data-mm-id=”_vq96tuuop”>Life as a fan of the New York Knicks is a constant struggle. The dawn of each day brings some kind of public disaster or meltdown for the franchise. It's been this way for so long I doubt any Knicks fans even remembers what it's like to be happy about the state of their team. The most recent issue to have popped up was the extraordinarily weak statement put out by James Dolan yesterday, which was a day late and a dollar short anyway. Max Kellerman ripped Dolan and the Knicks, saying a grade-school kid could have written that in five minutes. Brian Windhorst went on First Take today and told the crew that the fallout has extended far beyond public bashing in the media. "The Knicks … approval rating amongst players is so low right now, it's devastating for their hopes to appeal to [free agents] going forward."—@WindhorstESPN on the statement released by the Knicks on racial injustice. pic.twitter.com/ISRBwAjw1J— First Take (@FirstTake) June 10, 2020Say it ain't so, Windy! The Knicks haven't been good since the early part of the decade and have rarely been a desirable free agent destination under Dolan. But it's always been hard to count them out because, well, they're the Knicks and they play at Madison Square Garden. It's basketball mecca, even if it's been a long time since the hometown team has played like that. The generation of players who came in after Michael Jordan saw his reverence for MSG and felt the same way. We live in a new world now, though. One where Dolan's mistakes have piled up to a nearly-insurmountable level. One where players care quite a lot about screw-ups like feeling it "isn't his place" to put out a statement on the killing of George Floyd, then putting out one weeks later that couldn't have felt more disingenuous. All it takes is one star player to voluntarily join the Knicks to make them cool again. But as time goes on, it feels more and more likely the stain of James Dolan might be too much for what used to be one of the NBA's proudest franchises.
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FC Sorrento have become the latest club to backtrack on signing former Scotland striker David Goodwillie in the wake of a public backlash.
The Australian second-tier side announced on Wednesday that they had recruited the 34-year-old, who was ruled by a judge at a civil court case in 2017 to have raped a woman in 2011.
“SFC are pleased to announce we have added three players to our mid season first team. Clay Gibbs, David Goodwillie Callum Dobbs have all joined!” read the initial statement from the Perth-based club.
Sorrento head coach Steven McGarry, who played in Scotland when Goodwillie was beginning his career more than a decade ago, added: “With David, we get a player with real quality and experience.
“He’s played in the top leagues in Engl…
Adam Lallana has pleaded with England fans to stay out of trouble, saying expulsion from Euro 2016 would be devastating .
UEFA warned English and Russian football authorities on Monday that both nations could be kicked out of the tournament in France should there be any repeat of the violence and hooliganism that blighted the build-up and aftermath of their fixture in Marseille last Saturday.
European football s governing body subsequently issued Russia with a suspended disqualification and €150,000 fine on Tuesday after hundreds of their followers attacked England supporters immediately after the final whistle at the Stade Velodrome.
Concerns remain that there could be further clashes between the two sets of supporters this week, with Russia playing Slovakia …
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On Saturday evening, Udinese will welcome Lazio to the Dacia Arena in the second round of the 2024/25 Serie A campaign.
While a different-looking Lazio side secured a win over newly promoted Venezia last week, Udinese fought hard for a draw against Bologna, who will compete in the Champions League this term.
Udinese
Udinese s recent history against Lazio offers some encouragement, as they managed to secure a surprising 2-1 victory in March, but achieving consecutive wins over the Biancocelesti is something they haven t managed in nearly two decades. That shock win at the Stadio Olimpico was one of the few highlights in what was otherwise a difficult 2023-24 season for the Bianconeri, where an excess of drawn matches nearly co…
Albania have gone out of Euro 2016 after results in Group F meant it was impossible for them to be placed among the top four third-placed finishers.
Gianni De Biasi s side – playing in their first major tournament – defeated Romania 1-0 in Lyon last Sunday to ensure they finished third in Group A.
A nervous wait followed to see if their record of three points and a minus two goal difference would put them above two of the other sides who ended their groups in third spot and guarantee them a place in the last 16.
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Portugal have a better goal difference (level compared to m…
Football Association chairman Greg Dyke believes proposed changes to the league system could help England win the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
An FA commission report, released on Thursday, proposed the introduction of a fifth tier of the Football League, to be known as League Three.
The new division would allow Premier League sides to enter B teams in a bid to give young English talent a chance to play regular, competitive football.
The idea behind the reforms is to improve the fortunes of the national side, and Dyke believes the changes, if brought in, could bring rewards as early as the 2022 finals in Qatar.
If we change enough, yes, I think we ll win the World Cup in 2022, he told Perform.
You ve got to assume our grassroots facilities aren t good enough and…
Seamus Coleman is confident former team-mate John O’Shea has made a case for himself in the race to succeed Stephen Kenny as Republic of Ireland manager.
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Coleman made his Ireland debut alongside O’Shea against Wales in February 2011 and the pair played together for their country until the former Manchester United man retired from international football in June 2018.
Asked about the vacancy and the 42-year-old’s chances of filling it after Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat by the Swiss, Coleman said: “I don’t want to s…
Sophia Smith believes the United States have so much potential after her extra-time winner sent them through to their first Olympics final since 2012.
The 23-year-old s 95th-minute strike proved the decisive goal of the USWNT’s 1-0 semi-final victory against an injury-stricken Germany.
The result means new coach Emma Hayes will have the chance to go for gold in her first major tournament at the helm.
Smith dedicated her goal to the effort of the whole US squad under the ex-Chelsea boss.
I just saw an open net in front of me and knew I had to step up in the big moment, Smith told NBC. I felt I had to do that for this team, we ve been working so hard.”
She s in her scoring goals at the Olympics era.
— FIFA Women s World Cup (@FIFAWWC…
Former Manchester United manager David Moyes believes Erik ten Hag is doing a brilliant job at the club despite the Dutchman coming under pressure.
United have made their worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign in history, taking just eight points from their seven games so far, and sit in 14th.
It is their lowest tally at this stage of a league campaign since 1989-90 (seven) when they finished 13th in the top-flight.
They are winless in their last five games in all competitions, drawing four of those, including their opening two Europa League matches around a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham at Old Trafford.
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To many it still sounds absurd, but on November 21, 2022, the 22nd FIFA World Cup will get under way in Qatar.
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When the announcement came at FIFA HQ in Zurich, former US president Bill Clinton wrestled to mask his disappointment and offered a congratulatory handshake as the Qatari delegation celebrated on the row behind him. Clinton was the US bid committee s honorary chairman. It was reported he smashed a mirror in fury after returning to his hotel suite.
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Switzerland enjoyed a 2-0 friendly win over Slovakia on Saturday, just two weeks before the Euro 2008 championships, which they are co-hosting, get underway.
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Captain Frei is now just one international goal away from the record of 34 set by Kubilay Turkyilmaz.
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