Yep, we're in a Bubble.

Baylor’s Mack Rhoades stepped down as Athletic Director. Rhoades took charge of Baylor Athletics in the wake of the football team’s sexual assault scandal. Since 2016, Rhoades delivered a fairly restored football program (Sugar Bowl 2021) and national title winning basketball programs (Women’s 2019, Men’s 2021). Two weeks ago, Rhoades placed himself on leave with whispers that he violated some component of the school’s faith-based personal conduct policy. And now he’s gone. Someone knows the drama but it isn’t me. What I do know is that Rhoades was also Chair of the College Football Playoff Committee. Rhoades leaves a gap at the top of the Brain Trust charged with choosing the sport’s playoff participants over the next month. Who the heck are these people? Check out the roster here: Committee Big Brains

I have no position on Mack Rhoades. I’m here to remind you that the balance of power in college football is still very much ruled by people. In thirty years, we’ve flipped from People selecting the title game to the BCS Algorithm picks the champ back to People but with a playoff. And if you’re hot and bothered when the final bracket is released, remember, people make mistakes. Just like Mack Rhoades.

Mind if I muse for a second…? The last NBA collective bargaining agreement fueled a Superstar Bubble that is bursting across the League. The bubble isn’t in AI. It’s been in basketball all along.

We’re 15 games into the season, but everyone seems to expect plenty of stars to be available and possibly on the move. Why? When has that happened before? It seems a significant number of significant players have run out of utility in their current homes, and thus, the Internet is dreaming up new destinations. Look at this list:

- Giannis, Milwaukee is 8-8. Giannis will miss at least the next two weeks. The roster was gutted before Dame Lillliard was cut. Clock is ticking.

- Joel Embiid and Paul George, have no place in Philly’s future. Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe are the next era of Sixers basketball, but they’re awkwardly sharing the court with last era’s stars.

- Anthony Davis, previously covered, but very much available.

- James Harden, the Clippers could not be off to a worse start (4-11) and Harden should be joined by Kawhi on this list, but no one is sure Kawhi exists as a basketball professional anymore.

- Zion and Ja Morant, have definitely worn out their collective welcomes, but I put them last on this list because how youthful they technically are. The injury histories would suggest otherwise.

To wrap, that’s: Giannis, Embiid, George, Davis, Harden, kinda Kawhi, maybe Kyrie, I could keep going….

What happened? Age. Lebron, Durant, and Steph more or less fooled everyone into thinking that stars can play into their late 30’s (or 40’s). The list above is a collection of stars who’s contracts don’t match their ability (Bubble) and who’s teams can’t reach an apex with their deals weighing on the cap. But where do they all go? The most competitive teams in the League have no use for any of those players. How/Why is OKC fitting in Anthony Davis? Denver and Houston are title threats with their rosters as currently constructed.

I’m confident the market works it out. Multiple teams will talk themselves into trades they’re likely to regret, but will sell a few jerseys along the way. What’s clear though is that the League fattened up Stars with max deals and now teams with old stars are left holding the bag.