Dein erstes Forum » Oregon State wide receiver Brandin Cooks

MIAMI -- LeBron James leaped onto a courtside table as the postgame celebration was starting, thumped his chest and punched the air. Balenciaga Shoes Cheap . Next stop: The Eastern Conference finals. Again. James scored 29 points, Dwyane Wade added 28 and Ray Allen delivered two huge plays in the final seconds as the Heat rallied to beat the Brooklyn Nets 96-94 on Wednesday night, winning the second-round matchup 4-1. "Its always been like that for us," James said. "Its never easy. Its never easy for us." Sure looks easy, though. It was the 10th straight series win for the two-time defending NBA champions. "When we met the first day for prep we said the No. 1 key, overwhelmingly the No. 1 key in this series, was great mental stability," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "Thats what it was down the stretch ... incredible focus." Incredible defence, too, when it was needed most. Down by eight with less than five minutes left, the Heat forced Brooklyn into nine straight missed shots while peeling off a 12-0 run to take the lead. Allens 3-pointer off an assist by Mario Chalmers with 32 seconds remaining was the go-ahead moment, and the Heat wouldnt trail again. Allen disrupted Joe Johnsons dribble on the games final play, James then swatted the bouncing ball out of everyones reach, time expired -- and the Heat advanced. "Give the Heat credit," Nets coach Jason Kidd said. "They were attacking there in the fourth quarter. We were attacking. Both teams were attacking. They made plays, they made shots and we didnt." Chris Bosh scored 16 and Allen finished with 13 for Miami. Johnson had 34 points, Paul Pierce scored 19 and Deron Williams had 17 for the Nets. Its the sixth trip to the East title series in the last 10 seasons for Miami, which is bidding for a fourth straight trip to the NBA Finals -- something only the Lakers and Celtics franchises have accomplished. James is heading to the East finals for the sixth time in eight seasons, the first two of those trips coming with Cleveland in 2007 and 2009. The Heat will next face either fifth-seeded Washington or top-seeded Indiana. The Pacers lead that series 3-2, one win away from setting up a rematch with Miami that seemed like an absolute certainty for much of the season. "Obviously, we thought this was a game we should have won," Johnson said. Brooklyn led 49-42 at the half, with Miami missing 15 of its first 16 tries from 3-point range. The Nets closed the half on an 8-0 run and the lone bright spot in the opening 24 minutes for Miami was Wade, who had 20 points -- more than any other two players to that point combined -- on 7-for-12 shooting. "He has a way, right? Hes a playoff warrior," Spoelstra said. Eventually, barely, Miami broke through. But it took most of the second half to get there, since whenever Miami tried to put together a run Brooklyn found a way to keep things together. -- A layup from James late in the third got the Heat within three; a minute later, the margin was eight again. -- A free throw from James with 9:03 left cut Brooklyns lead to 77-73; less than a minute later, it was 82-73 after a 3-pointer by Pierce. -- A 3-pointer by Bosh made it a four-point game again; two Brooklyn possessions and zero Miami stops later, it was 86-78 after a sensational step-back jumper by Johnson. And when Johnson connected on another tough shot with 4:49 left, it was 91-83 and the Nets could sense that the night would be theirs. Then the Heat scored the next 12 points, and that was enough. Barely, but enough. "For us, it was just about getting stops," Wade said. "We knew offensively that we needed to execute, but we knew we werent going to win the game unless we got some stops." For the Nets, more than $180 million in salary and luxury tax was supposed to bring a championship. Instead, billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov got only a trip to the second round as his return on a massive investment. Brooklyn lost centre Brook Lopez to a broken foot after 17 games, struggled through the first two months of the season, then turned it on after Jan. 1. "We fought back and hung in there this year," Williams said. "A lot of people counted us out." Some big decisions -- mainly regarding the futures of Pierce and Kevin Garnett -- will have to be made by the Nets. Pierce will be a free agent; Garnett has a year left on his deal, though its been speculated he will consider retirement. Garnett left without comment. "Emotions are too fresh right now," Pierce said. Miamis future is more clear. The East finals await. NOTES: Wade had 12 points in the first quarter, his highest-scoring output from an opening period in his last 179 regular-season and playoff games. ... Both of Johnsons 30-point games in these playoffs came on the road. He had 32 at Toronto on April 30. Balenciaga Shoes Wholesale China . The closer wasnt available. The road trip, a disaster to that point. Balenciaga Triple S Discount . Chan captured two silver medals at last months Sochi Winter Games — mens singles and the inaugural team event. But he doesnt have the urge to resume training to defend his world title when the event is held in Saitama, Japan, later this month. http://www.balenciagacheapshoes.com/balenciaga-speed-trainer-sale/speed-trainer-black-discount.html . DArnaud hit one of three doubles for the Mets as they took a 4-0 lead in the first. Then the catchers seventh home run of the season broke the game open in the fifth. The 41-year-old Colon (10-8) retired the first 20 batters in his last outing Wednesday against Seattle, eventually allowing two runs on three hits in 7 1-3 innings in a 3-2 win.Atlanta Falcons 1 (6) - Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M; 2 (37) - RaShede Hageman DT, Minnesota; 3 (68) - Dezmen Southward, FS, Wisconsin; 4 (103) - Devonta Freeman, RB, Florida State; 4 (139) - Prince Shembo, OLB, Notre Dame; 5 (147) - Ricardo Allen, CB, Purdue; 5 (168) - Marquis Spruill, ILB, Syracuse; 7 (253) - Yawin Smallwood, OLB, UConn; 7 (255) - Tyler Starr, OLB, South Dakota Top Picks Analysis: The Falcons had visions of trading up for the No. 1 pick in the draft, South Carolina star pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney, but that was cost prohibitive so they stayed put at No. 6 and went with offensive tackle Jake Matthews, a safe pick at a need position. Minnesota defensive tackle RaShede Hageman is a boom-or-bust prospect with a very high ceiling as a player, while Wisconsin safety Dezmen Southward was another need pick and will be given every opportunity to replace the departed Thomas DeCoud as William Moores running mate. Best Value Pick: Fourth-round selection Prince Shembo of Notre Dame lacks the length to be an every down difference maker on the edge but he has the instincts and toughness to be a solid situational pass rusher for a team that is desperate for one. Questionable Calls: Hageman flashes but has always lacked consistency on the college level. A move to the five-technique at the professional level could either accentuate his natural physical skills or turn him into a tweener with no real position. Summary: Matthews is as safe as it gets at No. 6 overall and will certainly be a welcome addition for Matt Ryan but general manager Thomas Dimitroff really rolled the dice after the Texas A&M legacy. FINAL GRADE: B Undrafted rookie free agent signings: DT/FB Roosevelt Nix, Kent State; RB Jerome Smith, Syracuse; CB Tay Glover-Wright, Utah State; OL James Stone, Tennessee; WR Geraldo Boldewijn, Boise State; QB Jeff Matthews, Cornell; WR Bernard Reedy, Toledo; DE Jacques Smith, Tennessee; P Matt Yoklic, Pittsburgh; DL Nosa Eguae, Auburn; WR Freddie Martino, North Greenville; LB Brenden Daley, Hawaii; TE Jacob Pederson, Wisconsin; S Kimario McFadden, South Carolina; DE Walker May, Vanderbilt; DT Donte Rumph, Kentucky; S Javon Marshall, Vanderbilt; S Jestin Love, Central Arkansas; K Drew Basil, Ohio State FB Maurice Hagens, Miami; CB Devonta Glover-Wright, Utah State Carolina Panthers 1 (28) - Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State; 2 (60) - Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri; 3 (92) Trai Turner, OG, LSU; 4 (128) - Tre Boston, SS, North Carolins; 5 (148) - Bene Benwikere, CB, San Jose State; 6 (204) - Tyler Gaffney, RB, Stanford Top Picks Analysis: Its difficult to argue with David Gettlemans plan. The Panthers GM needed help at wide receiver and jumped at the 6-foot-5 Kelvin Benjamin, a nice option at No. 28 overall. It remains to be seen if Benjamin has the suddenness to be anything more than an outside the numbers, ball-aware threat but either way the Florida State product filled a big need. Mizzou defensive end Kony Ealy came in with a late-first-round grade by many so snaring in at No. 60 overall was great value. Meanwhile, LSU guard Trai Turner could compete for a starting job on a thin offensive line. Best Value Pick: The Panthers have two superlative rushers on the edge in Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy but you dont pass up a talent like Ealy late in the second round. Questionable Calls: Waiting until the third round to address the issues on the offensive line probably isnt going to make Cam Newton thrilled. Summary: Benjamin should have no problem earning a starting spot in a revamped Panthers receiving corps which now includes veterans Jerricho Cotchery and Jason Avant. Meanwhile, Ealy adds to the impressive depth Carolina possesses in the front four and safety Tre Boston could help replace the departed Mike Mitchell. Gettleman, however, probably should have carpet- bombed the O-Line on Day 3 and he ignored it. FINAL GRADE: B- Undrafted rookie free agent signings: CB Carrington Byndom, Texas; WR Corey Brown, Ohio State; WR Marcus Lucas, Missouri; OL Jared Wheeler, Miami; DL Shaq Rowell, South Carolina; OL Andrew Norwell, Ohio State; RB Darrin Reaves, UAB; LB Denicos Allen, Michigan State New Orleans Saints 1 (20) - Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State; 2 (58) Stanley Jean-Baptiste, CB, Nebraska; 4 (126) Khairi Fortt, ILB, California; 5 (167) - Vinny Sunseri, SS, Alabama; 5 (169) - Ronald Powell, OLB, Florida; 6 (202) - Tavon Rooks, OT, Kansas State Top Picks Analysis: You gotta keep tthe franchise happy and the New Orleans Saints did exactly that by trading up to draft dynamic Oregon State wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who some have compared to ex-Carolina star Steve Smith, in the first round. Balenciaga Sandals Sale. Cooks is undersized but hes got explosive speed and should fit in nicely as the replacement for the departed Lance Moore. Lengthy cornerback Stanley Jean-Baptiste was the Saints other premium pick and he should push the aging Champ Bailey pretty quickly as the potential starter opposite Keenan Lewis. Best Value Pick: Fourth-round linebacker Khairi Fortt transferred to Cal from Penn State after the Jerry Sandusky-scandal so he might have been off-the- radar for some but hes a speedy, athletic player, who could be a solid fit for a Rob Ryan defense. Questionable Calls: Fifth-round safety Vinny Sunseri didnt have great speed to begin with and he tore his ACL late last season so he might not have the baseline skills you need to play safety in this league. Summary: Working with Drew Brees should only help Cooks hit the ground running in the NFL while Jean-Baptiste is the type of big cornerback en vogue right now. The depth, though, just wasnt there for NOLA in this draft. FINAL GRADE: B- Undrafted rookie free agent signings: S Ty Zimmerman, Kansas State; S Pierre Warren, Jacksonville State; RB Tim Flanders, Sam Houston State; WR JeRon Hamm, Louisiana Monroe; QB Logan Kilgore, Middle Tennessee State; DL George Uko, New Orleans; LB Spencer Hadley, BYU; WR Brandon Coleman, Rutgers; CB Brian Dixon, Northwest Missouri State; C Matt Armstrong, Grand Valley State; WR Sentavius Jones, Valdosta State; DT Micajah Reynolds, Michigan State; LB Trashaun Nixon, New Mexico State; DE Chidera Uzo-Diribe, Colorado; K Sergio Castillo, West Texas A&M; DE Kasim Edebali, Boston College; DE Lawrence Virgil, Valdosta State Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1 (7) - Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M; 2 (38) - Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington; 3 (69) - Charles Sims, RB, West Virginia; 5 (143) - Kadeem Edwards, OG, Tennessee State; 5 (149) - Kevin Pamphile, OT, Purdue; 6 (185) - Robert Herron, WR, Wyoming Top Picks Analysis: Pre-draft hype centering on the Bucs interest in Johnny Manziel proved to be just that as Tampa Bay stayed home at No. 7 overall and took Manziels teammate at Texas A&M, lengthy wide receiver Mike Evans. The 6-foot-5 Evans has elite ball skills but must improve his route running and versatility (he only lined up on the right side in College Station) to become an all-around player. "Hes what todays wide receiver is all about, with the advent of back- shoulder fade, and with big wide receivers playing outside the numbers and in the red zone," NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said when discussing Evans. "The buzz word is catching radius. When paired with Vincent Jackson its going to be like basketball on grass (in Tampa)." Evans certainly could team with Jackson to give new Bucs QB Josh McCown a similar set-up to what he had in Chicago last season (Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery). Tampa Bay got more help for McCown by selecting Washington tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins in the second round, and West Virginia running back Charles Sims in the third. Best Value Pick: Seferian-Jenkins is a bit of a dinosaur, a true two-way tight end with terrific movement skills and receiving ability for a big man, along with the ability be an effective in-line blocker thanks to his size and strength. "He has big hands. Hes a big target, and can run all the routes you want," NFL Network draft analyst Charles Davis said. "(He) is also a terror in the red zone." Questionable Calls: Sims projects as a third-down back because he has pretty impressive natural receiving skills but his blocking is a big question mark and thats pretty important if you want to be on the field in obvious passing situations. Summary: Tampa Bay passed on a chance to upgrade the long-term quarterback position but managed to select the drafts second-best receiver, Evans, as well as the second or third best tight end in Seferian-Jenkins. FINAL GRADE: B Undrafted rookie free agent signings: WR Solomon Patton, Florida; QB Brett Smith, Wyoming; CB Keith Lewis, Virginia-Lynchburg; DE Chaz Sutton, South Carolina; WR Aaron Burks, Boise State; WR Tony Hurd Jr., Texas A&M; OL Matt Patchan, Boston College; S Mycal Swaim, Eastern Michigan; OG Chris Burnette, Georgia ' ' '