The last weekend of August was a banner weekend for track and field sprinter Noah Lyles. He took home gold at the 2023 World Athletics Championship for the 200 m which he won for the third time, as well as the 100 m for the first time. However, he arguably generated as much attention, if not more, for his comments to the press about NBA champions. He ripped players for calling themselves the 'World Champions' after winning the Finals since they're not playing for their country. Lyles' comments unsurprisingly sparked anger from NBA players such as Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, and Aaron Gordon, who all expressed frustration. 

It's understandable to see why such a statement would draw controversy, but I believe it's worth analyzing the whole thing from both sides. 

Despite being a big basketball fan, Lyles is somewhat right to a slight degree. NBA teams are not playing for the United States, but rather their team, their city, and their fanbase. When they compete, they're doing so against teams that are also from the United States with the Toronto Raptors being the one exception. Yet even the Raptors aren't representing Canada during the season. When teams win the Finals, they're doing it for the franchise: not their country. 

Now with all that being said, Lyles' statements are still pretty ignorant for the most part. The NBA Finals itself is one of the biggest events in all of professional sports. It’s the ultimate goal that all NBA players dream of while playing for the biggest professional league in all of basketball. The teams who always make it have to suit up for 82 games in a regular season for a span of six months. During the playoffs, most championship teams end up playing an average of 22 games to hoist the Larry O'Brian trophy. If you're doing the math, that amounts to 104 total games during the regular season and playoffs. Championship teams like the 1983 Philadelphia 76ers, 2001 Los Angeles Lakers, and 2017 Golden State Warriors who lost only one playoff game, don't come around that often. 

Winning the Finals is additionally one of the most challenging titles in sports because anything can happen in a seven game series. For both teams, momentum is so important to preserve. In a best of seven series, there are plenty of things that could change a series. A road team could steal a home court advantage and never relinquish it. Injuries might happen. Maybe a superstar breaks another team's spirit with an unbelievable performance in an elimination game. 

Speakers of NBA players, the ones who do participate are some of the best athletes in the world. The Finals is the greatest stage for them to showcase their talents to an audience that has been more global in recent years. Players' legacies in particular, revolve around championships a lot more compared to other athletes. When you look at the game's greats such as LeBron James and Michael Jordan, most of those guys have multiple championships on their resume. 

So while it might be a tiny exaggeration for NBA players to call themselves 'World Champions', it makes sense for teams to think of themselves in that way. After all, NFL and MLB teams use this type of language when they win it all and the Finals shouldn't be an exception. For many basketball players, winning the NBA Finals is the pinnacle of all basketball. Hall of Fame coach Rudy Tomjanovich said it best: “Don’t ever underestimate the heart of a champion.”

Every football season is guaranteed to have a few unexpected events that occur for various reasons. While fans often make predictions before the season, there are plenty of developments waiting to happen. Some storylines such as Geno Smith's resurgent season, will last the entire year, while others such as the Jacksonville Jaguars' late run into the playoffs, might last around a month. With five weeks remaining before the season, it's only appropriate to make a few hot takes going into this season. 
Note: This article is part of a doubleheader that will also include NFC predictions.

1. Justin Herbert Will Win MVP
In just three years with the Los Angeles Chargers, Justin Herbert has already cemented himself as a franchise quarterback. He set numerous rookie records and since then, he has thrown the fourth most touchdowns among active players since 2020. Last year saw Herbert guide the Chargers to their first playoff appearance thanks to a late surge at the end of the season. Although the season ended in a shocking collapse to the Jaguars, big things are on the horizon for Herbert. 

I think he's not getting enough attention as a possible MVP candidate going into next season. Granted it's hard to earn recognition with Patrick Mahomes in the division, but there's a good chance Herbert will win the award. The first reason is that while Herbert might be a top 10 quarterback, he still has plenty of potential. It's worth mentioning he's only 25 years old, and likely has plenty of spectacular years ahead. Herbert will also not have to worry about playing for a new contract, as the Chargers extended him for five years and $260 million. 

In addition, Herbert, along with his supporting cast will be a lot more healthy going into next season. Herbert played every game but some of those were with fractured rib cartilage. It also didn't help that besides Austin Ekeler, Herbert dealt with injuries to most of his receivers as well as the offensive line for much of the year. This season, the offense should be healthier and a little younger with the selection of receiver Quinton Johnston. 

2. The Jaguars Will Make The AFC Championship Game
After winning a combined four games in the previous two years, the Jacksonville Jaguars are now way ahead of their rebuild following a stunning division title, and a thrilling comeback win in the wild card round. The centerpiece of their success is Trevor Lawrence who took a significant step in becoming the franchise quarterback the Jaguars envisioned him to be. Lawrence threw for over 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns, while leading the Jaguars to a five game win streak en route to their first playoff berth since 2017. 

However, Lawrence isn't doing it all by himself. He has a talented group of skill positions, which includes wide receiver Christian Kirk and running back Travis Etienne. Both players totaled over 1,000 yards from their respective positions. The receiving group, will be more dangerous with Calvin Ridley coming back from a year long suspension for gambling. Ridley might be rusty at first, but with Kirk, Etienne, and Evan Engram also requiring attention from opponents, it won't be long before he shakes off any rust. 

Defensively, the Jaguars aren't suffocating but they force plenty of turnovers. With an up and coming secondary, Jacksonville was tied for fourth in takeaways last season. They could make an even bigger jump if Devin Lloyd and Travon Walker begin to emerge as focal points during their sophomore year. 

Despite their late run, this team is still somewhat under the radar but that should change. Every rebuilding team eventually puts it all together, and the Jaguars already managed to successfully do that. Now they will be off and running.

3. Sauce Gardner Will Win Defensive Player of the Year 
A big part of the New York Jets' improvement on defense last year, was the amazing season from Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner. While I might be biased in saying he had arguably the greatest rookie season for a cornerback, it's hard to argue against it. Gardner played at a high level against some of the top receivers in Ja'Marr Chase, Tyreek Hill, and Justin Jefferson. By the end of the year, Gardner had only allowed one touchdown pass and led the league in pass deflections. He was awarded with a pro bowl selection, first team all-pro, and defensive Rookie of the Year. 

While Gardner had a decent case to win Defensive Player of the Year, recording just two interceptions was a big reason why he didn't get more votes. In Gardner's defense, most quarterbacks didn't target him much, but that's unfortunately something the voters don't always look at. 

That being said, it doesn't mean that Gardner will never get interceptions. He is still very young and will only continue to improve from his rookie campaign. "You always have something to work on. I got a lot of things I can work on that's going to get better coming into my second season," said Gardner about elevating his performance. Plenty of shutdown cornerbacks still proceed to get a solid number of picks each year, and that should certainly be the case with Gardner.
 
Like last year, Gardner will once again be tested with Hill and Stefon Diggs two times each, along with other premier receivers such as Ceedee Lamb and Davante Adams. If Gardner continues to shutdown opponents and finish with around five picks, he should be one of the favorites to win the award. 

Every football season is guaranteed to have a few unexpected events that occur for various reasons. While fans often make predictions before the season, there are plenty of developments waiting to happen. Some storylines such as Geno Smith's resurgent season, will last the entire year, while others such as the Jacksonville Jaguars' late run into the playoffs, might last around a month. With five weeks remaining before the season, it's only appropriate to make a few hot takes going into this season. 
Note: This article is part of a doubleheader that will also include AFC predictions. 

1. Micah Parson Will Register At Least 20 Sacks
Ever since the Dallas Cowboys drafted linebacker Micah Parsons with the 12th pick, he's been nothing short of a home run selection. In his first two years, Parsons already has an impressive resume that includes first team All-Pro selections in each year, as well as defensive Rookie of the Year. With unbelievable physical gifts along with a motor that keeps going, Parsons is always around the football. He'll chase down a running back for a loss of yardage on one play, and then get a strip sack on the next play. 

Throughout his first two seasons, the Cowboys have used him more as an edge rusher than an inside linebacker which was his position at Penn State. This was especially evident last year where he played 81% of defensive snaps at defensive line compared to 18% at linebacker. Although he didn't play off the edge in college, Parsons has already adapted really well to his new position, finishing with at least 13 sacks in each of his first two years. Dallas will continue to move him around, but it is likely Parsons' snaps as an edge rusher will continue to increase. Therefore, it wouldn't be surprising to see Parsons finish with at least 20 sacks in 2023. 

2. The Lions Will Break Their Winless Playoff Streak
After plenty of mediocre years for the Detroit Lions, they finally have reasons to feel optimistic after a strong 8-2 finish. Although it wasn't enough to snap their six year playoff drought, head coach Dan Campbell appears to have a set real foundation that should not only carry over into next year, but lead them to their first playoff win in 31 years. 

Their offense is a very balanced unit that can excel through the ground and the air. Quarterback Jared Goff and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown established themselves as one of the more consistent QB-WR duos in the NFC. The front office might have tinkered a bit too much with the running game, as they cut ties with both of last year's running backs. Fortunately, with guys like Penei Sewell and Frank Ragnow anchoring one of football's best offensive lines, they should still have a solid run game.  

Defensively, the Lions have a young, talented group of pass rushers in Aiden Hutchinson and James Houston who both combined for 17.5 sacks despite Houston playing only eight games. Assuming he stays healthy next season, he and Hutchinson could be a nightmare for opponents to block. Detroit also made many signings to improve the secondary with last year's co-interceptions leader, CJ Gardner Johnson, being the best of the bunch. 

Given the Lions also play in a conference that doesn't have many other serious threats besides the Eagles, Cowboys, and 49ers, they are in the driver's seat to finally end their long drought. 

3. Justin Fields Becomes The First Bear To Eclipse 4,000 Passing Yards
Playing quarterback for the Chicago Bears is usually not an ideal situation. Chicago has struggled to find an answer at quarterback whether it's bad contracts or poor draft selections. There is hope however that things might be looking up at the quarterback position with Justin Fields entering his third year. Fields was a decent passer last year, but it was his running that took a huge leap. From designed quarterback runs to improvising on a weekly basis, Fields easily rushed for over 1,000 yards.

This year however, Fields will make significant strides as a passer. He showed some flashes last season, and the Bears have tried to build off that. They made it a priority to construct their offense to be more pass-happy compared to last year where they ran the ball more than any other team.

Chicago was able to upgrade their offensive line and receiving core thanks to a trade with the Panthers, which allowed them to move down and select offensive tackle Darnell Wright. They also acquired wide receiver DJ Moore in the trade, who has a few 1,000 yard seasons and should form great chemistry with Fields. With Wright and free agent signing Nate Davis boosting the pass protection, Fields and Moore will have plenty of opportunities for big plays. Count in the fact Fields will be entering his second year in the same system, and a 4,000 yard season is likely. 

The painful stretches of streaky baseball for the Yankees have reared its full head far too many times. Throughout the season, the team has looked anything but the championship caliber team most people expected them to be going into the season. Instead, they look old and a step slow, trailing the Blue Jays by two games for the last wild card spot with a 55-50 record. For a team that always has high expectations each year this is not even close to what they envisioned.

Now granted, they've dealt with plenty of injuries with the most devastating one, being a toe injury that Aaron Judge suffered while making an incredible catch to prevent an extra base hit in a win against the Dodgers. At that time, Judge was really starting to replicate last year's MVP season, and the Yankees themselves appeared to have been turning the corner at the time.

However, Judge's injury has exposed the many weaknesses within the Yankees' roster. Outside of Judge general manger Brian Cashman has constructed a roster with too many hit or miss players. Guys at the heart of their lineup like Gleyber Torres, Giancarlo Stanton, and Anthony Rizzo are too inconsistent, and that's the last thing the Yankees need at this time. Since Judge's injury, they've been dead last in batting average and on-base percentage, while ranking 28th in runs scored.

Cashman also ignored third base and left field which were two positions that had to be addressed over the offseason. It was obvious from last year that Josh Donaldson and Aaron Hicks were major weak links that had to be replaced. Yet despite their age and poor play, they decided to keep both of them, and the results have gone expected. Hicks was released and Donaldson recorded 15 - yes, 15 - hits before suffering a hamstring injury that will likely end his season.

Their pitching hasn't been as shaky as the team's hitting. The Yankees rank ninth in ERA, which can be attributed to Gerrit Cole's success. He might be having his best season in pinstripes, leading the team in wins, ERA, and strikeouts. But there were higher expectations for others going into the year. Injuries and inconsistent play from the other starters - particularly Luis Severino, Carlos Rodón, and Nestor Cortes -  have held back their starting rotation.    

Despite this season going downhill, rebuilding shouldn't be the first option for the Yankees. Especially when you have a generational player in Judge and an ace in Cole. A rebuild would involve them cutting ties with everyone, including both players mentioned. The team must reload instead by surrounding both guys, Judge in particular, with other players who bring a lot more consistency. 

For that to be done, it's imperative that Brian Cashman does whatever it takes to reel in big names. Yes they could get guys like all star third basemen Jeimer Candelario at a low price, but this team needs another star who can make a difference in the short and long term. Fortunately, there are a couple guys on the market who could make a significant impact. 

​They could look into acquiring Juan Soto of the San Diego Padres. At just 24 years old, he is one of the best hitters in the last six years, and has championship experience having won the 2019 World Series with the Washington Nationals. Although he's enjoying a strong season, there's uncertainty surrounding his future in San Diego. His contract ends in 2024, and if the Padres become desperate to get anything for him, the Yankees could swoop in without having to give up a king's ransom. 

But if they want to go even bigger, they could sign the amazing Shohei Ohtani who's having another incredible season, if that's even the right word to describe it. Every time he's out there, Ohtani is making a significant impact whether it's his 148 strikeouts, or his league leading 36 home runs. He's in the final year of his contract, and there's the possibility the Los Angeles Angels could deal him if they aren't confident with negotiations. While it does appear the Yankees will have to wait for free agency to get Ohtani rather than the trade deadline, they must do whatever it takes to land him. 

Most NFL teams treat the running back position like an iPhone. Whereas people cycle through one iPhone after another every two years, teams will use backs as the focal point of the run game for around four years before usually drafting another back.

This offseason featured plenty of talented running backs in Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Tony Pollard who were in line for a contract extension. But all came away empty handed following the Monday 4 PM deadline. While this was somewhat understandable given the wear and tear of the position, it feels like an unnecessary low point for the running back market. 

What makes the decisions a little reasonable is that once running backs get signed to a new extension, the results are mixed. While there have been some good ones in recent memory such as Christian McCaffrey and Derrick Henry, the bad ones like Todd Gurley and Devonte Freeman seemed to be fresh in the minds of general managers. Even players who were still productive after their extensions like Ezekiel Elliot and Dalvin Cook couldn't replicate their previous production enough to the point where they became cap casualties (released to help teams get under the salary cap), and are now waiting to be signed. 

But the simplest explanation for why executives are hesitant, is that running backs wear down quicker than most skill positions. Every time they touch the football, they're guaranteed to be tackled. Going through that type of physicality typically causes them to become less durable after a certain amount of years. 

​That being said, it's still shocking to see zero running back extensions this offseason. They are a bigger victim of the length of rookie contracts compared to other positions. First round rookies usually play all five years assuming the teams pick up the fifth year of their contract, but running backs at that point in their career might be on the verge of breaking down. That's why most extensions for backs come after their third season. If rookie contracts for running backs were four years instead, perhaps they'd get more extensions.

Then there's the overall value of running backs that's being ignored. Teams might be leaning more on the passing game, but that doesn't mean today's running backs don't have anything to offer. There are plenty of guys who are a threat in the running and passing game, or can simply take pressure off their quarterback. And while there might not be as many workhorse backs like there used to be, the few backs who do consume many touches make a significant impact each week. 

For Barkley, he was practically the entire Giant offense as they heavily utilized his talents last season. Although the previous three years were a far cry from Barkley's rookie year due to injuries, he enjoyed a resurgent 2022 season, shredding defenses en route to the Giants' first playoff appearance in six years. From yards after contact to downfield sprints, Barkley accounted for almost 30% of the Giants' total yards from scrimmage. 

Josh Jacobs was always a solid player, but after the Raiders declined his fifth year option, this was a prove-it year for Jacobs and he delivered in a big way. He led the league in rushing yards while also tying his career high in touchdowns. While the motivation of securing a contract could've played a role in Jacobs' monster year, this was the type of season he's been expected to have for a while. 

Unlike Barkley and Jacobs, Tony Pollard spent last year splitting carries with Ezekiel Elliott, but when he got the ball, Pollard often made the most of it. He rushed for 1,007 yards despite registering 193 carries, the least for a back with over 1,000 yards last season. Pollard was tagged in February, but extending him would've made more sense since he's now the focal point of the run game after Elliott's release. 

The only way to summarize these recent transactions is that the running back market has truly taken a nasty fall. It's unfortunate to see a position be deemed as replaceable to the point where it doesn't matter if they were an all-pro the year before. This has already caught the attention of other running backs who are in line for their first extensions such as Najee Harris and Jonathan Taylor. It will be interesting to see whether these approaches will pay off or backfire because this is probably going to influence how general managers negotiate with running backs going forward. 

When we watch today's All-NBA players, it's common to make comparisons to previous legends they might resemble. It rarely occurs that someone comes along, and is so good that you can't find someone to compare him to. Current players that come to mind are LeBron James and Stephen Curry. But after winning his first NBA Finals, Nikola Jokić is approaching that territory if he's not there already. 

Now that doesn't mean he's better than the two players mentioned. He's not even a top five center of all time - at least for now. But with a championship ring to go alongside his MVP awards from the previous two seasons, Jokić already has a resume that could catapult him into the Hall of Fame right now if he chose to retire today. That's because his play style has barely been seen by any other great big men that came before him. His skill sets might look like other centers, whether it's the footwork of Hakeem Olajuwon, or the ability to back opponents down like Shaquille O'Neal, but that doesn't mean he has the exact same playstyle. What makes Jokić special is his IQ

For many centers, they were simply too imposing for opponents, which is why they were able to make a significant impact. For example, many players who played against Kareem Abdul-Jabbar probably knew he would shoot a skyhook over them, yet they still couldn't stop it. For Jokić, on the other hand, he has a unique intelligence that's never been seen before by a center. He reads the defense extremely well for a big man, and always knows how to react. There could be one possession where Jokić converts an easy jump hook, and then on the next possession, he'll make a difficult skip pass to an open teammate look easy. 

Thanks to his spectacular vision, Jokić is already regarded as the best passing big man in NBA history. His play style has made passing contagious for Denver. This season, he surpassed Wilt Chamberlain to become the all time leader in triple doubles by a center. His playmaking was on full display during the Finals, where Jokić averaged 30 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists. In game three, he became the first player ever to record at least 30 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists in a Finals game. 

More importantly, he's changed the Nuggets' franchise since arriving in 2015 from Serbia. Going back to his rookie year, only six teams have won more games than the Nuggets. Each year, Denver has continued to build around him with successful draft picks like Jamal Murray, and key acquisitions such as Aaron Gordon. This year's team might've been Denver's most compete roster in years, but Jokić deserves credit for that because he brings out the best in others. 

As the first piece of Denver's championship puzzle, Jokić will undoubtably be a legend in Colorado. Hall of Famers such as O'Neal haven't been shy to complement the man who goes by Joker. "He's the true definition of letting the game come to you ... not only does he makes himself good, but he makes everybody else good." However, his legacy goes further than the Rocky Mountains. Jokić is already an international icon. Don't be surprised if kids playing center, are trying to be like Jokić. 

Last Monday officially marked the end of an illustrious career for Carmelo Anthony. The future hall of famer announced his retirement via social media after sitting out this season as a free agent. Although it would've been nice to see him compete for one last title, Anthony seemed content with his decision. While I've had the privilege of watching a few great athletes, Anthony stands alone, and here's why.

All of the playoff seasons the Knicks enjoyed from 2010-2013, can be attributed to the arrival of Carmelo Anthony. It's true Amare Stoudemire was propelling the Knicks in the right direction prior to Anthony, but injuries would ultimately keep him from reaching his full potential. However, Anthony made an immediate impact, leading the Knicks to the playoffs in his first three years. The 2013 season saw the Knicks have their best season in almost 20 years, and their first playoff series win in 13 years. Having been dreadful before, those were some of the best seasons Knick fans could remember for awhile. Even in the dark years, Anthony still proceeded to give fans something to cheer for despite being maligned by management.  

But if there's one thing anyone could agree with when debating Carmelo Anthony's legacy, it's that he was one of the few athletes who embraced playing for a tough sports market like New York. Many athletes might want to play for a New York City-based team, but they're not prepared for the pressure that comes with being in the Big Apple. Anthony knew what he was getting into, and he welcomed the challenge. During his time with the Knicks, Anthony explained "When you go to places like New York, you feel the excitement, the energy is different, the fans are different, and the game is different playing in New York."

A few years after his Knick career, Anthony reiterated his desire to play, saying "I wanted to take that challenge on. Whether I failed at it or not, I wanted to be able to say that I did it. I took it upon myself to say 'Get me there.' Not everyone has that same mentality." That earned him the respect of many New Yorkers including myself. 

On the court, it was hard not to appreciate Anthony's game. He might've not been the all around player his buddy LeBron James is, but when it came to scoring, Anthony was pure. He was also a strong rebounder, particularly on the offensive end, but his scoring will always be talked about, as it should be. In a league where three point shooting has rapidly increased, Anthony was definitely no stranger to using the three point line, but he used the whole floor offensively. With the strength to score inside, along with a deadly jump shot, Anthony's game was was as sweet as soft serve ice cream. In short, good things were bound to happen whenever he had the ball.

Even after getting traded, Anthony was such a likable player who was easy to follow. He grew as a person over the years, and it was evident through his efforts in becoming a leader of his community during the social unrest in America. Anthony's work earned him the 2020-2021 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Social Justice Champion Award. 

It will be weird watching the NBA with Anthony officially retired. Although he never won a championship, he conducted himself like a champion, and had many championship-worthy nights. There will never be a day where I wasn't happy to have him as my favorite athlete. 

The Knicks gave their fans an unforgettable season, winning their first playoff series in 10 years, before ultimately falling to the Heat in the semifinals. They were a tough, resilient team that fit the city and its fanbase like a glove. Unlike most years, where they become more irrelevant as the season goes on, New York got better as the games went on, going further than they have in a decade.
While there are many reasons why New York had their most successful season in recent memory, a few stand out in particular.

From a roster standpoint, the team got a major boost from the free agent signing of point guard, Jalen Brunson, who took this team to the next level. While a decent amount of players from the 2021 season still remained such as Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and Obi Toppin, the Knicks were in desperate need of a point guard who could guide the offense. Brunson did show plenty of improvement the year prior, but that didn't stop some Mavericks from letting him walk in free agency. Although the Knicks were criticized for signing him to a $110 million contract, that now seems like a bargain if anything. While this is only Brunson's first year as a Knick, he already has a legitimate case as the best free-agent signing in Knicks history.   

Throughout the season, it became more apparent that Brunson was finally the point guard the Knicks have been searching for. His production and leadership were essential in helping the Knicks rebound from a 37 win season the year prior. Brunson posted career highs in points and assists, while spearheading an offense that averaged 10 more points than last season. More importantly, he helped the Knicks maintain their success over the course of the year in a competitive Eastern Conference. He further proved himself in the playoffs, averaging 27 points, five rebounds, and four assists. This included an incredible 38/9/7 in 48 minutes in game five against Miami to stave off elimination. Brunson's presence, also allowed other players like Randle to thrive in more comfortable roles. 

For head coach Tom Thibodeau, anyone who viewed him as incredibly stubborn, must think twice. He's not perfect, but he made many adjustments that had a major impact. His best move, without question, was going with a nine man rotation despite having a fairly deep roster. It jumpstarted an eight game win streak, and while some wondered how long it could last, the strategy ultimately proved to be the right decision. Other smart moves, included inserting Quentin Grimes into the starting lineup, and finding an immediate role for Josh Hart after the Knicks traded for him in February.

If there's one attribute the Knicks had this season, it would be their resilience. With all due respect to their top options, Brunson, Randle, and Barrett, they aren't superstars. A team constructed like the Knicks must do all the little things right from hard-nosed defense every possession, to picking up after another's mistake. Whereas some teams might struggle in that department, it was easy for the Knicks because they had such a tight knit group. Everybody understood their responsibilities, and were determined to excel in their roles. New York's chemistry only got better when they acquired Hart, who was Brunson's Villanova teammate, at the trade deadline. 

Each month, the Knicks continued to make significant strides as a team, and it showed from December up until the semifinals. Some moments that highlighted their grit included the eight game win streak that sparked the turnaround, an overtime road win in January against the Celtics, a 20 point comeback against the 76ers, a nine game win streak from February to March, and their first round triumph.

This was a significant step for the Knicks in becoming a playoff contender. They have a strong foundation of unselfish players who work extremely well together. With the majority of this team likely returning, along with the possibility of the Knicks being an attractive destination this offseason, there are plenty of reasons to be excited going forward. With Brunson on the roster, anything is possible.

We are just over a month into the 2023 baseball season, but the rule changes implemented over the offseason already have a significant impact on the game. From new pitch clocks to bigger bases, baseball put a big focus on making the game faster and more entertaining, which has paid off so far. As someone who watches baseball most of the season, I can't help but wonder if these changes will change baseball's momentum for good. 

Before this season, baseball was starting to lose viewership, which was a result of the long duration of most games. With plenty of stoppages during contests, the average length of a game last year was just over three hours. Even the biggest and most loyal baseball fans were starting to voice their concern about the increasing times of each game. There were even some games where I was relieved for it to be over regardless of who won. 

As a result of the growing complaints, the MLB spent the offseason prioritizing ways to make games shorter. With an abundance of new rules, games are already looking drastically different than before. For one, the time it takes before and during at-bats is a lot shorter than in years past. Pitchers now have 30 seconds to throw a pitch in between batters, along with a 15 second clock during pitches with no one on base, and a 20 second clock with runners on. Hitters will also be held accountable during their at-bats. They must be in the batter's box by the time there's eight seconds left, or else they'll be charged with a strike. 

In addition, the MLB also set out to make rules more favorable for offenses with the banning of the shift and bigger bases. Defenses are now required to place two players on each side of the infield, while the size of bases have jumped from 15 inches square to 18. Both rules are major attempts to generate excitement in hopes of giving some of the game's most talented players more opportunities to flourish. All-stars such as Shohei Ohtani, who's hit 80 home runs in the last two years, and Trea Turner, who's stolen more bases than anyone else since 2016, will now be even more dangerous thanks to these changes. 

It's still early in the season, but the effects from the new rules can't be ignored. The average length for an MLB game is almost 30 minutes shorter than last season at two and a half hours, while hitting has also seen a significant jump compared to years past. This has ultimately caused a rapid increase in ratings during the young season. Opening day saw the minutes in viewership go up by 42 percent, and the league has maintained that success so far.

Players are still getting used to the rule changes, which is evident given the strikes and balls called due to clock violations whether it's the batter or the pitcher. Some at-bats have literally been determined by the pitch clock, as seen in a Red Sox Braves spring training game where the umpire determined the batter wasn't ready to hit on a 3-2 count with two outs, and the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth in a tie game. 

https://twitter.com/NESN/status/1629591766893490179?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1629591766893490179%7Ctwgr%5E3a2a6d0c49be6d413b698be571e5d1efa0290856%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fbleacherreport.com%2Farticles%2F10066816-braves-red-sox-spring-training-game-ends-on-pitch-clock-violation-with-bases-loaded

I can personally say that although the Yankees have currently been disappointing, this is indeed a nice welcome change. You can now tolerate watching the sport without having to worry about it taking over your entire evening. This is a busy time of year for sports, with the NBA and NHL playoffs going on, but the number of fans tuning in is an encouraging sign. If baseball is seeing plenty of favorable results at this time of year, imagine how many will be watching during the summer and into the fall. 

The NFL draft is a tremendous opportunity for upstart teams to make significant roster upgrades entering the following season. This year was different, however. Teams who overachieved, such as the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions, along with the defending NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles, have multiple first round picks. While it is still months before football, it is never too early to make judgements on whether some of these teams improved their chances of winning for the upcoming season. 

Teams Who Improved

1. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks were one of the league's most surprising teams, due to the resurgence of Geno Smith and a bevy of young talent. Thanks to their decision to trade Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos, they possessed multiple first round picks for the second straight year which were used on cornerback Devon Witherspoon and receiver Jaxon Smith-Njiba. Witherspoon may not be imposing at 180 lbs, but he's an aggressive cornerback with ball skills, and is not afraid to make a big hit. He and Tariq Woolen could be a formidable cornerback duo in the future.

As for Smith-Njiba, he's arguably the best receiver in the draft. With his fundamentally sound route running, terrific hands, and the ability to create after the catch, he gives Smith another target to throw to alongside DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. While the Seahawks certainly have talent at both cornerback and receiver, they are valuable positions that can be built upon in the draft

2. Jacksonville Jaguars
Although the Jaguars didn't have multiple first round picks, they still managed to upgrade a roster that reached the divisional round despite being 4-8 at one point in the season. They traded down twice in the first round to select offensive tackle Anton Harrison. He might not have so many eye-opening plays, but he's a very patient blocker who does a great job staying in front of his opponents in pass protection. This was particularly a good pick because the Jaguars had to address the tackle position after the departure of Jawaan Taylor and a recent suspension for Cam Robinson. Harrison could give Trevor Lawrence even more protection from the blindside which would go a long way to a solid passing attack. 

3. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have already solidified themselves as contenders following a Super Bowl appearance, but given they weren't expected to have a such dominant year, I felt it was still appropriate to put them on this list. With multiple picks in the first round thanks to last year's draft day trade with the Saints, they went all in on defense with Georgia standouts Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith. 

Smith is a very instinctive player whose relentless pursuit allows him to make numerous plays in the backfield. Carter might be a defensive tackle, but his strength and quickness allow him to be just as effective as a pass rusher along with a run stopper. This is the second straight year Philadelphia drafted defensive starters from Georgia, as last year saw them get Jordan Davis in the first round and Nakobe Dean in the third round. The only difference is that Smith and Carter have more upside, which will be essential toward maintaining a very good front seven.  

Teams That Missed Out

1. Detroit Lions
After finishing the season 8-2, the Lions had a solid free agency and an even better opportunity to make improvements in the draft having owned the Rams' pick. It would've made sense to use their picks on a cornerback or defensive tackle. Instead, they made two questionable decisions by drafting running back Jahmyr Gibbs and linebacker Jack Campbell. What's head-scratching about these moves is that running backs and linebackers are positions that can be addressed later in the draft. Detroit is still a strong candidate to make the playoffs this upcoming year, but this was a spectacular chance to establish a roster that could seriously contend.

2. New York Jets
​​The Jets already checked their biggest need at quarterback by acquiring Aaron Rodgers before the draft. To boost his protection, they were eyeing offensive tackles (Broderick Jones, Paris Johnson Jr., or Peter Skoronski). But after seeing each one taken, they selected edge rusher Will McDonald. To be fair, McDonald is a solid player who will line up outside opposing tackles much more than at Iowa St. This will allow him to utilize his speed and finesse off the ball. However, the Jets have plenty of edge rushers. While his playing time in 2024 will likely increase assuming Carl Lawson leaves in free agency, it's a bit of a letdown to see the Jets miss out on a bigger need even if it wasn't their fault.