There’s a video going around NBA circles, where basketball is evidently not often watched, of NIT legend Kenneth Lofton Jr. repeatedly bodying NCA* *********t legend Chet Holmgren on his way to the hoop last night in a summer league game. I have two things to say:
First, This is not a reason to doubt Holmgren, the guy still had a double-double, the guy was drafted in large part for his potential in addition to how good he already is.
Second, of course Kenneth Lofton Jr. dominated Chet Holmgren.
Lofton and Holmgren have a little bit of Niki Lauda and James Hunt to them, the latters obsessed-upon because of their marketability and what they could be, the formers the more productive options, both pairs intertwined in a lifelong race equal parts duet and duel. The FIBA U19 World Cup is never much of a story, but it was a story last summer when Holmgen was inexplicably named the event’s MVP after Lofton led the United States to a gold medal. Conference USA basketball is long past its glory days, but it says something that Lofton, tasked with carrying Louisiana Tech with a whole country now wise to him, still averaged more points and rebounds per game than Holmgren did for Gonzaga, playing in the West Coast Conference (not exactly lightyears ahead of C-USA) and on his way to a disappointing March exit.
Kenneth Lofton Jr. is a better offensive player than Chet Holmgren. This isn’t to say that Chet Holmgren’s bad, or that Chet Holmgren will be worse forever, but like we saw on the court last night, Lofton is just better on the offensive end. Overall? That’s more of a question. Holmgren’s shot-blocking is absurd, and he just takes up so much damn space on the defensive side of the ball.
Long-term, yes, Holmgren should be better. There is no reason Chet Holmgren should not be a better player than Kenneth Lofton Jr. in the long run. This is why the Magic drafted Holmgren first and nobody drafted Lofton. Lofton seems to have maxed out his potential on the early side. But at the same time, there’s something funny that happens with guys who are good at basketball: They stay good at basketball. That isn’t something you lose.
The Cubs Have Josh Hader’s Number
After yesterday’s #HaderMeltdown, Josh Hader has thrown five innings against the Cubs this year and allowed two earned runs, making his ERA against the Cubs a lofty 3.60. That’s more than twice as bad as his normal ERA. Sorry, Josh. Enjoy those P.J. Higgins nightmares.
Aaron Rodgers Got a Tattoo
Yeah, this guy’s nuts:
In seriousness, though, I like this. The more Aaron Rodgers has steered into the peyote-adjacent lifestyle, the more committed he’s become to the Packers. Great choice of tattoo, Aaron.
(No mention of this on Blu of Earth’s Instagram story. I’m starting to think they might not actually be dating, but then again, the tattoo does look like something someone dating Blu of Earth would get. Or maybe it’s actually something someone *trying* to date Blu of Earth would get. That would be concerning. Can’t have your quarterback being a poser in an effort to get a girl.)
The Draft
Another one of these?
Guys, I respect you too much to lie to you. I’m not watching the draft tonight. I’m going to do what any good, God-fearing American who semi-ironically became an Ottawa Senators fan would do in this situation: Forget it’s happening, then go online and confirm Pierre Dorion spent his first round drafting the guy who can most beat the shit out of all the other guys, then tweet about how the guy Pierre Dorion drafted can beat the shit out of all the other guys.
Other Senators developments:
- Dorion might trade the 7th pick, people seem to be on board with this, I’m happy following the crowd here.
- Jake Sanderson had another surgery for his hand injury but should be good to go for the start of the season.
- The Sens bought out Colin White, which seems to be accepted as the right move and also kind of a bummer because he seemed like a good dude. Sad but necessary.
**
Burnley update soon, and yes, I haven’t yet talked about the motorsports from last weekend but F1 deserves credit for creating what might have been its first legitimate heart-pounding moment of the season (I’m talking about the good one, not the almost-death one, though to be fair…just kidding [but to be fair…]), so we’ll get to that too.
Viewing schedule, which will be blocked at times by Stuber Eats and pickleball:
2:10 PM EDT: Royals @ Astros (MLB TV)
I don’t exactly know why, but I’ve become anti-Justin Verlander lately, and the exciting aspect of Verlander facing the Royals is that he could throw eight shutout innings and strike out fifteen batters, and I could still say, “Wow, congrats on shutting down the Royals, bro.”
4:05 PM EDT: Nationals @ Phillies (MLB TV)
A thing about these guys is that both teams’ commentators are forlorn and only one of them has reason to be. I’m gonna flip between the radio broadcasts and listen to the loser’s unless the Nats side is too sad.
7:10 PM EDT: Yankees @ Red Sox (MLB TV)
I’m not gonna not watch Yankees/Red Sox at Fenway if there’s no Cubs game on. I was most impressionable during the 2000’s decade. When I get home from pickleball (and ice cream, we’ve already said we’re going to get ice cream so there’s no going back now), this is going on the television while Fargo gives me kisses and kisses and kisses.
10:10 PM EDT: Cubs @ Dodgers (MLB TV)
Leiter vs. Gonsolin, so as long as the Cubs don’t lose 10-0 (or worse) we’re fine.
