#team-projections

#team-projections

Those players alone made up one-third of the Eastern Conference's representation. Jaylen Brown was an All-Star for the fifth time, Jalen Brunson made his third consecutive All-Star trip and Jalen Johnson and Jalen Duren received their first All-Star nods. The four players tied for the most same-name All-Stars in a single season in NBA history. Moreover, additional Jalens (and Jaylens, Jaylins and Jaylons) beyond that All-Star quartet are excelling in the NBA.

What's your early Super Bowl LXI pick? Jeremy Fowler, national NFL reporter: Rams over Broncos. Los Angeles matched up with Seattle as well as anyone last season and will be back to finish the job. The Matthew Stafford-Sean McVay connection is improving with age. The secondary was a weakness late in the season, so expect the Rams to address that issue for roster balance.

A conference defined by glorious mayhem should avoid providing fodder for its skeptics not to mention the College Football Playoff selection committee at all costs. The difference between each team's preseason poll position and its end-of-season finish was 7.3 spots, on average.