The Burning 7: OBJ Is Off To Cleveland

First Burning 7 I have done in quite awhile. Typically I do them during the football season but in the spirit of what we are doing here at Earnestly Speaking Media I think I will make this a regular weekly thing. Anyway as I always say, I do not want to waste your time so lets get into these topics that are burning up the world today.

 
1. Both the Giants and Browns win the Odell Beckham Jr. Trade.

Let me keep it as simple as possible in terms of what this trade does for both teams in the on set.

Cleveland: This trade should on paper place them as the favorites in the transitional AFC North. Now whether this team can actually compete with the elite in the AFC is a whole other question. To their credit the Las Vegas superbooks have dramatically improved the Browns Super Bowl odds from 40/1 to 14/1. In other words only four other teams (Patriots, Chiefs, Rams and Saints) have better Super Bowls odds. 

NY Giants: The team has now accepted the direction of rebuilding. Given that Beckham was their most tradable asset, on paper the return was actually solid. The Browns #17 pick, their 3rd rounder and CB Jabrill Peppers. Whether or not fellow Giants fans actually trust General Manager Dave Gettleman to follow through the rebuild process effectively is another question. 
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2. Does the Antonio Brown acquisition help the Oakland Raiders?

Somewhat.

Even Vegas agreed as the team’s Super Bowl odds jumped from 75-1 to 50-1.
Me personally I think the Raiders are still a non playoff entity (of course Free Agency draft can influence that). On paper are no better than 3rd in the AFC West behind Kansas City and Los Angeles (formerly San Diego).


3. Should the Lakers actually consider trading LeBron James?
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A disastrous Laker season is coming to an end yet the narratives don’t. The latest coffee table discussion around the media is whether the team should even consider trading LeBron James. During the Lakers/Celtics telecast on Saturday night, Jeff Van Gundy put the talking point to everyone ears. Here is the exchange between JVG and sidekick Mark Jackson:

J​eff Van Gundy: I think in the offseason, they [Lakers] need to rebuild this roster, right? And to me, it could be a trade for an Anthony Davis, or I think they need to explore trading LeBron for getting as much as they can.

Mark Jackson: What are you doing, seriously? No, seriously, what are you doing?

Van Gundy: You've got to get on the right timeline. I'm going to say, if I could trade him for the Clippers into cap space, which would give me a better chance to get Durant or Kawhi Leonard, would I not do that?

Jackson: OK, LeBron James is not getting traded. OK?

Van Gundy: You've got to put everything on the table.

​Jackson: No, you can't.

Now it is worth noting that LeBron James does not have a no trade clause in his contract so that in itself could build some speculation. Ultimately while Van Gundy‘s premise isn’t so far out of left field, the reality is you’re not trading the best player in basketball just one year in his four year deal. But it does make for great discussion.

4. Could Steve Kerr really be growing weary of Draymond Green?
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During last night’s 115-111 loss to the Phoenix Suns,  he was caught on camera in what it seems to be saying “I’m so f*cking tired of Draymond’s sh*t”. Judge for yourself.

I think there is fuel to that discussion in all honesty. Draymond Green is the same guy you can honestly blame for the Warriors blowing a 3-1 lead in the 2016 Finals by stupidly getting himself suspended for what would’ve been a series clinching Game 5 by trying to kick LeBron James in the privates.

Now let’s be clear. Draymond is still a really good player. But if the Warriors made him the last priority when it’s time to re-up Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson this summer, it should not be shocking in the slightest.

5. A Podcast Recommendation: Something To Wrestle Ep. 145 - Steve Austin 1997

If you’re a wrestling fan from yesteryear and you don’t have this podcast on your subscription list you my friend are missing out. This episode chronicles what is to be the most important year of Stone Cold Steve Austin’s career as he prepares to become the face of the company. Sure he doesn’t win the WWF Title till a year later but 1997 planted the seeds for what became the launching point of the Attitude era. Steve Austin was the forefront of it.


6. Captain Marvel “Review”

I haven’t seen the movie yet so I can only go based on what my wife has told me and other who I consider credible sources. It’s a mixed bag from what I here. Some love it. Others thinks it is underwhelming. I still need to see it for myself.

Worth noting I did touch on the movie a bit with Kyle Nash on the Monday podcast. He saw it and has strong opinions on it.


7. Is this what they call rap music now?

After an upset win over Marin Cleric at Indian Wells, Canadian tennis player for some reason decided to celebrate in the form of a rap performance that was one of for the ages. Judge for yourself.