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Red Sox: Sink and Split?

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The Kansas City Royals have lost four of their last five games but can split a four-game road series against the Boston Red Sox when the teams meet in the series finale tonight.

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Boston prevailed 4-3 Wednesday after the teams split the first two games in the series at Fenway Park.

The Royals will use left-hander Austin Cox as an opener Thursday, but righty Alec Marsh (0-5, 6.75 ERA) is expected to get the bulk of the work on the mound. He’ll be opposed by lefty James Paxton (6-3, 3.60).

“Overall a good one,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said following Wednesday’s win. “Hopefully we show up (Thursday) and Pax can give us six innings and go from there.”

Cox (0-1, 3.58) has a 1.16 WHIP in 27 2/3 innings this season.

Marsh allowed three runs on six hits in four innings during his last start, a no-decision in Kansas City’s 9-6 loss to Philadelphia on Saturday. Marsh was pitching on short rest after he tossed a scoreless inning in a relief appearance the previous Tuesday. He’ll be pitching against Boston for the first time in his career.

Paxton had a 4.95 ERA in four July starts, then gave up three home runs in five innings during his only start in August — Friday night’s 7-3 loss to the Blue Jays.

“You go through stretches where you feel really good (and) the ball is coming out great,” Paxton told The Boston Globe. “In other stretches, you’ve got to battle a bit more. I’m working my butt off trying to get back to a stretch where it’s feeling a little bit better out there.”

Paxton is 3-0 with a 1.70 ERA in seven career starts against the Royals. He has 53 strikeouts in 42 1/3 innings.

Justin Turner, who has been dealing with a bruised left heel, isn’t expected to return to the Red Sox lineup until Friday at the earliest. Turner was injured on July 31 when he beat out an infield single against Seattle. He missed three games and then played in the next three, but hasn’t been in the lineup since Monday’s 6-2 victory over Kansas City.

Turner is hitting .284 and is second on the team in home runs (17) and RBIs (71).

“Hopefully we can get him ready for the weekend (against Detroit),” Cora said.

Kansas City’s MJ Melendez hit two home runs in Wednesday’s loss. He also went deep in Tuesday’s 9-3 victory.

“It validates the work he’s been putting in and the progress he’s been making, so I’m very happy for him,” Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro said.

The Royals stole six bases Tuesday, but pinch runner Dairon Blanco was thrown out attempting to swipe second for the second out in the ninth inning Wednesday. Kansas City also had a runner (Maikel Garcia) picked off second in the fifth inning of Wednesday’s loss.

Fowler Ready for FedEx Cup Playoffs

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*Tee times at the FedEx St. Jude Championship are delayed until 11:10am (ET) because of storms

MEMPHIS – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Although it’s been over a month since his last top-10 finish, Rickie Fowler is as confident as ever heading into this week’s FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis, Tenn.

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Fowler prevailed in a three-way playoff at the Rocket Mortgage Classic back on July 2, but has since tapered off, finishing tied for 42nd two weeks later at the Genesis Scottish Open before a T23 at The Open Championship on July 23.

It’s a stark contrast from how Fowler was playing before his victory at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. The 34-year-old had seemingly found his stride, placing inside the top 15 in seven of the eight events prior to his lone title this season, although he did miss the cut at the PGA Championship back in May.

Despite not being able to replicate those types of performances during the final two tournaments of the regular season, Fowler figures the playoffs are as good a time as any to get back on track.

“Excited, probably the best I’ve come into the playoffs as far as a consistent year and how I’ve been playing,” Fowler said. “Nice to come off of getting a little bit of rest, because I was kind of running on an empty tank at the Scottish and the British.

“That was the last of — eight out of 10-week stretch. Got a few days to kind of recharge a little bit at home and get ready for this three-week stretch.”

Fowler is also excited about getting the playoffs started at TPC Southwind, where he shot a first-round 65 last year before struggling over the next three days and carding a 71, 72 and 73 to finish T64 at 1-over 281.

However, Fowler would be open to playing at some new courses during the postseason.

“I like this golf course. I think with the playoffs, it could be kind of cool and interesting to see some more movement,” Fowler said. “East Lake has kind of always been East Lake and the finale.

I think it would be kind of cool to see the Playoffs move around a little bit. I think the only one that really does is the second with BMW. … Like I said, I do enjoy coming to Memphis. I’ve had success at this golf course. I like this place. They’ve got some good eats around here, too.”

Fowler enters the first playoff event with the ninth-most FedEx Cup points, but he still knows it’s going to take a lot to outlast the rest of the field.

“Done a lot of good things this year,” Fowler said. “There’s guys that have definitely played better and won more, but it really comes down to these three weeks, and we have a real chance, but going to need to play really well.”

–Field Level Media

PGA Tour: FedEx Cup Playoffs | Preview

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Visit our new affiliate – Betting Hero – to Get Up-to-the-Minute Information

MEMPHIS – The FedExCup Playoffs begin Thursday (August 10) at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, with the Top 70 players in the FedEx Cup standings through the Wyndham Championship qualifying for the Playoffs (down from 125 in 2009-2022).

The Top 50 players after this, the first Playoffs event of 2023, will advance to the BMW Championship and qualify for all eight Signature Events on the PGA TOUR schedule in 2024.

Jon Rahm enters the FedExCup Playoffs as the No. 1 player in the FedExCup standings for the first time in his PGA TOUR career. Rahm has four wins this season and earned a bonus of $4 million for being No. 1 in the Comcast Business Tour Top 10. This is Rahm’s seventh season on TOUR and he has advanced to the TOUR Championship in each of the previous six. He has also won on TOUR in seven straight seasons, the longest active streak of any player that has won in 2022-23 (Justin Thomas won in each season from 2015-16 through 2021-22 and can extend his streak in the FedEx Cup Fall).

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is second in the FedExCup standings, trailing Rahm by 173.780 points. In nine starts in the Playoffs, Scheffler has recorded four top-five finishes, highlighted by a runner-up at the 2022 TOUR Championship. Scheffler’s Official Money total of $19,138,342 is the highest in a single season in PGA TOUR history.

Scheffler, who won THE PLAYERS Championship in March, could become the second player to win THE PLAYERS and the FedEx Cup in the same year and first since Rory McIlroy in 2019.

Three-time FedExCup Champion Rory McIlroy (2016, 2019, 2022) enters the week No. 3 in the FedEx Cup standings, winning twice during the regular season (The CJ CUP in South Carolina, Genesis Scottish Open). McIlroy recorded his sixth career victory in the FedEx Cup Playoffs at the 2022 TOUR Championship, tying Dustin Johnson for the most of any player. No player has ever won the FedEx Cup in back-to-back seasons. McIlroy enters the Playoffs with par-or-better scores in his last 20 rounds on TOUR, the longest active streak of any player. His last over-par score came in the final round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday (3-over (75), held a share of the 54-hole lead.

FedEx St. Jude Championship | Tournament Facts

COURSE: TPC Southwind, Memphis, Tenn.

YARDS/PAR: 7,243 yards/Par 70

ARCHITECT: Ron Pritchard

PRIZE Money – Purse: $20,000,000/$3,600,000

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Will Zalatoris

PAST RESULTS: (link)

FEDEx CUP Points to Winner: 2,000

SOCIAL MEDIA: #PGATour #FedExCup @FedExChamp

For Odds and additional Information – See Betting Hero

KC Powers Way to Win Over Sox

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Story Hitless in Return

BOSTON – Drew Waters, MJ Melendez and Michael Massey each hit a two-run home run on Tuesday to help the visiting Kansas City Royals end a three-game losing streak by beating the Boston Red Sox 9-3 in the second game of a four-game series.

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The Royals collected 15 hits and six stolen bases in the victory.

Kansas City’s Brady Singer (8-8) earned the win after allowing three runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings. He recorded four strikeouts and two walks.

Trevor Story, who had offseason surgery on his throwing elbow, made his season debut for Boston after spending 13 games in the minors on a rehabilitation assignment. Story was hitless in four at-bats and struck out three times.

Boston starter Kutter Crawford (5-6) was pulled with one out in the fourth. He allowed three runs on seven hits, walked two and struck out six.

The Royals opened the scoring in the second inning, when Matt Beaty doubled, took third on a Waters single and scored on Kyle Isbel’s sacrifice fly.

After Waters (3-for-5) hit his seventh home run of the season to increase Kansas City’s lead to 3-0 in the fourth, Boston cut its deficit to 3-2 by scoring twice in the fifth. Adam Duvall hit his 10th home run to make it 3-1 before Alex Verdugo doubled, took third on a groundout and scored on Connor Wong’s single.

The Royals took control with a three-run sixth. Maikel Garcia walked, stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a groundout to make it 4-2, and then Melendez hit his 10th home run to stretch the lead to 6-2.

Kansas City added three more runs in the seventh. Isbel’s double drove in Waters to put the Royals up 7-2 before Massey’s 10th home run increased the lead to 9-2.

The Red Sox completed the scoring in the bottom of the seventh when Jarren Duran’s double drove in Verdugo.

–Field Level Media

Red Sox Slam KC Royals in Ninth

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Boston’s Pablo Reyes hit a grand slam against Carlos Hernandez with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the host Red Sox to a 6-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Monday in the opener of a four-game series.

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It was the first home run of the season for Reyes, who collected three hits and scored three times in the win. Boston had lost four straight games and seven of its last eight.

The home run came minutes after Kansas City manager Matt Quatraro was ejected for arguing a ball-four call when Luis Urias was at the plate. The walk loaded the bases for Reyes. Rafael Devers and Triston Casas also scored on the home run.

Hernandez (1-7) entered the game in the ninth inning.

Kenley Jansen (3-5) pitched a scoreless top of the ninth to earn the win. He struck out two.

Boston starting pitcher Brayan Bello allowed a run on six hits in 6 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out two. Bello has pitched at least six innings in 10 of his last 11 starts.

Kansas City starter Cole Ragans also went 6 2/3 innings. He gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits, walked one and struck out a career-high 11.

Designated hitter MJ Melendez had three hits for the Royals.

Masataka Yoshida’s sacrifice fly in the third inning scored Reyes with the game’s first run.

Boston doubled its lead in the fifth on back-to-back doubles by Reyes and Connor Wong.

The Royals tied the game with three consecutive hits after there were two outs in the seventh. Kyle Isbel doubled and scored on Maikel Garcia’s single, and then Bobby Witt Jr. made it a 2-2 game when he drove in Garcia with a double. Garcia’s single extended his hitting streak to 11 games.

–Field Level Media

Can Sox Stop the Losing Streak

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BOSTON – (Wire Service Report by Field Level Media) – The Boston Red Sox will attempt to end a four-game losing streak and pull themselves back into the American League wild-card race when they open a four-game series against the visiting Kansas City Royals tonight.

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The Blue Jays completed a three-game sweep of the Red Sox with a 13-1 victory on Sunday. Boston was outscored 25-8 in the series.

“Tough weekend,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “They pitched better than us, played better defense, ran the bases better and hit. There’s not much we have to say. They outplayed us the whole weekend.

“Obviously we’ve been through stuff like this the whole season, up and down — we lose three, we win three; we lose six, we win six. So show up (Monday) and play good baseball. That’s all we can do.”

Left-hander Cole Ragans (3-3, 4.33 ERA) is scheduled to start on the mound for Kansas City, which had won seven in a row before suffering back-to-back losses against the Phillies on Saturday and Sunday.

Ragans will be opposed by right-hander Brayan Bello (8-6, 3.79), who will be pitching with an extra day of rest.

Kansas City acquired Ragans, 25, in the trade that sent Aroldis Chapman to the Texas Rangers in June. He made his Royals debut on July 15 in the second game of a doubleheader against Tampa Bay, limiting the Rays to one run on four hits in five innings, but was optioned to Triple-A Omaha after his outing.

The Royals recalled Ragans from Triple-A to start against the Mets last Wednesday, when he tossed six scoreless innings in Kansas City’s 4-0 victory. He struck out eight and walked one. This will be the first time Ragans has pitched against Boston.

“Ever since I got here, I feel like every chance I get to throw, I try to prove that they made a good move bringing me here,” Ragans said. “I’m excited for the opportunity.”

Bello, who has never pitched against Kansas City, allowed four runs on eight hits in six innings to earn the win in last Tuesday’s 6-4 victory against Seattle. He struck out seven and walked two.

It was Bello’s first victory in three outings. He allowed 13 runs in 16 innings during those three starts while also surrendering five homers.

“Bello … his innings are getting up there,” Cora said. “I think it made sense for us to push him back. It’s his second season. This guy is very important, not only for now but for the future. When we have a chance to give him a breather, we will.”

Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez left Sunday’s 8-4 loss to Philadelphia with a left hand contusion after he was hit by a pitch in the second inning. He is listed as day-to-day.

Freddy Fermin, who was in Sunday’s lineup as the designated hitter, replaced Perez behind the plate. Fermin homered twice in Saturday’s 9-6 loss to Philadelphia.

“(I’m) learning every day and creating a good plan when (it’s) time to hit,” Fermin said.

Boston outfielder Alex Verdugo collected three hits Sunday, one day after he was pulled from the lineup for reportedly arriving to Fenway Park late. Verdugo was originally in Saturday’s lineup, but was scratched. Cora called it a “manager’s decision.”

Monday’s contest will be the fourth game of Boston’s 10-game homestand.

–Field Level Media

PGA Tour: Glover Wins at Wyndham

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FEDEx CUP Playoffs Begin This Week in Memphis

GREENSBORO – Lucas Glover earned his fifth career PGA TOUR title in his 512th start at the age of 43 years, 8 months, 25 days. He became the third player in the FedEx Cup era (est. 2007) to enter the Wyndham Championship outside the bubble for the FedEx Cup Playoffs and win to get in. Glover joined Davis Love III (2015) and Jim Herman (2020), who were outside the Top 125. Glover had to make the Top 70.

Under the “old” FEDEx CUP Playoffs, Austin Smotherman would’ve qualified at No. 125.

Glover bumped-out PGA Tour rookie Austin Eckroat, who entered the week No. 70 and missed the cut and fell to No. 74.

First and second-round outright leader Russell Henley finished T2, earning his fourth consecutive Top-10 at the Wyndham.

With Australia’s Adam Scott (T7) finishing No. 72 in the FedEx Cup standings, American Matt Kuchar is now the only player that has qualified for the FedEx Cup Playoffs in each season since the inception of the FedExCup in 2007.

Justin Thomas (T12) finished the FedEx Cup Regular Season at No. 71 in the FedEx Cup standings, and the score scrapped a streak of eight consecutive seasons qualifying for the FedEx Cup Playoffs and seven straight appearances in the TOUR Championship.

Wyndham Championship | Final Leaderboard

1st Lucas Glover 66 64 62 68 260 (-20)

T2 Russell Henley 62 66 65 69 262 (-18)

T2 Byeong Hun An 63 67 65 67 262 (-18)

4th Billy Horschel 67 62 63 72 264 (-16)

T5 Webb Simpson 67 69 68 63 267 (-13)

T5 Michael Kim 72 65 62 68 267 (-13)

Full Leaderboard: (link)

Blue Jays Sweep the Red Sox

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By TERRY LYONS

BOSTON – On July 26, when the Boston Red Sox finished a two-game sweep of the Major League Baseball-leading Atlanta Braves, the season looked promising. Today, as the Toronto Blue Jays finished-off a three-game sweep of the Sox with an 13-1 thrashing of the home team, the entire season looks like a Chris Murphy pitch, soaring into the gutter on Landsdowne Street.

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Instead of a four-game winning streak and momentum at the end of July, the Red Sox are now buried in the cellar of the American League East.

The Blue Jays scored first in the game, putting up four runs in the third inning. The rally started with a well executed bunt by Jays 1B Brandon Belt, followed by the first of three consecutive doubles off of the left-handed Red Sox reliever, Murphy.

DH George Springer hit his double to right center field, putting men of second and third with one out. Toronto third baseman Matt Chapman knocked in Bell and Springer with his double. Right fielder Cavan Biggio followed with the third double, scoring Chapman.

Toronto center fielder Kevin Kiermaier earned an RBI when he singled to left, scoring Biggio and spotting the Blue Jays a 4-0 lead. Kiermaier later left the game after making a spectacular defensive play against the center-field wall, but injuring his right arm/elbow in wither the catch or the throw back to the infield.

Toronto rookie second baseman Davis Schneider hit his second home run of the three-game series, ousting a ball over the famed Green Monster in the left field side of Fenway Park. The ball carried all the way to Landsdowne Street and was clocked at 107.5 mph on a 425-foot journey towards the CITGO sign.

The Blue Jays’ fifth inning produced another five runs as the club batted around. The outburst began with a walk to Biggio and a hit batter as Murphy clipped Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk’s hand. Two singles (Kiermaier and SS Paul DeJong), then another walk and another hit batsman and the Jays paraded base runner after base runner across Fenway’s home plate.

Murphy departed after 2.1 innings pitched with seven hits allowed, six earned runs, two walks with two strike-outs.

Boston’s rookie first baseman, Tristan Casas, put the Red Sox on the scoreboard in the fourth with a first-pitch, lead-off homer to the right field bleachers. It was Casas’ 17th home run of the season.

Schneider went 4-for-5 with a hit by pitch and the home run in the 4th inning. He had four RBI and scored once.

Bernardino (1-1) opened for the Red Sox, pitching only the first inning and allowing two hits but striking out two Blue Jays before giving way to Murphy.

Chris Bassitt (11-6) earned the win with his seven IP, allowing seven hits but only one run. He walked three Red Sox and struck-out six for his 11th win of the season.

Murphy (1-1) took the loss for Boston.

Boston shortstop Pablo Reyes pitched the ninth inning for his shellshocked club. He allowed one hit and walked two batters but escaped with no runs allowed and three left on base for Toronto.

U.S.A. Women Out of World Cup

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MELBOURNE – (Wire Service Report) – Sweden’s Lina Hurtig scored in the seventh round of penalties after a scoreless 120 minutes to lift Sweden past the United States in a knockout round match at the Women’s World Cup on Sunday in Australia.

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In the top of the seventh round, Kelly O’Hara chipped the ball off the right post and Hurtig then scored despite goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher getting a touch on the ball. The play was reviewed to make sure the ball crossed the line, and it did by less than an inch.

Third-ranked Sweden, which won the penalties 5-4, plays Japan in the quarterfinal on Friday in Auckland, New Zealand.

The United States, which was ranked No. 1 in the world, had reached the semifinals in the previous eight World Cups, never finishing lower than third place. The Americans were bidding for an unprecedented third straight title, a feat no men’s or women’s team has done before.

The player of the match was Swedish goalkeeper Zecira Musovic, who made 11 saves on the 22 American shots. Sweden had nine shots, only one on target.

Musovic kept the match scoreless in regulation with two great second-half saves, including a diving stop to her right on an Alex Morgan header in the 89th minute.

In the 53rd minute, Musovic made a reactionary save with her left hand to deny Lindsey Horan’s shot that was targeted for the lower right corner.

Musovic made stops on Morgan and Lynn Williams in the first 10 minutes of extra time.

The lone save for Naeher was in the 85th minute on a 10-yard shot by Sofia Jakobsson.

The U.S. was dominant everywhere but the scoreboard in the first half. The Americans had 62 percent of possession (82 percent the final 15 minutes) which led to five shots, two on target, compared to one off-target try for Sweden.

Trinity Rodman was dynamic on the right side, forcing saves by Musovic in the 18th and 27th minutes but the best chance for either team came in the 34th when Horan’s header from an Andi Sullivan corner kick skimmed the top of the bar.

— Field Level Media

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | August 6

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By TERRY LYONS 

BOSTON – The countdown clock is on for the NFL Preseason to begin for all 32 teams. The Hall of Fame game (Cleveland Browns 21, vs New York Jets, 16) is in the books, and the end of week of August 10-13th will soon be upon us.

With that fact and the 2023 NFL season to begin Thursday, September 7th and the regular season to begin in earnest September 10th, the all-out marketing blitz of advertising for the NFL Sunday Ticket (now available exclusively on Youtube TV) and for online Gambling on the NFL, via the likes of Draft Kings, Bet MGM, Fan Duel and WynnBet MA (all new here in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts) will fill the coffers for broadcast and media outlets.

The ads will overwhelm sports TV viewers, especially those tuning in to late season MLB and PGA Tour broadcasts, never mind the beginning of College Football. (Boston College opens Saturday, September 2nd vs Northern Illinois).

OPENING NFC WIN TOTALS/ODDS: Are you ready for some football? Not yet? Here are some NFC Conference franchise win totals for the 2023 season. You decide, is it Over or Under?

  • Arizona Cardinals Over 5.5 (+105) Under 5.5 (-125)
  • Atlanta Falcons Over 7.5 (-115) Under 7.5 (-105)
  • Carolina Panthers Over 7.5 (-110) Under 7.5 (-110)
  • Chicago Bears Over 7.5 (-115) Under 7.5 (-105)
  • Dallas Cowboys Over 9.5 (-120) Under 9.5 (+100)
  • Detroit Lions Over 9 (-150) Under 9 (+125)
  • Green Bay Packers Over 7.5 (+115) Under 7.5 (-135)
  • Los Angeles Rams Over 7.5 (-125) Under 7.5 (+105)
  • Minnesota Vikings Over 8.5 (-115) Under 8.5 (-105)
  • New Orleans Saints Over 9.5 (+110) Under 9.5 (-130)
  • New York Giants Over 8.5 (+110) Under 8.5 (-130)
  • Philadelphia Eagles Over 10.5 (-130) Under 10.5 (+110)
  • San Francisco 49ers Over 11.5 (+105) Under 11.5 (-125)
  • Seattle Seahawks Over 8.5 (-125) Under 8.5 (+105)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers Over 6.5 (-115) Under 6.5 (-105)
  • Washington Commanders Over 7.5 (+115) Under 7.5 (-135)

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: When we last left the USA men’s national team at the FIBA Worlds, it was September 14, 2019 and the United States team was victorious in its 7th Place qualification round game over Poland. Yes, SEVENTH PLACE or one slot better than the SIXTH PLACE finish USA Basketball suffered in 2002 on the hometown soil of Indianapolis. Yes, that 2002 finish was three slots below USA Basketball and Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s outing in Japan in 2006 when the USA world team lost to Greece but managed a win against Argentina to take the bronze medal.

In between (2010 and 2014), the USA Basketball senior national team played tremendous basketball and won the two world tournaments, first in Turkey and then in Spain.

This year, it’s on to Manila (The Philippines) to compete in another 32-team extravaganza. The US has begun training, hitting the hardwood in its usual training camp hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada where the temperatures are higher than the game scores.

There will be a friendly (vs. Puerto Rico) on Monday (August 7) in Vegas before the team heads for Malaga, Spain for friendlies vs. Slovenia (August 12) and Spain (August 13) before a stop in Abu Dhabi for games against Greece (August 18) and Germany (August 20).

On Friday, USA Basketball cut a deal with FOX Sports to televise all the “USA Showcase” games. Check HERE.

LISTS and LISTS: Which of the USA Basketball (Olympics and World teams) are the best of the best? Let’s look at one insider’s list:

  1. 1992 – Dream Team – Barcelona
  2. 2008 – Olympic Team – Beijing
  3. 1960 – Olympic Team – Rome
  4. 1956 – Olympic Team – Melbourne
  5. 1996 – Olympic Team – Atlanta
  6. 1994 – Worlds Team – Toronto
  7. 2012 – Olympic Team – London
  8. 2016 – Olympic Team – Rio
  9. 2010 – Worlds Team – Spain
  10. 2014 – Worlds Team – Turkey

DOC, SHAQ – MORE LISTS: Shaquille O’Neal was recently asked about a Top 10 list of Greatest NBA Players submitted by Julius “Dr. J” Erving. O’Neal believes Erving is entitled to his opinion being that he helped pave the way for the players of today. The Big Aristotle was fine with the fact “The Doctor” did not list any active NBA players, thus leaving the likes of Lebron James and Steph Curry as players to be named later, maybe by others.

Let’s start with Julius Erving’s list (he stressed it is not in any particular order):

  • Jerry West
  • Oscar Robertson
  • Elgin Baylor
  • Wilt Chamberlain
  • Bill Russell
  • Michael Jordan
  • Kareem Adbul-Jabbar
  • Karl Malone
  • Magic Johnson
  • Nate “Tiny” Archibald

Shaq’s Top 10 (again, claimed as in no order):

  • Magic Johnson
  • Kobe Bryant
  • Michael Jordan
  • LeBron James
  • Then [expletive] me!

“That ain’t no disrespect to Malone, [Charles] Barkley and Kareem,” O’Neal said. “Hey, that’s my list. Understand what I’m saying? … as he went for the second group.

  •  Steph Curry
  • Allen Iverson
  • Tim Duncan
  • Malone (he didn’t specify Karl or Moses, but was probably thinking Karl).
  • Isiah Thomas
  • Then, he paused and noted Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had to be listed, too, making it a Top 11.

This columnist vividly remembers the morning the NBA at 50 were to be honored at the 1997 NBA All-Star Weekend in Cleveland. A photo of the honorees – all decked out in their special, one-of-a-kind Mitchell & Nessjackets – was presented to Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Erving for their signatures during an all-out, closed-door frenzy of autograph seeking led by the legends themselves.

The great Doctor signed and glanced at the other names alongside his, asking “would you like me to ask Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar) to sign this, too?”

“No, no thanks,” was the reply. “You, Larry and Magic are my guys. You were the best to work with during my career, and you were always there for the NBA, no matter what we asked of you. You are my guys.”

“What about Kareem, he’s the best player,” noted Doc.

“No, it’s okay. Just three.”

The TL Top 10? (In order)

  1. Bill Russell
  2. Michael Jordan
  3. Wilt Chamberlain
  4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  5. Magic Johnson
  6. LeBron James
  7. Oscar Robertson
  8. Larry Bird
  9. Elgin Baylor
  10. Kobe Bryant

Apologies to: Jerry West, Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Karl Malone, Walt “Clyde” Frazier, Shaq, Hakeem Olajuwon, John Havlicek, Moses Malone, Scottie Pippen, among others.

Apologies for possibly shaking up prior/personal Top 10 lists. Like any rock and roll lists, one must reserve the right to change mind, and thus the list every 24 hours.

NLL: The Sunday Notes column is always sharing some keen insights to what makes us tick, one being the fact indoor “box” lacrosse is a favorite sport. Of course, the outdoor game is great, as well, and I miss watching both the college and professional versions of the game (Boston Cannons or Long Island Lizards).

Here are some of the key dates for the NLL this Fall:

  • Sept. 15: NLL Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Burlington, Ontario*
  • Sept. 16: NLL Draft in Oakville, Ontario
  • Oct. 28-29: NLL Training Camps officially open
  • Dec. 1-2: 2023-24 NLL Face-off Weekend

*The NLL will induct 10 new members into the NLL Hall of Fame on September 15. Among the honorees are eight former players and two referees to be enshrined under the Builders category.

TIDBITS: What does former Kentucky coach Tubby Smith – the head coach of the 1998 national champions – think?

“We had over 800 Division I players transfer last year.

“Over 800.

“C’mon.

“Teaching ’em how to quit. That’s what we’re doing. Things not going well? Let’s quit.

“I remember calling my dad when I was a freshman. High Point College. “Dad, people not treating me… this and that… I’m unhappy here.’ There wasn’t but two blacks in the whole school. My Dad, he said, ‘Son, somebody do something to you?’ No. ‘You’re still getting your scholarship aren’t you? They’re still feeding you? They’re still housing you? You’re still getting your education?’ I said, ‘Yes, sir.’ He said, ‘You can’t come home. Your bed’s been taken… But you can join the Army.’ Best thing he ever said to me.”

While We’re Young (Ideas) is a weekly Sunday Sports Notebook and sports news column written by Terry Lyons. The posting of each notebook harkens back to the days when you’d walk over to the city news stand on Saturday night around 10pm to pick-up a copy of the Sunday papers. Inside, just waiting, was a sports-filled compilation of interesting notes, quotes and quips.

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes is brought to you by Digital Sports Desk.

TL