LeBron James may not necessarily be opposed to the idea of joining forces with his longtime NBA rival.
The Los Angeles Lakers star James addressed reporters on Monday and spoke out on his positive experience this summer playing with Golden State Warriors counterpart Steph Curry, whom he won a gold medal with at the Paris Olympics. James was then asked if he could ever be teammates with Curry again and gave a notable response.
“I have no idea,” replied James, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
It is interesting that James did not shoot down the idea entirely, especially as he nears the end of his storied NBA career. James can become a free agent next summer by turning down his $52.2 million player option for 2025-26, so maybe anything can happen.
Curry, who is under contract himself through 2027, has long been seen as one of James’ biggest career rivals, especially after beating James head-to-head in three out of four matchups in the NBA Finals (though James did get some slight revenge with the Lakers by eliminating Curry’s Warriors from the playoffs in 2023). But it is certainly worth noting that a potential James trade to the Warriors was on the table last season before his agent Rich Paul reportedly blocked it.
Aug 15, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni walks to the bench before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni issued something of an apology for how he acted toward fans at the end of Sunday’s 20-16 win.
Sirianni admitted he went a bit too far with his emotions when he chirped at some fans in the stands at the end of the game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The coach said he was “trying to bring energy,” but failed to channel it in a positive way.
“What I was really doing, I was trying to bring energy yesterday. Energy, enthusiasm yesterday,” Sirianni told reporters. “And I’m sorry and disappointed on how my energy was directed at the end of the game. My energy should be all in on coaching, motivating, and celebrating with our guys. I gotta have better wisdom and discernment on when to use that energy. And that wasn’t the time.”
Sirianni also praised Eagles fans for their passion and enthusiasm, crediting them with forcing the Browns into a pair of crucial false starts.
FOX cameras caught Sirianni seemingly jawing at fans as Sunday’s game wound down. The response came at the end of a somewhat contentious game in which the Eagles did not play all that well, and were even booed on occasion. The head coach deflected questions about the moment immediately after the game. That was nowhere near enough to make the story go away, and it was a talking point for the national media well into Monday.
Sirianni has previously talked about improving his sideline demeanor for the good of the team. Based on this, he still has some work to do on that front.
Sep 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. (97) reacts after sacking Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) (not pictured) in the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
The Houston Texans have lost a defensive starter to a suspension.
Texans defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr. has been suspended four games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, the league announced on Monday. The veteran will be eligible for reinstatement after Houston’s Week 10 game against the Detroit Lions.
Edwards, who is in his 10th NFL season, signed a 1-year deal with Houston in March. He has started all six games this season and has 2 sacks, 18 total tackles and a fumble recovery.
The 30-year-old Edwards was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the second round out of Florida State in 2015. He has spent time with eight different teams since then.
Aug 5, 2024; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during practice at the Browns training facility in Berea, Ohio. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns’ signing of Deshaun Watson has quickly become one of the worst deals in pro sports. But few people may realize just how bad Watson has become.
The Browns are 1-5 this season and 30th in the league in points scored per game. Much of those struggles are due to how bad Watson has been.
Watson has completed 61.3 percent of his passes for 1,020 yards, 5 touchdowns and 3 interceptions in five games. He has taken a league-high 31 sacks while rushing for just 148 yards and a touchdown.
But those stats don’t tell the whole story. Some other stats shared by Bill Barnwell do.
Watson is off to one of the worst starts among all quarterbacks since 2007. Out of 566 passers through six weeks since 2007, Watson is nearly last in many stats.
Watson is:
558 out of 566 in QBR
565 out of 566 in yards per dropback
566 out of 566 in first down rate
In other words, the Browns are not moving the ball under Watson.
Regardless, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters on Monday that he will not be making a quarterback switch from Watson to backup Jameis Winston.
Cleveland is on the hook to pay Watson $46 million this season and each of the next two years. They’ve boxed themselves into a corner with the horrific 5-year, $230 million deal they gave him in 2022. Now they are stuck.
Oct 24, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni reacts in the second half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. The Raiders defeated the Eagles 33-22. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Damien Woody was not a fan of the way Nick Sirianni carried himself at the end of the Philadelphia Eagles’ win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
Woody, a longtime ESPN analyst and former Pro Bowl offensive lineman, unloaded on Sirianni during Monday morning’s edition of “Get Up.” Woody called Sirianni a “clown” for chirping at Eagles fans late in Philadelphia’s 20-16 win over the Cleveland Browns.
“What’s this clown behavior, bro? This dude’s a clown, like, seriously,” Woody said. “You gonna seriously talk trash to the fans? People come out here and pay big money to come out and watch you put a product out on the field. When you don’t perform well, they have every right to boo you. And you’re gonna get all in your feelings because fans are booing you because your team stinks? Bro, come on.
“Then you’re gonna bring your kids into the postgame to kind of soften the blow from what reporters might ask you. This dude is a straight clown, bro. Like I just don’t have any respect for what this man is doing. Y’all barely beat the God-awful Cleveland Browns, and then you want to talk trash to the fans. Get outta here.”
As time expired in the Eagles’ win over Cleveland, FOX cameras showed Sirianni putting his hand to his ear and gesturing toward fans that were seated behind the Philadelphia bench. You can see the video here.
As Woody mentioned, Sirianni then brought his kids with him to his postgame press conference. The coach was asked what he said to Eagles fans, and he simply repeated the same vague response.
Sirianni is known for wearing his emotions on his sleeve. He has even admitted that he needs to tone it down a bit on the sidelines. Woody has obviously had enough of the animated behavior and feels Sirianni crossed the line by going at his own team’s fans.
Sep 20, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Washington Football Team defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (93) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Commanders got some bad news about one of their most important defensive players on Monday, a day after their loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Commanders coach Dan Quinn confirmed that defensive tackle Jonathan Quinn will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn pectoral muscle in Week 6. Allen will undergo season-ending surgery.
A first-round pick in the 2017 draft, Allen has been a mainstay at the center of Washington’s defensive line. The two-time Pro Bowl selection has been a consistent starter since 2018 and has 41 career sacks, including two in six games in 2024.
The timing of Allen’s injury might be the most painful part, at least for the player. Allen has played through some very lean seasons in Washington, and has been very vocal about how difficult it has been to play on so many losing teams. Now the Commanders are 4-2 and seemingly on the rise, but he will not be able to contribute again until 2025.
Oct 22, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; The Houston Astros logo is seen during the third inning of game one of the 2019 World Series against the Washington Nationals at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
The vibes are about to change in Houston.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported Monday that the Houston Astros have decided to let go of their longtime third base coach Gary Pettis after 10 seasons with the team. Pettis’ contract with Houston was up, and the Astros are opting not to renew it.
The 66-year-old Pettis is a beloved baseball figure who was a five-time Gold Glover as a player before going into coaching in the mid-1990s. Pettis had been one of the biggest mainstays on staff in Houston, joining in 2015 and serving under three different managers (AJ Hinch, Dusty Baker, and Joe Espada). He was also the third base coach for both of the Astros’ World Series titles in 2017 and 2022.
Famous for his dramatic pinwheel motions at third, Pettis has long been known as one of the most aggressive senders in baseball. While the team’s baserunning numbers this season had showed a drop-off in performance by Pettis, the news of his departure still comes as a surprise. Pettis may not be the only longtime Astros figure to pack his bags this offseason either.
Dec 11, 2011; Denver, CO, USA; General view of a NFL logo on a communications center inside Sports Authority Field before the start of the game between the Chicago Bears and the Denver Broncos. The Broncos defeated the Bears 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The season-ending injury to Aidan Hutchinson has created an opportunity for another player to capture the Defensive Player of the Year award in the NFL.
Hutchinson was the favorite this season to win the award. The third-year defensive star had 7.5 sacks in just 5 games before suffering a broken leg in his Detroit Lions’ win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. However, he has now been taken off the board when it comes to wagers on the award.
The new favorite to win the award is Pittsburgh Steelers pass-rusher TJ Watt. Watt’s odds have improved from 3-1 to 3-2.
The next closest players are Fred Warner, who is now 8-1; Will Anderson Jr., who has 8-1 odds; and Chris Jones, who is at 9-1 odds.
After Watt, Warner, Anderson and Jones, there are five players with odds better than 30-1. Here are those remaining five players:
Nick Bosa 16/1
Maxx Crosby 18/1
Patrick Surtain II 25/1
Xavier McKinney 25/1
Myles Garrett 28/1
Watt won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2021. The 6-time Pro Bowl player has 4.5 sacks through 6 games this season and is having another big year for Pittsburgh. The Steelers’ success as a team probably helps Watt’s chances. Pittsburgh is 4-2 through six weeks and is allowing just 14.3 points per game, which is the second-fewest in the NFL.
Nov 25, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart shown on the sideline against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the first half at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Kirby Smart was criticized on Saturday after he shoved an opposing player during Georgia’s 41-31 win over Mississippi State at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., and the coach says he has addressed his actions.
Mississippi State quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. ran for a gain in the fourth quarter and went out of bounds into Georgia’s sideline. Smart then went running over to say something to defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann and gave Van Buren a fairly aggressive bump on the way. You can see the video here.
Smart said after the game that he was just trying to get to Schumann to change personnel and was unaware that he had even bumped Van Buren. The coach reiterated that on Monday but said he reached out to both Van Buren and Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby.
“I didn’t even realize that I had run into him. I reached out to Lebby that night and talked to him and he said the kid was great,” Smart said. “Yesterday I talked to Mike and told him I had no intentions or ill will toward him at all.
“If you’ve ever been on the sideline during a game, it’s pandemonium. It’s really pandemonium when you’re trying to change personnel and you’ve only got 3-4 seconds to do it and we were bad off in a bad personnel grouping against empty that we had actually messed up the week before. … I reached out to the kid. He was great. He’s a really good player. He’s gonna be a good player in this league, and he played better as the game went on against us.”
Mississippi State fans felt Smart’s behavior crossed the line, which is hardly a surprise. Smart clearly let his emotions get the best of him for a brief moment, even if they were not supposed to be directed toward Van Buren.
Apr 30, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during overtime in game 5 of the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The Philadelphia 76ers are prioritizing the health of center Joel Embiid this season in a bid to keep him fit and available for the playoffs. That likely means one huge change is coming to Embiid’s availability in certain games.
In a new story by Tim Bontemps of ESPN, Embiid admitted that his days of playing on back-to-back days appear to be over. That is not just a short-term solution, as the All-Star center said he does not expect to ever play in back-to-backs again.
“If I had to guess, I would probably never play back-to-backs the rest of my career,” Embiid said.
76ers president Daryl Morey did not go quite as far, but he did say Embiid and Paul George were unlikely to play in many back-to-backs, “if any.”
Embiid is serious about keeping himself as healthy as possible. He has a long history of knee injuries and was once again not healthy for the stretch run last season. To that end, he made some major lifestyle changes ahead of the new season, and is adamant about making an NBA title his biggest and only goal. If he has to sacrifice back-to-backs to make that happen, he sounds more than willing to do that.
