SI.com: SI Writers

Lars Anderson: Funny car champion Jack Beckman on the most intense four seconds in sports

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:05:28 EDT

He one of the most unlikely champions in motor sports today, a 46-year-old former high school dropout who only a few yeas ago believed he'd never have a shot at driving at the most elite level of drag racing. But make no mistake: Right now no one in the world can cover a quarter-mile faster than "Fast Jack" Beckman, a one-time Air Force sergeant and a cancer survivor who happens to be the reigning NHRA Funny Car champion.

Jon Wertheim: Rafael Nadal seeded properly for Wimbledon; more mailbag

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:42:38 EDT

Since it was published online, there have been many questions swirling about Serena Williams' recent remarks in Rolling Stone about the Steubenville, Ohio, rape case. This, predictably, devolved quickly into a referendum on Williams -- the gotcha media, haters and character. She has already issued a statement backtracking from her comments.

Michael McCann: A complete primer on the Ed O'Bannon v. NCAA class certification hearing

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:20:09 EDT

The uneasy marriage between big-time college sports and amateurism may be headed toward divorce. On Thursday in an Oakland courthouse, U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken will hear arguments on whether to certify a class action suit, which would allow Ed O'Bannon to sue the NCAA on behalf of current and former Division I men's basketball and football players over the commercial use of their identities. If Wilken certifies the class, the NCAA would face a multibillion dollar trial next year that could change the landscape of college sports.

Andy Staples: Sizing up what's at stake in Ed O'Bannon v. NCAA class certification hearing

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:20:02 EDT

The email popped in late last week from colleague Stewart Mandel: "If I'm understanding this correctly, from the court's calendar, all of these lawyers are expected to attend Thursday's hearing," Mandel wrote. "Will there be room in the courtroom for anyone else?" What followed was a list of more than 100 attorneys, each representing a plaintiff, a defendant or some interested party in the Ed O'Bannon v. NCAA case currently pending in the Northern District of California. This cavalcade of J.D.s will pack a courtroom in Oakland, Calif., on June 20 to argue whether the O'Bannon case should go forward as a class action lawsuit.

Ben Lyttleton: Pellegrini ready to implant intellectual philosophy in Manchester City

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:41:24 EDT

Twelve years ago, Argentine side San Lorenzo needed to win the last game of the season to win the Clausura league title. Manuel Pellegrini, the team's coach, spent the night before the match reading a book in the lobby of the team hotel. His concentration was disrupted, though, as Fabricio Coloccini, then a 19-year-old defender playing for the team on loan, was pacing the hotel lobby, too stressed to sleep, too nervous to sit still.

Chris Mannix: 2013 NBA Mock Draft 4.0

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:52:04 EDT

Call it the curious case of Steven Adams.

Ian Thomsen: Manu Ginobili, Spurs ponder how title-clinching game got away

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:14:26 EDT

MIAMI -- Six years came down to the final 30 seconds of regulation, and then the last seconds of overtime. Six years were ready to tip over their way. Manu Ginobili was thinking about so many things as he sat with his chin in the palm of his hand staring down at the stat sheet on the table before him. He looked as if he were staring at a bill he couldn't afford to pay.

Grant Wahl: U.S. riding high thanks to Jozy Altidore fulfilling his awesome potential

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 02:57:46 EDT

SANDY, Utah ? Jurgen Klinsmann is without a doubt the first coach in the history of the U.S. men's national team who uses the word "awesome" in press conferences. In fact, the West Coast transplant would be perfect for a cameo role in that Saturday Night Live skit "The Californians." Consider Klinsmann's take on Jozy Altidore, who tied a U.S. men's record by scoring in his fourth straight game in Tuesday's 1-0 win against Honduras.

Michael Rosenberg: Pushed to brink, LeBron refuses to let Spurs win a title

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 02:57:29 EDT

MIAMI -- They noticed the platform. But did they notice the irony? LeBron James and his friends are the modern-day standard for counting championships before they are won, and there they were, on their home court, watching the NBA prepare a trophy presentation for the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night.

Avi Creditor: Tim Howard, defenders help U.S. shutout Honduras 1-0

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 01:28:10 EDT

The nine-point sweep is complete.