• The race towards the quarterfinals of the Fil Oil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup is certainly heating up with contenders from both brackets seek to climb up in the team rankings. The top four teams in both groups will figure in the crossover quarters next week. Three crucial games were played on Saturday that have made the current team standings even more interesting.

    But the biggest winners were the University of the East Warriors that upended the erstwhile-unbeaten De La Salle Green Archers, 60-53, and improved their record to 6-2. Charles Mammie was the biggest thorn on the side of the Archers as he dominated the paint in the fourth quarter, and also came up with a tough defensive stance against the frontline of La Salle. He tallied 13 points, nine rebounds and one block. But it was the concerted hustle and energy of the other Warriors that truly impressed me. They were relentless on defense, aggressive in rebounding, pushing the ball in transition, and fighting for loose balls. They

    Read More »from UE fought like true Warriors, hands La Salle first loss
  • Will Smith and his son Jaden are in London to promote their new film (and hold a mini Fresh Prince reunion), and their trip happens to coincide with the city hosting this year's Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. So before the match, the Smiths stopped by the UEFA Champions Festival on the International Quarter to attempt a few penalty kicks against former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

    After a big stretch, Will stepped up to the spot first. He took a smooth run up, a big kick and then weakly scuffed the ball to the top corner of the miniature penalty box. A penalty so bad that the cameraman couldn't even keep it in frame. The crowd laughed and Smith had Van der Sar get rid of the offending ball.

    Jaden was up and he was able to score, in part because his father physically restrained Van der Sar. Sadly, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Alfonso Ribeiro (who was also there) did not take penalty kicks of their own.

    Read More »from Will Smith is not good at penalty kicks
  • With three days off between games, Mike Conley should be limber (Getty Images)

    The Memphis Grizzlies don’t lack for direction. They’re not adrift, attempting to figure out a way to keep up with a San Antonio Spurs team that boasted the best record in the Western Conference. After two games in San Antonio, including a close Game 2 overtime defeat, the Grizzlies are rightfully and (to some) expectedly down 0-2.

    The team could stand to streamline things, though, against an impressive Spurs outfit that is championship-worthy but still quite beatable. And while most might look toward former All-Star forward Zach Randolph’s return to form as the quickest way between overcoming a tough deficit and creating a best of three series following the team’s return to Memphis, there’s another potential shaker that could put this team over the top. He’s actually been that guy for years, if you think about it, and he answers to the name “Mike Conley.” Unless his dad is in the room.

    Read More »from The onus falls on Mike Conley, as his Memphis Grizzlies return home to defend their turf
  • (Getty)

    Santos have accepted two offers for Neymar, leaving the final decision on where Brazil's most celebrated young talent will go up to the player. The clubs that made the offers have not been revealed, but one is thought to be Barcelona. The other, however, might surprise. The following is a transcript of Neymar hearing the offers from Barcelona president Sandro Rosell and Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan.

    Neymar: I was told that you both made acceptable offers to Santos, so now I must decide which club will help me make this big step in my career. This will be a very difficult decision, so please tell me everything I need to know.

    Rosell: Of course. Although, it shouldn't take much to convince you to join Barcelona.

    Whelan: I'm not telling you my bank details or where I buy my shoes, so you can forget that.

    Neymar: Oh. I wouldn't ask either of those things. First, how many trophies did your clubs win this season?

    Rosell: Well, just the one — the league title. But next season, with

    Read More »from DT Exclusive: Neymar decides between offers from Barcelona and Wigan
  • Roy Hibbert is playing the best basketball of his career (Getty Images)

    The Indiana Pacers knew during Friday’s Game 2 that LeBron James would probably be the reason for any close defeat. What they probably didn’t guess is that LeBron James beating himself would end up being the reason for the change in tone and outlook of this Eastern Conference final.

    For most of Game 2, there was absolutely nothing the Indiana Pacers could do about James. The team guarded him smartly, with tough and athletic All-Star Paul George ignoring foul trouble and an embarrassing end to Game 1 to stick with James throughout. Indiana’s league-best defense funneled him to uncomfortable spots on the wing and minded him expertly in transition. By the time the end of the fourth quarter hit, James (who finished with 36 points while hitting 70 percent of his shots) had dragged his Heat to what seemed like was going to be a 2-0 series lead.

    Instead of the full drag, though, James played the goat. Two last minute passes were deflected by Pacer forward David West, giving Indiana the extra possessions it needed to pull out an inspired 97-93 win. The Pacers did not doubt themselves in the wake of what could have been a mood-altering overtime loss in Game 1, rallying behind coach Frank Vogel on the way to a tough win over a team that they now have downed in three out of five regular and postseason contests.

    And although the headlines will center on some flashy dunks or James’ late game gaffes, the Pacers won because of the dominant play of big man Roy Hibbert. Yes, “dominant.”

    Read More »from Indiana ties the Eastern Conference finals behind Roy Hibbert’s dominance and LeBron James’ miscues
  • Three months after coming out as gay and stepping away from the game, midfielder Robbie Rogers has signed with the LA Galaxy according to multiple reports. MLS rights to Rogers, who previously played in the league for Columbus Crew from 2007 to 2011, were owned by the Chicago Fire, but Rogers didn't want to play for them. So after casually training with the Galaxy over the last several weeks, a trade was finally worked out, sending midfielder Mike Magee to Chicago in exchange for Rogers, who is now the first openly gay player in MLS. And according to ESPN, he is also "the first active openly gay male athlete to compete in an American professional team sport."

    Rogers came out in February with a moving post on his personal blog, saying "Secrets can cause so much internal damage. People love to preach about honesty, how honesty is so plain and simple. Try explaining to your loved ones after 25 years you are gay." At the end of March, he told the Guardian that it was "impossible" to be

    Read More »from Robbie Rogers signs with LA Galaxy, becomes first openly gay player in MLS
  • With just under 14 seconds left in the third quarter of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals between the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat, Indiana All-Star Paul George isolated up top against Heat star LeBron James. He then promptly left the reigning MVP in the dust with a slick hesitation and quick left-hand dribble, gained the paint, gathered, rose and viciously clipped the wings of "The Birdman," Chris Andersen:

    Just one problem, Paul: You left a little too much time on the clock before the end of the quarter.

    Read More »from Paul George blows by LeBron James to posterize Birdman, LeBron answers with buzzer-beater 3
  • Miami Heat uber-star LeBron James is widely acknowledged as the best player in the NBA, but merely calling him such doesn't communicate just how amazing he is to watch on a daily basis. In seemingly every game, LeBron does something no other player in the league can do, turning a creative idea into an incredible play with astonishing regularity.

    In Friday night's Eastern Conference Finals Game 2 against the Indiana Pacers, James had one of these moments right before halftime. With the Heat down 53-44 and mere seconds on the clock, LeBron attacked the basket and drew three defenders near him to challenge a likely shot attempt. However, James changed course in midair, switching the ball to his right hand and firing a shot to Mike Miller in the right corner for a buzzer-beating three. In real time, it looked like a smart, creative move by James to get his teammate an open look and cut the lead to six points.

    Replays show much more. Because of the angle of his drive, LeBron could only get

    Read More »from LeBron James fires a ridiculous pass to Mike Miller for a 3 at the halftime buzzer (Video)
  • Ex-NBA player Rasual Butler talks with Y! Philippines Sports blogger Jude Roque (Photo by Jerry Dela Rosa).
    During the recent US summer training of the San Beda Red Lions at the Impact Training facility in Los Angeles, I chanced upon former NBA campaigner Rasual Butler. The 2013 NBA Developmental League Impact Player of the Year was training in the same facility under renowned hoops trainer Joe Abunassar, who also supervises the Lions’ training camp.

    “I’m hoping to make a comeback in the NBA, that’s why I’m here working hard to be prepared,” said the 33-year old shooting guard who played 10 seasons in the NBA. “My training is going very well. Joe and Gio are doing a great job making sure I’m working hard on things that will make me a better basketball player.”

    In 2002, Butler was picked by the Miami Heat in the second round. He suited up for the Heat from 2002 to 2004 before he was traded to New Orleans. He played four years with the Hornets where he posted decent norms of 8.7 points and 2.8 rebounds in 25 minutes of play. But it was in the Los Angeles Clippers that he shone brightest in

    Read More »from Rasual Butler raring for NBA comeback
  • "Come on, Ray. Hit that." (Getty Images)

    In his final two games against the Indiana Pacers as a member of the Boston Celtics, Ray Allen combined to shoot 10-27 from the field. In the 2012-13 regular season, against Indiana, Allen missed 13 of 16 shots, and made just one three-pointer in nine attempts. Allen, an 88 percent free throw shooter on the year, did make 4-5 from the line.

    Over the first six quarters of Indiana’s pairing with Allen’s Heat in the Eastern Conference finals, the bad luck streak in dancing school has continued, with the sharpshooter hitting for just eight attempts in 10 tries off the Miami bench. Weirder, he’s missed three of his six free throw attempts, including the infamous clang that allowed the Pacers to tie Game 1 at the end of regulation, and a technical foul miss that led to a mention that we very much appreciated.

    This could be the tipping off point. A post like this could serve as a lowest dip for Allen and the Heat, especially if they find away to stop what should be a lacking Pacers offense (scored 50 points in the second half in game one, and 53 in Friday evening’s first half) and dash into the open court. The long arms of Paul George, Lance Stephenson, and George Hill aren’t as effective when Allen is spotting up in the corner in transition, with LeBron whipping away pass after pass.

    Read More »from Ray Allen’s shooting struggles against the Indiana Pacers continue

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