ICYMI with Charlie Bowles – Feb. 11th, 2020 edition

Monday nights are typically the slow ease back into the sports week. The excitement is in looking down the line and anticipating what could be over the next seven days. Last evening Joel Embiid gave everyone reason to talk, and it was not a good look. The only focus the great ones have is what happens on the court. Embiid again gave sports fans another reason to question his commitment to winning.

These young superstars are certainly entitled to having a life off the court. However, with the Clippers coming in and the Sixers woes lately, one would figure Embiid would be focusing on the larger task at hand. Instead, he spent at least some of his night going back and forth with Jimmy Butler regarding how Miami embraces outlaws like Jimmy Buckets. One of his handlers must have gotten to him, as he walked it back quickly. But the damage was done. At this point, Embiid has as much TO in him as he does anyone else. The city that embraced him with both arms firmly seems to be pulling back from the unconditional love. He could own this city if he just worked harder. I feel he is going down a path that will eventually leave the Sixers no choice but to seek a trade. And, let’s face it, it could be what both parties need.

In action on the court:

It was not a good night for the underdog as most of the favorites continued to win. The Raptors extended their franchise-record winning streak to 15, beating the Timberwolves 137-126. Toronto is just the kind of team the Sixers do not want to face in the first or second round. They are maybe the deepest team in the East. The loss of Kawai has not slowed them down. It’s a credit to their organization and the winning atmosphere they have created, which is extremely impressive In Milwaukee—no Greek Freak, no problem. He missed the game due to the arrival of his child, but the Bucks still handled the Kings. Kris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe both had 28 points.

Conversing with Embiid didn’t stop Jimmy Butler from dropping 21 points and 10 rebounds as the Heat edged the Warriors 113-101; Andre Iguodala made his return to the Bay Area.

Indiana continued its free fall, this time dropping a 106-105 decision to the Nets.

NCAA:
#1 Baylor beat Texas 52-45 for its 21st straight victory. MaCio Teague had 11 points, while Devonte Bandoo added 10.

#5 Duke showed no signs of a hangover from its comeback over North Carolina, defeating a very solid Florida State squad 70-65. Impressive win by the Blue Devils.

MLB:

It’s no secret our greatest American pastime has lost viewership over the past decade. Officials have tried, without luck, to speed up the game. Ever watch a Yankees vs. Red Sox game? The league is considering a move to expand its playoff teams from 10 to 14 starting in 2022. I love baseball. Some of my fondest memories as a kid were buying the $4 upper deck seats to the Phillies and watching a 5:30 PM true doubleheader with my Dad. Not these day/night splits that generate revenue. I miss the 7 hour plus back to back games, the way it used to be. But, if you don’t roll with the times, you get squashed. One simple change I would do is shorten the game to 8 innings. It’s such a minor tweak that would save 30 minutes a night for everyone. I like the long season. I mean what else are we going to watch all summer? But shorten the evening or afternoon for this new generation, who can neither focus nor sit still with all of this technology at their fingertips.

NHL:

The Flyers got a huge win 4-1 over the visiting Florida Panthers. Carter Hart stopped 30 shots for the Flyers who are only one point out of 4th place in the division.

WAGERS:

Our selections were: