Hanna Cavinder Outs NFL Star Jalen Ramsey For Being Up In Twin Sister Haley’s DMs |But He Might Be A Quantity Not Quality Guy Because He Doesn’t Remember That
Miami Dolphins All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey is an equal opportunity DM-slider. The football star was part of a panel on Jake Paul’s sports betting and sports media platform Betr with former University of Miami basketball stars Haley and Hanna Cavinder, where it was revealed he slid into Haley’s DMs.
Paul asked Ramsey if he had a strategy for direct messaging women on social media, when Hanna Cavinder said, “My twin would know.”
Ramsey, genuinely seeming unaware that he had slid into Haley’s DMs, responded: “I was in them before?”
To which Haley responded, “Yeah.”
Clearly Ramsey’s strategy involves volume and not necessarily taking note of every single women he DMs. Or maybe Haley Cavinder wasn’t that memorable.
Ramsey shrugged it off and said, “I probably hit her with a heart then.”
Paul was genuinely surprised, though it’s unclear why, and asked, “Wait, deadass this happened?” To which Haley replied, “Deadass.”
The Cavinder’s love life has been of particular interest in social media conversations, and the twins, as they are wont to do, released a TikTok video with some insight.
Both sisters were seen dancing while wearing bikinis in the video.
Hanna, who is in a relationship, was seen dancing in a white swimsuit. “Sister who has a bf this summer,” a caption above the 22-year-old read.
The video ended with Haley, who is apparently single, dancing in a black two-piece with the caption: “Sister who is in her summer girl era.”
Who Are The Cavinder Twins?
Ramsey is a relatively famous NFL star, but who are Haley and Hanna Cavinder?
The twins played basketball at the University of Miami this past season, where the Hurricanes reached the Elite Eight for the first time in program history. However, they lost to eventual champions LSU.
Haley, started all 35 games for the Hurricanes, averaged a team-high 12.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 30.9 minutes per game, joining teammate Destiny Harden as All-ACC second-team selections.
Hanna averaged 3.8 points, 1.6 assists and 1.3 rebounds in 16.7 minutes off the bench.
The twins made headlines all season for their play, going at the NCAA over NIL deals. They have signed deals with Champs Sports, Boost Mobile, Crocs, Venmo, Core water, GoPuff and dozens of other companies, with more to come later this year.
“It’s a full-time job, you’re constantly working,” Hanna said in January. “It’s not just taping a TikTok in 15 seconds. There’s a lot that goes behind it.”
They recently announced their decision to skip their fifth year of eligibility in college basketball, choosing to focus on alternative opportunities beyond the court. Graduating earlier this month, they revealed their intentions to pursue long-term brand deals and a lucrative NIL agreement with WWE.
They are popular on social media platforms like TikTok and their general appearance makes them natural partners for brands. Sports and entertainment brands covet the 18-34 year-old male demographic.
As long as the twins can attract followers, over 1 million and climbing, their popularity will be attractive to brands and their Q rating will likely increase. The more they become mainstream the more and more deals they’ll be able to secure.
“We Failed. I Failed.” | Jaylen Brown’s Postgame Comments Were Honorable And Showed Accountability, But Could Cost Him Supermax Deal Close To $300M
Jaylen Brown and the Celtics fell short of reaching the NBA Finals in consecutive seasons with their loss in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals. Immediately following the game, fans turned their attention to his long term future with the team. The 26-year-old star is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2023-24 NBA season. There is a lot of speculation about his future with reports linking him back to his hometown team the Atlanta Hawks. He refused to directly answer any questions about his future but left fans with a lot of uncertainty.
Jaylen Brown speaking with the media after Game 7 loss to the Miami Heat. (Photo: Getty Images)
Post Game Questions Left Unanswered
Brown had one of his worst playoff performances in his seven year career. He went 8-of-23 from the field, 1-of-9 from the three-point line, and had eight turnovers. He finished with 19 points in the 103-84 loss. It came as a disappointment because the team relied on him heavily after Jayson Tatum became hobbled early in the first quarter with an ankle injury.
“Just a terrible game when my team needed me most,” Brown said to reporters after the game. “JT hurt his ankle first play of the game and you could see it swelling up on him. He couldn’t move out there. It was tough on him. My team turned to me to make plays and I came up short.”
The Celtics’ 84 points scored in Game 7 was their lowest scored all postseason, and Brown had a simple message to the fans.
“We failed. I failed. We let the whole city down,” Brown said.
Of course, reporters had to ask Brown about his future plans with the team.
“I expected to win today and move on,” Brown said. “That’s what my focus is on, that’s what my focus has been on. We failed, I failed, and it’s hard to think about anything else right now. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
"I failed. We failed. We let the whole city down."
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) May 30, 2023
Brown could possibly see a new deal just shy of $300 million. According to Sporting News, the Celtics could offer an extension worth $290 million with Brown scheduled to make over $60 million a year in the last two years of the deal.
New Destination
Fans were quickly to point out Brown’s postgame attire during his press conference. He was spotted wearing an Atlanta Braves hat that was turned backward. The Hawks connection quickly had fans jumping to the conclusions he would be taking his talents to Atlanta.
The Celtics have the resources to offer Brown an extension but it would put a real strain on their salary cap for the future. Tatum is scheduled to an unrestricted free agent after the 2025-26 season, along with Robert Williams and Marcus Smart. Malcolm Brogdon and Derrick White will become unrestricted free agents after the 2024-25 season.
Those six players, including Brown, make up the Celtics’ core. If they were to let Brown walk then it could save their pockets but replacing him would be the issue.
The Celtics have only one draft pick in the 2023 NBA draft. They also have Grant Williams, J.D. Davison, Danilo Gallinari, Mike Muscala, and Blake Griffin. Some of those players like Gallinari and Griffin are probably not apart of their long-term future but Davison could be. He is a 20-year-old guard that spent most of his time in the NBA G-League this season but showed flashes during his one year at Alabama.
NBA reporter Kevin O’Connor proposed two trades between the Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers that could work for both sides. The first one included a deal for Brown and Damian Lillard. The second trade included Anfernee Simons and the Trail Blazers’ third pick in this year’s draft for Brown.
Brown would have to agree on both deals, but that would be hard to sell with him going to a team that is more than just a piece or two away. The Trail Blazers last made the playoffs in 2021 and their young core is not strong enough to convince a star to take that type of risk in their prime.
For now it is all speculation, and senior ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst insists the Celtics and Brown could reach a long-term deal.
“I would be stunned,” Windhorst said of a possible Brown trade on the latest “Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective” podcast. “In talking to people on both sides, I think there’s a very good chance they’re gonna find ground on that [extension].”
‘It’s Not What I Said’ | Stephen Curry’s Wife Ayesha Accuses Jada Pinkett-Smith’s Team Of Deceptively Editing 2019 “Red Table Talk” Interview To Make Her ‘Look Crazy’
The Golden State Warriors failed to defend their 2022 NBA championship, coming up with just two wins in a six-game series clunker against the Los Angeles Lakers. In what was a tumultuous season for the Warriors who dealt with the fallout from the Draymond Green punch of teammate and once rising star Jordan Poole, things never seemed right out in the Bay Area. The one bright spot was 35-year-old superstar Steph Curry, who looked like a guy who hasn’t lost a step being on what is usually considered the wrong side of 30.
As for off the court, the Warriors didn’t have much happening in that regard, and considering how things played out on the hardwood it’s probably a good thing.
Ayesha Curry Has Beef With Jada Pinckett?
With the team now preparing for a very important offseason, Ayesha Curry, Steph’s wife, is speaking out about an interview she gave in 2019, that she says depicted her in a light that she didn’t agree with at all.
Watch Ayesha Curry Speak on How Jada Pinkett-Smith and Red Table Talk Had Her Looking Crazy After They Edited Her Interview Speaking About Women Trying to Holla at Steph and Her Wishing More Splash Bros Gave Her Attention Besides Steph (Video) https://t.co/h8S9ve5PJppic.twitter.com/qk6wtc2PKS
Ayesha Curry, who happens to be an on-camera personality herself, did a sit-down interview with the now-defunct “Red Table Talk,” which was a part of the Facebook Series.
The show was hosted by Jada Pinkett Smith, her daughter Willow and Pickett Smith’s mom. Curry was joined by her mother-in-law Sonya Curry, and sister-in-laws Sydel and Callie.
In a recent cover interview with Insider, Curry discussed that interview and how her words were flipped in a segment about how she deals with women around her famous husband.
When the show was taped, Curry had recently given birth to the couple’s youngest child and only son, Canon. Curry also talked about how she had some insecurities within her marriage and even craved attention from other men.
In essence, Curry poured out her emotions in the interview, but she says how it was presented isn’t exactly how it went down.
“Was edited in a way that made me sound crazy,” she says. It’s not what I said, and the context was weird. Yeah. I took that one personally.
Prior to the interview, Curry had received backlash for comments she made about receiving no male attention outside of her marriage.
“Something that really bothers me, and has honestly has given me a sense of a little bit of an insecurity is the fact that, yeah, there are all these women throwing themselves … but me, for the past 10 years I don’t have any of that,” said Ayesha Curry, who was a new mom who was and nursing during the appearance.
“I have zero — this sounds weird — but male attention. Then I begin to internalize it, like, ‘is something wrong with me?’ ”
Following the fallout from her comments, Curry sort of disappeared from the constant limelight, and instead focused more on her career as an entrepreneur. She and Steph also became even more active and noticeable in their philanthropic endeavors.
Ayesha’s Family Sides With Her
In Ayesha Curry’s cover story, her sister-in-law Sydel Curry-Lee spoke on her behalf, telling the magazine this about the months and years following that interview.
“All about protecting our peace,” she said. “Media is a very ruthless space. Celebrities are real people. All press is good press, but that’s not true when it comes to our emotions and mental health.”
Basically, Ayesha got the attention she craved, but not in the way she craved and decided it was best to play the background. Curry is focused on raising her three children with husband Steph. The couple has daughters Riley, 10, Ryan, 7, and the aforementioned Canon, who’s 4.
‘It’s Something I Have Had To Deal With My Whole Career’ | Sloane Stephens Is Latest Athlete To Speak On Racism
U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens (2017) is in Paris playing the French Open, and following her first-round match, where she upset the #16 seed Karolina Pliskova, Stephens was asked about racist behavior directed at Black athletes.
“Yes, it’s obviously been a problem my entire career,” said Stephens. “It has never stopped. If anything, it’s only gotten worse.”
Stephens is the latest high-profile player to speak about racist abuse suffered. Earlier this month, Real Madrid football star Vinícius Jr. reportedly suffered racial abuse from fans during a match and an investigation led to arrests.
Despite the false narrative from many that we’ve evolved to a post-racial society, racism remains permeates everyday life in obvious and not-so-obvious ways. With everyone connected via social media, there are more ways to spew vile and toxic hatred. Even with the existence of advanced software designed to help athletes block hateful, racist messages, the root cause isn’t being addressed.
“I did hear about the software. I have not used it,” Stephens said. “I have a lot of obviously key words banned on Instagram and all of these things, but that doesn’t stop someone from just typing in an asterisk or typing it in a different way, which obviously software most of the time doesn’t catch.”
There are so many people with malice and hate in their hearts and race is often the catalyst for whatever reason. We’ve “othered” and separated people based on phenotypical differences since the beginning of time and the dangerous, insidious lies that circulate as reasons to support racism are so woven into life as a human on Earth, it’s hard to see another way.
Public Figures Are Easy Targets
Unfortunately, highly visible Black athletes are targets for public attacks, particularly on social media.
“I mean, obviously when there is FBI investigations going on with what people are saying to you online, it’s very serious,” said Stephens. “Obviously it’s been something that I have dealt with my whole career. I think that, like I said, it’s only continued to get worse, and people online have the free rein to say and do whatever they want behind fake pages, which is obviously very troublesome. It’s something I have had to deal with my whole career and something I will continue to deal with, I’m sure. That’s that.”
There have been specific incidents that have happened to Stephens in the past, but in her press availability she did not elaborate on any specific incidents.
There’s a certain sadness in Stephens being resigned to the fact that this is just how it’s going to be. Part of being a public figure is expecting public ridicule, and it’s probably easier for some to handle that.
But when attacks are personal and racist that is something entirely different.
Hate crimes have been on the rise in the United States over the last few years, according to the FBI. And the internet has rapidly become a place where hate crimes can begin and even be carried out.
“If I Give You That It’s Going To Go Viral” | Deion Sanders Sets Expectations For First Season At Colorado
As the Colorado Buffaloes begin preparations for the upcoming 2023 college football season, it’s first under Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, the college football world wants to know what type of expectations Coach Prime is setting in year one.
Since his arrival in December, Sanders has seen over 50 players enter the transfer portal, but don’t fret, as the walking sound bite himself was able to reel in 48 new transfers to Boulder, including one former five-star (Travis Hunter) and seven former four-stars, including his son Shedeur, who’s set to be Colorado’s starting quarterback.
While Sanders didn’t predict a win total in his response to the question, he did say his Buffaloes will exceed expectations, and that’s where he left it.
In essence, it’s probably a smart way to instill confidence in his team while not putting added pressure on them.
Sanders told reporters this during his first weekly presser with some of the new team together for the first time.
“I don’t know,” Sanders said. “I can’t give you that. If I give you that, it’s going to go viral. You gotta understand when I talk, it’s going viral. We’re going to exceed your expectations. And I can guarantee you when you plays us, you’re going to know you played against us. You’re going to know that.
“You’re going to feel it, you’re going to feel it. I cannot wait till you see. Everybody makes a big deal of what’s not here, but you need to make a big deal of what’s coming. Because what is coming is far greater than what’s gone.”
The main reason why Sanders is here and not at Jackson State, where he won back-to-back SWAC championships and led the Tigers to back-to-back Celebration Bowl appearances, is the Buffaloes won only one game last season, and just four in 2021.
That all-time ineptitude and the embarrassment of being a basement dweller is what led the Buffaloes brass to put the full court press on Sanders, in an effort to restore some of the glory of yesteryear in Boulder.
All Deion has to do is win two games to double the output from last season. But if you know the bravado and swag Coach Prime leads with, that won’t suffice, so expect much more than that in year one.
Sanders Said Winning Football Games Isn’t Only Goal
Following last month’s spring game, which was a sellout, Sanders spoke about what he believes he was chosen to do at Colorado. During his postgame presser Sanders mentioned things that were football-related, but it wasn’t all about what happens on the field.
“It’s not just about football. It’s about bringing people together, it’s about uniting people,” Sanders said. “All ethnicities, all social climates. It’s not just about football. People get so caught up in W’s and L’s. We’re gong to win some games. But we’ve got to make sure these kids are winners on and off the field and amongst the community. I don’t care what ethnicity you are. We just want to bring people together and give them hope.”
Sanders is already giving the people of Boulder hope, and that’s what he set out to do. That will only continue to grow as the Buffaloes football program takes the field against national runner-up TCU to begin the season.
Then it’s an old Big Eight showdown with Nebraska in Week 2.
Why The Celtics Failed To Join Red Sox As Beantown Comeback Champions
It will happen eventually. A team down 0-3 will come back and win an NBA series. The Boston Celtics had an opportunity to do it on Monday but were blown out by the Miami Heat 103-84. And the reason they lost is the variance of the three-point shot.
In the history of the three major North American sports that play best-of-seven playoff series (NBA, MLB, NHL), teams that were down 0–3 in a series have come back to win the series five times; four times in the NHL, once in MLB.
The Heat finished the regular season as the fourth-worst three-point shooting team. They attempted 34.8 threes per game and shot at a below average 34.4 percent. But in these playoffs, they jumped to a well-above-average 38.9 percent from three, attempting 38.5 per game. In the clinching game the Heat shot 14-28 (50 percent) from three.
Talk about variance!
The three point shot is exactly why a No. 8 seed could knock off the top two teams in the conference during a playoff run and why at some point an NBA team will come back from an 0-3 deficit.
It’s boom or bust nature, particularly if a team is on a hot streak can, and often decides games. Basketball is a battle for possessions and you are trading points for those possessions.
The three provides value in two ways. First, it’s an efficient shot. Over the last 20 years, NBA players have averaged 1.05 points per above-the-break three attempts and 1.16 points per corner three shots.
In contrast, players have averaged just 0.79 points per two-point attempt outside of the restricted area. In other words, 100 mid-range jumpers will provide 79 points on average, while 100 above-the-break threes would provide 105.
That’s a 26-point difference. So it’s easy to understand how being up 20, given the prevalence of the three doesn’t mean what it used to. Large leads can be severed quickly.
Defense And Possessions
This is where defense steps in, and the Heat “saved” their best defense for the last game of this series.
Jimmy Butler amped up the intensity on defense with three clean steals in the second half as the Celtics cut the lead to single digits.
An average offensive possession is worth about 1.1 points per possession. Therefore a steal or drawing an offensive foul can be seen as plays that add about 1.1 points of value to your team. This is because you’ve taken an opponents’ possession and, through your actions alone, have reduced the expected efficiency of your opponents’ possession from 1.1 points down to 0 points.
Turnovers, steals, anything that limits your ability to score as a team is a value add to the opponent. Do that a lot over the course of seven games and you’ll win.
Over the last two games of this series, the Heat shot 48 percent from three (28-for-58), the Celtics shot 20.8 percent (16-for-77).
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla was asked the difference between Game 7 and the games the team won.
“We shot 21 percent from three,” said Mazzulla. “The defense was still good.”
Joe Mazzulla was asked the difference between tonight and the prior three games:
When asked if the Celtics relied on the three too much, Mazzulla gave a succinct answer, “No.”
That’s the recipe for upsetting a higher seed. You must maximize the possession battle, and one of the ways you do that is to convert on threes at a higher rate. Easier said than done.
In this series the team that shot better from three won six of the seven games.
White Sox Shortstop Tim Anderson’s Messy Personal Life Gets Messier As Mistress Hits Social Media To Blow Up His Happy Marriage Narrative
Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson is still caught between his wife, Bria Anderson, and his lovechild’s mother, Dejah Lanee, and their fight to be No. 1 has spilled into dueling internet shade. Lanee, who has a son with Anderson, commented on a social media post that Anderson made where he said, “Real ones like me hard to come by, there’s only a handful.”
Dejah responded with four heart eyes emojis in the comments. That seemingly prompted his wife and mother of his other two children, Bria Anderson, to post a sentimental picture of Tim kissing her cheek with the Queen Naija and Big Sean song “Hate On Our Love” playing in the background tellingly.
That led to a response from Dejah, who said she was here to claim her spot in Tim’s life. She posted intimate videos and pictures of the two on Instagram to prove she was still in his life; one picture even had a recent date.
The words she wrote over the content told the whole story.
“Yall see the blogs? That lady posting old pics to get me dragged,” wrote Bria.” I am so tired of this narrative bro. Should I post this? I am so tired of people dragging me for loving who love me? & He swear he love me but ain’t never defended me or spoke the truth. Weird I’m tired of mfs fr,” Bria wrote with a peach emoji after “weird.”
She also claimed he was with her for her whole pregnancy and posted a picture of them together, embracing while wearing intimate attire when she was visibly pregnant.
“Never gave sneaky never gave side. Mfs been NOT TOGETHER…kill the image. Bro it never gave he have a wife in the real world just a couple pics…” Lanee posted.
The online noise got too loud for Bria Anderson, and she released a “statement” via her Instagram Stories to address the drama and clear up the speculation on her marriage.
— Mrs. Ah'Dan Deuce Scaife Beckwith Vachon Joseph (@KeeperOfHoodies) May 27, 2023
“I am a mother and a WIFE that cares about my FAMILY above anything else. My truth is that my husband and I are working on our marriage, and I’m not intrested in the internet games. I ask for everyone to respect my family’s privacy.”
Tim Claps Back … Allegedly
Tim Anderson allegedly doubled down on his wife’s statement and went online to defend his marriage and actions via a another Instagram account.
“Bih I’m the only one who control these lights over here…” IG user @devonseven__ posted. “How the fk you gone try to dim MY light on MY light switch…See that’s why I don’t be f*king around…I learned
“Turned a sneaking link to a responsibility…dn I let the h pop it tho….but if I pull the plug I can make all her light could go off lol … in real life” he allegedly wrote with a poop emoji. “I just love the s*** out my son so I shut up for him.”
The saga between Tim Anderson and his two ladies is messy and does not seem to be dying down anytime soon.
‘Yo, Man, You Gotta Get In Shape’ | Sir Charles Barkley Knows Weight Challenges And Offers Advice To New Orleans Pelicans Star Zion Williamson
Since being the No.1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson hasn’t been able to stay healthy. In fact, the burly-but-nimble athletic specimen has missed 188 of a possible 302 games in his four-year NBA career. Williamson’s health or lack thereof has become a real sticking point for the Pelicans and their franchise going forward.
While the team has continuously shown support for their franchise player, you can sense that is beginning to wane a bit with Williamson rarely being available. It’s becoming increasingly evident that Williamson, who plays at 6 feet 6 and 285 pounds, may need to slim down in an effort to stay healthy and be available for his team.
Former NBA legend Charles Barkley, who also struggled with his weight early in his career, has some advice for Williamson.
"I wish I could sit down with Zion [Williamson] and say 'yo man, you got so much talent but you gonna have to lose some weight & get in shape because unless you get in shape, you can't play basketball.'"
If anyone can relate to weight problems it’s Barkley, who was once called “the Round Mound of Rebound” for his burly and overweight stature. Barkley, the 1993 NBA MVP, who’s also one of the co-hosts of the “NBA on TNT,” recently spoke about Zion and his weight issues during a recent appearance on “The Steam Room” podcast.
“Zion Williamson. Yo, man, I don’t know you. We’ve never met, but somebody gotta tell you, like, yo, man, you gotta get in shape, because you’re going to keep getting hurt if you’re out of shape. I don’t think the coach has enough power to tell you what to do.”
"I've been in your shoes… All you have to do is get in shape."
When Barkley arrived in Philadelphia in 1985 he was overweight, and teammate Moses Malone urged him to lose 50 pounds. Not only did Barkley take heed, he also used that to turn himself into one of the best players the game has ever seen.
“I’m so blessed with Moses Malone, who told me to get my fat ass in shape and made me lose 50 pounds. It changed the whole dynamic of my life. I hope you don’t take this the wrong way. I want you to be a great basketball player. I’ve been in your shoes. Being very talented, being overweight, and, like I said, I thank God every day for Moses. Rest In peace,” Barkley added in tribute to Malone, who died in 2015.
Barkley then talked about guys eating their way out of the league and how he wants Zion to get his weight under control before it becomes detrimental to his health long term. Also, with Zion being paid over $36 million next season, Barkley believes he owes it to his team and the Pelicans fan base to be in shape and ready to play.
“I’ve seen dozens of guys eat their way out of the NBA. If can happen quickly, because once you start getting hurt, you’re going to keep getting hurt. My first contract was four years and two million dollars. I got in shape for two million dollars. You’re gonna make another 500 million dollars. All you gotta do is get in shape.”
What’s wild is despite only playing 114 games across four seasons, Williamson has averaged 26 points, seven rebounds and four assists per game when healthy.
Budding Hoops Star Mikey Williams Loses Sponsorship Deal Due To Arrest; If He Plays Well In The Upcoming Season It Won’t Matter
Incoming Memphis Tigers freshman hoops star Mikey Williams lost his sponsorship deal with sports technology company Lace Clips, according to reports.
“We are not continuing our partnership with Mikey Williams,” Jonathan Nussbaum, the president of Lace Clips said to TMZ. “He is not someone that will be associated with our brand going forward.”
TMZ also reported that the relationship between Williams and Lace Clips was already eroding prior to the arrest because he allegedly hadn’t been fulfilling the terms of his contract.
Williams was arrested in April on charges of assault with a weapon and one count of firing into an occupied vehicle.
According to police, Williams fired a gun at a carful of people who had just left his residence in San Diego. A search of Williams’ home preceded the arrest.
“Five people got into a car and as they were driving away, shots were fired,” according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department incident report. “The car was hit, but no one was hurt.”
Where Do Things Stand Legally For Williams?
Williams has pleaded not guilty to the charges and the court proceedings are ongoing. He is due back in court for another hearing in June.
Troy P. Owens, the attorney representing Williams, said the investigation into the incident is still ongoing and he will have more to say upon completion of the investigation.
“The facts are still under investigation,” Owens told ESPN last month. “I look forward to the opportunity to provide a statement about what actually happened on the night of the incident. Unfortunately, at this time I cannot compromise an ongoing investigation and will have to wait.”
At the time of the arrest, Memphis head coach Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway said Williams was still a part of the team.
“I can’t even speak on the case, out of respect for the ongoing process of what’s happening,” Hardaway said. “I don’t know enough to speak on it. That’s all I have to say about that. I don’t really have anything else to say about it.”
Williams was once ranked third in terms of athlete valuation, according to On3, which tracks the value of NIL deals signed by high school and college athletes. Williams’ annual value from deals was a reported $3.3 million. The site has suspended valuation of Williams, likely due to his arrest.
He reportedly still has deals with Cash App and Puma.
These types of deals come and go for a variety of reasons. The NIL space is still new, and brands and athletes are working on how best to achieve their desired goals.
If Williams clears his legal troubles and plays well for Memphis next season his NIL valuation and potential will increase. He is very popular on social media and has charisma.
The 6-foot-2 combo guard was ranked in the top 50 of his class and possesses athletic talent. He has a quick first step and can shoot from deep as well as from the midrange.
Stan Van Gundy Thinks “Guys Have Gotten A Little Soft In This Generation” After Fashion Sensitive Miami Heat Player Tyler Herro Clapped Back
Last week NBA on TNT color commentator Stan Van Gundy had a little fun at the expense of injured Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro. During Game 4 of the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics Eastern Conference finals series, Van Gundy, a former NBA coach who has once coached the Miami Heat, took a subtle jab at the aforementioned Herro’s wardrobe as the 2022 NBA Sixth Man of the Year sat on the bench.
The joke was thought to be mere fun, and just passing time as the Celtics ran away with the Game 4 victory to avoid a sweep. Van Gundy’s line, which went like this, got a chuckle out of Hall of Famer Reggie Miller:
“His fashion is so bad on the bench, we need him in uniform.”
SVGs was funny and shed light on a real problem around the league as pertains to the fashion choices of many of today’s players.
In response to SVGs subtle jab, Herro took a dig at his coaching résumé. The former Kentucky Wildcats star took to IG to respond to Van Gundy’s wisecrack:
“My fashion as bad as he was on the sideline.”
While it’s intended to be funny, it’s a dig at a coach who went 554-425 in his coaching career with stops in Miami, Orlando, Detroit and New Orleans. He took a one-All-Star Orlando Magic squad to the NBA Finals in 2009. He was also the coach of the Miami Heat when they lost in seven games to the Detroit Pistons in 2005, before being replaced by Pat Riley in mid-December of the 2005-06 season.
So to call his coaching into play isn’t really a good angle, because while he’s not the best, he’s also nowhere near the worst.
SVG Calls Today’s Generation Soft
The back-and-forth between the two seem to begin as fun, but now seems to be more personal with Van Gundy saying this during Saturday’s Game 6 broadcast.
"Some guys get real sensitive, some of us can laugh at ourselves."
In retrospect, SVG has to be able to take Herro’s comments without maybe calling today’s player sensitive. Just like he thinks Herro could and should dress better, the Heat sharpshooter believes he could’ve been a better head coach during his time on the sidelines.
With Game 7 on the horizon for Monday, maybe we won’t have to hear much of this anymore if the Heat were to lose. But if the Heat win this could spill over into the NBA Finals with Herro slated to return if they advance.
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Kenny Pickett’s SUV With Team Playbook In It Stolen A Week After Ben Roethlisberger Admitted To Hoping Pickett Would Be A Flop
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett’s SUV was stolen while he attended a community event at a local car dealership.
Who Stole Kenny Pickett’s Car?
Per reports, while Pickett was engaged in the event, 60-year-old Christopher Carter rode up, left his car and took the second-year signal-caller’s SUV. Not only did Carter take the SUV, but he also got the Steelers playbook which happened to be in the vehicle.
Police were able to identify Carter by running the plates of his personal vehicle left at the dealership.
Carter Just Drove The Vehicle Home?
Carter’s neighbor, Gary Legler, says Pickett’s vehicle was sitting close to Carter’s house, and the dealership sent a rep to recoup the vehicle. Legler, then mentioned that the rep told the police this.
“Oh, the car was just sitting there, and he [the suspect] took it. And the owner has a book in the back, just personal information. And come to find out it’s Kenny Pickett’s car. It’s the Steelers playbook on the backseat.”
The playbook along with the car was recovered, and Carter was arrested.
During a recent episode of the “Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger” podcast, with Pickett as a guest, Big Ben opened up on how he in many ways hated on Pickett last season.
“I’ll be completely honest, I’ll be super transparent here, and I’m gonna get blasted,” Roethlisberger said. “I probably shouldn’t say this, but who cares at this point. I wouldn’t say that I wanted Kenny to necessarily fail, but when someone comes to replace you, I still feel like I had it, I hope he doesn’t come ball out. Because then it’s like, Ben who?“
“Early on I didn’t want you to succeed because you followed me up — I didn’t want it to happen. I think that’s probably the selfishness of me, and I feel bad for it.”
Pickett said there’s no hard feelings, and he told reporters this after an OTA session last week.
“I’m excited to go into Year 2 with another guy in my corner.”
Pickett Looking For Continued Rise In Year Two
Pickett struggled mightily at times in his rookie season. But he also had some breakthrough moments which reassured the Steelers franchise that it drafted the right guy.
As he heads into year two, Pickett is expected to continue on an upward trajectory, and the Steelers are going to do everything in their power to help him.
Expect a heavy dose of running backs Najee Harris and Jalyen Warren behind an offensive line that showed improvement throughout last season. In the 2023 the Steelers added tackle Broderick Jones and tight end Darnell Washington from the back-to-back national champion Georgia Bulldogs.
That means a lot of play-action passing for Pickett, who’s comfortable in that role.
“All The Pressure Is On The Celtics” | Charles Barkley Says No One Believes Miami Heat Will Win Game 7
The coveted Game 7, is considered the two best words in all of sports. For sports fans there is nothing like it, but for coaches and players the pressure, magnitude and finality of that particular game is so heavy. This is where all the chips are put in the middle of the table and you do whatever it takes to be in the winner’s circle of this penultimate battle.
The Boston Celtics and Miami Heat weren’t supposed to be here after the undermanned and very surprising Heat squad somehow jumped out to a 3-0 series lead over the No. 2-seeded reigning Eastern Conference champion Celtics.
That was three games and seven days ago. Now tied at 3-3 following Celtics guard Derrick White’s buzzer-beating tip-in in Game 6 to force a Game 7, the scene shifts back to Boston for a right to face the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Finals. And while the Heat face an uphill battle having to travel to Boston after blowing a 3-0 series lead, TNT NBA analyst Charles Barkley doesn’t believe the pressure is on them, but instead it’s on the Celtics.
Barkley Says No One Thinks The Heat Can Win A Road Game 7
Momentum in sports is a real thing, and right now the Celtics have all of it in their series versus the Heat. Even with that, Barkley a former NBA legend and 1993 NBA MVP, still believes all the pressure is on the heavily favorite Celtics to win and advance to their second consecutive NBA Finals. Following Saturday’s epic finish in South Beach, the man who was once dubbed “The Round Mound of Rebound ” and later “Sir Charles” gave his take on the matter.
“There’s not a single person in America right now that thinks the Heat are going to win this game,” said Barkley.
Barkley believes the Celtics will win Game 7, but he also stated that the pressure shifts drastically to them and not the Heat.
“If the Celtics lose Game 7 at home, all this we’re making history is going to be like, ‘yo man, y’all didn’t make no history,’” Barkley said. “Y’all got to Game 7. So all the pressure goes back to the Celtics. I said all the pressure was on the Heat tonight. Now it flips. All the pressure is back on the Celtics.”
“All the pressure right now goes back to the Celtics" 👀
Barkley also mentioned the Heat should he confident despite losing three straight games, because their two stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo shot a combined 9-for-36 from the field.
“If I’m the Heat, I’m like our two best players played as bad as they can play. That’s what I would say,” Barkley said.
And the Heat was one stop, one put-back at the buzzer from advancing to the NBA Finals and completing their improbable run through the Eastern Conference.
Is This What Everyone Wanted? Shaq Thinks So
While Shaq didn’t exactly agree with Barkley totally, he made the comment that this is what everyone hopes for when a series begins.
“This is what they wanted. Everybody, including Kenny Smith and myself, thought they were a goner. They fought back. You hear Jaylen Brown before the game talking about making history. I’m just wondering for the Heat, can they come back from that?”
“I’m concerned for the Heat because that’s a tough way to lose,” O’Neal said. “It’s not like it was four or five seconds. That was 0.2 seconds.”
Don’t tell that to Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, who firmly believes his team will win Game 7 on the road.
“At this time right now, I don’t know how we are going to get this done, but we are going up there and get it done.”
Butler echoed his coach’s sentiments.
“I don’t give a damn what happens. We’re going to go in there and we’re going to win,” he told reporters.
Butler has been saying this same thing for three games now, but at this point what else is he supposed to say?
Scottie Pippen’s Still Sour Ex-Wife Larsa Is Smashing Michael Jordan’s Son | Continues His Absurd Scorched-Earth Campaign, Calling The GOAT A “Horrible Player”
Scottie Pippen has not cooled his heated opinions about his former teammate Michael Jordan. Pippen recently appeared on the “Gimme The Hot Sauce!” podcast, which features Pippen’s former teammate Stacey King, who now broadcasts Bulls games.
Pippen was asked about the greatest player of all time, and explained that he views basketball more as a team game. After discussing a number of players, Pippen finally focused on Jordan.
“I’ve seen Michael Jordan play before I came to play with the Bulls,” Pippen said. “He was a horrible player. He was horrible to play with. He was all 1-on-1. He was shooting bad shots. And all of the sudden we become a team and we start winning.”
“LeBron James will be the greatest statistical [player] to ever play the game of basketball. [Michael Jordan] was a horrible player.”
It is a hard sell to convince the world that Jordan was a “horrible player,” as his exploits are literally the bedrock of basketball for this generation. His name evokes athletic greatness, and players like LeBron James don the number 23 based on Jordan’s massive influence over their athletic lives.
However, his likability as a teammate is questionable, as Jordan’s super competitiveness, demanding nature and downright meanness are legendary.
Pippen has been critical of “The Last Dance” docuseries about the Chicago Bulls and their 1997–98 season, Jordan’s final season with the Chicago Bulls. The docuseries focused heavily on Michael Jordan versus the rest of the team, a significant point of contention for Pippen, who was under the impression that the documenting of the team at that time would be more universally beneficial.
Pippen Says Jordan Misused Their Vintage Footage
“I looked at it once, and I was a little disappointed. I was more disappointed at what the NBA did. I thought that they really set all this up. They really got a lot of the footage and things from the players, they volunteered thinking that this was supposed to be about the team and from what Phil Jackson expressed to the team and me, I was one of the leaders on this, to allow us to have video to follow us that season.
“We opened up a lot to the NBA to be able to deal and get into our private life and we felt that as a team or at least I did as a leader, from what it was expressed to me that it would be fruitful as a group. But it turned out that the NBA sort of turned their backs on the players and pretty much sold the video to Michael or gave it to him, but as we all know, Michael has always had a different hand inside with the league; he was always dealt with separately, differently, or however, you want to break it down.”
Disheartened by @ScottiePippen's recent stance on MJ, a stark contrast to his @espn views. Understandably, “The Last Dance” hit a nerve.
Hurt feelings are valid but bitterness can distort reality.
— Phillip M. Holmes (@phillipmholmes) May 27, 2023
With the current release of “AIR,” the based-on-a-true-story film about how Michael Jordan settled with Nike for his signature shoe that has now become a full-fledged lifestyle brand of its own, the Jordan narrative is as popular as ever. Pippen suggests that Jordan is carefully curating his image through the film medium and converting the original intentions of the vintage footage to serve his purpose.
Pippen is still hot about how Michael Jordan plays both on the court and in real life.
Niners QB Trey Lance Is Soaking Up Game “Being Able To Be Around Patrick Mahomes”
The San Francisco 49ers are hoping this is the year that 2021 No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance takes the necessary steps to become the franchise quarterback they drafted him to be. In his first two seasons Lance hasn’t had many opportunities to showcase the talents that enamored the Niners coming out of North Dakota State.
Between not being ready and playing behind Jimmy Garoppolo in his rookie season, and then being injured in week two of his second year after being named the starter in the offseason, no one really knows what Lance can do.
That’s what makes this season for him so vital, as Lance will need to show team brass that he’s the future in San Fran.
In an effort to help prepare for the 2023 season, where Lance will have to beat out last year’s darling at quarterback Brock Purdy and 2018 No.3 overall pick Sam Darnold, who signed with the team this offseason, Lance spent some time with two-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes this offseason.
The two signal-callers got together in April in Dallas near Mahomes’ hometown.
Trey Lance talks about what he learned from training with Patrick Mahomes in the offseason pic.twitter.com/uPl2IGO9FT
Lance was thankful for his time with Mahomes, the two-time NFL MVP and two-time Super Bowl MVP, in a interview following an OTA session this week, Lance elaborated on his experience.
“Being able to be around Patrick was awesome.”
“Just picking his brain, learning about just the type of guy he is, how he spends his free time, offseason, and then more about his in-season schedule.”
Lance is no dummy to be around someone as successful as Mahomes has been during his six-year NFL career. In five years as the starting quarterback of the Chiefs, Mahomes hasn’t missed the playoffs, has played in five consecutive AFC Championships, all in Arrowhead, advanced to three Super Bowls, winning two. He’s also been named to the Pro Bowl every season and an All-Pro three times.
Mahomes Gave Lance Insight On How To Take Command Of The Offense
While injured last season, Lance got the opportunity to watch how the other two Niners signal-callers operated the offense. And while he says he learned a lot, he also believes his time with Mahomes was good in that regard as well.
“I learned a ton,” Lance said. “I was able to focus on the right things. Just having a better idea, even better this year coming into year three of what is expected of me, how to run the offense, being able to watch Jimmy and Brock play at such a high level.”
Considering how things have gone in his first two years, Lance sounds positive and ready to compete for the starting QB position. The hope is he’s ready to assume the mantle after the team spent such a high draft pick on him. He could be the missing piece to a Super Bowl run in 2023.
Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen And Brittany Williams Have Definitely Broke Up, And Now He’s Been Seen Out With A New Woman
Buffalo Bills superstar quarterback Josh Allen has been in the news quite often this offseason. There have been questions about what he must do to lead the Bills to their first Super Bowl appearance since the franchise made four straight appearances from 1990-93. Allen is looked at being the guy who will finally bring the championship-starved franchise it’s first Lombardi Trophy.
But that’s not the only reason Allen has been in the news this offseason, as the former Wyoming Cowboys star’s love life has played out in the media. In April, Allen and longtime girlfriend Brittany Williams seemingly called it quits when they unfollowed each other on their social media accounts. Williams also reportedly didn’t celebrate his birthday with Allen either. That looked to become reality when they showed up at the Kentucky Derby separately. While there Williams’ girlfriends took to Instagram with this caption to add flame to the already rising fire.
“Now accepting husband applications.”
Despite it all, Allen hasn’t once responded or revealed if the two were really no longer together — until his most recent public appearance. The two dated for five years, and Williams was by Allen’s side when the Bills made the strong-armed dual-threat signal-caller the No. 7 pick in the 2018 NFL draft.
Ahead of what’s to be a busy Memorial Day weekend in and around New York City, Allen was spotted taking in the nightlife with actress Hailee Steinfield. While it’s believed to be the first time the two have hit the town for all to see, they did look comfortable and as if they’ve been dealing far longer than we see. Steinfield told People magazine this month that she was indeed single.
“I ultimately want someone who supports me and who I can support and cheer on and be their biggest fan,” she said.
“I’ve been lucky enough to spend so much time with my family recently, and I have so many shining examples of what it should feel like to be with someone that makes you a better you and happy. I’m not really looking, so I don’t have a list of things.”
“But I think the right person comes along when they do, and I imagine that’s the greatest thing ever. It’s an exciting thought to me, that part of life happening when it does, and I can only hope that it emulates what I grew up around.”
“Right now, I feel more comfortable in who I am than ever, and I just feel so grateful to be doing what I love.”
After Breaking Up With His Girlfriend of Five Years, Who He Has Known Since Kindergarten, Photos of Bills QB Josh Allen Spotted Out With Actress Hailee Steinfeld https://t.co/MmW95i9xi4pic.twitter.com/lJ2mXy7MzL
As Allen prepares for the 2023 NFL season, he’s hoping to live up to the lofty expectations that he and the Bills as a whole have succumbed to the last couple seasons in falling short of the Super Bowl.
In a post OTA presser earlier this week, Allen was blunt about what he’s setting out to do this season for the Super Bowl-hungry fan base in Buffalo.
“I so badly want to bring a Super Bowl here to Buffalo,” Allen said. “And I just don’t want anything to get in the way of allowing me to be the best quarterback that I can be for this team.”
As of now the Bills are tied with the Cincinnati Bengals third-best Super Bowl odds at +900 according to BETMGM. They trail only the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs and Super Bowl runner-up Philadelphia Eagles.
Antonio Brown Might Do His Dance In An NFL Uniform Again | His Agent Says Teams Are Inquiring About AB And Its “Genuine”
Antonio Brown has no plans to stop his reinvention of life after playing professional football, which might even include a return to the NFL. Due to Brown’s abrupt exit from the field while a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and subsequent accusatory rants against then-head coach Bruce Arians and then-quarterback Tom Brady, many believe Brown’s days in an NFL uniform are over.
That’s not necessarily true, according to his agent, who says teams are still interested in the talented Mr. Brown.
“He is exploring the right fit,” his agent JR Rickert told CBS Sports on Thursday; he also claims there have been recent “genuine” NFL inquiries about Brown.
He believes Brown’s return to an NFL sideline is only a matter of time.
“I think that he is a multi-talented individual who does everything at a high level,” Rickert said, “and whatever he commits to, he goes all in.”
The 34-year-old Brown hasn’t been on an NFL field since leaving the game and hurling his jersey into the stands during a Buccaneers Week 17 game in 2021 after a dispute with Tampa Bay’s head coach.
Then AB became a rapper, starting working with Ye and starting a dance trend that quickly became most athletes’ celebratory go-to move during a game. There were still controversies, but the seven-time Pro Bowl receiver surprised many when he purchased a majority stake in the Albany Empire, an upstart National Arena League team.
However, clues to his wish to return to football came when he reported to practice for his Arena Football team with plans to suit up for his team at a future date. However, Brown has been leaving hints on social media for a while about the teams he is interested in, like tweeting a picture of himself in a Baltimore Ravens uniform.
Antonio Brown is at the game but not suited up. @RodgerWyland trying to ask AB a question but he said give him some space and he’ll do an interview later. Rodger says he’s not leaving here without that interview. pic.twitter.com/F0nx2twISI
Brown is attempting to turn the tide of his perception, running an arena football franchise alongside his father, former arena football star Eddie Brown, and showing that he has a mind for business and nontraditional marketing.
Ironically, in March, when he became co-owner of the Empire, the former NFL receiver announced that he was retiring from football, and he was even mistakenly booted off the field of the Albany Empire by his home arena security.
Minus the athletic ability of his past, Brown looks like an NFL disciplinary nightmare. Since 2019, in addition to the Bucs, he’s left teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders, and New England Patriots unceremoniously, and lawsuits have trailed him, including an alleged sexual misconduct and felony battery.
You Never Know …
However, during the 2020 season, Brown attended workouts with Ravens QB Lamar Jackson and Marques “Hollywood” Brown, a member of the Ravens at the time. Following those workouts, Jackson lobbied for the Ravens to sign AB.
When asked about Cam Newton suiting up for the @thealbanyempir, Empire owner Antonio Brown (@AB84) said Newton will "be here soon."
“He’s cool, down-to-earth guy, and he’s passionate about the sport of football,” Jackson said of Brown to The Baltimore Sun. “I feel like the locker room here is different from any other locker room. It’s like a brotherhood going on. It’s none of that outside noise; it’s strictly inside.
“We worry about each other; we worry about what we have going on. We want to win, and I can just tell in him that he wants to win. He wants to play ball.”
Antonio Brown has shown he can either join a franchise and burn his involvement to the ground or own a franchise and attempt to build it up. Will the latter translate into an NFL return?
That remains to be seen.
Ex-Teammate Jason Kipnis Assails Mets Star Francisco Lindor’s Leadership | Lindor’s Wife Strikes Back With The Fury, Calling Kipnis “A Bully”
The wife of New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor comes to the defense of her husband against Jason Kipnis’ comments about him.
Kipnis made an appearance on May 16 on “Foul Territory Podcast” hosted by AJ Pierzynski and talked about the Mets’ struggles this season. He linked their struggles to the leadership among their veteran players and took a shot at Lindor in the process. He didn’t mention Lindor by name but his wife took offense to the comments, with Lindor being one the leaders in the organization.
Left: Jason Kipnis during his last season with the Guardians.; Right: Francisco Lindor with his wife and daughter before a Mets game. (Photos: @jasonkipnis22/Instagram screenshot & @katia.lindor/Instagram screenshot)
“All those veterans and no leadership,” sid Kipnis on the podcast.
Pierzynski then asked him about Lindor’s leadership style and Kipnis doubled down on his statement.
“I’m gonna repeat it again. All those veterans and no leadership. If everybody is a veteran there, you’re kinda just under the assumption that everybody is taking care of their business and going about the things the right way,” said Kipnis.
.@TheJK_Kid on the Mets: "All those veterans and no leadership."@aj_pierzynskiFT: "You played with Lindor. Was he a leader?"
Lindor was later asked in an interview before their May 19 matchup against the Cleveland Guardians and he shrugged off the shot taken by Kipnis.
“I haven’t talked to him (Kipnis). That’s how he feels. It is what it is. I don’t really have much to say,” said Lindor to the reporters
Always Got Your Back
Lindor’s wife took to Twitter that day to respond to Kipnis.
“My husband is such a classy person, would never say what a bully Kipnis was in the clubhouse. Sounds like a true leader versus the opposite of a leader,” wrote Katia Reguero Linder.
My husband is such a classy person, would never say what a bully Kipnis was in the clubhouse. Sounds like a true leader versus the opposite of a leader 🤷🏽♀️ https://t.co/J4gKo3JruM
— Katia Reguero Lindor (@RegueroKatia) May 19, 2023
The reason she knows this because Lindor and Kipnis played together for five seasons in Cleveland. They helped lead the Guardians to the 2016 World Series. Kipnis spent nine of his 10 MLB seasons with the Guardians.
Kipnis Walk Back Comments
After the brief exchange of shots, Kipnis issued an apology in a series of tweets for his out of bounds comments.
“Not trying to go at anybody with the video yesterday.. they were asking what the locker room looked like so we speculated..cause that’s all we can do!” Kipnis wrote on May 19. “We don’t actually know what’s goin on there cause we’re not there! Not trying to be that old head guy so I’ll choose wiser words.”
He continued, “Said what I said, we’ll move on cause I don’t have the energy nor the want to for Twitter back n forths! -Also Frankie wasn’t expected to be a leader when he was so young. I bet he’s grown into a damn good one. We’re just talkin about (expletive) cause they’re not winning like they can.”
He also issued an apology to Lindor’s wife.
I’m not so sure about bully but I said it earlier and I’ll say it again. Terrible take on my end and I was wrong. Should be proud of the man he’s grown into and nothing but love for the Lindor family. Can admit when I fucked up. Sorry it even got to here. https://t.co/JjtbHBJceZ
He sent one final tweet to address the issue and then he left it alone.
“Some of you on here who think it’s weak to backtrack need to learn how to be man enough to admit you were wrong at times. You guys and your egos will be okay, I promise,” wrote Kipnis.
Slow Start
Kipnis comments might’ve been unwarranted about Lindor’s leadership, but he does have a valid point about the Mets‘ slow start. They are currently have a 26-25 overall record and sit second in the National League East division behind the Atlanta Braves. The Mets have won six of their past eight games.
As for Lindor, he is off to a slow start in his 2023 campaign. The two-time Gold Glover has a batting average of .226 and 45 hits in 199 plate appearances this season. He also has 51 strikeouts this year.
The Mets’ slow start is the opposite of what happened last season when they lead the NL East from April to October. The Braves tracked them down from a 10.5 game lead and won their fifth consecutive division title.
Snoop Dogg Is Tired Of Dancing For Dollars | ‘I Want To Be The Owner … Sitting Back While My Players Are Scoring For Me’
Superstar recording artist and business mogul Calvin Broadus,known throughout the world asSnoop Dogg, is the latest “A-Lister” to sit down with “The Pivot Podcast”.
The West Coast don discussed a wide-range of topics touching on sports, hip-hop, mental health and more in the latest episode that debuted on May 23 on the show’s YouTube page.
Joined by co-hosts and former NFL stars Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder and Fred Taylor, Snoop began the episode explaining the importance of the youth football league he’s run for years. After acknowledging the latest NFL alum from his program, Houston Texans No. 2 overall draft pick C.J. Stroud, Snoop describes how this league has become an integral part of his life.
“I love the fact that I can actually get called coach, when these young men become grown men,” said Snoop. “That lets me know I’ve done my part. I remember as a kid how important coaches were to me. They always had an impact on me because they cared about my life other than sports. So I always wanted to replicate that. Once I got in a position to do that, it was my main purpose.”
Snoop Focuses On The Journey, Not The Rewards
The conversation stays on Snoop’s early years, which he believes are informative to his long-term success as he talks about not just focusing on how far he’s come, but on how he got here.
“Don’t just think of the successful, iconic, financial genius so to speak,” said Snoop. “Think about what it took to get here. Because that’s how you learn to sustain it. I’ve been in this game for 30 years and I’m able to have fun, be relevant and not be a financial disaster. Because I always think with my heart, not my mind.”
Snoop continued to go deep on the selfless mentality behind success, invoking NBA great LeBron James as an example of the principles that he lays out for his own business and personal ventures.
“You gotta have work ethic, and that’s for any profession you’re in,” said Snoop. “I look at LeBron James, 20 years in the game and he’s still able to keep his mind right, his body right and his skills right. It’s about being a student, while still being great. … To sustain, you have to realize that a true king loves to serve rather than be served.”
With the many highlights of his life and career, the co-hosts ask how Snoop was able to navigate the rocky road that many rappers hit when trying to transition beyond music and entertainment.
Snoop Protects His Mental Health While Playing Sports Close
“I know how to lock and load on what I need to be doing,” Snoop said. “If that means cutting you out or getting rid of you because you’re not an asset, then that’s what it is. It’s not personal, it’s business. We gotta learn that. F-ck what they’re gonna say. It’s about you and your mental.”
Snoop also said that people, particularly men, shouldn’t be afraid to seek help.
“Me and my family have sought counseling, because sometimes you need another voice to help you understand,” said Snoop. “There’s no such thing as being weak for asking for help. I’m not afraid to ask. … I like to share vulnerable moments with people to show I’m normal. I’m not always happy and I’m not always up. I feel how you feel.”
Snoop laid out the vision for his latest venture in the sports world, as he was recently announced as part of a potential ownership group for the NHL’s Ottawa Senators. After the success he’s had in youth football, Snoop believes he could make a difference in getting more Black children from underserved communities into the game of hockey.
Hip-Hop artist and business mogul Snoop Dogg is trying to make history as part of a new financial collaborative bidding to purchase the NHL’s Ottawa Senators franchise.https://t.co/IUdukMrPtC
“Who would of thought we would have done what we did in football?” Snoop asked. “Hockey is a growing sport, and it’s a global sport. I feel like Black kids would love to play it if it were offered to them. If they could just get on the ice at an early age.
The loquacious verb-spitter referenced the two GOATs of their respective sports as an example of what’s possible for Black kids in the sport of hockey with some inspiration and accessibility.
“They didn’t think we knew how to play golf or tennis, but lo and behold, Tiger Woods and Serena Williams f-cked the game up,” Snoop insisted. “If you give a kid a shot, this is what they’re gonna be. There’s so many kids like us who don’t wanna play baseball, football or basketball. They wanna play hockey, because it looks like fun.”
Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: Will Chill
To close out the episode, Snoop laid out the plan for his future in “the industry.” He doesn’t ever see himself retiring from the game, but he definitely wants to hang up his hustle cleats and start making money without moving, like the elite entrepreneurs do.
“I’ve watched the greats, and when they’re not doing what they do anymore, they just don’t feel the same,” said Snoop. “I don’t wanna depart from the industry. … I don’t know what my future holds, but I don’t think I’ll ever fully retire. There’s just a time where I’ll pull back more and let others shine. Like going from a player to an owner. Right now I’m a player, you’re used to seeing me scoring. I think I want to be the owner now, sitting back while my players are scoring for me.”
My Bad | Alexis Morris Apologizes To WNBA Vets And Fans For Going Off After Being Cut
Ex-LSU standout Alexis Morris is offering a mea culpa to WNBA veterans after calling for their retirement to make way for incoming rookies after she was cut from the Connecticut Sun earlier this month.
“To the veterans of the WNBA, please accept my sincerest apologies,” she wrote on Instagram Thursday.
Morris was drafted 22nd by the Sun shortly after helping LSU win the national title but was cut during training camp.
The W Has Too Few Spots And Too Many Talented Players
Just 15 of the 36 selections from the 2023 WNBA draft appear on opening day rosters. Joining Morris on the cut list were Final Four participants Iowa’s Monika Czinano, South Carolina’s Brea Beal, Virginia Tech’s Kayana Traylor, and LSU teammate LaDazhia Williams.
WNBA rosters have a 12 player limit, so veterans and rookies are going to feel the squeeze in the coming years unless the rosters expand. The league and WNBPA just agreed to a new CBA in 2020, so this won’t change until the next agreement.
After being cut Morris was clearly upset and took to Twitter to voice her frustrations in a since-deleted tweet.
“The vets got to know when to cut the net, and pass the torch bro,” Morris tweeted.
As a part of her apology Morris asked the vets to “empathize and find it in your hearts to forgive me.”
“I never thought joining the W family would be easy, but now I understand just how hard it is to do that. My energy would have been better served directed toward league executives who have a say in expansion and other logistics,” Morris said. “I will continue to work hard in hopes of joining you all one day soon.”
Expansion is an option and WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has said it’s in her plans. The league has narrowed the list of expansion cities down to 20 and she said expansion and potentially increasing roster sizes are all options on the table.
“We’re often asked about that roster size question. We think today our rosters are the right size,” said Engelbert to Just Women’s Sports. “I think for now, the roster sizes are set for this season into next. But that’ll be for sure a discussion in the next round of collective bargaining, as will a variety of other issues. And I think with expansion on the horizon, my personal view is to give 12 to 24 and hopefully more roster spots will be something obviously that expansion will afford us.”
All positive news but none of this is going to happen within the next year or two. We’re looking at at least a three- to five-year horizon. Especially with expansion.
“To fans of the WNBA, I apologize to you as well. Please don’t let this mistake be a representation of our league or as an indictment against my character moving forward. I ask for your forgiveness and support as I attempt to raise more awareness about some of the issues the league is facing,” Morris said. “It needs your support now more than ever. While I’m one of many to be affected by recent cuts, I understand that the issue is bigger than me.”
While the W has grown in popularity, that needs to continue and the revenue also needs to increase in all areas so that the business case for adding more teams can be made. While fans love basketball and don’t think about the business side, the league must. Getting billionaires to fork over millions for a team that will lose money is not going to help get expansion done.
They Done Robbed Uncle Shay! Shannon Sharpe’s Home Burglarized For $1 Million In Jewelry And More
Add a random robber to the growing list of people doing former NFL veteran turned sports analyst Shannon Sharpe dirty. Sharpe’s home in L.A. was burglarized last week, and the thieves came up, getting Uncle Shay Shay for $1 million worth of his stuff.
The break-in happened in the early evening of May 19 between 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., TMZ reports. Sharpe was away from his place for a few hours, leaving the robbers to take what they could. The former athlete returned home after dinner with friends, and when he noticed that his home was wrong he called the police.
What was missing? Shay Sharpe realized his expensive watch collection and other miscellaneous jewelry, along with his designer bags, were taken. In addition, there were no apparent signs of any forced entry. However, an investigation into the incident is currently ongoing, with no arrests having been made yet.
Sharpe reportedly wants the culprit(s) found to be held accountable and offers a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Sharpe has also had problems in the media world. The co-host of “Undisputed” recently came under fire from former No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft Kwame Brown.
After the Nuggets swept the Lakers in the Western Conference finals, LeBron James had a chance to tie the score in the final seconds of Game 4 Monday night, but Jamal Murray, assisted by Aaron Gordon, got his hands on the ball before James could get a shot off.
Brown took to social media Wednesday with a seven-minute video in which he said neither Michael Jordan nor Kobe Bryant would’ve had their shot blocked and could’ve at least gotten off a better shot attempt than James, accusing him of being a “stat sheet junkie.”
That prompted LeBron James’ super supporter Sharpe to defend the player he considers his favorite of all time during the Thursday episode of “Undisputed.” Sharpe directed his anger at Brown for criticizing James while “you on the Mount Rushmore of all busts” and “you a joke, real talk” which Brown took offense and graduated the conversation to another level in his video Thursday afternoon.
Kwame Brown responds to Shannon Sharpe and Skip Bayless. Hilarious! @ kwamebrownbustlife on YouTube! pic.twitter.com/sD20z2rSTo
“You a guest in the house of this basketball talk,” Brown said. “Didn’t you know that? And now since you don’t want to act like a guest in this sh-t, And you want to invalidate me, you football playing dummy. N****, ain’t no first downs in basketball. Clown. How you gonna try to invalidate a man who is the No. 1 draft pick.”
When Brown brought Ja Morant into his Shannon Sharpe monologue, he took his rant to a nuclear level.
Unc Shannon sharpe went off on kwame brown for talking about Lebron James 😭😭😭😭😭😭
— Shannonnn sharpes Burner (PARODY Account) (@shannonsharpeee) May 25, 2023
“You a fan boy for LeBron; You emo,” Brown continued. You called me emotional and you was finna fight a whole goddn Memphis Grizzlies team because of [your] love affair with LeBron. You the reason why Ja Morant probably carrying guns right now. Ja Morant was like ‘oh sh-t’ because a big-ass n** in a sweater, a grandma sweater trying to fight his daddy and the whole damn team.”
Sharpe famously had an on-court confrontation with members of the Grizzlies when they played during the season last year. As the face of one of the most polarizing shows in the sports analyst debate category, Sharpe endures uncomfortable moments on television, the internet, and now potentially dangerous ones in real life.
