Sports

Kawhi Leonard's hopes of competing for gold at the Paris Olympics were dashed last week, leaving the Los Angeles Clippers frustrated with Team USA's decision. Despite Leonard's desire to play and the Clippers' assurances of his health, USA Basketball decided to remove him from the roster, citing concerns about his recent knee injury. Clippers general manager Lawrence Frank expressed disappointment with the decision, revealing that Kawhi looked "really good" during early practice sessions. Leonard’s history of injuries, as he missed the final stretch of the Clippers’ season, likely played a role in USA Basketball’s decision. With the Olympics featuring a rigid 12-man roster with no mid-tournament substitutions, the risk of a re-injury may have been deemed too high. Team USA’s cautious appr...

Hailie Deegan's recent split with AM Racing has sent shockwaves through the NASCAR community, leaving many wondering about the young driver's future. NASCAR veteran Kevin Harvick weighed in on Deegan's career trajectory during a recent podcast episode. Harvick expressed concerns about Deegan’s decision to leave Toyota’s development program, a move he believes has hindered her growth. According to Harvick, Toyota offers a superior driver development structure compared to Ford, while Chevrolet falls somewhere in the middle. He stressed the importance of sustained development and mentorship early in a NASCAR career, suggesting Deegan may have been pushed to compete at a higher level. The former Cup Series champion expressed skepticism about Deegan’s chances of finding a competitive ride in t...

The Cleveland Cavaliers have secured the future of their franchise by signing Evan Mobley to a lucrative five-year, $224 million contract extension. The deal, which could potentially reach $269 million, solidifies the young forward as a mainstay of the team. Mobley, a 2021-22 All-Rookie and 2022-23 All-Defensive selection, quickly established himself as a defensive force and versatile offensive contributor. Despite being limited to 50 games last season due to injuries, he averaged an impressive 15.7 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. Selected third overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, Mobley joins star Donovan Mitchell, who signed a long-term extension earlier this offseason, as the cornerstone of Cleveland's core. The Cavaliers showed their potential last season, reaching the Easter...

The Memphis Grizzlies have traded former lottery pick Ziaire Williams and a 2030 second-round draft pick (originally taken by the Dallas Mavericks) to the Brooklyn Nets. In exchange, the Grizzlies will receive forward Mamadi Diakite and the draft rights to Nemanja Dangubic, the teams announced Friday. Mamadi Diakite, who stands 6 feet, 9 inches, has played for five different teams since finishing his college career at Virginia in 2020. Most notably, he was a member of the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster during their 2021 championship run. Ziaire Williams, 6-foot-4, has played 150 games for the Grizzlies over the past three seasons. Drafted 10th overall out of Stanford in the 2021 NBA Draft, Williams has averaged 7.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game during his tenure in Memphis. Earli...

Las Vegas has transformed into a sports mecca, and the Super Bowl is just the jewel in the crown. While the NFL’s ultimate spectacle takes center stage, other sports are smartly capitalizing on the city’s newfound importance as a global entertainment hub. Boxing, golf, and even the unusual Power Slap have all taken the opportunity to showcase their events alongside the Super Bowl. The influx of sports fans, media, and industry insiders creates a perfect storm to generate buzz and attract new audiences. Veteran boxing promoter Bob Arum has long recognized the value of aligning his events with the massive draw of the Super Bowl. By hosting a world title fight in Las Vegas during Super Bowl week, Arum taps into a large, attentive, and entertainment-hungry audience. LIV Golf has also joined ...

The worlds of NASCAR and WNBA collided this weekend when Caitlin Clark's image graced the hood of Josh Berry's car at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The unexpected partnership between the rising basketball star and the rookie driver generated considerable excitement and attention. While the Indianapolis 500 was unable to host Clark due to the Indiana Fever road course schedule, NASCAR and Panini capitalized on the opportunity to feature her in Berry’s car. The move proved to be a strategic success, generating significant social media engagement and increasing visibility for both athletes. Clark's immense popularity, fueled by his stellar performances in college basketball, has translated into a broader appeal that extends beyond sports. His image on a NASCAR car represents a unique crossove...

In his most notable performance of the Summer League, Bronny James made a significant contribution to the Los Angeles Lakers' narrow 87-86 win over the Atlanta Hawks. James scored 12 points, hitting 5-of-11 from the field and 2-of-5 from three-point range. Bronny’s summer league run has been a rocky one, averaging just 4.3 points and shooting 22.6 percent from three-point range through his first three games. Despite missing 15 three-pointers, his recent performance marks a promising turnaround. Drafted 55th overall by the Lakers in the 2024 NBA Draft, Bronny joins his iconic father, LeBron James, on the court. The young player has faced intense scrutiny, with many questioning his readiness for the NBA. However, his performance against the Hawks is a step toward silencing his critics. Skip...

Bronny James, son of NBA superstar LeBron James, has already attracted a lot of attention as a promising basketball talent. As he prepares to make the transition from high school to the potential NBA, several key strategies can help him achieve success in the professional league. 1. Solid foundation in fundamentals Developing a solid foundation in basketball fundamentals is essential. Bronny should focus on: – Ball Handling: Master dribbling under pressure and improve ambidexterity.– Shooting: Constant practice to improve the mechanics and range of the shot.– Defense: learning advanced defensive techniques and understanding team defense schemes. 2. Elite Coaching and Mentoring Having access to elite coaching and mentoring can make a significant difference. Bronny can benefit from...

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving is expected to be out indefinitely after undergoing surgery on a broken left hand he suffered during an offseason workout. The team announced the injury Tuesday night, without providing a timeline for Irving’s return to action. The setback comes after a stellar season that saw the dynamic duo of Irving and Luka Doncic propel the Mavericks to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2011. Irving averaged 25.6 points per game during the regular season while battling multiple injuries, including foot, heel and thumb issues. Despite his physical challenges, he delivered a stellar performance in the playoffs and was instrumental in Dallas' long playoff run. Training camp is scheduled to begin in about two and a half months, and the Mavericks will provide upda...

Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, a name synonymous with mixed martial arts (MMA), has carved out a unique path for himself, venturing beyond the confines of the octagon into the world of racing and acting. This episode of Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour delves into Cerrone’s remarkable journey, exploring his motivations and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Passion for speed Cerrone’s move to racing stems from a lifelong passion for motorsports. Growing up in a family of racers, he was exposed to the thrill of competition at an early age. This passion eventually led him to off-road racing, where he found success and camaraderie. The Adrenaline Rush: Similarities and Differences Drawing parallels between MMA and racing, Cerrone emphasizes the shared adrenaline rush and mental toughness required t...