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Will the Kansas City Chiefs remain undefeated? Here’s the answer: it doesn’t matter

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With nine games left on the schedule, the Kansas City Chiefs face the query: Can they remain undefeated?

Here’s the answer: it doesn’t matter.

There is little question that NFL observers are considering whether the only undefeated team in the league will finish the regular season with an ideal record. But Kansas City (8-0) stays focused on pursuing an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl championship.

For the Chiefs, the regular season is just a method to an end.

As the Chiefs prepare for Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos, they’ve overcome serious injuries en path to posting the best record in the league. In fact, including postseason games, the Chiefs have won 14 in a row over two seasons.

And they are usually not surprised.

“We’re a really good football team,” superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes recently told reporters. “No matter what is required that day, the guys will rise to the challenge and play. If it’s defense, if it’s offense, if it’s special teams and each individual in those situations, they will step up. None of us care about statistics, we care about victories.

“We (had) seasons where we had great numbers and didn’t win the Super Bowl. And in seasons like last year (when) you don’t necessarily have great stats, but you win the Super Bowl (and) you still feel a lot better. … No matter what, we will find a way to win the football game. It comes down to experience and the great culture we have built here.”

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid watches from the sidelines during a Nov. 4 game in Kansas City, Missouri.

AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

Last season, the Chiefs became the first team since the New England Patriots in 2004 and 2005 to win back-to-back Super Bowl championships. Trying to interrupt latest ground in the Super Bowl era, the Chiefs got off to a sensational start, sparking interest in whether or not they could grow to be the second team in NFL history to complete the season, including the playoffs, undefeated. In the 1972-73 season, the Miami Dolphins went 17-0.

In the 2007/08 season, it seemed that the New England Patriots couldn’t be stopped. They went 16-0 in the regular season, won two AFC playoff games and were heavily favored to beat the New York Giants in the Super Bowl. On at the present time, nevertheless, the Giants were higher. Despite going 18-1, the Patriots didn’t get the victory they most wanted.

The Golden State Warriors began the 2015-16 NBA season 24-0, setting a brand new record for the best start at the highest level of basketball. The Warriors’ historic begin to this season became the springboard for an additional single-season NBA accomplishment: an overall record of 73-9.

Ultimately, nevertheless, the team is best known for failing to defend the NBA title and being the only team in NBA Finals history to blow a 3-1 series. As it turned out, the Warriors’ season was meaningless due to the way it ended.

Kansas City hopes to avoid the same fate.

Nevertheless, Chiefs’ early season streak is impressive, especially given the injuries they’ve overcome. Among their starters, they lost wide receiver Hollywood Brown in the preseason, running back Isiah Pacheco in Week 2, receiver Rashee Rice in Week 4 and cornerback Jaylen Watson in Week 7.

Much to go coach Andy Reid’s delight, the Chiefs just keep playing.

“Those games were close. Many of them. So I’m happy with the guys for taking part in for 4 quarters and sticking together throughout that period,” Reid said. “We can improve in all facets, including me. We’re just working in the same direction now and it’s essential to see if we are able to improve as time goes on.

The addition of All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins helped to realize this goal.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins runs with the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 4 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Images by Cooper Neill/Getty

Recently acquired in a trade from the Tennessee Titans, Hopkins quickly strengthened the receiving corps devastated by injuries. Hopkins had eight receptions for 86 yards and two touchdowns in Monday’s 30-24 additional time victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

According to the Chiefs, Hopkins has slot in well.

“His hands are phenomenal,” Kansas City offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said. “The experience that he has and that comes with it is trust. He played in lots of matches. He understands and has seen many various defenses. It’s precious.

“Whether it’s zone or man (coverage), he’s a superb route runner. You see it on tape. … You see his confidence and pride. That confidence can really permeate and you are feeling it with other players.

Mahomes can attest to that. He established a fast rapport with Hopkins, whom the Chiefs acquired with the ultimate goal in mind fairly than attempting to finish the regular season with an unblemished record.

“We continue to give him more and more opportunities to make plays,” Mahomes said. “We move him around and let him do what he excels at, which is catching the ball, winning one-on-ones and getting open in coverage.

“It’s just going to assist the whole offense, not only him, but it’s going to assist the other guys get open. Of course, given the big game he had last game, I’m sure they’ll be paying more attention to him this week.

When you play for the Chiefs, attracting attention comes with the job. And even when the Chiefs finish the regular season with a poor record, the highlight shall be on them at the biggest moment of the yr in the NFL.

Jason Reid is a senior NFL author at Andscape. He likes watching sports, especially any matches through which his son and daughter participate.

This article was originally published on : andscape.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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Andscape Roundtable: Are the Colorado Buffaloes College Football Team in the Playoffs?

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Andscape digital leader Erik Horne, columnists William C. Rhoden and Clinton Yates, and JJT Media Group president Jean-Jacques Taylor discuss the situation in Colorado 49-24 a win over Utah, the Buffaloes entering the College Football Playoff conversation, what would realistically be the best franchise to draft Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, our weekly “Where Will Deion Sanders Coach Next Year” briefings, and more.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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