By: Hank Bartholomew

As we near the middle of the 2024-2025 NBA season, there has been no shortage of excitement. The Cleveland Cavaliers, led by star guard Donovan Mitchell and a supporting crew of young players, lead the league, but closely behind them are the Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics. There are the comfortable, familiar favorites, like LeBron James and Kevin Durant’s continued dominance at ages forty and thirty-six, respectively. But there have also been star newcomers, like Philadelphia’s Jared McCain and Los Angeles’s Dalton Knecht. Through this first half of the regular season, these are the trends that have defined the Association.

Philly Needs to Break Things Off with Embiid

Despite the massive off-season acquisition of Paul George from the Clippers, the 76ers have struggled mightily. A combination of injuries, poor shooting, and a lack of identity and effort has led Philadelphia to a record that is, as of this writing, below .500. But the biggest problem is undeniably Joel Embiid.

An incredibly talented player, Joel Embiid has established himself as one of the NBA’s best big men, winning MVP in 2023. But this season, he’s struggled. The Cameroonian superstar has always been prone to injuries, but a knee injury that has been prevalent for a few years has caused him to miss a series of games already. It’s rare that he’s able to string two consecutive performances together. A professional team can’t build around that. Embiid’s three-pointer, one of his most valuable attributes, has become slow, and he often struggles to get it off unless given a wide-open shot.

There is also the question of effort. An often emotional and irritable player, Embiid was called out by teammate Tyrese Maxey for his lack of intensity in games and in practice. Embiid is currently raking in $51.42 million a year, and when a team is investing that type of money into him, a lack of effort is inexcusable.

The 76ers have tried to build a team around Embiid, but ultimately have failed, and Philadelphia cannot compete in a stacked Eastern Conference. The best choice would be to trade him. Philadelphia can build off draft picks and its young core; guards Tyrese Maxey and rookie Jared McCain present a bright future for a struggling franchise.

The Knicks Offseason Was (Mostly) a Success

This summer, the New York Knicks made headlines with their decision to trade shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo and veteran center Julius Randle to the Minnesota Timberwolves in return for star big man Karl-Anthony Towns. For the most part, it appears the Knicks front office won this trade.

Although he initially struggled adjusting to his new role in Tom Thibodeau’s lineup, the Knicks have started to learn how to use Towns’s unique skill set. His chemistry with superstar guard Jalen Brunson is growing, and Brunson’s talent and reputation have allowed Towns to find one-on-one matchups in the paint. Similarly, Brunson’s ability to drive the lane with incredible success (especially for a guard) is beginning to provide Towns with open looks from outside the arc. 

The other big New York move this off-season was the team’s acquisition of small forward Mikal Bridges from Brooklyn. The Knicks paid five first-round draft picks for the player who made a name for himself in Phoenix, and, at least so far, it appears that such a price may not have been worth it. Bridges has not played poorly, but he has at times looked unsure out on the court. Essentially, Bridges has not played at the level of a player worth five first-round picks.

But that may change. Bridges has begun to find himself and has started to play with a sense of confidence and an almost carefree nature. He has established his mid-range jumper, and with some time, he might reach his full potential.

The Nuggets May Be Wasting Jokic’s Best Years

Denver isn’t necessarily doing poorly, but they’re certainly not doing well. They do have a winning record, but for a team with championship aspirations, that’s not the goal. With the league’s best player’s remaining years dwindling, the Nuggets need to find a solution.

When Jokic struggles (which is rare, but happens sometimes) or when the Serbian center misses a game, the responsibility usually falls to guard Jamal Murray. But the University of Kentucky product is not playing at the level Denver needs him to. Despite nearly a five-minute increase in playing time this season, Murray’s rebounds, assists, and points per game haven’t seen a major increase. And even when he does turn in a solid performance, it’s rarely followed by another one. Murray is inconsistent, and for Denver fans, that’s not acceptable. Michael Porter Jr. has done what he can, but with Aaron Gordon battling through injuries, Denver doesn’t have anywhere else to turn to.

By: Jack Stewart

As the NFL season comes to a close, so does the league’s Honors Ceremony. Taking place on February 6th, voters from the Associated Press (AP) will award players and coaches on their accomplishments throughout the regular season. Here are my predictions for the eight categories being presented this year:

Most Valuable Player (MVP): Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills QB

The MVP is the main award of the ceremony and the most prestigious individual award in professional football. It’s typically given to the most successful quarterback in the league, which leaves two prime candidates for the award: Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. Jackson, a two-time recipient, has put up what’s arguably his best statistical season. He threw for 4000 yards in a season for the first time in his career, an important benchmark for quarterbacks, while also throwing for a 10:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. With those achievements, he bests Allen in both categories. Voting for the awards was also cast before the Bills’ playoff win over the Ravens, meaning the only head-to-head matchup factored into voters’ decisions was Jackson’s victory over Buffalo in week four. Despite all of this, Allen is still my pick and the general consensus decision to win this year’s MVP. Members of the voting body may suffer from something known as voter’s fatigue, which is a common pattern of people getting tired of voting for a player in repeat seasons. Jackson’s two previous MVP awards, including last year’s, compared to Allen’s lack of any awards, may motivate voters to switch things up and cast a vote for Josh Allen this year. He also won more total games than Lamar Jackson, despite Jackson playing with a far superior roster, having one of the best in the league. Lamar Jackson was backed by a top ten defense, while the Bills’ defense placed in the bottom half. The Ravens accounted for nine total Pro Bowlers, while the Bills only had one besides Allen. Factors like this show why Josh Allen has been so crucial to the Buffalo’s success this season and why he’s deserving of this award. Despite Jackson’s statistical greatness, the value that Josh Allen has brought to the Bills warrants him this year’s MVP.

Offensive Player of the Year (OPOY): Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles RB

This 2025 winner for the OPOY is one of the clearest of any categories at this year’s ceremony. Typically given to the best running back or wide receiver, Eagles running back Saquon Barkley seems like a lock for the award. In his first year in Philadelphia, Barkley put up an incredible 2000-yard rushing season, a feat accomplished only eight other times in NFL history, while also putting up an impressive 15 touchdowns. The benchmark for a “good” season by a running back is reaching the 1000-yard milestone and scoring roughly 10 touchdowns, which shows just how incredible Barkley’s performance this year was. While many other players in this category have had great seasons, the overall dominance of Barkley makes him a lock to receive the OPOY this year.

Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY): Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos CB

This year’s DPOY is one of the hardest categories to predict, with no clear front runner as of now. With no favorite, most people either lean towards Pittsburgh Steelers LB T.J. Watt or Denver Broncos CB Patrick Surtain II, who I believe is more likely. Most of the buzz that Watt has received is due to name recognition, not due to personal achievements. Watt has actually played one of his worst statistical seasons, recording his lowest sack total ever for seasons where he didn’t miss time due to injury. Surtain, on the other hand, has had the best year of his career and has been a valuable weapon to Denver’s secondary. Up through December, Surtain registered an allowed quarterback rating of 39.1, which was a historic mark. To put that into perspective, if a quarterback were to throw the ball straight into the grass on every single play, he’d receive a rating of 39.6. This means that he’d be better off throwing at the ground than throwing to a receiver being covered by Surtain. Metrics like this, along with Surtain’s four interceptions and a forced fumble, give him a convincing case for this season’s DPOY.

Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY): Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders QB

As the second overall pick in last year’s draft, former LSU Tiger Jayden Daniels had an immense amount of pressure on his shoulders. He was drafted to be the key piece in a rebuilding Washington squad, one that had only made the playoffs twice in the last 10 years and who totaled a 4-13 record in the previous seasons. Despite the stacked odds, Daniels excelled in his rookie season and led the Commanders to a greatly improved 12-5 season. This rookie class proved to be one of the best in a long time, with fellow nominees Bo Nix and Brock Bowers also putting up historic numbers, yet flipping the outlook of an entire franchise the way Daniels has done is such a rarity that it warrants him to be this year’s OROY.

Defensive Rookie of the Year (DROY): Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams LB

Coming out of a generational Florida State squad, Jared Verse was one of the most exciting defensive talents in years. Yet during the build-up to the 2024 draft, Verse’s draft stock plummeted. It wouldn’t be until pick 19 of the first round when the Los Angeles Rams selected Verse to help fill the gaps left behind by the recently retired future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald. With big expectations to live up to, Verse performed just as well as scouts initially predicted him to, finishing as a Pro Football Focus top ten edge rusher. Verse placed ninth among all defenders in the league in terms of overall grade and fourth in pressures. His main competition is Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper Dejean, who has been almost equal to Verse this season. Both players would be equally deserving, but for defensive awards like the DROY, voters have tended to favor edge rushers like Jared Verse over cornerbacks like Dejean, making Verse a more likely recipient this year.

Comeback Player of the Year (CBPOY): Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings QB

If one player has embodied what it means to have a “comeback” this season, it’s been Sam Darnold. Since being taken third overall back in 2017, Darnold was almost immediately labeled a “bust” and spent all of his career up until this point being bounced around between teams. With injuries to their newly drafted rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the Minnesota Vikings would be the next team to start Sam Darnold. For what was supposed to be a placeholder quarterback, Darnold took the chance he was given by Minnesota and ran with it, having one of the best quarterback seasons in the league in 2024. Last season, Darnold started one game for San Francisco and threw for 297 yards on the year, yet this season he flipped that, starting all 17 games and throwing for 4319 yards. His performance was the most unexpected thing to happen this season, and the trajectory of his career was completely changed. Many point to Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin as likely winners, but Darnold’s narrative and journey throughout the 2024 season encapsulate everything a comeback player of the year is.

Coach of the Year (COTY): Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions

Hailed as one of the best coaches in modern history, Dan Campbell had managed to achieve the impossible: make the Detroit Lions good. As arguably the worst franchise in the NFL, the Lions’ history has been characterized by poor management and player development. Dan Campbell was another hopeful hire by Lions ownership in an attempt to save their team from the seemingly endless cycle they were caught in. Against the odds, Campbell not only managed to succeed but thrive, leading the Detroit Lions to the number one overall seed for the first time in their history. They were nearly perfect throughout the regular season, mainly due to Campbell’s leadership. Another prime candidate is Kevin O’Connell of the Minnesota Vikings, who checks a lot of the same boxes that Campbell has. He turned a 7-10 Vikings team into a 14-3 powerhouse that’s tied for the second-best record in the NFC. Despite only tallying three losses, two of those losses happened to come at the hands of Dan Campbell’s Lions, which definitely favors Campbell. Besides support for O’Connell, the main argument against Campbell stems from the Lions recent misstep in the playoffs, falling unexpectedly to Washington, which has severely damaged Campbell’s reputation and led many to believe he’d be the incorrect choice for COTY. That game’s outcome, however, has no impact on the award as the voting is done before the playoffs start. Without this stain on Campbell’s resume, his 2024 season looks almost spotless, and he seems like a definite favorite to be this season’s coach of the year.

Assistant Coach of the Year (ACOY): Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions

Along with Saquon Barkley for OPOY, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson seems to be the only other “lock” for an award this season. In tandem with Dan Campbell, Johnson pioneered a seemingly unstoppable Detroit Lions attack that finished first in total offense. They finished with a yards-per-game total of 521, which triumphed over a second-place Baltimore Ravens squad, who finished with a comparatively low 440. Johnson made a name for himself as one of the brightest young minds in football, which recently landed him the job as head coach of the Chicago Bears. Through both his recent promotion and stats, his impact and greatness are evident, and he is an easy favorite to be this year’s ACOY.

By: Ramona Galvin

On November 15, 2024 the most streamed sporting event ever occurred between one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time, Mike Tyson, and youtube sensation and newly pronounced boxer, Jake Paul. 

The tension had been brewing for a while, as the fight was originally scheduled to commence on July 20, 2024. However, the match was suspended on Tyson’s behalf due to health related issues. He was suffering from complications stemming from a stomach ulcer. 

After taking a while to recover, Iron Mike stepped back into the ring once again to take on Jake Paul. The 58 year-old retired boxer was a favorite to win, despite his age being almost double Jake Paul’s. 

The match consisted of eight 2 minute rounds in which Paul maintained a consistent lead on Tyson. Jake Paul landed 78 hits across all rounds, while Tyson landed a measly 17 hits. It was very clear to spectators that Mike Tyson’s age was causing his performance to deteriorate. Paul says, “There was a point where I was like, ‘He’s not really engaging back,’ I don’t know if he was tired of whatever, and I could just tell his age was showing a little bit.” 

Despite his exhaustion, Iron Mike was still able  to put up a few good blows against Paul.  Unfortunately, it was not enough to beat Paul. In the judges’ opinions, Jake Paul came out victorious  after a full eight  rounds of boxing. 

When his victory was announced, fans that remained to watch the whole fight  started booing Paul—outraged at Tyson’s loss. Those who watched the fight in person (as it was also streamed on Netflix) jokingly remarked that “they [Netflix] didn’t show the spectators leaving in mass in the middle of the fight.” Others said that the true winner was “anyone who went to bed and  didn’t watch the fight,” implying that the match was so boring and disappointing. 

Many fans have challenged the legitimacy of the results, arguing that the fight was staged and that Tyson was paid $20 million to lose, using videos of Tyson’s training, punches he didn’t throw, and even him biting his glove as evidence. The internet has even lashed out at Jake Paul for choosing to fight someone double his age— mocking that the next person he fights will be Former President Jimmy Carter, who is 100 years old. 

The fight may have not been the knockout brawl everyone had expected, it sure does mark an important moment in boxing history. However, it does leave fans wondering if Mike Tyson will ever step in the ring again?

By: Shivm Mehta

As a huge Bills fan, it’s challenging to balance optimism and frustration with the current team. Much of a team’s success reflects talent and coaching. The Bills have brought in strong talent over the years, both on offense and defense. This leads us to a crucial question about coaching—specifically, Sean McDermott, who has been at the helm for several seasons. While he has turned the Bills around and achieved much-needed progress, it increasingly feels like the team could benefit from a new voice in the locker room.

Let’s start with playoff success. The Bills have made the playoffs each of the last five years, yet they only have five playoff wins to show for it. They’ve made the conference finals just once in that stretch, losing to the Chiefs by 14. Each playoff game seems to end the same way: a tight contest slipping out of reach. From the 13-second game to the Texans game in 2019, critical moments often highlight McDermott’s struggles with clock management and late-game decisions. This pattern raises questions about his adaptability when it matters most.

As for the offense, while it’s easy to be excited about having a superstar quarterback, the reality is that when faced with resistance, we often lose our identity and rely solely on Josh Allen’s heroics. Games like the Bengals matchup in 2022 and the recent Ravens contest were difficult to watch, as the offensive scheme seems to lag behind the league’s evolution.

Finally, the lack of player development is concerning. A coach’s role includes fostering player growth, yet many athletes under McDermott appear to plateau. While players like Xavier Worthy and Trent McDuffie thrive under coaches like Andy Reid, it’s hard to identify recent Bills draftees who have become stars. Kaiir Elam and Gabe Davis, for instance, have not yet reached their potential.

In conclusion, while Sean McDermott has accomplished much for the Bills, the combination of limited playoff success, questionable game decisions, an outdated offensive approach, and player development issues suggests it may be time for a change. The Bills have considerable potential, and a new leader could help unlock it.

By: Grace Wang 

On Monday, November 11th, the Sabres lost to the Canadiens 5-7, ending their 3 game win streak while the Canadiens snapped a 6 game losing streak, with a comeback win against the Sabres in the third period. Cole Caufield scored twice and these two goals put him at a league-leading 12 for the season, helping the Canadiens win. Their seven goals are the most they have scored in a game since April 2024. 

Tage Thompson, Buffalo’s leading-scorer, and Matias Samuelson, defenseman, left the game during the second period due to lower-body injuries and didn’t return. There were no updates on either after the game. 

Up next for the Sabres, a game against the St. Louis Blues at home on Thursday, November 14th.