- Playmaker Newsletter
- Posts
- Luka gets some big help 🙌
Luka gets some big help 🙌
Plus: big player announcements in the NFL, NBA & WNBA 👏
Kyrie Irving’s new team 👀
Tom Brady retires for good 🏈
Stewie is headed to New York 🗽
Austin Rivers gets into it 😤
Cam Thomas went off 🔥
Duke vs. UNC rivalry 🏀
🚨 Trade Alert!
Kyrie Irving really popped out with trade news outta nowhere on Friday when he said he wanted out of Brooklyn.
No one saw that comin’. With less than a week before the trade deadline too? He kept us all on our toes.
Although four main teams including the Mavericks, Lakers, Suns, and Clippers were the frontrunners, the All-Star guard ended all the suspense and chose to go with the Mavs.
With the trade, Dallas will be sending Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, and future picks in exchange for Kyrie.
I know Laker fans gotta be hurt to see their front office fumble. It probably stings, even more so, to find out that the Lakers were reportedly Kyrie’s preferred destination.
You win some you lose some, I guess.
The eight-time NBA All-Star will be on to the next– leaving KD on his own. First, it was Harden who dipped out, and now it’s Kyrie. There was so much hype surrounding that trio, all for KD and Kyrie to only end up playing 74 games together in Brooklyn.
As the point guard teams up with the Don, this should be a lot of fun to watch. Both are dominant players in creating offense, so it should be interesting to see how this plays out once they both share the floor. Nonetheless, Kyrie and Luka are about to be a dynamic duo.
Can the two pull their team to the top of the Western Conference?
🏈 One last hurrah!
Tom Brady is back at it again. The man had to double up and retired for a second time. I think he’s for real now.
Never forget how the quarterback retired around this time last year, but then said SIKE and returned to the sport over a month later.
I’ll give it to him, only GOATS can do that type of thing.
But also, if you’re gonna pull something like that, you gotta go all out. After the season he had with the Bucs, I’m sure it’s not the way he planned to go out.
He went real casual with the announcement this year. He filmed a selfie video of him as he was chillin on a beach in Miami. Some fans took it as an opportunity to sell jars of the exact beach’s sand and auction them online as “Tom Brady’s exact retirement spot—Bottled Sand”.
That’s what happens when you’re one of the greatest athletes ever, I guess.
The 45-year-old put up one of the most legendary careers. After 23 NFL seasons, Brady won seven Super Bowls— the most championships won by any player ever.
As the future Hall of Famer ties the knot on his career, he’ll still be around the NFL in a different capacity.
The QB agreed to a 10-year, $375 million deal to broadcast on FOX and is looking to kick off to his new broadcasting career this year. We’ll see how he is in the broadcast booth compared to the field.
💰100% first deposit match
No House Advantage is changing the game by offering the most dynamic fantasy sports platform available today. Play in peer-to-peer PICK ‘EM contests for the shot at winning big CASH PRIZES. Test your skills VS THE HOUSE and 20X your entry if all your picks hit!
Get 100% first deposit match, up to $25 when you sign up.
👀 WNBA moves
Insider
Breanna Stewart is signing with the New York Liberty.
After playing seven years with the Seattle Storm, Stewie thought it was about time to switch it up. Stewie was considered a top free agent in this year’s market.
Joining the Liberty wasn’t too bad of an idea considering the fact that they now have a Big Three. Stewie will be teaming up with point guard Sabrina Ionescu and power forward Jonquel Jones.
Over Stewie's time in the league, the 28-year-old has averaged 20.3 points per game. Last year, she also led the league in scoring with 21.8 points per game and finished second in MVP voting.
The four-time All-Star has already won 2 chips and is looking to add another one this upcoming season.
Liberty is LIT! Even Kevin Durant is hyped.
Aye, don’t call my phone lookin for tickets this summer, they gone. Let’s get it @nyliberty
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5)
5:17 PM • Feb 1, 2023
Now that the Aces are also stacked with the newest addition of Candace Parker, the Liberty will aim to cause ‘em some trouble.
👊 NBA or MMA?
Hands were thrown Friday night between the Orlando Magic and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Austin Rivers started getting into it with the Magic’s bench. He said it was Bamba and Markelle Fultz who specifically got on his nerves.
The two Magic players made fun of Rivers after missing a 3-point attempt. It was apparently some average trash talk, nothing crazy.
Clearly, Rivers took it personally; he wasn’t about to let them get the last laugh. He confronted the bench himself and approached Bamba. That’s when things went south.
Just imagine 6’4’’ Rivers trying to go up against 7-foot Bamba. (Of course, I'm taking my money on Mo Bamba any day.) It was complete chaos as players from both teams came rushing to one side of the court in a brawl.
Since the altercation, the two players have been suspended with Bamba out 4 games, and Rivers out for 3. Even with their ejections during the game, the two continued the beef on social media.
Rivers clapped back saying “We only know you from an old rap song” Ouch...Hey, at least he even got a rap song named after him. That song goes hard too. Anyways, that's beside the point.
Sports Center
👏 Cam went crazy!
We know Cam Thomas says he doesn’t ever smile, but one thing he does do... is HOOP.
Amid all the Kyrie trade action, Cam Thomas wasn’t phased by the drama within the franchise. While Kyrie sat out Saturday night against the Wizards, the 21-year-old cooked.
The second-year guard had a career game to erase a 23-point deficit and beat Washington 125-123. Thomas put up a game-high 44 points in 29 minutes off the bench and 19 points alone came in the final quarter.
This kid really carried the team, especially as Kevin Durant, Ben Simmons, and T.J. Warren also sat out.
With many key players sidelined, this only gave the young player an opportunity to show off just how good his game is. After a breakout performance like that, he’ll hopefully get more playing time or at least a bigger role within the team.
If anything, Thomas showed the coaches that he’s one guy they can rely on even as Kyrie says his goodbyes to the team.
🏀 Rivalry action!
Raleigh News & Observer
We love a good Duke vs UNC rivalry.
This time around, Duke came out on top, as UNC endured a tough loss 63-57.
Both teams clearly had a low-scoring night, so it wasn’t the greatest performance on either end. UNC really suffered though, going 34.3% percent from the floor. A bunch of bad shots; It clearly wasn’t their night.
Armando Bacot had a 14-point game, but his teammates weren't able to help out as much.
Pete Nance only made one of his 10-shot attempts, and somehow stayed in for more than half of the game, which didn't make things any better. To add to their offensive slump, RJ Davis and Caleb Love also went for a combined 10 of 26 shot attempts. As I said, tough night for the Tar Heels.
As for Duke, Dereck Lively got LIVELY alright. He had a monster performance on defense, blocking a career-high 8 shots along with 14 rebounds.
Losing to Duke always hurts. Will the Tar Heels redeem themselves next month for their second matchup against the Blue Devils?
🧬 For the real Playmakers
We're back with everyone's favorites. Swipe a classic Playmaker Vice hoodie or Himothy tee today at playmakerbrand.com.
More stuff you might like:
Playmaker Betting Newsletter - Looking for a fun sports betting read? Say no more. Get informed and entertained at the same time. Subscribe now.
Playmaker Football Betting Show - Hosted by Sheffield Shuffler and Garrett Kerman, they give you all the insights, entertainment, special guests, and betting news you need to maximize your betting experience. Listen now.
Playmaker Hoops Basketball Show - Check out the latest episode: Jokić 3X MVP, ROY, Trade Rumors... John Wall for Fred VanVleet!? Lebron Missing Playoffs? Listen now.
PlaymakerTD - Football by Playmaker, now on YouTube.
PlaymakerU - College sports by Playmaker, now on YouTube.
In Shambles Podcast - The HOTTEST sports takes in the game brought to you by Playmaker Garf and Head of Playmaker Talent Manager, Polo Kerber. Watch here.
The Spew - A comedic interview series hosted by Playmaker Garf with regular guest appearances from big names throughout sports. Check out the latest episode with Lavar Ball. Watch here.
Pretty Big Plays - A female-led sports podcast hosted by Playmaker Nyrie & Playmaker Treasure. Watch here.
PlaymakerOP - Overpowered by Playmaker. The new intersection of gaming and sports. Follow now.
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here