While most look ahead to the NFL convention championship video games, persistent victims of PSBD — or post-Super Bowl dysfunction — dread the considered just one recreation remaining after Sunday earlier than the lengthy, agonizing look forward to the 2023 season.
Fortunately there are numerous different diversions to get you thru your post-Super Bowl malaise, together with the NBA, March Madness, spring coaching, sports activities debate exhibits and flicks.
For those that have spent the final six months in an NFL cocoon, listed here are 10 questions and solutions to assist catch you up on the nice problems with the day.
1. Are the Chicago Bulls a lottery workforce?
Even after their 128-109 victory towards the Magic on Saturday in Orlando, Fla., solely six groups had a worse successful share than the Bulls. They can nonetheless make the Eastern Conference playoffs, however not at this tempo.
Like the Chicago White Sox in 2022, the Bulls have spent a lot of the season getting near .500, solely to go backward in spectacular trend. They haven’t any shot at falling low sufficient to have a sensible shot at consensus No. 1 choose Victor Wembanyama, but when they miss the playoffs they certainly could have some pingpong balls within the lottery.
2. Should Eloy Jiménez get his want to play extra proper subject than DH?
This was a scorching subject with White Sox followers for a couple of minute final week earlier than the Mike Clevinger saga pushed it to the background.
Jiménez informed reporters: “I don’t really think that I’m going to accept (embracing the DH role) because I’m working hard to get better and I want to play in the outfield.”
It’s good that Jiménez is working onerous to develop into a greater fielder, but when the Sox are higher defensively with rookie Oscar Colás in proper, there’s no actual cause to play Jiménez greater than as soon as per week within the outfield.
3. What’s the over/underneath on the variety of ‘What’s up, Einstein?’ commercials Sunday?
Nothing makes an NFL fan miss the RedZone channel like the ever present advert that includes Paul Giamatti as a befuddled Einstein attempting to decide on a wi-fi supplier. Every cease in motion throughout the NFL playoffs has seemingly introduced one other airing.
No betting websites supplied an over-under for Sunday’s championship video games, however my bookie mentioned 22, together with pregame exhibits.
4. Does Northwestern have a sensible shot at an NCAA Tournament bid?
Why not? The unranked Wildcats are 15-5 after Saturday’s 81-61 win over Minnesota and 6-3 within the Big Ten. No one believed in them after final season’s 7-13 end in convention play.
What has been the distinction?
“I think we really don’t care about all the stuff, what people say about us,” senior guard Chase Audige mentioned after Monday’s win over Wisconsin. “Like, we’ve heard clearly everything in our years here, from being the worst of the worst, or when we’re playing well (being) the best of the best. We’re just trying to stay even-keeled. We know how confident we were in ourselves as a group, and we believe in us. And that’s all that really matters versus what everyone else has to say.”
The Wildcats have proved they’re for actual, however the schedule will get more durable now.
5. Is there a worse premise for a sports activities film than ‘80 for Brady’?
Judging by the commercials, the upcoming launch about 4 aged ladies who’re obsessive Tom Brady followers may rank because the worst sports activities film of all time. It has some robust firm in “Fever Pitch,” ”Bad News Bears Go to Japan” and “The Benchwarmers.” A extra becoming title is perhaps “Botox for Brady.”
6. Can the Chicago Cubs contend with no bona fide nearer?
Wait and see. Setup man Brad Boxberger often is the odds-on selection to begin the season there, although he hasn’t been a daily nearer since 2018 with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Keegan Thompson, Adbert Alzolay, Brandon Hughes and Rowan Wick are additionally prospects.
Team President Jed Hoyer won’t be performed including relievers however mentioned he feels “comfortable” together with his late-inning choices.
“My goal, my hope is that over the next two to three years those guys are all coming out of our system,” he mentioned. “That’s the real goal, to provide great stuff in the bullpen, and that’s also coming in (with) young guys with options that are less expensive. That’s certainly what we want to develop.”
7. Will Will Perdue make it by the Bulls season with out imploding?
The NBC Chicago Sports analyst can’t disguise his disgust after Bulls losses and lately requested: “Who do they think they are?” Perdue speaks for followers in all places when he questions the shortage of management within the locker room. He’s the Bulls’ model of Ozzie Guillen.
8. Which 4 NBA gamers voted for Lonzo Ball to make the All-Star workforce?
The Bulls guard hasn’t performed in additional than a 12 months however acquired 4 All-Star votes on gamers ballots. Let’s assume one was from his brother LaMelo and the opposite three had been from his Bulls teammates who consider the All-Star poll is a joke.
9. Would an NBA author have his credential taken away for getting right into a televised beef with gamers throughout a recreation?
No doubt about it. But when Fox Sports persona Shannon Sharpe, the previous NFL star, obtained right into a shouting match with Memphis Grizzlies gamers and Ja Morant’s father at a recreation towards the Los Angeles Lakers, referees and stadium safety needed to step in.
Sharpe later apologized after embarrassing himself and his outlet. Apparently there have been no repercussions from the league or his bosses.
10. When LeBron James passes Kareem-Abdul Jabbar on the all-time scoring record, will he formally develop into the GOAT?
It will appear that manner by the response of James and his media pals. But the all-time chief in factors per recreation will stay Michael Jordan at 30.12, adopted by Wilt Chamberlain’s 30.07 PPG common.
James ranked fifth on Saturday at 27.21. Jordan additionally could have six NBA titles to James’ 4 and 6 NBA Finals MVP awards to James’s 4.
James is a very nice participant however performed for much longer than Jordan. It’s actually a no brainer.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com