Kev’s Weekly Sport Re-Cap

This time of year, I write about how slow it is in the world of sports. The NBA finals are over, Major-League Baseball is in its mid-summer dull drums, the next glorious season of college and NFL football is still several weeks away, the weather is sticky and hot. A great time to get some of those house chores done right? Maybe a trip to the in-laws or a vacation to the beach? Wrong answer America! It’s The Fourth of July week and Lord Stanley’s Cup is making the rounds thru the bars and the beaches of beautiful Fort Lauderdale. For once we’ll see fans in bikinis instead of indigenous Canadians wrapped in down parkas and thick woolen sweaters. The Canadians can keep their whiskey. In Florida it’s all about cold frosty beers and mojitos at The Elbow Room on the beach, sweaty bodies jostling for a spot at the bar and about a zillion Florida Panthers fans going nuts in the 100-degree weather. It’s a fantastic way to start the summer! 

Truth be told it’s very hot in Florida but then it’s hot every summer in just about every state. Climate change? Maybe. But with half the world embroiled in some sort of war and the other half considering entering the fray I of course embrace sports no matter what or where. There’s always something to watch these days either here or in Europe so take heart, the sun will come up tomorrow, the world will still turn and yes, Florida will still own The Stanley Cup. 

I think I’m the first amongst many of my friends to admit that I make time to watch the WNBA. The drama and the hoopla around the feuds between half the players in the league aside, the competition in the woman’s league can be fun and entertaining to watch. I’ve even placed a few picks on some games and won some coin! I’m not gonna get rich obviously but it’s a great distraction when your choices are Cricket in India or a Presidential Debate. I’ll choose sports anytime. Besides, I’ve never won a dime on an election result, so for me I say, what’s the point of watching one. I won’t name names, I’ll leave that up to you but in my opinion, one candidate isn’t sure of what he’s talking about and the other is probably lying or distorting the facts as he sees fit.

So, back to sports and not to take anything away from the ladies games basketball games that have gotten my attention, but I think it’s important to touch on this year’s NBA draft. One point I took away from the selections this year is that international players have more and more of a presence in the most powerful basketball league in the world. Some of the players coming out of the Euro leagues are absolute freaks of nature however, I think for all of them find that the learning curve in The NBA is a bit (or a lot) steeper then what they are used to. You’re not playing against Italians that grew up on The French Riviera, you’re going up against Draymond Greene type players that cut their teeth in the projects of Detroit and Chicago. Welcome to America, be careful what you wish for. 

I’m not going to write a lot about Bronny James being drafted by The LA Lakers. I’m not a basketball expert so his numbers at Southern Cal really don’t mean much to me. He may be a good player, maybe a bit overrated but when you’re the son of a literal basketball God it’s hard to deny him his place. I’m actually happy for LeBrone. He got one of his life’s wishes which was to play in the league alongside his son. I hope it works out. I hope it’s a major success. In this day and age, it’s a nice feel good story in a world where feel good stories are in short supply. LeBrone James has dedicated his entire adult life to basketball. He has been the face of the league year in and year out. Considering his roots and where he can from the fact that he’s made such a success story of himself and his family is a testament to The American Dream. Give the guy his due and let him enjoy this chapter of his life. No one deserves it more than him. 

It’s hard for me to own any article at any time of year without mentioning football. It’s in my blood I suppose. It could be the day after the Super Bowl or The Championship in College and I’d be thinking about next year, or spring practice or the draft or free agency or whatever. I love football and I love watching it. I’ve already mentioned about this year’s expanded format in the College Football Playoffs (4, teams to 12 teams) so yes, I’m excited about that. I still don’t have a top five college pick for this year but I’m thinking The Southeastern Conference is gonna play a huge part in any championship talk. With Texas and Oklahoma now taking a bite (or trying to) out of The SEC Apple I’m looking for some serious competition. With Alabama head coach Nick Saban enjoying the retired life on Beautiful Jupiter Island I’m looking for the emergence of a new force in college football. Will it Be Texas? Will it be Ole’Miss or maybe Notre Dame. Whoever it is it’s sure to be a great year!

Finally, a word on this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, France. I’ve mentioned it before now and I’ll be talking about it more as we progress into July. My weekly podcast will give you a brief description of the coming events so keep your ears and eyes glued to sportsbookstuff.com for all the latest news and commentary. Play on I Say!!!

Kev

Kev's Corner Our Staffs Weekly Sports perspective

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