Comment on Illinois' hopes bolstered by return of All-American pair who bypassed NBA draft

From Tim Duncan to Kevin Garnett and Steph Curry, LeBron James’ 21-year NBA career has featured postseason matchups against some of the best to ever do it. For the Lakers forward, Nikola Jokic is right there among them. “He’s one of the best players to ever play this game. It’s that simple,” James said after practice on Friday at Ball Arena. James said he feels healthier than last year when Los Angeles got swept by the Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals.

Nathan MacKinnon did not become one of five players to ever record 100 assists in an NHL season. He did not score the most goals in the league in nearly 30 years. He is still going to win the Hart Trophy or the Ted Lindsay Award (or both) as the NHL’s most valuable player for the first time in his career, and will do so despite going up against one of the greatest fields of candidates the league has ever seen. There are four candidates — MacKinnon, Auston Matthews, Connor McDavid and Nikita Kucherov — who had extraordinary seasons, and all would be worthy winners.

The Rockies series opener against the Mariners on Friday at Coors Field was postponed due to inclement weather. Related Articles Colorado Rockies | Rockies place Kyle Freeland on 15-day injured list with left elbow strain Colorado Rockies | Rockies’ rally falls short in 7-6 loss to Phillies, who finish three-game sweep Colorado Rockies | Rockies’ Kris Bryant, injured again, goes on IL with back strain Colorado Rockies | Rockies Mailbag: Is Kris Bryant’s contract one of the worst in Colorado sports history? Colorado Rockies | Reeling Rockies dominated by Phillies’ Ranger Suarez, who throws shutout Friday’s game will be made up on Sunday as a split doubleheader.

With the draft merely days away, there’s still no clear idea of what the Broncos will do at No. 12 overall in the first round. Denver is open to doing anything, whether it’s trading up, down, or standing pat with its eight draft picks. Since doing this mock draft exercise, we’ve explored each scenario and how Denver could capitalize from them. In the final Broncos’ seven-round mock draft, we look at what happens if the team invests in adding playmakers on offense. (Previous mock drafts: Aggressively pursuing a QB | Trading back in first round | Post-combine mock draft | Strengthening the DL) First Round (No.

After a rash of pitching injuries contributed to last year’s 103-loss season, the Rockies have their first significant health issue on the mound in 2024. Colorado placed Kyle Freeland on the 15-day injured list on Friday with a left elbow strain, a move retroactive to April 16. “Relatively speaking, with the results of his scan and the doctor’s report, he’s going to be OK,” Rockies manager Bud Black said.

8212; College football is ready to put the signs away. Following a sign-stealing scandal that rocked the sport and hung over Michigan’s championship run in 2023, the NCAA’s football oversight committee approved Friday the use of coach-to-player helmet communications in games for the 2024 season. The football rules committee last month made a recommendation to allow — but not require — teams at the highest tier of Division I to use radio technology similar to what NFL teams use. Only one player for each team will be permitted to be in communication with coaches while on the field.