As we approach the end of 2016 and look ahead to 2017, it seems fitting to look back at the sports world and reflect on the areas of significance. As a Cleveland resident since 2013, this past year has been a transformation one for the city, as the teams exerted their presence on their respective sport. For…
The NBA Finals are only two games old and there is rampant speculation brewing over the current and future state of the Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers. While some may interpret it as same-old chatter to pass the time between games, there is a growing number of fans and media pundits who think there is…
The confetti hadn’t even reached the floor at the NBA Western Conference Finals before all-out speculation on Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant’s future would begin. As the most prominent player entering free agency this summer, it is natural to wonder where the superstar would play next. In Boston, rumors are beginning to swirl about…
Much has been said and documented regarding the 61 years that have passed since Cleveland won a professional sports championship (Browns – 1964). In fact, the city’s long courtship of a championship was documented in ESPNs 30 for 30 series. Over the past six decades there have been many near misses, with each of the three…
Entering the 2016 season, the Boston Red Sox were expecting some improvement in the offensive production in Jackie Bradley Jr. As a full-time centerfielder for the Sox, regular turns at bat and comfort in cementing his position should have resulted in an improvement on his .249 batting average from 2015. To date, not only has…
On Monday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder came back from a 13-point halftime deficit to shock the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. While the game represented only one loss of four needed for the Warriors to be dethroned as champions, there is more to the loss…
The Boston Red Sox have been hovering about the top of the division standings for most of this early season. Their lofty position has been based on an age-defying performance of their 40-year old retiring star David Ortiz, along with emergence of young talent. The batting order has put forth some impressive performances in the past…
Not much can be said about David Ortiz that has not already been chronicled over his illustrious Hall of Fame career. Simply put, “Big Papi” has been a larger than life superstar player one the field; one that has transcended the sports and become as large a Boston icon as is the field on which he…
The general public image of Major League Baseball has been one of a stale sport that plays at too slow of pace for to appeal to the young sports fan as it once had decades before. In the modern social media era we live in, where a person’s life could be summarized in 255 characters or…
The Boston Red Sox have had a solid start to their 2016 season, compiling an 18-13 record and placing second in their division. With the exception of the 2013 championship season, this early result has been a positive development given their last place finishes under manager John Farrell in 2014 and 2015 where the cellar-dwellers posted a…
The Boston Celtics completed what would be considered a positive season for most NBA cities; reaching the playoffs as a 5th seed and increasing their win total for the second straight season since the hiring of Brad Stevens. But, while the season proved to be somewhat of a success, there is much more that must…
The NBA’s off-season shopping spree is set to begin, with all free agents eligible to officially negotiate with interested teams at 12:00AM on July 1. Over the years, there have been sporadic activity as the clock strikes midnight. There have been years when a flurry of signings take place in the opening days and others where the available…
As the NBA’s best teams prepare themselves for the grind that is the playoffs, there are some very interesting matchups that comprise the first round. Below is a preview of each series; as each team begins the quest for the Larry O’Brien trophy. (1) Atlanta Hawks vs. (8) Brooklyn Nets Atlanta should feel fortunate that…
While the Eastern Conference offers some entertainment value for NBA fans, the depth and quality of the Western Conference present perhaps the best opening round in recent years. Top to bottom, there are qualities of each squad that could be a factor to playoff success. Below is a preview of each Western Conference series; as each…
When the Boston Celtics began their 2014-15 season, there were few prognosticators (including myself) that could foresee this group of players being playoff contenders. The Celtics’ roster was an odd assembly of veteran role players, young (but unproven) young talent, and one All Star (Rajon Rondo). As good as Rondo is and has been, his…
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