NFL
By: Greg Rector
With 2023 upon us in a couple of days, I thought I would have a little fun with things not likely to happen but would surely make 2023 a wild ride in the world of sports.
NBA Kings
Somehow, some way the Sacramento Kings do the improbable and win the NBA Championship in 2023. That would upset and confound the”Experts” out there for sure. After all those years where it was close but no cigar for the Kings, all the heartbreaking playoff losses to the Lakers, the Kings would get that elusive NBA title and finally end the drought. Let’s make it even more fun and have them beat the team tied for the most NBA titles in the Boston Celtics. Mike Brown would go down in history as having done one of the greatest coaching jobs ever. DeAaron Fox would win the Finals MVP. Oh and for the gamblers out there the payoffs would be massive if you picked the Kings in the pre-season currently at +16000. The tears of joy from Vlade Divac and Chris Webber alone would be quite the moment as well.
NFL
Why not? As a Dallas Cowboys fan and because the haters would be beside themselves at a never-before-seen level, the Cowboys end their 27 years of futility and win Super Bowl LVII? I can just see Michael Irvin having a three-straight-hour celebration diatribe on TV. Stephen A Smith’s on-air meltdown would be epic. Dak Prescott winning Super Bowl MVP and all his critics would have to apologize. Even here at teamnbsmedia.com the Cowboys haters would be at full froth. It would be the most-watched Super Bowl ever if only because like NASCAR fans who watch for the crashes, those who despise Dallas would tune in in droves hoping they lose. It would be painful for me in this regard, seeing Jerry Jones holding aloft the Lombardi Trophy, even though I would be ecstatic for the players. But to see our own Monte Perez and even the boss man Joe Cardoso (Commanders fan), have to witness a sixth Cowboys Super Bowl victory would be like winning the lottery. So why not have Dallas beat Tampa Bay Philadelphia and the 49ers, then face the AFC Champions, they would be the underdogs most likely against the Chiefs, Bills, or Bengals. Twitter would blow up. I did preface this with things that are unlikely to happen.
MLB
The New York Mets have spent money like drunken sailors this off-season. The lowly Baltimore Orioles have not. The AL-Champion Orioles with a collection of guys no one really knows do the highly improbable and beat the Yankees and Astros on their way to the “Fall Classic” to face the star-studded Mets roster. Let’s make it even more fun and they sweep the Mets to bring Baltimore its first World Series in 40 years. It would also be a reversal of fortune from one of the most famous World Series ever when it was the “Miracle Mets” beat the favored Orioles in 1969. For all of us who bemoan the big-money deals, we could all say that trying to “Buy a Championship” doesn’t always work. Not to pick on Monte Perez but since he’s a Mets fan it would also be fun that way.
The Final Four
It finally happens. A school considered to be a mid-major program completes the “Cinderella” run and actually knocks off the big boys of college basketball. The fortunate school? How about the University of St. Louis Billikens? The Billikens have a deep roster and they are veterans. So why not have them reach the championship game (No Monte I won’t have them beat your Blue Devils), where they face the mighty Kansas Jayhawks and beat them in overtime? David vs Goliath stories are always great and this would be one for sure.
Stanley Cup
After 30 years an NHL team from Canada wins hockey’s Holy Grail aka The Stanley Cup. I will really go out on a limb, let’s make it the Toronto Maple Leafs (Just for the boss Leaf’s fan Joe Cardoso) also ending 55 years of futility. Being a lifelong Leaf hater It would suck. Cowboys fans would be insufferable if they won the Super Bowl. Try having the Leafs win the Stanley Cup. Toronto would be insane as would a lot of English-speaking Canada. If you thought the Raptors championship parade was insane, this would be even more so.
Never Say Never
Those outcomes would certainly make 2023 a wild year in sports. It’s kind of fun to go out on a limb and have the improbable happen. That’s part of the joy of sports though. The improbable has happened and for fans of the teams, I mentioned it would be great for them.
Happy New Year one and all.
