By TERRY LYONS
BOSTON – The countdown clock is on for the NFL Preseason to begin for all 32 teams. The Hall of Fame game (Cleveland Browns 21, vs New York Jets, 16) is in the books, and the end of week of August 10-13th will soon be upon us.
With that fact and the 2023 NFL season to begin Thursday, September 7th and the regular season to begin in earnest September 10th, the all-out marketing blitz of advertising for the NFL Sunday Ticket (now available exclusively on Youtube TV) and for online Gambling on the NFL, via the likes of Draft Kings, Bet MGM, Fan Duel and WynnBet MA (all new here in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts) will fill the coffers for broadcast and media outlets.
The ads will overwhelm sports TV viewers, especially those tuning in to late season MLB and PGA Tour broadcasts, never mind the beginning of College Football. (Boston College opens Saturday, September 2nd vs Northern Illinois).
OPENING NFC WIN TOTALS/ODDS: Are you ready for some football? Not yet? Here are some NFC Conference franchise win totals for the 2023 season. You decide, is it Over or Under?
- Arizona Cardinals Over 5.5 (+105) Under 5.5 (-125)
- Atlanta Falcons Over 7.5 (-115) Under 7.5 (-105)
- Carolina Panthers Over 7.5 (-110) Under 7.5 (-110)
- Chicago Bears Over 7.5 (-115) Under 7.5 (-105)
- Dallas Cowboys Over 9.5 (-120) Under 9.5 (+100)
- Detroit Lions Over 9 (-150) Under 9 (+125)
- Green Bay Packers Over 7.5 (+115) Under 7.5 (-135)
- Los Angeles Rams Over 7.5 (-125) Under 7.5 (+105)
- Minnesota Vikings Over 8.5 (-115) Under 8.5 (-105)
- New Orleans Saints Over 9.5 (+110) Under 9.5 (-130)
- New York Giants Over 8.5 (+110) Under 8.5 (-130)
- Philadelphia Eagles Over 10.5 (-130) Under 10.5 (+110)
- San Francisco 49ers Over 11.5 (+105) Under 11.5 (-125)
- Seattle Seahawks Over 8.5 (-125) Under 8.5 (+105)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers Over 6.5 (-115) Under 6.5 (-105)
- Washington Commanders Over 7.5 (+115) Under 7.5 (-135)
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HERE NOW, THE NOTES: When we last left the USA men’s national team at the FIBA Worlds, it was September 14, 2019 and the United States team was victorious in its 7th Place qualification round game over Poland. Yes, SEVENTH PLACE or one slot better than the SIXTH PLACE finish USA Basketball suffered in 2002 on the hometown soil of Indianapolis. Yes, that 2002 finish was three slots below USA Basketball and Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s outing in Japan in 2006 when the USA world team lost to Greece but managed a win against Argentina to take the bronze medal.
In between (2010 and 2014), the USA Basketball senior national team played tremendous basketball and won the two world tournaments, first in Turkey and then in Spain.
This year, it’s on to Manila (The Philippines) to compete in another 32-team extravaganza. The US has begun training, hitting the hardwood in its usual training camp hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada where the temperatures are higher than the game scores.
There will be a friendly (vs. Puerto Rico) on Monday (August 7) in Vegas before the team heads for Malaga, Spain for friendlies vs. Slovenia (August 12) and Spain (August 13) before a stop in Abu Dhabi for games against Greece (August 18) and Germany (August 20).
On Friday, USA Basketball cut a deal with FOX Sports to televise all the “USA Showcase” games. Check HERE.
LISTS and LISTS: Which of the USA Basketball (Olympics and World teams) are the best of the best? Let’s look at one insider’s list:
- 1992 – Dream Team – Barcelona
- 2008 – Olympic Team – Beijing
- 1960 – Olympic Team – Rome
- 1956 – Olympic Team – Melbourne
- 1996 – Olympic Team – Atlanta
- 1994 – Worlds Team – Toronto
- 2012 – Olympic Team – London
- 2016 – Olympic Team – Rio
- 2010 – Worlds Team – Spain
- 2014 – Worlds Team – Turkey
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DOC, SHAQ – MORE LISTS: Shaquille O’Neal was recently asked about a Top 10 list of Greatest NBA Players submitted by Julius “Dr. J” Erving. O’Neal believes Erving is entitled to his opinion being that he helped pave the way for the players of today. The Big Aristotle was fine with the fact “The Doctor” did not list any active NBA players, thus leaving the likes of Lebron James and Steph Curry as players to be named later, maybe by others.
Let’s start with Julius Erving’s list (he stressed it is not in any particular order):
- Jerry West
- Oscar Robertson
- Elgin Baylor
- Wilt Chamberlain
- Bill Russell
- Michael Jordan
- Kareem Adbul-Jabbar
- Karl Malone
- Magic Johnson
- Nate “Tiny” Archibald
Shaq’s Top 10 (again, claimed as in no order):
- Magic Johnson
- Kobe Bryant
- Michael Jordan
- LeBron James
- Then [expletive] me!
“That ain’t no disrespect to Malone, [Charles] Barkley and Kareem,” O’Neal said. “Hey, that’s my list. Understand what I’m saying? … as he went for the second group.
- Steph Curry
- Allen Iverson
- Tim Duncan
- Malone (he didn’t specify Karl or Moses, but was probably thinking Karl).
- Isiah Thomas
- Then, he paused and noted Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had to be listed, too, making it a Top 11.
This columnist vividly remembers the morning the NBA at 50 were to be honored at the 1997 NBA All-Star Weekend in Cleveland. A photo of the honorees – all decked out in their special, one-of-a-kind Mitchell & Nessjackets – was presented to Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Erving for their signatures during an all-out, closed-door frenzy of autograph seeking led by the legends themselves.
The great Doctor signed and glanced at the other names alongside his, asking “would you like me to ask Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar) to sign this, too?”
“No, no thanks,” was the reply. “You, Larry and Magic are my guys. You were the best to work with during my career, and you were always there for the NBA, no matter what we asked of you. You are my guys.”
“What about Kareem, he’s the best player,” noted Doc.
“No, it’s okay. Just three.”
The TL Top 10? (In order)
- Bill Russell
- Michael Jordan
- Wilt Chamberlain
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Magic Johnson
- LeBron James
- Oscar Robertson
- Larry Bird
- Elgin Baylor
- Kobe Bryant
Apologies to: Jerry West, Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Karl Malone, Walt “Clyde” Frazier, Shaq, Hakeem Olajuwon, John Havlicek, Moses Malone, Scottie Pippen, among others.
Apologies for possibly shaking up prior/personal Top 10 lists. Like any rock and roll lists, one must reserve the right to change mind, and thus the list every 24 hours.
NLL: The Sunday Notes column is always sharing some keen insights to what makes us tick, one being the fact indoor “box” lacrosse is a favorite sport. Of course, the outdoor game is great, as well, and I miss watching both the college and professional versions of the game (Boston Cannons or Long Island Lizards).
Here are some of the key dates for the NLL this Fall:
- Sept. 15: NLL Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Burlington, Ontario*
- Sept. 16: NLL Draft in Oakville, Ontario
- Oct. 28-29: NLL Training Camps officially open
- Dec. 1-2: 2023-24 NLL Face-off Weekend
*The NLL will induct 10 new members into the NLL Hall of Fame on September 15. Among the honorees are eight former players and two referees to be enshrined under the Builders category.
TIDBITS: What does former Kentucky coach Tubby Smith – the head coach of the 1998 national champions – think?
“We had over 800 Division I players transfer last year.
“Over 800.
“C’mon.
“Teaching ’em how to quit. That’s what we’re doing. Things not going well? Let’s quit.
“I remember calling my dad when I was a freshman. High Point College. “Dad, people not treating me… this and that… I’m unhappy here.’ There wasn’t but two blacks in the whole school. My Dad, he said, ‘Son, somebody do something to you?’ No. ‘You’re still getting your scholarship aren’t you? They’re still feeding you? They’re still housing you? You’re still getting your education?’ I said, ‘Yes, sir.’ He said, ‘You can’t come home. Your bed’s been taken… But you can join the Army.’ Best thing he ever said to me.”
While We’re Young (Ideas) is a weekly Sunday Sports Notebook and sports news column written by Terry Lyons. The posting of each notebook harkens back to the days when you’d walk over to the city news stand on Saturday night around 10pm to pick-up a copy of the Sunday papers. Inside, just waiting, was a sports-filled compilation of interesting notes, quotes and quips.
TL’s Sunday Sports Notes is brought to you by Digital Sports Desk.
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TL