The best sports stories from the weekend, including March Madness, Zion Williamson, Johnny Manziel and the Pelicans did something really dumb.
The Zion Effect
Duke is one of the easiest teams to root against. ESPN made a whole movie about hating Christian Laettner, for crying out loud. But this year’s team is different and it’s all because of Zion Williamson. He’s going to win the Player of the Year and be the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, but his greatest skill is making Duke likable. Or at least, hated a little bit less. Not since the days of Grant Hill has there been a player that’s made me challenge my undying hatred for Duke. It’s hard to say, makes me feel a little bit slimy, but this kid is the real deal and he’s the best thing to happen to the game in a long time.
Beware the Ides of March Madness
The bracket is set, well, it’ll be set after the bogus First Four games are played on Tuesday and Wednesday, then the 64-team field will be set. Sorry, but I’ll never call that the first round. This should be a fun tournament full of chaos, anarchy and loud noises. I’m taking Duke, North Carolina, Michigan and Tennessee to reach the Final Four. Don’t come crying to me if your bracket is busted by Friday afternoon though.
Pelicans pull a Chris Webber
Speaking of which, remember when Chris Webber called a timeout when Michigan didn’t have any left, ensuring North Carolina would win the National Championship? It was an all-time sports blunder, and history repeated itself when the New Orleans Pelicans did over the weekend to cost them a win against the Phoenix Suns.
Pelicans called a timeout when they had none left and it cost them the game in OT... pic.twitter.com/ooNgpgD4jM
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 17, 2019
Everyone is making fun of the Pels, and deservedly so, but I think we should commend them on finding a new way to tank. That’s real ingenuity.
FitzMagic strikes again
Journeyman quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick signed a deal with the Miami Dolphins, one day after they traded away quarterback Ryan Tannehill to Tennessee. Sources close to the situation say Fitzpatrick did not sign his contract with a ski mask on.
Comeback SZN
Earlier this year, Johnny Manziel was released by his Canadian Football League team. On Saturday, Manziel was picked up by the Memphis Express of the AAF. It shouldn’t be long until the AAF does what the NFL and the CFL did with the former Heisman winner and Cleveland Brown. This time next year, I fully expect the XFL to sign him because if you’re a white quarterback, you get numerous opportunities to prove you can embarrass yourself and your organization.