HomeSPORTSFive for Five: The Five Sports Stories You Need to Know

Five for Five: The Five Sports Stories You Need to Know

By JOSH HELLER
Staff Writer

1. Booker Drops Historic 70

In Friday’s 130-120 loss to the Boston Celtics, 20-year-old Suns shooting guard Devin Booker dropped 70 points, becoming the youngest player to ever score 70-plus.

In addition to that record, Booker had the highest-scoring game for a player since Kobe Bryant scored 81 against Toronto in 2006.

Booker, in his second year in the NBA since playing for Kentucky, also became the 11th 70-plus-point performance. His 70-point game came just a few weeks after the 55th anniversary of Wilt Chamberlain’s record 100-point game.

His 70 points came on a 21-40 shooting performance, and his night became the highest-scoring night for any player against the Boston Celtics. Booker outscored the rest of the Suns combined by 20 points, and his stat-line also included eight rebounds, six assists and three steals.

Celtics forward Jae Crowder called out Booker and the Suns for celebrating so hard after a loss. Booker responded “you can’t guard me.” Crowder tried to backtrack, saying he was talking about Booker’s teammates.

Either way, Booker’s night was historic and fun to watch.

And in a season where the Suns sit bottom-three in the league, the 20-year-old provides a shining light on the future in Phoenix.

2. Romo: Houston or Bust?

It looks like that Tony Romo, if not traded to the Texans, may improve his golf game even more.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, since Denver has not experienced as much interest as expected in Romo, if the Texans do not trade for him, he may retire.

Other reports surfaced late last week that Romo, 36, had garnered some interest from CBS to join their broadcast team.

After the Cowboys’ season ended, and after Dak Prescott’s phenomenal rookie season, it was initially thought that Romo would be released by the team. But the Cowboys got greedy, and especially after Houston’s release of Brock Osweiler on the first day of free agency, the team thought they could get a return for Romo in a trade.

Romo is slated to be on the books for a $24.7 million cap hit next season, which may make it difficult to orchestrate a move to Denver. It should be easier for Houston, however, as they just Osweiler’s $16 million cap hit for 2017.

The Texans, who went 9-7 and won the AFC South last season, have a dominant defense, and offensive weapons like DeAndre Hopkins, Lamar Miller and Braxton Miller. Last season, they were plagued with terrible quarterback play from Osweiler (and for a short time, Tom Savage). If they were to pick up Romo from Dallas, they could make some real noise in the AFC.

3. Hoosiers Hire Dayton’s Miller

After firing longtime head coach Tom Crean at the start of March Madness, Indiana found his replacement in Dayton coach Archie Miller.

Miller’s Flyers have made the NCAA Tournament in the last four seasons, including an Elite Eight run in 2014. His final record as head coach of the Flyers sits at 139-63.

Prior to Dayton, Miller was an associate coach under his brother, Sean, at Arizona. Arizona was eliminated by Xavier in the Sweet 16. Dayton, meanwhile, was “upset” by 10-seed Wichita State. (Most argued Wichita State was under-seeded, and Vegas had Dayton as underdogs.)

Crean led his Indiana team (from 2008-17) to a 166-132 record, and five tournament appearances. Indiana missed the tournament in 2017, and lost to eventual runner-up North Carolina in the Sweet 16 in 2016. Indiana also lost as a number-one seed to number-four Syracuse in the Sweet 16 in 2013.

Reports came out that Miller signed a seven-year deal with Indiana, and the expectations will be higher for him at Indiana than at Dayton, as Indiana made three Sweet 16’s in the last six years.

4. Noah Suspended for 20 Games

Things go from terrible to worse for Knicks fans, as injured center Joakim Noah has been suspended 20 games for violating the league’s Anti-Drug Program.

Noah, 32, signed a massive contract in free agency this offseason at four years, $72.59 million deal.

Noah has been plagued by injuries since 2014, missing 94 games since. This season, he has been sidelined since Feb. 4 with a knee injury, and he is reportedly out for the whole season.

Noah tested positive for an over-the-counter non-steroidal supplement. The league said that Noah will serve his suspension when he is physically able to play.

Since his injury, the Knicks have leaned heavily on Willy Hernangomez and Kyle O’Quinn. Hernangomez has given Knicks fans a little hope, while O’Quinn was being shopped at the deadline.

The Knicks could still release Noah, and have cap space for the offseason. They have nothing to play for now, as they sit bottom-five in the league.

5. Kang Denied Visa

Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang’s chances of playing in America this season are in serious jeopardy, as he has been denied his work visa.

In December, Kang was arrested for driving under the influence and fleeing the scene of an accident. When taken in by police, Kang blew a 0.084% BAC, and South Korea’s legal limit is 0.050%.

This was Kang’s third DUI-related charge since 2009.

In addition to that, Kang, 29, remains under investigation as a Chicago woman made sexual assault allegations against him. No charges have been made yet.

When spring training started, the Pirates placed Kang on the league’s restricted list. Kang’s 2017 cap hit was scheduled to be $2.75 million.

Both Pittsburgh’s general manager Neil Huntington and manager Clint Hurdle said it would be unrealistic to expect Kang in the lineup on Opening Day.

Without Kang, the Pirates will have to rely more on younger players like Josh Bell and Josh Harrison, as well as veteran David Freese.

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