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TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | October 23

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They’re playing basketball (to the beat y’all)

We love that basketball (yeah)

They’re playing basketball (uh huh, uh huh)

We love that basketball

– Kurtis Blow

By TERRY LYONS

BOSTON – The basketball season was 1968-69 and the New Jersey Americans relocated to Long Island to become the New York Nets of the American Basketball Association, a rival league to the heralded National Basketball Association.

The year ahead was going to be great for New York sports fans. The New York Jets, behind the guarantee provided by quarterback “Broadway” Joe Namath upset the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III. It was the victory that put the then-rival American Football Conference (AFC) on par with the National Football Conference (NFC) and it made the National Football League (NFL) the most popular sports property in the United States.

As that Summer of ‘69 turned to Fall, the Miracle Mets, behind the pitching of Jerry Koosman (two World Series wins, including the series clincher) backed by Hall of Famer Tom “Terrific” Seaver and Gary Gentry, defeated the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles in five games to take the first Series victory in franchise history. Donn Clendenon, Cleon Jones and improbable offensive might of everyone from 2B Al Weisto reserve catcher J.C. Martin provided key hits while incredible defensive plays by center fielder Tommie Agee and right fielder Ron Swoboda made the Mets – Amazin’ and sent NYC and the Borough of Queens and most Long Islanders into a frenzy.

A flip of the calendar brought yet another championship to New York when the New York Knicks of the NBA defeated the LA Lakers and Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylorand Jerry West in a memorable seven-game series. While Willis Reed and his gutsy Game 7 return to action after seriously injuring his knee in Game 5, grabbed the headlines and Walt Frazier’s 36-point, 19-assist, 7-rebound performance went somewhat unnoticed because of Reed’s return.

Those championships were almost too much for a 10-year old to handle. But this (then) 10-year old harkens back to December 19, 1968 as the day the championship was solidified. It was the day Knicks GM Eddie Donovan had the guts to trade All-Star center Walt “Bells” Bellamy, and guard Howard “Butch” Komives, to the Detroit Pistons for eight time NBA All-Star power forward Dave DeBusschere.

Hit “The Open Man” became the Knicks’ mantra and, in fact, was the title of DeBusschere’s book chronicling the season day-by-day. It’s simple philosophy, honed by Knicks Coach Red Hozman was the perfect offense to deploy for the ‘69-’73 Knicks.

With Knicks tickets tough to come by in suburban Long Island me and my basketball-loving’ family would get our hardwood fix with regular attendance at (nearly) all St. John’s University home games. We attended dozens of Island Trees H.S. basketball games where both of my oder brothers played and then 100% of the Holy Trinity H.S.games from 1973 to 1977 and beyond as coach Bob McKillop and Matt Doherty hung banner after banner at HT.

All the while, the ABA Nets were our mainstay. After head coach York Larese flamed-out, the Nets recruited Little Louie Carnesseca away from his post at St. Johns, along with trusty assistant John Kresse (who gave me my college tour at St. John’s). The great Rick Barry was on the Nets, along with former Johnnies Joe DuPre and Sonny Dove. Bill Melchioni held down the point, while Laverne Tart was the shooting guard. The bigmen included Jim Ard, Manny Leaks, and another young Johnnie who made playoff appearances as much as the Kardashians appear in the Super Market tabloids.

Suffice to say, a good game of hoops was available every night of the week and we took advantage of that fact growing up. And it changed for the better when the Nets acquired Julius “Dr, J.” Erving who was at the height of his career.

At one point in 1977, an interview with Nets head coach Kevin Loughery and an intro to his then-assistant, Rod Thorn, began a life-long friendship as they led the Nets to titles in 1974 and 1976 over formidable ABA clubs from Kentucky (Artis Gilmore and Dan Issel), Denver’s (David Thompson), and Indiana Pacers’ big (Mel Daniels), just to name a few. Thorn would eventually join the NBA league office as the head of Basketball Operations and the so-called Dean of Discipline.

All-in-all, a pretty good apprenticeship in the sports of basketball and one that turned into a career come December 1980 when this columnist began a 26+ year career at the NBA league office, working under Commissioners Larry O’Brien and David Stern.

In the early ‘80s, the NBA league office was like Camelot. It was just a matter of time – and some hard work – to build the global platform and stage the game for the way its played today by the World’s Greatest Athletes.

THE NBA TODAY: It’s quite early for any meaningful  predictions for the on-going 2022-23 NBA season, but that won’t stop us from doing the very first Power Rankings” of the NBA season. Truth be told, the real power ratings are Post NBA All-Star Break.

Here’s a look at the Top 8 from each conference:

EAST:

  1. Milwaukee Bucks
  2. Boston Celtics
  3. Toronto Raptors
  4. Washington Wizards
  5. Brooklyn Nets
  6. Miami Heat
  7. Philadelphia 76ers
  8. Detroit Pistons

WEST:

  1. Golden State Warriors
  2. New Orleans Pelicans
  3. Memphis Grizzlies
  4. Houston Rockets
  5. Denver Nuggets
  6. LA Clippers
  7. Phoenix Suns
  8. Dallas Mavericks.

Check back in mid-December for a more educated prediction.

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: The Cleveland Charge selected Sam Merrill (6-4, 205, Utah State) with the first overall pick of the 2022-23 NBA G League Draft on Saturday afternoon, which was held virtually. The Wisconsin Herd selected Joe Wieskamp with the second overall selection, while the Greensboro Swarm selected Aaron Wheelerwith the third pick.

RATINGS GAME: The NBA on Tuesday saw its best opening night doubleheader viewership since 2017, as TNT averaged 3.3 million viewers for 76ers- Celtics and Lakers- Warriors.

TID-BITS: I can figure out who is pouring more money into the economy – legal inquiries on Camp Lujeane, the folks funding CrytoLef hack campaign or Big Pharma selling every drug manufactured under the sun. … Coach Jim Calhoun will be the special guest Sunday, October 30, at Lavietes Pavilion. when Harvard hosts its annual fantasy day for Friends of Harvard, and local coaches. Basketball Hall of Famer and New England native, Calhoun, won three NCAA Division I men’s basketball championships as the head coach of the University of Connecticut. With over 900 NCAA victories (917-397), Coach Calhoun has extensive experience across all three divisions of NCAA athletics. Coach Calhoun will share his depth of perspective with our community, and we would be thrilled if you can attend! In addition to hearing Coach Calhoun speak, you will also be able to watch a Harvard Basketball practice and receive lunch as part of the day’s events. Harvard head coach Tommy Amaker will be running the show. … Tickets go on sale Monday, October 24, 2022 for the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference. This year’s conference is on March 3 – 4th, 2023 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston.

For a full subscription to our Sunday Notebook, “While We’re Young (Ideas)” please see: CLICK HERE

McIlroy, Rahm in Familiar Places

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RIDGEWOOD (SC) – Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy made two eagles and carded his second consecutive (67) to take the 17th career 54-hole lead/co-lead of his career. In today’s final round, McIlroy will attempt to reclaim World No. 1 and earn the second successful title defense of his career.

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McIlroy looks to join Tiger Woods (2008 Farmers Insurance Open) as the only reigning FedExCup champion to win his season debut.

It won’t come easy as Spain’s Jon Rahm birdied three of his final seven holes and sits one stroke back of McIlroy along with two other golfers. K.H. Lee is attempting to become first player from Korea to win The CJ CUP and with two career runner-up finishes, Kurt Kitayama is trying to claim his first Tour title. Both join Rahm at (-12), one off the lead.

Leaderboard After 54 Holes

Rory McIlroy 66-67-67—200 (-13)

K.H. Lee 68-67-66—201 (-12)

Kurt Kitayama 66-65-70—201 (-12)

Jon Rahm 69-62-70—201 (-12)

Full Leaderboard: (link)

Rahm Shoots (62), Shares Lead at CJ

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RIDGEWOOD (SC) – Jon Rahm of Spain set the course-record (62) at Congaree Golf Club and holds 36-hole lead/co-lead for seventh time in his career. Making first start of 2022-23 season, Rahm shot a 9-under and holed 10 birdies before making bogey at No. 18.

Kurt Kitayama earned his first career 36-hole lead/co-lead on Tour and now seeks his maiden PGA Tour victory.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy is two shots back in search of the second successful title defense of his career. Following a 1-over (37) on the front nine, McIlroy (5th/-9) closed with a 5-under 30 for 67. He leads the field in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee (3.614) after 36 holes. The other title defense in his career was at the 2022 RBC Canadian Open.

Australian Cam Davis (T3/-10) recorded six birdies in R-2, including four in his last seven holes, for his second consecutive (66). He owns 10 Top-10 finishes in 104 career Tour starts including one victory coming at the 2021 Rocket Mortgage Classic.

Leaderboard After 36 Holes

Kurt Kitayama 66-65–131 (-11)

Jon Rahm 69-62–131 (-11)

Cam Davis 66-66–132 (-10)

Aaron Wise 66-66–132 (-10)

Rory McIlroy 66-67–133 (-9)

Full Leaderboard: (link)

Mullinex, Woodland Lead at CJ Cup

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RIDGEWOOD (SC) – In first-round action at The CJ Cup, Trey Mullinax earned his third career 18-hole lead/co-lead on Tour with an opening 6-under (65) while Gary Woodland birdied his final two holes to share the lead in search of his first Top-10 since the 2022 U.S. Open.

Rory McIlroy opened his 2022-23 season with a bogey-free (66) and is seeking the second successful title defense of his career. Playing together for the first time on Tour, McIlroy and Tom Kim combined to shoot 10-under and sit T-3.

Of the 13 Korean players in the field, Tom Kim sits highest on the leaderboard after 18 holes.

Congaree Golf club has hosted one other PGA TOUR event, the 2021 Palmetto Championship at Congaree, won by Garrick Higgo (not in the field this weekend). Of the 19 players in this week’s field who competed at Congaree in 2021, Tyrrell Hatton, Sungjae Im and Seamus Power all shot (67) and sit T-9. Hatton, Im and Power finished T-2, T-35 and T-19, respectively, at the 2021 Palmetto Championship.

Leaderboard After 18 Holes

Trey Mullinax 65 (-6)

Gary Woodland – 65 (-6)

Aaron Wise – 66 (-5)

Wyndham Clark – 66 (-5)

Tom Kim – 66 (-5)

Rory McIlroy – 66 (-5)

Cam Davis – 66 (-5)

Kurt Kitayama – 66 (-5)

Full Leaderboard: (link)

PGA Tour Sports Desk: CJ Cup

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RIDGELAND, South Carolina – At 8:15am (ET) this morning, 21 of the top 30 golfers in the Official World Golf Rankings will tee-it-up at The CJ Cup in South Carolina. The venue, the Congaree Golf Club, will be the fourth golf course to host the event, the third in the United States. From 2017-to-2019, the event was played at Nine Bridges in South Korea. In the USA, the location was at Shadow Creek (2020) and Summit Club (2021) in Las Vegas.

There are 13 players (second most of tournament) from Korea playing this week, including Sungjae Im and Tom Kim, two frequent residents of the PGA Tour’s leaderboards. The USA has 45 players competing and England – third most this week – has four golfers.

Reigning FedEx Cup and 2021 CJ Cup champion Rory McIlroy is making his debut since winning at the TOUR Championship in August. Jon Rahm of Spain is making his season debut as well. Rahm finished T-5th in the 2021-22 FedEx Cup standings.

Rickie Fowler, who finished as runner-up last weekend at the ZOZO Championship in Japan, now has two Top 10s in three starts this Fall. Fowler finished T-3 in the 2021 CJ Cup as he makes his 300th start on Tour today. Keegan Bradley won the ZOZO last weekend.

The CJ Cup in South Carolina | Tournament Facts

COURSE: Congaree Golf Club, Ridgewood, South Carolina

YARDS/PAR: 7,655 yards/Par 71

ARCHITECT: Tom Fazio (2018)

PRIZE Money – Purse: $10,500,000/$1,890,000

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Rory McIlroy

PAST HISTORY: (link)

PAST RESULTS: (link)

FEDEx CUP Points to Winner: 500

SOCIAL MEDIA: #PGATour #FedExCup

NFL Sports Desk: Saints, Cards on TNF

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GLENDALE – (Staff and Wire Service Preview from Field Level Media) – The New Orleans Saints and the Arizona Cardinals both had high expectations entering the season. But both are off to 2-4 starts as they try to get their campaigns headed in the right direction when they meet tonight in Arizona.

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The Cardinals lost two offensive starters to major injuries during a 19-9 loss at Seattle last Sunday. Left guard Justin Pugh suffered a torn ACL that will end his season and wide receiver Marquise Brown will miss at least several weeks because of a foot injury.

“It’s tough anytime you lose starters that you’re depending on in your offense,” Arizona coach Kliff Kingsbury said. “But it’s the NFL and everybody is dealing with the same thing. We’ve got to be able to continue to play and improve, so we’ll make adjustments and go from there.”

The Cardinals got a boost when wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins came off the suspended list Monday and the team bolstered the position further by trading two draft choices to the Carolina Panthers for Robbie Anderson.

Hopkins is expected to make his season debut against the Saints and Kingsbury said he’s hopeful Anderson will be able to play, though the short week provides limited practice opportunities.

“I’m really excited to see what he brings,” Kingsbury said of Hopkins. “He’s a guy you can throw out and expect to make plays, there’s no doubt. We’ll see how he fits in, but he’s the centerpiece of it.”

Three Arizona starters — center Rodney Hudson (knee), running back James Conner (ribs) and kicker Matt Prater (hip) — missed practice Tuesday, as did backup running back Darrel Williams (knee).

[Read more…] about NFL Sports Desk: Saints, Cards on TNF

NFL Sports Desk: Black Friday Football

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NEW YORK – (Staff and Wire Service Report from Field Level Media) – A Black Friday NFL game will make its debut in 2023. Amazon and the NFL announced Tuesday that Prime Video will stream the first-ever traditional shopping-day game on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, at 3:00pm (ET).

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“Thanksgiving is synonymous with football and we’re excited to give our fans another day of NFL action during this holiday weekend,” said Hans Schroeder, chief operating officer for NFL Media. “Amazon is uniquely positioned to partner with us for this game as Black Friday is one of the most important days of the year for their business.”

Three NFL games are played on Thanksgiving day, including one in prime time.

Amazon is in its first season of streaming Thursday night games as part of a deal that runs through the 2033 season.

–Field Level Media

Patriots Earn No. 324 Win for Belichick

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CLEVELAND – (Staff and Wire Service Report by Field Level Media) – Reserve quarterback Bailey Zappe threw for a career-high 309 yards and his visiting New England Patriots posted a late lead to defeat the Cleveland Browns 38-15 on Sunday afternoon.

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TIED for SECOND: Bill Belichick won No. 324

Zappe completed 24 of 34 passes and tossed two touchdowns to lead New England (3-3) to its second consecutive win. Rhamondre Stevenson finished with 76 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries, and four receivers eclipsed the 60-yard mark.

It was the 324th victory (including postseason) for Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who is now tied with George Halas for the second-most wins in NFL history.

Down 24-6 heading into the fourth, Cleveland (2-4) pulled within 24-15 thanks to a 51-yard field goal from Cade York and Amari Cooper’s 15-yard touchdown reception from Jacoby Brissett. The Browns then attempted an onside kick and recovered, but the call was overturned upon review.

Rookie wide receiver Tyquan Thornton then rushed for a 19-yard touchdown and Stevenson later added a 6-yard score on the ground to put the game out of reach.

Brissett threw for 266 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions on 21-of-45 passing for Cleveland, while Nick Chubb was held to 56 yards on 12 rushes.

The Patriots put together an impressive seven-play, 75-yard drive to open the second half. Zappe connected with Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry for gains of 53 and 13 yards, respectively, before hooking up with Thornton in the end zone from 2 yards out.

It was Thornton’s first career touchdown.

[Read more…] about Patriots Earn No. 324 Win for Belichick

NFL Sports Desk: SNF Marquee Matchup

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PHILADELPHIA – (Staff and Field Level Media Report) – Dallas oft-injured quarterback Dak Prescott participated in individual drills and was more involved in Thursday’s practice than the Dallas Cowboys anticipated, making enough improvement that he’s officially questionable for tonight’s game at Philadelphia.

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Lead receiver CeeDee Lamb missed Friday’s practice with a hip injury, but Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones signaled the absence was more precaution than panic.

“He’s just working through a couple things there. Just felt like it was best for him not to practice today. We feel like he’ll get all that sorted out for the game,” Jones said Friday to 105.3 FM in Dallas.

Prescott was upgraded to limited participation Thursday, his first practice in more than four weeks, from being listed as DNP on Wednesday.

Head coach Mike McCarthy said the result of the uptick in throwing is a sore surgically repaired right thumb. That prompted the Cowboys to rest Prescott and keep him out of Friday’s team work. McCarthy said the Cowboys consider Prescott in “regeneration” mode.

Prescott is nearly five weeks removed from fracturing the thumb on his throwing hand in the Sept. 11 opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. McCarthy said the big picture remains entirely positive with Prescott, who will resume throwing Saturday and before Sunday’s game at Philadelphia.

“The last two days he hit the target. (Friday) will be a recovery day for him,” McCarthy said. “We’re on schedule. He’s getting better.”

Dallas’ Reserve QB Cooper Rush is in line to start his fifth consecutive game since Prescott went down.

The Cowboys (4-1) do expect linebacker Micah Parsons (groin) and defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (chest) to be on the field for the NFC East showdown with the Eagles (5-0).

Rush said it’s important to note Prescott hasn’t been on the field, but he has impacted the end result.

“I’ve said before he’s helped tremendously with our room, myself, and everyone else on the sidelines,” Rush said. “He’s bringing energy, that’s just who he is as a person or a leader.”

–Field Level Media

Bills, Chiefs Reunite in Playoff Rematch

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KANSAS CITY – (Staff and Wire Service Report by Field Level Media) The Buffalo Bills return to the scene of a painful playoff loss when they visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday afternoon.

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The Bills seemingly were en route to an AFC Divisional round victory when they went ahead with 13 seconds left in regulation this past January, but the Chiefs tied the contest with a field goal and eventually won 42-36 in overtime on Patrick Mahomes’ 8-yard scoring pass to Travis Kelce.

Buffalo coach Sean McDermott said the heartbreaking loss serves as an educational experience.

“I think just overall, you learn a lot through your experience, whether it’s positive or negative, and you can use it as you move forward as a person individually, as a team in this case,” McDermott told reporters on Wednesday. “I think when you’re in those games, just being in those games to begin with is a great educator for us as coaches, players and our football team.”

The Chiefs (4-1) and Bills (4-1) are tied for best record in the AFC. This will be the fifth meeting in the past two-plus seasons, with the teams splitting two regular-season contests and Kansas City winning a pair of playoff games.

The contest also arguably pits the top two quarterbacks in the NFL in Mahomes and Buffalo’s Josh Allen.

Mahomes leads the NFL with 15 touchdown passes while throwing for 1,398 yards and two interceptions. He threw four touchdown passes to Kelce in Monday night’s 30-29 home win over the Las Vegas Raiders. It marks the 15th time he has thrown four or more scoring passes in a regular-season game.

Kelce’s scoring receptions were topped by just one tight end in NFL history. Kellen Winslow of the famed “Air Coryell” San Diego Chargers caught five against the then-Oakland Raiders in 1981.

“Being down by 17, nobody cracked, and you didn’t see doubt in anybody’s eyes. All it did was build the beast, make us rally together and fight for each other,” Kelce said of the comeback victory. “We know we can play some good football when we have that kind of mentality.”

Allen leads the NFL with 1,651 passing yards, including a career-high 424 yards in last Sunday’s 38-3 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He threw four touchdowns, all in the first half, to raise his season count to 14 against four interceptions.

He is no longer interested in hearing anything about the game that got away nine months ago.

“We moved on. We’re ready to focus on this week,” Allen said. “I know everybody in the media will make a big deal out of it but as players, it really is just our next game on the schedule. Nothing we did last year carries over to this year.”

The two stars have a friendly relationship despite all the recent clashes.

“When you go up against the other great quarterback in the league, you always want to win, you always want to compete,” Mahomes said on Wednesday. “Josh is a great guy. He’s a great quarterback, physically talented. He can throw, he can run, he can do it all.

“When we’re on the football field, we’re competing against each other and we want to beat each other’s teams. I have a ton of respect for him and the player and person that he is.”

Both teams have won two straight games since dropping games in Week 3 — Kansas City lost 20-17 to the host Indianapolis Colts while the Bills fell 21-19 to the host Miami Dolphins.

Buffalo listed defensive tackle Ed Oliver (ankle) as a full practice participant on Wednesday for the initial time since he was injured in Week 1. Receiver Isaiah McKenzie (concussion) also was a full-go after missing the Pittsburgh game. Missing the workout for injury reasons were running back Taiwan Jones (knee) and receiver Jake Kumerow (ankle).

Kansas City safety Bryan Cook (concussion), defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton (knee) and cornerbacks Rashad Fenton (hamstring) and Chris Lammons (hip) missed practice Wednesday.

–Field Level Media