With just a little under a week before the NBA’s trade deadline, the Dallas Mavericks have been rumored to be one of the most active teams on the market. After battling injury after injury over the last two months, Dallas’ championship hopes have diminished with each injury to key players. With this in mind, the Mavericks must address multiple needs at the deadline.
While Dallas’ championship hopes could wane on them making a trade and getting Luka Doncic back and healthy before the All-Star break, the team has seen positive progression with multiple players over this tough stretch. Klay Thompson has been one of the Mavericks’ steadiest players over the last week and could finally be hitting his stride at the perfect time.
In addition to Thompson’s pristine offense over the last week, Kyrie Irving has quietly been Dallas’ best player since the beginning of the season. Irving isn’t just averaging Mavericks highs in multiple categories but he largely kept the team afloat amidst this injury-riddled slide.
Irving’s contributions haven’t gone unnoticed and in 10 games without Irving, Dallas is just 3-7. With this in mind, Mavs fans have been clamoring for the former champion to make his first All-Star Game (as a Maverick considering he made it as a Net in 2023) since being traded to Dallas two seasons ago.
Kyrie Irving proves league wrong after All-Star snub
On the season, Irving is averaging 24.3 points per game, 4.8 assists per game, and 4.6 rebounds per game, all while shooting the ball at a nearly 50 percent rate from the field and 41.5 percent from behind the 3-point line.
Despite these eye-popping numbers, Irving was snubbed of his ninth all-star appearance in what has become one of the league’s biggest talking points over the last few days. While Irving’s disrespect from the league may sound like something new, this has been a common trend throughout the superstar’s career.
This season, Irving’s lack of whistles from the referees has been apparent and it has even caused the Mavericks to lose some games but putting all of this behind him, Irving had a strong performance against the Detroit Pistons in his first game back since not being selected for the All-Star team.
In the midst of a five-game road trip, Dallas played the Pistons in what could mark one of Dallas’ low points of the season after losing 117-102 in embarrassing fashion. Despite this, Irving shined as he dropped 28 points on decent numbers from the field.
Irving dazzled on the offensive end of the floor and even hit some incredible 3-point shots to keep Dallas connected at a critical time in the game. While Irving’s efforts didn’t result in a win, his performance sent a clear message to the league that they messed up by not giving Irving his ninth All-Star nod.
Irving was perhaps the Mavericks’ only plus player in last night’s loss as he was only one of two players to finish the game with more than 20 points. While Irving may not have shot the lights out, his efforts displayed just how desperate Dallas has become as they battle multiple injuries before the trade deadline.
If the Mavericks fans are to take any takeaways from this game it’s that Irving deserved to be named an All-Star and the Mavericks must get Irving and Doncic help if they wish to keep their championship hopes alive this season.
Kyrie Irving, star point guard for the Brooklyn Nets, is not one to shy away from speaking his mind. And recently, he has made it very clear that he is fed up with the disrespect he and other players in the NBA have been receiving.
In a post-game interview, Irving expressed his frustration with the constant criticism and lack of appreciation from fans, media, and even some fellow players. He called out the double standards and unfair treatment that he believes has been plaguing the league.
Irving reminded everyone that NBA players are human beings too, and deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. He emphasized that the constant negativity and hate directed towards players not only affects their mental health, but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes and perpetuates a toxic culture within the league.
It’s time for the NBA to take a long, hard look at how they treat their players. Kyrie Irving’s powerful words serve as a reminder that the disrespect has gone way too far, and it’s time for a change. Players deserve to be celebrated for their talents and contributions to the game, not torn down and disrespected at every turn. Let’s listen to their voices and work towards creating a more positive and supportive environment for all players in the NBA.
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Sabalenka is chasing a third successive title in Melbourne and fourth career Grand Slam title, with Keys yet to taste such success.
But the American has just overcome former world number one Iga Swiatek, having narrowly edged out the Pole in their Australian Open semi-final clash.
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images
Aryna Sabalenka’s ability to get over the line likened to Roger Federer and Serena Williams
But Keys’ coach and husband Bjorn Fratangelo is expecting an entirely different test against Sabalenka, such has been her superb career so far.
Keys mentioned that the Belarusian has been a reference point for her, although she has now evolved, with Fratangelo tasked with explaining what now stands out about Sabalenka.
“Yeah, I think she’s number one in the world for a reason,” he said. “But I agree with you, maybe Aryna is a little more of the polished version of Madison.
“Similar in size, similar game style. Aryna I think just does things a little bit better over the course of a 52-week calendar year, you know?
“But yeah, what I’ve seen from her now is just what the greats do, is they have the ability to raise the level when it matters most.
“For instance, in that [Anastasia] Pavlyuchenkova match (quarter-final), I was watching that at night in the room in the hotel, and there just wasn’t a doubt in my mind that she wasn’t going to win that match.
“That’s kind of how you feel with Novak [Djokovic] when he plays most matches, Serena [Williams] when she played most matches, Roger [Federer], Rafa [Nadal], you know. I think she has that now.
“I think the difference with her and Iga is Iga brings that sort of Nadal mentality towards every single point, where I would say maybe Sabalenka’s mindset is a little more Federer-like: you can throw in some errors, people will hold serve, but at the crunch moments, she’s going to win.
“That’s what she’s been able to do so well. It’s a credit to her and her team. She keeps improving year after year. Tomorrow is going to be tough, but I have a good feeling about it.”
Madison Keys vs Aryna Sabalenka career stats ahead of Australian Open final
At 29, Keys is three years older than Sabalenka, and could rely on that experience if the going gets tough during the match, which is very likely will.
The latter is, however, already an 18-time WTA champion, and knows what it takes to thrive in the most high-pressure situations.
She also leads Keys 4-1 in their head-to-head record, although that is the same record the American had with Swiatek before that superb semi-final win.
Form simply could go out of the window in this one-off tie, where nerves, the crowd and weather all come into play to throw doubt on the most likely winner.
Career-high rank
Titles
Win/loss
Prize money
Aryna Sabalenka
1
18
421/188
$30,299,298
Madison Keys
7
9
391/220
$19,018,583
Aryna Sabalenka v Madison Keys career stats
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Madison Keys’ coach recently revealed what Aryna Sabalenka does on the court that reminds him of tennis legends Roger Federer and Serena Williams.
In a recent interview, the coach praised Sabalenka’s ability to dictate points and play aggressive tennis, much like Federer and Williams. He noted that Sabalenka’s powerful groundstrokes and fearless mentality on the court are reminiscent of the two tennis greats.
The coach also highlighted Sabalenka’s ability to remain calm under pressure and her willingness to take risks and go for winners when the opportunity arises. He believes that these qualities are what set Sabalenka apart from other players on the tour and make her a formidable opponent.
Overall, the coach’s comparison of Sabalenka to Federer and Williams serves as high praise for the rising star in women’s tennis. With her aggressive playing style and mental fortitude, Sabalenka has the potential to achieve great success in the sport and leave a lasting impact on the game.
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Madison Keys, Aryna Sabalenka, coach, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, tennis, similarities, strategy, techniques, player comparison, Grand Slam, WTA, ATP, coaching insights
In anticipation of President Trump’s promises to execute mass deportations immediately after taking office, the NYPD issued an internal memo reminding cops of existing laws blocking them from lending a hand to federal immigration authorities.
While the mayor has publicly declined to answerwhether he will cooperate with federal immigration raids on New York, the NYPD memo is the latest in a flurry of behind-the-scenes activity to remind city staff of laws blocking cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
The internal operations order, issued by Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch on Saturday, reminded cops they can’t engage or assist with immigration enforcement or allow NYPD resources to be used for that purpose, either.
“The fact that a person is present in the United States without lawful authorization is a civil matter, not a crime,” Tisch wrote.
An ICE agent monitors hundreds of asylum seekers being processed upon entering the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building on June 6, 2023. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)
That announcement and the slew of executive orders targeted at immigration have sparked fear among immigrants and advocates. Those included an executive order seeking to end the constitutional right to birthright citizenship.
The memo, going into detail, said that police officers cannot contact the feds to tell them where individuals are located, cannot detain them and cannot use Police Department facilities to help ICE.
Officers who encounter ICE conducting immigration raids must inform the Operations Division of the NYPD, who will then reach out to duty chiefs and the Legal Bureau. The Operations Division was also told to monitor for federal immigration enforcement in the city.
Migrants enter Mexico along El Chaparral pedestrian border bridge in Tijuana, Mexico, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, after being deported from the U.S. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)
Even if federal immigration officials have a warrant, cops cannot release anyone from custody without authorization from the city lawyers and the officers’ operations command.
The NYPD memo comes amid a rapidly changing environment with Trump moving quickly to deliver on his campaign promise to remove dangerous immigrants from the country and stop the flow of migrants across the southern border.
Asked about his view Tuesday, Adams said he has told Trump he will not publicly disparage the president, but communicate any concerns he might have directly,
“We’re not going to agree on everything, but those areas that we disagree, I’m going to personally share with [Trump], and he has given me an opportunity to communicate with him directly on issues we disagree, and I respect that,” Adams said during his weekly press briefing.
Mayor Eric Adams speaks at the NYPD’s 25th Precinct stationhouse alongside NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, right, and Jackie Rowe-Adams on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 in Manhattan, New York. (Barry Williams / New York Daily News)
The NYPD memo also comes as Trump has directed the Justice Department to look at any local efforts to block immigration enforcement.
The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs also issued a memo in the leadup to Trump’s presidency reminding all city agencies of sanctuary city laws, Rebecca Engel, director of Policy and Legislative Affairs at the office, said at a City Council oversight hearing last week.
The Law Department also hosted a briefing earlier this month to give general counsels a refresher on the city’s laws ahead of Trump’s expected immigration actions.
And New York City’s public school system hosted training sessions on the city’s laws this month for principals and administrators, telling staff what to do if feds request access to school grounds.
Originally Published:
In the midst of President Trump’s promise of mass deportations, a recent memo from the NYPD serves as a reminder to officers that their job is not to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in carrying out immigration enforcement.
The memo, which was sent out to all NYPD officers, emphasizes that their primary responsibility is to protect and serve all residents of New York City, regardless of their immigration status. It instructs officers to focus on building trust within immigrant communities and to refrain from engaging in activities that could instill fear or lead to the deportation of individuals.
This reminder comes at a time when tensions are high surrounding immigration policies and the role of local law enforcement in assisting federal agencies like ICE. The NYPD’s stance on this issue is clear – they are committed to upholding the rights and safety of all individuals within their jurisdiction, regardless of their background.
As the debate over immigration continues to unfold, it is important for law enforcement agencies to prioritize community trust and cooperation in order to maintain public safety and support the well-being of all residents. The memo from the NYPD serves as a strong statement of their commitment to these principles in the face of potential mass deportations.
In connection with his inauguration and second presidential term, Donald Trump is poised to swear to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” There wasn’t as much reason to focus on that specific wording when he took office for the first round. But this time it’s more notable, given that Trump subsequently argued that he never swore to “support” the Constitution.
His lawyers made the argument during litigation over his eligibility for office in the 2024 election, in the face of post-Jan. 6 disqualification efforts invoking the 14th Amendment’s insurrectionist ban. The amendment disqualifies oath-breaking insurrectionists who previously swore to “support the Constitution of the United States.”
Trump’s lawyers wrote to the Supreme Court that the word “support” is “nowhere to be found” in the presidential oath.
Among Trump’s legal arguments was that the ban doesn’t apply to presidents, citing the semantic distinction in the oath. His lawyers wrote to the Supreme Court that the word “support” is “nowhere to be found” in the presidential oath.
To be sure, while the Supreme Court kept Trump on the ballot, the ruling wasn’t based on that lawyerly distinction. At any rate, the justices did keep him on the ballot, he won, and now he’ll be president again. For that, he has the Roberts Court to thank, in part — not only for his eligibility, but for granting him broad criminal immunity that both helped him avoid a trial in the federal election interference case and gave him a roadmap for avoiding criminal consequences this time.
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As we reflect on President Trump’s inauguration in 2017, one crucial moment stands out among the rest: his promise to “Make America Great Again.”
This slogan, which became the cornerstone of his campaign and presidency, encapsulated Trump’s vision for America. It spoke to a desire for change, a return to traditional values, and a renewed sense of patriotism.
However, as we look back on the past four years, it is clear that Trump’s presidency has been marked by controversy, division, and tumultuous events. From the ongoing investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election to the deadly Capitol insurrection in January 2021, Trump’s time in office has been anything but smooth.
As we prepare for a new administration to take office, it is important to remember the lessons of Trump’s inauguration. It serves as a reminder of the power of words, the impact of a leader’s rhetoric, and the need for unity in a divided nation.
Let us learn from the past, and strive to create a better future for all Americans.
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“Not only was La Parka a big deal in Mexico, La Parka became a big deal in the States too,” Bully said. “La Parka’s gimmick was able to get over in WCW, go back and watch some La Parka stuff, that some b***h was getting some pops back in the day, so that’s who Penta reminds me of.” Bully stated that Penta is a combination of La Parka and Rey Mysterio, as WWE have been looking for Mysterio’s successor for many years, believing that they have found that successor in Penta, who just so happens have a build and personality similar to La Parka as he is much bigger (in stature) than Mysterio.
“Can Penta do the Rey stuff? Yes he can, he’s a bigger dude, but he’s also as entertaining as La Parka was in my opinion. This whole thing is going to get over.” There were some rumors that Penta had attracted some heat for his match and promo running long, leading to some things being cut from the show. However, those rumors were disproved, as those in WWE were happy with how his debut went.
Please credit “Busted Open Radio” when using quotes from this article, and give a H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
Bully Ray Says New WWE Star Penta Reminds Him Of This WCW Wrestler
Former WWE and TNA superstar Bully Ray recently shared his thoughts on the new WWE star Penta, and he couldn’t help but draw comparisons to a WCW wrestler from the past.
In a recent interview, Bully Ray mentioned that Penta’s in-ring style and presence reminded him of none other than the late great Chris Benoit. He praised Penta’s intensity, technical prowess, and ability to tell a story in the ring, much like Benoit did during his time in WCW.
Bully Ray’s comparison is high praise for Penta, as Chris Benoit was known for his incredible in-ring work and dedication to his craft. It’s clear that Penta has caught the eye of one of wrestling’s veterans, and fans can only hope to see him reach the same heights as Benoit did in his career.
With this comparison in mind, it will be interesting to see how Penta continues to develop and make a name for himself in WWE. If he can live up to the legacy of Chris Benoit, he could very well become a top star in the company for years to come.
