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Macy’s Showed Its Cultural Blindness | Dropped The Ball On Keon Coleman Draft Night Plug, Then Let Nike Steal the Moment

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman, the 33rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, went viral during his first NFL presser for his charisma, honesty and mentioning that he got his coats off the sales rack at Macy’s, saying, “I shop like my mama. I get my coats in the summertime.” 

His candid expression and comedic aura and relatability made him an instant favorite of Bills Mafia and a draft day winner in every sense. 

Macy’s Dropped the Ball On Keon Coleman NFL Draft Night Plug

Coleman gave Macy’s a big-time plug as his NFL presser went viral and his mention of the all-too familiar Macy’s discount rack was globally relatable. It wasn’t until Nike sent Coleman a care package of dope winter coats so that he would be warm in Buffalo during the winter months that one astute X user pointed out that Macy’s totally dropped the ball on this. Even worse, they let Nike steal their Thunder. 

One X user asked, “Why has @Macys not already made a deal with him?”

People acknowledged Nike’s shrewdness and criticized Macy’s for moving slow on blessing this young man for putting their brand out there during NFL draft night, one of the three most popular events of the football season. 

He’s already started a trend that Macy’s is probably going to come up off of without even acknowledging him. Sounds like some Timberland or Tommy Hilfiger type of unappreciative cultural vibes.  

He’s already been immortalized with the puffy coat in a mural that used to feature Stefon Diggs. Any kid that comes from underserved conditions or these days a middle class to lower class economic upbringing knows the discount rack puffy coats very well. It’s a mainstay in any cold weather hood in America. 

If social media didn’t know the dynamic receiver who makes acrobatic catches look as easy as tying a pair of cleats, they met him at the end of April and automatically realized he’s a bit more pleasant than former Bill star receiver Stefon Diggs. 

His skills on the field suggest he will be just as effective for Josh Allen if given the opportunity. The Florida State receiver has blazing speed, and the array of moves he’s able to make in tight spaces makes him a potential rare talent. 

Star receiver Diggs parted ways with the Bills this offseason after several tumultuous seasons where he and quarterback Josh Allen fell short of the Super Bowl and didn’t see eye to eye. Diggs publicly blamed Allen for the Bills’ lack of success.

Buffalo sent Diggs to Houston Texas in a blockbuster trade. In exchange for the four-time Pro Bowl receiver, Bills received a 2025 second-round pick (via Minnesota) while they will also sent a 2024 sixth-rounder and a 2025 fifth-round pick to Houston along with Diggs.

Keon Coleman Making Buffalo Bills Fans Quickly Forget Stefon Diggs

By all accounts Coleman might even be an upgrade athletically. Besides for being much younger, in high school Coleman was a star basketball player in Louisiana, averaging 26 points per game in his junior season and earning second-team All-State honors as a senior.

Coleman took his basketball talents to the next level, playing for coach Tom Izzo at Michigan State as a freshman. He was also an elite kick returner in college. As the younger cousin of Dallas Cowboys star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, excellence at the position obviously runs in the family. 

“If You Ain’t Ranked In The Top 10 In Your Profession You Can’t Speak To Me” | NBA MVP Beef Turns Into Drake vs. Kendrick Levels Of Mudslinging Between Shaq and Shannon Sharpe

The media and podcast wars for clicks continue, and this time it’s between two titans of the game as Shaq didn’t waste any time dropping a rap diss directed at former NFL player, First Take host and exploding podcaster on his The Big Podcast with Shaq.

Shaq Drops Diss Track Against Shannon Sharpe

The diss track comes on the heels of building drama between the two media moguls concerning the NBA MVP race.

Shaquille O’Neal took to social media to strike back at Shannon Sharpe for suggesting that Shaq’s support of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for MVP stemmed from a deeper jealousy that Shaq holds toward a center who is accumulating more personal accolades at 29 years of age, than Shaq did throughout his entire career. 

Uncle Shay Shay also wasn’t feeling the way Shaq told Joker to his face during an interview on “NBA on TNT” that he thinks SGA should have won the award. 

There were people who felt that Shaq’s move was a bit bush league, and Shannon called him on it. 

Shaq clearly got offended by the suggestion that his support of SGA was rooted in some kind of personal campaign against the three-time MVP. His response on social media spiraled into a personal assault on Sharpe and his rise in media: 

“If you ain’t ranked in the Top 10 in your profession then you can’t speak to me. I know what you did to get where you are. Me jealous, sounds like you are jealous.”

If we are being honest, Sharpe is probably top 5 in the sports talk host/podcast/media personality game. His Katt Williams pod did 68 million views and it was off to the races. Sharpe’s pod introduced him to a whole other female and gossip audience who don’t watch ESPN every morning.

As for the beef, this entire exchange sounds like some schoolyard banter, but we all love the drama. We also know that Shannon has a history of being one of the few people in the industry who will criticize Shaq or call him out on something.

Then Shaq went to the lowest-hanging fruit by boasting about his net worth, estimated to be around $500 million compared to Sharpe’s ($15 million), writing, “I work less than you but I’m worth more than you.” 

Shannon Sharpe vs. Shaq Like Kendrick vs. Drake?

Shaq’s healthy assault on Sharpe’s personal accomplishments and his road to success mirrors the recent rap battle that we just enjoyed between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, where dirty laundry and direct personal assaults turned the battle into a dung-tossing parade, transcending the mastery of the lyrical exchange and giving everybody a bad taste in their mouths.

Big dogs of the culture, pockets full of money, going at it on social media as the people gobble it up like a free chicken and biscuits from Popeyes. We’re talking back when people were killing other people over that magical chicken. 

Shannon’s Response To Shaq’s Evisceration: Shaq’s Work Ethic

Shannon responded on his “Nightcap” podcast with former NFL star Ochocinco, first reading Shaq’s social media offering line-for-line, while interjecting his own commentary to dispute the authenticity and accuracy of Shaq’s words. 

“I’ve never professed that I was as great as Shaq,” Sharpe told Ochocino, who looks totally confused about the matter. “But what I will say I got what I got because I worked my ass off. 

“Now Shaq is the one that said he didn’t work as hard, he didn’t train as hard, he didn’t eat as well as he should have. Shaq is the one that every time someone wins an MVP, he says he shoulda been MVP over Steve Nash,” Sharpe added.

Shannon went on to pat himself on the back because of his willingness to concede that players such as Gronk and Antonio Gates and Tony GonzaleZ were better than him historically, which is something Shaq would never do or say about the centers who succeeded him in the game. He calls ’em all “barbecue chicken.”

“Am I a top 100 player? No? Am I the equivalent as a football player to what (Shaq) was as a basketball player? No. But what I did is that I maximized that,” Sharpe said.

Sharpe Says He Maximized His Talent, Shaq Squandered His  

“Do you believe that you gave everything you possibly could in basketball?” Sharpe asked Shaq via his podcast.

Shaq felt it was necessary to throw out his career accolades that are already well documented on Google as part of his belittling post on IG. So, Sharpe put his twist on things, adding:

“He’s the most dominant big man in the history of the game, but he got one MVP.”

Ouch.  

For the most part, Shannon took the high road, but he definitely took shots at Shaq’s public admission that he slacked off midway through his career and didn’t take care of his body or value his legacy on the court the way that he should have. 

So, without saying it, Shannon let Shaq know that in his opinion, he is more of a man than Shaq and has earned everything he got out of the mud by reaching the peak of his potential, while Shaq squandered many things in his life, despite his riches, including his marriage, which the Diesel openly regrets deeply to this day. 

Mudslinging matches have become all the rave these days between rappers, media, reality TV participants, it goes on and on. It also creates loads of money for the people who can keep the public engaged in the drama.

Shaq and Shannon happen to be as proficient in the art of mudslinging as any person in media and both have the green light to speak their minds without any real repercussions. This could get good.

The diss track now takes this to another level and gives fans a chance to engage in the mess even further.

‘We Got Some People That Can Shoot Some Logo Threes Too’: Las Vegas Aces Coach Becky Hammon Has Caitlin Clark Fatigue

2024 WNBA No. 1 overall pick Caitlin Clark has already taken the league by storm. The former Iowa Hawkeyes star played her first preseason game against the Dallas Wings before a road sellout crowd. Clark didn’t disappoint, scoring 21 points, dishing out four assists and grabbing three rebounds. The long-range sniper also knocked in five threes, including a few of the logo variety that she’s become known for. 

She followed that up with another solid preseason performance in her home debut Thursday night. In an 83-80 win Clark showed her full repertoire of skills, scoring 12 points and adding six assists and eight rebounds, albeit while going just 4-for-12 from the field and 2 of 9 on three-pointers.

As she consistently did in her collegiate career, Clark proved she could do other things besides score. The hype surrounding Clark’s arrival to the league has been met with plenty of smiles and cheers, but she’s also had her share of detractors who are over the hype. 

Becky Hammon Takes Subtle Jab At Clark

WNBA legend Diana Taurasi, Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve and even Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner have all said things that let you know they’re tired of hearing about Clark.

That’s expected, because she hasn’t proved herself in a regular season game against dug-in defense and schemes designed to slow her down.

The latest to seemingly take a bit of a jab at Clark is reigning back-to-back championship-winning coach Becky Hammon of the Las Vegas Aces. 

Hammon, who herself was a long-range sniper in her playing days, finishing fourth all time in three-point makes with 829, recently told reporters this about her team: 

“We got some people that can shoot logo threes too.”

That’s in reference to her three-headed monster in the backcourt with Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray, all who are more than capable of hitting bombs from the logo. 

While her remarks weren’t as direct as those the aforementioned Taurasi, Reeve and even Griner spewed, they definitely were aimed at Clark. 

Hammon Does Credit Clark For Helping Exposure And Visibility 

As Hammon prepares her team to defend their back-to-back titles, she’s also making the rounds. The Rapid City, South Dakota, native was recently the guest speaker at the Experience Sioux Falls annual banquet, and there the former WNBA sharpshooter discussed Clark and the league as a whole. 

“They just get to see them exposed to more things, and I think the more eyes that are watching the more appreciation we will have,” Hammon said. “I think we’re more open-minded to greatness in whatever form it comes in and I think Caitlin Clark is a great example of greatness. People like watching history being made, and she made a lot of it this year for all of us. She was super fun to watch.”

Nice words spoken about Clark by Hammon after letting everyone knows that she’s got shooters capable of hitting logo threes. But, again, she only felt the need to say that because of Clark and her prowess to do so. That says a lot about the effect the former Iowa Hawkeyes legend is already having on the league and her peers. 

“When I Lost Basketball, I Lost Myself”| Glen “Big Baby” Davis, Who Made Over $33M In NBA Career, Sentenced to 40 Months In Prison For Defrauding Players’ Benefits Plan

Glen “Big Baby” Davis, who helped the Boston Celtics win their last championship in 2008, was sentenced by a federal judge Thursday to 40 months in prison, plus three years’ supervised release, for his November 2023 conviction in an alleged scheme to defraud the NBA Players’ Health and Benefit Welfare Plan.

Davis was facing 20 years in prison, so, looking on the bright side, 3.5 years isn’t that bad.

More than a dozen former NBA players were charged in the multimillion-dollar fraud scheme discovered in 2021. They include: Tony Allen, Shannon Brown, Alan Anderson, Will Bynum, Christopher Douglas-Roberts, Melvin Ely, Jamario Moon, Darius Miles, Milton Palacio, Ruben Patterson, Eddie Robinson, Sebastian Telfair, Charles Watson Jr., Terrence Williams, Antoine Wright and Anthony Wroten.

Williams and Kenyon Dooling have already received prison sentences. 

At Least 18 Former Players Involved

The original indictment accused at least 18 former players of defrauding $4 million from the NBA’s Health and Welfare Benefit Plan, which provides additional coverage to eligible active and retired players.

These players were in essence stealing from their teammates and other players in the league. Making matters worse, the 18 players earned a combined $360 million over their playing careers.

According to reports, Davis submitted a total of $132,000 worth of claims, including saying he got $27,200 worth of dental work at a Beverly Hills dental office on October 2, 2018. However, authorities revealed that he was actually in Las Vegas at the time and flew to Paris that same day, using geolocation data from his cellphone to prove it.

Williams admitted to being the ringleader of the scheme and was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2023. 

“While many of the more than 20 defendants convicted in this case were well-known NBA stars, their conduct was otherwise a typical fraudulent scheme designed to defraud the NBA’s health care plan and net the defendants over $5 million in illicit profits,” Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement Wednesday.

Davis, 38, who has maintained his innocence since indictments in the case were handed down in Oct. 2021 was found guilty of multiple fraud charges and conspiring to make false statements. He was ordered to pay $80,000 in restitution. The conditions of his supervised release include attending a financial management class and receiving mandatory drug treatment.

“Today’s conviction exemplifies that despite notoriety or success in sports or any other field, no one is exempt from criminal charges if they engage in fraud.”

But aside from Williams, no former NBA player has received more prison time than Davis. Last month, former NBA guard Will Bynum was sentenced to 18 months, in part for lying to a jury while under oath.

Glen Davis Made Over $33,175,000 During NBA Career 

Big Baby made over $33,000,000 in his NBA career. He played from 2007-2015 with the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics and La Clippers, winning a championship with Boston in 2008. 

At his sentencing Davis explained how he was a victim of post-career confusion, the financial pitfalls and instability that many athletes encounter after their playing careers.  

“When I lost basketball, I lost myself,” he pleaded to Judge Valerie E. Caproni before the sentence was handed down. “I ask you, your honor, to help me get back to who I am.”

Davis’ defense attorney, Sabrina Shroff, declined comment. The press office of the Southern District of New York also declined comment.

In court, assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Finkel characterized Davis as having allegedly executed a “sophisticated and intelligent effort” to mask his misdeeds.

No one showed up in court for Davis, which his lawyer noted while fighting through tears, but he did receive pre-sentencing support on his behalf from family, former coaches and multiple NBA player’s union officials, including NBPA general counsel Ron Klempner and executive director Andre Iguodala.

“On behalf of all of our NBPA members past and present, I respectfully ask that you consider Glen’s accomplishments and the positive impact he has had on those around him when determining his sentence,” Iguodala said in a statement. “I recognize the seriousness of this legal matter and appreciate the thoroughness of the judicial process and ask for leniency with these factors in mind.”

NBA Players Aren’t Unique When It Comes To Fraud

NBA players aren’t unique as it relates to fraud as the U.S. Attorney said.

In 2022, former NFL star Clinton Portis was a ringleader in a similar scheme to defraud a benefits fund for retired NFL veterans.

Other NFL players included: Joe Horn, Tamarick Vanover, Robert McCune, Carlos Rogers, Correll Buckhalter, James Butler, Ceandris Brown, John Eubanks, Antwan Odom, Etric Pruitt, Darrell Reid, Anthony Montgomery, Frederick Bennett, and the late Reche Caldwell.

The former NFL players filed false reimbursement claims totaling about $2.9 million.

‘Come On, B, Like, Not The Flute’: LL Cool J Keeps It Real About Andre 3000 Flute Album Because ‘He Needs To Know The Truth’

In a new episode of “The Shop,” rap legend, actor and business mogul LL Cool J praised the legacy of OutKast rapper André 3000 but didn’t hold his tongue when it came to commenting on the flute album Dre dropped in 2023.

“Look, look… The comments are gonna be crazy,” LL Cool J said. “He’s amazing, all right? His bars is all the way up. I’m very clear. Not the flute, B. Not the flute. Don’t do the flute.”

Paul Rivera and co-host Maverick Carter hosted LL Cool J, TV series creator Lena Waithe, social media stars singer Teddy Swims and comedian Mo Gilligan for a discussion on fame and evolving as creatives. 

LL walks the team through longevity in hip-hop and what led to and inspired his upcoming album produced by Q-Tip. 

LL Cool J Said What Most Hip-Hop Fans Felt About Andre 3000 Flute Album

The owner of Roc the Bells Radio on Sirius XM dropped a bombshell when he said what so many hip-hop fans wanted to say, but out of respect to one of the best to ever do it, they tried to understand the direction Andre 3000 took in abandoning his rap genius to put out a flute album. 

Dre rode the controversy and shock of his flute album to great anticipation and social media discussion which led to “New Blue Sun,” making an impressive debut on the Billboard charts at No. 30 on the Billboard 200 after moving 24,244 album-equivalent units in its opening week. 

It didn’t appear to move much after that, which suggests the actual product was nothing to write home about. 

Lena Waithe tried to temper the LL’s blunt criticism by saying she enjoyed the album, and it was “very relaxing”

The fact remains, however, that it wasn’t what the people wanted to hear. It was in fact, a smack in the face to the millions of OutKast fans who grew up on their raw but creative Atlanta sound and the unique collaborations that they provided while lifting the city of Atlanta and hip-hop to another musical stratosphere.

“Let’s not lie to ourselves, I don’t wanna hear him do the flute,” LL interjected. “You wanna hear me do a violin? You might not wanna hear me do shi-t, but, do you wanna hear me do a violin, though?”

Back in February, André suggested that he doesn’t have the energy or committed spirit to put out a full hip-hop album anytime soon. He basically decided to ignore his fan base and do him.

“I would love to make a rap album. I just think it’d be an awesome challenge to do a fire-ass album at 48 years old,” he told Highsnobiety. “That’s probably one of the hardest things to do! I would love to do that. That’s the cool thing about my whole ride. It really is a ride.”

OutKast Are Pioneers Of Southern Hip-Hop Explosion

With all due respect, the here today, gone tomorrow effect of the album spoke for itself. LL wants Andre 3000 to find some common ground with his legendary partner Big Boi and just let the creative juices flow — especially 30 years after they dropped the classic album “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik” which put Southern hip-hop on the map.

“I want him to get with Big Boi, I want them to make an OutKast, or do a solo album,” LL Cool J said. “Every time he does f-cking one verse it’s, you know, enough material for an album. He’s so gifted. So it’s like, come on, B, like, not the flute. We not gonna lie like this. Don’t gas. That man needs to know the truth. He needs to know the truth.”

More TSL Stories:

‘I Don’t Like To Rain On People’s Parade, But I’m Not Happy’: Shaq Uses Shai Gilgeous-Alexander To Shade Nikola Jokic MVP and Protect His Own Legacy (theshadowleague.com)

‘You Barely Made It In The NBA’ | Austin Rivers Plays A Non-Contact Sport, Tried To Diss NFL Players and Clearly Never Heard Of Charlie Ward (theshadowleague.com)

“Trying To Raise My Children In Such A Cruel World”| Shayanna Jenkins Defends Deceased Fiancé Aaron Hernandez, Bashes Tom Brady Netflix Special (theshadowleague.com)

‘I Don’t Like To Rain On People’s Parade, But I’m Not Happy’: Shaq Uses Shai Gilgeous-Alexander To Shade Nikola Jokic MVP and Protect His Own Legacy

Most everybody expected Nikola Jokic to win his third MVP award in four seasons, despite being manhandled by Anthony Edwards and the T-Wolves, going down 2-0 in their Western Conference semifinal matchup.

With the accolade, Joker becomes the first center in three decades to do so and only the ninth player in league history to win at least three such honors. 

Shaq O’Neal was considered the last great center, before Jokic stormed the league and put a Euro touch on the position. In Shaq’s illustrious career, he only has one MVP award, while Joker is only 29 and already has three.

Shaquille O’Neal Tell Joker That Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Should Have Won NBA MVP

While most analysts have been singing his praises and lauding the NBA’s international takeover, Shaq didn’t like the choice and was vocal about it on NBA on TNT, 

Shaq Diesel got into a heated discussion with his co-hosts, advocating for Oklahoma City Thunder rising star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who received a mere 15 first-place votes, to be declared the winner. 

Shaq presented his argument for SGA, noting that he elevated an upstart Thunder team to the top of the Western Conference, leading the NBA in points (30.1) and steals per game. 

“I don’t like to rain on people’s parade, but I’m not happy with this one. Congratulations to the Joker, you’re the best big man in the league but… I felt Shai Alexander deserved it,” O’Neal said. “The fact that he has to start all over next year and try to win it all over again, I know it’s gonna be hurtful for him. I thought Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, one of only a few players that had 30 points 50 times, stat stuffer, had a great season. His team is No. 1. Nobody expected them to be No. 1.”

Stephen A. Smith agreed with Shaq on Thursday’s “First Take” episode.

Should SGA Have Won MVP Over Jokic?

An argument can be made for SGA, especially if the Thunder keep winning in these playoffs. But MVPs are voted on before the postseason begins, so that doesn’t play into the decision. It can however add to the controversy if things pan out how they are in these playoffs, with the defending champions and three-time MVP playing like cellar dwellers. 

Shaq certainly can’t be blamed for talking behind Joker’s back, because he told the Serbian star directly on the show during an interview, that he thinks Shai deserved the MVP award over him. 

Shaq’s attack comes at a time when Jokic is struggling to find a rhythm where he can help his team figure out the athleticism, speed, intensity and youth advantages of the T-Wolves. 

How Did Nikola Jokic Respond to Shaq

Joker was diplomatic in his response but had to wonder why Shaq would bring that up after the fact. What did he expect Jokic to say? 

“We don’t judge people here, so that’s fine. That’s your opinion,” Jokic responded. “I think that there’s a lot of players that deserve it.”

When you talk about top MVP candidates, as NBA player Jaren Jackson said on his appearance on Wednesday night’s show, it’s usually “the best player on the best team.” 

The Thunder and Nuggets finished with the exact same record in the Western Conference (57-25), comprising the top two seeds. 

Jokic was already the favorite entering the season, which always makes it hard for surprise or unheralded players to get their due. Joker simply maintained his standard of play, nearly averaging a triple-double (26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game this season).

He did what you call “just enough” to rise above. None of the other household names (Curry, James, Durant) were really in the running. Other perennial candidates were injured or didn’t play the necessary number of games to win the award. 

SGA Lifted OKC From 10th Seed To No. 1 Seed

Joker and SGA clocked in everyday, and Shai made that leap into the upper echelon of NBA players with jumps in rebounds (4.8 to 5.5) and his assists jumped from 5.5 to 6.2.

The impact of his performance is what jumps off the page. All of the great NBA players can get stats. They are going to get their shots, control the ball and get buckets, rebounds and assists. We have come to see that is how the NBA works nowadays.

A few guys, with great privilege and latitude in how they maneuver will rule the landscape and determine most outcomes of games. 

Shaq’s Legacy Threatened By Jokic?

Shai made his points count, leading the OKC Thunder from the 10th seed in the 2022-23 season to the top seed in 2023-24 season.

Shaq’s argument is strong and his lamenting over Shai getting a mere 15 votes is also legit. He just didn’t have to tell Joker about it because his personal feelings in the matter are clearly evident in his support of SGA. 

As Joker wins more MVPs as a center, he moves beyond the accomplishments of players such as Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaq and other greats at the position. Shaq doesn’t like too many new faces in that club. He believes that he is the last truly great center and Joker’s recent rise can’t sit too well with The Diesel.

‘You Barely Made It In The NBA’ | Austin Rivers Plays A Non-Contact Sport, Tried To Diss NFL Players and Clearly Never Heard Of Charlie Ward

Certain NBA players have been known to be delusional, and former NBA guard Austin Rivers is definitely one of them. In a wild tirade this week on “The Pat McAfee Show,” in which the son of NBA coach Doc Rivers clearly lost his mind, Rivers tried to insult the skill, toughness and athleticism one must have to play in the NFL.

“We gotta get you out of that football lane, man,” Rivers said. “Where the guaranteed contracts are. Where the best athletes in the world are. That’s us.”

“I can take 30 players right now and throw them in the NFL. You cannot take 30 NFL players and put them in the NBA,” he continued. “It’s because you get a break after every play. All you gotta do is catch the ball and run north and south. It ain’t complex.”

NFL Community Strikes Back At Austin Rivers

It’s good to see that Rivers shares the same delusion that plenty of NBA players probably do, because the deals some of these players get turns their brains into mush and egos into balloons. Any NBA player who claims to be able to play football would be considered lying until he at least took a couple of Aaron Donald hits, right?

There were many objections to the notion taken across sports talk and social media. Former NFL player James Jones said:

“Austin Rivers, if you stepped on the football field homeboy, you wouldn’t make it. We know that right now, because you barely made it in the NBA.”

Videos of notorious NBA bully Draymond Green getting totally locked down in his brief stint as a receiver at Michigan State surfaced as proof that Rivers is wrong.

JJ Watt got a bit personal and then later walked his response back to keep the peace.

Ever Heard of Charlie Ward?

The only example of an athlete actually choosing one of those leagues over the other, with a legit chance to actually play in both leagues, was Heisman Trophy winner and former Florida State quarterback Charlie Ward. Ironically, Ward was considered undersized by NFL scouts (according to old systemic metrics) at 6 feet 2 and his dual-threat capabilities were looked down upon and his obvious intellectual capacity ignored at the time despite his obvious incredible skills that he exhibited with the Seminoles.

Imagine being too short for the NFL, but not the NBA?

Ward could have easily signed with an NFL team as an undrafted free agent and would almost guaranteed to be a No. 1 overall pick if he played today.

He fortunately had the option of playing in the NBA, and when the New York Knicks made him the 26th overall pick of the 1994 NBA draft he left his football dream behind. There’s one football player who definitely should have been in the NFL but settled for an 11-year NBA career.

NBA vs NFL Athletic Wars?

Maybe this will start an NFL vs NBA war of athletic skills, where the NBA players have to play football against the NFL players and vice versa. 

Rivers will find that it’s much easier for an NFL player to go out there and drop 30 in hoops, than a basketball player to pad up on a football field and go heads up. 

And saying this on a podcast is the safest place in the world to just speak your mind with no consequences because you know he’s not suiting up against any of those NFL players. 

On top of that, the NBA is known as a “player’s league” or a league where the employees truly wield the power and can disrupt the flow of business, despite total white ownership. They are used to controlling narratives. LeBron James is one of the only players in the history of modern sports who is worth more money than his owner. 

The highest quality and most followed Instagram models also prefer NBA players, according to a recent survey. 

Austin Rivers Has Kyrie Flat Earth Syndrome?

So, it’s understandable that Rivers, an 11-year-veteran, who averaged 8.5 points per game throughout his career and who many have accused of only being in the league because his father is a former player and legendary coach, would spew something of which the exact opposite is true, 

Kyrie flat Earth syndrome, NFL style. 

Dual-Sport Athletes In NFL

Now there are a few examples of dual-sport athletes who played both basketball and football but were clearly destined for the NFL. 

Antonio Gates (San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers), Mo Alie-Cox (Indianapolis Colts), Jimmy Graham (New Orleans Saints/Seattle Seahawks/Green Bay Packers/Chicago Bears), Tony Gonzalez (Kansas City Chiefs/Atlanta Falcons), Julius Peppers (Carolina Panthers/Chicago Bears/Green Bay Packers), Julius Thomas (Denver Broncos/Jacksonville Jaguars/Miami Dolphins), Darren Fells (Houston Texans).

But nobody has left the NBA and become an NFL player. No NFL player has transitioned to pro hoops. Not anyone of note, anyway. What we do know is the one thing that most athletes can do is hoop. Many top athletes, who are world class level, had options of either hooping or playing football. Bo Jackson proved that football is not a game you can moonlight on.

Stephen A. Smith Credits Caitlin Clark For $50M In Charter Flights While WNBA Gatekeepers Downplay Her Influence

The attention Caitlin Clark has generated with her performance in college and the way corporate has taken to her has been positive for the financial and marketing health of the WNBA. 

Her presence can be directly related to the latest travel upgrades. The WNBA announced Tuesday that the NBA would commit $50 million over the next two years to provide full-time charter flights for all 12 WNBA teams, starting as soon as next week. 

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert says they will launch the charter program as soon as “the planes are in place.”

She also has insisted that the WNBA has been working on charter flights since she took over as commissioner in July 2019.  She estimates that it will cost the league $25 million to charter full time. “You need that long-term revenue model,” she said, “and we haven’t had it.” 

She says this move wasn’t made because of the popularity of Clark and other players in the 2024 draft class. That sounds like the commissioner downplaying Clark’s impact on the move, because to do so would imply that she got done in six days what the commissioner and past stars couldn’t get done in the last three decades.

I get it, but it doesn’t change the truth.

Cathy Engelbert, Cheryl Reeve, Brittney Griner Defend The Brand Pre-Clark

Engelbert’s comments come a couple of days after Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve went on a rant about the WNBA being more than just Caitlin Clark and defending the past greats who are being swallowed into oblivion because of Clark’s crossover appeal. 

Some went as far as to suggest that Clark’s possible position on Team USA women’s basketball team, which Reeve coaches, was in jeopardy. Although leaving her off the team would be another calamity the WNBA can’t afford.

Engelbert refused to credit how Caitlin Clark brought attention to an issue the league and its players have been complaining about for years. When video surfaced of Clark walking through Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport with a bodyguard, it shined a bright light on the disparities in travel between the NBA and WNBA and the safety risks that these players endure with every flight for every game. 

Stephen A. Smith Says Thank Caitlin Clark For Charter Planes

Englebert can say what she wants. Stephen A. Smith credited Clark directly for inspiring this move on Wednesday’s “First Take” segment.

“You got to pay attention to the rising tide that floats all boats,” Smith said. “That girl went up in her press conference and spoke about flying commercial. They didn’t sit up there and make this decision until after she said that. She did it. She didn’t have to. She’s got her endorsement deal … her bag. She came in and already looked out and added a voice to the plight that these females have had to deal with inexcusably. And the one person who has that cache and marketability could have been selfish but was selfless.”

Some 19 million fans watched the NCAA Women’s national championship game — four million more than those who watched the men’s final. 

Fanatics said Clark’s jersey broke the one-night sales record for the company after the Indiana Fever made her the No. 1 overall pick in the Draft on April 15. 

When a person is that popular, she needs to be protected. So, while all of the women benefit, we know what’s really up. 

WNBA Gatekeepers Hating On The Low?

But despite Clark bringing the league all kinds of unprecedented mainstream attention, both her potential Team USA coach and the commissioner tried to shoot down her influence and center the focus back on the league. 

Brittney Griner spoke openly in an interview with People recently and addressed the Cailin Clark phenomenon. Griner at 6-foot-9 and the only woman in history who dunked with regularity, was also a well-chronicled phenom coming out of college.  

She remembers a difficult transition to the next level. “It’s different, when you come from college to the pros,” says Griner of what Clark and others will face in the WNBA. “I went from top dog to my numbers going down a bit. You’re going up against grown women. This is how they feed their families. This is not just for the love of the [game]. This is their livelihood.”

That was the third backhanded compliment Clark got this week from WNBA gatekeepers and legends. 

This can become problematic, because the people have clearly spoken, and the league hasn’t caught up. And Clark’s not the only rookie with a fan base bigger than most WNBA teams. Angel Reese and others are bringing the brand.

How Will League Manage Caitlin Clark’s Burgeoning Celebrity?

Managing the Caitlin Clark Effect will be the league’s biggest challenge this season. Because she is the embodiment of everything a meteor is. Bright, captivating, intrusive, moving at incredible speeds and threatening to the galaxy that’s comfortable in its usual state. 

She is not only bringing in the fans and the bucks, but she’s also forcing the WNBA to re-evaluate their entire league culture on a … fly. She’s the gift and the curse and her brand is not controlled by the league in any way. It was created prior to entering the WNBA and she is the cash cow right now.

Most of the stars of the game and the coaches won’t freely relinquish the league to CC without a fight. But the only place they could possibly stop her hustle is on the court. As a brand she’s taken off and the WNBA really has to figure out how they are going to balance the hate with the love to get the best result for everybody.

More TSL Stories:

“The W Is More Than One Player” | Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve Is Sick Of Caitlin Clark Hype and Might Not Want Her On Olympic Squad (theshadowleague.com)

“Trying To Raise My Children In Such A Cruel World”| Shayanna Jenkins Defends Deceased Fiancé Aaron Hernandez, Bashes Tom Brady Netflix Special (theshadowleague.com)

Black People Went Hard For Angel Reese and The WNBA Listened | Chi-Town Barbie WNBA Pass Debut Tuesday Night (theshadowleague.com)

“The W Is More Than One Player” | Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve Is Sick Of Caitlin Clark Hype and Might Not Want Her On Olympic Squad

Indiana Fever star and 2024 WNBA No. 1 overall pick Caitlin Clark‘s popularity continues to grow and it’s to a point that even the current legendary WNBA coaches are a bit annoyed with the media and corporate infatuation with the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer and No. 1 overall pick in March’s 2024 WNBA Draft.

The WNBA has bent over backward to accommodate and promote Clark, including her preseason debut last Friday which happened to be the only free game shown on the WNBA app.

Minnesota Lynx Coach Cheryl Reeves Not Happy With Caitlin Clark Obsession

While many are excited about Clark’s ascension as the new face of the WNBA, not all are. That includes Minnesota Lynx head coach and president of basketball operations Cheryl Reeve. The four-time WNBA championship-winning coach and three-time WNBA Coach of the Year doesn’t seem to happy about all the love and attention Clark is already receiving.

Reeve Says League Was Here Before Clark

After the league’s social media account on X repeatedly pushed Clark’s preseason debut last Friday, Reeve, who’s never minced her words, took to X to voice her opinion on the league. 

“ALSO in action tonight – @minnesotalynx vs @chicagosky 7PM CST. Though fans won’t be able to watch, Lynx fans can go to the Lynx app to follow along via play by play. Or if you are in the market, come to the game… as we start the season off right. #12teams #theWIsmorethanoneplayer”

A fan responded to Reeve’s tweet, saying, “Because they only care about Caitlin.”

Reeve replied, “That part.”

That’s an apparent shot at Clark, and the league definitely caught some flak for not also showing Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese’s debut which was against Reeve’s Lynx squad.

Reeve has coached WNBA legends Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus, Sylvia Fowles and many others so she’s seen her share of great players. Which is why she isn’t enamored at all by Clark, or any other rookie coming into the league and being anointed before they earned their status amongst the greats.  

Clark On Team USA? 

Reeve’s perception of Clark being treated differently than the other players in the league now puts a weird vibe in the air as it pertains to Clark being selected for Team USA and the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Reeve will serve as the team’s head coach, and while the committee will make the decision on who gets chosen, many believe Clark is a shoo-in. No way a league that’s striving for more revenue can afford to see its biggest brand left at home as the Olympic team goes abroad. 

Even if Reeves doesn’t think Clark is good for chemistry, the committee will make the final decision and she probably wouldn’t push back. Something tells me this will get sorted out and Clark will be a member of the team.

The dynamic guard recently told Pat McAfee this about all the exposure:

“It’s been a whirlwind. … I feel like I’ve tried to do my best.”

The Olympics will only increase her brand and is her biggest stage yet.

More TSL Stories:

‘He Should Be Suspended’ | Jamal Murray’s Meltdown Cost Him $100K But Saved Rudy Gobert From Potential Public Relations Nightmare (theshadowleague.com)

‘I Don’t Have Long If I Can’t Get A Kidney’ | Three-Time NBA Slam Dunk Champion Nate Robinson Has Kidney Failure and Needs A Donor (theshadowleague.com)

Paul Pierce’s Donovan Mitchell For LeBron James Trade Proposal Has Nothing To Do With Basketball | “Get Bronny To The League” Is A Real Mission (theshadowleague.com)

“Trying To Raise My Children In Such A Cruel World”| Shayanna Jenkins Defends Deceased Fiancé Aaron Hernandez, Bashes Tom Brady Netflix Special

Tom Brady’s Netflix roast didn’t get caught up at all in political correctness or sparing feelings. If The GOAT was to be roasted it would be done in throwback fashion with everything being on the table. 

Unfortunately, the epic roast came at the expense of former NFL player Aaron Hernandez’s wife and kids.

The former Patriots tight end’s fiancée is offended by some of the jokes that the deceased Hernandez was the subject of during Tom Brady’s Netflix special on Sunday night.

Shayanna Jenkins Strikes Back At Tom Brady Netflix Special

Shayanna Jenkins told TMZ Sports she was upset with the way they used her husbands’s tragic death (reportedly a suicide while incarcerated for murder) for comedic gain. 

 Brady, Nikki Glaser and others were among those mocking the late tight end.

Jenkins said: “It’s sad that I’m trying to raise my children in such a cruel world,” adding that he was someone their daughter “viewed in a positive light.“

Hernandez was found guilty in 2015 of killing of Odin L. Lloyd. In 2017, he was acquitted of a double-murder six years prior, but he died by suicide in prison later that year. He loved guns and had a weird attraction to shooting people.

As one of the more salacious and dramatic stories attached to Brady and the Pats in some way, Hernandez was the subject of relentless jokes. 

“The bar for a Patriots tight end was pretty low back then – block, catch, don’t murder,” Brady said.

Tony Hinchcliffe suggested comedian Kevin Hart was standing on the stool that Hernandez moved from beneath himself when he committed suicide.

Comedian Nikki Glaser added: “Give it up for zero-time Super Bowl champion Randy Moss! Why don’t you have a ring? What the hell, man, you’re one of the best ever. Drew Bledsoe has a ring. Aaron Hernandez had a ring – around his neck.”

.Aaron Hernandez’ Brain Diagnosed With Historically Bad Case Of CTE

You definitely can sympathize with what the mother of Hernandez’s child is saying. Despite the horrific stories surrounding her fiancé and the acknowledgement that doctors who examined his brain said he had the worst case of CTE that they had ever seen in a person his age, his 11-year-old daughter has very positive memories of the moments she shared with her father. It’s a story of love and tragedy for anyone close to Hernandez, as his relationships were complicated, and his mental state seemed to be in a constant state of deterioration. 

Was the roast callous? Yes, but no more than the vicious acts perpetrated by Aaron on numerous people.

Off limits, I guess not. Entertainment has no boundaries, especially a roast. Although Tom Brady was supposed to be the one getting roasted, not an innocent woman in Shayanna Jenkins and her daughter, who already has to grow up without a father.

More TSL Stories:

‘He Should Be Suspended’ | Jamal Murray’s Meltdown Saved Rudy Gobert From Potential Public Relations Nightmare (theshadowleague.com)

Black People Went Hard For Angel Reese and The WNBA Listened | Chi-Town Barbie WNBA Pass Debut Tuesday Night (theshadowleague.com)

‘I Don’t Have Long If I Can’t Get A Kidney’ | Three-Time NBA Slam Dunk Champion Nate Robinson Has Kidney Failure and Needs A Donor (theshadowleague.com)

‘He Should Be Suspended’ | Jamal Murray’s Meltdown Cost Him $100K But Saved Rudy Gobert From Potential Public Relations Nightmare

With every Anthony Edwards dunk, jumper and definitive win, he is gaining the love of NBA fans across the country. To put it politely, Minnesota has trounced the defending champion Denver Nuggets in the first two games of this Western Conference semifinals series.

On “Get Up” on Tuesday morning, most of the panel, especially Jay Williams, thought the series was already over. Brian Windhorst tried to be the voice of reason, reminding them to “never underestimate the heart of a champion,” but it’s hard to believe that Minnesota would lose this series after witnessing these two massacres.

The 26-point win on Monday was the largest road win in Timberwolves playoff history. The game overall was the lowest scoring game in Denver since 2015.

Rudy Gobert Avoided A PR Catastrophe

Keep in mind that Minnesota was playing without center Rudy Gobert who received permission from the team to go see the birth of his baby boy. If Minnesota had lost that game, Gobert’s absence would have been a huge story. Instead, it received some social media attention, but Edwards and the Minnesota T-Wolves defense bailed him out. Gobert’s absence is merely a footnote in the story that is unfolding.

The T-Wolves’ young squad were all over Nuggets players on defense and played at an energy level that Denver couldn’t match.

Nuggets guard Jamal Murray was harassed the entire game and visibly frustrated shooting a career playoff worst 3-for-18. Murray also threw a heating pad on the court from the bench in frustration and it’s the second time he has done something of that nature. 

Will Jamal Murray Be Suspended For Game 3 For Throwing Heating Pad On Court?

Williams said Murray should be suspended for Game 3.

“I feel like he should be suspended for a game,” Williams said. “That was an inch away from Karl Anthony Towns planting his right foot, right on that thing. That could have hurt him. He could have been out of the game. I understand it’s not precedent, but that was such a immature move by Jamal Murray.”

NBA analyst Tim Legler added: “I don’t see how any league wouldn’t suspend a player for throwing something on the court…As a player you’ve got to have better control over our emotions than that.”

Denver’s second-best player could be expecting a suspension from the league, so add the uncertainty of Murray to the building dilemma that Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets find themselves in against a young and hungry squad led by a tandem of players in Ant-Man and KAT, who could go down in history. 

Jamal Murray Facing Suspension, Must Regain Composure

Murray is a champion and has to be able to keep his composure. Minnesota is playing an advanced version of bully ball early in this series. It hasn’t gone as Denver would like, but it’s far from over. Murray’s action is that of a defeated player whose team got punched in the mouth harder than expected. 

He first tried to throw a towel at the official. And when that fell short, he tossed the heat pad, which was almost stepped on by several players, which could have been a catastrophe.

The tantrums, the throwing objects on the court in the middle of a play, beefing with officials and playing poorly. Maybe a one-game suspension would get him refocused on the task at hand.

Denver coach Mike Malone made no excuses.

“We got outcoached we got outplayed,” said Malone in the postgame presser. “You can feel sorry for yourself… or get focused for Game 3.”

There are five games left in the series and Mike Malone and his two-time MVP need to figure out a new plan. Murray, who was fined $100K by the league for the incident, will play a huge part in that.

More TSL Stories:

‘I Don’t Have Long If I Can’t Get A Kidney’ | Three-Time NBA Slam Dunk Champion Nate Robinson Has Kidney Failure and Needs A Donor (theshadowleague.com)

“Keep Your Mouth Shut” | Pat Riley Growing Tired Of Jimmy Butler’s Yapping, But Knicks Use As Motivation To Win Game 1 Against Pacers (theshadowleague.com)

‘That Is A Lie’ | Jonathan Papelbon Was Right To Defend Mike Trout After Stephen A. Smith Dissed MLB and Its Biggest Star (theshadowleague.com)

‘I Don’t Have Long If I Can’t Get A Kidney’ | Three-Time NBA Slam Dunk Champion Nate Robinson Has Kidney Failure and Needs A Donor

Former NBA star Nate Robinson, a three-time Slam Dunk champion at 5-foot-9, 180 pounds, needs a kidney from a donor with blood type A+ or O. Fellow members of his hoops community, such as former Kentucky legend and NBA player Rex Chapman are putting out the cry for help. 

Robinson’s journey with kidney disease spans 16 years and over the past four years his body has been deteriorating as Robinson suffered in silence. 

Now, the larger-than-life pro athlete who inspired a generation of “undersized” ballers says he “doesn’t have long to live” nearly two years after revealing that he is dealing with kidney failure, per Mail Sport:

“‘I know that I don’t have long if I can’t get a kidney,’ Robinson exclusively told Mail Sport. ‘I know I’m not going to have long to live. So I just want to make the best of it as much as I can.

He continued, ‘Some people’s bodies reject dialysis. And thank God that mine accepts it and I can live. … if I didn’t go to dialysis, I wouldn’t live probably longer than a week or two. So it’s serious, I can’t miss a day. I go in for four hours, three days a week, four hours a day. And they clean my blood to get my toxins out. And they help me out a lot because that’s how I’m living.”

Robinson has been dealing with the debilitating illness for some time now. It’s a shame that he is just feeling vulnerable enough to come out and let everyone know what he was really going through; dealing with renal kidney failure is no joke and with time of the essence, the 39-year-old is turning up the pressure on what he said back in 2022. 

That he wants to be  a “voice for all those who are having trouble speaking about this illness, and come together for a greater cause – our health.”

“I was never a vocal leader on the court, I preferred to lead by example, but now it’s time for me to speak up and help all those affected by or dealing with kidney disease,” Robinson said at the time.

Nate Robinson Rose To NBA Stardom With Bad Kidneys

Robinson discovered that high blood pressure had damaged his kidneys back in 2006 while playing for the New York Knicks, where he became a fan favorite because of his freakish athleticism and rose to fame. Despite this diagnosis, he continued to play with the determination that made him a two-sport star (football and hoops) at the University of Washington. 

Nate would go on to win the Slam Dunk contest in 2006, 2009 and 2010. No player has won more.

Nate Robinson Kidneys Failed In 2018 Forcing Him from Pro Ball

As Nate continued to live with vibrance, his health advisers told him that his kidney function was steadily declining, but after being the 21st pick of the 2005 NBA draft, Robinson marched on, playing 11 NBA seasons and amassing more than 7,000 points, 1,900 assists, and 1,500 rebounds

Robinson’s kidneys eventually failed in 2018, forcing him to retire from professional basketball. Despite this setback, he maintains a positive outlook, refusing to let his health decline bring him down.

“I wouldn’t trade it [kidney disease] for the world,” Nate said in a kidney.org newsletter. “This is my story, and this is my journey. I’m going to be a living testimony to other kids and people around the world—they can get through something like this, and they’re not alone”

Clearly there’s still time to help Robinson live a longer and healthier life if he gets a kidney ASAP. Hopefully everything will work out for Robinson, who has much life ahead of him and plenty of more stories to share with his family, such as his son Nahmier Robinson, a football player who signed to Deion Sanders at Colorado in 2023.

More TSL Stories:

‘That Is A Lie’ | Jonathan Papelbon Was Right To Defend Mike Trout After Stephen A. Smith Dissed MLB and Its Biggest Star (theshadowleague.com)

“Trying To Raise My Children In Such A Cruel World”| Shayanna Jenkins Defends Deceased Fiancé Aaron Hernandez, Bashes Tom Brady Netflix Special (theshadowleague.com)

‘He Should Be Suspended’ | Jamal Murray’s Meltdown Cost Him $100K But Saved Rudy Gobert From Potential Public Relations Nightmare (theshadowleague.com)

“Keep Your Mouth Shut” | Pat Riley Growing Tired Of Jimmy Butler’s Yapping, But Knicks Use As Motivation To Win Game 1 Against Pacers

Prior to the Knicks’ Game 1 win over Indiana Pacers (121-117) in an Eastern Conference semifinal matchup that saw Jalen Brunson record his fourth straight 40-point game in the NBA playoffs, they got some unexpected ammunition from the loose lips of Miami Heat player Jimmy Butler. 

Pat Riley and the Miami Heat have had a couple of NBA Finals runs with Butler, but no championships to speak of. Butler’s confidence has been a large part of his ascension to superstar status in the league from humbling beginnings. It can also get the best of him at times.

Jimmy Butler Claims Miami Heat Would Beat Celtics and Knicks If He Was Playing

Never one to back down or hold his tongue, Butler did nothing to help his reputation as one of the true blood, sweat and tears gamers in the league. His brand is his authenticity, but he came off like a clown in a circus recently, while breaking one of the unspoken rules. 

You can’t talk junk from street clothes on the sidelines, and you definitely can’t say what would have happened if you were playing, especially when no one can possibly prove whether it’s true or not. 

“If I was playing, Boston would be at home,” Butler says in a video that surfaced online.  “New York would damn sure be f-ckin at home.” 

The interviewer then mentioned Knicks all-purpose guard Josh Hart. 

 “What the F that mean to me?” Butler replied, dismissing Hart. “Josh Hart? C’mon.” 

He forgot it was 2024 smdh In Mexico licking shots showing his NY hate. Nothing new here you will here more of it now that the Knicks are back from the abyss. https://t.co/syYsT7aOGD

— LA MAQUINA DE SOMBRAS (@FANalyst1) May 5, 2024

Hart must have been listening because he had the best playoff game of his career scoring 24 points, pulling 13 rebounds with eight assists.

Butler even took a shot at his former head coach. 

“Thibs I love you baby. I want to beat you to a pulp. You want me, I don’t want you. It’s like a one-sided relationship. You in love with me. I love you, but I’m not in love with you.” 

Butler’s bravado seems like it comes after several bottles of one of Butler’s vintage wines. The Miami Heat player is known as a wine connoisseur with a collection of 500-600 bottles worth over $200,000 according to reports. 

He was babbling about a hypothetical situation that he has nothing to do with because his team is at home, and he didn’t play. It was weak sauce. 

Jimmy Butler Gets Scolded By Pat Riley

And one thing that Miami Heat President Pat Riley doesn’t go for is false bravado and hypothetical situations. He publicly told Butler to zip it and gave the impression that he’s getting tired of the veteran’s act.

ESPN reports Riley as saying: “If you’re not on the court playing, you should keep your mouth shut.”

Most everyone in the basketball world would agree with Riley, who has been a part of hoops culture at the highest levels in all capacities for over 60 years. 

Riley seems to be getting fed up with the lack of success and also a culture that seems to be losing its way and becoming a bit outdated on and off the court. Riley took it a step further and publicly commented on Butler’s extension that he’s in line for. Riley didn’t mince his words when he said the organization needs to do some soul searching before they offer Butler an extension because of his lack of availability. 

While his mouth is in all-world shape, Butler hasn’t played more than 64 NBA games since the 2018-19 season. 

You can’t talk a big game but not be able to get on the court to back it up. 

Pat Riley Looking To Shake Things Up In Miami?

The 79-year-old Riley also put out a warning to coach Erik Spoelstra, saying that the second-longest tenured NBA coach needs to take a “deep dive” into offense and defensive philosophies.   

Spoelstra, who won two NBA titles back when he had the Big Three (LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh) and is in the top 20 all-time in career wins, has led Miami to the NBA Finals six times in his 15 years as the Heat’s head coach.

He has a 2-4 record in those Finals and hasn’t won in over a decade. 

Riley might be thinking that while his biological clock is ticking it might be time to tear it down and start all over for one last run without Spoelstra and Butler, who has become more of a talker than a titan of the game.

More TSL Stories:

‘I Don’t Have Long If I Can’t Get A Kidney’ | Three-Time NBA Slam Dunk Champion Nate Robinson Has Kidney Failure and Needs A Donor (theshadowleague.com)

Tim Connelly Built The Denver Nuggets. | Then Built The Minnesota Timberwolves To Take Down His Former Team (theshadowleague.com)

NBA Fans Foolishly Predicting Anthony Edwards and Minnesota To Defeat Nikola Jokic and World Champion Nuggets Are Prisoners Of The Moment (theshadowleague.com)

Black People Went Hard For Angel Reese and The WNBA Listened | Chi-Town Barbie WNBA Pass Debut Tuesday Night

When Caitlin Clark’s first preseason game debuted on WNBA Pass and Angel Reese’s anticipated debut was nowhere to be found other than a livestream that drew hundreds of thousands of fans wondering how the WNBA’s No. 7 overall pick and a leading candidate for most popular player was doing, fans expressed their discontent.  

Fans were visibly frustrated on social media that Reese’s game was not carried by a network and the WNBA failed to take advantage of the interest of one of its new stars.

It took incredible pressure from social media and a weekend full of complaints and WNBA bashing, but the people have spoken, and the W has finally responded with a WNBA League Pass preseason game featuring Reese AKA “Chi-Town Barbie” and Kamilla Cardoso‘s Chicago Sky.

Reese’s skills will surely be tested against the NY Liberty, who were in the WNBA Finals last season and are expected to make another run with its star-studded team led by MVP Breanna Stewart, who will test Reese’s game early and often.

Black Twitter and Black Culture Attacked WNBA All Weekend For Not Showing Angel Reese Debut

Everyone joined in on the WNBA fry this weekend, including Dwyane Wade and other celebrities, who have already acknowledged something the WNBA was way late on. Something I have personally been writing about since before the draft. 

He was watching and gave a shoutout to both Reese and her fellow rookie center 6-foot-7 Cardoso, also a very popular player. 

Wade liked what he was seeing from Reese and Cardoso and thinks that the tandem has a bright future in the WNBA.

On X (formerly Twitter), Wade wrote “Just the beginning!” while sharing a highlight of the former college rivals in unison as pros.

Angel Reese Is Famous Just Like Caitlin Clark: Different Audience

In many circles, Angel Reese is just as famous as Clark, just without the incredible corporate push and $28M Nike deal that catapulted Clark to a new level of celebrity. The scoring records help too, but WNBA fans understand that they are two totally different types of players with different duties. Because Reese is not a ball-dominant guard doesn’t lessen her effectiveness. It will limit her shots, as she took seven in her debut, and Clark took 16 shots.

Reese’s 3 million Instagram followers are proof of her popularity, as that’s about 800K more followers than Clark has. 

Reese also attracts a darker hue of fan than Clark, an often-overlooked population of people who attend games, follow players, but don’t get the same respect or understanding or connection from corporate. 

“People are begging to watch the games now,” Reese, who turned 22 on May 6, told a reporter after her WNBA debut.

“And we didn’t have that five years ago so being able to just see that and see what we’re doing right now. Obviously, it wasn’t what we wanted but people still watched it and we got the attention,” Reese added. “We will have more games on TV.”

WNBA Continues To Drop The Ball And Misread Fan Base 

The fans couldn’t be any clearer. The thousands of tweets told the story. 

Some newbie fans, only interested in jocking Caitlin Clark or creating some kind of division between her and the other players who have entered the league as stars, will still say nobody cares about the WNBA.

Or they only care about Clark, which means they aren’t interested in the league at all. While there was a time when fans were loyal to their local teams, nowadays fans relate to individuals. Personalities.

The WNBA fans and other fringe fans who didn’t like the dynamics they saw unfolding early in the season spoke up on it before the season got underway. They also reminded the WNBA that there’s more than one cash cow.  More than one player who comes into the league with a superstar’s aura and a legion of fans who will support for many reasons, especially when it seems like the Black girl’s getting overlooked.

‘That Is A Lie’ | Jonathan Papelbon Was Right To Defend Mike Trout After Stephen A. Smith Dissed MLB and Its Biggest Star

Stephen A. Smith’s attack on Mike Trout and the sport of baseball received backlash from former MLB pitcher Jonathan Papelbon. 

The former Boston Red Sox closer went off on Smith after ESPN’s most expensive mouthpiece criticized Mike Trout’s lack of availability following the three-time All-Star’s meniscus injury.

Smith said he was “disgusted with his lack of availability,” asking how Trout could “always” be injured.

Stephen A. Smith Dissed Mike Trout and Major Leage Baseball, Jonathan Papelbon Strikes Back

Smith had a point about Trout not being available the last couple of seasons with injury, but his reasoning for why he doesn’t think Trout should be getting injured was definitely comical. It could be taken as offensive to pro baseball players. 

Papelbon is one of them. 

“It’s baseball, half the time, y’all standing out in the outfield chewing on pumpkin seeds or something…” Smith said on “First Take” earlier this month. “With these oblique injuries, you’re running around bases, catching one, then you’re running out for a fly ball, and all of a sudden, something gets tweaked. What the hell is going on?”

Pap caught wind of Smith’s rant and he lashed back by calling the ESPN star “racist” and “xenophobic,” last week on the “Foul Territory” podcast.

“That’s not what the game needs,” Papelbon. Everybody wants to tune into the media, I get it. But at the end of the day, you have to be responsible for the s— that you say. And unless ESPN holds him accountable for the stupid s— that he says, guess what? He’s going to keep doing it.”

Smith Was Right About Trout’s Injuries, Wrong About Baseball

To be fair to Smith, Trout played in just 82 games last year after playing in 119 in 2022 and just 36 in 2021. The MLB season is 162 games long, but Trout hasn’t played in over 140 games since 2016, despite winning the MVP in 2019. 

The way Smith demeaned him and his injuries and then the sport, the media mogul should have apologized on his podcast. Instead of apologizing for disrespecting baseball players, Smith shot back on the platform that has become a no-holds-barred battleground for Smith to address his haters and detractors. 

“I didn’t even know you were a contributor to a podcast until this morning,” Smith said to Papelbon. But I can go tit for tat with you. What I won’t do is disrespect you to the degree that you just disrespected me,” Smith said on his own podcast episode that was released on Friday.

Papelbon urged ESPN to address Smith and claimed that Smith was banned from the Philadelphia Phillies locker room, which Smith disputed. 

“I’ve never had any disciplinary action taken against me. Because I have never been professionally unethical in my career,” Smith said. “That is a lie. Now, I could sue your a– for telling such a lie like that,” he said. “But I won’t waste my time.”

Stephen A. Smith Suspended In 2014 For Comments On Ray Rice

That’s actually not true.

Smith was suspended for a week back in 2014 for comments made in the aftermath of the Ray Rice elevator incident, where the former NFL running back was caught on video beating up his wife in an elevator.

He also offered an apology on air for his words.

“My words came across that it is somehow a woman’s fault. This was not my intent,” he said. “To say what I actually said was foolish is an understatement. To say I was wrong is obvious. To apologize to say I’m sorry, doesn’t do the matter its proper justice, to be quite honest. But I do sincerely apologize.”

Finally, Smith then addressed the claim that his comments on Trout and baseball were “racist”.

“I think that when people bring up the word ‘racist,’ if they looked at you and I sitting together, I think they would look at you before they looked at me,” he said.

“I’m a Black man. We have a history of experiencing racism. And a lot of times, those experiences come courtesy of people who look like you. And I would never think to call you a racist,” Smith added. “What you said is wrong, irresponsible, it’s petty. And if it was to get a reaction, it’s desperate. Because now that you don’t have your playing career to lean on anymore, I guess you need help in other areas. … Be a grown-up, bro.”

Stephen A. Smith’s Remarks About Baseball Was Offensive and Demeaning

Smith’s remarks definitely offended a large portion of the baseball community, but to be fair, he isn’t known for his MLB insight. Just take one look at the first pitch he is notorious for throwing and it’s clear he has no history with the game. 

Smith has made a career out of speaking his mind and being controversial, but his influence also can’t be overlooked. and the way he portrayed baseball’s biggest star and minimized the sport itself was classless and immediately incited a discussion about the role of media personalities and how they portray certain players and address injuries.

On one hand, we get why Papelbon was offended. Especially when Smith inferred that Trout’s injuries were a result of karma for staying with the LA Angels.

On the other hand, Smith has criticized a lot more basketball players and called for the jobs of more NFL head coaches. He rarely takes the time to indulge in MLB talk. That’s what Mad Dog Russo is there for on Wednesdays. 

Papelbon was known to be a bit rambunctious as a player and he doesn’t give off the impression that he hangs out with any Black folks. Never did. He does, however, have a point and is justified in striking back at Smith, who tried to make a tasteless joke about a sport that some value above his particular favorite sports. 

Baseball is not one of Smith’s go-to sports. Therefore, it might have been wiser to either skip the segment or let a more informed baseball guy do the talking. 

Tim Connelly Built The Denver Nuggets. | Then Built The Minnesota Timberwolves To Take Down His Former Team

The 2024 NBA Playoffs are now into the semifinal round for each conference. The marquee matchup in this round is far and away the defending champion Denver Nuggets versus the steadily rising Minnesota Timberwolves.

During the regular season the two Western Conference rivals split their four matchups.

In Game 1 of their highly-anticipated matchup it was the upstart Timberwolves, behind a career playoff high of 43 points from Anthony Edwards, pulling out the win in the Mile High City. 

Former Nuggets GM Tim Connelly Now Building Timberwolves

Following the win, the buzz around the league and most sports talk shows was how the Timberwolves were built to challenge the Nuggets.

Current Timberwolves general manager Tim Connelly was once the architect of the Nuggets, drafting their dynamic trio of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.

He also hired head coach Michael Malone and pulled off the trade that landed the Nuggets do-it-all player Aaron Gordon. Those moves have put the Nuggets firmly in the discussion of being a possible dynasty after winning their first title in franchise history last season. 

After building the Nuggets into a power Connelly took on the new challenge of building the Timberwolves into a playoff team once again. He not only did that, he’s also turned them into arguably the Nuggets’ stiffest competition in the Western Conference.

How Did Connelly Do It?

The first thing an opponent thinks about when facing the Nuggets is how to contain or make life as hard as possible for two-time MVP Nikola Jokic. With three 7-footers (Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns and Naz Reid) and tons of length on the perimeter, the T-Wolves have the formula just for that.

That was the case in Game 1 where the cool, calm and collected Jokic looked sped up.

He finished with 32 points, eight rebounds and nine assists, but shot 11-for-25 from the field.

In his career, the Nuggets are now 4-14 when he takes at least 25 shots in a playoff game. 

In his postgame presser Jokic acknowledged how it is playing against a team that’s bigger than the Nuggets, who are one of the bigger teams in the league. 

“They have a couple of guys that tend to dig and dig and rotate. They are long, they’re physical, they’re making you make or take tough shots. Not just that, you know, they know why they’re doing it.”

That’s what Connelly set out to do, and when Gobert, the three-time Defensive player of the Year, became available via trade, Connelly surprisingly pulled the trigger.

Following the trade the question was how will the Timberwolves be able to play both Gobert and Towns together.

After a test run in 2022-23, this season the Wolves hit the road running. In 2023-24 they boasted the league’s top defense, anchored by Gobert.

Stifle Tower, as he’s affectionately known, is the betting favorite to win his fourth DPOY award, which would tie him with Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace for the most all time.

Mike Conley And Wing Defenders Round Out Build

Needing a floor leader, the Wolves traded for veteran point guard Mike Conley at the 2023 NBA trade deadline. The former Ohio State Buckeyes legend has long been one of the best and most underrated two-way guards in the league.

His leadership has been vital for a team as young as the Wolves. Long, athletic wing defenders like Jaden McDaniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (who was also part of the Conley trade) make life miserable for perimeter players who have 14-feet of rim deterrent in their face once they get by Conley. 

That, along with the dynamic Edwards, who’s quickly put his name in the conversation for best two-way wing in the league, makes this team as formidable as you’ll find in either conference.

For that alone they right now present the biggest obstacle for a Nuggets repeat and possible dynasty run. 

They’re fearless, relentless and tough, which is three things Connelly says he looks for when building a roster. Head coach Chris Finch, who was chosen by Connelly to lead this team, is tough as well, and he recently demonstrated that returning to the team one day after surgery for a ruptured patellar tendon in his knee. 

While I still expect the Nuggets to win this series, it has the makings of a long series, and that’s because of the talented, big and unique roster Connelly has built in the Twin Cities. 

NBA Fans Foolishly Predicting Anthony Edwards and Minnesota To Defeat Nikola Jokic and World Champion Nuggets Are Prisoners Of The Moment

Anthony Edwards stunned a Denver Nuggets team still showing the effects of a series with the L.A. Lakers that was tougher than its 4-1 results suggest. The legend of Ant-Man continues to grow as he dropped 43 points in 42 minutes in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals to lead the T-Wolves to a 106-99 win over the defending NBA champions.

Edwards’ popularity has been growing as his team consistently wins games. Earlier in the season, after a few poster slams, Davis was garnering Kobe and Michael Jordan comparisons. His all-around scoring ability and athleticism and tenacious defensive efforts had analyst, fans and rose ready to retire LeBron James singing his praises.

Anthony Edwards Leads Minnesota To Game 1 Win Over Nuggets

Now that he was able to deliver a clutch Game 1 performance to set the tone for the conference semis the hyperbole is flowing, and people are indicating that the Game 1 win means that Minnesota is going to win the seven-game series.

It’s prisoner of the moment banter, but such is the way of social media. Once you get to the semifinals, usually every single team is pretty well-rounded and capable of winning a game or two out of seven games against any opponent.

Edwards’ performance was impressive and it could indicate that it’s Minnesota’s time to dispense of the NBA Champions and elevate to that next level.

Everyone rooting for Anthony Edwards to become the new face of the NBA is hoping that the T-Wolves can pull it off. Some are even talking sweep.

What About The Defending World Champions?

It’s like everyone forgot that the Nuggets have Nikola Jokic, an MVP and Conference Finals MVP, leading their team, along with one of the most clutch guards in playoff history in Jamal Murray. Last season, Denver was 16-4 en route to winning the whole ball of wax. It will be more challenging this season with a target on their backs and young, brazen and energetic playmakers ready to take the throne and ascend to the next level.

When Allen Iverson Stole Game 1 From Shaq and Kobe

The list of teams who have won the first game of a series and lost the series is too numerous to mention. The most memorable Game 1 win in recent memory is Allen Iverson leading the undermanned Philadelphia 76ers to a Game 1 NBA Finals win over the L.A. Lakers, who were in the midst of dynasty led by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.

“The Answer” dropped 48 points and led the Sixers to an improbable win over the juggernaut team that had won 19 games in a row to that point and then would go on to steamroll through the rest of the series.

Sure, the magnificence of Iverson gave Philly fans some hope, but everyone knew he would not be enough to defeat the Lakers in a series. Edwards arguably has much more help than Iverson with Karl Anthony-Towns and Ruy Gobert contributing at All-Star levels.

Can Anthony Edwards and Timberwolves Really Beat Denver Nuggets?

The veteran leadership of pure point guard Mike Conley is an undeniable advantage as well. But just last year people were talking about a possible dynasty run with Joker and Denver. Now, Edwards and a playoff-green T-Wolves team is going to defeat them? That would be a huge jump for that squad. It usually takes some bumps and bruises and tough series losses. Maybe, but I wouldn’t bet on it.

Don’t count Denver and coach Mike Malone out too soon. Any talk of Minnesota winning this series is premature, so root but don’t blow the rent money on being a prisoner of the moment.

Darvin Ham Becomes Sixth Coach Fired In LeBron James’ Career | Embattled Head Coach Scapegoated After Two Seasons

When the Los Angeles Lakers hired Darvin Ham in 2022 he was looked at as a breath of fresh air. Having just helped the Milwaukee Bucks win the franchise’s first title in 50 seasons in 2021 as head coach Mike Budenholzer’s lead assistant, Ham was looked at as rising star in the coaching profession. 

That was then, and despite a 90-74 overall record with a Western Conference Finals appearance in his first season, and this year’s five-game series loss to the Denver Nuggets by a total of 11 points, the Lakers relieved Ham of his duties on Friday.

What’s not surprising is that this would happen, because the Lakers have unrealistic expectations for a roster outside of LeBron James and Anthony Davis that’s in many ways devoid of talent.

In other words, Darvin Ham became the latest scapegoat for the Lakers’ shortcomings. 

He’s also the sixth coach fired on LeBron James’ watch.

Ham Deserved Better 

In a press release, Lakers GM Rob Pelinka, who the team should really be looking at, said:

“We greatly appreciate Darvin Ham’s efforts on behalf of the Lakers and recognize the many accomplishments achieved over the past two seasons including Iast year’s remarkable run to the Western Conference Finals.”

“We all want to thank Darvin for his dedication and positivity. While this was a difficult decision to make, it is the best course of action following a review of the season. The organization will remain unwavering in its commitment to deliver championship-caliber basketball to Lakers fans around the world,”

This has become a theme for Pelinka since becoming the team’s GM in 2017. He’s fired three coaches, including Frank Vogel, who led the Lakers to the NBA championship in the NBA bubble. 

Pelinka, Not Ham, Should’ve Been Fired

While Ham’s in-game adjustments and rotations could’ve been better, he isn’t the one who put this roster together. Just as he had to navigate through the failed Russell Westbrook fiasco last season, Ham did the same thing this season. Dealt a roster that lacked consistent range shooting around James and Davis, Ham still did enough to guide the team to the playoffs, where they faced the defending champions. A daunting task to say the least, and despite losing in five games, the Lakers were in every single game, losing two games on Jamal Murray buzzer-beaters. 

Just like it was with Vogel and Westbrook, Ham is who they’ve chosen to make the scapegoat this time around. 

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith took it a step farther prior to the Lakers firing Ham. During Thursday’s episode of “The Stephen A. Smith Show,” Smith was adamant that if the Lakers believed there were better coaching candidates to replace Ham there are also better GM candidates than Pelinka, whose moves have been questionable at best and mostly unsuccessful. 

Did Ham Sense The Firing? 

Following Monday’s Game 5 loss, Ham sounded like a man who knew his time in L.A. was likely done. In his postgame presser the former Texas Tech star, who once shattered a backboard in an NCAA Tournament game, told reporters, “Sitting in this seat, it’s been a hell of a two years. A lot of good things that got done, but ultimately you want to win that ultimate prize.”

Ham will receive the remaining $10 million left on his four-year, $20 million deal. 

WNBA Missing The Boat On How To Grow, Promote New Superstars | Angel Reese Livestream Draws Over 1M Views, But League’s Blinded By Hyperfocus On Caitlin Clark

The WNBA is still missing the boat.

I swear, it’s hard to be sympathetic to the league’s pleas for equal pay and facilities and travel accommodations, when it continues to show that marketing its players is just NOT a strong point. 

Sure, they are turning it up for Caitlin Clark, who has captivated the women’s basketball landscape with a huge push from big corporate. But that’s low-hanging fruit, and to suggest that she’s the only new star worth covering and shoving down the fans’ faces is also a recipe for disaster. 

WNBA sees a great opportunity to grow its game and revenue by riding Clark’s storybook rise. That’s cool. Women’s hoops have been front and center for the first time ever over the past year. These women surely deserve the recognition and the monetary gains that accompany it. 

Just don’t forget that there are other women who have just as big a fan base, such as Angel Reese, who also made her preseason debut with the Chicago Sky. Clark’s Indiana Fever debut against the Dallas Wings was free on the WNBA app.

Reese’s 3 million social media fans couldn’t find her game anywhere! And they weren’t happy about it. Reese, who is a face of Reebok and has brand deals with all sorts of companies, including Mercedes-Benz, was rocking the Reebok Solution shoe in her debut.

So many things going on that WNBA missed out on.

It makes no sense, because unless you’ve been living under a rock, Angel Reese is a large reason why anybody knows who Caitlin Clark is. Reese’s popularity introduced a lot of hoops fans who know LSU and have no clue about Iowa hoops to Clark through their much-publicized wars that media and corporate took and turned into millions and record ratings. 

Caitlin Clark Didn’t Do this On Her Own

Let’s not fool ourselves into thinking Caitlin Clark did this on her own. It would be insane to think that she can carry the WNBA on her back by herself. Maybe new fans think that’s how the league works

The WNBA doesn’t want to be considered a subordinate league to the NBA, even though the NBA is its main operating and funding source. But when you don’t conduct your business correctly and then cry about being underfunded and ignored, it’s actually embarrassing to everything you’re building and makes it hard for your league to be taken seriously. 

Angel Reese Live Stream Gets Hundreds Of Thousands of Views

Angel Reese fans were in an uproar that they couldn’t see her first game. The WNBA should feel terrible that it not only lost revenue, but pissed off most of its new fan base who are only watching to see “Bayou Barbie,” aka “Chi-Town Barbie”, do her thing.  

SHE IS A BRAND !! JUST LIKE CLARK!!

Even more embarrassing is that livestreams of her debut were off the charts. 

X user @heyheyitsalli posted a pixelated, nearly two-hour long livestream of the entire May 3 Chicago Sky vs. Minnesota Lynx contest, shot from their iPhone. The video currently has 1.5 million views on X. The user posted a photo of the live stream’s viewer count and other metrics, captioning it, “‘y’all these are some of THE WILDEST numbers WOW”.

One streamer posted a photo of the statistics from their live Chicago Sky game stream. They recorded over 170,000 live views. 

Another streamer peaked at over 300,000 views for Reese’s debut.

Reese finished her first WNBA game playing 24 minutes and scoring 13 points, pulling nine rebounds, and one assist on just seven shots. Not spectacular, but it was her viewership totals from iPhone streamers that really tells the story of her worth. 

WNBA Not Identifying and Promoting Its Future Stars Correctly

There seems to be a typical fracture in perception going on between corporate, the WNBA, and the fans. Maybe it’s the same reason why only white players in a league 80 percent Black women, have signature shoe deals. 

Because if you ask a white person in middle America what women’s basketball player they like, it’s going to be Caitlin Clark because that’s what we’re told through the largest media machine in existence. 

If you ask a Black girl in Atlanta who she follows in the WNBA, she will say Angel Reese and she probably follows her on IG and watches her conduct her off-the-court activities, which is what really attracts her fans. She has a crazy personality, and she has her own style. AND she’s a beast in the post who knows how to play championship hoops. 

From her fashion (she was getting fly before they threw Prada and heels on Clark to make her look the part) to her flair to her raw Baltimore determination, Reese attracts people.

Despite being vilified and overlooked at times, she’s been nothing but be graceful, thankful and clear about her intentions in the league. There’s an entire generation of girls who look like her and relate to her. Just as many of them playing ball in some youth league, looking for a WNBA jersey to buy from someone that they can relate too.

That’s Reese.

The WNBA needs to wake up! Maximize your opportunities and don’t forget about the different demographics and cultural dynamics within their growing fan base. 

It’s a new day for the league, which requires a new way of thinking. If it believes it can sell new folks the old product or fail to give long standing fans their best efforts in this moment, then it has no one to blame but itself for whatever issues they have from salaries to endorsements. 

Tom Brady, Caitlin Clark and Now Hines Ward Catch Vicious Strays | Nobody’s Safe From #CTESPN

Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown is known for attacking others via social media. Brown has consistently taunted former teammate Tom Brady and his ex-wife Gisele Bundchen. He also called out former Steelers teammate Ryan Clark (ESPN, “The Pivot” podcast).

During this past women’s college basketball season, Brown took jabs at former Iowa Hawkeyes superstar Caitlin Clark, who was taken No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever in the WNBA draft. On numerous occasions Brown said Clark was movie star Mel Gibson’s twin. Things got so bad that Clark had to block him on social media.

Brown’s mercurial behavior has become so consistent that often his attempt to rattle the cage of others goes unnoticed. That is unless he goes in as he did recently on former Steelers legend Hines Ward. During an appearance on Cam Capone News, Brown unleashed a series of insults directed at Ward in his attempt to point out that he was the better receiver in Pittsburgh.

Brown Not A Fan Of Steelers Legend Hines Ward

“Obviously, I’m gonna go down with the Steelers, I got more stats than Hines Ward and receiving yards,” Brown said. “Yeah, he can’t f— with me like, he can’t even wear my jockstrap, Hines Ward is my stepson.”

“He’s a baby wipe, I’m constipated and I’m still s—ing on him,” his analysis continued. “And I had to deal with more adversity and criticism. I’m letting you know what a guy got to deal with when he been so great. Hines Ward can’t f— with me.”

What’s obvious is Brown doesn’t have much respect for Ward, who helped the Steelers win two Super Bowls while playing in three in a six-year span.

Ward is the legendary franchise’s all-time leader in receptions (1,000), receiving yards (12,083) and touchdowns (85) in 217 career games. As for Brown, he was just as productive in 87 less games, totaling 837 receptions, 11,207 yards and 74 touchdowns. 

On talent alone, Brown dwarfs Ward as evinced by the numbers he accrued in almost 100 less games. But for him to talk like that about Ward, who’s one of the fiercest competitors ever, is plain ignorance.

Will Brown Or Ward Ever Get The Call To Canton?

Brown’s venomous shot at Ward shows just how far the former All-Pro has fallen. While Brown possesses the statistical numbers to be a Hall of Famer, the former Central Michigan Chippewas star also easily passes the eye test.

What will likely keep Brown out is his off-the-field antics, which have become worrisome and downright odd. Notice he captions all of his posts with #CTESPN.

As for Ward he just completed his eighth year of eligibility, and thus far the former Georgia Bulldogs star has never been a finalist. Ward is about as borderline as you can be, and the likelihood that he’ll ever get the nod is slim. 

But, that’s still no reason for Brown to attack him for absolutely no reason. 

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