Author: bestkeptsecret19

I'm just a man trying to be listened to. Hopefully, I can motivate and inspire people on the way to making a widespread positive difference.

Broncos have only themselves to blame for Wilson debacle

Things were destined for failure once Denver decided to trade for the beleaguered QB

In football, it’s no secret everything is centered around who a squad has playing the quarterback position. When this assessment is seen or heard, laughter is what comes to me at times, because this sport is the ultimate team game that needs so many moving parts to come together. At any rate, QB has become arguably the most important position in all of sports, and who’s there could be the difference between a team winning or losing at championship levels. In the summer of 2022, the Denver Broncos felt they had assembled a roster ready to compete for a Super Bowl title, and quarterback was the missing piece to their puzzle. With that in mind, the Broncos decided to go all-in on their search, and Russell Wilson was identified as the man who could lead the franchise back to the promised land.

Knowing my personal feelings are not important for this article, I could go on and on about how much I disagreed with this move. I never thought Wilson was a QB who could put a team on his back and bring titles home. It’s understood he won a championship with the Seattle Seahawks in 2013, but the identity of that particular squad was a strong running game (Marshawn Lynch) and a great defense led by the “Legion of Boom” secondary (Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas among others). When the Seahawks decided to give more responsibility to Wilson, there were moments where the QB played at an elite level, but at the end, Seattle never made it past the NFC divisional playoff round since the 2014 season (the fateful Malcolm Butler interception in SB XLIX). After 2021, it was apparent Wilson’s time in the Pacific Northwest had run short, and the Seahawks brass, namely head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider, were open for business. Now, it was just a matter of who was willing to trade with them and acquire the QB. This is where Denver comes back into the story.

Let’s not forget the Broncos felt they were a quarterback away from truly being championship contenders, and getting Wilson was seen as a significant upgrade from the combined play of Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock. Therefore, Denver decided to do a deal with Seattle, where Wilson would come to the Mile High City in exchange for the 2022 and 2023 first- and second-round picks (and players to include Lock). To show how serious they were in this investment, the Broncos gave Wilson a five-year, $245 million extension (There was a season left on the four-year, $140 million contract signed with the Seahawks in 2019). In the NFL, the trend is to do what’s possible to win right now, even if it means getting rid of future assets. What Denver said was they were good enough to win right now and in the future, and Wilson was the man who would lead them there. As everyone knows by now, those dreams haven’t come close to becoming a reality.

2022 was a nightmarish season for the Broncos, finishing 5-12 in a campaign that saw first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett get fired before the finale. As for Wilson, the argument could be made for the QB taking a step back from the 7-10 record in 2021. Everyone knows the quarterback probably gets too much credit and/or blame, depending on the final tally, but if that’s the standard, there wasn’t much good Wilson brought to Denver. If anything, it was drama, from reports of teammates not getting along with him, to his rumored accommodation of having his own office. Yes, all of the off-field stuff matters to an extent, but on the field, Wilson looked like a player who has seen his best days. In a word, washed was a common term to describe his play, as he threw 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 15 games. Needless to say, changes were in store for the Broncos, and Sean Payton was brought in to steady the ship at head coach. Things started off ugly this season, with the team beginning 1-5 (which includes giving up 70 points to the Miami Dolphins in Week 3). To their credit, Denver recovered to give themselves a puncher’s chance in the AFC playoff picture, but after a disappointing 26-23 loss at home to the New England Patriots on Christmas Eve, hope was all but lost. Soon after, Payton would come out with the announcement Wilson was being benched for the final two games, saying they needed a spark to win. So the man of choice to replace Wilson is Jarrett Stidham (sounds suspect), and now, the stage is set for an offseason mess.

Thinking logically, it’s probably fair to say Stidham isn’t giving the Broncos a better chance of winning than Wilson. At the same time, all indications say the squad is looking at the contract they gave to Wilson, and are seeing a huge mistake based off the results of the last two seasons. Apparently, Denver wanted the QB to adjust his contract, or risk being benched, which happened after the Broncos’ playoff hopes took that deafening blow from the defeat to the Patriots. In other words, this rocky marriage looks like it’s headed for a messy end, and Denver is about to take a nice-sized cap hit if and when they decide to cut Wilson (unless they can find someone to trade with). Clearly, the return on investment hasn’t been matched on the field, but this whole situation could have been easily avoided if the Broncos didn’t fall victim to the vaunted quarterback chase. For this debacle, Denver should look at themselves in the mirror if they want to place blame, and because of this move, the franchise might have lost a few years in a supposed championship window that could have been a mirage all along.

Exploring why the NBA regular season has lost its luster

The In-Season Tournament provides a boost, but a lull between the conclusion and the playoffs loom large

More than ever, the regular season in many of the world’s major sports leagues have decreased in terms of importance. From the players to the fans, the priority is to make it to playoff action, and let the chips fall where they may. The decaying value may not be any more prevalent than it is in the NBA, where it’s almost considered a crime if a player (let alone a star player) comes close to playing in all 82 regular season games. That, combined with a style of play that has made defense optional, and a product that is close to unwatchable becomes the result. It’s become so bad, commissioner Adam Silver knew he had to do something in an attempt to remedy the problem, and alas, the In-Season Tournament (won by the Los Angeles Lakers) is born. After assessing the results, it’s time to look into why this point was reached, the after effects of the tournament and where things go from here.

When it comes to the league’s devalued regular season, one of the main reasons people love to point the finger at is load management. This isn’t to say resting players wasn’t happening before this, but the San Antonio Spurs started a trend when they chose selected games to sit aging starts like Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili in the early to mid-2010s. The goal was to make sure they were healthy for the playoff run, and the action resulted in the Spurs making back-to-back runs to the NBA Finals in 2013 and ’14 (winning it all in the latter year). Since then, many other teams have adapted the strategy for numerous reasons, even if it means shutting down players for trade and draft considerations. Nowadays, 65 or 70 games played for a star player is considered a miracle, and there’s no indication of that trend changing anytime soon. It’s never a good sign when the competitive balance of a league is in question, and the problem is particularly glaring in the NBA. Yes, MLB and the NHL have equally long seasons (in terms of months played), but the star players are likely to play more often than not. The NFL has less games to play, but you can count on them to be in action unless injuries keep them out. The opposite has become the norm in basketball.

Along with load management, the quality and style of play is mentioned as a reason why the league’s regular season isn’t as pleasant on the eyes and ears. At the risk of sounding like the old head, the days of tough defense seem to be long gone, and players get thrown out if there’s even a hint of a hard foul. The combination of rule changes and the want by many to see more offense equals point totals that are astronomic. Final scores of 130 to 120 are now the normal instead of the exception, and it’s surprising if a team, or both, don’t have 100 points after three quarters of action. In other words, the games in the regular season aren’t too much better than glorified scrimmages and shoot arounds, and the product has become close to cringeworthy. This isn’t to take away from the skill these players have on offense, but the defense is more about getting the points back on the other end than taking the challenge and actually stopping somebody.

It’s one thing to point out problems, but what are the solutions? We knew there were (and still are) issues with tanking, and the NBA decided to introduce the Play-In Tournament in response. Like anything else in life, the playoff tease has its detractors, but it has worked to generate more excitement and more importantly, lessen the amount of giving up on the season. Viewership in the regular season is the next issue, which is a problem simply because football (both the NFL and college) is clearly the elephant that blocks the sight for everything else. At the earliest, the league’s Christmas showcase, when there are five nationally televised games in a row, is when any bit of interest in the season begins. By bringing the IST into existence, they can at least take advantage of the nights football isn’t on as much, and give incentive for the players to hold off (for a little bit) on load management. From all indications, the tournament checked all of the boxes for success, and if the way some of the courts looked is the most fans can complain about, it’s safe to say good reviews are aplenty.

So what happens next? There are reports the NBA is looking at ways to improve upon the first IST. Maybe the league can start the tournament a little later, with the final potentially taking place on Christmas Day. The first month of the season is used by many players to start getting into playing shape, and for that reason, it’s understood why the NBA wanted to have the dates they chose to hold the invitational. Maybe they could hold another one before the All-Star Break, with the trade deadline looming. Some people say the IST is a gimmick , but in the soccer world, the tournaments during the season have been a rousing success. It’s good to see the NBA is willing to try something new. They saw a problem, and they’re trying to solve it. Best believe, the other leagues in North America are watching, and if the success continues for basketball, don’t be surprised if there are copycats that follow.

Georgia Is Still The Team To Beat, Until Proven Otherwise

A lot of noise has occurred during the college football season, but one item stands as the loudest

During the course of any season, there are many “statements” that are made, and college football isn’t any different. Texas going on the road to defeat Alabama is one. Oklahoma beating the aforementioned Longhorns in the Red River Rivalry is another. The latest statement wins came when Washington outlasted Oregon in a Pac-12 showcase, and one can bet Ohio State defeating Penn State will qualify as such noise from the Big Ten perspective. Many voices will scream and rant about which team is the best after said statement victory, while others will act as if they’re taking an extra step in their analysis to pick the top team. Through it all, one constant remains, and that is Georgia, the two-time defending national champion and reigning No. 1 rated team, is (and will be until someone knocks them off) the top dog.

It’s no secret how dominant the Bulldogs, and the SEC as a whole, have been recently and in the past two decades. Including Georgia winning the last two versions of the College Football Playoff, the conference has won four in a row (LSU in 2019, Alabama in 2020). Going back to 2003, the SEC has won 14 of the 20 national championships. While the Crimson Tide went through an unprecedented run of dominance since Nick Saban became the head coach before the 2007 season (and remain a threat for titles), the Bulldogs have emerged as a team that can get on a roll similar to that under Kirby Smart, who took over at Georgia in time for the 2016 campaign after being Saban’s long-time defensive coordinator. Their team is constantly loaded with NFL-caliber talent, and it’s to the point where the roster is reloaded instead of rebuilt. The statement wins haven’t been on Georgia’s schedule so far in 2023, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less dangerous.

That’s not to say the Bulldogs come without flaws, and just like anyone else in sports, they can be beaten at any point. Georgia is still first and undefeated, but it’s been far from pretty. They have had slow starts in many of their games, and needed big second halves to stave off challenges from South Carolina and Auburn. The ones who look for the new hot thing would look at these performances as signs of weakness, but the reality is not many champions go through seasons without being tested a time or two. It’s about surviving and advancing, and the Bulldogs have done that for over a year and a half without defeat. Instead of looking at it as a team being far from perfect, how about giving credit to the fact Georgia hasn’t lost a game since Alabama got them in the 2021 SEC Championship Game? Every program dreams of having the consistency the Bulldogs have enjoyed in recent years, and still enjoys up to this point. It’s funny how people want to say they strive for sustainability, but want something to derail the train when it’s happening in their faces.

Now, the question to ask is who can take Georgia down. In the SEC, the Crimson Tide (as usual) seems to be the most logical choice, but could Florida, Ole Miss or Tennessee rise up? Maybe a surprising Missouri squad could get the Bulldogs “between the hedges.” Going outside of the SEC, the Buckeyes were a missed field goal away from defeating Georgia in last season’s CFP semifinal, but questions remain about how good they truly are. Oddsmakers have made Michigan as the favorite to win the title this year, but we’ve seen the Wolverines crumble under the CFP spotlight the last couple of years. Does Oklahoma and/or Texas make some noise from the Big 12? Is this the season the Pac-12 (in their final season of existence) breaks through and win a championship for the first time since USC in 2004? Washington, Oregon and Utah appear to be the biggest threats from that conference. How about Florida State from the ACC? The point is while Georgia reigns over the college football world, it may not be as clear cut as it has been lately.

Understand this is a forum that welcomes multiple perspectives and dialogue. Everyone has opinions, and the reasons for them could take us anywhere. If you’re on the side wanting the Bulldogs to lose, then any reason validating that will dominate the thought process. Georgia fans would obviously disagree with those views, but that’s what makes these debates interesting, at least the non-scripted ones. No matter what side is taken, there’s no debating the fact the Bulldogs are still the team to beat, even if oddsmakers and analysts want to push narratives that say they aren’t. Georgia hasn’t lost in quite a while, and someone has to go through them to see their own title aspirations come true. Until that happens, the Bulldogs still own the yard, like it or not.

Coach Prime and Colorado gets humbled, and so does the media hype

One can only be blinded by the glitz and glamour for so long, and Oregon made that clear Saturday

Before diving into the sound defeat No. 9 (as of the latest Associated Press poll) Oregon gave Colorado (now unranked), it’s time to give disclaimers. The first are about the feelings I have towards Deion Sanders and what he’s doing at Colorado’s program. I actually like what Sanders has brought (and is bringing) to the squad. Let’s remember this is a team that was 1-11 last season. The fact they already have three wins to begin the year shows the Buffaloes are significantly better than they were at any point in 2022. Secondly, this isn’t me necessarily coming to the defense of “Coach Prime” and Colorado, nor is it me trying to pile on after they caught this humbling loss to the Ducks. This is an attempt to bring reality to a situation that went way too far into fantasy world. It’s understood what’s about to be said will probably fall on deaf ears, and many will continue to ignore what’s actually there. Even with knowing that, there’s no denying what happened Saturday, and what to look for as more games are played.

Let’s start with the events on the field, where things really matter in this case. Oregon won 42-6 at Autzen Stadium, in a contest where the score probably could have been worse than it was. Every game tells its own story, and one word explains what happened in this one, domination. The Ducks outgained the Buffaloes 522-199 in total yardage. On defense, the pressure they brought to Sanders’ son, Shedeur, was relentless, sacking the quarterback seven times. There are many more stats that could explain how much of a mismatch this was, but those are the two that stick out. The main point to take out of this game is Colorado has potential to rise to prominence with “Coach Prime” going forward, but understand they have a long way to go before that happens. They will head to the Big 12 after this season, but as they navigate through the Pac-12 in that conference’s final days, don’t be surprised if this is the first of multiple losses looming for the Buffaloes.

That’s the reality, and it’s been there all along, The problem is many weren’t (and never are) willing to look into the details, allowing themselves to be infatuated with the shiny new toys. Colorado is the latest example of the flashy car, and the media did all they could to have everyone blinded by the hype. The hot take machines started this months ago, when ESPN decided the Buffaloes’ spring football game was the only one worthy of being on their main station. The hype train continued to gain steam, and when Colorado defeated TCU (who went to last season’s national championship game) on the road in their first game, it was a forgone conclusion Neon Deion and the Buffs were going to be the hottest topic on everyone’s airwaves. Fox Sports’ Big Noon Kickoff pregame show spent the first three weeks of the season around Colorado, and will be back in Boulder when eighth-ranked USC comes to town Saturday. Of course, ESPN had to bring College GameDay to town, and the network’s other shows, such as First Take and The Pat McAfee Show, were right there with them. Even CBS News’ 60 Minutes came to interview Sanders. With all of the glitz and glamour comes a bullseye, and if anyone was wondering how Oregon head coach Dan Lanning was feeling before and after the contest with Colorado, Lanning left no doubts, with colorful quotes such as “Rooted in substance, not flash, rooted in substance,” among others. It’s a certainty the Ducks won’t be the only team with this attitude. As for the hype and hot take machines, consider them humbled just like the Buffs, at least for the time being.

Now, the question is what happens from here. Yes, the style and lights shining all over the Colorado program says this is a speed bump on the way to a College Football Playoff berth, but realistically, expectations should be far less than that. At the risk of repeating myself, this program is coming off of a 1-11 campaign. It was beyond time to clean house, move furniture, pressure wash the floors and walls, and bring the people with the hazmat suits in. The squad has a new coach, and practically a whole new team, thanks to the transfer portal. For the people who had tunnel vision and only saw the flash, seeing what Oregon did came as a shock. All Oregon did was reinforce the truth, which is the Buffs’ roster isn’t on par with what the Ducks, and other teams in the Pac-12, have in their’s. In other words, this season is all about building a foundation where growth happens, and any sniff of a decent bowl game is looked at as gravy. Winning seven or eight games should be considered a successful season for Colorado. It’s not competing for a conference title, but coming from where they were a year ago, a participation trophy would be in order. This is my way of saying more losses are coming this season, and with each one, the shine will continue to wear off.

In closing, I want to reiterate I’m rooting for Coach Prime, and I wouldn’t mind seeing the dream scenario of the Buffs winning the conference. In reality, middle-of-the-pack is probably where they’ll end up, then it’s on to the Big 12 come 2024. If all of those people who are in the media, or work for the networks as “experts,” were being truthful, they would realize the same. Instead, it’s about what’s hot, and where the most money and eyes can be accumulated. I won’t say Sanders and Colorado are playing for clicks, but they have become the favorites to win that particular battle. The lesson that should be taken from Oregon’s housing of the Buffs is be willing to open the hood of the car to make sure it’s running properly, instead of assuming it does because it looks nice. Hype and glitz only go so far, and substance is what ultimately proves what’s real. Who knows? Colorado might be able to put the Oregon loss behind them, and put themselves in the conference race, but I doubt it. Right now, the players aren’t there to compete with top competition, and that’s okay. The choice we have to make as fans is between doing homework and research, or continuing to let shiny things influence us. I choose to stay optimistic, but realistic. The feeling is I’ll be part of the minority if I ask who’s coming with me.

Three teams that could emerge as Super Bowl contenders

They might not grab the attention right now, but a different story could be written before too long

As the NFL season prepares to kick off Thursday night, it’s time for one more projection in a land that’s flooded with them. In the AFC, most are good with saying the Kansas City Chiefs (defending Super Bowl champion), Cincinnati Bengals or Buffalo Bills will be the conference representative in Las Vegas when February’s league showcase comes around. As for the NFC, it’s the Philadelphia Eagles (conference champs from last season), San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys who are the favorites. While it’s not out of the ordinary to hear these six teams mentioned amongst the favorites, it’s almost inevitable a squad that’s under the radar will rise to be in the mix. That’s what this article is all about, finding those squads that could be surprises, and here are three that might be fitted for the crown.

In the AFC East, there’s a lot of hype surrounding the Bills and New York Jets (with the addition of quarterback Aaron Rodgers), but the Miami Dolphins shouldn’t be an afterthought. Of course, a lot of what the Dolphins do depends on the health of QB Tua Tagovailoa, but if he’s right, the offense is as potent as there is in the league. Tagovailoa is complimented by an explosive duo to throw to in wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, good running backs in Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. and a good offensive line that continues to improve. While there aren’t many questions about the offense, the defense is a different story. Knowing this, Miami did what they could to address the doubts during the offseason, bringing in Vic Fangio as the defensive coordinator and trading with the Los Angeles Rams to get cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The latter, combined with fellow DB Xavien Howard, looks like one of the top pairs of corners on paper, while the former has been an architect of some of the best defenses in recent memory. If the defense can be on par with the offense, the Dolphins will be dangerous to deal with.

Moving over to the AFC North, the Pittsburgh Steelers, even after all of these years, can’t be overlooked. Being objective, this division has the potential to beat each other up, but the Steelers look like they can do their share of inflicting pain. The defense, led by linebacker T.J. Watt and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, is traditionally a top unit in the league. The offensive line is a major question mark (perhaps THE major one). If they can protect second-year QB Kenny Pickett, look for him to take a significant step towards being the man in Pittsburgh for years to come. There’s not a lack of weapons in the Steel City for Pickett to spread the ball around to. Running back Najee Harris is one of the best all-around ball carriers in the NFL, and for pass-catchers, wide receivers Diontae Johnson and George Pickens, along with tight end Pat Freiermuth, can combine to give the Steelers some much-needed explosiveness to compliment their stout defense. It also helps to have Mike Tomlin, who hasn’t had a losing season since he took over in 2007, as the head coach. There is a chance Pittsburgh can get caught up in the web of the AFC North, but if they do emerge, look out.

Heading over to the NFC, how about the Washington Commanders? Sure, they have the Eagles, Cowboys and New York Giants to contend with in the NFC East, but the Commanders have the talent to play with anyone. The keys to Washington’s car has been turned over to Sam Howell, the quarterback who was selected in the fifth-round of the 2022 draft, and the team hopes he can provide stability to a position that has seen so much turnover in past seasons. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin and running back Brian Robinson Jr. are among the skill players who should help give Howell support through the tough moments. As for the defensive line, it’s possible the best group could be in the nation’s capital. Defensive end Chase Young is ready to return and join a group that features fellow DE Montez Sweat and defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne. This group can stop the run, while generating pressure without help from blitzing. While there is something to be excited about on the field, it’s off the field where the most excitement might be. Billionaire Josh Harris has replaced Dan Snyder as the owner, and to say the air has cleared since that finalization would be an understatement. The hope is under Harris, the team can stop being mentioned as part of investigations into a toxic environment and workplace misconduct, which was constantly a topic under Snyder. For the first time in a while, there is true hope the Commanders can make some noise, and FedEx Field will actually be a true home-field advantage. A change in leadership could be enough to add two or three more wins, which would probably be the difference between making and missing the playoffs.

This wasn’t easy to pick three teams that could be sneaky Super Bowl contenders, because there are many who could fit this mold. Someone else’s list could be completely different from this one, and chances are a compelling case could be made for it. Just remember when it comes to these choices, the Dolphins, Steelers and Commanders are all picked to finish third or fourth in their respective divisions (according to most oddsmakers). The talent on all of these squads can be matched with anyone. It’s just a question whether or not everything can come together at the right time. If it does, don’t be surprised if one, or all, of these teams are in the running for title contention come December and January.

Same overhype, and probably same results coming for Jets

There’s a lot of noise coming from New York, but chances are it will be just that

It’s getting close to the start of another NFL season, and with that comes the renewed hope for teams and their millions of fans, the belief that says this could be the year where a Super Bowl victory parade can be seen in their city. Of course, there are some places that deserve the hype more than others, but a few that is going to get bulks of conversation simply because of where they reside. The New York Jets are one of those clubs, and if they weren’t in the nation’s top media market, it would be hard to imagine them receiving the hype they get every season. It’s not like their play on the field gives reason for conversation (unless it’s staying in purgatory). The Jets haven’t made the playoffs since 2010, and have had seven last place finishes in the AFC East since their last postseason appearance. Coming into this season, there’s actually championship talk centering around New York, and with hype machines ESPN and HBO’s “Hard Knocks” driving the bandwagon, that talk is going nowhere fast. Last time it’s been checked, no team has ever won a title on paper, and here are reasons why the Jets might stay that way when the season is finished.

Before diving into those reasons, let’s be frank by saying there’s more cases for belief than any other season in memory. New York has a legit quarterback in Aaron Rodgers, replacing Zach Wilson as the starter. They have a defense (led by Defensive Rookie of the Year Sauce Gardner), who was one of the top units last season, returning the majority of their players. The team even have some shiny toys as weapons (with Offensive ROY Garrett Wilson among them) for Rodgers to throw to. With the Jets, the roster looks like one that can compete with any in the NFL, but the offensive line is a worrisome spot that could derail any dreams of glory days. Last season, New York quarterbacks were sacked 42 times. The QBs that were back there, whether it was Wilson, Mike White (now with the Dolphins) or Chris Streveler, weren’t that good. That’s no secret, but with the protection they were getting, there aren’t many quarterbacks who would thrive under those conditions. Wilson, in particular, has more issues on his own, but he was far from the only problem. Yes, Rodgers should be a significant upgrade at arguably the most important position in all of sports, but the offensive line better be upgraded along with him. If not, a record hovering around .500 could once again be in the Jets’ future. No QB likes getting knocked down, and it’s not uncommon for other people start getting blamed for it, especially if it’s Rodgers telling the story. When New York City is the place the drama unfolds, it’s a totally different beast. Either Rodgers gets protection, or it’s going to be open season in the tabloids.

Of course, nothing happens if things that can be controlled aren’t taken care of, but even if that does happen, there’s a lot of competition in the aforementioned AFC East that could eliminate New York. The Buffalo Bills, who have won the division the last three season, are still the favorites to win the crown once again. The Miami Dolphins, coming off of a playoff appearance a year ago, look to be formidable with an explosive offense and improvements on defense (at least through transactions). As for the New England Patriots, they’re never an easy team to face, and they seem to beat the Jets no matter when they play. Long story short, if New York wants to become the team to beat, it’s going to be tough to get through division battles alone.

Let’s say the Jets are to make it out of the AFC East as champions. If that happens, the conference as a whole doesn’t lack for quality teams that look to be in the running for a Super Bowl berth. The defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, won’t give the title up easily. The Cincinnati Bengals made it to at least the AFC Championship Game two seasons in a row. In Jacksonville, the Jaguars are young and hungry. The Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, and Los Angeles Chargers also figure to make some noise. New York can turn out to be a good team, but how much better is a significant question. They won seven games last year, and their win total odds are set at +9.5. Even if they go over, it still might not be enough to make it to the playoffs, not because the Jets aren’t formidable, but because there are other teams that may turn out to be better.

This isn’t an effort to rain on the optimism for fans in the city that never sleeps and beyond. It’s merely a caution, warning against getting blinded by the hype. New York has a good roster, and it’s easy to believe they could be ready to win right now with the addition of Rodgers. Of course, we’ll start getting answers soon, but don’t be surprised if the Bills win the AFC East, and it’s a struggle for the Jets to make the playoffs as a wild card. The conference is loaded with good teams, and hype machines are known to set people up for heartache. Consider this an effort to help bring realistic expectations to the table, so if (and probably when) the Jets get grounded, there should be no one saying there wasn’t people seeing things with clear eyes. The buyer beware sign is out, and now, it’s time to see how the bandwagon looks after each passing game.

Why Lillard trade demand may signal a change in philosophy for NBA franchises

Business can be messy, and it might become even more so in the future

We all know the way the NBA works these days. More than any other league, the players are the ones who ultimately hold the power more often than not. It’s common to see stars sign long-term deals with their current teams, only to request a trade when a no-win situation stays that way a year later (or maybe in shorter time than that). So it probably shouldn’t be much of a surprise to hear point guard Damian Lillard wants to be traded away from the Portland Trail Blazers, with the Miami Heat being the preferred destination. We’ll get into the specifics of how we got here in a moment, but just remember it’s okay for multiple things to be true at the same time, even if society wants to dictate right or wrong.

Let’s start with the facts in this matter. In an era where players staying with the original team that drafted them has become a thing of the past, Lillard is the anomaly in the equation. The now 33-year-old guard out of Weber State has played all 11 of his professional seasons with the Trail Blazers, so it’s not like loyalty has been an issue. With that said, Portland has paid a pretty penny to keep him there. Lillard signed a two-year, $121.77 million extension (according to Spotrac) to stay in the Pacific Northwest until the end of the 2026-27 season. That’s almost a $61 million average over those two seasons, and that’s just the latest of the big money deals the Trail Blazers have given Lillard during his stay. Career earnings for the guard sits at almost $234 million, and that will almost double by the time the extension is done. People will do what they want with these facts, but there’s cases to be made for both sides in using them.

About those opinions, as is the case with just about anything these days, those are going in a variety of directions. On the Lillard side, they would say it’s about time he demanded a trade, and Portland owes it to him to send him where he wants to go. On the Trail Blazers end, the consensus is they need to do the best deal to benefit the team, not the player, and they have paid Lillard more than enough to reward the loyalty. The reality is Portland should do a deal that’s going to help them going forward, and if Lillard is going to demand leaving after signing deals, they don’t have any obligation to make him happy with where they trade him to. Lillard is also within his rights to demand going elsewhere, and with the NBA being one of the more player-driven leagues, it’s logical to think he’ll ultimately get what he wants. If winning is what Lillard is about, it’s no secret that wasn’t going to happen at a high level in Portland, and instead of getting to free agency, he chose to extend and stay. This isn’t an attempt to criticize him for his loyalty, it’s simply pointing out what a lot of people already figured, and if Lillard is going to have that much money paid to him, it’s hard to get players to build around him. Therefore, if he supposed to be that player many believe he is, Lillard should be able to elevate the Trail Blazers (or any team he’s on) to a championship level. We all know that hasn’t happened, and the trade request looks like an attempt to get out of a dire situation Lillard had a hand in creating, at least to some.

Now, the question is what happens from here. Most believe a trade to the Heat will be completed at some point, whether that becomes a three or four-team deal, or not. If and when that happens, one might wonder if this starts to change the way contracts are structured in the NBA. As it currently stands, the longest deals are four or five years, depending on a player deciding if he wants to stay with the team he previously played for. Are there more deals, particularly for star players, that are two-year deals with the option for the second season? Constantly, the masses are told it’s worth the investment to keep a star player as long as possible, but what’s the point if said player isn’t willing to stay for the duration of the deal, especially if things don’t go as planned? It’s a real question teams will seemingly have to ask themselves for the future. Every year is its own story, and there aren’t many teams that stay exactly the same from the year prior. Times have evolved, and teams might not have much choice but to adjust with them.

It should never be a question about being honest, but if we’re in the business of doing so, Lillard is far from the first to want out after signing a long-term deal with a franchise. He’s just the latest in a lengthy line that includes Kevin Durant and James Harden (among others). Players should be able to get what they feel their value is worth, and be at a place where they know they would be happy. If they’re going to pursue that, sacrifice will be required, and it could come in the form of not having a good team capable of winning big around them. When things go haywire, trying to catch the first thing going out the door can’t be the answer. It should be as simple as playing out the contract, then make the decision to stay or go. Of course, it wouldn’t be right if it wasn’t more complicated than that, and such is life in the NBA. We’ll see how the Lillard saga plays out, but don’t be surprised if the grass isn’t greener on the other side for the longtime Trail Blazer.

With each passing day, narratives continue to get worse

Just when we think the highest level of buffoonery is reached, people are there to prove us wrong

In life, everyone has an opinion, and changes in narratives almost equal the amount of viewpoints. It’s all subjective who is believable or not, but no matter what side of the equation one is on, there’s no arguing with hard facts. Despite that, there are many who will try, due to the fear of having to admit they’re wrong about something. Therefore, it’s time to crush the garbage narratives that are (or was) out there about a few players, using the NBA Finals as the basis. Before we dive in, it’s keenly understood basketball is a team sport, and nobody can win championship or other awards by themselves. With that said, the culture is one that loves to look at what individuals are doing, especially when it comes to discussing anything best of. So because of said culture, let’s embrace instead of fight against, and do a deeper dive into the cesspool of word salad.

Let’s start with Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, who just led the club to their first ever league title, and won the NBA Finals MVP in the process. Before this season, Jokic won the previous two regular season MVP awards, asserting his status as one of the best players in the world. It’s hard to please everybody, but the narratives that came Jokic’s way is comical and sad at the same time. We had people saying he was “stat-padding,” and the awards he won were due to some sort of a racial bias supporting international players. We even have many saying Jokic should not have won the MVPs because the Nuggets didn’t have much postseason success in those two seasons, despite the fact the playoffs have nothing to do with the voting. Objectively speaking, Jokic has been a great player for a while in the NBA, long before he was an MVP candidate. What happened this season is the casual fan (and the haters who support these claims) got to see the 28-year-old center do what he’s been doing on a national and worldwide spotlight. With an NBA title now under his belt, there isn’t much for people to hate on, and the ironic thing is Jokic didn’t win the regular season MVP award this year (that went to Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid). To those people who said Jokic didn’t deserve those MVPs, does that mean Embiid doesn’t deserve his, since the 76ers blew a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics? This isn’t intended to be a campaign for Jokic, but if we’re in the business of looking at things fairly, let’s do so. It’s understood that probably won’t happen, but Jokic has done more than enough to make the case.

Staying with Denver, let’s discuss the narrative surrounding Jokic’s teammate and potent sidekick, guard Jamal Murray. Before discussing Murray in detail, let’s remember what he had to endure to get back to playing at a superstar level. On April 12, 2021, Murray tore the ACL in his left knee, and missed the next two postseasons due to the injury. Even this season, there were worries about his durability going forward, with questions surrounding if he would be fully available for the Nuggets’ title run. As we now know, Murray was arguably the second best player in the playoffs behind the aforementioned Jokic. With that in mind, the narrative on what the 26-year-old did during Denver’s run being a surprise is beyond wild. When Murray is right, he’s one of the games best scoring threats. In the playoff bubble closing out the COVID-plagued 2020 season, he had two 50-point games and the same number of 40-point games. With Murray suffering the torn-ACL, the guess is many forgot how good he is capable of being, but if people are historians of basketball like they claim to be, the performance the guard put on shouldn’t be much of a surprise. It also verifies how good Denver is when they have their two stars playing together. The last time Murray was healthy for the playoffs (prior to this year), the Nuggets made it to the Western Conference Finals. The proof says he can play with anyone in the league, and put up big numbers doing it. For those who forgot, Murray properly reminded them.

For the final case of trash narratives, let’s go to Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler. In general, the Heat are an interesting case. On one hand, Miami was the eighth and final seed in the East, barely getting into the dance after surviving the play-in tournament. They turned the birth into an improbable run to the NBA Finals before losing to Denver in five games. On the other hand, this is primarily the same squad that has advanced to at least the Eastern Conference Finals three of the last four seasons (twice making it to the NBA Finals). Knowing that bit of info might make one believe the Heat’s run shouldn’t be a shock, but it would be logical to think otherwise given how bad Miami looked at times. One thing that has been consistent is the play of Butler, and that reaches another level come playoff time. Bottom line, the Heat are nowhere close to this level without Butler’s leadership and energy, but losing brings criticism and narratives that weren’t even thought of the day before. Now, questions about being whether or not Butler can be the best player on a championship team are simmering. Remember when everyone was praising “Heat Culture?” Those praises have disappeared into the Rocky Mountain air. Taking the big picture view, it’s a minor miracle Butler and Miami have been as successful as they have been. They have never had the most talent, but it’s hard to match them in consistent effort and passion. Even still, people have to make up narratives to fill blocks on the debate shows that cover the airwaves.

Jokic, Murray and Butler are not the first people to find themselves in the narrative cesspool, and they definitely won’t be the last. No matter how hard someone may try to avoid them, opinions will be out there, left to be found in some way, shape or form. All of that is fine, but let’s at least be sensible and objective about the views. Nowadays, it’s easy to wonder if the ones who paint these narratives even believe what they’re saying, or is it all about selling hot takes in an attempt to maximize click bait. These three players don’t need me to have their backs at all, but it does feel good to call the BS out in their favor.

It’s time for the game show that’s taking over the sports world

These teams face many questions after getting eliminated from the NBA’s conference semifinals.

In sports, every team has stuff they have to address after a season of games. Some have more questions to answer than others, but the goal is to be in the best position to compete for a title in the next campaign. For teams in the NBA, there seems to be a point where those decisions hit a critical stage, and that’s if said team is eliminated from the playoffs after the conference semifinals. With that in mind, it’s time to play “Run It Back or Break It Up?,” the game where we decide whether the squad in question is better off keeping things together for another run, or blowing things up to start over. There are four teams who have major evaluations to conduct after being bounced out. As this game moves on, I’ll decide what I think should happen with the clubs going forward (your feedback is strongly encouraged as well). Without further or do, it’s time to introduce the contestants:

New York Knicks

If we are to listen to Knicks fans and a good amount of the media outlets in the northeast, they would have us believe the sky is falling with their team, and losing to the eighth-seeded Miami Heat in six games could certainly qualify for a disappointing finish. The reality is not many people had New York getting to this point in the first place, and until the team started to make moves in the regular season, they were seen as somewhat of a laughing stock. After signing point guard Jalen Brunson to a long-term contract last summer, large numbers of NBA followers (including myself) questioned why the Knicks would make such a move. Brunson would go on to give a resounding answer why he was brought to NYC, forcing some of those naysayers to call the acquisition the best signing of the year. In other words, there’s more reason to be optimistic than pessimistic in New York.

Having said that, there are hard choices for the Knicks to make if they want to continue the ascension. They found a gem in Brunson, but the rest of the roster has shown significant chunks of inconsistent play, particularly forwards Julius Randle and RJ Barrett. To answer the question, I believe they should run it back with a couple of caveats. Barrett caught a lot of criticism from the masses, and it was much deserved based on his poor shooting against the Heat. From my evaluation, he looked like a player who lost confidence, and the moments got the best of him. If there’s a next time at this stage, Barrett should be better prepared. The other caveat has to do with Randle, because there’s rumblings about trading the league’s Most Improved Player in 2021. That’s an option, but who would be the other trade partner? Of course, Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard has been mentioned as a potential target, but that wouldn’t come cheap. A trade for Lillard would probably gut the team of any depth they had before a potential deal, resulting in more heartache for the Knicks and their fans. All that considered, it’s probably best for New York to stay intact for now.

Decision: Run It Back

Philadelphia 76ers

Unlike the expectations for the Knicks, the 76ers were looked at as a team that could take the next step, with that being an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals. Up until a few days ago, there was reason to believe that would happen. Philly had the newly-crowned MVP in center Joel Embiid, a former MVP in guard James Harden that showed signs of that form, and they had a 3-2 series lead over the defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics with a closeout opportunity at home. That’s when disaster struck, as the 76ers collapsed in the fourth quarter of Game 6, and followed that up with a blowout loss in Game 7. The more things change, the more they stay the same, and in this case, it’s Philly who once again came up short at the most critical moment.

So where do the 76ers go from here? The answer to that is anyone’s guess, but here’s what we do know. Under the watch of head coach Doc Rivers, this is the third straight season the team has went out in the conference semifinals, and Embiid should no longer get a pass on the blame (that’s for the people who want to find other places point fingers). He and Harden have a detailed history of disappearing over and over again, and it’s apparent this current batch of players has reached the ceiling. Therefore, it’s probably time to see another shift in strategy for Philly, and judging off of Tuesday’s move to relieve Rivers from his head coaching duties, the 76ers agree with this settlement. Don’t be surprised is Harden is the next to leave. In fact, Embiid and guard Tyrese Maxey are probably the only ones who would probably be considered “untouchable,” and everyone else is for sale. I don’t know if this is still considered part of the “Trust The Process” era, but the time to end the whole thing has arrived, and is probably overdue.

Decision: Break It Up

Phoenix Suns

Before diving into the state of the Suns, lets give full disclosures. Phoenix was already on the way to a steep decline. Back in 2021, they had a 2-0 lead on the Milwaukee Bucks before losing four straight in the NBA Finals. When that occurred, the feeling that ran through my thought process was this group of Suns players would never have as good of a title opportunity as they had at that moment. Yes, Phoenix had the best regular season record in the league the next season, but imploded in a lifeless Game 7 loss at home to the Dallas Mavericks in the semifinals. With the team feeling desperate for a championship, the Suns decided to go all-in, trading with the Brooklyn Nets to acquire forward Kevin Durant. The result was a big four that added Durant to the trio of Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton, but not much else behind that. The lack of depth and defense was exposed in their loss to the Denver Nuggets in this year’s conference semifinals. Yes, I know Paul was injured (which is the case most playoff runs), and Ayton missed Game 6, but there’s not much reason to believe that would have made a difference in the result.

The other disclosure is there’s an understanding Phoenix doesn’t have much choice but to Run It Back, because they’re pretty much stuck with what they have. There are no assets to trade, and not much money to bring free agents in. That doesn’t mean the Suns aren’t trying to change things, and the release of head coach Monty Williams verifies that. Whoever takes Williams’ place won’t have much to work with. Durant and Paul will be a year older, and they have already shown signs of gassing out during the playoffs. Maybe Ayton can start to show more signs of dominance, but it’s questionable where the hope of that happening is. This is my way of saying it’s probably better for Phoenix to tear down, but because of the top-end talent they do possess, they’ll believe they have a chance to bring a title to the desert.

Decision: Break It Up (but I know they’ll Run It Back)

Golden State Warriors

Out of the four teams being discussed, the Warriors are probably the hardest to dissect. Golden State has won four titles since Steve Kerr became the head coach before the 2014-15 season, with a core that includes Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. After getting eliminated by the Los Angeles Lakers in six games, questions about the end of the dynasty are circulating around the NBA and sports media airwaves. While Curry, Thompson and Green have met the challenges and doubts more often than not, the signs of age and years worth of battles taking their toll stuck out like a sore thumb. All season, even through the Warriors’ struggles on the road, they got the benefit of the doubt because of their championship pedigree. The combination of the Lakers’ depth, and their own shots not falling, solidified Golden State’s first series loss against a Western Conference opponent in Kerr’s tenure.

It’s widely understood Curry is going nowhere, but the same can’t be said with as much certainty for Thompson and Green. The other splash brother has an expiring contract, and Green can opt out from his current deal this summer. Even the general manager, Bob Myers, might be on the way out. If Myers is gone, the person who takes over will have a monumental task to retool around Curry. A good place to start is the inside positions, because L.A.’s forward/center, Anthony Davis, destroyed Golden State in the paint. Many times before, the Warriors were able to overcome the lack of height with their pinpoint shooting from distance, but not this time. Even with all of the doubts and questions, I can’t help but believe Golden State will tune things up for one more run at a championship, with a lot of the same cast of characters.

Decision: Run It Back

Don’t be shocked if these three NBA teams fall short of expectations

Hope springs eternal, but reality will set in as the playoffs approach and move on

At the start of any sports season, there’s always hope of having a special year that can lead to a title. Some teams have reason to believe, while others are counting on delusional faith. Such is life in the NBA, and in the case of a few clubs, the hope that’s lost in the shuffle of a underwhelming beginning are rekindled by a trade to acquire said superstar player. Whether it’s a decision to stand pat, or go all-in, the expectations to win (and win big) is the driving force behind them. It’s understood there’s only one that will call themselves champions at the end, and I’m confident these three teams won’t be at the top of the mountain when it’s all over.

Let’s start with the Phoenix Suns. Yes, I know the Suns have forward Kevin Durant, who they received via trade with the Brooklyn Nets. Pairing Durant with the trio of Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton looks scary for opposing defenses in the Western Conference. There’s no doubt Phoenix will score points, but they are left with no depth behind the four stars, and the defense is even more of a mess than it was before the Durant trade. In other words, many fans and media members alike were quick to anoint the Suns as the favorite to be in the NBA Finals after KD was added, which was expected given the environment that favors everything offense. What’s being ignored is it takes more than scoring (because every team can score), and the lack of defense and depth will come back to haunt them in the playoffs. Exactly where is a question, but I can say with confidence an early exit will happen before Phoenix gets too far into a run.

Speaking of no defense, that explains the Dallas Mavericks to a tee. Things looked so promising for the Mavericks coming into the season. Last year, they made it to the conference finals before going out to the Golden State Warriors. Things haven’t gone as well as they thought, and much like the Suns, Dallas became desperate, reaching out to the Nets to acquire guard Kyrie Irving. The move severely depleted the team’s depth, but the chance to pair Irving with Luka Doncic was too much for the Mavs to pass on. Going back to the defensive end, Dallas was already bad in that department, and bringing Irving to the squad is far from the improvement needed to become complete. The results are as of Sunday night, not only are the Mavericks going down in spectacular fashion, they’re in danger of missing the playoffs altogether, and if that happens, expect more changes with the roster (and maybe the front office).

For the third team destined to fall short of expectations, look no further than the Philadelphia 76ers. This choice was actually more difficult than the Suns and Mavericks, partly because the 76ers are in the Eastern Conference. As tough as that East is, it’s probably not as rugged as the West. Having said that, Philly has a few things that tell me I have to see it to believe they make it past the conference semifinals. I know they have center Joel Embiid, who is a favorite to win the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award, but there is a question about Embiid’s durability for a long playoff run. They also have guard James Harden, who notoriously disappears at the crucial moments. Finally, Doc Rivers is the team’s coach, and that’s no longer a good thing like it might have been before. The combination equals more playoff disappointment, most likely going out to either the Milwaukee Bucks or Boston Celtics.

Keep in mind this is merely my opinion on how I feel about the upcoming playoffs, and if I’m proven wrong, I’ll be all too happy (okay…maybe not) to admit as much. Because of the splash moves the Suns and Mavericks made, they became trendy picks, and people have been waiting on the 76ers to breakthrough for at least a few seasons. The problem is sizzle and style doesn’t equal substance, which is the main ingredient for championship teams. None of these three clubs are complete, and it will be exposed before too long. If you’re a fan of Phoenix, Dallas or Philadelphia, I would love to hear why I’m crazy for thinking this way. I just believe crazy isn’t the word to describe my feelings.