The Toronto Raptors have waived guard Armoni Brooks. The partial guarantee on his contract was due to go up on Aug. 1. This opens up a spot on their training camp roster, which stands at 18 (19 once Koloko is signed).
Brooks, 24, averaged 6.2 points per game in 41 outings with the Rockets last season, then was waived in February. He signed two 10-day deals with Toronto after that, later signing a two-year deal with the organization.
The Raptors have waived Armoni Brooks. The partial guarantee on his contract was due to go up on Aug. 1. This opens up a spot on their training camp roster, which stands at 18 (19 once Koloko is signed).
Manchester United Chief Executive Richard Arnold is looking to the past to move forward and has brought Sir Alex Ferguson back into the fold at the club, asking the legendary manager for advice.
The legendary manager is part of a ‘think tank’ created by director of football, John Murtough, to give advice on how to bring success back to the club.
This ‘think tank’ also includes former captain Bryan Robson, Murtough himself and ex CEO David Gill and will be giving Arnold advice on all aspects of the club, including the redevelopment of Old Trafford and the training complex at Carrington.
Sir Alex is spotted at most United games and still occupies a place on the board, although it is more of a symbolic gesture rather than a position with any power to influence decisions.
‘Captain Marvel’ Bryan Robson has been a ‘Global Ambassador’ for United since 2011 and is one of the greatest players to have donned a Manchester United shirt.
David Gill is still heavily involved in football, sitting on the UEFA Executive Committee and was CEO of the Red Devils during the club’s most successful period.
Suffice to say that Arnold is pulling in a wealth of experience for this think tank, who are thought to be scheduling regular meetings.
Richard Arnold has been at United since 2008, however has only stepped in his current role as CEO in February of this year.
This move to bring in as much experience as possible to lean upon appears to be a good move and one which will allow Arnold to bounce ideas off people who have been in and around the club during long periods of success.
Previous manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was known to lean on Sir Alex during his tenure in the hot seat and no doubt Sir Alex is relishing the chance to have more of an input into the club where he spent so long.
This is a crucial season for United coming off the back of their worst season for decades, with new manager Erik ten Hag brought in by Arnold in order to steady the ship and bring success back.
United fans will be hoping that having these legendary figures back in and around the club will help to bring the good times back.
Erik ten Hag was pleased with his team’s performances despite the ‘unacceptable’ result.
Manchester United endured a frustrating afternoon as they failed to break down Atletico Madrid’s defence.
United were guilty of missing plenty of chances and should have scored at least twice.
The absence of Jadon Sancho seemed to have disrupted the attack, once again highlighting his importance to this team.
The game was not short of drama, as there were plenty of flying tackles committed, one of which led to Fred being sent off.
In his post-match interview, Ten Hag stated: “The team’s performance was really good.”
“The score is not good. We created a lot of chances, to score at least one goal, but we didn’t score.”
“I’m not satisfied on this point and I said it to the team, it is not acceptable.”
✅ Ten Hag: “The team’s performance was really good. The score is not good. We created a lot of chances, to score at least one goal, but we didn’t score. I’m not satisfied on this point and I said it to the team, it is not acceptable.” #MUFC 🔴
When asked about Atletico’s aggressiveness, the Dutchman said: “I like competitiveness, but with respect, ,I don’t want to have injuries as well.”
“That’s why you have to keep respect for each other, and I’ve seen some tackles that were over the limit.”
🚨🎙 Ten Hag on Atlético Madrid: “ I like competitiveness, but with respect I don’t want to have injuries as well. That’s why you have to keep respect for each other, and I’ve seen some tackles that were over the limit.” #MUFC 🔴‼️
United square off against Rayo Vallecano tomorrow at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag hinted at his possible starting team: “Tomorrow we will have a different starting eleven. But there are players that came on who can start tomorrow.”
✅ Ten Hag: “Tomorrow we will have a different starting eleven. But there are players that came on who can start tomorrow.” #MUFC 🔴🇳🇱
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The dreaded cart. The courtesy clap for the injured.
New York Giants offensive lineman Nick Gates wanted no part of it. He had never needed it before the Thursday night game against Washington in Week 2 of last season.
Not until he heard his left leg go “crack, crack, pop” and started flopping back and forth while he laid on the grass at FedEx Field. The fibula and tibia were broken. There would be seven surgeries to follow, and a rehab that is still in progress.
The injury was so gruesome that NFL Network, which was broadcasting the game, refused to show the replay of Gates’ leg getting caught underneath Washington defensive lineman Daron Payne. The Giants’ training staff and doctors stabilized the leg in an air cast and Gates was taken off the field smiling and waving to signify he was OK.
“I’ll be all right. I’m good,” then-teammate Billy Price remembers Gates telling the Giants. “Now go kick some ass!”
It was a strange reaction given the circumstances and severity of the injury — unless you know Gates.
“I’m good,” Gates recalled telling his mother and brother during a FaceTime call soon after he was taken off the field. “I broke my leg. It snapped in half. But I’ll be good.”
Gates was smiling on that call while his mom, Sonya, was hysterical and his older brother, Matt, was crying for the first time that Nick remembers. It was Gates — pre-pain medication — providing the reassurance for his family as he was being prepared for a trip to Virginia’s Inova Fairfax Hospital with his leg and career in jeopardy.
“That’s exactly what he was saying: ‘Mom, I’m fine. I’m fine. Stop crying,'” Sonya told ESPN. “He was telling his brother, ‘Matt, I’m good. I’m good.'”
When he was in the ambulance, he could feel — and hear — the bones in his injured leg rubbing together.
“‘Hey, you trying to hit every pothole or what?'” he asked the driver with a chuckle.
This is how it was for most of the early weeks of his recovery. Gates, who started three games in 2019 and all 16 in 2020, was taking it all in stride as if dealing with a sprained ankle. He spent most of that time with his leg elevated — either in a hospital room or at his New Jersey home — and his mom at his side.
There was a moment he feared losing his leg. There was a surgery this spring when doctors removed the rod and had to clean out the bone. Doctors have assured Gates he will return to the field, but it’s unclear when that will happen or how effective he will be when he does.
“This guy has been rehabbing unbelievable,” coach Brian Daboll said. “He’s made a lot of strides. Where he’s at and when he’s ready, I couldn’t answer that right now.”
Gates was put on the physically unable to perform list this week as the Giants open training camp, but his mindset remains positive.
“What does being negative about this do for me? … What, am I going to feel sorry? It’s broken,” said Gates, who in a 45-minute interview with ESPN nonchalantly talked about all the ugly details. “I’m not going to be down in the dumps. No use for that.”
‘He never complained once’
From the moment he was carted off the field to now, Gates’ approach has been inspiring and perfectly on brand according to those who know him best.
“The guy saw his leg facing a different direction. … He had multiple surgeries, he never complained once,” said his agent, Jon Perzley of Sportstars. “That’s just Nick.”
Gates, 26, says his leg broke in the best way possible. Right in the middle.
“Toughest dude on planet Earth” is how Perzley described Gates the week after the injury.
Said Sonya: “Nicholas is very tough. There are only three times in his life he’s ever told me something’s hurt. I know when he says that word [‘hurt’] I better pay attention.”
The first was when he broke his hand at age 6. That required surgery and involved screws being placed in his hand. And there was the appendicitis when he had COVID-19. The third time happened early in this recovery when Gates’ leg swelled too much and required a procedure called a fasciotomy. Doctors told him that losing his leg was among the possibilities if it swelled for too long.
While waiting for his doctor to come out of surgery, Gates cried.
“[Losing my leg] was in play,” he said. “But then I asked a question: ‘Should I be worried about it?'”
“‘No. You’re good,'” the doctor said.
“I calmed down after that,” Gates said.
Always an underdog
His initial surgery was Sept. 17, and the next day doctors wanted Gates to take a few steps. That was like giving a drag racer the green light. A few steps? He walked laps, and released a video of himself on social media hobbling around the hospital floor.
Two days after snapping his leg and one day after surgery, Giants OL Nick Gates was back up and walking. Beast! 💪💪
It was a gritty response by Gates, who at 6-foot-6 and 318 pounds is a tough guy in a sport full of them. He once started a scrum with Los Angeles Rams star defensive tackle Aaron Donald, and he always seems to be involved in pushing after a play or the first to defend his quarterback when necessary.
That attitude has served him well on a difficult path from undrafted rookie out of Nebraska (2018) to NFL starter to team captain for the Giants. Gates regrets not being there for his teammates most of last season and vows to be there for them this fall.
His first question to every doctor: “Am I going to make it back onto that field?” Sonya said. “And they all assured him he would.”
Gates started running in the spring and is finally starting to regain strength in his legs. There are still plenty of hurdles to clear. The leg is stable, but there is a difference between being able to jog and anchoring to stop a 350-pound nose tackle.
There might be doubters who believe he’s just putting on a happy face, but Gates views his situation as just another career obstacle.
“I’ve always been kind of the underdog,” he said. “Nobody expected me to win the job in college. I won the job in college. Nobody expected me to be anything as an undrafted free agent. I became something. I was a captain. I think that is cool. I was undrafted and was a captain in the NFL for the New York Giants! There isn’t much better than that.”
And if he doesn’t make it all the way back?
“I don’t know if it would hurt me, but it would be weird,” he said. “I’ve never had a job, technically.”
The Giants are going to give Gates time. They signed Jon Feliciano from the Buffalo Bills this offseason knowing the challenge Gates faces.
“When I got here, I was just worried about his quality of life,” first-year GM Joe Schoen said of Gates. “The fact that he is where he is and may be able to play in the preseason is amazing. Credit to the kid. He’s been working his butt off.”
Whenever Gates returns, that moment will be special given the severity of the injury and the speed bumps he has hit.
“I have no doubt [he’ll be back],” Sonya said. “I don’t think there is any doubt in his mind either. It’s going to be an amazing day when he steps on the field to play.”
Then the smile he had on his face while being carted off will make more sense to the rest of us.
In The United Matchday Magazine, Red Billy argues that Dalot is finally set to realise his potential and he will be hoping to bolster that claim whether a good performance, having struggled against Renan Lodi when the two sides last met.
Luke Shaw remained in Manchester, meaning new-boy Tyrell Malacia starts at left back.
Ahead of him, Marcus Rashford will be keen to add to his two preseason goals.
The revitalised Anthony Martial starts up front, with the Frenchman looking to continue his fine form as the season-opener against Brighton and Hove Albion looms.
With Eriksen not in the picture, a 4-2-3-1 similar to the one United fielded against Liverpool is likely.
United will be hoping for another fine result against sturdy opposition today.
Atletico Madrid knocked the Red Devils out of the Champions League last season, and the players will be itching for revenge.
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Manchester United could make four more signings before the window is out, to add to their three so far.
According to Samuel Luckhurst, Erik ten Hag is still “two priority targets short” as his competitive debut against Brighton and Hove Albion edges closer.
Priority among priorities remains Frenkie de Jong, whose battle to recoup the €17m owed in deferred wages is set to come to a head as pressure builds on Barcelona to balance their books before their La Liga registration deadline.
That would strengthen the midfield, which has already seen Christian Eriksen added to the mix.
United have also shored up their defence by bringing in Eredivisie pair Tyrell Malacia and Lisandro Martinez.
Ten Hag has spoken of his desire to add to the squad in offense and that would most certainly be the second priority position left to target.
Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford are the only senior wide options in the squad and while Anthony Elanga has come into the squad well, there is little here in terms of depth.
With all three being right-footed, a left-footer would be preferable, although the market appears to be drying up for that particular profile of player.
Antony has been the mooted target, but with Ajax having already lost Martinez, Ryan Gravenberch, Sebastien Haller and Nassair Mazraoui this summer, they are unwilling to part with the Brazilian for anything other than a show-stopping fee.
According to the Laurie Whitwell:
“A move for Antony is being ruled out at this stage due to Ajax placing a €100 million asking price on his head.”
A move for Antony is being ruled out at this stage due to Ajax placing a €100million asking price on his head. [@lauriewhitwell] #MUFC
Meanwhile the Ronaldo situation rumbles on, and should he manage to will a Champions League club willing to sign him into existence, Ten Hag will be needing a striker as well.
Benjamin Sesko’s agent has met with John Murtough over a possible move, with United reportedly set to launch an official bid in the coming days.
While the 19-year-old would by no means be a ready-made Ronaldo replacement, he could grow into a starring role while offering a different option to a rejuvenated Anthony Martial.
The issue in this instance is that RB Salzburg have already sold Karim Adeyemi in this window and as such would be looking for a fee of around £55m to part with the centre forward ready to step into his role.
In the case of either priority target or the Ronaldo replacement, it is to be hoped that the club have a Plan B as the clock ticks on.
Luckhurst also adds that with Dean Henderson out on loan, “United are expected to recruit a back-up goalkeeper”, bringing the total of targetted transfers to four.
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CeeDee Lamb showed during training camp practice that he is ready to be the Dallas Cowboys’ top wide receiver.
The Dallas Cowboys changed up their wide receiver corps this offseason, and the big move was Amari Cooper getting traded to the Cleveland Browns. The team did retain Michael Gallup and add James Washington through free agency, while also losing Cedrick Wilson to the Miami Dolphins in free agency. With all of this movement, CeeDee Lamb is slated in as the top receiver for Dallas.
During training camp practice on July 29, Lamb made plays through the air and on the ground. Take a look for yourselves in the videos below, courtesy of The Athletic’s Jon Machota.
CeeDee Lamb looks like Cowboys’ WR1 this season
Lamb was part of the loaded wide receiver class in the 2020 NFL Draft. He somehow managed to fall all the way to the No. 17 pick, and the Cowboys did not hesitate to select him. That move paid off for Dallas, based on his first two years in the league.
In 2020, Lamb put up 935 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 74 receptions (111 targets). Then, this past season, Lamb cracked over 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his professional career by catching 79-of-120 targets for 1,102 yards and six touchdowns.
With Cooper no longer on the team, it will be interesting to see if Lamb’s numbers will drop off a bit now that he will get the primary attention from opposing defenses. One thing is for sure, he has the skills to be a matchup nightmare for defenses, based on the clips above.
The Cowboys are looking to repeat as NFC East champions and get past their lengthy hurdle that was the NFC Divisional Round of the playoffs.
Much of the talk about Pittsburgh Steelers rookies will be about Kenny Pickett, but George Pickens is already making sure he won’t be ignored.
Young players at Pittsburgh Steelers training camp are going to dominate headlines this year and first-round quarterback Kenny Pickett is at the forefront of that. Battling it out with veterans Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph, everything the Pitt product does in camp will be under the microscope.
However, it’s another rookie that’s already stealing the show in Pittsburgh in the early stages of training camp.
On Friday in practice, wide receiver George Pickens, a second-round selection for the Steelers out of Georgia, turned some heads first when he went up and made a grab on a Trubisky pass while matched up with veteran cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon and then took off down the sidelines.
Steelers: George Pickens showing out early in training camp
Pickens wasn’t done there, however, as he and Trubisky connected for another beautiful pass-and-catch combination that had fans on social media buzzing.
Coming off of the board with the 52nd overall pick in April’s draft, Pickens was considered one of the steals of the 2022 NFL Draft by many. Had he been healthy (he tore his ACL in the 2021 offseason) for all of his last season in Athens, many believe that the Georgia product could’ve been an easy first-round pick and one of the best receivers in the draft class.
That could fit right into the Steelers’ M.O., however. Pittsburgh has long made a living offensively off of finding tremendous value in the draft at wide receiver, as evidenced by Pickens’ current running mates in the wide receiver corps, Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool, both of whom were mid-round picks who have largely outperformed that status.
Pickens is already looking the part of the next iteration of draft steals at the position for the Steelers. And while the quarterback question remains unsettled, there is no doubt that whoever is throwing passes in Week 1 will have a bevy of high-end options to target with the second-round rookie already inserting himself into that equation.
Following his move to the Knicks, Jalen Brunson has chosen to wear No. 11 for the Knickerbockers this upcoming season.
Brunson received the “blessing” from his former Dallas teammate, Frank Ntilikina, who spent his first four seasons in the NBA with the Knicks. The two were teammates this past season in Dallas. Brunson signed a four-year deal with the Knicks shortly after free agency began.
Ntilikina and Brunson were teammates this past season in Dallas. Brunson averaged 21.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game on 46.6 percent shooting from the field in the playoffs helping Luka Doncic carry the Mavs to the Western Conference Finals.
Ntilikina signed with the Mavs on a two-year deal in September of 2021 and will look to fill out the role following Brunson’s departure.
Sabrina Ionescu joined the WNBA after setting and NCAA record for being the first player (male or female) to register 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 1,000 assists in ther career. Now that she’s in her third season with the Liberty, Ionescu has been able to combine what maker so unique as rebounder and playmaker to become the preeminnent triple-double threat in the WNBA.
“You can teach (rebounding) technique. You can teach a lot of things about boxing out. But at the end of the day: See ball, get ball, and that’s Sabrina.”@charlottecrrll on how crucial @sabrina_i20‘s rebounding is for @nyliberty and her own success: https://t.co/Hu9MDougLP
This season, Ionescu is averaging 17.2 points, 7.2 rebounds. and 6.2 assists per game. As of Friday, the Oregon legend leads all guards in rebounding and her 6.2 rebounds per game rank seventh overall in the League. Ionescu has recorded two triple-doubles to this point of the season as well. Ionescu’s AAU and high school coach, Kelly Sopak, said that Ionescu’s abilty to attack the boards came after he played up in age and wouldn’t get the ball unless she did rebound.
Since Ionescu is such a rebounding magnate, she is the only primary ballhandler for a team who ranks in the top 20 for rebounds this season. Ionescu herself said competing with a higher level of hoopers that are more physical has been a “learning experince” but something that she’s going to do to help the Liberty win games.
“First and foremost, she cares,” Sopak told The Athletic. “You can teach (rebounding) technique. You can teach a lot of things about boxing out. But at the end of the day: See ball, get ball, and that’s Sabrina.”
Her nose for the ball has impressed many players around the League including Allie Quigley, who said that Ionescu’s “competitiveness and her fearlessness.” stand out the most about the young guard.
Candace Parker is another guard who has been impressed by Ionescu’s ability to record points, board, and dimes and see’s her versatility as part of the game’s evolutiuon. Ionescu and Parker have recorded two triple-doubles, while Moriah Jefferson and Alyssa Thomas have one each. That’s six out the 11-ever triple-doubles in the history of the WNBA.
“I think it’s the new age of players, but I also think it’s the way the game is played now,” Parker said. She’s tied with Ionescu for most triple-doubles in league history with three total. “It’s more fast-paced now. Now, you’re seeing 90s and 100 scores. They’re setting the record for 3-point shots. So it’s more like made shots. When we were coming to into the league, I don’t know what the average was for points, but I’m sure it was way less than it is now. So you have more shooters, so you’re going to have more assists and your playmaking is better. So I think it’s just a combination of yes, the skill set of the players like Sabrina, but also, I think it’s the skill set of those that are around her that are able to knock down shots.”
The Liberty (10-17) are set to return to action with a Friday night road game against the defending champion Chicago Sky (21-7).
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