And yet, despite all of his accomplishments, Irving-related conversations over the past few years have revolved around his opinions on off-court subjects. Irving has been critical of the media ecosystem in the past, saying that those in the industry attempt to “control public perception” and referring to them as both “pawns” and “puppets.” While reporters and analysts certainly aren’t above reproach — look no further than the recent handling of the Ime Udoka story — Irving also hasn’t helped himself with how he has shared his beliefs....

NBA League Pass: Sign up to unlock live out-of-market games (7-day free trial) With the NBA’s leading scorer on the sidelines, Irving’s return to the Nets lineup couldn’t have come at a better time and game by game, the livewire guard is reminding the league just how unguardable he can be on his day. In their 119-118 road win over the Washington Wizards, Irving danced around defenders, sliced his way to the rim and scored in bunches, finishing with a season-high 30 points and seven assists on 13-of-23 from the field, including some timely plays down the stretch....

Ahead of the 2022 NBA Draft, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news that Irving has a list of teams he’d like the Nets to consider for a sign-and-trade deal if he can’t reach an agreement to stay in Brooklyn. Six of the teams reportedly included on Irving’s list: the Lakers, Clippers, Knicks, Nets, Mavericks and 76ers. Wojnarowski added that while Irving is said to have interest in those teams, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s a priority for each one of them....

The $1.2 trillion bipartisan bill has widespread support among Democrats and some Republicans. It includes funding for roads and bridges, high-speed internet, rail and transit, drinking water upgrades and other priorities meant to shore up the nation’s crumbling infrastructure. The $3.5 trillion bill, which has been pushed by progressives, funds “human infrastructure,” like tackling climate change, expanding medicare and providing free-year community college. The delay came after progressive and moderate Democrats failed to reach an agreement on the two bills....

Playing in one of North America’s biggest markets, the Galaxy have consistently employed some of the league’s biggest names, from Cobi Jones, Luis Hernandez and Carlos Ruiz, on to David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane. But entering the 2018 season, the Galaxy might be embarking on a strange new reality: flying under the radar. Just across town, Los Angeles FC will begin their inaugural MLS season in a brand-new stadium, coached by a former U....

Barca conceded the title on Saturday after a disappointing draw at home to Getafe, but the Catalans may have spoken too soon. Atletico lost 2-0 at Levante on Sunday afternoon and Madrid could only salvage a point at home to Valencia later on. So it's still all to play for. "We have to draw a line under this season," Xavi said on Saturday, while Sergio Busquets added: "We need a miracle to win La Liga....

But some researchers are worried that a form of consciousness might arise in such mini-brains, which are sometimes transplanted into animals. They could at least be sentient to the extent of experiencing pain and suffering from being trapped. If this is true—and before we consider how likely it is—it is absolutely clear in my mind that we must exert a supreme level of caution when considering this issue. Brain organoids are currently very simple compared to human brains and can’t be conscious in the same way....

If you want to see and hear astronauts as you’ve never seen and heard them before, see “In the Shadow of the Moon.” At the 2007 Sundance film festival, it won the World Cinema Audience Award, and also picked up prizes for Best Documentary and Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking at this year’s Sedona International Film Festival, the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Indianapolis International Film Festival, and the Grand Prize at the Boulder International Film Festival....

Daniel Carden, who serves closely with Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn as Acting Shadow Secretary of State for International Development, pushed back against a Saturday BuzzFeed News report that accused him of gregariously singing the anti-Semitic lyrics last year. The alleged incident, according to BuzzFeed’s Alex Wickham, was overheard during a late-night bus ride from the March Cheltenham horse racing festival back to London. Carden reportedly chanted “Jew Jew Jews,” during the chorus to the Beatles song....

Sherman the dog may have failed to reach the comfort of the soft seat, but he’s already something of a hero, having helped his new family through a difficult time. In periods of difficulty, a cat or dog can prove an invaluable source of love and friendship. It’s why an increasing number of us lean on emotional support animals. Four-legged or occasionally feathered friends have been shown to be of huge benefit to people suffering with mental health issues, anxiety or depression....

Four-year-old Sterling is a Silver English Labrador and lives in Monroe, Louisiana with owner Haley Byars. When he was just six months old, he was diagnosed as blind. Our canine friends can suffer vision loss for a variety of reasons including as a natural part of aging, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetes. But unlike humans, dogs do not rely on vision as their primary sense and their noses and ears allow them to adapt well to changes in eyesight....

Why the change? Apparently, it’s mainly about weightlifting. MORE: Bridgestone leaderboard | Dustin Johnson on leave, not suspension The old driver has a lighter shaft, and while Woods likes his new driver, he didn’t want to put in a new shaft and tinker with the club. “I figured the lighter shaft should help me out a little bit, get some speed back, because I’m just not quite as explosive as I need to be,” he said....

Lake Mead, a reservoir formed by the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River, is drying up because of the ongoing drought in the western United States, France 24 reported. The water moving through the Hoover Dam provides electricity for hundreds of thousands of people living across the area. However, as the drought continues, the water continues to dry up, hurtling towards dead pool level—which will mean the dam’s turbines will no longer be able to generate power....

The Heat found that out the hard way when Lakers point guard Marcelo Huertas snuck his way into the play of the night. MORE: Teams’ most-feared first-round matchups | ‘Snitches get stitches’ While it didn’t work out in the short term, the Lakers were able to win the game 102-100 on a last-second jumper in overtime — spurred on, perhaps, by Huertas’ nifty move. He finished with six points and four assists....

The Lakers coach didn’t hold back when discussing the officiating crew’s performance in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. The Heat narrowly escaped with a 111-108 win Friday night to extend the series, and Jimmy Butler earned plenty of praise following a 35-12-11 triple-double in 47 minutes of play. MORE: Inside the magic of Lakers’ Black Mamba jerseys Vogel told reporters the referees gifted Butler a few points with some generous whistles late in the fourth quarter....

Los Angeles could struggle to sign a top free agent this summer to pair with star LeBron James, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Tuesday during an appearance on the network’s mock draft show. He added: The Lakers have reportedly been interested in dealing for star Anthony Davis since January and the Pelicans have begun listening to offers for him, according to an earlier report from ESPN. New Orleans is asking for an “All-Star player, a young player with All-Star potential and two first-round picks” in exchange for Davis, that report says....

Los Angeles got trade season started on Monday by acquiring Hachimura from Washington. In return, the Wizards received Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks for the former lottery pick. Johnson said that Hachimura is going to “really help the Lakers on both ends of the court,” adding that his length and size will make a difference defensively. MORE: LeBron and the Lakers deserve more respect in West’s playoff race...

The All-Star forward totaled 35 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists and five steals, and he nearly played the full 48 minutes. Butler went toe-to-toe down the stretch with LeBron James, who had 40 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and three steals in the loss. “Every young player coming into this league should study footage on Jimmy Butler,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “The definition of a two-way player, competing on both ends....

Anthony Davis (32 points, 14 rebounds) and LeBron James (33 points, nine assists, nine rebounds) dominated an injury-plagued Heat team in Game 2, guiding the Lakers to a 124-114 win and a 2-0 series lead. Los Angeles picked apart Miami’s defense Friday night, shooting over 50 percent from the field and scoring 56 points in the paint (44 from Davis and James). Heat star Jimmy Butler totaled 25 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds, but he didn’t have Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic by his side, as both were ruled out with injuries prior to tipoff....