In the past couple of years, we have seen a drastic increase in professional athletes using their platforms and voices to enact social justice and change. From Lebron James to Colin Kaepernick, we have seen a variety of players do different things to try to spark change in our society. Sports are something that our country, and the world for that matter, look to for times of relaxation and free-time. Many people are in favor of athletes using their voice for social justice. Some fans, however, are not as keen to have our favorite athletes stand out.

In the past, I have witnessed great things from Lebron James with social activism. Lebron is a cultural icon and has donated billions of dollars in philanthropic deeds like his I Promise school in Akron, OH. Most people I know have little issue with this. The issue has come, in recent times, because of athletes objecting to racism and police brutality. Many individuals do not like this because it disrupts the audience from watching their favorite athletes compete. Some dislike it because they think that athletes are contaminating their relaxation.

What are some scenarios for athletes and social justice. One would be to simply try to stop and keep social outreach and sports separate from each other. One would be to keep it at an individual level and let athletes pursue their goals in their free time. The other option would be to increase social justice and community outreach at all levels for professional sports.

Where do I think athletes and teams should go in this matter? I think that players and teams should absolutely increase their efforts for social justice and community outreach. Most people on the planet don’t have access to the resources that professional athletes do, so they can make a bigger difference. Kids, teens, and adults look up to these athletes to set examples, and they need to do so to inspire others. While yes, it is their job as an athlete to compete in their sport, it is their job as a good human to make the world a better place. I am in full support of professional athletes fighting for social justice and activism.

What athlete does the most outreach? Do you like seeing athletes speak out? What does the future hold for sports and society? Let me know in the comment section.

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Kawhi Leonard is an enigma to most people. He has been given the nickname of “cyborg” by analysts and players. He is a rare example of a player that is one of the best in his profession, and yet doesn’t have a big personality behind the big talent. Leonard is a 2-time Finals MVP and a former defensive player-of-the-year just to name a couple of his illustrious accolades. Lately, however, Leonard has been subject to some scrutiny due to his team’s disappointing semi-finals loss against an inferior Denver Nuggets squad in the 2019 NBA playoffs. Leonard and the Clippers blew a 3-1 lead and Kawhi put up an anemic 14 points in a deciding game seven.

In the past, I have seen Leonard dominate and be the best player on a San Antonio and Toronto team. Leonard is the best two-way player in the NBA who can put up 25 points on a nightly basis and lockdown his opponent’s best player. One thing I have observed in his last few seasons, while Kawhi may be the best player on his team, he is not the leader. Leaders must be vocals and be able to inspire their comrades. Leonard doesn’t make others better like a good leader should. He is great at doing his job, but can you help others do theirs?

While Kawhi may be content going on as is, there are some solutions to his lack of the right leadership skills. One would be to lead by example. Kawhi has been in complete control of when he wants to play and practice. The best leaders and players want to play every second they can which shows their commitment to the game. Another would be to become more vocal and inspire and hold his teammates accountable. The best players of all-time like Lebron and Jordan are infamous for holding their teammates to a high standard.

What would I suggest to Kawhi? Yes, do both the things that were just suggested. If you look at the greatest players ever, they were determined, vocal, and held their teammates to the highest standard possible. If Kawhi wants to be looked at in the upper-echelon of NBA greats, which I am sure he does, he needs to do these things. If he can, his squad will no doubt win some chips in his future.

What do you think about Kawhi’s disposition? Is he fine the way he is? Should he become more vocal? Let me know in the comment section below.

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Alex Smith has had to overcome some incredible odds to be playing in the NFL right now. Just two years ago, Smith broke his leg on national television and was put in the hospital. After his surgery, he endured multiple complications where he almost died and had his leg amputated. It has been a long journey for the veteran quarterback who has endured 17 surgeries. A dysfunctional Washington Football Team franchise has found its way into the playoffs at a 7-9 record in the NFC East. He is going up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers which are led defensively by defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, who is infamous for blitzing more than any defensive system.

I have seen Alex Smith perform at a high-level for multiple teams now. Smith has taken the helm of a floundering Washintong franchise that is gasping for air and playoff success, and he has kept them afloat to a wild-card playoff game. Smith has been susceptible to injury throughout his career. In his younger years, Smith could move and find his way out of pressure. In his older years, it is obvious that Smith’s athleticism is fading.

What can Smith do? One possible solution would be to sit out the game if he is still struggling with injury and Washington thinks that they can build off him going forward. Smith could play the game and risk it for big-time success or for a big-time injury. It is hard to say.

I would recommend that Smith goes out and plays for this team. Smith has overcome things far harder than this and would not be on that field if he was not fully devoted to playing the game. Smith has a 5-1 record this season as the Team’s starting QB. This franchise can’t thank Smith enough after taking the helm after an immature Dwayne Haskins.

Should Smith play? Should he sit out? Let me know what you think in the comments. Can Alex Smith overcome this obstacle in this wildcard matchup?

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It is the college football playoffs. It is time for a champion to be crowned. The world will see a big-time matchup between a legendary Alabama program led by Nick Saban and Mac Jones going up against a tough Ohio State team led by Justin Fields. It is no surprise now that Trevor Lawerence will go first overall in the 2021 NFL draft, but the second pick is up to scrutiny right now. The Jets own the #2 pick in the draft and many are unsure whether Fields will go there, or if they will draft an offensive lineman.

I have watched Justin Fields have his ups and downs this season. He started a COVID-19 riddled season with an electric 3-0 start where he performed at a high-level. Some were even whispering about Fields having the Heisman trophy locked up. Sadly for Fields, he struggled in his last three games of the regular season. He threw for three interceptions against Big-10 rival Indiana. While Ohio State went undefeated, he did not perform at the high levels that he was earlier in the season and seasons prior.

If you are Justin Fields, what can you do to improve your chances at getting picked second overall? The best thing he can do is go out and have a legendary performance against Alabama in the national title game. He could also have a great combine when the draft comes around. He could win over some scouts by showing up at the combine and putting up good numbers in his workouts.

My recommendation to Justin Fields would be to not only play at the highest level in the College Football Championship, but he also needs to win the game. If he can cap off his season with an upset win against a staunch Alabama team, he could improve his odds. He needs to show his ability by running the football as well as throwing it. He needs to convince the Jets he has more potential than Sam Darnold. He could show New York that he can win in a championship situation and that he can create plays with his legs. Darnold has not done those things, so Fields could win them over.

Where should Fields go? Who is going to be the second pick in the draft? What do you think? Let me know in the comments.

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When it comes to talking about greatness in sports, it is hard to compare greatness between players. Football is especially hard to do this. Football is a sport that is predicated on how well you play as a team. Every player has a different situation with coaches, players, and other personnel which can affect their play. A player’s situation has a huge impact on their legacy. Football adds further frustration towards narrowing down who the greatest player ever because of the variety of positions. Each position has a very specific job, and it is hard to narrow if the best defensive end is better than the best quarterback ever. It is a matter of preference for many.

In my experience, I have found that many fans and analysts lean towards saying Tom Brady is the greatest NFL player ever. It is hard to argue against the QB that has the most Superbowl victories and appearances ever. Before Brady’s rise to fame, many people said Jerry Rice was the greatest player ever. Rice leads the NFL for all-time receptions, receiving touchdowns, and receiving yards and did it on multiple teams. You could even argue Lawerence Taylor like Marcus Spears is saying in the video. Taylor was so fierce, the NFL adjusted the rules for how dominant he was as a pass-rusher.

When it comes to this topic, it’s hard for me to definitively say who the greatest NFL player of all-time is. I would have to go with Jerry Rice. Along with his impressive stats, which are unlikely to be broken anytime soon, he was able to win flat-out win for any team he was on. In addition to the 4 Superbowl victories with Joe Montanna and the Niners, Rice led an Oakland Raiders squad to a Superbowl after his time in San Francisco. Even though he fell short, Rice was at the end of his career and made the pro-bowl even in his old age with the Raiders. Rice showed that even without a great QB like Joe Montana, he could put up over 1,000 yards a season and lead a team to the highest level.

Drop a comment down below. What do you think? Is Rice the GOAT? Who is your greatest player ever.

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This is a topic that I think should be covered more often by NBA analysts. Over the years, there have been a variety of dynamic NBA trios in the league. The most recent being Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Klay Thompson in Golden State. It brings up the question: what is the best big-three of all time in the NBA? This is a question that many NBA fans like myself have thought about.

In the past, I normally would have aired on the side of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman. The Bulls won three championships with that trio, and I believe Jordan to be the greatest player ever. I think that the parameters for being the best TRIO ever have to take into account individual talent and accomplishments. While it is easy to look at the greatness of a Lebron or Michael Jordan, they carried their trios with their transcendent talent. When it comes to a trio you must account for individual talent, accomplishments, and how that trio changed the game.

There are plenty of choices for the best trio of all-time. You could go with the Lakers trio of Magic, Kareem, and Worthy which won 5 championships. You could air with the ever-reliable Spurs trio of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli, and Tony Parker which won 4 titles collectively. Many people in this generation will point to the big three in Miami with Lebron, Wade, and Bosh.

When it comes to answering the best trio of all-time, I have to say the Golden State Warriors! Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and Klay Thompson are the best trio ever. Kevin Durant and Steph Curry are both MVP winners. Klay Thompson is the part of the equation that tips the scales for me. Thompson is a multi-time all-star and a top-3 shooter ever to go with Steph Curry. The individual ability of all three players is greater than any other trio ever. They went to three consecutive finals and won two of them. They only lost the third because Durant and Thompson were injured. They revolutionized the game and the three-point shot. When this trio was together, there was not a single team that stood a chance against beating them in a 7 game series.

What do you think? Am I crazy for this take? Is there a trio that I missed? Who is your best trio ever? Let me know in the comment section below.

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It seems Kyrie Irving is up to his usual antics with the Brooklyn Nets. Kyrie Irving has been a headache for every team he has played within his career. He has not had the effectiveness he once had in Cleveland. Last year Irving sat out with season-ending surgery. This season Iriving is back and healthy and playing for one of the most favored teams in the Eastern Conference to win the championship this year. What did that change for Irving? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Irving reportedly told some of his teammates over a text that he could not play tonight because of personal issues. He also failed to mention it to his new head coach Steve Nash. This is a movie we’ve seen before from Kyrie and it might not have a happy ending.

In the past, I have seen Irving disrupt the chemistry of a loaded Boston Celtics team. A team that had a better record when he was not playing with them. He has continually been vocal about social justice issues, which I have a lot of respect and admiration for his philanthropy. Sadly, Kyrie’s mouth seems to get him into trouble. Earlier this season he even suggested that the team did not need a head coach and that it would be a “collaborative effort”. Kyrie missing a regular-season game with cryptic reasoning and failing to notify his head coach is a big problem.

What are some solutions to the Nets problem. One would be to discipline Irving for the lack of clarity on the issue. This seems unlikely considering the front office had no objection to Irving missing games. Another option would be to let him do what he wants. This will likely be what the Nets end up doing considering Irving will make an attempt and reprimanding his actions will end in drama. The team could also consider benching him as a warning to not continue the lack of communication.

My solution to disgruntled teams like the Nets would be to discipline Irving and fine him. Even if his reason for missing games is legitimate, he is getting paid over 100 million dollars, he owes it to the team to communicate what he is doing. His actions will have an effect on the franchise, he needs to take that into consideration. We have seen superstars like James Harden do whatever they want, and after a while, teams get tired of it.

Should Irving be punished? Is he worth the Headache? What should the Nets do? Comment below with your takes on the topic.

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Jujus Smith -Schuster is making headlines again, for all the wrong reasons. The vocal Steelers wide receiver has made quite a name for himself this season. He has earned the nickname “The Steelers TikTok star”. Juju has caused a few headaches for the Steelers this season after his controversial TikTok Dances on the logos of his opponent’s football field. In the latest series of events that have put the Steelers receiver on blast is his latest statement about their upcoming opponent the Cleveland Browns. At one point in his statement, he said that the Browns have “a couple of good players” and that they are a team of “nameless grey faces”.

In the past, the Steelers have had situations with wide receivers being too vocal and outspoken. Antonio Brown was considered by many to be the best wide receiver in football at the time, and he was traded soon after his off-field antics were too much for the team. Juju has now caused a few media issues for the team with his dancing and comments that have incited opponents to play even harder against this team. Sadly for Smith-Schuster, his production is nowhere near Brown’s. Juju has not had a 100-yard game in almost 2 years. That is definitely not enough production to ensure job safety.

What are some scenarios for the Steelers and their outspoken young player? One would be that Schuster could possibly get his act together and put up some big-time numbers for the Steelers come time for playoffs. Another situation would be that Juju keeps up his usual antics and ends up not being resigned with the Steelers this offseason and he ends up on a new squad come next season.

What is my suggestion for Juju and the Steelers? Move on! While I like Pittsburgh’s young receiver, he is not great at putting up numbers. That is the only reason Smith-Schuster is on the team: to help them win by producing. It seems to me that he wants to have fun first and win as a byproduct of his fun. While I am a huge proponent of someone loving the game, at this level you need to pair work ethic with that passion. The Steelers are already cap-strapped and don’t need to allocate resources to an asset that isn’t willing to knock off his antics and produce.

Am I off here? Do you like Juju’s antics? What should the Steelers do? Let me know in the comment section below.

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While most of my posts tend to be about sports specifically, this one has to do with something that comes affiliated with them. The hobby of collecting sports cards has been one that has endured for decades. There are times where the hobby is more popular than others, and now is one of those times. If you are a sports card collector, you know that it is next to impossible to get sports cards right now because they are so hot. Entire department stores and hobby shops are sold out of stock within days of putting out their new card shipments. While it is great to see the hobby becoming more popular, it is for what I believe to be the wrong reasons. The biggest one, which is mentioned in the video above, is card scalpers. Scalpers are individuals who wait outside of stores for hours and stalk the card shelves only to buy all or a majority of the product put out. These individuals then either resell the packs for more than they paid for them, open them and sell out the cards in mystery lots, or open these packs in massive youtube openings.

Let’s look at the hobby and my experience. I have been collecting basketball and football cards for the past 7 years and I have never seen a time where cards have been so hard to find. I am all for the hobby growing, and I think it is something great for people to spend their time doing. Sadly, the hobby has become less of a hobby and more of an investment. Many people invest in the cards in the hope to make a profit when the young rookies are famous and at the end of their careers. Some make a living simply reselling the packs at an exorbitant price that most people can’t afford. It is hurting the industry for small-time collectors. I have no issues with people buying cards and opening them on a youtube channel or people buying cards to collect. I have a problem when people buy up all of the stock so no one else has a chance at them, then they take advantage of others that don’t wait outside of a Walmart for hours just to get them.

There aren’t a ton of options for small collectors like myself. You could simply save your money and buy larger boxes that people can’t afford to buy the entire stock of. Another option would be to buy cards individually that interest you. That is the best option if you are looking to build your collection, you won’t have any wasted funds on cards you don’t want.

My recommendation to collectors who still want the thrill of opening packs would be to invest in mystery packs. These are lots of cards sold on eBay for a specific amount of money. Each lot is guaranteed to have a certain number of signature cards and rookies and you have a chance at some big-time cards. These lots can be bought for as low as 20 dollars and can provide an affordable alternative to paying more than double for factory-sealed packs and boxes.

What do you think? Is card collecting a good hobby? Would you want to get involved with it now? Let me know in the comment section what you think.

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It comes as little surprise to see that the Houston Texans are in disarray once again. After going a pathetic 4-12 this season, the Texans are finally looking forward to trying to put stability around star quarterback Deshaun Watson. That would be well and good, but it looks like Deshaun Watson may not be on the same page with the organization. After the Texans hired their new GM, Nick Caserio from New England, without even consulting their 150-million dollar franchise quarterback. This move came as a shock to Watson because he thought he had an understanding that the organization would ask for his opinion of new hires in the organization. Things are not looking good in Houston.

In my experience, the Houston franchise has been a dysfunctional one for quite a few years now. Under former head coach and general manager Bill O’Brien, the Texans made the playoffs almost every year but never made a deep run. After a disappointing loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019, the Texans got rid of one of the best wide receivers in the game in Deandre Hopkins. This decision was made as a personal one by Bill O’Brien because he and Hopkins could not get along. This was what I believe was the final straw for Watson, he and Hopkins had a great connection and were friends off the field. After his trade without consulting Watson, the Texans proved to many that they are dysfunctional and do not care about what their star QB thinks.

What are some options for Watson? The most obvious would be to stick it out in Houston and hope that they eventually figure it out and surround him with talent. The other would be to demand a trade to another team, which he has contacted his teammates about doing so. Watson is considering all options and hasn’t talked to management in quite some time, so it looks as though the latter of the two is more likely to happen.

I would tell Watson to get out! The Texans have never been a great franchise. They have perpetually struggled and will continue to do so despite the amazing numbers he puts up. Watson passed for over 4,000 yards and had a career-high 70% completion rate. There are plenty of teams that would mortgage the bank to get him on their squad. I think a team that should do it (but they never will) would be the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers finished the year at 12-4 with an obviously old and withered Ben Roethlisberger. If they could give up multiple picks and a couple players, it could be a deadly pairing.

Where should Watson go? Will he end up leaving the Texans. Leave a comment and let me know what you are thinking. This is a crazy situation.

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