Silva: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for NFC teams.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
Ryan Callahan scored for the fifth time in four days and defenseman Ryan McDonagh snapped a second-period tie to lift the New York Rangers to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday.
Kobe Bryant hit a baseline jump shot with 4.2 seconds left and the Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up a six-game road trip by holding on to beat the Raptors 94-92 on Sunday, their eighth victory in nine meetings with Toronto
Arc's five up, five down: After No. 11 Michigan State's 58-48 upset of No. 3 Ohio State, you'd be a fool to discount the Spartans' national title chances now.
Miami coach Al Golden says the worst is behind him, but his headaches figure to continue now that former booster Nevin Shapiro, now in jail, says his involvement with the Hurricanes program will result in stiff penalties.
Golf's dream pairing - Woods and Mickelson - is on the course in the final round at Pebble Beach. Jason Sobel has hole-by-hole reports.
The United States completed a 5-0 rout of Switzerland in the Davis Cup on Sunday, with 19-year-old Ryan Harrison and John Isner winning closing singles matches.
Zambia has won the African Cup of Nations, beating pre-tournament favorite Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in a dramatic final at Stade de l'Amitie.
Tessa Worley of France fought off gusting winds to win a second consecutive World Cup giant slalom Sunday in the Andorran Pyrenees. Overall leader Lindsey Vonn was more than a second behind and finished eighth.
Robins: It’s the Year of the Dragon on the Lunar calendar, and this Chinese influence could extend to it also being the year of the Pekingese on the green carpet at the 136th Westminster Dog Show on Tuesday.
Getty Images ContributorQ: Is no one ready to take the Atlanta Hawks seriously this year or what? I mean they had a decent team last year loaded with talent, and only got better with the addition of Jamaal Crawford. My question is: Are the Hawks ready to take that leap this year, or did the East just get too strong for them? And do you feel like the balance of power has shifted to the Eastern Conference, with so many teams in the East upgrading?
— Kurtis, Swanzey, N.H.
A: The problem for Atlanta is there is an Elite Three in the East and the Hawks simply don't measure up. Based on the way this same Atlanta core looked in last season's playoffs against Cleveland, it is difficult to make a case for the Hawks.
As was the case last season, the best outcome for the Hawks likely would be a fourth-place finish in the East, and therefore homecourt advantage in the first round, which they needed to eliminate the Heat in seven games last season.
As for the East, its top three is better than the West's top three. But the West probably still has better middle-of-the-pack potential.
Q: Why are there not more stories on Josh Smith of the Atlanta Hawks?
— Belva, Jasper, Ga.
A: Because Josh is the ultimate tease.
When he plays at the rim, utilizes his athleticism on both ends of the court, Josh is a special talent.
But he's also as likely to be found on the perimeter, foolishly launching 3-point shots.
When he eventually plays solely to his strengths, he will take that next step when it comes to respect. For now, he is as much sideshow as star.
Q: My question is regarding the pending free-agent status of Lebron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Are teams allowed to offer players "other incentives" beyond the maximum contract? For example, I read somewhere that teams can offer their free agent more than others can?
— Gerard, Inglewood, Calif.
A: No, the NBA monitors such negations carefully, and there cannot be bonuses or perks that circumvent the salary cap.
What you are referring to is the NBA's "home team" advantage. When it comes to free agents, a player's current team is allowed to offer a six-year contract, while outside teams can offer a maximum of five years. Also, a player's current team can offer 2 percent more in annual raises than an outside team.
In the end, it means a team can extend about $30 million more in a maximum offer than an outside team. It all is part of the league's preference to somewhat limit the movement of its star talent.
Q: Is Pat Riley trying to lose Dwayne Wade on purpose? This offseason, he's done nothing to position the Heat to be a contender for the championship. What is the end-game plan this season?
— John, Houston
A: The plan is to maintain enough salary-cap space for next summer that Riley can go to Wade and ask, "OK, what two players would you like to see me add?"
Should Riley spend any of next summer's cap cash on 2009-10 additions, it could compromise that plan.
As for the current plan, the party line is about internal growth from young players such as Michael Beasley, Mario Chalmers and Daequan Cook, as well as a return to pre-injury form by Jermaine O'Neal.
Q: I am an Orlando Magic fan, but, seriously, why do you guys not take this team seriously. It's always the Lakers, Celtics, Cavs. We blew away two of those teams within the last two years and our team is even stronger now. I just don't understand the bias toward those other teams.
— Wayne, Orlando
A: First, at least on paper, all three appear better than the Magic this season.
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A few years back, this Magic roster would have ranked as a clear conference front-runner. Now, the East is even more top-heavy than the Western Conference.
That said, it would be absolutely foolish to sleep on a team that possesses the league's most dominant big man.
I guess the issue comes down to Vince Carter, who hasn't led his teams to anywhere of significance.
If Carter can show that he can be the finisher on a contender, then the view of Orlando changes and places it right up there with Boston and Cleveland.
Q: Is this going to be Grant Hill's last year? He had his healthiest season last year, but he is getting old.
— Sue, Oakland
A: At 37, it is a legitimate question with Grant. Yet the perception is that he truly enjoys playing the game and that he wants to make up for the time lost because of injury.
It could come down to the Suns' success and Grant's ability to contribute.
With Phoenix committing to Steve Nash's future with this summer's extension, it's not as if a youth movement exactly is under way in Phoenix.
Q: You and others have written several articles during the offseason about the dysfunctional marriage between Carlos Boozer and the Utah Jazz. Knowing that any trade must make sense for both teams (unless, of course, it's the Memphis Grizzlies), do you see any realistic trade partners for the Jazz? As has been their history, they continue to look for a shooting guard, a small forward or a real center, to complement their point guard and power forward. A Carlos Boozer could help a number of teams. Anybody out there who could help the Jazz in return?
— Robert, Scottsdale, Ariz.
A: The issue with the Jazz is that it does not want to take on any future salary, which severely limits its options. Since Boozer's contract is expiring, a deal likely would have to involve a trade partner agreeing to take on extra, future salary.
That is why while Detroit has both Ben Gordon and Richard Hamilton at shooting guard, a make-sense move with the Pistons actually doesn't make sense at all for Utah, unless the Jazz changes its position on the cap and the tax.
Ira Winderman writes regularly for NBCSports.com and covers the Heat and the NBA for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Kobe Bryant hit a baseline jump shot with 4.2 seconds left and the Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up a six-game road trip by holding on to beat the Raptors 94-92 on Sunday, their eighth victory in nine meetings with Toronto
Rajon Rondo recorded a triple-double with 32 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds to lead the Boston Celtics to a 95-91 win Sunday over the Chicago Bulls, who were without star guard Derrick Rose.
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Wesseling: Each NFL team enters the offseason with a series of pressing needs. Sometimes a team can address them all, sometimes they ignore them all. But if a team's smart, they'll listen to us. These are the most crucial aspects for AFC teams.
After leading by 18 points in the first half, the Los Angeles Lakers were staring at a four-point deficit with less than two minutes to play.
Ryan Callahan scored for the fifth time in four days and defenseman Ryan McDonagh snapped a second-period tie to lift the New York Rangers to a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday.
