer just a charismatic stunt double, the rise of Mizdow is arguably 2014's biggest comeback story.WWE capitalized on a changing fanbase by allowing the attention to shift toward the unheralded act. Similar to Kidd's ascendancy, Mizdow became a bigger star in the background. His efforts were rewarded during the Slammy Awards, winning a fan vote for "LOL Moment of the Year."
Mizdow's Slammy win and continued superstardom furthered an ongoing storyline. This was brought to light during Michael Cole's sit-down interview with the tandem. Cole expressed his desire to become a stunt double, enraging The Miz.As the voice of the WWE, Cole represents the promotion's acknowledgment of Mizdow's unlikely success. It's a trend ingrained deep in WWE's fabric.
Fans of NXT recently made a star out of a relative unknown during the October 16 episode. She was nicknamed Blue Pants specifically to be an afterthought against the debuting Carmella. Full Sail University chose to rally behind the enhancement talent, chanting "Let's go Blue Pants!"Blue Pants returned on the November 27 episode of NXT to even more fanfare. Justin James of PWTorch noted "The crowd [wanted] the Blue Pants character," as they remained "firmly behind Blue Pants."
There's nothing novel about a magician's lovely assistant becoming more popular than he is. But the rabbit? In 2014, the sideshow arrived. With every moment magnified in a new WWE, it's here to stay
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2313106-tyson-kidd-damien-mizdow-and-the-year-of-the-sideshow
With a WWE product optimized for social media, anything is liable to trend on Twitter. And those who make a living from ringside stand to benefit.Damien Sandow spent much of 2014 as an impressionist. He lampooned more noteworthy celebrities and wrestling personalities. From LeBron James to Vince McMahon, Sandow embraced a gimmick of mocking household names. Although featured in weekly segments on Raw, he served as ancillary entertainment at best.Far from the center of attention, Sandow was just pretending.
Sandow flourished, however, after using his sideshow qualities to become a bit player. Rebranded Damien Mizdow, his career exploded after exclusively mimicking The Miz. Now, chants of "We want Mizdow!" are the norm every time the team appears on screen.During last week's Raw, James Caldwell of PWTorch wrote, "Once the bell sounded, the focus went to Sandow getting cheers ringside." The less Mizdow is used as a wrestler, the more ardent the support.
The Miz is trumpeted as a tongue-in-cheek movie star. He never met a camera he didn't like and draws heat by talking up his so-called A-list accolades. Miz's actions set the stage for Mizdow to be the darling.No longer just a charismatic stunt double, the rise of Mizdow is arguably 2014's biggest comeback story.WWE capitalized on a changing fanbase by allowing the attention to shift toward the unheralded act. Similar to Kidd's ascendancy, Mizdow became a bigger star in the background. His efforts were rewarded during the Slammy Awards, winning a fan vote for "LOL Moment of the Year."
Mizdow's Slammy win and continued superstardom furthered an ongoing storyline. This was brought to light during Michael Cole's sit-down interview with the tandem. Cole expressed his desire to become a stunt double, enraging The Miz.As the voice of the WWE, Cole represents the promotion's acknowledgment of Mizdow's unlikely success. It's a trend ingrained deep in WWE's fabric.
Fans of NXT recently made a star out of a relative unknown during the October 16 episode. She was nicknamed Blue Pants specifically to be an afterthought against the debuting Carmella. Full Sail University chose to rally behind the enhancement talent, chanting "Let's go Blue Pants!"Blue Pants returned on the November 27 episode of NXT to even more fanfare. Justin James of PWTorch noted "The crowd [wanted] the Blue Pants character," as they remained "firmly behind Blue Pants."
There's nothing novel about a magician's lovely assistant becoming more popular than he is. But the rabbit? In 2014, the sideshow arrived. With every moment magnified in a new WWE, it's here to stay
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2313106-tyson-kidd-damien-mizdow-and-the-year-of-the-sideshow
Saturday, 27 December 2014
Burnley vs. Liverpool: Winners and Losers from Premier League Game
Liverpool overcame a hard-working Burnley side to record a 1-0 away victory in the Premier League on Boxing Day in a match where neither side managed to show too much attacking quality.
Raheem Sterling scored the only goal of the game in the second half with a composed run and finish from a Philippe Coutinho overhead through ball. Chances fell at both ends, but they were half-hearted in nature, scrappy in buildup and attempted without conviction.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2310786-burnley-vs-liverpool-winners-and-losers-from-premier-league-game
Raheem Sterling scored the only goal of the game in the second half with a composed run and finish from a Philippe Coutinho overhead through ball. Chances fell at both ends, but they were half-hearted in nature, scrappy in buildup and attempted without conviction.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2310786-burnley-vs-liverpool-winners-and-losers-from-premier-league-game
Angel Di Maria Injury: Updates on Manchester United Star's Pelvis and Return
Argentina star Angel Di Maria has been a huge difference-maker since arriving at Manchester United, but the 26-year-old attacking midfielder is now injured for the second time during his tenure.
According to Manchester United's official Twitter feed, the former Real Madrid standout suffered a knock in training on Christmas Eve:Di Maria was eventually able to return to action less than a month after suffering the hamstring tear, and he was on the bench for the Red Devils' Dec. 20 match against Aston Villa.
Manchester United were able to remain in contention in the EPL even without Di Maria, but there is no question that the Old Trafford faithful breathed a collective sigh of relief upon his return.
That relief has once again turned to grief, however, as United may have to press on without one of their biggest stars for the foreseeable future.
With that said, Manchester United are one club capable of pressing on even with a big-time player on the shelf.The Red Devils are stacked with attacking talent from Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie to Juan Mata and Radamel Falcao. Replacing Di Maria is no easy task, but a group effort should be able to make up for his loss.
There is no question that United are simply a better team with Di Maria, though, so his fans, teammates and coaches will eagerly anticipate his return to action.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2305986-angel-di-maria-injury-updates-on-manchester-united-stars-status-and-return
According to Manchester United's official Twitter feed, the former Real Madrid standout suffered a knock in training on Christmas Eve:Di Maria was eventually able to return to action less than a month after suffering the hamstring tear, and he was on the bench for the Red Devils' Dec. 20 match against Aston Villa.
Manchester United were able to remain in contention in the EPL even without Di Maria, but there is no question that the Old Trafford faithful breathed a collective sigh of relief upon his return.
That relief has once again turned to grief, however, as United may have to press on without one of their biggest stars for the foreseeable future.
With that said, Manchester United are one club capable of pressing on even with a big-time player on the shelf.The Red Devils are stacked with attacking talent from Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie to Juan Mata and Radamel Falcao. Replacing Di Maria is no easy task, but a group effort should be able to make up for his loss.
There is no question that United are simply a better team with Di Maria, though, so his fans, teammates and coaches will eagerly anticipate his return to action.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2305986-angel-di-maria-injury-updates-on-manchester-united-stars-status-and-return
Why Real Madrid Would Be Mad to Sell
Florentino Perez has always liked to stress the point that Real Madrid stands alone in world football. Listen to the club's president often enough and you'll hear remarks on Real's grandeur, its pulling power, the club's global might and talk of the impossible being made possible.
In fact, Perez loves to talk about that last one: the impossible. Doing it, precisely. He's got an obsession with it, as though it's a declaration that Real Madrid, under his watch, won't conduct itself like any other club on the planet.
He spoke of it in July at a graduation event, at the club's annual general meeting in 2013, at Isco's unveiling earlier that year and during the club's preseason in the United States a year earlier.
It's become a mantra, a rallying cry. And either he believes he's Ethan Hu (his presidency has actually followed a similar curve to the Mission: Impossible franchise, if you believe IMDb's ratings: He started out strong, quickly went downhill, endured a hiatus, came back stronger and now looks set to continue) or simply owns a desire to shape world football like no club administrator ever has before.
What's fascinating, though, is that it appears likely Perez will face a decision in the next six-to-eight months that will challenge his conviction in his own mantra: whether or not to sell Gareth Bale.
If the situation of an offer eventuates—and if there's any truth to the report from Guillem Balague at AS that Manchester United are prepared to pay £120 million for Bale next summer, it looks as if it will—Perez's mind will be flooded with questions. What exact figure could I get for the Welshman? Does it make financial sense? How many players could I buy with the sale fee? Can Bale be replaced? If I sold him, what would it mean for our future? Our legacy? My legacy?
But perhaps the two biggest questions for him would be these: Would selling go against our identity as a club under my presidency? Would accepting something like £120 million be an act of giving in to football's financial realities, rather than pursuing the impossible?
Now Perez is a bit of a mad guy—he once said that Bale, who arrived for £85.3 million, came "cheaply." But he'd be a bona fide nutter if he were to sell Bale to UnitedBut it seems approximately 16,125 Real Madrid fans have forgotten that—the number who formed the 53 percent of 30,000 voters who said in an AS poll that the club should sell Bale if United makes an offer of £120 million.
This is a player who's already the closest thing world football has to another Ronaldo (think of the pace, power, shooting ability, free-kicks, aerial prowess and technical proficiency). And he's a guy who's spent his days intimately watching Ronaldo, training with him, playing with him and copying him. What do you think the results of that are going to be?
Bale is also a guy who's progressed from being a left-back at Tottenham to a rampant forward at Real Madrid in three years. He's a guy who's had a hand in 55 goals in less than two seasons operating as a second or third option. He's the guy who scored that goal at the Mestalla.
You don't do those things if you're not outrageously good. And Bale is that good.
Selling superstars is fraught with dangers: It's risky business at the best of times. Selling the heir to Ronaldo's throne would just be mad. And it's not how Perez will chase the impossible. .
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2309975-why-real-madrid-would-be-mad-to-sell-gareth-bale
In fact, Perez loves to talk about that last one: the impossible. Doing it, precisely. He's got an obsession with it, as though it's a declaration that Real Madrid, under his watch, won't conduct itself like any other club on the planet.
He spoke of it in July at a graduation event, at the club's annual general meeting in 2013, at Isco's unveiling earlier that year and during the club's preseason in the United States a year earlier.
It's become a mantra, a rallying cry. And either he believes he's Ethan Hu (his presidency has actually followed a similar curve to the Mission: Impossible franchise, if you believe IMDb's ratings: He started out strong, quickly went downhill, endured a hiatus, came back stronger and now looks set to continue) or simply owns a desire to shape world football like no club administrator ever has before.
What's fascinating, though, is that it appears likely Perez will face a decision in the next six-to-eight months that will challenge his conviction in his own mantra: whether or not to sell Gareth Bale.
If the situation of an offer eventuates—and if there's any truth to the report from Guillem Balague at AS that Manchester United are prepared to pay £120 million for Bale next summer, it looks as if it will—Perez's mind will be flooded with questions. What exact figure could I get for the Welshman? Does it make financial sense? How many players could I buy with the sale fee? Can Bale be replaced? If I sold him, what would it mean for our future? Our legacy? My legacy?
But perhaps the two biggest questions for him would be these: Would selling go against our identity as a club under my presidency? Would accepting something like £120 million be an act of giving in to football's financial realities, rather than pursuing the impossible?
Now Perez is a bit of a mad guy—he once said that Bale, who arrived for £85.3 million, came "cheaply." But he'd be a bona fide nutter if he were to sell Bale to UnitedBut it seems approximately 16,125 Real Madrid fans have forgotten that—the number who formed the 53 percent of 30,000 voters who said in an AS poll that the club should sell Bale if United makes an offer of £120 million.
This is a player who's already the closest thing world football has to another Ronaldo (think of the pace, power, shooting ability, free-kicks, aerial prowess and technical proficiency). And he's a guy who's spent his days intimately watching Ronaldo, training with him, playing with him and copying him. What do you think the results of that are going to be?
Bale is also a guy who's progressed from being a left-back at Tottenham to a rampant forward at Real Madrid in three years. He's a guy who's had a hand in 55 goals in less than two seasons operating as a second or third option. He's the guy who scored that goal at the Mestalla.
You don't do those things if you're not outrageously good. And Bale is that good.
Selling superstars is fraught with dangers: It's risky business at the best of times. Selling the heir to Ronaldo's throne would just be mad. And it's not how Perez will chase the impossible. .
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2309975-why-real-madrid-would-be-mad-to-sell-gareth-bale
Radamel Falcao Proves He's Getting Back to His Best with Display vs. Newcastle
OLD TRAFFORD, MANCHESTER—Radamel Falcao might not have scored against Newcastle on Boxing Day.But there was enough in his performance that hinted the Colombian striker is creeping, gradually, toward his best.
United fans want to see the player who single-handedly destroyed Chelsea for Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup in 2012.He might not be there just yet, but there have been signs in the last two games—against Aston Villa and Newcastle—that those performances are not a thing of the past.It will be a relief to Ed Woodward and Louis van Gaal that their gamble looks like it might well pay off.
There was no way of knowing how the 28-year-old would come back from the serious knee injury that ruled him out of last summer's World Cup.
United took a chance, and they may well end up being rewarded.Falcao could have had a hat-trick in the first half against Newcastle. On another day, if the ball dropped a little differently, he would have.But the hope is that United have so many good forwards that they should be able to outscore anyone. Newcastle got a goal at Old Trafford that always looked like it might come. However, it doesn't matter that much when United are scoring three at other end.
Falcao is an important part of that. If he, Robin van Persie, Rooney and Angel Di Maria can all get themselves 15 goals this season, then United will have had a good season.
Falcao might not have got his goal against Newcastle, but it was the only thing missing from another encouraging performance.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2311113-radamel-falcao-proves-hes-getting-back-to-his-best-with-display-v-newcastle
United fans want to see the player who single-handedly destroyed Chelsea for Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup in 2012.He might not be there just yet, but there have been signs in the last two games—against Aston Villa and Newcastle—that those performances are not a thing of the past.It will be a relief to Ed Woodward and Louis van Gaal that their gamble looks like it might well pay off.
There was no way of knowing how the 28-year-old would come back from the serious knee injury that ruled him out of last summer's World Cup.
United took a chance, and they may well end up being rewarded.Falcao could have had a hat-trick in the first half against Newcastle. On another day, if the ball dropped a little differently, he would have.But the hope is that United have so many good forwards that they should be able to outscore anyone. Newcastle got a goal at Old Trafford that always looked like it might come. However, it doesn't matter that much when United are scoring three at other end.
Falcao is an important part of that. If he, Robin van Persie, Rooney and Angel Di Maria can all get themselves 15 goals this season, then United will have had a good season.
Falcao might not have got his goal against Newcastle, but it was the only thing missing from another encouraging performance.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2311113-radamel-falcao-proves-hes-getting-back-to-his-best-with-display-v-newcastle
A 2015 January Transfer Window Need for Every Premier League Club
The new year is commonly regarded as a time for change and revolution, a fresh opportunity to better one's self and in no arena is that more applicable than the Premier League.
The winter transfer window does throw its share of obstacles in making it difficult for clubs to change as they might like, however. Clubs are less open to selling their best resources and cup-tied players make for difficult targets.
Nevertheless, every outfit among the English top flight has their need(s) this January, although some clubs evidently require a lot more help than others.
For some teams, it's a case of one area sticking out more than the rest in terms of need for reinforcement, whether it's due to a shortage of players altogether or simply because the current crop aren't up to the task.
Here, we've examined the quality and quantity each team possesses in each position, dissecting what each manager should be chasing first and foremost over the month to come.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2305989-a-2015-january-transfer-window-need-for-every-premier-league-club
The winter transfer window does throw its share of obstacles in making it difficult for clubs to change as they might like, however. Clubs are less open to selling their best resources and cup-tied players make for difficult targets.
Nevertheless, every outfit among the English top flight has their need(s) this January, although some clubs evidently require a lot more help than others.
For some teams, it's a case of one area sticking out more than the rest in terms of need for reinforcement, whether it's due to a shortage of players altogether or simply because the current crop aren't up to the task.
Here, we've examined the quality and quantity each team possesses in each position, dissecting what each manager should be chasing first and foremost over the month to come.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2305989-a-2015-january-transfer-window-need-for-every-premier-league-club
15 Bold Predictions for World Football in 2015
While the footballing action of 2014 has been dissected intensely over the last few days, here at Bleacher Report we are keen to look ahead to the future.
Over the last few months, the sport saw many memorable moments, several records broken and numerous heroes and villains emerge.
Some of these incidents could have been imagined, or even foreseen, whereas others came completely unexpected—for example, who could possibly have anticipated that Spain and Brazil would have been completely taken apart at this summer’s World Cup?
In this feature, Bleacher Report present 15 bold predictions for the coming 12 months of football.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2310649-15-bold-predictions-for-world-football-in-2015
Over the last few months, the sport saw many memorable moments, several records broken and numerous heroes and villains emerge.
Some of these incidents could have been imagined, or even foreseen, whereas others came completely unexpected—for example, who could possibly have anticipated that Spain and Brazil would have been completely taken apart at this summer’s World Cup?
In this feature, Bleacher Report present 15 bold predictions for the coming 12 months of football.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2310649-15-bold-predictions-for-world-football-in-2015
What Role Should Santi Cazorla Play for Arsenal as the Season Progresses?
It's been a peculiar season for Santi Cazorla.As usual, he has played in almost all of Arsenal's matches—his 16 Premier League appearances stand out in a side that has endured injury after injury. For most of the season, he was doing the yeoman's work in midfield that he had done for months; the old spark just was not there.
Shortly before his 30th birthday, midway through December, Cazorla's form began to turn around.He dazzled defenders with feet as quick as Lionel Messi's, as he worked out of tight spaces and kept the attack moving. He even began to score again, though two of his three recent goals have come from the penalty spot.
The Spaniard's role at Arsenal has been somewhat fluid since he arrived in 2012.He began as an attacking midfielder, picking up the creative burden that Cesc Fabregas left and that Aaron Ramsey could not shoulder in the interim year. Arsene Wenger then grew fond of using Cazorla as a left-winger, a position in which he had experience but to which he was not as naturally suited as midfield.Wenger effectively sealed Cazorla's permanent move to the left wing when he bought Mesut Ozil at the beginning of last season.
Ozil naturally slots into the attacking midfield slot that Cazorla originally had, so there he played while the erstwhile occupant did reasonably well on the left wing.
Ever the tinkerer, Wenger oddly switched the two at the beginning of this campaign.Arsenal fans surely do not need to be reminded of Ozil's disastrous stint on the left wing, where he played until he hurt his knee against Chelsea.
However, Cazorla did not do any better in midfield when Ozil was on the left, and he remained a winger as Wenger tried to get Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey into the same starting XI.
Along with Mathieu Flamini, Cazorla has been one of the only Arsenal players to remain fit the entire season and certainly the only player of his kind.
However, that is about to change. Ramsey, Mikel Arteta and Ozil are all very close to returning from their respective injuries, according to the club's official website. Tomas Rosicky will return on Boxing Day as well.Alexis is obviously an automatic starter, and a fit and firing Walcott will surely get the nod on the right wing over Cazorla. The Chilean on the left and the Englishman on the right seems like a logical and devastating combination.
It's difficult to see exactly where Cazorla fits into all this. Mikel Arteta will start in defensive midfield when fit, and Cazorla does not play there anyway. That leaves Ramsey and Ozil for the two remaining spots, and Jack Wilshere will eventually return to fitness as well.
All this assumes that the relevant players will be fit at the same time. This is not liable to happen for most of a season even at a normal football club, and this is Arsenal we are talking about here. Virtually everyone important has been sidelined for a prolonged period this season.
The Gunners' injury woes are tragicomic at this point, meaning that Cazorla will get consistent playing time.His versatility allows him to be deployed as a creative midfielder or on either wing, and the fact that he is a Wenger favorite means that he will always be worked into the team somehow.
At the very least, it gives the manager the opportunity to rotate his squad, which he is seemingly always either unable or unwilling to do.
Let's not forget that Cazorla is actually a really good player, either. His incredibly fleet feet and quickness of mind have spurred many of Arsenal's attacks, and the Gunners have needed all the ingenuity they have been able to get this season.
Cazorla has not been able to provide much of it until recently. However, now that he is beginning to find some form at long last, it is unlikely that Wenger will bench one of his favorite players during a trying campaign.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2310376-what-role-should-santi-cazorla-play-for-arsenal-as-the-season-progresses
Shortly before his 30th birthday, midway through December, Cazorla's form began to turn around.He dazzled defenders with feet as quick as Lionel Messi's, as he worked out of tight spaces and kept the attack moving. He even began to score again, though two of his three recent goals have come from the penalty spot.
The Spaniard's role at Arsenal has been somewhat fluid since he arrived in 2012.He began as an attacking midfielder, picking up the creative burden that Cesc Fabregas left and that Aaron Ramsey could not shoulder in the interim year. Arsene Wenger then grew fond of using Cazorla as a left-winger, a position in which he had experience but to which he was not as naturally suited as midfield.Wenger effectively sealed Cazorla's permanent move to the left wing when he bought Mesut Ozil at the beginning of last season.
Ozil naturally slots into the attacking midfield slot that Cazorla originally had, so there he played while the erstwhile occupant did reasonably well on the left wing.
Ever the tinkerer, Wenger oddly switched the two at the beginning of this campaign.Arsenal fans surely do not need to be reminded of Ozil's disastrous stint on the left wing, where he played until he hurt his knee against Chelsea.
However, Cazorla did not do any better in midfield when Ozil was on the left, and he remained a winger as Wenger tried to get Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey into the same starting XI.
Along with Mathieu Flamini, Cazorla has been one of the only Arsenal players to remain fit the entire season and certainly the only player of his kind.
However, that is about to change. Ramsey, Mikel Arteta and Ozil are all very close to returning from their respective injuries, according to the club's official website. Tomas Rosicky will return on Boxing Day as well.Alexis is obviously an automatic starter, and a fit and firing Walcott will surely get the nod on the right wing over Cazorla. The Chilean on the left and the Englishman on the right seems like a logical and devastating combination.
It's difficult to see exactly where Cazorla fits into all this. Mikel Arteta will start in defensive midfield when fit, and Cazorla does not play there anyway. That leaves Ramsey and Ozil for the two remaining spots, and Jack Wilshere will eventually return to fitness as well.
All this assumes that the relevant players will be fit at the same time. This is not liable to happen for most of a season even at a normal football club, and this is Arsenal we are talking about here. Virtually everyone important has been sidelined for a prolonged period this season.
The Gunners' injury woes are tragicomic at this point, meaning that Cazorla will get consistent playing time.His versatility allows him to be deployed as a creative midfielder or on either wing, and the fact that he is a Wenger favorite means that he will always be worked into the team somehow.
At the very least, it gives the manager the opportunity to rotate his squad, which he is seemingly always either unable or unwilling to do.
Let's not forget that Cazorla is actually a really good player, either. His incredibly fleet feet and quickness of mind have spurred many of Arsenal's attacks, and the Gunners have needed all the ingenuity they have been able to get this season.
Cazorla has not been able to provide much of it until recently. However, now that he is beginning to find some form at long last, it is unlikely that Wenger will bench one of his favorite players during a trying campaign.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2310376-what-role-should-santi-cazorla-play-for-arsenal-as-the-season-progresses
Grading Luis Enrique's First Few Months as Barcelona Manager
When Luis Enrique came home to Barcelona, the reaction to his appointment was mixed to say the least.
For those supporters tired of Tata Martino's long-ball game, having an ex-captain back as manager was manna from heaven.
A player steeped in Blaugrana despite his association with Real Madrid, Lucho understood perfectly the ethos of the club, and the way in which Barcelona should play.
Something that Martino perhaps never truly got to grips with.On the other side of the fence were those who scrutinised Enrique's managerial credentials and were left distinctly unimpressed.
Steering a Barca B side to record-breaking heights while Pep Guardiola was in his pomp as head of the first team counted for little.
Barca's official website were even proud to announce that Enrique had only won one more game (17) than he'd lost (16) while at AS Roma. A seventh-place finish was never going to be good enough for the Italians and so it was that Luis Enrique parted company after just a season.
To Celta Vigo. Where he lost 18 and won 15 finishing ninth.So how has Luis Enrique fared in the first half of the season? Let's take a look.There is definite room for improvement in Barca's level of performance. Too many times already this season we've seen a lacklustre Blaugrana that seem happy just to amble through games more in hope than expectation of a result.
Away against Almeria is a prime example of the insouciance shown by the players and the win in that game was hard on the hosts who deserved something.
The zip and pressing game that had been Barca's hallmark has been seen in patches, and when the players click, the Catalans still look unstoppable. A manita against Sevilla is a perfect example of what we can expect when the Blaugrana are on song.
In summary, Lucho has done OK but there is room for improvement certainly.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2305401-grading-luis-enriques-first-few-months-as-barcelona-manager
For those supporters tired of Tata Martino's long-ball game, having an ex-captain back as manager was manna from heaven.
A player steeped in Blaugrana despite his association with Real Madrid, Lucho understood perfectly the ethos of the club, and the way in which Barcelona should play.
Something that Martino perhaps never truly got to grips with.On the other side of the fence were those who scrutinised Enrique's managerial credentials and were left distinctly unimpressed.
Steering a Barca B side to record-breaking heights while Pep Guardiola was in his pomp as head of the first team counted for little.
Barca's official website were even proud to announce that Enrique had only won one more game (17) than he'd lost (16) while at AS Roma. A seventh-place finish was never going to be good enough for the Italians and so it was that Luis Enrique parted company after just a season.
To Celta Vigo. Where he lost 18 and won 15 finishing ninth.So how has Luis Enrique fared in the first half of the season? Let's take a look.There is definite room for improvement in Barca's level of performance. Too many times already this season we've seen a lacklustre Blaugrana that seem happy just to amble through games more in hope than expectation of a result.
Away against Almeria is a prime example of the insouciance shown by the players and the win in that game was hard on the hosts who deserved something.
The zip and pressing game that had been Barca's hallmark has been seen in patches, and when the players click, the Catalans still look unstoppable. A manita against Sevilla is a perfect example of what we can expect when the Blaugrana are on song.
In summary, Lucho has done OK but there is room for improvement certainly.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2305401-grading-luis-enriques-first-few-months-as-barcelona-manager
Why Stephan Lichtsteiner Is the Unsung Hero for Juventus so Far This Season
Upon arriving in Turin, Massimiliano Allegri was given little chance to improve upon the results delivered by his predecessor. Three consecutive league titles, an undefeated season and a record Serie A points haul last term made following in Antonio Conte’s footsteps an unenviable task.
While debate over whether the tweak in formation and progress in the Champions League will continue, any perceived success for the new coach will only be determined at the end of the campaign. Yet Allegri is not the only man in Turin walking in the shadow of greatness, many of the current Bianconeri squad are compared to the legends whose positions they now fill.Carlos Tevez has seemingly never struggled with the pressure of wearing the number 10 shirt, despite the inevitable mentions of Alessandro Del Piero. It is the same for Stephan Lichtsteiner, a player who has not only been deployed in a right-back role once occupied by the likes of Lillian Thuram and Sergio Brio but has also filled a long-standing void there.
Following the retirement of Ciro Ferrara and Thuram’s subsequent move into the centre of defence, a string of sub-standard players failed to impress there for Juventus. Cristian Zenoni, Jonathan Zebina and Zdenek Grygera were collectively poor, while Marco Motta was a complete disaster following his €5 million move in 2010.
It was in an attempt to end this malaise that Beppe Marotta signed Lichtsteiner, paying €10 million to Lazio to secure the “Swiss Express.” It has proven to be one of the director general’s best signings, such have been the consistently excellent standards set by the now-30-year-old defender over the last three seasons.
He may not have the star power of Tevez, Paul Pogba or Arturo Vidal, but he has been every bit as important in the success enjoyed by the Bianconeri. Able to play as either a wing-back in the 3-5-2 or an orthodox full-back in a four-man defence, Lichtsteiner has been one of the most reliable members of the team during the club’s recent dominant run.He admitted in a recent interview with Juventus TV (h/t Football Italia) that he finds it “a bit easier” in a back four, noting he feels less isolated and “better protected” in the new shape. The performances of both Lichtsteiner and the team have benefitted from that change as he has once again dominated the right flank.
Averaging 1.3 tackles, 0.9 interceptions and 2.1 clearances per game according in Serie A, according to statistics from WhoScored.com, the former Lille man has also weighed in with two goals and four assists. Injuries to Martin Caceres and new signing Romulo have left Allegri with few chances to rest him, yet his quality has continued to shine.
Never a prolific creator of goals—his previous best single-season tally for assists was two—he laid on eight goals last term, his crossing becoming a major weapon for the Bianconeri. The presence of Fernando Llorente gave him a target to aim for, and he repeatedly picked out the 6’5” Spaniard in the opposition penalty area.In addition, last season he connected on just 78.3 per cent of his pass attempts and WhoScored shows that not only has that improved to 80.3 percent this term, but he also raises his game when the competition is at its most difficult. In the Champions League his completion rate rises to 84.9 percent, while he also makes more tackles (1.7) and passes (54.2) per game than in domestic action.
It is those small yet significant improvements that will help La Madama progress in Europe, and Lichtsteiner is set to be rewarded for his stellar play. With his current deal set to expire in June, respected journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has reported the agreement of a new three year contract that will see the player earn around €3 million per season.
Now not only an unsung hero for Juventus but arguably one of the best right-backs in the world, Stephan Lichtsteiner has earned every penny of it.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2307529-why-stephan-lichtsteiner-is-the-unsung-hero-for-juventus-so-far-this-season
While debate over whether the tweak in formation and progress in the Champions League will continue, any perceived success for the new coach will only be determined at the end of the campaign. Yet Allegri is not the only man in Turin walking in the shadow of greatness, many of the current Bianconeri squad are compared to the legends whose positions they now fill.Carlos Tevez has seemingly never struggled with the pressure of wearing the number 10 shirt, despite the inevitable mentions of Alessandro Del Piero. It is the same for Stephan Lichtsteiner, a player who has not only been deployed in a right-back role once occupied by the likes of Lillian Thuram and Sergio Brio but has also filled a long-standing void there.
Following the retirement of Ciro Ferrara and Thuram’s subsequent move into the centre of defence, a string of sub-standard players failed to impress there for Juventus. Cristian Zenoni, Jonathan Zebina and Zdenek Grygera were collectively poor, while Marco Motta was a complete disaster following his €5 million move in 2010.
It was in an attempt to end this malaise that Beppe Marotta signed Lichtsteiner, paying €10 million to Lazio to secure the “Swiss Express.” It has proven to be one of the director general’s best signings, such have been the consistently excellent standards set by the now-30-year-old defender over the last three seasons.
He may not have the star power of Tevez, Paul Pogba or Arturo Vidal, but he has been every bit as important in the success enjoyed by the Bianconeri. Able to play as either a wing-back in the 3-5-2 or an orthodox full-back in a four-man defence, Lichtsteiner has been one of the most reliable members of the team during the club’s recent dominant run.He admitted in a recent interview with Juventus TV (h/t Football Italia) that he finds it “a bit easier” in a back four, noting he feels less isolated and “better protected” in the new shape. The performances of both Lichtsteiner and the team have benefitted from that change as he has once again dominated the right flank.
Averaging 1.3 tackles, 0.9 interceptions and 2.1 clearances per game according in Serie A, according to statistics from WhoScored.com, the former Lille man has also weighed in with two goals and four assists. Injuries to Martin Caceres and new signing Romulo have left Allegri with few chances to rest him, yet his quality has continued to shine.
Never a prolific creator of goals—his previous best single-season tally for assists was two—he laid on eight goals last term, his crossing becoming a major weapon for the Bianconeri. The presence of Fernando Llorente gave him a target to aim for, and he repeatedly picked out the 6’5” Spaniard in the opposition penalty area.In addition, last season he connected on just 78.3 per cent of his pass attempts and WhoScored shows that not only has that improved to 80.3 percent this term, but he also raises his game when the competition is at its most difficult. In the Champions League his completion rate rises to 84.9 percent, while he also makes more tackles (1.7) and passes (54.2) per game than in domestic action.
It is those small yet significant improvements that will help La Madama progress in Europe, and Lichtsteiner is set to be rewarded for his stellar play. With his current deal set to expire in June, respected journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has reported the agreement of a new three year contract that will see the player earn around €3 million per season.
Now not only an unsung hero for Juventus but arguably one of the best right-backs in the world, Stephan Lichtsteiner has earned every penny of it.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2307529-why-stephan-lichtsteiner-is-the-unsung-hero-for-juventus-so-far-this-season
Top-Seeded Warriors Still Far From Panic Mode after 2-Game Skid in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES — Even the most legendary teams in NBA history have run into rough patches.The 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers lost back-to-back games before ripping off a record 33 wins in a row and dropping four out of six immediately thereafter. The 1985-86 Boston Celtics endured lulls in December and February.
The 1995-96 Chicago Bulls picked up two of their 10 defeats during three days on the road in February. The 2013-14 Miami Heat lost eight games between late December and early February—half their total in a season marked by a 27-game streak.
And, of course, a championship.This year's Golden State Warriors probably aren't on that level and would have quite a ways to go if they're to get there at all. Like any and every team ever, the Warriors were bound to hit a spot of trouble, like the two-game blip that became of their three-day stay in L.A.
"No panic or nothing like that," Warriors forward Draymond Green said after Golden State's 100-86 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Christmas Day. "We’ll be fine, but we just got to get our rhythm back. That happens throughout the course of the season. You can’t expect to be in a rhythm for 82 games. It’s just not going to happenIf you were to judge this club just by its early-season successes (i.e. a franchise-record 16-game winning streak, a refreshingly fun and productive offense, a familiarly stingy defense), you wouldn't think the Warriors were a conglomerate of championship neophytes playing for a rookie coach and a brand-new staff that's only had a few months to implement its own philosophies and strategies.
"For us, this is still a new offense," Stephen Curry said in serving reminder. "We’ve been playing well and winning games, continuing to learn how we’re going to get our shots and how we’re going to play the way coach wants us to.
"And when we lose, obviously the questions become, 'What’s going on? Why are you not doing this?'"What's happened, not just this past week but datingback to mid-December, is that their offense has stagnated somewhat.
The ball hasn't been whipping its way around the horn with quite the same zing. The windows on the shots generated have been shorter—just enough to throw off the lightning-quick releases of Stephen Curry (34.9 percent on threes, 3.9 turnovers per game since Dec. 10), Klay Thompson (plus-minus of minus-2.6 during that time) and company.
"We’re out of whack right now offensively," head coach Steve Kerr said. "We’re not in the same groove we’ve been in. The ball’s not moving. So we’ve got a lot of work to do."
"The passes haven’t been as crisp," Stephen Curry added in assessment. "The movement hasn’t been as crisp as it usually has been."
Those messages came through the Warriors' play loud and clear at Staples Center on Thursday. The Clippers couldn't throw a beach ball in the ocean during the first half, and yet the Dubs failed to put much distance between themselves and their southern California rivals.
L.A., with the NBA's third-most-efficient offense, clanked 20 of their 24 attempts in the opening frame, including 16 in a row after DeAndre Jordan's initial close-range shot but was down by just a bucket. The Warriors built up an 11-point lead in the second quarter, spurred by seven of Thompson's 15 points on the night, only to see all but one point of that lead slip away by the break.
"In the second quarter and the third quarter, we kind of got a little lax and gave up the lead, and that was tough to come back from," Curry explained. "We played so much better than them we felt like the whole game. We just didn't have enough to show for it going into the half."Things certainly didn't improve for the Warriors after that. Their offense strengthened a bit in the third, only to collapse completely during a 5-of-22 shooting performance in the final frame.
This, after shooting a subpar 42.2 percent during the first three quarters of a 10-point loss to the Kobe Bryant-less Los Angeles Lakers, during which the Warriors trailed by as many as 24 points, two nights prior.
The present personnel had plenty to do with that. The Warriors were without a true center—a big body who could set jarring screens and add an inside-out touch to a perimeter-oriented offense—the entire night against the Clips.
Andrew Bogut spent his eighth straight game in street clothes on account of fluid in his right knee. Bogut's backup, Festus Ezeli, sat beside him, nursing an ankle sprain suffered against the Lakers.
Without them in tow, the task of freeing Curry and Thompson for their clean looks fell to Marreese Speights and David Lee, both quality bigs but more rollers than pickers, per se.
"Calling the same sets, obviously with Bogie out, we’re used to being able to swing and do stuff that he’s able to do," Curry added. "But we have to adjust to different players’ tendencies and strengths."
Occasional size deficits are nothing new for the Warriors. They saw Bogut sit out 15 regular-season games and each of their seven against these Clippers in the first round of the playoffs this past spring. Ezeli didn't play a single game in 2013-14 while nursing a surgically repaired knee.
Still, for these Warriors—the ones operating under Kerr rather than Mark Jackson, with Lee and Andre Iguodala leading the reserves and Shaun Livingston stepping in as Golden State's first guard off the bench—playing without Bogut's passing and screening, or Ezeli's sheer bulk, is something that doesn't come as naturally.
Any team trying to function without a key cog or two is bound to encounter some bumps in the road, especially when treading through the territory of a team that's as strong on the interior as the Clippers are.
"We’re not invincible to anything," said Curry. "We have to play the way we’re supposed to play at our highest level to win games. If you don’t, you’re susceptible to getting beat."
Beyond the obvious tactical differences, though, the Warriors have clearly lacked some measure of the toughness and tenacity that Jackson helped to instill in previous seasons and that underpinned their spectacular start. Perhaps that's had something to do with Bogut, who wasn't properly dressed to confront the Clippers' frontcourt like he did last Christmas.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2311372-top-seeded-warriors-still-far-from-panic-mode-after-2-game-skid-in-los-angeles
The 1995-96 Chicago Bulls picked up two of their 10 defeats during three days on the road in February. The 2013-14 Miami Heat lost eight games between late December and early February—half their total in a season marked by a 27-game streak.
And, of course, a championship.This year's Golden State Warriors probably aren't on that level and would have quite a ways to go if they're to get there at all. Like any and every team ever, the Warriors were bound to hit a spot of trouble, like the two-game blip that became of their three-day stay in L.A.
"No panic or nothing like that," Warriors forward Draymond Green said after Golden State's 100-86 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Christmas Day. "We’ll be fine, but we just got to get our rhythm back. That happens throughout the course of the season. You can’t expect to be in a rhythm for 82 games. It’s just not going to happenIf you were to judge this club just by its early-season successes (i.e. a franchise-record 16-game winning streak, a refreshingly fun and productive offense, a familiarly stingy defense), you wouldn't think the Warriors were a conglomerate of championship neophytes playing for a rookie coach and a brand-new staff that's only had a few months to implement its own philosophies and strategies.
"For us, this is still a new offense," Stephen Curry said in serving reminder. "We’ve been playing well and winning games, continuing to learn how we’re going to get our shots and how we’re going to play the way coach wants us to.
"And when we lose, obviously the questions become, 'What’s going on? Why are you not doing this?'"What's happened, not just this past week but datingback to mid-December, is that their offense has stagnated somewhat.
The ball hasn't been whipping its way around the horn with quite the same zing. The windows on the shots generated have been shorter—just enough to throw off the lightning-quick releases of Stephen Curry (34.9 percent on threes, 3.9 turnovers per game since Dec. 10), Klay Thompson (plus-minus of minus-2.6 during that time) and company.
"We’re out of whack right now offensively," head coach Steve Kerr said. "We’re not in the same groove we’ve been in. The ball’s not moving. So we’ve got a lot of work to do."
"The passes haven’t been as crisp," Stephen Curry added in assessment. "The movement hasn’t been as crisp as it usually has been."
Those messages came through the Warriors' play loud and clear at Staples Center on Thursday. The Clippers couldn't throw a beach ball in the ocean during the first half, and yet the Dubs failed to put much distance between themselves and their southern California rivals.
L.A., with the NBA's third-most-efficient offense, clanked 20 of their 24 attempts in the opening frame, including 16 in a row after DeAndre Jordan's initial close-range shot but was down by just a bucket. The Warriors built up an 11-point lead in the second quarter, spurred by seven of Thompson's 15 points on the night, only to see all but one point of that lead slip away by the break.
"In the second quarter and the third quarter, we kind of got a little lax and gave up the lead, and that was tough to come back from," Curry explained. "We played so much better than them we felt like the whole game. We just didn't have enough to show for it going into the half."Things certainly didn't improve for the Warriors after that. Their offense strengthened a bit in the third, only to collapse completely during a 5-of-22 shooting performance in the final frame.
This, after shooting a subpar 42.2 percent during the first three quarters of a 10-point loss to the Kobe Bryant-less Los Angeles Lakers, during which the Warriors trailed by as many as 24 points, two nights prior.
The present personnel had plenty to do with that. The Warriors were without a true center—a big body who could set jarring screens and add an inside-out touch to a perimeter-oriented offense—the entire night against the Clips.
Andrew Bogut spent his eighth straight game in street clothes on account of fluid in his right knee. Bogut's backup, Festus Ezeli, sat beside him, nursing an ankle sprain suffered against the Lakers.
Without them in tow, the task of freeing Curry and Thompson for their clean looks fell to Marreese Speights and David Lee, both quality bigs but more rollers than pickers, per se.
"Calling the same sets, obviously with Bogie out, we’re used to being able to swing and do stuff that he’s able to do," Curry added. "But we have to adjust to different players’ tendencies and strengths."
Occasional size deficits are nothing new for the Warriors. They saw Bogut sit out 15 regular-season games and each of their seven against these Clippers in the first round of the playoffs this past spring. Ezeli didn't play a single game in 2013-14 while nursing a surgically repaired knee.
Still, for these Warriors—the ones operating under Kerr rather than Mark Jackson, with Lee and Andre Iguodala leading the reserves and Shaun Livingston stepping in as Golden State's first guard off the bench—playing without Bogut's passing and screening, or Ezeli's sheer bulk, is something that doesn't come as naturally.
Any team trying to function without a key cog or two is bound to encounter some bumps in the road, especially when treading through the territory of a team that's as strong on the interior as the Clippers are.
"We’re not invincible to anything," said Curry. "We have to play the way we’re supposed to play at our highest level to win games. If you don’t, you’re susceptible to getting beat."
Beyond the obvious tactical differences, though, the Warriors have clearly lacked some measure of the toughness and tenacity that Jackson helped to instill in previous seasons and that underpinned their spectacular start. Perhaps that's had something to do with Bogut, who wasn't properly dressed to confront the Clippers' frontcourt like he did last Christmas.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2311372-top-seeded-warriors-still-far-from-panic-mode-after-2-game-skid-in-los-angeles
Building the NBA's All-Efficiency Team
Efficiency is the name of the game in today's NBA, and there are some astonishingly streamlined stat machines roaming the court in 2014-15.
If you were to put together a team comprised of the most efficient players at each position, who would make the cut?
There isn't one all-encompassing statistic that indicates who generates the most positive production with the least amount of waste. However, there are some key metrics that give a good illustration.
To form our team, we took a look at several different efficiency statistics. They include player efficiency rating (PER), efficiency rating per 48 minutes (EFF), true shooting percentage (TS%) and traditional statistics such as turnovers and fouls.
For some positions, we focused more on certain production areas than others (for example, assist-to-turnover ratios for point guards and defensive efficiency for big men).
Who are the most systematically productive players in the Association? Check out our eye-popping All-Efficiency rotation.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2305325-building-the-nbas-all-efficiency-team
If you were to put together a team comprised of the most efficient players at each position, who would make the cut?
There isn't one all-encompassing statistic that indicates who generates the most positive production with the least amount of waste. However, there are some key metrics that give a good illustration.
To form our team, we took a look at several different efficiency statistics. They include player efficiency rating (PER), efficiency rating per 48 minutes (EFF), true shooting percentage (TS%) and traditional statistics such as turnovers and fouls.
For some positions, we focused more on certain production areas than others (for example, assist-to-turnover ratios for point guards and defensive efficiency for big men).
Who are the most systematically productive players in the Association? Check out our eye-popping All-Efficiency rotation.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2305325-building-the-nbas-all-efficiency-team
San Antonio Spurs' Title Defense Rests in Kawhi Leonard's Injured Hand
The San Antonio Spurs have always been more than the sum of their parts, but some parts seem to be proving more essential than others.
Reigning Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard's 9.75-inch-long hands are one of those parts.Unfortunately, he tore a ligament in his right paw during a Dec. 9 loss to the Utah Jazz, dealing the franchise a significant blow amid what's almost certainly its most difficult month of competition. Friday night's 97-90 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans marked the eighth game Leonard has missed on account of the injury.
Though the 23-year-old initially tried to make a go of it in back-to-back games against the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers earlier this month (after sitting two contests out), the ailment appears to be more serious than initially believed.
In turn, San Antonio has lost six of its last eight games without Leonard and six of its last seven overall.With Tony Parker seeing limited action this month (hamstring injury) and reserve point guard Patty Mills only recently cleared by doctors to return from offseason shoulder surgery, Leonard's predicament comes at a particularly bad time. The Spurs are just 6-9 so far in December and 18-13 for the season.
They find themselves clinging to seventh place in the Western Conference standings and in danger of sinking further given the severity of Leonard's condition.
"It's a pain thing," head coach Gregg Popovich told reporters on Thursday. "He can't move his hand. He can't catch and dribble and that kind of stuff. Medically, they don't think he can hurt it any more, so that's good. So it's just a matter of can he get used to the hand. It's stiff and doesn't work like your hand works."At the moment, there's no timetable for the fourth-year pro's return. Nor has there been any news that could be construed as particularly good.
"One of the doctors said he's been doing hands for 40 years and it's the first time he's ever seen this injury," Popovich told media earlier this month. "It's a little bit unique."
Unique stuff is usually a good thing, but probably not when it comes to injuries.This season was supposed to be a continuation of June's coming-out party, proof the young swingman could maintain an elite level of play over the course of an entire season. After totaling a combined 71 points and 28 rebounds through the last three Finals meetings with the Miami Heat, heightened expectations were inevitable.
The only real question entering the 2014-15 campaign was whether the two-way talent could carry this team with greater regularity. Even the teams that eschew hero-ball the most need a little superstardom from time to time.
"I'm probably going to talk to him more about consistency now," Popovich told reporters at the team's media day on Sept. 26. "He's reached a certain level, and if you look at those last three games [of the Finals] he played, they were pretty special.
"But to be in that top echelon of players in our league, it's a huge responsibility to have to come and do that every night. The Duncans, the Durants, the Jameses and all those kinds of guys do it night after night after night, and it's a huge responsibility."So it should come as no surprise that these Spurs are woefully incomplete at the moment.
This organization isn't one to panic, but that might change if Leonard's pain becomes a long-term problem. Heralded for its depth and unselfish play, San Antonio's roster can probably tread water without getting squeezed from the playoff conversation.
Repeating last season's historically successful finish is an entirely different story. The Spurs' next postseason march will be a short one unless Leonard is back in the fold.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2311261-san-antonio-spurs-title-defense-rests-in-kawhi-leonards-injured-hand
Reigning Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard's 9.75-inch-long hands are one of those parts.Unfortunately, he tore a ligament in his right paw during a Dec. 9 loss to the Utah Jazz, dealing the franchise a significant blow amid what's almost certainly its most difficult month of competition. Friday night's 97-90 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans marked the eighth game Leonard has missed on account of the injury.
Though the 23-year-old initially tried to make a go of it in back-to-back games against the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers earlier this month (after sitting two contests out), the ailment appears to be more serious than initially believed.
In turn, San Antonio has lost six of its last eight games without Leonard and six of its last seven overall.With Tony Parker seeing limited action this month (hamstring injury) and reserve point guard Patty Mills only recently cleared by doctors to return from offseason shoulder surgery, Leonard's predicament comes at a particularly bad time. The Spurs are just 6-9 so far in December and 18-13 for the season.
They find themselves clinging to seventh place in the Western Conference standings and in danger of sinking further given the severity of Leonard's condition.
"It's a pain thing," head coach Gregg Popovich told reporters on Thursday. "He can't move his hand. He can't catch and dribble and that kind of stuff. Medically, they don't think he can hurt it any more, so that's good. So it's just a matter of can he get used to the hand. It's stiff and doesn't work like your hand works."At the moment, there's no timetable for the fourth-year pro's return. Nor has there been any news that could be construed as particularly good.
"One of the doctors said he's been doing hands for 40 years and it's the first time he's ever seen this injury," Popovich told media earlier this month. "It's a little bit unique."
Unique stuff is usually a good thing, but probably not when it comes to injuries.This season was supposed to be a continuation of June's coming-out party, proof the young swingman could maintain an elite level of play over the course of an entire season. After totaling a combined 71 points and 28 rebounds through the last three Finals meetings with the Miami Heat, heightened expectations were inevitable.
The only real question entering the 2014-15 campaign was whether the two-way talent could carry this team with greater regularity. Even the teams that eschew hero-ball the most need a little superstardom from time to time.
"I'm probably going to talk to him more about consistency now," Popovich told reporters at the team's media day on Sept. 26. "He's reached a certain level, and if you look at those last three games [of the Finals] he played, they were pretty special.
"But to be in that top echelon of players in our league, it's a huge responsibility to have to come and do that every night. The Duncans, the Durants, the Jameses and all those kinds of guys do it night after night after night, and it's a huge responsibility."So it should come as no surprise that these Spurs are woefully incomplete at the moment.
This organization isn't one to panic, but that might change if Leonard's pain becomes a long-term problem. Heralded for its depth and unselfish play, San Antonio's roster can probably tread water without getting squeezed from the playoff conversation.
Repeating last season's historically successful finish is an entirely different story. The Spurs' next postseason march will be a short one unless Leonard is back in the fold.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2311261-san-antonio-spurs-title-defense-rests-in-kawhi-leonards-injured-hand
New Mavericks Point Guard Rajon Rondo Breaks Down His Unique Hoops DNA
New Dallas Mavericks point guard Rajon Rondo has always adjusted quickly to complex tasks.He learned how to ride a bike at four.
Algebraic equations became easy in elementary school."He was like a Rubik's Cube, always asking why," said Will, his older brother of five years. "He can mimic things well."
Playing in the Louisville Invitational Tournament as a sophomore at Eastern High School, Rondo played all five positions in one game, replacing teammates who got into foul trouble—and he went on to lead his team to the championship.
"He knew how to play every position at that age," Will said.Though 6'1", Rondo has a 6'9" wingspan and 9.5-inch-long hands, freakish assets that contribute to his near-triple-double stat line (entering Friday) of 8.6 points, a league-leading 10.6 assists and 7.3 rebounds—two more than his career average. And though he's shot 40 percent so far this season, some observers feel that doesn't represent his true offensive potential.
"It's just his mentality, as he's usually gripping the ball while dribbling in a way to make a quick pass," said NBA trainer and analytics guru Justin Zormelo, who worked with Rondo this past summer. "He also plays with his body mostly straight up to enhance his passing and reading over the defense."
Bleacher Report spent time recently with Rondo at the Boston Celtics' practice center, before his trade to Dallas last Thursday, to uncover the various strands of his unique hoops DNA. In addition to breaking down his top five most memorable passes, Rondo discussed his perspective on how he sees the game, presented here in his own words and edited for clarity and length.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2305326-new-dallas-mavericks-point-guard-rajon-rondo-breaks-down-his-unique-hoops-dna
Algebraic equations became easy in elementary school."He was like a Rubik's Cube, always asking why," said Will, his older brother of five years. "He can mimic things well."
Playing in the Louisville Invitational Tournament as a sophomore at Eastern High School, Rondo played all five positions in one game, replacing teammates who got into foul trouble—and he went on to lead his team to the championship.
"He knew how to play every position at that age," Will said.Though 6'1", Rondo has a 6'9" wingspan and 9.5-inch-long hands, freakish assets that contribute to his near-triple-double stat line (entering Friday) of 8.6 points, a league-leading 10.6 assists and 7.3 rebounds—two more than his career average. And though he's shot 40 percent so far this season, some observers feel that doesn't represent his true offensive potential.
"It's just his mentality, as he's usually gripping the ball while dribbling in a way to make a quick pass," said NBA trainer and analytics guru Justin Zormelo, who worked with Rondo this past summer. "He also plays with his body mostly straight up to enhance his passing and reading over the defense."
Bleacher Report spent time recently with Rondo at the Boston Celtics' practice center, before his trade to Dallas last Thursday, to uncover the various strands of his unique hoops DNA. In addition to breaking down his top five most memorable passes, Rondo discussed his perspective on how he sees the game, presented here in his own words and edited for clarity and length.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2305326-new-dallas-mavericks-point-guard-rajon-rondo-breaks-down-his-unique-hoops-dna
The Cleveland Cavaliers bounced back from their loss to the Miami Heat on Christmas Day with a 98-89 win against the Orlando Magic on Friday. With Kyrie Irving out with a knee injury, LeBron James picked up the slack by recording 29 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
The Cavs improved to 18-11 with the road win. The Magic fell to 11-21.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2310812-cleveland-cavaliers-vs-orlando-magic-122614-video-highlights-and-recap
The Cavs improved to 18-11 with the road win. The Magic fell to 11-21.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2310812-cleveland-cavaliers-vs-orlando-magic-122614-video-highlights-and-recap
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks 12/26/14: Video Highlights and Recap
The Dallas Mavericks looked to get themselves back on track on Friday night, when they took on the Los Angeles Lakers. The Mavs had dropped two straight, and faced a Lakers squad who had dropped four of five.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2310818-los-angeles-lakers-vs-dallas-mavericks-122614-video-highlights-and-recap
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2310818-los-angeles-lakers-vs-dallas-mavericks-122614-video-highlights-and-recap
Kyrie Irving Injury: Updates on Cavaliers Star's Knee and Return
Kyrie Irving's already had one injury scare this year. The Cleveland Cavaliers' point guard is now dealing with another in the aftermath of his team's 101-91 loss to the Miami Heat on Christmas Day. He will not play in Friday night's game against the Orlando Magic.During a Dec. 11 game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Irving leaped to defend a Russell Westbrook shot. While in the air, Irving made contact with Westbrook, landed awkwardly on his left knee and fell to the court. After a lengthy spell getting looked at by Cleveland's trainers, Irving was helped back to the locker room.
Cavs fans immediately expected the worst, but it turned out Irving only had a left knee contusion.While the whole thing came to nothing, it was a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change for a team. As long as Irving, LeBron James and Kevin Love are healthy, the Cavaliers are title contenders.
Take one of those three out of the equation, and Cleveland is simply an above-average team in the Eastern Conference.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2301085-kyrie-irving-injury-updates-on-cavaliers-stars-knee-and-return
Cavs fans immediately expected the worst, but it turned out Irving only had a left knee contusion.While the whole thing came to nothing, it was a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change for a team. As long as Irving, LeBron James and Kevin Love are healthy, the Cavaliers are title contenders.
Take one of those three out of the equation, and Cleveland is simply an above-average team in the Eastern Conference.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2301085-kyrie-irving-injury-updates-on-cavaliers-stars-knee-and-return
Kobe Bryant Injury: Updates on Lakers Star's Soreness and Return
Kobe Bryant will miss his third straight game when the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. Bryant also missed the Lakers' 115-105 win over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. He is currently averaging 24.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 27 games.
Bryant and the Lakers had hoped last season was not a sign of things to come. He returned from an Achilles injury in December but ended up playing in just six games and didn't look like his usual dynamic self before going back to the sidelines due to a knee problem.
Instead of bringing him back and risking further injury, Los Angeles opted to keep him out for the rest of the campaign, as it had faded out of the playoff picture.There was plenty of optimism coming into the new season. Bryant looked healthy during training camp and performed well enough during stretches of the preseason to believe a resurgence was on the horizon.
Bill Oram of the The Orange County Register provided comments from the guard back in October, who was pleased with how his body was holding up.
"This is the healthiest I've been in a couple years," Bryant said. "Three years maybe."Clearly, the 36-year-old star is being cautious at a time when he is currently averaging 35.4 minutes per game.
The biggest thing with Bryant is that he only has one level of competitiveness. When he steps on the court, he wants to showcase why he's the best player on the floor, even at this stage of his career. And that certainly hasn't changed in his comeback from injury.So it's a situation where his mind says he can still dominate but his body is fighting back. He has a lot of mileage from all the years of play, which includes playoff runs and international duty. The cumulative effect takes its toll.
The Lakers will likely split his minutes among several players. Nick Young, Wayne Ellington and Jordan Clarkson are among the group of players who should see an increase of playing time.
None of them, nor their combined effort, can come close to what Bryant provides when healthy, though. It leaves the Lakers in a tough spot as they wait for further information about their superstar's status.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2225798-kobe-bryant-injury-updates-on-lakers-soreness-and-return
Bryant and the Lakers had hoped last season was not a sign of things to come. He returned from an Achilles injury in December but ended up playing in just six games and didn't look like his usual dynamic self before going back to the sidelines due to a knee problem.
Instead of bringing him back and risking further injury, Los Angeles opted to keep him out for the rest of the campaign, as it had faded out of the playoff picture.There was plenty of optimism coming into the new season. Bryant looked healthy during training camp and performed well enough during stretches of the preseason to believe a resurgence was on the horizon.
Bill Oram of the The Orange County Register provided comments from the guard back in October, who was pleased with how his body was holding up.
"This is the healthiest I've been in a couple years," Bryant said. "Three years maybe."Clearly, the 36-year-old star is being cautious at a time when he is currently averaging 35.4 minutes per game.
The biggest thing with Bryant is that he only has one level of competitiveness. When he steps on the court, he wants to showcase why he's the best player on the floor, even at this stage of his career. And that certainly hasn't changed in his comeback from injury.So it's a situation where his mind says he can still dominate but his body is fighting back. He has a lot of mileage from all the years of play, which includes playoff runs and international duty. The cumulative effect takes its toll.
The Lakers will likely split his minutes among several players. Nick Young, Wayne Ellington and Jordan Clarkson are among the group of players who should see an increase of playing time.
None of them, nor their combined effort, can come close to what Bryant provides when healthy, though. It leaves the Lakers in a tough spot as they wait for further information about their superstar's status.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2225798-kobe-bryant-injury-updates-on-lakers-soreness-and-return
Dirk Nowitzki Passes Elvin Hayes for 8th Place on NBA's All-Time Scoring List
Dirk Nowitzki continues climbing up the list of NBA all-time scorers and leaving legends in his wake.
The Dallas Mavericks star scored his 27,313th career point on Friday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, moving to eighth in the record books and passing Elvin Hayes, per Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News:
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2311441-dirk-nowitzki-passes-elvin-hayes-for-8th-place-on-nbas-all-time-leading-scorer
The Dallas Mavericks star scored his 27,313th career point on Friday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, moving to eighth in the record books and passing Elvin Hayes, per Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News:
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2311441-dirk-nowitzki-passes-elvin-hayes-for-8th-place-on-nbas-all-time-leading-scorer
Michigan Contacted 49ers About Jim Harbaugh, Trent Baalke Confirms
Rumors surrounding the future of San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh have been circulating for several weeks. On Monday, the team's general manager, Trent Baalke, confirmed that Michigan was in contact with the franchise regarding Harbaugh.
Baalke spoke Monday night on 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, via BCSN.tv, saying, “I think the University of Michigan, in reaching out, did handle it correctly. As I look at it, it's very simple. He's the head football coach of the San Francisco 49ers.”Baalke's comments lend even more credibility to the rumors that have surrounded the Wolverines making a pitch for Harbaugh to take over for the fired Brady Hoke as the program's head coach. Harbaugh’s alma mater is reportedly offering him a six-year, $48 million contract, according to NFL Network, via Kevin Armstrong of the New York Daily News.
Harbaugh has one season remaining on his five-year, $25 million deal with San Francisco. He has amassed a 43-19-1 record in the regular season and a 5-3 postseason record in his time with the team.
According to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, the 49ers are expected to fire Harbaugh immediately after the season. The result will be one of the brightest coaching minds in football hitting the open market.
ESPN's John Clayton told 95.7 The Game that the Oakland Raiders are also an option for Harbaugh:Michigan finished the 2014 season with a 5-7 overall record and was a non-factor in the Big Ten. While staying in the NFL will be a viable option for the highly competitive coach, the intrigue of rebuilding his former school’s football program could be too tempting to pass on.
Regardless of where he lands, it has become abundantly clear that Harbaugh’s time in San Francisco is coming to an end.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2308877-michigan-contacted-49ers-about-jim-harbaugh-trent-baalke-confirms
Dominic Raiola Suspended 1 Game: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction
Detroit Lions center Dominic Raiola stirred controversy when he stepped on the leg of Chicago Bears defensive tackle Ego Ferguson in Week 16. The NFL decided Monday that Raiola will receive a one-game suspension for his conduct. His suspension was upheld following an appeal.The Lions struggled on offense against the woeful Bears defense in Week 16, and losing their starting center is a most untimely issue to be having. Week 17's matchup with the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field has massive playoff implications and is for the NFC North division title.
Next up on Detroit's depth chart is Travis Swanson, a rookie third-round draft choice out of Arkansas. Swanson seems as capable of a fill-in option for the 35-year-old veteran Raiola as any, but he will have to make the calls in the trenches against Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers' complex schemes.
Most important for Swanson is to gain a quick rapport with quarterback Matthew Stafford in the likely event that Raiola doesn't win an appeal and can't play this next Sunday.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2308155-dominic-raiola-suspended-1-game-latest-details-comments-reaction
Next up on Detroit's depth chart is Travis Swanson, a rookie third-round draft choice out of Arkansas. Swanson seems as capable of a fill-in option for the 35-year-old veteran Raiola as any, but he will have to make the calls in the trenches against Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers' complex schemes.
Most important for Swanson is to gain a quick rapport with quarterback Matthew Stafford in the likely event that Raiola doesn't win an appeal and can't play this next Sunday.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2308155-dominic-raiola-suspended-1-game-latest-details-comments-reaction
A.J. Green Injury: Updates on Bengals Star's Arm and Return
A.J. Green was in and out of the Cincinnati Bengals' Week 16 win over the Denver Broncos after suffering an arm injury early in the first quarter. He's questionable for Week 17. But Cincinnati does have arguably the league's best young running back duo in Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard to take the pressure off Dalton. Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson likes to run the ball more as it is, so Green's absence should only increase that penchant.
While the going should be tough overall for the Bengals without Green, the circumstances allow for Mohamed Sanu to emerge as a bigger threat in the passing game. However, replacing someone with Green's unique skills is impossible.If the Bengals are meant to be the class of their division and make a deeper push in the playoffs, learning to succeed without Green may be best for the long haul. As long as Green is geared up for a postseason push, Cincinnati has a chance to put up points with the NFL's best.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2250833-aj-green-injury-updates-on-bengals-stars-arm-and-return
While the going should be tough overall for the Bengals without Green, the circumstances allow for Mohamed Sanu to emerge as a bigger threat in the passing game. However, replacing someone with Green's unique skills is impossible.If the Bengals are meant to be the class of their division and make a deeper push in the playoffs, learning to succeed without Green may be best for the long haul. As long as Green is geared up for a postseason push, Cincinnati has a chance to put up points with the NFL's best.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2250833-aj-green-injury-updates-on-bengals-stars-arm-and-return
Peyton Manning Expects to Play for Denver Broncos Next Season
Peyton Manning isn't going anywhere anytime soon. The Denver Broncos quarterback said Wednesday that he doesn't envision retiring before his current contract runs out.
Via Mike Klis of The Denver Post, Manning told reporters he expects to be back with the Broncos in 2015:When Manning restructured his contract with Denver in 2013, the terms of the deal stipulated that the Broncos could void his $19 million salary in 2015 and 2016 if they cut him before the season begins.
It would seem an obvious choice for Denver to bring Manning back. He's thrown for 4,454 yards and 39 touchdowns this year while completing 66.8 percent of his passes.There are, however, some questions about whether the 38-year-old's skills are beginning to diminish to a noticeable extent. Sports Illustrated's Doug Farrar commented after Denver's Monday night loss to the Cincinnati Bengals that the end could be near:ESPN.com's Jeff Legwold wrote that general manager John Elway has given no indication the team would consider letting Manning go.
Between that and Manning's declaration, it seems No. 18 will remain exactly where he is when next year rolls around.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2310301-peyton-manning-expects-to-play-for-denver-broncos-next-season
Via Mike Klis of The Denver Post, Manning told reporters he expects to be back with the Broncos in 2015:When Manning restructured his contract with Denver in 2013, the terms of the deal stipulated that the Broncos could void his $19 million salary in 2015 and 2016 if they cut him before the season begins.
It would seem an obvious choice for Denver to bring Manning back. He's thrown for 4,454 yards and 39 touchdowns this year while completing 66.8 percent of his passes.There are, however, some questions about whether the 38-year-old's skills are beginning to diminish to a noticeable extent. Sports Illustrated's Doug Farrar commented after Denver's Monday night loss to the Cincinnati Bengals that the end could be near:ESPN.com's Jeff Legwold wrote that general manager John Elway has given no indication the team would consider letting Manning go.
Between that and Manning's declaration, it seems No. 18 will remain exactly where he is when next year rolls around.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2310301-peyton-manning-expects-to-play-for-denver-broncos-next-season
Mike Freeman's 10-Point Stance: Dominic Raiola Doesn't Belong in Today's NFL
Dominic Raiola harkens back to a different time in the NFL. Decades ago. When dudes routinely got punched in the nuts. Stomped on. Elbowed in the face. Clubbed. Deacon Jones used to knock guys out by bashing them in the head. Some of that happens now, but long ago, this was the norm. Refs looked the other way. The NFL did. Just a part of NFL life.
Raiola's ankle stomp, for which he received a one-game suspension, is something a middle linebacker would have done in 1950, or even 1970. But this is the 21st century, and those types of acts have to be put into football's past.
Raiola stomping on Ego Ferguson's ankle is another example of how the players can be their own worst enemies. Players complain about what they perceive as the softening of football, but if the league didn't crack down, idiots like Raiola would take football back in time, to a place it doesn't want to return.
If lawlessness returned to football, what do you think would happen to the sport's glorious ratings? They'd plummet. Americans love their violence, but they're not in favor of lawlessness (most aren't at least). The line is fine, but it's still there to see.
The NFL knows this, which is why it cracks down on illegal or borderline hits. Lower ratings means less money for everyone, including the players.This also needs to be addressed: Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, said this on his ESPN radio show recently in regard to what he claims Raiola said to him before a game last year:When the Seahawks get home-field advantage—no longer if, but when—they will be almost unbeatable. But there is one team that can defeat them in Seattle. It's Dallas.
That sounds crazy, I know. Particularly considering Tony Romo's history of choke-ification in the postseason. But these aren't those Cowboys. These Cowboys are tough physically and mentally, and as we saw when they beat the Seahawks in Seattle earlier this year, they aren't intimidated playing there.
Good running game, strong defense—and Dez Bryant is the kind of fast and physical receiver who can beat the Seahawks secondary. In short, the Cowboys match up perfectly with Seattle.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2308402-mike-freemans-10-point-stance-dominic-raiola-doesnt-belong-in-todays-nfl
Raiola's ankle stomp, for which he received a one-game suspension, is something a middle linebacker would have done in 1950, or even 1970. But this is the 21st century, and those types of acts have to be put into football's past.
Raiola stomping on Ego Ferguson's ankle is another example of how the players can be their own worst enemies. Players complain about what they perceive as the softening of football, but if the league didn't crack down, idiots like Raiola would take football back in time, to a place it doesn't want to return.
If lawlessness returned to football, what do you think would happen to the sport's glorious ratings? They'd plummet. Americans love their violence, but they're not in favor of lawlessness (most aren't at least). The line is fine, but it's still there to see.
The NFL knows this, which is why it cracks down on illegal or borderline hits. Lower ratings means less money for everyone, including the players.This also needs to be addressed: Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, said this on his ESPN radio show recently in regard to what he claims Raiola said to him before a game last year:When the Seahawks get home-field advantage—no longer if, but when—they will be almost unbeatable. But there is one team that can defeat them in Seattle. It's Dallas.
That sounds crazy, I know. Particularly considering Tony Romo's history of choke-ification in the postseason. But these aren't those Cowboys. These Cowboys are tough physically and mentally, and as we saw when they beat the Seahawks in Seattle earlier this year, they aren't intimidated playing there.
Good running game, strong defense—and Dez Bryant is the kind of fast and physical receiver who can beat the Seahawks secondary. In short, the Cowboys match up perfectly with Seattle.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2308402-mike-freemans-10-point-stance-dominic-raiola-doesnt-belong-in-todays-nfl
Pro Bowl Snubs 2015: Who Was Hosed in This Year's Voting Process?
Pro Bowl voting isn't an exact science.It's not even an approximate art.With fan, player and coach voting that opens not long after the regular season starts, closes before the regular season ends and relies heavily on name-brand reputation and single-category stat leaders, the NFL's take on an all-star game takes a beating every year from those who love football and watch it closely—not to mention hardcore fans of all 32 teams who are sure their guys got robbed.
The 2014 Pro Bowl roster is no exception, with big-time snubs and risible oversights all over. The NFL's insistence on dividing defensive players by named position (instead of defensive role) creates a logjam at some positions and a desert at others. The league's statistical shift toward pass-first offenses and multi-receiver sets means you could double the receiver allotment and not get all the worthy candidates in.
Last season's conference-less format corrects some injustices, and the alternate list makes up for some oversights, but there are plenty of players with huge grievances to air this Festivus season.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2308503-pro-bowl-snubs-2015-who-was-hosed-in-this-years-voting-process
The 2014 Pro Bowl roster is no exception, with big-time snubs and risible oversights all over. The NFL's insistence on dividing defensive players by named position (instead of defensive role) creates a logjam at some positions and a desert at others. The league's statistical shift toward pass-first offenses and multi-receiver sets means you could double the receiver allotment and not get all the worthy candidates in.
Last season's conference-less format corrects some injustices, and the alternate list makes up for some oversights, but there are plenty of players with huge grievances to air this Festivus season.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2308503-pro-bowl-snubs-2015-who-was-hosed-in-this-years-voting-process
Bleacher Report's Week 16 NFL Awards
The playoff picture is coming into focus in the NFL.Two more division titles were settled in Week 16, with the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys capturing the NFC West and NFC East, respectively, thanks to dominant performances.
Not every team came out firing on all cylinders, however. The Cowboys won the East in part because the Philadelphia Eagles fell at Washington Saturday. The Baltimore Ravens, who entered the week in the thick of the AFC North race, fell flat on their face in a blowout loss in Houston.
It was a week filled with equal measures excitement and embarrassment. With that in mind, here is a look at the week's biggest highs and lows in the opinion of the Division Lead and National Lead Writers here at Bleacher Report.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2308291-bleacher-reports-week-16-nfl-awards
Not every team came out firing on all cylinders, however. The Cowboys won the East in part because the Philadelphia Eagles fell at Washington Saturday. The Baltimore Ravens, who entered the week in the thick of the AFC North race, fell flat on their face in a blowout loss in Houston.
It was a week filled with equal measures excitement and embarrassment. With that in mind, here is a look at the week's biggest highs and lows in the opinion of the Division Lead and National Lead Writers here at Bleacher Report.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2308291-bleacher-reports-week-16-nfl-awards
Thursday, 25 December 2014
Mario Balotelli's Return Makes Little Difference to Liverpool's Setup
The return of Mario Balotelli from his one-match ban for Liverpool's Premier League clash at Burnley on Boxing Day looks likely to make little difference to Brendan Rodgers' first-team setup.
Rodgers not-so-subtly hinted that he now sees the Italian as a squad player, suggesting Balotelli will merely replace the suspended Fabio Borini in the matchday 18.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday, as per LiverpoolFC.com, he told reporters: "The most important thing is Mario is available after his ban. It adds another player to our squad and another player who is available, especially with Fabio Borini unavailable [due to suspension]."
Indeed, due to injury, suspension and being out of favour, Balotelli hasn't started in the Premier League since the 2-1 defeat at home to Chelsea on November 8.The 24-year-old's Liverpool career has very quickly become a damp squib, with just two goals to his name and appearances in rapid decline.
Liverpool look a slower team going forward with Balotelli in the side—a far cry from the anarchy they created with relentless attacks last season.
Always a figure wrapped in scrutiny, the wolves are coming for the Italy international, and Liverpool's movements in the January transfer window could surely spell a crunch moment for the striker.
Just last week, former Liverpool and England midfielder Paul Ince spoke of how the Reds should cut their losses with the forwardWhile the opinion of Ince and Taarabt may not be the biggest concern to Rodgers and Liverpool, the raw truth of their comments is.
The striker is simply yet to cut the mustard this season.The Balotelli conversation may well be a distraction Rodgers wants to ignore, but with little forward options in his squad—compounded by Borini's red card against Arsenal and subsequent suspension—the former Manchester City man remains an secondary option, albeit one that doesn't quite fit the team's direction.Sterling's pace and trickery combined with the creative talents of Adam Lallana, Philippe Coutinho and those around him could really unsettle a slow Clarets back line.
The Reds play five fixtures in little over two weeks over the festive and New Year period—and all eyes will be on how Rodgers manages his team from burnout and achieves potentially season-saving results.
Questions over Steven Gerrard's ability to play every game will always be raised, while Liverpool may need reach out for contributions from squad players, including Balotelli.
Could the busy schedule provide a final lifeline for the Italian to change opinions of him, or is his inclusion detrimental to the intensity and pressing nature Rodgers is striving for?
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2309893-mario-balotellis-return-makes-little-difference-to-liverpools-set-up
Rodgers not-so-subtly hinted that he now sees the Italian as a squad player, suggesting Balotelli will merely replace the suspended Fabio Borini in the matchday 18.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday, as per LiverpoolFC.com, he told reporters: "The most important thing is Mario is available after his ban. It adds another player to our squad and another player who is available, especially with Fabio Borini unavailable [due to suspension]."
Indeed, due to injury, suspension and being out of favour, Balotelli hasn't started in the Premier League since the 2-1 defeat at home to Chelsea on November 8.The 24-year-old's Liverpool career has very quickly become a damp squib, with just two goals to his name and appearances in rapid decline.
Liverpool look a slower team going forward with Balotelli in the side—a far cry from the anarchy they created with relentless attacks last season.
Always a figure wrapped in scrutiny, the wolves are coming for the Italy international, and Liverpool's movements in the January transfer window could surely spell a crunch moment for the striker.
Just last week, former Liverpool and England midfielder Paul Ince spoke of how the Reds should cut their losses with the forwardWhile the opinion of Ince and Taarabt may not be the biggest concern to Rodgers and Liverpool, the raw truth of their comments is.
The striker is simply yet to cut the mustard this season.The Balotelli conversation may well be a distraction Rodgers wants to ignore, but with little forward options in his squad—compounded by Borini's red card against Arsenal and subsequent suspension—the former Manchester City man remains an secondary option, albeit one that doesn't quite fit the team's direction.Sterling's pace and trickery combined with the creative talents of Adam Lallana, Philippe Coutinho and those around him could really unsettle a slow Clarets back line.
The Reds play five fixtures in little over two weeks over the festive and New Year period—and all eyes will be on how Rodgers manages his team from burnout and achieves potentially season-saving results.
Questions over Steven Gerrard's ability to play every game will always be raised, while Liverpool may need reach out for contributions from squad players, including Balotelli.
Could the busy schedule provide a final lifeline for the Italian to change opinions of him, or is his inclusion detrimental to the intensity and pressing nature Rodgers is striving for?
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2309893-mario-balotellis-return-makes-little-difference-to-liverpools-set-up
A Christmas Wish for Every La Liga Team
In Spain, there is no fixture pile-up over the festive period like in England, nor is there the month-plus break afforded to Germany’s Bundesliga clubs.
Instead, they have a rather more modest two weeks off.It gives each club a little bit of time to put their feet up and take stock of their current situation.
For those at the bottom this Christmas, they’ll be hoping for a change of fortune in the new year, while those at the top will be dreaming of more titles and Champions League qualification.
Over the following slides, B/R takes a look at what each club in Spain’s top flight will be wishing for this Christmas
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2309475-a-christmas-wish-for-every-la-liga-team
Instead, they have a rather more modest two weeks off.It gives each club a little bit of time to put their feet up and take stock of their current situation.
For those at the bottom this Christmas, they’ll be hoping for a change of fortune in the new year, while those at the top will be dreaming of more titles and Champions League qualification.
Over the following slides, B/R takes a look at what each club in Spain’s top flight will be wishing for this Christmas
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2309475-a-christmas-wish-for-every-la-liga-team
A Christmas Wish for Every Serie A Team
It's time to spread some holiday joy to every Serie A team, whether it's first-placed Juventus or bottom-of-the-table Parma, every side has a wish and we'll pinpoint exactly what they are right here.
Some teams will need desperate help in the January transfer window, while others will need to call on superhuman forces for better results going forward.
Every team has a weakness and would call upon one wish to help them clog a particular hole in the squad.Without further ado, here's a Christmas wish for every team in Serie A.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2306699-a-christmas-wish-for-every-serie-a-team
Some teams will need desperate help in the January transfer window, while others will need to call on superhuman forces for better results going forward.
Every team has a weakness and would call upon one wish to help them clog a particular hole in the squad.Without further ado, here's a Christmas wish for every team in Serie A.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2306699-a-christmas-wish-for-every-serie-a-team
Everton and Martinez Can Still Turn Their Season Around...but Must Do so Soon
With the problems that many other teams have suffered this season, Everton's travails have perhaps gone a little under the radar.
However, travails they have, with Roberto Martinez's side languishing in 11th place at Christmas, 10 points off fourth place in one of the most open races for Champions League qualification in years.
They are closer, in terms of points, to the bottom three than the top four, and have 13 fewer points than at the same stage last term. In addition, they were rather meekly dumped out of the early stages of the Capital One Cup by Swansea City in September—a competition they had a realistic chance of winning.After all the good work done by Martinez last season, this should really have been their time to push on, particularly after securing Romelu Lukaku on a permanent deal, along with the maturing Ross Barkley and John Stones and adding the nous of Samuel Eto'o.
Frustration is growing at Goodison Park, and their defeat to Southampton at the weekend was a perfect example of why. It was perhaps not just the defeat that irked the Toffees faithful so much, more the way it arrived, seemingly through a series of basic managerial and playing mistakes.
Barkley, consistently lauded as one of the best young playmakers in the country and a man Martinez has said will not be sold even for a world-record fee in January, according to Andy Hunter in the The Guardian, was deployed on the left flank during the 3-0 reverse, a position he has played before and clearly demonstrated his discomfort in.When Barkley has played in the middle—such as against Queens Park Rangers a couple of weeks ago, when he scored and was Everton's standout player—he has been much more effective, but when he is shunted out of position it not only minimises the impact the youngster can have, it also makes the team lopsided.
Perhaps more unforgivable was Martinez's dithering in trying to change things at St Mary's. It was clear for all to see that Plan A was not working against a Southampton side in terrible form and should really have been there for the taking, but Martinez sat on his hands and made no changes in personnel, leaving the likes of Aiden McGeady, Steven Pienaar and Arouna Kone under blankets on the bench.
Martinez may feel that accommodating the likes of Eto'o and Gareth Barry is necessary, but it shouldn't be at the expense of their most talented and exciting young player.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2308016-everton-and-martinez-can-still-turn-their-season-aroundbut-must-do-so-soon
However, travails they have, with Roberto Martinez's side languishing in 11th place at Christmas, 10 points off fourth place in one of the most open races for Champions League qualification in years.
They are closer, in terms of points, to the bottom three than the top four, and have 13 fewer points than at the same stage last term. In addition, they were rather meekly dumped out of the early stages of the Capital One Cup by Swansea City in September—a competition they had a realistic chance of winning.After all the good work done by Martinez last season, this should really have been their time to push on, particularly after securing Romelu Lukaku on a permanent deal, along with the maturing Ross Barkley and John Stones and adding the nous of Samuel Eto'o.
Frustration is growing at Goodison Park, and their defeat to Southampton at the weekend was a perfect example of why. It was perhaps not just the defeat that irked the Toffees faithful so much, more the way it arrived, seemingly through a series of basic managerial and playing mistakes.
Barkley, consistently lauded as one of the best young playmakers in the country and a man Martinez has said will not be sold even for a world-record fee in January, according to Andy Hunter in the The Guardian, was deployed on the left flank during the 3-0 reverse, a position he has played before and clearly demonstrated his discomfort in.When Barkley has played in the middle—such as against Queens Park Rangers a couple of weeks ago, when he scored and was Everton's standout player—he has been much more effective, but when he is shunted out of position it not only minimises the impact the youngster can have, it also makes the team lopsided.
Perhaps more unforgivable was Martinez's dithering in trying to change things at St Mary's. It was clear for all to see that Plan A was not working against a Southampton side in terrible form and should really have been there for the taking, but Martinez sat on his hands and made no changes in personnel, leaving the likes of Aiden McGeady, Steven Pienaar and Arouna Kone under blankets on the bench.
Martinez may feel that accommodating the likes of Eto'o and Gareth Barry is necessary, but it shouldn't be at the expense of their most talented and exciting young player.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2308016-everton-and-martinez-can-still-turn-their-season-aroundbut-must-do-so-soon
Josh Smith to Sign with Rockets: Latest Contract Details, Analysis and Reaction
From Dennis Rodman to Rasheed Wallace and on down the line, the NBA has a storied history of contenders rolling the dice on players with a bad rap to push them over the championship edge. The Houston Rockets will hope Josh Smith is the next to join that list.
Smith has verbally agreed to join the Rockets when he clears waivers at 5 p.m. ET Wednesday, two days after the former All-Defensive selection was waived by the Detroit Pistons. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported the news:
The Pistons, who signed Smith to a four-year, $54 million deal in 2013, surprisingly waived him Monday amid an overhaul by head coach/president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy. Wojnarowski reported the team plans to use the "stretch provision" on the two years remaining on Smith's contract to lessen the salary-cap blowback.That said, it's possible Houston is getting a steal of a player going through his first real wake-up call. Smith is one of five non-guards in the league averaging at least 4.5 assists per game. He is a gifted passer from the elbows and in the post, and he can be a dynamic force near the basket when he's engaged. He shot 58.6 percent in the restricted area this season before being released, a number below his career rate but still solid.
Defensively, Smith's reputation has been built largely on his spectacular athleticism. Whether by age or effort, his work on that side of the ball has slipped in Detroit, and it'll be interesting to see if he can recapture his versatility in Houston.
The risk is nevertheless one worth taking. The Rockets are paying a player who commanded $13.5 million per season barely over a year ago pittance in comparison, and they're acquiring a highly skilled two-way player for nothing of value. Personality conflicts may arise, but this is a situation almost unprecedented in league history.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2307846-josh-smith-to-sign-with-rockets-latest-contract-details-analysis-and-reaction
Smith has verbally agreed to join the Rockets when he clears waivers at 5 p.m. ET Wednesday, two days after the former All-Defensive selection was waived by the Detroit Pistons. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported the news:
The Pistons, who signed Smith to a four-year, $54 million deal in 2013, surprisingly waived him Monday amid an overhaul by head coach/president of basketball operations Stan Van Gundy. Wojnarowski reported the team plans to use the "stretch provision" on the two years remaining on Smith's contract to lessen the salary-cap blowback.That said, it's possible Houston is getting a steal of a player going through his first real wake-up call. Smith is one of five non-guards in the league averaging at least 4.5 assists per game. He is a gifted passer from the elbows and in the post, and he can be a dynamic force near the basket when he's engaged. He shot 58.6 percent in the restricted area this season before being released, a number below his career rate but still solid.
Defensively, Smith's reputation has been built largely on his spectacular athleticism. Whether by age or effort, his work on that side of the ball has slipped in Detroit, and it'll be interesting to see if he can recapture his versatility in Houston.
The risk is nevertheless one worth taking. The Rockets are paying a player who commanded $13.5 million per season barely over a year ago pittance in comparison, and they're acquiring a highly skilled two-way player for nothing of value. Personality conflicts may arise, but this is a situation almost unprecedented in league history.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2307846-josh-smith-to-sign-with-rockets-latest-contract-details-analysis-and-reaction
NBA All-Star Game 2015 Voting: LeBron James, Stephen Curry Lead First Results
The NBA All-Star Game is less than two months away, and the first voting numbers for this year's extravaganza have been released. It comes as no surprise that LeBron James leads all players in votes thus far, but it's slightly the opposite to see Golden State's Stephen Curry nipping at his heels.
According to Lang Whitaker of NBA.com's Hang Time Blog, James leads Curry by just under 4,000 votes, and Anthony Davis is currently in third place with 524,623 votesGiven how well James, a perennial MVP candidate, is playing this year (and has played every year), fans should expect him to continue to lead the way in voting. For Curry, if he can continue his impressive start to the season—he's in the top five in assists and steals per game, as well as total three-pointers made—it shouldn't shock many to see him finish in second.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2310509-nba-all-star-game-2015-voting-lebron-james-stephen-curry-lead-first-results
According to Lang Whitaker of NBA.com's Hang Time Blog, James leads Curry by just under 4,000 votes, and Anthony Davis is currently in third place with 524,623 votesGiven how well James, a perennial MVP candidate, is playing this year (and has played every year), fans should expect him to continue to lead the way in voting. For Curry, if he can continue his impressive start to the season—he's in the top five in assists and steals per game, as well as total three-pointers made—it shouldn't shock many to see him finish in second.
Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2310509-nba-all-star-game-2015-voting-lebron-james-stephen-curry-lead-first-results
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