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2017 NBA Rookie Overview

2017 NBA Rookie Overview

Now that we are about a month away from the start of the NBA season, I figured it was about time to get back into the swing of things.  There were a ton of offseason moves that are sure to make an impact in this coming NBA season, but this year contains a memorable group of rookies that are looking to make an impact quickly in their first year in the league.  I’m going to outline the top three…

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Kyrie Irving Is Ready To Leave LeBron's Shadow

Kyrie Irving Is Ready To Leave LeBron’s Shadow

It was reported last week that Cleveland’s star point guard Kyrie Irving asked Dan Gilbert to be traded away from the Cavaliers. Irving was the 1st-overall pick in 2011 to the Cavs. In his six seasons, he was named an All-Star four times. Kyrie Irving has emerged as one of the top scorers and finishers in the NBA. Now, his time in Cleveland has seemingly come to an end. After 3 straight finals…

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Vince Williams Will Be Just Fine as the Steelers' Starter at Inside Linebacker

Vince Williams Will Be Just Fine as the Steelers’ Starter at Inside Linebacker

By: Zach Metkler, GZ Sports Report Writer With the 15th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Steelers selected Lawrence Timmons, who began his career as James Harrison’s backup at outside linebacker. By 2009, he had become the Steelers starter at inside linebacker and would retain that role for the next 8 seasons. During his 10 year tenure as a Steeler, Timmons put together 126 starts (including 112…

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The Pirates Should Trade Andrew McCutchen but Hold Off on Gerrit Cole

The Pirates Should Trade Andrew McCutchen but Hold Off on Gerrit Cole

By: Justin Broyles, GZ Sports Report Contributor The All-Star Break has officially started for the MLB and that means two things for baseball fans. First we find out which league gets bragging rights for a year and second, we get an idea of what players will be on the move before the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline. The two players that have drawn the most trade chatter from the Bucs are…

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Keion Adams is the Sleeper That Steelers Fans Will Love

Keion Adams is the Sleeper That Steelers Fans Will Love

By: Zach Metkler, GZ Sports Report Writer During the third day of the 2017 NFL Draft, more often than not fans are left asking “…who…?” whenever their team makes their late-round selections. With the exception of some high profile players that slide to various reasons such as off the field issues or injury concerns, most 5th-7th round draft picks fall this far due to deficiencies in their overall…

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Predicting the Steelers' Breakout Players of 2017

Predicting the Steelers’ Breakout Players of 2017

By: Zach Metkler, GZ Sports Report Writer As the summer rolls along, the Steelers are primed and hopeful for another playoff run in an attempt to bring home the team’s 7th Lombardi Trophy. Over the last few seasons, the Steelers have infused the team with young talent that will help take the team into the next era of Steelers football. Every year, new players break out into the spotlight and…

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It’s Time for the Pirates to Part Ways with Chris Stewart

It’s Time for the Pirates to Part Ways with Chris Stewart

By: Justin Broyles, GZ Sports Report Contributor The Pirates haven’t had to make many tough roster decisions this season since they haven’t been able to field a full team. With Starling Marte suspended, they haven’t had to find somewhere for Adam Frazier to play. Same goes for Jung-Ho Kang, who is still awaiting a visa to come over to Pittsburgh. One position that is creating a bit of a dilemma…

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Penguins Add Niemi and Hunwick on First Day of Free Agency

Penguins Add Niemi and Hunwick on First Day of Free Agency

By: Zach Metkler, GZ Sports Report Writer Follow @GZSports_ZM After having 14-year goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury taken away by the Las Vegas Golden Knights in this year’s expansion draft and watching defensemen Trevor Daley and Ron Hainsey leave via free agency to join the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs, respectively, the Penguins were in the market for adding pieces to replace the…

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Andrew McCutchen Should Bat Third

Andrew McCutchen Should Bat Third

By: Justin Broyles, GZ Sports Report Contributor At the time when I started writing this piece, the Pirates lineup for their Tuesday night tilt with the Tampa Bay Rays wasn’t released and I was fully expecting Andrew McCutchen to bat sixth again. To my surprise, however, Cutch is back in the three spot of the order, exactly where he belongs. Like many fans back in May, I was staunchly adamant…

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LeBron James to the Lakers in 2018? How Realistic Are the Rumors?

LeBron James to the Lakers in 2018? How Realistic Are the Rumors?

By: Tyler Noebe, GZ Sports Report Contributor LeBron James has been a proud son to Northeast Ohio ever since the early 2000’s with his glory days at St. Vincent St. Mary’s high school. During his four year stay in Miami, Ohioans learned to hate the player they loved so dearly. When LeBron came back in the summer of 2014 he promised the city a championship. Now that he fulfilled that promise in…

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2017 NBA Draft Preview

2017 NBA Draft Preview

By: Tyler Noebe, GZ Sports Report Contributor After a lackluster 2017 NBA finals series that led to a Golden State Warriors Championship in 5 games, we now look to the 2017 NBA Draft. With a lot in questions coming into this years free agency class, big names such as Paul George, Jimmy Butler and even Chris Paul could be used as assets for blockbuster trade deals leading up to the draft. On…

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Felipe Rivero is in the Perfect Role in Pittsburgh

Felipe Rivero is in the Perfect Role in Pittsburgh

By: Justin Broyles, GZ Sports Report Contributor If you were to ask a Pirates fan what the biggest issue with the team is this year, they would almost certainly say that it is the bullpen. This is an answer that you would never hear the past four years, as the Pirates would send out Joel Hanrahan, Mark Melancon or Tony Watson out and they would shut the door on a close game. Now, without Hanrahan…

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Predicting the Impact of the Steelers 2017 Draft Class

Predicting the Impact of the Steelers 2017 Draft Class

By: Zach Metkler, GZ Sports Report Writer Follow @GZSports_ZM Now that the dust has settled on the 2017 NFL Draft and the rookies have began acclimating themselves to their new system, the potential roles of these players around the league is starting to come into view. For the Steelers, many people are waiting to see what type class the team put together. The Steelers’ draft class has been met…

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Steelers' Veterans with the Greatest Risk of Being Cut This Offseason

Steelers’ Veterans with the Greatest Risk of Being Cut This Offseason

By: Zach Metkler, GZ Sports Report Writer Follow @GZSports_ZM Year in and year out, NFL players fight for their right to stay on a roster to make an impact for their team. With the exception of a small percentage of players in the league, nothing is guaranteed for players in terms of their ability to remain on a team, especially if their contract values makes them expendable. As new, young,…

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The Steelers' UDFAs With the Greatest Chance of Making the 53-Man Roster

The Steelers’ UDFAs With the Greatest Chance of Making the 53-Man Roster

By: Zach Metkler, GZ Sports Report Writer Follow @GZSports_ZM Every year, players slip through the cracks in the NFL Draft and must prove their worth as undrafted free agents. It is not impossible, as great players like Chris Harris Jr., London Fletcher, Arian Foster, Cameron Wake, Wes Welker, Jason Peters, Tony Romo, Jeff Saturday, Antonio Gates, and Kurt Warner were all undrafted players that…

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Steelers' Position Battles to Watch This Summer

Steelers’ Position Battles to Watch This Summer

By: Zach Metkler, GZ Sports Report Writer Follow @GZSports_ZM Just as we see every season, there are position battles that captivate fans throughout the summer workouts and training camp. This year will be no exception. While players like Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell, Ryan Shazier, and Cam Heyward (just to name a few) are at no risk of losing their jobs, other players will be…

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NBA Finals Preview: Cavaliers Vs. Warriors

NBA Finals Preview: Cavaliers Vs. Warriors

By: Tyler Noebe, GZ Sports Report Contributor We are finally here. In an NBA regular season that seemingly was a waste in the eyes of many fans, we all knew it was going to come to this point. Tonight, the Cleveland Cavaliers will square off against the Golden State Warriors in Oracle Arena. This time last year, the Cleveland Cavaliers made history coming back from a 3-1 deficit to win…