Sport Snipe Mobile - Sport Snipe Home

Goran Dragic: Slovenia's Best Player Needs To Beat The Scouting Report 09:46:19 am , 09-03-2010 More photos » Sue Ogrocki - AP Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic, left, of Slovenia, goes up for a rare right-handed layup (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) Browse more photos » Pool play is over at the FIBA World Championships, sending teams like Iran and Tunisia home and leaving the final 16 to fight for medals. After 5 games, Goran Dragic is clearly his team's best player. Yet, he's played better against weaker competition (Croatia, Tunisia and Iran) than the strong ones (USA and Brazil). After the jump, we analyze his tournament so far. The good and the bad. And how he can overcome a very accurate scouting report. Goran Dragic has become the face of the Slovenian National Team Overall per/game stats: 13 pts, 3.8 rebs, 3.6 assists   Team leader in: minutes, free throw attempts, assists, turnovers and points. Nearly led team in: 2-pt FG % (2nd) and Rebounds (3rd) Goran's emergence as a key player on his team has coincided with Slovenia's success on the international stage. Last summer, Slovenia shocked Europe with a 4th-place finish in FIBA Eurobasket 2009. Goran was not the team leader yet, but still contributed 9.2 pts, 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. The most notable game was a 4th quarter performance against Ricky Rubio's Spain team in which he spearheaded a huge comeback with 10 pts and 4 steals in that quarter alone. Slovenia ultimately dropped that game in overtime, and then Goran tweaked his knee the very night game, ending his tourney. Scrappy Slovenia ultimately sputtered in the medal round, finishing 4th. This summer, Goran is the team's best player. Notice I didn't say leader, yet. The team's leader is still 2-time Euroleague MVP Jaka Lakovic. He's an average-sized PG with a huge heart, great shooting stroke and leadership qualities galore. He has led Euro teams into the playoffs year after year, never quite winning the title. Sound familiar?   So Goran spends a lot of time playing off the ball, explaining why his rebound totals are higher than his assists, year over year. The team looks good when he's running point, but the Slovenian coach still likes the veteran wiles of Lakovic, despite his diminishing effectiveness. In fact, the coach's affinity for Lakovic led Beno Udrih to leave the team this summer without a promise to start ahead of Lakovic or Dragic. Of course, you can't argue with the coach at this point. Slovenia is 4-1 in this tourney, and Lakovic had this best game in their biggest win (against Brazil, with 20 pts and 5 assists). Another reason you can't totally rely on Goran in crunch time against good teams yet: the scouting report. Force him to his right, and he's much less effective. Teams with the defensive skillset to keep Goran going right (USA and Brazil) held him in check. Even when Slovenia screens his defender on a lefty drive, the opposing big man has been able to switch and show hard, forcing Goran back the other way. Goran is going to have to figure out a counter-punch to this tactic. Of course, he's not the only person in the league who likes to drive with his strong hand. Kobe's scouting report is much the same, except with the opposite hand. So is Lamar Odom's. And Leandro Barbosa's. And Manu Ginobili's. In fact, very few players can drive effectively with either hand. One counter-punch to the over-hard-show-on-a-switch tactic is the step-through move. Ginobili developed a dribble-through/step-through move to split the defenders. Once you split them, there's an open court for the strong lefty drive. And once you prove you can do this, their defense has to adjust by closing off the seam. Which means they can't show quite as wide or hard. Which opens up the lefty drive again. Another counter-punch to forcing him to his right: isolation. Either before or after the switch. Just back up and get the defender in isolation with an open court. Barbosa and Ginobili do this all the time. Dragic and LB took turns doing this against the Spurs, and one of Dragic's top-10 highlights of the year was an isolation drive against the Lakers in the WCF. The downside of this is stagnating the offense. But at least you force the defense to pay for it's tactics. Finally, a tried-and-true counterpunch to the over-hard show is to swing the ball back to the weak side. If the defense is doubling the pick-n-roll, that means you've got someone left open on the weak side for an easy score. This reduces the PG's stats, but keeps the offense flowing. Goran knows this and swings it back to the weak side all the time. And clearly this is working. Slovenia has a very efficient offense, and is 4-1 in the tourney. The 4-1 record is extremely important to me. Goran is doing this - leading his team across the board in stats - in a winning environment. He's the definition of a PGPFWE.   Next Up Now the round of 16 starts. No more creampuffs (Tunisia and Iran, for example). We'll see if Goran can overcome his scouting report and produce against better teams. First up is Australia (link to preview). This should be a very winnable game. Slovenia played Australia twice in warmup games this summer, going 1-1. Since then, they've added Lakovic (above) and SF Bostjan Nachbar. After that, it looks like Goran will be facing the Suns' highest-paid newcomer: Hedo Turkoglu. Turkey went 5-0 in the preliminary round, winning with a stifling defense. Yes, I just said that. Stifling defense. Hedo is shooting poorly, but you can't discount the fact that his team is 5-0 and he's contributing to a very effective defense. Hedo may not be a good individual defender, but he's not a defense-killer either. One of these guys' World Championships will be over by next Wednesday at the latest, in the quarterfinals. And the other will likely move on to the medal rounds (final 4). Which will it be?

STAT in Phoenix, Sans Shorts 09:46:19 am , 09-03-2010 STAT in Phoenix, Sans Shorts This Amused me. Maybe Amare Missed the Summer AZ Heat.

NFLer Attempting To Rejoin League Following Games Addiction - Bleacher Report 09:46:14 am , 09-03-2010 Bleacher ReportNFLer Attempting To Rejoin League Following Games AddictionBleacher ReportQuinn Pitcock looked to have a tremendous football career ahead of him when he was drafted and signed by the Indianapolis Colts in 2007. ...NFLer Opens Up About His Games AddictionKotaku.com (blog)all 3 news articles »

Indianapolis Colts: Good News about the Defense - Bleacher Report 09:46:11 am , 09-03-2010 Seattle Post IntelligencerIndianapolis Colts: Good News about the DefenseBleacher ReportA lot of experts say that this year the Colts defense will be better than ever. But the real gem for Indy this year looks like rookie linebacker Pat Angerer ...Colts' Backup QB Tom Brandstater Shines in 2010 Preseason FinaleFanHouseBengals edge Colts 30-28 in preseason finaleThe Associated PressColts coaches working on roster cutsIndianapolis StarStampede Blue -Fort Wayne Journal Gazette -Indianapolis Business Journal (blog)all 315 news articles »

2010 Colts Preseason: One Final Guess By BBS For The Colts 2010 Active Roster 09:45:30 am , 09-03-2010 More photos » Andy Lyons - Getty Images about 13 hours ago: INDIANAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 02: Jim Caldwell the Head Coach of the Indianapolis Colts watches from the sidelines during the NFL preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 2 2010 in Indianapolis Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) Browse more photos » My first stab at guessing the 53-man roster was way back in June. My second was the first week after training camp started. My third was after the team had a couple of preseason games under their belt. Now, with preseason concluded and cutdown day scheduled for tomorrow, I present my final guess as to the 2010 Indianapolis Colts 53-man roster... after the jump. Please, be merciful. OFFENSE QB: Peyton Manning, Tom Brandstater RB: Joseph Addai, Donald Brown, Mike Hart, Devin Moore  WR: Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie, Anthony Gonzalez, Blair White TE: Dallas Clark, Brody Eldridge, Jacob Tamme, Justin Snow OT: Charlie Johnson, Ryan Diem, Tony Ugoh, Jeff Linkenbach, Unsigned Veteran OG: Kyle DeVan, Jamey Richard, Mike Pollak, Jacques McClendon OC: Jeff Saturday Notes: Two weeks ago, I took some crap from some of you for having the Colts keep three quarterbacks. OK, I relent. Here I have them keeping just two, but notice that the sixth round pick from last year is missing. If I had to guess what the Colts will truly do, I'd say they'll keep both Curtis Painter and Tom Brandstater. Though, honestly, Painter has not earned a roster spot. And if the difference between keeping someone like Blair White or Ray Fisher is a scrub like Painter, then Painter should go. The rest of my offense is pretty intact, save dumping Brnadon James for Blair White. James' fumble against the Packers costs him a spot on the active roster. He's practice squad. Blair White has been excellent at receiver all preseason. He offers size at the position over players like Gonzo or Collie.  I left a 'Unsigned Veteran' on the o-line because I think the team will try and bolster that area due to the injuries along the line this preseason. DEFENSE DE: Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis, John Chick, Jerry Hughes DT: Daniel Muir, Antonio Johnson, Fili Moala, Eric Foster, Mitch King, Marlon Favorite OLB: Clint Session, Philip Wheeler, Kavell Conner, Ramon Humber ILB: Gary Brackett, Pat Angerer, Cody Glenn CB: Jerraud Powers, Kelvin Hayden, Jacob Lacey, Deshea Townsend, Ray Fisher FS: Antoine Bethea, Unsigned Veteran  SS: Bob Sanders, Melvin Bullitt K: Adam Vinatieri P: Pat McAfee Notes: The only big change is Terrail Lambert getting dumped in exchange for Ray Fisher. Since the Buffalo Bills preseason game, Fisher has outplayed Lambert. Fisher also offers more on special teams as both a returner and a gunner. After Pat Angerer's outstanding preseason, he leap-frogs Glenn as the back-up MIKE. I still maintain the Colts will sign a veteran free safety, which is why that spot has the 'Unsigned Veteran' placeholder. All in all, when I look at this roster I see a big boost to the special teams. Devin Moore, Ray Fisher, Pat Angerer, Jerry Hughes, and Mitch King will all add more speed and playmaking ability to kick returns and coverages. The receiving corps is just flat out amazing as is the overall defense. Excellent depth at all positions. The weakness is the offensive line. Unless something dramatic happens, this is a weaker group than last season. This concerns me because the Colts will not win Super Bowl 45 with a weaker o-line than last year's. Remember, from here on out, it's Super Bowl or bust. Anything less than a another ring is a disappointment. Overall, the players Bill Polian has brought in for Jim Caldwell to work with since March have been outstanding. However, the big concern is the offensive line. Though injuries in preseason have affected full and complete evaluation, it seems obvious to me that it was not improved despite it being the #1 priority area for improvement this off-season according to Bill Polian himself. I still question cutting Ryan Lilja and I still question why Charles Brown was passed on in the second round of the draft. Both players would provide significant upgrades to this offensive line regardless of the health of Jeff Saturday or Charlie Johnson. Until I see this Colts o-line go out there and dominate a football game against a quality opponent, those questions will linger all season long. Don't ask me to 'get over it.' I'll 'get over it' when I see the Colts hoist another Lombardi trophy in Cowboys Stadium next February. Regardless of my concerns about the o-line, the Colts have a damn fine football team for 2010. Obviously, I don't expect Jim Caldwell to follow this roster road map. He's a good coach and knows what will work and what won't. But, I think my guess for the final 53 is a good one. Hopefully, you agree. If you don't, discuss below. Go Colts!

Los Angeles Lakers adidas Los Angeles Lakers 2010 NBA Champs ... 09:45:28 am , 09-03-2010 Los Angeles Lakers adidas Los Angeles Lakers 2010 NBA Champs Womens Soft Hand Locker Room T-Shirt, Size= Medium Wear What the Pros WearOfficial Locker Room.

Looking Forward to Colts V. Texans In Week One: Matchup That Excites Me 09:45:28 am , 09-03-2010 More photos » Darron Cummings - AP One of Clark's 14 receptions in the first matchup against Texans (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File) Browse more photos » With a winless preseason in the books (first since 2005) we finally have the opener in sight. The Colts open their season in just 9 days, 1pm eastern time next Sunday, at Houston. Even before TC opened everyone had one eye trained on the start of the real season, and one matchup has had me drooling for months now. Dallas Clark vs Whatever the Texans throw at him Last year Clark shredded the Texans D for 183 yards and a TD on 23 receptions in the two divisional matchups. Week 8 Clark was a reality check for DROY to be Brian Cushing. The Texans manned Cushing up on Clark with the (predictable) result of a career high 14 receptions and Clark's 2nd of his two 100 yard games last season. The Texans D didn't fare much better Week 12 as Clark caught 9 for 63 with a TD. Clark's 100 reception, 1,106 yard, 10 TD, 2009 season was impressive, but prorating his performance against the Texans out to a full 16 games gives a 184 reception, 1,464 yard, 8 TD season monster of a year. ...and week 1 the Texans will be without one of the key players used to contain Clark last year. Brian Cushing's PED suspension will have him sidelined for the Colts' and Texans' first matchup. Houston's 1st rounder Kareem Jackson rose through their thin secondary to a starting spot, so will probably be needed on the outside against the Colts deep WR corps leaving WLB Zach Diles, backup LB Xavier Adibi, or one of the Texans young, inexperienced and lightly regarded slot corners to face Clark if the Texans want to keep the cover-2 over the top that's been a fixture of Ds facing Peyton Manning since 2006. Also working in the Colts favor is the addition of Brody Eldridge. In previous years the most effective way to take Clark out of the receiving game was to get so much pressure that the Colts hold Clark in to block (see the Ravens game last year). With a fantastic in-line blocker on the roster and seeing 1st team snaps in preseason the Colts have another option for helping an overwhelmed tackle that keeps Clark out running patterns. A more seasoned Cushing seemed by far the Texans best option to slow Clark, but without him it seems quite likely he'll rack up another big game on Houston.

The Lakers' second unit and the big question about offense 09:44:57 am , 09-03-2010 Everyone who follows the NBA understands how important the second unit is to not only winning games but winning championships. The moves the Lakers made in the offseason certainly filled their needs -- a proven point guard in Steve Blake to team with high-flying guard Shannon Brown, providing a formidable long-range shooter and an athletic slasher. The departed Jordan Farmar was a fine second-unit point guard, but I think Lakers fans will be pleased with Blake's efficiency, and I expect Brown to continue to improve. Newly acquired Matt Barnes will team in the front court with Lamar Odom, giving the...

New Orleans Saints 24 @ Tennessee Titans 27: The Morning After 09:44:52 am , 09-03-2010 More photos » Grant Halverson - Getty Images about 13 hours ago: NASHVILLE TN - SEPTEMBER 02: Coach Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints watches during an exhibition game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on September 2 2010 in Nashville Tennessee. Tennessee won 27-24. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) Browse more photos » Another pre-season is in the books for the New Orleans Saints as they drop their final game to the Tennessee Titans 27-24, foregoing a late-game field goal attempt to send it into overtime. The game was sloppy, as expected, but got interesting at the end as the Saints pulled closer and closer. Some questions were answered while new ones are raised. A few players used the opportunity to raise their stock one last time while others may not have done enough. Some of the position battle decisions have become a little easier while others may have only gotten tougher. One thing is for sure: I'm glad I'm not the one who has to decide. Unfortunately, the Saints didn't escape the game injury free; Chris Ivory left with an undisclosed knee injury and Jonathan Casillas has a sprained foot. More information to come on that today.  Make the jump, as usual, for my detailed game notes, observations and opinions in bullet form. Then comment with your own notes, observations and opinions.  Can't say enough about Junior Galette's performance last night. A blocked punt, a sack and some nice tackles on special teams and in the backfield; Galette can do it all. After having two quiet games prior to last night, it was good to see his speed back in action. He may single-handedly have won a spot on this team with what he put on tape tonight. Also playing well on defense was linebacker Jonathan Casillas, who looked good early in the game during his limited time including a sweet open field tackle. Naturally, it just had to end badly with Casillas leaving the game with a foot sprain. He's scheduled for an MRI today; hopefully he's ready to go next week. Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy. Not only some of the tackling but also the concentration. The penalties were just absurd, and that goes for both teams. But that's exactly what we all expected with the two's and three's playing a majority of the game. Since the first week of pre-season the Saints have been called for increasingly more penalties each week. Not the direction I want to see the team going. Hopefully that gets cleaned right up with the when the Vikings roll into town and the starters are actually playing. Garrett  Hartley = money. Love that kid.  If I had to pick one I think I would have to say that Patrick Ramsey had the better game last night and will win the backup quarterback battle over Chase Daniel. It was close; neither played great and neither played awful but I would prefer to go with experience. Those who favor Daniel often tout his potential, which is great for the future of the team. But if Brees goes down now, what good does potential do? Ramsey is the guy for this year, Daniel is the guy for next. Just my opinion. I don't, however, think either of them will be cut.  Montez Billings: You are the weakest link. Goodbye. (P.S. - Sorry, dude. You're cool.) The Saints coaching staff has one hell of a decision to make with regard to Adrian Arrington. My heart says the team makes room for him on the roster; my head says he's a gonner. Arrington has been the epitome of consistency this pre-season when it comes to playing wide receiver. But the Saints gave him plenty of opportunity to contribute elsewhere like kick returns, practically begging for him to give them a reason to keep him, and couldn't really make an impact. It's hard to believe but Arrington may not have done enough. If the Saints do let him go, I don't think they'll be able to get him back.  Right now I am seriously concerned about Chris Ivory's knee injury. We got no news last night about the severity and in my mind that means bad news. I'm also a little ticked off that he's currently in this situation to begin with. I didn't expect him to get many carries against the Titans and I personally would have kept him off the field entirely if it were my decision. He has already proven himself this pre-season and is clearly the No. 3 running back on the depth chart. In the Saints system, that's still a pretty significant role. Way too significant to be playing in the final game of pre-season.  Usama Young should be pissing in his pants right now. I'm afraid his time may be coming to an end here in New Orleans. Jeff Charleston put together a good final bid to keep his roster spot with four tackles and a sack.  I am so happy to finally be writing something positive about defensive tackle Al Woods. This was probably his finest performance to date, his biggest play being the fumble recovery. Reacting very quickly, Woods dove on a botched Titans snap in their red zone. Might have earned himself a spot on the final 53 but at the very least, he's practice squad material.  There wasn't much of a distinguishable difference between the production of Ladell Betts and DeShawn Wynn last night. Like the battle for backup quarterback, this race is pretty tight. I guess I would give the nod to Betts for his slightly better performance in the previous games. If Chris Ivory's injury really is serious, they might both make the team. Let me be the first to say that this Jimmy Graham kid was the steal of this years draft and is going to be a future hall-of-famer in just a few years. I'm kidding, of course, but he showed a little something tonight, most notably on special teams with his blocked punt. Still need to see more from him. It also didn't look like he has fully recovered from that ankle injury. Harry Coleman: Too little too late? Poll Who was the Saints player of the game? Junior Galette Adrian Arrington Chris Reis Ladell Betts Jeff Charleston Jimmy Graham Garrett Hartley   78 votes | Results

Choo carries Cleveland over Seattle 09:44:48 am , 09-03-2010 TV 1906 Highland Ave Cincinnati, OH 45219 513-763-5500 Driving Directions Breaking News Hotline 579-1212 Newsroom Fax 421-3820 Viewer Comment Line 763-5599 Sales Department 763-5485 Click for Sales Staff Directory **IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR COMMENT FOR LOCAL 12, WKRC-TV, WE RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOU NOT CALL THE LOCAL 12 NEWSROOM.

Previous | Next