Larry Brown Sports

Kawhi Leonard dunked on Mike Miller something nasty during Game 6 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday night.

The San Antonio Spurs had a fastbreak midway through the first quarter, and Tony Parker threw a bounce pass to Leonard, who was running the floor up ahead. Miller did his part to try stopping the dunk — hey, they were facing elimination — but his efforts were of little help. Leonard just literally pushed his face aside and completed the monster jam.

Jeff Van Gundy said Leonard took the elevator to the top floor, but we only need one word to describe it: a facial.

Here’s the image for your poster:

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Just when you thought a couple of siblings would have some special connection on the field, the Upton brothers go out and collide tracking a fly ball in the outfield.

New York Mets shortstop Omar Quintanilla flied a ball to left center with two outs in the top of the fifth on Tuesday. B.J. Upton, who plays center for the Atlanta Braves, seemed to be calling for the ball, but younger brother Justin did not yield. The two ended up colliding. Though Justin, who is more muscular, did not seem to bothered by the collision, B.J. stayed on the ground for a bit before getting up and playfully shoving Justin as he exited the field. B.J. did make the catch to end the inning and keep the game scoreless.

So, no, just because they are brothers does not mean the Uptons have a “special connection” on the field. And what’s even weirder is this happened at home where it was likely quieter.

The Braves signed B.J. as a free agent during the offseason, and they acquired Justin in a trade. Since starting off the season scorching with 12 home runs in April, Justin has cooled off and posted an OPS below .653 since then. B.J. started off terribly, batting below .147 in each of the first two months. He has picked it up since then and has an OPS close to .900 in June. Can you believe the Braves are 13 games over .500 with most of their lineup hitting below .250? Just wait til some of those guys pick it up.

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With Rob Gronkowski having undergone back surgery on Tuesday, the last thing the New England Patriots need is to lose fellow tight end Aaron Hernandez. That is why Pats fans will likely hold their collective breath when they hear that Hernandez is reportedly being questioned by police in connection with a homicide that may have taken place near his home.

Two police officers were parked outside Hernandez’s home in North Attleboro, Mass. for most of the day on Tuesday. According to The Sun Chronicle of Attleboro, via SI.com, a vehicle rented in Hernandez’s name has emerged as a key piece of evidence in the case. Police are interested in questioning the 23-year-old tight end and may ask to search his home.

On Monday, a jogger found the body of a 27-year-old Boston man in a clearing in North Attleboro less than a mile from Hernandez’s home. Police have reportedly identified a 2013 Chevy Suburban rental car with Rhode Island license plates that is tied to Hernandez’s name and is possibly connected to the murder. Investigators are reportedly hoping to analyze the Enterpise rental for finger prints.

A Sports Illustrated source confirmed that Hernandez has spoken to authorities in connection with the case, but specified that he is not believed to be a murder suspect.

While little is known about the case and there is absolutely no reason to speculate that Hernandez is guilty of anything, it’s always concerning to hear that a player’s name is tied with a murder investigation. If nothing else, having his name involved with a situation like this could present a distraction for Hernandez and the Patriots.

UPDATE (8:34 p.m.): ABC News has reported that police have indeed conducted a search of Hernandez’s home, though two sources say he was being “uncooperative” with police since the body of the 27-year-old man was found. Two of Hernandez’s friends also reportedly tried to leave his house at the time of the search but were stopped by police at the end of the driveway.

Hernandez is still not considered to be a suspect in the potential murder, but it’s never good to hear the word “uncooperative” when dealing with a homicide investigation.

The Miami Heat have their backs against the wall heading into Game 6 of the NBA Finals, and San Antonio Spurs guard Danny Green is a big reason for that. With six three-pointers in a Game 5 win on Sunday, Green set an NBA record with 25 three-pointers made in a playoff series. According to Chris Bosh, he will not be padding that achievement tonight.

Though Green is easily the NBA Finals MVP through five Games, Bosh insisted on Tuesday that Game 6 will be a different story.

Asked Chris Bosh how Danny Green has consistently found the open spots in Miami's D. Answer: "he won't be open tonight."

— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) June 18, 2013

The Spurs have shot 44.2 percent from three-point range during the Finals, which is mostly due to Green shooting 65.8 percent. However, he has not been the only problem for Miami. The Heat have struggled to guard the perimeter and the Spurs have taken a 3-2 lead by playing inside-out basketball on offense.

Does Chris Bosh’s confidence mean he intends to switch out on Green quicker and not give him any open looks? That will be an incredibly difficult task for the big man, but he obviously feels that the Heat have made enough adjustments since Game 5 to lock Green down. Playing at home could help Miami, though they will be without a few very important fans thanks to Gregg Popovich.

H/T Eye on Basketball

LeBron James is one loss away from falling short of winning his second NBA title, but a certain group of people is convinced that the Miami Heat have already defeated the San Antonio Spurs. That group of people would be the folks at Nike, who decided to manufacture a shoe that already labels LeBron a two-time champion.

Those of you who are looking at the photo above that Kix and the City passed along (via NikeTalk.com) and thinking, “Well, it’s bound to be true at some point,” are probably right, but…

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Darrelle Revis will be wearing an unfamiliar jersey when he kicks off the 2013 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he will reportedly be wearing a familiar number thanks to his incredibly deep pockets. Last season, the Bucs’ No. 24 jersey was worn by safety Mark Barron. Now, the Bucs’ website lists Barron as No. 23. Revis had a lot to do with that.

According to Paul Lukas of Uni Watch, Revis paid Barron a whopping $50,000 for the number.

“A well-placed source tells me that the amount Darrelle Revis paid to Mark Barron in order to get Barron to give up No. 24 was — get this — $50,000,” Lukas said Tuesday. “Is that a record? Is it not even close? Has anyone been tracking these uni number transactions over the years?”

Revis is scheduled to earn nearly $15 million between salary and bonuses with the Bucs this season, so he can certainly afford that kind of scratch. That being said, $50,000 is still $50,000. Most of us would be lucky to make around $50,000 in a year, let alone paying that amount of money for something as trivial as a jersey number.

Revis and Barron aren’t the first players to strike a deal for a jersey this offseason, but Patriots safety Adrian Wilson got off much cheaper in his agreement with Kyle Arrington. Barron would have been stupid to not take that deal.

Helmet smack to Shutdown Corner

The University of Kentucky men’s basketball team brings in some of the best high school players in the nation on an annual basis, but that does not mean the teenaged superstars don’t have to earn their place. Upon arriving on campus in Lexington, incoming freshmen have to immediately begin following the “Wildcat Code.”

Over the weekend, Kentucky recruit Dominique Hawkins revealed some of what the code entails. Hawkins told the Courier-Journal that the “Wildcat Code” is a points-based system that allows players to earn perks based on academic and physical achievements. For example, players can earn one to four points per day by sitting at the front of class, showing their notes to teachers and putting in extra work at basketball practice.

The points are then used for things like gaining access to the team locker room and earning a private room in Kentucky’s sick new housing facility. Once players hit the 100-point mark, they are given their basketball jersey.

On Monday, Kentucky coach John Calipari jokingly needled Hawkins on Twitter about giving away secret details of the code.

“The first rule of the Wildcat Code is: You do not talk about the Wildcat Code,” Calipari wrote. “The second rule of the Wildcat Code is: You do not talk about the Wildcat Code. LOL.”

Calipari then clarified that he is not upset with Hawkins, who he described as a “good kid” who has been doing well with the team so far. He explained that the “Wildcat Code” is geared toward making players earn everything and that all of their grades will be revealed at the end of the summer. While we know people will somehow spin this into a way that Calipari is violating NCAA rules, it actually sounds like a pretty decent idea.