“Crucial Weaknesses: What Each Eastern Conference Playoff Team Must Overcome to Succeed”

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“Crucial Weaknesses: What Each Eastern Conference Playoff Team Must Overcome to Succeed”

The NBA’s Western Conference may be more wide open than the Eastern Conference, but that does not mean the latter is without its contenders and potential spoilers. However, each postseason team in the East has a specific vulnerability that can spell doom for their playoff success. These weaknesses are like the thermal exhaust port of the Death Star: if an opponent hits it just right, the team could be blown out of the playoffs. And while some of these flaws may not be fully exploited until later rounds, they are still areas that teams must address to avoid an early exit.

#1 seed Milwaukee Bucks: Weak efficiency in half-cout sets

While Khris Middleton’s absence during the regular season may have skewed the numbers, the Bucks’ half-court offense was a major issue in last year’s playoffs as well. Their PPP dropped to 0.865 in the postseason, compared to 1.000 in the regular season. Although the Bucks are formidable in transition, if an opponent can slow them down, they are vulnerable. Given that they have the best record in the NBA, stopping them is easier said than done.

However, as the playoffs progress, the Bucks’ half-court offense must improve its efficiency if they hope to avoid history repeating itself. If not, they could be in danger of an early exit. While the Bucks are a formidable team, they are not invincible, and opponents will be looking for any weakness to exploit.

#2 Seed Boston Celtics- Too dependent on 3-pointers

The Celtics have fully embraced the “live by the three, die by the three” philosophy, but this approach poses a significant challenge for their offense.

Boston has attempted the second-highest number of three-point shots in the league, which is a hallmark of the NBA’s high-risk, high-reward style of play. In their victories, the team has managed to convert an impressive 40.3 percent of their long-range shots. However, in their losses, their success rate plummets to a dismal 31.6 percent.

The team’s overreliance on three-point shooting has also impacted their two-point field goal attempts, which are among the lowest in the league, ranking 29th. Even more concerning is the fact that the Celtics do not take many shots at the rim, ranking 25th in attempts according to Cleaning the Glass.

This makes Boston an easier team to defend, particularly if multiple players struggle to find their range from beyond the arc. If the Celtics want to make a deep run in the playoffs, they will need to find a way to diversify their offense and not rely solely on the three-ball.

#3 Seed Philadelphia 76ers- Lack of depth behind Embiid at C

The Philadelphia 76ers seem to have all the pieces required to make it to the Finals, with one major exception: a backup big man.

This has been a persistent problem for Philadelphia, dating back to the heartbreaking end to Game 7 of the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals. During that series, the team had a net rating of plus-18.6 with Joel Embiid on the floor but an astonishing minus-52.5 without him. This discrepancy was a major factor in their series loss.

The same issue arose against the Hawks in the 2020-21 semifinals, with a massive 25.5 net rating swing when Embiid was off the court. Last season, with Embiid injured, the Sixers had to rely on DeAndre Jordan and Paul Reed in the playoffs, which led to their eventual elimination by the Miami Heat.

This year, Philadelphia will once again rely on Reed or P.J. Tucker to serve as backup centers. However, according to Cleaning the Glass, the Sixers have a negative net rating when Reed (-3.8) or Tucker (-6.0) are playing at center.

Those few minutes that Embiid sits out during playoffs games could potentially prevent the Sixers from finally advancing beyond the second round.

#4 Seed Cleveland Cavaliers- Poor shooting from role players

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ success in the playoffs will largely depend on the shooting of their fifth player on the court, who is usually one of Isaac Okoro, Cedi Osman, Dean Wade, and Lamar Stevens. Defenses will try to contain the Cavaliers’ star players like Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen and force the lesser-known players to take shots from beyond the arc. The Cavs need at least two of these players to get hot from deep to keep the defenses honest. Okoro and Osman have shown great improvement in their three-point shooting since the All-Star break, but the team will need the others to step up as well. Stevens and Wade have struggled from three-point range this season, shooting below 35% and 27%, respectively. If the Cavaliers’ role players can hit enough threes in the playoffs, it will help open up the floor for their star players and increase their chances of success.

#5 Seed New York Knicks- Shot selection and creation

The New York Knicks have secured a playoff spot, but their lack of easy scoring opportunities is a concern.

Their offensive strategy relies heavily on isolation plays, and they are not effective in fast-break situations, ranking 22nd in fast-break points. In the playoffs, where transition scoring opportunities are scarce, the Knicks need to capitalize on the few chances they get to take the pressure off their half-court offense.

Although they are ranked 16th in frequency of transition plays, the Knicks need to increase this number to keep their offense from getting stagnant. Isolation-heavy offenses are easier to defend against, making it critical to score on the break. However, the Knicks’ inability to force turnovers, ranked 25th in opponent turnovers per game, is hindering their ability to generate transition opportunities.

To advance in the playoffs, the Knicks must figure out a way to create more easy scoring chances consistently.

#6 Seed Brooklyn Nets- The Boards

The Brooklyn Nets have undergone a transformation at the trade deadline, becoming a longer team, but they continue to struggle with rebounding. Their rebounding percentages rank 26th in the league, while they’re only 24th in rebounds per game since the deadline. Nic Claxton has been their most reliable rebounder all season, averaging 9.2 rebounds, but there’s a significant drop-off after him. The next highest rebounders are Royce O’Neale and Day’Ron Sharp, who are averaging 5.5 and 5.2 rebounds, respectively, since the deadline. The Nets need everyone to contribute, including Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, and Dorian Finney-Smith, to improve their rebounding and compete at a higher level if they want to any chance of taking down the 76ers

#7 Seed Miami Heat- Not enough scoring/slow paced offense

Scoring is the fundamental element of basketball and the Miami Heat have had a hard time with it all season long. They are currently ranked last in the league for scoring, with an average of 109.3 points per game, 4.9 points below the league average.

Despite a slight improvement since the All-Star break with 111.9 points per game, they still rank 26th in the league and dead last in field goals made per game.

The majority of Miami’s scoring is concentrated among three players – Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, and Bam Adebayo. These are the only Heat players to average double digits since the All-Star break. After them, the drop in points is significant, with Victor Oladipo and Max Strus being the next highest scorers at 9.9 and 8.9 points, respectively.

During the playoffs, the Heat could face scenarios where one or more of their big three struggles to score. In such a situation, there would be little hope for Miami to keep up with their opponent’s pace.

#8 Seed Atlanta Hawks- Shooting the 3

Despite having Trae Young, Bogdan Bogdanović, and Dejounte Murray on their roster, the Atlanta Hawks are ranked low in three-point attempts, coming in at 28th place. This could be a hindrance for them come playoff time. While Young took eight threes per game last season, he only attempted 6.3 this year, shooting 33.5 percent. Although defenses still respect his threat, this season was atypical of Young’s style.

Notably, it’s not as if everyone on the Hawks has struggled with three-point shooting. For instance, Bogdanović made 40.6 percent of his three-point attempts, while Saddiq Bey, whom they acquired during the trade deadline, had a 40 percent success rate, and AJ Griffin shot 39 percent from deep.

Despite being a high-scoring team, the Hawks’ defense also concedes a lot of points. Therefore, increasing their volume from three-point range could put more pressure on their opponents, especially if Young can get his rhythm goi

#9 Seed Toronto Raptors- Getting to the Charity Stripe

At the start of the season, the Raptors lacked a traditional center, but the addition of Jakob Poeltl resolved that issue. However, the team now faces a major problem with its lack of free-throw attempts. Since the All-Star break, the Raptors have been shooting the fewest free throws per game compared to all other teams. This struggle is due to their shot profile, as Toronto relies heavily on mid-range jump shots rather than attacking the rim. In fact, they attempt the fourth-most mid-range shots but are below average (18th) in shots at the rim, according to Cleaning the Glass.

Their over-reliance on mid-range shots makes it challenging to draw fouls and get to the free-throw line. To increase their chances, the Raptors need to focus on more attempts at the rim. While Pascal Siakam is the best at drawing shooting fouls, he has had very few and-ones. Fred VanVleet and O.G. Anunoby are both in the 50-55th percentile in terms of drawing fouls.

For the Raptors to advance past the play-in, they must find a way to increase their free-throw attempts.

#10 Seed Chicago Bulls: Attacking and driving to the basket

Despite having a mid-range king in DeMar DeRozan and an amazing scorer in Zach LaVine, the Bulls struggle with dribble penetration, ranking among the teams with the fewest drives per game this season. While other teams with similar rankings, such as the Nuggets, Warriors, Suns, and Bucks, compensate with better three-point shooting, the Bulls settle for mid-range jumpers that defenses easily concede. This limits their ability to create drive-and-kick opportunities and move the defense. Unless the Bulls improve their outside shooting and dribble penetration, it is unlikely they will make a deep postseason run.

We appreciate you taking the time to read our article! Don’t forget to follow us on social media for the latest and greatest in sports content, including jaw-dropping highlights, top plays, engaging stories, hilarious memes, real-time updates, and more! Stay in the loop with OutOfSightSports!Twitter: @OOSSports

2023 NBA Playoffs: First Round Matchups Previews & Play-In Predictions

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2023 NBA Playoffs: First Round Matchups Previews & Play-In Predictions

The NBA playoffs are almost here, and the excitement is building as teams gear up for the first round matchups and the highly anticipated play-in tournament. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect from this year’s NBA postseason action.

(4) Suns vs. (5) Clippers Round 1 Preview

Lets start in the West with the 5th Seed Clips and the 4th Seeded Suns, one of the most highly anticipated matchups in the first round. This 4 & 5 matchup between these two Pacific division rivals is picture-perfect and I expect this series to go six or seven games. The two teams have faced each other four times this season and are tied at 2-2 in their head-to-head record, setting the stage for an exciting and unpredictable series.

The Suns come into the playoffs as the No. 4 seed with a 45-37 record, while the Clippers are the No. 5 seed with a slightly lower record of 44-38. The Suns made a big splash at the trade deadline by acquiring Kevin Durant, instantly elevating their championship hopes. Book leads the Suns in scoring, while the impact Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton have this postseason will ultimately determine how far the Suns get.

The Clippers, on the other hand, are looking to get a taste of some championship success after landing Kawhi Leonard and Paul George via free agency in 2019. However, the real question mark for the Clippers is the status of Paul George, who has been out with an injury. The Clippers will need George healthy and playing at his best to take down the Suns, who many consider to be the best team in the Western Conference despite their seedings.

The odds for the series heavily favor the Suns, with sportsbooks giving them a (-600) chance of winning compared to the Clippers’ (+400). The Suns have been in championship mode ever since losing in the West semifinals last season, and with the addition of Durant, they look like a team poised to make a deep run in the playoffs.

The Suns and Clippers are set to face off in what promises to be a thrilling series, with both teams looking to solidify themselves as legitimate championship contenders. The series could ultimately come down to the health of Paul George, making his status a key factor to watch throughout the series.

(3) Kings vs. (6) Warriors Round 1 Preview

The Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors will meet in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs as the 3-6 pairing in the Western Conference. The matchup between these two teams promises to be an intriguing one, with plenty of history between the organizations and two vastly different teams going head-to-head.

The Kings, led by former Warriors assistant Mike Brown, have finally made it to the playoffs after a 16-year drought. De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis have been the stars for the Kings, but it’s the contributions of role players like Kevin Huerter, Malik Monk, and Keegan Murray that have helped the team succeed this season. Sacramento’s owner, Vivek Ranadive, was once a minority shareholder in the Warriors and would undoubtedly love to knock off his former team in this series.

On the other hand, the Warriors come into this matchup as the defending champions, but they have not been as dominant as they were last year. However, they have started to regain their championship form in recent weeks. While their road record leaves something to be desired, they are nearly unbeatable at home. With Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green leading the way, the Warriors have never lost a playoff series when their core group has played every game.

The Kings and Warriors have faced each other 470 times in their history, with the Warriors holding a 249-221 edge. However, the Kings have won four of the last five regular-season matchups between the two teams. In this series, the key matchup will be between the Kings’ backcourt of Fox and Huerter against the Warriors’ guard duo of Curry and Thompson. Additionally, the battle in the paint between Sabonis and the Warriors’ big men will also be a crucial factor in the series.

Overall, this matchup has plenty of intriguing storylines and potential for an upset by the Kings. However, the Warriors are still the favorites in this series due to their championship pedigree and experience in the playoffs. With that being said, DO NOT SLEEP ON THE KINGS.

West Play-In Preview & Prediction: (7) Lakers vs (8) Wolves

On Tuesday, the No. 7 seed Los Angeles Lakers and the No. 8 seed Minnesota Timberwolves will face off in a highly anticipated NBA play-in tournament. This matchup will determine which team will advance to the Western Conference playoffs and which team’s season will come to a close.

The Lakers’ season has been a rollercoaster ride, with injuries and internal turmoil causing some bumps along the way. Despite this, LeBron James and Anthony Davis remain formidable forces on the court, leading the team in points and rebounds. Head coach Darvin Ham has had to navigate these challenges and adjust to a new role after taking over for Frank Vogel this season.

The Timberwolves, on the other hand, have fought hard to secure their spot in the playoffs, winning their last three games of the season. However, they will be facing the Lakers without the talented Jaden McDaniels, who fractured his hand from punching a wall. Additionally, Rudy Gobert’s outburst in the Timberwolves’ regular-season finale may have left the team feeling uneasy heading into the play-in tournament.

While the Lakers have a 2-1 edge in head-to-head matchups with the Timberwolves this season, this play-in game is anyone’s to win. Lakers fans will be looking to James and Davis to lead the team to victory, while Timberwolves fans will be hoping that Anthony Edwards can continue his impressive scoring streak.

The opening odds favor the Lakers with a -6.5 spread and a moneyline of -255. The over/under is set at 227.5, indicating that it could be a high-scoring game.

Overall, this matchup promises to be a thrilling and intense game that could go down to the wire. The Lakers will be looking to redeem themselves after a disappointing end to last year’s playoffs, while the Timberwolves will be eager to make their mark in the postseason.

Firstly, they have a more experienced and well-established roster, led by superstar players LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Despite facing injuries and setbacks throughout the season, the Lakers have shown resilience and have managed to make it to the play-in tournament.

Furthermore, the Lakers have a better record than the Timberwolves and have a head-to-head record of 2-1 against them this season. They also have a more effective offense, averaging 112.4 points per game compared to the Timberwolves’ 109.4.

Defensively, the Lakers have also been solid, ranking in the top 10 in the league in points allowed per game. They will be looking to shut down the Timberwolves’ young star Anthony Edwards, who has been averaging 23.8 points per game this season.

Overall, the Lakers have the experience, talent, and the motivation to advance to the next round of the playoffs. They will need to play with intensity and focus in order to overcome the Timberwolves, but they have shown they are capable of doing so in the past.

THE PICK: Lakers win and advance to play the Grizzlies while the wolves will battle the winner of (9) NOLA vs (10) OKC.

West Play-In Preview & Prediction: (9) Pelicans vs (10) Thunder

The New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder are set to face off in a crucial play-in game for the Western Conference playoffs. The Pelicans come into the game with a slightly better record at 42-40, while the Thunder finished the regular season at 40-42. The two teams split their head-to-head matchups this season, each winning one game.

One big factor for the Pelicans will be the absence of their star player, Zion Williamson, who is expected to miss the game due to injury. However, the Pelicans still have a strong supporting cast, including Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball, who can step up in Williamson’s absence. The Thunder, on the other hand, will rely heavily on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to lead them to victory.

The opening odds favor the Pelicans, with a spread of -4.5 and a moneyline of -195. The over/under is set at 232, indicating that this could be a high-scoring affair.

The winner of this game will move on to face the loser of the Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers matchup, with the winner of that game earning the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference playoffs and a chance to face the No. 1 seeded Denver Nuggets in the first round.

So why will the Pelicans win? Despite the absence of Williamson, they still have a talented roster that can compete at a high level. They also have the home-court advantage and a strong track record of performing well in clutch situations. Additionally, the Thunder have struggled on the road this season, with a record of just 15-26 away from home. All of these factors could give the Pelicans the edge they need to secure a victory and advance to the next round of the playoffs.

THE PICK: Pelicans win and advance to play Timberwolves. Then, the Pelicans will take down the Wolves and punch the last playoff ticket in the West!

Now, lets look at the matchups in the Eastern Conference. First, lets start with another 4 and 5 seeded matchup.

(4) Cavaliers vs. (5) Knicks Round 1 Preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks will face off in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs, with the Cavaliers holding home court advantage as the No. 4 seed. Cleveland has been building around their young core, but the addition of superstar scoring machine Donovan Mitchell has given them a proven playoff performer to help push the squad forward. While the Cavs have aspirations for a deep playoff run, their first goal will be to win a playoff series, something they haven’t accomplished since LeBron James left in 2018.

The Knicks, on the other hand, made a quick turnaround after a disappointing 2021-22 season and have plenty of reason to be optimistic. Their leading scorer, Julius Randle, suffered an ankle injury late in the year, but the hope is that he will be back for this series. Jalen Brunson, the star free agent addition for New York, has been playing at an elite level and has helped elevate the team’s performance. With a young core and plenty of draft capital going forward, the Knicks have a bright future ahead of them. However, they will first need to win a playoff series, something they haven’t accomplished since the 2012-13 season.

The head-to-head record between these two teams is in favor of the Knicks, who won three out of the four matchups in the regular season. However, the playoffs are a different beast, and both teams will be looking to prove themselves in this series. The Cavaliers are the favorites to win, but the Knicks have the talent and the potential to pull off an upset. Ultimately, the series will come down to which team can execute their game plan and play to their strengths.

(3) 76ers vs. (6) Nets Round 1 Preview

The Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets will face off in what promises to be an exciting first-round matchup of the 2023 NBA playoffs. Philadelphia holds the No. 3 seed and home-court advantage, while the No. 6 seed Nets are looking to pull off an upset.

The 76ers have had a very solid regular season, with Joel Embiid having an MVP-worthy season, leading the team in scoring and contributing to their perfect 4-0 head-to-head record against Brooklyn. However, the Sixers have struggled with injuries in the past, and there are always concerns about Embiid’s health going into the playoffs. Additionally, James Harden, who was acquired by the Nets in a midseason trade, has a mixed track record in the postseason. The Sixers have the talent and depth to make a deep playoff run, but it will all come down to whether they can put everything together and meet expectations.

On the other hand, the Nets have had a rollercoaster of a season, with major trades and injuries affecting their lineup. Despite this, they managed to secure a playoff spot, and with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving now gone, they have a young core ready to step up. The Nets have nothing to lose and can play with a carefree attitude, making them a dangerous opponent for the 76ers. If the Nets can push the series to its limits, it could be a tougher matchup for the Sixers than many expect.

While the 76ers are the clear favorites to win the series, the Nets are not to be underestimated. If they can come together and play at their best, they could potentially pull off an upset. However, it’s more likely that the Sixers will advance to the second round, where they will have their eyes set on a deeper playoff run.

East Play-In Preview & Prediction: (7) Heat vs (8) Hawks

In the first play-in game of the 2021-22 NBA season, the Atlanta Hawks face off against the Miami Heat to determine who takes the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. These two teams are familiar with each other, having met four times in the regular season and playoffs last year. Miami came out on top in five games during the postseason, leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of Hawks fans.

Although Miami is the favorite heading into this game, the Hawks have Trae Young and a talented roster, making anything possible. The Hawks rested their starters in their previous game against the Boston Celtics to keep them fresh for this matchup. Young is undoubtedly the Hawks’ best player, and missing the playoffs would endanger his reputation.

The Hawks have been one of the most inconsistent teams in the league this season, often fluctuating around the .500-mark. They finished the season with an even record of 41 wins and 41 losses. Despite making aggressive moves in the market, the team has not evolved much since their conference final appearance last year.

Miami is at a crossroad, either growing and making a big noise in the playoffs or facing dissolution during free agency. They had a mediocre season instead of being one of the top three contenders for winning the East, as many predicted. The Heat have a diverse offense but are terrible on the offensive side of the ball. They have the worst field goal percentages and offensive rebounding in the league, making their defense their only saving grace, the second-best in the league in points per game.

In their previous meetings this season, Miami leads the series 3-1. However, the Hawks lost by a narrow margin in their two games in Miami, indicating that they can compete against the Heat. The pressure on Miami is much greater than on the Hawks, which could be a significant factor since the Heat team looks as if it could break down at any given moment.

THE PICK: Ultimately, the prediction is to side with the underdogs and bet on the Hawks to win. Despite being the favorites, Miami’s poor offensive performance and inconsistency could work in the Hawks’ favor. Therefore, the pick is Atlanta Hawks (+175). I also believe the Heat will be playing, and then beating whoever wins the 9 and 10 matchup between the Bulls and Raptors, the last matchup we have to cover until the Play-In tournament commences.

East Play-In Preview & Prediction: (10) Bulls vs (9) Raptors

This marks the first time that the two teams meet in the post-season as well as the first time that either team takes part in the play-in tournament. Though they haven’t met in the playoff, the feeling of familiarity will be clear for Raptors fans as they take on former fan favourite DeMar DeRozan in the most high-stakes game of the year.

Whoever wins Wednesday’s game will travel to take on the loser of the 7-8 play-in game between the Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat next Friday for a chance at the eighth seed and a playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks. Season Summary The Raptors and Bulls have had turbulent campaigns, with neither squad having surpassed two games above .500 for the entirety of the regular season. They’ve followed similar paths this season and were mirror images during the trade deadline. The Raptors sat four games under .500 when the Feb. 9, deadline passed and the Bulls weren’t much better at three games under the mark.

However, they both decided to toss aside the notion of selling away their players for picks or future assets and instead chose to bolster their squads. The loser may regret their decision to not sell at the deadline. Toronto leads the season series 2-1 with their last matchup ending in a 104-98 Raptors victory on Feb. 28. Key Players DeMar DeRozan, Bulls For the first time since being traded from Toronto, DeRozan is set to take on his former team in the post-season.

The beloved wing hasn’t missed a beat since leaving the team that drafted him, having been named to the past two All-Star games and receiving his second All-NBA selection last season. Since pairing up with Zach LaVine in Chicago, the 14-year wing has been stellar, averaging 26.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 5.0 assists the past two seasons. However, his issues come playoff time have also persisted. In the Bucks’ sweep of the Bulls last season, DeRozan’s scored only 20.8 points per game on 41 per cent shooting from the field, down a fair margin from his 27.9 points per game on 50 per cent from the field in the regular season.

If he wants to avoid a one-and-done in the play-in tournament, he’ll have to stave off his playoff demons in a city all-too familiar with his postseason struggles. Fred VanVleet and the Raptors similarly to DeRozan, shrunk in the playoffs last season, with VanVleet in particular averaging a paltry 13.8 points on 35% shooting from the field in the four games he appeared in against the Philadelphia 76ers. The point guard has been a mixed bag in his seventh season.

Though his scoring has kept pace with last season, he’s shooting a career-worst 34% from three. For a team as range deprived as the Raptors, who currently possess the fourth-worst percentage from deep at 34.2% since Jan. 1, getting VanVleet on a good day will be absolutely key. The offense still runs through VanVleet. His playmaking has improved this season while also limiting turnovers. Only three games ago against the Charlotte Hornets, he broke the Raptors’ single-game record for assists with 20. VanVleet will need to find steady footing against what has been the second-best defense (112.8 defensive rating) in the NBA since the trade deadline. As I said earlier, whoever wins this game will probably lose to the Heat if the Hawks do indeed upset them.

THE PICK: Whoever wins will lose their next game and be eliminated since neither rosters match up to Atlanta’s or Miami’s.

We appreciate you taking the time to read our article! Don’t forget to follow us on social media for the latest and greatest in sports content, including jaw-dropping highlights, top plays, engaging stories, hilarious memes, real-time updates, and more! Stay in the loop with OutOfSightSports!

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Warriors Avoid Play-in; Will Play 3-Seed Kings in Round One

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By: SpringHillMedia

4/9/23

Warriors Avoid Play-in; Will Play 3-Seed Kings in Round One

With a pair of dominant road wins over the Kings and Blazers, the Golden State Warriors secured a top-six seed in the Western Conference playoffs. This achievement means that they will avoid the play-in tournament that they had been flirting with for weeks. The Warriors finished with a 44-38 record and will take on the Sacramento Kings in a first-round 3-6 matchup that will begin on or after Saturday, April 15.

Despite heading into the weekend with a dismal 9-30 record on the road, the Warriors were gifted two easy wins as both the Kings and Blazers rested their key players. The Warriors took full advantage of the situation, posting an NBA-record 55 points in the first quarter of their Sunday game against the Blazers. They were even able to rest their starters midway through the third quarter.

The Clippers and Suns were also battling it out on Sunday, and the outcome would have an impact on the Warriors’ playoff seeding. A Clippers loss could have seen them relegated to the play-in tournament, while a Suns win would have locked the Warriors in as their playoff opponent. Ultimately, the Clippers won 119-114, securing the No. 5 seed and leaving the Warriors with the No. 6 seed.

In summary, the Golden State Warriors took care of business when it mattered most, clinching a top-six seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Despite a poor record on the road, they were gifted two easy wins and will now face off against the Sacramento Kings in the first round. The Warriors will hope to carry their momentum from the final two games of the regular season into the playoffs and make a deep run.

We appreciate you taking the time to read our article! Don’t forget to follow us on social media for the latest and greatest in sports content, including jaw-dropping highlights, top plays, engaging stories, hilarious memes, real-time updates, and more! Stay in the loop with OutOfSightSports!

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NFL Draft Scouting Report: Nolan Smith

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By: SportsRiseMedia

4/9/23

NFL Draft Scouting Report: Nolan Smith

Nolan Smith, a leader both on and off the field for the Georgia Bulldogs, is known for his dynamic personality and energetic presence. As the starting OLB/EDGE in 2021, he made an immediate impact on a defense that featured several NFL draft picks.

Smith’s game is defined by his physicality, violence, and relentlessness, making him a difficult task to block in the run game, particularly for tight ends. His full-body strength is on display as he digs his feet into the ground and becomes immovable against the run. He has an explosive first step and an admirable flexibility, which allows him to bend around the edges or slice across blockers to win the inside track. While he still needs to refine his hand-to-hand combat skills, his punches can shock blockers, and his power is an asset in the pass-rush department.

Smith’s potential as a three-down defender is apparent due to his impressive run defense, but his pass-rush skills are still developing. He has the explosiveness to threaten offensive tackles outside shoulders, but he relies too much on his first step, length, and power, which can limit his ceiling at the next level. He needs to become more technical with his hands to defeat pass blocks more effectively.

Looking to the future, Smith’s versatility in different alignments could be a valuable asset in any defense. With his size, athleticism, and physicality, he has the potential to be a dangerous edge defender who can drop into coverage, stuff the run, and get after the passer.

In summary, Nolan Smith is a highly respected and dynamic leader on and off the field, with an impressive physicality, violence, and relentlessness that make him difficult to block in the run game. While his pass-rush skills need improvement, his potential as an edge defender is evident due to his athleticism and size.

2023 NBA Draft Scouting Profile: Gradey Dick

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Player Profile: Gradey Dick

Position: Guard/Forward

Physical Attributes:

  • Height: 6-8
  • Weight: 205 pounds
  • Class: Freshman
  • Alma Mater: University of Kansas

Skills:

  • Outside shooting: Gradey Dick possesses excellent shooting skills from beyond the arc, making him a threat on the court.
  • Defensive toughness: Dick’s length and quickness make him a formidable defender on the perimeter.
  • Playmaking ability: Despite being a freshman, Dick has shown an impressive ability to make plays and reads on the court.

Areas for Improvement:

  • Consistency: Dick has shown inconsistency in his performance, especially in postseason play, where he tends to disappear.
  • Defensive awareness: Dick needs to work on his defensive awareness, especially in situations where he loses track of his man and allows easy buckets.
  • Post-up game: Despite having a size advantage over smaller guards, Dick needs to improve his post-up game to take advantage of these mismatches.

Overall, Gradey Dick is a promising young prospect with a lot of upside, making him a valuable addition to multiple teams at the NBA level. With some work on his consistency, defensive awareness, and post-up game, he could become a solid contributor to any team he plays for in the future.

2023 NBA Draft Scouting Profile: Jarace Walker

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By: OutOfSightSports

4/7/23

2023 NBA Draft Player Profiles: Jarace Walker

Player Profile: Jarace Walker, F, Houston

Walker is a physically dominant player and one of the most imposing prospects in the draft class, standing at 6-foot-8 and weighing 240 pounds. He possesses exceptional rebounding and shot-blocking skills, which make him an elite defensive option. He has the potential to defend all positions on the court, which makes him a valuable asset for any NBA team.

However, the question mark with Walker is his offensive game. While he started the season strong, hitting 42.3% of his 3-pointers in his first 23 games, his shooting declined in the final 13 contests, only making 26.5% of his attempts, most of which were catch-and-shoots.

On the bright side, Walker’s passing abilities are underrated. He has a solid assist rate of 12.6, which is nearly four times better than Bam Adebayo’s college numbers. Adebayo is a similarly built player who has become a strong passer in the NBA, which indicates that Walker has the potential to develop his passing game as well.

If Walker can improve his offensive skills, he has the potential to become an All-Star-level player. His combination of size, athleticism, and defensive abilities make him a tantalizing prospect for any NBA team looking to improve its defensive prowess.

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The OOS Top 10 NFL Power-Rankings Pre Draft 2023

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The OOS Top 10 NFL Power-Rankings Pre Draft 2023

As the NFL Draft approaches, anticipation builds for the next generation of talent that will enter the league. Many teams have made significant moves in free agency, acquiring new players and parting ways with others. Here are the top 10 out-of-system (OOS) NFL pre-draft rankings, highlighting the biggest gains and losses for each team. From elite cornerbacks to promising quarterbacks, these rankings provide insights into how these teams have positioned themselves for success in the upcoming season. With the right additions and subtractions, these teams could be poised for a competitive and exciting season ahead. So let’s dive in and see how these teams stack up before the draft takes place starting with our 10th team on the list:

10. Miami Dolphins

Biggest gain: CB Jalen Ramsey

Biggest loss: TE Mike Gesicki

Summary: Cornerback Jalen Ramsey and linebacker David Long will immediately contribute to the Dolphins’ defense. Ramsey has the highest PFF grade, highest PFF coverage grade and highest PFF run-defense grade among all cornerbacks since 2016, and only four linebackers earned a better PFF run-defense grade than Long in 2022. With head coach Mike McDaniel and QB Tua Tagovailoa, Miami might be a force to be reckoned with in the AFC East.

9. Baltimore Ravens

Biggest gain: G John Simpson

Biggest loss: G Ben Powers

Summary: Take this with a grain of salt, considering the internal issues the team is currently facing with their franchise QB. The Ravens didn’t sign many new players in free agency, and their losses were fairly significant, as safety Chuck Clark, defensive end Calais Campbell and guard Ben Powers are top-ranked players at their positions. This ranking may change dramatically if Lamar Jackson joins another team.

8. Minnesota Vikings

Biggest gain: CB Byron Murphy Jr.

Biggest loss: CB Patrick Peterson

Summary: The Vikings brought in tight end Josh Oliver, who will help when it comes to operating more effectively out of 12 personnel. Oliver’s 74.6 run-blocking grade in 2022 ranked second among tight ends with at least 100 run-blocking snaps on the season. They also signed an elite edge defender in Marcus Davenport, who has put up a 17.8% pass-rush win rate and 13.9% pressure percentage — both top-20 marks among edge defenders — since entering the league in 2018. He’s also earned a very respectable 82.1 run-defense grade for his career, which ranks 16th over the span. Davenport has five straight campaigns grading above 70.0, but injuries have been his biggest issue.

7. Los Angeles Chargers

Biggest gain: LB Eric Kendricks

Biggest loss: LB Drue Tranquill

Summary: The Chargers didn’t make many moves during free agency, which may have been a smart move on their part. They have the second-least dead cap in the league. The addition of linebacker Eric Kendricks will improve their struggling run defense. Schematically, Kendricks will likely take over Drue Tranquill’s role and start at inside linebacker alongside Kenneth Murray. Given that he wore the green dot in Minnesota, that could also be a factor for the Chargers here, given that Derwin James stopped calling plays midseason and gave it to Tranquill. Kendricks is also a much better run defender and could help the Chargers fix a long-standing issue on their defense.

6. Dallas Cowboys

Biggest gain: CB Stephon Gilmore

Biggest loss: TE Dalton Schultz

Summary: The Cowboys now have an elite cornerback to pair with Trevon Diggs, as they signed Stephon Gilmore in free agency. Gilmore has been one of the best cornerbacks in football since moving to the New England Patriots in 2017, and he reconfirmed that with an impressive showing for the Indianapolis Colts in 2022 after playing just 304 snaps with the Carolina Panthers in 2021. Since 2017, his 92.8 PFF coverage grade is the highest among all cornerbacks to play at least 1,000 snaps. Despite losing running back Ezekiel Elliot and tight end Dalton Schultz, they don’t have a lot of dead cap.

5. Cincinnati Bengals

Biggest gain: T Orlando Brown Jr.

Biggest loss: S Jessie Bates III

Summary: The Bengals made a notable move to protect their quarterback, Joe Burrow, by signing Orlando Brown Jr. to a four-year contract. Although Brown is not considered an elite left tackle, he is a very good player with a history of solid performance, having achieved a pass-block grade of 73.5 or higher in five consecutive seasons and playing over 1,000 snaps in four straight years. However, the team also suffered losses in their safety position with the departures of Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell, leaving them with relatively inexperienced players at the top of the depth chart.

4. Buffalo Bills

Biggest gain: RB Damien Harris

Biggest loss: LB Tremaine Edmunds

Summary: The loss of Tremaine Edmunds is a significant blow to the defense, but the Bills were able to retain safety Jordan Poyer and linebacker Matt Milano to provide stability. Poyer has been durable and reliable, logging around 1,000 snaps in five consecutive seasons. Additionally, the team bolstered their offensive line by signing tackle Connor McGovern, who performed well as a pass-blocker for the Cowboys in 2022 with a 76.6 PFF pass-blocking grade and only allowing 23 pressures.

3. San Fransisco 49ers

Biggest gain/Most significant addition: QB Sam Darnold

Biggest loss: QB Jimmy Garoppolo

Summary: The 49ers’ biggest question mark is their starting quarterback for the upcoming season. While they lost several players on defense, including CB Emmanuel Moseley and DI Hassan Ridgeway, the signing of star DI Javon Hargrave will help offset the impact of those losses. Hargrave has consistently earned high pass-rush grades and had a double-digit sack season in 2022, making him a valuable addition to the team.

2. Philadelphia Eagles

Biggest gain: HB Rashaad Penny

Biggest loss: LB T.J. Edwards

Summary: The Eagles’ free-agency moves resulted in a lot of dead cap space—tthe second-most in the league, to be exact. While replacing running back Miles Sanders with Rashaad Penny is not exactly a like-for-like swap, Penny is a good fit for Philadelphia and appears set to feast on early downhills as a strong downhill runner. Among running backs with at least 100 carries from 2021 to 2022, Penny’s 6.2 yards per carry and 4.4 yards after contact per attempt both lead the NFL, and his 0.23 missed tackles forced per carry ranks 11th. The loss of safety Marcus Epps absence will be felt in terms of run defense, but they have a solid safety group to make up for it.

1. Kansas City Chiefs

Biggest gain: DE Charles Omenihu

Biggest losses: S Juan Thornhill, WR JuJu Smith-Schuster

Summary: The first team on this list is the only team listed with multiples significant losses. Ironic, right? The Chiefs released Frank Clark and lost both starting offensive tackles in Orlando Brown Jr. and Andrew Wylie. However, their signings of tackle Jawaan Taylor and ED Charles Omenihu mitigate those losses. Taylor has become one of the better pass protectors on the right side across the NFL, ranking in the top 15 in pass-blocking grade (76.7) and pressure rate allowed (5.2%) among tackles on true pass sets in 2022.

Stay tuned for more “OutOfSight” NFL offseason updates and analysis as teams prepare for the draft and make strategic roster moves. It’s an exciting time in the NFL! Thank You for reading and make sure to follow us on Twitter (@OOSSports), IG (@outofsightsports), YouTube: Team OOS, and Substack! (OutOfSightSports)

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When Lebron became THE KING

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By: OutOfSightSports

4/3/23

When Lebron became THE KING

LeBron James put on a legendary performance in Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Detroit Pistons. The Cleveland Cavaliers were heavy underdogs in the series and needed a win to stay alive.

LeBron rose to the challenge and carried his team on his back. He scored 29 of Cleveland’s final 30 points, including the team’s last 25 points in the fourth quarter and both overtimes. LeBron hit jump shots, three-pointers, and drove to the basket for layups, showing off his incredible scoring ability from all areas of the court.

LeBron’s iconic G5 layup in 200

The game was tied at 107-107 with just seconds remaining in the second overtime. LeBron took the ball and drove to the basket, finishing with a layup over two defenders to give the Cavaliers a 109-107 lead with 2.2 seconds left. Detroit had one last chance to tie or win the game, but missed a desperation shot as time expired, giving Cleveland the win.

LeBron finished with a career-high 48 points at the time, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists in the game. His scoring outburst was one of the greatest performances in NBA playoff history, and it was clear that he was destined for greatness in the league.

In Game 6, James scored 20 points and had 14 rebounds to lead the Cavaliers to a 98-82 victory, securing their spot in the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs proved to be too much for the Cavaliers in the Finals, sweeping them in four games, but James’ performance in the Eastern Conference Finals remains one of the greatest in NBA history.

Is Gonzaga’s Championship Window Closed for the Foreseeable Future?

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By: OOSSports

3/26/23

Is Gonzaga’s Championship Window Closed for the Foreseeable Future?

Gonzaga has been the best program in college hoops over the previous seven seasons, with its record being a remarkable 223–24 since the start of the 2016–17 season. Yet once again, the Bulldogs have lost out on the ultimate reward in the NCAA tournament, as they were stomped Saturday by 28 points against UConn to finish the career of standout big man Drew Timme and leave the program still without a national championship. The Huskies, victorious by double digits in their prior three NCAA tournament games, dominated Gonzaga Saturday, leading by as many as 33 and only trailing for less than a minute of the 40-minute encounter.

The Bulldogs were competitive early on, but they were unable to survive the early second-half blitz that has been UConn’s identity throughout this tournament. In the first five minutes of the second half of their last four games, the Huskies have outscored their opponents by 37 points. On Saturday, they increased a seven-point halftime lead to a 19-point halftime lead. Timme’s fourth foul, a controversial whistle on a rebound with 17:39 remaining and the Huskies trying to pull away, was the key moment of that run. With Timme sidelined, the game soon faded away, along with another opportunity for the Zags to finally capture their first NCAA Men’s Basketball Title in program history.

Timme’s illustrious career ended with little over two minutes on the clock, as Few substituted him out for the last time. The relationship between the coach and his star frequently resembled a complex, yet special one that led to A LOT of winning.  Several teammates have  jokingly called Timme the team’s “Union Rep” for the past two years, making fun of Timme’s attempts to reduce practice or loosen up on exercises, but this is an improvement over his rookie nickname, which was simply just, “Dumbass”. Timme embraced each player and staff member as he made his way down the bench. Once the buzzer sounded, Timme gathered his fellow teammates for some final goodbyes, before dispatching them down the tunnel. What did Timme say?

“[I] just told them we had a hell of a year. I was proud of them. I loved them. Wouldn’t want to do this journey with anyone else,”

Timme’s absence of a national championship should not diminish his status as one of March’s greatest players. His 10 NCAA tournament games with 20 or more points represent the most ever, including Thursday’s heroic 36-point explosion against UCLA. He accomplished this despite the absence of the NCAA tournament during his first year due to Covid. Timme shattered the record books in Spokane and nationally in the standard four years and is not utilizing his fifth. In an era where records are broken due to players using their additional year of eligibility, Timme rewrote the record books in Spokane and nationally in the traditional four years.

“I think he’s one of the greatest college players in this modern era,” Few said. “It was a hell of a good time walking out on the practice floor with him every time or hopping on a jet. And I’m sure going to have a lot of good times moving forward… It was a hell of a good time walking out on the practice floor with him every time or hopping on a jet. And I’m sure going to have a lot of good times moving forward.”

Timme also leaves behind a reputation as one of the greatest personalities college hoops has seen in a long time, as seen by his much-publicized mustache and consistently hilarious quips. College basketball needs players like Timme: identifiable figures that remain for four years, have a measurable influence on their program, and have a personality that fans may either love or despise. Even without a title, Gonzaga, famed for letting its players be stars, and Timme were a perfect match.

“The place took me for who I was. They didn’t ask me to be anybody but myself,” Timme told the media. “I’m forever in debt for Gonzaga, just the love I have for just everyone that helped me and made this journey so special and so fun. I just don’t think I could ever repay that.”

The conclusion of Timme’s career raises the question: Has Gonzaga’s chance at winning the national championship shut for the foreseeable future?The talent disparity was clear in this game, as it has been in other contests against top teams this season as well. While the Zags will probably make a transfer portal splash or two, its roster next year doesn’t appear exceptional on paper. With former top recruiter Tommy Lloyd now the head coach at Arizona and NIL’s influence on recruiting only growing, it is unlikely the Bulldogs will produce another Chet Holmgren or Jalen Suggs. It also may never have another Timme, the program’s all-time leading scorer and a clutch NCAA tournament player.

This is not to argue that Gonzaga will not produce consistently strong teams; as long as Few coaches in Spokane, the Bulldogs will continue to be a consistent force. He ranks among the sport’s top coaches as Gonzaga has been one of the nation’s best at player development, and the brand is strong enough at this time to continue luring in more talent. Even so, the highly prized national championship? If it didn’t happen after reaching the championship game in 2017 or ’21, in ’22 with Holmgren, Timme, and an excellent point guard in Andrew Nembhard, and with a senior Timme in a blown-out bracket, will it ever happen?

This era should not be viewed as a failure. Certainly, Gonzaga fell short of its ultimate objective of bringing a championship to Spokane’s small school. This is the cruelty of this one-and-done competition: According to KenPom’s criteria, Gonzaga had the best or second-best team in the country for five of the last seven years and ended in the top 10 in each of those seven seasons, yet the Zags did not win a national championship during that span. Occasionally, they were the victims of bad luck, like in the 2017 championship game versus North Carolina. Sometimes they were just outclassed, like as against Baylor in ’21 and UConn on Saturday.

Gonzaga has achieved all but winning the championship. sFollowing several years as serious contenders with no breakout, it is hard to imagine that the championship will ever won any time soon.  On Saturday, the door may have shut not just on Timme’s career, but also on a phenomenal run of success that will long be tied with failure by many.

Potential 12 vs 5 Seed Upset: March Madness 2023

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3/15/23

By: OutOfSightSports

Potential 12 vs 5 Seed Upset: March Madness 2023

You can feel them approaching. Every year, there are upsets. They’re indeed the reason this event is called March Madness.

It’s impossible to predict which ones will materialize. As any fan knows , it can be challenging at time to predict a winner, especially in a win-or-go-home scenario. Nevertheless, some are more likely to happen than others.

To begin, this marks a comeback to the Big Dance for the Rams, who were forced to withdraw from the 2021 tournament after to several positive COVID tests. VCU is also accustomed to tournament success, having advanced from the First Four to the Final Four in 2011.

Most importantly, the Rams are a tough match for Saint Mary’s. VCU, which is led by Adrian “Ace” Baldwin and Jalen DeLoach, is the type of high-tempo, high-pressure group that may force the slower paced, cautious Gaels out of their comfort zone.

Saint Mary’s is worthy of its top seed, as it was a year ago, but this draw means difficulties if the Gaels can’t match the Rams’ athleticism and are obligated to play outside of their comfort zone. This will be one of the best watches and matchups of the tournament.

Thank you for checking out our article, and best of luck to all of my self-proclaimed bracketologists! Make sure to check us out on social media @OOSSports for the most most “OutOfSight” highlights, plays, stories, memes, updates & more in the sports world!

LA Rams Release Leonard Floyd and Seven Others

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By: OutOfSightSports

3/10/23

Leonard Floyd, the Rams’ outside linebacker, has been released. 

Floyd and seven others were cut by LA on Friday, according to statements released by the organization.

TE Roger Carter, DB T.J. Carter, WR J.J. Koski, TE Jared Pinkney,WR Jaquarii Roberson, WR Jerreth Sterns, and DE Brayden Thomas were cut as well.

Floyd, 30, was in Los Angeles for three seasons. In 50 games, he recorded 29 sacks, logged 59 quarterback hits, and 184 tackles. In each of those three seasons, he produced at least nine sacks, including a career-high 10.5 in his debut season with the Rams in 2020.

He started all 17 games in 2022 and had a team-high nine sacks and 59 total tackles. Floyd recorded 9.5 sacks, 70 total tackles, and an interception in 17 games for the Rams in 2021, en route to winning Super Bowl LVI.

Whether or not the Rams are using Floyd’s post-June 1 designation remains a mystery. If they don’t, they will incur a $19 million cap hit in dead money while only saving $3 million on the cap.

For the Rams, a dead cap charge of $6.5 million in 2023 would be offset by a $15.5 million savings in cap space if the designation were made after June 1.

Stephen A. Smith to Tee Morant: ‘You’re Not One of His Boys, You’re His Dad’

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By: OutOfSightSports

3/8/23

Stephen A. Smith to Tee Morant: ‘You’re Not One of His Boys, You’re His Dad’

Ja Morant has reached a bit of a crossroads due to a near-impressively lengthy string of deplorable actions. He can assess the situation and determine that he would rather be the face of the NBA than throw it away. However, we could revisit this after a couple of years and ponder what could have been. Let’s hope that is not the case.

Now, Morant is not with the Memphis Grizzlies and there is no schedule for his return.

This sort of material might be a challenge for sports debate programs thought, as we saw Skip Bayless, of all people, bring up the Crips.  Stephen A. Smith took a different approach, equating Morant’s predicament to Allen Iverson’s early years.

Then he offered Ja’s father, Tee Morant, some parenting advice:

“Now in the case of pops, only thing, I’m not throwing any shade on somebody’s parent or anything like that,” Smith said. “I’m simply trying to highlight and illuminate to Tee Morant the importance of him being a dad. You raised him. You helped get him to this point. Make sure that you don’t let anybody get in the way of what he is on the verge of accomplishing. Make sure you do your part to protect him instead of joining in to have a good time like you one of his boys. You’re not one of his boys. You’re his dad.”

The world is at Ja Morant’s fingertips, and he must choose between doing the right thing or jeopardizing what looks to be like a hall-of-fame career when its all said and done.

Nike Issues a Statement Concerning Grizzlies Star Ja Morant

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By: OutOfSightSports

3/7/22

Nike Issues a Statement Concerning Grizzlies Star Ja Morant

After the Grizzlies’ game against the Denver Nuggets Friday night, Grizzlies superstar guard Ja Morant posted an Instagram live video of himself at what seemed to be a strip club early on Saturday morning.

Ja Morant above

During this video, Morant was seen brandishing a firearm at the camera, sparking the league to investigate him and the Grizzlies to also act quickly.

Nike issued a statement regarding Ja Morant’s present situation following the Memphis Grizzlies’ news that he’ll be missing the team’s next two games minimum,

“We appreciate Ja’s accountability and that he is taking the time to get the help he needs. We support his prioritization of his well-being,”

according to reports from highly respected NBA Insider, Shams Charania.

Now, it does not appear that Morant will be dropped from Nike’s roster, but this incident with him carrying a pistol in the club might pose unforeseen situations between the two parties in the future.

Morant also made a statement via his agency, Tandem Sports & Entertainment, on Saturday. It stated,

The incident that got Morant in trouble ^

Ja Morant stated in his statement that he will “take some time apart” following his two-game “suspension” from the organization. It remains to be uncertain when Morant will return to the hardwood. If these last couple of days didn’t wake up Morant, this situation has the potential to turn real ugly.

The Grizzlies are suddenly extremely short-handed after Brandon Clarke tore his left Achilles tendon on Friday night and Dillon Brooks received his 16th technical foul of the season, which culminates in a one-game suspension from the NBA.

As of today, the Grizzlies sit only half a game above Sacramento for the #2 seed in the West with a record of 38-25.

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Grizzlies Vet Preached Discipline Before Morant Incident

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By: OOSSports

3/7/23

Grizzlies Vet Preached Discipline Before Morant Incident

Following the Saturday morning Instagram Live that appeared to show Grizzlies player Ja Morant brandishing a pistol in a nightclub, the NBA and Colorado police have opened investigations into the matter, and the organization has confirmed that the 23-year-old will miss time.

Ja Morant is expected to miss significant time with a knee injury - Home - A to Z Sports

Since, sources report that Memphis sought to right the ship ahead of Morant’s most latest issue. This included a players-only meeting, in which highly respected veteran Steven Adams spoke out.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania stated yesterday in a video the following information on the situation:

“I’m told there was a players-only meeting recently,” Charania said. “Steven Adams, their veteran center, he spoke out about how the team needs to show better discipline on the road and how they need to avoid going out on the road.”

Steven Adams Tried to Warn Ja Morant in Players Only Meeting About His Actions on The Road But Ja Didn't Listen – BlackSportsOnline

Shams also reported that everyone in the room understood that the remark was intended for Morant, who has been a teammate of Adams’ since the Grizzlies acquired him from the Pelicans in August 2021. Adams is not just some grizzled veteran either, Lebron James, Paul George and Giannis Antetokounmpo have all suggested he’s possibly the strongest player in the NBA right now.

Charania noted that Memphis is an astounding 26–5 at home, but a sour 12–20 on the road this season. With that being said, if they want a chance of hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy soon, they are going to have to start taking care of business on the road.

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KD speaks on Relationship with Kyrie after the Suns and Mavericks Trades

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Kevin Durant Discusses Kyrie Irving, Trade Request | Complex

By: OutOfSightSports

3/1/23

KD speaks on Relationship with Kyrie after the Suns and Mavericks Trades

When Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving signed with the Nets in June 2019, the two players had high hopes of winning several NBA titles together with their new team.

When you factor in that Brooklyn was able to get James Harden for the 2020-21 season, the team’s chances of winning the NBA title were genuine, albeit not necessarily obvious. Instead, the three only played 17 games together as a unit due to a combination of on-court and off-court difficulties. Just 74 games were played by Durant, Irving, and the Nets while they were all on the same team.

Now that Irving is settling in with the Mavericks organization and Kevin Durant is waiting to make his debut with the Suns, the two-time defending NBA champion has stated that he is not upset by Irving’s choice to ask the Nets to move him.

Durant stated on the podcast The ETCs with Kevin Durant that he and Irving are “separate entities” and that they must do what is best for their respective professions. But, Durant, who is 34 years old, wished they had completed the current NBA season together.

“We all move and do the things that we wanna do for our careers,” Durant said. “I can’t fault somebody for doing that even though it might have been at our expense as a team. … I don’t wanna act like I wasn’t upset that we didn’t finish the season, because I love playing with [Irving]. I wanted to see where we can go with that because we were both playing at a high level.

“What [Irving] was doing behind the scenes, what his contract negotiations was, I don’t want to even think about none of that stuff. Whatever he is doing, that’s him. … We haven’t had a conversation, but eventually we will.”

Durant is scheduled to make his Suns debut against Charlotte later tonight, according to the franchise. The 13-time All-Star has not played since suffering an MCL sprain against the Heat on January 8.

This season, Durant has averaged 29.7 points per game in 39 appearances.

Nate Oats on Brandon Miller’s pregame ‘pat-down’ vs Arkansas: ‘Not appropriate’

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By: @OOSSports

2/26/23

Nate Oats on Brandon Miller’s pregame ‘pat-down’: ‘Not appropriate’

Alabama men’s basketball coach Nate Oats, who has made an ass out of himself all week with his insensitive comments, finally did something half moral, saying that freshman forward Brandon Miller’s pregame introduction routine of being touched down by a walk-on before proceeding to mid court was ‘not appropriate’ after taking down Arkansas by 3 at home yesterday.

“I don’t watch our introductions, I’m not involved with them, I’m drawing up plays during that time,” Oats stated postgame.

“Regardless, it’s not appropriate. It’s been addressed and I can assure you it definitely will not happen again for the remainder of this year.” he went on to say.

Miller, who has done the same pregame pat-down for each game this season, resumed the process after Tuscaloosa Detective Branden Culpepper testified Tuesday that Miller brought now-former teammate Darius Miles’ gun to him the night of the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Jamea Jonae Harris, after Miles texted and urged him to do so.

Culpepper’s evidence was given during a preliminary hearing for Miles and Michael Lynn Davis, who are charged with capital murder for the death of Harris. Miles and Michael Lynn Davis are accused of killing Harris. According to the investigators, Miles acknowledged to delivering the pistol that was used in the shooting that resulted in a fatality, but Davis was the one who fired the firearm. Miles has subsequently been removed from the Crimson Tide program.

Miller has not been accused of committing a crime, and the Chief Deputy District Attorney in Tuscaloosa, Paula Whitley, stated on Tuesday that there is “nothing we could prosecute [Miller] with.” Oats and the investigators have reported that Miller has been cooperative with the police.

When Alabama’s sports information director advised the media to ask questions just concerning the Alabama-Arkansas game, Oats did react to the one non game question that was asked of him. The question was regarding whether or not he had reached out to the family of Harris at any point in time.

“Listen, to address it a little bit,” Oats said. “I apologize for my previous comments this week. We understand the severity of it all, but I’m following the administration’s lead on everything here, so we’re going to talk about the game is what they would like for me to talk about.”

On Saturday, Miller had a team-high 24 points and six rebounds and was applauded everytime he did something for the Crimson Tide. This is in stark contrast to Miller’s treatment on the road against South Carolina on Wednesday night.

Miller’s week was brought up later in Oats’ postgame news conference during a question regarding the game,

“He’s one of the most mentally, if not the most mentally tough kid I’ve ever coached in my life and I’ve been coaching for a while,” Oats said. “While he completely understands the situation’s tragic and he takes it very seriously and he’s been cooperating the whole time, he’s also done a great job being able to focus on practices, games and just getting this laser focus where he’s dialed in to where his feet are at.”

Three Potential Second-Year NFL Breakout Players

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By: @OOSSports

2/25/23

Three Potential Second-Year NFL Breakout Players

This past season saw a number of impressive displays from members of the 2022 NFL rookie class; however, it may take a few players a little longer to get familiarized with the speed of the game in the NFL. With that being said, I believe these three second-year guys will break out in 2023.

WR Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions:

The Lions were careful with Williams throughout his rookie season because he was dealing with an ACL injury he tore in the national championship game his final year at Alabama. Despite playing a diminished role, he was still capable of displaying his potential, building excitement for what will likely be his first complete NFL season in 2023.

CB Marcus Jones, New England Patriots

The movement skills which Jones possesses give the DB the tools necessary to mirror anyone in coverage, giving him the ability to lock down opposing receivers, even if they’re positioned in the slot. As a rookie, he gave up only an 83.7 passer rating. Jones has a bright future with the Patriots.

TE Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys

Dalton Schultz is an upcoming free agent who Dallas may opt to let go in order to cut expenses. Ferguson may make the Cowboys feel better about their decision. Ferguson showed off his talent in limited play, catching 20 of the 23 receptions thrown his way for 208 yards and two touchdowns. He played 480 snaps in all, largely as a run blocker, but his effort as a receiver was remarkable. The Cowboys might easily project that into a very successful season in 2023.

76ers Star James Harden Helps Paralyzed Michigan State Shooting Victim

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2/23/23

By: @OOSSports

76ers Star James Harden Helps Paralyzed Michigan State Shooting Victim.

After hearing that one of his biggest followers had been paralyzed in the terrible shooting at Michigan State a few weeks ago, Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden acted swiftly to show his support.

John Hao, one of the people shot at Michigan State who was also left paralyzed from the waist down, is still in a Michigan hospital where he is healing.

Harden FaceTimed Hao and sent the 20-year-old student a variety of different pairs of sneakers, including some worn in a game, in an effort to inspire and “brighten John’s day, even if it was just for one minute.”

“Everything will work itself out, be strong,” Harden said to Hao. “You’re alright. You’ll be alright. I promise you are … I love when you’re smiling, alright? I’m with you. I know it’s tough right now but you have to stay physically strong, you know what I mean? You gotta just think positive things and keep pushing and keep fighting.”

Three students were killed and five others were critically injured, including Hao, when a single shooter allegedly opened fire at two locations on Michigan State’s campus earlier this month. Later that same evening, the alleged shooter committed suicide. It happened to be the 67th mass shooting in the United States this year alone; which lead MSU leadership to cancel classes in wake of this tragedy.

Tom Izzo, the head basketball coach at Michigan State almost three decades, spoke at a candlelight vigil a few days later. Izzo, who has been with the program for 28 years now, recently watched his daughter receive her degree. His son Steven, a basketball walk-on, was on campus the night of the massacre.

Visibly upset and in distraught, Izzo told the crowd,

“Steven was at one of the buildings two nights ago about 10 minutes after things happened,” Izzo said. “So sometimes we don’t understand because we haven’t been through it. That little moment brought me a little closer to understanding … Our hearts are heavy. Our loss has been great. Our lives have been permanently changed. With a shared commitment to help each other and a promise to remember those we have lost, we will find joy again.”

At the vigil, Izzo also called for gun regulation, as have many other athletes in recent years.

“I think everybody spoke that something has to be done in our society,” Izzo stated. “Gun violence is insane right now. We all have a platform. Some are small, some are high. But we all have a platform. I hope each and every one of you use your platform to help others so other families don’t have to go through what these families are going through right now.”

Even though Hao was left crippled and still has a long way to go before he can fully recover, the gesture that Harden made was very much appreciated by him and his family, during what has otherwise been an extremely challenging time for them and their community.

OutOfSightSports NBA Draft 2023 Player Profile: Anthony Black

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By: @OOSSports

1/28/23

OutOfSightSports NBA Draft 2023 Player Profile: Anthony Black

This year before the 2023 NBA draft, we are going to publish 60 articles on who we believe are the top 60 players headed into the upcoming draft before. With this being said, this list is in no order so do not be up in my DMs complaining. The rankings will come at the conclusion of the 60 player list. Anyways, lets dive into our first prospect of the OutOfSight NBA Draft 23 player profiles! We will start with the versatile Razorback freshman, Anthony Black.

Physicals

Height: 6-7

Weight: 190

School/Class/DOB

College: Arkansas

Classification: Freshman (T)

Birthdate: 1/20/2004

Draft Prediction: Lottery Pick

Pros

Given his frame and physicals, he is is a relatively good scorer off the dribble.

Black gets after it and hustles like a dawg, a trait every NBA front office looks for in a potential draft pick.

Has a fantastic ability to get to the line, especially when he plays to his strengths.

He is a better than average passer for a freshman

Black overachieves at his size on the boards, thanks to his hustle and toughness.

Legit all around defender that can defend the perimeter and create takeaways. Black also possesses the ability to defend the paint and swat away shots.

Good athlete for a college player, but a GREAT one for a true freshman.

Has the ability to play multiple positions due to his versatility.

Cons

He needs to work on his shooting.

He needs to expand his shooting range.

Can have chaotic shot selection. Sometimes appears careless on offense, leading to turnovers. This creation can lead to a selfishness that some people criticize him for.

Seems to have a tough time defending faster players.

Player Profile Summary:

Anthony Black is a quick, skilled point forward who can run the offense and make hustle plays on both ends of the court. He’ll need to work on his shooting and scoring, but he’s a tall playmaker who could and should be a lottery pick in 2023, even with Arkansas being disappointing like they to this point of the season.

Does TCU stand a chance against UGA? │CFB Title Game Preview 2023

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1/4/22

By: @OOSSports

Does TCU stand a chance against UGA? │CFB Title Game Preview 2023

Ask anyone who knows me; I tell it like it is. If a player lets UGA down, I’m going to bring it up. Accountability is key to building the championship standard the Dawgs are trying to create at Georgia. 

If you truly enjoy winning, whether it’s one championship or three, they’re all equal to me. I don’t know, but I would assume it got sweeter for Mike and Kobe with each passing parade. The Dawgs are looking to bring a title back to Athens for a second straight year, while TCU has a chance to make history and shock the world. In such an unlikely yet intriguing championship game, we must consider what each team must do if they want to be remembered in CFB lore forever.

After two highly contested and chaotic College Football Playoff national semifinal games on Saturday, the matchup has been determined: the reigning champs and unbeaten Dawgs will face the Cinderella TCU Horned Frogs.

The No. 1 Bulldogs (14-0) and No. 3 Horned Frogs (13-1) will battle on January 9 at SoFi Stadium in Southern California. Here is an early look at the matchup between the undefeated Bulldogs and 13-1 Frogs.

KEY MATCHUP:

TCU’s wide receiver Quentin Johnston and QB Max Duggan vs Georgia’s secondary:

In the Fiesta Bowl, Johnston caught six passes for 163 yards and one touchdown against Michigan’s impressive defensive secondary. Johnston, a junior from Temple, Texas, has caught 65 passes for more than 1,100 yards and seven touchdowns on the year. He has had a great season so far. Duggan and his go-to receiver have shown that they can win no matter who their opponent is or how good they are. They are a Cinderella team, but they really aren’t after what I saw from everyone on Saturday. These Frogs certainly are not to be taken lightly, and UGA is highly mistaken if they think TCU got this far to lay down and die. They will come out swinging; they don’t care who you are. This isn’t free money if you plan on betting.

Unfortunately for my Dawgs, they have us right where they want us if they want ANY chance:

Georgia’s secondary is coming off two of its worst performances of the season, surrendering 502 passing yards to LSU in the SEC title game and 348 passing yards to Ohio State in the Peach Bowl. In those games, opponent quarterbacks completed 54 of 86 passes (63%), threw two interceptions, and scored seven touchdowns against Kirby Smart’s team. He is also very aware that this pattern must stop against TCU. UGA will have to mix it up, throw a multitude of different defensive packages, fire zones, and much more to get to Duggan before he makes his reads in time. Jalen Carter got locked up last week, and Ringo looked clueless last weekend. Both definitely lost some NFL stock to me…

The X-Factor:

Tight ends are rarely game changers in big games, but that will be the case in the championship game.

Darnell Washington, a 6-foot-7, 270-pound mammoth of a man for Georgia, left Saturday’s semifinal game with an injured left ankle and did not come back. He was observed entering the locker area with the assistance of two staff members. Smart told reporters later that he didn’t know what was wrong, but that some people thought it was an ankle sprain.

“We’ll have to evaluate and see,” said Smart. “The good news is he’s got more than a normal week [in between games]. I know he’ll do everything he can to get back. He’s headed out west toward where he’s from [he was born in Las Vegas]. It will be important to him to try to get back.”

Washington is a terrific blocker and receiver at the tight end position. This season, he has 25 receptions for 403 yards. Washington and No. 1 tight end Brock Bowers offer Georgia one of the best 1-2 punch combinations at the position. The primary edge Georgia has over TCU is on the lines of scrimmage. Washington is a core part of this. If he is unable to play against TCU, Georgia’s power rushing game and red-zone passing will suffer, but I think UGA will have another player step up if he does not play.

What the Bulldogs need to do to repeat:

The Bulldogs were quite harsh in their assessment of their performance vs Ohio State. Their defense was sliced and diced for the most of the game, quarterback Stetson Bennett IV admitted to playing “about 30 minutes of bad football,” and Georgia missed two field goals. Therefore, this squad will not enter the championship game with a feeling of being superior and disregard TCU. Even with a 14-0 record, the Bulldogs fully understand the importance of what it will take after practically being dead in the water against OSU Saturday.

“If we want any chance of winning a national title, we have to play a lot better,” HC Kirby Smart stated in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Georgia needs to do a much better job of covering receivers and hurrying the quarterback this week. Ohio State’s wide receivers bullied Georgia’s secondary, and quarterback C.J. Stroud had much too much time to read coverage and space to scramble. TCU’s Duggan is a faster runner than Stroud, therefore Georgia will have to keep him in line.

Georgia will likely want to improve its offensive run-pass balance from what it had against Ohio State. The Bulldogs only ran the ball 26 times, which is their fewest since their season-opening game against Oregon. Additionally, offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s approach heavily relies on play-action passing. There is less to fool defenders when there is less of a running-attack. Championship offenses must be multidimensional. 

With that being said, Georgia can pass and run, and on a crucial Peach Bowl night, the strength of its receiving unit was on exhibit. Bennett has a wide range of options for how to move the ball with Adonai Mitchell playing at full strength and Arian Smith showcasing his lightning speed. There are plenty of plays that can be made against the TCU defense, as Michigan and some other opponents have illustrated.

What the Frogs need to do to make HISTORY:

In last year’s SEC title game defeat and Saturday’s close call in the Peach Bowl, Georgia appeared vulnerable to having to face a truly exceptional wide receiver. Quentin Johnston has this power to help the Horned Frogs make plays, and they are not afraid to use it. Garrett Riley, the offensive coordinator, came up with the screen pass plays that led to the touchdown against Michigan on Saturday. Riley is a master at coming up with creative ways to get the ball ton Johnston. Johnston will likely need a game-changing effort to win the game.

But if the championship game becomes a track meet, it will be difficult to play a one-dimensional game against Georgia. Consequently, TCU will also need better output from its running game, regardless of which running back starts (Kendre Miller or Emari Demercado). This is easier said than done against a Georgia defensive front headed by defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who is due for a massive game.

The Horned Frogs’ defense was strong against Michigan’s run game, but it still allowed over 40 points while playing complementary football with two interceptions of their own. The defense may have to stand up without receiving gifts like it did from Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, but it is unknown how it will hold up because it is tough to predict which version of the Georgia offense we will watch. If Georgia has Washington, TCU will need to really, really step up like they did vs. Michigan.

My Conclusion: I’m rolling with the Dawgs in what I expect to be a really intense, competitive, and hard-hitting game.

Sacramento Kings star De’Aaron Fox said this about Joel Embiid

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By: OutOfSightSports

1/3/22

Sacramento Kings star De’Aaron Fox said this about Joel Embiid

Last season, the Sacramento Kings traded one of its young and promising talents, Tyrese Haliburton, to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Domantas Sabonis, a seasoned All-Star.

While the move drew a lot of attention for the Kings since Haliburton prospered right away in Indiana, and Sabonis didn’t take the Kings above and beyond, the transaction is starting to look much better for Sacramento through the 2022-2023 NBA season.

According to EuroHoops.net, Sacramento star guard De’Aaron Fox believes Sabonis is a top-three big guy in the league as well.

So, in Fox’s opinion, who is Sabonis up there with?

Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets and Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers.

“For me, it’s (Nikola) Jokic, (Joel) Embiid, and (Sabonis). Those are the top three centers in the league.“

Jokic is without a doubt one of the top centers in the league. The Nuggets’ star has been named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for the past two seasons.

It’s difficult to argue against Embiid being in the same conversation yet, given that he lost to Jokic both times despite being named the league’s MVP runner-up. I honestly would flip a coin and take either though. Both unreal talents. Anyways, Embiid was able to establish himself last year as the NBA’s scoring champion, elevating his offensive game to a level not seen at the center position since the legendary Shaquille O’Neal.

Fox joins a lengthy line of NBA players who see Embiid as one of the game’s most dominant big men. There isn’t much to argue about as the Sixers star continues to rack up All-Star appearances while being in the running for seasonal accolades and All-NBA selection.

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Dawgs Look To Repeat After Overcoming Buckeyes in Semifinal Thriller

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By: OutOfSightSports

1/1/22

Dawgs Look To Repeat After Overcoming Buckeyes in Semifinal Thriller

ATLANTA– Since at least 1941, when it was credited to Illinois coach Bob Zuppke, the phrase “game of inches” has been synonymous with college football. That proverb was more applicable than ever on the last night of 2022, more than eight decades later.

Seconds. Inches. The dividing line between success and loss. Enough of those razor-thin time and distance margins went Georgia’s way, as the reigning national champion Bulldogs defeated Ohio State, 42-41, in an all-time classic Peach Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal.


An absolute rollercoaster game full of all kinds of emotion, Coach Smart had this to say about the Buckeyes following the Dawgs Peach Bowl win.

“My heart goes out to those guys,” Smart said of Ohio State. “They played well enough to win. We played well enough to win, too. Just well enough.”

Staying true to his name, Kirby made one of the smartest calls in his career. Smart called a vital timeout in the fourth quarter just in time to prevent an Ohio State fake punt on fourth-and-1, which would have been successful if the ball had been snapped in time. Smart said that he saw the Buckeyes weren’t lined up in their usual punt formation, so he called a timeout without help from his coaches on the headset. What some people may not realize is the head coach’s headset has three channels he can shift between: offense, defense, and special teams. Coming off an enormous defensive stop, Smart was tuned into the defensive channel.

Coach Smart prior to his brilliant timeout

“They were saying something on the special teams line, but I wasn’t on that line,” Smart stated. Ultimately, he most definitely lived up to his last name with that type of awareness.

Tight end Brock Bowers was just athletic enough to get his body off the ground and stretch out for a huge first down. The Mackey Award winner was initially ruled short, before a replay review conceded the officials missed the call.

“Brock was pretty dumbfounded,” UGA QB Stetson Bennett IV said. 

UGA had to settle for a field goal three plays later, but it turned out to make all the difference in the outcome.

Javon Bullard’s hard hit on Marvin Harrison Jr., which was initially ruled targeting before being overturned, was just legal enough to prevent a touchdown and knocked the superstar wide receiver out for the rest of the game. This hit prevented Ohio State from gaining a three-score lead at the end of the third.

If any of those three plays go the other way, the Buckeyes would have almost certainly pulled off the upset and faced TCU for the national championship next week. Georgia, on the other hand, was ultimately better by inches, if not centimeters.

Bennett, who stamped his name into school history last year with a rally to stun Alabama to capture the school’s first national title in over four decades, was just good enough to expunge numerous earlier mistakes and lead another spectacular fourth-quarter playoff comeback. Bennett’s mistakes contributed to his team being down, but he never was. He showed once again he cannot be counted out.

Stetson had this to say as well, “I felt like there was a 30-minute period where I just played bad football,” And he’s right; he was struggling. With that being said, I believe anyone who is skeptical about Stetson’s clutch gene now has an answer. This man consistently delivers and has Georgia on the edge of becoming a dynasty; no quarterback in school history has had even the slightest level of success as him at the position. You may argue that Belue has, but he threw a mediocre 11 touchdowns and 9 interceptions in the 1980 run. Not close.

“Freaking, I threw a lateral,” Bennett said this during the postgame news conference, while Smart closed his eyes for a few seconds, bitterly remembering that horrible moment. “Dumb” he said.

But once again, the undersized former walk-on, who is one of sports greatest Cinderella stories, rose to the occasion under enormous pressure and delivered. This game, like many others, was a microcosm of his career—he found a way just when Georgia fans were ready to give up on him, just when the whole public was writing him off.

“It kind of frees you up,” Bennett said after stepping up AGAIN, “You’ve got to. Otherwise, we’re going to lose.” Talk about a winner.

Bennett led three straight scoring drives to bring the game out of inferno in the fourth quarter, in which UGA went into trailing 38-24. Bennett completed 12-of-14 throws for 207 yards and two touchdowns in what very well could have been the final three possessions of his six-year collegiate career. This is the the stuff of legends, elevating him to the mountaintop of UGA quarterbacks in my opinion. You might prefer stats, and I understand. I’ll tell you this though, none of them have delivered like the mailman has.

Bennett completed five straight throws, exploiting the center of the field to get Georgia to the Ohio State 10-yard line before hitting Adonai Mitchell on an out route for the score. Last year, it was Bennett-to-Mitchell for the game-winning touchdown against Alabama.

Bennett summarized the last drive’s mindset:

“It’s in our hands now. Defense stood up whenever we needed them to. Where else would you rather be? Having the ball with two minutes left and if you score, you win the game. I looked around and there was just a whole bunchy of determined, strong stares from all the dudes.”

Except Georgia didn’t have the game won after scoring the last-minute, go-ahead touchdown. Bennett led the Bulldogs downfield so skillfully and just a little too fast that they left 54 seconds on the clock for Ohio State and the brilliant CJ Stroud.

Stroud drove the Buckeyes to the Georgia 31-yard line and did his job, where Ryan Day made a disastrous decision on a night when he coached a brilliant game. Instead of seeking to go closer to field-goal range for kicker Noah Ruggles, he ran the ball on first down. Ruggles was left with a 50-yard attempt, as he came into the game 0-for-4 from 50 yards or beyond. He’s now 0-for-5 after hooking the kick wide left and it wasn’t EVEN CLOSE. 

Kenny McIntosh, who rushed for 126 yards and scored a touchdown, saw the decisive kick from the spot where the ball was snapped on the sidelines. When the kick was wide-left, the RB said, “I dropped to my knees, right then and there. Then I ran on the field.”

Bennett was again driven to tears by the passion of the event while standing on the sidelines. Last year, after Kelee Ringo returned an interception for a touchdown, he broke down (just like I did, but in Athens). This time Bennett cried of joy again, before the Dawgs got into victory formation and ran the clock out.

That final play occurred at 12:01 a.m. on January 1, 2023. The man taking the knee is 25 years old and started college in 2017. His winding path to hero status included a transfer to a junior college, a return to Georgia, and numerous benchings as Smart sought a better quarterback. It turns out he’s always had a national champion on his team—and now perhaps a two-time champion.

Bennett fled the stage after being named the game’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player and was surrounded by well-wishers as he attempted to make his way off the field to the Georgia locker room. Finally, he grabbed an offensive lineman’s back and asked him to lead him to the locker room.

Bennett continued jogging after he was free, his left hand in the air saluting the Bulldogs faithful, able to revel in a moment that had nearly passed him by. Georgia had the inches and seconds on their side Saturday night, and the Dawgs needed them all.

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Free Early Rose Bowl Pick 01/02/2023 | PSU vs. Utah | 5:00 PM EST

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By: OutOfSightSports

1/1/22

Free Early Rose Bowl Pick 01/02/2023 | PSU vs. Utah | 5:00 PM EST

What a bowl season and CFB playoff we have gotten so far this year, and the last day of the 2022 calendar year HAD to have been the best two semi-final matchups in CFB playoff history. As a Georgia fan, I thought my Dawgs were out for the count and still don’t know how the guys pulled it off. Also, there is absolutely nothing fraudulent in TCU. Anyways, let’s talk about who we are rolling with in this year’s Rose Bowl, everyone loves “The Granddaddy of Them All”

Analysis and key takeaways:

Elite Utah CB, Clark Phillips lll, has made the choice to miss out this year’s Rose Bowl in order to focus on training for the draft. However according to Football Outsiders, Penn State has a superior defensive line (ranked seventh as opposed to Utah at 58th), special teams (ranked twenty-three as opposed to sixty-fourth), and overall defense (ranked fifth as opposed to seventeenth). During the season, Utah had a record of 2-3 SU and 0-5 ATS when the line was 7 or less.

PSU S Ji’Ayir Brown

Penn State has a record of 8-1 SU and 6-2 ATS when playing on grass, while Utah has a record of just 3-2 SU and 3-2 ATS when playing on grass as well. Penn State has a sharper record against other bowl teams, especially on defense, and has played on a more difficult schedule this season. (ranked 10th compared to Utah at 21st). Take the underdog Nittany Lions.

THE PICK: PSU +1.5 (-110)

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Doncic Leads Mavs to Comeback W in Generational Performance

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“I’m tired as hell.”

In his initial, unfiltered thoughts, Mavericks star Luka Doncic reacted to one of the most extraordinary performances in NBA history and the most spectacular game of his young career.

It’s easy to see why. 

Simply taking in the magnitude of his contributions to Tuesday’s overtime win over the Knicks is exhausting.

He scored 60 points, more than Dirk Nowitzki’s previous franchise record of 53, and he hauled in a career-high 21 rebounds to drop the first 60-20 triple- double in NBA history. He also served out 10 assists to ultimately give him a total of 52 total triple doubles in his career already.

All of this was not for nothing though, as it resulted in the Mavericks coming back from a nine-point deficit in the final 26.8 seconds of regulation (more on that below) and then winning the game in  OT by a score of 126-121.

The highlight was at the conclusion of that comeback run, when Dallas desperately needed a basket and all of Doncic’s skill, experience, and a bit of luck came into play.

With 4.2 seconds left and the Mavericks down by three, Doncic went to the line. After making his first free throw, Doncic purposefully missed his second in the vain hope that a Mavs player would somehow corral it and force overtime.

Someone, it turned out, and that someone was Doncic, who… well, just watch,

Doncic, who finished with 21 points on 31 shots, scored seven of Dallas’ eleven points in overtime to help secure the comeback and put the finishing touches on his generational performance.

Along with Harden’s 60-point, 10-rebound, 11-assist performance for the Rockets in 2018, Luka became just the second player in NBA history to record a 60-point triple-double of any kind.

A 50-point triple-double is an INCREDIBLE accomplishment alone. Only Wilt Chamberlain (twice) and Elgin Baylor grabbed 20 boards in theirs, making them two of only six players to ever do so, according to ESPN’s Stats & Info.

Raiders @ Steelers Pick and Prediction | 12/24 | 8:15 PM EST

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By: OutOfSightSports

12/24/22 5:15 PM ET

Raiders @ Steelers Pick and Prediction | 12/24 | 8:15 PM EST

Derek Carr will try to reverse his terrible track record in freezing temperatures, which stands at 1-7 when the weather drops below 40 degrees and 0-4 when it’s below 32 degrees. Pittsburgh is great at stifling the run, therefore the game will be in his freezing hands.

Kenny Pickett is expected to contribute to Pittsburgh’s rushing attack in his comeback for this matchup. In three of their last four games, the Steelers’ rushing attack has topped 150 yards. Meanwhile, the Raiders’ rushing defense just got trampled by the Patriots. The Steelers are the better team due to their stronger coaching staff and home field advantage vs a team that obviously plays in a dome.

THE PICK: STEELERS -2.5 (-110)

Mavericks vs Rockets Value Pick 8:00 PM EST│ 12/23/22

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By: OOSSports

12/23/22│ 8:00 PM

Mavericks vs Rockets Value Pick 8:00 PM EST│ 12/23/22

The end of a four-game road trip for Dallas, which may be a team possibly looking ahead to a Christmas Day national tv showcase vs the Lakers. It’s quite easy to underestimate the young Rockets, whousually perform well against the Mavs, already being 1-0 this year against them.

Maxi Kleber, Dorian Finney-Smith, Josh Green, and Kemba Walker are all unavailable for the Mavs tonight, providing them with a thin squad. Speaking of Walker, the vet has been surprisingly effective since being picked up by the team as well. Frank Ntilikina is questionable too. Dallas has failed to cover the spread in eight consecutive games against teams with a losing record and is only 4-11 on the road (6-9 ATS).

THE PICK: HOUSTON ROCKETS -7 (-110)

6 Eye-Catching Prospects From the 2022 NBA G-League Winter Showcase

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12/22/22

By: @OOSSports

6 Eye-Catching Prospects From the 2022 NBA G-League Winter Showcase

The four-day NBA G League Winter Showcase concluded on Thursday, bringing together a vast array of team executives and front office personnel. Annually, the event acts as a proving ground for G League prospects, a testing ground for new rules (this year, the league experimented with a fourth-quarter, target-score rule), and a gathering place for teams to discuss trades as well as other business.

In the context of the 2023 draft, the major attraction at the Showcase was G League Ignite, who were without Scoot Henderson on Tuesday (he is nearing a recovery after a concussion and nose injury suffered in late November). The other notable draft-eligible player was NBA Academy Africa guard Thierry Serge Darlan, who had abundant opportunity to showcase himself to teams this week between two Academy scrimmages and games against prep school teams at the neighboring Tarkanian Classic.

Tuesday’s absence of Henderson was disappointing, but the game presented a helpful evaluation benchmark for the Ignite’s prospects. With that being said, here are my key observations from the past few days of watching the showcase.

Leonard Miller, F

Based on what we’ve seen thus far this season, Miller appears to have the strongest shot at being the next Ignite prospect drafted following Henderson. The concern is what range that actually ends up becoming, as the variety of outcomes for him remains quite wide. With some eye-catching box score lines, he’s been fairly effective while playing a lot of minutes early in the season. This is a good sign that he can produce at this level even though he doesn’t fully understand everything. Miller didn’t play well at the Showcase on Tuesday, shooting a poor 3-of-13 from the field, but he managed to pull down 14 rebounds. He’s still a ways away from developing into the decision-maker he can be and a dependable shooter, which are both vital aspects of enjoying a long and lucrative career in the league.

Mojave King, G

To this point in the season, the 20-year-old King has started to come into his own, playing starter minutes and turning in a number of strong performances as well as some erratic ones. He has the athletic profile to be a 3-and-D type wing, but doesn’t quite possess the creative ability and confidence to be more than that yet. King fights and executes the tiny things well, similar to Australian prospects we have seen in the past. He has the capability to be a perfect role player. But he’ll need to be a lot more effective to get there, and that’s still in the air at the time. In the spring, we will most likely be talking about King in the same category as second round/two-way type of prospects.

Efe Abogidi, F

Abogidi became a member of the Ignite after two solid seasons at Washington State, and he was previously a member of the NBA’s Global Academy program and NBA Academy Africa. Now that he’s back in the NBA with Ignite, he’ll be fighting for a two-way contract and perhaps a bid at being a second-round pick.

Abogidi practing with the NBA’s Global Academy program

While he’s not a physically intimidating player for his size, he’s been efficient and productive in his minutes, rebounding with a motor, protecting the basket effectively, and showing the ability to knock down occasional jumpers. He didn’t accomplish much on Tuesday and may get lost in the flow of a game at times. But there are tools here to work on here for the forward that are fixable and give him quite more potential than what appears on the surface.

London Johnson, G

Johnson, who is 18, will compete for Ignite for the next two seasons before becoming eligible for the 2024 draft. One silver lining to Henderson’s absence was getting to watch Johnson play starter’s minutes for Ignite, where the point guard impressed with his poise and defensive effort. He looked quite comfortable at the G League level for a player who was in high school less than a year ago, which serves as a strong indicator of his NBA future.

Babacar Sané, F

Sane, a 19-year old native of Senegal, joined the Ignite in late October as a student of NBA Academy Africa. His physical frame at 6′ 6″, 194, is huge for his potential and future draft stock. His broad shoulders and excellent measurements for a wing give him potential scouts just cannot overlook.

Sané is still getting accustomed to playing at this level, as the game moves a little fast for him a lot of the time, but he fought hard on Tuesday and possesses the qualities that should earn him a serious look from NBA teams. He is still not ready for the NBA yet, and hasn’t made much of an impact on a regular basis, but it’ll be fascinating to see how he has developed as a player at the finish of the season.

Thierry Serge Darlan, G

Darlan, who has been widely perceived as the best prospect to come out of Africa (though for context, the historical bar there is not particularly high) is contemplating what to do next season. The guard has the options of joining the Ignite and playing in college, but he is draft-eligible as well.

Darlan is still learning his feel for guard position and also had a few mishaps in the tournament, but there are a lot of exciting parts to his game: he is a superb athlete, a talented passer, defends his position well, and plays with a PASSIONATE enthusiasm at all times. If he is placed in a great developmental environment, his game has the potential to take off, and it is clear that he has a future in the NBA.

New Orleans Bowl: WKU vs South Alabama │ Preview and BEST BET │12/21/22

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12/21/22

By @OOSSports

New Orleans Bowl: WKU vs South Alabama │ Preview and BEST BET │12/21/22

The Sun Belt has won five consecutive games over Conference USA in the New Orleans Bowl, and I anticipate that streak will resume tonight. Perhaps most importantly, the line has dropped from South Alabama -9 to South Alabama -3.5.

S. Alabama Senior DB Keith Galmon Jr

Western Kentucky’s second-ranked passing offense (339 yards per game) will face South Alabama’s 12th-ranked defense unit, which has shut down damn near everyone. The Cougars went 10-2, dropping 10-6 to Troy and 32-31 to UCLA in their two losses. This season, WKU was an underdog three times and lost all three. The Hilltoppers have lost five players, notably their top receiver, second-leading tackler, two offensive linemen, and two defensive backs as well, all who have gone through the portal or declared for the draft. South Alabama has won five games in a row and is expected to be at full power. I’m taking South Alabama to cover.

Why?

South Alabama is competing for its first bowl title only in its third-ever appearance. In 2014, the Jaguars competed for the Camellia Bowl but ended up falling to Bowling Green, 33-28. The program also played in the Arizona Bowl in 2016, but lost to Air Force 45-21. This is the first winning season the program has had since joining the FBS in 2012. Capturing the program’s first bowl trophy would be the cherry on top of what has already been a phenomenal season for the Cougars.

The Pick: South Alabama -3.5

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Billionaire Mortgage Lender Mat Ishbia Finalizes Purchase of Suns

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By: OutOfSightSports

12/21/22

Billionaire Mortgage Lender Mat Ishbia Finalizes Purchase of Suns

Detroit native and billionaire mortgage lender Mat Ishbia has completed the acquisition of the Phoenix Suns for a record-setting $4 billion, resulting in the most expensive purchase ever including an NBA franchise.

Ishbia with Tom Brady

The old record was set in 2019 when Joe Tsai acquired the Nets for a sum of $2.35 billion. The purchase of Ishbia represents an official exit from the position held by Robert Sarver.

The purchase includes not just the Suns but also the Mercury of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Tuesday evening, the franchise issued a statement in which it stated that the transaction also includes, “more than 50% ownership of the team including all of Robert Sarver’s interest and a portion of the interest of minority partners.”

Ishbia was referred to be the “right leader to build on the franchise legacies of winning” by Sarver, who also stated that Ishbia will “shepherd” both teams into the next phase.

“Matt [Ishbia] has exactly the right spirit, commitment and resources to pursue championships,” the statement read. “Equally important, though, is his philanthropic outlook and commitment to using sports as a way to elevate and connect people. I know he shared unwavering support for women’s basketball and I look forward to watching him become a unifying force across the Valley of the Sun.”

According to Wojnarowski’s report, Justin Ishbia, Mat Ishbia’s brother and a founding partner of Shore Capital, is also making a significant investment in the Suns. He is going to take on the role of the franchise’s alternate governor.

After being found guilty of workplace misconduct and given a one-year suspension along with a $10 million fine, Sarver made the decision in September to sell both the Phoenix Suns and the Phoenix Mercury. This decision came after a league investigation found that Sarver had engaged in inappropriate behavior in the workplace.

Disgraced ex-Suns owner Robert Sarver

According to the findings of the investigation, Sarver had used the n-word a minimum of five times “when recounting the statements of others” while serving as the active owner of the Suns and Mercury, The investigation also discovered that Sarver behaved in an unacceptable manner with employees on a consistent basis, including, “instances of inequitable conduct toward female employees,” which included “sex-related comments,” the NBA said in a statement. The disgraced owner did not just target women though, “inappropriate physical conduct toward male employees.” was found as well.

In November 2021, ESPN released accounts from over 70 current and former Suns employees that outlined a poisonous workplace climate under Sarver that was both racist and misogynistic. The environment was described as being in existence while Sarver was in charge of the Suns. These examples included descriptions of times when Sarver used the n-word, such as when he said he hired Lindsey Hunter as head coach in 2013 rather than Dan Majerle because of his “black” background.

In spite of the results of the investigation, the league came to the conclusion that Sarver’s actions were not “motivated by racial or gender-based animus.”

Mat Ishbia, the current Chief Executive Officer of United Wholesale Mortgage, is a former college basketball player who studied at Michigan State University from 1998 to 2002. He was a part of 3 consecutive squads that reached the Final Four, and in 2000, he won the national championship with Tom Izzo and the Spartans.

Wojnarowski claims that Ishbia has maintained a tight relationship with Tom Izzo, his former coach at Michigan State, and had previously made a commitment of $32 million to the men’s basketball team at Michigan State.

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Steelers @ Panthers Week 15: Key Takeaways, Points and What We Saw

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By: OutOfSightSports

Sunday 12/18/22

Steelers @ Panthers Week 15: Key Takeaways, Points and What We Saw

The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Carolina Panthers by setting the tone from kickoff on. With a 6-8 record and a road victory against Carolina, Pittsburgh’s AFC North title chances are dead, but a wild-card berth is still a slim possibility. Their ability to control and play the game at their own tempo was demonstrated by the Steelers’ 21-play drive to begin the second half, which occupied most of the third quarter. Pittsburgh tallied 91 yards and extended their advantage to 21-7 with a TD. The seven-pass, 14-run series was the longest in terms of plays and time of possession of any NFL team this season. Neither a block in the back nor a Diontae Johnson taunting penalty were able to derail it. It was also the Steelers’ longest possession in terms of plays and time since at least 2000. The Panthers rallied with 10 consecutive points to tie the game, and the Steelers’ several second-half penalties assisted them. But that one Steelers drive was enough to finish off the Panthers.

Carolina has seemed to drift away from their recent competitive play. The Panthers entered the game having won three of their past four games, and with legitimate aspirations of looking to win the NFC South crown, while the Buccaneers are continuing to struggle to put away their opponents. The Panthers’ recent success has been largely due to the run game and their situational defense, neither of which were visible on Sunday. They ran the ball 16 times for a season-low 21 yards. Interestingly, the Panthers abandoned their heavy-package run plays as indicated by the attempts, employing it on only a few of snaps in the first half, which was surprising given its success in previous games. The preceding three games, Carolina’s defense on third downs has been improved significantly, allowing only 35.8% of third-down conversions. Sunday? The Steelers were effective on 12 of their first 15 third-down attempts. This is how you lose a home game with significant stakes to Mitchell Trubisky.

#4 Alabama vs #15 Gonzaga: What to watch for, where to stream, and key points going into this Top 25 matchup

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By: OutOfSightSports

Date: 12/16/22

#4 Alabama vs #15 Gonzaga: What to watch for, where to stream, and key points going into this Top 25 matchup

The Alabama Crimson Tide will take on the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Courtney Cox Arena in Birmingham, Alabama tomorrow at 1 pm ET on CBS.

Alabama is playing their third straight opponent ranked among the top 15 teams in the country in #15 Gonzaga. Alabama is one of only two teams in the country, along with Arizona, to have three victories over teams ranked in the top 25 as well.

Brandon Miller of Alabama is currently dropping the most points per game for a freshman this year in the country, averaging 18.5 points while also pulling down 8.4 rebounds a game. A year ago, when these two squads played against each other in Seattle, the Crimson Tide emerged victorious. The Zags have a record of 6-1 versus teams ranked in the top 5 during the REGULAR season since 2018-19. Their lone defeat came at the hands of Duke on a court that was regarded as neutral Las Vegas. Even if I don’t want to acknowledge it, Bama is, at the very least in my opinion, doing all in their power to convince me that they belong among the top five teams in the country at this time. T his is an extremely important game for Gonzaga as well, because a loss would bring their overall record to a lackluster 8-4, despite their best wins coming against Michigan State, Xavier, and Kentucky. Additionally, according to the statistics, the Zags’ victory over Kent State was really a more impressive victory than their victory over the Washington Huskies. If they were to lose to Alabama tomorrow, their record would still not be disastrous, but it would not be good enough to merit a spot in the top 25. If the Zags want to have ANY hope of getting a 1-seed at this point, which is highly improbable, they are going to have to absolutely run the table from this point onward. They have played and lost to Texas, Purdue, and Baylor, all of whom are considered to be really formidable teams who I just do not see them taking down in a rematch at this current point in time. With that being said, it seems like the WCC has taken a step forward, meaning Gonzaga will play a slightly stronger conference schedule for their standards. If they are unable to win this game, I believe that even getting a two seed will be an exceedingly difficult assignment for them.

We’ve become accustomed to Gonzaga at the top for the past five years, with a 1 seed last year, a 1 seed the year before that, what would have been a 1 seed in 2020 if the tournament wasn’t called off due to Covid, 1 seed in 2019, 1 seed in 2017, and a 2 seed in 2015. Given how their season has started and how the duration of it unfolds, the Bulldogs may find themselves in some new ground when it comes to seeding. Timme will be crucial. As previously said, all three of their losses were against good teams, and all of them easily qualify as quad 1 losses. There’s nothing particularly shameful about it; it’s just that they’re held to a different standard than most programs, so when they struggle, everyone geeks out and proclaims they’re awful. They do not “suck.” Even after three losses, you can’t argue they aren’t a top 20 or better team in the country, even if they haven’t performed like it. Drew Timme is establishing career highs in almost every category: Averaging 20.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and 33 minutes per game- all career highs while shooting only 11 percent from deep on less than one attempt per game, which is whatever, given that small of volume. This is odd though, because at the NBA combine, he looked impressive. He had one game where he was 4-5 from three, and that was from a longer NBA 3-point line. Most expected him to return and expand his game at the college level, but he has not done so yet. Maybe it’s due to the plays they run, or perhaps they believe that because he’s so effective inside, there’s no reason to have him shooting 3s.  I expected him to be more effective from the perimeter, or at least show that he can score and make plays from there, which is almost vital for big men in today’s NBA. That just hasn’t happened, possibly because he needs to be inside the arch, where he is terrific, which will make the Zags great.

Alabama’s lone defeat came at the hands of UConn in 4 overtimes. No shame there though; the Huskies have beaten every team they’ve faced this season and have beat everyone they have played by double digits. Given the nature of college basketball, this should be an exciting, yet unpredictable game. I’m betting for Brandon Miller to have a terrific day and lead the Crimson Tide to a narrow victory. Bama tends to be the hotter team, as they are far higher in the standings, but I would say these two teams are quite closer that the average fan would believe. If you put these teams on a court with no fans or people, I would say Alabama wins 5 or 6 times out of 10, but that is not the case with this game being basically a home game for the Tide. With that being said, role with the Crimson tide to win this game.

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Mike Leach: A once in a lifetime coach and person

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12/14/22

By: @OOSSports

Mike Leach; A once in a lifetime coach and person

The phrase “American original” is overused and overpriced, but it perfectly describes the late Mike Leach, who died Tuesday as a result of complications from a heart problem. There has never been a college football coach like him, and there will never be another after him.

Leach was eccentric, intelligent, brave, humorous, at times harsh, and always out of the ordinary. In an era when coaches are becoming increasingly (and boringly) uniform, he emerged from an unusual mold that was quickly broken upon his arrival. Only Leach could have paved a path from playing rugby (rather than football) at BYU to receiving a law degree at Pepperdine and eventually becoming possibly the most prominent offensive coach of the twenty-first century.

He was an unrepentant maverick who spoke differently, coached differently, and marched to a different rhythm. During his stay in Washington State, he walked almost seven miles round-trip to work every day, frequently spending the time on the way home to make rambling late-night phone calls to reporters. His mind was an endless conversation generator.

Coach talk was something that Leach didn’t just do. During the week, he was known as the go-to expert in his field when it came to pirates, gave out free wedding advise, and talked at length about hypothetical animal battles. Then on Saturdays, he called more passes than any coach in the history of college football.

What precipitated college football’s shift from “Thou Shalt Establish the Run” to “Spread It and Chuck It?” When Mike Leach began to win games in this fashion.

The Air Raid offense was developed between 1989 and 1996 by then-offensive coordinator Leach and his boss Hal Mumme at the relatively unknown tiny colleges of Iowa Wesleyan and Valdosta State. Within a few decades, it would completely alter the landscape of sports.

Some of Leach and Mumme’s offensive ideas came from BYU’s playbook when LaVell Edwards was the head coach, but their underlying philosophy was more radical and subversive. The old guard scoffed at The Air Raid because it was just a gimmick, but it was effective, and its inventors took great pleasure in annoying the skeptics.

In 1997, Kentucky athletic director C.M. Newton was so anxious for a style that would put butts in seats and provide star quarterback recruit Tim Couch a vehicle to flourish that he took a chance on the two radicals. Coaches took notice of that strategy after it helped Kentucky to its first winning season since the 1980s and made Couch the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL draft.

Oklahoma signed Leach to be offensive coordinator under new head coach Bob Stoops, and he transformed Josh Heupel into a 3,000-yard passer. After one season at the University of Oklahoma, Leach accepted his first head coaching position at Texas Tech. From that point on, he significantly altered how offenses were built and plays were called.

While Heupel was helping Oklahoma win the national championship in 2000, Leach was in Lubbock instructing sophomore Kliff Kingsbury to throw the most passes in the nation. This would be a reoccurring motif. Today, the four quarterbacks who attempted the most passes in a single season were all coached by Mike Leach: Kliff Kingsbury (712 attempts in 2002), Graham Harrell (713 attempts at Tech in 2007), Connor Halliday (714 attempts at Washington State in 2014), and B.J. Symons (719 attempts at Tech in 2003).

This is the eleventh consecutive year that a Leach team has led the country in pass attempts. His teams hold FBS records for the most passes thrown in a game (Washington State threw 89 against Oregon State in 2013), the most passes attempted and completed per game for a season (64.3 and 42.5, respectively, at Wazzu in ’14), and the most passing first downs per game (23.5 at Texas Tech in 2003) A man who did not model himself after anyone else ended up inspiring a whole generation of copycats as he rewrote the record book. Take a look at the coaching ranks at the moment and tally up the number of Leach disciples who either played for him or coached under him: Kingsbury, who is in his fourth season coaching the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals; Heupel, who led Tennessee to 10 wins this season. Harrell, who is the offensive coordinator at West Virginia after a stint in the same job at USC; and Sonny Cumbie, the coach at Louisiana. USC coach Lincoln Riley, who has mentored three of the last six Heisman Trophy winners and TCU’s Sonny Dikes. Yeah, he mentored some pretty huge names in the world of college football.

There are a great number of other people who have just taken parts of the Leach playbook and implemented them without working for him. His ideas and strategies are now widely utilized across all levels of competition in the sport. It is not a coincidence that the FBS average for team pass attempts per game reached 30 for the first time in 1999, which was Leach’s season at Oklahoma. That number peaked at 33.6 in 2007, as the Air Raid effect continued to spread throughout the college football landscape.

The only snag was that Leach was never able to put everything together to the point where they could win a championship. He had two opportunities, ten years apart, at two different schools, and he came very near both times. His Texas Tech team from 2008 went 11–2 and won a share of the Big 12 South Division title along with Oklahoma and Texas, but they had to watch Oklahoma advance to the league championship game and then the BCS championship game instead. In 2018, Washington State finished with an 11–2 record and matched for the title of Pac-12 North champion, although they were defeated by Washington in the tiebreaker.

The trait of persistence that made Leach so successful also worked against him. Because he was indifferent to defense, disdained the running game, and was fixated on recruiting individuals to match his obscure system, he rarely fielded teams with all of their necessary personnel.

And to tell you the truth, Leach’s personality just didn’t mesh well with blue blood programs. He was a fantastic coach for difficult jobs, but he was just eccentric enough that he never got the simple ones.

Leach, the winningest coach in school history, was fired in 2009 amid controversy about how he handled a player with a concussion. This undoubtedly had a chilling effect on Leach’s ability to obtain another position during the subsequent hiring cycle. In 2012, he took over a Washington State program that had endured eight consecutive losing seasons. By the time he left, Leach had the highest winning percentage of any Wazzu coach who had been there for more than two seasons since before World War II.

At Mississippi State, the steady progress looked familiar, improving from 4–7 to 7–6 to 8–4. But there were health issues during this 2022 season, eliciting quiet concerns that the 61-year-old might have to retire. He seemed to bounce back in recent weeks—then came the stunning news Tuesday.

Mike Leach was a man who made the game of college football better for everyone. He changed the way the game was played and influenced so many people in his lifetime. My condolences go out to Leach’s loved ones and friends, and really the entire college football world. We lost a hell of a coach yesterday.

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5-star RB decommits from Louisville; Interested in UGA, OSU, and Texas A&M

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5-star RB decommits from Louisville; Interested in UGA, OSU, and Texas A&M

Louisville lost the commitment of five-star running back Rueben Owens today.

Statement from Owens via Twitter

This is what you should know about the situation:

When he made his commitment to the Cards back in June, Owens was the No. 23 ranked recruit in the entire class of 2023.
Even after Louisville HC Scott Satterfield accepted the Cincinnati job earlier this week, the El Campo, Texas, native said he will be waiting to hear whether running backs coach De’Rail Sims would return to he program, later finding out and stating, “Coach Sims called me today and said he won’t be at Louisville anymore.”

When he committed to the University of Louisville, 247Sports ranked Owens as the second-highest prospect the Cardinals had landed in the modern era.

Owens initially committed to Texas in February 2021, but reopened his process four months later in order to sign with Louisville.

Owens told the Athletic,

“I was just like … a new staff, I don’t know them,” Owens told The Athletic. “So I was like, ‘I’m gonna decommit.”’

Owens indicated via social media that he would choose his new location tonight at 8 p.m., hours after his decommitment. (Central Time)

“I know I would be interested in (Texas) A&M, Georgia and Ohio State,” he said.

Dallas Cowboys Concerned following OBJ Physical

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According to ESPN’s Ed Werder, the Cowboys are concerned that Odell Beckham Jr. will be unable to play before mid-January after conducting a physical on him during his visit. Dallas is concerned that signing the wide receiver will be futile until the 2023 season.

Beckam Jr Running Routes in preparation last year’s Superbowl

The news comes after Cowboy’s owner Jerry Jones stated that he’s “not confident at all” about acquiring a WR after such a devastating type of injury with hopes of getting anything in return. Beckham, who suffered a torn ACL in the Rams’ Super Bowl victory in February, is still out. Along with the Cowboys, his agent has also recently visited with his former team, the Giants, and the Buffalo Bills.

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OutOfSight NFL Week 13┃ Top 10 Power Rankings

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11/30/22

By: OutOfSightSports

11/30/22

OutOfSight NFL Week ┃13 Top 10 Power Rankings

  1. Philadelphia Eagles (10-1)

Superhuman performances during prime-time games can serve as ultra-fuel in the MVP race. Jalen Hurts showed a huge audience what a difference-maker he can be on Sunday Night Football, breaking Michael Vick’s franchise record for quarterbacks with 157 rushing yards in a 40-33 win over the Packers. Hurts also became the first NFL quarterback since 1950 to record 150 rushing yards, 150 passing yards, and at least two passing touchdowns in the same game. The Eagles nearly made team history as well: Philadelphia rushed for 363 yards, falling just 13 yards short of the 1948 franchise record. Said RB Miles Sanders: “It’s chasing greatness every week.”

2. Kansas City Chiefs (9-2)

On Sunday, the Chiefs were not at their best, but their margin of error was significant against the fading Rams and backup quarterback Bryce Perkins at Arrowhead. The 26-10 victory was decisive despite special teams errors, red-zone miscues, and Patrick Mahomes’ lack of enthusiasm after the game. On Sunday, the Chiefs were not at their best, but their margin of error was significant against the fading Rams and backup quarterback Bryce Perkins at Arrowhead. The 26-10 victory was decisive despite special teams errors, red-zone miscues, and Patrick Mahomes’ lack of enthusiasm after the game. You like the win, but we have a lot to get better at,” Mahomes said, “especially me.” In the fourth quarter, Mahomes threw an interception in the end zone, but he also connected with Travis Kelce for another touchdown. Kelce has established a new career-high with 12 receiving touchdowns on the season, with a whopping six games left to play.

3. San Fransisco 49ers (7-4)

The 49ers are an NFL powerhouse because they can defeat opponents in a variety of ways. Two Mondays ago in Mexico City, we witnessed what the offense is capable of when in rhythm. In a 13-0 victory against the Saints on Sunday, it was the defense’s turn to flex its muscles. During their four-game winning streak, the 49ers have not allowed a single second-half point, with opponents averaging just 10 points per game during that span. In terms of both yards and points allowed, DeMeco Ryans’ squad will enter December as the NFL’s top defense. In their extensive history, the 49ers have never finished a season atop both categories simultaneously. Santa Clara has something special cooking.

4. Buffalo Bills (8-3)

Two games at Ford Field in five days and two victories for the Bills, who appear to be regaining their footing after a turbulent midseason. Thanksgiving’s 28-25 victory was decided by Tyler Bass’ 45-yard field goal in the final seconds, but the winning drive will be remembered for the 36-yard pass from Josh Allen to Stefon Diggs that put Buffalo in scoring position asap. Very few quarterbacks are able to execute such a throw from such a distance, but Allen was able to do so despite a weak elbow that continues to cause him problems. Von Miller exited the game with a knee injury that will sideline him for an indeterminate amount of time. The Buffalo defense will suffer without its closer.

5. Dallas Cowboys (8-3)

There has been a constant barrage of speculation linking Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cowboys, but perhaps “The Boys” would be better off without the renowned wide receiver (even excluding factors related to his recent air-travel mishap). Last Thursday’s 28-20 victory over the Giants was the clearest indication yet that Michael Gallup is regaining his form after offseason knee surgery. CeeDee Lamb continues to play the role of a legitimate No. 1 (with two 100-yard performances in the past three weeks), while a healthy Gallup projects as a highly capable #2 wideout. Why mess with a winning formula?

6. Miami Dolphins (8-3)

Sunday, the Dolphins dispatched the league’s worst Texans by jumping out to a 30-point halftime lead and coasting to their fifth consecutive victory. Here is where things become extremely intriguing for Mike McDaniel and the leaders of the AFC East. Next, the Dolphins will face the red-hot 49ers on the road in Week 13, followed by AFC playoff contenders in the Chargers, Bills, Patriots, and Jets. By the end of December, we’ll have a much better idea of how seriously we should take this team as a Super Bowl contender despite the fact that Miami has annihilated the competition during its easy portion of the schedule.

7. Minnesota Vikings (9-2)

The victory over the Patriots on Thanksgiving night was crucial for the Vikings, who desperately needed to change the narrative following their humiliating blowout loss to the Cowboys four days prior. Justin Jefferson was outstanding.  The Pro Bowl wide receiver finished the game with nine receptions for 139 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets, pushing almost everything beneficial for the Minnesota offense. The greatness of Jefferson makes life so much easier for Kirk Cousins, who was able to silence rumors about his failures in prime-time games until, well, the next time the Vikings play in prime-time. On Sunday, Minnesota can win the NFC North with a victory over the upstart Jets and a loss by the Lions against the Jaguars this Sunday.

8. Cincinnati Bengals (7-4)

The Bengals defeated the Titans in Nashville without the help of Joe Mixon (concussion) or Ja’Marr Chase (hip). As the most difficult portion of their schedule approaches, it is the clearest indication that the defending AFC champions have found their way up to this point of the NFL season. “This is the kind of game that great teams win,” who threw for 270 yards and the to-be game winning touchdown to Tee Higgins in the early in the fourth quarter. Burrow, who was sacked nine times in Cincinnati’s Divisional Round playoff victory over Tennessee January, was sacked only once on this November Sunday. The best news now for Burrow: Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Chase is on track to return for Week 13’s matchup against the Chiefs.

9. Tennessee Titans (7-4)

The Titans defeat their opponents by imposing their will on them. On Sunday, the Bengals traveled to Nissan Stadium and were the more physical team on both offense and defense in a 20-16 win over the Titans that served as a rematch of a memorable playoff game from January which I spoke of earlier. A penalty for unnecessary roughness by offensive lineman Kevin Strong ended the game in an anticlimactic manner, but the Titans should focus entirely on how to get ELITE running back Derrick Henry going against a potential playoff opponent from the AFC they very well could see again down the road. Henry rushed for a lackluster total of 38 yards on 17 carries on Sunday and has averaged just 2.75 yards per carry in his last two contests against vs the Bengals. King Henry was locked down by their defense a few days ago, and Henry must be effective for the Titans to achieve their ultimate goal.

10. Baltimore Ravens (7-4)

John Harbaugh’s Ravens appear to have a fatal flaw, the inability to finish off opponents. The Baltimore Ravens have lost four games this season despite holding a lead of at least nine points in the second half of each of those four contests. The most recent defeat may have been the worst, as the defense was torn apart by Trevor Lawrence on a last-second touchdown drive before allowing a two-point conversion to seal a 28-27 loss. Harbaugh described it as “out of character,” and the Ravens did not exactly shine in Week 12. Look for the Ravens to bounce back this Sunday vs my Broncos unfortunately and get back to their winning ways.

Honorable mentions: Chargers & Jets

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OSU HC Believes Buckeyes should still be in CFB Playoff Consideration

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Ohio State lost to the Wolverines by a score of 45-23 on Saturday, losing “The Game” for the second consecutive season. The loss may have also ended the team’s chances of making the College Football Playoff as well.

OSU HC Ryan Day

Ohio State, which entered the week as the No. 2 team in the College Football Playoff rankings, must hope for a final stretch of chaos. The Ohio State Buckeyes will conclude the regular season with an 11-1 record, no shot at a conference title, and no chance to enhance their resume.

After the loss, coach Ryan Day was asked if he believes his team should still be considered for the College Football Playoff and he said this,

“Well, I mean, I thought we were in it. We
were fighting there at the end, and
obviously it got out of control down the
stretch. But it wasn’t like we were
outmatched in terms of just overall play, I
don’t think. So yeah, as we get to those
decisions, you have to look at the body of
work and what we’ve done. We’ve got a lot
of good pieces on this team. We came up
short today, but I think if we were able to
get a shot in the top four, we’d be a
dangerous team.”

Earlier in the season, Ohio State defeated 11th-ranked Penn State and 15th-ranked Notre Dame. They won all of their 11 games by at least two touchdowns as well.

With that being said, Georgia, Michigan, and TCU appear to be in the driver’s seat for College Football Playoff berths if they finish the season undefeated. Ohio State, LSU, USC, and Alabama are also contenders but their chances are slim.

Quite frankly, I believe that they have absolutely no case whatsoever. The Buckeyes were 9 point favorites, Michigan’s best player got hurt and they also had the “revenge factor” on their side. One of the worst OSU losses I can remember in my lifetime.

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MNF FREE PICK ┊10/31/22 ┊ Week 8

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By: DawgHasPicks

10/30/21

MNF FREE PICK ┊10/31/22 ┊ Week 8

The Bengals finally used their full arsenal of pass-catchers last week, allowing Joe Burrow to throw for an astounding 459 yards. The next day, their best receiver goes down. Injuries have sidelined Ja’Marr Chase, who has scored six touchdowns this year and been the recipient of 27 percent of Burrow’s passes. Consequently, we can expect to see a decrease in passing plays and an increase in handoffs, with the bulk going to Joe Mixon. The Browns have also suffered a loss, though not nearly as devastating: TE David Njoku, the teams second leading pass catcher, is also out with an injury. With all of this being said, let’s get to the pick.

A lot of playmakers are going to be out for a Bengals offense that finally was able to break out last week. Losing Ja’Marr Chase is irreplaceable, as he is one of the best playmakers in the world and brings a whole new dynamic to that offense. Ultimately, I would expect a 17-10, 14-10 type of game. Not to mention, the line has already dropped from 47 total points too

THE PICK: U45 Points

NBA Player Suspended for Last Night’s Actions

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10/26/22

By: @OOSSports

NBA Player Suspended for Last Night’s Actions

Joe Dumars, the Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations for the Boston Celtics, made the decision today that Grant Williams, a forward for the Celtics, is being suspended for one game without pay for recklessly making contact with a game official. He also had some choice words for the ref as well.

The incident, which occurred with 8 minutes and 58 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of Boston’s loss to the Chicago Bulls by a score of 120-102 on October 24 at United Center, resulted in Williams receiving a technical foul and being ejected from the game.

Williams will serve the serve his one game suspension during the Celtics’ home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers this Friday.

Although it was short, this rookie made his NBA debut COUNT!

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10/25/22

By: OOSSports

Although it was short, this rookie made his NBA debut COUNT!

After registering 2 DNPs in a row to start his NBA career, Atlanta Hawks head coach Nate McMillian brought in his newest first round pick in a blowout loss to the Hornets. Although he

The Hawks rookie scored five consecutive points in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 126-109 loss to the Hornets at State Farm Arena.

Griffin entered the game at the beginning of the fourth quarter. He began his career with a steal and a three-pointer. He got his second steal by intercepting a PJ Washington pass to Kelly Oubre Jr. and then receiving a pass from John Collins to set up a fast-break layup.

Despite the final score, he impressed superstar PG Trae Young,

“It’s exciting, it’s good,” Ice Trae stated, “He’s gonna have a long NBA career. He’s a sponge to learning new things. He wants to do great every time he’s on the court. It’s a start and he can play too at the same time. I was excited for him.”

Griffin, a first-round pick out of Duke (No. 16 overall), did not play in the Hawks’ first two games of the regular season. A blowout got him into his first game.
Griffin was subbed out at 7:13 left in the fourth quarter and returned with 1:40 remaining.

New Hawk Dejounte Murray also had this to say of AJ Griffin, “Him being ready to go. I don’t think you see that from young guys, not being used to playing right away then being thrown in the fire. So got to give respect to him for being ready to come in and compete at a high level.”

He made another 3-pointer once he returned to finish the game. He ended with eight points and 3 of 4 from the field.
Griffin was brought in by Hawks coach Nate McMillan in pursuit of a spark:

He made another 3-pointer once he returned to finish the game. He ended with eight points and 3 of 4 from the field.
Griffin was brought in by Hawks coach Nate McMillan in search of a spark:

“I was looking for some activity,” said McMillan. “We needed shooting, we couldn’t make any shots and I wanted to give him a try. We put him out there and he was able to knock down a shot. Got him out on the floor to bring some type of energy to that lineup.”

It might have been a short debut, but Griffin capitalized in it. It will be interesting to see the trajectory of his career and what he can ultimately turn into as a player.

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After dropping 31 tonight, How close is The King from passing Kareem?

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By: OOSSports

After dropping 31 tonight, How close is The King from passing Kareem?

LeBron James set his sights on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA’s current all-time leading scorer, after passing Karl Malone for second place on the career regular-season points list.

Abdul-Jabbar has held the career points record since April 5, 1984, eight months before James was born, when he broke Wilt Chamberlain’s record. Now, after opening the season with 31 points against the Golden State Warriors, James only needs 1,295 points to break Abdul-career Jabbar’s total of 38,387.

At his career scoring average of 27.1 points per game, James would need 48 games to reach that total, putting him on pace to break the record on Jan. 25 against the San Antonio Spurs if he continues to play.

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5 NFL Rookies MAKING NAMES for themselves

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9/29/22

By: @OOSSports

5 NFL Rookies who seem BUILT for the NFL already

As we all know, we are going into the fourth week of this NFL season with the HEART of the 2022-2023 season coming up soon. With that being said, we are starting to notice rookies that seem to stand out from the others and catch the eye. With a larger sample size of regular season football, we are starting to see who those rookies are. There have been at least a dozen, but in this article, I am going to discuss 5 particular rookies in the NFL who are making names for themselves. (no particular order)

Devin Lloyd: Jacksonville Jaguars

Throughout the first three weeks of the season, Jaguars rookie Devin Lloyd has allowed a passer rating of 50.0.

That is good for the fourth best among all NFL linebackers who have played at least 50 coverage snaps this season.

Tarik Woolen- Seattle Seahawks CB

Through his first three games, Tariq Woolen has surrendered a passer rating of 40.6.

The fifth best among all cornerbacks who have appeared in 3 games this season.

Kyle Hamilton- Baltimore Ravens S

PFF awarded Kyle Hamilton the highest grade for a rookie safety through the first three weeks of the season.

In his 80 total coverage snaps, Hamilton has only allowed 55 total yards.

Aiden Hutchinson- Detroit Lions DE

Aidan Hutchinson has been credited with 11 pressures over his first three outings.

That is good for first among all rookie defenders.

Kenyon Green- Houston Texans G

Kenyon Green’s first three games for the Texans:

• 99 pass blocking snaps
•Zero sacks allowed

The Texans rookie guard is making it impossible for opponents to get by him.

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Week 1: Free MNF PICK!

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9/11/22

By: @DawgGotPicks

9:35 PM EDT

Week 1: Free MNF PICK!

As we all know, Seattle coach Pete Carroll knows a little something about the opposing QB. 

After all, Russell Wilson played for him for a decade. 

The Seahawks, who were 12th in points allowed a year ago, will hope to find a plan to keep the Broncos, who were 23rd in scoring, at bay. 

When it comes to the offense contributing to the under hitting, QB Geno Smith takes over. That is clearly a significant drop-off from a QB of the caliber of Russell Wilson. 

Carroll, a lifelong supporter of the ground game, will adhere to his origins and keep the clock ticking.

The Pick: Under 44.



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Two GREAT NFL Week 1 Picks you should trail

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Two GREAT NFL Week 1 Picks you should trail

By: @OOSSports

9/11/22

Two GREAT NFL Week 1 Picks you should trail

Ravens @ Jets | 09/11 | 1:00 PM EDT

Preview & Pick:

Caesars just dropped the spread below 7 Friday, so I’ll take advantage of the new number while it’s still around. Since Lamar Jackson and the team weren’t able to reach an agreement concerning an extension of his contract, I sense Jackson will play with a chip on his shoulder. The Jets have a number of important injury problems on the offensive line, and it has been ruled that Duane Brown will not play today. Of course, the Jets will start the aging and slow Joe Flacco. At the beginning of August, Mekhi Becton went down with a knee injury that ended his season.  The Jets’ record against the spread in their previous 12 September games is a horrific 1-11.  Since John Harbaugh gets his team ready for the season by genuinely caring about winning in the preseason, I am optimistic every year that the Ravens will always get off to a fast start annually. 

The Pick: Take the Ravens -6.5 (-110)

Saints @ Falcons | 09/11 | 1:00 PM EDT

Preview & Pick:

Since 2014, NFL Divisional opponents that have clashed in Week 1 have seen the underdog cover in 76% of those games. That trend has continued since that day. We have six of those games this weekend to kick off the season as a matter of fact, including this one. With that being said, if you want to cheer for an underdog, look elsewhere.  The Saints have beat the Dirty Birds four straight times, good for the franchise record. In fact, they haven’t lost in the “A” since 2017.

The Falcons had a record of 0-7 against the spread at home last season. As a matter of fact, the only “home game” they  covered last season was against the New York Je s last season, and that was in London. The one thing the Falcons did well last year was preventing sacks, but a large part of that was thanks to Matt Ryan evading pass-rushers himself, who is obviously no longer with the team. Unfortunately for him, the Saints defensive front specializes in just that, and he’ll have to take those sacks. It seems improbable Mariota will be able to match up with the production that Jameis Winston will put up against this defense. 

THE PICK: Take the Saints -5.5 (-110)

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CFB Week 2: Four Free VALUE Picks

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By: OutOfSightSports

9/7/22

CFB Week 2: Four Free VALUE Picks

The second week of the College Football season is among us, and although this weekend of games does not stretch from Thursday to Monday like last week did, we definitely have some intriguing matchups on our hands this weekend. In this article, we are going to be looking at four different FREE picks that we believe have extreme upside, value, and will cover. With that being said, lets get to out first matchup this Friday….

LOUISVILLE @ UCF | 09/09 | 7:30 PM EDT

I’ll be candid, I have no explanation of why the spread isn’t two touchdowns in favor of UCF. John Rhys Plumlee, who led the SEC in rushing in 2019, is the ideal quarterback for Gus Malzahn’s run-first, up-tempo system.

Last week, the Cardinals were trounced by Syracuse by a result of 31-7 after amassing just 334 total yards. To stay in the game, Louisville will have to turn this Friday night matchup into a shootout, but there is very little indication that the Cards can do so.

THE PICK: UCF -5.5 (-110)

DUKE @ NORTHWESTERN |09/10 | 12:00 PM EDT

The O/U for this game is 58.5?! 

Northwestern’s redemption tour from their 2021’s failures has so far produced one satisfying W, a comeback victory over Nebraska in Ireland. The Wildcats now play a Duke team that routed them a season ago.

The Cats are a different team now though, managed by first-year HC Mike Elko, a former Texas A&M and Notre Dame defensive coordinator.

Following a shutout against Temple, Elko’s Wildcats are expected to perform well on defense primarily, as that is his expertise.

Although this Northwestern team displayed some hope against Nebraska, I think the value seems to be intrusting both defenses to execute effectively.

THE PICK: U58.5 (-110)

ALABAMA @ TEXAS | 09/10 | 12:00 PM EDT

The Longhorns’ 52-10 victory over a bad Louisiana-Monroe squad last weekend must be taken into account. The Warhawks lacked the talent to expose Texas’ vulnerabilities. No. 1 Alabama, on the contrary, absolutely does. Will Anderson and co. should prey on the young offensive line of the Longhorns, which features two true freshmen, slow running back Bijan Robinson, meaning Bama will force rookie QB Quinn Ewers to beat them through the air if they want a shot at winning.

Bryce Young, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, will face a defense that had only 20 sacks last season and gave up too many big plays on the back end. Texas is currently on its journey back, but it won’t be close on Saturday.

THE PICK: ALABAMA -20 (-110)

TENNESSEE @ PITT | 09/10 | 3:30 PM EDT

This Tennessee offense has the ability to be effective, quick, and dangerous. With that being said, I believe in the Panthers D-Line that is eight or nine players deep.

This will be pivotal in a game where the depth up front for Tennessee will be certainly challenged.

On the other side, the Panthers will do everything they can to wear down a suspect Tennessee defense, and at the very least, keep Tennessee’s offense on the sidelines. Take the under.

THE PICK: U66.5 (-110)

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Five SOLID Late-Round RBs to target with value: Fantasy Football 2022

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By: OutOfSightSports

9/4/22

Five SOLID Late-Round RBs to target with Value: Fantasy Football 2022

In fantasy football, the majority of us can agree that the most vital position to fill while constructing a championship-winning roster is the running back position. With injuries and the diminishing shelf-lives of premier running backs shortening, it is always a smart idea to have competent back-ups who can put points on the board if your main bell-cow RB is out. In this article, we’ll look at five running backs that are often available in fantasy football drafts in Round 10 or after. This season, each back on this list is going to see significant playing time, and will more than likely get opportunities to emerge into RB1s.

Disclaimer: This list is in no order

Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams (ADP 11.4)

With Cam Akers on the IR, Henderson stepped in as the Rams’ starting RB in 2021. He had a stellar first eight games of the season, posting double-digit carries in all of them, and finding the end-zone 7-times during this stretch. The RB appeared to be one of the league’s best fantasy running backs early in 2020 and 2021, before being hampered by injuries both seasons.

The 24-year-old took only 23 offensive snaps in the final six regular-season games and didn’t play in the first three rounds of the playoffs. He returned in time for the Super Bowl though, where he was utilized as a third-down back, while fellow RB Cam Akers took a majority of his snaps during earlier downs.

The Rams appear to be comfortable with their two-back committee heading into the 2022 season. Sony Michel left in free agency for Miami, and the Rams only staked a fifth-round pick to replace him. Henderson could play on passing downs while also receiving some carries, just like the Super Bowl. When this is his job, he should only be in fantasy lineups as an emergency.

Nonetheless, Henderson should be drafted for the weeks when he does not have that role. Henderson could reclaim his starting spot for the Rams if he outperforms Akers or if Akers is injured. When healthy, Henderson is one of the most powerful handcuffs, making him a must-start if Akers spends any time as the starter.

Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions (ADP: 13.2)

As we know, Williams spent the first four seasons of his career in Green Bay with Aaron Jones. Despite missing two games, he finished as RB35 in 2019, whereas Jones finished as RB2. Jones missed two games in 2020 and Williams capitalized, finishing in the top 10 amongst fantasy RBs both weeks.

As we all know, he signed with the Lions last offseason joining D’Andre Swift as the two main backs in D-Town. During games in which both players played and were not sidelined, their carry splits were EXACTLY 50/50. Although  Swift had more explosive runs, which led the rookie to have slightly more rushing yards, Williams was more consistent on a run-by-run basis, that led to a higher rushing grade, according to PFF.

A healthy offensive line should certainly help both backs boost their productivity. Last season, the Lions never had all five of their offensive lineman healthy and available at the same time. Only a season later, the Lions find themselves in a completely different situation up front on offense, featuring a stout line that could be one of the best in the NFL,  which will help open up holes for both players.

Williams does have some stand-alone value and potential as well, notably against weak run defenses. The better the Lions operate as a unit, the more they will be able to run the ball, which will favor Williams above Swift. If Swift ever gets injured, Williams should be the team’s clear every-down back and will be a must-start in fantasy.

Jerrick McKinnon, Kansas City Chiefs (ADP: 18.6)

McKinnon signed with Kansas City in 2021 and managed to earn one of the squad’s three RB spots. During the first month of the season, he was limited to single-digit snaps each game before Clyde Edwards-Helaire sprained his MCL. He finally started playing, but he wasn’t receiving many opportunities to touch the ball.

Once Edwards-Helaire recovered, McKinnon missed several games due to a hamstring problem that landed him on IR. After McKinnon returned, CEH sustained another injury (shoulder) and was sidelined once again.  McKinnon was then promoted to the starting lineup when backup Darrel Williams experienced a toe injury. Over three playoff games, he ran for 150 yards on 34 attempts and hauled in 14 receptions for 165 yards respectively.

McKinnon stiff-arming Jordan Poyer

Kansas City was content with Williams leaving for Arizona in free agency after McKinnon’s postseason success. The Chiefs played their starters frequently during the preseason, suggesting that McKinnon will indeed be their third-down back this season.

Kansas City is uncertain who will back up Edwards-Helaire on early downs. Isiah Pacheco, a seventh-round rookie, made headlines during the preseason playing with the first team, while new signing Ronald Jones played snaps in the final preseason game. McKinnon has so far displayed what he can do for the Chiefs in early-down situations.

If he can play on some early downs as well as third downs, he might start having performances similar to the ones he had in last year’s playoffs. Selecting running backs in high-scoring offenses featuring fluid backfields is always a wise choice. McKinnon is extremely affordable ADP wise as a result of Pacheco’s rise, but adding him to your roster later on in your draft will most likely reap some benefits.

Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles (ADP: 11.1)

The 23-year-old running back spent the 2021 season in Philly as part of a four-man committee, largely as a receiving back. He had at least five targets in five games, including their final two games of the season, and had one of the highest threat rates in recent memory for a rookie running back.
He had at least five targets in five games, including their final two games of the season, and had one of the highest threat rates in recent memory for a rookie running back.
Despite being a pass-catching back, he logged double-digit carries three times a season ago, two times during blowout wins when the Eagles were missing their other backs, and the other in Week 18, when the team rested its starters. This season, he could take on a prominent role in the run game.

Outside of an undrafted rookie, the Eagles have not re-signed Jordan Howard or acquired any new players to put in their backfield. Gainwell is the Eagles’ sole back under contract through 2022, so they’ll need to see what they’ve got in him prior to next season. Philadelphia also plans to pass more this season, meaning there will be more plays in which Gainwell is the likely the running back in the formation. Miles Sanders is the team’s top rusher, but he’s been one of the league’s least efficient, with the fourth-lowest PFF run grade among the 30 backs with 400 or more carries over the last three seasons — two of the three running backs with a lower grade are already out the league.

Philadelphia must undergo a change.

Gainwell is unlikely to become a full-time three-down back, but several running backs have had top-10 fantasy seasons with high target shares and averages of just less than 10 touches per game, which is certainly within Gainwell’s range of outcomes in 2022.

Khalil Herbert, Chicago Bears (ADP: 13.0)

The 2021 sixth-round draft pick was the Bears’ third back on the depth chart starting last season, but he only played nine offensive snaps mostly in garbage time over the first month, before David Montgomery landed on IR for five weeks. Herbert and Damien Williams split time in Week 5, and Williams missed Week 6 due to COVID-19, allowing Herbert a chance to impress. Herbert generated 38.2 PPR points in the two weeks following for any fantasy manager bold enough to start him. By mid-season, Montgomery had returned as the stater, but Herbert remained ahead of Williams on the depth chart and took more reps.

On a small sample size, the 5-foot-9 back looked excellent.  There is potential danger that he will regress with more playing time, but the goal of the mid-to-late rounds in fantasy drafts is to take a gamble on a player who has played well in a limited amount of time.

Herbert’s fantasy value has improved this summer, as the Bears let Williams go to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency and only allocated a sixth-round pick in addition to a waiver wire pickup that will fight for the third spot on the depth chart. The Bears hired defensive-minded head coach Matt Eberflus this offseason as well, while former Green Bay Packers quarterback coach Luke Getsy was appointed as the Bears new passing game coordinator. The Packers utilized a split backfield in Getsy’s prior time with the team, and it might not be a bad idea to implement it in Chicago. Montgomery’s 1,401 offensive snaps over the last two seasons are the second-most for a running back.

If Chicago takes this approach, Herbert may be given more rushing opportunities while Montgomery manages the passing downs, offering Herbert some fantasy value every week. If Montgomery had been injured, Herbert would be a fantasy starter yet again, with very little competition from backups.

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Free MLB PICK 8/22/22 | Marlins @ Athletics | 9:40 PM EDT

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8/22/22

By: OOSSports

Free MLB PICK 8/22/22 | Marlins @ Athletics | 9:40 PM EDT

It’s a new week, that means it’s time for a new and valuable pick to start off the week. Tonight, we are rolling with a baseball pick between maybe the two worst offenses in the entire league, and you will see why.

MLB | MIA @ OAK | 9:40 PM EDT

Some bookmakers have this contest at 7 runs, while others have it listed it at 7.5, but I prefer it at 7.5 (under is the -120 favorite) and I am predicting a 2-3, 3-4 type of game max between these two offensively incompetent squads. The Fish score four runs so rarely that whenever they do, they start celebrating as like they just won it all.

Pic via Fansided

Edward Cabrera (1.78 ERA) has not yielded a run in his last three previous starts on the bump. His scoreless streak of 14.2 innings is the longest by a Marlins rook since Henderson Alvarez recorded 3 consecutive scoreless starts. Oakland has scored fewer runs than only Detroit. I imagine there is going to be a lot of empty seats at tonight’s matchup.

THE PICK: UNDER 7.5 RUNS

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Pats rookie turning heads in training camp

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8/5/22

By: OutOfSightSports

Pats rookie turning heads in training camp

Prior to training camp, Tyquan Thornton voiced his intention to grow into more than just a speedster. The rookie wide receiver for the New England Patriots desired to develop into a complete player at his position.

Just seven practices in, it is apparent that although he isn’t there just yet, he is heading in the right direction. Thornton has showed outstanding elusiveness, mental focus, and hands during 1-on-1s and team drills.

As a byproduct, some of the Patriots best passing plays from ended with the pigskin in his hands. Unsurprisingly, his fellow wide receivers have also been impressed by the rookies abilities on the field and his devotion to becoming a better player and an intrinsic component to the Patriots’ offense

Fellow teammate Nelson Agholor had this to say about the second-rounder,

“I see a guy that’s just working hard every day. He’s having fun, and I think I like where he is mentally. He has a growth mindset, and he practices really hard, takes great notes. I think every day, he’s just going to keep on getting better, and that’s important for him and his journey.”

The Patriots traded up in the second round of this year’s draft to select Thornton, and his exceptional speed was a major factor in that decision. The Baylor product ran a 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine, which was one of the best times since testing began 35 years ago and the fastest among wide receivers present.

This speed has been on display thus far in camp. New England also utilizes Thornton on special teams, where he has numerous opportunities as a gunner with the punt coverage unit.

Fellow wide receiver Jakobi Meyers is optimistic about his future, even if he doesn’t contribute off the bat,

“He’s going to be a good football player,” Meyers said on Wednesday. “I really do enjoy watching him play. I know what it’s like now that I’ve played a couple of years to kind of just see what guys can do in the league. I feel like he’ll have great future, honestly, because he’s really talented. Just to be fast and quick and catch the ball really well, I’m excited about it.”

Agholor agreed with Meyers, noting that Thornton’s professionalism is another quality that will help him succeed in the professional ranks.

“A level of professionalism is what you need to play in this league, and I think they have a great level of professionalism, all of our young guys,” the second-year Patriot said. “For him, I think there’s a balance of just being calm and just working every day that I like about him.”

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ESPN releases their Top 50 Greatest CFB Defenses Ever, leaving many surprised

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7/29/22

By: OutOfSightSports

ESPN releases their Top 50 Greatest CFB Defenses Ever, leaving many suprised

ESPN released a list of their 50 greatest college football defenses ever, and it might surprise you. The rankings, lists and comparisons that come out of ESPN, whether it is hockey, baseball, NBA hoops or even softball are always a little questioning.

Here is an example. This is an old article of them suggesting that Victor Oladipo could potentially be THE NEXT AIR JORDAN. Although Oladipo is a good player who has been robbed due to injury, the idea is preposterous alone:

Yes, that is real story. They got THAT caught up in the hype that they were insane enough try to push such a ludicrous agenda like that on their viewers. Anyways, back to the so-called list. I’m not even going to try to start on why this list is wrong, I will have to have a podcast for that. ESPN MAYBE got the first one right. A huge MAYBE.

Here is the top 10, and I will put the story to the whole article with all 50 rankings at the bottom.

ESPN’s Top 10 #CFB defenses of all time

1. 2016 BAMA

2. 2017 BAMA

3. 1956 OLE MISS

4. 1959 LSU

5. 1965 MSU

6. 1939 TENN

7. 2011 BAMA

8. 2011 LSU

9. 1972 MICH

10. 1986 OU

Who got snubbed? Who is overrated? Leave a comment below and let me know what they got wrong or what they got right!

Click HERE to see the full list from ESPN.

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Last Regular Season NBA Players of the Week Announced: Kawhi Leonard & Bobby Portis Jr.

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4/10/2023

by: SportsRiseMedia

Week 25: Conference Players of the Week

The NBA has announced its “Players of the Week” honors for the 25th and final week of this unforgettable season, with Kawhi Leonard from the LA Clippers and Bobby Portis Jr. from the Milwaukee Bucks taking home the honors.

The Klaw: This is Leonard’s eighth Player of the Week Award and second with the Clippers. He led the team to a 3-0 record with impressive stats, including 25.7 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 4.7 assists, shooting at an impressive 49.1% from the field, 38.9% from 3-point range, and 84.2% from the free-throw line. In the game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Leonard recorded 25 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, reaching the 4,000-career rebound milestone. He also achieved a season-high 15 rebounds and six assists against Phoenix on April 9.

BP: Portis Jr. earned his first Player of the Week honor in his career, with an average of 20.7 points and 12.3 rebounds during the final week of the regular season, shooting 44.7% from the field and 59.1% from 3. He had a spectacular performance against the Wizards and Bulls, with 19 points and 20 rebounds on Tuesday and 27 points, including a season-high of six 3-pointers and 13 rebounds on Wednesday, respectively. Portis Jr. accomplished back-to-back games with five or more 3-pointers for the first time in his career.

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Steph Curry’s Long-Term Deal with Under Armour is LUCRATIVE

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By: OutOfSightSports

4/9/23

Steph Curry’s Long-Term Deal with Under Armour is LUCRATIVE

Warriors superstar Steph Curry is set to earn an impressive $48 million in salary this season. However, this is only a small portion of the incredible earnings he stands to gain from his long-term deal with Under Armour. As part of the agreement, Curry is expected to receive a grant of $75 million in Under Armour stock, which could potentially cover the rest of his basketball career.

If certain conditions are met, this contract could even transform into a lifetime deal, similar to LeBron James’ arrangement with Nike. According to a public SEC filing, the stock award includes 8,823,530 restricted stock units, which will vest in two installments in 2029 and 2034, as long as Curry remains with Under Armour.

Aside from the stock award, Curry is also likely to receive direct payments in the eight figures annually from Under Armour. This lucrative deal comes on top of his current four-year, $215 million contract with the Warriors, as well as his various business ventures, including his wife Ayesha’s food businesses and his FTX deal.

Since joining Under Armour in 2013, Curry has become the brand’s most prominent athlete, and he has now been appointed as the president of the company’s Curry Brand. This move further solidifies Curry’s relationship with Under Armour, showing that the company is determined to keep him on board for the long haul.

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Grizzlies Dealt Major Blows Right Before 2023 Playoffs

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By: OutOfSightSports

4/8/23

Grizzlies Dealt Major Blows Right Before 2023 Playoffs

The Memphis Grizzlies have been dealt a major blow ahead of the 2023 playoffs as starting center Steven Adams is expected to miss the postseason due to an injured right knee, according to sources from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Adams has been out since January 22 when he sprained his posterior cruciate ligament while diving for a loose ball during a game against the Phoenix Suns. Although he was initially expected to return within three to five weeks, he has not played since receiving a stem cell injection in his knee on March 8.

Adams’ absence will be a significant loss for the Grizzlies, who went 28-14 with him in the lineup. In addition to Adams, the Grizzlies will also be without key reserve center Brandon Clarke, who is out with a torn Achilles tendon. Xavier Tillman Sr. has been filling in for Adams and has been performing well, averaging 9.7 points and 6.7 rebounds in 29 starts.

To address their depth issues in the frontcourt, the Grizzlies have converted rookie power forward Kenneth Lofton Jr.’s two-way contract to a four-year, $7 million deal. Lofton was the G League’s Rookie of the Year and would not have been eligible for the playoff roster if he remained on a two-way contract. The Grizzlies have also waived rookie point guard Kennedy Chandler, a second-round pick, to create a roster spot for Lofton.

Despite these setbacks, the Grizzlies remain optimistic about their chances in the playoffs. They are the Western Conference’s No. 2 seed and have had a strong season, finishing with a 50-22 record. With Tillman stepping up and Lofton providing additional depth, the Grizzlies will look to make a deep run in the playoffs and prove that they can overcome adversity.

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“How Giannis and the Bucks Could Secure Their Second Championship in Three Years”

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By: OutOfSightSports

4/6/23

“How Giannis and the Bucks Could Secure Their Second Championship in Three Years”

As the 2022-23 NBA season approaches its conclusion, the playoff race is heating up and every game counts. The Milwaukee Bucks, sitting at the top of their conferences, are already being considered as favorites to win the championship.

With a remarkable record of 55-21, the best in the league, the Bucks have been on an impressive winning streak of 16 games, including a perfect 10-0 run in February, which is their third-best mark in franchise history. Despite their defeat in the Eastern Conference Semifinals last season, the Bucks are determined to claim another Larry O’Brien Trophy. With their recent performances, there is a real possibility that they can win the 2023 NBA Finals, and here are three reasons why.

  1. Home-court Advantage– The Bucks have a significant advantage going into the playoffs with their home-court advantage. With the best record in the East and the league, if the season ended today, Milwaukee would have the upper hand against any potential opponent, including in the NBA Finals, by playing at home. Their impressive record of 30-7 when playing at the Fiserv Forum this season compared to 25-14 on the road shows their strength at home. In the previous season, when they won the title, they finished 26-10 at home during the regular season and went 10-1 at the Fiserv Forum in the playoffs. By starting all playoff series in Milwaukee, they have the potential to start 2-0, making it difficult for their opponents to catch up. Even in the worst-case scenario, the Bucks would still have the advantage of playing a Game 7 at home. Therefore, the Bucks could be well on their way to their second championship in three years if they continue their dominance at home.

2. The Supporting Cast– While Giannis Antetokounmpo remains the key player for the Milwaukee Bucks, the supporting cast is having a big season. Brook Lopez is a strong contender for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, averaging 2.5 blocks a night. Jrue Holiday earned his second All-Star nod of his career after putting up solid numbers of 19.4 points, 7.3 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game. Khris Middleton, who has been recovering from injuries, is now getting back to his rhythm, scoring 15.5 points per game.With these three reliable offensive options, especially with Lopez and Holiday’s solid defense, the Bucks have a chance to win the championship even if Antetokounmpo is having a bad day.

  1. Antetokounmpo’s MVP-level season– He is recording career-high numbers of 31.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game. Antetokounmpo’s absence in 16 games this season has resulted in a losing record for the Bucks. Therefore, his elite play is crucial for Milwaukee to return to the NBA Finals. With him, the team is one of the scariest in the league on both offense and defense, making them legit contenders for the championship in 2023.

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