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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tyrese Haliburton's Dad Goes Viral For Dancing In A Bar After Pacers Beat Knicks In Game 1 Of ECF
Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton delivered for his team yet again. With a clutch performance to lead the Pacers to a 138-135 win in OT of Game 1 against the New York Knicks, Indiana now enjoys a 1-0 lead in the ECF. Like most fans, Haliburton's dad, John Haliburton, was also seen celebrating the win, as a video of him dancing in a bar went viral on social media. The clip quickly went viral, not just for the feel-good moment, but because it came with some backstory. Advertisement John Haliburton was notably absent from MSG after being involved in a brief courtside confrontation with Giannis Antetokounmpo when the Pacers beat the Bucks in the first round. This eventually resulted in Haliburton's father being banned from future games. As a result, he was forced to sit this game out. But clearly, that didn't stop him from finding a way to support his son and enjoy a dramatic Game 1 win with the rest of Indiana. Waving the same towel featuring his son's face as he did in front of Antetokounmpo, Haliburton's father had every reason to be proud. The Pacers, led by Haliburton's 31 points and 11 assists, outlasted a gritty Knicks team in what can be labeled a playoff classic. Another clutch performer for the game was Aaron Nesmith, who came up with 30 points on the night, including some phenomenal three-point shooting in the final frame. Nesmith's barrage from beyond the arc allowed Indiana to remain within punching distance in the closing moments of the game. And with the ball in his hands, Haliburton gave the crowd another moment of pure magic. Advertisement The rest of the Pacers' starting lineup also made significant contributions to the game. With Pascal Siakam's 17 points providing some relief as well, it is safe to say that Indiana became the embodiment of excellence on Wednesday night. Haliburton's brilliance, given the circumstances, also led NBA legend Charles Barkley to request NBA commissioner Adam Silver to allow Haliburton's father to attend Games 3 and 4 in Indiana. For New York, Jalen Brunson continued his red-hot postseason form with 43 points and 5 assists, but his seven turnovers for the game certainly proved to be costly. Meanwhile, the 35-point contribution by Karl-Anthony Towns was also worth taking note of. Unfortunately for the Knicks, the Pacers simply caught the Knicks off guard and capitalized on the momentum built up by Nesmith and Haliburton. Advertisement The win puts the Pacers up 1-0 in the series and steals home-court advantage, a major statement for a team enjoying its first ECF win since 2014. Game 2 is set for Friday night, May 23, at 8:00 pm ET, again at Madison Square Garden. For the Knicks, it's a must-win to avoid heading to Indiana down 0-2. For the Pacers, it's an opportunity to tighten their grip on the series and take full control before heading back to Gainbridge Fieldhouse. If Haliburton plays anything like he did in Game 1, and if his dad keeps bringing the energy from afar, Indiana might just be dancing to the Finals. Related: Tyrese Haliburton Recreates Iconic Reggie Miller Moment During Game 1 Comeback Against The Knicks
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New York Knicks most to blame for ECF loss to Pacers
The post New York Knicks most to blame for ECF loss to Pacers appeared first on ClutchPoints. The New York Knicks' 2024-25 season came to a bitter end on Saturday night. The Indiana Pacers closed out the Eastern Conference Finals in six games with a decisive 125-108 victory. Madison Square Garden became the backdrop of a team falling short in the biggest moment. The Knicks, who had overcome adversity all year long, saw their journey halted by self-inflicted wounds that Indiana exploited without mercy. As New York enters the offseason, attention now turns to the players most responsible for their latest playoff heartbreak. A Year of Progress And Pain In many ways, zooming out tells a far more positive story. The Knicks finished the regular season with a 51-31 record, their highest win total in 12 years. They navigated an injury-riddled campaign, with major roster changes that could have easily derailed a lesser team. On the eve of training camp, New York acquired Karl-Anthony Towns to fill the void left by the departures of Isaiah Hartenstein, Julius Randle, and Donte DiVincenzo. The transition wasn't always seamless. Still, Towns' offensive prowess provided a needed spark. Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images In the playoffs, the Knicks dispatched a pesky Detroit squad in the opening round before stunning the defending champion Boston Celtics in six games. By reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, they advanced one round further than the previous year. That's when Indiana knocked them out in the semifinals. However, once again, the Pacers proved to be their nemesis — and this time, on an even bigger stage. Advertisement Here we will discuss the New York Knicks players who are the most to blame for their Eastern Conference Finals loss to the Indiana Pacers. The Star Who Vanished When the Knicks acquired Karl-Anthony Towns, they knew exactly what they were getting. KAT was an elite offensive big man capable of stretching the floor and putting up gaudy stat lines. During the regular season, Towns delivered. He averaged 24.4 points, 12.8 rebounds, and shot an impressive 42 percent from beyond the arc. These were enough for him to earn his third All-NBA selection. On paper, Towns seemed like the missing piece New York needed to contend for a title. That said, in the postseason—and especially in the conference finals—his longstanding defensive liabilities resurfaced at the worst possible time. We all saw how Towns frequently blew defensive coverages without properly communicating with his teammates. This left the Knicks exposed against Indiana's high-powered offense. Players and coaches grew frustrated as his 'defensive habits' became a growing concern throughout the season. Advertisement In Game 6, those weaknesses were glaring. Indiana repeatedly attacked the Knicks in pick-and-roll sets, knowing Towns had a habit of dropping too far. Too often, his miscues allowed Pacers shooters open looks or created mismatches that New York couldn't recover from. For a player of his stature, Towns' inability to elevate his game defensively in the biggest moments is inexcusable. The Hart and Hustle That Fell Short Josh Hart has been one of the Knicks' most beloved players. He embodies the grit, hustle, and never-say-die attitude that fans adore. Last season, Hart was indispensable during New York's playoff run. He provided timely shooting, tough rebounding, and elite perimeter defense. This postseason told a different story, though. Hart's production dipped just when the Knicks needed his energy and versatility most. Averaging 13.6 points and 9.6 rebounds during the regular season, Hart was expected to be a stabilizing force. Instead, his inconsistency forced head coach Tom Thibodeau to make a difficult adjustment: moving him to the bench after New York fell behind in the series. Mitchell Robinson was inserted into the starting lineup in a desperate attempt to counter Indiana's size. Advertisement The change initially showed promise but ultimately backfired. Hart struggled to find rhythm off the bench. His inability to hit open shots or make decisive plays in crunch time further exposed the Knicks' lack of depth behind their stars. Hart shouldered blame afterward. He accepted responsibility for his diminished impact. Yes, his accountability is admirable. That said, it doesn't change the fact that his inability to deliver in the Eastern Conference Finals contributed heavily to New York's downfall. A Missing Level of Physicality When the Knicks acquired Mikal Bridges to fortify their wing depth, it was seen as a savvy move. His defensive versatility and scoring ability gave New York another tool to deploy against the NBA's top wings. During the regular season, Bridges averaged 17.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. In theory, Bridges should have been a perfect fit for playoff basketball. However, when the stage got brightest, his lack of physicality became increasingly problematic. Against Indiana, Bridges was often outmuscled by the likes of Pascal Siakam and Aaron Nesmith. They attacked the Knicks' wings relentlessly. His offensive game also cooled. The Pacers effectively neutralized his perimeter shooting and forced him into uncomfortable situations. Advertisement For a player brought in to elevate New York's wing play, Bridges simply didn't deliver the consistent two-way production that was expected. He wasn't alone in his struggles, of course. Still, his inability to make a greater impact loomed large as the Pacers exploited every weakness. Minutes Management No analysis of the Knicks' playoff flameout is complete without discussing head coach Tom Thibodeau. As is tradition with Thibodeau-led teams, his heavy reliance on his starters became a point of controversy once again. Critics pointed to the massive minutes logged by Brunson, Towns, Bridges, and others throughout the regular season and playoffs, raising concerns about fatigue. Yet, any speculation about Thibodeau's job security seems premature—if not unfair. In five seasons under Thibodeau, the Knicks have reached the playoffs four times. By comparison, the nine coaches who preceded him managed just three postseason appearances in 16 combined seasons. Under his leadership, New York has returned to relevance. Brad Penner-Imagn Images Thibodeau's minute distribution may have contributed to worn-down legs late in the series. However, it's also the very approach that kept the Knicks competitive throughout an injury-filled year. His system demands buy-in and effort. For most of the season, his players delivered. The question moving forward is whether the Knicks can build more depth to avoid overextending their core players come playoff time. Progress with Lingering Questions In the end, the Knicks' Eastern Conference Finals loss to Indiana was not the result of one person or one decision. It was a convergence of several shortcomings. Towns' defensive lapses, Hart's diminished impact, Bridges' lack of physicality, and the strain of heavy minutes all played their part. For a franchise desperate to break through to the NBA Finals, these factors combined to create another painful exit. Advertisement Still, this was a season of meaningful progress. The Knicks are no longer an afterthought in the Eastern Conference. They're a legitimate contender. If they want to take the next step, though, tough conversations and roster evaluations await. Towns must become more disciplined defensively. Hart needs to rediscover his playoff form. Bridges has to develop a more physical edge. And Thibodeau, for all his success, may need to adapt his approach to minutes management. The foundation is strong. The question is whether this core—and its coach—can learn from their Eastern Conference Finals failure and finally deliver the championship-starved Knicks faithful the breakthrough they've waited decades for.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
"Hell nahh" - Trae Young pokes fun at New York Knicks' wild search for a head coach after Tom Thibodeau's firing
"Hell nahh" - Trae Young pokes fun at New York Knicks' wild search for a head coach after Tom Thibodeau's firing originally appeared on Basketball Network. The New York Knicks appear to have brought disaster upon themselves, and one of the most hated figures in New York at the moment, Trae Young, is reveling in the team's current dilemma. Advertisement As many are aware, the Knicks have recently parted ways with head coach Tom Thibodeau following their loss to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals. The decision was met with a lot of questions, especially because it comes on the heels of their first conference finals appearance since 2000. Seemingly making matters worse is that New York's next step after firing Thibodeau is to go after head coaches who already have a job, including Quin Snyder of the Atlanta Hawks. Young saw Shams Charania's report about Atlanta denying the Knicks' permission to speak to the coach and couldn't help but post a hilarious response. Trae and the Knicks Young's post has provoked the ire of many Knicks fans, who view the Hawks star as one of the most dislikeable villains in franchise history. Advertisement It's unclear when the beef began, although it probably started when Trae eliminated New York in the first round of the 2021 playoffs. That battle saw him deliver a game-winning floater in the series opener, average 29.2 points and 9.8 assists per contest in the five-game round and deal with "Fu*k Trae Young" chants as the series wore on. Since then, the four-time All-Star has embraced the villain role at Madison Square Garden, sharing once that he had seen children express their disdain for him inappropriately. He didn't do himself any favor among the boisterous Knicks crowd when he pretended to roll a dice over the franchise's logo during Atlanta's win in MSG in this year's NBA Cup. Of course, New York has had the last laugh over "Ice Trae" so far. After all, it has been on an upward trajectory since its elimination in the 2021 playoffs, even if it couldn't get past the Pacers in this year's ECF. As for Young, he has never been past the first round of the playoffs again and hasn't even reached that stage again in the past two seasons. Advertisement Related: "Yeah, they'll probably have to do something" - Bird says the NBA will be forced to move the 3-point line back if high volume continues The Knicks and their coaching search It remains to be seen, though, how the 2025-26 campaign fares for Trae and NYK. The former Hawks' future appears to be hazy, as his lack of success in Atlanta has had folks around the league questioning whether the organization should ship him elsewhere and start fresh. Meanwhile, the Knicks' fate next year will likely depend on the head coach it chooses to succeed Thibodeau. The thing is, the front office has looked disjointed recently because of its apparent lack of plan for its head coaching vacancy. Advertisement Reports have it that New York has tried to set up interviews with Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets, Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks, Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls, and, of course, Snyder. However, their employers have refused to accept the Knicks' request. Maybe it's time for the Knickerbockers to expand their search to more obtainable candidates, such as assistant coaches or previous head coaches who aren't currently tied up to any NBA team. Otherwise, they will just continue to be ridiculed by many people around the league, including Young. Related: "The Knicks have to be extremely careful" - Quentin Richardson warns New York not to take Indiana for granted This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Forbes
13-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Best Bike-Friendly Trains In Europe - Belgian And Swiss Top Rankings
A new report evaluated the bicycle friendliness of 67 long-distance train operators across Europe. Belgian and Swiss national railways, followed by MÁV-START in Hungary, are the most cycle-friendly train companies in Europe. Each garnered an 'excellent' 18 companies, including Deutsche Bahn in Germany, ÖBB in Austria, the NS in the Netherlands, PKP Intercity in Poland, and the SNCF in France, were ranked 'good.' Snälltåget (Sweden) was rated 'very poor.' Those are a few highlights of a new report that evaluated and ranked 67 long-distance train companies in Europe for the quality of infrastructure and services they provide to make bicycle-friendly travel a reality for more cyclists across the continent. 'Cyclists Love Trains 2025: An analysis of the bicycle friendliness of European railway operators,' was released on Tuesday by the European Cyclists' Federation (ECF), a Brussels-based nonprofit umbrella group with more than 70 member organizations in over 40 countries. For leisure travelers planning to enjoy Europe's cities and countryside from the seat of a bicycle in combination with rail journeys, and for local commuters who use both modes of transport to get to and from work, the ease of combined bike-and-train travel is important, according to the ECF, which advocates to improve cycling and promote it as a sustainable, healthy and cost-effective way to get around. Companies received one of five overall ratings, from the top 'excellent' to 'very poor,' based on six criteria: number of dedicated bike storage or carriage spaces; ease of booking; cost of transport; access to information in a number of languages; functionality of website; and availability of bike sharing programs. In Belgium, NMBS/SNCB was cited for expanding its bike carriage capacity by 20% since 2021 and for developing the accessibility app BikeOnTrain. In Switzerland, SBB/CFF/FFS was noted for providing ample capacity for bicycle carriage, and for booking channels and website/ app functionality. In 2023, the railway carried some 1.7 million bicycles on its entire train network. Hungary's MÁV-START 'particularly excels in providing generous bicycle carriage capacity on routes to popular tourist destinations. It also performs well on affordability and software functionality,' according to the updated report, first published in 2021. The second edition was released as Velo-city was set to begin in Gdansk, Poland. The annual cycling planning and promotion conference is co-organized by the ECF and a different city every year. Other key findings from the report: 'Despite these challenges,' the report noted, 'ECF is optimistic about the momentum towards greater bicycle-train integration.' The cycling group said that new wagon acquisitions by train operators since 2021 have largely incorporated bicycle-friendly features, and a new EU regulation on rail passengers' rights that became effective on June 7 2025, 'will establish a legal minimum for bicycle spaces on trains.' The ECF's recommends that train operators adopt the following measures to improve bicycle-carriage on trains: For more information about the European Cyclists' Federation, click here. To read the full report, click here.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
West Northamptonshire Council and ECF sign deal for Greyfriars regeneration
West Northamptonshire Council and English Cities Fund (ECF), a joint venture between Legal & General, Homes England, and Muse, have formalised an agreement to initiate the Greyfriars regeneration project in Northampton, England. The scheme aims to revive a part of the town centre into an inclusive community space with over 1,000 new homes, as well as employment opportunities, green spaces, and cultural destinations. The 25-acre regeneration area encompasses several key sites, including the former Greyfriars Bus Station and the Corn Exchange. The development plans promise a diverse residential offering, with affordable housing, build-to-rent options, and student accommodation. The project will also introduce new retail, café, and restaurant spaces, alongside leisure facilities. A significant aspect of the Greyfriars scheme is the creation of a public realm, featuring an outdoor amphitheatre and revitalised green spaces. The development will also focus on improving pedestrian and cycling routes, fostering sustainable travel and better connecting Greyfriars with the wider town centre and adjacent communities. During the construction phase, up to 7,000 full-time equivalent jobs are expected to be created. The scheme is also anticipated to unlock over £1bn ($1.35bn) in economic value. Upon completion, the development could increase local spending by approximately £21m annually, offering a boost to businesses throughout Northampton and the broader West Northamptonshire region. ECF chair Sir Michael Lyons said: 'West Northamptonshire Council has set out a bold vision for Greyfriars and we are looking forward to our collaborative and positive partnership. 'Entering a development agreement will enable us to take the next important step in the delivery of this important opportunity. It's a chance to enhance Northampton town centre with new homes, workspaces, retail, culture, and public spaces. 'Together, we will move at pace to deliver a master plan proposal which delivers against this opportunity.' Community engagement with locals during the development process is stated to be integral to shaping the redevelopment of the Greyfriars area. This development agreement follows a development management services agreement signed this January. "West Northamptonshire Council and ECF sign deal for Greyfriars regeneration" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
