Author: Editor

How James Harden facilitated Cleveland’s biggest offseason splash

How James Harden facilitated Cleveland’s biggest offseason splash

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – MARCH 30: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in action during a game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on March 30, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers had a tense start to the summer.

They spent weeks waiting for LeBron James to make a decision, only for the King to choose Philly over returning home. This put Cleveland’s offseason on the brink of disaster. They needed a wing — and with the free agency pool drained, the Cavs had almost nothing to show for it.

James Harden not only paused his contract extension to allow them to keep searching, but also played an active role in recruiting their biggest splash of the summer, Peyton Watson.

“Getting a call or text from [Harden] throughout my process to let me know the Cleveland Cavaliers are interested,” said Watson during his introductory press conference.

“ That matters a lot because obviously he has one of the great basketball minds we’ve ever seen. Being embraced by him immediately was something that was very flattering to me.”

Watson was one of the hottest sign-and-trade candidates on the market this summer. The 6’8” wing had a career-best season shooting the ball and fit the mold of what the Cavs have been missing.

Meanwhile, Harden waited until September to sign an extension that he could have signed in July. This gave Cleveland the financial flexibility to go big game hunting.

More importantly, Harden used his reputation as one of the game’s greatest playmakers to reel in an organizational assist.

“I was super, super blessed to hear from him, and it made me more excited about what my role could be on the team,” said Watson. “It was early on when he had first talked to me… when I got that call and was informed that I was gonna be a Cleveland Cavalier, it just made it mean that much more to me because I knew I was being embraced day one by the team and front office. That just matters.”

Vibes matter. Enthusiasm is what leads to chemistry. Watson is excited about being in Cleveland and building a relationship with Harden. That’s some of the best news that you can hear leading into training camp.

Harden can’t pick up the phone and make the trade himself. But he did everything else in his power to facilitate this deal.

by Editor

NFL expert picks for week 2 of 2026

NFL expert picks for week 2 of 2026

(Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The weird, unpredictability is in the books and now we move onto when the games begin to really show what these teams are made of. That doesn’t discount anything that happened in the opening week, but the reality is that it’s very difficult to learn much when everyone in the league is this green. Lest we forget that the Raiders beat the Patriots in Week 1 of 2025.

Despite how random the opening week can be, our panel went a combined 93-51 on the week. The biggest slips ups were the Cardinals beating the Chargers, which nobody predicted — and the Giants beating Dallas, which only one member of the panel called.

One thing we learned is there’s a lot more faith in the Giants than there was a week ago. In Week 2 we have several members picking the team to beat the Rams this time, indicating how much the team has improved under John Harbaugh already.

Week 2 Mookie Alexander James Dator David Fucillo Brandon Gowton Jared Mueller R.J. Ochoa Ricky O’Donnell Mark Schofield Matthew Warren
Lions vs. Bills (TNF) Bills Bills Bills Bills Bills Bills Bills Bills Bills
Panthers vs. Falcons Panthers Panthers Panthers Panthers Panthers Panthers Falcons Panthers Panthers
Bengals vs. Texans Texans Texans Texans Bengals Texans Texans Texans Texans Texans
Eagles vs. Titans Eagles Eagles Eagles Eagles Eagles Eagles Eagles Eagles Eagles
Packers vs. Jets Packers Packers Packers Packers Packers Packers Jets Packers Packers
Vikings vs. Bears Bears Bears Bears Bears Bears Bears Bears Bears Bears
Steelers vs. Patriots Steelers Patriots Steelers Steelers Patriots Steelers Steelers Patriots Steelers
Saints vs. Ravens Ravens Ravens Ravens Ravens Ravens Ravens Ravens Ravens Ravens
Browns vs. Buccaneers Buccaneers Buccaneers Buccaneers Buccaneers Buccaneers Buccaneers Buccaneers Buccaneers Buccaneers
Raiders vs. Chargers Chargers Chargers Chargers Raiders Chargers Raiders Chargers Chargers Chargers
Jaguars vs. Broncos Jaguars Jaguars Jaguars Jaguars Broncos Jaguars Jaguars Jaguars Broncos
Seahawks vs. Cardinals Seahawks Seahawks Cardinals Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks
Dolphins vs. 49ers 49ers 49ers 49ers 49ers 49ers 49ers 49ers 49ers 49ers
Commanders vs. Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Commanders Cowboys
Colts vs. Chiefs (SNF) Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs
Giants vs. Rams (MNF) Rams Rams Rams Giants Giants Rams Giants Rams Rams
Record 8-8 12-4 9-7 11-5 9-7 11-5 12-4 10-6 11-5

by Editor

MSG vows to fix 'mistake in our pricing' after Knicks fans condemn ticket costs

MSG vows to fix 'mistake in our pricing' after Knicks fans condemn ticket costs

New York Knicks fans who were outraged at exorbitant ticket prices for home games when they went on sale earlier this week are getting some relief.

Madison Square Garden Corp. (MSG), the parent company of the Knicks, said Thursday, Sept. 17 it made a mistake in its pricing structure when individual game tickets for the 2026-27 NBA seasn went on sale the day prior, resulting in face value seats for the regular-season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers being listed in excess of $1,000.

And those were the prices for tickets in the upper deck of Madison Square Garden.

The Knicks, who in June won their first NBA championship in 53 seasons, had toiled in mediocrity for years during the 2010s, leading to several loyal fans voicing their indignation.

“A multibillion-dollar franchise pricing its own non-wealthy fans out of the Garden on a night the fanbase has been dreaming about for 50 years,” one fan wrote on social media. “Shameful.”

NEW YORK KNICKS SCHEDULE: Dates, times and opponents for 2026-27 season

WHO WILL RULE NBA THIS SEASON? 2026-27 record projections for every team

In some cases, the ticket prices represented increases of 400% from last season. As a result, the company has decided to pause sales so that it can correct the issue.

“We are pausing Knicks individual ticket sales due to a mistake in our pricing,” MSG said Thursday, Sept. 17 in a statement. “We are rolling back to last year’s prices plus an average increase of 12%. We will restart sales with new prices shortly, and anyone who already purchased individual tickets will be refunded for the difference. Our intention was never to overcharge our loyal fans, and we thank everyone for their support of the Knicks and their patience as we get this right.”

The Knicks have increased prices in the past, particularly as they have had recent success, making the postseason five of the last six seasons.

The regular-season opener against Philadelphia is scheduled for Oct. 20, when the team will raise the banner to commemorate New York’s championship.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MSG vows to fix ‘mistake in our pricing’ after Knicks fans condemn ticket costs

by Editor

Mike Sweetney, one of Georgetown basketball's greatest players, dies at 43

Mike Sweetney, one of Georgetown basketball's greatest players, dies at 43

Michael Sweetney, an All-American big man for the Georgetown men’s basketball team who went on to be a top-10 NBA draft pick, has died, his wife, India, announced on social media on Thursday, Sept. 17.

He was 43 years old. No cause of death was specified.

“No one loved him more and he loved no one more than his family,” India Murray Sweetney wrote in a message on Facebook. “His children were the light of his life, and he lived every day to give them the best life possible. He’s been my best friend for 30 years and my husband for almost 20. I’m not sure what we or I will do without him.”

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Sweetney made his greatest on-court mark in the college game, where the 6-foot-8, 275-pound forward averaged 18.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game over three seasons at Georgetown. As a junior during the 2002-03 season, he averaged 22.8 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game for the Hoyas. His production that season earned him All-American distinction from the Associated Press, the National Association of Basketball Coaches and The Sporting News.

Despite playing only three seasons at Georgetown, he remains ninth on the program’s all-time scoring list and fifth on its all-time rebounding list.

His size and college accolades made him a prized NBA prospect, with the New York Knicks selecting him with the No. 9 overall pick in the famed 2003 NBA Draft that also included LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh. In four NBA seasons — two with the Knicks and two with the Chicago Bulls — he averaged 6.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.

He played professionally, primarily in South America and the Caribbean, until 2017.

Heading into his first season with the Knicks, Sweetney struggled with depression, maintaining his playing weight and suicidal thoughts after his father suffered a fatal heart attack in 2003, about a month after Sweetney was drafted.

“I was going through depression,” he said to the New York Post in 2019. “I honestly thought I would never get out of it,” Sweetney said. “When I share the story, as I’m talking, it’s still amazing to me this was going on. As an athlete, pride got in the way. I was fighting myself. I didn’t speak up. I kept it hidden and it became a snowball effect.

“Before my father(’s death), life was great. He came to every game. He was always there. I buried my father like two days before training camp. There was no time to digest it at all. Losing him, then coming to a basketball situation that wasn’t going the way I wanted, I’d never dealt with adversity.”

He remained in basketball after his playing days, serving as an assistant coach at Yeshiva University, a Division III school in Manhattan. With Sweetney on staff, the Maccabees won two conference championships and racked up a 50-game win streak from 2019-21.

“It’s not just about X’s and O’s,” Sweetney said to the Post in 2019. “Sometimes you need to see if a guy is going through something and pick them up. It’s been a great experience. I’m happy here. I’m comfortable here. I’m treated well here. It’s been amazing. To be happy and be at peace, I would’ve been shocked. I wouldn’t have thought it was possible.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Sweetney, one of Georgetown basketball’s greatest players, dies at 43

by Editor

Paul George gets what he was walking into in Boston, says ready to fit with Tatum

Paul George gets what he was walking into in Boston, says ready to fit with Tatum

Paul George gets it.

He gets that Celtics fans were not excited to see him come to town. It’s not personal, but he was the big contract and big name who came to Boston when Celtics president Brad Stevens sent the much-beloved Jaylen Brown to a rival in Philadelphia. That trade — made for financial reasons because of the tax aprons, Stevens said — left a bitter taste in Celtics fans’ mouths. One week, those fans thought they were in the mix for Giannis Antetokounmpo, a few weeks later, the man who finished sixth in MVP voting a season ago was gone and replaced by the 36-year-old George.

“Listen, I understand the circumstances. I understand how huge J.B. was, not only for the organization but here in the city. So I didn’t take it, personal, to be honest…” George said of his reception. “To be honest, it’s fair, but just one foot in front of the other. Hopefully, with how we start this year, they understand this is a new team and something that they can be proud of.”

George, who played just 78 games across two seasons in Philadelphia due to injuries and a suspension, said he feels “like I’ve turned that corner” and his body is right again.

He also said he understands he is not the star of this team. Jayson Tatum — returning from his own injury — is that guy.

“We have a superstar, and that’s J.T.,” George said. “I’m not here to necessarily steal the shine or try to reinvent who I am….

“I’m here to help J.T. And he’s the guy, right? I played alongside another superstar wing (Kawhi Leonard, when Paul was with the Clippers), and we co-existed beautifully. I see myself and that with J.T., being able to play off him, being able to help him.”

If he can stay healthy, what George brings to Boston is a high-IQ game, defense, and a scoring threat opponents have to respect. He may not be at his peak, but this is still a nine-time All-Star and four-time All-Defense player.

George and Mike Conley, the other veteran introduced in Boston Tuesday, both said all the right things about Boston’s winning culture and wanting to be part of it. Neither has a ring, both said that potential is part of what drew them to Boston.

George gets it if Celtics fans need some time — and some proof of concept — to talk themselves into this team (otherwise those fans spend time trying to dissect Joe Mazzulla’s facial expressions during a September press conference). George also knows he has to stay healthy and on the court, telling NBC Sports Boston it would be “unacceptable for me, from a personal level, to not be able to play at least 50 games, 60 games in a season.”

While the Celtics have interesting younger players — Hugo Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, Ron Harper Jr., just-drafted Chris Cenac Jr. — if this team is going to look like a threat in the East, it’s because George recaptured much of his form.

It’s just a September press conference, few things will mean less when the games start, but George at least gets it.

“I’m all in and I’m happy to pull along and do my part to try to lead this group back to where I think everybody here feels and wants,” George said.

That’s all you can ask.

by Editor

Tommy Pham hit MLB’s most improbable homer this season after begging White Sox GM to play

Tommy Pham hit MLB’s most improbable homer this season after begging White Sox GM to play

Wednesday afternoon’s game against the Cleveland Guardians might be the biggest one of the season for the Chicago White Sox.

The South Siders entered play on Wednesday just a half-game ahead of Cleveland in the AL Central standings, and with meeting representing the final game between the two teams this season, it was an opportunity for Chicago to put some distance between their rivals in the division.

It was also a chance for Tommy Pham to try and get back into the lineup.

Pham, acquired by the White Sox in a trade back on September 1 with the Philadelphia Phillies, has only appeared in a handful of games this entire season, and entered play without a hit to his credit all year. He was also placed on the 10-day injured list back on September 6, due to a left calf strain, after appearing in just one game for the White Sox.

But the veteran outfielder bumped into White Sox general manager Chris Getz in the elevator on Tuesday night and made his pitch, telling Getz he was ready to play:

As luck, or the baseball gods, would have it, Pham came to the plate with a pair of runners on for the White Sox in the top of the fifth inning, with two outs. Chicago trailed 2-0.

But with one swing of the bat, it was 3-2:

That’s right. Hours after convincing his general manager that he was ready to play, Pham recorded his first MLB hit of the season, a go-ahead three-run shot for the White Sox in perhaps their biggest game of the season.

So there is a lesson here, friends. You are your own best advocate. Speak up for yourself. Make that elevator pitch.

Even if it is a literal elevator pitch, like Pham did.

by Editor

Today in sports history, November 4

Today in sports history, November 4

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Nov. 4

Today in sports history

Today is Nov. 4. On this date in:

1923: Chicago Bears founder, co-coach and player George Halas returned a Jim Thorpe fumble 98 yards for a touchdown in a 26-0 victory over the Oorang Indians, setting an NFL record that stood for 49 years.

1951: The United States captured the Ryder Cup at Pinehurst, defeating Great Britain 9½-2½ with a team led by Sam Snead.

1959: Chicago Cubs slugger Ernie Banks was named National League MVP for the second consecutive season after another power-filled year at shortstop.

1961: Philadelphia Warriors star Wilt Chamberlain began an NBA-record streak of 65 consecutive games scoring at least 30 points.

1962: Detroit Red Wings defenseman Bill Gadsby recorded his 500th career point in a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, becoming the first defenseman in NHL history to reach the milestone.

1965: Johnny Kerr played his 844th consecutive NBA game, then a league record, as the Baltimore Bullets lost 108-107 to the New York Knicks.

1971: Los Angeles Lakers star Elgin Baylor retired because of persistent knee injuries, ending a 14-season career in which he scored 23,149 points and made 11 NBA All-Star teams.

1976: Major League Baseball conducted its first free-agent reentry draft, a landmark business event in the sport’s labor history that included stars such as Reggie Jackson, Rollie Fingers, Joe Rudi and Willie McCovey.

1977: New York Rangers star Phil Esposito scored his 600th career goal in a 5-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks, becoming the third player in NHL history to reach the mark.

1980: Japanese home-run king Sadaharu Oh retired after a legendary career in which he hit a professional-record 868 home runs.

1987: Edmonton Oilers star Wayne Gretzky recorded his 1,000th career assist in his 645th NHL game, adding a hat trick in a 7-2 victory over the New York Rangers.

1988: The Charlotte Hornets played the first game in franchise history, losing 133-93 to the Cleveland Cavaliers before a sellout crowd at Charlotte Coliseum.

1989: David Robinson made his long-awaited NBA debut after fulfilling his U.S. Navy commitment, scoring 23 points and grabbing 17 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 106-98.

1989: The Orlando Magic played the first regular-season game in franchise history, losing 111-106 to the New Jersey Nets at Orlando Arena.

1993: The NBA Board of Governors awarded the league’s 28th franchise to a Toronto ownership group headed by John Bitove Jr., creating the Toronto Raptors, who began play in 1995.

1996: Houston Rockets forward Charles Barkley became the fourth player in NBA history to compile at least 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 3,500 assists as Houston defeated Utah 75-72.

2000: Grove City running back R.J. Bowers became the first player in NCAA history to surpass 7,000 career rushing yards, reaching the milestone during a 14-10 win over Carnegie Mellon.

2001: Luis Gonzalez singled home the winning run off Mariano Rivera in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the New York Yankees 3-2 in Game 7 to win the first World Series championship in franchise history.

2003: The Big East announced a major expansion during a wave of college conference realignment, adding Louisville, Cincinnati and South Florida in all sports and DePaul and Marquette in sports other than football.

2003: New York Rangers captain Mark Messier scored twice in a 3-0 victory over the Dallas Stars to pass Gordie Howe and move into second place on the NHL’s career points list with 1,851.

2006: Carolina Hurricanes captain Rod Brind’Amour collected the 1,000th point of his NHL career during a 3-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators.

2007: Minnesota Vikings rookie Adrian Peterson rushed for an NFL-record 296 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-17 win over the San Diego Chargers.

2009: Hideki Matsui drove in six runs, tying the World Series single-game record, as the New York Yankees defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 in Game 6 to win their record 27th championship. Matsui was unanimously selected World Series MVP.

2012: Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Andrew Luck threw for 433 yards against Miami, setting an NFL rookie single-game passing record in a 23-20 victory.

2016: Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry’s NBA-record streak of 157 consecutive games with at least one made 3-pointer ended.

— USA TODAY Network

This story was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of information gathering, review, editing and publishing. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Today in sports history, November 4

by Editor

Las Vegas Expansion Fee Could Exceed $10 Billion As Final Bids Due Soon

Las Vegas Expansion Fee Could Exceed $10 Billion As Final Bids Due Soon

The NBA are in “deeper and deeper stages” of the expansion process, reports ESPN’s Shams Charania on NBA Today. The next rounds of bids for the Las Vegas franchise are due on Thursday and final bids are expected to be due at some point shortly after that.

The Las Vegas expansion conversations have moved at a faster pace than Seattle and could exceed $10 billion.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported earlier on Tuesday that Walmart heiress Nancy Walton Lurie and Bill Lurie are considered the favorites to receive the Las Vegas team.

Josh Kushner and Bob Iger were previously involved in the bidding process for Las Vegas, but instead purchased a majority stake in the Los Angeles Lakers at a $12 billion valuation.

The Seattle expansion process hasn’t received as many bidders as Las Vegas.

by Editor

Clippers Draft Pick Sanctions Were Modeled By NBA On Wolves’ Precedent

Clippers Draft Pick Sanctions Were Modeled By NBA On Wolves’ Precedent

Adam Silver said the NBA examined past precedent before stripping the Los Angeles Clippers of five first-round draft picks for violating salary cap rules, calling the decision painful given its effect on the franchise’s supporters.

Silver made the comments Tuesday following a two-day board of governors meeting. Silver cited the Minnesota Timberwolves’ prior forfeiture of five picks for cap circumvention as the guiding example for the Clippers’ punishment.

“I think that’s, in some ways, the most difficult part of adjudicating these disputes,” said Silver. “While there have to be competitive consequences, in our view, if these rules are violated we still want to be a 30-team league and we recognize that in some ways we’re unfortunately punishing the fans of that team as well.”

The remarks marked Silver’s first public statements since the league concluded the Clippers had circumvented cap regulations connected to Kawhi Leonard, an allegation the franchise had strongly disputed throughout a year-long league investigation. Earlier this month, the NBA issued severe penalties following that inquiry, suspending owner Steve Ballmer for a full season, levying a $30 million fine and forcing the club to surrender five future first-round selections.

The deal returning Leonard to the Toronto Raptors was finalized on Monday. Ballmer confirmed this week that he intends to comply with the sanctions, abandon a legal pursuit, and noted the fine had already been paid.

Silver added that the Clippers had no representative present at the board meeting, since the organization is still searching for an interim governor.

by Editor

Adam Silver doesn't want Trail Blazers leaving Portland amid tense negotiations over new arena: 'It would be a failure'

Adam Silver doesn't want Trail Blazers leaving Portland amid tense negotiations over new arena: 'It would be a failure'

Adam Silver does not want the Trail Blazers leaving Portland. 

That, the NBA Commissioner said on Tuesday, would be considered a “failure.”

“I would see it as a failure if we did not keep the team in Portland,” Silver said at his press conference following the Board of Governors meeting in New York. “I’ve spent a lot of time in that community over the years, they’ve shown amazing support for the Trail Blazers. … We need a state of the art arena. I think by any objective measure, the current building there is in the bottom measure of any arena in the league.”

The Trail Blazers were purchased earlier this year by Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon, who landed the team from the estate of late owner Paul Allen. The team was sold at a valuation of more than $4 billion.

Since then, Dundon has been in negotiations for massive renovations on the Moda Center, the city-owned arena that the Trail Blazers lease to play their home games in. Framework for a deal that would have brought in more than $586 million had been agreed to by Oregon, Portland and Multnomah County, according to The Athletic, but terms have still not been agreed to with the city and the county. 

There is a city council vote scheduled for December, but the $365 million that Oregon has committed to the project will expire at the end of the year. If the deal is reached, the Trail Blazers will agree to a 20-year extension on the lease that would keep them there through 2050. If it’s not, their future in the city after the current deal expires after 2030 is very much in doubt. 

“It’s my hope that we can lower the temperature, honestly, a bit in these negotiations,” Silver said.

The Moda Center is one of the most outdated arenas in the league, and is undoubtedly due for major renovations — especially with the WNBA’s Portland Fire now calling it home, too. According to The Athletic, it’s the “behind-the-scenes” areas of the arena that need the most work, including loading docks, locker rooms and more. 

There is speculation that Dundon would move the team out of Portland if a new arena deal isn’t reached. Where the team would go, however, is still unknown. The NBA is still talking about expanding in both Seattle and Las Vegas, Silver confirmed on Tuesday, and there is already a team in North Carolina, where Dundon’s other sports franchise is located. 

“It is my hope and belief that the Trail Blazers can be successful in Portland, Oregon,” Silver said. “It is important at the same time that Tom Dundon reaches a deal with the city officials and the state elected officials that makes operating in Portland viable for the long term.”

Regardless, the NBA wants things in Portland to be settled sooner rather than later. Relocation for the Trail Blazers is not something Silver wants to see happen.

But whether or not his comments on Tuesday do anything for negotiations in Portland remains to be seen.

by Editor