As I’ve said in previous articles, it is a bit weird that the NBA only has 21 regular season games left before the playoffs after the all-star break. In most sports, the all-star break is much closer to the middle of the season. I think this is an important year for the 76ers to have a strong showing in the playoffs. I don’t think Tyrese Maxey, James Harden and Joel Embiid will be a combination for very long after this season. I don’t think Tyrese is going to be happy as a long-term sixth man. He deserves to start next year. And I don’t think James Harden will still be on the team next year since those two really play the same position.
It’s also important for the 76ers to go to the Eastern Conference finals this year for coach Doc Rivers’ future. I've heard some rumors already that if the 76ers do not advance there in the playoffs, Doc might be fired, so we shall see.
In baseball, spring training has begun. The NL East race is going to come down to the wire between the Atlanta Braves, New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies. I think the Phillies are being slightly disrespected as National League defending champions by only being projected to win 89 games and finish third in the division. Since Bryce Harper is still going to be recovering from his surgery until July or so, there are three very important players who must contribute for the Phillies prospects in the first half of the season. For the offense, it's Rhys Hoskins and Nick Castellanos who need a strong start. For pitching, Taijuan Walker needs to support the top two starters, Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler. I'm ready for it all to get going. The first Grapefruit League game is Saturday.
There was a big surprise last week on the PGA Tour. Tiger Woods decided to play in his foundation's tournament in Los Angeles. He was able to make the cut and tie for 45th place. He seemed to be moving better than I had expected. In the third round, he was able to shoot a 67, which was his best round in a long time.
Jon Rahm won by two shots over Max Homa. A big story for the rest of the golf season is who will spend the most weeks as World No. 1. It's between Rahm, Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. They are all playing great right now, so it will be fun to see how it all plays out.
-
A 2002 Cape grad and 2007 UD grad, Lewes resident Sumner Spence is one of the Cape area's biggest sports fans. Although he’s used a wheelchair his entire life, he has lived vicariously through his sports-playing father, brother, and friends, who gave him his love of sports. He hopes to provide new and interesting perspectives on the sports stories and issues of the day. Email Sumner at sumspence@gmail.com.
