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Why Nets’ Kyrie Irving, James Harden won’t be able to coexist

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Why Nets’ Kyrie Irving, James Harden won’t be able to coexist- The two NBA stars have led their teams with dynamic scoring and playmaking. But they have alienated their teams with their selfishness and attitude.

Why Nets’ Kyrie Irving, James Harden won’t be able to coexist- The two NBA stars have led their teams with dynamic scoring and playmaking. But they have alienated their teams with their selfishness and attitude.

Why Nets’ Kyrie Irving, James Harden won’t be able to coexist- The two NBA stars have led their teams with dynamic scoring and playmaking. But they have alienated their teams with their selfishness and attitude.

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The two NBA stars have shown they can help their team win with clutch shots and occasionally with defense. But they also have deserted their teams when they have needed them the most.

 

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So how can James Harden and Kyrie Irving co-exist on the Brooklyn Nets when they have consistently allowed their negative habits to overshadow their All-Star talent?

Nets coach Steve Nash did not say much on those dynamics or anything else involving the harden trade because it wasn’t official. Neither did Nets star Kevin Durant, whose perspective matters for numerous reasons.

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He has become the Nets’ top scorer and leader. He has remained close friends with Irving. He knows what makes Harden tick after playing together in Oklahoma City (2009-12) before Harden left for the Rockets for more money and a bigger role.

Through two NBA titles and two Finals MVP awards out of three Finals appearances with the Golden State Warriors, Durant mastered how to complement his All-Star teammates (Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green) while still remaining one of the league’s top players.

Though Durant described his time with Harden in Oklahoma City as “fun”, I cannot see how the Harden-Irving pairing will be.

Unlike what Durant showed in Golden State, Harden and Irving have consistently failed to lead. They also have consistently failed to work with their star teammates.

Sure, Irving helped the Cavaliers win the 2016 NBA title partly after making a clutch 3-pointer against Golden State in Game 7. A little more than a year later, Irving requested the Cavaliers to trade him amid reported tension with LeBron James. He may consume a lot of oxygen in a room. But no one can question James’ talent and that his presence leads to team-oriented play.

Then, Irving wore out his welcome in Boston by alienating his younger, blossoming teammates. After missing 62 games last season in Brooklyn amid season-ending surgery to his right shoulder, Irving could not establish himself last season. This season, Irving showed promising signs with his play and chemistry with Durant before missing the past five games because of undisclosed personal reasons. The NBA has also investigated video  that shows Irving violating the league’s protocols by attending his sister’s birthday without wearing a mask.

“I haven’t had an opportunity to know any new details about Kyrie’s situation,” Nash said. “I’ll just rely on the front office to learn more as we go. They’re the ones that I think are going to do the messaging on that front.”

Sure, Harden thrived with Durant in Oklahoma City, but he hadn’t fully blossomed into a star yet. Sure, Harden recorded three NBA scoring titles while leading the Rockets to three Western Conference Finals out of seven playoff appearances. Sure, Dwight Howard’s immaturity played a larger role in their dissolved partnership (2013-16). Sure, the Rockets might have won an NBA title if not for Chris Paul’s hamstring injury in Game 5 of the 2018 Western Conference Finals against Golden State. Sure, Harden and Russell Westbrook showed decent chemistry during their lone season last year.

 Still, Harden bears responsibility for the Rockets’ Game 7 collapse against Golden State in 2018 that coincided with Houston missing 27 consecutive 3-pointers. Harden deserves scrutiny that both Paul and Westbrook took issue with both his high usage rate and his work habits. Though Harden had right to feel frustrated with the Rockets’ direction amid departures by an accomplished head coach (Mike D’Antoni) and general manager (Daryl Morey), he had no right to disrespect his teammates and break the safety protocols so openly.

“The (Harden) disrespect started way before – his approach to training camp, showing up the way he did, his antics off the court,” Rockets center DeMarcus Cousins said before Houston traded Harden. “It’s completely unfair to the rest of the guys in the locker room.”

That leaves the Nets with various questions to answer on how Harden will fit in their locker room.

The main one: How will two ball-dominant guards be able to coexist and not experience significant chemistry issues?

“That’s a great hypothetical,” Nets coach Steve Nash said. “We can address that at another time.”

 Because the trade is not official, Nash could not entertain how Harden and Irving would share ball handling duties. Or how Harden, Irving and Durant would carry the bulk of the scoring. Or how the Nets would absorb the depth they sacrificed in guard Caris LeVert, center Jarrett Allen, forward Taurean Prince.

But these are hypotheticals Nash will have to answer soon.

“Basketball is about playing together and being the best you can be,” Nash said. “So no matter who you are, it’s about finding that connectivity and balance within a team and trying to be greater than the sum of your parts. That doesn’t change no matter what your team looks like.”

To be clear, my skepticism about the Harden-Irving pairing does not necessarily have much to do with the Nets themselves.

Nets general manager Sean Marks has done a masterful job with collecting assets, building a culture and then making big-time moves. In today’s NBA, such moves are made after knowing directly or indirectly how the team would feel about it. The Nets could still win an NBA title or at a high level despite any tension between Irving and Harden. Besides, Irving or Harden could become the replacement for the other should Marks find it necessary to trade one of them later.

Just as he did during his 19-year Hall of Fame playing career, Nash knows how to inspire people around him and cement a team-oriented culture. Just as he did during his four years in Houston,  D’Antoni knows how to elevate Harden’s game as a Nets assistant coach. Just as he did during his three years in Golden State, Durant knows how to fit in with other All-Stars while still remaining one of the league’s best scorers.

Nash, D’Antoni and Durant have have enough experience to know how well-intentioned ideas can lead to disaster.

Nash joined the Lakers in 2012-13 in hopes to win his first NBA title. Instead, he spent that season battling injuries, clashing with Howard over his attitude and unsuccessfully persuading Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol to embrace D’Antoni’s offense that put less premium on post-up play. D’Antoni struggled managing those varying player agendas and personalities. Though he coached the Rockets to plenty of success, he also saw up close the tension that Harden had with Paul and Westbrook. Durant spent most of his time winning in Golden State, but he also experienced the occasional tension over the team’s offense, his pending free agency and Draymond Green’s personality.

 Expect the experience with Harden and Irving to become much more difficult. Unlike Curry, Thompson and Green, neither Harden nor Irving has consistently shown their willingness to buy into a team concept. They mostly look for their own and only occasionally defer to others. They have shown decent defensive effort in big and small moments, but those times only happen sporadically. And they already have shown troubling signs this season that they don’t take the safety protocols as seriously as they should.

The result? Harden and Irving might help the Nets win some games and score a lot of points. But their pairing will disrupt the team’s culture and championship hopes. Both players have proven they can do wonders with the basketball. They have not shown enough evidence, however, that they can avoid spending their energy fighting over it.

@USA Today

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48 Cultists Surrender Firearms, Renounce Membership in Ogun

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48 Cultists Surrender Firearms, Renounce Membership in Ogun

 

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In a bid to quell the alarming surge of violence in Ogun State, particularly in Sagamu, forty-eight youths have taken the bold step of renouncing their membership in cult groups.

This significant development comes alongside the surrender of firearms by those who possessed them illegally, marking a pivotal moment in the state’s efforts to combat crime and restore peace.

The arms submitted includes onepump action, four double barrels, seven single barrels, two english pistol, four locally made pistol and thirty-five cartridges

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Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Abiodun Alamutu, affirmed the progress, stating, “Aside from those licensed to bear firearms, no other person is permitted to possess them. Anyone found in possession of firearms after this will be treated as a criminal.”

He emphasized the importance of ongoing profiling and the forthcoming stage of the program, which will involve the public parading of those who have renounced their involvement in cult activities.

“After adequately profile them, they’ll be paraded. What we will encourage members of the community so that they don’t treat them as outcast because we know from experience that some of them found themselves in this fold , it was after they have been entrapped in it, they now understand what cultism is and it’s never easy to opt out because of fear of attack. Now that they’re bold enough to surrender what we should do is to reintegrate them as legitimate and law abiding members of the community .”

Acknowledging the complexities surrounding cultism, the Akarigbo of Remo Land Oba Babatunde Ajayi emphasized the need for community engagement and support in facilitating the reintegration of former cult members.

 

 

 

He highlighted the collaborative efforts between the community, law enforcement, and armed forces in addressing the security challenges and expressed optimism in the willingness of surrendered individuals to contribute positively to society.

Special Adviser to the Ogun State Government on Security Matters, Olusola Zubair, commended the collective endeavour that led to the surrender of arms, attributing it to the perseverance and resilience of all stakeholders involved.

He underscored the potential for replicating such initiatives in other areas grappling with similar issues, emphasizing the paramount importance of peace for sustainable development.

“We know that development can only strive where there’s an atmosphere of peace and that’s what we’re clamouring for here. I want to use this opportunity to appeal to all other sectors of this state that what we are doing in sagamu today, is doable in other places also . I want to thank the Governor of Ogun State for giving us that support .

“I want to say this is not all the arms that they have been using but just as the Akarigbo said , it’s a continuous process , we are still in that process of recovering these firearms and am sure that most of them will know now that crime doesn’t pay so it is better to live in peace . All of us should live in unity and that’s what will bring development to our state.”

The Director of Department State Services (DSS) Folashade Adekayajo represented by Deputy Director of Operations and Intelligence, Sikiru Kolawole, echoed the call for individuals involved in cult activities to embrace peace and renounce violence.

He emphasized the crucial role of community members in providing information to aid law enforcement efforts in curbing criminal activities.

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Osimhen, Boniface Beat Ronaldo As World’s Best Strikers

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Osimhen, Boniface Beat Ronaldo As World’s Best Strikers

 

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Nigeria’s Super Eagles strikers Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface have been ranked above Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski in the world’s latest top 10 best strikers. Norwegian and Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland leads the list, followed by England skipper Harry Kane. The third slot went to Kylian Mbappe. Are there other great African football players that were not ranked but deserve recognition?

 

Osimhen, Boniface Beat Ronaldo As World's Best Strikers

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1. Erling Halaand
2. Harry Kane
3. Kylian Mbappe
4. Victor Osimhen(NIGERIAN)
5. Lauaro Martinez
6. Heung Ming Song
7. Victor Boniface(NIGERIAN)
8. Julian Alvarez
9. Cristiano Ronaldo
10. Robert Lewandoski.

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Score & Shine: Organizers Release Forms For Spectacular 4th Edition of Kiraa Football Cup Competition

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Score & Shine: Organizers Release Forms For Spectacular 4th Edition of Kiraa Football Cup Competition

Score & Shine: Organizers Release Forms For Spectacular 4th Edition of Kiraa Football Cup Competition

 

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Ososa, Ijebu, Ogun State will once again be buzzing with football fervor as Kiraa TV, one of Nigeria’s leading entertainment firms, gears up for the 4th edition of the highly anticipated Kiraa Football Cup competition. Scheduled to kick off in April 2024, the organizers have officially released the forms for interested football clubs in Ijebu land, in and outside Ogun State in general.

 

Score & Shine: Organizers Release Forms For Spectacular 4th Edition of Kiraa Football Cup Competition

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The pulsating football action is set to unfold at the Muslim Primary School in Ososa, Ijebu, the traditional venue for the competition. With the success of the 2023 edition, which saw Kiraa FC, owned by Franklin Oluwasegun, clinched the victory among the 16 participating football clubs, with Olasunkanmi Ibrahim winning highest goal scorer award.

 

 

 

The upcoming edition promises even more excitement and fierce competition, as NPFL Referee, Okunuga Muyiwa will be officiating.

 

 

 

Football enthusiasts and clubs across Nigeria, particularly in Ogun State, are invited to participate in this unique competition, which has gained a reputation for its thrilling matches and passionate fanbase. The organizers are reaching out to potential sponsors and advertisers, extending a warm welcome to individuals and companies eager to be part of this sporting extravaganza.

 

 

 

 

As Kiraa TV continues to foster a sense of community and entertainment through sports, the Kiraa Football Cup Competition has become a highlight on the local football calendar. With the unveiling of the 2024 edition’s forms, anticipation is building, and football clubs are gearing up for a chance to showcase their skills on the vibrant football stage in Ososa, Ijebu.

Stay tuned for updates as the Kiraa Football Cup 2024 approaches, promising a spectacle of talent, teamwork, and sporting camaraderie in the heart of Ogun State.

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