The NBA draft was held on June 20th at the Barclay Center in New York to select who they think is the best player for their team. The NBA draft only has two rounds and the players come anywhere from college to overseas. I’ll tell you which teams were the biggest Winners and Losers from the draft. I do hope the selections I say are losers prove me wrong and become stars because they have a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’m just going off what I have seen from these players in college and overseas. The NBA draft is more than the Zion show even though ESPN and every other sports network just focused on Zion’s big nights. Another thing about the NBA draft is since the draft is before NBA free agency, the trades that happen on draft night aren’t official so guys get drafted to teams that they won’t play for. NBA needs to address this in the summer meetings and allow teams that are actually getting the players to draft them.

Winners

Pelicans- Zion Williamson, Jaxson Hayes, Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Pelicans are building for the future after trading Anthony Davis to the Lakers and are doing a great job with the pieces in return. Pelicans got Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and Brandon Ingram who all are very talented players and could use a fresh start. Pelicans also landed the number 1 pick and selected Zion Williamson; the Duke phenom been the most talk about player since Lebron James out of high school. Zion 6’7 285 lbs post that makes the most incredible plays imageable. Zion will have all eyes on him this season in New Orleans and the Pelicans have the young pieces around him to grow into a yearly contender. The Pelicans received the 4th pick from the Lakers as well and used it to trade back to the 8th pick for more picks, as well as dumping Solomon Hill bad contract. They selected Jaxson Hayes the best center in the draft from Texas. Hayes only played one year of Varsity basketball before Texas but the 7 footer is an efficient scorer in the paint and a great shot-blocker. Hayes will need to develop the strength to have his defense and rebounding but will become a great player next to Zion. The Pelicans last pick was Nickeil Alexander-Walker guard from Virginia Tech. Alexander-Walker is a talented shooter who needs to develop as a ball-handler, which it will be able to with Lonzo and Jrue Holiday being the starting guards. The Pelicans avoided losing Davis in free agency and got plenty of young pieces in return to build for the future.

Hawks- Deandre Hunter, Cam Reddish, Bruno Fernando

The Atlanta Hawks are another young team that added some key players to help them grow into a playoff contender. Last year draft picks, Trae Young (Rookie of the Year nominee) and Kevin Huerter put up great numbers and look ready to continue to grow in year 2. Hawks moved up to draft Deandre Hunter post player from Virginia who help his team win the National Championships this season. Hunter can shoot 3, decent on defense and maturity being one of the oldest players in the draft. Hunter can step in next to Collins and help grow with this young team. Hawks second pick in the lottery was used on Duke star Cam Reddish, who been viewed with the biggest question mark since being ranked 4th overall out of high school. Reddish took a backseat to Zion and RJ at duke and many people question his ability to lead in crunch time. Reddish is a great shooter and will be able to grow in the NBA next to Trae Young. Bruno Fernando is a center from Maryland who fell into the second round since he a traditional center that can’t shoot 3s. Bruno has great size and will develop into a key player for the Hawks off the bench. The Hawks young lineup with Young, Huerter, Reddish, Hunter, Collins will makes them fun to watch then next few seasons.

Celtics- Romeo Langford, Grant Williams, Carsen Edwards, Tremont Waters

Celtics are in trouble since, Hayward bad contract, Tatum sophomore slump, Kyrie and Horford are gone. Celtics have plenty of picks in the coming year and used them for key players this season. Celtics first took Romeo Langford, a talented wing from Indiana who struggled his freshman season playing with an injury. Romeo has the talent to be a star next to Tatum, as well as take some of the pressure off of Tatum. Their second pick on Grant Williams, who was a star for Tennessee and was on the reason why I picked them to go to the Final 4. Williams will help fill the Horford hole and can grow with the Celtics rebuild. Then in the second round, the Celtics took some guards to help with Kyrie leaving as well as maybe Terry Rozier. First was Purdue great Carsen Edwards who took over March Madness with his shooting ability and his confidence to led. They also took Waters a small guard from LSU could also grow in the G-league and one day become a key piece for the Celtics. The Celtics used this draft to grow there bench and help fill some important holes.

Nuggets- Bol Bol

Bol Bol a 7’2 center with a 7’6 wingspan from Oregon fell from being the 14th overall player and 2nd overall center all the way to the 44th pick. Bol Bol, son of NBA player Manute Bol fell more than any player ever invited to the NBA draft. The Nuggets only had one pick all night and used it for a rehab piece. Bol Bol only played 9 games due to a foot injury and question marks about his health, as well as “off-court” issues allowed him to fell from being a lottery pick. The Nuggets selected Michael Porter Jr. last year who had a back-problem if both Porter and Bol get healthy the Nuggets who was the second seed in the West last year will have two more great players to use. The NBA draft is full of hit-and-miss players and I can’t believe how many teams passed on a 7’2 center that can shoot 3s whose father played in the NBA. Bol Bol could be the biggest steal of the draft, Kevin Porter Jr. selected with the 30th pick from the Cavs also has plenty of potential but fell because of his character at USC.

Losers

Suns- Cam Johnson, Ty Jerome

The Suns were very active on draft night and made many moves while only picking up two draft picks both weren’t very smart moves. Suns moved down from 6 to 11 and only got Dario Saric, Then the Suns selected Cam Johnson from North Carolina who is a great player that can shoot the ball. Johnson is the oldest player of the draft and is currently older than Devin Booker who is entering his 5th season. The Suns a team looking to build around Booker and last year number 1 pick Ayton, it is not ideal to draft the oldest player. Suns needing a point guard selected national champion Ty Jerome late in the 1st. Jerome can shoot as well as he and Johnson have plenty of experience. I only see Jerome as a back-up so the Suns will need to add a veteran in free agency. I don’t like the Suns moving down for an old wing instead of drafting Coby White at 6, even though it helps out Minnesota.

Wizards- Rui Hachimura, Admiral Schofield

The Wizards are a mess right now with John Wall tore achilles, Dwight Howard contract, trying to trade Beal, and having no cap for free agency. With that the Wizards took 21 year old Rui Hachimura from Gonzaga. Rui is great on offense but can struggle on defense and being 21 with a team that needs production immediately from their new players. I like Admiral Schofield another post from Tennessee both he will need time to develop into a role player and the Wizards don’t have time for that.

Magic- Chuma Okeke

Chuma Okeke a post from Auburn who can shoot the 3, has a big frame, and defensive player helped Auburn reach the Final 4 before he tore his ACL. Chuma was ranked 33 overall since tearing his ACL he will likely miss all of next season, and selected with the 16th pick. I like Chuma game but I think its a big gamble by Orlando at 16 to take a guy who was ranked at the end of round 1 before his injury. Hopefully, Chuma can get healthy and last year 1st round pick Mo Bamba can continue to develop to help Orlando stay in the playoff picture.

The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) board have recently voted on if they should add a 35-second shot clock for basketball. The board vote was 13-5 against it, the region committees voted 11-5, and athletic directors advisory committee voted 14-2. Adding a shot clock has been a hot topic since the Hopkins-Shakopee state championship game in 2014. Amir Coffey’s team which average 90 points a game, only had 41 points with 3 minutes left in the Championship game. As Shakopee sat in a zone, Hopkins decided to hold the ball the final 3 minutes in a tied game and ending up missing the final shot of regulation. In the first two overtime, Hopkins held the ball again and no points were scored. Shakopee ran a zone all year and head coach Bruce Kugath has stated they weren’t going to try to run man now. He blamed the rule for the lack of action in the game, not Hopkins. In the 4th overtime, Hopkins turned it over with a few seconds left in the game but, stole the inbound pass to get it back with 2 seconds left. Then Sophomore Coffey who only had 1 field goal all game, heave it from half court and drilled it for the 49-46 win (Video below). Minnesota is one of 42 states that does not require shot clocks for high school basketball. The reason the vote hasn’t pass because of concerns exist about the cost of installing shot clocks in each gym and paying people to operate them at games.

“What’s the difference if we run down 50 seconds or 3 minutes and 50 seconds?They weren’t coming out of that zone. You always want the last shot. If you can run the clock down and get the last shot, that’s what you do.”

Hopkins head coach Ken Novak

Shot Clock needed

A Majority of coaches have publicly stated that they are in favor of adding a shot clocks, as they believe it would aid in the development of players and improve the quality of play. Without a shot clock, teams can avoid teams that run a zone defense and just hold the ball as we saw in the 2014 state championship game. Even if it only once or twice a year that this extreme happens, it still happens and it forces teams to not run zone defense. Having a shot clock allows teams to have a great defense, it is hard guarding half a court for an infinite time. Having a shot clock forces an offense to take a shot in 35 seconds, which allows for tough defense. Fans and recruiters don’t want to go to a game and watch a team hold the ball for long possessions. The MSHSL says they are here to prepare athletes for the next level, No college team holds the ball to avoid zones. As well as when college coaches come to a game in which the team holds the ball it takes away the recruiter chance to truly evaluate players, which ends up hurting their chance at a scholarship. What happens when a player goes to college and a team plays a zone defense. Tre Jones from Apple Valley and Matthew Hurt from Rochester both play at Duke and play Syracuse who is known for their 2-3 zone. They will struggle against this defense since they could never play against it in high school. It is a bigger issue then making it more exciting for the fans. It is for player development and getting them ready for the next level.

Solution

Even though the majority of states don’t require a shot clock for high school basketball, it is important to be ahead of the game rather than behind. I understand that many Athletic Director is against it since the cost of installing and paying workers could be high. The board did approve a proposal to increase state tournament ticket prices by $2 for adults and $1 or students. With that money, the state could help teams that can’t fundraise enough for a shot clock. Most High School gyms have a scoreboard that has a shot clock included already. If they don’t its a failure by the athletic department to foresee the possibility that one day a shot clock may be added. As far as paying a worker to work the game, wouldn’t be a major problem. If budget is that tight that you can’t pay one more worker, find a teacher/parent that would volunteer their time and work the games. My solution would be to pass the proposal but it doesn’t start for 2 years so athletic budgets can figure out their money to be able to add a shot clock or in the case they need to hire another worker for basketball games.

One of the biggest issues the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) faces is whether or not to pay college athletes. The NCAA makes millions off of their sports but the athletes don’t get paid because they are STUDENT-athletes. Without getting into the argument to pay college athletes or not, I am going to dig into the players brand, image, and likeness part. The NCAA has stated that they are looking at how its rules can be modified to allow college athletes to be compensated for their names, images, and likenesses, otherwise known as their NIL. The NCAA has said they have a working group looking at the rule and to possibly propose a new rule that will allow athletes to profit off their NIL.

Why It’s Needed

The NCAA needs to allow athletes to profit from their NIL because it’s the only solution to the hot topic of paying student-athletes. Since there are so many athletes and different sport programs, it will be hard to equally pay everyone. Also, each program won’t have the same salary. For example, Alabama would have an unfair amount allotted to pay their athletes compared to smaller schools for various reasons. These athletes play in million dollar stadiums and top of the line facilities; some of the facilities have mini-golf courses, slide, barbershop, dentist, anything you can think of. There is no clear answer to fairly compensate players so they need to profit off their own NIL. An art student can sell a piece for $5, while another student can sell one for $5k. By giving athletes the freedom to go out and benefit off their NIL, it will help to eliminate scandals from coaches and boosters paying players. Even non-revenue generating sports will benefit because they still have their own market that is interested in their star players, which will allow them to sign autographs, appearance, and endorsement deals.

Players Brand

The NCAA already makes money off their athletes. For example, Zion Williamson was college basketball’s biggest name this last season and ESPN took advantage of it. ESPN showed every Duke game possible, had a TV show about Duke’s freshman class (“Earned Everything”), and during the NBA Lottery pick show, they often showed his highlights and promoted whoever got the first pick won the Zion show. ESPN also has a TV show called “Training Camp with Bama”, which follows Alabama football’s dynasty during fall camp. Allowing players to profit from their NIL, will allow ESPN and other networks to have more programs to showcase players.

Allowing college athletes to be compensated for their NIL allows them to start their own brands earlier than when they get to the pros. We have seen the Ball family, Lonzo, Melo, and Gelo, get a head-start on their brand “Big Baller Brand” when they were in high school (Lonzo’s shoes came after college). Players like Zion and Johnny Manziel that took over the college sports world can start their brand in college rather than waiting it out until after. It will allow them to have options for different endorsements and allow them to have their brand started already when they become star professional players.

It will also give players a chance to earn some money if they don’t go on to have a successful career in the pros. Jimmer Fredette took over the college basketball world as a junior at BYU in 2010 and became popular with his shooting ability. Jimmer became so popular in his senior season, “Jimmered” became a verb and “JimmerMania” took over America. Jimmer’s NBA career wasn’t as successful after being drafted by the Kings (even though his jersey sold out in Sacramento stores/online), he saw little playing time and eventually left to play in China. He is trying to make a comeback in the NBA by signing a two year deal with the Phoenix Suns. Even though Jimmer took over the country and was the biggest name in college basketball during his 4 year career, he couldn’t cash in any money, while the NCAA was making millions of his name. Jimmer could have started his own brand, sold his merchandise, and done several endorsement deals. All of this would have made him money, as well as promote BYU basketball and college basketball as a whole. Many players have tried to profit off their name in college, or even try to promote their other talent. We have seen players suspended for getting tattoos for autographs, a wrestler getting told that he can’t promote his music because the NCAA own his name, a UCF kicker having to decide between his YouTube channel and football career, among several other situations similar. The NCAA has many scandals that they could worry about instead of what players are doing with their free time.

Fans

The NCAA needs to pass this new rule for their fans– the ones paying for all the tickets and making the NCAA a billion dollar industry. Just allowing players to sign autographs, get endorsement deals, and have their own brand will help grow their leagues. It will allow players to stay in college longer instead of trying to get into the league, taking advantage of the “One and Done” rule. Amir Coffey, a Gopher basketball great would rather play in the NBA G-League than come back to the Gophers for his senior year. If he could profit off his name, he could potentially have an endorsement deal with local business that would allow him to promote Gopher basketball.

Fans would also get their beloved video games back. A former college basketball player issued a lawsuit against the NCAA after realizing their was an avatar of a player on an NCAA Basketball Video game that looked just like him. He didn’t allow anyone to use his image for anything, but yet the NCAA was still making money off of him long after he played college ball. With this lawsuit, one of the most sought after video games became non-existent. If players are allowed to profit off of their NIL, which would include using players in video games, the video games will be able to make a comeback, making fans everywhere happy. Sorry Ed O’Bannon… I think you will be left off the game from now on…

If nothing changes

If nothing changes with the NCAA’s issue of paying athletes, soon big-time athletes will start looking into professional leagues, and skip dealing with the NCAA altogether. It might not happen as much in football as it would basketball, but once one player tries a new thing and is successful, then more and more players won’t be scared of following suit. The NBA G-league passed a rule that will allow athletes that aren’t eligible for the NBA play in the G-league for a year, which will allow them to be train by NBA personnel as well as get paid. A few players have gone overseas to wait till they are eligible for the draft and gone on to the NBA (Emmanuel Mudiay and 2008 No. 1 prospect Brandon Jennings). RJ Hampton is now another big name player going oversea to play for the New Zealand Breakers, if RJ is still a lottery pick after next season it will open the door to top prospect going overseas instead of playing in the NCAA. Another top prospect, LaMelo Ball, will likely go another route away from the NCAA due to unclarity of if he will be eligible (played in Lithuania, shoe deal). Whatever route he goes, and if he becomes a top NBA prospect, will continue to push open the door of avoiding the NCAA.

Conclusion

The group is expected to provide an update on its efforts in August, with a final report due to the Board of Governors in October. The next NCAA convention is Jan. 22-25 in Anaheim, California. This is when the new rule could go to vote. The NCAA needs to make a change to allow players to profit off their NIL to keep big-name players from going to other leagues, give fans their beloved video games back, sell more merchandise, and solve the issue of whether or not to pay college athletes. By allowing athletes to make money off their NIL it will benefit athlete, the NCAA, and the fans. By withholding players making money it will continue to give the NCAA a bad image as while as let top recruits slip out from under them and look at other routes to get to the professional level.

One of the biggest debates in sports is; who is the Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T)? Michael Jordan dominated the 90s and is the main reason why many other NBA stars never won an NBA championship. His Jordan brand is still one of the biggest in the world and he helps raise the popularity of the NBA to what it is today. Lebron James is the most dominant player today, and every social media follows his every move. Lebron has his own brand and is a strong voice for players using their platform to raise social issues. There is a long list of other peoples that would try to argue that they are in the running for G.O.A.T. Bill Russell with his 11 trophies, Kobe Bryant dominated the years between Jordan and Lebron, Kareem Abdul Jabbar with the most points in NBA history, Wilt Chamberlain and his 100 point game. There only two players in NBA history to win 4 MVP awards and 3 Finals MVP, and that is Lebron James and Michael Jordan. At the end of the day, the argument will always come down to Jordan or James at who is number 1. Just looking at their on-court stats, I’ll put down the stats for these two superstars.

Lebron Pros

• 1st in career Value Over Replacement Player (VORP) (129.79), next player on the list, Michael Jordan (104.43)
• 1st in career Box Plus/Minus (9.13), next player on the list, Michael Jordan (8.09)
• 1st player ever to average more than 27 points, nine assists and eight rebounds while also shooting better than 52% over the course of a full season
• 4th in Career Points 32,543 (5th Jordan 32,292)
• Most consecutive double-digit scoring games (928 games)
• Most Conference Player of the Week (61 times)
• Most Conference Player of the Month (44 times)
• Only NBA player to lead his team in all five major statistical categories (points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks) twice in there career
•  13 consecutive years in the top-5 in the MVP race is the longest streak in league history
• one of two players to win 4 MVPs in 5 years (Russell), one of two players to win multiple MVPs on two teams (Kareem)
• 8 constitutive NBA Finals appearances
• Lebron’s playoff stats this century– points- 6,911 (Bryant 4,376), Assists- 1,687 (Parker 1,143) Defensive Rebounds- 1,756 (Duncan 1,746), Steals- 419 (Ginobili 292), Made 3s- 370 (Curry 378)
• Playoff’s All-time leading scorer (Jordan 2nd), fields goals, and steals
• Lebron has the most game-winning buzzer-beaters in Playoff history
• NBA’s highest career scoring average in Game 7 (34.9 PPG) and elimination games (32.8)
• 22 career (35-8-8) playoff games, Jordan has 9
• In 2016, LeBron became the first and only player ever to lead BOTH teams in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals in a playoff series. 
• Came back from being down 3-1 to defeat the 73-win Warriors
• Only favorite in one Final Appearance
• Cavs seasons without Lebron James, finish 15th, 13th,13th, 10th, and 14th this past season.
• No Hall of Fame coach at any time in his career

Lebrons Cons

• NBA Finals record 3-6
• Everyone wanted to be “Like Mike”, nowadays kids want to be like Durant, Curry, other stars
• Jordan brand everywhere
• “Ray Allen saved Lebron Legacy”
• Lost to the Mavs, when Miami was a heavy favorite
• Un-loyal to Hometown Cavs
• Ring Chaser
• Started the super team movement by joining Miami
• Weak Eastern Conference

Jordan Pros

•  Only NBA player to win a NCAA title, 2 gold medals, and multiple NBA rings
• Only NBA player in history to win Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, MVP, All-star game MVP, and Finals MVP
• 1st in career Player Efficiency Rating (PER) (27.91), next player on the list Lebron (27.59)
• 1st player to win MVP and Defensive Player of the year in same season
• 1st player to lead the league in scoring and steals in the same season
• Led the Bulls to second best record in a season 72-10, never lost 3 consecutive games since 1991 0-3 start
• NBA All-Defensive First Team selections: 9
• Blocked shots by a guard, career: 893
• Blocked shots by a guard, season: 131 (1987–88)
• Only guard in NBA history to lead his team in all 5 categories (points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks) during a playoff series
• Played 82 games at 40 years old
• Only player in NBA history to average at least 30 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists in a title run (2 times)
  Only player in NBA history to shoot at least 38% on 3-point field goals in 3 NBA Finals runs
• Led NBA in scoring as a rookie
• Most 30, 40, 50-point games in playoff history
• Playoff record for points in a game- 63 against Bird’s Celtics
• Games scoring 30 or more points in their career (562)
• 29 Game Winning Shots
• 2nd most 2,000 points seasons (11), Lebron (10)
• 1993 NBA Finals averaged 41 PPG against Barkley’s Suns
• Consecutive seasons leading the league in scoring- 7
• Never lost in the NBA Finals (6-0)
• 2 3-peats with the Bulls
• Iconic Moments, “The Shot”, free throw line dunk, “The Shrug”, “The Flu Game” (44 minutes and drops 38)

Cons

• Never average more than 8 rebounds, or 8 assist or 54% in a season
• 97-98 MVP season averaged 28-4-6-46%, Lebron last season with the Lakers (miss playoffs) 27.5-8-8-51%
• First playoff run lost 3-1 to Bucks in first round
• swept twice by Celtics in first round
• Scottie Pippen (Jordan teammate) often in Top 50 of All-Time list
• No social Media during playing days
• retirement for baseball
• Wizards years
• Hall of fame coach, Phil Jackson whole Chicago career
• The two season without Jordan, Bulls were 2nd and a 3rd seed and lost in the conference semi-finals

Head-to-Head Stats (As of June 1st 2019)

	Jordan	Lebron
NBA Draft	1985 ROY* Round 1, 3rd pick	2004 ROY* Round 1, 1st pick
Years in NBA	15	16
NBA Finals Record (MVP)	6-0 (6)	4-6 (3)
MVP	5	4
All-star appearance (MVP)	14 (3)	15 (3)
NBA Scoring Leader	10	1
All-NBA First Team	10	12
All-NBA Defensive Team	9	5
Triple Double	25	81
Double Double	151	443
Games Played	1,072	1,198
Minutes	41,011 (30.1 MPG)	46.235 (38.6 MPG)
Points	32,292 (30.1 PPG)	32,543 (27.2 PPG)
Most points in a game	69 @ Cavs 1990	61 @ Bobcats 2014
Assist	5,633 (5.3 APG)	8,662 (7.2 APG)
Rebound	6,672 (6.2 RPG)	8,880 (7.4 RPG)
Steals	2,514 (2.3 SPG)	1,937 (1.6 SPG)
Blocks	893 (0.8 BPG)	921 (0.8 BPG)
Turnovers	2924 (2.7 TPG)	4,163 (3.5 TPG)
Field Goal%	.497	.504
Free Throw%	.835	.736
3-point%	.327	.343

ROY*=Rookie of the Year

Who Wins?

In my honest opinion, Lebron James gets the crown as the G.O.A.T. Micheal Jordan is the best scorer of all-time and can take over a game at any moment, but he always had talented players along with a hall of fame coach with him. I understand it isn’t MJ’s fault for having such surroundings, but it does hurt his argument for the G.O.A.T. Micheal Jordan’s 6-0 finals record may never be touched and prevented many superstars from a title of their own, making him one of the best players of all-time. I believe if Micheal Jordan didn’t retire for baseball, or came back to play with the Wizards for the end of his career, or if social media was a big deal back in Jordan’s playing days, this might not even be an argument. We have to look at the facts and compare Lebron and Jordan for what they have done on the floor. One of the reasons Lebron wins this argument is Lebron supporting class. Lebron has made it to 8 straight NBA Finals and even though he has only won 3, he only has been the favorite in 1 of them. The season after Lebron left Cleveland they went from a 1st place team to a 15th, When Jordan retired for baseball Chicago went from 1st to 2nd and 3rd. After Chicago 2nd 3-peat when Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson contract was expired and Pippen and Rodman were going to be free agents, was when Jordan retired a second time. Another reason is Lebron does it all, a bad season in which Lebron miss the playoff he averages 27.5 PPG-8 Rebounds-8 Assists-51 FG%, during Jordan’s 97-98 “Most Valuable Player” season he averaged 28PPG-4 Rebounds-6 Assist-46 FG%. Jordan has never averaged 8 rebounds or 8 assists or shot 54% from the field at any point in his career. Lebron took over as the G.O.A.T., when Cleveland came back from being down 3 games to 1 to defeat the Warriors who had 3 all-stars in the same season in which they finished the regular season with the best record in NBA history. During that series, he became the first and only player ever to lead either team in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals in a playoff series. After that series when Lebron blocked Iggy off the backboard to seal the win in the final game of the finals, Jordan official handed over the crown as the G.O.A.T.

On Wednesday, May 22, the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) in Division 3 announced that the University of St. Thomas will be “involuntary removed” from the conference. St. Thomas Tommies will begin a multi-year transition immediately and will compete as a member of the MIAC through the end of spring 2021, but can leave earlier if they find another conference. The main reason for St. Thomas removal is that they are “too good”. In my opinion, this is a bad move kicking out one of the founders of the conference– St. Thomas has been in the conference for almost 100 years. According to Per school officials, St. Thomas was told the league would be disbanded if the school remained a member.

Options

The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) would be the best fit since it will have an opening as St. Thomas looks to move up to Division 2. Augustana announced in December that it will move to Division I, which would leave a spot open for St. Thomas. Augustana is a member of the South Division, which includes Minnesota State Mankato, Concordia-St. Paul, Southwest Minnesota State, and Winona State. Which would be a perfect fit for travel and budget cost for the Tommies.

Another option would be to join the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) to stay at the Division 3 level, which could work but the WIAC has their own powerhouses which have won more D-III national championships than any other conference. It will help the Football schedule with only having 8 teams, as well as hockey (5 teams) and baseball (7 teams). They could also stay Division 3 as an independent but will be difficult scheduling with only a few open dates

MIAC’s reasons

The MIAC has other reasons then that St. Thomas is “too good”. They state that St. Thomas enrollment is too large compared to other schools in the conference. St Thomas enrollment is nearly twice to the MIAC’s next-largest enrollment, of 2,900 each at St. Olaf and Bethel. Even though Division 2 conference-NSIC undergraduate enrollments range from 755 (Upper Iowa) to 15,110 (MSU Mankato) and no one is trying to kick Mankato out. St. Olaf has led the charge for St. Thomas getting kicked out after losing 97-0 in 2017. The concern is that St. Thomas enrollment is too big and modern facilities give them an unfair advantage. Another reason is St. Thomas is in the Twin Cities and gets recruits from big high school, as well a big number of Division 1 transfers. They can’t get kicked out just because how successful they are, the conference can make an enrollment cap in which St. Thomas will be over that cap. 9 of the 13 schools would have to agree to St. Thomas getting removed.

“Too Good”

• Last season, The Tommies beat Augsburg, Carleton, Hamline and St. Olaf (MIAC Schools) by a combine 263-14, but finished third behind Bethel and St. John
• Last season, St. Thomas scored at least 60 points in 4 conference games and posted 4 shut-outs
• In 2017 beat Hamline 84-0 and then two weeks later beat St. Olaf 97-0
• won 15 national championships since 1973
• 118-19 in 11 years under coach Glenn Caruso
• In six seasons under Caruso, St. Thomas went undefeated in conference play
• 2 Division 3 national championship appearance
• In the past five years, St. Thomas has won more than 50 percent of all MIAC championships
• Ranked 10th nationally in the Learfield Directors’ Cup standings for Division III schools, a measurement of an athletic program’s overall success.
• Prior to Caruso’s arrival in 2008, St. Thomas hadn’t won a MIAC title since 1990 and Saint John’s was the league’s biggest force.

Blame the other schools

 You can’t beat them, kick them out! That’s the MIAC reasoning to remove St. Thomas from the conference for being too dominant. The MIAC should be forcing other programs to find better talent or improve on the field. It’s not St. Thomas fault that the bottom schools can’t keep up with the Tommies and Johnnies. By St. Thomas leaving how are schools like St. Olaf or Hamline going to improve. Every Conference in college football have a powerhouse and no one else is kicked out for being too dominant. ACC teams in Division 1 aren’t saying Clemson has to leave for being too good. For the smaller teams in the conference, they should look at the opportunity to defeat the powerhouse. In 2016, when I played for the University of Minnesota Morris we beat the powerhouse of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) St. Scholastica and will be a game, my teammates and I will always remember, Roll Cougs! The other schools in the conference need to build up there facilities and programs to dethrone the powerhouse.

Hurts the MIAC

There are a few reasons why this will hurt the MIAC, first is the strength of schedule will get weaker. In Division 3 football you make the playoffs by winning the conference or receiving an At-large bid. Without the Tommies, it will hurt teams that are trying to get into the playoffs with a bid. With the St. Thomas gone it will increase the chances of St. John chances at winning the conference, how long until they are “too good” and get kicked out.
Another reason is, it is just dumb to kick out a team for being “too good”. St. Olaf being upset because they lost 97-0 isn’t St. Thomas fault. St. Olaf needs to get better or they leave the conference. St. Thomas didn’t even make the playoffs this season and was 3rd in the conference. With St. Thomas gone, what is it going to do for St. Olaf, schedule a non-conference game with one of the worse teams in D3. The only thing it will do for the bottom teams in the conference is to move up one spot. Is finishing 9th in the conference or 8th in the conference that big of a difference.
The last reason is it will hurt the MIAC will be the Tommies-Johnnies rivalry. The rivalry began in 1901 and will leave a big void on both schedules. This rivalry is so big they played on Target Field and saw a D3 record 37,355 fans. As, well as playing in the Allianz field in 2019, and ESPN college gameday came to Collegeville, MN in 2015 to showcase D3 biggest game of the year. Even if this rivalry still continues, it won’t be the same. If St. Thomas stays D3 it won’t have the importance it once did, for the Conference Championship. If St. Thomas goes D2, it won’t make sense for them to play St. John and will hurt their strength of schedule playing a lower level school.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is located in Cooperstown, New York which showcases the “history of Baseball in the United States”. For a player getting selected it is the highest honor, he can receive in baseball. There are currently 328 members in the Hall of Fame, 231 Major League Baseball (MLB) players, 35 Negro League Baseball players and executives, and 22 managers, 10 umpires and 30 pioneers, executives, and organizers. The HoF motto is “Preserving History, Honoring Excellence, Connecting Generations” There is a list of players in the history of the MLB that is excluded from the exclusive club for “cheating” the game. These players are a key part in “baseball History” and should be included in the historical museum.

“Shoeless” Joe Jackson

The nickname “Shoeless” came from a game early in his career, where he had blisters on his feet from new shoes, so he took them off to bat and a fan yelled “you shoeless, son of a gun” and the name stuck with him for his life. Joe Jackson was a star outfielder in the early 1900s; in his rookie season in 1910 he batted .408– a rookie record, and only second in the league behind Ty Cobb. The following season, Shoeless led the league in hits, triples, and total hits. Joe Jackson was traded in 1915 to the White Sox and a few seasons later won the World Series. He missed the 1918 season working in the shipyard during World War 1. Shoeless Joe was apart of the Black Sox Scandal where 8 Chicago Black Sox were accused of throwing the 1919 World Series for $5,000 from gamblers. In the Series, Joe had 12 hits, batted series high .375, hit the only home run, no errors, and threw out a runner at home. There has been controversy surrounding Shoeless involvement with the Scandal, with his stats and Jackson has said he refused the money. There has been evidence in recent years that have shown Shoeless is innocence, but he remains on the MLB “ineligible list” which will not allow him into the Hall of Fame. Joe Jackson died at 51 from a heart attack before an interview that was supposed to set the record straight. Joe has left a legacy behind with the movie Eight Men Out is about the Black Sox scandal, as well as Field of Dreams is based on Joe Life. The evidence is unclear if Shoeless ever was a part of the Scandal or not, and his stats help to say he wasn’t. Shoeless should be remembered as one the early greats in baseball along Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth.

Career Stats

G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG
1332	4981	1,772	307	168	54	873	785	519	158	.356	.423	.517

Pete Rose

Pete Rose played for the 23 seasons on the Reds, Phillies, and Expos and then was the manager for the Reds for 5 years. Rose made 17x All-Stars at five positions (second baseman, left fielder, right fielder, third basemen, and first basemen) He won 3 World Series (1975,1976,1980), Rookie of the Year, World Series MVP (1975), NL MVP (1973), 2 Gold Gloves, 3x NL Batting Champion. He was also named to MLB All-Century Team as well as his number 14 is retired by the Reds. He holds the MLB record for hits (4,256), singles (3,215), games played (3,562), at-bats (14,053), careers plate appearances (15,890). Those stats and awards would make Pete Rose an easy choice to be inducted into the Hal of Fame, but he is on the MLB “ineligible list” for betting on games as a manager. Pete Rose was questioned in February 1989 by Commissioner Peter Ueberroth, where Rose denied all allegations toward him. In the investigation by Dowd of Rose betting, they found gambling activities in 1985 and 1986. In 1987 a detailed document showed bets on 52 games and wagering $10,000 a day. Rose tried to deny the accusations and filed a lawsuit. On August 24, 1989, Rose accepted a permanent place on the ineligible list, Rose finished with a 412-373 record as the Reds manager. Rose began therapy with a psychiatrist for treatment of gambling addiction. Pete Rose came clean with a book My Prison without Bars, admitting to betting on the Reds and other sports while playing and managing for the Reds. Pete Rose as a player deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, not the managers. Also, he has said he only bet on the Reds to win no matter what because he loved his team, can you blame him on betting on his team to win.

Career Stats

G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	AVG	OBP	SLG
3562	14053	4256	746	135	160	2165	1,314	.303	.375	.409

Steroid Era

The “Steroid Era” was a time in baseball from the late 80s to the late 2000s where a number of players where believe to be using performance-enhancing drugs (PED). Steroids were banned in MLB in 1991 but testing wasn’t involved until 2003, allowing player wouldn’t get caught. Jose Canseco, a known user, wrote a booked called “Juiced” which reveal how widespread PEDs use was in baseball. After a strike in 1994, the home run (HR) party captured the attention of fans regaining its popularity. Without getting into the debate if the majors should allow PEDs or not, looking into why this Era and its players are important for the Hall of Fame. Only 3 players broke the 50 home runs mark from 1961 to 1994 that will change into the late 90s. In 1997 13 MLB players passed the 40 home run mark, as Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa both looked to break Roger Maris 1961 single-season record of 61. Sammy Sosa won MVP with 66 home runs, 26 more than the previous season, while Mark McGwire hit 5 the last series to end up with the record at 70. McGwire record only lasted for 3 years until Barry Bonds hit 73 bombs in 2001, despite never hitting more than 50 in prior seasons. Bonds hit his 500th career home run that season, reached the 600 HR mark just a season later, Bonds finished his career with a record high 756 dingers (see video below). Even though Sosa, McGwire, and Bonds help raised baseball popularity again with there power, made true baseball fans question their play since they all have been linked to PEDs uses. The 500 HR club is one of baseball most prestigious club, one of baseball hitter dreams about. While in 1996 Eddie Murray became the 15th member, he was the first since Mike Schmidt in 1987. During 1998 to 2009, 10 more players reach the prestigious club the largest increase in baseball history. Of the 10 players, 6 have been linked to PEDs; Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, Mark McGwire, Manny Ramirez, Rafael Palmeiro, and Gary Sheffield.

Steroids weren’t only used by hitters trying to swing for the fence, pitcher Roger Clemens is one of biggest names linked to PEDs as well. Roger Clemens is considered one of baseball greatest pitchers being named to the MLB All-century team and the Red Sox Hall of Fame. In his Career Clemens was a 11x All-Star, won 2 World Series, 7x Cy Young Award (best pitcher each season), AL MVP (1986), Triple Crown Winner: lead majors in wins, strikeouts, and ERA (1997,1998), 4x MLB wins leader, 7x ERA leader, 5x AL Strikeout leader. Clemens was apart of controversy other than steroids, with his pitching style pitching in on batters being called a “Headhunter”. As well as being accused of adultery with country music singer Mindy McCready, also pro golfer John Daily wife; Paulette Daily, and 3 other women. Even though all of these known PEDs users aren’t on the MLB “ineligible list” after many years on the Hall of Fame ballot, it doesn’t look like they will be voted in. With many of the players holding records or have won MLB awards they deserve to be elect since they are apart of history. Since MLB didn’t start testing until 2003 you can’t blame the players for the league failure to foreshadow.

Known PEDs Users

• Barry Bonds, Giants
• Mark McGwire, Cardinals
• Roger Clemens, Yankees/Red Sox
• Sammy Sosa, Cubs
• Jose Canseco, A’s
• Jason Giambi, Yankees
• Chuck Knoblauch, Yankees
• David Ortiz, Red Sox
• Rafael Palmeiro, Rangers/Orioles
• Manny Ramirez, Red Sox
• Alex Rodriguez, Yankees
• Gary Sheffield, Tigers
• Ivan Rodriguez, Rangers
• Miguel Tejada, Orioles

Why they are important

Even though all these players have “cheated” the game of baseball, they still deserve to be in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Gambling on your team or taking a banned substance is frowned upon in baseball greats, but these players should still be included in baseball’s highest honor in being inducted into the Hall of Fame. Each player made a strong impact in baseball “history” and what they achieved can never be taken away from them. Barry Bonds’ home runs and Pete Rose’s career hits records are records that will never be forgotten. You can throw an asterisk by them, but you can’t take away from all the games they contributed to. I’m not saying these players should be idolized for their wrongdoings, but you can’t say they weren’t great players. Since so many of the Steroid Era players are eligible but aren’t getting enough votes to be inducted, it’s allowing players who aren’t as good to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. These All-star players deserve to be in the Hall of Fame since they were all a key part in baseball history.

The 2019 NHL playoffs have been nothing but surprising to say the least. Upsets, tremendous comebacks, rivalries, busted brackets, nothing like the playoffs usually are. This season we saw the Tampa Bay Lightning, a team that won the Presidents Trophy, a trophy awarded to the team with the best regular season record since 1985, get ousted in the first round by the Columbus Blue Jackets in just four games. A major surprise to many who had predicted the Lightning to be favorites to win the cup after dominating the competition all year long. For a team that was proclaimed by some as the “best NHL team ever put together” how is it possible that they would be swept in the first round of the playoffs? Well if you look at the history of the NHL playoffs, this doesn’t come as much of a surprise. 

In the NBA, for example, the #1 overall seed rarely loses in the first round. In fact, the NBA team with the best regular season record has won the league championship fifteen times in the thirty-four seasons since 1985. During that time period, only seven teams have failed to move past the second round of the playoffs. This season the Milwaukee Bucks earned the leagues best record with sixty wins, and are currently waiting to see who they will play in the Eastern Conference Finals.

In contrast, since the President’s Trophy was awarded at the end of the 1985-86 NHL season, only eight times have gone on to win the Stanley Cup. Sixteen teams that won the trophy failed to make it past the second round of the playoffs.

This season the Tampa Bay Lightning had the second largest point margin between them and the second place team in the history of the league, and tied the 95-96 Colorado Avalanche for the most wins in a regular season. After an amazing season, the Lightning became the first team in league history to win the President’s Trophy and then get swept in the first round. Is the curse of the President’s Trophy real? It sure seems like it.

Curse or not, the NHL playoffs prove to be very unpredictable year after year, and every year any team in the playoffs has a good chance a reaching the finals no matter their seed.

NBA superstars like to team up to give themselves the best chance to win a championship. Current superstar have tend to not be as loyal as former players when picking a team. Since 2000 there have been many Big 3’s in the NBA as I ranked the top 5 Big 3s in no order, as in looking at how successful these trios were and the level of talent of the superstars. Looking at these trios of players, will learn how each was form, how they did when they were together and what has happen to them since.

Warriors: Durant, Thompson, Curry

The current trio that dominating the NBA is the Warriors, as they are currently going for their third straight championship. Before Kevin Durant arrived, the Warriors had a trio with Klay Thompson, Steph Curry and Draymond Green who were all named NBA all-stars. Steph Curry (2009 7th pick) and Klay Thompson (2011 11th pick) both were drafted by the Warriors and took a few seasons before emerging as the splash brothers. Draymond Green was drafted in 2012 in the second round with the 35 pick, as the Warriors had some great picks from 2009 to 2012 and once the trio become stars they became a dynasty winning their first champions in 2015, Steph Curry won the NBA MVPs in back to back season, the 2015-2016 season and was the first unanimous winner in NBA history.The trio before Durant could have made this list as well as they had the best record in NBA history with 73-9 but blew a 3-1 lead to Lebron James Cavs. After that Draymond called Kevin Durant and beg him to come to Golden State. Kevin Durant won the MVP award the season before Steph Curry, and was considered of the NBA best players. Since Kevin Durant arrived to Warriors have looked more unstoppable with winning back-to-back championships. The Trio with Durant made the list over Green is based on talent, having two MVPs and a sharpshooter in Thompson is unfair. If Durant never came the Warriors probably still be going for a three peat and be less hated since the trio were all drafted by the Warriors, but since Durant arrived its a different story. Even if Thompson and Durant leave this summer, like I believe they should (check out Upcoming NBA free agents best destination) this Big 3 will never be forgotten with the dynasty they built with the Warriors.

Spurs: Duncan, Parker, Ginobili

The Spurs Big 3 are often forgotten where it comes to Super teams, since Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili aren’t always talk about among NBA elite stars, as well as all stayed loyal and stayed in San Antonio. They were just a well-oil machine that dominated the NBA for years. Tim Duncan is the star of this team as they all did they job very good and Coach Greg Popovich surrounded them with the right pieces. In 1997 Duncan was the first pick in the draft and teamed up with All-star big man David Robinson. Tim Duncan dominated with winning back-to-back championships in 2002, and 2003. After Duncan two foreign players late in the draft landed in San Antonio. In 1999 in the second round with the 57 pick the Spurs selected Manu Ginobili from Argentina, then in 2001 Spurs selected Tony Parker from Belgium with the 28th pick. Manu didn’t sign until 2002 with the Spurs as he was finishing up his european contract. As one of the most dominated trios in history of the NBA winning 4 championships, 2003, 2005,2007, and 2014, as while as winning over 1,000 games together. Manu and Parker emerge as stars to help Duncan and the Spurs become a dynasty and have never missed the playoffs. Duncan retired in 2016 as one of the NBA greats, as Manu retired the next season and Parker got signed by the Hornets. As this trio has ended, they may be forgotten but when you look back in time and see how dominated they were together.

Celtics: Garnett, Pierce, Allen

The first group of superstar to form a Big 3 was the Boston Celtics. Paul Pierce “The Truth” was the 10th pick in the 1998 draft, and emerge as a star in 2002 and was named an All-star every season from 2002-2006. Kevin Garnett “The Big Ticket” was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the 5th pick in 1995 coming straight out of high school. KG became the franchise player for a team needing help in Minnesota, he is the al-time leader in points, rebounds, blocks, assist, steals, games played, minutes, and free throws made. Kevin Garnett won the MVP in 2004, a 15 time All-star in his career, and a 9 times NBA all-defensive team. After failing to make the playoff from 2004-2007 KG got frustrated with the Wolves and wanted to get traded. In 2007 owner Glenn Taylor listed to offers for the franchise player and Celtics made a 7 player for 1 deal. In 1996 the Minnesota Timberwolves selected Ray Allen with the 5th pick in 1996 and was traded to the Bucks. Allen was a 10 team All-star in his career and a key player for the Bucks and the SuperSonics leading them to the playoff for many season from 2001-2007. He was traded to the Celtics for the 2008 season the same season as Kevin Garnett. As Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce were all getting closer to there career they knew they needed to win now. After dominated their first season together and winning the 2008 NBA finals over MVP Kobe Bryant Lakers, the Celtics struggled with injuries and over emerging teams. Kobe and the Lakers came back and won the 2009 Finals and 2010 Finals, then the Miami Heat Big 3 came about. This Big 3 is on the list based on talent level, all 3 are future Hall of Famers and dominate during their years together. In 2012 they split up Ray Allen left for less money to join Miami stars and KG and Pierce were traded to the Nets for 3 future 1st picks (one of the worst trades in history) bringing the Big 3 to a end. Ray Allen retired in 2014 in Miami, KG retired back in Minnesota in 2016, and Pierce retired in 2017 with his former coach Doc Rivers for the Clippers. These 3 will always be remembered for their career and the championship they brought to Boston.

Heat: James, Bosh, Wade

The Best Big 3 to form by free agent is the Miami Heat. As all 3 stars were drafted in the 2003 NBA draft. Lebron James went 1st overall to his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers coming from straight out of High School, and became a star instantly. After winning Rookie of the year, Lebron went on to 15 All-star appearances in his career. As well as making an NBA final appearance, as well as winning the NBA MVP in 2009 and 2010 before joining Miami. Chris Bosh was selected 4th in the draft by the Toronto Raptors, after Vince Carter left, it was Chris Bosh team. Chris Bosh was a star for the Raptors being named a All-star 11 times in his career from 2006-2010 for Toronto and 2010-2016 for Miami. Toronto failed to put a solid team around Bosh, making him very frustrated and ended up leaving. Dwayne Wade was drafted by the Miami Heat in 2003 with the very next pick. In 2015 Wade with some help from Shaq went on a playoff and won the NBA Finals, as well as Finals MVP. Dwayne Wade will go down as one the NBA best shooting guards in history, as a 13 time NBA All-star and Miami Heat leader in many categories. In 2010 after struggling to win on their own, these 3 decided to team up, and famously at their introduction saying “Not 1, Not 2, Not 3, Not 4, Not 5, Not 6, but 7 Championships.” Sorry Lebron how does 2 sound, even though these 3 were dominant at the get go as they lost to Dirk Nowitzki Mavs their first season together. Then Miami Heat went back-to-back with championship and Lebron won back-to-back MVP and Finals MVP. After failing for the three peat in 2014 to the Spurs, Lebron opted out of his contract and went back to Cleveland and went to 4 more NBA finals then left for the Lakers who missed the playoffs this season. Bosh and Wade stayed and struggled without the Star Lebron. In 2016 Wade went to the Bulls then teamed up with Lebron again in Cleveland. Wade currently finished up this season and his career with Miami. As for Bosh in 2016 failed his physical and a blood clot, could never get his health and made his comeback in the NBA. He official retired this season in 2019 and got his numbered retired in Miami. Lebron career will be remember for a lot of things, often get compared to Micheal Jordan for being the G.O.A.T. Miami will always love Wade, and this Big 3 will be remember for Lebron Decision on live TV to leave Cleveland for Miami. In there short time together they were one of the most successful teams in NBA history.

Thunder: Durant, Westbrook, Harden

The only Big 3 that has all won MVPs, sadly these 3 couldn’t stay together and become a dynasty in OKC. In 3 drafts in a row Seattle Sonics/Oklahoma City Thunder draft an NBA All-star, first it was Kevin Durant in 2007 with the second pick. Kevin Durant was named Rookie of the Year, and become an All-star the next season. Durant become one of the best NBA scoring players, winning 4 scoring titles and MVP (2014) in his thunder years. Russell Westbrook was the selected with the 4th pick and help Durant reach the playoffs in his first season. Westbrook was Durant sidekick and help Durant reach the playoffs every season. James Harden was selected 3rd in the 2009 draft and came off the bench for the Thunder. Harden won 6th man of the year award and would provide spark off the bench when Durant and Westbrook were off the floor. This trio will always be remember for after their thunder years as well as all three have won MVP nows. In 2012 Harden couldn’t reach a contract extension and was traded to Houston. In Houston, Harden became an NBA All-star 7 times as well as winning NBA MVP in 2018 after being close the few season before that. James Harden as emerge as unstoppable on offense winning the NBA scoring Leader in 2018, and 2019. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook made the finals in 2014 but lost to the Spurs. In 2016 after blowing a 3-1 lead to the Warriors, Durant decided to join the Warriors Dynasty and the rest is history. Russell Westbrook stayed behind and emerge as a triple double machine. In his first season without Durant he average a triple double (most in a single season) and won NBA MVP. The next two season Westbrook has average a triple double in both season, but since Durant left OKC and Westbrook hasn’t made it past the first round of the playoffs. If makes you wonder how good the Thunder could be if these 3 still played together, future generations won’t believe these 3 MVPs were all on one team at one time in their young careers.

Honorable Mention: Why they didn’t make the cut

Clippers: Lob City-Deandre Jordan, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin; No championship, or even conference final appearance

Cavaliers: Lebron James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love; to much the Lebron Show, Kyrie/Love never healthy

Memphis Grizzlies: Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph; No Championship, often forgotten team

The NFL Draft held on April 25-27 in Nashville, Tennessee, which has 7 rounds for NFL teams to select who they think is the best player for their team. I’ll tell you which teams had the biggest steals and which one were the biggest reaches from round 1. Also some interesting facts from the first night of the draft. I do hope the guys I say are reaches prove me wrong, and become stars because they have a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’m just going off what I seen from these players in college.

Steals

Jacksonville Jaguars- Josh Allen pick 7

Josh Allen was the third best player on Mel Kiper’s Big Board and fell into the Jaguars lap at 7 with a couple bad picks ahead of them. Josh Allen can step in and play right away and help the Jaguars defense get back to the playoffs from 2 seasons ago. Jaguars could have gone with tight end TJ Hockenson to help out Nick Foles, but they went with the best player on the board which is never a bad option.

Buffalo Bills- Ed Oliver Buffalo Bills pick 9

Ed Oliver at one point was predicted to be the number 1 pick until Nick Bosa prove to be the proven pass rusher. Ed Oliver is one of the most athletic defensive lineman in this draft loaded with front 7 players. Ed Oliver played for a bad system in Houston as well as comparison to Aaron Donald hurt his value. If Ed Oliver is half the player Aaron Donald is, he still will have a pretty good career. Ed Oliver will fit in Buffalo and become a favorite for defensive rookie of the year.

Pittsburgh Steelers- Devin Bush pick 10

Pittsburgh was the only team that move up into the top 10 and got what they needed. Steelers look to get back to the playoffs and move on from the Antonio Brown and Le’veon Bell drama. Bush will play right away and fill in for Ryan Shazier who they haven’t got a replacement for since his injury. The Steelers gave up the 20th pick, 52nd pick and a 2020 third but it will all be worth it for Bush to fit in perfectly on defense.

Washington Redskins – Dwayne Haskins 15th pick

The Redskins got the third best QB in the draft (Lock, Grier) at 15 and didn’t have to move up. Even though the Redskins didn’t want to pay Cousins, Smith broke his leg which might end his career, and traded for Case Keenum. They needed a QB and even though Haskins only played for one season he will step in for starting time. Haskins has a ton of potential and the Redskins need him to grow into a star soon.

Reaches

Oakland Raiders- Clelin Ferrell pick 4

Jon Gruden what are you thinking? I understand that Ferrell might fit in the system better than Josh Allen, Devin White, and Ed Oliver but to take him at 4 is terrible. After you trade away Cooper and Mack you take Clemson third wheel. Ferrell is a great defensive player but his teammates Wilkins and Lawrence are better. At the 4th pick you draft the best player on the board or trade back if you believe Ferrell is the best for the Raiders. Gruden save himself by drafting the best running back in the draft at 24 Josh Jacobs and Safety at 28 Johnathan Adams to complete there first round. If Ferrell proves to be a defensive star and get after the QB than Gruden is a true mastermind.

New York Giants- Daniel Jones pick 6

New York, Come on Man. You trade away OBJ and let Landon Collins go and then you make the worse pick in the draft in one offseason. Daniel Jones need time to improve and you can’t win with Eli. Giants had ton of options and pick the worse one. Daniel Jones didn’t do anything at Duke and was barely mention until the Combine and Pro days. Giants should have traded their second round for Rosen who would be the best QB in this draft, or waited for Jones or Hankins at 17. The Giants should have went with a defensive star at 6 with Josh Allen or Ed Oliver. The Giants would have won the draft if they drafted Josh Allen, one of the top linebackers to go along with Dexter Lawrence who will help the D-line and top corner Deandre Baker. With that possibility you can trade for Rosen or draft Drew Lock or Will Grier in round 2. The Giants swung big for Jones and hopefully for them and their fans its a homer not a miss.

Green Bay Packers – Rashan Gary pick 12

After watching many Michigan big ten games I always thought why is everyone talking about Gary and not Chase Winovich. Winovich stats were better every year of college and had way more heart on the field. Gary was the number 1 recruit in the country coming out of high school and been rolling with his athletic ability through college. He has top-10 athletic ability in the draft but with all the talented defensive playmakers in the draft and a shoulder concern he should have fallen more. Gary should of gone later in the first round and the Packers have bigger needs with only 1 lineman off the board and Aaron Rodgers need some help on offense.

Houston Texans- Tytus Howard pick 23

Deshaun Watson got sack more than anyone in the NFL last season and from that the Texans need O-line. A 6-5 322 lbs tackle is the size you dream of for a tackle in the NFL, but they got the wrong guy. With only 3 lineman off the board and many big name lineman still available the Texans went with Mel Kiper Jr. 70th overall player.Tytus Howard could be a top NFL lineman, but he played for Alabama State who don’t play much for competition compare to Power 5 schools. The Texans need him to play right to protect Watson and Howard need time to adapt to NFL talent. Hopefully Howard can play right away and protect Watson because he needs it.

Interesting facts

• Kyler Murray to the Cardinals made it 1st time in NFL history that one school Oklahoma had back to back 1st overall picks, as well as heisman winner. Cardinals also became the first team in history to draft a quarterback in back to back drafts.
• Clemson defensive lineman Clelin Ferrell, Christian Wilkins, and Dexter Lawrence become the second trio (NC State 2014) of defensive lineman to be drafted in the first round of the draft. There still two more defensive lineman from Clemson looking to get draft, Austin Bryant, and Albert Huggins. They called themselves the Power Rangers.
• Josh Allen was selected with the 7th pick of the draft to the Jaguars. He plays defensive end/outside linebacker from Kentucky. Last season the Buffalo Bills selected Josh Allen with the 7th pick, he plays QB from Wyoming. I bet two guys will never be selected with the same name and same pick in two drafts again.
• Iowa teammate TJ Hockenson to the lions and Noah Fant to the Broncos became the first tight end duo to be drafted in the first round. They also were the only tight ends select in round 1, and Hockenson was the first in the top 10 since Eric Ebron to the Lions since 2014.
• Nick Bosa to the 49ers, his brother Joey plays for the chargers, and their father used to play in the NFL became the second family trio (Manning Family) to all be drafted in the first round.

2019 NBA free agents are some of the biggest names in the sport. 10 NBA All-Stars’ contracts are up and I decided where each of them should go based on skill, situation, money, and legacy. I’m sorry Warriors fan it’s time to break up. Also, I add my input on what my favorite team, the Minnesota Timberwolves, should do this offseason– no big names because who wants to come play basketball in Minnesota. If you think differently on any player feel free to make a comment.

Kevin Durant- Knicks

Why will Kevin Durant leave the Warrior where he could win multiple more championships? For his legacy, currently he starts with 4 other NBA all stars’ and join a team that was 73-9 before he arrived. If he wants to regain fans back and not be one of the most hated players in the NBA he needs to join a new team and not a champion contender. New York is the answer because of 3 reasons. 1. New York is a big market and KD will still be in media with joining a new big market city. 2. New York has the money to sign him and another star with the potential with a top draft pick. The number 1 pick is likely to be Zion, one of college basketball greatest playmakers. 3. The Knicks are in the East, that is look at the worse conference which he could have a easier path to the finals and win, which would help him pass Lebron James for current best player in the world. Be ready Knicks fan Durant is coming to town.

Kawhi Leonard- Lakers

Lebron, Kawhi is coming to the rescue in LA, Kawhi has said he wants to play in LA (like every other All-Star). The Raptors are currently in second in the east, with the All-Star and it may be the best option for Kawhi that doesn’t need all the media like other top players. The Lakers may be better because it wouldn’t be all Leonard, he would have Lebron, and the young stars around him. He can handle being Lebron sidekick to compete for championships as well as getting paid. After many players have been wanting to go to LA, Kawhi will be the first one to team up with Lebron, he will just have to change his number (Lonzo currently wears 2). If he wants to stay on a team that doesn’t get as much media attention, then he should considered staying in Toronto. Kawhi should team up with the greatest player in the world and that will make him a Laker legend. If he wins in LA he will go down in history with every other Laker that has ever won a championship as well as play for one of the NBA most historical teams.

Kyrie Irving- Knicks

Be ready Knicks fan, next year will make up for the 18 game losing streak they are currently on. Kyrie Irving will team up with Kevin Durant and a top pick in the draft (hopeful for college-elite athlete Zion). Kyrie left the Cavs because he wanted to be the star and not just the number 2 option behind Lebron. He has admitted that was a mistake and instead of joining Lebron back in LA. He goes back to his hometown and team up with the second best player in Durant for the Knicks. In the east which is a easier path then the west. Kyrie understands that carrying in a team in the NBA is hard and he should have stay with Lebron and won more championships. Kyrie and Durant friendship looked good in the NBA All-Star game and i’m telling you to buy in the hype. To be honest if you are a Knicks fan you don’t have to much to cheer for at the moment. Next season will be different and for Knicks fans get ready for the draft.

Klay Thompson- Bucks

Klay wants a max contract from the Warriors, and with the Warriors having 5 All-Stars he is not the top option. The top seed in the east, Milwaukee Bucks have 4 potential free agents, Middleton, Brogden, Lopez, and Bledsoe who they should look at to resign to stay on top of the east. If they have the salary after that or lose one of the guards, Klay is the answer, one of the best 3 point shooters in history to team up with Giannis would be key for his legacy. Since teams have to double and be worried about Giannis, it will leave Klay to get open looks for 3. As well as playing in the East, he will continue to be an All-star and can continue to make it to the finals. More finals and championships for Klay will make him unforgettable and talk about for his shooting and winning championships for years to come.

Kemba Walker- Mavericks

Kemba is one of the NBA best point guards playing for a playoff hopeful team in the East. Kemba is only making $12 million this season and that will all change after this season, doubling or even more than that and for Michael Jordan (owner for the Hornets) team it’s time for him to go. Micheal Jordan needs to hit the reset button and find the next star for his team. Kemba need to join the wild, wild, west and team up with Luka and Kristaps. Those 3 together with give Kemba less pressure then being the go to in Charlotte and with his help the young duo can grow into championship contenders. Kemba deserves to get paid and as well play for a top team in the league and Mark Cuban Mavericks are the right fit for Walker.

DeMarcus Cousins- Pelicans

Image DeMarcus Cousins in a Pelicans Jersey, it could be special if they manage to get Anthony Davis happy again. Anthony Davis and Cousins were a force down low last season till Cousins tore his Achilles and they let him sign with the Warriors for cheap. First of a few mistakes made by general manager Dell Demps who was fired February 15th. Other mistakes was not resigning Rondo after he and Davis swept the Trailblazers, as well as not trading Davis to the Lakers for Ball, Kumza, Ingram, Zubac, Rondo, and a first. The new general manager need to reunite Rondo, Davis, and Cousins, to allow the Pelicans a chance to get back to championship contender. Pelicans fans hope you haven’t burned your Cousins or Davis jerseys yet, I believe a reunion in next season.

Jimmy Butler- Clippers

Jimmy is coming to LA, sorry lakers fans the other team in LA. With Butler having more problem with teammates in Philly, it looks like he could be problem for any team he ends up with young stars on. While the Clippers can sign two max contract players, and giving Jimmy one, he could help ownership decided who else to bring in and draft with the draft picks acquired in the Tobias Harris trade. Jimmy is a talented player and he help Minnesota make the playoffs last season for the first time since 2004. But, after his problems with Towns and Wiggins even with his Coach Tom Thibodeau he was traded to Philly. Which reports have came out with him having problems there with their young stars. Jimmy gets to control what he wants in LA, gets to live in LA, and for Philly and Minnesota fans be happy this All-Star drama queen is gone.

Nikola Vucevic- Trailblazers

Nikola Vucevic is the best player you forget about in the NBA. Coming off his first All-Star game and averaging 20.6 ppg and 11.9 rpg. With the Magic having a talented rookie Mo Bamba and Aaron Gordon its time for Vucevic and the Orlando Magic break-up. For Vucevic it is needed for him to go get paid and play for a championship contender team. Orlando needs to get some guards and wings to help Gordon and rookie Bamba. The Trailblazers is the perfect options for Vucevic even if leaving the east and potential not being a All-Star. Teaming up with Lillard and McCollum with give the Blazers a great post player and give them a chance to get to the top of the west instead staying in the middle. Vucevic should make this move after his career year and go help Lillard Blazers rise in the west. For the Magic be patience your time will come one day.

Tobias Harris- 76ers

Its home sweet home for Tobias Harris in Philly, the power forward got traded from LA on February 6th and for 2 first round draft picks the 76ers should do everything to keep him. For Tobias, he should want to stay, even if Jimmy Butler leaves. To play next to Simmons, and Embiid, it will give Harris the best chance to win. Being in the East, he will become an All-Star even as the 3rd or 4th option. Similar to Klay for the Bucks, Ben Simmons driving ability with leave the power forward open for 3 in which he is currently shooting 43%. Philly “trust the process” work to get Simmons, and Embiid, and with Harris help they could become East favorites for years to come and complete the process with a championship.

Derrick Rose- Lakers

I’m sorry Minnesota fans, I want Derrick Rose to stay more than any other Timberwolves player in history. But, with Tom Thibodeau firing, his resurgence of his career, and his age, will make it unlikely to stay in Minnesota. He going to want more than his current $2 million dollar, as well as play for a champion contender in his last few years of his career. Derrick Rose will always love Minnesota for giving him his last chance after he considered retirement, and allowing him to get close to his MVP years. Minnesota fans should love Rose for his resurgence of his career this season in Minnesota, but it time for Rose to win, since 2011 Rose has return. The Lakers are the right choice for Rose since they are a big market team, it will allow him to regrow his brand. As well as Lakers have the money to spend as well as Lebron James giving him the best chance to win. He will play next to Lonzo Ball and will replace Rondo (upcoming FA) as his mentor to help Lonzo become an All-Star. If i’m wrong and Rose wants to help Wiggins/Towns and company continue to grow. I can live with that and be happy about my girlfriend Derrick Rose jersey I bought.

Timberwolves options

This summer Minnesota Timberwolves have many decisions to make with Teague, Gibson, Tyus, Rose, Tolliver and a few others becoming free agents. The Timberwolves don’t have the salary to sign top tier players but need to get healthy and make some minor moves to get back into post-season play. Andrew Wiggins have been showing improvement with new Coach Ryan Saunders and the Timberwolves need increasingly improvement from Wiggins/Towns pairing to be contenders. The Wolves need to keep Covington/Wiggins/Towns, and to sign or draft, A point guard, 3 point shooters, and a defensive/rebounding power forward.

What the wolves have to do with the current roster

• Resign Tyus Jones, Hometown kid as well as depth to point guard
• Trade away Gorgui Dieng Contract
• Don’t overpay for Gibson/Rose

Options to sign/draft

• JJ Redick, 76ers, veteran 3-point shooter
• Terry Rozier, Celtics, talented guard with playoff experience
• Malclom Brogden, Bucks, Guard, 3 point shooter
• Khris Middleton, Bucks, All-star small forward, 3 point shooter
• Marvin Williams, Hornets power forward
• Marcus Morris, Celtics power forward
• DeAndre Hunter, Virginia Forward
• Rui Hachimura, Gonzaga Forward
• Kyle Guy, Final Four MVP, Virginia Wing