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Why Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg is key to Steph Curry’s final title run

A male basketball player in a blue and gold Warriors jersey holding a basketball.
Lendeborg's ability as a true 3-and-D players would be the ideal complement to Steph Curry and Draymond Green.

When Yaxel Lendeborg lays in bed at night imagining his future, there’s so much that excites him. 

He’s going to throw assists to Steph Curry, the greatest shooter of all time. He’ll be in a defensive stance alongside Draymond Green, who has made a Hall of Fame career out of bottling up opposing teams’ stars. 

When asked which scenario most often plays through his mind as he falls asleep, he didn’t hesitate. 

Yaxel Lendeborg was chosen by the Golden State Warriors with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft. NBAE via Getty Images

“I’d probably say lockdown defense next to Dray,” Lendeborg told The California Post. “I have a lot to learn. He’s such a great defender, such a versatile defender. That’s something I’ve always wanted to improve on. So being able to learn from him is something I’m very excited to do.”

For the Warriors, Lendeborg is the Swiss Army Knife they need. 

The 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward can play small-ball center, handle the ball and shoot 3s. He’s also a lauded defender who can guard positions 1 through 5. 

The 23-year-old Lendeborg, whom Golden State selected with the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, is expected to make an immediate impact for the Warriors, especially with Jimmy Butler (torn right ACL) and Moses Moody (torn left patellar tendon) out for the start of the season. 

Lendeborg’s versatility on defense could make him invaluable to the Warriors this season. Getty Images

As for Lendeborg, he was on pins and needles during draft night, hoping the Warriors would select him.   

“They showed me a lot of love,” Lendeborg told the Post, referring to a private, pre-draft workout he had with the team June 11. “They were pretty much giving me the game plan of how it was going to go. I was super happy the entire time. They made me feel wanted as soon as I stepped in. There was no place I wanted to be other than that.”

Lendeborg is at least 3 years older than all 10 players who were drafted ahead of him. That’s something that has historically given teams pause, considering the overwhelming value placed on youth and untapped potential. 

But for a Warriors team that’s in win-now mode trying to extend the 38-year-old Curry’s championship window, acquiring a player who could plug in immediately was of paramount importance. 

“We got the guy we were looking to get,” Warriors owner Joe Lacob said last month during an announcement for a new jersey patch.

Knows how to win

Lendeborg led Michigan to an NCAA championship last season, averaging 15.1 points on 52% shooting, 6.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals. He was a first-team All-American and the Big Ten Player of the Year. 

For the Warriors, Lendeborg was their biggest offseason acquisition in what has otherwise been a very quiet period for a team that missed the playoffs two of the last three seasons. 

Lendeborg’s ability as a true 3-and-D players would be the ideal complement to Steph Curry and Draymond Green. NBAE via Getty Images

But that could change. 

The Warriors are still in the race to acquire LeBron James.

For an incoming rookie, sharing the court with arguably the greatest player of all time would be surreal. 

“That would be great,” Lendeborg told the Post. “Being able to learn from him. He plays the same position as me. We’re pretty much built kind of the same. He’s obviously a lot stronger. Being able to learn how he’s kept his body intact, the workouts he’s done, what he did to increase his game IQ. [That] is something I’m very excited to learn from [him]. Hopefully it all works out.”

Lendeborg has one concern, though. 

“Hopefully he doesn’t take away my minutes, either,” Lendeborg added, flashing a smile. “But I’d be very excited either way.”

No lack of confidence

Lendeborg is ready to make an impact.

He raised eyebrows during his post-draft interview with SiriusXM NBA Radio, proclaiming, “I’m excited to start another Warriors dynasty.” 

Lendeborg was named a first team All-American as he won a national title with Michigan. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Warriors won four championships in eight years from 2015-2022, but they haven’t gotten past the second round of the playoffs since. Lendeborg believes he can help turn that around. If summer league is any indication, he may not be wrong. 

In the team’s first two games in Las Vegas, he averaged 17.5 points on 48.1% shooting from the field and 50% from beyond the arc.

But he needs to improve his conditioning, something he quickly realized over the last few weeks. 

Luckily for him, he can study Curry, whose intense offseason workouts became NBA lore as he famously tortured defenders by never stopping moving.

“He’s the most conditioned player in NBA history,” Lendeborg told the Post. “Just learn those habits.”

Lendeborg has already had some fun back-and-forths with his new teammates. 

He told reporters on draft night that he “used to hate Steph Curry” because he was “a big Kyrie [Irving] guy.” Curry responded in an Instagram comment, writing,  “Let’s go! Welcome to the Bay! I’m going to work hard to be your new favorite player.”

Meanwhile, Green carved out time on his podcast to address Lendeborg’s claim that he hadn’t texted the rookie back. “You f–king liar,” Green said on “The Draymond Green Show,” adding that he replied “the next minute.”

Lendeborg looks very comfortable in early action at Vegas Summer League, taking a leadership role with the team as he tries to find his footing. NBAE via Getty Images

“We’re not really a team very big on rookie hazing,” Green said. “… But we can pick that back up.”

Lendeborg hopes that’s not the case.

“I’m kinda nervous thinking about it,” Lendeborg told the Post. “But I hope he takes it easy on me and gives me a nice warm welcome that doesn’t involve any hazing.”

Emotional night

Despite stirring the pot a bit, this much is for sure: Lendeborg is deeply grateful he’s going to share the court with Curry and Green, who turned the Warriors into the league’s modern-day dynasty. No team has won back-to-back titles for eight years since the Warriors won championships in 2017 and 2018.

“I’m very excited to play [with] those guys,” Lendeborg told the Post. “They’re all historically good players. They’re all going to be in the Hall of Fame. They’ve won at the highest level multiple times. There’s so much to learn and so much to be.”

That’s why he was so worried on draft night. 

The Warriors had their highest pick in five years. Several other players were rumored to be on their radar, including Brayden Burries, who was selected one spot ahead of Lendeborg at No. 10, as well as Aday Mara, whose name was called immediately after his at No. 12. 

“I was a little nervous the entire time because you obviously don’t know where you’re going, and it didn’t seem like I was going to have the opportunity to play there,” Lendeborg told the Post.  “But God brought me here, and I’m super happy to be here.”

One of the main points of emphasis for Lendeborg during Summer League has been getting his conditioning right after having not played basketball for the past two months. Getty Images

After NBA Commissioner Adam Silver revealed Lendeborg was heading to Golden State, his joy was palpable.

Emotions poured out of him as he hugged his mother, Yissel Raposo, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 appendix cancer when he played for the Wolverines last season.  

She used to call him every draft night. She wanted to make sure he was watching. She needed him to believe he could one day be on that stage.

Now she was wiping his tears as she choked back her own.

His dream had come true, which meant hers had, too.

“There’s nothing better than being able to give this gift to my mom,” he said. 

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NHL unveils its 2026-27 schedule, the first with 84 games apiece since '93-94

NEW YORK (AP) — The most expansive season in NHL history will begin in September, not October, and limit most teams to four preseason games.

The league's first 84-game season since 1993-94 opens Sept. 29 as 32 teams will combine to play a total of 1,344 games. The season runs through Saturday, April 10, before the playoffs begin the following week.

The increase from an 82-game slate, which had been the standard since the mid-’90s, was agreed upon by team owners and players in the last round of talks on a collective bargaining agreement. The intent is to provide more space between the end of the Stanley Cup Final and the draft in late June before free agency commences July 1.

When the Panthers and Oilers went the distance in ’24, there were just three days between Game 7 on June 24 in South Florida and the first round of the draft on June 28 in Las Vegas.

After defeating Vegas to win the Stanley Cup, the Carolina Hurricanes will raise their second championship banner on Sept. 29 against Florida.

That opening night, featuring five games, matches the earliest start date in NHL history and is the first time the regular season begins in North America before October. The Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings played games in London on Sept. 29 and 30, 2007.

The most recent — and only other — September hockey outside of exhibitions came during the pandemic playoff bubble in 2020, culminating when Tampa Bay hoisted the Cup in an empty arena in Edmonton on Sept. 28.

Games to watch

Oct. 21: New Florida Panther Brady Tkachuk returns to Ottawa. The former Senators captain plays his first game against his old team since getting traded to Florida to play with his brother, Matthew. It did not end well in Canada's capital, from Brady bristling at his name being in rumors to asking out and then the team offering to take Tkachuk No. 7 jerseys fans wished to exchange.

Oct 25: Heritage Classic. The Montreal Canadiens visit the Winnipeg Jets in the return of outdoor hockey to Canada for the first time since 2023.

Dec. 21: Stanley Cup Final rematch: The Hurricanes return to the scene of their championship triumph to face the Golden Knights in Las Vegas. The two teams meet again in Raleigh, North Carolina, on Jan. 17.

Dec. 31: Winter Classic: Utah takes center stage outside, hosting the Colorado Avalanche in the Winter Classic in Salt Lake City.

Feb. 20: Jerry World hockey: The Dallas Stars host Vegas in at the Dallas Cowboys' stadium in Arlington, Texas.

April 4: Washington hosts Pittsburgh. Alex Ovechkin is back for a 22nd NHL season with the Capitals. If this is it for him at age 41 — and it very well may not be if he wants to shoot for 1,000 career goals — this would be the last regular-season game against Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and the Penguins.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL

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5 Must-Watch Games for the Ducks’ 2026-27 Season

Former Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas speaks to the media during his 2025-26 exit interview.

On Thursday morning, the NHL released the regular season schedules for all 32 teams. The NHL has also expanded the regular season to 84 games, giving each two extra opportunities to grab points in their quest to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Here are five Ducks games that will be required watching in 2026-27.

Home Opener vs. Panthers - Oct. 4

The first home game of the season will be against former Ducks captain Radko Gudas and the Florida Panthers. Gudas spent three seasons with the Ducks, captaining them for the last two.

The Panthers also added Brady Tkachuk, who links up with his brother, Matthew. Accompanied by players like Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett, this Panthers team makes for an irritating matchup.

This game will also mark the first time that A.J. Greer faces his old team. Greer spent the last two seasons with the Panthers, winning the Stanley Cup with them in 2025. He joined the Ducks after his signing rights were swapped for Gudas’ signing rights and then signed a four-year, $17 million contract.

Return of the Mac - Jan. 14

In one of many offseason moves that Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek made this summer, he traded Mason McTavish to the St. Louis Blues for the 15th overall and 29th overall selections in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. Those picks were then used to select forwards Nikita Klepov and Marcus Nordmark.

It was a tough 2025-26 season for McTavish, whose contract negotiations dragged into training camp. His second half of the season was marred with inconsistency and he was even healthy scratched for a pair of playoff games. He will have an opportunity to bounce back with the Blues, though whether it’s as a center or a winger is unclear for the time being.

This game also marks the returns of Ross Johnston and Greg Cronin to Honda Center. Johnston spent three seasons with the Ducks after he was claimed off waivers from the New York Islanders in 2023. Typically relegated to enforcer and fourth line duties, he had a career year offensively in 2025-26, putting up 14 points. Cronin, who joined the Blues this summer as an assistant coach, was the Ducks’ head coach from 2023-2025, his first NHL head coaching gig. The Ducks went 62-87-15 during his tenure.

I’ve Got a Phill-ing - Oct. 24

The Philadelphia Flyers’ five-year, $90 million offer sheet to Leo Carlsson was the talk of the summer. The Ducks ultimately matched it six days after it was tendered, but this move showed that Flyers general manager Danny Brière wasn’t afraid to go big-game hunting.

These two organizations have crossed paths repeatedly over the past couple of years thanks to the Cutter Gauthier-Jamie Drysdale and Trevor Zegras-Ryan Poehling trades. The Carlsson offer sheet now adds another element. It will be interesting to see the fan reaction in Philadelphia when the Ducks come to town.

Running It Back - Oct. 2, Oct. 7

This might be considered cheating, as it’s two games in one. After beating the Edmonton Oilers in six games and then falling to the Vegas Golden Knights in six games, seeing how the Ducks stack up to both teams after an offseason of moves should be a good watch.

The Oilers once again retooled their goaltending tandem, bringing in 2026 Stanley Cup champion Frederik Andersen and acquiring Devon Levi from the Buffalo Sabres. They also traded defenseman Darnell Nurse to the San Jose Sharks and signed Ryan Shea in free agency to replace him. With Connor McDavid’s two-year extension kicking in this season, the Oilers’ timeline to win a Cup with him may be reaching its end.

John Tortorella’s Golden Knights tenure is over. Ryan Craig has taken over as the new head coach and will be looking to guide the Golden Knights to a second consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearance. They cleared cap room to re-sign defenseman Rasmus Andersson by trading Pavel Dorofeyev, Keegan Kolesar and Kaedan Korczak as they look to be one of the Pacific Division’s top teams once again.

MaCklin Celebrini - Nov. 25

Much of the focus this summer has been on players like Carlsson, Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli, all who are (or were) RFAs this summer. The San Jose Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini won’t be an RFA until next summer, but he is eligible to sign an extension now that it’s past July 1. Thanks to the massive offer sheet that Carlsson signed, a wrench has been thrown into the market.

Celebrini was one of the NHL’s best players this past season and will surely command a hefty salary. There have been rumors that he is also in line to become the Sharks’ next captain. A long-term extension combined with a captaincy announcement will be pure cinema. The bad news is that the Ducks have to play Celebrini and the Sharks 3-4 times a season and will surely be a team that they’re competing with for a playoff berth in the next several years.

If you want to view the Ducks’ full 84-game schedule, you can click here.

Related articles:

Report: New Information from Leo Carlsson's Agents on Offer Sheet Saga

Anaheim Ducks Match Leo Carlsson Offer Sheet, Alter Landscape for 2026-27 Season

Ducks GM Pat Verbeek on Matching Leo Carlsson's Offer Sheet

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Digging through the NESN archives while the Red Sox are on break

BOSTON - AUGUST 12: Ailing NESN Red Sox color commentator Jerry Remy was in the booth with Don Orsillo and Dennis Eckersley during the top of the second inning of tonight's Red Sox game against the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park. Here he acknowledges the cheers of the crowd below. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images

Like Elaine Benes trying to become a submarine captain, I spent much of my winter eating a lot of bad sandwiches watching a lot of old NESN footage to uncover some gems from past broadcasts. I wanted the Pokey Leap from 2004, but also found That Catch Coco Made. And that wasn’t all. There were a few more things in the archives I want to share.

With the Red Sox off for the All-Star break what is even on NESN? Here was yesterday’s schedule:

I guess the big feature is Boston’s Entered the Chat. And a rerun of a game from 2005. Actually, that’s kinda fun, I was at that game. In addition to a Trot inside-the-parker, it was started by David Wells! Remember The Wells era?

But there used to be more. The mid-2000s were peak NESN custom programming. Think Sox Appeal. Well maybe not that. But think The Remys. Or documentaries. I’ve found NESN to be really hit or miss over the years. Does anyone watch the restaurant show? Or even their talk show? I honestly don’t know. But maybe people should and it will encourage more weird and wonderful stuff like the Spaceman piece. That was even released on DVD!

Or what about a musical number?

You’ve heard of Go Cubs Go? What about Go Red Sox!

It’s no Dirty Water or Tessie but honestly what is?

This might have been hit with a cease & desist for copyright infringement, but hopefully is still up and playing. It’s weird and I didn’t remember it at all when it came on during a game.

How about a goofy PSA with Big Papi and the mayor? Actually this is something we do see, if not as ads but over social media. There is something about Menino and Ortiz though. Maybe it’s all nostalgia, but the ad is just weird. And he gave us the “rolling rally” so who can ever forget Menino when he is the guy who created the Duck Boat parade we’ve enjoyed so many times?

The All-Star Game had a whole segment about baseball and nostalgia. Pedro’s on the mound. Baseball isn’t gone. It’s still here. And NESN is still around. But there is something missing from the time when NESN really did take some bigger swings at content. The Dave O’Brien or the Middlebrooks awards? Maybe it’s time to try again. Maybe that time will come when Payton Tolle has retired many, many years from now and is a broadcaster.

If you could get a show on the air at NESN what would it be? A special? A game show? Red Sox themed Bob Ross-style painting?

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2026-27 Columbus Blue Jackets Schedule Released

The NHL has released the schedule for the Columbus Blue Jackets 2026-27 season. 

Let's take a look at the specifics. 

This year's NHL schedule will feature 84 games. Per the league, "This change allows the league to establish a more balanced scheduling matrix where every team plays its division rivals exactly four times."

The exact breakdown of how a team's 84-game regular season is structured includes:

  • Divisional Games (28 games): 4 games against each of the other 7 teams in your own division (2 home, 2 away).
  • Conference Games (24 games): 3 games against each of the 8 teams in the other division within your same conference (alternating home/away balance yearly).
  • Inter-Conference Games (32 games): 2 games against all 16 teams from the opposing conference (1 home, 1 away), ensuring every team visits every arena at least once per year.

Important Dates for the CBJ

  • October 1, 2026 - Home Opener/Season Opener against the Buffalo Sabres
  • CBJ play 7 of first 9 games at home.
  • 12 Saturday home games.
  • 2 Sunday Home Games.
  • 13 back-to-backs. 5-game homestand in February and March, which is a season high.
  • Multiple 4 game road trips will be the longest road trips. 

Signature NHL Events

  • 2026 Heritage Classic: Oct. 25, 2026 (Winnipeg Jets host Montreal Canadiens).  
  • 2027 Winter Classic: Dec. 31, 2026 (Utah Mammoth host Colorado Avalanche).  
  • 2027 Stadium Series: Feb. 20, 2027 (Dallas Stars host Vegas Golden Knights). 

International Games

  •   Helsinki, Finland: Seattle Kraken vs. Carolina Hurricanes (Nov. 12 & 14, 2026).  
  •   Düsseldorf, Germany: Chicago Blackhawks vs. Ottawa Senators (Dec. 18 & 20, 2026). 

The CBJ still have lots of business to take care of from now until October 1st. Don Waddell has players to sign and a farm team to stock.

Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more!

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Sans Francisco? Phillies vs. Mets series preview

Jul 6, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) warming up before the game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images | Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images

When MLB decided to feature Phillies vs. Mets as the featured second half opening night game, they probably thought they be featuring two teams vying for control of the National League East. I suppose in baseball, a .500 batting average is pretty good.

It’s possible that the Mets have a miracle run in them and can get back into playoff position, but historically, the miracle runs have gone against the Mets, not for them. They are basically reduced to spoilers for the other teams contending for the division lead, and the Phillies would do well to make sure that they aren’t the team that gets spoiled.

Opposition research: Francisco Lindor

At least the Phillies aren’t the only team whose highly paid would-be star shortstop is struggling. One of the reasons the Mets have had such a disastrous season is because one of their franchise players is having a disastrous season. (Although he’s certainly not alone!)

Francisco Lindor’s bad year started in February when he required surgery on his hamate bone. While he was able to return for the start of the season, hamate injuries tend to produce lingering detrimental effects on a player’s ability to hit. Sure enough, Lindor got off to a poor start to the season, and had a .669 OPS with two home runs at the end of April when he suffered his second major injury of the year.

The calf injury required a two month stay on the Injured List. If the Mets hoped that his return would provide a spark to the team, that has yet to materialize. Since returning on June 24, Lindor has a .673 OPS.

Worse, the former defensive standout hasn’t even been good in the field. He’s made multiple errors, including this one that cost the Mets a game:

It’s gotten so bad that many Mets fans are speculating what Lindor could fetch in a trade. Perhaps they’d like to do a one-for-one swap of shortstops with the Phillies?

Hating on the Mets

In 2023, my series previews compared the Phillies’ opponents to villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I really nailed it when I compared the Mets to Justin Hammer: Rich, but ultimately more of a threat to themselves than others.

It’s hilarious that the Mets spend all that money and have ended up with a team that ranks 23rd in runs scored and 18th in ERA. It’s gotten so bad that some Mets fans are openly wishing the team had matched the contract the Orioles gave to Pete Alonso.

Alonso is having a solid year in Baltimore but:

  1. How much of a difference would Alonso have made?
  2. The road to Hell is paved with expensive contracts given to aging, big-bodied first basemen.
  3. Many of those same fans thought Alonso epitomized the team’s underperformance in recent years and couldn’t wait for him to leave.

Trivia

Last week’s answer: The losing pitcher in the first ever Phillies vs. Tigers game was former first round pick Tyler Green. SLDH was correct.

This week’s question: On April 10, 2017, what future Phillie had two home runs in a game to lead the Mets to a 4-3 at Citizens Bank Park?

Non-Phillies thought

Tuesday re-iterated that people hate “nostalgia porn” unless it happens to be things that they are personally nostalgic for. In that case, they think it’s amazing.

I’ve never seen The Sandlot, so the fifth inning fireworks/Ray Charles thing felt cheesy to me. Most of the players didn’t seem to know what they were supposed to be doing, and a few of the guys holding sparklers had a “WTF are we doing?” look on their faces. (Also, nostalgia for The Sandlot is weird, because the movie was nostalgia to begin with, so basically millennials are feeling nostalgia for a time they never actually experienced.)

But if you enjoyed it, great! I’m glad you were entertained by something during that snooze fest of a game.

Additional thought about the series

The Phillies have decided to give both Cristopher Sanchez and Zack Wheeler additional rest (and maybe to have them face the Dodgers), so the Mets might actually have the starting pitching advantage this series. On Thursday, Aaron Nola faces Christian Scott. Saturday has Jesus Luzardo against Sean Manaea (the one clear advantage for the Phillies), and Sunday will feature Alan Rangel vs. Nolan McLean.

There are other reasons to think this series might be a bit tricky for the Phillies: Recent editions have stumbled out of the break, and with series against the Dodgers and Yankees up next, I could see them looking past the Mets a bit. On the other hand, I thought the Phillies would sleepwalk through their final series before the break, and they ended that one by knocking around Tarik Skubal.

In other words, baseball is tough to predict. On to the second half!

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Knicks' Jack Kayil has impressed during Summer League, but is there roster spot for him in 2026-27?

Jack Kayil has impressed the Knicks with his play in Summer League. 

The rookie had 19 points, three steals and four assists earlier this week against the Pistons. Kayil added 12 points and three assists in his Summer League debut last week against San Antonio. 

Not bad for a 19-year-old taken with the 39th pick in the NBA Draft. 

If you’re watching these games, you may be surprised by Kayil’s play so far. But those who have followed him closely overseas are not.  

“With him, it’s always basketball. He has a conviction and commitment on trying to be the best possible player he can be,” said Himar Ojeda, the sporting director for Kayil’s team in Germany, Alba Berlin. “He put a lot of effort in trying to take care of himself physically, mentally – sometimes even too much for a young kid. …you know, he’s 19 and he acts like a veteran in certain routines. But that's why he's been successful.” 

The Knicks obviously thought highly enough of Kayil to select him in the second round of the draft. Both Kayil and fellow rookie Tyler Nickel have impressed team personnel in Las Vegas. 

If their early play in Vegas is an indication, both players could have a future with the Knicks. New York needs to find young players and sign them to team-friendly contracts in order to navigate the NBA’s second apron rules. It would be an organizational win if both Nickel and Kayil play their way on to New York’s NBA roster. 

It’s only Summer League, but it seems as if the Knicks have found two promising young players in Nickel and Kayil. Can they earn a spot on the 2026-27 roster?

New York is currently $3.3 million below the second apron with 13 players and with room for one more minimum. Owner James Dolan said in June that the team would not exceed the NBA’s second apron in team salary. 

New York still needs a third center. If the club signs a center to a veteran’s minimum contract, New York would not have enough room under the second apron to sign either Nickel or Kayil to a contract via the second round exception.

Entering free agency, the plan for Kayil was to spend next season with his overseas club. The Knicks can obviously alter those plans by offering him an NBA contract, but as noted above, they are limited by the second apron.

New York could offer Kayil or Nickel a two-way contract for next season. But in this scenario, New York would be prohibited from paying Kayil’s buyout from his German club. The buyout has to be executed between the player and his overseas team. The Knicks can offer Nickel a two-way contract without this limitation.

In the two-way scenario, the Knicks could convert either Kayil or Nickel to a standard contract once the pro-rated amount fits under the second apron.

Whatever happens from here, it’s safe to assume that both Nickel and Kayil will have an opportunity to play for the Knicks in the near future. For Kayil, the only question is whether he is with New York in 2026-27 or in a subsequent season.

Whenever Kayil gets his chance, the guard will come to New York with some qualities that are precursors to NBA success.

“He can play defense and he can shoot the ball. Normally, for a point guard, it limits you if you don’t have these capacities and he definitely has them,” Ojeda, who previously served as Director of International Scouting for the Atlanta Hawks, says. “He's also mature in the sense that he has been a clutch player for us this season (in Kayil’s first year in the Bundesliga, the most senior league in Germany). He’s the one that wants to have the ball in his hands and he's not afraid to take the last shot.”

Case in point: Kayil struggled early in the do-or-die Game 5 of Alba Berlin’s championship series against traditional powerhouse Bayern Munich. But he wasn’t scared to have the ball in his hands late – and he delivered. Kayil scored 10 crucial points in the last six minutes of the fourth quarter as Alba Berlin came back from down 20 points at halftime to win.

Ojeda, who has known Kayil since he was "a little kid," was impressed by Kayil’s mentality late in games.

“I've known him since he's very, very young, but this is still something that surprises me. So yeah, this is Jack Kayil,” Ojeda says. “It shows that he’s a competitor and (has) a brave mentality.

“Here, every game counts. It’s not like you can try three, four times to take the last shot (and miss the shot while expecting another opportunity). No, no. We need to win the games. Of course, maybe (you miss a big shot) one time. But it’s not as if you can take that shot three times and miss.

“So when he came back and still wanted to redeem himself and he (played well in the fourth quarter of the decisive championship game), that was a big thing.”

Kayil’s mentality was probably one of the qualities that kept him on New York’s radar ahead of the draft. If things continue to go well, it will be one of the reasons Kayil earns a bigger opportunity with the Knicks.

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Draymond Green reveals number he'd wear if LeBron James joins Warriors as No. 23

Draymond Green reveals number he'd wear if LeBron James joins Warriors as No. 23 originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

One under-the-radar aspect of the Warriors’ chase for LeBron James is who would get custody of the No. 23.

James has switched between the Nos. 6 and 23 throughout his long NBA career, but he returned to the latter in 2023 after the NBA retired Bill Russell’s No. 6 league-wide.

On the other hand, Draymond Green has donned the No. 23 for the entirety of his 14-year Warriors career.

So, who would budge first? Well, apparently Green already has as part of his pitch for James to join Golden State.

On Thursday, Green received a reply on Threads asking what number he would switch to if James took No. 23 with the Warriors.

Green’s replacement plan was pretty simple: Add those two digits together, and you get No. 5.

Seems like Green already has put some thought into it. Does that mean he knows something we don’t about James’ next destination? It certainly is possible.

For those interested, the last Warriors player to wear No. 5 was big man Kevon Looney from 2017-25; Marreese Speights, Baron Davis, Tim Hardaway (just during his rookie season) and Guy Rodgers are other notable players to wear that number in franchise history.

Perhaps Green will join that list soon.

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There Will Never Be Another Joe Sakic

Joe Sakic now stands alone.

For years, Joe Sakic and Steve Yzerman were viewed as two of the greatest examples of superstar players who successfully transitioned into NHL front offices. They were Hall of Fame captains, Stanley Cup champions, Olympic gold medalists, and architects of championship-caliber teams.

Now, that comparison is over.

After the Detroit Red Wings dismissed Yzerman as general manager and executive vice president on Wednesday, Sakic is the last member of that exclusive club still standing. His legacy as both a player and executive has only grown stronger with time.

Long before he built a Stanley Cup champion from the front office, Sakic helped deliver Denver its first major professional sports championship as the face of the Avalanche.

He was the driving force behind Colorado's sweep of the Florida Panthers in the 1996 Stanley Cup Final, producing 34 points (18 goals, 16 assists) in 22 playoff games on his way to winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as postseason MVP.

As remarkable as his accomplishments were, Sakic became just as respected for the way he carried himself.

Perhaps no moment captures that better than after the Avalanche won their second Stanley Cup in 2001. Moments after NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman handed him the Stanley Cup, Sakic skipped the traditional solo celebration and immediately passed it to Ray Bourque, allowing the Hall of Fame defenseman to finally lift hockey's ultimate prize after waiting 22 NHL seasons.

That same season marked the pinnacle of Sakic's playing career.

He recorded a career-high 118 points with 54 goals and 64 assists while adding 12 game-winning goals, earning both the Hart Trophy as league MVP and the Lady Byng Trophy for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct.

The following winter, Sakic added another defining chapter to his résumé.

He captained Canada to its first Olympic gold medal in men's hockey in 50 years at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, defeating the United States in the gold-medal game. His performance throughout the tournament earned him MVP honors.

Years later, Sakic proved his greatness wasn't limited to the ice.

As general manager, he assembled the roster that brought the Stanley Cup back to Colorado in 2022. Afterward, he handed day-to-day general manager duties to Chris MacFarland while remaining president of hockey operations before reassuming the GM role following MacFarland's departure to the Nashville Predators.

Yzerman's second act, however, unfolded much differently.

His seven-year tenure leading the Red Wings never produced a single playoff appearance. Detroit remained stuck in rebuilding mode, and this offseason even captain Dylan Larkin—a hometown star long viewed as the face of the franchise—requested a trade after years of growing frustration. The organization now finds itself searching for answers once again.

None of that diminishes what Yzerman accomplished as a player.

He remains one of the greatest captains in NHL history, leading the Red Wings from 1986 to 2006 while helping Detroit win three Stanley Cups and reach four Stanley Cup Finals during an eight-year stretch between 1995 and 2002.

As an executive, though, his résumé tells two very different stories.

During his time in Tampa Bay, Yzerman built one of the NHL's premier organizations through exceptional drafting, shrewd trades, and under-the-radar signings. He selected Andrei Vasilevskiy, Anthony Cirelli, Cal Foote, Nikita Kucherov, Ondřej Palát, and Brayden Point, signed undrafted contributors Tyler Johnson and Yanni Gourde, and acquired Erik Černák, Ryan McDonagh, and Mikhail Sergachev to form the backbone of a future dynasty.

The Lightning reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2015, and that same year Yzerman became the first general manager in franchise history to win the NHL's General Manager of the Year Award. Under his leadership, Tampa Bay also established franchise records with 50 wins, 108 points, 262 goals, and 32 home victories.

The success continued.

The Lightning captured the Atlantic Division title in 2017-18 and advanced to the Eastern Conference Final before falling to the Washington Capitals.

Then, in September 2018, Yzerman chose not to renew his contract as general manager, transitioning into a senior advisor role while assistant general manager Julien BriseBois took over.

Ironically, Yzerman wasn't the executive who ultimately watched Tampa Bay raise the Stanley Cup.

The roster he built reached three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals, winning back-to-back championships in 2020 and 2021 under BriseBois.

Meanwhile, Yzerman returned to Detroit hoping to engineer a similar turnaround for the franchise where he became a legend.

Instead, the rebuild failed.

That's the unfortunate reality of professional sports.

Recency bias has a way of reshaping legacies. Younger fans won't remember Yzerman primarily as one of hockey's greatest captains or the architect who laid the groundwork for Tampa Bay's championship core. Many will remember a seven-year rebuild in Detroit that never got off the ground.

And history shows he isn't alone.

Some of the greatest players in NHL history have struggled when moving into executive roles.

Joe Nieuwendyk enjoyed a Hall of Fame-caliber playing career that included two 50-goal seasons with the Calgary Flames and a Stanley Cup championship with the Dallas Stars in 1999. But as Dallas' general manager, his four-year tenure produced three last-place finishes in the Pacific Division.

Wayne Gretzky's post-playing career followed a similar path. Widely regarded as the greatest player the sport has ever seen, Gretzky never guided the Arizona Coyotes to a playoff appearance during his time as minority owner and head coach.

That's what makes Sakic so rare.

He didn't just become a successful executive after an iconic playing career—he became one of the very best. He built a Stanley Cup champion, sustained a perennial contender, and continues to shape one of the NHL's model organizations.

Avalanche fans have never needed another reason to appreciate Joe Sakic.

But with Steve Yzerman's tenure in Detroit now over, Sakic's place in hockey history feels even more unique.

He isn't just one of the greatest players the game has ever seen.

He's one of the few who proved he could build a champion long after he stopped playing.

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Can Jack St. Ivany Build Off Promising AHL Numbers into Full-Time Role with Winnipeg?

The Winnipeg Jets added another name to their blue line depth chart this week, signing defenseman Jack St. Ivany. The move raises an interesting question for the 26-year-old right shot heading into training camp as to if he can take the offensive flashes he showed last season and turn them into a real foothold in the NHL?

St. Ivany split last season between the Pittsburgh Penguins and their AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, and the results were promising at both levels. In 20 games with Pittsburgh, he recorded seven assists, showing he could move the puck and contribute offensively even against top competition. 

When he was sent down to the AHL, his production picked up even more, with St. Ivany posting six points in just eight games, a near point-per-game pace that suggests there may be more offense to unlock if given a longer runway.

The right side of the Jets' defense already looks fairly settled, with Dylan DeMelo and Neal Pionk both locked into established roles. That leaves St. Ivany looking at a competition for a third pairing spot, likely against Elias Salomonsson, one of the organization's more highly regarded defensive prospects.

He could also find himself competing for a seventh defenseman role, going up against fellow offseason addition Henry Thrun for a depth spot on the roster. For St. Ivany, the path forward comes down to consistency as his NHL sample size is still fairly small, but his numbers continue to rise each season as he further adjusts to the pro game. 

If he can find that consistency, he gives the Jets a legitimate option for puck moving depth on the right side. If not, he still provides organizational insurance in a group that could use it heading into a crucial season for the franchise.

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LeBron James decision live updates, rumors on when star chooses next team

The King is looking for a new home court.

Following his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers in June, LeBron James reportedly has all the information he needs from teams and is now weighing his options, according to USA TODAY Sports' Lorenzo Reyes.

A free agency decision now appears to be imminent. The favorites to land the 41-year-old's services include familiar names like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, but don't count out the possibility of James closing his career with a new team such as the Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves or Denver Nuggets.

As the NBA world waits for James to announce where he will write the closing chapter on his storybook career, here's the latest we're hearing on where things stand on The Decision 3.0:

LeBron James shouts out Lakers at Fanatics Fest

01:51 PM ET, July 16 2026

With his former head coach and "Mind the Game" co-host JJ Redick in attendance, LeBron took some time early in the live show to acknowledge the Los Angeles Lakers.

“Shout out my former team. I spent eight great years with the Los Angeles Lakers," he said. "… That was an unbelievable ride and I am looking forward to what comes next as I wind down my journey. It’s going to be fun wherever I land.”

LeBron James comments on decision

01:45 PM ET, July 16 2026, Gabe Zaldivar

ESPN's Dave McMenamin is at the event and doused water on the thought we may get a decision soon. McMenamin writes the following on X.

Tyrese Haliburton attempted to ask LeBron James about his decision early on in the program and James did not bite, saying “didn’t we already talk about this in the back.” Haliburton acquiesced and said, “I’ll leave it alone.”

LeBron takes the stage

01:32 PM ET, July 16 2026, Gabe Zaldivar

LeBron James is now talking live at Fanatics Fest. We will have to wait to see if any news comes from the appearance.

LeBron James makes public appearence for "Mind the Game" podcast

01:17 PM ET, July 16 2026, Gabe Zaldivar

LeBron James is set to take the stage for his "Mind the Game" podcast at Fanatics Fest in New York City, which he is co-hosting with Tyrese Haliburton. It remains to be seen if there is any substantial free agency news to come with the event.

The Miz makes impassioned plea to James on behalf of Cleveland

01:02 PM ET, July 16 2026

During the red carpet show ahead of tonight's ESPY Awards, WWE wrestler and Ohio native The Miz made his case for James to return to the Cavaliers to bookend his career with his hometown team.

"I don't think I need to sell him," he told ESPN's Monica McNutt. "I was at the American Century Championship playing with Charles Barkley. Barkley told me ... 'There's only one move. The only move is going home to Cleveland.' Why you ask? Well, anywhere else you're chasing Michael Jordan's championships. When you go home, it's a homecoming. It's like 2016 all over again.

"Bring Draymond, bring Kyrie, bring everyone to Cleveland and get your hometown a championship once again."

Is LeBron James close choosing his next team? What we're hearing

12:46 PM ET, July 16 2026, Lorenzo Reyes

At this stage, James has all the information he needs from teams and is weighing his options, a person with direct knowledge of the matter told USA TODAY Sports.

The person spoke under the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly comment on the specifics of James’ thinking. As a result, a decision could be imminent.

James, 41, is a player who has unparalleled stature in the NBA. As such, he’s calculated and deliberate about his decision making and is able to decide his future on his own terms. James has earned that right, and he’s being intentional about his decision.

James, a 22-time All-Star and four-time champion, has played a record 23 seasons in the NBA and wants to compete for another championship.

LeBron James next team: Are Warriors favorites for the King?

12:34 PM ET, July 16 2026, Andrés Soto

Front Office Sports reported on Tuesday that several NBA front office executives expect LeBron to sign with the Warriors over the Cavs, citing the proximity to his family in Los Angeles and the on-court fit alongside Steph Curry compared to Cleveland, which has  James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.

"I would be stunned if he picked a team that wasn’t Golden State or Cleveland," an anonymous Western Conference executive said in the report.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeBron James decision live updates, rumors on when star chooses next team

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NBA to 'take no action' following altercation between Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro

There will be no direct consequences — at least from the league — for Bam Adebayo or Tyler Herro after their altercation outside a Las Vegas casino last week.

"After discussing with the players involved and the NBPA, everyone would prefer to move on from this unfortunate circumstance, and no further action will be taken by the league," a league spokesman told Shams Charania of ESPN.

That echoes what Herro told Ramona Shelburne of ESPN: "Honestly, I'm just trying to move past all of it."

This summer, Miami traded Herro to Milwaukee as part of a package to bring Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Heat. On his way out the door, Herro allegedly used a secondary Instagram account he controls (not his official one) to send direct messages to a fan disrespecting Adebayo, reportedly including "You should get paid 60 million to be a top tier defender on some nights?"

Last week, outside the Resort World Resort, Adebayo reportedly walked up to Herro, confronted him, and the altercation got physical but was quickly broken up.

The league is officially done with this, although it will be a subplot when Miami and Milwaukee face each other this season.

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What is Fanatics Fest? 'World's No. 1 fan festival' comes to NYC

New York City will be the host to this weekend's Fanatics Fest, which will bring some of the world's biggest names in sports and entertainment to the Big Apple.

Billed as the world's No. 1 fan festival, the Fanatics Fest will take place from Thursday, July 16 to Sunday, July 19 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in midtown Manhattan and will also feature the second annual Fanatics Games, in which 50 fans compete alongside celebrities for a share of a $2 million prize pool.

Most of the athletes appearing at the Fanatics Fest are already in town as the annual ESPY awards show took place at Lincoln Center on July 15. Other talent scheduled to appear include Serena Williams, Derek Jeter, Jay-Z, Shaquille O'Neal and members of the NBA champion New York Knicks.

The Fanatics Games will also be livestreamed on YouTube, featuring matchups such as Tom Brady vs. Novak Djokovic, CC Sabathia vs. David Ortiz, DJ Khaled vs. Karl-Anthony Towns, John Cena vs. Noah Lyles and Rhea Ripley vs. Rob Gronkowski. One athlete of note who will be making an appearance is NBA free agent LeBron James, who will be doing a podcast and a live taping of "The Show." It is not known whether James will announce where he will play for his 24th season during the Fanatics Fest, but inquiring minds will be tuning in case he does.

James's "Mind the Game" podcast featuring Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton is set for 1:15 p.m. ET Thursday, July 16, and "The Shop" will commence shooting at noon on July 17. 

The schedule for the Fanatics Fest will feature programming across five different areas of the Javits Center, including panel discussions and podcasts.

For more on the programming schedule, click here.

A view of the venue during Fanatics Fest NYC 2026 at Jacob Javits Center on July 16, 2026 in New York City.

Fanatics Games Schedule (July 16-19)  

  • Thursday: 3:30 p.m. ET  
  • Friday: 12 p.m. ET  
  • Saturday: 1 p.m. ET   
  • Sunday: 10 a.m. ET
  • Closing ceremony: 12 p.m. ET  

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: What is Fanatics Fest? 'World's No. 1 fan festival' comes to NYC

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Kylan Boswell efficient in first Summer League start

Boswell is starting to ball.

After three straight games coming off the bench, Kylan Boswell earned his first start in the NBA Summer League. The former Illini has continued to improve throughout the summer.

Boswell finished the game with 11 points on 4-7 shooting and went 3-5 from beyond the arc. He also grabbed 7 rebounds, despite being 6-foot-1. Boswell was the second-leading rebounder in the game.

After playing 14 minutes and not scoring in his first game, Boswell has been a reliable bench piece for the Hornets. In the next game, he had 8 points, 4 boards and 7 assists in 15 minutes, while shooting a perfect 3-3. The following game, Boswell had 4 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists in 11 minutes, making two of his three shots.

There’s one more scheduled game for the Hornets Summer League squad. Boswell will likely start the season with the G-League affiliate, as he’s on a two-way contract.

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Yankees Sequence of the Week: Paul Blackburn (7/12)

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JULY 09: Paul Blackburn #58 of the New York Yankees reacts following the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on July 09, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Yankees starred in one of the most drab All-Star Games in recent memory, Cody Bellinger picking up MVP honors for his two-run single in the first while Ben Rice also drove in a run. It means we are just a day away from the second half kicking off, the Yankees starting a pivotal stretch of 66 games with a marquee series against the two-time defending champion Dodgers. Before we get to that, let’s take one last look back with our final Sequence of the Week of the first half, and Paul Blackburn’s first appearance in this series.

We join Blackburn with one out in the bottom of the eighth on Sunday, the Yankees five outs away from what looked at many points during the series like an improbable sweep of the Nationals. The late heroics by the offense was the story of that series, achieving three straight comebacks in the eighth inning or later to sweep a series for the first time since they were the Highlanders sweeping the Cleveland Naps in 1910. The bullpen is light a few arms, particularly as closer David Bendar had pitched three innings to secure saves in the previous two wins, so it’s more than likely that Blackburn will be asked to record the final six outs of this one-run game. He has already retired Curtis Mead on a popup to open the frame, the lefty already having tied the game with a pinch-hit solo home run off Tim Hill in the sixth. That brings the ever-dangerous two-time All-Star CJ Abrams to the plate, the lefty shortstop in the midst of a breakout campaign with 20 home runs before the break.

Abrams has done the lion’s share of his damage against the fastball, so it is no surprise to see Blackburn start this AB off with a curveball.

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Ali Sánchez sets a target in the zone, encouraging Blackburn to make this pitch look like a strike out of the hand to fool the hitter into swinging at a pitch that will break below the zone. Blackburn achieves both objectives, making Abrams think it’s an elevated fastball, resulting in a swing that is almost a foot over the top of a pitch that pretty much ends up in the dirt.

After tricking the hitter so effectively, it’s only logical that Blackburn attempt to replicate his execution of the pitch until Abrams shows he can adjust.

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Blackburn executes this pitch to a similar spot as the first one. However, it is apparent that Abrams is already beginning to make the necessary adjustment to the curve. You can see the way he delays his swing, getting his front foot down later to match the timing of the slower curve, and he drops the bat head more in anticipation of the downward break, allowing him to ground it foul.

Blackburn has two choices here following that swing. It’s clear Abrams is now hunting the curveball, so you either throw the pitch he is looking for but in an unhittable location, or you throw a different pitch type down the same tunnel to deceive the hitter into thinking it’s another curveball — think an elevated heater with the same high aiming point as those last two curveballs.

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Blackburn opts for the former option, bouncing a curveball on top of home plate to see if he can get Abrams to chase for a third straight time. Abrams displays excellent pitch recognition to take this curveball given it looked like it was traveling right down the middle out of Blackburn’s hand.

Despite not getting the chase he was looking for, Blackburn opts to throw a fourth straight curveball.

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The dangerous part of throwing so many breaking balls in a row is that each subsequent one needs to be a little better than the one before it to nullify the adjustment the hitter is making with repeated exposure to the pitch. Alternatively, you could try to sneak one to a location where the hitter isn’t expecting it, Blackburn attempting to back-door one for a called strike three. After seeing three straight curveballs over the plate but below the zone, Abrams is indeed fooled by this curve commanded to the corner up and away, and he’s just able to get off an emergency hack to foul off the pitch and stay alive.

After four straight curveballs, Blackburn finally picks his spot to switch things up with a changeup.

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Even though he didn’t get the chase he was after, I love this pitch selection by Blackburn. It shows Abrams a secondary offering with less downward break than the curveball and a pitch that breaks away from the batter rather than toward him, meaning Abrams now can no longer automatically eliminate any pitch that starts out aimed in the region from up-and-in to middle-middle

Indeed, that changeup functioned as purely a setup pitch to boost the chase potential of the curveball.

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Blackburn throws his fifth curveball of the encounter, and it is by far the best one he has thrown. It looks like a strike right down Broadway before dropping almost five feet during its path toward home, Abrams unable to check his swing in time on a pitch that lands in the dirt.

Here’s the full sequence:

I love the savvy Blackburn displayed against such a dangerous hitter. He clearly read the scouting report on Abrams’ propensity to crush the fastball, so he stuck with his two most platoon-neutral offerings in the curveball and changeup. It also helps that those two pitches have been his most effective weapons this season, the changeup holding hitters to a .105 average and .184 SLG against while the curveball has been even stingier, opponents batting just .087 and slugging .087 against the Uncle Charlie. The curveballs he threw in this encounter in particular make me excited to see him use the pitch more — in addition to his excellent command of the pitch to chase areas below the zone, it’s objectively one of the best curveballs in baseball. It sports the third-most downward drop vs. average of any curveball in MLB, allowing it to rack up a 45-percent whiff rate, 39.1-percent chase rate, and 37.1-percent put-away rate — all top-15 marks among all MLB curveballs.

It is no exaggeration to say that Blackburn has been one of the most effective pitchers in baseball over the last two months. He has pitched to the lowest ERA (1.16) in MLB since his May 16th appearance against the Mets among all pitchers with at least 30 innings pitched over that span. He has become Aaron Boone’s Swiss Army knife relief ace not dissimilar to the role Luke Weaver played in his first season with the team, though they profile very differently in terms of arsenal and pitching philosophy. My college John was one of the first people on staff to pick up on Blackburn’s surging form back in the beginning of June, and his words have proven prescient, Blackburn developing into one of the team’s most reliable relievers capable of pitching in a variety of roles.