Stream on, stream away. Streaming has evolved into an essential mode of media consumption, as ubiquitous as elaborate coffee orders. It’s like breathing—effortless and automatic.
With that in mind, let’s cut the cord on a few thoughts in the latest streaming of sports consciousness:
– The Patriots’ dynastic success hinged on their advantage at the quarterback and head coach positions. The legendary pairing of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick was the foundation of their excellence. Now, the Patriots seem to be doubling down on the idea that shortcomings at coach (Belichick) and quarterback (Mac Jones) led to their 4-13 decline.
How else can we explain the team’s decision to re-sign or extend more than half a dozen players from a squad that tied for the NFL’s second-worst record last year? The latest beneficiary of New England’s renewed contractual generosity is linebacker Jahlani Tavai, who recently signed a three-year, $15 million extension, potentially worth up to $21 million.
They’re in for a rude awakening if they want to hang all the blame on Belichick and Jones. This roster lacks requisite difference-makers. When you won because of all-time greatness at QB and coach it’s easy to assume decline at those positions is the root cause for losing. But with less than the all-time standard bearers at coach and QB, you must construct a more talented team.
▪ Just as they cheered for the Celtics in the NBA Finals, Celtics supporters should urge ardent co-owner Steve Pagliuca to win the team’s auction. Status quo is ideal given what the Celtics have constructed.
Pagliuca declared that he will place a bid. BetOnline odds put Pagliuca’s chances of winning the team at 3/1. That ranked him second behind Larry Ellison, the founder of Oracle (2/1), who attempted to buy the Golden State Warriors in 2010.
Pagliuca, a senior consultant and board member who was previously chairman of Bain Capital, is wealthy and has connections to other wealthy people. The Celtics, who are worth $4.7 billion according to Forbes, should have no trouble raising the necessary funds.
Pagliuca assembled a group to acquire majority ownership of the Italian soccer club Atalanta in 2022. His group was also one of the three finalists for the English Premier League club Chelsea, which sold for $5.4 billion. Majority owner Wyc Grousbeck should support Pagliuca and the Celtics fans to back up his rhetoric about being “paid in parades.”
– A significant topic surrounding the Celtics’ future ownership is the potential departure from TD Garden for a new arena. However, this idea remains a pipe dream, as the Celtics signed a 15-year lease with the Jacobs family, owners of TD Garden and the Bruins, in 2021, extending through the 2035-36 season.
The Jacobs family, who have significantly contributed to the Hub on Causeway development, likely do not want another arena competing for concert dates and lucrative events. They may also have concerns about the Revolution building a soccer stadium in Everett for similar reasons. Their influence with the current city government further solidifies their position.
– One of the great American myths is that we’re a society built on pure meritocracy. Connections, influence, and entitlement have always tipped the scales. So, no one should be surprised that Bronny James, the son of megastar LeBron James, was drafted 55th overall by the Lakers. It’s the American Way.
Bronny’s last name opened the VIP entrance to the NBA for him. If his last name had been Jones, he likely would have gone undrafted as a 6-foot-2-inch guard who averaged 4.8 points on 36.6 percent shooting at USC. His surname afforded him the opportunity, but now it’s about what he does with it. This situation is no different from the scions of icons in other industries.
– Let’s get this out of the way: The Red Sox are a more competitive and entertaining team than expected. Watching the maturation of Jarren Duran, Tanner Houck, and defensive wunderkind Ceddanne Rafaela has been joyous. However, one rationale for why the Sox are expected to add during this potential playoff chase is that postseason experience accelerates The Plan.
I present the Arizona Diamondbacks as a counterexample. They surprisingly made the World Series as the National League’s third wild card last year, led by Rookie of the Year Corbin Carroll (5.4 WAR), who had a better season than Duran is having. Despite their Fall Classic appearance, the Diamondbacks haven’t seen a boost this season. They’ve been treading water, and Carroll has struggled with a .619 OPS.
– As the unique Bob Ryan would say, here’s a mea culpa on the MLB pitch clock. It has not disturbed, perverted, or detracted from the product as much as I feared. After some early hiccups last year, players have adjusted, even with MLB lowering the pitch clock time with runners on base from 20 seconds to 18 this season.
There were 1,075 infractions last season. As of July 4, with every team more than halfway through their 162 games
▪ Along the same lines, has there ever been a bigger debate about nothing than the universal DH? Intractable traditionalists fought it for nearly 50 years, but now no one bats an eye when the pitcher doesn’t bat in the NL. The bifurcation of baseball was a waste of time and breath.
▪ The Bruins made early moves in free agency by adding bona fide top-six center Elias Lindholm and bruising blue-liner Nikita Zadorov. However, the Bruins’ success this season will hinge on their ability to develop and integrate young players like Matt Poitras, Mason Lohrei, and Fabian Lysell. Despite some successes, such as Charlie McAvoy and Jeremy Swayman, player development hasn’t always been a strength of the Don Sweeney administration. One of Sweeney’s key attributes was supposed to be enhancing the prospects pipeline.
He and team president Cam Neely can’t keep changing coaches and blaming them indefinitely. Ownership will eventually catch on.