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Challenges Await the Boston Celtics as They Aim to Repeat NBA Championship Victory

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6 months ago

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Los Boston Celtics They broke the 16-year drought without being champions of the NBA but they face challenges in a league where it is increasingly difficult to repeat a title.

Next season he will once again have great rivals who will seek to take the championship from him.

ESPN experts answer the 10 big questions the NBA has for the 2024-2025 campaign.

Fiction. Luka Doncic He is a wonderful player who showed superlative performance in the 2023/2024 campaign both in the regular season (top scorer with 33.9 points per game) and in the playoffs. While it is difficult to improve what Doncic produced statistically, there is something that he has not yet achieved and will pursue until he achieves it: being an NBA champion.

To achieve that goal he will have to be even better, perhaps not in his individual numbers, but in being the leader who raises the level of play of his teammates. His path must go in that direction and he has the tools to do it. (Pablo Cormick)

Reality. The recent trend does not favor them, since no team has repeated since the Warriors they won their second consecutive title – and their third in four Finals – in 2017. The change in salary rules complicates the development of dynasties, but in the way in which Brad Stevens built this version of the Celticsit looks like this championship version will be able to stay together for at least two more seasons.

However, those same salary rules have led to a greater competitive balance, and more teams can be considered as contenders. Dallas showed that with the combination of Luka Doncic y Kyrie Irving At its best it is in the conversation, Denver Nuggets It still has the current MVP and a good core, Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder They are two emerging forces and in the Eastern Conference, New York Knicks can be reinforced, Philadelphia 76ers can peek out with a Joel Embiid healthy all year, Indiana showed that it belongs in the Playoffs and Milwaukee Bucks still has Giannis Antetokounmpo y Damian Lillard on their roster.

However, the Celtics must start as favorites to win in 2024-25, led by Jayson Tatum y Jaylen Brown, now without the pressure of having to answer all the questions about winning together in the month of June. (Hiram Martinez)

3- Fact or fiction: Next will be the last season of LeBron James.

Fiction. It has been heard on multiple occasions LeBron James mention that at least he plans to play between 2 and three more seasons. Who are we to contradict him?

Although he knows that he is on the downward curve of his career, if nothing happens that physically limits him and he cannot continue playing, LeBron is not going to give in and will continue with the idea of ​​extending his career. Last season, James averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists with 54% shooting from the field and 41% shooting from three-point range. Whoever dares to ask for his retirement, arguing that he is finished, should cast the first stone. (Marcelo Bousquet)

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Klay Thompson and the possible end of an era in the Golden State Warriors

Sebastián Martínez Christensen explains Klay Thompson’s situation with the Golden State Warriors in the midst of negotiations that have stalled for some time. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

4- Fact or fiction: The Mavs’ route to return to the Finals is more difficult than the Celtics’.

Fact: There are more contending teams and stars in the Western Conference than in the East. It is not to demean the path of the brand new champions, Boston Celtics, but Mavs will have to be better than Nuggets, OKC, Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers y Lakers, more than one surprise that is revealed in the regular season.

On the other hand, the impact that the Mavs had to reach the Finals with the duo Luka Doncic-Kyrie Irving It was one of the shortcomings in the series against the Celtics, except in Game 4, in the others, it was either Doncic who shone or Irving, but not the two together and for the following season the duo will have to have a similar performance if The Mavs want to repeat as finalists. Extra point are the movements that management makes to strengthen the team. (Roland of the Forest)

5- Fact or Fiction: There will be a matchup between two different teams in the 2024-25 Finals.

Reality: In the East, much will depend on the recovery of Kristaps Porzingis so that the Celtics have a similar season and repeat in the Finals. The ‘Unicorn’ injuries were a headache for coach Joe Mazzullaa pain ‘healed’ thanks to Al Horford, who, being already a veteran, needs support for a long season. On the West side, there are several teams and players with a debt and/or a thorn in their side who will not want to watch the NBA Finals from home again and that will be the big obstacle for the Mavericks to be champions of the Western Conference. (Roland of the Forest)

6- Fact or Fiction: Wemby and the Spurs will be the team with the greatest progress in 2024-25.

False, but they will be close. Victor Wembanyama is real and the team’s rise must go hand in hand with the development of its budding superstar. The San Antonio Spurs They have the national team capital to accumulate young pieces and eventually make a significant change that leaves them fully in contention. The key word is ‘eventually’; San Antonio must be patient, similar to how the Thunder built their roster.

If it is true that Wemby’s presence accelerates the line time to compete, the situation is very different from the leap that the franchise took when it had David Robinson and then Tim Duncan. Another 22-win season shouldn’t be in the cards, but contending for the playoffs seems like a big step for a team that has yet to build around its pivotal pivot. (Victor O. Lopez)

7- Fact or Fiction: Klay Thompson will return to the Warriors, but Golden State will miss the playoffs.

True and true. It would seem unlikely that Klay Thompson he leaves ‘Bahia’, despite the drop in his production that puts his future as a star player in doubt; he would look destined to return. But, the panorama of the West, in any case, is arranged against the Warriors. Golden State has missed the playoffs in three of the last five seasons, falling in the play-in twice. Sure, they won a championship in between, but can Stephen Curry at 36 years old lead them back into contention? It is undoubtedly a risky bet, especially when we consider the improvement expected from the Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies y San Antonio Spurs in the West. (Victor O. Lopez)

8- Fact or Fiction: the Lakers will choose Bronny James in the draft.

Editorial Selections

2 Related

Reality. Even though Rich Paul (his agent) has maintained that drafting Bronny doesn’t ensure LeBron makes it to the team that drafts him, the Lakers can’t risk knowing whether that’s true or not. The Lakers’ interest in keeping LeBron on the team is genuine and necessary. And the interest in selecting Bronny too, although it is presumed that they will not spend their first round selection (17) but rather their second one (#55).

Furthermore, I dare to think that if the management feels that a rival could pick him earlier, they would make an effort to move up in the draft. Finally, the fact that Bronny has only auditioned with the Lakers and Suns (who only has the 22nd pick), refusing to do so with other teams, fuels the possibility that Bronny ends up dressing in purple and gold. (Marcelo Bousquet)

9- Fact or Fiction: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander y Anthony Edwards They will be one and two in the voting for the 2024-25 MVP.

Reality. After what he did last season, especially in the playoffs, Edwards has established himself as the most dynamic young talent in the entire league. The following season will be his fifth, however Edwards will only be 23 years old. He improved in virtually every statistical category in 2023-24, and there’s nothing to indicate he won’t continue to do so. Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander has two consecutive seasons averaging 30 points per game, and this year he surpassed his record for assists and steals. He came second in this year’s voting, but in 2025 he will lift the trophy. (Eric Gomez)

10- Fact or Fiction: Jokic and Nuggets will be the candidates for the NBA title.

Reality. The Western Conference improved tremendously this season, after Denver easily dominated in 2023 en route to the first title in franchise history. This year, Denver, Minnesota and Dallas exhausted each other to such an extent that the Mavericks put up little resistance to Boston in the Finals. It is more than logical to think that Jokic, Murray and company would have been much better sparring partners for the Celtics. If there are no significant injuries, it is possible that the last two NBA champions will meet next June to define the 2024-25 crown. (Eric Gomez)

2024-06-25 13:18:45
#big #questions #NBA #season

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SPORTS

The Truth About the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 Match

Published

3 days ago

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December 21, 2024

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In one way or the other, almost every Nigerian has heard of the mythical match between India Vs. Nigeria that ended with 99 goals to 1 with India being victorious.

Before the advent of the internet, this story successfully thrived among Nigerians, but with the emergence of the internet and easy access to social media, the truth behind the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 match was revealed.

Though there are different accounts of the match, but they all have the following in common:

  1. That the match ended with India scoring 99 goals and Nigeria scoring just one goal.
  2. That Nigerians were unable to kick the ball because the football kept turning to a lion which scared them away…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>
    2. That Indians later agreed that if Nigeria could score one goal, they would concede defeat.
    3. That Samuel Okwaraji scored the winning goal and lost his life in the process because the ball turned into stone as he was about to kick it.
    4. That FIFA banned India from soccer because they used juju (black magic) in that match.
    India Vs Nigeria 99-1 match

    Why did people believe the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 match story?

    Even with the absence of the internet back then, this kind of claims should be immediately recognized as lies, the kind of lies they call “big fat lies”. But most people like to acknowledge this story as true with the fact that no one has ever seen India play in an International Football Match. Since no one actually saw India participate in most international soccer games, this gave a little credence to the story.

    Another reason this lie thrived for long was that credible information was not easily accessible in Nigeria unlike now that even a 4-year-old child can debunk false claims within minutes with the help of Google. This Nigeria Vs India match story would have been fabricated by one community elder to children during an evening gathering; that’s our take at OldNaija.

    What Actually Happened!

    On the 12th of August 1989, Nigeria lost one of her best footballers, Sam Okwaraji who died during a football match. We wrote about how he died on the pitch and you can read it here. Sam Okwaraji was the player rumoured to have lost his life in that game when in truth he died during a FIFA World Cup qualifying game against Angola in the 77th minute. He collapsed and died of cognitive heart failure. May his soul rest in peace. AMEN!

    Samuel Okwaraji and Green Eagles
    Samuel Okwaraji (circled)

    So, that is the only truthful thing about the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 match story, the fact that a Nigerian player died during a football match. That is what these lies was fabricated around. The match was not against India, Nigeria did not lose the match and as you must have guessed, and there were no lions or ball turning into a stone.

    Meme
    Meme by Campus Bro

    Nevertheless, one cannot deny that this kind of story made one’s childhood as a Nigerian. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

    Before we go,

    Why was India Banned by FIFA?

    India was never banned by FIFA. It was India that withdrew from the tournament themselves. Here is how it happened.

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) made it clear to India that they would not be allowed to play in the 1950 FIFA World Cup without footwear.

    Then something happened. You see, when determining the make-up of the 1950 World Cup, FIFA determined that obviously the two defending finalists, Brazil and Italy, would be guaranteed slots. That left fourteen slots that needed to be filled.

    FIFA decided that seven of those slots would come from Europe, six would come from the Americas and one would come from Asia.

    The problem was that of the four Asian teams that were invited to the World Cup, three of them (the Philippines, Indonesia and Burma) withdrew from the tournament before the qualification round.

    Therefore, India earned an automatic slot within the World Cup. It would be India’s first time appearing in the World Cup but India, too, withdrew from the tournament because FIFA would not allow them to compete barefoot.

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SAD|| 10 Players Who Lost Everything After Divorce, Number 5 Will Shôck You

Published

2 months ago

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November 5, 2024

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The Hidden Financial Struggles of Footballers: Divorce’s Costly Toll

The glamorous image of professional footballers, with their luxurious lifestyles and multimillion-dollar contracts, often obscures a harsh reality: the financial devastation many endure through divorce. Behind the fame and fortune, several high-profile players have seen their wealth significantly depleted after parting ways with their spouses, a stark reminder that no amount of money can fully shield one of the financial pitfalls of personal relationships gone awry…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

One of the most shocking examples is that of former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboué, who lost not only his properties in England but also custody of his children following a bitter divorce. Despite earning millions during his career, Eboué found himself stripped of almost everything. His situation became a cautionary tale, underscoring that even the wealthiest footballers can fall victim to the financial ruin that divorce can bring.

Eboué is not alone. Football legends such as Thierry Henry and Ryan Giggs have also experienced significant financial losses due to divorce. Henry reportedly paid £10 million to his ex-wife, while Giggs parted with an astonishing £40 million after his marriage ended. Louis Saha and Wes Brown, both former Manchester United players, also suffered substantial financial hits, with Brown declaring bankruptcy despite earning £50,000 per week during his time at the club. His case highlights how even vast earnings can quickly evaporate when faced with legal settlements and financial mismanagement.

David James, the former England goalkeeper, faced a particularly dire situation, losing much of his fortune after divorce and being forced to auction his personal belongings to make ends meet. Similarly, Ray Parlour, another Arsenal great, saw his ex-wife receive half of his £10 million fortune, including a £2.5 million house. Jamie Redknapp, a former Liverpool star, also faced a hefty settlement, parting with half of his estimated £15 million fortune after his marriage ended.

These are just a few of the many footballers who have faced financial disaster due to divorce. Keith Gillespie, once a key figure in the Premier League, lost over £7 million, leading to his bankruptcy in 2010. Despite earning significant wages during his career, his divorce and poor financial decisions left him in financial ruin. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Perhaps the most shocking case is that of Tendai Ndoro, a Zimbabwean striker who lost everything after registering all his properties in his wife’s name. Following their breakup, she kicked him out of the house, leaving him with nothing. Ndoro’s story serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of not protecting one’s assets, even in relationships where trust is implicit.

For footballers, whose careers often peak early, these financial setbacks can be devastating. While their salaries are among the highest in professional sports, the combination of short career spans, legal fees, and divorce settlements can quickly erode their fortunes. Many players also face additional challenges in managing their finances due to a lack of financial education or oversight during their playing years.

These stories underscore the importance of safeguarding personal wealth, especially for high-earning individuals like footballers, who may be more vulnerable to financial upheaval. Proper financial planning, asset protection strategies, and prenups are increasingly necessary tools for protecting one’s earnings and securing a stable future.

In conclusion, while the public sees footballers as insulated by their wealth, the reality is that they are just as susceptible to the financial hardships of divorce as anyone else. The personal struggles behind the scenes reveal that their lives, though glamorous on the surface, are often fraught with the same vulnerabilities and challenges faced by ordinary individuals. These cases serve as sobering reminders that financial security is never guaranteed, even for those at the pinnacle of success.

 

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NFL | The best was yet to come, and then no

Published

2 months ago

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October 12, 2024

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In February 2022, the Bengals missed the Super Bowl by three small points, but regardless, the future seemed bright in Cincinnati.


Posted at 1:13 a.m.

Updated at 7:00 a.m.

In any case, that’s what we, the most seasoned experts in American football, believed, capable of seeing the future each season, often in a very impressive way; for example, this column has been predicting since 1970 that the New York Jets are not going to win the Super Bowl, and that’s still exactly what happens.

The Bengals have never won anything, but their presence on the big stage two years ago suggested that, a bit like the Nordiques in 1990, the best was yet to come.

Well, no.

As of this hour, the Bengals are a dismal 1-4, and even then, their only win came against the Carolina Panthers, who are about as bad as they are.

The good news for the Bengals is that this “landing” is fairly easily explained: their defense is pretty awful. The less good news is that it is probably already too late to try to solve this problem.

In five games, the Bengals have allowed a total of 145 points, which gives a pretty staggering average of 29 points per game. No one else in the American Association looks this bad, and in the league as a whole, only the Carolina Panthers are even worse in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Bengals are wasting the best years of Joe Burrow, who turns 28 in December. He wouldn’t be the first quality quarterback to waste his talent in this uniform.

Is it necessary here to remember that in American football, as in life in general, there is never anything certain? This reality reminds us of this sublime quote from Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who once wrote that “supreme happiness is a hundred times sweeter to hope for than to obtain”.

Rousseau must have been a Bengals fan, obviously.

You are probably aware that the New York Jets fired their coachbut that’s not the worst. The worst part is that poor Robert Saleh would have been escorted to the door like a pauper by security agents.

PHOTO MIKE STOBE, ARCHIVES AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh

It’s undoubtedly one of the worst moments in the history of a club that collects the worst moments, from Mark Sanchez dropping a ball on his lineman’s pussy, to a visibly hot Joe Namath trying to to kiss a reporter live on TV (we’re going to move on to the naughty photo of Brett Favre because there are children here).

We can never repeat it enough: in football, as in life, everything starts from the top. The leaders of the Jets, who display a level of competence similar to that of the inventors of Pepsi Crystal, thus opted for the easy way, instead of realizing that their ground game is non-existent, and that their quarterback who hears voices in his head is finished.

In addition, barely installed, new coach Jeff Ulbrich decided to give control of the attack to assistant Todd Downing, who will call the plays from now on. This is not a detail because this task previously fell to offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, close and confidant of Aaron Rodgers.

It’s obvious that this is going to end very badly. As per usual.

Someone whispers in my ear that the inbox is overflowing again, so let’s get to it right away.

First, Luc Girouard from Sept-Îles sends us this timely little comment: “Would Prince Rodgers have plotted to kick Robert Saleh out in order to take his place? »

We all see what you did, Luc.

Then, there is a certain Nicolas B. from Laval who sent this: “Hi Richard. Great weekly column on football. Really entertaining. In addition, you allow my teenagers to read about football in French, which is still a challenge […] If you ever make a reference to my comment, my sports travel gang is buying me a beer on our next trip. »

You will demand a micro beer, Nicolas. Finally, there is Marco Campanozzi who can no longer hear about “mixing” and the right chair: “I can’t do it anymore!!! »

We are Marco.

It will be another great opportunity to lock yourself in front of the TV while pretending to do something constructive, because Sunday’s menu is particularly spicy.

Thus, Commanders in a state of grace will go to Baltimore to prove that they are serious, the Chargers will go to Denver in the hope of recovering after two defeats in a row, and the Cowboys will host the Lions, in a match that they can’t really let slip away, just to build something following the little miracle last Sunday night in Pittsburgh.

Don’t forget to check out the colors during halftime.

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