Morning Jolt: April 26, 2013
Friday April 26
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Just what the NBA needs: An extra-motivated LeBron James. Memphis center Marc Gasol won the Defensive Player of the Year, finishing 14 first place votes ahead of [James], with Serge Ibaka third. During his first media availability since the announcement, James made his feelings clear. "It sucks," James said. "It sucks. It sucks." James was asked if his candidacy for other awards -- notably the MVP -- hurt his chances. "I don't know," James said. "It definitely sucks, though. Finishing second? Who wants to finish second?" Was this his best defensive season? "Probably," James said. "I mean, I guard everybody on the floor. I don't know if there's one player in NBA history who's guarded one through five (positions)." (The Palm Beach Post)Comment
Jags ready to wheel Friday's first pick
Among the winners Thursday, Jacksonville may yet wind up a very early winner on Friday, too. They made a "safe" pick by grabbing Luke Joeckel and then watched as EJ Manuel was the only quarterback taken in the first round. That means Jacksonville has their pick of plenty of options at No. 33 on Friday, with Geno Smith, Matt Barkley, Tank Carradine, Arthur Brown and a slew of other guys. The option to trade is very much there for them, too. The only reason that Dave Caldwell won't get a good night's sleep is because he's fielding trade calls. (CBS Sports)Comment
Yankees ready to scrap spending limits
They're baaaacckk? All along, the New York Yankees have stated the effort to cut their 2014 payroll to $189 million is merely a goal. More and more, it's one major league sources don't believe they'll reach. In recent months, the Yankees have become far less bullish on their publicly stated austerity plan, admitting to other executives and agents that staying beneath the $189 million threshold is unlikely and impractical. "They're going to be over 189," one source familiar with the Yankees' plans said. "They know it. Everyone knows it. You can't run a $3 billion team with the intentions of saving a few million dollars." ... "It was a good idea to try," one Yankees official said. "But deep down, we all pretty much knew it wasn't going to happen." (Yahoo! Sports)Comment
Must-See Photo
Former New England Patriots player Joe Andruzzi (L) and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell hold up a New England Patriot jersey with the # 617 on it in honor of the victims and those affected by this years bombing at the Boston Marathon. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Must-See Video
Taj Gibson gives Kris Humphries a facial during Thursday's Nets-Bulls game.
Game To Watch
Nuggets at Warriors, 10:30 p.m. ET
SI Vault: More Boston Celtics
This Day in Sports
- 1964 -- The Boston Celtics won their sixth consecutive NBA title. They won two more before the streak came to an end.
- 1995 -- In Denver, CO, Coors Field officially opened. The Rockies beat the New York Mets 11-9 in 14 innings.
- 1997 -- Mario Lemieux played what was billed as his last NHL game. He later came out of retirement to play for the Penguins as an owner/player.
