data-mm-id=”_ns1bv65f2″>No matter where you stand on the whole NBA-in-China fiasco, one thing we should all know as a common fact is the league is suffering from a series of self-inflicted blows. With the public relations wheel spinning a bit out of control right now, all parties on foreign soil would like nothing more than questions about motion offense or offensive rebounding or, really, anything basketball-related.Everything else? Well, you see, the answer isn't quite so simple. Those tasked with making sure players and coaches don't say something that may exacerbate the controversies are seizing on every opportunity to steer things into safe waters.For instance, here's what happened when Russell Westbrook and James Harder were asked about their willingness to continue to speak out on social issues in the wake of all the recent messiness.James Harden and Russell Westbrook were asked if they would “feel differently” about speaking on political and societal affairs because of the events with the NBA/China.A spokesperson interrupted and informed the reporter that the players would answer basketball questions only. pic.twitter.com/zMe8uWz2hY— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) October 10, 2019Oh yeah. Things are going great.Playing defense on such questions is understandable, but obviously bad. One has to wonder how long this strategy will remain viable. Certainly returning to America will mean removing the protective plastic shell they're trying to keep players under. And it's silly to think this issue is going to magically resolve itself. For the Rockets, this has a real chance to become a lingering sideshow. The NBA's equivalent to the Colin Kaepernick scent that was omnipresent in the air around the NFL a few years ago. So who comes up with an answer, and who backs it up with action, to get us to a point where the page is turned?There doesn't seem to be a clear path. The above one is clearly untenable and short-sighted.
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It’s Thanksgiving weekend and the NFC South picture is about as clear as it was in Week 1. Well, at least we know Carolina’s not winning it.
That “magic eye” picture of a division will start to come into focus following Week 12, with the Atlanta Falcons playing host to the New Orleans Saints this Sunday.
The NFL odds for this game aren’t helping with the uncertainty, with the spread jumping the fence in the first few days of action and eventually settling at a market consensus of Atlanta -1.
I dig into that tight spread as well as the Over/Under total for this NFC South showdown and give my best NFL picks for the Saints vs. Falcons on November 26.
Saints vs Falcons odds
Saint…
George Kittle lost a lot of people’s money after making just two catches in the NFC title game. Regardless, he played nearly every snap on offense and his Super Bowl odds opened at a nine-week low.
With the indoor track boosting passing and efficiency combined with an officiating crew that throws fewer flags, Kittle is in line to have a bigger role this week. Even if the volume isn’t there, a big play or two is very probable for the tight end who led his position in yards per catch.
After taking a look at George Kittle odds, these are my favorite Super Bowl picks surrounding the San Francisco tight end come tonight.
For more Super Bowl predictions, be sure to check out our Super Bowl 58 prop picks and 49ers vs. Chiefs picks on Sunday, Fe…
The Buffalo Bills are taking on the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium, meaning we get to dive into the Aaron Rodgers odds. A game against an AFC East rival gives Rodgers & Co. the perfect chance to change the direction of their season.
I’ve taken a long look at his NFL player props in my Bills vs. Jets predictions below.
…
March is already upon us, meaning the football season is getting towards the business end for many players – especially those in Europe.
With the World Cup edging ever closer, form is going to become more crucial as players hope to nail down a place in their respective national team squads.
Of course, there are still plenty of teams yet to confirm their participation in Qatar, so some cannot take qualification for granted.
But that won t stop certain individuals from dreaming about getting themselves into contention and ultimately playing a starring role on the big stage.
Back in November, Stats Perform began their one-year countdown to the biggest show in football by identifying 11 uncapped players who could potentially break into their respective nati…
Everton attacker Kevin Mirallas said it would be unfair if Adnan Januzaj was picked by Belgium for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Manchester United starlet Januzaj, 19, declared his allegiances to the European nation despite also being eligible for Kosovo, Albania and Serbia among others.
Mirallas, a 43-time Belgium international, is pleased the teenager chose his country, but said he should not be selected for Brazil 2014.
There was a lot of pressure on him to make his mind up, and it is good for Belgium that he has chosen us, because he is a good player, Mirallas said.
But I don t think he should go to Brazil. It would not be fair to leave out another good player for someone who does not know the others and has not played a lot for his club in recent months.
Ad…
Harry Kane insists full focus remains on securing England s first international trophy since 1966 as he prepares to do battle with Spain s Dani Olmo for the Golden Boot in the Euro 2024 final.
England face Spain in the tournament s showpiece game on Sunday in Berlin having beaten the Netherlands in the semi-finals thanks to Ollie Watkins late strike.
Kane levelled the scores in Dortmund from the penalty spot, netting his third goal of the competition and putting him out on his own as the all-time top scorer in knockout games at the European Championships (six).
He now has more knockout stage goals in major tournaments than any other European player (nine), overtaking Gerd Muller, Miroslav Klose, Antoine Griezmann, and Kylian Mbappe (all eight).
6 Harry…
Barcelona are interested in signing Sofyan Amrabat from Fiorentina in the summer of 2023, . The report has claimed that former La Liga and UEFA Champions League winners Barcelona wanted to sign Amrabat in the January transfer window, but they could not agree on a deal with Serie A outfit Fiorentina.
The Blaugrana remain keen on Amrabat and will make a move again for the Morocco international midfielder at the end of the season. Fiorentina will ask for between €35 million and €40 million in transfer fees for the 26-year-old midfielder, who played for Morocco at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Amrabat has made 14 starts and four substitute appearances in Serie A for Fiorentina so far this season. The midfielder has also played five times in the UEFA Europa Conference League…
Giorgio Chiellini feels Juventus have improved in the two years since their Champions League final defeat, but he remains wary of the threat holders Real Madrid pose.
Juve were beaten 3-1 by Barcelona in the 2015 showpiece, with Chiellini missing out through injury as his side were outclassed in Berlin.
However, the Bianconeri knocked Barca out at the quarter-final stage of this season s competition and the experienced centre-back is optimistic of their chances in Cardiff, despite Madrid s class.
Our start to the match will be crucial, Chiellini told a news conference. We have to be organised – that s essential in a one-off game and it gives you the best chance of reading the play.
We meet a team that have won this trophy twice in the last three year…
Former captain Faye White says the lack of media attention after England’s run to the European Championship final in 2009 was “soul destroying”.
The 45-year-old, who skippered the Lionesses for their 6-2 defeat to Germany in the final in Helsinki, was present on Monday to unveil a message of support laid out beneath the flight path out of Heathrow Airport for Sarina Wiegman’s side before they fly to Australia for the Women’s World Cup on Wednesday.
The message, large enough to be visible to the England party as their plane ascends over west London, reads “Lionesses, you’re our pride,” and is tagged with thousands of smaller messages of support submitted by fans across the country.
The move, which has been organised by one of the Football Associati…
If your NFL survivor pool were a video game, Week 12 would be that one crazy-difficult level that you just keep dying on.
Think World 8-3 from the 8-bit Mario Bros. with the god damn turtles that throw the hammers. How many times did you Gronk spike that Nintendo controller into your living room floor out of frustration?
You may be swapping out the video game buttons for the remote control when it comes to your NFL Week 12 survivor pool picks. There are no layups on the board, with only one team favored by a touchdown (and that’s Dallas on Thanksgiving).
And, depending on how your pool is shaped, the three-game holiday slate may be a week of its own (like in the Circa Survivor Pool in Las Vegas). That format limits your Thanksgiv…