<ul class="summary-list"><li>Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson finished third in voting for the 2023 WNBA MVP award.</li><li>Just one of the 60 members on the voting panel left the 6-foot-4 forward out of their top three.</li></ul><p>A'ja Wilson was, by many metrics, the best player in the WNBA this season.</p><p>The Las Vegas Aces superstar led the entire league in blocks as well as more advanced statistics like Player Efficiency Rating (PER), total win shares, and defensive rating. She ranked top-three in both points and rebounds per game while leading the reigning champions to an unprecedented 34-6 record on the regular season.</p><div type="image" title="A'ja Wilson celebrates a win with the Las Vegas Aces." height="1667" width="2500" msid="103998667" hostid="261" sizebytes="253434"></div><p>And yet, when the league published the voting breakdown for the 2023 WNBA MVP award on Tuesday, a single voter had placed Wilson in the fourth spot on their ballot. Each of the remaining 59 members of the panel — comprised of sportswriters and broadcasters across the country, including the author of this story — ranked the 6-foot-4 forward in their top three.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WNBA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WNBA</a> MVP voting breakdown here ⬇️ <a href="https://t.co/zODecgLHIo">pic.twitter.com/zODecgLHIo</a></p>— Meredith Cash (@mercash22) <a href="https://twitter.com/mercash22/status/1706715802383098246?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2023</a></blockquote><p>In what amounted to the tightest three-way MVP race in WNBA history — winner <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/breanna-stewart-wnba-euroleague-champion-mvp-post-achilles-tear-2021-4">Breanna Stewart</a> and Wilson, who finished just <a target="_blank" href="https://www.insider.com/alyssa-thomas-wnba-mvp-favorite-broken-shoulders-torn-labrum-2023-9">behind Alyssa Thomas</a> to take third place, were separated by just 13 total points — each vote mattered considerably. So it was only natural for fans of the league to express curiosity about that lone fourth-place vote for Wilson.</p><p>But that curiosity escalated to confusion and anger for many, not just because the ballot may have altered the final outcome of the race, but also because it stood in stark contrast to the seemingly universal understanding that Stewart, Thomas, and Wilson were the clear top three. Fans on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, quickly began <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/AlexEnglish_2/status/1706894951060222137">demanding voter transparency</a>, calling upon the mysterious <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/chelsealeite/status/1706718590421155905">fourth-place voter to reveal themself</a>, and, in some cases, pushing the WNBA to <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/SkyDigg4/status/1706728697792020499">revoke the individual's voting rights</a>.</p><p>Even <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/MG_Schindler/status/1706733624023040012">reporters</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/NekiasNBA/status/1706719862981263489">analysts</a> joined the manhunt for the individual who gave Wilson the fourth-place tally. Just before Wilson's Aces tipped off against the Dallas Wings Tuesday night, ESPN's Andraya Carter brought the search to live television.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“If you voted <a href="https://twitter.com/_ajawilson22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_ajawilson22</a> 4th in MVP voting, make yourself known… stand on it, ten toes down” <a href="https://twitter.com/Andraya_Carter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Andraya_Carter</a> <a href="https://t.co/IVOEe5156V">pic.twitter.com/IVOEe5156V</a></p>— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) <a href="https://twitter.com/cjzero/status/1706825285797331406?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2023</a></blockquote><p>Though Wilson admitted "it hurt like hell" to finish third overall in the MVP vote, she didn't publicly address the unexpected fourth-place vote and instead resolved not "to harp on it too long." However, her former college coach, South Carolina's Dawn Staley, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/dawnstaley/status/1706719737693257969">wrote on X</a> that the anonymous voter's "hate is real &amp; on display."</p><p>Wilson recorded 30 points and 11 rebounds in Las Vegas' 91-84 win against the Wings, marking the two-time MVP's third-consecutive 30-point game. She and the Aces are one win away from reaching their third WNBA Finals in four years.</p><div type="image" title="A'ja Wilson hoists the championship trophy after the Las Vegas Aces won the 2022 WNBA title." height="1667" width="2500" msid="103998669" hostid="261" sizebytes="387572"></div><p>"This award, it's a cherry on top of all the mountain of ice cream that we've built up," Wilson said ahead of Tuesday's game. "The sundae is still good without the cherry."</p><p>"This team still has so much more to do," she added.</p>

WNBA fans and analysts have launched a manhunt for the MVP voter whose low tally for A'ja Wilson has sparked a league-wide uproar

<p><div class="image-container float_right" style="width:399px"><div class="image"><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/518bd4516bb3f7e61a000012-480-360/lisalla-montenegro-cj-wilson-1.jpg?maxX=399&amp;maxY=299" border="0" alt="lisalla montenegro cj wilson" width="399" height="299" /></div><p class="source">Michael Buckner/Getty Images</p></div>L.A. Angels pitcher <keyword id="1743552" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="C-J-Wilson">C.J. Wilson</keyword> <a href="https://twitter.com/Lisalla/status/332220786054139905">proposed to his girlfriend Lisalla Monenegro</a> on Wednesday.</p>
<p>The news that the two <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cj-wilson-dating-lisalla-montenegro-2012-7">were dating came out in July of 2012</a>.</p>
<p>Wilson played his first season with the Angels last year after playing six years with the Rangers. He's <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cj-wilsons-photography-2012-11">also a talented photographer</a>.</p>
<p>Montenegro is a <a href="http://www.lisalla.com/bio.php">Brazilian runway model</a> who has also been in ads for fashion brands like H&amp;M, Michael Kors, and Armani. Currently, Montenegro is the face of Maybelline.</p>
<p>Best of luck Lisalla and C.J.!</p>
<p>Montenegro posted this photo of her engagement ring on Twitter:</p>
<p><table class="image-container" width="200"><tr><td><div class="image"><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/518bd38cecad04401f000014-597-607/767942653.jpg" border="0" alt="lisalla montenegro ring" /></div><p class="source">@lisalla</p></td></tr></table></p>
<p>And here's a shot of Lisalla in a Maybelline ad:</p>
<p><div class="image-container" style="width:598px"><div class="image"><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/518bda5b69beddf113000012-1119-743/img_0245.jpg" border="0" alt="lisalla montenegro maybelline" width="598" height="396" /></div><p class="source">Maybelline</p></div></p>
<p> </p>

Angels Pitcher C.J. Wilson Is Engaged To Gorgeous Model Lisalla Montenegro

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Images depicting vastly different resources at the men's and women's <keyword id="1606264" type="SPORT" weightage="60" keywordseo="NCAA-Tournament">NCAA tournament</keyword> went viral.</li><li>The <keyword id="125824" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="NCAA">NCAA</keyword> has since apologized, promising to fix it "as soon as possible."</li><li>Originally, the NCCA blamed a lackluster women's weight room on "limited space," an excuse debunked by Oregon's Sedona Prince.</li></ul><p>The NCAA on Friday apologized after viral images and videos revealing shocking disparities between the men's and women's basketball facilities circulated on social media. </p><p>Stanford <keyword id="6356028" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sports">sports</keyword> performance coach Ali Kershner shared the images in a post that contrasted the full weight room offered at the men's <keyword id="952232" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="March-Madness">March Madness</keyword> tournament in Indianapolis with the single rack of the weights provided to the women in San Antonio.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">-Ali Kershner, MS, CSCS  (@alikershner) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1372588571689893890?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2021</a></blockquote><p>"I apologize to the women's student-athletes, coaches and committee for dropping the ball on the weight room issue in San Antonio, we'll get it fixed as soon as possible," NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt said on a Zoom call Friday addressing the discrepancies.</p><p>The apology comes just as the NCAA attempts to walk back its earlier remarks on the obvious weight room disparities. </p><p>Originally, the NCAA had cited "limited space" as an excuse for the disparities, a claim that was debunked by one of the basketball players in a video that has since gone viral. </p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">-NCAA Women’s Basketball  (@ncaawbb) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1372676389208477696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2021</a></blockquote><p>The only problem? That excuse was, apparently, a blatant lie.</p><p>Oregon Ducks star Sedona Prince called BS on the NCAA's "limited space" excuse. She filmed the room where women's players from all 64 teams are expected to train using just a small set of dumbbells and some thin yoga mats.</p><p>In the video Prince shared on Twitter, she filmed the weight pyramid and then zoomed out to reveal a giant conference room filled with nothing but empty space and folding chairs - directly contradicting the NCAA's claim.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="">-Sedona Prince  (@sedonaprince_) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1372736231562342402?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2021</a></blockquote><p>Professional athletes and big names in college athletics lambasted the NCAA for its gender-based disparate treatment of players. Former <keyword id="1737297" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="College-Basketball">college basketball</keyword> and current WNBA stars <a href="https://twitter.com/S10Bird/status/1372699195035979777">Sue Bird,</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/_ajawilson22/status/1372628499274498056">A'ja Wilson</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/sabrina_i20/status/1372658732790771713">Sabrina Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/T_Cloud4/status/1372621544376111109">Natasha Cloud</a>, and more demanded answers for the apparent <keyword id="6390075" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="sexism">sexism</keyword>.</p><p>On the men's side, reigning NBA rookie of the year <a href="https://twitter.com/JaMorant/status/1372676194777370625">Ja Morant called the move "disrespectful"</a> on Twitter. Portland Trail Blazers star <a href="https://twitter.com/CJMcCollum/status/1372667004176400385">CJ McCollum said the NCAA has "gotta do better."</a> "Come on now," said <a href="https://twitter.com/StephenCurry30/status/1372792082058813443">two-time NBA MVP Steph Curry</a>. With sports media personalities like <a href="https://twitter.com/JayBilas/status/1372651783315677186">ESPN's Jay Bilas</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/SarahSpain/status/1372699831152566275">Sarah Spain</a> using their own platforms to chime in, the NCAA clearly felt the pressure to address the issue.</p><p>Beyond the obvious differences in quality and quantity in the men's and women's weight rooms, the NCAA also appears to have slighted its women's players in other areas of the NCAA tournament. Images appear to show that the "swag bags" offered to the men's players feature far more merchandise than the ones received by the women's athletes.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet blockquote" data-lang="en" data-cards="" data-conversation="none">-Dan Henry  (@danhenry3) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1372622757587001350?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2021</a></blockquote><p>During Friday's Zoom call, women players asked about the value of the gift bags they received. NCAA officials, however, told the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/womens-basketball-womens-college-basketball-basketball-media-social-media-01bcb8bbe4a9ec1073d26b998f9be586">Associated Press</a> that they believe the gift bag values were equal. </p><p>Players also pointed out on the call that there are 68 men's teams compared to 64 women's teams, the Associated Press reported. Additionally, the NCAA addressed the fact that it pays for the men's National Invitation Tournament but not the women's. </p><p>"We fell short this year in what we have been doing to prepare in the last 60 days for 64 teams to be in San Antonio. We acknowledge that," said NCAA Senior Vice President of women's basketball Lynn Holzman. "Last night we did have a call with our coaches and team administrators in a way to solicit feedback and their experience thus far."</p><p>The NCAA's latest predicament comes mere days after players on the men's side publicly spoke out against the organization on Twitter in protest of ongoing policies that prevent them from being paid.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.insider.com/college-athletes-protest-the-ncaa-2021-3">#NotNCAAproperty campaign</a> threatens to <a href="https://www.insider.com/march-madness-ncaa-tournament-games-protest-2021-3">delay March Madness games</a> in the later rounds of the NCAA tournament over athletes' lack of compensation and continued denial of ownership over their names, images, and likenesses.</p><p>Growing calls against the organization regarding both its sexism and its labor practices may force further action during this year's tournaments.</p>

The NCAA apologized after getting caught in a lie about the wildly different equipment provided to men's and women's basketball players

<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/55b2909f371d22ce178b965b-1181-886/rsz_ap_580050051646.jpg" alt="C.J. Wilson Buccaneers" data-mce-source="Brian Blanco/AP"><p class="source"><span>Brian Blanco/AP</span></p><p class="caption">C.J. Wilson is putting his football career on hold.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div>Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback C.J. Wilson announced in a statement <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/07/24/c-j-wilson-will-step-away-from-nfl/">he intends to "step away" from the NFL</a> while he recovers from a July 4 fireworks accident which resulted in <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/07/08/c-j-wilson-lost-middle-and-index-fingers-in-fireworks-accident/">the loss of two fingers</a>, according to a statement from his agents Joel and Justin Turner acquired by Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper.</span></p><p class="p2">"On behalf of C.J. Wilson, he has decided to step away from the NFL at this time to focus on his immediate needs in recovery which are the foundation of his long-term health," the statement reads. "When CJ is fully healed and able to return to the game, he will then continue his career at that time."<br><span class="s1"></span></br></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Wilson's father, Curtis Sr., <a href="https://twitter.com/ColeenHarryWBTV/status/618927879133503488">told WBTV's Coleen Harry</a> that his son lost the middle and index finger on one hand. The injury occurred while Wilson was holding a canister containing fireworks, <a href="http://www.lincolntimesnews.com/2015/07/08/c-j-wilson-injures-hand-in-fireworks-accident/">the fireworks exploded inside the canister</a> rather than shooting outward, according to Lincoln Times-News' Ryan Herman.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Despite the severe setback, the 25-year-old's agents say this isn't the final chapter of Wilson's career.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">"C.J. is in good spirits and is continuing to focus on his rehab and the healing of his hand," the statement reads. "He is a very strong willed young man with great work ethic and character. We look forward to seeing him play again in the future."</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Wilson went undrafted in 2013 before signing a one-year deal as a free agent with the Chicago Bears. He spent the majority of last season on the Buccaneers' practice squad before being promoted to the team's active roster in December, where he appeared in the last two regular season games, registering four tackles. The team placed him on the reserve/retired list:</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1"><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Buccaneers?src=hash">#Buccaneers</a> placed CB C.J. Wilson on reserved/retired list.</p>- Adam Caplan  (@caplannfl) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/624659618376085505">July 24, 2015</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></span></p><p class="embed-spacer">&#xa0;</p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Wilson's accident occurred on the same day New York Giants defensive end <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/giants-jason-pierre-paul-has-right-finger-amputated-according-to-medical-report-2015-7">Jason Pierre-Paul injured his hand in a fireworks-related accident</a> as well. Pierre-Paul suffered a fractured thumb, and had to have his right index finger amputated as a result of his injuries. His injuries <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/07/05/jason-pierre-pauls-fireworks-injury-not-believed-career-threatening/">aren't believed to be career threatening</a>, and it's believed he'll play at some point this season.</span></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/effects-concussion-brain-football-super-bowl-sports-2015-1">Here's What Happens To Your Brain When You Get A Concussion</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="BkdTFzcjqUDxNRMuDuA-mLpms5kuHyVb" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', 'BkdTFzcjqUDxNRMuDuA-mLpms5kuHyVb',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

NFL player who lost two fingers in a fireworks accident is stepping away from football

<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/559d89a8ecad04406b719d4a-1195-896/cj-wilson-buccaneers.jpg" border="0" alt="cj wilson buccaneers"><p class="source"><span>Jeff Haynes/AP</span></p><p class="caption">C.J. Wilson has played just four games in the NFL.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div>While the NFL world for an update on Jason Pierre-Paul's status after&#xa0;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/giants-take-away-60-million-offer-to-jason-pierre-paul-after-fireworks-injury-2015-7">he was injured lighting off fireworks over the holiday weekend</a>, there are reports that Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback C.J. Wilson also suffered a serious hand injury in a fireworks accident.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.lincolntimesnews.com/2015/07/08/c-j-wilson-injures-hand-in-fireworks-accident/">Ryan Herman of Lincoln Times-News reports</a> that sources close to Wilson's family say Wilson lost two fingers lighting fireworks over the 4th of July weekend.</p><p>Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune first reported that Wilson had injured his hand, though the severity of it was unknown:</p><div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Bucs CB C.J. Wilson suffered a severe hand injury in a July 4th fireworks accident, Wilson's representatives confirm to Tampa Tribune</p>- Roy Cummings  (@RCummingsTBO) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/618807859585781760">July 8, 2015</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></div><p class="embed-spacer"></p><div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bucs?src=hash">#Bucs</a> officials say they are aware of C.J. Wilson's hand injury suffered in a fireworks accident but will not comment at this time</p>- Roy Cummings  (@RCummingsTBO) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/618811817754775552">July 8, 2015</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></div><p class="embed-spacer"></p><p>The Bucs released a statement, but did not comment on the severity of the injury:</p><div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Statement from Buccaneers regarding CJ Wilson's fireworks accident <a href="http://t.co/Kv4rcpJpuu">pic.twitter.com/Kv4rcpJpuu</a></p>- Mike Garafolo  (@MikeGarafolo) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/618823499436687360">July 8, 2015</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div></div><p class="embed-spacer"></p><p>Wilson's agent, Joel Turner, declined to comment on the injury when contacted by Business Insider.</p><p>Thus far, Herman is the only source to report that Wilson lost two fingers, though <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/618827067136811009">ESPN's Adam Schefter</a>&#xa0;and <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/618868367060037632">NFL's Ian Rapoport</a> both reported it was said to be serious.</p><p>Most reports indicate that Pierre-Paul's injury is less serious, and some believe he can be ready for the NFL season. Though the Giants <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/giants-take-away-60-million-offer-to-jason-pierre-paul-after-fireworks-injury-2015-7">took away his $60 million contract offer</a>, if nothing else, he can play on the franchise tag for a season.</p><p>Wilson, however, doesn't have the experience of Pierre-Paul. He has played just four games in two seasons and is on the final year of a two-year deal worth $585,000 and unguaranteed.</p><p>If Wilson's injuries are as bad as reported, it's possible that it could end his career.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/golfboard-combines-golf-cart-skateboard-2015-5">A famous surfer is trying to revolutionize the sport of golf with a new gadget</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="E1aTQydToNp4rcUjz1CZJ1FNRDYwLlkH" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', 'E1aTQydToNp4rcUjz1CZJ1FNRDYwLlkH',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

Report: An NFL player lost 2 fingers lighting off fireworks

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5ddb0923fd9db24a4442e4e4-1500/haskins%20selfie.jpg" border="0" alt="haskins selfie" data-mce-source="AP Photo/Patrick Semansky"><p class="source"><span>AP Photo/Patrick Semansky</span></p><p class="caption">Washington Redskins quarterback Dwayne Haskins missed the final play of Sunday's game because he was taking selfies with fans.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a> quarterback <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/dwayne-haskins">Dwayne Haskins</a> missed the final play of Sunday's game because he was taking <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/selfies">selfies</a> with fans.</li><li>After leading Washington in a gutsy final drive to give his team the 19-16 lead, Haskins headed to the sideline to celebrate.</li><li>The Redskins defense picked off <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/detroit-lions">Detroit Lions</a> quarterback Jeff Driskel, forcing the offense to return to the field for one last play.</li><li>When his rookie <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/quarterback">quarterback</a> was nowhere to be found, interim head coach Bill Callahan sent backup quarterback Case Keenum onto the field to take a knee.</li><li><strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</strong></li></ul><p>Washington Redskins rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins finally secured his first NFL victory in Week 12 of the season, but he wasn't able to finish the game out to the final snap.</p><p>Fortunately for both Haskins and the Redskins faithful, it wasn't an injury that kept the former Ohio State great off the gridiron; it was a selfie.</p><p>After leading Washington in a gutsy final drive to give his team the 19-16 lead, Haskins headed to the sideline to celebrate.</p><p>Then, as the defense took over with just seconds remaining on the clock, the young quarterback headed towards the stands to take photos with fans. But the Redskins picked off Detroit Lions quarterback Jeff Driskel, forcing the offense to return to the field for one last play. When Washington's coaching staff looked for Haskins to send him in for a victory formation, he was nowhere to be found.</p><p>Instead, interim head coach Bill Callahan sent backup quarterback Case Keenum onto the field to take a knee. And even though some coaches likely would have found Haskin's absence troubling, Callahan spoke about it lightheartedly during the postgame press conference.</p><p>"We were looking for [Haskins]. We were looking for him, too," Callahan said. "I think he thought the game was over. I think he thought it was over. So yeah, I'll have to find out a little bit more."</p><p>For his part, Haskins said he was so excited that he didn't realize the game was still in play.</p><p>"I was so hype, I think I broke a water bottle," Haskins said. "I look up and we're in victory [formation]. I thought the game was over with already. But I'll get it next time."</p><p>Haskins threw for 156 yards on 13 of 29 passing in Sunday's affair to move the Redskins to 2-9 on the season.</p><ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russell-wilson-trick-play-vs-eagles-33-yard-touchdown-2019-11" data-analytics-position="1" data-analytics-module="">Russell Wilson and the Seahawks bamboozled the Eagles with a trick play that ended in a glorious 33-yard touchdown</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/harvard-student-sneaks-epstein-hidden-message-in-yale-newspaper-piece-2019-11" data-analytics-position="2" data-analytics-module="">A Harvard student snuck a brutal hidden message about Jeffrey Epstein into his smack-talk piece published in Yale's student newspaper</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/magic-johnson-lebron-james-is-playing-as-well-as-ever-2019-11" data-analytics-position="3" data-analytics-module="">Magic Johnson lauds LeBron James, says he's 'playing as well as I've ever seen him play'</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/where-colin-kaepernick-has-most-support-across-united-states-2019-11" data-analytics-position="4" data-analytics-module="">Map shows which states support Colin Kaepernick the most</a></li></ul><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Dwayne Haskins gets his first win in the NFL, and the emotion starts to set in on the sideline with OC Kevin O'Connell.<br><br>Don't ever tell me that <a href="https://twitter.com/dh_simba7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dh_simba7</a> doesn't care. <br><br>This dude is about it. <a href="https://t.co/tiqFapPBFj">pic.twitter.com/tiqFapPBFj</a></br></br></br></br></p>- Chad Ryan  (@ChadwikoRCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1198711631380803584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2019</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>DID HASKINS MISS THE KNEEL DOWN BECAUSE HE WAS TAKING SELFIES WITH FANS? <a href="https://t.co/SujE6o2wpK">pic.twitter.com/SujE6o2wpK</a></p>- michael phillips  (@michaelpRTD) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1198712966536974337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2019</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Dwayne Haskins takes a selfie with fans while Case Keenum has to do the victory formation <a href="https://t.co/Y76AL2cquF">pic.twitter.com/Y76AL2cquF</a></p>- CJ Fogler  (@cjzer0) <a href="https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1198714218222108676?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2019</a></blockquote><script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/safest-walk-ice-penguin-2017-2">The safest way to walk on ice is to impersonate a penguin</a></h3>        <div>            <iframe class="bijwplayerclass" data-player="jwplayer" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/1Owa3Ngp-CEZHWCBG.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" style="margin:0px;" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><script>function receiveMessage(event){ console.log(event.data.fullscreen); Android.fullscreen(event.data.fullscreen); }window.addEventListener("message", receiveMessage, false);</script>        </div>    </div>

Redskins quarterback Dwayne Haskins missed the final play of his first NFL win because he was taking selfies with fans

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/559ea13f6bb3f7805967945c-1135-851/jason-pierre-paul-4.jpg" border="0" alt="jason pierre paul"><p class="source"><span>Stephen Dunn/Getty</span></p><p class="caption">Jason Pierre-Paul may have to "re-learn" everything he does in football.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div>New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul h<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/giants-jason-pierre-paul-has-right-finger-amputated-according-to-medical-report-2015-7">ad his right index finger amputated</a> after injuring his hand lighting fireworks, according to medical records obtained by ESPN's Adam Schefter.</p><p>It immediately casts a shadow on Pierre-Paul's future. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jason-pierre-paul-doesnt-meet-with-giants-report-2015-7">He reportedly wouldn't let the Giants personnel see him</a> in the hospital days after the Giants took a long-term $60 million offer off the table.</p><p>If the offer is still there, Pierre-Paul is left to sign the franchise tender, worth about $14.8 million for one season.</p><p>Hugh Douglas, a former all-pro defensive end, <a href="http://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2015/07/former_eagle_and_jet_hugh_douglas_says_jason_pierr.html">told Mark Eckel of NJ Advance Media</a> the harsh truth about Pierre-Paul's situation - he may have to re-learn what he does on the field.</p><p style="padding-left: 30px;">"I don't know. I couldn't imagine having to play without your index finger, especially on your right hand. God gave you five fingers for a reason. <span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Just from a tactical standpoint that's your grabbing hand, to not have an index finger it makes it hard to grab. I'm trying to grab a piece of wood right now and not use my index finger, it's hard. You can't grip. For him as a pass rusher, he's going to be losing his power."</span></p><p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">...</span></p><p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">"He's going to have to re-learn everything he does. He's going to have to learn how to use his hand without having an index finger."</span></p><p>Douglas added that it could be "really bad" for Pierre-Paul's future.</p><p>On the surface, Pierre-Paul's injury doesn't seem as devastating as C.J. Wilson, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/report-buccaneers-cj-wilson-lost-two-fingers-lighting-off-fireworks-2015-7">who reportedly lost two fingers lighting fireworks</a>. As a cornerback, Wilson probably needs his hands a little more to grab balls and make interceptions.</p><p>Pierre-Paul, as a defensive end, primarily tackles players and swats balls. Of course, having the dexterity to make interceptions would be nice, but through five years in the NFL, Pierre-Paul has only made two interceptions.</p><p>His contract status is a just as much of an unknown, however. Nobody is sure whether he'll be ready for the start of camp, but if he can play this season, he'll have to take a one-year gamble on himself and prove he can still play with a missing finger.</p><p>If Pierre-Paul does have to re-learn everything, it may be a rough season, and he could regret turning down that $60 million offer before the Giants took it away completely.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/1996-chicago-bulls-michael-jordan-where-are-they-now-2015-6">WHERE ARE THEY NOW? The historic 1996 Chicago Bulls championship team</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="VubjJ0dTqzvHoRlL_KGEDy0h1RAXeoXk" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', 'VubjJ0dTqzvHoRlL_KGEDy0h1RAXeoXk',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

Ex-NFL player describes how hard it will be for Jason Pierre-Paul to play after losing a finger in a fireworks accident

<ul><li><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5984be4e76084a11068b5a48-1186/chris%20brickley%201.jpg" alt="chris brickley 1" data-mce-source="Via Chris Brickley"><p class="source"><span>Via Chris Brickley</span></p><p class="caption">Chris Brickley and Carmelo Anthony.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div><strong>Chris Brickley made connections in college basketball that led to a job with the Knicks.</strong></li><li><strong>During his time with the Knicks, he befriended Carmelo Anthony and became his go-to trainer</strong></li><li><strong>Through intensive work, Brickley now works out dozens of NBA players, including stars like Kevin Durant and C.J. McCollum.&#xa0;</strong></li></ul><p>Chris Brickley is used to odd and sometimes demanding requests from NBA players, but one in particular from veteran point guard Brandon Jennings caught him off-guard this summer.</p><p>Brickley was in Los Angeles working out a handful of NBA stars when Jennings texted&#xa0;Brickley and asked if he would accompany him to to a court he built in Compton for a 10 p.m. workout.</p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"I'm like, 'Compton? You wanna do this workout at 10 at night in Compton?'" Brickley recalled.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"And he's like, 'Yeah, I've been meaning to go back to my court. It's been eight years I've been in the NBA, and I've never really had a chance to go back.'"</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So, Brickley and Jennings drove to Compton to Jennings' court and held a public workout at 10 p.m. as a crowd gathered and watched. "That was really fun ... really cool environment," Brickley said.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Such is life for Brickley, a 31-year-old trainer who's becoming a go-to resource for NBA players of all skill levels, experience, and popularity. He's gotten 2 a.m. phone calls and texts from Carmelo Anthony and D'Angelo Russell asking him to work out because they can't sleep - they're too excited for the season. Brickley will never turn them down.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"My whole life I dreamed of being where I'm at," Brickley said. "At this point, I'll do anything I can to help these guys help themselves."</span></p><h2><strong>'He's different than other coaches'</strong></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a luxury gym in New York City in early August, Oklahoma City Thunder big man Enes Kanter spins and misses a wide-open, left-handed layup and screams in frustration.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Brickley quickly reassures him - he missed the shot but the footwork was perfect. It was a good rep. Kanter, drenched in sweat, goes back to work.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Later on, after completing a circuit involving layups, mid-range jump shots, and pull-up threes with nary a miss, Brickley doesn't let Kanter bask in the glory or catch a breath. They&#xa0;move to the right side of the floor to repeat the same drill.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"He's different than other coaches," Kanter said after the workout, adding, "He actually spends time and really cares about how the players feel. Lots of the coaches in the NBA, in the summer time, they just wanna get the work done as soon as possible so they can go the beach and hang out. But him, he actually spends time on the player."</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After the workout is complete, Kanter cools down and Brickley picks up his phone and immediately begins returning text messages. A "big" player - he won't reveal who - has reached out to him.&#xa0;<span>His client list this summer alone includes Anthony, Jennings, Kanter, Kevin Durant, C.J. McCollum, Tim Hardaway Jr., Joel Embiid, Wilson Chandler, J.R. Smith, and more.&#xa0;</span>He's used to these texts, but nonetheless thrilled with how his career has grown.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For Brickley, the seeds of his career were planted with a college transfer. Brickley, a New Hampshire native, became friends with Richard Pitino, son of NBA and college coach Rick Pitino, while on the Northeastern University basketball team. Richard was eventually hired by his father to coach at Louisville and convinced Brickley to transfer.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Brickley played just 31 total minutes in two season at Louisville. He knew he wouldn't make the NBA, but used the opportunity to learn from Rick. After graduating, Brickley got a job at Ole Miss, with the help of Pitino, then was later hired by Fairleigh Dickinson, becoming the youngest Division I assistant coach in the country.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While working at Fairleigh Dickinson, Brickley re-connected with Chris Smith, a former Louisville teammate and brother of then-New York Knicks guard J.R. Smith. As Brickley worked out with the Smiths, he gained more connections within the Knicks, working out&#xa0;more and more players at the Knicks' practice facilities. Eventually, the Knicks hired him.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As quickly as Brickley got into the NBA, however, his job appeared to be in jeopardy when the Knicks hired Phil Jackson as president of basketball operations in 2014. Brickley recalled the entire coaching staff being fired as he was preparing for an interview in Jackson's office.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"I'm thinking I'm gonna go in there, I'm gonna meet with him, I'm done," Brickley said.&#xa0;</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">"So I go in, I'm super nervous, super scared. It's Phil Jackson. I don't even know the guy. I come in sit down in his office and he said, 'I'm gonna ask you three questions."</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jackson proceeded to ask Brickley about Steve Nash's athleticism, the proper footwork leading into a jumper, and five characteristics of an athlete. Brickley&#xa0;simply went with his gut and answered the questions as best he could.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"I had my interview and it went well, and he's like, 'I'll see you at pre-draft workouts in two days,'" Brickley said.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"I was so excited, so happy, and at that point, I knew I was gonna stay on."</span></p><h2><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>A helpful friendship</strong><br /></span></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5984c37c76084a26008b5b8a-1282/chris%20brickley%202.jpg" alt="chris brickley 2" data-mce-source="Via Chris Brickley"><p class="source"><span>Via Chris Brickley</span></p></img></div><p></p></div></div>In Brickley's time with the Knicks, he grew particularly close to Carmelo Anthony.&#xa0;According to Brickley, their friendship grew when Brickley would give Anthony honest feedback after games.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"I wasn't sure how he'd handle it, but after games I'd be like, 'Dude you can play harder than that!'" Brickley said. "I gave him constructive criticism … He ended up respecting me because of that."</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Through Anthony, Brickley's name began making the rounds in the NBA. Players would reach out to Anthony asking who he was working out with and Anthony would direct them to Brickley. His client list swelled, with players like Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, C.J. McCollum, and more asking him to conduct workouts.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Brickley makes a commitment to every player he works out. He watches every one of their offensive possessions from the year before to get a better understanding of their games. He'll also ask players what they think they need to improve upon and reach out to&#xa0;their teams to ask what&#xa0;<em>they</em> think the players should be working on.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Five or six hours, nothing crazy," Brickley said of his film sessions. "I'll sacrifice that over my sleep. When I was younger, I would do anything to get one NBA guy."</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As more and more players began asking Brickley to work them out, he made a big choice - he was going to leave the Knicks. Brickley said his family questioned the decision, but he&#xa0;felt the timing was right to try things on his own.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It's paid off. Brickley sometimes gets as many as 10 NBA players texting him per week asking to work out. Players are appreciative of the effort Brickley puts into his workouts.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"He texts me in the middle of the day, like, 'Hey man, who you wanna play like? Who was your favorite player growing up?'" Kanter said. "And I'll say like, Hakeem Olajuwon. And so he goes on YouTube and watches his workouts, his games, how he does it. Then we come the next day and we do the workout."</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Still, Brickley remains loyal to Anthony when his schedule is open. This summer he's already traveled with Anthony to Miami and Baltimore to do workouts. As trade rumors swirl around Anthony this offseason, Brickley said the two continue to work as if nothing is going on.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Sometimes he'll come into the workout, and I'll be like, 'I wonder if he picked up the paper today,'" Brickley said. However, according to Brickley, Anthony tunes out the media. "He just remains focused and we never really talk about the team situation."</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Brickley has a plan when the NBA season begins and players he would otherwise be working out return to their teams and respective training staffs. He recently created The Academy with Mark Starkey, former brand director of&#xa0;North American Basketball with Nike. The two plan to put on training camps for kids and elite prospects around the country. Additionally, Brickley has been contacted by Chinese basketball teams and plans to make a few trips during the season to host some workouts.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Brickley said he knows one day his training business will slow down, and when it does, he'll keep his eyes on a possible return to the NBA. But right now, he doesn't necessarily need the NBA. In fact, much of the NBA is coming to him to get better.</span></p><div>    <iframe src="//instagram.com/p/BXR9tiajaMh/embed/" width="658" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true">    </iframe></div><div>    <iframe src="//instagram.com/p/BWjLsnlDPpg/embed/" width="658" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true">    </iframe></div>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/pro-golfer-intense-standoff-tiger-woods-us-open-2017-7">What it's like to go into sudden death with Tiger Woods</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="1lNXMyYzE6AhafgblpZ0tZXkxrHMup-t" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', '1lNXMyYzE6AhafgblpZ0tZXkxrHMup-t',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

How a 31-year-old former college assistant coach became the go-to trainer for NBA superstars like Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table full float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/555f31616da811dd2c4e831f-1920-1080/cryo 15.jpg" alt="CRYO 15" data-mce-source="Business Insider at KryoLife" /><p class="source"><span>Business Insider at KryoLife</span></p><p class="caption">Screen of a cryochamber that helps experts monitor temperatures and time.</p></div><p></p></div></div>Last week, 24-year-old Chelsea Ake-Salvacion was found dead inside of a cryotherapy chamber at a clinic in Las Vegas, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/27/us/death-of-woman-in-tank-at-a-nevada-cryotherapy-center-raises-questions-about-safety.html?_r=1">the New York Times reported</a>.</p><p>The incident is raising questions about the safety of this relatively new spa experience that thousands of Americans, including world-class athlete LeBron James and actress Demi Moore, are using for its purported benefits, which include everything from enhanced athletic performance to smoother skin.</p><p>Whole body cryotherapy is a quick-and-easy spa experience that exposes the body to temperatures anywhere from minus 150 to minus 290 degrees Fahrenheit. That's incredibly cold. For comparison, the coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth was <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/10/coldest-temperature-recorded-earth-antarctica-guinness-book">minus 135 degrees Fahrenheit</a> in Antarctica in 2010.</p><p>The chamber that Ake-Salvacion was found in reached temperatures as low as minus 240 degrees Fahrenheit.</p><p>The procedure involves standing nearly naked in a chamber filled with super-chilled air where the idea is similar to why we sometimes place ice packs over sore muscles: The chilled air reduces inflammation across the entire body and can, therefore, relieve pain and enhance muscle recovery. </p><p>European countries including Poland, Finland, and the UK have been using cryotherapy as a health treatment since the '70s, but it was only introduced in the <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2015/02/17/golf/freeze-yourself-fit-with-cryotherapy/">US in 2006</a>.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table full"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/555e9ef16bb3f7536aba7223-1920-1080/cryo 3.jpg" alt="CRYO 3" data-mce-source="Business Insider at KryoLife" /><p class="source"><span>Business Insider at KryoLife</span></p><p class="caption">Example of a cryochamber.</p></div><p></p></div></div>For professional athletes like basketball star LeBron James and <a href="http://www.npr.org/2011/10/15/141336088/cryotherapy-why-pro-athletes-like-it-chilly">Texas Rangers' pitcher C.J. Wilson</a>, the two-to-three minute procedure is more preferable than spending ten or more minutes soaking in an ice bath - though <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-cryotherapy-2015-5">there's no evidence</a> to suggest one is better for you than the other.</p><p>While the body can handle these extreme temperatures for a few minutes, any longer can prove dangerous. That is why you're never supposed to use the chamber alone.</p><p>Visit any of the US-based centers in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and elsewhere, and you'll have an expert stand by and control the temperature of the air as well as how long you've been in the chamber. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cryotherapy-treatment-kryolife-lebron-james-cristiano-ronaldo-2015-5">Sometimes it is easy to lose track of time</a> as Business Insider's Graham Flanagan experienced when he visited New York City's Kryolife (that's him on the left):</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table full"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5565c218eab8eaba14e3045c-1920-1080/cryo 10.jpg" alt="cryo" data-mce-source="Business Insider at KryoLife" /><p class="source"><span>Business Insider at KryoLife</span></p></div><p></p></div></div>Ake-Salvacion had been working on a center that offers whole body cryotherapy in Las Vegas, and reportedly was using the chamber after work hours - presumably alone.</p><p>According to the Times, a local coroner said that Ake-Salveacion's death had not yet been determined, but the girl's uncle said that the coroner told him the body was "rock-hard solid."</p><p>What exactly happened is unclear but the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said that it did not appear a crime had been committed, The New York Times reported.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cryotherapy-treatment-kryolife-lebron-james-cristiano-ronaldo-2015-5">We tried cryotherapy - the super-cold treatment LeBron James swears by </a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="8xNDkzdTrPhZVTXsVcbxX5djyJzBD3lz" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', '8xNDkzdTrPhZVTXsVcbxX5djyJzBD3lz',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

A 24-year-old woman was recently found dead in one of the freezing chambers that celebrities like Demi Moore swear by

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5b7c3b9264dce826308b474e-1559/deshaun-watson.jpg" border="0" alt="Deshaun Watson" data-mce-source="AP Photo/Steven Senne" /><p class="source"><span>AP Photo/Steven Senne</span></p><p class="caption">Between Tom Brady and other veteran quarterbacks proving that age is just a number, and a few recent rookie classes that have been ready to start right out of the gate, the NFL has suddenly solved its quarterback problem.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul><li><strong>After years of a shallow pool of talent at the position, it appears every team in the NFL has something close to a capable quarterback.</strong></li><li><strong>The influx of talent at the position is due to two factors - a new generation of young players progressing to an elite level earlier than expected, and older players who haven't seen their skills deteriorate.</strong></li><li><strong>While every team is always just one injury away from losing their star, heading into the 2018 season the talent at quarterback looks better than it has in years.</strong></li></ul><hr /><p><br />In 2016, the NFL had a problem.</p><p>After a year that saw Blaine Gabbert, Matt Cassel, Brian Hoyer, and other less-than-compelling quarterbacks take the lead for their teams under center, many were left to wonder if there just weren't enough talented quarterbacks on the planet for each team to have a reliable starter.</p><p>"Why aren't there 32 starting-caliber QBs in the NFL?" <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2016/04/28/nfl-qbs-quarterbacks-draft/83408210/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">asked Lorenzo Reyes of USA Today</a>. "The NFL has a quarterback development problem," <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000654186/article/the-nfl-has-a-quarterback-development-problem" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote Kevin Patra of NFL.com</a>.</p><p>This sentiment grew for two more seasons as the advent of Thursday Night Football forced lesser teams into the national spotlight and quarterback injuries introduced fans to less-than-capable backups.</p><p>But examining the current landscape of the NFL, things look entirely different heading into the 2018 season. While <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-qbs-ranked-2018-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ranking the quarterback situations of every team in the league</a>, it became apparent that no teams seemed utterly lost when it came to the talent at the position.</p><p>For the first time in a long time, it felt like every team had at least one quarterback worth putting in an NFL game.</p><p>There are several reasons for the NFL's sudden depth at the most critical position, not the least of which is the fact that everyone appears to be relatively healthy, for now. Andrew Luck is finally back throwing the ball after almost two years, and high-profile quarterbacks that missed time in 2017 - Aaron Rodgers, Deshaun Watson, Carson Wentz - are all hoping to play in Week 1.</p><p>But the two most significant factors that have contributed to what appears to be a new normal of relatively solid quarterback talent is two-fold: young quarterbacks have come into the league better prepared, and the stable of established reliable starters has hung around longer than expected.</p><h2>The Young Guns</h2><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5b7d6dfe5c5e5225008b587e-1500/carson-wentz-mitch-trubisky.jpg" border="0" alt="Carson Wentz Mitch Trubisky" data-mce-source="Elsa/Getty Images" /><p class="source"><span>Elsa/Getty Images</span></p><p class="caption">Carson Wentz and Mitch Trubisky both look to be the future of their respective franchises, having taken over the starting job early in their careers.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>While every draft still has its busts, for the past to years, quarterbacks drafted in the first round have done pretty well for themselves.</p><p>Jared Goff and Carson Wentz both are looking to lead teams near the top of the NFC this year after going one-two in 2016, and Mitch Trubisky, Patrick Mahomes, and Deshaun Watson will head into their sophomore campaigns as starters. While the latter group has much to prove, there's no doubt any NFL fan would have them leading his or her favorite team over the likes of draft busts from the years that came before them - Johnny Manziel, EJ Manuel, or Geno Smith.</p><p>In the most recent draft, a whopping five quarterbacks were selected in the first round, and two of them - Sam Darnold and Josh Allen - look likely to start Week 1.</p><p>Should the newest batch of QBs prove capable, that's almost a quarter of the league whose quarterback woes were solved through the draft in just three years, with the potential for even more when Josh Rosen, Baker Mayfield, and Lamar Jackson finally get their chance.</p><h2>The Old Guard</h2><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5b7d6e131982d81e008b547c-1500/tom-brady-ben-roethlisberger.jpg" border="0" alt="Tom Brady Ben Roethlisberger" data-mce-source="Justin Berl/Getty Images" /><p class="source"><span>Justin Berl/Getty Images</span></p><p class="caption">Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger have close to 30 years between them as starting quarterbacks, and have shown no signs of slowing down.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>The other, possibly even more important aspect to the increased quality of quarterback play, is the fact that the old guard still hasn't lost a step.</p><p>Tom Brady, 41, headlines the group as the reigning MVP who just led the Patriots to the eighth Super Bowl appearance of his career, but he's not alone. Across the league, more and more quarterbacks are proving that age is just a number. Four of the top five passers of 2017 - Brady, Philip Rivers, Drew Brees, and Ben Roethlisberger - are now 36 or older.</p><p>Peyton Manning retired at 39, and while he did walk off on top with a Super Bowl win, he finished the year with a QB rating of 67.9, good for 34th in the league among quarterbacks that started at least seven games that year. After watching one of the greatest quarterbacks ever to play the game deteriorate so swiftly, it's understandable that football fans would brace for similar falls from those aging out soon, but so far, it hasn't happened.</p><p>In between the youngsters and the old guard, there's another slew of talented quarterbacks - the generation of signal callers that one would have expected to be running the league by 2018. Russell Wilson (29), Cam Newton (29), Matt Ryan (33), and Aaron Rodgers (34), have all proven they can lead their team to a Super Bowl and still have plenty of great years still ahead of them. And just below them, you have another younger group that's coming into their own, such as Marcus Mariota, Derek Carr, and Jimmy Garoppolo.</p><h2>How'd this happen?</h2><p>Though the league does feel suddenly and surprisingly stacked with desirable quarterbacks, it's not merely that we're in a boom-time for the position - there are multiple reasons that older and younger quarterbacks have become more viable.</p><p>First, new rules implemented to make the game safer - most notably the priority is given to defenseless receivers over the middle, ticky-tack pass interference calls, and the over-protection of every quarterback not named Cam Newton - have made the job easier.</p><p>Additionally, the advent of the run-pass option or "RPO" last season took some quarterbacks that would've had possibly been dismissed in a traditional offense and turned them into studs. At 34, Alex Smith had a career year thanks to the versatile attack, and the Eagles rode an RPO-heavy playbook and a backup quarterback to a Super Bowl win.</p><p>Beyond changes in the game, the training and offseason habits of players for quarterbacks young and old have also improved. Among the younger group, many players are receiving elite training earlier and earlier in their careers, and as both college offenses and opposing defenses continue to develop, it should come as no surprise that rookies come into the league a bit more prepared for the pace of the game. For those that would traditionally be aging out of the league at this point, healthier habits and more focus on recovery has made the idea of continuing to play 16 games a year more viable.</p><p>Despite the seeming widespread talent across the position, there's no certainty that this year will give us a significant leap forward in quality - teams are always just one injury away from trotting out the likes of Cody Kessler or C.J. Beathard. But as things stand, with everyone relatively healthy heading into the 2018 season, pretty much every team has a quarterback they can trust, or at least a bit of hope for the future.</p><p>Quarterback is likely the most daunting position in professional sports, but this year it looks like most teams will have someone up to the task.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-it-takes-world-cup-soccer-player-football-romelu-lukaku-belgium-manchester-united-2018-8">What it takes to be a World Cup soccer player</a></h3>        <div>            <iframe class="bijwplayerclass" data-player="jwplayer" src="https://content.jwplatform.com/players/aXLIrEPS-CEZHWCBG.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" style="margin:0px;" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><script>function receiveMessage(event){ console.log(event.data.fullscreen); Android.fullscreen(event.data.fullscreen); }window.addEventListener("message", receiveMessage, false);</script>        </div>    </div>

The NFL's biggest quarterback problem was quietly fixed thanks to players starting earlier and lasting longer

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5807b87a8d83b4d8008b583b-1205/cj%20watson%20magic.jpg" alt="cj watson magic" data-mce-source="Mike McCarn/AP"><p class="source"><span>Mike McCarn/AP</span></p><p class="caption">Orlando Magic guard C.J. Watson.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div>C.J. Watson's mom pushed him at a young age to get ready for the "real world," making him&#xa0;learn how to write checks, do mock job interviews, and accompany her to work.<p>Watson wasn't sure if he was going to keep playing basketball, much less make the NBA, and his mom wanted him to be prepared after his playing days ended.</p><p>"You never know with basketball - you can get hurt or get cut or something like that," Watson told Business Insider. "So, you always have to be prepared and keep it in the back of your mind and just always keep your options open."</p><p>That's why Watson, a 32-year-old guard in the second year of a&#xa0;three-year, $15 million deal with the Orlando Magic, took his mom's advice to heart and spent part&#xa0;of his summer&#xa0;job-shadowing at Google and Douglas-Elliman Real Estate in Miami, Florida.</p><p>He wasn't the only one. As part of the NBA's Career Crossover program, Watson was also joined at Google by Cleveland Cavaliers forward&#xa0;Dahntay Jones, Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler, and former NBA Development League guard Moses Ehambe. Jones and several other players also spent days with Douglas-Elliman in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles.</p><p>The Career Crossover program, which NBA Senior Vice President of Player Development Greg Taylor estimates is in its sixth or seventh year, is meant to educate and expose players to fields outside of basketball. Alerted by the number of players looking only into basketball-related jobs after their playing days were over, Taylor and the NBA began to find corporate partners that players expressed interested in learning more about. In total, the NBA had 13 players take part in the corporate program (there are other programs for basketball-related jobs, from front-office work to refereeing), which also featured companies like Esquire and 2K Sports.</p><p>"I'm certainly not suggesting that basketball-related careers aren't important, but there's a whole world out there," Taylor said.&#xa0;"So, the specific purpose of the Career Crossover program really was about exposure, exposing the guys to different career options and then letting them know what marketable skills they had to develop, what education they needed to have in order to be competitive in those new career endeavors that they expressed interest in."</p><h2>Players dive into&#xa0;Silicon Valley and beyond</h2><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5807bc22c52402c9008b583f-640/nba-at-google-4x3.png" alt="nba at google 4x3" data-mce-source="Courtesy of the NBA"><p class="source"><span>Courtesy of the NBA</span></p><p class="caption">Wilson Chandler (left), C.J. Watson, Dahntay Jones, and Moses Ehambe (right) at Google.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div>The tech field, in particular, was a popular choice amongst players, which led Watson and Jones to Google.<p>"It's the best company in the world right now, and I just wanted to see how it operated, what the culture was," said Jones, a 35-year-old forward&#xa0;in his 12th season in the NBA. "I just wanted to see the intricacies of what made it such a great company."</p><p>Jones, Watson, Chandler, and Ehambe spent the day touring the campus, sitting in on meetings, learning about YouTube's analytics, social media, the company's hiring process, and testing the self-driving cars. Watson enjoyed the self-driving car. Jones enjoyed learning more about YouTube and added, "Google Ventures was dope."</p><p>Watson was impressed with the company.</p><p>"It's a fun environment" he said. "They're not really strict on a dress code or certain ways they have meetings and stuff like that. They do things outside of the box, which is pretty cool."</p><p>Al-Farouq Aminu, a 26-year-old forward with the Portland Trail Blazers, visited Facebook for the day, after also expressing interest in tech. Though he enjoyed testing the Oculus Rift and touring the&#xa0;"beautiful" campus, he was ultimately looking for a more hands-on experience.</p><p>"In an internship, you kinda like push papers, you know, you do work sort of thing," Aminu said. "For what I was intending it to be, it was not."&#xa0;Still, Aminu came away with some valuable lessons, noting he's interested in further exploring "the design aspect of technology."</p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5807b63b8d83b4d8008b5832-1200/bi-graphics_nba%20quote-2.png" alt="BI Graphics_NBA Quote 2" data-mce-source="David Zalubowski/AP; Business Insider"><p class="source"><span>David Zalubowski/AP; Business Insider</span></p></img></div><p></p></div></div><p>Taylor said&#xa0;that&#xa0;up until the interest in tech companies this year, real estate was the most popular job-shadowing choices, and it continued to be in-demand this year, with six players accompanying Douglas-Elliman.</p><p>Watson spent his days with Douglas-Elliman looking at high-rises, condos, and multimillion-dollar homes while he picked the realtors' brains in Miami. Jones, who spent four days in New York, also saw some properties, ate lunch with the CEO, and had a meeting with the chairman. Jones said he's taking online classes to pursue his broker's license.</p><p><div>    <iframe src="//instagram.com/p/BHLdj8hjKGf/embed/" width="658" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true">    </iframe></div></p><p>According to Taylor, there have also been some surprising requests from players to look into other fields and companies.</p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"We have a lot of guys who like doing outdoor things, fishing primarily, so I know there were some guys that wanted to spend some time at the Outdoor Channel," Taylor said. "I would not have selected that one."</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"We had a player who was interested in going into mortuary science."</span></p><p>He continued, "W<span style="font-weight: 400;">e're fortunate at the NBA to be able to kind of pick up the phone, create internships and job-shadowing opportunities to expose them to the various fields. And then really giving them resources is important if they choose to pursue careers in those areas."</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yet, breaking into the tech or real estate world is difficult - do NBA players actually have a shot at being hired by Google or Facebook or Douglas-Elliman?</span></p><p>"There's no question that if you're going to be competitive in those kinds of markets that there's certainly going to be an education component of going back to school and doing internships and really gaining real life professional experience," Taylor&#xa0;admitted. "But I also wanna be clear that we know our guys come to those jobs already possessing what we believe are marketable skills: teamwork, grit, time management, conflict resolution. These are all what we believe are transferable skills from their career as players. And now it's about supplementing their existing education levels with the requisite education that it takes to pursue in those areas.</p><p>"So, that's a really important message that we try to share with the guys. You're not starting from scratch. You are a professional - happens to be in a different field."</p><h2><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5807b6788d83b437008b57fa-1200/bi-graphics_nba%20quote-1.png" alt="BI Graphics_NBA Quote 1" data-mce-source="Doug Pensinger/Getty; Business Insider"><p class="source"><span>Doug Pensinger/Getty; Business Insider</span></p></img></div><p></p></div></div></h2><p>The mystery of life after basketball puzzles many players. While it may seem like an afterthought, as players devote much of their time to honing their on-court skills, it's always a present factor. Taylor estimates that between mandatory twice-a-year "team awareness meetings," and formal and informal "touch points" with each team, the league talks to players about "financial education and career management" up to seven times&#xa0;per year.</p><p>Despite the constant pressure from the NBA, however, players don't necessarily begin thinking of what's next right away. Jones, who has played on eight different teams during his career, estimates he began thinking about life after basketball about five or six years ago and decided to use his summers to look into other fields. Watson was four or five years into his career when he began to think about it. Aminu had something of a revelation after he was&#xa0;traded following&#xa0;his rookie year.</p><p>"After I got traded my rookie year, it kinda like hit me that this is a business and there's no guarantees, so to say. It kinda opened my mind up to other possibilities," he said.</p><p>"I mean, I remember just thinking after my rookie year, like, 'Wow, I really don't have any other skills,' like, that just would cross over, that could make me anywhere close to the amount of money that I would kinda want to look out for my family."</p><p>Clippers guard J.J. Redick said he began thinking about his post-NBA career sometime between the ages of 26 and 30, in between getting married and having children. Redick is an interesting case-study, seemingly already juggling a second job as the host of his own podcast on Yahoo's "The Vertical." Redick said he accepted the offer from Yahoo despite having never listened to a podcast beforehand. He insists it's been a valuable experience, though he's not positive a career in media is in his future.</p><p>"I never expected to be at this point in my NBA career and having to create an hour of content every week," Redick said. "But it's what I'm doing. ...&#xa0;I've learned a ton about it&#xa0;and it's been an overall just an amazing experience."</p><p>While Redick has never taken part in the Career Crossover program (scheduling conflicts have often gotten in the way), he said he's taken a valuable lesson from meetings with the league and NBA Players Association: networking. According to Redick, Clippers point guard Chris Paul has an "amazing" Rolodex of contacts across sports media, and he's tried to follow his lead as far as "picking people's brains."</p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"I think Kobe [Bryant] used to cold-call people; I've never gone to that extreme," Redick said. "</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">But that's the sort of thing that's been really interesting to me and really fun for me."</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One such contact is David Solomon, co-head of investing at Goldman Sachs. During a conference in Napa Valley, California, Redick said Solomon gave him "simple, but profound" advice that has stuck with him.</span></p><p>"He said, 'If you're an athlete and you're lucky enough to play, you know, 10-15 years, and you retire at 35, like, you can have a whole 'nother career of 30 years.' And I guess I had always thought, like, well, depending on how much money you make or what your kids are doing, you can really actually have a whole 'nother career.</p><p>"And I guess that was a great way to sort of summarize the way I was thinking the last five or six years of my life is, what do I find to do for 30-plus years that I'm gonna enjoy doing, that I'm passionate about doing in the same way that I'm passionate about the craft of basketball?"</p><p>Redick said if basketball were to cease to exist, he would like to pursue his MBA.</p><p>Despite the quandary of picking a second career, numerous players have gone on to meaningful, if sometimes odd, work after their playing days are over.&#xa0;Jones said he knows of former players who have taken up entrepreneurial pursuits; &#xa0;some become franchisees; Watson said his former teammate Keith Bogans opened up a pet store and tried to convince him to do the same; Redick recalled the story of former NBA forward Adrian Dantley taking up a job as a crossing guard at an elementary school; Aminu was inspired by former player Maurice Ager, who became a music producer.</p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/580681aec524021c008b536d-1024/nba%20at%20google%202.jpg" alt="nba at google 2" data-mce-source="Courtesy of the NBA"><p class="source"><span>Courtesy of the NBA</span></p><p class="caption">Top: Jones and Watson with Google's self-driving car. Bottom: Chandler and Ehambe.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div>"They do things different, I guess, because they don't wanna have the standard 9-to-5," Watson said of former players' jobs. "So they try to start their own business and do things that way to be successful that way."<p>Watson said he&#xa0;"definitely" wants to work in real estate and may consider becoming a franchisee of a restaurant like Subway or Jimmy John's. Jones, aside from real estate, believes he could do something entrepreneurial. Aminu may also look into&#xa0;manufacturing, apparel, and music.</p><p>A big lesson in all of it is getting an early jump. Redick remembers advice an older player gave him that he would share with any incoming rookie.</p><p>"If there are people you wanna talk to, if there are opportunities that you wanna pursue, do them now. In other words, if I want to talk to a CEO of a company... if you wanna do that, do that while you're an active player. It's much easier to get someone to pick up a phone call or to get invited to a program if you're an active player. There's weight, there's juice in being an active player, being an active NBA player, being an active NFL player, as opposed to being out of the game for six months or a year and being retired and saying, 'Oh my God, I gotta figure out what I wanna do.'&#xa0;I would say, if you are a rookie, I would say start thinking about these things right away."</p><p>Jones feels the same way, saying he would tell a rookie to take advantage of the NBA's programs.</p><p>"Don't wait 'til it's too late to be able to try to gather something for when you're done, because you're gonna ultimately be done at some point in time and you're gonna have to move onto something."</p><p>It's not an easy transition, but it's one the NBA is trying&#xa0;help make a little bit easier with its programs.</p><p>"I'm not sure yet," Watson said of his next career, "still thinking about it, but I know it's in the back of my head."</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/interesting-facts-tom-brady-patriots-2016-10">Curious things most people don't know about Tom Brady</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="xvOHNrdjrYdo8J5vJN5SDg-TKWqnZWoU" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', 'xvOHNrdjrYdo8J5vJN5SDg-TKWqnZWoU',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

The NBA sent players to Google, Facebook, and more to help answer one of the biggest questions of their careers - life after basketball

<ul class="summary-list"><li>After a short offseason, the <keyword id="6361805" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="NBA">NBA</keyword> is back, with training camps underway and preseason tipping off on Friday.</li><li>A flurry of activity has shaken up the standings.</li><li>The Lakers still top our power rankings as we head into the season.</li></ul><p>The longest season in NBA history led to the shortest offseason in history.</p><p>The NBA is back, just two months removed from the bubble. The compressed offseason led to a flurry of activity, with the draft and free agency being held over about one week.</p><p>The pecking order hasn't drastically changed, though some big names moved, and there are some teams on the rise and some on moving in the other direction.</p><p>With training camps underway and preseason tipping off on Friday, here's a look at our <keyword id="10412181" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="nba-power-rankings">NBA power rankings</keyword>.</p><p><em>* = lottery-pick rookie</em></p><h2><strong>30. Detroit Pistons</strong></h2><p><strong>2019-20 record:</strong> 20-46, 13th in East</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> Jerami Grant (F), Delon Wright (G), Mason Plumlee (C), Killian Hayes (G*)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> Luke Kennard (G/F), Christian Wood (C)</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook:</strong> The Pistons were active this offseason in re-shaping their roster, but it looks like just the beginning of a rebuild for a team with many questions at a lot of positions.</p><h2>29. Cleveland Cavaliers</h2><p><strong>2019-20 record:</strong> 19-46, 15th in East</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> Damyean Dotson (G/F), JaVale McGee (C), Isaac Okoro (G/F*)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> Tristan Thompson (F/C)</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook:</strong> The Cavs are in the midst of turning things over to the young core of Collin Sexton, Darius Garland, Kevin Porter Jr., and Isaac Okoro. Will a Kevin Love trade finally happen this season?</p><h2>28. New York Knicks</h2><p><strong>2019-20 record:</strong> 21-45, 12th in East</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> Austin Rivers (G), Nerlens Noel (C), Alec Burks (G/F), Obi Toppin (F*), Tom Thibodeau (coach)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> Bobby Portis (F/C), Taj Gibson (C), Damyean Dotson (G/F)</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook:</strong> The Knicks were patient and conservative this offseason, adding only cheap veterans to their young core. It's wise to continue a slow rebuild, but don't expect many more wins at MSG this season.</p><h2>27. Oklahoma City Thunder</h2><p><strong>2019-20 record:</strong> 44-28, 5th in West</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> Al Horford (F/C), George Hill (G), Trevor Ariza (F)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> Chris Paul (G), Steven Adams (C), Dennis Schröder (G)</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook:</strong> After wheeling-and-dealing through the offseason, the Thunder ultimately stripped away last year's surprising playoff roster for veterans and even more draft picks. OKC likely won't be an easy out, but it's hard to see them winning so many games again.</p><h2>26. Sacramento Kings</h2><p><strong>2019-20 record:</strong> 31-41, 11th in West</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> Hassan Whiteside (C), Frank Kaminsky (F/C), Tyrese Haliburton (G*)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> Bogdan Bogdanovic (G/F)</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook:</strong> The 2019-20 season was a letdown after the Kings narrowly missed the playoffs the year before. Sacramento wants to get back in the mix, and they'll need big seasons from De'Aaron Fox (who just signed a $163 million extension) and Marvin Bagley. </p><h2>25. Chicago Bulls</h2><p><strong>2019-20 record:</strong> 22-43, 11th in East</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> Patrick Williams (F*), Billy Donovan (coach)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> Kris Dunn (G), Jim Boylen (coach)</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook:</strong> The Bulls should improve with their coaching change. Though they have some nice talent at the top of their roster, their team's depth and core pieces are still in flux.</p><h2>24. Charlotte Hornets</h2><p><strong>2019-20 record:</strong> 23-42, 9th in East</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> Gordon Hayward (G/F), LaMelo Ball (G*)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> Nic Batum (G/F)</p><p><strong><div type="image" title="gordon hayward" height="968" width="1290" msid="79667317" hostid="261"></div>2020-21 outlook:</strong> Drafting LaMelo Ball and signing Gordon Hayward to a $120 million deal gave the Hornets one of the more notable offseasons in the league. But Ball is a rookie PG joining a young, growing core, and Hayward isn't enough to lift the Hornets to another tier by himself.</p><h2>23. San Antonio Spurs</h2><p><strong>2019-20 record:</strong> 32-39, 10th in West</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> Devin Vassell (G/F*)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> Bryn Forbes (G)</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook:</strong> The Spurs are going through a slow rebuild, though they nearly made the playoffs last year, so it's not as if they're tanking. Development from young guards like Lonnie Walker or Dejounte Murray could push the Spurs up the standings.</p><h2>22. Orlando Magic</h2><p><strong>2019-20 record:</strong> 33-40, 8th in East</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> none</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> D.J. Augustin (G)</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook</strong> The Magic have made the playoffs the last two years, but Augustin is quietly a big departure, versatile forward Jonathan Isaac will miss the season with a torn ACL, and the East has gotten better.</p><h2>21. Washington Wizards</h2><p><strong><div type="image" title="Houston Rockets Russell Westbrook Rokit phones" height="1182" width="1576" msid="79667322" hostid="261"></div>2019-20 record:</strong> 25-47, 10th in East</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> Russell Westbrook (G), Robin Lopez (C), Deni Avdija (F*)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> John Wall (G)</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook: </strong>The Wizards swapped Westbrook and Wall, giving Bradley Beal another back-court scoring partner (one not coming off a major injury). The Wizards should benefit from an infusion of talent, especially on the wing, with second-year forward Rui Hachimura and Deni Avdija, perhaps the steal of the draft.</p><h2>20. Memphis Grizzlies</h2><p><strong>2019-20 record:</strong> 34-39, 9th in West</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> Mario Hezonja (F)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> Josh Jackson (G/F)</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook:</strong> The surprise team of the 2019-20 season, the Grizzlies were on track to make the playoffs, though they benefited from an easy schedule before the league shut down. Perhaps we shouldn't write off Memphis again, but a step back from a young roster wouldn't be surprising, especially with Jaren Jackson Jr. recovering from a torn meniscus.</p><h2>19. Minnesota Timberwolves</h2><p><strong>2019-20 record:</strong> 19-45, 14th in West</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> Ricky Rubio (G), Ed Davis (F/C), Anthony Edwards (G/F*)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> none</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook:</strong> It's unclear how the trio of Rubio, No. 1 pick Edwards, and D'Angelo Russell will fit together, but the Wolves have gone all-in on chasing a playoff spot around Karl-Anthony Towns. This could be a fun, dynamic offensive team, but they may also be awful defensively and a bit choppy on offense with so many mouths to feed.</p><h2>18. Golden State Warriors</h2><p><strong>2019-20 record:</strong> 15-50, 15th in West</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> Kelly Oubre Jr. (G/F), Kent Bazemore (G/F), James Wiseman (C*)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> none</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook:</strong> Klay Thompson's torn Achilles is a devastating blow for a franchise looking to compete for a top-four seed once again. Stephen Curry is back and ready to re-reestablish himself as an elite player, but who else on this roster can be relied upon, from night to night?</p><h2>17. New Orleans Pelicans</h2><p><strong><div type="image" title="Zion Williamson" height="1750" width="2334" msid="79667327" hostid="261"></div>2019-20 record:</strong> 30-42, 13th in West</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> Steven Adams (C), Eric Bledsoe (G), Kira Lewis (G*)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> Jrue Holiday (G), Derrick Favors (C), E'Twaun Moore (G)</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook:</strong> The Pelicans were a winning team, by a healthy margin, in the 668 pre-bubble minutes Zion Williamson played last year. That's what they'll be counting on entering this season, as they surround the young core of Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Lonzo Ball with capable veterans.</p><h2>16. Houston Rockets</h2><p><strong>2019-20 record:</strong> 44-28, 4th in West</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> John Wall (G), Christian Wood (C), Stephen Silas (coach)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> Russell Westbrook (G), Robert Covington Jr. (F), Austin Rivers (G), Jeff Green (F), Mike D'Antoni (coach)</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook: </strong>James Harden is a walking playoff appearance, and enough pieces are remaining in Houston to build a solid postseason contender. But will Harden's trade request erode team chemistry? Will the Rockets succumb and deal him to another team?</p><h2>15. Indiana Pacers</h2><p><strong>2019-20 record:</strong> 45-28, 4th in East</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> Nate Bjorkgren (coach)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> Nate McMillan (coach)</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook:</strong> The Pacers seem to be in flux. They've been a solid playoff team, albeit with a limited ceiling, but the futures of Victor Oladipo and Myles Turner seem to be in question.</p><h2>14. Atlanta Hawks</h2><p><strong><div type="image" title="trae young" height="999" width="1332" msid="79667331" hostid="261"></div>2019-20 record: </strong>20-47, 14th in East</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> Bogdan Bogdanovic (G/F), Danilo Gallinari (F), Rajon Rondo (G), Kris Dunn (G), Onyeka Okungwu (C*)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> Jeff Teague (G)</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook:</strong> The Hawks were the big spenders of the offseason. Some of the moves were questionable fits with their existing roster, but they are undoubtedly improved, and their offense should carry them to a playoff seed.</p><h2>13. Toronto Raptors</h2><p><strong>2019-20 record:</strong> 53-19, 2nd in East</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> Aron Baynes (C), Alex Len (C)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> Marc Gasol (C), Serge Ibaka (F/C)</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook:</strong> The Raptors retained Fred VanVleet to keep together the successful, talented core that includes Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakam, and OG Anunoby. The bad <keyword id="6355005" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="news">news</keyword> is they lost Ibaka and Gasol, two fulcrums on both ends, in free agency, hurting the Raptors' seamless chemistry. Toronto is in the midst of a tricky re-tooling.</p><h2>12. Phoenix Suns</h2><p><strong>2019-20 record:</strong>34-39, 10th in West</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> Chris Paul (G), Jae Crowder (F), Jalen Smith (F*)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> Ricky Rubio (G), Kelly Oubre (G/F), Frank Kaminsky (F)</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook:</strong> After going 8-0 in the bubble and narrowly missing the playoffs, the Suns swung a trade for Chris Paul to boost their back-court. With Devin Booker entering his prime as an elite offensive player and development from two-way stud Mikal Bridges and center Deandre Ayton, the Suns should reach the playoffs.</p><h2>11. Dallas Mavericks</h2><p><strong>2019-20 record:</strong> 43-32, 7th in West</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> Josh Richardson (G/F), James Johnson (F)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> Seth Curry (G)</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook:</strong> Richardson is an excellent two-way addition to a team historically good on offense and poor on offense last season. Now the Mavs need their front-court of Kristaps Porzingis and Dwight Powell to get and stay healthy. In the meantime, Doncic is an early MVP favorite.</p><div type="image" title="luka doncic.JPG" height="660" width="1321" msid="79667338" hostid="261"></div><h2>10. Philadelphia 76ers</h2><p><strong>2019-20 record:</strong> 43-40, 6th in East</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> Danny Green (G/F), Seth Curry (G), Dwight Howard (C), Doc Rivers (coach)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> Josh Richardson (G/F), Al Horford (F/C), Alec Burks (G/F)</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook:</strong> New GM Daryl Morey immediately changed the Sixers' awkward construction and shipped out size for shooting. This roster makes more sense, and while Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid may continue to be an awkward fit, the pieces around them may make it a little less burdensome on offense.</p><h2>9. Utah Jazz</h2><p><strong>2019-20 record:</strong> 44-28, 6th in West</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> Derrick Favors (F/C)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> Ed Davis (F/C)</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook:</strong> The Jazz were one <a href="https://www.insider.com/video-jamal-murray-consoles-donovan-mitchell-nuggets-jazz-game-7-2020-9">in-and-out, last-second three-pointer in a Game 7</a> from advancing past the first round of the playoffs. They'll welcome back second-leading scorer Bojan Bogdanovic (who missed the bubble), and with a leap from Donovan Mitchell, they'll be right back in the playoff mix this year.</p><h2>8. Boston Celtics</h2><p><strong>2019-20 record:</strong> 48-24, 3rd in West</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> Tristan Thompson (F/C), Jeff Teague (G), Aaron Nesmith (G*)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> Gordon Hayward (G/F), Enes Kanter (C), Brad Wanamaker (G)</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook:</strong> The Celtics will miss Hayward, but his absence will open up more opportunities for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Thompson adds some size and defense to one of the league's smallest teams. The big question is if Kemba Walker's knee will be healthy enough to be the second or third scorer the Celtics need to contend.</p><h2>7. Portland Trail Blazers</h2><p><strong><div type="image" title="damian lillard .JPG" height="870" width="1160" msid="79667344" hostid="261"></div>2019-20 record:</strong> 35-39, 9th in West</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> Robert Covington Jr. (F), Derrick Jones Jr. (F), Harry Giles (F/C), Enes Kanter (C)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> Trevor Ariza (F)</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook:</strong> Arguably, no team had a better, cleaner offseason than the Blazers, who strengthened their wing and bigs rotations around Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum at a minimal cost. They made the Western Conference Finals in 2019; can they re-emerge as pseudo-contenders again?</p><h2>6. Brooklyn Nets</h2><p><strong>2019-20 record:</strong> 35-37, 7th in East</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> Landry Shamet (G), Jeff Green (F/C), Steve Nash (coach)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> Garrett Temple (G), Wilson Chandler (F)</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook:</strong> On paper, the Nets might boast the best roster in the league. Of course, they're relying on one star (Kevin Durant) coming back from an Achilles tear and another (Kyrie Irving) with a checkered injury history. We'll need to see they're healthy, but if they are, look out. Under first-time head coach Steve Nash, the Nets will be must-watch TV.</p><h2>5. Denver Nuggets</h2><p><strong>2019-20 record:</strong> 46-27, 3rd in West</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> JaMychal Green (F/C)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> Jerami Grant (F), Mason Plumlee (C)</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook:</strong> Denver's chemistry and grit wowed the NBA world as they fought to the Western Conference Finals last year. If Jamal Murray's star turn in the bubble and Michael Porter Jr.'s rapid development are real, Denver will be a contender this year.</p><h2>4. Miami Heat</h2><p><strong><div type="image" title="jimmy butler" height="843" width="1125" msid="79667350" hostid="261"></div>2019-20 record:</strong> 44-29, 5th in East</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> Avery Bradley (G), Maurice Harkless (F)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> Jae Crowder (F), Derrick Jones Jr. (F)</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook:</strong> Miami's impressive Finals run overshadowed a solid but unspectacular regular season. Not much has changed on the roster, though Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro could make leaps this season. The Heat deserve respect as conference champions but don't expect them to run over the East as they did in the bubble.</p><h2>3. LA Clippers</h2><p><strong>2019-20 record:</strong> 49-23, 2nd in West</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> Serge Ibaka (F/C), Luke Kennard (F)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> Montrezl Harrell (F/C), JaMychal Green (F/C), Landry Shamet (G), Doc Rivers (coach)</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook:</strong> The Clippers' meltdown in the second round of the playoffs and reported <a href="https://www.insider.com/kawhi-leonard-paul-george-star-treatment-bothered-clippers-teammates-2020-12">chemistry issues</a> have overshadowed what looked like the scariest team in the league for much of the regular season. They still have Kawhi Leonard and Paul George and a deep, talented roster. If the locker-room issues sort themselves out, they can easily contend for a championship.</p><h2>2. <keyword id="578134" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Milwaukee-Bucks">Milwaukee Bucks</keyword></h2><p><strong>2019-20 record:</strong> 56-17, 1st in East</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> Jrue Holiday (G), Bobby Portis (F/C), D.J. Augustin (G)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> Eric Bledsoe (G), George Hill (G), Welsey Matthews (F),  Robin Lopez (C)</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook:</strong> Sure, the Bucks flamed out of the second round of the playoffs, botched a trade for Bogdan Bogdanovic, and still don't have Giannis Antetokounmpo's signature on the supermax contract extension. But they still have the reigning MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, a talented roster that upgraded by acquiring Holiday, and a proven effective system in the regular season. But this season is all about what happens in the playoffs.</p><div type="image" title="anthony davis lebron james" height="739" width="1479" msid="79667352" hostid="261"></div><h2>1. <keyword id="100883" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Los-Angeles-Lakers">Los Angeles Lakers</keyword></h2><p><strong>2019-20 record:</strong> 52-19, 1st in West</p><p><strong>Biggest additions:</strong> Montrezl Harrel (F/C), Marc Gasol (C), Dennis Schroeder (G), Wesley Matthews (F)</p><p><strong>Biggest losses:</strong> Danny Green (G/F), Dwight Howard (C), Avery Bradley (G), JaVale McGee (C)</p><p><strong>2020-21 outlook:</strong> The Lakers were the best team from start to finish last season, and they look poised to repeat this year. They upgraded the talent on their roster and got younger, crucial with a shortened offseason. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are locked in for the long-term, too. No other team has the same balance of talent and chemistry as the Lakers.</p>

NBA POWER RANKINGS: Where every team stands heading into the season

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/55f199e5bd86ef21008b9543-2187-1572/ap_601105326166.jpg" alt="Tom Brady New England Patriots" data-mce-source="Elise Amendola/AP" /><p class="source"><span>Elise Amendola/AP</span></p></div><p></p></div></div>It's customary to begin a weekly column/article/post/piece/hot-take about the return of the NFL season with a tried-and-true football cliché - Are You Ready For Some Football? Football Is Back! - but considering all that's happened since the Patriots beat the Seahawks back in February, I'm not sure this is really necessary.  </p><p>Ah, screw it.</p><p>Football Is Here, Baby!</p><p>Maybe it's this way ever year, but the NFL felt particularly inescapable this summer, even without any games. Deflategate <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/deflategate-wont-die-2015-8">lasted longer than an entire season</a>, for one thing. But there was also Jason Pierre-Paul's explosive 4th of July, Chip Kelly being accused of being a racist, the 49ers' exodus, thirty seconds of Tebowmania, Russell Wilson's magical sports drink, Robert Griffin III's concussion flip-flop and subsequent benching (he just works here, man!), Geno Smith's broken jaw, Kam Chancellor's never-ending holdout, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/most-important-nfl-suspensions-2015-8">at least 33 suspensions,</a> and now all sorts of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/espn-report-patriots-spygate-scandal-2015-9">crazy new details surfacing about Spygate</a>! </p><p>All of which is to say, thank goodness the actual games are here. I am more than ready for some football. There are only so many bare-handed double-plays and walk-offs I can endure. And even if the NFL is making a convincing run at FIFA for the most dysfunctional and slimy sports organization in the world, let's face it: Sundays - and Thursdays, and Mondays - are just better with football.</p><p>This season, BI Executive Editor Jay Yarow has retired from making NFL picks. I suppose he has a child to raise and an entire website to oversee, but that's neither here nor there. The point is, every week this season I'll be making picks against the Vegas point spread.</p><p>Rather than picking every game (which I'll inevitably do when my record falls below .500), the plan is to make picks for the 7 or so games each week that I think will be the most intriguing. This will likely entail picking the Thursday game (until those get boring), the Sunday and Monday night games, plus a few of the premier Sunday afternoon games.</p><p>So, let's do this!</p><p>(All lines courtesy of <a href="http://www.vegasinsider.com/nfl/matchups/">Vegas Insider</a>)</p><h3>The New England Patriots are 7-point favorites at home vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers</h3><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5277aa05ecad04c53a022cdb-938-480/11-4-2013 8-00-51 am.jpg" alt="Tom Brady" data-mce-source="CBS Sports" /><p class="source"><span>CBS Sports</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>There's just no way the Patriots don't cover here. I've almost certainly just jinxed the Pats now (sorry!), but consider the following: the Steelers are without RB Le'Veon Bell, Pro-Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey, and WR Martavis Bryant tonight. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are 90-15 in Foxboro. Brady is so pumped to be playing that he's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TomBrady/videos/980634368644380/">dropping hype videos on his Facebook page</a>. You just know that the New England crowd will be fired up (if not a little teary-eyed!) to see their golden boy back in action. The last time the Steelers played in New England, they lost 55-31.</p><p>Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown might pick apart the depleted Patriots secondary, but I still like the Pats to win by a TD or more.</p><p><strong>The pick: Patriots -7</strong></p><h3><strong>The St. Louis Rams are 4-point underdogs at home against the Seattle Seahawks</strong></h3><p><strong><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/55f0375e9dd7cc1c008b8fb5-3000-1996/gettyimages-457506638.jpg" alt="Seahawks Rams" data-mce-source="Michael B. Thomas/Getty" /><p class="source"><span>Michael B. Thomas/Getty</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></strong></p><p>How many times do you think Russell Wilson has watched the Malcolm Butler interception? 20,000? More? The Seahawks are everyone's favorites to return to the Super Bowl, even without Kam Chancellor, and I think we'll see a Packers vs. Seahawks NFC Championship rematch this year. </p><p>The Rams, on the other hand, are kind of a mystery. The defense is terrifying, and bolstered by the addition of Nick Fairley. If the offense is any good, the Rams might turn a few heads. I just don't see Nick Foles giving Seattle much of a scare.</p><p><strong>The pick: Seattle -4</strong></p><h3>Vegas is giving the Buffalo Bills 2.5 points at home against the Indianapolis Colts</h3><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/55f048079dd7cc1d008b9036-1200-830/tyrod taylor.jpg" alt="tyrod taylor" data-mce-source="Bill Wippert/AP" /><p class="source"><span>Bill Wippert/AP</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Who's excited for Tyrod Taylor?!</p><p>I think the Bills will be really solid this year, even if the quarterback situation is still totally up in the air. Rex Ryan is a really good coach and the defense is stifling. LeSean McCoy is an upgrade at RB from CJ Spiller. If Taylor doesn't pan out, there's always Matt Cassel!</p><p>Meanwhile, everyone loves Andrew Luck to make a leap and maybe even win the MVP. But the line protecting him is worrisome, and their two key off-season additions (Frank Gore and Andre Johnson) could both be past their primes.</p><p>It's tempting to pick the Bills here, and I've switched this pick twenty times. In the end I'm living and dying by quarterbacks this season. The line is too low to not take Indy.</p><p><strong>The Pick: Indianapolis -2.5</strong></p><h3>The Green Bay Packers are 7-point favorites against the Bears in Chicago</h3><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/545c438f6bb3f7273bf16fd0-2388-1592/159013540.jpg" alt="Aaron Rodgers" data-mce-source="Getty Images" /><p class="source"><span>Getty Images</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>I'm just not going to let myself over-think this one. The Packers are significantly better than the Bears all over the field - Aaron Rodgers is better than Jay Cutler (although I think Cutler will be better this year), Eddie Lacy is better than Matt Forte, and the Chicago secondary is, uh, not great! The rivalry factor makes this game more interesting, I guess, but I'm feeling good about this pick.</p><p><strong>The Pick: Packers -7</strong></p><h3>The Denver Broncos are 4-point favorites at home against the Baltimore Ravens</h3><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/52ab65fe69bedd80730aafbd-1200-799/peyton-manning-broncos-5.jpg" alt="peyton manning broncos" data-mce-source="Dustin Bradford/Getty Images" /><p class="source"><span>Dustin Bradford/Getty Images</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>It seems like these are two teams trending in opposite directions. Is this the end for Peyton Manning? Apparently he <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/peyton-manning-doesnt-have-feeling-in-his-fignertips-2015-8">hasn't had feeling in his fingers for four years</a>, and who knows how he'll fare in the Broncos' <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/ap-peyton-manning-set-to-unveil-his-new-mash-up-offense-2015-8">brand new offense</a> this season. The Ravens, on the other hand, are favorites to win the AFC North. </p><p>I keep going back and forth here: Denver has a big advantage with the altitude - especially in Week 1 - and the best receiver on the Ravens is 36-year-old Steve Smith. But <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2563009-baltimore-ravens-vs-denver-broncos-betting-odds-analysis-nfl-pick">as Bleacher Report noted</a>, the Ravens are 4-0 against the spread in their last four games as underdogs.</p><p><strong>The Pick: Ravens +4</strong></p><h3><strong>The Dallas Cowboys are 6-point favorites at home against the New York Giants</strong></h3><p><strong><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/54ae945f69bedd4177c27144-3474-2518/461130636.jpg" alt="Tony Romo" data-mce-source="Sarah Glenn/Getty Images" /><p class="source"><span>Sarah Glenn/Getty Images</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></strong></p><p>I'm not too worried about Dallas' <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cowboys-running-back-situation-off-to-slow-start-2015-8">committee of running backs</a>. The Cowboys have such a solid offensive line and such a good passing game that Joseph Randle - even if he's not DeMarco Murray - will still be an effective rusher. </p><p>I am, however, worried about the Giants. Too many injuries (what the heck is <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/victor-cruz-calf-injury-return-questionable-2015-9">going on with Victor Cruz</a>?) and not enough talent. Is this Tom Coughlin's last season?</p><p><strong>The Pick: The Cowboys -6</strong></p><h3><strong>The Eagles are 3-point favorites on Monday night in Atlanta</strong></h3><p><strong><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/55f1b46b9dd7cc25008b9685-2658-2054/gettyimages-484900088.jpg" alt="Sam Bradford Eagles" data-mce-source="Mitchell Leff/Getty" /><p class="source"><span>Mitchell Leff/Getty</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></strong></p><p>This line feels way too low. The Falcons had the worst defense in the league last year, and buzz is building around the Eagles. Adam Schefter just picked them to win the Super Bowl!</p><p>If nothing else, we can finally see if Chip Kelly's off-season bonanza was worth it, or if he's crazy. I'm inclined to believe that he knows what he's doing and that most of the moves were chiefly about money. Matt Ryan and Julio Jones are a scary duo, but that's about it. The Eagles will win by at least a field goal.</p><p><strong>The Pick: Eagles -3</strong></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/concussion-trailer-will-smith-nfl-brain-injuries-2015-8">A new Will Smith movie on concussions looks as if it will be bad for the NFL</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="ZqNWJhdzrPmc0VrUGrtH5dSPz151pAH4" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', 'ZqNWJhdzrPmc0VrUGrtH5dSPz151pAH4',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

You Searched For "CJ Wilson" and got 13 results

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