If I had been smart enough — or skilled enough — to put Oklahoma City backup point guard Cameron Payne and Utah Jazz center Jeff Withey on my Daily Fantasy Sports team at Draft Kings last night, I might be telling you about how I turned $3 into $50,000. There is a guy out there who actually is telling that story today, because through a combination of skill and luck, that player — who goes by the username of “supermanb8” —
This may become one of the most entertaining seasons in Utah Jazz history. The prospect of Quin Snyder coaching a talented young core led by growing stars Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert has elicited quiet whispers about making the playoffs. Will the Jazz’s supporting cast lift them up or let them down? What is GM Dennis Lindsey doing, and will his risks pay off in the long term? Basketball enthusiasts should watch the Jazz this season just to see how
The “hazing” – if that’s what you want to call it – of rookies and young players by veterans happens in almost all college and professional sports. Carrying bags or equipment, paying for meals and ridiculous haircuts are just a few examples of such hazing. Anything along the lines of giving them a small sense of embarrassment and humiliation usually works. One common approach by veterans is to somewhat emasculate the rookie. Whether it’s football, baseball or basketball, male athletes are
A lot can change in just under five months. Just ask the basketball fans of New Orleans. They really needed change after what went on last season. The 2012-2013 season was dark and gloomy for NOLA hoops. The team finished 14th in the Western Conference at 27-55, with an 11-30 road record that was also 14th in the conference. The team had trouble scoring (more on that later) and winning intraconference games. Its record against West teams was 15-37, good for
JEFF WITHEY 7-0, 235 lbs. School: Kansas Class: Senior Selected with 39th overall pick by Portland Trail Blazers STRENGTHS: Withey was a monster in the paint defensively for Kansas, finishing second in the nation in blocked shots (3.9 per). He thoroughly dominated the interior, owning the paint and winning the National Defensive Player of the Year award. Withey is every bit of 7 feet tall, and uses all of his length on both ends of the floor. He’s got great timing on shots, and often
CHICAGO — It was not a make or break situation, but when you walked into the gym for the NBA pre-draft camp on Chicago’s west side – filled with scouts, general managers, coaches, media and everyone in between – you could feel the intensity in the air. [Read more…]
Just four days ago, the 2013 NBA draft was turned upside down when Kentucky freshman Nerlens Noel suffered a devastating knee injury. Over the past month, Noel has separated himself from the pack to be projected as the top pick in June’s draft. Instantly, Twitter blew up with reaction from fans and journalists ranging from the injury to the gruesome images to his draft stock. In the days following it was revealed that Noel suffered a torn ACL and is expected to have
In an extremely loaded four-team preseason tournament, the Legends Classic in Atlanta tonight will place No. 7 Kansas against No. 14 Michigan State on one side of the bracket while the defending national champion No. 3 Kentucky Wildcats will face the No. 9 Duke Blue Devils. Although Kentucky escaped its matchup with the Maryland Terrapins on Friday at the Barclays Center, it’s clear that this Kentucky team is a work in progress and will try to find itself as the season