BALLSTON SPA, NY – The Hawt Taykes s are on fire this week as plenty has happened as of late, including a five-game win streak by the New York Yankees, an incredible Game Thee win by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Matt Harvey struggling –once again– and the Buffalo Bills making the headlines for all of the wrong reasons.
With the sports world buzzing, it’s time for a fresh edition of Ebs’ Hot Takes:
The New York Yankees are on fire! Would you believe me if I told you that the Yankees are the hottest team in the American League? Because it’s true. The Bronx Bombers are 12-5 since May 6, which is an AL best. I’m not sure what’s more encouraging; The fact that the Yankees know how to pitch again or that everyone in the lineup – besides Mark Teixeira – can hit again.
I’m not saying that New York’s a lock to win the AL East but they’re definitely looking like a playoff team.
ALSO… What is wrong with Matt Harvey? Jeez! What a bum! My MTM colleagues have been all over this in the previous three days, so we don’t need to get under The Harve’s hood more than they already have, but geez – what’s going on there?
The Oklahoma City Thunder are winning the West. If you follow me on any form of social media or have listened to any of the podcasts I do with my fellow sportswriters at the newspaper, this isn’t news to you. I’m a big OKC supporter.
When you have two of the best five players in the NBA on your team, you’re going to be pretty dang hard to beat. And Golden State is clearly learning that the hard way.
Besides Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, the Thunder have a lot of other pieces that make them such a tough out. Serge Ibaka is one of the most underrated power forwards in this league. Steven Adams and Enes Kanter are a good center combo. Dion Waiters has his moments of stardom and Cameron Payne is an intriguing breakout player. What makes Oklahoma City so tough is their ability to go both big and small on a nightly basis. That will make them tough to take down the remainder of the series.
Trust the process Buffalo Bills fans. Did the front office make a mistake when telling the press – and the fans – that first-round draft pick Shaq Lawson wouldn’t need shoulder surgery before the upcoming season? Yes. Did they make a mistake in drafting him? Absolutely not. Teams don’t draft players for a single season. No. Buffalo’s goal is to have Lawson become a defensive centerpiece for the next 10-plus years.
So, he has surgery and misses a few games. So what? Big deal. That’s still – at the very least – a 100-percent healthy Shaq Lawson for half the season.
As far as Sammy Watkins is concerned… Don’t even be concerned. It’s reported that Watkins had surgery on his foot roughly three weeks ago. Yet, just this past week, he has refuted the story and posted photos on social media of perfectly healthy feet without the use of a walking boot or anything of the nature. Now, I’m no doctor but wouldn’t someone who had surgery three weeks ago still be in a walking boot? Not to mention nothing has been released by the Bills stating that he had surgery, when they did release something on Lawson.
Either way, don’t fret. He’ll be healthy in no time and I’m confident Watkins and Tyrod Taylor will pick up right where they left off at the end of last season.
Until next time… Follow us on Twitter – @DJEberle66 & @MeetTheMatts and come back tomorrow for a man that runs marathons in walking boots, Big Al Sternberg/Fake Sandy Alderson.
