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#pounditThursday, March 28, 2024

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Report: 1 team turned down blockbuster trade for Jalen Green at deadline

Jalen Green smiling

Jul 29, 2021; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Jalen Green (G League Ignite) arrives on the red carpet before the 2021 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green is one of the hottest players in the NBA right now, but he apparently came close to being in a different uniform.

Shams Charania of The Athletic appeared this week on FanDuel TV. In the appearance, Charania revealed that the Rockets made a blockbuster trade offer to the Brooklyn Nets involving Green. The trade would have had Green and multiple first-round picks going to Brooklyn in exchange for forward Mikal Bridges. The offer was ultimately turned down by the Nets though.

With the tear that Green has been on recently, it is well worth wondering if Brooklyn now regrets that decision. The 22-year-old is averaging 27.8 points per game in this month of March (including multiple 40-point explosions) on superb 51/42/80 shooting splits. Green has vastly improved his defense as well, and the Rockets are now riding an active eight-game winning streak that has them suddenly back in the Western Conference play-in picture.

Of course, Green will eligible for a major contract extension in the summer while Bridges, a 20-ppg scorer and elite defender in his own right, is already under contract through 2026. Green’s recent eruption has also come in the injury absence of Rockets teammate Alperen Sengun. Thus, it is possible that Green, who was rumored to be frustrated in Houston just last month, may become available for trade again at some point.

Commanders targeting surprise player with No. 2 overall pick?

A Commanders helmet on the bench

Oct 15, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A Washington Commanders helmet on the bench against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Commanders are essentially on the clock in the 2024 NFL Draft, and they might be eyeing a surprise player.

With the Chicago Bears expected to take Caleb Williams first overall, most analysts have predicted for months that the Commanders will draft either Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye at No. 2. That is not what some NFL executives are hearing, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Pelissero said Monday that he has spoken front-office officials of rival teams who know new Commanders general manager Adam Peters well. Those executives seem to think Washington is going to draft J.J. McCarthy.

McCarthy’s stock has been on the rise in recent weeks, and there is still a month to go until the draft. The former Michigan quarterback is viewed as a top target of one NFC team that might want to trade up to No. 4. If the Commanders wind up taking McCarthy, that could really shake things up.

A lot can — and will — change in the weeks leading up to the draft. A report earlier this month claimed Peters is high on Maye, so there is really no way to separate rumor from fact. One thing that seems fairly certain at this point is that McCarthy is going to be a Day 1 pick, and the chances of him coming off the board in the top five are quite high.

Vanderbilt has its new head coach to replace Jerry Stackhouse

The Vanderbilt logo

The Vanderbilt Commodores have a new head coach set to replace Jerry Stackhouse as their men’s basketball coach.

Vandy parted ways with Stackhouse last week following a disappointing 9-23 season. On Monday, ESPN reported the school is going to hire Mark Byington as their new head coach.

Byington has been the head coach at James Madison the last four seasons. He led the Dukes to a 32-4 season, which included an upset win over Wisconsin in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. JMU was blown out by Duke on Sunday to end their season.

The 46-year-old Byington coached at Georgia Southern for seven seasons before being hired by JMU. He went 131-97 at Georgia Southern and had three straight 20-win seasons before being hired by James Madison. At James Madison, Byington went 82-36. His team won the conference regular season in 2020-2021. They finished behind Appalachian State for the Sun Belt regular season title, but won the conference tournament this year to earn a berth into the NCAA Tournament.

Vandy isn’t too far removed from being a pretty strong program in the SEC during most of Kevin Stallings’ tenure as their head coach. The program slipped to 9-23 in 2018-2019 under Bryce Drew, who was fired after that season. Stackhouse improved things year after year and went 22-15 last season, but this year’s 9-23 finish was enough for the school to make a change to Byington.

Dodgers’ organist pulled petty move on Angels during spring game

A Dodgers hat in the dugout

Aug 16, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Los Angeles Dodgers hat and glove in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at SunTrust Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The organist for the Los Angeles Dodgers has still got the fastball.

In the second inning of Sunday’s spring game between the Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels, first baseman Brandon Drury of the Angels misplayed a pop-up off the bat of Dodgers catcher Will Smith, allowing it to drop in foul territory. The game was held at Dodger Stadium, and the Dodgers’ organist let Drury hear it by playing the theme song to “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”

Check out the sequence.

The song, which plays during the opening and closing themes of the popular Larry David HBO show “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” is also used heavily in Internet meme culture for whenever somebody gets embarrassed. While Drury’s mishap didn’t actually cost the Angels any additional runs (Smith would go on to strike out in the at-bat), he certainly got some salt rubbed in the wound there.

This is just par for the course though for the Dodgers’ organ player. Plenty of opponents at Dodger Stadium have been targeted by savage organ tunes over the years, including some other in-state rivals.

Giants owner addresses whether team will replace Daniel Jones

Daniel Jones throwing a pass

Oct 18, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) looks to pass against the Washington Football Team at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Are the New York Giants planning to replace Daniel Jones at quarterback? The team’s owner addressed the matter.

Giants owner John Mara spoke with the media Monday from the Annual League Meeting in Orlando Fla. He was asked whether the team might draft a quarterback this year as they have been rumored to be considering.

“If [our decision-makers] fall in love with the quarterback and believe it’s worth pick No. 6 or moving up, [I] certainly would support that,” Mara said of his general manager and head coach.

So the Giants’ front office has been given the green light to draft a quarterback in the first round this year. Mara also said that he would like any quarterback they draft would compete with Jones for the starting job.

The Giants are picking at No. 6 overall, which should put them in position to select one of the top quarterback prospects. They have a pick in every round and two picks in the fifth, which they could try to use if they wanted to move up.

There has been some buzz that the Giants might want to take former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy if he is available at No. 6.

A rumor coming out of the NFL Combine said the Giants were not going to have Jones continue as their quarterback. The Giants also added Drew Lock this offseason, so any quarterback they draft would make it a three-QB race to see who starts.

The Giants went 6-11 last season, a year after going 9-7-1 and winning a playoff game.

Brandon Aiyuk appears to rip 49ers with cryptic social media message

Brandon Aiyuk during warmups

Sep 26, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) walks on the field before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Aiyuk has been openly seeking a new contract this offseason, and it appears he is unhappy about the lack of progress in negotiations with the San Francisco 49ers.

Niners general manager John Lynch told reporters on Monday that the team is not actively looking to trade Aiyuk despite recent rumors. Lynch said the goal is to sign Aiyuk to an extension.

“There are a number of different directions it can go,” Lynch said, via David Lombardi and Matt Barrows of The Athletic. “But we appreciate the heck out of Brandon and who he is as a player. We want him to be a part of the Niners, so we’re going to work towards making that a reality.”

Not long after Lynch made the comments, Aiyuk took to Instagram with a cryptic message. He posted several emojis that represented the phrase “money talks, bulls— walks.”

There have already been rumors this offseason that Aiyuk is unhappy with his current situation, and that will only add to the narrative. He is obviously well aware of that and has no problem going public with his frustration.

Aiyuk also raised some eyebrows last week when he posted a public message to Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin via X. Lynch admitted on Monday that Tomlin, who once coached Lynch when the former safety played in the NFL, asked the GM about Aiyuk’s social media activity.

“Mike coached me (in Tampa Bay) and so we’re very close,” Lynch said. “He’s like, ‘Bro, what’s going on?’ I promise you, we’ve got nothing — nothing is going on there.”

Perhaps Aiyuk wants something to go on.

Aiyuk is set to make $14.124 million in 2024 after the 49ers picked up his 5th-year option. He had 75 catches for 1,342 yards and 7 touchdowns last season and feels he is in line for a raise. If the two sides were close to an agreement, Aiyuk probably would not be sharing cryptic messages like the one we saw on Monday.

Jim Harbaugh reveals where he has been living since taking Chargers job

Jim Harbaugh wearing sunglasses

Nov 16, 2019; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh reacts during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Jim Harbaugh is known for being an unconventional guy, so it’s not too surprising that he has had an unconventional living situation since taking the Chargers job.

Harbaugh spoke with some reporters from the Annual League Meeting in Orlando, Fla. on Monday. During his conversation with the media, Harbaugh revealed that he has been living in a recreational vehicle (RV) while in Los Angeles, Calif.

“It’s been great,” Harbaugh said, via MLive.com. “Just being myself. I always wanted to do that (and live in an RV). It worked out great. I’m 100 feet from Greg Roman, who has a really, really good RV.”

Roman will be Harbaugh’s ofensive coordinator on the Chargers. He apparently has a nicer RV than Harbaugh, who has a Ford Motorcoach.

“I go back there, it’s a good time to think. It’s just been great,” Harbaugh said of his RV.

Though Harbaugh has been living in the RV since being hired in January, that fun is about to end. Harbaugh’s family accompanied him on the trip to Orlando. Then they will be joining him in California at a rental house where they will be living.

Though he won’t be living in the RV solo anymore, we wouldn’t put it past Harbaugh to use the RV in the future.

Why stay at a hotel when you can stay in your own camper?

Shaq gives funny nickname to Zach Edey

Shaq holds a mic

Mar 24, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA: Former Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal speaks during a NBA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Zach Edey has a fan in a fellow seven-footer.

The Purdue big man Edey has dominated the NCAA Tournament thus far to help lead the Boilermakers to the Sweet Sixteen. Edey is posting a monster line of 26.5 points, 17.5 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game through the first two rounds of March Madness.

Those exploits from Edey drew the attention of retired basketball icon Shaquille O’Neal. He reposted a stat about Edey becoming the first player since O’Neal himself to have at least 20 points and three blocks in three straight NCAA Tournament games (dating back to last season). O’Neal reacted by giving Edey a fantastic new nickname — “Zachille O’Neal.”

“@zach_edey way to dominate im changing your name to Zachille O’neal,” wrote O’Neal.

While it helps that the senior Edey has gone up against the weaker frontlines of Grambling State and Utah State in this season’s NCAA Tournament, he is certainly looking Diesel-like out there. Edey is scoring at will both at the rim and with his back to the basket and has completely dictated the pace and the flow of Purdue’s games so far, much like O’Neal did back in his heyday.

Now 52, O’Neal very seldom shows love to the current generation of bigs. But the 7-foot-4 Edey is one of the really rare centers who has O’Neal’s stamp of approval.

Sean Payton reveals whether Broncos could trade up in NFL Draft

Sean Payton wearing a headset

Aug 11, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Broncos have the No. 12 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, but they may not stay in that spot.

Broncos head coach Sean Payton talked with NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport at the Annual League Meeting in Orlando, Fla. on Monday. Rapoport asked Payton whether the Broncos could trade up in the draft.

Payton told Rapoport that “it is realistic” that the team might trade up.

The Broncos have Jarrett Stidham on their roster as their No. 1 quarterback for now. Stidham started the final two games of the regular season last season after Russell Wilson was benched. The Broncos cut Wilson this offseason, who has landed with the Steelers.

Denver also traded Jerry Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns for a fifth and sixth-round pick, which gave them some more draft capital to play with.

The Broncos have the No. 12 pick, a third-round pick, a fourth-round pick, three fifth-round picks and two sixth-round picks. They could package some of their picks to make a play at drafting one of the quarterbacks in the first round. If not, then they would be rolling with Stidham in what would clearly be a rebuilding year.

JJ Watt has strong reaction to NFL banning hip-drop tackle

JJ Watt looks on

Jan 4, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) warms up before the AFC Wild Card NFL Playoff game against the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL has officially made it even more difficult for defenders to tackle opponents legally, and one future Hall of Fame player is not happy about it.

NFL owners on Monday voted unanimously to approve a rule that bans the so-called “hip-drop tackle,” which is when a defender wraps up the offensive player and then twists or falls to the ground using his full body weight. The NFL Players Association was adamantly against the proposed rule and issued a statement recently saying it will place defensive players in an “impossible position.”

Watt agrees with the NFLPA. The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year shared his reaction to the new rule with a very sarcastic post on X.

“Just fast forward to the belts with flags on them…” Watt wrote.

With the new rule, a hip-drop tackle will result in a 15-yard penalty and an automatic first down. However, it is likely that there will be more instances where the NFL reviews a play after the fact and issues a fine if it is determined that a hip-drop tackle was used. That might be a more realistic way to discourage the play rather than having officials always trying to define it during a game.

Watt is not the only former NFL star to express a strong opinion about the hip-drop tackle ban, but defenders are simply going to have to adjust.