Joe Torosian's Outsiders Sports

By Joe Torosian

Kick it!

I won’t say LaMelo Ball’s not compelling to watch—he is. But something about him—even as the best of the Ball brothers—has always seemed a bit off.

It has nothing to do with his dad and that whole narrative, but about his game and, I think, that’s why the Charlotte Hornets no longer wanted to be in business with him.

For the Minnesota Timberwolves, it’s a big swing. Anthony Edwards, along with Ball, will occupy/negate/counter the San Antonio Spurs backcourt of Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle.

The real question, which is the same question for every NBA team in the West, is: can they find a counter to Victor Wembanyama?

And we already know Rudy Gobert is sitting in detention with Chet Holmgren for their inability to counter Wemby.

I generally root for old ABA teams and any nation that was formerly trapped behind the Iron Curtain…But last night I was all in on Mexico’s 3-0 victory over Czechia.

I could hear the singing, “Beautiful and beloved Mexico, if I die far from you, let them say that I am asleep and bring me back here.”

Canada? Frick! They’ve become the Schleprock of North America.

The wandering Canadian sings, “‘If you see my country, my unhappy country, go tell my friends that I remember them.’ O days once so full of charm, you have all disappeared, and my homeland, alas! I shall see it no more!'”

This is true because the Canucks, after losing to Switzerland, will now have to come to Los Angeles and play South Africa on Sunday.

I’m not anti-Canada, it’s a beautiful country, but they desperately need a win at something. How did they do in Curling at the last Olympics?

Last Add World Cup: Team USA, you’ve already advanced; why would you play Christian Pulisic tonight against Turkey?

Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold can kiss the baby.

First Add WNBA: The Dallas Wings and Las Vegas should be a decent watch. I’m all in on Jessica Shephard.

Note to Caitlin Clark: Yes, you were cheap-shotted, but stop waiting for someone to rescue you. Punch back, kick, bite, blast an elbow to the grill. Wake up and smell the pizza, after three seasons, no one has your back. (And those that might or may be inclined to have your back want to see you throw a punch or three.)

You can only be a victim for so long.

Unless you’re the New York Mets, who are tractor-beaming themselves into the permanent stasis of victimhood…Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse…it got worse.

I hate the Dodgers, not even a perfect AI version of Vin Scully could get me to go back to the Dodgers, but I wish the Mets had their culture.

#74—May the San Francisco Giants rot and lie stinking in the earth…

The Dude abides…

1,321
Acts 19:11-17
jtbank1964@yahoo.com
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By Joe Torosian

Kick it!

Why do I love sports?

Because I learned life lessons and gained understanding through sports that I never would have learned in the classroom.

The first one I can remember was from marbles. They were a big deal when I was a kid. You played for keeps, it was understood, and 99% of the schoolyard abided by the “play for keeps” rule.

Until one kid–a poser who bought his bag at the market rather than earning it on the playground–cried after getting fleeced of his favorite aggies.

The teachers then enforced a new rule that we could only play for “funsies”…literally, that was the term, “funsies.”

And that wasn’t the real world. Thank goodness for sports and competition.

I’m trying to think of an NBA Draft I watched from start to finish, and I can’t. Has anyone? It was never appointment television…I generally listened to it on the radio on the way to work or a game.

I was surprised the Lakers re-inked Austin Reaves, and given who they acquired in the draft—to me—it feels like the end of LeBron.

Whether they get a big or not, and I know Walker Kessler is still out there, how is a player like Cameron Carr going to develop behind Luka Doncic, Reaves, and a returning LeBron?

Last Add TV: I did watch the first lottery draw when the Knicks got the number one pick, which everyone knew would translate into Patrick Ewing. And which everyone–by the sense of smell–thought came across as incredibly rigged.

Ewing, the greatest center prospect since Kareem, just by “chance” ending up with the Knicks would blow up X/Twitter today.

Speaking of centers, Oklahoma City taking Aday Mara as a counter to Victor Wembanyama was a great move. The whole world knows that Chet Holmgren is no counter for Wemby.

I still marvel that UCLA couldn’t coax out of Mara what the Wolverines got out of him in Ann Arbor.

As a Mets fan, would someone please lay something heavy across this season’s skull…and end this!

#73—May the San Francisco Giants rot and lie stinking in the earth…

Recent Lakers Draft Picks: 
2026—Cameron Carr (Baylor) acquired from the Knicks
2024—Dalton Knecht (Tennessee)
2023—Jalen Hood-Schifino (Indiana)
2021—Isaiah Jackson (Kentucky) traded to the Pacers
2020—Jaden McDaniels (Washington) See below
2018—Moe Wagner (Michigan)
2017—Lonzo Ball (UCLA)
2016—Brandon Ingram (Duke)
2015—D’Angelo Russell (Ohio St.) & Larry Nance Jr. (Wyoming)

Note on Jaden McDaniels:  The Lakers drafted him 28th overall in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft, but immediately traded him to the Oklahoma City Thunder (as part of the Dennis Schröder deal) and then to Minnesota.
(Dennis Schröder, man. You don’t know whether to laugh or cry.)
Did you see McDaniels this postseason? Dodgers management can’t take control soon enough.

So what happens to Brendan Sorsby now? The NFL hasn’t had a supplemental draft for a while, and not having one this summer is really good timing.

The Shield gets to play wait and see on Sorsby before getting into business with him. The kid’s choices cost him a lot of bread, while FanDuel and DraftKings keep on trucking.

Regarding the World Cup: I’m not going to watch Switzerland versus Canada today, but the Canucks could sure use a win–just for the sake of the Maple Leaf, they need a win.

Czechia playing Mexico does interest me. Twenty years of mission trips south of the border compel me to root for Estados Unidos Mexicanos.

No one wants to hear it, but New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart is worth a tune in. Great in the WNBA, and really solid beyond that.

Last Add WNBA: I know it’s cool to go after Caitlin Clark when the Indiana Fever lose, but I’d put five teams in front of the Fever—possibly six. Overall, they’re not good enough, and Clark can only elevate them so much.

I want to get into the Los Angeles Sparks, but haven’t found the time.

The Dude abides…

1,320
Isaiah 45:6-7
jtbank1964@yahoo.com
“RamView” M-W-F
Follow Joe on X: @joet13b

By Joe Torosian

Kick it!

I’m not early to this party—in fact, I’m a bit late—but story matters.

I’m not really a fan of either, but the World Cup and WNBA are really interesting stories.

I was prepared for Messi, I knew about Mbappé, but the Norwegians? Who knew?

(Well, I didn’t know.)

As a Casual, I want an Actual to explain to me why the World Cup expanding from 32 to 48 countries/teams is a good thing.

Did the tourney need Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan added to the dance?
(And as I post this, Uzbekistan is losing 5-0 to Portugal.)

It feels like they put in a lot of NAIA-types (not even Mid-Majors) for the sake of a buck. Corrections accepted.

But then, again, it is FIFA.

As I said yesterday, I think Giannis Antetokounmpo has one great year left in him. But I think, long-term, Milwaukee came out ahead in the deal.

Then again, all the Heat needs is to win a title, and the trade will be justified.

Does anyone see the Bucks competing for a title anytime soon?

On the flip side, I’m a Knicks fan, but they’re not a lock. The Celtics are about to get weaker and keep the wrong guy, so anything seems possible in the East…But….If Bam and Giannis stay healthy, they match up well with the Spurs and Thunder in a potential Finals.

We said it back in May, Julius Randle has the most bipolar game in NBA history. Yesterday, he was traded by the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Brooklyn Nets. Next season will be his 13th in the league, and the Nets will be his fifth team.

I’ll say it again, the product the WNBA puts out is terrible basketball—on the whole—but it is a page turner.

And it’s competitive. The ladies play with an inner knowledge and desperation that the entitlements could be pulled at any time. Unlike the NBA regular season, the WNBA regular season—just 44 games—is compelling.

So, what does leadership do? They expand the regular season to 50 games. The season will go deeper into summer, MLB’s pennant races will heat up, NFL camps will open…and people will lose interest.

Even worse, a regular season that does matter will be diluted in a vain effort to be like the NBA. Extending a regular season to a point where it becomes irrelevant while taking away the one thing the WNBA has—passion.

…And without passion, the story will be lost, and the product will become even more unwatchable.

WNBA Testimony: The Indiana Fever was down 19-3 to the Phoenix Mercury in the first quarter last night and came back to win 86-77.

Things got chippy, the refs—horrible—lost control, there was a lot of finger pointing, and tomorrow night’s rematch has become as anticipated as a Harry Potter release.

The MLB won’t be fining the San Francisco Giants pitchers for putting scripture on their pride hats — perhaps a victory for tolerance, but a loss for celebration.

#72—May the San Francisco Giants rot and lie stinking in the earth…

Are Dodger fans worried about Kyle Tucker? And how close is Josue De Paula?

The Dude abides…

1,319
Ecclesiastes 12:13
jtbank1964@yahoo.com
“RamView” M-W-F
Follow Joe on X: @joet13b

By Joe Torosian

Kick it!

Oh, I’ve always been a Lionel Messi fan.

The World Cup has fallen to the charms of Lionel Messi!
He can do what he likes, it doesn’t matter much
He’s the new Maradona with the golden touch

Which cheers me, because all the news/thoughts/prognostications for Team USA are excellent…and that depresses me.

How do we talk and whine about flopping in the NBA, but care nothing about it in the World Cup?

The Mets suck, my fantasy team sucks, and the Dodgers are nine up in the N.L. West…I got nothing!

So…

Question: Is Kyle Schwarber Cooperstown-bound?

#71—May the San Francisco Giants rot and lie stinking in the earth…

The loud sigh of relief you heard coming from Rams camp this weekend wasn’t news that Aaron Donald is coming out of retirement. But news that left tackle Alaric Jackson won’t face felony charges after his recent arrest.

A misdemeanor charge is still under review, but it’s likely Jackson won’t face more than a six-game suspension—unless Uncle Roger and the NFL want to impress someone.

Anything is possible, even charges being dropped, but I don’t think a lesser suspension (or no suspension) will excite the Rams about extending Jackson’s contract at the end of 2027.

“RamView broadcasts LIVE Today on YouTube”

The NBA Draft is tomorrow, and if I had skin in that game, I’d steer clear of Darryn Peterson.

I like BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, Houston’s Kingston Flemings, and am really interested to see where Michigan’s Aday Mara (You know Mara, right? The guy the UCLA let get away.) lands.

Regarding Michigan, I think Dusty May left Ann Arbor for the challenge of the Dallas Mavericks — not because of NIL or the transfer portal.

These programs now have general managers to reduce the work HCs have to do in recruiting and dishing out the dough. I find it hard to believe May left for the NBA because of that.

I don’t care about cries over loyalty versus disloyalty. He made a call while still a hot property — just like the players do.

My inclination would have been to stay at Michigan because going to the NBA means you’re only getting hired to be fired.

Whoever gets Giannis (Miami or Boston) is going to get one really great year. The Greek Freak has been great, but he only played 36 games last year, turns 32 this December, and has a lot of miles on his tires.

And I think Jaylen Brown is better late in a game than Jason Tatum…The Celtics are going to miss Brown. And I don’t know if Brown will like Milwaukee.

Welcome Back My Friends To The Tourney That Never Ends: Is it just me or does it seem like the College World Series has gone on longer than Mariska Hargity has been playing Olivia Benson?

Is it true that it ends tonight?

I didn’t get my question answered last week, but after seeing continuous wrestling promos, I can only assume boxing—in its traditional form—is dead.

If you’re bored, 10-bucks will get you a seat to see the Phoenix Mercury and Indiana Fever tonight.

The Dude abides…

1,318
Luke 8:26-31
jtbank1964@yahoo.com
“RamView” M-W-F
Follow Joe on X: @joet13b

By Joe Torosian

Kick it!

Los Angeles Rams HC Sean McVay getting a shoe deal—a head coach getting a shoe deal—gives me an idea.

Since we have print-on-demand, a shoe company could produce a sneaker on demand with any individual’s name and design on it.

Now, that’s an idea waiting to pump or pop.

…Or has this already happened?

As an anti-soccer guy, I’ve been watching a lot of the World Cup, and I found myself genuinely happy with Mexico’s victory.

I’ve come to identify three types of soccer watchers:
(I say watchers because I don’t know if they’re all fans.)
The Casual: Me
The Poser: Much of the media
The Actual: No explanation necessary.

I had an Actual explain to me why Mexico has never won the World Cup. And he said it was more than “The Quinto Partido Curse.”

(I know about the ‘Curse,’ but I remain a Casual. If you know about the ‘Curse,’ I will trust that you are an Actual.)

As I’ve come back to sports—never really left, but definitely diving back in deeper—I’m curious to know if there’s a big boxing match on the horizon? There may be, but I haven’t heard anything. Have you? Enlighten me.

On this date in 2017, the Dodgers had a five-run lead over the New York Mets, and Dodger fans were worried Dave Roberts was going to put Chris Hatcher on the mound to close it out.
(Yes, this is a sign about how desperate I am.)

By the way, whatever happened to Chris Hatcher?

#70—May the San Francisco Giants rot and lie stinking in the earth…

I was in a bar last night talking to a bartender from Minnesota about hockey, and missed the Mets’ Juan Soto’s two home runs. However, I saw all the bad stuff and thought they lost.

But the Mets ended up winning, 6-4, and are a mere five games out of a Wild Card spot. Francisco Lindor is coming back, they may trade for pitching help in July, and I still believe!

Why shouldn’t I? After all, the Chicago White Sox have now spent three full days in first place in the American League Central.

Is it fair to say that last night Angel Reese had her best game as a pro? Couple that with a victory over a Caitlin Clark team, and it was a full-fledged la fiesta grande.

Last Note Clark: She attempted five treys, instead of eight, and made two. Much better.

The Dude abides…

1,317
1 Corinthians 3:16
jtbank1964@yahoo.com
“RamView” M-W-F
Follow Joe on X: @joet13b