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“It needs to have a bigger sample size.” You might expect that from a statistics nerd, but Denny Hamlin said it. He was addressing questions raised by Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the Dale Jr. Download last fall about changing the playoff format. “I think Dale Jr. covered it perfectly,” Hamlin told NBC Sports’ Dustin Long. “Should one season come down to this three-hour window?” It shouldn’t. Here’s why. NASCAR is not like other sports Under points systems up to 2003, a driver could secure the championship before the season’s final race. NASCAR’s playoff structure eliminates that possibility. The last 10 races build excitement through multiple elimination rounds and lay the groundwork for more of those elusive “Game 7 moments.” Just like other sports. But NASCAR isn’t “just like” other sports. The first difference is the field of play. Every NFL game is played on basically the same field. The difference between artificial and natural turf is minuscule compared to the … [Read more...] about Hamlin right about changing playoff format – NASCAR Talk | NBC Sports

Veteran Atlanta Braves outfielder Nick Markakis has reversed his opt out decision. Markakis will be rejoining the team despite opting out of the 2020 MLB season earlier this month , the team announced Wednesday. The timeline for his return to the lineup is not yet known, but he will soon be moved off the restricted list. Markakis is the first player to change his mind and return among the 15 MLB players who have opted out of the 2020 season . At the start of spring training 2.0, the Braves announced four cases of COVID-19 , including All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman . When asked about the thought process behind his opt-out decision, Markakis said talking to Freeman " opened his eyes " and also said playing without fans would be "tough." Welcome back, Nick! #ForTheA pic.twitter.com/VOSJvVqICA — Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 29, 2020 "I talked to my teammate and I talked to [general manager] Alex [Anthopoulos] and [manager] Snit [Brian Snitker] and … [Read more...] about Nick Markakis rejoins Atlanta Braves after initially opting out of 2020 MLB season

Getty Images Jordan Poole had himself an eventful 80 seconds to close the Warriors ' wild win over Memphis on Wednesday night. After attempting a somewhat ill-advised 3-pointer that irked Stephen Curry to the point the Warriors star hurled his mouthpiece into the stands, which led to his being ejected, Poole redeemed himself by producing the game-winning layup off a baseline out-of-bounds play as Golden State escaped with a 122-120 victory. JORDAN POOLE. GAME ‼️ pic.twitter.com/rcNtSJMzOm — Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) January 26, 2023 So the layup was cool. Steve Kerr said Draymond Green called for the play. Three Grizzlies followed Klay Thompson as he curled around to the strong-side corner, another example of the Splash Brothers' gravity creating backdoor opportunities for teammates, and Poole made a great cut with Ziaire Williams positioned on his top side and the rim vacated. But what I want to talk about more is this supposed awful shot that … [Read more...] about Why Jordan Poole’s shot that led to Stephen Curry’s ejection in Warriors-Grizzlies wasn’t that bad

Mikel Arteta has confirmed Arsenal are on the lookout for a new midfielder before the transfer window closes. Here we look at why the position is now a priority for the Gunners... What Arteta has said... Arteta spoke about his desire for a new midfielder to join his squad ahead of his side's FA Cup fourth-round tie with Manchester City on Friday. He revealed he wants further cover in the midfield area because of a fresh injury concern for Mohamed Elneny. The Egyptian midfielder was not named in Arsenal's matchday squad for the 3-2 win over Manchester United, with the Gunners recently linked with a move for Brighton's Moises Caicedo and Everton's Amadou Onana. Transfer Centre LIVE! | Arsenal transfer rumours January done deals | Premier League ins and outs Get Sky Sports | Download the Sky Sports App Speaking about Elneny's injury, Arteta said: "There are concerns. Mo is a player who never complains about anything but let's see. … [Read more...] about Mikel Arteta: Arsenal on lookout for new midfielder | Why a midfielder is a priority for the Gunners now

Getty Images What's better than catching up on the latest soccer transfer news? Join in as CBS Sports provides the latest updates from around the world and what they mean to your favorite teams. We look at why Pedro Porro could help save Tottenham's season along with John Anthony Brooks moving back to the Bundesliga. Nicolo Zaniolo and Anthony Gordon could also be heading to new clubs but check out what's going on. Porro could Spurs instantly Tottenham are in a tenuous situation in the Premier League following Manchester United's resurgence, but sitting fifth in the table, they're only three points out of a Champions League place. After already adding Arnut Danjuma on loan from Villarreal , the team also are still looking to improve after talks to add Pedro Porro of Sporting CP have been dragging along. Getting Porro would be a coup of a transfer dealing for the club. The move would also create space for Djed Spence to move on loan to get much-needed playing … [Read more...] about Transfer market news, rumors: Tottenham close in on Pedro Porro, former USMNT defender John Brooks moves

Getty Images The most famous recruit in the Class of 2023 also stands as the last uncommitted prospect. Four-star Bronny James, the eldest son of Lakers star LeBron James, is still deciding where he will take his talents next season (though, to be clear, South Beach has been ruled out). Bronny is reportedly down to a final three of Ohio State , Oregon and USC , each of which offers something unique to him and his prospects of developing into a future NBA player. Ranked No. 34 in his class, it's no sure thing he'll have a path straight to the pros, much less as a one-and-done. However, his development in recent months suggests his high IQ, selfless play and shooting ability from the guard spot has at least positioned him to join his father in the NBA. So where will he land after his high school career at Sierra Canyon comes to an end? Which finalists are in the best position to secure his commitment? Let's dive a little deeper below into his options with a look at … [Read more...] about Bronny James recruitment: Ranking the best college basketball fits for LeBron James’ son

Former teammates Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid squared off against each other for the first time since Simmons was traded from Philadelphia to Brooklyn last February on Wednesday night. The matchup was highly anticipated and the game lived up to the hype as the Sixers pulled out a 137-133 victory over the Nets in front of a raucous crowd at the Wells Fargo Center. Simmons, however, spent the final eight minutes and 57 seconds of the game glued to Brooklyn's bench, as coach Jacque Vaughn opted to go in a different direction due, in part at least, to Simmons' overall lack of aggression -- a concerning trend that has followed Simmons from Philly to New York. Despite playing over 16 minutes, Simmons went scoreless in the first half against the Sixers while attempting just a single shot. Then, it was like someone reminded him at halftime that he's 6'10" and super athletic because he looked like a different player in the third quarter. He came out aggressive and actually looked to … [Read more...] about Ben Simmons’ lack of consistent aggression leads to late-game benching, looming questions for Nets

Getty Images The Vancouver Canucks fired head coach Bruce Boudreau and replaced him with Rick Tocchet on Sunday in a move that was rumored to be on the horizon for weeks. In the month leading up to his firing, Boudreau more than once fielded questions about his job security and got emotional in press conferences on multiple occasions. His imminent firing was such a poorly kept secret that Canucks fans even treated Saturday's loss to the Edmonton Oilers as a heartfelt send-off for the 68-year-old coach . During the Canucks' press conference to announce the coaching change, team president Jim Rutherford admitted to having regrets about how the situation was handled. He blamed his own bluntness for the endless speculation around Boudreau this season. Here's what he had to say: "Now, part of this process, and I will apologize to Bruce for this, is probably in my interviews over the course of the season. When people ask me a question I'm probably too direct and too … [Read more...] about Canucks president Jim Rutherford apologizes for how Bruce Boudreau’s firing was handled

It’s not very often you get two of the smartest doctoral minds on one conference call, but that was the case today with Dr. Terry Trammell, IndyCar Safety consultant, and Dr. Stephen Olvey, retired former director of the Neurocritical Care Unit at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, both on a call along with Will Power and Penske Racing president Tim Cindric. Power was cleared to drive earlier Wednesday after he did not actually have a concussion, as he was initially diagnosed . Comments from both Trammell and Olvey – which are full of lucidity and insight – are below: — Q: Dr. Trammell, can you briefly talk us through the weekend in St. Petersburg and specifically how Will’s inner ear infection could have led to the concussion-like symptoms and failing the test at St. Pete? Dr. Terry Trammell: Okay. He had, as you know, an impact with a turn on the wall on the driver’s right. It compressed the right side of the car pretty low, but at relatively low G’s for that style … [Read more...] about Drs. Trammell, Olvey discuss Power diagnosis, concussion protocol – MotorSportsTalk | NBC Sports

Hope Powell has revealed how she defied her Mum to play football, how she built England Women and the importance of representing her communities. Powell is perhaps best known for her time as a coach with the Lionesses, Team GB and, more recently, with Brighton. But she was also an experienced player herself, amassing over 60 England caps and a raft of other domestic accolades. However, growing up in West Indian culture in south London in the 60s and 70s, it was not the most conventional career path for a girl - and Powell's mother even tried to dissuade her from football. "When I was growing up and playing on the estate, I honestly thought I was the only girl that played," she told Jess Creighton on Inside the WSL. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player This week's episode of Inside The WSL takes a dive into the life of Hope Powell - one of the most influential figures in the game. Izzy Christiansen: WSL postponements a … [Read more...] about Hope Powell: Defying Mum to play football, building England Women and representing her communities