data-mm-id=”_gapa377ui”>The Los Angeles Lakers, contrary to the organization's history, did not go wild during free agency this offseason in search of a third superstar to complement LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Instead they mostly kept together the roster that helped reach the Western Conference Finals with a few minor additions. These moves were lauded by The Big Lead over the weekend. Others have different opinions on how the Lakers did. Colin Cowherd hosted a segment on their moves today and made the case that Los Angeles has been so terrible with roster management in recent years that we all collectively view their decisions through rose-tinted glasses. In other words, they are doing what they should and everyone is celebrating it like it is more than that. "The Lakers have been such a mess most of the last 9 and 10 years that competency is viewed as revolutionary. These are basic moves."— @ColinCowherd pic.twitter.com/j0jhUlFv1t— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) July 3, 2023Honestly, a pretty good point. The Russell Westbrook trade was a disaster of such epic proportions that any decisions now made that fall short of "catastrophic failure" feel worthy of celebration. That's only amplified when taking into account that it's the Lakers we're talking about here. Michael Malone is absolutely furious right now, somewhere. The point that Cowherd is missing here, though, is that it's always been like this for the Lakers. The last few years have proven that Laker-bashing is not nearly as enticing an engagement strategy in the content realm than Laker-praising. There's always money to be made in hailing the purple and gold. One need not look further for proof than how many pundits predicted they'd win the NBA Finals once they exhibited signs of slightly above-average play after finally getting rid of Westbrook. Whatever the Lakers do will be hailed as revolutionary by those with the loudest voices because that's how the ecosystem works.
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AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson said his striker Omar Bugiel reported being the victim of alleged racist abuse during Saturday’s goalless draw at Bradford.
Play was briefly stopped by referee Ross Joyce towards the end of the game after a complaint was made about something shouted from the Valley Parade crowd towards Bugiel.
Jackson said he was unaware of what was said but revealed Lebanon international Bugiel had spoken to the referee about the incident.
“I think there were some racist abuse towards Omar Bugiel. He’s gone in with the referee to report it.
“I don’t know what was said. Obviously, we’ll wait to see the report until I comment further but someone in the crowd has said something to him that they shouldn’t have done.”
Celtic right-back Anthony Ralston will embrace his developing role as one of the more senior members of the squad after signing his latest contract.
Ralston has made five appearances since the return of Brendan Rodgers and the manager quickly showed his faith by handing him a new contract until the summer of 2027 this week.
The academy graduate made his Celtic debut seven years ago under Ronny Deila and was handed further first-team action by Rodgers before truly establishing himself in the early days of Ange Postecoglou’s reign, following loan spells with Dundee United and St Johnstone.
Given the number of players who have arrived at Celtic Park over the last two years, the Scotland international accepts he can now be classed as a senior player.
Antho…
Chile have become draw specialists as they look to kick-start their Copa America campaign against Bolivia in Cuiaba on Friday.
La Roja recorded their third consecutive 1-1 draw after Eduardo Vargas equaliser cancelled out Lionel Messi s superb free-kick against Argentina on Monday.
Copa America champions in 2015 and 2016, Chile have struggled for form since the 2019 tournament, winning just three games (L5, 6D).
Encouragingly for Chile, they have dominated Bolivia in the Copa America amid a run of five wins and a draw in CONMEBOL s showpiece event.
We must improve the possession of the ball and do it more calmly, not be so direct in some parts of the game because that causes us a lot of wear and tear, Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo said following the dra…
Pep Guardiola hailed as “unbelievable” Erling Haaland’s goal haul after Manchester City’s top scorer hit five in the FA Cup holders’ fifth-round thrashing of Luton.
The 23-year-old took his tally for the season in all competitions to 27 as he combined with the excellent Kevin De Bruyne to deliver a goalscoring masterclass in the 6-2 victory at Kenilworth Road.
It came less than four weeks after his return to the side following nearly two months out with a foot injury, and took his total since joining City in the summer of 2022 to 79 in 83 appearances.
Through to the next round in style!
— Manchester City (@ManCity)
After looking noticeably out of sorts in recent games, particularly during the 1-1 draw with Chelsea at the Etihad Stadi…
Gareth Southgate has been pleased by England’s progress during an unbeaten 2023 but knows there is work to do as the team tries to win the European Championship.
The Euro 2020 runners-up are among the favourites to win in Germany next summer but seemed to lose their edge after sealing qualification with two matches to spare.
Friday’s uninspiring 2-0 Wembley win against minnows Malta was followed three days later by an underwhelming 1-1 draw in North Macedonia as the curtain came down on an undefeated year.
November’s double-header will not live long in the memory but Southgate has “learned a lot” from the fixtures, with attention now intensifying on his fourth – and possibly final – major tournament in the dugout.
“We wanted to look at a f…
What the papers say
Paris St Germain and Newcastle are believed to be leading the chase for Kalvin Phillips. According to The Telegraph, the Manchester City midfielder is likely to leave the club this month in search of regular football, having made just two starts for City since his £45million move from Leeds 18 months ago.
The Hull Daily Mail reports Burnley winger Manuel Benson has entered talks with Hull City. The paper says the development comes after the two sides verbally agreed on a loan deal until the end of the season.
Manchester City are reportedly among a wealth of teams interested in 18-year-old Lille defender Leny Yoro. Le 10 Sport, via the Manchester Evening News, says Liverpool and Paris St Germain are also tracking Yoro, but Lille are unlikely to enter…
France got back to winning ways as they came from behind to beat Chile 3-2 at Stade Velodrome.
Les Bleus endured a poor start for the second time in as many games, falling behind after just six minutes in Marseille through Marcelino Nunez s finish.
However, they turned the contest on its head before half-time with Youssouf Fofana equalising and Randal Kolo Muani heading them in front.
Olivier Giroud ultimately got the winner for Didier Deschamps side who, despite Dario Osorio s late strike, completed their Euro 2024 preparations with a ninth victory in 12 games since their 2022 World Cup final defeat to Argentina.
France, who conceded after just seven seconds against Germany on Saturday, were punished for another slow start as a neat one-two down the righ…
Newcastle United are back among Europe s elite and Harry Redknapp sees no reason why Magpies supporters will care about their Saudi Arabia-backed ownership if their success continues.
Eddie Howe s side finished fourth in the Premier League last season, qualifying for the Champions League in their first full campaign under the majority control of Saudi Arabia s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
The Magpies were flirting with relegation when a PIF-led consortium took charge in 2021, with signings including Bruno Guimaraes eventually helping them to safety.
Sandro Tonali, Alexander Isak and others have since joined as Newcastle continue to invest heavily, though their owners have attracted plenty of criticism from supporters of other clubs.
Saudi Arabia has been…
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Smelling a real chance on foreign soil this week, defending world champions France will make the trip to Bosnia-Herzegovina for a Group D qualifying showdown on Wednesday night.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Starting with the hosts, while Bosnia-Herzegovina might have managed to snatch a late point away against Finland in their opening qualifying contest last week, The Dragons are in the midst of a real blip. Facing what appears to be a stern test in Group D, a group that they share with the likes of France, Ukraine and Finland, Ivaylo Petev s side know that have a real uphill battle if they re to shock many and secure a route to the 2022 World Cup Finals. Left heartbroken back in October after suffering a penalties defeat against Northern Irel…
Luis Suarez was Barcelona s hero as the striker scored twice – including a late winner – to secure a 2-1 Champions League victory over Inter at Camp Nou, with Lionel Messi impressing upon his return from injury.
Although Messi had been considered a doubt after sustaining a thigh injury against Villarreal, he came straight into the line-up for his second start of the season and set Suarez up for his 84th-minute decider, as Barca just about did enough to see off the Serie A leaders.
An Argentinian No.10 was on the scoresheet in only the second minute of the match, but it was not the returning Messi, as Lautaro Martinez got his first ever Champions League goal.
Barca – who were dominated in the first half – took charge after the interval and restored par…