The latest comes via outspoken superstar Kobe Bryant, who, during Thursday’s practice, equated the play of his young teammates to toilet paper. MORE: Lakers wear “I can’t breathe” shirts | Kupchak thinks Kobe will retire in 2016 | Top NBA moments “Now I see why we’ve lost so many games. We’re soft like Charmin!” Bryant shouted while trash talking within an earshot of a handful of reporters (and general manager Mitch Kupchak)....
Carmelo Anthony was on his way to a 62-point night, moving past Bryant's total of 61 that had stood for nearly five years as the record in the building. And plenty of people wanted to make sure Bryant knew. "I got a lot of messages from people saying Melo's going after your record tonight," Bryant said. "It's amazing. He went to work. He got hot and didn't cool off." Bryant wasn't able to play when the Lakers returned to the building on Sunday, still recovering from a broken left knee....
It all started with Lucky Cream. The multinational conglomerate now known as LG, was established as Lucky Chemical Co. in 1947 and its first product was a cosmetic cream. The chemical company opened a cosmetics laboratory in Seoul in the early ’50s before using the first injection molding machine in Korea creating things like plastic combs and soap dishes to diversify its business. The company expanded, joined with Goldstar to create LG, building tubes and transistors for radios, fans and eventually watt meters for the German government, with exports to the U....
But the historical record of countries that say they won’t negotiate with terrorists is far more complicated than such rhetoric suggests. In fact, almost every country that has been faced with terrorist demands has flinched at some point–or, at least, found ways to navigate between its principles and its desperate search for practical results. That includes the United States, which values its alliance with South Korea and doesn’t want to be seen as blocking a breakthrough in the current impasse....
Korver hit the shot Friday night for Atlanta in the first quarter against Cleveland. He broke the mark of 89 games in a row set by Dana Barros from 1994-96. Korver is an 11-year veteran from Creighton. He missed his first 3-point shot against the Cavs before hitting. He entered the game having made 46.7 percent of his 3-point tries (233-for-499) during the streak.
Arsenal must ditch Wenger for Allegri The Gunners entered a crucial capital derby on Saturday knowing that victory would help them to close on the table-topping Blues and potentially open up the Premier League title race. They were, however, to put in a disjointed display as they suffered a 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge. The Arsenal boss has faced criticism once again on the back of a sorry showing in west London and Koscielny hinted that bad decisions were made by both the coaching and playing staff in the Gunners’ latest setback....
The Croatia international was heavily linked with an exit in the summer of 2017. Premier League clubs were reported to be keen on taking the 24-year-old midfielder, with fierce competition for places leaving him scrapping for minutes in the Spanish capital. Kovacic was, however, convinced to stay put after speaking with Zinedine Zidane, with the Blancos having invested €29 million (£25m/$34m) in his ability when luring him away from Inter in 2015....
Although the Associated Press reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said there wasn’t further Russian escalation on Friday, the meeting is another high-level diplomatic effort as officials still are concerned about Russia’s actions. Speaking with U.S. President Joe Biden, Zelenskyy played down the fear of an impending war, saying the Western fear of an invasion has caused investors in the Ukrainian financial markets to cash out, according to AP....
Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Wednesday that the sanctions on VEB bank and its military bank, as well as the nation’s sovereign debt, won’t affect their “determination to firmly defend our interests.” “Despite the obvious futility of efforts made over the years to hinder the development of our economy, the United States is once again reflexively grasping restrictive instruments that are ineffective and counterproductive in terms of American interests,” the statement read....
Cubs slugger Kris Bryant accomplished a feat that Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Ted Williams, Stan Musial and Barry Bonds never did. The reigning NL Rookie of the Year recorded three home runs and two doubles in a single game as the Cubs topped the Reds in a slugfest 11-8. MORE: Adam Wainwright almost kills a bird, Randy Johnson-style Bryant went 5 for 5 with three home runs and two doubles to set a franchise record for total bases in a game (16)....
That does not mean Kris Letang will play Tuesday—or any day in the foreseeable future—but the Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman's recovery from a late-January stroke (yes, seriously) is coming along well. "There's no indication at this point in time of when a return to play is even possible," coach Dan Bylsma said. Still, Letang's improvements, along with that of several other players, has to have Bylsma thinking that his team has turned the corner on a particularly rough stretch of injuries, and a dip in effectiveness that has accompanied it....
Medlen reportedly underwent an MRI Monday afternoon, and the evaluation will have to wait. Medlen, 28, took him himself out of the game after throwing a pitch in the fourth inning. "The veteran pitcher appeared to grab his right elbow just before making his way toward the dugout before even consulting with manager Fredi Gonzalez or a member of the team’s medical staff," Bowman writes. Medlen had Tommy John surgery to reconstruct his elbow in August 2010....
Noem was a champion for getting the shot earlier this year and applaud the state’s initial high vaccination rates. However, the governor has not used her platform to encourage vaccinations in months. Recently, the state’s vaccination rate has plummeted, as under half of the population of South Dakota is vaccinated. However, as infection rates in the state have doubled over the past two weeks, the governor acknowledged the risk of the delta variant....
Noem, a Republican, has shown support for this year’s 81st rally that takes place Friday in Sturgis. Typically, the event attracts around half a million motorcyclists and rallygoers. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) team wrote in a study that last year’s event “had many characteristics of a superspreading event.” The head of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, Dr. Michael Osterholm, is among those concerned about the rally’s potential to spread COVID-19....
The Alaves midfielder had been left in the cold since Appiah took over as Black Stars boss in May. However, a shortage on options in Ghana’s defensive midfield position ahead of Sunday’s clash with Egypt in the 2018 World Cup qualifying has forced the 57-year-old to reconsider the Tamale-born. “He [Wakaso] has been impressive so far and I think he is up to the task. He is doing so well and that is good,” Appiah told Ghanasoccernet....
It sounds like it, although Busch doesn’t seem too worried. “Probably for Brad being who Brad is, I guess I should be worried because he’s stupid enough to do something,” Busch said on SiriusXM’s NASCAR channel Friday during Joe Gibbs Racing fan day at the team shop. “But in all reality, to myself, I don’t know, I guess I had more respect for drivers than that. MORE: Busch-Kes feud brewing | Kvapil arrest impact | Most beloved drivers | Earnhardt moments...
Busch got free entering Turn 3 at the 1.366-mile asphalt track, which narrows by 17 feet in Turns 3 and 4. The right side of his car slammed into the wall, causing significant damage. MORE: Memorable photos from Darlington Raceway | Schedule, TV info | Low-downforce package returns Busch, who owns four top 10s and a 6.8 average finish in the last five races at Darlington, finished 11th in a backup car after wrecking in practice at Michigan on Aug....
That wouldn’t be unusual except for the fact that he was upside down. After having his car battered in a chain-reaction wreck as cars began to accordion in the draft, Busch’s car was tipped over at the end after being hit by Cole Whitt. Busch’s car lazily turned over. The race was stopped for the lap-98 crash until Busch could get out of the car. “I’m good,” Busch said after a quick visit to the infield medical center....
That's the story of how unlucky Alan Vale, a Toronto native, went home empty-handed. But Vale's story didn't end there. Through the power of social media, Lowry located Vale and invited him to watch the Raptors' shootaround courtside on Monday night. He was later surprised by a personal visit from the Toronto guard and presented with a pair of shoes that weren't intercepted this time. (Picture via Toronto Raptors)...
Lowry has yet to take the floor since, being diagnosed with a left hamstring injury that kept him sidelined for the remainder of the series. The Heat were able to prevail without Lowry, taking care of Atlanta in five games, but his return could be vital for Miami to advance past the 76ers in the second round. Will Lowry be available for the Heat in Game 1 against Philadelphia? Here’s everything we know below....
