Here’s the latest in the World of Sports….
National Basketball Association
- Westbrook Sets Triple-Double Record-Oscar Robertson will now have company in the Triple-Double department as his record of 41 of that special statistic was broken by Oklahoma Thunder’s Russell Westbrook on Sunday. Westbrook also joins Robertson as the only NBA players to go the entire season averaging a Triple-Double: In 1964, Robertson had 31.4 PPG, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.5 assists, while Westbrook has 31.9 PPG, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists this season.
- Robertson’s Reaction? Like the Class act that he is, Robertson had this to say about Westbrook breaking his record: “I admire Westbrook’s all-around command of the game. “He is a marvelous athlete who plays with intensity and flair and is exciting to watch. His performance this season is impressive. He would have been great in any era.”
- Who is the NBA MVP? Oscar feels that it’s Westbrook, Houston’s James Harden feels that it should be San Antonio’s Kwali Leonard, and many fans feel that it should be LeBron James, who has already won 4. The winner of that award will be announced June 26th.
- NBA Awards Show? Yep, just like in the NFL with the NFL Honors, the NBA will have their own award show which will be televised on TNT on June 26, which means for the first time in NBA history, there will be an NBA Champion crowned before there will be an MVP, Coach of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and so on.
- Starters will rest final games-as the NBA Playoffs loom, several starters will not play in their respective teams’ Final games: Westbrook for OKC, James and Kyrie Irving for Cleveland, and even Carmelo Anthony for NY, despite his team being eliminated from the playoffs.
Major League Baseball
- Pirates Rookie Tyler Glasnow has rough outing-In his first start of 2017, the Pirates rookie phenom had it rough as he gave up 5 runs (3 as a result of walks) in under 2 innings as the Pirates lost to the Reds 7-1 Monday night. The rookie will have another shot when they face defending World Series Champion Chicago.
- Champs raise their banner Monday-In their home opener for 2017, the Champion Chicago Cubs raised their World Series Champions banner before the sold-our crowd on Monday, giving them their first title since 1908 and then the team gave the fans an extra treat as they beat the LA Dodgers 3-2 on a Walk-off RBI single by 1B Anthony Rizzo.
- AL Champion Indians receive championship rings-It may not be the World Series ring, but it’s still an incredible ring for an awesome accomplishment as the Cleveland Indians were awarded for their successful 2016 which left them ‘that close’ to a World Series championship. Their American League Championship rings carry 94 diamonds, representing the total number of regular season wins in 2016.
National Hockey League
- Penguins face Blue Jackets in playoff opener-The defending Stanley Cup Champions will begin their request to repeat when they face the Columbus Blue Jackets in a 7-game series beginning Wednesday night. The Penguins could be the first team since the 1997-98 Detroit Red Wings to repeat as Stanley Cup Champion.
- Crosby wins Award-The Penguins Captain wins the Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy as the NHL’s leading goal scorer. He finished with 44 goals despite missing the first 6 games of the season.
National Football League
- Steelers Pre-Season Opponents set-They may not know dates and times, but the Pittsburgh Steelers know who they will play in their 2017 Preseason. They will travel to play the NY Giants, then host the Atlanta Falcons, and then the Indianapolis Colts and then finish on the road vs. the Carolina Panthers.
Please e-mail Ray at ray@urbanmediatoday.com
Follow him @urbanmediaRay on twitter
Sources: www.Steelers.com, www.espn.com, www.mlb.com, www.foxsports.com