Macca

It's a big ask now isn't it? ... the Cavs just have to win tomorrow to get into the series. For that to happen it'll probably need a monumental performance from James, all the same. Maybe 1 or 2 of his teammates can step it up - that needs to happen as well.

Tampa get one back so at least their home fans will get to see them at least one more time ... I reckon the Lightning might sneak a win out of the next 2 in Chicago anyway - if not, then the Blackhawks will be hard to stop with a 3-1 lead. ... today's highlights

Yep, they're one hell of a team GV ... the dominance of them, Real Madrid & Bayern seems set to continue as well. Not sure that any of the England clubs can get near them to be honest ... Juventus did very well to make the final and they might have a bit more spending power after their successful run - they'll need that of course to keep pace with the other 3 big European clubs. All three teams (Barca, Real & Bayern) have absolutely quality strikers and/or goal scorers who can also all work in unison. Messi would have to be the most unselfish "great striker" that I've seen play. He would be a nightmare to try and mark (any defender marking him would also be constantly making sideways glances at Neymar & Suarez in the process - quite a task!)

A 3-2 Barca win is my tip ... Juve will need to come out and try and score goals but the firepower from Barcelona should be too much. Came across this article focusing on Andrew Jennings in today's Age ... he's the man responsible for exposing much of what is now being revealed about the goings on at FIFA The reporter who exposed the FIFA scandal that toppled Sepp Blatter

Adam Voges set for Australian Test debut as Fawad Ahmed's chances drift Australia (likely): David Warner, Shaun Marsh, Steve Smith, Michael Clarke ©, Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood. West Indies (likely): Kraigg Brathwaite, Rajindra Chandrika, Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Shai Hope, Jerome Blackwood, Denesh Ramdin ©, Jason Holder, Jerome Taylor, Shannon Gabriel, Veerasammy Permaul. The above teams haven't been confirmed but the Aussie team that is listed by the journo (Chris Barrett) seems the most logical eleven. Watson in the all-rounders spot at no.6 is a good move and the move of Smith to no.3 seemed an inevitable one given his rapid rise as a batsman. Fawad Ahmed can count himself a little unlucky as the wicket might take spin. The match starts at around midnight tonight.

Sepp Blatter to resign as Fifa president amid corruption scandal

In further developments there's apparently some talk from Uefa of a "breakaway" World Cup in 2018 (or another European Championships) ... not sure that Uefa could get all it's member nations on board though - especially the eastern European countries ... also, Spain & France voted for Blatter in last Friday's elections - obviously Russia wouldn't be a part of it either. The top South American nations could be invited to this alternate World Cup as well ... on the surface, it seems like quite a far-fetched idea but I'm thinking there might be some kind of split regardless. Here's the story anyway (from The Independent) ... Fifa corruption: Europe plots to stage an 'alternative World Cup' in place of Russia 2018 Also, things might hot up if Blatter ends up being implicated in the bribery scandal ... and then there's the separate issue of the Swiss authorities investigation the awarding of the World cups to Russia & Qatar. Bribery Inquiry Drawing Closer to FIFA’s President, Sepp Blatter

Yep, a bit of a non-event in the end GV ... well done to the Gunners all the same. That's 2 cups in a row for a team that gets criticised for not winning enough silverware. Anyway, this goal on the weekend by Messi (in the Copa del Rey Final) was something special ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAwEuOgI7yU

With the Blackhawks now through here is the schedule for the best of 7 finals ... all times AEST Game 1: Thursday, June 4 ... Chicago @ Tampa Bay 10.00am Game 2: Sunday, June 7 ... Chicago @ Tampa Bay 10.00am Game 3: Tuesday, June 9 ... Tampa Bay @ Chicago 10.00am Game 4: Thursday, June 11 ... Tampa Bay @ Chicago 10.00am Game 5: Sunday, June 14 ... Chicago @ Tampa Bay 10.00am Game 6: Tuesday, June 16 ... Tampa Bay @ Chicago 10.00am Game 7: Thursday, June 18 ... Chicago @ Tampa Bay 10.00am

FA Cup tonight (actually, tomorrow morning at 2.30am) Arsenal vs Aston Villa ... Preview & Match Facts

FIFA corruption scandal's best social media responses

This FIFA story is immense ... goes back over 20 years ... The Whistleblower World soccer rocked by U.S., Swiss arrests of officials for graft

Warriors through but we now have to wait over a week until game 1 ... Schedule (all times AEST) Game 1: - Fri. June 5, Cleveland at Golden State, 11.00 AM Game 2: Mon. June 8, Cleveland at Golden State, 10.00 AM Game 3: Wed. June 10, Golden State at Cleveland, 11.00 AM Game 4: Fri. June 12, Golden State at Cleveland, 11.00 AM Game 5: Mon, June 15, Cleveland at Golden State, 10.00 AM Game 6: Wed, June 17, Golden State at Cleveland, 11.00 AM Game 7: Sat, June 20, Cleveland at Golden State, 11.00 AM

Did it easy in the end ... unless the Rockets can perform a miracle, the final against the Warriors could be a classic. It was the predicted match-up a long way out but nevertheless, it's been an eagerly anticipated match-up all the same. LeBron is looking great but Golden State has the mvp in Curry. I reckon we'll see at least 6 games in the final - hoping all the games are close from my point of view (as a neutral) ... a game 7 would be ideal too. .

I'm prepared to give the new rule change a go ... the PAT is a token point anyway in it's old form so making it harder (especially in inclement weather) might make coaches go for the 2 point conversion as a consequence (at least a fair bit more often) I've also got an inkling that people will get used to the rule change quite quickly once it's in operation. I also like the fact that both plays are "live" as well now. The rule change has been talked about for a few years now so I saw the move as an inevitable one anyway - I suppose I was ready for the change. Progressive thinking in sport has never bothered me and it's interesting that 30 of the 32 clubs voted for the change. Of course, whenever there's a rule change there's nearly always unintended consequences so at a guess, I reckon the kickers conversion rate from 33 yards might get worse (possibly because of the extra pressure?) We might see a few run back interceptions from those 2 point attempts as well ... blocked PAT attempts can be run back as well so there's quite a bit involved with the rule change. A maximum of 2 points only can be achieved from a run back (I believe) NFL rule change: Extra point moved back, defenses can score

Contador still leads by 2 seconds over Fabio Aru with Porte still 3rd (20 seconds behind the Spaniard) Tonight and tomorrow night the riders have a few climbs ahead of them ... here are the 2 profiles ... coverage begins tonight from 10.30pm (SBS & Eurosport)

Hoping for a Blackhawks/Rangers final but of course, anything could happen. I just reckon a Chicago vs New York final would be great for the sport.

A couple from Stone Temple Pilots (from their 2013 album 'High Rise) Chester Bennington (Linkin Park) replaced Scott Weiland in lead vocals ... to each his own but I reckon it is still a great sound.

Yeah, the West is harder to pick but I reckon the Cavs should beat Atlanta or Washington. As you said, injuries are playing a part. The Warriors best is probably better than the other 3 remaining teams in the West but you never know.

Spoken like a true Lakers fan there pantaloons I reckon Leno had the Clippers in nearly all of his monologues over the years - as soon as he his tonight show ended, the Clippers finally came good. Cavs through and now Houston have home court for game 7.

You're right up with the scene 'nb'... Good on ya! Jeff always had a great voice, I'm assuming his voice has held up over time yeah?

Contador holds a 2 second lead over Fabio Aru whilst Porte is 3rd (20 seconds behind the Spaniard) Things may hot up on the weekend though - the stages on Saturday and Sunday contains some reasonable climbs. I'll post up the profiles of both days on Saturday if I get a chance. The SBS coverage has been first rate as usual. Stage 5 highlights

No worries Earl ... never a problem. Whilst I'm here ... a couple of classics from Bowie ...

Here you go EH ...

He and Gisele might decide to have a nice little holiday in the Bahamas for a month. The Pats won't miss the draft picks going by how they normally go about their drafting (picking up good players late in the draft is their specialty isn't it ) As for the million dollar fine - chump change. They got their Super Bowl - that's all that counts, Gorgo