Detroit, MI
Bojan Bogdanović Trade Is A Slam Dunk For Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons have acquired ahead Bojan Bogdanović from the Utah Jazz for heart Kelly Olynyk and guard Saben Lee.
Whereas the transfer seem odd on the floor, on condition that each groups are going by way of a rebuild, and Bogdanović is 33 years of age, there’s logic in Detroit’s choice making right here.
Bogdanović will assist Cunningham and Ivey
Final summer time the Pistons took Cade Cunningham first general, and this yr chosen Jaden Ivey fifth. The guard duo will want all of the spacing doable to ascertain driving lanes, and Bogdanović is likely one of the higher motion shooters within the NBA.
Whereas Olynyk too was a very good shooter, he wanted his toes set, and took extra time loading up, making it simpler for protection to rotate out to him. Bogdanović is faster on the set off, can catch and shoot through odd angles, and performs each ahead spots, which provides each Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren extra minutes on the heart place.
So sure, whereas it might seem odd on the floor why a rebuilding group would tackle a 33-year-old veteran, it is all with a eager eye on long-term enhancements.
Bogdanović netted 18.1 factors for Utah final season, and has averaged 18.4 over his three seasons there. He is a extremely competent scorer who has by no means relied on his athleticism, suggesting he’ll age gracefully.
The offensive injection additionally means much less strain on Cunningham to persistently having to provide factors, which means a extra targeted strategy from the aspect of Detroit in direction of rounding him out correctly as a participant. At occasions, Bogdanović will permit for each Cunningham and Ivey to dig into their playmaking abilities, that are to be honed over the subsequent few years.
Utah’s logic
With each Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert discovering new properties over the course of the offseason, it was time to interrupt up the core. Royce O’Neale was despatched to Brooklyn as effectively just a few months in the past, and it should not come as a shock if Mike Conley finds a brand new dwelling inside lengthy both.
The prize for Utah right here was Lee, which all issues thought of was a modest one. The 23-year-old has performed rotation minutes for Detroit the previous two seasons, averaging 5.6 factors and three.3 assists for his profession. Is there a much bigger function forward for the purpose guard? Time will inform, however it’s curious Utah could not squeeze out extra for Bogdanović all issues thought of.
They do not even get monetary flexibility. Whereas Bogdanović is on an expiring contract, Olynyk has a contractual assure of $3 million subsequent yr off a $12.1 million wage.
After all, the Jazz may simply be getting began. They may take a look at Olynyk’s deal as the right connective piece to get them into different conversations, which appears doubtless attributable to their newfound organizational path of aiming for increased odds within the lottery subsequent summer time.
Total, Detroit got here away trying additional good on this commerce. They not solely bought the higher participant, however additionally they acquired further future wage cap flexibility.
Some would possibly argue that the addition of Bogdanović means much less ping-pong balls for Detroit subsequent season, however nothing of that kind can ever be assured. The Pistons aren’t prone to be very aggressive even with this improve, and if they’re, one may argue success within the common season can be of large worth to the group’s children.
(Do observe that the Pistons owe their 2023 first-round decide to the New York Knicks, however it’s protected by way of the highest 18 alternatives.)
Except famous in any other case, all stats through NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleansing the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All wage data through Spotrac. All odds through FanDuel Sportsbook.
Detroit, MI
Toledo vs Pitt bowl game in Detroit today: GameAbove Time, TV, channel, streaming info
How CFP fans (probably) reacted to the first round games
After the CFP first round, Before The Snap shares a sketch take on who made it to the quarterfinals.
College football’s annual bowl game visit to Detroit has a new name. This year, the Pittsburgh Panthers (7-5) meet the Toledo Rockets (7-5) in the 2024 GameAbove Sports Bowl at Ford Field, home to the Detroit Lions.
The Panthers lost five in a row in the ACC to close the regular season after beginning 7-0.
The Rockets were a MAC contender before losing their final two games of the regular season.
The GameAbove Bowl takes the name from what used to be the Quick Lane Bowl, won last year by Minnesota, 30-24, over Bowling Green.
Here’s the game info on Pitt vs. Toledo in the bowl game in Detroit:
Pittsburgh vs Toledo GameAbove Sports Bowl TV channel, start time
- TV channel: ESPN.
- Date: Thursday, Dec 26.
- Start time: 2 p.m. ET.
- Where: Ford Field, Detroit.
- Streaming: ESPN+ or Fubo (free trial).
What are the bowl games today?
There are three bowl games today, Thursday, Dec. 26.
- Pitt vs Toledo (GameAbove Sports Bowl): 2 p.m., ESPN
- Rutgers vs Kansas State (Rate Sports Bowl): 5:30 p.m., ESPN
- Arkansas State vs Bowling Green (68 Ventures Bowl): 9 p.m., ESPN
Watch today’s bowl games on Fubo (free trial)
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Detroit, MI
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Detroit, MI
Why Ben Johnson Coaching Chicago Bears Could Be Disaster
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s name is being floated around as a top candidate for a head coaching vacancy within the NFC North.
Johnson is reportedly intrigued by the Chicago Bears’ head coaching job, which opened after the Bears fired Matt Eberflus on the day after Thanksgiving. Some analysts viewed the Lions’ 34-17 win over the Bears on Sunday, which featured one of the most unique trick plays of the season, as an audition from Johnson for the vacancy.
It’s worth noting that Johnson turned down interest from teams across the league to remain with the Lions after last season, and could be in position to do so again depending on how the team’s season finishes.
The Bears job is one of several expected to be open, but it’s the one that Johnson has been associated closest to at this point. With the success that Johnson’s offenses have had over his three years as coordinator, and the proximity that the Bears have to Detroit as members of the NFC North, it is a natural pairing.
However, there’s more elements to a potential pairing that could be cause for concern. For starters, the Bears have struggled mightily as of late. They haven’t finished with a winning record since their 12-4 season in 2018, and have made just one other playoff appearance (2020) in that time span.
There has been disfunction throughout the organization this season, as they’ve lost nine games in a row dating back to a Hail Mary loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 8.
Additionally, there’s concern about the longevity of general manager Ryan Poles, and the team’s ownership, the McCaskey family, has drawn criticism from the fan base for its decision-making.
Because the Bears have struggled, and looked hapless at points, Johnson likely wouldn’t be easily enticed to inherit this situation.
MORE: Ben Johnson Expected to Interview With Bears, ‘Intrigued’ by Job
However, the Bears also do have some elements working for them. Most notably, Johnson would get the opportunity to work with 2024 No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams. The USC product has shown some promise throughout a rookie season that has lacked significant wins, but one filled with promise.
Johnson had high praise for Williams when asked about him by Lions OnSI leading up to the Week 16 game. He has thrown for 3,271 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions over the course of his first NFL campaign.
It’s easy to see why the Bears would be interested in Johnson. He’s the creative architect of one of the league’s best offenses and has played a vital role in Jared Goff’s career revival over the last several seasons.
What the 38-year-old coach has done with Goff has been well-documented. If he were to strike up a relationship of this nature with Williams, he could make the young passer into one of the league’s best talents at the position.
Williams has good weapons around him that could allow him to succeed in the right scheme. Chicago could also have another high draft pick depending on where they finish, which will allow whomever takes over as coach to add another highly touted piece to the roster.
Additionally, it’s expected that the Bears will break ground on a new stadium next year with hopes of finishing construction in 2028.
Ultimately, it’s been reported that Johnson won’t interview for jobs simply to say he did it. Rather, he is expected to be selective and interview for positions that he would want to take. If he does take a meeting with Chicago, which he is reportedly expected to do, it would be a sign that he would want the job.
Johnson’s focus in the current future remains on bringing a Super Bowl to Detroit this season. If he were to do that, it would make the potential pill of him taking over in Chicago much easier to swallow. However, the Bears’ interest will make the offseason very intriguing as Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn both navigate their futures.
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