Best Odds to Win 2023-24 NFL MVP

Patrick Mahomes (+650)

The Kansas City Chiefs are the favorites to win the Super Bowl so it’s only fitting that their superstar quarterback is the favorite to win the NFL MVP. Patrick Mahomes is going for his second connective award after putting up 5,250 yards with 41 touchdowns. His performance led Kansas City to a 14-3 record and their second Super Bowl victory in four years, winning the Super Bowl MVP in both.

Having the best connection in the league with Travis Kelce and a coach like Andy Reid by his side to add to an already gifted quarterback just elevates his play even more. If Mahomes won the award, he would be the second quarterback in a row to win back-to-back MVPs, with Aaron Rodgers doing so in 2021 and 2022.

Joe Burrow (+750)

There’s no surprise that Joe Burrow is right behind Mahomes in the race for NFL MVP. Burrow has done nothing but solidify himself as one of the best in the league since being thrust into action in 2020. He’s led the Cincinnati Bengals to the AFC Championship Game and a Super Bowl appearance. Burrow finished fourth in the MVP voting last year as he threw for 4,475 yards with 35 touchdowns and can put up even better numbers this year, that is if he can stay healthy.

He suffered a calf injury in team practice and all that was said was he’ll be out several weeks. With the talent in the hunt for the award, missing a couple of games could hurt his chances but if he’s able to start right out of the gate, you better believe he’ll come out swinging, especially with a receiving corps of Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd.

Josh Allen (+850)

To open up last season, Josh Allen was the favorite to win the NFL MVP but fell short of doing so, finishing in third place. In fact, that’s been the theme of Allen’s career. He’s been the front-runner to win the MVP and Super Bowl for several years yet there’s always been someone standing in his way. Allen wants to reverse that trend and put the doubters to rest who have the notion that he and the Buffalo Bills are slowly fading away from the pack.

Allen is still one of the most talented quarterbacks in the league. He’s a dangerous duel threat as not only did he throw for 4,283 yards and 35 touchdowns but he also ran for 762 yards and 7 touchdowns. Just like the quarterbacks above him, he has a lethal connection with his top wide receiver. In this case, that would be Stefon Diggs, who had 1,429 yards. Allen is a great leader and he will have a chip on his shoulder this season to finally win his first NFL MVP.

Jalen Hurts (+1100)

Having by far the best year of his career so far in 2022-23, Jalen Hurts finished as the runner-up for the NFL MVP after throwing for 3,701 yards and 22 touchdowns with only six interceptions. He also tallied 760 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns on the ground. Hurts went 14-1 as the starter and led the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl, just falling short by three points to the Chiefs. 

He comes into this season with still one of the best wide receiver duos in the league and all-around talent around him, maybe even better than last year’s team. Hurts has improved in every season and now that he’s entering his fourth season, it’s expected that he takes his game to another level that just might be enough to win the MVP this season.

Justin Herbert (+1200)

Justin Herbert will be the one to be overlooked as an NFL MVP favorite but in reality, he shouldn’t be. Just like last season, he enters the season at number five on this list and there’s a good reason why. Herbert is one of the most talented quarterbacks in today’s game. He won the Rookie of the Year award in 2020 and followed that up with a 5,000-yard season the following year in 2021. His production did dip a little in 2022 but he still threw for 4,739 yards and 25 touchdowns. Keep in mind that Herbert was dealing with a rib injury throughout last season.

Like Hurts, Herbert is entering his fourth season at the helm with a great receiving group but features one of the best running backs in the league behind him. He’s healthy and ready to get the Los Angeles Chargers over the hump after a very disappointing loss in the Wild Card game last season. Herbert may have the biggest chip on his shoulder of any quarterback on this list to elevate his game and show why he deserves to be among the best.

Next Best Odds:

Lamar Jackson (+1500)
Trevor Lawrence (+1500)
Aaron Rodgers (+1600)
Justin Fields (+2000)
Tua Tagovailoa (+2200)
Dak Prescott (+2200)

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BIG3 Playoffs: Top Semifinal Performances

Jordan Crawford 

Stats: 27 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist

The Enemies made their first-ever playoff appearance after going 5-3 to end the regular season. With their dominant 50-37 win over the back-to-back champions Trilogy, the Enemies move on to the BIG3 Championship. The biggest reason for that was the electric play of Jordan Crawford. He tallied the most points of anyone in the semifinal by collecting 27. Not only did he score 27, but 21 of them points came via the three-pointer. That’s right, he hit an impressive seven threes to help the Enemies try to capture their first championship.

Joe Johnson

Stats: 24 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists

It’s no surprise that Joe Johnson shined when the brights were lightest. He got off to a slow start in the first half but heated up when the Triplets needed it the most. Of his 24 points, 20 of them came in the second half, including a game-winning free throw on a tough and-one shot. Iso Joe also put up 10 rebounds for a double-double. There’s no doubt that he will show up with one more great performance in him to end the season.

Jeremy Pargo

Stats: 17 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists

Obviously, Iso Joe is the star on the Triplets but Jeremy Pargo has carved his own path this season and become the perfect number two man. Johnson might’ve taken over the game in the second half but that was set up by a brilliant first half of play by Pargo. He scored 17 points in the game and 15 of those came in the first half. 

Jonathan Simmons 

Stats: 15 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists

The Ghost Ballers failed to advance to the BIG3 Championship Game but Jonathan Simmons did everything he could to succeed. He almost put up a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds while also putting up six assists. Simmons had a great first season with the Ghost Ballers, finishing top ten in multiple categories this season and being one-half of one of the best duos in the league. While his team couldn’t get the job done, he had a good performance to end the season.

Mike Taylor

Stats: 15 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal

The second half of the deadly duo on the Ghost Ballers, Mike Taylor, also tallied 15 points, combining for 30 points between the two. He also did everything he could to help his team secure the win but just fell short. Taylor was ninth in the league in points scored and was third in total three-pointers but he also did it on the defensive end too, placing top five in steals and blocks. The duo fell short but knowing what they did this season gives them even more hope for next season.

Isaiah Austin

Stats: 10 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks

Isaiah Austin didn’t exactly stuff the stat sheet but he was just as important in the Enemies’ win as anyone. While Crawford hit the threes, Austin stayed low and played critical defense that held the high-powered Trilogy to under 40 points. He had three blocks and grabbed eight boards while also putting up double-digit points with 10. The Enemies aren’t a flashy team but what Austin did is a prime example of what made this team successful this season and they hope to carry that into the BIG3 Championship.

Main Image: Aric Becker-USA TODAY Sports

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Best Odds to Win Super Bowl LVlll

Kansas City Chiefs (+600)

It’s no surprise that the defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs are the favorites to win it all again this year. The biggest reason why is because of one name, Patrick Mahomes. That’s really all that needs to be said. He’s coming off his second MVP season by throwing for 5,250 yards with 41 touchdowns to 12 interceptions and he capped it off with his second Super Bowl. If that wasn’t enough, he has the best connection in the NFL with Travis Kelce, who just put up his seventh 1000-yard season as he had 1,338 yards with a career-high 12 touchdowns.

That duo is enough to solidify the Chiefs as Super Bowl Champions, of course along with the coaching prowess of Andy Reid. There might be worries about the defense but they’ve been there and done that, facing the same questions yet appearing in and winning Super Bowls doesn’t seem to be a problem when you have this high-powered offense. If the Chiefs are able to repeat, they would be the first team to do so since the 2003 and 2004 Patriots.

Philadelphia Eagles (+650)

Right behind them is Super Bowl LVll runner-up Philadelphia Eagles, who suffered a crushing 38-35 defeat against the Chiefs to end last season. Despite that loss, they come into this season with a vengeance and maybe even better than last year’s team. They return Jalen Hurts under center, who has taken the league by storm by leading the Eagles to a 14-3 record by throwing for 3,701 yards and 22 touchdowns with only six interceptions. He also ran for 750 yards and 13 touchdowns. His great performance earned him MVP runner-up.

He’s flanked by one of the best-receiving corps in the league with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, who both had over 1,000-yard seasons. Tight end Dallas Goedert would’ve gotten or been close to a 1000-yard season last year as well if he stayed healthy. They lost their lead running back with Miles Sanders but replaced him with a trade for D’Andre Swift and snagged Rashaad Penny to try to get him back to form.

The Eagles didn’t only dominate on offense last year but did on defense too. While they lost some pieces on that side of the ball, they all but made up for it by dominating the NFL Draft while still keeping a top cornerback duo on board. This Philadelphia team has a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, maybe even more than last year, and it’ll be hard to keep them from making yet another showing in the big game.

Buffalo Bills (+900)

The Buffalo Bills slid down one from the early odds but that has nothing to do with them and all to do with what the Eagles did in the offseason. The Bills were the favorites to win it all last season but had an ugly outing against Cincinnati in the Divisional Round. They now come into this season with a chip on their shoulder to show everyone that they are still a team to beat on the road to Super Bowl LVlll.

Before Josh Allen became the Bills starting quarterback in 2018, this team made the playoffs once since 1999. Fast forward with number 19 under center, and the Bills have been one of the best teams in the league. They’re consistently finding themselves in the playoffs and atop of the list of favorites with a loaded roster but there’s always been some team standing in the way whether it’s the Chiefs or Bengals. Allen still has one of the best connections in the league with Stefon Diggs and a reliable secondary option in Gabe Davis with a promising TE group of Dawson Knox and rookie Dalton Kincaid.

They will be dangerous yet again on offense but the defense also is what makes this team who they are. Their secondary is one of the best with Jordan Poyer and a returning Micah Hyde at safety along with Tre’Davious White at corner. The Bills are also looking to get back a healthy Von Miller who had eight sacks in 11 games last season. Many are saying the Bills are slowly declining from their dominant status but they still have the power to prove people wrong.

San Francisco 49ers (+1000)

With the Eagles dominating headlines all offseason in terms of their roster, the San Francisco 49ers fall to second as NFC favorites for the upcoming season. Even with multiple options at the quarterback position, Brock Purdy will be looked at as the starter come week one. Unfortunately for San Fransisco, Purdy suffered an arm injury in the first quarter of last year’s NFC Championship Game and Trey Lance was already injured so they had to go with their third-string. They were in the mud from the start but hope to regain form this season.

Now that Purdy is healthy, the 49ers are ready to challenge for the Super Bowl yet again this season. They have one of the best overall rosters in the league and a system made for just about any capable quarterback. Purdy is surrounded by Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle as well as superstar running back Christian McCaffrey. A step further is taken with this defense, headlined by Nick Bosa and that scary defensive line.

The 49ers have made it to the NFC Championship Game three of the last four years, even with people pointing out weakness at the quarterback position. With the mastermind Kyle Shanahan leading the charge, this team is set up perfectly to succeed in almost any situation and is still a strong favorite to win Super Bowl LVlll. 

Cincinnati Bengals (+1100)

There is a trio of tier-one teams in the AFC who seem to be fighting for the right to play in February and the Cincinnati Bengals are one of them. They’ve been on the cusp of their first Super Bowl in franchise history in each of the last two seasons but have fallen just short. They lost to the Rams in the Super Bowl two years ago while losing to the Chiefs by three points in the AFC Championship Game last year. There’s no coincidence that Cincinnati became instantly one of the best teams in the league over the last two years with Joe Burrow.

With him being surrounded by wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins along with running back Joe Mixon, the Bengals aren’t going anywhere anytime soon and are poised to represent the AFC in the big game again real soon. They also have been upgrading their offensive line to accommodate Burrow, recently bringing Orlando Brown Jr. into the mix.

They’re lethal on the offensive side of the ball but questions however do remain of the defensive side. They lost key starters along the secondary but are hoping the pass rush with Trey Hendrickson and 2023 Draft pick Myles Murphy will hide some of that inexperience back there. But as we’ve seen with other teams, having a high-powered offense such as the one in Cincinnati can mask some of the weaknesses on the other side of the ball and that’s exactly why they’re one of the favorites to win it all.

Next Best Odds:

Dallas Cowboys (+1400)
New York Jets (+1600)
Baltimore Ravens (+1800)
Detroit Lions (+2200)
Miami Dolphins (+2500)

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BIG3 Playoffs: Semifinal Matchups

Enemies (3 Seed; 5-3 Record) vs Trilogy (2 Seed; 6-2 Record)

The first matchup to open the BIG3 Playoffs will be between the Enemies and Trilogy. The Enemies got off to a 1-2 start to begin the season but they turned it around and won four of their last five games, including a dominant win last week against Tri State to qualify for the playoffs.

They head into this game with the deadly shooting duo of Jordan Crawford and Elijah Stewart, who both sit top ten in three-pointers. Crawford, who is number one in the BIG3 in that category with 21, had one of the best performances last week of anyone on the season, scoring 25 points on ten field goals made. The Enemies might not play the flashiest brand of basketball but they know how to get the job done when called upon. They completely flipped the script from last season and are one win away from the big game.

On the other side, it won’t be easy for the Enemies as they go up against a team looking to three-peat for the BIG3 Championship. Trilogy were the favorites to do so before the season began and now they are in prime position. They finished the season tied for the best record in the BIG3 with the Triplets at 6-2 but find themselves as the number two seed. Like the Enemies, Trilogy got off to a slow start with a 1-2 record but never looked back as they went undefeated after that. 

They’ve missed Isaiah Briscoe to injury for most of the year but that didn’t stop Trilogy one bit. The “Hezi God’ Ryan Carter stepped in starting week four and never lost a game since. Despite starting a few weeks late, he has a great chance to take home the league MVP after dominating the league since coming in. Carter has scored 19 or more points in each game, including a whopping 35-point performance in week six. While Carter has taken over, the contributions of his partner Earl Clark can’t go unnoticed, winning back-to-back Player of the Week honors to close the season. Clark has shown he’s just as important a part of this team as anyone, performing as a duo with Briscoe and now the same with Carter. 

There was hope Briscoe would be back in week eight but that wasn’t the case. There’s no word on if he can make it back in time for Saturday but if he can’t, Trilogy has shown that they’re more than capable of bringing home gold. If he does come back whether it’s this week or a possible championship game, that would make them the most dangerous team in league history. While Trilogy is trying to win their fourth overall title, the Enemies are on a quest for their first so don’t overlook them in this big game.

Ghost Ballers (4 Seed; 5-3 Record) vs Triplets (1 Seed; 6-2 Record)

The second game of Semifinal weekend will be the 5-3 Ghost Ballers vs the league-best 6-2 Triplets. The Ghost Ballers enter the playoffs for the first time since 2017 after a huge win to finally propel them over the hump. The duo of Mike Taylor and Chris Johnson has dominated the league for years but since Jonathon Simmons joined the team this year and the production of Johnson took a dip, Taylor and Simmons have been the ones to fear around the league. As a duo, they’ve lit up the stat sheet, being top ten in multiple league categories, including total points scored. 

The duo of Taylor and Johnson hasn’t completely faded away though, as both are towards the top in blocks, becoming one of the best shot-blocking pairs in the league. Simmons had to show what the Ghost Ballers were made of one last time before reaching the BIG3 Playoffs, scoring 27 points with four three-pointers made. This team is made up of size and shooting ability, making them a tough overall team to knock around. They will be a tough out but they are going against a team looking for something to prove.

The Triplets return to the BIG3 Playoffs after missing in 2022, in large part due to Joe Johnson‘s absence last season. Now that he’s back, so are the Triplets as they enter as the number overall seed at 6-2. It doesn’t look like Johnson missed a beat from his MVP season in 2021, as he is second in total points (152), just two behind Jordan Crawford. He’s also second in total rebounds (70), fifth in total assists (22), and fifth in total three-pointers 16).

As much as we talk about Johnson, there’s a name joining him in a few of those categories that have established himself as a go-to guy behind Johnson and that’s Jeremy Pargo. He’s also put up his fair share of points with 140 and is top ten in assists (22), total field goals (52), and three-pointers made (14). Pargo also tied the BIG3 record for the most four-pointers made in a season with six. 

While we’re focused on guys like Johnson and Pargo, the Triplets have been getting solid contributions from different parts of the game with Larry Sanders and Jamario Moon. Sanders is fourth in rebounds with 59 while also being second in blocks with 9. Moon is top ten in both blocks and steals so not only does this team have the ability to score but they can play some hard-nosed defense as well. This game is going to be tough and physical against two of the toughest teams in the league.

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College Football: 2023-24 National Championship Odds

Georgia (+220)

The Bulldogs come into this season losing 10 players to the NFL Draft and will bring in a new offensive coordinator, so why are they heavy favorites to three-peat? One answer, 2022. Last season, Georgia was forced to replace 15 players that went into the NFL draft as well as having to find a new defensive coordinator yet they dominated everyone to the tune of a 15-0 record while dismantling TCU in the big game. Kirby Smart has been in this position before yet we’ve seen him pluck talent and build even stronger than before and it’s believed he can do the same again this year.

It’s believed quarterback Carson Beck will be slated as the starter to go along with a deep receiving core, including tight end Brock Bowers, and a great offensive line that is projected to shine yet again this season. While they’ve lost talent on defense, the Bulldogs have talent from front to back end with one of the best linebacker groups around. While they still have positions to sort out, it’s not believed to hamper this team by any means. If Georgia won the title, it would be the first team to three-peat since Minnesota from 1934-36.

Alabama (+600)

An 11-2 record would get you praise for an unbelievable season but not for Alabama. In 2022, that record was deemed a big disappointment and their worst season since 2013, failing to miss the playoffs. I guess that’s what you get when a school like Alabama has more standards than just about any team in history. That being said, they have the second-best odds to win the National Championship and there’s a reason for that.

While the Crimson Tide will have to replace a Heisman Trophy finalist in Bryce Young under center, they have plenty of options in the quarterback room who could step in. There still being a battle at that position might be the reason people aren’t talking about this team AS much, but that’s when they’ll strike and show everyone not to doubt them again. But this all comes down to one man, head coach Nick Saban. I mean, he does know a thing or two about winning and scooting around “question marks” surrounding the team. Alabama has pilled up multiple pieces around multiple key positions for 2023 so pushing them aside might be a big mistake.

Ohio State (+700)

Like Georgia and Alabama, Ohio State will come into 2023 with a new man under center after C.J. Stroud moved into the next level. Also like the two schools ahead of them, they’re still trying to figure out who that will be, whether it’s Kyle McCord (likely starter) or Devin Brown. Either way, one of those two will be flanked by yet another deep and talented receiving at Ohio State, led by Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egubuka.

The Buckeyes also sport great talent on the other side of the ball, having a deep defensive line filled with pro talent. They also bring back All-American linebacker Tommy Eichenberg in addition to more pieces at the position and at cornerback. Let’s not forget that last year, Ryan Day had Ohio State one point away from dethroning Georgia in the College Football Playoff and advancing to the National Championship Game. This program has multiple chips on their shoulder and they do so coming in with still one of the best overall rosters in the nation.

Michigan (+850)

Michigan is the first team on this list not to have to replace their starting quarterback for 2023. J.J. McCarthy returns as the signal-caller alongside the great backfield duo of Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. Having those three return to the fray after going 13-0 last year and making the College Football Playoff could already give them a leg up in the competition. They also boast an offensive line loaded with talent all around.

While the defensive side of the ball is still trying to be figured out with a couple of big pieces leaving, there’s plenty of talent around to have confidence in that group. Also, we’re talking about Michigan, a team known for their defense above anything else with coach Jim Harbaugh. The Wolverines also have a chip on their shoulder after getting upset by TCU in the playoff last year and it could actually help them take the next step in 2023.

Next Best Odds:

LSU (+1100)
USC (+1400)
Clemson (+1800)
Florida State (+1800)
Texas (+2200)
Penn State (+2500)
Notre Dame (+3000)
Tennessee (+3500)
Oregon (+3500)

Main Image: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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BIG3 Basketball: Top Week 5 Performances

Jodie Meeks (Ball Hogs)

Stats: 20 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals, 1 block

For now the fifth consecutive week, Jodie Meeks has led the team in scoring. He did just about everything as he scored 20 points with eight rebounds and six assists while putting up four steals and one block. This performance moved him up to second in total points (101), assists (19), and steals (8). Meeks continues to shoot the ball well and is putting up great numbers to help the Ball Hogs over .500 at 3-2.

Joe Johnson (Triplets)

Stats: 23 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist

With Joe Johnson‘s 23-point performance in the win, the Triplets improve to a league-best 4-1 after holding the tiebreaker over Power, who is also 4-1. Johnson scored the second-most points of his season after putting up a 20-point double-double last week. He’s maybe not had an Iso Joe season like we’re used to seeing in the past, but he’s put up good numbers and with the duo of him and Jeremy Pargo, the Triplets are poised to stay on top of the league.

Elijah Stewart (Enemies)

Stats: 21 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block

Elijah Stewart has put up double digits in four of the five games he’s played in 2023. This past weekend was the best performance of them all, as he scored a season-high 21 points to go along with six rebounds, two assists, and a block. He also was on from deep as he hit three from behind the arc. Stewart, along with Jordan Crawford, has been a big reason why the Enemies are 3-2 and have a good shot at making the playoffs.

Donte Green (Killer 3’s)

Stats: 20 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist

Following up a double-double in weeks three and four, Donte Green put up another great performance, adding to his MVP-like season. With his 20-point performance, Green is fourth in points per game with 19.8. He also brought down seven rebounds, placing third in the league with 8.8 per game. He’s also near the top of the league in blocks, total field goals, and three-pointers. Even in a loss that dropped them to 3-2, the Killer 3’s are considered one of the favorites to win it all this year and the main reason is because of Green.

Ryan Carter (Trilogy)

Stats: 20 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assists, 1 steal

Trilogy improved to 3-2 on the season and that’s thanks to Ryan Carter‘s last two games. In just his second game last week, he put up an impressive 27 points. He followed that up with 20 points in week five. Carter has filled in for an injured Isaiah Briscoe very nicely and with the help of Earl Clark and Amir Johnson, Trilogy has looked strong since starting 1-2. When they get a healthy Briscoe back and if Carter can keep this up, Trilogy is going to be hard to stop from 3-peating.

Other Notable Performances:

Michael Beasley (3’s Company): 25 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block

Earl Clark (Trilogy): 18 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
Gerald Green (Bivouac): 19 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist
Mike Taylor (Ghost Ballers):17 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block
Brandon Moss (3 Headed Monsters): 16 points, 10 rebounds, 1 block
Jordan Crawford (Enemies): 16 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists
Glen Rice Jr (Power): 15 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
Royce White (Power): 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists
Reggie Evans (3 Headed Monsters): 14 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist
Garlon Green (Bivouac): 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block
Franklin Sessions (Killer 3’s): 10 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists

Week 6 Matchups (Sunday, July 30th):

Trilogy (3-2) vs 3s Company (2-3)
Triplets (4-1) vs Killer 3’s (3-2)
Power (4-1) vs Enemies (3-2)
3 Headed Monsters (1-4) vs Ghost Ballers (3-2)
Ball Hogs (3-2) vs Bivouac (2-3)
Aliens (0-5) vs Tri State (2-3)

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BIG3 Basketball: Top Week 4 Performances

Michael Beasley (3’s Company)

Stats: 29 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block

What Michael Beasley has done through four games so far in the BIG3 has been nothing short of outstanding. By scoring 29 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, Beasley recorded his fourth double-double in as many games. In addition to leading the league in total rebounds (46) and blocks (7), he now is tied for first in points (21.0 per game; 84 total). Also with two steals, Beasley is tied for third in that category with five. 3’s Company might be 1-3 despite his performances, but Beasley has certainly stuffed the stat sheet and has become the MVP front-runner to this point.

Ryan Carter (Trilogy)

Stats: 27 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals

Trilogy got a huge 50-36 win over 3 Headed Monsters thanks in big part to Ryan Carter. In just his second game, Carter showed out with a 27-point performance. He added seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals, showing there’s more to his game than scoring. With Isaiah Briscoe out and Trilogy coming into the game 1-2, Carter picked a great time to break out and bring Trilogy back to .500.

Jodie Meeks (Ball Hogs)

Stats: 24 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

The Ball Hogs fell this week in a close game but Jodie Meeks is continuing to have one of the best seasons in the BIG3. In all four games, he’s led the team in points with 23 in week one, 18 in week two, 16 in week three, and a season-high 24 in week four. Meeks is amongst the top of the leaders’ boards in points, assists, and steals. He’s shown he can shoot the ball from anywhere as he is second in both total field goals (32) and three-pointers (13). With the duo and Meeks and Leandro Barbosa, the Ball Hogs have a good shot of making their first playoff in team history.

Glen Rice Jr. (Power)

Stats: 21 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

In what has kind of been an underwhelming year for the 2022 number one overall draft pick and former Rookie of the Year, Glen Rice Jr. had his best game to date. He nearly put up a double-double with 21 points and nine rebounds. He helped on the defensive end as well with a steal and a block. Rice Jr. also put up four assists, bringing his assist total to 16 (4.0 per game), the second-most in the BIG3. Despite his struggles so far this season, he helped Power improve to 3-1 and will become a pivotal part of this team if they want to make a run.

Donte Green (Killer 3s)

Stats: 19 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks

After putting up a double-double last week (28 points, 12 rebounds) and leading all players in points, Donte Green comes back and puts up another double-double in week four with 19 points and 11 rebounds. With his double-digit effort in every game so far, Green is fourth in total points (79) and also fourth in total rebounds (37). He’s a lethal shooter as well, being one of the leaders in field goals and three-pointers, while also hitting a couple of four-pointers as well. He just doesn’t put up numbers on the offensive side but on the defensive side as well. Green had three blocks this past week, bringing his total to four. The Killer 3’s sit atop of the standings at 3-1 and this man is a big reason why.

Other Notable Performances:

Joe Johnson (Triplets): 20 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists
Jordan Crawford (Enemies): 20 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists
Royce White (Power): 18 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
Leandro Barbosa (Ball Hogs): 18 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals
Mike Taylor (Ghost Ballers): 21 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal
Bandon Moss (3 Headed Monsters): 18 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks
Jeremy Pargo (Triplets): 17 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
Janis Timma (Aliens): 19 points, 6 rebounds
Corey Brewer (Bivouac): 16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals
Earl Clark (Trilogy): 13 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 4 blocks
Amir Johnson (Trilogy): 10 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist

Week 5 Matchups (Sunday, July 17th):

Killer 3’s (3-1) vs Enemies (2-2)
Power (3-1) vs Ghost Ballers (3-1)
Bivouac (2-2) vs 3s Company (1-3)
3 Headed Monsters (1-3) vs Ball Hogs (2-2)
Tri State (2-2) vs Trilogy (2-2)
Triplets (3-1) vs Aliens (0-4)

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BIG3 Basketball: Top Week 3 Performances

Donte Green (Killers 3s)

Stats: 28 points, 12 rebounds

The Killer 3s are one of seven teams that carry a record of 2-1 after a dominating win over the Aliens in week three. Donte Green has been the most consistent player for the team so far this season. Last weekend’s performance was by far the best as he followed up a 19-point performance in week two with a stellar 28-point double-double, as he also had 12 rebounds. He was lethal from deep as he hit four triples and even hit a four-point shot. After dropping their first game, the Killer 3’s have won their last two and Green is the biggest reason why.

Jeremy Pargo (Triplets)

Stats: 26 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist

Jeremy Pargo has put two consecutive big-time performances together to improve the Triplets‘ record to 2-1 after losing their opening game. First, they beat championship favorites Trilogy after an impressive 31 points from Pargo in week two. Then this past week, he put up another impressive game after 26 points in a win against previously undefeated Tri State. Even with Joe Johnson on the team, Pargo has been the Triplets’ overall best player. If Pargo can keep this up and Johnson keeps doing what he does, this duo can lead the Triplets to another title.

Royce White (Power)

Stats: 20 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block

Power has looked dominant in both wins this season and this time around Royce White played a big part in it. After failing to reach double-digit points in the first two games, White bounced back in a big way with one of the best performances of the weekend. He’s one of four players in week three to put up 20 or more points. He put up 20 points with five rebounds and three assists. White also helped on the defensive end with a block. Power looks like a strong contender this season and White putting up numbers like this would make that argument even stronger.

Michael Beasley (3’s Company)

Stats: 17 points, 15 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, 1 steal

For the third consecutive week, Michael Beasley put up a double-double in points and rebounds. This might be the best overall performance on both ends of the floor by Beasley. He put up 17 points, 15 rebounds, and three assists but dominated on the defensive side with three blocks and a steal. So far this season, Beasley leads the league in rebounds (36) and blocks (6) while being top five in steals (3). His play in week three earned 3’s Company their first win of the season and if he continues on this pace, he could be the front-runner for the MVP.

Other Notable Performances:

Corey Brewer (Bivouac): 16 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
Jordan Crawford (Enemies): 20 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist
Quincy Miller (Enemies): 18 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 steal
Gerald Green (Bivouac): 18 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist
Joe Jonson (Triplets)J: 17 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block
Rashard Lewis (3 Headed Monsters): 15 points, 14 rebounds, 1 block
Julian Wright (3’s Company): 14 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block
Janis Timma (Aliens): 16 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
Mike Taylor (Ghost Ballers): 15 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block

Week 4 Matchups (Saturday, July 15th):

Trilogy (1-2) vs 3 Headed Monsters (1-2)
Triplets (2-1) vs 3’s Company (1-2)
Power (2-1) vs Ball Hogs (2-1)
Tri State (2-1) vs Ghost Ballers (2-1)
Killer 3s (2-1) vs Bivouac (2-1)
Aliens (1-2) vs Enemies (1-2)

Main Image: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

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Best NHL Unrestricted Free Agents Still Available

1. Patrick Kane (Right Wing)

Due to off-season hip surgery, Patrick Kane is expected to miss the start of the regular season and could even be out anywhere from October to December. This means Kane will likely wait until he’s healthy to sign with a team. Kane was traded to the New York Rangers at the trade deadline after spending 15 seasons and winning three Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks.

In 73 games last season for both teams, Kane scored 21 goals and had 36 assists. He had a disappointing transition after the trade though as he only scored five of the goals with the Rangers and had only seven assists. He also only scored one goal in the playoffs (seven games). Kane has vowed to feel better than ever when he’s healthy and turn it around from last season as he looks to prove he’s still a dangerous player.

2. Vladimir Tarasenko (Right Wing)

Joining Kane on the Rangers at the trade deadline was Vladimir Tarasenko, a sight no one thought they’d ever see. He came over from the St. Louis Blues after 11 years with the team. The tank scored 18 goals last season with 32 assists. Life after the trade went a little better than Kane’s did, as he scored eight goals and had 13 assists with New York. He also scored three goals in seven playoff games.

Despite shoulder injuries that have kept Tarasenko sidelined in the past, he still has a lethal sniper in his arsenal and has looked relativity healthy. The wait for him to sign might take just a little bit longer as it was announced that he changed agents and is now represented by JP Barry and Pat Brisson of CAA, the same group that represents some of the biggest names in the league. This is the first time Tarasenko has been a free agent so he feels change is the best way to get the best deal on the market.

3. Patrice Bergeron (Center)

It has been said that Patrice Bergeron will play only for the Boston Bruins so he will either re-sign with them or retire. If your Boston, re-signing him is a no-brainer if that’s what he’s looking to do. At the age of 37 last season, he played 78 games with 27 goals and 31 assists and still factors in on this team’s first line.

He not only can play on offense but is also great on the defensive side, making him one of the most dominant two-way players the game has seen. If me not saying it wasn’t enough, he has the hardware to prove it as he just got done winning his sixth career Selke Trophy for the best defensive forward in the game. He’s played 19 seasons in Boston and they’d love it if he at least rounded out that number to 20.

4. Matt Dumba (Defenseman)

The best defenseman left still on the board is 2012 first-round pick Matt Dumba. He’s been with the Minnesota Wild for 10 seasons and put up good numbers on offense, having 236 career points with 79 goals and 157 assists. In addition to the offense, he’s a tough defenseman who isn’t afraid to throw his body around when he needs to.

To go along with his toughness, he can play top-four minutes, playing just over 21 per game last season and logging 22 or more minutes in each of the last six seasons. His offense has taken a little dip in recent years, especially last year when he only scored 4 goals with 10 assists in 79 games. While his offense has slipped a little, he statistically improved his defense. Despite the offensive numbers recently, Dumba is still a weapon to have and has the ability to turn it around.

5. Thomas Tatar (Left Wing)

In all 82 games, Thomas Tatar tallied his highest goal and assist total since 2019-20. He scored 20 goals to go along with 28 assists this past season. Tatar has a really good shot that makes him a solid scorer but he can also play on the defensive side as well. He’s an underrated two-way player and that’s a desire for any team in the league.

After an underwhelming 2021-22, Tatar had an important bounce-back season in a contract year that will see him get some interest as we get later into the offseason. One thing that was a concern from last season was his playoff performance, scoring only a goal and having no assists in 12 games for the New Jersey Devils. While that was the case, Tatar’s regular season is enough to show he still has a lot of game left in him.

6. David Krejci (Center)

After spending a season playing in the Czech Republic, David Krejci returned last season and his production showed why he’s still a valuable piece in this league. He still has great play-making ability, showcasing his passing as one of the best in the NHL. He followed up his 36-assist season in 2020-21 with 40 assists last season. Krejci also netted 16 goals and had 4 points in four playoff games in 2023.

Like Bergeron, it’s either return to the Bruins or retire from the NHL for the 37-year-old. Krejci was drafted by Boston in 2004 and has been there ever since, playing 16 seasons with the team. If he were to return, he would solidify the Bruins’ second line down the middle and would be a key piece in the 2023-24 team.

Other Notable Unresticted Free Agents:

Max Comtois (Left Wing)
Jonathan Toews (Center)
Oskar Sundqvist (Center)
Denis Gurianov (Right Wing)
Pius Suter (Left Wing)
Josh Bailey (Right Wing)
Martin Jones (Goaltender)
Phil Kessel (Right Wing)

Main Image: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

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BIG3 Basketball: Top Week 2 Performances

Jeremy Pargo (Triplets)

Stats: 31 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists

It’s common to see a player from the Triplets have a dominating performance but this time it wasn’t Iso Joe. The sweet-shooting Jeremy Pargo carried his team to their first win of the season after a 50-42 win over Trilogy. He led the whole BIG3 in scoring for week two with an amazing 31 points. Pargo did that while making 12 field goals, five of them from behind the arc, with two being from 4-point range. This was a complete turnaround from his six-point performance last week and he will be an intricate part of what the Triplets do this year.

Jason Richardson (Tri State)

Stats: 29 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals

Tri State dominated Power by the score of 52-32 and Jason Richardson was a big reason why. He filled the stat sheet as he had 29 points with six rebounds and assists a piece. He also made five triples to make it even more impressive. If the offensive side of the ball wasn’t enough, he tallied four steals to cap off a great game. This came after his great performance in the team’s win last week when he scored 19 points to go along with 13 rebounds. If he keeps this up, it’ll be tough to beat Tri State and keep him away from the MVP discussion. 

Jordan Crawford (Enemies)

Stats: 22 points, 7 rebound

After scoring 22 points last week in a loss, Jordan Crawford decided to have another 22-point performance this week, resulting in a win this time around. He also chipped in seven rebounds, showing he’s a problem on the boards as he had eight rebounds last week. So far, Crawford is looking like he will be the key to success for the Enemies and can turn this season around after missing the playoffs last season.

Janis Timma (Aliens)

Stats: 21 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals

The Aliens are 0-2 this season after suffering losses to the Ball Hogs and Ghost Ballers but it’s certainly not because of Janis Timma. He’s led the team in points in both games, which included 21 points with six rebounds and three assists in week two. He also put in some work on the defensive end, getting three steals. Timma did everything to try to get the Aliens their first win of the season but fell short. They are bound to win very soon if he keeps this up.

Michael Beasley (3’s Company)

Stats: 17 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, 1 steal)

Michael Beasley was all over the stat sheet this week. He put up back-to-back double-doubles, scoring 21 points with 10 rebounds last week, and followed that up with a 17-point, 11-rebound performance this week. What might be even more impressive is his efforts on the defensive side of the ball, tallying three blocks and a steal. 3’s Company went on a huge run at the end of the game, which Beasley was a part of, but just feel short. They fall to 0-2 but the team’s losses won’t hide what Beasley has done so far through two weeks.

Other Notable Performances:

Jodie Meeks (Ball Hogs): 18 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Dante Green (Killer 3s): 19 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal
Corey Brewers (Bivouac): 17 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 1 block
Rashard Lewis (3 Headed Monsters): 17 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Chris Johnson (Ghost Ballers): 17 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist
Jonathan Simmons (Ghost Ballers): 16 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
Kevin Murphy (3 Headed Monsters): 18 points, 6 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal
Isaiah Briscoe (Trilogy): 17 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block
Deshawn Stephens (Tri State): 18 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist

Week 3 Matchups (Sunday, July 9th):

Trilogy (1-1) vs Power (1-1)
Triplets (1-1) vs Tri State (2-0)
3 Headed Monsters (1-1) vs 3’s Company (0-2)
Enemies (1-1) vs Bivouac (1-1)
Aliens (0-2) vs Killer 3’s (1-1)
Ghost Ballers (2-0) vs Ball Hogs (1-1)

Main Image: Aric Becker-USA TODAY Sports

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