Mark Zuckerberg may have the image of a computer nerd since he founded Facebook, but he is trying to change the perception of him — and being successful at doing so.
Zuckerberg has gotten into jiu-jitsu training and even competed at an MMA event recently. He also has been in the news for accepting a challenge from Elon Musk to fight.
Since the two high-profile technology company founders went public with their fight desires, various famous MMA figures have come out and made offers to train the men.
Musk has been training with some famed fighters, while Zuckerberg spent some time with Israel Adesanya and Alex Volkanovski recently. Adesanya shared some photos on his Twitter page.
Zuckerberg looked pretty ripped and fit in the photos.
While nobody is going to say he can hang with a UFC middleweight champion like Adesanya any time soon, Zuckerberg does not look anything like a pushover.
Mar 3, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson (QB11) speaks to the press at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Anthony Richardson is out here looking like Jason Richardson on the pickup courts.
Video went viral this week of the Indianapolis Colts quarterback Richardson dominating at a recent pickup basketball game. Colts reporter James Boyd of The Athletic, who happened to be at the same gym, shared video of Richardson throwing down a thunderous jam in the open floor.
The former Florida star Richardson just went No. 4 overall to Indianapolis in this year’s draft. At 6-foot-4 and 244 pounds, one of Richardson’s best attributes is his athleticism … which definitely seems to translate to the basketball court as well.
Colts owner Jim Irsay recently hinted at how much playing time Richardson will get as a rookie next season. But at least for this offseason, Richardson will be giving dudes work on the pickup floor regardless.
Dec 16, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Damian Lillard has informed the Portland Trail Blazers that he would like to be traded to the Miami Heat, but there may be some other contending teams that are hoping the star point guard changes his mind.
Shams Charania of The Athletic spoke about the Lillard situation during a Monday appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” He said teams other than the Heat are doing “back-channel research” to find out if Lillard would even want to play for them. Two of those teams are the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers.
“In those cases where teams have done their back-channel research to find out what Dame is thinking and would he want to play for us, whether it’s the Clippers or the Celtics — those are among the teams I have heard that have had a level of interest in Dame Lillard,” Charania said. “The answer has been a resounding ‘no.’ He wants to be in Miami, period. If you trade for him, I think there’s the risk of trading for a disgruntled player.”
Lillard’s agent has informed interested teams that the 32-year-old only wants to play for Miami. That has put the Portland Trail Blazers in a difficult position.
Even with Lillard insisting he will on play for Miami, the Blazers are said to be seeking a massive return. A third team will likely have to get involved for their asking price to be met.
Portland general manager Joe Cronin sent a clear message this week about the Lillard situation. Unless Lillard changes his mind and shows a willingness to play for teams other than the Heat, he may not wind up being traded at all.
Mar 1, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard D’Angelo Russell (0) warms up before the start of the third quarter during a game against the Dallas Mavericks at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: David Berding-USA TODAY Sports
D’Angelo Russell is back with the Los Angeles Lakers but maybe not necessarily for the long run.
Keith Smith of Spotrac reported on Monday that the former All-Star guard Russell has agreed to waive his implied no-trade clause with the Lakers.
Russell got a two-year, $36 million contract from the Lakers this offseason, which is entirely guaranteed. It also comes with an additional $700,000 in incentives each season. However, Russell’s deal has a player option in the second year, which gives rise to an implied no-trade clause (since Russell is essentially on a one-year contract). Russell has agreed to waive that implied no-trade clause outright this summer though, something that Smith notes is a brand-new feature in the NBA’s latest collective bargaining agreement.
That is a major deal for the Lakers, who will now have the flexibility to trade Russell to any team ahead of the February deadline (at least once Russell becomes trade-eligible on Dec. 15). It also makes sense on Russell’s end of things since he is (presumably) getting more guaranteed money plus the incentives for his troubles (along with the opportunity to re-enter free agency next year).
Lakers fans had mixed feelings on the return of Russell, who fell flat on his face during the playoffs this year. But it turns out that bringing back Russell (and getting him to waive that implied no-trade clause) was a wise business move on the part of the purple and gold.
Dec 18, 2020; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) against the Phoenix Suns during a preseason game at Phoenix Suns Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Anthony Davis is making use of his enormous reach advantage.
The Los Angeles Lakers big man Davis has apparently taken up the sport of boxing this offseason. Professional boxer Jalen Walker shared several videos to Instagram on Monday of him and Davis sparring in the ring (at Churchill Boxing Club in Santa Monica, Calif.).
Davis actually didn’t look too lost with a pair of gloves on, showing off a decent jab and passable footwork. You can see the videos of the sparring session here.
Boxing should be able to help Davis with his balance, his defensive instincts, and (perhaps most importantly) his core and lower-body strength. Davis, who is now 30, is infamously injury-prone and missed nearly a third of last season with a foot ailment.
The eight-time All-Star may have a very long way to go before he can get in the ring with Anthony Joshua instead of with the 5-foot-8 Walker. But at least Davis looks much better at boxing than this fellow NBA player.
Jan 22, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; LA Clippers guard Paul George (13) brings the ball up court against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Paul George has been at the center of a handful of trade rumors this offseason, but the one involving the Phoenix Suns was apparently bogus.
There has been talk of the Suns trying to land another star player even after trading for Bradley Beal. On Monday, a self proclaimed Suns insider “reported” that Phoenix has interest in acquiring George. As is often the case, the rumors quickly spread.
According to longtime Phoenix radio host John Gambadoro, George is not going to the Suns. Gambadoro called the rumors “100% completely false.”
The Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly open to parting ways with George, but it sounds like they are asking for too much in return.
George is owed almost $95 million over the next two seasons with a player option on the second year. The 33-year-old has battled numerous significant injuries, so teams probably are not willing to spend big to acquire him. That is certainly true for the Suns after how much they gave up to land Beal.
Nov 7, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Alvin Kamara has reached a plea agreement stemming from his alleged role in a beating that took place in Las Vegas last year.
Kamara on Tuesday pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of breach of peace, according to 8 News Now. The New Orleans Saints star will be required to complete 30 hours of community service and pay more than $100,000 to the victim for medical bills.
Earlier this year, Kamara and three other men were indicted by a Clark County grand jury on criminal charges of conspiracy to commit battery and battery resulting in substantial bodily harm. Kamara pleaded not guilty to those two charges in March and accepted the lesser misdemeanor charge on Tuesday as part of the agreement.
Kamara and a group of people he was with were accused of attacking a man named Darnell Greene Jr. in Las Vegas on Feb. 5, 2022. The star running back was in Las Vegas for the Pro Bowl.
The official report from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department states that Kamara punched Greene while the alleged victim was unconscious on the ground outside an elevator at The Cromwell hotel. A video that was released showed Kamara repeatedly punching and hitting Greene.
Greene also filed a lawsuit against Kamara last October that contains more troubling allegations.
Kamara may still face an NFL suspension. The league typically waits until the legal process plays out before handing down any disciplinary action.
Kamara, 27, had 1,387 yard from scrimmage in 15 games with the Saints this season. He scored just four touchdowns, which was the lowest total of his six-year career.
The Saints signed Kamara to a five-year, $75 million contract prior to the 2020 season. He has a base salary of $9.4 million next season.
Michael Jordan went viral last week for a one-word response he gave when asked about his son’s relationship with Scottie Pippen’s ex-wife, and we now know how the couple reacted.
Jordan’s 32-year-old son Marcus has been dating Larsa Pippen, who is the 48-year-old ex-wife of Scottie. MJ was leaving a restaurant in Paris last week when a gossip reporter asked him if he approves of Marcus dating Larsa. Jordan let out a big laugh before shouting “no!” You can see the video here.
Marcus and Larsa recently launched a podcast together called “Separation Anxiety.” During the latest episode, they discussed the media storm that was created when Michael indicated he did not approve of the relationship. Marcus said he found it “hilarious.”
“I know my dad and my whole family. Obviously we’re all competitive. The Jordan part of our DNA is to talk s—. It gets us going and gets us motivated,” the younger Jordan said. “When I saw it I thought immediately that he’s playing and joking and laughing and just being playful.”
It would be an understatement to say Larsa had a different reaction. She said she was “traumatized” because she thought people were going to think she lied when she previously claimed Jordan’s family had been supportive of her and Marcus dating.
“I think in the beginning there was a lot of shock value to it. Our families, in the beginning, would have rathered us not be together. … I think people were starting to think that I was lying and that I lied and said, ‘You know, our parents are fine (with it).’ … I do understand that it’s not awkward for us to be together because it’s us, but it probably is awkward for my ex and your dad,” Larsa said.
Marcus said his father reached out multiple times after the story became a big deal. Marcus also insisted last week that MJ is cool with everything.
It is impossible to think of Michael being perfectly fine with his son dating his longtime teammate’s ex-wife, even if the 16-year age difference was overlooked. Scottie has also been critical of MJ in recent years, which might add another element of awkwardness to the situation. Even if MJ was joking in Paris, there was probably some truth to his response.
May 20, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; TNT television personality Kenny Smith prior to game one of the Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs between the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Victor Wembanyama is viewed by many as one of the most promising NBA rookies in the past several decades, and Kenny Smith feels the 19-year-old will live up to every bit of the hype that has surrounded him.
Smith served as an analyst for NBA TV during Monday night’s Summer League game between the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat. When asked if he believes Wembanyama can insert himself into the Defensive Player of the Year conversation within the next five years, Smith made a very bold prediction. He said he believes the San Antonio Spurs big man will be crowned NBA MVP in year four.
“In year four, he’ll be the MVP of the league,” Smith said.
Smith believes the Spurs will be good enough to contend by Wembanyama’s fourth season. He also thinks players like LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant will either have retired or be past their primes, which will give Wembanyama a path to winning MVP.
While it is only Summer League, Wembanyama showed on Sunday how he can dominate a game when he scored 27 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. He has also already impressed some fans with his attitude and work ethic.
If Wembanyama lives up to expectations, it is not inconceivable that he could become the best player in the NBA in four years. Smith wants to be the first to say he called it if it happens.
Feb 18, 2023; Bessemer, AL, USA; Alabama head coach Brad Bohannon looks into the stands before the Crimson Tide faced Richmond in the season-opening series. Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News/USA TODAY NETWORK
Alabama baseball coach Brad Bohannon was fired earlier this year in large part because of his friend’s reckless attempt to gamble on a game, and let’s just say it is hardly a surprise the activity was flagged.
Bert Eugene Neff, who is the father of a University of Cincinnati baseball player, triggered alerts regarding suspicious activity when he bet on the April 28 game between Alabama and LSU. Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated spoke with several sources and uncovered numerous details about the investigation for a story he published on Monday.
For starters, Neff tried to place a $100,000 wager on the Alabama-LSU game at the BetMGM Sportsbook inside Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. The game had gotten almost no gambling traffic other than that, which was reason enough to flag the bet.
But it gets much worse.
According to Forde, Neff told the ticket writers that the reason he wanted to bet $100,000 on the game is that he had inside information. He was texting with Bohannon at the time on an encrypted messaging app called Signal. Using sportsbook surveillance cameras, investigators were later able to zoom in on Neff’s phone and see the details of the text conversation with Bohannon.
“(Video cameras) can see the (text) conversation back-and-forth,” a source familiar with the investigation told SI. “It couldn’t have been any more reckless.”
The inside information was that Alabama was scratching ace starting pitcher Luke Holman due to back tightness. Hagan Banks, who hadn’t started a game in weeks, got the start in Holman’s place. Bohannon relayed that information to Neff before it was made public.
You can read more details from the SI report here.
While it is unclear if Bohannon himself was wagering on the game, investigators determined that the former coach knew Neff was placing bets on LSU. Bohannon was said to be part of an ongoing text chain between Neff and some of Neff’s gambling associates.
Bohannon was fired on May 4 over the matter. Two staff members of the Cincinnati Bearcats baseball team, assistant Kyle Sprague and operations director Andy Nagle, were fired on May 17 for not reporting their knowledge of Neff’s wagering.
It is almost surreal how reckless Neff was in placing the bet. Any bet of that magnitude on a regular-season college baseball game would be scrutinized, but Neff seemed oblivious to all of that.
