Nunnie on the Sideline
By Nunnie Robinson, WG Sports Editor
Now that the Heat have consummated the blockbuster trade of the year, opinions vary on the merits of the transaction. The Heat traded four players, including starter Tyler Herro, and three first-round draft picks for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis. Many analysts believe the acquisition places the Heat in contention for an NBA championship, along with New York, Boston, and Detroit in the Eastern Conference.
Others believe the Heat gave up too much for the 13-year veteran, who was drafted No. 15 overall in 2013. Although he is a great player who won a title with the Bucks, I personally believe his best years are behind him. In addition, the injuries and lost playing time have mounted in recent years. Finally, does the remaining roster equate to a championship?
I’d love to know how you feel, so hit me up by responding to the following question: Based on your personal assessment, did the Heat or the Bucks win the trade, and why?
Is the Caitlin Clark honeymoon over in the WNBA?
So much has been written and said about the new face of the league by everyone except the players she competes against. Recently, a flagrant foul committed by Minnesota Lynx star Alyssa Thomas wasn’t called during the game. A still frame displayed in the aftermath depicted Thomas’ closed fist pressed into Clark’s neck area. Complaints by the Fever’s coach led to the play being reviewed, resulting in a flagrant foul being assessed against Thomas and a two-game suspension.
Perhaps the league wants Clark to be its face. Perhaps there’s a racial element—the elephant in the room—that everyone wants to ignore. Others point to the officiating as absolutely atrocious. Factual or not, that’s an issue the commissioner and league leadership can definitely address. Actually, with replay available, flagrant fouls should be called then and there, not days later. Equity in every aspect of the women’s game will resolve most issues so that the game itself once again becomes the focal point.
What is this fascination with the World Cup?
I ask rhetorically, as I have been glued to the TV, watching a game where most players can’t use their hands and where scoring is scarce. The rules of the game, especially offside, are gradually and grudgingly becoming clearer and easier to understand.
However, what is extremely obvious is the beauty of the game, the passion of the fans, the athleticism of the players, and the emotional delirium associated with every GOOOAAALLL!
Sixty-four teams from around the world begin with Group Play, where one loss doesn’t eliminate you. Once teams reach the Knockout Stage, however, one loss sends you packing. That’s what happened to four-time World Cup champion Germany, which was eliminated by Paraguay in a 1-1 match decided by overtime and penalty kicks. As you may be aware, the USA defeated Paraguay in Group Play and will compete against Bosnia-Hercegovina for a spot in the Round of 16.
Meanwhile, SCOTUS attempts to save face by ruling against 47’s petition denying birthright citizenship to all those born on American soil. For me, the jury is no longer out on this MAGA-led court.
In America, race matters, and so does voting.