‘So…This Happened’ is our quick-hitting weekly round-up of some of the biggest stories in sports. Take a read and own the water cooler sports conversations, if any of you actually have a water cooler that you hang out by to talk sports.
August is jussstttttt around the corner.
OK! So this is what is happening…
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1. LeBron James – Father of Bronny James – Draws Criticism For Getting Pumped Up At His Son’s Basketball Game. Is It Fair?
NBA Superstar, LeBron James, has become an increasingly visible presence at his son’s AAU basketball games. LeBron James Jr., who goes by “Bronny,” is a fifteen year old high schooler playing AAU ball. Although its hard to assess at this point whether Bronny is a legit NBA prospect, he can dunk and he is LBJ’s kid, so he’s going to draw some attention.
Earlier this week, the younger James won the AAU championship on a dunk and made Poppa very proud:
Bronny dunks it to seal the championship!@kingjames @tiphoops pic.twitter.com/c8Cg8i6YKz
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) July 28, 2019
That video, as well as video of LeBron having some fun in the pre-game and wowing the crowd with some dunks (below) went viral.
Bron had to jump in the warm up line real quick 😳
(via qwik11hoops/IG) pic.twitter.com/3gtkS7PjPM
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 27, 2019
Some of the initial loud comments – led by Fox Sport’s “mercurial” Jason Whitlock – criticized James for turning Bronny James’ AAU basketball games into a “spectacle” and a “circus:
“It’s inappropriate. It points to how much fame has inevitably changed LeBron over the past decade. Fame is a drug more potent and dangerous than cocaine. LeBron is a fame and social media junkie. He moved to Los Angeles looking for a better high.” – Jason Whitlock
But is this criticism fair or warranted?
Many have also come to LeBron’s defense, arguing that his exuberance was just him being an excited and proud dad, which is a good thing. Among those on Team James were Celtics forward and fellow father, Jayson Tatum:
With so many fathers not supporting there kids we get upset because he is genuinely happy for his son! Lol that’s crazy I can’t wait till my son get older and I get to support him with whatever he wants to do! https://t.co/pUCZOlZreD
— Jayson Tatum (@jaytatum0) July 29, 2019
These are issues that are probably familiar to many parents whose kids participate in youth sports. We’re just a little further under the radar than King James!
As for the dunking-at-your-kids-sporting-events thing, that hasn’t been an issue for me ever! But for the record, if I could, I’d be windmilling them down left and right with reckless abandon! Matt Barnes agrees:
This debate about Lebron being over the top by dunking in Bronnys warmup line is ridiculous.This is entertainment for the kids, period! I guarantee every kid on both teams & in the gym loved it & that’s all that matters.. Everyone else that didn’t like it could fuckoff#DadsRock
— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) July 30, 2019
2. With The MLB Trade Deadline Looming, Some Are Getting Hot: Bauer and Puig Lose Cool and Are Traded For Each Other
Exhibit A: Trevor Bauer Loses Cool and Launches Ball Over CF Fence (courtesy of @Jomboy_ Media)
Shortly thereafter, Trevor Bauer was traded to Cincinnati.
(Full disclosure: I love the guy. As he admitted, he lost his cool and embarrassed the organization and its fans and himself, buttttttt, he loves to win, is smart, cares, and has terrific stuff. Wish he were headed to the NY Yankees! And – even though I’m supposed to not like it tsk tsk – this is easily one of my favorite moments of the MLB season)
Speaking of Cincinnati….
Exhibit B: Amir Garrett and Yasiel Puig Brawl with the Pirates (courtesy of @Jomboy_ Media)
As it turns out, he didn’t know it yet, but Puig had already been traded to Cleveland mid-game, shortly before this happened.
3. Football Things Are Starting To Happen…But Relax, It’s Not Even August!
Football creeps closer. Certainly, its not quite even August, so they’re just dusting the cobwebs off. Not much happening on the field yet (except for injuries – Oy, AJ Green), but there are some rumblings off-the-field.
Some diva WRs and brash young QBs are lobbing insults.
Some are signing mega-deals. Hello, Saints WR Michael Thomas.
Some of holding out for them. Hello, Chargers RB Melvin Gordon,
Others are FINALLY APOLOGIZING TO THEIR FANTASY FOOTBALL OWNERS – but not their former teammates? – FOR HOLDING OUT ALL OF LAST SEASON! No, I do not forgive you Le’Veon Bell.
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Photo Credit: YouTube