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Julius Randle is settling in with the Minnesota Timberwolves

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Kyden Randle could have been the hottest kid in New York, especially amongst New York Knicks fans. The son of New York Knicks forward Julius Randle was beloved for his passion and humorousness during his father’s home games. But just two days before Knicks training camp, Randle learned he was not a Knick and broke the news to his son, who had already began school.

“The biggest impact it had was on my family,” Randle told Andscape after the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 117-115 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Oct. 24. “My oldest son went to high school. He will likely be 8 years old in December. He’s been going to high school with all his best friends for two.5 years they usually began school. It was difficult for him. This was really the hardest part…

“I gave him the news, just being honest, telling him I used to be traded to Minnesota. I told him it was best for him, our family and me personally. I attempted doing little things to excite him. He’s a giant fan of (Minnesota Vikings wide receiver) Justin Jefferson. Then he was enthusiastic about Ant (Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards) and being on the team. New house. You just need to seek out a option to trick him a bit.

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Randle himself was “a little shocked by the moment” when he was traded from the Knicks to the Timberwolves on Oct. 3 for four-time All-Star forward Karl Anthony-Towns and guard Donte DiVincenzo. It wasn’t like Randle was unaware of this. trade rumors, but it surely’s rare for a trade to occur this near training camp. Although the Timberwolves have made plenty of changes over the past yr, Randle told Andscape that he thinks he’ll fit in well this season.

Randle averaged 22.6 points, 9.9 rebounds and 4.7 assists for the Knicks during the 2019-2024 season. All three of his NBA All-Star appearances got here in New York. The 2021 NBA Most Improved Player led the Knicks to the 2020 playoffs for the first time after an eight-year hiatus. Just days before the deal, Randle also established a basketball court in New York City, named in his honor, at the Earl Monroe New Renaissance Basketball School, after raising greater than $1.3 million for the institution.

“What really unnerved me was that it was so close to training camp,” Randle said of the trade. “We had a training camp in two or three days. My mind was able to go to Charleston (South Carolina) for training camp. It took me an evening or two (to simply accept it). The next morning. I used to be very completely happy because I forgot about all the things else and considered basketball…

“It wasn’t that I assumed I could not be traded. I form of thought (trade talks) would occur, but I feel it’s going to be more during the season or closer to the trade deadline since the summer has already passed. I used to be a bit shocked by the timing. I used to be definitely completely happy with where I used to be going. “

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Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch (left) talks with forward Julius Randle (right) during the first game at the Target Center on Oct. 26 in Minneapolis.

David Berding/Getty Images

When the dust settled, Randle was enthusiastic about what was to return in Minnesota for several reasons.

Randle worked with Edwards, certainly one of the NBA’s most enjoyable young superstars, and the Timberwolves advanced to the 2024 Western Conference Finals. To make things easier, Randle reunited with Timberwolves coach Chris Finch, who was an assistant coach with the New Orleans Pelicans when Randle played there during the 2018-19 season.

“It’s crazy because he makes the game so easy,” Randle, 29, said. “His understanding of space, on-ball and off-the-ball motion, sets and things like that, what an excellent and bad shot is. He really simplifies the game. I felt it once I was in New Orleans and I feel it here now. I do not have to force anything…

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“Who apart from Finch would I wish to play for? He knows my game so well. When I began eager about this site, I got really excited.

Finch said working with Randle has “helped him a lot” as a coach. Finch added that he had at all times been a “huge fan of Julius” and that Edwards and the remainder of the players would have loved Randle’s durability, passing ability and impact on games.

“I loved Julius when we had him in New Orleans,” Finch told Andscape. “I felt like he was completely happy to return to (Minnesota). I just told him when he was traded, “You’ll like it.” You will love our boys. You will love this technique. We’re going to get the ball in your hands quickly. You can have the opportunity to play your game.

“I even have a reasonably good feeling about it. He told me he liked the freedom and fluidity we showed during the game. He liked it in New Orleans. I just told him repeatedly that we were completely happy to have him.

Randle averaged 24 points and 9.2 rebounds in 46 games during New York’s injury-plagued 2023-24 NBA season. He has the shooting, rebounding and playmaking skills to match Towns’, but in Randle’s debut with the Timberwolves, he scored only 16 points and made only 10 field goal attempts in a 110-103 season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on October 22.

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“He does really well on and off the court. He is very happy to be here. The guys really liked him.”

— Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch

During the Oct. 24 shooting in Sacramento, Finch was very blunt with Randle, telling him he needed to be aggressive on offense and stop attempting to fit in.

“He neglects too much,” Finch said before the Kings game. “In the previous few days we told him, ‘You should be more aggressive. You should try harder to do your job. We like the incontrovertible fact that you actually attempt to fit in and find yourself just causing plenty of damage to your teammates. But I also imagine that he’ll make the right play and he must proceed to impose himself in the game, be a bit more aggressive.

“This is the best option to do it. Get on the market, be yourself. We will discover about it during the trip. But when you’re talented enough to delay the decision, we now have to do what you do best… So he seems to get this and that message.

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Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (left) and forward Julius Randle (right) react after making a basket during a game Oct. 26 in Minneapolis.

Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images

Randle proved he understood by dominating against Sacramento: 33 points on 13-of-17 shooting and 5-of-6 three-pointers, along with adding five assists and 4 rebounds in 35 minutes. Tonight, Randle and Edwards also showed they’re a formidable duo.

“Finchy told him (Thursday) morning: ‘Don’t fit in with us. We adapt to you. You’re a star, Ju. Be who you are. And (against Sacramento) that (expletive) was amazing. This is what we need,” Edwards told Andscape.

Randle and Edwards each scored 24 points in the Timberwolves’ 112-101 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. Edwards told Andscape he is very enthusiastic about what Randle adds to Minnesota.

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“It means we can give him the ball, get out of his way and tell him to bring us the bucket. And that’s what we need. Sometimes we go a little overboard with it. Swing. Swing. We are stagnant across the board. We need someone other than me who can go get the bucket. And he showed us that,” Edwards said against Sacramento.

“He does really well on and off the court. He is very happy to be here. The guys really liked him,” Finch said.

Beginning his NBA profession with the Los Angeles Lakers, Randle played with Kobe Bryant, certainly one of the NBA’s biggest players and the Lakers’ all-time leading scorer. Edwards is an Olympic gold medalist and two-time NBA All-Star known for his scoring, high-flying dunks and electric moves.

Is Edwards as intimidating offensively, skillfully and athletically as Bryant?

“I didn’t play with Bean in his prime,” Randle said. “But the mentality is very similar. Without hesitation. Ant gets right to it. He is special. Physically he is talented. In terms of skills, he is talented. Dude is different. There aren’t many players like him.

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“Now I see his leadership, charisma and energy. He makes everyone believe. It’s unique.”

After the Timberwolves’ first road trip, Randle joined his wife and two young sons at their recent home outside Minneapolis on Friday. The considered his boys graduating from highschool in New York by early 2025 was out of the query for Randle because “they have to be with me.” He is currently in the third yr of a four-year, $117 million contract with a player option through the 2025-26 season and is open to a contract extension. The Dallas native added that he’s “in a great place” mentally.

Although Randle said he is preparing for the cold winters, he is optimistic about life with the Timberwolves. He believes the changes will likely be good for Minnesota.

“I’m extremely excited from top to bottom,” Randle said. “From life, to organization, to coaching, to the way things are done here. It’s really a breath of fresh air for me… We can be really good. We have to take it one day at a time. But as a group we can be special. If we compete, we can be really good. As good as we want.”

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Marc J. Spears is Andscape’s senior NBA author. He used to give you the chance 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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San Francisco Giants Honor Renel Brooks-Moon from Pa Booth Dedication

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After almost 25 years within the team, REnel Brooks-Moon, the primary public announcer of San Francisco Giants, was quietly honored with the dedication of the stand.

Newly named REnel Brooks-Moon Pa stand characteristics Reports a plaque to honor her 24 vertical years with Giants from San Francisco. The dedication took place and not using a formal announcement or ceremony, and Brooks-Moon decided to publicly comment on homage.

“It was an important thing and the right thing we honored her,” said Shana Daum, senior vp of communication and community relations. “Her heritage lives in many ways, including naming the PA stand.”

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Honor appears a 12 months after Giants parted with their beloved Brooks-Moon in March 2024, initially promising to vary the name of the stand in the primary half of the season. After delay, the dedication quietly took place on time for the Giants House opener on April 4, even though it recently got here to light.

Brooks-Moon received the title of retired announcer PA, but was excluded from the role of speaking in the course of the most important events, akin to the Celebrations of Life for Willie Mays and Orlando Cepeda. She also skipped other ceremonies due to the unnecessary. A friend announced how difficult it was Brooks-Moon to go away this 12 months’s house opener, which honored the twenty fifth anniversary of the San Francisco Giants 2000 team.

“I recorded every player, every coach”, Brooks-Moon he said Then. “It was only bananas. But it was a great fun. I didn’t realize how much I needed it after I lost what I loved.”

The plaque at her dedicated stand celebrates Brooks-Moon as “one of the first announcers with black baseball women in Major League. She began a cult 24-year career who left an indelible mark in the history of Giants.”

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There can be a quote emphasizes the involvement of Brooks-Moon in inspiring the marginalized communities to proceed their dreams.

“I really hope that my time at the stand was inspired by little girls, young women and colorful people, to realize their dreams, even if these dreams seem impossible, because impossible dreams can come true,” we read.

(Tagstotransate) san francisco giants

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This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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Minnesota Timberwolves Guardian Mike Conley “Having a ball” in search of the first NBA finals

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San Francisco-Minnesota Timberwolves Guardian Mike Conley Jr. He danced after his training before playing on the Chase Center floor as Spun D-Sharp Golden State Warriors, “Life is Good”. After the end of the song, the 37-year-old tried to summarize.

After leaving the first attempt, Conley threw a second before he went to satisfaction to the cloakroom.

“I did it essentially throughout the season,” Conley said on May 12 to scape about his pregame dunk ritual. “They were like:” You cannot immerse. ” I told them, “I’m almost sure I can.” My coaches and teammates told me that I was going to be 38 years old. “

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Conley hopes that he’ll soon win flowers as one of the oldest NBA masters, but now his Timberwolves are set off to the finals of the Western conference for the second 12 months in a row. The 18-year-old NBA veteran never played in the NBA finals. Since joining the NBA in 1989, Timberwolves has also never played in the NBA finals, losing in the finals of the Western Conference in 2004 and 2024.

Standing on the road to Minnesota, which appeared in its first finale, is Oklahoma City Thunder, Semen No. 1 of the Western Conference, which on average 24 years. Thunder host The Timberwolves tonight in the game 1 (ESPN, 20:30 et)

“Simply excited about the challenge of us,” said Conley. “We can compete with one of the best teams in the league to reach the NBA finals. We worked hard and focused. It should be a great series.”

For the aging Conley, he hopes that his third time, when a shot at the NBA finale, is a charm.

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In 2013, 26-year-old Conley first appeared in the finals of the Western conference, but his Memphis Grizzlys was swept through San Antonio Spurs. At the age of 36, Conley and Timberwolves lost in five matches with Dallas Mavericks in the finals of the Western conference in 2024.

After the series, he wondered if it was his last likelihood to get to the NBA finals.

“I was really shocked because I thought it was a special year,” said Conley about losing in the finals of the Western conference last 12 months. “I thought it would make sense and we will all do it. My first thought was:” How long will it take us back here? Will it happen next 12 months. Will or not it’s one other 12 months? I do not know. Will or not it’s the last likelihood I’ll get? “

“All these thoughts were influenced. But this made me go in the summer, hoping that we would be able to do it again this season and have a chance.”

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Minnesota Timberwolves Mike Conley raises the ball on the field against Golden State Warriors on May 14 at Target Center in Minneapolis.

Noah Graham/Nbae via Getty Images

Conley was chosen with the fourth alternative at the NBA Draft in 2007 by Grizzlies. The only players in the NBA still remaining from this draft are Conley, the striker Phoenix Suns Kevin Durant, Boston Celtics Center/Forward al Horford and Houston Rockets Jeff Green. Horford won his first NBA title at the age of 37 from Celtics last season.

Conley was born on October 11, 1987 in Indianapolis. He is now the tenth of the oldest player in the NBA with Los Angeles Lakers striker Lebron James the oldest at the age of 40. New York Knicks, PJ Tucker, just over 4 months younger than James, is the oldest player remaining in the playoffs at the age of 40. James Johnson James Johnson is 38 years old.

“It’s terrifying, but also an honor,” said Conley. “I don’t feel that I’m so old, but I’m so old. I have to be fine with it and look in the mirror and say:” Man, we’re still doing it. ” “

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Conley performed 76 performances in the season in the 2023-24 season, most frequently from 2012-13, and played in 15 Playoff matches. The essential coach of Timberwolves, Chris Finch, said he wasn’t planning to play Conley in so many matches this season in the hope of his behavior. Conley also got here in this season with a everlasting injury of the left wrist, which hinders his ability to address basketball or golf playing out of season. He scored a mean of 8.2 points and 4.5 assists in 71 matches of the regular season this season, playing a 24.7 minutes per match.

“One of the most difficult injuries was my wrist for me,” said Conley. “I needed to be in the forged for about two months of last summer. And at the moment I could not shoot the ball, touch the ball. Nothing. It isn’t like me. Usually I work and do all the pieces I can. So after I enter a training camp, I had no strength (in the wrist). It was poor (it was still pain and I attempted to work for some things.

“I hesitated before doing things and being myself. It was a battle (season). This is something that I slowly ended with. I hope it will be even better next season.”

Conley has the purpose of the game in 20 seasons of NBA. The next season can be his nineteenth and last 12 months of the contract with Minnesota for $ 10.7 million. Based on how Conley takes care of his body, he appears to be ready to attain his goal.

Departing from Indianapolis, he began to be more severe and more routine with a food regimen and training scheme in 2018 after surgery ending the season on the left heel after trying various options for the treatment of the side heel and Achilles. Conley felt his body breaks down, and said he needed to make a change to proceed fidgeting with less pain.

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“I stopped eating red meat about eight years ago,” said Conley. “I did the work of blood, and my body was in some things, and fewer of some things. And beef was one of them. Something I do every single day, I get up around 7:30 (in the morning). I won’t eat until drinking water after 11 am. It’s almost like a quick.

“I try to extend it until I end up with treatment and exercise. I try to eat a meal. Good work, cleansing the intestine and stomach. You must heal yourself from the inside at my age. Cut off the inflammation that cause pain and slow down you at the age of 35, 36, 37 years.”

It is claimed that James spends $ 1 million on his body which he rejectedto maintain your health. While Conley doesn’t invest $ 1 million, he says that he’s investing financially in health and longevity. He said that he’s in a cold bathtub twice a day, and likewise performs a sauna of red light and a pool every single day, in addition to red light therapy, cryotherapy, STEM units (which incorporates their wearing while sleeping if obligatory) and lies in Softball to free pain from sore areas.

“I don’t have as much money as he,” said Conley about James. “But I also put a lot of money into my body. My diet is a big deal. My recovery is a big deal. From time to time I think Lebron:” I’m attempting to do what you do. ” Whatever it is, I need all this help. “

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The guard of Minnesota Timberwolves Mike Conley copes with the ball against Golden State Warriors on May 8 at Target Center, Minneapolis.

David Sherman/Nbae via Getty Images

Perhaps the most difficult part of being one of the oldest NBA players for Conley is what’s missing at home.

Conley and his wife Mary have three sons: Myles, Noah and Eli. Conley left Noah’s birthday on May 12, because Timberwolves were on the way in San Francisco in Play -ffach. He left Mother’s Day, and likewise Timberwolves defeated Warriors 117-110 in the match 4 of their second round in San Francisco the next day.

“I missed my son’s seventh birthday, Noah James Conley,” said Mike Conley. “He is a family speaker. A little bit joker. Just a shiny, supermart kid. He is my twin, the one who looks like me the most. He still wants me to hug him.

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“But my wife did a great job, making him feel enthusiastic about himself. He had his little friends with a birthday celebration. … I used to be sex after they sang all the best and his friends arrived. Double Whammy.

There are 11 players on Timberwolves who’re lower than 25 years old, including 20-year-old debutant Rob Dillingham. Conley shares the outline with the 23-year-old NBA Guardian All-Star Anthony Edwards. But after 18 seasons of the game with mainly younger collaborators, Conley says that he still has love and fervour for taking part in.

“I have a ball, brother, to be honest,” said Conley. “I tell the boys all the time:” If you see the day after I don’t smile and haven’t got fun here and do not love, tell me to take a look at. Tell me to go home. ” This is one of the reasons I’m here.

“You don’t get it anywhere else in your life, especially my age. You can’t really take it for granted.”

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Marc J. Spears is a senior NBA author for Andcape. Once he was capable of immerse himself at you, but he was unable for years, and his knees still hurt.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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WNBA testing racial insults by fans performed in Angel Reese while playing Indiana, AP Source

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WNBA examines racial comments addressed to Angel Reese by fans during Chicago Sky’s Loss from Caitlin Clark and fever In Indiana on Saturday, based on a one who knows the situation.

The person talked to the Associated Press on Sunday, provided that the league didn’t publicly discover the subject of mockery or allegations.

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“WNBA definitely condemns racism, hatred and discrimination in all forms – they do not take place in our league or in society,” said the league in an announcement. “We are aware of the allegations and we look at this case.”

Reese, which is black, and Clark, which is white, met for the seventh time in his time Ongoing competition-and very reproduced. Clark was appointed Rookie of the Year last season, and Reese took second place in voting.

The union of WNBA players published an announcement shortly after the League comment on this matter.

“WNBPA is aware of reports of hateful comments on yesterday’s game in Indianapolis and supports the current investigation of WNBA in this matter. Such behavior is unacceptable in our sport”, statement. “According to WNBA’s policy,” No Space for Hate “, we trust the league that they will examine and have taken quick, appropriate actions to ensure a safe and friendly environment for everyone.”

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The president and general director of Sky, Adam Fox, later said on Sunday in an announcement that the organization accepts the investigation of the league.

“We will do everything in our power to protect Chicago Sky players and we encourage the league to continue taking sensible steps to create a safe environment for all WNBA players,” he said.

Heaven and fever will play 4 times in the regular season.

“We are aware of the accusations of fans inappropriate behavior during yesterday’s game and we work closely with WNBA to end their investigation,” said the fever in an announcement. “We stand in our commitment to ensure a safe environment to all WNBA players.”

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Reese had 12 points and 17 rebounds in 93-58 losses with fever. Heaven and Clark took the incident on the pitch, and 4:38 remained in the third quarter. It began with Reese organizing the offensive reflection, and Clark hit Reese’s shoulder hard enough to calm down the ball and lightweight Reese to the ground.

When Reese got up She tried to confront Clark In front of the Indiana Center, Aliyah Boston entered between the players. Clark’s third personal foul was improved to the gross 1, while Boston and Reese drew technical fouls after reviewing the repetition of the referees.

Both players left the sport after the match.

This season, the league has launched a “No Space for Hate”, a multidimensional platform designed to combat hatred and promote respect in all WNBA spaces each online and in arenas.

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The league focuses on 4 areas: improved technological functions to detect hateful online comments; Increased pressure on the safety measures of the team, arena and the league; strengthening mental health resources; and adaptation to hate.

This shall be the primary league test.

“It’s nice words, but we have to see actions,” said Aces A’ja Wilson on Friday after training. “I hope that people can take actions and understand that it is bigger than basketball. We are real people for this. Every shoe we wear, every T -shirt we have, we are people. People must respect it. I hope that they pay attention and listen to words.”

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(Tagstotranslate) Angel Reese

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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