Columbus Selected as Host City for the 2024 MLS All-Star Game

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June 29, 2023

Columbus was Selected as Host City for the 2024 MLS All-Star Game at Lower.com Field. Columbus will again take center stage in the Major League Soccer world. The 2024 MLS All-Star Game will be at the state-of-the-art Lower.com Field on July 17, 2024. It marks the third time Columbus will host the prestigious event, but the first since the opening of Lower.com Field in 2021.

Photo Cred: The Columbus Dispatch

The announcement has ignited excitement among soccer fans, who anticipate witnessing the best players in the MLS. The signing of global superstar Lionel Messi to Inter Miami CF adds extra anticipation to the event. MLS is becoming more notably.

Photo Cred: Goal.com

“In everything we do, the Crew is dedicated to excellence on the pitch, creating engaging experiences and memories for our supporters and serving as leaders in the community, and hosting the 2024 MLS All-Star Game accomplishes all of those goals,” expressed Dee and Jimmy Haslam, owners of the Crew and Cleveland Browns, in a statement.

They continued, “The week-long celebration of soccer at all levels of play is an exceptional opportunity to showcase Lower.com Field, which provides one of the best atmospheres in all sports and entertainment, the incredible hospitality and growth of the City of Columbus, and our passionate fans.”

Photo Cred: MLS.com

This year’s MLS All-Star Game, taking place in Washington D.C., will see the MLS All-Stars pitted against Arsenal, adding to the tradition of high-profile opponents. The clash will showcase the immense talent and skill in the MLS and one of England’s top clubs.
The selection of Columbus and Lower.com Field highlights the city’s rising prominence within the American soccer landscape.

The recently opened Lower.com Field. It’s a state-of-the-art soccer-specific stadium and provides an ideal setting to showcase the spectacle of the All-Star Game. Offers include modern amenities and an electric atmosphere. The MLS All-Star Game is not only a showcase top talent. It’s a platform for promoting soccer in the United States. The event generates increased attention and interest. Both domestically and internationally, further solidifying the MLS as a prominent force in the global soccer landscape.

Rockies Lose 25-1

By

Troy Finnegan

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June 28, 2023

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MLB: Los Angeles Angels at Toronto Blue Jays — Photo Cred: Kevin Sousa (USATSI)

The Colorado Rockies won their weekend series this past weekend against the Los Angeles Angels, but if you were just casually on social media, you wouldn’t know it. On Saturday night, the Rockies became a meme. Again. Los Angeles’ star-studded lineup made a mockery of Colorado on their home field, scoring 21 runs over a two inning stretch and setting a franchise record for hits in a 25-1 win.

Photo Cred: USA Today

Angels superstar Mike Trout led off the third inning with a home run to give the Halos a 3-0 lead. On the next pitch, second baseman Brandon Drury hit one out. On the next pitch, it was catcher Matt Thaiss’ turn to go deep. By the time the inning ended, 16 Angels hitters had stepped up to the plate, with 13 coming across to score. The fourth inning was more of the same. The Angels posted eight more runs by the end of the fourth frame, pushing their lead to 23-0 before the halfway point of the ballgame.

Photo Cred: USA Today

By the end of the game, Los Angeles had become just the 21st team since 1900 to score 25 runs in a game, and the Rockies were an embarrassment. As Rockies fans know, this isn’t exactly uncharted territory for them. It’s the fifth consecutive season that they will miss the playoffs, assuming they’ll recover from their current standing as the worst team in the National League. If that holds, they will sit at just five playoff appearances in their 31 years, with just one trip to the NLCS (which they won). They have, incredibly, never won the NL West.

You can get into Coors Field for less than 10 dollars, where you will see plenty of empty seats. You’ll probably catch a few shirts or signs urging current owner Dick Monfort to sell the team. Many Colorado fans describe it as a sports bar attached to a field. Don’t get me wrong; the Rockies have had their moments. Their 2007 run to the World Series electrified the city and the fanbase (they lost game 1 of the World Series 13-1 and got swept). Their 13-inning win at Wrigley Field in the 2018 NL Wild Card Game is an unforgettable marathon for any Rockies fan. Followed by being swept in the NLDS immediately after, scoring two total runs in the three games.

Rockies Owner/Chairman and CEO Dick Monfort Photo Cred: The Denver Post

However, those moments are few and far between the misery of watching, much less rooting for, baseball in Denver. Who can forget when they traded superstar third baseman Nolan Arenado (and roughly $51 million), arguably the best player in franchise history, for a collection of prospects? Is there a way out of this cycle of dread? I’m honestly not sure. There’s no secret that pitching has been a consistent problem for Colorado, and it is commonly said that pitchers don’t want to pitch in the Denver altitude because it may inflate their stats. But retaining your best players and maintaining an environment would be a good start.

Is Monfort selling the team the answer? It’s certainly a start, and fans constantly clamor for Steve Kroenke (who owns the Nuggets and Avalanche) to become the new head man. Kroenke doesn’t have a high approval rating in Colorado, but after the Stanley Cup win in 2022 and the Nuggets NBA Title in 2023, he at least has put together a resume and a willingness to build a competitive roster. Montfort said before the season that he thought Colorado could play .500 ball. This leaves Rockies fans to debate what was worse. Was it bad enough that Monfort thought that this roster could be competitive or that he refused to do anything to push their ceiling beyond that?

Photo Cred: Sportskeeda

Well, as it turns out (and as many fans knew coming in) Rockies are nowhere near being competitive, nor even sniffing the .500 mark. They have basically already fallen out of the playoff race, and it’s not even July. They’re barely competing for fourth place in their division, much less a playoff berth. Until they do, you can find the Coors Field crowd at the rooftop bar, worrying more about their next drink order than who’s on the mound or at the plate.

NBA Draft 2023 Second Round Recap

By

Arnav Sarkar

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June 28, 2023

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2023_nba_mock_draft_01_1200x628 — Photo Cred: Watch Stadium

In the second round, one of the picks who stood out was Jalen Pickett going to the Denver Nuggets. Pickett was the star of Penn State’s offense and led them to a March Madness run. Out of the G-League Ignite, Leonard Miller was taken by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He is another player who stood out in this round.

DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 18: Jalen Pickett #22 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after losing to the Texas Longhorns in the second round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 18, 2023 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Later in the draft, the Nets took Jalen Wilson, a power forward from Kansas. He played a vital role on a #1-seeded Kansas team and won Big 12 Player of the Year last year. He was a high-value pick that late in the draft. The Pacers also took Miami guard Isaiah Wong (the ACC Player of the Year), who is a great scorer and ball handler, with the 55th pick.

He was a big part of the Hurricanes team who made it to the Final Four. Another big surprise later in the round was Indiana standout Trayce Jackson-Davis falling to the second-last pick in the draft. Projections had him going higher as a big man with a solid handle who could score in the post and defend the glass at will. Being an undersized center without much of a jump shot hurt his case. Jackson-Davis could be a good fit with great playmakers and shooters with the Golden State Warriors, who traded for him.

Photo Cred: NBA.com

Undrafted Players

Many players signed on two-way or Exhibit 10 contracts. Two-way contracts allows players to play for the NBA team or in the G-League, while an Exhibit-10 contract is a minimum deal. Adama Sanogo, center from the champion UConn Huskies, was picked up on a two-way contract by the Bulls, as was Kentucky star Oscar Tshiebwe, who signed with the Pacers. Other notable collegiate players who signed two-way contracts were Sir’Jabari Rice from Texas and Markquis Nowell shined brightest during March Madness at Kansas State. Rice signed with the Spurs, and Nowell went north of the border with the Toronto Raptors. Azoulas Tubelis was one of three players to sign two-way contracts with the 76ers.

Star forward Drew Timme from Gonzaga was one of the biggest names to be signed to an Exhibit-10 contract. Timme was picked up by the Bucks. Tosan Evbuomwan, who led Princeton to a surprise Sweet Sixteen run, signed with the Pistons. Rutgers guard and defensive stalwart Caleb McConnell joins a young Thunder team and hopes to compete for a roster spot.

Photo Cred: USA Today

It was a successful draft, overall. America and the world’s best basketball players get to live their dreams. The focus shifts to free agency and potential trades that can shake up the league. The young stars will make their NBA debut in the NBA Summer League. Summer League will take place this July in Las Vegas, Sacramento, and Salt Lake City. Games include head-to-head match ups between the top-five picks in the draft.

NBA Draft 2023 First Round Recap

By

Arnav Sarkar

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June 27, 2023

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Photo Cred: Sporting News

The 2023 NBA Draft took place in Brooklyn at the Barclays Center this past Thursday night, and the next batch of young basketball stars are entering the league. There were many surprises later on in the draft, but the first ten to fifteen picks went at least somewhat as expected.

The first pick was no shock to anyone. The San Antonio Spurs selected Victor Wembanyama, a seven-foot-five center from France. With Wembanyama’s height, he can easily block shots, attack the rim, and dominate any other player in the post. On top of this, he has a guard-like handle, a solid jump shot, and the ability to shoot three-pointers even off one leg. With his size and skill, he is pretty much impossible to guard and effectively plays like a taller version of Kevin Durant on offense and Kevin Garnett on defense. He has the potential to be one of the best NBA players of all time and should be a perennial NBA all-star for years to come.

Photo Cred: CNN

Moving on to the second pick, the Charlotte Hornets selected Brandon Miller out of Alabama. The six-foot-nine small forward shot nearly 40% from three and is a great shooter and scorer. He is also an elite playmaker, can finish at the rim, and is a strong defender. He led the Alabama attack and earned the MVP of the SEC tournament, carrying Alabama to a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament, before the Tide lost to eventual runners-up San Diego State in the Sweet Sixteen.

Photo Cred: AL.com

The Portland Trail Blazers selected Scoot Henderson with the third pick, a six-foot-two point guard who played in the NBA G-League for the G-League Ignite. Although Henderson struggles with his jump shot and isn’t much of a three-point shooter, he is very explosive, can draw fouls well, and is a good finisher. He is also a crafty ball handler and playmaker and can shoot midrange jumpers. It will be interesting to see if the Blazers keep Damian Lillard and pair Lillard with Scoot or trade Damian Lillard and build around Scoot Henderson.

Photo Cred: NBA.com

Rounding out the top five, the Houston Rockets selected Amen Thompson, and the Detroit Pistons picked his twin brother Ausar Thompson. Both brothers played at Overtime Elite, a developmental league similar to the G-League in which players could test themselves at a young age against similar prospects. This draft highlighted the different pathways players could take to the NBA, with international players, the G-League, and the Overtime Elite program in addition to the traditional college route. Both Thompson twins are taller guards at six-feet-seven, with Amen being a point guard and Ausar being a shooting guard. In addition to size, both brothers can shoot outside, attack the basket, and guard multiple positions. Amen has a better handle, and Ausar is more of a wing player. The brothers are similar players who will help their lottery teams compete for a playoff spot.

Some other intriguing picks from later in the first round were Duke center Dereck Lively II going to the Thunder at the twelfth pick, followed by Gradey Dick going to the Raptors and Jordan Hawkins going to the Pelicans, two of the best shooters in the class. Indiana guard Jalen Hood-Schifino went to the Western Conference runners-up Lakers at pick #17, while UCLA small forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. went to the NBA Finals runner-up Miami Heat.

Photo Cred: Toronto Star

The slide of this year’s draft belongs to Cam Whitmore. He was projected to go top-5 in many mock drafts but fell to the 20th, where the Rockets picked him. The Villanova small forward has an NBA-ready body, is a shot maker with athletic ability but disappointed in individual workouts and interviews, and he and Villanova struggled this season en route to missing March Madness for just the second time since 2004.

Photo Cred: NBA.com

The Brooklyn Nets selected Noah Clowney, a power forward out of Alabama, and Dariq Whitehead, a shooting guard from Duke. They had back-to-back picks in the first round. They added size to pair with Nicholas Claxton in the post in Clowney and an explosive athlete who developed a 40% 3-point shooting touch in Whitehead. Clowney is a versatile big man who played a role in a great Alabama season, while Whitehead has some injury concerns but showed his potential to at least be a solid 3-and-D player for the Nets.

Near the end of the first round, Keegan Murray’s younger brother and former Iowa teammate Kris Murray joined Scoot Henderson in Portland, Houston standout point guard Marcus Sasser was picked by the Grizzlies, and Ohio State’s Brice Sensabaugh went to the Jazz. The defending champion Nuggets traded into the first round to select the hot-shooting small forward from Gonzaga in Julian Strawther.

The Modern Era Big Red Machine Coming To Fruition

By

Seth Miller

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June 25, 2023

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1276835969.jpg.0 — Photo Cred: USA Today

What’s going on in Cincinnati? No, we aren’t talking about the Bengals; it’s baseball season. The almost forgotten bottom of the totem pole Cincinnati Reds is taking the MLB by storm. These Reds are the current divisional leaders of the NL Central by 1.5 games. Winning twelve straight games has propelled them from the bottom of the standing to the leaders.

Photo Cred: ESPN

These games consisted of two wins against a divisional rival on the road, the St. Louis Cardinals, and sweeps over the Kansas City Royals and Houston Astros, which were also on the road and at home, the Colorado Rockies. With the addition of various standout key rookies, the culture is changing rapidly in Cincinnati, and this is due to the standout additions of rookies which include, Spencer Steer, Matt McLain, Andrew Abbott, and of course, one of baseball’s most exciting and top prospects debuted. Elly De La Cruz is a switch-hitting shortstop with elite power and speed. Other teams around the league are on notice with this resurgence of Reds baseball in Cincinnati; after just completing their 12th straight win in front of a sold-out crowd at Great American Ball Park against baseball’s best.

Photo Cred: Dylan Buell

The Atlanta Braves were riding on their own 8-game winning streak and with arguably baseball’s best lineup on paper. Some wonder what has gone on with this Reds team in the past few weeks. It’s safe to say they have been nothing short of electric. This lineup is one of baseball’s most potent, with the potential to even get better come the trade deadline when the Reds look to add another starting arm to their rotation. A hopeful reunion with Aroldis Chapman could be a terrific addition on the brink of a call-up of Christen Encarnacion-Strand, who is tearing up AAA for the Louisville Bats (Red’s AAA affiliate) with a slash line of 17 HR, .338 BA, .409 OBP, .662 SLG, 1.071 OPS+.

Photo Cred: Big Red Machine

This shows how deep the Reds’ farm system is. The Cincinnati Reds’ current win streak has been nothing short of remarkable. With each passing game, they have a relentless determination and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Their victories have propelled them up the standings and captured the hearts of fans. This new era of The Big Red Machine is on its way to Cincinnati. Reds fans have a lot to look forward to for the rest of the year. The end goal for this team which I think is possible well above schedule, is World Series Champions.

Who Should be the Favorite to Win the World Series?

By

Rives Reucassel

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June 25, 2023

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With about a month left until the all-star break, we have a good feel about the real-world-series contenders in the MLB. Baseball is a sport where anyone can win on a given night. Unlike a sport such as the NBA, where the better team usually wins in a best-of-seven series, baseball has shorter series and more equal odds. As of June 23, the Atlanta Braves have the best odds to win the world series are +450, followed by the Rays at +500, then the Dodgers at +850. If I were a betting man, I would put money on the Braves to win it all this season. The Braves have experience in playoff situations, a mix of older and younger players, and all-star caliber players across their roster.

Photo Cred: Sports Net

Coming into the season, the Braves had a question mark at shortstop. They didn’t seem inclined to bring back Dansby Swanson, as it would have cost them a lot of extra money, and they felt they could seek equal production elsewhere. Atlanta shortstops have combined for a .310/.365/.422 batting. That is exceptionally good and one of the best in the league. Atlanta shortstops are fourth in overall offense measured by wRC+.

It’s no secret that the Braves have a talented roster from the top down. They also have an experienced coaching staff that has shown consistency throughout the regular season and has made the playoffs numerous times. To win the world series, you need great pitching, which the Braves have. Max Fried and Charlie Morton have been performing very well this season, and I look for that to continue after the all-star break leading into the postseason.

Photo Cred: WJHG

However, I believe the key to Atlanta’s success will be the offensive production they get from Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, and Ronald Acuna Jr. These three are the key to Atlanta’s success. They have had stellar seasons; they are the slight favorites to win the World Series. The biggest competition the Braves will face will be the Dodgers. Even though the Diamondbacks, Marlins, and Giants have had great seasons, the Dodgers still feel like the top threat to the Braves.

Photo Cred: Battery Power

The Braves are 1-2 against the Dodgers this year and have three more games against them later. The Dodgers play the Braves better than any of the other top teams in the National League, and that will most likely continue until the playoffs. The Braves do have a seven-game lead on the Dodgers and look to lock up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, which will be a factor that goes into reaching another world series for this Braves team. However, the postseason is highly unpredictable, and anything can happen in a short series. The Braves will face tough competition from other teams throughout the entire playoffs, and they will need to play their best to win the World Series.

Top 5 NBA Contenders for the 2023/24 Season

By

Rives Reucassel

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June 25, 2023

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With the Phoenix Suns now trading for Bradley Beal, giving up Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, 2024 & 2026 pick swaps, and six second-round draft picks, it questions which will be the 2023-24 NBA championship contenders. Assuming health, here are my top five contenders for next season.

1. Denver Nuggets

Photo Cred: CNN

The reigning NBA champions Denver Nuggets should be the favorite to win the title next season. After their stellar season this year, most, if not all, of their players should be returning. Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic are in their prime and continue to put up MVP-type numbers. I expect a jump in players like Micheal Porter Jr and Christian Bruan. Having this playoff experience will only allow those young guys to get better. The Nuggets also have one of the best benches in the league and who must now consider the best player in the league, Nikola Jokic.

2. Milwaukee Bucks

Photo Cred: USA Today

The Milwaukee Bucks had a disappointing end to last season. But they should still be considered a top championship contender. Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the best players in the league. I fully expect him to be on a mission next year. Newly hired head coach Adrian Griffin is out to prove that he can become one of the better coaches in the entire league. He has been an assistant coach for the Toronto Raptors for the past few years and was on Nick Nurse’s staff when they won the championship in 2019. The only question mark for the Bucks is free agents Brook Lopez and Kris Middleton. Most analysts believe the Bucks want to bring both, increasing their chances of winning another championship. Assuming the core of Antetokounmpo, Middleton, Holiday, and Lopez are healthy, I have the Bucks as my number two championship contender for next season.

3. Golden State Warriors

Photo Cred: Sportsnaut

The Golden State Warriors should be a team in the championship mix next season. Future hall of famers Steph Curry and Klay Thompson will be back, along with Andrew Wiggins and newly acquired guard Chris Paul. The only question mark for the Warriors is unrestricted free agent Draymond Green. I would bring him back if I were the Warriors. We all know how well he meshes with Curry and Thompson, but where his impact is on the defensive side.

If I were running the show for the Warriors, I would bring Green back on a long-term deal. The core of Green, Thompson, and Curry has proven to be one of the greatest dynasties in recent NBA memory; thus, with a healthy squad, the Warriors will be right back at the top of the West. We all know Poole and Green’s relationship hasn’t been the same since Draymond punched Poole at the start of last season; now that Poole is gone, I fully expect Green to be 100% himself next season and free of any locker room distractions. Draymond will start to find his voice again, which was a large part of them winning those championships.

4. Boston Celtics

Photo Cred: NBA

The Boston Celtics almost became the first NBA team ever to come back from a 3-0 deficit in these past playoffs; however, they fell short, losing game seven at home to the Miami Heat. Even though this isn’t the finish Celtics fans were hoping for, they will still be in the mix to win it all next season. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are still two of the most dynamic players in the game and one of the best one-two punches in the NBA.

I love the pickup of Kristaps Porzingis. He will be a stretch big and shot blocker that will impact both sides of the floor. Tatum will be an MVP candidate. Joe Mazzula will feel more comfortable as a head coach. The Celtics will have one of the deepest benches in the entire league. I look for them to play with a sense of urgency and something to prove next season.

5. Phoenix Suns

Photo Cred: Sportsbiz

The Phoenix Suns just made a blockbuster trade, acquiring all-star guard Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards. The new owner of the Suns, Matt Isbia, has not been shy of making moves since he took over in the middle of last season. He has now traded for Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal while giving up assets such as Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson and no control of their draft picks until 2030.

I expect the Suns to trade center Deandre Ayton and get 2-3 solid role players in return to fill out their roster. Ayton isn’t known for his defense, he is better on the offensive side of the ball. With the acquisition of Beal the Suns should have no problem putting the ball in the basket. The challenge the Sun’s face now is signing players that can impact the defensive side. Thus, trading Ayton for a few players makes the most sense. Even if they don’t move Ayton, along with some of their defensive question marks. I fully expect a healthy Sun team to be a force to reckon with in the West next year.

Where does the Bradley Beal Trade Leave the Suns?

By

Troy Finnegan

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June 24, 2023

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422c8745-d471-4146-bb6d-744012ecfac2 — Photo Cred: USA Today

The Phoenix Suns wasted no time getting the NBA offseason kicked off, making an immediate big splash by trading for Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal over the weekend. Not only did Phoenix land another explosive scorer in Beal, but they didn’t give up all that much to get him. Washington received Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, and multiple second-round picks and pick swaps.

Photo Cred: SI

On paper, the swap immediately comes across as a steal for the Suns. They add another flamethrower on offense without giving up a first-round pick. Losing Paul hurts, but his unreliability from an injury standpoint at this stage of his career has slowed them for a few years. Shamet was a liability overall come playoff time despite his knockdown shots. So where does this deal leave Phoenix in the hierarchy of a very uncertain Western Conference? Arguably most importantly, they will be nearly impossible to guard. Adding Beal to the dynamic duo of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant gives Phoenix three guys who can get a bucket whenever they need to, and all three will put pressure on defenses no matter who has the ball, creating a puzzle that will be difficult for anyone to solve.

Beal and Durant are sufficient playmakers, and with the leap that Booker has taken in that department over the last few years, the offense should run smoothly enough during the regular season to be a top-five unit in the association and put them near the top of the Western Conference heading into the postseason. However, the playoffs are when the same problems might arise in the valley.

Photo Cred: ESPN

At this point, Beal is a better overall player than Paul, but Paul’s ability to calm everything down offensively and consistently get them good shots. The team will miss that, and Beal doesn’t do that. There are ways around this for the Suns, but a “your turn, my turn” offense is certainly a possibility here, and that doesn’t win games deep into the playoffs (see: Boston over the last two seasons).

The loss of Paul, combined with the firing of Monty Williams, leaves a question mark around the Sun’s offensive philosophy. How are they going to generate shots, and in what ways will they involve all three of their stars? Booker, Durant, and Beal could be so good that it doesn’t matter, but that’s something to consider when the Suns get into a series against a team that can match their firepower.

Photo Cred: Real GM

Another issue comes defensively. Beal isn’t a defensive stopper, and Phoenix’s point-of-attack defense remains problematic. The Suns’ defense won’t be awful, as Booker improved on that end, and Durant is still an excellent help-side rim protector, but nobody is mistaking this Suns group for the 2004 Pistons. The best teams in the west have guards who will take advantage of this weakness, combined with the fact that DeAndre Ayton is not a natural rim protector and will put a ton of pressure on the rim against Phoenix. Guys like Jamal Murray, Steph Curry, and Luka Doncic/Kyrie Irving (if Dallas can figure out the rest of their roster) could all give Phoenix trouble in a series.

They could run into problems guarding others, but others will have issues defending them, and that’s a trade-off that the Suns were okay with. The final piece to the puzzle is Ayton, whose reputation has soured after entering the league as the No. 1 overall pick back in 2018. Ayton has flashed immense talent in his time in Phoenix, but inconsistencies in his effort and production, some of them tied to his role, have made him a frustrating evaluation.

Photo Cred: BR

The bad news for Ayton is that if he wasn’t happy with his workload before, it’s certainly not getting any better after this trade. Paul was Ayton’s source of offense, feeding him the ball off of pick-and-rolls for easy, efficient looks in the restricted area. Now, there’s nobody left to spoon-feed Ayton the rock. His effort on the boards and defense has to stay at a high level. The Suns will need that to contend.

Maybe new head coach Frank Vogel can bring a different mentality out of Ayton, or maybe Phoenix decided to flip him this summer for a Clint Capela-type big that fits this roster better on paper. Regardless, the margin for error for the Suns’ front office is small, as their three stars will take up most of the payroll. Regardless of the holes around them, the Suns’ trio of Durant, Booker, and Beal will be capable of outscoring any team. They’re not a runaway favorite by any means. But if the health and the defense fall into place, they will have a chance to compete for their first championship in franchise history.

US CONCACAF Nations League Champions

By

Arnav Sarkar

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June 22, 2023

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merlin_188845152_fa838748-f79b-4964-82fe-a2f425463d63-superJumbo — Photo Cred: USA Today

The United States male national soccer team are champions of the CONCACAF Nations League. They knocked off Mexico and Canada in the semifinals and finals of the CONCACAF Nations League. The United States defeated Mexico by a score of three goals to zero in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Nations League, continuing a streak of recent dominance over Mexico in soccer for the United States. They followed that performance with a two-to-nothing victory over Canada in the final to win the trophy.

Photo Cred: YouTube- Concacaf

Matt Turner received the best goalkeeper award. Christian Pulisic won the best player award after scoring two goals against Mexico. He was a vital part of the attack. Although Mexico had the edge over the United States, since the turn of the century, the United States has turned the tide on Mexico. Soccer is becoming more popular in the United States has not lost to Mexico since 2020, defeating their biggest soccer rivals four times and drawing with them twice.

This game between the two border rivals was extremely chippy and featured four red and ten yellow cards. Christian Pulisic had a few chances early in the game but had a potential goal sail over the net after getting around Mexico keeper Guillermo Ochoa and having a free-kick attempt saved by Ochoa on a diving save. He would not be denied by taking advantage of a mishandling by a Mexican defender, dribbling to the left of Mexico’s Sanchez, and kicking the ball past Ochoa inside the back right post in the 37th minute of the first half.

Photo Cred: CNN

Early in the second half, Weston McKinnie kicked the ball up ahead to find Timothy Weah. He crossed it to Christian Pulisic in front of the goal, and Pulisic scored his second goal. Mexico’s Cesar Montes got a red card for kicking Folarin Balogun in the shin, suit ups for Arsenal, and made his USMNT debut after playing for the England Under-21 team. A scuffle broke out between America and Mexican in which Weston McKinnie also got ejected with a red card for his role in the fight as he put his hands on a Mexican player. He left the field kissing the American soccer crest in a signature moment from the game.

Later in the game, Sergino Dest dribbled around the Mexican players and found a wide-open Ricardo Pepi scored the third goal for the United States after dribbling around Ochoa at the net. Two more red cards were issued, one to Mexico’s Gerardo Arteaga and one to the United States Sergino Dest; the two got into a scuffle on the sidelines. Both sides finished the game with nine players, with two ejected from each side.

Photo Cred: CBS Sports

Unfortunately, multiple scuffles broke out. The game ended early after repeated homophobic chants from Mexican fans caused the referee to stop the match with about five minutes left in a twelve-minute stoppage time. Fans threw bottles on the field and ejected. However, the United States won the game and moved on to face Canada in the finals of the CONCACAF Nations League.

The final was a less chippy and cleaner affair. Canada and the United States went at it on the pitch as well. Gio Reyna had to leave the match after being slid into by a Canadian defender. Chris Richards scored his first international goal for the United States in the twelfth minute. It came off a header off a corner kick from Gio Reyna. Reyna also assisted on the second goal, finding an open Folarin Balogun in front of goal in the 34th minute, and it was his first international goal for the U.S. as well.

Photo Cred: Stars & Stripes

Canada had a few chances to score themselves later in the game. But U.S. goalie Matt Turner made many saves in the net. The United States defense helped keep the ball away from the goal. The United States also had many chances to increase the lead, but Canadain goalie Milan Borjan was incredible. The score remained at 2-0. Although Canada dominated the time of possession with 64%, they couldn’t get as many shots as possible on goal. The United States scored on two of its seven shots on target. Canada couldn’t score on any of their four attempts at Matt Turner.

Winning the Nations League is another step in the right direction for the United States. They can claim to be the kings of CONCACAF after defending their previous Nations League title. They won the Gold Cup in 2021. After finishing behind Canada and Mexico in World Cup qualifying, the United States advanced to the knockout stage. Canada and Mexico failed to make it out of the group stage. The United States won’t have too much time to celebrate.

Photo Cred: Sporting News

They will kick off their 2023 Gold Cup this Saturday. They battle Jamaica in their opening game of the group stage. They’ll attempt to defend their Gold Cup title to go two-for-two in CONCACAF tournaments this year. The future is bright in American soccer. Messi is coming to the MLS and the United States national team.

The Value of the Number 1 NBA Draft Pick in 2023

By

Rives Reucassel

-

June 21, 2023

3

The San Antonio Spurs won the NBA draft lottery after finishing the 2022/23 NBA season with a 22-60 record, which gave them the best odds of receiving the top pick, along with the Detroit Pistons and Houston Rockets. It was a significant victory for the Spurs as it now puts them in a position to draft Victor Wembanyama. This draft class is incredibly talented, especially at the top, with the consensus number-one pick being Wembanyama. Wembanyama is a highly touted prospect from France.

Photo Cred: NBA.com

The big man stands at 7-foot-2 center. He has a rare combination of size, length, athleticism, and skill. He is an excellent shot blocker and rim protector and can shoot from the perimeter. Wembenyama has a lot of strengths that will fit the Spurs’ needs. On the defensive side of the basketball, his long frame will pose significant difficulty for opposing offensive players. Victor has an estimated 8-foot-long wingspan, which would be one of the longest wingspans in NBA history.

He is quick off his feet and covers the ground well. That will make him a good shot blocker. He has good lateral agility for someone his size and avoids silly fouls. It will make him incredibly valuable to the defensive side. On the offensive side, Victor has a silky-smooth jump shot and can shoot over practically anyone in the league. It will make him virtually unguardable in a one-on-one situation. He also has good ball-handling skills for someone his size and uses that to his advantage.

Photo Cred: The Mirror

Many draft analysts have said Wembanyama is the best prospect they have ever seen. That includes LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Micheal Jordan. When the Spurs draft Wembanyama, they will get a player with tremendous upside and potential to be the best player in the league in a few years. With Wembanyama on the team, other stars may want to join the Spurs to play with this guy.

This will ultimately lead the Spurs back into championship contention. The Spurs also have a history of drafting players from France. Tony Parker and Boris Diaw were critical parts of their championship teams. The Spurs have struggled over the past few seasons, and winning the draft lottery is the first step back into playoff contention. On top of drafting Victor Wembenyama, the Spurs also have Jeremy Sochan and Keldon Johnson, who look like promising young players.

Photo Cred: Mysa

The Spurs will also have around $40 million in cap space this offseason. San Antonio rebuild has significantly progressed now that they can draft Wembenyama. The Spurs are getting a generational talent. And, someone who will attract other stars to join the team and boost the economy in San Antonio for years.

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