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NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo dies at 58

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NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo died (Otto Greule/Allsport)

A piece of news generated an impact in the NBA. Former player Dikembe Mutombo, part of the Basketball Hall of Fame, died at the age of 58 from brain cancer. The news was confirmed by league commissioner Adam Silver in a statement.

The 2.18 meter giant was born in the Congo and played for 18 seasons in the NBA. During his time in the best basketball league in the world, he stood out for his ability as one of the best defenders in the competition. For this quality he received the Best Defender of the Year award four times (1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001).

Mutombo began his career in college basketball before making the jump to the NBA. His professional debut was with the Denver Nuggetswhere he quickly became noticed for his imposing presence on the field in his first years in the league (1991-1996). After that, he played for teams like the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks y Houston Rockets.

During his career he was selected eight times for the All Star and stood out for being one of the dominant players in the painted zone. His remembered “No” gesture when making a block against an opponent was one of the most remembered movements of NBA fans in the 90s.. His shot-blocking ability made him one of the most feared and respected defensive players in the league.

The former player who had five surnames – his official name was Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo – He performed in an era dominated by the figure of Michael Jordan, but managed to shine with his own light thanks to his defensive skills. His impact on basketball was not limited to his achievements on the court, as he also became known for his philanthropic work and his commitment to humanitarian causes, especially in his native country.

The former player was born in the Congo and debuted in the NBA with the Denver Nuggets (Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports)
The former player was born in the Congo and debuted in the NBA with the Denver Nuggets (Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports)

In sports, Dikembe was chosen six times in the NBA defensive team, in addition to being in second place in the historical table of top blockers in the league with a total of 3,289 blocks in his career of almost two decades in the competition. In 2015 he was elected to enter the Basketball Hall of Fame. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

It was two years ago, in October 2022 at the age of 56, when a brain tumor was detected. Upon diagnosis, he began to receive the necessary treatment, but this disease caused the death of the man born in the city of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on June 25, 1956. Mutombo became the first NBA Global Ambassador.

In Silver’s statement, the NBA highlighted the value on and off the court that the legend had in his time. “Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life. On the court, he was one of the best shot blockers and defensive players in NBA history. “Off the court, he gave his heart and soul to helping others,” he quoted the first part of the farewell.

“There was no one more qualified than Dikembe to be the NBA’s first Global Ambassador. He was a humanitarian by nature. He loved what basketball could do to have a positive impact on communities, especially in his native Democratic Republic of the Congo and across the African continent. I had the privilege of traveling the world with Dikembe and seeing firsthand how his generosity and compassion uplifted people. “He was always available at NBA events over the years, with his infectious smile, deep, resonant voice and trademark finger movement that endeared him to basketball fans of all generations,” Silver added.

Finally, the NBA commissioner concluded with some heartfelt words. “Dikembe’s indomitable spirit lives on in those he helped and inspired throughout his extraordinary life. I am one of the many people whose lives were touched by Dikembe’s big heart and I will miss him dearly. On behalf of the entire NBA family, I send my deepest condolences to Dikembe’s wife, Rose, and his children; to his many friends and to the global basketball community that he truly loved and that loved him.”

Mutombo was the first Global Ambassador of the NBA (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Mutombo was the first Global Ambassador of the NBA (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

The post NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo dies at 58 appeared first on Archysport.

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Champions League schedule and results, 2024-2025 season

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What is the 2024-2025 Champions League schedule? The new tournament format, which now includes 36 teams compared to 32 previously, promises more confrontations from the start of the competition. Find the complete schedule of matches and their results updated in real time in our table below.

During the league phase scheduled between September and December 2024, each club plays eight matches against different opponents, selected based on their UEFA ranking.

Then, the top eight teams in the rankings will advance directly to the round of 16, while teams ranked 9th to 24th will have to go through play-offs in January 2025. These knockout matches will begin in February, with the grand final scheduled for June 2025. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

For French clubs, including PSG, AS Monaco, Lille and Stade Brestois, the challenge will be to stay in the race for direct qualifications and avoid early eliminations.

The final of the competition will take place in Munich on May 31, 2025. We will then know the successor to Real Madrid where Kylian Mbappé now plays.

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Halftime show: Fifa is planning an event like in football at the next World Cup final

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In American football, the halftime show has long been part of the event. Appearances during the break have not been an issue in football so far – but that will change at the next World Cup.

Anyone who goes to the toilet or refills chips during half-time at the next World Cup final will miss something: As the world football association Fifa announces, from the next World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico there will be a half-time show in the final. What exactly the association is planning is still very vaguely worded in the announcement. FIFA is probably planning a musical performance modeled on the Superbowl in American football: This so-called half time show is probably the biggest stage that musicians have had so far. In recent years, megastars such as Coldplay, Rihanna and Bruno Mars have appeared at halftime.

FIFA wants to organize a halftime show together with an aid organization

Global Citizen acts as co-organizer. The aid organization is committed to combating extreme poverty around the world. “FIFA has made it its mission to promote football in all countries of the world and thereby have a positive influence on society,” explains the controversial FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Through this partnership, FIFA, together with Global Citizen, will unite the world of sports and entertainment to actively contribute to a better world. “We are committed to a series of joint actions that promote access to the game and encourage fans to advocate for positive change in their local communities,” Infantino continued. However, the association leaves it open exactly how a halftime show during the World Cup final should support Global Citizen or combat poverty in the world. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

“Eventization” of football is met with rejection in Germany

If FIFA presents an act as big as the NFL at the Superbowl, the football halftime show would actually immediately be in the same league as its US counterparts. In the USA, the show is one of the absolute highlights of the football final. It remains to be seen whether such a show will be received so positively by football fans who are more used to a simpler presentation of their sport.

In Europe and especially in Germany, the organized fan scene is extremely critical of the additional commercialization and “eventization” of sport. A resonant example is Helene Fischer’s act before the 2017 DFB Cup final. The artist was booed so mercilessly and loudly during her short appearance that her singing on the television was difficult to understand at times.

Source: FIFA press release

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Ugo Humbert-Arthur Fils, duel for a title in Tokyo between a calm player and another who doesn’t give up

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Difficult to find two courses as dissimilar as those of Ugo Humbert and Arthur Fils at the ATP 500 in Tokyo, but the rectilinear trajectory of the first will still cross the fractured line of the second, in the final, this Tuesday. Despite losing his first set of the week, Humbert (19th in the world) qualified without too much difficulty by beating Tomas Machac (54th) 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. After having fought like a madman to eliminate Taylor Fritz and especially Ben Shelton, Son went through two tie-breaks with forceps to subdue Holger Rune. One wanders, the other suffers, but we will be treated to a happy ending. Even with a seven-hour time difference with France, this is a pleasure that we won’t shy away from.

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