Darvin Ham, who has been on the hot seat all season, is reportedly likely to be let go by the Los Angeles Lakers. His departure, after the Lakers’ 4 – 1 series defeat at the hands of the Denver Nuggets, seems all but certain. Laker fans, who have been roasting and complaining about Ham’s performance all season, are often seen expressing their dissatisfaction with his actions on the sideline or his habit of keeping his hands in his pocket. Ham has a reputation for misusing or not using his timeouts at all. This sentiment has been echoed by even LeBron James’ youngest son, Bryce James, who has been drawn into the conversation about Ham’s future.
Darvin Ham, the likely scapegoat for the Laker’s struggles, has been the subject of much criticism. The Denver Nuggets were just too much, even for a team with LeBron and Anthony Davis. It was the little things that killed the Lakers and role players making mistakes. Coaching, with Ham at the helm, played a big part in their struggles, but the blame should probably be spread a bit. Bryce James reposted a TikTok roasting Darvin Hams’s performance, the Lakers coach, with a simple meme. With all the uncertainty around Lebron’s future with the Lakers and what the organization is going to do, a simple meme is appreciated.
Bryce James Reposts “Arthur” Meme To Roast Darvin Ham
Bryce James reposted a TikTok with a mem of the cartoon character Arthur with his hands in his pockets. The above caption says, “The Nuggets are on a 15-0 run,” then labels Arthur as Darvin Ham. The mem is straight out of Laker’s social media playbook. They have been sharing memes like this all year. Darvin Ham has been on the hot seat all season, and fans are about to more than likely get their wish. At least the Darvin Ham memes will stop. Laker fans will have to find new ways to disparage their next coach.
LeBron is making decisions about his future and taking his time. He has two years left on his current deal with a $50 million player option next year. He reportedly wants to play with his son Brinny. The Lakers are open to the possibility of drafting Bronny in the 2024 NBA draft to secure LeBron’s services. Overall, the Lakers and LeBron’s future is up in the air.
The NFL offseason is not really an offseason at all. While February through August is slower than when NFL games are played during the fall and winter months, the NFL never sleeps. The NFL churns out storylines year-round, and the offseason is an incubator for the wildest narratives because all of it is based upon hope and projection rather than results.
To recap, I assigned a theme song to each NFL team to accentuate the need-to-know offseason happenings so far.
Arizona Cardinals
Kendrick Lamar Feat. Rihanna — “LOYALTY.”
Once upon a time, in 2019, the Arizona Cardinals then-head coach Kliff Kingsbury said, “Josh is our guy,” and, thankfully, the irony is preserved in this tweet. He was speaking of Arizona’s 2018 first-round pick Josh Rosen. By April 2019, the Cardinals used the No. 1 overall pick to draft his replacement, Kyler Murray. Rosen was traded to Miami, and that was that.
The Cardinals found themselves in eerily familiar territory this offseason. Again, they publicly declared their commitment to Murray, but questions remained because they had the No. 4 overall pick, and this quarterback-heavy class presented the opportunity to reset the quarterback contract clock. But Arizona’s promise wasn’t empty this time, and they bolstered their loyalty to Murray by using the No. 4 overall pick on Marvin “Maserati Marv” Harrison Jr., who should immediately help to optimize the flashes Murray has shown up to this point.
Atlanta Falcons
Usher — “You Make Me Wanna…”
Unlike the Cardinals, the Atlanta Falcons remained loyal to Kirk Cousins for approximately 45 days before Michael Penix Jr. made them wanna start a new relationship with him. Atlanta signed Cousins — a 35-year-old rehabbing a torn Achilles — to a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million guaranteed. All evidence pointed toward Atlanta settling down with Cousins and using the No. 8 overall pick to get an immediate impact player to help the team maximize this Cousins window. But while Cousins was parading around to Atlanta United FC and Braves games, the Falcons were flying across the country to Washington to get to know Penix. Head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot insist that Cousins “is our quarterback,” but using the No. 8 overall pick on Penix as Cousins’ successor left an unsuspecting Cousins reportedly “a bit stunned.”
Baltimore Ravens
Dionne Warwick — “Déjà Vu”
The Baltimore Ravens ace every offseason. In 2023, it was extending two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson when it seemed their relationship was irrevocable. This spring, despite losing 15 players in free agency (and defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald to the Seahawks), Baltimore remained true to who they’ve always been — signing Derrick Henry, retaining Justin Madubuike, and drafting cornerback Nate Wiggins. But every season, the Baltimore Ravens come up short. Last season was the closest the Ravens have come to returning to the Super Bowl since winning Super Bowl XLVII to cap the 2012 season, but their league-best 13-4 run came to a sputtering end with an uninspired performance against the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game. How long will this cycle continue?
Buffalo Bills
Ryan Gosling — “I’m Just Ken”
The Buffalo Bills have an alien at quarterback, and it doesn’t matter. Josh Allen is No. 2 to Patrick Mahomes. The Bills threw everything at the wall, and it doesn’t matter what they do because they are No. 2 — or closer to third or fourth, if the Bengals and Ravens have a say — to the Chiefs. At any other time, perhaps the Bills would be a ten. But the past three years, Buffalo’s season ended in the Divisional Round, twice to the Chiefs. This offseason was the Bills’ reckoning. The first iteration of the Allen-led, Super Bowl-contending Bills perished, as Stefon Diggs was shipped out to Houston, and other core players like Tre’Davious White, Jordan Poyer, and Micah Hyde left. The Bills will be viable as long as Allen is under center, but the Bills’ short-term Super Bowl chances took a hit in 2024.
Carolina Panthers
Paramore — “Ain’t It Fun”
This time last year, Bryce Young was presumably riding the euphoria of having just been drafted as a Heisman-winning quarterback prospect out of Alabama after Carolina moved heaven and earth to trade into the No. 1 overall spot. Hope, however faint, surrounded a new Panthers regime. Then, head coach Frank Reich was fired 11 games into a heinous 2-15 campaign in 2023. This offseason, Young is firmly acclimated to the realities of the NFL, where quarterbacks have approximately five minutes to prove worthy before teams give up on them, especially a franchise owned by David Tepper. The Panthers attempted to support Young by adding wide receiver Diontae Johnson and offensive guard Robert Hunt in free agency, and then drafting wide receiver Xavier Legette (No. 32 overall) and running back Jonathan Brooks (No. 46). But the weight of the world remains on Young’s shoulders.
Chicago Bears
Prince — “Controversy”
Ahead of last week’s NFL Draft, sportswriter Dave Fleming appeared on Pablo Torre Finds Out and said, “I will tell you, he scares the sh*t out of a lot of NFL teams, too. The book on him is he’s just kind of a weird kid. One GM told me it’s like if Prince played quarterback.” The anonymous GM probably intended for that to be an insult, but it is unequivocally the coolest compliment imaginable.
Like Prince, Williams challenges stale convention. His uninhibited self-expression makes people uncomfortable. His personality is perceived as controversial. Before the Bears shipped Justin Fields to Pittsburgh, there was controversy within Chicago’s fandom as to whether the Bears should keep Fields or start over with Williams. Predictably, the Bears drafted Williams No. 1 overall, and Williams is set up for success — surrounded by talented skill players like D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, D’Andre Swift, and Cole Kmet. The Bears have done everything right this offseason — really, the past two offseasons. But people will manufacture controversies around Williams, even when he surely becomes the first quarterback in Bears history to throw for 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns.
.@FlemFile on what a former NFL scout told him about Caleb Williams:
“Raw emotion is great, but Caleb’s thing? That was ridiculous to me. That threw up major red flags. … I will tell you, he scares the sh*t out of a lot of NFL teams too. The book on him is he’s just kind of a… pic.twitter.com/0XQXYvuZUd
The sky is threatening to fall in Cincinnati. Wide receiver Tee Higgins reportedly demanded a trade but will likely play 2024 on the franchise tag. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson also reportedly demanded a trade. The Bengals traded running back Joe Mixon to Houston and lost defensive tackle D.J. Reader to Detroit in free agency. Such is life after signing star quarterback Joe Burrow to a five-year, $275 million and preparing to make Ja’Marr Chase a top-paid receiver. The first phase of the Burrow-led Bengals is over, but if the sky is falling, nobody told Burrow, who said during a live New Heights event that the Bengals are “built to beat” the Chiefs.
Cleveland Browns
Olivia Rodrigo — “get him back!”
Publicly, the Browns will likely gush about how excited they are to get quarterback Deshaun Watson back after his season-ending shoulder surgery in 2023. Privately, I’m willing to bet there’s a group text full of Browns-adjacent people wishing they could plot revenge against everyone involved in 1) trading for and 2) shelling out a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract to an embattled Watson in 2022. Watson’s time in Cleveland has been defined by an 11-game suspension, injuries, and putrid quarterback play. Watson is holding back an otherwise solid Browns roster, and the Browns can’t get him back for it until 2026.
Dallas Cowboys
The Weekend, Playboi Carti, and Madonna — “Popular”
Jerry Jones desperately wants to be popular. If presented with the choice between winning next year’s Super Bowl or securing eternal popularity, I’m convinced Jones, in his most honest moment, would choose the latter. Jones swore the Cowboys would be “all-in” with their approach to this offseason, but they have objectively been anything but. Dallas made six moves in free agency. Dallas does not appear close to extending quarterback Dak Prescott, pass-rusher Micah Parsons, or wide receiver CeeDee Lamb — setting Prescott up to be an unrestricted (in every sense of the word) free agent next year. But why handle any football business when Jones and, by extension, the Cowboys are in the relevancy business? For Jones, any offseason in which the media is regularly discussing the Cowboys is a successful offseason.
Denver Broncos
Alexander 23 — “Crash”
The Denver Broncos dumped Russell Wilson. And they didn’t just dump him. They decided it was worth $85 million in dead money just to get him to go away. In 2023, first-year Broncos head coach Sean Payton marginally improved Wilson’s performance. Payton developed a reputation as a quarterback guru as the head coach with the New Orleans Saints, and Wilson used to be a great quarterback before inexplicably becoming unrecognizable in the pocket. As Alexander 23 sings, “Apart we’re great, but together we suck / I’m sorry for the way it ended, but ending it, baby, not so much / ‘Cause me and you weren’t built to last / We were two fast cars on our way to crash.” And so, Bo Nix is set to be the 14th Broncos starting quarterback since Peyton Manning’s 2016 retirement.
Detroit Lions
Eminem — “Lose Yourself”
The Lions are in Eminem’s second verse of “Lose Yourself”: “This world is mine for the taking, make me king / As we move toward a new world order.” The lowly Lions are dead after winning their first playoff game in 32 years and narrowly missing a Super Bowl LVIII appearance. A well-earned target is affixed to the Lions’ back, and they aren’t going anywhere. They extended general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell, and they continued bolstering the roster, including an extension for Amon-Ra St. Brown. Detroit football fans are losing themselves in this long-awaited culmination, breaking the all-time attendance record at the 2024 NFL Draft.
Green Bay Packers
Lil Wayne — “Let The Beat Build”
One day, the terms of the Packers’ deal with the devil will be disclosed. It is the only explanation for 30 consecutive years of great (or solid, at least) quarterback play in Green Bay — Brett Favre funneling directly into Aaron Rodgers, funneling directly into Jordan Love. As Lil Wayne rapped, “They diminish, I replenish.” Green Bay epitomizes steady construction — letting the beat build, if you will — and the 2023 season was a microcosm of that identity.
In his first full season as a starter, Love, 25, started out shaky but slowly came into his own and showed as much promise as anyone while leading the Packers to a surprising playoff run. With an average age of 25.7 years, the Packers are the NFL’s youngest team and ahead of schedule yet right on time. Green Bay additionally prioritized youth this offseason by releasing running back Aaron Jones, 29, and in favor of signing Josh Jacobs, 26, as well as 24-year-old safety Xavier McKinney, in free agency. All-Pro offensive tackle David Bakhtiari, 32, was also released, and the Packers used the 25th overall pick on offensive lineman Jordan Morgan.
Houston Texans
SZA — “Snooze”
The Texans can’t snooze and miss this moment while emerging worldly quarterback C.J. Stroud is relatively cheap on his rookie contract. And they know it. Houston traded for Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon and All-Pro receiver Stefon Diggs, and then bolstered the defense by signing Danielle Hunter and Denico Autry in free agency. After impressive rookie campaigns from Stroud and head coach DeMeco Ryans, Houston is positioned as a potent threat in the AFC.
Indianapolis Colts
Nine Days — “Absolutely (Story Of A Girl)”
This song is about one girl, but it applies to the Colts when divvied up between owner Jim Irsay and second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson. Irsay is a boisterous figure who seems to always be the subject of a headline that could have been generated by MadLibs. Presumably, Irsay’s presence places a strain on the franchise. It’s probably really stressful for general manager Chris Ballard or head coach Shane Steichen, but one smile from Richardson after an absurdly athletic touchdown, and everything feels better. The Colts’ 2024 and beyond depends on Richardson’s rehab from season-ending shoulder surgery, but you have to absolutely love the potential of this young core.
Jacksonville Jaguars
21 Savage — “a lot”
Credit where credit is due, Jacksonville was aggressive in response to fumbling away the AFC South and missing the playoffs entirely last season. The Jags signed the likes of defensive tackle Arik Armstead, wide receiver Gabe Davis, and center Mitch Morse in free agency, and then they extended Pro Bowl pass-rusher Josh Allen before drafting LSU receiver Brian Thomas Jr. at No. 23 overall. But…
How much money did the Jags spend in free agency? A lot. How many question marks remain in Jacksonville? A lot. How many people are doubting 2021 No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence as a paradigm-shifting quarterback of the future? A lot.
Kansas City Chiefs
Taylor Swift — “Look What You Made Me Do”
Taylor Swift’s historically prolific discography is more or less exclusively licensed to the Chiefs due to her ongoing romance with Travis Kelce, so it would be negligent not to use it.
The league let the Chiefs become the first back-to-back Super Bowl champions in two decades despite rostering an oft-ridiculed wide receiver corps in a “down year.” (Or, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and a nasty defense snatched it, depending on your perspective.) The Chiefs had to go on the road during the playoffs for the first time in Mahomes’ career, and they internalized every ounce of doubt — real or perceived — and plowed to their third Super Bowl in five years (“I got smarter, I got harder in the nick of time / Honey, I rose up from the dead, I do it all the time”). Had the Chiefs not won Super Bowl LVIII, perhaps they let Chris Jones walk in free agency, but because an unprecedented three-peat and football immortality is now on the table, the Chiefs uncharacteristically made Jones the highest-paid defensive tackle with a five-year extension. And as if Kelce wasn’t already living the most charmed life imaginable, the Chiefs went ahead and made him the highest-paid tight end.
Las Vegas Raiders
Charli XCX — “Von Dutch”
In the week leading up to Super Bowl LVIII, Raiders star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby told Colin Cowherd that he was actually pulling for his in-division rival Chiefs to become the back-to-back champions because, even though he “hate[s] all the teams equally,” he wants the Raiders “to be the ones that take ’em down.” The following week, newly hired head coach Antonio Pierce joined Crosby’s podcast, The Rush, and repeatedly proclaimed his “hatred” for the Chiefs. Pierce shared his plan to institute “Patrick Mahomes rules” — a callback to the Detroit Pistons’ “Jordan Rules” — “as long as I’m here.” I imagine Mahomes and the Chiefs hearing all of this, hitting play on “Von Dutch,” and knowingly nodding along as Charli XCX sings, “It’s okay to just admit that you’re jealous of me / Yeah, I heard you talk about me, that’s the word on the street / You’re obsessin’, just confess it, put your hands up / It’s obvious, I’m your No. 1.”
Los Angeles Chargers
Tyler The Creator Feat. Playboi Carti & Charlie Wilson — “EARFQUAKE”
Tyler The Creator’s “EARFQUAKE” is about being “for real this time” because he “cannot fall short” again. It’s probably not far off from Justin Herbert’s inner monologue. Herbert has been put in positions to fail since he became their starter in 2020 — four head coaches, four offensive coordinators — but the Chargers hiring Jim Harbaugh is supposed to be different. For the past three-ish years, L.A. has been an offseason and preseason darling, but Harbaugh legitimizes Herbert and the Chargers as being for real this time.
To be fair, this song also suits the Cowboys, given the ambiguous contract situations with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons, but as is always the case when discussing the Cowboys, I couldn’t overlook Jerry Jones’ ego. Anyway, Miami is in a similar hell. This offseason, Miami felt the financial ramifications of spending big after acquiring Tyreek Hill in March 2022 to try and win within Tua Tagovailoa’s rookie contract window. Christian Wilkins, Robert Hunt, and Xavien Howard are among the starters they lost. Honestly, as a recovering commitment phobe, the Dolphins trigger me. Do you want to commit to Tua, or do you want to let him go? Are you going to live up to the hype before Hill’s contract expires, or are you going to continue to reinvent underachieving?
Minnesota Vikings
Beyoncé Feat. Miley Cyrus — “II Most Wanted”
At February’s NFL Combine, head coach Kevin O’Connell expressed there was a mutual interest in Cousins remaining the Vikings quarterback. But then, Cousins left for Atlanta in free agency, and the Vikings acquired an additional first-round draft pick — intending to trade up and get their future franchise quarterback. Cousins was grandfathered in as O’Connell’s quarterback when he took over as head coach in 2022, and it has been written all over O’Connell’s face how delighted he is to hand-pick his own ride-or-die (“Been a while since I haven’t tried to pull away / But it’s time for somethin’ new”). That is 21-year-old now-former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, whom Minnesota drafted at No. 10 overall. In Minnesota’s most idyllic projection, McCarthy and O’Connell (and Justin Jefferson) will ride together ’til the day they retire.
New England Patriots
Reneé Rapp — “I Hate Boston”
The end of a dynasty is always ugly. If reports are true, Patriots owner Robert Kraft has been doing the most to make Bill Belichick hate New England after they “mutually agreed” to end Belichick’s 24-year tenure as head coach. First, the Apple TV+ docuseries The Dynasty portrayed Kraft in a much more positive light than Belichick. Then, ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr., Seth Wickersham, and Jeremy Fowler reported that Kraft actively dissuaded the Falcons from hiring Belichick as their next head coach. (Atlanta went with Raheem Morris, and Belichick did not get an NFL coaching job for 2024.) If that weren’t enough, Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers shared that Belichick-themed signs seem to have been removed from the team’s facility by the new regime led by rookie head coach Jerod Mayo. If the Patriots struggle as much as is projected in the coming years, Mayo and No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye might hate Boston, too.
New Orleans Saints
Destiny’s Child — “Bills, Bills, Bills”
The New Orleans Saints always owe someone money. No NFL team more frequently has chronically due bills because the Saints are constantly borrowing from the future and ignoring the concept of a salary cap. As such, the Saints remain in cap hell while hurtling toward oblivion.
New York Giants
Post Malone — “Circles”
The Giants are in a self-inflicted loop with quarterback Daniel Jones. Last March, they made the baffling and indefensible decision to give Jones a wholly unnecessary four-year, $160 million ($92 million guaranteed) contract. Jones only played six games last season for the dismal Giants, but the Giants can’t move on from him because of that contract. General manager Joe Schoen has expressed pretty lukewarm faith in Jones moving forward, but NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that New York “made one last-ditch effort” to trade into the Patriots’ No. 3 overall pick in an effort to select Jones’ replacement.
New York Jets
Daniel Caesar — “Pain Is Inevitable”
Jets fans know that pain is inevitable. Jets fans know their beloved football team has needed “a lesson in mishap prevention” for the better part of 50 years. Aaron Rodgers was supposed to be the savior last offseason, but he lasted four snaps before rupturing his Achilles and missing the entire season. Forty-year-old Rodgers will return for 2024 — conspiracy theories, distracting rhetoric, and vice presidential rumors in tow — but the Jets’ solution to fix an older, injury-prone roster was to sign older, injury-prone free agents, such as wide receiver Mike Williams and offensive tackle Tyron Smith. The Jets had a surprisingly prudent draft, but it won’t matter. Because the Jets are the Jets, and Rodgers is preoccupied.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Kid Laroi — “What Just Happened”
The Philadelphia Eagles suffered a confounding unraveling to end the 2023 season, losing five of six to finish the regular season only to get embarrassed 32-9 by Tampa Bay in the Wild Card Round. All-Pro center Jason Kelce and All-Pro defensive tackle Fletcher Cox retired. Philadelphia began triage by choosing to forgo flirting with Bill Belichick and retaining Nick Sirianni as head coach. Sirianni hired new coordinators (Kellen Moore, Vic Fangio), and general manager Howie Roseman demonstrated his annual wizardry with big-time signings, such as running back Saquon Barkley, safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, wide receiver DeVonta Smith, and wide receiver A.J. Brown. Then, Philly’s draft was targeted to address the defensive secondary, their most glaring weakness last season. It’s been a lot to process, and I don’t know if the Eagles crossed the line because I don’t even know what just happened.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Billie Eilish — “What Was I Made For?”
Russell Wilson is a shell of his Super Bowl-winning self. Wilson left the Seattle Seahawks for Denver in 2022 and proceeded to play himself out of the Hall Of Fame. He used to float, now he just falls down. Signing a one-year deal with Pittsburgh is probably Wilson’s final chance at resurrecting what’s left of his ability, and he will share the quarterback room with former Bears No. 1 pick Justin Fields, who is also trying to redirect his NFL trajectory. And looming over them will be the Steelers’ overarching identity crisis.
San Francisco 49ers
Justin Bieber — “At Least For Now”
At least for now, the 49ers are still Super Bowl favorites, despite losing to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl twice in the past five years. At least for now, head coach Kyle Shanahan gets the benefit of the doubt. At least for now, the 49ers don’t have to allocate substantial long-term money to “Mr. Irrelevant”-turned-MVP candidate Brock Purdy. At least for now, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk are still in San Francisco, and the 49ers can avoid the disappointment of having to make tough decisions about their aging and expensive core in 2025. The only thing that could alleviate that disappointment would be absolving the persistent disappointment of not having won a Super Bowl in 30 years.
Seattle Seahawks
Tori Kelly Feat. Jon Bellion — “Young Gun”
This song goes out to Pete Carroll. At 72 years old, Carroll was the oldest head coach in the NFL. In January, he told the press that he planned to continue coaching the team. Shortly thereafter, Seattle swapped him out for “a young gun from another town,” the Ravens’ 36-year-old defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who is now the NFL’s youngest head coach. In a meager attempt to soften the blow, Seattle kept Carroll around as “an advisor.”
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Migos Feat. Drake — “Walk It Talk It”
Tampa committed to 2018 No. 1 overall pick-turned-journeyman Baker Mayfield with a three-year, $100 million contract. Mayfield was known as a talker before arriving in Tampa last year, but he revived his career (and recaptured his swagger) through mature leadership. Meanwhile, nobody would have blamed superstar wide receiver Mike Evans if he wanted to explore free agency and sign with a team primed to contend for a Super Bowl, but he proved his commitment to spend his entire career with the Bucs by re-signing on a two-year deal. The Bucs have expertly maneuvered these bridge years post-Tom Brady — remaining in the mix rather than totally bottoming out.
lmaoooo I don’t know why it took this long for me to see this video of Baker Mayfield dancing to Migos but it is LEGENDARY pic.twitter.com/d1C9Eciclg
Titans fans are going to need patience. Yes, Tennessee made free-agency splashes with L’Jarius Sneed, Calvin Ridley, and Tony Pollard, but first-year head coach Brian Callahan will need time to build out his program in the wake of Mike Vrabel. The Titans have been in “slow burn” territory regarding quarterback for quite awhile. Heading into 2024, it’s far from guaranteed that Will Levis is the guy at quarterback.
Washington Commanders
Liz Phair — “Why Can’t I?”
Washington took 20-plus prospects on a group date to Topgolf, but, as NFL reporter Tom Pelissero relayed on The Rich Eisen Show, “One of those four quarterbacks who visited for the Topgolf trip got picked up by [head coach] Dan Quinn, and the other ones took a shuttle bus to the hotel.” I enjoy envisioning an awkward group date during which reigning Heisman-winning LSU quarterback Jaden Daniels and Commanders brass locked eyes intermittently with an unspoken anticipation for their inevitable partnership, beginning with the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Washington has butterflies for Daniels, who symbolizes the dawn of a hopeful future after finally breaking free from a toxic 24-year relationship with former owner Dan Snyder.
The New York Knicks and the Philidelphia 76ers have been the most entertaining first-round playoff matchup. Last night, the Sixers miraculously beat the Knicks behind some Madison Square Garden heroics from Tyler Maxey. The Knicks had the game all wrapped up, and then Maxey went on an absolute clutch time tear reminiscent of Reggie Miller in 1995. They made several mistakes in the closing minutes of regulation that allowed Maxey’s flurry of points to bring the game to Overtime. The Knicks made more mistakes and lost the game 112-106, with the Sixers making the series 3-2 and heading back to Philadelphia. Like every Knicks fan last night, NBA analyst and Knicks supporter Stephen A. Smith was devastated.
The Knicks thought to have Game 5 and their series against the 76ers all wrapped up on Tuesday night at the Garden. The Knicks’ supporters, including Stephen A. Smith, were in full disbelief following Maxey’s four-point shot. After the game, Stephen A. posted a video of his reaction on Twitter. His devastation was palpable, his heartbreak echoing that of every Knicks fan. Stephen A. truly captured what it felt like to be a Knicks fan last night, and it was a tough time for all.
Stephen A. Smith’s Devastated Reaction To Knicks Loss
Smith, a Knicks fan and host of ESPN “First Take,” posted on X immediately after the devastating defeat and seemed to be experiencing mixed emotions of frustration and sadness. The “Dang!” after the prolonged silent disbelief was the perfect start to Smith’s response. He asked, “Why did Mitchell Robinson foul Tyrese Maxey on that 3-point shot?” Smith questioned. “Why did Josh Hart make the turnover on the outlet pass? Why did he not convert both free throws instead of just one? What’s the reason why he seemed so erratic throughout the game?”
Smith then turned his tirade at Jalen Brunson, who scored 40 points at the game’s conclusion. He said of Jalen, “As great as Jalen Brunson was overall with his 40-point performance, did you not notice you had four teammates on the court with you in overtime to pass the ball to instead of taking every damn shot?” the Knicks crunch time offensive was terrible and its the reason they squandered the game away. After missing the opportunity to win the series at home, the Knicks now have to go to Philadelphia for Game 6 on Thursday.
The Denver Nuggets eliminated Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers from the playoffs. The Lakers and LeBron threw everything they could at the defending champs, but it wasn’t enough. Two Jamal Murray game-winning shots later, and the Purple and Gold are on vacation. There is a lot of speculation around the franchise. Specifically, the future of one LeBron James. LeBron is 39, and there are several factors that will decide what he will do moving forward. Now, the King has responded to speculation about his decision-making, setting the record straight.
After the Lakers’ 4-1 series defeat at the hands of the Nuggets, LeBron was in no rush to make a decision. LeBron told reporters after the game, “I just want to get home to the family.” James stressed that getting back to his family, who have their own things going on, was the first thing on his mind. He continued, “Honestly, one of my boys is trying to decide if he’s going to enter the draft or go back to school. Another kid is playing AAU ball right now. My daughter is playing volleyball. My wife is doing so many great things. So it’s about family right now. Then, in a couple months, I got to go to Vegas for training camp. So I need to rest my body for (USA Basketball).” Now, he revealed when he will be ready to talk about his future.
James said he’ll sit down with everyone and talk about what’s next. On Tuesday night, in a series of tweets that followed intense rumors about his next move, the future Hall of Fame inductee reaffirmed that he’ll work things out after taking some time to relax. Last year, when the Nuggets swept the Lakers, James smiled and pointed toward retirement. His $51.4 million player option for the next season is the biggest question mark. Lebron will need to decide how to use it.
The Lakers are likely to be looking for a new head coach after reports that Darvin Ham will likely be fired. Los Angeles has also been rumored to be interested in drafting LeBron’s son Bronnuy in the 2024 draft. Drafting Bronny would ensure LeBron James stays with the Lakers for the rest of his contract. Lebron is still one of the best players in the league, but his career is winding down. Overall, we don’t know how much more LeBron we will see on the basketball court.
The world of college sports is known to spotlight some of the most talented athletes who dazzle us with their skills on the court or field. But what about their lives off the playing field? Connor McCaffery, the multi-talented athlete from the University of Iowa, and Caitlin Clark, a standout player for the University of Iowa women’s basketball team, have garnered attention not only for their sporting prowess but also for their beautiful relationship. The lovers recently celebrated their one-year anniversary, as McCaffery shared a glimpse of their happy times in a sweet Instagram post. Here’s all you need to know about Clark’s boyfriend.
Connor McCaffery is a name synonymous with dedication in collegiate sports. Born on July 13, 1998, in Iowa City, Iowa, Connor grew up in a family deeply ingrained in sports. His father, Fran McCaffery, has been the head coach of the University of Iowa men’s basketball team since 2010. His mother, Margeret McCaffery, also played college basketball at the University of Notre Dame. It’s no wonder that athletics runs in Connor’s blood.
Connor began making waves early in his athletic career. Excelling in both basketball and baseball, he was a highly sought-after recruit out of high school. Ultimately, he chose to attend the University of Iowa. Now, he has become a key player for the Hawkeyes’ basketball team. On the court, Connor McCaffery’s skills are evident. As a point guard for the Hawkeyes, Connor has showcased his leadership qualities and basketball IQ, contributing significantly to the team’s success.
Before focusing solely on college basketball, McCaffery also showcased great baseball talent. He played for the Hawkeye baseball team. Playing both corner outfield spots and first base, McCaffery often made local headlines for his plays. Although he had the potential to go big in the sport and could’ve been drafted into the Major League, his injuries and health complications hindered him. Furthermore, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, it put a stop to the baseball season that year.
As a sports genius, McCaffery didn’t stop at just playing basketball and baseball. He has also become involved in the NBA’s Indiana Pacers. Following his graduation from the University of Iowa in May 2023, McCaffery embarked on a new chapter by joining the Indiana Pacers as a team assistant. Balancing rigorous training and competitions with his basketball and baseball teams, he also pursued degrees in finance and political science.
Connor McCaffery and Caitlin Clark began dating in April 2023, forming a power couple in the world of collegiate athletics. However, they chose to keep their relationship private for several months before making it public. It wasn’t until Clark posted a photo with McCaffery on her Instagram in August that their fans learned about their romance. In the relationship debut photo, the two were cuddled up in a boat, and Clark captioned it: “Best end to summer.”
McCaffery on the other hand, waited until Clark’s birthday on January 22, to post her on his Instagram account. Wishing her a happy birthday, he wrote: “Happy Birthday 22. Wish I was there to celebrate with you — you deserve the best day. Golden Bday / T Swift year will be the best yet. With all that you’ve already accomplished, there is so much more in store for you and your special self. I admire you in every way and I love you.” Months later, the two lovebirds celebrated their first anniversary, with McCaffery penning a lovely post to the woman with his heart. The post read: “One year w the best. Doing life w u has been easy, and you never cease to amaze me… can’t wait to watch u live out urdreams in person. Love you.”
Golden State Warrior Draymond Green and Phoenix Sun’s Jusuf Nurkić are not on the best of terms. Their altercation earlier in the season led to Draymond getting suspended for a large swath of the season. With a series sweep at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night, the Suns were eliminated from the playoffs. Nurkić has never made it past the first round of the playoffs in his career, so this was just another early postseason departure for him. Draymond Green, of course, jumped on the opportunity to trash the Sun’s center.
Nurkić has the lowest postseason winning % in league history, with only three wins over his first 20 playoff games. Upon discovering that incredibly bad statistic, Green amused himself by making fun of Nurkić. “Hope that brother gets the help he needs,” Green wrote beside a slew of frozen-faced emojis on a graphic he posted on Instagram that showed Nurkić’s postseason problems. The Quote is what Nurkić said of Green after his suspension.
Despite Green’s Warriors’ elimination in the play-in round, he didn’t hold back in taking a shot at Nurkić. Their feud is far from over and will probably be revisited next season. After falling to the Sacramento Kings in the play-in tournament, the Golden State Warriors were eliminated from the postseason. Following the defeat, Nurkic tweeted a picture of the well-known Looney Tunes phrase, “That’s all, folks.” Green didn’t forget that tweet and had some fun with it.
The Phoenix Suns were run off the court by the Timberwolves. Where they go from here is anyone’s guess. Devin Booker might be looking to move to the Big Apple. Kevin Durant is in the later stages of his career. The Golden State Warriors are in a similarly alarming situation, but at least they have Steph Curry and four rings to lean on. Overall, we can’t wait to see what the next altercation between Draymond and Jusuf Nurkić looks like.
Mike Tyson will face off against Jake Paul on July 20th in a highly anticipated boxing match. The match will now be a sanctioned fight, with the result imparting both fighter’s professional records. Mike Tyson, 57, is three decades older than Jake Paul, 27. Many are worried about Jake Paul going up against someone as ruthless and devastating in the ring as Tyson. Even with the age gap, people feel that Paul will be in trouble if it’s a real fight. Boxing legend Oscar De la Hoya says he is concerned for Iron Mike ahead of the fight.
Last Week, De la Hoya talked about the upcoming fight. In the upcoming sports spectacle, each fighter will wear a 14-ounce glove. The heavyweight showdown will consist of eight two-minute rounds. The fight will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and will be broadcast on Netflix. Tyson’s last win was a knockout against Clifford Etienne in February 2003. Tyson will be 58 by the time of the fight, which is very old for fighting professionally. De la Hoya thinks the fight can be dangerous for Tyson.
De La Hoya Calls Jake Paul “Dangerous” Ahead Of Mike Tyson Showdown
“I’m gonna pray for Mike Tyson, ’cause I love Mike Tyson. I think Jake Paul, look, he’s a real fighter. He really is. It’s a dangerous fight. Mike Tyson, be careful, please,” De La Hoya said last week. Naturally, the majority of people have adopted the other stance, cautioning Jake that Mike, who is possibly the most feared boxer in history, has the ability to cause him significant harm. In his most recent bout, which took place at the start of March, Paul defeated fighter Ryan Bourland (17-2) [retty easily. Paul knocked him out in the first round of the fight.
In June 2020, Tyson engaged in an exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr. Roy and Mike’s battle went unscored. When asked if the fight could impact Tyson’s legacy if the legendary fighter loses, De la Hoya stood firm. He said, “No, Mike Tyson is cemented, legacy, forever,” adding, “Mike Tyson will be the man forever.” Overall, the fight is getting more and more hype, and we can’t wait for July 20th.
The Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel and model Josie Canseco aren’t holding anything back regarding their romance. After visiting Stagecoach together, they shared some intimate photos of their relationship. The pictures and outing confirm that the two are official items. The couple simultaneously shared photos from the country music festival they attended on their Instagram stories. In both, they were seen holding hands as Morgan Wallen was performing as the main act. The black-and-white photos of themselves dancing and cuddling during Morgan Wallen’s performance on Instagram Stories made it official.
The exact start of their relationship remains a tantalizing mystery. Speculations began when Johnny was spotted in the background of one of Josie’s pictures earlier this month. These whispers of a romance have continued to fuel conversations. In the weeks that followed, they dropped subtle hints, but it seems like Johnny and Josie decided it was time for the grand reveal. The status of Johnny and Josie’s relationship with rapper Mike Stud, who hosted a podcast with Johnny, remains unknown, adding to the intrigue.
HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 15: Jose Canseco and Josie Canseco pose for a photo prior to the 2024 Cactus Jack HBCU Classic Celebrity Softball Game at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, February 15, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Michael Starghill/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
While Johnny Manziel was previously married to Bre Tiesi and most recently dated Kenzie Werner, Josie has dated Logan Paul and Brody Jenner. Johnny Manziel is a former Heisman winner and first-round NFL draft pick. Furthermore, he flamed out of the league after being selected by the Cleveland Browns. His college career was electric, earning him the highest individual honor in the sport. Manziel recently had a Netflix documentary that explored his career and all the drama surrounding him.
Johnny has opened up about his battles with drug abuse and his bipolar disorder diagnosis. Manziel continued his career as a player, joining the Alliance of American Football League and the now-defunct Canadian Football League. Josie Canseco is the daughter of MLB great Jose Canseco. Additionally, she is an amazing model, and Love Magazine, Teen Vogue, Aeropostale, and Urban Outfitters have all highlighted her work. Summer Break, a web series, included her as well. Overall, the couple is now official. Good luck to Johnny Maziel and Josie Canseco.
On Monday, Francis Ngannou, the former UFC champion, revealed the passing of his 15-month-old son Kobe. After alluding to his son’s passing in a social media post earlier on Monday, Ngannou confirmed the tragic news. Responding to the post, Ngannou’s coach, Eric Nicksick, asked fans to keep Ngannou and his family “in your heart.” The news is devastating, and the fighting world has openly given its support to Ngannou and his family during this difficult time.
Ngannou competed in the UFC for six years, from 2015 to 2021, earning a 17-3 record during that time. In an incredible triumph at UFC 260 in 2021, he defeated Stipe Miocic to win the heavyweight title in the UFC. In January 2022, he triumphed against Ciryl Gane via unanimous decision at UFC 270, effectively defending his title. After beating Gane, Ngannou did not sign a new contract with the UFC and has not competed in the Octagon since. He has since entered the world of boxing.
ANAHEIM, CA – JANUARY 22: (R-L) Francis Ngannou hugs Ciryl Gane in their Heavyweight championship fight during UFC 270 on January 22, 2022, at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
In a heartbreaking post, Francis Ngannou said of his son’s passing, “Too soon to leave but yet he’s gone,” Ngannou wrote. “My little boy, my mate, my partner Kobe was full of life and joy. Now he’s laying without life. I shouted his name over and over but he’s not responding.” He continued, “How do you deal with such a thing? How can you live with it? Please help me if you have an idea because I really don’t know what to do and how to deal with this.” it is a tragic and heartbreaking development for the supremely talented heavyweight.
Following the loss of his son, Francis Ngannou is receiving support from the fighting community. On Monday, a number of combat sports celebrities, including Anthony Joshua and Manny Pacquiao, sent their thoughts and condolences to Ngannou. Pacquiao said he can’t imagine the “pain and struggle” Ngannou is going through. Anthony Joshua added, “May the memories you shared bring you comfort.” Ngannou faced Joshua in the boxing ring recently. Joshua defeated Ngannou by knockout in March. Overall, It is a shocking and sad story. We wish Ngannou and his family well in these tragic circumstances.
Inside the NBA is consistently the most entertaining basketball show on television. The chemistry between Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, Saq, and Ernie Johnson is endlessly entertaining. Throughout the last week of playoff games, Chuck and Shaq have been trying to beat Kenny Smith to the board. This has been recurring, and recently, Kenny has been getting beat in the foot race. On Monday, Kenny Smith was sweating more than usual, and NBA star and frequent Inside the NBA guest Draymond Green decided to throw some shade at The Jet.
Charles Barkley recently roasted the entire city of Galveston, Texas, when he said the Pelicans should be sent there for punishment. Barkley apologized to Tina Knowles, Beyonce’s mother, who is from Galveston, to ward off any beehive shenanigans. The latest roasting comes from Draymond Green, who made a joke on Twitter about Kenny Smith’s hairline or lack thereof. Charles didn’t let the comment slide, firing back a hilarious roast right back at Green.
Charles Barkley Says Green Should Come To Work Since He Has Nothing Better To Do
Kenny’s hairline has been much discussed. Sometime in the past few months, he showed up at the studio one day and had an outline of a hairline. Kenny was completely bald before that so many assumed he got some work done. Draymond decided to roast Smith on Twitter and called him Kenny Boozer. It is in reference to the hilarious pic of Carlos Boozer with sprayed-on hair from back in the day. The studio showed a pic of Boozer and everything, and Charles Barkley and the guys laughed out loud.
Then Charles Barkley clapped back in hilarious fashion. He told Draymond to come back to work because he’s “got nothing better to do,” since the Lakers didn’t even make the playoffs. Draymond occasionally works for TNT, so Chuck is wondering where his colleague is at. If you want to joke with the Inside the NBA crew, you better show up for work, according to Chuck. Inside the NBA will be covering game 5 between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks tonight. We will be looking forward to what ever hilarious moments come out of the iconic NBA show.
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