4 Random Thoughts: NBA In-Season Tournament, Phillies Roll It Back
My morning commute is filled with random sports opinions rattling around my brain. Most of them don’t even end up seeing the light of day (I commute in the dark.) I wanted to get a few of them off my chest as the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys tend to dominate every conversation. What about the NBA In-Season Tournament?
NBA In-Season Tournament
I know the 76ers didn’t act like they cared about being a part of it, but I still see it as a missed opportunity. LeBron James spoke of the fun of competition after securing his trip to Vegas.
The 76ers decided that not focusing on it was a better strategy. I’ll disagree, but the NBA could make this better. How about each team that makes the semifinals is stacked in finishing order 1-4? They would then be granted the 31st -34th picks in the upcoming NBA Draft. It would be a sandwich pick before the second-round begins.
The NFL and MLB already make these compensatory picks. It would certainly motivate teams to actually participate in the process.
Another NBA In-Season Tournament Thought
The NBA has to be happy to see two of their biggest stars, LeBron and Giannis Antetokounmpo, make it to Las Vegas. The Pelicans and the Pacers…not so much. The tourney semifinals and finals should draw huge ratings. Count on it.
THE BUCKS ARE MOVING ON 😤
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) December 6, 2023
Giannis (35 PTS, 8 REB, 10 AST) and the @Bucks advance to the NBA In-Season Tournament Semifinals!
Damian Lillard: 28 PTS | 3 REB | 7 AST pic.twitter.com/xht7fUm5Iv
Phillies Using “Roll It Back” Strategy
Securing the services of Aaron Nola for 2023 was a necessary move. The starting pitching on the open market didn’t have many candidates you could argue are better than Nola.
What other moves have they executed? Stop yawning! Put me on the record: A team that has not competed for their division crown in the last two seasons, despite postseason success, should look to get better.
Last year was a step backward. I’d want to shake things up a little considering they collapsed epically in the last few games of the last two postseasons for the same reasons. I’m hoping Dave Dombrowski has an active December.
Eagles Must Put Up Or Shut Up
The key for “Beat Dallas Week” is enough talking. I’m tired of hearing about “the standard” and that they haven’t played their best game yet. It’s ringing hollow. Beat the Cowboys, and the NFC East is all but clinched. I won’t have confidence in a fun January run if they don’t secure home field advantage in the NFC.
Watch The John Kincade Show on the 97.5 The Fanatic YouTube page on weekday mornings from 6am-10am.
Philadelphia Eagles Projected 2023 Week 14 Starters
Jalen Hurts
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesQuarterback, #1
Oklahoma University/University of Alabama
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (53rd overall) in 2020D'Andre Swift
Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty ImagesRunning Back, #0
University of Georgia
4th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Detroit Lions (April 2023)A.J. Brown
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesWide Receiver, #11
Ole Miss
5th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Tennessee Titans (April 2022)DeVonta Smith
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty ImagesWide Receiver, #6
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (10th overall) in 2021Quez Watkins
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty ImagesWide Receiver, #16
Southern Miss
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (200th overall) in 2020Dallas Goedert
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesTight End, #88
South Dakota St.
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (48th overall) in 2018Jordan Mailata
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesLeft Tackle, #68
Jeff Stoutland University
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 7th Round (233rd overall) in 2018Landon Dickerson
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesLeft Guard, #69
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (37th overall) in 2021Jason Kelce
Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty ImagesCenter, #62
University of Cincinnati
13th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (191st overall) in 2011Cam Jurgens
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesRight Guard, #51
University of Nebraska
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (51st overall) in 2022Lane Johnson
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesLeft Tackle, #69
Oklahoma University
11th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (4th overall) in 2013Josh Sweat
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesDefensive End, #94
Florida State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 4th Round (130th overall) in 2018Fletcher Cox
Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty ImagesDefensive Tackle, #91
Mississippi State
12th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (12th overall) in 2012Jordan Davis
Photo by Norm Hall/Getty ImagesDefensive Tackle, #90
University of Georgia
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (13th overall) in 2022Haason Reddick
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesEdge Rusher/Linebacker, #7
Temple University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2022)Nicholas Morrow
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesLinebacker, #41
Greensville University
6th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2023)Shaquille Leonard
Photo by Rob Carr/Getty ImagesLinebacker, #50
South Carolina St.
6th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (December 2023)Darius Slay
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesCornerback, #2
Mississippi State
11th NFL Season- Acquired in trade from Detroit Lions (March 2020)James Bradberry
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesCornerback, #24
University of Arkansas/Samford University
8th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (May 2022)Bradley Roby
Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesCornerback, #33
Ohio State University
10th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (October 2023)Kevin Byard
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesSafety, #31
Middle Tennessee State
8th NFL Season, Acquired in trade from Tennessee Titans (October 2023)Reed Blankenship
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesSafety, #32
Middle Tennessee State
2nd NFL Season- Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2022)
