March 09, 2017
BY BRAD PYE JR.
Notes, quotes and things picked up on the run from cost-to-coast and all the stops in between and beyond.
The star GMs and recruiting scouts who will be in Indy to see everyone in the 2017 class who would like to become stars in the NFL.
These GMs and Scouts will check out these newcomers for jobs in the NFL. Tops in the 2017 class of QBs include Clemson’s Deshaun Watson, Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer et al.
Check This! Coach Hue Jackson’s Cleveland Browns have the first No. 1 and No. 12th picks in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Rio Olympic Games gymnastic great Simone Biles will try to duplicate her Rio teammate Laurie Hernandez on “Dancing With The Stars,” Mr. T. will also be one of the dancers better known on NBC’s The A-Team.
And the beat continues!
Bernie Custis, the first Black QB in the history with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1951, is credited with being the first Black QB in Pro Football. The late Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis and Bernie were teammates at Syracuse University. Both Al Davis and Custis were Commissioners of the old AFL and the first Commissioner in the CFL.
Hampton beat Winnipeg in the Grey Cup, 12-6.
And the beat continues!
The OKC Thunder’s Russell Westbrook is on his way to becoming the triple double history maker of his era like Oscar Robertson was in his time.
Will Westbrook win both MVP honors and the triple-crown title. Westbrook has 30 triple doubles at the moment. Westbrook is the second best of all-time. Wilt Chamberlain is No. 1 with 42 and Oscar Robertson is next with 31.
And the beat continues!
Lon Rosen, Dodgers Executive Vice President and chief marketing officer......expects KTLA Channel 5 and the Dodgers to work out a deal to televise 10 games in April and May.
USC grad Allyson Felix had a bunch of gold, silver and bronze medals she brought home from the London and Rio Games and she hopes to do the same in the L.A. 2024 Games.
The four major Hollywood Studios will join to help the 2024 Games enhance its bid. Four Olympians was asked to name its favorite Oscar winning movie in a social media poll. Allyson Felix nominated “Chariot’s of Fire.” Swimmer Haley Anderson picked “La La Land.”
QB Colin Kaepernick is taking his bale of hire as he makes his exit from the San Francisco ‘49ers to take his serves to some other NFL team. Kaepernick has opted out of his San Francisco ‘49ers contract. The ‘49ers released their other two QBs and without any signal callers.
And the beat continues!
If Oklahoma QB and Heisman Trophy finalist Baker Mayfield’s play is as good as his apology, he should have a great 2017 season.
Baker apologized after his arrest in Arkansas. He said: “With much love and regret. I will earn your respect back and prove that I can handle myself every situation, on and off the field."
Three great local broadcasters—Vin Scully (Dodgers), Chick Hearn (Lakers) and Bob Miller (L.A. Hockey Kings) started here and ended their careers with the same teams. Thanks men for all the thrills and entertainment of joy and happiness you brought to your legion of fans. Hope your retirement days will be as joyful as broadcasts you gave us. Thanks Vin, Bob, and Chick for all the joy and happiness you brought to all of your fans around the world.
The Southland has landed a triple double with yall of you as our famous trio.
And the beat continues!
The Houston Rockets may be a better player than NBA giants LeBron James, GSW’s Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook et al, but you know it by checking out the way James Harden dominates the current cover of Sports Illustrated.
SI says in a flock of praise worthy statements about Harden on the cover of the magazine. Here a couple: “His life is simple, his game is sublime. I’m not worried about anything but hooping.”
And the beat continues!
Mahershala Ali Gilmore (real name Gilmore) when he was named the best Supporting Actor at the Awards ceremony. As Gilmore he became the first Division I basketball player at St. Mary’s to win an Academy Award.
Check This! MLB will have to have a player pitch four balls to home plate. The pitcher will no longer have to throw four balls to the plate.
Deontay Wilder the WBC heavyweight declared this week: “I’m in love with boxing, but I don’t want to do it long.” Wilder scored a fifth round knockout over Gerald Washington on Feb, 25.
The owner of the L.A. Clippers, Steve Ballmer will contribute $750,000 over three years to help make Harvard Park a community policing Park and a safe place for children to play according to Mayor Eric Garcetti and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck.
Cynthia Cooper-Dyke has moved out her post as women’s head basketball coach of USC, her alma mater. The Lady Trojans was 5-13 this season and 70-56 in her career, In departing, Cooper-Dyke declared, “What is best right now is that I step aside.” USC Athletic Director Lynn Swann did not elaborate other than say; “ She is a great Trojan.”
And the beat continues!
LSU’s Leonard Fournette checked in at 240 pounds and posted times of 4.51 and 4.52 at the NFL Training Combine site in Indianapolis.
The Cavs’ Kyrie Irving and Captain and LeBron James had a record setting night with 43 and 38 points respectively in a 135-130 win over the Atlanta Hawks, James and Irving total 81 points, The Cavs had a NBA regular record setting 25 of 46 three point baskets.
Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman has been able to do something even President Donald L. Trump hasn’t been able to do—meet with North Korea leader Kim Jong-Un, You go Mr. Dennis Rodman, you could really become a U.S. Diplomat.
The San Antonio Spurs has the inside track to the No. 1 seed in the West in the playoff race vs. the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
A Thought For The Day!
“Do all the good you can,
With all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as you can.”
USC’s WR Juju Smith-Schuster, 20 is the youngest player the NFL Scouting Combine says “he’s ready to handle the adult size responsibility in stepping into a pro offense and making an instant impact.” Smith-Schuster had 89-catches for 1,454 yards.
DeLisha Milton-Jones...Sports reporter on the Lakers and Clippers Slam Dunk Sunday TV Show gets better and better each week. And she’s pretty too.
Crenshaw High is back in winning -city basketball championships by knocking off Granada Hills. 65-45 for its 18th city crown. Winning City titles was started by Willie West, the Little old title Maker who won 15 or 16 titles. Carrying on in West’s tradition is Coach Ed Waters, the son of veteran Congresswoman Maxine Waters.
And the beat continues!
Magic Johnson’s “magic” worked Monday night as the Lakers prevailed March 6. The Lakers lost, 122-73 to the Dallas Maverick, the worst defeat in franchise history. Since Magic became the L.A. Lakers newest boss, the used to winners are trying to learn this trait once again. The Lakers seem to be on their way to old happy days again. Dr, Jerry Buss is long gone to that basketball court up in the sky. Then however, the Lakers may be winning again on a regular basis.
And the beat continues!
Coach Doc Rivers and his L.A. Clippers are doing a little better now that Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Jamal Crawford, DeAndre Jordan, Marree Speights et al are healthy.
UCLA’s Lonzo Ball was named PAC 12 Player of the year and his teammates, Bryce Alford and TJ Leaf were mentioned and USC’s Chimezie Metu, was picked as the Trojans’ Most Improved Player.
The Oakland Raiders are virtually set to make the move to Las Vegas with the help of the Bank of America’s money bags. All that is needed for Mark Davis, the Raiders’ late owner Al Davis to say it’s a done deal.
And the beat continues!
Brad Pye Jr. can be reached at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.