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Hidden Storylines You Might Have Missed So Far in 2026 NBA Playoffs | Deadspin.com Apr 9, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts after three point attempt during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images While the surprisingly competitive NBA playoffs have stolen the headlines – and rightfully so – two of the biggest names in the league have seen interesting stories get buried this week.Here’s what I’ve observed both on and off the court from my seat thousands of miles away …Thunder, Celtics are Two of TwoCan we just fast-forward to a Thunder-Celtics finals? Yeah, I know the 76ers have stolen a game in Boston. It’s why they play seven. Without Joel Embiid, they won’t win again. Here’s hoping for seven SGA-Jaylen Brown head-to-heads in the Finals.Competitive games in most first-round series only serve to lead to this conclusion: The good teams aren’t as good as people think. San Antonio, Denver, Detroit, New York … We’ve barely tipped off the postseason and already we’re asking: Who’s the third-best team in the NBA, the one who could possibly deny an Oklahoma City-Boston showdown? There really isn’t one.Where Big Man Comes Up Small Apr 19, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts to a call by an official during the second half of game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images Watching Victor Wembanyama get hurt, I guess it answers my question: Why is the most unstoppable force the league has seen since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar standing 30 feet from the basket, dazzling us with his ballhandling (but not with his 3-point shooting)?Wemby is quickly headed down the Giannis Antetokounmpo path. You know, the guy who can dunk pretty much anytime he wants, but who has an ego larger than his wingspan, so he feels obligated to show us what a great perimeter player he is. Wemby could average 50 points a game – he really could – if he just walked block to block, caught lob passes and dunked from 10 feet away. He can do it. It’s amazing. His 3-point shooting isn’t.Jaden McDodoIt has now become clear why Anthony Edwards talks so much. It’s to keep the microphones away from Jaden McDaniels.How ignorant do you have to be when, five seconds after you’ve stunned a vastly superior opponent, you blast every one of their players for being poor defenders? Label me Mick Cronin, but I’d have the loudmouth sitting at the end of the bench wearing a dunce cap for Game 3. Aaron Gordon, the guy who will match up with McDaniels next game, is a bad defensive player? Well, I guess we’ll see.What’s The Guy Gotta Do?Wemby was a unanimous choice as Defensive Player of the Year. That was easy. This wasn’t: Leaving Jaylen Brown, the league’s best midsized defender on the perimeter, off every single line of every single ballot. He didn’t even get a second- or third-place vote. Not one.If the NBA had a Most Underappreciated Award, Brown probably wouldn’t get any votes, either. That would just show how underappreciated he is. The Celtics were a better team without Jayson Tatum this year, and an unhandcuffed Brown was the reason. He should be an MVP candidate and certainly an All-NBA first-teamer, but the league has now allowed Cade Cunningham and Luka Doncic back into the mix, which likely will come at Brown’s expense. Do you think they’d have changed the rules if their posterboy – Tatum – were the candidate?Kerr Could Strike Gold Again Apr 10, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr looks on before the start of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images Warriors coach Steve Kerr left to a group hug with fellow old-timers Stephen Curry and Draymond Green after the Warriors bowed out of the play-in tournament, leading to speculation that he might retire now that his contract has expired. Frankly, that would be unfortunate.Kerr has a rare opportunity this off-season to use a trumpeted return to rally new forces and create a one-season superteam the likes of which the NBA has never seen. He already has Curry, Green and Jimmy Butler returning, with the possibility of keeping Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis. Now, all Kerr has to do is what he helped accomplish at the Olympics – talk modern-day Dream Teamers like LeBron, Kawhi Leonard and maybe even VanVleet into joining a historic farewell tour. Just like Paris.Wouldn’t you love to see it? Better yet, wouldn’t you love to see him try to make it happen?Nothing Clutch About Clutch CriteriaShai Gilgeous-Alexander was a remarkable fourth-quarter player this season. Just as he was in the first, second and third quarters. He certainly has the numbers to make him a legitimate NBA Clutch Player of the Year. Or at least the number we’ve been given.You see, the NBA defines a “clutch game” as one in which the difference in the score is five or fewer points at any point of the final five minutes of the fourth period. It could be 99-94 with five minutes left, then 109-94 a minute later, yet all points scored through the end of the game go down as “clutch.” Or it could be a 110-85 blowout with five to go, without a single truly clutch second among the final 300 even though the final score might turn out to be 116-111, the product of three late, meaningless 3-pointers.While the Thunder were blowing everyone out, teams like the 76ers and Nuggets had to duel to the bitter end more times than not. It’s not surprising then that Tyrese Maxey led the NBA with 15 field goals in the final minute with a chance to tie or take the lead. Jamal Murray had 14. Those are clutch performers. SGA had 11, which made him – barely – an All-Clutch Second Teamer. #Hidden #Storylines #Missed #NBA #Playoffs #Deadspin.com

Hidden Storylines You Might Have Missed So Far in 2026 NBA Playoffs | Deadspin.com
Hidden Storylines You Might Have Missed So Far in 2026 NBA Playoffs | Deadspin.com Apr 9, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts after three point attempt during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images While the surprisingly competitive NBA playoffs have stolen the headlines – and rightfully so – two of the biggest names in the league have seen interesting stories get buried this week.Here’s what I’ve observed both on and off the court from my seat thousands of miles away …Thunder, Celtics are Two of TwoCan we just fast-forward to a Thunder-Celtics finals? Yeah, I know the 76ers have stolen a game in Boston. It’s why they play seven. Without Joel Embiid, they won’t win again. Here’s hoping for seven SGA-Jaylen Brown head-to-heads in the Finals.Competitive games in most first-round series only serve to lead to this conclusion: The good teams aren’t as good as people think. San Antonio, Denver, Detroit, New York … We’ve barely tipped off the postseason and already we’re asking: Who’s the third-best team in the NBA, the one who could possibly deny an Oklahoma City-Boston showdown? There really isn’t one.Where Big Man Comes Up Small Apr 19, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts to a call by an official during the second half of game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images Watching Victor Wembanyama get hurt, I guess it answers my question: Why is the most unstoppable force the league has seen since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar standing 30 feet from the basket, dazzling us with his ballhandling (but not with his 3-point shooting)?Wemby is quickly headed down the Giannis Antetokounmpo path. You know, the guy who can dunk pretty much anytime he wants, but who has an ego larger than his wingspan, so he feels obligated to show us what a great perimeter player he is. Wemby could average 50 points a game – he really could – if he just walked block to block, caught lob passes and dunked from 10 feet away. He can do it. It’s amazing. His 3-point shooting isn’t.Jaden McDodoIt has now become clear why Anthony Edwards talks so much. It’s to keep the microphones away from Jaden McDaniels.How ignorant do you have to be when, five seconds after you’ve stunned a vastly superior opponent, you blast every one of their players for being poor defenders? Label me Mick Cronin, but I’d have the loudmouth sitting at the end of the bench wearing a dunce cap for Game 3. Aaron Gordon, the guy who will match up with McDaniels next game, is a bad defensive player? Well, I guess we’ll see.What’s The Guy Gotta Do?Wemby was a unanimous choice as Defensive Player of the Year. That was easy. This wasn’t: Leaving Jaylen Brown, the league’s best midsized defender on the perimeter, off every single line of every single ballot. He didn’t even get a second- or third-place vote. Not one.If the NBA had a Most Underappreciated Award, Brown probably wouldn’t get any votes, either. That would just show how underappreciated he is. The Celtics were a better team without Jayson Tatum this year, and an unhandcuffed Brown was the reason. He should be an MVP candidate and certainly an All-NBA first-teamer, but the league has now allowed Cade Cunningham and Luka Doncic back into the mix, which likely will come at Brown’s expense. Do you think they’d have changed the rules if their posterboy – Tatum – were the candidate?Kerr Could Strike Gold Again Apr 10, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr looks on before the start of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images Warriors coach Steve Kerr left to a group hug with fellow old-timers Stephen Curry and Draymond Green after the Warriors bowed out of the play-in tournament, leading to speculation that he might retire now that his contract has expired. Frankly, that would be unfortunate.Kerr has a rare opportunity this off-season to use a trumpeted return to rally new forces and create a one-season superteam the likes of which the NBA has never seen. He already has Curry, Green and Jimmy Butler returning, with the possibility of keeping Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis. Now, all Kerr has to do is what he helped accomplish at the Olympics – talk modern-day Dream Teamers like LeBron, Kawhi Leonard and maybe even VanVleet into joining a historic farewell tour. Just like Paris.Wouldn’t you love to see it? Better yet, wouldn’t you love to see him try to make it happen?Nothing Clutch About Clutch CriteriaShai Gilgeous-Alexander was a remarkable fourth-quarter player this season. Just as he was in the first, second and third quarters. He certainly has the numbers to make him a legitimate NBA Clutch Player of the Year. Or at least the number we’ve been given.You see, the NBA defines a “clutch game” as one in which the difference in the score is five or fewer points at any point of the final five minutes of the fourth period. It could be 99-94 with five minutes left, then 109-94 a minute later, yet all points scored through the end of the game go down as “clutch.” Or it could be a 110-85 blowout with five to go, without a single truly clutch second among the final 300 even though the final score might turn out to be 116-111, the product of three late, meaningless 3-pointers.While the Thunder were blowing everyone out, teams like the 76ers and Nuggets had to duel to the bitter end more times than not. It’s not surprising then that Tyrese Maxey led the NBA with 15 field goals in the final minute with a chance to tie or take the lead. Jamal Murray had 14. Those are clutch performers. SGA had 11, which made him – barely – an All-Clutch Second Teamer. #Hidden #Storylines #Missed #NBA #Playoffs #Deadspin.comApr 9, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts after three point attempt during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images

While the surprisingly competitive NBA playoffs have stolen the headlines – and rightfully so – two of the biggest names in the league have seen interesting stories get buried this week.

Here’s what I’ve observed both on and off the court from my seat thousands of miles away …

Thunder, Celtics are Two of Two

Can we just fast-forward to a Thunder-Celtics finals? Yeah, I know the 76ers have stolen a game in Boston. It’s why they play seven. Without Joel Embiid, they won’t win again. Here’s hoping for seven SGA-Jaylen Brown head-to-heads in the Finals.

Competitive games in most first-round series only serve to lead to this conclusion: The good teams aren’t as good as people think. San Antonio, Denver, Detroit, New York … We’ve barely tipped off the postseason and already we’re asking: Who’s the third-best team in the NBA, the one who could possibly deny an Oklahoma City-Boston showdown? There really isn’t one.

Where Big Man Comes Up Small

Apr 19, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts to a call by an official during the second half of game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn ImagesApr 19, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts to a call by an official during the second half of game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Watching Victor Wembanyama get hurt, I guess it answers my question: Why is the most unstoppable force the league has seen since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar standing 30 feet from the basket, dazzling us with his ballhandling (but not with his 3-point shooting)?

Wemby is quickly headed down the Giannis Antetokounmpo path. You know, the guy who can dunk pretty much anytime he wants, but who has an ego larger than his wingspan, so he feels obligated to show us what a great perimeter player he is. Wemby could average 50 points a game – he really could – if he just walked block to block, caught lob passes and dunked from 10 feet away. He can do it. It’s amazing. His 3-point shooting isn’t.

Jaden McDodo

It has now become clear why Anthony Edwards talks so much. It’s to keep the microphones away from Jaden McDaniels.

How ignorant do you have to be when, five seconds after you’ve stunned a vastly superior opponent, you blast every one of their players for being poor defenders? Label me Mick Cronin, but I’d have the loudmouth sitting at the end of the bench wearing a dunce cap for Game 3. Aaron Gordon, the guy who will match up with McDaniels next game, is a bad defensive player? Well, I guess we’ll see.

What’s The Guy Gotta Do?

Wemby was a unanimous choice as Defensive Player of the Year. That was easy. This wasn’t: Leaving Jaylen Brown, the league’s best midsized defender on the perimeter, off every single line of every single ballot. He didn’t even get a second- or third-place vote. Not one.

If the NBA had a Most Underappreciated Award, Brown probably wouldn’t get any votes, either. That would just show how underappreciated he is. The Celtics were a better team without Jayson Tatum this year, and an unhandcuffed Brown was the reason. He should be an MVP candidate and certainly an All-NBA first-teamer, but the league has now allowed Cade Cunningham and Luka Doncic back into the mix, which likely will come at Brown’s expense. Do you think they’d have changed the rules if their posterboy – Tatum – were the candidate?

Kerr Could Strike Gold Again

Apr 10, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr looks on before the start of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn ImagesApr 10, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr looks on before the start of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

Warriors coach Steve Kerr left to a group hug with fellow old-timers Stephen Curry and Draymond Green after the Warriors bowed out of the play-in tournament, leading to speculation that he might retire now that his contract has expired. Frankly, that would be unfortunate.

Kerr has a rare opportunity this off-season to use a trumpeted return to rally new forces and create a one-season superteam the likes of which the NBA has never seen. He already has Curry, Green and Jimmy Butler returning, with the possibility of keeping Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis. Now, all Kerr has to do is what he helped accomplish at the Olympics – talk modern-day Dream Teamers like LeBron, Kawhi Leonard and maybe even VanVleet into joining a historic farewell tour. Just like Paris.

Wouldn’t you love to see it? Better yet, wouldn’t you love to see him try to make it happen?

Nothing Clutch About Clutch Criteria

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was a remarkable fourth-quarter player this season. Just as he was in the first, second and third quarters. He certainly has the numbers to make him a legitimate NBA Clutch Player of the Year. Or at least the number we’ve been given.

You see, the NBA defines a “clutch game” as one in which the difference in the score is five or fewer points at any point of the final five minutes of the fourth period. It could be 99-94 with five minutes left, then 109-94 a minute later, yet all points scored through the end of the game go down as “clutch.” Or it could be a 110-85 blowout with five to go, without a single truly clutch second among the final 300 even though the final score might turn out to be 116-111, the product of three late, meaningless 3-pointers.

While the Thunder were blowing everyone out, teams like the 76ers and Nuggets had to duel to the bitter end more times than not. It’s not surprising then that Tyrese Maxey led the NBA with 15 field goals in the final minute with a chance to tie or take the lead. Jamal Murray had 14. Those are clutch performers. SGA had 11, which made him – barely – an All-Clutch Second Teamer.

#Hidden #Storylines #Missed #NBA #Playoffs #Deadspin.com

Sports news

Apr 9, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts after three point attempt during the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images

While the surprisingly competitive NBA playoffs have stolen the headlines – and rightfully so – two of the biggest names in the league have seen interesting stories get buried this week.

Here’s what I’ve observed both on and off the court from my seat thousands of miles away …

Thunder, Celtics are Two of Two

Can we just fast-forward to a Thunder-Celtics finals? Yeah, I know the 76ers have stolen a game in Boston. It’s why they play seven. Without Joel Embiid, they won’t win again. Here’s hoping for seven SGA-Jaylen Brown head-to-heads in the Finals.

Competitive games in most first-round series only serve to lead to this conclusion: The good teams aren’t as good as people think. San Antonio, Denver, Detroit, New York … We’ve barely tipped off the postseason and already we’re asking: Who’s the third-best team in the NBA, the one who could possibly deny an Oklahoma City-Boston showdown? There really isn’t one.

Where Big Man Comes Up Small

Apr 19, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts to a call by an official during the second half of game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Apr 19, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts to a call by an official during the second half of game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Watching Victor Wembanyama get hurt, I guess it answers my question: Why is the most unstoppable force the league has seen since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar standing 30 feet from the basket, dazzling us with his ballhandling (but not with his 3-point shooting)?

Wemby is quickly headed down the Giannis Antetokounmpo path. You know, the guy who can dunk pretty much anytime he wants, but who has an ego larger than his wingspan, so he feels obligated to show us what a great perimeter player he is. Wemby could average 50 points a game – he really could – if he just walked block to block, caught lob passes and dunked from 10 feet away. He can do it. It’s amazing. His 3-point shooting isn’t.

Jaden McDodo

It has now become clear why Anthony Edwards talks so much. It’s to keep the microphones away from Jaden McDaniels.

How ignorant do you have to be when, five seconds after you’ve stunned a vastly superior opponent, you blast every one of their players for being poor defenders? Label me Mick Cronin, but I’d have the loudmouth sitting at the end of the bench wearing a dunce cap for Game 3. Aaron Gordon, the guy who will match up with McDaniels next game, is a bad defensive player? Well, I guess we’ll see.

What’s The Guy Gotta Do?

Wemby was a unanimous choice as Defensive Player of the Year. That was easy. This wasn’t: Leaving Jaylen Brown, the league’s best midsized defender on the perimeter, off every single line of every single ballot. He didn’t even get a second- or third-place vote. Not one.

If the NBA had a Most Underappreciated Award, Brown probably wouldn’t get any votes, either. That would just show how underappreciated he is. The Celtics were a better team without Jayson Tatum this year, and an unhandcuffed Brown was the reason. He should be an MVP candidate and certainly an All-NBA first-teamer, but the league has now allowed Cade Cunningham and Luka Doncic back into the mix, which likely will come at Brown’s expense. Do you think they’d have changed the rules if their posterboy – Tatum – were the candidate?

Kerr Could Strike Gold Again

Apr 10, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr looks on before the start of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn ImagesApr 10, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr looks on before the start of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

Warriors coach Steve Kerr left to a group hug with fellow old-timers Stephen Curry and Draymond Green after the Warriors bowed out of the play-in tournament, leading to speculation that he might retire now that his contract has expired. Frankly, that would be unfortunate.

Kerr has a rare opportunity this off-season to use a trumpeted return to rally new forces and create a one-season superteam the likes of which the NBA has never seen. He already has Curry, Green and Jimmy Butler returning, with the possibility of keeping Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis. Now, all Kerr has to do is what he helped accomplish at the Olympics – talk modern-day Dream Teamers like LeBron, Kawhi Leonard and maybe even VanVleet into joining a historic farewell tour. Just like Paris.

Wouldn’t you love to see it? Better yet, wouldn’t you love to see him try to make it happen?

Nothing Clutch About Clutch Criteria

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was a remarkable fourth-quarter player this season. Just as he was in the first, second and third quarters. He certainly has the numbers to make him a legitimate NBA Clutch Player of the Year. Or at least the number we’ve been given.

You see, the NBA defines a “clutch game” as one in which the difference in the score is five or fewer points at any point of the final five minutes of the fourth period. It could be 99-94 with five minutes left, then 109-94 a minute later, yet all points scored through the end of the game go down as “clutch.” Or it could be a 110-85 blowout with five to go, without a single truly clutch second among the final 300 even though the final score might turn out to be 116-111, the product of three late, meaningless 3-pointers.

While the Thunder were blowing everyone out, teams like the 76ers and Nuggets had to duel to the bitter end more times than not. It’s not surprising then that Tyrese Maxey led the NBA with 15 field goals in the final minute with a chance to tie or take the lead. Jamal Murray had 14. Those are clutch performers. SGA had 11, which made him – barely – an All-Clutch Second Teamer.

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#Hidden #Storylines #Missed #NBA #Playoffs #Deadspin.com

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Deadspin | Larry Fitzgerald thanks all of Arizona: ‘You gave me a home’ Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Larry Fitzgerald and his son Devin Fitzgerald unveil his bust during the Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 8, 2026. One day after being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, longtime Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald paid for a full-page ad in the Arizona Republic to thank everyone who made a Minnesota native feel welcome in the state he calls home. After being selected by the Cardinals with the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, Fitzgerald spent all 17 years of his NFL career in Arizona. He caught 1,432 passes for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns while earning 11 trips to the Pro Bowl. Fitzgerald ranks second to Jerry Rice on the NFL’s all-time lists for receptions and receiving yards. He stands sixth in touchdown catches, trailing Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Chris Carter and Marvin Harrison. Here’s the message Fitzgerald penned for his Arizona Republic ad: People have asked me countless times what it felt like to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The truth is, it was one of the greatest honors of my life. But this really isn’t a Hall of Fame story. It’s a thank-you letter. I arrived in Arizona as a 20-year-old kid who didn’t know a single person. I had no idea this desert would become the place that would shape me into the man I am today. The day I landed was the same day the nation learned Pat Tillman had lost his life. Pat is one of America’s great heroes. I stepped off the plane into a state where its people were carrying real grief, and something inside me grew quiet. I started paying attention. You learn quickly what loyalty looks like when it isn’t just a word. For the next 17 seasons, I quietly measured myself against the standard Pat Tillman set. I’m still not sure I ever lived up to it. Somewhere along the way, Arizona stopped being the place where I lived and became the place I was from. It happened through a thousand ordinary moments until one day, I realized this was simply home. Not because I was a Hall of Famer. Not because I was a wide receiver. Just because the people of this state allowed me to be Larry. You don’t fall in love with a place because of its stadiums. You fall in love on quiet mornings hiking Camelback Mountain. On crisp fall afternoons walking a golf course. During summers in Flagstaff and standing among the red rocks of Sedona that remind you just how small you are in the best possible way. When I stopped playing football, I walked away quietly. I’m known for my Irish goodbyes. Arizona even gave me that. Yet you kept showing up for me anyway, especially through the work of my foundation. Your support was never conditional. You never asked me to be anything other than myself, and somehow that was always enough. Arizona gave a kid from Minneapolis something he didn’t even know he was searching for. Belonging. And that sense of belonging changed me. After a while, you weren’t cheering for a wide receiver anymore, you were cheering for one of your own. So this isn’t really a story about 17 years in a Cardinals uniform or a bronze bust in Canton. It’s the story of a young man who was welcomed by a state that owed him nothing and gave him everything. Thank you, Arizona. Thank you for letting a kid from somewhere else become one of your own. Thank you for embracing not just the player, but the man. You gave me far more than a career. You gave me friendships that will last a lifetime. You gave me purpose beyond football. You gave me a place where my children will always know they belong. Most of all, you gave me a home. With love and gratitude, (signed) Larry Fitzgerald HOF 26 –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Larry #Fitzgerald #Arizona #gave #homePro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Larry Fitzgerald and his son Devin Fitzgerald unveil his bust during the Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 8, 2026.

One day after being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, longtime Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald paid for a full-page ad in the Arizona Republic to thank everyone who made a Minnesota native feel welcome in the state he calls home.

After being selected by the Cardinals with the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, Fitzgerald spent all 17 years of his NFL career in Arizona. He caught 1,432 passes for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns while earning 11 trips to the Pro Bowl.

Fitzgerald ranks second to Jerry Rice on the NFL’s all-time lists for receptions and receiving yards. He stands sixth in touchdown catches, trailing Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Chris Carter and Marvin Harrison.

Here’s the message Fitzgerald penned for his Arizona Republic ad:

People have asked me countless times what it felt like to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The truth is, it was one of the greatest honors of my life.

But this really isn’t a Hall of Fame story.

It’s a thank-you letter.

I arrived in Arizona as a 20-year-old kid who didn’t know a single person. I had no idea this desert would become the place that would shape me into the man I am today.

The day I landed was the same day the nation learned Pat Tillman had lost his life. Pat is one of America’s great heroes.

I stepped off the plane into a state where its people were carrying real grief, and something inside me grew quiet. I started paying attention.

You learn quickly what loyalty looks like when it isn’t just a word.

For the next 17 seasons, I quietly measured myself against the standard Pat Tillman set. I’m still not sure I ever lived up to it.

Somewhere along the way, Arizona stopped being the place where I lived and became the place I was from.

It happened through a thousand ordinary moments until one day, I realized this was simply home. Not because I was a Hall of Famer. Not because I was a wide receiver. Just because the people of this state allowed me to be Larry.

You don’t fall in love with a place because of its stadiums. You fall in love on quiet mornings hiking Camelback Mountain.

On crisp fall afternoons walking a golf course. During summers in Flagstaff and standing among the red rocks of Sedona that remind you just how small you are in the best possible way.


When I stopped playing football, I walked away quietly. I’m known for my Irish goodbyes. Arizona even gave me that. Yet you kept showing up for me anyway, especially through the work of my foundation. Your support was never conditional. You never asked me to be anything other than myself, and somehow that was always enough.

Arizona gave a kid from Minneapolis something he didn’t even know he was searching for.

Belonging.

And that sense of belonging changed me.

After a while, you weren’t cheering for a wide receiver anymore, you were cheering for one of your own.

So this isn’t really a story about 17 years in a Cardinals uniform or a bronze bust in Canton.

It’s the story of a young man who was welcomed by a state that owed him nothing and gave him everything.

Thank you, Arizona.

Thank you for letting a kid from somewhere else become one of your own.

Thank you for embracing not just the player, but the man.

You gave me far more than a career. You gave me friendships that will last a lifetime. You gave me purpose beyond football.

You gave me a place where my children will always know they belong.

Most of all, you gave me a home.

With love and gratitude,

(signed)

Larry Fitzgerald

HOF 26

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Larry #Fitzgerald #Arizona #gave #home">Deadspin | Larry Fitzgerald thanks all of Arizona: ‘You gave me a home’ Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee Larry Fitzgerald and his son Devin Fitzgerald unveil his bust during the Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 8, 2026. One day after being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, longtime Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald paid for a full-page ad in the Arizona Republic to thank everyone who made a Minnesota native feel welcome in the state he calls home. After being selected by the Cardinals with the third overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, Fitzgerald spent all 17 years of his NFL career in Arizona. He caught 1,432 passes for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns while earning 11 trips to the Pro Bowl. Fitzgerald ranks second to Jerry Rice on the NFL’s all-time lists for receptions and receiving yards. He stands sixth in touchdown catches, trailing Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Chris Carter and Marvin Harrison. Here’s the message Fitzgerald penned for his Arizona Republic ad: People have asked me countless times what it felt like to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The truth is, it was one of the greatest honors of my life. But this really isn’t a Hall of Fame story. It’s a thank-you letter. I arrived in Arizona as a 20-year-old kid who didn’t know a single person. I had no idea this desert would become the place that would shape me into the man I am today. The day I landed was the same day the nation learned Pat Tillman had lost his life. Pat is one of America’s great heroes. I stepped off the plane into a state where its people were carrying real grief, and something inside me grew quiet. I started paying attention. You learn quickly what loyalty looks like when it isn’t just a word. For the next 17 seasons, I quietly measured myself against the standard Pat Tillman set. I’m still not sure I ever lived up to it. Somewhere along the way, Arizona stopped being the place where I lived and became the place I was from. It happened through a thousand ordinary moments until one day, I realized this was simply home. Not because I was a Hall of Famer. Not because I was a wide receiver. Just because the people of this state allowed me to be Larry. You don’t fall in love with a place because of its stadiums. You fall in love on quiet mornings hiking Camelback Mountain. On crisp fall afternoons walking a golf course. During summers in Flagstaff and standing among the red rocks of Sedona that remind you just how small you are in the best possible way. When I stopped playing football, I walked away quietly. I’m known for my Irish goodbyes. Arizona even gave me that. Yet you kept showing up for me anyway, especially through the work of my foundation. Your support was never conditional. You never asked me to be anything other than myself, and somehow that was always enough. Arizona gave a kid from Minneapolis something he didn’t even know he was searching for. Belonging. And that sense of belonging changed me. After a while, you weren’t cheering for a wide receiver anymore, you were cheering for one of your own. So this isn’t really a story about 17 years in a Cardinals uniform or a bronze bust in Canton. It’s the story of a young man who was welcomed by a state that owed him nothing and gave him everything. Thank you, Arizona. Thank you for letting a kid from somewhere else become one of your own. Thank you for embracing not just the player, but the man. You gave me far more than a career. You gave me friendships that will last a lifetime. You gave me purpose beyond football. You gave me a place where my children will always know they belong. Most of all, you gave me a home. With love and gratitude, (signed) Larry Fitzgerald HOF 26 –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Larry #Fitzgerald #Arizona #gave #home

When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.

The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.

The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.

That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.

On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.

Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.

But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.

I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.

One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.

There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.

I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.

Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.

#Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making">Larry Fitzgerald’s Hall of Fame induction is 25 years in the making When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it. #Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making

Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

Nellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky Bhasker

Tiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T Natarajan

Published on Aug 09, 2026

#TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings">TNPL 2026 Live: All-round batting display propels Nellai Royal Kings to 206/8 Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.TOSSTiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.PLAYING XIsNellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky BhaskerTiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T NatarajanPublished on Aug 09, 2026 #TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings

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