The next Derrick Rose? Paul George sees greatness in Ja Morant

Grizzlies star Ja Morant has earned a lot of attention early on in the 2021-22 season, and rightfully so.

The 22-year-old has taken a monster leap from Year 2 to Year 3, looking like a player who is aiming higher than just a Most Improved Player of the Year award or the first All-Star bid of his career.
He is, of course, arguably the frontrunner for Most Improved and is well on his way to an All-Star nod, but Morant's name was a part of even bigger conversations through the first couple weeks of the season. It was a small sample size, but Morant started to carve a realistic path to an MVP trophy. And although that momentum has decelerated as we get further into the season – primarily because the Grizzlies might not win enough games for him to truly be considered – Morant has still earned that level of respect from his peers.
After the last time Morant faced off against the Clippers, a game in which he had 28 points and eight assists in a win, All-Star forward Paul George couldn't help but compare the No. 2 overall pick to a former MVP in Derrick Rose.

"He’s just explosive, electrifying," George said of Morant. "I’d compare him to like, D-Rose. I guarded him my rookie year, Indy-Chicago, and guarding Ja is very similar to how D-Rose was.

"It was just how quick and his ability to change direction, move his body in-air," George continued. "He made it tough for us. He put a lot of pressure on us. He’s explosive. You know the direction he wants to go. He wants to go left, we knew that, but he’s just so good and so fast, he still gets to it."

It's hard to argue with the comparison and when you actually line them up side-by-side, it gets even scarier.

When Rose became the youngest MVP in league history back in 2010-11, it was his age 22 season and third year in the league. Morant entered this season at 22 years old, marking his third in the league.

Their numbers during their third season are almost identical, too.

Comparing Ja Morant's 2021-22 season to Derrick Rose's MVP season
Year GP PPG APG RPG SPG FG% 3P% FT%
Derrick Rose 2010-11 81 25.0 7.7 4.1 1.0 44.5 33.2 85.8
Ja Morant 2020-21 14 25.9 7.3 5.1 1.6 49.3 38.2 77.5
Morant has only played 14 games and would obviously have to keep up this production over the course of an entire season the way Rose did, but still, he's on quite the trajectory.

As George did, you could use these same adjectives to describe both players: explosive, electrifying, shifty and athletic. They both even have that same killer instinct, never shying away from a big moment.

I mean, who is the first player that comes to mind when you see dunks like this:

What about drives like this, where he's changing direction, changing speed, floating in the air and still finding a way to finish amongst the trees:

You'll see a whole lot of those same moves in any season-long highlight tape from Rose back in 2010-11.

Even if Morant can't match Rose as a 22-year-old MVP, it's looking like the star guard will see his name in those types of discussions for many years to come with the potential to win the league's most prestigious individual award at some point down the line.

Jamaica vs. USA result: USMNT escapes with a draw after Jamaica goal disallowed

Win at home and pick up points on the road. That’s the formula to qualify for the World Cup from the CONCACAF region and the U.S. national team did what it had to do in coming away with a lackluster 1-1 draw against Jamaica in Kingston.

The Americans were fortunate not to have finished on the losing end after a Jamaican goal six minutes from time was disallowed. The referee ruled that Jamaica’s Damion Lowe held down U.S. defender Walker Zimmerman when he went up for his header on a corner kick.

The USA will take the point, which comes on the heels of a 2-0 win over rivals Mexico on Friday. The result has the Americans in good position ahead of the final two rounds of matches in January and March 2022.

The Americans broke through first in Kingston on a solo run by Tim Weah, who was one of the best players against Mexico. He finished off a penetrating run down the left side of the Jamaican box by lifting the ball over the shoulder of Jamaican ‘keeper Andre Blake and an early 11th-minute lead.

Jamaica responded to the USA’s solo effort with one of their own as star forward Michail Antonio fired a long-distance blast that easily beat U.S. goalkeeper Zack Steffen and tucked in under the crossbar.

The Jamaicans were desperate for three points from this game to make up ground in the standings. And the Reggae Boyz will be disappointed by a penalty that wasn’t called in the first half on a Chris Richards arm deflection in the box, though the arm was tucked in.
But it wasn’t just about the officials. Jamaica’s Bobby Reid also missed an incredible 53rd-minute chance inside the six-yard box that he’ll want to have back.

The result keeps the USA on track to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It returns in January with two home games (vs. El Salvador and vs. Honduras) and a road match against Canada. The picture is bleak for Jamaica, which has plenty of ground to make up before the rest of the results are in on Matchday 8.

Jamaica vs. USA final score
1H 2H Final
Jamaica 1 0 1
USA 1 0 1
Goals:
USA — Timothy Weah — 11th min.
JAM — Michail Antonio — 22nd min.

(All times Eastern)

Final: Jamaica 1, USA 1
84th min.: Jamaica scores but it's disallowed by the referee! A header on a corner by Damion Lowe hits the back of the net, but the referee rules that Lowe held Walker Zimmerman down when he went up for it. Replays show that was a really questionable call.
83rd min.: Neither team really panicking yet to get a goal. Jamaica's got to turn it up at some point.

78th min.: SUBS - USA brings on Jesus Ferreira and Paul Arriola for Ricardo Pepi and Brenden Aaronson as the Americans look to nick a goal to win it.

74th min.: Now it's Ravel Morrison unleashing a shot for Jamaica. Those subs are bringing an energy to the Reggae Boyz. They need these three points.

73rd min.: What a chance for Jamaica! Michail Antonio gets the ball past a charging Zack Steffen, but there are no teammates following the play and the USA clears.

68th min.: SUBS - Triple sub for Jamaica. Junior Flemming, Ravel Morrison and Anthony Grant are in for Bobby Reid, Lamar Walker and Je-Vaughn Watson.

66th min.: SUBS - Christian Pulisic and Kellyn Acosta come into the match for Tim Weah and Yunus Musah. Perhaps Pulisic and Acosta can bring some quality to the game, which has been brutally poor.

53rd min.: What a miss by Jamaica's Bobby Reid. A poor Antonee Robinson clearance falls to Reid who was alone in the six-yard box and he blasts it high of the goal with Zack Steffen closing the angle. Incredible miss.
52nd min.: USA's turn for a shot outside the box. Gianluca Busio in an advanced position blasts a right-footed shot that just misses the crossbar.
51st min.: The fan atmosphere is not a factor in Kingston. Only 5,000 fans were allowed and it doesn't feel like there are 5,000 there. All you hear are horns.
48th min.: It's Jamaica with the first chance of the second half. After a set piece the ball pops out to Leigh, who rips a left-footed shot that high of the target.

46th min.: Second half underway. Jamaica left back Kemar Lawrence has to come out of the game with Greg Leigh replacing him. No changes for the USA.

Halftime: Jamaica 1, USA 1
40th min.: Speaking of VAR -- Jamaica right back Javain Brown goes flying in with a two-footed lunge on U.S. captain Tyler Adams and he takes him out. If there were VAR, that'd be a red card.

38th min.: Leon Bailey kept in check by USA's Antonee Robinson down the attacking right. Jamaica earns a corner, but nothing comes of it. Half-hearted appeal for a Jamaica penalty after a ball was whipped into the box, but the referee isn't going for it. Replays show it came off Chris Richards's shoulder. No hand ball. Reminder: No VAR in CONCACAF.

34th min.: Teams playing between penalty boxes and with the odd foul. It's telling that this match has been defined by two solo efforts. Not much build-up from either team.

22nd min.: What a goal by Michail Antonio! If you're a U.S. fan or goalkeeper Zack Steffen, you tip your cap to the West Ham man with a blast from 30 yards out that he blasted under the bar. What power behind that one.
21st min.: USMNT waste a free kick out to the left. Gianluca Busio with the ball straight out of play.

16th min.: Two big saves on point-blank shots by Jamaica goalkeeper Andre Blake! That U.S. goal has shifted the momentum in the USA's favor for the moment.

11th min.: Goal USA! Out of nowhere a moment of brilliance from Timothy Weah who made a penetrating solo run down the left and lifted the ball over the shoulder of Andre Blake from a tough angle. What you might not know about Weah: His mom is Jamaican.
10th min.: No rhythm to this game. No sustained possession. Sloppy and choppy start to this for both teams.

8th min.: First yellow of the match and of course it's Je-Vaughn Watson. Wild challenge on Gianluca Busio.

1st min.: We're off. USA pinned in its own half to start the match. Chris Richards is the left center back, with Walker Zimmerman in his customary right center back spot.

3:53 p.m.: Young lineup. But can it get the job done?
Jamaica vs. USA lineups
In a must-win home game, Bailey and Antonio start. Manager Theodore Whitmore has made two changes on his back line with Liam Moore coming in for veteran center back Adrian Mariappa and Javain Brown taking over at right back for Oniel Fisher, who isn't even listed on the bench.

Jamaica starting lineup (4-2-3-1, left to right): 1-Andre Blake-GK — 20-Kemar Lawrence, 17-Damion Lowe, 6-Liam Moore, 14-Javain Brown — 22-Devon "Speedy" Williams, 15-Je-Vaughn Watson — 21-Lamar Walker, 10-Bobby Reid, 7-Leon Bailey — 18-Michail Antonio

Jamaica subs (10): Dwayne Miller-GK, Jeadine White-GK, Alvas Powell, Greg Leigh, Adrian Mariappa, Anthony Grant, Ravel Morrison, Junior Flemmings, Cory Burke, Shamar Nicholson

Already without the injured Sergino Dest and Gio Reyna, Weston McKennie (yellow cards) and Miles Robinson (red card) are out for the U.S. because of suspension, and both will leave significant holes. Gianluca Busio and Chris Richards are the replacements. Those were the only forced changes from the win over Mexico.
Christian Pulisic starts on the bench with the three-man front line of Aaronson-Pepi-Weah that worked so well against Mexico, getting another start.

USA starting lineup (4-3-3, left to right): 1-Zack Steffen-GK — 5-Antonee Robinson, 15-Chris Richards, 3-Walker Zimmerman, 2-DeAndre Yedlin — 16-Gianluca Busio, 4-Tyler Adams (capt.), 6-Yunus Musah — 11-Brenden Aaronson, 9-Ricardo Pepi, 20-Tim Weah

USA subs (12): 13-Matt Turner-GK, 22-Reggie Cannon, 18-Mark McKenzie, 8-James Sands, 12-Joe Scally, 21-Sam Vines, 23-Kellyn Acosta, 17-Sebastian Lletget, 14-Cristian Roldan, 10-Christian Pulisic, 7-Paul Arriola, 19-Jesus Ferreira

How to watch Jamaica vs. USA
Date: Tues, Nov. 16
Time: 5 p.m. ET
TV Channels: Universo
Streaming: fuboTV , Paramount+
Jamaica vs. U.S. will air on Universo (Spanish) and Paramount+ (English) with the Universo feed available via stream on fuboTV . New users can try fuboTV on a free 7-day trial .

There will be 5,000 fans expected in Kingston’s National Stadium, around 15 percent of capacity. That’s still more than the Jamaicans had at their past two qualifying home games, in which they failed to register a victory.

Did Penguins' Sidney Crosby get away with a dirty play against the Capitals?

Sidney Crosby has played in just two of the Penguins' first 14 games this season. And even if he isn't lighting up the stat sheet, he certainly made his presence known on Sunday.

In the Penguins' 6-1 loss to the Capitals, Crosby struggled mightily. He recorded one shot on goal in just under 17 minutes of ice time, and let his frustration boil over in the third period.
After taking his lone shot on goal less than three minutes into the third period with Washington's Martin Fehervary playing defense, the two skated behind the net where Crosby threw the young defenseman face-first into the boards.
Crosby wasn't penalized on that play but did get sent to the box for cross-checking Evgeny Kuznetzov around seven minutes later. Tom Wilson scored on the ensuing power play to make it 6-1.
After the game, the 22-year-old Fehervary didn't seem to pay much mind to Crosby's actions and didn't really have much to say on the matter.

"Yeah, I don't know. I don't even know what should I talk about it," he told reporters. "I don't care. We'll see next game."
Crosby has zero points, five shot attempts and has a plus/minus of -4 to kick start his 2021-22 campaign. The star center — who has already been named to Canada's Olympic squad — missed the first seven games of the season while recovering from offseason surgery on his left wrist. He returned Oct. 30 vs. the Devils before having to enter COVID-19 protocols on Nov. 3. Sunday's game was his first time slotting in.

The Penguins and Capitals have had some notorious and infamous battles in recent years and will next face off on Dec. 10 in Washington.

How long is LeBron James out? Injury timeline, return date, latest updates on Lakers star

The Lakers will continue to lean on Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook early in the 2021-22 season as they move forward without the services of their best player.

Los Angeles star LeBron James has missed the last two weeks of action with an abdominal strain. The four-time NBA MVP was sidelined for two of the Lakers' first eight games of the season before suffering the injury against the Rockets on Nov. 2.
What's next for James? Here's everything we know about his injury and the latest news on when he may return to the court.
What is LeBron James' injury?
The Lakers have listed James as out on recent injury reports with a rectus abdominis strain. That muscle group is "slung between the ribs and the pubic bone at the front of the pelvis," per BetterHealth.com, and its primary function is to "move the body between the ribcage and the pelvis."

An abdominal strain can cause sharp pains and result in difficulty stretching the muscle.
How long will LeBron James be out?
After the Lakers' game, against the Bucks, the first of five on the road, James said 'I hope I hope' when asked about suiting up in the team's next game against the Celtics.

However, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports that it's a '50-50' chance that James could play on Friday at the TD Garden.

James was initially expected to miss two weeks, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania, who reported on Nov. 4 that the Lakers are taking a cautious approach with his injury.

"If this were the playoffs, could James push to play? Possibly," Charania said. "But James suffered the injury in Tuesday's win over the Rockets, and the Lakers want to be careful and manage the injury during the marathon of this NBA season."
However, Tim DiFrancesco, the Lakers' former head strength and conditioning coach, told The Athletic's Bill Oram that even a minor strain can take several weeks to heal.

"Especially the way he plays, it's tough for me to see him getting back under four weeks," DiFrancesco said. "Then again, he's a different dude, so I wouldn't put anything past him. … These are such delicate injuries that can respond to rest with pain relief quickly, but they are highly susceptible to re-injury if returned too quickly."
Lakers upcoming schedule 2021-22
Date Opponent Time (ET) / Result National TV
Nov. 4 vs. Thunder L, 107-104 —
Nov. 6 at Trail Blazers L, 105-90 NBA TV
Nov. 8 vs. Hornets W, 126-123 (OT) NBA TV
Nov. 10 vs. Heat W, 120-117 (OT) ESPN
Nov. 12 vs. Timberwolves L, 107-83 —
Nov. 14 vs. Spurs W, 114-106 —
Nov. 15 vs. Bulls L, 121-103 NBA TV
Nov. 17 at Bucks 7:30 p.m. ESPN
Nov. 19 at Celtics 7:30 p.m. ESPN
LeBron James stats for 2021-22 season
24.8 points per game
5.5 rebounds per game
7.0 assists per game
2.3 steals per game
4.2 turnovers per game
37.0 minutes per game
46.7 percent shooting
34.7 percent 3-point shooting
78.3 percent free throw shooting

Why did the Suns draft Deandre Ayton instead of Luka Doncic?

Leading up to the 2018 NBA Draft, Luka Doncic dominated the discussion.

A standout in Europe for years as a kid playing against men, Doncic seemed to be a surefire future NBA star.
Debuting for Real Madrid as a 15-year-old, it took all of two seasons as a professional before he led the team to the EuroLeague title, claiming EuroLeague MVP honors in the process.

Four years on, Doncic is a legitimate MVP candidate, with many wondering how and why he slipped through the Suns' fingers.
Predraft
Despite flashing the obvious talent of a potential No. 1 overall pick, ESPN's Jonathan Givony highlighted some of the potential challenges that International prospects face.

"With as small as the world has become, and even though we have more film and information at our fingertips than ever, I still believe that international players are at a disadvantage in the NBA draft process compared with their NCAA peers," Givony wrote.

"There is simply a comfort level and a familiarity for NBA teams in scouting college players that internationals don't enjoy. Most NBA execs will get over to Europe once or twice, and what if you happen to fall on one or two bad games?"

Of course, America has produced endless top picks that have failed to reach expectations, but perhaps the international prospects are more memorable. Andrea Bargnani comes to mind, the No. 1 overall pick from the 2006 Draft. Or even Ricky Rubio, who similarly to Doncic, had carved out an impressive resume as a teenager in Europe. Now in season 11 in the NBA after being taken with the No. 5 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, Rubio has had a successful pro career without doubt, but he hasn't reached the All-Star level that many once hoped he would.

Prior to the Draft, there were some question marks whether or not Doncic would want to play for Sacramento, Atlanta or Memphis, who held the selections immediately after Phoenix. Of course, Doncic would have the option to continue playing in Europe after Draft night and not make his way to the NBA.
Draft night
With Phoenix firming on selecting Deandre Ayton with the first overall pick and Doncic reportedly distancing himself from Atlanta, the Hawks began conversations with the Mavericks.

What followed was a blockbuster trade that saw Doncic end up in Dallas, with Trae Young heading to Atlanta.

Of course, Ayton would go No. 1, with Marvin Bagley II heading to Sacramento with pick No. 2 and Jaren Jackson Jr. heading to Memphis with pick No. 4.

"[Dallas] been talking to me," Doncic told the ESPN/ABC broadcast on Draft night. "They were so nice to me. And I'm glad, you know? Just happy to be in the NBA. Just happy to be a part of that."

Adding to the intrigue was the presence of Phoenix head coach Igor Kokoskov, who had close knowledge on Doncic's talents as the head coach of the Slovenian national team. Kokoskov was fired in April of Ayton's rookie season. After returning to Europe for a stint, he is now on the staff in Dallas…once again working with Doncic.

Why did Phoenix select Ayton?
While the obvious guard comparison between Doncic and Young will be equally evergreen, the biggest question that remains is why the Suns chose a center in an era where the traditional big man's importance has seemingly waned?

Givony was on the money with his pre-lottery analysis, reporting that Ayton was firming as the likely top selection.

"After canvassing most of the league in recent weeks, there seems to be somewhat of a consensus forming around Ayton as the 'safe pick' at No. 1," Givony wrote.

"Which team ends up getting the pick will obviously play a role, but Ayton's sheer productivity combined with his freakish physical tools are making it increasingly difficult to keep Luka Doncic up top, especially after a somewhat lackluster month of February by his standards."

It's no knock on Ayton, who was a premier prospect, but for a Phoenix franchise that had been out of the playoffs for several years, the idea of taking the 'safe pick' feels like a disappointing approach. At the time, the Suns lacked a franchise point guard, with a mix of players from Tyler Johnson, Isaiah Canaan and Elie Okobo picking up starts throughout Ayton's rookie campaign.

Interestingly enough, international prospect Okobo, who was once thought of as a potential first-round selection was taken with the 31st pick out of France. He is no longer in the league.

Is it possible the Suns were shying away from using another top selection on an international player given just two drafts earlier they had used the fourth overall pick on Croatian talent, Dragan Bender?

Bender would play just 171 games with the franchise across three seasons, averaging 5.3 points and 3.8 rebounds.

Speaking with Basketball Network, former scout, Antonio Williams discussed part of the decision-making process when it came to moving towards Ayton ahead of Doncic or Young.

“With Deandre, one of the things was, you look at the things that he does, at his size when you combine the athleticism and the dexterity and the agility there are just things he can just roll out of bed and do," Williams said.

"Of course, we knew Luka and Trae Young were going to be great, but when we’re looking at Deandre again, there are just things that we felt he inherently can just roll out of bed and do that we didn’t have on our roster.”

The early returns
In many ways, the comparison between Ayton and Doncic was always going to be skewed. Doncic had the ball in his hands from opening night as a ball-dominant guard, while Ayton would ply his trade battling in the paint, working as a screen and roll man with Booker.

The young Suns finished Ayton's rookie campaign with a 19-63 record, though the big man impressed by averaging 16.3 points and 10.3 rebounds.

Doncic was box office from game one, finishing the season tallying 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.1 assists on a Dallas team that finished 33-49.

From night one it was clear Doncic is a franchise-changing talent, immediately sparking the discussion on how he slipped through the fingers of multiple franchises.

The Suns would eventually find their point guard, trading for Chris Paul in a move that sparked a surprising run to the 2021 NBA Finals. Ayton was at times spectacular through the postseason run, producing a monster 22-point, 19-rebound effort in Game 1 of the Finals against Milwaukee.
Ayton's emergence on the biggest stage is further indication that Phoenix got a really, really good player on the night of the 2018 NBA Draft, which led many to believe he was in for a major payday.

What's next?
On the back of that breakout playoff run, Ayton loomed as the next player from the 2018 class to cash in with a major payday.

Doncic signed a five-year, $207 million supermax rookie extension as soon as possible this offseason.

Young also inked a five-year extension that can climb up to a value of $207 million with an All-NBA extension in the allotted time frame.

Jackson Jr. agreed to a four-year, $105 million dollar extension in Memphis.

Ayton on the other hand, could not come to an agreement with Phoenix on an extension, with ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reporting that ownership does not believe he is on the same tier as Doncic, Young, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and other classmen that have received big-time contracts in the offseason.

"I mean, obviously, we're disappointed that we couldn't reach an extension agreement this offseason," Suns General Manager James Jones told The Athletic's Sam Amick. "Deandre is important for us. He means a lot to us and was vital in what we did and what we've done this past season."
Last month, the team came to terms on a four-year, $90 million deal with versatile wing Mikal Bridges. Bridges joins Devin Booker as a core piece locked up for the future, with Paul also inking a four-year deal worth up to $120 million in August.

Whether it be the Suns trio of Paul, Booker and Bridges, or the 2018 draft class of Doncic, Young and Gilgeous-Alexander, the collection of talent cashing in on major paydays all have something in common.

They aren't a center.

Ayton will now have the opportunity to sign an offer sheet with a rival team next offseason as a restricted free agent.

The failure to lock down Ayton caused many Suns fans to blame owner Robert Sarver, with the Suns a non-luxury tax team since 2010. Coming off a run to The Finals, potentially straining a relationship with your No. 1 overall pick from three years earlier is certainly a curious decision.

The 23-year-old has gotten off to an injury-interrupted start to 2021-22, appearing in just six games while battling with a leg contusion. A consistent double-double player as he has been throughout his career, Ayton is averaging 14.2 points, 11.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game thus far.

Ayton is sure to become one of the talking points of the 2022 free agency period, with the rising big man's relationship with the franchise seemingly tested through last summer's failed contract negotiations.

Now we wait for the next chapter of the 2018 Draft night story to unfold.

Mac Jones, child model? Here are the photos, commercials featuring a young Patriots QB

Patriots fans always thought that Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo — affectionately known as "Jimmy GQ" — were the closest things to models that they would ever see at the quarterback position. But now, they have an actual model leading their quarterback room.

That would be Mac Jones. No, we're not kidding.
Jones may be better known as key representation for dad bods everywhere at this point in his young career, but in his even younger career, he was actually a child model. He recently spoke about that in an appearance on WEEI 93.7’s "Merloni & Fauria" when he was asked what his "worst job" ever was.

"I used to be a child model/actor, or whatever, and that was fun," Jones said. "There are a few commercials out there you guys could try and find. I think a lot of people know."

To his credit, Jones has been nothing but open about his modeling career. Still, it was news to quite a few people that weren't familiar with his not-so-secret double life. It may be over now, but there are certainly lasting memories from his modeling career.
Mac Jones child model photos
Naturally, in wake of Jones' revelation on "Merloni & Fauria," many went searching for photos of Jones during his modeling days. They were easy enough to find.

NESN's Dakota Randall dug up a couple of shots of Jones, one in which he's wearing a tie and one in which he is carrying a tennis racket.
NFL reporter Dov Kleiman was able to find a handful of photos of Jones as well. He also found a clip of Jones participating in a fashion show from his youth.
One of Jones' advertisements actually lives on. He's still pictured on the "Adventure Landing" website, a regional theme park in Jacksonville, Fla. He appears on the "Kids Fun Center Parties" portion of the website, wearing an orange polo.
How did Mac Jones become a child model?
As Jones explained in a pre-draft interview with ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit, he tried modeling thanks to his parents.

"They never pushed me into sports, which was really cool," Jones said. "So I tried modeling, acting. My sister had done it and there's like a modeling camp and I was like, I'll go try it."

And so, Jones did. And while he said he "didn't really ever want to do that long term," he is grateful for the skills he picked up during that very early part of his career.

"It was good that I tried it and realize that I didn't necessarily want to do that but have that under my belt. Even for stuff like this," Jones said, referencing his interview and photoshoot ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft. "You're just more comfortable around the camera."
Mac Jones commercials
Try as we might, we couldn't find the commercials that Jones said might be out there. That said, if you're inclined to search for them, ESPN's Hallie Grossman gave some hints about where to look.

"[Jones] appeared in local commercials — for the zoo, a medical center, Party City, and that last one popped up for years around Halloween," she wrote in a late-2020 profile of Jones.

The Party City rabbit hole is probably the best one to jump down, as their commercials are the most readily available. The only issue with sorting through them? Most of the kids are in costumes.
Was Mac Jones the kid in that Cam Newton commercial?
This is a popular question that was raised when Jones beat out Cam Newton for the starting job with the Patriots. Was Jones the kid from that commercial with Newton? You know, the NFL "Play 60" one, where the kid threatens to take Newton's job from him in the future?

For those that need a refresher, here's the video of the advertisement.

As ironic and, frankly, mind-blowing as it would have been for Jones to be that kid, he does not play the role of "Nate." That commercial was created during the summer of 2012, ahead of Newton's second season with the Panthers. Jones turned 14 in 2012, so he would have been too old for that role even if his modeling career was ongoing.

The role of Nate was played by a then-7-year-old named James DiGiacomo. Now 16, DiGiacomo, who has acted in commercials and TV shows, spoke about the commercial after it resurfaced following Newton's release from the Patriots.

“I honestly think it’s awesome that people still bring it up,” DiGiacomo told The Eagle-Tribune. "I’ve done a lot of commercials over the years and did some TV work,” he said. “But that commercial with Cam is definitely a highlight. I didn’t realize how big it would be when we made it. But it was really cool. I’m very proud of it."

Henry Ruggs III ordered back to court after former Raiders receiver missed alcohol test

Former Raiders receiver Henry Ruggs III has been ordered to appear in Las Vegas court on Monday following a missed alcohol test. That is a violation of his bond release restrictions following a fatal crash in which prosecutors say he was driving under the influence at 156 mph.

According to Clarke County court records, Ruggs missed one of four daily court-mandated alcohol tests at 4:41 p.m. local time on Saturday before completing "a client initiated remote breath test" at 6:28 p.m. the same day. The alcohol monitoring agency noted in court filings that it couldn't verify Ruggs' sobriety at the time he was supposed to complete his test earlier in the day.
Ruggs' attorney David Chesnoff told Judge Suzan Baucum — who has ordered his reappearance in court — that the delay in his test was related to trouble with equipment provided to him. Ruggs, 22, could face a return to jail for violating the terms of his release. Ruggs was released on $150,000 bond on Wednesday, Nov. 3 and was ordered to remain on house arrest while undergoing electronic surveillance. He is also to refrain from alcohol or other controlled substances, among other restrictions.

Ruggs was arrested after his involvement in a fatal drunk-driving accident on Tuesday, Nov. 2. Prosecutors said he was driving 156 mph at the time of the crash, with a blood alcohol content level of .16 — twice the legal limit for Nevada drivers. Ruggs' Chevrolet Corvette struck the back of 23-year-old Tina Tintor's Toyota Rav4. Witnesses to the event indicated they tried to help Tintor and her dog escape the vehicle, but were ultimately forced back from flames emanating from the car.
Ruggs faces two felony charges of DUI resulting in death or serious injury. That is considered a category B felony in Nevada, the second-worst violation of state law. The charges are non-probationary, meaning Ruggs will face jail time if convicted. Each charge carries a minimum two-year sentence, but can go as long as 20 years. He also faces two counts of felony reckless driving — charges with penalties of one to six years in prison — and a misdemeanor weapon charge.

The Raiders released Ruggs on Nov. 2 following his DUI arrest. He was the No. 12 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and the highest receiver taken in the draft.

When will Stephen Curry pass Ray Allen for most made 3-pointers in NBA history?

Prior to the 2021-22 season, the NBA's historic 75th season, Stephen Curry was hot on the heels of Hall of Famer Ray Allen to become the all-time leader for most 3-pointers made.

Entering the season, Curry needed 142 3-pointers needed to surpass Allen, and 12 games into the season, he's knocked off 76 of the latter's lead.
It's still early but Curry is averaging a career-high 5.4 makes per game, a shade above his previous career-high of 5.3 which he set last year in 63 games. During the 2015-16 season in which he set the all-time single-season record with 402 en route to winning his second straight MVP award, Curry averaged 5.1 makes in 79 games.
Top 10 players on the all-time leader for most made 3-pointers
Curry is one of three active players in the Top 10 with James Harden and Damian Lillard being the other two players.

 Player  3-pointers
  1. Ray Allen 2,973
  2. Stephen Curry 2,908
  3. Reggie Miller 2,560
  4. James Harden 2,489
  5. Kyle Korver 2,450
  6. Vince Carter 2,290
  7. Jason Terry 2,282
  8. Jamal Crawford 2,221
  9. Paul Pierce 2,143
  10. Damian Lillard 2,087
    LeBron James, who ranks 11th, could break into the Top 10 and increase the list to four active players later this season.

When will Stephen Curry surpass Ray Allen?
Curry has hit 42 of the 76 3-pointers in just five games including a red-hot shooting game against the LA Clippers, where he erupted for 45 points that started with a perfect 25-point first quarter and an overall 8-of-13 efficiency from beyond the arc and a 50-piece against the Atlanta Hawks.

As of Nov. 16, the baby-faced assassin, who is considered to be the greatest 3-pointer shooter in NBA history, needs 76 more 3-pointers to overtake Allen.
Going by his season average of 5.4 3-pointers per game, Curry would take anywhere around 14 games to jump to the No. 1 spot on the all-time charts.

That many games mean Curry could make NBA history in mid-December, provided of course that he misses no games moving forward.

Warriors upcoming 2021-22 schedule
With that projection, Curry would likely make NBA history on the road as Golden State would be on a five-game Eastern Conference road trip in mid-December.

14 games ahead on the Warriors schedule will see the team in Indiana, the birthplace of basketball. 15 games ahead will see the Warriors at the iconic Madison Square Garden playing the Knicks.

In case Curry takes a couple more games to surpass Allen, he has a couple of more iconic locations awaiting him in Boston - home of one of the oldest franchises which is tied for the most champions in NBA history - and Toronto - the capital of the birth country of James Naismith, the sport's inventor.

Warriors upcoming schedule
Date Opponent Time (ET)
Nov. 10 vs. Timberwolves 10:00 pm
Nov. 12 vs. Bulls 10:00 pm
Nov. 14 at Hornets 7:00 pm
Nov. 16 at Nets 7:30 pm
Nov. 18 at Cavaliers 7:30 pm
Nov. 19 at Pistons 7:00 pm
Nov. 21 vs. Raptors 8:30 pm
Nov. 24 vs. 76ers 10:00 pm
Nov. 26 vs. Trail Blazers 10:00 pm
Nov. 28 at LA Clippers 3:30 pm
Nov. 30 at Suns 10:00 pm
Dec. 3 vs. Suns 10:00 pm
Dec. 4 vs. Spurs 8:30 pm
Dec. 6 vs. Magic 10:00 pm
Dec. 8 vs. Trail Blazers 10:00 pm
Dec. 11 at 76ers 8:30 pm
Dec. 13 at Pacers 7:00 pm
Dec. 14 at Knicks 7:30 pm
Dec. 17 at Celtics 7:30 pm

How long is Kawhi Leonard out? Injury timeline, return date, latest updates on Clippers star

The Clippers reached the Western Conference finals for the first time in franchise history last season. If they want to make it back to that playoff round again, they will have to collectively replace the production of their best player.
Kawhi Leonard will be sidelined indefinitely after undergoing surgery in July to repair a partial tear of the ACL in his right knee. Leonard may be able to rejoin the rotation at some point during the 2021-22 season, but Paul George and Co. will be expected to do the heavy lifting to start the new campaign.

What's next for Leonard? Here's everything we know about his injury and the latest news on when he may return to the court.
What is Kawhi Leonard's injury?
Leonard suffered a right knee injury during Game 4 of the 2021 Western Conference semifinals. The two-time NBA Finals MVP came up limping after a drive toward the basket against Jazz forward Joe Ingles. He ended up sitting the last four-plus minutes of that contest, but in his postgame interview with TNT's Rebecca Haarlow, he said, "I'll be good."
With 5:25 remaining in the fourth quarter of Game 4 against the Jazz, Clippers star Kawhi Leonard tweaked his right knee.

After the game, Leonard told TNT, “I’ll be good.”
Unfortunately for Leonard, the knee issue was more serious than he thought and ended what had been a spectacular playoff run. The Clippers announced on July 13 that Leonard underwent successful surgery to repair the partially torn ACL, adding that there is "no timetable for his return."

In 52 games last season, Leonard averaged 24.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.6 steals, earning a spot on the All-NBA First Team.

How long will Kawhi Leonard be out?
When asked about his recovery timeline at the Clippers' media day, Leonard didn't offer a specific date, only telling reporters that he is "working with the staff day to day."

"That's the challenge of it, just seeing how quickly I can get better and stronger I can get than what I was when I'm healthy," Leonard said. "That's where I pretty much turn my mindset to."

The 30-year-old added that he signed a long-term deal to stay in Los Angeles in part because he wants to play this season.

"One thing, I wanted to secure some money, and I wanted to be able to come back if I was able to this year," Leonard said. "If I would've took the one-and-one [deal], I probably would have not played just to be cautious and opted out and took a five-year [deal]. But I'm here. I'm here to be a Clipper. I'm not going to another team unless something drastic happens. I'm here for the long run."

While it is impossible to know exactly how much time Leonard will miss, injury expert Jeff Stotts believes his recovery will extend into next year.
Re: Kawhi: Thomas Bryant & Spencer Dinwiddie each missed 60+ games after undergoing surgery for Grade 2 (partial tear) ACL injuries earlier this season. Dinwiddie was cleared for basketball activities ~6 months after surgery. Look for Kawhi’s recovery to carryover into next year.
Kawhi Leonard career stats, highlights
19.2 points per game
6.4 rebounds per game
2.9 assists per game
0.6 blocks per game
1.8 steals per game
1.6 turnovers per game
31.3 minutes per game
49.3 percent shooting
38.4 percent 3-point shooting
85.8 percent free throw shooting

College football coach carousel: Every FBS coaching change in 2021

The 2021 FBS coaching carousel is moving fast, and we're just starting November.

Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente was fired on Tuesday after six seasons. Fuente is the 12th coaching change in the 2021 season. That list includes seven Power 5 openings. Washington's Jimmy Lake was fired on Sunday.
There were 18 coaching changes last season, a number that likely will be surpassed given how many we've seen so far.

Sporting News looks at all the changes in 2021:

2021 FBS coaching changes
Randy Edsall, UConn
Resigned (Sept. 6): Edsall resigned after the Huskies' 0-2 start. Edsall had two separate stints at UConn. The first, from 1999 to 2010, saw the program make the rise to the FBS ranks and culminated with a trip to the Fiesta Bowl in 2010. Edsall returned in 2017, and that produced a 6-32 record. UConn did not play in 2020 because of COVID-19 concerns. Lou Spanos is the Huskies' interim coach.

Clay Helton, USC
Fired (Sept. 14): Helton, who had been on the hot seat the past few seasons, was fired after the Trojans' 42-28 loss to Stanford in Week 2. Helton replaced Steve Sarkisian in 2015 and compiled a 46-24 record. That mark included the program's last Pac-12 championship in 2017. USC, however, slipped to a 19-14 record from 2018-21. Donte Williams replaced Helton as interim coach.
Chad Lunsford, Georgia Southern
Fired (Sept. 26): Lunsford was fired after a 1-3 start this season. It was a peculiar decision considering the Eagles reached bowl games the previous three seasons. Lunsford compiled a 28-21 record and had previously been an assistant coach with the program from 2013-17. Kevin Whitley was appointed interim coach.

2021 Coaching changes by school
SCHOOL FIRED/RESIGNED REPLACEMENT
UConn Randy Edsall Jim Mora
USC Clay Helton
Georgia Southern Chad Lunsford Clay Helton
LSU Ed Orgeron
Washington State Nick Rolovich
Texas Tech Matt Wells Joey McGuire
TCU Gary Patterson
Akron Tom Arth
UMass Walt Bell
Washington Jimmy Lake
FIU Butch Davis
Virginia Tech Justin Fuente
Ed Orgeron, LSU
Resigned (Oct. 19): Orgeron and LSU reached a separation agreement that will take effect after the conclusion of the 2021 season. This came one day after the Tigers beat Florida 49-42. Orgeron replaced Les Miles in 2016 and became the third consecutive LSU coach to win a national championship (2019). The Tigers finished 15-0 with Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow that year, but the program has been a disaster on and off the field since. The problems include a Title IX lawsuit and self-imposed penalties.

Nick Rolovich, Washington State
Fired (Oct. 20): Rolovich was fired in his second season with the Cougars for failing to comply with the state's COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Rolovich cited religious beliefs for his reason to not get the vaccine, and he plans to sue the university over his firing . Rolovich, who previously coached at Hawaii, had a 5-6 record at Washington State. Jake Dickert replaced Rolovich on an interim basis.
Matt Wells, Texas Tech
Fired (Oct. 25): Wells was fired after a 25-24 loss to Kansas State on Oct. 23, which capped an unremarkable three-year stint with the Red Raiders. Wells replaced Kliff Kingsbury, who took a head coaching job in the NFL with the Cardinals. Wells compiled a 13-17 record but appeared to have Texas Tech headed in the right direction this year with a 5-2 start. Sonny Cumbie, a former Red Raiders quarterback, is the interim coach.

Gary Patterson, TCU
Resigned (Oct. 31): Patterson and TCU agreed to part ways after a 3-5 record through the first two months of the season. It's still a somewhat shocking move considering he was the second-longest tenured coach in the FBS behind Iowa's Kirk Ferentz. Patterson took over the Horned Frogs in 2000, and he led the program to six conference championships and 11 seasons with 10 wins or more. The highlight was 2010, when TCU finished 13-0 and won the Rose Bowl. The Horned Frogs moved up to the Big 12 and enjoyed success in the Power 5.

Tom Arth, Akron
Fired (Nov. 4): Arth was fired two days after a 31-25 loss to Ball State dropped the Zips to 2-7 in 2021. Arth, a nearby John Carroll alum, simply could not get Akron going in three seasons. The Zips had a 3-24 record in that stretch, including a 3-17 record in Mid-American Conference play.

Walt Bell, UMass
Fired (Nov. 8): Bell was fired after a 35-22 loss to Rhode Island on Nov. 6. Bell, who took the UMass job after a stint as an offensive coordinator at Florida State, had a 2-23 record since taking over in 2019.

Jimmy Lake, Washington
Fired (Nov. 14): Lake was already under a university suspension for hitting Huskies linebacker Ruperake Fuavai in the helmet druing a game. He did not coach the Huskies' loss to Arizona State on Nov. 13. Earlier that day, The Seattle Times published an article that contained allegations Lake shoved former wide receiver Quinten Pounds into a locker at halftime of a 2019 game at Arizona. Lake denied the allegations. Washington was 7-6 under Lake. Assistant coach Bob Gregory was named interim head coach.

Butch Davis, FIU
Fired (Nov. 15): Davis will not return to FIU when his contract expires at the end of this season. The decision comes a week after longtime FIU athletic director Pete Garcia resigned. Davis said the school administration is "sabotaging the program." Davis, who previously coached at Miami and North Carolina, had success in his first two seasons at FIU. The program slipped the last two years, however, and is 1-9 in 2021.

Justin Fuente, Virginia Tech
Fired (Nov. 16): Fuente is out after six seasons with the Hokies. Fuente, who was hired in 2016 after a three-year stint in Memphis, enjoyed a 10-4 season and an appearance in the ACC championship game in his first season. The Hokies are 24-23 the last four years, however, and they have been a middle-of-the-road program in the ACC Coastal Division. Fuente finshed with a record of 43-31.