Brittney Griner pleads guilty – TalkBasket.net

Photo: cnn.com

On Thursday, WNBA star Brittney Griner pleaded guilty to drug charges and now faces up to 10 years in a Russian prison.

“I’d like to plead guilty, your honor. But there was no intent. I didn’t want to break the law,” Griner said.

The National anthem boycotter was arrested in February after she was allegedly caught carrying two vape cartridges with cannabis oil in them at a Moscow airport. She has been held in custody since then.

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Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown feeling at home with Arizona Cardinals – NFL Nation

TEMPE, Ariz. — When training camp starts in late July, new Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown won’t be slowed by the usual learning curve that players encounter when joining a new team.

Sure, Brown will still be learning the nuances of a new playbook, the tendencies of new teammates and how his new team does certain things, but Brown is in a unique situation in Arizona. He knows the quarterback, former Oklahoma teammate Kyler Murray, as well as any receiver can know their quarterback, and his head coach, Kliff Kingsbury, has largely adapted the offense toward what Brown played in at Oklahoma, even down to some practice drills.

Brown is already at home in the Cardinals’ offense and won’t simply hit the ground running to start training camp. He’ll be flat-out sprinting.

“I’d say, comparatively speaking, if you’re talking about a guy who didn’t know the quarterback or didn’t play in a similar system and didn’t get to work out with him and hear the calls, see the signals, I would say he’s way ahead of the curve when it comes to that,” Kingsbury said.

Part of Brown’s sped-up acclimation was due to his relationship with Murray. The two spent time this offseason working out together in Dallas before Brown’s trade to the Cardinals on the first day of the NFL draft in April. They continued their throwing sessions after they were reunited as teammates. Those workouts, however, took on a different tune.

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Murray was able to start explaining the scheme to Brown and teach him the hand signals that Arizona uses as a way to relay plays from quarterback to receivers. They also went over Arizona’s pace of play, Kingsbury said. When they hit the field together for minicamp, Brown wasn’t spending time having to learn both the offense and the signals.

He already knew them.

“It helped me out a lot,” Brown said.

The two talk daily, and having caught passes from Murray in some capacity since 2017, Brown knows what his quarterback likes and doesn’t like.

“Getting that time in together is huge anytime you can get that type of work,” Kingsbury said.

Picking up the offense, beyond what Murray has helped with, has been expedited because of the similarities to what Oklahoma ran when Murray and Brown were there. That was intentional and began when Murray was drafted as the No. 1 overall pick in 2019.

Kingsbury, who coached a version of the Air Raid at Texas Tech, adapted his scheme with some of what Murray ran with the Sooners to shorten Murray’s learning curve when he entered the NFL. The byproduct of doing that three years ago is that Brown is able to pick up Arizona’s offense quickly now.

“I think it’s similar to what he played in at OU,” Kingsbury said. “Obviously, position-wise, no-huddle type stuff, signal-based. But he’s been in Baltimore for a while now, and so it’s just readjusting to that, but I think he feels comfortable in what we’re doing.”

Even some of the terminology in Arizona is the same as Oklahoma.

“He won’t be learning something that’s completely foreign to him,” USC coach Lincoln Riley, who coached Brown and Murray at Oklahoma, told ESPN. “How we coach routes and some of the things that we believe in from a fundamental and just kind of a philosophical approach will be very similar, as well.

“So, now, I think other than just having been under that exact coach, I think it’d be tough to ask for a potentially smoother transition.”

And Brown likes the parts of the offense that are new to him, as well.

“Just attacking, the attack mentality,” Brown said. “We trying to put points up and, you know, that’s what I love.”

Starting the day after Arizona’s mandatory minicamp ended in mid-June, Brown was going to start getting his body in shape for training camp. Then he was planning on being wherever Murray was to build on what they’ve already established and be even further ahead entering training camp than they were during offseason practices.

“The time they’ve spent together and bond they have on and off the field, that adds up,” Riley said. “I mean, that counts. There’ll be a lot of built-up trust and excitement.”

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Matthijs de Ligt has ‘stopped’ talks with Chelsea as he awaits Bayern move



Juventus defender Matthijs De Ligt prefers a move to Bayern Munich over Chelsea this summer, and has gone as far as stopping talks with the west London side in order to try and push through a move to Bavaria this summer, according to reports.

The 22-year-old defender has two years left to run on his Juventus contract, which includes a release clause of 120m euros, but he is expected to depart this summer, with the Juventus CEO telling tuttosport that:

“Today it is impossible to keep a player who wants to leave.”

“But it’s always a question of numbers, it’s not that if someone wants to leave, you answer them: please, take a seat.”

“It is difficult to keep a player, but from the negotiation table all three have to get up satisfied. And the fifth article always applies: whoever has the money has won.”

De Ligt keen on Bayern

While Chelsea and Thomas Tuchel have identified De Ligt as their key central defence addition this summer, it seems as though the Dutchman would prefer a move to Bayern.

The major sticking point, of course, could be the fee. As a result, De Ligt is thought to have halted talks with the Blues in order to see if his favoured option are able to stump up the massive fee that Juventus demand for their young star.

Having already shelled out around 60m euros for new additions Sadio Mane and Ryan Gravenberch, it could well be the sale of Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona that permits the signing of De Ligt.


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2022-07-06T09:00:08Z

Premier League table

# Team MP D P
1 AFC Bournemouth 0 0 0
2 Arsenal FC 0 0 0
3 Aston Villa 0 0 0
4 Brentford FC 0 0 0
5 Brighton & Hove Albion 0 0 0
6 Chelsea FC 0 0 0
7 Crystal Palace 0 0 0
8 Everton FC 0 0 0
9 Fulham FC 0 0 0
10 Leeds United 0 0 0
11 Leicester City 0 0 0
12 Liverpool FC 0 0 0
13 Manchester City 0 0 0
14 Manchester United 0 0 0
15 Newcastle United 0 0 0
16 Nottingham Forest 0 0 0
17 Southampton FC 0 0 0
18 Tottenham Hotspur 0 0 0
19 West Ham United 0 0 0
20 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 0 0
Player Team Goals
Salah, Mohamed Liverpool FC 23
Son, Heung Min Tottenham Hotspur 23
Ronaldo, Cristiano Manchester United 18
Kane, Harry Tottenham Hotspur 17
Mane, Sadio Liverpool FC 16
De Bruyne, Kevin Manchester City 15
Jota, Diogo Liverpool FC 15
Vardy, Jamie Leicester City 15
Zaha, Wilfried Crystal Palace 14
Sterling, Raheem Manchester City 13
Bowen, Jarrod West Ham United 12
Maddison, James Leicester City 12
Toney, Ivan Brentford FC 12
Mount, Mason Chelsea FC 11
Saka, Bukayo Arsenal FC 11
Mahrez, Riyad Manchester City 11
Richarlison Everton FC 11
Pukki, Teemu Norwich City 11
Raphinha Leeds United 11
Watkins, Ollie Aston Villa 11



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Spurs could be facilitator in Russell Westbrook/Kyrie Irving deal, per Adrian Wojnarowski

Photo: Bleacher Report

It has been reported that a third team could be needed for the Lakers and the Nets to make a deal that would land Kyrie Irving in Los Angeles. According to an NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, that team could be the Spurs as they would use their cap space to take Russell Westbrook’s contract.

“A team like the Spurs could be a facilitator in a Westbrook/Kyrie deal,” Wojnarowski said, per Josh Paredes. “You’d have to incentivize them at a pretty high level. That unwillingness of the Lakers to incentivize with multiple picks is still part of the reason that hasn’t gone anywhere yet. That could change.”



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Russell Wilson sends sweet message to Ciara on anniversary

Russell Wilson sent the sweetest anniversary message to Ciara on Twitter, which should make everyone swoon.

Russell Wilson has set the bar as he sent the most heartfelt message to his beautiful bride Ciara for their sixth wedding anniversary.

Take notes, fellas, because the sweet message and video were perfect. You could feel the love and the video of the kids and him telling her how much she loves and means to them. It was just everything a woman could want in an anniversary message.

Wilson and Ciara have three kids and have been married for six years, so the love continues to grow for the Wilson clan.

This family is one of the prettiest on this planet, and the love is there, too — ladies everywhere will be jealous.

Russell Wilson shows his bride Ciara some love and sets the bar at an all-time high.

That video and message are what the public saw Wilson do for Ciara, so there is no telling what happened behind the scenes. Flowers and gifts are typical anniversary presents, but this man confessed his love and put together a whole video to show his appreciation.

He went above and beyond to make sure she felt loved — that is all a woman could want from their person.

The Wilsons are a storybook family, and their romance seems too good to be true, which makes them envious. However, seeing their love shows that it is possible. There are men out there that will put their ladies on a throne, work hard at the relationship and love them unconditionally.

That message on Twitter proved that Wilson and Ciara are, in fact, “goals,” and it should make all the fellas who don’t already do that for the woman in their lives step up their game.



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REPORT: Bradley Beal Becomes 10th-Ever Player to Have No-Trade Clause in Contract

When Bradley Beal signed his max deal during the first day of free agency last week, the agreement also reportedly included a no-trade clause, per Bobby Marks of ESPN.

Beal is the 10th player in League history to ever have a no-trade clause in his contract. He is also the only player in the NBA with a “true” no-trade clause.

Beal’s massive deal comes off a tough season for Washington. The Wizards couldn’t capitalize off their playoff appearance last year and struggled to a 35-47 season after Beal underwent season-ending wrist surgery in February. Beal’s max contract also ends any speculation that he wanted to leave Washington via free agency. He told Taylor Rooks that his decision was about more than money.

“If I feel like I can win in D.C., that’s what I’m gonna do, and I want people to respect that,” Beal said.

Speculation ramped up after Beal opted out of the final year of his last contract. However, the 29-year-old has complete control over his future with his current contract. The former Florida Gator averaged 23.2 points. 4.7 rebounds, and a career-high 6.6. assists per game after averaging at least 30 per game over the last two seasons.



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Rudy Gobert On His Fit With D’Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards

The Minnesota Timberwolves acquired Rudy Gobert last week by giving  Malik BeasleyPatrick BeverlyWalker KesslerJarred Vanderbilt, and multiple first-round picks in the second major trade of the summer, per Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Stifle Tower met Minnesota fans, players, and media during his introductory press conference on Tuesday. During the presser with T-Wolves reporters, Gobert was asked about his fit next to the Minnesota backcourt of Anthony Edwards and D’Angelo Russell.

“I think the spacing we can get for them with my screening, with my rim gravity when I roll to the basket, and my passing that I think I’ll be able to showcase even more this year. All those things, I think they will allow them to be even better, that coupled obviously with the spacing that KAT’s gonna provide and the way I think we’re gonna play, they’re gonna be able to get a lot more easy looks then they’ve been able to get in previous years.

“They haven’t been throwing a lot of lobs over the last few years, but I think now, we’re going to work on that, and it’s another weapon that I think is really hard to guard — that’s what’s gonna make us unique is that we’re gonna be able to have so many different weapons and so many different ways of playing together.”

Gobert averaged 15.6 points, a career-high 14.7 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game last season for the Jazz.



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Fulham targeting double London swoop for Bernd Leno and Issa Diop



Marco Silva’s promoted Fulham have 0nce again thrown themselves into the Premier League maelstrom in the upcoming 2022-23 season, and will be hoping to remain in the English top-flight for consecutive seasons for the first time in nearly a decade.

As such, Fulham is reportedly set to make a double swoop in the capital for Arsenal’s out-of-favor goalkeeper Bernd Leno as well as West Ham defender Issa Diop.

Reports in West London Sport have already linked Fulham with nearing a completed deal for Leno after the 30-year-old German international has fallen down the pecking order at Arsenal under Mikel Arteta and is now seen as surplus to requirements behind both Aaron Ramsdale and summer signing Matt Turner.

With Leno in the final year of his contract at the Emirates, it would represent the perfect opportunity to acquire a seasoned international veteran and an undisputed upgrade on both Marek Rodák and Paulo Gazzaniga.

Additionally, Fulham is also said to be on the move for Diop after the French defender has fallen down the pecking order on the back of the Hammers securing a deal for Moroccan international Nayef Aguerd from Stade Rennais.

Fulham had an opening bid of £10million rejected by West Ham but could be set to return with an improved offer of £13million while being hopeful of agreeing to full terms with the Hammers as soon as possible.

The Cottagers have already sealed a deal for Portuguese midfielder João Palinha this summer, and two additional acquisitions into the spine at Craven Cottage would go a long way in helping Fulham secure their position in the Premier League past one season.


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Manchester United ‘accept’ Cristiano Ronaldo departure this summer



Manchester United have accepted that they will lose last season’s top goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo this summer as the star continues to go on strike rather than returning for pre-season training.

Ronaldo is yet to check into pre-season training, and Manchester United are unclear as to whether he will be joining their pre-season tour to Asia and Australia, handing new boss Erik Ten Hag an unwanted early headache during his time in charge at Old Trafford.

Without Champions League football, Ronaldo was further agitated by the lack of transfer activity at the Theatre of Dreams, with Tyrell Malacia the only addition so far this summer and seven players having departed the first team squad.

Now, the hierarchy seems to have recognised that keeping the global icon at the club when he clearly wishes to depart is futile, and have accepted his decision to do so.

As per the Sun, ‘United were initially bullish about their star striker still being with them for next season’ But, they continue, ‘Red Devils bigwigs have now recognised they cannot keep him against his will and want to avoid a long, drawn-out battle.’

The likes of Chelsea, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Napoli, Roma and Sporting Lisbon have all been mentioned as potential destinations for Ronaldo this summer, but for one reason or another several seem unrealistic.

Where will Ronaldo head?

At the moment, Chelsea appear to be the frontrunner, with Todd Boehly keen to make a statement signing after taking over the club.

Bayern Munich have ruled themselves out of the race, while Barcelona seem more focused on luring Robert Lewandowski to the Camp Nou.

Meanwhile, Roma do not have Champions League football to offer, and there are questions as to whether a return to Serie A would be something Ronaldo would be keen on.

One thing seems increasingly likely, however. He won’t be at Old Trafford this season.


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2022-07-05T19:33:05Z



Week Two Of Pre-Season 👋

2022-07-04T17:15:32Z

Manchester United latest news

Premier League table

# Team MP D P
1 AFC Bournemouth 0 0 0
2 Arsenal FC 0 0 0
3 Aston Villa 0 0 0
4 Brentford FC 0 0 0
5 Brighton & Hove Albion 0 0 0
6 Chelsea FC 0 0 0
7 Crystal Palace 0 0 0
8 Everton FC 0 0 0
9 Fulham FC 0 0 0
10 Leeds United 0 0 0
11 Leicester City 0 0 0
12 Liverpool FC 0 0 0
13 Manchester City 0 0 0
14 Manchester United 0 0 0
15 Newcastle United 0 0 0
16 Nottingham Forest 0 0 0
17 Southampton FC 0 0 0
18 Tottenham Hotspur 0 0 0
19 West Ham United 0 0 0
20 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 0 0
Player Team Goals
Salah, Mohamed Liverpool FC 23
Son, Heung Min Tottenham Hotspur 23
Ronaldo, Cristiano Manchester United 18
Kane, Harry Tottenham Hotspur 17
Mane, Sadio Liverpool FC 16
De Bruyne, Kevin Manchester City 15
Jota, Diogo Liverpool FC 15
Vardy, Jamie Leicester City 15
Zaha, Wilfried Crystal Palace 14
Sterling, Raheem Manchester City 13
Bowen, Jarrod West Ham United 12
Maddison, James Leicester City 12
Toney, Ivan Brentford FC 12
Mount, Mason Chelsea FC 11
Saka, Bukayo Arsenal FC 11
Mahrez, Riyad Manchester City 11
Richarlison Everton FC 11
Pukki, Teemu Norwich City 11
Raphinha Leeds United 11
Watkins, Ollie Aston Villa 11

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REPORT: Brooklyn Looking For ‘One of the Biggest Trade Returns in League History

As the saga around Kevin Durant’s blockbuster trade request evolves, NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that the Brooklyn Nets are reportedly looking for “one of the biggest trade returns in League history.”

Woj said that Brooklyn has continued negotiating with teams around the League, explicitly looking for an “immense” return via multiple teams that’ll get the Nets some players they want in exchange for KD. The Nets reportedly want future first-round picks and high-level, All-Star quality players.

Furthermore, with team owners and general managers meeting in Vegas next week, Woj believes that Nets GM Sean Marks will have a better chance at negotiating the type of deal the front office is seeking.

There is also a chance KD stays in Brooklyn if a deal doesn’t materialize into August. Many around the League believe the Nets have leverage over the two-time Finals MVP, who is locked into a four-year contract that expires when he turns 38-years-old.

Multiple reports say that The 2014 MVP prefers being traded to the Suns or the Heat. The Warriors have also become a possibility after Marc J. Spears and Marcus Thompson II reported that the defending champs have mulled making a trade to bring back Durant into the fold for the first time since 2019.



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