I’ll open with this: hitting a baseball is hard. It’s a round ball hurtling through space – usually, over 90 miles per hour – with all kinds of movement on it, thrown by someone whose entire livelihood depends on you not hitting it. That’s not easy. However, it’s pretty clear that former Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow has been particularly bad at it for the Mets, at least by the standards of minor league baseball.
Tebow recently suffered a lacerated hand, which will cause him to miss potentially the rest of the 2019 season. He has been playing for the Syracuse Mets – a Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets.
Prior to Tebow’s unfortunate injury, which apparently happened in the field, he was slashing an abysmal .163/.240/.255 with four home runs, 19 RBI, two stolen bases and 25 runs scored.
He possesses a solid ability to draw walks, doing so at a respectable 7.6% clip, but his 37.1% strikeout rate is horrific, even in a league that doesn’t seem to mind the spike in strikeouts.
Is Tim Tebow Done With the Mets?
Tebow’s return is up in the air, and while having him in the minor leagues has been good publicity for the Mets – which is rare these days – it’s going to be hard to justify giving him a roster spot over some other more deserving players.
A quick look in their minor league system shows multiple players, including Sam Haggerty and Barrett Barnes, who deserve a promotion to Triple-A over Tebow.
Haggerty is hitting .278 with 17 home runs as a 25-year-old, while Barnes is hitting .235, but with 12 home runs, at age 27. Both players are losing an opportunity to advance as long as Tebow is taking up a roster spot.
Don’t get me wrong, I fully support Tebow’s decision to try to play professional baseball – I’m not in the business of laughing at someone pursuing a dream. But that dream is dead, and even when his hand heals it is probably best for the former star quarterback to hang up his spikes – again – and pursue a career in broadcasting.
Alright people, can we please stop with all these Tweets about canceling the season or handing over the trophy. It’s the NBA, NCAA, and NFL offseason and everyone wants to crown a winner before things even get started. This team’s unstoppable, this team’s unbeatable, this team added these players, no one can even get close to this. Just hand them the trophy. Cancel the season. We now have so many examples of great teams that didn’t win championships.
Each year this happens, and 2018/2019 was a year exactly the same. Except that unlike what all the Tweets predicted, each “hand them the trophy” team was taken down. Against the narrative, against the hype. The underdogs knocked the top teams off of their premature pedestals.
Nick Saban and the Unbeatable Alabama Crimson Tide
Just cancel the season at this point, no one is beating Alabama
“Just cancel the season at this point, no one is beating Alabama.”
Alabama came out crushing it. They rolled over everyone. Nick Saban had his most talented, stacked team ever with a quarterback that could carry an elite offense. Damien Harris, Josh Jacobs, and Jerry Jeudy couldn’t be stopped. Nobody could beat them.
Except, Clemson had something to say about that.
Dabo Swinney and his defensive line killed it. Touchdown Jesus (AKA Trevor Lawrence) was dropping dimes and Clemson dismantled and demolished Alabama. They won by 28 points against the “unbeatable” squad. Oh, but if Tua was healthy… Stop with the ifs. This is sports and that’s what happens. If ifs and ands were pots and pans, the whole world would be a kitchen.
Stop with this. Let the season play out. Don’t, I repeat don’t, even start with these things before the season even begins. Even in the middle of the season, there’s still plenty of football to be played. So quit the nonsense and keep the trophy until the last seconds are done.
Duke Blue Devils- Just Hand them The Trophy
Next up on the “unbeatable”, “can’t stop them”, “hand them the trophy” list is the Duke Blue Devils. They had Zion Williamson. Can’t stop him. RJ Barrett. Unbeatable. Cam Reddish. This is “God’s team.”
Wait a minute. Is 32-6 undefeated? Nope. Even the least math-savvy folks can figure that one out. 6 losses and 0 championships. You know who didn’t think Duke was going undefeated? Michigan State, Virginia and a whole host of other teams.
But if Zion didn’t blow out his shoe and get injured, they would have kept their record clean and finished the deal. If. Come on people. If ifs were a fifth, we’d all be drunk right now. Then at least we’d have something to blame for this poor rational and over-hyped foolishness.
Los Angeles Rams
Remember when the Los Angeles Rams won the offseason?
The 11-5 Rams have added Aqib Talib, Marcus Peters, Ndamukong Suh and Brandin Cooks this offseason.
They had Jared Goff, Todd Gurley, Brandin Cooks, Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, a Top-5 offensive line, Aaron Donald, Ndamukong Suh, Aqib Talib, Marcus Peters and Sean McVay, the newest, hottest NFL coach in the league.
LA had the offense. They had the defense. Their coach was innovative and creative. They won the offseason and were firing during the regular season. It was their year.
Well, the Patriots had something to say about that. They turned the LA Rams awe-inspiring offense into a yawn-inspiring offense. They were out-schemed, out-played and out-done.
But Todd Gurley was injured. Clearly, it would have been a different game if he didn’t play. Yet again, more ifs and buts. Yet that didn’t stop the cancel the season tweets in the NCAA and NBA from pouring in.
Golden State Warriors
Then we have the Golden State Warriors. THE super team of the century. They had Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. The fantastic trio took down LeBron, then added Kevin Durant for another ring. Then, on top of their already stacked team, they added Boogie Cousins (well, half of Boogie Cousins).
They couldn’t be beat. All-star after all-star. There was no possible way they could be beaten. Just cancel the season.
However, the Toronto Raptors had something to say about that. But injuries George! They would have won without all of the injuries. Yes, they probably would have won if they didn’t have injuries. But if ifs and buts were candies and nuts, every day would be Christmas. Even the best superteams can be beaten.
2007 Patriots, LeBron/Wade/Bosh Miami Heat and the “Dream Team” in Philly Among Great Teams That Didn’t Win a Championship
People, this isn’t new. Remember the 2007 Patriots that were the Greatest NFL Team of All Time? What about the seven titles the LeBron/Wade/Bosh Heat were supposed to win? They were stopped short. Eli Manning, Michael Strahan, Dirk Nowitzki, Kawhi Leonard all had something to say about the “unbeatable”.
With all that said, the all-time greatest offseason “just give them the trophy” team has to be the 2011 Philadelphia Eagles. The “Dream Team” in football. They had Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson, LeSean McCoy and a whole squad of other talents. And guess what it got them. Jack-nothing. They did sqadoosh.
So, please stop this annual stream of nonsense and be real. You don’t have to make bold predictions call for the season to be canceled or to hand out the trophy. There’s no need to anoint the victors before the finals whistle sounds. Because this is sports. Sports come with parity, change, injuries, surprises. Time and time again, Goliaths, Titans and Mythical teams are taken down. Instead of joining the 2019/2020 hype trains, sit back and enjoy the seasons to their fullest. Feel the rhythm of the game and be awed. That’s what sports are all about.
Stop with the Cancel the Season Tweets, you may be adding to list of overhyped great teams that didn’t win championships.
Every year, late-July brings a flurry of movement among teams at the MLB trade deadline. With added wild card spots and TV revenue through the roof, it feels like the league has a bigger divide than ever between contending teams and tanking teams, allowing the deadline to function nearly like a relegation system in soccer: a few smaller teams (Mariners, Royals, Reds) send their best players to the big boys (Yankees, Red Sox, and Dodgers) who in turn send their younger, less proven players back.
However, while this year looks like it will eventually be more of the same, so far the trade deadline has been – well – dead.
July 31 is the official trade deadline and as of this writing, very few trades have been made. So many teams are caught in that dangerous middle area, where they aren’t quite contending but they aren’t totally out of it either, making it hard for them to commit to either being buyers or sellers.
As such, the few teams that are selling have their asking price at sky-high levels, because they know the market is scarce at the moment.
The contending teams are content to wait and see if more teams decide to sell, which should saturate the market and allow some deals to get done.
So for now, we wait.
Should the market finally get going, here are the five players who could get dealt before the MLB trade deadline who will have the biggest impact for their new team down the stretch:
Madison Bumgarner, LHP, San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are on a nice 9-1 stretch right now, and at 52-50 they do have an outside chance at winning one of the two wildcard spots in the National League.
However, most experts predict they’ll sell at the trade deadline in order to help shore up their depleted farm system.
If they do that, longtime left-handed starter Madison Bumgarner could find himself pitching in a new uniform for the first time in his big league career.
Bumgarner, 29, is 5-7 with a 3.66 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and a 9.09 K/9 on the season. He has been one of the most reliable starting pitchers in the entire league over the last decade and is known for his postseason heroics – a fact that will no doubt add to his price tag if the Giants make him available.
Marcus Stroman, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays
Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman appears on this list despite not being a free agent at the end of the season, a rarity in today’s “rental” era.
However, the Blue Jays have been known to be shopping the fiery 28-year-old, and it makes sense to deal him while he is pitching as well as he is.
Stroman is boasting a 3.06 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and a 7.11 K/9 despite a disappointing 6-10 record. Considering how bad he was in 2018 (5.54 ERA in 19 starts) the Blue Jays are likely trying to deal him now in case he struggles again next season and ends up worthless on the trade market.
As such, his value should be pretty high heading into late-July.
Matthew Boyd, LHP, Detroit Tigers
Boyd will be one of the most attractive arms on the market, not just because of how strong of a season he is having, but because he is under team control through 2023.
That also gives the Tigers less motivation to deal their star left-hander, which means any trade that does occur with Boyd will net them a very high-profile prospect, or two.
Boyd is currently 6-8 with a 4.07 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. His 12.00 K/9 is absolutely elite, and his 3.24 SIERA and 3.57 FIP indicate he is pitching much better than his 4.07 ERA shows. That’s because Detroit’s defense is awful.
A move to a better offensive and defensive team would make Boyd an absolute star in the second half, and would net the Tigers a ton of young players to build around in the future.
Nicholas Castellanos, OF, Detroit Tigers
The second Tigers player to crack this list, right fielder Nicholas Castellanos is a fairly obvious MLB trade deadline candidate after repeated efforts to sign him to an extension have fallen flat.
The 27-year-old outfielder is having a nice season, slashing .285/.342/.483 with 11 home runs and two stolen bases. He’s walking at a 7.5% rate and striking out at a 21.2% rate, both the best marks of his career.
While his outfield defense still leaves plenty to be desired, Castellanos is arguably the best rental bat available on the market. He’d be a great fit for an AL team who needs someone to serve as a DH and platoon outfielder and could go to an NL team as well – although his defense will likely give NL teams hesitation in dealing for him.
Expect the Tigers to be aggressive in pursuing top of the line prospects in return for Castellanos, although they’ll need to move him or else risk losing him for next to nothing – so at the end of the day they’ll end up taking whatever the market dictates.
Will Smith, LHP, San Francisco Giants
As stated above, Smith is only going to be available if San Francisco decides to cash it in – which is becoming less likely with their recent run of success.
However, if they do, the fresh prince would be one of the hottest commodities on the trade market. I mean, what’s not to love? Smith is a dominant left-handed closer, in his prime, and is on a very affordable one-year contract.
Teams would be able to plug him into their late-inning situation right away, would only have to pay him about $2 million dollars, and could let him walk in free agency after he helps them lock up a potential playoff victory.
Players like this historically have commanded ridiculous amounts of prospects, including the Andrew Miller trade (Justus Sheffield and Clint Frazier went from the Indians to the Yankees) and the Aroldis Chapman trade (Gleyber Torres to the Yankees from the Cubs).
Smith is going to command a big pot of prospects from whichever team can convince San Francisco to pack it in and deal away their two star left-handers.
The movement at the MLB trade deadline may turn a contender into a World Series champion.
On June 25, Bradley Beal stated the following about his future with the Washington Wizards:
I have thought about it, but I haven’t really full-out processed it. I still have two years left. We just drafted Rui [Hachimura], and I want to see what we do in free agency before I make the ultimate decision. I haven’t even been offered it officially. Until that happens, I’ll wait and think about it. I’ll have an ample amount of time to process everything and make a decision when the time is right
I’d be naive to say I wouldn’t be [interested in extension talks]. Washington is where I’ve been the last seven years, going on eight. It would be great to play in one place forever. But at the same time, you want to win and make sure you’re in a position to do so. I’m definitely going to evaluate who we hire as the GM and who we pick up on the team. All that plays a factor
With Bradley Beal eligible for a three-year, $111M extension on Friday, Wizards GM Tommy Sheppard tells ESPN: "At the very first moment allowed, we are going to offer Brad the full max…" Story includes reaction from Beal's agent Mark Bartelstein. https://t.co/aJS5JvRak1
Beal has until October 21 to agree to the extension. With John Wall likely to miss the entire 2019-2020 NBA Season, Beal has the chance to solidify himself as the face of the Wizards’ franchise. The 2018-2019 NBA Season was the year of many firsts for Beal: (i) first triple-double; (ii) first player in franchise history with 2,000 points, 400 rebounds and 400 assists in a season; and (iii) first player in franchise history to average at least 25 points, five rebounds and five assists. Beal also proved to be extremely durable, appearing in all 82 games for a second consecutive season.
The Wizards clearly view Beal as a franchise player. The team has kept him involved in its rebuilding process, made significant changes to its front office, and put an emphasis on acquiring players he wants to play with. Beal has also grown a strong connection with the Washington community, resulting in his receipt of the 2018-2019 NBA Cares Community Assist Award.
Why Bradley Beal Should Wait
Should he sign a 3 year $111M max extension offer from the #Wizards, Bradley Beal will be locking in $166M over the next 5 seasons, bringing his total career earnings north of $256M. https://t.co/MqGvAOR20lpic.twitter.com/LjDIza4yUS
Financially speaking, it makes zero sense for Beal to accept the Wizards’ offer. 3 years / $111 Million is certainly nothing to scoff at. However, if Beal plays out the 2018-2019 NBA Season under his current contract, he’s eligible for a four-year / $155 million max extension next year. Beal’s maximum contract value increases to five-years / $254 million in the event he makes All-NBA.
The chances of Bradley Beal making an all All-NBA team are slim, but not impossible if he’s somehow able to drag the Wizards to the playoffs. The Wizards finished the season 9 games behind the Detroit Pistons for the 8th seed in the East. Unless free-agent addition Isaiah Thomas regains his Celtic’s form, or rookie Rui Hachimura puts himself into the Rookie Of The Year conversation, Beal will undoubtedly have to shoulder the load if the Wizards have any hope of making the postseason.
To Sign Or Not To Sign With Washington Wizards
The Wizards offseason was lackluster, and the loss of John Wall for the entirety of the season is a significant blow. The Wizards appear to be in store for another sub-.500 season. Though Bradley Beal has said all the right things in public, behind the scene reports, indicate that Beal may already be on the way out.
There’s a recent history of stars forcing their way out with multiple years left on their contract. Kyrie Irving forced his way to the Celtics and, Paul George asked for a trade one year after signing a four-year extension and telling Oklahoma City Thunder fans he was “here to stay.” In a league stockpiled with superstar duos, the Beal/Wall combination no longer ranks on the list. Beal is a coveted trade option for a number of teams, but the Wizards continue to refuse all inquiries. However, if he rejects the team’s extension, Beal’s days in D.C. may be up.
Serena Williams may have been defeated in the Wimbledon finals, however, that did not minimize her victory during the post-match press conference. A reporter asked Williams a very insensitive and narrow-minded question. In a nutshell, the reporter asked Williams how does she respond to comments made by others suggesting that she stop being a celebrity and fighting for equality and focus on tennis? Williams tackled the question head-on with the perfect answer. She eloquently responded by stating: “The day I stop fighting for equality and for people that look like you and me will be the day I’m in my grave.” With that response, Williams reaffirmed her unrelenting commitment to fighting for equality.
The reporter’s question is filled with undertones of a narrow-minded belief that his held by many sports fans.
The Shut-Up and Dribble Mentality
Many sports fans have the “shut up and dribble mentality”. They believe that athletes should simply stick to sports and essentially shut up and dribble. Such fans are against athletes using their athletic platforms to shed light on societal ills or political debates. They contend that athletes should simply focus on providing entertainment for fan viewing pleasure. These contentions may sound familiar as they were repeated over and over by dissenters of Colin Kaepernick’s protest during the national anthem.
Some go as far as to contend that an athlete’s celebrity status shields them from the stereotypes and systemic prejudices of being a part of the demographic group(s) of which they belong. They spout out ignorance like what can a multi-million dollar athlete have to complain about. Serena Williams is a multi-million dollar athlete with 23 Grand Slam Finals wins. According to this logic, what could she possibly have to complain about? What issues could she possibly feel the need to be so vocal about? There is no way that she could possibly be a victim of discrimination or inequality. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Serena Williams has plenty to be vocal about.
Serena Williams has Every Reason to Champion for Women’s Rights
Throughout her career, Serena Williams has dealt with negative commentary about her body. She has been shamed because of her muscles with comments from people saying that she was “born a guy“. Serena and her sister Venus have been referred to at the “Williams brothers“. Serena Williams’ body has even been compared to a monster truck. In 2018, Williams was arguably singled out when the French Tennis Federation announced their ban on catsuits shortly after Williams wore one to the FrenchOpen. Serena Williams wore the catsuit for health reasons from complications she suffered during childbirth. However, the Federation stated that players “must respect the game and the place.”
With all of the criticism that Williams has endured during her career, it should come as no surprise that she is a champion for women’s rights. Her celebrity status and her seven-figure salary was no shield for the incendiary comments from critics and tennis fans throughout her career. Her celebrity status was certainly not a shield to protect her from the blood clot issue she suffered during childbirth. All of the criticism Williams has endured coupled with the general struggles she as endured as a woman makes the reporter’s question all the more insensitive and her answer all the appropriate.
However, this assumption could not be further from the truth. This assumption is certainly not true for Serena Williams who has endured much criticism for being a superior black female athlete.
After all, professional athletes make millions of dollars. What could they possibly have to complain about?
In 2017’ just as LeBron James was embarking on his seventh straight trip to the NBA Finals, a racial slur was spray-painted on his home in California. King James is regarded by many as the greatest basketball player ever and by some as one of the greatest athletes in the world. He has three NBA titles and has represented the United States on Team USA three times. However, all of his accomplishments was not enough to shield him the prejudices that are often directed to black men in this country. How is an athlete supposed to stick to sports when racial epithets are spray-painted on their home?
If you missed this year’s rendition of the Home Run Derby, the premier pre- MLB All-Star game event, then you missed one hell of a ride. Two rookies, Pete Alonso (Mets) and Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. (Blue Jays), put on an absolute show, blasting home runs left and right and shattering previous derby records.
Of course, for the first time, the derby actually had a massive prize: a cool $1,000,000. Even to professional athletes, that’s a lot of cash.
However, because of baseball’s archaic rules that prevent rookies from getting paid big money until six years into the league, this year’s winner, Pete Alonso, only has a salary of $555,000 this year. His performance in the derby ended up earning him double what he will get paid for the rest of the season with the Mets – even though he is an All-Star and potential MVP candidate.
This begs an interesting question, that was originally discussed on the Effectively Wild Podcast: Could the home run derby survive as its own ‘sport’? After all, watching players blast home runs off pitches right down the middle during a timed event is completely unlike real baseball. The only similarity is the equipment and the field – both things that could be altered in a theoretical new league.
Who Would Participate?
Would people pay to see players participate in a home run derby on a regular basis? Hard to say. Clearly, a startup league would struggle to pull professional players from the major leagues into a new derby league. So the talent level probably wouldn’t be there right away. There are certainly plenty of recently retired players or players who didn’t make the major leagues – but who had serious home run power – who could probably excel in a sport dedicated exclusively to hitting dingers.
If the league could get guys like Jose Canseco, Adam Dunn, Chris Carter, David Wright, and the Barry Bonds types to come out of retirement to blast some home runs, perhaps fans would tune it on a semi-regular basis. And with a cash prize, it’s not impossible to think some of these guys would do it.
Other Home Run Derby Innovations
However, eventually, people would get bored watching the same event over and over, even if they were attached to the performers. But what about having a derby on a football field? Over a lake? In the Grand Canyon? These are pretty ridiculous ideas, but if enough fans showed up and cared about watching, maybe they could pull this off.
Fans have proven that the best part about sports is watching people hit or throw a ball as far as possible. The home run in baseball, the three-pointer in basketball, hail mary’s in football, long goals in soccer, whatever it is, humans tend to love their feats of strength.
A sport dedicated to the home run derby probably wouldn’t survive, but the concept is there if they found the right people and the right gimmicks to make it last without the MLB All-Star game.
The NBA Superteam Era is dead. Kawhi Leonard made sure of this when he dismantled the Golden State Warriors and rejected Lebron James’ attempts to lure him to the Los Angeles Lakers. The landscape has shifted to “Super Duos,” with players now desiring to team up with friends or individuals who complement their skills and can share superstar duties. Here’s a look at the NBA’s best “Superstar Duos” heading into the 2019-20 NBA Season:
Tier 3 – The “Up and Comers” NBA Player Duos
12. Devin Booker / Deandre Ayton (Phoenix Suns)
In their first season together, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton led the Phoenix Suns to 19 wins. The Los Angeles Lakers went 31-19 when Kobe joined Shaq in the starting lineup during the 1998-99 lockout-shortened season. Though Booker and Ayton aren’t quite “Shaq and Kobe 2.0” status, both are extremely talented individuals who should create a formidable inside-outside combination for years to come. With a full year under their belt and improvement at the head coaching position, the 2019-20 NBA Season should bring improved chemistry and many more wins.
11. Luka Doncic / Kristaps Porzingis (Dallas Mavericks)
Credit: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis haven’t played a single game together but are already expected to form the best pick and pop tandem in the league. Porzingis has spent the entirety of his Dallas Mavericks’ career admiring the 2018-19 Rookie of the Year, but the “Unicorn” will need to make an immediate impression if the Mavericks hope to make an impact in the Western Conference. This duo’s success depends on how well Porzingis recovers from a torn ACL that will have sidelined him for close to 20 months once the 2019 NBA Season begins. Charles Barkley expects this pair to turn into the greatest “one-two punch… for the next 10 years.”
Despite being selected to the 2019 Eastern Conference All-Star team, many still aren’t sold on Khris Middleton as a max player. This pair’s position is propped by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s supernova athletic ability. But Middleton’s capability as a three-point shooter (career 39%) carries great value when paired with Antetokounmpo’s slashing playmaking. Middleton contributes in a number of ways and is the perfect teammate for Antetokounmpo’s needs.
9. Donovan Mitchell / Mike Conley Jr. (Utah Jazz)
Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley Jr. are already building that teammate chemistry 🏀
Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley Jr. are no “Stockton and Malone,” but the two have the opportunity to create their own legacy as the next great Utah Jazz duo. Conley’s experience with the “Grit and Grind” Memphis Grizzlies will be vital in helping Donovan Mitchell take the next leap in a competitive Western Conference.
8. Damian Lillard / CJ McCollum (Portland Trail Blazers)
The 2019-20 NBA Season may be the last time we see this version of the Portland Trail Blazers. Though they reached the Western Conference Finals, the Golden State Warriors made quick work of the Blazers in 4 games. Damian Lillard recently signed a 4 year / $191 Million supermax extension and CJ McCollum is entering the penultimate season of his rookie extension. If this duo is unable to take another step in a much more open NBA landscape, 2019-20 may be the last season they share duties in the Blazers backcourt.
7. Nikola Jokic / Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets)
Nikola Jokic is a perennial MVP candidate and Jamal Murray has shown consistent improvement throughout his first three years in the league. Denver Nuggets’ Coach Mike Malone has described this twosome’s chemistry as “almost romantic” in describing the ways this pairing plays off each other in their uniquely styled offense. The top pairing under-25, this dynamic duo has the potential to keep the Denver Nuggets atop the Western Conference for years to come.
6. Joel Embiid / Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers)
This is the rare combination in which the big man has the better outside game that his perimeter counterpart. In order for this duo to take the next step into the tier below, Ben Simmons will need to make a significant improvement to (or at least develop) his jump shot to help create spacing for Joel Embiid down low. The 76ers are primed to be the best team in the Eastern Conference for years to come, but such success hinges on how Embiid and Simmons are able to harmonize on the hardwood.
Tier 1 – The “Elite” NBA Superstar Duos
5. James Harden / Russell Westbrook (Houston Rockets)
The Oklahoma City Thunder have agreed to trade Russell Westbrook to the Houston Rockets for Chris Paul, first-round picks in 2024 and 2026, pick swaps in 2021 and 2025, league sources tell ESPN.
News of this trade sent social media in a whirlwind, with many asking the same question: is one ball enough? A lot has changed since James Harden and Russell Westbrook played together in Oklahoma City; Harden has blossomed from a mini-bearded Sixth Man of The Year, while Westbrook has grown accustomed to leading-man duties. But you don’t pass up on pairing two MVPs in their prime. While this fit may be questionable, the sheer talent of this NBA superstar duo alone is worth the gamble.
4. Kevin Durant / Kyrie Irving (Brooklyn Nets)
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving had been plotting to team up since 2018. Unfortunately, they may have to wait to see their dream come to fruition while Kevin Durant rehabs from a torn Achilles suffered in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Durant and Irving have reached the pinnacle of success while playing roles in other legendary duos. With the Brooklyn Nets now the forefront of New York basketball, this duo will have the chance to cement their place in basketball lore by bringing an NBA Championship to the Big Apple.
3. Steph Curry / Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors)
The 2019-20 NBA Season will be a gap year for the “Splash Brothers.” With Klay Thompson recovering from a torn ACL that should sideline him for the majority of the season, Steph Curry will be left to man the ship with his temporary replacement, D’Angelo Russell. Despite Thompson’s injury, this duo’s success should place them above every other combination on this list; however, the moves that took place this offseason have this Warriors’ combo embracing their newfound underdog role.
2. Lebron James / Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers)
1. Kawhi Leonard / Paul George (Los Angeles Clippers)
The Los Angeles “Superstar Duos” is the result of blockbuster moves each team made this offseason. The Lakers paired two top-five players by acquiring Anthony Davis to team up with Lebron James. But the Clippers’ one-upped their in-town rival by signing two-time NBA finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, who has staked his claim as the best player in the league. And with his recruitment of Paul George, Leonard paired himself with an elite superstar who has no problem taking control of both ends of the floor. All roads now run through the Staples Center and the battle for Los Angeles is to sure to result in many “epic” matchups between these two for years to come.
Fans love the NFL Scouting Combine even more than the coaches, general managers, and scouts since it has been televised. It gives every fan access to the exact same measurable stats for each player as NFL franchises. Thus, fans begin to get a glimpse into how difficult it is to pick great players in the […]
Most of the attention in the western conference during this absolutely insane NBA offseason has gone to the California teams – the Lakers adding Anthony Davis and striking out elsewhere, the Warriors losing Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala and DeMarcus Cousins and of course the Clippers forming a superteam of their own with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. However, rather quietly, the Portland Trail Blazers – who I remind you are fresh off an appearance in the Western Conference Finals – have retooled their team and are ready to make another deep run in the playoffs.
Last year’s run was aided by two extremely beneficial mid-season acquisitions, center Enes Kanter and wing Rodney Hood. Both were role players who ended up playing significant minutes during the playoffs; Kanter thanks to a late-season injury to starter Jusuf Nurkic and Hood simply because he showed up and filled the role of athletic scorer off the bench – something Portland was desperately missing for most of the season.
However, Portland didn’t want to wait until midseason to re-shape their roster again. After proclaiming that there would not be any fireworks at the start of free agency, Blazers general manager Neil Olshey oversaw seven players depart via free agency or trade, and brought in five new players. So much for no fireworks.
Analyzing Portland’s Moves
Portland’s biggest acquisition, in importance and size, is former Heat center Hassan Whiteside. Acquired in a trade that sent Meyers Leonard to Miami and Moe Harkless to the Clippers, Whiteside will be a one-year stopgap while Nurkic recovers. Sure, Whiteside has had his issues with attitude and effort, but in a contract year and with Damian Lillard’s no-nonsense approach to leadership, Whiteside has the opportunity to really thrive in this environment.
The trade clears out two expiring contracts in Leonard and Harkless, and frees up third-year Zach Collins to start at the power forward spot now that both Harkless and Al-Farouq Aminu, who signed with the Magic, are gone.
The team also dealt backup guard Evan Turner to Atlanta for wing Kent Bazemore, a move that saw two massive contracts exchange hands. Bazemore gives Portland an experienced outside shooter and defensive player, effectively replacing Aminu and Seth Curry, who signed with Dallas, in one player.
As if that wasn’t enough, the Blazers also brought in backup power forward Anthony Tolliver and wing Mario Hezonja, two veteran bench players who are capable of scoring in droves.
Projecting The Portland Trail Blazers’ Lineup
A projected starting five of Whiteside, Collins, Hood, McCollum and Lillard doesn’t look much better than last year’s squad – if at all – but a backup unit that includes Tolliver, Hezonja, Bazemore, Anfernee Simons and rookie Nassir Little – who many believe will be the steal of the draft – should do a lot of damage in a suddenly wide-open Western Conference.
That’s not even included Nurkic, who gives this team a huge boost with his projected return in February.
California’s three teams may be getting all of the attention, but it could be the other west coast team that finds itself in the NBA Finals next season.
Yet again, the USWNT won another World Cup final. These women are on fire. Breaking records left and right, fighting for equal pay, and even getting into beef with President Trump himself. Though many called them “classless“, “unsportsmanlike“, or worse, these incredible and strong women stood, unaffected. In their dominance, they’ve set themselves apart from the historic men and women’s World Cup teams. Now, more than ever, the U.S. women are proving that they deserve equal pay (if not more) to the U.S. Men’s National Team. Here are 12 USWNT stats and records that display how truly great American women are at soccer.
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 8, 2019
Even though the USWNT were already the leaders for Women’s World Cup titles, winning the 2019 Women’s World Cup further extended their record. In fact, with their 2019 Women’s World Cup victory, their title win-percentage is 50-percent. Eight tournaments, four championships. This team is unreal.
The USWNT now holds the record for most consecutive finals appearances. This USWNT stat is for both men and women’s World Cups.
Most Finishes in the Top 2 of a Women’s World Cup (5)
Since 1991, there have been eight Women’s World Cups. The USWNT appeared in 5 of those. That USWNT stat is 62.5-percent of World Cup finals for these all-stars.
Most Finishes in the Top 3 or 4 of a Women’s World Cup (8)
Unsurprisingly from those who watch the USWNT, they play well in each World Cup tournament. However, it is still incredibly impressive that they walk away with a medal every time. The lowest finish from the USWNT is third-place. They’ve finished third three times, second once, and first three times. No World Cup team, men or women’s, can say they’ve finished third or above in every World Cup played. Astounding.
Best Goal Differential in Women’s World Cups (+100)
Taking all USWNT World Cup matches, they scored 100 more goals than conceded. The record for men and women is currently held by Brazil with a plus-124 goal differential. Granted, the Brazil men’s team played in 21 World Cup tournaments, 13 more than the USWNT women.
Just like goal differential, this USWNT stat is only for Women’s World Cups. The Brazilian men’s team hold the record for most World Cup goals scored with 229.
Again, the Brazilian men hold another record over the women. With 73 wins, the USWNT have a long way to go to top that. However, the USWNT average 1.5 wins more per tournament than the Brazilian men.
Most Tournaments Unbeaten in Women’s World Cup History (4)
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 2, 2019
With their victory on July 7th, this USWNT finished their fourth Women’s World Cup tournament unbeaten. So, in half of the Women’s World Cup tournaments, the U.S. women’s team walk out unbeaten. They are Goliaths.
Most Goals Scored in a World Cup Match (13) and Best Match Goal Differential (13)
A rundown of records set/tied in the USWNT's 13-0 win over Thailand.
Most goals ever in a Women's/Men's World Cup Game (13).
Alex Morgan's 5 goals tied the most by a player in a men's or women's World Cup game.
Against Thailand, the U.S. women’s team rocked the world. Critics called them “classless” and “unsportsmanlike”, while fans rode the wave of success. This USWNT statistic set a record for both men and women’s tournaments.
Obviously, the USWNT got a solid head start with their record-breaking win against Thailand. Winning 13 to 0 is quite the performance. With their two goals in the 2019 Women’s World Cup Final, they passed the 1999 USWNT and the 2003 German women for most goals in a Women’s World Cup tournament. They were also just one goal shy of tying the 1954 Hungarian men for most goals, men or women. So close.
With their win against England, the USWNT launched themselves over the top of Norway’s ten-game win record. This UWSNT stat is also tied with the 2002-2006 Brazilian men’s teams with 11 consecutive wins. But, winning the 2019 Women’s World Cup Final broke the record for either men or women. Let’s go!
The Best USWNT Statistic We’ve Found
Nike said that the @USWNT's 2019 stadium home jersey is now the No. 1-selling soccer jersey, men's or women's, ever sold on its website in one season. https://t.co/6GinDnnMuS
Reported by Tom VanHaaren of ESPN, the USWNT’s stadium home jersey just took the top-spot, for men or women, of Nike.com sales in one season. Additionally, online jersey retailer Fanatics also reported sales growth of more than 500-percent for the USWNT when compared through the same semi-final period in 2015. They are the top-selling national soccer team, men or women.
So let’s recap these USWNT statistics and records. The U.S. team is the most decorated women’s soccer team in history. They hold records over both men and women in incredibly impressive statistics. Remember, they also hold the record for the most watched soccer game in United States history. And now they also set records for jersey sales. It’s impossible to ignore their talent, hard work and success.
