SOURCE SPORTS: Pelicans’ CJ. McCollum Joins ESPN As An NBA Analyst

CJ McCollum

New Orleans Pelicans shooting guard CJ. McCollum will be doing double duties as a player and now as an official ESPN employee. McCollum will begin his new gig at game 1 of the NBA Finals.

As part of his analyst role, McCollum will work closely with ESPN to develop a new podcast that will be available on all streaming platforms throughout the year. Additionally, McCollum will serve as game analyst for ESPN’s coverage of NBA Summer League, while also contributing studio analysis on a year-long basis.

READ MORE: SOURCE SPORTS: Pelicans and Grizzlies Swap Big Men, Draft Picks in Trade

It is my honor to be joining the ESPN family in this new role and I am excited to bring what I feel is my unique perspective, based on my vast knowledge of the game that I’ve gained during my nine years as a player in the NBA,” said McCollum. “To have an opportunity to put my journalism background to use on the largest stage with the many talented professionals at ESPN is a dream come true.”

McCollum joins the likes of Draymond Green, juggling media jobs while continuing to play in the NBA at a high level. McCollum and the Pelicans gave the Phoenix Suns a tough first round series. With a healthy Zion Williamson next season, McCollum and the Pelicans should expect a much longer NBA Playoff appearance.

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Stephen A. Smith Says Michael Jordan Changed Basketball For The Worse

Stephen A. Smith Says COVID-19 Vaccine Saved His Life

Stephen A. Smith is known for his outlandish attitude, outspoken persona, and sometimes cringe-worthy hot takes. To some, these attributes either make him one of the most beloved and valuable sports journalists in the game or one of the most hated. However, his recent take on Michael Jordan might take the cake.

In yesterday’s episode of First Take, Stephen A. Smith debated Steph Curry’s contributions to the game of basketball. Smith argued that Curry helped elevate the game while Michael Jordan is responsible for changing the game for the worse.

“Michael Jordan is responsible, as much as anybody, for changing the game for the worse,” Smith said. He went on to say that Jordan’s ability and superstardom caused the game to become more individualized. “He was so phenomenal that the NBA started marketing towards the individual, people started gravitating towards the individual, and the game became more individualized because everybody wanted to be like Mike,” Smith said.

Smith went on to say how during the Magic and Bird era of the 1980s, the NBA marketed entire teams and people gravitated to teams rather than just players. However, when Jordan came into the league, the game became more individualized, giving way to players such as Vince Carter and Kobe Bryant.

Do you agree with Stephen A. Smith’s take?

You can watch the full clip below.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Former Dallas Cowboys RB Marion Barber Found Dead At 38

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According to several confirmed reports, former Dallas Cowboys running back Marion Barber was found dead in his Texas apartment yesterday(June 1). He was only 38 years old.

None of the reports of Barber’s death have revealed a cause of death, however, the Dallas Cowboys released a statement about their former player, stating, “We are heartbroken by the tragic death of Marion Barber III,” the statement reads. “Marion was an old-school, hard-nosed football player who ran with the will to win every down. He had a passion for the game and love for his coaches and teammates. Our hearts go out to Marion’s family and friends during this difficult time.”

The Bears also offered a statement, saying, “We are saddened to learn of the passing of former Bears RB Marion Barber III. Our hearts go out to his family & friends.”

Selected by the Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft, Barber played his entire career except for one season with the Dallas franchise, only to play a lone, last season with the Chicago Bears before he retired. The Minnesota native was named to the Pro Bowl in 2007 despite not starting a game for a 13-3 team that finished with the best record in the NFC. He led the Cowboys with 975 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns in his second season.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Deshaun Watson Now Faces 23rd Lawsuit Over Alleged Sexual Assault

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A new lawsuit alleging sexual assault and harassment during massage sessions was filed Tuesday against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, who now faces 23 civil cases..

Tuesday’s suit alleges Nia Smith, who is identified by name and worked for A New U Salon Spa in Houston, had three meetings with Watson from June 2020 through Sept. 2020.

In the first session, Smith states “things became progressively weird” and Watson wanted her to focus on his buttocks. A second session alleges Watson attempted to grab the plaintiff’s buttocks and brushed up against her rear, and also asked the plaintiff if she wanted to perform a sexual act. In the third and final session, Smith alleges Watson got naked in front of her, refused to cover himself and repeatedly requested she have sex with him.

Watson denied the allegations through a statement by his attorney, Rusty Hardin.

“Deshaun Watson vehemently denies the allegations, just as he has since she first discussed them with members of our firm in March of last year,” the statement read, in part. “She repeated the allegations on social media in August and he denied them then. The only thing new about her contentions is the embellishment making them more extreme than prior versions. Deshaun’s denial remains the same.”

Watson was traded to the Browns this offseason and was rewarded with a new $230 million dollar contract. No word from the NFL as to if Watson will see some disciplinary actions from the league to start the new season. Especially with all this cases still pending.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Lakers Looking To Keep Russell Westbrook After Dismal First Season

Russell Westbrook Said "He Was Disappointed" That He Was Benched In Latest Lakers Loss

It’s safe to say that the Lakers’ first season with Russell Westbrook has proven to be a bust. With Frank Vogel gone and Darvin Ham as the new head coach, the franchise is looking to fix their roster, but that doesn’t include trading Westbrook.

In an article by sports journalist Marc Stein, the Lakers are leaning toward keeping Russell Westbrook, hoping that Darvin Ham will be able to turn things around and give Westbrook an environment where he can thrive.

Stein wrote:

“The Lakers are tuning out the skeptics yet again and insisting to anyone who will listen that they would rather keep Russell Westbrook on the roster for next season than surrender additional assets to convince someone to trade for him. The Lakers are also said to be adamant that they won’t release the former MVP and eat his $47.1 million player option for next season after Westbrook picks it up.”

Hopefully, the Lakers will make a few more moves with the offseason approaching in just a few weeks, so there won’t be a repeat of this past season.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Cardinals Cornerback Jeff Gladney Dies in Car Crash

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Arizona Cardinals cornerback Jeff Gladney died in a car accident early Monday morning in Dallas. The cause of the crash and Gladney’s death remain under investigation.

“We are devastated to learn of Jeff Gladney’s passing,” the Cardinals said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and all who are mourning this tremendous loss.”

The crash took place around 2:28 a.m. Monday, according to the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department. A white vehicle was overturned when officers arrived. Dallas Fire-Rescue confirmed two people — a male and a female — were dead.

Gladney was a first-round draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2020. The TCU product started 15 games his rookie season, collecting 81 total tackles, three passes defended, and one forced fumble. 

“We are saddened by the tragic death of former Viking Jeff Gladney,” the Vikings said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to his family and friends, as well as the Arizona Cardinals organization and Jeff’s current and former teammates and coaches who are mourning his life lost much too soon.”

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SOURCE SPORTS: Las Vegas Raiders Not Ready To Talk Deal After Colin Kaepernick Work Out

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Colin Kaepernick worked out for the Las Vegas Raiders for over five hours on Thursday with no official deal to report. While reports say the workout was a positive one,  Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels declined to comment to reporters on Kaepernick’s movement, stating that he does not discuss players not currently on the roster.

“Just by standard procedure, we will only talk about the people that are on our team,” McDaniels said. “[General manager] Dave [Ziegler] and his staff have worked out tons of guys this spring, and we really don’t make comments about the evaluations that we’ve made; or what they look like, what they didn’t look like.

“They’re kind of private for us as we look at things to try to make decisions to make the team better.”

Currently, the Raiders are set at starting quarterback with Derek Carr, who signed a three-year $121.5 million extension this offseason. The team also acquired Jarrett Stidham from the New England Patriots. If the Raiders are going to sign Kaepernick, he would be looking at the third-string quarterback job.

Kaepernick hasn’t been an NFL starting quarterback since 2016. Since then, the only other team known to have brought him in for a visit was the Seattle Seahawks in May 2017. If Kaepernick is serious about an NFL comeback, he will have to continue to show out and prove at 34 years old, that he still got the skills to be on an NFL roster.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Las Vegas Raiders Not Ready To Talk Deal After Colin Kaepernick Work Out

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Colin Kaepernick worked out for the Las Vegas Raiders for over five hours on Thursday with no official deal to report. While reports say the workout was a positive one,  Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels declined to comment to reporters on Kaepernick’s movement, stating that he does not discuss players not currently on the roster.

“Just by standard procedure, we will only talk about the people that are on our team,” McDaniels said. “[General manager] Dave [Ziegler] and his staff have worked out tons of guys this spring, and we really don’t make comments about the evaluations that we’ve made; or what they look like, what they didn’t look like.

“They’re kind of private for us as we look at things to try to make decisions to make the team better.”

Currently, the Raiders are set at starting quarterback with Derek Carr, who signed a three-year $121.5 million extension this offseason. The team also acquired Jarrett Stidham from the New England Patriots. If the Raiders are going to sign Kaepernick, he would be looking at the third-string quarterback job.

Kaepernick hasn’t been an NFL starting quarterback since 2016. Since then, the only other team known to have brought him in for a visit was the Seattle Seahawks in May 2017. If Kaepernick is serious about an NFL comeback, he will have to continue to show out and prove at 34 years old, that he still got the skills to be on an NFL roster.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Golden State Warriors NBA Final Bound, Steph Curry Named Inaugural Magic Johnson Western Conference Finals MVP

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The Golden State Warriors are heading back to the NBA Finals. The Warriors finished off the Dallas Mavericks in game 5 120-110 to win the series 4-1. Steph Curry was named the inaugural winner of the Magic Johnson Western Conference finals MVP trophy.

The league introduced new trophies for the MVP of both the Eastern and Western Conference finals; the East’s trophy is named after Larry Bird.

“The new trophy is pretty cool,” said Curry, a unanimous selection of nine media members. “Especially with who it’s named after, the standard that Magic set in terms of being a champion and playing the point guard position, whatever other position he played. Just the excellence that he demonstrated throughout his entire career.”

Curry averaged  23.8 points, 7.4 assists, 6.6 rebounds, and 43.9% shooting from 3-point range in the series. In eight years, this will be Curry and the Warriors’ sixth trip to the NBA Finals. Since the Chicago Bulls, no team has had that kind of run at the Finals, the 90s Chicago Bulls. Curry will head into the Finals to secure his first-ever NBA Finals MVP award.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Golden State Warriors NBA Final Bound, Steph Curry Named Inaugural Magic Johnson Western Conference Finals MVP

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The Golden State Warriors are heading back to the NBA Finals. The Warriors finished off the Dallas Mavericks in game 5 120-110 to win the series 4-1. Steph Curry was named the inaugural winner of the Magic Johnson Western Conference finals MVP trophy.

The league introduced new trophies for the MVP of both the Eastern and Western Conference finals; the East’s trophy is named after Larry Bird.

“The new trophy is pretty cool,” said Curry, a unanimous selection of nine media members. “Especially with who it’s named after, the standard that Magic set in terms of being a champion and playing the point guard position, whatever other position he played. Just the excellence that he demonstrated throughout his entire career.”

Curry averaged  23.8 points, 7.4 assists, 6.6 rebounds, and 43.9% shooting from 3-point range in the series. In eight years, this will be Curry and the Warriors’ sixth trip to the NBA Finals. Since the Chicago Bulls, no team has had that kind of run at the Finals, the 90s Chicago Bulls. Curry will head into the Finals to secure his first-ever NBA Finals MVP award.

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