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Report: Odom, Lakers Getting Close

Brett Pollakoff — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:18:00 EDT

Filed under: Lakers, NBA Rumors, NBA Transactions

The one remaining piece to the Lakers' puzzle for next season is close to falling into place, according to a report from the OC Register. Lamar Odom is said to be weighing L.A.'s latest offer of more than $8 million per to re-sign with the team, and a deal could come down as early as next week.

If the terms get worked out as expected, it's great news for the Lakers, but even better news for Odom. Because for some reason, it's not like there are any other teams that have shown much interest.

Report: Odom, Lakers Getting Close originally appeared on Fanhouse NBA Blog on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:18:00 EDT . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Arturo Gatti Was Truly a Ring Warrior

Tom Herrera — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:10:00 EDT

by Tom Herrera

Filed under: Boxing Video

Cliches are tossed around in sports far too often, it's true. From legends to legacies, our natural tendency is to define every star with a label. But when you want to talk about Arturo Gatti the Warrior, no one can dare accuse you of hyperbole. In an era where cash is king, Gatti was the fans' bread-winner.

Arturo Gatti Was Truly a Ring Warrior originally appeared on Fanhouse Boxing Blog on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:10:00 EDT . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Death of the Fantasy Sleeper

Matt Snyder — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EDT

by Matt Snyder

Filed under: NFL Sleepers, Draft Advice

Since fantasy sports exploded onto the national scene, "sleeper" has become the most over-used term in the hobby. About a decade ago, one of the best ways to win fantasy leagues was to unearth productive players who others in your league either wrote off or hadn't heard of before the season.

After the last several years, though, I have come to the realization there is simply no such thing as a sleeper, at least in the sense that most people use the term. With the growth of fantasy football on the internet (seriously, google "fantasy football," but then just come back here) and the myriad preview magazines available on news stand shelves beginning in June, there just isn't some holy grail of unknown players anymore.

Play Fantasy Football: It's All FREE at Fleaflicker.com

The Death of the Fantasy Sleeper originally appeared on Fanhouse Fantasy Football on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EDT . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pierrick Fedrigo Takes Tour's Ninth Stage

FanHouse Newswire — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 11:30:00 EDT

by FanHouse Newswire

Filed under: Cycling

TARBES, France (AP) - Lance Armstrong remains in third place at the Tour de France after the last day of riding in the Pyrenees.

Pierrick Fedrigo of France led a two-man breakaway to win Sunday's mountainous ninth stage. Rinaldo Nocentini of Italy held the yellow jersey for a third straight day. He is followed by Astana teammates Alberto Contador and Armstrong.

Nocentini is six seconds ahead of Contador, the 2007 champion. Armstrong, the seven-time champion, is eight seconds behind.

The day's 100-mile stage was from Saint-Gaudens to Tarbes. It took riders up two tough climbs, including the Tourmalet pass, and through the Roman Catholic shrine town of Lourdes.

The Tour has a rest day Monday and ends July 26 in Paris.

Pierrick Fedrigo Takes Tour's Ninth Stage originally appeared on Fanhouse Main on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 11:30:00 EDT . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Everyone Loves Stephen Curry

Matt Watson — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EDT

by Matt Watson

Filed under: Warriors, NBA Fans, Summer League

LAS VEGAS -- If you looked only at the numbers, you'd probably think that Stephen Curry is having a disappointing summer league: he shot just 4-for-14 in Golden State's first game and 8-for-22 in the second, missing his first eight shots on Saturday.

For the best shooter in the draft, expectations were a bit higher -- and yet, for some reason, no one in UNLV's Cox Pavilion seemed to mind.

Everyone Loves Stephen Curry originally appeared on Fanhouse NBA Blog on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EDT . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Baseball Brunch: Halfway Home

Ed Price — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EDT

by Ed Price

Filed under: Athletics, Blue Jays, Brewers, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Indians, Marlins, Mets, Nationals, Orioles, Padres, Rays, Red Sox, Rockies, Royals, Tigers, NL East, MLB All-Star Game, MLB Awards, World Baseball Classic, MLB Satire, MLB Inside Scoop, Baseball Brunch, MLB Trade Deadline

Every Sunday, MLB FanHouse empties out its notebook in Baseball Brunch.

The most remarkable thing about this season as we hit the not-halfway halfway point of the All-Star break isn't Albert Pujols' RBI total. Or Zack Greinke's ERA. Or the PED suspension of one of the game's biggest stars.

It's the standings. And they not only reflect the season so far, they give us a clue as to the weeks head leading up to the non-waiver trade deadline.

The Phillies and Dodgers are the only first-place team with a lead of more than 2 1/2 games. And 21 of the 30 teams are within 7 1/2 games of a playoff spot: nine of 14 in the AL and 12 of 16 in the NL.

Baseball Brunch: Halfway Home originally appeared on Fanhouse MLB Blog on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EDT . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UFC 100 Morning After: A True Champion, Georges St. Pierre

Michael David Smith — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 09:45:00 EDT

by Michael David Smith

Filed under: UFC

Georges St. Pierre showed once again at UFC 100 that he's by far the best 170-pound fighter in the world, and he showed a lot more than that: He showed in his preparation for his fight with Thiago Alves, in his decisive victory inside the Octagon, and in his class and dignity after the fight that he's everything a champion should be.

UFC 100 Morning After: A True Champion, Georges St. Pierre originally appeared on Fanhouse MMA Blog on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 09:45:00 EDT . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fantasy Football Team Preview: Jaguars

R.J. White — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 09:30:00 EDT

by R.J. White

Filed under: Draft Advice, 2009 Team Previews

With Fantasy Football season ready to kick in high gear, FanHouse is here to preview each and every team -- one per day until we've done them all.

Meet The ...
New wide receiver corps! Jacksonville rightly saw a huge amount of turnover at wide receiver this year, jettisoning off-the-field scoundrel Matt Jones, draft bust Reggie Williams, FA bust Jerry Porter, and replaceable slot receiver Dennis Northcutt. To replace that group, the team drafted three WRs and brought in veteran Torry Holt to lead this new-look attack. Of the rookies, Jarrett Dillard looks like a good bet to eventually start, while Mike Thomas should see plenty of time in the slot. Holt makes for a nice fantasy value pick, while Mike Walker could be a great end-of-the-draft flyer that pans out in a big way.

Play FREE Fantasy Football at Fleaflicker | Five Stars to Avoid in Drafts

Fantasy Football Team Preview: Jaguars originally appeared on Fanhouse Fantasy Football on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 09:30:00 EDT . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dana White: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brock Lesnar Will Happen Eventually

Michael David Smith — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 09:16:00 EDT

by Michael David Smith

Filed under: Affliction, UFC

Brock Lesnar became the undisputed heavyweight champion of the UFC with his win over Frank Mir at UFC 100. But he still needs to beat one more opponent before he could call himself the undisputed heavyweight champion of MMA.

That opponent, of course, is Fedor Emelianenko, who is widely regarded as the best heavyweight in the world, but who has never fought in the UFC because he won't agree to the UFC's contractual demands. A Fedor vs. Lesnar fight would be the biggest heavyweight fight in MMA history, and UFC President Dana White said after UFC 100 that he's confident he can make it happen.

Dana White: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brock Lesnar Will Happen Eventually originally appeared on Fanhouse MMA Blog on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 09:16:00 EDT . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Summer League Notes: Day 2

Matt Watson — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EDT

by Matt Watson

Filed under: Summer League

Matt Steinmetz, Gary Washburn and Matt Watson empty out their notebooks from the NBA's Summer League in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS -- For anyone out there who thinks summer league is nothing but a well-attended pick-up game, Raptors rookie DeMar DeRozan has some news for you: The competition is better than Division I hoops and better than he faced at USC. "You're playing against professional athletes," DeRozan said. "Guys are 24, 25 years old and some have been in the league. It's a much, much better game." ...

Summer League Notes: Day 2 originally appeared on Fanhouse NBA Blog on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EDT . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brash? Yes. Overexposed? Maybe. But Credit White's Work Ethic for UFC's Rise

Mike Chiappetta — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 08:30:00 EDT

by Mike Chiappetta

Filed under: UFC, FanHouse Exclusive

LAS VEGAS -- The lights were off in the Mandalay Bay Events Center, the crowd had moved on to the Strip's casinos with UFC memories fresh in their minds, and the fighters had dispersed -- some to their after-parties, others to the hospital. But deep in the bowels, in the last place he needed to be, Dana White remained.

Bleary-eyed but triumphant, White couldn't let UFC 100 weekend go, though there were other places he'd rather be. Tucked away in a conference room, he answered reporters' questions, one after another. The questioner's accents told the story of success the UFC has become. Media came from Japan, Canada, the UK, Germany and other far-off lands, with the UFC passing out over 240 credentials to the event, a record.

And at the center of it all, fittingly, was White, the seemingly indefatigable, polarizing ringleader who ostensibly through force of will moved the UFC from sideshow spectacle to booming sport.

Coming Soon: Brock vs. Fedor? | Full UFC 100 Coverage

Brash? Yes. Overexposed? Maybe. But Credit White's Work Ethic for UFC's Rise originally appeared on Fanhouse MMA Blog on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 08:30:00 EDT . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bucks Trying to Improve -- on a Budget

Gary Washburn — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:00:00 EDT

by Gary Washburn

Filed under: Bucks, Summer League

LAS VEGAS -- Under the NBA transaction radar was Milwaukee's signing of second-round pick Jodie Meeks to a three-year deal this week, a money-saving deal for an organization looking to improve and remain economical at the same time.

The Bucks have just six players signed beyond the 2009-10 season and that includes Michael Redd's $18.3 million player option for 2010-11. If he doesn't exercise that option, he could become part of the esteemed free-agent class of 2010. General manager John Hammond is attempting to replace the departed Charlie Villanueva, waiting for teams to offer restricted free agent Ramon Sessions a contract and hoping that Andrew Bogut returns healthy from back surgery.

Milwaukee is one of those fiscally challenged teams trying to survive in today's economy, a situation so bad that Charlotte and Miami passed on summer league teams while New Jersey and Philadelphia shared a squad in Orlando.

Bucks Trying to Improve -- on a Budget originally appeared on Fanhouse NBA Blog on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 07:00:00 EDT . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Georges St. Pierre Fought Last Two Rounds With Torn Muscle

Mike Chiappetta — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:01:00 EDT

by Mike Chiappetta

Filed under: UFC

LAS VEGAS -- Thiago Alves was supposed to be Georges St. Pierre's biggest test, but when the time came, GSP was easily up to the challenge of defending his UFC welterweight championship at UFC 100, earning a unanimous decision by winning every round on all three judges' scorecards.

But what makes St. Pierre's performance even more amazing is that he managed to dominate Alves even after likely tearing an adductor muscle in the third round.

St. Pierre said that the injury occurred during the third round when he was on the bottom in guard position. When Alves pushed his knee down in an attempt to pass guard, St. Pierre heard a snap.

Georges St. Pierre Fought Last Two Rounds With Torn Muscle originally appeared on Fanhouse MMA Blog on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:01:00 EDT . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Starting Five: Pirates Loathing Philly Trip

Jeff Fletcher — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:00:00 EDT

by Jeff Fletcher

Filed under: Angels, Brewers, Cubs, Dodgers, Phillies, Pirates, Reds, Starting Five

Starting Five is our wrapup of the previous day's baseball action, with a quick nod to what is ahead.

You Oughta Know ...
That the Pirates are certainly glad that they aren't in the same division as their intrastate rivals, the Phillies. The Pirates visit Philadelphia's Citzens Bank Park for only one series this year, and it can't end soon enough, as far as they are concerned.

The Pirates took a 7-3 lead into the bottom of the ninth on Saturday, only to have the Phillies score five times to win the game, one on a Matt Stairs homer, three on a Ryan Howard homer and the winning run on Paul Bako's single.

Afterward, Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson blamed the ballpark more than Pittsburgh reliever Matt Capps.

"It's the park,'' Wilson said. "Honestly, it's the park. That's the way their offense is built. They're built to hit home runs. They're the only team with four 20-homer guys at the break. We're lucky to have four 20-homer guys in two years combined.

More Coverage: Scoreboard | Standings | Statistics

Starting Five: Pirates Loathing Philly Trip originally appeared on Fanhouse MLB Blog on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:00:00 EDT . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bruce Buffer Pulls Off the 360 During Brock Lesnar Introduction

Mike Chiappetta — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 04:11:00 EDT

by Mike Chiappetta

Filed under: MMA Videos, UFC

LAS VEGAS -- One of the fun. light-hearted storylines of UFC 100 weekend was whether or not we'd see the long-rumored "Buffer 360."

For those of you who missed it, yep, he pulled it off.

Bruce Buffer Pulls Off the 360 During Brock Lesnar Introduction originally appeared on Fanhouse MMA Blog on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 04:11:00 EDT . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brock Lesnar Sorry for Post-Fight Antics

Mike Chiappetta — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:49:00 EDT

by Mike Chiappetta

Filed under: UFC

LAS VEGAS -- Brock Lesnar realized a bit too late that he should have let his performance alone make the statement. And the statement was this: He's big, he's bad, and he's the champ.

There was no need for anything else, but he let his emotions get the best of him and taunted a bloodied man he'd already physically beaten, then badmouthed a major sponsor of his company and finally, flipped off the fans.

Soon after pulling off that trifecta and the heat of the moment wore off, he realized he'd gone too far. And for the record, he apologized.

More: Post-Fight Videos at UFC.com | Lesnar Retains Crown | Results

Brock Lesnar Sorry for Post-Fight Antics originally appeared on Fanhouse MMA Blog on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:49:00 EDT . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UFC 100 Draws in $5.1M Gate; Nightly Award Winners Earn $100K

Mike Chiappetta — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:21:00 EDT

by Mike Chiappetta

Filed under: UFC

LAS VEGAS -- The UFC fell just shy of its best-ever Nevada gate, with 11,000 fans spending $5.1 million at the box office in ticket sales for UFC 100 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

UFC 100 Draws in $5.1M Gate; Nightly Award Winners Earn $100K originally appeared on Fanhouse MMA Blog on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 03:21:00 EDT . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Matt Cain 'Doubtful' for All-Star Game

Jeff Fletcher — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 01:11:00 EDT

by Jeff Fletcher

Filed under: Giants, MLB All-Star Game, MLB Injuries

Giants right-hander Matt Cain suffered a contusion on his elbow during Saturday's game, leaving him "doubtful," according to manager Bruce Bochy, to be available to pitch in Tuesday's All-Star Game.

Cain was not as willing to commit to missing what would be his first All-Star Game. He said he's hoping to be able to pitch an inning in St. Louis. The Giants, however, aren't likely to let him take any chances. Cain is expected to throw on Sunday to see how he feels.

Cain, 24, is 10-2 with a 2.38 ERA. He was hit in the elbow by a line drive in the second inning of Saturday's game against the Padres. He went for X-rays, which showed only the contusion.

Matt Cain 'Doubtful' for All-Star Game originally appeared on Fanhouse MLB Blog on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 01:11:00 EDT . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Alan Belcher Tattoo: A Deformed Johnny Cash on the Left Arm

Michael David Smith — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 01:06:00 EDT

by Michael David Smith

Filed under: UFC

Alan Belcher's tattoo is raising a whole lot of questions in the hours after his split decision loss to Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 100, so let's clear up what it is: It's Johnny Cash. Except it's a deformed Johnny Cash.

Alan Belcher Tattoo: A Deformed Johnny Cash on the Left Arm originally appeared on Fanhouse MMA Blog on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 01:06:00 EDT . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UFC 100 Video: Watch Live Post-Fight Press Conferences

Michael David Smith — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 01:00:00 EDT

by Michael David Smith

Filed under: MMA Videos, UFC

UFC 100 took place Saturday night in Las Vegas, and as soon as you're done reading our Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir live blog, you can come right here to watch the post-fight press conferences, live online. Lesnar, Mir and other fighters, along with UFC president Dana White, will meet the press shortly after midnight, and you can watch it live below.

More Coverage: Lesnar Retains Crown | Post-Fight Videos at UFC.com

UFC 100 Video: Watch Live Post-Fight Press Conferences originally appeared on Fanhouse MMA Blog on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 01:00:00 EDT . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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