Sports

Z-Money’s Deadline Winners & Losers

Now that the NBA Trade Deadline has passed, we’re going to look at which teams improved

their rosters the most and which teams left their fanbases scratching their heads.

WINNERS

1- Phoenix Suns

Patience is a virtue. It took Kevin Durant 7 months to become a Phoenix Sun overnight.

Hours after a separate blockbuster sent shockwaves through the NBA community, the

Brooklyn Nets sent Kevin Durant and COVID-bubble phenom T.J. Warren to Phoenix for

a package of Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four 1 st -round picks, and a 2028

pick swap. In a wide-open Western Conference, the addition of Kevin Durant jolts the

Suns to the top of the pack as far as expectations are concerned. When healthy, Kevin

Durant provides lethal scoring to go along with an already star-studded group that

includes Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton. For a team that was starting to

become stale, the future is looking brighter than ever before. Health may be the only

thing that can stop this team from wining the Western Conference.

2- Los Angeles Lakers

The Russell Westbrook era in the purple and gold has finally come to an end. As part of a

multi-team deal, the Lakers were able to turn Westbrook, Juan Toscano-Anderson,

Damian Jones, and a top-4 protected 2027 1 st -round pick into D’Angelo Russell, Malik

Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt. From the start, it was clear that Russ wasn’t a fit playing

alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis; his style simply clashed with the established

star duo’s. After a disappointing season and a half, Rob Pelinka was ultimately able to

find a way to flip him and bring back pieces more complimentary to LeBron and Davis.

D’Angelo Russell headlines the return as he makes his way back to Los Angeles for a

second stint with the Lakers where he’ll also reunite with former Timberwolves

teammates Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt. In another trade, Los Angeles acquired

Mo Bamba from the Orlando Magic for Patrick Beverley and a 2 nd -round pick. These

newcomers provide the Lakers with a mix of youth, shooting, energy, and defense that

they have been desperately needing. The Los Angeles Lakers are a much more complete

team than their last time on the court, but is it too late for a team currently sitting at

13 th in the Western Conference, 2 games back from a spot in the play-in?

3- Los Angeles Clippers

The Lakers weren’t the only team in Los Angeles making major roster changes before

the deadline passed Thursday. The Clippers made a bevy of moves that netted them

Mason Plumlee, Eric Gordon, and Bones Hyland as well as some 2 nd -round picks. While

these players aren’t major headliner names, they are all valuable roles players that fill

needs and were dirt cheap to acquire. Also, by shipping out point guards Reggie Jackson

and John Wall, the Clippers have made way to pursue Russell Westbrook after he is

expectedly bought out by Utah. Because of the shooting on their roster, Russ is a much

more natural fit with the Clippers than he was with the Lakers. The Clippers didn’t make

any blockbuster moves at the deadline, but they didn’t need to. One of the most

complete rosters in the NBA just got more size, shooting, and playmaking.

LOSERS

1- Brooklyn Nets

The 2023 NBA Trade Deadline will go down as the official end of a saga fraught with

drama and disappointment. In the summer of 2019, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving joined

forces with the Brooklyn Nets. In January 2021, the Nets acquired James Harden from

the Houston Rockets to form what many expected to be the most potent offensive trio

in league history. The trio showed the world their potential combining for 104 points in

a playoff game at Boston during the 2021 Playoffs. Later that postseason, they would

fall a Kevin Durant toe short of having a chance to win a ring. It was working… until it

wasn’t. The next season, James Harden would grow weary of Kyrie Irving and the

uncertainty surrounding him and be traded to the Philadelphia 76ers at the 2022 NBA

Trade Deadline. The trio played in only 16 games before splitting up. A year later, Kyrie

Irving has been traded to the Dallas Mavericks and Kevin Durant has been traded to the

Phoenix Suns. After once boasting an incredible collection of superstar offensive talent,

the Brooklyn Nets are now starting over with a roster headlined by Twitch streamer Ben

Simmons. Their one bright spot, however, is that Cam Thomas has been filling it up as of

late with three straight 40+ point games. Nevertheless, the Brooklyn Nets went all in on

KD, Kyrie, and Harden and it failed.

2- Miami Heat

Another deadline has passed and the Miami front office continues to fail Jimmy Butler.

Jimmy joined the Heat in the summer of 2019 and has carried the team on his back to

multiple deep postseason runs including a trip to the NBA Finals in 2020. You would

think the organization would be eager to surround him with more talent to get the team

over the hump, yet they continually fail to do so. Since he got to Miami, their deadline

acquisitions have been incredibly underwhelming. They’ve traded for Andre Iguodala,

Jae Crowder, Solomon Hill, Trevor Ariza, Victor Oladipo, and Nemanja Bjelica, none of

whom are difference makers. Once again, with a roster devoid of playmakers and

shooting, the Miami Heat did nothing at the trade deadline. The Clippers acquired Bones

Hyland, a player on a rookie deal that could have given the Heat offense a much-needed

jolt of energy, for merely two 2 nd -round picks. Why didn’t Miami jump all over that? The

Miami Heat are failing Jimmy Butler.

Zach “Z-Money” Herndon

10/17/2022

Z’s Money List

Welcome to Z’s Money List. I’ll be breaking down the teams that I think have the best shot to

win the NBA Finals. This first list looks at my top teams as we near tip-off for the 2022-2023

NBA season on October 18th . Let’s get to it..

1- Golden State Warriors

Leading the pack heading into the new season are the defending champs. The Warriors return nearly their entire roster from their 2021-2022 title run, losing only Gary Payton II and Otto Porter Jr. While both players got a lot of run last year, their replacements, Donte DiVincenzo and JaMychal Green, are proven vets that should fit in seamlessly. While the Western Conference is expected to be stronger this season, one can expect continued improvement from the Warriors young players like Jordan Poole, Jonathan Kuminga, James Wiseman, and Mody Moosey.. Mody Mu.. Mu Mody.. Mooses Mody.. Moosey Mody.. MOSES MOODY. Also, did I forget to mention they still have Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and the ever-polarizing Draymond Green? The Warriors aren’t going anywhere.

2- Los Angeles Clippers

Next up we have the Los Angeles Lakers! No, that’s not right. Let’s try that again.. The Los Angeles CLIPPERS! Yes. The Clippers. That other team in Los Angeles looks to be entering the new season with a finally healthy duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George surrounded by what some consider to be the most talented roster in the association. The Clips field a slew of role players in Reggie Jackson, Luke Kennard, Marcus Morris Sr., John Wall, Terance Mann, Robert Covington, Norman Powell, Nicolas Batum, and Ivica Zubac. Such strong and proven depth provides Head Coach Tyronn Lue with an embarrassment of riches when it comes to possible lineup combinations. With such a talented roster, the biggest obstacle keeping the Clippers from finally breaking through and winning an NBA Championship may be their own health. Historically when it comes to the Clippers, what can go wrong will go wrong, but this could be the year that finally changes.

3- Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks have won 213 games since the start of the 2018-2019 season, the most in the NBA. This was the season Giannis Antetokounmpo broke through and won his first Most Valuable Player award. Since then, the Bucks have been a mainstay at the top of the league, winning a title in the 2020-2021 season. Seen as a favorite to reach the Finals last season, a Khris Middleton injury proved too much to overcome as they lost in seven games to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Returning mostly the same roster bolstered by the additions of Joe Ingles and rookie MarJon Beauchamp, the Bucks have a great opportunity to get back to the NBA Finals next June.

4- Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns cruised into the postseason after winning a league high 64 games in the 2021-2022 regular season. After struggling a bit in the first round against a scrappy Pelicans team, the Suns lost in embarrassing fashion at home in a Game 7 against Luka Doncic’s Mavericks. This defeat was shocking to say the least and put a halt to what was looking like a meteoric rise to the top of the league for a franchise that had been a laughingstock for so long. While last postseason changed the perception surrounding this Suns team, they have the talent and the coaching to put themselves in position to redeem their shortcomings and compete for a championship.

5- Denver Nuggets

Coming into 2022-2023, the Nuggets expect to finally get the back-to-back MVP, Nikola Jokic, some reinforcements. Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. should both return to the lineup early in the year after missing extensive time. Add in an Aaron Gordon that seems to have found his groove in Denver and the Nuggets have a very strong core to go along with a deep stock of role players including newcomers Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Bruce Brown, and DeAndre Jordan. The team hopes to stay healthy and return to contention after reaching the Western Conference Finals in the Bubble in 2020 before the injury bug hit the team in the years since.

The Next 5

6- Philadelphia 76ers

7- Brooklyn Nets

8- Boston Celtics

9- Miami Heat

10- Los Angeles Lakers

Don’t forget to catch the NBA season tipping off this Tuesday October 18th .

Zach “Z-Money” Herndon

10/17/2022

BOOGIE’S DRAFTKINGS BOARD

There is nothing more beautiful than seeing a full Sunday slate with high expected totals. This week has a lot of great matchups for players. DFS can be very challenging, especially in trying to find the perfect balance to meet the salary limits. With that being said it is important to find cheaper value guys with a decent floor and a huge ceiling. There are some big-time injuries this week to the RB position and a lot of the big time WR have great matchups and should cook. My best advice is to bite the bullet and eat the chalk on the cheap RB’s and go balls to the fucking wall on the WR’s. One of the hardest things I am having to do with my lineup this weekend is not playing Josh Allen. He honestly might go for a fucking hundred points. Josh Allen is going for Patrick Mahomes fucking head this weekend. Also, KC has two rookies starting at CB and Devante Adams dragged his nuts all over their face last weekend, so it will be very important that we have Gabe Davis or Stefon Diggs in our lineups. We need to attack the games with the highest project totals because that means a lot of touchdowns and we love points. Just a little side rant, if you ever bet the under in a football game you have no fucking balls. The only person that would bet an under is the same kind of person, who wears another grown ass man’s football jersey. I mean just imagine being a 40-year-old man and wear a jersey of another man in public……. A very sneaky high scoring matchup this weekend is going to be Seattle vs Arizona. Remember the new Call of Duty comes out next week, so this will be the last time we can play Kyler for a while. If you would have told me to put Geno Smith in a DFS lineup this year, I would’ve told you that you are fucking insane. I got to be honest Geno is him. He is a huge upgrade from “Mr. Dangerous”. Ciara should give Future a call.

LINEUP #1

QB- Geno Smith ($5,700)

RB- Eno Benjamin ($4,600)

RB- Alvin Kamara ($6,700)

WR- Gabe Davis ($6,500)

WR- George Pickens ($4,600)

WR- Justin Jefferson ($8,900)

TE- Cade Otton ($2,900)

FLEX- Jamar Chase ($7,700)

DST- Panthers ($2,400)

One thing that might come back to burn me is never paying up for a TE. Travis Kelce might be the best player in the league, and you should definitely try and get him in the lineup. I just refuse to put him in when I can find at least a double-digit point option out there at TE. I will leave everyone with one quote, “All I want to do is eat.” – Kirby Smart. Let’s win some fucking money this weekend.

Garrett “Boogie” Marchman

10/16/2022

Boogie’s Big Board

Welcome all you degenerates to the first edition of Boogie’s Big Board.

Today I will be looking at all of the Divisional Series Matchups. Let’s dive right in.

GUARDIANS vs YANKEES

(Yankees -1.5, O/U 6)

The Guardians have been one of the hottest and streakiest teams in the second half of the

year, while the Yankees have been struggling in the second half. Even though the Yankees took

game one, I think today could be different. First off, the Guardians have their guy on the mound

in Shane Bieber. Bieber has been one of the hottest pitchers in the league over his last 13 starts

posting a 2.04 ERA and limiting his opponents to a. .215 BA. Bieber was dominate over the

Rays in his first postseason outing and I think this trend will continue today. However, Nestor

Cortes has been great for the Yankees all year, he has limited opponents to a .189 BA all year. If

the Guardians plan on taking one game from the Bronx Bombers today is the day. One key stat

for today is that Judge and Stanton have struggled against Mr. Bieber throughout their careers.

They are a combined 2-17. Will that trend keep going today?

BEST BETS

I’m going to start this article off with a bang, I love the underdogs in this matchup. I think

Shane Bieber will dominate today and I love the Guardians ML at +139. However, if you want to

be a little bitch and be safe then you can take the Guardians +1.5 for (-175). Let must just state

this momma ain’t raised no bitch….. Give me the Guardians money line all day. Two prop bets I

love are for both pitchers to go over K’s. Shane Bieber over 5.5 K’s and Cortes over 4.5 K’s.

BRAVES vs PHILLIES

(Phillies -1.5, O/U 6.5)

Fair warning, I might be a little bias on this game, since I am a Braves fan but don’t let

that creep into your mind. This series has been wild to say the least. In game one the Phillies

absolutely dismantled the Braves ace. However, in game two the Braves were able to string

along some hits and were able to knock off the Phillies and their ace. We need to take a moment

and welcome back Mr. Mustache Man himself in Spencer Strider. He has been out the last

month dealing with an injury, but he is back right in time. This rookie has been lights out for the

Braves and has been racking up the strikeouts all year. Now looking at the Phillies, Aaron Nola

is on the mound for them. He has had an up and down year, but he has gotten back to his true

form lately. One key state in this game that helps Aaron Nola is that he is 11-3 with a 2.89 ERA

in 16 starts against the Braves at Citizen Banks. Philly is going to be rocking today, but I think

that the Braves might be able to pull this one out depending on the bats.

BEST BETS

My mind is telling me to take the Phillies in this game…….. The Braves are known for

living off the long ball and striking out. Aaron Nola is 4 th in the league in strikeouts and the

Braves love striking out. My favorite bet for the day is Nola over 6.5 K’s 9 (-164). As I said

earlier my head is telling me to take the Phillies in this game, I think it just sets up for a dominate

performance from Nola…….. However, every time I think with my head it gets me in trouble.

So, Fuck it!!! Give me the Braves baby +1.5. I’ll take the defending champs as underdogs.

DODGERS vs PADRES

(Dodgers -1.5, O/U 7.5)

I’m going to keep this really simple for everyone out there. Let’s not overthink this one it

is an easy ass pick. The Dodgers are the best team in baseball, and they are the most complete

team. Plus, they are coming off a lost in their last game to their rivals…… Yeah give me the

Dodgers all fucking day, they are going to be out for blood today. The question of the day is

which Blake Snell will we get today? The guy who dominated in the second half of the year,

posting a 2.19 ERA or the version we got against the Mets only throwing 3 innings. I think Blake

Snell will shit his pants tonight and the Dodgers are going to jump all over him. To make matters

worse for the Padres they have to face Gonslin tonight. He has been one of the best pitchers in

the league this year with a 16-1 record.

BEST BETS

Let’s just take a moment and say a prayer for the Padres tonight…. There is going to be a

murder in San Diego. I love the Dodgers -1.5 (+135). I think they will route the Padres tonight

and Vegas is going to give us plus odds???????? Yeah, I’ll take that shit every day of the week

and twice on Sundays. My best prop bet for the night is Mookie over 0.5 hits (-193).

Garrett “‘Boogie” Marchman

10/14/2022

2021 College Playoff Finale

The 2021 College Playoff Finale is finally here with #1 Alabama facing #3 Georgia in a rematch of the SEC Championship. With both teams coming of convincing wins in the first round, it seems both Alabama and Georgia are truly the top two in the country.

Alabama came out victorious in their first meeting, a 41-24 victory in the SEC Championship. Will Georgia’s defense step up and limit Heisman winner Bryce Young’s offense? Or will Alabama roll to yet another National Championship trophy?

Georgia comes into this game as a -2.5 favorite, similar to the prediction of the SEC Championship. This game should be much more competitive than their first matchup and ultimately comes down to who can limit their mistakes.

Prediction: Georgia 27 Alabama 21

Harrison Goff

1/10/2022


2021-2022 College Football Playoff Final Standings

The College Football Playoff is set, Alabama, Michigan, Georgia and Cincinnati are in and ready to compete for the national championship bragging rights.

Cotton Bowl: 1. Alabama vs. 4. Cincinnati

Coming off an offensive explosion against the nation’s premiere defense, Bryce Young and Alabama are set to play the NCAA’s favorite Cinderella story in Cincinnati. Cincinnati is the first “Group of 5” to make the College Playoff coming off of their AAC championship campaign. Cincinnati has a large challenge in the defending champions, but Alabama needs to take them seriously to reach their end goal.

Prediction: Alabama 38 Cincinnati 20

Orange Bowl: 2. Michigan vs. 3. Georgia

Georgia is reeling after their first loss of the season in the SEC Championship game at the hands of the new number one Alabama. Michigan is coming off a beatdown of Iowa for the BIG 10 Championship and Jim Harbaugh’s best season at Michigan to date. Both teams rely heavily on their respective run games, and it will come down to turnover battle and who can limit mistakes the best. This game seems to be the better matchup of the two playoff games, and all depends on if Georgia can bounce back or if Michigan stay hot.

Prediction: Georgia 24 Michigan 17

Harrison Goff

12/6/2021

MLB Lockout: What to Know

The 2021-2022 MLB lockout officially began Thursday, December 2nd 2021. The MLB’s collective bargaining agreement between owners and players expired Wednesday at midnight and as expected, owners initiated the lockout early Thursday morning. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred released a statement in “A Letter to Baseball Fans” stating that “We believe that an off-season lockout is the best mechanism to protect the 2022 season.” Whether or not this offseason lockout actually effects regular season play is still to be seen.

Due to the lockout, no front office moves effecting the 40-man roster will be permitted until the lockout is lifted. This comes in the middle of the off-season signing period with multiple big name free agents still being left on the market. Freddie Freeman, Carlos Correa, and Kris Bryant are notable names still un-signed. This could potentially lead to all negotiation power being taken from the players if this lockout comes closer to the season.

The MLB Player’s Association Executive Director Tony Clark came out with his own statement regarding the lockout, “This drastic and unnecessary measure will not affect the Players’ resolve to reach a fair contract. We remain committed to negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement that enhances competition, improves the product for our fans, and advances the rights and benefits of our membership.” The stark difference in views between the MLB and the Players Association could create a pessimistic view that this lockout will not be settled quickly.

While some viewed the lockout as a necessity, Manfred claims it is a “defensive” measure and is done to keep the MLB competitive. The commissioner added that the MLB and owners have made a number of proposed solutions regarding player compensation and the luxury-tax to the MLBPA, but to no avail. Manfred also stated that he believes “The Players Association came to the bargaining table with a strategy of confrontation over compromise.”

Manfred closed out his statement to fans that the “MLB is ready to work around the clock to meet the goal. I urge the Players Association to join us at the table.” It’s too early to tell if this is true but it seems to be a positive sign.

Harrison Goff

12/2/21