NFL
- Ravens sign WR Odell Beckham to one-year, $15 million contract
- This is laughable. If Baltimore felt comfortable handing out this sort of contract, then why not just cave to Lamar Jackson’s demands? That would have been a better use of these resources. Beckham, 30, hasn’t eclipsed 1,100 yards since 2016, and has totaled just 856 yards over the past three seasons. To make matters worse, the Ravens’ wide receiver room is still weak, as 2021 first-round pick Rashod Bateman has yet to prove anything. The Ravens tend to make smart decisions, so this acquisition is shockingly bad.
Grade: D
- This is laughable. If Baltimore felt comfortable handing out this sort of contract, then why not just cave to Lamar Jackson’s demands? That would have been a better use of these resources. Beckham, 30, hasn’t eclipsed 1,100 yards since 2016, and has totaled just 856 yards over the past three seasons. To make matters worse, the Ravens’ wide receiver room is still weak, as 2021 first-round pick Rashod Bateman has yet to prove anything. The Ravens tend to make smart decisions, so this acquisition is shockingly bad.
NBA
- Pistons fire head coach Dwane Casey
- The Pistons framed this as Casey’s decision, but we all know how this works. Casey did a solid job in guiding the Pistons through some tough times, but a change in leadership makes sense. After all, Casey is 65 and probably wouldn’t be the best choice to lead the club in the long term anyway.
Grade: B+
- The Pistons framed this as Casey’s decision, but we all know how this works. Casey did a solid job in guiding the Pistons through some tough times, but a change in leadership makes sense. After all, Casey is 65 and probably wouldn’t be the best choice to lead the club in the long term anyway.
- Rockets fire head coach Stephen Silas
- Silas probably isn’t fit to be an NBA head coach, but he was handed an awful situation. The Rockets felt more like an AAU team at times than an NBA club, which partly falls on Silas, but also on erratic and selfish young players such as Jalen Green and Kevin Porter. The Rockets have some intriguing young talent and another potential high draft selection on the way, but good luck to whoever takes this job.
Grade: A-
- Silas probably isn’t fit to be an NBA head coach, but he was handed an awful situation. The Rockets felt more like an AAU team at times than an NBA club, which partly falls on Silas, but also on erratic and selfish young players such as Jalen Green and Kevin Porter. The Rockets have some intriguing young talent and another potential high draft selection on the way, but good luck to whoever takes this job.
- Timberwolves PF Jaden McDaniels out for season with fractured hand
- McDaniels had really come on for Minnesota, so this is a tough blow, especially with a play-in matchup versus LeBron James and the Lakers looming. The Timberwolves do have Kyle Anderson and Taurean Prince to help fill the void, but this will hurt.
- Hornets 106, Cavaliers 95
- Considering the injuries that befell Charlotte this season, finishing 27-55 isn’t all that bad. The Hornets will have fairly good odds in the lottery, and should be able to bounce back to 35 or more wins in 2024 if all goes right this summer.
- Celtics 120, Hawks 114
- This was a meaningless game, but I didn’t think Payton Pritchard had a triple-double in him. The Celtics reserve tallied 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists yesterday.
- 76ers 134, Nets 105
- Playing in this game was just a formality, but kudos to Mikal Bridges for playing in 83 games this season — made possible by his trade from Phoenix to Brooklyn. Cam Thomas is an extremely capable scorer, and Brooklyn would be wise to try to fit him into its playoff rotation. Thomas exploded for 46 points in this battle.
- Heat 123, Magic 110
- Games and box scores on the final day of the regular season are so fun to take in, mostly due to the oddities that occur. In this game, Miam’s starters combined for 12 points, while 42-year-old Udonis Haslem doubled that total, scoring 24 himself. Amazing.
- Rockets 114, Wizards 109
- The Rockets are awful, so I guess this isn’t *that* surprising, but despite two pitiful performances in this game, the Wizards only lost by five. Last summer’s lottery pick, Johnny Davis, shot just 4-20 in 40 minutes yesterday. Not to be outdone, Isaiah Todd managed to shoot 2-13 in 45 minutes. Wes Unseld Jr. could have pulled two fans out of the stands and gotten similar production.
- Bulls 103, Pistons 81
- I wonder if this game was it for Cory Joseph, given that he played 37 minutes. Joseph has had a decent career, but he’s 31, and his best days are behind him.
- Spurs 138, Mavericks 117
- Triple-double for Theo Pinson in this tilt. You don’t see that often. Game 82!
NCAAB
- Former Baylor SG LJ Cryer transfers to Houston
- The Cougars received some big news when Terrance Arceneaux announced his return, and this is another boost for Kelvin Sampson’s program. Cryer averaged 15.0 points per game for Baylor in 2023, and should make Houston a top-15 team yet again.
- Former VCU PG Adrian Baldwin transfers to Penn State
- No shock here. Baldwin will follow Mike Rhoades to State College, which will certainly help the Nittany Lions’ new coach adjust to life in the Big Ten. Baldwin himself will have no issues with the changing of leagues, as he’s capable offensively and excels on the defensive end.
MLB
- Pirates SS Oneil Cruz out indefinitely with fractured ankle
- On the play in which this occurred, Cruz attempted an awkward and, quite frankly, unnecessary slide at home. Pittsburgh is off to a surprising 6-3 start, so this injury surely will kill all the good vibes around the club. Even worse, Cruz, while already a solid player, could use every opportunity to develop further. This one will sting for the Pirates.
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