I Started a Fantasy NHL League

I enjoy Fantasy Sports. My first time ever playing was last year with my NFL Fantasy League in which I finished 4th. This was mostly due to the fact that I believed in Justin Herbert when absolutely nobody else did and was even mocked for drafting him. Who is laughing now?

This year however, I missed my fantasy NFL draft, so my entire team was auto drafted. Through a frenzy of sneaky moves and free agent acquisitions, I was able to salvage my season thus far (currently at 2-2). It’s not necessarily the team I want, but it’s the team I was able to create with what I was given. Beggars can’t be choosers, and at the end of the day it’s my fault for missing my draft.

With that being said, fantasy sports are fun (even if you missed your draft). In fact, that makes it even more challenging. I’m always looking to join new leagues and try different fantasy sports so that’s why I decided to try my hand at Fantasy Hockey this year. As an avid hockey watcher, and the #1 Seattle Kraken Fan, I figured that this was the next logical step into my fantasy sports frenzy.

I’m from the Great Frozen Tundra of Northern Midwestern American, though depending on who you ask in the Dirty South, I’ve been from Alaska, North Alaska, Ottawa (Canada), and even North Dakota (Boooo, it’s South Dakota). In the Northern part of the Midwest near Minnesota, hockey is a big sport, arguably the biggest. So, it’s a shock to me that a city like Dallas has a hockey team and could care less about it because hockey is such an enjoyable sport to watch live and on television. Don’t get me wrong, football is a great sport to watch, but there’s so much downtime compared to hockey. Hockey is a fast paced, edge of your seat contact sport performed on razor thin blades on a slippery surface. What more do you people want?

Anyway, I decided to make a Fantasy Hockey League and we are currently looking for just ONE more participant to join the League. Absolutely ZERO knowledge or experience is required to join; in fact, I think it’d be more fun. All you have to do is send me your email and you’re in. I will be acting as the commissioner of the League and it will consist of 6 teams. I decided to keep it small and hope to grow the league to 8 teams next year. Yes, we’re talking expansion already baby! As far as Draft Night information goes, that will be decided once we get all 6 teams primed and ready for the season.

So if you’re interested, send that email to me, and we will get you signed up. Just ONE team, that’s all we need ladies and gentlemen. ONE! The 2021-2022 NHL Season starts OCTOBER 12th, but our League Draft starts OCTOBER 10th. Act fast before you miss your chance!

The "I Have No Idea" NBA Mock Draft

I’ll take a break from my Olympic coverage to give you something more mainstream here in America, the NBA Draft. Yes, it’s that time of year again where the best 7 foot tall 18-20 year olds will become millionaires and household names overnight. I usually keep up with these sorts of things, but to me COVID-19 basketball, whether it was college or NBA, was unwatchable. The only team I could stomach watching was the Charlotte Hornets because I enjoy their logo, color scheme, court and star player LaMelo Ball; but, as far as college basketball, I couldn't have been less interested.

I forced myself to watch some March Madness, but even then I came to the conclusion that basketball without fans really sucks. It was a breath of fresh air to watch the NBA playoffs and see fans back, but even then I’ll admit I didn’t pay much attention because I just chalked this season up as a loss. I usually try to keep up with both NBA and NCAA basketball just so I know what I'm talking about for these Mock Drafts, but this year I have zero idea what I’m talking about which almost makes this Mock Draft even more fun for me. I’ve been doing a lot of research and stat readings and the pool of talent I have in front of me seems interesting, to say the least. I will discuss the first 11 picks in this draft and then save you all from lengthy dissection for picks 12-30.

So, without further adieu, the Detroit Pistons are on the clock in the Brickhouse Mock Draft…

1. Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham, Guard. Oklahoma State.

Now I haven’t completely lived under a rock in regards to basketball. If you turn on any sports channel they are talking about the 6’8 guard from OK State. I even remember that during the March Madness games I did watch, the commentators wouldn’t shut up about this guy. So, if you’re Motor City and you want hype, you go with the most hyped guy in the draft.

2. Houston Rockets: Jalen Green, Guard. G-League Ignite.

As a former Houstonite, I can’t say I feel bad for the Rockets. They’ve dug themselves into this hole and won’t be finding their way out for quite some time, I’m afraid. Drafting a young promising G-League Guard who has shown good flashes of scoring and playing ability at the professional level is a good start, but it seems to be a long road ahead for H-Town.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers TRADE to the Orlando Magic: Evan Mobley, C/F. USC.

I don’t like the Cavs with the 3rd pick, and I certainly don’t like them drafting another big man to an already big man heavy roster. I remember hearing reporters talking about Mobley being a lottery pick caliber talent, but I’ve never really seen him play. I think if you’re the Magic you ask Cleveland to swap picks and take your second rounder because if you’re Cleveland, Evan Mobley isn’t going to solve the river fire of an organization they currently have, so fall back in the draft take a pure forward you’ll get for cheaper and then tank like a mother f’er for the No. 1 pick and rebuild “The Land." As for the Magic, you draft a big man with a lot of potential for virtually nothing and continue to build a promising young roster.

4. Toronto Raptors: Jalen Suggs, Guard. Gonzaga.

Oh how the mighty have fallen… It's hard to believe they won the NBA Championship just a couple seasons ago. Don’t necessarily love this pick, but there’s a lot of hype for ole Jalen Suggs, especially after his stellar March Madness performances. After all that’s all you have to do to get draft buzz. The Raptors need to find a replacement for Kyle Lowry who is expected to leave soon, might as well go with the Draft hype pick here.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Scottie Barnes, PF. FSU.

Scottie Barnes has been making some noise heading into the final days of the draft and if you’re Cleveland, noise is exactly what you need. By trading down in this hypothetical draft Cleveland gains a second rounder from the Orlando Magic (33rd Overall pick). They also get a potential star in this draft for a cheaper price, but the thing I love about this pick is that it won’t make them substantially better than they already are right away and Cleveland doesn’t mess their chances up for the Number 1 overall selection in next year’s draft.

6. Oklahoma City Thunder: Franz Wagner, SF. Michigan.

I went Franz on this pick over Jonathan Kuminga due to Wagner being just a little older and more experienced. The whole young athlete playing in the professional ranks is a great story, but the Oklahoma City Thunder don’t need a project with their first of 3 first round picks.

7. Golden State Warriors: James Bouknight, SG. UCONN.

With Klay Thomspon returning from injury, The Warriors will look to reestablish themselves as winners, and I think they can. With Curry, Wiggins, Wiseman, and Thompson at full health, that’s a sneaky good team even in the West. The Thompson injury just proves my long running theory that the Warriors and Steph Curry ain’t shit without him. Even though he’ll be fully healthy, I’d still want to make sure he isn’t over exerting himself and is getting rest. So, we drafted a SG that averaged 21.3 points to help Klay Thompson stay healthy.

8. Orlando Magic: Jonathan Kuminga, SF. G-League Ignite.

It seems like the Orlando Magic are doing their best to not seem like they are rebuilding, which is exactly what they’re doing. They’ve given away all their top players. I already have them taking a potential big man superstar in Evan Mobley, now it seems they’ll need to replace a SF since they have 3 potential SF up for free agency. I think drafting a young G-League Ignite prospect may be the move here, especially since they seem to be rebuilding.

9. Sacramento Kings: Alperen Sengun, C. Besiktas.

A couple seasons ago, Vlade Divac stated that he’d fire himself as GM of the Kings if they didn’t make the NBA Playoffs in a few seasons (at least I think he said this, I can’t remember). Yet, here we are and the Kings have yet to make the playoffs since he said this. LIAR! However, the Kings have an easy draft this year and that is they need defense horribly. They have a solid three in Fox, Hield, and Barnes but MB3 has been a disappointment to say the least. He’s shown flashes worthy of his former No. 2 selection, but he’s not lived up the hype. The Kings need defensive help drastically and that comes in the form of the Turkish big man Alperen Sengun.

10. NOLA Pelicans TRADE to the New York Knicks: Corey Kispert, SF. Gonzaga.

If you’re the Pelicans, you need draft capital. If you’re the Knicks, you just made the playoffs in the East and you have a good team, but you need a sharpshooter. I don’t know if the Knicks will find that sharpshooter when they get to pick. Tom Thibadeux needs to unload his two late round draft picks to the Pelicans and get that sharpshooter in the form of Corey Kispert. They do need to address the PG position, but even with the PG problems they had this season they made the playoffs. The Knicks need that dynamic sharpshooter to keep on the trajectory they are on more than a PG. The Knicks just need to be aggressive in Free Agency to make this pick work.

As for the Pelicans, they found their big man to pair with Zion Williamson in stud center and NBA veteran Jonas Valanciunas. Now with this trade they don’t get to stay in the top 10, but this draft is so full of guard talent I’m not sure it matters. Plus with this trade, they do trade down but they also gain a 2nd first round pick, making their selections 19 & 21. This is what NOLA needs right now rather than just one good pick. Sometimes quantity is better than quality, especially when they’re still far from being a championship contender in the West.

11. Charlotte Hornets: Moses Moody, SG. Arkansas.

Wait, why am I discussing the Top 11 picks and not just the top 10? Because I enjoy watching the Hornets and I want to discuss them, so BUZZ OFF! (haha). The Hornets almost made the playoffs this year but fell short, mostly due to their dismal play at center. I wouldn’t address that position in this draft when you could potentially sign Jarrett Allen or Andre Drummond this offseason. What also really hindered the Hornets this season was not having the additional scorers outside of Lamelo Ball and Gordon Hayward. Terry Rozier was on again and off again. Malik Monk is an absolute bust, so replacing him should be a priority. So with this pick, it’s purely to help with scoring off the bench and getting an eventual starter; this is also hypothetically going off the Hornets being aggressive in free agency for a Center.

Day’Ron Sharpe or Luka Garza are super tempting here, but with Moses Moody I believe the Hornets get what they’ve wanted Malik Monk to be this entire time, a shooting scorer that’ll help lift the load off Lamelo Ball and Gordon Hayward’s backs.

12. San Antonio Spurs: Chris Duarte, SG. Oregon.

13. Indiana Pacers: Davion Mitchell, PG. Baylor.

14. Golden State Warriors: Josh Giddey, PG/F. Adelaide (Australia/NBL).

15. Washington Wizards: Jalen Johnson, SF/PF. Duke.

16. Oklahoma City Thunder: Keon Johnson, SG. Tennessee.

17. Memphis: Trey Murphy III, SF/PG. Virginia.

18. Oklahoma City Thunder: Day’Ron Sharpe, C. North Carolina.

19. NOLA Pelicans: Ziaire Williams, SF. Stanford.

20. Atlanta Hawks: Herbert Jones, SF. Alabama.

21. NOLA Pelicans: Jared Butler, PG. Baylor.

22. LA Lakers: Sharife Cooper, PG. Auburn.

23. Houston Rockets: Luka Garza, C. Iowa.

24. Houston Rockets: Jaden Springer, PG/SG. Tennessee.

25. LA Clippers: Isaiah Jackson, C. Kentucky.

26. Denver Nuggets: Kai Jones, PF/C. Texas.

27. Brooklyn Nets: Usman Garuba, PF. Real Madrid.

28. Philadelphia 76ers: Cameron Thomas, SG. LSU.

29. Phoenix Suns: Ayo Dosunmu, PG/SG. Illinois.

30. Utah Jazz: Tre Mann, PG. Florida.

If You Aren't Watching Olympic Rugby, You're Soft!

That’s right, I said it! You’re S-O-F-T… SOFT! Rugby should be a much bigger sport in America than it is, but just like we've seen with soccer in recent years, rugby is surely and slowly becoming a more recognized sport in The U S of A. I personally love rugby; one of my only regrets in life is not playing on the college rugby team when offered an opportunity to play. That’s another story though.

The game of rugby, for those that don’t know, is a very physical and gritty sport. It is most popular in countries like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Ireland, all countries known for kicking back, getting drunk and then beating the heck out of one another. To draw parallels to the sport in an American way, the game is a combination of American football, wrestling, soccer (without the flopping), and a good ole fashioned game of keep away all in one. How can you not absolutely love this sport? It’s the best. I’m actually guilty of waking up in the wee hours of the morning to catch Australian Rugby matches from time to time. I’m even the proud owner of a rugby ball!

I was elated when during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games they announced Rugby (7’s, 7 people playing on the field) would be added to the games. Due to it’s growing popularity around the world, it only seemed right that a truly physical and demanding sport like rugby takes its place among other less physically demanding and quite head scratching sports like Table Tennis, Equestrian (the horse does all the work! But this will be a different blog), Synchronized Swimming, and Trampoline to name a few.

This year in the 2020 (taking place in 2021) Tokyo Olympics, Team U.S.A. came into the games with something to prove. Team U.S.A won a buzzer beater against Team Kenya, then in their next match won yet another buzzer beater due to basically a full field rush by Madison Hughes to seal the victory in the last seconds to defeat Team Ireland.

Then alas, Team USA’s time came to a heart wrenching end when they faced their Revolutionary War rivals Team Great Britain. Team USA was up 21-0 almost the entire match and then, just like that, Team Great Britain put up 26 unanswered points to send Team USA packing. Don’t worry though; Team Great Britain met their maker in the form of Team New Zealand to send New Zealand to the Gold Medal match.

I haven’t even discussed Team Argentina and Team Fiji (currently playing as I type this) who are in a 14-12 game in favor of Team Argentina as we head into the second half. Team Argentina actually only played with 6 people (you need 7) in their match against Team South Africa; in what other Olympic sport are they doing that? Certainly not basketball, and definitely not 3x3 basketball.

To me Rugby is the ultimate Olympic sport as it contains a multitude of different sports that are akin to popular American games. I wouldn’t at all be surprised if Rugby takes over the world in the next decade. So, I’m calling it now: rugby is the sport of the future, and it’s certainly the sport of the present as far as the Olympics go. With it’s team comradery and just true passion it’s hard not to enjoy it, even if you have zero idea what’s going on. I mean these guys are literally going to war with a lot less padding than what football players wear. It’s up tempo and there are not a ton of breaks. All gas, no brakes as I like to say. Then, when the dust settles and the air clears, don’t be surprised to see the teams share a pint of beer as a sign of respect and brotherhood.

If you haven't watched it yet, watch the clips on YouTube and get caught up and join the Rugby bandwagon. It’s not gonna disappoint. To catch the Gold Medal match, just try and peep in and out of the Olympic Games this Wednesday when you get time. If you miss the men’s rugby, that’s fine because they also have women’s rugby and it hasn’t started yet! So, you have zero excuse to not watch Olympic Rugby!