OBJ vs The Normanator

Folks, we have ourselves one A-Grade NFL slice of beef on our hands. New York Giants star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr vs Carolina Panthers star cornerback Josh Norman. Each one of the very best in their position, but there was no love between them as their teams clashed in week 15.

In a fascinating game in which the Giants rallied back from 35-7 down to tie the game, only for Cam Newton to lead the Panthers down the field for Graham Gano to kick the winning field goal and keep Carolina undefeated, the Beckham vs Norman scuffle carried on for most of the game. In fact it began a while before kick offs, but we’ll get to that.

What we saw at the game, on telly and in social media was a personal struggle between two stars. It’s not rare that a CB vs WR duel is focussed on (like whenever Richard Sherman or Darrelle Revis play against a top receiver) and often that comes with some trash talk too. But not like this.

On a play in the first quarter, Beckham lashed out at Norman with an open palm (as close to a punch as you can get with the padding). In the third he dropped his helmet into Norman on a block and caused a bit of a scrap. Both were aggressive and it carried on all game, with Beckham drawing three unnecessary roughness flags and Norman drawing two of them. Beckham was suspended for the Giant’s next game on account of this one:

Norman then took to the media to carry the whole thing on. First slamming OBJ to journalists, and then retweeting this little twitter barb:

It’s now been revealed that the Panthers had started the whole thing with a bit of intimidation pre-game. They’re often seen carrying a baseball bat on the sidelines (which isn’t strictly legal) and on this occasion it sounds like Norman threatened Beckham as a bully tactic during warmups. In fact the Giants are apparently sure of this and a little more:

Hence Becks is appealing his ban. Based on the evidence at hand, it seems like the Panthers were doing their bit to unravel the young WR star and it seems to have worked as Odell took the whole thing super personally. These are cheap tactics from Carolina but Beckham needed to be more mature about it. The bat was a gimmick. This wasn’t parking lot mayhem it was schoolyard bullying. Here’s a little evidence that the bat did, in fact, exist. Note the fella in the background:

This particular debacle is also a strong case as to why the Panthers may not do so badly to rest a few main dudes the last two weeks. One win or an Arizona loss guarantees the first seed and they play the Falcons and Buccaneers. Two division rivals with nothing much else to play for, who are probably going to be very fired up by the Panthers continued reputation of being just a little bit too cocky.

For the record, Riverboat Ron Rivera is banning the baseball bat from now on:

"It's the 'No Fun League' for a reason." – RR

Odell Beckham Jr. had 6 catches on 9 targets for 76 yards and a touchdown.

Chur Steve:

• vs POR (W 106-90): 22 MINS, 11 PTS (5-8 FG, 1-1 FT), 11 REB, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 3 PF
• at CLE (L 100-104): 27 MINS, 4 PTS (2/3 FG), 5 REB, 1 BLK, 2 TO, 6 PF
• vs LAL (W 118-78): 25 MINS, 10 PTS (4/4 FG, 2/4 FT), 7 REB, 3 PF
• at LAC (W 100-99): 26 MINS, 6 PTS (2/6 FG, 2/2 FT), 11 REB, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 3 PF

Folks, there’s a new rim sheriff in town and they call him Steve.

Yeah, that’s our lad Steven Adams, he of Rotorua origins, dunking the hell on LeBron James, one of the greatest players in the history of the game.

And here’s the thing: this wasn’t a one-off. The last week really highlighted a part of Adams’ game that has slowly been evolving over the course of this, his third season. His dunking is starting to become a real thing and guys like Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are coming to trust in him.

Remember a couple weeks back after a poor night’s shooting against the Grizzlies when Adams said: “I wanted to punch myself in the face”? Instead of punching himself in the face he (and his coaches) figured out a way to start making these opportunities count. At face value, it looks like he’s just more confident with it, going up stronger and more aggressively. It’s working.

“Plenty of times I've cursed him out for not dunking on guys. But he's kinda shut me up. Shut me up a lot.” – Kevin Durant

Adams has 12 dunks in his last seven games. Eight of them were alley-oops from Westbrook and he straight killed the Lakers with them when he looked for it.

Here’s NewsOK’s Anthony Slater explaining the scheme behind this particular play:

“The lob and finish often happen in a flash, but there's some nuance to its setup. Donovan calls it “flooding” one side of the floor.

Serge Ibaka and the Thunder's shooting guard — either Andre Roberson, Dion Waiters or Anthony Morrow — fill up one side. Durant is on the other, either in the corner or on the wing. Adams sets the screen at the top of the key, directing Westbrook toward the side of the floor occupied by Ibaka and the other guard. That leaves a rolling Adams and a spotted-up Durant on the opposite side, with a conflicted defender in between.”

You can read that full article here, it’s recommended.

Thanks to this new offensive weapon, the first time in his career when OKC have been able to run plays specifically for him, Adams has started to fill out the stat sheets a little more. A double-double against Portland was the highlight but in the past few games we’re really seeing Adams find a foothold in this team on the scoring end. His defence already makes him a crucial role player but it’s super sweet to see him get a few top ten plays of his own.

As for the team stuff, the Thunder have mostly continued their recent form with a few big win, taking care of the Blazers before annihilating the Lakers. But that Cavs game with the LBJ posterising didn’t amount to a W, with LeBron coming roaring back in the fourth quarter and the Thunder kinda crumbled. Fourth quarter offence wasn’t at all flash. But against the Clippers they won a thriller to bounce back. Several late lead changes but the game eventually came down to KD:

This from the Daily Thunder blog:

Honorable mention: Steven Adams. Speaking of being quietly excellent, Adams is quickly becoming the perfect center to compliment Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Adams does the little things so well–he sets good screens, he rebounds, he plays solid defense–which is exactly what the Thunder need to balance a lineup featuring offensive forces like Durant and Westbrook.

Also, Steven Adams still has his moustache for some reason. Doesn’t look like it’s going away any time soon.

Plus a shout out from Doc Rivers, which takes a different context when you scroll down this page:

The Hayne Refrain

Ooh look we have some Jarryd Hayne news to bring you this week! But it’s mostly the same old same old.

The San Francisco 49ers are coming round the final bend of a terrible season. One that didn’t come unexpectedly given all the talent that they lost the last two seasons but then they also can’t have imagined how shockingly Colin Kaepernick fell off a cliff either. He clearly needed to improve his abilities in the pocket (for example) but instead of taking steps forward following a poor season, he’s been such a disaster that a convenient injury has seen Blaine Gabbert (unwanted by Jacksonville) supplant him at quarterback with Kap’s future on the team in jeopardy this offseason.

And at running back it’s been a revolving door ever since Carlos Hyde was injured. Hyde was officially placed on injured reserve two weeks ago and beyond him it’s just been a mess for the 4-10 Niners. Eight different running backs have taken carries for this team and aside from Hyde’s 115 attempts and 470 yards, only Shaun Draughn (76 for 263 yds) has topped 30 yards. And he left the last game with a knee injury, questionable for this week.

Over and over the thirsty Australian media have made predictions that the next running back to fall would mean a reinstating of the Hayne Plane, but really that was never much of a chance. Hyde and Reggie Bush won’t play again this season. Mike Davis has a broken hand. So in the interests of stocking their backfield, they brought in a dude off a practice squad… just not the one certain people were hoping for. Travaris Cadet was waived and DuJuan Harris was poached from Baltimore – a reminder that Hayne is currently available to any team that can offer him an active roster spot.

Forget about what any of these guys offer. They’re just there to get them through the season, they won’t be around in 2016 unless they have Jeremy Lin levels of breakout stardom. Jarryd Hayne, meanwhile, is safely tucked away on the practice squad where he’ll be learning every day from the top coaches there in preparation, hopefully, for a run next season. If they didn’t see a future for him with this team then he’d have been on a fast plane back to Sydney when he was waived. This is all a part of the learning process and in a way he probably suffered a bit by how quickly he made a name for himself, exposing his rawness (does that sound dirty?). Anyway, the 49ers are a shambles this season and the backfield is the worst of it. He’s better off staying well clear of that mess.

Special-teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey speaking to CSN Bay Area:

"Obviously, we’ll keep those skills honed with [Hayne], the punt return stuff. He needs to learn how to play football, to learn how to run and cover kicks, and protect punts. That kind of stuff is invaluable for him in his overall skill development. He has a ton of ability. He just needs to learn the game – all aspects of the game. Obviously, from what he did in the preseason, we thought he had the skills enough to be a punt returner. It’s a new deal. Every day is a new day for him. It just didn’t work out, but he just needs to learn how to play the game of football."

And it sounds like the dude himself knows exactly where it is, pumped for 2016 and focussed on making use of this valuable learning time.

“It’s been exciting. If I can come this far in seven months, give me 12-14 and it’s going to be completely different. I think anyone that’s trained with me or has seen my growth will tell you how much I’ve changed and developed.”

From 49ers.com:

“I feel great,” Hayne said. “I feel 10 times more confident than I did six weeks ago when I was actually playing. It’s day and night. I know I’ve just got to be patient. If I get the call up then I get the call up, and if I don’t then I don’t. It’s all about being ready and training hard.”

Watching the tape is always the most rewarding part of the week. The film room is not only Hayne’s classroom to expand his football IQ, but a reminder of how far he’s come in less than a year’s time.

“It’s always funny looking at old film,” Hayne laughed. “It’s one of those awkward things. You go, ‘What was I thinking? What was I doing?' It’s hilarious. To think how much different it’s going to be in another 12 months, it’s going to be incredible.”

Quotes From Howard Beck’s LA Clippers Takedown on Bleacher Report:

Read the full thing here.

"The most hated team by far," said a veteran NBA coach, speaking for, well, everyone.

"Something about them," said a longtime team executive. "It's just an irritant."

"It's about personnel, personality and just their demeanor, how they carry themselves," said Houston Rockets veteran Jason Terry, who added cheerfully, "But it's a healthy hate."

"That's who they're always going to be—especially if they're losing," said Wizards forward Jared Dudley, who played for the Clippers in 2013-14.

"If you're that good, you shouldn't have to do all the antics," said another veteran player, who preferred to remain anonymous.

"People do not like stars that flop," said the veteran coach.

"It just seems like we have guys that annoy people," said Clippers guard J.J. Redick.

"I hate 'em," Sacramento's DeMarcus Cousins told reporters after an opening-night loss to the Clippers. "Honestly, I do. I hate 'em."

"When I took the job here, I remember literally hearing from a couple refs: 'Oh my God,'" Rivers told B/R. "'You're going to the team that clearly complains more than any team in the NBA by far.'"

According to a person with an up-close view, Rivers essentially "refs the game, from start to finish."

"I don't bitch," Rivers insisted. "I just talk all game to the refs. Some look at it as bitching, but that's just my personality."

"They don't think they ever foul, and they think they always are fouled," said former referee Steve Javie, who retired in 2011 but remains close to the game.

"I'm not going to claim that, because I'm just not going to," [Doc Rivers] said. "But it doesn't hurt us, I'll put it that way. Being hated is not all bad, at all. Let me just say, it's not a bad place to be."

"It's tough, because then when you go back at him, and he's flopping he's going to get a lot of calls," said the veteran player, who nevertheless notes, "I think Blake's a great guy off the court."

"Blake gets fouled more than any player in the league," Rivers said. "So, anyone wants to show me the flop, I'll show you 10 fouls that he didn't get calls on."

"He kind of does the Boy Scout thing," the veteran player said of Paul, "and then will be the one to trip you as you're going by. And then, like, flop."

"Exactly," Rivers said. "Because he was smart. CP is a clever, smart player. Dirty to me means you're trying to hurt someone. And CP would never try to hurt anyone. Is he clever? Yes. And if people have a problem with that, then they've got to get over it."

"I don't play for anybody to like me," Paul told B/R. "I'm telling you, I got enough friends, you know what I mean?"

"I don't know why we're the villains," Jordan said. "We haven't won s--t, so I don't know why."

Honestly, go read it. It’s fascinating.

NFL Week 15 Power Rankings:

1. Carolina Panthers (Last week = 1)
2. Arizona Cardinals (2)
3. New England Patriots (3)
4. Seattle Seahawks (4)
5. Kansas City Chiefs (5)
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (7)
7. Denver Broncos (6)
8. Cincinnati Bengals (8)
9. Green Bay Packers (10)
10. Minnesota Vikings (NA)

Welcome to the Pro Bowl

Merry Christmas!

Festive Draymond

One of the Greats

Beware The Hand

Run Rookie Run

Just Trolling

Sweet ‘Do, Bruh

The Classics

Welcome to Tyson Chandler's Man Cave

Sounds About Right

Quote of the Week:

“Russell Westbrook and John Wall both did a great charitable thing. Russell Westbrook, giving $1 million to UCLA, it’s noble, it’s recognizable, it’s something that’s going to create a legacy for his name for years to come. It’s philanthropic work. Now, the charity that John Wall did, that’s the charity that makes it to the hood.” – Jalen Rose

Yeah, that’s Jalen giving the people what they want. The charity that John Wall did? That would be the $47,000 he spent at a Dallas strip club earlier in the month after a win over the Mavericks.

Good Week:

Matt Stafford (Detroit Lions) – At a stage early in the season with the Lions still winless, they switched up offensive coordinators. Since then there’s been less over the top middling stuff and more emphasis on the deep throws that Staff has always thrived with. It’s not saved their season but there have been some solid signs and Staff’s game against the Saints was his best of 2015. 22 of 25 passing for 254 yards and three TDs. And, crucially after eight in his last five games, no picks. Plus he did it without relying on Calvin Johnson either.

LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers) – People continue to sleep on The King. In the month of December he’s averaging 28.4 PTS, 7.7 REB, 5.9 AST, 1.0 BLK and 2.1 STL while shooting at 50.7% from the field. He continues to carry any team he plays for and despite getting dunked on by Steve, he’s helped the Cavs to a five game win streak. And Kyrie Irving is back now. Since the Mozgov trade, the Cavs are 33-4 when James/Love/Irving all play.

Danny Woodhead (San Diego Chargers) – The Chargers are long since dead in the water but in what may have been their final game in San Diego they got a real gutsy performance from their hybrid RB/WR. Woodhead became the first Chargers since the great man LaDainian Tomlinson to score four TDs in a game as they beat up on the similarly hopeless Dolphins.

Bad Week:

Philadelphia 76ers – Another week, another unwanted record. The 76ers now own the worst record in NBA history through 30 games, sitting at 1-29. Whether or not it’s getting better any time soon, right now it’s only getting worse.

Chip Kelly (Philadelphia Eagles) – The Eagles have leaked at least 40 points in three of their last five games. You just know who’s gonna get the blame too.

Damian Lillard (Portland Trailblazers) – The Blazers PG is set to miss his second straight game thanks to a case of plantar fasciitis in his left foot. Sounds worse than it is. That doesn’t sound like a major but in missing the loss to the Hawks he missed his first career game, snapping a 275 game streak. Oh, and the Blazers have lost four in a row.

Player of the Week:

Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers) – Coz we’re not gonna give it to Kirk Cousins, sorry. But Newton deserves it. 341 yards passing with 5 TDs and over 100 yards rushing. That’s never been done before, and he topped it with a game-winning drive. Don’t waste your time hating him when he’s so been damn good this season.​