What To Expect In Jazz-Suns Tonight

The Utah Jazz have currently won 10 in a row and they are one of the best teams in the league during that stretch. Despite their current streak, though, they still sit in the 10th spot, just below the Clippers and Pelicans for the final spot in the playoff picture. Tonight, though, they could move closer to that.

Tonight, the Jazz host the Phoenix Suns, in what will be their final game before the All-Star break in Los Angeles.

On Monday, the Jazz came back from a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter to knock off the San Antonio Spurs in unbelievable fashion and with a loud and roaring crowd behind them. Not only was this a big win, but it showed how resilient the Jazz are when they face pressure situations like the one they had on Monday.

They are highly expected to get 11 in a row tonight against a Phoenix Suns team that his second to last in the Western Conference at just 18-40. Not only that, but they are only 9-19 on the road and have currently lost six in a row after getting blown out by Golden State by 46 on Monday in Oakland. The last time both the Jazz and Suns faced off, the Jazz pulled off a 32-point win and dominated the Suns in every single aspect of that. Oh, and Donovan Mitchell, perhaps the Rookie of the Year, had 40 in that game.

The Suns' defense has been horrible this season. They're last in the league in opponent points per game and defensive rating. The offense hasn't been great, as they've shot poorly from the field at 41.4 percent and have shot 27.3 percent from deep. It ain't good, and that's why Warriors coach Steve Kerr let the players handle the coaching for most of that game Monday, because he knew it was against the Suns and that the Suns couldn't defend anything, no matter what scheme was brought up.

Another bad sign for the Suns is that both Devin Booker and Tyler Ulis, perhaps two of their best players, are out on Wednesday night, which means Tyson Chandler will get the most of the ball on the night, and he's not the same player he was when he was younger. Yes, he's helped the Suns the most, but with the Suns, their ineffectiveness on both ends of the floor has been their doom.

But it's not all glory for Utah, though. Monday was an emotional win and they could easily have a let-down game. It has happened before, not just with Utah. Golden State a couple of nights ago against Boston had a big emotional win and then got defeated easily by Utah. So Utah could very well face the same kind of test.

The one thing about Utah that I find that's different from most teams is that they feel locked in and focused. It's very vital that Utah continues that pace tonight, by shooting well, allowing Mitchell to do his thing, and allowing Rudy Gobert to contribute as well. The Jazz also have a lock-down defender in Royce O'Neale and he may be the key to the win. He's been great since Ricky Rubio was sidelined with an injury, and Rubio will probably not get much playing time against the Suns.

Look, either way, even if the Jazz are shorthanded or have a poorer game tonight than they did on Monday, it might still be enough to beat this Suns team. They don't have what the Jazz has in terms of offensive firepower or the defensive skills. Plus, the addition of Jae Crowder to this Jazz team has simply been a big boost. They've played better, they've built their offense better, and Crowder has been able to be the power he simply couldn't do in Cleveland for most of the season. Now, that doesn't mean he could revert back to that, but right now, he's been the biggest help for the Jazz, and I see him continuing that trend.

Tonight should be an easy game, assuming the Jazz know that they can't get cocky with this. Every game is tough and with the Jazz, overlooking some teams could be their doom, even the Suns. However, I still see the Jazz coming out with a big win on this night and moving to 11 wins in a row.

Shaun White's Apology

Shaun White was tearful after winning a gold medal on Tuesday night in snowboarding. On Wednesday, though, he's had to change his tune and address the allegations that were brought against him back in 2016, as well as having to apologize for a word that many find unacceptable.

On Wednesday night on an appearance of Today, White apologized for using the word 'gossip' to describe the allegations that were brought against him two years ago. He told Savannah Guthrie, "I'm truly sorry that I chose the word...It was a poor choice of words to describe such a sensitive subject in the world today...I'm just truly sorry. I was so overwhelmed with just wanting to talk about how amazing today was and share my experience, but yeah."

White went further to say that he has "grown as a person over the years," which means he probably understood the situation he was in then and where he has gone to now, but it doesn't mean he's still off the hook for using the word and apologizing for it.

Now, what happened a few years ago that involved Shaun White? So here's the story: A 2016 civil lawsuit was filed in San Diego when a drummer in White's band (yes, he's part of a music band too) claimed that White sexually harassed her and set her images that were graphic and sexual. He has denied those allegations, however, he did admit to sending the text messages, which is bad enough for him, especially with what we live in now. They later reached a settlement in the case, though now they may have to look back into it after White's comments after winning a medal.

We knew White was going to get pressed on this after he won. That's why a reporter asked him about it. The reported baited him, and he took the bait, whether or not he was aware of it. Look, I can understand where he's trying to come from. He's trying to put this to rest and move on. I would try to do the same thing, too, especially if the case was over and done with. Still, in this day in age, you really can't say those words. You can say them privately to a couple of times, but not to a worldwide audience that's looking to see if you slip up or something like that. Looks like he did, and he's catching a lot of heat because of it.

I can accept his apology, because like all of us we make mistakes, and it's hard to see that he's getting bashed for making mistakes or saying stuff we all find to be unacceptable. White is a good person in all of this, but unfortunately now, where we live in, it's always the guilty until proven innocent, at least under sexual misconduct. Now, he did prove his guilt in those text messages and he's faced the consequences as a result, and it's good to see he came out and apologized for his using gossip, but now that means he's under more scrutiny the next time he comes out there to snowboard and win another medal.

The last thing Shaun White needs is more scrutiny following him, and apologizing about him definitely won't help. The thing he's got to do now is bite his tongue and just win. The next time he opens his mouth and says stuff like this, there's going to be more heat on him than ever before. Just keep winning, Shaun, you're a great snowboarder. We don't need you in any more hot water than you're already in.

Charles Haley Rips The Cowboys

If you're a non-Cowboys fan, it's easily understandable to be booing the Cowboys at every turn. For one of the former players, however, it might seem a little odd.

That is exactly what happened on Tuesday when Hall of Famer and former Cowboy Charles Haley went after the Cowboys, essentially ripping them to shreds.

During an appearance on an ESPN station in Dallas, Haley referred to the Cowboys as "losers" and that he dared the franchise to live up to the hype that they had been getting throughout their entire history.

He told the station and the Dallas Morning News, "I don't think they understand what it takes to win a game...If that was Coach [Jimmy] Johnson, we would've worked harder than we did last year just to repeat that part of it. I don't see that maturity where guys are doing their own thing out there. When the coach says run 10, you run 15, or you grab your teammates and go run. They took 13-3 for granted."

Haley didn't stop there. He further goes on to say that he blames everybody for the Cowboys' failures in recent years, particularly owner Jerry Jones for creating a culture that embodies losers and that they need to work harder and change the culture in that locker room in order to foster an atmosphere that can win them a championship.

While many are saying that there's some sort of 'old man' feelings at work here, the fact of the matter is Haley has a bunch of Super Bowl rings and he's a Hall of Famer. He's also passionate and dedicated to the Cowboys and what they stand for. As much as I hate to rip my generation, I'm actually going to do it here, because I do agree with Haley in this aspect: They need to make a big change and I have a feeling that means Jason Garrett is going to be one sooner rather than later. It's not going to be next season because I'm guessing Jones will take another shot with them. If they don't win the Super Bowl next year, then I think you do make changes. I do know, though, that Charles Haley, a Hall of Famer, is right, because the Cowboys, despite their successes, have been the ultimate losers in the end. They haven't made it back to the Super Bowl in many years, and since then the Giants have won two and the Eagles just won the last one. If you're a Cowboys fan, that should be unacceptable, and Haley realizes that.

I don't see an 'old man" feeling within Charles Haley. He knows exactly what he's talking about, and he knows exactly what this man needs to do to come out and win. It's not going to happen with Jason Garrett. I believe that is gone at this point. Plus, a new culture change and a new voice in that locker room might possibly help the Cowboys change their fortunes. Haley, however, just sent Garrett and Jones on a quicker hike out of Dallas. Question is, when will Haley's truth finally come to fruition on this team? We'll find out.

Johnny Manziel Getting Back Into Football?

It's been a while since we heard from Johnny Manziel. In fact, the last time he suited up for an NFL team was the Cleveland Browns back in 2015. Well, now he's back in the news, hoping to gain a little sympathy from the masses and possibly a return to football.

Manziel spoke with Good Morning America on Monday morning and revealed that he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder about a year ago. He revealed that since he got that news, he has stopped drinking.

He said about his diagnosis, "I am taking medication for bipolar, and I am working to try to make sure I don't fall back into any type of depression, because I know where that leads me and I know how slippery a slope that is for me."

Johnny Manziel's revelations might put him at odds with him returning to football. Currently, he received an offer to play in the CFL with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, but both sides have yet to agree to a contract, and it's unclear if the Tiger-Cats knew about this before Manziel went public with it.

Manziel further told GMA, "I am coming back from a huge downfall...I don't know what kind of comeback it will be, but I know I want to get back on a football field, to what brought me so much joy in my life."

Manziel posted this after the interview on Twitter:

At the end of the day Athletes are Human beings too. You can get caught up in the fame, the life, but when it’s all said and done we’re the exact same...FAR FROM PERFECT. God bless you all and thank you for hearing my story.

— Johnny Manziel (@JManziel2) February 12, 2018

Manziel is indeed right about his quote. We are not all perfect beings, and I'm glad to see that Manziel is trying to get his life together. But in terms of his football prospects, especially those in the NFL, I will refer to something that Tony Kornheiser made on PTI today in the Big Finish. He basically said that it doesn't look like Johnny Manziel will get an offer to play in the NFL again because there's too much water under the bridge. That basically means that Manziel has already done the damage and hurt his chances and that it is pointless to change the past.

I tend to agree with Tony on this matter. Look, I loved Johnny Manziel when he came onto the big stage at college. He was one of the best, young quarterbacks that we had at that time. But when you look at all the off-field troubles he had as well, it made me question whether or not he would actually fare well in the NFL once he got there. To no surprise, he burned up well before he could become a big factor on the big stage.

It's unfortunate what has happened, but Johnny Manziel's best bet at this point is the contract with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He's got to prove he can handle stuff there and keep himself under control, and even if he does that, an NFL team might not even come after him because of his past. It can take you one wrong turn and you're right back to where you started, and I'm not sure any NFL team is willing to risk it. Manziel has had struggles and he's definitely not perfect, much like the rest of us, but the NFL is a public image league, and anything that can hurt their image, they're not going to take on, and I think going after Manziel is definitely not in their mindset going forward. Hell, even JaMarcus Russell's not getting signed and he didn't have the troubles like Manziel had.

Manziel is trying. We all understand that. But, like many other analysts and sportswriters, we feel the comeback of Manziel in the NFL is slim. All we want for him is to be healthy and to have a happy life, and I think he understands that too. The CFL is the only option he has and I think that will be his career. It's over in the NFL. Too much water has put Johnny Manziel out of NFL business and most likely for good.

My Thoughts On Isaiah Thomas Going To The Lakers

Current NBA player Isaiah Thomas just can't find a way to stay with one team. His first team was the Sacramento Kings, then the Phoenix Suns, then the Boston Celtics, whom he found success with before being traded to Cleveland just this past offseason, and now he's been dealt again.

The Isaiah Thomas-Cavs relationship is officially over after Thomas was traded to the Lakers in a deal along with Channing Frye that saw both Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. head East to Cleveland.

While this deal may come as a surprise to many, there were lingering questions surrounding Thomas's health and whether or not his size will really matter much on any NBA team. At this point, Thomas might just become a guy any team can pick up and put right into their rotation. I know he doesn't believe that, but ever since that Boston playoff run last year, it seems like Thomas is not the same old self.

This trade obviously was all about the Cavaliers, since LeBron James had been making enough noise for GM Koby Altman to go out there and try to get some players to help James get back to the NBA Finals. So far, the results have either been mixed or is still questionable.

But here's the thing about Isaiah Thomas: He's going to have to realize that he's not the player that everyone expected him to be, and GM Danny Ainge of the Celtics understood this more than most. He looked at this injury he had over the summer and said to himself, 'I don't believe he can be the same player for us the way he was in the playoffs.' Now, while I understand Thomas's anger over this issue, let's understand that Danny Ainge is probably one of the smartest GMs in sports, much like GM George McPhee of the Vegas Golden Knights, so he understands who is going to be an impact player and who may be at the end of the road or who is injured and may not be the same player. Ainge understood that, he understood that Thomas was not going to be his old self again and shipped him off for a talented guy and one who can be a leader and a difference-maker on that team. Oh, and by the way, Irving is very young and still very talented.

I hope Isaiah Thomas can find some measure of success with the Los Angeles Lakers, but they are much farther behind than the Celtics and Cavaliers were with him. This will probably take years, and by then, Isaiah Thomas may want out of Los Angeles. Who knows? But right now, I think Isaiah Thomas may have to realize that his impact on an NBA team will not be the same as what it was with the Celtics all those years with them. It's unfortunate and I wish him well with the Lakers, but injuries can take down a player and in the case of Isaiah Thomas, that may be where it's heading.