Markieff Morris clearly likes Nikola Jokic about as much as a parking ticket.
The Miami Heat forward Morris made his return to the lineup on Saturday after 58 games missed with injury. He was hurt when the Denver Nuggets center Jokic violently knocked him down in November (video here).
After Saturday’s game, Morris, who scored six points in 17 minutes, had a vulgar response when asked about Jokic, particularly on if he had heard from Jokic during the four-plus months that he was out.
Morris was the one who initiated the Jokic incident and should not have elbowed him in the ribs. But Jokic’s retaliatory response was way out of proportion and uncalled for, causing big injury to Morris’ back and neck (though that was not the only reason why Morris missed so much time).
The 32-year-old Morris is only on a one-year deal this season, so the Jokic hit likely cost him a shot at a bigger contract, something he probably won’t have enough time to position himself for in the final months of the season. Morris has also previously made clear on Twitter that he despises Jokic.
Tom Brady’s decision to come out of retirement stunned the football world, but there was probably a reason why Brady timed the announcement for when he did.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted that on noon Monday, free agents could have begun negotiating agreements with other teams. Brady wanted to send a message to the Buccaneers’ free agent class to ensure they knew he would be back in the fold before they considered signing elsewhere.
By announcing his decision to return to Tampa tonight, Tom Brady sends a message to the 24 Buccaneers free agents who could have begun entering into agreements with other teams at noon Monday.
The Buccaneers have a lengthy list of free agents they will be trying to retain. Center Ryan Jensen and right guard Ryan Cappa would be notable ones from Brady’s point of view, as would running back Leonard Fournette. Wide receiver Chris Godwin was also set to be a free agent, but the Buccaneers used their franchise tag on him.
The Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski Tampa party continues! Treat yourself or a friend with this great Tampa Fiesta shirt. You can buy it here.
Photo: Dec 26, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) warms up before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Tom Brady stunned the NFL world when he announced on Sunday that he would be returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rather than retiring.
Brady’s retirement announcement last month came abruptly, with very little advanced notice or rumors that the 44-year-old was considering stepping away. But there were multiple signals that he was reconsidering his decision.
Then, just a few hours before he announced his return, a video of Brady talking with a soccer star about retirement went viral (watch here).
Brady then announced over Twitter that he would be returning to the Bucs.
These past two months I’ve realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands. That time will come. But it’s not now. I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible. I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa. Unfinished business LFG pic.twitter.com/U0yhRKVKVm
Brady is back, and he shared the news just before free agency and the draft.
Photo: Jan 16, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) drops back to pass in the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles in a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Tom Brady has shocked the football world once again.
Brady announced Sunday that he would return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the 2022 season, cutting short his retirement after slightly more than a month.
In his Twitter post, Brady said he has “realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands,” and has “unfinished business” with the Buccaneers.
These past two months I’ve realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands. That time will come. But it’s not now. I love my teammates, and I love my supportive family. They make it all possible. I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa. Unfinished business LFG pic.twitter.com/U0yhRKVKVm
The manner and timing of the announcement certainly blindsided the NFL world, though. There was no hint that Brady would drop such a bombshell today, or that he would change his mind so soon after his initial retirement announcement.
Brady will turn 45 in August, but looked like he was in top form in 2021. He threw for 43 touchdowns with only 12 interceptions, and led the league with 5,316 passing yards.
The Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski Tampa party continues! Treat yourself or a friend with this great Tampa Fiesta shirt. You can buy it here.
Photo: Sep 9, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) reacts after defeating the Dallas Cowboys at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports
The Dallas Mavericks won a hard-fought game against the Boston Celtics on Sunday, and the outcome may have been different had it not been for a successful coach’s challenge.
Dallas was leading 95-92 with 4.9 seconds remaining when Luka Doncic appeared to foul Marcus Smart on the Celtics guard’s three-point attempt. Smart was about to go to the line for three free throws and a chance to tie the game when Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd used his challenge. The call was overturned, and the Mavs hung on to win.
Former NBA referee Steve Javie explained during the ESPN broadcast why Dallas won the challenge. He said it would have been a foul on Doncic had he hit Smart on the wrist or below. Since he only hit him on the hand after Smart released the ball, that is not considered a foul by rule.
The ability to challenge was huge for the Mavericks. Without it, Smart would have gone to the line.
The NCAA Tournament field for 2022 turned out to be fairly non-controversial, but there were certainly some questions about how teams were seeded.
The biggest uproar came about after Duke received a 2 seed, while Tennessee landed a 3 seed despite winning the SEC Tournament. Some experts had Tennessee in contention for a No. 1 seed, while Duke’s resume was less impressive, particularly after their loss to Virginia Tech in the ACC Tournament final.
Based purely on metrics, Tennessee appeared to have a noticeably better resume than the Blue Devils did.
Resume Comparison:
Duke (2-seed): NET – 13 KenPom – 12 SOS – 67 Q1 Wins – 6 Q2-4 Losses – 4
Tennessee (3-seed): NET – 8 KenPom – 7 SOS – 4 Q1 Wins – 11 Q2-4 Losses – 0
It was also pointed out that Tennessee seemingly received no boost from beating Kentucky in the SEC Tournament.
Someone explain how Kentucky and Duke got two seeds over Tennessee. It’s absolutely indefensible based on all metrics. And Kentucky is the overall number five seed? So what was the point of Saturday’s Tennessee win? Zero impact at all.
The fact that Duke was the beneficiary was not lost on anyone. Plenty theorized that the committee was influenced by Duke’s prestige, as well as the storyline of Mike Krzyzewski’s impending retirement. The Blue Devils also got a relative home game in Greenville, SC by virtue of their draw, while the Vols were sent to Indianapolis despite remaining in the South region.
Tennessee got absolutely hosed in this bracket. How in the actual hell does Duke get a 2 seed and Tennessee (who had a chance at the 1 line) end up a 3 seed.
Slap in the face to the SEC, Big 12, and Pac-12. All in the name of Coach K and keeping Duke in Greenville. Unreal.
— pablo escobarner (blue check) (@PabloEscoburner) March 13, 2022
Selection committee conspiracy theories are nothing new, but it’s hard to legitimately explain this one. The anger and confusion is more than understandable.
Photo: Nov 13, 2021; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski calls a timeout during the second half against the Campbell Camels at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
With five championship rings and now the most victories of any head coach in NBA history, Gregg Popovich has accomplished just about all that there is to accomplish in the league. The person who ultimately replaces him though could end up being a real stunner.
NBA writer Marc Stein reported on Substack this week that Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder is emerging as a possible candidate to succeed Popovich.
“More and more, I hear Snyder’s name as a potential Pop successor that the Spurs would naturally relish,” Stein wrote.
At age 73, Popovich is nearing retirement after having coached San Antonio for the last 26 seasons. As for Snyder, he has coached the Jazz for the past eight seasons but has yet to advance past the second round of the playoffs. Snyder also previously coached the Austin Toros, the Spurs’ G League affiliate, from 2007 to 2010.
The 55-year-old Snyder did get a contract extension with Utah in 2019 that runs through at least 2023. But if he leaves to take the Spurs job, that would be even more surprising than this rumored candidate succeeding Popovich.
Photo: Feb 8, 2020; Sacramento, California, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich on the sideline against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Shane Lowry is one of the most well-liked players on the PGA Tour, and his popularity grew even more with a feat he pulled off at The Players Championship on Sunday.
Lowry drained a hole-in-one on the famous 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass. The hole is essentially all water aside from the green. It is known for being one of the most challenging holes of the PGA season, but Lowry made it look easy.
Fans have had to endure torrential rains, gusty winds and unusually cold temperatures in Ponte Vedra Beach, so Lowry’s ace could not have come at a better time. The 2019 British Open champion fired the ball into the gallery after he retrieved it, and the fan who ended up with it had Lowry sign it.
One NBA forward used his big game over the weekend to bring attention to Brittney Griner’s case.
Toronto Raptors forward Chris Boucher had an excellent outing on Saturday against the Denver Nuggets, posting 21 points and 13 rebounds in a 127-115 victory. After the game, Boucher shouted out the WNBA star Griner, who remains imprisoned in Russia.
“I just wanna talk about Brittney Griner,” said Boucher. “She’s in Russia, and it’s like nobody is talking about it. So it would be good to put attention on that because she’s still holed up over there.”
The Phoenix Mercury center Griner was detained in Russia on drug charges after reportedly being found with vape cartridges containing hashish oil at a Moscow airport. She has been imprisoned there for several weeks with no timetable for a resolution. Griner is said to be facing up to ten years in jail.
This move comes completely out of nowhere. White is a Florida native who has coached the Gators since 2015, when he took over for Billy Donovan. There was no indication he was considering a move, and while the Gators have not been among the best in college basketball under White, he has ensured that they are a perennial NCAA Tournament team.
White leaves Florida after going 142-88 in seven seasons. The Gators have not won 20 games since 2018-19, and are in danger of missing the tournament for the first time since 2016.
Photo: Mar 10, 2022; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida Gators head coach Mike White looks on against the Texas A&M Aggies during the first half at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
