Seven Step Drop — 31/05/2017
Welcome to another edition of Seven Step Drop; a weekly blog reporting, analysing, and discussing news and views from around the sporting world! Published every Wednesday right through the year, Seven Step Drop brings you insights and opinions from Sports Under Centre. So let’s delve into this week’s drops!
1 — Alonso’s Indy Odyssey
Fernando Alonso’s Indy 500 campaign may have ended with an ironic bang, but it’s safe to say he will return. After impressively qualifying fifth, Alonso ran at the front for the majority of the race; leading several laps and battling with established names like Helio Castroneves and Ryan Hunter-Reay. With his options for 2018 still unclear, don’t be surprised if Alonso returns to the Brickyard next year in his continuing quest to claim motorsport’s Triple Crown. After such an impressive rookie performance, Alonso’s sophomore effort should be even more incredible. And that should worry IndyCar’s elite…
2 — LeBron’s next calling
On Tuesday LeBron James reiterated his goal of owning an NBA franchise once his playing days are over; yet another marker in his quest to emulate the great Michael Jordan. LeBron is 32 and could conceivably play for another five years and even beyond. Perhaps his greatest asset is his mind. LeBron has adjusted his game several times throughout his career, making himself more versatile and more adaptable. With a huge wealth of experience, it’s easy to envision LeBron emulating Jordan’s ownership of the Charlotte Hornets; taking a basement team and trying to build them into a contender. Imagine it; the King calling the shots in, say, Sacramento. He could even enact a complete logo change and literally remake the Kings in his own image…
3 — Should the Cavaliers consider a big offseason move?
The NBA finals get underway on Friday as the Cavaliers and Warriors head for a deciding showdown. Whether Cleveland’s playoff form continues and whether they win or not, should the Cavaliers be considering a big move in the offseason? Cleveland don’t have any draft picks, but have some tradeable veterans. Would it be worth making a big move in free agency to add some more top tier talent alongside LeBron James? Adding another high-end player would open things up even more for LeBron, whilst also potentially giving the Cavaliers a building block for when LeBron eventually retires. As rival teams in the Eastern Conference attempt to build for both the present and the future as a pincer movement on LeBron, perhaps the Cavaliers should do the same. If Isaiah Thomas gets released by the Celtics if they draft Markelle Fultz, he could be a dynamic force when paired with LeBron, adding another dimension to Cleveland’s offense.
4 — Finals Prediction
Cavs-Warriors III is shaping up to be another epic clash as the greatest player of this generation takes on possibly its greatest team. But can LeBron beat a Warriors team that now fields Kevin Durant alongside stalwarts Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green? While the Cavaliers have adapted their scheme to play to LeBron’s strengths in a bid to overcome Golden State’s super-team, it may not be enough. Cleveland’s defense was poor in the regular season, while the Warriors unsurprisingly had one of the league’s top offenses. Even LeBron will struggle to take on all of Golden State’s playmakers, so we’re taking the Warriors in five. Let the epic clash begin…
5 — Mercedes left with a mountain to climb
A messy Monaco Grand Prix has left defending champions Mercedes on the back foot in both the Drivers and Constructors championships. Ferrari’s one-two in Monte Carlo gives them a 19 point lead over the Silver Arrows, while Sebastian Vettel’s victory puts him 25 points ahead of Lewis Hamilton in the Drivers standings. With both team looking evenly matched so far, facing such deficits early on could be costly. Yes, Ferrari could have some bad weekends, but with both teams on par, opportunities to close the gap significantly could be few and far between. Even though the W08 should be much stronger in the second half of the season on the higher downforce fly-away circuits, team boss Toto Wolff has claimed that Mercedes are the underdogs right now. And based on Ferrari’s fantastic form so far, we tend to agree.
6 — Christian Kirksey’s extension
For a team with so many issues like the Browns, the key thing is not putting all their chips on a few star players, but instead focusing on hoarding dependable guys who can deliver every week. So on Tuesday the Browns inked third year linebacker Christian Kirksey to a four year, $38 million deal with $20 million guaranteed. Kirksey will change roles and move to the outside in new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ scheme, but his 148 tackles last season led the Browns and placed him third in the league. Along with his 2.5 sacks, Kirksey is a foundational piece of Cleveland’s defense and forms a strong tandem with fellow linebacker Jamie Collins. Kirksey was a 3rd round pick in 2014.
7 — Secret sophomore star: Noah Spence
Tampa Bay’s front seven is shaping up to be a nasty unit this season. Stalwart defensive tackle Gerald McCoy is joined by free agent Chris Baker alongside re-signed defensive end William Gholston, while behind them are linebackers Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander. But the most dangerous piece could be second-year defensive end Noah Spence. After some off-field issues in college at Eastern Kentucky, Spence fell out of the first round and was snapped up by the Buccaneers in the second. Spence had 5.5 sacks as a rookie, third on the team behind McCoy and fellow DE Robert Ayers. He also had three forced fumbles. With Baker absorbing some blockers, Spence could be primed for a breakout double-digit sack campaign in his sophomore season.
