Magic is Bringing Magic Back to the Los Angeles Lakers Franchise

 After hours of firing Jim Buss, and making Magic Johnson the President of Basketball Operations. Magic Johnson and the Lakers traded away one of their best scorers Lou Williams, who had been averaging 18.6 points per game this season, to the Houston Rockets. The Lakers received Corey Brewer and the Houston Rockets 2017 first-round pick. Lou Williams has been having a phenomenal season, which could lead to him winning, the Sixth Man of the Year award this season.


Now rumors are circling, that Magic and the Lakers, are going after Indiana Pacers All-Star shooting guard Paul George. It looks like Magic, is trying to bring back honor to the Lakers franchise sooner rather than later.


Also, Rob Pelinka, who was Kobe Bryant's former agent, is now the GM for the Los Angeles Lakers.

The New Orleans Pelicans Make a Blockbuster Trade

 Last night after the All-Star game, the New Orleans Pelicans made a blockbuster trade with the Sacramento Kings. The Pelicans received All-Star Center, DeMarcus Cousins and Omri Casspi from the Kings. The Kings received Buddy Hield, a struggling sixth overall pick from the 2016 draft, Tyreke Evans, a good player, but an injury prone player, Langston Galloway, who probably will get waived. The Kings also, received New Pelicans 2017 first round pick, which is top three protected, and a 2nd round pick that the Pelicans received from the Philadelphia 76ers.

The trade shocked everybody, especially when the Kings management had said earlier in the week that Cousins will not be traded. DeMarcus Cousins has been averaging 27.8 points per game, 10.8 rebounds per game, and 4.8 assists per game this season. We will see how the two former Kentucky stars, Anthony Davis, and DeMarcus Cousins will mesh on the court, in New Orleans.

NBA All-Star Weekend Breakdown

NBA All-Star weekend is finally here! This weekend the NBA All-Star weekend takes place in New Orleans from February 17- February 19th. NBA All-Star weekend is always exciting, but this year All-Star weekend maybe the most exciting in while due to being in one the most exciting cities the US has to offer especially with Mardi Gras still going on. The NBA All-Star weekend kicks off tonight, at 9 PM EST on TNT, between the USA vs. World game. This game was previously called the Rising Stars game which focused on rookies and sophomores who were excelling that season. However, with the NBA continuing to add overseas talent changing the name to the USA vs. the World was a more suitable name for the game.

Some players that headline the US team is Karl-Anthony Towns, who's averaging 23.1 points per game and 11.1 rebounds per game. In my eyes, he shouldn't even be playing in this game; he should be in the All-Star game for the West on Sunday. Other players who highlight the roster is the 2016 number two draft pick Brandon Ingram, 2015 second overall pick D'Angelo Russell, and 2015 third overall pick Jahlil Okafor. Jahlil Okafor has had a pretty bizarre season so far, he has had healthy DNP, not traveling with the team to road games so the team could trade him, but through all that he remained professional and still has averaged 11.7 points per game and 4.8 rebounds per game off the bench. Another player that was putting up All-Star numbers on the US team is rising star is Devin Booker who is averaging 21.1 points per game for a depleted Phoenix Suns team. Myles Turner has also been progressing in his second season with the Indiana Pacers he is average 15.6 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game, and 2.1 blocks per game. One notable player on this roster that may be under the radar is Michael Brogdon who plays shooting guard for the Milwaukee Bucks. Brogdon averages 9.4 points per game and 4.2 points per game. Those might sound like small numbers but when you're coming off the bench, and Kris Middleton starting to look like his old self after coming back from injury those are pretty good numbers.

 Some players that headline the World team is 2015 fourth overall pick Kristaps Porzingis, who's averaging 18.3 points per game, 7.2 points per game, and 1.96 blocks per game for the New York Knicks. Other players that highlight this World team 2014 third overall pick Joel Embiid, 2014 12th overall pick Dario Saric, Nikola Jokic, and Trey Lyles. Unfortunately, trust the process phenom, Joel Embiid who's averaging 20.2 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game, and 2.45 blocks per game for the rising Philadelphia 76ers will not be playing due to "meniscus" problem in his knee. Many might not know who Dario Saric was drafted in 2012 with the 12th overall pick by the Orlando Magic, but was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for 2014 tenth overall pick Elfrid Payton. This year is his first season because he had contract restrictions from his overseas team in Croatia. Dario has averaged 10.8 points per game and 5.9 rebounds per game for the Philadelphia 76ers.

I think the World team will beat the US team and Kristaps Porzingis will win the MVP of the game.


On Saturday night,  the Skills Challenge, Three-Point Shootout, and the Dunk Contest will take place. The skills challenge contestants will be Devin Booker, DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, Nikola Jokic, Gordon Hayward, Kristaps Porzingis, Isaiah Thomas, and John Wall. In the finals, a big man faces the guard for the Skills Challenge trophy. I pick Anthony Davis to make it to the finals to face Isiah Thomas in the finals, and Isiah Thomas wins the Skills Challenge trophy. Isiah Thomas has all the intangibles to win the challenge; he can shoot the three ball effortlessly, he can make a good bounce past, and can dribble the ball swiftly down the court yet under control.

The Three- Point Shootout contestants are Klay Thompson, Kyrie Irving, Kyle Lowry, Eric Gordon, Wes Matthews, CJ McCollum, Kemba Walker, and Nick Young. My sleeper to win the three-point shootout is Kyle Lowry, who made the second most three-point shots at this point with 185 three-point shots made, but in reality, I think Klay Thompson will win the three-point shootout contest again.

The Dunk Contest is the final event of Saturday night, the contestants for this year's dunk contest is Aaron Gordon, DeAndre Jordan, Glenn Robinson III, and Derrick Jones, Jr. In all honesty, I think they picked these names out of the hat because nobody with some sense wants to see this. If DeAndre doesn't get an alley oop or does a put back dunk, I don't see anything that will get me out of my seat from his dunks. Another thing is Derrick Jones, Jr, where did they find him under a rock? He is a D-League player how did he even get selected, but you know the unknown is the one you have to watch out for. Glenn Robinson III is in the dunk contest; I didn't even know he was still in the NBA.  I predict Aaron Gordon will win the dunk contest; this is his dunk contest to lose.

On Sunday night, the All-Star game takes place. It's nice to see first-time All-Stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Gordon Hayward. But, what everyone is looking forward to is how will Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook react to each other during All-Star weekend.

I believe the West All- Stars will obliterate the East All-Stars. The East has too

many guards as reserves and can't guard the height from the West All-Stars reserves. I know what most people would say they can out run them, and my response to that who is going to out run Russell Westbrook, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson they have endless energy. Plus what East All-Stars reserves are going to guard Marc Gasol, DeMarcus Cousins, and DeAndre Jordan. If you think Paul Millsap can guard any of those three congratulations, you played yourself.

I predict the score would be 185 West All-Stars to 164 East All- Stars. I predict Anthony Davis, will win All-Star MVP in his city, and he will score 40 points and have 12 rebounds.

Keys to Winning the Super Bowl

Tonight Super Bowl 51 takes place in Houston, TX between the Atlanta Falcons & the New England Patriots. Tom Brady comes into this game trying to win his fifth Super Bowl ring, while Matt Ryan is trying to win his first Super Bowl ring. This is the second time the Atlanta Falcons has made it to the Super Bowl in team history. The New England Patriots, however, are no stranger to the Super Bowl this is their 9th Super Bowl appearance in nine seasons.

The keys for the Falcons to win this game on the defense side is to get some pressure on Tom Brady. The Falcons don't need just Vic Beasley to get some pressure on Brady; they need Dwight Freeney, Ra'Shede Hageman, and the rest of the defensive line to produce also tonight. Another key for the Falcons to win is for their rookies on defense continue to overachieve tonight. Also, the Falcons secondary needs to keep their eyes on Chris Hogan. Normally defenses pay so much attention to Julius Edelman and Danny Amendola that they forget about Chris Hogan and he goes off for a big game as he did against the Pittsburgh Steelers a few weeks ago having where he had nine receptions, 180 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. Also, the Falcons defense needs to force a plethora of three and outs as well as some turnovers to keep the Patriots offense out of sync all game.

The keys for the Falcons to win this game on the offensive side is to score a touchdown on their first drive to send a statement to Tom Brady and the Patriots that they aren't just happy to be here, but here to win it. Matt Ryan must continue to show the poise he has shown all season and continue to spread the ball around to all his weapons on offense such as Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Taylor Gabriel, Tevin Coleman, and Devonta Freeman. The Falcons must also run the ball efficiently to keep the Patriots secondary and linebackers guessing so they won't just sit back in coverage all day making Matt Ryan job harder than it has to be.

The keys for the Patriots to win this game on the defensive side is don't try to double team Julio; this is not the Pittsburgh Steelers the Falcons have too many offensive threats. If you double Julio Mohamed Sanu, Taylor Gabriel, Tevin Coleman,  Devonta Freeman, or Austin Hooper will just have a big game. The Patriots defense must get pressure on Matt Ryan and force some turnovers to keep the high-powered Falcons offense out of sync.

The keys for the Patriots to win this game on the offensive side is to have nice long drives that end with points. The longer the drive, the less the Patriots defense has to see Matt Ryan and the high -powered Atlanta Falcons offense. They must have an efficient run game to slow down the Falcons superb pass rush.

In the end, I predict the Atlanta Falcons will win their first Super Bowl in team history against the New England Patriots 28-21.

Clemson Wins Redemption National Championship Game

Last night was a rematch of the national championship game between Alabama and Clemson. Last year Alabama beat Clemson 44-40. Clemson players said all year they looked at the banner in their practice facility that said 2016 National Finalist and refused to have another banner saying anything other than National Champions.


Both Alabama and Clemson both punted on their first drives. Clemson's defense line was manhandling Alabama's offensive line putting a lot of pressure on Jalen Hurts and preventing some of the passes that were batted down and luckily not intercepted.


But, on Alabama's second drive the offense was able to drive the ball down the field on Clemson's defense. Jalen Hurts was able to rush for 20 yards on one play. Clemson's defense also helped Alabama's offense with a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty. Alabama capped off a three play 59-yard drive with a 25-yard touchdown run by Bo Scarbrough to give Alabama a 7-0 lead with 9:23 left in the first quarter.  Clemson and Alabama next couple of drives lead to a few punts. Watson didn't look like the same Deshaun Watson from last year's national championship in the first quarter.


Clemson special teams made a big play by blocking a punt that leads to the ball being downed at Clemson own 37-yard line. Deshaun Watson first play was able to rush for five yards. But, unfortunately even with good field position that drive was cut short due to a bad snap by the center tot Deshaun Watson and was recovered by Alabama's defense.


Early in the second quarter, Alabama's offense was once again able to move the ball down the field quickly. The drive started off with a run for 25 yards by ArDarius Stewart to Clemson 49-yard line. Jalen Hurts and Calvin Ridley connected for two plays for nine yards. The five play 74-yard drive was capped off with a 37-yard touchdown run by Bo Scarbrough his second of the day to give Alabama a 14-0 lead with 10:42 left in the second quarter.


Clemson offense finally was able to get things going late in the second quarter. Deshaun Watson threw a pass to Deon Cain Tampa Bay native, that went for 43 yards. Watson later in the drive followed up with a 26-yard completion to Jordan Leggett for 26 yards. Watson was also able to connect with his favorite target Mike Williams another Tampa Bay native for five yards. Watson finished off a seven play 87-yard drive with an eight-yard touchdown run to cut Alabama lead to 14-7.


In the third quarter, Clemson offense received the ball first. Watson and the offense once again turned the ball over. Wayne Gallman was stripped by Alabama's own Ryan Anderson and was returned for 12 yards before being tackled at Clemson's 16-yard line. Luckily Clemson's defense was able only to hold Alabama's offense to a field goal. Alabama now lead 17-7 with 12:25 left in the third quarter.


Clemson offense redeemed themselves later in the third quarter thanks to good field position due to a bad punt that started their offense at Alabama's 42-yard line. Deshaun Watson was able to connect with wide receiver Deon Cain on a 14-yard pass play. Watson capped off a four play 42-yard drive with a 24-yard touchdown pass to Hunter Renfrow to cut Alabama lead 17-14 with 7:10 left in the third quarter.


Alabama offense, however, was able to score again late in the third quarter. Jalen Hurts was able to throw a 68-yard touchdown to O.J. Howard to give Alabama a 24-14 lead with 1:53 left in the third quarter.


Clemson was able to score quickly in the fourth quarter with a four-yard touchdown pass from Deshaun Watson to Mike Williams to cap off nine play 72-yard drive which cut Alabama's lead to 24-21 with 14 minutes left in the game.


Clemson was able to score again with a drive that started from Clemson's own 12-yard line. Watson was able to make a 17-yard completion to Jordan Leggett that took them to their own 43-yard line. The next play Watson completed a 26-yard pass to Mike Williams. They were given an additional 15-yards due to unsportsmanlike conduct by Alabama's Da'Ron Payne which leads to a 1st & 10 at Alabama's 16-yard line. Watson then rushed for 15 yards that set up a first & goal at the one-yard line. Wayne Gallman redeemed himself from the fumble earlier to score on a one-yard touchdown run that gave Clemson their first lead of the game 28-24 with 4:38 left in the fourth quarter.


Alabama answered back with a touchdown of their own. Jalen Hurts made a couple of key passes to Damien Harris, ArDarius Stewart, and O.J. Howard. Jalen Hurts capped off a six play 68-yard drive with a 30-yard touchdown run that gave Alabama back the lead 31-28 with 2:07 left in the game.


Clemson had one more shot to achieve their goal they set at the beginning of the season win the national championship. C.J. Fuller had 20-yard kickoff return which gave Watson and the offense good field position to start at their own 32-yard line. Deshaun Watson made a big completion to Mike Williams for 24 yards that took them to Alabama's 39-yard line. Deshaun Watson made another big completion to Jordan Leggett for 17 yards to get them to Alabama's nine-yard line. The next play Watson tried to throw a pass to Mike Williams but, Anthony Averett held him and was called for a pass interference at Alabama's two-yard line which set up a 1st & goal at the two-yard line. Deshaun Watson capped off the game-winning drive with a nine play 58-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown pass to Hunter Renfrow. Clemson won the game 35-31. This was Clemson's second National Title in school history.


Deshaun Watson was able to complete 36 of 56 passes for 420 passing yards, 43 rushing yards, and four total touchdowns. Wayne Gallman had 46 rushing yards and one touchdown. Hunter Renfrow had ten receptions for 92 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Jordan Leggett had seven receptions for 95 receiving yards. Mike Williams had eight receptions for 94 receiving yards and one touchdown. Deon Cain had five receptions for 94 receiving yards. Artavis Scott and C.J. Fuller had 130 kick return yards combined. Clemson defense had seven tackles for loss and five pass deflections.


Jalen Hurts completed 13 of 31 passes for 131 passing yards, 63 rushing yards, and two total touchdowns. Bo Scarbrough rushed for 93 yards and two touchdowns. O.J. Howard had four receptions for 106 receiving yards and one touchdown. Alabama's defense had four sacks, six tackles for loss, and one pass deflection.

Green Bay Packers Annihilates the New York Giants

The game began looking as if it would be a defensive game. The New York Giants' first drive started off pretty decent, but the Green Bay defense was able to stop it. New York made a peculiar decision to punt the ball the rather than kick the field goal despite being at the Green Bay 38 yard line. I think the weather might of had something to do with the decision to punt the ball. Green Bay looked horrible on their first drive, running three plays for eight yards where they were forced to punt the ball back to the Giants' offense.

On the second drive for the Giants, Eli and Sterling Shepherd were able to connect on two passes for 39 yards during the drive. Eli also was able to connect with Victor Cruz for one pass for seven yards. Paul Perkins was able to catch a pass from Eli for six yards. Even though the Giants were able to move the ball down the field for nine plays and 54 yards they only were able to get a field goal out of it.

After several punts by both teams, the Giants were able to move the ball on the Packers defense once again. Eli was able to connect with Will Tye on a 51-yard pass. Eli followed that play up with a six-yard pass to Victor Cruz. You could hear the New York fans at Lambeau Field shout out Cruz in harmony. But, once again all New York could do was kick a field goal once again. The score was now 6-0 in favor of the New York Giants with 7:24 left in the second half.

 For the first time, the Green Bay Packers was able to get a good field position from a decent return from Michael Hyde on a punt return that set up Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay offense at the Giants' 38 yards. Aaron Rodgers showed his appreciation to Hyde's good return by throwing a 31-yard pass to Davante Adams for 31 yards. The next play, Ty Montgomery was only able to run two yards until Oliver Vernon tackled him. On the third play of the drive, Aaron Rodgers was able to throw a 5-yard touchdown in the back of the end zone to Davante Adams. Rodgers had all day in the pocket. The Packers now lead the Giants 7-6 with 2:24 left in the second quarter.

You would think Eli and the Giants offense would answer back with a touchdown of their own. If you thought that, you thought wrong because they went three and out. Aaron Rodgers got the ball and was able to do what Aaron Rodgers does best, throw Hail Mary passes that leave everyone scratching their head asking how did he complete that pass. Rodgers threw a Hail Mary to Randall Cobb that somehow slipped through everyone hands and dropped right into Cobb's hand as if it was a late Christmas present for another Packers touchdown. The Packers lead 14-6 to end the half.

The Packers received the ball first in the second half but were unable to get anything going leading to a quick punt. The Giants answered back with a three and out and a quick punt of their own. Green Bay was able to get the ball moving based off the run game from Christine Michael for 27 yards. But, they were stopped on 4th &1 by the Giants defense for a turnover on downs at their own 42-yard line. The Giants offense quickly answered with a 41-yard touchdown pass from Eli to Tavarres King. The Packers now lead 14-13 with 5:16 left in the third quarter.

Green Bay started off in great field position thanks to Christine Michael returning the ball to Green Bay's 37 yard line from a 31-yard return. Aaron Rodgers made several clutch passes that set up a 30-yard touchdown to Randall Cobb. The Packers now lead 21-13 with 2:53 left in the third quarter.  After New York's punt, the Packers were able to kick a field goal to increase their lead to 24-13 to end the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Green Bay Packers kept their foot on the gas. Aaron Rodgers lead a ten play 80-yard drive that lead to a 16-yard touchdown from Aaron Rodgers to Randall Cobb. The next Giants drive Eli did what Eli does best, turn the ball over. Eli was sacked by Clay Matthews where he fumbled the ball; and Matthews recovered to give the Green Bay offense the ball back. Green Bay's offense ran nine plays for 55 yards that lead to a one-yard touchdown by Aaron Ripkowski. The Packers lead 38-13 with 2:43 left in the fourth quarter. The Giants offense was able to move the ball down the field to the Packers 13-yard line before Eli threw an interception to Damarious Randall that lead to a 79 interception return before getting knocked out of bounds at the Giants 29 yard line to seal the game. The Packers defeated the Giants 38-13.

Aaron Rodgers was able to complete 25 of 40 passes for 362 passing yards, and four touchdowns. Davante Adams had eight receptions for 125 receiving yards and one touchdown. Randall Cobb had five receptions for 116 receiving yards and three touchdowns. The defense was able to force two turnovers.

Eli Manning was able to complete 23 of 44 passes for 299 yards, one touchdown, and two turnovers. Tavarres King had three receptions for 73 receiving yards and one touchdown. Will Tye had four receptions for 66 receiving yards. Sterling Shepard had four receptions for 63 yards. Odell Beckham had a disappointing four catches for 28 yards. Odell also dropped a surprising three passes.

The Green Bay Packers will travel to Arlington, TX to face the high-powered Dallas Cowboys offense next Sunday in the NFC Divisional game. Dallas beat Green Bay 30-16 in their lone matchup this season in week six. The Packers will more than likely be without Rodger's favorite receiver Jordy Nelson.

Temple's Late 2nd Half Push Still Isn't Enough to Beat SMU

 Last night the Temple Owls took on the SMU Mustangs in Dallas, TX. Temple got off to a hot start with a pair of threes from Obi Enechionyia and Shizz Alston, and a layup from Ernest Aflakpui, giving them an 8-2 lead with 17:18 minutes left in the first half. SMU answered back quickly with a 38-14 run to end the half. Ben Moore, Ben Emelogu, Shake Milton, and Sterling Brown made a plethora of layups, free throws, and jump shots to contribute to their massive run. SMU lead 40-22 to end the first half.

In the second half, Temple opened up with a 14-7 run with 16:39 left. Temple was now only down 47-36. Obi Enechionyia, Shizz Alston, Alani Moore, and Ernest Aflakpui were contributors to the run. SMU quickly answered back with a 12-5 run of their own with 11:18 left in the second half. Semi Ojeleye, Jerry Foster, and Ben Moore were key contributors to the run by making free throws, jumpers, and a few dunks. After that run, SMU lead 59-41. Temple tried to fight back once again with a 13-5 run to cut the lead to 10 points with 6:32 left in the second half. Quinton Rose, Shizz Alston, and Damion Moore helped spark that run. SMU went on a 16-11 run to win the game 79 to 64 against Temple.

The SMU Mustangs shot 48% from the field, whereas the Temple Owls only shot 39% from the field. SMU was able to make seven three-point shots, and they shot 36% from the three point line, whereas Temple made 10 three point shots and they shot 33% from the three point line. SMU made a bulk of their points from the free throw line. SMU made 24 free throws and had a free throw percentage of 70%. Temple only made seven free throws and shot 70% from the free throw line. SMU out -rebounded Temple 42 to 25. However, Temple did outplay SMU in the assists category having 16 assists to SMU 14 assists. Surprisingly, Temple also surpassed SMU in the second-chance points category 12 to 10 despite being out-rebounded.

Temple only had three players in double figures. Obi Enechionyia had 16 points, four rebounds, and one assist. Shizz Alston had 16 points, three assists, and two rebounds. Quinton Rose had 13 points, five steals, one assist, and one rebound.

SMU had four players in double figures. Semi Ojeleye had 19 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and one block. Ben Moore had 18 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal. Shake Milton had 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Jarrey Foster had 13 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one rebound.

Temple is now 0-3 in AAC conference play. They hope to get their first conference win against East Carolina University on Saturday at home. On the season, Temple's record is 9-7.