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Why Wizards Acquired Russell Westbrook

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Why Wizards Acquired Russell Westbrook
Of a Truth, former MVP, nine-time All-Star, Russell Westbrook has come to Washington in exchange for John Wall.
Why Wizards Acquired Russell Westbrook

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 30: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Houston Rockets reacts to a play during the second half of the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on October 30, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

The Washington Wizards have acquired former NBA MVP and nine-time All-Star Russell Westbrook from the Houston Rockets in exchange for John Wall and a future lottery-protected first round pick.

 

 

“Having the opportunity to acquire a player of Russell’s caliber and character was something that we could not pass up when looking at both the immediate and long-term future of our team,” said Wizards General Manager Tommy Sheppard. “With that said, the decision to part ways with John, one of the greatest players in franchise history, was extremely difficult. What he has meant to our organization and our community is immeasurable and will not be forgotten.”

 

 

Westbrook holds career averages of 23.2 points, 8.3 assists, 7.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 878 career games with Oklahoma City (where he played under Wizards Head Coach Scott Brooks from 2008-15) and Houston. Named the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2016-17, he has been one of the league’s most decorated players over the last decade. He has been named to the All-NBA Team nine times (twice to the First Team, five times to the Second Team and twice to the Third Team) and earned All-Star honors nine times (taking MVP honors twice). Westbrook is also one of only two players in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season (joining Oscar Robertson and doing so for three straight seasons from 2016-19). He averaged 27.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.6 steals in 57 games last season with Houston to earn All-NBA Third Team recognition. In addition to his on-court honors, Westbrook was named the 2014-15 NBA Cares Community Assist Award winner for his philanthropic work.

 

 

“Russell’s accomplishments and honors on the court speak for themselves, but his drive and will to win are what separate him as a truly unique player,” said Brooks. “As much as I’m looking forward to reuniting with him, I’m equally sad to say good-bye to John. He is one of the toughest and most gifted players I’ve ever been around and we all wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”

 

 

Westbrook’s 146 career-triple doubles ranks first among active players, and second in NBA history. His 23.2 points per game rank eighth among all active players while his 20,412 points rank seventh among all active players. His 8.3 assists per game rank third among all active players and 11th all-time while his 7,298 total assists rank third among all active players and 14th all-time. He led the NBA in scoring in 2016-17 (31.6 ppg) and 2014-15 (28.2 ppg) and led the league in assists per game in 2017-18 (10.3 apg) and 2018-19 (10.7 apg) while leading the league in triple-doubles five consecutive seasons from 2014-15 to 2018-19, recording 130 total in that timeframe.

 

 

Wall was originally drafted by the Wizards with the first overall pick of the 2010 NBA Draft. He compiled averages of 18.9 points, 9.2 assists and 4.3 rebounds in 541 games. The five-time All-Star was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2016-17 and won the NBA Cares Community Assist Award in 2016. He leaves Washington as the franchise’s all-time leader in assists and steals.

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Police Beat Maureen Madu, Her Players: Anambra Police To Investigate Case

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Police Beat Maureen Madu & Her Players: Anambra Police To Investigate Case By Okechukwu Onuegbu

Police Beat Maureen Madu & Her Players: Anambra Police To Investigate Case

By Okechukwu Onuegbu

The Anambra State police command, Wednesday, agreed to investigate alleged assault and humiliation meted on young players and ex-Super Falcons striker, Maureen Madu.


Police officers from Anti Cult Unit, Zone 13, Ukpo had on October 19th, 2024 invaded Madu’s Football Academy at Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area, brutalised her and team players, who included young girls and boys.

Madu and other victims of the unfortunate incidents were at the Anambra Police command at Amawbia to incident the report and were assured of the police readiness to investigate and bring culprits to book.

The four world cup and two Olympics football Amazon was not only beaten together with her players but had their phones destroyed after which they were later bundled into the security vehicle in handcuffs to sleep and slept in the cel without investigating the petition nor making the man to substantiate his allegations against her.

Madu had called on the Police Inspector General, Kayode Egbetokun to investigate the case and bring the culprit to book.

She alleged that one Mr Uchenna Onyekwunife registered his daughter for summer football coaching in her Academy in June this year and abandoned her in the camp for four months without visiting or paying upkeep only to send an unknown cab man to come pick her up.

She said she refused to release the girl to the cab man because she said she did not know her.

“It was later they showed me a petition signed by one B.B.M. Maduekwe Esq dated Oct. 7, 2024 entitled a case of “Armed Gangsterism, Cultism. Attempt Murder Child Trafficking And Threat To Life” against Maureen Madu. How can a man who registered his daughter in my football academy on his own, gave me custody of the child and sent money for underwear and sanitary pads tell Police that his child has been kidnapped.

The Police, without carrying out any investigation or asking for my response, just invaded my academy led by the man who is owing to beat up everybody on site, seized and smashed their phones and arrested me in handcuffs. I am demanding that Ayuba Ahmadu, the Officer in Charge of Anti Cult Unit Ukpo annex and the SP Sunday Aleke, be investigated for such abuse of power and unprofessional handling of a case.

“The sad thing is that the man goes about boasting that nothing will happen because he has the AIG Zone 13 in his pocket. I am calling on IGP Kayode Egbetokun to handle this matter, the Police should not be an institution for the oppression of Nigeria masses, not me who served this country with all my youthfulness and is currently supporting youth players,” she said.

Already, the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has joined the call for the dispassionate investigation of the matter by IGP, insisting that on no account should security men invade or manhandle award winning sports icon of repute.

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How Sports Can Help Boost Nigeria’s Greatness – Obasa

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How Sports Can Help Boost Nigeria’s Greatness – Obasa

– commissioner says govt passionate about youth

 

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has reiterated the importance and benefits of sports to Nigeria.

According to Dr. Obasa, sports is an area that should not be downplayed as it has the capacity to make the country greater, enrich the youth and improve businesses across the country.

The Speaker made the remark on Friday evening at the opening of the second edition of the Obasa Games 2024, a platform through which the organisers seek to further unite the youth in Lagos.

Commending Abdul-Ganiyu Vinod Obasa, chairman of Kings Sports International and organiser of the Obasa Games, the Speaker noted that emerging developments in sports prompted the Lagos Assembly’s amendment of the State’s Sports Commission Law to accommodate new areas that are beneficial to the youth.

How Sports Can Help Boost Nigeria's Greatness - Obasa

“I am passionate about football and I have always been a sportsman myself. Sports is an advantage to us in this state and the nation and I am reiterating that it is the future of our youth. Go anywhere in the world; sports has become a huge business,” he said.

Obasa further stressed that sports can help combat crimes and increase youth engagement in activities that boost national growth and development.

“We have realised that government alone cannot provide employment. We have also realised that because of the peculiarities of our nation as well as our advantage in terms of population, we can generate businesses out of sports to move the youth away from crime,” he said adding that Obasa Games will remain sustained.

The Lagos Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Omobolaji Ogunlende, also commended the organisers of the games pledging the support of the government for such initiatives aimed at growing the youth. He charged the participants to be at their best.

In his address, Abdul-Ganiyu said the success of the first edition of the games gave the impetus to continue and expand the scope.

“This year’s event, featuring football, boxing, table tennis,
chess, and Scrabble, brings together talented athletes
and teams from across the 10 Local Government Areas
and 18 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) within the Lagos West Senatorial District.

He said the games were organised to honour the
remarkable contributions and vision of the Speaker for Lagos State.

“His commitment to the development of our state,
his unwavering support for our youth, and his passion for
fostering sports as a vehicle for positive change have
been our inspiration,” he said.

Chairman of the Agege Local Government Area, High Chief Ganiyu Egunjobi, said his council and the Orile-Agege Local Government Development Area decided to partner with the organisers to be a part of the passion that Obasa exhibits for sports.

“Sport has proven to be a cost-effective and flexible tool for promoting peace and development objectives. Sport is also an important enabler of sustainable development,” he said urging residents to always imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship.

Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

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My Private Conversation With Primate Ayodele Before NGR Vs Ben Qualifier Match 

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By Thompson Jacob

I don’t know if this publication would soil my relationship with renowned prophet, Primate Elijah Ayodele, or he may decide not to welcome me in his Lagos office again but I find it difficult to hold this feeling of shock I have based on my conversation with him on Sunday, 3rd of November 2024.

I have always wanted to have a tete-a-tete with the prophet for interview purposes, I know how controversial his prophecies are and their economic impact on any news platform that is able to secure an exclusive interview with him; He is a very marketable individual and his prophecies are always relevant no matter how much they are.

After some time, I finally met him in Lagos on this fateful day, and among the things we discussed was the qualifier match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Benin Republic which held yesterday in Ivory Coast.

Primate Ayodele has several sports prophecies that have come to pass and sincerely, he is very popular in the sports sector. I will not forget so soon how he got global attention due to his prophetic advice to Nigeria’s forward, Victor Osimhen not to go to Chelsea FC during the transfer window when the player was on the verge of signing for the English side.

Primate Ayodele in a video that went viral globally warned that the player would not have a successful career if he signed for Chelsea. He advised him to go elsewhere apart from Chelsea FC.

During our discussion, I asked him about what he thinks about the match which was weeks away as at then and his response was direct and precise. He said “Nigeria must handle Benin Republic well, they want to push the match to a draw, Nigeria must be very careful with them”

I further inquired because I know Nigerian players are in form and won’t hesitate to defeat Benin Republic by a landslide, I asked if he was sure and he simply asked me to keep my fingers crossed.

However, yesterday was shocking to me as the Super Eagles of Nigeria struggled to even keep the match at a draw. If not for Osimhen’s header, Nigeria would have lost to Benin Republic.

I have been wondering since yesterday, how did Primate Ayodele see this coming? Even the players cannot say they envisaged such a tough time with Benin Republic, I’m still surprised at how he was able to accurately tell the outcome of the football match.

I am aware that Primate Ayodele isn’t one who loves to sing his praises and I sincerely apologize if this would be seen as an offence but man of God, I just couldn’t hold it.

 

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