By Stephen D. Riley, Special to the AFRO Adding Dwight Howard over the summer was supposed to remediate a lot of the things that ailed the Washington Wizards last season. Adding a defensive anchor, an athletic big who can run with the team’s speedy guards and a headliner to take the pressure off embattled all-star John […]
Author Archives: Stephen D. Riley
Special to the AFRO
Posted inNational Sports, Sports, Sports Columnists
He’s Young, He’s Black and He’s the Best Quarterback in the NFL
By Stephen D. Riley, Special to AFRO I can’t remember the last time a Black quarterback was tops at his position but welcome to the future. Kansas City Chiefs signal caller Patrick Mahomes II is the real deal and perhaps the best in the league. And he’s only 23. Name it, Mahomes has it from the […]
Posted inNational Sports, Sports, Sports Columnists
Laker LeBron Could Be Best Version Yet
By Stephen D. Riley, Special to AFRO It might take a while to get used to LeBron James wearing a Lakers uniform but it’ll be an exciting transition. After a nine-point, three-assist and three rebound preseason debut on Sunday, James dazzling for the Lakers just ups the ante a little bit more. Playing for Cleveland was […]
Posted inD.C Sports, National Sports, Sports, Sports Columnists
Washington Could Win NFC East This Year
By Stephen D. Riley, Special to AFRO Don’t blink but the Washington football team could actually win the NFC East this year, and that’s crazy. Behind the 33-year-old Adrian Peterson, who added 160 total yards and a touchdown in his Washington debut in a 24-6 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 9, this new-look Washington […]
Posted inNational Sports, Sports, Sports Columnists
Angry Black Man Role has Dez Bryant on the NFLOuts
By Stephen D. Riley, Special to AFRO Former Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant can’t find a job and that’s crazy. The former star wideout of America’s Team was once one of the top big play threats in the NFL. Now, he’s on the outside looking in on the league, while petitioning teams for a second chance. […]
Posted inNational Sports, Sports, Sports Columnists
Late Summer Football-Related Shootings a Growing Concern
By Stephen D. Riley, Special to AFRO Shootings across the country on the opening week of football season headlined a sour weekend. Two people were injured and one person died in a high school shooting in Jacksonville on Aug. 24. A 16-year-old was killed in a triple shooting outside of a high school junior varsity game […]
Posted inNational News, National Sports, NEWS, Sports, Sports Columnists
Trump Slams LeBron, NBA War Likely to Ensue?
By Stephen D. Riley, Special to AFRO United States president Donald Trump continues to single-handedly battle sporting leagues; this time taking aim at NBA face LeBron James on a Twitter attack. In an interview with popular Black journalist Don Lemon early last week, James opened up about several things but turned heads when he accused Trump […]
Posted inD.C Sports, National Sports, Sports, Sports Columnists
Wall’s Goal is MVP; His Team’s Goal Needs to be 60-Plus Wins
By Stephen D. Riley, Special to AFRO Despite possibly the worst NBA photo ever taken this past week, the Washington Wizards’ John Wall has looked good this summer. Follow his Instagram page and a series of short videos featuring Wall working out on the streets of South Beach under the guidance of famed trainer David Alexander […]
Posted inNational Sports, Sports, Sports Columnists
Mural Defacing Proves Cold Facts for LeBron
By Stephen D. Riley, Special to AFRO There are certain teams in the NBA that would welcome any superstar with wide, welcoming arms and never look back. Washington comes to mind first. Memphis, Sacramento and Orlando come second. Cleveland? Absolutely. And then there are other cities and teams with too much ego and history that they […]
Posted inD.C Sports, National Sports, Sports, Sports Columnists
Reimagining the Wizards with DeMarcus Cousins Next Season
By Stephen D. Riley, Special to AFRO The NBA rumor mill isn’t exactly spinning with DeMarcus Cousins-to-D.C. predictions but it is definitely moving. With no cap space available and a gaping hole in the middle of their roster after this week’s trade that swapped Marcin Gortat for Austin Rivers, the Washington Wizards are in desperate need for a […]
Posted inD.C Sports, National Sports, Sports, Sports Columnists
Fire Ernie! Wizards Use First Rounder on Third String Forward
By Stephen D. Riley, Special to AFRO Despite handing an already athletically-challenged small forward $100-million-plus last summer, the Washington Wizards decided to dive back into the small forward pile and draft Troy Brown Jr. with the 15th pick in the NBA Draft on Thursday night. Wizards general manager Ernie Grunfeld lauded Brown’s position flexibility and the […]
Posted inAfro Briefs, National Sports, Sports, Sports Columnists, Washington D.C. News
Wizards Willing to Move Back in Draft, Botch Another Season
By Stephen D. Riley, Special to AFRO On the heels of the Washington Capitals bringing home the Stanley Cup Trophy to the streets of Washington D.C., the Washington Wizards are on the clock. The 2018 NBA Draftclock starts in a few days and at pick 15, the Wizards should be looking for somebody, anybody, to come […]