English
Hot News
Baron Davis addresses 'the only reason' the New York Knicks lost to the Pacers, failure around one player
The New York Knicks unexpectedly lost to the Indiana Pacers 4-2 in the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals despite entering as favorites, resulting in head coach Tom Thibodeau's firing. Mike Brown was named as his replacement for the upcoming season. Former NBA player Baron Davis disputed that Thibodeau's tactics caused the defeat. Instead, Davis attributed the loss to the Pacers' defensive strategy that targeted Jalen Brunson—who averaged 30.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 5.7 assists in the series—by using half-court pressure to limit his space. Davis explained on Podcast P that Indiana turned the half-court into an "extra defender," forcing Brunson into cramped pick-and-roll situations despite the court's size. Davis emphasized that Brunson lacked backcourt support, stating, "Nobody on the Knicks outside of Jalen Brunson could bring the ball up." This allowed the Pacers to induce turnovers (Brunson averaged 4.0 per game) and disrupt New York's offensive flow. The pressure forced extended possessions where Brunson "dribbled all shot clock," denying him opportunities to pass or create separation. The isolation-heavy offense also impacted teammates like Karl-Anthony Towns, who faced constant one-on-one matchups. Davis concluded that Brunson's unsustainable workload as the "lone warrior"—compounded by turnovers and defensive traps—directly caused the Knicks' elimination.
Views 4833Likes 2154
Jaire Alexander was just handed 120 million reasons to prove the Packers wrong
The Baltimore Ravens' signing of cornerback Jaire Alexander has generated excitement among fans, quarterback Lamar Jackson, and his new teammates. Alexander, released by the Green Bay Packers, is highly motivated to prove his former team wrong. Following New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner's recent 4-year, $120 million contract, Alexander sees a rising market for his position. While Alexander isn't expected to command Gardner's $30 million annual salary, the Gardner deal sets a positive precedent. Entering his age-28 season with his second team, Alexander's primary challenge has been injuries. When healthy, he is considered one of the NFL's top cornerbacks, but his ability to stay on the field consistently has been hampered by a documented injury history. If Alexander can overcome his injury issues and play a full, strong season in 2025 at age 29, the article speculates he could command a contract averaging around $20 million per year, especially if it includes incentives. The Gardner deal suggests $20 million could be a realistic ceiling for Alexander under these circumstances, though achieving that level of performance and durability is acknowledged as a significant challenge. Alexander is likely viewing Gardner's contract as motivation for his own potential future deal.
Views 4540Likes 3856
Q&A: Pacers Head Coach Rick Carlisle Opens Up On Finals Run, Offseason
The Indiana Pacers experienced a condensed offseason following their appearance in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals on June 22, where they lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Head coach Rick Carlisle noted that the NBA Draft began just three days later, and free agency followed less than a week after that, leaving little time for the team to decompress after their deep playoff run. Carlisle described the quick turnaround as normal for the NBA and expressed pride in the team's effort, calling it a "great year" and a "great run" despite the disappointing Finals outcome. The 2024-25 postseason validated the Pacers' earlier progress, elevating them to top contenders after skeptics questioned their 2024 Eastern Conference Finals appearance. Built on depth and speed, the team challenged traditional playoff expectations and came within one game of winning the championship, with Carlisle highlighting their underdog status and inspiring competitiveness. However, the Pacers now face significant roster challenges for the 2025-26 season, as star guard Tyrese Haliburton will miss the entire campaign due to a torn Achilles, and starting center Myles Turner has departed for the Milwaukee Bucks. Carlisle acknowledged that the team must navigate these changes, with plans to reassess their direction for the next two seasons until Haliburton's expected return in 2026-27. During a Q&A session at a summer league game in Las Vegas, Carlisle addressed the team's future, stating that the Pacers' playoff performance was motivating to fans and that the team "will be fine" despite Turner's exit. He praised Turner as a "stretch big who can protect the rim" and noted the Pacers have multiple options at center, including Isaiah Jackson, James Wiseman, and Tony Bradley.
Views 3463Likes 2235
Packers player issues challenge to Caleb Williams and the Bears
The Chicago Bears once held a 24-game lead over the Green Bay Packers in their historic rivalry back in 1992, before the Packers acquired quarterback Brett Favre. Since then, the rivalry shifted dramatically, with the Packers now holding a 12-game lead. While some fans considered the rivalry dead, a recent Bears win at Lambeau Field and comments from Bears quarterback Caleb Williams have reignited tensions. At Fanatics Fest, Williams called Packers fans negative and declared they "suck," while proudly stating he is "1-0 at Lambeau." Packers offensive tackle Rasheed Walker responded to these remarks on Good Morning Football, dismissing the Bears' win as lucky and warning, "They got lucky. We're gonna remember he said that." The article disputes Walker's characterization of the Bears' win as "lucky." It points out the Bears were severely short-handed, missing several starters including three offensive linemen, were on their third offensive coordinator of the season, and the game was meaningless for their playoff hopes (already eliminated) compared to Green Bay's seeding fight. The author argues the Bears "gutted out a tough win" requiring significant effort from Williams on the game-winning drive despite being out-coached and undermanned. Furthermore, the article counters that if discussing luck, the Packers themselves narrowly avoided being swept by the Bears and shut out by the NFC North in 2025 due to a blocked field goal, which it describes as "about as lucky as it gets." The author concludes that regardless of the arguments about luck or fan bases, the renewed animosity is beneficial for the Bears-Packers rivalry and the NFL overall. The league thrives when these teams are competitive and trading dramatic wins, contrasting sharply with previous years of futility. With this level of offseason trash talk already occurring, significant anticipation and intensity are expected for their Week 14 rematch at Lambeau Field.
Views 5871Likes 1192
‘I don’t want to leave’… 23-year-old Barcelona player talks about his future, more competition, and the Nico Williams operation
FC Barcelona's summer transfer window has focused on internal adjustments rather than major signings. The club prioritized player renewals and exits, securing extensions for Wojciech Szczesny and finalizing Lamine Yamal's renewal. Departures like Pablo Torre and Ansu Fati generated income and freed up significant funds. Amidst exit discussions, 23-year-old left-back Gerard Martin's future has been a topic. Despite Alejandro Balde being the undisputed starter, Martin expressed clear motivations in an interview. He stated his collective goal is to "win everything" and his personal aim is to "always improve on last season and keep growing." He firmly denied wanting to leave, saying, "I'm really happy here at Barça, and I don't want to leave," and emphasized his hope for the coach and club's faith in him. Martin also addressed potential squad competition calmly, stating, "No, I'm calm... competition is good—it helps everyone improve." He commented positively on new signing Joan Garcia, calling him a "great signing" who was "good and happy." Regarding the failed move for Nico Williams, Martin admitted limited knowledge, simply noting, "It seemed like he was going to come, but in the end, he didn't." Martin enters the new season as an established Barcelona player, benefiting from coach Hansi Flick already knowing him from the previous campaign.
Views 5835Likes 5834
Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu Headline 3-Point Contest at 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend
Caitlin Clark will make her WNBA All-Star Weekend debut by participating in the 3-Point Contest on Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. She will compete against notable players including Kelsey Plum, Sonia Citron, former contest winner Sabrina Ionescu, and defending champion Allisha Gray for the three-point title. Defending champion Allisha Gray will also participate in the Skills Challenge on the same night. She will face Natasha Cloud, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Erica Wheeler, and Courtney Williams in this event, which features a timed obstacle course testing dribbling, passing, and various shooting skills. Both the 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge are scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Friday, preceding Saturday's All-Star Game. The Skills Challenge field includes three of the league's top four assists leaders: Williams, Diggins-Smith, and Cloud. Wheeler returns after missing last year's event due to flight issues. Gray enters the 3-Point Contest ranked fourth in the WNBA for three-pointers made this season, behind only Rhyne Howard, Kayla McBride, and fellow competitor Plum. She made history last year by becoming the first Atlanta Dream player to win an All-Star event and the first WNBA player to win both the 3-point contest and skills challenge. Gray won the 2024 3-point contest with a score of 22-for-40. To defend her 3-point title, Gray must outperform Sabrina Ionescu, who set a single-round record by going 37-for-40 to win the 2023 contest. Ionescu, who skipped the 2024 event while preparing for the Olympics, is shooting 30.9% from three-point range this season for the New York Liberty. Caitlin Clark, who set a WNBA rookie record with 122 three-pointers last season, declined to participate in the 2024 competition, citing a need for a break after transitioning directly from college. The reigning Rookie of the Year hopes her participation in the 2025 contest will help her bounce back from an injury-plagued second season where she is shooting just 28.9% from behind the arc. Sonia Citron enters the 3-Point Contest as the lone rookie participant. She has made 36.3% of her three-point attempts while averaging 6.2 attempts per game as a starter for the Washington Mystics.
Views 3630Likes 3628
The Barcelona effect on Spain: The pros and cons of a club dominating the national side
Spain's women's national team is displaying exceptional cohesion at the Euros, attributed largely to the high number of players from Barcelona. This club connection creates a style of play unusually sophisticated for the international level, leading them to win all three group games, score 14 goals (the highest), and advance to a quarter-final against Switzerland. The influence of Barcelona players is profound. In the 5-0 win against Portugal, five Barcelona players started: Ona Batlle, Patri Guijarro, Vicky Lopez, Alexia Putellas, and Claudia Pina. This number could have been higher; Irene Paredes was suspended, Cata Coll had tonsillitis, and Aitana Bonmati started on the bench due to recovery from meningitis (she was replaced by another Barcelona player, Lopez). Two more Barcelona players, Salma Paralluelo and Jana Fernandez, came on as substitutes, making eight of the 16 players used in the match affiliated with Barcelona. This pattern continued. Against Belgium (6-2), the starting lineup mirrored the Portugal game but included Paredes. Against Italy (3-1), six Barcelona players started despite changes. Leila Ouahabi, though now at Manchester City, spent most of her career at Barcelona. Eight of the eleven players used against Italy either currently play or have played for Barcelona, even though expected starting goalkeeper Coll hasn't yet played at the Euros. The reliance on Barcelona players isn't new. In a previous 7-1 Nations League win over Portugal, coach Montse Tomé fielded a starting XI entirely composed of players who were either current or former Barcelona players. This included eight active Barcelona players plus former players Mariona Caldentey, Laia Aleixandri, and Leila Ouahabi. Of the 23-player squad for Euro 2025, 10 are current Barcelona players (11 if counting Aleixandri, who just re-signed), and 13 players in total either currently play for or have played for Barcelona at some point.
Views 4193Likes 4191
Everything the Lakers Have Done was Done for Nikola Jokic
For at least three years, an unconfirmed but widely accepted belief has circulated within the NBA that Luka Dončić and Nikola Jokić intend to play together eventually. Though neither player has publicly confirmed this due to contractual constraints, their well-documented friendship and increasing hints about a future partnership lend credibility to the speculation. This context helps explain the Los Angeles Lakers' apparent lack of urgency in the 2025 offseason. Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka openly prioritized targeting the 2027 free agency period, a strategy met with skepticism given LeBron James' limited remaining prime years and Dončić's current superstar availability. However, this aligns with Jokić's impending free agency in 2027. Notably, Denver Nuggets President Josh Kroenke recently acknowledged Jokić might eventually leave the team, and Jokić himself declined a contract extension offer from Denver. While Jokić could still sign an extension in 2026, the Lakers are operating on the widespread rumor of the duo's desire to unite. Pairing Dončić with a 32-year-old Jokić in 2027 may be debatable, but it remains a tangible strategy. A Dončić trade to Denver was never feasible due to the Nuggets' salary cap limitations and lack of trade assets, evidenced by their recent cap-driven moves. Jokić's decision to delay contract talks—officially to maximize future earnings—creates a pathway for a 2027 departure. Kroenke's public admission of this possibility, however remote, underscores its legitimacy. With Jokić's Denver tenure closer to its potential end than its beginning, his choice not to secure his future now leaves the 2027 free agency window strategically significant for teams like the Lakers.
Views 3558Likes 316
Jonquel Jones is on the cusp of her long-awaited Liberty return
Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello expressed satisfaction after hearing star center Jonquel Jones declare herself feeling "99.9999999999999999 percent" back to full health following a team practice at Barclays Center. Jones made this statement, humorously specifying 16 decimal places, ahead of her confirmed return for the Liberty's first game after the All-Star break on July 22nd against the Indiana Fever. Jones, the 2024 Finals MVP, participated in full five-on-five work for the first time on Saturday. She had been sidelined for eight games due to an aggravated right ankle injury suffered on June 19th against the Mercury. This was a recurrence of an initial ankle injury sustained on June 5th that caused her to miss two games. Doctors had given her a recovery timeline of four to six weeks. Her absence significantly impacted the Liberty, causing their defense to falter without her presence in the paint and depriving the team of an important offensive piece both inside and from three-point range. During the stretch without Jones, the Liberty went 4-4. Five of those games were also without starter Leonie Fiebich, who was competing in Eurobasket for Germany. Jones has only played in nine games this season, averaging 12.1 points and 9.6 rebounds. Despite the lengthy absence, Jones now reports feeling "great" and stated she doesn't feel her ankle during play. However, she noted that warming up remains "the hardest part" of her current routine.
Views 4048Likes 561
Caitlin Clark Turns Heads With Outfit Before Fever-Sun Game
Caitlin Clark, the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, is facing a difficult 2025 season with the Indiana Fever, having already missed 10 games due to two separate injuries. She openly described the season as "hard" and "difficult," emphasizing the mental challenge of preparing for games while knowing she cannot play and dealing with the stop-start nature of her recovery. Clark stated her focus is on getting her body healthy and maintaining confidence. Clark's on-court performance has suffered significantly this season. Her shooting percentages are down across the board: she's hitting just over 37% from the field, a low 28.9% from three-point range, and under 82% from the free-throw line, marking a notable decline from her rookie year stats. As Clark works to return to form, her pre-game outfit before the Fever's matchup against the Connecticut Sun drew considerable attention on social media. While many fans expressed strong positive reactions to her look, calling it "🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥" and "😍😮💨," others criticized it, with some comments suggesting she needs a new stylist. The game between the Connecticut Sun and Indiana Fever is available to watch on ESPN.
Views 5245Likes 3331
