Good morning, Sports fans! Davey Mac here with another Sports Report for ya! Baseball scores, NBA Postseason action, football scandal, and hockey regular-season finale…but first…
Kraft Throws Bill Belichick Under The Bus In Atlanta
…We start with the NFL. Crazy story here. ESPN reports that the reason the Atlanta Falcons didn’t hire Bill Belichick as head coach was that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft called Falcons owner Arthur Blank…and Kraft said Belichick was arrogant and not to be trusted. Kraft also said Belichick was stubborn and difficult. The Falcons ended up hiring Raheem Morris instead…and apparently, it was Kraft’s harsh review that did Belichick in. OUCH! BACKSTAB!
HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 05: Team owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots talk after defeating the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
WOW! I mean…I know that Bill Belichick is a very polarizing figure…and I can understand that. Some people think he’s a cheater…some folks simply don’t like his demeanor…others feel he may be the greatest NFL coach of all time.
But regardless of what you think, this is about Kraft and Belichick and their relationship…and how can Kraft not be thankful to Belichick for winning him SIX Super Bowls? The Pittsburgh Steelers are the only other team that has six Super Bowl victories and they had THREE coaches do it! Belichick got Kraft half a dozen rings by himself!
GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 01: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 to win Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona.
Obviously, it’s impossible to discuss the Pats without also talking about Tom Brady. Brady was there for all six championships…and apparently Brady and Belichick had a bit of a falling out at the end. But, still…that’s history now that Brady is retired. Would Kraft still hold a grudge against Belichick for Brady going to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the end of his career? The whole thing is so strange.
GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 01: Tom Brady #12, team owner Robert Kraft, and head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots celebrate with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 to win Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium on February 1, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona.
In any event…Belichick will not be coaching in 2024. Sources close to the legendary coach say he is interested in three jobs in 2025: the Cowboys, the Eagles, and the Giants (where he won two Super Bowls as defensive coordinator under head coach Bill Parcells). What drama from the NFL! I’m Davey Mac…now on to the rest of the Sports Report!
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 11: Owner Robert Kraft (L) shakes hands with head coach Bill Belichick (R) of the New England Patriots during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Belichick announced he is stepping down as head coach after 24 seasons with the team.
The Sixers Beat Heat--Will Take On Knicks In First Round
The Philadelphia 76’ers came back to defeat the Miami Heat in a good one…105 to 104. Philly’s Joel Embiid had 23 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists in the victory for the Sixers…as they will now advance to play the New York Knicks in the First Round. That games tip off in Madison Square Garden at 6 PM on Saturday. Exciting!
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 17: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots over Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during the first quarter of the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament at the Wells Fargo Center on April 17, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
In the other game…the Chicago Bulls crushed the Atlanta Hawks…131 to 116. So now the Bulls will play the Heat…winner plays Number One Boston Celtics.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 17: DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls looks to pass the ball in the second half against the Atlanta Hawks on April 17, 2024 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Chicago defeated Atlanta 131-116.
Raptors' Porter Banned For Life From NBA
Staying with basketball for a second as there’s a big story outta the NBA, Jontay Porter of the Toronto Raptors has been banned from the NBA for LIFE for gambling. The NBA said the found evidence that Porter disclosed confidential information to bettors, limited his participation in at least one game while he was with Raptors, and bet on NBA games while playing.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 10: Jontay Porter #11 of the Toronto Raptors battles Ivica Zubac #40 of the LA Clippers for a rebound during the second half of a game at Crypto.com Arena on January 10, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Yanks Come Back To Defeat Toronto
Over to baseball…speaking of comeback wins…the Yankees got a big win yesterday as they came back from being down 4 to 1 in the 8th to win the game 6 to 4 in nine innings. Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton started the comeback with solo home runs each. And Aaron Judge got the game-winning hit as Judge came through with a 2-run single in the 9th that gave the Yanks the lead.
TORONTO, CANADA – APRIL 17: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees hits a two-rbi single in the ninth inning of their MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on April 17, 2024 in Toronto, Canada.
The Mets crushed the Pirates…9 to 1. Harrison Bader hit his first home run as a Met.
The Phillies beat the Rockies…7 to 6…as Kyle Schwarber slugged two homers for the Phils…his 5th and 6th home runs of the season.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 17: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a two-run home run against the Colorado Rockies during the sixth inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on April 17, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Final Day Of NHL Regular Season
Hockey. Tonight is the final evening of the regular season for the NHL…then we’re on to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Rangers take on the Capitals on Sunday for Game 1 of the series. That game takes place at Madison Square Garden at 3 PM.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 14: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers and Evgeny Kuznetsov #92 of the Washington Capitals battle for the puck during the first period at Madison Square Garden on January 14, 2024 in New York City.
That's Today's Davey Mac Sports Report!
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