February 22, 2022
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OTD 42 years ago, the USA men’s hockey team defeated the Soviet Union at the 1980 Winter Olympics in the famous “Miracle On Ice.”
Will LeBron James Play Out Final $44M of Lakers Contract?
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula
At All-Star weekend in Cleveland, LeBron James told reporters he wouldn’t rule out a return to the Cavs. The 37-year-old has also made it clear that he wants to finish out his career with his oldest son, Bronny.
Plus, James’ representatives are reportedly [[link removed]] unhappy that the team didn’t trade the struggling Russell Westbrook at the deadline.
The Lakers’ short-term future was already looking uncertain — and now, an early LeBron exit is becoming more conceivable by the day.
James is an unrestricted free agent in 2023.His contract doesn’t include a no-trade clause, and he’s owed $44 million next year. With Westbrook ($47M) on the books for one more year, the Lakers have no draft capital to help sweeten a deal — NOLA has the rights to their picks over the next four years.James is eligible for a two-year extension worth $97.1 million.
Despite spending $120.8 million on their superstar trio — which rises to $129 million next season — the Lakers are the 9-seed and four games below .500, and Anthony Davis is out at least four-to-six weeks with an ankle injury.
If the Lakers can’t get it together, would they consider ripping off the band-aid sooner rather than later?
This weekend, LeBron raved about Thunder GM Sam Presti’s eye for talent on draft day. And there’s a very good chance [[link removed]] OKC will have a lottery pick in 2024, when Bronny becomes draft-eligible. Just saying.
Bob Baffert’s Legacy Tainted by Stripped Derby Title
Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula
After last year’s Kentucky Derby win, Medina Spirit — who died in December following a heart attack — tested positive for a steroid legal in Kentucky but banned on the day of the race.
On Monday, Medina Spirit was stripped of the Derby title, and trainer Bob Baffert was suspended for 90 days and fined $7,500. Second-place finisher Mandaloun was awarded the victory and its owners will receive the $1.8 million winner’s purse.
It is the latest stain on the checkered legacy of Baffert, horse racing’s highest-profile trainer.
His horses have won a record-tying six Kentucky Derbies (not including 2021), a record seven Preakness Stakes, and three Belmont Stakes.He is the second trainer to ever win two Triple Crowns: American Pharoah (2015) and Justify (2018).But over 30 Baffert-trained horses have had medication violations, per the Louisville Courier-Journal [[link removed]], and Medina Spirit’s was the fifth in a 13-month span.
Baffert’s $330.4 million in career earnings is third all-time behind Todd Pletcher ($424.4M) and Steve Asmussen ($378.3M) in career earnings.
Baffert, who indicated that he’ll appeal the decision, was suspended from Churchill Downs for two years after the post-race drug test was announced. He’ll miss the 2022 Derby scheduled for May 7.
He has, however, racked up 15 wins in 38 starts in 2022 for $1.8 million.
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Can Flames Lift Canada’s 29-Year Stanley Cup Curse?
Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula
On Monday, the Flames won their franchise record-tying 10th straight, defeating the Jets 3-1 in Calgary and becoming the first team in NHL history to sweep a homestand of seven-plus games.
With 33 games remaining, they’re now four points clear of the Golden Knights at the top of the Pacific Division. But since GM Brad Treliving took over in 2014, Calgary has one division title and four postseason appearances — and has never advanced past the second round.
Now, they’re in prime position to do what — astonishingly — no team from Canada has done since the Canadiens in 1993: win a Stanley Cup.
The Flames have outscored opponents 42-15 over the win streak.They have the second-most points (66) in the Western Conference. They allow the fewest goals per game in the league (2.23) and are tied for seventh in scoring (3.41).Their plus-55 goal differential is tied for third-best in the NHL.
Though Calgary ranks sixth in total cash ($93.7M), its estimated [[link removed]] total cap hit ($82.7M) is the highest in the league.
However, the Flames have only a combined $17.6 million cap hit committed to arguably their most important trio: Goaltender Jacob Markstrom’s eight shutouts are a league high, winger Johnny Gaudreau is fourth in points (44), and center Elias Lindholm is on a franchise-record-tying eight-game goal streak.
Calgary is the seventh-favorite (+1,500*) to win its second title — and first since 1989.
Making Headlines
Joseph Cress-Iowa City Press-Citizen/Design: John Regula
NCAAW: Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, who finished with 29 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in Monday’s win, has now recorded 15+ points and 5+ assists in 16 straight games — the third-longest streak of any D1 player behind Trae Young (22) and Ja Morant (19).
Soccer: The U.S. Women’s national team settled a class-action equal pay lawsuit worth up to $24 million. They’ll receive $22 million, and the other $2 million will be earmarked for post-career initiatives.
NCAAM: Michigan coach Juwan Howard has been suspended for the rest of the regular season and fined $40,000 following a postgame altercation with Wisconsin’s coaching staff.
Today's Action
NHL
07:08 PM
Predators (+185) at Panthers (-215)
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NHL
07:08 PM
Wild (-230) at Senators (+195)
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NHL
10:08 PM
Sharks (+130) at Ducks (-150)
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*All times are EST unless otherwise noted.
*Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See [[link removed]] for details.
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