Tag: James Harden

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.

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.

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.

Criticism of Greek Freak shows what’s wrong in today’s sports media

One thing I can’t stand about society these days is whenever something goes wrong, the instinct is to find something, or someone, to blame for the reason why it happened. The world of sports isn’t any different. As a matter of fact, players get their feet put to the fire, especially if the team they play for went through a monumental collapse at the moment of truth. We know the drill by now. If a team loses, blame automatically (in most cases) goes to the star player, and this is the reality that faces Milwaukee Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo in the wake of what happened in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Even though the majority of the time is spent piling on the negative, I prefer to look at the positive and give credit to where it’s deserved. The Toronto Raptors were great in coming back from a 2-0 series deficit to win four straight and earn a trip to the NBA Finals, where they have a chance to dethrone the Golden State Warriors. The Raptors’ defense, particularly forward Kawhi Leonard, did a great job of forcing Antetokounmpo into jump shots, and making other players, such as guards Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe, into doing things they’re not as comfortable doing. Toronto’s bench, which was a strength during the regular season, had disappeared at times during the playoffs. In the conference finals against the Bucks, those contributions came back to life. If you ask me, this series was more about what the Raptors did right than what Milwaukee did wrong.

Having said all of that, I would be cheating if I didn’t look at both sides of the equation. Toronto was great, but there were times where it looked like the moment was too big for the Bucks. Antetokounmpo actually airballed free throws, and the crowd at Scotiabank Arena wasn’t afraid to let him hear about it. Yes, the Greek Freak wasn’t nearly as dominant against the Raptors as he has been all season and in the first two rounds against the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics. That much may be true, but to say he was practically a no-show in the latter part of the series is, for the lack of a better word, a lie. Looking at his numbers in the games, they were still decent. In Game 3 (for example), Antetokounmpo had 12 points on 5-16 shooting, but he also had 23 rebounds and seven assists. I bring this game up because the shooting percentage could have definitely been enough for most players to let the rest of their performance slip, but that wasn’t the case with the Greek Freak.

If anyone watched the coverage following Milwaukee’s dismissal, they would have thought Antetokounmpo didn’t do anything in the series at all. I even heard people (mostly from Houston) try to compare these performances to past playoff failures seen from Houston Rockets guard James Harden. I’m here to say those games aren’t even close to being the same. Antetokounmpo didn’t go 2-of-11 shooting with six turnovers in an elimination game, like Harden did in Game 6 of the 2017 Western Conference semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs (a game the Rockets lost 114-75). The Greek Freak also didn’t have a game like Harden did in Game 5, another elimination game, of the 2015 West finals against the Warriors, where almost had as many turnovers (12) as points (14). All I’m saying is if we’re going to make comparsions, let’s at least be in the same ballpark, and putting Antetokounmpo’s performances side-by-side with Harden’s is nowhere near the same.

I think we can all agree the Greek Freak is an awesome player who can still get better. He’s only 24 years old, and the potential he can reach is downright scary. What the Raptors did was exploit one of the few weaknesses in his game but taking away the easy paint baskets, and that’s the lack of a consistent jump shot. It’s not that Antetokounmpo can’t hit from the outside, it’s just not to the point where teams are going to say they need to get out there before he releases. Just imagine if the Greek Freak does get a consistent mid-range jumper (doesn’t even have to be a three-pointer). If that happens, he becomes almost unguardable, and that might be something the rest of the league is not ready for.

For now, Antetokounmpo is more than pretty good. Keep in mind this is his first time getting this far in the playoffs, Before this season, he hasn’t made it out of the first round. While I don’t think anyone is above criticism, to crush him on his performance is over the top in my eyes. The Greek Freak wasn’t destroying things on the court, but I don’t think he vanished either, and for all of the hot take artists out there, it’s time to be realistic instead of trying to cause click bait. By the way, he’s probably going to win the NBA’s Most Valuable Players award later this month, so I think he’s doing okay.