Week 10 NFL Picks

Thursday November 9^th

Seattle (5-3) @ Arizona (4-4)

Winner: Seattle

The Seahawks will win in a tight despite the injury to S Earl Thomas. The Seahawks will find just enough offense to squeak it out in a close one.

Sunday November 12^th

Green Bay (4-4) @ Chicago (3-5)

Winner: Chicago

Me pick against my Bears ESPECIALLY when it’s against the Packers. It Will NEVER EVER happen.

N.Y. Jets (4-5) @ Tampa Bay (2-6)

Winner: N.Y. Jets

The Jets will get the W here with the Bucs struggling and with the injury to QB Jameis Winston and the suspension of WR Mike Evans, it will be too much for the Bucs to overcome to get a W

Minnesota (6-2) @ Washington (4-4)

UPSET PICK: Washington

The Redskins have been an up & down team all year and this week I feel it will be an up week. QB Kirk Cousins has been playing at a high level and with the carousel at the QB position for the Vikings it has an upset brewing despite the vaunted Vikings D.

New Orleans (6-2) @ Buffalo (5-3)

Winner: New Orleans

The Saints offense has been clicking the last few weeks and the running game has proven to be a stronger force and will be need in the cold Buffalo weather. The Saints D has tremendously improved and will slow down RB LeSean McCoy enough to pull out a close W.

Cincinnati (3-5) @ Tennessee (5-3)

Winner: Tennessee

This game was a toss-up, but I personally can’t trust my money on the Bengals. They’ve been too inconsistent this season to really have faith on which team will show up. The Titans run game will prove to be the difference in this matchup.

Pittsburgh (6-2) @ Indianapolis (3-6)

Winner: Pittsburgh

The Steelers are truly getting the ball rolling and the victory earlier in the year over the Chiefs is the spark the team needed to guide them on a long successful run this season. Indy has too much going on with the franchise with Andrew Luck being out for the season and CB Vonte Davis being released this team is in flux.

Cleveland (0-8) @ Detroit (4-4)

LOCK PICK: Detroit

I don’t see a victory in the Browns future. I have no clue of which direction this team is going and what identity they want to have. Lions win EASILY

L.A. Chargers (3-5) @ Jacksonville (5-3)

Winner: Jacksonville

The Jags have been a bit of a surprise this season as the Defense is starting to come around and QB Blake Bortles is playing better football this season. The Chargers are in rebuild mode with a lot of aging pieces on the roster.

Houston (3-5) @ L.A. Rams (6-2)

Winner: L.A. Rams

The Rams are playing great football as QB Jared Goff is living up to potential in his 2^nd season. The Rams Defense has been playing lights out causing havoc. Coming off putting up 51pts in last week’s win against the Giants, the Rams are clicking on all cylinders. The Texans have dropped off as the injury bug has really hit them this season and this team’s season may be lost.

Dallas (5-3) @ Atlanta (4-4)

Winner: Atlanta

This game was a difficult game for me to decide. With the Zeke Elliott suspension back in play that was the straw that tipped the See-saw in the Falcons favor. In my opinion this may be the best overall game of the week. 2 QB’s in Matt Ryan & Dak Prescott that have been finding rhythm. 2 defenses that have a bend but don’t break mentality. The difference will be the running game of the Falcons due to the Zeke suspension and the play of RB Devonta Freeman.

N.Y. Giants (1-7) @ San Francisco (0-9) 

Winner: N.Y. Giants

In a matchup between two bad football teams, the Giants having Eli Manning at QB will be the difference in this contest.

New England (6-2) @ Denver (3-5)

Winner: New England

The Pats offense is starting to find its way and with the Broncos struggles on both sides of the ball mainly at the QB position with the bad play of Trevor Siemian & Brock Osweiler, the Pats will leave out of Denver with a 7-2 record.

Monday November 13^th

Miami (4-4) @ Carolina (6-3)

Winner: Carolina

The Panthers Defense is finding itself and their offense has improved ever since the 17-3 loss to the Bears. I still just can’t find myself trusting Jay Cutler to pull out a victory in Primetime TV.

Bye Week: Baltimore, Kansas City, Oakland, Philadelphia

Week 9 NFL Picks

Thursday November 2^nd

Buffalo (5-2) @ N.Y. Jets (3-5)

Winner: Buffalo

The acquisition of WR Kelvin Benjamin will tremendously help the Bills offense even if in a small role. His size will prove to pay huge dividends in the RedZone. The Jets are starting to come back down to earth after a strong start.

Sunday November 5^th

Baltimore (4-4) @ Tennessee (4-3)

Winner: Tennessee

The Titans offense will attack The Ravens D strongly with the running game featuring DeMarco Murray, Derrick Henry, and the threat of QB Marcus Mariota’s legs. The Titans will get the ball rolling with Ravens QB Joe Flacco being a question mark due to the concussion.

Denver (3-4) @ Philadelphia (7-1)

LOCK PICK: Philadelphia

The Eagles are extremely hot not only on offense, but their defense is playing lights out and I can’t see a struggling Broncos team able to beat them even with the change from Trevor Siemian to Brock Osweiler at QB.

Atlanta (4-3) @ Carolina (5-3)

Winner: Atlanta

The loss of Kelvin Benjamin will prove to be a huge hit to the Panthers offense without the threat of a big-time playmaker. The Falcons offense will bounce back after a not so impressive performance last week against the Jets. Even with the Panthers D playing so well I don’t feel the offense will score enough to come out with a W

Cincinnati (3-4) @ Jacksonville (4-3)

Winner: Jacksonville

This game was a tossup for me, but I’ll roll with the Jaguars mainly because I have more belief in the Jags D to create havoc and cause turnovers. The Bengals are too inconsistent on both sides of the ball for me to put any kind of faith in them.

L.A. Rams (5-2) @ N.Y. Giants (1-6)

Winner: L.A. Rams

The Rams have been an absolute shock this year with the emergence of 2^nd year QB Jared Goff and the Rams offense. Their defense has been very impressive and will show just that against a downward spiral Giants team.

Tampa Bay (2-5) @ New Orleans (5-2)

Winner: New Orleans

The Saints on D have improved tremendously from the form it was at the last few seasons. It’s finally complimenting their explosive offense led by my personal favorite QB Drew Brees. Tampa Bay just hasn’t lived up to expectations they had coming in to year of challenging the division title.

Indianapolis (2-6) @ Houston (3-4)

Winner: Houston

Albeit in a losing effort, QB DeShaun Watson looked absolutely amazing last week against the Legion of Boom Seahawks defense and nearly pulled off the W. He’s the real deal and will play big again this week against a Colts team who has no direction this season w/o QB Andrew Luck.

Arizona (3-4) @ San Francisco (0-8)

Winner: Arizona

The 49ers are so bad this year they could challenge for an 0-16 season. The acquisition of QB Jimmy Garoppolo won’t make any difference this week as he is unlikely to play. Even with losing QB Carson Palmer for the season there is no way I can see the Cardinals losing this game.

Washington (3-4) @ Seattle (5-2)

Winner: Seattle

The acquisition of LT Duane Brown from the Texans gives a big boost to this offensive line for the Seahawks. The Redskins have been an up and down team this season and there is no telling of what team will show up this week.

Kansas City (6-2) @ Dallas (4-3)

Winner: Kansas City

The Chiefs got the ball back on track last week with a win versus the Broncos. Their defense is very opportunistic, and their offense is on another level with the MVP type play from QB Alex Smith and the emergence of rookie RB Kareem Hunt.

Oakland (3-5) @ Miami (4-3) 

Winner: Oakland

The Raiders will get it together this week against the Jay Cutler led Dolphins. The Dolphins have a big hole at the RB position with the surprising trade of Jay Ajayi and will prove this week to be a huge loss for them.

Monday November 6^th

Detroit (3-4) @ Green Bay (4-3)

Winner: Detroit

The Lions will come out on top this week with an improved running game from RB Ameer Abdullah. The Packers are in a state of flux with the injuries and the loss of QB Aaron Rodgers. Even coming off the bye, the Pack won’t make enough plays to overcome a surging Lions offense.

Bye Weeks: New England, Pittsburgh, Chicago, L.A. Chargers, Cleveland, Minnesota

Week 8 NFL Picks

Thursday October 26^th

Miami (4-2) @ Baltimore (3-4)

Winnner: Baltimore

The injury to Jay Cutler isn’t gonna have much effect on the Dolphins offense. The Ravens I feel will make just enough plays to squeak out an W

Sunday October 29^th

Chicago (3-4) @ New Orleans (4-2)

Winner: Chicago

Once again I CANNOT pick against my beloved Bears. It’s going to be a tough task against this Drew Brees led offense in the Superdome BUT, I’m NEVER going to go against my team one bit. POINT. BLANK. PERIOD.

Minnesota (5-2) @ Cleveland (0-7)

LOCK PICK: Minnesota

Cleveland winning a game? Anything Is Possible right? NOT THIS WEEK. Minnesota will handle business

San Francisco (0-7) @ Philadelphia (5-1)

SECOND LOCK PICK: Philadelphia

Carson Wentz has been playing like a man above his years in only his 2^nd season at QB. The Eagles are starting to look like the best team in the NFL. While the Niners are looking terrible.

Atlanta (3-3) @ N.Y. Jets (3-4)

Winner: Atlanta

The Falcons will bounce back from the loss at New England last week and Matt Ryan and the offense will find its rhythm against the Jets. The Jets are playing surprisingly good football this season but won’t be enough to over the Falcons

Carolina (4-3) @ Tampa Bay (2-4)

Winner: Carolina

The Panthers NEED this game to keep some momentum in their season. Last week Cam Newton & the offense were VERY unimpressive against the Bears. The Panthers D is back to form again and will slow down the Tampa offense and will pull out a much needed victory

Indianapolis (2-5) @ Cincinnati (2-4)

Winner: Cincinnati

I’m going with Cincinnati sort of by default. Both teams are struggling. Both teams have been very inconsistent but the Bengals having Andy Dalton & A.J. Green should be enough for a victory.

Oakland (3-4) @ Buffalo (4-2)

Winner: Oakland

The Raiders started to find a groove last week against the Chiefs. Derek Carr is coming back to form and playing some very impressive football for the Raiders. The Raiders D needs to get more of a rhythm. Even with the Bills playing well at a 4-2 record, Oakland’s win against the Chiefs could be one the propels them to a successful late season run.

L.A. Chargers (3-4) @ New England (5-2)

Winner: New England

The Pats D is starting to find it’s form and play a lot better. Losing LB Don’t’a Hightower for the season doesn’t help at all but the Pats will find a way to keep their momentum moving. The Chargers are now in a state of transistion and it’s going to take a ton from them to beat the Pats.

Houston (3-3) @ Seattle (4-2)

Winner: Seattle

This game is going to a very close game with both teams Defense finding themselves a groove. This game was a tough one to pick because I feel they are very closely matched. The Seahawks have a slight advantage by having Russell Wilson at QB against upstart rookie QB Deshaun Watson for the Texans. Having Wilson I feel will be the difference in a very very close game.

Dallas (3-3) @ Washington (3-3)

Winner: Dallas

The Cowboys offense found a groove last week albeit against the Niners poor defense. This rivalry has a history of tightly contested games and this one will be no difference. The Redskins looked good last week even in it’s loss to Philly Monday night.

Pittsburgh (5-2) @ Detroit (3-3)

Winner: Pittsburgh

The Steelers Killer B’s (Big Ben, Brown, & Bell) have been clicking these last 2 weeks and are finally finding their stride. The Lions lack of running game will cost them this week because they will be unable to keep the Steelers offense off the field.

Monday October 30^th

Denver (3-3) @ Kansas City (5-2)

Winner: Kansas City

The Chiefs will get back to their winning way with their opportunistic defense against a struggling Trevor Siemian who has turned the ball over frequently his last 3 games. QB Alex Smith has been playing MVP caliber football for the Chiefs and his weapons around him will make enough plays even against the Broncos “No Fly Zone” defense

Bye Weeks: Arizona, N.Y. Giants, Tennessee, L.A. Rams, Green Bay, Jacksonville

Week 7 Picks

Thursday October 19^th

Kansas City (5-1) @ Oakland (2-4)

Winner: Kansas City

The Chiefs will find a way to bounce back after a tough loss vs. Steelers last week. The Raiders haven’t been consistent all year added an injury to QB Derek Carr I don’t feel the Raiders will do enough to win.

Sunday October 22^nd

Carolina (4-2) @ Chicago (2-4)

Winner: Chicago

There’s NO WAY I can pick against my team. Point. Blank. Period.

Tennessee (3-3) @ Cleveland (0-6)

LOCK PICK: Winner: Tennessee

This game is not even hard to pick seeing the QB carousel the Browns are having and the struggles they’re having on both sides of the ball.

Arizona (3-3) @ L.A. Rams (4-2)

Winner: L.A. Rams

The Rams have really been a surprise team this year while the Cardinals are aging fast and their last opportunity for a run has slipped out the window

Tampa Bay (2-3) @ Buffalo (3-2)

Winner: Buffalo

The Bills have been strong on both sides of the ball, the Defense has been impressive this season. With Bucs QB Jameis Winston’s health in question I’ll have to pick the Bills.

New Orleans (3-2) @ Green Bay (4-2)

Winner: New Orleans

With Aaron Rodgers going down for the year last week with a Broken Collarbone, I think it’s going to take some time for the Packers to rebound. The Saints offense led by Drew Brees will be tough for the Packers to keep up with w/o Rodgers.

N.Y. Jets (3-3) @ Miami (3-2)

Winner: N.Y. Jets

Personally, I can’t trust Jay Cutler to win for the Dolphins due to his history with the Bears. The Jets have surprisingly played good football and were close to upsetting the Pats last week.

Jacksonville (3-3) @ Indianapolis (2-4)

Pick: Jacksonville

The Jaguars Defense has been really a true force this season and I think QB Blake Bortles will make just enough plays to squeak out a W in a close game. The thought of the Colts losing Andrew Luck for the year I feel could bring the morale of the team down this week.

Baltimore (3-3) @ Minnesota (4-2)

Winner: Baltimore

The Ravens will bounce back after the tough loss last week to the Bears. With QB Sam Bradford in & out of the lineup with the knee issue the Vikes won’t have enough offense to overcome a strong Ravens D led by LB Terrell Suggs

Dallas (2-3) @ San Francisco (0-6)

Winner: Dallas

No need to analyze this the 49ers are awful this season and losing LB Navarro Bowman just made it even worse for the Niners. Expect Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott to have a field day in the matchup between two Ohio State RB’s (49ers RB Carlos Hyde)

Seattle (3-2) @ N.Y. Giants (1-5)

Winner: Seattle

The Giants losing WR’s Brandon Marshall & Odell Beckham Jr. for the season will come back to haunt them this week going up against the Legion of Boom.

Cincinnati (2-3) @ Pittsburgh (4-2)

Winner: Pittsburgh

Last week’s win over the previously unbeaten Chiefs and how the offense was clicking on all cylinders can really prove to be the bounce back the Steelers needed to contend this season. The Bengals offense has struggled all season and will struggle against the improving Steelers D.

Denver (3-2) @ L.A. Chargers (2-4)

Upset Pick: L.A. Chargers

The Chargers no matter what the record is for that particular season always finds a way to get a game over the Broncos and I feel this will be no different and the Chargers will find a way. Even against the “No Fly Zone” defense.

Atlanta (3-2) @ New England (4-2)

Winner: Atlanta

In a Super Bowl Rematch, the Falcons will somewhat get revenge for the meltdown. The Falcons offensively will get themselves out of a slight funk and get it going against a Pats defensive secondary that has struggled tremendously this season.

Sunday October 23^rd (Happy Birthday My Big Sister Dominique R.I.H.)

Washington (3-2) @ Philadelphia (5-1)

Winner: Philadelphia

The Eagles are for real this season. The Eagles defense is starting to go back to the form the D had back in the Jim Johnson era. Attacking from all angles and very stout especially against the run. Carson Wentz has done nothing but improve in his 2^nd season at the helm.

APW Sports Thoughts On The National Anthem Protest In The NFL

The entire National Anthem protest in the NFL started last preseason when Colin Kaepernick was photographed sitting on the bench during a game versus the Green Bay Packers on August 26^th, 2016. This began a wave of NFL players joining Kaepernick in protesting the National Anthem. I’ll fast forward to the moment in time we have now. The recent history of the anthem protest has been well discussed and well documented. Now, I want to share my point of views of where I stand on the entire issue.

I 100% agree with the entire Colin Kaepernick protest & the entire TRUE reason behind the protest. As a PROUD young black man, I truly appreciate Colin’s protest & him bringing light to the police brutality & social injustice issues we have in this country. The unjustly & unlawful killings of people like Oscar Grant, Tamir Rice, Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland, Philando Castile, Alton Sterling, Laquan McDonald, & the list goes on and on. This strikes near & dear to me because as a Black man I don’t want to become a hashtag because a police officer decides to murder another unarmed black man.

Many have said it’s a disrespectful against our nation’s military. I must respectfully disagree with that. I’ve personally spoken to different members of our nation’s military & have gotten different perspectives on what the protest means to them. Some agree with the protest but not the method of protest. Others disagree with the entire matter altogether. I personally don’t feel it’s disrespectful against our nation’s military at all. I feel that it’s bringing more light to the social injustice issues versus disrespecting our nations flag.

I do have an ENTIRE issue with our “so called” President Trump & his comments about people who protest our nations flag should be “FIRED”. Telling athletes to just sit down and shut up & not have a voice on topics that happen in this world is very disrespectful and tasteless. His comments were very divisive and just added fuel to the reason that protests are taking place.

My main problem with protest is that we’re spending more time talking about the protest itself versus the reasons the entire movement started in the first place. I feel the discussion needs to begin with what we can do better as an entire nation to prevent the unlawful killings by the police in the first place. The discussion needs to focus on what we as a nation can do to cut the racial line.

Something I don’t’ agree with is protesting the NFL. While yes, I do feel that Colin Kaepernick has been blackballed by the NFL and doesn’t have a job, I don’t entirely agree with protesting the NFL itself. I feel that they have been more welcoming of the players protesting & speaking their mind more than other leagues have been. While yes hurting pockets will hurt, I don’t feel the league is the main issue. I feel more of the mentality of our society that feels that having Kaepernick will cause a distraction is the bigger issue than the league blackballing him. The issue is bigger than the NFL & more of a societal issue.

I truly hope the displays of unity & protest in the NFL continue. The NFL can help play a part in bringing our nation together. I feel sports play a big role in this country. I feel if all different races, cultures, & personalities can get along on one team for a common goal why is that we as a nation can’t do the same thing. I personally have friends of colleagues of many different races & backgrounds and I only judge by the content of character not color. 

Jimmy Butler Gets Traded to The Minnesota Timberwolves

            

            During last night’s NBA Draft a surprising trade happened. All-Star Jimmy Butler was traded from the Chicago Bulls to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Bulls traded Jimmy Butler & the #16 overall pick (C Justin Patton from Gonzaga) to the T-Wolves for the #7 overall pick (PF Lauri Markkanen from Arizona) G Kris Dunn, & G Zach Lavine.

            Many people of criticized & ridiculed the Bulls for making such a move but I personally feel differently. I feel it was a move a year in the making. To look at it in a non-bias honest view it was time for the Bulls to start over and rebuild the franchise instead of the plug & play method that hasn’t proven to be successful in past seasons. The Bulls as currently constructed weren’t really a true contender in the conference. The front office felt it was time to move the team in a new direction and free up salary cap space so they can contend in the 2018 free agency class as well as build the team from the ground up. They may not have that sure all-star two-way player in Jimmy Butler but, for the future but it was needed to move the franchise in a different direction. As a diehard fan, I’d rather not be so competitive now in order to build for future success. Such moves as these are needed as much as it may sting to take a franchise in a new direction.

            This does leave a lot of questions going forward for the Bulls. What’s going to happen with Rajon Rondo, Dwyane Wade, & Restricted Free Agent Niko Mirotic. The drafting of PF Lauri Markkanen leaves the future of Niko as a Bull in question. In my opinion, he & Markkanen play a similar style. Both are stretch big who can play a little bit in the post & lack defensive skill. Zach Lavine brings a wing with a developing jump shot and supreme athleticism who can drive to the basket & finish amongst the trees. He doesn’t have anywhere near the defensive skills that can offset the loss of Jimmy Butler on that end of the floor. The question with Lavine is can he be healthy enough to start the season coming off a torn ACL in February. Kris Dunn didn’t have necessarily the best rookie season last year having limited playtime behind PG Ricky Rubio. He still has a great deal of upside & potential & is also still very young at 23 years old. With the incoming of Dunn will the Bulls option to keep Rondo’s $14 million salary and let Dunn develop under him or give Dunn the keys right off the back? With D-Wade exercising his $24 million player option, Will the Bulls elect to keep the salary or amnesty his money from the salary cap? These are questions to be answered by future moves of the Bulls as free agency approaches.

            The Timberwolves with this trade can potentially become a contending team in the west and could make the playoffs for the first time since the 2003-04 season the longest current drought in the NBA between playoff appearances. The addition of Jimmy Butler along with Karl Anthony-Towns, Andrew Wiggins, & Ricky Rubio under the guidance of Head Coach Tom Thibodeau makes the T-Wolves a much stronger team. Butler gives the Wolves a defender that can defend the perimeter and give them a huge 3^rd scoring option to pair with the pass first mentality of Ricky Rubio. The move makes them into a top 6 team in the Western Conference. With Jimmy’s mentality on the defense end along with Thibs defensive wizardry that can tremendously improve them defensively. The draft pick of big C Justin Patton can also help this team improve defensively as he adds a low-post defensive presence. I personally like their chances in the Western Conference next season. Don’t Be surprised if they become a top 5 seed.

The LeBron James Vs. Michael Jordan Debate

           Over the past weeks & days there have been many outlets and people debating the LBJ vs. MJ debate topic. It’s been many thoughts and opinions from many on the topic from names like Scottie Pippen, Michael Wilbon, Stephen A. Smith. There are certain arguments that can be made on both sides. I feel it’s time for me to let my full opinion be known.

            The debate has grown tremendously now that LeBron James has reached 7^th straight NBA finals & passed Jordan on the all-time playoff scoring list. I personally feel that the two can’t be compared at all for a variety of reasons. They each have advantages and disadvantages but they each play the game 2 totally different ways. I won’t try to put so many numbers because the comparison is truly an eye test not a statistic test in my opinion.

           

            Defensively MJ is a better on ball defender than LBJ. LeBron has made legendary chase down blocks (i.e. 2016 NBA Finals chase down block on Iguodala in Game 7) because of his uncanny timing ability and his length and explosiveness. LeBron doesn’t lock down defenders as well in 1 on 1 situations as Jordan. Jordan didn’t have the body type and strength as LeBron to be able to hold positions versus bigger opponents. MJ was better on the perimeter with ability to play passing lanes, anticipate opponents moves, and his speed and quickness. To MJ even having a Defensive POY on his resume.

            I would definitely want the ball in Jordan’s hands during the last 10-15 seconds of games because Jordan has NEVER been afraid of taking that last shot or making the necessary play. LeBron has never really been that type of player with that killer instinct mentality when the game is on the line. I’ll make a defense for LeBron on this case because Michael didn’t ALWAYS take the shots either whether it’s been John Paxson, Steve Kerr, or Scottie Pippen, Michael hasn’t ALWAYS taken the shots. LeBron has had Ray Allen & Kyrie Irving take clutch shots as well. I would just want the ball in Michael’s hands because he’ll never shy away from the moments and he has made a ton of clutch shots throughout his career.

            I won’t really put team accomplishments (i.e. rings) in this debate mainly because it takes a team to win titles and it’s way too much emphasis put on how many titles a single player has won. In my opinion titles don’t necessarily mean a player is or isn’t great. While a player’s greatness can contribute to a title he’s not the sole person winning the title. It takes a host of guys playing their part and coming together as one to win titles. But what I can compare LeBron vs. Michael play in the NBA Finals. Advantage Michael NOT because of the 6-0 in finals, NOT because of the never going to a game 7, Mainly because of Michael never had moments where he had a complete meltdown like LeBron’s 2011 NBA Finals vs. Mavericks. Michael was one to have his best games during the NBA Finals including the 1997 “Flu Game” during game 5 where MJ dropped 38pts. LeBron’s 2015 & 2016 NBA Finals were remarkable averaging a near triple-double in 2015 & achieving the feat during the game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals. LeBron had his best finals moments last year by being major part in the first ever 3-1 comeback in NBA Finals history.

            LeBron has court vision compared to Magic where he could get all his players involved and could play more of the point forward position due to his ability to see the open man and make crisp passes to those open men. While Michael isn’t a bad passer in his own right LeBron has more of a willingness to share the basketball. 

            LeBron has the bigger body type at 6’9 260lbs vs MJ who played at 6’6 220lbs. LeBron body type enables him to play more of the power game and exert a different type of physicality than MJ. LBJ’s body type and more physicality style of play allows him to be more versatile on both ends mainly the defensive end of the floor where LeBron had more of the strength and presence to deal with bigs when needed more than Michael. LeBron has more of a physical presence than MJ even though both play in the post at times LeBron is more physical playing there.

            The REAL debates we should be having is Kobe vs. Michael & LeBron vs. Magic. I think those should be the true debates because in each conversation the comparison is very similar in styles of play on the floor. Michael & Kobe played very similar styles in terms of moves, killer mentality, on ball defending & PURE scoring ability. Magic & LeBron play similar styles as far as passing ability, ability to play in the open floor, run the offense from the point, & ability to achieve triple-doubles.

            At the end of the day LeBron vs. Michael isn’t the real debate in my eyes.

Was QB Mitch Trubisky The Right Pick for The Chicago Bears?

The 2017 Draft NFL has ended and now it’s time to look back and reflect. The move that created the biggest headlines & shockwaves is the move made by the Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace to trade up from the #3 slot into the #2 slot to draft QB Mitch Trubisky out of The University of North Carolina. In such move, the Bears dealt the No. 3 pick, their third-round pick (No. 67), one of their fourth-round picks (No. 111) and a 2018 third-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers to move up and take Trubisky, considered one of the draft’s top quarterbacks.

To be completely honest, as a diehard Bears the move really frustrated me because of the huge holes the Bears have in the secondary with the release of CB Tracy Porter, CB Kyle Fuller coming off arthroscopic knee surgery and not playing the entire 2016 season, the secondary could’ve used some suring up with the #3 overall pick. Head Coach John Fox is a defensive minded coach and for them not to address a need on that side of the ball strikes as peculiar. The secondary is young and doesn’t have a lot of speed to cover ground on the field. Their secondary last season was a revolving rotation and suring that up I thought would’ve been a primary need. The speed and playmaking ability of prospects of Malik Hooker & Marshon Lattimore out of Ohio State, or Jamal Adams out of LSU would’ve been great fits to come right in & contribute to a rebuilding defense.

It also really struck as surprising because of the free agent contract the Bears gave to QB Mike Glennon. Glennon was given a 3yr/$45 million deal on the first day of free agency this past March. The Bears also signed QB Mark Sanchez in the off-season as well. With those two signings, it really struck me that they moved up to take Trubisky. Trubisky only playing 13 college games isn’t that big of an issue for me. Personally, I was never really wowed by his game film or numbers but as we all know those factors can at times be misleading so that goes up in the air.

It was upsetting as a fan because the Bears move up ONE slot to take a player who could’ve still been available had the stayed at #3. They gave the 49ers too many of good draft picks. Giving up two 3^rd round picks & a 4^th round pick I think was a bit pricey. Most drafts are made with the selections in those later rounds and a lot of hidden gems are found within the 3^rd & 4^th rounds. Players like Antonio Brown, Bears own Jordan Howard, Saints WR Michael Thomas, WR Terrell Owens, Hall of Fame DE Jason Taylor were taken with 3^rd round picks.

However, letting the last few days passed by the more I’m starting to think it maybe could’ve been a risk the Bears needed to take as a franchise. The Bears organization has a bad history of QB problems especially during the Jay Cutler era. For as long as I can remember the Bears never really had a GM linked to a QB pick. This is the first time the Bears have taken a QB in the top 5 since the “Punky QB” Jim McMahon in 1982. Oddly enough he was the last QB to lead the Bears to a championship. The Bears have been drafting safely as long as I can remember and not really making a big splash so I think a move like this could be necessary to progress the rebuilding of the Bears. GM Ryan Pace’s future will weigh on whether Mitch Trubisky works out or not.

The biggest problem I have with this pick is what are they going to surround Mitch Trubisky with to help him develop. Not only on the field, but with a consistent coaching staff around him. The Bears late history has been a revolving door of offensive coordinators since 2009 with names like Mike Martz, Ron Turner, Aaron Kromer, Mike Tice, & Adam Gase. There’s going to have to be that consistent voice to be there with Trubisky to help him continue is development as a QB. They’re also taking leaps of faith in current Offensive Coordinator Dowell Loggins & QBs Coach Dave Ragone.

At the end of the day, I’m hopeful & optimistic that Mitch Trubisky will work out only time will tell. If it doesn’t work it will set the organization back and will cost GM Ryan Pace his job. As a diehard fan, I truly am rooting for Trubisky and hoping that he really works out.

Can Mike Glennon Be the Future at QB For the Chicago Bears?

The Chicago Bears have made drastic changes at the QB position by FINALLY letting go of Jay Cutler & bringing in Mike Glennon from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency this off-season. Glennon was signed to a 3yr/$45 million deal on the first day of free agency on March 9^th. They also added QB Mark Sanchez recently to a 1 year deal to be Glennon’s backup as he’s already been named starting QB. None of the 3 QB’s who started for the Bears remain on the current roster (Jay Cutler, Brian Hoyer, Matt Barkley).

Glennon was made a 3rd round pick by the Buccaneers in the 2013 and has been productive for his slot in the Draft. Glennon has a 5-13 career record as a starter with the Bucs, I think that record is very misleading being that he was on some bad Bucs teams that weren’t there yet as a complete unit. He produced despite what the record shows. His rookie season in 2013 was a productive season having thrown for 2,608 yards, 19 touchdowns and only 9 interceptions. In 2014, he split time with QB Josh McCown. Meanwhile, Glennon still was productive throwing for 1,417 yds, 10 TD’s and 6 INT’s. In 2015, Glennon was pushed to the bench with the Bucs having earned the #1 overall pick and they used it on a former Heisman Trophy winner from Florida State in QB Jameis Winston. The acquisition of Winston pushed Glennon to the bench as he didn’t see a snap in the 2015 season. 2016 was much of the same as he only threw 11 pass attempts, but he did complete 10 of them.

One of the concerning questions from various sources is “Did the Bears overpay for Glennon?”. In my opinion they didn’t because the market for a starting QB in today’s NFL is higher than it’s ever been and $12-14 million a year is the starting price of a QB on the free agent market. Being that Glennon was the hottest commodity in this year’s market the $15 million per year salary was what the market coveted for his services. With the Bears being in desperate need of a change at the QB position they had to cash out a bit to get the QB the absolutely needed. It was time to change due to the inept play and inconsistently from Jay Cutler so I think the contract is justifiable.

Glennon has the physical tools to be a productive QB in Today’s NFL. He has the height at 6’6 and the ideal weight for a QB at 225 lbs. He has a very strong live arm and can make all the throws necessary in an offense. He has very good accuracy to spread the ball to his different receivers. He can see over the defenders and his own lineman with the height.

One thing that I truly think that could halter the progress of Mike Glennon is the weapons that they’ve surrounded him with. The loss of Alshon Jeffery to the Philadelphia Eagles is going to prove HUGE in this offense and it doesn’t give him a big time go to threat in the offense. Jeffery’s speed and size at 6’3 220lb will be a huge loss due to his hands and catch radius, also his ability to slide the coverage towards his side of the field and open things up for other receivers to be utilized. With WR’s Kevin White & Eddie Royal struggles to stay on the field due to injuries, it’s going to be hard to count on them to be a consistent part of the offense and gain rhythm with Glennon due to unavailability. What does give Glennon help is the emergence of a strong running game in RB Jordan Howard, and a come up from WR Cameron Meredith. Free agent signings of WR’s Kendall Wright (Titans) and Markus Wheaton (Steelers) can help with having those inside speed threats. Just the loss of the #1 go to guy in Alshon Jeffery could end up being very costly for Glennon & the Bears.

Another question that will arise will be “Will the time spent on the bench leave him rusty?” I personally don’t think it will be something that hurts overall but I feel he will find some struggles because he hasn’t been playing against live in game defense much in the past 2 season. It’s going to take Glennon a bit of time to get himself adjusted and get back into the flow of playing against live defenses, but with reps and time that’s something that will really go away and not affect the long-term growth and success of him and the Bears as an offense.

In my opinion I see Glennon as more of a place holder, a bridge to sort of speak until the Bears as an organization sees someone that they absolutely fall in love with a draft prospect coming out within the next 2-3 years. With Glennon, it gives the Bears a chance to move forward without the cancer known as Jay Cutler.  I truthfully hope that I’m wrong about that as a true diehard Bears fan. Will he provide and upgrade over Jay Cutler? The answer to that is a definite YES. 

State of the NBA

The NBA has come a very long way from its beginning back on June 6, 1946 when it started as the Basketball Association of America (BBA) to later be renamed the National Basketball Association (NBA) on August 3^rd, 1949. Integrating rules like the Shot Clock, 3-Point Line, 3-Second Defense, etc. I personally want to talk about the state of the NBA today.

One good thing that’s thriving in today’s NBA is the marketing of its teams and star players. Big names have been made from the NBA & being able to profit from the marketing such as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, & LeBron James. Their team’s games were marketed and showed on national tv most not just because of team success, also due to the unbelievable talent that each player possesses. Whether it’s commercials, shoes, personalities the NBA has done an amazing job on capitalizing on their successes.

The athleticism of today’s players make for a very exciting watch. Main attractions like Russell Westbrook, LeBron, Kyrie Irving, Steph Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, & James Harden. The excitement that these supremely talented players bring is ridiculous. Westbrook with a chance to average a Triple-Double, James Harden putting up numbers, LeBron’s exciting plays, Giannis amazing athleticism makes the product very watchable on a nightly basis. Exciting dunks, buzzer beaters, the back and forth games are a very good watch.

The thing that bothers me most about today’s NBA is the super teams. In my opinion it’s too many of the game’s top players playing on one team which creates a boring regular season and a lack of parity of teams that have a legit shot of competing for an NBA championship. Too many of the game’s best players are looking for the easiest shot of winning an NBA title joining other great teams instead of sticking things out thru thick & thin and winning with their current teams. Guys like LeBron & Kevin Durant are first that come to mind. This season alone seems like it’s going to be a pre-determined NBA finals with the Cavaliers vs. Warriors Part 3. KD going to the 73-9 Warriors really didn’t sit well with me personally as he went to join that team that went 73-9 and that his Thunder has a 3-1 lead on in the Western Conference Finals only to lose that series. 

Super Bowl LI Preview & Predictions

Should NBA Titles Define A Player's Greatness?

For those who follow the NBA know the game’s best players are defined on how many titles they have or do not have. Most of the game’s most legendary players are judged based off the same formula. In my opinion, it shouldn’t matter that big of an emphasis as many others base it off. It’s becoming to a point now where players are being judged solely based off NBA championships like it’s a self-accomplishment and all who watch sports know it’s a team accomplishment.

It’s a total team accomplishment for NBA championships. Some of the game’s best players ever didn’t win rings not because of their play it’s because their respective teams maybe didn’t have the necessary talent to be a champion or because of other circumstances like injuries, trades, etc. Players like Reggie Miller, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Patrick Ewing, Dominique Wilkins, etc. Those players are widely regarded as some of the best players to ever play the game but their legacy and meaning gets overshadowed by not being able to say they’re NBA Champions. Reggie Miller is the perfect example that I can use for this argument. He’s widely regarded as one the game’s best clutch shooters and one of the top 3-point shooters ever, but he doesn’t have a title. That’s not because of his efforts one bit because he played his tail off every time he stepped on the court. Go back and look at some of the rosters that Reggie Miller played on. Now go back and pull out a Hall of Fame potential talent that he got to play with. I’ll wait. That’s right he never really played alongside a Hall of Fame caliber player. Same can be said for Patrick Ewing & Dominique Wilkins as well. Great players who were never fortunate enough to play with other Hall of Fame caliber players. Outside of Larry Brown I can’t off the top of my head name a top coach that Reggie Miller played for. The only top name coach that Ewing played for is Pat Riley. And other than Mike Fratello I can’t name a coach that Wilkins played for. Karl Malone & Stockton had it all but kept running into those dominant MJ Bulls. Charles Barkley outside of the 1993 season never had a team that really competed for a NBA Title. He played for an aging Houston team his last 4 seasons in the NBA and never reached the finals again in his career.

It takes more than just having a Hall of Fame caliber player that has teams win titles. In today’s game, I’ll use Carmelo Anthony as an example. He’s a great future Hall of Fame player that’s never really had that dominant title contending team assembled around him despite his overwhelming talent. The Knicks team he’s on now may be recognizable name wise on paper but it’s just not working on the floor. Rather it’ll be injuries to an oft-injured Derrick Rose, Aging Joakim Noah, Kristaps Porzingis, interchanging coaches he hasn’t been afforded the roster needed to compete for a title in today’s NBA and how it structured. The only example I can recently use for a player not having but only so much of a team and winning an NBA title is the Dirk Nowitzki led 2011 Mavs.

I’ll give names of title winners in the NBA modern-era and give names of players that played on those teams. The 1980’s Lakers had players Like Magic, Kareem, Worthy, & played for a great coach in Pat Riley. The 80’s Celtics had FIVE Hall of Famers in Larry Bird, Robert Parish, Dennis Johnson, Kevin McHale, & Bill Walton. The Bad Boy Pistons had Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, & Dennis Rodman & was coached by the late great Chuck Daly. The 90’s Bulls had MJ, Scottie, & coached by the Zen Master Phil Jackson. 2000’s Lakers were Shaq & Kobe then later Kobe & Pau Gasol and were coached by Jackson as well. The 2000’s Spurs were led by David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and now Kawhi Leonard. The Heat were led by Shaq & D-Wade in 06’ then later LeBron, Wade, Bosh, & Ray Allen. The point of me naming all those were it takes and entire team to win titles from organization top to bottom not just one Hall of Fame player carrying those teams.

Titles can help a player’s legacy but it should not diminish what the player displayed individually on the basketball court. I still consider those great players among the greatest despite if they won titles or not because of their game changing talents on the court not based off number of NBA titles.

If we define players based off number of titles than players like Steve Kerr (5 titles), Derek Fisher (5 titles), & Robert Horry (7 titles), would be considered among the game’s best. People make all the legacy about the NBA logo himself “Mr. Clutch” Jerry West but in all reality, he’s 1-9 in NBA Finals. THAT’S RIGHT I said 1-9. The game’s most dominant big men Wilt Chamberlain has the same amount of NBA titles (1). If we make arguments based of titles as well Michael Jordan or Bill Russell should be the NBA Logo.

I’ll make this last argument in bring other sports into the fold. One of the greatest baseball players ever Ken Griffey Jr. failed to reach a World Series let alone win one but it still doesn’t diminish the greatness and legacy he displayed on the field of play. Arguably one of the greatest QB’s in NFL history Dan Marino reached only 1 Super Bowl and never won one in his career but still revered as one of the best to ever play the position.

Overall NBA shouldn’t be judged off titles because that’s a team accomplishment and should be judged based off their play alone, by itself, not always on titles.