The Denver Nuggets are still walking on clouds.

The reigning NBA champions lost a key piece in Bruce Brown Jr., but they’re still the team to beat until proven otherwise.

That’s mostly because they still have arguably the best player on Earth right now, which is Nikola Jokic.

That’s why the team was so excited to let everybody know that the reigning Finals MVP was back in the building ahead of their Media Day.

He’s baaaaaaack pic.twitter.com/Un0n6CH5EO

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) October 2, 2023

We didn’t get to see a lot of Jokic during the offseason.

But judging by the few clips of footage we could get our hands on, he was living his best life from the very moment he arrived in Europe.

Jokic is a simple man, and it’s clear that he doesn’t enjoy the spotlight as much as other NBA stars do.

But once he sets foot on the basketball court, there aren’t that many guys who could get in his way.

He’s the ultimate triple-threat, a guy who can score from all three levels, and perhaps the best passer in today’s game.

The Nuggets also have Michael Porter Jr., Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon locked in for the next two years at the very least, so their title window is still wide open.

Of course, all teams will aim for their heads, as usually happens with reigning champions.

But if Jokic stays healthy and plays the way he played in the playoffs, it would be hard to choose any other team over them in the Western Conference.

The post Nuggets Make Big Nikola Jokic Announcement appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source link

The Los Angeles Chargers managed to escape with a much-needed win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Brandon Staley’s team hit the ground running but took their foot off the gas in the second half, surviving a bit of a scare against an undermanned team.

Moreover, a report by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport states that star QB Justin Herbert just suffered a fractured finger on his non-throwing hand, also leading to a gruesome nail injury.

#Chargers QB Justin Herbert suffered a fractured finger on his left, non-throwing hand, sources say. The finger also suffered a gruesome nail injury. Herbert somehow finished the game and with the bye, should not miss time. pic.twitter.com/IQh3YiS0ou

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 2, 2023

Fortunately for him and his team, the bye week will give him enough time to heal, so he’s not expected to miss time at all.

Herbert was good as usual in the win, although he made more damage on the ground than through the air, which is not common for him.

The young star completed just 13 of 24 passes for 167 yards, one touchdown, and one pick, adding 12 rushes for 27 yards and two touchdowns.

The Raiders offensive line had plenty of trouble containing Khalil Mack, who single-handedly recorded a whopping six sacks, becoming just the fifth player in NFL history to get those numbers in a single game.

It was the perfect revenge for Mack, one of the best pass rushers in the game and one of the many talented stars the Raiders have let go throughout the course of the years.

The Raiders now have a date with the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football, while the Chargers will look to get their record over .500 with a win over the Dallas Cowboys two weeks from now.

The post Insider Details Severity Of Justin Herbert’s Finger Issue appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source link

The Cleveland Guardians haven’t had many managers like Terry Francona.

In a league in which front offices and analytics departments matter more each day, the impact a manager can have is somewhat limited.

However, Francona was one of the few skippers who could legitimately increase his team’s winning odds with his good roster management, outside-the-box thinking, personality, and ability to get the best out of his players.

He was much better than the average manager.

He retired over the weekend, with 921 wins in Cleveland.

That’s not only the most in Guardians history, but also the most in MLB since he took over the team in 2013.

Adding up his stints with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Boston Red Sox, he retires with 1,950 managerial wins and a .538 winning percentage.

Francona is now leaving a huge void in the organization.

According to MLB insider Bob Nightengale, the search has started.

“The Cleveland #Guardians have already begun their interview process to replace manager Terry Francona,” he tweeted.

The Cleveland #Guardians have already begun their interview process to replace manager Terry Francona.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 2, 2023

The Guardians have a small payroll, but a bona fide star in José Ramírez who is signed for the long-term, a strong young pitching foursome (Triston McKenzie, Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, and Logan Allen), lots of promising middle infielders, and a good bullpen.

Oh, and they also have a good farm and a veteran leader in Shane Bieber, who is nearing free agency and might be traded.

All things considered, it is a desirable situation for aspiring managers, but one that challenges them to get the best out of their roster like Francona did.

The post MLB Insider Shares Update On Guardians Managerial Search appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source link