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The Best of the Day: April 29th, 2021
See the best of the day in sports from April 29, 2021 including a wild 1st Rd of the NFL Draft, KPJ's historic 50-point explosion, and more!
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The ‘Best of the Day’ is a daily PSO original series showcasing the most significant stories, highlights, and facts going on in the land of the NFL, NBA, & MLB every day. Get a recap on EVERYTHING that happened on 4/29 here.
The 1st Round of the 2021 NFL Draft occurred Thursday night with some major takeaways. As anticipated, quarterbacks dominated the headlines, but there were plenty of other historical and surprising draft picks. After his historic 50-point game, Kevin Porter Jr.’s development will play a major part in Houston’s future outlook, Jeff Green threw down another vicious slam, and on this day in 1986, Roger Clemens broke the record for most K’s in a game for a starting pitcher.
Here is the best of the day from April 29, 2021:
The 2021 NFL Draft’s 1st Round was one for the books
The 1st Round of the 2021 NFL draft did not disappoint with excitement, as several notable storylines emerged from the NFL’s biggest offseason event. As expected, QB’s headlined the draft, as Trevor Lawrence (No. 1), Zach Wilson (No. 2), and Trey Lance (No. 3) were the first three selections, marking just the third time in the Common Draft Era (since 1967) that QBs have been selected with the top three picks in the draft.
Thanks to the selections of Trevor Lawrence (1st overall to the Jaguars), Zach Wilson (2nd to the Jets) and Trey Lance (3rd to the 49ers), tonight's #NFLDraft became just the 3rd to see quarterbacks go with each of the first 3 selections on this list of years pic.twitter.com/h3EvdWlXkS
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) April 30, 2021
Zach Wilson goes 2nd overall to the Jets. It's the first time the Jets have taken a QB within the first 2 picks since selecting Joe Namath 1st overall in the 1965 AFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/7Ox6R8EfLQ
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 30, 2021
After weeks of speculation, many expected HC Kyle Shanahan to pick Mac Jones after the 49ers traded up to the third spot. However, San Francisco somewhat surprisingly selected the likely more talented but raw option in Lance. With three of the top options off the board and several teams thereafter not necessarily needing a QB, the Bears were able to trade up from No. 20 to the Giants’ No. 11 spot to grab Justin Fields. These moves subsequently allowed the Patriots, who many thought would have to trade up to get their next potential franchise QB, to stand pat and still get their guy in Jones with the 15th pick.
Mac Jones becomes the 1st-ever QB drafted by Bill Belichick in the 1st round of Belichick's career. pic.twitter.com/6pKlDK86Eb
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) April 30, 2021
Not just QBs, but offense as a whole dominated the opening round, as the first seven picks were all from that side of the ball, the most consecutive offensive selections to start a draft since 1967. Thursday night also saw some dominant duos from three recent CFB championship teams reunited. LSU’s Joe Burrow and Jamar Chase (CIN), Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne (JAX), and Alabama’s Tua Togovailoa and Jaylen Waddle (MIA) will all be hoping to replicate their success that made them nearly unstoppable in college.
The Lions selected OT Penei Sewell 7th overall.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 30, 2021
With offensive players going in the 1st 7 picks, it marks the latest into a draft before the 1st defensive selection in the Common Draft Era (1967). The previous mark came in 1999: Washington drafted DB Champ Bailey 7th overall. pic.twitter.com/i5KzbkaLCS
Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne were both selected by the Jaguars. This is the first time in the Common Draft Era that a QB and RB from the same school went to the same team in first round. pic.twitter.com/10mJilWjTz
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 30, 2021
Ja'Marr Chase is reunited with Joe Burrow in Cincinnati after going 5th overall.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 30, 2021
This is the 1st time in the Common Draft Era that a team used top-10 picks on a QB-WR duo that played together in college. pic.twitter.com/HjXPGguvRe
Tagovailoa and Waddle weren’t the only former Crimson Tide players to team up, though. The Eagles traded up with division rival Dallas to 10th, above the division foe Giants, to select former Heisman Trophy winner WR DeVonta Smith. The move reunites Smith with likely starter Jalen Hurts, who Philadelphia drafted in the 2nd round of last years’ draft. With day one in the books, teams will look to add more talent with plenty of exceptional players still available in the remaining rounds.
Reminder: DeVonta Smith had one of the best single seasons & career for a WR in college football history...
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) April 21, 2021
Smith's SEC Receiving Records 👇
Career Yds - 3,965
Career TDs - 46
Single-Season Yds - 1,856*
Single-Season TDs - 23*
*Set in 2020 Season pic.twitter.com/R9oEO4szUy
Related: Stories of the Day
KEVIN PORTER JR.’S DEVELOPMENT WILL DICTATE HOUSTON’S FUTURE OUTLOOK
The Houston Rockets are dead last in the league this year and have made it clear they are in full rebuild mode. They have recently parted ways with their head coach, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Victor Oladipo, among others. Houston came to the conclusion that these players would not make them championship contenders, and have the future in mind.
One of their key pieces moving forward is 20-year-old Kevin Porter Jr., who is coming off a career-high 50-point performance in a win over Milwaukee. KPJ actually played 15 games in the G-league this year and has only been featured 22 times this season for Houston. He got the call-up after dominating the G-league with 24.1 points per game.
Porter Jr. is the youngest player in NBA history to reach the 50-point, 10-assist mark. Averaging 15.2 points per game this season for a poor Houston squad has proven that he can be a force in this league for some time to come. The USC product has showcased his potential as an offensive focal point, and Houston will want to keep him a part of their squad for as long as they can. KPJ will be an important building block for Houston as his continued development will dictate their future outlook.
COLORS KEY | FULL ROCKETS OUTLOOK
Kevin Porter Jr. (50 PTS, 11 AST) is the youngest player in NBA history (20 years, 360 days) with 50+ points and 10+ assists in a game.
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) April 30, 2021
LeBron James (50 PTS, 10 AST on March 5, 2008) was the youngest previously, at 23 years, 66 days. pic.twitter.com/HT3lWmxA6r
Kevin Porter Jr. (50 PTS, 11 AST) joins James Harden as the only players in @HoustonRockets history with 50+ points and 10+ assists in a game (Harden did so 8 times). @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/cAn9P7iYPy
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) April 30, 2021
Kevin Porter Jr. had 50 points and 11 assists for the @HoustonRockets today, joining Nikola Jokic & Damian Lillard with 50/10 games this season.
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) April 30, 2021
The last season in which 3 different players had a 50/10 game was 1961-62, when Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, & Richie Guerin each did so.
Kevin Porter Jr. is the youngest player in NBA history with 50+ points and 10+ assists in a game.
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 30, 2021
He is also the 4th youngest player ever to drop 50 (Brandon Jennings, LeBron James, Devin Booker).
Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day
Jeff Green caught another body
Jeff Green threw it DOWN 😤 pic.twitter.com/ZQGo7e6usK
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 30, 2021
Related: NBA Highlights
G Kevin Porter Jr., HOU (W v.MIL): 50 PTS (16-26 FG | 9-15 3P), 11 AST, 5 REB, 1 BLK, 0 STL, 5 TO
#PlayerOfTheDay (4/29/21) - G Kevin Porter Jr. HOU
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) April 30, 2021
TOP FACTS:
- Youngest EVER with 50+ PTS & 10+ AST during 1 GP
- 1st time since 1961 3 players have 50 & 10 in 1 season
- 2nd Rockets player with 50 & 10; Harden did it 8x
KEY STATS:
50 PTS, 11 AST, 5 REB, 16-26 FG, 9-15 3P https://t.co/FAgPeAqYP8
Related: Players of the Day
Milwaukee Bucks (136) vs. Houston Rockets (143)
[Highlights] @ROCKETS (+658; $4.04) d. BUCKS (-1000; $9.45) 143-136 [HOU +12.5 | o234]
Related: Games of the Day
Related: Facts of the Day
2021 NFL Draft Top-25 Rankings by Ricky Eisenbart
PSO’s top-25 NFL Draft prospects as well as your chance to rank them
Check out PSO's 2021 top-25 prospect rankings and CREATE YOUR OWN NFL Draft Big Board ⬇️https://t.co/6tWK7qzKq1
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) April 29, 2021
Related: Latest PSO Posts
DATE: April 29, 1986
SIGNIFICANCE: Roger Clemens recorded the most K’s (20) in one game by a SP
April 29, 1986: SP Roger Clemens set a MLB record with 20 Ks in a 3-1 victory over the Mariners. Kerry Wood, Randy Johnson, and Max Scherzer have since tied the record, but Clemens is the only player to record 20 Ks multiple times (9/18/96)
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) April 29, 2021
pic.twitter.com/UxcbqhkA2i
Related: Significant Sports History
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