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Rob Gronkowski

WWE, Injuries Could Send Rob Gronkowski Into Early Retirement

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New England Patriots star tight end Rob Gronkowski dropped a bit of a bombshell on the sports media world a couple of weeks ago. Following a tough loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 52, the man known as “Gronk” admitted he wasn’t entirely sure about his future.

As in, the 28-year old may not be coming back to play in 2018.

Since Gronkowski suggested his future could be in limbo, the Rob Gronkowski retirement rumors have picked up some steam. Several reports have blended together to make the future look rather bleak for New England getting their top receiving threat back on the roster come next season.

Serious Thought

Per reports, “injuries have taken a toll” on Gronkowski, who is one of the most physically dominant players in NFL history, but has endured a litany of injuries. Those injuries have often forced Gronkowski to miss time, play hurt or even required offseason surgey. It’s easy to see the impact, too, with Gronkowski missing 26 games in his career due to several ailments.

The biggest problems Gronkowski has dealt with are a chronic back issue, a broken arm and a torn ACL. In addition, Gronkowski is understandably facing the constant risk of concussions in such a high contact sport.

While everyone seemed to take Gronkowski for his word initially, many likely chalked his pessimism up to losing one of the biggest games of his pro career. Gronkowski was reportedly thinking about his future before the game even started, however, with some reports suggesting he’d been pondering retirement “for some time”.

When questioned about his future immediately following New England’s Super Bowl 52 defeat, Gronkowski seemed borderline annoyed that word had gotten out about his plans.

Other Ventures

On top of Gronkowski’s injury history, it’s arguable that one of the best tight ends in pro history has already accomplished everything he’s wanted to in the sport of football. Gronkowski already has played in and won multiple Super Bowls, he’s put up staggering stats and by all accounts has cemented himself as possible the greatest tight end ever and he hasn’t even hit age 30.

There is another chapter looming in Gronkowski’s life, too. There have been whispers that Gronkowski has serious interest in media projects that could take him out to Hollywood, while the WWE may try to lure him away from the NFL, as well:

It remains to be seen what Gronkowski will actually do. He’s not even 29 years old yet and if he is thinking about leaving football for other ventures, those are things that will probably still be available to him in a few years. Gronkowski could still add to his impressive numbers and chase down more titles, but he’s young and has the world at his feet. It’s not crazy to think he’s ready to move on and let someone else take a beating every Sunday.

Gronkowski has the personality and fame to be just as famous – if not more so – without putting his body at risk. The fact that he has so many tantalizing options on the table may stir up further interest in the wager some NFL betting sites have right now regarding his future.

Betting Impact

Bettors might not be able to make money by wagering on Gronk’s impact on New England in 2018, but if they guess correctly and bet accordingly, they might be able to make some cash if he ends up retiring. Due to the mounting evidence, that’s something bettors may want to consider, and also something Patriots fans will want to brace for.

That’s especially true for New England. The Pats remain the favorites to win Super Bowl 53 (+550 at Bovada), but how far could those odds tumble if their best passing weapon calls it quits?

It’s easy to go either way on that one. For one, this is probably the best tight end the league has ever seen. That’s an elite red-zone target that Tom Brady won’t have at his disposal any longer. Then again, New England did win Super Bowl 51 with him on injured reserve.

This actually could be a bettor’s dream, too. New England already offers amazing betting value at these odds. Rob Gronkowski retiring could drop them even further and potentially make the Patriots the most attractive bet on the board.

There is a lot of time between now and the start of the 2018 NFL season and it’s likely that Gronkowski will take most of it to decide his future. Whatever happens, however, the Patriots could be impacted by his decision and sports bettors need to be ready to take advantage of it, one way or another.

Could Klay Thompson Leave the Golden State Warriors?

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The Golden State Warriors remain the logical bet to win the 2018 NBA Finals. The Dubs have been the best team in the league all year, won it all a year ago and have participated in each of the last three NBA Finals. To the shock of no one, they’re the easy favorites (-160 at Sportsbetting.ag) to take home the hardware this summer.

Future seasons may not be so kind to the Warriors, however. With star shooting guard Klay Thompson set for free agency in 2019, the Warriors may have some tough decisions on their hands. They’ll have to make some difficult calls even before then in regards to their roster, but come 2019, they may have to decide if they have the salary cap room to accommodate one of their many stars.

If it were up to Thompson, this would be a done deal. The long-time Warrior likes the idea of playing for one franchise for his entire career and may even be open to taking less money to help this marriage stay connected:

“Playing for one team your whole career is definitely special…If not, I don’t even want to think about that.”

That sounds like a guy that is interested in staying where he’s found all of his NBA success.

That being said, Thompson will be 29 years old once he starts truly thinking about his next NBA contract. Depending what happens this summer and what other teams throw at him in free agency, it’s not crazy to think one of the game’s best outside shooters could jump ship.

What Would Make Klay Leave?

Thompson tends to be a man of few words – which is both shocking and refreshing in today’s NBA – but there are two things he seems to be highly interested in; loyalty and winning. The odds of him leaving Golden State don’t seem great, provided the Warriors appear to be doing all they can to compete for titles and also make him feel wanted and respected.

Thompson may be seen as the third wheel by outsiders. Stephen Curry is a two-time NBA MVP and Kevin Durant is arguably the best talent in Golden State. Thompson is a steady scorer and elite marksmen, but it’s arguable he is often overlooked or forgotten when discussions of Golden State’s elite players come up.

While that may be the case in some circles, it’s unlikely Golden State feels that way. They view Thompson’s scoring and perimeter defense as key components to their title-winning roster and shedding that from their rotation would greatly decrease their chances of winning more championships.

After all, there have been Klay Thompson trade rumors in the past and they’ve always involved huge names. If the Warriors were ever truly serious about letting their outside threat go, he probably would have been dealt by now.

It’s in Golden State’s best interests to maintain a winning atmosphere and holding onto Thompson kills two birds with one stone. Compensation could be an issue as well, especially with so many big names commanding massive contracts. If Thompson swallows his pride and takes a hometown discount like he’s suggested he might, though, that could be another non-issue.

Where Could He Go?

Klay Thompson probably isn’t leaving Golden State, but the NBA is still a business and a lot could happen in the next year. If the Warriors disrespect him, trade him or don’t do enough to make him believe they’re still trying to win, it’s not crazy to think he could leave.

This is a league where guys like DeMarcus Cousins, Dwight Howard and Shaquille O’Neal have all been traded. LaMarcus Aldridge, Gordon Hayward and even LeBron James have opted to head elsewhere in free agency. While not likely, there is a potential path for Thompson to do the same.

As things stand, the Klay Thompson free agency destinations that stand out the most are San Antonio, Houston, Boston and (gasp!) Cleveland. A wild card could even be the Milwaukee Bucks, who are stacked with versatile talent and could be one more shooter (and a big man) away from competing for a title.

All of those teams could have arguments built against them for finding a way to lure Thompson out of town, but they’re also all already title threats. In another year, who is to say Thompson doesn’t balk at what the Warriors offer him and decide one of these cities better suits his next NBA chapter?

For now, Thompson seems destined to stay in Golden State for the long haul and the Warriors would be wise to make sure they do everything they can to ensure that happens. However, big NBA moves happen every season and after Kyrie Irving did what he did last summer, you can’t know for sure what a player is thinking until they sign on the dotted line.

UFC Fight Night 125 : John Dodson vs. Pedro Munhoz Prediction

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A bantamweight bout between John Dodson and Pedro Munhoz has been added to UFC Fight Night 125 on February 3rd, 2018 at the Arena Guilherme Paraense in Belem, Brazil.

Dodson enters this fight with a 20-9 record with half of his wins by knockout. Dodson fought for the UFC flyweight belt twice but on both occasions, he got beaten soundly by Demetrious Johnson.

Opposite Fortunes

Following the second loss to Mighty Mouse, Dodson returned to bantamweight but he hasn’t been as successful there either. Dodson has alternated wins and losses since his return to 135 pounds. In his most recent bout, Dodson dropped a split decision loss to Marlon Moraes.

While Dodson has been struggling as of late, Munhoz has been on a roll. Since losing to Jimmie Rivera by split decision at UFC Fight Night 77 in 2015, he’s won four fights in a row. Three wins have come via guillotine submission and all three submission wins  have earned him Performance of the Night honors.

Despite their recent fortunes, Dodson is still ranked higher than Munhoz in the UFC’s bantamweight ladder. The Magician currently sits at #8 in the division while Munhoz is still at #10. However, a win here by the Brazilian could change his fortunes.

Prediction

This is a battle of styles because Dodson has knockout power while Munhoz is the submission expert. Given that, something has to give here and if we were to pick a winner, we’re going with Munhoz who is on a winning streak. Given his current form, Munhoz can and will take this fight to the ground where he will have the clear advantage over Dodson.

Munhoz is also 6-1 when fighting in his backyard so that’s going to play some part too. While Dodson has knockout power, he has not scored a knockout since halting John Moraga in 2014. Dodson has also just won twice in his last two bout and while he’s never lost two in a row in his career, this could be the first time.

Munhoz is going to drag this fight to the ground and he’s going to punish Dodson there. If he’s not going to get the submission, Munhoz is going to grind out a solid win here. We’re picking Pedro Munhoz to beat John Dodson.

Jets Top Wide Receiver Quincy Enunwa Out For Season

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The New York Jets weren’t projected to be very good in 2017 and that was largely by design. After a borderline playoff team stumbled out of the gates and finished at the bottom of the AFC East in 2016, the front office decided to strip a competitive team and start over.

That led to the departure of a number of big name veterans, with Ryan Fitzpatrick fleeing to Tampa Bay and the team cutting ties with guys like Darrelle Revis, Nick Mangold, Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. The loss of the latter two opened the door to a number one receiver role for Quincy Enunwa, which was slated to be one bright spot in a team building from the ground up.

Even that won’t work out as planned.

Big Loss

Per reports, Enunwa’s 2017 season is ending before it ever officially got going. New York’s would-be #1 wide receiver was originally expected to miss 6-9 weeks due to a bulging disc in his neck, but upon further review, the Jets opted to shut down their passing game’s top weapon for the entire year.

Enunwa reportedly suffered a neck injury during the team’s practice on Saturday night. Enunwa impressed in his third eason in 2016, racking up 857 yards and 4 touchdowns on 58 receptions. Primed for a huge role, Enunwa gives way to number two wide receiver Robby Anderson and it’s possible his playing career could be in doubt.

Next Man Up

There’s no denying the fact that the Jets were already strapped for talent and not expected to make much noise as a whole in 2017. Afer all, this is a team that is set to enter 2017 with absurd +30000 odds to make a run at Super Bowl 52.

Obviously that wasn’t happening before this injury, but Enunwa going down makes the Jets a weaker bet across the board. Enunwa’s injury also specifically hurts the passing game, which was going to be held back by shaky quarterback play to begin with, but also had to break in a new top target. They’ll have to do it again, with Robby Anderson likely ascending the ladder to be New York’s top target.

The trickle down effect only goes further, too, as the rebuilding Jets may have to turn to Charone Peake and ArDarius Stewart for bigger roles. That isn’t music to New York fan’s ears, but it’s the situation the Jets find themselves in.

Betting on Jets

Most people will brush this news off as a minor impact on 2017 NFL betting, but it actually takes the Jets from being a mild threat in some spots to being a total cakewalk for most opponents. That was probably going to be the case regardless, but you get the idea.

New York already looked like an impossible upset pick going into their week one showdown with the Buffalo Bills, but without their top receiver, a +7 spread feels insurmountable. Betting on the Jets beyond a weekly dart throw feels silly, too, as New York holds poor odds (+5000) to claim the AFC East. Of course, there is one bet we should see a lot more action on – New York’s projected win total.

That should be one of the top bets we chase at NFL betting sites like Bovada, considering it seems to be about as safe as it gets. The value isn’t through the roof (-200), but the Jets were 5-11 a year ago and seem to have gotten significantly worse. This bet only returns $250 for every $500 put up, but it’s one of many safe “grind it out” season bets we should be targeting. After all, even if the Jets get to 4-12, you still win if you bet the Under.

Betting talk aside, the loss of Enunwa is big and also quite unfortunate. New York had a budding star on their hands, and instead of watching him develop with the rest of their youth movement, they may have to worry about his career being derailed completely. It does mean good fortune for the receivers behind him, but ultimately this news should work against New York getting wins in 2017. As NFL betting enthusiasts, we should target Jets opponents moving forward – especially when the matchup presents serious value.

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Mayweather vs. McGregor: Does McGregor Really Have A Chance?

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Love it or hate it, the Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor fight is really happening.

Boxing’s undefeated pound for pound king returns from a two-year retirement on August 26th to face the UFC’s only con-current two division champion in a 12-round boxing match at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

A Freakshow?

Detractors call this a freak show because McGregor has never competed in a boxing match before, whether as an amateur or a professional. On the other hand, Mayweather has fought the best fighters of his era in the UFC and not a single one of them was even close to defeating him without a submission move. So, what chance does McGregor have in winning this fight?

Boxing experts don’t think that McGregor can land a meaningful punch against boxing’s best defensive fighter ever. Not inside a boxing ring, not with boxing gloves and not with boxing rules. Put them in an MMA cage under MMA rules and it’s another story. But McGregor supporters argue that their man has God-given punching power and that all it takes is one shot to change the tone of the fight.

No One Can Take The Left

Conor McGregor is one of the best strikers in MMA. Striking in MMA includes boxing. And among his compatriots, McGregor is one of the best boxers. Paired against perhaps the best ever in boxing, that’s another story. Still, McGregor possesses otherworldly punching power in his left hand, which he says no one can take. It will be interesting though if he can land it against the defensive genius.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is looking for win #50 that will separate him from the legendary Rocky Marciano. It was perfect to pick Conor McGregor because not only will he be making the most money against the Irishman, but also because he will toy around with McGregor. Without his kicks to set up his punches, McGregor may be as good as dead against the best boxer of this generation.

Odds and Prediction

The odds here are currently -7000 for Mayweather and +1100 for McGregor. This isn’t even going to be close. Forget the Paulie Malignaggi photos. Mayweather may be 39 but he ain’t no Malignaggi. If McGregor can touch up Malignaggi, he doesn’t have the quickness to catch Mayweather. Also, McGregor’s head movement isn’t good enough for boxing, Floyd is going to target that head like practice.

Still, let’s give it to McGregor and give him the puncher’s chance because he does have some serious power in his left hand. However, he won’t be wearing those four once UFC gloves so that is an advantage to Mayweather. McGregor needs a miracle to win here, which is unlikely  but not impossible.This is going to be a huge event for both boxing and MMA but as to the winner, there is no doubt that the boxer beats the non-boxer in a boxing match.

We’re picking Floyd Mayweather to win by unanimous decision, 120-108 across all scorecards

Miguel Cotto vs. Toshirio Kamegai: Will This Be Cotto’s Final Bout?

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Puerto Rican boxing superstar Miguel Cotto is eyeing a sixth world title as he faces Japanese Yoshirio Kamegai for the vacant WBO Super Welterweight title on August 26th, 2017 at the Stubhub Center in Carson, California.

A Real Boxing Fight

August 26th is more popular for being the fight date of the intriguing Mayweather vs .McGregor bout, which will be held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. But if you’re looking for a real boxing fight on that weekend, this is the fight for you.

Cotto has been one of boxing’s toughest warriors, having faced the best boxers of his generation. But the first four division champion from Puerto Rico has not fought since losing to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in 2015. Cotto has stated that 2017 will be his last as a professional boxer and if he stays true to his word, this may be a swansong bout you might not want to miss.

The Right Dance Partner

Roc Nation couldn’t have picked a better dance partner for Cotto’s aggressive action style. They picked Japanese slugger Yoshihiro Kamegai who has never been in a boring bout. Kamegai is coming off a September of 2016 win over Jesus Soto Karas and has won five of his last eight bouts. His last 7 wins have come by stoppage and he has not lost since 2015.

Despite his brawling style, Kamegai has never been knocked down or knocked out in his career. He’s lost thrice but all were by decision. He has a solid chin and packs a heavy punch. He likes to pressure his opponent by constantly moving forward. Kamegai’s style is perfect for Cotto as we expect these two men to go to war right from the get go.

Prediction

This is a very dangerous fight for Miguel Cotto. He hasn’t been himself in recent years and he has not fought in two years. He is also fighting an opponent who is bigger than him and has a longer reach. You bet Kamegai is going to use his size advantage and try to land big shots to make Cotto think twice.

However, Kamegai has lost in the biggest fights of his career. He’s lost to Johan Perez, Alfonso Gomez and Robert Guerrero. On the other hand, Miguel Cotto has been in the ring with the best of his generation. Even at an advanced age, Cotto can still box with the best in the business. Cotto has a proven chin and a left hook that can end the fight in an instant. Despite going 3-3 in his last 6 bouts, we’re still picking Miguel Cotto over Yoshihiro Kamegai. Cotto by late stoppage here.

Diamondbacks Swing Trade For Slugger J.D. Martinez

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The Arizona Diamondbacks are making an attempt at stopping the bleeding. Arizona has dropped five straight and 8 of their last 10 and needed to get a long-term fix. They may have found it in a huge trade for star Detroit Tigers outfielder, J.D. Martzinez.

Per reports, the Diamondbacks completed a trade to land the 29-year old slugger on Tuesday afternoon, effectively landing them the right-handed power hitter they so badly needed:

The move is a mixed bag, as the 53-39 Diamondbacks had hit a wall recently and specifically struggled offensively with 6 or fewer runs scored in every game in the month of July. The arrival of Martinez could be seen as a desperation move, while it’s arguable one high level hitter may not save an offense currently struggling to produce at an elite level.

Immediate Impact

The one caveat here is Martinez’s contract expires after the 2017 MLB season, which could mean this trade ultimately is a lost cause. Arizona is in terrific position to chase down a Wild Card spot, however, and clearly prefers to strike now, rather than let their playoff shot slip away. Landing Martinez doesn’t guarantee anything, but it does solidify Arizona’s outfield and gives them a reliable right-handed power bat that should give their offense a significant boost.

Big Loss For Tigers

Detroit wasn’t going anywhere in 2017 (currently sitting at 42-49 in the AL Central), but this is still an admittance that they won’t be bringing back a fan favorite. The Tigers waited for Martinez to work his way back from a foot injury earlier in the year, only to unload him in this deal. The move virtually cements the Tigers are giving up on the 2017 MLB playoffs, even though they’re still just six games out of first place in a competitive AL Central division.

While this loss could sting initially, it signals a rebuild for Detroit. More big moves could be on the way (Justin Verlander and others could be dealt), while the Tigers could look to push some of the new prospects coming in onto the field.

Playoff Odds

Martinez offers plenty of pop for an Arizona offense that is already among the most prolific in the majors. Martinez especially could provide some serious help against left-handed pitching, as he’s crushed that side of the plate to the tune of a ridiculous .474 batting average and .556 OBP on the year. That could be quite helpful for a D’Backs lineup that has ranked just 20th against southpaws in home runs in 2017 and 29th in batting average.

Again, Martinez can’t save the Diamondbacks all on his own, but this is a smart move for a team that had a specific offensive need. Already blessed with plenty of power and a deep offensive roster, the Diamdonbacks sacrificed some young prospects to give themselves a more complete starting lineup. A more rounded out offense could combine with a stable of top shelf pitchers to get the Diamondbacks back in a good spot.

The D’Backs are currently still where they need to be, as they hold a 0.5 game lead over the rival Rockies and don’t have an obvious threat outside their division. If Martinez can end up being the huge addition they’re hoping he can be, the Diamondbacks should have a terrific shot at getting into the playoffs. From there, Arizona’s interesting +1600 World Series odds at Bovada.

Hornets Land Dwight Howard in Trade With Hawks

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One year after signing star center Dwight Howard to a big contract, the Atlanta Hawks have decided to move on. The 31-year old big man was shipped to the Charlotte Hornets in odd trade that landed the Hawks the sharpshooting Marco Belinelli and another big man in Miles Plumlee:

Atlanta was forced to hand the Hornets the 31st overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft to orchestrate the deal, while the Hawks included the 41st pick in the draft to sweeten the deal. The move registers as largely a salary dump for the Hawks, who give away one of the league’s top big men for virtually nothing. Atlanta does get a strong outside shooter in Belinelli and unloads a big contract, but they take on Plumlee’s huge deal in the process.

Dying Star

This move tells us all we probably need to know about Dwight Howard, who was the man of the hour ahead of signing a big deal with the Houston Rockets just four seasons ago. Howard slowly seemed to wear his welcome out in in Texas, however, and after delivering mixed reviews in his first year with the Hawks during the 2016-17 NBA season, it seems Atlanta opted for a different direction, as well.

Soon to be 32 years of age, Howard’s time as an elite difference-maker in the NBA is quickly being put behind him. Seemingly never able to grasp his true role in the league, Howard could be better served embracing the idea that he can be an elite defensive stopper and rebounder and doesn’t necessarily need to be his team’s top scoring option. Howard may have received a taste of that during his first year with the Hawks, where he averaged just 13.5 points per game – his lowest since his first year in the league back in 2004.

Who Wins?

As far as the actual trade goes, the Hornets are the obvious winners. A fringe playoff contender for years, one of Charlotte’s biggest issues has always been interior defense and finding a reliable center to hold down the fort. The team thought they had that in top shelf scorer Al Jefferson, but injuries and poor defense made him expendable entering last offseason. The team then turned to the likes of Cody Zeller, Roy Hibbert, Frank Kaminsky and Marvin Williams, but weren’t able to find a reliable answer.

On paper, Dwight Howard is still physically in his prime and can be what the Hornets need; a tenacious rebounder who can defend and block shots. Howard has always thought he was a bigger star than he actually is, however, so it will be interesting to see if he can embrace just being a piece of the puzzle and not the piece.

Charlotte already has some interesting pieces, as star point guard Kemba Walker, swing man Nicolas Batum and big men Frank Kaminsky and Marvin Williams give them some solid scoring. Losing Belinneli may not be a huge loss from the bench, either, as backup shooting guard Jeremy Lamb proved last year he can handle an enhanced role as a spark scorer.

While the Hornets could have made a deal to solidify a viable playoff contender, the Hawks don’t lose here. Howard looked like a poor fit from the beginning and with fellow big man Paul Millsap seemingly departing in free agency, the Hawks have correctly realized they’re arriving upon a rebuilding stage.

Dennis Schroder seems to be the team’s point guard of the future and the team has a collection of interesting young perimeter prospects, but they need to redefine who they are and also make changes at the four and five spots. Letting Millsap go and ditching Howard was part of that process, while Plumlee gives them some depth down low and Belinelli enhances an already strong outside game.

2017-18 Prospects

It’s still safe to say neither of these teams will be vying for the 2018 NBA title. Howard does provide a big impact if everything breaks just right, though. The Hornets were a playoff team two years ago and almost pushed past the Miami Heat and into the second round. They finally have – on paper – a reliable big man who can be an effective two-way presence. Howard being a positive impact will require him buying into his new role, but he’s Charlotte’s best bet they’ve had, perhaps ever.

The Hornets could make one more big move to really push them up the ladder, but as they stand they could be a playoff team and compete for a first round win.

Atlanta will sink from here. They will continue to develop their young talent and hope that unloading Howard will free up the lane and help make them a quicker unit. That will probably be the case, but they will surely see a defensive dip and will also take a hit on the boards. The Hawks have now lost a ton of talent over just the last two years and provided Millsap leaves, three of those losses will have come from the post, alone.

The Hawks have been a playoff threat for years, but it looks like they can safely be ruled out as a realistic threat to be that going into the 2017-18 season. They could remain competitive thanks to some strong perimeter talent, but unless they make another big move to improve at power forward and center, they aren’t a good team to bet on for another playoff run. Long-term, however, the Hawks might be in the better spot. They can now groom their solid young talent they already have and start figuring out what kind of players they want to fill in their post positions.

New York Knicks Looking to Trade Kristaps Porzingis?

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The New York Knicks could be open to trading cornerstone star player Kristaps Porzingis, per reports. GM Phil Jackson has long wanted to unload star forward Carmelo Anthony to expedite New York’s rebuilding process, but new rumors suggest Jackson is more than open to completely blowing his current roster up and that could include dealing the team’s most tantalizing asset:

Knicks Moving Zinger?

Moving Kristaps Porzingis at this point makes very little sense for a rebuilding Knicks franchise. Phil Jackson inexplicably loaded up New York’s roster with expensive veterans like Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah last year, but now seems set to let Rose walk in free agency, with hopes of dealing Melo and possibly also Noah.

Perhaps the motivation to potentially move Porzingis comes from a Zinger tweet earlier this year that suggested the star forward’s interest in playing for the Los Angeles Clippers. The Kristaps Porzingis Clippers rumors spread like wildfire from there, while it has also been pointed out in the past that through two seasons of losing, the Latvian star has realized he doesn’t want to be stuck on a losing team for much longer.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Could Zinger’s disinterest in a bad New York team and New York’s plight to quickly rebuild spark a trade that arguably should never happen? Perhaps, but one has to imagine the Knicks would get quite the haul in return. Porzingis displayed superstar potential in his second NBA season, averaging 18.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. At just 21 years of age, Porzingis has the talent and upside to carry the Knicks down the road. The question is if New York actually sees him as a franchise cornerstone or if he’s also willing to wait for New York’s situation to improve.

The Knicks probably have to get worse before they can get better. Rose should walk in free agency, the Knicks should ship Noah out of town for whatever they can get and Melo should be traded, as well. Getting rid of Porzingis isn’t guaranteed to bring them back an equally strong prospect, while ditching a potential superstar for assets doesn’t make sense on this current roster, either.

If a deal does come to fruition, though, where could the talented big man be heading? Porzingis’ own interest in the Clippers obviously makes them an interesting (and obvious candidate), as well as that “other” L.A.-based squad. If the bright lights of Los Angeles really do intrigue Zinger, then maybe one of those two franchises would be willing to hand the Knicks the package they want to land one of the NBA’s top young talents.

Teams that could make a play for one of the best young big men in the game include the Dallas Mavericks (getting their Dirk Nowitzki replacement) and the Boston Celtics (landing the star big man they covet), among others.

New York’s Future

There are two sides to this rumor; Zinger wanting to win and the Knicks rebuilding the best way possible. Despite the old Porzingis to L.A. rumors, Porzingis and his camp have suggested the big man does prefer to stay in New York. The idea, however, is that if the Knicks don’t make the right moves to turn into a title contender and also help Porzingis in his development, they could lose their best asset when he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2020.

If Phil Jackson is thinking that far down the road, that could sprout some indecision on New York’s part. That, or the Knicks see a clear path to a quick rebuild that we don’t; one that may not include Porzingis and one that could actually be expedited if Porzingis is dangled in trade talks. This isn’t necessarily about unloading Zinger, though. Jackson is simply keeping all of his options open, it seems.

Jackson doesn’t really have many options, though. He has moves that need to be made and then he has the 8th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. What needs to be done is the Knicks have to shed unwanted salary, they can’t make anymore bad signings, they need to draft the best prospect available and they should try harder to make their best player feel wanted and appeased.

The buzz around Porzingis can be damning or it can be flattering. Knicks fans will hope it ends up being the latter and that Phil Jackson isn’t again set to make a decision that could set this franchise even further back. Ditching Melo and shedding Rose and Noah is a three-step process the Knicks need to figure out. Keeping Porzingis happy and under contract is a detailed plan, all on it’s own.

New York faces long odds to merely be competitive next season and understandably carry woeful +10000 2018 NBA Finals odds at Bovada. They’re not really improving those odds by trading away their best player, but they could give themselves a real shot in another 1-2 years if they keep Porzingis and add the right pieces around him. France’s Frank Ntikilina looks like a great start on June 22nd.

If the Knicks can land their point guard of the future, that kills the Derrick Rose return hype. Then New York can look at a solid young core of Porzingis, Ntikilina and center Willy Hernangomez. Trading Carmelo Anthony (if it’s to the Clippers) could bring back two-way guard Austin Rivers and maybe a few draft picks to use down the road. The rebuilding process is already underway in the Big Apple. Jackson needs to be careful not to disrupt it – or worse – accidentally hit the reset button.

Cristiane Justino Booked For Title Fight at UFC 214

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The world leader in MMA in the UFC has confirmed that women’s featherweight (145-pound) contender Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino (17-1, 1 No Contest, 2-0 in the UFC,) considered by many to be the best fighter at that weight of all time, has been booked to fight for the division’s title at the upcoming UFC 214 pay-per-view event. She will not be facing the now former champion, “The Iron Lady” Germaine de Randamie.

Randamie Won’t Fight

De Randamie initially won the championship at UFC 208 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York in a move up from bantamweight (135 pounds) with former women’s bantamweight champion Holly “The Preacher’s Daughter” Holm. However, after winning the title said that she needed to take time off to deal with a long-time hand injury to determine whether or not the injury required surgery.

Regarding the Brazilian striker specifically, de Randamie’s management said:

“Germaine and her team have talked, and the position is that she will not fight Cyborg because Cyborg is a known and proven cheater. Even after so much scrutiny has been put on Cyborg, she still managed to pop for something and will always be a person of suspicion who is trying to beat the system rather than just conforming to the rules. For that reason, Germaine and her team don’t believe that Cyborg should be allowed to compete in the UFC at all. If that is the only fight the UFC wants, then Germaine is willing to wait and see if the UFC will strip her belt before making her next move.”

Cyborg the Cheater?

Justino failed a 2011 drug test for performance-enhancing drugs (PED) but has since expressed immense regret and passed every test since that time. She was provisionally suspended in late 2016 due to a diuretic known as spironolactone, which is banned in and out of competition. Due to a medical paperwork snafu, the provisional suspension was lifted, Justino no longer faced a one-year ban, and she was granted a retroactive therapeutic use exemption (TUE.)

De Randamie has shared her own thoughts on the stripping with MMAFighting.com.

The move to give Justino a title fight may also be viewed as controversial by some after she was cited for misdemeanor battery after punching fellow UFC fighter Angela “Your Majesty” Magana (11-8 in MMA overall, 0-2 in the UFC.) The incident resulted in a lot of social media support for Justino from fans after Magana taunted her on Twitter, using a photo of Justino visiting children hospitalized with cancer in her native country to do so.

The strawweight (115-pound) fighter did later challenge Justino to a grappling match due to their weight difference, which has not yet come to fruition. She revealed to TMZ in late May that she will be suing Justino.

Anderson Vies For Title

Stepping in as challenger against Justino will be Australia’s Megan Anderson (8-2 in MMA overall with six finishes,) the now former featherweight champion for the all-female Invicta FC, which is mostly considered a feeder league to the UFC. She initially won an interim title in January, scoring a TKO win over Charmaine Tweet at Invicta FC 21.

Anderson was promoted to being a full-fledged champion after Justino vacated the promotion’s featherweight strap to focus on the UFC. The Aussie had been eying a UFC debut but wasn’t sure why she had yet to be signed (along with any other fighters to fill out the new division.) There were rumors that the division might be scrapped, but the UFC has put an end to that.

Anderson had previously been announced as the main event for July’s Invicta FC 24 opposite the debuting Helena Kolesnyk (5-0 in MMA overall with all five wins being finishes.) She has replaced by bantamweight champion Tanya Evinger (19-5-0, 1 No Contest in MMA overall, 7-0-0, 1 No Contest in Invicta FC) although the bout will still take place at 145 pounds.

“We’d obviously been campaigning for that fight, probably for three weeks, but the UFC had told us it wasn’t happening,” Anderson told ESPN this morning (June 19.) So, we went to Invicta and said, ‘Get us an opponent.’ We signed that bout agreement, and not more than six hours later, the UFC called and said, ‘Hey, let’s look at that Justino matchup. I don’t know what was going on in their head. They knew we wanted the fight this whole time. We finally said, ‘OK, fine’ and we sign another fight. Then all of a sudden they’re like, ‘Oh wait, we’re back.’ At least it all seems to have worked out.”

The Cyborg-Anderson title bout will serve as the UFC 214 co-main event. Headlining the card, which will take place at the Honda Center on July 29, is the rematch between light heavyweight (205-pound) Daniel “DC” Cormier and former champion Jon “Bones” Jones.  Yoel Romero faces Robert Whittaker for an interim middleweight (185-pound) title as well.