By: Adamo Marinelli
July 1st, 2018
Happy 151st birthday Canada! And to celebrate, we had a wide variety of exciting things that
happened in the world of sports today, including Spain’s win over Russia and Croatia’s win over
Denmark in the round of 16 at the 2018 World Cup, Tavares returning home and signing with the
Toronto Maple Leafs, and Lebron James leaving the crater that is Cleveland and moving to
Hollywood to play for the Lakers.
happened in the world of sports today, including Spain’s win over Russia and Croatia’s win over
Denmark in the round of 16 at the 2018 World Cup, Tavares returning home and signing with the
Toronto Maple Leafs, and Lebron James leaving the crater that is Cleveland and moving to
Hollywood to play for the Lakers.
First I want to talk about Spain vs Russia.
Spain’s Pain:
In a thrilling 4-3 penalty shootout, the Russians managed to eliminate Spain from World Cup
contention in the round of 16.
contention in the round of 16.
Spain started off strong, taking a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute thanks to a Russia own goal, the 10th
own goal of the 2018 World Cup.
own goal of the 2018 World Cup.
Then, the hosts, Russia, facing elimination, tied the game at 1-1 in the 41st minute on a penalty
kick off a rough foul in the penalty area. Russia led in possession time and shot attempts from when
Spain took the 1-0 lead to the equalizer.
kick off a rough foul in the penalty area. Russia led in possession time and shot attempts from when
Spain took the 1-0 lead to the equalizer.
It stayed tied at one-a-piece all throughout the second half and the two 15 minute non-sudden
death overtime periods. This would be the first time a game has gone to a penalty shootout in the
entire tournament.
death overtime periods. This would be the first time a game has gone to a penalty shootout in the
entire tournament.
In Russia’s fifth penalty shot, they scored to give themselves a 4-3 lead. It was then up to Spain’s
fifth shooter to score, even out of the score at 4-4 and force extra penalty shots. But, he couldn’t
score. Spain lost and is now eliminated, while Russia is off to the quarters where they will play the
winner of Croatia vs Denmark, who kick off this afternoon at 2:00pm.
fifth shooter to score, even out of the score at 4-4 and force extra penalty shots. But, he couldn’t
score. Spain lost and is now eliminated, while Russia is off to the quarters where they will play the
winner of Croatia vs Denmark, who kick off this afternoon at 2:00pm.
For Spain, it is an agonizing defeat. For the host nation of Russia, it is a ratcherous joy. For
Russia, their comeback is complete as they were down 1-0 early in this match to Spain.
Russia, their comeback is complete as they were down 1-0 early in this match to Spain.
Secondly, I want to talk about Croatia vs Denmark.
Croatia vs Denmark:
This game started faster paced than all other of the games in the 2018 World Cup combined.
Unbelievably, Denmark’s Mathias Jorgensen scored in the first minute after lightly deflecting a ball
that came into the penalty area off a corner and barely managed to squeeze the ball past Croatian
goalkeeper, Danijel Subasic to take an early 1-0 lead.
Literally, moments later, Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic scored an amazing goal with a beautiful
strike to tie the game 1-1 in the fourth minute of the game. Wow!
strike to tie the game 1-1 in the fourth minute of the game. Wow!
The game was then a lull until late into the extra time, the 113th minute when Luka Modric received
a beautifully placed ball into the box but was taken down illegally resulting in a penalty shot attempt.
Modric was stopped by Danish keeper Kasper Schmeichel. A likely game-winning goal was denied.
Modric was robbed.
a beautifully placed ball into the box but was taken down illegally resulting in a penalty shot attempt.
Modric was stopped by Danish keeper Kasper Schmeichel. A likely game-winning goal was denied.
Modric was robbed.
So then, the game went to penalty kicks. This penalty shootout was probably the most interesting
one you’ll see in your lifetime. The Croatian goalkeeper saved 3 penalties in the shootout from Simon
Kjaer, Lasse Schone and Nicolai Jorgensen and the Danish goalkeeper saved two penalty kicks in the
shootout excluding robbing Luka Modric of a potential game-winning penalty shot in the 113th minute.
This was the game’s turning point despite Croatia ended up winning anyway. The five missed penalties
between the two teams (Croatia won the shootout 3-2) is potentially the most missed penalties in a
single shootout in any World Cup game in the history of the tournament. This shootout also saw Modric
score in the third round of the shootout, to tie the score at 2-2 as both teams missed their opening
shots, and get revenge on the Danish keeper for the saved penalty in the 113th minute which was
followed by a consecutive miss from both teams in round four of the shootout and a miss from Spain
in their fifth and final shot which gave Croatia’s Ivan Rakitic a chance to win the game and he made
no mistake, sending Denmark home and Croatia to play against the host Russia in the quarterfinals
on July 7th, 2018.
one you’ll see in your lifetime. The Croatian goalkeeper saved 3 penalties in the shootout from Simon
Kjaer, Lasse Schone and Nicolai Jorgensen and the Danish goalkeeper saved two penalty kicks in the
shootout excluding robbing Luka Modric of a potential game-winning penalty shot in the 113th minute.
This was the game’s turning point despite Croatia ended up winning anyway. The five missed penalties
between the two teams (Croatia won the shootout 3-2) is potentially the most missed penalties in a
single shootout in any World Cup game in the history of the tournament. This shootout also saw Modric
score in the third round of the shootout, to tie the score at 2-2 as both teams missed their opening
shots, and get revenge on the Danish keeper for the saved penalty in the 113th minute which was
followed by a consecutive miss from both teams in round four of the shootout and a miss from Spain
in their fifth and final shot which gave Croatia’s Ivan Rakitic a chance to win the game and he made
no mistake, sending Denmark home and Croatia to play against the host Russia in the quarterfinals
on July 7th, 2018.
Despite Croatia got the last laugh in this game by getting a 3-2 win in penalties after a 1-1 tie,
statistically speaking the Danes were better, having more possession time, playing a better and more
conservative defence which led to a great transition game and gave them plenty of offensive chances
through counter attacks that started with their pretty good midfield; despite Croatia had more shot
attempts and shots on target and more attempted and completed passes thus earning a better pass
accuracy percentage.
statistically speaking the Danes were better, having more possession time, playing a better and more
conservative defence which led to a great transition game and gave them plenty of offensive chances
through counter attacks that started with their pretty good midfield; despite Croatia had more shot
attempts and shots on target and more attempted and completed passes thus earning a better pass
accuracy percentage.
Thirdly, I want to talk about John Tavares and the NHL Free Agent Frenzy.
Tavares comes home to Toronto:
John Tavares, 27, inked a 7 year, $77 million deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The average annual
value of $11 million against the cap hit is less than the $12.5 million he made per year with the Islanders
and well under the max annual contract of $14.9 million per player, 18.75% of one team’s total salary
cap. Each team can offer this contract to one player only.
value of $11 million against the cap hit is less than the $12.5 million he made per year with the Islanders
and well under the max annual contract of $14.9 million per player, 18.75% of one team’s total salary
cap. Each team can offer this contract to one player only.
The Islanders in a last resort attempt to resign John Tavares hired 2017-18 Stanley Cup winning
coach Barry Trotz, who stepped down as the Capitals’ coach in mid-June 2018. However, with the
management mess that the Islanders were in with GM Garth Snow and coach Doug Weight, before
Trotz, the Islanders were unable to build a legitimate Stanley Cup contending team which along with
the lackluster goaltending, pushed Tavares out of New York.
coach Barry Trotz, who stepped down as the Capitals’ coach in mid-June 2018. However, with the
management mess that the Islanders were in with GM Garth Snow and coach Doug Weight, before
Trotz, the Islanders were unable to build a legitimate Stanley Cup contending team which along with
the lackluster goaltending, pushed Tavares out of New York.
“It’s always been my dream. It was my childhood dream. To play with the Leafs. I’m glad I get to
live that dream. I can’t wait to get started!”, Tavares said in his introductory press conference with
the Toronto Maple Leafs today.
live that dream. I can’t wait to get started!”, Tavares said in his introductory press conference with
the Toronto Maple Leafs today.
San Jose reportedly offered Tavares a $13 million a year for eight years totalling $104 million but
Tavares turned that down to take a $27 million pay cut to play for his hometown team. Besides,
Tavares would have a better chance to win the Stanley Cup in Toronto than wi in San Jose.
Tavares turned that down to take a $27 million pay cut to play for his hometown team. Besides,
Tavares would have a better chance to win the Stanley Cup in Toronto than wi in San Jose.
Now, with Tavares, the Leafs have one of the best, if not the best, centre depth in the league with
Matthews, Tavares and Kadri. As a result, Toronto has the best odds to win the 2018-19 Stanley Cup
at a 7-1. That’s unbelievable! And despite that they are the Leafs, I don't think they can mess this
chance up!
Matthews, Tavares and Kadri. As a result, Toronto has the best odds to win the 2018-19 Stanley Cup
at a 7-1. That’s unbelievable! And despite that they are the Leafs, I don't think they can mess this
chance up!
Though Islanders fans will be heartbroken as a result of this decision by Tavares, Tavares said to
the media: “These past six days have been the most difficult in my entire career, making this decision,”
and even though he decided to leave New York to play with the Leafs in his hometown, he added:
“The Islanders are and will always be in my heart. They gave me the chance to develop into an all-star
and they helped me accomplish my dream of going to the NHL. My roots are with the Islanders.
I’ll never forget my time in New York, my teammates, the coaching and managerial staff and all the
incredible fans! The Islanders are in good hands with new GM Lou Lamoriello.”
the media: “These past six days have been the most difficult in my entire career, making this decision,”
and even though he decided to leave New York to play with the Leafs in his hometown, he added:
“The Islanders are and will always be in my heart. They gave me the chance to develop into an all-star
and they helped me accomplish my dream of going to the NHL. My roots are with the Islanders.
I’ll never forget my time in New York, my teammates, the coaching and managerial staff and all the
incredible fans! The Islanders are in good hands with new GM Lou Lamoriello.”
Finally, I want to talk about Lebron James and his future in the NBA.
Lebron to Hollywood:
Lebron James, 33, in a desperate attempt to leave the mess that is the Cleveland Cavaliers and
to try and win a championship and a league MVP with a 3rd team, signed a 4 year, $154 million deal
with the Los Angeles Lakers, on July 1st, 2018.
to try and win a championship and a league MVP with a 3rd team, signed a 4 year, $154 million deal
with the Los Angeles Lakers, on July 1st, 2018.
Some people praise Lebron and write him has a genuine talent who has done his job with Cleveland,
bringing the Cavs a championship and lifting the Cavs to three of the past four NBA finals and now is
moving on to future successes with the Lakers but others call him a snake and say he is just moving to
the Lakers to win titles.
bringing the Cavs a championship and lifting the Cavs to three of the past four NBA finals and now is
moving on to future successes with the Lakers but others call him a snake and say he is just moving to
the Lakers to win titles.
Personally, however, I think with all the Warriors new acquisitions, particularly Demarcus Cousins,
Lebron and the Lakers will lose to the Warriors in the conference finals every year, not even losing to the Warriors in the NBA Finals every year like he did with the Cavaliers. As a result, he cannot be called a snake for leaving his old team to go to a new team to win championships as it’s unlikely his team will even win their conference with the Warriors in it. On the other hand, Kevin Durant who left Oklahoma City to sign with the Warriors after the Warriors went 73-9 and beat OKC in the playoffs, that’s a snake, as the Warriors won two consecutive championships since.
Lebron and the Lakers will lose to the Warriors in the conference finals every year, not even losing to the Warriors in the NBA Finals every year like he did with the Cavaliers. As a result, he cannot be called a snake for leaving his old team to go to a new team to win championships as it’s unlikely his team will even win their conference with the Warriors in it. On the other hand, Kevin Durant who left Oklahoma City to sign with the Warriors after the Warriors went 73-9 and beat OKC in the playoffs, that’s a snake, as the Warriors won two consecutive championships since.
The Warriors have built on their super team, making it even better, especially by adding Demarcus
Cousins, a former New Orleans Pelican. The Warriors might even win over 75 games in the 2018-19
NBA season, as a result of their overpowered, unstoppable superteam.
Cousins, a former New Orleans Pelican. The Warriors might even win over 75 games in the 2018-19
NBA season, as a result of their overpowered, unstoppable superteam.
Whether you like the move or not, or any other move for that matter, it’s how the league works and
how all the teams make money. The NBA is a business after all just like the NHL, NFL and many
other leagues.
how all the teams make money. The NBA is a business after all just like the NHL, NFL and many
other leagues.
Personally, I don’t follow the NBA enough to really care about the significance of the moves, but
these moves will have positive and negative effects on the teams getting and losing these star free
agent players, respectively.
these moves will have positive and negative effects on the teams getting and losing these star free
agent players, respectively.
For example, The cheapest Lakers season tickets on StubHub before James’ announcement were
$3,499 each. Twenty minutes after the announcement, those same seats were also the cheapest —
increased to $5,800 each. After the deal was announced, one person paid $188,781 on StubHub,
including fees, for four season tickets. The seats, which are 16 rows up and one section off centre,
are only for regular-season games and don’t include the playoffs.
$3,499 each. Twenty minutes after the announcement, those same seats were also the cheapest —
increased to $5,800 each. After the deal was announced, one person paid $188,781 on StubHub,
including fees, for four season tickets. The seats, which are 16 rows up and one section off centre,
are only for regular-season games and don’t include the playoffs.
Lebron James adding to Kuzma and Lonzo in Los Angeles will help the Lakers publicity and Boogie
to the Warriors will help their publicity as well - not that it needs any help in the first place though -
whereas the Cavs and Pelicans will lose some of their superstars and maybe a loss of fans might
correlate with this.
to the Warriors will help their publicity as well - not that it needs any help in the first place though -
whereas the Cavs and Pelicans will lose some of their superstars and maybe a loss of fans might
correlate with this.
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