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iove33 · 1 year ago

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Assassination (part 2 ) 😜

Killua x reader😍

Your pov 😘:

You had just gotten home and to you apartment you open the door locking it behind you *ding * *ding * *ding* you open your phone to see your group chat you had sent them your location and what time it was when you left telling them that you would be home around 9 and you text them if you were out a little later .

They weren’t very concerned though they just wanted to know how the date went (it was amazing HES SO FINW😍) was your response smiling at the text walking to your bed were you store your shoes under you took of your shoes first then walked to the bathroom to brush your hair and teeth and wash off your make up then doing you skin care routine.

“Finally done 😊” you smile to yourself happy to be going to bed “shit…” you had promised your cat a treat she has separation anxiety so you got back out of bed calling him and giving him a treat and some cat zaza (cat nip ) to calm him down “alright come on baby “ you picked him up setting him gently on the bed getting in she snuggled into the crook of you arms and neck you fell asleep after setting your alarm after work your going to the carnival with your friends Kenzy , Maddie, and Chloe .

Killua’s pov :🇺🇸

I drove her home and leaned my head against the headrest my heart was beating she looked like a godess I would warship her if she asked the way her hair framed her face and the way her eyes lit up when a topic she liked arose if I could I would marry her there I know it’s fast but I knew I’d liked her sense that night .

I drove home and unlocked the door sitting there in front was my horror movie looking brother. Of course he’s here “ why is your creepy ass here ?” I ask “ I heard you sent someone’s money back our zoldick pride is not turning down assassinations without good reason “ he said sharply “ it’s my list my desision.” I replied “ now get out I’m tired “

He left though he’d probably be back I went to bed after changing into pajamas.

Your pov :🤑

You woke up to your alarm half asleep you got yourself out of bed and got dressed you wore a green shirt it was a draw string crop too and a v-neck to and black yoga pants (if you don’t wanna wear that idc chose wtv) and grabbed your bag that you were bringing to the carnival and headed out the door putting your shoes on.

(Time skip to after work ) you clocked out and left saying bye to your work friends. *ringggggg* *ringgggg* “ istg if you don’t answer …” I mutter under my breath “hello! “ she answered “ are you on your way to pick me uppp” I ask “ yep just got kenzy and Chloe on my way for you !” She says “okkk.. “ I whine .5 minutes later she arrives and I hope in shot gun my pookie saved my spot 😻🫶 “ok let go bitches “ and we left to the carnival 🎡

“Let go we’re here “Chloe says I hope out and help kenzy out who was sitting behind me “ let’s go to the snack shop first !” I say “ oh shit I left my air pods in the car do you mind getting them for me ?” Kenzy said I glare her and walk off heading towards the car I already had the keys sense I had a big bag I walked of but standing there was killua he said he couldn’t go with me and my friends but there he was I walked up to him and …

Killua’s pov : 👻after a couple months of hanging out I knew I wanted her so I told her I couldn’t go with her and her friends and went to the mall I picked up the flowers I had ordered and a custom neck lace ( idk for y’all but my mom always said promise rings were bad luck for break ups ) and got in my car I went to the dollar tree I got a big ass basket of candy and drinks and left for her I found were her friends told me the car was and waited for her .

Your pov : 😈

He turned around with an arm full of treats I looked at him questioningly and then a burst of words blurred out of him mouth “ y/n! I’m in love with you will you be my gf ! “ he asked squeezing his eyes shut in suspense “no?.. I MEANT YES ! YES I WILL “ you say I’m hope of redeem the no he handed you the basket and put the necklace on you pulling you into a kiss the necklace had your initials together in a heart “I love you “ he says looking into you bottomless eyes “ I love you to “.

Idek so yea here’s part two pookie a im necver going to proofread so you get cringe and badly spelt stuff 😈

#my pronouns r USA 🦅🦅🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸KAHHH

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mostweakhamlets · 4 years ago

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Tedious Turning of Pages and Toys

Bea is a somewhat successful lawyer, co-parent, and divorcee whose son befriends the new girl at school with a hot aunt. Crowley is the most doting parent in the world to make up for the fact that he's never been in a committed relationship with his daughter's other father.

Together, they carpool and provide healthy snacks at Sports Day with healthy doses of bitching in between.

Read on AO3 | Posted first on Patreon

Thursday

Bea woke up to silence, which hadn’t happened in over 6 years.

At first, they thought that maybe they had woken up in the middle of the night. They thought this with a little joy, knowing they could roll over and get maybe another three hours of sleep. Maybe four. They curbed their enthusiasm at five hours. They hadn’t had more than five hours of sleep in years.

But there was a nagging feeling underneath, chewing at their stomach. Maybe they had slept through their alarm, and they were hours late to work and Cain was hours late to school.

It was silly, they thought. They had an extra cup of coffee the day before. The caffeine was keeping them up.

But they opened their eyes. And saw light through a gap in their curtains.

“Shit.”

They grabbed their phone off their nightstand. Their alarm, annoyingly, was set to 6:00 pm.

“Shit.”

They had 20 minutes to get themselves and Cain dressed, fed, groomed, and out the door. It could be worse, they thought. 20 minutes was enough time to throw on clothes and shove a granola bar at Cain. They could eat at their office—their desk had an abundance of processed foods stored away inside it—and brush their hair in the car, then their teeth in the office bathroom.

And if there wasn’t time to detangle Cain’s hair or scrub his face free od crumbs, well, little boys were supposed to be messy. No one would look at a little boy with untidy hair and think, “That’s quite unusual.” Especially when dirt and bugs seemed attracted to them like a magnet. It was a rule of the universe. Little boys get to be messy without judgment.

“Cain, get up. We overslept.” Cain whined when Bea turned the lights on and threw his blankets off of him. “Come on. Get your uniform on.”

The six-year-old boy sat up with a scowl that rivaled his zaza’s. Bea was pleased that he had inherited that from them even if most of the time he was a walking ball of sunshine. They had no idea where that came from with a zaza like them and a father like Gabriel.

“Come on. Trousers. Shirt.”

Cain was a spitting image of Bea. He had their blue eyes and dark, unruly hair. Everyone had said that it was a shame he didn’t look more like Gabriel—specifically, that he didn’t get Gabriel’s purple eyes. Bea usually snapped in response, “They’re not purple actually. They’re just a really odd shade of gray. And Cain would probably get bullied if he had purple eyes, so it’s best they came out blue, isn’t it?”

Every night for the past four years, Bea rejoiced in the fact that Cain looked so little like Gabriel.

Once he was in his little school uniform and running off to the bathroom, Bea returned to their own room with a prayer that they had an outfit for the day. Laundry day had been skipped when Cain needed supplies from the craft store for a project on Tuesday and the skipped again when Bea desperately needed a nap on Wednesday.

They pulled their last top out of the closet and grabbed a somewhat-clean pair of trousers from the chair in the corner. It would have to do. Laundry could be done that night when they got home. It would need to get done. Cain was running dangerously low on clean pants.

“Zaza!”

A distressed voice came from the bathroom as Bea shook out the jacket they had worn every day that week.

“What is it?” they called back.

“Zaza!”

Bea sighed. “One minute!”

While tucking their top into their trousers, they began to make their way to the bathroom where Cain was yelling. Their phone buzzing behind them stopped them and forced them to turn on their heel.

They didn’t want a call. They wanted to get Cain in his shoes and backpack and out the door.

“What do you want?”

“I have a huge favor to ask of you.” On the other end of the phone, Anthony Crowley sounded hoarse and tired, and Bea knew where the conversation was going. “Can you pick up Eden and take her to school?”

“Are you serious?”

“I have that bug that’s going around. I can’t take her.”

Bea took a moment to breathe in deeply. There was no time to get angry even if Crowley made their ears ring and heart race.

“Only if Cain gets picked up with Eden today.”

“Fine. Zira’s doing pick up. I’ll let him know.”

Bea didn’t like leaving Cain in the care of Zira. He was the only man to make Bea see red just by existing.

Cain learned bad things from him. Like to be nice to everyone regardless of what they do. And to always turn the other cheek when wronged. Bea didn’t want Cain to become a push-over. They wanted him to stand his ground and have the balls to tell people what he really thought of them. The world didn’t need any overly-friendly kindness.

And Zira wasn’t even a totally kind person. He was passive-aggressive and spiteful and hid behind his nice guy persona to maintain his holier-than-thou complex.

Bea dwelled on this as they brushed a knot out of Cain’s hair.

“We have to leave a bit earlier to pick up Eden,” they said. And then, mostly to themselves, “It takes only five minutes to get to their house, but it’s in the opposite direction from school. So, it’ll take 15 minutes instead of 10 to get to school. We’d have to leave Crowley’s house at 7:45 to get to school on time. Which means we have to leave here at 7:40. Which is…” Bea looked at their phone. “5 minutes ago.”

Bea rushed Cain through the rest of their morning routines. They brushed his teeth quickly (they had a spare toothbrush and travel-sized toothpaste in their work bag for mornings like these) and shoved shoes onto feet. Bea rutted around in the glove department in their car on their way to Crowley’s house until they found an abandoned energy bar that resembled a brick under a napkin and an empty bottle of pain relievers.

“Eat that.” Cain happily began to. “I’ll get Eden.”

Crowley answered the door in his robe and childless. He was pale, and his hair was pulled into a messy bun.

“Where is she? We’re late?”

Crowley leaned in the doorway. “Didn’t you get my text?”

“No. I was trying to leave my house so I could tote your child off to school on time. I didn’t look at my texts. Why would I look at my texts?”

“Eden’s sick, too. She vomited on her uniform. I called her off—”

Bea was already storming away. They stopped half-way down the walkway and turned back around.

“Can Zira still pick up Cain?”

“Yeah, sure.”

Bea wrinkled their nose when they imagined Cain walking home with him, probably being asked about the best parts of his day and being praised when Zira heard he shared a snack.

“You know, forget it. I’ll get him on my break.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I’m pretty sure.”

There was no way they were going to make it to school or work on time now. All because of the diseased Crowleys. All because they had tossed their phone into the bottom of their bag rather than their jacket pocket as they usually did.

“Where’s Eden?” Cain asked, mouth covered in chocolate (did the energy bar have chocolate in it?), when Bea slid back into the car.

“Eden’s ill.” Bea threw the car into reverse. “She’s bloody ill.”

Crowley waited until Eden was sound asleep before he called Zira. He brushed her red hair away from her feverish brow while the phone rung.

While his stomach had calmed with a cup of tea, Eden only wanted the comfort of her father to cure her ills. And who was Crowley to deny her that when he knew that a good cuddle was the best medicine?

“Anthony?”

“Hey, angel.”

“What’s the matter? You sound ill.”

Crowley smiled. Zira was so intuitive. “I am. And so is Eden. I was just letting you know that you don’t have to pick her up from school today. Or probably tomorrow. We’re taking the rest of the week off.”

“Poor things.”

“You don’t have to have her this weekend, either. I’ll keep her here.”

There was a pause before Zira spoke again. “I don’t feel like I have to have her.”

“Yeah. But you get the weekend off, either way.”

“It’s not like she’s a kid I’m babysitting. She’s my daughter.”

“I know. I know. I just mean… it’ll be a nice break, you know? Just you and yourself.”

“I like having her.”

“I know you do.”

“I look forward to our weekends together. If she’s ill, then keep her home. But I never feel like I have to look after her.”

Crowley rubbed Eden’s back. She was the best thing to ever happen to either of them. They adored her, and she was doted on every minute they had her.

If anything, she was the main reason Zira and Crowley maintained their weird-somewhat-relationship-thing. Co-parenting allowed for phone calls and texts and dinners. They went to school programs and did shopping for Christmases and birthdays together. They alternated whose house they did holidays at and occasionally took trips out of London. They had dozens of pictures of the three of them at beaches and in little shops and cafes. Crowley couldn’t have asked for a better co-parent/sometimes-boyfriend.

But Crowley felt that sometimes Zira didn’t know what to do with her. He had confessed once that he was paralyzed with fear the first he had her one his own. She was just a baby, and he barely left her side. Even at night, he slept in a chair next to her crib with everything she could possibly need on standby.

“She’s not a chore,” Aziraphale said. “She’s my daughter.”

“Yeah.”

Aziraphale continued to struggle as she got older. He tended to spoil her with anything she wanted—too afraid to say no in fear that she would develop any resentment towards him. When Crowley said bedtime was at 8, Aziraphale would let her stay up until 8:30. When Crowley told her no sweets too close to dinner, Aziraphale would sneak whatever she wanted to her.

Crowley thought of it less as parenting and more of an anxious attempt to be Eden’s friend, which left him in the dangerous position of being the strict parent.

“If you’d like, you could always pick her up from school Monday,” Crowley said.

“I’d love to, but I’m working late Monday.”

“Right.”

“But maybe we could all have dinner then if you’re both feeling up to it. I’ll cook.”

“Sounds good.”

“I’ll let you two rest. Feel better. Give Eden a kiss for me.”

“Will do, angel.”

#good omens #ineffable parents #my fics #ttpt

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xradinoxinterloperx · 5 years ago

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Vs Cp2 - Trip off (draft teaser)

Roughly translated English fragment of the beggining of the second chapter im writting in my Vaggie centred fanfic.

Characters: Angel Dust, Niffty, Vaggie. Alastor, Charlie (minor appearences)

- What horse crap is this! - Angel complained- the interhell (Internet) also exists down here for something, ya know? i never agreed to this.

-Come on, it's just hand out some papers, we're not asking much of you! - Vaggie answered by his side trying not to lose his composure .

a speeding car in a corner flew one of the papers on Angel’s face and worse, splashed him with water from the drains. Vaggie evaded spatter receding, Niffty, who was also with them, jumped aside to grab the papers she was carrying so that they also did not fly away, evading the water by chance and lack of height.

The spider growled hysterically, taking out a paper from his face then curshing it in his hand

- This stinks ...

Niffty looked at him containing herself, although her legs and arms were shaking. Charlie had friendely nag her several times when she throw herself on top of any guest or hotel member to remove any small stain or crumbs that she noticed on their clothes or body. Considering that, slowly the little cyclops took out a white handkerchief and asked calmly, almost shy .

- Oh, Angel, do you need me to clean you a little?

- If you want, I don't think you do much with…. Hey wait!

Niffty had thrown herself on him and rubbed him frantically, causing the spider to barely stand by the tickling. When Niffty reacted and stopped, Angel was as clean as before being splashed and Niffty's handkerchief was absolutely brown.

- Oh, I'm sorry - The little girl apologized.

Angel looked surprised and just ended up combing his hair a bit.

-Mmm ... I can't complain about the results ... Thanks honey. - Angel rubbed the head of Niffty who smiled at her with all her teeth back satisfied with herself. Vaggie also smiled a little behind them, then cleared her voice.

- Well, let's continue with this, the sooner we finish with this pamphlets, tickets and lists, the better for everyone.

Angel eyerolled resignedly and followed.

The Organization for the meeting and presentation at the hotel continued. First Charlie and Alastor had dreamed big about making it open to everyone, but soon Vaggie made them realize that something so public could be too chaotic and uncomfortable. Something The Overlords that had agreed to go (Mainly Stolas, and other feathered ones, plus Lucifer) might find unpleasant. And annoying the "Nobility" of hell could not only cause things to fail, but that the people who attended were at risk of dying.

So they had decided that the assistance will be based on limited tickets or quota lists that will be distributed to some key sites in the city for those interested. Alastor had insisted that they be tickets, pamphlets and conventional tickets, even if it was outdated, for several reasons. First because the digital media were influenced and monitored by the Overlord Vox, who could intrude on or sabotage anything digitally published, even more being a rival of Alastor himself. When everyone commented that they could probably easily damage the papers they distributed as well, Alastor said that it would make the papers not so easy to break and that even if they discarded most of the papers distributed, then the people who would come would be the one really interested or as he remarked , "Desperate enough to come," and that he would make sure, that those who will sign the ticket lists really "would" come. Vaggie understood that as something related to his powers and his reputation as a deal maker, probably his powers would force the ones enrolled to attend.

She was not 100% sure of any of this, or the way to attract public or the meeting itself, but without better ideas, she did not oppose. Again, more than anything she did this for Charlie. After all, what was the great presentation they would make at the hotel? They honestly had no results yet to surprise anyone. But Charlie was already rehearsing a speech for presentations with Alastor, and she seemed to think she would do better than the first time in her presentation at the news station with Katie Killjoy. Vaggie supported her mainly for another reason, because Charlie would see her parents again, whose relationship had been deteriorating due to their absence for a long time now. Although Lilith had said to support that her daughter had initiative with her idea of the hotel. After giving them that old building, she had known little more about her or Lucifer.

On hard days and nights where things were not going well, and even Charlie's mood could not cope with everything, sometimes she realized that The Princess was hiding or leaving the hotel, only to find a corner where to call her mother secretly . And for a long time it seemed that most of the time Lilith seemed not to answer her and not return calls. Then, Charlie had to gather the little mood she had to at least console herself by leaving a presentable voice message to her mother, telling something that especially bothered her but always wanting to pretend that she would get over it anyway and that everything was going well. Before the Last time, when Vaggie asked, Charlie had even lied to her, pretending she had talked to her mother on the phone. She knew Charlie didn't do it with bad intention, I did it because I didn't want to feel weak and useless in revealing being ignored. She felt guilty for the rejection she felt. The last one had been even worse, she had listened to her, running the water to cover his sobs and trying unsuccessfully to leave a message, 2 or 3 times ... Until she broke and resigned. She had not been able to bear it and had entered the bathroom just to hug her, to repeat her tiressly "It's not your fault, You're not a failure." Seeing her like this broke her heart, so she understood how important this reunion would be at the party for her. She would have bet that Zaza would know what to say, to overcome and not suffer so much the shadow of her parents, if only Charlie knew her and grow fond of her.

Now, while that memory crossed her mind, Vaggie approached with the remaining tickets, lists and pamphlets near the bar "Los Condenados." In the following days she had not had the opportunity to go back to the bar, although Charlie had shown interest in meeting the place. Surely Zaza, Vic and company would agree to go to the meeting and behave. The Moth Demon approached the place, it was about 5 p.m. on the clock in hell. The Bar sign moved slightly as usual, but the site was silent and there was no one, it was closed. They should open only at dusk. She approached the door anyway, and ran under it some of her papers, optimistic. A voice behind her surprised her.

-¿Que Hacés?

The imposing and elongated figure of Maria was behind her, carrying market bags in 4 of her 6 arms, her long serpentine body stretching down the steps leading to the entrance.

-Oh. hola Maria- Greeted Vaggie.

Maria watched her be, tilting her head aside for a moment, until finally recognizing her.

- Oh, it's you.- she said not very sure- Vic's friend, mmm ... Vac, Vig ...

- Vaggie ... - she clarified in a good mood.

- Yes, sorry. What are you doing here? We don't open until later. - Maria said in her neutral tone and straight to the point.

- Yes, I imagined, but hey, I thought maybe Zaza would be interested in giving some of these for me - Vaggie said approaching and offering her the pamphlest, having to stretch and make the Serpent lean down to take it, seeing that her 4 lower arms were occupied with the bags.

Maria took a quick look. Vaggie offered help with a bag but the huge demon denied carefree, Vaggie continued explaining.

It is an event that we will do, nothing too big, but it will be a presentation of the project we have, and we will accept certain amount of Invited Guest. Maybe they want to come, we have a good lobby and bar to hang out, it will be fun with Zaza and Vic there.

Maria smiled a little looking at the paper. Vaggie felt somewhat beaten when she felt a hint of irony in her smirk smile, but at least she wasn't laughing, throwing the papaers out or making fun of them like most places they were tyring to deliver the papers.

- Well, it will surely be something interesting, but I don't know how lucky you are with us. The Bar opens every day and Vic left the city again, I don't know for so long.

Vaggie couldn't help looking down with some discouragement.

-Oh ...

Maria encouraged her by speaking somewhat condescending.

- But fear not, I will accept some tickets and that list. Zaza sure will leave them in sight, although I cannot assure you that our clientele will be interested in this.

- I would really appreciate that Maria, Muchas Gracias.

- No Hay de que. Zaza is also shopping for the bar, Otherwise I would tell you to wait for her, she would love to see you. Let's see when you come with us again.

Vaggie appreciated the gesture of the imposing Bouncer. They shared a few more positive words before Vaggie said goodbye to the reserved Maria. A shame not to have shared a little more time in the bar, she really wish for that today. Spreading the pamphlets, tickets and lists had been a challenge, and even a test of temper and redemption for the trio. Most sinful demons still gave a damn about the hotel and its cause. Some of them directly did not even let the pamphlets hang because in the proximity of their home or bussines, or they would use them as toilet paper. In some places where they were distributed, then they saw them flying through the streets almost minutes after leaving them there. It was frustrating, but Vaggie noticed something hopeful in all that boomer. While she was collecting thrown tickets, she saw people in the alleys, the poorest and most miserable ragged demons, take some of the thrown tickets. Hell was no place for weakness and perhaps the most miserable would be the most suitable to accept at the meeting, although perhaps they would have to be separated from the VIPS and only went for food, what would be more redeeming than taking the most helpless demons ? She hated to admit it but Alastor was right about that of the most Desperate biting the hook.

Even going down the steps near the bar, Vaggie thought about where to start looking for her other two companions, she didn't see them for a long time when they separated. Surprisingly she found Niffty not far from where she was and apparently free of his papers.

-Niffty! - she smiled surprised - you have no papers left?

The last time she had seen her, Niffty had had the great idea of using her small size and speed for, seeing that no one would take the papers from her hands even if she offered them to screams, just run around people without being noticed, and leave the tickets and pamphlets in their pockets, clothes, hair, ears, mouths, stick pamphlets on their backs without being noticed and things like that, although it had not always worked out well.

- Yeap!, Angel had a very good idea of how to make demons take the tickets and he already gave all that I had left! Now he is with the rest.

Vaggie grimaced not very convinced, a "Oh No" was already ringing in her head, thinking what madness would the spider had planned. And it would always be something worse than she could imagine.

In a corner of one of the main streets, wagging and lifting the short dress and flirting provocatively. A spider with long white hair and exquisite makeup was offering to those who passed, with a sign next to it that said "Take a ticket and have a sample of Angel Sugar" The Premise was simple, Angel had the tickets hidden in different parts of his body, and whoever wanted to touch for free had to accept one of the papers. The thing had gone very well since every pervert that happened to pass by did take one and most seemed to be complying with the premise, at least for now. Like Drag Queen, Angel was giving a pretty effective show, although he had to put some idiot in their place ...

- ANGEL WHAT THE FUCK? - Roared Vaggie clenching her teeth and with her eye on fire. The spider got distracted and turned. Niffty looked all innocent next to Vaggie.

- What Toots? is working, you told me we had to be witty, right? And I know what people want... - said the spider taking the fur that made up his colorful breasts.

. YOU'RE NOT GIVING TICKETS FOR A FUCKING CABARET!

- Oh, quit yapping...

While Angel turned from his view to the street to talk to Vaggie, a colorful pink limousine parked behind him on the side of the street.

- ... Maybe if you showed a little sugar you would also do better, I could show you how ...

Before Angel could react, one of the car's windows came down and one hand took an arm of the spider , immediately the car would start speeding dragging Angel with him.

- Angel! - Vaggie shouted helplessly, while the car accelerated down the street.

The Strong arm dragged Angel inside, in the sudden movement he finished with his wig covering his eyes.

-Hey! What the fuck is going on? - Angel exclaimed until he could finally tear off his wig and look around.

In front of him, with his intimidating face and looking angrily at him, he recognized his "Boss".

Valentino ... - he suddenly exclaimed calming his tone.

The Pimp only responded by frowning more, with his arms crossed.

- Hello Angie. - A sweet girly voice beside him exclaimed taking one of his arms

Angel opened his eyes wide.

Velvet? - He said after seeing the dark and cunning face of the smiling Overlord, immediately noticed his own voice and smiled -... dear ...

#hazbin hotel #hazbin ocs #hazbin hotel fanfic #angel #niffty #vaggie #angel fanfic #hazbin fanfic

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junker-town · 6 years ago

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Kevin Durant is STILL arguing with randos on Instagram

He just can’t help himself lol.

Like a moth to a flame, so too is the allure of arguing with random people irresistible to Kevin Durant. It’s been just over a month since Durant purportedly got into it with someone on Instagram who baited him, and now it’s happened again.

Kevin Durant really took his time to discuss with me the weakest move in NBA history. (1/8) KD still top 2 in this league. pic.twitter.com/K6IQnBDNS0

— Basilio Reyes ♛ (@bjaysowavy) September 4, 2018

We can’t be 100 percent certain this was actually KD, but all signs point to it being accurate. @bjaysowavy on Twitter posted screenshots of his conversation with Durant, and included a video of him swiping to his DM’s to prove this actually happened and wasn’t just worked up in Photoshop.

To save you the time of clicking through every photo here’s the exchange:

Reyes: KD, how you sleep at nights knowing you ruined the league and your 3 rings mean nothing??? Must be tuff

KD: Nah I sleep really well at nights

Reyes: Don’t lie bruh. You joing (sic) Steph Curry. The n**** who beat you in the WCF. Weak ass move.

KD: I know. I still get good sleep.

Reyes: I respect your honesty

KD: You still mad?

Reyes: Win a ring by your own. You still a top 2 in the league. Im not mad. But I hated that move.

KD: Stop hating lol. It had nothing to do with u.

Reyes: Be honest, do you regret that move?

KD: Why would I?

Reyes: Cause you’re waisting (sic) your prime years winning rings that means nothing in GSW.

KD: How am I wasting anything?

Reyes: Playing in GSW next to Steph Curry.

KD: We play well together.

Reyes: You were 1 quarter away of beating him. Lebron would never do that.

KD: Yeah he did. With wade, who was a monster himself. And they played well together and became one of the best duos ever. I don’t see a problem.

Reyes: Lebron never joined the enemy.

KD: We have no enemies lol. The media created that bs. We all grew up playing with and against each other. It’s a respect, not a hate.

Reyes: But he Never joined the team that beat him.

KD: My Pride doesn’t get in the way of my development.

Reyes: You chose the easy route I guess.

KD: Nothing this good is ever easy.

Reyes: Tell me one challenge you’ve had playing in GSW. It’s all easy over there.

KD: What’s easy?

Reyes: Man Warriors have the West All Stars in the starting lineup.

KD: Boogie hasn’t played a minute with us yet. Calm down.

Reyes: Well. So you have 4 of the West All Star. You want Lebron?

KD: He’s good in LA.

Reyes: I could play the 5 and yall winning by 30.

KD: We losing by 30 with u in the lineup. Who can you guard in the nba?

Reyes: I can definitely guard Zaza Pachulia.

KD: Hell no.

Reyes: You won two rings with the cat.

KD: I know. The league is better than its ever been.

Reyes: HOWWWWWWWW???????

KD: More people watch than ever before. It’s never been this popular. U upset we beat the Cavs 2 years in a row?

Reyes: Yes, I’m upset. People were watching how Lebron dominated yall these 2 years. You can’t beat Lebron by yourself.

KD: The game isn’t played 1 on 1.

Reyes: It’s not like that. But you know what I mean. You needed to join force with a 73-9 and MVP to beat him.

KD: Not true. Kyrie, kevin love, jr smith, iman shumpert, Tristan Thompson, Richard Jefferson. They are champions too, who contributed and made an impact. It’s a team game.

Reyes: Steph is an mvp but lets say = kyrie. Klay >>>> JR. Lebron = KD. Green >>> Love, love is isconsistent AF and can’t even defend my grandpa. TT getting outrebounded by Curry says a lot. That wasn’t the same 2k16 TT. Jefferson washed. Kerr >>>>>>>>>>>>> Lue. It’s not even a discussion.

KD: That’s all opinion, they are good players nonetheless. That’s why they are champions lol.

Reyes: I know Lebron could beat that team without you. You came to save Curry’s ass. That’s why they are champs. Cause the team beat the 73-9 Warriors without you.

KD: They had a great team. I hate when other people take away from the other guys, they were tough.

Reyes: They were, but you can do anything when a 73-9 team added an MVP caliber player. Wish Draymond never hit you from the parking lot.

That’s where the conversation ended. So apparently KD took the “easy route” by joining the Warriors, but he also saved the team? Bold logic there — but kudos for KD handling it all calmly. Of course, as ever, the best route would have just been to ignore it all.

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nbafunnymeme · 7 years ago

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NBA finals: Record-breaking Cavaliers roar past Warriors in Game 4

The Cavaliers poured in a playoff-record 24 three-pointers in a 137-116 blowout of the Warriors in Game 4 of the NBA finals

The Cleveland Cavaliers arent finished yet.

The defending NBA champions delivered a breathtaking shooting display and led from wire to wire to stave off elimination and deny the Golden State Warriors the first perfect postseason in league history with a 137-116 victory in Game 4 on Friday night at Quicken Loans Arena.

The Cavaliers poured in a record-breaking 24 three-pointers to break the NBA finals record set by the Warriors in Sundays Game 2. They were led by LeBron James, who finished with 31 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists for his ninth triple-double in NBA finals history, surpassing Magic Johnsons previous mark of eight. No other player has more than two.

Its going to be even tougher in Game 5, but we look forward to the challenge, said James, who remains on pace to become the first player to average a triple-double over an entire finals. We know its going to be very difficult, but if we can continue to not turn the ball over like weve done the last two games, if we can continue to defend and keep bodies on bodies, we give ourselves a good chance.

NBA (@NBA)

Can’t stop watching this. #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/qfR8u6ApKe

June 10, 2017

Kevin Love finished with 23 points, including six three-pointers, while JR Smith chipped in 15.

History would suggest Clevelands win only delays the inevitable: no team in NBA history has ever rallied from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series in 126 previous tries. But no team had ever won an NBA finals from 3-1 down until the Cavaliers pulled it off last year. Now theyll look to repeat the feat starting with Game 5 on Monday night in Oakland. Obviously the job is still far from over, said Kyrie Irving, who finished with a game-high 40 points. This is a good start.

The Cavaliers came out swinging in the opening minutes as Irving, Smith and Love drained long jumpers to open a 24-9 advantage, their largest lead of the series. Thats when Golden State inserted Andre Iguodala for Zaza Pachulia for one of their vaunted death lineups. The Warriors had settled down and slowly chipped away on 10 straight points from Durant that cut it to 31-25.

But the turnover-prone Warriors couldnt keep pace with the torrid shooting of the Cavaliers, who led 49-33 after 12 minutes, setting an NBA finals record for points in a quarter despite missing eight of their free throws against a team thats as well-regarded defensively as any in the league.

Just one of those games, said Curry, who was held to 14 points on 4-of-13 shooting and went without a made basket until midway through the second quarter. Not going to overreact to one. Obviously I can play better and want to play better and will play better.

They played with their backs against the wall. They had a free swing at it, and it was one of those nights where we just didnt have anything clicking.

The Cavaliers extended their lead to 19 points early in the second, but Golden State cut it to 11 with James on the bench. Then James returned and within three minutes the hot-shooting Irving and Smith stretched Clevelands lead to 69-49, prompting a timeout from Golden State coach Steve Kerr that saw the Warriors hanging their heads as they retreated to the bench.

LeBron James and Kevin Durant exchange heated words during the third quarter of Fridays Game 4. Photograph: Jason Miller/Getty Images

Cleveland led by as many as 22 points during a record-breaking first half that saw them connect on 60.9% of their shots including 13-for-22 from beyond the arc. When the dust cleared the Cavaliers led 86-68 and had set the all-time playoff record for points in a half.

It was often physical and fraught with hostility: including seven technical fouls, a flagrant and a heated exchange of words between James and Durant, who finished with a team-high 35 points. At one point it appeared Draymond Green had been ejected for picking up a second technical foul, but he was allowed to remain in the game when officials said the first had been called on Kerr and mistakenly recorded in the box score to the Warriors forward.

Golden State chipped away methodically during the third quarter, getting as close as 104-92 with 2:38 remaining. But Kyle Korver, Deron Williams and James added three-pointers before the end of the frame, stretching the lead back to 19 points and giving Cleveland the record before the fourth quarter had even started.

But the Warriors could not get within single digits of Cleveland throughout the second half, prompting renewed optimism amid the sellout crowd of 20,562, who chanted Cavs in seven! in the dying minutes.

We have championship DNA as well, said James, who surpassed Michael Jordan for No3 on the all-time finals scoring list. We just kept our composure. We shared the ball, we moved the ball and defensively we were physical.

The result cost the Warriors, winners of 30 of their last 31 games extending back to the regular season, a chance at the NBAs first ever flawless playoff run. Instead, theyll try to join the select list of one-loss champions: the 2001 Los Angeles Lakers (15-1) and 1983 Philadelphia 76ers (12-1).

(16-0) would have mattered but thats gone now, said Klay Thompson, who finished with 13 points. But 16-1 sounds pretty good.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jun/10/nba-finals-cleveland-cavaliers-golden-state-warriors-game-4

http://nbafunnymeme.com/more-on-basketball/nba-finals-record-breaking-cavaliers-roar-past-warriors-in-game-4

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hdwallpaperslovely · 5 years ago

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365footballorg-blog · 6 years ago

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Uefa Nations League: Andre Silva scores as Portugal win without Cristiano Ronaldo

Andre Silva struck a stylish goal as Portugal took control of their Nations League group by beating Italy.

Silva, who had a poor season in Italy with AC Milan before joining Sevilla on loan in August, controlled and steered in Bruma’s cross in the 48th minute.

Portugal were without Cristiano Ronaldo, excused from international duty and pictured relaxing with his family on a yacht in St Tropez.

Yet Fernando Santos’ side still had the better of this League A Group 3 match.

The win took them to the top of the group on three points, two clear of Poland and Italy.

Roberto Mancini’s side, showing nine changes from the team who drew their Nations League opener 1-1 with Poland in Bologna on Friday, looked disjointed for much of the night in Lisbon.

Mancini left former Manchester City and Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli out of the squad altogether, and retained only goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Chelsea midfielder Jorginho from Friday’s starting line-up.

Donnarumma, the AC Milan teenager, was fortunate not to concede just before the half-hour mark, fumbling Bruma’s header under pressure, then watching as Bernardo Silva’s drive goalwards was cleared off the line by Alessio Romagnoli.

The keeper redeemed himself in the second half after his team went behind, though, with a flying save to tip away Manchester City forward Silva’s 20-yard angled shot, and was sharp again late on to stop substitute Renato Sanches’ low shot.

Portugal should have been in front before they did score; Bryan Cristante deflected a Mario Rui cross against his own bar just after the half-hour mark, and the home side were then denied a penalty when Domenico Criscito blocked off Pizzi inside the area – with Scottish referee Willie Collum declaring it a fair challenge.

Italy were better in the closing stages, once Domenico Berardi and Emerson Palmieri came on, but without creating any clear chances.

Line-ups

Match Stats

Live Text

Line-ups

Portugal

1Rui Patrício

2Cavaco Cancelo

3PepeBooked at 90mins

6Rúben Dias

19Mário Rui

20Afonso FernandesSubstituted forRenato Sanchesat 74'minutes

13NevesBooked at 42mins

14William CarvalhoSubstituted forRelvas de Oliveiraat 86'minutes

11Bernardo Silva

9André Silva

7Tué Na BangnaSubstituted forGelson Martinsat 77'minutes

Substitutes

4Novo Neto

5Teodósio Mendes

8Renato Sanches

12Morais Ramos

15Relvas de Oliveira

16Bruno Fernandes

17Gonçalo Guedes

18Gelson Martins

21Cédric Soares

22Beto

23Carvalho Fernandes

Italy

22Donnarumma

15Lazzari

13Caldara

6Romagnoli

4CriscitoBooked at 42minsSubstituted forEmersonat 74'minutes

14ChiesaBooked at 58mins

23CristanteSubstituted forBelottiat 79'minutes

5Jorginho

8Bonaventura

7Zaza

17ImmobileSubstituted forBerardiat 59'minutesBooked at 69mins

Substitutes

1Sirigu

2Emerson

3Chiellini

9Belotti

10Insigne

11Berardi

12Perin

16Benassi

18Gagliardini

19Bonucci

20Bernardeschi

21Barella

Referee:

William Collum

Match Stats

Home TeamPortugalAway TeamItaly

Possession

Home55%

Away45%

Shots

Home11

Away10

Shots on Target

Home6

Away2

Corners

Home6

Away11

Fouls

Home15

Away12

Live Text

Posted at

Match ends, Portugal 1, Italy 0.

Full Time

Posted at 90'+5'

Second Half ends, Portugal 1, Italy 0.

Posted at 90'+4'

Attempt missed. Simone Zaza (Italy) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Jorginho following a set piece situation.

Booking

Posted at 90'+4'

Pepe (Portugal) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Posted at 90'+3'

Foul by Mário Rui (Portugal).

Posted at 90'+3'

Simone Zaza (Italy) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 90'+2'

Foul by Rúben Dias (Portugal).

Posted at 90'+2'

Andrea Belotti (Italy) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 90'+1'

Corner, Italy. Conceded by Bernardo Silva.

Posted at 90'

Foul by Mário Rui (Portugal).

Posted at 90'

Domenico Berardi (Italy) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 87'

Corner, Portugal. Conceded by Emerson.

Substitution

Posted at 86'

Substitution, Portugal. Sérgio Oliveira replaces William Carvalho.

Posted at 85'

Attempt saved. Renato Sanches (Portugal) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.

Posted at 83'

Attempt missed. Mattia Caldara (Italy) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Emerson following a set piece situation.

Posted at 82'

Foul by Renato Sanches (Portugal).

Posted at 82'

Domenico Berardi (Italy) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Posted at 81'

Corner, Italy. Conceded by Pepe.

Posted at 80'

Foul by André Silva (Portugal).

Posted at 80'

Alessio Romagnoli (Italy) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Substitution

Posted at 79'

Substitution, Italy. Andrea Belotti replaces Bryan Cristante.

Posted at 78'

Attempt missed. Simone Zaza (Italy) header from very close range is just a bit too high. Assisted by Giacomo Bonaventura with a cross following a corner.

Posted at 78'

Corner, Italy. Conceded by João Cancelo.

Substitution

Posted at 77'

Substitution, Portugal. Gelson Martins replaces Bruma.

Posted at 76'

Foul by Mário Rui (Portugal).

Posted at 76'

Domenico Berardi (Italy) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Substitution

Posted at 74'

Substitution, Portugal. Renato Sanches replaces Pizzi.

Substitution

Posted at 74'

Substitution, Italy. Emerson replaces Domenico Criscito.

Booking

Posted at 69'

Domenico Berardi (Italy) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Posted at 69'

Bruma (Portugal) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Posted at 69'

Foul by Domenico Berardi (Italy).

Posted at 68'

Attempt saved. Pizzi (Portugal) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Bernardo Silva.

Posted at 67'

Pizzi (Portugal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 67'

Foul by Jorginho (Italy).

Posted at 66'

Corner, Italy. Conceded by João Cancelo.

Posted at 64'

Corner, Italy. Conceded by João Cancelo.

Posted at 63'

Rúben Neves (Portugal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 63'

Foul by Federico Chiesa (Italy).

Posted at 62'

Pepe (Portugal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Posted at 62'

Foul by Simone Zaza (Italy).

Show more updates

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Uefa Nations League: Andre Silva scores as Portugal win without Cristiano Ronaldo was originally published on 365 Football

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buddyrabrahams · 6 years ago

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10 NBA teams that have improved the most this offseason

Fans and analysts knew this NBA offseason could be crazy, with a number of big-name players potentially changing uniforms — and the league hasn’t disappointed. So far, we’ve seen the unsurprising (LeBron signed with the Lakers), moderately surprising (Paul George is sticking with OKC), and downright stunning (DeMarcus Cousins is headed to the Bay Area).

But the above moves are just scratching the surface of all that’s happened. Other teams improved through the draft and through signing players who aren’t household names but should still make a big impact.

Which squads have made the biggest leap over their 2017-18 iterations? Here’s our take on the 10 teams that have improved the most so far this summer.

10. San Antonio Spurs

The biggest move of San Antonio’s offseason, of course, has not yet happened: the trade of Kawhi Leonard, which seems all but certain to occur. And even though they’ve lost Tony Parker and Kyle Anderson, the Spurs have still had a good summer to date. Marco Belinelli won a title with the Spurs in 2014, and they’re happy to have him back. He was a key piece on the Philadelphia team that at times looked unbeatable late in the season, and he’s one of the league’s best shooters. Snagging him at $6 million a year is a real value. R.C. Buford lucked out landing Lonnie Walker, a cold-blooded creator from Miami, at No. 18 in the draft – one of my favorite picks. He’s shown shades of Dwyane Wade.

9. Brooklyn Nets

The Nets haven’t made any big, splashy moves, but they’ve quietly improved. They made one of my favorite signings: Joe Harris for two years at $16 million. Harris simply gets the job done; he’s a reliable outside shooter, a decent creator, and a solid defender. Last season he averaged 10.8 points per game while hitting 41.9 percent of his outside shots. Furthermore, Brooklyn added veteran big Ed Davis at a perfectly reasonable price: one year for $4.4 million. Though the Nets didn’t have any high picks, they did well in the draft. They landed Dzanan Musa, a mature scorer, at No. 29. In the second round, they got a 6-foot-10 athletic wing in Rodions Kurucs, who may spend another year or two in Barcelona but should eventually blossom into an impact player in the NBA.

8. Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder didn’t change all that much, per se, but they are overjoyed to have Paul George back on a four-year max deal. Sam Presti knows OKC’s title window is now; he’s lost two stars before, and he didn’t want to lose another. Though George and Russell Westbrook are an impressive duo (and should play better together with time), the Thunder need another piece to compete with the Warriors, Rockets, Celtics, and Sixers. I like OKC’s addition of Nerlens Noel at two years and $3.5 million — that’s a no-to-low risk proposition for a guy with tons of upside. He could flourish when he’s only asked to do the small things. Though the hefty Jerami Grant signing (three years, $27 million) was head-scratching, OKC’s offseason has been a major net positive.

7. Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets landed my favorite pick in the 2018 draft: Michael Porter Jr. at No. 14. He could have gone as high as No. 2, but his medicals gave teams pause. If his back doesn’t turn out to be a debilitating injury, we could look back on this pick and say, What were those other teams thinking? Like OKC’s Noel signing: low risk, high upside. Additionally, Denver brought back the much-improved Will Barton for four years (at $54 million). Barton is quietly the most explosive bench player in the entire league. He’s shown the ability to carry Denver’s offense when its stars are sitting. With Barton, Nikola Jokic, Gary Harris, and Jamal Murray in the fold, Denver should return to the postseason soon. Now, if only the Nuggets weren’t paying $29 million a year to Paul Millsap…

6. New Orleans Pelicans

It might seem strange that the Pelicans allowed DeMarcus Cousins to take off, but it’s understandable. New Orleans played well with Boogie in 2017-18, but better without him. Despite his talent, the Pelicans could afford to let him go. They replaced him with another former Kentucky Wildcats big: Julius Randle, much to Anthony Davis’ delight. Randle’s style of play complements Davis far better than Cousins’ did. The Pelicans’ two bigs should be able to do beautiful things with Randle running the fastbreak and banging inside and Davis doing, well, everything. I also like the Pelicans’ move to bring in Elfrid Payton for one year at $2.7 million. Payton’s career hasn’t gone as planned, but this is a nice short-term bet on a guy who could replace Rajon Rondo and will at worst provide spot minutes on a playoff team. With the pressure off, he should flourish.

5. Dallas Mavericks

At long last, DeAndre Jordan is a member of the Mavericks. The ultra reliable center signed a somewhat odd deal (one year, $24 million) — it seems Mark Cuban is sick of losing. Dallas also brought back serviceable big Salah Mejri (one year, $1.6 million). But the Mavs are really on this list because of their draft. Luka Doncic is a potential franchise cornerstone – a guy who will have a real shot at Rookie of the Year – and Jalen Brunson should stick around the league for a long time. With Doncic, Brunson, and Dennis Smith Jr., the Mavs have the most intriguing young backcourt in the NBA. After a miserable 2017-18 season, Dallas will be a fascinating “League Pass” team.

4. Indiana Pacers

The Pacers took the Cavs to the brink but couldn’t quite get it done. Nonetheless, given Victor Oladipo’s continued emergence and Myles Turner’s expected development, Indiana is a real threat to Boston, Toronto, and Philadelphia this season. Drafting Aaron Holiday No. 23 wasn’t my favorite move, but the Pacers made two free-agency additions I loved. Indiana locked up Tyreke Evans for one year at $12 million; Evans can carry the offense when Vic takes a seat with foul trouble, as he had to during the Cleveland series. Indiana also added Doug McDermott, who continues to improve on defense, for three years at $22 million. He’s another big shooter – you can never have enough of those.

3. Golden State Warriors

I’ve harped on low-risk, high-reward transactions throughout this piece, and Golden State’s signing of Cousins is the ultimate example of such a move. How could you argue with the Warriors replacing JaVale McGee with a four-time All-Star? Sure, Boogie is coming off of a devastating injury, but he can take his time returning; Golden State’s in no rush. Sure, there are concerns around the league about his locker-room presence – but if any team can fix that, it’s Golden State (see: McGee and Nick Young). Cousins is a monumental upgrade over McGee and Zaza Pachulia, and the possibilities with him on this team (at $5.3 million!) are dazzling. Quieter-but-also-positive moves: re-signing Kevon Looney at one year and $1.6 million, a deal far below his value, and snatching Iggy 2.0, Jacob Evans, No. 28 in the draft.

2. Phoenix Suns

We all expected the Suns to have a big offseason, and they haven’t disappointed. After adding coach Igor Kokoškov, Phoenix selected Deandre Ayton, the most dominant big man the college game has seen in some time, and made another good draft-night move by trading for Mikal Bridges. Bridges was Villanova’s best player (it’s true!) and should contribute immediately. Phoenix isn’t going all-in on rebuilding mode, however: the Suns ponied up for Trevor Ariza, giving him $15 million for one year. Phoenix has its own 2019 pick as well as Milwaukee’s first-rounder, but don’t be surprised if the Suns actually try to win this year. The Suns still need a point guard, but it isn’t outlandish to suggest this team could see a 10-15 win improvement this season.

1. Los Angeles Lakers

It’s the obvious choice, but the only logical one. The Lake Show had plenty of young talent, but won only 35 games last season. Adding LeBron vaulted L.A. instantly into title contention. Some of the team’s other signings – JaVale McGee, Lance Stephenson, Rajon Rondo, and re-upping Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – were dubious, but LeBron reportedly signed off on the moves, and there’s no question L.A. should make a big leap this season. Moritz Wagner and Isaac Bonga are both projects but were solid picks as their position; I like Bonga in particular. We shouldn’t expect the Lakers to flourish immediately, but they’re already Vegas’ second favorite, behind the Warriors, to win it all. Credit to Rob Pelinka and Magic Johnson for revamping the roster – but more changes are likely to come.

Aaron Mansfield is a freelance sports writer whose work has appeared in Complex, USA Today, and the New York Times. You can reach him via email at [email protected].

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junker-town · 3 years ago

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Injuries are wrecking the 2021 NBA Playoffs

From Anthony Davis to Joel Embiid to Chris Paul to LeBron James to Luka Doncic, so many superstars have suffered injuries in the playoffs.

It is nothing new for injuries to determine the NBA playoffs. The Toronto Raptors’ unforgettable championship in 2019 might not have happened if Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson didn’t suffer serious season-ending injuries in the NBA Finals. The Warriors’ 2017 championship run benefitted from Kawhi Leonard going down with an ankle injury after he landed on Zaza Pachulia’s foot in a second round series against the Spurs. Could the Miami Heat have won last year’s Finals with a fully healthy Goran Dragic?

These are just a few recent examples of injuries altering the playoffs, and history is littered with plenty more. Unfortunately, the 2021 playoffs are continuing the trend with a number of superstars either sidelined or playing hurt in the most important games of the season.

Injuries were always going to be a major concern during a season abbreviated by the pandemic. The NBA crammed a 72-game schedule into a condensed time frame and made sure the playoffs would finish up before the Tokyo Olympics this summer. The Lakers and Heat only had 72 days off between the end of Finals in the bubble and the start of the this season, which amounted to the shortest offseason in league history. The second half of the schedule felt particularly rushed, with teams often playing three games in four nights to close out the season.

While the first round of the playoffs has provided undeniable excitement, it’s also a huge bummer that injuries are playing such a huge role for so many teams. This is how injuries have shaped the playoffs so far.

Anthony Davis injury: Groin strain is superstar’s latest injury

Davis went down grabbing his groin just before halftime in Game 4 of the Lakers’ first round series against the Phoenix Suns. Davis would not play in the second half, and the Suns would go to win to tie up the series at 2-2.

Davis is being listed as day-to-day with a Grade 1 strain, and Shams Charania reported he’s unlikely to play in Game 5. His status for the rest of the series is unknown. Even if Davis does return to play, it’s hard to think he’ll be anywhere close to 100 percent given all of the injuries he’s sustained this season.

Davis was already listed as questionable with a knee sprain coming into Game 4. He has also had to fight off a calf strain this season that limited him to only 36 games before the playoffs. AD played like a true superstar in the bubble last year, but he hasn’t been right physically ever since. The Lakers’ repeat chances hinge on him returning to full force.

LeBron James injury: Ankle issue has limited James in playoffs

LeBron James has played in every postseason game for the Lakers so far, but it’s pretty clear he’s not 100 percent. James suffered a high right ankle sprain on March 20, which he called one of the worst injuries of his career. James spent six weeks rehabbing the injury, and then tweaked it in the final game of the regular season.

James returned to lead the Lakers to a play-in game victory over the Golden State Warriors. He’s averaging nearly 38 minutes per game in the series against the Suns, but his numbers (21.8 points per game) have taken a dip. James simply isn’t attacking the basket with the combination of speed and power that has defined his career. LeBron can still win a series without his typical explosion, but it’s not going to be easy against a team as good as Phoenix, especially with Davis dinged up, too.

Chris Paul injury: Shoulder nearly kept CP3 out of Game 4

Paul injured his shoulder in Game 1 of the first round series against the Lakers, and he’s been struggling to get it right ever since. The injury has hampered Paul’s dribbling and shooting ability throughout the series, and it got so bad after Game 3 that head coach Monty Williams told his veteran point guard he was going to rest him in a pivotal Game 4 with the Suns trailing 2-1 in the series.

Paul insisted he could play, and turned in a vintage performance to tie the series. While CP3 looked healthier than he has all series in Game 4, his shoulder is going to continue to be major factor as the series continues.

Chris Paul says Suns HC Monty Williams wanted to sit him before game 4 and he said “hell nah” pic.twitter.com/byAqa3v87m

— gifdsports (@gifdsports) May 30, 2021

Joel Embiid injury: Sore knee takes star center out of Game 4

Embiid is the latest superstar to go down with an injury in the playoffs. The 76ers center injured his knee in Game 4 against the Washington Wizards on Monday, and did not play in the second half. The Sixers failed in their bid to sweep Washington without Embiid, and now head home for Game 5 with his status in question.

We still don’t know how serious Embiid’s knee soreness is, but it’s obviously an uncomfortable situation for an MVP finalist with a long history of injuries. Embiid was kept out about three weeks during the regular season with a bone bruise in his left knee. Philadelphia has had a wonderful season in grabbing the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, and it would be just awful if Embiid wasn’t right for the playoffs. Get well, big man.

Luka Doncic injury: Mavs star has nerve issue in neck

Luka Doncic averaged 38 points per game through the first three games of the Dallas Mavericks’ first round series with the Los Angeles Clippers, but he didn’t look right towards the end of Game 3. The Mavericks listed him as questionable for Game 4 with a neck injury, and while Doncic did play, he clearly did not look like himself.

Doncic is dealing with a nerve issue in his neck. Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle said he couldn’t go left in Game 4:

“He’s in pain,” Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle said. “It appeared to me that he couldn’t turn left, could look to his left, couldn’t turn his head to the left. That’s difficult for a guy that relies on peripheral vision and basically has played his whole life with his head on a swivel. We’ve got to hope in the next couple of days that he can get better — hopefully substantially better.

Doncic is reportedly feeling better ahead of Game 5. The Mavs and Clippers are tied 2-2 after four games in their first round series. Dallas needs Luka at his best if they’re going to win the series.

Donovan Mitchell injury: Jazz star limited by ankle injury

Mitchell’s regular season was ended by a right ankle injury on April 16. The Jazz took a cautious approach to getting him healthy for the playoffs while holding the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, but it was still a shock to see the team hold out Mitchell in Game 1 of their first round series against the Memphis Grizzlies. After Memphis’ shocking win, Mitchell voiced his displeasure with the team and has been in the lineup ever since.

Mitchell has averaged 28 points per game in his first two games against the Grizzlies since returning, but he’s shooting only 39 percent from the floor. Utah should be able to take care of a tough Grizzlies team with a 3-1 lead regardless of Mitchell’s status, but they’ll need him at 100 percent if they want to run through the West.

Donte DiVincenzo injury: Bucks guard out for the playoffs with a foot injury

DiVincenzo isn’t a big name like the rest of the players on this list, but he is a starting guard for a Milwaukee Bucks team that thinks it can reach the NBA Finals. DiVincenzo suffered a tendon injury in his foot in Game 3 against the Miami Heat that will keep him out for the rest of the season.

The Bucks would love to be at full strength with a second round matchup against the Brooklyn Nets looming. Unfortunately, that isn’t going to happen. It’s going to be on Bryn Forbes and Pat Connaughton to step up in a big situation.

Jaylen Brown and Jamal Murray suffered season-ending injuries just before the playoffs

The Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics each lost a star player to injury just before the playoffs.

Jamal Murray tore his ACL on April 12 against the Warriors. It’s one of the most depressing NBA injuries in a long time. The Nuggets were looking like a dark horse championship contender with Nikola Jokic set to win MVP and Aaron Gordon giving the team a defensive stopper on the wing after coming over at the trade deadline. Murray was electric in the bubble last season, and seemed poised for another big playoff run. Here’s hoping he’s able to make a full recovery because next year’s playoffs.

Jaylen Brown suffered a torn ligament in his wrist just before the playoffs, and was ruled out for the season. Brown was enjoying a breakout year, and helped form one of the game’s best young duos with Jayson Tatum. The Celtics likely wouldn’t have had a chance against the Nets in the first round anyway, but it would have been exciting to Brown going up against Brooklyn’s stars after such a good season.

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airoasis · 7 years ago

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How Jordan Bell uses Warriors’ trade from Bulls as motivation – The Mercury News

Want Warriors news in your inbox? Register for the totally free DubsDaily newsletter.A little bit over a month into the 2017-18 NBA season, and Warriors rookie forward Jordan Bell has actually already seen and experienced enough to declare something about the 2017 NBA draft.It may already be time to reevaluate the draft's order."I'm sure anybody else would be delighted playing for this team and this company, so I'm happy with where I'm at, "Bell stated."To me, I feel like I'm the No. 1 choice."

Bell did not state those words from misguided arrogance. The Warriors' rookie forward has balanced 3.2 points on 70.4 percent shooting in only 8.2 minutes per video game through 12 appearances. Bell said those words out of thankfulness for his scenarios in signing up with a championship team that employs a coach that encourages him (Steve Kerr) and 4 All-Star teammates that teach him (Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green).

When the Warriors (13-5) face the Chicago Bulls (3-13) on Friday at Oracle Arena, Bell insisted he will not feel slighted that the Bulls traded the 38th pick that the Warriors utilized to pick Bell. Instead, Bell said he feels empowered that the Warriors considered him better than keeping $3.5 million.

"I utilize it as inspiration as far as me playing for this group, and just how much effort and loan they spent to aim to get me," Bell stated. "They already have such a terrific group over here and are so deep. However they undoubtedly desire me. I use that as motivation. Now I got to show people that I'm worth the $3.5 million they spent to get me."

For complete Warriors coverage

follow us on Flipboard.With Bell being on the non-active roster in 4 of the previous six video games, Kerr said Bell has gotten "novice treatment" and has actually become" a victim of the numbers video game" amid Kerr's preference for third-year forward Kevon Looney. For someone who dislikes "the instant grading of gamers," Warriors basic manager Bob Myers likewise did not lay out any long-term forecasts for Bell. Myers identified that Bell "checks a lot of boxes," varying from his athleticism, defense, ending up and interior passing.Even with a group that has actually won two NBA titles in

the past 3 years, Myers remains mindful of the Warriors'significant payroll and subsequent high-end taxes. Therefore, Myers considers it "necessary we have the ability to find players in the draft, free agency or in trades that are young and not high-salary men. ""You can get old quick. We're constantly looking for men in the draft, or however you can discover them that are still functional and also great gamers," Myers said." However everyone is looking for those men. That is the most important type of gamer. "So a year after investing$2.5 million for the No. 38 pick that secured swingman

Patrick McCaw, the Warriors bought the No. 38 pick once again either to land Bell or a another unspecified gamer that Myers said had captured the Warriors 'attention.Bell did not work out for the Warriors considering they did not have a draft choice by that point. Bell also had a full pre-draft travel plan with workouts for the Lakers, Sacramento, Indiana, San Antonio, Orlando, Atlanta, Houston, Utah, Portland, Boston, Philadelphia and Brooklyn. The Warriors did not need a pre-draft exercise to examine Bell, though.Myers stated the Warriors carefully kept track of Bell during his junior season at University of Oregon both on tape and personally through regular-season video games and NCAA tournament appearances.Then, Myers stated the Warriors ended up being pleased with Bell's athleticism, including," even at the NBA level, it's quite elite."The Warriors likewise liked Bell's effort and versatility that earned him Pac-12 Defensive Gamer of the Year honors. When the Warriors met Bell during the NBA Draft Integrate in Chicago, Myers discovered Bell to be" fully grown"and"thoughtful"during the interview. "He supplied a favorable effect on the result and he discovered methods to do it outside of his scoring,"Myers said."We luckily have a great quantity of scoring on our group. So we're trying to find people to fill the other spaces.

"Bell filled those gaps when he got opportunities.He has a plus-minus score of plus-53 in 100 overall minutes, a figure that tracks a group's scoring against challengers when a specific player is on the court. Bell has actually not established a mid-range game, he has shot 70.4 percent

from the field since of his finishing and putbacks at the rim. Bell also displayed his athleticism by dunking a ball off the backboard throughout a blowout win in Dallas, a play that stimulated more appreciation for his self-confidence and leaping ability within the Warriors than criticism for showboating. Finally, the Warriors credit Bell for looking for feedback from veterans, such as Green, Andre Iguodala, David West and Zaza Pachulia."He's very coachable and he has a great attitude,"said Warriors assistant coach Jarron Collins, who works closely with Bell."He's starving for knowledge and he wishes to get much better on the basketball court. He has an excellent feel for the video game. That's exactly what truly jumps out to me. "It also leaps out to the Warriors how Bell has actually managed his current healthy scratches. He has actually accepted them without grievance. Yet, he has pledged to play so well in future looks that Kerr has no other option however to provide him minutes. Bell likewise echoed the ideas of Myers

and Collins on how he can improve, including his choice making, his jump shot and ending up being more knowledgeable about NBA personnel."A lot of individuals say' I'm not going to play this year; I'm going to be in the G-League this year'and things like that,"Bell said."I'm attempting to reveal I deserve to be on this group. I'm not just riding the coattail of this team. I'm really contributing and I'm putting in effort and making enough effective plays and really helping the group. "Kerr assured Bell will have more possibilities to do that as he continually digs into his rotation and finds games to rest his veterans. Then, Bell believes he can reveal the Warriors they made the best draft option."That's great,"Myers stated."Everybody discovers methods to motivate themselves. It's not for me to say exactly what he ought to

and shouldn't feel. However I'm delighted he seems like we purchased him."If you haven't subscribed to Planet Dubs on iTunes, do it here.

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fossadeileonixv · 7 years ago

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Monday Milan Musings

Here we go kids!

Some random thoughts on yesterday’s proceedings:

- That look right there by Bonucci really says it all. Are you shitting me? No. No we’re not. This is really happening.

- Donnarumma finally had a dud yesterday. Not that the goals were his fault completely, but he could have done better. To all those on his ass for no reason, I hope you’re happy.

- Romagnoli HAS to be able to get through games without rash decisions that lead to sloppy tackles which lead to cards. It’s like he gets a card per match lately. That’s 5 yellows and a red in 12 Serie A starts. No bueno kid.

- Both Jack and Suso were the targets of an absurd amount of fouls early on from Hellas. Not blaming the ref for the eventual 3-0 scoreline, but a couple early yellows may have benefited us.

- I think we can all agree that Kalinic needs to ride the pine for a while. I think Rino knows it too. We need to see Cutrone alongside Silva the next few games. Riding the bench gives guys all kinds of perspective.

- If VAR has made one serious change this season, I think it’s starting to take away that late cynical tackle in games. Look at that tackle by Suso. That was pure frustration and I get it. In the past that was a whistle and maybe a late yellow. Message sent. As we saw on Sunday those plays late in games are now getting reviewed and they’re gonna become reds. I hate VAR and see very little use for it, but if it takes away those late dangerous challenges, that’s fine by me. I hate that we lose Suso for a few games now, but injuries happen and people miss games because of crap like that.

- Speaking of reds. That’s 4 reds against now in 17 games. Almost 1 every 4 games in Serie A. That’s terrible. It’s not quite up to last years god awful 11 reds in 38 games rate, but it’s close. Too close. We’ve become the Oakland Raiders of Serie A, and that’s not good.

- For some perspective, we had 11 total red cards in Serie A during a three season span from 04/05 to 06/07.

- Gattuso gets my MOTM award for not waiting forever to make changes. For years it seems we’ve had coaches that always waited too long to adjust. Rino ain’t got time for that.

- We lost 3-0 to a team that started Alessio Cerci up top by himself. There’s a level in Dante’s hell where you watch Sunday’s game on a loop.... FOREVER.

And now for something completely new!

A short recap on each match in Serie A this past weekend:

UDINESE 3 INTER 1 It’s amazing how Kevin Lasgana has gone from being a punchline for Carpi to putting a huge dent in Inter’s title hopes in a span of just 2 years. Admit it, you mocked him. We all did.

NAPOLI 3 TORINO 1 I’m guessing Napoli read my rotation column and took offense. Seriously though, it’s good to see them bounce back in the title race.

ROMA 1 CAGLIARI 0 We used to win games like this.... a below average performance against a below average team saved by a goal in the 94th minute. That’s how you stay in the top 4 folks.

Bonus Thought: Everybody is on Perotti’s ass about that PK miss and his approach, but no one ever complains til you miss one. Then you become Zaza.

SASSUOLO 1 SAMPDORIA 0 Losing at home to a downtrodden team like Sassuolo via a late goal by Alessandro Matri? That sounds like one of our headlines. Ouch.

JUVENTUS 3 BOLOGNA 0 Watch out folks, the Juve machine is rolling. This stretch without CL fixtures will see them start building their lead. Oh, and that deSciglio kid ain’t bad at RB. Too bad we had a legend like Abate in the way.

CROTONE 1 CHIEVO 0 First of all, kudos to whoever tuned in for this one. Second, Mandrogora is bossing it for Crotone on loan from Juve. I so wish we had done the same with Locatelli last year or even this one.

FIORENTINA 0 GENOA 0 God bless anyone who suffered through this one. These are the kinds of games that keep Genoa up every year.

SPAL 2 BENEVENTO 1 Looks like Benevento isn’t unbeatable after all, huh? Seriously though, this is a huge 3 points in SPAL’s hopes of staying up.

ATALANTA 3 LAZIO 3 Comebacks, lead changes, great goals, exciting players.... this game had it all. I need to find a replay of this game to watch when I have some time. This has to be the neutral fans game of the week.

Cheers

Lisi

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wionews · 7 years ago

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Football: Ronaldo at the double for Real, Valencia edge out Celta

Valencia kept the pressure on Liga leaders Barcelona by beating Celta Vigo 2-1 on Saturday with a late penalty from Dani Parejo and Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice for the first time in a league game this season as Real Madrid thrashed Sevilla 5-0.

Valencia were looking for a first win in three games to revive their unlikely title bid and took the lead through a header from top scorer Simone Zaza in the 28th minute, the Italian's 10th league goal of the season.

Iago Aspas stabbed in from close range in the 46th minute to equalise for Celta, who had held Barca to a 2-2 draw last weekend, but Parejo restored Valencia's lead nine minutes from time with a double stroke of fortune as his disputed penalty went through the hands of goalkeeper Ruben Blanco.

Valencia are second in the standings, moving two points behind Barcelona who have 36 and visit Villarreal on Sunday. Real go third on 31 but Atletico Madrid can go back above Zinedine Zidane's side when they visit Real Betis on Sunday.

Celta's players raged against referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero for awarding Valencia the penalty when Jose Gaya went to ground following a challenge by Pablo Hernandez.

"We didn't drop points today, we had them taken off us by that person (the referee). He robbed us. I hope he doesn't officiate any more of our games," said Celta captain Hugo Mallo.

Goalscorer Aspas added: "I think he must have something against Celta, in every game of ours which he has taken charge of, something has gone against us."

Valencia coach Marcelino, who was back in the dugout following a two-game touchline ban, said: "It was a really exciting game. The result is fair because we scored two legal goals but Celta played very well and if they'd drawn we wouldn't have been able to complain."

In Madrid, Real overcame a selection crisis in defence to crush Sevilla with a lethal attacking display, scoring all their goals before halftime.

Real were without Raphael Varane, captain Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal and holding midfielder Casemiro but got off to an ideal start when Nacho Fernandez cashed in on a woeful attempted clearance following a corner to score in the third minute.

Ronaldo, who had paraded his joint-record five Ballon d'Or trophies on the Santiago Bernabeu pitch before kick-off, side-footed home a through ball from Marco Asensio to score the second before thumping in the third from the penalty spot.

Toni Kroos scored the most impressive goal of the game by charging forward from his own half and playing a wall pass with Lucas Vazquez before stroking the ball beyond Rico, while 18-year-old Achraf Hakimi notched his first goal for Real to complete another lethal breakaway.

Real coach Zidane was delighted with his side's performance, especially after last week's goalless draw at Athletic Bilbao.

"It has been a great day for us, above all because we won and scored a lot and we hadn't done that much so far this season. It was a very complete game for us and that means a lot to me," the Frenchman told a news conference.

"We're growing in every sense and playing better. When you play better you create more chances, we created a lot today and scored five times, for the first time this season (in the league)."

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ladyjasworld · 7 years ago

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2017-18 NBA Prediction Episode - Western

In 5 days another NBA season begins. This is set to be one of the most excited and probably eventful season yet. With all the off-season moves and new rookies, I’d imagine it’s hard for a die-easy or bandwagon fan to choose a squad this year. The NBA has had a lot going on since June 12th, 2017. I’ve put off creating this post for a while for multiple reasons – (1) I’m not quite sure if all the teams are set (2) the difficulty of putting this list together. This list is always a guess but I just feel like this is a bigger gamble than any other year. Last year this was a lot easier to do. So here goes:

Western Conference

1. Golden State Warriors – I think it goes without saying as to why they should be #1 on everyone’s list. The reigning champs made minor but substantial changes to their roster. They signed Nick Young and Omri Casspi this offseason to go alongside their core returns in Steph, KD, Shaun Livingston, Andre Igoudala, Zaza Paculia, Javale McGee and David West. They also added the rookie Jordan Bell who in my opinion might be able to earn himself some serious rotation minutes. I’m not sure if he’ll get into the starting lineup but I do see him stealing some of Javale and Zaza’s minutes at center. He and David West could be a strong 2nd and 3rd option at center. This will probably remove Dray from playing many minutes at the 5. The 2 wings that they signed are heavy 3-point shooters so I assume they should fit right in with the style of play for the Dubs. Now here’s where it gets tricky…

2. San Antonio Spurs— Not much if anything changed for the Spurs this offseason but it’s Gregg Popovich and the best 2-way player in the game - Kawhi Leonard. If they can get Lamarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol to contribute when and as needed they will have no problem finishing #2 in this west. Pop is the greatest coach in the NBA (I could probably go as far as to say in the 3 major sports right now) so any one is a pure fool to count him out. He has always found a way to have a winning season with a squad of a few well-known players. I do think allowing Jonathan Simmons to walk away was a major L for them but pop will make it work.

3. Houston Rockets – I originally had Houston as #2 but then I remember they gave away a lot of their contributing pieces off the bench to LA for Chris Paul. They lost a big part of their defense in Patrick Beverly. Even losing Lou Williams is significant. He is a player that can get you 20 points a night if you need him to. I’m not sure if the addition of Chris Paul is enough to propel them to the top. James Harden is coming off the best year of his career stat wise and now he’s moving back to SG so we’ll have to see if he can keep up with the numbers he put up last year. Again, I’m not sold on the Rockets and still don’t have them getting past the second round of the playoffs.

4. Oklahoma City Thunder – Big ups to Sam Presti for acquiring 2 of the biggest names on the trading block this summer and not giving up much at all. Now with that said, the thunder is now home to 3 of the most ball-dominated players. These are players that are used to having the ball in their hands and creating plays. My concern is if Billy Donovan and staff can come up with a rotation that will benefit them all. If he can do what Steve Kerr was able to do in GS with his stars. The difference is in GS there are 2 ball dominant players, KD and Steph. Klay is able to play off the ball and contribute with great defense and Draymond is good for setting screens, setting the play in motion and then switching to defense. In OKC, Melo is allergic to defense. PG will play both sides but is more effective on offense. Russ can and will play defense but he is also prone to not share the rock in crunch moments and take 14 unadvised shots in the 4th quarter. They don’t really have a bench so Billy Donovan is going to need to create a good lineup and rest schedule so that all 3 aren’t on the bench at the same time for long periods. In the playoffs and finals, a bench is key to winning. GS relies heavily on Andre, Shaun and David West to come in and still contribute. No bench = a high #4 finish. Plus, we kind of need to give them a year to figure things out.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves – I had Minnesota at #5 last year and they let me down. I feel comfortable bringing them back to this spot because of the additions and trades they made. Jimmy Butler, Jamal Crawford, Jeff Teague and Taj Gibson are all vets in this league at this point. Where last season they were all young players, now they have some veteran leadership in both the starting lineup and the bench to help guide the younger players. Minnesota issues last season was they weren’t able to hold their leads in the final 5 mins. I predict a better chance for them this season. Thibs has his old crew back in Butler and Gibson, who are well versed in the defensively language of Thibs. They know how he coaches and what he expects on both sides of the floor. This should help Wiggins and KAT shoulder the load. I don’t expect Minnesota to go too far in the crowded Western Conference but this is a very good team.

6. LA Clippers – I am going out on a limb with putting the Clips at 6th. I don’t think anyone is looking for them to make any serious noise but they did manage to keep Blake and add some good players – Patrick Beverly, Lou Will, and Danilo Gallinari just to name a few. I’m sure Doc can get them at least to 6th. But if so and my lineup is correct, then they’ll play Houston in the 1st round and I’d pick Houston to win the series. So, in true Clipper fashion I don’t see them past the first round.

7. Portland Trailblazers – Portland barely made the 8th seed last season but with a full year of Nurkic in the lineup with CJ and Dame, I don’t see why they can’t finish 7th. Portland has a good team, just in the Wild, Wild West it’s too many players on the board.

8. New Orleans Pelicans – With Rondo, AD and Boogie, if N.O can’t make the playoffs this year then it’s time to go back to the drawing board and start over. This is enough to make the 8th seed. I think Rondo is out for a few months with an injury. With Jrue Holiday they should hold up in the interim.

Honorable Mentions: I think that there is a possibility of Sacramento and/or Denver creeping into the playoffs. I wouldn’t be shocked or disappointed if they do. The disappointment would be more in the teams they beat out for a spot unless it’s the clippers. I think because of the Ball family; the Lakers will be a very popular team this year. I don’t expect them to make much noise in terms of winning a playoff spot. I also don’t think Lonzo will be ROY.

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othersportsnews-blog · 7 years ago

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2017 ESPYS -- Russell Westbrook wins very best male athlete, Kevin Durant takes very best championship general performance

New Post has been published on https://othersportsnews.com/2017-espys-russell-westbrook-wins-very-best-male-athlete-kevin-durant-takes-very-best-championship-general-performance/

2017 ESPYS -- Russell Westbrook wins very best male athlete, Kevin Durant takes very best championship general performance

From the jokes by host Peyton Manning to the tales of inspiration by sporting activities followers these as Jarrius Robertson, there had been plenty of smiles — and even some tears — at the 25th ESPYS on Wednesday evening in Los Angeles.

Many of the world’s very best athletes packed into Microsoft Theater for the annual awards display, and by night’s conclusion, some acquainted names took heart stage.

1 of them was Oklahoma Town Thunder star Russell Westbrook, who was named very best male athlete, including to the NBA MVP trophy he gained in New York a couple months ago.

Westbrook topped fellow nominees Kris Bryant of the Chicago Cubs, Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps.

“I’m just humbled to be on this stage in a space total of terrific athletes,” Westbrook claimed. “I’m just humbled and incredibly grateful.”

Westbrook, who averaged a triple-double and broke Oscar Robertson’s report for most triple-doubles in a year with 42, captivated the sporting activities world with his ferocious year in the wake of Kevin Durant‘s departure from the Thunder.

He led the league in scoring (31.six), was third in helps (10.four) and was 10th in rebounds (10.7) for each recreation.

He also ranked to start with in For every at 30.7 and carried the Thunder to the sixth seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

Westbrook was also nominated for very best report-breaking general performance and very best NBA participant.

Best championship general performance

Durant captured his to start with NBA title and Finals MVP trophy past year, and his dominant operate as a result of the Finals earned him the 2017 ESPY for very best championship general performance.

Durant led the Golden Point out Warriors to a title by averaging 35.2 points, 8.four rebounds and 5.four helps with a .556 subject aim proportion in the team’s 5-recreation victory about the Cleveland Cavaliers. He capped the series with 39 points, 7 rebounds and 5 helps in Golden State’s title-clinching 129-one hundred twenty get in Match 5.

Durant was just the third participant since 1969 to get Finals MVP in his to start with year with a group. His 35.2 points-for each-recreation typical was effortlessly the most in background by a participant who shot 50 percent from the flooring, 40 percent from three-issue vary and ninety percent from the absolutely free throw line in an NBA Finals.

Durant joined the Warriors in just one of the most debated moves in the latest NBA background, signing as a absolutely free agent past summer season immediately after spending nine seasons with the Oklahoma Town Thunder, who held a three-one series guide about the Warriors in the 2015 Western Conference finals before at some point dropping.

Manning took a gentle-hearted jab at Durant’s transfer all through his opening monologue, mentioning the gold-medal-successful U.S. women’s gymnastics group and joking, “Our gymnastics group was so dominant that Kevin Durant advised me that he wishes to enjoy for them upcoming 12 months.”

Durant sat stone-faced as Manning continued, “And I gotta notify you, I do not imagine you’d start out for that group, Kevin.”

Best group

Durant’s dominance in the Finals also aided his Warriors get the ESPY for very best group.

Durant, two-time MVP Stephen Curry and heart Zaza Pachulia took the stage to accept the award.

“Proper now we look like the most flawlessly constructed three-on-three group,” Curry claimed jokingly. “But we have 12 other guys who naturally aided us realize this award.

“It was an unbelievable 12 months. A large amount of noise and hoopla about us in the beginning of the year, but we tried to retain our head down and target on the system, and nine months later, we obtained another ‘chip.”

Golden State’s 129-one hundred twenty victory about Cleveland in Match 5 of the NBA Finals concluded a sixteen-one operate as a result of the playoffs. The team’s only postseason reduction arrived in Match four of the Finals.

The Warriors captured their second title in three seasons.

Best minute

The Cubs’ thrilling seven-recreation Planet Sequence victory about the Cleveland Indians, which finished a 108-12 months title drought, took the ESPY for very best minute.

Longtime Cubs admirer Monthly bill Murray accepted the award on the team’s behalf, popping open a pair of bottles of champagne when on stage with former Cubs participant David Ross and actor and fellow Cubs admirer Nick Offerman.

Longtime admirer Monthly bill Murray accepted the Cubs’ Best Second ESPY, then doused former catcher David Ross and actor and fellow Chicago admirer Nick Offerman with champagne on the Microsoft Theater stage. Joe Faraoni/ESPN Pictures

“This was definitely the very best minute of all time — ever,” Offerman deadpanned.

“108 years of waiting is barely a minute,” Murray claimed before naming a long record of former Cubs gamers from all through the title drought.

The Cubs’ Match 7 victory arrived with plenty of drama, which include an further-inning rain delay and a remarkable eighth inning in which the Indians tied the score immediately after trailing six-three.

Supervisor Joe Maddon’s group halted the longest extend without the need of a title in baseball, when also turning out to be the to start with club to prevail over a three-one Sequence deficit.

Best female athlete

American gymnast Simone Biles’ report-tying four gold medals at the Rio Olympics propelled her to stardom and earned her the ESPY for very best female athlete.

Biles beat out swimmer Katie Ledecky, WNBA star Candace Parker and tennis star Serena Williams for the honor.

“At any time since Rio it has been an amazing 12 months,” Biles claimed, “and the very best component of all has been meeting all the young people today who dwell up to all the athletes in this space.”

Biles gained gold in the specific all-about, the vault and flooring physical exercise as effectively as a group gold to go with a bronze medal on the balance beam in Rio.

She is just one of only four females, and the to start with American, to get four golds in a solitary Olympics. She was also the to start with women’s gymnast to carry the flag for the United States at the closing ceremony.

Best breakthrough athlete

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott‘s meteoric increase from fourth-spherical draft choose to NFL Offensive Rookie of the Calendar year landed him the very best breakthrough athlete award.

“I have obtained to thank my teammates,” Prescott claimed immediately after acquiring the award. “All those terrific vets that allowed me to appear in as a rookie and just consider about the group and propelled me to do so.”

Thrust into the starter’s part immediately after Tony Romo was hurt in the preseason, Prescott was an quick strike in his to start with NFL year, earning a Professional Bowl choice in addition to successful top rookie honors.

Prescott tied an NFL report for a rookie quarterback with thirteen wins, which include eleven straight, and led the Cowboys to an NFC East title. He experienced 23 landing passes and only four interceptions when also location a group report for a quarterback with 6 rushing touchdowns.

Prescott was the Cowboys’ to start with offensive rookie of the 12 months since Corridor of Fame jogging back again Emmitt Smith.

Previous to start with lady Michelle Obama drew amongst the loudest ovations Wednesday evening when she took the stage to present the Arthur Ashe Bravery Award, which was provided posthumously to Particular Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Kevin Winter/Getty Pictures

Best recreation

The New England Patriots‘ historic comeback versus the Atlanta Falcons in Tremendous Bowl LI was awarded the ESPY for very best recreation.

The Patriots trailed by 25 points in the third quarter before rallying to get 34-28 in extra time to entire the best comeback in Tremendous Bowl background. No group experienced ever made up far more than a 10-issue deficit to get a Tremendous Bowl.

Tom Brady led the Patriots on 5 straight scoring drives as the group scored 31 straight points. It was the to start with-ever extra time in the Tremendous Bowl’s 51-12 months background.

Patriots receiver Julian Edelman applied the minute to crack a joke at Manning’s price. Right after remarking that Manning was “killing it” on his host responsibilities, Edelman quipped, “We are indoors, although” — a reference to Manning’s cold-temperature struggles all through his actively playing times.

Jimmy V Perseverance Award

Jarrius Robertson, the charismatic 15-12 months-old whose battle with a scarce liver disorder encouraged followers and athletes alike, was the winner of the Jimmy V Perseverance Award.

Robertson was provided the award for the power and courage he shown when battling biliary atresia, a disorder that affects the bile ducts, beginning at infancy.

“I have been carrying out factors that I hardly ever imagined I could do before,” Robertson claimed.

A loyal admirer of the LSU Tigers and the New Orleans Saints, Robertson thanked the NFL business for “providing me a platform for carrying out what I do very best — remaining myself.”

Before Wednesday, Saints operator Tom Benson and his spouse, Gayle, claimed they donated $25,000 to enable with Robertson’s clinical charges. That amount will be matched by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

Icon Award

Famous Los Angeles Dodgers enjoy-by-enjoy announcer Vin Scully was this year’s recipient of the Icon Award.

Scully, who retired past 12 months immediately after a sixty seven-12 months operate in the Dodgers’ booth, was offered the award by actor and L.A. native Bryan Cranston, who flew from New York to introduce Scully.

“I do not have a relative in the world that would do that for me,” Scully joked.

Scully was the voice of the Dodgers from 1958 to 2016, the longest operate by any sportscaster with a solitary club.

Arthur Ashe Bravery Award

Particular Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver was posthumously honored with the Arthur Ashe Bravery Award.

Previous to start with lady Michelle Obama offered Shriver’s son, Timothy Shriver, with the award.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver died in 2009. Obama identified as her “a extraordinary girl, a girl who thought that everybody has something to add and everybody justifies a prospect.”

Timothy Shriver chairs the Particular Olympics, which his mother founded in the late 1960s to enable empower people today with mental disabilities.

“Our mother would have liked you,” he claimed of Obama. “She would have liked your forthrightness, your honesty, your toughness, your commitment also to get most people on the actively playing subject. She would have been so honored that you are here for here tonight as we all are.”

The courage award is provided per year to a person who embodies the spirit of its namesake, tennis legend and longtime human rights campaigner Arthur Ashe.

ESPN’s Royce Younger contributed to this report.

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buddyrabrahams · 7 years ago

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10 under-the-radar NBA free agents who could make a big splash

In this year’s NBA Finals, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant — three all-timers who have claimed seven of the last eight MVP awards — operated at the height of their powers. But it was an under-the-radar Warriors forward who finished with by far the best plus-minus of any player in the series: Andre Iguodala.

Iguodala finished the series +60, 20 points better than the next-most impactful player (Draymond Green was +40). And the 33-year-old Iguodala saved his best performance for last, playing 38 minutes, scoring 20 points, notching a +18, knocking down two vital threes, and playing excellent defense on James in the decisive Game 5.

Iguodala played so well that the Warriors were able to employ small-ball for most of the game, as JaVale McGee didn’t see the court and Zaza Pachulia played only 10 minutes.

Golden State acquired Iguodala in the 2013 offseason in a sign-and-trade deal involving the Nuggets and Jazz. The next year, the Dubs signed Shaun Livingston. And in the 2016 offseason, they inked three veteran big men (McGee, Pachulia, and David West) to bargain-basement deals. The three combined to make $5.7 million — nearly $2 million less than Channing Frye.

Role players don’t draw much attention when they sign with a new squad, but these players often prove to be difference-makers — even on the most talented teams.

Here are 10 under-the-radar free agents to keep an eye on this offseason.

10. Ersan Ilyasova

Ilyasova is a 10-year veteran who has bounced around after spending his first seven NBA campaigns with Milwaukee. He’s suited up for five teams in the past two years, but he’s still a valuable piece. Most recently he was dealt from the Sixers to the Hawks in exchange for Tiago Splitter and a second-round pick and potential pick-swap.

This season he averaged 10.4 points and 5.8 rebounds in 24.3 minutes per game for Atlanta. It wasn’t his best year, but he did notch 31 points in a January game, and throughout his career he’s consistently put up double-digit points and provided a punch on the offensive end.

The Turkish big man, a second-round pick in 2005, presents potential suitors with an interesting skill set. He can stretch the floor; he’s a career 35 percent three-point shooter. He’s a good pick-and-pop guy and he runs the floor.

Ilyasova, 6-foot-10 and 30 years old, lacks lateral athleticism, so he struggles to keep up with guards on switches, but he plays hard on defense and is a good rebounder. He could be a key bench guy for a contender.

9. Tony Allen

Allen is getting up there — he’s 35 now — but he’s still one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. He’s not showing signs of slowing down.

Allen, 6-foot-4, doesn’t get playing time for his offensive abilities, but he put up 9.1 points per game this season, the third-best mark of his career. The Grindfather also averaged 1.6 steals per game with Memphis this season.

Entering his 14th season, Allen has only played for two teams (Boston and Memphis), but he may well be looking for a third this summer, as the Grizzlies have several key free agents and a lot of money tied up in Mike Conley, Chandler Parsons, and Marc Gasol.

In a league filled with scorers, wings who can lock a guy up on the defensive end have real value (as we saw with Iguodala and Klay Thompson in the Finals). Tony Allen may have an Old Man Game, but it’s an important game.

Bruce Bowen, a similar player, competed in the NBA until he was 38. Allen should at least match that. When the season came to an end, Allen expressed his desire to return to Memphis.

8. Patrick Patterson

Patterson, a stretch forward out of Kentucky who feels like he’s been in the league forever, just recently turned 28.

He has been a key piece on the Raptors’ playoff teams of the past four years, but Toronto appears to be headed for a mini-rebuild — what else can you do when you’re so far from overtaking Cleveland? — and Patterson may depart with this era of North basketball. Patterson has expressed interest in returning to Toronto, but the team’s hands are tied because Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka are also free agents.

Patterson is the consummate example of a guy who doesn’t put up big stats, but simply finds ways to make his team better — the “glue guy.” He’s a good shooter, facilitator, and defender; he gets the ball moving on the offensive end and defensively, at an athletic and strong 6-foot-0, 235, he can switch on a wide range of players.

He’s played a consistent 24 minutes per game throughout his career, and has always hovered around 8 points and 5 rebounds per game. He’s been one of the more valuable bench players in the East over the past few years.

He’s also beloved in Toronto. It’s one of those special athlete-city relationships that unfortunately looks like it’s headed for its conclusion.

7. Ian Clark

Clark signed a 1-year, $1 million deal with Golden State last offseason. He was still a project at that point. Now he’s a verified solid backup point guard.

It’s unlikely Clark will want to leave the Warriors, where he has fit in well and been privy to a lot of winning, but they may have a tough time keeping him around. Clark had a career year, scoring 6.8 points per game as an energy guy off the bench.

He may be lured elsewhere by the promise of more money (he’s made less than $3 million in his career) and a bigger role. He knows Curry, who’s only three years older than him, will be the lead dog at the point for Golden State’s foreseeable future.

There are a lot of good point guards available in free agency this year — Kyle Lowry, George Hill, Jrue Holiday, and maybe even Chris Paul. Clark is probably not a starter, but the 26-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Belmont will garner significant interest from teams looking for lower-tier, more affordable help at the 1 spot.

6. Tyreke Evans

Evans is a head-scratching case study. The Memphis product, who was a one-and-done in 2008-09, is super talented, but he hasn’t lived up to expectations. Still, it feels like the former No. 4 pick is just searching for the right situation. His best season was his first, when he averaged 20.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.

Evans was sent back to Sacramento, his original NBA home, as part of the DeMarcus Cousins trade in February (Sacramento received Evans, Buddy Hield, Langston Galloway, and 2017 first- and second-round picks in exchange for Boogie and Omri Casspi, a trade that looks much more favorable for Sacramento now than it did at the time).

Evans has developed an improved three-point shot, and though his scoring numbers have dipped (he averaged 11.6 points per game this year), he remains an adept scorer and creator. He’s shifty in the paint, a good finisher, and capable of exploding for 30 on a random night. Though there are some parallels between Evans and Lance Stephenson, it wouldn’t be fair at this point to make that comparison; Evans is a better player, and he may still have some untapped potential.

Evans, 27, is poor on defense and has a history of injuries, so teams should approach signing him with caution, but it might be worth the risk to see if he finds a career resurgence a la Shaun Livingston.

5. Zach Randolph

Z-Bo will turn 36 in July. He’s no longer a dominant force in the paint, but Randolph’s abilities haven’t dipped too much; he can still get buckets in the post.

The former Spartan’s Player Efficiency Rating this year was 18.5, not all that far off from his 19.4 career average. He averaged 14.1 points and 8.2 rebounds in only 24.5 minutes per game. He still boxes out well and has that nice lefty 20-footer. He may need to take a decreased role, but at this point he has earned $140 million in his career — the 14-year veteran might be willing to step out of the spotlight in order to pursue a championship.

The Grizzlies may try to keep him around — it’s difficult to imagine that team without Gasol and Randolph bruising together in the post — but they may need to choose between Z-Bo and 26-year-old forward JaMychal Green. Green had a breakout season, and it’s likelier that he’ll end up back in Memphis and Randolph will suit up for a new team.

4. Taj Gibson

Gibson was the best player in the Thunder-Bulls deal earlier this season, which sent Gibson, Doug McDermott, and a second-round pick to Oklahoma City in exchange for Joffrey Lauvergne, Anthony Morrow, and Cameron Payne. Gibson wasn’t a perfect fit in OKC — it can take time for big men to find their place in a Westbrook-run offense — and he’ll turn 32 this offseason, but he’ll still receive quite a bit of interest.

He’s a voracious competitor, rebounder, and defender. Gibson, a former first-round pick out of USC, was one of the Bulls’ key pieces on their playoff teams of the 2010s. In 2013-14, he finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting (Jamal Crawford won the award). This season he averaged 9.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.

He’ll be one of the best big men on the market. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Golden State, which favors agile big men who can grab boards, made a run at Gibson.

3. Rudy Gay

Ahh, Rudy Gay. One of the more talented wings since he entered the league from UConn as the eighth overall pick in 2006, Gay is an enigma. He’s always been an “Almost All-Star,” but never gotten over the hump.

He has toiled away in Sacramento for the last four years, but continues to put up good offensive numbers on a bad team; he averaged 18.7 points and 6.3 rebounds this season.

Though Gay has not become a superstar as some people expected during his early years with Memphis, he’s a consistent scoring threat. Because he’s coming off of a serious injury (he ruptured his Achilles’ tendon in January and missed the rest of the season), a team might be able to land Gay at a decent price.

Whether he wants to cash in with another bad team, where he would be the first or second option, or take less money to join a contender remains to be seen.

2. J.J. Redick

As the NBA has become more three-happy, Redick’s value has increased. His game has developed quite a bit, too, throughout the course of his career.

The former NCAA Player of the Year (2006) from Duke was a vital piece for the Clippers the past four years. This season, he scored 15.0 points per game and shot 43 percent from deep — sixth-best in the NBA. He’s an underrated defender. Needless to say, having a three-and-D guy who shoots that well is a major asset in today’s game.

Redick really knows his role; he’s refreshingly self-aware.

He’s no longer in his prime, but Redick should still have a couple good years left in the tank. He’s also a well-liked locker-room guy. As we saw with Golden State this season, a team’s culture is perhaps just as important as the talent of its roster.

1. Danilo Gallinari

Gallinari has been overlooked throughout his career in New York and Denver, but teams will fight for the Italian big man’s services this offseason. The 6-foot-10 forward, the sixth-overall pick in 2008 (he went immediately after the UCLA teammates Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love), shot 39 percent from three and put up 18.2 points per game this year.

He’s a 90 percent free-throw shooter, too, and in recent years he’s improved at drawing fouls. Perhaps most importantly, he stayed healthy. Gallinari has battled a number of injuries, including an ACL tear, throughout his career.

The Nuggets finished only one game out of the West’s No. 8 spot, and Gallinari was a big reason for that. All indications are that Gallinari is in the best years of his career.

He isn’t a max player, but Gallinari has a lot to offer, and there will be teams lined up to recruit him. He should command roughly $20 million a year and even has shown an interest in returning to Denver.

The players on this list won’t turn heads this offseason like Gordon Hayward, Blake Griffin, or Chris Paul, but they could turn the tide of a playoff series. Others to keep an eye on: Greg Monroe, Jeff Teague, P.J. Tucker, James Johnson, Nene, Thabo Sefolosha, Jeff Green, Darren Collison, and Gerald Green.

Basketball nerds, rejoice: NBA free agency officially commences July 6. Free agents can begin reaching verbal agreements with teams July 1.

from Larry Brown Sports http://ift.tt/2tfgSJd

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