Tag: ESPY

Vote for Chargers QB Justin Herbert to win ‘Best Breakthrough Athlete’ ESPY

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is up for an ESPY.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has been nominated for the “Best Breakthrough Athlete” ESPY.

The reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year’s competition includes Hornets’ Lamelo Ball (NBA), Lynx’s Crystal Dangerfield (WNBA) and Washington Football Team’s Chase Young (NFL).

After finishing with one of the league’s best rookie seasons at his position, Herbert is more worthy of the award, which you can vote for here.

In an unexpected manner, Herbert was asked to come in to start in the second week of the 2020 season against the Chiefs after a medical emergency occurred to QB Tyrod Taylor five minutes before kickoff.

It was then when a star was born.

Herbert set NFL single-season records for the most passing touchdowns by a rookie quarterback (31) and most total touchdowns by a rookie quarterback (36). He posted the most completions (396) and second-most passing yards (4,336) by a rookie quarterback in NFL history

In addition, Herbert posted eight games with at least 300 passing yards, surpassing Andrew Luck (six games in 2012) for the most 300-yard passing games by a rookie quarterback in league history.

The ESPY’s will air on July 10 at 5 p.m. PT on ABC.

LaMelo Ball nominated for Best Breakthrough Athlete at 2021 ESPYs

LaMelo Ball was one of four athletes across multiple sports to be nominated for Best Breakout Athlete at the 2021 ESPY awards.

While not quite as storied a trophy as he’s already secured this offseason, LaMelo Ball has been nominated for an ESPY award. Ball is one of five athletes nominated for Best Breakthrough Athlete and the only NBA player to receive a nomination.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, Washington Football Team defensive lineman Chase Young and Lynx guard Crystal Dangerfield are also nominated for the award. Herbert was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year and Young the Defensive Rookie of the Year while Dangerfield was named WNBA Rookie of the Year.

Ball, obviously, was the recipient of the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award, edging out Anthony Edwards of Minnesota and Tyrese Haliburton of Sacramento.

Voting is open for all awards, Best Breakout Athlete included, on ESPN’s website and will be open leading up to the awards show on ABC on July 10 at 8 p.m. EST. Two years ago at the ESPY awards, Lonzo Ball was in attendance sporting an impressive suit.

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Latest NBA mock draft predicts 2 Alabama players drafted

Two Alabama Crimson Tide basketball stars are projected to be drafted to the NBA, according to ESPN’s latest mock draft.

The Alabama crimson Tide has been rolling through their 2020-2021 season. Being ranked in the top 10, along with an undefeated conference record has put the program, the coach and players in the national spotlight.

ESPN’s latest 2021 NBA mock draft by Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz put together a complete mock that includes two Alabama stars: John Petty and Herb Jones.

Both players are seniors and have been with the program through highs and lows, as well as two different coaches.

Here’s where they’re projected to land, according to this mock draft:

59. Charlotte Hornets – John Petty

Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

49. Utah Jazz – Herb Jones

[Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]

Where will Kira Lewis jr. begin his NBA career?

Former Alabama Guard Kira Lewis jr. will be taking his talents to the NBA, but will need to wait until the NBA draft to see where he starts.

Former Alabama guard Kira Lewis spent two seasons with the Crimson Tide and is now set to start his NBA career. With the 2020 draft just days away, mock drafts begin to hone in on teams’ needs, rumors and who they’ve expressed interest in.

The latest mock draft by ESPN’s staff predicts Kira Lewis will be selected No. 18 overall by the Dallas Mavericks.

Jonathan Givony offers an explanation behind the pick,

“A combo guard with impressive speed and plus-shooting indicators, Lewis is capable of playing on or off the ball and also could run the backup point guard minutes when Luka Doncic needs a break,” explains Givony. “Lewis is younger than several freshmen but has two years of high-level experience running a team in the SEC, blossoming into one of the best guards in the country as a sophomore.”

Bleacher Report spoke with Lewis, who is currently in Miami, Florida training for the start of his professional basketball career, and he says that he’s spoken to roughly 25 teams.

Jonathan Wassermann of Bleacher Report has Lewis being drafted No. 10 overall by the Phoenix Suns in his latest mock draft.

“He’d give Phoenix an element of speed and dribble penetration that Ricky Rubio does not, even though Rubio would continue to run the first unit,” writes Wasserman. “In the short term, Lewis could provide a spark off the bench, putting pressure on defenses in transition, turning the corner off ball screens and knocking down jumpers.

He could use a few seasons to fine-tune his decision-making, but he just turned 19 years old in April. Along with his quickness, Lewis’ well-rounded skill set, which includes driving and playmaking ability, shooting versatility and floater touch, points to starting point guard potential.”

Lewis’ career field goal percentage while at Alabama was 44.7% and averaged 79% from the free throw line to average just over 15 points per game.

Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on Kira Lewis as he makes his way into the NBA.

Snoop Dogg’s beautiful tribute to Kobe Bryant at the ESPYS

Well done, Snoop Dogg.

ESPN held The ESPYS on Sunday night, which was done a few weeks earlier than normal and the awards show was produced in an entirely virtual format.

The show began with a powerful tribute to the Black Lives Matter movement, with co-hosts Megan Rapinoe, Sue Bird and Russell Wilson speaking out about the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and Rayshard Brooks.

Later in the show the legendary Snoop Dogg performed a tribute to the late Kobe Bryant in what was another powerful and emotional moment. It’s still so hard to comprehend that Kobe is no longer with us. This video only cements those feelings: