That is For The Win’s each day e-newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a pal advocate or ahead this to you? If that’s the case, subscribe right here. Have suggestions? Depart your questions, feedback and issues by way of this temporary reader survey! Now, right here’s Mike Sykes.
Goooood morning, Winners! Welcome again to the Morning Win. Thanks a lot for studying at present. We respect you giving us a little bit of your time. Comfortable 4th of July Eve, if that’s a factor.
I often hate Magic Johnson and Larry Chook comparisons for Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, however they’re getting onerous to keep away from at this level.
Clark and Reese have been named to the WNBA All-Star workforce, making them the primary pair of rookies to be named to the All-Star sport since 2014, in keeping with ESPN.
RELATED: Chennedy Carter and 5 different WNBA All-Star snubs
It’s well-deserved on each accounts. Clark has discovered a rhythm along with her scoring and has change into the most effective passers within the WNBA. Reese is already the league’s greatest rebounder by far as a rookie.
I all the time hesitate to go there as a result of Johnson and Chook have been some particular rookies. Chook, himself, was an MVP candidate in his first yr with the Boston Celtics again within the 1979-80 season. Magic Johnson was inarguably the second-best participant on his workforce behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the eventual NBA champion Lakers.
I don’t assume Clark or Reese will see any of that within the quick future. We’ll see. However these All-Star nods deliver them a bit nearer to reaching that uncommon air on the courtroom.
Although it won’t be apt from a ability standpoint simply but, right here’s the place that comparability truly does come into play. Reese and Clark’s careers appear continuously intertwined like these two NBA legends have been. For the reason that 2023 nationwide championship sport, they’ve been on this journey collectively step for step, often clashing with each other, sure, however concurrently build up the sport with every matchup.
It’s so uncommon that we get two gamers whose paths appear so inexplicably tied collectively like this. There are so few examples of this all through the historical past of sports activities.
Johnson and Chook are the apparent go-tos right here. However what else is there? Maya Moore and Candace Parker? Peyton Manning and Tom Brady? Who else? I’m positive I’m lacking a number of extra, however the record is definitely quick. The truth that we’re even speaking about Clark and Reese on this context is unimaginable.
As human beings, staying within the second will not be simple. We’re conditioned to look ahead continuously. What’s coming subsequent? What’s the following transfer?
However, with this, I’d like to induce everybody to remain on this second. Admire it. Take pleasure in it. Lock in. As a result of we’re witnessing one thing particular this league has by no means seen earlier than.
Tightening the apron on LA
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports activities
Lakers followers, I’ve obtained excellent news and dangerous information for you. Let’s begin with the nice. LeBron James is again! The Lakers re-signed their star on a 2-year, $104 million max contract. That’s a no brainer for LA. They get to maintain their greatest participant.
The dangerous information? There’s a stable likelihood this may lock the Lakers in on their present roster with out having made any enhancements. If James doesn’t take a slight paycut, the Lakers will change into a second apron luxurious tax workforce.
Right here’s Bryan Kalbrosky with extra on what meaning for LA.
“As a result of restrictions of the primary apron, the entrance workplace would have a really unrealistic problem to clear at the least $25 million in wage to entry the $12.8 million non-tax mid-level exception.
However they’ve much more harsh restrictions within the second apron, comparable to an incapacity to amass a participant (together with a probably interesting free agent like DeMar DeRozan) in a sign-and-trade.
Except they considerably cut back payroll, they’re additionally restricted from utilizing the $5.2 million taxpayer mid-level exception.
As of proper now, with out wage dumping gamers in a commerce, the Lakers can basically solely signal minimal gamers or re-sign their very own gamers from final season (comparable to Taurean Prince) in the event that they wish to add to their roster.”
Principally, the Lakers are form of locked in on a roster that solely managed to win one single playoff sport final yr. The workforce’s greatest adjustments stay drafting Dalton Knecht and Bronny James. With all due respect to these guys, that doesn’t transfer the needle an excessive amount of.
The second apron has been a thorn in NBA groups’ facet this offseason. It’s made issues extraordinarily boring and has groups shifting with a baffling frugality that, fairly frankly, I don’t know if we’ve ever seen earlier than.
READ MORE: The NBA’s second apron, defined
No-Hei Ohtani
Obligatory Credit score: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports activities
Shohei Ohtani is passing up the Residence Run Derby once more this yr, however he’s obtained a reasonably good excuse.
“I’m in the midst of my rehab development, so it’s not going to appear to be I’ll be taking part,” Ohtani informed reporters by way of an interpreter on Tuesday. Well being comes first for Ohtani and the Dodgers with this one — even when it does rob us of a probably wonderful derby.
Ohtani is the Nationwide League chief with 27 house runs and is barely second in Main League Baseball behind Aaron Choose (32). Not having him take part is a big loss — particularly after the battle between him and Juan Soto a number of years in the past. We want extra of that.
Sadly for us, we received’t get it this yr.
Fast hits: Fever-Aces went loopy … 5 stunning NFL gamers nonetheless obtainable … and extra
— The group for Fever-Aces on Tuesday was one of many greatest crowds in WNBA historical past. Cory Woodroof has extra right here.
— Right here’s Cory once more with 5 NFL free brokers that it’s fairly stunning to see haven’t signed with a workforce but.
— Meg Corridor has extra on why Angel Reese deserved the rookie of the month for June.
— Charles Curtis discovered one other sport on the web that I guess you received’t cease taking part in.
— Robert Zeglinski has predictions and odds for the 2024 Euro Quarterfinals
— Followers are rightfully ripping Luis Robert Jr. for not making an attempt to throw the ball on this walk-off sac fly. Disgrace.
That’s a wrap, of us! Thanks a lot for studying. TMW shall be again on Friday. Comfortable 4th! Peace.
-Sykes ✌️
