SI.com's 10 most popular stories from the week ending August 8
Here is a roundup of SI.com's 10 most popular stories this week. Be sure to read to the bottom for a bonus story from SI Vault.
The King of Roam
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David Blatt has coached in Israel, Russia, Italy, Turkey and Greece. Now, as the Cavaliers' new coach, he has the best player in the world on his roster. Can he guide Cleveland to the promised land? By Jack McCallum.
The next great NFL coach?
Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images
He’s obsessive in the film room, and his defense embarrassed Peyton Manning on the game’s biggest stage. But what really has Seattle coordinator Dan Quinn on the fast track is the trusting relationships he builds with players. By Robert Klemko.
Why the A's made the megadeal
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Oakland's deal for Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester came at a high price: power hitter Yoenis Cespedes. Here's why the A's decided to make the move anyway - and what they plan to do without him. By Ben Reiter.
The Fittest 50
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Who's the fittest athlete in sports? SI.com determined the top 50 with a formula based on strength, speed, endurance and agility. No. 1 on our list is ...
Mastering an NFL playbook
How difficult is it to learn an NFL playbook? Very difficult, according to a neuroscientist who explains why it's "like trying to play a musical instrument that’s scheming against you." By Dan Treadway.
The resilience of Paul George
John Locher/AP
Paul George faces a long recovery after his horrific leg injury. But in basketball and in life, the Pacers star has always shown resilience. By Lee Jenkins.
Landon Donovan's legacy
Alex Livesey/Getty Images Sport
Landon Donovan announced his retirement on Thursday after an illustrious MLS and U.S. career. Donovan has helped lay the foundation for America as a soccer nation despite his critics. By Brian Straus.
On the hot seat
Al Tielemans/SI
Michigan finished 7-6 last season. Another year like that and coach Brady Hoke may be gone. Check out the list of coaches with the most to worry about heading into the 2014 season. By Martin Rickman.
Andy Dalton under pressure
G. Newman Lowrance/AP
Andy Dalton signed an extension with the Bengals that purportedly keeps the QB in Cincinnati through 2020. But whether the move pays off will come down to how Dalton handles defensive pressure. By Doug Farrar.
Fixing MLB's pace of play problem
Steven Senne/AP
The independent Atlantic League has introduced new rules to speed up games. Here's what MLB - on pace to shatter its record for most 3 1/2-hour games - could learn from it. By Tom Verducci.
SI Vault Bonus: 1954-94: How We Got Here
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In honor of Sports Illustrated's 60th birthday, Steve Rushin writes in this week's magazine about the last six decades, a story told through Dodgers announcer Vin Scully. Twenty years ago, Rushin honored 40 years of SI with his magnum opus "How We Got Here." Composed of five chapters and 22,000 words, the story chronicles the evolution of sport from 1954-1994. By Steve Rushin.
