Sports & Perspective
VCU had one more chance to secure a quality nonconference win with their visit Saturday to Newark, New Jersey. The Rams were winless in four games which could have been resume-builders, their 90-67 loss to Seton Hall extended that streak to five. Continue reading “Give VCU Some Time, They’ll Figure It Out”
Seton Hall continued their strong start to the season with statement win over VCU. The opening game of the 2017 Never Forget Tribute Classic was a forgettable one for VCU. On a snowy Saturday, here are my three takeaways from press row at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey: Continue reading “Three Takeaways From Seton Hall’s Win Over VCU”
No one has to remind Seton Hall about the lofty expectations surrounding this team. Since the start of the season, all the Pirates have done is go about their business of winning ballgames and taking names.
The Big East conference schedule is four games away for Seton Hall, but they look like they’re ready to start now. Continue reading “Seton Hall Rolling Towards Conference Play”
Jahlil Okafor wanted a new home with more playing time, the Brooklyn Nets said come on down.
Okafor got his wish on Thursday, when reports surfaced that the Philadelphia 76ers will trade Okafor, Nik Stauskas and a 2019 second-round pick to the Nets in exchange for forward Trevor Booker. Continue reading “Nets Do It Again With Impressive Trade for Jahlil Okafor”
When it comes to rebuilding the New York Jets, Todd Bowles is all about respecting the process. He’s also about making sure the team message of growth gets across to his players.
It should be no surprise that Bowles, after the Jets’ 38-31 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, made sure in his press conference to keep the emphasis on his team’s growth. Continue reading “Resilient Jets Showing Plenty of Growth Under Todd Bowles”
Robby Anderson is no longer a question mark for the New York Jets, he’s become their answer.
He’s not the answer to all of their questions, but his play has given fans a vision for their team’s future.
Anderson has gone from undrafted free agent out of Temple to an emerging NFL wide receiver. He’s become the home run hitter the Jets need in their passing game. Continue reading “Robby Anderson Gives Jets Their Home Run Hitter”
The Nets may have uncovered a new role for Caris LeVert which can benefit both sides. The youngster is beginning to thrive as a spark in their second unit.
Injuries to Jeremy Lin and D’Angelo Russell have created an opportunity for head coach Kenny Atkinson to settle on a rotation with defined roles.
With Spencer Dinwiddie and Allen Crabbe finding their groove as the new starting backcourt, LeVert has become Atkinson’s energy guy off the bench.
After getting off to a tough start this season finding his shot, Levert is beginning to pick it up. This past week, in a loss to the Celtics, he scored 15 points, on 6-of-7 shooting, in 22 minutes. He followed that up with a 10-point effort, also in 22 minutes, along with four rebounds to help Brooklyn defeat Utah.
LeVert can shoot the three, but he’s now slashing more to the basket and getting high-percentage shots. He has hops and shows it whenever he’s out on the fast break. Atkinson loves his effort on defense.
It shouldn’t go unnoticed LeVert’s improved play also aligns with Dinwiddie taking over as the starting point and Crabbe finding his own comfort zone off the ball. The Nets are beginning to find their rhythm on offense with players becoming more comfortable in their roles.
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At 6’7, he has the tools to excel long-term at whatever role the Nets have for him.
Right now, however, they need his energy off the bench. He can contribute positive minutes from the point, play defense, and create favorable matchups on the perimeter.
He’s taller than Vinnie Johnson, but LeVert has “microwave” potential for the Nets as their sixth man. He has the ability to check into a game and create instant offense with his athleticism.
In this time of transition for LeVert and the Nets, this will only serve as a plus for both sides in the short-term and the bigger picture.
Spencer Dinwiddie is writing one of those feel-good chapters which has become difficult to ignore around the NBA. He’s a key piece for the Brooklyn Nets in their rotation.
For a second consecutive season, the Nets’ backcourt has been ravaged by injuries. The news just broke that lead guard D’Angelo Russell will be out indefinitely after having arthroscopic surgery to his left knee.
Dinwiddie was already receiving more playing time with Jeremy Lin lost for the season to a knee injury. Now with Russell sidelined, the opportunity has widened for the 6’6, 24-year old to take advantage of an unexpected job opening for Brooklyn’s full-time point guard.
If there’s any doubt remaining that Dinwiddie’s up for the challenge, he’s doing his best to erase it one game at a time. He was masterful in a 25-point performance which lead the Nets to a 118-107 win over the Utah Jazz, Friday night at Barclays Center.
Besides the points, a career high, Dinwiddie was everything and more on this night. He also tallied eight assists, five rebounds, and brought a calm and poise to the game for the Nets.
But what stood out the most, in 31 minutes of play, is Dinwiddie registered zero turnovers. It’s another reason he’s earned the trust of his teammates and head coach Kenny Atkinson.
Especially when the Nets began to show signs of slippage in the third quarter. They allowed Utah to slice a 22-point lead down to nine heading into the fourth. That’s when Atkinson went back to his guy.
“That was huge,” Atkinson said afterwards, almost now at a loss for words on how well Dinwiddie’s performed for him. “We got Spencer back in the game to get us organized and stabilized. It’s good for our morale, good for our confidence, but it’s not a surprise. We’ve talked all year that Spencer has made a step in development.”
He’s also on pace for a career high in three-point percentage, he was 6 of 10 against the Jazz.
Dinwiddie’s work ethic and style of play have made him a fan favorite at Barclays. He can break his opponent down off the dribble, but picks his spots when to do so. He’s capable of making the flashy pass but puts an emphasis on making the right one. The team thrives with him on the court.
There’s no denying the improvement across the board in Dinwiddie’s game. When the Nets signed him last December there were plenty of unknowns for where he’d fit in the team’s plans. Give him credit for making his own way by putting in the work.
Dinwiddie isn’t an overnight success story. He’s been putting his time in since the Detroit Pistons used their second round draft pick in 2014 on him.
Through hard work and not giving up on himself, he’s earned every minute the Nets are now trusting him with to be their leader.
St John’s has the talent in their backcourt to compete for a spot in the postseason. But it’s going to take more than strong guard play to make headway in the Big East.
Chris Mullin is in his third season as head coach, it’s been a slow climb for the Red Storm but there’s plenty of reason for hope.
With sophomores Shamorie Ponds and Marcus LoVett, St. John’s has one of the conference’s more exciting backcourts.
College basketball game, much like in the NBA, has evolved into more of an emphasis on the guards and perimeter-oriented players. But this doesn’t take away from the importance of being able to rebound. This is where the Red Storm may struggle.
In their season opener on Friday night, the Red Storm came away with a 77-61 win over New Orleans.
LoVett and Ponds played well, as expected. St. John’s was also outrebounded, 42-27, but found a way to still win.
Against a team like New Orleans, no disrespect to them, Mullin’s team was able to rely on the talent of their guards. But that won’t always be the case as the season progresses.
If St. John’s is going to take the next step in their growth, they’ll need an improved effort on the glass. There’s size upfront with 6-11 Tariq Owens and 6-7 forward Kassoum Yawke. The knock on 6-7 Bashir Ahmed is he remains erratic and needs to find more consistency in his game.
The arrival of Marvin Clark III could be key to this team’s rebounding issues. He’s 6-7 but sat out last season after transferring from Michigan State. Clark III brings Big 10 experience with him, that’s going to be valuable this season for Mullin.
LoVett and Ponds will supply the offensive firepower for St. John’s, but they can’t do it all alone. Mullin is doing a good job at getting this team to take on his identity. They’re tough, play defense, and they’re scrappy.
This could be the breakthrough season St. John’s has been waiting for, if they find a way to improve on the boards.
Can anyone blame Seton Hall for feeling their time has come?
The Pirates are ranked 23rd in the nation, the feeling around campus is they’re a team ready to contend for a spot in the Final Four.
They’re loaded with the right mix of old and young on its roster. Seton Hall’s senior class has come of age together. They came in together and have endured their fair share of growing pains while learning how to win together as a unit.
Angel Delgado, Desi Rodriguez, and Khadeen Carrington are more than just talented basketball players. The trio came in together and have endured their fair share of growing pains. They’re now experienced veterans ready to finish their collegiate careers on the highest of notes.
On a cold Friday night in Newark, the triple-threat provided the spark Seton Hall needed to power past Fairleigh Dickinson with a 90-68 win in their season-opener.
After the game, Pirates head coach Kevin Willard pointed towards the strength of this year’s team.
“When you have as many seniors as we have, you have a lot of confidence in them,” Willard said. We’re like an aged steak.”
Delgado is a walking double-double, this is nothing new to fans of Seton Hall. He had 10 points and 10 rebounds against FDU, he’s been the heart and soul of the Pirates with his enthusiasm and effort.
You put Delgado with the offense of Rodriguez and Carrington and Seton Hall gives headaches for opponents trying to matchup against them.
Willard, along the way, has been great at surrounding his core group with a strong supporting cast. Freshman Myles Cale played a strong game with 12 points off the bench.
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Expectations for Seton Hall this season are high, as they should be. It can’t go unnoticed they’re the only Division I team with three 1,000-point scorers in Rodriguez, Delgado, and Carrington.
After three years of growing together through blood, sweat, and even tears – this team’s ready for their spot at the big table with the nation’s top contenders.
It’s time to serve the main course, the Pirates are ready to eat.