NBA

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Good morning! Do you have the game ball?
It is hard to remember seeing the affable Giannis Antetokounmpo as upset as he was last night, which should\u2019ve been a joyous evening. Instead, today\u2019s headlines will be all about a game ball, a shove and some yelling: <\/span>
And yet, <\/span>one video<\/span><\/a> showed the Bucks ended up with the game ball, at least on the floor. I am still confused. Hopefully we have clarity on, uh, Game Ball Gate today.<\/span>
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In less than a week, we\u2019ve seen two mild-mannered superstars \u2014 Antetokounmpo and Patrick Mahomes<\/a> \u2014 snap.<\/strong> The holidays are stressful.<\/span>
This morning, Mike Sando <\/span>revisited his preseason NFL QB tiers<\/span><\/a>, which are seen as the industry\u2019s standard. Most of the selections hold up; a few quarterbacks might warrant a level up (Dak Prescott) while others might fall just a bit (Deshaun Watson). <\/span>
I want to focus on two quarterbacks with wild opinion swings, though: <\/span>
Make sure to read the full list<\/span><\/a> to see how every QB fared. <\/span>
NCAA thwarted
<\/b>In a ruling yesterday, a federal judge in West Virginia temporarily nullified the NCAA\u2019s multi-time transfer policy, making all such transfers immediately eligible across all sports. The order will remain in place for the next two weeks until another hearing Dec. 27. <\/span>See all the details here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>
Playoff backup QB hits the portal
<\/b>Longhorns backup signal caller Maalik Murphy will transfer, he announced yesterday, which would be a normal-ish news item if not for the circumstances. Murphy, 2-0 as a starter this season, <\/span>will not <\/span><\/i>be with the Longhorns for their College Football Playoff semifinal matchup against Washington, which means freshman Arch Manning will serve as backup. And, as any Texas fan knows, <\/span>having an experienced backup can be important<\/span><\/a> in a big game. <\/span>See more on Murphy\u2019s options and how it affects the QB market here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>
Another Ohtani wrinkle
<\/b>Every day seemingly brings a new detail of Shohei Ohtani\u2019s contract. Yesterday\u2019s update, courtesy of <\/span>this story about super agent Scott Boras opining on the agreement<\/span><\/a>: Ohtani\u2019s contract states he can opt out if Mark Walter is no longer the controlling owner of the Dodgers or if Andrew Friedman is no longer president of baseball operations. A fascinating piece of leverage for the player and even better job security for those two men.<\/span>
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More news<\/b>
Twenty-four hours later, I cannot get one thought out of my head about the Golden State Warriors: <\/span>This might really be the end<\/span><\/i>. We have proclaimed this dynasty dead multiple times, erroneously. But now? As Tim Kawakami writes, <\/span>this is what the end looks like<\/span><\/a>, and I tend to agree. <\/span>
This happens to every dynasty, but this one feels supremely weird and sad. Some end with a flash, like the 1990s Bulls. Others end at the footstep of another ring, like the early 2000s Lakers. <\/span>
This one single-handedly changed the league from 2015 to 2019, faltered for two seasons, then won a championship less than two years ago. Now, at 10-13 and 11th in the West, the carcass is rotting from the inside. Let\u2019s take quick stock of the situation: <\/span>
Will anyone salvage another year of prime Curry? The trade deadline is Feb. 8.<\/span>
NBA<\/a>: Cavaliers<\/a> at Celtics<\/a><\/b>
<\/b>7:30 p.m. on NBA TV
<\/b>Boston is probably the best team in the NBA, but it\u2019s Cleveland that piques my interest. This is a talented roster that\u2019s struggled to find its way this year. The Cavs are 13-11 with plenty of time to figure it out. <\/span>
NFL<\/a>: Chargers at Raiders<\/b>
<\/b>8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video
<\/b>The Chargers don\u2019t have Justin Herbert or Keenan Allen for this one. Could be a wonky game between two 5-8 teams. <\/span>
Bills safety <\/span>Jordan Poyer<\/b> says alcohol nearly ruined him. What saved him? Ayahuasca and, tangentially, Aaron Rodgers. Dan Pompei has <\/span>a gripping story worth your time this morning<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>
At 7-3, <\/span>Duke<\/b> men\u2019s basketball isn\u2019t living up to its standard. <\/span>What needs to change?<\/span><\/a>
Something to monitor: <\/span>Juwan Howard<\/b> has had a strange year as Michigan men\u2019s hoops coach, and his job status could be in jeopardy. Brendan Quinn has <\/span>a great holistic view of the situation<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>
Sean McIndoe spins the Ohtani signing into hockey trauma: a list of <\/span>the six times <\/span>NHL<\/b> teams thought they were getting a superstar<\/span><\/a>, until they weren\u2019t. <\/span>
Which <\/span>trading cards<\/b> got graded the most this year? Nando Di Fino has the fun details, <\/span>including a shocking No. 1 NFL card<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>
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(Photo: Stacy Revere\/Getty Images)<\/em><\/p>\n