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Spurs sign Trey Lyles

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The San Antonio Spurs have signed F Trey Lyles, the team announced today.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, it’s a two-year deal.

Originally, Marcus Morris and the Spurs reportedly had agreed to a two-year, $20 million deal with the Spurs, but Morris had a change of heart, and the Spurs signed Lyles. According to ESPN, Morris is expected to sign with the New York Knicks.

Lyles, 6-10/235, appeared in 64 games for the Denver Nuggets last season averaging 8.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 17.5 minutes. In two seasons with the Nuggets, he averaged 9.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 18.3 minutes. Appearing in 288 total contests, Lyles holds career averages of 7.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 17.5 minutes.

The former University of Kentucky Wildcat was a first round pick in the 2015 NBA Draft (12th overall) by the Utah Jazz. Lyles spent his first two seasons with the Jazz before being sent to Denver on draft night in 2017. While with Utah, Lyles was selected to the 2016 and 2017 BBVA Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star Weekend.

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Hawks’ GM: ‘Jabari(Parker) is a highly skilled offensive player and proven scorer’

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The Atlanta Hawks have signed free agent forward Jabari Parker, the team announced today. According to the Athletic’s Shams Charania, it’s a two-year, $13 million deal.

This past season, in 64 games (17 starts) with Chicago and Washington, the 6’8” Parker averaged 14.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 26.9 minutes (.493 FG%, .313 3FG%, .712 FT%).

“Jabari is a highly skilled offensive player and proven scorer, and we’re looking forward to incorporating him into our group,” said Hawks General Manager and Head of Basketball Operations Travis Schlenk. “We think he will fit well on the court and in the locker room, and we’re excited to welcome him to Atlanta.”

The former second overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft by Milwaukee, Parker spent his first four seasons with the Bucks.

In 247 career contests (167 starting assignments) with the Bucks, Bulls and Wizards, he is averaging 15.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 29.7 minutes (.491 FG%, .337 3FG%, .739 FT%).

If the 24-year-old Parker can stay healthy, he is a guy that can help the Hawks next season. Parker is still young player and could give Atlanta a boost off the bench.

Report: Warriors trade Andre Iguodala to Grizzlies

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The Golden State will look a lot different next season. On Sunday afternoon, Kevin Durant made the announcement that he was headed to Brooklyn to join the Nets. Late Sunday night, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Warriors had acquired D’Angelo Russell from the Nets in a sign-and-trade for Kevin Durant. It’s a four-year, $117 million max contract for Russell, according to the report.

Finally, according to Wojnarowski, Golden State shipped Andre Iguodala to the Memphis Grizzlies.

This is a lot to unpack, and there could be some more moving parts, but here is what you need to know for now; Durant to Brooklyn, Russell to Golden State, and Iguodala to Memphis.

What a day!

Kevin Durant to sign with the Brooklyn Nets

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Kevin Durant is going to Brooklyn. Durant made the announcement via Instagram. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, it’s a four-year, $164 million deal. Durant is expected to miss all of next season due to a torn Achilles tendon.

Also, according to Wojnarowski, Kyrie Irving is expected to sign with the Nets. It will be a four-year, $141 million deal, according to the report.

Both Durant and Irving’s deals won’t be official until July 6.

With Irving and Durant in the fold, the Nets will be formidable for years to come. However, next season, they are probably not a championship caliber team because Durant is expected to miss next season, but it’s still happy times in Brooklyn.

Commey: ‘It looks like Teofimo Lopez is next, but he has a job to do first’

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The young champion took the old veteran to school. Richard “RC” Commey made the first defense of his IBF world lightweight title, knocking down former world champion Ray Beltran four times en route to an eighth-round knockout in front of 2,795 fans at Pechanga Resort Casino.

“Beltran showed why he was a champion. He’s a great fighter who showed it against me tonight,” Commey said. “I was happy to get the job done and defend my title for the first time.

“It looks like Teofimo Lopez is next, but he has a job to do first.”

Lopez will battle Masayoshi Nakatani on July 19 in Maryland

It was all Commey (29-2, 26 KOs) from the opening bell, as the native of Accra, Ghana, knocked Beltran (36-9-1, 22 KOs) down a pair of times in the opening stanza and had him pinned against the ropes when the bell sounded to end the round.

Beltran had his moments in the fight and even appeared to hurt Commey on a few occasions, but Commey proved to be resilient and finished Beltran off with a furious combination. Beltran rose to his feet, but the referee waved the fight off.

Photo Credit: Mikey Williams / Top Rank)

Vikings’ Zimmer: ‘I think Kirk [Cousins] had a really good spring’

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Year 2 for Vikings QB Kirk Cousins in Minnesota is a big one. Last season, Cousins came to Minnesota with the hope that he can be the team’s franchise QB, and anytime you sign a three-year, $84 million deal, the expectations are going to be very high.

Unfortunately, the Vikings missed the playoffs last season. When you are the quarterback, you get too much of the credit, and you get too much of the blame, which was the case for Cousins last season. Fortunately, for Cousins, he has another chance to right the ship, and it seems he is off to a good start.

On Thursday, the Vikings concluded mandatory minicamp, and Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer was pleased about what he saw out of Cousins this spring.

“I think Kirk [Cousins] had a really good spring,” Zimmer said. “I think he did some really good things and some of the things that we felt like he needed to work on, he was working on them. We gave him a lot of different looks, things that people attacked us with their defenses last year.

“We put some stuff in just so we can get some earlier looks at it and not wait until Week One when we’re playing Atlanta or whatever. It’s like every player, there’s certain ways you want things done, and you’re going to coach them into doing those things. They’re all really receptive to coaching and the way that you try to get them better, and that’s really what we try to do with everybody.”

Cousins(4298 passing yards, 30 TDs) was not bad for the Vikings last season. However, he is 34-37-2 as a starter, and Minnesota was 8-7-1 last season. So, after seven seasons in the NFL, is Cousins better than average or is he the epitome of average.

We’ll answer that question sometime in 2019.

Quigley-Johnson set for July 18

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Undefeated Irish contender Jason Quigley (16-0, 12 KOs) will return to the ring to defend his NABF Middleweight Title against battle-tested Tureano Johnson (20-2-1, 14 KOs) in the 10-round main event of the July 18 edition of the Golden Boy DAZN Thursday Night Fights at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, Calif. The fights will be streamed live on RingTV.com and on Facebook Watch via the Golden Boy Fight Night Page beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. The series will also be available on regional sports networks around the nation.

Quigley is a 28-year-old contender who has an unblemished record after turning professional in 2014. The native of Donegal, Ireland has defeated the likes of James “The King” De La Rosa, Glen “Jersey Boy” Tapia, and Freddy “El Riel” Hernandez. In his last fight, Quigley fought for the first time in the U.K. since moving to the United States to start his professional career. In that fight, Quigley defeated Mathias Eklund via second-round technical knockout. After a year-long setback due to an injury suffered in his right hand against Tapia, Quigley has been making a comeback and is eager for a world title shot.

“I’m excited because getting in the ring with these good fighters is going to make me perform even better,” said Jason Quigley. “This is going to be a massive year for me so I’m looking to putting on a great performance. We are focused on climbing the middleweight ladder, and we’re on the road now to world titles. That makes me excited. Tureano Johnson is a great fighter. He’s a tall fighter, and he’s got the repertoire and the armory. I’m expecting a tough fight, and I hope he comes 110% prepared because I’m going to be 110% prepared.”

Johnson is a 35-year-old contender who hopes to fight for a world title despite some setbacks in his career. Johnson’s only losses were against Curtis “The Cerebral Assassin” Stevens and Sergiy “The Technician” Derevyanchenko. After a very tough battle against Fernando “El Huracan” Castaneda in February, the native of Nassau, Bahamas is eager to make his case for a world title opportunity by handing Quigley his first loss.

“I am very excited to have the opportunity to fight Jason Quigley for the NABF Middleweight Championship on July 18 in Indio, California,” said Tureano Johnson.”Quigley is an excellent boxer with an excellent record, but I will come to the fight prepared to give and to take. I will give him his first loss and take his NABF Championship.”

In the co-main event, Alberto “Impacto” Melian (5-0, 3 KOs) of Buenos Aires, Argentina will defend his NABA Super Bantamweight Title in a 10-round fight against Leonardo Baez (14-2, 8 KOs) of Mexicali, Mexico.

Marlen Esparza (6-0, 1 KO) of Houston, Texas will fight in an eight-round flyweight fight.

Ricardo Sandoval (14-1, 9 KOs) of Rialto, Calif. will participate in a 10-round flyweight battle against Marco Sustaita (12-1-1, 10 KOs) of Oceanside, Calif.

Carlos “The Solution” Morales (18-4-3, 7 KOs) of Los Angeles will return in a 10-round lightweight fight.

Charles Huerta (20-6, 12 KOs) of Paramount, Calif. will fight in an eight-round super featherweight clash.

Fury: ‘The only title that I care about is the lineal championship of the world’

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The undefeated lineal heavyweight champion of the world— Tyson Fury AKA “The Gypsy King” — put on a show Tuesday afternoon in Las Vegas at the media workout to promote Saturday’s title defense against Tom Schwarz at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

In the co-feature, former two-time super middleweight world title challenger Jesse “Hollywood” Hart will make his light heavyweight debut versus longtime contender Sullivan Barrera.

And, in the featured undercard bout, 2016 U.S. Olympian and top 130-pound contender Mikaela Mayer will look to extend her unbeaten record versus Lizbeth Crespo in a 10-rounder.

After working out at the MGM Grand, this is what Fury had to say:

“I box because I like to keep happy and it keeps me happy to fight. I plan to box until I can’t box anymore. I feel fantastic at the minute. Boxing keeps me really happy, and I’m very happy with where I am in my life at the minute. I want to box on. I don’t see myself retiring. I just turned 30 years old. I’ve got over 10 years left in this game, so you’ll have to keep seeing me for the next 10 years, I’m afraid. Keep entertaining, keep putting on great shows.”

“The only title that I care about is the lineal championship of the world. It goes back a long, long way, and that’s the one I’m defending with pride and honor.”

“If you look at the Ring Magazine ratings, I think they get it quite right. I think that’s the official ratings of today, the most fair, the most accurate.”

On rising from the Deontay Wilder knockdown in the 12th round

“I think it was a higher power that brought me to my feet to spread the word on mental health and to help other people. I hope it inspired many people as I enjoyed getting up off that canvas and fighting on. And it takes more than a punch to knock me down and make me stay down.”

Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Raiders to be featured on “Hard Knocks”

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HBO Sports, NFL Films and the Raiders team up for an unfiltered all-access look at what it takes to make it in the National Football League when HARD KNOCKS: TRAINING CAMP WITH THE OAKLAND RAIDERS kicks off its five-episode season this summer. Spotlighting this AFC West franchise that has an intriguing mix of established veterans, highly regarded rookie hopefuls and free-agent acquisitions under head coach Jon Gruden, the 14th edition of the 18-time Sports Emmy® Award-winning series debuts TUESDAY, AUG. 6 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT). Other hour-long episodes of the first sports-based reality series – and one of the fastest-turnaround programs on TV – debut subsequent Tuesdays at the same time, with encore plays Wednesday nights, culminating in the Sept. 3 season finale.

HARD KNOCKS will also be available on HBO on Demand, HBO NOW, HBO GO and HBO partners’ streaming platforms.

“If you’re a fan of football or great storytelling, HARD KNOCKS with the Oakland Raiders is going to be must-see television,” says Peter Nelson, executive vice president, HBO Sports. “We are so grateful to this storied franchise for opening up its doors and allowing HBO and NFL Films to spend the summer with the Raiders in what promises to be a compelling and engaging training camp.

“Since the AFL-NFL merger, the Raiders have been a part of some of the most iconic moments in League history,” says NFL Films senior executive Ross Ketover.  “We at NFL Films have been thrilled and honored to showcase the mythology of the Raiders from the Holy Roller, Sea of Hands, Ghost to the Post all the way to today with Coach Gruden and this unbelievable cast of players and coaches. Needless to say, we’re very much looking forward to this season of Hard Knocks.”

Camera crews will head to the Bay area in the next few weeks to begin filming, with the action heating up in August when the cinema verité show focuses on the daily lives and routines of players and coaches. HARD KNOCKS: TRAINING CAMP WITH THE OAKLAND RAIDERS will chronicle head coach Jon Gruden entering his second season leading the team, assistant coaches and players throughout training camp and the preseason.

The Raiders compete in the highly-competitive AFC West, where they maintain an intense rivalry with each of their opponents and have their sights set on ascending in the standings. Each week, viewers will get an inside look as players experience the daily rigors of an NFL training camp. Cameras will document hours of conditioning practices and meetings, while chronicling players as they compete for a roster spot and bond off the field.

“Everybody wants to be a Raider. Now they’ll find out what it takes to become one,” said Raiders owner Mark Davis.

A 30-person NFL Films crew will be in Raiders’ training camp in Napa Valley, shooting more than 1,750 hours of footage over the course of the series. Camera and sound crews will have unencumbered access to players’ and coaches’ meeting rooms, training rooms, living quarters and practice fields.

No other sports reality series can match the production excellence, critical acclaim, awards and audience numbers posted by HARD KNOCKS, which has produced 67 memorable episodes and one anniversary special in its first 13 seasons. Episodes have averaged 3.9 million viewers over the past four seasons.

Winner of 18 Sports Emmy® Awards to date, HARD KNOCKS launched with the Baltimore Ravens in 2001, followed by the Dallas Cowboys in 2002, and resumed in 2007 with the Kansas City Chiefs, subsequently spotlighting the Cowboys (2008), Cincinnati Bengals (2009), New York Jets (2010), Miami Dolphins (2012), Bengals (2013), Atlanta Falcons (2014), Houston Texans (2015) and Los Angeles Rams (2016). The 2017 edition chronicled the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and captured the Sports Emmy® for Outstanding Serialized Documentary. The widely acclaimed series on the Cleveland Browns in 2018 earned two Sports Emmy® Awards for production excellence. HARD KNOCKS has won a Sports Emmy®every year it has aired since 2008.

Seven of the last nine teams featured on HARD KNOCKS have equaled or improved their win-loss record in the regular season. The Cleveland Browns launched the transformation of their organization last summer on HBO and went from a winless season to coming within half a game (7-8-1) of a .500 campaign.