Hey Now, You’re an All-Star
Love is in the air. Not only is it Valentine’s Day, but it is also NBA All-Star weekend and everyone loves an All-Star.
It will be Team LeBron vs. Team Giannis when the action tips off Sunday at the United Center in Chicago. TG’s starting line-up is Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Pascal Siakam, Kemba Walker and Trae Young. TL’s starters are LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard, Luka Doncic and James Harden.
The game will honor Kobe Bryant, as each team will select a cause in Chicago with points translating to a donation. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, the game clock will be turned off and a Final Target Score will be set. That Score will be calculated by taking the leading team’s score through three quarters and adding 24 points. The first team to reach the Final Target Score will win the game.
Free to Do What I Want
When the NFL Free Agency period officially opens up on March 18, Tom Brady will hit the open market. For the first time, like, ever, the 42 year-old QB will play the field (see what I did there) and see who just might come a-calling. I’m no psychic, but my Valentine’s Day horoscope says he’s bound to have a few suitors. The question is, will any of them look more attractive than the place he’s called home for 20 years?
Los Angeles Chargers’ quarterback Philip Rivers will also be on the market come March, as he and the Chargers have mutually agreed to part ways. Who will swipe right on the 16 year vet? Only time will tell.
Myles Garrett Reinstated
The NFL reinstated Cleveland Browns’ defensive end Myles Garrett this week.
As you may or may not remember, Garrett hit Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback Mason Rudolph over the head with his helmet (after ripping it off) at the end of a Thursday Night Football game on November 14. He was suspended indefinitely, missing the rest of the season.
He returns to the Browns and new head coach Kevin Stefanski when the Browns’ offseason program begins on April 6.
Fever Pitch
We are that much closer to baseball Fangirls, as pitchers and catchers reported this week and everyone else (including Cody Bellinger) reports next week.
The big news yesterday was at Houston Astros’ spring training, where the Astros attempted a mea culpa apology for the 2017 World Series cheating scandal. The apologies left a lot to be desired, but let’s be honest, it is, indeed, too late now to say sorry.
Both the Cactus and Grapefruit leagues start up next weekend. Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack and take me out to the ballgame.
XFL Weekend Two
If you caught this week’s Get My Job podcast, you heard from ESPN XFL Producer Mandy Cohen and heard a little bit about the new XFL, which debuted last weekend.
Week Two of the 10-week season is upon us and the matchups are as follows:
Saturday, Feb. 15:
New York Guardians (1-0) at DC Defenders (1-0)
Tampa Bay Vipers (0-1) at Seattle Dragons
Sunday, Feb. 16:
Dallas Renegades (0-1) at Los Angeles Wildcats (0-1)
St. Louis Battlehawks (1-0) at Houston Roughnecks (1-0)
The Championship will take place in April.
