The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: Lane, LeBron & Jeter
Week 15 of the NFL has come and gone and we are no closer to knowing what a catch is. An electric Steelers vs Patriots match-up was derailed when a late game touchdown call was overturned, securing New England’s victory. In good NFL news Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater returned to the field for the first time since his gruesome knee injury in August of 2016. His first pass attempt however was an interception because you really can’t have it all. Former Laker great Kobe Bryant had not one but both of his jerseys retired this week which prompted arguably the worse sports debate of all time — which Kobe was better #8 or #24? The answer obviously is #24 because it is literally 3 times greater than 8 and that is the only stat I will allow into this discussion. As the college basketball season continues to heat up everyone seems to have forgotten the ongoing FBI investigation into multiple programs so consider this your friendly reminder that the NCAA may implode at any given moment. With all that in mind lets jump into the highs (and lows) of this past week in sports:
The Good: The Lane Train
Lane Kiffin had a better 2017 than you did. The coach journeyman surprised many last offseason when news broke that he would be leaving his role as offensive coordinator of powerhouse Alabama to become the head coach of Florida Atlantic University (Go Owls!). One year later Lane has taken his new team to a 11–3 record, won the Conference USA Championship and defeated Akron in the prestigious Cheribundi Tart Cherry Boca Raton Bowl by a whopping score of 50 to 3. Lane admitted after the game that his owls might have run up the score because the opposing coaches were talking trash before the game and has signed a 10 year extension with his school. The world needs more Lane Kiffin and it needs it now.
The Bad: LeBron James
LeBron James is the best basketball player in the NBA today without a doubt. He is not without his flaws however. For instance his inability to be completely transparent with his future plans continues to be a hindrance for teams associated with the star. LeBron’s (and the Cavs) questionable future following his current contract expiring likely was the reason that Cleveland lost their 2nd best player (Kyrie Irving) to a trade this offseason. It is this same reason that is fueling speculations that LeBron is planning on leaving his hometown again. LeBron then added more fuel to the conspiracy fires this week when he attempted to have a “secret” conversation with the Lakers prominent rookie Lonzo Ball following their game. LeBron has every right to try to leverage his super stardom to his benefit but he then has no right to complain when his indecisiveness leaves his teams in disarray.
The Ugly: The Miami Marlins New Owner Derek Jeter
If you’re not locked in on offseason baseball news (and why would you be) you probably missed the recent whirlwind of news surrounding the Miami Marlins. In its simplest terms the old management group sold the franchise to a new group run by Former Yankee Derek Jeter. Jeter’s first move as a new executive was to trade the reigning MVP from Miami to the Yankees, Derek’s old team. Yes you read that right. Outside of the strange circumstances the Marlins got pennies on the dollar for their top asset leading some to question the intentions of the leagues newest executive. Derek then continued to not help his case for competency by being the only owner to not make it to first day of MLB winter meetings. I’m by no means a legal expert but through two weeks of ownership I don’t even think Johnnie Cochran could convince a jury that Derek’s off to a good start.
