Vucevic, Montenegrins blast Egyptians
The Chicago Bulls’ Nikola Vucevic is making memories to last a lifetime for people back home in Montenegro......»»
Tech bulls drive Hong Kong stocks to 3-month high ahead of Beijing measures
Title: “Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchange Indexes Displayed in Lujiazui Financial District” In a captivating snapshot captured in November 2022, an electronic board proudly displayed.....»»
Nets and Cavs to meet in NBA’s 2024 Paris game
The National Basketball Association announced Wednesday that the Brooklyn Nets will face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 'Paris Game' in the upcoming season. The game will be played at the Accor Arena in Bercy on 11 January. The Nets played in Paris in 2008 when they were still based in New Jersey. They faced the Miami Heat at Bercy and three days later in London, winning both games. The Cavaliers will be playing their first game in Europe. The Nets finished sixth in the East last season but were upset by the New York Knicks in the playoffs. "Our players and coaches will benefit greatly from the experience of immersing themselves in Paris's rich culture off the court," Brooklyn Nets General Manager Sean Marks said in the NBA press release. Cleveland finished fourth in the East but were upset by the New York Knicks in the playoffs. "This unique opportunity will provide our players, coaches, staff and families an experience into a different culture," said Cleveland Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman. There have been more than 40 NBA players from France, more than from any other country outside North America. The top pick in the recent draft was Frenchman Victor Wembanyama who was taken by the San Antonio Spurs. The post Nets and Cavs to meet in NBA’s 2024 Paris game appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NBA star James returns to jersey No. 23 in Russell tribute
LeBron James will switch his jersey number from 6 to 23 for his 21st NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers announced. The move, confirmed Saturday night on social media by the Lakers, is a tribute to the late NBA legend Bill Russell, whose jersey No. 6 was retired last year after his death, James's agent Rich Paul told ESPN. Players who were wearing 6, like James, were allowed to continue wearing the number. James did so for the 2022-23 campaign in honor of Russell, an 11-time NBA champion and five-time NBA Most Valuable Player, but has decided to show his respect this season by picking another number. It's the fourth NBA number change for James, who returns to 23, which he wore to start his career and at stops throughout his two decades in the league. James wore 23 in high school and when he first played for the Cleveland Cavaliers. When he left the Cavs for the Miami Heat in 2010, he changed to 6 as the Heat had retired 23 as a tribute to NBA legend Michael Jordan. In 2014, when James returned to the Cavaliers, he switched back to 23 and kept that number until 2021, when he went back to 6 so new Lakers teammate Anthony Davis could have 23, a number Davis ultimately did not take. James, who was wearing 6 when he set the all-time NBA scoring record last season, announced on Wednesday that he would play in the NBA for a 21st season. The four-time NBA champion and four-time MVP turns 39 in December and has said he would like to play in the NBA alongside his son Bronny James, who is set to be drafted next year. The post NBA star James returns to jersey No. 23 in Russell tribute appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Encierro: Run for your life
PAMPLONA, Spain — Shards of glass, bits of broken containers, cut up and shredded pieces of hard plastic cups and the acidic and nauseating smell of urine and puke could not stop primer encierro (first bull run) Friday morning to celebrate the nine-day San Fermin Festival. [caption id="attachment_158153" align="aligncenter" width="525"] the author at the primer encierro (first bull run).[/caption] Barely 12 hours before the first run, heavy rain poured for hours, leaving the cobbled and narrow streets wet and sometimes slippery, but failing to dissuade the hundreds of mozos (runners) from showing up hours before the 8 a.m. start of the 875-meter sprint. Known all over the world as the Running of the Bulls, whose origins stretch back to the 14th century, the event is Spain’s grandest fiesta. In the last 100 years, about 12 runners have been killed. Still, many locals and even those from other regions have shied away from seeing how far they can go. “I have little kids,” said a fiesta attendee, pointing to a boy of about five and a little girl seated on his lap while his wife listened to the conversation between a vacationing journalist from Manila who had endured a 16-hour bus ride from the Galician city of Vigo just to see what the encierro is all about. [caption id="attachment_158149" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Ernest Hemingway remains a popular and revered figure in Pamplona.[/caption] “It’s not the bulls that will put you in trouble, but the people who will be running with you,” he said. “Yes, the bulls are dangerous but it’s the people that will make it even more dangerous,” the man said, stressing that while the nine-day run usually passes without any serious incident, “the danger is always there.” He was right. The herd that was released got inside the Plaza de Toros without sending anyone to the hospital, ICU or even the morgue although about half a dozen got hurt, including one who miraculously survived after being tossed like a rag doll by one raging bull. All the bulls were later killed during a bullfight and another batch will suffer the same fate in the next several days. [caption id="attachment_158150" align="aligncenter" width="525"] REVELERS get ready to celebrate the San Fermin Festival in Pamplona, Spain.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_158146" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PAMPLONA fiesta attendees enjoy their brunch.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_158147" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Spanish culinary treats.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_158154" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Pamplona Church, built for the city’s patron saintSan Fermin.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_158148" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Tired tourists take a break at Pamplona’s city center.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_158152" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Spanish policemen make sure the first bull run goes underway smoothly.[/caption] During the day, local tourists and many foreigners partied for hours, eating, singing, dancing, and drinking to excessive levels. The trail of destruction could be seen in the final hours before the morning run as broken beer and wine bottles littered the cobbles of this city that goes upside down for nine straight days every July. “The economic impact is huge,” one guy from the Oficina Internacional de Prensa (International Press Office). A typical bed in a basic hostel goes for more than a staggering €150 a night. “The busiest and most expensive days to come is during the Chupinazo (formal start of the festival on 6 July) and the first bull run the following day,” he said. Indeed, a check on the website showed that the ‘cheap’ €150 the previous day was selling for €180 less than 24 hours later. Outside the San Fermin Festival, Pamplona also has countless other fiestas to look forward to each year. But nothing compares to what San Fermin and the Running of the Bulls bring. You could just imagine the availability of luscious Spanish food and savory cerveza 24 hours a day from mere alimentation (small grocery stores) and restaurants and eateries that line up the ancient and picturesque streets. No wonder this event is among the most popular on the bucket lists of thrill-seekers and serial travelers. A few days soaking up the electric atmosphere will leave every visitor longing to come back again and again provided he or she doesn’t end up being gored by the bulls. “It’s dangerous,” said the Pamplona-born security staff assigned at the vast complex that houses the press office. “One mistake and you (could) die.” You had better heed his advice. The post Encierro: Run for your life appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Great Brown Hope
The entire nation erupted in celebration when Kai Sotto finally made his debut in the National Basketball Association Summer League. It was such a memorable performance. The 7-foot-3 Filipino posted six points, four rebounds, three blocks, and an assist in the Orlando Magic’s 88-71 defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers. Aside from washing away the bitterness from being benched in their first three matches against the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, and New York Knicks, Sotto’s breakout performance could pave the way for him to land a two-way contract in the NBA. We, however, have to manage our expectations. The Filipinos’ road to the NBA is littered with tears, frustrations, and a lot of heartbreaks. Unlike the Chinese, Japanese, Iranians, and Koreans, no full-blooded Filipino has ever penetrated the NBA since its founding in 1946. Johnny Abarrientos came very close when he caught the attention of the Charlotte Hornets following Alaska’s grand slam season in 1996. In fact, the Hornets sent its international scout, Joe Bettancourt, to the country to watch the 5-foot-7 Abarrientos live and in action. Bettancourt was on the sidelines when Alaska battled Purefoods, hoping to give Abarrientos a 10-day contract that would have him replacing the injured Muggsy Bogues, the 5-foot-3 court general who ran the offense for Hornets coach Dave Cowens. Abarrientos, Bettancourt, and Alaska coach Tim Cone even had a “secret meeting” at the Manila Peninsula in 1997 to discuss the terms of Abarrientos’ contract and the possibility of him becoming the first Asian to play in the NBA. But it never happened. Cowens eventually pulled the plug on Bogues and sent him to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for BJ Armstrong, a 6-foot-2 playmaker who was part of the great Chicago Bulls squad that won three straight NBA titles. With Bogues gone, Abarrientos’s chance of making it to the NBA also vanished. Japeth Aguilar tried to revive the Filipinos’ NBA dream a decade later. After seeing action for Ateneo de Manila University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines league, Aguilar moved to the United States to enroll at Western Kentucky University, a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I program that produced NBA players like Courtney Lee, Mitchell Robinson, and Jeremy Evans. But the 6-foot-9 Aguilar failed to adjust to the speed and physicality of American basketball that had him struggling in his two years with the Hilltoppers. Aguilar was invited to a two-day workout with the New Orleans Hornets but their scout, Don Sellers, said that he remained a “work in progress” and was not yet ready for the NBA. Then, he was drafted in the seventh round by the Santa Cruz Warriors in the NBA D-League but his run also didn’t last long as he was eventually relegated to being a practice player until he was waived. Aguilar’s Gilas Pilipinas teammates — Ray Parks and Kiefer Ravena — also tried their luck with the NBA but their journeys only brought them as far as the NBA D-League. Veteran international campaigner Jojo Lastimosa was spot on with his observation: In this time and age, making it to the NBA is harder than it used to be. It’s no longer height that matters, but the mentality, work ethic, international exposure, and overall skill set that are the most important. For Sotto to make it to the NBA, he has to develop a reliable outside shot and quicker feet that will make him deadly in pick-and-roll attacks and enable him to switch to smaller, faster players at the defensive end. He also has to spend a lot of time getting exposed to American basketball, where giants like Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokic are shooting, running, attacking, and dribbling like skilled playmakers. Sotto is a generational talent. He is our only hope to break the solid walls of the NBA, where only 450 roster spots are available. If he doesn’t make it, maybe — just maybe — it’s time for us to abandon our NBA dream. The post Great Brown Hope appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PNP forges championship showdown vs Senate in UNTV Cup Executive Face-Off
The Philippine National Police (PNP) Responders arranged a one-game title clash with the Senate Sentinels after downing the AFP Cavaliers, 79-74, in the rubber match of their semis series......»»
Spanish rocket launch aborted due to last-minute glitch
The maiden flight of Spain's first rocket was aborted Saturday after the countdown ended because of a last-minute technical problem, the start-up PLD Space said. The launch of the Miura 1 in the southwestern province of Huelva was "automatically aborted" as some of the umbilicals -- which are used to provide power and fuel to rockets -- did not release as it should, Raul Torres, a co-founder of PLD Space, tweeted. "We will analyze the data to have more information," he added. The launch of the Miura 1, named after a breed of fighting bulls, had initially been scheduled for May 31 but was postponed due to high winds. Standing just 12 meters (40 feet) tall, the small reusable rocket was to fly 100 kilometers (62 miles) above Earth. While that distance would put it in outer space, the rocket is not powerful enough to reach orbit. Saturday's sub-orbital launch had been slated to bring a payload with micro-gravity experiments. Companies are rushing to develop launchers to address a growing satellite market. Around 18,500 small orbiters weighing less than 500 kilos (1,100 pounds) are projected to be launched in the coming decade, according to analysts from Euroconsult. The post Spanish rocket launch aborted due to last-minute glitch appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NBA legend Jordan shoes sell at auction for $1.38 million
Shoes worn by NBA legend Michael Jordan in the famous "Flu Game" of the 1997 NBA Finals were sold at auction for $1.38 million, Goldin memorabilia marketplace announced Thursday. The sneakers were part of history for Jordan and the Bulls, who won six NBA titles in the 1990s. The Bulls and Utah were tied in the 1997 best-of-seven NBA Finals at two wins each ahead of game five, when Jordan felt ill, feverish, and dehydrated due to a stomach virus but played for Chicago anyway. Jordan scored 38 points in 44 minutes and made the decisive 3-pointer in the dying seconds for a 90-88 Bulls triumph -- delivering the only Jazz home loss of the playoffs -- and Chicago went on to capture the crown in six games, with Jordan taking the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award. The shoes, which had belonged to a former Jazz ballboy, were first sold at auction 10 years ago for almost $105,000. The post NBA legend Jordan shoes sell at auction for $1.38 million appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cavaliers rip Magis for fourth UNTV crown
Darwin Cordero sparked a furious second-quarter breakaway and the Armed Forces of the Philippines Cavaliers demolished the Judiciary Magis, 79-63, to rule the 9th UNTV Cup Sunday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City......»»
AFP Cavaliers crowned UNTV Cup champs, win P3M for chosen charity
Darwin Cordero sparked a furious second quarter breakaway and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Cavaliers demolished the Judiciary Magis, 79-63, to rule the 9th UNTV Cup......»»
Cavaliers near fourth UNTV title
The Armed Forces of the Philippines Cavaliers inched closer to winning another UNTV Cup crown following a gutsy 62-58 win over the Judiciary Magis in Game 1 of their best-of-three title series last Wednesday at the Novadeci Convention Center in Quezon City......»»
Cavaliers edge Magis, zoom in on 4th UNTV Cup title
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Cavaliers inched closer to winning another UNTV Cup crown with a gutsy 62-58 win over the Judiciary Magis in Game 1 of their best-of-three title series......»»
Cavaliers, Magis in UNTV finals
The Armed Forces of the Philippines Cavaliers outlasted the NHA Home Masters, 81-74, in sudden death and advanced to the finals of the 9th UNTV Cup last Sunday at the Paco Arena in Manila......»»
AFP edges NHA, forges UNTV Cup finals duel vs Judiciary
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Cavaliers outlasted the NHA Home Masters, 81-74, in their sudden-death game and advanced to the finals of the 9th UNTV Cup......»»
Market to wait for key economic figures
Investors may be in a dance between bulls and bears this week as US inflation results for April and Philippine first quarter gross domestic product figures are released......»»
Cavaliers, Magis near finale
Three-time champion Armed Forces of the Philippines and Judiciary inched closer to a projected title clash after besting their respective rivals at the start of the best-of-three semis series in the 9th UNTV Cup Wednesday at the Paco Arena......»»
UNTV Cup: Cavaliers, Magis on verge of finals collision; Go, Villanueva shine
In the Executive Face-Off, Senators Bong Go and Joel Villanueva combined for 35 points as the Senate Sentinels outlasted Associate Justice Jose Midas Marquez’ Judiciary Magis, 72-69......»»
Finnish Jazz forward Markkanen wins NBA Most Improved award
Finnish forward Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz was named the NBA's 2023 Most Improved Player on Monday after boosting his scoring average by nearly 11 points a game. The 25-year-old Finnish forward earned his first All-Star selection this season and finished with career highs of 25.6 points and 1.9 assists plus 8.6 rebounds a game. Markkanen, who boosted his scoring average by an NBA-best 10.87 points a game this season, also had career-best shooting averages of 49.9 percent from the floor and 87.5 percent from the free throw line for the Jazz. "It feels amazing," Markkanen told NBA telecaster TNT from Helsinki, where he is fulfilling Finland military service requirements. "It's a huge privilege to be in this position." The 7-footer (2.13m), whose parents were both pro basketball players, was selected seventh overall by Minnesota in the 2017 NBA Draft and played for Chicago and Cleveland before being traded to Utah last September in the deal that sent Donovan Mitchell to the Cavaliers. "Just being in the right place at the right time," Markkanen said of his campaign. "I really wasn't the isolation player this year. I always give credit to guys finding me when I was open. I just tried to show up every night and be consistent. "I really tried to learn and step into that leadership role in the locker room. I'm still working on that." When it came to the military, Markkanen said he had plenty of others who wanted to play him one-on-one, but none yet who outranked him. "Days are pretty long but it has been pretty fun," he said. "Made a lot of new friends. We have to go through it together." He's the first European player to capture the award since Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo of Milwaukee in 2017 and the first Jazz player ever to win the award. Other finalists for the award were New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson from the United States and Canadian guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The post Finnish Jazz forward Markkanen wins NBA Most Improved award appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Timberwolves hold off Nuggets to stay alive, Warriors edge Kings
Anthony Edwards scored 34 points, including a three-point dagger with 11.5 seconds left, as the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Denver Nuggets 114-108 in overtime Sunday to stay alive in the NBA playoffs. Western Conference top seeds Denver, led by 43 points from reigning two-time Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic, closed regulation on a 12-0 run to force overtime. But they were out-scored 18-12 in the extra session at the Target Center in Minneapolis as the Timberwolves pulled within 3-1 in the series. Minnesota still face a daunting task -- no NBA team has come back from 3-0 down to win a best-of-seven series. "See you in Denver, we're going back," said Edwards, whose 16 third-quarter points keyed a Timberwolves charge that carried them to a 12-point lead midway through the fourth. Mike Conley added 19 points for Minnesota. Karl-Anthony Towns scored 17 points with 11 rebounds and Rudy Gobert added 14 points and 15 rebounds as the Timberwolves withstood another big night from Jokic. The Serbian star matched his playoff scoring high and added 11 rebounds and six assists. The teams swapped the lead four times in overtime, but Nuggets coach Michael Malone said too many defensive lapses in the extra session doomed his team. "You hold them to 16 points in the fourth quarter, then (they have) 18 in five minutes," Malone said. "That's the hardest thing to stomach about this game is that when the game was on the line, we were unwilling and unable to get the necessary stops." 'Sloppy' Curry It was the second Western Conference thriller of the day, after the Golden State Warriors held off a ferocious fourth-quarter fightback from the Sacramento Kings to secure a 126-125 victory that leveled their series at two games apiece. Harrison Barnes almost snatched victory for Sacramento at the buzzer, but his long-range effort bounced off the rim to leave the NBA champions celebrating. Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 32 points -- and breathed a sigh of relief after two uncharacteristic blunders in a frenetic finale at the Chase Center. Curry missed a wide-open three-pointer with his team-leading 126-121 with less than a minute remaining. He then erroneously called a timeout when the Warriors had none left, earning a technical foul and allowing Sacramento's Malik Monk to make it a four-point game with a free throw. De'Aaron Fox's three-pointer pulled Sacramento within 126-125 and Curry missed another floater to give the Kings a final chance. "It was kind of sloppy not knowing how many timeouts we had left, and a couple of dagger shots didn't go in -- but we did what we needed to do defensively in those last 10 seconds," a relieved Curry said. Klay Thompson added 26 points and Jordan Poole had 22. Draymond Green, back from suspension, scored 12 points with 10 rebounds and seven assists off the bench to help the Warriors withstand a 38-point performance from Fox. Knicks, Celtics close in In the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics moved within a victory of advancing, the Knicks beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 102-93 and the Celtics downing Atlanta 129-121 to each take 3-1 series leads. Jalen Brunson drained five three-pointers on the way to 29 points for the Knicks, who again electrified Madison Square Garden. With just one win from three more games the Knicks can advance past the first round for the first time since 2013. Darius Garland led Cleveland with 23 points but Donovan Mitchell scored just 11 -- only two in the second half. The Cavs will try to extend the series when they host game five on Wednesday. The Celtics can wrap up their series at home on Tuesday after bouncing back from a disappointing game-three defeat with a convincing victory in Atlanta. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown scored 31 points apiece for the Celtics, each delivering a dunk in the final minute as the Celtics thwarted the Hawks' final rally bid. Hawks star Trae Young finished with a game-high 35 points and handed out 14 assists. But Boston stepped up their defensive intensity and had an answer for every Atlanta run, never trailing after the first quarter. Brown got off to a slow start, making just one of his first seven shots. Then he got rid of the protective mask he's worn since suffering a facial fracture in February and made 11 of 15. "Maybe it was all in my head," Brown said. "I took it off and started to turn things around a little bit." The post Timberwolves hold off Nuggets to stay alive, Warriors edge Kings appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»