Going into the 2019-20 NFL season, the Cleveland Browns had more hype than any franchise in the NFL. They had a QB, two number one WR’s, a great rushing attack, and a physical defense that was ready to punch all opponents in the mouth. Unfortunately, they were a complete flop, suffering from massive internal issues, suspensions, and poor coaching. They finished 6-10 and were immediately in search of a new coach. 5 candidates, in no particular order, have come up that I believe could fill the void and return the Browns to prominence.

5. Greg Roman

Although being the offensive coordinator of the rival Baltimore Ravens, Greg Roman has had tremendous success with two different NFL franchises as the offensive coordinator. He worked with Jim Harbaugh and found a formula to make Colin Kaepernick a solid quarterback that led to a San Francisco NFC Championship and near Super Bowl victory in 2012. He then turned Lamar Jackson into the NFL MVP for the 2019 season, despite massive criticism that Jackson would be an average quarterback. Lance Zierlein of NFL Network gave Jackson a grade of 5.91 at the NFL Combine, meaning that he would be a 50/50 NFL Player. Roman took this average, 50/50 quarterback, and turned him into a generational talent that has never been seen before. Now, despite only being successful with mobile quarterbacks, Roman brings 14 years of coaching experience in the NFL and could whip the Browns into shape.

4. Mike Singletary

Yes, the Hall of Fame Linebacker and former head coach of the San Francisco 49ers should be considered for the position. This man has been working to get back in the game for many years and has done nothing but study and enhance his knowledge of all aspects of the modern NFL team. He also is a disciplinarian, something that the Browns are severely lacking in. All of these personalities within Cleveland must be corralled and there are few better at it than Singletary. He is the smartest linebacker and could take the talent of the Browns and unite them into a monster of a team. He would bring 11 years of NFL coaching experience and worked with some greats of the game, such as Vernon Davis and Ray Lewis, turning them into greater players. Who says he couldn’t do it with the Browns?

3. Kevin Stefanski

The offensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings, Stefanski has had massive experience and helped guide the Vikings offense to two NFC Championship games in his tenure and multiple NFC North Titles. He has had success with many different quarterbacks, running backs, and tight ends ranging from Tavaris Jackson, Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson, Kyle Rudolph, Case Keenum, and Kirk Cousins. He has the experience, the pedigree, and can be successful with any position that you tell him to coach, specifically skilled positions. He could make the Browns offense click, which to me, was the major hole in their team this year.

2. Tony Dungy

Now this is a bit of a reach, but just think about it. A Hall of Fame coach that created one of the greatest defenses of all time in Tampa Bay, and then to comeback against the Patriots in the 2006 AFC Championship Game and win Super Bowl XLI with Peyton Manning and establish the Colts as a perennial powerhouse. Not to mention that he was a former player under Chuck Noll in Pittsburgh during the Steel Curtain dynasty of the 1970’s. He brings experience, toughness, energy, and knows the X’s and O’s of all the aspects of football on offense, defense, and special teams.

1. Urban Meyer

One name that has been bounced around the league for many teams is the former Ohio State and University of Florida head coach Urban Meyer. He knows the game, he has plenty of experience, but it is all limited to college. The Browns, however, could use someone that is born and bred in Ohio like Meyer that could create an atmosphere and culture of winning that hasn’t been present in Cleveland since the 1980’s. Meyer has won three National Championships and made many fine NFL players, but does bring some baggage with his past. But, he does have an innate ability to form a team in a short period of time, which is what the Browns are searching for.

As Wild Card weekend has finished, news has broken in a monster way from the Dallas Cowboys about their coaching situation. After announcing on Sunday Night that former head coach Jason Garrett had been officially fired, it came out early Monday morning that the Dallas Cowboys had hired former Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy. McCarthy, who was fired late in the 2018 season by the Packers, has won a Super Bowl, went to four NFC Championships, and six NFC North Titles including four straight from 2011-2014. McCarthy takes over a team that was ranked number one in total offense and a defense that was ninth in yards allowed and 11th in points allowed, but ranked last in special teams. McCarthy announced that he will bring in a new analytical team made up of 8 members and has reportedly reached out to former San Francisco head coach Mike Nolan to become the Defensive Coordinator for the Cowboys. While many criticisms have come out about the Cowboys, many people are seeing this as a good move by the Cowboys and the best head coaching hire since Jimmy Johnson in 1989. But Dallas is not the only NFC East team making big moves.

On January 1, 2020, the Washington Redskins announced that their new head coach was former Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera. Rivera immediately came out after accepting the job and said that he would hire former Oakland Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio as his defensive coordinator. Rivera said, “He’s been a very successful coach in this league. He’s had opportunities in this league and he’s succeeded in this league.” Rivera, a former Super Bowl champion linebacker with the Chicago Bears, was the coach for the Panthers from 2011-2019 and was twice named NFL Coach of the Year and took the Panthers to only their second Super Bowl appearance in 2015, a year in which the Panthers went 15-1. Rivera is known for his toughness and, much like his former head coach, Mike Ditka, he is not afraid to tell his team what he thinks of them. Once, while being filmed for the Amazon series All or Nothing during the 2018 season, Rivera told his defense, “Guys, you have a chance. You have an opportunity in front of you. If you don’t accept that opportunity, if you don’t take advantage of that opportunity, shame on you. Now let’s get our asses going. Let’s show up on Wednesday with the right resolve and go out and beat the (expletive) out of Tampa Bay.” Long have I criticized the Washington Redskins for being soft and not being a desirable place, they are now a desirable place.

I got news for you folks. If the New York Giants can get a solid head coach, and the Philadelphia Eagles remain more or less the same, this division, which was the cream of the crop for decades in the NFL, may return as one of the elites. But only time will tell for the NFC East.

It’s Friday, you know what that means. With NBA Free Agency right around the corner, we’re counting down the 10 greatest free agent signings of All Time. It is limited to one signing per player so sorry LeBron fans.

10.

Steve Nash returns to Phoenix

When the Dallas Mavericks failed to match the Phoenix Suns 6-year, $63 Million offer to Nash, he returned to the place that drafted him in 1996. He rewarded the Suns by leading them to two consecutive Western Conference Finals in 2005 and 2006 (losing to Dallas in 2006). Nash was also an instant 50, 40, 90 player and led the league in assists 5 times and he stayed that way until he retired in 2015.

9.

Horace Grant magically lands in Orlando

After Michael Jordan briefly left the NBA in 1993, the Bulls did not have a way to keep players in the Windy City. Horace Grant was one such player that went and signed a 6-year, $22.3 Million contract with the Orlando Magic. He teamed up with Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway to make the Magic a title contender. Grant was a great all-around player to blend with O’Neal’s intimidating size and Hardaway’s perimeter shooting that allowed the Magic to run over the Eastern Conference. They drove all the way to the Finals in 1995, before losing to the Houston Rockets in 4 games.

8.

Gus Williams superbly signs with Seattle

In 1977, the Golden State Warriors lost key pieces to Free Agency. One was Gus Williams. He signed with the Seattle Supersonics and sent them off the deep end as they cut through the NBA like a hot knife through butter, finishing with a 52-30 record. In the 1979 playoffs, Williams averaged 26.7 PPG and the Sonics defeated the best the league had to offer in the Lakers and Suns, then defeating the defending champion Washington Bullets to win their only NBA Championship.

7.

Chris Bosh heats up in Miami

When the Big 3 came together in 2010, the story was about 90 percent LeBron James. But Chris Bosh was a massive signing in his own regard. He signed for $14.5 Million to join the Heat in July of 2010. Bosh rewarded the Heat by becoming the Big Man down low that the Heat had needed since the departure of Shaquille O’Neal. This led to 4 straight championship appearances for Miami from 2011-2014, winning back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013.

6.

Dr. J cures Philly’s Championship woes

After a legendary career with the New York Nets in the ABA, Julius “Dr. J” Erving turned heads by signing with the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers. He brought back the championship desires in the City of Brotherly Love that had been nonexistent since Wilt Chamberlain left in 1968. Erving averaged 21.8 PPG over 11 years with Philly and led them to two Finals appearances in 1980 and 1983, winning the NBA Finals in 1983 and Dr. J won the 1981 NBA MVP.

5.

Chauncey gets money in Motown

In 2002, the Detroit Pistons were trying to build a new contender in the East. They began this by signing Chauncey Billups to a 6-year, $35 Million contract that paid immediate dividends. The Pistons went to the Finals in 2004, defeating the heavily favored Lakers in 5 games, with Billups being named Finals MVP. He then led the Pistons to the Finals in 2005, before losing in 7 games to the San Antonio Spurs. Billups remained with the Pistons until 2008, leading them to 5 consecutive Eastern Conference Finals appearances from 2004-2008.

4.

Durant goes Golden

In 2016, the Golden State Warriors had just lost the NBA Finals in 7 games to the Cleveland Cavaliers after a tremendous 73-9 season. They felt they needed one more big piece. They went and signed Kevin Durant to a 2-year, $54.3 Million contract that immediately made the Warriors the favorites for the foreseeable future. Durant led the Warriors, with Steph Curry and company, to three consecutive Finals, winning back-to-back in 2017 and 2018. He averaged 26.2 PPG over three years and was the Finals MVP in 2017 ands 2018.

3.

Shaq goes Showtime

In 1996, the Lakers made their biggest splash in free agency by signing the big, bad monster in Shaquille O’Neal to a 7-year, $121 Million contract. At first, it seemed to be a bad signing, yet O’Neal persevered and took the steps to become the 2000 NBA MVP and, alongside Kobe Bryant, lead the Lakers to four Finals appearances in five years, three-peating from 2000-2002. O’Neal was the 2000 NBA Finals MVP and averaged 26.9 PPG over his 8 year tenure in LA.

2.

LeBron comes home

Going into the 2014 offseason, there was speculation that LeBron James would return to Cleveland to bring a title to the city. James did, signing a two-year, $42.2 Million contract that became 4 years. He averaged 26.1 PPG and led the Cavaliers to four straight NBA Finals appearances, winning the Finals in 2016 and being named the 2016 NBA Finals MVP.

1.

Rodman brings streetball to the Windy City

With the return of Michael Jordan, the Chicago Bulls were projected to be a good team. But they made the greatest free agent signing of all time by signing legendary rebounder and physical force Dennis Rodman. Known for his physical play and wacky persona, Rodman became a monster for the Bulls and helped Jordan lead the Bulls to 3 consecutive Finals, winning all of them, and Rodman, though he only averaged 5.3 PPG, averaged 15.3 RPG and cleared the way for Jordan and Scottie Pippen to lead the team in scoring.

What do you think of these signings? Are there any glaring omissions?

It’s Friday, so beginning today and every Friday from now on, there will be a top 10 countdown. In honor of the NBA Draft, I’ll countdown the ten greatest NBA draft classes of All Time. Each class has two big names and then many great honorable mentions that had career greatness of their own. Let’s get this going.

10. 2009

The 2009 Draft Class stands out as the most recent draft on the list and one that will have at least two Hall of Famers when all is said and done. First, Steph Curry out of Davidson University has become the best pure shooter in the history of the NBA. Leading the Warriors to five straight NBA Finals appearances and winning three of them, six All Star Game appearances, and Two MVP’s to his name, Curry is unlike any other in the game right now. The second HOFer being James Harden. Originally drafted by the Thunder, Harden went to Houston in 2012 and has become an MVP favorite year in and year out. Despite winning the 2018 MVP, Harden has never won a title, having to fight against the likes of Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and so on. Some honorable mentions include DeMar DeRozan of the San Antonio Spurs and Blake Griffin of the Detroit Pistons, this class will increase in ranking in years to come, but it’s number 10 for now.

9. 1950

Now many people are scratching their heads by seeing this on here. Just hold your horses. This class holds four NBA Hall of Famers and members of some of the greatest teams ever. Paul Arizin was the face of the Philadelphia Warriors before the arrival of Wilt Chamberlain in 1959. Arizin led the Warriors to the 1956 NBA Title, was a 2x Scoring Champion, and a 10x All Star in his career despite missing 1952-53 and 53-54 seasons to serve in Korea. The other head honcho of this class is Bob Cousy. The 50’s and 60’s Celtics leader was Bill Russell, but Cousy was the one dishing the rock to Russell under the basket, leading the league in assists for 8 consecutive years. He led the Celtics to 6 straight NBA Titles, was a 13x All Star, and the 1957 MVP. Some other notable players from this class are Bill Sharman, an 8x All Star and 4x NBA Champion, and the flamboyant George Yardley, the 1958 Scoring Champion and a 6x All Star. They’ll eventually fall out of the top 10, but for now they’re number 9.

8. 1970

It is easy, again, to get upset as to why a class from before many of your parents where born is here. Just bear with me, this is a great class. Bob Lanier was drafted by Detroit and was an 8x All Star with a career 20.1 points per game, 10.1 rebounds per game, and 1.5 blocks per game. Willis Reed once called him, “One of the best all-around big men to ever play the game of basketball.” The other big name is Dave Cowens of the Boston Celtics. Drafted out of Florida State, Cowens became the next great Celtics legend after the end of the 60’s dynasty. He was the 1973 MVP and was a 2x Champion, not to mention an 8x All Star and was a player-coach in the 1978-79 season for Boston and was an inevitable HOFer. Some honorable mentions are Tiny Archibald, a 6x All Star, ’73 Scoring Champion and ’73 Assists leader, and future NBA Coach of the ’94-’95 Rockets, Rudy Tomjanovich. This is a great class and one that will, like 1950 probably fall out of the top 10 eventually. But it deserves number 8 right now.

7. 1999

Now here is a class that many of you would be familiar with. Shawn Marion was an absolute stud playing for 18 years in the NBA, winning the 2011 NBA Finals with Dallas and being a 4x All Star out of UNLV. But how about Manu Ginobili? The future HOFer from the San Antonio Spurs was drafted in 1999 and played for seventeen years in the NBA, winning 4 Titles, being a 2x All Star and one of the core pieces for Gregg Popovich and the Spurs from 2002-2018. He was nothing short of the most underrated bench player in the modern era. But there are other great players from this class. Jason Terry being one that won the 2011 Title with Marion. Another is Metta World Peace, who in sighted the biggest brawl in NBA history and won the 2010 Title with the Lakers. We could go on and on, but this class is hurt by Lamar Odom and his unfortunate career. That is why this class won’t move up any further and may decrease in future years.

6. 1996

Okay, Do not get upset because this one is at six when I know many have it in the top 3. Kobe Bryant was drafted in this year and is one of the 10 greatest players ever. Led the Lakers to 5 NBA Titles, was an 18x All Star, and the 2008 MVP. He was known as “Black Mamba” for his killer mentality and was a quality player. Steve Nash was a 2x MVP, was an 8x All Star, and one of the most pure all around players and shooters being a 4x Member of the 50-40-90 Club. He is without a doubt one of the greats of the last generation and deserves more respect than he is given. Some other honorable mentions are the great Allen Iverson, who was the best player in the NBA for about a three year stretch. But even Derek Fisher, who was a decent player in his own regard, was selected in this draft class. This class is a little overrated, which is why it is at number 6.

5. 2003

Yes. The greatest draft class since the turn of the century and one that is loaded. The Big 3 of LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh were all drafted in this class. LeBron is one of the 5 greatest players of All Time, bringing pride to Cleveland again. Dwayne Wade was the best SG of his generation and won the most titles of the Big 3, and is the face of the Miami Heat. Chris Bosh was a legendary big man that could do it all and was a heart and soul player that any team would give their right arm to have. But they weren’t the only solid members of the 2003 draft. Carmelo Anthony became an elite scorer and player during his tenure with Denver and with New York for a short time. David West was another that was always there as a great role and off the bench player. This class has combined for numerous titles, MVP’s, All Star Games, and so on. This class may go up, but for right now, it belongs where it is.

4. 1998

All that needs to be said about this class is that the greatest big man, (with the exception of Shaquille O’Neal), since Hakeem Olajuwon was drafted in Dirk Nowitzki. He is the face of the Dallas Mavericks franchise, he brought them their first title in 2011 and was considered the best player for a few years in his career by many. But this class does have a nice supporting class. Paul Pierce was a stud and HOFer that made people afraid to come to Boston and play on the Garden floor. He led the Celtics to the 2008 NBA Title and was a tough son of a gun that would play with a bullet in his lung if need be. Bu there are other quality players here. One being Vince Carter, the ageless wonder of the NBA World. One other being Rashard Lewis, a member of the 2013 Heat and a 2x All Star that was a great utility player. This class has a stellar squad and has earned a spot in the top 4.

3. 1985

This was a scary draft class when you consider all the greats drafted in it. Karl Malone, maybe the most underrated player in NBA history, many would say he is. He was a 14x All Star and 2x MVP out of Louisiana Tech University of all places. The next is the No. 1 Pick, Patrick Ewing. Ewing was out of Georgetown and revitalized the Knicks organization, leading them to Finals appearances in 1994 and 1999, but failing to win the Finals in either year. Some of the either great players in this draft were Terry Porter, who led the Portland Trail Blazers to the Finals in 1990 and 1992, and being a 2x All Star in his 18 year career. Joe Dumars was another that helped punctuate the Bad Boy Pistons of the late 80’s and early 90’s to two NBA Titles while being a 6x All Star in a 15 year career. This is one of the more popular classes with Ewing and Malone, but is filled with depth. It deserves the number 3 ranking.

2. 1987

This is the coolest class in NBA history for the fact that they had a player out of the United States Naval Academy drafted and became a HOFer, David “The Admiral” Robertson. He was the 1995 MVP, a 2x Champion with the Spurs, and a 10x All Star. He was amazing for his size, but the fact that he went to the Naval Academy was incredible. But there’s another legend. The great Scottie Pippen, who won 6 Titles with the Chicago Bulls and was a 7x All Star and even led the Trail Blazers to the 2000 Western Conference Championship. But there was even more in this class. Reggie Miller, the great Pacers forward who was a 5x All Star and was a member of the 50-40-90 club. Horace Grant was another that was a 4x Champion and a 1994 All Star, the only one of his career, but he was a 4x All-NBA Defensive Team. This class is so complete it could be number 1, but one class has it beat.

1.1984

There has never been a greater draft class, maybe in sports history, than the 1984 NBA Draft. First, Hakeem Olajuwon, the most underrated player ever, was picked No. 1 ovverall by the Rockets. He was a HOFer and led the Rockets to 2 Titles in 1994 and 1995, was the 1994 MVP, and a 12x All Star in his 19 year career. Then, Michael Jordan was drafted third overall by the Chicago Bulls. He is the GOAT, nobody is close. A 6x Champion, a 14x All Star, 10x Scoring Champion, 9x All Defensive Team, and a 5x MVP. How do you top that? Well, maybe with John Stockton, the greatest assist man in history. Charles Barkley, who was the big man from Auburn that could shoot, rebound, and run around anyone that he met. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that this is the greatest NBA draft class in history.

Let me know what you think about each class.

A warm humid night had set in on June 9, 2019 in the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo. David Ortiz, better known to fans around the world as Big Papi, was having dinner with his friends and father at the Dial Bar and Lounge when shots rang out in the popular nightclub. Ortiz fell to the floor, having a bullet go through his back, into his stomach, and out his abdomen. Ambulances were immediately called as the shooter was apprehended, being beaten by bystanders and other Club Security. However, it was clear that Ortiz was in danger almost instantaneously.

Ortiz was sent to the hospital in Santo Domingo, then airlifted via airplane to Boston the next day. While Ortiz did survive the incident, there was damage to numerous organs, including his gallbladder, liver, and intestines, causing much to be removed. Fans around the world saw this news and were in shock as many knew of Ortiz’s significance to the world through his achievements in the MLB. He was not only a 3x World Series Champion, but, once hit 56 homeruns in a season, a Red Sox franchise record, was the 2013 World Series MVP, and too many other accolades to note. But Ortiz’s admirers whether they wear jeans or pinstripe, prayed for him and hoped for a stable return.

David Ortiz is a respected and beloved figure, not for just his work on the playing field, but off of it. After the Boston Marathon Attacks in 2013, Ortiz bellowed out a speech at Fenway Park to the fans still recovering just days later. Ortiz healed all wounds, united a city, and called out all terrorism throughout the world by saying a few words. “This is our F***ing City! And nobody is gonna dictate our Freedom! Stay Strong, Thank You!” Well, it is time for the fans to help Ortiz heal from his wounds. He will stay Strong, nobody will dictate how he recovers from this, because he is a Great Man and a Great leader for all who have suffered.

As the sun set on Saturday, June 15, 2019, the world was still celebrating the first NBA Championship to go North of the Border. But, something was coming that was going to be the next big story until the NBA Draft later this week. Anthony Davis, the 2nd biggest star in New Orleans, was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, instantly making the Lakers the heavy favorites to win the 2020 NBA Finals, having 7-2 odds to win it all.

But, while many have discussed that the Lakers have instantly gotten better, what should be considered is the severe risk that the Lakers have taken. In exchange for Davis, the Lakers traded PG Lonzo Ball, SF Brandon Ingram, and SG Josh Hart, along with 3 1st-Round Picks. The Pelicans now hold the 1st and 4th Overall picks in this year’s NBA Draft. Yet, while receiving all of this, there is a debate as to who got the better end of the deal.

The debate is that the Lakers will now be unstoppable with LeBron James and Anthony Davis and should plow their way to the title. However, there is a caveat to this perception. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the legendary Herschel Walker trade between the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings. Initially, the Cowboys went from bad to worse and everyone thought the Vikings had hit a slam dunk. But with the draft picks and decent players they received, the Cowboys established on of the NFL’s great dynasties and Minnesota went backwards.

The Pelicans received a decent supply of youth and have the chance to possibly land not only Zion Williamson, but maybe RJ Barrett or just about anyone else they want. With newly hired GM Trajan Langdon, the Pelicans could assemble a team that may contend in the Western Conference, possibly next year, but definitely by 3 years from now. But their counterparts may not be so fortunate.

The Lakers are in a much different boat, having two legitimate superstars and Championship aspirations for next year. However, how long will this last? LeBron James is already 34 years old and coming off a year in which he missed 16 games due to a groin injury. Davis is 26 years old and hasn’t had much success since leaving the University of Kentucky in 2012, but is still an elite player with Hall of Fame skill. But after these two, the talent drops off fast on the Lakers with the next best player being Kyle Kuzma, (who is a fine player, but not Davis and James).

Altogether, the projection should be that the Lakers will be a solid team next year and make the playoffs anywhere from the 5th to 2nd Seed. But the Pelicans will receive the long term success of the deal with their accumulation of youth and talent.

A common theme for professional sports teams is to have a rallying cry that captures an entire city. Whether it is a simple statement such as “Play Like a Champion Today” or an object such as a Terrible Towel or even a song that is over 30 years old. The St. Louis Blues had the Laura Branigan classic “Gloria”, played at their arena the entire season when the Blues would win. But this ride may not have been so glorious, pun intended, had the Blues not gone through some growing pains throughout this season.

By mid-November, the Blues were no where near what they were projected to be at when the season began. They fired 2nd year coach Mike Yeo and hired former player Craig Berube as interim (I think he’s outgrown it, but we’ll get to that.) But the team kept losing. By January 2nd, the Blues had fallen to dead last in the NHL and were seen as the team that would land the No. 1 Overall Pick in the NHL Draft. But, here was where the tables started to turn.

On January 7th, due to the inconsistent play of then starting goalie Jake Allen, the Blues started rookie Jordan Binnington. He was a scrawny kid out of Richmond Hill, Ontario that looked more like a high school geek than an NHL goalie. He would begin his NHL career by going 13-1-1 in his first 15 games. While this kid started to show some strength, the rest of the team picked up their play that was lacking. Vladimir Tarasenko became the deadly Russian “Scary Terry” again and put fear in NHL teams. Ryan O’Reilly played at a level unlike any other Blue, leading the team in assists and points and was the only Blue at the NHL All-Star Game. He has even been nominated for the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the league’s best defensive forward. With this trio leading the charge, the Blues began a spirited charge towards the playoffs.

In the first round, they drew the heavily favored Winnipeg Jets. Binnington was nothing short of sensational and the Blues went through Winnipeg with a mix of speed and physical defensive play against the Jets deadly end-to-end game. The Blues were able to cruise through Game 6 behind a hat trick from Jaden Schwartz and looked to the second round were a more demanding team awaited. The Dallas Stars had defeated the Central Division Champion Nashville Predators in the 1st round behind Vezina-finalist goaltender Ben Bishop. They were picked to beat the Blues by many, and possibly go to the Finals, no matter the Conference final foe. But this Blues team took blows and gave it right back. They went to Game 7 and it was the hometown boy Patrick Maroon who scored the double-overtime goal to win the series.

In the Conference Final, the Blues drew the speedy and deadly San Jose Sharks, who had beaten the defending Conference Champion Vegas Golden Knights in the 1st round and Colorado in the 2nd. The Blues were in tough it seemed and a miserable first game made people think the Blues aren’t ready. But the Blues, as they had in the past, took blows and dished them right back in full measure. They clawed and kicked to beat the Sharks in 6 games and advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 49 years.

But they were more of an underdog in the Finals than they were in any of the previous 3 rounds. They drew the Boston Bruins, a team that is the Dallas Cowboys of the NHL, the most hated and beloved team in the country. The Blues came to the Boston Garden and split the first two games, split the next four and again drew a do or die Game 7 in Boston. They showed the resilience that had been shown since January 2nd and, behind Conn Smythe winner Ryan O’Reilly, won Game 7 4-1 and hoisted the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history, causing fans in St Louis to blast Gloria and enjoy their first non-baseball championship since 1999.

This is the greatest comeback story in sports history and one that may never be matched.

The Fall of Achilles

In Greek mythology, no warrior was greater than Achilles.  The hero of the Trojan War that laid waste to the city of Troy.  Yet, he was done in by a simple arrow to the back end of his foot.  Fast forward nearly 3500 years, the NBA had their own version of Achilles.  Though he is now known around the world by the name, Kevin Durant. In an attempt to salvage the Warriors season and title defense, Durant came into Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals and played exceptionally well.  Yet, he injured himself worse by rupturing his Achilles in the 2nd Quarter. He was helped off the court by teammate Andre Iguodala and others, but will likely not play until at least January of 2020.

Durant is a former NBA MVP, 2-time Finals MVP and Champion, a member of the 50-40-90 club, and 4-time scoring champion.  Not to mention his 10 All Star appearances. But, Durant has reached a breaking point it may seem in his career. It is likely that Durant will not return to Golden State next year, yet it is unclear where he’ll go.  In today’s sports world, teams fear this exact scenario. A future Hall of Famer with a career threatening injury. Kevin Durant is seen by many as the best player in basketball right now and many teams including the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, the Brooklyn Nets, and even the Philadelphia 76ers.  The problem has now become, which franchise is willing to make the decision? Would Durant revitalize the New York Knicks if he went to the Big Apple? Would he blend well with the accumulation of talent in the Clippers or Nets organizations? Or would he create the next super team by joining the 76ers and their star studded lineup?  

No player has drawn this much attention heading into free agency maybe ever.  But this is a massive gamble because Kevin Durant could become the great investment and build more championship teams, or he could be like the Albert Haynesworth of the NBA and end up being a waste of money and time by an organization.  But no doubt in my mind, are we beginning to see a possible crack in the steel armor of Kevin Durant.