WISCONSIN — It can be hard to know what to get family and friends for Christmas. It’s even harder to get that perfect gift for local sports figures. For the second straight year, here are some of my Christmas wishes for people in the Wisconsin sports scene:
For Packers Head Coach Matt LaFleur: the respect he deserves for the coaching ability he’s shown.
For Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo: Another MVP award for the great season he is having.
For young Brewers star Jackson Chourio: Continue to blossom into the kind of star the Brewers can build around. What a masterful move by Matt Arnold and the Brewers organization to sign him for eight years.
For Packers quarterback Jordan Love: A Super Bowl victory in his second season as a starter. That would be ahead of the pace of Aaron Rodgers (third season as a starter) and Brett Favre (fifth season as a starter.) It would also fulfill the "every 14 years the Packers win a Super Bowl" trend. They captured Super Bowl wins after the 1996 and 2010 seasons.
For Bucks Head Coach Doc Rivers: Another NBA title to go with the one he got with the 2008 Boston Celtics.
For Brewers manager Pat Murphy: Another season of success where can show the baseball knowledge and savvy he’s built up over a long career in the game.
For Badgers football coach Luke Fickell: A signature win that will get rid of some of the growing skepticism surrounding the program and whether he’s the right guy for the job.
For retiring Packers President Mark Murphy: Good health in retirement and the continued growth of his legacy through the 2025 NFL Draft and Titletown.
For incoming Packers President Ed Policy: The wisdom to know just how important that franchise is to this state.
For Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams: Just kidding. Nothing for you.
For Olympics speedskater Jordan Stolz: More appreciation for the considerable skills he brings to a worldwide sport.
For Marquette basketball coach Shaka Smart: A trip to at least the Sweet 16 as his incredible regular season success carries over to the NCAA Tournament.
For WNBA star Arike Ogunbowale: The knowledge that she continues to inspire young women in the state of Wisconsin to reach her level of success.
For LeRoy Butler and Gary Ellerson: Something for their aching backs, sore from carrying their inept Roundtable host.