Rockets over Warriors in playoffs, Big 12 is cradle of quarterbacks?

“Golden State’s bench is not as good as it has been.  Second fewest points. So that puts pressure on KD, Steph, Boogie and Klay Thompson to do a little bit more.  I like what I’ve been seeing from the Houston Rockets this year.  From a defensive standpoint, P.J. Tucker can create havoc for KD, and Chris Paul can put a lot of pressure on Steph.  If James Harden can keep playing like this, driving and hitting 3’s, I’m going with the Rockets in a 7-game series to beat the Warriors.”

Tracy McGrady, on ESPN’s The Jump

 

“Luke Walton wasn’t given a fair shake, but that’s part of being in the NBA.  He was given the best player in the game. He had some pieces he could have won with.  There’s a 7 or 8 seed that he should have fallen into. . . The team is not making progress, and there have to be changes.”

Scottie Pippen, on ESPN’s The Jump

 

“We’re looking at the explosion of the myth that the Big 12 is Arena Football.  In the last two drafts, the best quarterback came from the Big 12: Patrick Mahomes, Baker Mayfield.  And this year it will be another Big 12 player: Kyler Murray.  Watch the way those guys throw downfield with accuracy.  That’s what the NFL is looking for. . . . Will Grier didn’t have a great day throwing the ball at the Scouting Combine, but when people go back and look at his tape at West Virginia, coaches will like him.”

Peter King, NBCSN Pro Football Talk

 

Murray philosophical about baseball

“I love both baseball and football.  Obviously they teach different lessons.  Baseball is a game of failure. Sometimes it makes you want to quit.  In the grand scheme I think it teaches me to be a patient guy, to learn how to deal with failure.  In football you can get angry and go do something about it.”

Kyler Murray, on ESPN

 

3 QBs may go in first 6 picks

“Of the three quarterbacks we’ve talked about – Kyler Murray, Dwayne Haskins and Drew Lock – it’s very clear that Lock has the strongest arm.  He didn’t have the best receivers, but in his Pro Day he’s thrown the ball as accurately as anyone could.  He’s ripping the ball at a different level. He had the most ‘wow’ factor of the three. Assuming Murray goes No. 1 to Arizona, it’s 50-50 between Haskins and Lock for second quarterback off the board.  I see Lock going No. 6, to the New York Giants.”

Todd McShay, ESPN draft analyst

 

“Lock is a good athlete – had offers for Division I basketball scholarships.  He’s supremely confident in a relaxed way. You see him interact with his teammates, jiving with them.  There’s some guys, you interview them and it kind of lays flat. But this kid has a presence about him. He’s got some Brett Favre to him, a bit of a gunslinger, forces some throws.  But I’d rather coach some of that out of a guy than try to coach confidence into a Captain Checkdown.  Jon Gruden had him for a week at the Senior Bowl.  I think Lock could be in play for Oakland at No. 4.”

Jim Nagy, ESPN draft analyst

 

“Dwayne Haskins is a big, special talent.  I was a little disappointed with the way he looked at the Combine, a little lackluster, the running, the throwing, the cramping  . . . But he had a phenomenal Pro Day: leaner, tighter, he’s been working. He answered questions about lack of athleticism, lack of twitchiness in his body.  He’s got quick feet. He can re-set and get them in position so he can release the ball quickly. He was completing passes on the run. He’s strong and fearless in the pocket, like Big Ben Roethlisberger.”  

Chris Simms, NBCSN Pro Football Talk

 

Big Ben is a big problem

“Ben (Roethlisberger) is a great quarterback.  Ben wants to win, but Ben wants to win his way, and that’s tough to play with.  He tries to control everything, and the team let him get there. So if you’re not throwing Antonio Brown the ball and you’re giving JuJu Schuster all the shine . . .  and you know consciously you’re making the other receiver mad but you don’t care, it’s hard to win that way.”  

Le’Veon Bell, former Pittsburgh Steelers running back, interviewed by Sports Illustrated

 

Cup not runneth over for Nashville

“I’m not overly impressed with the Nashville Predators.  That blue line, for me, is running at about a 6 out of 10.  P.K. Subban is not even close to his A game.  And I don’t think Ryan Ellis is as great as we’ve seen in the past.  Roman Josi?  Maybe it’s a lack of confidence in the power play — the second-worst power play in the league.  This team is not ready to compete for the Stanley Cup.”

Nick Kypreos, former NHL player, on NHL Network