Monta Ellis with an absurd buzzer beater

We've seen many buzzer beaters in the NBA this season, from J.R. Smith to Joe Johnson to Kyrie Irving. All of those were amazing in their own right, but Monta Ellis put them all to shame last night. Every single one of them. I'm confident in saying this is the best buzzer beating shot we will see this year, lock it down. The Bucks guard threw up an off balance, tumbling three off of his back foot, and somehow his prayers were answered and the ball rattled home for the win. Ellis and his own teammates couldn't believe the shot went in and you can see the genuine looks of shock on their faces when the ball finally bounces in. It had the feeling not of a regular season NBA game, but the ending of a march madness game. Its one of the best buzzer beaters you ll see at any level of the game. Take a look:

Yeah. Show me a buzzer beater better than that this year. Ellis has hit some big shots late in games in his career especially in Golden State, but none bigger and more ridiculous than this one. If I am posting a Bucks-Rockets highlight from the regular season that doesn't include James Harden trying to kill a guy with a dunk, then you know it is unbelievable.

49ers trying to ship Alex Smith to Kansas City

With Colin Kaepernick leading them to the Super Bowl last year, even though he couldn't win it, the 49ers are expected to trade or cut Alex Smith this off season and reports are that a trade is already in place that could become official in the very near future. It was reported that Smith requested his release but San Fransisco is making the smart play by trading him and getting back something in return. Smith might be a backup to the 49ers but a solid quarterback is a hard commodity to come by in the NFL, and some teams are crazy enough to consider Alex Smith a solid quarterback. Who would be crazy enough to trade for Smith? The Kansas City Chiefs of course.

The Chiefs are apparently offering a deal to San Fransisco for the former number one pick in Smith, instead of using this years number one pick which belongs to them, to draft a quarterback for the future. Now while the NFL draft this year may not have any superstars at the quarterback position like Luck and RG3 last year, they could still draft themselves a potential star instead of trading for an already proven bust in Alex Smith. 

This means they will likely use the first overall pick on an offensive or defensive lineman. 

If the Chiefs want to make a trade for a backup quarterback then they simply cant learn from their own mistakes. The Kansas City fans cheered when Matt Cassel went down with an injury last year because he was so awful. Cassel was another backup quarterback that the Chiefs staked their future on once upon a time and now their current starter is Brady Quinn. Yup, Brady Quinn. The Chiefs should look to the draft for a starter and hope they strike gold, instead of giving up anything for Smith who has proven he will never be an above average quarterback in this league. At least roll the dice on a young player that shows some upside instead of placing your hopes on the sluggish shoulders of Alex Smith.

Don't do it Chiefs, although you probably will.  

Curtis Granderson breaks forearm

The Yankees have already been hit by injuries with Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera coming back from injuries that ended their seasons last year, and also have to deal with Alex Rodriguez possibly missing this whole season. Now they have one more injury to deal with to one of their stars, center fielder Curtis Granderson. Granderson was hit in the arm with a pitch yesterday in a Yankees spring training game against the Blue Jays. The MRI revealed Granderson shattered his forearm when he was hit and he is expected to miss at least ten weeks to recover, which will leave the Yankees without a big at until at least the month of May.

The Yankees already have a shaky roster with so many returning from injuries and the loss of free agents like Russell Martin, Raul Ibanez, Nick Swisher and Andruw Jones. This could be a down year in the Bronx since they have very little starting pitching outside of C.C. Sabathia who himself is coming off of an injury. Add to that the lack of pop in the lineup without Granderson, Swisher and A-Rod, and it could be a long year for Yankee fans, and no one will feel sorry for them. No one.

Kevin Garnett turned down trade to L.A.

It was rumored that the Celtics might try and trade Kevin Garnett and possibly Paul Pierce in an attempt to blow up the roster ad get younger at yesterday's trade deadline. Neither member of the former big three ended up being shipped out of Boston, but KG came very close it seems.  Reports are that KG got a call before the deadline form Clippers point guard Chris Paul telling Garnett that if he wanted to be a Clipper, he would make sure it happened. Paul made it clear he wanted KG in L.A. and was recruiting him to try and get him to waive his no trade clause and leave Boston. Garnett wasn't having any of it. He told Chris that he was intent on retiring a Celtic and "being buried in green". He denied the opportunity to waive his no trade clause and declined the invitation from Chris Paul.

Someone should tell Garnett that he has already played for another team in Minnesota, and it would be a lot more pleasant to be buried with another ring than be buried in green. It doesn't surprise me that Garnett turned down the trade as he has been very loyal to the Celtics and is the epitome of an old school player. Garnett may be an obnoxious, arrogant, and downright awful person, but no one can say he isn't loyal. If it were me i would have jumped ship to chase a second ring and have the chance to play with a very good team when he could have been the missing team the Clippers needed.

I would rather play my last year in the NBA with Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, being the veteran leader in lob city than playing on a sinking Boston team with an aged Paul Pierce and a broken Rajon Rondo on your team. But that's just me. Stay on the Titanic if you want Kevin, but its going down and you had your chance to get off. Chris Paul offered you a life boat.

Joe Johnson hits two magical buzzer beaters

Joe Johnson hasn't exactly set the league on fire this year in Brooklyn, but the Nets guard made two of the best buzzer beaters we have seen in the past few years and oh by the way, he hit both of them in the same game. Johnson hit a three at the buzzer at the end of regulation to force overtime in the Barclays Center, and followed that up by sending the crowd into a frenzy by ending the game with a pull up jumper as the horn sounded. Watch Johnson do his best J.R. Smith impression below:

When Johnson hit the first shot you could tell he knew it was going down. He turned and leaned urging the ball in and pounded his chest when it dropped through the net. He knew it was good, and he knew he had hit a huge shot, but his biggest shot in the game was the second shot. A pull up shot out of an isolation at the top of the key and he buried it. This time he run down the court and went berserk as he should. Joe has a knack for being clutch as he hit two buzzer beaters against the Pistons earlier this season as well. This isn't his first rodeo and wont be his last in Brooklyn. 

Keep the big shots coming Joe. 

Felix Hernandez signs extension with Mariners

Baseball season is almost upon us and spring training has begun. Along with that comes news of a massive contract extension for Felix Hernandez in Seattle. The Mariners have made it clear for years now that they are not going to let King Felix get away whether its free agency or a trade, they aren't letting Felix play for anyone else. Now they have made him the highest paid pitcher in all of baseball with a contract worth 175 million dollars over the next seven years.

Is Felix the best pitcher in baseball? There is an argument to be made but I think Justin Verlander and Clayton Kershaw would have something to say about that. Kershaw should be getting a new deal very soon but it most likely wont be quite Felix money. With no other real superstars over the past decade, and a lack of interest from free agents its not a bad idea for the Mariners to throw a ton of money at Felix to keep him happy in Seattle.

The Flex's Fantasy Baseball Top 10

With the Super Bowl now over and football officially in its off season, it means two things for sports fans. We wont have to hear about any Harbaughs for a while, thank god. And it also means that spring training is just a few weeks away and fantasy enthusiasts are already scouting their teams, and preparing mock drafts. I'm already thinking of ways to sabotage my dad's team this year and its only February 7th. With draft lobbies now open, and fans yearning to return to the ballpark, fantasy owners are already thinking up names and are craving any kind of baseball news. This includes myself. With baseball on the horizon, The Flex brings you the top ten fantasy baseball players for 2013.

1. Mike Trout

This was close race for the number one spot and number one and two can almost be considered a tie. The separation that Trout has from the number two ranked player is slim, but it is enough to land him the title of the number one fantasy player in baseball and makes him worthy of the number one overall pick in your draft. At only 21 years old he has the potential to warrant the top spot for the next ten years of his career. Trout is the definition of an all-around player. Homeruns, stolen bases, high average, high on base percentage, can be counted on and he will play just about everyday. You can put this guy in your lineup everyday and know you have a superstar in your outfield day after day.

2. Ryan Braun

Braun missed the top spot by just a hair to the young Trout, and has been at the top of rankings for years now. Just being edged out by Trout is nothing to be ashamed of and if you have the second pick in your draft and Trout goes first, you should be ecstatic to have a player like Braun on your team. Much like Trout Braun can do most everything a fantasy owner could ask for. The power numbers are there year after year, and his average is going to be one of the best on your team for the whole year. If you need a guy who is going to save your average by being as consistent as possible for 262 games, Braun is your guy. He has some stolen base potential, but cant compare to the speedy Trout in that category. Braun could be a number one overall guy that falls to number two in a lot of drafts.

3. Robinson Cano

Cano had a brutal stretch in the playoffs last year and it is still fresh in the minds of both Yankee fans and fantasy owners, but don't forget the production Cano had during the season and the tremendous value he brings to a position that is fairly scarce at second base. He is for sure the best power hitting second baseman out their and is really only rivaled at his position by Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips. There is no reason for Cano to go any lower than the fifth pick in your draft and even if he is available then he could end up being a steal. He could give you a superstar at a position that is hard to find good production throughout an entire year.

4. Miguel Cabrera

How could a triple crown winner not be a top 5 player? Luckily for fantasy owners everywhere, defense doesn't count which leaves you able to draft a player like Cabrera who provides more than enough much offense to anyone's team. The fact that Cabrera is eligible both at first and third base gives you some versatility to work around off days, or even go after another big bat at one of those positions. With his power numbers and high average a rare combination, he is a top five player for sure, but could possibly slip to later in the first round and is a steal at that point.

5. Matt Kemp

Injury worries push Matt Kemp out of our top four, but he stays in the top five due to the massive potential in a full healthy season in center field. Everyone remembers Kemp's tear he went on at the start of last season and if it wasn't for and injury and the nagging issue that came along with it plaguing him all year, he could have kept up that play and been right in the middle of the MVP talk with Cabrera and Trout. If he can stay healthy, Kemp is a bargain at the fifth pick and could be another dynamic all-around player that can do absolutely everything for your fantasy club.

6. Prince Fielder

Prince Fielder, just like his teammate at number four benefits from only offensive statistics being counted in fantasy leagues. He may be sluggish in the field and on the basepaths, but at the plate he is nothing short of a pitchers worst nightmare. With a swing that could cut down a tree, you can see the power that Prince brings to your team fairly easily. He will get his homeruns every year especially with a triple crown winner hitting in the same lineup. Although you will have to live with his fluctuating average and his lack of versatility in your lineup, he is more than worth it and is absolutely a top ten player.

7. Albert Pujols

This was a tough decision to make. Obviously Albert belongs somewhere in the top ten, but how high? He was one of the most consistent and reliable players in the game for years, but after last year where he struggled in his first year with the Angels, how much has his value dropped? Albert is no longer a number one pick, but don't doubt him just yet. By the seasons end, he could be worthy of the top 5, or be lower than his spot at number seven. This is a critical fantasy year for Pujols, but I could also see him putting up the numbers we are used to and proving me wrong.

8. Joey Votto

One of the more reliable day to day players in the big leagues is our number eight rated player, Joey Votto. The past two years he has been the marquee player on my fantasy team, and I can tell you he gives you average and power along with the best. He also plays close to every single game and is a lock to be in your lineup day in and day out. He had a bit of an injury problem at the end of last year, but all reports are that he is fully recovered and will be ready for spring training at full strength. Votto could be a player with top 5 potential, and it wouldn't surprise me if he crept in to the top 3 by next season. I'm predicting a huge year from Votto and if he is available at the eight spot, don't hesitate to draft him.

9. Troy Tulowitzki

Another top player drops on our list due to the injury bug affecting him the last few years, this time its Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. At the shortstop position there isn't even a close second. It is a position without many solid options, let alone star talent. Tulo is a player that you can build your team around in 2013 and can add power to a position that lacks it all over the league. Shortstop might be the weakest position out there this year and if you can snag Tulo, he is worth it even with the risk of another injury nagging him in 2013.

10. Justin Upton

Filling in the last spot on our top 10 player rankings is the youngest of the Upton brothers in Atlanta, Justin Upton. With a new team in 2013 Upton seems primed to make the leap that we have been waiting for. He has top 5 potential and simply hasn't gotten there yet, even though he has been a dynamic player already in his young carer. Now he is in a very good position in Atlanta. Not only is he playing with his older brother, he is also in a lineup full of other solid bats for the first time and opposing pitchers will be forced to give him pitches to hit. It will be difficult to pitch around him in a lineup featuring B.J., Freddie Freeman, Jason Heyward, and Dan Uggla. Upton will be in our top 10 for years to come as he fulfills his monstrous potential and for now he rounds out our list for 2013.

Ryan Timmons commits to Kentucky

The 4-star athlete out of Franklin County High School has committed to the Kentucky Wildcats. Timmons was very highly touted as a speedster who can do it all on the football field. In high school Timmons played running back and wide receiver along with returning kickoffs and punts. The all around style will translate well to the college game and he could see significant playing time in his freshman year in the commonwealth. Timmons also had offers from Florida, Ohio State, Arkansas, Illinois, Louisville, and Wisconsin. He is considered a game changing talent and is a huge pickup for Mark Stoops and his staff in his first year at Kentucky.

Timmons is the crown jewel of a recruiting class that has surprised many and may be the best class ever at the University of Kentucky. Mark Stoops has arrived and completely changed the culture in Lexington by bringing in multiple three and four star players in the past weeks. With national signing day tomorrow, Stoops will look o end strongly and has a legitimate shot at landing a top twenty-five recruiting class before even coaching a game for the Cats. That is remarkable and he is building a Kentucky team to be feared for years to come.

Go Cats.

The Real MVP of the Super Bowl

If you watched the post-game presentation on the field at the Superdome Sunday night, you saw Roger Goodell name Joe Flacco as the Super Bowl MVP for the Ravens. Joe had a great game and is about to make a ton of money off of the great postseason he just played, but he wasn't the MVP of the Super Bowl. He didn't deserve that award, but one of his receivers sure did. The real MVP of the Super Bowl was Jacoby Jones, and anyone who watched the game would tell you the same exact thing.

Other than getting absolutely destroyed by Delaney Walker in the second half, when Walker decided to use the hit stick on him, Jones made the biggest plays in the game. He was clutch.

First, Jones made a 56 yard catch as he fell to the ground, then proceeded to have the presence of mind to get up before he was touched and continue the play. Not only did he get up, he shook the safety out of his shoes, pulled off a spin move straight out of madden, and beat the defender to the end zone in a sprint to the goal line. This play will be forgotten because it happened in the first half, but that is a crime. It was one of the craziest and best plays I've ever seen in a Super Bowl. It ranks only behind the David Tyree catch in terms of craziness.

The play that won't be forgotten is the second half kickoff return by Jones. Jones started off the second half for the Ravens in the most explosive way possible. He fielded the kick and didn't hesitate for a second to take the ball out of the end zone and soon he was in fifth gear. Once he hit the opening in the coverage and saw daylight, he was gone and there was nothing anyone could do about it. When he found daylight, it was a sprint to the end zone and no one on that field or in that stadium was going to catch Jacoby Jones from behind. He took the kick 108 yards to the house, and then danced all over Jim Harbaugh's dreams.

Two of the biggest, most exciting, and momentum-swinging plays n the game were pulled off by Jones, and you give his MVP award to Flacco? What? This man was robbed blind and I wont let his dynamic performance be lost in the nonsense of giving the quarterback the MVP award just because he is the quarterback.

I hope Jacoby Jones steals the MVP trophy from Joe Flacco and dances on his face.

Clippers want Garnett

Will Boston ship the remaining two stars of the once dominant big three out of town? That remains to be seen, but if they choose to trade their big man Kevin Garnett then they have a team that is openly interested in KG. That team is the Los Angeles Clippers. With one of the best teams in the west already, the Clippers are eyeing Garnett to sure up a hole as a pack up power forward. With both Blake Griffin and Deandre Jordan unable to hit free throws in crunch time, adding Garnett would take care of that problem and add a major defensive presence along with a veteran leadership that hasn't been seen on a young Clippers team, outside of Chris Paul, who is hardly a veteran.

The Clippers would probably have to give up a key piece such as Deandre Jordan or even Eric Bledsoe in order to land Garnett, but they appear to be willing to make that offer. I would trade Jordan in a heartbeat as he isn't a perfect fit to play with Blake, but I wouldn't give up Bledsoe. Half a year of play from an ageing KG is not worth giving up one of the best young point guard prospects in the NBA, especially with Chris Paul not committed to re-signing in L.A. after this year.

Russell Westbrook throws a tantrum

Over his years in the NBA, many people have talked about the immaturity of Russell Westbrook. He has pouted on the bench during games, screamed at refs and is rumored to have had many problems with teammate Kevin Durant even though they have tried their best to hide it. He has also attended post game interviews wearing what look to be childrens' pajamas. Its clear Russell isn't quite ready to handle his emotions on the court and last night he flipped his lid mid-game for some unknown reason. Watch the tantrum for yourself:

Rumor has it that Westbrook was upset at teammate Thabo Sefolosha about a five second violation when Westbrook was telling him to cut. Westbrook apparently then went in on Thabo for not listening to him and proceeded to throw the tantrum you see above.

Kevin Durant has to be tired of baby sitting this guy right? Time to grow up Russell. 

The Flex's Top 5 Power Forwards in the NBA

We have covered the top point and shooting guards in the league and named the top small forwards over the past week. Today we bring you the top power forwards currently in the NBA. Tomorrow we will wrap up the series with the top centers. Now lets get to it.

                       Number 1: Blake Griffin

If you haven't watched Blake recently, you may think his game only consists of dunking, catching lobs, and murdering Kendrick Perkins. However, Blake has added quite a few more dimensions to his game. He still struggles with free throws even though his percentages are up this season, and he has added a jump shot that is reliable from mid-range. With his rebounding numbers also going up he is a threat on both ends of the court. Did I mention that he may have actually killed Kendrick Perkins last year? Yeah, when you are on the court with Blake you just have to pray he doesn't put you on a poster. Blake claims the top spot on our list and is living up to the hype of a number one pick.

Number 2: Kevin Love

Our number two power forward plays a complete opposite style of Blake, but still gets the job done with a very unique skill set for a post player. Kevin Love is by far the most versatile forward in the league being able to score in the low post as well as from the perimeter, and everywhere in between. Kevin Love may not be as dynamic a player as Blake, but he can score in many ways. He also may not be able to ump over a phonebook, but he can still score on some of the best post players in the league. Always a threat from the three point line, Love is a perfect pick and roll player at the top of the key. Pair him up with a passer like Ricky Rubio and love gets even more chances to score.

Number 3: Zach Randolph

After floating around the league for a few teams, Zach Randolph has finally found a home on the Memphis Grizzlies. With the perfect complementary player playing next to him in Marc Gasol, Z-Bo is able to play his game and do what he does best. Randolph may not have the physical tools that make players like Blake Griffin so great, but much like Kevin Love he has a very versatile game. He is a threat to score from the perimeter at times and has a motor on the court that is one of the best in the league. He can bang in the low post against anyone even when he is undersized compared to his opponent. Zach also knows how to control the court being one of the best goons in the NBA.

Number 4: Dirk Nowitzki

With Dirk ageing, his stock has definitely fallen. It was a lock he would have been at least number two on this list just a year or two ago. However, he still has the skills and the shot to land himself at number four on our list. Like Kevin Love, he is always a threat to score from behind the arc, and his mid-range shot is still spot on. You can see Dirk isn't as fast as he once was, and his defensive ability has fallen off considerably over the past year. Injuries have started to take a toll on Dirk and he will never be the elite player he once was, however his shooting ability lands him on our list for now.

Number 5: Kevin Garnett

Another former star who is being dragged down on this list is number five, Kevin Garnett. The former Timberwolves star turned Celtic had his best years during the big three era in Boston and now that those days are over, he slips a little bit on our countdown. He can still dominate a lesser opponent on the defensive end, and  can still drain a mid-range shot at any point in crunch time. However the physical tools are diminishing with age and this could possibly be Garnett's last year in the NBA. While he may have once landed the top spot on the list, he hangs on at number five in his old age. Garnett could be traded before the deadline this year and for the right team he could be the perfect fit if he is asked to dominate the few facets of the game that he still can.