The Miami Dolphins are clearly interested in a potential Deshaun Watson trade. The question is whether a deal can be completed prior to Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. It’s fair to wonder if team owner Stephen Ross will try to nudge things in that direction.
A report prior to the season claimed Ross “really wants” Watson. The Dolphins pushed back at that narrative, but it has not gone away. According to Jordan Schultz, Ross has been a “strong advocate” in his team making a play for Watson.
Ross may want Watson, but there’s a difference between a team owner wanting something and pushing for it. Peter King of NBC Sports said in his weekly column on Monday that he has been told Ross is “not pushing his football people to deal for Watson right now.”
It would make sense for Ross to be intrigued by the idea of adding Watson. The Houston Texans star would give the Dolphins a much better chance to win now than Tua Tagovailoa. The question, of course, is if Watson will remain eligible to play.
Watson is facing sexual assault allegations from multiple women. He is still under criminal investigation, but he has not been placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List or suspended. That seems unlikely to change in the short-term even if the Texans trade him.
Watson has a full no-trade clause, and there has been talk that he will only waive it for the Dolphins. He has reportedly rebuffed at least one team that is interested in him.
Stephen Curry is already one of the greatest players in NBA history, and his coach thinks that Curry’s success does not just have to do with what he does on the court.
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr appeared this week on 95.7 The Game’s “Damon & Ratto.” He spoke on Curry, discussing what makes the former MVP so successful.
“I’ve long felt that’s one of Steph secrets to his success, he loves his life,” said Kerr. “He loves his family, he loves his hobbies, his daily existence on the Earth, he just enjoys it so much.
“He’s got so much going for him that it makes everything smoother and more fun for him on the court,” Kerr added about Curry. “I think that’s true for everybody. If you can get things in order and you’re in a comfortable place, you’re going to have more success.”
The three-time champion Curry now has three children with wife Ayesha in what is widely seen as a model NBA family. He also does plenty of cool stuff in his free time like hanging out with Michael Jordan on the golf course.
Curry has continued his success this season, leading Golden State to an NBA-best 4-0 record. While he has obviously put in plenty of hard work behind the scenes, you can’t underestimate the positive impact that an enjoyable life off the court can have on one’s game.
H/T NBA Reddit
Mar 5, 2020; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the first quarter of the game against the Toronto Raptors at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
One of Major League Baseball’s franchises will have a new name next year when the Cleveland Indians become the Cleveland Guardians, and PETA thinks the league should make another major change as well.
PETA, aka the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, issued a press release on Thursday urging MLB to stop using the term “bullpen.” The organization is proposing that baseball adopts the term “arm barn” instead. Why? The term “bullpen” references a holding area where bulls are kept before being slaughtered.
“Words matter, and baseball ‘bullpens’ devalue talented players and mock the misery of sensitive animals,” the release states. “PETA encourages Major League Baseball coaches, announcers, players, and fans to changeup their language and embrace the ‘arm barn’ instead.”
Alright then.
The “bullpen” gripe is one of many PETA has had with professional sports leagues and teams over the years. Another example would be when they spoke out about a catfish incident at an NHL game years ago.
We’d say the term “bullpen” is probably in no danger of disappearing, but this is 2021. Nothing would surprise us.
Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard has been mentioned as a potential trade candidate heading into next week’s deadline, and it’s fair to wonder if the Pro Bowler would welcome a change of scenery. If so, he is not going to admit.
Howard was asked on Thursday about his name coming up in trade rumors. He simply smiled, pointed to his shirt and said, “Miami Dolphins, baby.”
That would seemingly indicate that Howard is hoping to remain in Miami, but it’s possible he is playing coy.
If you remember, Howard requested a trade during the offseason. He was openly unhappy with his contract and said he did not feel the Dolphins were dealing with him in good faith. The two sides eventually agreed to a new deal.
Howard signed a five-year extension with the Dolphins in May 2019. He said during the offseason that he “didn’t completely understand” the contract at the time. Miami added incentives to the deal for 2021 after he held out and asked to be traded.
Would the Dolphins move on from Howard now? They’re 1-6 and nowhere near playoff contention. They also have another cornerback making top dollar in Byron Jones, who signed five-year, $82.5 million free agent contract with the team last year. It would not be a surprise if Miami looks to free up some cap space while also acquiring a draft pick.
Derrick Rose has enjoyed a successful second act in the NBA, and he may want to keep the train rolling for as long as possible.
The New York Knicks veteran spoke this week with reporters and said that he was not thinking about the end of his career.
“I’m trying to Tom Brady this thing,” said the 33-year-old Rose, per Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.
The former MVP Rose is in his 13th year in the league and can definitely still hoop. He is averaging a solid 14.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game so far this year in a bench role for the Knicks. Rose is also much more controlled in his movements now and has further improved on his jumper, shooting a whopping 57.9 percent from three in the early going this season.
Of course, Rose has a very long way to go to catch Brady, who is in his 22nd NFL season and is the gold standard for longevity in pro sports. Brady even recently hinted that he might have a whole lot longer left in him. But Rose looks very rejuvenated after his devastating injuries of seasons past. At this rate of producing like a Vince Carter-esque elder statesman, it would not be surprising to see Rose play into his 40s.
Photo: Feb 23, 2020; Portland, Oregon, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Derrick Rose (25) looks on as a teammate shoots free throws during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. The Blazers won 107-104. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
A surprising report surfaced this week claiming the San Francisco 49ers turned down a generous trade offer for Jimmy Garoppolo prior to the NFL Draft. Not surprisingly, Kyle Shanahan says there is no truth to it.
In his newly released book “It’s Better to Be Feared,” Seth Wickersham says the New England Patriots offered a second-round draft pick for Garoppolo back in April. The Niners reportedly wanted a first-rounder, so they turned it down.
Shanahan was asked about the claim on Wednesday, and he emphatically shot it down.
“I promise, if that was the case, I would have talked to their head coach,” Shanahan said.
The implication seemed to be that Shanahan didn’t discuss any trade with Bill Belichick. If the Patriots wanted Garoppolo so badly that they offered a second-round pick, Shanahan almost certainly would have entertained the conversation.
San Francisco acquired Garoppolo from the Patriots in 2017 for a second-round pick. The quarterback has since led the team to a Super Bowl, but his play has been mediocre at best. The Niners traded up to draft Trey Lance, which would indicate that they are not that high on Garoppolo. That’s what makes it hard to believe they turned down a second-rounder.
Shanahan explained this week why the 49ers are sticking with Garoppolo despite losing four games in a row.
Shaquille O’Neal is one of the wealthiest athletes to ever live. It probably goes without saying that his family will never have to worry about money, but that isn’t the mindset the Hall of Famer wants his kids carrying around.
Shaq spoke with “Earn Your Leisure” this week about the important of instilling work ethic in his kids. The 49-year-old said he tells them not to confuse his wealth with their own.
“My kids are older now. They’re kind of upset with me — not really upset, but they don’t understand. I tell them all the time, ‘We ain’t rich. I’m rich,'” O’Neal said. “You gotta have a bachelor’s or master’s (degree). If you want me to invest in one of your companies, you’re gonna have to present it, bring it to me, and I’ll let you know. I’m not giving you nothing.”
That’s a great message. Shaq probably knows his kids will never live a “normal” life. The former Los Angeles Lakers star made nearly $300 million on the court alone during his career, and the money continues to flow in. He has had countless endorsement deals and is one of the faces of TNT’s “Inside the NBA,” which is an award-winning show.
Shaq’s kids have already done a number of things to impress us, so the big fella must be doing something right.
Bruce Buffer has one of the most recognizable voices in the sports world, and most UFC fans have probably never watched a pay-per-view event with someone besides Buffer doing fighter introductions. That, unfortunately, will be the case at UFC 267 on Saturday night.
UFC president Dana White announced on Thursday that Buffer has tested positive for COVID-19. That means the 64-year-old will not be cleared to travel to Abu Dhabi for UFC 267. Longtime ring announcer Joe Martinez will take Buffer’s place.
Buffer’s absence will result in the end of an incredible streak. He has been the cage announcer for every numbered/pay-per-view UFC card since UFC 11 in 1996. Buffer has been in the Octagon before fights for 255 consecutive events.
Like anyone who has worked for nearly 30 years straight without missing a day, Buffer has had some awkward moments in the ring. But he’s a staple of the UFC and one of the voices of the sport. UFC 267 just won’t be the same without him.
Photo: Mar 7, 2020; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Ring announcer Bruce Buffer announces the fight between Beneil Dariush (red gloves) fights Drakkar Klose (blue gloves) during UFC 248 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Russell Westbrook called himself “old school” when explaining why he was upset with Darius Bazley’s dunk on Wednesday night, but one former Los Angeles Laker who played three decades ago had no problem with it.
Bazley angered Westbrook when he stole a pass and threw down a dunk with just 1.5 seconds left and the Oklahoma City Thunder leading 120-115. Westbrook confronted Bazley and was ejected. Mychal Thompson, who won two championships with the Lakers in the 1980s, immediately defended Bazley on Twitter.
You can see the video of Westbrook’s ejection here.
Westbrook said there are “certain things you just don’t do in sports.” He’s right that it would have been more respectful for Bazley to just dribble the clock out in that situation. Thompson, who is Klay Thompson’s father, also had a point. The Lakers are now 2-3 on the season and blew a 26-point lead to the Thunder. Westbrook committed 10 turnovers in the game, which is probably why he was so frustrated. He and his teammates also got the meme treatment for their latest poor effort.
The Lakers should worry more about finding ways to win and less about opponents showing them up. If they held onto their lead, there would have been no “classless” dunk with 1.5 seconds left. Thompson isn’t the only one who feels that way.
The Las Vegas Raiders had some unexpected turnover in their front office last offseason, and there were several theories about why the executives had to abruptly leave the organization. Team owner Mark Davis shed some light on the situation this week.
Marc Badain, who served as the Raiders’ team president for six-plus years, was among four executives who left the franchise. The others were CFO Ed Villanueva, Controller Araxie Grant, and vice president of strategy and business development Brandon Doll. Davis said this week that the resignations came after a series of “accounting irregularities.”
“I think it’s pretty much clear now, or I don’t know if it is clear now, but it was pretty much accounting irregularities,” Davis said, per Vic Tafur of The Athletic. “That’s why the CFO left, the controller left and the president left, that’s what it was.”
There had been speculation that the Raiders were having issues with the IRS and had been hit with a significant tax bill. Davis said the opposite was true.
“I will say it wasn’t not paying enough taxes — we overpaid our taxes, that’s one of the good things about it,” the owner said.
The Raiders reportedly launched an internal investigation into whatever it was that was going on. It’s possible that the issues stemmed from the revenue the team lost as a result of the pandemic. Perhaps that was not properly accounted for, or perhaps there was some funny business going on. We may never know.
One thing is for sure — the mass exodus was extremely unusual. There is probably more to the story than simple clerical errors.
