When Lebron James audibly sucked his teeth in the middle of his incredulous post-game rant after the Miami Heat were unceremoniously defeated by Dirk Nowitzki the Dallas Mavericks in Game 6 of the 2011 NBA Finals, every negative criticism ever lobbied at the man know as the greatest basketball player in the world came into crystalline focus.

In Monday night’s Game 3 of the NHL Stanley Cup finals between the Boston Bruins and Vancouver Canucks, defenseman Aaron Rome laid a hit on Nathan Horton that left the Bruins’ forward unconscious on the ice. The hit was late, which warranted a penalty. Tuesday the judgment came down from the league that Rome would be suspended for four games, meaning he’s out for the duration of the playoffs. It’s an unprecedented ruling for that kind of hit. Is the NHL cracking down, or just inconsistent?

The Vancouver Canucks defeated the Boston Bruins 1-0 in Game 1 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals this week, but all anyone is talking about is “The Bite.” During a scrum at the end of the first period, Vancouver forward Alex Burrows chomped down on the finger of Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron (see video below). The league is expected to speak with Burrows, as both sides await a possible suspension.

Trade deadline day in the NHL ain’t what it used to be. In the past, it seemed like almost every team was making significant moves on that day, but lately the trend has been for big moves to take place over the course of about a week leading up to the deadline. But the art of the last second deal hasn’t flatlined yet as the Washington Capitals, L.A. Kings, and Vancouver Canucks proved on Monday. Here’s a breakdown of what the moves mean for Jason Arnott, Dustin Penner, Dennis Wideman and Chris Higgins, their new teams, their old teams, and the NHL playoff picture.

The contestants in Super Bowl XLV are set, as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers became conference champions this weekend. The New York Jets and Chicago Bears were eliminated, so neither will appear in 2011’s NFL championship game. It was an exciting weekend of football with Aaron Rodgers, Rashard Mendenhall, Brian Urlacher, and Ben Roethlisberger all hitting the field to do battle in the AFC and NFC conference finals.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Chicago Bears, and Green Bay Packers will all battle for a trip to Super Bowl XLV this weekend. Will the Bears’ and Jets’ defenses win the day, or will elite offenses from Pittsburgh and Green Bay punch their ticket? Here’s the Rosebud look at Ben Roethlisberger, Aaron Rodgers, Brian Urlacher, Darrelle Revis, and how their football clubs will fare this NFL weekend.

Four teams with a deep history of football success have become the final four teams still standing in the fight for Super Bowl XLV. The Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New York Jets are all franchises with Super Bowl championships to their names. The question is who will add to their legacy by becoming NFL champs in 2011?

It’s a great time of year for sports fans. The 2010 NBA playoffs are in full swing and have provided incredible ups and downs. Kobe Bryant and the L.A. Lakers look dominant in the west, while Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics surprised everyone by shutting down Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavs.

The NBA playoffs start this weekend, which is great news for hoops faithful around the country. The road out of the Western Conference is tough. With no clear favorite, the L.A. Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, and Phoenix Suns all have their work cut out for them.

It really is a dogfight in the West, with nearly every series up for grabs. Even the #1 vs. #8 game could come down to the wire. The Lakers are a relatively weak top seed, while the Oklahoma City Thunder have competed hard all season.

With the NBA playoffs in full swing, 2010 will be the battle to not lose to Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavs. Does anyone in the Eastern Conference have what it takes to derail pro basketball’s team of destiny?

Let’s start by taking a look at the favorites themselves. The #1 overall seed takes on the East’s #8 seed the Chicago Bulls in round one.

The long-suffering Los Angeles Kings look like they’re finally ready to bump one of hockey’s longest slumps. The Southern California NHL team has a crop of hungry and talented young players including Anze Kopitar, Jack Johnson, Drew Doughty, and Wayne Simmonds, along with stalwart veterans like Dustin Brown and Ryan Smyth. That crew helped them make the playoffs in 2009-10 for the first time in seven years, and they plan to improve on that output in 2010-11.

The NHL 2010 playoffs have been one of the most memorable of the modern era. With the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins both bowing out early, the Eastern Conference now features the two bottom seeds – the Montreal Canadiens and Philadelphia Flyers - in the finals. Out west it’s a showdown between a burgeoning dynasty and a would-be dynasty in the Chicago Blackhawks vs. the San Jose Sharks.

It’s the time of year that all hockey fans wait for – the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. Which of this year’s crop of 16 teams will be crowned champs? The San Jose Sharks earned a #1 seed, but will their legacy of let down plague them again this year?

The Sharks face the #8 seed Colorado Avalanche, who made the playoffs on the strength of their incredible start to the year. But down the stretch, the Avs were underwhelming.

Alexander Ovechkin leads the Washington Capitals into the NHL playoffsIt’s the time of year that all hockey fans wait for – the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. Which of this year’s crop of 16 teams will be crowned champs? The Washington Capitals rolled through the regular season, earning a #1 seed, but it’s a new season and anything can happen.

In the Eastern Conference, the top overall seed Washington Capitals face the #8 Montreal Canadiens, who limped into the playoffs after mighty struggles to start the year.