Sports

Scribe:  Samuel Otis

Email:  samuel@thethinkering.com

Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett told a story of an oppressive police system that he became a part of in Las Vegas recently, that ended with him lying prostrate on the ground underfoot of an officer.  Bennett tells of having a gun pointed to the back of his head after being singled out by the officers.

He was in Vegas to witness “The Money Fight.” 

Police are disputing his claims of racial profiling, he held a presser to inform the media and public of his ordeal.  According to reports his brother was broken when he saw the video of his brother.   

Scribe:  Lucy Osbourne

Email:  lucy@thethinkering.com

The Baltimore Ravens showed real interested in embattled Colin Kaepernick in the early days of the off season.  And in a recent and controversial conversation with Ravens stalwart Ray Lewis, Showtime’s Inside the NFL featured a Lewis clearing the air about Colin Kaepernick. 

The former All-NFL quarterback has been lambasted by Shaquille O’Neal on Fox News, and others, who have attempted to suggest a better way to get his point across.  Steph Curry on CNMBC, said that he loves that he can stand for what he believes in and applauds the former qb for his efforts to make change. 

Scribe:  Samuel Otis

Email:  samuel@thethinkering.com

Author Ashe Stadium rocked on Monday as Rafael Nadal excited the lower bowl in a 6-2,6-4,6-1 defeat of Alexandr Dolgopolov in the fourth round of the U.S. Open. 

The energy was evident in a number of reports of the event, “I think the people from here love the fact that always Rafael gives whatever he has,” said Tony Nadal, Rafael’s uncle and coach post-match.   A live professional tennis match always trumps tennis on TV, but Monday was an exceptionally good day. 

The enthusiastic crowd is hoping for a Nadal and Federer finals.

In head to head competition Nadal has won 23 matches with 13 being on clay which is Nadal’s preference. Coach said of his player’s intensity, “When he was a kid, I think it was even more than now.”

Scribe:  Lucy Osbourne

Email:  lucy@thethinkering.com

The NBA on Thursday levied a fine on the Los Angeles Lakers of $500,000 for tampering with the Indiana Pacers Paul George. 

Earlier this year President of Basketball operations Magic Johnson appeared on Jimmy Kimmel  live and jokingly hinted the Lakers were interested in George.  The organization received a call from the league office warning the keep proprietary information quiet and to no even hint of your interest in a player already under contract. 

After the leagues warning Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka contacted Aaron Mintz, George’s agent which again breaks the rules of tampering.  This time the NBA fined the Lakers a half million dollars the largest fine every put on a team for tampering. 

Scribe:  Samuel Otis

Email:  samuel@thethinkering.com

Anytime the Boston Red Sox visit the New York Yankees it’s a big deal.  Especially when the Yankees are sliding and the sox are surging, and when New York is down 5 1/2 games. 

There is no shortage of firepower with Aaron Judge and his heavy bat that’s been slumping of late. 

The consequences of this series is a four game sweep by the Yankees could drop the deficit to 1 ½ games.  And if the Sox sweep the lead would be pulled out to 9 ½ games and really crank the pressure. 

CC Sabathia said of the four game series, “Any time we play them, especially right now, it’s always a big deal.”

Scribe:  Lucy Osbourne

Email: lucy@thethinkering.com

The NBA trade between the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers have been delayed.  The Cav’s are arguing, the trade of Isiah Thomas for Kyrie Irving is short sided and are requesting more after Thomas’ physical. 

Thomas initially injured his right hip in March, he reinjured the hip during the playoffs, after examination the Cavs are asking for an additional benefit due to the star point guard’s injury.  However, in a recent interview with the sports network ESPN, he said, “I am not damaged.”

Scribe:  N. Tru Bass

Email:  ntb@thethinkering.com

This week is a tough week in East Rutherford, N. J.  as the New York Giants are tasked with cutting down from 90 men to 53 as mandated by the NFL.   The cutdown has to be complete by next Saturday, but the team has to face the New England Patriots on Thursday in its final preseason contest. 

After the cutdown the team is gearing up to face the Dallas Cowboys on 10 September in the season opener.  Last season’s defensive investment seems to be paying off, the starting Defense didn’t allow for a single touchdown during the first three preseason games.  The jets were able to muster a field goal marking the first score versus the starting D.

Scribe:  Lucy Osbourne
Email:  lucy@thethinkering.com

Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Conor McGregor challenged each other in what is considered one of the best fights of the year, The Money Fight.   The fight probed to be the biggest fight in combat sports history.    The two men walked away with the biggest paydays in their careers, Mayweather was guaranteed $100m but expected to make closer to $400m after achieving metrics.  McGregor was guaranteed $30m but would likely earn $75m for almost 30 minutes of boxing. 

The Money Belt was made from Italian Alligator leather and encrusted with 1.5kg of 24-karat gold, 3,360 diamonds, 600sapphires and 300 emeralds. 

The gate earned a reported $80m with seats near the ring going for $5,000 and premium platinum seats costing up to $14,995.  Nearly 15,000 attended the event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.