February 7, 2022

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It’s Super Bowl Week — which hasn’t stopped the NFL’s hiring carousel. On Sunday, two of the most recent hires, 36-year-old Sean McVay and 38-year-old Zac Taylor, meet in L.A.

Is McDaniel the Next Under-40 Success Story?

ESPN/Design: John Regula

Despite the ongoing drama, the Dolphins still managed to find a new head coach — and it looks like a great hire.

Miami tapped 49ers OC Mike McDaniel, the latest offensive mastermind to join a new class of young, first-time NFL HCs all under 40 at the time of hiring.

The 38-year-old is yet another Mike Shanahan disciple from a stacked 2013 Washington [[link removed]] staff to take the reins — and his predecessors have all been successful: Kyle Shanahan (49ers, NFC Championship), Matt LaFleur (Packers, three 13-win seasons), and Sean McVay (Rams, two Super Bowl appearances).

McDaniel’s innovation in San Francisco bodes well for a Dolphins offense that averaged 20.1 points per game.

The 49ers ranked fifth in the league in Football Outsiders’ [[link removed]] offensive DVOA this season.Deebo Samuel flourished as a RB/WR hybrid in McDaniel’s offense, becoming a first-team All-Pro. Samuel credits [[link removed]] McDaniel with making him a better player.The Dolphins haven’t made the postseason since 2016, and their most recent playoff victory was in 2000.

He inherits a lackluster Miami offensive corps led by Tua Tagovailoa, DeVante Parker, and Jaylen Waddle — their cheap contracts have the Dolphins working with the lowest offensive cap hit for 2022 ($56.5M).

McDaniel is also the first minority head coaching hire during this cycle. The Dolphins are currently mired in a lawsuit following their dismissal of Brian Flores [[link removed]], who is accusing the NFL of systemic racism.

The NBA’s First Trade Domino

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula

On Sunday, Indiana sent Caris LeVert and a second-round pick to Cleveland for Ricky Rubio, a first-rounder, and two future second-round picks.

In an otherwise quiet trade deadline season, the first big move was made by teams moving in different directions: The Pacers could be headed for a rebuild, and the Cavaliers are one game out of the East’s 1-seed.

LeVert is the first domino to fall in what looks like the Pacers’ desire to clear up cap space, while Cleveland adds a complementary backcourt playmaker for All-Star Darius Garland.

Ricky Rubio’s $17.8 million contract expires this summer, putting Indy $26 million below the cap ($94M payroll).LeVert (18.7 PPG) is a capable scorer who played his first four seasons with Cavs’ star big man Jarrett Allen.He also fills a need: Since Rubio’s injury on Dec. 30, the Cavs averaged the fifth-fewest [[link removed]] drives per 100 possessions. LeVert’s 20.9 drives are fifth-most in the NBA.

LeVert — who grew up in Ohio — is in the second season of a three-year, $52.5 million contract but is expected to sign a long-term extension this upcoming summer, according to ESPN [[link removed]].

Allen and LeVert were part of the four-team blockbuster in November 2020 which sent James Harden to the Nets. Considering how things are playing out in Brooklyn, it looks like the Cavs won that trade.

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Joel Embiid Is the MVP Favorite

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Joel Embiid finished with 40 points and 10 rebounds in Philadelphia’s 119-108 victory over the Bulls on Sunday — his seventh 40-plus game to put the Sixers within 1.5 games of the 1-seed Heat.

Last night made it clear that Embiid has become this season’s most unstoppable player — and deserves to be the odds-on favorite for MVP (+200*).

In an era where the center was supposedly on its way out, Embiid — along with the Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic, last season’s MVP — is proving it could still be the most important position.

Embiid leads the league in scoring (career-high 29.3 points per game), free throws made (9.0), free throws attempted (11.1), and usage (36.9), and is second in efficiency (31.96) and ninth in rebounding (10.9).He is the first player in league history [[link removed]] to average 50 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists per 48 minutes in a calendar month (January).Embiid is scoring from everywhere: the restricted area (73.1%), inside the paint (41.7%), from mid-range (43.2), and from three (36.4%).

The 76ers made the oft-injured Embiid the face of the franchise in August, inking the 27-year-old to a four-year, $196 million supermax contract extension.

The four-time All-Star has not only stayed healthy while carrying a team missing Ben Simmons, but he’s looking to seal a little history.

The last time a center won consecutive MVPs: Tim Duncan in 2002-03.

Making Headlines

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula

NFL: The Texans are expected to name defensive coordinator Lovie Smith head coach, per NFL Network [[link removed]]. Smith was previously the head coach of the Buccaneers and Bears, whom he led to a Super Bowl appearance. Also: The Packers hired Raiders interim HC Rich Bisaccia as special teams coordinator.

Olympics: American skier Mikaela Shiffrin was eliminated from the giant slalom after falling early in her first run, ending her gold medal defense in the event. Also: 15-year-old figure skater Kamila Valieva became the first woman to ever land a quad jump at the Olympics, helping ROC win gold in the team event.

NCAAM: Auburn, which has won 19 in a row, remained No. 1 in the AP Top 25, followed by Gonzaga, Purdue, Arizona, and Kentucky.

Today's Action

NHL

07:00 PM

Hurricanes (+110) at Maple Leafs (-130)

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NBA

09:10 PM

Knicks (+280) at Jazz (-365)

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NHL

07:00 PM

Devils (+115) at Senators (-135)

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*All times are EST unless otherwise noted.

*Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See [[link removed]] for details.

Written by Doug Greenberg [[link removed]], Anthony Puccio [[link removed]], Chris Kuc [[link removed]]

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