Could the Chicago Cubs' World Series defense be coming to an end?

After battling to edge the Washington Nationals in the National League Division Series, the Cubs have gone down two games in the 2017 NLCS against the juggernaut Los Angeles Dodgers. Now they will need to rely on the comfortable confines of Wrigley Field to break out of their slump and get back into this series.

Want to catch the action? Check out how you can tune in for Game 3.

   

NLCS Game 3 Viewing Schedule

When: Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 9 p.m. ET

Television: TBS

Live Stream: TBS Live

    

Game 3 Preview

The Cubs had no problems scoring runs after the All-Star break, leading MLB with a whopping 423 runs in that span. Yet the bats have gone cold this postseason.

The team is averaging under three runs a night in seven games, with nine of those coming in the ALDS Game 5 triumph over Washington. Granted, a decrease in scoring is expected when facing aces like Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg, but Chicago's current pace simply is not going to cut it.

Not when the Cubs' pitching has been down all season. After leading baseball with a 3.15 team ERA a year ago, Chicago's pitching dropped to a 3.95 mark in 2017. In the postseason, the team's ERA is 4.01.

The Cubs need several key guys to start hitting, including Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo, who are both batting below .200 in the playoffs. Javier Baez is the most floundering Cub at the moment, per ESPN Stats and Info:

Javier Báez: 0-19 in 2017 postseason

Only longer Cubs hitless streak to start postseason: Jimmy Sheckard 0-21 (1906) (via @EliasSports)

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 16, 2017

On the other hand, the Dodgers have been excellent this postseason with five straight wins. 

They will trot out Yu Darvish in Game 3, which is a testament to the team's rotation depth. In a limited sample size, Darvish has been great against the current Cubs lineup. Bryant is 0-for-3, as Willson Contreras, Jason Heyward and Addison Russell are also hitless. Ben Zobrist is a brutal 2-for-12. Rizzo is the only Chicago hitter with much success, having smacked a two-run double off of Darvish.

That is not a good sign for Chicago, especially since it has yet to score a run off of Los Angeles' bullpen. 

Yet Kyle Hendricks will look to lift the Cubs back into this series. 

The righty has an exceptional playoff resume, which typically makes him a surefire option to boost this Chicago team. However, he was lit up for nine hits and four runs in just four innings in Game 5 against Washington. That is not normal for Hendricks, who entered the game with sick numbers, per MLB Network:

.@kylehendricks28's last four #Postseason starts = 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/7PE4ZGaiDD

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) October 12, 2017

Was his last start simply an anomaly? Perhaps, but he will have to take care of Justin Turner in order to shut down the Dodgers lineup, as the third baseman is turning in an MVP-type postseason performance.

He is batting .429 in October, hitting two homers and driving in 10 runs in the process. Need clutch hits? Turner is fresh off of a three-run walk-off shot to end Game 2, as he is hitting .375 in the NLCS. Per Sporting News' Ryan M. Spaeder, Turner is actually one of the best playoff hitters of all time:

Highest career #postseason OPS, minimum 90 plate appearances:

1. Lou Gehrig - 1.214
2. Babe Ruth - 1.214
3. Justin Turner - 1.115 pic.twitter.com/vrDDAC1PUu

— Ryan M. Spaeder (@theaceofspaeder) October 16, 2017

Turner is 2-for-7 lifetime against Hendricks, including a homer and three RBI. 

Chicago was pretty solid at home, 48-33, which was good for third-best in the NL. They have run into the league's top two road teams during the regular season, though, in Los Angeles and Washington. The Dodgers were 47-34 away from home in 2017, which could neutralize Chicago's home-field advantage.

There is something to be said about postseason experience, particularly since the Cubs have now played in the NLCS for three straight years. The Dodgers have been snakebitten in the playoffs, but this year just feels different.

Chicago is hanging on like never before, while Los Angeles is surging and finding ways to win games with offense and pitching. Until the Cubs can prove they can hit this postseason, it is hard to pick them over Darvish and the Dodgers. Expect a close one, but look for the road team to take a commanding 3-0 series lead.

Statistics are courtesy of MLB.com unless noted otherwise.

Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard J.R. Smith said teammate LeBron James can do whatever he wants if he becomes a free agent as part of a heated exchange in Los Angeles.

On Friday, TMZ Sports passed along a conversation between Smith and a photographer, who said "LeBron's gone man. Deal with it." He then asked whether the veteran sharpshooter thought James would leave Cleveland to join the Los Angeles Lakers.

"I think LeBron's gonna be wherever the f--k he wanna be at!" Smith said.

James' future has become a hot-button topic in recent months as he enters the final guaranteed year of his current contract. He can exercise a player option following the 2017-18 NBA season to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Although the 32-year-old Ohio native hasn't publicly discussed his plans, there's been ample speculation about the four-time NBA MVP potentially taking his talents out west.

Veteran sports columnist Peter Vecsey posted a rumor update on Patreon last week looking at James' outlook ahead of his likely foray into free agency (via HoopsHype).

"Accordingly, I'm publicly terminating the pandemic of speculation surrounding LeBron James' playing plans past this season," Vecsey wrote. "For months, many in the media declared or composed presumption the Lakers would be the beneficiaries of his talents when he became a free agent July 1, 2018. I'm eradicating all conjecture and uncertainty! I'm comfortable now in stating unequivocally, LeBron will leave the Cavaliers a second time and join the Lakers, and return the team to L.A. lore status."

Alex Kennedy of The HoopsHype Podcast previously noted Fox Sports 1 NBA analyst Chris Broussard doesn't think King James joining the Lakers is anywhere close to a lock, though.

"I think the talk about the Lakers is overblown," Broussard said. "That doesn't mean it's definitely not going to happen. ... If he leaves, especially if he goes West to the Lakers, there's a very good chance that he's not getting back to the Finals [because of the Golden State Warriors]."

In the meantime, James and the Cavaliers will look to hunt down another championship. And while Smith didn't appear to enjoy the line of questioning about the superstar's future, he better get used to it because it's going to remain a focal point of conversation surrounding the Cavs all season.

Nothing is decided after an initial full slate of NCAA football, but there is useful information available to better forecast the College Football Playoff thanks to an eventful Week 1.

Alabama and most of the Big Ten emerged as major winners over last weekend, and both looked primed to make a serious push for spots in the playoff. Meanwhile, other conferences are not sitting as pretty due to injuries and difficult schedules.

With that in mind, let us take a look at the latest developments in the chase for the national championship. Take a look at the new AP and Coaches Top 25 polls.

       

ACC in Danger of Postseason Miss

There was a large contingency with the belief that the ACC was the nation's toughest league last season. Yet, one week into this year, the conference could be headed for some turmoil.

Florida State not only dropped its mammoth season-opener 24-7 to the Crimson Tide, but the physical contest saw the Seminoles lose quarterback Deondre Francois to a year-ending leg injury. This could force an unproven signal-caller, possibly true freshman James Blackman, to lead an offense that already needed to replace over 37 percent of its total yards with the departure of Dalvin Cook.

Even with an uber-athletic and fast defense, Florida State looks destined to sustain at least one more loss and miss the playoff, particularly with challenging games with Miami and North Carolina State rapidly approaching to close out September. 

This leaves Clemson as the ACC's greatest hope, but new players and a tough schedule make it no guarantee the Tigers will earn a chance to defend their title.

The losses of stars Wayne Gallman, Jordan Leggett, Deshaun Watson and Mike Williams provide a heavy blow offensively. Quarterback Kelly Bryant looked good leading Clemson in its 56-3 blowout win over Kent State, and Deon Cain is a star on the outside. However, do the Tigers have enough proven firepower to score all over legitimate opponents? That is still to be determined.

Notes || The offense amassed 665 yds in the opener, 5th-most in Clemson history.

8️⃣ caught the first TD on a 61-yd deep ball from KB2   pic.twitter.com/5ol4TWrImj

— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) September 3, 2017

Defensively, the secondary is still a concern after losing Jadar Johnson and Cordrea Tankersley to graduation. Run defense should still be fine with Kendall Joseph, Dexter Lawrence and Christian Wilkins all back to man the front seven.

The potential for Clemson to drop a game or two this season is there, especially with early games to exploit some of that inexperience. An Auburn team loaded with playmakers on both sides of the ball visits this week, followed by road trips to Louisville and Virginia Tech in September.

Tack on road battles with NC State, a sneaky good South Carolina team and a home game with Florida State, and Clemson could easily lose at least two games this season.

As for the rest of the ACC, Week 1 was not promising on Saturday, as ESPN's David Hale put it:

FSU losing to Bama
Lville struggles w/Purdue
Pitt goes to OT vs FCS
UNC & NCSt lose as big faves

Today couldn't have gone worse for ACC.

— 💫🅰️♈️🆔 (@ADavidHaleJoint) September 3, 2017

Lamar Jackson appears even more polished as a passer and is still arguably the country's top player, but the rest of the Louisville team needs serious work after nearly falling to Purdue, which has won nine games since 2013. Discipline is a real issue, considering the Cardinals committed 16 penalties and three turnovers in Week 1.

Virginia Tech could have some promise, along with Miami, but both need a greater body of work before emerging as playoff contenders. NC State's championship dreams are now all but done with its loss.

Unless Clemson can quickly rise to last season's level, these factors will surely lead to the ACC producing zero undefeated teams. The Tigers are the only real threat to have just one loss, but that is a mighty challenge. Could the playoff go on with the ACC? Very much so.

Defense Will Still Carry Playoff Hopes

Offense typically receives most of the fanfare in today's age of high-powered spread attacks and video-game statistics and scores. Yet, the old adage of defense winning championships still holds true in college football.

After three years of the College Football Playoff, 10 of the 12 qualifying teams finished the season in the top 25 nationally in points allowed per game, and all 12 ranked in the top 30. There is no better example of defensive importance than Alabama, who finished top-five nationally in points allowed per game in each of the last three years while ranking at least in the top 11 in yards allowed a night over the same span. That unit is on a similar pace again, per Aaron Suttles of the Tuscaloosa News:

Lots of people telling me Alabama's defense played subpar.

They've only allowed 7 points and 185 yards to the No. 3 team. Tough crowd.

🤔

— Aaron Suttles (@AaronSuttles) September 3, 2017

Alabama's offense? It finished top 20 nationally once over the last three seasons in yards gained per game. Still, the Crimson Tide are the only school to reach the playoff in all three years.

By contrast, the high-flying Big 12 only landed Oklahoma in 2015 as its lone playoff team. This tends to be the result of high volatility in the conference, as a league loaded with offense results in high scores and unpredictable losses.

Led by Alabama, defense will anchor the playoff, and Week 1 showed glimpses of this.

Ohio State's Nick Bosa, Sam Hubbard and Tyquan Lewis compose arguably the nation's best defensive line, as the defense held Indiana in check as the Buckeyes struggled mightily to score in the first half. Michigan allowed just 11 rushing yards and nine first downs to a talented Florida side, lifting an offense that conceded two pick-sixes. Wisconsin's defense was on the field for most of the first half as the offense gained two first downs total before its first touchdown midway through the second quarter. LSU was able to grind out a win by not letting BYU cross midfield all night.

On the other hand, USC's highly anticipated campaign was nearly derailed by an inability to stop Western Michigan, who led for much of the game before falling off late in the fourth quarter. Defense could spell trouble for the Trojans' playoff hopes, especially with a power-running team like Stanford up next, which Joey Kaufman of the Orange County Register helps point out:

USC currently ranks 113th out of 125 FBS teams in rush defense.

— Joey Kaufman (@joeyrkaufman) September 4, 2017

Questions abound also for Oklahoma, which will not be tested until this week with a trip to Ohio State after the defense was roasted for nearly 30 points a game last season. Oklahoma State once again looked vulnerable after giving up 17 points in the second quarter, and the Washington defense was a shell of its former dominant self with Rutgers controlling most of the first half. 

Expect a similar defensive trend to continue for this year's edition of the playoff. No matter how great an offense is, a team is always exposed with questionable defense. The playoff generally consisted of the four best teams in the nation thus far, and having a complete squad on both sides of the ball is undoubtedly part of the criteria.

        

Statistics are courtesy of cfbstats.com unless otherwise noted.

Seven-time NBA champion Robert Horry reportedly has been named as a suspect in a Los Angeles Police Department investigation after he was allegedly caught on video punching a man while in attendance at the Nike 3ON3 Basketball Tournament in Los Angeles.

Citing law enforcement sources, TMZ reported Tuesday the LAPD has yet to file charges or make any arrests. 

Horry told TMZ the altercation, which reportedly occurred Aug. 5 outside Staples Center, was fueled by comments from a heckler who was affiliated with a team his son was playing against. 

"The guy was trash talking the whole game," Horry said. "He shoved me. Where I'm from, you protect yourself."

Horry also alleged the heckler had taunted his son's team at previous games. 

According to Tuesday's report, the LAPD will send its findings over to the Los Angeles City Attorney's office once the investigation is complete. At that point, a decision will be made regarding criminal charges.

If the Los Angeles Chargers locker room at the StubHub Center was stripped of the conspicuous branding on the walls, you might confuse it for the dressing area of a small university. Maybe even the modest digs on Netflix's Last Chance U.

The narrow metal lockers, cramped aisleways and name tags that can be peeled off with a minimal amount of effort don't feel like the typical state-of-the-art NFL accommodations. There are sardines and cocktail wieners in the world that are more comfortable. Make no mistake about it, though: This is the NFL.

The players aren't cashing million-dollar checks in college, and in the NFL players don't have to get up at 8 a.m. to study for their biology midterm. UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen highlighted the grind the average student-athlete has to go through every day in an interview with Bleacher Report last week, but current Chargers QB and former Ohio State star Cardale Jones beat him to that conclusion in 2012.

Then, as now, Jones was a signal-caller scratching and clawing for a place on the field. While trying to prove himself at one of the biggest schools in college athletics, he tweeted "Why should we have to go to class if we came here to play FOOTBALL, we ain't come to play SCHOOL, classes are POINTLESS."

Jones made quite an about-face on the issue, though, finishing his degree this past spring. He even tweeted at Rosen, telling him, "Chill bro, play school." In this tiny locker room—not befitting the rarefied status of the men who use it—Jones now sings the praises of school.

Cardale Jones responds to Josh Rosen’s comments about football and school not going together https://t.co/PlEWDQPh5T pic.twitter.com/IaGJwYftM4

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 9, 2017

"I read the article, but I didn't get that he was saying school is not as important as the game," Jones told B/R after a 48-17 drubbing at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks last Sunday. "I got the complete opposite. He hit on a lot of points that a lot of players agree with. It's just hard to be a student-athlete and prioritize your athletic career and your academic career."

Prioritizing is something we do as adults every day. Work versus family. Happiness versus responsibility. Binge-watching Game of Thrones versus folding your laundry. Everything we do is a choice to not do something else. For the college player, that choice is near impossible to make, because everything matters.

The cheers for Cardale Jones' winning a national championship far outnumbered those for him going back to Ohio State to finish his degree. The salary he'd receive as a professional NFL player is likely higher than one he'd get as a professional outside of the sport.

Every college athlete with an ounce of ambition knows that. It's why the NBA draft is increasingly filled with one-and-done players hoping to cash in on their talent as soon as possible. It's why NFL players are so hesitant to strike to demand a larger slice of the financial pie, as Richard Sherman pointed out last month.

College athletics is supposed to get you ready. Not just for the rigors of professional sports, but for those of professional life in general. For the interminable grind of paying bills, keeping steady employment and making something out of yourself after the playing days are over.

But what we ask of our young athletes in the modern age goes even beyond that, which is apparent in every early-morning film session, two-a-day, lecture, lesson, weight lifting session and pep-rally school-spirit midnight extravaganza they attend. It's, as Rosen said in his interview, two full-time jobs. We put our amateur athletes through so much that it's hard to even call what they do "amateur."

Multimillion-dollar economies—such as the food and beverage and retail industries, for example—live and die on the performance of our student-athletes. Wealthy boosters demand success on the field or on the court, yet we expect athletes to find the time to study textbooks in addition to playbooks.

Many college football players dream of making it to an NFL locker room like Jones has. When people speak out on the extraordinary demands we place on college athletes, like Jones did back in 2012, the response is often harsh.

#TBT still can't believe I tweeted something as stupid as this but hey, we live and we learn, after your religion/ pic.twitter.com/mqCLK2uEHw

— Cardale Jones (@CJ1two) April 2, 2015

Jones retracted his initial tweet in 2015, calling his words "stupid," after a swift backlash. That should be expected from young men and women learning and growing in the spotlight. The blunt honesty of an 18-year-old isn't the same as the measured, guarded take of an adult with aspirations of NFL glory.

Today, Jones is firm that education comes first and sports is secondary. "[Education is] going to take you places football can't," he told B/R. It certainly is for the athlete, especially the ones who might not be superstars, but is it for us as fans? Is it for the billionaires who run our professional sports leagues?

It doesn't seem like it.

When asked how a young athlete can better navigate the dual pressures of school and sport, Jones said he isn't sure. The student-athlete isn't usually the one making the decisions. "The kids aren't saying, 'I gotta spend 40 hours on this and 30 hours on that.'"

In the end, that's what they are. They're kids, no matter how remarkable their physical feats are or how often they show up on television. Instead, Jones puts the responsibility on the true shot-callers: the owners, the superstar players and the athletic directors.

"I think it's gotta come down to people who make 10 times as much money as I do to make a decision to help student-athletes balance not just their academic career but athletic career and their social life as well."

As it stands now, big-time universities are minor leagues and feeder systems for leagues like the NFL that reap the benefits of our collective thirst for sports. Lost along the way is the necessity for knowledge and the preeminence of a college degree in the real world.

We preach it, but we don't practice it, which is why the resentment and frustration of college athletes keeps bubbling to the surface.

No one can say for sure whether Cardale Jones—who struggled in the second half of the Seahawks game, going 2-of-9 for 50 yards—will receive his last snap a decade from now or in his next game, but at least he has his degree, in African-American and African Studies.

Cardale Jones played school, and he won.

Model images of Los Angeles Stadium at Hollywood Park, the working name of the soon-to-be-shared home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers, were released Tuesday. 

Sam Farmer‏ of the Los Angeles Times posted images of the models on Twitter:

Model of the Inglewood stadium pic.twitter.com/dpTnij9jHM

— Sam Farmer (@LATimesfarmer) August 8, 2017

The $2.6 billion facility is set to open for the 2020 season and will host Super Bowl LVI in 2022. Privately financed by Rams owner Stan Kroenke, the stadium will be owned and operated by the Rams franchise and leased by the Chargers.

“This is on a different scale because everything about what Stan is doing is on a different scale,” said Chris Hibbs, chief revenue officer for the L.A. Stadium and Entertainment District, told Nathan Fenno of the Los Angeles Times. “This project is big and different in all positive ways.”

The stadium is the centerpiece of an intended renovation of the Inglewood area. Kroenke and his business group have planned a revitalization of the area that includes new businesses, restaurants and other facilities that will make it attractive to fans and residents.

The construction already took a hit earlier this year, when developers said they would have to delay the planned 2019 opening by a year. 

Los Angeles and the International Olympic Committee have reached an agreement for the city to host the 2028 Summer Olympics after competing with Paris for the 2024 Games.

On Monday, the agreement was officially announced (via the Associated Press) after David Wharton of the Los Angeles Times reported IOC decided to give both "strong candidates" a chance to host the Olympics, and Paris officials showed more resistance about waiting the additional four years. 

It's unknown whether L.A. was able to receive "significant concessions" from the IOC for agreeing to wait until 2028, according to Wharton. Issues such as "additional funding for operations and youth programs in the city" were among those mentioned.

Earlier in July, United States President Donald Trump posted a message on social media about his efforts to bring the Games to the country:

Working hard to get the Olympics for the United States (L.A.). Stay tuned!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 11, 2017

Meanwhile, Scott Reid of the Orange County Register passed along comments from Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti last week about the city's discussions with the IOC.

"No hangups," he said. "The negotiations have been friendly and mutual. It's just they have their systems and we have our needs but things are going great. We have both been able to engage with them. I know Paris has engaged with them too. It has been a very harmonious negotiation, I'll say that."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMUIS9lJ3uY

If confirmed, the 2028 Olympics will represent the third time L.A. has hosted the Summer Games. It previously showcased the world's top athletes in 1932 and 1984. That will tie London and Paris, assuming its 2024 bid is locked into place, for the most of all time.

It will also mark the first Olympics held in the United States since Salt Lake City was the location for the 2002 Winter Games and the first Summer Olympics in the U.S. since Atlanta in 1996.

The Los Angeles Lakers have nearly filled out their roster for this upcoming season, but they appear to be looking well past this year.

The new front office of Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka has not been shy about its desire to make a massive splash to bring the Lakers back to prominence. Whether that be through free agency or the trade market, the brass is determined to bring star power back to Tinsel Town. 

With that in mind, let us take a look at the most recent developments in Los Angeles' rebuild.

        

Paul George Package Revealed

The move to bring Paul George from the Indiana Pacers to the Oklahoma City Thunder was the most high-profile transaction of the NBA offseason, and it appears the Lakers were in the mix to land the All Star forward.

Per Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News, Los Angeles offered up a pretty strong package for George despite him being a free agent in a year.

"In June, the Lakers offered [Jordan] Clarkson or fourth-year forward Julius Randle and their No. 27 and 28 picks to Indiana for Paul George," Medina wrote (via the Orange County Register). "The Pacers declined before trading him to Oklahoma City for guard Victor Oladipo and center Domantas Sabonis."

Clarkson and Randle are valuable young assets who seemingly could have provided Indiana with a better return than an average starter in Oladipo and an unproven player in Sabonis, who averaged 5.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in 20.1 minutes a night as a rookie.

Clarkson, 25, is a slasher who can contribute in other areas offensively. He put up 14.7 points per game to go with 3.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists a game last offseason. With the Los Angeles backcourt starting fill up with the additions of Lonzo Ball and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, it is no surprise that Clarkson often hears his name in trade rumors. Still, he is doing his best to ignore the buzz, per Medina.

"The only thing I can worry about in terms of stuff like that and trade rumors is myself and continue to work," Clarkson said. "If I were to be traded, I just have to be ready to play. But I'm here in L.A. and am ready for the season. I'm excited."

Meanwhile, Randle, only 22, is a strong post player, averaging a double-double just two seasons ago and missing out on one last season by 1.4 rebounds per game. It seems odd that the Lakers would also make him available in a trade offer for a player with one year left on his contract, but the front office is desperate to add superstars. Pelinka affirmed the notion Thursday that the team's plan is to land such a player within the next year, per The Dan Patrick Show:

George has been linked to the Lakers as a free-agent destination for quite some time, so he may land there regardless. If that is the case, then Los Angeles is lucky Indiana passed on its offer. It allows the team's young foundation to remain in place while still having cap space for 2018 free agency. The Lakers now also still have solid pieces in place in the event that George opts to spurn Los Angeles and sign elsewhere.

        

Lakers Add to Frontcourt

Roster spots are becoming a premium for the Lakers, and the team wrapped up one more position last week.

Per The Vertical's Shams Charania, Los Angeles agreed to a deal last week with second-round pick Thomas Bryant, with the team confirming the move Saturday night. Charania provided details of the contract:

Sources: Lakers and No. 42 overall pick Thomas Bryant of Indiana have agreed to a guaranteed deal for next season, with '18-19 team option.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 27, 2017

The guaranteed contract all but locks up a roster spot for Bryant last season, who was selected No. 42 overall in last month's NBA draft. For a team that is not expected to seriously compete for anything more than a surprise playoff berth, this a smart bet.

Bryant moves well at 6'11" and he has the talent to become a contributor in the frontcourt in the modern NBA. He led the nation with a 68.3 percent field-goal percentage as a freshman before posting a solid 12.6 points per game last season as a sophomore. He also shot 38.3 percent from three last year, which could give him added value as an athletic big man who can stretch the floor. 

Ryan Ward of Lakers Nation certainly seems sold on Bryant and his potential with an excellent passing point guard in Ball:

Keep your eye on Thomas Bryant, Lakers fans. Energy, ability to stretch the floor & chemistry w/ Lonzo Ball may lead to bright future in LA

— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) July 31, 2017

The key for Bryant will be properly harnessing that energy on a consistent basis. Despite usually being among the two or three most talented players on the court in every game he played in, Bryant would become invisible for long stretches at Indiana. He was often seen hovering around the three-point line during these lulls, which took him out of rhythm and forced him to take bad shots when he finally got the ball.

Bryant is most effective when running the floor and using his energy well, which can be seen in this impressive transition play last season, courtesy of the Big Ten Network:

The opportunity is there for Bryant to carve out a role in the Lakers frontcourt. He should thrive on the fast break and in the spacing system head coach Luke Walton is implementing, so there is no reason to doubt that Bryant will contribute next season.

        

Statistics are courtesy of Basketball Reference. Contract information is courtesy of Spotrac.

President Donald Trump tweeted Tuesday about his efforts to bring the 2024 Summer Olympics to Los Angeles.

Trump said the following regarding the bid:

Working hard to get the Olympics for the United States (L.A.). Stay tuned!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 11, 2017

According to the Associated Press (h/t NBC Olympic Talk), Paris and Los Angeles are in the running for the 2024 Summer Games.

Although Paris is viewed as the favorite to land the 2024 Olympics, L.A. is apparently in line for a consolation prize.

Per the Associated Press, it is expected the International Olympic Committee will award the 2024 Summer Olympics to Paris and the 2028 Summer Olympics to Los Angeles following presentations Tuesday.

The idea of awarding both bids at once has been discussed publicly in recent months, and in June, L.A. 2024 Chairman Casey Wasserman discussed why he didn't push the IOC to commit to Los Angeles for 2024, according to Reuters:

"We could have used that strategy, but we didn't because we thought it was presumptuous to tell the [International Olympic Committee] what to do and how to think. We're better partners than that. ... That may be a surprising statement for an American bid; but, it shouldn't be because America's support for the Games has never wavered—ever."

If Paris is selected to host the 2024 Summer Olympics, it will mark the 100-year anniversary of when it last conducted the Games in 1924.

The Olympics were last held in Los Angeles in 1984, and they haven't occurred on American soil since the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City.