Best of Writing — Bryan Fonseca

Best Of: Action Network

Wyc Grousbeck Wants to Sell the Boston Celtics — But Why Now?

The most overlooked sports story today will inevitably be this one .
The Boston Celtics majority ownership group, headlined by Wyc Grousbeck, is looking to — as ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski put it — "make the franchise available for sale."
Does The ‘Olympic Bump’ Actually Exist In The NBA?

We always talk about the Olympic Bump, but does it actually exist?
The Olympic Bump is a theory that NBA players make a leap after competing in the Summer Games – we’ll have some examples.
Taylor vs. Serrano Picks: Bet Taylor for Another Win

I could argue at least somewhat convincingly that Katie Taylor (23-1, 6 KOs) and Amanda Serrano (47-2-1, 31 KOs) are the two best pound-for-pound women's boxers ever. With respect to Claressa Shields, Laila Ali, Ann Wolfe, and Christy Martin — among others — I could do that.
But ultimately, let's just call this one of the best fights in all of boxing to make. And we know this because we saw it already in 2022, and it was a Fight of the Year contender that sold out Madison Square Garden.
Seniesa Estrada vs. Yokasta Valle Odds, Pick & Prediction: Back ‘Superbad’ on ESPN+ (Friday, March 29)

Seniesa Estrada (25-0, 9 KOs) and Yokasta Valle (30-2, 9 KOs) – in a legitimate grudge match – are unifying all the belts at minimumweight to determine who'll be the undisputed champion at 105 pounds.
So even if it's Friday night's co-main event, I'm letting y'all know that I will spend more time previewing that fight because it's closer, has more stakes, has all the titles attached, and is much closer on all betting markets than the main event.
What To Expect of Caitlin Clark’s WNBA Rookie Season

And now, the focus will be on how she does or doesn't live up to the unrelenting expectations.
Clark was such a lock to go No. 1 to the Indiana Fever that you can't even bet on it. Such a lock to go No. 1 overall that FanDuel listed Stanford forward Cameron Brink -9,000 to go No. 2 as of Friday.
Clark herself was +10,000 to fall to No. 2 — and honestly, that's too short of a line. You couldn't juice that line nearly enough. Seriously.
The ‘Boom or Bust’ X-Factor for Each NBA Eastern Conference Contender

Each Eastern Conference contender, each X-factor who could ultimately swing their title chances from good to bad.
We're trying to avoid stars here, and this group provides one former All-Star, who hasn't been one in six seasons — essentially, no star players allowed.
Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou Odds, Pick & Prediction: KO Bet for Boxing’s Heavyweight Main Event (Friday, March 8)

Anthony Joshua has the kingdom of both Saudi Arabia and the sweet science on his shoulders today.
The much-maligned but considerably accomplished former unified heavyweight champion Joshua (27-3, 24 KOs) will seek to kill the hype surrounding former UFC champion turned boxer Francis Ngannou (0-1) in Friday afternoon's "Knockout Chaos" pay-per-view boxing headliner.
Fantasy Basketball Playoff Primer: 20 Players Who Will Impact Your Championship Chase

We're still in Week 17, so we're doing things differently this week.
Your Week 17 forecast is here . Meanwhile, this is a fantasy basketball playoff primer, where I will focus on waiver wire candidates, tough cuts, a few major injury returns and more.
How The Heat’s Sustained Success Challenges the Idea of NBA Parity

Does this Miami Heat run suddenly mean that there are other outlier teams that can struggle during the regular season, then turn it on in the playoffs despite being overlooked and bet against at every turn?
Maybe … maybe! But they'll have to prove it.
Tyson Fury vs. Derek Chisora Odds, Pick, Boxing Prediction: Any Value Despite -3500 Favorite?

Just because Tyson Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs) and Derek Chisora (33-12, 23 KOs) are embarking on a trilogy on Saturday (4 p.m. ET, ESPN+) that nobody asked for — perhaps not even Chisora himself — it doesn’t mean you can’t make money betting on it.
Why The Hornets Are Underrated and Undervalued This Season

We recently talked about Coach of the Year .
This isn't about that, but this is an extension of that conversation given that it revolves around these middling dudes in Charlotte.
Jake Paul vs. Andre August Odds, Pick: Can ‘Problem Child’ KO a Real Boxer?

Jake Paul is finally fighting a "real" boxer!
Eh…
For those of you who don't know – and many of you don't – Paul's next opponent is an actual boxer with an actual record. But the reason people don't know much about him is by design.
There's a reason this is Paul's lowest-profile fight so far, and there's a reason why this guy is the actual boxer Paul chose.

Best Of: Latino Rebels

‘Ahora o Nunca’: Dual-National Players Center in U.S.-Mexico Fútbol Rivalry

On August 12, 2021, The Players’ Tribune published an autobiographical feature penned by David Ochoa. Ochoa, 20, is Mexican American born and raised in Oxnard, California, and the starting goalkeeper for Real Salt Lake in the U.S.-based Major League Soccer.
PURBASKET: Chronicling the Evolution of Puerto Rican Basketball

Edgardo J. Ortiz had been working alone, searching for players for the Puerto Rican senior and youth national basketball teams, when he contacted Carlos Martínez Olmo.
World Cup 2022: One More Time for Argentina, One Last Chance for Messi

It’d be one thing if Lionel Messi weren’t producing — he’s been arguably the best player in this 2022 World Cup.
US Sports Set on Expanding to Latin America

Despite ongoing rumors, Mexico has yet to be represented in American sports leagues at nearly its proportional share.
Restoring the Legacy of Pancho Gonzales, Tennis’ Forgotten GOAT

Pancho Gonzales might be the greatest tennis player you’ve never heard of. But how could a former top-ranked player, who won 15 major singles titles and is the greatest Latino tennis star America has ever produced, get lost in time? That’s what his son Dan and nephew Greg have been wondering…
US, Mexico Soccer Teams Heading in Opposite Directions

Typically, when someone asks whether you want the good or the bad news first, you start with the bad.
And as it pertains to El Tri, bad is an understatement.
The Unlikely Success of Puerto Rico Ice Hockey

When Puerto Rico competed in its first Amerigol Latam Cup in 2019, it was almost as if they just kind of showed up.
Waiting for ‘Them’ to Hire More People of Color Isn’t Going to Change Sports Media the Way It Should

Every year, it’s slightly less of the same problem, but it’s still the same problem.
Lacrosse Group Looks to Grow Sport Among Puerto Ricans

Lacrosse is the oldest organized sport in North America, according to Lacrosse and Its Greatest Players.
What Will It Take for Soccer to Become a Major Sport in Puerto Rico?

When Afro-Boricua Carmelo Anthony purchased Puerto Rico FC in 2015, the dream was that he could elevate soccer on the island.

Best Of: BasketballNews.com

In Philadelphia, Jimmy Butler gets the last laugh

The ball bounced twice on each side of the rim before going in.
Kawhi Leonard’s nearly impossible game-winning fadeaway jumper over the outstretched right arm of Joel Embiid end…
End of an era: Saluting the defiance of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum

Damian Lillard’s defiance has made him a social-media punching bag, as his Portland Trail Blazers are dissolving around him and looking like a completely different team.
Did you know Michael Jordan was an MVP candidate with the Wizards?

The 2001-02 NBA season was Michael Jordan’s first with the Washington Wizards, a time when he decided to unretire and return to the league for the second time in his career.
Jimmy Butler is a 16-game player

Four years ago, after winning a third title in four seasons, Draymond Green offered the Golden State Warriors' front office some advice before the 2018 NBA Draft, which included a directive to target “16-game players.”
Putting Saint Peter’s shocker over Kentucky in historical context

Deep down, everyone knew.
All of you knew once you finalized your picks: The half-ass research, the questions to your even less knowledgeable friends, the “expert” analysis – none of it was going to matter.
60 days later: Revisiting the Nikola Jokić-Markieff Morris incident

It’s been 60 days since Markieff Morris last played an NBA game. The reason... we all know by now, don’t we?
NBA teams need to show more respect to veterans, and we're seeing why

On opening night, the average age of an NBA roster for 2021-22 was 26.1. Though the number precedes what we’ve seen regarding roster reshuffling due to COVID and injuries, the 26.1 median age is the youngest the league has been this century.
Winning plays in winning time: This is who Alex Caruso has always been

Alex Caruso was so good as a defender at Texas A&M that he made it to the NBA despite never averaging 10 points per game... as a college guard!
Making the NBA All-Star case for Cavs big man Jarrett Allen

Kenny Atkinson always saw more in Jarrett Allen.
When Allen, drafted No. 22 overall by the Brooklyn Nets in 2017, hit a rookie wall the following March, the then-head coach of the Nets (and now Golden State Warriors assistant) pivoted to saying the near 7-footer’s struggles will make him a better player.
Where things stand after the FIBA World Cup qualifiers' second window

If you’ve been overly consumed with the NBA and college basketball, are locked into other things in the world, or mainly come here for film stuff and have no idea who I am or what this is about to be, then welcome to the biggest international fiesta on BasketballNews.com!

Best Of: The Rest

The Champ In The Arena: R.I.P. DMX, who gave sports the best hype music in hip-hop history

There are a minimal amount of true one-of-ones this planet has ever produced, and DMX is on that short list.
Francisco (not Frankie) Lindor, Roberto (not Bobby) Clemente, and the unintentional disrespect of Americanizing Latin names

Nicknames are endearing, but they’re not always respectful.
The Combat Counselor: DeCoursey battles life through teachings and beatings

Professional MMA fighter Jillian DeCoursey doubles as a mental health counselor, with her own practice in Queens, while competing as an Invicta FC atomweight.
Thank you, Dan Le Batard: A symbol for the good of sports media, and a torchbearer for the Latin-American community

Dan Le Batard was an important voice at ESPN, particularly for the Latin-American community.
Class of 2021 Point Guard Jaquan Carlos GOT NEXT

Star sophomore Jaquan Carlos of Thomas Jefferson High School already has a target on his back. South Shore knows it—this was the sixth time they’ve faced off against Carlos in the last two seasons.
What is ‘pressure’ to Spencer Dinwiddie?

You would think that after nearly winning Most Improved Player of the Year in a breakout season few if anyone saw coming, there would be some stress, some anxiety about following up in a contract year.
Kid Chocolate's Comeback, Premonition and Pursuit Of Happiness

“I started having deep demonic visions -- I had to try to unlearn 30 years of bad stuff that I was taught. I had these traumatic moments.”
The Dominican Dream: Felipe Lopez Shares His Story in New Documentary

When they heard of the “Dominican Michael Jordan,” others fantasized about the next basketball savant immigrating to the United States.
Theo Pinson: a diamond in the rough with a chip on his shoulder

Bryan Fonseca features two-way player Theo Pinson in this NetsDaily exclusive, which includes perspective from his mentor, Keith Gatlin, Pinson’s head coach at Wesleyan Christian Academy.
The dude is different: Dinwiddie on sports, social media and “the 8 billion”

The private citizen who uses social media to criticize, even attack, whomever they choose, and more importantly, voice their opinions about whatever they please.
So why can’t the athletes?