Behind the Line

Kevin Durant & Michael Rapaport Need to Grow Up

Over the last few months...Kevin Durant and Michael Rapaport were involved in a dispute over social media. It started off innocently enough...trash talk between friends...then Kevin Durant crossed the line.

Kevin Durant was most definitely wrong in this situation...and has apologized. However...this isn't the first incident of this type of behavior with Kevin Durant. Ever since he left Oklahoma City...one of the best basketball players in the world has also been the most sensitive. We explain why Durant needs to rise above this...or it could tarnish his legacy.

We also explain how Michael Rapaport isn't exactly the victim in this situation...and why he was wrong to release this private conversation to the public.

Jimmy Garoppolo: 2021 Will Be His Final Season With 49ers

Jimmy Garoppolo's NFL career has been difficult. After sitting behind Tom Brady for a couple of years...he finally gets his chance in San Francisco. Then...he immediately gets injured and misses nearly an entire season.

He leads the 49ers to the Superbowl...gets hurt again...misses over half of last season. Now in 2021 when he's finally healthy and ready to retake his team...John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan have seemingly lost faith in him as their long-term starter.

We explain why it's the right decision by the Niners to move up to #3 in the NFL Draft...and what it means for the future of Jimmy Garoppolo. We explain how even if he leads the Niners to the playoffs this season...it still won't be enough to keep him in San Francisco long-term.

Lonzo Ball: Will He Leave New Orleans This Offseason

Rumors have been swirling for months around Lonzo Ball...and the possibility that the New Orleans Pelicans were going to trade him. The trade deadline passed last week with no movement for the Pelicans.

So naturally...new rumors began almost immediately about Lonzo Ball's future. News broke Sunday that he is looking to leave the Pelicans after this season...and his dream is to play for the Bulls or Knicks.

We dispel these rumors...and explain why they are completely fabricated. We also hold Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson responsible for the disappointing 2020-21 season.

Megan Rapinoe: Why Women Make Less Than Men in Sports

It seems we can't get rid of the disease of woke politics in sports. Just when the NBA seems to distance itself from politics...March Madness ushers in another woke political issue. The NCAA released their budgets for March Madness...and the budget for the men's tournament was double the budget for the women's tournament.

This prompted Megan Rapinoe to lobby Congress for equal pay between men and women in sports. Rapinoe believes that women sports are just as important as men's...so the women should be paid equally.

We disprove the notion that women deserve to be paid equally to men in sports...and explain why the pay gap is so large. We also prove this isn't a gender issue...this is an economic issue. We also provide an example where women were actually paid equal to men in sports.

LeBron James & Lakers At Risk of Missing Playoffs

Since LeBron James went down with injury last weekend...the Los Angeles Lakers have been struggling. They're getting beat in convincing fashion...and the weaknesses on this roster that LeBron has been masking all season are starting to be exposed.

The Lakers stood their ground at the trade deadline...they didn't make any moves. Was this the right decision by Frank Vogel and Rob Pelinka? Does this mean the Lakers have essentially given up on this season?

We explain why Pelinka made the right decision and the trade deadline...and why it's not worth rushing LeBron and Anthony Davis back from injury to salvage this season. Even though the Lakers are at risk of missing the playoffs with both stars sidelined...they weren't winning the NBA title this season with the current roster. 

Dak Prescott & Dallas Cowboys Headed Towards Another Mediocre Season

Since their dynasty in the mid-90s...the Dallas Cowboys have been the definition of mediocre. Jimmy Johnson built a goldmine for the Cowboys...and Jerry Jones allowed his ego to tear it all down.

The moves Jerry Jones have made this offseason are typical of the moves he's made the last 25 years...the types of decisions that have kept the Cowboys mediocre. We go over the worst decision Jerry Jones has made this offseason...and explain how it could affect them over the next few years.

We also explain why the futures of Ezekiel Elliott and Amari Cooper are unknown in Dallas.

Lonzo Ball Is NOT the Problem with New Orleans Pelicans

Lonzo Ball is having a career year. You wouldn't know that if you listened to fans of the New Orleans Pelicans...or the media. The Pelicans are failing to meet expectations again this season...and Lonzo Ball is taking most of the blame.

We explain why Lonzo Ball is not the problem in New Orleans...and is one of the few players on this team that plays great defense. It's scary to think about where the Pelicans would be this season without him.

We also explain how the expectations put on this team the last two years have been unfair...and unrealistic. We reveal the real problem with the Pelicans...and how trading Lonzo Ball would contribute to that problem.

Deshaun Watson Deserves Benefit of the Doubt

Deshaun Watson is having a bad March. When we talked about this last week...there were six to nine allegations against him. That number has grown to 24 women making claims...and it seems to rise everyday.

In the court of public opinion...anytime an accusation is attached to someone...there is always a presumption of guilt instead of a presumption of innocence. We explain why Deshaun Watson deserves the benefit of the doubt.

We also look into his NFL future...and determine whether these allegations will make it difficult for him to be traded from Houston. Will going through all of this change Deshaun Watson on the field?

Matt Stafford: Rams Have High Expectations; Can He Handle It?

There are some quarterbacks in the NFL that go their entire career without feeling the pressure to win...without having playoff aspirations. Matt Stafford has been in the league 12 years...and has entered every season in Detroit with low expectations.

All of that changes this season...as the Rams have Superbowl aspirations. Sean McVay has shown that just making the playoffs isn't enough...he wants to win a Superbowl. New quarterbacks Matt Stafford is facing more pressure in Los Angeles than he's handled his entire NFL career.

We explain why 2021 could possibly be Matt Stafford's only season to prove himself to McVay. We also detail how different the media will be in Los Angeles compared to Detroit on both a local and national scale.

LeBron James Injury Ruins Lakers Chances in Playoffs

When looking at successful teams in the NFL or NBA playoffs...often times it's not about who has the more talented roster...it's about who has the healthiest roster. Keeping your star players healthy through the regular season is critical if you want to have a chance at winning the championship.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis has missed half the regular season due to injury...and now LeBron James is out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain. With the playoffs just two months away...things are looking bleak for Frank Vogel and the Lakers.

The truth is...the Lakers have a deeply flawed roster...and LeBron James has been covering up their weaknesses all season. We explain how Frank Vogel could find himself in a situation where they're rushing LeBron back from injury...and how the Lakers have no chance at playoff success without LeBron and Anthony Davis being fully healthy.