March 14, 2022
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LeBron James became the first player in NBA history with at least 30,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 10,000 assists. He’s creating his own record book at this rate. On to the other GOAT…
Bucs Face Cap, FA Decisions In Wake of Brady’s Return
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula
Tom Brady said he wouldn’t retire until he either “ sucked [[link removed]]” or turned 45, which made his February announcement feel a bit sudden.
With Sunday’s bombshell tweet [[link removed]], the GOAT is back for “unfinished business” after Tampa Bay failed to defend the Super Bowl last season.
It’s good news for the Bucs, but they still have to maneuver around the cap — Brady carries the second-highest team cap hit ($20.3M) — and make several decisions when free agency opens Wednesday.
The Bucs currently carry [[link removed]] the league’s seventh-highest cap ($209M) — $3.2M over the limit. Brady’s offensive line isn’t locked in after allowing the fewest sacks in the NFL (23): C Ryan Jensen signed a three-year, $39M deal, but G Ali Marpet retired, and G Alex Cappa will reportedly [[link removed]] sign a four-year, $40M deal with the Bengals. Tampa’s notable free agents include SB LV champs DE Jason Pierre-Paul, DT Ndamukong Suh, RB Leonard Fournette, and TE Rob Gronkowski.
Despite the uncertainty, the Buccaneers are overwhelming favorites to win the NFC South (-200*) and jumped up to fourth-best odds (+850*) to win Super Bowl LVII with Brady back.
Brady will turn 45 in August, but he just finished second in MVP voting to Aaron Rodgers — and if Tampa can sort out its remaining uncertainties, a record-extending eighth Lombardi Trophy could be in the cards.
Gregg Popovich’s Legacy Goes Beyond Titles, Wins Record
Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula
On Friday, Gregg Popovich passed Don Nelson to become the NBA’s all-time wins leader (1,336) — the latest achievement in his legendary career.
He has redefined small-market success, winning five championships and making a record 22 consecutive postseasons with a Spurs franchise whose biggest free-agent splash was LaMarcus Aldridge.
In his twin role as president of basketball operations, he quietly built a dynasty on homegrown and international talent — namely Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili.
Pop has the third-best win percentage (.658) for coaches with a minimum 1,000 games, trailing Phil Jackson (.704) and Red Auerbach (.661).His five rings are tied for third-most behind Jackson (11) and Auerbach (9).Popovich became the first head coach in NBA history to lead the same team for 2,000 or more games.He’s the longest-tenured coach in all four of the major U.S. sports
The highest-paid coach ($11M) in the NBA has revolutionized the game in more ways than one as an advocate and trailblazer in sports science.
Last year, the Spurs invested [[link removed]] $510 million in a 45-acre sports science and medicine campus.
Just like when he took over the Spurs in 1996, his job is to turn a rebuilding Spurs team around — after missing the last two postseasons, they are struggling to get into a play-in spot.
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Nelson Cruz 1st to Benefit From New NL DH Role
Jordan Johnson-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula
A key component of the new labor deal between MLB and the players union was the implementation of the universal designated hitter.
On Sunday, seven-time All-Star Nelson Cruz became the first full-time DH to join the National League when he reportedly agreed to a one-year, $15 million deal with the Nationals.
The Nationals were 21st in MLB with 182 homers last season and have the fifth-worst odds (+12000*) to win the World Series, but they are at least getting an inexpensive, proven bat.
Cruz is set to earn $12M in 2022, his age-42 season; he’ll receive an extra $3M if the team doesn’t exercise his 2023 option.In ’21, he became the oldest player in MLB history (41) to belt 30 HRs in a season (he finished with 32). He led the AL in HR in 2014, RBI in 2017, and has won four Silver Sluggers and two Edgar Martinez Awards for best DH.He is a career .277 batter with 449 home runs and 1,238 RBI for six teams.
With the NL’s formal adoption of the DH, there could be several openings for players who are limited in the field, including those nearing the end of their careers.
Players in similar situations who could garner interest include Albert Pujols, Jorge Soler, Nick Castellanos, Khris Davis, Kyle Schwarber, and Jose Martinez.
Making Headlines
James Snook-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula
NCAA: The men’s and women’s tournament brackets are set, with Gonzaga and South Carolina as the first overall seeds, respectively; Arizona, Baylor, and Kansas got the other men’s 1-seeds, while Stanford, NC State, and Louisville earned 1-seeds in the women’s bracket.
NFL: The Steelers reached an agreement with QB Mitchell Trubisky for two years, according to NFL Network [[link removed]]. Also: The Cowboys agreed to terms with WR Michael Gallup on a five-year contract worth a reported $62.5M after sending Amari Cooper to the Browns for two draft picks.
MLB: The Athletics have agreed to trade first baseman Matt Olson to the Braves for Cristian Pache and three prospects, according to Jeff Passan [[link removed]]. Also: The Yankees acquired Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Ben Rortvedt from the Twins in exchange for Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela; and Padres SS Fernando Tatis Jr. will be sidelined up to three months (fractured wrist).
NHL: Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews was suspended for two games for cross-checking the Sabres’ Rasmus Dahlin on Sunday.
Today's Action
NHL
07:37 PM
Coyotes (+140) at Senators (-160)
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NBA
07:10 PM
Clippers (+245) at Cavaliers (-310)
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NBA
08:40 PM
Timberwolves (-165) at Spurs (+145)
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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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