Unfolding drama with Dearica Hamby and the Aces, angry words by the Las Vegas Golden Knights, and a whole lot more. Here’s what went down last week in Las Vegas Sports (Jan 23 – 29).
Dearica Hamby got traded to the Los Angeles Sparks last week, but the former WNBA champion didn’t go quietly. In fact, she spoke out on the matter, claiming she was traded for wanting to have a baby. The WNBA has pledged a full investigation into the incident between the two sides and is also checking to see if any federal laws were broken in the matter.
Not only is this a distraction for the Aces, but it’s also a stain on their legacy as champions.
Las Vegas native Noah Gragson lost the Xfinity Series championship to Ty Gibbs in 2022 but is now chasing bigger things. One of those things is the Rookie of the Year honor he will be competing for in the Cup Series. He will also be hoping to make a statement by making the playoffs in his first full season.
He is even competing for the newly formed Legacy Motorsports, consisting of Petty GMS and Jimmie Johson. This is the same team that won a race with Erik Jones at Darlington last fall and can definitely do it again. Gragson might even end up being their first win under the new banner, which would be a great way to start off his Cup Series career.
“We have good people and good energy leading into the season,” Gragson said. “I have great teammates. I’m excited with how this team has grown from when I first signed and what it’s grown to and where we can get it to.”
The Las Vegas Golden Knights are hitting some potholes on their way to the postseason, creating doubts about a playoff push. The team is now struggling after going 3-6-1 in their last ten games and dropping to third in their division. Compare that to just a few weeks ago, and you see a big difference. Bruce Cassidy spoke out on the matter during a recent interview.
“[I] think we’ve had passengers lately, guys that we rely on that need to be better,” He told the media. “Timely save tonight could’ve made a difference… As I said, we need better from some of the players that we rely on.
Richard Childress is racing royalty in the world of NASCAR, meaning his word carries a lot of weight. That’s why his recent comments about Kyle Busch are so unique. They almost humanize the Las Vegas native.
“I think one of the things about Kyle each time I’ve talked to him,” Childress said earlier this week, “(he says), ‘Man, I can’t wait to go have some fun.’ ‘Man, I had some fun down there at COTA. I can’t wait until we go test and have some fun.’”
Childress’ words are a glowing endorsement of his future driver.
The Las Vegas Aces are taking a lot of swings, and the next one is signing Candance Parker in free agency. This move gives the Aces a two-time champion on their roster and someone who can pile on 16 points and eight rebounds per game. That’s going to be a game-changer.
“As I’ve gone through free agency this time around, of course, I’m thinking of where I can compete for my third championship, but the words home and family are what I kept coming back to,” Parker explained. “After evaluating the landscape together with my family, we’ve decided the Las Vegas Aces are the right organization for us at this point in our lives.”
The Las Vegas Raiders need a makeover. One report by ESPN claims that McDaniels is trying to create a new culture in Las Vegas, which could leave some on the outs.
“I’ve talked to a few people around the league who expect coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler to continue aggressively tweaking the roster,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on Tuesday. “McDaniels is big on ‘culture fits’ and will want his own guys. Teams will be keeping an eye on tight end Darren Waller and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow in that process.”
If Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow are on the chopping block, the Raiders are going to need some legitimate star power to fill those shoes.
Next: Is NASCAR planning a street race on the Las Vegas strip?
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