[SPORTS] KYLER MURRAY CHOOSES NFL OVER MLB

by Anthony Gabbianelli | Feb 11, 2019 | SPORTS

Kyler Murray has decided to play in the NFL over the MLB in a recent statement released on his Twitter account Monday morning.

Murray, who was drafted ninth overall by the Oakland Athletics, said in the statement that he is “firmly and committing,” his life and time to becoming an NFL quarterback.

Nowhere in Murray’s statement does it mention anything about his baseball career and whether or not it will continue as he prepares for the NFL draft.

Murray makes this decision four days before the A’s report for spring training. BY not going to spring training, Murray returns his signing bonus and forfeits whatever else he was supposed to make from his rookie contract to the Athletics. The A’s in return, get nothing; there is no return policy on draft picks that choose football over baseball.

Murray won the Heisman Trophy in 2018 so choosing football when you’re at that high of a level in football is really a no brainer. Overall, he’s a tremendous athlete, but it’s clear that he is better at football than baseball. He can play both, other players have done it in the past, so I’m not sure why he doesn’t just do the two. Could it be fear of injuries? Probably. Could it be money? More than likely.

Do you think he made the right decision? Would you play football or baseball? Or both? Leave a comment below.

[SPORTS] PATRIOTS, BRADY WIN SIXTH SUPER BOWL

by Anthony Gabbianelli | Feb 4, 2019 | SPORTS

It’s was the finale of the football season and it definitely put most people to sleep with it’s predictable outcome and lack of offense from both teams.

To no surprise to anyone, the New England Patriots won their sixth overall Super Bowl, all of which with Tom Brady as their quarterback, by beating the Los Angeles Rams.

The Super Bowl win is the Patriots’ second against the Rams on the big stage, the first coming in Super Bowl XXVI 17 years ago.

Super Bowl LIII was played in Atlanta. Both teams were predicted to bring their high-powered offenses and unstoppable defenses to the field. Both teams had their defenses ready to roll. Their offense was lacking.

The score at half was 3-0 Patriots. Brady threw an interception on his first pass attempt of the game and Goff had been missing wide open receivers throughout the game. Brady had never been pressured as much during this postseason than during this game, which was to be expected when the Rams defensive line is led by two-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald.

The Patriots scored the only touchdown of the game with a Sony Michel run and capped off scoring for the game with a field goal late in the fourth quarter. The Rams made progress by moving down the field a couple of times but never were close to scoring a touchdown for themselves. Both teams missed field goal attempts, with the Patriots missing an early in the first quarter and the Rams missing one with less than 30 seconds left in the game, which locked the victory for the Patriots.

Overall, the game was as fun as the halftime show. The lack of offense and above average defense really made this a forgettable Super Bowl for everyone outside of the New England and Los Angeles areas.

What did you think of the game? Will the Patriots make it next year again? Leave a comment below.

[Sports] Lebron Returns to Lakers After 17-game Absence

by Anthony Gabbianelli | Feb 1, 2019 | SPORTS

The King returned to his court last night in the Los Angeles Lakers’ win over the Los Angeles Clippers 123-120.

LeBron James previously missed the last 17 games due to a groin injury. James last played on Christmas Day against the Golden State Warriors.

It was same old same old for the King in his first game of 2019. James finished the game with 24 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists, one shy giving him a triple-double in his return.

The Lakers did not fair to well in LeBron’s absence. In the absence, the longest of James’ career, the Lakers went 6-11 in that span. When James was sidelined with the lingering groin injury, the Lakers were 20-14.

It’s been proven that LeBron James makes any team better. The Lakers would not be as successful this season if he wasn’t on the team and this should be obvious to everyone. Look at the Cleveland Cavaliers. They are one of the worst teams in the NBA and they were at the same point when James originally left the team to go to Miami. In all the times the King has been absent due to injury, his team suffer incredibly.

Did you watch LeBron’s return last night? What did you think of the game last night?  Leave a comment below.

[Sports] Barkley, Mayfield Bet on NFL Rookie of the Year

by Anthony Gabbianelli | Feb 1, 2019 | SPORTS

With the NFL season awards just around the corner, two heavily favored to win the Rookie of the Year Award placed a friendly bet on who would win.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield and New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley made public of a wager where whoever wins the Rookie of the Year honor would get a chain from the loser.

Barkley had one of the best seasons for a rookie running back ever, historically speaking. He was the only positive storyline for the Giants this season, rushing for a team rookie record of 1307 yards while breaking countless other team and league rookie rushing records.

Mayfield won the Cleveland Browns their first game in two years against the New York Jets early in the season in relief. He also won more games than really most Browns quarterbacks in the past so that another stand-out stat for him. Mayfield also threw for 3725 yards and 27 touchdowns this season.

There is no doubt that both players had tremendous seasons for their teams. I would give the edge to Barkley given the team he is around.  Mayfield has a lot of weapons around him that make him that much better, where Barkley makes himself better by reading where the defense is and making adjustments to his running game.

Who do you think is going to win the Rookie of the Year Award? Is there anyone else who should win the honor? Leave a comment below.

[Sports] Knicks Trade Porzingis to Mavs, Shocks NBA

by Anthony Gabbianelli | Feb 1, 2019 | SPORTS

If you weren’t fully convinced that the New York Knicks were in tank mode, this should do it for you.

In a trade that shocked the entire NBA, the Knicks traded their franchise player, Kristaps Porzingis, to the Dallas Mavericks in a seven-player deal.

Along with Porzingis, the Knicks also send Tim Hardaway Jr., Courtney Lee and Trey Burke to the Mavs for Dennis Smith Jr. DeAndre Jordan, Wesley Matthews and two future first round picks.

The move, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, came after Porzingis had a meeting with Knicks management and left them with the impression that he wanted to be traded. Porzingis, like many Knicks fans at this point, doesn’t fully buy in to what the team is trying to do.

The Knicks get Jordan and Matthews in part of the trade. The two have expiring contracts that the team will eat for the remainder of the season. The real gem is Smith Jr., a young 2017 draft pick who the Knicks had eyed in their draft selection but went with Frank Ntilikina. Now they have both young stars to hopefully entice superstars to come play for them next season.

Outside of that, this trade baffles me. The Knicks were so keen about retaining who they drafted and keeping them long term, yet trade the only bright spot on the team away for cap space. The point was to clear space in order to sign two players to max contracts. If any superstar wants to play for the Knicks, I really don’t see what they see in the team. Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard and Anthony Davis are the biggest stars to be up for free agency this summer and I don’t think after this trade that any of these four players will end up in New York.

What do you think about the trade? Was it good or bad? Leave a comment below on what you think.

[Sports] Carmelo Watches Awful Knicks from the Stands

by Anthony Gabbianelli | Jan 28, 2019 | SPORTS

The New York Knicks lost again on Sunday to the Miami Heat by the score of 106-97. It’s nothing new that they lost, but they did lose in front of Carmelo Anthony.

Anthony came to Madison Square Garden to watch longtime friend Dwyane Wade play in his final season. It was fitting for Melo to watch it in the building he played in for seven seasons.

Anthony is currently a member of the Chicago Bulls after the Houston Rockets traded him away. Prior to that, he played with Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder after he was traded away by the Knicks two years ago. The Bulls are looking to waive or trade the 34-year-old star.

Melo does intend to play this season, and he does want to play at the Garden sometime soon. I don’t see any reason why the Knicks wouldn’t want him on the team again. The crowd gave Anthony a standing ovation when he was put on the JumboTron and I’m sure they wouldn’t mind him being back on the team, especially considering the season the Knicks are having. There is no real reason to go see a Knicks game other than see other teams trash the Knicks. Why not bring in a star like Melo to reel in some fans and give them a reason to come to the Garden again? What do you think about Melo not playing this season? Should the Knicks pick him up? Leave a comment below on what you think and why