Dave Gettleman admitted as much.

“This is an important year for Daniel and an important year for us,” the Giants’ general manager said on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Tuesday. “What can I tell you? I’m stating the obvious.”

Jones must have a big year to prove he is the franchise quarterback Gettleman thought he would become when he took him with the sixth pick in the 2019 draft. Gettleman went on to say he has “great confidence” in Jones, who is entering his third season in the NFL.

Gettleman has surrounded Jones with more talent, adding two receivers in the offseason — top free agent Kenny Golladay and first-round pick Kadarius Toney (20th overall) — along with veteran tight end Kyle Rudolph. Star running back Saquon Barkley will return. And, after having to learn a new offense each of his first two years in the league, Jones is now in his second year in offensive coordinator Jason Garrett’s system.

“He’s done some really good stuff in camp so far,” Gettleman said. “You have to remember he switched offenses [after his first year]. It takes time. But I have great confidence in Daniel Jones.”

Consistency has so far eluded Jones, and so has winning. He has won eight starts and lost 18. He had 24 touchdown passes and just 12 interceptions as a rookie, but lost 11 fumbles. He cut down on his fumbles last year, losing only six, but threw just 11 touchdown passes as the Giants’ offense finished next-to-last in the NFL in points per game at 17.5. His passer rating fell, from 87.7 as a rookie to 80.4 a year ago.

Jones will have more weapons this year, but also will face more pressure. As Gettleman said, it’s an important year for him. In other words, it’s time for him to produce.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Zach Braziller

The franchise’s latest hope at quarterback is expected to have a quarter, if not more, to make a better second impression.

Coach Robert Saleh said after Monday’s practice the plan is for the second-overall pick in the draft to play “at least” the opening quarter against the Giants in both teams’ preseason opener.

“Just be comfortable in the offense,” is what Saleh wants to see from Wilson. “Seeing coverages, seeing different things. He’s got to see it all. And the more he sees, the more reps he gets, the more comfortable he’s going to get.”

Wilson followed up Saturday’s shaky performance in the Green-White scrimmage in which he threw two interceptions and led the first-team offense to just a field goal with an uneven practice on Monday. In team drills, he completed 5 of 13 passes. He was sacked twice, at times holding onto the ball too long, and had a pass knocked down at the line of scrimmage. He was mostly indecisive and inaccurate. Wilson did rebound and threw a pair of touchdowns to Corey Davis, finding the newcomer on a fade pattern in the left corner of the end zone and zipping in a toss through traffic.

“There’s a reason why being a rookie is hard in this league. There was a Hall of Famer [on Sunday] that was inducted [into Canton who had] a 71 quarterback rating as a rookie,” Saleh said, referring to Peyton Manning. “It’s not easy to play quarterback in this league as a rookie. But it is going to get worse before it gets better.”

One criticism aimed at the Jets with regards to Wilson is the lack of a veteran quarterback who can tutor — and challenge — him. They recently added Josh Johnson to the quarterback room, but the 35-year-old journeyman last played in an NFL game in 2018 and has just 33 appearances on his résumé. Plus, Wilson is being molded by a first-year offensive coordinator (Mike LaFleur) and first-year quarterbacks coach (Rob Calabrese).

“He’ll have Rob, who’s fantastic. He’ll have Mike, who’s been through it and he’s been able to watch the best do it,” Saleh said. “And so that part of the experience, I’m not very concerned about that, no.”

Saleh expressed confidence that Wilson is improving, that he has a strong command of the huddle, he knows where everyone is supposed to be, he is adept at making adjustments and correcting his own mistakes. Still, this is all new to him. He’s only had a handful of practices as a professional.

“There’s a process that he’s got to go through,” Saleh said. “It’s not easy, but we have tremendous hopes for him. He’s going to be just fine.”

That process will continue Saturday night when Wilson faces a different team for the first time. The young quarterback and the Jets hope to see some progress.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Zach Braziller

Kemba Walker, the electric All-Star point guard from the Soundview Projects in The Bronx, Rice High School and the New York Gauchos, was coming home to play for the Knicks.

But this wasn’t just about a talented player potentially solving the Knicks’ eternal point-guard problem. It was more than just one of the city’s finest high school stars returning. The ecstatic reactions revealed just how adored Walker is within the five boroughs, far beyond his ability with a basketball in his hands.

“He’s just a different dude,” said Rasheen Davis, an assistant coach at St. Peter’s who coached Walker at since-closed Rice in Harlem and has remained close to him.

That’s the adjective everyone who has crossed paths with 31-year-old Walker uses: Different. Along with humble, gracious, caring, selfless, dedicated and generous. Walker hasn’t lived in New York City full-time since his days as a prep superstar more than a decade ago. But he is treated as if he never left. He has remained that special to so many, mostly because of how he treats everyone: With that trademark smile of his, a hug and banter that made you feel like his best friend.

“One of my favorite people of all time,” said Jim Calhoun, Walker’s coach at Connecticut, which he led to a national championship and two Final Fours in three seasons.

“I always tell people that if Kemba Walker never picked up a basketball, he still would’ve been the most popular kid at Rice High School,” said Brother William Sherlog, the athletic director when Walker attended the school.

Across his 11-year NBA career, the speedy and shifty 6-foot Walker has averaged 19.9 points, 5.4 assists and 3.8 rebounds. He has been selected for four All-Star Games. He has earned nearly $200 million. He remains the highest draft pick (ninth overall in 2011) out of a New York City high school since Joakim Noah was selected ninth by the Bulls in 2007.

It wasn’t a straight line to get to that point; more like a number of stops and starts similar to a rush-hour drive on the BQE. Every step of the way, Walker had to wait his turn. In junior high school, he played second fiddle to future Villanova star Corey Fisher. At Rice, he took a backseat to Edgar Sosa. At UConn, there were A.J. Price and Craig Austrie when he arrived. He started just 25 games as a rookie for the Hornets.

“Nothing was ever given to him,” Rice teammate and close friend Kashif Pratt said.

Much of that came from his parents, Andrea and Paul, who emphasized hard work over shortcuts. His sophomore year at Rice, he was a role player, at times losing out to freshman Lamont “MoMo” Jones. His parents never called coach Moe Hicks or expressed their displeasure. They told their son if he wanted to play more he had to earn it.

Walker, though, was never jealous. Winning is all he cared about. He was Jones’ biggest cheerleader. That season, he took particular pride during practices in defending Sosa, who went on to play at Louisville, because it was making him better.

“He never skipped a step,” said Emanuel “Book” Richardson, Walker’s AAU coach with the Gauchos. “Kemba was never in a rush to do anything.”

Pratt’s favorite of Walker’s character traits was how well he listened. They took public transportation together to and from school every day, and his younger teammate always asked him questions, wanting to know how he could become a better player.

Prior to his junior year, Walker told Richardson he wanted to play at Connecticut. Richardson told him he wasn’t good enough. Walker didn’t lash out or disagree. He asked his coach what he needed to work on.

“In my opinion, I truly, truly believe that’s why he’s had his success, because of his personality, because he’s never seen himself as better than the bench players on the team. He’s never thought he was better than anyone or above anything,” Davis said. “When I was at Manhattan College, he came to play pickup with our guys. He was deferring to them, and he was an NBA player. We had a lot of NBA guys come to our pickup games, and he was just different from other guys.”

There’s that word again. Different.

In Walker’s high school days, Rice versus Christ the King was The Game in New York City. The two Catholic schools were national powerhouses, featuring several Division I players on each roster. There were standing room-only crowds whenever they met.

During Walker’s sophomore season, they were engaged in a close game at the famed Gauchos Gym in The Bronx. Anyone with an interest in New York City high school basketball was in the small oven-like building. With the game on the line, Walker had his pocket picked by Malik Boothe, which helped Christ the King pull off the victory.

Walker, feeling he had let Rice’s seniors down, was upset afterward, promising to any who listened that it wouldn’t happen again. Davis was worried what a moment like that would do to a young player still finding his way. There was no need to be concerned. Walker responded by becoming an even harder worker, a determined player who would begin to make major strides.

“Malik Boothe should get credit,” Davis said, thinking back to that day. “From that moment on, he put the battery in Kemba’s back.”

Walker helped Rice win a Catholic state title later that season. In Glens Falls for the state tournament, he nearly led the Raiders past PSAL champion Lincoln and Lance Stephenson. In that game, Sosa got in foul trouble and Walker had a big performance.

Afterward, a scout on hand told Hicks he had a future pro. The Rice coach nodded his head. He agreed that forward Curtis Kelly had a bright future. No, the scout told him, No. 15, his young point guard. He was talking about Walker.

“That kid has about three, four speeds right now,” the scout said, according to Hicks. “He saw it immediately. It was a good call, because he was right on point.”

Calhoun thought he was set at point guard. During a visit to UConn, elite California prospect Brandon Jennings had verbally committed to the Huskies. Jennings, though, had made a habit of committing to schools on his visits, and later picked USC and Arizona, before opting to play overseas professionally.

Around that time, UConn had begun recruiting Walker following his sensational junior year, in which he emerged as a premier prospect. When Walker heard the news, he told Calhoun, “Don’t worry about a thing. You’re my dream school,” the Hall of Fame coach recalled.

“He ended up being a dream player,” Calhoun said.

Walker improved each season at UConn, going from a complimentary piece as a freshman to one of the nation’s premier guards as a junior. That season, he led the Huskies on a memorable run to the national championship. They won their last 11 games, starting with five games in five days at the Big East Tournament at the Garden, now Walker’s new home.

That included his memorable buzzer-beating step-back jumper in the quarterfinals that left Pittsburgh forward Gary McGhee on the Garden floor. That March, as Walker averaged 24.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists, he was nicknamed “Cardiac Kemba.”

“It was magical,” said Calhoun, who compared Walker’s brilliance to Danny Manning’s in leading Kansas to the 1988 national championship. “Kemba and The Guys,” he called it.

After every game, Walker retreated to the hotel room he shared with teammate Donnell Beverly Jr., and they had long conversations about the unexpected run. Its architect, Walker was in awe of what was taking place.

“I’m not supposed to be here,” he once told Beverly.

The English teacher was stunned. Kemba Walker plays basketball, she asked Hicks? He never talked about the game and just did his work. He didn’t have the same cockiness and swagger the other Rice players had. Sherlog taught Walker in history class and recalled a day like so many others when a classmate was asking him about a big upcoming game.

“Damn, does it always have to be about basketball?” he whispered.

Walker didn’t want to be treated differently because of his athletic prowess. He didn’t care for the spotlight. At UConn, he wanted to just be another student.

As the president of Russell Westbrook Enterprises, Beverly rubs elbows with young celebrities and athletes. Walker is unlike almost all of them. He would prefer a quiet dinner among friends than a night out. When Walker visited him in Los Angeles a few years ago, they had a quiet meal with his family. Walker rarely parties.

“Kemba by far is the most grounded, by far is the most humble,” Beverly said. “It’s by a landslide, honestly.”

It’s why almost everyone says he’s the same guy despite all the millions of dollars he has earned and the celebrity he has attained.

Walker has retained ties to the city. He has the same circle of friends. When Richardson was imprisoned for three months, following a federal bribery charge as part of the FBI’s investigation into college basketball, Walker was there for him, offering support.

“This is the happiest moment since I got out of Otisville,” Richardson said, referring to the federal prison in upstate New York.

You won’t see Walker at hot spots, surrounded by security guards. He will make a habit out of attending high school games. Pratt believes he will pick up where Carmelo Anthony left off, in terms of being an accessible star to the public. Even with the Knicks losing, Anthony was popular in the city.

“Melo was the first real star you saw from the Knicks who was in the community,” Pratt said. “I feel like I never saw Melo sign an autograph. You didn’t really need Melo for an autograph because you knew you would see him again. I think It’s going to be the same with Kemba. Knicks fans are going to love him.”

The big question is health, whether his problematic left knee can allow him to be the difference-maker the Knicks need. Prior to last season, he received stem-cell injections in the knee. Walker was limited to 43 games, and his season ended after three playoff games.

He will give whatever he has, and he’ll do whatever is best for the team, as he has his entire career, those close to him say. Pratt cited the famed Super Six Invitational showdown at the Garden during Walker’s junior year of high school. The hype was centered around the matchup between Walker and Derrick Rose. But Walker’s only interest was in winning the game. The MVP was Chris Fouch. Now, Walker and Rose will be sharing point guard duties for the Knicks.

During Walker’s time in Boston, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum took major strides as star players. Former Celtics coach Brad Stevens, now Boston’s president of basketball operations, called Walker “the greatest teammate.” He will play with great effort. He will make the extra pass. He will be a leader and defer credit.

“I have great confidence Kemba Walker will make a positive contribution to any team,” Calhoun said, “just because of who he is, what he is and how he plays.”

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Zach Braziller

Alvarez is assured to become just the third American to medal in both the Winter and Summer Olympics. An infielder on the baseball team, the 31-year-old Alvarez won a silver medal as a speed skater during the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi. Now, after a 7-2 win over South Korea in the semifinals, Alvarez will at worst win another silver and join Eddie Eagan (bobsled in 1932, boxing in 1920) and Lauryn Williams (bobsled in 2014, track and field in 2004 and 2012) as Olympians who medaled in both seasons. 

“I got emotional because it was a lot of sacrifice,” Alvarez said. “I still can’t believe it. I know the job’s not done yet because, at the end of the day, one of the only reasons why I came out here is for redemption, to win a gold medal.” 

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His skating team in 2014 finished second behind Russia in the 5,000-meter relay. However, three of the four Russian gold medalists were banned from the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics because of suspicions of doping. After the 2014 Games, Alvarez returned to baseball, and has played professionally since in the White Sox and Marlins’ minor league systems. Last year, he appeared in 12 games for the Marlins. 

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Zach Braziller

Lamont Marcell Jacobs earned the informal title, previously held by the now-retired Usain Bolt, Sunday after winning gold in the 100-meter final, posting a personal best time of 9.80 seconds.

The 26-year-old sprinter edged American Fred Kerley (9.84) and Canadian Andre De Grasse (9.89) in what was an upset.

Jacobs finished third in the semifinals, 19th at the 2019 world championships and ranked eighth in the world.

But Jacobs emerged after the favorite, American Trayvon Bromell, failed to advance to the final.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Zach Braziller

The 18-year-old picked up her third medal on Sunday morning, earning a bronze in the uneven bars after winning gold in the all-around competition and a silver in the team final.

Lee, who took on an even bigger role at the Olympics after Simone Biles withdrew to focus on her mental health, scored a 14.500 at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre.

Lee is the first Hmong American to compete in the Olympics and also the first Asian American to earn gold in the gymnastics individual all-around.

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She finished behind Nina Derwael of Belgium (15.200) and Anastasia Ilyankova of the Russian Olympic Committee (14.833).

Lee’s final event will be the balance beam final Tuesday.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Zach Braziller

In a stunning result Sunday, the American didn’t qualify after running a poor 10.00 in the semifinals. U.S. sprinters Ronnie Baker and Fred Kerley advanced.

The 26-year-old Bromell won the U.S. Olympic trials and has the top time in the event in 2021 at 9.77 seconds.

Jamaican superstar Usain Bolt had won the gold the last three Olympics in the 100 meters. Bromell was hoping to write a story of redemption, after leaving the Rio 2016 Olympics in a wheelchair due to searing pain in his Achilles tendon after running the anchor leg of the 4×11-meter relay.

He was eighth in the 100 meter final in 2016.

Sunday’s result wasn’t what he — or anyone at the Games — anticipated.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Zach Braziller

MyKayla Skinner, who just a few days ago thought her gymnastics career was over, had one last event to compete in after Simone Biles bowed out due to focus on her mental health.

The 24-year-old American made the most of her last chance, winning silver in the women’s vault final in the Tokyo Games Sunday morning.

She finished with a score of 14.916, behind Brazillian Rebeca Andrade’s 15.083. Skinner is just the fifth American to medal in the event. Biles won gold in 2016 in the vault.

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Before Biles opted out of the event, Skinner had spoke about her plans post-gymnastics.

Skinner, who announced her retirement plans in July, wants to gain a degree in journalism and become a sports broadcaster.

“For me, I’m just really excited to have a life and then maybe start a family,” she told People. “We’ll just kind of see where life takes me.”

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Zach Braziller

From the trade frenzy that followed to unexpected selections after the first three picks, Thursday night’s NBA Draft didn’t disappoint.

Below, The Post’s Zach Braziller gives out his draft grades:

Atlanta Hawks – C-

No. 20: Jalen Johnson, SF, Duke, Freshman

No. 48: Sharife Cooper, PG, Auburn, Freshman

I get taking a big swing on a talent like this 6-foot-9 wing, but there are red flags everywhere, from his injury history to his controversial decision to opt-out in-season at Duke to his on-court struggles even before that. The ability is there – Johnson was a projected top-five pick entering last season – as are the character and production concerns.

Boston Celtics – C

No. 45 Juhann Begarin, SG, Guadelupe

A 6-foot-6 guard with a 7-foot wingspan, Begarin has an NBA frame. Without a first-round pick, the Celtics took a chance on a raw 18-year-old international prospect with ample upside.

Brooklyn Nets – B-

No. 27 Cameron Thomas, SG, LSU, Freshman

No. 29 Day’Ron Sharpe, C, North Carolina, Freshman

No. 49 Marcus Zegarowski, PG, Creighton, Junior

No. 59 RaiQuan Gray, PF, Florida State, Junior

The Nets may have found some decent bench pieces here, especially in the 6-foot-11, 265-pound Sharpe. Thomas could provide instant offense in small doses, although his defense and jumper may not be up to par to contribute as a rookie.

Charlotte Hornets – B

No. 11 James Bouknight, SG, UConn, Sophomore

No. 19 Kai Jones, PF, Texas, Sophomore

No. 37 JT Thor, PF, Auburn, Freshman

No. 56 Scottie Lewis, SG, Florida, Sophomore

The Hornets’ backcourt of LaMelo Ball and Bouknight will be a League Pass must-watch. Jones is more potential than production at this point, but the rim-running big man should benefit from playing with a point guard like Ball. A wing shooter, such as Iowa’s Joe Wieskamp at 37, would’ve raised this grade.

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Chicago Bulls – B+

No. 38 Ayo Dosunmu, PG, Illinois, Junior

Without a first-round pick for the first time since 2005, the Bulls still wound up with a first round-caliber player, according to most projections. Dosunmu, who grew up in Chicago and played for Illinois, probably doesn’t solve the Bulls’ long-term point guard needs, but at worst the Associated Press first team All-American can be a valuable first guard off the bench.

Cleveland Cavaliers – A

No. 3 Evan Mobley, PF, USC, Freshman

There is a significant faction of scouts and analysts who believe the versatile 7-footer will wind up as the best player in this draft. Mobley and Jarrett Allen could throw nightly block parties if the restricted free agent returns.

Dallas Mavericks – No Picks

Denver Nuggets – B+

No. 26 Nah’Shon “Bones” Hyland, SG, VCU, Sophomore

Denver needed more backcourt scoring and it found its guy in VCU’s creative shotmaker, a 37 percent 3-point shooter who averaged 19.5 points last year.

Detroit Pistons – A

No. 1: Cade Cunnigham, G/F, Oklahoma State, Freshman

No. 52 Luka Garza, C, Iowa, Senior

No. 57 Balsa Koprivica, C, Florida State, Sophomore

The Pistons were draft winners simply by making the no-brainer selection of Cunningham. Unless everyone is wrong, they now have a franchise cornerstone to build around, someone who is well-versed in their successful history – Cunningham talked glowingly of the Bad Boys after he was picked – and sounds determined to make Detroit a winner again.

Golden State Warriors – B+

No. 7 Jonathan Kuminga SF/PF, G League Ignite

No. 14 Moses Moody, SF, Arkansas, Freshman

The Warriors went safe with one selection and swung for the fences with the other. The pick of the “3&D” Moody is more likely to help Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green next season, while the 6-foot-8, 220-pound Kuminga could become a star by the time the current core is on its last legs.

Houston Rockets – A

No. 2 Jalen Green, SG, G League Ignite

No. 16 Alperen Sengun, PF/C, Turkey

No. 23 Usman Garuba, PF, Spain

No. 24 Josh Christopher, SG, Arizona State, Freshman

The Rockets upgraded their talent level with a quartet of young prospects that could allow Houston fans to forget about James Harden one day. It is led by Green, the prospect believed to be the most offensive-ready player in the draft. Sengun, the 19-year-old MVP of the Turkish Super League, was an intriguing selection, and the physical Garuba could be one of the premier defenders in this draft. Christopher’s stock fell after an underwhelming season at Arizona State, but he’s a shotmaker Houston feels has defensive upside.

Indiana Pacers – C

No. 13 Chris Duarte, SF, Oregon, Senior

No. 22 Isaiah Jackson, PF, Kentucky, Freshman

High marks for the first pick, choosing production instead of projection and potential. But the Pacers gave up a lot to select a project in Jackson at 22, sending the Wizards young guard Aaron Holiday and the 31st pick.

Los Angeles Clippers – B

No. 21 Keon Johnson, PG/SG, Tennessee, Freshman

No. 33 Jason Preston, PG, Ohio, Junior

No. 51 Brandon Boston Jr., SG, Kentucky, Freshman

The Clippers got terrific value in Johnson, a gifted athlete who improves their already terrific perimeter defense. As one of the best passers in this draft, Preston could serve as a reserve playmaker capable of spacing the floor, although there are concerns about his lack of quickness, limiting his ceiling.

Los Angeles Lakers – B+

The Lakers didn’t make any selections, but they shook the NBA world before the draft even started by landing Russell Westbrook in a blockbuster deal with the Wizards. A big three of Westbrook, LeBron James and Anthony Davis will be entertaining. Whether the trio of All-Stars can win a title is another matter.

Memphis Grizzlies – F

No. 10 Ziaire Williams, SG/SF, Stanford, Freshman

No. 30 Santi Aldama, PF, Loyola, Sophomore

Memphis traded starting center Jonas Valanciunas and took on two bad contracts to move up seven spots in the draft for a project of a prospect in Williams it could’ve had with their original pick. Then the Grizzlies moved up again, using their 40th pick and two future second rounders, to reach for Aldama with the last choice of the first round. Talk about wasting assets and cap space.

Miami Heat – No Picks

Milwaukee Bucks – C

No. 54 Sandro Mamukelashvili, PF, Seton Hall, Senior

No. 60 Georgios Kalaitzakis, PG, Greece

The Bucks made some local fans happy by taking Seton Hall’s Mamukelashvili after trading out of the first pick of the second round. He may get to guard Giannis Antetokounmpo in practice, which should be a real welcome to the NBA moment for the skilled forward from the Republic of Georgia.

Minnesota Timberwolves – No Picks

New Orleans Pelicans – A-

No. 17 Trey Murphy, SF, Virginia, Junior

No. 35 Herb Jones, SF/PF, Senior

The Pelicans moved down seven spots and still filled a significant need with the sharpshooting Murphy. Jones is offensively-challenged, but the SEC Player of the Year is a workhorse who has strong intangibles and will do dirty work.

New York Knicks – C+

No. 25 Quentin Grimes, SG, Houston, Junior

No. 34 Rokas Jokubaitis, PG/SG, Lithuania

No. 36 Miles McBride, PG, West Virginia, Sophomore

No. 58 Jericho Sims, PF, Texas, Senior

After an evening of wheeling and dealing that didn’t include a trade up for a coveted wing, the Knicks still ended up with one of the best perimeter defenders in the draft (McBride), a high-level shooter (Grimes) and an intriguing international guard prospect they can stash overseas (Jokubaitis). Oh, and they added a first-round pick belonging to the Hornets that has protections.

Oklahoma City Thunder – C

No. 6 Josh Giddey, G/F, Australia

No. 18 Tre Mann, PG, Florida, Sophomore

No. 32 Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, PF, Villanova, Junior

No. 55 Aaron Wiggins, SG, Maryland, Junior

This is the Thunder and this is Sam Presti, so of course they kicked the can, trading the 18th selection to the Rockets for protected first round picks in 2022 and 2023 belonging to the Pistons and Wizards, respectively. Presti made one of the more shocking picks of the first round, going with the Aussie playmaker Giddey over high-ceiling combo forward Jonathan Kuminga and UConn shooting guard James Bouknight, two players to which Oklahoma City had been heavily linked.

Orlando Magic – A+

No. 5 Jalen Suggs, PG, Gonzaga, Freshman

No. 8 Franz Wagner, SF, Michigan, Sophomore

Years down the road, we’ll wonder how Suggs lasted until the fifth pick. The Magic had to be doing cartwheels to land the gifted athlete, and three picks later they made another strong selection in the underrated Wagner. Orlando found a pair of two-way difference-makers with its two picks.

Philadelphia 76ers – B

No. 28 Jaden Springer, PG/SG, Tennessee, Freshman

No. 50 Filip Petrusev, C, Serbia

No. 53 Charles Bassey, C, Western Kentucky, Junior

Ben Simmons is still a 76er, for now at least, which overshadowed Philadelphia’s night. That doesn’t mean Daryl Morey had a bad evening. Springer is a sneaky-good pick – he defends, shot 43 percent from deep in his lone year in college and is still 18 years old – while the physically imposing Bassey could backup Joel Embiid in the pivot.

Phoenix Suns – C

The Western Conference champions sent their only pick (29th overall) to the Nets in exchange for guard Landry Shamet, a veteran who could help them with the possible departures of free agents Cam Payne, Langston Galloway and E’Twaun Moore.

Portland Trail Blazers – C

No. 43 Greg Brown III, SF/PF, Freshman

His stock plummeted, from a potential lottery pick early on in the college basketball season to the middle of the second round, after an underwhelming season at Texas. A terrific athlete who is just 19 years old, he was worth a flyer.

Sacramento Kings – C

No. 9 Davion Mitchell, PG, Baylor, Junior

No. 39 Neemias Queta, C, Utah State, Junior

It’s not about the player, but the fit. Mitchell is the kind of tenacious defender the Kings need, but the backcourt is already full with past lottery picks De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton. Queta could force his way into the rotation on rim-protection alone.

San Antonio Spurs – D

No. 12 Joshua Primo, SG, Alabama, Freshman

No. 41 Joe Wieskamp, SF, Iowa, Junior

San Antonio could’ve gotten Primo, at best a mid-20’s selection in most projections, by trading several picks down. There was little value in this reach, unless the Spurs know something nobody else did. If that’s the case, find me on Old Takes Exposed in a few years.

Toronto Raptors – D

No. 4 Scottie Barnes, SF, Florida State, Freshman

No. 46 Dalano Banton, PG/SG, Nebraska, Sophomore

No. 47 David Johnson, PG, Louisville, Sophomore

The biggest “holy sh–” moment of the night. The Raptors, despite an almost certain need at point guard with Kyle Lowry’s expected departure, passed on Suggs for the well-rounded yet jumper-challenged Barnes. The Magic should send a gift basket north of the border.

Utah Jazz – A-

No. 40 Jared Butler, PG/SG, Butler, Junior

After trading out of the last pick of the first round, the Jazz still ended up with a first-round talent in the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, and landed two future second-round picks from the Grizzlies as well. That’s good drafting.

Washington Wizards – B

No. 15 Corey Kispert, SF, Gonzaga, Senior

No. 31 Isaiah Todd, PF, G League Ignite

The trade of Russell Westbrook to the Lakers was a shrewd move. Washington was able to move his onerous contract without taking back bad money, and ended up adding young guard Aaron Holiday for the 22nd pick that was obtained from the Lakers. Kispert will help space the floor for Bradley Beal, but he has significant limitations otherwise, which was evident in the NCAA Tournament when the All-American struggled against athleticism and length.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Zach Braziller

Below is how The Post sees the night unfolding:

1. Detroit Pistons

Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State (G/F, 6-8, 220 pounds)

The Pistons won’t repeat 2003, and pass on a sure thing again, like they did that year in taking Darko Milicic instead of Carmelo Anthony. Cunningham has been the pick here for months, a terrific playmaker who has won at every level and is the type of high-character leader capable of positively altering the losing culture in Detroit.

2. Houston Rockets

Jalen Green, G League Ignite (SG, 6-6, 178)

Green became the face of the G League as the first high school prospect to take its new lucrative route, and the gifted offensive guard will be the new face of the Rockets now, too. As the late, great Tom Konchalski — the legendary NYC high school hoops scout — often said, he scores like the rest of us breathe.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers

Evan Mobley, USC (PF/C, 7-0, 215)

One scout said Mobley is a lock to be a star, without any concerns about his motor, work ethic and two-way impact. He’s exactly what the NBA looks for in big men, someone who can stretch the floor and finish above the rim, defend on the perimeter and protect the basket with his 7-foot-4 wingspan

4. Toronto Raptors

Jalen Suggs, Gonzaga (PG, 6-4, 205)

This was the first year Suggs has dedicated himself to one sport after juggling football and basketball before college, scary considering how dynamic this lead guard already is at both ends of the floor.

5. Orlando Magic

Scottie Barnes, Florida State (SF, 6-8, 225)

Barnes’ elite passing ability and defensive tenacity/versatility will immediately help the Magic. If his jump shot — the one concern here — follows, Orlando has a superstar it can build around.

6. Oklahoma City Thunder

Jonathan Kuminga, G League Ignite (SF/PF, 6-8, 220)

Kuminga will need time to refine his raw yet promising game, and the Thunder seem to be in no hurry in their rebuild. Worst-case scenario, the native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a starter on a good team who can defend, finish and rebound at a high level. But if his skills match his athletic gifts, he can be an All-Star.

7. Golden State Warriors (via Timberwolves)

Davion Mitchell, Baylor (PG, 6-1, 202)

A dogged on-ball defender who raised his stock more in the past year than anyone in this draft, Mitchell could be a super-sub for the Warriors. He can guard the best guard on the opposition, and the court-spacing Warriors will give him room to create chaos in the paint.

8. Orlando Magic (via Bulls)

Corey Kispert, Gonzaga (SF, 6-7, 224)

The surprise of the first round. The Magic give Barnes a court-spacing weapon, a first-team Associated Press All-American who shot 44 percent from deep last year.

9. Sacramento Kings

Keon Johnson, Tennessee (G/F, 6-5, 186)

The Kings defend like the Knicks did pre-Tom Thibodeau, which is to say extreme effort is optional at that end of the floor. One way to remedy that is by adding someone like Johnson, who takes particular pride in his defense.

10. Memphis Grizzlies (via Pelicans)

James Bouknight, UConn (SG, 6-4, 190)

The deal for Memphis to move up in the draft isn’t official, but it will be, and the Grizzlies use the pick to land Ja Morant’s future longtime backcourt partner in the Brooklyn native. UConn coach Dan Hurley has compared him to CJ McCollum, and Morant and Bouknight can be the Grizzlies’ version of Damian Lillard and McCollum for years to come.

11. Charlotte Hornets

Franz Wagner, Michigan (SF, 6-9, 220)

The Hornets need to surround LaMelo Ball with as many quality shooters and defenders as they can, and the versatile Wagner fits into both categories.

12. San Antonio Spurs

Josh Giddey, Adelaide, National Basketball League (PG, 6-8, 205)

One of the more intriguing prospects in the draft, Giddey has a point guard’s game in a forward’s frame. In Australia’s NBL last season, he thrived (11.3 points, 7.4 assists and 7.1 rebounds), and could give the Spurs a productive playmaker up front.

13. Indiana Pacers

Moses Moody, Arkansas (SG/SF, 6-6, 211)

This could be a plug-and-play selection for the Pacers, a 3-and-D wing capable of contributing right away. He’s Mikal Bridges of the Suns with a bigger upside.

14. Golden State Warriors

Trey Murphy III, Virginia (SF, 6-9, 206)

One of the draft’s big risers, Murphy brings two essential qualities to the Warriors: size and shooting. He has the length teams love (7-1 wingspan) and shot a robust 43.3 percent from deep last year.

15. Washington Wizards

Kai Jones, Texas (PF/C, 7-0, 221)

Jones is the type of unproven prospect teams talk themselves into every year. What he lacks in production, he makes up for in the potential scouts see in his shooting range, rim-protection and finishing skill set.

16. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Celtics)

Alperen Sengun, Besiktas, Turkish Super League (PF/C, 6-10, 240)

The MVP of the Turkish Super League at just 18, Sengun has a polished post game that will translate. Most years, a player of his ilk is a top-10 pick.

17. New Orleans Pelicans (via Grizzlies)

Chris Duarte, Oregon (SF, 6-6, 190)

Want to make Zion Williamson happy, New Orleans? Add an efficient offensive player who defends and makes it more difficult to double-team your franchise player.

18. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Heat)

Ziaire Williams, Stanford (SF, 6-9, 185)

The raw talent is there. So are the question marks about his underwhelming one season in college. In time, it’s easy to see this pick being praised or picked apart.

19. New York Knicks

Sharife Cooper, Auburn (PG, 6-1, 180)

Yes, his jump shot needs work and there are turnover concerns — Cooper averaged 4.2 in his lone year at Auburn — but the Knicks need a playmaker with this kind of upside at the point. In 12 SEC games, he put up eye-popping numbers: 20.2 points and 8.1 assists.

20. Atlanta Hawks

Jared Butler, Baylor (PG, 6-4, 193)

The NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player improves the Hawks’ bench as someone who can play either guard spot and defend both positions. He can back up Trae Young and allow him to play off the ball on occasion.

21. New York Knicks (via Mavericks)

Usman Garuba, Real Madrid, EuroLeague (PF, 6-8, 229)

He’s not the wing shooter Tom Thibodeau craves, but he’s the next best thing: a physical forward capable of getting on the floor immediately because of his defense and length with a 7-2 wingspan.

22. Los Angeles Lakers

Cameron Thomas, LSU (SG, 6-4, 209)

There are concerns about the SEC Newcomer of the Year’s shooting ability from distance and his defensive limitations, but few players in this draft are ready to make an impact offensively like Thomas.

23. Houston Rockets (via Trail Blazers)

Isaiah Jackson, Kentucky (PF/C, 6-10, 206)

It will take time for the rebuilding Rockets to build a contender, which will allow them to be patient with the raw yet high-ceiling potential Jackson possesses.

24. Houston Rockets (via Bucks)

Jalen Johnson, Duke (SF/PF, 6-9, 220)

Johnson had all the tools to be a projected top-five pick before his one-year flop at Duke. So much, of course, had to go wrong to see him tumble into the mid-20s, from a foot injury to his decision to opt out of the season in mid-February.

25. Los Angeles Clippers

Ayo Dosunmu, Illinois (SG, 6-5, 194)

The AP first-team All-American’s ceiling may be as a third guard, a role he could find himself in instantly with the Clippers. His improved 3-point shooting last season at Illinois elevated him into the first round, complementing his strengths as a defender/scorer with the size and length to play multiple positions.

26. Denver Nuggets

Joshua Primo, Alabama (SG, 6-6, 190)

One of the stars of the NBA combine, Primo showcased ball-handling and shotmaking skills that weren’t evident in college, creating added interest beyond his 3-point stroke.

27. Brooklyn Nets

Miles McBride, West Virginia (PG, 6-3, 195)

The Nets will add a veteran big man in the free-agent market, and instead use this pick on McBride, who they can unleash on opposing guards to improve their suspect defense.

28. Philadelphia 76ers

Nah’Shon “Bones” Hyland, VCU (SG, 6-3, 173)

A career 39.9 percent 3-point shooter in college with in-the-gym range, Hyland can team with Tyrese Maxey to give the 76ers a young and explosive guard duo off the bench.

29. Phoenix Suns

Tre Mann, Florida (PG, 6-4, 178)

The Suns will need help in the backcourt even if Chris Paul doesn’t opt out, since Cam Payne, Langston Galloway and E’Twaun Moore are all unrestricted free agents.

30. Utah Jazz

Greg Brown III, Texas (SF/PF, 6-9, 206)

Brown has the tools to contribute defensively as the mobile big man the Jazz lack. If the jump shot develops, Utah could have a steal with the one-time projected lottery pick.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Zach Braziller

Jones, who is entering the final season of a five-year, $82.5 million ($31 million guaranteed), still plans on reporting to training camp on Tuesday, according to ESPN. (NFL players who skip training camp are subject to fines.)

It’s unclear what Jones is seeking from a new contract.

The 31-year-old appeared in only five games last year due to a biceps injury and notched a single sack. But Jones had a big 2019 season, getting to the quarterback 19 times and forced a whopping eight fumbles, recovering three.

Jones has 97 sacks in his nine-year career, which began with the Patriots before he was traded to Arizona in 2016.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Zach Braziller

For the first time in 49 years, according to Olympic historian Bill Mallon, the U.S. failed to medal on the first day of the Summer Olympics.

Eleven gold medals were given out Saturday, but an American did not place in the top three in any of those events, falling short in fencing, archery, cycling, air rifle and pistol shooting, and weightlifting.

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It was believed second-ranked Eli Dershwitz had a good shot to medal in men’s sabre, but he lost to Junghwan Kim of South Korea in the Round of 16. In the women’s 10m air rifle, favorite Mary Tucker placed sixth. Brandon McNulty was in position to medal in the cycling road race, before struggling at the end for a sixth-place finish.

In the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, a bad opening day didn’t translate into a poor performance for the United States. It still finished the Games with 33 gold medals and 94 total medals, the second most in both categories behind the Soviet Union.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Zach Braziller

With the stuffed pony in the Mets’ dugout, Pete Alonso homered twice, a far better performance compared to when Stevenson, the fictional hitting coach, came to Citi Field recently.

“The Home Run Horse is finally here in the second half,” Alonso joked after his two home runs helped the Mets blank the Blue Jays, 3-0, at Citi Field on Friday night.

Alonso said the idea for the horse, which was wearing a hat and Mets warm-up jacket over its torso, came from current hitting coach Hugh Quattlebaum. It was in the dugout for the first time on Friday.

Early in the year, after the Mets broke out of a slump, players began to casually refer to a new hitting approach coach named “Donnie Stevenson.” Initially, it was reported to be Alonso dressing up as the fictional character to loosen up his teammates. Players then began to wear “Donnie Stevenson” T-shirts that show a man with bulging muscles wearing a headband and sunglasses. More recently, the character, believed to be played by actor Brett Azar, showed up at a few Mets games and Alonso posed for photos with him. But since the last game before the All-Star break, Stevenson has gone into hiding. The Home Run Horse may have taken his place.

“The horse was in the dugout and I hit two homers,” Alonso said, when asked if it was good luck. “We’ll see, but I think it’s working so far.”

After Alonso’s second homer, a majestic 450-foot shot to the second deck in left-center field in the eighth inning, he carried the horse through the dugout while galloping up and down as he was congratulated by teammates. He then put it down and petted its mane a few times.

“I don’t know who came up with that. I freaked out one time when I looked at the end of the dugout in the middle of the game. I was completely unaware that was happening,” manager Luis Rojas said. “But these guys have fun. They do different things. I shouldn’t be surprised, but I kind of was when I saw it.”

For now, the Mets are calling it the Home Run Horse. But Alonso is open to some creative alternatives.

“Fans, do you thing,” he said. “Let’s hear some suggestions.”

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Zach Braziller

The 41-year-old Hill was having a strong season with the Rays, going 6-4 with a 3.87 ERA and could make his Mets debut Sunday or Monday, where the Mets have a need for a starting pitcher. Hill’s previous outing was last Sunday, when he allowed three earned runs in four innings to the Braves.The Mets are sending Tampa Bay reliever Tommy Hunter and Double-A prospect Matt Dyer. 

Hill has struggled of late, pitching to a 4.56 ERA in June and a 4.97 ERA in July. But the Mets desperately need healthy starters with Jacob deGrom, Carlos Carrasco, Noah Syndergaard, David Peterson, Jordan Yamamoto, Joey Lucchesi, Corey Oswalt and Robert Stock all on the injured list.

Carrasco was shelled in his most recent rehabilitation outing and deGrom is only throwing lightly while dealing with tightness in his forearm.

The others do not appear anywhere close to returning. Lucchesi is out for the season following Tommy John surgery. 

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Zach Braziller

“[Brett Gardner] was making fun of me because I had my jersey on at 5:30 [p.m.] today,” LaMarre recalled.

Six hours later, the journeyman with 235 career major league at-bats would finally get his chance, and he made the most of it.

LaMarre’s single over the head of right fielder Brad Miller scored Gary Sanchez with the game-winning run in the Yankees’ wild 6-5, 10-inning victory over the Phillies in The Bronx.

“Not many people obviously get a chance to wear the uniform, let alone get a chance to come through and get a walk-off hit,” he said. “To have moments like these you just try to soak them in and they keep you going honestly. … Any day up here is a good day.”

LaMarre’s hit sent the Yankees to a fourth straight victory entering a monster seven-game road trip against the Red Sox and Rays, and gave the 32-year-old a memory he won’t soon forget.

He was swarmed by his giddy teammates, who exuberantly ripped apart his jersey. He tried to put it back on for his on-field interview. But that didn’t work.

“There were no buttons to be found,” LaMarre said after notching the second walk-off hit of his career. “I don’t know how they fix those or if they just get you a new one. I don’t think that jersey’s coming back.”

The well-traveled LaMarre, with more than 3,000 minor league at-bats across 11 different seasons riding buses, is with his sixth MLB team — having had brief stints with the Reds, Red Sox, A’s, Twins and White Sox. He’s never had more than 99 at-bats in a single major league season and has appeared in just 125 big league games.

So far, he’s making the most of his chance with the Yankees. On Sunday, he got the start and hit his fifth career home run to clinch a series victory over the Red Sox. Wednesday, he helped the Yankees keep the positive vibes going.

He is one of several unexpected contributors who have helped the Yankees win nine of their past 12 games — a list that includes outfield prospect Estevan Florial, veteran Greg Allen, catcher Rob Brantly and infielder Chris Gittens.

At full strength, the Yankees have struggled to find consistency. Without many key pieces, they have somehow begun to play better, aided by a number of call-ups from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

“The RailBirds are here and we’re having fun,” LaMarre said.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Zach Braziller

During the top of the sixth inning against the Phillies, a Yankees fan raced onto the field to the delight of the crowd at the Stadium before being slammed down by a security guard and escorted off.

It was the latest incident at Yankee Stadium. On Saturday night against the Red Sox, a fan threw a ball that hit left fielder Alex Verdugo in the back. That fan has since been banned from all MLB stadiums for life.

That same night, Catherine Varitek, the wife of former Red Sox catcher and current assistant coach Jason Varitek, said a Yankees fan spat on her 9-year-daughter as they walked to their car outside The Stadium.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Zach Braziller

It was there as the son of a superstar college football player-turned-coach. It was there as he developed into a top-ranked baseball prospect by the fall of his sophomore year of high school. It only grew more intense once he led Vanderbilt to the 2019 national championship as the Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series.

But Rocker handled his celebrity with humility. He didn’t let it go to his head. He has embraced his popularity without letting the pressure get to him.

“He’s been in the spotlight for so long that it’s normal,” Rocker’s close friend and high school teammate, Josh Farmer, said. “It’s something he’s become accustomed to. It’s something he’s been built for.”

Rocker has a father, Eagles defensive line coach Tracy Rocker, who has experienced all of this himself as a superstar athlete; a loving mother, Lu, who has always been there for her son; and a close-knit and tight support system he can, and has had to, lean on.

Rocker and Farmer have frequently talked about the coaching cliché “controlling the controllables.” Not letting the outside get in. Not listening to the critics. Not allowing praise to go to your head.

So it wasn’t a surprise to Farmer when Rocker — a chiseled righthanded pitcher at 6-foot-5, 245 pounds — was thrilled when he was picked No. 10-overall by the Mets in this year’s MLB draft. Instead of focusing on his selection being lower than had been projected, Rocker’s mind was on the franchise that was overjoyed to have him, instead of on proving the teams that passed on him wrong.

“From now on, it’s what you do after this [that matters],” Rocker said the night of the draft.

Rocker, 21, arrived at North Oconee High School in Hobart, Ga., as an athletic marvel, bigger and stronger than everyone else. He played both baseball and football his first two years there. It was obvious, though, his future was on the diamond.

Principal Philip Brown joked that Rocker was the “best pile-jumper I’ve ever seen,” always managing to protect his throwing shoulder. He was a starter on the defensive line and had the body for the sport. He once squatted 490 pounds, and had to be stopped before he added on more weight.

But by the start of his sophomore year, he was ranked among the top baseball prospects in the country. Part of Brown selling Jay Lasley on taking the job as North Oconee’s baseball coach was showing him a video of Rocker blowing away hitters as a freshman.

Rocker’s father, a two-time All-American and three-time All-SEC selection as a defensive tackle at Auburn, knew football could ruin his baseball dreams, so he pushed baseball.

“Can you pitch if you have one finger going sideways?” he asked his son once.

Out of high school, Rocker was offered late first-round money, including a signing bonus in the millions, his agent Scott Boras said. But going to college was his family’s preferred choice. Rocker was able to further develop as a player and person at Vanderbilt, and three years later, he is expected to more than double those previous offers with the sort of hefty signing bonus typically given to a top-five pick.

“Their decision was the correct one,” Boras said.

Everyone still marvels at Rocker’s no-hitter against Duke on June 8, 2019. He was a true freshman being tasked with keeping Vanderbilt alive in the NCAA Tournament’s Super Regionals after the Blue Devils had blown out the Commodores, 18-5, a day earlier.

Rocker hit the second batter of the game, Kennie Taylor, with a 97 mph fastball near his left eye. Most pitchers, no matter their age, would be shaken by that. Rocker, though he was concerned for Taylor’s health, was otherwise unfazed. The pressure of the moment wasn’t going to get to him.

“He was Kumar,” catcher Phil Clarke said.

Vanderbilt only mustered three runs, but it didn’t matter. Duke wasn’t going to touch Rocker and that slider. After every inning, Brown and Clarke talked about the previous frame, and Brown remembers the look on his catcher’s face every time he got back into the dugout, an expression that said he had never caught anything quite like this.

“He had 19 strikeouts and all 19 of them were on the slider, so the Mets should be excited about that pitch,” said Clarke, who is now in the Blue Jays’ minor league system at Single-A Vancouver.

Rocker later said the only thing on his mind that day was the team, and ensuring it wouldn’t be its last game. He led the Commodores to their fifth national championship a few weeks later. He pitched twice in the College World Series against Michigan, going 2-0 with a 1.48 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 12 ¹/₃ innings.

“It was one of those things that just cements your place in the history of college baseball as one of the greats, especially when you back it up with a first-team All-American season as a junior,” said D1Baseball.com co-editor Aaron Fitt, who considers Rocker in the same class as Stephen Strasburg as far as household names in college baseball over the past 15 years.

The slider is Rocker’s calling card, a devastating breaking ball that has some curveball action to it. He will use it in a variety of ways. He will get swings-and-misses with it, he’ll get called strikes, he’ll bury it in the dirt, he’ll throw it at different speeds. It will have different breaks on it. He can add depth or horizontal movement.

“His understanding of how to not consistently throw the exact same pitch, but to manipulate it some depending on the situation, depending on the hitter, is something you don’t see a lot of kids have the ability to do with that pitch,” ESPN and SEC Network college baseball analyst Kyle Peterson said. “That’s what has separated him the whole time.”

The lightning in his right arm isn’t even the most impressive thing about Rocker, those close to him say. More impressive are his selfless and thoughtful personality, his even-keeled demeanor and his advanced communication skills. He has a rare ability to move forward without looking too far ahead. Bad performances don’t stick with him. Stellar outings don’t go to his head. He’s the same guy no matter the outcome. His smile doesn’t go away.

He has a rare ability to move forward without looking too far ahead. Bad performances don’t stick with him. Stellar outings don’t go to his head. He’s the same guy no matter the outcome. His smile doesn’t change.

Take two games in particular as evidence of that. In his first start at Vanderbilt, Rocker was hit around, lasting just 1 ¹/₃ innings against TCU. He was obviously not happy about it. But it didn’t negatively impact him, pitching coach Scott Brown said. Rocker didn’t make excuses. He owned the result and made sure it didn’t happen again.

“Going from that to the MVP of the College World Series is all you need to know about him.” Clarke said.

Then there was the 19-strikeout no-hitter against Duke. The following afternoon, Rocker was hitting fungoes to his teammates, trying to energize everyone before the winner-take-all third game of the series.

It is why Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin has called him the “ultimate college teammate,” someone who doesn’t let his own performance impact how he treats others. Lasley saw Rocker’s smile that never went away firsthand for three years. He always said Rocker would get paid to show his teeth one day.

“In my eyes, it’s him and Magic Johnson. You don’t find two dudes with better smiles,” Lasley said. “If Madison Avenue has a toothbrush or toothpaste commercial, that’s your guy.”

Prior to Rocker’s senior season in high school, the hype was high. He was ranked among the top prospects in the country, and every start was expected to be an event, littered with scouts. Rocker sat down with Lasley one day to discuss the upcoming season. But he didn’t want to talk about himself. He wanted to make sure the other seniors on the team had a memorable final year themselves.

“I need you to make sure this year is about the seniors,” Rocker told Lasley. “There’s going to be enough attention on me. It’s their senior year. It’s as important to them as it is to me.”

“I was blown away, to be that self aware about other people’s feelings,” Lasley said.

The year before, North Oconee failed to reach the playoffs, which Rocker took extremely hard. After the final game, he broke down in tears as he sat in his car with Farmer. He was so upset he couldn’t do more for his teammates. At that moment, it hit Farmer how much his mega-talented teammate cared. Here he was, with such a bright future, and he was acting like he had played his final game.

“Dang, he’s a real one,” Farmer thought to himself.

He backed it up with actions. Rocker would frequently stop into Lasley’s office to talk about the plans for practice. He would ask if any players needed a kick in the butt, if they weren’t working hard enough. He made sure everyone arrived on time for practice, and he was always the first guy to congratulate a teammate. Before his final season, catcher Will Cain recalled Rocker gathering everyone together to discuss the extra attention they would be getting. It was important to him that the scouts wouldn’t negatively impact the season. Other teams, he told them, might be in awe of the evaluators. But not them.

“We’re not going to let external things such as scouts being there affect us,” he said to his teammates.

On draft night last week, the story was Rocker, why he fell and how fortunate the Mets had gotten. At the start of the spring, Rocker had been expected to be the No. 1 pick. His season, while maybe not quite as dominant as expected, was still strong. He finished tied for the most strikeouts in the country with teammate Jack Leiter. He compiled a 2.73 ERA and led the nation in wins with 14. Though Rocker allowed five runs over 4 ¹/₃ innings in the CWS finals against eventual champion Mississippi State, he was previously 3-0 in elimination games with a 0.84 ERA.

“I think teams overthought it a little bit. It’s easy to nitpick somebody who’s been so famous for so long,” Fitt said. “For me, it’s kind of a no-brainer. You look at the track record and the stuff and the makeup, and it’s like, ‘What are we doing here?’ You’re telling me there are nine guys better than Rocker?”

There was concern about signing demands and fluctuations with his velocity. Fitt believes that his fastball not missing enough bats may have turned off certain teams. The Mets clearly didn’t feel that way. On their post-pick Zoom call, they basically celebrated the pick and were unconcerned about the above issues.

“We’re really all on the same page as to what we felt he was at economically and what the Mets were willing to do,” Boras said.

Rocker didn’t seem to be bothered. Farmer, who was with him on draft night, said it was as if a weight had been lifted off his friend’s shoulders. Rocker said he loved the Mets’ colors and was looking forward to the pressure of pitching in New York City one day. Soon, he may call Queens home.

For years, this has been the expectation, from the time he was a highly ranked sophomore high school prospect. He has treated every step of the way in a similar fashion — not looking too far ahead, not looking behind. He has remained focused on the present, and what a present Kumar Rocker now has.

“His aptitude is equal to the physical ability, and his parents taught him to live a very disciplined life,” Boras said. “Leadership, responsibility, all the character traits you want in a guy who can come in and be a principled part of your franchise is certainly there.”

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Zach Braziller

After getting hit, Verdugo was furious, yelling at fans in the stands, and Boston manager Alex Cora took his team off the field for a few minutes before the game was restarted. It was eventually called because of rain after six innings, with the Yankees winning, 3-1.

Multiple fans in the left-field bleachers told The Post the ball was tossed into the stands after warmups between the top and bottom of the sixth. Chants immediately began for the fan with the ball to throw it back. He did, and it hit Verdugo. The fan was ejected from the game.

“He turned around and he started yelling at them,” security guard Carlos Ventura said, referring to Verdugo. “My supervisor found the person and they got him.”

“One thing I learned last year, and this is something I forgot throughout my career, this is just a game,” Cora said. “It’s a game. This is not life and death. It’s not this drama. The fact people came to the ballpark and they decided to throw at one of the players, I was in shock that happened.”

Cora said he pulled the Red Sox off the field to calm Verdugo down and make sure nothing worse happened.

“I know my left fielder. I know Alex,” Cora said. “He needed time to breathe and to get his thoughts. It seemed like nobody was listening to me. You never know. What if he jumps the fence? What if he goes up there?”

Verdugo said he was trying to throw the ball to a young Red Sox fan in the crowd, but it wound up with a Yankees fan.

“As fans, ya’ll got to be better,” Verdugo said. “You don’t throw s–t at people. You wouldn’t do that to somebody in the street.

“It don’t sit right with me.”

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Zach Braziller

After getting J.D. Davis back Friday following his lengthy stint on the injured list with a sprained left hand, the Mets lost Francisco Lindor to injury in the fifth inning of an ugly 4-1 loss in Pittsburgh.

The high-priced shortstop and four-time All-Star grimaced and grabbed at his right side after hitting a ground ball to second base. He lightly took a few steps toward first base after initially remaining in the batter’s box. Accompanied by a trainer, he immediately left, after returning to the dugout, and headed towards the clubhouse.

“He just told me that he had some soreness on his right side,” manager Luis Rojas said over Zoom. “He said, ‘I can’t go.’ ”

Rojas said Lindor will undergo tests on Saturday morning and admitted he was “anxious” to hear more about his star shortstop. Rojas hadn’t seen Lindor after the game, so he was unsure of the severity of the injury.

“My level of concern is obviously high, just from not knowing,” Rojas said. “Let’s wait and find out more about it [on Saturday].”

Lindor was replaced defensively in the fifth inning by Luis Guillorme. In his first at-bat of the game, Lindor singled, before he grounded out in his next two trips to the plate.

The Mets were besieged by injuries in the first half of the season, their pitching staff and depth keeping them afloat. One of the few players not to miss time was Lindor. But now, he could miss time after appearing in 87 of the Mets’ first 88 games.

Lindor’s first season in Queens was already frustrating. He has struggled offensively, with a slash line of .228/.326/.376, and he has heard plenty of boos at Citi Field. His durability and defense have somewhat made up for his surprising struggles at the plate. Lindor, it should be noted, has swung better of late and was batting .333 in July.

The one positive if Lindor misses time is that the Mets have options at shortstop. Guillorme, Jonathan Villar and Jose Peraza can all play the position.

“You never want to see anyone leave with an injury, especially Francisco Lindor given the way he has swung the bat lately,” catcher James McCann said. “Hopefully, he can get back out there soon.”

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Zach Braziller

After getting J.D. Davis back following a length stint on the injured list, Francisco Lindor was lost to an apparent injury in the fifth inning of the Mets’ games in Pittsburgh on Friday night.

The high-priced shortstop grabbed at his right side after hitting a ground ball to second. He lightly jogged to first base and was replaced in the following inning by Luis Guillorme.

The 27-year-old Lindor, who signed a 10 year, $341 million contract extension in the offseason, singled in his first at-bat, before grounding out in his next two trips to the plate.

The Mets were overwhelmed by injuries in the first half of the season. One of the few players not to miss time was Lindor — but now that could change.

This story originally appeared on: NyPost - Author:Zach Braziller