The Baltimore Orioles have done something this season that no one thought was possible in spring training.

They won 100 games this season and have clinched the AL East crown.

Last season, the Orioles showed promise.

They made a late-season push for a Wild Card spot but came up short.

Making the playoffs this season seemed to be a good goal.

But, they have blown that out of the water.

Baltimore will be the number one seed in the AL playoffs and have home-field advantage throughout.

The turnaround in Baltimore has been incredible.

In 2021, the Orioles lost 110 games.

According to Sarah Langs via FOX Sports: MLB, the Orioles are the first team in MLB history to go from 110 losses to 100 wins in a three-season span.

The @Orioles are the 1st team in MLB history to go from a 110+ loss season to a 100+ win in a 3-season span

(h/t @SlangsOnSports) pic.twitter.com/z4SwHSp3lk

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 29, 2023

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It is hard to believe they could make a turnaround that fast.

One of the reasons they were able to do so is because they drafted very well.

They had many top draft picks and seemingly hit on all of them.

Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and Grayson Rodriguez have all played significant roles this year.

Rodriguez was drafted in 2018, while Henderson and Rutschman were selected in 2019.

The Orioles have a good group of young players and veterans that have meshed well together.

The best part about the Orioles is that they are here to stay.

They are the best team in the AL, along with having one of the best farm systems in the sport.

Many more great young players are on the way to join what is already the best team in the AL.

The post The Orioles Have Made Impressive History This Season appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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The Los Angeles Lakers made a lowkey very impactful trade last season.

Acquiring Rui Hachimura was very valuable for Darvin Ham’s team, as he was a part of a frontcourt logjam and was never going to take off with the Washington Wizards.

But Hachimura was a natural fit in Los Angeles, working closely with their player development staff and providing a big boost on both ends of the floor, even in the playoffs.

And now that he’s extended his stay in Southern California, it seems like Hachimura is looking forward to learning from the best of the best.

According to GM Rob Pelinka, he’s spent plenty of time working out with LeBron James and soaking in as much information as he can, up to the point where LeBron now calls him his understudy, via Jovan Buha of The Athletic.

Rob Pelinka says Rui Hachimura arriving in LA was a “personal renaissance” for Hachimura, who’s been working closely with and learning from LeBron.

“I think he’s just hitting the takeoff of the flight he’s about to go on,” Pelinka said.

“Bron calls him his understudy,” Darvin…

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— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) September 28, 2023

Hachimura is a gifted athlete with a strong build and big arms, just like LeBron.

Needless to say, they’re not in the same stratosphere in terms of play, and Hachimura is obviously way more limited, but this could do wonders for him.

James knows how to make the most of his body and big frame better than most players in the league, and Hachimura has a similar body type.

His strength allows him to hold his own against bigger players, and he was even sent out there to guard some centers.

Hachimura is expected to have a significant role off the bench next season, and he’s earning every single penny of that deal.

The post Lakers GM Says Veteran Has Been Working Closely With LeBron James appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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As coach of Team USA in the FIBA Basketball World Cup, Steve Kerr relied on Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves a lot.

He was impressed by what the young player was capable of and he believed him.

However, that wasn’t always the case.

Speaking with ESPN, Edwards revealed that Kerr once grilled him about his effort and workout process.

According to Edwards, Kerr said: “You’ve got to see Steph, KD, and Klay work out…You didn’t work hard enough.”

He added: “If we had the No. 1 pick, we wouldn’t take you.”

Anthony Edwards credits Steve Kerr for becoming "a madman in the gym."

He spoke to Jamal Collier about the formative interaction https://t.co/T0o49FISI9 pic.twitter.com/nP4n3dDNTp

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) September 29, 2023

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Edwards said the comments came when he was working out in preparation for the league.

At the time, Edwards was seen as the top pick in that draft class.

Sure enough, he was ultimately selected by the Timberwolves at the start of the 2020 draft.

But if Kerr and former team president Bob Myers had the first choice, they would have passed on Edwards.

The guard admitted to ESPN that he was shocked by Kerr’s words – but they did inspire him.

He and his trainer then met to find ways to push himself more and make Kerr and the rest of the NBA proud.

It apparently worked because Kerr was very supportive and blown away by Edwards during his recent World Cup run.

Edwards posted 18.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists during the tournament.

Although Team USA ultimately didn’t find the success they wanted in the World Cup, Edwards played well and Kerr was very happy with his output.

Kerr was giving Edwards tough love all those years ago and it has definitely paid off.

Now, people are expecting great things from him as he enters his fourth season in the NBA.

The post Steve Kerr Had Big Message To Anthony Edwards After Pre-Draft Workout appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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