CLEMSON, S.C. -- He doesnt flash that easygoing smile as frequently. His play gets scrutinized and picked apart more, because many of the folks who gushed about Deshaun Watsons game a season ago now focus on the overthrows and critical interceptions.Still, Clemsons junior quarterback is back in the same spot -- a Heisman Trophy finalist.The journey this time has not been as smooth. He apologized in September after two closer-than-expected wins for not bringing the same joy into his game as he had the first two years. Hes led prime-time, fourth-quarter comebacks against No. 16 Louisville and No. 12 Florida State and thrown three interceptions that helped Pitt pull off a stunning upset, a 43-42 victory that was Clemsons first home loss since Watson was in high school.Watson believes he is in part tagged with matching the success he had in 2015 when he became the first player in the Football Bowl Subdivision to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for 1,000. He capped it with a virtuoso performance against Alabama in the national title game, accounting for four touchdowns and 478 yards in a 45-40 loss.Its easy for people to say that Im not having the type of season I had last year, because to be honest, a lot of people didnt really know me until the end of the season, Watson said. So theyre just living off the national championship game, and all the success I had in that.Once last season ended, Watson was elevated to the face of college football, a favorite for the Heisman who would command a deep, talented Tigers attack that had potential to be the best in the game. When that did not happen immediately, Watson became ripe for criticism, no matter how much success he and his teammates had.Personally, I dont really care about anybody elses opinions and expectations. I understand what Im doing, and my teammates do, too, he said.Watson has dealt with more difficult things in life. His mother, Deann , was diagnosed with cancer of the tongue while he was at Gainesville (Georgia) High. Deann Watson spent six months in the hospital after her glossectomy, an operation to remove her tongue that takes breast tissue to rebuild the tongue.Watsons mother was declared cancer-free in 2012, although she needs to use a feeding tube for the rest of her life.Its something I kind of grew up on, especially coming from the environment I grew up in and the situation with my mom, Watson said. Its a blessing to be able to play the game of football, because one step later it can easily be taken away from me.Watsons numbers this season belie the eye test. Hes thrown for 3,626 yards and 34 TDs, up from 3,223 and 27 touchdowns during the regular season in 2015. His rushing numbers have dropped, but so have Watsons carries. He was most effective running in the postseason, getting 68 carries and 349 yards in the ACC title game and the teams two College Football Playoff games last season.Hes the best player in college football, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. I mean, just that simple. He has done a fantastic job leading this football team.---BEST GAME: Watsons best may have come in an early-season, 42-36 showdown win over Louisville and Heisman Trophy front-runner Lamar Jackson. Watson helped the Tigers to a 28-10 halftime lead, then dug down in the fourth quarter after Jackson had rallied the Cardinals to a 36-28 edge. Watson threw a 20-yard TD pass to Mike Williams to begin the rally with 7:05 to go and directed an 85-yard drive he finished with a 31-yard scoring pass to Jordan Leggett. Watson ended the night with 306 yards and five touchdown passes.WORST GAME: It seems crazy to label an ACC-record-setting performance as Watsons worst game, but his 580 yards passing against Pitt were offset by three interceptions -- and the last two led to Panthers touchdowns in their 43-42 victory at Death Valley last month. The final pick at the Pitt goal line with Clemson driving for a potential clinching score sprung Pitt linebacker Saleem Brightwell for a 70-yard return that led to a crucial TD. Watson has 15 interceptions in 13 games this season after throwing 15 in 23 games his first two seasons.PRO PROSPECTS: Watson will be one of the first quarterbacks taken in next springs NFL draft, but he might have to rebuild his stock some to show he is a top-of-the-first-round player. Clemsons last ACC player of the year quarterback, Tajh Boyd, saw his stock go from early-round prospect to a sixth-round pick in the 2014 draft.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25Fabian Benko Jersey . The FA rejected Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec. Niklas Dorsch Jersey . After a lengthy wait, persistent rain finally forced the postponement of the Nationals game against the Miami Marlins on Saturday night. The teams, and a few thousand fans, waited nearly four hours from the 7:05 scheduled start time before an announcement was made shortly before 11 p. http://www.soccerfcbayernshop.com/kids-sandro-wagner-munich-jersey/ . -- Matt Kuchar and Harris English ran away with the Franklin Templeton Shootout, shooting a 14-under 58 on Sunday in the final-round scramble to break the tournament course record. Sebastian Rode Bayern Munich Jersey . Once again, DeLaet finished tied for second at a PGA Tour stop on the weekend, this time at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The pride of Weyburn, Sask. Gianluca Gaudino Jersey . White came in fourth place in the event. He was the two-time defending gold medallist. The gold medal went to Swiss snowboarder Iouri Podladtchikov.CLEVELAND -- One game off and few days of rest refreshed the Cavaliers Big 3.LeBron James scored 16 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, Kyrie Irving matched a career high with 12 assists, Kevin Love scored 27 with 17 rebounds and Cleveland finally put away Los Angeles in the fourth quarter, beating the young Lakers 119-108 on Saturday night.The Cavs were back at full strength after coach Tyronn Lue left James, Love and Irving behind earlier this week for a game in Memphis, a decision that sparked some criticism as fans were denied a chance to see the three stars and Cleveland lost.Irving, who complained of tired legs before a game last week, looked more like himself in his first game since Dec. 10, finishing with 21 points as the Cavs improved to 19-6.It was just a needed rest for me, said Irving, who didnt get a break after Cleveland won the NBA title in June because he played for the U.S. Olympic team. For me, its just about being smart and not running into that wall completely. Im able to push through anything and my mind commands my body at the same time, its still about being smart.James, Irving and Love combined for 74 points, 30 rebounds and 25 assists.James, who missed the end of pregame warmups, national anthem and player introductions before running onto the floor just before the opening tip, took over in the fourth and needs just two points to move past Moses Malone (27,409) for eighth place on the career scoring list.Nick Young made eight 3-pointers and scored a season-high 32 for the Lakers, who snapped an eight-game losing streak on Friday in Philadelphia and were a headache for the defending NBA champions all night.The Lakers were still within 110-105 when James hit a 3-pointer in transition as the Cavs closed with a 10-3 run.Even though we lost, I liked the way we played and what we did, said Julius Randle, who added 16 points. Theyre a championship team, and we were right there with them until the end.Jordan Clarkson scored 20 points and Los Angeles rookie Brandon Ingram missed a triple-double by one point and an assist.Channing Frye and James each hit a 3 to help Cleveland to a 95-86 lead early in the fourth quarter, but the Lakers refused to give in and were right there when James pulled up and knocked down his crucial 3 with 2:32 left.I was just in rhythm in the fourth quarter, James said before explaining his reason for taking a risky shot. Thatts the time when a defense is at its relaxed point, bringing the ball up in transition and they really dont think youre going to take that shot.dddddddddddd I was in a great groove and I felt good when I let it go and I was able to knock it down.RING TIMEBefore receiving his NBA championship ring, Lakers center Timofey Mozgov, who spent 1 1/2 seasons with Cleveland, was mobbed by the Cavaliers at mid-court.I was really proud to be with this team, it was everything I could ask for, said Mozgov, who received a nice ovation from Cleveland fans and visited the Cavs locker room postgame. It was a happy memory, and I was excited all night.HOMECOMINGLakers forward Larry Nance Jr., who grew up outside Cleveland, played in his first regular-season game in his home state. His father, longtime Cavaliers forward Larry Nance, had his No. 22 retired by the franchise.It was really cool playing underneath my dads jersey, said Nance Jr., who scored two points in 27 minutes. I tried to approach it as a regular game, but anytime you play at home, it means a little more.Nance Sr. attended the game.J.R.S SHIRTJ.R. Smith -- known more for the shirts he hasnt worn -- drew attention for his postgame attire. The Cavs guard wore a black T-shirt that read, Cleveland. Its not that bad. Have a beer!TIP-INSLakers: G DAngelo Russell was inactive with a sore left knee that has bothered him most of the season. He scored 15 in Fridays win. ... Coach Luke Walton was an assistant with Golden State last season and said he has yet to watch Clevelands Game 7 win in the NBA Finals. You dont get over losing Game 7, he said. Youre happy for the guys here, but it sticks with you for the rest of your life.Cavaliers: Cleveland has won five straight over the Lakers. ... The Cavs have won 25 of their last 29 at home against Western Conference teams. ... Lue said he and general manager David Griffin are still discussing roster options after C Chris Birdman Andersen sustained a season-ending -- and likely career-ending -- knee injury in practice Friday. The Cavs have been looking to add a backup point guard, but may now also be in the market for a big.UP NEXTLakers: Continue their six-game trip at Charlotte on Tuesday.Cavaliers: At Milwaukee on Tuesday before hosting the Bucks on Wednesday. ' ' '