James Harden has been a disgruntled employee of the Houston Rockets for some time now. And Wednesday, his dream finally came true….he was shipped out of Houston to Brooklyn to join his buddies Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
As talented as these 3 human beings are, there is no guarantee this project will result in a championship.
Only time will tell, but unless this perfect storm of psychos falls just right, it could be a long, drama-filled, ENTERTAINING, DUMPSTER-FIRE!!
The New York Yankees forgot how to lose. LeBron James tried something new. And the Seattle Seahawks broke the mold. I’ve probably said this thousands of times, but sports, in the Springtime, is filled with never ending excitement. And this past weekend, was no different….
Yankees ALWAYS Carry A Broom (Just In Case)
The Los Angeles Angels weren’t able to remind the Yankees what losing feels like. Despite their best effort, the Angels were smacked in the face with a broom this weekend. The Yankees swept the Angels, in Anaheim, for the first time since 2003. C.C. Sabathia turned back the clock, again, Sunday night. C.C. gave up just one run over 7 innings, lowering his e.r.a. to 1.71. Not bad for a 37 year old who remains 4,800 pounds overweight. The Yankees held on 2-1, behind a 4th inning moonshot by Gary Sanchez.
The Yankees will ride their nine game winning streak into Houston for a four-game set with the Astros. As optimistic as I am, I don’t see another sweep in the near future. This Yankee fan will take three-out-of-four though.
LeBron, In A 1st Round Game 7?!
Yes, the best NBA player in the world needed seven games to get past the Indiana Pacers. The 1st round, for LeBron James, is normally reserved for sweeping. Not this year. LeBron gave EVERYTHING he had in Game 7. Planning to play the entire game, LeBron’s body, midway through the 2nd half, intervened. Leg cramps forced LeBron to miss five minutes of action. In turn, the pile of mediocrity LeBron calls teammates was forced to contribute. Tristan Thompson turned back the clock, providing his 1st double-double since February 9th (15 points and 10 rebounds), and Kevin Love made a cameo appearance, scoring 14 points.
Side note: Remember when Kevin Love was a top-10 NBA player?! Seems like a lifetime ago….
LeBron posted 45 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals (just another day at the office). And the LeBrons now have the privilege of heading to Toronto to take on the #1 seed, Toronto Raptors. Game 1 is slated for Tuesday @ 8:00 P.M. EST on TNT.
Public Service Announcement: Allow this game to be a lesson to degenerate gamblers everywhere. If you bet on Cleveland to win (-5.5), you’ve probably broken something in your house, or skipped town. Victor Oladipo hit a MEANINGLESS three-pointer as time expired, bringing the score from 105-98, to 105-101.
A Dream Come True
Shaquem Griffin’s life’s work culminated in a phone call from Seattle Seahawks’ general manager, John Schneider.
“That was the phone call I was waiting my entire life,” Griffin said. “I literally broke down after that. I couldn’t breathe. I didn’t know how to talk, I mean, I was just lost for words.”
Griffin, a linebacker from Central Florida, was drafted 141st overall by the Seattle Seahawks (5th round). Griffin, who lost his left hand at the age of four due to a rare condition, became the 1st player with one hand, to be drafted in the NFL. He’ll also join the short list of siblings on the same team, as his brother, Shaquill, was drafted by the Seahawks in 2017.
Griffin is an inspiration for all. No matter the obstacle, you can succeed. No matter the adversity, you can fulfill your dreams. All it takes is a relentless work ethic and positive attitude. That, and approximately 8 million squats, pushups, deadlifts, burpees, wind sprints, tire flips, and pull-ups. You get the idea.
What was your favorite part of the weekend?? Tell me all about it in the comment section below.
You can find me on the Radio as well. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’m on live, every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. Each show is also broadcast on Facebook Live via: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports.
Since you LOVE my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! NO GO TELL ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!
It’s LeBron James’ world, we’re just livin’ in it.
With his entire team securely on his back, LeBron took control. He took control of Game 5. And he took control of this series. And, in the midst of his utter domination, he reminded the world we haven’t seen this level of play in 20 years. Not since the ghost, Michael Jordan, has such greatness graced our eyeballs with its presence.
In a crucial Game 5, LeBron found himself down seven points at halftime, on his own court. He must have had some of “Michael’s Secret Stuff” during Tyronn Lue’s pep talk (haha), for he flipped a switch on his way out of the locker room.
LeBron’s 3rd quarter: 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists
LeBron James accomplishes in one quarter what mere mortals accomplish in an entire game. Up eight points heading into the 4th quarter, LeBron nearly coughed up another lead. But, with the game tied at 95, words can’t do the final sequence justice….
(Watch until the end of the video).
The block. The buzzer beating game-winner. And a mini, “Gatorade Bucket” celebration. Fitting for a King. 98-95. 3-2 LeBron. Since you clicked on that box score, you realized LeBron didn’t miss a free throw. 15-for-15. That’s the real reason they won (it certainly wasn’t JR Smith going 0-for-8).
Now, LeBron lovers, please don’t jump down my throat….
That block, by the rules, is goaltending. When the ball hits the backboard first, it’s goaltending. I know, I know. I’m a hater. I don’t like LeBron James. I should get my eyes checked by my doctor. OR, we can collectively understand that superstars get those calls (every once in a while). Did MJ push Byron Russell to free himself for the game-winner (the purest jump shot of all-time) in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals????
Of course he did!!!! But was it called?? NOPE. That’s this block. Sorry Victor Oladipo.
Like I said, it’s LeBron James’ world, we’re just livin’ in it.
Will LeBron close out this series, in Indiana, in Game 6?? Or, will it take Game 7 heroics to take down the Indiana Pacers?? Post your prediction in the comment section below.
You can find me on the Radio as well. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’m on live, every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. Each show is also broadcast on Facebook Live via: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports.
Since you LOVE my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! NO GO TELL ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!
Wait, that didn’t come out right. Losing, can be a good thing, if used for fuel to light a fire under your rear end. When facing adversity, some teams, or individuals, curl up (for some reason it’s always in a corner) into the fetal position while others stand up and fight. The question is: When you’re backed into a corner, who are you??
LeBron James
Adversity in the first round of the playoffs and LeBron James haven’t often collided in the same sentence. LeBron’s loss Sunday was his first in game one, of round one, in his career. THAT’S INSANE!!
LeBron and the Cleveland Cavaliers will bounce back. There’s no doubt. By how much?? We’ll get there, relax.
The Cavaliers were 8-34 from three-point range in game one. That won’t happen again.
Kevin Love scored just nine points. That won’t happen again.
The Cavaliers scored 15 points or less in two quarters. That won’t happen again.
And LeBron James scored ZERO points in the first quarter (on one FG attempt). That won’t happen again.
Watch LeBron James do ‘Superman’ things tonight @ 7:00 P.M. EST on TNT.
Score Prediction: Cavaliers 110, Pacers 97
New York Yankees
Watching the New York Yankees play baseball Tuesday evening, at 6:35 p.m.?!, was one of the most excruciating experiences of my life. No, I’m not overreacting. And no, I’m not panicking in April. But yes, I’m unbelievably disappointed in a 9-1 loss to the MIAMI MARLINS!!
Giancarlo Stanton finished yet another game 0-4 with 2 strikeouts, bringing his batting average to a stellar .167. Stanton’s been awful. Terrible. Horrid. But, he can’t get worse. Also, in MLB, established players always play to the back of their baseball card.
.240, 27 home runs, and 90 r.b.i. is on the way.
Tuesday’s disaster sent pain waves throughout Yankee Nation for a multitude of reasons:
1.) Heading into Monday, the Miami Marlins were tied with the 3rd worst record in baseball (4-12).
2.) The Yankees pummeled the Marlins 12-1 on Monday.
3.) The Yankees were no-hit through 4 1/3 innings by Jarlin Garcia, and finished with just 1 run on 4 hits (Garcia pitched 10 1/3 innings of consecutive no-hit baseball).
4.) Masahiro Tanaka was painstakingly bad. Tanaka has now given up 6 earned runs in consecutive starts.
Again, panic is not allowed in my house in April. If the Yankees are dealing with this many injuries, and continue playing this way, through June, we’ll panic together.
Until then, let’s hope the Yankees are prepared to fight their way out of a corner.
Yankee fans, are you panicking?? If so, calm down, then pour your heart out in the comment section below.
You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports.
Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!
While the majority of ignorant Knicks’ fan continue to bemoan this trade, and bash Carmelo Anthony’s Knicks’ legacy, I will applaud the trade and Melo.
Carmelo Anthony’s Legacy
Carmelo Anthony, now 33, was drafted #3 overall in the 2003 NBA Draft out of Syracuse University. He will suit up for the Oklahoma City Thunder this coming season (his 15th). He spent 7.5 seasons with the Denver Nuggets before spending the last 6.5 seasons with the New York Knicks.
Carmelo Anthony ‘is who he is’. He’s a great scorer who’s been a decent rebounder. He plays very little defense and isn’t seen passing the ball very often. But, to his credit, he hasn’t had many superstar teammates throughout his career.
His biggest fault: He’s not Lebron James.
I’m serious. He was drafted in the same draft as Lebron. He played nationally televised high school games against Lebron. And since they’re friends, Melo has carried this comparison his entire career. Nuggets and Knicks’ fans should applaud Melo for his contributions to their franchises, rather than criticize him for being Championship-Less.
*He didn’t offer himself his contract (and No-Trade Clause).
The Trade
This Trade was made official on Monday, as Carmelo Anthony waived his No-Trade Clause.
This is a good trade for both teams. Those who are killing the Knicks, or giving them an ‘F’, don’t understand this situation in the slightest. Here’s why:
1.) Carmelo Anthony had a No-Trade Clause. This Means he needed to sign off on any deal, making it nearly impossible to trade him.
2.) Due to reason #1, this is the best deal the Knicks could have received. Those who were expecting two 1st-round picks also don’t know which way is up.
3.) $$. Isn’t everything about money?? This move gets money off the books after this season (even if Kanter picks up his player option in 2018-19).
4.) Morale. Despite Carmelo Anthony still being a good player, this will boost the attitude and environment in the Knicks’ locker room, thus leading to more productive play on the court.
This trade made sense for both teams. From the Thunders’ perspective, they didn’t give up a lot to obtain Melo, and they improved in the short-term. This offseason they acquired Paul George and Carmelo Anthony for Victor Oladipo and Enes Kanter. While Westbrook, George, and Melo may only be together for 1 playoff run, Sam Presti (Thunder General Manager) deserves a raise.
What do you think of this trade?? Give it a grade in the comment section below.
You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:10 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .
Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!
I just love surprises don’t you? Nerlens Noel was considered by most to be the best player in this years NBA Draft, and was projected to be the #1 overall pick. Boy was everybody wrong. Noel fell all the way to the 6th pick as his flat top surely shrunk as he waited to hear his name called. Upon his selection to the New Orleans Pelicans, he immediately got shipped off to Philadelphia. The 76ers did what everybody does and made a trade based on money and money alone. No one in their right mind can tell me that Nerlens Noel (a virtual unknown coming off major surgery) is worth up and coming superstar Jrue Holliday AND a future 1st round pick. The only positive for the 76ers here is that they cleared $41 million in cap space for the future, but in the process they lose one of the best young talents in the NBA. Yeah that decision shouldn’t haunt you for the rest of your life. Now, back to the task at hand: Who was the first overall pick in the draft you ask? The Cleveland Cavaliers selected Anthony Bennett of UNLV to play alongside the über talented Kyrie Irving. Cleveland management clearly wants to win now as Bennett is regarded as the most NBA ready player of anyone in this years draft (I have to respectfully disagree with that). From there the shocks and surprises kept on coming. I believe there were two picks in the top 10 that stood out. Cody Zeller going 4th overall is egregious. I’m starting to figure out why Michael Jordan is not a good executive and should never be allowed to make decisions for his team ever again. If you think Cody Zeller is going to live up to his draft position, then you must be sipping on the same stuff MJ is. On the other hand, the best value pick has to be Ben McClemore as the 7th overall pick. McClemore is probably the most talented player in the entire draft, and I think between he and Victor Oladipo, they will be duking it out for Rookie of the Year honors next season. Overall it was a very active day in the NBA, and I will break down all the important moves right here.
Thursday’s NBA Draft represented David Stern’s 30th and final draft. Over those 30 years he has stood on that stage with some of the NBA’s greatest players of all-time. As most of you know, Stern will be stepping down as commissioner in February making way for a new era in the NBA. This years draft, while not as deep in terms of obvious talent, certainly did not disappoint. It was a wild night as 11 of the first 30 picks were traded, and the host site of the draft made the biggest splash of all. The Brooklyn Nets have brought new meaning to the term win now as they traded away 5 players and 3 future draft picks to the Boston Celtics. Here is how the trade breaks down:
The Nets get:
Paul Pierce
Kevin Garnett
and Jason Terry
The Celtics get:
Gerald Wallace
Reggie Evans
Kris Humphries
Keith Bogans
Tornike Shengelia
and 1st round picks in 2014, 2016, and 2018
The Nets starting lineup instantly gets better, and this makes them a top 3 team in the NBA on paper. However, as we all know, a bunch of names thrown together doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to work (especially with a rookie head coach in Jason Kidd). The way I see it, the Nets have to win the championship this year, or this will be considered a failure. Forget who they traded, they traded away 3 1st round picks. If this doesn’t work out then they’ll be in the proverbial hurt locker for some time now. What I see happening is they will finish with a solid record (probably 50 wins), but come playoff time they will meet their match against the Heat. As for the Boston Celtics, this is simply the final move to having a clean slate to rebuild on. It’ll be years before Boston competes again in the East, so get comfy. If you take a quick glance at the Eastern Conference, it is strong. For the Knicks to be the 5th best team in the Conference, you know the East is ready to dominate the NBA yet again. Speaking of the Knicks, I did like their draft pick from last night. They chose Tim Hardaway Jr. with the 24th overall pick. If your team likes to shoot then draft a shooter.
All in all it was a crazy night in the NBA. We saw a shocker at #1, we saw a blockbuster trade, and we saw a staple in the NBA conduct his final draft as commissioner. Now all that’s left to do is find out where Dwight Howard will suit up next year, and we’ll be ready for another action packed NBA season. What team do you think had the best draft? Who had the worst draft? Leave me your answers and comments below.
If you enjoy my writing, follow me over to intheneutralzone.com where I am a contributing author there as well. Also you can follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like me on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it!
Who said the Yankees couldn’t score runs, or were too old, or Vernon Wells was a bum?
I think Tiger Woods looks good in green, don’t you?
Listen, Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Mario Chalmers, and Ray Allen are all really really hurt, so just leave them alone; okay?
Sorry everyone my Knicks bandwagon is already full so please tuck and roll as I kick you all off one by one.
Man I’m really glad that Women’s College Basketball Championship game was close.
Kobe Bryant is good at basketball.
Bryce Harper is good at baseball.
The Miami Marlins should officially be moved to the Minor Leagues.
Anyone who says they’re not rooting for Tiger Woods (the golfer) is lying.
14 year old golf phenom Tianling Guan gets to play in the Masters, but hitting puberty would be a greater accomplishment.
Can someone text me Mike Rice’s telephone number, I want to have him over for dinner?
“So much for having a case of the Monday’s”
– Rick Pitino
Good for you if you know what movie that last line is from.
Cody Zeller is not ready for the NBA.
Neither is his buddy Victor Oladipo, but when the money’s there you gotta take it right?
NEWSFLASH: The NCAA is corrupt.
Why in the world does the Masters TV coverage start at 3 o’ clock in the afternoon?
I went to a fight and a baseball game broke out.
HEY KNICKS, when you get a lead you need to put the pedal to the metal, the game doesn’t end in the 3rd quarter!!
A +1 (73) by Tianling Guan in the opening round of the Masters is more impressive than you could possibly imagine.
If you enjoy my writing, follow me over to intheneutralzone.com where I am a contributing author there as well. Also you can follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like me on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it!
Dave Talks Sports 