Author: Mikesportz
PHOENIX — Grayson Allen’s name is being tossed around the rumor-mill less than a month before the NBA trade deadline because he’s on a reasonable, expiring contract for a team that has little else to deal. The Phoenix Suns guard also happens to be playing really, really well, helping his value to his current team. Allen is leading the NBA by shooting 48.0% from deep. He’s taking on tough defensive assignments alongside Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. And yet it’s the shooting guard’s driving while playing with the Big Three of Booker, Beal and Kevin Durant that’s getting more…
The Detroit Lions are making a couple of roster adjustments before Sunday, when they host Tampa Bay. Pass rusher James Houston, who had a massive rookie season for Detroit, was activated from the injured reserve and could be a factor for the Lions. Houston hasn’t played since Week 2, and it would be interesting to see how much action he gets on Sunday. Julian Okwara was also activated from the injured reserve and then immediately waived by Detroit. Alex Anzalone was a full-practice participant on Thursday. The LB has been dealing with an injury to the shoulder or ribs…
Mike Tomlin hints at imminent Steelers contract extension after viral press conference Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin may have walked out of his press conference earlier in the week when the subject of his contract status questioned by a media member, but he was happy to answer all questions Thursday when he met reporters Tomlin admitted he was in a better mood than he was after the Steelers were defeated in the Wild Card game by the Buffalo Bills. He also said that he plans to continue coaching with the Steelers. Tomlin just completed his 17th season as Pittsburgh’s…
The former Toronto Raptors center, Christian Koloko is currently dealing with a serious matter after being diagnosed with a blood clot. Hopefully, it’s a problem that gets resolved. Koloko was officially been referred to the NBA’s Fitness to Play Panel and is out indefinitely, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. The former Raptors center will be unable to practice and/or play until his blood clot issue is resolved. The most important thing for Christian Koloko is to get healthy. Finding a way to resolve this blood clot is priority one. Hopefully, that happens sooner, rather than later. But Koloko…
The Chicago Bears may be tipping their hand on plans for the No. 1 pick by making public the next name set to interview for the team’s open offensive coordinator position. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Thursday, January 18, that the Bears will interview Kliff Kingsbury. Kingsbury has previous ties to the NFL as a former head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. He also coached the two-time league MVP Patrick Mahomes during his college days at Texas Tech. Kingsbury’s most recent experience was at USC in 2023 with quarterback Caleb Williams — the potential top pick in the 2024…
If Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin were placing a help wanted ad for a new offensive coordinator, he’d likely include the following phrase: “Those without previous experience need not apply.” Tomlin said Thursday at his end-of-season news conference that he wants his next offensive coordinator to have NFL coordinating experience on his resume, something neither Matt Canada nor Randy Fichtner had when they were promoted to the position. Interim coordinator Eddie Faulkner and quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan, who has prior coordinating experience and called plays for the final seven games, are not under consideration “at this juncture.”…
At the Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday, Nigeria defeated hosts Ivory Coast 1-0 thanks to a penalty kick from William Troost-Ekong. Early in the second half in Abidjan, the Nigerian captain scored from the spot to give the Super Eagles their first tournament win and a lead over the Ivorians in Group A. After a VAR review, Ola Aina was found to have fouled Victor Osimhen in the area, and Ivory Coast paid the price for missing numerous opportunities. As a result, Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea now share the same four group points, while Ivory Coast leads by three…
Trash talk is part of the game and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are dealing with plenty of outside noise as they continue their playoff journey against the Detroit Lions. The two franchises have already matched up once this season and anticipating is building for what is expected to be an exciting second chapter. Ahead of the Buccaneers and Lions clashing on the field, there has been a war of words building through the media. Earlier this week, Detroit safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson took a shot at Tampa Bay quarterback, Baker Mayfield. “This group probably is one of the better groups we…
The Toronto Raptors are not exactly going anywhere this season. They are 15-25 on the season, which has them sitting at 12th place in the Eastern Conference. Their -1.8 point differential is nothing to write home about either; it is tied with the Brooklyn Nets for 10th in the East. Their -1.6 net rating ranks 1oth in the NBA as well. Opponents are shooting 38.8 percent from deep against the Raptors this season, so perhaps they are getting a little unlucky. However, there aren’t many other indicators to suggest there’s a big run coming for this Toronto franchise. …
Nigeria is preparing for a pivotal match at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations against hosts Cote d’Ivoire. As the Ivorians triumphed 2-0 over Guinea-Bissau, the Super Eagles were held to a dull 1-1 draw by Equatorial Guinea. Nigeria must triumph over Cote d’Ivoire and avoid defeat in order to improve their chances of qualifying. When assembling the starting lineup for a game against the powerful Ivorian team, coach Jose Peseiro must make important choices. The goalie for Chippa United, Stanley Nwabali, is anticipated to continue defending the goalposts for Nigeria while displaying strong ball-handling…