Kobe Bryant is one of the most distinguished basketball players of his time. His name is often associated with Michael Jordan and LeBron James because of the never-ending goat debate. But do you know why Kobe Bryant changed his jersey number? In this article, we will find out some of the reasons why the Black Mamba changed his jersey number from eight (8) to twenty-four (24).
From Rookie number 8 to Hall of Famer number 24
Kobe Bryant is an NBA legend who left an indelible mark on the basketball world with his two iconic jersey numbers, 8 and 24. The shift from No. 8 to No. 24 marked a significant transformation in Kobe’s career, reflecting his growth as a player and as a person.
The choice of No. 8 initially stemmed from a combination of numbers (1, 4, and 3), forming a unique identifier for Kobe during his early career. However, as his journey in the NBA progressed, Kobe’s motivations for changing his jersey number became clearer.
Aiming for a Fresh Start
Transitioning from No. 8 to No. 24 signified Kobe’s desire for a fresh start. The departure of his long-time teammate Shaquille O’Neal and the legal challenges he faced off the court had left Kobe seeking renewal. No. 24 represented a new chapter in his career, allowing him to reestablish himself both professionally and personally.
Honoring a Legacy While Creating His Own
Before the NBA, Kobe’s initial choice of number 33 at Lower Merion was an homage to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar‘s iconic jersey number. However, with that number retired in the NBA, Kobe shifted to No. 8 upon entering the pro league, embodying a fresh identity. The switch to No. 24 was a blend of honoring the past and forging his unique legacy.
Personal Growth and Development
On the court, the change in Kobe’s game mirrored his personal evolution. While No. 8 Kobe was known for his explosive athleticism and dazzling play, No. 24 Kobe adopted a more refined approach. He exhibited a deeper understanding of the game, employing a wider array of skills, including his signature turnaround fadeaway, a move he learned from his idol, Michael Jordan.
Two Hall of Fame Careers
Both No. 8 and No. 24 Kobe Bryant delivered remarkable achievements, each version contributing to his legacy. No. 8 Kobe earned three NBA titles alongside Shaquille O’Neal, showcasing his remarkable talents as a dynamic and energetic player. In contrast, No. 24 Kobe captured an MVP award and led the Lakers to consecutive championships while displaying a more mature and versatile skill set.
The Black Mamba
In essence, Kobe Bryant’s decision to switch from No. 8 to No. 24 was driven by a blend of personal and professional factors. The change symbolized his growth, renewal, and aspiration to craft a fresh narrative in his basketball journey. While both versions of Kobe hold their own unique brilliance, they collectively illustrate the incredible range of talent and determination possessed by the basketball icon known as The Black Mamba.
The National Basketball Association is probably one the most prestigious basketball leagues in the world. The NBA is taken with high regards considering that every basketball player in the world wants to be drafted in one of its 30 teams. There are many success stories in terms of teams, players and the league itself.
However, in recent years, some intriguing events within the NBA have led to suspicions about the league’s authenticity. In this article, we will look into various aspects that may suggest a predetermined nature to the NBA’s operations. From remarkable comeback stories to strategic roster moves, there are instances that prompt questions about the league’s legitimacy—is the NBA scripted?
LeBron James: The Prodigal Son
LeBron James‘ journey from being the prodigal son of the Cleveland Cavaliers to leading a seemingly underwhelming Cavaliers team to remarkable heights raises questions. His consistent success despite roster deficiencies raises suspicions about whether the NBA encourages his narrative as a savior and icon. As a matter of fact, when he returned to Cleveland, he gave them their first championship, coming back from a 0-3 deficit against the Golden State Warriors. While some may argue that his unparalleled talent explains his achievements, skeptics may see a scripted trajectory.
The Success of Major Cities
The NBA’s profitability heavily relies on major cities’ success. Teams in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, and Miami carry historical significance and dedicated fan bases. This dynamic introduces the possibility that the league might prioritize ensuring these cities’ teams remain competitive to maximize viewership and financial gains.
Narrative-Driven Success Stories
Before one of the most devastating forces of nature came to New Orleans way back in 2005 (Hurricane Katrina), the New Orleans Hornets were one of the worst teams in the NBA. But years after the surge, the team became one of the most dominant teams in the league. They stand at 56 wins and 26 losses and have made it to the second round of the playoffs. While this may seem serendipitous, it raises eyebrows about the league’s role in crafting narrative-driven successes to keep fans engaged.
Fueling Rivalry
The blockbuster trades that propelled the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers into championship contention are notable. The Celtics’ acquisition of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen and the Lakers’ snagging of Pau Gasol sparked significant success. Skeptics argue that these moves could have been orchestrated to benefit the league’s marquee franchises and create championship rivalries.
Unlikely Odds and Chicago’s Miracle
Chicago’s unlikely victory in obtaining the first pick in the 2008 NBA draft despite having a mere 2% chance raises eyebrows. They gained hometown favorite Derrick Rose, who, by the way, was one of the most highly anticipated point guard prospects during that year. If it weren’t for the injuries that Derrick Rose got, they could have been revived from their glory days when they had Michael Jordan. The selection of a highly touted hometown prospect only adds to suspicions of scripting to ensure that one of the league’s major markets remains competitive.
Conclusion
While this article presents various points of suspicion about the authenticity of the NBA’s operations, it’s essential to remember that skepticism doesn’t equate to certainty. The NBA remains a business, and crafting storylines to captivate audiences and generate revenue is a standard practice in the entertainment industry. While some occurrences might seem scripted, definitive proof is required. As consumers of the league’s entertainment product, it’s important to maintain a balanced perspective while enjoying the excitement that the NBA brings to fans worldwide. So you decide whether the NBA is scripted or not.
Which Hot Ones sauce is the hottest? Steph Curry on spicy wings and his basketball career
Steph Curry gives his thoughts on which Hot Ones sauce is the hottest while talking about some of his special moments in his basketball career. Sean Evans, the host of Hot Ones, features him in a one-on-one interview while eating spicy wings. In this article, we will talk about how one of the greatest three-point shooters of all time came to be and the different Scoville levels of some of the hottest hot sauce on the planet.
Hot Ones the show with hot question and even hotter wings
Before we dive deeper into our topic, let’s get to know what Hot Ones is. Hot Ones is a YouTube show that conducts interviews with different known personalities around the world. It is produced by First We Feast and Complex Media and is hosted by Sean Evans.
Here, they interview the person while eating spicy wings with different Scoville levels. As the question progresses, the spiciness of the wings also progresses.
How is Steph Curry when it comes to spicy food?
Before Sean Evans asked the real questions, he asked Steph if he was okay with spicy foods. He said that as a child he was not much of a fan of spicy food, but when he married his wife, who has Jamaican heritage, he managed to adapt quickly. He said that he is comfortable with spicy foods but doesn’t want to brag about them until the show is finished.
THE FIRST HALF
During the first half of the interview, the Scoville level of the Spicy wings was tolerable for most people. Here, it retains the flavor while having the spiciness of the hot sauce.
First question/spicy wing: Classic Hot Sauce Chili Maple with 1,600 Scoville level
Sean Evans: “According to 109 NBA draft scouting reports, you’ll never be a star in the league because of lack of explosiveness. How do you think things would have been different if you would have ended up at Virginia Tech or Duke? Like, do you think you’d be where you are right now?”
Steph disagrees because the style of basketball he currently plays is based on a system that Davidson College has perfected, and he gets to learn alongside the others. He also said that if he went to Duke or any famous collegiate basketball team and didn’t get the experience that he learned from Davidson, he wouldn’t be the same player. He also stated that you need to go where your style fits, rather than forcing yourself to go to famous colleges where you don’t fit in.
Second question/spicy wing: La Pimenterie Curry Verde Thai Green Curry Hot Sauce with 6,000 Scoville level
Before the second question was asked, Sean Evans congratulated Curry on recently winning the American Century Championship in golf.
Sean Evans: “What is hitting a hole in one like for you? like is it like hitting a shot from 75 feet on the court, or is it a uniquely singular sports experience?
Here, he said that it’s a totally different experience. He meant that shooting from 75 feet on the court was something he trained for and does from time to time. He also answered that he was meant to and expected to hit it rather than a hole in one for golf, which is totally a different experience because nobody, including himself, expected that it would go in because the chances are slim to none.
Third question/spicy wing: Zesty Lemon Pepper Hot Sauce with 15,500 Scoville level
Sean Evans: “NBA Jam popularized the concept of being on fire, alright, but there is an influential study in the 1985 edition of cognitive psychology that said that hot hand theory or streak shooting is a myth. As the NBA’s all-time leading three-point shooter, what’s your take on that whole thing? like does being on fire feel real to you?”
Steph disagrees with this study. He said that the feeling of being on fire is real. That’s what they’ve worked for over the years—perfecting muscle memory so they can have moments like this. He said that there are moments when, if the shot is not going to be challenged or blocked, he just has to release the ball, and it’s always going to go in.
Fourth question/spicy wing: Chile Lengua De Fuego with 36,500 Scoville level
Sean Evans: “In your opinion, what is the NBA team staff role that’s most important to keeping the machine moving but doesn’t get enough of the credit?”
Curry answered the question with a specific person named Rick Celebrini, director of sports medicine and performance for the Golden State Warriors. Curry said that he is thankful for Rick because of what he does in the industry. He said that guys like him are the reason for a player’s longevity because they know how to deal with a specific situation and prevent injuries. They just don’t think about how to get you back in the present game, but how to get you going for the years to come.
Fifth question/spicy wing: Los Calientes Rojo Hot Sauce with 49,000 Scoville level
This hot sauce is probably the one that started the problem for Steph Curry. After eating the spicy wing with Los Calientes Rojo Hot Sauce, Curry’s lips began to have the sensation of burning.
Sean Evans: “You’re a self-described popcorn addict, and in 2019, the New York Times published your power rankings of NBA popcorn throughout the NBA throughout the entire league, and you rate it all on a proprietary one-to-five scoring system of freshness, saltiness, crunchiness, butter, and presentation. How would you articulate the difference between your top-rated popcorn, the kind that they serve on Dallas Mavericks games, and then the lowest-rated popcorn that they serve at Clippers and Lakers games?”
This might sound crazy to you. Imagine rating all the popcorn in the league. I mean, who does that? But it turned out to be quite a fun and informative thing because you know which popcorn to avoid if you are going to watch an NBA game. Steph answered the question seriously, even when he was laughing. He stated that the things he looks for in the perfect popcorn are the presentation, the salt level, and the crisp texture. This is one of the factors that gets him excited whenever he has a match at a certain arena—not just the environment but the popcorn that they have. He even jokingly said that every NBA player should thank him for rating them.
THE SECOND HALF
This is where the interview gets interesting. The spiciness of the wings is elevated and not tolerable for most people. The hot sauce’s spiciness here almost completely drowns out the flavor of the wings, unlike in the first half.
Sixth question/spicy wing: The Spicy Shark Eat the Heat with 71,000 Scoville level
Curry immediately felt the seriousness of the spicy wings during the second half. After taking a bite of the spicy wing with Spicy Shark Eat the Heat hot sauce, Curry went from burning lips to intense sweating.
Sean Evans: “Your unique insight as a child of a 90s Pro I am curious: when you and your dad talk about like his NBA versus your NBA, what are the things that you guys end up talking about?”
Curry said that they often talk about how the game differs from his dad’s time and his time. Specifically when it comes to the three-point area. During his dad’s time in the NBA, everybody was always trying to get to the paint to make the game-winning shot. Three-pointers at that time usually had an open look because they would double somebody in the paint. Now, in Curry’s time, everybody is focused on the three-point area because that’s where the usual game winner happens nowadays.
Seventh question/spicy wing: Adoboloco Jalapeňo Chico with 103,000 Scoville level
Sean Evans: “I heard you credit Klay Thompson’s shooting form is being more pure from a textbook standpoint than yours. Can you explain what you mean by that because from sitting on the couch, they both look good to me?”
Curry stated that the reason he thinks Klay’s jumpshot is more pure than his is because, if you look at Klay from a picture, everything is just in line. It’s straight, and it’s the basic form if we’re going to talk about the fundamentals of basketball.
Sean Evans: “If you are giving advice on how to shoot what movements and idiosyncrasies in someone’s mechanics, which ones are adaptable with enough practice and which ones are fatal if done wrong?”
Curry’s answer here is a bit technical. He said that the chicken wing is the one that’s fatal and wrong in some ways. Chicken wings are like having your elbows at 45 degrees. If you have this shooting form, all the force that came from your knees up to your shooting arm vanishes. It doesn’t have the same arc and force when your shooting arm is at 90 degrees.
Eight question/spicy wing: Da Bomb Beyond Insanity with 135,600 Scoville level
Even if Da Bomb Beyond Insanity is the third-to-last hot sauce, Many argue that this is hotter than the next one, which is The Last Dab Apollo Hot Sauce. This is also the one that Steph immediately recognized as he sat in the chair before the interview because of its unique packaging and design.
Sean Evans: “Do you remember the first time that you ever pulled up from 40 feet in a game? Like, how old were you, and do you remember what your coach’s reaction was?”
Curry said that, as far as he remembers, he did it in high school but missed it. He was lucky that his dad was on the sidelines, so the coaching staff was not able to overstep, but he did indeed get a scolding in the car on his way home.
Sean Evans: “During my middle school era, kids in games would try that like Allen Iverson’s spin crossover a lot, usually it leads to disastrous results. Do you remember like the player that you would emulate when you were that age? Like so many kids now, it’s like you for them, like, who is your model?”
Curry said that his models were Steve Nash and Reggie Miller. He stated that Reggie was just a master of creating space without the ball, and he tried to mix that trait of Reggie with Steve Nash’s point guard ability. But the guy that he and his brother would emulate a lot is Alonzo Mourning and his free throw routine.
After taking a bite of this second-to-last spicy wing, Curry revealed that he and his family have a bet on whether he can survive all ten wings or not. His family bet that he wouldn’t be able to make it, but from the looks of things, he is winning. That’s how competitive athletes are.
Sean Evans: “How much did it mean to you that Kobe picked up on your baby faced assassin nickname. You know it seems like he saw the killer instinct in you before a lot of others.”
Curry got a little emotional answering this question from Sean. He said this is probably one of the dopest things that happened to him when Kobe validated his game. The first one was in his rookie year. They were getting beaten at that time, and he made a leaner off the glass. The camera locks in on Kobe, who is sitting on the bench, and tells one of his teammates that Curry is nice.
The second time was when they were playing in a pre-season game and Kobe was just doing the Mamba Mentality on him, locking him down with outrageous full-court defense, but he drained a shot from 30 feet against Kobe, and then Kobe tapped on his ass as a way of saying nice shooting kid. After the first half, Curry asked for the clip of that certain moment because it was one of the nicest gestures that he got from one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA.
Tenth spicy wing: The Last Dab Apollo Hot Sauce (Scoville level to be announced)
During this last spicy wing, Sean Evans didn’t ask any questions. Instead, he is showing Curry some clips from his Documentary “Underrated,” and Curry just has to say the first thought that comes through his mind.
The first clip that was shown was when Curry, during his collegiate years, turned the ball over 13 times. He said that his teammates and his coach were like, “Did we just give a scholarship to this kid? Like, what are we going to be with Steph for four years?” But we all knew how he learned from that mistake, which got him the four NBA rings that he has now.
The second clip they showed was when they beat Georgetown in the NCAA tournament. Curry’s thought on this moment was that it was an unbelievable moment. During this time, They were the underdogs compared to Georgetown, but they still managed to beat them.
The third clip that was shown to Curry is when he beat Ray Allen’s three-point record. He said that it was a feeling that he was preparing for when he saw Allen beat Reggie’s record way back at the TD Garden. It was a special day, and he gave the game ball to his dad after the game.
The verdict
The Last Dab Apollo Hot Sauce is supposed to be the one that is the hottest among all the ten hot sauces that were featured during Steph’s interview. However, it was Da Bomb Beyond Insanity that had the greatest reaction from Steph. This was the hot sauce that made him uncomfortable, more sweaty, and more tingly.
Steph Curry’s basketball career was sensational. Truly, it was one of the underdog stories that turned out to be successful. Like others, he was inspired by the players that came before him, and surely someday he will become the inspiration of future athletes that will come to the NBA.
Football is among the top sports in the world, and its popularity is known worldwide, especially in Europe. The physical nature of the game makes it exciting, especially the reaction of the crowd whenever a goal is made. Through this, football betting became a thing, and it is offered at different sportsbooks around the world. Whether you are a pro football bettor or just starting out in this kind of entertainment, you might want to try OKBet sportsbook. Like any other sportsbook, it has some of the biggest fixtures and competitive odds that will give you a great betting experience.
In this article, we will introduce you to football betting and give you a slight insight into what a sportsbook is.
What is a Sportsbook / Bookie?
Before we go into what football betting is, let’s have a quick run-through of what a sportsbook is.
A sportsbook is an entity that accepts bets on different sports. Typically, they are just beside any gymnasium, coliseum, arena, or anywhere where there is a big sports game. But now, there are a lot of online sportsbooks that you can place your bets on with ease.
What is football betting?
There is one fact when it comes to football betting: it is one of the most popular types of sports betting in the world. However, there is one thing that almost all football bettors have in common, and that’s not knowing the inside and outside details of football betting.
However, you don’t necessarily need to be an expert when it comes to this kind of entertainment. As long as you are enjoying the game of football and placing your bets, it’s fine. But it wouldn’t hurt to have additional knowledge that you can use to your advantage, right?
Understanding the different types of football bet
When it comes to football betting, there are several types of bets that you can place your money on. These are Full-Time Result, Football Accumulator, Total Goals (Under/Over), Correct Score (CS), Half-Time/Full-Time (HT/FT), First Goal Scorer (FGS), Last Goal Scorer (LGS), Half-Time Result (HTR), and Draw No Bet (DNB). It looks overwhelming, right? Don’t worry, because we will go through them one by one.
Full-time result – This type of football bet simply predicts the outcome of the match after 90 minutes. The bettors have three options for this: betting for one team to win, betting for the other team to win, or draw.
Football Accumulator – This kind of betting is similar to the first one that we discussed. You simply need to predict which team will win. However, in the Football Accumulator, you select multiple matches and predict all of them in a single bet. The risk of this kind of betting is that all of the teams that you select to win must win. If any of the teams you select lose, your bet will be forfeited.
Total Goals (Under/Over) – If the goal of the first two is to predict the winner after the game, in Total Goals, you need to predict the number of goals after the regulation. For example, there is a match against Manchester United and Liverpool, and the odds are over 2.5 and under 2.5. After the match, Manchester didn’t score a goal, and Liverpool scored only one. In this case, you will add both scores of each team, 0 and 1, so the total is 1. If you bet under 2.5, you win, and if you bet over 2.5, you lose.
Correct Score (CS) – The name of this type of betting speaks for itself. You just need to predict the correct total score of each team depending on which team you are placing your bet on. For example, there is a match between Barcelona and Argentina. You will choose a team that you think will win and guess the correct total score. Let’s say you place your bet on Barcelona to win 3-1. However, after the match, the final score is Barcelona 3 and Liverpool 2. In this case, you lose because you didn’t get the exact correct score.
Half-Time/Full-Time – The HT/FT type of betting is a little complicated at first, but once you understand the terminologies, you’ll be betting in no time. There are different scenarios for you to win. Here they are:
1 – 1 : This scenario occurs when the home team wins at half-time and also wins at full-time.
1 – 2 : This scenario occurs when the home team wins at half-time and the away team wins at full-time.
2 – 1 : This scenario occurs when the away team wins at half-time and the home team wins at full-time.
1 – X : This scenario occurs when the home team wins at half-time and both teams are tied at full-time.
X – 1 : This scenario occurs when both teams are tied at half-time and the home team wins at full-time.
X – X : This scenario occurs when both teams are tied at half-time and both teams are tied at full-time.
2 – X : This scenario occurs when the away team wins at half-time and both teams are tied at full-time.
X – 2 : This scenario occurs when both teams are tied at half-time and the away team wins at full-time.
2 – 2 : This scenario occurs when the away team wins at half-time and also wins at full-time.
Just remember that 1 is referred to as the home team, 2 is referred to as the away team, and X is referred to as both teams.
First Goal Scorer (FGS) – As the word itself implies, this type of betting usually involves predicting if a certain player will score the first goal of the game. Let’s say, for example, there’s a match between Argentina and Barcelona. You chose Argentina vs. Barcelona Messi to score first. If Messi scores the first goal, you win. But if any other player scores a goal before Messi, you lose. But if Messi is benched when the first score occurs, your bet will be returned to you. However, this policy varies between different bookies. Make sure to check their policy first before placing your bet on this type of betting.
Last Goal Scorer (LGS) – Same mechanics as stated above. The only difference is that this time you’re predicting who will score the last score of the regulation.
Half-Time Result (HTR) – This has the same mechanics as the full-time result. Only this time, the result will be based on the output when the whistle blows at half-time. Your choices here are also betting on one team to win or on the other team to win or draw.
Draw No Bet (DNB) – This is also like full-time betting and half-time betting. Only this time, you only have two choices. Bet on one team to win, and bet on the other team to win. If a draw occurs, your bet will be returned to you. However, this type of betting also depends on the policy of the bookmaker you are playing with. Remember to check their policy before placing your bet.
What’s next?
Watching a football match or watching your favorite team play is a thrilling thing to do. But wouldn’t it be more exciting if you had a bet on that matchup? Now that you know what football betting is, all you have to do is try your luck and try betting on the different football betting types available.
In the long run, you’ll understand them fully, and you’ll find which type of football betting is suited for you.
What happened to Brandon Roy? A career that turned to stone
One of the worst things that can happen to an athlete is to have a career-breaking injury. It can either have a long-term effect that can determine how a player’s career progresses or, if worst comes to worst, end. So, what happened to Brandon Roy? This is the question that most people ask because Roy’s career suddenly stopped. This is what we are going to talk about in this article.
Who is Brandon Roy?
Brandon Roy, or Brandon Dawayne Roy, was the Portland Trail Blazers star from 2006 to 2011. He was born on July 23, 1984, in Seattle, Washington. His parents were Tony Roy and Gina Roy, with siblings Ed Roy and Jameela Roy. He played for Garfield High School and the University of Washington before going pro. His outstanding talent in the game of basketball quickly made an impact and earned him the name B-Roy,” which changed later on to “The Natural,” as per Trail Blazer announcer Brian Wheeler.
Roy’s high school and college career
Before he became a star, Brandon went to the African-American Academy and played for the Amateur Athletic Union, more commonly known as the AUU. This is where he first took the game of basketball seriously. After this, he went to Garfield High School, and because of his outstanding talent, he became one of the state’s best high school players during his time there.
When he went to college, things got a little challenging for Roy. His family is not fortunate when it comes to academics. His parents and his older brother did not go to college. Because of this, Roy was having a hard time completing his Scholastic Aptitude Test, or SAT. His reading comprehension was so slow that even with tutors, it took him several times to pass the test before meeting the requirements of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or NCAA. Roy even had doubts if he could actually finish four years of college, so he worked as a shipping container cleaner on the Seattle docks for eleven dollars ($11) an hour.
Finally, in 2002, the University of Washington and the NCAA allowed him to play. Here, he played for Lorenzo Romar, the head coach of UW, for four years. He considered entering the NBA draft after his junior year, but he changed his mind when he learned that both of his former teammates, Nate Robinson and Martell Webster, were entering the draft too. He took this opportunity to further increase his college stats and have a better draft position in one of the most prestigious sports leagues in the world, the NBA.
Going pro
Brandon Roy was the first pick of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2006 NBA draft. However, the Timberwolves quickly traded Brandon Roy to the Blazers for fellow draftee Randy Foye. Here he began his journey and hoped for a good career. In his first few games, he averaged 14.5 points, which later on got him the award for rookie of the year. He defeated Rajon Rondo, LaMarcus Aldridge, Shannon Brown, Andrea Bargnani, Tyrus Thomas, and Rudy Gay for the title. During this time, many saw him as one of the future greats of the NBA.
The injury curse
What seemed to be a promising career quickly tumbled into a downward spiral. Roy was bombarded with numerous injuries that slowly took a toll on his athletic capabilities. It all started with a knee impingement that made him miss several games in his rookie year. In the 2007-2008 NBA season, he was selected as a reserve in the All-Star Game. But before the All-Star Weekend, He injured his ankle, but he played through the pain that eventually affected his performance for the rest of the season.
After the 2007-2008 season, Roy underwent surgery to remove cartilage from his left knee. Because of this, he again missed several games at the start of the 2008-2009 NBA season. However, he recovered and even ranked ninth for Most Valuable Player of the season.
Because of this, The Portland Trail Blazers are eager to keep Brandon Roy on their roster. The management offered him a five-year contract extension that will give him an opportunity to show his greatness as a blazer. Despite this encouraging news, a slight meniscus tear on his right knee foiled everything again. He immediately underwent another surgery and was expected to miss the first round of the playoffs against the Houston Rockets. But miraculously, after eight days, he returned in game 4 and scored 31 points.
After that, Brandon Roy shocked the basketball world when he announced his retirement on December 10, 2011. The doctors advised him to stop playing. They told Roy that his knees were in really bad shape. It has no more cartilage after being operated on six times. However, he returned in 2012 to play for the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was almost going to be a comeback story, but after playing five games, a career-ending injury struck him again. This marks his final game in the NBA.
Where is Brandon Roy now?
His love for basketball never ended. After his retirement, he became the head coach of Nathan Hale High School, which he led to a perfect record of 29-0 during the regular season. He was awarded the Naismith National High School Coach of the Year award.
Then he returned to Garfield High School as head coach when Jontay Porter, Michael Porter Jr., and P.J. Fuller opted out. Until now, he has been the current head coach at Garfield High.
His career might have ended, but his career is probably one of the greatest what-ifs in the history of basketball.
OKBet partners with Cignal TV and TV5 as official broadcast sponsor for FIBA World Cup
Good news to all sports fans out there! OKBet signed up with Cignal TV and TV5 as the official broadcast partners for the FIBA World Cup 2023. Now you can watch and support our National Team while placing your bet on OKBet Sportsbook.
On May 18, 2023, OKBet, together with Cignal TV and TV5, formalized the sponsorship agreement at the Black Olive Restaurant and Events Hall in Pasig City.
Perterean Briñas OKBet’s Assistant Business Director; Christopher Caňadella OKBet’s Brand Director; Eric Centeno, Cignal TV’s Vice President for Content Innovations, Solutions, and Channel Sales; and Jackie Dulog, TV5’s Cluster Head, were among those who attended the formalization of the agreement.
This agreement is something to look forward to in terms of strengthening the sports and legal betting industries. This is indeed a historical event that will give both sports bettors and sports fanatics a better service experience for the upcoming FIBA World Cup and for years to come.
The media firm executive said, “We welcome, acknowledge, and thank OKBet as one of our first broadcast sponsors for this monumental event. We are looking forward to a fruitful relationship and beneficial partnership moving forward”.
All set for FIBA World Cup
The Philippines will host the FIBA World Cup once again after nearly four decades, and this coverage will mean a lot for the Filipino people. It will provide more accessible ways to watch the games and support our national team on their journey. The games can be watched on different platforms, including free-to-air on TV5, One Sports, Pay TV, One Sports+, and OTT C-Play.
The games will begin on August 25 at the Philippine Arena. Gilas Pilipinas will face the Dominican Republic at 8:00 P.M.
Aside from Muhammad Ali and Manny Pacquiao, There is no one in the boxing industry who did not know Iron Mike Tyson. Mike is one of the few boxers who has dominated the heavyweight division. His strong personality and charisma are the reasons why many fans love him. Through this blog, we will dig deeper into who Mike Tyson really is.
Who is Mike Tyson?
Michael Gerard Tyson, most commonly known as Iron Mike Tyson, was born in the streets of New York on June 30, 1966. Unlike other athletes who had good family support and backgrounds, Mike, on the other hand, had the opposite. Mike’s biological parents are Lorna Smith Tyson, who was suspected of being a prostitute, and Purcell Tyson, who was a mere cab driver. Mike had an older brother named Rodney Tyson and an older sister named Denise Tyson. However, the father that Mike knew was Jimmy Kirkpatrick, whom his mother met in Brooklyn.
Through Jimmy, he had a stepbrother named Jimmie Lee Kirkpatrick. By the time Mike was born, Jimmy had left Tyson’s mother, which resulted in a decline in their financial capabilities. Because of this, Mike’s family had no choice but to leave Bedford-Stuyvesant and move to Brownsville. After six years, Mike’s mother died and left him in the care of renowned boxing trainer and manager Cus D’Amato, who later became his legal guardian.
Mike’s childhood was never easy. He had to endure the high crime rates on the streets of New York, and by the time he reached the age of thirteen, he had already been arrested several times. Despite this unfortunate circumstance, his boxing potential was seen here when he attended Tryon School for Boys. Bobby Stewart, a former boxer who was a juvenile detention center counselor at the time, is the one who saw something in Mike. Bobby had the privilege of training Mike for a few months before introducing him to D’Amato who further widened Mike’s Boxing career.
Who inspired Mike Tyson?
When asked this question, the obvious answer is Muhammad Ali. There was a lot of time when Mike talked about Ali’s greatness and how he inspired him, especially in an interview on the Arsenio Hall Show back in 1989. This is where both fighters, Mike and Ali, had the opportunity to talk to each other, joined by the host, Arsenio Hall, and another boxing legend, Sugar Ray Leonard.
Ali was asked who would have won if both of them had fought each other in their primes. “I was the dancing master, and I wasn’t that powerful, But I was so fast. If he hits me, [pretending to be knocked out], That’s if he catches me.” This answer shocked Mike, but as a fan himself, he answered Ali with another compliment, saying, “I’m vain [laughs], I know I’m great, but can I tell you something? In this situation, every head must bow, every tongue must confess: This [referring to Ali] is the greatest of all time.”.
However, there are a lot of people who don’t know that there are a few boxers who also inspired Mike Tyson and made him what he is today. These are “Sugar” Ray Leonard and Roberto Durán. Mike said that it is true that Muhammad Ali is the one who inspired him to be a fighter. But when he saw Leonard and Durán fighting each other several times, that’s when he said to himself, I want to be like those guys. No fear and ready to beat each other to the death.
Mike Tyson’s career
The career of Iron Mike Tyson, as we describe it, is a successful one. Every time he has a match, he is frequently the favorite of various sportsbooks around the globe. He dominated the heavyweight bout and knocked out several great fighters and champions throughout his career. Here are some of his great achievements and a few losses that defined him over the years.
Year 1985
Knocked out Hector Mercedes in round 1
Knocked out Trent Singleton in round 1
Knocked out Don Halpin in round 4
Knocked out Rick Spain in round 1
Knocked out John Alderson in round 1
Knocked out Larry Sims in round 3
Knocked out Lorenzo Canady in round 1
Knocked out Mike Johnson in round 1
Knocked out Donnie Long in round 1
Knocked out Robert Colay in round 1
Knocked out Sterling Benjamin in round 1
Knocked out Eddie Richardson in round 1
Knocked out Conroy Nelson in round 2
Knocked out Sammy Scaff in round 1
Knocked out Mark Young in round 1
Year 1986
Knocked out David Jaco in round 1
Knocked out Mike Jamison in round 5
Knocked out Jesse Ferguson in round 6
Knocked out Steve Zouski in round 3
Won against James Tillis in a unanimous decision
Won against Mitch Green via unanimous decision
Knocked out Reggie Gross in round 1
Knocked out William Hosea in round 1
Knocked out Lorenzo Boyd in round 2
Knocked out Marvis Frazier in round 1
Knocked out Jose Ribalta in round 10
Knocked out Alfonso Ratliff in round 2
Knocked out Trevor Berbick in round 2 and attained WBC heavyweight title
Year 1987
Won against James Smith via unanimous decision and attained WBA heavyweight title
Knocked out Pinklon Thomas in round 6 and defended WBA-WBC title
Won against Tony Tucker via unanimous decision defended WBA-WBC title and attained IBF heavyweight title
Knocked out Tyrell Biggs in round 7 and defended world heavyweight title
Year 1988
Knocked out Larry Holmes in round 4 and defended world heavyweight title
Knocked out Tony Tubbs in round 2 and defended world heavyweight title
Knocked out Michael Spinks in round 1 and defended world heavyweight title
Year 1989
Knocked out Frank Bruno in round 5 and defended world heavyweight title
Knocked out Carl Williams in round 1 and defended world heavyweight title
Year 1990
Knocked out by James Douglas in round 10 and lost world heavyweight title
Knocked out Henry Tillman in round 1
Knocked out Alex Stewart in round 1
Year 1991
Knocked out Razor Ruddock in round 7
Won against Razor Ruddock via unanimous decision
Year 1995
Won against Peter McNeeley via disqualification
Knocked out Buster Mathis Jr. in round 3
Year 1996
Knocked out Frank Bruno in round 3 and attained WBC heavyweight title
Knocked out Bruce Seldon in round 1
Knocked by Evander Holyfield in round 11 and lost WBA heavyweight title
Year 1997
Lost against Evander Holyfield via disqualification
Iron Mike’s success amidst the storm
Despite having a rough past, it did not affect Mike’s success in boxing. He did mention that, having never felt the love of his mother, it was never an obstruction to his career, but it still affects him personally and emotionally. Weathering the storm is a difficult task. But Mike overcame it. It only shows that even if everything is going wrong, it’s up to us if we are going to let it stop us or if we are going to handle it just like Mike did.
Recently, basketball fans around the world were shocked when they announced the new NBA In-Season Tournament. Teams will be competing for the new NBA Cup, which will happen on November 3, 2023. There will be home and away games; however, the Semis and Finals will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada.
What are they going to compete for?
The stake for this new In-Season tournament will be the new NBA Cup. They will also award league honors for the most valuable player and the all-tournament team. There will also be a prize pool that will be distributed to the players on the teams that participate in the knockout rounds.
When will the tournament take place?
The In-Season Tournament will begin on November 3, 2023, and run until November 28, 2023. The game is scheduled every Tuesday and Friday. However, on November 7, there will be no games because of the election day. The Semis and Finals will happen on December 7–9, 2023.
How is the competition going to run?
All 30 NBA teams were divided into six groups that consisted of five teams each. The group was determined via a draw based on the prior season’s regular-season record. Each of the teams will play the other four teams in their group once (two at home and two away). Then all tournament games will be counted for the upcoming regular season standings, except for the championship.
For the quarterfinals, three group winners will be selected, and the other one will play for the wild card spot. The two winners of the four groups will proceed to the semis, and the team that wins the semis will battle for the new NBA Cup.
Team groups
West A
Memphis Grizzlies
Phoenix Suns
Los Angeles Lakers
Utah Jazz
Portland Trail Blazers
West B
Denver Nuggets
Los Angeles Clippers
New Orleans Pelicans
Dallas Mavericks
Houston Rockets
West C
Sacramento Kings
Golden State Warriors
Minnesota Timberwolves
Oklahoma City Thunders
San Antonio Spurs
East A
Philadelphia 76ers
Cleveland Cavaliers
Atlanta Hawks
Indiana Pacers
Detroit Pistons
East B
Milwaukee Bucks
New York Knicks
Miami Heat
Washington Wizards
Charlotte Hornets
East C
Boston Celtics
New Jersey Nets
Toronto Raptors
Chicago Bulls
Orlando Magic
This new format for the regular season drew different opinions from NBA fans around the world. Some say it’s pointless; others say that it’s good because it’s an opportunity for the teams to go all-out at the start of the upcoming NBA regular season.
Who is Lionel Messi: The success of “La Pulga Atomica”
Who is Lionel Messi? well, he is one of the best-known athletes in the history of football. Every football enthusiast knows him, but not just for his skills and achievements but also for his personality. As a matter of fact, almost every top football bet is on the team he is playing for.
Who is Lionel Messi?
Lionel Andrés Messi, also known as Leo Messi, was born in the birthplace of the Argentine flag, Rosario, Santa Fe, on June 24, 1987. Along with his siblings, Rodrigo Messi, Matías Messi, and Maria Sol Messi. Lionel is the third son of a steel factory manager, Jorge Messi, and his beloved wife, a worker at a magnet manufacturing workshop, Celia Maria Cuccittini. Messi’s father and mother both have Italian blood in them. However, his father was also a Spaniard. Regardless, these two countries have one thing in common: a love for the game of football.
Growing up, Messi fell in love with the game of football because both his family and relatives shared the same passion for it. As a kid in Santa Fe, he used to play with his brothers Matías and Rodrigo, along with their cousins Emanuel and Maximilliano Biancucchi, who later became professional football players in Europe.
How Messi’s career started
Behind the fame and triumph of Lionel Messi, one of the key aspects of his success was the love and support that his fans, friends, and family showed. The devotion of his mother and father towards his career is exceptional. His father showed his support by coaching young Lionel when he joined Abanderado Grandoli, a local football club, at the age of just four years old. But his biggest fan and supporter is none other than his grandmother, Celia Oliveira Cuccittini.
Lionel Messi’s football career started with his grandmother. It started when a local football club needed another player. Celia Oliveira told the coaches to put Leo on the team. At first, the coaches didn’t want anything to do with Leo because he was small compared to the other kids. But his grandmother is very persistent. Because of this, the coaches were forced to let Leo play. Luckily, young Messi impressed the coaches, and his grandmother said to them:
“Buy him football shoes, and next week I will bring him here for training”.
Before Leo’s Eleventh birthday, his grandmother died at the age of 68. The impact of Celia Oliveira’s death on Messi is great. Because of this, whenever Messi scores a goal, he will point and look at the sky as a sign of his respect and love for his greatest fan and supporter. This became his signature celebration, which all football fans love.
His rise to the top
The support of his family, especially his grandmother, goes a long way if you look at Lionel Messi now. Because of this, many doors were opened that gave Messi an opportunity to show his craft and what he could do in the game of football. He continued to work hard each year, slowly rising to the top. Because of his passion, he became one of the most famous football players to ever play the game, and his achievements are enough to put him on the list as one of the great players in the history of football. Below is a list of some of his great accomplishments throughout his football career.
3x UEFA Best player in Europe – Year 2015, 2011, 2009
4x Champions League winner – FC Barcelona year 2015, FC Barcelona year 2011, FC Barcelona year 2009, FC Barcelona year 2006
3x FIFA Club World Cup winner – FC Barcelona year 2015, FC Barcelona year 2011, FC Barcelona year 2009
6x Golden Boot winner – Year 2019 with 36 goals, year 2018 with 34 goals, year 2017 with 37 goals, year 2013 with 46 goals, year 2012 with 50 goals, year 2010 with 34 goals
The fruit of his passion, La Pulga Atomica
Because of what he achieved, Lionel Messi earned the Moniker “La Pulga Atomica”, meaning “The Atomic Flea”. Despite his height, he dominated the game with his unique play style and would often beat taller defenders that came his way. Previously, he proved that his moniker was there for a reason when he helped his team win the FIFA World Cup in 2022. For the second time, Messi was awarded the Golden Ball award, beating fellow greats Luka Modrić and Kylian Mbappé. However, Messi stated that there is a possibility that he will retire and not return for the next World Cup, which is scheduled for 2026.
Mission completed
Like every good movie, his career will end. It’s inevitable. We don’t know when or how, but one thing is for sure: Lionel Messi did not waste the love and support of all the people who were with him throughout his football journey. He worked hard for the achievements that he achieved.
Who knew that a small boy from Santa Fe would become one of the few greats to ever play the game of football? A small boy that a team won’t accept is now known all over the world. He embraced his greatest imperfection and used it as a weapon. His success will be forever known in the history of football.
Where is Jimmy Alapag now? From Mighty Mouse to Mighty Coach
Jimmy Alapag is one of the best-known Filipino basketball athletes here in the Philippines. However, he is now making his name known in other countries because of his love and dedication to basketball. Alapag is one of the gemstones of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) team, Talk and Text Tropang Texters, which is now known as Talk and Text Tropang Giga. But where is Jimmy Alapag now?
First, let’s get to know Alapag a little more. Jim Olmedo Alapag, or Jimmy Alapag, is a Filipino-American basketball athlete. Despite having a mixed nationality, Jimmy’s parents, Crispin Alapag and Aurora Alapag, are both Filipino immigrants from Leyte. He was born in San Bernardino, California, on December 30, 1977, and is the youngest of his five other siblings.
Jimmy was always fond of basketball; he started playing at the young age of three (3) and was greatly influenced by his father, Crispin, and his older brother, Crispin Jr. It’s truly amazing how the support of your family for the things you love will shape you into who you are today. If it weren’t for this, there would be no The Mighty Mouse and The Captain, who raised the banner of Philippine basketball.
Basketball career
Before Jimmy played in the NBA, he was a collegiate player at the CSUSB (California State University San Bernardino) Coyotes. Here, he established himself as one of the top gunners and clutch three-point shooters on the team.
Coach Jong Uichico, a former head coach of the Philippine national team and a coach of several PBA teams, was interested in him as a result of his collegiate run. Coach Jong invited Alapag to try out for the national team for the 2002 Asian Games that will be held in Busan, South Korea. Alapag made the roster but missed several games because of a hand injury.
After the national team, Alapag was drafted to the PBA in 2003. The Talk and Text Tropang Texters offered him a contract worth 11 million pesos, where he played alongside Asi Taulava. During that year, Alapag quickly introduced himself when he won the three-point shootout during the 2003 PBA All-Star Weekend. Afterwards, his tandem with Big Man Asi bears fruit as expected. They beat the Coca-Cola Tigers in the 2003 All Filipino Cup Championship after trailing 0-2. Additionally, he won rookie of the year in a blowout to add to his first year’s accomplishments.
Another highlight of his basketball career was the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship. This was one of the best line-ups ever made and also the one that started the “Laban Pilipinas, PUSO” craze. They faced South Korea in the semifinals and managed to get the win. However, they lost to Iran in the Finals, clinching the second spot and bringing home the silver medal and a trip to Spain for the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
Coaching career
When Jimmy retired from the PBA, Coach Tab Baldwin, the head coach of Gilas at the time, immediately asked Alapag to join him and be the international team’s assistant coach. Then he became the Talk and Text Tropang Texters team consultant but soon left the position when he again played for the Meralco Bolts. After that season with Meralco, he resumed his coaching career and became the Bolts assistant head coach. Then he again became the assistant head coach of Gilas, this time under coach Chot Reyes.
Jimmy did not stop there; in 2017, he became the head coach of San Miguel Alab Pilipinas, which competed in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL). After being an assistant for several years, this was Alapag’s first major coaching role since he started his coaching career. During this run, he won his first ABL championship after defeating the Mono Vampire Basketball Club of Thailand in a best-of-five series.
However, Alapag fell short in his second season as Alab Pilipinas head coach. In his third season, they stood 10-6 just before the season was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Another addition to his resume is becoming the assistant head coach of Gilas Pilipinas for the third time under coach Tim Cone; he also became an assistant head coach for the San Miguel Beermen, continuing his coaching career.
Then he decided to go international when he joined the coaching staff of the Sacramento Kings. Alapag asked Vlade Divac, a former NBA player and general manager of Sacramento at the time, for a coaching role. He was offered to help the Stockton Kings in the Summer League, which he willingly accepted. His first run with the Kings did not end well. The Kings didn’t make it to the G-League, which almost cost him his job. However, he returned for the next season as assistant head coach, where they snatched the W in the 2021 summer league championship.
Where is Jimmy now?
Because of his good run with the Stockton Kings, Jimmy Alapag has been promoted from being the G-league assistant coach to NBA development coach, joining Mike Brown’s coaching staff in Sacramento.
Alapag announced this via his Instagram account and said that this promotion is a dream come true.
“A DREAM COME TRUE… proud to announce I’ll be joining Coach Mike Brown and his staff as a Player Development Coach for the upcoming NBA season. Incredibly blessed and thankful for this opportunity.”
He didn’t forget to thank the management, Vivek Ranadivé, the Kings owner, Monte McNair, the Kings general manager, and Wes Wilcox, the Kings assistant general manager, for this opportunity. But most of all, he didn’t forget to thank his wife and children for their undying support of his career.
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