Big Jay Let's Talk

Giannis Antetokounmpo hoisted the Larry O’Brien Trophy less than a month ago, but the NBA calendar stops for nobody as we gear up for the 2021–22 season. The draft is in the rearview mirror. Summer League will conclude Tuesday. As for free agency, the dust has largely settled, with a number of moves made over the last month nearly guaranteed to make an impact on the playoff race next spring.So who made major upgrades this offseason and who took a step back? Check out The Crossover’s post-free-agency power rankings as we assess the league’s landscape ahead of next season.

Sha'Carri Richardson is preparing for her return to racing on the public stage, and she's not letting the critics get in her way. The sprinter, 21, is set to compete at the Prefontaine Classic on Saturday in Eugene, Oregon, but before she hits the track, she's shutting out any negative energy. "I wish the people that talk mess about me was cute at least," the athlete wrote on Twitter Thursday. In an earlier tweet the same day, Richardson replied to a fan who called out the "obsession" with trying to "break" the athlete's confidence. "The love y'all show me, I'll never let the hate overshadow that. Positivity is sooo much greater than negativity," Richardson wrote in response. "That's why God always win and the devil fails." 

In return, the Hornets would get an intriguing prospect in Nah’Shon Hyland. His draft stock skyrocketed during the combine and ended up being a first-round selection of the Nuggets.Despite receiving a long-term contract extension, things can change in the NBA. If the Charlotte Hornets receive a surprisingly strong performance from James Bouknight then moving on from Rozier and his hefty contract would be the best long-term answer.

Fans all over the world awaited Richardson’s return to the field after her one-month suspension. She tested positive for marijuana and was banned from the Tokyo Olympics. Many believed that Richardson had a chance to take home an Olympic medal after winning the women’s 100 meters at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in June.However, Richardson didn’t live up to expectations at the 2021 Prefontaine Classic.

Alia Atkinson, 32, Rosehampton, Jamaica The Tokyo Olympics in 2021 will be Atkinson’sfifth appearance at the Olympics, and at 32 years of age, she will be one of the most experienced swimmers in the competition. She holds the world record in the SCM sprint breaststroke, and at her latest appearance at the SOFLO Last Chance OLY Trials Qualifier in Florida, she clocked 1:08.76 in the 100-meter breaststroke. This was four seconds faster than her rivals in the event. She has a lifetime best time in the 100-meters 

James BestSat, August 21, 2021, 7:53 AM·2 min readPrefontaine Classic: Richardson faces Thompson-Herah in 100m originally appeared on NBC Sports WashingtonThe Tokyo Olympics answered the question of who the fastest woman in the world is. Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica took home three gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay and broke Florence Griffith Joyner’s 100m Olympic record in the process. But the one feat she didn’t accomplish in Tokyo was beating American Sha’Carri Richardson.Richardson returns to the track Saturday for the first time since the U.S. Olympic Trials in June. The 21-year-old sprinter was left off the U.S. Olympic roster after she tested positive for marijuana and was handed a 30-day suspension by the U.S. Anti Doping Agency.Richardson will race against the three Jamaican women who completed a podium sweep in the 100m event in Tokyo: Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson. Richardson will also run in the 200m alongside Allyson Felix, Gabby Thomas and Jenna Prandini. 2016 200m Olympic gold medalist Dina Asher-Smith of Great Britain will return to the event after she was forced to withdraw from the 200m final in Tokyo due to an injury. Athing Mu will run in the women’s 800m event after taking home gold in Tokyo, while Noah Lyles will race against his brother Josephus, 200m silver medalist Kenny Bednarek and 400m hurdles silver medalist Rai Benjamin in the 200m.

As anticipated based off his prior allusions, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton confirmed Friday evening that Jameis Winston will start at quarterback against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the team’s second preseason game. It’s good to have that confirmation from Payton, but it’s something he previously suggested would happen based off his approach at quarterback throughout the summer — giving Taysom Hill the first shot before rotating Winston in with the starting lineup.

It is Stephen A’s world and Max Kellerman soon won’t be part of it.Kellerman is expected to be removed from ESPN’s “First Take,” the show in which he and Stephen A. Smith verbally battle each other for hot-take supremacy, sources confirmed.This is not the end of Kellerman at ESPN, as he is likely headed for the network’s morning national radio show to be teamed with Keyshawn Johnson, according to sources. Under the scenario, Kellerman would replace Zubin Mehenti. It is unclear if Jay Williams will remain on the program as it is a bit onerous with his NBA role. If everything is signed, the changes are expected to go through next month.

Sha’Carri Richardson shows off fresh new platinum blonde and blue hair ahead of raceJACQUELINE LAUREAN YATESFri, August 20, 2021, 11:04 AM·1 min readSha'Carri Richardson snagged attention this summer after she won the women's 100-meter final during the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in fierce style.Now, the track star is back with a bright brand new platinum blonde hairstyle that was revealed on Instagram this week.In a video, Richardson is seen initally sitting in a salon chair with her natural deep brown hair. Then she's seen with long platinum blonde and blue ombre wavy strands.She also switched into a blue Nike tank and matching briefs."August 21 and I’m not playing nice," she captioned the clip.

Once you get over the sticker shock, Scary Terry’s four-year deal to stay buzzing in Charlotte makes a lot of sense, given the dearth of talent hitting the market next season