Deron Snyder

SNYDER: Randy Wittman should have Paul Pierce play more at four

Pierce played just 4 percent of his regular-season minutes at power forward, even though he was outstanding there with the Nets.

April 20, 2015

SNYDER: Teams missing out on NBA playoffs aren’t really missing anything

While some fans in Miami and other "we-just-missed" cities are bummed about sitting home for the playoffs, those with long-term views consider it a blessing.

April 15, 2015

SNYDER: Wizards’ lofty goals, disappointing results not a sign of progress

If nothing else, the Wizards can point to the improved regular-season record. Unfortunately, that will feel like nothing if they're bounced in the first round.

April 13, 2015

SNYDER: With 10 championships, UConn’s Geno Auriemma is in a class by himself

We readily acknowledge greatness on the most well-lit stages. Only the incredibly dim-witted and thickheaded wouldn't consider Auriemma among the coaching profession's best and brightest.

April 8, 2015

SNYDER: With Denard Span out, Michael Taylor has opportunity to show he belongs

Many a fine prospect has struggled after being rushed into service too soon. While Span is out, Taylor will have every opportunity to state his case that the future is now.

April 6, 2015

SNYDER: Weighing heart with reality on Tiger Woods playing Augusta

My head and my heart engaged in a spirited debate after Woods played 18 holes Tuesday at Augusta National.

April 1, 2015

SNYDER: Sports could pose significant test to Indiana’s new religious freedom law

The NFL and the NCAA could make a stand against Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act, showing once again that the world of sports can't be detached from its social and political environs.

March 30, 2015

SNYDER: Little League star Mo’ne Davis shows maturity, leadership at young age

Fame found Mo'ne Davis, but seemingly hasn't changed her. Nasty tweets from complete strangers come with the territory. But they don't have to dictate your outlook. Or your response.

March 26, 2015

SNYDER: NCAA’s stance on amateurism doesn’t line up with big-money TV deals

The notions of athletes who are students first might apply at the 450 schools in Division III or the 300 schools in Division II, but those schools have no role in the NCAA's $11 billion contract with CBS and Turner Sports.

March 23, 2015

SNYDER: Jameis Winston wants to skip the NFL draft? Good for him

It would be refreshing if a player of Winston's status — he's projected to be the No. 1 pick — decided he'd rather skip the hoopla and celebrate in comfortable surroundings with family and friends instead.

March 18, 2015

SNYDER: Don’t over-think when filling out your NCAA Tournament bracket

Don't out-smart yourself and make the process more complicated than necessary. Don't buy-in on the notion an undefeated season is too difficult a proposition. Don't believe the hype that the Kentucky Wildcats are over-rated and under-coached.

March 16, 2015

SNYDER: Syracuse’s actions underscore an obligation to academic integrity

Unlike sexual assault victims who fear the consequences of fighting the tide, speaking up must be part of the job for professors and other academic faculty members when pressured by athletic departments to do wrong.

March 11, 2015

SNYDER: Dez Wells, Melo Trimble have fueled Maryland’s remarkable turnaround

Like most of this season, Maryland's victory on Sunday was about the players most responsible for reversing the program's course and cooling off coach Mark Turgeon's seat: Wells, a senior, and Trimble, a freshman.

March 9, 2015

SNYDER: Rasheed Sulaimon’s sexual assault allegations show a new mindset is needed

Sulaimon, who was the first player kicked off Duke's men's basketball team in Mike Krzyzewski's tenure, will serve as the latest example that we need more than new laws to change the culture on campuses.

March 4, 2015

SNYDER: Ronda Rousey’s quick work makes Mike Tyson look like a slacker

Rousey, a 5-foot-7, 135-pound dirty blonde, is dominating mixed martial arts just like the former boxing champ tyrannized his sport 30 years ago.

March 2, 2015

SNYDER: Commissioner Rob Manfred fixing what some say isn’t broken

The new commissioner is tinkering with the time-honored tradition of timeless baseball. He's trying to bring MLB in-line with the current times, where each second battles for attention.

February 25, 2015

SNYDER: Sports broadcaster Steve Czaban pleased to celebrate 25 years on air

Czaban, the SportsTalk 570 and ESPN 980 radio host, also has a national talk show on Yahoo! Sports Radio, meaning he's on air for nearly eight hours each day. He never saw this coming 25 years ago.

February 23, 2015

SNYDER: Alex Rodriguez didn’t need another public whipping by the press

Rodriguez went yard when he declined the team's offer to hold a news conference at Yankee Stadium, where he could apologize for using steroids, lying about it and dragging his sport through the mud while he fought a 211-game suspension that was reduced to 162 games. The last thing we needed was another public flogging.

February 18, 2015

SNYDER: All-Star Game shows how much John Wall has grown, where he’ll go

John Wall's game and confidence have grown from the happy-to-be-here, scared-to-death novice we saw in 2014, to the blossoming national star who garnered the league's seventh-highest vote total.

February 16, 2015

SNYDER: Truth in advertising needed when it comes to college recruiting

Hugs and handshakes are staples of the high school signing ceremony, while staffers at the college exchange high-fives. But like everything connected to major college sports, the National Letter of Intent has an underbelly that’s dark, seamy and foul-smelling.

February 11, 2015