NIAGARA FALLS, NY – Happy Super Bowl Monday! This really should be a national holiday. I have no choice but to talk about the Super Bowl but there is plenty of other news to cover. Here are today’s topics: NBA Trade Deadline Frenzy, Rangers Finding Stride, Super Bowl LIV LIX
NBA Trade Deadline Frenzy
Starting with the big trade last weekend involving the Mavs trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, the NBA saw a whirlwind of activity. With about 10 to 12 significant moves leading up to the trade deadline, the league has been anything but quiet. A few deals stand out:
-The Spurs acquired some much-needed talent and scoring punch to fuel their playoff push in De’Aaron Fox.
-The Milwaukee Bucks made a splash by adding another dynamic scorer in Kyle Kuzma, who can create his own shot—a move that could shake up the Eastern Conference.
–Angry Ward’s Golden State Warriors made their big splash move by acquiring Jimmy Butler, yet were spurned by Kevin Durant.
-The Lakers’ attempt to grab Mark Williams hit a snag, and the deal was voided due to Williams struggling to pass his physical.
It’s going to take some time for these new pieces to gel, and we won’t truly know who came out on top until the playoffs roll around. But one thing’s for sure: the race to the postseason just got a whole lot more interesting.
Rangers Finding Their Stride
The New York Rangers have strung together three wins in four games, and honestly, they should be riding a four-game win streak. It’s almost comical that they haven’t won three straight games all season—especially since we’re nearing the halfway point. They’ve had some impressive victories against the Vegas Golden Knights and the Boston Bruins, only to stumble against the Penguins in a game that fizzled out at the end. But they bounced back with a solid win against the Columbus Blue Jackets, showing signs of life.
Whether it’s the impact of recent trades, the emergence of Jimmy Vesey as irreplicable, or the call-up of a few fresh faces, the Rangers are finally playing better defense. The third line and checking line have been instrumental in creating opportunities, and the team is starting to resemble the squad that made waves last season. They’re not out of the woods yet, but there’s a glimmer of hope that they’re turning the corner. Let’s hope this momentum continues.
Super Bowl LIV LIX
What many expected to be a nail-biter turned into a one-sided affair, as the Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV LIX. The Eagles came out swinging, proving all the pre-game hype right, while the Chiefs looked out of sorts from the jump. It’s wild to think that after years of being labeled as injury-prone and inconsistent, former NY Jets tackle-turned-guard Mekhi Becton ended up hoisting the Lombardi Trophy with the Eagles. Meanwhile, Saquon Barkley’s decision to leave the Giants proved to be a career-saving move, as New York’s offensive line woes (and their hefty investment in Daniel Jones) would’ve held him back.
The Chiefs, on the other hand, had been winning close games all season, which some saw as a hallmark of a champion. But as my old man, a former boxer, used to say, “When you’re facing the champ, you’ve got to knock him out—don’t leave it to the judges.” The Chiefs had relied too heavily on clutch moments—a blocked field goal here, a miraculous catch there—but against the Eagles, those opportunities never materialized. Philadelphia’s relentless pressure left no room for Kansas City to make a play, and that was the difference.
At halftime, I was a bit worried—Super Bowl intermissions feel like they last forever—but the Eagles came out firing in the second half, never letting up. The Chiefs now sit at five Super Bowl appearances, which is nothing to sneeze at, but they’ve got a long way to go to catch the Patriots’ dynasty. Still, with Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes at the helm, you can’t count them out. Here’s to another decade of thrilling football—and maybe a few more rings for the Chiefs (or not, if the Eagles have anything to say about it). I am not even dreaming of my Jets getting there because not having hope is best.
Thanks for reading and check out Ben Whitney, who will tell you the winner of the Super Bowls ads and why Ad Men Short Matt and Angry Ward are wrong.
