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Luck isn't on the side of the Boston Celtics as they take on the New York Knicks in Game 3 of their second-round series at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.
The Celtics might need a giant clover leaf to avoid falling into a 3-0 hole against the Knicks. Playing at the iconic arena, with raucous fans heckling them, makes it extra difficult for Boston.
Safe to say, one guy who's rooting for New York is former Knicks star Carmelo Anthony. He starred for the squad from 2011 to 2017, leading it to three straight appearances in the playoffs, including a first-round matchup with the Celtics in his maiden stint in the Big Apple.
Anthony also had an infamous beef with former Celtics star Kevin Garnett after an intense verbal altercation during a game in 2013. It led to a face-to-face confrontation in the parking garage.
While signing jerseys for a digital sports platform, someone snuck in a Celtics hat as a prank. The 40-year-old Anthony had an honest response, as shown in the video posted on Instagram.
"I can't touch that," said the 10-time All-Star with a smile. "Shoutout to my guys, though. Shoutout to JT (Jayson Tatum) and JB (Jaylen Brown) and all those (other guys), KP (Kristaps Porzingis).
"I can't (expletive) with y'all right now."
Of course, Knicks supporters hailed Anthony's decision.
"Melo stood tall!" said a fan.
"Melo, stand-up kind of guy for that " echoed another fan.
"That’s why he’s my favorite player ," added a follower.
"Throw that nonsense in the harbor ," wrote a fan.
"Another Knickerbocker in The HOF Stay Melo ," commented a supporter.
The Knicks shocked the Celtics in the first two games of their best-of-seven tussle, with forward Mikal Bridges making crucial defensive stops in back-to-back affairs.
More must-reads:
- Bulls sign HC Billy Donovan to multiyear extension
- Nikola Jokic’s agent sparks LeBron James to Denver speculation with Instagram post
- The 'NBA Summer League MVPs' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Russell Westbrook Expected To Sign With The Sacramento Kings
Former Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook has been one of the many names floating around in the pool of free agents this offseason. While interest in the guard was reportedly tied to Ben Simmons' signing, the nine-time All-Star is now set to join a team. According to a recent NBA insider report, the veteran guard is expected to sign with the Sacramento Kings for the 2025-26 season. Westbrook's agent, Jeff Schwarz, has been in constant communication with the Kings franchise, and a "strong mutual interest" between the two parties was also reported earlier. The notion of Westbrook joining the Kings is an intriguing one. With Sacramento also acquiring Dennis Schroder this offseason, the Kings appear to have significant flexibility in their playmaking options. With two capable veteran guards anchoring their backcourt, the Kings will be able to adjust their starting lineups and rotations in accordance to matchups. In this case, Westbrook may receive preference owing to his experience with orchestrating an offense and overall upside. In the 2024-25 season, Westbrook played a vital role for the Nuggets as the backup point guard. The 36-year-old recorded an average of 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game, while shooting 44.9% from the field and 32.3% from beyond the arc. Although he has lost a step, the guard is still capable of putting pressure on interior defenders. This created a lot of opportunities for the Nuggets to score from the outside. When Jamal Murray was sidelined with injury, Westbrook stepped into the role of the starting point guard and flourished. In a span of 14 games, the guard notched an uptick in performance, with an average of 13.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game. He also recorded a triple-double of 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 16 assists during a game against the Golden State Warriors. Although Westbrook's time in Denver was also marked by some internal disputes, it could be considered a successful endeavor in the greater scheme of things. Joining the Kings at this stage poses to be an interesting proposition for the guard. Given how Sacramento's currently constructed, it seems likely that they will be looking to make some changes. The franchise has been linked to Jonathan Kuminga in trade rumors. Should they succeed in acquiring him, the Kings are likely to facilitate a trade for DeMar DeRozan. In many ways, Sacramento could be a very different team at the start of the season. While this may not immediately transform Sacramento into a playoff contender, it gives them the potential to be competitive. With Westbrook running the offense again, however, they will surely be interesting to watch.
Stephanie White Puts Indiana Fever Players on Notice Despite Win Against Aces
The Indiana Fever’s starters turned in a strong all-around effort in Thursday’s 80-70 win over the Las Vegas Aces. The starting unit scored at least 13 points each, save for Aari McDonald, who registered nine points in 22 minutes of action. Indiana’s starters combined for 76 out of the team’s 80 points on the evening, which only means that the four other players who came off the bench accounted for just four points in the game. All that came from Sydney Colson, who went 2-of-5 in 18 minutes of playing time. Lexie Hull, Makayla Timpson and Damiris Dantas all failed to score in the win. Stephanie White Calls Out Fever's Bench Be that as it may, offense wasn’t even the biggest concern for head coach Stephanie White. In her postgame press conference, the veteran shot-caller called out Indiana’s bench for their lack of intensity on the defensive end, particularly in the first half. “Our bench has to be ready,” she said. “I felt like our bench in the second half was really good defensively. In the first half, I didn't feel that way. You got to be ready to come in and you got to be ready to guard your matchup and execute the game plan. "We have depth for a reason. We've got quality depth and we've got to be able to use it. So if fatigue is a factor in execution, then they just need to ask for a sub and I'll get them out and get them back in." It has been a bit of a busy stretch for the Fever at the midway point of the season. Thursday’s matchup against the Aces was their second game in three nights, and they will be back in action again on Sunday in a rivalry showdown against the Chicago Sky. White, however, isn’t accepting fatigue as an excuse. This is regardless of the fact that Caitlin Clark remains out with a re-aggravated groin injury. White is adamant that this roster has been built for adversity, and she didn’t hesitate to put her bench on notice after Thursday’s showing.
Kirk Cousins makes notable leadership move after Falcons practice
Kirk Cousins might be relegated to the job of backup quarterback, but he is showing veteran leadership to his Atlanta Falcons teammates. Following Sunday's practice, Cousins pulled aside rookie defensive end James Pearce to encourage the first-round pick after his fourth practice in the league at Flowery Branch, Georgia. "QB Kirk Cousins pulled aside Pearce after practice to compliment him on a pass batted down," wrote Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Cousins reportedly had a solid day of practice on Sunday, going 7-of-12 passing against the first-team unit. If Cousins wants out of Atlanta, he's not showing it at practice. The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback is competing on the field and being a good teammate around the facility. Cousins' actions on the field backed up what Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot praised Cousins for before the team's practice on Sunday. “Outside, it's a lot more of a deal than it is in the building,” Fontenot said to the media about the idea of friction between the Falcons and Cousins, per video from D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “He shows up, he does his job, just like anybody ... We've gotta build the best 70-man roster so we can go win games. "That's what we're focused on, and Kirk, just like all the other players, is focused on coming in here and doing their job. That's what he's been doing." Fontenot didn't dismiss the idea that Atlanta would trade Cousins before the season. He said the Falcons will do whatever it takes to make the team better, but stressed that Cousins has been a professional throughout the process of being replaced by Michael Penix Jr., a first-round pick from the 2024 draft. “In terms of making moves, whether it's trades or acquiring players, we're always looking at those factors," Fontenot said. "We're gonna do whatever we can do to make this team the best it can possibly be. But he's been a great professional, and he's handled himself well.” Cousins is coming to work in a manner that will make another owner want to take a chance on the veteran quarterback. That could be one of his best-selling points before he plays in his 13th season in the league.
Green Bay Packers Isaiah Simmons Showing Why He Was A Top 10 Pick In Training Camp
The Green Bay Packers may have struck gold with their offseason acquisition of Isaiah Simmons. The former first-round pick has wasted no time making an impression during training camp, showcasing the athleticism and versatility that once made him one of the most coveted prospects in the NFL Draft. With just a few practices under his belt, Simmons is already turning heads and making the New York Giants question their decision to let him walk. Green Bay Packers Isaiah Simmons’ Early Impact Isaiah Simmons has been a standout in the first week of Packers training camp, stepping up as the team’s third linebacker while Quay Walker recovers from offseason ankle surgery. On the opening day of practice, Simmons made several eye-catching plays, including a highlight moment where he shut down Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs on a screen pass. Jacobs, clearly impressed, described Simmons as “a unicorn,” adding, “He can run. We can put him out on guys in the slot, and he can cover guys. Really, man, I can’t wait to see him in pads.” The following day, Simmons continued to impress, tipping a pass from Malik Willis that led to an interception by cornerback Carrington Valentine. Head coach Matt LaFleur was quick to praise Simmons, saying, “There’s a reason he was a top-10 pick. He’s got all the measurables, and it’s just getting him acclimated with our system and knowing what he can do.” Simmons himself has expressed gratitude for the opportunity to focus on a more defined role as an off-the-ball linebacker, a departure from the hybrid responsibilities he juggled with the Cardinals and Giants. “I feel like it’s been beneficial to me so far, just allowing me to really learn one thing as opposed to learning this today, something else tomorrow, and who knows the next day,” Simmons said. NFL and College Career Simmons entered the NFL as the eighth overall pick in the 2020 Draft, selected by the Arizona Cardinals after a stellar career at Clemson. In college, Simmons was a do-it-all defender, recording 104 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and three interceptions in his final season. His unique blend of size, speed, and versatility earned him the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker and made him a consensus All-American. In the NFL, Simmons has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled with consistency. His best season came in 2021 with the Cardinals, when he recorded 105 tackles, four forced fumbles, and an interception. However, his performance dipped in subsequent years, including a disappointing 2024 campaign with the Giants, where he earned a career-low Pro Football Focus grade of 45.6. Despite these setbacks, Simmons’ physical tools and potential remain undeniable. What Simmons Brings to the Packers The Green Bay Packers are hoping to unlock Simmons’ full potential by simplifying his role and allowing him to focus on his strengths. At 6’4″ and 238 pounds, Simmons has the size to take on blockers and the speed to cover tight ends and running backs. His ability to impact the game in multiple ways could make him a valuable asset in defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s scheme. Simmons’ addition also bolsters a Packers linebacker group that includes Edgerrin Cooper and Quay Walker. With Walker sidelined, Simmons has an opportunity to carve out a significant role and prove he can be a difference-maker for Green Bay. Teammates and Coaches See the Potential Simmons’ early performances have drawn praise not just from LaFleur and Jacobs but also from his new teammates. Safety Xavier McKinney, who played with Simmons in New York and reportedly advocated for his signing, has been vocal about his belief in Simmons’ abilities. “He’s got everything you want in a player—size, speed, instincts. I think he’s going to thrive here,” McKinney said. Final Thoughts Isaiah Simmons’ journey has been anything but smooth, but his early success in Packers training camp suggests he may have found the right fit in Green Bay. With his unique skill set and a coaching staff committed to putting him in positions to succeed, Simmons has a chance to rewrite the narrative of his NFL career. If his first few practices are any indication, the Green Bay Packers may have landed a game-changing talent—and the Giants may soon regret letting him go.
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