Category Archives: News

Portugal vs. Slovenia highlights: Portugal advances on penalties after 0-0 draw

Cristiano Ronaldo had a troublesome day, lacking a variety of shot makes an attempt, together with a penalty kick that was saved by Slovenia’s Jan Oblak in further time. Ronaldo was emotional after the save, however received redemption in Portugal’s first strive of the penalty shootout, setting the tone for a fast 3-0 victory to advance to the quarterfinals with assist from goalkeeper Diogo Costa. 

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Portugal advances in penalties!

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Ronaldo overcome with emotion

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Oblak saves it!!

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Slovenia on the transfer

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Ronaldo stopped!

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One other free kick miss

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Lightning strike

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Arrange completely

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What is Canada Day and how is it celebrated? The answer is more complicated than some might think



CNN
 — 

Yearly, three days earlier than the US of A units the skies alight with spectacular fireworks shows as a part of nationwide Independence Day celebrations, its pleasant neighbor to the north pays tribute to its personal origin story.

That’s proper, we’re speaking about Canada Day.

Many people Canadians have fun this annual July 1 vacation a lot the identical approach Individuals strategy Independence Day.

We fly that attractive purple maple leaf proudly and put on Canada-themed outfits. Some individuals paint their faces. Festivals and fireworks are all a part of the proceedings, whether or not you’re in Vancouver, Toronto or Charlottetown, with barbecues and pancake breakfasts among the many culinary traditions of the day.

What about fighter jets, you ask? Our famed Canadian Forces Snowbirds air demonstration squadron will probably be making an look in our nation’s capital on the large day.

However whereas the 2 holidays bear many similarities, professor Matthew Hayday, chair of the Division of Historical past at Ontario’s Guelph College, tells CNN that Canadians don’t make “almost as huge a deal out of Canada Day as Individuals do about Independence Day.”

“There’s a large celebration within the nationwide capital in Ottawa, which brings tens of 1000’s of individuals to Parliament Hill – these celebrations date again to the late Fifties – however in most different communities, it’s fairly low key, with some communities organizing picnics and barbecues and firework shows, however nothing alongside the strains of the assorted parades that you simply see within the US,” he says.

To totally perceive and examine the 2, you have to return. Means again.

US Congress established Independence Day as a vacation in 1870 to mark the passage of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. (In response, the British scolded the “misguided Individuals” and “their extravagant and inadmissible Declare of Independency”.)

In the meantime, the July 1 vacation to commemorate Canada’s Confederation turned official in 1879, and was initially referred to as Dominion Day. It marks the day the British North America Act got here into impact in 1867, successfully creating the Dominion of Canada out of three British colonies: the United Province of Canada (now the provinces of Ontario and Quebec), plus New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

“Confederation was an administrative change, not a revolution,” says Forrest Cross, curator of Canada’s Library and Archives, by way of e-mail.

“The editor of the Toronto Globe – precursor to the present-day Globe and Mail – put it greatest in an editorial on (appropriately) July 4, 1875, when he famous that the British North America Act has ‘not one of the conventional associations of the Declaration of Independence, and is, to most individuals, solely a bit of very dry, sensible laws.’”

Even the selection of the date for Confederation was purely administrative, he says, noting the British parliament tended to sit down within the early spring and the laws it handed often got here into impact on July 1 for accounting causes.

The late Queen Elizabeth II, seen here joining the Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa in 1997, visited Canada 22 times during her reign.

However the need to have fun Dominion Day owed a lot to the American mannequin, Cross says. Residents of Canadian border cities traveled to close by American communities to hitch their occasions, whereas some locations with massive American populations additionally hosted 4th of July celebrations.

“Canadians had celebrated their very own holidays earlier than Confederation, particularly the birthday of the King or Queen, however even these observances had come to look quite a bit like Independence Day within the traditions that surrounded them,” he says.

For example, Cross notes that in the US, no Nineteenth-century Independence Day was full with no “Federal Salute” of 13 weapons for the unique 13 states, and a “Nationwide Salute” of 1 gun for every state then within the Union. Some early Dominion Day celebrations featured a ‘Dominion Salute’ of 1 gun for every province.

“Like early 4th of July celebrations, early Dominion Day celebrations had been spontaneous; they had been organized regionally with little encouragement from the federal authorities,” he says, noting that Ottawa began to take an curiosity in how the day was marked within the Fifties, and inspired some standardization.

On the similar time, he says each the media and politicians had been fast to remind Canadians of the constitutional distinction.

“Furthermore, some Canadian newspapers within the 1870s took a perverse pleasure in reprinting tales about deaths and accidents throughout American 4th of July celebrations in order that they might level out how peaceable and orderly Dominion Day observances had been.”

People watch fireworks over Ashbridges Bay during Canada Day festivities on July 1, 2019 in Toronto.

It wasn’t till 1982 that Dominion Day formally turned Canada Day.

Historian Hayday says there have been dozens of half-hearted and extra severe makes an attempt to alter the title through the years, courting again to the Nineteen Forties. Ultimately, the swap ended up being a bit divisive.

“To this present day, there are nonetheless pockets of Canadians who resent what they noticed as a transfer away from Canada’s British heritage with the dropping of the time period ‘Dominion’ from the day,” he says.

“However the overwhelming majority of Canadians now settle for the ‘new’ 44-year-old title.”

Cross, in the meantime, says the title swap was a symptom somewhat than a trigger.

“Modifications to Canada Day, together with the title change, have been a part of a broader nationwide identification and nationwide unity coverage – suppose the brand new nationwide flag in 1965, the formal adoption of ‘O Canada’ because the nationwide anthem in 1980, and the creation of the Order of Canada because the nation’s highest civilian honor,” he says.

“Celebrations in the present day usually emphasize Canada as a multicultural and bilingual nation somewhat than a white, British one, per each Canadians’ evolving values and authorities coverage (it’s usually laborious to say which of those is the trigger and which the impact).”

So what can guests to Canada’s capital anticipate this 12 months because the nation celebrates its 157th birthday?

Ottawa’s official Canada Day ceremonies will happen round LeBreton Flats Park and Parliament Hill. The Royal Canadian Air Pressure (RCAF), which turns 100 this 12 months, will mark the event with the most important flypast performed in 20 years over the Nationwide Capital Area, at 1 p.m.

A collection of dwell musical performances will happen on the principle stage from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., adopted by fireworks. For extra data on the occasion, go to the official Canada Day web site.

Statement by the Prime Minister on Canada Day

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, at the moment issued the next assertion on Canada Day:

“Blissful Canada Day!

“Irrespective of the place you’re at the moment, I hope you’re celebrating the unbelievable folks, the land, and the story that’s Canada. It’s a narrative that started greater than 157 years in the past – with Indigenous Peoples who’ve referred to as this land house since time immemorial.

“It’s a narrative of sacrifice. When Canadian troopers stormed the seashores of Normandy, they knew they had been risking their lives. However freedom – even for these throughout an ocean, even for generations of individuals they’d by no means meet – was value combating for.

“It’s a narrative that features injustices, ones that we’re confronting on our path of reconciliation. It’s a narrative of studying – studying that we’re stronger not despite our variations, however due to them.

“And it’s a narrative that’s nonetheless being written, by unbelievable Canadians who step up for his or her neighborhood and nation. From the employees and volunteers who cared for our most susceptible in the course of the pandemic, to the courageous first responders who, proper now, race towards hazard to guard properties from wildfires, to the members of the Canadian Armed Forces who stand on the frontlines, defending democracy and freedom.

“Collectively, let’s hold enhancing this unbelievable place all of us name house. Let’s make our communities extra vibrant, dynamic, and inclusive. Let’s break obstacles and create alternative for everybody. Let’s construct a future the place each era has a good shot, regardless of who you’re, the place you come from, the way you pray, or who you’re keen on. And let’s work collectively to fulfil the promise of this nation – a promise of peace, freedom, prosperity, and equity.

“On this Canada Day, let’s have fun the whole lot we’ve got achieved collectively and reaffirm our work to make Canada even higher.”

2024 NBA free agency: Report: Former Sixer Tobias Harris to sign two-year deal with Pistons

In the event you’re not excited in regards to the Paul George signing due to issues about how the contract will look a number of years down the highway, or simply as a result of the Philadelphia 76ers have damage you too many occasions prior to now, let me illustrate how a lot worse issues may very well be.

Your franchise may owe $65 million to somebody not to teach the workforce.

The workforce may have received not more than 23 video games in any of the previous 5 seasons, however picked no increased than fifth total in any of the previous three drafts.

Your workforce may have simply signed Tobias Harris for 2 years, $52 million.

Sorry, Detroit Pistons followers.

Of word, the second 12 months is totally assured with no possibility.

For a very long time, Tobias Harris ending up in Detroit was a operating joke right here at Liberty Ballers and appeared set in stone. However when the franchise parted methods with normal supervisor Troy Weaver on the finish of Might and employed Trajan Langdon, I actually thought that ship sailed. Now, the considering was, they’d assuredly be wiser with the cap area. Langdon even stated the precise issues about utilizing it to tackle undesirable contracts to amass property. The commerce to usher in Tim Hardaway Jr. from Dallas in alternate for 3 second-round picks appeared like a step in that course, though in case you are excessive on Quentin Grimes you continue to could not have preferred the commerce. Sadly for Pistons followers, the Harris connection to Detroit, the place he beforehand performed elements of three seasons, remained too robust.

I imply, who was actually bidding in opposition to Detroit right here for Tobias that would supply $26 million per 12 months? Utah’s Danny Ainge is simply too sensible for one thing like this. On the very least, how do you not make the second 12 months a workforce possibility so it may very well be seen as primarily a doubtlessly helpful, massive expiring contract on the commerce deadline, do you have to need?

To take a look at the opposite aspect for a second, Harris is an effective locker room presence. I’m certain there’s some worth in his educating the younger guys how a 401(ok) works and beginning a e book membership. He’s additionally sturdy, having performed in at the least 70 video games in every of the final 9 seasons (excepting the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season). He’ll in all probability common 18 per sport with respectable percentages and there shall be some analytic displaying Tobias is well worth the cash that Torrel Harris can use for his powerpoint presentation the subsequent time a contract negotiation rolls round.

However as anybody who watched the Sixers in recent times is aware of, for each 25-point sport Harris has, there shall be a number of the place he’s simply on the market getting cardio (and never even onerous cardio, however the form of cardio the place you’re excited by listening to the ball sport that’s on the treadmill so that you set it to 70 % velocity). Tobias might be able to train the younger guys some good classes off the courtroom, however he’s educating them on the courtroom which you could go 5 years with out drawing a cost (formally) or grabbing a contested unfastened ball (unofficially, however I’m certain there weren’t many), and nonetheless receives a commission.

I maintain no private animosity in direction of Tobias Harris and I’m certain a few of that cash will generously go in direction of worthwhile charitable endeavors. However, I certain am glad to be out of the Tobias Harris enterprise and I’m shocked that one other franchise was this keen to enroll in it.

Sources – Pistons, Tobias Harris agree to 2-year, $52M deal

Free agent ahead Tobias Harris has agreed to a two-year, $52 million cope with the Detroit Pistons, sources informed ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Monday.

Harris, who turns 32 on July 15, had been with the Philadelphia 76ers for the reason that commerce deadline in 2019, when he arrived in a cope with the LA Clippers. It was already the fourth time he had been traded midseason since he entered the league as nineteenth general choose within the 2011 NBA draft.

However Harris discovered a long-term house with the 76ers after the commerce, inking a five-year, $180 million extension he simply accomplished this season to change into an unrestricted free agent.

This previous 12 months in Philadelphia, Harris averaged 17.2 factors, 6.5 rebounds and three.1 assists whereas capturing 48.7% general and 35.3% from 3-point vary. He is been a sturdy, dependable presence for the 76ers, enjoying in a minimum of 70 video games in 4 of the final 5 years.

Harris is one in all solely 15 gamers with a minimum of 6,000 factors, 2,000 rebounds and 1,000 assists over the previous 5 seasons, due partly to his consistency and availability.

ESPN’s Tim Bontemps contributed to this report.

Knicks have other options after Isaiah Hartenstein leaves for Thunder

Even a good warning couldn’t save the New York Knicks.

Isaiah Hartenstein is unofficially gone, off to Oklahoma Metropolis to compete for a title with the Western Convention’s reigning No. 1-seeded group, and his earlier group should look elsewhere for a substitute.

Hartenstein agreed to a three-year, $87 million contract with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder on Monday, league sources instructed The Athletic’s Shams Charania. However New York, which signed Hartenstein to a modest contract a few summers in the past, figured the departure of its beginning middle was inevitable.

Due to a quirk within the collective bargaining settlement, the Knicks have been capped at how a lot they might pay Hartenstein. They might not supply greater than $72.5 million over 4 years — and solely $64 million of that cash could possibly be assured. As soon as the NBA Finals ended, when entrance places of work might start negotiating with their free brokers, the Knicks made the top-dollar supply to Hartenstein, a league supply stated. The 26-year-old selected to check free company anyway, figuring extra engaging bids have been on the way in which.

He was appropriate.

Main as much as the beginning of free company, Hartenstein’s aspect knowledgeable the Knicks that they need to count on different gives to high New York’s, in response to league sources. The 7-footer has maintained all through the method that, all issues being equal, he needed to return to the franchise that helped him get away.

Hartenstein signed a two-year, $18 million take care of the Knicks solely a few summers in the past however blossomed below their watch into Jalen Brunson’s favourite pick-and-roll companion, a defensive dynamo and an analytics darling. However as a lot because the Knicks needed to maintain Hartenstein, as a lot as he thought-about returning, the hole in cash was too giant.

The Knicks by no means pulled their supply to Hartenstein, a league supply stated, whilst they deliberate for his exit.

Until they make a big commerce, they already make use of subsequent season’s beginning middle: Mitchell Robinson.

No remaining free-agent middle approaches Hartenstein’s capacity. The record contains (in no explicit order) Goga Bitadze, Moe Wagner, Daniel Theis, Thomas Bryant and Mo Bamba. Different 2024 free brokers Nicolas Claxton, Jonas Valančiūnas, Andre Drummond, Drew Eubanks, Kevin Love, Mason Plumlee and Luke Kornet have already agreed with different groups.

One identify to look at is Valuable Achiuwa, the unrestricted free agent who stuffed in admirably as a backup middle and energy ahead for the Knicks this previous season.

New York selected to not prolong a qualifying supply to Achiuwa, which might have made him a restricted free agent however made that call purely as a result of it was higher for the group’s cap flexibility. The Knicks are leaving open the potential for re-signing Achiuwa, a league supply stated. Had been Achiuwa to return, he would play behind Robinson.

The Knicks nonetheless have Jericho Sims below contract, as effectively.

They might use the $5 million taxpayer midlevel exception to signal somebody. They might scour the commerce market, too. They personal commerce exceptions price $6.8 million and $5.2 million, that means they might soak up gamers who make as much as that wage in trades with out sending out any cash.

Head coach Tom Thibodeau’s ethos is rim safety. He builds his defenses round it. It’s troublesome to think about a world by which the Knicks fail to prioritize defending the paint, even when they’re overflowing with perimeter stoppers, together with OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, Donte DiVincenzo and Miles McBride.

Robinson was within the midst of his greatest season when he damage his ankle in December, an harm that required surgical procedure and sidelined him for 4 months. Robinson underwent one other surgical procedure on the identical ankle within the spring.

He’s a shot blocker, a long-armed paint strangler, suffocating opponents who drive into or run pick-and-rolls on the basket. Thibodeau argues he is among the greatest offensive rebounders, as effectively. He grabbed 17 p.c of his group’s missed pictures whereas he was on the court docket final season, a determine that may have completed second within the league had he performed sufficient video games to qualify.

However what about his well being? Robinson has performed greater than 66 video games solely as soon as in his six professional seasons.

Regardless of a restricted offensive profile, Robinson was the Knicks’ first-stringer till he bought damage. Hartenstein took over shortly after and by no means gave again the function.

Due to his on-point passing and feathery floater, Hartenstein emerged alongside All-NBA guard Brunson, as half of the Knicks’ favourite pick-and-roll mixture. Opponents couldn’t really feel as snug sending two defenders at Brunson, who might dump a go off to his middle for a push shot, a swing to an open 3-point shooter or a dish to a cutter.

The Knicks didn’t lose a lot on the opposite aspect with Hartenstein within the first unit, both. The superior numbers framed him as one of many NBA’s most stifling defenders. He completed second within the league in defensive estimated plus-minus. Opponents shot simply 52.5 p.c on dunks and layups when he was the closest defender, sixth within the NBA amongst 95 qualifying gamers who contested at the least three a recreation.

Who completed forward of Hartenstein? His new teammate, Chet Holmgren.

As engaging as the cash may be, Hartenstein was not after solely a life-changing payday. He additionally sought a super basketball match. Likelihood is, he was not leaving the Knicks for a spot the place he couldn’t have thrived, even when that place offered the next wage.

However Hartenstein was made for the Thunder, who wanted reinforcements defending the rim and on the glass. They’ve now discovered them.

Hartenstein might play alongside Holmgren, who grew to become one of many league’s most intimidating shot blockers as a rookie in 2023-24. A few huge males can scare away paint perpetrators repeatedly.

In the meantime, Oklahoma Metropolis performs a specific model, one which’s reliant on fast decision-making. The Thunder display quick, minimize quick and go quick. Hartenstein, whose biggest trait is his processing velocity, ought to ease into his new function, whether or not he closes alongside Holmgren, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams or not.

The signing represents a deviation from OKC’s norm. Earlier than Hartenstein, probably the most cash the Thunder had ever given to a different group’s unrestricted free agent was a mere $16 million over three years, which they paid to Patrick Patterson in 2017.

Due to the current commerce for Bridges, which is but to be finalized, the Knicks shall be hard-capped this season, although it’s not but clear at which quantity. If the deal goes down as at present constructed, sending Bojan Bogdanović and a bundle of draft picks to the Brooklyn Nets for Bridges, New York can not surpass $178.1 million in payroll, often known as “the primary apron.”

In the intervening time, the group is a mere $5 million wanting that. Nevertheless, the Knicks might edit the Bridges acquisition, sending out more cash than they’re taking in and thus being hard-capped at the next quantity, $188.9 million, a threshold often known as “the second apron.”

Hartenstein, 26, averaged 7.8 factors, 8.3 rebounds and a couple of.5 assists this previous season.

(Photograph of Mitchell Robinson and Valuable Achiuwa: Jeff Haynes / NBAE through Getty Photographs)

BET says ‘audio malfunction’ caused censorship of Usher’s speech

Usher’s acceptance speech of the BET Awards’ lifetime achievement award was heartfelt, often profane and prolonged — and few folks bought to listen to it.

The 13-minute speech was largely censored by the community, leaving viewers at residence curious to know what Usher mentioned. A BET spokesperson instructed The Related Press that “as a consequence of an audio malfunction through the dwell telecast, parts of his speech have been inadvertently muted. We prolong our honest apologies to USHER as we couldn’t be extra grateful for his participation.”

A full model of the speech is now obtainable on BET’s YouTube channel and will likely be included in a Monday rebroadcast, with a couple of profanities eliminated. A lot of his speech centered on the concept of fatherhood, forgiveness, and his three-decades’ lengthy profession. It seems that the heavy censoring began shortly after Usher mentioned “Sorry, I’m gonna curse and let you understand how I actually really feel” early on in his acceptance.

He recounted strolling into music mogul L.A. Reid’s workplace at 12 or 13 years outdated and telling a room for of executives that he’d make it. “That wasn’t ego talking. I rebranded that phrase that day,” he mentioned in a bit of the speech that didn’t air. “I rebranded that phrase that day. I expressed objectives out loud.”

The R&B celebrity is an eight-time Grammy winner who lately ended a two-year Las Vegas residency, “Usher: My Method” on the Park MGM. In February, he launched his first solo album in eight years, and in August is scheduled to kick off a 24-city U.S. tour titled “Previous Current Future.”

Usher’s 2024 Tremendous Bowl halftime efficiency drew acclaim and included visitor appearances by such stars as Alicia Keys, H.E.R., Jermaine Dupri, Lil Jon and Ludacris. His album “Confessions” has offered greater than 10 million models within the U.S., rating it amongst one of many best-selling music tasks of all time. It launched No. 1 hits resembling “Yeah!” with Ludacris and Lil Jon, “Burn” and “Confessions Half II.”

A rebroadcast of the 2024 BET Awards will air on BET tonight at 8 p.m. Jap.

___

For extra protection of this yr’s BET Awards, go to

Sources: Isaiah Hartenstein agrees to $87M deal with Thunder

Free agent middle Isaiah Hartenstein has agreed to a three-year, $87 million cope with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, sources advised ESPN. He leaves the New York Knicks for the highest West seed keen so as to add his dimension, talent and physicality.

Hartenstein, 26, established himself as a top quality beginning middle this previous season for the Knicks, moving into that position for New York after Mitchell Robinson suffered an ankle damage in December.

Hartenstein turned a key a part of a magical season for the Knicks, who received 50 video games in addition to a playoff sequence for a second straight season for the primary time since 2000. He averaged 7.8 factors and eight.3 rebounds, taking part in in 75 video games (49 begins) whereas taking pictures 64.4% from the sector.

Hartenstein was considered one of simply three gamers final season with no less than 85 blocks and 85 steals, and he held opponents to taking pictures under 53% on the rim. Together with elite protection, Hartenstein possesses spectacular imaginative and prescient and playmaking potential for a middle, though that side of his recreation did not function prominently in Tom Thibodeau’s offensive system.

Hartenstein opened his profession taking part in two seasons for the Houston Rockets earlier than bouncing round to the Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers and LA Clippers forward of signing a two-year cope with New York in the summertime of 2022.

As a result of the Knicks have solely early Chook rights on Hartenstein, essentially the most New York might supply him was 4 years, $72.5 million.

The Thunder additionally agreed to long-term extensions with key reserves Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, league sources confirmed to ESPN.

Sources mentioned that Wiggins agreed to a five-year, $47 million contract and Joe agreed to a four-year, $48 million deal.

The Thunder declined comparatively small staff choices on Joe ($2.1 million) and Wiggins ($2 million) with the intention of securing them to multiyear offers.

ESPN Stats & Data, Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon contributed to this report.

End of an era as Steven Stamkos leaves Lightning, signs with Predators

TAMPA — For the previous 16 years, Steven Stamkos has been seen throughout Tampa Bay. From the aspect of Amalie Enviornment, on billboards and benches, he’s been the face of the Lightning franchise since he was anointed the savior of the group as an 18-year-old No. 1 draft decide.

He has lifted the Stanley Cup twice, worn the C on his chest with delight and humility, and been the main determine in probably the most prolific decade of Lightning hockey. On the ice, he was an elite scorer; within the locker room, he was a consummate chief. He visited hospitals, he offered checks to the Ronald McDonald Home, he gave a era of Lightning followers a celebrity they had been proud to name their very own.

However now Stamkos, the one participant who many thought would put on a bolt on his chest for the whole thing of his profession, will play for the Predators, signing a four-year cope with Nashville for a mean annual worth of $8 million.

Till the previous few days, followers had hope that the Lightning and their longest-tenured participant would make amends and attain an settlement to maintain their beloved captain in Tampa Bay.

And so did Stamkos.

“It’s been in all probability as loopy as you’ll be able to assume by way of only a roller-coaster of feelings,” Stamkos mentioned in an interview with TSN shortly after he signed with Nashville on Monday. “Clearly a lot wonderful historical past in Tampa for my household and I. And finally, attempting to work one thing on the market and fell quick.”

Steven Stamkos’ final recreation with the Lightning was a first-round playoff loss to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]

Stamkos mentioned he in all probability believed the window to return was open longer than the Lightning would say, however that when he wakened Monday, he knew he was going elsewhere.

Nonetheless, it’s clear that Stamkos felt disrespected by the method, from the purpose when normal supervisor Julien BriseBois didn’t have interaction him in extension discussions final summer season, just like the group had with so a lot of their different stars earlier than their remaining seasons. And when BriseBois mentioned that he wouldn’t supply Stamkos a contract till the 2023-24 season was over.

“On the finish of the day, there was no query that I used to be prepared to place all that stuff apart to stay a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning,” Stamkos mentioned in an interview with SportsNet. “My household and I completely love enjoying for that metropolis and enjoying for the gamers which can be there. It simply appeared like possibly not everybody thought that method.

“And hear, I’m an enormous, massive boy. I can deal with that. We went about doing our enterprise. I believed I performed extraordinarily nicely this yr, whatever the contract distraction, and simply informed them originally right here that it wasn’t going to have an effect on my play and that’s one thing that I used to be happy with.

“Pay attention, we needed it to finish and retire as a Tampa Bay Lightning (participant). It actually didn’t work out, however on the finish of the day, so as to take a look at your self within the mirror, you need to simply be trustworthy with your self, know your self-worth, know what loyalty and respect means to you, after which transfer on.”

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BriseBois had tried, and failed, up to now to maintain home-grown gamers like Alex Killorn and Ondrej Palat. In Stamkos’ case, BriseBois discovered the cash to make it work, however didn’t budge from his preliminary supply and finally seemed elsewhere to enhance the group.

BriseBois initiated contract discussions as quickly because the Lightning had been eradicated by Florida within the first spherical, however he didn’t budge from his take-it-or-leave-it supply, which was believed to be within the $3 million common annual worth vary. When extension talks stalled in June, the Lightning pivoted. Ultimately weekend’s draft, BriseBois and Stamkos’ agent, Don Meehan, agreed it might be finest for each side to pursue different dance companions.

And what a pivot it was.

The Lightning traded away highest-paid defenseman Mikhail Sergachev and ahead Tanner Jeannot. With the cap area amassed, BriseBois focused one of many prime pending free brokers, buying and selling for ahead Jake Guentzel’s rights Sunday and figuring out a seven-year deal. Additionally they are attempting to increase defenseman Victor Hedman as he enters the ultimate yr of his contract.

The irony of Stamkos’ touchdown spot is that in Could, the Lightning re-acquired defenseman Ryan McDonagh from Nashville, and McDonagh’s first name was to Stamkos, joyful that they had been reuniting a misplaced piece of the group’s Cup championship core. However ultimately, the 2 mates had been ships passing within the evening. Nashville normal supervisor Barry Trotz primarily used the cap area he obtained in transferring McDonagh to lure Stamkos.

Steven Stamkos hoists the Stanley Cup as his team cheers after defeating the Montreal Canadiens in the Stanley Cup Final in 2021.
Steven Stamkos hoists the Stanley Cup as his group cheers after defeating the Montreal Canadiens within the Stanley Cup Remaining in 2021. [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]

Regardless of a sluggish begin, Stamkos confirmed his worth this previous season, significantly when the Lightning had been in peril of lacking the playoffs at midseason. Stamkos elevated his recreation, because the group compiled the NHL’s third-best file over the second half. He scored 16 targets within the remaining 17 video games, together with seven on the facility play. His 19 power-play targets for the season ranked third within the NHL.

Stamkos was the Lightning’s finest skater within the playoffs, compiling 5 targets and 6 factors within the first-round collection towards Florida, together with a two-goal, one-assist recreation in a Sport 4 win at Amalie Enviornment that allowed Tampa Bay to keep away from being swept.

Associated: See pictures: Steven Stamkos via the years with the Tampa Bay Lightning

However BriseBois made it clear that his chief offseason precedence was making the Lightning a greater defensive group — they ranked twenty second within the league in targets allowed — and Stamkos’ career-worst minus-21 ratio final season left room for enchancment.

Stamkos now takes his legacy elsewhere. He’s one in all solely three energetic gamers with 500 targets and 1,000 factors, becoming a member of Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby.

Stamkos owns primarily each Lightning particular person profession file, together with targets (555), factors (1,137), power-play targets (214) and video games performed (1,082). His 582 assists path Marty St. Louis by six.

This story will likely be up to date.

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Klay Thompson is leaving the Warriors and will join the Mavericks, AP sources say

DALLAS (AP) — Klay Thompson is shifting on from the Golden State Warriors, with the four-time league champion agreeing to hitch the Western Convention champion Dallas Mavericks and alter franchises for the primary time in his 13-year NBA profession, two individuals with data of the choice mentioned Monday.

ESPN and The Athletic first reported the multiteam deal which, as presently constructed, will likely be executed because the sign-and-trade of a three-year, $50 million contract involving the Warriors, Mavericks and Charlotte Hornets, mentioned the individuals, who spoke to The Related Press on situation of anonymity as a result of the settlement has not been introduced. One of many individuals who spoke to the AP mentioned remaining commerce phrases have been nonetheless being labored out.

Thompson is sixth on the NBA’s all-time 3-pointers made listing with 2,481, behind Reggie Miller (2,560), Damian Lillard (2,607), James Harden (2,940), Ray Allen (2,973) and Thompson’s now-former “Splash Brother” with the Warriors, Stephen Curry, and his 3,747 profession makes from past the arc.

There have been indications final season that Thompson and the Warriors could be headed towards a breakup.

Thompson got here off the bench 14 occasions — not a lot within the grand scheme of issues contemplating he performed 77 video games, however these have been his first appearances as a reserve since his rookie season of 2011-12. He shot 38.7% from 3-point vary, the second-worst of his profession. He averaged 17.9 factors, the third-lowest of his profession. He wasn’t at all times within the ending lineup and the season — and his Warriors profession — ended with a 0-for-10 capturing efficiency towards Sacramento in a play-in event loss.

Thompson — a five-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA choice who missed two complete seasons with accidents — took a protracted look across the courtroom after that sport, soaking within the scene simply in case it could be his remaining time taking part in with the Warriors. Seems, it was. And now he’ll be a part of a Dallas group that simply went to the NBA Finals as a shooter introduced in to assist Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

The Hornets have been planning to accumulate guard Josh Inexperienced as a part of the deal, giving up two second-round draft picks. The fifteenth total choose within the 2020 draft, Inexperienced has spent all 4 of his NBA seasons with the Mavericks and averaged 8.2 factors, 3.2 rebounds and a pair of.3 assists this previous season.

The league’s moratorium on signings is lifted on Saturday.

Maxey, Harris, Hartenstein land offers

They have been all undervalued on some stage after they entered the NBA. None was a lottery choose, some weren’t even first-round picks and so they didn’t have the label of can’t-miss prospects.

That was then. Monday was a really totally different story for Tyrese Maxey, Derrick White, Isaiah Hartenstein, Tobias Harris, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins — who’re about to signal offers value a mixed $565 million.

All have been confirmed to the AP by individuals with data of the negotiations for the gamers concerned.

Maxey, an All-Star this previous season, agreed in precept to a five-year, $204 million extension that retains him with the Philadelphia 76ers and set to play alongside Joel Embiid and soon-to-be-signed Paul George.

The 76ers, like the remainder of the league, are chasing the Boston Celtics, who made an enormous transfer by agreeing with guard Derrick White on a four-year extension value round $125 million. White averaged 15.2 factors and 5.2 assists for the NBA champions this previous season.

Hartenstein, a middle coming off a breakout yr, is leaving New York for Oklahoma Metropolis on an $87 million, three-year deal that features an possibility. The Thunder — the No. 1 seed within the Western Convention this previous season — additionally finalized extensions with Joe ($48 million) and Wiggins ($47 million).

And Harris goes to Detroit on a two-year deal value $52 million, a transfer first reported by ESPN and one that can give the younger Pistons an skilled veteran within the room as they proceed their rebuild below newly employed coach J.B. Bickerstaff.

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Reynolds reported from Miami. AP Sports activities Writers Dan Gelston in Philadelphia and Steve Reed in Charlotte, North Carolina, contributed to this report.

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