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The Washington Wizards are going through a rebuild, and if they are going to use a blueprint in how to fix a basketball team and turn things around, the Oklahoma City Thunder are a great model to try and replicate.
The Thunder were one of the league's worst teams over the past few years, but things slowly picked up for them thanks to the DNA and culture of their team that they built.
Now, they have an identity as one of the best defensive teams in the NBA.
“They are a really good defensive team,” Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas said postgame. “They're really good, they are helping each other they are moving on the strings. It wasn’t easy. We fought.”
The defense and their other qualities are admirable, and the Wizards hope that they can be that in the coming years.
“We got talent, we got humble guys who are willing to win and put extra work in," Valanciunas said. "Now we just got to do it. It's not going to be built over the over the weekend. We got to invest some time, invest patience, invest dedication and we'll be fine.”
The Wizards could be seen as a team struggling to figure things out, but a plan is being implemented, and that means they are going in the right direction.
Like Valanciunas said, this is not something that can be built overnight. It will take years to build a contender that can challenge the best in the NBA, but the Wizards are doing it in such an organic way that it can be solved so long as the front office drafts the right people in the coming years.
The Wizards are back in action on Thursday as they take on the Charlotte Hornets.
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The Air Jordan 11 'Rare Air' Takes Flight This Week
Throughout 2025, Jordan Brand has rightfully focused most of its attention on the 40th anniversary of the Air Jordan 1. However, this year also marks 30 years since the Air Jordan 11 first took flight. In September, Jumpman announced the upcoming release of nine Air Jordan 11 colorways scheduled to be released over several months. One of the most anticipated drops takes place this week. After minor drops at select boutiques last month, the Air Jordan 11 "Rare Air" officially launches globally on Wednesday. Below is a detailed look and breakdown of everything shoppers must know to secure the sneakers. Release Information The Air Jordan 11 "Rare Air" colorway will launch globally at 10:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday, November 5. Online shoppers can buy the sneakers on the Nike SNKRS app, Foot Locker, and other select retailers. Unfortunately for fans, the old-school basketball shoes will not be released in full-family sizing. Instead, they will have a retail price of $235 in adult sizes and $190 in big kid sizes. Nike and Jordan Brand have released several fan-favorite sneakers throughout this year. Despite all of the exciting drops, consumers can still expect these kicks to sell out quickly. Those who miss the initial drop can find the Air Jordan 11 "Rare Air" on trusted sneaker resale websites like StockX and GOAT. Details The "Rare Air" colorway is not an OG colorway, but a new design sporting a vintage aesthetic. Jordan Brand has applied the same pre-aged treatment to the Air Jordans 1, 3, and 4 already this year. Built to close the Rare Air series with a bang, the Air Jordan 11 "Rare Air" sports a tumbled Sail leather that fuses with Fire Red and Deep Royal Blue color-blocking, interchangeable laces, and a tinted outsole for a touch of heritage. Additional details include "Rare Air" on the insoles, Jumpman logos, and Jordan's #23 on the heels. Last but not least, the polarizing 'Jordan' lettering returns for this colorway. Tech Specs Like most of us, the Air Jordan 11 has aged off the basketball court. While the retro hoop shoe is no longer suitable for the hardwood, it still contains enough performance technology to make fans feel like Jordan dominating NBA arenas. All of the familiar performance technology is back. A ballistic-mesh upper keeps athletes fresh, while the full-length Air-Sole unit and Phylon midsole deliver a lightweight, firm ride underfoot. Lastly, the carbon fiber shank plate is still visible from the rubber outsole. The added stability, complemented by a legendary traction pattern, is a reminder of greatness with each step. History Jordan debuted the Air Jordan 11 on May 7, 1995, during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Orlando Magic. Of course, the Bulls lost that game and series. But Jordan's 11th signature sneaker is still synonymous with his comeback and return to the NBA after playing Minor League Baseball. The Air Jordan 11 "Rare Air" is a perfect tribute to one of the most popular silhouettes from the iconic sneaker line. The vintage design applied to the retro basketball shoe makes it a must-have for hoops fans this fall and winter. The holiday shopping season is just getting started, so fans can expect more exciting Air Jordans to be released over the coming weeks. Stay locked into Sports Illustrated's Kicks On SI for all your footwear news from the NBA and beyond. More Air Jordan News
The 'NFL franchise TD-catch leaders' quiz
Happy 37th birthday to three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver and 2012 PFWA Most Improved Player award winner, Dez Bryant! The Oklahoma State product played in nine NFL seasons, eight of which were with the Dallas Cowboys. In his time with Big D he caught 531 passes for 7,506 yards and a franchise-record 73 touchdowns. He also served as an important bridge for Dallas in the Tony Romo-Dak Prescott transition, catching 50 passes for 796 yards and eight scores in Prescott’s 2016 rookie campaign. His time in Dallas ended with an achilles injury in 2017, but he did catch on for six games with the Baltimore Ravens in 2020 before hanging up his cleats. Which brings us to today’s quiz. How many of the players with the most receiving touchdowns for each NFL franchise can you name in five minutes? Good luck! Did you like this quiz? Are there any quizzes you’d like to see us make in the future? Let us know your thoughts at quizzes@yardbarker.com, and make sure to subscribe to our Quiz of the Day Newsletter for daily quizzes sent right to your email!
Eagles geared up for another Super Bowl run after Jaelan Phillips trade
The Philadelphia Eagles are already Super Bowl contenders, but that's not stopping general manager Howie Roseman from bolstering his roster before the trade deadline on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. On Monday, the Miami Dolphins sent linebacker Jaelan Phillips to the Eagles for a 2026 third-round pick (via ESPN's Adam Schefter). It's the third defensive trade Roseman and company have made in the past week. They already improved their secondary by acquiring cornerback Jaire Alexander from the Baltimore Ravens and CB Michael Carter II from the New York Jets. How Jaelan Phillips trade benefits Eagles Trading for 26-year-old Phillips should help the Eagles (6-2) solve one of their bigger defensive problems: the ability to generate pressure consistently. Per Pro Football Reference, Philadelphia is tied for 19th in the NFL in pressure rate (19 percent). It also has 16 sacks, tied with the Las Vegas Raiders (2-6) for 23rd in the league. Phillips had just three sacks through his first nine games with Miami, but he's still a quality pass-rusher. Pro Football Reference has credited him with 18 pressures this season, tied with Denver Broncos LB Nik Bonitto and Pittsburgh Steelers LB T.J. Watt for the 12th most in the league. That's great company for Phillips to be in. Both of those star defenders are Defensive Player of the Year candidates. As of Monday, DraftKings Sportsbook gives Bonitto +850 odds to win the award and Watt +3500 odds to capture it. Star Philadelphia LB Nolan Smith Jr. is expected to return from a triceps injury in Week 10 against the Green Bay Packers. He last played in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Rams. His return and the Phillips trade may now put the Eagles defense — which ranks 19th in the league in points allowed (23.1) — in a position to hit its stride. Even if their team is winning, top GMs, like two-time Super Bowl champion Roseman, continue to find ways to strengthen their clubs. He's likely done that again by landing Phillips.
Potential Cowboys All-Pro target's steep trade price unchanged
Trey Hendrickson is one of the top available pass rushers on the trade block and the Dallas Cowboys still need to find someone to lead their struggling defensive line. Dallas reportedly called about Hendrickson, but the Cincinnati Bengals weren’t willing to make a deal at the time. Following their loss in Week 9, however, their stance might have changed. What hasn’t changed is the steep price for Hendrickson. According to Dianna Russini, the Bengals are asking for a first-round pick as part of any deal for the star pass rusher. As the deadline approaches, it wouldn’t be surprising to see interest in Hendrickson heat up. The ninth-year pro had 17.5 sacks in 2023 and repeated that total in 2024. He currently has 81 career sacks and has proven to be a difference-maker in pass defense. Can the Dallas Cowboys afford to extend Trey Hendrickson? Hendrickson is in the final season of a four-year, $60 million deal signed in 2021 after spending his first four seasons with the New Orleans Saints. Cincinnati has been hesitant to work out an extension, which has led to persistent trade rumors. At team that lands Hendrickson needs to be prepared to work out a new deal. If the Cowboys were able to get Hendrickson, a potential extension becomes the main talking point. Dallas was reluctant to extend their own star, Micah Parsons, leading to the blockbuster trade that sent him to the Green Bay Packers. Despite their insistence that they couldn’t afford to extend everyone, the Cowboys have $31.5 million in cap space right now. That means they can easily afford to work out a deal with Hendrickson, and would potentially still have three Round 1 picks over the next two seasons. The real question is whether Jerry Jones wants to pull the trigger on the splashy addition. — Sign up for the Cowboys Daily Digest newsletter for more free coverage from Dallas Cowboys on SI— 3 bold predictions for Dallas Cowboys-Cardinals on Monday Night Football Cowboys' final Week 9 injury report lists 6 players out, including 3 starters on D 3 keys to victory for Dallas Cowboys in pivotal Week 9 matchup vs. Cardinals NFL insider names Cowboys' potential trade deadline targets to bolster defense Cowboys-Cardinals MNF game gets streaming lifeline amid ESPN-YouTube TV dispute Meet Camille Sturdivant: Star of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Netflix docuseries
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