Latest news with #GOAT
USA Today
17 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
We hit 80 in our Raiders countdown to kickoff. Who wore it best and who's wearing it now
We hit 80 in our Raiders countdown to kickoff. Who wore it best and who's wearing it now We've reached 80 days until the Raiders season opener at Foxboro against the Patriots, With our countdown at 80 days we take a look at who currently dons the number in Silver & Black and who has brought it the most distinction. No. 80 Who's wearing it now: TE Ian Thomas This eighth year veteran has spent his entire career up to this point with the Carolina Panthers. He joins the Raiders as a solid number three tight end option behind Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer. He's a solid 6-4, 260 pounds with some decent hands but even better blocking and special teams abilities. Who wore it best: WR Jerry Rice The GOAT joined the Raiders in 2001 at the age of 39. In his second season with the team, at the age of 40, he put up over 1200 yards receiving (1211), made his 13th career Pro Bowl and the Raiders were in the Super Bowl. In 54 games over four seasons in Oakland, Rice put up 243 catches for 3286 yards and 18 touchdowns. Honorable Mention: TE Zach Miller Miller was a second round pick by the Raiders in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played four seasons for the Raiders, making one Pro Bowl. He may have had more success except he joined the Raiders during some very bad years. This included two years of JaMarcus Russell and three years in which they couldn't get more than five wins in a season.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Warriors Turn Heads with Steph Curry Post Amid Offseason
Warriors Turn Heads with Steph Curry Post Amid Offseason originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After closing the 2024‑25 season with a 48‑34 record and a run to the Western Conference semifinals, the Golden State Warriors have turned their attention to the offseason and the upcoming NBA draft. Advertisement Yet despite all the moving parts, Steph Curry remains the defining figure of Golden State's modern era. Amid the flurry of draft speculation and trade rumors, the Warriors took to X on Wednesday to remind fans just how unlikely Curry's path to greatness appeared on day one. Golden State shared a video featuring Curry reading his pre‑draft scouting report, in which evaluators warned that "at 6-foot-2, he's extremely small for the shooting guard position" and questioned his athleticism, defensive potential and ability to run an NBA offense. In the clip, Curry reads aloud, "struggles defensively, getting around screens" and "needs to add some muscle, but appears as though he'll always be skinny," before shrugging and saying, "A for effort. I appreciate all the motivation and inspiration to do everything this paper said I couldn't do." Advertisement The post was accompanied by the caption, "Look at 30 now 😏." Fans online were quick to react to the post. "That is why he is the GOAT," said one user. "Wow 😭 who the heck wrote that??," another fan replied. "Love you curry!" commented one other fan. "my GOAT 🐐," wrote another user. "But they were actually right, and as soon as he worked on all thise things, the success came. The scouts can't see the future the can only tell the present and at best make projections. So win win," one other commenter responded. "GOAT 🐐," another fan commented. Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry (30).David Gonzales-Imagn Images Through 16 NBA seasons, Curry's resume already includes four NBA championships, two NBA MVP awards (including the first unanimous selection in 2015‑16) and the all‑time record for career 3‑pointers made (4,058). Advertisement His career averages through 2024‑25 stand at 24.7 points, 6.4 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game, with a historic 91.1% free‑throw percentage, the highest in league history. Related: Warriors Turn Heads With Steph Curry Post on Monday Related: Ben Simmons Update Announced After Clippers Issue Big Demand This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
"Because Larry said that, I believed that" - Larry Bird saying Shaquille O'Neal would be the GOAT center gave the Shaq confidence he needed
"Because Larry said that, I believed that" - Larry Bird saying Shaquille O'Neal would be the GOAT center gave the Shaq confidence he needed originally appeared on Basketball Network. Shaquille O'Neal used to make headlines during his college years at Louisiana State as a young and freakishly strong and talented big man — something that even Larry Bird noticed. In his sophomore year, Shaq averaged 27.6 points, 14.7 rebounds and 5.0 blocks per game. Advertisement Unsurprisingly, O'Neal concluded his college career in 1992 with flying colors. He was a two-time consensus First Team All-American and a two-time SEC Player of the Year. At the time, Bird, who was in the twilight of his NBA career, recognized the potential of young Shaq. Bird firmly believed that O'Neal was about to take over the NBA and would end up becoming the greatest center of all time. Reflecting on what Larry Legend said about him, O'Neal admitted that he has lived by that lofty praise since then. "My only Larry Bird story… [By the way], Thank you, Larry Bird," Shaq said on Inside the NBA on TNT on Bird's 61st birthday. "Larry Bird helped me realize that I was a pretty good player. It was one of those special occasions where there was a college game before an NBA game, so after we played, I went back to the dorm and I was watching TV. At halftime, Larry Bird said, 'Let me tell you something, that Shaquille O'Neal fella, if he comes out, he's gonna be the best big man ever.' And because Larry said that, I believed that," O'Neal remembered. Bird also predicted the Lakers' reign with Shaq As expected, O'Neal finally made his way to the NBA. He was drafted by the Orlando Magic as the No. 1 overall pick in 1992 and immediately changed the landscape of the league with his otherworldly athleticism and power. Advertisement Shaq and Bird met in the 2000 Finals. At the time, Bird was coaching the Indiana Pacers, while O'Neal was the face of the Los Angeles Lakers. That year, Shaq won the season MVP award and went on to lead the Lakers to an emphatic championship win over coach Bird and the Pacers in six games. Once again, Bird acknowledged Shaq's dominance and even predicted that the Lakers would continue to dominate the league because of him. "It is, with Shaquille O'Neal," Bird said in 2000, per the Los Angeles Times. "He's the most dominating player in our league. He's powerful, strong, able to get the ball to the hole. He's just so dominating; they have an opportunity here to do something great for a number of years." Related: "I don't think I should defend myself anymore, I'm done with that in my life" - Allen Iverson on why he's had enough trying to defend his public image Shaq has always respected Bird's legacy Unlike many of his contemporaries, O'Neal was never a fan of Bird. In fact, he openly admitted that he once harbored a strong disdain for the Celtics icon, believing that much of Bird's success was just the result of luck rather than skill. Advertisement Despite his critical perception of Bird, O'Neal could not deny the significance of Bird's contributions to the NBA as an organization. He ultimately recognized Bird's legacy as one of the greatest players of all time. Moreover, Shaq also acknowledged the impact Bird had on the game and the admiration he garnered from fans and players alike over the years. Ultimately, it's also safe to say that Bird's remarks may have also changed how O'Neal viewed him. Related: "You guys created this" - Shaq credited media for motivating him to get serious and start winning championships This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
LeBron James Has No Answer for NBA Championship Question
LeBron James Has No Answer for NBA Championship Question originally appeared on Athlon Sports. NBA discourse, especially in online spaces, has changed drastically in recent years. With the advent of the "superteam" in the 2010s, many conversations about the game's best players became centered on championships. The number of titles won soon became a barometer as to a player's overall standing in "greatest of all time" debates. Advertisement LeBron James felt this pressure when he decided to join the Miami Heat in 2010, teaming up with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade to form a "Big Three" in south Florida. James won two of his four career titles in Miami, which – alongside his minutes played and points scored records – have afforded him a privileged spot in "GOAT" talks. On the newest episode of his "Mind the Game" podcast, James and Steve Nash – an all-time great point guard who never played in the NBA Finals – tried to answer a fan question about the unique prevalence of "ring culture" in NBA discourse. But James, who won his most recent title five years ago, had no answer. Advertisement "I don't know why it's discussed so much in our sport, and why it's the end-all, be-all of everything. Like, you weren't a great player if you never won a championship," James said. James remarked that in other major sports leagues, like MLB or the NFL, "ring culture" has not impacted the esteem in which all-time great athletes like Barry Bonds, Peyton Manning, or Dan Marino are held. But Nash and Charles Barkley, who combined to play in one NBA Finals series amidst Hall of Fame careers, are not usually regarded as two of the greatest players of their generations. "It's just weird to me. It's like saying 'Peyton Manning can't be in the same room with [Tom] Brady or [Patrick] Mahomes because he only has one ring," James said. "Barry Bonds never won a World Series, and you can't sit here and tell me that he's not the greatest baseball player to ever touch a bat." James warned of the dangers of "weird" ring culture as it continues to spiral, and how it threatens to reduce player legacies and the vitality of sports debate. Advertisement "We have to appreciate more of what guys have been able to accomplish," James said. "A ring is a team accomplishment. And if you happen to have a moment where you're able to share that with your team, that should be discussed. Trying to nitpick and individual because he was not able to win a team game, I don't know where it's started, it's just so weird." Related: Suns Make Feelings Clear to Bradley Beal Amid Kevin Durant Exit Rumors This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Eagle-eyed fans spot Rory McIlroy's ‘unrepeatable' magic trick in furious fit of rage at US Open
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RORY MCILROY stunned fans with an unbelievable trick at the US Open. The Masters winner has struggled in Pittsburgh this week and barely made the cut on Friday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Rory McIlroy threw his club in frustration 3 It bounced off his bag in bizarre fashion 3 The Masters champion caught his club effortlessly in a move that wowed fans He has been lashing out all week, throwing his clubs in a rage when things have not gone his way. After yet another disappointing shot on Sunday McIlroy went to throw his iron with considerable force. He hesitated and instead opted for a more friendly throw at his own bag, but the club sprang back up in bizarre fashion, allowing McIlroy to catch it. Eagle-eyed fans spotted the funny mishap and found it equally hilarious and unbelievable. READ MORE IN GOLF COR BLIMEY US Open star withdraws hours before start of final round after suffering injury One reacted saying: "Rory McIlroy entering GOAT club thrower territory now." Another added: "Unrepeatable 🤣🤣" A third wrote: "I'd like to see him try that again!" And another commented: "The nonchalance of the bounce back catch is truly something." CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS McIlroy has tossed his clubs around the Oakmont Country Club this week, with the five-time major winner also smashing a tee box as he allowed his frustrations to get the better of him. He snubbed the press after his first two rounds before declaring: "[I've] earned the right to do whatever I want to do." 'Oh wow' - Rory McIlroy launches club and smashes tee box leaving Sky Sports commentators disgusted at US Open McIroy, 36, said of his brief blackout: "It's just frustration with you guys [some sections of the media]. "I have been totally available for the past number of years. "That [driver issue] was a part of it, but at Augusta, I skipped you guys on Thursday. "It's not out of the ordinary as I've done it before, but I am doing it a little more often. "I feel like I've earned the right to do whatever I want to do."
