Ten Things I Think

1. I think Paul George is better than Jimmy Butler. With all of this trade chatter taking place surrounding the two All-Star forwards I wanted to address this topic. Don't get me wrong, both are great players - hence the fact that they are both All-Stars - but I prefer George. He is taller than Butler, is more of a play-maker than Butler, and most importantly he does not require the ball to be in his hands as much as Butler does. Paul George is easier to play with and has proven that he can be the best player on a legitimate championship team (see the Pacers circa 2012-2013).

2. I think the future of baseball is bright, despite many thinking to the contrary. The worry with baseball is about the games popularity amongst the adolescence and it's slow pace of play. But with the infiltration of such youthful exuberance, I really think that baseball's future is extremely bright. What other professional sport can boast that they have double-digit mega-stars all under the age of 25? I'll tell you, the answer is none. Major League Baseball has Mike Trout, Aaron Judge, Manny Machado, Bryce Harper, Kris Bryant, Carlos Correa, Francisco Lindor, Cody Bellinger, Miguel Sano...... I could keep going. I don't think it's a stretch to envision any of those players making the Hall of Fame and they each still have a decade-plus left in their careers. Baseball alarmists, relax. The sport is in good hands.

3. I think when it's all said and done De'Aaron Fox will be the best player from the 2017 NBA Draft. The consensus is that it will be Markelle Fultz. While I think that the combo guard will be a force in this league, I just think Fox has the chance to be a transcendent player. Most have him projected to go somewhere in the 3-5 range, but for my money he should go number 1. He has the smarts, the speed, and the skill. De'Aaron Fox is legit.

4. I think that Kyrie Irving is a great COMPLIMENTARY player. As good as he has been the past few years he hasn't been the focal point. Not even close, in fact. Recently with speculation swirling that LeBron may be destined for LA, word has circulated that Kyrie might force a trade. He can do what he wants, but he's going to have to live with the consequences. A team with Kyrie Irving as its main piece would struggle to make the playoffs. Yes, I am serious. He is a bucket-getter, but he fails to play a shred of defense and often times doesn't get his teammates involved. While I love watching him play, I don't think he will taste the same level of success if he ventures out on his own.

5. I think Tom Brady could play until he's 45, at least. I know that sounds absolutely asinine, but he's turning 40 in just over a month. He hasn't slowed down at all, he takes tremendous care of his body, and he still has the inner-drive of an undrafted rookie. In sports, father time hits everyone - often from the blindside - but with Brady I think he might be able to withstand several more years.

6. I think that offensive line is the most important position in football. Many, if not most, would argue quarterback, but I vehemently disagree. An offensive line is the core ingredient of a successful football team and without a competent group of men up front, talented skill position players would be deemed useless. To prove my point, Andrew Luck is regarded by many as the best quarterback in the NFL. He has missed the playoffs more times than not in his career. It is not because he lacks the skill, but rather the protection. He cannot throw if he is constantly on his rear. Alternatively, the Cowboys possess unquestionably the most dominant offensive line in all of football. They elevated the play of Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliot to a level that very few rookies have ever reached. While having a competent starting quarterback is desired, a competent offensive line is even more important.

7. I think Dwight Howard is a Hall of Famer, but his career is full of "what-if's." What if he stayed in Orlando? What if he made free throws? What if the NBA didn't essentially outlaw his position? There is a plethora of questions surrounding him. While he will be enshrined in Springfield - he has multiple defensive player of the year awards and is an 8-time All-Star -I think many would agree with me when I say that Dwight Howard underachieved. For a player of his size and his athleticism, I do not think it is hyperbole to say that he had the chance to be right there with Kareem as the greatest center of all-time.

8. I think Kevin Durant is the second-best player in the NBA. Prior to the postseason, I think my top six, in no particular order, was LeBron, Kawhi, Harden, Westbrook, Curry and Durant, with those final handful almost on equal terms. In the Finals, Durant firmly established himself in my mind as the only player in the same stratosphere (although not the same area code) as LeBron. While I still think his move to Golden State, a proven entity, was lame, it is hard to fault KD after seeing how he and the Warriors performed in the postseason.

9. I think Connor McGregor is a shrewd businessman. The often outspoken Irish-man knows that he is going to get blasted by Floyd. There's no question that he will ultimately be defeated, but in the process he will make himself somewhere in the ballpark of $100 million. There are many worse things I would do for $100 million than stand in a ring with Floyd Mayweather. Bravo Connor, you played America like a drum.

10. I think Phil Jackson is trying to get himself fired. There is no other explanation. Who in their right mind would trade Kristaps Porzingis? He is 21 years old, 7'3", plays incredible defense, and can make it rain from 25 feet. The word on the street is that Jackson is shopping Porzingis for a top pick in Thursday's Draft. Well, let me tell you something (I don't even have to ask). If the Knicks struck gold and got someone comparable to Porzingis they would be ecstatic. So why in the world would they take such a risk if a player of his stature already resides on their roster. It makes no sense and the only plausible explanation is that Phil Jackson wants to be canned and collect his money. It's shameful what he has done (or failed to do) in New York.