In this edition of Nerone’s Notes, the Cincinnati Reds endure a June swoon. FC Cincinnati continues to navigate through injury concerns. Plus, Cincinnati area connections to this year’s NBA Draft.

Ejections, dejection and hope define the Cincinnati Reds this June

In recent years, even in mediocre seasons, June tended to be a month when the Cincinnati Reds shined on the field. Showcasing a tendency to surge in June and give fans confidence heading into the all-star break. Think back to last year, when the Reds roared in June. With one of their longest winning streaks in recent memory. Elly De La Cruz’s dynamic debut month, which featured him becoming the first Reds player to hit for the cycle since 1989.

The Reds are struggling through this June. While Elly De La Cruz is making a compelling case to be an all-star. The Reds have fallen into a rut, they are guaranteed to go into July with a losing record. After winning seven of their first eight games in June. The Reds concluded their most recent home stand having lost ten of their last 15 games.

Cincinnati goes into their weekend series at the St. Louis Cardinals losing four consecutive series. Losing two out of three games in each of those series. The losses are piling up, the Cincinnati Reds head into Friday 38-43. The Reds losing ways could be leaving fans with a sense of dejection. Fans have many reasons to be frustrated; over an offense that is struggling to get its act consistently together.

The Reds did manage to have two big wins this week. Beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-5 on Monday. Then went on to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 11-4 on Thursday. Yet, Cincinnati endured drubbings on Tuesday and Wednesday. Cincinnati Reds pitchers have also struggled recently, falling behind in games quickly in recent weeks.

Starting pitcher Hunter Greene vividly showcased the Reds pitching struggles this week. When he vomited on the mound in the first inning of Tuesday’s game. Greene struggled during his time on the mound on Tuesday. Giving up six earned runs in four innings, including a home run. Three of those runs were given up in the first inning. The other three were given up in the third inning.

As is often the case when a team is struggling. Frustration is also converging on Reds manager David Bell. Last Sunday, Bell tied Big Red Machine era Reds manager Sparky Anderson. For the franchise record for managerial ejections. Bell is in his sixth year as the Reds manager. It would be an understatement to say he’s no Sparky Anderson. Bell doesn’t have the postseason success to even be in the conversation with Anderson.

Despite the Reds struggles, fans can still have reasons to feel hopeful. The Reds performances on Monday and Thursday showcase a reason to feel hopeful. That the Reds can still put together strong performances. The Reds big problem is that they struggle to do so consistently.

FC Cincinnati hobbles into Dallas

The orange and blue were delt some rough news this week. On Wednesday, FC Cincinnati announced Matt Miazga will miss the rest of the season. After suffering a knee injury during FCC’s June 15th match at the San Jose Earthquakes. Miazga is one of a handful of players FCC is having to fare without. Aaron Boupendza has missed much of the season. After having his jaw injured in an off-field altercation earlier this season.

FC Cincinnati is also having to manage without Miles Robinson. He is part of the U.S. Men’s National Team’s Copa America roster. FC Cincinnati will have to find a way to manage this Saturday. When the orange and blue face a road match against FC Dallas. This match will come a week after FC Cincinnati suffered a 2-1 home loss to the New England Revolution. This Saturday’s FC Cincinnati vs. FC Dallas match will begin at 8:30 PM Eastern. The match can be seen on Apple TV- MLS Season Pass and WCKY-AM (1530).

2024 NBA Draft recap

The NBA Draft took place earlier this week. Several players with local connections were drafted in the first two-night draft. Kentucky Basketball players Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham were top ten draft picks. Sheppard was drafted third overall by the Houston Rockets. Dillingham was initially drafted by the San Antonio Spurs and traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Purdue Basketball’s two-time national player of the year Zach Edey was drafted on Wednesday. Edey was selected ninth overall by the Memphis Grizzlies. Indiana Basketball player Kel’el Ware was drafted 15th overall by the Miami Heat. Dayton Basketball player DaRon Holmes II was also drafted on Wednesday night. Holmes was drafted by the Phoenix Suns and traded to the Denver Nuggets.

Beyond the regional connections, the biggest story of the draft was the top two picks. For the first time ever, two players from France were the top two NBA Draft picks. Zaccharie Risacher was drafted first by the Atlanta Hawks. Alex Sarr was drafted second by the Washington Wizards. France’s Tidjane Salaun and Pacome Dadiet were also drafted on Wednesday. Salaun was drafted sixth overall by the Charlotte Hornets. Dadiet was drafted 25th overall by the New York Knicks.

Add this to Victor Wembanyama being the top draft pick last year. Wednesday night highlights a golden generation of French basketball. Speaking of generations, the other major storyline during this draft happened on Thursday. When Bronny James was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers. Bronny will join his father LeBron James, as the first father-son playing duo in NBA history. Xavier Basketball player Quincy Olivari will join Bronny and LeBron in Los Angeles. Olivari will join the Lakers as an undrafted free agent.