By PETE THOMPSON
Happy Birthday AMERICA…!!!
It’s hard to believe that we’re in July already, but I certainly hope this column finds you enjoying all the sun & fun the Jersey Shore has to offer.
Since I last wrote, the Sixers have completely revamped their roster. The Phillies continue to frustrate me and others. The Flyers prospects make a visit to the beach. The Eagles are less than three weeks away from training camp. The Atlantic City Blackjacks pull off a MUST win, and I have a touching story from the world golf.
From the entertainment world, if you like the Beatles, there’s a fun movie just out that imagines if the Fab Four never existed. Also, by the time you read this, “Stranger Things” season 3 will have dropped on Netflix as I know I’ll be returning to the fictional town of Hawkins…will you…? As always though, we begin with sports, and my thoughts for the week that was:
- NBA free agency was different this year as it began at 6 p.m. rather than with a flurry of midnight deals. For the Sixers, the first big “bomb” was when J.J. Reddick decided to take a deal with New Orleans rather than stay with Philly. This was a big surprise to many, myself included. This could be a MAJOR blow if the Sixers can’t find a sharpshooter to replace JJ’s 240 made three-pointers last season, a franchise record.
- The next domino to fall was Tobias Harris as he chose to stay with the Sixers for a five-year, $180 million dollar deal. Harris has been quoted as saying he “finally has a home”, and it’s with the Sixers. He’s an established NBA forward and a fringe all-star. Let’s hope he blows up into a legitimate star.
- The Sixers were able to re-sign fan favorite and reserve power forward Mike Scott too, but the Jimmy Butler question got answered when the news broke that Al Horford would be coming to Philadelphia. Four years, $97 million, with championship bonuses that could push things up to $109 million, some fans are wondering why Horford and not Butler? Fair question. I’ll just say this, Horford is a proven NBA defender who’s capable of playing forward or some center if Joel Embiid is out. Jimmy Butler made a lot of clutch baskets last season, but it speaks VOLUMES to me that he’s now joining his fourth team in FOUR seasons. How’s that old saying go? “There’s no “I” in team…!”
- On to the Phillies, as they managed to salvage at least one win last weekend in Miami. I cannot believe that Gabe Kapler’s club continues to struggle with a team that’s the worst in the entire National League…! J.T. Realmuto is the Phillies lone all-star, and I think that’s about right. The Phillies continue to struggle, but maybe the upcoming All-Star break will help them recharge.
- From hockey, the Flyers prospects were once again at the shore as they took part in training & autograph sessions in Stone Harbor & Avalon last week. This is always a neat way for them to wrap up their development camp as fans can get up close and personal with the NHL’ers of the future.
- Good luck to former Flyers coach Dave Hakstol on his new gig with the Toronto Maple Leafs. “Hak” will be an assistant up there. Perhaps he’ll have more success in that role.
- The Eagles open training camp on Wednesday July 24th at the NovaCare Complex. I’ve already grumbled about this, but if you want to see them, their one OPEN practice is on Sunday August 4th at Lincoln Financial Field. You need a ticket and for the first time, there is a fee.
- Of course, you could keep that $10 and go see the AC Blackjacks as they saved their season with a road win at Washington last week. The first road win of the season for Atlantic City as backup QB turned starter Warren Smith, Jr. led the Blackjacks past his old team 70-41. I strongly encourage you to check out this team as they return home to Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall on Saturday night July 6th against the Philadelphia Soul.
- Finally, two items from golf. First, my thanks to the folks at the Shore Club for inviting me down to see their changes. The old Wildwood Country Club is now “The Shore Club” and it’s a real gem if you’re looking for a private club with reasonable prices in Cape May County. Arnold Palmer used to play the course when he was in recruit training in Cape May, so it has some history. It also now has a family friendly atmosphere and a renovated clubhouse. Definitely worth checking out.
- My second golf item is about Nate Lashley, who won the Rocket Mortgage Classic on the PGA Tour last week in Detroit. To most folks, they’d say “Nate who…?” But I have a connection to this young man. He was born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska and raised in nearby Mitchell. I mostly covered his sister Brooke when I worked for KDUH-TV ABC 4 from 1994-1998, but their story becomes more poignant when you learn that Nate & Brooke lost their parents in a small plane crash in 2004. Nate’s high school sweetheart Leslie died in that crash too as his father was piloting the small plane back from watching Nate compete in NCAA golf. Pretty awesome to see Nate secure his professional future with a huge win in Detroit.
- Entertainment now, and can you imagine a world without the Beatles…? That’s what the new “rom-com” movie “Yesterday” attempts to pull off as Himesh Patel plays the lead character who is struck by a bus and wakes up as the only person who knows the words & lyrics to all those great songs. I won’t spoil the plot, but there’s a neat twist near the end that is sure to make you smile. I give it three out of four “PT’s”, as I’ve also just decided to create my own “PT” rating system…!
- Lastly, “Stranger Things” drops season 3 on Netflix on July 4th. If you haven’t seen this series and you remember being a kid in the 80’s, you must check it out. Fireworks and the Upside Down, I know I’ll be watching…!
Don’t forget that you can listen to me on the radio each Saturday on 97.3 ESPN from 8-10 a.m. It’s the “Pete Thompson Show” and I’ve been calling it “Breakfast with the PT”, so I hope you’ll tune in and interact with me on the air.
Pete has been the local “sports guy” at the Jersey Shore since 2004. After a decade with TV 40, he joined 97.3 ESPN radio to talk Eagles, Phillies, Sixers & Flyers with Mike Gill on “The SportsBash” each day from 2-6 p.m.
Pete is proud to be a “voice” for the annual ShopRite LPGA Classic each June, and does emcee work for groups like the National Football Foundation, The Old Grad Awards, and The 200 Club of Atlantic County. You can hear Pete each Tuesday on 97.3 ESPN at 5:30p, and if you see him out & about in the community, he requests that you please say “Hi”. Send comments to PBrooksT@aol.com
