Tag: Brooklyn Nets

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

It’s past time for the media to stop catching blame

When athletes get frustrated, media members catch the wrath, but they’re the wrong people to direct anger at.

As someone who has spent a portion of life in the journalism industry, I’ll be the first to admit the media is far from perfect. In the age of the 24/7 news cycle, the priority has changed from making sure a story is accurate to being the first to bust out the breaking news label. The change in priorities has led to (at best) sloppy and lazy journalism, and ultimately, distrust towards the media world. Yes, there are people who work in the industry that are about being the headline themselves, but that doesn’t mean there’s a lack of individuals who still understand the foundations of what journalism is about. Therefore, the attacks on media when they are actually doing the job is unwarranted and ridiculous. When athletes in sports have bad games, that’s not the fault of the media. Unfortunately, there are many players who fail to take responsibility for their actions.

Let’s start with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers for the first example. Excuse me if I can’t narrow down the number of flops to a single case when it comes to Rodgers. For starters, he lied about his COVID vaccination stance last season, and when the media remembered what was said, he said they were out to get him. This season, the reigning two-time NFL MVP isn’t playing up to that standard, and not only is it the media’s fault, it’s everyone else around him. Receivers, coaches, the front office, pretty much the whole organization not named Rodgers have passive-aggressively caught some wrath. The bottom line is if A-A-Ron (Google Key and Peele if you don’t understand where I got that from) wants to be snippy, he should look in the mirror for who’s catches the brunt of his frustration. He stunk against the San Francisco 49ers in last year’s divisional playoff loss, and he couldn’t do anything with three second half interceptions from (Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB) Tom Brady in the NFC Championship Game the year before. Those opportunities slipped away, and it looks like a far cry for Rodgers and the Packers to get a chance like that anytime soon. I get the hurt feelings, but the media is the wrong place fight.

For the second example, let’s go to the NBA and discuss Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James. This man actually has people in the media afraid to criticize him, and I have no idea why. James may be a once-in-a-generation player, but he, or no other human being, is above criticism or questioning. So when media members ask him questions about the terrible play of guard Russell Westbrook, they’re probably asking because it was James who wanted him on the Lakers in the first place. Keep in mind I’m not the only one who felt bringing Westbrook to the team would be a horrible fit, but LeBron the general manager didn’t listen. Now, Westbrook is doing what he has always done, building whole neighborhoods with bricks from three-point land (along with committing the careless, back-breaking turnovers like he’s still a rookie), and the Lake Show is officially unwatchable. Meanwhile, the leader of the player-empowerment movement lets Westbrook take all of the darts, knowing he was the ring leader for this transaction. Instead of taking responsibility, James acts like he’s just a player, and says the media is trying to “bait” him into saying something messy. No, the press is asking simple questions, and it’s not critical just because people aren’t worshiping the ground he walks on. What’s happening is LeBron can’t overcome deficiencies to flawed rosters anymore, and the realism of that is something he’s having a tough time dealing with.

Finally, let’s come back to the NFL and look at what Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams. This case is particular damning because unlike Rodgers and James, Adams actually put hands on a media member. After the Raiders lost to the Kansas City Chiefs on the road Oct. 10, a pissed off Adams shoved a photographer to the ground, resulting in misdemeanor assault charges. I want someone to explain to me what that photographer did to deserve that treatment. If Adams is going to be upset at anything or anyone, maybe it should be the fact Las Vegas blew a 17-0 lead, or perhaps at fellow receiver Hunter Renfrow for tackling each other on a fourth down pass that sealed the Raiders’ fate on that night. I guess Adams figured pushing on media would be better than injuring himself punching a wall or locker. Needless to say, this is not the way to deal with anger, and no matter how upset a player is, there’s no excuse for coming after press in that manner. Let’s make sure you don’t run into your teammate before acting that way Davante.

Trust me when I say I can understand why there are serious trust issues with the media. The actions of some within the industry can be enough to set off emotions that are better off being left alone. With that said, it’s not the media’s fault if a player is performing below standards. It’s not the media’s fault when said athlete wants to call himself a leader, but deflects and hides when accountability is called for. It’s not the media’s fault when a player and his (or her) teammates let an opportunity for a big win slip away. The actions of Rodgers, James and Adams are just a few of the many cases where public figures want to go after the media when things don’t go their way, or are questioned about their actions (see Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving from the past weekend). If they want all the spoils of success, then they should know criticism comes along with the status from it. The local boxing gym would be the place to find a punching bag, but for the foreseeable future, the media will continue to be a suitable substitute for receiving frustrations…and shoves.

Talent over leadership: Why the latter is often forgotten across the NFL and NBA

When it comes to dealing with a star player, there’s no doubt talent is the first thing front offices look at in trying to determine whether or not to sign a long-term commitment. Coming through high school and college, being the biggest, fastest and/or strongest was enough to get by. In the NFL and NBA, those advantages are gone, because it’s truly the best of the best, and everyone has talent at that level. This means there has to be another factor that separates the great from the good, and if we’re talking about a franchise quarterback in the NFL, or elite player in the NBA, management is expecting them to be a leader and elevate the team around them. Therefore, many teams get blinded by someone’s talent, and find out the hard way they aren’t what they thought they were. Here are a few cases where leadership is lacking, and talent isn’t enough to overcome the headaches and heartbreak that come with it.

As the NFL prepares to start their season in a couple of weeks, there might not be a team with more question marks than the Arizona Cardinals. The offseason for the Cardinals was, to say the least, noisy. Their quarterback, Kyler Murray, went into brat mode and scrubbed his social media accounts of anything associated with the team, setting the stage for a contract dispute. Eventually, the sides got a deal done, but there were stipulations (which were later taken out) that basically said Murray needs to show more leadership and stop acting immature. On the field, it’s true Arizona has shown improvement each year he’s been the starter, but when things go bad, Murray has shown a tendency to quit on his team and throw teammates under the bus. Now the Cardinals are stuck with him for a while, which really says a lot about the league’s quarterback market (way overrated in my humble opinion). It’s time for Murray to grow up, because talent can only be hidden behind for so long.

In the NBA, the obvious example to look at for a lack of leadership is the Brooklyn Nets. During the summer of 2019, the Nets decided to make a splash in free agency by signing forward Kevin Durant and guard Kyrie Irving to huge contracts. Prior to these deals, Brooklyn had a team with a number of good young players, but they decided to mortgage the future for an attempt to win right now. Fast forward to current times, and it’s been nothing but disaster, mainly because Durant and Irving have been either injured, or malcontents, the whole time they’ve been there. The two stars have all-world talent, but if a team is counting on them to lead to the promised land, that’s going to be a long wait. The only times ultimate success occurred for these players are when they were supporting actors. It’s understood Durant was a two-time NBA Finals MVP during his days with the Golden State Warriors, but most know there wasn’t much he had to change in joining a championship-ready team. Irving hasn’t done a whole lot if he doesn’t have a certain king he’s playing with. Bottom line, it’s different when a player has to be the one to lead, and up to this point, Durant and Irving have proven they don’t have that leadership gene. When things get tough, they want to run and make excuses, and lash out at the media (because it’s always the media’s fault of course). Unless things drastically change, the Nets will continue to find out their investment in talent is going to fall flat.

Back in the NFL, let’s take a trip to Wisconsin, where Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers continues to be productive, and a pain in the a**, at the same time. There’s no denying the immense talent Rodgers has, and in my estimation, he might be the most talented player ever to play that position. He has won the regular season MVP award four times, and has a Super Bowl MVP along with it from the 2010 season. Notice there’s a lot mentioned about individual accolades. That’s because team success has been hard to come by. In the last two seasons, the Packers have managed to be the best team in the NFC, which gives them home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Even with that, the team failed to get to the Super Bowl, and it’s because the perennial MVP candidate came up small in the biggest moments. Coming into this season, Rodgers has already criticized the young group of receivers for a lack of production in training camp. I’m not one to talk much about contracts, but Rodgers is the highest paid QB in the history of the league (in terms of annual value). He’s getting that money because the Packers believe he can uplift the team to another Super Bowl title. At the moments of truth, he has failed, and for the amount of drama he has caused, it’s starting not to be worth it. If a player wants all the money, more is going to be on his or her shoulders. When leadership is needed the most, buckling isn’t an option. Someone forgot to tell Rodgers this.

All be told, most teams are willing to get through all of the mess and drama a great player can come with because the talent is so immense. Presidents and general managers everywhere are afraid to pass on them because they don’t want to be known as the person who lets that talent get away. Leadership is hard to evaluate because a player has to be put in that position in order for that to be shown or not shown. The players mentioned above have been anything but leaders, and there’s more than enough evidence to show things won’t be any different moving forward. It’s hot in the kitchen, and these players, along with many others, have displayed they can’t handle the heat. Don’t worry…the media will be ready for the attacks when the frustrations of these players boil over again.

Even with NBA Finals heartbreak, Tatum has arrived

Life for someone in the public spectrum has never been harsher than it is right now, particularly for someone playing sports at the highest levels. With the evolution of social media, action on the playing field never goes without instant praise or criticism. If a star player on the verge of reaching superstar status has a performance that ranks with some of the best ever seen, people are quick to say this is the “coming out party,” or the moment he or she can be mentioned with the best in the world. Once the performance is below the expectations set on the “superstar,” those same people who were so quick to elevate the player are just as quick to say they haven’t arrived yet. This is the reality Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum faces, as he and his team attempts to heal from losing in the NBA Finals to the Golden State Warriors.

When the Celtics can get past the disappointment stage, they can look at the season as a success, especially considering the team was meddling around .500 in January. A lot of growth occurred in Boston, and the same can be said for Tatum, who constantly heard he and fellow teammate Jaylen Brown couldn’t make it work as a duo. During the playoff run to the finals, Tatum had many moments of brilliance, showing why some people would say he’s the best in a crop of young players knocking on the door of ultimate success. When the Celtics got there, it’s no secret Tatum struggled to duplicate those classic performances. Therefore, the hot take artists and members of the social media toilets were ready to tear him down, as if those positive thoughts were never said. Stephen Curry, who won the NBA Finals MVP, went through periods of slander. So did Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo (among other greats). The point is every player who makes meteoric rises to the top has to endure good and bad, and Tatum is no different.

To understand how quickly things can turn around on the praise or dump meter, it wasn’t too long ago when Tatum led the Celtics to a shocking (to some) sweep of the Brooklyn Nets in the first round. Fast forward to the conference semifinals, and Boston was down 3-2 to Antetokounmpo and the then-defending champion Milwaukee Bucks with Game 6 in Milwaukee. It was Tatum who scored 46 points to keep the Celtics’ season alive. Boston would go on to knock the Bucks out in Game 7 at home, and in another seventh game against the Miami Heat in the conference finals (also on the road) Tatum led the squad with 26 points and was named MVP of the series. There were many in the media who thought the Celtics would win the championship, and Tatum was on his way to being a bona fide, top-5 basketball player in the world. As we all know, Boston came up short, and guess who’s in the crosshairs for why they did.

Even with the subpar performance in the finals, what other player who is younger than 25-years-old would people rather have than Tatum? Luka Doncic? Ja Morant? Devin Booker? Trae Young? All of the players mentioned can score in spades, and scoring is the glamour stat in all sports. What puts Tatum over the top is his completeness as a player. Not only can he score with anyone in the league, he can affect the game in ways the others can not. Tatum is better on defense than any of the young players mentioned, and besides Booker (with the Phoenix Suns last season), the others haven’t been to the NBA Finals as of yet. It’s understood basketball is a team sport, but at the same time, there is more put on individual accolades than ever. So if we’re going to play that game, Tatum has the others beat in this regard.

While this is a society that judges people on the latest happenings, it’s important to consider the entire body of work. Could Tatum have played better in the finals? Of course. Could he have been more aggressive looking for his own offense at times? Absolutely, but to say Tatum is a disappointment is a bit harsh. All of the credit should go to Golden State’s defense for the struggles, but the willingness to take on double-teams and be a willing passer should not be overlooked when it comes overall growth. It can be easy to forget, but Tatum is only 24 years of age, and the Celtics have a young team around him that points to being competitive for years to come. Based off of the apparent rise during this year’s playoff run, Tatum has arrived, because only stars get the treatment in the public where they can shine, then fall flat before sustainability kicks in.

Egos in the way of perceived great players

When a player is going through his or her career, one of the toughest things for them to deal with is the realization they can’t quite do the stuff they could in their younger days. Knowing Father Time is undefeated, a tough decision has to be made. Either said player is going to evolve and make adjustments to prolong their journey, or the ego will stay in the way, leading to a sharp decline in ability and status. The three players discussed in the coming paragraphs are among the best offensive players in recent memory (notice I didn’t say overall, because they’re terrible defensively), but for one reason or another, the impact they once had on the court is becoming more minimal almost by the day. Therefore, it’s probably safe to say a crossroads has been reached, and what happens after this point depends on whether or not growth occurs.

Let’s start with Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving. One thing Irving can say is he has a championship on his resume, and by hitting one of the biggest shots in NBA history in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, he is forever written in Cleveland Cavaliers and NBA history. Outside of that, Irving is known for having special offensive skills, but also for being a player who is not dependable and rots team chemistry. He forced a trade from the Cavaliers to the Boston Celtics, and after two seasons, the Celtics couldn’t wait to get him out the door. The Nets were waiting to take Irving in, but the three seasons that have followed have been uneven at best. The 30-year-old has constantly alienated teammates, and between injuries, going on mysterious vacations during the season and his unwillingness to get the COVID vaccine, nobody can say he’s been the most available player. What’s common with Irving’s behavior is let him tell the story, it’s never his fault, and he always the smartest person in the room. Point blank, all of the drama that comes with Irving off the court is starting to overcome the dazzle his offensive talent provides on it, and if his ego continues to inflate, it would not be a surprise to hear about an early retirement sooner than later.

Next, let’s dive into the story of Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden. The 32-year-old was once mentioned as one of the greatest offensive players in league history during his time with the Houston Rockets, and he even has a regular season MVP under his belt from the 2017-’18 campaign. Now, accumulating with a no-show performance in an elimination game Thursday night against the Miami Heat, Harden has developed a reputation to disappear when his team he’s on needs him the most (playoff time). Another cloud that hangs over his head is the tendency to want to run away from adverse times. When things went south in Houston, Harden threw teammates under the bus, showed up to training camp horribly out of shape, and whined his way to the aforementioned Nets via a trade involving four teams. Stuff went haywire in Brooklyn, and once again, Harden forced a trade, this time to the 76ers. One can only run away from problems for so long, before the problem is staring right back at them through a mirror. This is the reality Harden faces, and that, combined with declining abilities, is all catching up. It’s already proven a team wasn’t going to win a title with a player who has been on three teams in two years being their best, but maybe it can happen with him being a complimentary piece. Can Harden make that adjustment? Anything is possible, but if teams continue to pay him like a max player, there’s no reason to believe that change would happen.

Finally, the story of Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook is on the menu. Like Harden, Westbrook has won an MVP (2016-’17), and he averaged a triple-double in three straight seasons (four total). When the triple-double record was reached in Westbrook’s award-winning journey as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, that marked the first time a player accomplished the feat since Oscar Robertson did it in 1961-’62. The 33-year-old has been widely praised for his ungodly athletic feats, but a game that’s heavily reliant on athleticism never ages well, especially if that player has little to fall back on. Westbrook has never been a good outside shooter, and even with the flashy triple-double numbers, he’s still a turnover machine after all of these years in the NBA. The athleticism goes away with age, and those explosive dunks are now missed layups. All of this equals being on four teams (Thunder, Rockets, Washington Wizards and Lakers) in the same amount of seasons. It’s no secret the Lakers had a disappointing, disastrous season with no games in the playoffs, but there might have been a slight chance if Westbrook put his ego to the side and came off the bench. With a team that has LeBron James on it, the opportunities to handle the ball go down significantly. Anyone who follows basketball knows that, but apparently, Westbrook didn’t get the memo.

To sum everything up, these three players have serious choices to make if they’re going to be the best version of themselves. In saying that, understand it’s not as much about the numbers as it is about the mindset coming onto the court. When a person thinks about Irving, Harden and Westbrook, leadership and unselfishness isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. This could have been the case all along, but it’s to the point the elite offensive glamour can no longer cover the messy truth. Now, the thirty somethings have to reinvent their way of thinking, or those inflated egos might find themselves in the midst of a huge freefall from grace.

Time to catch up in the world of sports, BOFA style

It’s been a crazy last couple of weeks for me (nothing bad), but through it all, I’ve been able to keep up with the happenings in the world of sports. A lot has transpired since the last time I wrote, and to get everything on one article is a daunting task. Luckily, I think I have found a way to do just that, by doing a brief rundown of the events that have been in the forefront of the 24/7 news cycle. So without further or do, let’s discuss these events evoking different emotions, the Breath of Fresh Air way.

Mindset matters, or does it?: Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who is widely projected to be the first player taken in the NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, made news when he said he didn’t need football to feel worthy in an interview with Sports Illustrated. Lawrence also said he doesn’t play with a “huge chip” on his shoulders. Of course, leave it up to the Twitter cesspool and hot take media to dissect these comments and try to find where this could be a negative in picking Lawrence as a franchise cornerstone.

This “story” isn’t any different from most of the other ones that come out when NFL Draft time gets close, which are the ones designed to knit-pick and drudge up a perceived issue that can be looked at as some sort of a red flag. First, the hypocrisy of people strikes again, because all I keep hearing is we want people to be honest and authentic about their outlook on life and the sport they play. Here’s a player who is doing that, and look at how he’s being picked apart. It’s totally ridiculous seeing how people change up when they get exactly what they think they’re looking for. Secondly, can someone explain to me what is wrong with Lawrence’s comments? A player can be successful without being maniacal about the work ethic, and not everyone has that type of drive displayed by Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant, etc. Lawrence has won at the highest level in both high school and college. It may take a little bit with the Jaguars, but I can definitely see him being a part of something special on a well-rounded team. Remember this. Even though the razor-sharp focus of Jordan, Brady and Bryant are celebrated, they didn’t win their titles alone either.

Buffets served up by Chef Curry: On the NBA front, nothing has captivated the masses as much as the recent hot streak Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry went on. Before cooling off in a 118-114 loss to the Washington Wizards Wednesday night, Curry had scored 30 or more in the 11 games prior. This included four games over 40 points and a 53-point explosion against the Denver Nuggets on April 12. This was a streak that hasn’t really been seen before in league history, and the fact Curry was hovering around 50% from three-point territory during the streak makes it that much more impressive. In fact, the stretch was so impressive, some said the sharpshooter should be right in the middle of MVP talk.

As hot as Curry was, I’m sorry for disappointing everyone (not really), but Curry shouldn’t be in the running for the league-MVP. I admit what he did in that 11-game period is nothing short of phenomenal, but even with this, the Warriors are still tied for ninth in the Western Conference standings. Also, an recent stretch shouldn’t erase what players have done all season on teams that are much more successful than Golden State is. Therefore, if you want to tell me Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid or even Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul are at the front of this list, I’ll definitely listen. Even though Curry has won the award twice, I don’t think this is the year for him to add a third. By the way, all of that MVP talk was mighty quiet the day after losing to the Wizards.

Greed continues to drive motives: While this might not be huge news in America, this sent shockwaves throughout the rest of the world. For context, the world’s most popular sport (by far) is soccer, so that earthquake of emotion we heard in the states was the uproar of fans, players and coaches when it was announced 12 of Europe’s most valuable franchises wanted to start a super league between them. The 12 teams included six from the English Premier League (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur), three from LaLiga (Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid) and three from Serie A (AC Milan, Inter Milan, and Juventus). The proposal from the so-called “rebel teams” was met with disdain at the least, the league died almost as soon as it started.

This is a monumental moment because billionaire owners trying to put more billions in their pocket were taken to task by the remaining teams in their respective leagues and the fans (I think they’re still protesting in England). It’s exactly what needs to happen, because if we’re to listen to these owners, they’re the first ones to say how much they value the fans. This attempted move says money is what they value the most, and that in and of itself isn’t some sort of a secret, but it was the blatant attempt at the money grab that shocked people the most. Now these same owners are apologizing because the fans called them out for their BS, and I’m glad to see this league fall flat. This should serve as a lesson for these leagues over here to not let the money crowd the judgement to the point of fan alienation.

The Nets are going to be the Nets: As the NBA playoffs get closer, one of the looming questions for fans and media concerns how far the Brooklyn Nets can go this year and beyond. Depending on who is asked, that answer goes anywhere between multiple championships to spectacular crash and burn. Ever since guard James Harden was traded to the team to join Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in mid-January, we really don’t have many answers as to how this will work with the Nets. For all but seven games, Durant, Harden and Irving haven’t been available together since that trade, and even when they have, it’s not like they’ve been overly dominant.

Here’s what we do know. The offensive firepower the Nets posses is potentially historic. Anytime three of the most dynamic players in the league get together, there’s no doubt scoring will be the least of their worries. As devastating as they can be offensively, they are just as bad defensively, and it’s safe to say Brooklyn will be in a lot of 130-125 shootouts. History says teams win championships, not individuals, and teams that do multiple things well, not just one, are who come out on top. At some point, the Nets have to stop somebody on defense, because even the most potent scorers go cold every once in a while. Plus, the durability of both Durant and Irving (along with their respective mindsets) are questionable, and Harden’s history of fading away in the playoffs is also in the spotlight. If you ask me, I think this won’t result in multiple titles. In fact, the Nets will be lucky if they get one, and if I’m wrong, best believe I’ll be back to eat my slice of humble pie.

A new best rivalry in Major League Baseball?: There are rivalries between teams and individuals that captivate people going back years, and it’s no different in MLB. When we think about the best rivalries in baseball, the one between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox is the one that sticks out the most. The St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs can also strike some emotion between the team’s respective fan bases and cities. As the season gets ready to conclude the first month, a new one might be emerging as the best in the sport today, and it’s on the West Coast. I’m talking about the Los Angeles Dodgers and (wait for it) San Diego Padres.

Normally, it’s the Dodgers and San Francisco Giants who are known in as the best rivalry on the left coast, but the Padres have announced themselves as a player to be taken seriously. We know L.A. won the World Series last year, and they have dominated the National League West division for the last decade (although the Giants won three World Series titles in that span). Don’t tell San Diego that, because they’re coming for the throne. The Dodgers and Padres have played seven times already, and San Diego has won four of them, including three out of four in Dodger Stadium this past weekend. The teams will play 12 more times this season, and I’m trying to make sure I watch all of them. It’s chippy and spirited, and it’s a much-needed shot of adrenaline for a sport that can use a bunch of them.

A little entertainment news to close out: Of course, it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t talk about something outside of sports, and the topic of choice is the split between actress and songwriter Jennifer Lopez and former baseball player Alex Rodriguez. After being engaged to be married, the pair split up because of apparent trust issues J-Lo was having. In other words, there goes another power couple turning out to be not so powerful at the end, even though they are reportedly still friends (that’s a victory considering how most of these things end in a mess of drama).

Two thoughts come to mind in regards to this. One, I was actually surprised J-Lo and A-Rod wasn’t a couple before that time came. For whatever reason, I always felt they would end up together in some capacity. Two, with this breakup, people are acting like A-Rod is going down the drain, like he can’t sustain. Last time I checked, he’s a regular on ESPN and Fox Sports, appears on Shark Tank and just had a hand in purchasing the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves. Simply put, A-Rod will be okay. Don’t get me wrong…J-Lo is a beautiful woman, and I wouldn’t mind dating her, but if anyone can survive that breakup, it’s A-Rod.

Well, that’s what I’m breathing on for this article. I hope you enjoy this rundown of events as in my attempt to catch up with everyone else. I’ll make sure I stay on track better in the future.

Harden trade outlines bigger problem in the NBA

Last Wednesday, the NBA world was shaken up by a blockbuster trade that saw guard and former league MVP James Harden get moved from the Houston Rockets to the Brooklyn Nets. The trade, which also involved the Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers, was a move that was expected from those who follow the league, but the circumstances that led up to this is what the narrative should be. Whether or not Harden forming a “superteam” with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving will bring title a title or two to Brooklyn has and will be analyzed until results come in (I have this being an epic train wreck for the record). The issue is how seemingly easily players can force a trade by being unprofessional and, for the lack of a better word, a spoiled brat. Such is the case for Harden, but sadly, his case is just the latest in what has become a problem in this age of player empowerment.

It’s not uncommon for someone to be unhappy at a workplace, but these issues can be handled professionally, and Harden was anything but. First, he shows up to training camp out of shape (apparently after spending a good amount of time in strip clubs), then he’s reportedly getting into it with teammates during practice. Top all of that off with having a press conference after a game the Rockets lost to the Los Angeles Lakers saying this situation can’t be fixed, due to the team not being good enough (in Harden’s eyes), and the situation becomes officially toxic. Rockets players, such as John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins, came to the team’s defense and reported confronted Harden about his attitude. All of this led to the trade to the Nets, which is what the disgruntled star wanted all along.

Another situation that involves pouting and being a malcontent involved Lakers forward/center Anthony Davis. When Davis was with the New Orleans Pelicans, he signed a long-term deal to stay there. Then came the day when Rich Paul, who is the agent for fellow Lakers forward LeBron James, became Davis’ agent. When that happened, it’s probably not a coincidence a trade request came right after. Of course, things between Davis and the Pelicans became super awkward, as the team was going back and forth between sitting him out and minutes restrictions. After the 2018-19 was over, Davis would eventually get what he wanted and end up in L.A. Part of the reason that happened also was James, in essence, passive-aggressively called out some of the teammates he was playing with before the trade. In other words, both of Paul’s clients were willing to burn things down to get what they wanted, which at it’s core seems pretty selfish.

Finally, lets visit the case of Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George. Going into the 2018-19 season, George signed a deal to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder. After the season was completed, Kawhi Leonard, fresh off of leading the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA title, entered free agency and said he would come to the Clippers if, among other things, the team was able to get George to come there in a trade. All of a sudden, here come the trade demand to get out of OKC. The difference between how the Thunder handled this and how the Rockets and Pelicans handled their respective situations was OKC management didn’t give this a chance to manifest and become a trash situation. They granted George’s request, got some players and draft picks in return, and moved on. No matter what, most people just want clear pictures of what’s currently happening. It appears the Thunder were aware of this, and for the goodness of their environment, they didn’t want to have any toxicity leak in from a potentially unhappy player.

All of the scenarios mentioned above had two things in common. The first is Harden, Davis and George all were in substantial deals, and the second is they ultimately got what they wanted by being whiners. The latter is what sets a bad precedent and points to the bigger problem in the NBA and sports in general. I’m all about players having the ability to look out for themselves and their futures, but to demand trades with multiple years left in contracts (in the cases of Harden and George) seems disingenuous. If all a player has to do is act like a spoiled brat to get their way when things aren’t going well, then we’re in more trouble than I originally thought. I just hope at some point, these players can start being adults about their business, but something tells me not to hold my breath.