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"Nobody's a natural. You work hard to get good and then work to get better. It's hard to stay on top." ~ Paul Coffey, Retired Professional Hockey Player
Trending: UC win streak on the line as Blackhawks, Blues renew rivalry. (See the hockey section for Blackhawks updates).
Trending: Kyle Long: 'Bears fans will like' the way Jeremy Langford runs the football. (See the football section for Bears updates).
Trending: Cubs enter MLB offseason as 2016 World Series favorites. (See the baseball section for details).
Trending: Matt Kenseth suspended 2 races for crashing Joey Logano. (See the NASCAR section for details).
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Kyle Long: 'Bears fans will like' the way Jeremy Langford runs the football.
Trending: Matt Kenseth suspended 2 races for crashing Joey Logano. (See the NASCAR section for details).
Bear Down Chicago Bears!!!!! Kyle Long: 'Bears fans will like' the way Jeremy Langford runs the football.
By John Mullin
(Photo/Chicago Bears)
Kyle Long spends most of his game days paying very close attention to defensive linemen and linebackers, whether he is protecting Jay Cutler or blocking for Matt Forte. But Long, who has been part of Forte’s escort service in two different positions, has had time to notice something about Jeremy Langford.
The rookie running back, who will take over for Forte after the latter’s knee injury in the Minnesota game, is different from Forte. And Langford is different in ways that Long thinks Bears fans will take to.
Forte has his own, distinctive style of running, a mix of slashing and tackle-avoidance that has improved with age. Langford, the Bears’ fourth-round pick in the 2015 draft out of Michigan State, has shown his blockers something different.
"Langford's a guy who can pick and choose from different guys' repertoires,” Long said on Tuesday. “He's a guy who can run very hard downhill with surprising burst that you see on film. Once he gets through the line, he can just shoot out there.
“So I think from a linear standpoint, you'll see a guy who's running downhill, and I think Bears fans will like it. I know I like the guy a lot. He runs hard, and he's a tough kid."
The mix of toughness and speed (he posted a '40' time of 4.42 sec.) was apparent at Michigan State, where he was understudy to Le’Veon Bell, now with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Langford finished his Spartan time with eight straight 100-yard games as a junior and 10 straight as a senior.
Langford broke a 46-yard run in the Bears’ preseason game at Indianapolis, then followed a possession later with a two-yard smash into the end zone running over a Colts safety.
But Langford, who started the season playing on multiple special-teams unit but now has seen those duties dramatically reduced, has a different idea of his first mission from what college stars typically think their job is.
“My job is to protect the quarterback,” Langford said. “And really it was that way in college – you didn’t want to see your quarterback hit, and you want him to trust me to make my block.”
Langford had spots of protection difficulty last Sunday in the Minnesota loss. But Cutler was sacked just once, and not on Langford’s watch.
And the offense did not go into a rushing shell with Langford and not Forte. The Bears gained 103 yards in the first half, 202 in the second. Langford carried 12 times for 46 yards, all in the second half, as the Bears stayed with a balanced game plan that had 16 running plays and 20 passes with Langford.
“I like his football character,” said coach John Fox. “It’s not too big for him. He’s very willing. So his mindset is to learn. I think Stan Drayton, his position coach, has done a tremendous job with him. And a lot of it is he’s very receptive. I call it football character. He picks things up very well for a young player."
The last – and only previous – time Forte went down with a knee injury of any significance – 2011 – the Bears immediately found out what they did not have at running back beyond their franchise tailback.
The week after Forte was hurt in Soldier Field against the Kansas City Chiefs, Marion Barber stepped out of bounds to give the Denver Broncos, in their first year under Fox, clock time for a tying field goal. Then he fumbled in overtime to set the Broncos up for a winning field goal.
The expectation now, even with a rookie versus a veteran like Barber, is considerably different.
“In the NFL the game’s different than college football, particularly in the passing game,” Fox said. “They’re not just handing off to him. The protection element, routes, sometimes some of the things you see are a little bit more exotic. So he’s adapted to that very well as a rookie coming in from college to the NFL.”
In-foe: Chargers are the mirror image of Bears.
By Chris Boden
(Photo/csnchicago.com)
If the Bears were inclined to throw a pity party over their injury situation, next Monday night's opponent, the Chargers, would have none of it.
San Diego was already without five-time Pro Bowl (and free agent-to-be) safety Eric Weddle and big free agent signing offensive lineman Orlando Franklin heading into last Sunday's game at Baltimore, not to mention two of their last three second-round linebackers, Manti Te'o and rookie Denzel Perryman. Then they had no less than a dozen players exit versus the Ravens, eight of whom didn't return. The infirmary included starting offensive linemen King Dunlap, Chris Watt (from Glenbard West), top reserve Chris Hairston, receivers Ladarius Green, Keenan Allen and Stevie Johnson, running back Branden Oliver, defensive lineman Corey Liuget and defensive backs Jason Verrett and Patrick Robinson.
Allen's injury appears most grim, identified as involving the kidney suffered on an impressive touchdown catch after originally believed to be cramps or spasms. He ended the week second in the NFL with 67 receptions and third with 725 yards.
They've also lost four straight, none by more than eight points. Half of their six defeats have come on the game's final play. Sound somewhat familiar?
OFFENSE
Allen was front and center in the league's top passing offense, with Philip Rivers leading the NFL in completions (243), attempts (348), passing yards (2,753), third in TD passes (18) and fourth in completion percentage (69.8). His 102.1 passer rating is eighth.
While Allen may have been Rivers' favorite target, 34-year-old Malcom Floyd was making his own impact downfield. The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder can still break away, as evidenced by his 19.5-yard average (second in the NFL) and 70-yard scoring grab Sunday. Green (27 catches, 314 yards, 4 TDs) took over the bulk of the tight end receiving duties while 35-year-old Antonio Gates served his four-game PED suspension. The undrafted free agent in his 13th (and likely final) season played through an ankle injury in Baltimore and has amassed 22 receptions in the four games since return.
But amidst all the aerial fireworks, their bid for balance by using the 15th overall pick (and giving up first-, fourth-, and future fifth-round picks to San Francisco to move up two spots) hasn't happened yet. Heisman runner-up Melvin Gordon has averaged just 3.7 yards a carry, and fumbled four times, losing three. Oliver was the Bolts' top rusher a year ago (582 yards) as an undrafted rookie, but the team was 31st with a 3.4 average, thus the Gordon investment. And 5-foot-8 veteran ultra-back Danny Woodhead exited after Week 3 a year ago with a broken leg, but has rebounded with 39 catches and a 3.8 rushing average (52 carries) thus far.
Left tackle Dunlap had a career year going into free agency and was rewarded (four years, $28 million) while Franklin made the move from John Fox, Adam Gase and the Denver Broncos to play next to Dunlap for $35 million (five years). Watt was the team's fifth center a year ago and began this season there, while 2013 first-rounder D.J. Fluker had trouble with speed on the edge and was moved inside once ex-Rams tackle Joe Barksdale was a late signing in free agency.
DEFENSE
John Pagano (brother of Colts head coach Chuck) runs a hybrid 3-4 system and former Illini Liuget has been a fairly productive 2011 first-round investment. But the league's ninth overall defense a year ago has slipped to 19th this season (still struggling against the run, at 28th) and has been allowing 28.4 points per game (27th). That's another parallel to the Bears.
While Liuget's fellow linemen have been rather pedestrian, Jeremiah Attaochu was the middle of three straight linebackers chosen in the second round in 2014. He's collected a team-high four of the defense's 15 sacks after playing in just 10 games as a rookie. Te'o (2013) and Perryman (2015) have felt the injury bug bite. Veteran Melvin Ingram (2012 first rounder) has also managed to miss 19 games his previous three seasons and Donald Butler had a disappointing first year in '14 after a contract extension. That pair is fourth and fifth on the Chargers in tackles. Te'o was second on the team in that category before sitting out against the Ravens.
In the back, Weddle remains the top tackler despite spectating Sunday, as well. That broke a string of 87 consecutive starts. He's played with 11 different strong safeties over eight seasons and the emotional leader vows to enter free agency after a contract dispute this past off-season. Nasty hitter Jahleel Addae hopes to ease the uncertainty opposite Weddle. Nickelback Jimmy Wilson is third on the Chargers in tackles after coming over from Miami via free agency and providing depth at corner behind 2014 top pick Verrett (injured after six games as a rookie) and Brandon Flowers, who answered a one-year "prove it" deal following a release in Kansas City by earning a four-year, $30 million contract. But both Flowers and Verrett, while strong in coverage, are only 5-foot-9.
SPECIAL TEAMS
It all looked good when the Chargers invested in ex-Raven Jacoby Jones to handle return duties. But get this: San Diego has just one net yard on eight punt returns (!) between Jones and Allen. Their 21.9-yard kick return average from Jones and Oliver is ordinary. But from their standpoint, seeing the Bears coverage units, they're obviously looking to get "well" Monday night.
Free agent rookie Josh Lambo (15-of-17 field goals) bumped veteran Nick Novak from kicking duties. Twelve-year veteran punter Mike Scifres' 36.2-yard net average is the second-worst of his career.
SPECIAL TEAMS
It all looked good when the Chargers invested in ex-Raven Jacoby Jones to handle return duties. But get this: San Diego has just one net yard on eight punt returns (!) between Jones and Allen. Their 21.9-yard kick return average from Jones and Oliver is ordinary. But from their standpoint, seeing the Bears coverage units, they're obviously looking to get "well" Monday night.
Free agent rookie Josh Lambo (15-of-17 field goals) bumped veteran Nick Novak from kicking duties. Twelve-year veteran punter Mike Scifres' 36.2-yard net average is the second-worst of his career.
No surgery needed for Matt Forte, Eddie Royal.
By John Mullin
The prognosis for their returns from knee injuries suffered in the Bears’ 23-20 loss Sunday to the Minnesota Vikings is unclear but the Bears, running back Matt Forte and receiver Eddie Royal all got some semblance of good news when it was determined that neither member of the offense will need any surgery for damage done.
“I think the feeling right now is, not exact because we’re not done with [evaluations], I don’t see it being season-ending on either one or even whether there, ACL, needs to be surgically repaired stuff moving forward,” coach John Fox said on Monday.
The news on Bryce Callahan was not quite as good, with the promising young cornerback being placed into the NFL’s concussion protocol after his wobbly exit from the game on Sunday.
“I think the feeling right now is, not exact because we’re not done with [evaluations], I don’t see it being season-ending on either one or even whether there, ACL, needs to be surgically repaired stuff moving forward,” coach John Fox said on Monday.
The news on Bryce Callahan was not quite as good, with the promising young cornerback being placed into the NFL’s concussion protocol after his wobbly exit from the game on Sunday.
How 'bout them Chicago Blackhawks? UC win streak on the line as Blackhawks, Blues renew rivalry.
By Emerald Gao
1. RIVALRY RENEWED
Thus far this season, the Central Division has been a battleground of close games, and Wednesday's marquee matchup between the Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues should continue the trend. Both teams last faced Los Angeles; Chicago scored three times in the third period to pull away with a 4-2 win on Monday at the United Center, earning their sixth consecutive home victory, while the Blues were blanked 3-0 by the Kings at home on Tuesday. Vladimir Tarasenko returned to the lineup after missing one game due to a lower-body injury and shared the team lead with four shots on goal. For Chicago, Marcus Kruger will skate in his 300th NHL game on Wednesday, and Marian Hossa will miss his second straight game with a lower-body injury.
2. DEEP BLUE
Despite the loss of puck-moving defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, St. Louis' blue line has not lost its identity: As a group they are not afraid to join the rush, making them dangerous at both ends of the ice. They're led by Alex Pietrangelo, who shares second on the team with five assists so far this season; the 25-year-old entered Tuesday's game with the best possession numbers among NHL defensemen (59.5 on-ice shot attempt percentage). Even more impressive is the emergence of rookie Colton Parayko, who leads rookie blueliners with seven points (3G, 4A) in 11 games. The 22-year-old is known for his heavy shot, and he plays the same physical edge that embodies the Blues' philosophy.
3. ART OF SCORING
Late in the third period of Monday's tilt, with the Kings trailing by one and playing with the man advantage, Artem Anisimov latched onto a pass by Jonathan Toews, streaked into the Kings zone and deked before scoring a pretty forehand goal to ice the game. The tally was his fifth of the season and his second shorthanded effort, tying the league lead. Head Coach Joel Quenneville had high praise for his second-line center after the contest, calling him "an excellent fit for us" due to his strong-two way presence and ability to play—and score—in all situations. Anisimov added an assist against the Kings for his first multi-point night of the season and now has 199 career points entering Wednesday's contest.
4. TERA FIRMA
Two games after a healthy scratch, Teuvo Teravainen found his groove in a new partnership with Anisimov and Patrick Kane, netting his third goal of the season and the game-winner midway through the third period. The 2012 first-round selection has vacillated between center and wing and played up and down in the lineup all season, but was able to develop chemistry quickly on the left wing of the second line. At even strength, the trio combined for six scoring chances and 11 shot attempts against Los Angeles, and Quenneville stated afterward that he was satisfied with the success of the new line combinations, meaning Teravainen and his line will remain intact and try to create more offense on Wednesday.
5. TOP HEAVY
The Blues' top line has been one of the most productive trios in the league, with Vladimir Tarasenko providing most of the fireworks. The 23-year-old, who signed an eight-year contract extension in the offseason, has six goals and 10 points to lead the team while skating alongside center Jori Lehtera (eight points and Alexander Steen (nine points). That line produced the most dangerous chances against Los Angeles on Tuesday, combining for 10 shots on goal, and Steen led the team with four scoring chances. Tarasenko's shot is the Blues' single most dangerous offensive weapon (he shares second in the league with 50 SOG), and the key to keeping him off the scoresheet is to limit his time and space with the puck.
THE FINAL WORD
Although both Chicago and St. Louis are missing important pieces of their roster (Shattenkirk, Jaden Schwartz and Paul Stastny have missed significant time for the Blues), both teams have managed to find ways to win. The Blues have maintained their spot near the top of the division through a series of tightly contested victories, and they'll bring their ornery brand of hockey into the United Center and try to knock the Blackhawks out of their comfort zone. Chicago's creativity was the difference in Monday's win, as they took advantage of a couple defensive miscues before withstanding a late push from the Kings, and they'll need to do the same on Wednesday against a similarly built opponent in order to start making a charge up the division standings.
Blackhawks score three times in third to come back on Kings. (Monday night's game, 11/02/2015).
By Tracey Myers
The Blackhawks have had a few tests already this season, from revamping after a summer of roster turnover to readjusting in the wake of key injuries.
Couple the changes with playing the ultra-hot Los Angeles Kings, winners of seven in a row entering Monday night, and it could have been a tough night. Instead, the Blackhawks notched a character victory that could give them confidence.
Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist, and Corey Crawford stopped 33 of 35 shots as the Blackhawks came back to beat the Kings, 4-2, at the United Center. The Blackhawks snapped a two-game losing streak in their come-from-behind victory, which came without Duncan Keith (right knee) and Marian Hossa, who’s day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
Teuvo Teravainen scored the game-winning goal about nine minutes into the third, and Artem Anisimov recorded a short-handed goal to seal it. Jonathan Toews scored his fifth goal in as many games; he also added an assist.
Crawford stopped all 19 of the Kings’ third-period shots.
“I didn’t feel that great in the first period, maybe the first half of the game,” Crawford said. “I was able to settle down there.”
On a night when the Blackhawks needed a little bit from everyone, they got it.
“They’re a team that never really gives up. They keep playing their game throughout the whole game,” Crawford said. “We got into a little trouble there with the penalty at the end, but I thought we played well. A lot of guys were skating hard, making the right plays.”
The Blackhawks showed that early when Ryan Garbutt and Toews broke on a 2-on-1, with Garbutt feeding Toews for a 1-0 lead about six minutes into the game. The Blackhawks got quiet after that as the Kings scored twice, including Anze Kopitar’s goal late in the first period, to take a 2-1 lead.
After a mundane second period, the Blackhawks woke up in the third. Kane’s high shot beat Jonathan Quick just 1:22 into the third, with Teravainen added his third of the season about eight minutes later.
“It’s huge, of course, for myself and for the team,” said Teravainen, who was on the second line with Anisimov and Kane. “It’s a lot of fun. I think I’m going to enjoy my chance, and I think we were OK today. We got some chances, and I think we can still move better, get some puck movement and we can do a better job, too.”
Anisimov, taking the pass from Toews on a late penalty kill, went forehand for his fifth goal of the season.
“We can’t score on breakaways except for Arty,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “So it was nice to see him finish it.”
The Blackhawks had plenty of finish on Monday night. The first month of the season has been filled with uncertainty and adjustments to all of their changes. They’re still going to be finding their way for a bit, but a comeback game like this should certainly give them a boost.
“Going down 2-1 and going into the third down a goal, that's a big confidence booster for us knowing that we can come back, we can score goals,” Kane said. “We've been struggling to score 5-on-5, and we had three (goals) tonight 5-on-5. That's a big step for us in the right direction. Huge, huge win against a good team. So hopefully this gives us some confidence moving forward and we can keep trending off this.”
Ryan Garbutt's game progressing with the Blackhawks.
By Tracey Myers
Ryan Garbutt was looking to play like he did in the preseason.
When Garbutt first joined the Blackhawks, who acquired him and Trevor Daley when they sent Patrick Sharp to Dallas, he fell right into their game. Then the Blackhawks’ systems came into play, and Garbutt said he needed some time to adjust.
Judging from his recent games, he has.
Garbutt has played well, be it on the Blackhawks’ third line or the top one, which is where he’s been the last few games. His second assist with the Blackhawks set up line mate Jonathan Toews’ goal against the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night. Two lengthy passes to Artemi Panarin led to two Panarin breakaway goal opportunities. Even on the top line Garbutt’s kept the edgy part of his game; he’s is leading the Blackhawks (and is 10th in the NHL) with 38 hits.
For Garbutt, it was just about getting used to the Blackhawks, before and after all systems were in place.
“Preseason was easy to adjust because you didn’t really play any systems,” he said. “Once we started getting down to the season it was definitely more structure and it took me a few games to get used to it.”
Coach Joel Quenneville said that’s when playing by instinct is important, regardless of a player is new or a veteran.
“The first thing you tell a guy when they're playing their first NHL game is, 'Trust your instincts out there and we'll correct you after.’ And you don't want to slow them down at all, especially guys with quickness and speed [and] that’s always been part of their game, fore-checking and on the fore-check in the offensive zone. They get that little hesitation, should I or shouldn't I go, and then it's too late,” Quenneville said. “But he's the kind of guy that, he likes to go and brings energy. He's a go-go guy and I really liked the way he's played the last few games. He's made some nice plays offensively with the puck, as well.”
Daley, who was also Garbutt’s teammate in Dallas, isn’t surprised the forward has fit in here.
“He played in the East Coast Hockey League four or five years ago but he’s come a long way. So I’m not surprised one bit what he’s capable of,” said Daley of Garbutt, who played for the AHL’s Chicago Wolves and ECHL’s Gwinnett Gladiators in 2010-11. “He’s a hard worker and not too hard to play with.”
Garbutt’s recorded some hits and assists, has played on the top line and has logged some minutes on the penalty kill. The one thing left to do? Score a goal. He’s come close a couple of times, be it 5-on-5 or short-handed. Considering how he’s progressed with the Blackhawks thus far, it seems like it’s just a matter of time before the goals come, too.
“First and foremost, I just want to take care of the team aspect and make sure we’re winning,” Garbutt said. “But it’ll be nice if I can chip in offensively to help with that.”
BRIEFLY
- Brent Seabrook did not practice on Tuesday. Quenneville said Seabrook is fine and will play tomorrow vs. the St. Louis Blues.
- Marian Hossa (lower body) did not practice on Tuesday and has been ruled out of Wednesday’s game.
- Duncan Keith (right knee) is close to taking the next step in his recovery. “He’s around here. He’s anxious to get going here. But we anticipate him being ready in that [4-6 week] time frame we set forth,” Quenneville said.
- Michal Rozsival was skating some late sprints with a mini-parachute on his back. Regarding Rozsival, Quenneville said, “the parachute’s extended, so that’s a good sign.” Quenneville already said Rozsival was doubtful for this week but is hopeful the defenseman is closer next week.
- TSN’s Darren Dreger reported earlier today that Mike Babcock is expected to be named coach of Team Canada on Thursday and Quenneville is expected to be named assistant coach. Quenneville wouldn’t say if he was asked to join the coaching staff but, if he was named assistant coach, “it would be the thrill of a lifetime.”
Just Another Chicago Bulls Session... Bulls suffer worst loss of season to Hornets.
By Vincent Goodwill
The Hornets defeated Chicago, 130-105, on Nov. 3 at Time Warner Cable Arena. (Photo/NBAE/Getty Images)
Doug McDermott’s silky smooth jumper was immediately followed by Jeremy Lamb treating him as if he were a three-feet cone on a 3-pointer.
Aaron Brooks’s third triple of the night was met by Kemba Walker losing him on a deadly crossover and nailing a jumper of his own.
The Bulls’ offense wasn’t a huge problem but it was a reminder about playing on one end of the floor won’t get it done, as they handed the Charlotte Hornets their first win of the season, a 130-105 drubbing at Time Warner Cable Arena.
The loss was their worst defensive showing in regulation since March 9, 2010, a 132-108 loss to the Utah Jazz—the last season before Tom Thibodeau took over as coach.
“It was a complete domination from the tip, and they just had their way with us,” Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said. “We didn’t have any fight, no resolve, didn’t try and go back at them. Just kind of accepted it tonight.”
The only resistance was accidental, as they allowed the Hornets to hit eight of their first 10 triples and encouraged their 70 percent first-quarter shooting by being completely indifferent to the premise of defending.
In the first half, Joakim Noah nailed Cody Zeller with an accidental elbow that drew blood all over the baseline as the Bulls galloped downcourt for a 3-pointer.
Before then and soon after, it was evident that the Bulls were seeing red—and against one of the league’s most inept offensive teams at that.
But one wouldn’t know that by seeing Lamb, a recipient of a new three-year, $21 million deal many around the NBA questioned, responded by playing free, hitting his first six shots from the field on the way to 20 points, missing just one of his 10 attempts.
“I mean you want to compete,” Hoiberg said. “There’s nights that ball is not going to go in the basket, you gotta fight. I mean they scored over 30 every quarter, and that’s disappointing. Everyone seemed like they were on an island. Not only on defense, but offense and defense. Just not a good night.”
Lamb wasn’t the only one, considering the group of himself, Spencer Hawes, Jeremy Lin and Frank Kaminsky went eight for nine from 3-point range, putting on their best Golden State Warriors impersonation.
The Hornets shot 51 percent and 61 from 3-point range. In essence, the Bulls played like strangers.
“It was an individual effort out there tonight,” Hoiberg said. “Nobody had each other’s back, nobody made extra passes, they outrebounded us by 19 … you can go right down the line. Just wasn’t there. We’ve been pretty solid on that end of the floor, holding a good percentage from three, keeping teams off the line pretty well, and they just beat us in all areas tonight.”
Seven Hornets scored in double figures, as they seemed to heed whatever suggestions former Bulls coach Thibodeau sent Steve Clifford’s way—Thibodeau and Clifford are close friends, as Clifford said Thibodeau sent “37 suggestions last night."
All of them must’ve worked, as the Bulls got worked from the opening tip, clearly a step slow defensively and unable to stop the bleeding. Hoiberg even inserted Joakim Noah to play with Pau Gasol to stop the damage Al Jefferson was inflicting on the Bulls but to no avail.
The Hornets kept pouring it on, with 37 first-quarter points and 69 in the first half, committing only one turnover in the first half. The Hornets were more aggressive in every tangible and intangible way, going to the line double the amount of times and outrebounding them by a wide margin.
It negated Jimmy Butler scoring 26 points in 32 minutes and even McDermott’s career-high of 17.
With the way the Hornets were shooting, the Bulls had better hope it was an aberration of the worst kind—because if this continues, it could be a warning sign of the worst kind of things to come.
Aaron Brooks’s third triple of the night was met by Kemba Walker losing him on a deadly crossover and nailing a jumper of his own.
The Bulls’ offense wasn’t a huge problem but it was a reminder about playing on one end of the floor won’t get it done, as they handed the Charlotte Hornets their first win of the season, a 130-105 drubbing at Time Warner Cable Arena.
The loss was their worst defensive showing in regulation since March 9, 2010, a 132-108 loss to the Utah Jazz—the last season before Tom Thibodeau took over as coach.
“It was a complete domination from the tip, and they just had their way with us,” Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said. “We didn’t have any fight, no resolve, didn’t try and go back at them. Just kind of accepted it tonight.”
The only resistance was accidental, as they allowed the Hornets to hit eight of their first 10 triples and encouraged their 70 percent first-quarter shooting by being completely indifferent to the premise of defending.
In the first half, Joakim Noah nailed Cody Zeller with an accidental elbow that drew blood all over the baseline as the Bulls galloped downcourt for a 3-pointer.
Before then and soon after, it was evident that the Bulls were seeing red—and against one of the league’s most inept offensive teams at that.
But one wouldn’t know that by seeing Lamb, a recipient of a new three-year, $21 million deal many around the NBA questioned, responded by playing free, hitting his first six shots from the field on the way to 20 points, missing just one of his 10 attempts.
“I mean you want to compete,” Hoiberg said. “There’s nights that ball is not going to go in the basket, you gotta fight. I mean they scored over 30 every quarter, and that’s disappointing. Everyone seemed like they were on an island. Not only on defense, but offense and defense. Just not a good night.”
Lamb wasn’t the only one, considering the group of himself, Spencer Hawes, Jeremy Lin and Frank Kaminsky went eight for nine from 3-point range, putting on their best Golden State Warriors impersonation.
The Hornets shot 51 percent and 61 from 3-point range. In essence, the Bulls played like strangers.
“It was an individual effort out there tonight,” Hoiberg said. “Nobody had each other’s back, nobody made extra passes, they outrebounded us by 19 … you can go right down the line. Just wasn’t there. We’ve been pretty solid on that end of the floor, holding a good percentage from three, keeping teams off the line pretty well, and they just beat us in all areas tonight.”
Seven Hornets scored in double figures, as they seemed to heed whatever suggestions former Bulls coach Thibodeau sent Steve Clifford’s way—Thibodeau and Clifford are close friends, as Clifford said Thibodeau sent “37 suggestions last night."
All of them must’ve worked, as the Bulls got worked from the opening tip, clearly a step slow defensively and unable to stop the bleeding. Hoiberg even inserted Joakim Noah to play with Pau Gasol to stop the damage Al Jefferson was inflicting on the Bulls but to no avail.
The Hornets kept pouring it on, with 37 first-quarter points and 69 in the first half, committing only one turnover in the first half. The Hornets were more aggressive in every tangible and intangible way, going to the line double the amount of times and outrebounding them by a wide margin.
It negated Jimmy Butler scoring 26 points in 32 minutes and even McDermott’s career-high of 17.
With the way the Hornets were shooting, the Bulls had better hope it was an aberration of the worst kind—because if this continues, it could be a warning sign of the worst kind of things to come.
Cubs, Royals and the myth/reality of a World Series blueprint.
By Patrick Mooney
The Cubs were one of the four teams still standing in October when a New York writer asked Theo Epstein about the best blueprint for winning the playoffs.
The president of baseball operations had helped build two championship teams in Boston and oversaw the massive rebuilding job at Wrigley Field, where at that point the Cubs were down 0-2 in the National League Championship Series.
“The only thing I know for sure,” Epstein said, “is that whatever team wins the World Series, their particular style of play will be completely in vogue and trumpeted from the rooftops by the media all offseason — and in front offices — as the way to win.
“So if we win the World Series, it’s going to be a necessity for every team to develop their own core of young homegrown position players. If the Mets win, it will be required that you have four ridiculous young starting pitchers on the same staff.
“If the Royals win, you need to have speed and athleticism and contact up and down your lineup. If the Blue Jays win, you need to fill your lineup full of right-handed epic mashers and make a huge trade at the deadline.
“I think that’s the only thing I can say with certainty. This game is too nuanced and too complicated for there to be any one way.”
The Cubs will need all of the above to live up to Bovada’s Monday morning projection as the World Series favorite (11-to-1 odds), hours after Kansas City won its first championship in 30 years.
The Cubs have a lineup that should wear teams out for years to come, assuming Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Addison Russell and Kyle Schwarber stay healthy, hungry and productive. Stay tuned to see if Starlin Castro, Javier Baez and/or Jorge Soler will be traded for pitching this winter, or if an uber-talented group of young hitters stays intact.
The Cubs have a lineup that should wear teams out for years to come, assuming Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Addison Russell and Kyle Schwarber stay healthy, hungry and productive. Stay tuned to see if Starlin Castro, Javier Baez and/or Jorge Soler will be traded for pitching this winter, or if an uber-talented group of young hitters stays intact.
The pitching-rich Mets looked unbeatable during that NLCS sweep — and then unraveled across five games in the World Series — which again shows you shouldn’t overreact to small sample sizes in the postseason.
But the Cubs should try to find a way to add two big-time starters — David Price is very much interested in coming to Chicago — at a time when they don’t appear to have big-market spending power.
Kyle Hendricks would be a great No. 5 starter on a contending team, but he shouldn’t be starting Game 3 in a playoff rotation. Jason Hammel’s up-and-down season and salary commitment ($11 million guaranteed) could again make him a flip-able asset that clears the way for a bigger deal.
The Cubs aren’t going to bring back ex-manager Dale Sveum, whose offensive philosophy factored into his firing after the 2013 season — and helped him shape a relentless lineup as Kansas City’s hitting coach.
But the Cubs will need to get better at situational hitting and making contact after batting .236 with runners in scoring position (or 18 points below the league average) and leading the majors with 1,518 strikeouts.
Leading up to the July 31 trade deadline next summer, Epstein will insist those deals almost always favor the sellers, downplaying the potential impact for buyers. (After all, that arbitrage system helped the Cubs restock their farm system and grow into a World Series contender within four years.)
Epstein doesn’t have to be as dramatic as Alex Anthopoulos, who acquired Price and Troy Tulowitzki in late July as finishing pieces to Toronto’s first playoff team since the back-to-back champions in 1992 and 1993 — and then walked away from a dream job rather than work for incoming Blue Jays CEO Mark Shapiro.
Still, Epstein’s front office will need to do more at the deadline than delivering a fifth starter on the verge of retirement (Dan Haren) and an extra reliever who didn’t make any of the three playoff rosters (Tommy Hunter).
The Royals needed Johnny Cueto to win an elimination game against the Astros in the divisional round and then watched him throw nine innings in a Game 2 World Series victory over the Mets. Ben Zobrist — a Joe Maddon favorite and the super-utility guy the Cubs tried to acquire from Tampa Bay and Oakland within the last year — finished with an .880 postseason OPS. Both rental players are now free agents.
The Cubs can try to copy Kansas City’s late-game blueprint with all those power arms, but they already planned on rebuilding their bullpen with Hunter, Trevor Cahill, Jason Motte and Fernando Rodney among the 139 players eligible to negotiate and sign with any team starting at midnight on Saturday, the beginning of the free-agent frenzy.
Of course, it’s also easier to get Schwarber to work on his outfield defense — and hope Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta can control the running game — than find a potential 40-homer left-handed hitter and two frontline starters within one offseason.
“We need to get better,” Epstein said, “but I love the foundation that we’re working with.”
Cubs enter MLB offseason as 2016 World Series favorites.
By Tony Andracki
The day after the Kansas City Royals were crowned world champions, the Cubs have been listed as World Series favorites for the 2016 season.
Bovada Tweeted out updated 2016 World Series odds and pegs the Cubs as 11/1 favorites to win it all as the MLB offseason is set to get underway in the next few days.
Bovada Tweeted out updated 2016 World Series odds and pegs the Cubs as 11/1 favorites to win it all as the MLB offseason is set to get underway in the next few days.
The Cubs began last offseason with 50/1 odds to win the World Series, but that improved to 20/1 when they signed Joe Maddon in early November.
With a young core and an expectation by many that Theo Epstein's front office will be in big on the top free agent pitchers like David Price, the Cubs are no longer going to sneak up on bettors.
The Royals, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays and Washington Nationals are all tied just behind the Cubs with 12/1 odds to win it all.
In the National League Central, the Pittsburgh Pirates are listed at 14/1 while the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers are tied with 50/1 odds.
With a young core and an expectation by many that Theo Epstein's front office will be in big on the top free agent pitchers like David Price, the Cubs are no longer going to sneak up on bettors.
The Royals, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays and Washington Nationals are all tied just behind the Cubs with 12/1 odds to win it all.
In the National League Central, the Pittsburgh Pirates are listed at 14/1 while the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers are tied with 50/1 odds.
The White Sox also came in with 50/1 odds, ahead of only the Atlanta Braves (100/1), Colorado Rockies (100/1) and Philadelphia Phillies (200/1).
Adam Eaton, Tyler Flowers among White Sox healing properly.
Adam Eaton, Tyler Flowers among White Sox healing properly.
By Dan Hayes
The White Sox report all four of their players to undergo surgery last month are healing and should be ready by Dec. 1.
Leadoff man Adam Eaton, catchers Tyler Flowers and Rob Brantly and second baseman Micah Johnson are all recovering well from their October surgeries, the team said Tuesday.
Bothered by the injury since late July, Eaton underwent a nerve decompression in the back of his left shoulder on Oct. 5 and reports his strength is “coming along well.”
The White Sox report all four of their players to undergo surgery last month are healing and should be ready by Dec. 1.
Leadoff man Adam Eaton, catchers Tyler Flowers and Rob Brantly and second baseman Micah Johnson are all recovering well from their October surgeries, the team said Tuesday.
Bothered by the injury since late July, Eaton underwent a nerve decompression in the back of his left shoulder on Oct. 5 and reports his strength is “coming along well.”
Flowers had a baker’s cyst and a loose piece removed from his right knee last month. Johnson had season-ending knee surgery on Oct. 1. His knee is structurally fine.
Brantly had a part of the meniscus in his left knee removed after the season and is in good shape, the team said.
Brantly had a part of the meniscus in his left knee removed after the season and is in good shape, the team said.
Golf: I got a club for that..... Power rankings: WGC-HSBC Champions.
By Ryan Ballengee
The final World Golf Championships event of the year convenes on Thursday in Shanghai, China, with the HSBC Champions. Bubba Watson is the defending champion at Sheshan International, a course where long hitters have dominated.
The final World Golf Championships event of the year convenes on Thursday in Shanghai, China, with the HSBC Champions. Bubba Watson is the defending champion at Sheshan International, a course where long hitters have dominated.
The world Nos. 2 and 3 are in the field, along with 2013 champion Dustin Johnson.
Here are our top five players for this week:
1. Jordan Spieth -- We haven't seen Spieth flying solo since winning the FedEx Cup, so there's some ring rust to shake off here. However, he's the best golfer in the world (even if the Official World Golf Ranking doesn't say it).
2. Rory McIlroy -- Have to like McIlroy on this course, where he's a top-six machine, and for his form after a T-6 finish last week at the Turkish Airlines Open. Final round was a dud in Antalya, but he did have a fairly conservative gameplan.
3. Justin Thomas -- The CIMB Classic winner gets into his first WGC this week.
1. Jordan Spieth -- We haven't seen Spieth flying solo since winning the FedEx Cup, so there's some ring rust to shake off here. However, he's the best golfer in the world (even if the Official World Golf Ranking doesn't say it).
2. Rory McIlroy -- Have to like McIlroy on this course, where he's a top-six machine, and for his form after a T-6 finish last week at the Turkish Airlines Open. Final round was a dud in Antalya, but he did have a fairly conservative gameplan.
3. Justin Thomas -- The CIMB Classic winner gets into his first WGC this week.
Should be riding high off the win and a T-3 effort at the Frys.com Open. Has the length to torch Sheshan International.
4. Kevin Na -- How can you not like keep riding the Na Train? P2, T-2, T-3 to start the year. Was T-20 in this event last year.
Spieth says it's 'premature' to talk of new era.
By Daniel Hicks
Double major-winner Jordan Spieth said Tuesday that it was too early to talk of a new era in the game despite a year when he led the charge of the young guns.
Spieth said McIlroy was still the one they were chasing, and if it was anyone's era now it was the Northern Irishman's.
Matt Kenseth has been suspended two races for intentionally crashing Joey Logano at Martinsville.
Kenseth wrecked Logano on Lap 454 at Martinsville on Sunday. Kenseth did so after his car was severely wounded in an accident with Logano's teammate, Brad Keselowski. Logano ended up finishing 37th Sunday and is eighth out of the eight remaining drivers in the Chase.
Erik Jones will likely replace Kenseth during his suspension. The JGR development driver has subbed for Denny Hamlin and Busch already this season.
By JENNA FRYER
When Matt Kenseth steered Joey Logano into the wall, the crowd roared its approval as a veteran driver delivered old-school payback.
Three races ago, Joey Logano wrecked Matt Kenseth, ending his title hopes, and NASCAR chalked it up as ''quintessential'' racing. Then defending champion Kevin Harvick sparked a wreck at Talladega that kept his repeat bid alive. NASCAR shrugged it off, saying it couldn't find any evidence Harvick meant to do it.
On Sunday, Kenseth delivered a serious blow to Logano's run toward a championship by pile-driving him into the wall at Martinsville. NASCAR officials? They will probably punish Kenseth harshly- and that puts them on a very slippery slope.
Proposed FIFA reforms, including term limits, face rejection.
Reuters; Reporting by Simon Evans, Editing by Andrew Both
A leading member of FIFA's reform committee, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, says up to 40 percent of the reform proposals made by ethics and compliance chief Domenico Scala could be rejected, including plans for term limits for top executives.
Speaking to Reuters, Sheikh Ahmad, one of the key power brokers in international sport, defended the decision of the reform committee to turn down a proposal for term limits for members of world soccer's scandal-plagued governing body.
2. Alabama's reputation may be preceding it: Sure, you can excuse away the loss to Ole Miss because of Alabama's turnovers and a few breaks that went Alabama's way, but how many people outside of die-hard Alabama fans and SEC-lovers would have the Tide at No. 4?
And the Gators are behind the Tide.
LSU-Alabama Preview.
By JOHN ZENOR
As usual, it features formidable front lines on both sides of the ball. The game also includes two of the nation's top tailbacks, LSU's Leonard Fournette and Alabama's Derrick Henry going against two of the best run defenses.
UConn preseason AP No. 1 for 11th time. (Women's)
By DOUG FEINBERG
Geno Auriemma and the UConn Huskies are starting this season where they left off, atop the poll.
South Carolina was second with Notre Dame, Tennessee and Baylor rounding out the first five. The Gamecocks were also No. 2 in the preseason poll last year.
Memoriesofhistory.com
5. Bubba Watson -- The defending champion isn't ranked so highly because there are hotter players in front of him in the short term and a guy who owns the joint (McIlroy). However, Watson is playing some of the best golf of his life. No real reason to dislike him here.
Spieth says it's 'premature' to talk of new era.
By Daniel Hicks
Double major-winner Jordan Spieth said Tuesday that it was too early to talk of a new era in the game despite a year when he led the charge of the young guns.
The 22-year-old won the season's first two majors, the US Masters and the US Open, and had a series of titanic battles against 28-year-old Jason Day of Australia, who finally turned the tables on Spieth to lift the US PGA Championship in August.
Spieth went on to win the FedEx Cup and another young American Rickie Fowler, 26, had a breakthrough season in which he won three times including the prestigious $10 million Players' Championship at Sawgrass and rose into the world's top five.
"It's a bit premature to say that it's our era," Spieth told AFP after he had indulged in some Chinese drumming alongside Fowler, Bubba Watson and Henrik Stenson to launch this week's WGC-HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai.
"But I believe that we made a step in the right direction and if we can ride with that it'll be significant," the young Texan added.
Three-time major winner Rory McIlroy, who is only 26 himself, had a season interrupted by a football-related injury but still heads the European Tour's Race to Dubai standings and completes a youthful top three in the rankings with Day and Spieth.
Spieth said McIlroy was still the one they were chasing, and if it was anyone's era now it was the Northern Irishman's.
- McIlroy tummy bug -
"For Rory it's different because he's been consistent for quite a few years now. Jason and I have played solid golf, but to create an era you need to do it for a decade," said Spieth.
"We have the potential to do it. But this was the first year of it. Unless we keep our heads down and work, and it drives us, and we get the luck... there's lot of factors in order to create it."
McIlroy skipped the launch event on the roof of Shanghai's Peninsula hotel overlooking the Huangpu river after suffering from a stomach bug after practice Tuesday.
"Rory just needs a rest and he'll be back for the pro-am tomorrow," McIlroy's manager Sean O'Flaherty told AFP. "He's picked up a tummy bug but it's nothing to worry about.
"He's gunning to win this week," added O'Flaherty.
While McIlroy took to his sick bed as a precaution, there were almost two other casualties among the world's top 10 when Fowler and Stenson were almost speared by a drumstick that snapped and barreled towards them as the Chinese drummers went through their paces.
The broken piece thumped into the sponsor's board just beside Stenson's head, but the Swede took it in good humor.
"I've got my full team of lawyers working on it. Expect HSBC to be closed down tomorrow," the world number seven joked afterwards.
"I just saw it out of the corner of my eye, Rickie flinched and then it hit the board and landed beside me," he explained.
"It was sharp, like when you split a broomstick. So it could have been a very exciting start to the week."
The WGC-HSBC Champions begins on Thursday at Sheshan Golf Club in Shanghai.
NASCAR: Matt Kenseth suspended 2 races for crashing Joey Logano.
By Nick Bromberg
(AP Photo/Don Petersen)
Matt Kenseth has been suspended two races for intentionally crashing Joey Logano at Martinsville.
"Based upon our extensive review, we have concluded that [Kenseth], who is no longer in the Chase, intentionally wrecked [Logano], a Chase-eligible competitor who was leading the race at the time, "NASCAR vice president Steve O'Donnell said in a statement. "[Kenseth] was nine laps down, and eliminated [Logano's] opportunity to continue to compete in the race.
"Additionally, we factored aspects of safety into our decision, and also the fact that the new Chase elimination format puts a premium on each and every race. These actions have no place in NASCAR."
Kenseth's actions were retribution for contact with Logano at Kansas Speedway. Kenseth went spinning off Logano's bumper with five laps to go as the two were battling for the lead. Kenseth subsequently missed the third round of the Chase at Talladega the next week as Logano advanced thanks to wins at Charlotte, Kansas and Talladega.
Kenseth's actions were retribution for contact with Logano at Kansas Speedway. Kenseth went spinning off Logano's bumper with five laps to go as the two were battling for the lead. Kenseth subsequently missed the third round of the Chase at Talladega the next week as Logano advanced thanks to wins at Charlotte, Kansas and Talladega.
Kenseth wrecked Logano on Lap 454 at Martinsville on Sunday. Kenseth did so after his car was severely wounded in an accident with Logano's teammate, Brad Keselowski. Logano ended up finishing 37th Sunday and is eighth out of the eight remaining drivers in the Chase.
Drivers have been penalized for crashing others intentionally before, but not for multiple races. Kyle Busch, Kenseth's Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, was suspended for a race in 2011 after he crashed Ron Hornaday under caution in a Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway.
JGR said Kenseth would appeal the suspension on the grounds that it's inconsistent. Expect the team to cite Busch's suspension heavily in that appeal.
The 2003 Sprint Cup Series champion will miss races at Texas and Phoenix International Raceway if his suspension is upheld upon appeal. NASCAR will likely use an expedited appeals process to ensure a final decision before Sunday's race at Texas.
Erik Jones will likely replace Kenseth during his suspension. The JGR development driver has subbed for Denny Hamlin and Busch already this season.
Additionally, NASCAR announced that Danica Patrick had been penalized 25 points and fined for running into David Gilliland on purpose under caution at Martinsville.
Follow-Up Opinion: NASCAR needs consistency to quell 'wild West'.
By JENNA FRYER
When Matt Kenseth steered Joey Logano into the wall, the crowd roared its approval as a veteran driver delivered old-school payback.
The thunderous ovation continued at every replay.
This is NASCAR's version of the ''wild West,'' as one driver put it, and it is riddled with inconsistencies.
This is NASCAR's version of the ''wild West,'' as one driver put it, and it is riddled with inconsistencies.
Three races ago, Joey Logano wrecked Matt Kenseth, ending his title hopes, and NASCAR chalked it up as ''quintessential'' racing. Then defending champion Kevin Harvick sparked a wreck at Talladega that kept his repeat bid alive. NASCAR shrugged it off, saying it couldn't find any evidence Harvick meant to do it.
On Sunday, Kenseth delivered a serious blow to Logano's run toward a championship by pile-driving him into the wall at Martinsville. NASCAR officials? They will probably punish Kenseth harshly- and that puts them on a very slippery slope.
It was NASCAR that ushered in this ''Boys, have at it'' era, and it was NASCAR that didn't park Jeff Gordon in 2012 when he deliberately wrecked championship contender Clint Bowyer. With Logano now last in the eight-driver Chase field with two races remaining to qualify for the finale, why should it be any different for Kenseth?
''What Matt Kenseth did was so far beyond the 'Boys, have at it' excuse that it doesn't belong in the same conversation,'' Fox analyst Larry McReynolds said Monday. ''If NASCAR doesn't drop the hammer hard on him, shame on them.''
Sure, Kenseth's act had massive playoff implications for Logano. He had been carrying the grudge for two weeks and everyone expected him to act. It's how the game is played, Kenseth lives by a driver code and he said he'd have lost respect in the garage had he not retaliated.
''Growing up, Terry Labonte, Ricky Rudd, those are guys you just did not mess with because you knew they would retaliate. Matt Kenseth is in that same category,'' said former teammate Jamie McMurray. ''Matt races everyone fair and he races hard. If he thinks that there could have been better decisions made (by Logano), then so be it.''
Then so be it, too, for Danica Patrick. She chased David Gilliland up the track Sunday to wreck him as payback for an earlier incident. Again, the crowd cheered.
Sure, Kenseth's act had massive playoff implications for Logano. He had been carrying the grudge for two weeks and everyone expected him to act. It's how the game is played, Kenseth lives by a driver code and he said he'd have lost respect in the garage had he not retaliated.
''Growing up, Terry Labonte, Ricky Rudd, those are guys you just did not mess with because you knew they would retaliate. Matt Kenseth is in that same category,'' said former teammate Jamie McMurray. ''Matt races everyone fair and he races hard. If he thinks that there could have been better decisions made (by Logano), then so be it.''
Then so be it, too, for Danica Patrick. She chased David Gilliland up the track Sunday to wreck him as payback for an earlier incident. Again, the crowd cheered.
Yet no one is calling for Patrick to be suspended, and few seem even the least bit bothered by her act.
So beside the obvious championship implications, what is the difference?
Kyle Busch has been wondering just that. He was parked for a Sprint Cup race in 2011 for deliberately wrecking Ron Hornaday Jr. in a Truck Series race. Carl Edwards avoided suspension in 2010 for returning a wrecked car to the track to crash Brad Keselowski.
When NASCAR turned its back on the Harvick incident at Talladega, Busch griped that it was because officials would never punish the reigning series champion. After his teammate wrecked Logano, Busch said he had no idea what punishment might come because it changes on a case-by-case basis.
''I think it all depends on whose name is above the door on whether or not you're allowed to do it,'' Busch said. ''It's boys being boys right now. You've got to be consistent. I definitely feel NASCAR is very consistent in being inconsistent on calls. I think it's BS.''
It can't be one way for some drivers and another way for the rest.
It can't be one way for some drivers and another way for the rest.
Harvick knew his engine was failing but failed to get out of the way at Talladega because it would have likely eliminated him from the playoffs. Denny Hamlin and Kenseth minced no words in their accusations of Harvick, and both suffered for Harvick's act. Harvick responded by saying he simply did what he had to do.
After Sunday's race, with Logano steaming, Hamlin wondered if the stakes are so high in the current knockout Chase for the Sprint Cup championship format that the line between right and wrong has been blurred - and NASCAR has no idea how to clear it up.
After Sunday's race, with Logano steaming, Hamlin wondered if the stakes are so high in the current knockout Chase for the Sprint Cup championship format that the line between right and wrong has been blurred - and NASCAR has no idea how to clear it up.
''The structure in which we have around us is not very strong as far as an authority figure saying, 'No, you cannot do that anymore,' " Hamlin said. ''It's just tough for us because this is what's been created. I love Brian France, but when he says that drivers are doing what they have to do, it seems like he's promoting this type of racing, so that's tough to crown a true champion when things go like this.
''It's a no-holds-barred wild, wild West. Sure, when people crown the statement that a driver's doing what he's got to do and they became OK with that statement, you're just opening up Pandora's box. Everyone is just doing what they have to do I guess. It's a bad statement. It's an ugly statement.''
Payback has always been accepted and appreciated. It's time for France to decide if that is quintessential NASCAR or not.
''It's a no-holds-barred wild, wild West. Sure, when people crown the statement that a driver's doing what he's got to do and they became OK with that statement, you're just opening up Pandora's box. Everyone is just doing what they have to do I guess. It's a bad statement. It's an ugly statement.''
Payback has always been accepted and appreciated. It's time for France to decide if that is quintessential NASCAR or not.
SOCCER: Johnson scores in Champions League, creates U.S. dilemma for Klinsmann.
By Leandwe Schaerlaeckens
Moenchengladbach's Fabian Johnson (R) celebrates with Havard Nordtveit after scoring a goal during their Champions League group D soccer match in Moenchengladbach, Germany, November 3, 2015. (Photo/ REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay)
Fabian Johnson won't go away quietly.
The Borussia Moenchengladbach and United States men's national team player became just the sixth American to score in the UEFA Champions League group stage on Tuesday.
His sliding finish capped Gladbach's 18th-minute attack, which got a good deal of help from a poor Juventus clearance, for the Bundesliga side's only goal in a 1-1 tie.
And that makes for a slightly uncomfortable predicament for U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann.
For as long as he's been in charge of the Yanks, the former Germany striker has insisted that his players seek out the highest possible playing level over in Europe. Yet only one of his players – Johnson – is active in the Champions League, which Klinsmann (rightly) considers the pinnacle of club soccer.
But Johnson got himself kicked off the U.S. national team after he requested a substitution during extra time of an October game against Mexico, even though he wasn't injured. Klinsmann was dismayed that Johnson would ask out of a game – with a spot at the 2017 Confederations Cup at stake, no less – even though his peers were suffering just as much as he was and just as likely to get hurt.
This isn't the first time that Klinsmann has shown one of his key players whose national team it really is. But with the start of World Cup qualifying around the corner, the Johnson ouster poses serious questions for a USMNT already in disarray.
Klinsmann's side has lost five of its last six games – albeit two of them in extra time or penalties – and has often looked woefully disorganized and disinterested. It badly needs Johnson, who can play on both flanks or in either back position, because the alternatives are thin, especially with several defenders recently suffering injuries or losing their starting jobs with their clubs and the pool of wingers being perpetually shallow.
On the one hand, Klinsmann can't afford to ostracize Johnson. On the other, he would look weak if he brings him back so soon, only making him sit out a meaningless friendly against Costa Rica. Tuesday's goal, while not terribly relevant at the international level, seems to exacerbate the pressure on Klinsmann to recall Johnson. Because making a point about discipline doesn't seem to be a luxury he can afford right now.
On Nov. 13 and 17, the Americans begin the third phase of World Cup qualifying against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago, respectively (those are only two countries, by the way). The former should be straightforward; the latter trickier. If Klinsmann doesn't claim six points from those games, or at the very least wins the first game and gains a very credible draw in the second, yet more questions will be asked about his hold on the head coaching job.
And if Johnson, who at 27 ought to be a building block for this new World Cup cycle, isn't there for it when things go wrong, the optics will reflect poorly on Klinsmann.
Klinsmann's side has lost five of its last six games – albeit two of them in extra time or penalties – and has often looked woefully disorganized and disinterested. It badly needs Johnson, who can play on both flanks or in either back position, because the alternatives are thin, especially with several defenders recently suffering injuries or losing their starting jobs with their clubs and the pool of wingers being perpetually shallow.
On the one hand, Klinsmann can't afford to ostracize Johnson. On the other, he would look weak if he brings him back so soon, only making him sit out a meaningless friendly against Costa Rica. Tuesday's goal, while not terribly relevant at the international level, seems to exacerbate the pressure on Klinsmann to recall Johnson. Because making a point about discipline doesn't seem to be a luxury he can afford right now.
On Nov. 13 and 17, the Americans begin the third phase of World Cup qualifying against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago, respectively (those are only two countries, by the way). The former should be straightforward; the latter trickier. If Klinsmann doesn't claim six points from those games, or at the very least wins the first game and gains a very credible draw in the second, yet more questions will be asked about his hold on the head coaching job.
And if Johnson, who at 27 ought to be a building block for this new World Cup cycle, isn't there for it when things go wrong, the optics will reflect poorly on Klinsmann.
Whether fairly or not.
Soccer-US championship results.
Soccer-US championship results.
Reuters
Results from the US championship first leg matches on Sunday.
Western Conference Semifinal
Monday, November 2, first leg
Eastern Conference Semifinal
Monday, November 2, first leg
Western Conference Semifinal
Sunday, November 1, first leg
Eastern Conference Semifinal
Sunday, November 1, first leg
Proposed FIFA reforms, including term limits, face rejection.
Reuters; Reporting by Simon Evans, Editing by Andrew Both
A leading member of FIFA's reform committee, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, says up to 40 percent of the reform proposals made by ethics and compliance chief Domenico Scala could be rejected, including plans for term limits for top executives.
Speaking to Reuters, Sheikh Ahmad, one of the key power brokers in international sport, defended the decision of the reform committee to turn down a proposal for term limits for members of world soccer's scandal-plagued governing body.
Scala had originally been in charge of FIFA's reform plans before the creation of a Reform Committee headed by Sheikh Ahmad's ally, former International Olympic Committee director general Francois Carrard.
Scala presented an eight-point plan for reform of FIFA on Sept. 1 but several items have already been rejected by FIFA's reform committee, according to an interim report published on Oct. 20.
Asked about Scala's reforms, Sheikh Ahmad said "60-70 percent" of the proposals were being backed by the committee but said term-limits would be restricted to the FIFA president alone.
Scala proposed term limits of three, four-year terms also for members of the Executive Committee, the Secretary General and members of FIFA's other independent committees.
The Swiss businessman also proposed a system of enforcing the same term-limits for continental confederations and national federations, meaning no-one in the game would be able to hold the same office for more than 12 years.
But the Reform Committee report, which went largely unnoticed after being released at the same time as a raft of news from FIFA's Executive Committee last month, had no mention of term-limits for other officials other than an age limit of 74.
"But this is normal for a lot of organizations," said Sheikh Ahmad.
"I think age-limit will achieve the same goals – you will have three or four terms maximum, unless you are young. And if you are young, what is the percentage that is so young to make the rules for them?" he said, talking at the general assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) in Washington last week.
Under the Reform Committee plans, a 40-year-old elected to FIFA's executive committee would still be able to stay in the job for 34 years.
Scala declined to comment on the work of the Reform Committee but said he stood by the need for widespread term limits and change at national and regional level.
"I believe term limits for all executive committee members are critical and higher governance standards at confederation and association level are also critical as they are the main cause of the current issues," he told Reuters.
FIFA was thrown into crisis in May when 14 soccer officials and sports marketing executives were indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice on a range of corruption-related charges.
Among those charged were Jeffrey Webb, Jack Warner and Eduardo Li from the CONCACAF regional confederation for North and Central America and the Caribbean and Eugenio Figueredo, Rafael Esquivel and Nicolas Leoz from the South American CONMBEOL confederation.
Sheikh Ahmad is a member of the FIFA executive committee and is a leading player in the Olympic movement. He joined the IOC in 1992, and has risen to the role of president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and president of the powerful ANOC.
The Reform Committee will meet again later this month and will present its report to the December FIFA executive committee which will be charged with putting items to the vote in February's congress.
Scala's plan also called for members of FIFA's executive to be elected directly by the congress of all 209 member associations, whereas the Reform Committee says they will retain the power of the regional confederations to elect the representatives.
Following the publication of his recommendations, Scala also suggested that FIFA could have a rotating presidency as part of the changes, but Sheikh Ahmad said that was going too far.
"I don’t believe in this. Just because we are in trouble we don’t have to kill everything. We have to solve the problems without an over-reaction," he said.
NCAAFB: Clemson is No. 1 in initial College Football Playoff rankings.
By Graham Watson
Clemson is the No. 1 team in the country.
The initial College Football Playoff rankings were released Tuesday and the Tigers took the top spot for the first time since winning the national title in 1981.
The Tigers were followed by No. 2 LSU, No. 3 Ohio State and No. 4 Alabama. Ohio State, the reigning national champion, has been the nation’s No. 1 team in the media and coaches polls.
However, the only poll that matters is the CFP rankings, which, as we all saw a year ago, will be drastically different by the time the final rankings emerge in five weeks.
That’s because most of the schedules of the teams in the top six, which includes No. 5 Notre Dame and No. 6 Baylor, are back-loaded and their best games have yet to be played.
However, the only poll that matters is the CFP rankings, which, as we all saw a year ago, will be drastically different by the time the final rankings emerge in five weeks.
That’s because most of the schedules of the teams in the top six, which includes No. 5 Notre Dame and No. 6 Baylor, are back-loaded and their best games have yet to be played.
In fact, some of them are this weekend.
Baylor, which lost its quarterback for the season, has to go to Kansas State on Thursday night. Clemson plays rival Florida State this weekend and LSU plays Alabama.
And there are some teams that aren’t in the top six that still have opportunities to make the College Football Playoff. Included in that mix is No. 8 TCU, which is undefeated and still has three games against teams in the top 15 (Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Baylor). No. 7 Michigan State still has to play Ohio State and a possible Big Ten title game.
The Big 12 is once again on the outside looking in and College Football Playoff Committee chairman Jeff Long said Baylor and TCU were among the toughest teams to evaluate simply because of their strength of schedule. However, as noted above, that will change as the season progresses.
While these rankings provide a talking point this week they should be taken with a grain of salt. After all, a year ago, only one of the teams in the initial top four actually played in the College Football Playoff.
5 takeaways from the first College Football Playoff rankings.
By Nick Bromberg
Here are our five takeaways from the first set of rankings, which you can view in their entirety here.
1. The Big 12 is under-ranked because of its schedule: Don't put much stock in the Big 12 teams' low rankings. Baylor is at No. 6. TCU is at No. 8. Oklahoma State is No. 14. Oklahoma is No. 15. The first three teams are undefeated.
Don't play the disrespect card, however. The Big 12 schedule is backloaded. Oklahoma's lone loss on the season came against Texas, meaning these four teams haven't played each other. The round-robin four corners match for the Big 12 title begins this weekend when TCU plays at Oklahoma State. Expect to see the winner of that game make a big leap in the next set of rankings.
2. Alabama's reputation may be preceding it: Sure, you can excuse away the loss to Ole Miss because of Alabama's turnovers and a few breaks that went Alabama's way, but how many people outside of die-hard Alabama fans and SEC-lovers would have the Tide at No. 4?
Alabama's best win right now is vs. Texas A&M, which is at No. 19. But where would the Aggies be if they didn't have a strong offensive performance against South Carolina, a game it only won by a touchdown? And remember, the SC game was Kyler Murray's debut as the starting quarterback. Kyle Allen started and threw three pick-sixes against the Tide. Seeing Alabama in the top four after beating LSU on Saturday is easily explainable. But the Tide ahead of undefeated teams such as Baylor, Michigan State and TCU is a bit baffling, especially given that Alabama lost to a team that Florida beat.
And the Gators are behind the Tide.
3. Clemson needs to keep winning by large margins: If the Big 12 is getting the shaft because its top teams haven't played each other yet, Clemson has no one left to play after Saturday's game at Florida State. If the Tigers lose to the Seminoles on Saturday, they're going to need some attrition to crawl back into the top four.
The Tigers' final three opponents have combined records of 9-16, meaning Clemson will be heavy favorites in each one. And the ACC title game won't be much of a chance for a boost either unless North Carolina continues its seven-game win streak. Clemson is a logical choice for No. 1 right now, but don't be surprised if it slips below an undefeated team as the season goes on because of schedule concerns. Remember Florida State last year?
4. Memphis is, as it should be, in control of the Group of Five's New Year Six bowl berth: The Tigers are the highest-ranked team from outside the Power Five conferences at No. 13. It's one spot ahead of the two Big 12 teams from Oklahoma, one of which is undefeated.
The Tigers are one of three ranked teams from the AAC and they play the two others, Temple and Houston, in November. Temple is at No. 21 after losing to Notre Dame and Houston is at No. 25. With two ranked wins possibly to come, Memphis could crack the top 10 if it stays undefeated and easily get the non-Power Five berth to a prestigious bowl. And maybe, just maybe, if all heck breaks loose among the teams currently above Memphis, the Tigers could come near a top-four spot.
5. Don't overreact: We saw last year how much the rankings fluctuated from week-to-week with seemingly inconsistent explanations and focus points from the committee. Remember the first sentence from our first point? Let that be your guide. Don't stress about these rankings if you feel your team is ranked too low. This is all going to be different next week and the only set of rankings that matter are the ones released after the final week of the season. Sure, these rankings are going to be fun to debate every Tuesday, but don't get worked up about them. Please.
LSU-Alabama Preview.
By JOHN ZENOR
Jake Coker couldn't help but watch the Alabama-LSU games when he was growing up or even while playing for Florida State.
He remembers Julio Jones' fourth-quarter 73-yard touchdown catch in the 2009 game and the so-called ''Game of the Century'' two years later.
''I don't know who didn't see that,'' the seventh-ranked Crimson Tide's quarterback said Monday.
Then he watched last season's game from the sidelines and experienced the thriving SEC West rivalry for himself. Now, Coker makes his first start Saturday night against the fourth-ranked Tigers (7-0) in a game that has become almost routinely a matchup of Top 10 teams vying for national and Southeastern Conference championship shots.
''It was crazy,'' Coker said of last year's game at LSU. ''I've never seen a stadium like that. It was wild, that's for sure. It's something I won't forget.''
Both teams figure prominently in the initial College Football Playoff rankings, with LSU second and Alabama fourth. The Tide jumped over unbeaten teams Baylor, TCU and Michigan State.
Based on recent history, there's a better than fair chance the Tide (7-1) and Tigers could create another memorable game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. It's the fifth straight regular season meeting to occupy CBS's lone prime-time television slot for an SEC game.
It's the seventh time since 2005 that both teams enter the game ranked in the top 10.
As usual, it features formidable front lines on both sides of the ball. The game also includes two of the nation's top tailbacks, LSU's Leonard Fournette and Alabama's Derrick Henry going against two of the best run defenses.
Alabama has won the last four meetings, including a 20-13 overtime victory last season, the fourth time in a decade the teams couldn't settle matters in 60 minutes.
LSU coach Les Miles said fans ask him ''daily or weekly'' if the Tigers will beat Alabama this season.
''I can tell you that as an LSU fan there is great interest in this game,'' Miles said.
That's an understatement from either fan base. Neither team is a stranger to this kind of buildup and pressurized situation.
They play each other annually, after all.
''The good news is we've played these games before and we certainly understand them,'' Miles said. ''A big game is only so big, right? You're playing for all the things you wanted to play for at the beginning of the year. You're playing for the lead in the West. And you've put yourself, with your achievements, this team, in position to do so. They should look forward to it. They should relish it.
''It's why you come to LSU, to be a part of this game.''
LSU defensive back Jalen Mills said the game does have a different energy from both the fans and coaches.
''I mean, it's crazy out there,'' Mills said. ''But you also have to try to control that and figure out and hone in on what you have to do on the field. When you see a guy maybe too amped up, just try to calm him down and tell him to focus a little more.''
With all the ingredients of a hard-hitting, high-stakes game, that doesn't mean Miles and coach Nick Saban will call it conservatively. Sometimes it's the gambles that have made the difference.
They've each had some successful calls like Alabama's pivotal fake punt in 2012 and LSU's fourth-down tight end reverse to DeAngelo Peterson in 2010.
They've also had failed ones like Miles' fake field goal in 2012 and Saban's intercepted receiver pass the year before.
''I don't think being conservative is really going to help you win a game like this,'' Saban said.
NOTES: The bye week gave both teams a chance to heal injured players. Miles said he expects cornerback Tre'Davious White (knee), defensive tackle Christian LaCouture (foot) and fullback J.D. Moore (knee) to return. Moore has missed the past two games while White and LaCouture missed one game. Saban said safety Eddie Jackson (knee) practiced some last week and was cleared to go for Monday. Safety Ronnie Harrison and right tackle Dominick Jackson, both recovering from ankle injuries, will be evaluated day to day but would practice in individual drills Monday, Saban said.
NCAABKB: A look at the AP's preseason Top 25. (Men's)
By JIM O'CONNELL
North Carolina is by itself when it comes to being on top of The Associated Press preseason Top 25 poll.
This is the Tar Heels' ninth time atop the preseason rankings, breaking a tie with UCLA. Duke is next with seven preseason No. 1s.
Kentucky was the preseason No. 1 in 2014-15 and the Wildcats didn't lose until Wisconsin beat them in the national semifinals.
The last time North Carolina was the preseason No. 1 was in 2011-12 and the Tar Heels reached the Elite Eight that season.
North Carolina has twice turned a preseason No. 1 ranking into a national championship: 1982 and 2009. Every time the Tar Heels have been a preseason No. 1 they have at least reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Kentucky was the preseason No. 1 in 2014-15 and the Wildcats didn't lose until Wisconsin beat them in the national semifinals.
The last time North Carolina was the preseason No. 1 was in 2011-12 and the Tar Heels reached the Elite Eight that season.
North Carolina has twice turned a preseason No. 1 ranking into a national championship: 1982 and 2009. Every time the Tar Heels have been a preseason No. 1 they have at least reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
TOP RANKINGS
This is North Carolina's 112th week as a No. 1 team in the AP poll, fourth on the all-time list.
UCLA is No. 1 among No. 1s with 134 weeks atop the poll. Duke is second with 127 and Kentucky is third with 113, one more than the Tar Heels.
STREAKING ALONG
Duke's No. 5 ranking extends the Blue Devils' streak of consecutive polls to 156, the longest current run. The Blue Devils started their streak with the preseason poll of 2007-08.
No. 4 Kansas has the second-longest current streak of 124 weeks. Louisville had been third at 60 weeks but the Cardinals weren't in the preseason poll.
No. 12 Arizona moves into third with 60 straight appearances.
Eighteen schools kept their streak from last season going with No. 14 California the highest ranked team to start a new streak.
The record for consecutive poll appearances is 221 by UCLA, a run that went from 1966 until 1980.
AIM HIGH
Twelve teams have run the table as a No. 1-ranked team since the AP poll started in the 1948-49 season. The last to do it was Duke in 1991-92.
GOOD PICKS
Seventeen of the 26 teams in last year's preseason poll (there was a tie for 25th) were in the final rankings, which are released on Selection Sunday.
The highest ranked team from the preseason poll to not make the final Top 25 was Florida, which was seventh in the early voting and lasted just two weeks into the regular season before it was out of the rankings for good.
The only other preseason Top Ten not to be in the final, poll was No. 10 Texas.
NEW GUYS
There are seven teams in the preseason Top 25 that weren't ranked in 2014-15's final poll: No. 14 California, No. 15 Indiana, No. 18 Vanderbilt, No. 20 Connecticut, No. 21 LSU, No. 23 Purdue and No. 25 Michigan.
CONFERENCE CALL
The Big Ten leads the conferences in preseason ranked teams with six. Third-ranked Maryland is the Big Ten's highest-ranked team followed by No. 13 Michigan State, No. 15 Indiana, No. 17 Wisconsin, No. 23 Purdue and No. 25 Michigan.
The Atlantic Coast Conference and Big 12 have four teams each in the poll and both have three schools in the Top Ten. The ACC has No. 1 North Carolina, No. 5 Duke and No. 6 Virginia. The Big 12's Top Tens are No. 4 Kansas, No. 7 Iowa State and No. 8 Oklahoma.
The Southeastern Conference and the Pac-12 have three teams each while the Big East has two.
The West Coast Conference, the Missouri Valley Conference and the American Athletic Conference have one team each.
FIRST TESTS
Fans won't have to wait long to see ranked teams face each other this season.
On Nov. 17, just four days after the season gets underway, the State Farm Champions Classic will be held at Chicago's United Center with No. 4 Kansas meeting No. 13 Michigan State and No. 2 Kentucky facing No. 5 Duke.
UConn preseason AP No. 1 for 11th time. (Women's)
By DOUG FEINBERG
Geno Auriemma and the UConn Huskies are starting this season where they left off, atop the poll.
It's the 11th time that the Huskies are the top choice in The Associated Press preseason poll which was released Tuesday. UConn went on to win the national championship in seven of those years, including the last two seasons. Connecticut is one short of the record held by Tennessee.
''I think it's part of the culture that we have hopefully created here where the expectations are really high,'' UConn coach Geno Auriemma said. ''Not just the outside world's expectations, those are our expectations. We want to be viewed, year in and year out, as one of the best teams in the country.''
The Huskies received all 32 first-place votes from the national media panel Tuesday and will be trying for an unprecedented fourth straight national championship this year.
''It's certainly not something you take for granted, but at the same time when you've been in that situation enough times, you get to appreciate a lot of those times we weren't number one and won the national championship,'' Auriemma continued.
''That's when you realize that the key is finishing the season number one, not what you're ranked in the preseason. But as the famous Lefty Driesell once said, 'you tend to finish where you're picked'. I kind of like that.''
UConn also was the preseason No. 1 in 1995, '99, 2000, '01, '03, '08, '09, '10, '13 and '14. The Huskies open Nov. 16 at No. 6 Ohio State.
South Carolina was second with Notre Dame, Tennessee and Baylor rounding out the first five. The Gamecocks were also No. 2 in the preseason poll last year.
TOP RANKINGS
This is UConn's 185th week as the No. 1 team in the AP poll, 73 more than No. 2 Tennessee. This is the 40th year of the poll, but all of UConn's top rankings have come since 1995. The Lady Vols are second followed by Louisiana Tech (83), Texas (47) and Baylor (39).
WILD FOR THE WILDCATS
Expectations are high for No. 19 Northwestern, which is ranked in the preseason poll for the first time since 1990. The only other time they were ranked in the Top 25 in the first poll of the year was in 1979. Joe McKeown's squad, which was ranked for four weeks last season, is led by junior Nia Coffey. She scored in double figures in 31 games last year and had over 20 in seven of those contests. She was just one of two Big Ten players last season to rank among the league's top 10 in points, rebounds and blocks.
STANDING ALONE
After ending a 31-year absence from the poll last season, Jim Foster has Chattanooga in the preseason poll for the first time in school history at No. 25. Foster is the only coach to have four different teams ranked and now is first coach to lead four different teams to the preseason rankings. He did it at St. Joseph's, Ohio State and Vanderbilt also.
NEW GUYS
There are four teams in the preseason Top 25 that weren't ranked in 2014-15's final poll: No. 12 Texas, No. 17 Oklahoma, No. 23 Syracuse and No. 24 Michigan State.
CONFERENCE CALL
The Atlantic Coast Conference leads the conferences in preseason ranked teams with six. Third-ranked Notre Dame is the ACC's highest-ranked team followed by No. 7 Florida State, No. 8 Louisville, No. 14 Duke, No. 22 North Carolina and No. 23 Syracuse.
The Southeastern Conference has five teams led by No. 2 South Carolina. Fourth-ranked Tennessee follows the Gamecocks. No. 11 Mississippi State, No. 13 Texas A&M and No. 18 Kentucky round out the ranked teams in the conference.
The Big Ten has four teams while the Pac-12 and Big 12 each have three. South Florida joins UConn from the American Athletic Conference.
The Atlantic 10 and Southern Conference each have one team.
Oscar Pistorius case appeal begins with question of murder.
Associated Press
South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal grilled Oscar Pistorius‘ attorney and a prosecutor on Tuesday as it weighed whether to convict him of murder for killing his girlfriend, uphold a lower court’s manslaughter conviction or order a retrial.
Prosecutors say the North Gauteng High Court erred in convicting Pistorius of the lesser charge, saying that he should have known that someone could be killed when the double-amputee Olympian fired four times into a locked toilet cubicle in his home. In the trial last year, prosecutors said Pistorius killed Reeva Steenkamp as she sought shelter in the toilet cubicle during an argument on Valentine’s Day 2013. The defense said Pistorius opened fire because he thought an intruder was about to burst out of the toilet.
One of the five appeals court judges noted during the session on Tuesday, broadcast across the country and around the world on live TV, that Pistorius could still be convicted of murder even if he didn’t think it was Steenkamp in the cubicle but knew someone was in there. Under the concept of dolus eventualis in South African law, a person can be convicted of murder if they foresaw the possibility of someone dying through their actions and went ahead anyway.
“If you look at the photographs, there’s room behind there for a toilet bowl and a person and just about nothing else,” Justice Lorimer Leach said to defense lawyer Barry Roux. “There’s nowhere to hide. It would be a miracle if you didn’t shoot someone.”
The five judges questioned prosecutor Gerrie Nel and Roux for about three hours in the court in Bloemfontein, a city in central South Africa that is the country’s judicial capital, with Steenkamp’s mother June Steenkamp and many journalists in attendance. The toughest and longest questioning was directed at Roux.
In a bad sign for Pistorius, who was not present, some of the Supreme Court judges suggested he could have known he would kill someone, whether his girlfriend or a possible intruder, by firing his pistol. Prosecutors argue that knowing his actions could be deadly, Pistorius should have been convicted of murder, and not the lesser offense of culpable homicide, which is similar to manslaughter.
“On the objective facts, the accused cannot escape the conviction of murder,” Nel said.
Responding to a barrage of questions from Leach, defense attorney Roux said there was a space behind a wall in the toilet cubicle that could have been safe from gunfire, but acknowledged that the “probable consequence” of Pistorius shooting through the door would have been injury or death. However, Roux said that did not contradict the defense argument that Pistorius, allegedly terrified that he was about to be attacked by an intruder, did not foresee that his actions would lead to someone’s death.
Pistorius, 28, was released from jail last month after serving a year in prison and was moved to house arrest at his uncle’s mansion. He was not required to attend the hearing.
While prosecutor Nel’s arguments to the panel were relatively brief, Roux, faced tough and lengthy questioning from the black-robed judges who sat on ornate wooden chairs with red backing in the wood-paneled courtroom.
A murder conviction would call for a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison for Pistorius, the multiple Paralympic champion who became one of the world’s most famous athletes and the first amputee to run at the Olympics and the able-bodied world championships.
Asking the Supreme Court judges to upgrade Pistorius’ conviction to murder, Nel said that Judge Thokozile Masipa didn’t correctly apply the law at the culmination of Pistorius’ dramatic seven-month trial. Nel also said Masipa ignored or simply paid “lip service” to some circumstantial evidence against Pistorius.
After Tuesday’s session, the judges retired to consider their judgment. They said they would not be issuing their decision on Tuesday and there is no timeframe for when they will, although the court has said it would aim to release a decision by the end of this month.
The judges had already studied the tens of thousands of pages of court transcript from Pistorius’ trial. The panel of five judges, three men and two women, can reach a decision through a simple majority.
One of the five appeals court judges noted during the session on Tuesday, broadcast across the country and around the world on live TV, that Pistorius could still be convicted of murder even if he didn’t think it was Steenkamp in the cubicle but knew someone was in there. Under the concept of dolus eventualis in South African law, a person can be convicted of murder if they foresaw the possibility of someone dying through their actions and went ahead anyway.
“If you look at the photographs, there’s room behind there for a toilet bowl and a person and just about nothing else,” Justice Lorimer Leach said to defense lawyer Barry Roux. “There’s nowhere to hide. It would be a miracle if you didn’t shoot someone.”
The five judges questioned prosecutor Gerrie Nel and Roux for about three hours in the court in Bloemfontein, a city in central South Africa that is the country’s judicial capital, with Steenkamp’s mother June Steenkamp and many journalists in attendance. The toughest and longest questioning was directed at Roux.
In a bad sign for Pistorius, who was not present, some of the Supreme Court judges suggested he could have known he would kill someone, whether his girlfriend or a possible intruder, by firing his pistol. Prosecutors argue that knowing his actions could be deadly, Pistorius should have been convicted of murder, and not the lesser offense of culpable homicide, which is similar to manslaughter.
“On the objective facts, the accused cannot escape the conviction of murder,” Nel said.
Responding to a barrage of questions from Leach, defense attorney Roux said there was a space behind a wall in the toilet cubicle that could have been safe from gunfire, but acknowledged that the “probable consequence” of Pistorius shooting through the door would have been injury or death. However, Roux said that did not contradict the defense argument that Pistorius, allegedly terrified that he was about to be attacked by an intruder, did not foresee that his actions would lead to someone’s death.
Pistorius, 28, was released from jail last month after serving a year in prison and was moved to house arrest at his uncle’s mansion. He was not required to attend the hearing.
While prosecutor Nel’s arguments to the panel were relatively brief, Roux, faced tough and lengthy questioning from the black-robed judges who sat on ornate wooden chairs with red backing in the wood-paneled courtroom.
A murder conviction would call for a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison for Pistorius, the multiple Paralympic champion who became one of the world’s most famous athletes and the first amputee to run at the Olympics and the able-bodied world championships.
Asking the Supreme Court judges to upgrade Pistorius’ conviction to murder, Nel said that Judge Thokozile Masipa didn’t correctly apply the law at the culmination of Pistorius’ dramatic seven-month trial. Nel also said Masipa ignored or simply paid “lip service” to some circumstantial evidence against Pistorius.
After Tuesday’s session, the judges retired to consider their judgment. They said they would not be issuing their decision on Tuesday and there is no timeframe for when they will, although the court has said it would aim to release a decision by the end of this month.
The judges had already studied the tens of thousands of pages of court transcript from Pistorius’ trial. The panel of five judges, three men and two women, can reach a decision through a simple majority.
On
Memoriesofhistory.com
1923 - George Halas (Chicago Bears) picked up an Oorang Indians fumble and ran it 98 yards for a touchdown.
1954 - The Philadelphia A's moved to Kansas City.
1960 - Wilt Chamberlain (Philadelphia) set an NBA record when he missed all 10 of his free throws.
1972 - The L.A. Kings scored 3 goals within 45 seconds against the New York Islanders.
1973 - The Chicago Bears set an NFL record when they held the Green Bay Packers to -12 yards passing.
1976 - Major league baseball held its first free-agent draft. 24 players were available from 13 teams.
1994 - United Center in Chicago, IL, opened.
1994 - The San Antonio Spurs' season opener was delayed for 50 minutes when a fireworks display triggered the sprinkler system in the Alamodome.
2001 - Randall Cunningham (Baltimore Ravens) achieved 30,000 career passing yards.
2001 - The Arizona Diamondbacks won their first World Series. They beat the New York Yankees 3-2 in game 7.
2001 - Former Dallas Cowboy Nate Newton was arrested in Louisiana after police found 213 pounds of marijuana in a van he was driving.
2003 - Mark Messier (New York Rangers) scored two goals and moved into second place in career points. The goals were points 1850 and 1851 of his career.
1954 - The Philadelphia A's moved to Kansas City.
1960 - Wilt Chamberlain (Philadelphia) set an NBA record when he missed all 10 of his free throws.
1972 - The L.A. Kings scored 3 goals within 45 seconds against the New York Islanders.
1973 - The Chicago Bears set an NFL record when they held the Green Bay Packers to -12 yards passing.
1976 - Major league baseball held its first free-agent draft. 24 players were available from 13 teams.
1994 - United Center in Chicago, IL, opened.
1994 - The San Antonio Spurs' season opener was delayed for 50 minutes when a fireworks display triggered the sprinkler system in the Alamodome.
2001 - Randall Cunningham (Baltimore Ravens) achieved 30,000 career passing yards.
2001 - The Arizona Diamondbacks won their first World Series. They beat the New York Yankees 3-2 in game 7.
2001 - Former Dallas Cowboy Nate Newton was arrested in Louisiana after police found 213 pounds of marijuana in a van he was driving.
2003 - Mark Messier (New York Rangers) scored two goals and moved into second place in career points. The goals were points 1850 and 1851 of his career.
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