Around the Sports World in 180 Seconds with Charlie Bowles

NBA:

The trade market heating up, especially for two teams in the East, who both improved their roster. 

– You have to give Elton Brand credit.  With little to nothing to work with, the Sixers definitely improved. They acquired two proven veterans to come off the bench to add some pop; they now have the outside shooting they sorely lacked. Will it be enough to overtake Milwaukee in the East? Time will tell, but this team definitely improved. Let’s dissect the trade:

The Sixers receives:

• Forward Glenn Robinson III and guard Alec Burks 
• Golden State receives: 
• 3 second-round picks 

My take:

As mentioned above, this team sorely lacked proven veterans to come in and maintain the talent level, as opposed to dropping to a minimum when the stars were not on the floor. Robinson is having his best year yet, averaging 12.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in just under 32 minutes per game. I do not expect him to log the same minutes for the Sixers, but the confidence he has acquired from being a productive full-time player will only help as this season progresses.

Burks, who is averaging 16.1 points, just under 5 rebounds, and 3 assists in just under 30 minutes, will come off the bench as well. He has consistently demonstrated he can bury the long-range shot—a need this team desperately just filled. 

The Sixers again have a pulse.

In other moves: 

Miami acquired a proven veteran for their stretch run in Andre Iguodala. They immediately signed the three-time champion to a two year $30MM extension. The details still are being worked out, although Justice Winslow, who has been injured a majority of this year, will be part of the package headed back to Memphis. Miami does not seem finished, as rumors circulated that they were working on possibly a three-team deal that would land them Danno Gallinari.

Atlanta has totally reshaped their team, completing another trade acquiring center Dewayne Dedmon from the Kings for Jabari Parker and Alex Len.  The Kings will also ship a few late-round draft picks to Atlanta as well. This just a day after acquiring Clint Capela from the Rockets. 

Stay tuned as the last few hours could get busy. 

In-game action, there were a few playoff-bound team matches: one in the East and one in the West, with another cross-conference battle.

Denver beat Utah 98-95 behind Nikola Jokic’s historic triple-double.  He finished with 31 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists. Jokic may be the best player hardcore NBA fans are unaware of. 

Toronto beat Indiana.  Serge Ibaka hit a huge 3 go-ahead with 30 seconds left to bring the Raptors all the way back from 19 down to beat the Pacers.

Late last night the Clippers held off Miami 128-111 with a balanced scoring effort. Eight Clippers scored double digits, led by Paul George and Landry Shamet’s 23 points each. 

NCAA FOOTBALL: 

Football, both pro, and college has become a 12-month sport. So much so, when it comes to signing days, there is an early signing day (December), and the traditional Signing Day, which was yesterday. A lot of the same—the best programs getting the top-heavy talent. The one surprise was 4-star DT McKinnley Jackson shunning Alabama for Texas A&M. 

According to 247 Sports, Georgia held on to the nation’s best recruiting class for 2020.

Basically, a microcosm of the top 5 from 2020-2024. 

PGA:

The AT&T People Beach Pro-Am starts today, with a few days of fun before it gets serious on Sunday.  Stars like Bill Murray, Ray Romano, and Larry the Cable Guy are fixtures at this event, as are sporting figures like Aaron Rogers and Chris Berman. 

In the end, it’s a golf tournament.  As promised, I will try to nail a prediction down. If you want to pick the favorite, I am not your guy. Anyone can do that—pick Dustin Johnson as good as he looks is off my board. 

For a few values picks:  I am going with Patrick Cantlay at 11-1.  Cantlay is not a well-known star, but he is a top 5 fixture in many events. 

For a long shot: Keep your eye on Patrick Rogers at 70-1.   He has the game to compete, but can he do it for four rounds?

UFC:

We are two days away from the return of Jon Bones Jones, as he takes on an opponent who will give him trouble in Dominick Reyes. 

Until someone beats the King, he is the sports all-time best. I don’t see that changing this week. 

NCAAB:

Butler used a few large runs to upend #10 Villanova 79-76 in a year where no ranked teams are safe. 

#12 Seton Hall and #13 West Virginia both won and covered their respected numbers.  #5 Louisville got a push from Wake Forrest but held on for an 86-76 win. 

NHL:

Had a small slate with the first-place Bruins continuing to roll, beating Chicago 2-1.  The Rangers handled the Leafs 5-3. 

MLB: 

There has been a slight snag in the Mookie Betts to the Dodgers trade, but nothing that is expected to hold the deal up. 

Wagering:

NFL season total wins are out.   If I was a gaming man, I’d take a look at that Oakland total of 7 and think OVER. Just a passing thought. 

On Tap Today:

• PGA Golf 
• NBA Trades 
• Sixers visit Milwaukee Tonight 
• Rockets visit the Lakers 
• NHL back to a full slate with the Devils visiting the Flyers 

Enjoy the Sports Day!