The Houston Rockets, with James Harden and Chris Paul, were one win away from taking down the Golden State Warriors during their prime, but Chris Paul injured his hamstring in a well-known pivotal Game 6. Following another loss to the unstoppable Warriors in the following season, the Rockets felt as though changes were needed and […]
Chris Paul has quieted his critics with his stellar play and health — The450Times
The Knicks may have new faces in their front office, but the circus has continued to roll on, with the team still trying to sell (…)
Knicks trying to sell that Kevin Durant would’ve signed with them had he not suffered Achilles injury — The Sports Daily
The Dalglish family released the following statement to supporters regarding Sir Kenny Dalglish on Friday: Sir Kenny was admitted to hospital on Wednesday, April 8 for treatment of an infection which required intravenous antibiotics. In keeping with current procedures, he was subsequently tested for COVID-19 despite having previously displayed no symptoms of the illness. Unexpectedly,…
Kenny Dalglish, Liverpool Legend, Tests Positive For COVID-19 — NESN.com
When the Boston Celtics won the NBA Finals in 2008, it established that legacies, along with the memories along the way, would never be forgotten. One specifically sticks out to ex-Celtic Kevin Garnett. And Garnett, who was selected to the Basketball Hall of Fame last week, went into detail about what the hours immediately following the title-clinching game…
Kevin Garnett Reveals What 2008 Celtics Did Immediately After Winning NBA Finals — NESN.com
When the Boston Celtics won the NBA Finals in 2008, it established that legacies, along with the memories along the way, would never be forgotten. One specifically sticks out to ex-Celtic Kevin Garnett. And Garnett, who was selected to the Basketball Hall of Fame last week, went into detail about what the hours immediately following the title-clinching game were like. “I sat in the shower until like 4 a.m. in the morning and I had my jersey on and the water on and we were all kind of exhausted,” Garnett said on SirusXM NBA Radio. “And we were all just sitting there like P (Paul Pierce), ‘Damn, I can’t believe we won this.’ And I look and he was like, ‘Man, we won this.’ And I looked and Ray was right there, Rondo was right there. We were all kind of looking at each other and was like, ‘Oh, we got to defend this. We gotta.’ And you go right into a mode of thinking about next year … We enjoyed it, but we were thinking about what was coming after this and what we need to do to be able to get back here. It was a special time and you never forget those moments.”
Read more at: https://nesn.com/2020/04/kevin-garnett-reveals-what-2008-celtics-did-immediately-after-winning-nba-finals/
Pete Retzlaff, a member of the Eagles’ Hall of Fame, died of natural causes in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, on Friday, the team announced. Retzlaff was 88. Retzlaff, who was a tight end, is one of only nine players in Eagles’ team history to have his number retired. Retzlaff wore 44. “We are saddened to learn of […]
Eagles Hall of Famer Pete Retzlaff dies at 88 — ProFootballTalk
Pete Retzlaff, a member of the Eagles’ Hall of Fame, died of natural causes in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, on Friday, the team announced. Retzlaff was 88.
Retzlaff, who was a tight end, is one of only nine players in Eagles’ team history to have his number retired. Retzlaff wore 44.
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Eagles’ Hall of Famer Pete Retzlaff,” Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement. “Pete was a revolutionary tight end and one of the most productive players in the history of our franchise. . . .But Pete’s legacy goes far beyond the success he was able to achieve on the field. He gave so much to this organization and to our sport as a player, General Manager, broadcaster, and leader of the NFLPA.
“He stayed connected with the team and the city of Philadelphia for many years after his retirement. I had the pleasure of spending time with Pete over the years and I will always remember him as a true gentleman who was kind and genuine and who connected so well with others. On behalf of the organization, our thoughts are with Pete’s family and friends as we mourn the passing of an Eagles legend.”
more…Eagles Hall of Famer Pete Retzlaff dies at 88 — ProFootballTalk
Gordon Hayward has more than just himself to worry about when it comes to the coronavirus pandemic. The Boston Celtics forward and his wife, Robyn, have three young daughters and she’s expecting the couples fourth child — their first boy. Robyn is considered to be high-risk when it comes to COVID-19, and Gordon revealed he…
Celtics’ Gordon Hayward Was ‘A Little Nervous’ About Coronavirus Outbreak — NESN.com
Gordon Hayward has more than just himself to worry about when it comes to the coronavirus pandemic. The Boston Celtics forward and his wife, Robyn, have three young daughters and she’s expecting the couple’s fourth child — their first boy. Robyn is considered to be high-risk when it comes to COVID-19, and Gordon revealed he and his wife were a bit nervous once the NBA indefinitely suspended its season due to the virus.
“We were definitely a little nervous about the whole thing,” Gordon said on a conference call, via MassLive’s Tom Westerholm. “Definitely didn’t want to let her — I mean anybody, but specifically her — get the virus because of the baby and we didn’t know what could exactly happen with that. So we were just very pre-cautious with everything and I didn’t go anywhere or isolate myself or anything besides just being at the house. But I did — our doctor said, ‘Not as many hugs, not as many snuggles,’ until we can figure out if I’m positive or negative. So that’s kind of what we did until we got back the results.”
Marcus Smart was the only member of the C’s to test positive for the virus. He since has recovered. And while this is giving Gordon some extra time with his wife and daughters, we’re sure he, along with the other NBA players, are missing the game they love.
Read more at: https://nesn.com/2020/04/celtics-gordon-hayward-was-a-little-nervous-about-coronavirus-outbreak/
Duke freshman Vernon Carey Jr. will enter his name in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Duke’s Vernon Carey declares for NBA Draft — Augusta Free Press
One thing hasn’t changed about this not-very-normal new normal: LeBron James setting the tone. Even from home, James’ perspective has been sought regularly by Lakers Coach Frank Vogel and General Manager Rob Pelinka, the latter said. “Everybody knows that LeBron is a pro’s pro,” Pelinka said on a recent Zoom call with reporters. “The way…
LeBron James leading the Lakers even during coronavirus shutdown — Press Telegram
“Everybody knows that LeBron is a pro’s pro,” Pelinka said on a recent Zoom call with reporters. “The way he dedicates himself to his profession is unparalleled and has been in this time. And in terms of what he does on a daily basis … I know he’s been committed to leadership, he’s been committed to continuing to inspire his teammates.
“Anthony Davis has also done that. It’s a special group of guys. They want to stay connected, they want to stay ready. If we’re fortunate enough or blessed enough that the health officials and the league find a way for us to get back to playing basketball, I know from a physical standpoint and a mindset standpoint, those two guys will be as good as any athlete in the world at staying mentally and physically ready.”
And mentally, James expressed a determination to remain upbeat, sounding not like a leader of the Lakers alone, but a leader in a broader sense.
“I think for me, mentally, I’m always pretty optimistic about everything. I feel like there’s always greener on the other side of the fence,” James said on a different Zoom call Wednesday. “I believe that this is a roadblock for all of us, not only as Americans, but for the world. This is a roadblock, it’s a test for all of us. It’s a test of our mental side, our spiritual side, it’s a test for everything.
“We grew so comfortable with how we live our life that it’s now time to take a pause. I’m very optimistic about not only just basketball, but sport. It’s not just about the Lakers, it’s not just about the NBA, but it’s everything.”
That said, James is very much in tune with what’s happening with his team – which was 49-14 and sitting atop the Western Conference standings at the start of this unprecedented pause, brought about by the pandemic that’s killed more than 100,000 people worldwide.
A big hiring by the Chicago Bulls, aimed at starting the process of restoring that franchise to glory, could have reverberations north of the border too. Read More
New Bulls boss could give friend, Raptors assistant Griffin, a long look as coach — Toronto Sun
Ryan Wolstat
A big hiring by the Chicago Bulls, aimed at starting the process of restoring that franchise to glory, could have reverberations north of the border too.
The Bulls have agreed to a deal with Arturas Karnisovas to be the team’s executive vice-president of basketball operations, according to numerous reports. Karnisovas spent seven years with the Denver Nuggets, first as assistant general manager, before being elevated to GM under president Tim Connelly. Karnisovas helped build Denver into a top team in the Western Conference and previously worked for the Houston Rockets and the NBA’s basketball operations department.
The connection to the Raptors comes from his playing days. Karnisovas, a former European Player of the Year, played for Lithuania (winners of bronze medals in both 1992 and 1996, with help from Karnisovas) against the Dream Team in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and was a star for Seton Hall, including for two years alongside Nick Nurse’s lead assistant with the Raptors, Adrian Griffin, who replaced Karnisovas as Seton Hall’s top player after he graduated. Both are members of Seton Hall’s hall of fame.
The Raptors denied the Bulls permission to speak with general manager Bobby Webster for the job that eventually went to Karnisovas, but it isn’t expected they would stand in the way of a promotion and homecoming for Griffin, who played for the Bulls and was an assistant coach there from 2010 to 2015. The team, whether it’s Nurse, other coaches, or the front office, has long touted his future as a head coach.
“I mean, he is awesome,” fellow Raptors assistant coach Nate Bjorkgren told a few beat writers in February, ironically before the entire staff went to Chicago, for the NBA all-star weekend.
“He has a great demeanour, he’s going to be a great head coach in the NBA,” Bjorkgren said. “He’s got a nice calming presence about him when he’s showing film to the team when he’s talking to the team. So just his overall feel and approach and knowing how to talk to the players is probably his number one strength.”
more…New Bulls boss could give friend, Raptors assistant Griffin, a long look as coach — Toronto Sun
Donovan Mitchell has overcome COVID-19, the bout with the virus might prove to have a lasting impact on the Jazz guard. Saturday will mark one month since the NBA officially put the 2019-20 NBA season on pause. The decision came after it was revealed Utah big man Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19. Days prior…
NBA Rumors: Donovan Mitchell ‘Reluctant’ To Mend Fences With Rudy Gobert — NESN.com
Donovan Mitchell has overcome COVID-19, the bout with the virus might prove to have a lasting impact on the Jazz guard. Saturday will mark one month since the NBA officially put the 2019-20 NBA season on pause.
The decision came after it was revealed Utah big man Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19. Days prior to the positive test, Gobert seemingly mocked the severity of the virus by touching all the microphones at a media availability and he reportedly was careless in the locker room as well. Mitchell turned in a positive COVID-19 test one day after his All-Star teammate. But despite both players being cleared of the virus for weeks now, their relationship reportedly remains fractured, per a report from The Athletic.
“The Jazz have already begun working on the Mitchell-Gobert relationship, but sources say Mitchell remains reluctant to fix what might have been broken,” the report reads. The Athletic also was told by a source that the Mitchell-Gobert relationship “doesn’t appear salvageable.”
It will be difficult for all players and teams across the league to pick up where they left off whenever the NBA deems it is safe enough to resume play. But judging from The Athletic’s report, it sounds like it will be particularly challenging for the Jazz, who held the fourth seed in the Western Conference prior to the pause.
Read more at: https://nesn.com/2020/04/nba-rumors-donovan-mitchell-reluctant-to-mend-fences-with-rudy-gobert/
A poll from Seton Hall University found 72 percent of respondents wouldn’t attend sporting events until a COVID-19 vaccine is devleoped.
Poll says 72 percent of Americans would not attend games until coronavirus vaccine developed — HardballTalk | NBC Sports
A poll conducted by The Sharkey Institute at Seton Hall University found that 72 percent of respondents would not attend sports games until a cure for coronavirus (COVID-19) is developed. 12 percent would attend if social distancing practices were instituted and 13 said they would attend, feeling as safe as they had prior to the pandemic.
The sample size was 762 respondents, 348 of which responded from a landline phone and 414 responded via cell phone.
76 percent of respondents felt the leagues acted at the right time to shut down operations and an additional 16 percent felt that the leagues didn’t act quickly enough. Also of interest, 76 percent of fans said they would have the same interest in sports even if they are played without fans.
This poll is of interest, of course, to those running national sports leagues, including Major League Baseball. In recent days, we have learned that MLB was considering having an abbreviated schedule play out entirely in Arizona. Other ideas floated have included running the schedule deep into the fall, playing in largely warm-weather areas, and making use of frequent doubleheaders. Sports leagues and their associated business interests are losing money every day due to the pandemic, so it is understandable why many are willing to get creative to put on a show.
Auston Matthews can’t say why reality dating shows appeal to him, finds it “cool and humbling” to be in the same conversation with superstar Alex Ovechkin, and isn’t surprised that Sheldon Keefe doesn’t have a Netflix account. Read More
Leafs’ Matthews misses game, but it’s ‘irrelevant when we’re talking about human lives’ — Toronto Sun
Auston Matthews can’t say why reality dating shows appeal to him, finds it “cool and humbling” to be in the same conversation with superstar Alex Ovechkin, and isn’t surprised that Sheldon Keefe doesn’t have a Netflix account.
Matthews, who was on track for a 50-goal season with the Maple Leafs when the COVID-19 pandemic caused the National Hockey League to go on pause on March 12, joined the media on a conference call on Thursday from his home in Arizona and touched on a variety of issues.
While the conversation was light-hearted at times, the 22-year-old Matthews didn’t waver from the fact that what he is paid millions of dollars to do — put the puck in the net and help lead the Leafs to wins — diminishes greatly in the wake of what’s happening on a global scale.
“Anybody would love to be playing hockey and be able to live a normal life, but this thing is bigger than sports, bigger than a lot of things,” Matthews said. “The most important thing is being safe and trying to stay as healthy as possible.
“It’s frustrating and disappointing to have this season go on pause, but when you think about being really close to scoring 50 goals, it all becomes irrelevant when we’re talking about human lives and what kinds of things are going on around the world.”
Matthews had 47 goals, one less than NHL leaders Ovechkin and David Pastrnak, when the NHL put a halt on the 2020-21 schedule. The Leafs were in third place in the Atlantic Division with 81 points, three up on the Florida Panthers, and had 12 games remaining.
Among the topics Matthews — who has Leafs teammate Frederik Andersen as a house guest during the pause — discussed with reporters on Thursday (some questions and answers have been edited for length):
♦ Keefe was saying recently he wants his players to come back as better versions of themselves. How do you address that and what facilities do you have at home for keeping in shape?
MATTHEWS: It’s tough to have all the resources you would have if we were all training in the summer. I’ve been watching some video, watching clips, trying to stay as active as possible while respecting social distancing. I’ve been shooting pucks and stick-handling. I have free weights and I have a sport court being built. I have rollerblades. I’m trying to do everything I can to stay in shape and try to not lose that focus.
♦ Assuming the NHL finishes the regular season, how much would it mean to you to (possibly) score more goals than Ovechkin?
MATTHEWS: It’s pretty cool and humbling to be in the same conversation as a guy like him. He has been a generational player and has made a big impact beyond the game and led the way for lots of players. Hopefully, we get back to playing hockey and can compete again. There is unfinished business considering we have 12 games left to play and there is close races for spots in the playoffs. But like I said, this is bigger than sport.
♦ If the season doesn’t resume, how will you wrap this season up if we go right to 2020-21?
MATTHEWS: That’s a scenario that we would all not like to see happen. If that’s the case, there were lots of ups and downs, lots of growth and room for growth. We had our fair share of adversity. That kind of stuff builds character and leadership and all that, but hopefully, hypothetically speaking, (going right into next season) doesn’t happen.
♦ Brendan Shanahan was saying recently that on the upside you guys responded from having your backs up against the wall quite regularly, including your last game where you beat the Lightning. On the downside, he was wondering why this team had a tendency to put its back against the wall so often. Thoughts on that?
MATTHEWS: I don’t really know how to answer that. For a big part of the season, starts for us were a bit of an issue … trying to have more of a killer mentality and a killer instinct to start games no matter who we’re playing, making sure we’re all ready. That should be taken upon the leaders to set that example. I think all of that showed a bit of an immature side of us, but I think that’s all stuff that can be fixed. It’s more of a mentality than anything.
♦ It’s looking like the NHL draft will have to be done either online or remotely or at a hotel if distancing rules get relaxed. As a No. 1 pick (in 2016), do you feel for guys like Alexis Lafreniere or Quinton Byfield who won’t get to hear their names called the way that you did?
MATTHEWS: Hearing your name called and going up there, getting your jersey, it’s all extremely surreal. It’s an experience that you dream of as a kid and if that’s not the case, it’s going to be tough. In the long run, they’re going to be great players in this league, and hopefully they’ll have more memories and experiences to cherish.
♦ Have you envisioned what it might be like playing in an empty rink, because there’s a high probability of that happening if we are to squeeze in the playoffs?
MATTHEWS: It would feel kind of weird. Fans are such a huge part of the game and not only inside the arena, but when we’ve got the playoffs going on and we’ve got Maple Leaf Square and everybody out there, the atmosphere shifts to another level. It would definitely be pretty strange to be playing in an empty arena with no crowds and no noise or atmosphere.
♦ Keefe said he is binging on the Leafs and that he doesn’t have a Netflix account. Does it surprise you that he hasn’t shut his brain off? And what — other than an apparently relentless work ethic — stood out to you about his first few months on the job?
MATTHEWS: No, that’s not really too surprising. Since he has taken over, his work ethic and his commitment to the players and the team — not just on a hockey level but on a personal level — has been amazing. I think he has been great. Everybody has been really receptive to him and I think he has been extremely receptive to us. That’s all you can really ask for. The fact that he has continued to watch film and find different ways for the team to be better, areas of weaknesses and strengths, that’s just a commitment to be the best coach he can be.
♦ Has your mind wandered to idea that the end of the pause might not happen in (or before) September and we’re looking at a lot longer than the next several months?
MATTHEWS: You never know what the case is or what’s going to happen. It’s just important that everybody is really practising social distancing and staying healthy. When the time comes, we can get back on the ice again and health officials and everybody declares it’s a go. There are a lot of hypotheticals, so it’s tough to really pinpoint what the situation is going to be.
♦ On a lighter note, it has been noted that you are a great devotee to various dating shows on TV — Love is Blind, Love Island. Have you been able to turn Freddie on to those and what is the appeal of watching these shows?
MATTHEWS: The first one I watched was Love is Blind. It was just on Netflix and it was just right there so I clicked it and started watching it. I just binge-watched it. I don’t really know what the appeal is. Freddie will only watch a couple of episodes (of Love Island) before he leaves the room and goes somewhere else. It’s pretty awful but I’m in deep now so I can’t really turn back.
♦ I’m wondering if you caught any of the old NHL games that have been broadcast (during the pause), and what you thought about the goaltending equipment of the 1970s and 1980s, and the hooking and holding of the 1990s?
MATTHEWS: With all of the speed and skill and the talent, the young talent that’s in the league now, I feel like this is the most exciting hockey that has been played, but it’s pretty cool to watch old games. I’m a big equipment guy so to see the guys using their wooden sticks and the goaltending gear … Even the way they goaltended back then compared to now, it’s pretty cool to see how far it’s all come together. Where the game is at, it’s extremely exciting to be a part of and playing right now.
♦ You said you’ve been working on your shot. Is Freddie in net for those practice sessions and is there a bit of a competitive rivalry going on?
MATTHEWS: No, he’s not going in the net. I wouldn’t do that to him. He’s not a street hockey goalie. He likes to play out.
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The view from left field 