Always a Brides maid never a B...

Depending on how you count the days and weeks, I’m guessing there are roughly 7 Saturdays until the start of college football. Following the start of the college season we’ll have about another 10 or 12 days to wait for the NFL to start. We’re getting closer, but the end of August still seems a long way away. May it pass quickly. Meanwhile life goes on.

Once again a Florida sports team has clawed their way into a national title game and once again said Florida team has walked away empty handed. The University of Florida Gators were soundly defeated by LSU in a three game series that once again delivered a Collegiate National Title to Baton Rouge. In the past five years The LSU Tigers have won titles in Football, Woman’s Basketball and Baseball. Not a bad run. Florida fans have watched Florida Atlantic University, The University of Miami, The Miami Heat and The Florida Panthers come oh so close to winning it all then fold right at the end. It’s been a great year but I’d like to see someone finally come home with a title. Let’s hope The Miami Dolphins can continue the successes.

It’s not all bad for Florida however as Lionel Messi, The Argentinian Star,seems poised to join Inter Miami in a blockbuster move that should put MLS soccer on the world map. His Lordship’s presence alone in Miami has driven ticket prices thru the roof with seats at his debut game in July going in the thousands. Time will tell I would say. I’m not convinced that one individual can jump start a sport that has suffered from a lack of corporate and public support. Soccer is by far the world’s number one sport numbers wise but it’s running in the rear in The United States. The U.S. is not Spain nor our we France. Here, the NFL is the undisputed king. The other sports leagues are just vassals fighting for table scraps.

Speaking of one individual transcending one sport, the top player in the world (depending on your opinion), Victor Wenbanyama, The French superstar became the top selection in this year’s NBA draft going to The San Antonio Spurs as the first pick. At 7 feet 5 inches he appears to have the moves of a 6 foot 2 inch guard. Fast, agile with quick feet and great hands this guy has been ripping up the Euro league while playing for a French professional team. Skeptics however, myself included, have claimed that the talent level in the NBA will be a rude awakening for the Frenchman, especially in the defensive department. Meanwhile, he’s joined the summer league to hone his skills. I wish him the best of luck, I think he’s gonna need it.

The rest of the NBA is a virtual hornets nest of activity with several teams making moves to obtain free agents and negotiating trades that brings stars to their bench. Of course everyone has their eyes set on the bar which for now is the Championship winning Denver Nuggets, a team that needs little improvement. Look for Boston, Phenoix, San Antonio, Los Angeles and of course Golden State to make some personal moves to improve their chances at a title next year. For now, we should put the NBA to rest and let the chips fall where they will.

Even though we’re riding a low point in sports excitement these days we should all take heart that there are other sports events taking place to fill our evenings and weekend afternoons. There is of course Major League Baseball, LIV Golf, The Little League World Series, The Wembleton Tennis Championship, MLS Soccer and The Woman’s World Cup (Soccer) championship all on the schedule over the next few weeks. Plan your days and weekends accordingly folks, it’s gonna be a long summer.

In closing I will speak briefly about football because the NFL and College football is pretty much the reason why we exist right? You can keep the Euro League and Messi doesn’t even speak English so who cares about them.

I’m not going to make predictions but I still like sharing my thoughts on the upcoming season so far. I like Jacksonville, a lot. Of course I’m a Dolphins fan but Jacksonville is looking better and better as my top Super Bowl pick. Naturally everyone is raving about Patrick Hommes and The Chiefs but I’m not convinced. Repeating as Super Bowls champs is hard. The Bills look like they’re on the right path but I feel this is a make or break season for Josh Allen and team. Every year they come oh so close and every year The Bills disappear in The Playoffs. Way out west everyone and I mean everybody is talking about The 49ers. I like San Francisco as well but their fate seems to be forever tied to Wonder Boy Brock Purdy who’s still a question mark for the season. If he plays their in, if he sits out with injury it will just be another year of struggle. For now I’m sticking with Jacksonville. And don’t forget about The Ravens who finally have settled with Lamar Jackson and The New York Jets who have placed the future fate of the franchise on a Green Bay cast off, Arron Rogers.

All in all it should be another great year in football. If I listen close enough I can hear the crowds roar and the bands play the fight songs. Like everyone else these days I’m just trying to survive a few more weeks until the glory returns and I can once again say Play On!!

Kev