Latest news with #UpandAdams'
New York Post
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Brandin Podziemski shades Knicks over not making NBA Finals: ‘Would've been a sweep'
Was the Knicks' elimination in the Eastern Conference finals just delaying the inevitable? New York certainly had the star power coming out of the East as opposed to the Pacers, but Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski doesn't think the Knicks could have held up against the Thunder. 'I'm glad it was the Pacers, not the Knicks … if it was the Knicks, it would have been a sweep,' Podziemski told Kay Adams on the 'Up and Adams' on Tuesday. 'I don't think the Knicks had enough to compete with OKC both offensively and defensively. Advertisement 3 Brandin Podziemski spoke on 'Up and Adams' on Tuesday. Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams The Knicks, who knocked off the heavily favored Celtics in the second round, succumbed to the Pacers in six games in the Eastern Conference finals, New York's first time making it that far since 2000. While the Warriors didn't see the Thunder in the playoffs after they were bounced in the second round by the Timberwolves, Podziemski might know the formula to beating Oklahoma City, as the Warriors won two of the three matchups in the regular season. 'I think the Pacers, on any given night, they play with 10 guys and there's games where all 10 of them score in double figures,' Podziemski added. 'It can come from anywhere with Indiana, and I think that's the thing that's gonna be challenging for OKC.' Advertisement Aside from a seven-game series against the Nuggets, the Thunder have rolled through their competition this postseason. Even in Game 7 against Denver, Oklahoma City sent Nikola Jokic & Co. packing in resounding fashion with a 32-point win. The Thunder are led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and co-stars Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. Advertisement 3 The Thunder celebrate winning the Western Conference and reaching the NBA Finals. NBAE via Getty Images But Podziemski credits Oklahoma City's defense as the reason for why New York would have struggled in a finals matchup. With the Knicks' offense so heavily reliant on Jalen Brunson's isolation opportunities, Podziemski noted, 'that's what OKC is really good at stopping —you look at the Timberwolves, [the Thunder] know the majority of the points are from [Julius] Randle and [Anthony Edwards], so they're really good at taking that away and forcing others to beat you.' As for the Pacers, their role players have stepped up time and time again throughout the playoffs, even when their star Tyrese Haliburton falls flat. Advertisement 3 Jalen Brunson led the Knicks to the Eastern Conference finals before the team fell short against the Pacers in six games. Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images Though he thinks Indiana will have more of a fighting chance than the Knicks would've, Podziemski concluded that 'OKC is the best team in the NBA for a reason and they won 68 games not by mistake.'
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chargers Legend Sends Strong Message About Joe Hortiz in Los Angeles
Since the beginning of the NFL offseason Los Angeles Chargers' general manager Joe Hortiz has been under fire from the fanbase. It felt like a pivotal summer due to the nature of the Chargers' playoff loss to the Houston Texans back in January. Advertisement Quarterback Justin Herbert threw four interceptions, but some of the mistakes he made were on his receivers for dropping passes or being in the wrong spots. Many fans expected the team to go out and acquire a top receiver in a loaded free agent class at the position, but it never came. Los Angeles settled on a reunion with Mike Williams and brought in former New York Jet Tyler Conklin to bolster their tight end room. Their lack of aggression on the open market was bad enough and the fanbase's frustrations only turned into anger when Hortiz discussed his draft strategy on selecting the best player available instead of targeting a specific position. Advertisement Luckily for him, the team had a great draft that put him back in good graces with the Chargers faithful. Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) passes the ball during the first quarter against the Houston Texans in an AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium.© Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Los Angeles selected running back Omarion Hampton in the first round of the draft and although he isn't a pass catcher, he is considered the most explosive prospect in his class. For an offense that is devoid of playmakers, Hampton will slide in perfectly. The recent hot streak from Hortiz is not only resonating with fans, but he is also roping in Chargers legends into the excitement. Former linebacker Shawne Merriman recently hopped on an episode of 'Up and Adams' where he spoke highly of the general manager. Advertisement Merriman says that Hortiz, 'gets me fired up because it feels like he's going to go play the game.' The executive hasn't had much of a chance to show his face in Los Angeles yet, but this revelation isn't surprising. Hortiz hails from the Baltimore Ravens organization which is known for its impressive stability and fiery culture. If he is anything like the passionate defenders of Ravens past such as Terrell Suggs or Ray Lewis, then the man is the ultimate competitor. He has done a great job remaining lockstep with head coach Jim Harbaugh in changing the culture in Los Angeles. The fans in Southern California hope they can continue on this trajectory and become a storied franchise like Baltimore. Related: Chargers GM Breaks Silence on Khalil Mack's Future with the Team
Miami Herald
14-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Dolphins bring in draft cornerback prospect with very good size and length
The Dolphins, eager to add talented cornerbacks in the draft process, brought UCF's BJ Adams to team headquarters on Monday, a UCF source said. Adams, 6-2, had two interceptions and returned one for a touchdown last season; he missed three games with a back injury. Timed at 4.53 in the 40-yard dash, Adams had the two picks, 11 pass breakups and 88 tackles (including five for loss) in four seasons at UCF. Lance Zierlein projects Adams to go in the fourth or fifth round and said he's 'man-cover corner with good size and great length; average ball production. Adams is at home in press coverage, where he can reroute the receiver. He has adequate speed and a crowd-and-grab coverage style.... I love the competitiveness and traits to squeeze catch windows.' Zierlein mentioned his strengths as having 'an ideal blend of size and wingspan for press duties.... Quick, well-timed jabs help to hinder the release, operates with good patience when pedaling with the route... Triggers forward from off-man with good bend and burst... Adequate recovery acceleration to close on route frame and length to play through the catch space... Has experience and willingness to compete on special teams.' He told the 'Up and Adams' show that 'I got that dawg in me, and I'm not going to back down from anyone I'm going against.' He played cornerback, free safety, quarterback, running back and wide receiver for Arabia Mountain High School in Lithonia, Georgia. Teams can bring as many as 30 non-local prospects to their headquarters for meetings and medical testing. The Dolphins never release their visits, but they're bringing in a slew of players this week, including Adams and Washington State receiver Kyle Williams, who visited Sunday. Among players who took 30 visits to the Dolphins earlier in April: Texas A&M defensive tackle Shemar Turner, Rutgers defensive tackle Kyonte Hamilton, South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori, Penn State safety Kevin Winston Jr. and Texas defensive tackle Alfred Collins, who's a possibility for Miami's second-round pick at 48. During Chris Grier's regime as general manager, the Dolphins have drafted some players who took '30' visits to Miami Gardens and some who did not. Though the Dolphins don't use 30 visits as smokescreens, there are some cases where the team simply wants to learn more information about a player or do medical testing.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Justin Simmons breaks down why a reunion with Vic Fangio is good for the Eagles
Justin Simmons breaks down why a reunion with Vic Fangio is good for the Eagles The Eagles traded C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans, creating a void at safety while potentially giving Sydney Brown an opportunity to be a starter. Thanks to Vic Fangio, the Eagles could already have a mutual interest with his potential replacement. Justin Simmons is no longer an All-Pro, but he's one of the best safeties in the NFL and is interested in signing with Philadelphia. During a recent appearance on 'Up and Adams' with Kay Adams, Simmons again stated that the Super Bowl champion Eagles are "high on the list" thanks to Fangio, Christian Parker, and the defensive coaching staff. While speaking with Adams, Simmons explained why an agreement would be suitable for both parties. Simmons admitted that Dan Quinn, the surging Washington Commanders, and the Kansas City Chiefs are also high on the list. Advertisement Simmons logged 62 total tackles (36 solo) and seven passes defended, including two interceptions, in 16 games for Atlanta in 2024. He joined the Falcons in mid-August after spending the first eight seasons of his career with the Denver Broncos, where he played under then-head coach Vic Fangio for a couple of seasons. This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Falcons free agent safety has Eagles at the top of his list
USA Today
08-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Justin Simmons breaks down why a reunion with Vic Fangio is good for the Eagles
Justin Simmons breaks down why a reunion with Vic Fangio is good for the Eagles Falcons free agent safety Justin Simmons is familiar with Vic Fangio and believes he can help the Eagles after C.J. Gardner-Johnson was traded to the Texans. The Eagles traded C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans, creating a void at safety while potentially giving Sydney Brown an opportunity to be a starter. Thanks to Vic Fangio, the Eagles could already have a mutual interest with his potential replacement. Justin Simmons is no longer an All-Pro, but he's one of the best safeties in the NFL and is interested in signing with Philadelphia. During a recent appearance on 'Up and Adams' with Kay Adams, Simmons again stated that the Super Bowl champion Eagles are "high on the list" thanks to Fangio, Christian Parker, and the defensive coaching staff. While speaking with Adams, Simmons explained why an agreement would be suitable for both parties. Simmons admitted that Dan Quinn, the surging Washington Commanders, and the Kansas City Chiefs are also high on the list. Simmons logged 62 total tackles (36 solo) and seven passes defended, including two interceptions, in 16 games for Atlanta in 2024. He joined the Falcons in mid-August after spending the first eight seasons of his career with the Denver Broncos, where he played under then-head coach Vic Fangio for a couple of seasons.
