#NBA Summer 17

[txtaetertots]

hopelessly devoted. — choi beomgyu x fem!reader

status COMPLETE (230619 - 240807)

cw/genre swearing, twt humor bc twt humor, banter, bullying, SLOW BURN, slice of life, romcom, probably gonna be corny hfdjjz, social media au w/ written parts, also pls ignore time stamps they're not important nor accurate lol

synopsis choi beomgyu has spent his entire senior year slacking off and causing mischief. but, due to his inattentiveness, his slacking off went too far and if he doesn't improve the grade in his literature class he'll guarantee himself a seat in summer school. yn has big dreams to be on stage and star on broadway. however, she needs to impress recruiters with one last production as the lead in order to earn herself a spot in a new york based school. when beomgyu's literature teacher makes him join their drama club for extra credit, their futures quickly become intertwined and dependent on each other.

featuring le sserafim members, hanni (newjeans), bahiyyih (kep1er), ocs, and mentions of others

taglist CLOSED

profiles four and a half girls, the nba (benchwarmers), others

note my first social media au on tumblr !! hopefully it's an enjoyable read :')) i have so many ideas for txt aus i can't wait to share them! i'm most excited to share this beomgyu one so i hope you all enjoy ♡︎ - yuri

Acts

01. report and block soobin

02. nyu decision day

03. second review

04. spring production (written+)

05. i'm sandy

06. auditions (written)

07. cast list from hell

08. wtf mr. kim (written)

09. welcome to hell

10. first read through

11. perfect harmony (written+)

12. it’s just a little infatuation

13. it’s just coffee

14. annoying friends (written+)

15. cruel and unusual punishment

16. the deal

17. shameless

18. very interesting

19. it comes so naturally

20. awfully close

21. please believe me

22. predicament

23. nopenopenope

24. i’ll kick you

25. it’s just a kiss (written+)

26. it’s called method acting

27. long time no talk

28. apology(?)

29. focus on me (written)

30. beomie

31. i never said that

32. yeonjun and soojung

33. soulmates

34. you’re the one that i want (written)

35. mixed feelings

36. everybody talks

37. yunjin’s plan

38. baby jungie

39. i don’t feel so good

40. you’re not who i thought you were

41. i’m not a bad guy

42. yeonjun and beomgyu

43. one last date

44. best friends and brothers

45. my love

46. we’re done

47. last day

48. the promposal (written)

49. the aftermath

50. beomgyu’s aftermath

51. friends night

52. hiyyih tells all

53. regroup new plan

54. please forgive me

55. the truth comes out

56. operation: save yeonjun

57. getting ready

58. opening night (written)

59. yeonjun’s aftermath

60. the decision

61. because of you

62. the last curtain call (written)

63. nyu tisch

64. make it count

65. best choice

66. will you help me?

67. dress shopping

68. prom (written)

69. scariest mission yet

70. we go together (written) [end]

Epilogues

summer travels | new york bound | happily ever after

© txtaetertots

[mariposa-writes]

Good Sleep - LaMelo Ball

Summary: hate writing these, so just read and find out.

A/N: This man is the love of my life (and his brothers).

It was hard, dating an NBA player. Not that it was Melo's fault. He tried to make things as easy as possible. He called whenever he could, making sure to at least check in on me once a day.

It wasn't like I made things any easier. I took a lot of pride in my job and it felt like a lot of the time when he was home, I was busy working.

Which is what I am currently doing. Its around midnight, when I hear the garage open, I know it's Melo. His team was supposed to get back earlier tonight, but their flight got delayed due to weather.

After a few minutes he enters our room. I moved in with him a 6 months ago, since I practically lived there full time anyways. We both also thought it would be a good way to spend more time together.

"Hey, babe." He says walking over to me and giving me a quick kiss on the lips. He heads into our bathroom, getting ready to shower. He hates how he feels after plane rides, always complaining about being dirty. "What are you working on?" He calls from the bathroom.

"Just work stuff." I respond, not having the time to explain. I have to have these reports ready by Monday. I'm a CFO for a major clothing company in the US. We are currently working on expanding to European countries.

Melo showers while I work and before I know it he's climbing into bed. "Babe," He whines, "when are you going to bed?"

"I don't know, soon." I answer, dismissively. He frowns, looking up at me from where he's laying.

"You work to hard. Your not even 22 and your the CFO for a major company. I worry you're gonna work yourself to death." Melo's always hated how hard I work. We've been dating since we were both 19.

I was getting ready to graduate college, when he was getting drafted into the NBA. Being born a genius helped me fast track my schooling and career.

I started interning with the company I currently work at when I was 17, the summer after my junior year. I started working with them when they were just a start up, but in the past four years they have rapidly grown and I've been a part of the process the whole way.

This company is like my baby and I'm the one that has to track everything to make sure we are achieving our goals. I never intended on working here this long, but I love the people I work with (the pay isn't bad either).

They promoted me to CFO when their old one left to work for a bigger company. What an idiot, they didn't have believe in the company and soon ours will be bigger than the one they are working for.

Three hours later and I'm still working, Melo's passed out. After he fell asleep I headed to the office he set up for me, not wanting to wake him.

I have a blanket wrapped around me, with my headphones in and a cup of hot chocolate sitting on the desk. Once I get this done, I'll be on Monday and present to our investors I will be on vacation for the next 9 days.

I haven't told Melo yet, wanting to surprise him since our schedules rarely line up.

I look up from my computer, when I see the hallway light turn on. I take my headphones out, knowing it's Melo. He walks into my office, frowning. "Babe, go to bed." He groans.

"Ok, just give me a few minutes."

"Nope, you always say that and then a few minutes turn into another hour or two and then you're only getting like 2 hours of sleep before you head into the office." He walks over and shuts my laptop, before pulling me out of the chair.

I whine and protest the whole way back to our bed, but he doesn't seem to care. He makes me lay down and tucks me in like I'm a little kid, before climbing in bed next to me.

Once he's in bed his, arm wraps around my waist as he pulls me closer resting his head on my stomach. "Finally, I can sleep now."

"You've been asleep this whole time." I argue.

"Yea, but now I'll get good sleep. I only get good sleep when you're with me." I smile, even though he can't see me. I continue playing with his hair, before we both drift of to sleep in each other's arms.

[boqvistsbabe]

Update!!!!!!!!

Hey Y’all!!

Here is the start of hopefully monthly updates. I know in my last update I said I was going to be more consistently here and active. Obviously, that didn’t happen lol. Trying to hold myself to that rn. So this is probably going to be the format for all of my update posts, just so they are easier to follow.

Refresh:

So I am almost completely done with the blog refresh. I think all that is left is updating links and getting some other posts (ex: theme days) made/redone. Most of that got put on the back burner due to how long they were going to take lol. But hopefully, over Spring Break, I’ll be able to get those done (no promises, another thing I’m trying to do, is be more realistic about what I want to get done by when so). 

Writing/Other Content:

Ik I said I’d write more. Once again didn’t really happen. Well, I have written a decent bit, but never finished anything. There is one fic that I am going to try and work on after this week (midterms lol) and have someone look over it (the first time I’ve had a beta reader, look at me go lol). Like the blog as a whole, I am trying to organize my writing, like requests and my ideas and what is going out when etc. (@ any of the other writers if you have any suggestions of what to/where to organize my stuff so it doesn’t get all confusing and mixed up you should def let me know). Speaking of requests, I am going to try and do at least two requests a month. That doesn’t sound like a lot but for me, that feels like something I can realistically do. I will be doing old requests first because even though they are years old at this point, I liked the ideas so I genuinely want to write them. I am still going to be accepting new requests (esp because sometimes that helps spark creativity/help with writer’s block so feel free to send in any ideas!!) but I will try to get those older ones done first. As for any other content (playlists, moodboards, IG edits, drawings, etc.) I am also taking requests for those so feel free to send in any of those requests too. 

Another Blog?!

As of rn the second hockey blog has not been “released”. I want to catch up on things for this blog before I throw that into the mix and try to grow that as well. I am hoping to add that sometime this summer. Also, I do technically have a sideblog already (@samistheman) which is normally where I reblog random things, and I don’t really have tags for that blog I just kinda willy-nilly reblog there (it used to be mostly PJO stuff but now that’s kind of here because of how much of it there is lol).

Life Update:

College is a lot rn. I’m doing 17 credit hours and tbh do not know what possessed me to do that. At first, I was doing pretty good, but now not so much. Like I said earlier I have midterms this week. If y’all didn’t know this, I’m shit at taking tests so not doing great rn. Thankfully one of my classes ends on Sunday so at least I don’t have to worry about that. I’ve had a lot going on in my personal life recently that is impacting a lot so trying to navigate that as well. I am moving out in May, which is yes months from now but there is still a lot that I need to do beforehand. Anyway, I’m going to a college hockey game on Thursday and I am super excited. I haven’t been able to go to a game since October. Also little fun update, I’m going on a weekend (work) trip to Boston. Super excited for that. I’ll be getting to go to a Celtics game and a Red Sox game (I’m a Royals girlie tho). I’ve never been to an NBA game so that’s for sure gonna be really cool. I’ve been to many MLB games before but this will be my first at a different stadium. Anyway, I think that is it for this update. Hope y’all are doing well!!

As usual, if y’all ever want to talk dms/inbox are open <3

I am going to tag some moots, I am totally forgetting some people so I am sorry for that (if y'all could reblog that would be amazing)

@2manytabsopen @krugstrash @jimmystrudel @andreburakozy @sidneycrosbyhoe @fallinallincurls @timstuetzle @typical-simplelove @ilyasorokinn @drei-mrssvechii

[newnoirstories]

Illustrators Very Much Wanted

[Illustrators wanted. Generous terms outlined in pinned post: @scholarofgloom on Tumblr]

[As always, the inclusion of religious and mystical themes in my stories does not constitute an endorsement of them. The following story contains intense, horror themes, kidnapping, references to drugs and alcohol, and also a reference to parental neglect.]

"Ars Oculus"

Chapter I

When, amidst the festivities of June, 1976 in Boston, with the Boston Celtics basketball team having won its 13th NBA championship, certain tall men, household names in Boston, made out autographs to a 43-year-old man, one Caldwell Marion Rome, they could little have imagined how remarkable, perhaps even miraculous it was, and reflecting the determination of this man, that Mr. Rome was engaged in any activity reckoned so "normal" by society.

Yet this Boston Celtics fan, father of three at the time, had lived, at the beginning of the same year, what appeared, still waters running deep, to be the essence of every traditional American norm.

Caldwell Rome was a private detective by trade, but prior to this fateful year, had always laughed at fictional depictions of his profession, assuring those who knew him that it seldom had the "blood and grit" such stories would have one believe. In a quiet, middle-class neighborhood of Boston, Caldwell specialized in detecting forgeries and thefts of antiques, subjects on which he was an expert of no small renown.

Rome was the junior partner of the private detective agency Cross & Rome, occasionally mistaken for a Catholic organization, with Robert Cross, 62, his senior partner, working out the fencing and money laundering aspects of the same crimes Rome investigated. Cross was hardly less remarkable than Caldwell, being a man of the finest tailoring, physically fit, tall and elegant, mentally sharp with a quick wit, with a carefully coiffed silver streak in his hair that made him, sometimes likened to classic leading man Cary Grant in this respect, appear no more than forty, even as he entered his seventh decade.

With occasional assistants who came and went, these men earned a stream of income that moved them gradually into upper-middle class status.

On the home front, Agatha Rome (née Fisher), 38, was a sunny woman, known in her neighborhood as someone of the highest character, a responsible mother, with no one to say a word against her. More trivially, she was also known for her very floral wardrobe, and even as 1950's nostalgia became prominent in the seventies, to Agatha, it was not nostalgia, but simply the same life she had lived from the start.

One could not have imagined, or so it seemed, a lighter and brighter setting, yet the light would meet the most horrifying darkness, a darkness that would seek the light, no matter how the light wished to hide from it.

Chapter II

One horror that was undeniable was the death of Agatha's mother, Judith Fisher, in 1964, by homicide. Due to the brutality of the crime and its timing, the press generally attributed the crime to the Boston Strangler. Even this, however, served to turn Agatha into more a pillar of her community as, seeing the necessity of law and order even more clearly, she donated and raised money for the families of slain or otherwise deceased police officers.

Agatha had, in high school, been classmates with a deeply disturbed girl named Delilah Knudsen, nicknamed "Devil" by some, and while Agatha had long forgotten about "Devil" Delilah, Delilah remembered her very well, and there is the dark heart of the matter.

While the neighborhood in which the Rome family lived had little crime, in 1975, one incident did occur that broke the peace of the suburban setting.

In the summer of '75, on a balmy night, a 17-year-old boy named Andy Coran sneaked into the Rome family's yard, apparently to watch, through a window, Agatha disrobe. The family bulldog, however, Marmon by name, after a series of tanks, knew of his presence while the humans did not, and mauled the boy, nearly to death.

Even more seriously, as laws were then written, Andy had in his right sock a small plastic bag of cocaine, which may have explained why he seemed to feel little pain from Marmon's attack, at least initially.

"The boy is lucky Marmon got him before Caldwell did," remarked Agatha, "He won't even allow alcohol in the house."

Chapter III

No one in the neighborhood imagined that far worse awaited them, and to understand why, one must understand a materially wealthy woman of the darkest madness, Delilah Knudsen.

Materially wealthy, of old money, Delilah was poor in support in her developing years. Her paternal great-grandfather had earned the family fortune, but her father lived to squander it, and self-destruct in the process. He disappeared into the opium dens of New York City before little Delilah really knew him at all.

Living in one of Boston's oldest homes with her mother, a home some claimed was haunted, may have done neither Delilah nor her mother any favors, as by the time Delilah was 14, her mother, Christina Knudsen (née Nilsen) was in a mental hospital, and would never be released from institutional care.

Already a strange, shy girl, Delilah changed at this time into something frightening, becoming particularly obsessed with her classmate, Agatha, then Agatha Fisher. In one unnerving incident, though still not the most grotesque of Delilah's youth, a wide-eyed Delilah, alone in a classroom with Agatha, caressed Agatha's arm, and in a monotone voice said, "Your skin is supple. I must have it."

As an adult, wealthy enough to isolate herself from the world, with a revolving door of servants who either resigned in fear or were let go if they found out a little too much about their employer, Delilah Knudsen became obsessed with acquiring yet more wealth, convinced that if she could acquire enough gold, in her personal mythology, she could transmute, in alchemical terms, into someone or something immortal. To this end, she worshipped the Goetic demon Bune, said to grant wealth, but also took a deep interest in the dark side of Indo-Iranian beliefs, worshipping Angra Mainyu, the Zoroastrian father of evil, believing that she "belonged to him" and that he was responsible for her being, in her own mind, reincarnated from serial killer Countess Elizabeth Báthory.

Most ghoulish of all, she had in her possession, unknown to any of her servants, the fifth digit of the right upper extremity of none other than Judith Fisher. This terrible fact can be explained only by knowledge of what Delilah herself claimed: None of what she did was of her own accord, but answering to "the eyes in the painting".

In an old family portrait of her great-grandfather, the original breadwinner, Delilah, who by the late sixties was calling herself "Alexandra Medusa", insisted that eyes watched her, and a voice spoke to her, commanding her to do all that she had done. Indeed, a former maid claimed to have seen eyes in the painting fixed on "Alexandra", and a "croaking" voice giving instructions, a voice that could have come only from the painting.

Chapter IV

As Alexandra Medusa, now so-called legally, lived in an opulent chamber of horrors, Caldwell and Agatha Rome had quite different matters on their minds.

Since 1972, when it went missing from Yale University, Caldwell Rome had been more than a little obsessed with finding an evidently stolen Persian zarf, a container for spices, one in legend said to have been owned by the Three Magi from the Book of Matthew, though other stories claimed not only that it was a fraud, as far as such a holy origin, but instead was constructed by medieval German warlocks, and hexed accordingly.

Seemingly fantastical stories aside, it was an item of immense artistic and monetary value, and for this reason, Caldwell had been consulted by many on its disappearance, and one cold day in January, 1976, was chewing on a pencil as he typed notes on possible leads in the case.

"C'mon, beaver man, can't you think of anything but work?" asked Agatha.

Chewing on a pencil, like a beaver chewing wood, Caldwell answered, in a somewhat limited range of vocalizations, "Like what?"

"How about we work on making a fourth child? You know I've wanted one so long."

Finally dropping the pencil from his teeth, Caldwell explained, "I have long felt, Agatha, that this is something more than professional. Call it fanciful, but this zarf, this chalice, it is connected to us in some way. I gave a guest lecture at Yale two weeks before it disappeared. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not. Besides, the financial rewards offered for any solid leads would help us provide complete security for three or four kids."

Little did Caldwell Rome know, however, that the zarf was at that moment in the possession of Alexandra Medusa, now used for her strange theories on alchemy, as she believed the cup had magickal powers.

"What makes this old cup so expensive, Caldwell?" asked Agatha.

"Legends claim it has mystical import. Chimerical or no, many believe them, or have believed them."

"How did the legend start?"

"Well, technically, the volumes in which it is first mentioned begin with a prologue claiming that if the reader speaks the name of the books to anyone else, he hexes that unfortunate other. No, I don't believe it either, Aggie, but in your case, I'm not taking chances. Find me the zarf and I'll find you a fourth kid."

"Okay, I'll look in the kitchen cabinets," joked Aggie.

Chapter V

The parallel worlds interconnected as they are, the reader will learn that the three Rome children are all very much connected to the light and the dark of it.

The eldest child, Philip Rome, a bright if impressionable boy of seventeen, well-behaved but unpopular, outstanding in mathematics and planning to be an accountant, had befriended Thomas Banerjee, a boy whose parents were immigrants from India, but who had become distinctly American very quickly.

Thomas was what today we would call a "theatre kid", obsessed with Broadway and swearing that he would star on it one day, and soon began sharing his knowledge of musicals, as well as his often magenta wardrobe, with Philip.

"Thomas has an odd influence over Philip, don't you think?" asked a concerned Agatha of her husband.

"I think that we should, by all means, encourage Thomas's Broadway career," replied Caldwell.

"But you know he's…?"

"Of course, but people have to work things like that out for themselves sometimes."

Thomas was also friendly with the second Rome child, Natalie, 15, who spoke five languages already, but exaggerated all of Philip's tendencies. Philip was academically proficient, Natalie even more so. Philip was socially less than adept, but Natalie would, were it not for Thomas, have been an utter recluse.

It was not that Natalie did not long for human company. On the contrary, she had her eye on a shy, bookish boy from one of her classes, but her conversations tended to be awkward and circular, her understanding of every conversation and jest literal, such that the other kids were generally confused by her, and she by them.

Thomas, though, with his eye for fashion, helped Natalie blend in a bit more, as she, under his tutelage on the subject, ceased wearing wildly mismatching and clashing outfits.

This brings us to the potential black sheep of the family, Jeremiah Rome, just eight. For seven years, he had seemed like every other boy, but as he approached his eighth birthday, he became suddenly belligerent, a bully to smaller children, and wantonly destructive of property.

The family's priest, of the Roman Catholic Church, Father Callum Donegal, was of the opinion that supernatural forces were affecting the young boy, which, no doubt, makes the reader consider Ms. Medusa's influence.

Chapter VI

"I'm so lonely I'd do anything to make you like me," blurted out Natalie, speaking to a boy at the high school library. The boy, Paul Knudsen was, unbeknownst to Natalie, the estranged son of Delilah "Alexandra Medusa" Knudsen, his father's identity unknown.

Paul ran away from his grotesque home at just twelve, then was placed in foster care.

"Would you still like me if my mom was a killer?"

Paul had been feared by association before, and now felt that others would shun him if they knew about his mother, whom he termed "a killer" because of her claim of being reincarnated from one.

"Sure, Paul. Statistics indicate that criminal tendencies in a parent by no means genetically predispose a child to repeat any pattern of behavior," replied Natalie, in her ultra-academic way of speaking.

"Maybe not, but a lot of people get scared as soon as they know about my freak mom."

"My parents say I can start dating when I'm 16. That's next month, Paul, and your 16th is the same month. Do you at least think I'm cute? I'm not a glamour girl, but can I still be cute?"

Paul smiled, "Yeah, you really are."

In the midst of this budding romance, however, Caldwell Rome had finally found a lead on the Magi Zarf, or Magi Cup, as many called it. A retired fence of stolen goods came forward to say that a friend of his had sold something similar to the item's description to Alexandra Medusa.

Posing as a wealthy but unscrupulous collector, with fine apparel and a shifty eye, Caldwell went up to the front door of Medusa, striking a knocker that, appropriately, depicted Medusa. Rather than letting a servant answer, Alexandra answered the door personally, but said only, in the monotone sound for which she was known, "I hexed Jeremiah, you Papist", before closing the door in Rome's face.

Chapter VII

Now believing Father Donegal's supernatural theory about his youngest child, Caldwell's next step was to go to Confession, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, confessing any venial (minor) sins of his, reasoning that, if the devil were involved, this would fortify him.

In the confessional, however, Fr. Callum Donegal stated, "There is a storm coming, Mr. Rome, not of air or water, nor quaking of the earth, but of purest hellfire. Your son's behavior results from the world's growing wickedness, and a generation from today, it will be worse still. Worst of all, even the Church, or the appearance of it, is filled with atheists and the most contemptibly abusive. Soon, the world will be sheep with no shepherd, so you are quite right to put on Christ's armor now, as there will not be another opportunity."

At the Rome household, meanwhile, Magnus Fisher, 62, World War II veteran and widower, father of Agatha, was delivering a similarly grim message.

"If you want a fourth child, Agatha, the decision is yours to make, but I fought in the thick of combat against trained German killing machines, and even that is more comforting a thought than the future of today's children."

"Why? What is happening in the future?"

"I don't know specifics of the future, but it's like watching a building slowly collapse. If you have a fourth child, one conversation with a glib atheist and the child might become one, and you know what the Psalms say. Still, if you want to another kid…"

Chapter VIII

"You need to pose as a repairman," suggested Robert Cross to his junior partner, "But you might want to do a bit of legal research on what you can get away with in that regard."

"The lady seems to know me by sight," replied Rome.

"Oh, there are ways around that. If you know the right people, and the right techniques, you can look like anything. Disguises aside, we both know Alexandra has to be involved. It has to be someone who knows about The Tomes, and spooky Medusa is just the type to know all about that."

Given an idea by Robert's words, Caldwell went to the nearest library to research it, this being long before widespread Internet availability. Unfortunately for Caldwell, the librarian at this locale was Cassandra Mullin.

"Not only are you criminals for stealing this book an extra two days, but your loud pickup vehicle is destroying Mother Earth, and is an emblem of your cave-dwelling, reactionary, neo-Confederate ways! Never come back!"

Mullin's tirade was all over a man with a South Carolina license plate returning a book two days late. Her ordinarily sallow, gaunt face had turned a bright red in her rage, but then she saw Caldwell Rome.

"Oh, oh! Hello, Caldwell. How can I do you? I mean… what can I do for you?" asked Cassandra, fixing her hair and acting like a schoolgirl, which she had not been for thirty years. Caldwell's wry face showed his thoughts, utter disbelief that anyone put such a person in charge of any library, or of anything.

"I need your genealogical records, section B through D."

Picking it up with effort, her eyes still fixated on Rome, Cassandra put a large, dusty volume before him. As Caldwell reached for it, however, Mullin suddenly grabbed his face and kissed him.

"What's that June Cleaver wife of yours got that I haven't?" she exclaimed.

More than a little nauseated, Caldwell continued his research, needing several other books from Cassandra, who was now hiding her face in embarrassment at her own impulsive actions.

Chapter IX

"Why don't you give this zarf case to Mr. Cross?" suggested Agatha.

"Exactly what I can't do. Cross is not blunt enough to say it, but if I don't solve this one soon, without him, he will consider me expendable," Caldwell replied.

"I thought you were partners."

"Yes, I'm his junior partner. To put it another way, it's 1965, I'm John Havlicek, and I have to steal the ball or else!"

"If that's a sports reference, who won the Battle of Versailles [a 1973 Franco-American fashion contest]?"

"The what?"

"Exactly my point," snarked Agatha.

That night, eager and excited, Alexandra Medusa crept on to the Rome family's property. Bribing Marmon the bulldog with sweet words and a sirloin steak, Alexandra crept to the same window as Andrew "Andy" Coran had, to watch Agatha Rome.

"Oh, she's perfect…" muttered Medusa, nearly fainting from her interest.

While on the property, however, her hands gloved, Alexandra also slipped a message in a mailbox. Thomas Banerjee had, in fact, finally pursued his Broadway dreams, and merely took an early flight to New York, but a letter, addressed not to Caldwell or to Agatha, but to Philip, claimed that Thomas had been kidnapped, and instructed Philip to go to Medusa's address.

Chapter X

Natalie brought home Paul Knudsen, essentially for her parents' approval of him as her soon-to-be boyfriend. Nothing about Knudsen was objectionable to any sane parent, unless it were the identity of his mother. Paul got that out of the way first thing.

"Just so you know, Mr. and Mrs. Rome, I'm nothing like my mom. You may have heard stories about her. Well, I ran away to foster care now. I don't do any of those dark things."

When they were alone, Caldwell and Agatha discussed the boy.

"He seems like a good kid. I trust Natalie with him," said Agatha.

"So do I. He's being entirely honest, but he has another secret, one even he doesn't know."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that I just solved the case of the Magi Cup, and I have Paul to thank."

Just then, however, Jeremiah, for all of his bad behavior, rushed into the room, very upset that his big brother, Philip, was missing, having left a note saying only, "Got to save Tom, Philip."

With a grim face, Caldwell went to the attic to load an old pistol.

"We should get the police immediately!" exclaimed Agatha.

"I know where Philip is, and if the police raid that place… no, I have to go in alone."

Chapter XI

Bareheaded in a driving rain, Caldwell Rome rushed to his car, a Ford Falcon from the sixties, and drove as quickly as its ailing motor would take him, going directly to the address of Alexandra Medusa.

Medusa was so audacious as to leave her front gate open, and her front door likewise, holding Philip Rome at the point of a knife, saying cryptically, as lightning punctuated her words, "Fate brings lovers together."

With pistol drawn, Caldwell replied, "No riddles, witch. Let go of my son! You can't possibly win now. If you hurt him, you die."

"Calm down, Mr. Rome, there is no need for anyone to die. I don't want Philip, or you. I need your wife. I need Agatha Fisher, who is Suvannamaccha."

"Who is what?"

"Suvannamaccha, the mermaid. Her maiden name, Fisher, and if you know the Kabbalah, the left kidney, Hod, corresponds to Hanuman. My left kidney was removed when I was 18. That was when I knew why I dreamt of the dear girl Agatha, for Mr. Rome, I am becoming a god. But I need a night… a ritual with Agatha to make it happen. Then I will be immortal."

"You need a psychiatrist. Just let my son go. They'll find you insane anyway."

"They will find a god. I swear by Ahriman, whose property my mortal form is, that if you give me one night, one ritual with your wife, not only will I release her and Philip unharmed, but I will lift the hex on Jeremiah… (lightning strike)… I will let you watch the ritual if you do not believe me!"

Philip Rome had been taught by Caldwell, in the strictest terms, never to hit a girl, but as he heard Alexandra's plans, he finally broke that rule and stomped firmly on her instep. In an instant, he was free, and Medusa was at Caldwell's mercy.

"Go ahead and shoot. If you will not let me be a god, sacrifice me and become one yourself…" said Delilah, tearfully.

"No, I will follow Jesus Christ as my God, and you will be safely in a hospital. I will even pray for you," replied Caldwell Rome, holding back his anger.

Chapter XII

Locking Delilah in one of her own closets, and warning Philip to stay outside, Caldwell Rome rushed into the old house feared by so many, an intentional labyrinth of dead ends and secret passages. Eventually, however, he found what he was seeking, the old painting of Delilah's great-grandfather, the one said to instruct her every move.

In an indication of Caldwell's uncompromising directness, he ripped most of the canvas, with his bare hands, from its frame, and there, too stunned to respond or even move, was Robert Theodore Cross, his eyes where the portrait's eyes had been.

The dreadful story of the Robert T. Cross, the mind of the evil if Delilah was its heart, is one that the author has kept from the reader for purposes of cynical emotional manipulation, as a literary ploy, but in this year of reckoning, all was revealed.

Robert T. Cross was born Samuel Matthews, but changed his name, in 1955, to Robert Cross, to make his initials R.C., standing, to him, for Rosy Cross. Still, in his black heart, he was more opportunist than occultist, and when the Second World War first involved the USA, eagerly took German money to act as a spy for the Third Reich.

From there, if it were possible to sink lower, he did. Not so much a womanizer as a fortune hunter, Matthews/Cross used his good looks and considerable superficial charm to court and obtain wealth from rich women, such as Delilah Knudsen, and it was seeing in Paul Knudsen the image of a younger Robert Cross that made Caldwell Rome's case complete, as he realized that Robert was Paul's father.

However, before Delilah, he had leeched the considerable financial means of Judith Fisher, Agatha's mother, then thrown her over for Cassandra Mullin, an eccentric woman from a wealthy family, a family that later disowned her. Bitter over this, Judith, also known as Judy, tried to blackmail Cross over his Nazi past, but such was a fatal game to play. Robert murdered Judy, and, taking advantage of hysteria over the Boston Strangler, made it appear to be one of his crimes.

From here, his greed knew no bounds. He took full advantage of Delilah's psychiatric weaknesses, and cunningly devised the oracle portrait, while in his other, seemingly respectable life as a private detective, Robert arranged the theft of antiques, then betrayed the thieves and so made money from both sides of the law, all without even Caldwell suspecting a thing.

At the trial for his many crimes, still looking like a leading man, Samuel Matthews had the nerve to refer to Caldwell Rome as "ungrateful", on the grounds that "I made him most of his money."

Samuel "Robert Cross" Matthews was sentenced to life in prison, Alexandra Medusa was committed to a secure psychiatric facility, and, in 1981, Natalie Rome, by this time with three siblings, married Paul Knudsen.

The end.

[nba-clothes-store]

The Sacramento Kings have made the NBA postseason for the first time since 2006. What’s changed?

The Sacramento Kings have made the NBA postseason for the first time since 2006. What’s changed? By Thomas Schlachter, CNN CNN —  Daniel Powter’s “Bad Day” was topping the Billboard Hot 100, Owen Wilson had just made his debut as Lightning McQueen in “Cars” and Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray was counting down the days to his sixth birthday. May 2006 was a long time ago and for all those involved with the Kings, it must feel like even longer. Sacramento has not played an NBA postseason game in almost 17 years but after turning a corner this season, fans in the Golden 1 Center will finally have something to cheer for after the 82 games of the regular season conclude. The Kings clinched a playoff berth following the team’s 120-80 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. They now sit with a record of 46-30 and become the third team to secure a spot in the Western Conference playoffs, joining the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies. With De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis leading a new era in Sactown, there is hope that the return to the NBA Playoffs isn’t just a flash in the pan, but a sign of things to come for future years. Trading places There were a lot of questions raised when the Kings opted to trade brilliant, young point guard Tyrese Haliburton to the Indiana Pacers in early 2022. Haliburton was drafted No. 12 by the Kings and was seen by many as the point guard of the future for the franchise. The 6-foot-5-inch playmaker was named to the 2021 NBA All-Rookie First Team and finished third in Rookie of the Year voting after his first season in the league. After averaging 13 points, 5.3 assists and three rebounds in his first year, Haliburton kept up the pace during his sophomore season and recorded a career-high 38 points and 17 assists early into his second year. However, the Kings began to have concerns over his long-term fit with Fox in their backcourt and a subsequent blockbuster trade sent Haliburton to the Pacers. Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson followed the guard to the Hoosier State with Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb, a 2023 second-round pick and, most importantly, Sabonis heading to California. Like Fox alongside Haliburton, Sabonis was a star in a team which was not particularly well constructed around his skillset. The Lithuanian has excelled since arriving in Sacramento and is having one of his best years in the NBA in the 2022/23 season. Sabonis – son of Hall of Fame center Arvydas Sabonis – is averaging career highs in rebounds and assists at the time of writing and returned to the All-Star team for already the third time in his young career. Speaking to The Athletic shortly after his trade, it seemed that the 7-foot-1-inch star knew there were good things waiting for the Kings. Sabonis said: “They brought me here, and we want to change things, you know? “It’ll be a lot of fun. It’s just little by little, I think we’re doing great things and going in the right direction. We’re gonna have a big summer – we’ve been talking about it. And then we’ll have a good training camp and get all the people together, you know?” All change in the off-season After a dismal start to the 2021/22 season, Luke Walton was fired from his role as the Kings’ head coach. Walton was replaced by veteran coach Alvin Gentry on an interim basis and upon the completion of the campaign, the 68-year-old was also let go. The Kings then appointed the associate head coach of the Golden State Warriors, Mike Brown, as their new head coach before the start of the 2022/23 season. Brown had just won an NBA championship with the Warriors after a finals win against the Boston Celtics, and was tasked with bringing some of his winning know-how to Sactown. The 53-year-old has completely overhauled how the Kings approach the game and has turned the franchise into one of the most exciting offenses in the league. Along with Brown, guard/forward Kevin Huerter and shooting guard Malik Monk became key pieces for the Kings and No. 4 draft pick Murray also joined up with the squad. It is no surprise that the arrival of these pieces has coincided with the overhaul of the Kings’ offense. Since moving to the West Coast, Huerter and Murray are shooting over six threes a game, and both are draining shots from deep at over 40%. Monk is just slightly behind the pair in terms of three-pointers attempted (3PA) and three-point percentage (3P%) but helps demonstrate how far this Kings offense has come and the planning that went into building the squad. The Kings ranked 21st in terms of three-point attempts-per-game last season while also shooting from deep at a 24th-rated 34.4%. This term, Brown’s team has climbed to seventh in the 3PA rankings with 36.9 attempts a game at a clip of 37.4% – eighth best in the NBA – again demonstrating the offensive changes that have been made. Another contributing factor to the Beam Team’s success are the performances of Fox in the clutch. The brilliant 25-year-old is on top of the NBA’s Clutch Player Ladder and has been vital in helping his side grind out crucial wins in key moments of the season. Attack is the best form of defense So far this season, the Kings have led the league in points-per-game with a staggering 120.9. Last season, the Kings finished 16th in this ranking, averaging just 110.3 points per outing. The transition the team has made and the additions to the roster have been vital in terms of their increased offensive numbers. Summing up the franchise, the Kings top the offensive rating rankings but sit 26th in terms of defensive rating – demonstrating their all-out attack mentality. This was encapsulated in their record-breaking game against the Los Angeles Clippers. In the second highest scoring matchup in NBA history, the Kings won 176-175 in an incredible offensive display. Fox scored 42 and added 12 assists with Monk leading the team in scoring with an impressive 45 from the bench with six threes. ‘Light the beam!’ The fans at the Golden 1 Center have completely bought into the project and have also played their part in the Kings’ success this season. After every home win, the Kings project a huge purple beam into the sky, in what has become a key part of the culture created at the franchise. With a win approaching, the entire arena erupts with chants of “LIGHT THE BEAM! LIGHT THE BEAM!” which has created a social media sensation. While some opposing teams and fans have used this to mock the Kings if they lose a game, the beam has helped create a special relationship between the fans and the franchise. Whatever happens to Sacramento in the playoffs, it has turned things around this year while capturing the hearts of its fans by playing run-and-gun, fearless basketball. Everyone in Sactown will be hoping they continue to light the beam throughout the postseason. Read the full article

[nbatrades]

Boston Celtics Bring Back Antoine Walker in Trade with Atlanta

On February 24th, 2005, the Atlanta Hawks traded forward Antoine Walker to the Boston Celtics for forward-center Tom Gugliotta, guard Gary Payton, center Michael Stewart and a 2006 first round draft pick (Rajon Rondo).

For most NBA stars, stardom is fleeting. Antoine Walker became a three-time All-Star with the Boston Celtics, but by the later years of his tenure, many had grown tired of the turnovers, deep three-point hoists and failure to stay in shape.

When Danny Ainge became executive director of basketball operations for the Celtics in 2003, exiting the Walker business was one of his first priorities. The Celtics traded the forward to the Dallas Mavericks and Ainge made it clear part of the reason for the trade was because he wasn't all in on Walker (via ESPN):

"Antoine had a grasp on our franchise," Ainge told The [Boston] Globe. "If Antoine is Michael Jordan, it's OK to have a grasp. If Antoine is Larry Bird, it's OK to have a grasp, or Bill Russell. I think those players had grasps on their franchises. "But I didn't perceive Antoine's grasp on us as a positive thing."

Walker went to Dallas and lasted only a year to middling results before he was traded again with Tony Delk to the Atlanta Hawks for Alan Henderson, Jason Terry and a conditional 2007 first round draft pick.

Now, Walker was on a Hawks team in a deep rebuild with a youth movement. Four rookies (Josh Smith, Josh Childress, Donta Smith and Royal Ivey) were on the team. Atlanta began the season 2-14 and much did not change as Atlanta was an NBA-worst 10-43 at the trade deadline. Individually, Walker was able to benefit. He appeared in 53 games with the Hawks and registered 20.4 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.2 SPG and 0.6 BPG in 40.2 MPG.

Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics were still trying to figure out where they fit in the NBA ecosystem. In replacing Walker, the Celtics had accumulated young talent but the jury was still out on whether that elevated Boston's future. The team was stuck in the middle. It could never tank and obtain a top draft pick if star Paul Pierce was on the roster.

Michael Stewart joined the Boston Celtics during the 2003-04 season when he was traded with Ricky Davis, Chris Mihm and a 2005 second round draft pick to the Boston Celtics for Tony Battie, Kedrick Brown and Eric Williams. Stewart had a bit role, appearing in 17 games with the Celtics, putting up 0.3 PPG and 0.6 RPG in 4.2 MPG.

The Celtics were 22-24 during the '03-'04 season when head coach Jim O'Brien stepped down. Assistant coach John Carroll became interim head coach for the rest of the year. Boston finished the season 36-46.

The Celtics qualified for the 2004 postseason as the eighth seed in the East. Boston faced the 61-21 Indiana Pacers in the first round. In the series opener, Pacers frontcourt players Jermaine O'Neal and Ron Artest had 24 points each as Indiana had an easy 104-88 win.

Artest was suspended for Game Two when he left the bench during an altercation between O'Neal and Boston's Brandon Hunter. The Celtics were more competitive in the second game, taking a five-point lead at halftime.

The Celtics took a 69-61 lead with 51.4 seconds left in the third quarter. Led by reserves like Fred Jones, Indiana went on a 42-21 run the rest of the game to win 103-90. The Pacers bench continued to buoy the Pacers, scoring 58 points in a 108-85 rout in Game Three that gave Indiana a 3-0 series lead.

Artest had 22 points in Game Four as Indiana won 90-75 and swept the series in four games. Stewart played two scoreless minutes during the series.

The 2004 offseason was a busy one for Boston. The club hired Doc Rivers as its new head coach. In the 2004 draft, the Celtics had three first rounders. They selected Al Jefferson 15th overall, Delonte West 24th and Tony Allen 25th.

Former Defensive Player of the Year and nine-time All-Star Gary Payton joined the Celtics in the summer of 2004 when he was traded by the Los Angeles Lakers with Rick Fox, cash considerations and a conditional 2006 first round pick for Chucky Atkins, Chris Mihm and Jumaine Jones. The Celtics also signed free agent Tom Gugliotta to a one-year, $2.6 million contract.

Payton was unhappy to move across the country and threatened to not show up to training camp. He missed an August 13 deadline to take a physical. Eventually, Payton reported to camp and joined the Celtics.

The Celtics began the 2004-05 season with a 4-8 record. The team would hover around .500 and had a chance at the winning the weak Atlantic Division. At the end of January, Boston was 21-24 but just a half a game out of the division lead. With the club at 27-28 right before the trade deadline, the Celtics saw a chance to make a run.

Boston made the move to re-acquire Walker who Ainge previously had removed from the equation just a year and a half prior. Walker's value across the league had dropped after being traded twice in a year. Entering free agency in 2005, Walker was keen on playing well to build his value back up. He also added a legitimate second scoring option to a Boston offense that relied heavily on Paul Pierce.

The Celtics moved three veterans on expiring contracts in Payton, Gugliotta and Stewart to acquire Walker 's expiring contract from Atlanta. The real value was in the 2006 first rounder Boston sent to Atlanta which was lottery protected and the less favorable of the two picks Boston held, its own and the Lakers' pick.

The Hawks and Celtics held trade talks about Walker for about a month. Atlanta initially wanted some of Boston's younger players but settled for the draft pick and expiring contracts as the trade deadline approached. Walker was in the final year of a six-year, $70 million contract.

Payton started all 54 games he appeared in for the Celtics before the trade. The guard averaged 12.1 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 6.1 APG and 1.2 SPG in 33.0 MPG. Gugliotta played in 20 games, contributing 1.3 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 0.6 APG and 0.5 SPG in 10.9 MPG. Stewart did not play in any games for the Celtics during the 2004-05 season.

After the trade, Payton agreed to a contract buyout and was waived by the Hawks soon after the trade. Despite opportunities with the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns, Payton chose to rejoin Boston and sign a contract for the rest of the season.

Stewart and Gugliotta stayed on with the Hawks for the rest of the season. Stewart appeared in 12 games, making one start. He produced 2.1 PPG, 3.3 RPG and 0.5 SPG in 12.1 MPG. Gugliotta saw a considerable increase in playing time. The veteran forward played in 27 games (nine starts), contributing 7.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.2 SPG and 0.5 BPG in 27.7 MPG.

Atlanta finished up the 2004-05 season 13-69, the worst record in franchise history. Gugliotta and Stewart were not re-signed in the 2005 offseason and neither played in another NBA game again.

The first round pick Boston sent to Atlanta would end up back in Boston. First, it was later traded by the Hawks in August of 2005. The Hawks sent Boris Diaw and the pick to the Phoenix Suns for Joe Johnson in a sign-and-trade agreement. The next summer, Phoenix selected University of Kentucky point guard Rajon Rondo with the 21st pick.

In a pre-arranged draft night deal, the Suns sent the draft rights of Rondo and Brian Grant to the Celtics for a top-ten protected first round pick in 2007.

Walker joined the Celtics and seemed like a new player compared to the end of his first tenure. The former All-Star was taking less shots and focused on rebounding and scoring from the post rather than hoisting up three-point attempts.

Adding Walker to the fold while retaining Payton proved to have a positive impact as the Celtics gave up no rotation players in the trade. Boston went 18-9 after the trade deadline to finish the season 45-37. Walker played in 24 games with the Celtics, and was productive in a smaller role. He managed 16.3 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.0 SPG and 1.1 BPG in 34.5 MPG.

The 45-37 record was good enough for Boston to win the Atlantic Division by two games over the Philadelphia 76ers (43-39). Winning the division allowed the Celtics to claim the third seed in the East. They matched up with the Indiana Pacers in the first round.

Indiana lost star Ron Artest for the season as he was suspended for his role in the Malice at the Palace brawl earlier in the season. Still, the Pacers had a formidable team with star Jermaine O'Neal, starter Stephen Jackson and veteran Reggie Miller.

In the series opener, Boston used a 39-11 second quarter and a 34-6 run to cruise to an easy 102-82 win. Center Raef LaFrentz led the way with 21 points.

Miller was in his last playoff run before retirement. Known for playoff theatrics, the 18-year veteran would come alive late in Game Two. Boston was up 75-68 with 8:22 remaining in the fourth quarter. Indiana outscored the Celtics 14-4 the rest of the way. Miller hit a pull-up jumper with 37.1 seconds left to give Indiana an 82-79 lead.

Celtics guard Ricky Davis missed a midrange jumper with 31.9 seconds left and Paul Pierce missed a three with 2.9 seconds left that would've tied the game. In Indiana, Miller had 33 points and O'Neal chipped in 21 points and 11 rebounds as Indiana pulled away to win Game Three 99-76.

Walker committed two hard fouls on O'Neal in the game. He was penalized with two technical fouls during the contest and ejected. During a confrontation with O'Neal, Walker grabbed referee Tom Washington by the arm in an attempt to move him out of the way. He was suspended for Game Four.

Without Walker, Boston inserted sixth man Davis into the starting lineup for rookie Tony Allen. Pierce had 30 points, seven rebounds and eight assists as Boston built an early double figure lead and pulverized Indiana 110-79.

Walker returned for Game Five which saw Indiana take control. In the third quarter, Indiana had its largest lead, 67-52 at the 4:10 mark. The Celtics battled back, cutting the deficit to two points two separate times in the fourth quarter. Indiana had answers with buckets from O'Neal and Jackson and held on for a 90-85 victory.

Back in Indiana, Game Six was close. The Pacers jumped out to a 10-0 lead early, but a 35-20 run over 14 minutes gave Boston a 49-43 lead at halftime. The Celtics had control for much of the second half but Indiana kept the game close.

After O'Neal missed a layup that would've given Indiana the lead, Ricky Davis rebounded the ball with 24.6 seconds left in the game. Miller fouled with 13.7 seconds left. Down by one, Indiana had to foul intentionally.

Pacers guard Jamaal Tinsley fouled Pierce, but Pierce swung his elbow through Tinsley, knocking the Pacer down. Pierce was ejected after picking up hs second technical foul.

Miller knocked down the technical free-throw to tie the game. Since Pierce was ejected, the Pacers were allowed to pick the Celtic that shot free-throws. Indiana chose Celtics reserve center Kendrick Perkins, a 64% free-throw shooter. He missed both attempts. The game went to overtime where Walker had five of his 24 points and Boston held on 92-89 after O'Neal missed a turnaround jumper with 1.9 second left.

The Celtics knotted the series 3-3 with a final Game Seven at home in Boston. The first half was close. Indiana led by three at halftime and neither team led by more than five points in the opening half.

The Celtics stayed close early in the third quarter but the Pacers made a run to lead 64-50 at the end of the frame. The final quarter saw Indiana break out and turn the game into a laugher. Jackson led the way with 24 points as Indiana won 97-70.

It was an embarrassing ending to the season for Boston. Walker played in six first round games, and averaged 16.7 PPG on 41.3% from the field, 7.3 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.2 SPG and 1.0 BPG in 37.3 MPG.

Walker became a free agent in the 2005 offseason. Boston did not re-sign Walker but eventually agreed to sign him to a six-year, $53 million contract and subsequently deal him to the Miami Heat in a five-team, 13-player mega trade.

The move was beneficial to both sides. Walker escaped the potential embarrassment of signing for only the mid-level exception of around $5 million annually and he joined a Miami Heat team looking to compete for a championship. The Celtics were able to receive some trade assets for dealing Walker, including two second round picks and a trade exception.

Antoine Walker on the trade for Atlanta (via The Atlanta Constitution):

"It was a no-brainer. That's just good business."

On Hawks head coach Mike Woodson:

"Coach Woodson was great for me. I enjoyed playing for him. He stayed on me the whole time; he wouldn't let up no matter what. He constantly tried to make me a better player and a better pro. "I just think Billy [Knight] decided he wanted to go younger, and I wasn't a part of that plan. But there are no hard feelings. It was just business."

On the trade (via the Boston Globe):

"I wasn't excited about being moved, to be honest with you, but I couldn't ask for a better situation. I have an opportunity to play with another All-Star and a chance to join a team that's in the thick of the playoff hunt, and I love to play in the postseason. So, I have to thank [Atlanta general manager] Billy Knight for moving me back to a place that I know so well."

On wanting to stay with Boston long-term:

"I hope Boston isn't just renting me for the last two months of the season to make a playoff run. I spent a lot of years there. I made a lot of friends there. I put my roots there. I'd love to be there for the rest of my career."

On the Atlantic Division being competitive after the 76ers acquired Chris Webber:

"With Webber going to Philly, it's going to be an interesting last two months in the Atlantic Division. The last two months of the season should be really fun." 

On past issues with Danny Ainge being water under the bridge (via Sports Illustrated):

"Danny had to put his stamp on this team, and there's nothing wrong with that. I'm more concerned right now about my relationship with coach Doc [Rivers] because I want to fit in with his system."

On playing in Atlanta:

"Playing in Atlanta was painful. The grass is not greener elsewhere."

On trying to get his original number 8 jersey from Al Jefferson and how much he might have to pay (via the Boston Globe):

"I'm going to get it back next year. I don't know, I haven't talked to the rook. I'm going to get to him before he gets to next year because he might be a little more cocky. I'm going to get to him this year. I'm going to cut him a check early." 

On leaving a young Hawks team (via Hawks.com):

"I'm happy that I'm going to a team I'm familiar with, but I'm sorry I'm leaving Atlanta. I got very close with the young guys as well as some of the other players like Al [Harrington], who I became good friends with. And while you hope you can remain together, I understand the business aspect of the NBA. I appreciated playing for coach Woodson, and I thank Billy (Knight) for giving me the opportunity, and for trading me to a team in playoff contention."

Michael Stewart on joining the Hawks (via The Atlanta Constitution):

"I haven't played [in Boston], so I wasn't turning my nose up at any opportunities. I can play hard, I can cheerlead, whatever they ask me to do, I'm here to do it."

Tom Gugliotta on how he is adds age to the Hawks young roster (via The Atlanta Constitution):

"I just raised the average age in this locker room about seven years. I've been on some young teams before, but I was the young guy then. Now I'm the old guy."

On his experience:

"I've been on six, make that seven teams now, so I understand how this thing works. The tough thing for me the past two years is that I've been healthy. But I had that stigma that I was still hurt or out, so been difficult to get back into a flow on the floor. But now that here, looking forward to playing and being as productive as possible."

On the Hawks young roster:

"I know I haven't been here long, but it's good to see young guys like these. They're trying to learn and to get better and improve on all the little things they don't know yet. And that's really a fantastic thing to watch at this stage of my career."

Gary Payton on the Celtics adding Walker and him returning to Boston after agreeing to a buyout (via ESPN):

"To add Antoine here, it seems like a good fit and we could go pretty far if I would come back."

Boston Celtics executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge statement on acquiring Walker and dealing away Payton (via Celtics.com):

"We are excited to have Antoine back and I know he is excited to be back. We made the move because we felt the time and price was right as we make our playoff push. We have some youth and athleticism and are at a place when we can use some veteran experience and he provides that. "When we traded Antoine it was not personal as reported, it was strictly business. At the time I felt we needed to become more athletic, younger, as well as a little more diversified. I think we have been able to do that. We took Antoine and were able to get Raef LaFrentz and Jiri Welsch, and had the ability to add some talented young players like Tony Allen and Delonte West. Now we are able to move Jiri for a first round pick and get Antoine back. "I feel he will have to make some adjustments to his game to fit Doc's system and believe he will do that. I spoke with Antoine earlier and he is very excited to be back in Boston. He is thrilled to return after where he has been and getting him back in that frame of mind is great for us and him. Doc also spoke with him and we are both hopeful we will have him available to play tomorrow (Friday) in Utah. "As far as our point guard depth, we believe in Marcus [Banks] and Delonte [West]. They have learned a great deal under Gary and if you never take the training wheels off you will never know if they can ride the bike. I think having a talented ball handler like Antoine on the floor will also alleviate some pressure."

Comments on the trade in Celtics season ticket holder conference call (via Celtics.com):

Shawn Sullivan: Question number one, why bring Antoine back at this point?

Danny Ainge: You know, I talked with Doc and we talked with management and ownership and everything, and we just felt like it was a good time to bring Antoine here. You know, Antoine has skills that we don’t have. He has experience that we don’t have on the front line and we just felt like his game could complement some of our younger guys.

And you know, there’s a lot of talk about is Antoine going to make Paul play better? You know, I don’t know so much about that other than Antoine, I think, has a chance to help us be a better team, if he conforms to the way that Doc wants to play. We know that Antoine has holes in his game but he also has the talent that can help us. And we felt like the risk was very low if Antoine comes in and helps us and we go to the playoffs and he is able to conform. Doc feels very comfortable and confident and can trust Antoine on the court, and we also have the best opportunity to retain him in the off season at a reasonable number.

And if Antoine does not conform and does not fit into Doc’s plans and coaching style, then we have an asset that we could do a sign and trade, which is probably more valuable than the pick that we gave up to get Antoine. And the worst-case scenario is Antoine comes in things don’t work out and he does not do a sign and trade and goes somewhere else to play then we think the risk was very minimal.

Shawn Sullivan: Now have you had a chance to talk to Antoine at this point?

Danny Ainge: Yes, I have. I basically told Antoine that we need him to come in and I need him to do whatever Doc needs him to do. He’s probably not going to get the same kind of minutes that he’s been used to down in Atlanta, and that the only factor that we care about is helping us win.

I told him that one of our biggest weaknesses as a team is fighting through adversity with our youth and inexperience and the emotional state of our team. We do not do a good job when things start going south and battling back. And I thought that his experience could help us a great deal. And that’s the number one thing that I needed him to do, is to help us be a tougher mental team in fighting through adversity - when we lose a game, to help us bounce back the next night. Or you know, in the middle of the game when we lose a 16-point lead, we just have not been able to deal with those issues very well and a lot of it is the inexperience.

Shawn Sullivan: What was his reaction when…?

Danny Ainge: His reaction was that he was very excited. He is very enthusiastic to be coming back to Boston. He couldn’t wait to get to Utah and hopes he can play tonight. And we hope he can play tonight. And he was very, very excited about coming back.

Now, we didn’t get into any discussion about long-term arrangements; those are things that are just going to be handled in the summer. We’ll see how this whole experiment works.

Shawn Sullivan: What was Doc and the coaching staff’s reaction to the deal?

Danny Ainge: Oh, Doc was excited. He thinks that, obviously, a coach is always under stress in trying to manage these issues. And how can he best utilize Antoine? But he was very excited about Antoine coming in. He’s coached against Antoine. He’s a tough guy to match up and he’s a versatile player and I think Doc likes that versatility and has some things on his mind, which he can try to implement. Doc and the coaching staff are very excited.

Shawn Sullivan: Now on the talks with Atlanta… the Antoine deal had been rumored probably for over a month but did those talks heat up more after Philly went out and acquired Chris Webber?

Danny Ainge: Not from my perspective. My thing all along was that I think Antoine can help us. It’s kind of exciting. It gives us a little bit of a jolt. I respect Antoine’s talents and what he has. I worry a little bit about some of the other things that Antoine brings to the table, quite honestly. But because of the fact that we didn’t have to give up any of our future pieces, I say we gave up our worst pick over the next couple of years.

We’ve got five picks in the next three and we’ll give up the worst of them. I don’t think it’s a high risk because again, we do acquire an asset in Antoine whether it is him as a player or as a sign and trade. So it might be more valuable than a first round pick. It probably is.

So I just don’t think the risk was high. I say let’s go for it. Doc wants it. Everybody on the staff wanted it. Let’s just – let’s give it a try because there wasn’t - whereas, you know for the last month, I haven’t felt comfortable with the price tag…

...that’s been asked. So anyway I’m excited about it. I think it’s worth a shot. I respect Antoine’s talent. We need some of the things he brings to the table. And I hope that he can conform to what Doc wants him to do and make players better around him.

On bringing Walker back (via ESPN):

"I think Antoine improves our team right now, and it doesn't jeopardize our future. We've been in discussions with Atlanta for about a month. They were looking at taking some of my pieces for the future. Today the price came right and the risk came low."

On reconnecting with Walker after a contentious departure for the forward in 2003:

"I think Antoine's ego was hurt a little bit. He's a prideful guy, but I think he knows that it wasn't personal. I told him it was a lot more pleasant calling him this time. It's never fun making that (other) call. But, to be honest, I don't care what he thinks of me. I'm just glad he's excited to come to Boston."

How the trade happened (via the Boston Globe):

"There's been talk with Atlanta for about a month, but it mostly included our young guys, and that wasn't going to happen. [Yesterday], when it became more serious and [the terms] became a little bit more favorable, we did it. We've had interest in Antoine coming back for a while, but the price was too high. Today, the price was right and we're excited to have him. "I think Antoine can help us. He's what I refer to as a playmaker in the frontcourt, a passer/ballhandler at the power forward and center positions. That is something we've lacked. His skills and experience can help us."

On previous comments in 2003 that Walker had a stranglehold on the organization (via the Boston Globe):

"When I said Antoine had a stranglehold on the organization, I was talking primarily about the coaches, who had treated him a certain way for some time. It was going to be difficult for them to all of a sudden turn around and say, `Now you have to be this way.' "But now I have a new coach. Now that Antoine is back, he has to fit in with the way Doc [Rivers] wants to do things."

Atlanta Hawks executive vice president and general manager Billy Knight on the trade (via Hawks.com):

"This trade will give us the opportunity to continue to develop our nucleus of young players for the remainder of the year. We're thrilled to be able to make a deal which brings another first round draft choice, while still allowing us salary flexibility this summer. We thank Antoine (Walker) for his contributions to the organization both on and off the court, and wish him the very best."

How the trade is a win-win (via The Atlanta Constitution):

"It's what's best for everybody concerned. Antoine's a good guy, a good pro. It just wasn't to his advantage to being here. For us to do what we do best is to get our young guys as much time to develop as we could. "But this wasn't something we did to punish him or anything like that. I feel like [we] made a deal that works out well for Antoine as well."

If Gary Payton will show up:

"I'm not sure about any of that. I know Gary, and I'll speak to him. I'll speak to all those guys. But the most important thing for us right now is the development of our young players and making sure they get as much time on the floor to develop as possible. That was the whole intent, the whole goal. "The draft pick allows us to add another piece to our group. It's an identical situation as last year. That pick turned out to be Josh Smith. And we hope to get another comparable piece."

On making the team worse with the trade (via ESPN):

"I've put the organization in a tough spot. I've put (coach) Mike Woodson in a tough spot. And it's tougher now, because I traded away his leading scorer and rebounder."

Celtics head coach Doc Rivers on losing Gary Payton and adding Antoine Walker (via the Boston Globe):

"Gary came in here and did all the things we asked. Losing Gary, you need someone else who can handle the ball and help in that role. Antoine adds something like that to our team because he's a big [man] who can score and handle the ball. He stretches the floor and plays into what we were doing. And I know he had great chemistry with Paul [Pierce]. He's very excited to come back and that was good for me to hear. "I've never coached Antoine, but I know he's a matchup nightmare to coach against. The tough part is the way Antoine plays changes the way we play offense. We're not sure what we're going to do offensively. We want to take advantage of what we have. That's the tough part about trades. I like where we can go. I just don't know how we're going to take advantage of it yet."

Hawks head coach Mike Woodson on the young roster and replacing Walker (via The Atlanta Constitution):

"I didn't want our guys feeling down or feeling sorry for themselves. There's no doubt it's tough because you lose a teammate. But what these young guys don't understand is that this is a business. There can be no ill feelings. These guys still have to go out there and play and represent the Hawks. "Maybe even more important is that we're now missing 20 points and eight or nine rebounds a night without Antoine, so those points have to come from somewhere."

Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck on adding Antoine Walker (via ESPN):

"We think the addition of Antoine Walker brings needed presence under the boards and a proven winner back to Boston. We are making a playoff push and are focused on becoming a better, bigger team down the stretch."

On the need to improve on the glass (via the Boston Globe):

"There is no more to this trade, literally, than the fact we are the worst rebounding team I've seen in my life. It's a joke. We needed to add some rebounding ability to this team. And, when Philadelphia got [Chris] Webber, and all of a sudden were back in the mix, we had to do something. We were not going to get it done with Steamboat Willie under the basket."

On the notion that ownership forced Danny Ainge to re-acquire Walker:

"It's just not true that we forced this [on Ainge]. Danny started these discussions two months ago. I had no input. At the time, Atlanta wanted more than we were willing to give. Obviously, that changed, so we made the deal. If Danny wasn't the lead advocate, this wouldn't have happened."

Hawks owner and governor Steve Belkin (via Hawks.com):

"Billy (Knight) has done an outstanding job of shaping our club and this move provides us with a strong draft pick and needed salary flexibility to keep building on the solid foundation that is in place. I've known Antoine a long time and aside from his basketball talent, he has great character and has done a lot for the organization on and off the court. We will certainly miss him and wish him well."

Hawks owner Michael Gearon on the direction of the team after the trade (via Hawks.com):

"We are building a foundation and the key to our success is going to be the development of our talented young players. When given more playing time, these kids have more than delivered, and this move creates a terrific opportunity for them to continue to grow into the type of players we feel they can be."

Celtics forward Paul Pierce on the trade (via the Boston Globe):

"It's good to have [Walker] back. We hated to lose Gary Payton, but Antoine brings versatility to the squad. He's a guy who's been in the wars and he's going to help us with this playoff push. [The chemistry] is going to take some time. We can just go out and play basketball, but you have to understand it's a whole new coaching staff, a whole new system. We've got to make adjustments. I'm still making adjustments to what's going on, even though I've gotten a lot better since the year has progressed. "It's going to be an adjustment at first for him to understand what's going on, but he's going to be fine. He's a basketball player. He understands the game. He's a guy you can go to. He can command double teams. He's versatile and can spread the floor. He's an All-Star. He's a matchup problem for anyone at that position. He's going to take some pressure off of me. He gives me some breathing room from putting all the pressure on me to score."

Celtics guard Ricky Davis on the trade (via the Boston Globe):

"It's a great trade. It helps us on the inside. It's going to be a sight to see."

Image via AP/Paul Connors

[rmfantasysetpieces1]

Thank saint garrincha for alex song. It is rare to find an honest player. 1st, he left to Barca for MONEY!!! so many players talk about how they loved the team they followed him. Get out of here. You left for the money. And there is nothing wrong with leaving for the money , but it should be nothing wrong leaving for the money anywhere, any confederation, any league. Second, all of these agents and entourages and "family" members, never help guide these players spent their money better... ahhhh

THE ARTiCLE

'I left Arsenal for the money – I knew I wouldn’t play but I didn’t think twice about leaving' Alex Song had only one thing in mind when Barcelona came in to sign him from Arsenal - and it certainly wasn't how many minutes he'd be playing in their star-studded side

Arsene Wenger the Arsenal manager chats to Alex Song during an Arsenal pre season training session on July 20, 2005

ByDan Burnham Senior Sports Reporter 13:09, 9 Sep 2024

Regular game time at Arsenal wasn't enough for Alex Song - who "didn't give a f***" about warming Barcelona's bench to become a millionaire.

Song, who celebrates his 37th birthday today (September 9), had been with the Gunners since 2005, first signing on loan aged just 17 and going on to make 205 appearances across all competitions under Arsene Wenger. He was a reliable defensive midfielder for their French boss, making him one of the first names on the teamsheet.

His Premier League form attracted attention from the Catalan giants, who made a £15million offer for his services in the summer of 2012. At the time, Barca boasted their star-studded midfield of Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and Xavi.

So Song was under no illusions he'd be anything but a back-up option used primarily from the bench and in cup competitions. But that was of no concern to him, "not thinking twice" before putting pen to paper on a five-year deal which earned him a reported pay rise from £55,000-a-week to £70k.

Recalling the moment while on an Instagram live with fellow Cameroonian and NBA star Pascal Siakam in 2020, he said: “When Barcelona offered me a contract, and I saw how much I would earn, I didn't think twice.

"I felt my wife and children should have comfortable lives once my career is over. I met Barca's sporting director, and he told me I would not get to play many games, but I didn't give a f*** – I knew that now I would become a millionaire."

Song had been on good money at Arsenal, earning £15k-a-week in just his first contract. But the lavish lifestyle he led in the English capital drained his earnings.

He detailed one costly purchase in particular - buying the same car as Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, which he returned within two months due to how much it was costing him in petrol.

"Most footballers live beyond their means. I was at Arsenal for eight years but only began to earn a good living in the last four," Song admitted.

"That was because my salary went up a lot -- but also because I came to realise what a waster I was. During my entire time at Arsenal, I couldn't even save £100,000, while people thought I must be a millionaire."

He'd spend just two seasons playing for Barca before returning to London for two loan spells with West Ham, departing permanently in 2016 to join Russian club Rubin Kazan. Song went on to also represent Swiss side Sion and Arta Solar 7 in Djibouti before retiring last November.

URL https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-transfer-alex-song-barcelona-33627318

#rmsoccer

[scrapesaladofficial]

LeBron James named 2024 Olympics MVP, Stephen Curry joins USA teammate on 'All-Star Five' team in Paris

James has now won six different MVP awards in his legendary career Getty Images LeBron James entered the Olympics having already won five different MVP awards in his legendary basketball career: four of the regular-season and Finals vintage, three from the All-Star Game, and one each from the In-Season Tournament and the McDonald's All-America Game. On Saturday, he added another MVP award to his collection. After Team USA defeated France to win its fifth-consecutive gold medal, James took home the Olympics MVP award. The Olympics MVP award has been handed out only three times. It was conceived in 2004 and given to Manu Ginobili, who led Argentina to gold, but was then scrapped for 2008, 2012 and 2016. It was revived for Tokyo in 2021 and won by Kevin Durant. Now, James has won it is well. https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/1822391504691675210?ref_src=twsrctfwtwcamptweetembedtwterm1822391504691675210twgr46ecfa1af13f098d62dfa5090801b66e21dac8e3twcons1_&ref_url=httpswww.cbssports.comolympicsnewslebron-james-named-2024-olympics-mvp-stephen-curry-joins-usa-teammate-on-all-star-five-team-in-paris James averaged 14.2 points on 66% shooting in the tournament, adding 8.5 assists and 6.8 rebounds per game as well. In Thursday's semifinal victory over Serbia, James posted the fourth triple-double in Olympic history with 16 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. He was the offensive engine for Team USA, serving as its point guard and primary ball-handler throughout the tournament. https://twitter.com/NBCOlympics/status/1822364111117627663 Still, one of his teammates did manage to make a real run at the MVP award in the final two games. Though Stephen Curry started slow, he made 17 3-pointers in the final two games of the tournament. His 36 points saved Team USA against Serbia, and the four 3s he made down the stretch against France held off a rally and secured gold for the Americans. Ultimately, he fell just short. That doesn't mean Curry leaves the tournament without individual recognition, though. He was one of five players named to the All-Star Five from the Olympics. There, he was joined by his Team USA teammate James, semifinal opponent Nikola Jokic, gold medal game opponent Victor Wembanyama and fourth-place finisher Dennis Schroder, who led Germany to victory at the World Cup last summer and nearly to another medal in Paris. From a legacy standpoint, James had much more to lose than gain by participating in the Olympics. He is 39 years old. He already had two gold medals and four NBA championships. He had nothing to prove, but had Team USA lost, he certainly would have taken a fair share of blame. But James still played, and he proved that even as he pushes 40, he is capable of being the best player in the world when he needs to be. This MVP award may be the last he ever wins, and if that's the case, it's the cherry on top of an already remarkable career. Read the full article

[news4usonline]

Curry, USA reach gold medal game

They knew it would not be easy, but the USA men's basketball team is one win away from gold. Team USA used an epic fourth-quarter comeback to defeat Nikola Jokic and Serbia 95-91 in the semifinals. Stephen Curry reminded the world why he is regarded as the greatest shooter to ever live by scoring 36 points on 9-14 shooting from beyond the arc. Curry had struggled up to this point during the Olympics, but when his team needed him the most, he stepped up with the biggest performance from any member of the roster this Summer. "It was only a matter of time before he had one of these games. We can see it every day; he puts in too much work not to have a game like this, and we wouldn't want it any other way. It was the perfect time for Chef to come out and do what he did," said LeBron James.

Photo credit: USA Basketball At one point in the third quarter, Curry had accounted for nearly half of the team's points (27 of their 56), and his clutch three with 2:24 left on the clock gave the Americans their first lead of the game since early in the first quarter. Without his contributions, Serbia would have blown them out. https://twitter.com/usabasketball/status/1821717484178665794 "I just kinda got lost in the moment of understanding how big this stage is and what is at stake for this team. That is the most fun I have had in a very long time. To dig deep like we did with this group and get a win is special. I am just kind of basking in that right now, and obviously, we know we got another tough challenge in France on their home court," said Curry. The megastars for Team USA all showed up late in the game. Joel Embiid, Kevin Durant, and James all pitched in with timely buckets to outlast Serbia's incredible effort. James posted a triple-double, and Embiid finished with 19 points. Head coach Steve Kerr tightened up his rotation as only six members of the team played more than 13 minutes. It took a heightened sense of urgency and focus for the Americans to overcome the fantastic play of Jokic (17 points, 11 assists), Bogdan Bogdanovic (20 points), and Aleksa Avramovic (15 points). "That was one of the best games I have ever been a part of, for the simple fact that we dug deep, being down 15 that late in the game," said Durant. "We talked about how each game somebody is going to have to step up, it might be your night, and (Curry) came and had the best night out of anybody the whole tournament. It was so incredible to watch him knock down shots and keep us afloat. LeBron played extremely hard the whole game, and Joel was insane tonight." https://twitter.com/usabasketball/status/1821724327181431154 France presents a new challenge in the title game, but it is hard to imagine anyone stopping this USA team after coming off such a gritty and emotional victory. Victor Wembanyama is the player to watch out for, standing 7'4" with a long frame and possessing a unique athletic ability. Still, the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year is only 20 years old and might not have the experience to take down a juggernaut like Team USA in the same way that a three-time MVP like Jokic was almost able to. "I know this is probably my one and only time to enjoy this stage, and having seen Team USA play for years, I know what it means to stand on that podium and get a gold medal," said Curry. "I just praise God that I was able to stay confident. I haven't had it going this whole tournament, but that doesn't mean anything. You just gotta stay ready for your moment." Read the full article

[laresearchette]

Wednesday, July 17, 2024 Canadian TV Listings (Times Eastern)

WHERE CAN I FIND THOSE PREMIERES?: 24 HOURS IN POLICE CUSTODY (BritBox) BIG BROTHER (Global) 9:00pm WILD WILD SPACE (HBO Canada) 9:00pm THE ARK (CTV Sci-Fi) 10:00pm

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

AMAZON PRIME CANADA SHOWGIRLS WNBA: CHICAGO SKY AT LAS VEGAS ACES

CBC GEM THE MISADVENTURES OF ROMESH RANGANATHAN (Season 4)

CRAVE TV WILD, WILD SPACE

DISNEY + STAR ERASED: WW2’S HEROES OF COLOR TO CATCH A SMUGGLER (Season 7)

NETFLIX CANADA THE GRENE GLOVE GANG (Season 2) SIMONE BILES RISING T.P BON (Season 2) (JP)

NBA SUMMER LEAGUE (SN Now) 3:30pm: Kings vs. Knicks (SN) 5:00pm: Raptors vs. Jazz (SN) 9:30pm: Lakers vs. Hawks (TSN) 10:00pm: Warriors vs. Cavaliers

CEBL BASKETBALL (TSN/TSN3) 7:00pm: Brampton vs. Niagara

WNBA BASKETBALL (SN) 7:30pm: Fever vs. Wings

MLS SOCCER (TSN4/TSN5) 7:30pm: New York vs. CF Montreal (TSN4/TSN5) 10:30pm: LAFC vs. Real Salt Lake

BRONX ZOO '90: CRIME, CHAOS, AND BASEBALL (History Channel Canada) 9:00pm/10:00pm (SERIES PREMIERE): As the 1990 Yankees embark on a pivotal season, their pitcher is a no-show, the clubhouse is in disarray and their owner is under MLB investigation while feuding with their star player; somehow, this chaos leads to one of sports' greatest dynasties. In Episode Two, while the 1990 Yankees struggle on the diamond, what's going on off the field is more concerning; Mel Hall's relationship with a teenage girl takes a disturbing turn; MLB's investigation into George Steinbrenner comes to a head.

MADE FOR TV WITH BOMAN MARTINEZ-REID (Crave) 9:00pm/9:30pm/10:00pm (SERIES PREMIERE): Boman is joined by Reality TV star Francesca Farago as he dates seven strangers with the hopes of finding one person to love him forever. In Episode Two, Boman tries his hand at being a competitor in a Cooking Competition Show with guidance from celebrity Chef Lynn Crawford. In Episode Three, after always dreaming of being a News Anchor, Boman is put to the test with celebrity advisors Nathan Downer and Sandie Rinaldo.

FARMING FOR LOVE (CTV) 10:00pm: In the aftermath of the trip to wine country, the Daters must make the most of the remaining time with their Farmers during their final one-on-one dates, knowing at the end a farewell dinner is looming; Farmers prepare for their ultimate decision.

[kaikkitahtipelipaita]

Golden State Warriors voitti menestyksekkäästi Phoenix Sunsin

NBA Las Vegas Summer League on alkanut. Tänään esitellyt kaksi joukkuetta ovat Golden State Warriors ja Phoenix Suns. Nämä kaksi joukkuetta tuovat faneille upean visuaalisen juhlan pelissä. Joten minkä joukkueen NBA Pelipaidat väristä tulee kirkkain väri tässä pelissä. Pelin alkamisen jälkeen Golden State Warriors siirtyi johtoon rajusti hyökkäyksessä. Ensimmäisellä neljänneksellä he olivat kahdella pisteellä vastustajaansa edellä. Toisella neljänneksellä Golden State Warriors johti edelleen 17 pisteellä. Eroa oli puoliajan päätyttyä 17 pistettä. Golden State Warriors pelipaita pukeutuvat fanit kannustivat heitä. Toisella puoliajalla Golden State Warriors murskasi edelleen Phoenix Sunsin vauhdissa, mutta molemmat osapuolet pitivät pisteeron 17 pisteessä edestakaisin maalinteossa, ja lopulta Golden State Warriors voitti menestyksekkäästi Phoenix Sunsin. . Ottelun lopussa Golden State Warriors voitti Phoenix Sunsin 90-73. Toivon myös, että onnea voi jatkaa Golden State Warriorsin holhoamista ja saavuttaa parempia tuloksia uudella kaudella.

[trikotsnbastar]

Golden State Warriors schlagen Phoenix Suns 90-73

Die NBA Las Vegas Summer League hat begonnen. Heute werden die beiden Teams Golden State Warriors und Phoenix Suns vorgestellt. Diese beiden Teams werden den Fans im Spiel ein wunderbares visuelles Fest bieten. Welches Team wird also in diesem Spiel die Günstige nba trikots farbe am hellsten haben?

Nach Spielbeginn gingen die Golden State Warriors mit einem heftigen Angriff in Führung. Im ersten Viertel lagen sie zwei Punkte vor ihren Gegnern. Im zweiten Viertel führten die Golden State Warriors immer noch mit 17 Punkten. Nach Ende der Halbzeit hatten die beiden Mannschaften einen Vorsprung von 17 Punkten. Die Fans in den Golden State Warriors Trikots jubelten ihnen zu. In der zweiten Halbzeit besiegten die Golden State Warriors die Phoenix Suns immer noch in Sachen Dynamik, aber die beiden Mannschaften hielten den Punkteunterschied bei 17 Punkten im Hin und Her, und schließlich besiegten die Golden State Warriors die Phoenix Suns erfolgreich.

Am Ende des Spiels besiegten die Golden State Warriors die Phoenix Suns mit 90:73. Ich hoffe auch, dass den Golden State Warriors weiterhin viel Glück bleibt und sie in der neuen Saison bessere Ergebnisse erzielen.

[lboogie1906]

Daniel Richard Green (born June 22, 1987) is a basketball player who last played for the Philadelphia 76ers. In his NBA career, he has played for six teams. As of 2020, he is one of just four players in history to have won NBA championships with three different teams; he won titles with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014, the Toronto Raptors in 2019, and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.

In 2009, he won an NCAA championship his senior year and was drafted by the Cavaliers with the 46th overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft. During the 2013 NBA Finals, he set an NBA record for most three-point field goals made in a Finals series (23). He then won an NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs the following season and became just the third player from UNC to win an NCAA championship and an NBA championship. He won a second NBA championship with the Raptors and followed that up with a third championship with the Lakers.

He has been a key contributor on both ends of the floor throughout his NBA career, having been selected to his first NBA All-Defensive Second Team in the 2016–17 season.

His brother, Rashad, played for Manhattan College and the University of San Francisco. His younger brother, Devonte Green, played for Indiana University. His cousins are professional players Gerald Green and Garlon Green. A cousin, Jordan Green, played for Texas A&M University. Cousin Willie Green played for the University of Detroit Mercy and then in the NBA, he is now the head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans.

He married in 2021.

He and longtime friend and sports broadcaster Harrison Sanford launched a podcast entitled “Inside the Green Room”. While they intended to start with a soft launch in the summer of 2018, he was traded to the Toronto Raptors just before recording what was to be the pilot episode, so they decided to do a full launch with the first episode. The podcast gained sponsorship from Yahoo Sports Canada. Episodes have featured players and coaches from the Toronto Raptors, as well as players from other teams and other sports journalists. He has expressed an interest in moving into sports broadcasting after his playing career is over. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence

[coasttickets]

The world has lost a professional basketball legend. At 86-years old, Jerry West has passed. His legacy as an NBA superstar will not be forgotten.

Jerry grew up in West Virginia in the early 40’s, and spent a large portion of his time shooting baskets. During high school and college, he played basketball and greatly excelled at it. He was captain of his freshman team in high school and in college achieved a perfect record of 17 consecutive wins. A couple years later he would be named Most Outstanding Player during his junior year at West Virginia University. West then went on to co-captain the U.S. Men’s Basketball Team that won the gold medal at the 1960 Summer Olympics.

In 1960, he made himself available for the NBA draft and was picked up by the Lakers, before they relocated to Los Angeles. Once on the Lakers, he switched to playing as a guard as opposed to a forward. Although the transition may have been rough, he began to excel in his new position by putting in countless hours of practice. All of this hard work dubbed him the nicknames of “Mr. Inside” and “Mr. Outside”, and earned him his first NBA All-Star game call-ups. He undoubtedly helped the Lakers reach the playoffs in 1961.

Throughout his career, he managed to dominate the sport of professional basketball. From scoring an amazing amount of points per game, to pulling off the win for the team in their time of need, he helped lead his team to victory on several occasions.

After his basketball playing career, in 1976, he moved on to coaching the Lakers for a few seasons. During this time the Lakers made it to the playoffs each season.

When his coaching stint was over, he started his executive career in basketball. He stayed with the Lakers for 20 years, and in that time he played a hand in getting Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal on the team. This would inevitably lead to one of the best periods of the Lakers history.

From the early 2000’s, until his passing, he continued to help shape the future of sport and players alike. Jerry West helped the Memphis Grizzlies retain their franchise and make it to playoffs. Afterwards going on to help the Golden State Warriors win their first championship in over 40 years. Finally landing back in Los Angeles with the LA Clippers, where he spent the rest of his years as an executive board member and consultant.

West had a very fulfilling life and was a legend of the sport. He helped shape the history of the NBA through more than one team, and he will never be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Jerry West.

[beardedmrbean]

On the last day of advance voting in the European elections, Helsingin Sanomat runs an opinion piece asking if young people are going to vote this time.

In 2019, less than a quarter of 18-24 year olds cast a ballot in the European election. But is the changing world situation going to have an impact on that?

Young people who grew up in a world where peace was taken for granted have seen their assumptions shaken in recent years with war and instability returning to Europe and radical right-wing parties gaining support.

That has horrified some young people, and delighted others. But will it prompt them to vote?

The HS piece suggests that protest, rather than politics, is the preferred option for many. Politics moves slowly, and multiple crises are progressing too fast for those concerned about them to wait to vote.

The paper also publishes a poll suggesting that the SDP and the Christian Democrat-Movement Now electoral alliance are set to gain one MEP spot each.

According to the poll, those places would come at the expense of the Greens and the Swedish People's Party.

Mosquito preferences

The long school holidays started this week, and that means Finns' thoughts are very much turning to summer. So we can expect to see plenty of stories about symbols of summer in the coming days and weeks, and what bigger symbol of summer is there than the good old Finnish mosquito?

Ilta-Sanomat looks at whether the irritating bloodsuckers favour certain people over others, and finds that yes, they do.

So if you feel particularly victimised at the cottage, you can try to influence some of these factors.

Sweating can attract unwanted mosquitoes, and they use carbon dioxide concentrations to identify their targets — so holding your breath might help.

Pregnant women are known to be an attractive target, and research has indicated that some species of mosquito may prefer certain blood types.

But really, the best way to avoid mosquito bites is to avoid places where there are lots of mosquitoes.

Markkanen recuperation

Iltalehti has bad news for basketball fans in Finland: Lauri Markkanen is going to miss this summer's matches with the Finnish national team, which is known as the 'Wolf Pack or 'Susijengi'.

Markkanen has been carrying a shoulder injury for months, and now says he wants to ensure he is healthy for the upcoming NBA season.

It's a crucial one for him, as he is set to negotiate a new contract with the Utah Jazz starting in 2025. It could multiply his current 17 million dollar annual salary — but only if he has a healthy, successful season.

That's a shame for Finland, who will play Olympic qualifiers in Valencia this summer, but Markkanen says that after extensive consultations, the risk of long-term injury problems was deemed too great.