I’m going to start right out with the NBA this week. And I’m ticked, just to prepare you. Might go scorched Earth on the Celts(well, I’m gonna) and Jaylen Brown and Joe Mazzulla.
Alright here we go:
Jaylen Brown is the luckiest MVP of an NBA finals in the history of the NBA Finals. Maybe I’m going to be proven wrong but guarding fat ass, Luka Doncic, is proving to be not that big of a deal – which he did very effectively last year, as we all know. This year, after the playoffs are done, we will hear that he was hurt and needs knee surgery. Now, I don’t want him to be hurt but I’m not good with excuses either. If you’re hurt don’t play or go hide in the corner on offense and guard someone terrible on defense. But, for the love of God and all things fundamentals, stop trying to dribble or attempting to catch the basketball on the run. By far the worst hands of a supermax contracted player I’ve ever seen. EVER!
OK, Joe Mazzulla. Joe Mazzulla has gotten somewhat of a free pass because of winning the 2024 title. In 2023 he was outcoached so badly in the playoffs that fans were calling for his head, including this one. 2025 has proven one thing, Joe is more of the 2023 guy we knew then the guy being carried by Jason Tatum. He’s not good.
And, neither is Porzingis by the by! Johnny Allen used to say Drew Bledsoe was a giraffe on skates. KP is nine inches taller and looks like he’s carrying a giraffe on skates! Terrible.
On another note, I hate the Knicks! So sick of the opening shots of all the “stars” courtside. Give me a break. I also think Josh Hart’s foul on Jayson Tatum as he drove through the lane was dirty.
As for Tatum, it is soul crushing that he was injured. The guy takes unwarranted crap from people all around the world. He’s classy, and done things right. That’s all everyone wants and when someone does it they still pick on them. I hope it’s not an achilles tear but it appears it is. Obviously, it’s a franchise changing injury. Brown needs to go. KP needs to go. Jrue isn’t adding anything offensively. I’d keep White and let Pritchard cook. Not sure Giannis is in the cards but I’d love to see him traveling for our team. Get well Jayson!
By the way, I made a point about the high school players, or even prep players not having many open doors when it comes to college basketball opportunities. Well check this stat out. In the last five there has been a major decline in players declaring for the NBA draft. Take a look at the numbers below:
Players declaring for the NBA Draft:
2021: 353
2022: 283
2023: 242
2024: 201
2025: 106
The reason being is that of the beloved NIL money. Why would anyone leave when you can get paid three and four times more than you would on an NBA rookie contract? It’s not good folks – for anyone. And the problem is there’s no way to reverse direction at the collegiate level. Salary cap? No players are ever going to agree with that. College sports, as we all know, and as we all knew it, is over. The only thing left is the sanctity of high school sports. Man, I hope that doesn’t get destroyed.
It doesn’t look good over Alex Ovechkin’s chances of a title this year which kind of stinks in my opinion. Playing on the road at Carolina is not an easy task. I’ve been to the Lenovo Center, home of the Hurricanes, and their fans are amazing. Hard to win on that sheet for the visiting team.
I’m rooting for the Oilers. I like Connor McDavid. If you haven’t seen him play live, make a plan to do so next year. It’s really unbelievable how fast he can skate even compared to other NHL players.
Oh, more on the NBA. The draft lottery has everyone crying foul with the Mavs winning the number one pick! The Mavs had a 1.8% chance of getting the top pick and voila they got it! Why doesn’t the NBA just show the whole process live or have it available on video at least? That would end the conspiracy theories. The Pelicans previously traded AD to the Lakers and got the number one pick the following year. Then this year the Mavs traded Luka to the Lakers and they got the number one pick. In a world full of conspiracy theorists more than ever, this only adds fuel to the fire.
High school sports cannot catch a break given mother nature’s incessant tears. Fields are water logged. Games have been postponed at a crazy rate. NSN has seen over 50 games either cancelled or postponed this Spring! Gulp.
Only four teams undefeated on the baseball side now – SJA, LI, Missisquoi, and White River Valley. On the softball side there are eight teams – BFA-St. Albans, Mt. Anthony, Mt. Abraham, Lyndon Institute, Oxbow, Winooski, Proctor, and West Rutland. If you are wondering how it went from seven to eight undefeated teams in a week I will tell you that Winooski is showing up at 1 and 0 and were not listed last week. I’m not sure that’s correct but that’s what the standings currently show.
Back to the weather, here’s a novel thought. The first school or town that puts in a turf softball and baseball field will find themselves hosting a lot of events. If I had deep pockets I’d build one right here in Lyndonville and name the facility after my parents. Does anyone want to send me a check? LOL. There’s facilities like this in Pennsylvania that also are hosts to AAU tournaments. It’s called Spooky Nook Sports in Manheim, PA that is massive. They have hotels right on the same campus. Restaurants and bars overlooking hoop courts I’m told. Could be a tough combination for the occasional stupid AAU parent who wants to holler at the refs or coaches. Overall, I’ve heard great things about this facility.
Looking towards the fall heads up to football fans. NSN is looking to broadcast an unprecedented amount of football games during the upcoming season. If you know anyone that wants to work, sponsor, or be a part of this growing enterprise send them my way please!
The opinions expressed by EB are solely his and are not a reflection of those of NSN. If you’d like to reach out to EB please contact him at eberry@nsnsports.net