Month: July 2017

NFC South 2017 predictions: Division has the goods to challenge Falcons

NFL Jerseys OutletLeave a comment

By all accounts, the Falcons are using that 28-3 Super Bowl lead as fuel for 2017 instead of running away from it.

Good idea, because every team in the division has the goods to challenge them just to get out of the NFC South.

“Kershaw has pitched on three-days’ rest in each of the last four postseasons. This has become an annual occurrence, which has obscured the difficult and unusual nature of the task.

“Kershaw shouldn’t have to pitch on such a schedule until the World Series, if at all. That becomes possible if Darvish is added to a rotation that includes Kershaw, Alex Wood and Rich Hill. With a well-rested Hill as the No. 4 starter, Kershaw would have the kind of flexibility that wouldn’t be afforded to him if the likes of Brandon McCarthy or Kenta Maeda are part of the postseason rotation. (There’s also the bonus of Darvish being a right-hander, who could present opponents with a significantly different look than Kershaw, Wood and Hill, who are all left-handed.)”

There are a couple of other factors in favor of getting Darvish: Because he’ll be a free agent at season’s end, he wouldn’t cost the Dodgers the same as if they acquired a pitcher under contract control for multiple seasons. That means they presumably wouldn’t have to give up top pitching prospect Walker Buehler.

But, Hernandez warns, to get a pitcher the caliber of an All-Star like Darvish, even as a rental, will cost the Dodgers a prospect they’d rather not trade.

But viewed in context of what the Cubs got (a World Series title with rented Cheap Jerseys Online Free Shipping closer Aroldis Chapman) for giving up top prospect Gleyber Torres, the Dodgers — who Cheap Kids Jerseys NHL haven’t won a World Series since 1988 — need to be thinking boldly.

Russell Westbrook pulls to within one triple-double of Oscar Robertson’s record

NFL Jerseys OutletLeave a comment

Chalk it up: Russell Westbrook is poised to break one of the most hallowed records in the NBA.

The Thunder star point guard recorded his 40th triple-double of the season Sunday in dramatic fashion, but Oklahoma City still fell to the Hornets 113-101 at home.

Westbrook scored 40 points with 13 rebounds and 10 assists to go with eight turnovers to move to within one of Oscar Robertson’s record of 41 triple-doubles in one NBA regular season.

It was Westbrook’s fifth straight 30-point triple-double, which is the longest such streak in NBA history.

The Rockets are basically locked into the No. 3 playoff spot in the West as they are 7 1/2 games behind San Antonio and four games in front of Utah, so there is very little to be decided in these final six games.

But with Patrick Beverley’s comments March 26 after Houston’s win over Oklahoma City, the situation becomes less cut and dry.

When asked about resting players, Harden’s teammate said after the game to reporters, “I think that’s bulls—, I think that’s a disgrace to this league. I think that fans deserve better.”

But would it be better for Harden to sit? In the 70 games to start the season, prior to Harden’s injury, he was averaging 29.2 points per game with a 44.6 shooting percentage, 35.2 percent from 3-point range, and 84.9 percent from the free-throw line, with 11.2 assists, and 8.1 rebounds.

In the six games since he’s averaging 28.3 points, but shooting Cheap Goalie Jerseys just 39 Cheap High Quality NFL Jerseys percent from the floor and 25.8 percent from behind the arc, with 10.8 assists, 7.6 rebounds per game.

James Harden finds new force in Clint Capela

NFL Jerseys OutletLeave a comment

At various points this season, guys like Ryan Anderson, Lou Williams and Eric Gordon have helped James Harden win games. Saturday, it was Clint Capela.

Harden and Capela led the Rockets to a 123-108 win against the Grizzlies by combining to score 57 points. Harden led the way with 33 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds. Capela added 24 points and 11 rebounds.

“Honestly, it wasn’t ever clear to me (that Jim and Kupchak would be on their way out) because when I interviewed that was one of the questions I asked, was ‘Are we going to be in this together?’ And they said ‘Yeah,’ so I was under the assumption that (it was) Jimmy and Mitch. So I wasn’t worried about this or that. I was expecting that that was the front office, the whole time I was going to be here, at least for a while, so there wasn’t any uncertainty with me.”

The news was unsettling to Walton for obvious reasons. When a new regime takes over a sports franchise, it often brings in a new coach.

Working in Walton’s favor is a solid rapport with Jeannie Buss, something she didn’t have with Walton’s predecessors Mike D’Antoni and Byron Scott, USA Today notes.

But Walton is just getting to know his new direct boss, Magic Johnson. When he was Lakers player, Walton occasionally intersected with Magic.

“It was not a really deep relationship or anything like that,” he said.

For now, Walton is keeping to task.

“This is an incredible opportunity,” he said. “We get the Cheap European Soccer Jerseys opportunity to try and rebuild and get the Lakers back on top, (and) yeah I get really frustrated Cheap Football Jerseys From China with losing. It’s tough to sleep at night, but by the time I wake up in the morning, I’m normally very positive and excited driving into work about what we get to do for the day. That’s kind of the approach I take going into it.”

LeBron James and Tristan Thompson explain beef they had in Cavs huddle

NFL Jerseys OutletLeave a comment

Cameras caught LeBron James and Tristan Thompson involved in a heated exchange during the second overtime period in Sunday’s game. The two Cavs players appeared to be very upset with one another, so it became a topic of discussion once the game was over.

“I have to do a better job of not showing up my teammates out on the floor. I had the right intentions in my mind, but I had the wrong intentions come out of my mouth,” James said on Fox Sports Ohio once the game ended. “I take full responsibility for that as the leader of the team. So I got to be a lot better at that and be able to keep that in-house in the locker room and when we’re watching film.”

It began with a nod to the coaches who helped James get where he is today, then unfolded into a speech on the virtues of tough love.

“As a kid, they showed toughness and stayed on me every single day! Never sugar coded nothing, told me to real and lit me up when I wasn’t applying. Reason I’m saying this is I believe this is a major part of the reason why kids don’t succeed as much because the leaders, coaches, etc., won’t get on them because their afraid of losing the kid, or losing the sponsorship that comes with the kids, or have their own agenda on how much they can benefit in the long run from the kid not realizing they’re cheating the s— out of the kid.

“We as kids don’t know. We need to be pushed, kicked, loved, then pushed and kicked again cause that’s what brings and breads the hunger inside of us! Whoever u are out there please stop worrying about u and if u really care for the kid NFL Cheap Jerseys give them the guidance as my Coaches, mentors did Cheap Kids Soccer Jerseys for me!”

Judge hears argument for new trial in murder of Michael Jordan’s father

NFL Jerseys OutletLeave a comment

Claims of a misleading testimony and misconduct by the prosecutor and jury in the trial for the murder of Michael Jordan’s father could result in a new trial nearly 20 years later.

A North Carolina Superior Court judge heard arguments on convicted murderer Daniel Green’s claims for just over an hour Wednesday in a Robeson County courtroom. According to The Fayetteville Observer, Judge Michael Beale has agreed to accept some witness statements as he considers request for hearing on whether Green should get a new trial.

Attorneys for Green have long argued Green was not present when James Jordan was killed during a 1993 car-jacking. His legal team now contends it has the evidence to challenge the case.

The lawyers claim Green was in a different location when the elder Jordan died, but he did help get rid of the body and drive Jordan’s car. Larry Demery is the one who shot Jordan, the attorneys say, but Demery pinned it on Green during the 1996 trial as part of a plea deal with prosecutors for a lesser sentence.

Per the Charlotte Observer, other potential evidence which could help Green receive a new trial include:

The Cavaliers big deals this offseason have been with Jose Calderon and Jeff Green. The team also re-signed Kyle Korver and brought over former draft pick Cedi Osman from Turkey on a three-year deal.

What can the Cavs do though? They are hamstrung with the contracts they gave to Tristan Thompson after the 2014-15 season and J.R. Smith after the 2015-16 season.

Smith is entering the second year of a four-year, $57 million contract, while Thompson is coming into the third year of his five-year, $82 million contract.

The offseason is going to remain peculiar for Wholesale NFL Jerseys the Cavs because there isn’t much the team can do with the little Wholesale Jerseys money it has at this time.

Colin Kaepernick goes ‘home’ to Ghana to find his independence

NFL Jerseys OutletLeave a comment

Colin Kaepernick remains unfazed by the fact he remains unsigned by NFL teams.

The former 49ers quarterback tweeted a minute-long video Tuesday of a trip he took to Cape Coast Castle, a former slave trade hub in Ghana, and questioned the celebration of Independence Day in the U.S.

Smith said that Pacquiao was robbed by judges Waleksa Roldan, Chris Flores and Ramon Cerdan, who scored the fight 117-111, 115-113, 115-113 respectively in favour of Horn.

It was a bogus decision, Smith said.

It’s stuff like this that hurts the sport of boxing … it’s a horrible decision.

The Philippines Government’s Games and Amusements Board, meanwhile, has written to the WBO to seek a thorough review of the fight and possible sanctions against the referee and judges if warranted, but the officials stopped short of asking for the result to be overturned.

Lonergan said that Smith was pretty vocal with Cheap NBA Jerseys what he had to say but I’m sure maybe [Horn’s] promoter will be just as vocal as Stephen A back.

We’d have to talk to Jeff about that and see if he wanted to go. I’m sure he would.

Fresh from conquering Pacquiao Mountain, newly crowned welterweight champion Jeff Horn said he is eyeing a big-time fight in Las Vegas.

Now, the Thunder’s bet is that they can head off Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping that exodus by pairing the two and pushing OKC back into the top quarter of the West standings. A Westbrook-George pairing obviously does not put the Thunder on the same footing as the Warriors, but if enough goes wrong elsewhere, it’s not hard to imagine the Thunder landing in the Top 3 in the West.

It’s not just that Scherzer is getting lucky with at’em balls.

NFL Jerseys OutletLeave a comment

After the game Sunday, I asked Scherzer whether he takes any more satisfaction watching a hitter swing and miss at a pitch or whether he prefers seeing a frozen batter take a strike.

“It doesn’t matter how you get a strike,” he said. “You’re trying to sequence guys so that you can throw out pitches with two strikes. Most of the time that means a strikeout, but if that means a lazy fly ball or weak contact, that’s just as effective as well. It’s trying to find the right sequence so that you can throw your best pitch with two strikes.”

But really, 10.1 strikeouts per nine is great for a starter. And 12.2 is kind of ridiculous.

It’s not just that Scherzer is getting lucky with at’em balls. This is the best Fielding Independent Pitching mark of his career.

Opponents are batting just .159 against Scherzer this year, with a BABIP of .222, mostly because even when they do make contact it’s not good contact. Check this out: His line-drive percentage of 14.1 is best in the bigs among qualified starters, and his rate of 26.5 percent “hard” contact is third in the majors. Good stuff.

In 2016, the Cubs sailed through the regular season almost without hiccup, but the same could not be said for Richard. He saw himself as a starter, but the Cubs wanted him in the bullpen. And as a reliever, he struggled. In 25 appearances for the Cubs last season, Richard posted a 6.43 ERA and had a 1:1 K/BB ratio, numbers Cheap Miami Dolphins Jerseys that wouldn’t fly with any team.

Joe Theismann rips 49ers for giving Colin Kaepernick prestigious award

NFL Jerseys OutletLeave a comment

Joe Theismann was not impressed with the 49ers’ decision to give quarterback Colin Kaepernick the organization’s Len Eshmont Award, presented to the player who best exemplifies the inspirational and courageous play of Len Eshmont, an Cheap Jerseys NFL Nike original member of the 1946 49ers team.

While the franchise designation should mean a $12 million salary for Bell next season, it also gives the player and team a window to negotiate a longer-term deal. As one of the best offensive players in the league, such a contract could mean big time playmaker moneyfor Bell, according to the report.

While Bell has dealt with suspensions and knee injuries over the last few seasons, he was the NFLs 2016 regular-season leader in touches per game (28.0) and yards per game from scrimmage (157.0) and was second in rushing yards per game (105.7 ypg). He missed the first three games of the season due to suspension.

Signing stud wide receiver Antonio Brown to a long-term deal is also high on the Steelersoffseason to-do list, the report says. Next season is the last under Browns current deal with Pittsburgh.

The 5-8 speedster from Abilene Christian was signed by the Browns as a free agent in 2014. He spent two seasons with the Browns, but was cut prior to the NFL season Cheap Jerseys Pay With Paypal as the Browns finalized their opening-day roster.

The Falcons picked him up and he became a breakout star with 35 catches for 579 yards and six touchdowns while rushing for another score.

As Gabriel had a big impact on the Falcons offense, Lewis was a gamechanger for the Patriots. Lewis was a fifth-round pick of the Eagles in 2011 but traded to Cleveland in 2013. The Browns gave up on Lewis after a broken leg cost him his lone season with the Browns. The Colts had a chance at him, but cut him after just a week in 2014.

Struggling Yankees bullpen illustrates mental challenges of the game

NFL Jerseys OutletLeave a comment

The past two weeks have been uncharacteristically brutal for the Yankees’ bullpen.

One of the game’s best relief groups over the first half of the season, Yankees relievers have posted an awful 5.52 ERA over the past two weeks, the third-worst mark in the AL. The bullpen’s poor performance since mid-June is a major reason why New York fell out of first place in the AL East, four games behind Boston.

To Martin’s point, with that playing time, Smoak is showcasing what he can do: His first All-Star appearance was bolstered on a .300 average NFL Cheap Jerseys Nike and 22 homers in the first half, both career highs. He’s got an OPS way over .900 and is on pace to shatter his previous career-high of .768. The playing time has certainly helped, and Martin said it’s showed in his approach.

“It’s not that he’s swinging less aggressively, it just looks like there’s less effort in his swing. It’s letting him swing at the pitches he Cheap Laker Jerseys Sale wants to. He’s not chasing,” Martin told SN.

“They threw the book out on him. You’d pitch him in, and then you’d throw him breaking balls down, below the zone. He’s not swinging at those pitches anymore. He’s forcing guys to throw strikes over the plate. With that power, with that raw power, and that swing, he’s gonna crush the ball, and that’s what he’s doing.”

Though Smoak played in 126 games last season, 82 were at first base. As with pitchers, position players like to know their roles. Being the Jays’ everyday first baseman this year only helped Smoak.

Neither the veterans nor the youngsters should have much trouble adapting.

NFL Jerseys OutletLeave a comment

Change is welcome in Chicago after a 3-13 season, its worst in more than 30 years, and a third consecutive last-place finish in the NFC North. And change is what the Bears will get.

Dennison is expected to bring more zone blocking to an offensive line that’s used to a mix of power and zone. Neither the veterans nor the youngsters should have much trouble adapting.

The biggest question mark with this group is where second-round pick Dion Dawkins fits as a rookie. If the Bills are not comfortable letting him play right tackle immediately, he’ll slide to right guard, opposite Pro Bowler Richie Incognito and in between Eric Wood (center) and Jordan Mills (right tackle).

With that in mind, what follows is a lineup of Miami Heat Cheap Jerseys players who made the unlikeliest appearances in an All-Star Game. Before we roll out the selections, we need to lay a few ground rules.

First, no pitchers were considered for this project. Since 1990, there have been over 100 pitchers who have made only one All-Star team. Wading through them would have been impossible. Second, only players who made an All-Star Minnesota Vikings Cheap Jerseys team since 1990 were considered. Third, career WAR was used as the primary determining factor in who to select for this team.

There were a few exceptions, but overall, this is a list of players who made an All-Star Game with the lowest total value added over their career at their position when compared with other All-Stars.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane and see whether you remember these unlikely All-Stars.