By Josh Whittemore, PSO Sports Operations Executive
Feb 13, 2021

 

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 2/12 here

The sports world was shocked to see that longtime Texan and future Hall of Famer J.J. Watt was released by Houston on Friday. At the height of his powers, Watt was the most dominant pass rusher of his generation and is one of the most well-liked athletes of any sport. His departure continues a nightmare offseason for Houston. Also, the NBA has never been in better hands with a number of young stars continuing to emerge and vie for the face of the league once LeBron James retires.

Here is the best of the day from February 12, 2021:

Houston Texans and future HOF J.J. Watt mutually parted ways 

J.J. Watt is no longer a Houston Texan after it was announced Friday that the two parties have agreed to mutually part ways. Watt spent the first 10 seasons of his Hall of Fame career in Houston, where he racked up 101 sacks, 172 tackles for loss, 25 forced fumbles, and 61 passes defended. 

Injuries have slowed him down recently, as he has just one double-digit sack season in the last five years soon after becoming the only player in league history to record multiple seasons of 20+ sacks. Watt was simply the most dominant pass rusher in the league, earning three Defensive Player of the Year honors and five All-Pros nods from 2012-2018. 

The decision to cut Watt comes after weeks of speculation over the future of franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson, who has demanded to be traded. After a number of questionable front office moves and an ugly 2020 season, the organization appears to be in a free fall, culminating in Houston likely losing its star quarterback in Watson in addition to its greatest player in franchise history in Watt this offseason.

Related: Stories of the Day

The NBA’s future has never looked better

LeBron James has been the face of the NBA for almost two decades now since entering the league in 2003. His reign atop the throne has to end at some point though, even though the King is still playing at a high level and currently the MVP favorite for the defending champs that are currently on a seven-game winning streak. 

However, once the “Chosen One” is no longer carrying his teams to championship contention, there will be an abundance of young players ready to take the torch. The most likely trifecta to claim that premier position appears to be Giannis Antetokounmpo, who already has 2 MVPs and a DPOY award, Luka Doncic, a guy that stuffs stat sheets unlike any player at this age after coming over as a European MVP, and Zion Williamson who’s unprecedented athletic capabilities has him off to the most efficient start of a player’s career in NBA history. 

Nikola JokicJa MorantJayson TatumTrae YoungKarl-Anthony TownsJoel EmbiidBen SimmonsDevin BookerDonovan MitchellJaylen BrownBam AdebayoJamal Murray, and De’Aaron Fox have all shown flashes of MVP-caliber play before turning 26 years old and seem to be fixtures in the NBA throughout the 2020’s. 

The future was flashed right in front of fans’ eyes on Friday Night when Luka went off for a career-high 46 PTS to overcome Zion’s career-high 36 points on 14-15 FG. Even Kristaps Porzingis and Brandon Ingram each dropped 30+ PTS as it marked the first time in NBA history where four players age-25 or younger all recorded 30 points or more in the same game.

This is just the beginning. The amount of high-quality talent that is coming into the league isn’t stopping anytime soon with a stacked class set to enter in 2021 plus one of the most hyped prospects ever in Emoni Bates on the cusp of reaching his dreams to play in the NBA in the near future as well. 

King James has been an incredible leader for the league, and when his time is up, no matter who takes over as the ‘face’ of the game, there will be exciting competition every night loaded with some of the most athletic, talented, and skilled players the game has ever seen. The future of the NBA is as bright as it’s ever been.

COLORS KEY | FULL PELICANS FUTURE OUTLOOK
 

Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day

2x DPOY yams it on the DPOY

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G Luka Doncic, DAL (W v.NOP): 46 PTS (17-30 FG | 5-8 3P), 12 AST, 8 REB, 1 BLK, 1 STL, 3 TO

Related: Players of the Day

Oklahoma City Thunder (95) vs. Denver Nuggets (97)

 [Highlights@NUGGETS (-646; $9.32) d. THUNDER (+646; $8.7497-95 [OKC +11.5 | u221.5]

Related: Games of the Day

JJ Watt was the greatest Texans player and is one of the greatest defensive players ever

  • Holds the Houston Texans franchise records for all-time SKs (101), TFL (172), and QB Hits (281)
  • Only player in NFL history to record multiple seasons of 20+ SKs (2012 – 20.5 SKs & 2014 – 20.5 SKs)
  • Watt, Lawrence Taylor, and Aaron Donald are the only players who have won the DPOY 3x
 

Related: Facts of the Day 

JJ Watt Prime Destinations via @PSO/Twitter

Check out the most likely landing spots for the legendary pass rusher

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