So I’ve been presented with an opportunity to publish my work on My Trending Stories and I accepted. I will continue to publish my work on here and some on there as well. I will even promote my blog on their website as well. This will give me an opportunity reach a broader audience on a different platform. Hopefully I will see some of you over there. My content will always be posted on here first. I’ve only been blogging for less than a year so I’m really excited for this new chapter!
JGOOD
First off, I want to congratulate the Cleveland Cavaliers on winning their first NBA Title. It has been 52 years since the city of Cleveland has last won a major sports championship.
Also, I want to congratulate Chile on winning Copa America. I’m shocked that Argentina couldn’t get it done. I’m even mkr surprised that Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international competition. Personally, I hope he reconsiders and continue to play. Argentina will need him in the 2018 World Cup.
With that being said, here are some things to look forward to:
Euro Cup 2016: Now
We are currently down to the last 8 teams in this exciting event. Germany has always been a strong team but France and Italy has been exceptionally well. I can’t wait to see how this plays out.
NBA Free Agency: July 1st
Free agents can’t actually sign until July 10th but they can come to verbal agreements as soon as the first of the month. Headlining this free agency class is former league MVP Kevin Durant.
MLB Home Run Derby/All-Star Game: July 8-12th
We are in the prime months of Major League Baseball. The Home Run Derby will showcase the league’s biggest bats while the All-star Game will display the season’s best players.
NFL Training Camp: Second Half of July
Amazing how quickly the NFL season is approaching. Before you know it, it will be week one and I’ll be finalizing my fantasy football lineups. Hopefully, no major injuries in the next couple of months.
Olympics: August 5th
I’ve waited 4 years for the return of the World’s biggest sporting competition. I’m most looking forward to USA Men’s Basketball, Swimming, Track and Field, and Water Polo.
JGOOD
When Michael Jordan retired, Tracy McGrady became my favorite player in the NBA. He was unguardable. When you’re 6’8 with a long wingspan, that can shoot, attack, post-up, rebound, and create for others, you can’t be stopped. The only that did stop him was injuries. Besides the fact he was never the same player, he never played for my favorite team.
When Derrick Rose was drafted to the Chicago Bulls in 2008, I instantly became a fan. Once I saw his energy and heart, him and McGrady shared being my favorites in the NBA.
Rose became the engine of the organization. He gave hope to a franchise that has been in the cellar since the Jordan era. I mean, yes we had the “Baby Bulls” but we weren’t a title contender then. D.Rose elevated the expectations in the city. We, as Chicago fans, “Bullieved” that we can return to the glory days. Nobody was more important and had a bigger impact for a team than Rose was during his MVP season in 2011.
Rose has had his number of injuries including a torn ACL and a torn meniscus. Even then, Rose showed his efforts of fighting through rigorous rehabilitation to try to get back to MVP form. This past season, he looked like his explosiveness was back to elite status more times than not.
It’s sad that he has carried the weight of his city on his back for so many years (he didn’t have any help for multiple seasons) that when he finally has help, his career is derailed by injuries. Also, a lot of fans have turned on him because he’s not the Derrick Rose that they are used to seeing (even though he’s been in the top 5 in jersey sales since his MVP season).
The fact that my favorite player, who happens to play on my favorite team (also born and raised in Chicago), is traded away, it takes something out of you. My Bulls didn’t play well last year and that probably won’t change this year (pending something drastic). With Rose gone, that extra nudge… that determination, dedication, motivation… that initial spark that generated hope for the city just died.
And what a lot of people don’t know is that not only he was humble on the court, he was humble off the court as well. Rose was active in the community. He paid for a funeral for a kid that was murdered. He spoke up for the teachers of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) who went on strike. D.Rose also donated money to help bring up the community.
Now that he belongs to the New York Knicks, I’m torn. I will always be a Bulls fan, but I will buy a Derrick Rose Knicks jersey and/or shirt. He will continue to be my favorite player. Also, I hope he has career nights against the Bulls just to show management that they made a mistake. He has too much heart to give up and too much motivation to fail.
JGOOD
On this Father’s Day (Happy Father’s Day!), this game 7 of the NBA Finals will not only end the 2015-16 NBA season, but we will see history in the making not matter who wins tonight.
For the city of Cleveland, this could end the misery of not winning a championship in over 50 years by any of the major franchises. As a Chicago Bulls fan, I despise the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James (however, I do have respect for his greatness and his abilities). As for Cleveland, the city with a bunch of factories according to Joakim Noah, I feel bad for. Chicago Cubs fans might be the only ones suffering more than Cleveland so I get it.
For the Bay Area, this would cap off a season that could never be duplicated. This is the first team ever to win 73 games and only have single-digit losses. Also, this was the first time in league history that a player was named MVP by an unanimous vote. And to defeat the Cavaliers for a second straight year with Cleveland having a healthy team this time around, will solidify their place as one of the greatest teams ever. The Golden State Warriors backs are against the wall dealing with injuries of their own and losing back to games for the second time all year (Oklahoma City Thunder series). If they lose, it would be an epic collapse and one of the biggest disappointments in league history. What will the defending champs do?
Nevertheless, we will see an entertaining game tonight on this Father’s Day. Once again, Happy Father’s Day!
JGOOD
The rematch, that most of America wanted to see, starts tonight. Golden State virtually have the same team with (ironically) the additional of former Cleveland Cavaliers player Anderson Varejao. The Cavs (basically) have the same team except that they have included a “seldom-used” Mo Williams, and Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love are actually healthy.
Cleveland has looked “championship-ready” by only losing 2 playoff games (sweeping the first 2 opponents). Golden State on the other hand has dealt with a knee injury to Steph Curry (early on) and has won 3 straight elimination games, including game 7 against an elite Oklahoma City Thunder team, to earn their consecutive trip to the NBA Finals.
I expect this series to be VERY entertaining and fun. Kyrie Irving and LeBron James should put up big numbers, the unanimous MVP and fellow splash brother Klay Thompson should put on a show, both benches will perform well, and only the “hungriest” will prevail.
I think the key matchup is Draymond Green against Kevin Love. Earlier in the year I’ve called Love the most overrated player in the league because of his contract and lack of playing time in the 4th quarter (if any). I think Green will dominate this matchup as long as he’s not kicking anyone like Lui Kang. I got the Warriors in 7.
JGOOD
JGoodWithSports 