TheSportsPACK

The Los Angeles Clippers have the most talented roster in the NBA. With a who's who of high profile players from Chris Paul and Blake Griffin to Paul Pierce and Josh Smith, many experts predict the Clippers will win the championship this season. But with a 6-7 start, those predictions may be far fetched.  After losing a 3-1 series lead to the Houston Rockets in the western conference semifinals, the Clippers when into the off season looking to improve an already talented team. Austin Rivers showed signs of life during the postseason which solidified his as the backup point guard. Resigning DeAndre Jordan to a 4-year $87 million deal kept the league leader in rebounds and 1st team all defense center from bolting to the Dallas Mavericks in the late hours of free agency. Adding Wesley Matthews, Paul Pierce, Josh Smith and Lance Stephenson has strengthen a bench that was 23rd in scoring and 28th in points allowed. The Clippers started this season off hot winning its first 4 game

At a time where “score first” point guards dominate the NBA, it’s hard to appreciate a floor general that only average 12.7 points a game. But when those 13 points come with stifling defense and 10 assist a game, Rajon Rondo may be playing his way back into elite status this season. With 4 triple-doubles in his last 9 games for a struggling Kings team, it will be hard to find another player in the league putting out as much effort on the court as Rondo is this season. Last year was a season of turmoil for the 4-time all-star as he started the season as a Boston Celtic under heavy trade speculation. The Celtics were rebuilding, which included drafting point guard Marcus Smart with their top-10 pick in the draft. Despite the rumors and the Celtics drafting his replacement, Rondo still managed to lead the NBA in assist while recording 7 double-doubles in the first 22 games of the season. After a 13 point, 15 assist, 7 rebound and 2 steal game against the Magic, Boston trade

5th year power forward Tristan Thompson has proposed a 3 year / $53 million deal and will wait to see if the Cavs will agree on the terms. Thompson averaged 8.5 points and 8 rebounds a game this past season while primarily coming off the bench. During the NBA Finals Thompson averaged 9.6 points and 10.8 rebounds in the losing effort. During negotiations, Thompson's camp was asking for the max contract of 5 years / $94 million dollars.   Tristan Thompson is a back-up power forward and will be making $17.6 million dollars next season if this contract stands. This is a problem. For one, Thompson doesn't even average a double-double and even if you look at his stats per 36 minutes its still only 11.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per. Those numbers are not worth $17.6 million. The problem with the Cavs in the NBA Finals outside of injuries was lack of low post scoring. It was so bad that LeBron had to play power forward and center during long stretches of the game. Tristan Thompso

The Lakers sign 35 year old veteran Metta World Peace to a 1-year non guaranteed deal. World Peace, who last saw NBA action during the 2013-'14 season, will be the 19th Laker added to the offseason roster. During his 4 seasons in L.A. World Peace won a championship in 2010 and averaged 9.9 points, 4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. Why did the Lakers sign Metta World Peace? The past 2 season World Peace was in China and Italy and did nothing impressive to warrant another NBA contract. There are a lot of young players on this roster such as Julius Randle, D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson. How would World Peace fit in with them chemistry wise? Metta hasn't actually been the "model teammate" throughout his career and with the Kobe Bryant intimidation factor already into play, this might make things worse. On top of that why would you bring in a player that will bring a limited contribution to an already struggling team, while taking minutes away from players t

Ezekiel Elliot 1. Ohio State (2-0) (W vs Hawaii 38-0) - Ezekiel Elliot led the way for the Buckeyes with 27 carries for 101 yards ad 3 touchdowns.  Ohio State defense allowed 165 yards and forced 4 turnovers en route to their 15th straight victory. Next Game: vs N. Illinois   2. Alabama (2-0) (W vs Middle Tenn. St. 37-10) - Jake Coker threw for 214 yards and a touchdown in the 1st half. Running back Derrick Henry rushed for 96 yards and his 2nd consecutive 3 touchdown game. Next Game: vs Ole Miss 3. TCU (2-0) (W vs Stephen F Austin 70-7) - After a sloppy win in week 1 the Horned Frogs bounce back with a 63 point victory. Trevone Boykin tosses 4 touchdowns on 18 of 27 passing. TCU out gained Stephen F Austin 627-167 in total yards. Next Game: vs SMU 4. Michigan State (2-0) (W vs Oregon 31-28) - Michigan State took the lead mid 3rd quarter on a LJ Scott 6 yard touchdown run and didn't look back. Aaron Burbridge caught 8 passes for 101 yards and 2nd quarter touchdown

Ezekiel Elliot 1. Ohio State (W @ Va. Tech 42-24) - Outscored Virginia Tech 27-1 in the 2nd half. Running back Ezekiel Elliot rushed for 122 yards on 11 carries. Braxton Miller caught 2 passes for 78 yards in his first start at receiver. Next Game: vs. Hawaii 2. Alabama (W vs Wisconsin 35-17) Derrick Henry had a day against the #20 Badgers with 13 carries for 147 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Crimson Tide defense held Wisconsin to 40 yards rushing. Next Game: vs Middle Tenn. St. 3. TCU (W @ Minnesota 23-17) - Minnesota stuck around throughout most of the game but TCU survives; winning their 9th straight game dating back to last season. Heisman hopeful Trevone Boykin completed 62% of his passes for 245 yards and a touchdown. Next Game: Stephen F. Austin Seth Russell 4. Baylor (W vs SMU 56-21) - The Bears scored 28 unanswered in the 2nd half after leading 28-21 at halftime. In his 2nd career start Seth Russell goes 15-20 376 yards and 5 touchdowns while adding 59

Royce Freeman rushed for 180 yards and 3 TDs Week 1 vs Eastern Washington (7) Oregon vs (5) Michigan State (8:00 pm EST on ABC) - In the first Top-10 match up of the season, the Spartans will try to avenge last season's 19 point loss to the Ducks in Spartan Stadium. Michigan State held Western Michigan to 18 total yards rushing and intercepted two passes. For the Ducks, this will be the first test for 1st year starter Vernon Adams Jr. Adams went 19-25 with 246 yards and 2 touchdowns in his debut versus FCS Eastern Washington. A key match up will be sophomore running back Royce Freeman against a Michigan State run defense that allowed 88.5 yards per game last season (#1 in NCAA).  If Michigan State wants to keep this game close they must control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and control the clock on offense. Oregon will use their high tempo offense to put up big points and force opposing offenses into making mistakes with the ball downfield.   Joshua Dobbs

1. Tom Brady New England Patriots 2. Andrew Luck Indianapolis Colts 3. Russell Wilson Seattle Seahawks 4. Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers 5. Peyton Manning Denver Broncos 6.  Ben Roethlisberger Pittsburgh Steelers 7. Drew Brees New Orleans Saints 8. Tony Romo Dallas Cowboys 9. Joe Flacco Baltimore Ravens 10. Philip Rivers San Diego Chargers 11. Matthew Stafford Detroit Lions 12. Alex Smith Kansas City Chiefs 13. Carson Palmer Arizona Cardinals 14. Andy Dalton Cincinnati Bengals 15. Cam Newton Carolina Panthers 16. Teddy Bridgewater Minnesota Vikings 

1. Seahawks - Next Game: @ St. Louis (Sun. 1:00 pm EST) 2. Patriots - Next Game: vs Pittsburgh (Thur. 8:30 pm EST) 3. Colts - Next Game: @ Buffalo (Sun. 1:00 pm EST) 4. Steelers - Next Game: @ New England (Thur. 8:30 pm EST) 5. Broncos - Next Game: vs Baltimore (Sun. 4:25 pm EST) 6. Packers - Next Game: @ Chicago (Sun. 1:00 pm EST) 7. Cowboys - Next Game: vs New York (N) (Sun. 8:30 pm EST) 8. Eagles - Next Game: @ Atlanta (Mon. 7:10 pm EST) 9. Cardinals - Next Game: vs New Orleans (Sun. 4:05 pm EST) 10. Ravens - Next Game: @ Denver (Sun. 4:25 pm EST) 11. Lions - Next Game: @ San Diego (Sun. 4:05 pm EST) 12. Bengals - Next Game: @ Oakland (Sun. 4:25 pm EST) 13. Chargers - Next Game: vs Detroit (Sun. 4:05 pm EST) 14. Dolphins - Next Game: @ Washington (Sun. 1:00 pm EST) 15. Chiefs - Next Game: @ Houston (Sun. 1:00 pm EST) 16. Saints - Next Game: @ Arizona (Sun. 4:05 pm EST) 17. Panthers - Next Game: @ Jacksonville (Sun. 1:00 pm EST) 18. V

Dante Exum is the latest NBA bit by the injury bug while participating in international competition. The torn ACL in Exum's left knee was a non-contact injury while coming to a jump stop.  The injury will most likely keep Exum out for the entire 2015-16 season. The Utah Jazz selected Exum with the 5th in the 2014 draft and was expected to make an huge impact for a young Jazz roster. Exum averaged 7.9 ppg and 3.9 apg in his rookie season (abcnews.go.com) This on top of the Paul George injury from last year's USA scrimmage game brings me to the point that NBA franchises should reconsider allowing their players to compete in international basketball. NBA teams are investing million of dollars into athletes for them to win NBA games. Not to say that international competition is not important but to have players risk an season-ending injury to play in a "world basketball tournament" just doesn't seem like a good idea. I'm all about players having free will

Today is the start of free agency in the NBA and there's a ton of talent looking for new places to call home. After hearing the rumors, reading discussions boards and listen to reports, here 's my 5 bold predictions for this free agency summer. 1. LaMarcus Aldridge will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers - The Lakers are looking to make a splash this summer and this is it. Aldridge averaged 22.6 points and 10.2 rebounds per game in the past 3 seasons for the Portland Trail Blaze/rs but these numbers did not translate into teams success. In the past 3 seasons the Blazers have not made it past the 2nd round. With Nicolas Batum gone to the Hornets, LaMarcus is looking to be around better, more experienced players and wouldn't mind being in a bigger market to showcase his talent. Aldridge will be a huge help for the Lakers quest to get back into the playoffs. lakerholicz.com 2. Kevin Love will be traded to the Celtics - The Boston Celtics have had their eyes on Kevin