WTF Did the Lakers Just Do?

First and foremost, I am not an NBA expert. I do not follow the regular season or the playoffs. What I do follow is the off-season, and things have taken an early start. The Los Angeles Lakers sent Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram, their 2019 4th overall pick, and two future first round picks in exchange for Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans. Sounds ludicrous doesn’t it? Block buster deals is the way to my heart, but I can recognize when things are a little odd. Let’s look back to 2013 when the Boston Celtics traded KG and Paul Pierce to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for 3 first round picks. Sure, Brooklyn made it into the playoffs the following year as an 8 seed, unfortunately, Brooklyn was either dead last or second to last in the following two seasons after that. What happened to Boston? Well, they ended up drafting Terry Rozier, Jaylen Brown, and Jason Tatum and have competed at the top of the Eastern Conference for the past few seasons. Long story short, trades like these are usually great for teams receiving the picks.

In the Pelicans case, not only do they have Zion in the bag with their first pick, they also have the fourth pick this year. In all reality, they could trade down in the draft, acquiring more future picks. So the Pelicans roster will have a foundation of young talent with Lonzo, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram, Zion, Julius Randle, and Frank Jackson. Along with this, they have Jrue Holiday and Ian Clark to help with the young back court. Also, not forgetting the Pelicans having the fourth overall pick. Frankly, I think the Pelicans should be looking at a good rim protector, but not much is there. Whatever they choose to do, it will be very hard to mess this up.

In the Lakers case, I guess you have Lebron and AD, positive start. Other than that, I appreciate Kuzma, but nothing else there really excites me. Now, if they go out and get a Kyrie or Jimmy Butler, then I’m all in. But if Kyrie signs with Brooklyn, and the Lakers go out and grab aging Kemba Walker, then prayers. The Lakers are not going to get any younger, they are all in on Lebron, so much so that Magic Johnson and Luke Walton left. This is either going to be 3 or so years of greatness or 5 years of turmoil. If I was a betting man, which I am, I’m thinking the Lakers make the playoffs the next two years, and then start the fast descent.

Overall, huge fan of this trade based on the fact I am now a huge fan of the Pelicans now. Nothing will make me happier than seeing Lonzo crossing Rondo, Ingram pulling up in AD’s face, and Zion posterizing Lebron in Game 1 of the Western Conference playoffs next year.

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Daenerys Targaryen wears the pants, let’s be honest MY BLOG:

SPOILER ALERT!!!! If you have not watched Game of Thrones up to season 8 episode 5 then go read another post at BigMadSports.com and come back after you have watched.

Daenerys Targaryen is Jon’s queen, my queen, and your queen. Mercy is her strength. If you thought she would spare King’s Landing then I’m sorry, beta. Daenerys was shown that episode as the next “Mad King” but that is bullshit. Not once did the camera cut to Daenerys, herself, as she burned KL. I don’t know if you forgot who Daenerys is. Daenerys was on the run as a kid, her father murdered, and molested by her brother. She was sold off to the Dothraki, where she was raped repeatedly. She falls in love with her rapist, but ends up watching him and her only child die. That’s only the beginning. She gets these baby dragons, has them stolen from her by this freak Warlock, gets them back, and becomes the Breaker of Chains. Daenerys gives people a choice, let’s not forget that. She takes Jorah in, Jorah betrays her. I understand the argument that can be had there, but nonetheless, he betrayed her. Lots of things happened in between, he gets the stone disease, she tells him to get help, he does, and then becomes a member of her council. Blah blah blah, Tyrion and Varys come along, blah blah blah, Daenerys meets Jon, incest begins, blah blah blah.

Here is what I have trouble with, yes Jon Snow is a Targaryen, kind of. The Targaryens keep a close bloodline, and Jon is only half Targaryen. Daenerys is full blown Silver hair though. Jon WANTS Daenerys to sit the Iron Throne. Daenerys WANTS the Iron Throne, after-all, she deserves it more than anyone. I don’t understand this idea of people wanting Jon Snow to sit the Iron Throne because he is a “good guy”. Give me a break. Daenerys tried being the “good guy” by trying to create an alliance with the Lannisters/Starks to fight the Dead. She was mistaken. Daenerys does not like mistakes. Her dragons are the reason they were able to battle Cersei in the first place, hence burning the Dead. Cersei was given multiple chances. She could have fought with the living at the Battle of Winterfell, but she chose not to. She could have surrendered, but she chose to chop of Missandei’s head. Daenerys lost Jorah, Missandei, Khal Drogo, her baby, her two dragons, and countless numbers of the Dothraki and Unsullied. If you believe that when the Lannisters surrendered, she could have just peacefully took King’s Landing then your wrong. The Army would rebel, the citizens would rebel. She is not going to be a Queen that is loved, she will be a Queen that is feared. She used fear to take everything she has taken thus far.

Jon Snow is the rightful heir, but he is not the right heir. He is a great swordsman, and a great strategist. He is no King. It is a Game of Thrones, and Jon is okay with being in the shadows. Daenerys understands the cruel world that is Westeros more than anyone. King’s Landing is ash right now because Daenerys does not make mistakes. Westeros is now how it should be, under Targaryen rule.

TJ Hockenson is not Eric Ebron, it’s okay

Look, I know you’re upset. Hear me out, we did not draft another Eric Ebron. TJ Hockenson is a dynamic TE. He is the “Y” TE that we need, which Ebron was an “F” TE. For reference, a Y TE is on the line next to tackles, while a F TE lines up in the slot and can line up in the backfield. Ebron was being used in Detroit as a Y, when he wasn’t much of a blocker. Since he has moved to Indy, look at what he has done since having more of an F role, it’s crazy when you use your players correctly, huh? Well now that we have Jesse James that could be an efficient F TE, Hockenson will be a great addition to our line and being a security blanket for Stafford. Now let me tell you about TJ himself.

At 6’5, 251lbs, Hockenson played TE for the Iowa Hawkeyes and was drafted by your Lions with the 8th pick of the NFL Draft. Lots of players were available here, so it would be pretty hard to fuck this up. TE is a need for the Lions, as is a CB, an EDGE, an OG, and a LB. All of these positions had players available, but having a player like Hockenson fall into your lap, it’s hard to pass on him. In 2018, Hockenson, a redshirt sophomore, played in 13 games, had 49 receptions for 760 yards and 6 touchdowns. These numbers don’t really jump off the screen at you but don’t forget that Noah Fant was drafted by the Denver Broncos 20th overall and was Hockenson’s teammate who also played TE. Fant had 39 receptions for 519 yards and 7 touchdowns. You throw half those balls to Hockenson and that’s when you’ll see how elite this kid actually is on paper. He plays at a high-level, comes from a school that has put out NFL TE talent, most notably George Kittle and Dallas Clark, and busts his ass.

Player comparisons aren’t that favorable for people, but Hockenson’s player comparison is to Kelce/Gronkowski. That’s one hell of a comparison, huh? Hockenson’s scouting report resembles Travis Kelce’s. “Good but not great athlete, big frame, physical blocker, and has the ability to stretch the field. Lacks explosive speed.” Hock will lineup next to the bigboys and block for our backs. Hell, two TE sets with James and Hock will be a deadly combination. My point is, put your pitchforks down, this is actually a decent pick for the Lions. It’s one of those that isn’t too flashy, but you’ll be glad to have him for the next 5 years. With that said, hopefully I convinced you. I will be doing more of these on each player the Lion’s draft, and then maybe some film room on each player. Thank you for your time, keep sippin that kool-aid.

Don’s Final 2019 NFL Mock Draft

Today is the big day, where fans either cheer or cry. I’m not including any trades because I can not see the future to that extent. However, I hope that I do better this year than last year, shout out to me for getting Vander-Esch correct. Everyone is mocking Kyler at one, well I am here to bring some added chaos. Arizona should select the best player in the draft. Thank you again to the Draft Network for the template, HERE. WE. GO.

Don’s Top 45 Players in 2019 NFL Draft

Shoutout to The Draft Network for the easy to use tool. Here is my FINAL Big Board before the NFL Draft. My Big Board is based on who I think is the best players in the draft, not necessarily when they will be drafted. Last year I picked Derwin James to be the best player in the draft, which I was basically correct about, kind of. This year I will be going with Brian Burns. I have him mocked to the Lions, so I pray they don’t mess this up. Here it is:

2019 NFL Mock Draft: Detroit Lions ALL SEVEN ROUNDS

The countdown begins ladies and gentlemen. The draft is almost a week away, so I’m obliged to release my mock draft for our Detroit Lions. Expect a full first round mock within the next week. Without further-ado, lets go.

Round 1/Pick 8: Brian Burns, EDGE, Florida State

Glenn Beil-USA TODAY Sports

At 6’5 231lbs, what he lacks in weight, he makes up in speed. There is nothing bad I can say about the kid. He has long arms, incredible bend, explosiveness off the line, and will chase a ball carrier down the field. Brian Burns will be a top 3 player out of this draft, and he will be wearing Honolulu Blue. 

Round 2/Pick 43: Greedy Williams, CB, LSU

 Brett Duke, Nola.com | The Times-Picayune

Jesus lord, if Greedy falls, my God may he land in our hands. This is quite the drop, but it is because of the major factor that I continued to bring up a few months ago, he is not a tackler. Lots of GM’s will fall off the wagon because of this, but not Bob Quin. No sir. We want our corners to cover and Greedy Williams will cover a receiver at an elite level. My backup pick here would be Christ Lindstrom, Guard, Boston College. One of the two should fall into our hands. But starting off with Burns and Williams would be a deadly combination to add to our defense. 

Round 3/Pick 88: JJ Arcega-Whiteside, WR, Stanford

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

JJ Arcega-Whiteside stands at 6’3 225lbs. Big man, huh? Whiteside has a basketball background, which shows when he competes for one on one balls. He is a blessing to watch, shows incredible ball control. Not the fastest guy in the world, but he will be a reliable target to Mr. Stafford for the years to come. 

Round 4/Pick 111: Ross Pierschbacher, IOL, Alabama

Photo from: RollTide.com

Look at this MAN. He is a MAN. Good lord. Look at Tua in the background with his clean jersey, beautiful isn’t it? Part of the reason for his cleanliness is Pierschbacher. Absolute unit, standing at an honest 6’3 304lbs. Animal. This is what I want to see on our line. Somebody who is big and their name I can’t pronounce. Analysis on our man here is that he’s too upright, but I will live with that. He is an Alabama bred offensive lineman, and he will do wonders filling in the hole that was left at our guard position because of the retiring of TJ Lang. 

Round 5/ Pick 146: TJ Edwards, LB, Wisconsin

Tom Mead/InsideThePylon

I had to debate myself between TJ Edwards, Khalil Hodge, and Terrill Hanks here. I would not be upset with any of the three. I go with TJ based on the fact that he is the big tackler that can disrupt the pass game. He is what Hodge lacks in size, and what Hanks lacks in experience. I don’t expect him to be in the starting rotation day one, but look for him in the future to be an instrumental part of the Lions’ linebacker core. 

Round 6/Pick 184: Foster Moreau, TE, LSU

Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Moreau is graded oddly. Some reports express his blocking ability as being his best attribute, others say his receiving ability is his better. I’m torn. Regardless, I think that it’s a good thing to say both. The LSU offense was not that all productive, but Moreau shows promise as being a TE2 coming out of the gate. I’m not certain that he will fall this late, but would be ecstatic if he did. 

Round 6/Pick 204: Karan Higdon, RB, Michigan

Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Little hometown fandom here but don’t get it twisted, Karan Higdon can be that late round player that turns into a productive NFL player. Not the biggest back in the draft, nor the fastest. What Karan is best at his utilizing his blocks and having excellent vision at the line of scrimmage. Early in his career, I think Higdon will be best as a 3rd down back, before transitioning to an early down back. 

Round 7/Pick 224: Demarcus Christmas, IDL, Florida State

Glenn Beil-USA TODAY Sports

Demarcus Christmas fills the need for an extra rotational defensive lineman. The dude is massive. He isn’t your disruptive every down lineman, but he will be the perfect role player that every team needs. Putting him behind Snacks would be an extreme fortune, as he can develop into a potential every down player. As of today, he will be a great 7th round pick up. 

Round 7/Pick 229: Gardner Minshew, QB, Washington State

Washington State sports information

Minshew has developed under one of the greatest minds the sport has to offer being Coach Leach. I don’t suspect him to be our Tom Brady, but having him in our QB room providing the knowledge he learned at Washington State will be a massive help for our stale offense. Also helps to have a young gun in case anything tragic happens. Who knows, maybe Minshaw is the next Brady. I’m okay with that.