SneakerReporter NBA Top 30 Teams: #17 New Orleans Pelicans

SneakerReporter NBA Top 30 Teams: #17 New Orleans Pelicans

Featured

by | Oct 6, 2019 | Featured, NBA

We’ve almost reached the halfway point for our SneakerReporter NBA Top 30 at Day 17. With that in mind we present to you our pick for our 17th team, a group in which me personally and probably all NBA fans are excited to watch this season, the New Orleans Pelicans.

___________________________________________________________________________

17. New Orleans Pelicans: Can the new roster for New Orleans prove themselves?

I know what you’re thinking, because I’m thinking the same thing, “This video isn’t even the same team as it is now!”, and you’d be completely right, it isn’t. And frankly, there are so many good and bad reasons that associate with it. The Pelicans finished with a record of 48-34, placing 6th in the Western Conference. They unfortunately exited the NBA Playoffs in the Second Round to the Golden State Warriors. Despite the success that the team had last season, it was nothing short of tragic. The Pelicans moved on from their, what they thought to be, perennial Superstar in Anthony Davis, choosing to rebuild their entire roster. During that point of the season last year regarding the Davis drama, the Pelicans seemed to be in a dire situation.

From that point to now, the Pelicans organization has made moves in ways that we as fans were caught by surprise. In a situation where we most of us believed that the Pelicans were down for the count, they’ve put their heads down and gathered a roster of players that in the long-term will be a terrifying team to face. This is without saying that their roster now isn’t a force to be reckoned with, but the amount of youth on this team can be a make or break factor for them throughout the course of the season.

Looking into the this Pelicans squad, the names on this roster are players that we as NBA fans are excited to watch play together. From the young (previous) Lakers core in Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and Brandon Ingram, to the more seasoned veterans in Jahlil Okafor, J.J. Reddick, and Jrue Holidae. It also goes without saying that one of the biggest names in the NBA or even sports overall in this day in age is the first-round pick of this year’s NBA Draft in Zion Williamson. Like I said already, if given a couple of years to iron out the issues that a young, new team will face, the Pelicans will more than likely find themselves contending in the Playoffs consistently. Despite the excitement that a roster like this would bring upon the NBA, there is no need to raise the white flag if they have some bumps along the road. Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and Brandon Ingram were really coming into their own last season with the Lakers, and they now have the opportunity to really showcase themselves on this new team. With veteran leadership under the likes of J.J. Reddick and Jrue Holidae, the development of this team should be interesting throughout the course of the season.

I’d like to take some time to focus on 6’7 rookie forward Zion Williamson. We all know him to be an absolutely electrifying player on the floor, and I personally believe that everyone wants to see him do well in the league. But fans should also remember that the kid is exactly that, a kid. He’s going to go through the ups and downs throughout the course of the season, in fact, the entire team most likely will. This is exactly why, despite having loads of potential and talent that goes through the roof, I believe that this Pelicans team will definitely be apart of the Playoff race. The only thing that really stops them from making the Playoffs is themselves, however. If they managed to play their style of basketball and do so effectively, I don’t see why they can’t make the Playoffs as one of the lower seeds.

Oct 6, 2019 No Comments
Travis Scott Drops “HIGHEST IN THE ROOM,”To Fans Cause It’s Time To Eat

Travis Scott Drops “HIGHEST IN THE ROOM,”To Fans Cause It’s Time To Eat

Celebs

by | Oct 5, 2019 | Celebs, Featured

Amidst all the rumors surrounding Travis Scott and his Girlfriend/Stormi Mother Kylie Jenner breakup, Travis has continued to push out new music with the release of new single “HIGHEST IN THE ROOM,” along with a video. Marking Travis’ first single release since the Grammy-nominated Astroworld.

Its first appearance was in an ad for Kylie Jenner’s Kybrow collection in April. As a man of the people Travis promising fans the release on 10/4 via Twitter and he delivered. Travis has been performing it during his live shows and apparently there’s a verse from Lil Baby.

“I’ve been ready to drop this shit forever,” he told Apple Music’s Beats 1. “I was just performing it at a point where I’ve done it at so many shows, and it’s been so fun doing it, I was like, I gotta just drop this, and I’m gearing up for something more special to come following that.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3IsF8DBlQX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 Travis has been a businessman with the release of Netflix doc “Look Mom I Can Fly,” and recently announced second annual ASTROWORLD Festival, which returns to his hometown of Houston on Saturday, Nov. 9. Travis will headline, while the rest of the lineup will be revealed at a later date. 

Maybe he’ll put something around “HIGHEST IN THE ROOM,” but his in no rush to release another album. He will continue to drop “dope shit and serve some packs to the fans” cause it’s time to eat. 

Check out Travis’ trippy video for “Highest in the Room,” which he directed with Dave Meyers. Watch below.

Oct 5, 2019 No Comments
SneakerReporter Top 30 NBA Teams: #18 Miami Heat

SneakerReporter Top 30 NBA Teams: #18 Miami Heat

Featured

by | Oct 5, 2019 | Featured, NBA

We get closer and closer by the day to the beginning of the NBA Season, and the anticipation grows as time passes. Officially 18 days out, we’re discussing our spot for 18th on the SneakerReporter Top 30, the Miami Heat.

__________________________________________________________________________

18. Miami Heat: Can the Heat get back on a hot streak?

The Miami Heat are officially passed the Dwayne Wade Farewell Tour (it still hurts for me too), and have potentially found their new franchise player in Jimmy Butler. The organization went 39-43 last season, just barely out of the playoff picture. They’re no strangers to the Playoffs in recent history however, making an early first round exit to the 76ers in the 2017-2018 season. Additionally of course, the organization has in fact won the championship in recent years, winning back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013, with the original Big 3 of the 2010 decade in Dwayne Wade, Lebron James, and Chris Bosh.

The roster has shifted around a bit for the season to come, with Center Hassan Whiteside out of the picture and Meyers Leonard coming into the fray. The team overall is solid, with a talented and exciting roster with names such as Bam Adebayo and Derrick Jones Jr. This fairly young roster will be looking to develop some more this coming season and with the years to come, and there only seems to be a whole lot of upside for this squad. On the topic of exciting names coming into this Miami roster, rookie Tyler Herro will be a name to watch this season. Herro, during this year’s NBA Summer League, proved to be an effective scorer from almost anywhere on the floor. Alongside the already solid group of guards that the Heat have already in Goran Dragic, Dion Waiters, and Justise Winslow last year officially becoming listed as a point guard, it will be interesting to watch the Heat and how they operate with their guards in terms of rotation. One thing is for sure when looking at this roster, and that is they have an array of scoring options to exercise whenever needed.

The main thing regarding this Heat roster however is the newly acquired superstar talent in Jimmy Butler. Butler has proved time and time again that he’s a player to be reckoned with on both sides of the floor. He, at this point in his career, is around his peak at the age of 30, and hopes that he has the necessary components to compete. Jimmy saw some downturn in terms of scoring last season with the 76ers, but was mostly due in part by the amount of depth the team had in terms of scoring. With his current situation in Miami, however, he is more than likely, if not fully the first option in terms of scoring the ball on this Heat roster.

This team, like all teams in the league, will be interesting to watch this season. They have shifted their focus on Jimmy Butler and filling the rest of their roster with solid players. But also, like with all teams, there is always the underlying question of how this team will mesh together and if the roster can execute successfully. This question is typically asked more with teams that have essentially had to switch their rosters up, with the Miami Heat being one of them. Meyers Leonard coming to the Heat for Hassan Whiteside will be particularly interesting, for Whiteside was the backbone of the defense for this team, and also an essential rebounder, something where Leonard averages 3.7 rebounds for his career.

Despite all that, the Heat have decent chances in making the playoffs this season (probably a lower seed, of course, but the playoffs nonetheless). In the grand scheme of things, the Eastern Conference is not at its strongest at this time, which is a blessing for a lot of teams. There really are only 4-5 teams that will definitely make the playoffs in the East, which means there’s quite a fight for some spots in the ladder half of the seeds. We will see in time who will be able to show out in the East and prove themselves worthy of playoff contention.

Oct 5, 2019 No Comments
Primetime Preview: Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks (TNF Week 5)

Primetime Preview: Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks (TNF Week 5)

Featured

by | Oct 4, 2019 | Featured, NFL

Week 5 of the NFL starts tonight with a terrific matchup as the Los Angeles Rams head to Seattle to take on the division opponent Seahawks. As both teams stand at 3-1, this should be one of the best matchups of week 5. As the fantasy football fans love Thursday Night, Rams star RB Todd Gurley has expressed his feeling otherwise, calling it the : “Dumbest Thing Ever”. 

Regardless of Gurley’s (and my) opinion, the game will be played tonight. What should be a high scoring duel could lead one of these teams to the top of the NFC West at the end of week 5. Vegas has the Seahawks as 1.5 Home favorites, and it’s such a toss up to feel comfortable placing money on the game. 

 

QB Matchup Jared Goff vs. Russell Wilson

Can you name a conference with better QBs across the board? The NFC West is loaded with QB talent, and this game should be a reminder of that. Jared Goff has had some struggles early on, throwing for 6 TDs and 6 INTs in his first four, but expect Goff to get back of track tonight. Wilson has been phenomenal so far, tossing 8 TDs with 0 INTs. His 69.8 QBR is the 5th best in the NFL so far. Both QBs are in great systems who establish the run early and then find success passing vertically via play action. 

RB Matchup Todd Gurley/Malcolm Brown vs. Chris Carson/Rashaad Penny

As stated before, Todd Gurley really dislikes Thursday Night Football, and he’s not to blame. Countless players suffer really tough injuries on Thursday Night, and it’s almost time for the NFL to take a closer look at this, for the health of the players. The Rams are trying to ease Todd Gurley into the offense, not giving him more than 16 carries in their first 4 games. His backup Malcolm Brown has done a fantastic job as Gurley’s counterpart, averaging 4.4 yards per carry. This will be a battle of the backfields as Seattle was the most run heavy offense in 2018, and 2019 has been more of the same. Carson had carried the ball over 15 times every game so far, and although he has struggled with fumble problems, Pete Carroll still has tons of confidence in him. Second year backup Rashaad Penny has showed signs of growth and maturity in these first four games as well. 

WR Matchup Robert Woods/Brandin Cooks/ Cooper Kupp vs. Tyler Lockett/ D.K. Metcalf/Jaron Brown 

The Rams has one of the best receiver corps in the whole NFL, and the three headed attack can hurt you in so many different ways. Brandin Cooks is known as a deep ball specialist, with Robert Woods as the star route runner and Cooper Kupp as Goff’s safety blanket in the slot. The Seahawks receivers won’t get the credit that the Rams WR’s will, but they quietly have nice depth at the position. Tyler Lockett has improved so much over the last two seasons, and rookie D.K. Metcalf is already proving doubters wrong. Even without a complex route tree, Metcalf presence as a physical specimen on the outside is deadly with Wilson behind center. 

TE Matchup Gerald Everett/Tyler Higbee vs. Will Dissly

An underrated matchup two pretty much unknowns units. None of these guys are the headliners at the position, but both the committee of Everett/Higbee and Dissly get the job done. Dissly quietly already has four receiving TDs this year, as the Hawks felt comfortable enough to ship off their other TE to Pittsburgh. The Rams TE group is really an afterthought due to their skill at the WR position, but Everett and Higbee are always dangerous in the red zone and on 3rd down. 

Defense Matchup

The Rams defensive unit had a rough week vs. Tampa Bay, giving up over 50 points in the loss. They have continued to create turnovers, counting for at least an INT every game so far. Before last week’s meltdown against Jameis Winston, the Rams were on paper one of the best units in the league. The Seahawks have been middle of the pack so far on defense. They had a great performance last week against Kyler Murray, surrendering only 10 points. Every close game comes down to who can get clutch stops, and this TNF should be nothing different. Whichever team can successfully get the opposing offense off the field on 3rd down will have the major advantage, especially because of how both offenses like to possess the ball and methodically move it down the field.

Oct 4, 2019 No Comments
SneakerReporter NBA Top 30 Teams: #19 Sacramento Kings

SneakerReporter NBA Top 30 Teams: #19 Sacramento Kings

Featured

by | Oct 4, 2019 | Featured, NBA

Another day passes, and we’re officially 19 days out from the NBA Season beginning. Fans worldwide are ecstatic to watch their respective teams face off once again for the chance at the NBA title. Until then, we’re going to discuss the number 19 spot on our list, holding a previous record of 39-43 last season, the Sacramento Kings.

_____________________________________________________

19. Sacramento Kings: Will the Kings prove they truly are royalty?

The Kings have historically struggled in regards to post-season success ever since their move from New York as the Rochester Royals. Their best success as of late was back in the late-90’s to early 2000’s, but unfortunately not being able to get to the NBA Finals in any particular instance. Last season the Kings were the epitome of outside looking into the NBA Playoffs, placing as the 9th seed (if there were one) right behind the LA Clippers.

Looking at this year’s Kings’ squad, the organization has filled its roster with a lot of youth, with the team’s oldest player being 34-year old veteran wing Trevor Ariza. Similarly to the previous Pistons, this team has loads of potential and is just another game of “what-if”? The Kings organization has fully put their belief in the core of De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, and Marvin Bagley III. In a matter of two years, De’Aaron Fox has proved he has what it takes to play at an elite level in the NBA, and with the slight revamp of their roster, they’re hoping they have brought upon the correct pieces to make the Playoff push for the end of this season. They also hope to the say the same for Bagley, he had a solid season as a rookie and I’m sure that he and the rest of the organization wishes to expand upon it. Other than the core that they’ve grown to hold so dear, we also as fans hope to see other players on the Kings roster do well. For example, former NBA Champion Harrison Barnes sought out to hold a bigger role for a team, leaving the Warriors in 2015. From then to present day, Barnes hasn’t necessarily become a go-to type of player, but has reverted back to a important role off the bench for the Kings (also the Mavericks before he moved to Sacramento), similarly to as he was on the Warriors.

Although there are many upsides to the Kings roster, it’s only fair to discuss the potential issues that they may have throughout the course of the season. Without the presence of the bigs that the Kings once had in Zach Randolph and Willie Cauley-Stein, it’s up to the younger players such as Dewayne Dedmon and Harry Giles to pick up the pieces and build upon it.

Ultimately, I believe that this Kings core is only going to get better throughout the course of the upcoming season. And the more games they have under their belt together the better this team will become. I have this team potentially making the playoffs, perhaps as the 8th seed, having a 40-win season. But of course this is only speculation, and the Kings will face many challenges this season in a very stacked Western Conference and Pacific Division.

Oct 4, 2019 No Comments
SneakerReporter NFL Power Rankings: 10/3

SneakerReporter NFL Power Rankings: 10/3

Featured

by | Oct 3, 2019 | Featured, NFL

Each week, SneakerReporter will put out their power rankings of all 32 NFL teams. 

With Week 5 kicking off tonight (Los Angeles Rams vs.Seattle Seahawks, 8:20 PM EST on Fox and NFL Network) it’s time to unveil where each team sits.

The fun begins below and be sure to check back each Thursday to track how far up or down your favorite team moves from week-to-week. 

 

1. Kansas City Chiefs 4-0 (LW:1)

Kansas City found themselves in a real fight on the road against the Detroit Lions and somehow Patrick Mahomes didn’t throw one touchdown in a game that totaled 64 points. 

 

2. New England Patriots 4-0 (LW: 2)

What looked like a routine AFC East blowout game turned into a defensive battle following Tom Brady’s uncharacteristic red-zone turnover with New England leading 13-0.

 

3. New Orleans Saints 3-1 (LW: 8)

A bunch of undefeated teams suffered their first loss and no opponent was more impressive than the Saints stifling the Dallas Cowboys.

 

4. Chicago Bears 3-1 (LW: 9)

This defense remains legit; now we get to see Khalil Mack unleashed against the team that traded him away.

 

5. San Francisco 49ers 3-0 (LW: 10)

(STILL) 13 MORE GAMES JIMMY GAROPPOLO, YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!

 

6. Dallas Cowboys 3-1 (LW: 4)

Their offense let them down but even in defeat, the outlines of a potential Super Bowl Champion can still be seen.

 

7. Buffalo Bills 3-1 (LW: 11)

This team is arguably a Josh Allen concussion away from being undefeated AND atop the AFC East standings. 

 

8. Los Angeles Rams 3-1 (LW: 3)

I don’t know what happened on Sunday but that looked nothing like the Sean McVay Rams we’ve grown accustomed to. 

 

9. Detroit Lions 2-1-1 (LW: 13)

Is it time we put some “respeck” on Matt Patricia’s name???

 

10. Green Bay Packers 3-1 (LW: 5)

The clock struck midnight and the defense—specifically the run defense—turned back into a pumpkin.

 

11. Cleveland Browns 2-2 (LW: 17)

“The Cleveland Browns Story: From the league’s biggest disappointment to top of their division”; coming to a theater near you. 

 

12. Philadelphia Eagles 2-2 (LW: 15)

In what was ultimately a season-saving victory, the Eagles looked much more like the team everyone envisioned they would be.

 

13. Seattle Seahawks 3-1 (LW:16)

It’s hard to keep calling them average when they have a better record than more than half of the league. 

 

14. Baltimore Ravens 2-2 (LW: 6)

The Chiefs hangover hit Baltimore hard and they now find themselves in a real battle to make the playoffs the rest of the way. 

 

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2-2 (LW: 22)

Bruce Arians has done the unthinkable, he’s made Jameis Winston ELITE. 

 

16. Minnesota Vikings 2-2 (LW: 7)

Kirk Cousins is holding this team back in a MAJOR way.

 

17. Carolina Panthers 2-2 (LW: 21)

This group is doing a lot better than just keeping their heads above water in Cam Newton’s absence.

 

18. Houston Texans 2-2 (LW: 12)

PROTECT DESHAUN WATSON PLEASE!

 

19. Jacksonville Jaguars 2-2 (LW: 24)

We’ve moved on from #FREEJALEN and we’re 100% in on #MinshewMagic. 

 

20. Indianapolis Colts 2-2 (LW: 14)

They let a great chance at claiming the top spot in the AFC South slip away with a home loss to the Oakland Raiders.

 

21. Los Angeles Chargers 2-2 (LW: 18)

How do you win and drop down the rankings, when you’re the first team to trail the Miami Dolphins that’s how. 

 

22. New York Giants 2-2 (LW: 25)

Daniel Jones looked more the part of inconsistent rookie against Washington but there’s a chance Saquon Barkley returns from injury a lot sooner than everyone anticipated. 

 

23. Tennessee Titans 2-2 (LW: 20)

This team is confusing. 

 

24. Oakland Raiders 2-2 (LW: 23)

This team is ALSO confusing. 

 

25. Pittsburgh Steelers 1-3 (LW: 26)

Nothing like a one-sided victory in primetime against a bottom three team to get the fan base revved up again!

 

26. Atlanta Falcons 1-3 (LW: 19)

If this continues Dan Quinn could possibly lose his job BEFORE Jay Gruden, which would be the most shocking development of the 2019 season. 

 

27. Arizona Cardinals 0-3-1 (LW: 27)

Wins are far from guaranteed but a matchup against Cincinnati should result in the first win of the Kyler Murray x Kliff Kingsbury era.

28. Denver Broncos 0-4 (LW: 30)

One of these days Vic Fangio’s team is going to WIN on a last-second field goal. 

 

29. New York Jets 0-3 (LW: 29)

If Sam Darnold does make his return to action this weekend things could turn around quickly for gang green.

 

30. Washington Redskins 0-4 (LW: 27)

Would you take the over/under on Washington using more quarterbacks than the number of Tom Brady touchdown passes thrown?

 

31. Cincinnati Bengals 0-4 (LW: 31)

If I were A.J. Green I also would stay away from this dumpster fire for as long as possible. 

 

32. Miami Dolphins 0-4 (LW: 32)

They might have to tank harder with Cincinnati and Washington hanging around. 

Oct 3, 2019 No Comments