Over the past few seasons, UCLA Bruin fans got to witness Lauren Betts operate in the post. While Betts is best known for her defense or her dominating frame, which left many college opponents feeling defensive, Betts was also a gifted passer.With Betts passing ability it shouldnt be too surprising to hear that her favorite player is Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic. Jokic is an NBA champion and is a three-time league MVP.During the WNBA All-Star Weekend, Betts revealed that she was hoping for a surprise from the Nuggets superstar center.This is just me manifesting; if Jokic walked in right now, he would give me a big bear hug, Betts said. Hes like the GOAT and Im from Colorado so Im a huge Nuggets fan.Lauren Betts might be Nikola Jokics biggest fan in the WNBA Presented by Paze pic.twitter.com/guxfcP6F5v theScore (@theScore) July 28, 2026Beyond just Jokics otherworldly ability on the basketball court, Betts is also impressed by his ability to not make the sport his entire life. Jokic is known to enjoy himself a horse race, owning several horses back in Serbia.I love it, Betts said of Jokics horseracing pastime. Its all about balance.Betts is in the middle of her rookie season with the Washington Mystics, where shes currently putting up 6.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 0.6 blocks per game. The Mystics used the fourth overall pick on Betts after the 67 center helped lead the Bruins to their first-ever NCAA title.The Betts family isnt done at UCLA, with Laurens younger sister, Sienna Betts, set to leap into a much larger role with the Bruins for her sophomore season this year.This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Which NBA superstar did Lauren Betts want to meet at All-Star weekend?

For the better part of fourteen seasons, Robert Ford and Steve Sparks have become the soundtrack of the summer for Astros fans throughout the Bayou City and beyond. Robert joins us exclusively at The Crawfish Boxes to discuss a myriad of topics. Q: On a scale of 1 to 10, how impressed were you by Hunter Browns performance on Saturday Night in Chicago?A: I would say a 10 because its the best hes looked since hes come back. He had the fastball command and, with Hunter, hes one of the guys where you always know that hes eventually going to figure it out. Its literally just a matter of time, and it seems like that time came in Chicago.Q: I know its just one in the line of another series, but does it feel like these upcoming games with the Rangers have even more importance in late July?A: I think thats true with most division races. It comes down to how you fare against the top teams in your division. All the Astros need is one more win against the Rangers and theyll clinch the season series, which would be big. Q: Whats it like calling this record-breaking pace that Yordan Alvarez is on each week?A: You dont have to know much about baseball to know that Yordan Alvarez is really good. Hes been consistent since day one. What really impressive is that any lulls that hes had have been really short and when he breaks out of those, he breaks out in a really big way. Its a lot of fun to watch him play every day. Q: Trade Deadline is rapidly approaching. Biggest needs in your estimation?A: No team ever has just one need. Granted, some teams have fewer needs than others, but I think when you look at the Astros, the outfield production hasnt been what it needs to be and Dana Brown has been pretty open talking about that. I could see an outfielder in particular who hits lefthanded being a bonus. The Astros need more quality left-handed at bats other than Alvarez. That said, every team could use another starting pitcher or another arm in the bullpen. Thats universal. If I had to pinpoint the biggest need, it would be more production in the outfield.Q: From our fans at Crawfish Boxes, what is your favorite opposing road city to call broadcasts from?A: Its so hard to pick one because we go to some great ballparks and places. If I had to choose one, I would pick New York because thats where Im from. Houston has become home, but New York will always be home as well and its always great getting back there. I always feel more energized when I get back to New York. When the upcoming schedule is unveiled, I always look at those dates in New York first. Thats what I always look at.

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JULY 27: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates after hitting a home run against the Miami Marlins during the first inning of the game at loanDepot park on July 27, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesIt was seemingly a plea of desperation.Following another post-All Star Game defeat, this time a 1-0 loss to the Miami Marlins that secured their fourth consecutive series loss to start the second half and dropped them to 3-8 in their last 11 games, Bryce Harper uttered a statement of fact we all know to be true.I think we need some help-Bryce Harper pic.twitter.com/EAYzlkpnEV Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) July 29, 2026I think we need some help. Heres Harpers full quote to media covering the team in Miami (courtesy of NBC Sports Philadelphia):I think we need some help, he said after the loss. I think weve proved (ourselves) pretty much all year. Weve done a pretty good job. But any time you can get some help in here, some reinforcements, I think it helps.Harper was asked if he thought the Phillies needed a bat or an arm.I think both, he said. Obviously, everybody knows what we need. Ive said it over the last few days. We need both.First, Harper is right. Dropping the first two games of a series against a team that entered with a 12-game losing streak is the latest stumble for this group of players lugging around a combined $315 million payroll. While giving himself and his teammates credit for putting them in a playoff position, holding a two-game lead on the NLs second wild card spot, Harper clearly believes they cannot finish the job on their own.His comments are perilous. This group began the season in such a funk they got their popular manager, Rob Thomson, fired. Now this band of high-priced, postseason-tested athletes is tumbling back toward .500 and losing ground in the NL East race. They were held to one or zero runs for the sixth time in 11 games since the break and a league-leading 26th time overall. They have the worst on-base percentage in the sport, are 5-21 when the 5th spot in the rotation comes around, and have only a couple relievers one can truly say they trust.The non-pitching numbers, in particular, are damning.Combined position player Baseball-Reference WAR for each Phillies team: 2022: 21.32023: 23.2 2024: 26.8 2025: 23 2026: 4.4 The last time the Phillies had a combined position player bWAR in the single digits was 2018 (4.9 for non-pitchers). Destiny Lugardo (@destiny_lugardo) July 27, 2026Harpers plea for help carries with it an uncomfortable possibility.What if Dombrowski cant get something done? Is Harper essentially admitting they dont have enough to compete for a World Series as currently constructed? Harpers lackluster July (.611 OPS, 2 HRs, 9 RBIs in July) has been a big part of this most recent team-wide offensive funk. A return to normal production from Harper and Kyle Schwarber (.746 OPS, 3 HRs in July) would go a long way towards fixing some of the offensive issues. But theyre not alone.Trea Turner is finally hitting but is a black hole defensively. Bryson Stott is one of the few players providing production (.789 OPS in June, .793 on July). J.T. Realmuto, Justin Crawford, Turner, Alec Bohm and Edmundo Sosa all have OBPs at .305 or under, and even Stotts overall OBP is just .309. The Phillies currently have one everyday outfielder Bryan de la Cruz, a non-roster spring training invitee who has been with Lehigh Valley for all but the last two weeks of the season. Brandon Marsh and Justin Crawford are both part-time players again. How can a team with a payroll north of $300 million be so desperate for help? There arent enough mirrors to go around.Even if Dombrowski is able to pull of a few moves to add reinforcements, how on earth can they have the kind of effect Harper seems to think is required?Lets forget about the idea of Tarik Skubal, Mason Miller, or a mega-hitter joining the Phillies in the next week. Given the dearth of quality prospects in the organization, it is highly unlikely Dombrowski can pull off a need for a star and still do enough to make up for deficiencies at the back of the starting rotation, high leverage/left-handed relievers, and the lineup.If Taylor Ward, Connor Griffin and a couple of relievers are added, does that suddenly transform the Phils?In order for this team to hit its stride, it must change its stripes. This season, in particular, has seen the production level of the position player, in particular, fall off a cliff.Combined position player Baseball-Reference WAR for each Phillies team: 2022: 21.32023: 23.2 2024: 26.8 2025: 23 2026: 4.4 The last time the Phillies had a combined position player bWAR in the single digits was 2018 (4.9 for non-pitchers). Destiny Lugardo (@destiny_lugardo) July 27, 2026The number of players who have put up below replacement-level numbers this season is shocking:Alec Bohm (-0.8)Adolis Garcia (-0.8, out for the season)Otto Kemp (-0.7, in the minors)Gabriel Rincones Jr. (-0.6)Rafael Marchan (-0.6, injured)Felix Reyes (-0.5, in the minors)Edmundo Sosa (-0.4)Justin Crawford (-0.3)Trea Turner (-0.3)Garrett Stubbs (-0.2)Dylan Moore 9 (-0.2, no longer w/ team)Steward Berroa (-0.1)The Phillies have only four players who are north of 1.0 bWAR this season:Kyle Schwarber (2.5)Harper (1.9)Derek Hill (1.5)Brandon Marsh (1.3)Thats right, Derek Hill currently has more WAR than All Star Game starter Brandon Marsh. So yes, Bryce Harper is correct. The Phillies do need help, and with an extended work stoppage wiping out part or all of the 2027 a real possibility, its incumbent upon the front office to do whatever is needed to give this roster a chance to win it all.Its also ridiculous Harper, or anyone else, needs Dave Dombrowskis Trade Deadline moves to save them.

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