Brad Pye Jr. Sports Editor EmeritusDecember 10, 2016
Brad Pye’s National Sports Beat (12/8-12/14/2016)
For the record, both Clemson and Virginia Tech sport black QBs. Clemson’s signal caller is Deshaun Watson and Jerod Evans had the same job for Virgina Tech. QB Watson passes for three TDs and runs for two, to lead Tigers to a 42-35 victory, Who are you picking to win the whole ball of wax?
Those rumors are floating again that Floyd Mayweather plans to come out of retirement and fight again! Don’t do it Floyd!
Jules Erving stands 6-6 and he’s the son Hall of Famer Julius Erving. However, he doesn’t aspire to be like his famous father the NBA legend. His son says: “Don’t get me wrong, if that happens, then that’s OK too. Young Erving is currently playing at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal High in Atlanta, Ga, with a 3.5 GPA. Young Erving added, “Yeah, that’s my dad. I happen to just to say that’s my dad. I guess there would be a lot of pressure to live up to being his son playing basketball. But he has never put that on me.” Young Erving continued: “With basketball, I’m just going to see what happens.” And the beat continues!
Except Kobe Bryant’s latest book: “The Life of Kobe Bryant” by Roland Lazenby. To be the best on the court. Author Lazenby tells how Kobe helped lead the Lakers to five NBA Championships, and was a phenomenal on the court. Lanzenby tells about Kobe’s flaws as well as his successes.
Boy, UCLA will be lucky to keep freshman Lonzo Ball for more than one season. The way Lonzo Ball looks like he is playing on a par with former Bruin star, Russell Westbrook, who is presently doing his thing as an All-Star for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
UCLA hopes it can keep Lonzo around until his brothers from Chino Hills arrive at Westwood. The Balls parents want them to pick up degrees before they head to the NBA.
And the beat continues!
QB Robert Griffin III wasn’t supposed to play again this season but Coach Hue Jackson says RG III will get the call to start Sunday vs. the Cincinnati.
The cool California climate was sunny and there is not a cloud in the sky nor could Bruins earthquake rumblings be heard.
UCLA keeps on moving on up. After knocking off No. 1 Kentucky, the Bruins skipped six steps into the No. 2 spot behind the new No.1, Villanova. The Bruins hope to move into double digits on Saturday vs. Michigan (6-2). The Bruins put their (9-0) record on the line.
UCLA’s basketball Bruins are sitting on top of college cage world after breaking for the first time in Kentucky’s 42 games historic record-winning streak since the famous Rupp arena was the first time since it was built. The Bruins prevailed 97-92. This marked the second year in a row in which UCLA beat Kentucky. The first time at Pauley Pavilion and the second time at Kentucky’s Rupp Arena.
There is still a lot of football to be played. However, the Seattle Seahawks (8-3-1), New England Patriots (10-2), Oakland Raiders (10-2) and the Dallas Cowboys (11-1) are leading contenders for titles. Bad news department: Seahawks’ safety Earl Thomas is lost for the season. This was the first major injury in Thomas’ career. He had played 106 games before missing a game vs Tampa Bay last week.
If you believe Paul Myerberg of USA Sports, Louisville’s Lamar Jackson leads the Finalists for the Heisman Trophy. Other contenders are Deshaun Watson and Alabama’s Jalen Hurts.
Tiger Woods teed off his comeback last week and he said at the time said: “My speed, strength, and power are back in my game.”
A trio of great ones-Kobe Bryant, Derek Jeter and Tiger Woods started their careers in 1996 the same year. Tiger is only one still playing at age 41. Tiger played his first competitive golf in almost 16 months on Dec. 1.
Tiger told USA Today sports: “To see those guys, in those various sports, if you lose a little bit, you’re going to probably be replaced. But in golf, I can play a different way and get away with it,”
The Detroit Lions’ Laken Tomlinson says he came here to get his American citizenship and he declared; “I came here to live a better life and get opportunities that I probably wouldn’t have had in Jamaica. Others who joined Reggie Jackson in the Million Dollar Club” were Bobby Grich, Willie Mays, Gene Tenace, Gary Matthews, Don Gullett, Joe Rudi et al.
New York loved Reggie Jackson and he loved them back.
A helmet-to-helmet hit can be costly. Just ask KC Chiefs’ safety Eric Berry and Houston’s cornerback Kareem Jackson were hit with $24,309 fines.
The New England Patriots may have his bell rung by the brutal Baltimore Ravens on Dec, 12, think Tom Brady and the Patriots are unbeatable this time of the season. Not me! I don’t think Russell Wilson and his Seahawks think so either. QB Russell Wilson, Thomas Rawls ran for two TDs and 103-yards for the (8-3-1), Seahawks. Tyler Lockett snatched a reverse and dashed 75-yards for a TD and the Seahawks rolled to a 40-7 win vs. Cam Newton and his Carolina Panthers.
It’s nice to have friends like L.A. Dodgers of the ‘50s, 60s and 70s like my favorite Tommy Davis, Dusty Baker, Maury Wills, Sweet Lou Johnson. Don Newcombe, Dave Stewart et al.
And especially my favorite Tommy Davis, who let me wear his shoes and use his glove when I played the Sportswriters-Sportscasters game at. Dodgers Stadium in the late 50s and 60s.
Thanks again, Tommy D.
Jordan Howard (24) scored three TDs to help the Chicago Bears beat the San Francisco ‘49ers 26-6. This was the ‘49ers 11th straight loss. QB Colin Kaepernick completed only one pass in five attempts.
The cool California climate is sunny and there is not a cloud in the sky or any earthquake rumblings being heard and the topic of the day is the controversial, cheating struggling and losing L.A. Rams. The L.A Rams lost for the seventh time in eight games, this dropped their record to 4-8. Despite this terrible record coach Jeff Fisher was given a new two-year contract.
The four teams who will battle for the national title are Alabama vs. Washington. Penn State vs. USC in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 2. This will be USC’s 34th trip to the Rose Bowl. It looks as though 2017 is going to be the year for the Pac-12.
The great LeBron James believes in sharing honors that come his way. James explained his views after he was the recipient of his latest award he declared: “Humbled! This honor belong to everyone around me: my family, fans, team & [email protected] WAre family#StrivFor-Greatness#RWTW. And the beat continues!
In my position as Assistant Chief Deputy for the late L.A. County Supervisor, I had the opportunity to work on projects with both of the pair, which was installed on Monday. The late Second District Supervisor’s daughter (Fourth District) and the honorable Kathryn Barger (Fifth District). Mark Ridley Thomas is only man and person of color on the Board.
Russell Westbrook is trying to score 62 triple doubles for a season to match Oscar Robertson’s record, which was established in the 1961-1962 campaign.
QB Derek Carr passed for two TDs to Michael Crabtree and Amart Cooper for their biggest comeback since a 21-point deficit to defeat the Indianapolis Colts in 2000. The Oakland Raiders posted their biggest and sixth straight win on that day.
And the beat continues!
