What’s the buzz from the world of sports? Here are some items that will have people talking:
1
During an interview with The Columbian last month, Portland Winterhawks defenseman Seth Jones admitted that he enjoyed pop acts Ke$ha and Taylor Swift. Although Jones did not mention Jay-Z, he might become the rapper’s No. 1 fan after all.
According to the New York Post, Jay-Z wants to build the brand of the 18-year-old Jones, the presumptive top pick in the upcoming NHL draft. Jones already has agents — when in town, he takes them to the Portland City Grill — but Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Sports agency could help market the hockey star to a wider audience.
The Post quoted an unnamed source in saying: “When Seth comes to the NHL draft in June, his family, agents at (Creative Artists Agency) and Roc Nation are going to have a powwow to see if he’ll sign with them.”
2
Can the NBA playoffs please stop hurting the best players?
The 2013 postseason should have been a big payoff for fans who endured the six-month regular season, but so far it’s been a big headache for some of the game’s brightest stars.
On Friday, Russell Westbrook, a fiery All-Star point guard, became the latest to go down as the Oklahoma City Thunder announced he had a slight cartilage tear in his right knee and would require surgery.
Westbrook joins Golden State Warriors power forward David Lee (hip) on the injured list. The Warriors will be without their All-Star for the remainder of the playoffs while their other franchise player, Stephen Curry, struggles through ankle problems.
Considering that Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant tore his Achilles two games before the playoffs and Derrick Rose (ACL tear) hasn’t appeared on the court for the Chicago Bulls since last April, the NBA could hold a pretty good pick-up game inside an ER waiting room.
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