Can you name the second-leading scorer on every NBA championship team since 1977? Quiz clue: Year / Team / Points per game / Jersey #. Good luck!
More must-reads:
If you enjoy sports quizzes, you'll love Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day Newsletter, home to the best sports quizzes anywhere.
Subscribe now!
Jordan Goodwin spent the 2024-25 season playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. He had averages of 5.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists per contest while shooting 43.8% from the field and 38.2% from the three-point range in 29 games. Earlier this week, Goodwin was waived by the Lakers. Via ESPN's Shams Charania (on July 20): "The Los Angeles Lakers have waived guard Jordan Goodwin, sources tell ESPN. Goodwin emerged as a key rotation piece for JJ Redick late last season, playing 29 games and four playoff contests. Goodwin and Shake Milton were released to clear space for arrival of Marcus Smart." On Wednesday, Charania reported the news that Goodwin is now being claimed by the Phoenix Suns. Via Charania: "The Phoenix Suns have claimed former Lakers guard Jordan Goodwin off free agency waivers, sources tell ESPN. Goodwin, waived by the Lakers to create roster space for Marcus Smart, is a gritty, upside pickup for the Suns backcourt." Goodwin has also spent time playing for the Memphis Grizzlies, Washington Wizards (and Suns). He played 40 games for the Suns during the 2023-24 season. Via ESPN's Bobby Marks: "Goodwin has a $2.3M contract with only $25K guaranteed. The remainder is fully protected if not waived by Jan. 7. Good value claim with no risk $25K comes off the books for the Lakers." The Suns finished last year as the 11th seed in the Western Conference with a 36-46 record. They missed the postseason for the first time since the 2020 season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, in back-to-back offseasons, traded away a talented wide receiver. Heading into the 2024 NFL season, the team made the surprising decision to move on from Diontae Johnson, sending him to the Carolina Panthers. It was a bold move that left questions about depth behind George Pickens, but the Steelers appeared to have a long-term plan in mind. This week, fans got a clearer picture. ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky had told Louis Riddick a story and Riddick exposed it on Get Up on Wednesday and shared a never-before-told story about Head Coach Mike Tomlin’s relationship with Pickens. According to Riddick, Tomlin once passionately defended his coaching approach to Orlovsky when questioned about how he handled Pickens, offering a glimpse into the challenges the Steelers faced behind closed doors. "I sat in a TV production meeting where Mike Tomlin chastised Dan Orlovsky for asking about George Pickens and why George Pickens wasn't maybe being reprimanded a little bit harsher," Riddick said. "And Mike in no uncertain terms, said, 'Look, you don't give up on talent like this at this point.' So trust me, he knew what he had on his hands, too. As far as the upside of this young man." While the full story behind Pickens’ departure may never be known, it’s becoming increasingly clear that off-field concerns weighed heavily on Tomlin’s mind. The Steelers knew Pickens was a rare talent, and that’s why Tomlin didn’t punish him as much as he probably could have. It wasn’t because he thought Pickens was good enough to get away with it, but because his coaching style is different for every player. In Tomlin’s mind, he still had faith that Pickens would mature, but it appears that growth just didn’t happen fast enough. "We were all, were like, whoa," Riddick said of the panels reaction to Tomlin's secret comments in that production meeting. "Mike was not playing around. He was like, 'Y'all know how this business works now.'" Riddick described the moment as tense, and as the quotes are now being shared, Steelers fans are likely picturing exactly how that meeting went down. Tomlin is known for being a direct, no-nonsense leader. If something bothers him, he speaks up, and it appears he did not appreciate being questioned by Orlovsky about his coaching style when it came to Pickens. Steelers Fans Starting To Understand More Details Behind The George Pickens Trade According to Riddick, Tomlin firmly defended his approach during the exchange. He explained that his coaching style depends on the individual player, and with Pickens, he chose to be patient rather than overly critical. Tomlin believed Pickens could grow with time and guidance. In his mind, treating every player the same does not always produce the best results, and he trusted that Pickens would eventually mature. Despite Tomlin’s belief in his potential, that growth never fully happened. As a result, the Steelers chose to make a change. With Pickens now gone and Metcalf brought in to lead the wide receiver room, Pittsburgh is turning the page. Still, the story behind Pickens’ exit is one that will stick with fans, especially as more behind-the-scenes details continue to surface.
The Green Bay Packers started training camp Wednesday, and on at least one rep, the kickoff went to an unexpected returner: tight end Tucker Kraft. Whether or not they plan to seriously evaluate him as an option, it’s a development that caught the eye of reporter Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Green Bay Packers shake it up to kick off camp with Kraft, Melton updates Earlier this afternoon, Scheidman shared his observation to the bewilderment of fans on social media. Until further notice, it seems safest to assume that the guys are just having fun. Kraft lacks a kick returner’s build and sprint speed, but at 6-foot-5 and 259 pounds, he’s been dubbed a “human monster truck” for his ability to absorb contact and break tackles after the catch. Most likely, that’s not a skilll that would translate from Kraft’s capacity as a passcatcher to a receiver of kicks. There’s a reason teams rarely plug tight ends in that role. One notable exception is New Orleans’ do-everything weapon Taysom Hill, who also plays quarterback and frequently runs the ball. He’s also returned 20 kickoffs in his career, but only six since his rookie year in 2018. Last season, the Packers relied on cornerback Keisean Nixon for most kickoff opportunities. Wide receiver Jayden Reed was the main man on punts, returning 14 times for 110 yards. Nixon amassed 576 yards between both return types. Schneidman’s Kraft news comes alongside Bo Melton’s more surprising, now-official position switch from receiver to cornerback. Fans aren’t sure what to think. Most aren’t taking Kraft’s rumble too seriously. At South Dakota State, Kraft returned two kickoffs for 34 yards. He has not run back an NFL kick. The former third-round pick enjoyed a highly successful second season: 50 catches, 707 yards, and seven touchdowns. Seeing Kraft tuck it and truck should be a common sight in 2025, just not, most likely, as a returner.
The Philadelphia Phillies have been trying to break into the Japanese market for years. They are behind in that aspect, failing to convince Yoshinobu Yamamoto to sign with them despite extending a lucrative offer, only to not get a meeting with Roki Sasaki the following offseason. Understanding they need to boost their presence to be seen as a real option for players in Japan, the Phillies increased their scouting foothold overseas with the hopes they can build connections while achieving success on the field during their current championship window. More News: Phillies Won in Walk-Off Fashion Not Seen in Over 50 Years This past winter, Philadelphia signed someone from Japan -- Koyo Aoyagi. Inked to a minor league deal, the 31-year-old right-hander was given an opportunity to compete for a bullpen spot during the spring. But he failed to impress enough to break camp with the big league club, resulting in him beginning the season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Still, the Phillies believed he could be a factor for them somewhere down the line. However, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, the organization decided to release Aoyagi after some prolonged struggles. Early on, he looked the part, not allowing a single run in seven outings during the month of April, giving up just three hits in 7 1/3 innings of work with seven strikeouts and three walks. But after that, things went off the rails. More News: Phillies Should Consider Deal For Surprising Orioles Outfielder at Trade Deadline Aoyagi struggled with inherited runners, allowing three to score in seven games during May, while also getting shelled for four earned runs of his own. He was eventually transferred to the development list on June 17 after he gave up 11 earned runs in 5 2/3 innings across four outings to start the month. And after he was activated, Philadelphia assigned him to Double-A Reading, hoping that would get him back on track. Aoyagi was sensational in his debut at that level, not allowing a hit in four innings pitched. But in his next two starts, he allowed six earned runs in 2 1/3 innings pitched and five earned runs in three innings pitched, respectively. More News: Phillies Front Office Has Delicate Balancing Act To Do Ahead of MLB Trade Deadline That resulted in him being placed on the temporarily inactive list, only for him to return and have another incredible outing on July 19 when he threw five hitless innings. But with five walks compared to four strikeouts, he was again moved to the development list on July 20. Now, it appears like the two sides felt it was best to go in different directions, with the Phillies releasing him after a hectic tenure. It will be interesting to see what's next for Aoyagi and if he can find another opportunity in the United States or if he'll return to Japan. For more Phillies news, head over to Phillies On SI.