source sports

SOURCE SPORTS: Browns Extends Pro Bowl Denzel Ward Making Him Highest Paid Cornerback Ever

by
FQpZLsMWUAYFme7

The Cleveland Browns have made cornerback Denzel Ward the highest-paid player in his position in NFL history. Ward signed a five-year extension with the Browns worth $100.5 million with $71.25 of that guaranteed, per Adam Schefter.

Ward is now set to earn $20.1 million per year on average, making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. He narrowly beat out Los Angeles Rams’ All-Pro corner Jalen Ramsey, who took to Twitter to show some. love to Ward.

Ward has accumulated an effective career, standing as one of only four players with 10-plus interceptions and 50-plus passes defense since being drafted in 2018. He’s earned trips to the Pro Bowl in 2018 and 2021 while also posting elite Pro Football Focus grades, owning the fourth-highest coverage mark among corners since 2018 (minimum 1,000 snaps) and allowing the sixth-lowest completion percentage in his career among corners with 100-plus targets since 2018.

Ward will look to help get the Browns back in the playoff mix in the loaded AFC with a new contract under his belt.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Browns Extends Pro Bowl Denzel Ward Making Him Highest Paid Cornerback Ever appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Joel Embiid to Raptors’ Head Coach Nick Nurse During Game 2 76ers Win “Stop B***hng About Calls”

by
Joel Embiid to Raptors’ Head Coach Nick Nurse During Game 2 76ers Win “Stop B***hng About Calls”

Joel Embiid loves to talk trash while on the court, and it now appears coaches aren’t safe from his antics either. During the game two big win for Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers over the Toronto Raptors, Embiid had an in-game conversation with Raptors’ head coach Nick Nurse.

You couldn’t tell what during the game, but afterward, Embiid revealed what was said with Nurse’s back-and-forth.

“He’s a great coach obviously, what he has been able to accomplish,” said Embiid of Nurse. “I’ve always been a big fan. But I told him, respectfully told him to stop b—-ing about calls.”

Embiid finished the game with 31 points, with 12 coming from the free-throw line. He attempted 14 free throws for the game. It seems Nurse didn’t like the number of times Embiid went to the line in the game.

“If you’re going to triple-team somebody all game, they are bound to get to the free-throw line, or if you’re going to push them off and try to hold them and all that stuff, they’re bound and get to the free-throw line,” Embiid said. “So I feel like every foul was legit and probably should have been more, honestly.”

The Raptors head back to Toronto down 2-0 in their first-round matchup with the 76ers. Maybe Nurse’s complaining to Embiid and the refs way benefit the Raptors in game 3, have Embiid more motivated to keep the pressure on.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Joel Embiid to Raptors’ Head Coach Nick Nurse During Game 2 76ers Win “Stop B***hng About Calls” appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Warriors Takes a 2-0 Series Lead on the Nuggets Putting the Rest of the Western Conference on Notice

by
FQrk1TjVcAI4xER

The Golden State Warriors are putting the Western Conference on notice with their outstanding play in the first two games of their matchup with the Denver Nuggets.

The Warriors have taken a commanding 2-0 lead. They have neutralized defending league MVP Nikola Jokic and the entire Nuggets team with a new death lineup with Jordan Poole playing the role of former Warrior Kevin Durant.

The full unit took the court with 6:02 remaining in the second quarter, with Golden State trailing 43-35. By the time the halftime whistle sounded, the Warriors had led, 57-51. The new death lineup, which has yet to receive a proper nickname, launched a 22-8 run in half a quarter, and the way they did it should terrify the Nuggets, but whichever teams get in their way in upcoming playoff rounds.

“It’s a passer’s paradise for me,” Green said after the Game 2 win. “You’ve got those three guys [Curry, Thompson and Poole] out there at the same time, for me as a passer, that’s heaven. … You can’t ask for anything more on the offensive end, any more options than that.”

Steph Curry came off the bench and shot. Curry shot 12-for-17 (71%) from the field, the highest field goal percentage of his playoff career. It’s the first time in his career he scored 30-plus points in fewer than 25 minutes (regular season or playoffs), even though it was the 48th time he played 25 minutes or less.

The Warriors will look to take a 3 -0 lead in Denver on Thursday night.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Warriors Takes a 2-0 Series Lead on the Nuggets Putting the Rest of the Western Conference on Notice appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Kyrie Irving Explains His Dislike for Celtics Fans After Getting Caught Giving the Middle Finger

by
FQk6INnXEAc ZHo

The Boston Celtics took game one of their first-round matchups against the Brooklyn Nets on a buzzer beating layup by Jason Tatum. The battle between Kyrie Irving and the Celtics fans could have gotten lost in such a great game.

After hitting a difficult shot over Jaylen Brown late in the third quarter, Irving can be seen flipping the middle finger to fans in the crowd.

After the game, Irving talked about how he felt about the Celtics Fans and how they showed a lack of respect for him and the game of basketball.

“Look, where I’m from, I’m used to all these antics and people being close nearby,” Irving said after scoring a team-high 39 points in 42 minutes. “It’s nothing new when I come into this building what it’s going to be like — but it’s the same energy they have for me, I’m going to have the same energy for them.

“And it’s not every fan, I don’t want to attack every fan, every Boston fan. When people start yelling ‘p—y’ or ‘b—-‘ and ‘f— you’ and all this stuff, there’s only but so much you take as a competitor. We’re the ones expected to be docile and be humble, take a humble approach, f— that, it’s the playoffs. This is what it is.”

For decades, Boston has been a tough place to play for African American players. Irving was a Celtic for two seasons, and during that time, it was all love. After signing with the Nets two years ago, the disconnect and animosity started to occur.

“I know what to expect in here,” Irving said after Sunday’s game. “And it’s the same energy I’m giving back to them. It is what it is. I’m not really focused on it, it’s fun, you know what I’m saying? Where I’m from I’ve dealt with so much, so coming in here you relish it as a competitor. … This isn’t my first time at TD Garden so what you guys saw, what you guys think is entertainment, or the fans think is entertainment, all is fair in competition.

“So if somebody’s going to call me out on my name, I’m gonna look at them straight in the eye and see if they really ’bout it. Most of the time they’re not.”

Irving put up amazing numbers despite the drama and appears to be willing to be the villain in Boston. Game 2 is set on Wednesday night, right back in Boston.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Kyrie Irving Explains His Dislike for Celtics Fans After Getting Caught Giving the Middle Finger appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Errol Spence Jr. Puts On a Clinic Against Yordenis Ugas, Eyes On Terence Crawford

by
FQjX ZOWUAQyEce

Errol Spence Jr put on a boxing clinic in front of his hometown in Dallas at AT&T Stadium against Yordenis Ugas to add another belt to his collection. Spence fractured Ugas’ left orbital bone en route to a 9th-round stoppage victory.

Ugas was gamed all night and proved a great opponent for Spence in his first fight in two years.

“I didn’t have any doubts at all. I believed in myself 100% and trained 100%,” Spence said. “I didn’t want a tune-up fight or someone I knew I could beat. I wanted someone who would bring out the best in me and Ugas did that.

“The nutritionist helped a lot. I lost the weight and they did a great job. It was just my work in the gym. I felt like my timing was off [early in his return] but I just kept working. I think that was due to the long layoff and I was super psyched to get in the ring and push the pace.”

Spence added Ugas’ WBA welterweight title with the WBC and IBF titles he already owned with the victory. Spence only needs Terence Crawford’s WBO title to become the undisputed 147-pound champion.

“Everybody knows who I want next; I want Terence Crawford next,” said Spence. “That’s the fight that I want; that’s the fight everybody else wants. Terence, I’m coming for that motherf—ing belt.”

For years, the culture and boxing world have begged for this fight. Shorty after Spence’s victory, Crawford expressed his level of interest in making that fight happen.

Hopefully, at some point in 2022, we can finally get the fight we all want.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Errol Spence Jr. Puts On a Clinic Against Yordenis Ugas, Eyes On Terence Crawford appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Atlanta Dream Selects Rhyne Howard First Overall In The 2022 WNBA Draft

by
FQGWhyOXMAQLWV4

The 2022 WNBA draft returned to live presentation format after going virtual for two years. The Atlanta Dream selected Kentucky standout Rhyne Howard, number one in the draft.

Howard fills an immediate need for the Dream, which went 8-24 last season. Howard is an elite scorer who can shoot from outside and get buckets in the paint.

The Indiana Fever selected NaLyssa Smith with the second pick in the draft. The Baylor standout averaged 22 points and 15 rebounds last season. The Teas native won the Wade Trophy as the nation’s best player last season.

The Washington Mystics selected Shakira Austin from Ole Miss with the third pick. Austin averaged 15 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks per game last season.

She averaged 15.2 points per game and nine rebounds and is a two-time All-SEC forward. Austin also helped Ole Miss get their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2007.

The Fever used the fourth pick to select forward Emily Engstler of Louisville. A transfer from Syracuse, the Queens, N.Y. native was a finalist for the Cheryl Miller Award as the nation’s best small forward and a semifinalist for the Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year award. The senior led the ACC in steals (2.7 spg), was third in rebounding (6.7 RPG), and was an All-ACC First Team and All-Defensive Team selection.

The New York Liberty selected Nyara Sabally of Oregon with the fifth pick. The two-time All-Pac-12 selection was a finalist for the 2021-22 Katrina McClain Award, leading Oregon in scoring (15.4 ppg) and rebounding (7.8 rpg).

That rounds out the top five picks of a very deep draft. The WNBA season tips off on May 6, with training camps opening later this week.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Atlanta Dream Selects Rhyne Howard First Overall In The 2022 WNBA Draft appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Brooklyn Nets Secure 7th Seed Ahead of Play in Tournament

by
Brooklyn Nets Secure 7th Seed Ahead of Play in Tournament

After a controversial season filled with injuries and COVID-19 mandates, the Brooklyn Nets clinched the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference. With the 7th seed secured, the Nets will host the Cleveland Cavaliers for the right to play the 2nd seeded Boston Celtics.

The loser of the Nets vs. Cavaliers game will host the winner of the Atlanta Hawks vs. Charlotte Hornets game in a win-or-go-home game Friday night, with the victor in that game entering the playoffs against the No. 8 seed and taking on the Miami Heat starting next weekend.

The Nets finished the season winning four straight games to avoid playing the play-in tournament on the road. With a win on Tuesday, the Nets will begin a quest to be the first 7th seed to reach the NBA Finals. With a healthy Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the top seeds in the Eastern Conference way do not feel secure with their seedings.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Brooklyn Nets Secure 7th Seed Ahead of Play in Tournament appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Lakers Reportedly Parting Ways With Head Coach Frank Vogel

by
6057ce6c545a9f384883fb36df3c4e90

After Los Angeles Lakers played their regular-season finale, it was a matter of when, not if, they would let head coach Frank Vogel go. Well, it appears we have an answer.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Lakers are expected to fire Vogel as soon as Monday. The report came after their 146-141 overtime win over the Denver Nuggets on Sunday to close out the regular season.

After the Lakers’ win, Vogel talked to the media as the Wojnarowski report was Tweeted out. “I haven’t been told s— and I’m going to enjoy tonight’s game, celebrate what these young guys did in terms of scratching and clawing and getting back in this game and getting a W, and we’ll deal with tomorrow, tomorrow,” he told reporters during his postgame media availability.

The Lakers failed to make the playoffs, let alone the play in-game. The team is only two years removed from winning the 2020 NBA Championship. Since then, it was a first-round exit last season and a complete failure of a season this time around. Clearly, the organization is painting Vogel as the scapegoat when the championship roster was scrapped for older veterans who couldn’t hang all season long.

Next for the Lakers’ organization is to begin an extensive such for the team’s next head coach. That next head coach will have to find a way to get the best out of a core that includes LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Lakers Reportedly Parting Ways With Head Coach Frank Vogel appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Ben Roethlisberger Pens a Touching Tribute to the Late Dwayne Haskins

by
Ben Roethlisberger Pens a Touching Tribute to the Late Dwayne Haskins

As the NFL world continues to mourn the loss of Dwayne Haskins, someone who served as a mentor during his last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers had some amazing words to say about him.

Recently retired Ben Roethlisberger turned to Twitter. Speaking on behalf of himself and his wife, Ashley, the Pittsburgh icon, talked touchingly about his time with Haskins and also spoke to Haskins’ wife, Ashley.

“He came to work everyday with a smile on his face and energy and love in his heart,” Roethlisberger wrote. “I really enjoyed his passion and love for the game and wanting to learn and be the best. His smile and zeal for life will be missed!

“Wish we had more time together on this earth, but I will cherish the time and the laughs we had! I’ll say it again just like I told you to your face, I still wish I could throw the ball like you!! Love ya pal.”

Roethlisberger served as a mentor to Haskins last season. With Roethlisberger’s final season last year, he was getting the young quarterback ready for life as a Steelers’ starting quarterback. No word yet as to what the Steelers plan to do to honor the late quarterback.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Ben Roethlisberger Pens a Touching Tribute to the Late Dwayne Haskins appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Miami Heat Secure the Number 1 Seed in the Eastern Conference

by
FPyWCbCXwAMOUyx

The NBA playoffs are a week away and it appears that the Miami Heat has clinched the number one seed in the Eastern Conference. After losses by the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76er, the route towards the NBA Finals must come through Miami.

The Heat came out on top of the competitive Eastern Conference despite stars Kyle Lowry, Jimmy Butler, and Bam Adebayo missing significant time throughout the season. With just two seasons removed from the team’s last NBA Finals appearance, not many have the Heat in this position.

The Heat will have to wait a few more days to see who will be their first-round opponent. As it stands right now, it could be either the Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, or Charlotte Hornets. The Heat’s opponent will be determined by the league’s play in tournament that is set to start on Tuesday.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Miami Heat Secure the Number 1 Seed in the Eastern Conference appeared first on The Source.