That is For The Win’s day by day publication, The Morning Win. Did a pal suggest or ahead this to you? In that case, subscribe right here. Have suggestions? Go away your questions, feedback and considerations via this temporary reader survey! Now, right here’s Mike Sykes.
Good morning, Winners! Welcome again to the Morning Win. Thanks a lot for rocking with us at the moment. We recognize you for studying at the moment.
Sorry for being so late at the moment! Lots went down this morning. As I’m certain you’ve heard by now, ESPN’s NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski abruptly introduced his retirement, hitting us with the last word Woj Bomb.
That is fairly a shock.
Within the quick aftermath, my first thought was about who’d substitute him at ESPN. The apparent reply was Shams Charania. We’ll see if that really involves fruition, however it feels attainable at this level.
The extra I thought of this case, although, the much less it grew to become in regards to the transactional nature of what Woj supplied us in his reporting. As an alternative, for me, it was extra about what he meant to me as an NBA fan sentimentally.
I don’t wish to wax too poetic about an NBA reporter I don’t declare to know. And it’s already awfully arduous to understate his work’s significance to this enterprise. I imply, the man’s scoops have their very own title included within the City Dictionary, for crying out loud.
However I’ve acquired to say, after I take into consideration his retirement, I get somewhat unhappy.
After all, I’m completely satisfied for him. He’s labored arduous and has earned the proper to benefit from the fruits of his labor.
However on the identical time, Woj was one of many defining characters of the NBA basketball period I cherished probably the most. His reporting formed the zeitgeist. He didn’t simply break information tales – he modified how the league was lined. No one scooped issues the way in which he scooped issues.
For thus lengthy, within the early aughts going into the 2010s, following Woj on Twitter was like being an NBA insider your self. The platform was nonetheless younger — everybody in actual life wasn’t on it. However Woj used the platform as a news-breaking discussion board, so that you’d have the inside track earlier than all your pals did. It was virtually such as you had been breaking the information your self.
It’s not hyperbole to say that the NBA doesn’t change into the league it at the moment is with out the work Woj did protecting it. He’s an important character within the league’s story over the past decade and alter in the identical approach an NBA celebrity can be.
Was he all the time excellent? No. Completely not. There was the occasional column the place he’d rip LeBron James for no cause in any respect. He additionally clearly had his favorites across the league and wasn’t that nice at hiding it. There’s additionally the entire thing about shouting out brokers in his reporting that doesn’t sit proper with me.
However for every part he’s finished mistaken throughout his profession, there are 1,000,000 different tales that he acquired proper. He gave us moments we’ll always remember. For a few of them, you simply needed to be there. Like that point David Stern nixed the Chris Paul-Lakers deal or the time the Rockets and Clippers had been about to make use of secret tunnels to struggle. Keep in mind when the Nets made a clear sweep? And Wizards followers, particularly, will all the time keep in mind that “there was a time Al Horford most popular Washington’s expertise over Boston’s.”
That’s why he’s who he’s. That is why the time period “Woj” is trending on Google this morning and why I’m scripting this piece proper now.
He was nice at his job and he’ll be sorely missed.
Completely satisfied trails, Woj. Take pleasure in retirement.
The WNBA is rising
The WNBA is getting greater and it’s taking place actually, actually quick.
The league introduced this morning that it’d be including a brand new group in Portland. The group will formally play beginning in 2026.
PORTLAND, OREGON 📍 #WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/SZlvcHn42H
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 18, 2024
So, when you’re counting, in slightly below two years, we’ll be seeing a 15-team league. The Golden State Valkyrie will come subsequent season in 2025. After that, the Toronto enlargement group will are available in 2026, together with the brand new Portland group.
That’s quite a lot of groups in a little bit of time, which may very well be a bit regarding from a roster steadiness standpoint.
The league should have three enlargement drafts throughout the subsequent two seasons to construct its new groups. Relying on the draft guidelines, there may very well be quite a lot of shakeups coming for the present groups across the league.
We don’t know what these drafts may appear like and what the foundations will likely be, however in, 2008 when the W added the Dream, groups had been solely allowed to guard six contracts on their rosters.
If the league chooses to go that route once more, that every group may need half of its roster out there to the enlargement organizations coming into the W. Groups may be capable of preserve their All-Stars, however the depth they’ve loved for years now will slowly, however certainly, fade away. It makes you surprise about the opportunity of watered-down play.
Both approach, that is nonetheless a superb factor for the league. Three extra groups means 36 extra roster spots can be found for these proficient girls to take. There will likely be extra slots for gamers to be drafted and more room for them to develop shifting ahead.
That’s what precisely what the league has wanted for therefore lengthy. I’m glad it’s lastly taking place.
READ MORE: The WNBA has wanted to develop for an extended, very long time
Bryce Younger nonetheless has not less than one fan
(Picture by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Photographs)
I do know issues in all probability don’t appear nice for Bryce Younger proper now.
He’s been benched for Andy Dalton, which isn’t nice. No one appears to trust in him anymore. It’s indicative of a troubling development for some first-round quarterbacks within the NFL as of late.
However even when the world is prepared to surrender on Younger, he nonetheless has not less than one fan who hasn’t: LeBron James.
The NBA star tweeted his help for Younger, saying he was rooting for the previous Alabama QB.
Bryce Younger maintain ya head Younger 🤴🏾!! Rooting for you and know this ain’t on you! Proceed to place the work in and it shall prevail! 🙏🏾🫡👑
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 18, 2024
Previous LeBron is the perfect LeBron. That is such a form factor to do. Younger has in all probability misplaced quite a lot of confidence in the previous few days. I don’t know the way a lot of that this tweet will get again for him, however seeing this definitely can’t damage.
Right here’s to hoping Younger finds a technique to flip it round.
Fast hits: WNBA playoff eventualities … The most important Woj bombs ever … and extra
— Right here’s Meg Corridor with WNBA playoff eventualities for the eighth seed.
— Blake Schuster has extra on the best Woj Bombs ever right here.
— Travis Kelce is trolling Jason Kelce for his ridiculously dangerous dance strikes. Charles Curtis has extra.
— A’ja Wilson not being conscious of the rebound document is so ridiculous. She is the MVP by far.
— Right here’s Cory Woodroof with 7 gamers who may very well be traded this NFL season.
— Jose Altuve getting ejected for displaying his foot is hilarious.
That’s a wrap, people. Thanks a lot for studying. Have a incredible day. Peace.
-Sykes ✌️
