Growing up it was a privilege to watch Kobe Bryant play basketball. He made it look so easy, with his deadly fade away or a clutch three with seconds left in the game. His drives through the lanes were flawless and followed by an acrobatic layup was the one-two punch. I would spend hours outside trying to replicate his shot until my arms fell off, or sitting in my room spit shinning my Kobe “Crazy Eights.” Kids today do not know what they missed, as players like him are rare. A high school draft pick, such a gamble, yet he turned out to be one of the greatest to play the game. Kobe was drafted out of Lower Merion, not to far from Eastern. Sure, one can say “What about LeBron?” But can you honestly say LeBron plays anything like Kobe. It is two different styles of playing. Maybe one can say Steph Curry is the NBA’s current Kobe Bryant or maybe he’s not. They could watch all of highlights or game footage on YouTube, but they will never experience the feeling of suspense wondering, “What will the black mamba do today?” I remember the day Kobe dropped 81 points against the Raptors on Jan. 22, 2006. He made history that day as he moved into second on the all-time single game-scoring leader. By the way, if you are not convinced about how rare of a player he is look at his playoff stats. There is certainly enough said when one looks at his playoff record and stats. The Philadelphia native is a five-time champion and a MVP. This man is no doubt a first ballot Hall of Famer. He influenced my love for basketball, (well not my game because I have no coordination) and how I interpret the game. At the 2016 All-Star game Kobe received a standing ovation as he stepped on to the court. Also, even at his old age and a game such as the All-Star game, he was well-respected, as he should. Kobe enjoy the Jordans Michael gifted you and enjoy retirement, as we will all miss you.

Peyton Manning leads Denver Broncos to 2016 Super Bowl

Congratulations to the Super Bowl 50 champs, the Denver Broncos. This was a unique Super Bowl, as, for the first time, two first-round Quarterback picks squared off against each other. For Denver, it was Peyton Manning who was drafted in 1998, and Panthers’ Cam Newton was drafted in 2011. This was the battle of youth versus experience. However, experience had the upper hand, as Manning has been to the Super Bowl multiple times in his career.

This Super Bowl win marked Peyton’s second ring to add to his Hall of Fame resume. Manning had a rough season this year, as he did not put up typical Peyton Manning numbers. On top of that, he was sidelined by injury for a short portion of the season. This battle to the Super Bowl which he led the Broncos on was not easy. The Patriots were the biggest and only threat they had to face in the playoffs and it was not an easy win. The game was a nail-biter as the Broncos won 20-18. Manning threw two key touchdown passes and threw for 176 yards to seal up the victory against the Patriots. He threw similar numbers against the Panthers as he went 13-23 with 141 yards. Peyton did not have a stellar game like I mentioned before, however, he stayed composed and helped direct his team to victory. The five-time MVP played a fabulous, possible last game, but the Broncos’ defense is what made this victory possible.

Imagine being drafted number two. Just one away from being the first round pick. That was reality for Super Bowl MVP linebacker Von Miller. He was drafted right after Cam Newton, whom he sacked 2.5 times. Von Miller lives in the shadow of Newton, who was recently named MVP, and clearly stated Sunday why he is the best linebacker in the NFL. Miller and the defense carried the Broncos to victory. Miller started the game off with a forced fumble, 2 in the game, on Newton, which led to a recovery in the end zone for a touchdown. Miller’s presence was felt throughout the field, as anxious Newton was on edge watching Miller closely, but Miller was not the only one looking to sack him. Ex-Cowboy, DeMarcus Ware had a taste of blood too, as he sacked Newton two times as well. The duo put up outstanding numbers, as they had a total of eight tackles. Otherwise, the rest of the Broncos defense had the Panthers receivers locked down. Safety T.J. Ward played a fantastic game with one interception and four solo tackles. The defensive backs played at such a high level that it left Newton with no pass options. Overall, the Denver Broncos’ defense won them the Super Bowl, as there is a reason why they had the best defense in the NFL.

But let’s not count out the Carolina Panthers yet. They played a great game as well and I can see them returning to the Super Bowl again. They are a young team with a lot to learn, and after this game I am sure they took notes and learned a thing or two from the ripened Broncos.

The game for the Panthers revolved around Newton and if he was off, so was the whole team. First off Newton is a different type of QB than Manning. He is athletic and a dangerous weapon whether throwing or running. Cam Newton is the first successful scrambling QB to come out the draft since Michael Vick. Newton is a star QB and stated that when he won the 2016 NFL Most Valuable Player. However, Newton did not look like himself, he looked nervous throughout the game. He was overthrowing open receivers down the field, holding on to the ball too long, and lost the running game. In result, through the air he went 18-41, which is a throwing rating below 50%. He also ran the ball six times for 45 yards making him the leading rusher on the team. On the brighter side, this was Cam Newton’s first Super Bowl and this experience can only benefit him from here on, as he will certainly go on to play more Super Bowls. Manning’s a perfect example, as he had to wait until 2007 to win his first Super Bowl. On the other hand, the Panthers’ offense as whole did not show up, as the offensive line could not slow down the Broncos’ defense.

The Panthers’ defense played a great game, but did not get any help from their offense. Luke Kuechly played a stellar game with seven solo tackles and one sack. The defense did a great job pressuring Manning and holding him to 141 yards.

As Manning enters the last chapter of his career, the Panthers begin a new one with plenty of young talent. I can see the Panthers being in the Super Bowl again within the next five years. They played one tough game and lost to a great team. I cannot wait to see what next season brings these two teams.     

It was a honor to interview Coach Eric McNelley, especially since the interview was the day following Eastern’s breathtaking victory over the Cabrini Cavaliers. His knowledge of basketball is phenomenal, and I felt like we could have talked all day. Coach McNelley has a long season ahead of him, but its length is nothing compared to his life journey as a basketball coach.

It started in beautiful Miami, Florida. Eric McNelley, born in the sunshine state, is of Cuban and American descent. Growing up, he was your typical athlete, playing baseball, basketball, and football. But his passion was basketball. When I asked, “Did you always want to be a basketball coach growing up?” He smirked, leaned back in his chair and said, “My goal was to become a professional basketball player, but I didn’t have the right guidance.”  Coach McNelley was recruited to play DIII basketball, but chose not to sign. Instead he tried to walk onto Coastal Carolina University’s DI team, which ended up not working out. Yet, because McNelley’s gaze moved from being a player to being a coach, he was far from disappointed. One night, while playing in an open gym, he was offered a basketball coach position at Holy Cross Academy and he accepted.

Coach McNelley’s coaching career dates back 15 years. Have you looked at the man’s resume? It’s quite impressive. Listening to him talk about his coaching career, I knew he was passionate about his job. His positive role as a head coach first appeared while coaching the La Salle High School team in Florida. He dedicated his time to that team and successfully transformed them. He commented, “In my first season as head coach we were a .500 team, but in the next four seasons we were ranked in the top five.” During his career as head coach, he had players who played under him go overseas and play professional basketball.

After hearing about his success as a head coach, I questioned, “What brought you to Eastern University?” and he acknowledged that it just sort of happened. Now and in the past, he and his wife thoroughly discuss the future before committing to any job. He stated, “It was whoever’s career boomed first, and that’s what we will follow.” Then he was offered a position at La Salle University and moved to Philadelphia temporarily, as he moved back home to Miami to be with his family. Once back in Miami he took a position at Westminster Christian, and then later moved to Indiana, They knew the stay in Indiana was temporary, but following that they finally landed in Philadelphia. Coach McNelley stated, “I could have gone back to LaSalle University, but I didn’t want to work for a DI school since I have two kids that are four and a nearly one year-old.” A friend in the area knew, Eastern’s current athletic director, Nate Stewart. From there Coach McNelley became the assistant coach and played a huge role. He expanded Eastern’s recruitment by recruiting players from Miami, 1,200 miles away. This season he has been promoted as the interim head coach. He joyfully stated, “Coach Stewart is rare. It is rare to find such a confident coach like him.” When asked, “Did you change game plan once you became head coach?” He replied, “Not at all, me and Coach Stewart kept the same game plan.”

Coach McNelley has a plan to transform the Eagles. He stated, “I am a rebuilder, that’s what I love to do is rebuild teams. That is what I have done my whole career.” It is evident that he has already begun the rebuilding process and so far I can see the transformation. Part of the rebuilding process according to Coach McNelley is to let the team experience different levels of competition. Therefore, he managed to get the Eagles a game against DII Nova Southeastern University, which will be an exciting game to watch this season. But rebuilding does not only take place on the court, it also takes place off the court according to Coach McNelley. He stated, “I want these guys to graduate with the mentality of winning in the professional field they pursue and not to stop grinding and having faith.” And as for family orientated McNelley, he does not care about the money, but for stability for his family and to transform Eastern University’s basketball program.   

The road to the World Series this season has been unique. In the National League, the Mets plowed through their opponents. The Mets are coming into the World Series after dominating the playoffs. The Mets opened up the playoffs against the Dodgers. They managed to fend off the Dodgers and win in five games. The Dodgers fought hard, but they could not manage to produce runs against the Mets’ stellar pitching staff. Next were the Cubs. The Mets apparently did not have trouble with the Cubs, as they swept them in four games. The Cubs did not capitalize on their opportunities with men on base. However, the Mets’ pitching staff stepped up and shut down the Cubs offense. Throughout the playoffs the Mets’ offense has been hot, thanks to second baseman Daniel Murphy. He is having a historic postseason as he homered in six straight postseason games.  Murphy was named NLCS MVP for the magnificent performance he displayed this postseason.

Kansas City Royals, shockingly, are back in the World Series. They opened up the postseason against the Astros, who nearly eliminated them, and won in five games. The Royals produced in clutch situations and managed to hit Houston’s superb pitching staff. Next they faced the Blue Jays. This series was similar to an Ali and Frazier fight, two heavy weights slugging it out. The Blue Jays never gave up, and when I thought they were out of the playoffs they proved me wrong. Down by two games, the Blue Jays fought back and put pressure on the Royals. The series ended in six games, thanks to the Royals starting pitching rotation. Edison Volquez of the Royals shut out the Blue Jays in Game 1, which proved to be a vital win for the Royals.

Who has the advantage coming into the World Series? Daniel Murphy and the Mets. The Mets pitching staff makes a fantastic offense, like the Cubs, look like an amateur minor league team. The Royals have been making simple mistakes, in their 11-8 lost.

Mets to beat the Royals in six games.

The Philadelphia Eagles do not seem to be soaring high this season. Chip Kelly was the head coach that the Eagles apparently needed, but appears to have traded for worthless players. For example, who is this guy Sam Bradford? Is he supposed to replace Nick Foles or help fill the Eagles injury roster? Bradford is like glass, and he is too much of an injury risk. So far this season the Eagles are 3-3 with Bradford as the starting quarterback, and it hasn’t been impressive. The loss to the Redskins was pretty embarrassing, and otherwise it has been mediocre. On opening day, Bradford threw for 336 yards and one touchdown against the Falcons, who the Eagles nearly beat. Okay, let’s stop being harsh on Bradford, he already exceeded my expectations, and I assumed he would have been injured by now.

Bradford is not completely to blame. The run game for the Eagles appears to be hibernating. Last time I checked, the Eagles signed the 2014 leading rusher in DeMarco Murray.  When the Eagles faced the Cowboys on Sept. 20, Bradford was their leading rusher with nine yards. That’s not enough for a first down! Apparently, Kelly’s game plan is to utilize the mobility of his handicapped quarterback, rather than run hungry Murray. It was not surprising that the Eagles lost to the Cowboys. If you are an Eagles fan, it’s okay to make excuses that they are a new team and need to learn to play with each other. I understand, but there is no reason Kelly refuses to use Murray more.

However, the Eagles are making progress since their first three games. In their last three games, they looked like a different team. Lets start with the defense. The defense held the opponents in week five and six to 24 points compared to the 64 points the Eagles put up. Fletcher Cox has been making a statement with five sacks to lead the Eagles defense.

The turning point for the Eagles was when they faced the Saints. Bradford played like the Oklahoma quarterbacks the Rams drafted. He threw for 333 yards with two touchdowns. We cannot forget about his college roommate, DeMarco Murray, who rushed for 80 plus yards and one touchdown.

Lastly, the Eagles managed to win a division game against the hot Giants. The Giants came in with their heads high after winning their last game. When Romo was injured, the Cowboys were not predicted to finish in first and the Giants were favored. However, Eli Manning is not consistent. Some days he can defeat the undefeated Patriots, and some days lose to the worst team in the league. After the Eagles defeated the Giants, with the help of a pick six and great defense, they stated that they are contenders for first place in the NFC east.

The Eagles are not the favorite to win it all, but they certainly have the best chance to finish in first place, as long as the team stays healthy. Although I have little faith in Bradford, he has proven that he is capable of leading the Eagles through the playoffs. As we can see in the NFL, last year’s dominating teams like the Seahawks and Colts are struggling; meanwhile, the Jets are sitting in second place with a record over .500. The NFL seems to be skewed this season, so lets see how the rest of the season turns out. I believe the Eagles will finish the season 9-7 in first place.