Deadspin | Late-season losing skids collide as Bulls battle Wizards Apr 5, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones (30) shoots against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Eastern Conference counterparts on losing streaks try to push toward the conclusion the 2025-26 regular season on a high note as the Chicago Bulls visit the Washington Wizards on Tuesday in Washington, D.C. Chicago (29-49) hung tough with Phoenix in a Sunday matinee, but gave up a late-game run that led to a seventh consecutive loss, 120-110. Tre Jones led Chicago with 29 points and dished six assists while filling some of the playmaking void left with Josh Giddey out due to a hamstring injury. “I’m just a firm believer in I was paid to come here to help this team win and I think every single night I can do that for my team,” a confident Jones said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The guard has averaged 13.7 points this season but has increased that to 17.5 points over the 18 games he has played since the beginning of March. “He’s as competitive as anybody I’ve ever been around,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said. “I just really appreciate the way he tries to, in his way, keep the group competing.” Jones has been a leader for a roster that underwent significant midseason changes by trading Nikola Vucevic, Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu to playoff contenders Boston, Charlotte and Minnesota. Chicago heads into its final four games with three on the road. The next two are both against Washington (17-61), a team floundering at the bottom of the Eastern Conference amid a six-game losing streak. The Wizards matched the franchise’s longest losing skid of all-time at 16 games from Feb. 22 through March 22 but avoided making a dubious bit of history with their 133-110 rout of Utah on March 25. Since then, however, it has been more struggles for Washington, which has faced roster inconsistency due to injury much of the campaign. Just as marquee trade acquisition Trae Young began to work into the rotation March 5-16, the former Atlanta Hawks star sustained a season-ending quadriceps injury. Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Justin Champagnie, Tre Johnson and Tristan Vukcevic also were sidelined in Washington’s 121-115 loss at Brooklyn on Sunday. Wizards rookies Will Riley and Julian Reese have been bright spots during Washington’s injury-riddled struggles, with Riley scoring 30 points in Sunday’s loss. It was Riley’s second consecutive game reaching the 30-point mark after he delivered a 31-point, five-steal effort on Saturday vs. the Miami Heat. “He’s really done this for a while now,” Washington coach Brian Keefe said of the Illinois product. “You see his confidence growing, his skill set, his ability to make tough shots and get to the free-throw line.” Riley’s scoring average is up to 10.2 points per game, and he has attempted 26 foul shots over the last five games while making 22 of them. Reese finished Sunday’s contest with 17 points and 16 rebounds for his third double-double in the last four games. Reese is averaging 10.8 points and 11.3 rebounds in his nine appearances (seven starts) with the Wizards. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Lateseason #losing #skids #collide #Bulls #battle #Wizards

Deadspin | Late-season losing skids collide as Bulls battle Wizards
Apr 5, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones (30) shoots against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Eastern Conference counterparts on losing streaks try to push toward the conclusion the 2025-26 regular season on a high note as the Chicago Bulls visit the Washington Wizards on Tuesday in Washington, D.C.

Chicago (29-49) hung tough with Phoenix in a Sunday matinee, but gave up a late-game run that led to a seventh consecutive loss, 120-110. Tre Jones led Chicago with 29 points and dished six assists while filling some of the playmaking void left with Josh Giddey out due to a hamstring injury.

“I’m just a firm believer in I was paid to come here to help this team win and I think every single night I can do that for my team,” a confident Jones said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

The guard has averaged 13.7 points this season but has increased that to 17.5 points over the 18 games he has played since the beginning of March.

“He’s as competitive as anybody I’ve ever been around,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said. “I just really appreciate the way he tries to, in his way, keep the group competing.”

Jones has been a leader for a roster that underwent significant midseason changes by trading Nikola Vucevic, Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu to playoff contenders Boston, Charlotte and Minnesota.

Chicago heads into its final four games with three on the road. The next two are both against Washington (17-61), a team floundering at the bottom of the Eastern Conference amid a six-game losing streak.

The Wizards matched the franchise’s longest losing skid of all-time at 16 games from Feb. 22 through March 22 but avoided making a dubious bit of history with their 133-110 rout of Utah on March 25.

Since then, however, it has been more struggles for Washington, which has faced roster inconsistency due to injury much of the campaign.

Just as marquee trade acquisition Trae Young began to work into the rotation March 5-16, the former Atlanta Hawks star sustained a season-ending quadriceps injury.

Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Justin Champagnie, Tre Johnson and Tristan Vukcevic also were sidelined in Washington’s 121-115 loss at Brooklyn on Sunday.

Wizards rookies Will Riley and Julian Reese have been bright spots during Washington’s injury-riddled struggles, with Riley scoring 30 points in Sunday’s loss.

It was Riley’s second consecutive game reaching the 30-point mark after he delivered a 31-point, five-steal effort on Saturday vs. the Miami Heat.

“He’s really done this for a while now,” Washington coach Brian Keefe said of the Illinois product. “You see his confidence growing, his skill set, his ability to make tough shots and get to the free-throw line.”

Riley’s scoring average is up to 10.2 points per game, and he has attempted 26 foul shots over the last five games while making 22 of them.

Reese finished Sunday’s contest with 17 points and 16 rebounds for his third double-double in the last four games. Reese is averaging 10.8 points and 11.3 rebounds in his nine appearances (seven starts) with the Wizards.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Lateseason #losing #skids #collide #Bulls #battle #Wizards

Sports news April 6, 2026

Apr 5, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones (30) shoots against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Eastern Conference counterparts on losing streaks try to push toward the conclusion the 2025-26 regular season on a high note as the Chicago Bulls visit the Washington Wizards on Tuesday in Washington, D.C.

Chicago (29-49) hung tough with Phoenix in a Sunday matinee, but gave up a late-game run that led to a seventh consecutive loss, 120-110. Tre Jones led Chicago with 29 points and dished six assists while filling some of the playmaking void left with Josh Giddey out due to a hamstring injury.

“I’m just a firm believer in I was paid to come here to help this team win and I think every single night I can do that for my team,” a confident Jones said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

The guard has averaged 13.7 points this season but has increased that to 17.5 points over the 18 games he has played since the beginning of March.

“He’s as competitive as anybody I’ve ever been around,” Bulls coach Billy Donovan said. “I just really appreciate the way he tries to, in his way, keep the group competing.”

Jones has been a leader for a roster that underwent significant midseason changes by trading Nikola Vucevic, Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu to playoff contenders Boston, Charlotte and Minnesota.

Chicago heads into its final four games with three on the road. The next two are both against Washington (17-61), a team floundering at the bottom of the Eastern Conference amid a six-game losing streak.

The Wizards matched the franchise’s longest losing skid of all-time at 16 games from Feb. 22 through March 22 but avoided making a dubious bit of history with their 133-110 rout of Utah on March 25.

Since then, however, it has been more struggles for Washington, which has faced roster inconsistency due to injury much of the campaign.

Just as marquee trade acquisition Trae Young began to work into the rotation March 5-16, the former Atlanta Hawks star sustained a season-ending quadriceps injury.

Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Justin Champagnie, Tre Johnson and Tristan Vukcevic also were sidelined in Washington’s 121-115 loss at Brooklyn on Sunday.

Wizards rookies Will Riley and Julian Reese have been bright spots during Washington’s injury-riddled struggles, with Riley scoring 30 points in Sunday’s loss.

It was Riley’s second consecutive game reaching the 30-point mark after he delivered a 31-point, five-steal effort on Saturday vs. the Miami Heat.

“He’s really done this for a while now,” Washington coach Brian Keefe said of the Illinois product. “You see his confidence growing, his skill set, his ability to make tough shots and get to the free-throw line.”

Riley’s scoring average is up to 10.2 points per game, and he has attempted 26 foul shots over the last five games while making 22 of them.

Reese finished Sunday’s contest with 17 points and 16 rebounds for his third double-double in the last four games. Reese is averaging 10.8 points and 11.3 rebounds in his nine appearances (seven starts) with the Wizards.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Lateseason #losing #skids #collide #Bulls #battle #Wizards

UNC basketball makes unexpected splash by hiring former Nuggets coach <figure> <img alt="" data-caption="OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - May 22: Michael Malone speaks before the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on May 22, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images" data-portal-copyright="NBAE via Getty Images" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2216993451.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – May 22: Michael Malone speaks before the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on May 22, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images </figcaption> </figure> Even with the long list of possible names rumored for the vacant UNC men’s basketball job, the program still managed to make a hire nobody expected. <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/2041212222462910658">It is now being reported that Mike Malone, former coach of the Denver Nuggets, will become the 20th coach in the history of the program</a>, succeeding Hubert Davis, who was fired by the Tar Heels during the NCAA tournament after their upset loss to VCU. Malone’s key tie to UNC is through his daughter, who is a volleyball player in Chapel Hill, making this a reunion of sorts. However, the hiring has much more to do with adding some gravitas to a men’s basketball program that was limping along under Davis in both recruiting and performance, with UNC boosters and insiders growing increasingly frustrated with the program falling further and further behind Duke. This move gives the Tar Heels some serious chops at head coach. Malone was unfairly fired by the Sacramento Kings to start his NBA tenure, before the Denver Nuggets saw potential in him as a tactician and team builder. Aided in large part by the emergence of Nikola Jokic, Malone helped lead the Nuggets to an NBA Championship in 2022-23. The all-time winningest coach in Nuggets history, Malone was fired by the team in April of 2025 along with GM Calvin Booth, under the belief from ownership that a new coach and front office could lead to more playoff success than the feuding Booth and Malone. A truly fascinating hire, Malone hasn’t had experience coaching college basketball since 2001 as an assistant for Manhattan. The bulk of his time has been spent in the NBA, which will lead to some fascinating recruiting challenges for the Tar Heels moving forward. Tactically and organizationally, this feels like a home run hire in a cycle where many top coaches committed to staying with their programs, even while the pitfall of Malone not having college experience is clear. This is a new era for Tar Heel basketball, and it’s going to be fascinating to see it unfold. <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> #UNC #basketball #unexpected #splash #hiring #Nuggets #coach

Aave V3 Avoided Unrecovered Bad Debt From 2023 to 2025: Study

We are officially two weeks away from WrestleMania.

Just when fans thought creative could not get worse, Triple H and TKO proved them wrong. Despite the bad booking, several superstars have flourished on the Road to WrestleMania. Here, we are going to look at five superstars who are dominating the ‘Mania scene, and one who will not be appearing on the grandest stage of them all.

Honorable Mention: You Are Cursed!

Talk about a bounce back. Danhausen debuted at the Elimination Chamber through a big box, and fans were not having it. The moment he cursed Dominik Mysterio (who later lost the Intercontinental title to Penta), everything changed. He has been appearing in backstage segments on both Raw and SmackDown, saying, “You are Cursed”. Fans in attendance and at home are invested in it. It will be very interesting to see how WWE incorporates him at WrestleMania, but so far, he has done an excellent job.

The Ring General Gunther

Gunther was absent for three weeks following his match against Dragon Lee, where he unmasked his opponent. Fans were scratching their heads, wondering where he could be. After all, he retired John Cena months ago.

On Raw, the WWE Universe found out exactly who the Ring General’s opponent is. With Paul Heyman in the ring, GM Adam Pearce announced that Seth Rollins was medically cleared to compete. Rollins appeared and beat down the Wiseman. Many fans anticipated Bron Breakker to return and seal the deal for a date in Vegas. Instead, Gunther dragged Rollins out of the ring and choked him out before pointing at the WrestleMania sign. Gunther was originally supposed to face Rey Mysterio, but Mysterio got hurt. Look for the Career Killer to cut a promo on Raw tomorrow and amp up the match.

The Genius of the Sky Iyo Sky

For a wrestler regarded as the best female professional wrestler on the planet, Iyo Sky sure has not been booked well recently. After her tag partner, Rhea Ripley, won the Elimination Chamber and moved to SmackDown, Sky has been left in purgatory. She is feuding with Raquel Rodriguez, but there must be something else for her to do. The plan was Iyo Sky vs Asuka, but on SmackDown, it looks like Sky will be in Rhea’s corner for her match. It would be a shame if she is not on the card, but any appearance is better than none.

Whoop that Trick

The aura-forming is real. Trick Williams arrived on the main roster in 2026, and fans fell in love with him. This guy has the entrance, charisma, promo skills, and in-ring ability to compete with the best WWE has to offer. He is scheduled to face Sami Zayn for the US Championship, and WWE is planning on a double turn that would make Williams a huge star in the company.

Celebrities

Alright. Order in the court! I know they are not wrestlers, but they have been featured heavily in the past few weeks. First, iShowSpeed inadvertently helped the Vision (Austin Theory and Logan Paul) win the Tag titles. He hit LA Knight with the brass knuckles at ringside, and then Paul hit Jey with the knucks to pick up the victory. Afterwards, he insisted he did not want anything to do with the Vision, but it looks like he will be involved at Mania in a six-man tag against the Usos and LA Knight.

Then there’s Jelly Roll. Two weeks ago, he had more segments on Friday Night SmackDown than any other WWE superstar on the roster. He was not at this past Friday’s show because he was selling the RKO. Onto Lil Yatchy. You read that right. The rapper is likely going to be featured in Trick’s corner at WrestleMania and cut a cringeworthy promo on SmackDown. Finally, the WWE Universe was SHOCKED when Randy Orton’s mystery caller was revealed. He posted on X that he was done with WWE, but now lives as one of the worst reveals in WWE history. Pat McAfee hit a low blow on Cody Rhodes and cut a nonsensical promo about how WWE needs Randy Orton. Multiple reports state that TKO made this decision, specifically Ari Emanuel. When will they learn that celebrities are not the solution to ticket sales?

To put the cherry on top, John Cena is hosting WrestleMania this year, and it looks like WWE is pulling out all the stops to get butts in seats.

The Ruler is Here

Oba Femi strutted down to the ring a few weeks ago on Raw to answer Lesnar’s open challenge and give him a powerbomb. Then, Lesnar instructed Femi to put his foot on his chest as he pointed to the sign. This rivalry probably has the most steam heading into WrestleMania, and look for WWE to make Oba look like a million bucks. With just two more episodes of Raw left, it will be intriguing to see where these two go. Lots of fans and media personalities are praying that Oba Femi wins this match, but anything can happen.

AJ Lee

The Women’s Intercontinental Champion missed last week’s Raw, but all signs point to her appearing at least once more before taking on Becky Lynch. This will be Lee’s first WrestleMania match in over 10 years, so the pressure will be on. Her husband, CM Punk, is headlining Night 2 against Roman Reigns, so fans’ expectations of this match will be high. There has not been a stipulation added yet, but given the champ has tapped out the Lass Kicker three straight times, WWE should consider it.

Finally, one person who will not be at WrestleMania is Chris Jericho. His last appearance in pro wrestling was on April 6th, 2025, and pro wrestling fans were wondering where he would go. WWE fans hoped to see him at the Royal Rumble or come out of the big crate at Elimination Chamber. Maybe even face Gunther at WM.

Hit the brakes, because Y2J returned to AEW Dynamite last Wednesday in his hometown of Winnipeg. The fans sang his “Fozzy” song and chanted “Welcome Back”. The Internet Wrestling Community (IWC) was pointing out how flat the crowd was during the segment. Case in point, where Jericho was trying to hype the live crowd. AEW fans do not know what’s in store for him, but WWE fans must accept that they will not be hearing “Break the Walls Down” anytime soon.

We are one week away from WrestleMania, and it is beginning to sizzle. All hands will be on deck to ensure the build to this year’s WM will be like no other. One last thing, on Monday Night Raw, Vince McMahon was alluded to twice in the show. First by Cody Rhodes, and then by Paul Heyman later on in the show. Could Vince be making a comeback or appearance at WrestleMania? We will have to wait and see.

#WWE #Superstars #Spotlight #Ahead #Wrestlemania #Deadspin.com">

Five WWE Superstars in the Spotlight Ahead of Wrestlemania | Deadspin.com We are officially two weeks away from WrestleMania. Just when fans thought creative could not get worse, Triple H and TKO proved them wrong. Despite the bad booking, several superstars have flourished on the Road to WrestleMania. Here, we are going to look at five superstars who are dominating the ‘Mania scene, and one who will not be appearing on the grandest stage of them all.Honorable Mention: You Are Cursed!Talk about a bounce back. Danhausen debuted at the Elimination Chamber through a big box, and fans were not having it. The moment he cursed Dominik Mysterio (who later lost the Intercontinental title to Penta), everything changed. He has been appearing in backstage segments on both Raw and SmackDown, saying, “You are Cursed”. Fans in attendance and at home are invested in it. It will be very interesting to see how WWE incorporates him at WrestleMania, but so far, he has done an excellent job.The Ring General GuntherGunther was absent for three weeks following his match against Dragon Lee, where he unmasked his opponent. Fans were scratching their heads, wondering where he could be. After all, he retired John Cena months ago. On Raw, the WWE Universe found out exactly who the Ring General’s opponent is. With Paul Heyman in the ring, GM Adam Pearce announced that Seth Rollins was medically cleared to compete. Rollins appeared and beat down the Wiseman. Many fans anticipated Bron Breakker to return and seal the deal for a date in Vegas. Instead, Gunther dragged Rollins out of the ring and choked him out before pointing at the WrestleMania sign. Gunther was originally supposed to face Rey Mysterio, but Mysterio got hurt. Look for the Career Killer to cut a promo on Raw tomorrow and amp up the match.The Genius of the Sky Iyo SkyFor a wrestler regarded as the best female professional wrestler on the planet, Iyo Sky sure has not been booked well recently. After her tag partner, Rhea Ripley, won the Elimination Chamber and moved to SmackDown, Sky has been left in purgatory. She is feuding with Raquel Rodriguez, but there must be something else for her to do. The plan was Iyo Sky vs Asuka, but on SmackDown, it looks like Sky will be in Rhea’s corner for her match. It would be a shame if she is not on the card, but any appearance is better than none.Whoop that TrickThe aura-forming is real. Trick Williams arrived on the main roster in 2026, and fans fell in love with him. This guy has the entrance, charisma, promo skills, and in-ring ability to compete with the best WWE has to offer. He is scheduled to face Sami Zayn for the US Championship, and WWE is planning on a double turn that would make Williams a huge star in the company.CelebritiesAlright. Order in the court! I know they are not wrestlers, but they have been featured heavily in the past few weeks. First, iShowSpeed inadvertently helped the Vision (Austin Theory and Logan Paul) win the Tag titles. He hit LA Knight with the brass knuckles at ringside, and then Paul hit Jey with the knucks to pick up the victory. Afterwards, he insisted he did not want anything to do with the Vision, but it looks like he will be involved at Mania in a six-man tag against the Usos and LA Knight. Then there’s Jelly Roll. Two weeks ago, he had more segments on Friday Night SmackDown than any other WWE superstar on the roster. He was not at this past Friday’s show because he was selling the RKO. Onto Lil Yatchy. You read that right. The rapper is likely going to be featured in Trick’s corner at WrestleMania and cut a cringeworthy promo on SmackDown. Finally, the WWE Universe was SHOCKED when Randy Orton’s mystery caller was revealed. He posted on X that he was done with WWE, but now lives as one of the worst reveals in WWE history. Pat McAfee hit a low blow on Cody Rhodes and cut a nonsensical promo about how WWE needs Randy Orton. Multiple reports state that TKO made this decision, specifically Ari Emanuel. When will they learn that celebrities are not the solution to ticket sales?To put the cherry on top, John Cena is hosting WrestleMania this year, and it looks like WWE is pulling out all the stops to get butts in seats.The Ruler is HereOba Femi strutted down to the ring a few weeks ago on Raw to answer Lesnar’s open challenge and give him a powerbomb. Then, Lesnar instructed Femi to put his foot on his chest as he pointed to the sign. This rivalry probably has the most steam heading into WrestleMania, and look for WWE to make Oba look like a million bucks. With just two more episodes of Raw left, it will be intriguing to see where these two go. Lots of fans and media personalities are praying that Oba Femi wins this match, but anything can happen.AJ LeeThe Women’s Intercontinental Champion missed last week’s Raw, but all signs point to her appearing at least once more before taking on Becky Lynch. This will be Lee’s first WrestleMania match in over 10 years, so the pressure will be on. Her husband, CM Punk, is headlining Night 2 against Roman Reigns, so fans’ expectations of this match will be high. There has not been a stipulation added yet, but given the champ has tapped out the Lass Kicker three straight times, WWE should consider it.Finally, one person who will not be at WrestleMania is Chris Jericho. His last appearance in pro wrestling was on April 6th, 2025, and pro wrestling fans were wondering where he would go. WWE fans hoped to see him at the Royal Rumble or come out of the big crate at Elimination Chamber. Maybe even face Gunther at WM.Hit the brakes, because Y2J returned to AEW Dynamite last Wednesday in his hometown of Winnipeg. The fans sang his “Fozzy” song and chanted “Welcome Back”. The Internet Wrestling Community (IWC) was pointing out how flat the crowd was during the segment. Case in point, where Jericho was trying to hype the live crowd. AEW fans do not know what’s in store for him, but WWE fans must accept that they will not be hearing “Break the Walls Down” anytime soon.We are one week away from WrestleMania, and it is beginning to sizzle. All hands will be on deck to ensure the build to this year’s WM will be like no other. One last thing, on Monday Night Raw, Vince McMahon was alluded to twice in the show. First by Cody Rhodes, and then by Paul Heyman later on in the show. Could Vince be making a comeback or appearance at WrestleMania? We will have to wait and see. #WWE #Superstars #Spotlight #Ahead #Wrestlemania #Deadspin.com

mwasimuddin125 0

We are officially two weeks away from WrestleMania.
Just when fans thought creative could not get worse, Triple H and TKO proved them wrong. Despite the bad booking, several superstars have flourished on the Road to WrestleMania. Here, we are going to look at five superstars who are dominating the ‘Mania scene, and one who will not be appearing on the grandest stage of them all.

Honorable Mention: You Are Cursed!

The Ring General Gunther

The Genius of the Sky Iyo Sky

Whoop that Trick

Celebrities

To put the cherry on top, John Cena is hosting WrestleMania this year, and it looks like WWE is pulling out all the stops to get butts in seats.

The Ruler is Here

AJ Lee

#WWE #Superstars #Spotlight #Ahead #Wrestlemania #Deadspin.com">Five WWE Superstars in the Spotlight Ahead of Wrestlemania | Deadspin.com

We are officially two weeks away from WrestleMania.

Honorable Mention: You Are Cursed!

The Ring General Gunther

The Genius of the Sky Iyo Sky

Whoop that Trick

Celebrities

To put the cherry on top, John Cena is hosting WrestleMania this year, and it looks like WWE is pulling out all the stops to get butts in seats.

The Ruler is Here

AJ Lee

#WWE #Superstars #Spotlight #Ahead #Wrestlemania #Deadspin.com

Athletes now need mandatory federation approval before signing with sponsors, says AFI All Indian track-and-field athletes will now have to take prior approval from the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) before signing any sponsorship agreements, the national governing body has announced.In a circular issued on Thursday, AFI said, “Keeping in mind the best interests of athletes and sponsors, AFI has made it mandatory for athletes to obtain prior approval from the Athletics Federation of India before entering into any agreement or contractual arrangement with any sponsor or third party.”“Sponsors are also advised to proceed with the execution of any agreement only after confirming with AFI that the athlete has obtained the requisite approval. AFI will send the confirmation within 3 days from the date of the request.”The circular was addressed to all state units, chief coach Radhakrishnan Nair, Reliance Foundation Youth Sports, JSW Sports, ONGC Sports, Go Sports Foundation, OGQ and any other potential sponsors.AFI ex officio member and World Athletics Vice President Adille Sumariwalla said that this step had to be taken to protect the athletes: “There are agents who keep bringing top athletes to these private organisations. So, for two months, they’re at one top company and after two months, suddenly they have been brought to another top company. We want to ensure that these private organisations are not being influenced by some mafia agents.“These crook agents, some of them are even coaches, are making money on the side and using athletes as a commodity. We have to respect the athletes. There are people who are giving athletes nothing and signing them on. So, we want to ensure that the athletes are not taken for a ride (sic).”Sumariwalla mentioned that the situation had reached a tipping point where the national cause was taking a hit, forcing AFI to intervene. He said, “For them (private sponsors), they are more important than India. It is their organisation first and India comes later. And that, we cannot allow.”ALSO READ | Outside lane, inside history: M. D. Valsamma and the race that changed Indian athleticsWithout revealing names, the former AFI President gave an example of how, in the past, athletes have lost out on getting the appropriate financial assistance. “I don’t want to get into details but a junior world champion (Neeraj Chopra – men’s javelin throw – and Hima Das – women’s 400m – are the only two Indians who have been junior world champions) was paid a stipend of 15,000 a month, which we did not know. We would have never let them sign it. They would have paid 1.5 lakhs a month but the poor athlete did not know,” said the 68-year-old.The circular mentions that the approval process will take three days but Sumariwalla pointed out that a long contract will require time with the decision-making process involving all stakeholders. “We will try to approve it as fast as possible but if you send me a 30-page contract and I find that things are not okay, then it’s very simple for me to say no but that’s not what we want. Then, we’ll have to call them in for a conversation,” he said.He also debunked the myth that the time taken by the approval process could cost the athlete a potential deal as the sponsors may back out. “No athlete is going to be sponsored by a private party who does not have employment with railways or police or services or somewhere. That’s the first point of entry,” he opined.Welcoming the move, Rahul Trehan, Chief Operating Officer at IOS Sports & Entertainment, said, “In certain cases, the agreements are not balanced. Athletes don’t have the termination clause but the agencies do. So, if the governing body of that particular sport is doing this to maintain a balance between the athlete and (the sponsors) and to oversee the things, it is fine.”However, Manisha Malhotra, the president of Inspire Institute of Sport (a high performance training centre run by JSW Sports), argued that athletes should have the right to make the decision about what’s right for them. She said, “I don’t agree with federations trying to control athletes. Those days are far gone. Athletes should be allowed to make choices out of their own free will.“A federation can definitely advise an athlete of what they think is better for them or not but to dictate terms, I don’t fully agree with that whole thing but it is what it is. The flip side of that is that athletes are taking the system for a ride and maybe they’re trying to govern it in that way. So, there’s merit on both accounts. We’ll see whether eventually it’s beneficial to sport or not.”On AFI’s decision to be involved in such a capacity in a sponsorship agreement between a private entity and an athlete, Malhotra pointed out that federations in nations with good sporting ecosystems provide a pathway for assistance but not the final approval. “In most other countries where the governance is good, most sponsorship comes through the sports federation. So, while it’s not a direct approval, the sports federations or the Olympic committees are the ones vetting out different sorts of grants.“I don’t think it’s happening in the western countries for sure where you need to ask the permission of a federation if someone can support you.”Published on Apr 04, 2026 #Athletes #mandatory #federation #approval #signing #sponsors #AFI

#Athletes #mandatory #federation #approval #signing #sponsors #AFI">

mwasimuddin125 0

All Indian track-and-field athletes will now have to take prior approval from the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) before signing any sponsorship agreements, the national governing body has announced.
In a circular issued on Thursday, AFI said, “Keeping in mind the best interests of athletes and sponsors, AFI has made it mandatory for athletes to obtain prior approval from the Athletics Federation of India before entering into any agreement or contractual arrangement with any sponsor or third party.”
“Sponsors are also advised to proceed with the execution of any agreement only after confirming with AFI that the athlete has obtained the requisite approval. AFI will send the confirmation within 3 days from the date of the request.”
The circular was addressed to all state units, chief coach Radhakrishnan Nair, Reliance Foundation Youth Sports, JSW Sports, ONGC Sports, Go Sports Foundation, OGQ and any other potential sponsors.
AFI ex officio member and World Athletics Vice President Adille Sumariwalla said that this step had to be taken to protect the athletes: “There are agents who keep bringing top athletes to these private organisations. So, for two months, they’re at one top company and after two months, suddenly they have been brought to another top company. We want to ensure that these private organisations are not being influenced by some mafia agents.
“These crook agents, some of them are even coaches, are making money on the side and using athletes as a commodity. We have to respect the athletes. There are people who are giving athletes nothing and signing them on. So, we want to ensure that the athletes are not taken for a ride (sic).”
Sumariwalla mentioned that the situation had reached a tipping point where the national cause was taking a hit, forcing AFI to intervene. He said, “For them (private sponsors), they are more important than India. It is their organisation first and India comes later. And that, we cannot allow.”
ALSO READ | Outside lane, inside history: M. D. Valsamma and the race that changed Indian athletics
Without revealing names, the former AFI President gave an example of how, in the past, athletes have lost out on getting the appropriate financial assistance. “I don’t want to get into details but a junior world champion (Neeraj Chopra – men’s javelin throw – and Hima Das – women’s 400m – are the only two Indians who have been junior world champions) was paid a stipend of 15,000 a month, which we did not know. We would have never let them sign it. They would have paid 1.5 lakhs a month but the poor athlete did not know,” said the 68-year-old.
The circular mentions that the approval process will take three days but Sumariwalla pointed out that a long contract will require time with the decision-making process involving all stakeholders. “We will try to approve it as fast as possible but if you send me a 30-page contract and I find that things are not okay, then it’s very simple for me to say no but that’s not what we want. Then, we’ll have to call them in for a conversation,” he said.
He also debunked the myth that the time taken by the approval process could cost the athlete a potential deal as the sponsors may back out. “No athlete is going to be sponsored by a private party who does not have employment with railways or police or services or somewhere. That’s the first point of entry,” he opined.
Welcoming the move, Rahul Trehan, Chief Operating Officer at IOS Sports & Entertainment, said, “In certain cases, the agreements are not balanced. Athletes don’t have the termination clause but the agencies do. So, if the governing body of that particular sport is doing this to maintain a balance between the athlete and (the sponsors) and to oversee the things, it is fine.”
However, Manisha Malhotra, the president of Inspire Institute of Sport (a high performance training centre run by JSW Sports), argued that athletes should have the right to make the decision about what’s right for them. She said, “I don’t agree with federations trying to control athletes. Those days are far gone. Athletes should be allowed to make choices out of their own free will.
“A federation can definitely advise an athlete of what they think is better for them or not but to dictate terms, I don’t fully agree with that whole thing but it is what it is. The flip side of that is that athletes are taking the system for a ride and maybe they’re trying to govern it in that way. So, there’s merit on both accounts. We’ll see whether eventually it’s beneficial to sport or not.”
On AFI’s decision to be involved in such a capacity in a sponsorship agreement between a private entity and an athlete, Malhotra pointed out that federations in nations with good sporting ecosystems provide a pathway for assistance but not the final approval. “In most other countries where the governance is good, most sponsorship comes through the sports federation. So, while it’s not a direct approval, the sports federations or the Olympic committees are the ones vetting out different sorts of grants.
“I don’t think it’s happening in the western countries for sure where you need to ask the permission of a federation if someone can support you.”
Published on Apr 04, 2026

#Athletes #mandatory #federation #approval #signing #sponsors #AFI">Athletes now need mandatory federation approval before signing with sponsors, says AFI

All Indian track-and-field athletes will now have to take prior approval from the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) before signing any sponsorship agreements, the national governing body has announced.

In a circular issued on Thursday, AFI said, “Keeping in mind the best interests of athletes and sponsors, AFI has made it mandatory for athletes to obtain prior approval from the Athletics Federation of India before entering into any agreement or contractual arrangement with any sponsor or third party.”

“Sponsors are also advised to proceed with the execution of any agreement only after confirming with AFI that the athlete has obtained the requisite approval. AFI will send the confirmation within 3 days from the date of the request.”

The circular was addressed to all state units, chief coach Radhakrishnan Nair, Reliance Foundation Youth Sports, JSW Sports, ONGC Sports, Go Sports Foundation, OGQ and any other potential sponsors.

AFI ex officio member and World Athletics Vice President Adille Sumariwalla said that this step had to be taken to protect the athletes: “There are agents who keep bringing top athletes to these private organisations. So, for two months, they’re at one top company and after two months, suddenly they have been brought to another top company. We want to ensure that these private organisations are not being influenced by some mafia agents.

“These crook agents, some of them are even coaches, are making money on the side and using athletes as a commodity. We have to respect the athletes. There are people who are giving athletes nothing and signing them on. So, we want to ensure that the athletes are not taken for a ride (sic).”

Sumariwalla mentioned that the situation had reached a tipping point where the national cause was taking a hit, forcing AFI to intervene. He said, “For them (private sponsors), they are more important than India. It is their organisation first and India comes later. And that, we cannot allow.”

ALSO READ | Outside lane, inside history: M. D. Valsamma and the race that changed Indian athletics

Without revealing names, the former AFI President gave an example of how, in the past, athletes have lost out on getting the appropriate financial assistance. “I don’t want to get into details but a junior world champion (Neeraj Chopra – men’s javelin throw – and Hima Das – women’s 400m – are the only two Indians who have been junior world champions) was paid a stipend of 15,000 a month, which we did not know. We would have never let them sign it. They would have paid 1.5 lakhs a month but the poor athlete did not know,” said the 68-year-old.

The circular mentions that the approval process will take three days but Sumariwalla pointed out that a long contract will require time with the decision-making process involving all stakeholders. “We will try to approve it as fast as possible but if you send me a 30-page contract and I find that things are not okay, then it’s very simple for me to say no but that’s not what we want. Then, we’ll have to call them in for a conversation,” he said.

He also debunked the myth that the time taken by the approval process could cost the athlete a potential deal as the sponsors may back out. “No athlete is going to be sponsored by a private party who does not have employment with railways or police or services or somewhere. That’s the first point of entry,” he opined.

Welcoming the move, Rahul Trehan, Chief Operating Officer at IOS Sports & Entertainment, said, “In certain cases, the agreements are not balanced. Athletes don’t have the termination clause but the agencies do. So, if the governing body of that particular sport is doing this to maintain a balance between the athlete and (the sponsors) and to oversee the things, it is fine.”

However, Manisha Malhotra, the president of Inspire Institute of Sport (a high performance training centre run by JSW Sports), argued that athletes should have the right to make the decision about what’s right for them. She said, “I don’t agree with federations trying to control athletes. Those days are far gone. Athletes should be allowed to make choices out of their own free will.

“A federation can definitely advise an athlete of what they think is better for them or not but to dictate terms, I don’t fully agree with that whole thing but it is what it is. The flip side of that is that athletes are taking the system for a ride and maybe they’re trying to govern it in that way. So, there’s merit on both accounts. We’ll see whether eventually it’s beneficial to sport or not.”

On AFI’s decision to be involved in such a capacity in a sponsorship agreement between a private entity and an athlete, Malhotra pointed out that federations in nations with good sporting ecosystems provide a pathway for assistance but not the final approval. “In most other countries where the governance is good, most sponsorship comes through the sports federation. So, while it’s not a direct approval, the sports federations or the Olympic committees are the ones vetting out different sorts of grants.

“I don’t think it’s happening in the western countries for sure where you need to ask the permission of a federation if someone can support you.”

Published on Apr 04, 2026

#Athletes #mandatory #federation #approval #signing #sponsors #AFI

As we enter the and-1 final week of the NBA regular season, there’s still much to be decided.

It’s just not what we’re being led to believe.

The promos say …

The Thunder and Spurs will duel to the finish to determine the top seed in the West.

Not true: Even though they would lose a tie-breaker, Oklahoma City, with the Jazz, a crippled Lakers team and a struggling Clippers squad as its next three opponents, has this thing wrapped up. Put them on TV next Sunday and you’re likely to get a whole lot of Brooks Barnhizer.

The Lakers, Nuggets and Rockets will do everything they can to avoid finishing fifth in the West.

Not true: While the third- and fourth-place teams will earn home-court advantage in the first round, these squads – along with No. 6 Minnesota – are so evenly matched, the site really shouldn’t matter. Big picture, the third-place team – if it can survive the Timberwolves – then gets the Spurs in Round 2 … and who wants that?

The Cavaliers can benefit from passing the Knicks for third in the East.

Not true: The third seed – after a tough first-round matchup – would get the red-hot Celtics in Round 2. It says here: You’re better off landing fourth, where you possibly luck into Atlanta in the first round, then get the Pistons in the Eastern semifinals.

The scramble for play-in spots in both conferences is wide-open.

Actually, this is true: But all are glorified lottery teams that will be nothing more than cannon fodder for the Thunder, Spurs, Pistons and Celtics in Round 1. So who cares?

In other words, there isn’t a single must-watch matchup on the docket next Sunday, when the NBA has clumped all its games into two TV windows, hoping to double-dip on meaningful stuff.

So, you might be asking, what then is left to get excited about?

The NBA’s major awards are all up for grabs, with one signature performance – especially as a lasting impression in the regular-season finale – quite possibly making the difference.

Unfortunately, the NBA’s silly 65-game rule has already dampened the enthusiasm on what should be considered major accomplishments.

So instead of simply looking at the candidates for the two most glamorous awards, let’s examine how shifting importance to total points – not total games – could have resulted in a fantastic finish and multiple must-see matchups in Game 82.

2026 NBA MVP

Sadly, one of the toughest decisions in recent hardware history is being caught up in: Will Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama make it to 65 games? It didn’t have to be this way.

If the NBA simply would switch over to totals rather than averages in citing statistical leaders – you know, like baseball and football do in basically every category – it would demonstrate the importance of showing up without disqualifying anybody.

It’s interesting to note that Luka Doncic leads the NBA in scoring. But since he’s injured and done for the regular season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, just 91 points behind with five games left, has a great opportunity to seize the league’s most prestigious statistical crown.

That has to be worth something. As does the Thunder’s best record in the league and SGA’s likely spot on an NBA All-Defense team.

Jokic will win the assists title, but all those games he’s missed have cost him on the rebounds (fourth place) and scoring (10th) lists. Those aren’t MVP-level achievements.

And then there’s Wemby. He’ll be the blocks king, but he’s even farther behind in rebounds (fifth) and scoring (18th).

Total points – coupled with Defensive Player of the Year consideration and the most overachieving of the elite teams – point out why Jaylen Brown, currently third in scoring, is actually a better candidate than the two big men.

If SGA, who played his 65th game Thursday, were to take a game off this week, the door would be open for Brown, already with a 50-point game to his credit, to go nuts in the finale against the Magic and steal the scoring crown George Gervin-style.

I’d tune in for that … and maybe later on when SGA would be forced to counter-punch in an otherwise unwatchable pre-playoff exhibition against the Suns.

My pick: Gilgeous-Alexander.

Rookie of the Year

Here’s where the focus on the 65-game qualification is likely to produce the wrong winner.

Cooper Flagg reached 65 with a record-setting, 51-point explosion Friday against the Mavericks. Some believe that clinched the award.

But reaching this so-called magic number is only serving to detract from the fact that college teammate Kon Knueppel has had a better – and certainly more complete – season. He’s shown up WAY more often (77 games) and has helped lead a surprisingly entertaining team (the Hornets) rather than compiling big numbers for a bad club (Flagg’s Mavericks) that hasn’t scored a meaningful point all season.

Most importantly, unless things go completely sideways in the final week, Knueppel will win the rookie scoring title. He begins play Sunday with a 101-point lead, while only trailing Flagg by insignificant amounts in rebounds and assists.

The problem is: Knueppel couldn’t possibly have to deal with a harsher gauntlet than what’s in front of him – the Timberwolves, Celtics, Pistons and Knicks, all defensive stalwarts.

A couple more Flagg 40’s could make the finale – against a defenseless team already in fishing gear (the Bulls) – potentially historic.

Again I say: I’d tune in both early (Hornets-Knicks) and late (Bulls-Mavericks).

My pick: Knueppel.

#Debunking #NBA #Playoff #Narratives #Breaking #Award #Races #Deadspin.com">

Debunking NBA Playoff Narratives and Breaking Down Award Races | Deadspin.com As we enter the and-1 final week of the NBA regular season, there’s still much to be decided.It’s just not what we’re being led to believe.The promos say …The Thunder and Spurs will duel to the finish to determine the top seed in the West.Not true: Even though they would lose a tie-breaker, Oklahoma City, with the Jazz, a crippled Lakers team and a struggling Clippers squad as its next three opponents, has this thing wrapped up. Put them on TV next Sunday and you’re likely to get a whole lot of Brooks Barnhizer.The Lakers, Nuggets and Rockets will do everything they can to avoid finishing fifth in the West.Not true: While the third- and fourth-place teams will earn home-court advantage in the first round, these squads – along with No. 6 Minnesota – are so evenly matched, the site really shouldn’t matter. Big picture, the third-place team – if it can survive the Timberwolves – then gets the Spurs in Round 2 … and who wants that?The Cavaliers can benefit from passing the Knicks for third in the East.Not true: The third seed – after a tough first-round matchup – would get the red-hot Celtics in Round 2. It says here: You’re better off landing fourth, where you possibly luck into Atlanta in the first round, then get the Pistons in the Eastern semifinals.The scramble for play-in spots in both conferences is wide-open.Actually, this is true: But all are glorified lottery teams that will be nothing more than cannon fodder for the Thunder, Spurs, Pistons and Celtics in Round 1. So who cares?In other words, there isn’t a single must-watch matchup on the docket next Sunday, when the NBA has clumped all its games into two TV windows, hoping to double-dip on meaningful stuff.So, you might be asking, what then is left to get excited about?The NBA’s major awards are all up for grabs, with one signature performance – especially as a lasting impression in the regular-season finale – quite possibly making the difference.Unfortunately, the NBA’s silly 65-game rule has already dampened the enthusiasm on what should be considered major accomplishments.So instead of simply looking at the candidates for the two most glamorous awards, let’s examine how shifting importance to total points – not total games – could have resulted in a fantastic finish and multiple must-see matchups in Game 82.2026 NBA MVPSadly, one of the toughest decisions in recent hardware history is being caught up in: Will Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama make it to 65 games? It didn’t have to be this way.If the NBA simply would switch over to totals rather than averages in citing statistical leaders – you know, like baseball and football do in basically every category – it would demonstrate the importance of showing up without disqualifying anybody.It’s interesting to note that Luka Doncic leads the NBA in scoring. But since he’s injured and done for the regular season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, just 91 points behind with five games left, has a great opportunity to seize the league’s most prestigious statistical crown.That has to be worth something. As does the Thunder’s best record in the league and SGA’s likely spot on an NBA All-Defense team.Jokic will win the assists title, but all those games he’s missed have cost him on the rebounds (fourth place) and scoring (10th) lists. Those aren’t MVP-level achievements.And then there’s Wemby. He’ll be the blocks king, but he’s even farther behind in rebounds (fifth) and scoring (18th).Total points – coupled with Defensive Player of the Year consideration and the most overachieving of the elite teams – point out why Jaylen Brown, currently third in scoring, is actually a better candidate than the two big men.If SGA, who played his 65th game Thursday, were to take a game off this week, the door would be open for Brown, already with a 50-point game to his credit, to go nuts in the finale against the Magic and steal the scoring crown George Gervin-style.I’d tune in for that … and maybe later on when SGA would be forced to counter-punch in an otherwise unwatchable pre-playoff exhibition against the Suns.My pick: Gilgeous-Alexander.Rookie of the YearHere’s where the focus on the 65-game qualification is likely to produce the wrong winner.Cooper Flagg reached 65 with a record-setting, 51-point explosion Friday against the Mavericks. Some believe that clinched the award.But reaching this so-called magic number is only serving to detract from the fact that college teammate Kon Knueppel has had a better – and certainly more complete – season. He’s shown up WAY more often (77 games) and has helped lead a surprisingly entertaining team (the Hornets) rather than compiling big numbers for a bad club (Flagg’s Mavericks) that hasn’t scored a meaningful point all season.Most importantly, unless things go completely sideways in the final week, Knueppel will win the rookie scoring title. He begins play Sunday with a 101-point lead, while only trailing Flagg by insignificant amounts in rebounds and assists.The problem is: Knueppel couldn’t possibly have to deal with a harsher gauntlet than what’s in front of him – the Timberwolves, Celtics, Pistons and Knicks, all defensive stalwarts.A couple more Flagg 40’s could make the finale – against a defenseless team already in fishing gear (the Bulls) – potentially historic.Again I say: I’d tune in both early (Hornets-Knicks) and late (Bulls-Mavericks).My pick: Knueppel. #Debunking #NBA #Playoff #Narratives #Breaking #Award #Races #Deadspin.com

mwasimuddin125 0

As we enter the and-1 final week of the NBA regular season, there’s still much to be decided.
It’s just not what we’re being led to believe.
The promos say …
The Thunder and Spurs will duel to the finish to determine the top seed in the West.
Not true: Even though they would lose a tie-breaker, Oklahoma City, with the Jazz, a crippled Lakers team and a struggling Clippers squad as its next three opponents, has this thing wrapped up. Put them on TV next Sunday and you’re likely to get a whole lot of Brooks Barnhizer.
The Lakers, Nuggets and Rockets will do everything they can to avoid finishing fifth in the West.
Not true: While the third- and fourth-place teams will earn home-court advantage in the first round, these squads – along with No. 6 Minnesota – are so evenly matched, the site really shouldn’t matter. Big picture, the third-place team – if it can survive the Timberwolves – then gets the Spurs in Round 2 … and who wants that?
The Cavaliers can benefit from passing the Knicks for third in the East.
Not true: The third seed – after a tough first-round matchup – would get the red-hot Celtics in Round 2. It says here: You’re better off landing fourth, where you possibly luck into Atlanta in the first round, then get the Pistons in the Eastern semifinals.
The scramble for play-in spots in both conferences is wide-open.
Actually, this is true: But all are glorified lottery teams that will be nothing more than cannon fodder for the Thunder, Spurs, Pistons and Celtics in Round 1. So who cares?
In other words, there isn’t a single must-watch matchup on the docket next Sunday, when the NBA has clumped all its games into two TV windows, hoping to double-dip on meaningful stuff.
So, you might be asking, what then is left to get excited about?
The NBA’s major awards are all up for grabs, with one signature performance – especially as a lasting impression in the regular-season finale – quite possibly making the difference.
Unfortunately, the NBA’s silly 65-game rule has already dampened the enthusiasm on what should be considered major accomplishments.
So instead of simply looking at the candidates for the two most glamorous awards, let’s examine how shifting importance to total points – not total games – could have resulted in a fantastic finish and multiple must-see matchups in Game 82.

2026 NBA MVP

Sadly, one of the toughest decisions in recent hardware history is being caught up in: Will Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama make it to 65 games? It didn’t have to be this way.

That has to be worth something. As does the Thunder’s best record in the league and SGA’s likely spot on an NBA All-Defense team.

Jokic will win the assists title, but all those games he’s missed have cost him on the rebounds (fourth place) and scoring (10th) lists. Those aren’t MVP-level achievements.

And then there’s Wemby. He’ll be the blocks king, but he’s even farther behind in rebounds (fifth) and scoring (18th).

I’d tune in for that … and maybe later on when SGA would be forced to counter-punch in an otherwise unwatchable pre-playoff exhibition against the Suns.

My pick: Gilgeous-Alexander.

Rookie of the Year

Here’s where the focus on the 65-game qualification is likely to produce the wrong winner.

Cooper Flagg reached 65 with a record-setting, 51-point explosion Friday against the Mavericks. Some believe that clinched the award.

The problem is: Knueppel couldn’t possibly have to deal with a harsher gauntlet than what’s in front of him – the Timberwolves, Celtics, Pistons and Knicks, all defensive stalwarts.

A couple more Flagg 40’s could make the finale – against a defenseless team already in fishing gear (the Bulls) – potentially historic.

Again I say: I’d tune in both early (Hornets-Knicks) and late (Bulls-Mavericks).

My pick: Knueppel.

#Debunking #NBA #Playoff #Narratives #Breaking #Award #Races #Deadspin.com">Debunking NBA Playoff Narratives and Breaking Down Award Races | Deadspin.com

As we enter the and-1 final week of the NBA regular season, there’s still much to be decided.

It’s just not what we’re being led to believe.

The promos say …

The Thunder and Spurs will duel to the finish to determine the top seed in the West.

The Lakers, Nuggets and Rockets will do everything they can to avoid finishing fifth in the West.

The Cavaliers can benefit from passing the Knicks for third in the East.

The scramble for play-in spots in both conferences is wide-open.

Actually, this is true: But all are glorified lottery teams that will be nothing more than cannon fodder for the Thunder, Spurs, Pistons and Celtics in Round 1. So who cares?

In other words, there isn’t a single must-watch matchup on the docket next Sunday, when the NBA has clumped all its games into two TV windows, hoping to double-dip on meaningful stuff.

So, you might be asking, what then is left to get excited about?

The NBA’s major awards are all up for grabs, with one signature performance – especially as a lasting impression in the regular-season finale – quite possibly making the difference.

Unfortunately, the NBA’s silly 65-game rule has already dampened the enthusiasm on what should be considered major accomplishments.

2026 NBA MVP

Sadly, one of the toughest decisions in recent hardware history is being caught up in: Will Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama make it to 65 games? It didn’t have to be this way.

That has to be worth something. As does the Thunder’s best record in the league and SGA’s likely spot on an NBA All-Defense team.

Jokic will win the assists title, but all those games he’s missed have cost him on the rebounds (fourth place) and scoring (10th) lists. Those aren’t MVP-level achievements.

And then there’s Wemby. He’ll be the blocks king, but he’s even farther behind in rebounds (fifth) and scoring (18th).

I’d tune in for that … and maybe later on when SGA would be forced to counter-punch in an otherwise unwatchable pre-playoff exhibition against the Suns.

My pick: Gilgeous-Alexander.

Rookie of the Year

Here’s where the focus on the 65-game qualification is likely to produce the wrong winner.

Cooper Flagg reached 65 with a record-setting, 51-point explosion Friday against the Mavericks. Some believe that clinched the award.

The problem is: Knueppel couldn’t possibly have to deal with a harsher gauntlet than what’s in front of him – the Timberwolves, Celtics, Pistons and Knicks, all defensive stalwarts.

A couple more Flagg 40’s could make the finale – against a defenseless team already in fishing gear (the Bulls) – potentially historic.

Again I say: I’d tune in both early (Hornets-Knicks) and late (Bulls-Mavericks).

My pick: Knueppel.

#Debunking #NBA #Playoff #Narratives #Breaking #Award #Races #Deadspin.com

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