Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Unbalanced.
Making the NBA and Postseason Music “Humble”
The NBA Playoffs are in full swing! Despite predictability in some matchups, postseason basketball has been delightful. There have been monstrous performances, quotable rants and thrilling games so far. And with every timeout, highlight video and pause in play, we hear the thumping tones of “Humble,” the lead single of Kendrick Lamar’s Gospel-like DAMN. The use of Lamar’s song is quite fitting, actually.
By Charles Maniego8 years ago in Unbalanced
Coach Swap: Examining the Effects of Coaching Changes
We’ve all heard the old cliché: you can’t fire the players, so first you fire the coach. Sometimes, teams need a shake-up and swapping out the guy behind the bench is a reasonable place to start. Often, the team will then go on a nice run, due in large part to the smell coming from the fire burning under their collective asses. They recognize that they’re next if things don’t change. It’s human nature.
By Steve Smith8 years ago in Unbalanced
Predicting the Top 10 Picks in the NHL Draft
What a crazy off-season this has already turned out to be. The NHL’s newest franchise, the Vegas Golden Knights, selected players from each of the other 30 teams in the league, and have put together a competitive roster. Trades and free agent signings are right around the corner, and on Friday, a whole new crop of players will enter the NHL. So which young talents will each team take? Let’s take a look at who might be going in the top ten this Friday night.
By Kyle Vandenberg8 years ago in Unbalanced
WWE’s History of Bullying (and silence) Rears Its Ugly Head
Amidst the post-Wrestlemania glow, the WWE saw several major storylines. Yes, the Undertaker likely wrestled his final match. This is now Roman Reigns’ “Yard.” Kurt Angle is now Raw General Manager! Shinsuke Nakamura is on Smackdown Live! But those storylines may not be the most important news in sports entertainment’s (ugh) biggest traveling show.
By Charles Maniego8 years ago in Unbalanced
Russell Westbrook and the Most Awkward MVP Announcement Ever
On Tuesday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder were eliminated from the NBA Playoffs. They lost Game 5 in their first round series with the Houston Rockets, ending a season largely marked by the emergence (MVP-mergence?) of Russell Westbrook. The destruction that Westbrook laid upon opponents in the regular season was historic. He was the life force of an Oklahoma City team constructed under the assumption of Kevin Durant returning to the team. (Spoiler — Durant did not play for the Thunder this season.)
By Charles Maniego8 years ago in Unbalanced
Summing Up the First Round, Picking the Second Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs
Well folks, the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs concluded Sunday with the elimination of the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs. The Second Round of the playoffs has been set and commences on Wednesday out west. It was a bit of a weird First Round: there was not a single Game 7, but it was still very close, as 18 of the games went to overtime. Overtime, in general, is a coin flip, so the games truly could have gone either way.
By Steve Smith8 years ago in Unbalanced
Paul George Is Brilliant and Frustrating
On Thursday night the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Indiana Pacers, 119–114. Cleveland took a 3–0 series lead, with LeBron James strapping the Cavaliers on his back, overcoming a 25-point deficit. LeBron has never (EVER) lost a first round series, so the Cavaliers’ second round spot is essentially a foregone conclusion. But it’ll be only a couple of days before some made up Cavs drama is stirred up in basketball media, right?
By Charles Maniego8 years ago in Unbalanced
Draft Day Trades That Could and Should Happen
Day one of the NFL draft is truly a spectacle unlike any other. In no other sport is there such massive buzz around their respective draft, and it’s gotten to a point now where it’s almost as big of an event as the Super Bowl.
By Kenan Goyette8 years ago in Unbalanced
Joe Mixon: To Draft, Or Not To Draft, That Is The Question
With the NFL draft right around the corner, there has to be one specific question on the minds of many people including NFL Executives and Coaches, Draft Pundits, the people of Norman, Oklahoma, and of course Joe Mixon himself. The question? Does he deserve a shot in the NFL?
By Kenneth Wilson8 years ago in Unbalanced
The Unbalanced 2017 NBA Mock Draft 1.0: The Best of the Rest
And we’re back! With the NBA Finals featuring built-in lulls between games, attention will be shifted to the NBA Draft. Previously, I gave my input on the lottery picks in this draft. You can check that out in the link below:
By Charles Maniego8 years ago in Unbalanced
