Morning Jolt: April 18, 2011

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Apr 18, 2011

Monday, April 18

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Pau Gasol took only nine shots Sunday, and his lacking game drew the ire of Kobe Bryant. Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins called Gasol soft a month ago, and there was no refuting that on Sunday in the Lakers' 109-100 loss. Gasol played the part and looked it too, leaving the arena with a bandage under his left eye that covered a gash DJ Mbenga had opened. "It's up to me to get myself going, be more aggressive, get myself into rhythm," Gasol said. Someone asked if [Lamar] Odom also needed to hike his scoring, and Bryant made clear that wasn't the problem. "Pau is our guy," he said. "He's next in line and gets the responsibility that comes with it." (Yahoo Sports)Comment

Denver aiming to find four starters

It is a feat the Broncos haven't accomplished in years. The team's top football exec, John Elway, and general manager Brian Xanders say they need four future starters out of this draft. The Broncos' last legitimate four-starter-or-more draft was 2006, when they selected Jay Cutler, Tony Scheffler, Brandon Marshall, Elvis Dumervil and Chris Kuper from among, yes, seven picks. ... Too often there has been a disconnect between the information the Broncos have had and the information they have actually used -- see: Maurice Clarett with a third-round pick or Jarvis Moss with the 17th pick of the 2007 draft, or almost any of the draft-day trades over the last two years. (The Denver Post)Comment

Barca's Xavi blasts Real's tactics

Barcelona playmaker Xavi has accused Real Madrid of "not wanting to play" after part one of an El Clasico quadruple-header ended in a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu. Despite dropping two points in La Liga, Barca midfielder Xavi said his team were happy to have dominated proceedings away from home and said the comeback from 10-man Madrid did not give them extra impetus for the impending Cup final. "In no way will Madrid's morale be higher," said Xavi. "We were the better team, faithful to our playing style and we'll take a lot from the game, despite not getting the three points." (Daily Telegraph)Comment

Must-See Photo

Kobe Bryant of the Lakers lies on the floor after falling into a row of courtside seats against the Hornets in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif.

Must-See Video

Superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo exchange goals in the clásico as Barcelona ties Real Madrid 1-1 at the Bernabeu.

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