The Suns had a 2-0 lead leaving Arizona and entering the deer’s cage in Wisconsin. After they were blown out by 20 points in game 3 heads sunk and morale dropped after such a humiliating defeat. They picked themselves up, dusted themselves off, and blew a 6 point lead after the 3rd quarter to be defeated 109-103 with Khris Middleton putting up 40 points.

Now we all know that Giannis scored 42 and 50 in games 5 and six respectively, but that is not what should take the highlights; Devin Booker’s inept defending should. Yeah, he did score back-to-back 40 point games, however, his defending or lack-there-of was what ultimately costed the Suns. Booker was tasked with guarding his opposite number Jrue Holiday and it was the latter who was more successful. Holiday held the 24-year-old to 0-7 from 3 point range in the decisive game six.

Speaking about Holiday, he was the key to the Bucks breaking their 50-year drought for an NBA title. Everyone with eyes could see that a more composed and defensive guard was needed to help Giannis and Middleton to get over the hump. Jrue came in from the Pelicans in 2020 and signed a 4 year, $134 million contract extension with Milwaukee after their win against the Sacramento Kings and is viable if he exercises his 5th-year option in his current contract that they took on from the Pelicans. Don’t get me wrong I believe, no I know, that Jrue Holiday is one of if not the best defensive guard in the NBA, but his performances against Brooklyn were all but worth every penny and I was one to question the decision.

Will Ayton get his max extension? The Bahamian was the 2nd best Centre in the playoffs baring Joel Embiid even though it was his first-ever appearance, and who could forget that last-second slam against the Clippers in game two of the conference finals. It would be in the Suns’ best interest to keep this superstar with Devin Booker to build a legacy for the future. And the contract situation, with Chris Paul, Mikal Bridges, and Cameron Payne just to name a few out of a contract, what will the Phoenix team look like for the upcoming season? All that is definitive is Booker will be there and they would want to remain competitive for many years to come.

The Bucks were led by the best player in the world Giannis Antetokounmpo with a staggering 50 points and 14 rebounds. Even though he made most headlines for the fifty-piece he scored, and he ordered from Chick-Fil-A, it was Jrue Holiday who was the deciding factor, putting on a monstrous defensive performance to restrict Suns G Devin Booker to just 19 points and shooting 0 of 7 from 3-point range.

Holiday also contributed heavily on the offensive end as he delivered 27 points and 13 assists to help carry the Bucks to their milestone. The unsung heroes of the finals who won’t get the plaudits are Bobby Portis Jr. who stepped up heavily from the Conference Finals when the “Greek Freak” injured his knee. Portis averaged 7.7 points in the finals including 16 in the series clincher. Khris Middleton, the Robin to Giannis’ Batman, scored only eleven points in game six, however his clutch shot with under a minute to go when it seemed the Suns were making an unprecedented comeback, to put the Bucks back up by 6 and virtually seal the game.

In the off-season where some players went out on international duty, whether it is with the European Championships or with the Copa America in South America, the Red Devils were actively pursuing players to put them back on the pinnacle of English football. During the months of June and July, United wasted no time by agreeing to an €85 million ($100 million) deal for 21-year-old winger Jadon Sancho.

A Word from the defender’s entourage is that he would like to “try something new” and feels “disrespected” by the offer Real has put on the table. They also state that a deal is close to being agreed to see that personal terms, agent fees, and bonuses are already worked out. A defense with England’s best defender Harry Maguire partnered with France’s best defender and there is a nightmare for attacking players.

He as well as Varane are entering their last year on their respective contracts, however, it is the defender looking to be a Red next season. Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola is trying to orchestrate his removal from the Old Trafford outfit to clubs such as Juventus, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and PSG, which is proving difficult because of the financial issues the clubs face. Ole would love to keep Pogba to go along with Portuguese “magnifico” Bruno Fernandes, but we should see resolutions in the coming weeks.
Going into the new season, United are genuine title contenders because of the acquisitions that they have made so far, and if they can make the others which they are linked with completing (Trippier, Varane, Camavinga, Rice) and keeping their core players together. Bruno Fernandes, the Portuguese midfielder had an outstanding season last term scoring 18 goals and registering 12 assists in the league. Such a fruitful campaign can only get better seeing it was only his first full season in England.

Others who Ole would be looking at to kick on next season would be Edinson Cavani, Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial, Paul Pogba, and Luke Shaw. “El Matador” (Cavani) scored an audacious chipped effort versus Fulham in the final home game of the season to go along with his other 16 goals. Greenwood had 12 goals, Martial underwhelmingly had 7 goals and 5 assists, Pogba had 6 goals and 6 assists, and Luke Shaw created 84 chances and had 6 assists.

The 6ft. 11” man from Australia signed a supermax contract in 2019 for $170 million coming off of his best shooting season percentage wise (58%). He also recorded his best free throw percentage (62%) in that season. This was supposed to be a sign of things to come for the 24 year old, but unfortunately it wasn’t.

Since then, Simmons has had a major recurring problem with his free throw shooting and his jump shooting. Statistically, it isn’t as bad as people make it out to be, however, shots in clutch situations were the problems for him. Simmonds, even this year, was a big part of why the 76ers were eliminated by the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference semi-final round. Simmons has made 3 field goals in SEVEN games, in the 4th quarter of the series.

However, I agree with Doc on this take. Ben will never be a championship PG with his shooting, especially in crunch time. Now seeing that, I do believe that Ben would make a killer power forward. Forwards in the league are, for example, Anthony Davis, Giannis Antentokounmpo, John Collins, and PJ Tucker. These are players who do not neccessarily rely on their shooting capabilities, more-so their physical presence in “bully ball.” If Ben reverts to a #4 and gives the PG position to someone who can average 40-45% in field goal percentage, 35-38% in 3-point percentage, and 80-90% in free throw percentage, then we could see Philadelphia closing in on a long overdue title.

The UEFA Euro 2020 match between Finland and Denmark has been suspended due to a medical emergency after Christian Eriksen collapsed to the ground with apparent chest conditions. In about the 42nd minute of the game, the Danish #10 took control of the ball from a throw-in, then collapsed to the ground. The medical team rushed onto the field as his teammates made a protective circle around him and the medical crew, some players visibly tearing up.

This incident takes me back to September of 2016 when in Jamaica, a high school athlete Dominic James, captain of the school, died after collapsing on the field due to a seizure against Excelsior high school. On that day it was as high as 33 degrees Celsius (91.4 degrees Fahrenheit).

I have been watching Eriksen still he was at Tottenham in the English Premier League in 2013, and a respiratory condition was never seen illustrated by the 29-year-old, seeing as during the winter portion of the season teams play up to three games per week in snow and/or heavy rains at high tempos. It is amazing news to hear that he is now responsive, speaking to his teammates and his father. As a final statement, I would like to give my utter respect to Simon Kjaer, the central defender for Denmark who put Christian into the correct position and making the protective wall around him while he was down. Respect.