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Tony Allen wasn’t being paranoid. He was being outplayed—in Italian. On a recent episode of Out The Mud, Sasha Vujačić confirmed what Allen had long suspected: Kobe Bryant absolutely used foreign languages as a strategic edge, per EssentiallySports. “When Kobe and I would speak on the basketball court, he [Tony Allen] would come and listen, and we started speaking Italian,” Vujačić recalled. Allen’s response? Pure vindication: “I knew it! I knew it!”
For years, Allen had a hunch that Kobe and Sasha were switching tongues mid-play. English on defense, then suddenly a flurry of Italian on offense. It wasn’t just talk—it was tactical deception. In an NBA filled with play-callers and defensive savants, Bryant wielded language as a secret weapon. Not out of arrogance, but because he could.
A Mamba’s Superpower: Language as Leverage
Bryant wasn’t just fluent in Italian. He also dabbled in Spanish, Slovenian, and even some French. The roots? Eight formative years in Italy while his father, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, played professionally. Kobe soaked it all in—not just the sport, but the culture and communication styles. By the time he hit the NBA, his vocabulary was just as dangerous as his footwork.
With Pau Gasol, Kobe kept things fluid in Spanish, a language he honed with help from his wife Vanessa and their shared love of telenovelas. Luka Dončić even shared a moment courtside when Kobe surprised him by casually dropping some Slovenian. These weren’t party tricks. They were intentional, game-shifting plays in a league that rewards mental sharpness as much as physical dominance.
Kobe Bryant’s ability to switch languages on the fly blurred the lines between sport and chess match. Against Tony Allen, one of the fiercest defenders of his era, Kobe’s linguistic agility wasn’t just slick—it was unstoppable.
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Celtics Facing Trade Decision After $290 Million Move
While Jayson Tatum's Achilles tear made their decision easier, the Boston Celtics' offseason was always about saving as much money as possible. The NBA enforces harsh penalties on teams that are above the NBA's second tax apron for three straight seasons, so moves were coming no matter what Tatum's health status was. While Boston technically didn't have to confront this problem until the trade deadline at the latest, doing so would have risked giving up more assets to get under the second tax apron, so their moves this offseason have undoubtedly hinted that they wanted to get it done now. The Celtics have done just that. Trading Jrue Holiday for Anfernee Simons helped them save a few million, but trading Kristaps Porzingis for Georges Niang helped them save over $20 million. The team saved even more money when they swapped Niang for RJ Luis Jr. These trades not only helped the Celtics get under the NBA's second tax apron while cutting down on their luxury tax bill, but the team as a whole saved hundreds of millions on their payroll. Cap expert Yossi Gozlan explained the Celtics' financial situation in a nutshell. "The Celtics entered the offseason at the eight luxury tax level, which gave them a floor of $237 million in tax penalties," Gozlan wrote. "They are now slightly above the third level, leaving their current projected penalty at just under $40 million. As a result, they’ve saved nearly $290 million in roster expenses since the start of the offseason." For that same reason, Gozlan also explained why the Celtics may not be finished making moves this offseason. "While the Celtics have reduced their tax penalty to a reasonable amount, they’re likely not done," Gozlan wrote. "They are just $4 million above the first apron. Getting below it would free them of several roster-building restrictions. For example, they’d be able to take in more salaries than they’re sending out in a trade and open up to $14.1 million non-tax mid-level exception." This Could Explain Why Anfernee Simons is Available Since the Celtics first acquired him, Simons has reportedly been available in trade talks. This is still the case, as Jake Fischer reported that Boston has made him available to acquire in a trade on Sunday. "The expectation persists, furthermore, that Boston will continue to invite trade discussion involving Anfernee Simons from now through next season's trade deadline on Feb. 5 at 3 PM ET," Stein wrote. Simons is owed nearly $27.7 million for the 2025-26 season. While he is a quality player, if Boston can get under the first tax apron and repeater tax by trading him, the team might just take it.
Jets QB Justin Fields had 'alarming' practice against Giants
New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields found out he has a long way to go following his performance at Tuesday's joint practice with the New York Giants. Per Connor Hughes of SNY TV, Fields started hot at the practice before struggling during the move-the-ball period. "Very interesting practice for #Jets QB Justin Fields," Hughes posted on X. "He finished 7 of 12 with a TD. 5 of 5 to start practice. Then 0 for 4. Finished 2 of 3 with the really impressive TD to Jeremy Ruckert in red zone (starter 18 yard line). "The offensive performance was a bit alarming in move-the-ball period of practice. Fields Co. had three attempts to get down field. They didn’t gain a first down. Only gained yards twice (two short Breece Hall runs). Three sacks. That needs to be fixed. #Giants defense toyed with NYJ during that period." Some Jets fans online thought Hughes was using hyperbole to characterize the practice, but he doubled down on his judgment of the offense. Fields looked strong on his first and only drive in the Jets' 30-10 win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night. He went 3-of-4 passing for 42 yards and rushed two times for 14 yards and a touchdown. However, the Giants defense at the joint practice is a much better unit than the short-handed one the Packers trotted out for the first preseason game. Fields' issues seen with the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers, with holding the ball too long and not being able to pass consistently downfield, were a factor against the Giants. Following Saturday's game, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said Fields was getting better but had a lot to improve on. Tuesday's practice was a humbling reminder that Fields needs to become a consistent passer if the Jets are going to move the ball on good defenses in the regular season.
Najee Harris may have role reduced after fireworks accident
Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris still has yet to return to action after a July 4 fireworks accident, and it sounds like he does not necessarily have a job guaranteed to him when he does. Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman admitted Tuesday that the team is planning a steady rotation at running back whether or not Harris is available to play in Week 1. First-round draft pick Omarion Hampton, however, is the player who has part of the rotation locked down, not Harris. The Chargers likely intended to use Harris as a part-time back no matter what. However, he certainly cannot have helped himself with his eye injury. The issue was described as superficial after it happened and Harris was expected to be ready for the season, but he is still on the non-football injury list and has yet to participate in a full practice. Harris, 27, is entering his first season with the Chargers after signing with them in March. He can earn up to $9.25 million on his one-year deal, but that will require him to remain part of the rotation with Hampton.
'He's different': Vikings' J.J. McCarthy gets compared to future Hall of Famer
Before Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones shared a locker room with quarterback J.J. McCarthy, Jones and future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers were teammates with the Green Bay Packers from 2017 through the 2022 season. Jones recently claimed that he sees some of Rodgers in McCarthy heading into what could become a franchise-altering campaign for the Vikings. "[McCarthy] is a very, very hungry and driven player, but also a leader," Jones explained, Sports Illustrated's Matt Verderame shared. "He’s different. In terms of the smarts, I put him in that category with Aaron Rodgers, in terms of how smart he is and really having an understanding for the game." That's high praise considering Rodgers is a four-time NFL MVP and a Super Bowl MVP who is regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. That said, nobody knows what McCarthy will be as a pro after the 2024 first-round draft pick spent his first NFL season recovering from a meniscus repair. McCarthy returned to the playing field when he completed four of seven pass attempts for 30 yards in Minnesota's 20-10 preseason win over the Houston Texans on Saturday. He also tested his surgically-repaired knee when he used his legs to pick up a first down on a fourth-and-4 situation in the game's first quarter. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell could've pushed for the club to re-sign Sam Darnold after he guided Minnesota to a 14-3 record last season. O'Connell and Co. had "conversations" about possibly signing Rodgers before McCarthy received the keys to the Minnesota offense ahead of training camp. Jones seems to believe O'Connell and Co. made the right call. "He’s been amazing," Jones added about McCarthy. "I’m honestly confident in what we have here. I feel like we have everything we need, all the pieces we need here. I feel like J.J. is going to surprise a lot of people." As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Vikings seventh among the betting favorites at +1100 odds to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LX. It will be interesting to see how McCarthy handles the pressure when Minnesota opens the regular season with a "Monday Night Football" matchup at the Chicago Bears on Sept. 8.
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