Everyone knows about the top prospects in this year’s NBA draft. Let’s take a look at the second round. When you’re drafting a player in the second round, you’re looking for rotational players who can give good minutes off the bench.

Given the right opportunity, some of these players will eventually develop into starters. Here are some notable second round picks in previous draft classes: Chandler Parsons, Lance Stephenson, Danny Green, Mario Chalmers, DeAndre Jordan, Omer Asik and Goran Dragic.

Here are 5 second round picks that will make their mark in the NBA:

 Lorenzo Brown

Brown played point guard for N.C. State, he averaged 12.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 7.2 apg, and 2 spg. At 6’5” and 189 lbs, he’s considered to be athletically gifted at point guard. He led the ACC in assists per game during this past season. Furthermore, he finished sixth in the country for overall assists. He’s shown he’s a very good passer, so that makes a good pick for any team looking for depth at the point.

 James Ennis

Ennis played the small forward position at Long Beach State. At 6’7” and 201 lbs, he has a phenomenal wingspan of 6’11”. Last season he averaged 16 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.7 bpg and 1.3 spg. According to Joe Treutlin at DraftExpress.com, Ennis has only two years of high level basketball experience. Within a few years, Ennis can be developed into a productive player both offensively and defensively.

 Erick Green

Green played the position of a combo guard at Virginia Tech. His stats during his 2012-13 season are very impressive. He averaged 25 ppg, 4 rpg, 3.8 apg and 1.3 spg. He led the country in scoring, and he managed to do it while competing with other teams in a major conference. His success in the NBA is in question due to his size. His height is a major concern. At 6’3” and 178 lbs; he’s shorter and smaller than most guards in the NBA.

 Mike Muscala

Muscala dominated the Center position at Bucknell. He averaged 18.9 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 2.3 apg and 2.3 bpg during the 2012-2013 season. He ultimately finished 4 the second best PER in the country last season, falling behind Gonzaga’s Kelly Olynyk. He also has the ability to hit jump shots.

Peyton Siva

He averaged 10 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 5.7 apg and 2.3 spg. He also led Louisvile to a national title last season and that’s never a bad thing. His only knock on him is his small stature; he’s rather short for a point guard. He is known to have great defensive skills, and many teams in NBA will look to turn him into their backup point guard. He is known to have great defensive skills, and many teams in NBA will look to turn him into their backup point guard.

Written by Krithic Annamalai

The post NBA Draft Second Round Sleepers appeared first on Sports Invasion.

1. Lebron James Stuff- We know that we are a few days late here, but the block Lebron James produced in Game 2 of the NBA Finals is still worthy of being highlighted.  Tiago Splitter charged the basket for a throw down dunk, and  James was the last defender on the Miami defense that could slow him down. Splitter went up, and James met him right there. Normally, the dunker wins out on these battles, and the poor defender is the latest poster child. But this time, James showed the Spurs why he is the four time MVP, with a ridiculous stuff. Check out the great footage below.

2. Fighter Throws Up- Cliff Thompson is trying to make a name for himself in the MMA world, starting off his career 2-0. His latest victory came in a split decision over Doug Usher, and he was interviewed shortly after his win. Well it seemed from the start that Thompson wasn’t feeling too well after his win, and as soon as the interviewer finished his question, that was confirmed. Check out this hilarious interview blooper, where the reporter’s face is simply priceless.

The post Daily Invasion: Lebron James Block, Fighter Pukes on Air appeared first on Sports Invasion.

The Preakness may have just concluded, ending this year’s Triple Crown hunt, but that doesn’t mean that horse betting has stopped for the year. In fact, some of the biggest action you will see in the city of Las Vegas and other gambling cities around the world can be found when people are betting the ponies year round. This can be one of the most exciting things to gamble on, and we have a few tips for you to help improve your profit lines.

The #1 thing is to do your research on the horses. One of the best parts about sports betting is that it gives you a chance to use your wealth of knowledge on a particular sporting field to gain a financial advantage. Of course you have no actual control over the outcome of the race, but you can find out what horse has an impressive record, and what horse might not be a smart bet.

The next thing that we recommend for you is to pay attention to the conditions of the track, and the weather at the stadium.  Every track in the world is different. Some have harder soil, and some have softer soil. Some have long tracks, others have short ones. These are variables that’s importance is multiplied expenonentially when you consider that we are dealing with an animal as opposed to a human.  The weather can also be a big factor. If there is a drizzle or moisture in the air, that could severely affect a horse’s performance. If you have time, look up what the track was like when the horse you like won their events.

One of the final things to point out with horse betting is to explain the type of bets that you can make.  Now the bet that will make you the most money is to simply bet on the winner. When you see a betting board, you will see a number next to the horse you want to bet. Sometimes it’s 2, sometimes it’s 82. That is the odds you will get on your bet. The higher the number, the better odds you have, meaning that the book thinks the lesser chance that horse has to win. However, if you want to have a better shot at winning some money, but not the full amount, then you can either bet them to place, which means top two, or show, for top three. You won’t get the full odds, but you will get more shots at winning.

Lastly, there are parlay bets. These pay off the most, but they are also the hardest to hit. The most popular is the trifecta, where someone tries to predict the horses that will finish 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. The odds of hitting this are very difficult, but it is how you can potentially turn a $20 bet into a $500 score. You can also do a parlay bet where you pick one horse to win in three different races.  However, it’s best to leave these bets to the pro betters if you are more of a casual fan.

What do you like to bet with horses? Do you think our tips are helpful? Let us know in the comments!

The post Some Tips for Horse Betting appeared first on Sports Invasion.

With July 1 anxious to see what next season’s rosters are going to look like. Although the finals are still in full swing, many NBA fans whose teams don’t happen to be either the Spurs or Heat are already looking beyond them to see what the future holds.  There are some big name free agents on the market this year that could change the face of the NBA next season.

This summer teams are going to be giving their best sales pitches to get these top free agents to help them win a championship. And, they obviously won’t come cheap. However, there are teams with plenty of money to spend and some big impact players to spend it on. Here is a look at the top 7 unrestricted free agents this summer.

 Dwight Howard

Currently playing for the Lakers, Howard is a seven time all-star center who will be a free agent come July 1. The Lakers will do their best to get him to stay, but there are a few other teams that will do their best to lure him away from LA. The Lakers have had a borderline embarrassing season, but the cash they can offer him just may keep him around. He is worth a max contract that will be about $117 million over 5 years. The Lakers can offer him $30 million more than other teams, but that won’t stop them from doing all they can to get the NBA’s most dominant center to join their franchise.

Chris Paul

As a point guard for the LA Clippers, Paul and his skills have literally given the Clippers a total makeover. Paul is definitely one of the most talented point guards in the NBA today, and many analysts would actually rank him as the top point guard. Once again, his team wants him to stick around – for obvious reasons, and they have the funds to do so. However, they have a few coaching issues to work out before it’s a done deal. He is certainly worth a max contract of $107 million over five years.

Josh Smith

After playing in Atlanta for nine years, it looks like Smith may be looking for a better fit than the Hawks. He is a forward who can pull off plays that other forwards only dream of. The Hawks offered him a $47 million extension contract, which he declined. He either was not impressed with the money or is looking for a different team. Either way Houston, Boston, Phoenix, New Orleans, Philadelphia and the Lakers will all be giving him a good look.

David West

His performance in the playoffs has made him a heavy hitter in the fight for free agents. He if often underrated as a forward by many people, but offers an all around package that can be a big benefit to any team. He is not near as expensive as other free agents (more or less $50-$65 million over five years), but will change the culture of whichever team lands him. As a phenomenal leader and a player who has and the kickoff of free agency around the corner, basketball lovers are already getting helped the Pacers a great deal, especially in their recent playoff run, it is looking like West will be staying in Indiana.

Andrew Bynum

His knees kept him from playing this season, but when healthy, Bynum can really hold his place on the court. Philadelphia didn’t get any playing time from him this season, but they are going to try and get him back just to recapture something from the $17 million they put into him the season. Some teams may hesitate to take on an injured center, but it is looking like the Mavericks may be willing to take the risk and make a hard push for Bynum.

 Al Jefferson

This emerging Utah Jazz star is a center that is in the prime of his career. At only 28 years old, he is not only in his prime, but has a lot of good years left in him. He is a huge center who can really open up the floor for his teammates. He is a talented scorer and will be coveted by many teams even if he isn’t a great defender.

Where do you think these guys will end up? Do you want one of them on your team? Let us know in the comments!

Written by Andrew Zurchen with Connor Sports – specialists in wood gym flooring as well as other sports court flooring. Andrew loves reading and writing about anything basketball related.

The post The Top 6 Unrestricted Free Agents This Summer appeared first on Sports Invasion.

1. RIP Deacon Jones-  We have mixed stories today. First, we start off on a sad note, as NFL Hallf of Famer and well known football legend Deacon Jones passed away yesterday at 74 years of age. The death was of natural causes. Jones was a defensive end who lead the “Fearsome Foursome” of the Rams in the 60′s, and remained a popular figure in the game well after his retirment. NFL commisher Roger Goddell tweeted this about Jones. ”Even with his fellow Hall of Famers, Deacon Jones held a special status. He was an icon among the icons. He is warmly regarded by his peers not only as one of the greatest players in history but also for his influence & sense of humor.”

We here at sportsinvasion offer our thoughts and condolences to the Jones family at this tough time. Rest in peace sir.

2. Germany Goalie Fail- On a much lighter note, we have a highlight, or I should say low light, from the Germany USA soccer friendly late week. The US shocked many by winning the game 4-3, due in large part to a quite unforgettable mistake by German goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.  USA was already up 1-0 when the Germany defense panicked after being pressured by the forwards of the US. What followed is a clip that will likely be around for years. Check out the blooper below.

The post Daily Invasion: Deacon Jones Dies, Goalie Gaffe for Germany appeared first on Sports Invasion.

Everybody knew one kid growing up who had boxes and boxes of baseball cards, great memorabilia from legendary players, and chose to put them on his bicycle so the spokes would go plink plink plink.

Didn’t that kid drive you nuts?  Didn’t he care what he had?  And what would you give to have the cards that he ruined?

Of course, that kid probably used up a lot of nobody cards, guys who have probably forgotten they ever played in the majors.  But you always wonder what superstar rookies went for a ride on his Schwinn, never to see

You can’t go back and extract Roger Clemens from your neighbor’s Huffy, but you can sure be prepared for the next valuable cards to wander your way.

Here are some tips on speculating with sports memorabilia:

Take Care of Them!

First of all, keep them away from the bicycle.  Proper storage of valuable items will help them retain their condition, and subsequently their value.  Consider exposure to light, levels of humidity, and more complex things like pH of paper.  Some of these items will be long-term investments, so treat them that way.

Anticipate Increasing Value

This is where reading sports gossip and rumors can come in handy.  Keeping yourself in tune with who is quietly considering retirement–and that means quietly, not in conjunction with a full-season fan appreciation tour–you can be ahead of other collectors in stockpiling higher-value items.

For example, if you haven’t already picked up some LA Galaxy memorabilia, make plans to commemorate the career of David Beckham now.  He has announced his retirement from professional soccer, which means investing collectors need to position themselves quickly.

Get Items With Increase Potential

Admittedly, the collectibles business has changed.  There is far more material generated bearing the name or likeness of famous athletes than there once was.  Dale Earnhardt died in 2001, yet there are still mountains of #3′s merchandise still hitting store shelves.

The best pieces are those that are generated during the athlete’s active career (and lifetime).  There will be career retrospectives, Hall of Fame items, and the like for any significant figure.  But the things that went on the market when you could still watch the player live on television are the ones with the highest value.

Know What You’ve Got… And Make Sure Others Know Too

Speaking of value, your efforts in acquiring the best items are wasted if you don’t know their worth.  Getting accurate collectible, sports card, and coin values is the piece of the puzzle you shouldn’t try to place by yourself.

A qualified person can get you a realistic value before you begin to market your item, and in the case of particularly high-dollar items, can authenticate them to ensure that would-be buyers know they won’t be taking advantage of you.

While you may not be lucky enough to find a Honus Wagner card in your attic, you can position yourself to get the most for your valuable sports collectibles.

Watch for news and information about who’s planning to hang up the cleats (or the mitt, or the basketball…), and do your best to snatch up potentially valuable items ahead of time.  Then care for them properly, get good market and item information, and enjoy your life as a collectible trader.

Written by Ashley Roberts

The post Caring for Your Sports Memorabilia appeared first on Sports Invasion.

Recently, the infamous number 55 of the Baltimore Ravens, Rolando McClain, had yet another arrest he can add to his ever-growing list of run ins with the law. Right after the news broke to major sources like Deadspin and ESPN the sports media was abuzz with speculation that that just might be the last straw with the Ravens.  Well those speculations turned to fact when McClain abruptly retired from the NFL at just 23 years old.

If you didn’t know this isn’t the first time McClain has had an encounter with the law. Not the second, third or even the fourth. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and revisit McClain’s other arrests to get a better sense of this athlete’s torrid affair with the law.

January 27, 2011

While home visiting, McClain was shot while driving around in his hometown of Decatur, Alabama. While the circumstances leading up to the shot fired are a little hazy, McClain was said to have purchased a gun on the same day of the incident.

December 1, 2011

Just a few short days after his first run in with the Decatur police, McClain had yet another altercation, only this one much more serious than the last. McClain tangled himself up in a scuffle that led to a charge of 3rd degree degree assault which included reckless endangerment and discharging a firearm within the city limits. McClain was said to have placed the gun that he purchased a few days back against the side of the other suspect’s head and threatened to shoot. McClain then went on to fire the weapon inches away from the other suspects head. In the end, McClain was ordered to pay $2,000 and spend 45 days in prison for each charge, a sum of 180 days.

November 18, 2012

The case above was still on appeal when the suspect in question decided not to press charges. It is rumored that the man was paid a cash settlement in order to drop that charges that would have seen McClain spend almost a half of a year in prison.

Not one to let the noise die down, McClain went to on get into a very heated argument with Raiders head coach Dennis Allen. After some dramatic Facebook status updates and media hubbub, McClain was suspended for two games.

January 8, 2013

Back in his hometown for the holidays, McClain was arrested yet again for giving an officer false information. The arrest occurred due to a routine traffic stop for McClain’s windows being too tinted past the legal limit. When pulled over, McClain proceeded to give the officer a false name which is what led to his arrest. McClain paid a small bond and was released later that day.

April 21, 2013

In his most recent run in with the law McClain was once again arrested in his home town of Decatur, this time for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. McClain found himself with a crowd of people who had congregated in a park. When asked to leave by the police many members of the group become disorderly and began to shout curses and slurs in the direction of the police officers. One such person was McClain who is stated to have said, “F*** the police”. McClain was briefly held in custody before he posted bail and was released.

This last arrest comes only weeks after his release from the Oakland Raiders and being signed on by the Baltimore Ravens. McClain is retired, but considering his young age, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him back in an NFL unfiorm somewhere. The question is, what team will be the one who tries to lure him out of retirement? Or is McClain so far gone that no one will try at this point? Only time will tell.

Written by Vincent Imhoff is a writer and California criminal lawyer who acts as a managing partner at Imhoff & Associates, P.C. He earned his law degree at Chicago-Kent College and his undergraduate degree at Lewis University. When he isn’t writing or practicing, Vincent finds time to ski on his favorite slopes and get some jogging in.

The post NFL Feature: Legal Trouble for Rolando McClain Leads to Retirement appeared first on Sports Invasion.

On February 23 in the UEFA Champions League semi-final, first leg Bayern Munich went into the match labelled as underdogs. Not even a single person will remember that it featured arguably the two best teams in the world. Instead,what quickly envelops one ‘s mind is the hammering of Barcelona by Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena. At halftime, the scoreline was 1-0 in favor of Bayern and after a scintillating second half display by the Germans, the competition was all but over. The scoreboard indicated 4-0 and Barcelona fans moved out of the Allianz Arena in hushed tones. Something was terribly wrong.

Messi quickly admitted that ‘we were inferior.’ Really they were! In the Camp Nou, the visitors repeated the feat with a 3-0 mauling of the hosts, completing a seven-point aggregate win and subsequently booking a place in the final against fellow rivals Borrusia Dortmund. That’s a reason to worry.

Oh well! Bayern finally lifted the Bundesliga Shield on Saturday 11 May 2013 after beating relegation strugglers FC Augusburg. The statistics are staggering. Bayern won the Bundesliga with six games to spare, a record. The Bundesliga champions lead their rivals Borrusia Dortmund by 25 points, for 91 Bundesliga points and at an astonishing plus-80 goal difference (stats from bundesliga.com).

The Bavarians also set the mark for greatest margin of victory in a season (85 points) and a record for fewest defeats (1) and fewest away losses (0) in a season.The list is endless! And there are undoubtedly a number of more significant records Bayern is going to break over the next three years.

They’ll be causing major changes to Germany’s record books, manufacturing shoes that Pep Guardiola will find it hard to fill next season. The only conclusion that one can draw is that Bayern is undoubtedly a team on top of its game and is arguably the best club in the world right now and possibly in the near future. The most scaring scenario to other clubs is that the club is continuing to develop and the balance of power in Europe is continuing to shift. That’s scary indeed!

Bayern Munich are extreme favourites to win the Uefa Champions League on Saturday 25 May, partly driven by their need to avenge their 2012 Champions League final loss to Chelsea in front of their own fans. If they win this one then more are expected to follow under the much celebrated leadership of Pep Guardiola. More raw talent is being added to the team, a good example being the acquisition of Dortmund midfielder Mario Gotze.

Recent transfer speculation has linked Bayern Munich to top players like Wayne Rooney, Robert Lewandowski and the Brazilian wonder-kid Neymar. If these speculations prove themselves to be true, then Bayern will develop itself into an even more formidable force that they already are. Balance of power has indeed shifted in Europe and Bayern is the team that is currently enjoying the benefits of being the best of all. There is no device to rate a team’s performance other than analyzing the results. Bayern Munich is currently the most successful club in the world. Never mind possession or attractive football: just look at results

Written by  Tatenda Makichi

The post Bayern Munich: For the Present And the Future appeared first on Sports Invasion.

1. Durant Donation- Kevin Durant is awesome. This isn’t news to you guys. We have profiled the many things that Durant does well, both on and off the basketball court, and today, we are doing it again. A few days ago, the city of Moore, Oklahoma was ripped apart by a mile long tornado, killing at least 24 people. Well many celebrities have expressed their thoughts and prayers to the victims, but Durant decided to send some money. Alot of it. $1 million to be exact. The Oklahoma star made the generous donation, tweeting “Praying for the victims of the Tornadoes in OKC these last few days..Everybody stay safe!” We love you Kevin Durant. Please stay the same way you are. Read more about the story and how you can donate here! 

2. Bobcats Now Hornets- The Charlotte Hornets were one of the toughest teams in the East in the 1990′s, led by Larry Johnson and Alonzo Mourning, amongst other stars. The Charlotte Bobcats on the other hand have been, the laughing stock of the NBA for years now. Well, owner Michael Jordan is hoping to get some of that luster back, announcing that he will change his team name back to the Hornets in 2014. This is a good decision, one of the rare few Jordan has made as head of this team. It’s best that we just forget that the Bobcats ever existed. Looking forward to seeing the Hornets name coming back, after the absurd New Orleans Pelicans. I mean really?

Follow Kevin Taylor on Twitter, and also @sportsinvasion. If you also love pop culture, check out our sister site, Screeninvasion.com!

The post Daily Invasion: Kevin Durant Donation, Hornets Coming Back appeared first on Sports Invasion.

1.  Beckham Calls it Quits- David Beckham may not go down as one of the greatest players in soccer history, but he will surely be one of the biggest soccer celebrities of his time. The 37 year old just played his final professional game for his latest club PSG.  Beckham rose to fame in the early 2000′s for a variety of reasons, from marry former Spice Girl Posh Spice to having a movie named after him, and for being a decent soccer player as well. However, his reputation will likely be tarnished for his lack of production on the national level, as he was never able to lead England past the quarterfinals of the World Cup while manning the team.  Regardless, soccer lost one of it’s biggest stars yesterday, and we salute Beckham for a fantastic career! Something tells me this won’t be the last time we see Beckham on a football pitch, as he would likely make a great manager or coach.

2. Astros Blunder- The Houston Astros are the worst team in the American League, and the Miami Marlins are the only team worse then them in the whole league. With plays like the end of their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, it’s pretty clear why they are struggling. The Astros and Pirates were tied up 4-4 in the bottom of the ninth, and after the pitcher drew a routine pop-up, it looked like Houston was going to push it to extra innings. Except….that didn’t happen. Check out the blooper below.

The post Daily Invasion: David Beckham Retires, Houston Astros Fail appeared first on Sports Invasion.