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Philadelphia 76ers guard Kyle Lowry is living his dream by playing in his hometown

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On November 1, 1996, a 10-year-old kid walked into the CoreStates Center amazed, as were all the opposite intrigued and excited Philadelphia 76ers fans. Tickets obtained from a family friend not only allowed the North Philadelphia team to attend their first game on the Sixers’ recent arena, but, more importantly, allowed the debut of heralded rookie Allen Iverson.

The Milwaukee Bucks spoiled the evening, beating the Sixers 111-103 despite Iverson’s 30 points and 6 assists. Seeing Iverson dominate amongst NBA giants at just 6-foot-4 allowed the child to dream of playing in the NBA even deeper.

Now, 28 years later, Kyle Lowry is playing in the identical arena as Sixer.

“I had a guy, Robert Taylor. Good guy. He was buying us some scalped tickets,” Lowry told Andscape in March. – I still have that coin. It’s probably somewhere in my mom’s house without delay, together with other things. But they handed out this commemorative coin to rejoice the opening of what is now the Wells Fargo Center.

“I was in awe of the guy (Iverson) who was so small (dominant). And I didn’t know then that he was tall because I was a little child. But seeing him be able to do what he did in the premiere and just go out there with Stack (Jerry Stackhouse) was crazy. It was good for me. It was fun to watch.”

On Tuesday night, Lowry and his Sixers hope to maintain their season alive in Game 5 of their first-round series against the host New York Knicks. The Knicks lead the best-of-seven series 3-1.

Time will tell if this is also Lowry’s last game with the Sixers. The former Villanova University star averaged 8.1 points, 4.2 assists and three.2 rebounds for the Sixers this season after signing as a free agent for the remaining of the season for $2.8 million on February 14. Lowry reunited with his former Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse, who won the 2019 NBA Championship.

Below is a Q&A with Lowry, who talks about what it means to wear a Sixers jersey, how he was in a position to acquire his beloved number 7 from teammate Mo Bamba, being mentored by NBA All-Star teammate Tyrese Maxey, the impact Sixers star Joel Embiid, if healthy, could have the importance of being the NBA’s fourth-oldest player and far more.

Philadelphia 76ers guard Kyle Lowry (right) talks with coach Nick Nurse (left) during a game against the New York Knicks during Game 3 of the first-round playoff series on April 25 on the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

Is playing on your house court the very last thing you should check in your NBA profession?

This was a box I never thought I’d check. I all the time wanted this, but I never thought it will occur. And while you grow up, you say, “Oh…” I said no once I was younger. I desired to do it a number of years ago once I was still in great shape and had the chance to come back back. But Toronto was the correct situation for me. So (I re-signed) back to Toronto and (going to Philadelphia) just didn’t work out. But I feel now is the proper time to be here, especially with Tyrese and an emerging superstar (Embiid). So for me it was a blessing in disguise that I used to be in a position to help this child and be around him.

How did you’re feeling while you first placed on a Sixers jersey?

The first time it was crazy. You represent your name, Lowry. You represent your loved ones. You represent everyone. You represent your city. That’s pretty cool.

How did you turn out to be a Sixers fan?

My mom. My brother. I’m sure everyone was a Sixers fan. They loved Dr. J (Julius Erving), Armen Gilliam, Charles Barkley. I used to be a fan of Dana Barros. It’s coming back for some time. You had to observe them on (sports TV channel) PRISM. Only Philadelphians know what it is. I watched as many games as I could, NBC games each time I could. They were never really on NBC because they were never any good for some time. But any probability I had to observe it, I’d.

Who influenced you probably the most in basketball?

Artificial intelligence has been one in all my biggest influences in basketball. My brother needless to say. But in the NBA, in fact, all of us liked Michael Jordan back then.

Do you remember the primary game you played in as an NBA player in Philadelphia?

Yes, I feel I purchased 75 tickets. I feel it was my second 12 months in Memphis in the league. I purchased seventy-five tickets. Yes, it was big money for me back then. But I made sure everyone was there. I’m blissful they got to see me play. I do not remember what I did in that match, but I doubt we won. We didn’t win many games in Memphis back then. But it was good. It was a cool experience.

How did you mentor Maxey?

It’s just experience. I’m talking with him. Keep him on his toes in the case of doing things on each side. Making sure he won’t be satisfied with being a one-way guy. I all the time desired to be a two-sided guy. Making sure he leads in every way… But he has a lot talent and skill. Who he is is contagious. And you could have to reap the benefits of it.

What’s the perfect thing about being at home and what’s the most important challenge?

It’s not a challenge anymore. I’ve all the time been in a position to say no, in order that’s easy. You need to bring something unique to town that hasn’t been there for a very long time. So it is a challenge, which is good. I need to get to the purpose where we hold the (championship) trophy. The better part is which you can represent your city that you just grew up watching.

When you arrived in Philadelphia, Mo Bamba was wearing number 7. How did you get your longtime number back?

It’s been my number for a while. I appreciate you, Mo Bamba. I paid for it (by donating to the Mo Bamba Foundation). I can not inform you how much I paid for it, but in that respect he is a beautiful gentleman. It was an exceptional thing for me to do for his charity. This is big for me. He didn’t handle himself. Cool.

(Bamba’s charity is) amazing. He sent me the brochure and I said, “Bet it.” This is cool.’ Listen, I even have many brothers from there (Africa). (Oklahoma City Thunder center) Bismack Biyombo is doing an unbelievable job. (Former NBA player) Serge (Ibaka) is doing an ideal job. Mo has done many great things for his country (parents) (Côte d’Ivoire). (Raptors president) Masai (Ujiri) of The Giants of Africa. It’s a lovely thing to have the chance to assist and represent Black people and their culture.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (left) and guard Kyle Lowry (right) play in the third quarter of a game against the Miami Heat on the Kaseya Center on April 4 in Miami.

Megan Briggs/Getty Images

Your wife and two sons are still in South Florida, where you played for the Miami Heat earlier this season. What’s it wish to be away from them?

This is the toughest part. I can not see my children day by day. It was difficult. But dad supports them and so they understand that. They still watch the games, support you and love you. So they understand what dad’s job is. That’s the best thing about it. They understand. They are mature enough to grasp it.

They have been with me all over the place (during my NBA profession)… So this is the primary time without them. But they’re older and already settled down. That’s why my children are a very powerful to me. We have FaceTime. I’m just checking in. I’m trying to observe their games. Download videos.

How good can the Sixers be with a healthy Embiid?

We are really good. There are some guys who may be MVP and he is one in all them. There are some guys in this league who may be MVP yearly. He is one in all them. If you add him back to any team, you may know what you may get. Dominant, special power.

The Sixers have not won an NBA title since 1983. What would it not mean to you to be a part of a championship team with the Sixers? How crazy would you act on the Championship Parade in Philadelphia?

I would not act like a madman in any respect. Maybe I won’t even go. I could just sit and wait on stage and revel in the moment on stage. It would mean the identical thing for Philadelphia because it did for Toronto once I was there. I used to be there in 2001 when the Sixers made it to the Finals. I wasn’t born yet the last time we won. But it was 1983. Yes, I do know the date. I’m a basketball historian.

What’s it wish to be the fourth-oldest player in the NBA, which has about 450 players?

I told LeBron (James) that we’ve got to maintain our finger on the heartbeat of the older people. It’s great to maintain giving, playing and representing the boys. I’ve been playing for 3 many years.

Marc J. Spears is Andscape’s senior NBA author. He used to give you the option to dunk on you, but he hasn’t been in a position to do it for years and his knees still hurt.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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NFL star Terrell Owens signs a contract with Michael Strahan’s talent agency

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Terrell Owens, NFL, Football


NFL Hall of Fame receiver and podcast host Terrell Owens has signed with a talent agency to further strengthen his claims within the entertainment game.

According to , Owens was signed by SMAC Entertainment, headed by host and NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and his business partner Constance Schwartz-Morini.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz has also joined SMAC Entertainment.

“We are excited to add TO and Jordan to the SMAC family. They are both at the top of their game and set the standard in their industry,” Schwartz-Morini said in a written statement. “TO and Jordan have already brought an infectious energy to our team, and we are excited to help them realize their vision for careers in media, business and branding.”

A five-time first-team All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler, Owens played for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals. In 2018, he was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

A member of the 2000 NFL All-Decade Team, Owens finished his profession with 1,078 catches for 15,934 yards, 14.8 yards per catch and 153 touchdowns, rating third all-time in receiving yards and touchdowns.

Since retiring from skilled soccer in 2012, Owens has already made several moves. He has appeared in several movies and tv shows, including “,” and in addition had his own reality show, “, on VH1.

He currently co-hosts the podcast with former NFL player and sports analyst Shannon Sharpe.

SMAC Entertainment is home to stars similar to rapper and actor Common, Wiz Khalifa, Strahan, Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders and current NFL players similar to Stefon Diggs and DK Metcalf.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker brings an NBA championship desire with his Olympic experience

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The gold medal went to the USA Basketball team. Mission completed on the 2024 Paris Games. U.S. men’s basketball coach Steve Kerr just answered his final query during his final news conference on Aug. 10 after his team defeated France within the gold medal game.

However, before leaving the stage of the press conference in Paris, Kerr stopped to deliver an unsolicited message to media around the globe.

“Devin Booker is an amazing basketball player. Nobody asked about him. He was our unsung MVP. I just desired to say that,” Kerr said.

The “underrated MVP” compliment meant so much to the Phoenix Suns guard.

“It meant everything. No one really asked him,” Booker recently told Andscape. “That was probably something that was weighing on his mind throughout the entire process. A 12 months ago I said what I desired to do for this team and what we desired to do for the country.

“It was a lot larger than all of us. Survival was something we’d discuss for the remainder of our lives.

The USA Basketball team was centered around NBA star icons LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. There has also been some discussion amongst media and fans in regards to the lack of playing time for Jayson Tatum and, to a lesser extent, Tyrese Haliburton. Lost within the shuffle was the all-around, unselfish play of sharpshooter Booker wearing the armband.

Guard Devin Booker throughout the final men’s basketball game between France and the United States on the Olympic Games on Aug. 10 at Bercy Arena in Paris.

Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images

Booker was fourth in scoring for the U.S., averaging 11.7 points, 3.3 assists and a couple of.2 three-pointers made early in all six Olympics, and likewise had the perfect plus/minus (plus-130) for an American. Kerr was impressed with Booker’s deal with a difficult defense, regardless that he is thought for his offense, ball movement and the way he has adjusted to not being one in every of the highest options on offense.

“I just understood what was at stake,” Booker said. “I’m proud to be from this country. I’m happy with playing basketball. Even though it wasn’t invented in America, we dominated for a very long time. Obviously the world is incredibly talented and the sport is growing, however it was just one other message to allow them to know who we’re.

Booker said he also learned in regards to the preparations from his all-star team, watching the preparations on and off the court. The 28-year-old added that he gained lifelong friendships.

“It’s cool to see that everyone has their own issues,” Booker said. “In my 10 years in the NBA, I’ve learned that you have to choose what you can use for yourself. But the level of detail, the attention to detail, the intensity – it’s all consistent across the board.”

As for Durant, Booker said the bond between the 2 Sun stars “is close and grows stronger every day.” They live about five minutes from one another within the Phoenix area and commonly spend time at home and on the road. Most recently, Booker had to steer the Suns without Durant, who was sidelined with an injury.

The amazing Durant averaged 27.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and three.4 assists, which were tops for the Suns. However, the 14-time NBA All-Star has been sidelined since November 8 with a left calf strain. Suns players Bradley Beal (calf) and Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) were also sidelined. The Suns are 1-5 without Durant, which incorporates 4 straight losses.

Booker and Suns sans Durant’s next rivals shall be the New York Knicks on Wednesday evening (ESPN, 10 p.m. ET). Over the last six games, Booker is averaging 24.1 points, shooting 43.2% from the sphere and making 16 of 43 three-pointers. Suns guard Tyus Jones said there was numerous pressure on Booker offensively due to the injury.

“We’re asking a lot of Book,” Jones said after Monday’s 109-99 loss to the visiting Orlando Magic. “It’s numerous pressure for him. We are very focused on it. They are physical with him, holding him and grabbing him, throwing two or three bodies at him all night long. So he’s got so much on his plate and we just need to proceed to seek out ways to get him open within the moments we will and proceed to assist him when other players are taking shots and making plays.

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (left) with Suns forward Kevin Durant (right) during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Oct. 31 on the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

Booker currently has two Olympic gold medals, 4 NBA All-Star appearances and one NBA Finals appearance. The only thing missing from the Suns’ second-leading all-time scorer is an NBA championship. Since the Suns joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1968, they’ve yet to win a title.

After experiencing the joys of winning a gold medal, Booker as an NBA champion wants the gold Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy much more.

“Most of the guys that were there did it,” Booker said of his Olympic teammates who were NBA champions. “They were champions. This is standard for them. Anything lower than that, they need nothing to do with it. It’s contagious…

“That’s all I want. That’s all I want.”

Marc J. Spears is Andscape’s senior NBA author. He used to have the ability to dunk on you, but he hasn’t been capable of do it for years and his knees still hurt.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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New Unrivaled Women’s League Reveals Team Rosters and Coach Allocations

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After months of introducing the players and coaches who will participate in its inaugural season, the brand new Unrivaled 3-on-3 women’s basketball league announced its team rosters and coaching assignments on Wednesday.

Founded by WNBA players Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, Unrivaled consists of six teams of six players each. The league was created to offer WNBA players with a substitute for playing overseas in the course of the offseason.

Although initially announced as having 30 players, the league has since expanded to 36, which Collier attributed “above financial forecasts”. The league has announced 34 players publicly up to now.

The inaugural season of Unrivaled will begin on January 17, 2025, with all games going down in Miami. Here are the official teams for the inaugural season, as well season schedule.

Vinyl Basketball Club:

Arike Ogunbowale

Rhyn Howard

Aliyah Boston

Jordin Canada

Rae Burrell

Dearica Hamby

– Coach: Teresa Weatherspoon

Rose Basketball Club:

Chelsea Grey

Kahleah Copper

Angel Reese

Brittney Sykes

Lexie Hull

Azura Stevens

– Coach: Nola Henry

Mgła basketball club:

Jewell Lloyd

Dijon Carrington

Breanna Stewart

Courtney Vandersloot

Rickey Jackson

Aaliyah Edwards

– Coach: Phil Handy

Lunar Owls Basketball Club:

Skylar Diggins-Smith

Allisha Gray

Napheesa Collier

Natasha Chmura

Shakira Austin

– TBD: wild card

– Coach: DJ Sackmann

Phantom Basketball Club:

Jackie Young

Marina Mabrey

Satou Sabally

Tiffany Hayes

Brittney Grinner

– TBD: wild card

– Coach: Adam Harrington

Laces Basketball Club:

Kelsey Plum

Kayla McBride

Alice Thomas

Courtney Williams

KateMartin

Stefanie Dolson

– Coach: Andrew Wade

Mia Berry is senior HBCU author at Andscape, covering every thing from sports to student-led protests. She’s from Detroit (What’s up, Doe!), a long-suffering Detroit sports fan and Notre Dame alum who randomly shouts “Go Irish.”


This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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