Each week, The Reporters put their thumbs out to the good and the bad in the world of sports. This week, they discuss preparations for the Rio Olympics, the exciting first round of the NBA playoffs, Mike Keenan victorious in Russia and the prolonged wait for the NFL Draft finally coming to an end. Bruce Arthur, Toronto Star My thumb is down to the International Olympic Committee and…I know, I know…you feel like weve been here before, but this is a new frontier because the concept of an Olympics in Rio was new when the IOC awarded Brazil the 2016 games seven years ago. Concerns about readiness, inequality and about the way the country might react? Dont worry! Rio! Now with two years to go, the IOC is shocked…shocked…to find that they gambled on a country that hasnt built the establishment. Seriously, Rio is in major organization trouble with whole complexes unbuilt and with public unrest still simmering, the IOC is lamenting the fact that they cant employ Beijing-style slave labour. Theyre blaming it on Rio. Guess who they should be blaming instead? Steve Simmons, Toronto Sun My thumb is up to the first round of the playoffs and Im not talking about the Stanley Cup playoffs, which have been marvelous, as usual. Im talking about the NBA playoffs, where, normally, the first round is about favourites winning and not much else, but not this year. A last-second three by the sensational Damian Lillard of Portland meant there were five Game 7s in the first round, instead of a record-breaking six. There have been eight overtime games and the road team has won 21 of the first 36 playoff games - this from a league that usually sees the home teams win 70 per cent of the time. And, of course, there is Game 7 in Toronto today with the possibility of 2 million people watching on TV. If this isnt fun, I dont know what is. Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated My thumb is up to Mike Keenan, who reminds us that a coach is a coach is a coach, no matter the team or the time zone. Keenan always dreamed of winning a Cup, although probably not the Gagarin Cup. Two decades after the New York Rangers memorable Stanley Cup run, Iron Mike did it again on the far side of the erstwhile Iron Curtain, coaching the KHLs Metallurg Magnitogorsk to a Game 7 win over Lev Prague. Note one striking similarity in the championships: as he did after beating the Vancouver Canucks in 94, Keenan celebrated in the dressing room by singing karaoke - this time in Russian, of course. The Red Army choir is not giving up its day job. Dave Hodge, TSN My thumb is up to May 8, which is coming soon - on Thursday - and thats why my thumb is up, because when May 8 finally arrives, it brings with it the National Football League Draft…finally. Did I say "finally?" When the NFL moved the draft from April to May, we might have known wed be sick of mock drafts by now. There is actual analysis that proclaims winners and losers of mock drafts! Ive heard so much about Jadeveon Clowneys awesome talent and alleged laziness that Im sure there are two Jadeveon Clowneys. Im not sure if the Houston Texans will take one of them or which one or if the Texans will take Johnny Manziel or if theyll trade down - I only know they cant trade up and I dont care anymore what they do, I just want them to do it. On May 8. NMD Skor Billigt .J. - New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara left Monday nights game against the Indianapolis Colts with a torn biceps. Adidas NMD R2 Dam . -- Kurt Buschs Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, in some ways, was like his career wrapped into one afternoon. http://www.nmdsverige.com/. Though the 26-year-old said he was able to participate, coach Dwane Casey kept Johnson out as a precaution. Adidas Superstar Sverige . The team announced the moves before Sundays game against Houston. Shaw was 1-4 with a 4.26 ERA in 43 games for the Diamondbacks. Bergesen was claimed off waivers from Baltimore on Friday. NMD Skor Rea . With the Pirates in the thick of the race in the NL Central, the timing couldnt be better. Liriano struck out a season-high 11 in seven innings to win consecutive starts for the first time this season and Pittsburgh beat the San Francisco Giants 3-1 on Tuesday night.SEATTLE (2-1) at WASHINGTON (1-3)Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPNOPENING LINE a€” Seahawks by 8 1/2RECORD VS. SPREAD a€” Seattle 2-1, Washington 2-2SERIES RECORD a€” Redskins lead 11-7LAST MEETING a€” Seahawks beat Redskins 24-14, Jan. 6, 2013LAST WEEK a€” Seahawks had bye; Redskins lost to Giants 45-14AP PRO32 RANKING a€” Seahawks No. 1, Redskins No. 28SEAHAWKS OFFENSE a€” OVERALL (14), RUSH (3), PASS (26).SEAHAWKS Defence a€” OVERALL (6), RUSH (5), PASS (19).REDSKINS OFFENSE a€” OVERALL (4), RUSH (12), PASS (4).REDSKINS Defence a€” OVERALL (8), RUSH (8), PASS (13).STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES a€” One of NFLs top night-time teams vs. one of worst. Seahawks hold leagues best Monday night winning rate (20-8, .714) and have outscored opponents 208-65 in past eight appearances, going 8-0 with three shutouts. They are 10-1 in primetime under coach Pete Carroll. Redskins have lost six straight in primetime and are 4-14 on Monday nights since 2000. ... Seahawks have lost six consecutive regular season games vs. Redskins, but Seattle has won all three post-season meetings. ... Seattle beginning stretch of three games in four on road. ... Seahawks QB Russell Wilson has 11 gaame-winning drives in fourth quarter or overtime since entering league in 2012, tied with Andrew Luck for most during that period.dddddddddddd .. RB Marshawn Lynch leads NFL with 20 100-yard games and 44 touchdowns (38 rushing, six receiving) since 2011. ... Seahawks defence allowing NFL-low 2.8 yards per rush. ... Both defences have only two interceptions this season. ... Redskins only team in NFL ranked in top 10 in both offence and defence, yet are tied for 15th and 26th in points per game scored and allowed. ... Washington also No. 1 in league in both first-down yardage gained (6.90) and allowed (4.05). Seattle ranks third (6.53) and second (4.31). ... Redskins have minus-5 turnover differential, better than only two other teams. ... Redskins QB Kirk Cousins ranks last in NFL in third-down passing (44.1 rating) and third-from-last in fourth-quarter passing (56.3). ... Washington LB Ryan Kerrigan tied for NFL lead with five sacks. ... Redskins P Tress Way leads NFL with 43.1-yard average. ... Washington ranks last in kickoff coverage, allowing average start at 27-yard line.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '