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NBA
How to Play Basketball
By Solon Jones
Basketball is a fun sport that you should learn to play. Although initially a leisure activity, it can now be played professionally and, if you are skilled, is a lucrative endeavor. This article shows the basics of how to start.
You want to keep the ball away from defenders, shoot, rebound, and prevent opponents from scoring on you.
What you do not want to do is:
Throw the ball away from the court boundaries.
Step on a foul line while free-throwing the ball.
Step on the end or sideline while passing the ball to a teammate.
Kick the ball.
Dribble or hit the ball with their fist.
Double-dribble the ball.
Hold the ball and stay in the backcourt that contains their basket for more than 8 seconds, or the team responsible will be penalized.
Here are some terms that you should know when playing
Jump ball. This is when you and a defender both hold the ball. The referee then gives the ball to the team that did not get the jump or did not get it last time.
Foul. When a player on the defending team hits a player going up for a shot.
Charge. When an offensive player runs through a defensive player.
Free throw. When a player is shooting and fouled, they get two or three shots, depending on whether they shot a three.
Travel. When a player takes more than two steps without dribbling with the ball.
Double dribble. When a player dribbles, then picks up the ball, then dribbles again.
Once you know some of the basics, basketball is easy. It can be your thing: dribble, shoot, and score.
Draymond Green and Rudy Gobert Incident
By Solon Jones
The Golden State Warriors played against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The incident started when Klay Thomas and Jaden McDaniels had a confrontation. Then, that is when Gobert stepped in to separate them. Everything went downhill from there.
Nevertheless, the incident was escalated by Draymond when he wrapped his arm around Gobert's neck and put him in a headlock for a prolonged period of time.
They include players who have faced consequences: Klay Thomas, Rudy Gobert, and Jaden McDaniels. We were fined 25,000 each in this incident, and Klay and McDaniels were ejected.
Then Draymond was suspended for five games, which means he will lose an astounding $780,000. His suspension was heightened because of his previous altercations, of which there are many.
After the game, the Warriors' head coach said Green was standing up for his teammate and that Thompson should not have been ejected.
Overall, Green over-escalated this quarrel and is now missing out on games and lots of money. The Warriors lost this game 104-101.
Breaking Bridges
By Solon Jones and Aidan Zahabian
This article is about an NBA player who was accused of beating women, and this is his story. Miles Bridges was an NBA rapper who was pretty good at both things he did. Bridges went viral on many platforms right after he was found guilty of beating women.
Miles avoided jail time and only got a suspension from the NBA.
Most think he was let off too quickly and should have received more punishment. He did make a few bad decisions, but he is back now after his 30-game suspension without pay.
That 30-game suspension cost him around three million dollars. His debt was paid off. Also, Bridges did give an apology. He is now back to playing in the league.
Bridges returned better than ever, putting up around 20 points per game. Compared to the 16 before, he gets many highlights and more rebounds. He is making his team a competitor in their division.
Bridges also stated that he is thankful for his actions and plans to atone more. Many do not believe him, and some do. Nevertheless, many feel he is making a remarkable comeback from what he did and heading on the right track.
Overall, what Bridges did could have been better; he should have never considered it. He is making a good comeback in basketball and off the court.
Point Guard Rankings
By Solon Jones
The National Basketball Association features many good point guards who can shoot, dribble through traffic, and cause problems for the other team. Here are the top ten point guards:
No. 10: Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets. Murray's elite outside pull-up range and solid playmaking make him one of the scariest floor generals in the league. He is also a great scorer, averaging 26.1 points per game. Overall, Jamal Murray is an elite top-ten guard who deserves this spot.
No. 9: James Harden from the Los Angeles Clippers. Harden is still one of the best shot-creators in the league. Moreover, he is also great at misdirecting defenders to get himself or others open. However, his athleticism has dwindled. Hopefully, he can prove himself worthy of a championship.
No. 8: DeAaron Fox is in Sacramento. Fox is quick like a fox, one of the quickest in the league. This helps him brush by defenders to get the open bucket. His abilities help the Kings, and he is a big star player.
No. 7: Tyrese Haliburton plays for the Indiana Pacers. He is a complete point guard who can shoot from the outside and finish when contested by defenders. His completeness is very helpful to this team; they are fortunate to have such an influential player.
No. 6: Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks is a great ball handler who can quickly dribble through traffic and make decisions on the spot. Although he can still improve his game, he is already excellent.
No. 5: Ja Morant from the Memphis Grizzly. Ja is a bouncy highlight reel player who can make very tall people look short when he jumps with them. He is an explosive player with a Kobe-like mindset.
No. 4: Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers is a clutch-time player. “Dame time” refers to his ability to make the crowd wild. He is also a good ball-handler.
No. 3: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander plays for the Thunder. SGA is just all-around great, so there is little to be said. He can impact the game in many ways and is a huge asset for any team.
No. 2: Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks. Doncic is extraordinary in many ways. He can get to the basket and shoot from deep. You have to guard him wherever he goes.
No. 1: Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors. Curry is known as the most excellent shooter ever to touch and play in the league. He is always moving with and without the ball, which makes him hard to guard. Overall, he is one of the best point guards of all time.
Power Forward Rankings
By Solon Jones and Aidan Zahabian
The league has many good power forwards who can make highlight-reel dunks and blocks and do much more. Today, we will discuss the top ten.
No. 10: Aaron Gordon plays for the Denver Nuggets. He is a remarkable roleplayer with good athleticism and cutting abilities. Because of his size, he always overpowers smaller people.
No. 9: Paolo Banchero from the Orlando Magic. Banchero has an outstanding and unique guard-like skillset. Paolo can score on many levels and rebound over taller players.
No. 8: Evan Mobley from the Cleveland Cavaliers. With his long wingspan and athleticism, Mobley is a defensive lockdown and a threat on offense.
No. 7: Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves is a unique power forward. He can shoot from the perimeter and drive past defenders.
No. 6: is Draymond Green from the Golden State Warriors. Green is an exemplary screen setter, good at finishing around the basket and good at passing the ball around. He is an excellent addition to Steph and Klay.
No. 5: Zion Williams, number five on the New Orleans Pelicans, is an athletic freak who can quickly jump over and around defenders. However, he does have some eating issues.
No. 4: Jaren Jackson Jr. from the Memphis Grizzlies is also an athletic freak who can quickly grab boards and make back-dunks, like his teammate Ja Morant.
No. 3: is Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors. He is a great two-way player who can hit mid-range shots and shake out defenders.
No. 2: is Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns. Durant is an excellent weak-side rim protector and defender with all-time scoring skills. He can also score from anywhere on the floor.
No. 1: Giannis Antetkumpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. Giannis has unstoppable drives and crazy tools to help him. With his long wingspan, he also has an elite defense. Overall, Giannis deserves this spot as he is currently the best player in the league.
Center Rankings
By Aidan Zahabian
There are many good centers in the National Basketball Association, but only ten can be considered great. These are the people I think are the most skilled centers:
No. 10: In the number ten spot is Kristaps Porzingus, and he is perfect, but his biggest flaw is his availability. He hasn't played a lot; he has only played a healthy 48 games in seven seasons in the league. He has been great at defense and shooting.
No. 9: Myles Turner is one of the best rim protectors. He has never been in the all-defensive game but is top-five. He is a great defender but can't shoot a simple mid-range shot and needs to improve.
No. 8: In the number eight spot is Deandre Ayton, a great, fierce center who isn't afraid of anyone else. He is a great defender and is also on the top half on the other side of the ball. He is one of the better two-way centers in the NBA. He is one of the best pick-and-roll defenders and doesn't back down.
No. 7: In the number seven spot is Domantas Sabonis, who has been leading his team alongside Dearron Fox, who is also decent. Domantas Sabonis has made several all-star appearances but is getting worse by the season.
No. 6: In the number six spot is Jarret Allen, a tremendous shot-blocking force and a big reason why the Cavaliers had a 44-year season. They would have a bad team without him, and other stars like Donovan Mitchel wouldn't stay on the Cavaliers.
No. 5: In the number five spot is Bam Adebayo, who is the most versatile defender in the NBA. He has been on the All-defensive team for the past three years, and there is no doubt that he will make it again. He is also an above-average offensive player.
No. 4: In the number four spot is Pascal Siakam, who was named all-NBA for many years with the help of his 22.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. Defensively, Siakam is a great player who is a good protector.
No. 3: In the number three spot is Rudy Gobert, one of the best rim protectors; his height definitely plays a factor. Gobert is 7’1 inches. He is terrific but doesn't perform in the playoffs. His team usually doesn't make it past the playoffs' first round, and he is a factor in this.
No. 2: In the number two spot is Joel Embid, a great player who performs in the playoffs but never makes it to the playoffs. Their team model is to trust the process, but I don't think you can anymore because they lost their second-best player.
No. 1: Nikola Jokic is obviously in the number-one spot. He has been the best center on offense and offensive player. He has been the frontrunner for MVP voting and led his team to the finals, and he won it. In conclusion, Nikola Jokic is the best center and even player in the NBA.
Shooting Guard Rankings
By Aidan Zahabian and Solon Jones
There are not many good shooting guards but many average ones. This list will include the top ten National Basketball Association (NBA) shooting guards.
No. 10: Tyrese Maxey is an excellent rising star who will be the future of the NBA. He is a significant asset to his team because they would have gotten as far as they did in the playoffs with him. He stepped up in the playoffs, and that was not unexpected.
No. 9: OG Anunoby. He could be a better player for his team or even an asset. The Toronto Raptors did not make the playoffs last year, and that was not a fluke. Even with OG Anunoby, the Raptors could be better.
No. 8: Dejonte Murray is another rising star and likely the best player on his team. The Spurs have not been good for a long time, but they seem poised to have a winning record this year.
No. 7: Bradley Beal has been Washington's best player; however, he will not be the team's number one or two option this year. He will be the number three option because Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, two top-20 NBA players, are on the Suns.
No. 6: Zach Lavine is in the sixth spot. He has been co-leading his team with DeMar DeRozan, and they have been doing an excellent job because they won many games last year. There will be more to come because Zach Lavine is still developing.
No. 5: Kyrie Irving, who some say is a point guard. If he were on a team that did not have a top-three point guard, he would be the point guard, but the Dallas Mavericks have debatably been the best point guard in the NBA. This player is Luka Doncic, and he is still improving.
No. 4: Jaylen Brown. He is a great player and, debatably, not even the second option. The Celtics have one of the best stars in the NBA: Jayson Tatum. They also just acquired another great player, Jrue Holiday. Jaylen Brown is a great player but needs to work on his left hand because he loses the ball a lot.
No. 3: Anthony Edwards is a great player with a great supporting cast. Along with Anthony Edwards, Karl Anthony-Towns is a great player who helps with their playoff success.
No. 2: Paul George is it. They might win because they just acquired James Harden. Their team comprises Paul George, James Harden, Kawai Leonard, and Russel Westbrook. This will be great for chemistry because Paul George, James Harden, and Russel Westbrook played together in Oklahoma.
No. 1: Donovan Mitchel is the only star on this Cleveland team, so he has to take the number one spot. Donovan Mitchel is the best shooting guard in the league because he carries his team far with no help.
Small Forward Rankings
By Solon Jones
The league has many good small forwards. These players are tall or short, have good defense, and can get rebounds and buckets. Today, we will discuss the top ten in the league.
No. 10: Kris Middleton from the Milwaukee Bucks. Middleton is a three-level scorer with great rebounding, playmaking, and defense. He can help any team in many ways.
No. 9: Demar Derozen from the Chicago Bulls is a great midrange shooter. He gets high when shooting, so he can easily make good fades and turnaround jumpers. Demar gets open for his team and is easily a star player.
No. 8: is Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets. Bridges is a top-notch wing defender with a great 3-point shot and a confident midrange, which makes Mikal an asset on many levels.
No. 7: Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans causes havoc defensively with his long arms. He is also a top wingman who can extend over people and create open, uncontested shots.
No. 6: Paul George from the Los Angeles Clippers. George is an athletic guard who can impact the defense at a top-notch level. Paul is still one of this game's true superstars.
No. 5: is LeBron James from the Los Angeles Lakes. LeBron is one of this game's greatest players. He is getting old, but he still is in these rankings. He can chase down blocks on defense, shoot deep from 3, and dunk on defenders.
No. 4: is Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers. Leonard is a top-four small forward. He is strong on defense and dominant on offense, shooting, and making plays. Leonard is all-around good.
No. 3: Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat. Butler is such a good, small forward. He can score, rebound, defend, and much more. He is top-notch in this position.
No. 2: Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns. Durant is a top-3 shot creator of all time. He is so tall that when people try to contest, it is like it is not there. He also shoots so well, making him super hard to guard.
No. 1: Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics. Tatum is a young star gifted with great athleticism and a great shot. His creative game makes him hard to guard because the opponents know what he will do.
Harden and the Clippers
By Solon Jones
Since James Harden joined their team, the Los Angeles Clippers have experienced a brutal decline in many areas. Many say Harden has ruined the Clippers, and their blockbuster trade for him has failed.
The Clippers' team averages have gone down. For example, their team average points is down by 15. Moreover, other teams score more on them. They have been 0-5 since the trade and 3-1.
The Clippers have too many players who need the ball. Furthermore, they isolate themselves and need better and more.
James Harden is a player who can put up good numbers by himself, but he could be better with others. His defense has never been good throughout his entire career.
Harden’s athleticism has dwindled, and he is less explosive than he was. While his shooting ability is sound, he needs to be able to distribute the ball like a point guard and avoid playing too much one-on-one.
In conclusion, the Clippers trade could have gone better. They will work on something to fix this, maybe even not starting Harden.
Wasted Basketball Talent
By Solon Jones
Mikey Williams, an upcoming college basketball star, faces many potential charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, which can lead to a sentence of twenty years in prison. Williams allegedly shot at a group of five people in an Uber leaving in front of his house. This preliminary has taken a while as they need more evidence and know the whole truth of the situation. Before the accusations, Williams had recently committed to Memphis for college.
Williams is still listed on the roster posted to the athletic department's website, but he did not join the team for a summer tour to the Dominican Republic last month.
Memphis coach Penny Hardaway told the media last week that he was waiting for the outcome of the preliminary trial hearing before making any decisions on Mikey's future at Memphis.
We hope his talent is well-spent and he can attend the league or college.
Overall, this was an unwise decision that he should have considered more carefully, and now his skills could be wasted if he is sentenced to twenty-plus years in prison.
SOCCER
Best Soccer Players of All Time
By Aidan Zahabian
There are many great soccer players, and picking the best ten is hard. Comparing players from different generations is challenging, as so many have been going through the leagues and teams over the years. This article narrows it down and tells you who the best soccer players of all time are, in my opinion.
No. 10: Alfredo di Stefano. Di Stefona is the only person ever to win the Super Ballon d'Or. The Ballon d'Or was just the best player that year, but he was the best in his twenty years. He had one of the best seasons ever, and people thought he would be the best player that year.
No. 9: Neymar. Neymar is a great player right now. He is in the top three of this generation, even though he is far away from two and one. Two and one are Messi and Ronaldo, two of the top five players in the world of all time.
No. 8: Roberto Baggio. He is one of the best midfield centers in the world. Most people consider him in the top three in his spot, and he is, and it's not even a debate. He has had many assists and led the Italian national team to a World Cup win.
No. 7: Ronaldo Nizaro. Ronaldo shares a name with Cristiano Ronaldo, but Cristiano is way better. Ronaldo Nizaro was a great striker who led the Brazil national team to a World Cup win, along with many other great players.
No. 6: Zinidane Zidane. Yes, he has a very catchy name. He also has a catchable pass because he will give you a perfect ball where all you have to do is tap the ball in. He led the France team to the finals and did the most iconic thing ever by headbutting someone and then getting a red card in the finals of the World Cup.
No. 5: Johan Cruyff didn't have the best haircut but was definitely recognizable. He was a fast center forward who would receive a simple pass and run through defenders like Swiss cheese. (Swiss cheese has holes)
No. 4: Diego Maradona is in the number four spot. Maradona is a great soccer player who is just a little tall—but he stood tall enough to lead his national team to a World Cup. In Maradona's 91 appearances, he scored 34 goals and led his decent team to the World Cup finals.
No. 3: Pele is a great soccer player. He went through so many challenges in his childhood. His dad didn't believe him, and when he and his friends went to steal a soccer ball, they ran away through bushes. His best friend didn't make it, and despite that, he still led the Brazilian national team to a couple of World Cup victories.
No. 2: Cristiano Ronaldo has been competing in the number one spot for years. They are the two best players of their generation and of all time. Cristiano Ronaldo couldn't keep up with the number one spot, and the number one spot just won the Ballon d'Or.
No. 1: Lionel Messi is obviously in the number one spot. He has more Ballon D'ors than Rolado and more World Cups, and he outnumbers him in every category. They both fight hard to be the best soccer player of all time, but in the end, Messi is better.
Who Will Win the Champions League? (Part 1)
By Aidan Zahabian
The Champions League is the best soccer team in Europe, playing in one tournament against each other. The top couple of teams from each country get in. For example, the Premier League has the best teams, so most teams get into the Champions League from the Premier League, which is four. The Champions League is split into eight groups, with four teams in each group, and two advance to the playoffs.
Starting in group A. The group comprises Bayern Munich, Copenhagen, Galatasaray, and Manchester United. There are two clear favorites. Bayern Munich from a top five league, Bundesliga (Germany), and Manchester United from a top five league, Premier League (England).
Next is group B. This group isn’t the best, having one outstanding team and the rest being average. This group consists of Arsenal, PSV, Lens, and Sevilla. Before the games started, it would’ve easily been Sevilla and Arsenal, but Sevilla is down three points with two matches left after the first four games. It’s doable but is going to be complicated. This being said, PSV can end up in second place but won’t because Sevilla is a strong team that can bring it back together.
Next is group C. Group C is a decent group with two excellent teams. This group comprises Napoli, Real Madrid, Braga, and Union Berlin. Napoli and Real Madrid are great teams that will make it out of the league. Braga and Union Berlin aren’t good teams and aren’t from good leagues, either. Real Madrid will surely end up in first place over Napoli because they have great players.
Next is group D. They have one good team and three above-average teams. This group comprises Real Sociedad, Inter Milan, RB Salzburg, and Benicifa. Benicifa has been an excellent team for years, always ending up on top in the Champions League and even winning one championship, but can’t win because they are ten points away from first place. RB Salzburg can’t win because they are seven points away from second place. This leaves us with Inter Milan and Real Sociedad, but Inter Milan is better and will end up in first.
Next is group E. Group E has two good teams and two bad teams. This group consists of Atletico Madrid, Lazio, Celtic, and Feyenoord. Celtic can’t win because they are seven points, six points away from second, and they can only get six more points. It can happen but won’t. Feyenoord isn’t a good team, but it has a lot of points. They are a point away from second and have a chance, but second place is way better than them. This leaves us with Atletico Madrid and Lazio. Lazio will be double because Atletico is way better and a top-three team in Spain.
Now comes group F. Group F is the best team by far. This group even has a name. This name is the group of death. All four teams in this group are way above average and have chances to win. This group consists of Dortmund, who is in first place with seven points. Paris Saint-German is in second place with six points. Milan is in third place with five points, and Newcastle is in last with four points. All of the teams are close to each other. This being said, there are only two more games, and placement matters a lot. Newcastle isn’t going to make it because they are in last place and the weakest team out of the four. Milan is a great team and has a great chance, but they aren’t going to make it. PSG and Dortmund are slightly better and slightly ahead. PSG will end in second place because Dortmund is one of the most well-rounded teams and is slightly ahead in points. This leaves Dortmund at first.
Next is Group G. Group G has one fantastic team, one average team, and two lousy teams. This group comprises Manchester City, RB Leipzig, Young Boys and Crvena Zvezda. The tremendous team, Manchester City, ended in second place in the Premier League, the best league in the world. The average team or above-average team is RB Leipzig. They are an okay team who have always made the Champions League and usually don’t surpass the first elimination round. This group won’t be shocking and will end with Manchester City and RB Leipzig making the elimination round.
Next is group H. Group H. Group H has one outstanding team, two above-average teams, and one bad team. This group consists of Barcelona, Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk and Antwerp. The exceptional team is Barcelona. Barcelona is an excellent team from a top-five league. They are in pain and are debatably the best team in La Liga. Porto is a great team, the best in Portugal, with a decent league. Shaktar is the best team in Ukraine, always makes the Champions League, and makes the elimination round about half the time. The last team isn’t good and doesn’t win any games in the Champions League, but they make it and are Antwerp. Barcelona is going to finish in first place without a doubt. The fight for second place is Shaktar versus Porto, but Porto is slightly better and will edge off Shaktar.
Who Will win the Champions League (Part 3)?
By Aidan Zahabian
This now takes us into the second round of the playoffs. This round usually features the best teams in the top five leagues. All the evil and decent teams got eliminated in the first round of the playoffs and the divisional stage. One or two decent teams could get lucky or play against a bad team in the first round.
The first matchup will be Real Madrid, who will knock out Porto, the best team in Portugal, which could be a better accomplishment, versus Manchester City, who is debatably the best team in the Premier League. They will take down PSG, a top-five team in the world, in the first round. Manchester City has another tough matchup. They will be ready to fight. These two teams are most likely the best in the world and will be unlucky enough to play each other. Manchester City has a great team but needs help to beat Real Madrid. Real Madrid always takes care of business and is the better team overall. Real Madrid will barely top Manchester City to make it to the next round. It may even go down to overtime or penalties.
The next matchup will be Atletico Madrid, a decent team that got lucky and played a bad team, versus Dortmund. Dortmund is the second-best team in Germany, and they beat Manchester United, which is a great team. Dortmund will make it only by playing complex teams and finally getting a break against Atletico Madrid. They had to play PSG, Milan, and Newcastle all three times. They then have to play Manchester United, a top-five team in the Premier League. Atletico has nobody who is truly good enough to help them win this game. They have some decent players, and the others are no-name players. This being said, Dortmund will out-defend them and outperform them overall.
The next matchup will be between Arsenal, a top-three Premier League team, and Barcelona, the best team in La Liga. This will be a great match. It features excellent teams. Arsenal has not had it easy, and they will not be ready for Barcelona. Barcelona has had a stroll and knows what they are going up to. They will be on their toes. Barcelona has a great all-around team with some veterans to lead them. Arsenal is a young team still getting ready for what will come. They have not been in many high-stakes games like this and need some years to advance fully. In a couple of years, without a doubt, this Arsenal team will be one of the top three teams in the world.
The next matchup will be Bayern Munich, the best team in the Bundesliga, versus Inter Milan, a top-two team in Serie A. Bayern Munich has won the Bundesliga for the past ten years. They are straightforward to win this game and will not be upset. They have an excellent overall team and will press them, steal the ball, and then score. They are debatably the best midfielders in the world right now. They have a strong defense and a potent offense. Inter Milan is a great team, but they got lucky to make it to the finals last year. They did not play anyone hard. Their most complicated game was against their rival AC Milan, who is as good as they are. That game could have gone either way.
Winners of the Soccer Champions League
By Aidan Zahabian
This round usually features the best teams in the top five leagues. All the evil and decent teams got eliminated in the first round of the playoffs and the divisional stage. One or two decent teams could get lucky or play against a bad team in the first round.
The first matchup will be Real Madrid, who will knock out Porto, the best team in Portugal, which could be a better accomplishment, versus Manchester City, who is debatably the best team in the Premier League. They will take down PSG, a top-five team in the world, in the first round. Manchester City has another tough matchup. They will be ready to fight. These two teams are most likely the best in the world and will be unlucky enough to play each other. Manchester City has a great team but needs help to beat Real Madrid. Real Madrid always takes care of business and is the better team overall. Real Madrid will barely top Manchester City to make it to the next round. It may even go down to overtime or penalties.
The next matchup will be Atletico Madrid, a decent team that got lucky and played a bad team, versus Dortmund. Dortmund is the second-best team in Germany, and they beat Manchester United, which is a great team. Dortmund will make it only by playing complex teams and finally getting a break against Atletico Madrid. They had to play PSG, Milan, and Newcastle all three times. They then have to play Manchester United, a top-five team in the Premier League. Atletico has nobody who is truly good enough to help them win this game. They have some decent players, and the others are no-name players. This being said, Dortmund will out-defend them and outperform them overall.
The next matchup will be between Arsenal, a top-three Premier League team, and Barcelona, the best team in La Liga. This will be a great match. It features excellent teams. Arsenal has yet to have it too easy, and they will not be ready for Barcelona. Barcelona has had a stroll and knows what they are going up to. They will be on their toes. Barcelona has a great all-around team with some veterans to lead them. Arsenal is a young team still getting ready for what will come. They have yet to be in many high-stakes games like this and need some years to advance fully. In a couple of years, this Arsenal team will undoubtedly be one of the top three teams in the world.
The next matchup will be Bayern Munich, which has been and is the best team in the Bundesliga, versus Inter Milan, a top-two team in Serie A. Bayern Munich has won the Bundesliga for the past ten years. They are straightforward to win this game and will not be upset. They have an excellent team overall and will press them, steal the ball, and then score. They are debatably the best midfielders in the world right now. They have a strong defense and a potent offense. Inter Milan is a great team, but they got lucky to make it to the finals last year. They did not play anyone hard. Their most challenging game was against their rival AC Milan, who is as good as they are. That game could have gone either way.
Who Will Win the Premier League?
By Aidan Zahabian and Solon Jones
The Premier League has many good soccer teams, some not good. This is the Premier League table at the end of the season.
Brentford is tenth and has not been this good in years. They have been better, but they need help to make the top seven or eight. They need more great stars on their team.
Brighton is currently eighth, but to be honest, they could have been better. Five of their last games have ended in ties. Although ties are only worth one point, they could be more useful in the big leagues with the big teams.
Aston Villa is in the eighth spot. They have been phenomenal, currently ranked fifth in the Premier League. Their last five games were win, lose, win, and tie. They are not a good team, lacking stars, and do not have a chance at finishing in the top five.
New Castle is currently ranked seventh. Last year, they barely beat out Liverpool to qualify for the Champions League, which requires finishing in the top four of the Premier League.
Now, we get to the big six. These six teams are great and will all finish near each other. In the number six spot is Chelsea. Chelsea has been disappointing this year and last year. They have great stars but are still barely cracking the top ten.
Manchester United is ranked fifth. They are the worst Manchester team, but they are still excellent. They have great stars and one of the best goalkeepers in the world. They will likely be higher.
Tottenham, currently in fourth place, has had a great season. They were in first place two games ago, but then they lost two games in a row. They have great players and great leaders in Harry Kane and Son.
In the third spot, Arsenal is a great young team with exceptional talent. However, they cannot compete with the top two teams. Two seasons ago, they were battling for the number one spot, and it came down to the last two.
Manchester City is a great team that is currently in the number one spot. They have been the frontrunners for the last several years and will continue to be this year. They have the second-best soccer player in the world, if not the best.
Liverpool is in the number-one spot. Its great players are everywhere. It does not have one bad or even iffy player. Its flawless team is also young, meaning it will evolve and improve.
Who Will Win the Champions League? (Part 2)
By Aidan Zahabian
The playoffs for the Champions League are very peculiar. It is highly disorienting to watch different groups play different groups. This chart makes it easier to see which teams play each other.
First of Group
C plays second of Group H
Winners Play First of Group G plays second of Group F
Winners play first of Group E plays second of Group G
Winners play first of Group F plays second of Group A
Final
First of Group B plays second of Group C
Winners play first of Group H plays second of Group B
Winners play first of Group A plays second of Group D
Winners play first of Group D plays second of Group E
This is how it works. The first matchup is the first place in Group C versus the second place in Group H. This being said, the first place in Group C is Real Madrid, who will easily take out Porto, who will be in second place in Group H. Real Madrid is an excellent team with chances to win. Porto is a team hanging on to a playoff spot, and they have low expectations, especially if they are playing Real Madrid. Real Madrid has won many Champions Leagues, is used to the pressure, and will show up to play and take down Porto.
The next matchup is the first place in Group G versus the second place in Group F. The first place in Group G is going to be Manchester City. The second place in Group F is going to be Paris Saint-German. Paris is a great team that realistically has a chance but will not take down arguably the best soccer player in the world, along with his once-in-a-lifetime team. Halland has one of the best-supporting casts in soccer and is a great midfielder, which sets him up for goal. This being said, Paris Saint-Germain has one of the best teams and can win but won't because Manchester City has its best team in a long time.
The next matchup is between the first-place team in Group E and the second-place team in Group G. The first-place team in Group E will be Atletico Madrid. Atletico Madrid is the third-best team in La Liga, and that is a significant accomplishment considering that La Liga is a top-five league in the world. The second-place team in Group G is going to be RB Leipzig. RB Leipzig has a guaranteed spot in second place, being eight points ahead of third and fourth. That said, Atletico Madrid will demolish RB Leipzig simply because they are better and more hungry to win.
The next matchup is between Group F's first-place team and Group A's second-place team. Group F's first place will be Dortmund because they are a great team and one point ahead of second place. They are a great team that does not yet have a guaranteed spot to get first place or even second place. Third place is two points behind them, and they are a great team with a chance to overtake them. The second-place team in Group A is going to be Manchester United. They are in fourth place but one point behind second. They have no chance for first place but are still a perfect team. This is a great game that can go either way, but Dortmund has been playing better than Manchester United, and Dortmund will win.
The next matchup is the first place in Group B versus the second place in Group C. The first place in Group B is going to be Arsenal. Arsenal is one of the best teams and won the most competitive league last year, which is the Premier League. The second place in Group C is going to be Napoli. Napoli is an excellent team in Serie A. Serie A is the league in Italy that has outstanding and competitive teams, including Napoli. Napoli is in the top three in this division and will surely come to play. Although they will come to play, they cannot take down Arsenal, who has realistic dreams of winning the Champions League this year. They are a great team that is only ready to improve as the seasons go on.
The next matchup is the first place of Group H versus the second place of Group B. The first place in Group H will be easily Barcelona because they are a top-two team in a great league and do not have stiff competition. The second place in Group B will be a hard-fought battle, but Sevilla will end up in second place even though they are down three points to second place. Sevilla is a good team in a top-five league and a top-five team. They are in La Liga, and there is a lot of competition, such as Barcelona. Barcelona is a top-two team in the same league and will quickly take down Sevilla. Sevilla could not be a better team than all the other good teams and sometimes does not even make the playoffs. This time is shaky, and they might miss it. Barcelona will win.
The next matchup is the first place of Group A versus the second place of Group D. The first place of Group A is going to be Bayern Munich. Bayern Munich is the best team in the Bundesliga league, a top-five league. This is a significant accomplishment, and they have won the league title for the past decade. The second place of Group D is going to be Real Sociedad. They are a top-five team from the Laliga league. Sometimes, they do not make the Champions League because they are borderline top four, and only the best four from the league make the Champions League. Bayern Munich has one of the best teams in the world and is way better than Real Sociedad. That being said, Bayern Munich will undoubtedly win this game and is also a heavy favorite.
The next matchup is Group D's first place versus Group E's second place. The first place of Group D is going to be Inter Milan. Inter Milan is a great team in Italy. They are a top team in Italy, and the Italian league is a top-five league. Inter Milan made the Champions League finals last year and is the best team in Italy. Lazio will be in second place in Group E. Lazio is also a top-five team in Italy. Inter Milan always beats them in league matches, and this match will be even more intense. This means the better teams come out to play, and the worse ones show us their true colors. This means Milan will win against Lazio like they always do, and there was never a second thought. Lazio has nothing that Inter Milan does not have. They have everything but more.
Who Will Win the Champions League (Part 4)
By Aidan Zahabian
Now, we reach the third round of the playoffs in the Champions League. These teams are the best of the best. Even the best of the best have already been eliminated. These last four remaining teams are likely the top five in the world, and each game will be competitive. In this round, there may be a Cinderella run by a team that did not have the most challenging schedule, but it was still competitive.
There are only two games in the third round: Manchester City versus Dortmund. These two teams are excellent, and the game can go either way. Manchester City versus Paris Saint-Germain was a great game, almost as good as this. Dortmund is the second-best team in Germany, versus debatably the best team in the Premier League. They both finished second, but this does not matter. The Premier League is a way harder and better league, and Dortmund would not be in the top three if they were to join it. This being said, Manchester City is heavily favored, but you never know. Dortmund has a solid defense that will lock down some of Manchester City's attackers. The only problem is that Manchester City has the best striker in the world right now and, if not, the best player. If Lionel Messi had not won the World Cup, he would have easily won the Ballon d'Or, but sadly, Haaland cannot compete because he has a horrible national team. Ultimately, Dortmund will overtake Manchester City in a hard-fought game and complete the upset.
The other game is Barcelona versus Bayern Munich. Bayern Munich is an excellent team in a great league. They are in the Bundesliga, and the best team is ahead of Dortmund. They have dominated the Bundesliga for the past ten years and have been good, but they could have been better in the Champions League. Barcelona may not be the best team in the world, but this prediction is that Barcelona is Cinderella in the Cinderella run. They have been solid and a top-ten team. Nobody thinks they will make the finals or even win, but they will. They are a great team and are now ready to shine. This game can go either way, while Bayern Munich has a better chance than Barcelona. Barcelona is a great team that will take down many good teams and edge Bayern Munich. Bayern Munich does have a great midfield, but midfield is one of the least critical positions. It would help if you had a good goalkeeper, attackers, and defenders. The one thing is that Barcelona is better in all of these positions. There is a saying that says defense wins championships, and it is true.
This gives us the championship. The championship is the best game. It has the most tension and has the most viewers. Everyone comes together to watch this critical game. People who do not even watch come and watch just the championship. It usually features the best teams and players. But not this year. This year, there will be two teams that are good but are outside the top five. It will be the second-best team in La Liga, Barcelona, and the second-best team in the Bundesliga, Dortmund. They can both upset the number one team in their league, but they do not. In La Liga, it has been back and forth for years. The Bundesliga is a different situation, however. Dortmund has not won the Bundesliga for ten years. They have been completely shut out yearly while being a great team and trying their hardest. This game will be great. They both have great defenses, but Barcelona slightly beats them. They both have great goalkeepers, but Barcelona slightly beats them in that category. They both have great offense, but Barcelona has one of the best attackers in the world right now, Robert Lewandowski, so Barcelona beats them in that category. They both have great midfield, but Barcelona is slightly better, having two of the best youngsters, Gavi and Pedri. This being said, Barcelona will take them down, but it will be close. It will be a two-to-one point win because everyone brings their all in the championship game. Barcelona will only improve by having many young players, and they are outstanding young players who will give it their all. They are notable players and will not give up. They are young and hungry.
GOLF
The Rules of Golf
By Eli Yaghoubi
Today’s article will focus on the rules of golf. The United States Golf Association (USGA) created the rules of golf that all golfers need to follow. You can look up these rules online or purchase a book most golfers keep in their bags. Golf rules change annually, so do not enter a thrift store and purchase a rule book from 2016. If you follow the rules from 2016, you may get kicked out of a golf tournament.
Rule #1: Do not damage the golf course
Fix all the divots you find on the ground, even if you did not create them yourself. Use a divot mix for the grass and a divot tool for the greens.
You should leave the course in better condition than you found it by fixing any damages caused by you or the golfers before you.
Rake the sand trap. If your ball, unfortunately, goes into a bunker/sand trap and you hit it out, use the rake on the side of the trap to fix the sand bunker so it is smooth.
Do not step on the cup. The cup is in the golf hole to keep the hole from collapsing and stepping on it can cause damage.
Rule #2. Be friendly to other golfers playing on the golf course. This rule means treating people with respect and following the golden rule.
Rule #3. Bunke Rule
When hitting out of a bunker, please ensure your club does not touch the sand during practice swings. Rake the bunker after hitting.
Rule #4. Pace of play
If you hit above double par, pick up your golf ball and move to the next hole. To decide who hits first from the teabox, look at the scores from the prior hole, and the golfer who got the best score goes first. If there is a tie, review the score from the prior hole. If they tie from hole one, total the scores from all prior holes. If they still tie, the golfers figure out how to determine this independently. The golfer whose ball is farthest from the hole hits the ball next. You will likely hit last if your ball is very close to the hole.
Rule #5. Penalties
When you hit the ball into a hazard, see if the hazard is marked, follow the rules it says, and move your ball to a relief area. If not marked, return to where you hit, which counts as a stroke for your shot. When you hit the ball into a water hazard, go to where your ball last touched the ground. When you hit it, it counts as a shot, and you add another stroke as a penalty. You have two minutes to look for your ball when you lose it. Then, you must return to where you hit it, and the previous shot counts. For example, Joe hit his second stroke, and he lost his ball, so Joe looked for the ball for two minutes. After the two minutes are over, he returns to where he hits the ball and hits it again, but this time it is Joe’s third stroke. Go, Joe.
Rule #6. Obstructions
When your ball lands under a twig, the twig is a movable obstruction, and you move the twig and carry on with your stroke. When your ball lands behind a tree and the tree obstructs you, the tree is an obstruction, and you have to play where it lands. This is not fun, and your ball may hit the tree. When your ball lands on a cart path, you could move the ball one or two club-lengths away from the obstruction but no closer to the hole. There is no penalty for this.
Rule #7: Have Fun!
Which Golf Clubs Should You be Putting in your Golf Bag?
By Eli Yaghoubi
Golf is a fun sport most children need to become more familiar with. Once you start playing golf, you realize how much patience it takes to succeed. Many golf clubs exist, but how do you know which club to use? This summary will help you make your decisions easier when playing golf.
Putter: This club is one of the most accessible clubs to use and a club most people who don’t golf know about. This is the club used on the green when the ball is close to the hole. It is also the club used when you go miniature golfing! Also, this club usually determines if you win or lose.
Driver: This is the club used when hitting the ball from afar. Typically, this is the club that is used to tee off. Some golfers can hit a ball with their Driver over 300 yards. The distance the ball goes depends on the golfer's strength and how much experience they have. Though hitting the ball far is essential and fun, remember the others. The Driver’s loft ranges from 8 to 16 degrees.
Sand wedge: A wedge is a club like an iron with a high loft. Even though this club is intended to be hit out of the sand, most people use it for chipping. It is relatively easy to hit and is a must-have. Its loft ranges from 54 - 58 degrees.
Pitching wedge: The pitching wedge is a lot like a 9 iron, except for the club's loft, and is used for pitching. Its loft ranges from 46 to 50 degrees.
Gap wedge. The gap wedge is like a mix of a sand wedge and a pitching wedge. It is like a pitching wedge in its use and loft, but it has the style and hits like a sand wedge.
Lob wedge. A lob wedge is a sand wedge with a high loft of 58 - 64 degrees.
3 wood. The 3 wood is a helpful club that is extremely hard to hit. If mastered, this club is a magic club. The loft ranges from 13 - 21 degrees.
3 hybrid. The 3 Hybrid is much like a 3 wood, but way easier to hit. This club is used whenever a three-wood is used but goes slightly less than a mastered three-wood. Its loft ranges from 21-27 degrees.
4 hybrid/4 iron. The 4 Hybrids are like a mix of 4 iron. The 4 Iron is like the 4 Hybrid except it has an iron style, but the Hybrid is like the 4 Iron except with a hybrid style.
5 iron. The 5 iron is a lot like the four iron except for the higher loft, and the distance you could hit with it is less.
6 iron. The six iron is an iron that is used for long shots in the fairway or rough to get on the green or close. It also has a higher loft than a 5 iron.
7 iron. This club is used for hitting the ball to the green like the 6 iron, except you could put much spin on it. This club is also used for bump and run shots.
8 iron. This club is used for hitting the ball from the fairway with much spin, even though it goes much shorter than the other clubs.
9 iron. This club is used a lot like the eight iron, except it is also used for chipping.
A golfer can have fourteen clubs in their bag during a tournament. This allows players to have various options for different types of shots. My favorite club is the Gap Wedge.
How to Play Golf - Part 2: Putting, Chipping, and Driving
By Eli Yaghoubi
Welcome to part two of How to play golf. If you have not read part one, it is okay. Just before you apply these techniques, please read that article. If you have read that article, please feel free to play golf to your heart's content. So let us get playing, or in this case, writing.
Putting
Did you know that putting is the part of golf that could turn a win into a loss? You must learn putting, do what I say in the article, and practice the techniques. Holding the club is very important for your shots to be more accurate. To hold the club, wrap your left hand around the grip with your thumb facing the club head and your pointer finger out. For your right hand, wrap it around the grip underneath your left hand with the pinkie finger around the left-hand pointer finger, and you are ready to start putting. To get a straight shot, alight the ball between your feet but far enough away so you can hit the ball. Align the club with your nose with the bottom of the head on the green. When hitting the ball, do not swing back too far. I hope you enjoy putting on the green and need more practice. Here is a fun fact: Tiger Woods learned to putt first before any other stroke in golf.
Chipping
Chipping is significant when you are close to the green. Chipping is essential; putting is more important. To chip, you hold the club like you do when putting, but some things are done differently. The alignment of the ball should be with the ball, right off your right heel, and the ball should be far enough from you so you can hit but not too far so you cannot hit well. Ensure your shaft is angled toward the direction you want at 80 degrees. Your swing should go up to your waste, and your power should vary from the distance you are from the hole. For example, it exerts only a little power if the chip is close to the whole. To conclude, chipping is not easy, but practicing once you have it down is super fun.
Driving
Most people who know little about golf are familiar with driving. It is the club used to hit the ball the farthest and when teeing off from holes with long distances. Some professionals can hit the golf ball 400 yards with a driver. I can hit the golf ball up to 180 yards with my driver, but I am working on hitting the ball farther. Usually, when you hit a tee shot with a driver, you hit off the tee. The ball should be right off your left heel, just far enough to be hit. When hitting, you should have a full swing and hit with force. To conclude, driving is essential and fun.
The last part of the two-part golf tutorial has ended happily. I wish you luck in all your future golf endeavors and hope you remember me when you became rich and famous as a golfer. See you soon on the golf course or the golf channel. Let me know if you are looking for a fourth in your foursome. I would love to play golf with you.
NFL
NFL MVP (1-5)
By Aidan Zahabian
The NFL MVP is an award that most quarterbacks get. This year, it can go both ways because there has yet to be one clear-cut fantastic quarterback. There are once-in-a-lifetime kinds of non-quarterbacks. This will rank the top ten players with the best chance to win the MVP.
No. 10: Tua Tagliovoa. Tua is a great quarterback with one of the best, if not the best, receiving cores in the NFL. He has all the weapons to support him and is a lefty, throwing defenders off. He is not even the highest player on the list because one of his wide receivers is higher than him. He has the best wide receiver in the NFL and a top-five wide receiver in the NFL, and he always dishes it to them.
No. 9: Trevor Lawrence. Trevor Lawrence is a great young quarterback, leading this average Jaguars team to a fantastic record. He is a young quarterback and will only improve from here. He has a decent supporting cast, with a top-three running back in Travis Etienne. His wide receiver just got a bad injury and will not be coming back, but he still has impressive other wide receivers that are also young. This team will improve plenty over the years and will only get better.
No. 8: Christian McCaffery. Christian McCaffery is the best running back in the NFL by far. However, he is not the top person on the list because this is the best team, and the quarterback usually gets the award. McCaffrey is the better player, and with him, the 49ers would have the record they have right now. Their quarterback usually passes it short to McCaffrey, and he runs for many yards. This is how the quarterback gets many of his yards. The one problem is that his quarterback is one of the top runners for the MVP.
No. 7: Patrick Mahomes. Patrick Mahomes was expected to be one of the tops and, if not the first person on the rankings, could have played better while having the best tight end in the NFL. He may not have great receivers, but this is no excuse for him not playing well. He is supposed to be the best quarterback in the NFL and bring bad teams up, but he is just bringing a fantastic team to an average season.
No. 6: Josh Allen. Josh Allen is another quarterback who could have been better than expected. He has been a turnover machine and, on average, has turned the ball over at least once per game. His record shows it is only 7-6 on the verge of the playoffs. They are in the race right now, but if the league ends today, they are not in the playoff picture. This means Josh Allen needs to step up and stop turning over the ball. He has a great supporting cast in Stefon Diggs and Dalton Kinkaid.
No. 5: Tyreek Hill. Tyreek Hill is the best player on his team and is just amazing. He is the best wide receiver we have had since Larry Fitzgerald and is better than any non-quarterback in the league by far. Christan McCaffery is the only one coming remotely close, but I would not compare him to Tyreek Hill. He is one of the fastest, if not the fastest, NFL players in the league, and even if he is not the fastest, he uses it the best, being on pace for a 2,000-yard season. If the quarterbacks did not have an edge on wide receivers for the MVP, Tyreek Hill would have easily gotten the award.
No. 4: Jalen Hurts is a great quarterback who is the head of the most deadly play in the NFL. The Philadelphia Eagles have made a play called the tush push, which gets Jalen Hurts many one- and two-yard rushing touchdowns. Jalen Hurts gets pushed from behind by his running backs and gets protected by the best center and offensive line in the NFL to get easy touchdown rushes. He can squat about 600 pounds, which helps him get low and get pushed into the endzone.
No. 3: Lamar Jackson. Lamar Jackson is one of the best, if not the best, dual-threat quarterbacks in the NFL. Dual-threat means they can run with the football and throw. This makes him extremely hard to tackle, and he only gets sacked around one to two times a game. He does not have the best supporting cast because his star-tight end, Mark Andrews, got injured the other day. Mark Andrews is a top-five tight end; with him, they will win fewer games. All the other receivers are not good, and his running backs are not good, so it is all on him to perform.
No. 2: Brock Purdy. Brock Purdy has the whole world around him. He has a top-ten wide receiver one and a top-three wide receiver two. He has Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, who have played impressive wide receiver. The 49ers also have Christian McCaffery, who is undoubtedly the best running back in the NFL. He is getting all the credit because he leads this team to a season that would be easy with the supporting cast. On the flip side, they have a fantastic defense that locks down anyone. Brock Purdey also has all the time in the world to throw the ball because of his offensive line.
No 1: Dak Prescott. Dak Prescott is a fantastic quarterback who was not playing great at the beginning of the season, but he has not had one bad week in about seven weeks. He has a great team around him, with a top-five wide receiver in Ceedee Lamb. He also has a great tight end, Jake Ferguson, who contributes to the success. The Cowboys have many excellent wide receivers, but the best one is Brandin Cooks, who has also been stepping it up. Dak is the main reason for the success, but they have other factors. They have a great offensive line, which gives Dak Prescott much time in the pocket, and they have a great defense that does not let teams score.
Source
Tight End Rankings
By Aidan Zahabian
In the NFL, there are few great tight ends and close calls as to which players had/have the most potential, which is why this list will only be of the top ten tight ends in the NFL.
No. 10: David Njoku is in the number ten slot, which isn't a big shocker. He was average last season and is just the same this season. There aren't many good players on the Browns, and he helps them keep up with the competition. The Browns mostly rely on their defense, so their offense doesn't get many points.
No. 9: Dalton Schultz is in the number nine spot. Dalton Schultz was excellent and could have lived up to his potential. He was a crucial player in the Cowboys' success; everyone thought he would be good. He is now on the Houston Texans and is still a decent top-ten tight end.
No. 8: Evan Engram has been a quietly good tight end. He is helping this Jaguars team be the team they never were. He came out of nowhere and is receiving almost as much as their wide receiver, Christian Kirk.
No. 7: George Kittle is not playing a significant role in this 49ers offense because they have so many good players, such as Deebo Samuel, Brandon Ayiuk, and Christian McCaffrey. McMafrey is the best running back in the league and gets the ball a lot.
No. 6: Dallas Goedert, who was slow and is picking it back up. The Eagles have a great quarterback and great wide receivers. Goedert still gets the ball a lot because they constantly get first downs.
No. 5: Darren Waller, who has yet to produce as much as he was supposed to, is in the number-five spot. He was outstanding in Las Vegas last year, and now he is playing with one of the worst offensive lines in the league, so he only has a little time to run routes.
No. 4: Dalton Kincaid is in the number four spot and has been completely breaking the scale of his performance. He was supposed to start when the former starter, Dawson Knox, got injured and isn't playing. He is a good player on a good team, but there are other options.
No. 3: Mark Andrews, who has been playing great and has many touchdowns. He is the best receiver on the Ravens. The Ravens don't have great wide receivers, so they must rely on Mark Andrews and Lamar Jackson's running.
No. 2: T.J. Hockenson has been stepping up because the best wide receiver in the NFL, Justin Jefferson, got injured. His quarterback got injured this game, but he got a new one that is not as good but is good enough.
No. 1: Lastly, the best tight end in the NFL is Travis Kelce. He is the only one Patrikc Mahomes can throw to. He has the best quarterback in the league. They are the best receiver/quarterback duo in all of football.
RUGBY
Las Vegas Rugby Cup
By Beaudy Sipser
The USA Men's National Rugby Team, the Eagles, will face Ireland in the inaugural Las Vegas Rugby Cup on October 30, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium. The historic match will mark the first time world-class international rugby will be played at the newly opened venue in Las Vegas.
The Las Vegas Rugby Cup is part of USA Rugby's strategic plan to grow the sport in the country and showcase the Eagles to a broader audience. The event is also expected to boost the tourism and economy of Las Vegas, which the COVID-19 pandemic has hard hit.
The Eagles are ranked 16th globally and have qualified for France's 2023 Rugby World Cup. They will use the Las Vegas Rugby Cup as preparation for the global tournament and a chance to test themselves against one of the best teams in the world. Ireland is ranked fourth globally and has won three Six Nations titles in the last decade.
The match will be broadcast live on the NBC Sports Network and streamed on Peacock, the official streaming partner of USA Rugby. Tickets for the Las Vegas Rugby Cup are on sale now at Ticketmaster.
Sources
NRL to Kick Off 2024 Season in Las Vegas
By Beaudy Sipser
The National Rugby League (NRL) has announced that it will launch its 2024 season in Las Vegas with a doubleheader at Allegiant Stadium on March 2, 2024. The historic event will feature four of the most popular teams in the league: the Sea Eagles, the Rabbitohs, the Roosters, and the Broncos.
The NRL is the premier rugby league competition in Australia and New Zealand, attracting millions of fans and viewers every year. The league has been looking to expand its international presence and reach new markets, especially in the United States, where rugby is growing in popularity. The Las Vegas doubleheader will be the first time the NRL will play regular-season games on American soil.
The doubleheader will consist of two matches: the Sea Eagles versus the Rabbitohs and the Roosters versus the Broncos. The Sea Eagles and the Rabbitohs are both based in Sydney and have a fierce rivalry that dates back to the 1950s. The Sea Eagles have won eight premierships, while the Rabbitohs have won 21, the most in the league's history. The Roosters and the Broncos are also based in Sydney and Brisbane, respectively, and have dominated the NRL in recent years. The Roosters have won three of the last five premierships, while the Broncos have won six since 1992.
The doubleheader will be broadcast live to Australia and New Zealand on Sunday, March 3, 2024, and available on the NRL's digital platforms. Tickets for the Las Vegas doubleheader.
Sources
https://www.allegiantstadium.com
BODY BUILDING
The Top 5 Strongest Body Builders
By Donovan Bell
At number 5, we have Phil Health, known to have the nickname "The Gift" due to his crazy genetics. Phil made his first professional start at the Colorado Pro Championships in 2006, earning his first Olympian title in 2011. After nine years, Phil has earned seven Olympia championships, winning every year from 2011 to 2017, which led him to have a tie-breaker with Arnold Schwarzenegger for the joint second-most all-time.
At number 4, there is Dorian Yates; he was an absolute hazard in his prime. Dorian was known for being freakishly large, with shredded glutes and hamstrings due to high-intensity training. Dorian made his first appearance at the Newcastle Pro in 1991. After that, he went on to win six Mr. Olympia titles from 1992–1997, which led him to finish 5th in terms of the highest number of Mr. Olympia triumphs in history. While Yates was performing, he was shredded and weighed around 275 pounds. While not on stage, he was known to bulk up to 310 lbs. Yates was rewarded with the nickname "The Shadow" because he would randomly show up unannounced at tournaments or competitions while succeeding in those competitions. In Dorian's prime, he had one of the most defined backs in history, shredding every single portion. Yates had won most shows he tried for during his bodybuilding career and even created a book based on his preference.
At number 3, the most robust bodybuilder who had reached a weight of 260lbs to 230-250 pounds for competitions, his name is Lee Haney, with EIGHT Mr. Olympia titles earned, and tied with Ronnie Coleman for the most Olympia titles ever won. Lee made his first professional entrance at the World Pro championships at Atlantic City in 1983. One year later, he won his first Olympia title and continued to be a menace of the sport for eight years. Haney shortly retired from the sport of bodybuilding at 31 years old.
At number 2, the most muscular bodybuilder on this list is Ronnie Coleman. Just like Lee, Ronnie has won eight Mr. Olympia titles consecutively. He has also claimed the record for the most wins as an IFBB Professional with 26 titles, but Dexter Jackson recently broke that. Ronnie had earned his first proficient appearance in bodybuilding at the IFBB World Amateur Championships in 1992. A couple of years later, Ronnie earned his first Mr. Olympia Title in 1998 and continuously destroyed other contestants until 2005, when Jay Cutler beat him. Independently, Ronnie had bulked up to around 320lbs and then went on cut/diet down to 287-300lbs.
At number 1, topping this whole list of bodybuilders, is Arnold Schwarzenegger. Arnold has dominated the bodybuilding career with seven Mr. Olympia titles. In 1968, he started strong, won his first Olympia two years later, and stayed unbeaten for six years. After a short break, he returned, won, and soon retired. He got enormous at 260lbs before competitions, then cut down to 235lbs. Above the titles he had earned, Arnold's influence goes beyond bodybuilding and fitness. He inspires others with his hard work throughout the years and pushes people to achieve their goals.
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