This week there really is a lot of different things to talk about and I am going to try and touch on all of them, but I am sure there will be stuff that I leave out and if I do, you can be sure to catch it In The Sports Zone with me tomorrow morning on your hometown station Kool 103.9-FM and streaming at www.kool1039radio.com
I will start with the big game and all the big news that comes with it. Super Bowl 56 in SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles is Sunday and coverage starts at 3:30 p.m. on NBC. This weekend brings more than some funny commercials. It also is the time that the NFL releases the names of the recent inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Class of 2022 includes Tony Bocelli, LeRoy Butler, Sam Mills, Richard Seymour, Bryant Young, Cliff Branch, Art McNally, and Dick Vermeil.
The NFL annual awards and honors were released. Aaron Rodgers won his fourth league MVP award. He beat Tom Brady for the award with a 39-10 vote. The Tennessee Titans’ Mike Vrable won the Coach of the Year award. Super Bowl bound Bengal Joe Burrow won the Comeback Player of the Year. Ram’s Cooper Kupp won the Offensive Player of the Year. Rookie of the Year is linebacker Micah Parsons of the Cowboys. Defensive Player of the Year is Tracy Walker, safety from the Lions. The Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award goes to New England Patriot Matthew Slater.
Besides professional football wrapping up, professional baseball is supposed to be getting under way. The work stoppage, A.K.A., the strike has been going on since early December and both sides plan on meeting tomorrow for only the fifth time. During this time MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred has requested that a congressional meeting be held to help resolve the dispute, which mostly is centered on the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The request had to be approved by the players union before any intervention happened, the Players Union denied the league’s request.
Manfred is still hopeful to start spring training on time February 16 in a statement released yesterday (Feb 10). He also stated that he might have to delay the start of the spring training depending on how talks go tomorrow. Major League Baseball has done a couple of things during this time. They announced
2 / 3that they would stop testing players for steroids and Thursday they stated the Designated Hitter rule is now in effect in both the American and National leagues. That means that pitchers will no longer bat in any professional level games starting this upcoming season.
If you are a basketball fan you already know that the trade deadline passed at 3 p.m. Thursday. It was a busy day across the NBA, busier than any of the past few seasons at the trade deadline. The headline trade involved James Harden of the Brooklyn Nets going to the Philadelphia 76ers for Ben Simmon, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and a few draft picks (first and second round picks). The Nets stated they will be releasing Drummond. Ben Simmons has not played since the end of last season when the 76ers were eliminated from the playoffs. It was not due to an injury, but a lack of desire by Ben to play for the club.
Next on the list of NBA comes right here, from Charlotte. The Hornets have acquired veteran big man, Montrezl Harrell from the Wizards for Ish Smith and Vernon Carey. The Hornets play the Pistons tonight, no word if Harrell with be with the club tonight.
In another surprise move, the Dallas Mavericks traded former all-star Kristaps Porzingis to the Wizards for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans. Doran Dragic has not been on the floor for the Raptors but has been working out hoping a trade would happen and it has. Dragic was traded to the Spurs, no details have been released at the time of this article.
One of the first moves of the trading season was Serge Ibaka heading to the Bucks as part of a four-team deal. Donte DiVincenzo, Rodney Hood, and future picks goes to the Kings for Ibaka. The Bucks also got cash and future two future second round draft picks. The other two teams involved were the Pistons and Kings. This move opens some salary room to help strengthen the team heading into the playoffs.
This has been a busy week and there has been more than I even mentioned above. We have the Olympics going on across the globe. The Carolina Hurricanes are playing strong, consistent hockey and sit in first place in the Metropolitan division with a 32-10-3 record. Carolina is back in action Saturday in Minnesota versus the Wild. We also have Coach K and Duke, Tar Heel news and so much from across the world of basketball in the NCAA.
3 / 3I mention all that and there are still so many local stories. Varsity basketball season is wrapping up and the tournament is almost here. Both Whiteville Wolfpack varsity squads look strong to compete for a championship. Baseball, softball, and tennis are also gearing up for their seasons.
Do not forget you can catch every pitch of every home game on Kool 103.9-FM and streaming at www.Kool1039Radio.com I will be providing the play-by-play and even away game update the entire Wolfpack season. Do not forget to listen or stream tomorrow morning at 10:30am as I take you In The Sports Zone. If you cannot be up at 10:30 a.m., do not worry you can listen on demand on Spotify, just search “In the Sports Zone with Vinny Pagano” and enjoy. Our station can also be found on the Tune-In and Streema Radio apps, you can download them for free in your tablet or phones app store.
I hope you join us weekly for my Friday Feature and my Daily Sports Wrap Up- “All you need in one easy read.” Do not forget that sports don’t take a day off and neither do I. So, until the next time, stay safe and stay informed.
