In early February 2026, the Cavs made a blockbuster midseason move: they traded young guard Darius Garland (then 26) and a 2026 second-round pick to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for 11-time All-Star James Harden (then 36). The deal was driven by Cleveland’s push for immediate contention after strong regular-season performance but playoff shortcomings in prior years.
Many of us Cavs fans loved the trade, though the move also raised some eyebrows at the time due to the age gap and the fact that Garland was part of the team’s young core. Critics questioned trading a younger, cheaper player for an older veteran with a player option looming after the season.
Since then, the Clippers were bounced from the play-in tourny as Garland acknowledged he was basically playing on only nine toes. Meanwhile, Harden and the Cavs are thriving.
The Patriots looked overmatched last night, particularly against the Seattle defense. There was plenty of chatter leading up to this game about New England’s cakewalk schedule during the regular season and their good fortune during the playoffs, and all of their weaknesses were exposed last night.
Drake Maye was terrible. Of course he was under pressure all night long, but he was also missing open receivers. Now, we all know he’s been hurt, so many will chalk this up to a sore shoulder. But this game must have been tough to watch for anyone who was banging the drum on Maye being the MVP.
As for the line, everyone is talking about Will Campbell this morning. The kid had a terrible night and could seem to block anyone, and we saw a flood of comments on social media from fans and draft experts with their “I told you so’s.”
Campbell is a fascinating case study as many questioned whether he was worth the #4 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. There was the question about his arm length and whether he could really be a left tackle in the NFL. In hindsight, Armand Membou would have been a much better pick, which many suggested at the time.
Much has been written about the Miracle on Ice. We’ve had a fantastic Hollywood dramatization, along with a definitive HBO documentary. But this remains one of the greatest and most memorable sporting events of the 20th century, and certainly one of the most important, if not the most important, sporting moments in American history. As a result, there will always be a thirst for more.
Given the subject matter, it shouldn’t be difficult to make a good documentary. Still, one should aim much higher. This iconic sports moment deserves a documentary worthy of its legacy, and Netflix delivers exactly that with “Miracle: The Boys of ’80.”
The film is directed by Max Gershberg and Jacob (Jake) Rogal, who faced the challenge of bringing a fresh perspective to a story that has been told many times, while also reintroducing this classic underdog tale to a new generation. They succeed by incorporating never-before-seen 16mm footage from the era, paired with firsthand reflections and interviews with surviving players, many of whom returned to Lake Placid for the filming. The audience watches as these men react to and process moments from their past, often seeing themselves and their families in footage they had never encountered before. In effect, we travel back in time with them as they relive this extraordinary journey 45 years later. The result is a powerful blend of historical footage and intimate, present-day interviews that humanizes a legendary achievement.
The documentary explores familiar themes, but with added depth. It offers insight into the intense preparation overseen by legendary coach Herb Brooks, whose demanding and innovative approach forged a cohesive team from a group of very different young men. Brooks was famously hard on his players and maintained an emotional distance from them—one he was never able to overcome before his tragic death.
The dominance of the Soviet team is also examined in detail, with Al Michaels providing perspective along the way. Notably, the filmmakers resist the temptation to linger on his iconic call (“Do you believe in miracles? YES!”), allowing the moment to speak for itself and maintaining the focus on the players.
The film also places the victory within its broader historical and cultural context, emphasizing the Cold War backdrop and the way the win briefly united a divided nation. The filmmakers vividly capture the unrestrained joy of fans and ordinary Americans celebrating both the upset over the Soviets and the eventual gold medal. It truly was a special moment, and one the country desperately needed.
Captain Mike Eruzione delivers the film’s final line: “We could use a 1980 now.” Well said.
We remember the days when the guys announcing an NFL game could express appreciation for the cheerleaders and their sexy uniforms without causing controversy. Here’s a great clip from 1978 of NFL announcers admiring the new uniforms worn by the Washington Redskins cheerleaders. We approve!
