To say this week in sports was unlike any that preceded it would be a massive understatement.
Protests, postponements, prepared statements — this was a week when athletes wouldn’t allow sports to distract us from the real-world problems that exist outside the lines.
Games stopped. Athletes spoke. And, perhaps, some people listened.
The Grading the Week staff wouldn’t be so crass as to assign a grade for what transpired over the past few days, but we will say that this generation of athletes passed an age-old test of humanity. With more than a few fans likely to feel alienated, professional athletes from across the spectrum opted to stand up for something they believed in — consequences be damned.
In doing so, they kept alive a tradition that dates back decades, and one that has produced some of the most indelible moments in sports history.
Muhammad Ali gave up his heavyweight title rather than fight a war he did not believe in. Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised gloved fists after winning medals in Mexico City to protest racism at home. Mahmoud Abdul Rauf declined to stand for a flag he said stood as a “symbol of oppression, of tyranny.”
All acts of defiance. All acts that cost them dearly.
It’s hard to imagine today’s athletes will pay the same price. But that was the point of their solidarity.
By standing together, across all of this country’s major sports, they ensured that if fans choose to boycott one, they’ll have to boycott them all. In this sports-crazed country, that’s not happening anytime soon.
We’re just going to have to sit and listen. And, now, back to the games…
Jamal Murray — A+
If there’s one thing we’ve learned from this Nuggets playoff run, it’s this: Jamal Murray is a man for the moment.
With his team’s season on the line in Game 5 of the Nuggets’ series against the Utah Jazz, the Blue Arrow went atomic, scoring 42 points on 17-of-26 shooting with eight rebounds, eight assists and zero turnovers.
What’s more impressive? Murray hasn’t had a turnover since Game 3.
In fact, in the last two games, the 6-foot-4 guard has 92 points (yes, he had 50 in Game 4), 19 rebounds, 15 assists and 13 3-pointers on 23 shots from deep. That’s superstar stuff right there, coming when his team needed it most.
Even if the Nuggets go on to lose this series, they can at least step into the future knowing the five-year, $170 million contract they handed Murray last summer is money well spent.
Rockies vs. good teams — D-
No matter who the Rockies played during the first 14 games of this abbreviated season, they stood a good chance of getting a “W.”
Since that 11-3 start? Well, if they’re any good, you might as well tie an L flag to the mast now.
Heading into Saturday’s game against surging San Diego, Colorado was 4-9 against teams that currently hold records above .500, and 0-8 since the beating the Padres on Aug. 2.
Granted, seven of those losses came against the Astros and Dodgers — two of the most talented teams in baseball.
But if the Rockies want to reach Rocktober, let alone make noise during it, those are exactly the ones they’re going to have to start beating.
