Erik Karlsson Traded to the Sharks

For months, there has been speculation that the Senators would try to trade their star defenseman Erik Karlsson, as his contract is up after this coming season. They finally made that move today.

The Senators have traded Karlsson, as well as prospect Francis Perron, to the San Jose Sharks. In return, the Senators will receive forwards Chris Tierney and Rudolfs Blacers, defenseman Dylan DeMelo, prospect Josh Norris, as well as two picks. They’ll gain an additional pick if the Sharks re-sign Karlsson.

Karlsson is a two-time Norris Trophy winner, both with the Senators in 2012 and 2015 and was the runner-up in 2016 and 2017. He has led defenseman in points since the 2009-10 season with 126 goals and 392 assists in 627 NHL games. He has also finished among the NHL’s top-1o leading scorers twice, once in 2011-12 and in 2015-16. He was also among the top-10 assist leader four times (2011-12; 2013-14; 2015-16; 2016-17).

Sharks General Manager Doug Wilson said about acquiring Wilson today, “It’s extremely rare that players of this caliber become available. The word ‘elite’ is often thrown around casually but Erik’s skill set and abilities fit that description like few other players in today’s game. With Erik, Brent Burns, and Marc-Edouard Vlasic, we feel we have three of the NHL’s top defenseman and stand as a better team today than we were yesterday.

The other player going to the Sharks, Francis Perron, has spent the last two seasons with Ottawa’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Belleville Senators, and will most likely spend time again in the AHL with the San Jose Barracuda.

Meanwhile, for the Senators, they gain four players and two draft-picks (possibly three) as they continue their rebuild.

Dodgers Leading To Get Manny Machado?

A new leader has appeared in the running to land Orioles star Manny Machado, and it looks like that team is the Dodgers.

The latest coming from Bob Nightengale of USA Today is that the Dodgers are currently in the lead right now, and appear to have a framework in place to get Machado from the Orioles. However, Nightengale also says that the Phillies are still "aggressively pursuing" Machado, and reports are that the Phillies are willing to give up one of their prized pitching prospects in order to land Machado.

I will update more on this when Nightingale or anybody else has new news regarding this or the players that the Dodgers are willing to give up on this deal. As for now, it looks like it's no surprise that the Dodgers have jumped out in front. Without Corey Seager on this team for the rest of the year, the Dodgers are desperate to find a short-term fix. They've had okay moments from current shortstop Chris Taylor, but it's clear they would like an update.

Landing Machado could put them over the top in the NL West and the National League, in general. Question is: Who are they willing to give up in order to land Machado?

Giants Willing to Part With Samardzija

Bob Nightengale of USA Today has a new report centering around San Francisco Giants pitcher Jeff Samardzija.

According to Nightengale, the Giants are willing to part with him, and have let the Yankees know that he is available via trade. The Yankees have had some slight interest in him lately. However, the Yankees are not sure if he's the right fit for their stadium, as the Yankees are worried that the short right-field porch is a death trap for him. Another thing that they are worried about: He has been sent to the 10-day DL with inflammation in his right shoulder, further worrying the Yankees.

For the Giants, trading away Samardzija would be a big task. He's currently due $19.8M per year through the 2020 season, and other than his injury problems, he's had a rough season. Not only has he missed time with pectoral and shoulder issues, but when he's on the mound, he's managed a 6.42 ERA.

If the Giants can trade him away, that's great. The problem may be that they'll have to eat some of that salary if they can find a trade partner, either with the Yankees or somebody else.

Mets Considering Trading deGrom?

Mets ace Jacob deGrom has been at the center of trade talk that he's going to be the next to go from the Mets, despite all efforts for the past few seasons to put together a long-term deal to keep him in the Big Apple. Now, his agent has come out and seemed to indicate that a trade may be coming in the next few days.

deGrom's agent, Brodie Van Wagenen of CAA Baseball, said this statement to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal about the state of the relationship between deGrom and the Mets:

“We have discussed Jacob’s future with the Mets at length,” said Van Wagenen. “Jacob has expressed interest in exploring a long-term partnership that would keep him in a Mets uniform for years to come. If the Mets don’t share same interest, we believe their best course of action is to seriously consider trade opportunities now. The inertia of [the] current situation could complicate Jacob’s relationship with the club and creates an atmosphere of indecision.”

Van Wagenen later added in a follow-up that he is not demanding a trade for his client, but it looks like he is trying to push the Mets into either getting a deal done soon or thinking about other options for the ace pitcher looking to find a winning team somewhere else. Trust me, there's plenty of teams out there that can use him.

If deGrom is not traded by the deadline, he'll become a prominent trade target for teams when the 2018-19 offseason opens up. This could add another level of complexity to this offseason that is set to feature the most impressive free-agent class in recent memory.

During All-Star festivities today, deGrom had a chance to respond to his agent's comments, saying this:

“We’ve been open to discussing long-term deals with the Mets. There’s been no numbers discussed, and I’ve enjoyed my time here. … I would love it to be here with the Mets. We’ll just have to see what happens. … I would love to play here for my whole career. I think it’s just kind of deciding what we see as the future. It’s something that’s in the Mets’ control, and kind of out of mine.”

Despite all that has been said about deGrom and his agent, it's become very unlikely that the two sides will be able to reach a deal before the trade deadline. If that were the case, the rest of the front office would be thinking about trading other players. That would have to happen if they expect to sign him long-term.

These types of comments from agents don't always serve as a catalyst for a trade, but there was one notable one recently: Christian Yelich. Yelich was moved from Miami to Milwaukee not long after his agent Joe Longo made comments that were similar in tone to those of Van Wagenen. J.T. Realmuto was a rare exception, when his agent Jeff Berry said back in February that Realmuto would prefer to be moved.

deGrom is still under control by the Mets til 2020, and he's already earning $7.4 million. At the end of his arbitration years, he could find his salary bumped up to as much as $20 million. Any extension talks would have to be at least five years. It's very likely, however, that deGrom and his camp would like to push that extension to an either six or seven-year deal.

Assuming deGrom gets an extension, it could possibly be a franchise-record contract for this organization. Currently, David Wright holds that distinction on an eight-year contract with $138 million. Maybe deGrom is looking to break that record.

Jeff Samardzija Headed To the DL

The Giants are shutting down pitcher Jeff Samardzija again.

Kerry Crowley of the Bay Area News Group is reporting that the San Francisco Giants are placing Samardzija on the 10-day disabled list with what is being called inflammation in his pitching shoulder. In a corresponding move, the Giants have recalled infielder Kelby Tomlinson from Triple-A Sacramento.

For Samardzija, this is the third time this season he's gone to the DL. This is the second time he's gone for shoulder troubles. Entering this year, he was known for his durability and had been pitching 200-plus seasons for five straight seasons going into 2018. This season hasn't been great in those numbers. He's only thrown 44 2/3 innings as we reach the halfway point of the season. Not only that, he hasn't been healthy enough when he's taken the field and now there are reports the Giants are going to try to dump his salary.

This season, Samardzija has pitched to a 6.25 ERA, thanks in part to a poor strikeout rate and a high walk rate with 5.24 walks a game. There's also been a decline in his velocity throw, which is not good for a guy who's been durable for this team for the past few seasons.

Samardzija is in the middle of a five-year, $80 million contract. He was rewarded with that contract when he proved himself to be a quality mid-rotation starter. Now, with the Giants hoping to stay under the $197 million competitive-tax threshold, they'll be hoping to find a trade partner and get rid of his contract. The club has already reportedly make him available in trade offers, but his 2018 performance and his injury troubles could make him an immovable piece.

Despite his woes, the Giants are still in a good spot with a record of 50-47. They're three games out of a Wild Card spot and 3 1/2 games behind the NL West-leading Dodgers. If Samardzija is scheduled to miss time after the All-Star break, the club will most likely turn back to Derek Holland to fill that role. Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto, Andrew Suarez, and Dereck Rodriguez currently make out the starting rotation for the Giants.

We'll see if Samardzija can make a solid return again to the Giants rotation but considering his injury woes and his pitching numbers, it seems more likely they'll try to find a trade partner before they have to make a pitching decision on him.

Cardinals Fire Mike Matheny

The St. Louis Cardinals announced on Saturday that manager Mike Matheny is out as their manager. Also leaving the team are hitting coach John Mabry and assistant hitting coach Bill Mueller. Bench coach Mike Shildt will serve as the interim manager for the rest of the season.

Also being promoted are minor league assistants Mark Budaska and George Greer to serve as hitting coaches. This is all according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. There is yet to be word on whether or not the Cards will name a bench coach to take over for Shildt, though it's likely that they will not name one before the end of the season.

Matheny has been at the managing helm for the Cardinals for the past six seasons. During that time, he helped the club get to four consecutive players from 2012-2015. It included an NL pennant in 2013. His Cardinals tenure will end with a 591-473, which is a pretty great record, considering what has been going on there lately with that team.

President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak scheduled a news conference this morning around 11:00 AM to address the firing, releasing this statement below:

“These decisions are never easy, but we felt that a change in leadership was necessary as the team prepares to enter into the second half of the season. I would like to thank Mike for his exceptional commitment and devotion to the Cardinals organization, including many fond memories of our years working together.” 

While many were surprised by the sudden firing of Matheny, he was actually on the hot seat going into the 2018 season, as his team had been struggling the last couple of seasons, including one of the seasons that saw the Cubs win the World Series. If the Cardinals again fail to make the playoffs this season, it would be their third consecutive season without a playoff berth. That would've been unacceptable to the Cardinals brass. That hasn't happened since the 1997-1999 season. And also certainly, the Cardinals didn't expect to take a seat backwards with the latest additions of Marcell Ozuna and Bud Norris. They also some pretty good talent coming up through the farm system.

Lately, however, this team has been surrounded by controversies, mostly in regards to player management. Recent reports have been surfacing that Bud Norris has been "mercilessly riding" 21-year-old rookie Jordan Hicks, who is expected to take over the closer role at some point. Many have described it as bullying in the clubhouse. Matheny's response to the whole thing? Norris was "from a different generation of players." It's still unclear whether this played a role in his dismissal, but it now raises questions about his performance as manager and whether or not it becomes a factor in his next job.

Another controversy that has been brewing is his current relationship with players like Dexter Fowler.  Even Mozeliak recently criticized Fowler's latest performance. Despite all that, this Cardinals team is much younger than previous teams, thus the emotions and the controversies seem to bubbling up more than usual for such a championship-caliber team.

Looks like the Cardinals now will be searching for a candidate who can get the most out of the young players on this team as they gear up for a second-half push towards the playoffs. It could be Shildt or it could be somebody else.

Hoby Milner Heading to the Rays

The Rays and Phillies made a trade earlier today.

The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired left-handed reliever Hoby Milner from the Phillies in exchange for cash considerations, according to the Rays. Earlier this week, Milner was designated for assignment by the Phillies and were looking for a trade since then. Looks like the Rays were first to cash in.

Many had expected Milner to stay with the Phillies long-term as a result of their success so far this season. He got out to a 2.01 ERA across 31 1/3 innings back during the 2017 season and was helpful in preventing runs from scoring.

This season, Milner has only made ten appearances for the Phillies over 4 2/3 innings. He allowed four runs, including three of those coming in one appearance. In his Triple-A appearances this season,  he has out pitched his numbers like he did last season. He's had a 2.39 ERA despite a 4.78 walks per game. However, his strand rate was 87.7%, which can be attributed to the walks per game.

For the Rays, he'll most likely serve as one of their depth relievers in their bullpen and in Triple-A. He could also start for the Rays at some point this season. They've become known lately for having their relievers become starters for 2-3 innings.

Are The Anaheim Ducks Done?

Many expected the Anaheim Ducks and the San Jose Sharks to go toe-to-toe in their first-round matchup. Not only that, but considering that the Ducks had home-ice advantage, you would've thought that the Ducks were going to walk out of their own building with two big wins.

That wasn't the case.

Games 1 & 2 found the Sharks sitting in good leads and eventually winning both games. Now, last night in Game 3, the Sharks showed up while the Ducks may have had their worst performance of the season. They got blown out 8-1 in Game 3. For many of us, that's unacceptable. What's even worse is now the Ducks sit themselves in an 3-0 hole and many are expecting the Sharks to just finish them off and head off to the second round.

Is there still a saving grace for the Ducks? Perhaps. And considering their opponents, they're going to have a big uphill battle.

In Game 3, the Ducks had terrible penalty issues, and the Sharks capitalized on that with eight power play opportunities, getting goals in four of those opportunities. The Ducks also couldn't find the net. In the three games in this series, they've only scored three times. That's also unacceptable.

Ryan Getzlaf has two assists in the three games while Rickard Rakell has one goal in three games. Rakell led the team in scoring during the regular season. Another high-profile player for the Ducks, Corey Perry, has yet to make an impact this postseason, having a minus-3 rating, eight penalty minutes and seven shots on goal. Ryan Kesler is also not showing up, with only four shots and an assist.

While those figures may seem like a worrisome trend, it also shows the toughness and the great play that the Sharks have gone through right now, and if the Ducks have any chance of turning it around in this series, they're going to have to step up, and that means the big players on this team will have to step up as well.

The bigger question is: Whether or not the Ducks are ready for Game 4, are they done for the rest of the postseason? It remains to be seen, but if they keep playing the way they did the first three games, then they are officially done. The Sharks are not a team that you want to pushover and the feeling for the first three games is that the Ducks have underestimated. News flash: The Sharks are not a pushover, unlike many other teams. They play defense, they have toughness, and they have great goaltending that many teams struggle against. The Ducks are certainly one of those teams.

In my best estimate, the Ducks look like they're done. Even if they win Game 4 and perhaps Game 5, this is not the Kings-Sharks series of many years ago, when the Kings came back from a 3-0 hole to win the series. The Ducks are struggling on offense, their stars are not stepping up, and they're taking penalties. You can't have that for the rest of this series and beyond. So right now, the Ducks are not done but more mistakes like this and that could seal their fate.

Trouble Ahead for the Padres?

The San Diego Padres were hoping not to get off to a bad start this baseball season. Well, unfortunately, they did, and with the why things are going right now, they definitely don't want to be playing the Houston Astros this early in the season.

Yesterday's 3-1 loss to the Colorado Rockies dropped them to 1-6 to start the season and questions have been surrounding this team, like the closer role of Brad Hand the ineptness on offense from most of their starting players. However, it didn't just start at the beginning of the regular season. Their chief-run producer Dinelson Lamet landed himself on the DL even before the Padres left to go back to San Diego from spring training. And now they're feeling the impact of his loss, since he is a big part of their run-production.

In Thursday's game, however, Joey Lucchesi was the main reason the Padres stayed in it til the end, and for the time being, the Padres are going to keep him in the rotation, with the hope that their offense will get things going and allow him to get some wins under his belt. However, that is hard to force, considering the Astros are up next and they've got good teams on the horizon.

The big question mark might be Brad Hand. Although he's had a fine career with the Padres so far, questions are now starting to arise if he's going to be able to be the closer role for the foreseeable future. My guess is no and that he'll return to the eighth inning role, where he's been good for the past few seasons. But right now, he's in the spot where he is, and the Padres might have to bite their tongue and wait for better results. However, I can understand their impatience with this.

Last Friday, Hand allowed five runs and blew a save, allowing the Brewers to walk away with the win. On Thursday afternoon, he walked the two first batters and eventually had the bases loaded before giving up another walk to bring in a run. There was groans from Padres fans, because they knew they had lost this game on him.

In his first four innings of 2018, Hand allowed eight runs on five hits and three walks. Those are numbers that are alarming, especially to manager Andy Green.

So with all that being said, are the Padres actually in trouble this early in the season? Perhaps, and especially since they have a hard schedule this early and with a weekend with the Astros on deck. I can't blame the whole thing on Brad Hand yet. He may be able to turn this around, before things get out of hand. But right now, the offense is the biggest blame in all of this, because Eric Hosmer hasn't really done much yet to move the needle. He's had a couple of hits, but not enough to really turn the tide for this team, while Wil Myers just landed himself on the DL with injuries. You also have Carlos Asauje and Freddy Galvis, who have yet to pick up the hits and the runs they need to get them some wins for this team. It's really not looking good on paper right now.

Here's the thing: We're still early on the season. There's time to turn things around. This is not the end of the world yet. However, I do understand the concern on a bunch of Padres fans and management. This is not the trend you want to have at the beginning of the season, especially when your offense looks inept at times. Perhaps things will change as the season goes along and people get adjusted to their roles. I just hope Green is not ready to push the panic button on this season, because the way things look, that's where it's headed: Panic mode.

Is Dana White Responsible For Conor McGregor's Action?

Dana White was probably hoping to wake up on Thursday morning with no incidents or actions ahead of UFC 223 in Brooklyn, New York. Well, unfortunately for him, Conor McGregor did not let him have a good day, and now we're beginning to wonder if Dana White himself is responsible for all of the McGregor antics.

On Thursday, McGregor, along with a few other fighters, attacked a bus that was filled with fighters fighting at UFC 223 at Barclays Center. One of those fighters suffered some facial injuries while another suffered an eye injury. McGregor is now currently in police custody, facing multiple charges of assault and criminal mischief.

If you were all watching this video on Thursday, McGregor acted like he was above the law in this and didn't expect any punishment, which was basically what he had been doing all these years and yet Dana White had done nothing to curb it, which is understandable from a money standpoint but not from a humanistic standpoint.

The UFC, and Dana White in particular, had reinforced for years that not only is he the new face of the UFC but that he is able to do what he wants without facing any repercussions or any sort of punishment. For many of us, it's almost sick to hear that. However, it's true, and it might be time for Dana White to do something to curb this behavior.

On Thursday night, Dana White did issue a statement on the matter, calling it "the most disgusting thing that has ever happened in the history of the company." Honestly, when one of your fighters injures another fighter outside of the ring, it clearly isn't a good thing, and it's Dana White that's going to have to face the biggest battle to not only protect Conor McGregor, but also to protect the brand.

So what's going to happen? Is Dana White actually going to follow through and give punishment to McGregor? I find it hard to believe that Dana White will actually punish McGregor, as the UFC hasn't done anything about his actions in the past. The only time that he's really faced any consequence was a fine of $150,000 from the Nevada Athletic Commission for his actions back in August 2016 when he threw bottles and an unopened energy drink before his fight with Nate Diaz. Since then, nothing.

Dana White, whether directly or indirectly, is responsible for the actions of his fighters and anyone else that is under his command. I understand why McGregor has the personality he does because it brings in a lot of money for UFC and a lot of money for White himself. But, at this point, the recent actions by McGregor don't show money-grabbing or fight promoting. It just shows somebody who can't get out of the spotlight, no matter if he's fighting or not, and he's willing to do whatever it takes to stay there. That's somebody I would actually fear for his safety. Dana White should as well, and that's why he may face the bigger music if he does not bring any sort of punishment towards McGregor.

Yes, Dana White is responsible. This is his brand and this is his fighter. He's part of the problem for McGregor and part of the problems for any of the fighters involved in his brand. That's not good for him and it's not good for those who are also involved in the management of his sport. If White doesn't impose some form of punishment on McGregor in order to curb his actions, it could spell the end of the UFC, Conor McGregor, and maybe even Dana White. That is something that this sport can't afford to lose.

No Kawhi Leonard For The Rest Of Season?

One Spurs superstar is not expecting to see Kawhi Leonard back on the floor for the rest of the season. That superstar happens to be Manu Ginobili.

Ginobili talked to reporters on Wednesday before their game against the Washington Wizards and told ESPN's Michael C. Wright, "He is not coming back. For me, he's not coming back because it's not helping (to think Leonard is returning). We fell for it a week ago again. I guess you guys made us fall for it. But we have to think that he's not coming back; that we are who we are, and that we got to fight without him. That shouldn't be changing, at least until he is ready for the jungle."

That sounds like sound comments to me, despite recent reports that the Spurs were optimistic that Leonard would return against the Pelicans on March 15. Leonard ended up missing that game. Five games remain this month as well as 11 for the rest of the season, and it's still a toss-up on whether or not Leonard will actually be back on the court. However, based on what he has gone through this season, it seems more than likely than Leonard will probably be out for the rest of the season. If so, the Spurs might end up missing the playoffs.

Ginobili's words do carry some gravity, as the media these days have been overhyped about Leonard's return to the court, and the hype has mostly been exaggerated. I was less than hyped about Leonard's return because I didn't think it would actually happen this season. I can understand his desire to make it back onto the court and be as healthy and as productive as possible. The fact of the matter is, he's not the same player he was when he went out with the injury and head coach Gregg Popovic has made it clear that he does not want him back on the court unless he is fully healthy and free of any pain.

The Spurs are hoping for a healthy Kawhi Leonard right now, especially with the position they are in the Western Conference. They're in a tight race in the Western Conference and currently sit in sixth place. They're just 0.5 games separating them from the seventh-seed Minnesota Timberwolves and they would be playing the Portland Trail Blazers if the season ended today.

Right now, the Spurs are hoping that Kawhi Leonard comes back, but Manu Ginobili is indeed taking the approach that the Spurs may have to go the rest of the way without him. It's understandable. I don't want to see him back on the court unless he is fully healthy and able to carry this team on his back. Right now, he can't do that, and unless that happens, the Spurs will have to keep fighting. They've done a good job at that so far. We'll see what happens.

The Cavs Without Tyronn Lue

The Cleveland Cavaliers will play the next couple of days without their head coach Tyronn Lue.

The Cavs announced today that Lue will be taking a leave of absence to address some personal health issues. These health issues also forced him to leave early from three other games this season.

Lue said this in a statement, "After many conversations with our doctors and [GM] Koby Altman and much thought given to what is best for the team and my health, I need to step back from coaching for the time being and focus on trying to establish a stronger and healthier foundation from which to coach for the rest of the season."

Cavaliers superstar LeBron James came out in support of Lue, but of course LeBron James is the de facto coach and GM of the team and even without Lue, LeBron is the one guy that keeps this team upright. Either way, it was the right thing to say and I hope that Lue takes as much time as he needs to combat this health scare and return to the court ready and willing to go for the playoffs. It's the same thing I said about Steve Kerr last season.

Lue has described several health scares that caused him to leave early from some games this season, including a Saturday game against the Bulls. He described several of them, including chest pains and other symptoms related to it, and a combination of a lack of sleep.

David Alridge of TNT said on his Twitter that Lue will try to return as early as next week, assuming he figures out his health scares and gets fully healthy.

Tyronn Lue will be on a one-week plan to address his health issues, per source. The current plan is to return to the bench next week.

— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) March 19, 2018

That being said and all that, Tyronn Lue should take as much time as he needs to get over these health scares. He shouldn't have to rush this back. It's like Steve Kerr. Don't rush him back. The team will be fine, and in this case, LeBron is going to be the one guy that keeps this team upright, even with the struggles they've been having since the All-Star break, especially against good teams with winning records.

In the meantime, Cavs assistant coach Larry Drew will take over in the interim. He does have some head coaching experience, having coached the Atlanta Hawks from 2010-13, so this team will be in good hands.

Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, they have their own issues to deal with, not including Lue's health scare. This team is currently 9-7 since Altman traded away half the roster, and they've had bad games against teams with winning records since the All-Star break. Most of this is going to be put on LeBron James, as it should, because he's the star and he's the one controlling the guys out there on the floor. They're going to have to figure out how to win against good teams, otherwise, even without Lue, they'll probably have a miserable end to the season, combined with perhaps a dismal playoff run, assuming it goes that way.

I wish Tyronn Lue all the best in his recovery. No need to rush this back. Take as much time as you can and this team will be fine when you get back. As for the Cavaliers, they have their work cut out in front of them, and they have to figure out a way to get through this slump they're currently in.

Virginia Goes Down Hard To UMBC

If you were looking for a 16 seed finally beating a 1 seed, you finally got one, courtesy of UMBC.

Yes, after 34 years of trying and trying, a 16 seed finally took down a 1 seed as UMBC pulled off the greatest upset in college history by knocking off the Virginia Cavaliers 74-54. Yes, that was a 20 point win by a 16 seed over a 1 seed. 20 points! That's an NBA score almost.

You know the name Jairus Lyles? Well, probably not til tonight, as he's now a part of NCAA history as he led the way for UMBC with 28 points and now joins Bryce Drew and Reggie Upshaw as perhaps the unlikeliest of heroes who pulled off spectacular upsets in their times.

Many have said that Virginia probably had the toughest road to the Final Four, and they didn't even play catch-up against UMBC when all was said and done. Coming into this game, they were the ACC regular season and conference title champs. They went through the season 31-2. Now, they'll sit at home and let UMBC handle it the rest of the way.

As for UMBC, they took the night and ran with it, thanks in part to three-pointers all night long. They also got to the rim with almost no problem. They were tied at 21 going into the half. After that, UMBC scored six straight points and for Virginia, it was trouble when the deficit just increased.

Virginia had no business being in this game after the half. They caved to a 16 seed. They didn't play with intensity, with purpose, with nothing except just looking at UMBC rack up the points. They were outplayed at every turn, beaten to the rim every time, and allowed UMBC to hit three after three after three. If you're Virginia, that's inexcusable. Not to mention their 4-of-22 from three-point range was probably their Achilles Heel.

UMBC did everything than Virginia had done leading up to this game. UMBC looked like it was in the ACC and completely took advantage of a Virginia team, especially coming out of halftime. And this wasn't the first time Virginia was on the wrong end. They lost to Chaminade in 1982. At that time, it was considered the greatest upset in college basketball history. Now, this may triumph over it. Plus, that game was in a Hawaii tournament. This was in the NCAA tournament. This will be longer and have a longer lasting impact than many we have seen before.

I've never seen it before. I can't believe it, but it did happen. And Virginia, with perhaps the toughest road in the tournament, didn't play a game. The way they played, they shouldn't have been in the tournament. Now, we'll wait to see what UMBC has up their sleeves for the next game. One thing's for sure: UMBC is our Cinderella this year.

The Case Against Syracuse In the NCAA Tournament

The NCAA Tournament is full of winners and losers. In my last article, I detailed about how USC, despite its conference schedule and all that, should have gotten in. In this one, I will discuss how Syracuse should not have gotten in.

A question many of have had is why Syracuse got picked going into the tournament this year. What got them over the top that gave the Selection Committee the ability to put them into the tournament?

A couple of things really. Some of it was thanks to the Orange's ability this season. Other times, it was because other teams fell off and it allowed Syracuse to rise. One of those abilities to get in was its strength of schedule. They were playing in the ACC, which definitely helps you out with the committee, but like what Oklahoma State learned going through the Big-12, you can't just be in a conference that's very strong and expect that the committee will take pity on you. Its strength of schedule was 15th in the country while Oklahoma State was 69th. They had games against Kansas, Buffalo, Iona, and Maryland, which all had different levels that allowed Syracuse an ability to be successful and battle-tested going into the tournament. The Committee apparently saw that as good enough to be one of the teams.

Another big factor was their ability to win away from home. They were 4-6 away from the Dome, including 4-6 in big road games with two wins over Miami and Louisville. Those were two teams that the Committee saw as Syracuse needing to win in order to get in. To me, Miami was the only elite program that Syracuse won against, but to be fair, Syracuse did better on the road than in previous years. The problem with this is USC had a better road record than Syracuse this season. Even Notre Dame was better than Syracuse away from home.

Iona and Texas Southern were considered bubble teams that Syracuse had to go up against. It wasn't just them, though. They were 6-9 against the field, including wins that actually helped them like the two I just mentioned. Both of those teams ended up with a conference title, and the Orange were given a boost because of that.

Those were the three main factors that allowed Syracuse to get over the top. Unfortunately, they should still not be in, and it's not because I don't agree with why the Committee picked them, but it's because their road record was not as great as other teams who ended up staying out. They didn't have the big wins they needed in order for the Committee to say they're an automatic in, but many of USC's losses on the road were against power teams that were going to get in no matter what, like Arizona. The two big wins the Committee saw in Miami and Louisville, is not what I would consider as strong for the NCAA Tournament. Especially not Louisville, because Louisville had struggled all season and ended up at the NIT. Syracuse, in my mind, needed to have a better road record in order to get into the tournament, but the Committee took pity on them and put them in anyway.

I don't know if this was because they were kicked out last year, but it's clear to look that way. Either way, I think the Committee did a terrible job of allowing Syracuse to get in. Yes, their schedule looks tough and yes, they've had some good wins, but I feel like other teams, like USC and Notre Dame, should've been the frontrunners ahead of Syracuse.

USC Should Be In The Tournament

When the NCAA Selection Committee made its selections, there were a lot of picks they got from. But just like every year we've had, they've always made one mistake. In this particular case, it was a terrible mistake and it was not picking USC to be in it.

Let's face it: USC and their alums and fans definitely have some beef now with the NCAA Tournament now that they've become one of the big programs not to make it to the dance this year. That's with good reason as well.

USC this season had an RPI of 34, which makes them the highest major conference team not to make it into the field of 68. It's completely depressing and inexcusable for this committee.

So why? Why exactly did the committee not send USC into the big dance? Well, for one, the Trojans lacked a difficult out-of-conference schedule and they weren't able to beat tournament teams within their own conference, like UCLA and Arizona. Don't forget the game against Stanford where Daejon Davis destroyed them on the last shot. Yes, Stanford's not in either, but they still did enough to kick USC's butts that game. Either way, the committee looked at both of those things and decided they couldn't afford to give USC a pass and get into the tournament. It still makes it wrong, though, especially since weaker teams and much easier schedules got in over them.

Let's take a closer look at the teams they beat and didn't beat out of conference. USC beat New Mexico State and Cal State Fullerton. They lost to Texas A&M and Oklahoma out of conference. Those teams got into the dance. In-conference, they lost to Arizona twice, rival UCLA twice, and Arizona State. It was very harsh, but the committee felt not beating any of those teams was warrant enough to keep them out of the tournament. Still, though, they way they finished and how they went through the Pac-12 tournament, should've allowed them to get in. Arizona didn't need to win the Pac-12 tournament to get in anyway. They were in, no matter what.

I definitely feel the frustration and anger of USC fans. In fact, I was just texting one over Twitter on Sunday night, saying that USC should be in, because despite the schedule, the way they played throughout most of the season and the teams they needed to beat to get there, should've gotten them in. However, I'm not the committee. I know they had a hard job, but I think with the lack of Pac-12 teams I've seen in this tournament, USC should've been given a chance to prove themselves in the big dance.

It's definitely understandable what the committee did. Yes, I agree that USC did not have a hard out-of-conference schedule and wins against teams that weren't all that great, but in the end, USC should have at least been given a chance. Now, they'll have to prove themselves in the NIT and you can bet they'll be playing that tournament with anger, since they know they should've been in.

Are The Blues Fading?

The St. Louis Blues are seeming to fade from being a contender for the playoffs, and last night's loss against the Sharks just proved that point. You could very well say last season was the statement for this team. That's only unless they go on a roll.

Right now, though, this team is going through tough times as they lost 2-0 against the Sharks on Thursday night at SAP Center. Going into this game, the Blues' playoffs chances were growing dimmer and last night's game just showed the reason why they could miss out on the playoffs entirely.

It's not the Blues that have problems, though. The Sharks needed this game just as badly and were holding off the LA Kings and Calgary Flames in the Pacific Division. However, both teams realized this game could make or break their season, assuming it trends the way it did last night.

In this case, both teams had great energy and great play from the get-go, but the Sharks were the ones that went after the puck early and often. Thanks in part to reliable goalie Jake Allen, he kept the puck out of the net for the first two periods, filling in for an injured Carter Hutton. To many fans of the Blues, it's surprising for Allen to be this consistent, especially in this game, and keep it 0-0 going into the third period.

Unfortunately for the Blues, the offense couldn't get anything going. They more likely wanted to keep the game even instead of trying to attack Martin Jones. They only got 16 shots on him. Yes, they did have some energy but it seemed to die out after the Sharks scored the first goal in the third period. After that, they were deflated, with no energy and no way to get to Martin Jones. It was basically terrible from that point forward.

I'll give the Blues credit for one thing: They had effort. Their season was most likely on the line in this game and they had to go out and prove they can still be in it. Jake Allen proved he's still reliable when called on and allowed the Blues to keep it even through two periods, before the big fallout.

Right now, the Blues sit four points out of a Wild Card spot to get in, but with the way the teams in front of them have been playing, it's going to be hard to see the Blues actually squeezing in there. So the game may have just sealed their fate, or at least give the teams in front of them a bit of an advantage. So right now, every game is crucial for the Blues and they can't afford to have a lot of losses between now and April. If so, they miss. If they win, they may be in. However, with the way things looked like last night, giving up the goal in the third deflated this team, and if that's the attitude they have for the rest of the way, it's going to be a non-playoff-season for St. Louis.

Torrey Smith On The Move

Torrey Smith now has two Super Bowl rings, this latest one thanks to the Philadelphia Eagles. Now, he'll look to find that same Super Bowl success in a new place.

On Friday, ESPN's Adam Scheffer reported that the Eagles have traded their veteran wide receiver Torrey Smith to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for cornerback Daryl Worley.

This trade comes on the heels of them acquiring defensive back Michael Bennett from the Seattle Seahawks.

This season, Smith played a big part in the Eagles success, catching 36 passes for 430 yards and two touchdowns for this season. In the postseason, he had 13 catches for 157 yards and a touchdown. That means the Carolina Panthers just got a player who can still be a threat even as he gets older.

The reasons for the trade make sense, because Philadelphia is currently $14 million over the salary cap and they need to shed some payroll. That is especially true with Michael Bennett, who might be looking to get more money at one point. This season, Smith is set to make a base salary of $5 million, which is what the Eagles can't afford. The player the Eagles got back, Daryl Worley, is still on a four-year rookie deal that is worth $650,000. The Eagles can afford that and not what Smith wants.

While Daryl Worley did have a fantastic start to the season for the Carolina Panthers, the second half saw him in and out of the lineup and his play wasn't quite the same as James Bradberry, who played opposite him. When healthy, he started 14 of 15 games, but only played one snap in the Week 6 game against the Eagles before being pulled out. He was being subbed in and out, due to his play not at the level the Panthers expected it to.

With Smith, the Panthers get a veteran wide receiver that head coach Ron Rivera had been asking for. Smith is a speedy receiver who can beat defenders and has big playmaking ability, that example being in the playoffs. He only had three drops all season, which means he is somebody that can catch a football and hold onto it, even through traffic.

I feel like Torrey Smith has been under appreciated for most of his career, despite his two Super Bowl rings, one in Baltimore and one in Philadelphia. I felt like his tenure in San Francisco may have been the one area that left many skeptical about his career, and perhaps his asking for money from the Ravens for the Super Bowl might've been the reason he left for San Francisco. Torrey Smith is an amazing player, he's an agile wide receiver who doesn't let down his team, and he's a leader and a veteran one that young players are looking for. I think what Smith brings to the Carolina Panthers is something that not only does this team need, but I think their quarterback Cam Newton needs. I only say that because of his recent behavior, especially towards the media and all that. If Smith can come in and provide the sort of leadership and determination that we saw in both Baltimore and Philadelphia, I think Carolina has a big shot to be in the playoffs again and be a deep threat when there.

It was all business in Philadelphia after this season. They had a great season they resulted in a Super Bowl and now they have to shed money. I don't blame them for doing this, but what they're giving up is a guy who is a veteran, a playmaker, and a wide receiver you can count on. There's not many of those in the NFL, but the Panthers just managed to land one, and that could have deep impact on that NFC South.

Richard Sherman Released By The Seahawks

Richard Sherman's time with the Seattle Seahawks appears to be coming to an end.

According to multiple reports, including ESPN's Adam Scheffer, the Seahawks are likely to release Richard Sherman on Friday. If indeed this news is true, it brings to an end perhaps one of the best defensive players in Seahawks history and probably one of the more iconic player in Seattle history.

Things were relatively quiet on Thursday, as no transaction involving Sherman happened that day and he was in Las Vegas attending NFLPA meetings.

Before even the news broke that he has going to be released, the Seahawks had been looking for trade partners for Sherman and nothing happened, most likely because teams expect that the Seahawks would release him. That way, they wouldn't have to give up picks and players to Seattle for a guy still dealing with an ACL injury.

The reasons for the release make sense, as he's making $11 million in salary and is still recovering from a season-ending injury that he suffered in November. Now that he's being released, Sherman is now willing to pick his new team, most likely a team that will offer him a lot of money, perhaps even more than what he got with the Seahawks.

With the release, the Seahawks will now add another $11 million in salary-cap space that they can use to go out and either find new players via free agency or even through the draft. However, I will not question the release or the tactics behind that. If I know one thing about GM John Schneider, he can find ways to cut great players and then go out and get players and make them great. That's why they've been so successful in Seattle for those many years.

There are several reports that all of the moves they are making in getting rid of either injured or high talent players might be to resign Sheldon Richardson, who has played well since coming over from the New York Jets last season. The team declined to put a franchise tag on him and it's expected that releasing all these players would allow to keep Richardson around long-term. Not only that, but it could also add some flexibility to sign Earl Thomas to a long-term deal as well.

It's clear that Schneider believes he knows what he's doing. He's not wrong. Both Richard Sherman and Michael Bennett, who they traded, were not the same players they were during their two-year Super Bowl run and maybe it was time to part with him. However, they have done so much to Seattle and given that fan base a Super Bowl, and I think Seahawks fans, like myself, are appreciative and are thankful that they did that.

Richard Sherman will get picked up by another team and will get more money than what the Seahawks gave him. It was time to move on, anyway. One of the biggest figures in Seattle history will not be forgotten, and we thank Richard Sherman on his devotion and effort to this team, and for bringing a championship to the Emerald City. Now, we'll see where his next act takes him.

Should The Cavs Apologize to Kevin Love?

We're finally getting the news as to why Kevin Love was not on the bench for the Cleveland Cavaliers the day they were blown out by the Oklahoma City Thunder. The reason: Panic attack.

Love published a piece on the Players' Tribune on Monday morning and detailed his experiences with panic attacks, including one that he said he suffered during a game against the Atlanta Hawks back in November.

The game wasn't the only one that he had suffered a panic attack. Back in the game against the Thunder, just three minutes into the game, Love left the floor for what we thought at the time was either an injury or something else. Now we know that he suffered another one there, and that led to a team meeting where some current Cavalier players called him out for leaving the bench and the subsequent practice. He later admitted to them that he had been suffering panic attacks.

A few of those players included then-Cavaliers Isaiah Thomas and Dwyane Wade. When asked about it later, Thomas said he didn't call him out but asked why he didn't stay and support his teammates.

Thomas eventually ended up in LA while Wade was sent back to Miami, and you can be sure they'll probably send out apologies and words of support for Love after this published letter. I'm sure many other Cavaliers will do the same, either current or former. LeBron James has already come out in support of LeBron, which essentially is an apology.

So now that the article is out there and we know why Kevin Love left a couple of times during the season, the question now is: Should the Cavaliers apologize for what happened? Absolutely, at least for the ones who called him out in that meeting. We haven't heard yet from a lot of players who were in that meeting, and we know we already heard one from LeBron. But it's absolute they need to apologize, because 1) You can't call out teammates like that and 2) Players have reasons for leaving the game, whether it be sickness or an emergency or anything like that. In this case, Kevin Love had an emergency and it was a panic attack. It's an issue he had to address and he had to do with what was in his best interest. I wouldn't fault him for that. However, I hope that anybody who was in that meeting and who went after Kevin Love either apologized then or is apologizing now.

Look, mental health is no easy thing to deal with. I deal with it all the time, and mental health has forced me to choose between work and getting better. Obviously, I chose getting better, and that's exactly what Kevin Love was trying to do, and I would encourage people out there who is dealing with mental health to take time off from work or wherever to get it taken care of and to feel better. That way, you can come back raring to go again and making an impact on your place of work.

Kevin Love took the smart approach and I should applaud him for that. As for his teammates, if they haven't apologized yet, they should. You can't do this, not in any circumstance. I understand that teammates should be there for each other, but if you have health issues that you must address, it's best to leave the team and get them figured out rather than staying and making it worse. That way, both the team and the player end off better in the long run.

Mental health is not easy. It's taken people many long hours, weeks, and months to feel better and come back ready to go again. Kevin Love can take all the time he needs to get better and hopefully when he gets back, he's ready to help the Cavaliers. They need him, and in order to get him at 100% health, he needs all the time he needs. Hopefully, that works out well.

MLS Preview: What To Watch

MLS soccer is finally back!

The 2018 MLS season kicks off tonight, March 3, with a flurry of games and intriguing matchups and storylines. You have Toronto FC coming off a great season that resulted in a championship, you have the worry about the Sounders FC after losing Jordan Morris for the whole season, and you have the new team in LAFC that's hoping to make a dent in LA's tight sports city, especially with the more established LA Galaxy to the south. So what should we expect out of the MLS season and what are a couple of storylines to follow? Let's take a look at a couple of them.

LAFC
The biggest storyline of the season may be the new team in the league: LAFC. This team is essentially a redo of the Chivas USA team that went defunct years ago. It's got new players, its got a new mission, and it's going to play closer to downtown than the LA Galaxy, who continue to play too far to the south. It will be led by former US head coach Bob Bradley, who knows something about leading expansion teams, having led the Chicago Fire expansion team to a Cup in 1998. They have more celebrity ownerships, starting with Magic Johnson, and by April, it will have $350 million stadium to play in. While the LAFC may still be building, it's clearly getting more hype in this LA market. Not sure why, since the Galaxy are still the premier team there, but maybe not for long. How about the Galaxy get a stadium in downtown?

Sounders Without Morris
You can tell me a bunch of players on the Seattle Sounders FC, and I would only know three: Stefan Frei, Jordan Morris, and Clint Dempsey. Well, one of those players is now out for the season, as Jordan Morris will undergo surgery, and now the Sounders are wondering what the hell they are going to do to replace his speediness and his quick ability to score goals.

 Unfortunately, that's easier said than done. It's not just Morris that's out. You also have to worry about Dempsey leaving, as he's most likely done after this year, and there's a couple of names still on that team that's likely to leave after the season.

It's a little concerning going into this season, as Morris was the best player and you don't know how everybody else is going to adapt. However, the Sounders FC are still a big team in the MLS and they went to the MLS Cup Finals two years in a row. Whether or not they can make it three in a row will depend on how this team does without Morris.

Atlanta Taking The Next Step?
Atlanta United FC may have been the biggest surprise of last season, especially late in the season. Not only did they play well on the field, but they broke attendance records in its inaugural season and they signed a big-time player Ezequiel Barco from Argentina for $15 million.

Barco is now added to a lineup that includes Miguel Almiron, Josef Martinez, and Hector Villalba. You can expect a lot of goals to be scored for this team.

It's possible that if this works out, Atlanta could become a new beast in the East. Then again, Toronto did win last year and you can count they're taking notice.

It should be a fun season and I'm looking forward to it. I'm actually going to an MLS game tonight, as the Earthquakes are having their home opener at Avaya Stadium against Minnesota United FC. Can't wait for tonight and can't wait to see what the season has in store.

Papa John's Kicked Out of the NFL

The NFL has finally said good riddance to Papa John's.

On Wednesday, the NFL announced that it will no longer partner with Papa Johns as the official pizza and will partner with Pizza Hut instead. It was reported that the Pizza Hut was worth more than what Papa John's did for their sponsorship. NFL's deal with Pizza Hut lasts through 2021, and assuming that their owner or CEO doesn't berate the NFL for its political stances, it could be a great partnership.

The story, however, is not Pizza Hut signing on. It's that the NFL kicked Papa John's to the door, mostly because of what its founder and face of the company, "Papa" John Schnatter, said about the anthem protests and made political comments that damaged the company.

It all started when Schnatter blamed the NFL and the anthem protests for its falling sales, saying this back in November, "The NFL has hurt us by not resolving the current debacle to the players' and owners' satisfaction...Leadership starts at the top, and this is an example of poor leadership. NFL leadership has hurt Papa John's shareholders."

Many considered the comments shameful and an attempt to put the blame on falling sales somewhere else. Not only that, but it looked like Schnatter was hoping that the NFL would take notice to his comments and get rid of Roger Goodell. It didn't happen, as Goodell was signed to a contract extension.

These comments by Schnatter resulted in many saying they were done getting pizza from Papa John's, allowing other competitors to step in and take the business, which is the right way to do things when a company's leadership tarnishes the brand like this.

Although the decision to leave was mutual on both sides, like the NFL and Papa John's, it had been a very messy four months for Papa John's and it looked like the NFL just had enough of the image that Papa John's was trying to put on the NFL, which failed miserably.

I'm glad Papa John's is gone. I'm glad I don't get pizza from Papa John's, because at the time, I said that this was not going to hurt the NFL, but that Papa John's would be hurt most by this. I remember talking to some friends and writers a couple of months ago, saying that Papa John's should fire or get rid of Schnatter after these comments because it was very damaging. I don't know if that has happened yet, but if so, it's clear that Papa John's has no accountability to get rid of people who damage the brand, even if it's their founder and face. Papa John's has not kicked out because of a mutual termination or falling sales, they were kicked out because Schnatter made comments that made it terrible for people to get pizza from his brand. As a result of that, I say to Papa John's, as I said in the beginning: Good riddance?

Hopefully, Pizza Hut has better management than Papa John's, because I believe they will take accountability and have people who understand the customers they are selling to. Political stances hurt Papa John's. It better not hurt Pizza Hut, and I think this partnership will work out much better than the last one.

Is LeBron Right About the NCAA?

LeBron James is not holding back his punches now that he has given his views on the current NCAA investigation.

In recent days, even weeks, college basketball has fallen under scrutiny due to an FBI investigation that is alleging a massive corruption scandal involving many college basketball schools. This grew so big enough that LeBron James decided to weigh in on the scandal with his thoughts, saying, "The NCAA is corrupt, we know that. Sorry, it's going to make headlines, but it's corrupt."

The Cavaliers star has been very outspoken on issues far-ranging and most of the times, he's saying stuff that whether or not it's true, he needs to be listened to. He has said that the NBA should continue to develop its G-League and that it should be considered an alternative to college basketball. Before many players play professionally, they usually spend a couple years developing skills at that level, and I believe that the NBA, for far too long, has not been able to develop much like other leagues should.

James went further about the NCAA investigation, believing that the system won't be fixed and didn't see how it can be fixed, considering that the corruption, as he puts it, has gone on for years.

For a while, we have had debates about whether or not players should go straight from high school to the big leagues, much like LeBron and Kobe Bryant did when they came out of high school, and I think this particular investigation is one of many reasons why LeBron chose not to go to college in the first place. Not only what happened to these schools, but players can't benefit financially, which means if they earn a little bit of money off their likeness, it gives schools a reason to investigate them or even the coach, and that's not right.

LeBron's comments, right or wrong, is nothing new, because many of us felt for a while that the NCAA was corrupt and wasn't allowing players to have any sort of benefit whatsoever, whether it's money or something else. I think this investigation is going to have high school players revisit their options to enter college. Many may actually head straight to the pros out of high school, because they need to make money and if they can't get that in college, they'll go straight to the league. It also may be one of the reasons why LaVar Ball pulled his son LiAngelo out of UCLA, though it's definitely not the main reason. However, the NCAA definitely has a problem and I think they need to allow players to make money off their likeness, because at this point, they're not allowing people to benefit from playing basketball. Some of them are going to be professional players, and they need to help their own family benefit as well. Money is the only way you can do that.

LeBron did the smart thing at the time, going straight from high school to the pros. He was the best basketball player and didn't need to go to college, but he also understood the cloud that hovers over the NCAA on stuff like this. He didn't want to be in the middle of it, and that's a very smart move. Kobe probably didn't want to either. These are very smart people who understand that playing college basketball means you could be at risk for investigations like these. His comments may or may not be right, but either way, it's worth listening to and it's worth understanding that college basketball has a problem and LeBron knows that.

Impact of Tomas Tatar on Golden Knights

The Vegas Golden Knights made a few moves on Trade Deadline day, but there was one that many thought was the signal that this team was going to try to not only make the playoffs, but possibly make it to the Finals.

That impact trade seemed to happen with the Detroit Red Wings, who gave the Golden Knights forward Tomas Tatar in exchange for a first-round pick in 2018, a second-rounder in 2019, and a third-rounder in 2021. The Red Wings basically got three picks for a 27-year-old forward who still has three years left on his contract.

So far in 62 games this season, he has 16 goals and 12 assists, who is still pretty good even for a lousy team like Detroit.

The Golden Knights made many trades on the day, but the reason why I believe Tatar is the best acquisition for this deadline is not only is he joining a team that is currently best in the West at 86 points but he is also a goal-scorer and a dynamic playmaker. He opens up the ice in a way most players can't, and finds a way to beat goalies. During the time frame from 2013 to 2017, he had 94 goals. Yes, his production did drop this season, but he's also on a rebuilding Detroit team. It looks like a change of venue could help his production.

The impact of Tatar on this team is whether or not he can regain the form he had from that timeframe. If not, the Golden Knights could be in trouble come playoff time, because you need all the players you get in the deadline and now scoring in bunches. Look at the Penguins, the Kings, and the Bruins from years ago. When they score, they score often and in the playoffs, and Tatar's going to have to do that as well. There's only going to be an impact if he gets back to the form he had from 2013-17.

I'm never going to question GM George McPhee's ability to make good trades. I think this is probably the best trade of the deadline and it also means that he's willing to sacrifice the future to try to win a championship now. You have to do that. These fans deserve to have a chance. Hopefully, Tatar is the answer they are looking for to not only finish this season, but make it far in the playoffs.

Should The Knicks Keep Porzingis After The Season?

For the New York Knicks, the future began long ago when they traded away Carmelo Anthony to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for a lot of people, many are assumed to be helping the future of the Knicks. Now, the guy at the center of the rebuild, Kristaps Porzingis, might leave assuming the Knicks don't keep him, which would also put their future on ice.

Porzingis has an ACL tear, which means he's out for the season, and the Knicks are no longer looking to go after a playoff spot, but after the future. It's understandable, considering that the Knicks would've been a playoff team had Porzingis not gotten hurt. It also means younger players are getting minutes and experience thanks to his absence. But now, the Knicks have a bigger priority for Porzingis: Getting him signed long-term.

Porzingis is eligible for a contract extension after this season and the Knicks would like nothing more than to keep him on. The extension we're talking about is the designated rookie extension, which Porzingis falls under. It's only available to former first-round picks when they enter their fourth season in the league, and it can only be used to one player per team. The extension would add five years to a contract and keep him on the team for six more seasons. It would also come with a salary worth 25 percent of the team's salary cap, with raises possible along the way.

What does this mean? Well, it means Porzingis would make $157 million over five years and keep him in New York through the 2024 season. It sounds like a no-brainer considering that he is now the star of that team. However, there's no guarantee. His brother, Janis, serves as his agent, and has said that Porzingis puts winning over money. That statement could mean he's out of New York after this season.

The Knicks must be very careful, though, because the winning aspect is the one thing that will need to be addressed before Porzingis signs his extension. They have to know if this team will be able to win in a couple of years and if not, then Porzingis will leave after the season. GM Scott Perry will have to sell him on the future and sell him on the ability that he'll be the superstar of this team that can save them when needed, much like LeBron James does with the Cavaliers.

So will the Knicks keep Porzingis or let him walk? It's still too early to tell, as this question would be better suited for March and April, but I think if the Knicks want to be relevant in the league again, they will have to keep Porzingis under wraps for the coming future. We also have to realize, though, that he did end his season with an ACL injury, which puts his ability to play well into question. It isn't great to give him a long-term extension when he's coming off this type of injury, so the Knicks might need time to figure it out and figure out the path forward. Either way, injuries are injuries and lots of players come back from it and play well. Porzingis could very well do that as well.

It's clear that Porzingis is now the Knicks' superstar, and if they want any chance to compete in the league at a high level again, they're going to need Porzingis, injury-prone or not. He's a good scorer and a guy who can count on to bail you out of situations. The Knicks realize that, and they really need to analyze whether or not this deal will work out for their plans for success. The Knicks have made many stupid moves in the past. They better not make another one with Porzingis.

The Impact of the New York Rangers Now

The New York Rangers are winning lately, despite the fact that management has lately been trying to throw in the towel. Is it possible that the players are trying to stick it to management based off of the comments?

Earlier this month, Rangers management and personnel sent out a letter to fans, saying that the team would be going in a new direction. Instead of trying to compete for a player spot, the team will be focused on getting younger and adding more skill, speed, and character to their lineup, something they believe they need to do in order to compete in the long term.

One word I have found very disturbing in the last couple of days is the word tanking. You could very well apply that to the New York Rangers, just based on the letter alone. Tanking cost Mavericks owner Mark Cuban $600k. It might not be surprising if the NHL actually chooses to go that same route there, even though the word tanking wasn't used.

It seems very strange that the New York Rangers would send a letter to fans, telling them about what they are doing for the future, as NHL teams have been on the down-low regarding future plans and all that.

Since then, some of the Rangers players have come out and voiced their feelings about this letter and the whole direction of the Rangers locker room: You can read some of the comments on the link here:

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/rangers-react-management-throwing-towel-161510658.html

Based on the statements, some of the player didn't like it that management was throwing in the towel, considering that the Rangers were close to a playoff spot and you would think they would be buyers in this case. I'm guessing management has finally decided that getting to that goal in the short-term is not reasonable, and I do understand that management feels that way.

It's also clear that they're trying to make trades to get some cap relief. They already traded away Michael Grabner to the New Jersey Devils and it looks like they're close to shipping Rick Nash out of town too. They were held out of the game against the Canadiens and didn't play well at all.

Unfortunately for the players, I can understand their frustrations with the management trying to go in a different direction, but management will dictate how this team plays, and if they don't like it, then the Rangers will ship them out too. The Rangers do look like they need to go in a different direction. They hadn't played well for a while, in fact, since the Stanley Cup Final against the LA Kings a couple of years ago, it seems like they'd had been going in reverse, and I think it's time for them to trade all the veterans out and try to rebuild. Management holds the cards here and they will have the final say on what this team does. If they have to trade players to accomplish a long-term goal, they'll do it. Just look at the LA Clippers. They traded away a fan favorite, Blake Griffin, because they understood that a short-term playoff run is not in the cards. The Rangers understand that here too.

This team has played well since that letter came out, but my guess is it won't last, and I doubt they'll be able to make the playoffs this season. It's frustrating that Rangers fans might not be able to see this team try to make the playoffs, but the long-term answers are the ones that need to be addressed, and I think Rangers management knows that. I'll be honest: Short-term answers don't work in sports. A bigger goal requires a long-term plan and I think the Rangers, if they want to get back to the Stanley Cup and win it, need to think long-term.

I'm sorry, Rangers fans and Rangers players, management knows best where this team is headed, and as much as you don't like it, the future of this Rangers teams needs to be priority number one. It is painful, but it is also a necessary truth, and I think it will work out for the Rangers. It may be slow, but there's no quick fixes.

Will Sheldon Richardson Stay or Go?

Sheldon Richardson's name is likely to pop up on a lot of teams' radars this coming offseason, assuming that the latest coming out of Seattle is true.

A report by Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network says that the team is not likely to place the franchise tag on defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, meaning that he will likely become a free agent when the free agency window opens. However, it's still possible that the Seahawks could sign him to a long-term deal before then.

The non-franchise tag makes sense, as the Seahawks have not used the franchise tag on any player since 2010. Many have speculated that they would've broken the trend for Richardson, since the Seahawks would like to keep him for next year.

Richardson came over in the trade from the New York Jets before the season began. That trade involved sending wide receiver and fan favorite Jermaine Kearse and a second-round pick back to the Jets.

Meanwhile, the two sides will continue working on a deal. Hopefully, this'll be a deal that pleases both sides, as opposed to the Washington Redskins, who don't want to franchise-tag Kirk Cousins and pay him all the money they don't believe he deserves.

For the Seahawks, paying Richardson $14.5 million or even more for next season is not something they want to deal, hence why they probably don't want to franchise tag him and pay him that much.

The Seahawks are usually good with money and they know the players that deserve that type of money. Russell Wilson, Doug Baldwin, and Richard Sherman are a couple of names that are worth a lot of money. Sheldon Richardson, however, is not worth it, at least not yet.

If the Seahawks actually try to sign Richardson to a deal for more money than what other current players are making, it will probably create a precedent that forces other players on the teams to ask for more money. The Seahawks definitely don't want to create that trend, which means Richardson may have to make less than some of the current players on the team. It's understandable as well.

It's anticipated that the Seahawks could create more cap room to sign Richardson with the pending releases of Jeremy Lane and Cliff Avril. Both players have not done well this season and the Seahawks are most likely afraid they're starting to recede.

The bigger question: Are the Seahawks willing to part ways with Richardson if a deal doesn't work out? Yes. They don't need to rely on Richardson anyway anymore. He was brought in at the beginning of the season in hopes to resurrect what is still a great defensive line. However, they failed to make the playoffs and Richardson's play this season has played a part in it. They don't want to pay him the money he asks for because they'll most likely believe he doesn't deserve it. Good teams like the Seahawks understand what players are worth nowadays.

It's more likely that the Seahawks just decide to part ways with Richardson. It didn't necessarily work out with the Seahawks. They didn't make the playoffs, despite injuries to their defensive starters, and it's more than likely they can find somebody to replace that through the draft. They could pay that person a lot less too.

I think Richardson is a terrific player and a great defensive presence. It doesn't mean that he's going to be the difference-maker in one place. He wasn't that either with the Jets or the Seahawks. Maybe somewhere else, like Atlanta. If Richardson wants to stay with Seattle, he's going to have to take money they think he's worth and not the other way around. I would like to see him stay with Seattle, but I think it's highly more probable he goes elsewhere. Who knows? Maybe he can get more money in other places, because the Seahawks know how to work with money and they can replace people who can take a lot less money.