CS&T/AllsportsAmerica Monday Sports News Update, 02/03/2014.

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Sports Quote of the Day:

"A man can be as great as he wants to be. If you believe in yourself and have the courage, the determination, the dedication, the competitive drive, and if you are willing to sacrifice the little things in life and pay the price for the things that are worthwhile, it can be done." ~ Vince Lombardi, Legendary NFL Coach

Legion of Kaboom! Seahawks jump on Broncos and never let up in Super Bowl blowout of Peyton Manning.

By Dan Wetzel

Denver Broncos' Peyton Manning (18) throws a pass during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl XLVlll football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday February 2, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J.

(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

 

On the Super Bowl's first snap, Peyton Manning approached the Denver Broncos' line of scrimmage to set blocking assignments only to watch the snapped ball unexpectedly sail past his head. It wound up in the end zone for a Seattle Seahawks safety, the quickest score in Super Bowl history.

 

Things only got better for Seattle and worse for Denver.

The result was a Seahawks rout, 43-8, giving the franchise its first NFL championship. Linebacker Malcolm Smith was named MVP, a testament to just how punishing a performance Seattle's defense delivered.

The scope of Seattle's dominance was overwhelming, a thorough trashing of favored Denver in every facet of the game. The Seahawks' defensive legion lowered the boom on Manning and his vaunted offense, forcing two picks and carrying a shutout into the third quarter.

Meanwhile Seattle scored in almost every imaginable way, a pick-six, a brilliant kickoff return by Percy Harvin, a Marshawn Lynch powerhouse run, a Russell Wilson-to-Jermaine Kearse catch-and-run, a couple field goals and the aforementioned safety.

To recap, those are scores via run, pass, kick return, interception, safety and field goal. There aren't many more ways to earn points.

"At the beginning of the season I told our guys, 'Hey, why not us?'" Wilson said. "We believed that we could get here."

It was 22-zip at the half, 29-0 after Harvin took the opening kick of the second half to the house and 36-0 before Denver got on the scoreboard. It was over long before then.

This was one of the most lopsided Super Bowls in history (San Francisco's 55-10 defeat of Denver in Super Bowl XXIV remains the record).

Seattle managed to score 12 seconds into both halves.

The game was decided by Seattle's No. 1 rated defense, which throttled and eventually humiliated a Denver offense that entered the game as the league's top-ranked unit after scoring the most points in a regular season in NFL history.

In the run-up to the game, the Seahawks' Legion of Boom was respectful of Manning and his array of weapons, but also expressed the calm confidence that is a trademark of coach Pete Carroll. Call it laidback if you want, but Seattle also entered the biggest stage in football without a hint of fear or doubt despite lacking Super Bowl experience.

Seattle forced four turnovers and took Manning completely out of his game. By getting enough pressure on Manning to make him move out of the pocket – Carroll called this a critical focus in the pregame – Denver's record air attack was rendered useless.

The Broncos didn't score until the final play of the third quarter, when the game was no longer in doubt.

Manning threw two picks, one of which was returned 69 yards for a touchdown by Smith. Manning was also incapable of hitting receivers down field, stuck with short, ineffective passes over the middle. Rushed and uncomfortable, he missed reads, rushed throws and saw passes sail high.

He was nothing like the player who threw for a record 55 touchdowns this season and was a near-unanimous MVP selection. Then again, Denver didn't face a top 10-defense in the league this season, let alone the top one in Seattle.

Manning finished 34 of 49 for 280 yards and a score. He is now 1-2 in Super Bowls, this one a bitter performance at age 36 after a triumphant return from a career-threatening neck injury.

Meanwhile his counterpart, Wilson, was solid enough to avoid major mistakes and move the Seahawks up and down the field for scoring drives. Wilson finished 18 of 25 for 206 yards and two touchdowns.

Seattle plays in the Pacific Northwest, far from the nation's traditional media centers, lacks many household stars and is led by a coach in Carroll who is rarely credited for his coaching acumen.

Whatever doubts were out there were unfounded. They didn't need stars or gaudy stats.

Seattle had a team – clearly the best team in the NFL.

Winning is not a sometime thing; it's an all time thing. You don't win once in a while, you don't do things right once in a while, you do them right all the time. Winning is habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.
Read more at http://www.woopidoo.com/biography/vince-lombardi/life.htm#fhhftIx9fSphPYIp.99

Winning is not a sometime thing; it's an all time thing. You don't win once in a while, you don't do things right once in a while, you do them right all the time. Winning is habit. Unfortunately, so is losing
Read more at http://www.woopidoo.com/biography/vince-lombardi/life.htm#fhhftIx9fSphPYIp.99

How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? Sharks edge Blackhawks in shootout.

Winning is not a sometime thing; it's an all time thing. You don't win once in a while, you don't do things right once in a while, you do them right all the time. Winning is habit. Unfortunately, so is losing
Read more at http://www.woopidoo.com/biography/vince-lombardi/life.htm#fhhftIx9fSphPYIp.99

By Ross McKeon, The Sports Xchange

The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.
Vince Lombardi
Read more at http://www.woopidoo.com/biography/vince-lombardi/life.htm#fhhftIx9fSphPYIp.99

The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.
Vince Lombardi
Read more at http://www.woopidoo.com/biography/vince-lombardi/life.htm#fhhftIx9fSphPYIp.99

The San Jose Sharks are struggling to score in regulation, but they had no problem finding the back of the net during a shootout on Saturday.

Forwards Joe Pavelski, Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton all converted in impressive fashion as the hosts beat the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1.

Goaltender Antti Niemi stopped winger Patrick Sharp after allowing a shootout goal to center Jonathan Toews as San Jose snapped a three-game losing streak while beating Chicago for the second straight time in a shootout.

"Not making a save in the shootout was the only thing that bothered me," Chicago goalie Corey Crawford said. "We played well and we had our chances to win, a couple of chances late. Our guys were doing a great job of not allowing many second chances."

All three San Jose scorers displayed high skill for a team that has just two goals during regulation in its last four games. The best -- Thornton's delay, drag-hide-and-sneak-just-inside-the-near-post move -- was saved for last.

"What a move, really nice to watch," Sharks coach Todd McLellan said. "That must have been in his bag for a long time because I've been here for six years and I haven't seen that. It's nice that it came out."

Thornton explained he's practiced on Sharks' back-up goalie Alex Stalock in practice, but couldn't remember if it ever worked.

"Just lucky enough it went in tonight," Thornton said.

Pavelski led off and went with a hard stop, quick stickhandle and forehand over Crawford's left pad to bring the home crowd out of their seats.

"He's a big guy, likes to make the first save a lot," Pavelski said. "I like to get him moving and then you have to get it over his pad."

Marleau used his speed and deft stickhandling to open Crawford's 5-hole, and he squeezed a shot between the goalie's legs.

"It was just a competitive game from drop of the first puck to the end," Thornton said. "It could have gone either way."

The scoreless tie was broken in the third period as each team wound up finding the back of the net on the same Chicago power play.

With San Jose defenseman Brad Stuart off for hooking Kane, Sharks defenseman Scott Hannan picked off Sharp's long bank pass through center and hit Pavelski with a 40 pass through the neutral zone.

Pavelski calmed the bounce puck, fought off Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith, and scored his 29th goal while short-handed at 6:10.

"I was able to get just enough of an opening to get it through," Pavelski said. "We'd like to win in regulation, but we'll take it."

The lead was short-lived as right winger Brandon Saad potted his 18th goal 63 seconds later on the same Chicago man-advantage. Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook made a nice play to keep the puck alive at the San Jose blue line moments earlier.

"When you give up a short-handed goal, you're usually happy to get the one point, but we scored on the same power play and that got us right back in it," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "They did not have a chance to play with the lead very long."

"It's tough, but we're a veteran group, we know how to react and I thought we reacted well," Thornton said. "We probably could have gotten it out on the boards, but we didn't."

The Sharks produced three shots on all four power plays, but couldn't break through.

"We'll be fighting it until we start scoring consistently," McLellan added. "But to win games 2-1 or 1-0 count just as much and sometimes they're more gratifying."

NOTES: The Sharks learned Saturday that injured C Logan Couture likely will not return until after the Olympic break. Couture missed his 13th straight game on Saturday after undergoing hand surgery early last month. Recovering from the right-hand repair was expected to be a minimum of 3-4 weeks. ... San Jose RW Tyler Kennedy missed a second straight game because of a lower-body injury. Kennedy said he felt a "pull" during the Jan. 29 game in Edmonton, in which he did not return. ... C John McCarthy cleared waivers and was assigned to the Sharks' AHL affiliate Worcester. ... Struggling Chicago RW Bryan Bickel was a healthy scratch for a second straight game. D Sheldon Brookbank and D Michael Kostka did not dress for Chicago. ... The Blackhawks continue their second seven-game road trip of the season with stop No. 4 in Los Angeles on Monday. ... The Sharks continue their pre-Olympic break homestand with a game on Monday against Philadelphia. ... D Jason Demers was scratched due to a lower-body injury, McLellan said.

Blackhawks-Kings Preview.

By JEFF MEZYDLO (STATS Senior Writer)

The Chicago Blackhawks couldn't get the best of one offensively challenged opponent, but might have a good chance to rebound against another.

Attempting to do so Monday night, the visiting Blackhawks hope to continue their success over a Los Angeles Kings team looking to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat.

Brandon Saad recorded his third goal in two games Saturday, but Corey Crawford failed to make a save in the shootout after stopping 38 shots as Chicago (33-10-14) fell to 1-0-2 on its seven-game trip with a 2-1 loss at San Jose.

Though the Blackhawks have totaled a league-high 200 goals, they've been held to one three times during their current 1-2-2 stretch. They failed to beat a San Jose club that snapped a three-game skid while scoring its second non-shootout goal in four games.

"I don't think we played a good team game," said Saad, who has five points in three games. "In the end you want to get two points."

The Blackhawks are 5-14 after regulation, with none of those victories coming in overtime.

"We've been doing some good things 5 on 5, it's disappointing," coach Joel Quenneville said.

Though the Blackhawks allowed a short-handed goal in the third period Saturday, they rebounded with Saad's power-play score. Chicago is 3 for 7 with the man-advantage in the last two games after going 3 for 33 in the previous 12 contests.

''It was a playoff type atmosphere," said forward Kris Versteeg, who has an assist in three straight games. "Time and space was non-existent and that's when you need to play smart. There's a lot of positives from (Saturday's) game. Be ready for L.A."

Including last season's Western Conference finals, Chicago has won four straight and eight of 10 against the Kings (30-21-6).

Backup Antti Raanta has stopped 47 of 48 shots while the Blackhawks have outscored Los Angeles 4-1 in winning both previous meetings this season. The rookie posted his first career shutout with 26 saves, and Saad scored in a 1-0 home victory over the Kings on Dec. 30.

Los Angeles has been shut out three times in its last five games and six times overall. It recorded 35 shots and allowed 13 during Saturday's 2-0 home loss to Philadelphia.

The Kings have scored 10 goals while losing eight of nine, been held to one or none in six straight, and two or less 16 times during a 5-13-2 stretch.

"I'm pretty frustrated, but like I said, you've got to get over it," defenseman Drew Doughty told the NHL's official website.

"You've got to get past it. This can make us stronger. Going through this little slip, it seems like it happens every year with the Kings at some point. We're going turn this thing around and we're going to go the other way with it and become better from it."

If so, they'll likely need their top players to start producing.

Mike Richards is second on the team with 35 points, but none in his last six games. He's also been shut out in his three games versus Chicago at Staples Center.

Jeff Carter has a team-leading 20 goals, but none in six contests following a four-game goal streak. He's been held without a point in five straight regular-season games against the Blackhawks.

 

Bear Down Chicago Bears!!! Charles Tillman named 2013 Walter Payton Man of the Year.

CSN Staff

Chicago Bears Cornerback Charles (Peanut) Tillman #33

After making many impactful plays for the Bears over the years, cornerback Charles Tillman was rewarded for his contributions off the field on Saturday when he was announced as the 2013 Walter Payton Man of the Year.

“I'm grateful to be the recipient of such a prestigious award,” said Tillman in a press release. “Walter Payton's legacy continues to be a beacon of service and giving, and I'm just trying to do my small part. I don't think any of the finalists do what they do to get recognition, but we do it because we are passionate about helping others."

Tillman started his Cornerstone Foundation in 2005 to help ill Chicago-area children in numerous ways through a handful of programs. “Charles’ Locker” provides chronically sick kids access to entertainment devices such as iPads, DVD players and portable Play Station game systems. One of his other programs, “Field of Dreams”, helps kids live out their sports-related wishes. 

Tillman was a finalist for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award in 2011 and won the NFL Salute to Service Award in 2012. He's the fifth Bear to win the award and first since 2000 when Jim Flanigan won.

The 11-year veteran recorded three interceptions for the Bears in eight games and is set to be a free agent this offseason.

Reed, Brooks, Jones, Strahan, Williams, Guy, Humphrey make HOF.

By Josh Katzowitz

Here are six of the seven new Hall of Fame inductees. Top row (l to r), Derrick Brooks, Claude Humphrey and Walter Jones. Bottom row (l to r), Aeneas Williams, Ray Guy and Andre Reed.

After a meeting that lasted a record eight hours and 59 minutes, the 2014 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame includes receiver Andre Reed, linebacker Derrick Brooks, tackle Walter Jones, defensive end Michael Strahan, cornerback Aeneas Williams, punter Ray Guy and defensive end Claude Humphrey.

Here were the reasons why:

Derrick Brooks, linebacker for the Buccaneers (1995-2008): He's one of the most important players in Tampa Bay franchise history, and though he probably would have loved to go into the HOF with his former coach Tony Dungy and his former teammate, safety John Lynch, that was unlikely to happen. Instead, Brooks was voted in because he was a tackling machine (from 1996-2000, he recorded at least 130 tackles per season) and because he picked off 25 career interceptions, including six that were returned for touchdowns. Brooks is one of the best outside linebackers of all time, and it would have been a shock if he wasn't elected on his first ballot. Said Brooks: "It's hard for me to imagine me playing this game and my spirit not realizing it's a team. I guess I can't bring my teamates in with me but their spirits are. I guess it's OK to accept this award on my personal behalf but I'm always thinking of those guys. I'm going to enjoy the moment for Derrick."

Ray Guy, punter for the Raiders (1973-86): He'd missed out making the HOF as a modern-day finalist seven previous times, but this time, he was elected by the senior committee and made it in that way. It's unclear why the 46 voters would keep him out for so many years, only to wait until the eighth (!) time he was up for election to finally make this decision, but none of that likely matters to the man who changed the way we thought about punters. His 42.4 yards per punt average feels so antiquated, but he also led the league in average three times, and if Guy was punting these days with this equipment and training, there's little doubt he'd be one of the best in the league. And oh yeah, Guy is the FIRST PUNTER EVER TO MAKE THE HOF. Said Guy: “It's gratifying to now see a punter go into the HOF. Whether it was me or somebody else, they needed a representation at that position.”

Claude Humphrey, defensive end for the Falcons (1968-78) and the Eagles (1978-81): Like Guy, he was a senior committee nominee, and Humphrey was a six-time Pro Bowler and twice was voted to the All-Pro team. One of his most-impressive seasons came in 1980 when he recorded 14.5 sacks to help Philadelphia advance to Super Bowl XV. That must have been a nice moment for Humphrey considering that during a decade in Atlanta, the Falcons only produced three winning seasons. In his career, he recorded 122 sacks (before sacks were an official statistic).

Walter Jones, tackle for the Seahawks (1997-2008): Not only was Jones one of the best left tackles of his generation, many observers believe he's one of the best of all time (perhaps only behind Anthony Munoz and Tony Boselli). Out of anybody in this group, Jones was the biggest lock to make the HOF, and the reason why is obvious. He's an all-time great who only was credited with nine career holding penalties and allowed just 23 sacks in more than 5,700 pass plays. Mike Holmgren -- who once worked with players like Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and Brett Favre -- once called Jones the best offensive player he'd ever coached.

Andre Reed, receiver for the Bills (1985-99) and Redskins (2000): When I tweeted out my personal Hall of Fame picks, where I selected Tim Brown instead of Marvin Harrison and Reed, I was bashed by Bills fans for not taking a receiver in Reed whose statistics badly trailed that of Harrison and Brown but who probably should have been selected many years ago. At this point, I thought Reed's chances were over, because all the receivers coming after him will continue to pass him with their statistics. But voters obviously liked his ability to record yards after the catch (he really was a master at gaining extra yards). And his consistency. Every season but two from 1998-2007, he gained at least 850 receiving yards, and though he had a Hall of Fame quarterback in Jim Kelly tossing him passes, Reed now has gone as far as anybody from Kutztown State could have expected. Said Reed: Yes I waited. But my dad always told me patience is a virtue and good things come to those that wait.”

Michael Strahan, defensive end for the Giants (1993-2007): You could have made the case that Strahan should have gone in on the first ballot in 2013 -- maybe that would have shut up Warren Sapp -- but Strahan seemed like one of the locks during this year's vote. He holds the record for 22.5 sacks in a single season, and his 141.5 career takedowns ranks fifth all time. What might have kept him out last year was that Bill Parcells was elected, and the voters didn't want two former NFLers so closely connected with the Giants to make it on the same ballot. Also, voters apparently didn't want two players from the defensive line (the other was Sapp) to go in at the same time. None of that obviously was a problem this year.

Aeneas Williams, cornerback for the Cardinals (1991-2000) and Rams (2001-04): Lauded for his consistency -- he only missed one game in his first 10 years in the league -- and his play-making ability (he recorded at least five interceptions five different times and led the league with nine in 1994), Williams finally makes the HOF after playing as one of the best defensive backs in the league in the 1990s. He's tied for fourth all time with nine career interception returns, and according to the Pro Football Focus metrics, he had the highest approximate value of anybody in the league in the 2001 season. It was only a matter of time before Williams was going to be enshrined.

Just another Chicago Bulls Session… Pelicans 88, Bulls 79.

By Peter Finney Jr., The Sports Xchange

Forward Anthony Davis scored 15 of his game-high 24 points in the second half and grabbed eight rebounds and blocked six shots to lift the New Orleans Pelicans to a 88-79 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night at the New Orleans Arena.

Playing with a dislocated left index finger -- on his non-shooting hand -- Davis didn't seem bothered in the least. His six blocks gave him the franchise record of at least four blocks in six consecutive games, and the Pelicans recorded 14 blocks overall.

Davis made 10 of 14 shots, including three mid-range jumpers in the fourth quarter, to hand New Orleans (20-26) its fifth victory in the last seven games.

The Bulls (23-23) were paced by guard D.J. Augustin, who had 23 points, but they shot just 39 percent and lost for only the second time in nine road games.

Davis scored eight third-quarter points as New Orleans built a 71-57 lead. When Evans had trouble getting his outside shot to fall, he drove into the lane and hit a right-hand floater, drawing contact and converting the three-point play. The Pelicans held the Bulls to 6-of-18 shooting in the third quarter.

Augustin, a New Orleans native, scored nine of the Bulls' 12 points in a first-quarter run that erased a 13-5 deficit and cut the Pelicans lead to 23-21 at the end of the quarter.

But the Pelicans scored 12 consecutive points in a 2:43 span of the second quarter -- with five each coming from reserve guards Anthony Morrow and Austin Rivers -- to extend their lead to 35-23. The Bulls failed to score on five consecutive possessions.

The New Orleans bench outscored the Chicago reserves 23-3 in the first half, and the Pelicans grabbed a 50-39 lead at intermission. Davis led the Pelicans with nine points, but eight others scored at least three points. The Pelicans made 20 of 38 from the field (52.6 percent) against the Bulls' normally suffocating defense.

The Bulls stay within striking distance because of Augustin's 17 first-half points on 5-of-8 shooting. Noah added eight points and four rebounds in the half.

NOTES: The Bulls entered the game having won seven of their previous eight road games. ... Chicago posted the best record in the East in January (11-4). ... Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau, who coached Pelicans F Anthony Davis last summer for USA Basketball, said he has been amazed at the second-year player's progress. "He's developing into a great player," Thibodeau said. "There's not too many 20/10 (points/rebounds) players in the league. You can tell he's getting a lot more comfortable shooting the ball. He has a big impact on the game defensively, he can cover for mistakes and his athleticism is through the roof." ... New Orleans G Tyreke Evans was seeking to rebound from 5-of-20 shooting and 14 total points in the previous two games. "He just had a couple of bad game," Pelicans coach Monty Williams said. "It happens. Teams are keying on him." ... C Jason Williams is expected to miss "months" following knee surgery earlier this week, Williams said.

Bulls-Kings Preview.

By JEFF MEZYDLO (STATS Senior Writer)

Without their top player, the Sacramento Kings continue to slide.

With star DeMarcus Cousins day to day with an ankle injury, the Kings look to avoid losing eight in a row for the first time in three seasons Monday night against the visiting Chicago Bulls.

Sacramento (15-32) held a nine-point lead early in the fourth quarter Saturday, then suffered through a 3-for-15 shooting stretch en route to a 95-93 loss at San Antonio. Isaiah Thomas scored 26 and Rudy Gay added 23 with seven rebounds, six assists and five steals, but he missed a potential last-second tying shot.

"It's a learning process," said reserve forward Derrick Williams, who had 14 points and five turnovers. "I don't think anybody in this locker room wants to lose. We just want to get more wins."

Those have been tough to come by without Cousins, who's among the NBA leaders with 22.6 points and 11.6 rebounds per game but has missed six straight contests since getting injured Jan. 22.

Though Sacramento is on the verge of its first eight-game skid since Dec. 11-27, 2010, it continues to play hard. The Kings shot 50.7 percent during a 107-103 loss at Dallas on Friday and overcame a 41.0-percent effort to challenge the banged-up Spurs.

Sacramento allowed an average of 116.5 points in the first four games of the slide, but has held two of its last three opponents to fewer than 100.

"I'm very proud of this team, playing back-to-back, undermanned," coach Michael Malone said. "But it's another example of us being unable to execute down the stretch.

"My challenge to them before and after the game is to continue to play for each other."

Though Gay missed his final five shots Saturday, he's averaged 27.0 points and 58.0 percent shooting in three games since missing three with an Achilles injury also suffered Jan. 22.

Gay had not yet been traded to Sacramento and Cousins sat with a knee injury when the Kings snapped a five-game skid to Chicago with a 121-79 home rout March 13. Thomas went 8 of 14 from the field and finished with 22 points.

The Bulls (23-23) look to avenge that defeat while trying to bounce back after falling to 1-1 on a six-game trip with Saturday's 88-79 loss to New Orleans. D.J. Augustin had 23 points and Joakim Noah added 14 with 16 rebounds, but the Bulls shot 38.6 percent, were outscored 50-34 in the paint and committed 17 turnovers.

Chicago has averaged 89.0 points and shot 40.9 percent while dropping three of five after averaging 97.5 during a 9-2 stretch. The Bulls have not lost consecutive contests since a four-game slide Dec. 14-19.

"We have to play with a great edge to be competitive," Noah told the Bulls' official website. "We have to do a better job with that."

Augustin hasn't lacked for effort while averaging 20.0 points and 47.9 percent shooting over the last 10 games.

Teammate Carlos Boozer was held to four points Saturday but could bounce back against Sacramento, as he's averaged 18.4 in his last seven matchups.

Silver replaces Stern as NBA commissioner.

By BRIAN MAHONEY (AP Basketball Writer)

Adam Silver has become the NBA's fifth commissioner.

The NBA posted a picture on its Twitter account Saturday of Silver holding a basketball and shaking hands with outgoing commissioner David Stern.

''It's official: Adam Silver succeeds David Stern as NBA Commissioner'' the caption read. 

Stern retired after exactly 30 years in charge, making him the NBA's longest-serving and most successful commissioner.

Silver joined the NBA as his assistant in 1992 and has been the deputy commissioner since 2006.

''It is a source of great satisfaction to me that the NBA will now be led by Commissioner Adam Silver, for whom I have tremendous admiration, respect and expectations as he and his experienced and dedicated team take the NBA to successes that were unimaginable even a short while ago,'' Stern wrote Friday in a thank you email to media members.

Stern announced he would retire on Oct. 25, 2012, and owners unanimously chose Silver as his successor. The NBA will now begin using balls with Silver's signature in games. 

Like Stern, Silver left the legal field to join the NBA. Originally Stern's special assistant, he went on to become NBA Chief of Staff before running NBA Entertainment for about a decade before replacing Russ Granik as deputy commissioner in 2006.
 

Silver was the league's lead negotiator during the 2011 collective bargaining negotiations and seemed to be more Stern's partner than deputy in recent years.

''It's been David's show. Even up to the last meeting. But there has never been a question whether Adam was involved in every important decision,'' Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban wrote in an email.

The league's owners unanimously approved longtime league executive Mark Tatum's appointment as deputy commissioner this week.

A first in 15 years: 2014 will open without a member of the 500-HR club.

By Matthew Pouliot

With Alex Rodriguez spending the season on the restricted list, this season will be the first since 1999 to begin without a member of the 500-homer club on a major league roster.

The last time MLB was played without a 500-HR guy was 15 years ago. Eddie Murray retired after the 1997 season, leaving a void until Mark McGwire joined the 500-homer club in Aug. 1999.

Of course, one could say this is all semantics. After all, there were no 500-homer guys on an active roster last Opening Day either, though A-Rod was just on the disabled list then. And while Rodriguez won’t be on a major league roster this year, he certainly still qualifies as an active player.

Regardless, the 500-homer club won’t be empty for too long: Albert Pujols is just eight bombs away at 492. He is the lone candidate to get there this year, though. Adam Dunn (440), Jason Giambi (438) and Paul Konerko (434) are next on the list, and all are likely entering their final seasons. David Ortiz (431) has a shot if he can remain a full-time DH into 2016. Alfonso Soriano is at 406 as he enters his age-38 season. After Pujols gets there, it’s possible no one will join him until Miguel Cabrera, who is at 365 through age 30.

Prior to 1999, it wasn’t uncommon for the league to be without a 500-homer guy. There were none from the time Mike Schmidt retired in 1989 until Murray joined in Sept. 1996. There were also none from 1981-Sept. 1984, when Reggie Jackson hit his 500th. The current streak of having a 500-homer guy active is the longest in history. Before this, the longest was Sept. 1965, when Willie Mays got there, until 1976, when Hank Aaron and Frank Robinson retired.

Kevin Stadler wins Phoenix Open.

By JOHN NICHOLSON

The Smallrus finally hoisted a big PGA Tour trophy.

Kevin Stadler, the 33-year-old son of major champion Craig "The Walrus" Stadler, won the Phoenix Open on Sunday for his first PGA Tour victory.

Stadler won when playing partner Bubba Watson missed a 5-foot par putt on 18.

"It was a little weird way to win a golf tournament," Stadler said. "I fully expected him to make the putt. I would have rather made mine to win it."

Stadler closed with a 3-under 68 for a one-stroke victory over Watson and Canadian Graham DeLaet. Watson shot 71, and DeLaet had a 65.

"He beat me," Watson said. "He's a great player."

Stadler won in his 239th tour start, earning a spot in the Masters — a tournament his father won in 1982. The Stadlers are the ninth father-son winners in tour history and will be the first to play in the same Masters.

"It's going to great for me because it's really my last one," said Craig Stadler, a 13-time PGA Tour winner with nine Champions Tour victories. "I kept saying, 'When he gets in, that's my last one.' ... I'm proud of him. It's awesome."

Kevin Stadler finished at 16-under 268 at TPC Scottsdale, his home course. Raised in Colorado, he played in Denver Broncos colors, wearing an orange shirt and blue pants and hat.

What was he thinking when Watson was standing over his par putt on 18?

"How long the playoff was going to take and how long until I can watch the football game?" Stadler said.

"How long the playoff was going to take and how long until I can watch the football game?" Stadler said.

Stadler birdied the par-4 ninth to take a one-stroke lead over Watson, but fell behind with a double bogey on the par-4 11th. Stadler took a penalty stroke for an unplayable lie after driving into a Buckhorn Cholla and missed a 4-foot bogey try.

"Cactus and short putt and all that was on one hole," Stadler said. "Eleven has had my number for years. I butcher that hole every year."

Stadler likely will move up high enough in the world ranking to get one of the last spots in the 64-man Match Play Championship this month outside Tucson.

Stadler's previous biggest win was in Australia in the European Tour's 2006 Johnnie Walker Classic. In that event, he hit a 3-iron to a foot for an eagle on the final hole for a two-stroke victory. He also won the Argentine Open that winter and has four Nationwide Tour wins.

"It's been a long time since I won anything," Stadler said. "It's pretty special."

Watson is winless since the 2012 Masters.

"I was a challenging day," Watson said. "Again, it's the same thing, just waiting on every tee box and waiting on every shot."

Hunter Mahan and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama tied for fourth at 14 under. Mahan, the 2010 winner, finished with a 68, and Matsuyama shot 69.

DeLaet bogeyed the 15th after hitting into the water, but rallied with birdies on the final two holes. He also tied for second last week at Torrey Pines.

"I have been playing well for the last few months," DeLaet said. "I really feel like I worked super hard in the offseason. It's nice to see it paying off."

Phil Mickelson closed with a 71 to tie for 42nd at 3 under. Lefty was making his 25th appearance in the event he won in 1996, 2005 and 2013.

"My game is not far off, even though the score says that it is," Mickelson said. "It was just a fraction off."

He showed no signs of the back pain that forced him to withdraw at Torrey Pines, and will play next week at Pebble Beach.

"Back feels great," Mickelson said.

The event drew an estimated 563,008 fans, breaking the seven-day record of 538,356 set in 2008. The tournament drew a golf-record 189,722 on Saturday and 60,232 on Sunday.

Gutsy Gallacher grabs Dubai double.

By Allan Kelly

Stephen Gallacher birdied two of the last three holes on Sunday to become the first player to successfully defend the Dubai Desert Classic.

Starting the day two strokes clear of the field, the 39-year-old Scot was reeled in by the time he walked off the second green after twice straying off the tee.

But instead of going under, after four bogeys in nine holes, he battled back and, on a day of high drama, emerged in front again on the back nine and held his nerve over the last three holes.

The target of 15 under was set by Argentinian upstart Emiliano Grillo, who sunk a 40-footer for eagle at the par-five last after his over-cooked second outrageously rebounded back onto the green off an hospitality tent.

Wearing black, the same as he did on the final day last year, Gallacher drew level with a birdie at 16 and then a sublime chip from the greenside rough for birdie at the next eased him back ahead.

He needed to par the last to win and he managed that by sinking an edgy three-footer after his third shot had spun back too far to the front edge.

The title defence was something that other former winners such as Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Seve Ballesteros were unable to accomplish and it revived Gallacher's hopes of playing in the Ryder Cup in Scotland in September.

The new world rankings out on Monday will see him move up to 37th and he is assured of playing in all four majors this year, including his first participation at the Masters in early April.

"It took everything I had after the poor front nine, but I just tried to build on yesterday (63) and stay patient," he said.

"I was quite fortunate that no-one ran away with it and I just tried to hit every shot at a time, just like yesterday.

"I knew a five (at the last) was going to win it and it's the only time that I've hit a back spin like that all week and it's nearly gone in the water.

"But yesterday was the key - to be 10 under through 10 holes.

"I wish I could play this course every week."

Grillo was solo in second for the biggest prize of his fledging career so far with France's Romain Wattel and Brooks Koepka of the United States a further stroke back on 14 under after a 66 and 70 respectively.

Tournament favourite Rory McIlroy endured a torrid final day and could only manage a 74 and a tie for ninth.

The Irishman was steady enough to start with, parring the first six holes, but a bogey at the next appeared to suck the confidence out of him and three bogeys in four holes after the turn ended his challenge.

"It was just one of those days," he said.

"I think anything that sort of could go wrong did. Okay I hit a couple of loose drives, but I didn't really get away with them or stuff like that. Just sort of, you know, one of those days."

World number three Henrik Stenson closed with a 68, but could do no better than tie for 29th.

Woods, meanwhile, finished with a flourish, birdieing his final three holes for a closing 71.

But he was already, at the start of the day, too far behind to have any say in the proceedings as he left Dubai tied for 41st and still looking to kick his 2014 season into full gear.

"Unfortunately I turned it around too late," he commented.

  

The best fan experiences in golf.

By PGA.COM

As the Waste Management Phoenix Open enjoys another raucous and enthusiastic crowd, I posed a question as to whether the fan experience at the annual party at TPC Scottsdale was actually a better "fan experience" than the uber-hyped Super Bowl.

It got me thinking. What are the best fan experiences in golf?

This seemed easy - or so I thought.

A fan experience can take many forms. Is it seeing top players (Hello Augusta!)? Is it being able to be loud and rowdy (Goodbye Augusta!). Is it seeing a beautiful course (Hello Augusta again!). Let's just define it as: something you'll enjoy, remember and treasure.

Here are five of my most notable, listed by date. But we want to know yours, as well. Join the conversation on our Facebook page.

The Waste Management Phoenix Open. Jan. 30-Feb. 2. It's a combination of Mardi Gras, a college pep rally, a Friday night bar crawl - oh, and some of the world's best players. All the attention (rightfully) is on the 16th hole where the crowd is always the star of the show, but the entire tournament, course and city is pretty much one carnival for the largest crowds in golf. If you believe that beer, sundresses and sunshine make for a good time - this is your event.

 

The Masters. April 10-13.What's the complete opposite of the Waste Management Phoenix Open? This. Meticulous grooming of the course, sweet tea and lemonade is often the drink of choice. Lots of blazers (look for the green ones!) walking the fairways. Great prices on food. You know virtually every hole on the course. And every golfer in the world wants to be there. There are more rules in place here (no running ... ever. No laying down, no cameras/cell phones on tournament days, etc.) but virtually every golf fan in the world is happy to abide. It's that awesome.

The Players Championship. May 8-11.Here it all boils down to one hole - the famous 17th. The island green has become more than a favored viewing spot, it has become a Shakespearan tragedy - being played 145 times (for two days at least), and again 140+ times on the weekend. The crowd sits on the bank and "ooohs" and "ahhhhhs" at every shot. The shot is so simple, and yet, no lead is safe. For sheer lump in the throat and kick in the gut intensity, watch a few groups come through this hole on Sunday. You'll remember it the rest of your life.

PGA Championship. Aug. 7-10.Albeit a bit biased (this is PGA.com, after all), how can you argue with the major championship that was the first to allow fans to bring phones to the courseandset up wifi for them? Already billed as the strongest field in golf, it has a host of Your Game golf-related activities on site and even allowed fans to pick a hole location for the Sunday round of a major!? The emphasis on the fan experience, from the merchandise shops to the walkway layouts are the hallmark of the final major of each season and the fans have responded in kind.The Ryder Cup. Sept. 23-28.As someone who has been to Ryder Cups both here in the U.S. and overseas - I can state for certain that this is the most unique and probably passionate event in golf, maybe all of sports. It's hard to describe the emotion invovled, from the fans to the media to the players themselves. Think SEC football meets WWE - and we all go silent over a four foot putt and half the crowd goes nuts depending on what happens. Now mulitply that by 10. That's how I feel at every Ryder Cup.

 Tony Stewart, Danica Patrick: Changes at Indianapolis enhance the 500.

By Matt Weaver

Tony Stewart and Danica Patrick are excited for the changes surrounding the Indianapolis 500.

Stewart-Haas Racing teammates Tony Stewart and Danica Patrick both have storied histories at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and both consider themselves traditionalists of the sport in a sense. But at the same time, they also approve of the litany of changes coming to the Speedway, month of May and the Indianapolis 500.

A road course race at IMS was added to the 500 festivities and will kick off the month on May 11 prior to the first week of ‘500' practice. Changes are also coming to the qualifying procedure with the IndyCar Series expected to announce a format where the pole is decided on the second day (Sunday) of qualifications as opposed to Saturday.

 

Many of these changes have been met with resistance by IndyCar's long-time fan base but Stewart, a  five-time 500 participant and the 1997 IRL champion, says he doesn't see where the alterations will do anything to harm the long-term health of the event.

 

"I don't think we'll know for sure until we see it happen but I don't see it (hurting the month of May,)" Stewart said. "I think having two races like this adds to the excitement.

 

"Sure, it's not traditional and people who are traditional don't like change but it's like our sport (NASCAR) where there are a lot of changes, forcing some fans to look back and want the old ways anytime something new is suggested."

 

Stewart added that he believes that the sanctioning bodies -- be it NASCAR or IndyCar -- is always working in the sport's best interest when it comes to the decision-making process.

 

"When it comes to sanctioning bodies, they think about these things much more than we do as fans and they think they are positives," Stewart said.

 

Meanwhile, Patrick enters her second year at Stewart-Haas Racing and third year away from the sport. Patrick says she has given up pursuing IndyCar after "things didn't work out last year" and that she's focused entirely on her NASCAR Sprint Cup Series program.

 

"I love the Indy 500, it's an amazing event and everyone should go see it sometime," Patrick said. "But as far as me as a driver, I'm not seeking it out anymore. That's not to say that I wouldn't take the opportunity if I was given a position to win but after last year, I'm just not interesting in seeking it out."

 

As a result, Patrick has all but distanced herself from Indy car racing. She explained that she's still a fan and wishes the league the best but that she's spending most of her time lately just trying to understand the vast array of new rules in NASCAR this season.

 

But she's also excited for the road course race at IMS adding that it could increase the attention and focus upon the 500 at the end of the month.

 

"When you're at one place for such a long time, you need to find ways to get people talking about why you're there -- which is the Indy 500," Patrick said. "So yeah, it will get some buzz going around Indianapolis and a lot of people get to be home."

 

And does the second race at IMS take away from the Greatest Spectacle in Racing?

 

"I don't see it that way at all," Patrick said.

Premier League Preview: Despite Mourinho's claims, title hopes on the line when Chelsea visits Manchester City.

By Kyle Bonn

If Chelsea can’t beat Manchester City at the Etihad, one might reckon nobody in the Premier League can.

Having scored 42 goals in their friendly confines, Manchester City have a chance to pick up an enormous win to not only go top of the table but shatter Chelsea’s hopes at finishing first.

The two teams meet in the City of Manchester Stadium at 3pm ET Monday on NBCSN and live online at NBC Sports Live Extra.  Coverage will begin at 2:30.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been at his usual mind games ahead of the match, declaring that Manchester City should have won more titles in the recent years, but also oddly declaring they are “not title candidates” and that the Premier League title is “not what we’re working for.”

He also declared that Manchester City are not the best team in the world as Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood claimed, but instead, “They are lucky,” he declared, suggesting the referees have given them “everything in their favor.”

Lucky or good, Manchester City have a sparkling home record that has been highlighted week in and week out, and yet the longer it extends the more it bears repeating.

Not only do they have 42 of their 68 goals this season at home, but those goals have translated directly into points – a perfect 11 of 11 at the Etihad.

There is a history between Mourinho and City manager Manuel Pellegrini.  The former supplanted the latter after just one season at Real Madrid, which left Pellegrini bitter as ever at the lack of a serious opportunity to build a squad of his own.

He’s never let Mourinho live it down, and Jose has always held it over his counterpart’s head.  It didn’t help the situation that the Blues defeated their lighter-tinted opponents in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge in the midst of Joe Hart‘s dark days.

Since then, Manchester City have embarrassed team after team at the Etihad, with scorelines like 7-0 over Norwich, 6-0 over Tottenham, 4-1 over Manchester United, and 6-3 over Arsenal.  No doubt Pellegrini would be delighted if he could add Chelsea to that ever-growing list.

However, with Chelsea on their own bit of a run, this could be Pellegrini’s toughest test at home thus far, and he will have to complete the quest without leading scorer Sergio Aguero who popped his hamstring midweek.

That means Edin Dzeko and Alvaro Negredo will take over the reigns in City’s furious attack, something they did earlier in the season when Aguero missed time with the same problem, and the team didn’t miss a beat.

City won all five matches during that stretch, including 2-1 at home over Liverpool, and putting four past Fulham and three on Swansea both on the road. However, they are also dealing with a long-term injury layoff for Samir Nasri, and missing both will seriously impair their attack.

A key player in the battle, thanks to the injuries, may be Stevan Jovetic.  The Serbian has barely featured this season, but the quality summer addition can without question be a spark the team needs with the current nucleus on the sidelines.

Eventually, however, it all comes back to the managers.  Will Mourinho play disciplined defense and look to absorb pressure and counter City when given the chance? Or will they take the bull by the horns and press early? Will Pellegrini let his dogs loose from the get-go and look to shock the visitors, or will they sit back and build from defense?

And finally, Pellegrini will hope he can  get Mourinho off his shoulders and finally gazump the perpetual thorn in his side, but if anyone can stop the City train in its tracks, its Chelsea.  They’ve kept clean sheets at Old Trafford and the Emirates.  Is the Etihad next on the list?

Wildcats hurting after loss to Cal.

By John Marshall (AP Basketball Writer)

Arizona lost a game and most likely its No. 1 ranking.

Now the Wildcats will have to finish the season without one of their top players.

Forward Brandon Ashley is out for the season after injuring his right foot in a 60-58 loss to California, a game that will likely knock the Wildcats down the rankings after eight straight weeks at No. 1.

''Last night, early in our Cal game, Brandon Ashley suffered a foot injury that will end his season,'' Arizona coach Sean Miller said in a statement Sunday. ''While we're all disappointed, we are also aware that Brandon needs our support and positive energy surrounding him. Someone once told me, the hottest heat forges the strongest steel. This adversity will ultimately make Brandon and our team stronger moving forward.''

Arizona (21-1, 8-1 Pac-12) went into the game on a school-record 21-game winning streak after holding off Stanford on Wednesday to start the two-game Northern California swing.

Few things went right for the Wildcats in the second half of the trip.

Arizona had a rough night shooting, couldn't get stops when they needed them down the stretch and junior guard Nick Johnson, the team's catalyst, had a rare off night.

The worst news was the injury to Ashley.

Ashley injured his right foot grabbing a rebound in the opening minutes and didn't return, spending the second half wearing a walking boot and on crutches.

He has been crucial to Arizona's run this season, an athletic player who can score, rebound, hit shots from the perimeter when needed and guard just about every position on the court.

Now, the Wildcats will have to figure out how to play without him.

''For us, we have to figure out from the bench perspective of getting a few guys who haven't played as much - some maybe not even at all - they have to start getting the opportunity,'' Miller said. ''That opportunity doesn't have to be 20 minutes a game, but it might need to be a four-minute window or a couple of minutes here and there.''

The Wildcats' run this season had been characterized by their ability to pull out tight victories by clamping down on defense and hitting big shots, even on nights when they didn't shoot well.

Arizona has struggled with its perimeter shooting at times this season and had another rough night from beyond the arc, hitting 2 of 11. The Wildcats had trouble inside, too, fighting against Cal's defense and missing some relatively easy shots while shooting 32 percent overall.

Arizona had been able to clamp down defensively on teams late in games to pull out victories numerous times this season, including the victory over the Cardinal. The Wildcats tried to do it again against the Bears, but fell short, losing when Justin Cobbs hit a fallaway jumper with 0.9 seconds left.

The loss leaves No. 2 Syracuse (21-0), the likely new No. 1, and No. 4 Wichita State (23-0) as the only unbeaten teams in Division I.

''Because we've been in this situation so many times, we're really comfortable. We weren't worried at all. We were ramped up,'' said Arizona center Kaleb Tarczewski, who had a career-high 18 points. ''Cobbs made a really, really tough shot.''

It didn't help the Wildcats that Johnson wasn't able to carry them for one of the few times this season.

He tried to pick up the slack with Ashley out, but wasn't able to do it, scoring four points on 1-of-14 shooting.

''Tonight wasn't his night,'' Miller said. ''One for 14, 0 for 5 (from 3-point range) and five turnovers. But part of us being 21-0 and 21-1 is how well he played. We needed a couple of guys to step up.''

And they made need it to continue with Ashley likely out for a while.

Packers CEO: College union would pressure NFL for developmental league.

By Kevin McGuire

A year ago there was a silly conversation centered around whether or not South Carolina’s Jadeveon Clowney should sit out the 2013 college football season to focus on training for life in the NFL. It was ridiculous in concept because there really is no replacing college football in the fall for any potential NFL player thinking about the draft. But what if there was?

This week Northwestern football players organized to take the first steps forward in developing an official college pliers union. While paying players is not quite at the top of the budding organization’s agenda, it is common belief that if and when this union takes off that the idea of players receiving pay beyond typical scholarship values may not be too far down the road. If college football players are one day going to be paid for their services, then the number of underclassmen declaring for the NFL Draft before playing thorough all of their eligible years may start to decline. This is a trend the NFL will be paying close attention to moving forward.

As Mike Florio references on Pro Football Talk, Green Bay Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy believes a college players union could spark the NFL to kick the tires on the idea of a developmental league of their own.

“[T]he NCAA colleges have served as a great breeding ground for NFL teams over the years,” Murphy said in response to a fan question submitted to Packers.com. “If the college players unionize, there will be more pressure on the NFL to establish a developmental league.”

It makes sense. Players with plenty of talent are taking an early gamble on the NFL earlier and earlier, as shown by the rising number of players declaring for the NFL The rising numbers have been influenced by the recent collective bargaining agreement for the NFL players union and the league, which has made it more important for players to get their service time in the league started earlier in order to cash in on bigger paychecks later in their career.

Just how much the players union in college football would slow that trend down may remain to be seen. The splitting of money for college players is still a complicated issue with many questions to answer before becoming a reality. If the NFL formed a developmental league it would make a push to lure in some of the top players who would typically be laying in the college game.

If an NFL developmental league existed today, would players like Clowney have played in that instead of South Carolina in 2013?

How much would players in the developmental league be paid? What kind of exposure would it get compared to college football?

Would an NFL developmental league take place in the fall, and thus compete head-to-head with college football?

These are just a sampling of questions that would have to be debated and answered in time. It is an idea that should be a concern for fans of the college game, but this is not exactly a concern that will take place over night.

Record 88 nations to compete in Sochi Olympics.

AP Sports

Athletes from 88 countries are set to compete in Sochi, a record for the Winter Olympics.

The IOC released the final list of national Olympic committees that will be participating in the Sochi Games, which open Friday.

The previous record was set at the 2010 Vancouver Games, where 82 national teams took part.

Among those competing in the Winter Games for the first time is the southern African nation of Zimbabwe, represented by Alpine skier Luke Steyn.

Togo and Morocco have also qualified.

Three athletes from India will be competing as ''independent participants'' under the Olympic flag. Their national Olympic committee remains suspended by the IOC pending election of new officials.

A total of about 3,000 athletes will be competing in 98 medal events.

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