Re-Ranking the Top 10 NBA Players in the World, Post-Olympics Edition

By Stephen Babb (Featured Columnist)

LeBron James entered the Summer Olympics as the presumptive best player in the world, but can we say the same eight games later?

Of course, these games aren't a perfect barometer for ranking talent.

Minutes are scarce by NBA standards, roles are unique and there's no question that guys playing for a team like Spain or Argentina have a greater opportunity to shine than James Harden, Andre Iguodala or Anthony Davis. The United States' depth translates into a pretty good 12th man.

For that matter, some of the NBA's best and brightest didn't even show up for the games.

But, with the season drawing ever closer, now is as good a time as any to take a look forward and rank the NBA's best based on their 2011-12 performances and, where applicable, what they accomplished at the Summer Olympics.

These rankings say a bit about who you'd want on your team and the impact each guy makes on every game, but they also take into account skill and overall ability. And yes, that means it's a bit guard-heavy given the current state of the league's big men.

Of course, everyone has a slightly different measure by which they define the best, and that's perfectly alright.

That said, here's one look at how the league's 10 best currently stack up.

http://bleacherreport.com

Tom Brady Pirated The Super Bowl Last Year

Several sports streaming sites had their domain names seized by the Department of Justice and Homeland Security’s ICE unit this week.

The operation was planned a few days in advance of the Super Bowl to prevent “rogue” sports fans from watching the game through unofficial channels.

Tom Brady, one of the stars playing in today’s Super Bowl, is a good example of such a ruthless thief.

The NFL star admitted that he streamed the game illegally in 2011.

“Last year I was rehabbing my foot in Costa Rica, watching the game on an illegal Super Bowl website. And now I’m actually playing in the game. So, it’s pretty cool,” Brady said.

So is Brady a content thief? Should he be locked up?

If anything, the above shows that instead of complaining about these ‘rogue’ sites the NLF should focus on making the Super Bowl accesible worldwide.

Fans simply want to watch sports, so if they can’t find a legal option….

Credit to : http://digg.com

Athlete Quotes

Lolo Jones

women's 50m hurdles winner

"I had not raced in so long. The question was, 'how was I going to react?' This year I have just been working on my core strength and speed. I didn't even know what the world record was. I knew that I had to go out there and just run. It felt good. What I learned from the Olympics last year is that anything can happen."

Asafa Powell

men's 50m winner

"I had a good time. It was the start and right away the race was over. I have proven I have a good start. I need to work on running the last part of the race. I don't even remember running the 60m before this. Right now I am very fit, but not fast. I have been working hard this week."

Veronica Campbell-Brown

women's 50m winner

"Not a lot of people have run the 50 meters. This is a step in the right direction. Now I have to get back to training. Hopefully this is a preview of what is to come. The start is the key. I felt okay. I have to watch the tape to see how things looked. Feeling something and seeing something are different. I just want to do my best and hopefully my best will be victorious."

Terrance Trammell

men's 50m hurdles winner

"I feel really good. This is a blessing more than anything. The life span for a hurdler to be at the highest level doesn't last 12 years. I'm having fun and I want to continue. My training isn't much different but I am focusing more on the recovery. I really wanted to come here and compete well. It was my first indoor meet since 2010. I'm extremely happy with the win and next week we will start working again."

David Oliver

second in men's 50m hurdles

"The 50m was kind of cool. There was an emphasis on the start, but it's the outdoor season that matters. Things really didn't feel any different. I'm just here having fun. This is definitely one of the best indoor meets around. There was a good crowd. I would have given anything to feel this good five or six months ago. I have to execute my start and I didn't execute it well. Terrence (Trammell) has an amazing start. He is a tough guy to beat indoors. Right now it's really competitive practices."

Bernard Lagat

second place in the men's mile

"Inside the race I knew I was going to have to change my strategy to win. I was a little disappointed with the time today. The atmosphere was the same (as the Millrose Games). I didn't feel anything different. The crowd was amazing. For Silas to come in and win his first meet is very good. That tells you how good he is."

Silas Kiplagat

men's mile winner

"Running against someone with so much experience was tough. It is a big win for me. It will help me to get ready for the Olympics. I can say the time was a bit slow. I was not knowing where we were going to be at."

Jesse Williams

men's high jump winner

"Last year I opened at 7-3 and this year I opened at 7-6 and it was good to get a win. It was an excellent way to start the year. Every competition matters. I was getting a little of the rust out and I just wanted to have fun. Dan (O'Brien) helped me out a little with the crowd. This is the second highest height I have opened at. To get a win is awesome. "I haven't had the target on my back on the world stage before but I have been the No. 1 rated jumper in the U.S. since 2006. It helps being a world champion. I know every time I step out I have to go all out. This is a good atmosphere to be in."

Renny Quow

Men's 600 yard winner

"It felt good. Training has been going good, I can't complain. It's still early, I can't complain.I came out here and did what I wanted to do, so I'm happy."

Bershawn Jackson

second place men's 600-yard

"I came into the indoor season not being too competitive. I wanted to use the indoor season to prepare for outdoors. This year I need to work on my sprint. When you take 15 strides instead of 13 (between hurdles in the 400m hurdles) you have to be strong. Last year I was injured and didn't have the base. Normally I start training in October or November and last year I started in January. I didn't have it last year. This year I'm working on getting that base. I love this meet. There is something about this place. When Michael Jordan has been here he put up big numbers, when Lebron James has been here he put up big numbers. I like this meet a lot."

Keshia Baker

women's 500-yard winner

"It was fun. I wanted to come out and have fun. The people here just told me what to do and I have an ability to just run. I knew I had to cut and there would be a bell lap. I'm glad to be here. I didn't really know the history (of Madison Square Garden). This if my first race as a professional and I'm glad for the opportunity. It was a great start. My family lives here and it was good they could come and see me."

Ryan Whiting

men's shot put winner

"It was a lot of fun, I was hear last year and got used to it. It was really my first professional meet last year, and it is a great atmosphere, the best in the U.S. "It's a lot of fun, I wish they would do more of this, with a distance based incentive system. They've been teaching me a ton. They are three guys I respect and they are always there with me telling me what to expect. It's great to beat World Champions and Olympic medalists."

Brenda Martinez

women's mile winner

"I just want to keep the momentum going, but off to a good start. I actually feel a lot stronger than I did a few years ago. I'm not even doing any speed right now, it's all based off strength."

Jillian Schwartz

women's pole vault winner

"It was my first meet of the year and it was good. I really didn't have any expectations coming into the meet. I started jumping really late in training. These are new poles for me and I just got them last week, so everything was kind of new to me, but it was good."

Ajeé Wilson

women's 800m runner-up

"It was very exciting, honestly I was kind of nervous coming into this race knowing everyone was faster than me and had run faster times. But I was also excited because I knew if they were running faster than me, they would pull me to a better time."

Credit to : http://www.runnersweb.com

‘Frank Lampard is one of the greatest players in the world’ – Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas

By Jack Breeze

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas insists Frank Lampard still has a major role to play at Stamford Bridge despite being dropped in their Champions League victory over Valencia on Tuesday.

The Blues won the game 3-0 to book their place in the final 16 of the prestigious European competition, with Lampard the only player to lose his pace in side following the Premier League win over Newcastle last Saturday. Lampard was an unused substitute on Tuesday, but the Portuguese manager insists the England midfielder is in contention to face Premier League leaders Manchester City on Monday. "Frank has been fantastic. We have to select 11 and he wasn't in this 11," Villas-Boas told BBC Sport.  "Important players have been left out at Chelsea, players of immense talent."  Villas-Boas opted to use Raul Meireles, Ramires and Oriol Romeu in midfield against the La Liga side, but insists this was purely tactical and not down to the 33-year-old’s technical ability.

"He has been in a fantastic moment and is sure to threaten for the starting XI on Monday. "He is one of the greatest players in the world but this choice was three players in midfield because of their technical ability to keep possession and keep it on the ground without a lot of long balls. "We know that Frank can also do this but he was not our choice for this game.  "He will come back in the future certainly. He has been fantastic in the way he has taken these tough decisions."

The Blue’s boss also kept faith in another of Chelsea’s more experienced players, Didier Drogba, who proved his worth by netting two goals and setting up the other for Ramires.  The Ivorian added: “There was a lot of pressure but, when you start the group stage, you know you have to play until the last day.  "We had a chance to finish top of the group and our attitude was positive. We wanted to get the result. The pressure can sometimes be positive and it was in this game."

With the striker continually linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge in recent weeks, the former Marseille forward insisted the team's performance this season was more important than his own future. "My future is not important. The most important thing is to put the team back in the position we want to be in, at the top of the Premier League.

"We are not happy where we are now."

Credit to : http://www.goal.com

Tokyo's 2020 bid turns to "flower power"

By Alastair Himmer

Reuter

Tokyo's 2020 Olympic bid leaders claim there will be "no mistakes" this time after losing the race to host the 2016 Summer Games as they unveiled a dazzling cherry blossom logo on Wednesday. Once-bitten, Tokyo shyly tiptoed into the race for 2020 after the deadly earthquake and tsunami in March which triggered a nuclear meltdown at a power plant north of the capital. The colorful, wreath-shaped logo of Japan's most celebrated flower was created by a university art and design student to symbolize 'revitalization'.

Bid committee CEO Masato Mizuno told Reuters: "It is the idea of 'coming back again'... the Olympic Games coming back to Tokyo and Japan coming back (from the disaster). "Along with Mount Fuji, the cherry blossom is instantly recognizable as a symbol of Japan. We learned many lessons last time round and we must be ready this time." Tokyo, which hosted Asia's first Olympics in 1964, lost out to Rio de Janeiro in the race for 2016. Low public support was largely blamed and the cost of rebuilding after the devastating tsunami in northeast Japan had thrown preparations for a renewed tilt in a spin.

However, the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) decided in June that sufficient funds existed to launch a new bid despite the nuclear crisis still raging at the time. "Japan is struggling (to rebuild) and I wanted to come up with something to give Japan energy and vitality," designer Ai Shimamine told reporters after unveiling her logo. "I hope it gives Japan a boost. The cherry blossom represents friendship and peace, has a softness and also holds a special place in the hearts of Japanese people." Tokyo's logo features the Olympic colors of red, blue, yellow and green dotted with the traditional purple prominent in cultural events in Japan's Edo period (1603-1867).

KEY ROLE

"It has a comfortable feel for Japan," JOC chief and bid committee president Tsunekazu Takeda said. "We hope it will play a key role in winning the battle for 2020." Mizuno insisted Tokyo's 2020 bid would benefit from the disappointment of its stinging defeat by Rio. "Public support was around 55 percent but my target this time is 65-75 percent," he said, adding that the global economic downturn had also hurt Tokyo's 2016 bid. "It's around 62 percent currently but we have much work to do. There can be no mistakes in our presentation this time. "(South Korea's) Pyeongchang made a wonderful presentation (for the 2018 Winter Games) and we will have a much better total plan too."

Madrid, which also lost out in the 2016 bidding war, and Rome are expected to give Tokyo a run for its money. The winner will be chosen by the International Olympic Committee in Buenos Aires in September 2013. "We also have to polish our lobbying skills. We Japanese don't speak English very well," added Mizuno... in perfect English.

(Editing by John O'Brien)

http://news.yahoo.com

Sports best photos of the weeked

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 27: Roy Miller #90 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers watches as Jared Cook #89 of the Tennessee Titans makes a leaping catch during play at LP Field on November 27, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

ASPEN, CO - NOVEMBER 27: Maria Hoefl-Riesch of Germany takes 3rd place, during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women's Slalom on November 27, 2011 in Aspen, Colorado. (Photo by Francis Bompard/Agence Zoom/Getty Images)

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney, right, battles for the ball with Newcastle United's Danny Simpson during the English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Saturday Nov. 26, 2011. (AP Photo/PA, Martin Rickett) UNITED KINGDOM OUT NO SALES NO ARCHIVE

Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson (16) is tripped up by Ohio State defensive back C.J. Barnett, left, alongside defensive back Bradley Roby (25) in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011, in Ann Arbor. Michigan won 40-34. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)

Roger Federer of Switzerland poses with the ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament singles trophy after beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France in the final on day eight of the competition in London on November 27, 2011. Roger Federer won a record sixth ATP World Tour Finals title with a 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3 victory over France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on November 27. With this win he moved ahead of Pete Sampras and Ivan Lendl on the list of Tour Finals champions in the 100th final of his majestic career. The 30-year-old, who retains the title he won 12 months ago, has now won 70 trophies in his career and has also equalled Lendl's record of 39 match wins in the end-of-season event. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)

Australia's Brendan Jones jumps as he looks for the ball at the 7th hole during the third day of the Mission Hills World Cup golf tournament in Haikou, Hainan province, Southern China, Saturday Nov. 26, 2011. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Wigan Athletic's Maynor Figueroa, left, battles with Sunderland's Nicklas Bendtner during the English Premier League soccer match at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, England, Saturday Nov. 26, 2011. Wigan Athletic won the match 1-2. (AP Photo/PA, Owen Humphreys) UNITED KINGDOM OUT NO SALES NO ARCHIVE

SAN DIEGO, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos huddles with teammates against the San Diego Chargers during their NFL Game on November 27, 2011 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski of Poland scores the opening goal by a header during the German first division Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund an FC Schalke 04 in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011. The match between the traditional ruhr valley clubs is considered Germany's most important derby. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) - NO MOBILE USE UNTIL 2 HOURS AFTER THE MATCH, WEBSITE USERS ARE OBLIGED TO COMPLY WITH DFL-RESTRICTIONS, SEE INSTRUCTIONS FOR DETAILS –

In this photograph supplied by Volvo Ocean Race, Spanish team Team Telefonica, skippered by Iker Martinez, finish to win leg 1 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 from Alicante, Spain to Cape Town, South Africa Saturday, Nov 26, 2011 to take the lead in the competition. (AP Photo/Ian Roman/Volvo Ocean Race photo via AP Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 26: Ma Long of China in action against Chih-Yuan Chuang of Chinese Taipei during the Mens Singles Quarter Finals match during day three of the ITTF Pro Tour Table Tennis Grand Finals at ExCel on November 26, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Rob Simmons of Australia (top L) catches the ball ahead of Victor Matfield of Barbarians during the match between Australia and Barbarians at Twickenham Stadium in London,on November 26, 2011. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTON (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 27: Dmitri Rigine (L) of Russia and Laurence Halsted (R) of Great Britain in the Men's Foil Team Final at the Fencing Invitational, part of the London Prepares series at ExCel on November 27, 2011 in London, England (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Sports best photos of the weeked

JAKARTA, INDONESIA - NOVEMBER 20: Team Malaysia compete in the final of the Men's 4000m Team Pursuit on day 10 of the 2011 Southeast Asian Games at Rawamangun Velodrome on November 20, 2011 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX ***

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 20: Nate Washington #85 of the Tennessee Titans reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on November 20, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 20: Wide receiver Torrey Smith #82 of the Baltimore Ravens is pulled down by his hair by cornerback Adam Jones #24 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 20, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Alabama tight end Brad Smelley (17) dives into the end zone on a four-yard touchdown pass from quarterback AJ McCarron in the second half of a 45-21 win over Georgia Southern in an NCAA college football game at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham, upper right, jumps over Houston Dynamo defender Mike Chabala, lower right, as midfielder Corey Ashe takes the ball during the first half of their MLS Cup championship soccer match, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 20: Rafael Nadal of Spain serves during the men's singles first round match against Mardy Fish of USA during the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 20, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Swansea City's Michel Vorm (L) challenges Manchester United's Wayne Rooney (R) during their English Premier League soccer match at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, south Wales, November 19, 2011. REUTERS/Phil Noble (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT SOCCER TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR "LIVE" SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Vernon Davis #85 of the San Francisco 49ers catches Arizona Cardinals touchdown pass in front of Rashad Johnson #49 of the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park on November 20, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Britain's Laura Gallagher performs during the women's Trampoline team final at the Trampoline and Tumbling World Championships in Birmingham, central England. (AFP Photo/Andrew Yates)

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 20: Laurent Robinson #81of the Dallas Cowboys makes a catch for a touchdown against Josh Wilson #26 and DeAngelo Hall #23 of the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on November 20, 2011 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 20: A crew member walks down pit road as rain falls during a red flag rain delay during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2011 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

WACO, TX - NOVEMBER 19: Terrance Ganaway #24 of the Baylor Bears celebrates his touchdown against the Oklahoma Sooners in the fourth quarter at Floyd Casey Stadium on November 19, 2011 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

U.S. team's Tiger Woods poses with the Fanatics cheer squad at the 17th green after the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Royal Melbourne Golf Course in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011. (AP Photo/David Callow)

Barcelona's captain Carles Puyol (L) scores a goal to Zaragoza's goalkeeper Roberto (R) during their Spanish League football match at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. Barcelona won 4-0. (AFP Photo/Lluis Gene)

HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 20: Crew members of the #14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet, driven by Tony Stewart, celebrate in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford 400 and the 2011 Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2011 in Homestead, Florida. Stewart wins his third NASCAR Championship. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Inter Milan's Thiago Motta (2nd L) shoots to score past Cagliari's goalkeeper Michael Agazzi (front) during their Italian Serie A soccer match at the San Siro stadium in Milan November 19, 2011. REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo (ITALY - Tags: SPORT SOCCER)

U.S. golfer Tiger Woods, left, shakes hands with his former caddie Steve Williams after the Presidents Cup Golf Tournament at Royal Melbourne Golf Course in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011. The handshake between Woods and Williams was routine. The loss by Woods and Steve Stricker turned out to be the real drama in the Presidents Cup. (AP Photo/David Callow)

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