Latest news with #MVP
Edmonton Journal
an hour ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Raptors to hold training camp in Calgary, play Jokic and Nuggets in Vancouver
Article content The Toronto Raptors are Canada's NBA team, so it's only fitting they'll visit Alberta and British Columbia this Fall. Article content The team announced Tuesday that training camp will be held at the University of Calgary, starting September 30, marking the first time Toronto's held its camp in Alberta. Article content Additionally, NBA Canada announced Tuesday Toronto would host the Denver Nuggets in Vancouver on October 6. It's a nice gift from the league, considering it let former owner Michael Heisley screw over Grizzlies fans with the move to Memphis. Now fans there will get to see three-time NBA MVP and all-time great Nikola Jokic, two of the league's best Canadians in Jamal Murray and RJ Barrett, plus long-time Raptors favourite Jonas Valanciunas, new Denver addition Cam Johnson and rookie Raptors Collin Murray-Boyles. As well, they should see the Raptors debut of former all-star forward Brandon Ingram. Article content Article content 'It's always an honour and a pleasure to get to return home to play basketball in Canada,' Murray said in a release. 'I'm excited for the opportunity for myself and my team to face off against the Raptors in front of the basketball-hungry fans of Vancouver, it's going to be a lot of fun.' Article content Article content The NBA Canada Series has featured 16 teams playing 19 preseason games in six Canadian cities, with 14 of the games including the Raptors. This will be the seventh Canada Series game in Vancouver. Article content Toronto last played a pre-season game in Calgary in 2016 after previously doing so in 2016. Article content 'It's been nearly a decade since we were last in Calgary – so we're excited to be spending the better part of a week in Stampede City,' Raptors general manager Bobby Webster said in a release. Article content 'Training camp is really important for our team. It's where we come together to focus on the year ahead, so making sure the city and the venue works is key. We think Calgary will be great – the facilities at UCalgary are top-class and we're looking forward to exploring all the city has to offer.' Article content Article content Raptors media day will be held on September 29 in Toronto before the team heads to Calgary for practices September 30-October 2 at Jack Simpson Gym. While these sessions are closed to the public, the Raptors will host their annual Open Practice on October 3 at Jack Simpson Gym. Article content 'It's shaping up to be a big year for basketball at the University of Calgary, and we are thrilled to welcome the Toronto Raptors to campus and the Jack Simpson Gym for training camp this fall,' said University of Calgary director of athletics Ben Matchett in the release. 'This event will bookend our hosting of the U SPORTS Men's Basketball Final 8 in March 2026. We look forward to welcoming the Raptors to the Home of the Dinos and creating an outstanding opportunity for the vibrant Calgary basketball community to witness the highest level of the sport in-person at the Open Practice on Oct. 3.'
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'I'm glad he won it' - LeBron James expressed admiration for Kobe Bryant on his sole MVP win
LeBron James expressed admiration for Kobe Bryant on his sole MVP win (Image Credit: Getty Images) LeBron James was in complete awe of Kobe Bryant and always advocated giving accolades to the Los Angeles Lakers star. When Kobe Bryant won the MVP award in 2008, LeBron expressed deep admiration for the legendary player. Though he ended up fourth in the MVP voting, LeBron did not mind losing at all, as the recognition went to his loved player. He said that Kobe deserved the win and that he was glad that Kobe bagged the recognition. Kobe celebrated his win with his teammates and called his win 'team's win,' He said, "We won MVP", showing how much he valued team's support. LeBron James celebrated Kobe Bryant's MVP win in 2008 with kind words for him The Day Prime Kobe Faced MVP LeBron LeBron James and Kobe Bryant were contenders for the regular-season MVP award in 2008. The result was declared in favor of Kobe Bryant. LeBron was very happy with the decision. He admired his 2008 Beijing Olympics teammate and expressed pleasure over Bryant bagging the MVP award in 2008. Showering adulations on Bryant, LeBron said: 'I've said since two, three years ago that Kobe Bryant is the best player in the league. He's been the best player the last five, six years. I'm glad he won it. His team had a great year, finishing first in the West." Kobe Bryant undoubtedly deserved it. His two-way game led the Los Angeles Lakers to the top of the Western Conference. Not only that, the Los Angeles Lakers won the 2009 NBA finals, 4-1, with Kobe Bryant delivering a fantastic 30-point performance. Kobe Bryant dedicated his MVP award to his team Kobe Bryant displayed unparalleled humility while accepting the award. He called it a result of team effort and said: 'This is a team award. This is not an individual award. The special thing about this award is that we did it together. I couldn't have done it without them.' kobe bryant MVP 2007-2008 Bryant celebrated his MVP win with his teammates by calling every player to the court and greeting them individually. Later, while addressing reporters in the press conference, Bryant again showered praise on his teammates, saying: 'I couldn't have won this award without the play of my teammates… This is one of the awards that I couldn't have won on my own. This gets done because we all do it as a unit.' He made a powerful statement on teamwork by saying, "I can't thank these guys enough. These are my guys, are my brothers and WE have won MVP.' Previously, Kobe Bryant joked about why he never won MVP in 2000s, when he peaked. He called it work of media, as Bryant was not someone as media-friendly as required to get votes for such accolades. LeBron James Kobe Bryant FAQs Did LeBron James and Kobe Bryant play for the same team? LeBron James and Kobe Bryant played for Team USA in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2012 London Summer Olympics. Which year did Kobe Bryant win MVP? Kobe Bryant won the MVP award for the regular season in 2008. How many times did LeBron James play Kobe Bryant? LeBron James and Kobe Bryant faced each other 22 times. Also Read: LeBron James or Kobe Bryant? Dwight Howard's shocking pick in the legendary NBA debate between his two former teammates Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dolph Schayes said 76ers players resented him for giving Wilt Chamberlain special treatment: "I got in trouble with the team because Wilt lived in New York"
Dolph Schayes said 76ers players resented him for giving Wilt Chamberlain special treatment: "I got in trouble with the team because Wilt lived in New York" originally appeared on Basketball Network. In 1963, the late Dolph Schayes went straight from a 15-year Hall of Fame career to become the Philadelphia 76ers' player-coach. Expectations were high, but like many ex-athletes before and after him, it didn't take long for the former 12-time All-Star to learn a hard truth: success on the court doesn't automatically carry over to the sidelines. Schayes' early struggles are certainly noteworthy because, on paper, he had the perfect setup. Remember, Wilt Chamberlain — a once-in-a-generation talent — anchored the Sixers' roster at the time. While this might sound like a dream start for any basketball coach, the 2004 book "Wilt: Larger Than Life" reveals the challenges behind it. Chamberlain's impact In the early NBA years, it was almost impossible to find a bigger superstar than Chamberlain. Joining the league in 1959 as Philadelphia's territorial pick, the former Harlem Globetrotter made an immediate impact, winning MVP and Rookie of the Year, earning All-Star honors and leading the league in scoring (37.6 points per game) and rebounds (27.0 per game) as a first-year. But Chamberlain's dominance on the court wasn't the only thing that drew attention — his off-court stories did, too, ultimately boosting his superstar status. Chamberlain, known for his larger-than-life persona and rumored to have been with over 20,000 women, fully embraced the spotlight and became a cultural force beyond basketball. Wilt's star allure tested team chemistry The towering 7'1" center stood out on Schayes' roster — not just for his height, but for his star power, the kind of status that often came with special treatment. It's certainly a double-edged sword that can create friction within a team. Of course, that's not always the case — some former MVPs, like Dirk Nowitzki and Tim Duncan, kept a low, grounded profile and were beloved by their teammates. But Chamberlain, who won the award four times during his storied 14-year NBA career, wasn't wired that way. He gladly accepted the extra perks that came with his heightened status in the league and within the Sixers organization. If anyone deserved them, it was him. Still, other players on the team resented it — especially when success was hard to come was caught in the middle Schayes, who had to manage it all, recalled key moments when this challenging dynamic came to a head. "I got in trouble with the team because Wilt lived in New York," the 1966 Coach of the Year admitted. "One of the conditions, I think, for Wilt to come back to Philadelphia from San Francisco was that he could live in New York. Wilt was a night person. I think Wilt felt he wasn't as noticeable at night. He didn't like to practice in the morning. The guys wanted to practice early, to get it over with, so they had the rest of the afternoon off. But because of Wilt, we'd practice late in the day, at 4:00. The guys held it against me." Ultimately, his hands were tied. Schayes recalled team owner Ike Richman telling him to side with Chamberlain, saying, "There's no other way," likely fearing the fallout for the franchise if their cornerstone player decided to walk away. Tensions flared again during the 1965 playoffs against the iconic Boston Celtics. After winning Game 3, Dolph called for practice, but Wilt, citing fatigue, stayed in New York City. Boston took Game 4 in overtime, putting Philadelphia on the brink of elimination. Before Game 5, the Big Dipper missed another morning practice. While frustration ran high, the 76ers' head coach publicly defended his star player. "Wilt killed himself yesterday. He played a great game. So I excused him from practice… Before Tuesday night's game we're going to hold a strategy session. And Wilt will be there," he said. However, not every Sixer shared that support, as one anonymous player disclosed to the press. "Sure, he should have been here [at the practice]. Isn't Wilt just like you and me?" he was quoted. "Today was the same as it's been all year long. Wilt misses a practice and it sort of aggravates the guys." Ultimately, basketball is a team game. No matter how dominant a player is, no one wins alone, making team cohesion essential for sustained success. It's clear the Sixers lacked that unity in 1965, which played a major role in their 4-3 loss to the Celtics in the Eastern Division Finals. Afterward, Boston's superstar Bill Russell, known for his leadership and locker room presence, highlighted that very issue. "This may sound trite, but it's very true," the NBA icon explained. "I think this is a team game. I'm not saying anything bad about Wilt Chamberlain. He had a great and I voted for him for Most Valuable Player. But any time you take this game out of the team realm, you foul up your team."This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Baltimore Ravens 53-man roster projection entering training camp
After months of waiting, Baltimore has arrived back at the Under Armour Performance Center for the start of Ravens training camp. During free agency, the Ravens added Cooper Rush and DeAndre Hopkins to the passing game, cornerback Chidobe Awuzie on defense, and Jake Hummel to the special teams. The team is still in the midst of a Super Bowl window and signed a talented and versatile 11-player NFL draft class, and 17 undrafted free agents. Baltimore GM Eric DeCosta made the most significant move of the off-season on the final day of minicamp, quietly coming to terms with Jaire Alexander on a one-year deal. This is a loaded roster with few holes or opportunities to steal a starting spot or carve out a key role on offense or defense. With the Ravens reporting this morning, we're releasing another 53-man roster prediction with a few surprises. Random note: The Baltimore Ravens have granted outside linebacker David Ojabo an international roster exemption, opening up a spot for an extra player this offseason. According to "a qualifying international player is a person whose citizenship and principal place of residence are outside the United States and Canada, and who has a maximum of two years of United States high school experience." Ojabo, a 2022 second-round pick out of Michigan by the Ravens, was born in Nigeria but moved to Scotland in 2007. At 17, he moved to the United States and played basketball at Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey. Soon after, he switched to football and became teammates with Baltimore outside linebacker Odafe Oweh. Ojabo now enters a pivotal fourth season in the NFL, and while he will not count against a roster spot for now, he will still count on the 53-man roster once the season starts. QB: 2 Lamar Jackson Cooper Rush Lamar Jackson is an MVP candidate, and Cooper Rush is among the best backup quarterbacks in the NFL. Devin Leary can find a role on the practice squad, and the Ravens can be creative with their approach. RB: 5 Derrick Henry Justice Hill Keaton Mitchell Rasheen Ali Pat Ricard Baltimore has a solid four at running back, and if Rasheen Ali doesn't improve, Eric DeCosta could look to make another move. WR: 6 Zay Flowers DeAndre Hopkins Rashod Bateman LaJohntay Wester Devontez Walker Tylan Wallace The final six spots at wide receiver will look similar, with DeAndre Hopkins replacing Nelson Agholor, and LaJohntay Wester being added via the NFL draft. Zay Flowers made the Pro Bowl after logging 74 catches for 1,059 yards and four touchdowns. Rashod Bateman had his best NFL season, logging 45 catches for 756 yards and nine touchdowns. There was a drop-off after that, with Nelson Agholor logging 29 catches for 231 yards and two scores. So, Baltimore went out and added DeAndre Hopkins. The Ravens drafted LaJohntay Wester and will look for Devontez Walker to take the next steps. TE: 3 Mark Andrews Isaiah Likely Charlie Kolar Baltimore goes chalk at tight end, bringing back its top three players from 2024, all of whom have expiring contracts. After a slow start, Mark Andrews finished with 55 catches for 673 yards and 11 scores while Isaiah Likely had 42 catches for 477 yards and six touchdowns. OL: 10 Tyler Linderbaum Nick Samac Daniel Faalele Andrew Vorhees Roger Rosengarten Ronnie Stanley Joe Noteboom Garrett Dellinger (Drafted Rookie) Emery Jones (Drafted Rookie) Carson Vinson (Drafted Rookie) The Ravens' offensive line produced a 13th-ranked 85.8 PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating, allowing 145 pressures and just eight sacks on 539 pass plays this season. Tyler Linderbaum was the unit's best player, and his 82.5 PFF run-blocking grade ranked fourth among centers this season. Ronnie Stanley returns on a two-year deal, while Andrew Vorhees should be the starter at left guard. Ben Cleveland re-signed on a one-year contract, but Carson Vinson is securing the final roster spot. DL: 5 Justin Madubuike Broderick Washington Aeneas Peebles (Drafted Rookie) John Jenkins Travis Jones With Michael Pierce retired, Travis Jones has an opportunity for a breakout season. Edge Rusher: 5 Mike Green David Ojabo -- International Roster Exemption Odafe Oweh Kyle Van Noy Adisa Isaac Tavius Robinson Ojabo's roster exemption is the only thing keeping him on this team, while Tavius Robinson looks to make a big jump. LB: 4 Roquan Smith Trenton Simpson Jake Hummel Teddye Buchanan (Draft Pick) CB: 6 Nate Wiggins Jaire Alexander Chidobe Awuzie T.J. Tampa Marlon Humphrey Bilhal Kone (Draft Pick) The addition of Jaire Alexander forces Robert Longerbeam to the practice squad in his rookie season, and Jayln Armour-Davis to the waiver wire. Safety: 4 Sanoussi Kane Beau Brade Malaki Starks Kyle Hamilton Specialst: 3 Tyler Loop Jordan Stout Nick Moore This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens 53-man roster prediction
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Jalen Hurts continues to prove critics wrong as Philadelphia Eagles quarterback prioritizes championships over rankings
Jalen Hurts (via Getty Images) Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts is under the radar in league circles despite having a résumé that includes a Super Bowl championship, MVP award, and gaudy win-loss record. ESPN's most recent quarterback rankings, personally curated by NFL executives, coaches, and scouts, left Hurts at No. 9—behind less successful names but Jalen Hurts keeps demonstrating that for him, winning—and not awards or rankings—is the sole statistic that counts. Jalen Hurts ranks behind less seasoned quarterbacks in newest NFL poll Jalen Hurts' Philadelphia Eagles career has been marked by persistence, accomplishments, and ongoing development. All this notwithstanding, in ESPN's annual quarterback list that considers feedback from NFL executives, coaches, and scouts, Hurts ranks at nine on the list—after rookies and veterans who have not even reached anywhere near him as far as playoff games are concerned. It is simple to overlook that Jalen Hurts, the second-round draft pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, has broken not only expectations but records as well. He took the Philadelphia Eagles to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances in his first five years, capturing Super Bowl LIX and Super Bowl MVP along the way. His play in the two Super Bowl championship games, especially his ground control, broke NFL records, such as most rushing yards by a quarterback in a Super Bowl (72) and most total touchdowns by a QB in two Super Bowl firsts (seven). Jalen Hurts Answers More Fans' Questions Despite all these accomplishments, Jalen Hurts is underrated by some league decision-makers, perhaps because he doesn't have top-10 draft pick potential or the string of changing offensive playcallers he's had to work with. In his six years in Philly, Hurts has had a new offensive coordinator almost every year but has been extremely consistent—despite that, he was a 2022 MVP runner-up and owns a 6-3 playoff record. Matthew Stafford only owns one ring but with fewer playoff victories than Jalen Hurts Hurts' postseason performances in 2024 were a leadership and efficiency masterclass. He had 726 passing yards, a 71.4% completion percentage, and a total of six touchdowns, only six, on a single interception. His fourth-quarter heroics after the bye solidified him as one of the league's best under pressure—touting an NFL-leading 132.5 passer rating in such situations. More impressively, Hurts is the sole NFL quarterback with 10 playoff passing and 10 playoff rushing touchdowns. The Eagles possess a clean record when Hurts starts and completes a game since Week 5 in the 2024 season. Also read: Jalen Hurts sparks backlash for not wearing Super Bowl ring Whereas gaudy statistics and fantasy football nuggets usually define quarterback talk, Hurts is different for one extremely fundamental reason: he wins. Throughout the regular season and playoffs, his win-loss record will be higher than his draft number or media darling status. FAQs What is Jalen Hurts most known for? Jalen Hurts is a quarterback for Philadelphia Eagles. When was Jalen Hurts born? Jalen Hurts was born on August 7, 1998. Where was Jalen Hurts born? Houston, Texas, US. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
