Latest news with #ClutchPoints
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Anthony Edwards, Adidas are releasing new football cleats
The post Anthony Edwards, Adidas are releasing new football cleats appeared first on ClutchPoints. Prior to his arrival as the NBA's next rising superstar, Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards also had dreams of making highlight-reel plays on the gridiron. Being a standout football player from a young age, it comes as no surprise that Anthony Edwards could manage becoming a dual-sport athlete, but given his massive success in The Association, he'll have to keep dreaming about a life out on the field. This upcoming season, Edwards and Adidas will partner for an upcoming signature football cleat. Advertisement Check our Sneakers news for more upcoming releases and breaking content! During the NFL season, we saw a huge uptick in the trend of players wearing customized sneakers-turned-cleats during their games on Sundays. Eagles' Jalen Hurts was consistently rocking the newest Air Jordan footwear on the field, while players like Stefon Diggs and Tyreek Hill continued to show out with their custom creations. Minnesota Vikings' receiver Jordan Addison was actually the first player to bust out a custom pair of Adidas AE 1 cleats as an homage to his fellow Minnesota star Anthony Edwards. The shoes seamlessly made the transition to the football field and now, Adidas has plans to release the cleats to the public. Adidas AE 1 Football Cleats After building a reputation as 2024's hottest basketball sneaker of the year, the shoes eventually made their debut in other sports like baseball and football. This upcoming football cleat will use the Adidas AE 1 'Stormtrooper' as a base for the upper, complete with Adidas Football cleat technology along the outsoles. Advertisement We see a neon green Adidas logo along the back heel, true to the original sneaker release. The shoes will continue to feature a mesh boot underneath the molded TPU upper, so wearers should be getting all the performance capabilities on the field as they would have on the basketball court. The cleats will be done in the same TPU material and offer a seamless transition from the upper down to the outsole. The Adidas AE 1 football cleats are expected to debut June 2026 and will come with at a retail tag that is still to be determined. Expect the shoes to become available on Adidas as well as Adidas Football retailers all over the country. What do you think of the Adidas AE 1 as a football cleat? Related: Nike Air Tech Challenge II returning June 2025 Related: Air Jordan 12 'French Blue' release update
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Grizzlies rumors: Bill Simmons ready for Jaren Jackson Jr. trade after Desmond Bane shocker
The post Grizzlies rumors: Bill Simmons ready for Jaren Jackson Jr. trade after Desmond Bane shocker appeared first on ClutchPoints. The NBA world is in a frenzy as the Orlando Magic made a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies to acquire Desmond Bane for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four first-round picks, and a pick swap. The Grizzlies got some solid assets in the return, and there could be some more things happening around the team as their offseason continues. Advertisement Bill Simmons is already thinking of some ideas, and he has one player in mind for the Grizzlies that could be next on the trade block. 'Russillo and I had planned on taping our Sunday pod at 10am PT anyway. Now I'm going to throw 39 Jaren Jackson trades at him. He might need to wear a helmet,' Simmons wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Depending on what direction the Grizzlies plan on going with the team, there's a chance that they could look to start fresh and rebuild their roster. It's hard seeing them do that because the team is still fairly young, and all they would need to do is add some more depth to the team. If they don't want to go that route and they want to blow it up, there's a good chance the Grizzlies could get a good haul for Jackson. Grizzlies trade Desmond Bane to Magic In one of the first trades of the offseason, the Magic pushed all their chips to the front to go and get a key player to put alongside Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. The Magic were one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the league last season, and Bane has been one of the best shooters since coming into the league. Advertisement His shooting, plus his defense and playmaking, will make him an important piece for the team, and they could surprise some people with all the uncertainty of the Eastern Conference right now. The Boston Celtics may have a down year with Jayson Tatum possibly being out for the year, which means the conference is up for grabs. The Grizzlies seem like they may not be done making moves, and it'll be interesting to see what they plan on doing. After firing Taylor Jenkins toward the end of the regular season and getting eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, there's just a feeling that more changes will be made as the offseason continues. Related: Brian Windhorst drops Grizzlies 'rebuild' truth bomb on Desmond Bane trade Related: Grizzlies rumors: Kevin O'Connor suggests full 'blow-up' with 2 more blockbuster trades
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why Spurs trading for Kevin Durant makes more sense than Giannis Antetokounmpo
The post Why Spurs trading for Kevin Durant makes more sense than Giannis Antetokounmpo appeared first on ClutchPoints. Though the latest reports indicate that the most serious suitors for Kevin Durant don't include the San Antonio Spurs, nothing is yet set in stone. KD will be 37 years old by the time next NBA season starts. He's looking for one last long-term contract, and if he's traded soon, he'd be eligible for a two-year contract extension in early July that would be worth as much as $122 million. He's set to make more than $54 and a half million next season. That's the situation in front of the Silver and Black, who are also reportedly interested in Giannis Antetokounmpo. Advertisement Though they've positioned themselves well in every facet of roster building – including within the salary cap – those numbers and what it would take to get an aging star may not seem ideal. Specifics matter, though. As the Spurs look at all options, including any that would land the Greek Freak, acquiring Kevin Durant is the way to go. Within limits. Kevin Durant can still score at a high level In 62 games this past season, Durant averaged more than 26 and a half points per game. For context, in a year that continued his all-world trajectory, Victor Wembanyama scored 24.3 per contest. De'Aaron Fox's career high season scoring average is 26.6. And while Wemby's impact goes well beyond scoring, it's clear that KD would still provide the Spurs with an incredible scoring punch. Advertisement For their shortcomings – and this Spurs roster has several – at the end of the day, there is none greater than their lack of scoring threats. Wemby is not yet the offensive dynamo he will become. Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle is only 20. For his offensive prowess, Fox is finding his way in San Antonio. Acquired in February via midseason trade, the 2023 All-Star has played in only 17 games for the Silver and Black. The reality of adding Durant Unlike a potential deal for Antetokounmpo, the Spurs shouldn't have to part with Castle to get Durant. The Phoenix Suns can certainly make that request – and probably did – but it would be hard to blame San Antonio for not going along, given where KD and Castle are in their careers. The Spurs may not have to give up the second-round pick in this summer's draft either. Perhaps a non-starter for Phoenix, consider the same difference as Castle, given that Dylan Harper projects as a star. So, herein lies the question: could the Silver and Black possibly add Durant to Wembanyama, Fox, Castle, and the presumed number two pick, Dylan Harper? Over the last couple of years, Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan and Keldon Johnson have been considered a part of the Spurs future plans. As of now, they still are. But their value has been, at best, blurred by the addition of Fox, the ascension of Castle and the possibility of Harper. Advertisement Durant makes the Spurs better immediately. By adding him and keeping Harper and drafting Castle, it also makes them better in the long term. It's certainly worth the move if they can pull it off. Either way, it's a much easier call than what it would take to get Antetokounmpo. Related: 76ers' perfect trade offer to get No. 2 pick from Spurs Related: Ranking all the Spurs non-No. 1 top 10 draft picks
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rumored dark-horse Nets draft target receives green room invite
The post Rumored dark-horse Nets draft target receives green room invite appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Brooklyn Nets will have no shortage of directions they can take with the No. 8 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Noa Essengue has been linked to the rebuilding squad amid a recent surge up draft boards. The French Phenom received a green room invite to attend the draft at Barclays Center, according to ESPN's Jonathan Givony. Advertisement Essengue is one of 19 prospects to receive an invite, alongside Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, VJ Edgecombe, Tre Johnson, Khaman Maluach, Jeremiah Fears, Kon Knueppel, Kasparas Jakucionis, Egor Demin, Carter Bryant, Derik Queen, Asa Newell, Collin Murray-Boyles, Thomas Sorber, Liam McNeeley, Nolan Traore, and Will Riley. The 18-year-old has impressed with his performance this season for Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany's top professional league. He has averaged 12.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists on 54.5 percent shooting in 21.4 minutes per game over his last 13 appearances. Noa Essengue receives NBA Draft green room invite amid ties to Nets Essengue is the second-youngest player in this year's draft class, behind only Cooper Flagg. His impact at the professional level at such a young age has piqued the interest of NBA front offices. While he's a raw prospect who will need to improve as a ball-handler and outside shooter, his blend of size, fluid mobility and athleticism is highly enticing. Advertisement Essengue's recent pre-draft measurements will help his case as a potential top-10 pick. He came in at 6-foot-10 barefoot and 204 pounds with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, according to DraftExpress' Jon Chepkevich. The Frenchman's 9-foot-2 standing reach is just five inches shorter than Victor Wembanyama's. ClutchPoints and Bleacher Report project the Nets to select Essengue at No. 8 in their latest mock drafts. ESPN has him ranked No. 9 on its top 100 big board and projects the Toronto Raptors to select him with the No. 9 pick. Related: Nets opening youth basketball training facility next to Barclays Center Related: Kevin Durant trade offer Heat must make to Suns to seal deal
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
49ers' George Kittle reveals what makes Kyle Shanahan different
The post 49ers' George Kittle reveals what makes Kyle Shanahan different appeared first on ClutchPoints. San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and tight end George Kittle have been through a lot together. The former joined the franchise in 2017, and the latter was drafted a couple months later. They weathered some rough beginnings, as the team went just 10-22 during their first two years in the Bay Area. Eventually, both men helped spark a momentous franchise revival, which has so far featured two Super Bowl appearances (and two bitter SB defeats). Advertisement Their NFL legacies will always be intertwined, and considering that Kittle recently signed a four-year, $76.4 million contract extension, this duo could remain intact for a while. After an eight-year union, their are no signs of strife. The two men actually share a close personal relationship. The two-time First-Team All-Pro highlights one Shanahan quality that might explain the cohesion. 'One of my favorite things about Coach Shanahan is that he has like a 24/7 open-door policy,' Kittle told The Pat McAfee Show on Friday. 'Like if somebody has a question for him, someone wants to know where they stand with the team, {or} someone has an idea, his office is always open…. Any player can go in at any time, and so I really, really respect that about him.' Transparency can go a long way in building trust with players, and it seems Shanahan has shined in that crucial area. Given that the roster has underwent a significant overhaul this offseason, keeping morale high will be vitally important. There is no reason to question Kittle's mood. The 31-year-old was beaming with positivity at mandatory minicamp. He is eager to get back to work and help San Francisco rebound from a disappointing 6-11 campaign. Possible offensive challenges the 49ers must navigate Kyle Shanahan must devise a successful game plan around this revamped squad. His offensive ingenuity has garnered him a ton of praise, including from Kittle, but that creativity could be pushed to its limits next season. Quarterback Brock Purdy, who inked his own massive payday this spring, will need to perfect his rapport with an unpredictable wide receiver group. Advertisement Deebo Samuel is gone. Brandon Aiyuk is still recovering from a torn ACL and MCL. Jauan Jennings could receive a true No. 1 WR workload. And Ricky Pearsall has to prove he can take a sizable leap in his second season. A healthy and consistent George Kittle is more essential than maybe ever before. The six-time Pro Bowl selection has eclipsed 1,000 yards and recorded at least six touchdowns in each of the last two years. He and Shanahan will likely work together to figure out how to maintain that volume without risking too much wear-and-tear. Perhaps the topic has already come up during their occasional hangouts. 'I like to golf with him in down in Cabo in the offseason, and then I like to win football games with him in the fall.' Fans will have to wait a few more months to see if the 49ers can indeed get back to their prosperous ways, but the process to potentially achieve such status has already begun. Advertisement Related: 49ers' George Kittle teases Brock Purdy over massive contract extension Related: 49ers GM John Lynch acknowledges mutual blame in Brandon Aiyuk spat last season
