OPINION

J-Ross’ Notes From The Weekend In Sports

Oct 12, 2020, 9:02 AM | Updated: 9:02 am

(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)...

(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

The NBA season is over, Alex Smith has returned, the 49ers look off and there were plenty of other storylines in the sports world over the weekend

Earlier in 2020 we went days, weeks and even a few months without sports.

Over the last few weeks we have been at a crossroads with almost every sport going at the same time. This weekend we had a little bit of everything and I enjoyed almost all of it.

Thank You and Goodbye to the NBA season

The NBA finished their season after having to go through a stoppage and then a restart in a constructed bubble in Orlando.

(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

The NBA deserves a ton of credit for pulling off something we have never seen before. We all wanted sports to return but it needed to be done in a safe way. The NBA mastered that with their bubble.

The play was good in the bubble and it ended on Sunday with the Lakers winning the championship. LeBron James and Anthony Davis formed a dynamic duo that proved to be too much for the Miami Heat. The Lakers defense got it done. The “other” Lakers did enough and LeBron and AD showed off their incredible talent. The debate on whether or not LeBron is the greatest of all time has no official answer and becomes a battle of opinions.

As for me, I just enjoy watching his greatness. I love the way he plays the game. I appreciate his commitment to stay at the top of his game this late into his career.

Nadal continues to amaze

Speaking of greatness, how about Rafael Nadal? Nadal won the French Open over the weekend for the 13th time. 13! His lifetime record at the French is 100-2. That is absolutely AMAZING. Not only does he have 13 Grand Slam titles at the French with his 7 others he now has 20 overall. That now matches him with Roger Federer for the most all time on the Men’s side. Keep in mind that Novak Djokovic is also just a few behind which means we are living in the greatest era of Men’s tennis ever.

Raaaaaidddeeerrrrrsss

The Las Vegas Raiders had a HUGE win on Sunday at Arrowhead.

(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The Raiders played in a shootout with the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs and outperformed them. Without a doubt that was the best win of Jon Gruden’s second tenure with the Silver and Black.

Carr shook off an early interception and was spectacular. The return of speedster Henry Ruggs and Josh Jacobs on the ground gives the Raiders the best version of their offense. A great win going into the bye week should give them confidence when they return.

Trouble in San Francisco

The San Francisco 49ers are a mess.

The 49ers got roughed up on Sunday by the Miami Dolphins. The 49ers gave up 43 points which was the most ever in their stadium. In the game that featured the return of Jimmy G. he was benched. The team has a lot of injuries but their offensive line is healthy and has been playing poorly. The defense gave up a boat load of points and this was the “easiest” part of their schedule. This team was so good last year and coaches will always tell you it is hard to win in the NFL.

The 49ers are showing that right now.

An inspiring–and scary–return for Alex Smith

Two moments on Sunday left me completely uneasy.

First it was early in the day when Washington quarterback Kyle Allen got knocked out and backup Alex Smith came in. Alex Smith’s story is truly a miracle. His return to the field is so inspirational but I couldn’t watch. I was so afraid for him to get hit again. His wife and kids were in the stands and she had the look of pride and fear all together. My look was filled with anxiety hoping that he could just have flags or play two hand touch. “Don’t touch the quarterback.”

He made it through the game, I did not.

Dak Prescott’s devastating injury

The other moment was in Dallas.

(Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

I saw when Dak Prescott suffered the compound fracture. In real time I was thinking he should slide. Then when he wasn’t getting up and he appeared to be grabbing his calf, Tony Romo said, you hope it is just a cramp. I was looking at it and thought the same thing and believed that his shoe came off. Shortly thereafter, I realized his foot was pointing the wrong direction. Back to that uneasy feeling for him and for the Dallas Cowboys.

Football is a brutal sport. People get hurt all the time, but it still doesn’t mean that you can’t feel for them. Dak didn’t get that GIANT contract he was looking for. He still may but this felt like an injury that could cost him millions of dollars and a grueling comeback much like Alex Smith.

Sacramento Republic FC drops playoff in heartbreaking fashion

Lastly, what a run by the Sacramento Republic FC.

Their post-season ended on Saturday night but not without controversy. The Republic were in quite a battle with Phoenix into extra time.

Phoenix had a scoring opportunity in extra time and got what appeared to be a great goal. After further review it was clear that it was punched in with the hand of Solomon Asante. In Phoenix they are calling it the “Solo Punch” and in Sacramento it may be called the “hand of fraud.” Certainly a tough way to lose but it was another strong season for the Republic.

What will happen next week in sports? Who knows? That is why we watch.

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J-Ross’ Notes From The Weekend In Sports