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Why Lakers’ Win in the NBA Finals Meant Everything for the Franchise

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Fans and bettors of the Los Angeles Lakers have been waiting for this long-awaited news: The Lakers have won the NBA Championship! Game after game, Lakers fans have not given up hope that their beloved team will finally get a chance to have that trophy in their hands. And finally, it happened, and everything was worth the wait. In Game 6 of the NBA finals, the Lakers won against Miami Heat with 106-93. 

Lebron James is Crowned MVP

The team might have won the most memorable championship in Lakers history. They now have 17 NBA titles, which means that they tied with the Boston Celtics for the most in league history. A key player that has helped lead the team to victory is none other than Lebron James. At age 35, he was named the NBA finals’ MVP or Most Valuable Player. It’s his fourth time getting the award in his career. In the past 10 seasons, he made his ninth trip to the finals and now James has won four championships with three different franchises. On Sunday evening, he powered through the NBA finals with 28 points, 10 assists and 14 rebounds. He averaged 29.8 points, 8.5 assists and 11.8 rebounds, and shot 59% from the field for the whole series.   

In an interview, James stated, “It doesn’t matter where it happens if you win a championship. A bubble, Miami, Golden State — it doesn’t matter. When you get to this point, it’s one of the greatest feelings in the world for a basketball player to be able to win at the highest level.”

A Long Journey to Success

It was a gruelling and eventful 12 months not just for the Lakers, but the whole world. It was not easy to come this far because a lot of things have happened to lead up to their victory. Here are some of the events that have occurred in the past few months, which makes their win an unforgettable event.

Preseason Trip to China

One of the most controversial events took place on a preseason trip to China. The Lakers had two games against the Nets when it suddenly became an international incident. The Houston Rockets’ general manager, Daryl Morey, had made a tweet that sparked the rage of the Chinese government. He had tweeted his support for Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protesters. Because of this, the Lakers were restricted to their hotel for days. When they returned home, James criticised Morey for “misinformed or not really educated on the situation.” This, in turn, also elicited scathing remarks from many fans because it appeared that he was downplaying the relevance of free speech.

Kobe Bryant’s Death

This might be the biggest shock and still the most heartbreaking event for the Lakers and the NBA. Bryant who is considered an icon in basketball and a former Lakers player had died along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna and nine other people in a helicopter crash outside of Los Angeles. Bryant had spent his whole career with the Lakers, winning five championships before his retirement in 2016. Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ general manager, and almost all of the current players including James were among Bryant’s closest friends.

Protests Against Police Brutality 

The Lakers and many players of the NBA are not one to back down when it comes to relevant matters such as the “Black Lives Matter” movement. With a huge portion of its players belonging to such a race, it became a huge deal for the team. It was two weeks after the season was indefinitely suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic that protests against police brutality and racial injustice turned the country inside out. Many even questioned whether the NBA season should be cancelled. But, thankfully, that was not the case.     

Those are some of the many events that have transpired. Despite the many setbacks, the Lakers pushed on and have come this far. After 10 years, because of their perseverance, they finally get to have their much-deserved win.

With the Lakers’ success, many fans and bettors are anticipating more wins for the franchise. For trusted sports betting sites, you can check out VOdds Asian sportsbooks. You can rest assured that the best bookmakers of VOdds will give you the most desirable offers to wager on. 

So, count on VOdds’ bookies and register with them today!

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Upcoming sports tournaments in September 2023

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Upcoming sports tournaments

With the approach of September, brace yourself for an upsurge in excitement as a captivating lineup of sporting occasions is on the verge of captivating sports enthusiasts worldwide. The upcoming sports tournaments in September are poised to deliver a whirlwind of athletic skill and adrenaline-charged instances, spanning intense basketball clashes to pulse-pounding soccer duels. Enthusiasts and bettors are eagerly awaiting the most favorable wagers for these imminent sports tournaments, while teams and athletes gear up to contend on the grandest stage. In the upcoming weeks, we will dissect the significant matches, delving deeper into the events set to command global attention.

This article was prepared with the help of our partners from Free Betting Reviews!

September upcoming sports tournaments 2023

US Open Tennis Championship

As the calendar flips to September, the US Open Tennis Championship continues its momentum. The onset of September signals the commencement of the third round of the illustrious US Open tennis tournament. Set against the backdrop of Flushing Meadows in New York, this Grand Slam affair holds an esteemed position in the tennis calendar. Being the final Grand Slam event of the year, the competition is expected to intensify as eminent players such as Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, and various others engage in a fierce battle for supremacy on the unforgiving hard courts.

NFL Season Kickoff

September heralds the much-awaited return of the NFL, a momentous occasion for American football aficionados. With the preseason wrapping up in August, the NFL season’s kickoff in September ushers in a flurry of excitement and a plethora of betting prospects. Featuring a jam-packed schedule of games every week, bettors have an array of choices at their disposal when strategizing their wagers. It’s a time when teams embark on their journey toward the Super Bowl, and this monumental pursuit begins right from the inaugural game week.

UEFA Champions League starts

Soccer devotees will find themselves glued to their screens as the group stages of the UEFA Champions League kick off during the third week of September. This premier club competition showcases the crème de la crème of European teams vying for continental dominance. Boasting a mix of star-studded lineups and unexpected contenders, the Champions League is renowned for its unpredictability, often giving rise to enticing betting prospects. Brace yourself for witnessing Europe’s finest teams battling it out on the grandest stage, all in pursuit of one of the most coveted titles across the globe.

FIBA Basketball World Cup

The commencement of the second round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup takes center stage. This event stands as one of the most renowned and eagerly anticipated spectacles in the global sports arena. The tournament ignites a captivating showcase of skill, tactics, and passion that goes beyond geographical boundaries, uniting basketball enthusiasts worldwide as nations from every corner of the globe converge on the court.

F1 Italian Grand Prix

With the arrival of September each year, the F1 Italian Grand Prix takes the spotlight, drawing the gaze of the motorsports community toward the iconic Monza Circuit situated in Italy. This event serves as the second F1 race following a brief summer hiatus. The question on everyone’s mind: Will Verstappen maintain his dominance in the world of F1 this year?

September ushers in an exhilarating arena encompassing a spectrum of upcoming sports tournaments including tennis, American football, soccer, basketball, and Formula 1. The US Open tennis tournament stirs fervor as it enters its dynamic third round, simultaneously marking the commencement of a fresh NFL season. Meanwhile, the UEFA Champions League illuminates the soccer world with its captivating group stage clashes, while the FIBA Basketball World Cup provides its own dose of exhilaration. Not to be outdone, the F1 Italian Grand Prix captivates the hearts of motorsports enthusiasts. To explore more news tied to these upcoming sports tournaments, ensure to stay connected with Half A Goal!

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Deshaun Watson’s “Rigged” Contract: The NFL Teams Issues

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About Deshaun Watson

Watson, Derrick Deshaun, is a quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He was born to Deann Watson and Don Richardson on September 14, 1995, in Gainesville, Georgia. He led his Clemson Tigers football team to a national title in 2016. Watson was a first-round pick for the Houston Texans in the 2017 NFL draft.

A promising rookie season was cut short by an injury, but Watson went on to lead the Texans to division victories in 2018 and 2019, and he led the league in passing yards in 2020. Not only that but in his three years as Houston’s starter, he was selected to the Pro Bowl every year. His career pass rate is second-best all-time, but his completion rate is the best ever (minimum 1,500 attempts).

More than two dozen female massage therapists have accused Watson of sexual harassment and sexual assault beginning in 2021. Even though Watson has paid almost $20 million to settle sexual misconduct charges, he insists he did nothing wrong.

After a dispute with the Houston Texans’ head office and many sexual-misconduct lawsuits sidelined Watson for the entire 2021 season, the Cleveland Browns acquired him in a trade. Watson signed a five-year, $230 million contract in March 2022, one of the most expensive contracts in NFL history.

Dissatisfied with the team’s new front office and coaching staff, Watson requested a trade from the Texans after the 2020 season. However, the Texans refused to negotiate with other teams about trade offers, leading to a standoff between Watson and the team until sexual-harassment allegations surfaced.

Watson was named to the Texans’ 53-man roster to begin the season with free-agent signing Tyrod Taylor and rookie Davis Mills, despite the off-field problems and his standing with the team. Texans GM Nick Caserio has said he will take things “one day at a time” with Deshaun Watson.

The “Rigged” Contract

With Deshaun Watson’s 2022 season in limbo as the NFL appeals his six-game ban, the league’s other 31 teams are allegedly dissatisfied with the Cleveland Browns over the “rigged” contract that will suffer minimal financial repercussions from the league’s disciplinary action.

In March, Watson signed a record-breaking five-year, $230 million contract. The contract provided him with $8.9 million in signing incentives but a basic salary of less than $1 million for the 2022 season, presumably in expectation of a ban. This amount will increase to $46 million for the subsequent season. Without a successful appeal, Watson stands to lose approximately $345,000 of his compensation, or approximately $57,500 per game.

According to one report, though, the overall sentiment within the league is one of disappointment. Peter King of NBC Sports reported this week that an influential NFL official stated that the Browns’ manipulation of Watson’s contract such that he would forfeit only a portion of his 2022 salary did not sit well with the league or its other 31 owners.

The NFL star Deshaun Watson is facing more than 20 civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct and assault by numerous women. As a result of the sexual harassment complaint, Watson has been suspended for six games without pay.

However, he will not be fined for violating the league’s guidelines on personal conduct, which infuriated many people. He was also permitted to participate in the Cleveland Browns’ preseason activities, including their preseason games.

So far, Deshaun Watson has agreed to settle all pending sexual harassment lawsuits save one. Watson apologized to all women affected by this event in a recent interview.

Watson is currently engaged in active negotiations with the NFL in an effort to achieve a settlement regarding the penalty against him. As things currently stand, it appears highly probable that a definitive settlement will be reached very soon.

The NFL Teams Issue

The six-game ban given to Deshaun Watson was first met with outrage from NFL teams, who felt that the punishment was insufficient and should have been more severe. They were also upset with the fine for the six-game suspension, which was $344,655, which is a very little number when compared to his annual pay with the Browns.

There is no penalty applied to Watson’s signing bonus; rather, it is solely applied to his first year’s base salary, which is little more than one million dollars. This particular contractual arrangement was developed specifically to sidestep a more significant penalty.

The National Football League has made it public knowledge that it will file a formal appeal against Watson’s ban and ask for a significantly more severe penalty. It is being stated that the league is looking for a substantially larger fine in addition to an indefinite suspension that will continue for at least one year.

It is not at all unusual for National Football League teams to organize player contracts in a particular manner in order to minimize their financial obligations under the salary cap. Although his base pay is set at $1.12 million and he has an $11.9 million cap hit, Tom Brady is scheduled to make $30 million during his first season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022.

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Best Brother Duos In NFL

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Family relations in professional sports are unique, but not unusual. The road to coming to be a professional athlete is a lengthy and arduous one. Becoming a top athlete takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice from everyone involved. However, only 2% of all student-athletes become professional athletes. So when a part of the family earns that title, it feels like all the hard work has paid off. But there have been a few rare instances where multiple families have gone on to great success.

If you take a glimpse at the NFL, there are many examples of siblings playing at the same time. But when one thinks of one of the greatest sibling duos of all time, he can’t help but think of Peyton and Eli Manning. Both brothers were drafted first overall in their respective drafts and are two-time Super Bowl champions each. Both brothers will one day be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Despite a lot of pressure to have the Manning surname, they somehow pushed the size of the name even further.

Table Of Contents

Some of the brother duos who have been most active in the NFL include:

  • The Bosa Brothers – Joey and Nick Bosa

These two, Joey—who plays for the Los Angeles Chargers—and Nick—who plays for the San Francisco 49ers—were game changers as soon as they entered the league. Both are in the top 10 in the league when it comes to edge rushers. Impressive given the quality of quarterbacks in each division. These guys are amazing at what they do

  • The Watt Brothers – J.J. And T.J. Watt

Watt’s oldest brother ( J.J., who plays for the Arizona Cardinals) has been a great player for a long time. We’re used to him ruining games from the edge, and while injuries have hindered him a bit in recent years, he’s making up for it with his experience, effective everywhere you place him, but not every play. The youngest Watt (T.J., who plays for the Pittsburg Steelers) relentlessly pursues quarterbacks, maxing out his chances and finishing with a league-best 6.1% Pass-Rush snap in 2021, according to Next Gen Stats.

  • The Kelce Brothers – Jason and Travis Kelce

Getting into the NFL is hard enough, let alone playing at the highest level at each position for 10 years. That’s virtually what both Jason (who plays for Philadelphia Eagles) and Travis (who plays for Kansas City Chiefs) have accomplished. Among both of them, they’ve had Pro Bowl nominations and seven First-Team All-Pro selections. These were extraordinary achievements and still add to her legacy.

The Kelces bring a great element to football with their competitive yet fun-loving personality. Jason is the quintessential NFL center of his. He keeps his head down and leads the game at a high level. He is a very athletic anchor who uses his excellent footwork to his advantage and is rarely bullied by defenders. As for Travis, it goes without saying that he is one of the best, if not the best, tight ends in the game right now. What stands out the most is that despite his 6-foot-5-inch, 250-pound build, he still performs the stretches. He can lift people with his power, but he has the stagger to move sideways and can see the field better than anyone else.

Top Brother Duos 

Here are the top five best brother duos in NFL:

  • The Manning Brothers 

Peyton Manning, who plays for the Broncos, and Eli Manning, who plays for the Giants. Both of Archie’s boys were the No. 1 picks in his NFL Draft, and combined they have three Super Bowls (Eli: 2, Peyton: 1) and four League MVPs (all by Peyton).

  • The Harbaugh Brothers

 Jim Harbaugh, who coaches for the 49ers, and John Harbaugh, who coaches for the Ravens. Jack’s sons train with each other in Super Bowl XLVII and have an impressive regular season record of 90-43 combined.

  • The Ryan Brothers

Rex Ryan, who coaches for the Jets, and Rob Ryan, who is with the Saints. Buddy’s raucous twin follows in the footsteps of their old man as they are one of the best defenders in the game today.

  • The Pouncey Brothers

Maurkis, who plays for the Steelers, leads the AFC in the middle of the Pro Bowl voting. Mike, who plays for the Dolphins, is doing well as a rookie.

  • The McCourty Brothers

Jason McCourty, who plays for the Titans, and Devin McCourty, who plays for the Patriots. The McCourty brothers, another twin pair, are Hawking’s defenders in the game today. Devin McCourty of the Patriots made it to the Pro Bowl as a rookie, and Jason of the Titans quietly performed well in pick value in his sixth round.

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