Josh Harris is treating skilled sports activities franchises like Pokémon.
Like the enduring franchise’s tagline — “gotta catch ‘em all” — Harris, the Sixers proprietor and managing associate who additionally owns the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, reportedly is snapping up a 3rd group as he’s a part of a consortium shopping for the Washington Commanders.
So what does that imply for followers right here in Philly?
Effectively, it’s not nice for the Eagles, Mike Sielski writes. They — and the remainder of the NFC East — seemingly will lose their two-times-per-year punching bag as Washington improves after two-plus many years of mismanagement by Daniel Snyder.
Whereas it is probably not supreme for the Birds, getting the mastermind of that mismanagement, who turned one of many league’s premier groups right into a laughingstock, out of the best way is a plus for the NFL as a complete.
And as for implications for the 76ers? Whereas it’s a bit of odd that the man who additionally owns rivals of two different Philly groups owns the Sixers, don’t count on it to be an enormous deal, Sielski writes.
— Maria McIlwain, Inquirer Sports activities Workers, @phillysport, sports activities.each [email protected].
unCovering the Birds with Jeff McLaneEp 4: Chip Kelly – Half II: The Fall
Within the second installment of this two-part retrospective, pay attention as Philadelphia Inquirer Eagles beat reporter Jeff McLane delves into the wild and unpredictable Chip Kelly period. McLane explains the sequence of occasions that performed in Kelly’s demise. Plus, how a current cellphone name between McLane and Kelly helped deliver closure to an at-times rocky relationship.
Hear wherever you get your podcasts or go to Inquirer.com/podcasts
The phrase is overused in sports activities, however P.J. Tucker has been described as the kind of participant guys like to play with and hate to play in opposition to. That actuality is a protracted listing of intangibles which have made Tucker extremely wanted. So what else makes the Sixers ahead so particular? Let his former teammates and coaches inform you.
Subsequent: The Sixers hit the courtroom at 1 p.m. Saturday in opposition to the Brooklyn Nets, kicking off their first-round NBA playoff sequence (1 p.m., ESPN, NBCSP).
From what Howie Roseman has completed up to now, it looks like there’s a good probability the Eagles commerce the tenth choose — perhaps to gather extra draft capital, perhaps even to maneuver up a bit. EJ Smith and Devin Jackson undergo some draft-day commerce situations of their roundtable.
And if the Eagles stand pat with the tenth choose, in line with Josh Tolentino’s mock draft, the selection may very well be yet one more Georgia star who can bolster the group’s cross rush.
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Bryce Harper, first baseman? Possibly it is going to work. Possibly not. Harper, true to type, needs to go for it. Full steam forward. The Phillies imagine that it’s value exploring. There have been a lot worse concepts. And whereas not everybody can deal with first base, it additionally requires much less throwing — and from decidedly shorter distances — than Harper’s common place in proper area. To be clear, Harper wouldn’t come again as a primary baseman. He shall be cleared by docs for sport motion as a chosen hitter earlier than he’ll start a rigorous throwing program, and everybody agrees an important factor is to have his bat again within the lineup as quickly as attainable. But when Harper ultimately is ready to play first base? Think about the probabilities.
The Phillies had Reds starter Nick Lodolo on the ropes early however couldn’t money in, falling to 4-9 on the season with the 6-2 loss.
Brandon Marsh was anticipated to be the on a regular basis heart fielder, however lineup selections in opposition to left-handers are exhibiting in any other case.
Subsequent: The Phillies proceed their sequence in Cincinnati at 6:40 p.m. Friday (NBCSP). Taijuan Walker (0-1, 6.00 ERA) will begin in opposition to Reds right-hander Connor Overton (0-0, 10.13).
The Flyers’ season lasted a couple of additional minutes Thursday night, however they ultimately got here out on prime, 5-4, in additional time in opposition to the Chicago Blackhawks. Defenseman Justin Braun, a 13-year veteran, logged greater than 20 minutes of ice time and even was featured on the highest power-play unit, however couldn’t notch his 2 hundredth profession level.
Nevertheless, his teammate, Travis Konecny, reached the 30-goal plateau for the primary time in his profession — after which surpassed it. And it didn’t take him lengthy to achieve that milestone within the Flyers’ season finale.
Subsequent: The Flyers maintain their end-of-season exit interviews with the media beginning Friday.
At Concacaf Champions League time, everyone agreed — the Union may have superior to the semifinals with solely a clear sheet in opposition to Atlas, however that didn’t occur. They wanted assist from their big-time goal-scorer, and Julián Carranza scored twice. The sport was at instances exhausting, however the group held on and held out for his or her hero.
One of many broadcasters for this weekend’s sport is conversant in Philly’s different groups.
Subsequent: The Union hit the highway to tackle Chicago Hearth FC (8:30 p.m., Apple TV+, paywalled).
Value a glance
Baker’s again: Baker Dunleavy is Villanova’s GM for basketball, a brand new place within the NIL age.
Relive the run: Go behind the scenes of Villanova’s historic run to the Candy 16 with our five-part documentary sequence.
By the numbers: How do Maddy Siegrist’s stats evaluate to different No. 3 picks?
What you’re saying about Sixers-Nets
We requested: Who’ll win the Sixers-Nets sequence, and in what number of video games? Amongst your responses:
Sixers in 6 video games. — James H.
The Nets in 7. An harm or two, awful teaching, lack of depth and poor protection ought to do the Sixers in. Wait til subsequent yr. — Wendell I.
I imagine that the present version of Ben Simmons may drag down any group. There’s something psychologically fallacious with him in terms of performing within the function of an expert basketball participant. He’s fraught with “points” that may drag down a group. I wouldn’t go as far as to accuse him of self-injury to remain off the courtroom, however doesn’t it virtually appear that means? I’m an expert within the psychological well being area in addition to a Philadelphia basketball fan relationship again to Paul Arizin and Larry Costello. Simmons is a one-off. No matter we get from Harden makes it greater than value dealing him which he had some worth. He has turn into just like the deli clerk who fears utilizing the slicer. With Ben Simmons, the concern of capturing a basketball has destroyed any risk that he can have worth. — Milton T.
We compiled at this time’s e-newsletter utilizing reporting from Mike Sielski, Gina Mizell, EJ Smith, Devin Jackson, Josh Tolentino, Scott Lauber, Olivia Reiner, Jonathan Tannenwald, Mike Jensen, Kerith Gabriel, and Maria McIlwain.
