#2019 nba finals

[britishsportinglegends]

OG Anunoby.

[spinoskingdom875]

Today has been 5 years since the Toronto Raptors were declared NBA champions. As the clock winds down to 0, the Raptors begin to celebrate their victory over the Warriors. Tearfully, they begin hugging and embracing one another. Even after being introduced to their very own Larry O'Brien trophy, they still celebrated.

Blue and Charlie both wrap around Red in a joyful hug, tears streaming down their faces. Echo and Delta also embrace, with the Big One joining in. Happy that they achieved their dreams and giving the city of Toronto their first pro sports championship since the 1993 Toronto Blue Jays.

We don't know when they'll win another one, but their entire journey during the 2018-19 season will always be cherished and remembered for years to come.

NOTE: Don't re-upload my Pictures anywhere without my permission, please. Thank you.

[hotgirlmeg]

okay need this on my blog (x)

[laylasverse]

OF ALL STARS AND SUNS ✶ 𝓕𝗔𝗠𝗘 𝗗𝗥

౨ৎ my short 'n sweet dating history in my actress dr. ( mind you, it is such a short list because i don't value romantic relationships as a necessity for me. during these years i was focused on high school then college ) . . .

MAR 2016 - AUG 2016 ✶ ETHAN DAVIS

he was my first boyfriend while we were in our freshman year of high school. yes, he was a basketball player ( i have a type ik ). the reason we didn't work was because we were both just immature and didn't know what we wanted. he had other girls in his phone and i had to convince myself he was interesting. he was definitely not the one lol.

OCT 2018 - FEB 2019 ✶ JAMES CURRY

unfortunately this one is a case of chalant!gf and nonchalant!bf. james wanted something casual & lowkey and i am not really into that. need my people completely chalant about me, foaming at the mouth some might say.

APR 2021 ✶ QUENLIN BLACKWELL

okay so she doesn't like technically count as an ex because we never officially dated but we did test it out for a few weeks. but like it just didn't work because we wanted two different things from each other & our dynamics were clashing. we decided to just be friends. i have been on her yt channel multiple times and stuff.

MAY 2023 - ∞ ✶ LAMELO BALL

this relationship has been like five years in the making. we were friends in high school but finally get together in may of 2023 after the nba season is over. i had just finished my junior year at university of chicago and had a little party. afterwards lamelo was like "please?" and i said "fs". ( not actually how the conversation went by the way ).

[stereopticons]

On This Day in Schitt's Creek: March 12

2018

in sickness and in health [david/patrick, T, 276] by whoaaitsmichele

patrick has a cold.

2019

Team Colours [david/patrick, G, 2,203] by sloganeer

In Patrick’s closet, his Rose Video polo shirt hung on a hanger next to his suit jacket—with a collared shirt and tie already picked out to match. His dress shoes were polished and ready, lined up next to his baseball cleats.

you've got me feeling emotions (deeper than i've ever dreamed of) [david/patrick, E, 31,131] by wardo_wedidit

“Um,” he tries, suddenly concentrating very hard on his shoelaces. “I have what is probably a very, very stupid idea. What if… I pretended to be your boyfriend?” Or: David thinks he's come up with the perfect mutually beneficial arrangement with Patrick, but it isn't long before things start to get complicated.

2020

I Don't Want to Lose 'cause I Didn't Play [david/patrick, T, 10,016] by @doublel27

“One day, Brewer. One day.” Rachel took a sip off the top of her beer and David could see the wheels turning in her head through her brown eyes as she surveyed them all. “Let’s do a little rearranging. Patrick, switch seats with Stevie.” Oh, no. Oh no. David sent Stevie a don’t you dare leave me look, but she just grinned, shrugged and swapped places with Patrick. The correct arrangement, if anyone else cared, would situate the happy couple in the middle with David and Patrick on either end like the third-wheel bookends they were. David’s plan had been to complain to Stevie all night. Instead, this man who smelled nice and managed to make David take a second look at lackluster clothing would be in between him and Stevie. This was certainly not what he had agreed to. or David and Patrick are not on a date, but end up on the Kiss Cam at Game 1 of the 2019 NBA Finals anyways.

the roses get a cat [david/patrick, G, 4,502] by patricksdavid

“Do you secretly like cats?” Patrick asks after a few moments of David petting the cat. David tries to shake his head, but Patrick is looking at him so fondly that he just ends up twisting his smile to the side again and settling on the truth. “Okay, yes, while I generally prefer cats to dogs, there’s nothing we can do about it.” David stands back to his full height and the cat sits at his feet, leaning slightly on David’s leg. Patrick cocks his head again as his far too large and expressive eyes bore into David’s very soul. “Why not? If you like cats, and this cat obviously loves you, then why don’t we just take him home?” OR David and Patrick find a cat behind Rose Apothecary and David (not so) secretly loves it.

To Taste [david/patrick, M, 2,777] by thingswithwings

Patrick’s never met anyone who cares about food the way David cares about food.

2021

[art] my world is you [david/patrick, G, art] by @sparklesmagiclightlove

For smallumbrella, who asked for an illustration of a scene near the end of their beautiful fic, Bloom

Fiji [mutt/tennessee, G, 300] by Rosey_Peach

hold me, rock me (calm and easy) [david/patrick, G, 474] by budd

The moment Patrick realises he wants to be in it for the long haul.

Hope This Feeling Lasts (The Rest of My Life) [alexis/twyla, G, 147] by @wafflesfriendswork

Short drabble for the prompt: “You asleep?”

It Feels Like a Dream When You Love Me Tenderly [david/patrick, T, 5,128] by wanderhomeagain

Alternately titled: Five Dances Patrick Has At His Wedding That Aren’t With His Husband and One That Is (Plus a Bonus) “I’m so happy,” he says instead and it’s true, it’s so fucking true. He feels like he could run all the way to the top of Rattlesnake Point and still have the breath and energy to shout all about how thrilled he is to be married to David Rose.

Tell Me Everything [david/patrick, G, 1,402] by @rmd-writes

“David, you’re like engaged! You’re getting married!” She twisted his hand to get a better look at his rings. “Are these 24 karat? Did you know Button was going to propose? Did he, like, get down on one knee all cute and sincere? David, did you ugly cry? You cried didn’t you! Oh my god, David! Are you all puffy eyed in your engagement photos?” Or, Alexis asks for details of the proposal

trust fall [patrick & alexis, T, 2,919] by @blueink3

“If I tell you this, I need to know that you won’t tell anyone. Not even David. Especially not David,” she says sharply before poking him in the thigh. “No pillow talk or-or secret sharing. I know you two have this whole ‘til death do us part’ thing going on, but even Death has a few things she doesn’t tell anyone, I’m sure.” “Alexis - ” he says, because he truly has no idea how to respond to that. Except to say, “I won’t tell David.” Or, Alexis comes to Patrick for advice, which he is not remotely prepared to give.

2022

(let me tell you a secret) about a father's love [david/patrick, G, 1,506] by @patrckbrewer

johnny rose loves his children, he always has. but he was just too busy, too preoccupied, to be the father they needed. so he delegated the task of raising them to nannies and assistances, thinking that one day he would have time to step up and be a real dad. but one day kept getting pushed back and pushed back and pushed back until one day david and alexis were grown and they didn't need a dad. and then they lost their money and he was able to get to know who his children had become without his help. but he could never shake the feeling that he had failed them somehow. one late night conversation with clint brewer makes johnny realize he might not be the only father who carries guilt.

From Humble Beginnings [david/patrick, T, 8,242] by @rosedavid

A series of texts documenting David and Patrick's growing relationship. Follows through season 4.

Month 29 [david/patrick, T, 2,023] by @julywonder

It was after David met Patrick’s family that Patrick gave him a fiddle leaf fig plant for his apartment. It was three feet tall, growing in a straight line instead of branching out at the top. David wrinkled his nose when he first saw it. Patrick had just laughed.—OR: David Rose, on caring for a plant and other things that are hard, but not impossible. Can be read as a standalone.

Special Agent Patrick Brewer [david/patrick, NR, 140,183] by @pandorasdaydream

While a larger team worked across the state, country, and globe to gather up the ring of thieves and murderers that threatened the family, it was his job to lead the boots on the ground. He would hunker down. Blend in. Protect. Because that’s what they did in this branch of the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Protect. At all costs. And Special Agent Patrick Brewer always his did his job well.

you turn me on (to the idea of growing old) [david/patrick, G, 1,031] by @stereopticons

David finds some grey hairs and thinks about getting older.

Stats:

No fanworks for 2017, 2023, or 2024 2018: 1 fic/276 words 2019: 2 fics/33,334 words 2020: 3 fics/17,295 words 2021: 7 fanworks (6 fics, 1 fanart)/10,426 words 2022: 5 fics/152,985 words Total: 18 fanworks (17 fics, 1 fanart)/214,316 words

[bballlvr8]

COVENTRY — UConn women’s basketball star Azzi Fudd knew there would be challenges when she suffered a season-ending ACL tear just two games into her junior year, but she wasn’t prepared for the snowy sidewalks in Storrs.

Recovering from surgery at her family home in Arlington, Virginia, wasn’t easy, but it was straightforward. Her parents brought her meals down to her bedroom. She could hobble up the short flight of stairs to spend time with her younger brothers. When she returned to Connecticut, Fudd was confronted by the reality that even walking to and from her car would be hugely difficult.

“Trust me, I had my moments. … When I went back to campus, I only had one in-person class but I still had class, and it was snowing,” Fudd said with a chuckle. “Even just from outside to the gym is still a 20-foot path with snow, and at that point I was kind of walking, but it was very awkward. It was just a bunch of little things that I didn’t think would be an issue.”

Fudd tore her right ACL and medial meniscus during a practice on Nov. 14, 2023, days before the Huskies played their third game of the season at home against Maryland. She underwent season-ending surgery in early December. The former No. 1 overall prospect in the class of 2021 has played just 40 games over three years at UConn.

Fudd’s days of struggling down the sidewalk felt far away though as she demonstrated a shooting drill she runs as part of her daily workouts for a group of enraptured attendees during her youth basketball camp at Coventry High School on Sept. 21. The release NBA superstar Stephen Curry once compared to Klay Thompson’s looks as smooth and automatic as ever as she moves from spot to spot, first in the midrange, then around the 3-point arc. She makes every single one — her mom, Katie, who helps run the camp, quips after a ball circles the rim before falling that it counts as a miss.

Fudd is quick to clarify though: She still can’t play. The redshirt junior still needs to clear a final set of tests with her doctors before she can participate in contact or game-speed activities at practice. Fudd knows she should appreciate how far she’s come, but the star guard feels herself itching to be back in the actual game, that last layer of limitation almost taunting her

“I feel like this has tested my patience in a different way,” Fudd said. “I feel really good and I feel like I could be, not playing 100%, but I could be doing more. But I’m taking my time and making sure that I’m perfecting the stuff that I am doing in the phase that I’m in before I progress to the next step, which I know it’s good for me. It’s very frustrating at times, but … it’s just reminding myself that I’ve been through this and I know it’s going to pay off.”

Fudd grappled with injuries throughout her previous two seasons at UConn — she missed 11 games with a nagging foot issue her freshman year, and 22 with an unrelated knee injury as a sophomore — but the pop in her knee last November was sickeningly familiar. Fudd knew exactly what an ACL tear felt like, because she had already experienced the injury. She tore the ACL and MCL, also in her right knee, during a USA Basketball U18 3×3 tournament in 2019 and missed her entire junior season of high school.

At 15 years old, Fudd remembers completely falling apart after doctors confirmed the severity of her injury. But when it happened again five years later, Fudd’s mind went straight to beginning recovery. She knew the pain she was about to experience, but she also knew what to expect from the lengthy rehab process. She came back from it once, and that gave her certainty that she could do it again.

“My first one I remember my car ride from my MRI, and I was just crying and crying the whole time. It was so bad,” Fudd said. “This one, I heard and it processed, and I was like, ‘Damn, okay. What’s next?’

“It’s been so completely different having been through it and knowing what to expect. Knowing how hard it is, but also knowing that I can handle it and I’m gonna overcome it has also been helpful.”

Though there were also two tears involved in Fudd’s last major knee injury, the meniscus tear slowed the healing process more dramatically than the MCL did back in 2019. Then she could throw herself into rehab almost immediately, but she spent weeks after surgery in Arlington unable to put any weight on the leg. Fudd said her saving grace during the early days of recovery was her family, so much so that it made her transition back to UConn for the spring semester more jarring than she expected.

“I was home for like a month, and first of all, I hadn’t been home for that long since probably COVID,” Fudd said with a laugh. “But they were everything I needed. My brothers, my parents, even my grandma who could barely keep herself together, they were all helping me with everything I needed … Going back to school was really rough for me. I didn’t realize how much my family was doing for me, and just the ease of going to see my PT guy and home and then coming home to get in my bed.”

But Fudd quickly found a new form of comfort in a band of teammates who were also grappling with the heartbreak of season-ending injuries and the grueling work of rehab. The team was fully healthy on the day Fudd tore her ACL except for redshirt freshman Jana El Alfy, who ruptured her Achilles at the FIBA U19 World Cup over the summer. By the time Fudd returned to campus in January, there were three more players sidelined for the year: Caroline Ducharme with head and neck spasms, Ayanna Patterson after patellar tendonitis surgery and Aubrey Griffin with her own ACL tear.

“I had an entire squad of injured people with me on the bench, which obviously is not what you want, but it was nice to know I wasn’t alone,” Fudd said. “I couldn’t imagine being the only injured person. Like we had our crippled powwow before games where we were just like man, we’re not playing. It could be the Final Four or some random Big East game, and we’re not out there. Just being able to feel that and be vulnerable with other people experiencing that goes a long way.”

thanks anon 💞

[cecexwrites]

Introducing

Gossip girl 2021

Devlin Powell Playboy Devlin Powell has graced the tabloids more than once in his young life. From driving his Porsche into Logan Paul's pool to going to the NBA finals in 2019 with 4 dates at once, everyone knows Devlin Powell's name. At the age of 13 he took a vow to never settle down and he takes that very, very seriously.

Gossip Girl 2007

Oliver Archibald LI: Elena Petrova It's never been easy being the younger brother of Golden boy Nate Archibald. But Oliver has made it work, making his own name in the dating scene as well as on the rugby field. The pennicle of Nice Guy- until you cross him or his family. Oliver is incredible protective of the people he loves.

Royce Sparks LI: Annalise Houston The younger brother of Georgina Sparks, Royce knows his sister has- a legacy among the New York Elite. Royce has no intention of living up to that legacy. much more kind hearted than his sister, he just wants to make friends and live his best life while he's still young.

Annalise Houston LI: Royce Sparks Some people say it's impossible to be popular and nice at Constance Billard, but Annalise Houston might just be the ultimate proof against that. The kind of girl who brings cupcakes to school for all her friend's birthdays, Annalise wouldn't hurt a fly... probably.

Amalie Beaumont LI: Nate Archibald Being the eldest is useless when you're a girl and your father is sexist Amalie knows in her heart she's meant to be the leader of Le Milieu, not her younger brother. But as He refuses to budge, she's off to make her own way, and that way leads her right to Prince Nate Archibald.

Abram Petrov LI: Darya Ivanova

Darya Ivanova LI: Abram Petrov

Ilya Petrov LI: Eric van der Woodsen

Ivan Petrov LI: Blaise Taylor

Blaise Taylor LI: Ivan Petrov

Elena Petrova LI: Oliver Archibald

[rmbaloncesto]

Happy 25th birthday, Luka 🌟

5× NBA All-Star (2020–2024)

4× All-NBA First Team (2020–2023)

NBA Rookie of the Year (2019)

NBA All-Rookie First Team (2019)

FIBA World Cup Top Scorer (2023)

All-FIBA World Cup Team (2023)

Olympics All-Star Team (2020)

EuroBasket champion (2017)

All-EuroBasket Team (2017)

EuroLeague champion (2018)

EuroLeague MVP (2018)

EuroLeague Final Four MVP (2018)

All-EuroLeague First Team (2018)

2× EuroLeague Rising Star (2017, 2018)

EuroLeague 2010–20 All-Decade Team (2020)

3× Liga ACB champion (2015, 2016, 2018)

Liga ACB MVP (2018)

All-Liga ACB First Team (2018)

2× Spanish King's Cup winner (2016, 2017)

[lboogie1906]

Wardell Stephen Curry II (March 14, 1988) is a basketball player and point guard for the Golden State Warriors. Nicknamed “Chef Curry”, he is considered the greatest shooter of all time and is credited with revolutionizing the sport by inspiring teams and players at all levels to more utilize the three-point shot. He is a four-time NBA champion, a two-time NBA MVP, an NBA Finals MVP, and a two-time NBA All-Star Game MVP. He is a two-time NBA scoring champion, an eleven-time NBA All-Star, and a ten-time All-NBA Team selection (including four on the First Team). He has won two gold medals at the FIBA World Cup and a gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

He is the son of former NBA player Dell Curry and the brother of NBA player Seth Curry. He played college basketball for the Davidson Wildcats, where he set the all-time scoring record for Davidson and the Southern Conference, was twice named conference player of the year, and set the single-season NCAA record during his sophomore year for most three-pointers made. He was selected by the Warriors with the seventh overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.

He won his first league MVP award and led the Warriors to their first championship since 1975. He became the first player in NBA history to be elected MVP by a unanimous vote and was the NBA annual scoring leader. The Warriors broke the record for the most wins in an NBA season en route to reaching the 2016 NBA Finals. He helped the Warriors return to the NBA Finals in 2017, 2018, and 2019, winning back-to-back titles, before being defeated. Following injury struggles and missed playoff appearances in 2020 and 2021, he won his fourth championship with the Warriors and his first Finals MVP award in 2022.

He set the NBA record for three-pointers made in a regular season, with 272. He surpassed that record in 2015 with 286, and again in 2016 with 402. He set the NBA record for career three-pointers. He and teammate Klay Thompson have earned the nickname of the Splash Brothers (2013–14) they set the record for combined three-pointers made in an NBA season with 484, a record they broke the following season (525), and again (678). #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[zhongwans]

Hi zhongwans, can you help us remember the exact injury of Zhang Zhehan back in 2017-2018?

From what I can remember he had his ACL reconstructed, how come people are now saying ZZH's ACL was intact and the injury isn't serious?

Tysm in advance!

I don't really know that much about the details of ZZH's injury tbh, I'm not the best person to ask. Here's a rough overview based on ZZH's posts on weibo and IG (I can't promise that this timeline is accurate, so do double check)

So we all know ZZH used to play basketball and was very good at it. And that on April 7 2018, he injured his knee (specifically, his meniscus was torn) while playing basketball. And then he had surgery (ACL reconstruction) on May 31 2018.

While he was still in recovery, he was asked to come back to film more scenes for a drama by Yu Zheng, his former-former boss. ZZH had to walk around the set in crutches when he was still supposed to be resting and focusing on his recovery. It's understood that this incident only exacerbated his injury, caused complications, and firmly crushed ZZH's chances of returning to basketball. He has actually mentioned before that one of his deepest regrets was rushing back into acting before he had fully recovered.

According to a Haizhe friend of mine, this was a particularly sad part of their time as a ZZH fan. Although under the management of an influential boss like Yu Zheng, ZZH's acting career was stagnant with very little hope of improvement, and worse, he now had this crushing injury that took even basketball away from him.

Things took a slightly better turn when he left Yu Zheng's management in early 2019 and signed under Zhao Wei (Vicki Zhao) in March of that same year. There he had his own studio and (according to some fans at that time) Zhao Wei supported him well while giving him plenty of freedom.

On March 9 2019, he posted on Instagram lamenting the state of his knee: "I really don't know if I can still continue to fly,"

And on March 28, he posted a medical report of an MRI scan revealing the state of his knee. I won't pretend that I understand everything in that report because I'm dumb, but it didn't seem favourable. Plus, you can sort of tell from his caption.

He continued rehabilitating his knee and constantly posted updates about it on his IG account, keeping his fans up to speed on the progress (there are even more photos on his hijacked IG)

On July 27 2019, he posted about how he had practiced basketball with Lou Williams (an NBA player? I think?) who he said kept cheering him on and encouraging him. ZZH said his leg wasn't doing too well.

On September 17, he made a weibo post saying that though things weren't looking good, he was hoping the future would be better and that he would give his knee more time.

ZZH has had quite a few interviews talking openly about his injury and why he had to give up basketball. Back in 2020 there was an interview where he said he couldn't do intense sports like basketball anymore, so he chose to switch to golf. He also mentioned giving up basketball and choosing golf in this QQ interview. He was asked if there were other high-impact sports he wanted to try in the future and he responded that there was none and he will only do sports "fit for the elderly" from now on.

On March 29 2021, he talked about letting go of basketball because after two years of continuous attempts to fully rehabilitate his knee, he had finally accepted that it was impossible for him to go back to basketball, and the only thing he can do now is to fall in love with another sport. So yes there are in fact a lot of instances where ZZH himself confirmed that he can no longer play basketball and that he wasn't willing to go back to it or try other similarly high-impact sports for the sake of his health.

So it's incredibly baffling that ZSJ's team is now claiming that ZZH's injury was never that serious and that he can now, all of a sudden, play basketball at the same level of intensity as before. In the WOH behind the scenes clips there were even instances where some crew members had to help him up because he had trouble doing it himself. One of the latest instances was when he had trouble standing up during his birthday live from 2021 and fans were pissed at his studio for arranging the fan letters in a way that he had to crouch down to read them. And if you're a JZP you've most likely seen the clips of Gong Jun having to help him up from crouching positions, and all the times he stooped down to take something from the ground for ZZH. His injury was absolutely no joke and the people around him know it.

And that's the thing about ZZH. He has been around in the industry for over 10 years and he was a frequent poster on weibo. So a lot of things were documented, from his cringefail emo poetry about sad swans to updates on his injury and attempts at rehabilitating his knee. This stuff is well-documented and I don't get why some people are still falling for ZSJ's crap. ZZH made no secret about how he kept on trying and hoping to recover and get back to basketball, he was open about his regrets and he was open about the fact that there was no hope for him to get back to basketball and that he was transferring his passion to golf.

ZSJ doesn't even bother to edit in the surgery scars and yet people still keep falling for it. I don't even know anymore 💀

[heavenboy09]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊 TO YOU

1 OF THE GREATEST ICONS IN BASKETBALL 🏀🧔🏿👑 SINCE THE LEGENDARY MICHAEL JORDAN & SHAQUILLE O'NEIL

Born On December 30th, 1984

He is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed “King James,” he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in basketball history and is frequently compared to Michael Jordan in debates about the sport’s all-time best. James has won four NBA championships from 10 NBA Finals appearances, having made eight consecutive appearances between 2011 and 2018. He also won the inaugural NBA Cup in 2023 with the Lakers, three Olympic gold medals as a member of the U.S. national team, and the Olympics MVP in the 2024 Summer Olympics.

He was among Time's 100 most influential people in the world in 2005, 2013, 2017, and 2019 – the most selections for a professional athlete. James has won 20 ESPY Awards, hosted Saturday Night Live, and starred in the sports film Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021). He has been a part-owner of Liverpool F.C. since 2011 and leads the LeBron James Family Foundation, which has opened an elementary school, housing complex, retail plaza, and medical center in Akron, Ohio.

PLEASE WISH THIS AMERICAN BASKETBALL 🏀🧔🏿👑LEGEND IN THE MAKING OF THE 21ST CENTURY

A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊

YOU ALL HAVE ROOTED FOR HIM

YOU ALL SEEN HIM PLAY THE GAME 🎮 AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN

& HE IS STILL KING OF THE COURT 🧔🏿🏀👑

THE 1 & ONLY

MR. LEBRON RAYMONE JAMES AKA KING 👑 JAMES 🧔🏿🏀

HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊 TO YOU

KING JAMES 👑🧔🏿🏀 & HERE'S TO MANY MORE YEARS FOR YOU TO COME

#LeBronJames #KingJames #SpaceJamANewLegacy

[wrestlinghistorywithkay]

From The Sidelines To The Squared Circle: Wrestlers Who Were Once Cheerleaders

Hey Everyone! I am super excited about this article! I used to be an All Star Cheerleader and I wanted to do something fun involving cheerleading and wrestling . This article will be about wrestlers who were once cheerleaders.

Stacy Kiebler - The WWE Hall of Famer was once a cheerleader for the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens. Kiebler made the team when she was only 18 years old . Her cheer and dance experience would lead her to audition for the Nitro Girls , the dance troupe that would entertain the live crowds of WCW fans during TV commercial breaks. Her name for the group would be , Skye.

Carmella - Before she began her career in the WWE , Carmella was once a cheerleader for the NFL’s New England Patriots and in the NBA as a Lakers Girl for the Los Angeles Lakers. She cheered for the Lakers in 2011 and was a Patriots Cheerleader from 2007-2010. She was signed to WWE in 2013 and made her NXT Debut in 2014. She is the inaugural and second Ms. Money In The Bank , winner of the second Wrestlemania’s Women’s Battle Royal, former cast member of Total Divas , 1x Smackdown Women’s Champion and 1x Women’s Tag Team Champion alongside Queen Zelina ( Zelina Vega ).

Alexa Bliss- Little Miss Bliss was a former high school and All Star Cheerleader . She was even the cover girl for American Cheerleader Magazine in 2008. She even had her own article. Bliss was signed to WWE in 2013 and made her NXT debut the same year. She went to become a 3x RAW Women’s Champion, 2x Smackdown Women’s Champion, 3x Women’s Tag Team Champion ( 2 with Nikki Cross and 1 with Asuka ) , 2018 Women’s Money In The Bank Winner , 1x 24/7 Champion, and the 2nd Women’s Triple Crown Champion in WWE, with Bayley being the first.

Julia Hart - Julia was a two time cheerleading champion before she became a professional wrestler. She was signed to AEW in 2021 where she would become a manager to The Varsity Blondes ( Griff Garrison and Brian Pillman Jr ( Lexis King )). She would have a cheerleader gimmick before turning Heel on the Blondes after having mist sprayed into her eyes by Malakai Black. She joined the House of Black in 2022 and went on to become the youngest TBS Champion at 22 years old.

Maxxine Dupri - Maxxine Dupri was a Cheerleader for the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and a Dancer for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. She would attend a WWE tryout in 2021 and was signed the same year. In 2022, she made her NXT debut as a manager/valet alongside Robert Stone for Von Wagner. She would make her main roster debut the same year as the kayfabe younger sister of Max Dupri ( LA Knight) , and the ‘ Director of Talent ’ for the Heel stable , the Maximum Male Models. She would join Alpha Academy and made her in ring debut the same year after performing an Arm Drag on the valet of The Viking Raiders , Valhalla ( Sarah Logan).

Rebel - Tanea Brooks joined the Dallas Cowboys Cheeleaders at the age of 18 years old after being a member of dance team at the University of Tulsa , where she was student . She was also in a dance troupe alongside Christy Hemme. She was signed to TNA/Impact Wrestling in 2013 , making her in ring debut in 2014. She also managed The Dollhouse ( Marti Belle and Jade/Mia Yim/Michin). She was signed to AEW as a makeup artist in 2019 before making her TV debut alongside Britt Baker.

My Final Thoughts:

This was a fun article to do. As a former cheerleader myself , this was interesting to reasearch. I’m thinking of adding a Part 2 to this article.

Love You All,

-Kay

[turboacek-blog]

NBA 2020s: the USA vs World Era

In nba 2k the past two games they named 2010-14 the Lebron Era and the Steph era being apparently from 2017 to I’m guessing 2019?

There been some talk about the division and timeframe like would it not all be Lebron era for example or why specifically 3-5 years and so on like I would just say 15-19 to make it even with Lebron or just call it Lebron vs Curry era

But I want to discuss the current era of 2020-24 and potentially onwards

I want to call it the USA vs the World Era

Championships

Unlike the past decade the 2020s have had no repeat champions so can’t say a team dominated like Lebron Heat or Superteam Warriors

It’s been a different team each year and not in the 2010 way where every year has either Lebron or Steph in it

Something I noticed is that the main player of each team has been alternating between a U.S. player and a foreign player

2020: Lebron & AD (US)

2021: Giannis (World)

2022: Stephen (US)

2023: Jokic (World)

2024: Tatum & Brown (US)

So it’s been back and forth this decade so far and while we don’t know 2025 and on at this time if an era is 5 years like 2K did then this is a good frame to go off of

Foreign player dominance

Players such as Jokic Giannis and Embiid if you count him as foreign have won the past 5 MVP awards showing to at least a lot they have been the best players in the NBA

Not even counting Luka Doncic, Shai, and even Wemby now

And there has been a talking point about foreign players both positive and negative because of their dominance recently

To the point where the negative can be seen as xenophobic

Which has created a sort of USA players vs foreign player debate

Rivalry’s

While in a sense team rivalry’s are dead in the nba they’re are some player rivalries that make it a point touching on

Doncic vs Booker (Suns vs Mavs)

Doncic vs Kawhi/PG (Mavs vs Clippers)

Lakers vs Nuggets (Lebron vs Jokic) (I know those fans might deny it but they played three times in the playoffs in 5 years two of them in the conference finals and both teams are definitely trying harder against each other than others)

Bucks vs Heat (Heat with Butler has been one of those teams that stop the Giannis Bucks or at least give him trouble and they’re matchups in the post season has been consistent)

All these have a world player against a U.S. player

There’s other rivalries like Celtics vs Heat but these I feel are consistent and fit the theme in the past 5 years

Plus it’s a still a US dominated (in number of players) league so just lower odds for other rivalries with foreign players

Olympics

This isn’t technically the NBA but a big thing that occurred was the Olympics and is a good “finale” for this 5 year era

Not even discussing the “World Champions” / best in the world topic brought up by Noah Lyles

It was questioned if they could win Gold due to how much better a lot of countries have gotten and it was definitely tested in the 2024 Olympics

This while putting a pin in the U.S. vs World debate for Olympics since USA won, does bring up that when Lebron Steph & Durant retire the scales seemingly heavily tip in the worlds favor in some eyes going forward as it took 3 top 15 players ever to squeeze out those wins against the other top teams like Serbia and France

Plus other talking points like Tatum the recent nba champion barely playing, is Anthony Edwards ready to take over, and so on

Misc

Until 2022 the rising star game was USA vs World

There’s been a want for that to return and be applied to the main All Star game

More foreign players coming over to the NBA now more than before including top draft picks

NBA being more global by having games in Africa and other places in the world

If you include 2019 the champions were the Toronto raptors which is the only non US team in the NBA so while not led by a foreign player it is the “foreign” team and continues the back and forth pattern

All these make the aspect that narratively it’s been USA vs World players believable to me

I do think if a team like the Celtics repeat as champions it could skew some points here but overall at just these five years I prefer this than just calling it the Jokic Era because he has three mvps

Written Sep 19 2024

[wrestlingisfake]

Entertainment writer Matt Belloni has a column up about Warner Bros. Discovery's negotiations with AEW, saying Tony Khan is "disappointed" in WBD's current offer. The original article is behind a paywall but the Wrestling Observer website has a summary.

I don't know that this really means much, at this stage of the game. WBD has until July to finalize a deal before AEW is allowed to entertain offers from other companies. So it's not surprising to me that WBD would lowball AEW, or that AEW might act insulted by it--both sides know they have weeks to change their tune. It's like trying to figure out which promotion a wrestler will sign with before they enter free agency--they have everything to gain by making everyone wait to see what they'll do.

I don't even think Belloni would be covering AEW except that it's part of the larger story about David Zaslav's controversial approach to running WBD. The vibe I get is that people think WBD will underbid for the NBA, and that letting the NBA go will be a massive fuck-up, on top of other fuck-ups like cancelling completed movies and TV series for tax write-offs. At this point it seems like Zaslav is more interested in reducing costs than in spending money to grow the product. But I dunno, maybe he'll surprise me.

If TK shops AEW around, I think he'll find a good deal. Maybe not the deal he wants. But I have to think somebody will pay big money to put AEW's old shows on a streaming service, and somebody will pay good money to put 3-5 hours of AEW TV on the air every week. On the other hand, I remember one time WWE once turned down USA's best offer to explore outside bids, and they ended up quietly going back to USA, presumably because no one made a better offer, so they had to settle for what they could get.

The worst case scenario, I think, is a new TV deal that's a step down from what AEW got in 2019. That is, I could see them getting less money and having to do budget cuts, and the show would have fewer top stars, and a smaller roster, and look less major-league. Fans wouldn't be happy about it. But the even worse scenarios, where AEW hits rock bottom like TNA in 2015, or shuts down altogether, are unrealistic.

[warningsine]

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Coyotes are officially headed to Salt Lake City.

The NHL Board of Governors voted unanimously Thursday to approve a $1.2 billion sale from Alex Meruelo to Utah Jazz owners Ryan and Ashley Smith, clearing the way for the franchise’s move to Utah next season.

The deal includes a provision for Arizona to get an expansion team if a new arena is built within the next five years. The deal will be facilitated through the NHL, with $200 million going to league owners as a relocation fee.

“We expressed our interest publicly with the NHL,” Ryan Smith told The Associated Press. “It’s probably been two years where we’ve said, ‘Hey, look, we really believe Utah can be an incredible hockey town.’ You look at all the demographics, we were just talking about the Olympics and you think about the Olympics coming back. It all kind of made sense.”

Smith will take over the franchise’s hockey operations and Meruelo will maintain his business operations in Arizona in an effort to secure and develop a tract of land for a new arena in north Phoenix.

Meruelo also retains ownership of the Tucson Roadrunners, the franchise’s AHL affiliate, and hopes to move them to Mullett Arena, the Coyotes’ temporary home shared with Arizona State University the past two seasons. He plans to pay back the $1 billion once an expansion team is approved.

“The NHL’s belief in Arizona has never wavered,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. “We thank Alex Meruelo for his commitment to the franchise and Arizona, and we fully support his ongoing efforts to secure a new home in the desert for the Coyotes. We also want to acknowledge the loyal hockey fans of Arizona, who have supported their team with dedication for nearly three decades while growing the game.”

Meruelo will retain the Coyotes’ name, logo and trademark, so Smith’s group will have to rename the team. The team will play at Delta Center, home of the Jazz, until a new arena can be built.

“We’ll start with Utah on the jersey and we’ll figure out the logo and everything else, and what it is that we are, but that’s a one-way door,” Smith said. “You’ve got to do it once. And with this timeline, I think both the league feels better and we feel better to just run the process and then we’ll drop it when we drop it.”

The sale ends the Coyotes’ long-running bid to find a permanent home.

The franchise shared an arena with the NBA’s Phoenix Suns after relocating from Winnipeg, moved to Glendale and ended up at Mullett Arena when the city of Glendale backed out of a lease agreement.

Meruelo had been adamant about not wanting to sell the team despite receiving numerous offers since buying the team in 2019. When an auction for the land in north Phoenix got pushed back to June, the Coyotes had no guarantee a deal for a new arena would go through.

With the NHL and players’ association hesitant for the Coyotes to play at 5,000-seat Mullett Arena for a third season, Meruelo opted to sell the team, his focus shifting to the new arena and expansion team.

“I agree with Commissioner Gary Bettman and the National Hockey League, that it is simply unfair to continue to have our players, coaches, hockey front office, and the NHL teams they compete against, spend several more years playing in an arena that is not suited for NHL hockey,” Meruelo said in a statement. “But this is not the end for NHL hockey in Arizona. I have negotiated the right to reactivate the team within the next five years, and have retained ownership of the beloved Coyotes name, brand and logo. I remain committed to this community and to building a first-class sports arena and entertainment district without seeking financial support from the public.”

The Coyotes played their final game in Arizona on Wednesday night, a 5-2 win over the playoff-bound Edmonton Oilers. The players celebrated on the ice with team personnel and a few handed their sticks over the glass to fans, who chanted “We love you Coy-otes!”

“It’s tough to take it all in,” Coyotes rookie forward Logan Cooley said. “A lot of noise, a lot of personal stuff and obviously the organization, you hear you’re going one spot then you’re going to the next spot. We’ve done a good job in this locker room focusing on keeping out the noise and getting better as a team, striving to be the team we want to be one day.”

Officials from Salt Lake City and the city’s 2034 Olympic bid supported Smith’s attempt to bring hockey to Utah, giving the state two major professional franchises.

“This announcement is about more than bringing an NHL team to Salt Lake City — it’s a defining moment in our trajectory, becoming a catalyst for a positive vision that integrates community, connection, and more possibilities for families, residents, and visitors to experience our capital city,” Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said in a statement. “I’m thankful for the close partnership with Ryan & Ashley Smith, and the entire SEG team. This is the beginning of a new era that will generate exciting opportunities for our communities, amplify pride and unlock new potential in our downtown core.”

___

[laresearchette]

Monday, April 01, 2024 Canadian TV Listings (Times Eastern)

WHERE CAN I FIND THOSE PREMIERES?: VANDERPUMP VILLA (Disney + Star) THE SYNANON FIX (HBO Canada) 9:00pm

WHAT IS NOT PREMIERING IN CANADA TONIGHT?: 2024 iHeartRadio MUSIC AWARDS (FOX Feed) LOVERS AND LIARS (CW Feed) ALL AMERICAN (Premiering on April 08 on Showcase at 8:00pm)

NEW TO AMAZON PRIME CANADA/CBC GEM/CRAVE TV/DISNEY + STAR/NETFLIX CANADA:

AMAZON PRIME CANADA ALLAN QUATERMAIN & THE LOST CITY OF GOLD AT CLOSE RANGE BLAME IT ON RIO BLOODSPORT BREATHLESS BULLETPROOF MONK CASINO CLASS DARK BLUE DARK ANGEL DR. SEUSS’ THE CAT IN THE HAT EYE OF THE NEEDLE FLAWLESS FLESH+BLOOD HARLEY DAVIDSON AND THE MARLBORO MAN KOYAANISQATSI THE LAST WALTZ LOL: CHI RIDE E FUORI (Season 4) MOBY DICK NOT WITHOUT MY DAUGHTER THE PARTY ROLLING THUNDER TOP GEAR (Seasons 14-25) THE TRAIN VALLEY GIRL VAMPIRE’S KISS WARCRAFT WHITE NIGHT

CBC GEM DYLAN’S PLAYTIME ADVENTURES

CRAVE TV LITTLE JESUS THE SYNANON FIX (Season 1, Episode 1)

DISNEY + STAR VANDERPUMP VILLA (Three-Episode Premiere)

NETFLIX CANADA THE MAGIC PRANK SHOW WITH JUSTIN WILLMAN

CURLING (TSN/TSN5) 8:00am: LGT World Men's Curling Championship: Canada vs. Italy

NHL HOCKEY (SN) 7:00pm: Panthers vs. Leafs (SN Now) 9:00pm: Oilers vs. Blues (TSN3) 9:00pm: Kings vs. Jets

MLB BASEBALL (SN1) 8:00pm: Jays vs. Pirates (SN Now) 10:00pm: Giants vs. Dodgers

NBA BASKETBALL (SN Now) 8:00pm: Suns vs. Pelicans

MURDOCH MYSTERIES (CBC) 8:00pm: After a man dies in a drunken brawl at the Starbright Lounge, Murdoch's suspect is another detective.

WARDENS OF THE NORTH (Discovery Canada) 8:00pm (SERIES PREMIERE): Conservation officers crack down on boaters not complying with the law; a routine fishing patrol has officers tracking down over-the-limit anglers; a kayaker is reminded that lifejackets work best when worn, even when close to home.

SOCIAL MEDIA MURDERS (T&E) 8:00pm (SERIES PREMIERE): Alex Rodda, a 15-year-old teenager, is murdered by 18-year-old Matthew Mason in December 2019, six weeks after they first exchange messages via social media.

SECRETS IN THE ICE (Super Chanel Fuse) 8:00pm (SEASON PREMIERE): A grim discovery in a Swedish lake reveals ancient practices; in the Canadian Arctic, the fossil of a previously unknown mammal is found; bizarre ice formations in the Antarctic Ocean; a discovery off the east coast of Canada.

BELGRAVIA: THE NEXT CHAPTER (CBC) 9:00pm (SEASON FINALE): As Frederick grieves the loss of Clara, Enright receives a letter that pushes Frederick to confront his past; Clara and Davison adapt to life in the North, as Clara grapples with happy memories of home.

OUTBACK OPAL HUNTERS (Discovery Canada) 9:00pm (SEASON PREMIERE): The Bushmen bring in an explosives expert to blast through the toughest rock in Grawin; plus, a brand-new team brings cutting edge technology to the opal fields.

SPOOKED IRELAND (DTour) 9:00pm (SERIES PREMIERE): The team ventures to Charleville Castle, where they face a multitude of spirits who seem to have turned against the castle's current occupants by trapping them in cupboards and keeping them up at night with screams and singing.

EXPEDITION X (Discovery Canada) 10:00pm (SEASON PREMIERE): Phil and Jess explore the world's most haunted forest near the site of the Dracula legend and where Josh Gates had his most terrifying experience; during a night investigation, Jess finds herself being watched by someone or something sinister.

THE PLAYBOY MURDERS (Investigation Discovery) 10:00pm (SEASON PREMIERE): In the late '90s, Playboy twins Sandy and Mandy Bentley's fame soars until an affair with a Vegas High Roller leads to a fall from fame, stolen jewels, a shadowy buyer and a brutal double murder in the Hollywood hills.

MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA (CTV Life) 10:00pm (SEASON PREMIERE): A group of 12 home cooks will compete with 12 former contestants.

MURDER AT MY DOOR WITH KYM MARSH (documentary) 10:00pm/11:00pm (SERIES PREMIERE): The story of 17-year-old Thomas Griffiths, who killed his girlfriend and arranged the crime scene to look like a suicide after she broke up with him. In Episode Two, 19-year-old Mundill Mahil lures a young TV executive to his death in an act of revenge following an attempted rape six months earlier.