NIAGARA FALLS, NY – Happy Monday! Occasionally on the Monday shift, there’s a lot that happened over the weekend and you get to the first to comment. This was one of those kinds of weekends. Here are today’s topics: Luca-AD Trade, Miller Back to Rangers, Coach Prime Effect. Luka Doncic
Luka-AD Trade
So, I was gonna chat about the next NBA All-Stars selections, but then the Lakers, Mavericks, and New Orleans Utah Jazz pulled off this wild trade, and now I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s a big deal, man. LeBron got the Lakers to bring in Anthony Davis because he thought, “Hey, if I’ve got a dominant big man and a decent point guard, we’re winning a title.” But guess what? The Lakers are still struggling. Meanwhile, Dallas made it to the Finals a couple of years ago, only to get smoked by Boston. They’ve been trying to get better, but it’s been a grind. Then, out of nowhere, Kyrie Irving lands in Dallas. Remember when Kyrie was the guy everyone questioned? Well, he’s resurrected his career and become one of the best guards in the league. He’s been a huge help to Luka Doncic, who’s been carrying the Mavs with a bunch of solid, but under-the-radar guys. But here’s the kicker: Luka’s been dealing with injuries this season, and it’s opened up the door for the Mavs to think about life without him. And let’s be real, Luka’s been incredible, but he’s also been hitting the pie shop a little too hard—great player, but he’s gotta stay healthy.
Now the Jazz: They’re the sneaky ones in this deal. They’re in full rebuild mode. They swooped in, dumped some salary, and grabbed a bunch of draft picks. That’s how small-market teams like Utah and Oklahoma City stay competitive – draft smart, develop talent, and hope it all clicks at the right time. What’s wild to me is that all this is happening within the same conference. I mean, who trades within their conference? But if this deal goes through, it’s gonna be electric. The Lakers might miss AD but they’re getting a motivated Luka and some solid role player plus an opportunity for Austin Reaves to try and be part of an LA Big Three. Meanwhile, the Mavs now have their own Big Three: Kyrie, Clay, and AD. Buckle up, folks.
Miller Back to Rangers
Speaking of trades, the NHL’s Rangers just made a splash. too. They sent Filip Chytil and a couple of other guys to Vancouver for JT Miller. Miller’s a beast—he’s been averaging 30 goals and 50 assists the last three seasons. But apparently, he clashed with some of the younger stars in Vancouver, so they shipped him out. Chytil’s got potential, but injuries have been a problem since his breakout season a couple of years ago. Miller scored two goals in his Rangers debut, but it didn’t matter because the Rangers lost 6-3. That’s 10 goals they’ve given up in the last two games. Yikes. Miller’s gonna help them score, no doubt, but they’ve gotta tighten up on defense if they want any shot at the playoffs. Problem is, everyone’s looking for a game-changing defenseman, so the Rangers are gonna have to figure it out as a team. Stop taking dumb penalties, cover for each other, and maybe, just maybe, they’ll turn it around.
Coach Prime Effect
Now, let’s talk college football for a second. Remember when Deion Sanders took the Jackson State job four years ago? He turned that program around, even during COVID, and then bolted for Colorado, where he’s done the same thing. Since Coach Prime made that move, other NFL legends have followed suit. Eddie George went to Tennessee State three years ago and led them to their best season in ages, 9-3, and an FCS playoff berth. Now, Michael Vick’s at Norfolk State, and Terrell Buckley’s at Mississippi Valley State.
Here’s the thing: Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) used to be a pipeline for NFL talent. Guys like Walter Payton and Jerry Rice came from HBCUs. But over the last 20-25 years, the big-money programs in the SEC and other Power Five conferences have dominated recruiting. Still, there’s talent at these schools—they’ve just been underfunded and under-coached. That’s why it’s huge to see guys like Vick and Buckley stepping in. They bring name recognition, leadership, and the ability to recruit.
And let’s be real, Black coaches don’t always get a fair shot in college or the NFL. Not everyone can be a Stephen Belichick, starting as a lacrosse player and working their way up into a defense coach. There’s a lot of nepotism in coaching, and it’s tough for former players—especially Black players—to break into those roles. But going to these underfunded programs gives them a chance to prove themselves and make a difference.
Michael Vick at Norfolk State? That’s a game-changer. He’s a Virginia legend, and his presence alone will boost recruiting. And let’s not forget to give Coach Prime his flowers—he started this trend, and it’s changing the game for HBCUs.
Thanks for reading and check out Ben Whitney, who will tell you the who will win the Super Bowl and why.
