Dec 6, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) in the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
It may be time to sound the “he gone” alarm in the nation’s capital.
The Washington Wizards suffered another rough loss on Wednesday to the Atlanta Hawks. Despite leading by as many as 15 in the second half, the Wizards collapsed late and lost 122-120.
After the game, Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma was asked if the team’s fourth-quarter offense was too predictable and offered an interesting response.
“For sure [it’s too predictable],” said Kuzma. “At the end of the day, that’s what we live and die with. It’s cool. A lot of times, we have the ball in the 4th and it’s Brad[ley Beal]’s ball. It’s his time in the 4th, and it’s his team so we just live and die by it, and it’s cool. Whatever happens, you just live with it.”
The three-time All-Star Beal is Washington’s leading scorer and best overall player. But he does have a tendency to get tunnel vision late in games, over-dribbling and/or taking low-percentage shots to the detriment of the rest of the offense. Perhaps not coincidentally either, the Wizards are 31-35 this season and still have not had a winning campaign since 2017-18 (back when Beal shared the alpha duties with John Wall).
For Kuzma, who is one of the team’s other leading scorers at 21.5 points per contest, he can become a unrestricted free agent after the 2022-23 season. The persistent rumors that Kuzma might leave the Wizards may only grow louder with these latest comments from the sixth-year forward.
May 13, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots during warmups prior to game six of the second round for the 2022 NBA playoffs against the Boston Celtics at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Giannis Antetokounmpo never came particularly close to playing college basketball, but at least one school did take a hard look at him when he was still an amateur.
In an interview with Bryan Kalbrosky of For The Win, Antetokounmpo said he only received one college offer, with Old Dominion heavily recruiting him when he was 15.
“When I was 15, I was ‘highly recruited’ by Old Dominion. That was my only offer,” Antetokounmpo said.
In the same interview, Antetokounmpo added that if he could have played for any school, he would have picked Duke due to the program’s success with players he sees as similar to him.
It is hard to imagine Giannis playing collegiately. After all, he was an NBA All-Rookie selection after debuting at age 18, and he was a $100 million player when he theoretically still could have been playing in college. Old Dominion could have been quite the story with him in the fold, though it is easy to see why he never gave the offer much consideration.
Giannis’ younger brother received more college interest than Giannis himself did, but he also opted to go pro overseas instead.
May 28, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) in action during game three between the Clippers and the Mavericks in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The Dallas Mavericks appear to have dodged a bullet on the Luka Doncic front.
The Mavericks star Doncic was forced to leave Wednesday’s loss to the New Orleans Pelicans early due to a thigh injury. He pushed through discomfort after suffering an apparent non-contact tweak to his thigh in the third quarter but exited for good before the end of the period.
Doncic added to the concern after the game by saying that his thigh was “not good” and had been bothering him for at least a week, making it difficult for him to push off and to run.
But the All-NBA guard Doncic got good news when he underwent an MRI on Thursday. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the MRI on Doncic’s thigh came back clean and that he is expected to return to action as soon as the discomfort allows him to.
Dallas’ loss to New Orleans dropped them to 34-33 on the season with just 15 games left to play. That has them in the play-in tournament range at No. 8 in the West (though the Mavericks are just 0.5 games back of the No. 5 seed in an extremely air-tight playoff battle).
The Mavericks have suffered a number of frustrating losses lately and are now just 3-6 when both Doncic and Kyrie Irving play. While Doncic’s clean MRI is great news, Dallas still has a lot to figure and not much time to do it.
Nov 21, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) jogs to the locker room following a 23-13 loss against the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Geno Smith has won many plaudits for how he has handled himself as Seattle Seahawks quarterback, and one of his quotes from Thursday will only further that perception.
The Seahawks held a press conference Thursday to officially confirm Smith’s new 3-year, $105 million deal with the team. The quarterback was asked what his response would be if the Seahawks do draft a quarterback, and Smith essentially said he would eagerly compete with and mentor the rookie.
Hard to ask for a better answer than that. In an ideal world, it is essentially what every coach would probably like to hear from their quarterback.
The Seahawks have the No. 5 pick in the NFL Draft thanks to the Russell Wilson trade, and there are strong hints that they are considering a young quarterback. Smith is certainly aware of this, and credit to him for not looking at it badly.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell speaks with the media.
The Minnesota Vikings may be preparing to move on from one of their most reliable veterans.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Thursday reported that there is a “real possibility” the Vikings will cut wide receiver Adam Thielen. The two sides are expected to sit down to discuss Thielen’s future in the coming days.
Thielen still has two years remaining on the four-year, $64 million contract extension he signed with Minnesota prior to the 2019 season. The 32-year-old inked that deal after being named to the Pro Bowl in back-to-back seasons in 2017 and 2018. He is owed $11 million in base salary next season and scheduled to count nearly $20 million against the salary cap.
The Vikings are roughly $15 million over the salary cap at the moment, according to the latest figures from Spotrac. There is a chance they could agree to a restructure with Thielen, but it seems unlikely that he will remain with the team on his current contract.
Thielen appeared in all 17 games for the Vikings last season. He had 70 catches for 716 yards and 6 touchdowns. He has been a reliable target for Kirk Cousins and a great second option for Minnesota behind Justin Jefferson.
Feb 1, 2022; Inglewood, CA, USA; The NFL shield logo is seen at midfield at SoFi Stadium. Super Bowl LVI between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals will be played on Feb. 13, 2022. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Rams have created some big salary cap issues for themselves in recent years, and it sounds like they are open to a complete rebuild heading into 2023.
There has been a lot of talk this offseason about the Rams looking to trade star players like Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey and wide receiver Allen Robinson. According to former NFL executive Michael Lombardi, the same is true of Matthew Stafford.
During a Thursday appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Lombardi said the Rams have been calling teams and trying to get out from under Stafford’s contract — even if they are not willing to admit it.
“Oh, Matt Stafford is fully available. They would love to trade him,” Lombardi said. “They can’t do it because he’s got $57 million guaranteed (left on his contract). … He’s got $57 million coming to him no matter what. The Rams, what are they gonna do? They’re trying to get out from it. I don’t really want to hear the bulls— that, ‘Oh, we’re not trying to trade him.’ Yes, you are. You’ve called teams. I know this.”
You can hear more from Lombardi below, but beware that the clip contains some profanity.
Stafford’s $31 million salary for 2024 will become fully guaranteed on March 17. He is also owed another $26 million as a guaranteed option bonus. The only way the Rams can avoid paying that money is if they trade the 35-year-old, and that almost certainly is not going to happen.
The Rams shut Stafford down for the final eight games of the 2022 season after he suffered a neck injury and landed in concussion protocol on two separate occasions. He also dealt with a shoulder injury, and the latest report about his health raised some huge concerns.
Stafford insists he is not going to retire, but it does not sound like the Rams would be devastated if he did.
Oct 28, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) against the Green Bay Packers at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
One of Kyler Murray’s former teammates had a rather scathing assessment of what the quarterback needs to improve.
Free agent offensive lineman Kelvin Beachum, who spent the last three seasons with the Cardinals, said on Arizona Sports 98.7’s “Burns and Gambo” that Murray needs to “grow up a little bit” in order to become a suitable leader for the franchise.
“It’s not a completed process,” Beachum said. “I didn’t say he lacks leadership, I just think he needs to grow up a little bit. I think if he has the ability and willingness to grow up, he’s going to be just fine.
“They paid him for a reason, they paid him because of his talent. He has the ability to lead. When you’re in that position, we need you to lead more. Yo’re the face of the franchise … you have to lead in every single capacity.”
The pointed remarks paint a picture of a quarterback who has yet to fully embrace or understand his leadership role. Murray has been criticized in some circles for apparent self-centeredness, and the team’s new GM may have sent a message on that subject upon being introduced. There have also been lingering questions about Murray’s work ethic, which was already a subject of speculation.
Beachum makes it clear that Murray is young and is capable of doing what he needs to do to lead the franchise, but the clear message here is that it has not happened yet, and it needs to.
May 21, 2022; Tulsa, OK, USA; Matthew Fitzpatrick hits his tee shot on the 14th hole during the third round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Southern Hills Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Fitzpatrick is one of the best young players on the PGA Tour, and it is safe to say there is no risk of him becoming the latest superstar to leave for LIV Golf.
Fitzpatrick was asked by Sky Sports this week about the possibility of LIV golfers eventually deciding they want to return to the PGA Tour. The 28-year-old says it would not be allowed if it were up to him, even if those golfers’ LIV contracts had expired.
“I would not let people come back if they’ve gone to LIV. I just wouldn’t,” Fitzpatrick said. “I think it would be incredibly unfair of the PGA Tour to (allow) that. I’d be staggered if they did allow it. I think if you spoke to Tiger Woods he’d probably have the same stance. You’ve left a tour — I’m talking about the top players — and have been here for so long and done so well, and now you’ve left for something you think is better, but maybe it’s not.”
Fitzpatrick reiterated his stance during a Thursday appearance on the “Fore Play” podcast. He said anyone who has signed with LIV should have a lifetime ban from the PGA Tour.
“You’ve made your choice to jump ship because you think there’s a better product out there, so that’s where you’ve gone,” Fitzpatrick said. “I don’t think you should be allowed back. You wanted to go play somewhere for more money, for less events, for all the reasons that they give. So, why should you be able to come back and take someone else’s spot who’s committed to the PGA Tour? That would be my argument.”
The situation has yet to arise, but it will at some point. Since many top golfers signed with LIV, the PGA Tour has implemented sweeping changes that may appeal to some of those who jumped ship. It remains to be seen if the PGA Tour will treat those golfers as traitors or more like an athlete in another sport who signed with a different team and then returned later in his or her career.
Oct 29, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (2) prior to game six of the 2019 World Series against the Washington Nationals at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Alex Bregman has been working on a unique defense strategy this offseason, and the Houston Astros star went viral after executing it during a live game.
Bregman started a double play during the second inning of Tuesday night’s spring training game against the New York Mets by intentionally one-hopping a throw to second baseman Mauricio Dubón. The throw was right on target and led to an easy turn for Dubón, who delivered a strike to first base in plenty of time to get Darin Ruf.
Bregman’s bounce pass was very much by design. He explained on Twitter that he has been working on the play since he saw Anthony Rendon do it with the Los Angeles Angels. Bregman feels there are certain situations where bouncing the ball leads to a more accurate delivery.
“Haha been practicing this after I saw Rendon do it in Anaheim. Easier to be accurate doing this then trying to guide a softer throw to second base while running full speed to the left,” Bregman wrote.
Here is Rendon pulling off a similar play during a regular-season game in 2020:
Of course, it takes a lot less courage to try a new strategy during a meaningless exhibition game. It will be interesting to see if Bregman pulls the move during the regular season.
Mar 5, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Durant was unable to make his home debut with the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night after he suffered an injury during pregame warmups, and he may now be sidelined for an extended period.
Durant was scratched from the Suns’ game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. A video showed that he badly turned his left ankle while going up for a layup.
According to Greg Moore of the Arizona Republic, the Suns are concerned that Durant suffered a Grade 2 ankle sprain. That would be a significant injury and likely force Durant to miss 4-6 weeks. If he is out that long, Durant could miss the remainder of the regular season and the start of the playoffs.
Durant has played three road games with the Suns, and they won all three. He had 37 points and 7 rebounds in Sunday’s 130-126 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
The Suns are 37-29 and comfortably in fourth place in the Western Conference, so they should have no problem reaching the postseason even without Durant. They will certainly need him once they get there, though.
