Le Journal

The Boston Celtics have been one of the biggest surprises in the NBA this season. Without Jayson Tatum, their best player, the Celtics are the second-best team in the Eastern Conference standings. Jaylen Brown has stepped up to be the top option on the team.Derrick White has also played some of the best basketball of his career. Right now, the Celtics have the second-best offense in the NBA on the strength of how well Brown and White have played. White has only played in Boston for five seasons now.White is originally from Colorado, and there is a pretty big football game happening next weekend in Denver. When asked who is going to win the AFC Championship game, Celtics fans might not be pleased with White’s answer. GettyBoston Celtics guard Derrick White dribbles the ball. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) Derrick White Picks Broncos over PatriotsWhen asked who would win the AFC Championship between the Patriots and the Broncos, White decided to go with his hometown team.“I like the Broncos, alright. I like the Broncos. I don’t know how they’re gonna win, but they’re gonna win. It’s in Denver. New England has struggled in Denver in the past. It’ll be a good game, though.”When asked about Jarrett Stidham, who will have to start the game for an injured Bo Nix, White didn’t sound quite as confident.“But Jarrett Stidham, I’ve been watching highlights. I’m being positive with it right now, so it should be a good game.”White is confident that his favorite NFL team will somehow pull the upset, despite not having their starting quarterback available. White is familiar with being the underdog, which is something Boston has been all season long. He’s hoping the Broncos can play like the Celtics.White is well aware that Celtics fans won’t be pleased with him rooting for the Broncos, since most of them are Patriots fans also. He doesn’t care, though. All he cares about is the Broncos possibly winning the AFC title so they can play for a Super Bowl. GettyBoston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown celebrates. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) The Celtics Might not be the Best Team in BostonIf the Patriots end up winning the game next weekend, the Celtics will no longer have the claim of being the best team in the Boston area. Playing for a Super Bowl will be better than anything the Celtics are able to do this season, short of playing for an NBA title.Adding Tatum back to the lineup might give them a shot to compete for a championship since he is the best player on the roster. Having Tatum would make the Celtics a much more dangerous team in the playoffs. He still doesn’t have a definitive timeline for his return, however.White would be happy to watch the Broncos win the AFC Championship and play for the Super Bowl. Celtics fans might be mad with him for a couple of weeks if that scenario were to occur. Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post Celtics Guard Goes Against Boston Fans with NFL Prediction appeared first on Heavy Sports.

There’s little debate the top need for the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason remains at quarterback. But pundits have predicted a weak incoming quarterback class, and the Steelers don’t select until No. 21 overall.Therefore, the team will likely have to settle for other immediate offensive improvements.It’s also not as though the Steelers don’t have other offensive areas where they need to be better. The team had just one pass-catcher with more than 486 receiving yards during 2025.With that in mind, Pro Football Focus’ Gordon McGuinness projected the Steelers to select Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion. McGuinness made that prediction in his latest 2026 NFL mock draft released Monday.“It’s an offseason of change for the Steelers, with head coach Mike Tomlin stepping down after the team’s wild-card round loss to the Houston Texans. Big questions remain at the quarterback position, but answers are unlikely to come in the first round of the draft,” wrote McGuinness.“Pittsburgh’s other big problem on offense was wide receiver depth. Concepcion earned a 78.2 PFF receiving grade against man coverage in 2025 and would pair nicely with DK Metcalf.”In one season with Texas A&M, Concepcion posted 61 catches for 919 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He averaged 15.1 yards per catch.Concepcion also returned 25 punts for 456 yards and two scores. He registered 18.2 yards per punt return on his way to All-American honors as an all-purpose player.Over two campaigns with NC State to begin his college career, Concepcion had 124 receptions, 1,299 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns in 25 contests.Steelers Projected to Pair D.K. Metcalf With KC ConcepcionThe Steelers assembled some of the best skilled position talent in the league from 2014-18. But since the departures of Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown, the team has struggled to replenish its offense with top talent.In 2025, running back Kenneth Gainwell led the team with 73 catches. With 486 receiving yards, Gainwell and tight end Pat Freiermuth were ranked second for the Steelers in the category behind D.K. Metcalf.Calvin Austin III was second among Steelers receivers in yards with 372.For a short period last offseason, it appeared the Steelers would have both Metcalf and George Pickens as outside receiving threats. But last May, the Steelers traded Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys for a third-round pick.General manager Omar Khan could use that selection to find more receiving talent to replace Pickens. Or, he could take a big swing with Concepcion.It’s obviously very early in the NFL draft process. But in the early going, draft experts seem to consider Concepcion a fringe top-5 receiver in the 2026 class.On December 1, PFF’s Trevor Sikkema ranked Concepcion as the class’s No. 5 wideout. Sikkema also placed the Texas A&M star at No. 35 on his overall big board.When’s the Last Time the Steelers Selected a WR in the First Round of the NFL Draft?The Steelers have a long recent tradition of drafting wide receivers on Day 2 of the NFL Draft. A lot of those wideouts developed into stars and/or great complimentary players.But if the Steelers selected Concepcion in the first round, the franchise would be breaking a 20-year drought of no wideouts picked on Day 1 of the draft.The last time the Steelers picked a receiver in the first round was when they traded up for Santonio Holmes in 2006. Pittsburgh moved up from No. 32 to 25 overall to select the future Super Bowl MVP.The Steelers chose wide receiver Chase Claypool with their first available selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. However, the Steelers didn’t have a first-round pick that year.The 2026 NFL Draft will be a big event for Pittsburgh. Not only will it mark the first draft class for the Steelers’ new head coach, the city will host the event for the first time since 1947.The first-round will take place on Thursday, April 23. Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe…

The Toronto Blue Jays were linked to St. Louis Cardinals‘ reliever Jojo Romero earlier this winter.A lot has happened for the Blue Jays since then. Since that rumor circulated, the Blue Jays have signed Cody Ponce, Tyler Rogers, and Kazuma Okamoto. Toronto has also lost out on Kyle Tucker to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Bo Bichette to the New York Mets. They have been linked to New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger. Recent reports indicate that a reunion with the Yankees is becoming increasingly unlikely.Heavy.com has proposed a trade with the Cardinals that would see them add two key pieces.Blue Jays Acquire: Jojo Romero RP Lars Nootbaar OF Cardinals Acquire: Anthony Santander DH/OF Nathan Lukes OF Bowden Francis SP Johnny King SP (Prospect) In this proposal, the Blue Jays would add both Romero and young outfielder Lars Nootbaar. In exchange, the Cardinals receive several bodies that can help their team now. Anthony Santander and Nathan Lukes can immediately play in the outfield, with Santander able to perform the designated hitter role. Despite a lacklustre 2025 season, some experts are expecting Santander to bounce back in a big way for 2026.Bowden Francis can be added to their starting rotation or long relief to start. Johnny King is a southpaw arm who was primarily a starter in 2025.How Jojo Romero & Lars Nootbaar Help the Blue JaysWhile the Blue Jays could use some infield depth, it’s possible that they have that already with the recent depth addition of Raphael Luntigua. What they could certainly use is another lefty weapon in their bullpen and an upgrade in the outfield.Nootbaar and Romer aren’t the most glamorous options, but they are more than worth exploring.An Upgrade on Jeff Hoffman?Romero has been deployed in a high-leverage role for years. In 2025, he recorded eight saves in nine opportunities in his last 24 games.In the last two years, he has 54 holds and nine saves. That would be a huge addition to the Blue Jays’ bullpen. Especially when you look at the current bullpen options available to the Blue Jays.In 2024 & 2025, Jeff Hoffman had 21 holds and 43 saves, Yimi Garcia had 19 holds and eight saves, Rogers had 64 holds and one save, Louis Varland had 22 holds, and Brendon Little had 37 holds and two saves. Looking at Toronto’s bullpen, one thing is clear: only Hoffman and Rogers had more holds or saves than Romero over the last two years.Looking more closely at Hoffman, in his two years before becoming Toronto’s closer, he recorded 31 holds and 11 saves.Romero is clearly comfortable holding down a lead on the mound. Just like Hoffman made the jump to full-time closer last year, Romero should be a strong consideration this year. Especially if he is traded to the Blue Jays.A Word About Lars NootbaarNootbaar wasn’t the most prolific hitter in 2025. However, there is value in what he brings, given his performance last year.According to Savant, he had the highest Chase rate and Hard Hit percentage on the Cardinals. He recorded 13 home runs, 48 RBIs, 119 hits, and 24 doubles to go along with four stolen bases.Specifically with hits, only Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Bichette, George Springer, Ernie Clement, and Alejandro Kirk had more hits in 2025 than Nootbaar.There is definitely something here that award-winning hitting coach David Popkins can unlock.Anthony Santander & Nathan Lukes Have Been Involved in Trade SpeculationAs for giving up assets, the two main pieces of this proposal for the Cardinals are Santander and Lukes.The Blue Jays would need to make room for Nootbaar, and swapping him in for these two makes the most sense. They have both been brought up as trade chips this offseason, and both could desperately help the Cardinals.In the case of Santander, Ben Nicholson-Smith reported in December that his contract might not be as beneficial to the team as it once was thought.“And speaking of potential trade candidates, Rodriguez wasn’t the only prominent player left off the World Series roster,”…

The New York Knicks have lost three games in a row, and while the mid-season struggles appear to be catching up with the NBA Cup champions, all three of those losses came without Jalen Brunson, but the latest injury update on the star could signal some good news.According to the injury report offered up by the Knicks, Brunson, as well as Josh Hart, are both listed as questionable for New York’s upcoming MLK Day contest against the Dallas Mavericks.Before the team’s latest loss to the Phoenix Suns, Knicks head coach Mike Brown said that Brunson is day-to-day, according to team insider Ian Begley. Brown also said the team was going to be cautious with Hart, but the questionable tag for both could mean good news, considering neither played on Saturday. Mike Brown was asked tonight if there was concern about Jalen Brunson's ankle sprain. "No. He’s day to day." On Josh Hart, Brown said, "He’s just a little sore so we’re just going to be cautious especially this time of year." Hart is out with right ankle soreness. — Ian Begley (@IanBegley) January 17, 2026 Jalen Brunson Injury UpdateBrunson was injured early on in New York’s recent contest against the Sacramento Kings. While there were initially major concerns about his ankle, James L. Edwards of The Athletic quieted some of those worries after reporting that the star guard did not leave the arena with either a walking boot or crutches. Brown has since made it clear that he didn’t expect Brunson to miss major time, but since he’s been gone, it’s clearly taken a toll on the team, as they’ve now lost three games in a row, first the game in which Brunson went out, then to the Golden State Warriors, and most recently to the Suns.In that span, the Knicks’ offense has taken a sharp turn, as they’ve drastically missed Brunson’s 28.2 points per game. While they were previously thought to be top title contenders in the East, Brunson’s absence has shed a big light on major issues around the team, and players have made that clear. But for now, the star being listed as questionable is a good sign for the 25-17 Knicks. They’ve lost eight of their last ten games, but getting back their main scorer could help stop some of the bleeding before the All-Star break. If he can’t return against Dallas on Monday, he’ll have the chance to get back on the court on Wednesday as they take on the Brooklyn Nets.Josh Hart Injury Update Before Mavericks GameLike Brunson, Hart is currently listed as questionable against the Mavericks, currently dealing with an ankle injury of his own. Hart has already missed a decent chunk of the season with several health concerns, and like his teammate and podcast partner, the team has missed his rebounding and defensive versatility.However, as Brown mentioned, New York is taking a cautious approach with Hart and his recovery and playing time. On the season, he is putting up 12.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in 31 games, while being compared to Draymond Green in a ‘do it all’ type role for the Knicks.In what is also good news for the team, there is a massive injury report for the Mavericks ahead of their upcoming contest. Dallas has eight players listed as out, including Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, PJ Washington, and obviously, Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively. Cooper Flagg is listed as questionable. Mavericks Get Major Injury Update On Cooper Flagg Regardless of whether the Knicks can get Brunson and/or Hart back or not, the contest against the Mavericks should be a bounce-back game to put them back on track. Brown, as well as some of the players, have made it clear that they aren’t happy with the team’s recent form, so a win is needed as much as ever as the trade deadline and All-Star break approach. Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post Knicks Get Jalen Brunson Injury Update Ahead Of Mavericks Game appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Following the Miami Dolphins’ 7-10 season, which saw the team dismiss the general manager and head coach, plenty of questions arose about the future of the organization. Now, the Dolphins have hired former Packers vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan as their new general manager. Miami’s search for its new head coach seems to be coming to an end, as reports indicate that Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is the frontrunner for the job.Once the head coach hiring is done and made official, Miami’s biggest remaining question mark is the quarterback position. Tua Tagovailoa has been the Dolphins’ starting quarterback since the 2021 season, and while he faced plenty of doubts in his time with Miami, his starting job never came into question before a season. That all changed in the 2025 season as he was benched in favor of rookie seventh-round pick Quinn Ewers following Tagovailoa’s disappointing play. Miami Dolphins Linked to Free Agent Quarterback View this post on Instagram Tagovailoa is still under contract with the Miami Dolphins and has $54 million guaranteed in the 2026 season. And yet, the Dolphins are expected to part ways with the Pro Bowl quarterback. Despite the previous reporting, new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has not commented on the future of Tua Tagovailoa with the team, but he was not mentioned as one of the players Sullivan viewed as building blocks for the franchise. With the Dolphins hiring a general manager with a Packers background, and things pointing towards Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley being named the new head coach, acquiring a quarterback who’s been in the Packers system makes sense. Sports Illustrated’s Alain Poupart was asked about the idea of Miami going after free-agent quarterback Malik Willis.He responded saying, “It’s a pretty reasonable leap to say the Dolphins will go after Malik Willis, but not sure they’ll be able to win a bidding war for his services.”Willis has been the Packers’ backup quarterback the previous two seasons. He has started three games for the Packers while starting quarterback Jordan Love was out with an injury. As a Packer Willis went 70-for-89 for 972 passing yards, six touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also added 261 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.Willis’ Upcoming Free AgencyWillis was once a highly touted prospect coming into the league. Ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft, ESPN analyst Mina Kimes described Willis as “The only quarterback in this class with special, special traits. Yes, he has a lot of work to do in terms of processing and running a pro-style offense, but he has time!” Willis was eventually selected in the third round by the Tennessee Titans. Things did not pan out for Willis with the Titans as he was traded after two seasons in exchange for a seventh-round pick.The new Dolphins general manager was a member of the Packers front office, when Green Bay traded for Willis. Willis turned his career around in Green Bay, so much so that he might have played his way out of Miami’s price range. With the Dolphins having to pay Tagovailoa’s 2026 salary, the team may opt to avoid going after a high priced quarterback. According to Forbes, Willis is expected to land a deal in the $25-$30 million per year range. Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post Dolphins Could Make Surprise Quarterback Move This Offseason appeared first on Heavy Sports.