• Iga Świątek vs Mirra Andriejewa: Ćwierćfinał Cincinnati Open 2024 – Zapowiedź i Prognoza

    Iga Świątek vs Mirra Andriejewa: Ćwierćfinał Cincinnati Open 2024 – Zapowiedź i Prognoza

    Ćwierćfinał Cincinnati Open 2024 zapowiada się jako fascynujące starcie pomiędzy aktualną numer jeden na świecie, Iga Świątek, a obiecującą tenisową prodigy, Mirrą Andriejewą. To starcie pokoleń przyciągnęło uwagę fanów tenisa i ekspertów, podkreślając potencjalną przyszłą gwiazdę w konfrontacji z obecną królową sportu.

     

    Na początku tego roku podczas Roland Garros niemal doszło do wyczekiwanego pojedynku między Świątek a Andriejewą. Polka zdobyła swoje czwarte trofeum na French Open, pokonując Coco Gauff w emocjonującym finale. Andriejewa, która zrobiła furorę swoimi imponującymi występami, była bliska dotarcia do finału, ale przegrała z Jasmine Paolini w półfinale. Potencjalne starcie między Świątek a Andriejewą obiecywało być fascynującą konfrontacją, lecz fortuna sprzyjała innym. Niemniej jednak nadchodzący ćwierćfinał w Cincinnati ma szansę ukazać, jaką marką może stać się ta rywalizacja w przyszłości.

     

    Świątek, obecna liderka światowego rankingu, wnosi na korty potężną grę, zdominowaną przez swoją fizyczną siłę i nieustępliwe uderzenia z linii podstawowej. W ciągu ostatnich kilku lat znacząco poprawiła swoją kondycję, stając się jedną z najpotężniejszych zawodniczek na tourze WTA. Jej zdolność do przytłaczania przeciwniczek agresywną grą z linii podstawowej, w połączeniu z wyjątkowym ruchem i strategiczną bystrością, czyni ją groźnym przeciwnikiem.

     

    Z kolei Andriejewa, mająca zaledwie 17 lat, jest zawodniczką wciąż rozwijającą swoją karierę. Pomimo młodego wieku, wykazuje wyjątkowe umiejętności i potencjał. Jej styl gry skłania się bardziej ku finezji niż czystej mocy, koncentrując się na precyzyjnych kątach i taktycznej zręczności, aby zaskoczyć rywalki. Kontrast w stylach gry dodaje dodatkowego smaczku temu starciu. Podczas gdy Świątek polega na siłowej grze, Andriejewa stawia na subtelność i precyzję.

     

    Obie zawodniczki zaprezentowały się imponująco przed ćwierćfinałem. Po nieco wstrząsającym pierwszym meczu Świątek wróciła do swojej dominującej formy w Cincinnati, potwierdzając status numer jeden na świecie. Jej kolejne występy były oznaczone precyzją i mocą, które stały się jej znakiem rozpoznawczym. Z drugiej strony, Andriejewa także była w dobrej formie, a jej niedawne zwycięstwo nad Paolini stanowiło dowód na jej rosnącą biegłość na twardych kortach. Jest to znacząca poprawa w porównaniu do jej występów na tym rodzaju nawierzchni w ubiegłym roku i podkreśla jej adaptację i rozwój jako zawodniczki.

     

    Bilans bezpośrednich pojedynków między Świątek a Andriejewą wynosi 0-0, ponieważ będzie to ich pierwsze spotkanie. Dodaje to element nieprzewidywalności do meczu, ponieważ żadna z zawodniczek nie miała jeszcze okazji studiować gry przeciwniczki w rywalizacyjnym kontekście. Jednak biorąc pod uwagę szerokie doświadczenie Świątek i jej zaznajomienie z sytuacjami pod dużą presją, prawdopodobnie przystąpi do meczu z solidnym planem gry.

     

    Siła fizyczna i agresywny styl gry Świątek sprawiają, że jest ona faworytką tego spotkania. Jej zdolność do mocnych uderzeń i wyjątkowa kondycja pozwala jej dyktować tempo gry. Mocne strony Andriejewy leżą w jej strategicznej grze i umiejętności tworzenia trudnych kątów dla przeciwniczek. Choć może nie dysponuje tą samą mocą co Świątek, jej finezja i inteligencja taktyczna mogą stanowić wyzwanie, jeśli uda jej się konsekwentnie realizować swój plan gry.

     

    Jednym z kluczowych aspektów, na które warto zwrócić uwagę, będzie to, czy Andriejewa będzie w stanie wykorzystać ewentualne słabości w grze Świątek. Tendencja Świątek do przegięcia uderzeń pod presją może dać Andriejewie szansę na zdobycie przewagi. Jeśli Andriejewa będzie utrzymywać stabilne i dobrze umiejscowione returny, może zmusić Świątek do błędów i wykorzystać te momenty.

     

    Pomimo ekscytacji związanej z tym meczem, prognoza wskazuje na zwycięstwo Świątek. Jej przewaga w mocy, doświadczeniu i fizyczności daje jej istotną przewagę. Choć czynnik zaskoczenia i potencjał Andriejewy do realizacji dobrze przemyślanej strategii mogą uczynić mecz interesującym, dominacja i konsekwencja Świątek sprawiają, że jest ona prawdopodobnie zwycięzcą.

     

    Podsumowując, ćwierćfinał Cincinnati Open między Igą Świątek a Mirrą Andriejewą zapowiada się jako fascynujące starcie, prezentujące kontrastujące style i talent pokoleń. Podczas gdy Świątek będzie starała się przedłużyć swoją imponującą formę, Andriejewa będzie dążyć do złożenia deklaracji i wyzwania dla najwyższej rozstawionej zawodniczki. Ostatecznie, mimo możliwości niespodzianki ze strony Andriejewy, wszechstronność gry i doświadczenie Świątek powinny zapewnić jej zwycięstwo, z przewidywaniem wygranej Świątek w dwóch setach.

  • Scottie Scheffler is a killer on the……. 

    Scottie Scheffler is a killer on the……. 

    Scottie Scheffler is a killer on the…….

     

    MEMPHIS — When you think of Scottie Scheffler, the image that likely springs to mind is that of an unyielding force on the golf course. A man who has taken the professional golf world by storm, Scheffler is known for his fierce competitiveness and ability to outplay his peers with ruthless precision. Currently ranked No. 1 in the world, Scheffler is not just a name; he’s a juggernaut of the sport, crushing records and leaving his opponents in his wake. But behind this seemingly relentless exterior lies a side of Scheffler that may surprise you: a surprisingly gentle demeanor when it comes to the tiniest creatures of nature.

     

    It was during the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis that this softer side of Scheffler came to light. On a day where Scheffler’s performance was as solid as it was unremarkable—he carded a five-under 65, making minimal mistakes but leaving some opportunities on the table—his interaction with a mere bug captured the attention of many. Despite trailing co-leaders Hideki Matsuyama and Denny McCarthy by two strokes, with his seasoned track record of six wins this year and a gold medal from the Olympics, Scheffler displayed a level of gentleness that starkly contrasts with his usual competitive fierceness.

     

    As he navigated his way around TPC Southwind, Scheffler’s game was characterized by a meticulous approach. “Yeah, I could have hit it closer [to the hole], could have hit a few more greens, could have made a few more putts,” Scheffler noted, sounding like any dedicated golfer who constantly strives for perfection. His round was bogey-free, but the subtle imperfections in his game were enough for him to reflect on missed chances with a tone that mixed self-criticism with characteristic humility. “Nice to have a clean card, though,” he added, underscoring his satisfaction with a flawless scorecard despite the lingering thoughts of what could have been.

     

    Yet, what truly stole the show was not Scheffler’s impressive play but rather an unexpected act of kindness towards an unsuspecting bug. Scheffler was paired with Xander Schauffele, who himself is a formidable competitor, currently second in both the World Ranking and the FedEx Cup standings. As expected, Scheffler’s competitive edge was on full display as he outperformed Schauffele by four shots. However, the moment of tenderness came on the 16th hole.

     

    After Scheffler had hit his tee shot, a bug of indeterminate species decided to make Scheffler’s ball its temporary abode. When Scheffler arrived at his ball, he didn’t simply swat the intruder away or shoo it off with irritation. Instead, he took a markedly different approach. With the gentleness of someone handling a fragile artifact, Scheffler carefully removed the bug.

     

    “It was some sort of bug,” Scheffler said, “but I don’t know exactly what it was. It had wings, so I was able to grab it and just kind of move it.”

     

    The bug’s brief stint on Scheffler’s ball could have gone unnoticed by many, but Scheffler’s reaction drew attention. Asked about his demeanor, Scheffler admitted, “It was entertaining because I grabbed both of its wings very gently. I was able to grab it off the ball, and it was trying to flutter as I had it by its wings so you could kind of feel it moving. I just wanted to make sure I put it away from my ball so it wouldn’t be going back on my ball.”

     

    Interestingly, Scheffler chose not to kill the bug despite the opportunity to do so. “I didn’t think I was going to be able to catch it, and then when I did, I was like, I’m not going to kill it now that I caught it,” he explained. Instead, he allowed it to fly away, a choice that reflects a deeper consideration for life even in the heat of competition.

     

    The incident might seem trivial to some, but it adds a layer of complexity to Scheffler’s public persona. Known for his unwavering drive and competitive spirit, the sight of Scheffler carefully escorting a bug away from his ball was a rare glimpse into a gentler side of one of golf’s most formidable players. As it turned out, the act of kindness didn’t hinder his game. Scheffler birdied the 16th hole and followed up with another birdie on the 17th, propelling him into a strong position as he continued his chase for victory.

     

    In essence, Scottie Scheffler’s interaction with that bug was more than just a quirky anecdote; it’s a reflection of a man who, despite his ruthless efficiency on the golf course, has a softer, more compassionate side that occasionally surfaces. This moment of gentle care amidst fierce competition serves as a reminder that even the most competitive athletes can have endearing qualities that are often overshadowed by their professional personas.

  • “Savannah James Slams ‘Wifey’ Label and Demands LeBron James Stop Introducing Her as His Wife!”

    “Savannah James Slams ‘Wifey’ Label and Demands LeBron James Stop Introducing Her as His Wife!”

    Savannah James’ Everybody’s Crazy podcast has given the world an inside look into her life and she recently revealed that there’s one seemingly harmless term that she hates. During a conversation about side chicks and sneaky links, Savannah revealed she hates being called “wifey” and even used to tell LeBron James not to introduce her as his wife before they got married.

    “When I tell you I hate, loath, “wifey” with my whole entire soul,” Savannah said. “… Because n**** don’t call me your wifey and I’m not. I’m not. I had to politely tell my husband back in the day.

    “He used to introduce me, ‘This my wife, this my wife.’ I had to put him to the side like, ‘Excuse me, sir, don’t introduce me as that, please. I’m not your wife and I deserve that title when the time is right. I don’t want you to start to think that it’s okay for you to say this,’” Savannah concluded.

    with James introducing her as his wife, calling her “wifey” is still not acceptable. I don’t believe it to be offensive but to each their own.

    On the topic of side chicks and sneaky links, it’s not something that Savannah appears to have lost sleep over. LeBron has built up a reputation as a great family man and has never been involved in any kind of cheating scandal. Some accusations along those lines have been made over the years, but none have been proven to be true and the relationship between husband and wife seems as strong as ever now.

    LeBron made his long-awaited return to the international basketball stage at the 2024 Paris Olympics but it turns out he did so, only after getting permission from his significant other. James revealed he decided to play for Team USA after getting the green light from Savannah.

    Well, the U.S. certainly should be grateful toward Savannah then, as there is a good chance they wouldn’t have won the gold if LeBron wasn’t on the team. The 39-year-old shone at the grand event, averaging 14.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game to win tournament MVP. LeBron came up big for Team USA in some critical moments and you wonder who would have stepped up in that manner if he wasn’t around.

    With that triumph, James now has three Olympic gold medals, but he won’t be gunning for a fourth one. This was his last appearance on the international stage and he certainly went out with a bang.

    ← Back

    Thank you for your response. ✨

  • “Rory McIlroy’s Nightmare Start at FedEx St. Jude Championship: Is His Season Over?”

    “Rory McIlroy’s Nightmare Start at FedEx St. Jude Championship: Is His Season Over?”

    Hideki Matsuyama and Denny McCarthy found their touch on the greens as they took the halfway lead in the FedEx St Jude Championship.

     

    But Rory McIlroy failed to recover from an early double bogey as he shot a second-round 73 to sit 12 shots off the pace.

     

    Matsuyama – without his regular caddy and coach after their passports were stolen in London – recovered from finding the water on the short fourth hole to fire a 64, McCarthy going one better after holing three birdie putts from 25 feet or longer.

     

    They moved to 11-under par at a sweltering TPC Southwind in Memphis, the opening leg of the end-of-season FedEx Cup play-offs, to sit one ahead of Sam Burns who went out in 29 en route to a 63.

     

    FedEx rankings leader and world number one Scottie Scheffler carded three late birdies in a 65 which leaves him on nine-under-par, one ahead of Justin Rose – who shot a second successive 66 – and American Nick Dunlap.

     

    “It’s just nice to have a clean card,” said Scheffler said. “No bogeys, did a good job of having some nice up-and-downs to kind of keep the momentum and the round going.”

     

    With only the top 50 in the rankings reaching the second leg of the playoffs, the BMW Championship in Colorado, defending FedEx Cup champion Viktor Hovland moved into a qualifying spot as he moved to seven-under-par with a 63 after working on swing changes.

     

    “I made a conscious effort to try to cut the ball more,” said the Norwegian. “When I did that, I ruined a relationship that happens in my swing that makes it really difficult for me to control the face coming down.

     

    “So now it’s just kind of me learning from that. I know exactly what happens because I’ve gotten myself measured, and now it’s just kind of a process of getting back to where I was.”

     

    Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre is alongside Hovland on seven-under-par after a 66 with English duo Matt Fitzpatrick and Aaron Rai both two shots further back, one better than Tommy Fleetwood.

     

    Jordan Spieth had two double bogeys on par threes in a 75 and is struggling to make the cut for the next event.

     

     

  • Świątek pokazuje pełnię polskiego stylu, gładko awansując w Cincinnati

    Świątek pokazuje pełnię polskiego stylu, gładko awansując w Cincinnati

     

    Najwyżej notowana Iga Świątek awansowała do ćwierćfinałów Cincinnati Open, pewnie wygrywając w dwóch setach z Martą Kostyuk.

    Polska gwiazda odniosła zwycięstwo 6-2 6-2 w piątek (sobota czasu AEST), po dużo bardziej kompletnym występie po przegranej w tiebreaku drugiego seta w środę, gdy przedłużyła swoją walkę z Francuzką Varvarą Grachevą.

    „Dziś cały czas utrzymywałam wysoki poziom intensywności” – powiedziała Świątek.

    „Nie było dla mnie istotne, jaki był wynik, chciałam po prostu dalej grać swoją grę. Skupiłam się na sobie.”

    Rozstawiona z numerem 3 i dwukrotna mistrzyni Australian Open Aryna Sabalenka również awansowała po zwycięstwie 7-5 6-2 nad Eliną Switoliną, ale piąta rozstawiona Włoszka Jasmine Paolini, finalistka French Open i Wimbledonu, przegrała z Mirrą Andreevą 3-6 6-3 6-2.

    Anastazja Pawluczenkowa pokonała rozstawioną z numerem 7 i złotą medalistkę olimpijską Zheng Qinwen 7-5 6-1.

    Hiszpanka Paula Badosa wygrała 6-4 6-4 z Julią Putintsewą, która w czwartek pokonała Coco Gauff.

    To był pracowity dzień dla wielu zawodniczek, które musiały rozegrać dwa mecze po opóźnieniach spowodowanych deszczem w tym tygodniu.

    Amerykanka Jessica Pegula musiała rozegrać dwa mecze, a 30-latka wygrała oba, aby awansować do ćwierćfinałów.

    Pegula rozpoczęła dzień od trudnego zwycięstwa 5-7 6-4 6-2 nad ubiegłoroczną finalistką Karoliną Muchovą.

    Po kilku godzinach przerwy wróciła na kort, aby pokonać rodaczkę Taylor Townsend 6-2 6-3 i zapewnić sobie miejsce w najlepszej ósemce.

    To była siódma z rzędu wygrana Peguli po zdobyciu tytułu w Canadian Open w Toronto w zeszłym tygodniu.

  • “Scottie Scheffler Dominates Again at FedEx St. Jude Championship—Is He Unstoppable?”

    “Scottie Scheffler Dominates Again at FedEx St. Jude Championship—Is He Unstoppable?”

    Once again, the best player on the planet turned in a masterful performance at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.

    Scottie Scheffler carded a bogey-free, 5-under 65 on Friday to put himself in a terrific position through 36 holes. He sits at 9-under par for the tournament, two strokes back of co-leaders Hideki Matsuyama and Denny McCarthy.

    “It’s just nice to have a clean card,” Scheffler said.

    “No bogeys, did a good job of having some nice up-and-downs to keep the momentum and the round going. I holed a nice putt for par early in the round on 5, and then I had a couple of nice chips after that, getting it close to the hole, making what could have been a stressful par into a pretty stress-free par with some nice pitches. Overall, it was a pretty good day.”

    Scheffler had a benign start, making his first birdie of the day at the par-5 3rd. Another followed at the par-3 8th, but he posted seven pars on his opening nine to go out with a 2-under 33.

    The day before, he made four birdies over his first six holes, immediately vaulting himself into contention thanks to his hot start. But unlike Thursday, Scheffler caught fire down the stretch, making three straight birdies on the 15th, 16th, and 17th holes to climb up to 9-under and re-assert himself among the leaders.

    “I think you’ve got to be playing some really great golf to shoot a low score,” Scheffler said of TPC Southwind.

    “There’s opportunity out there. The greens aren’t super firm. You can attack when you’re in the fairway. But there’s a good amount of water on the course. The Bermuda rough can be tough to judge and there’s a good amount of trees, as well. There’s trouble around, so you’ve got to be really on top of your game to shoot low scores.”

    It’s no secret that Scheffler has had an incredible season, as he continues to be on top of his game pretty much every week. He has amassed six victories, which includes wins at Augusta National and TPC Sawgrass. He also won a gold medal, thanks to a final round 9-under 62 that may have been the best round of his career. But he has picked up right where he left off in Paris, shooting a 66 and a 65 in Memphis to vie for another title again.

    He’s playing flawless once more, which leads to us to ask, will win number seven come in Memphis? It would surprise absolutely nobody if it does.

  • “Eddie Hearn Drops Bombshell on Turki Alalshikh Over Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou Showdown—You Won’t Believe What He Said!”

    “Eddie Hearn Drops Bombshell on Turki Alalshikh Over Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou Showdown—You Won’t Believe What He Said!”

    **Eddie Hearn Drops Bombshell on Turki Alalshikh Over Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou Showdown—You Won’t Believe What He Said!**

    In a dramatic turn of events, boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has set the boxing world abuzz with his latest comments regarding the highly anticipated Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou fight. The feud between Hearn and Saudi Arabian sports mogul Turki Alalshikh has reached new heights, and Hearn’s recent revelations have only added fuel to the fire.

    **The Controversy Unfolds**

    The tensions between Hearn and Alalshikh began to surface as discussions about the Fury-Ngannou fight grew more intense. The bout, which pits boxing heavyweight champion Tyson Fury against former UFC star Francis Ngannou, is one of the most talked-about matchups in recent history. With such high stakes, it’s no surprise that behind-the-scenes negotiations have been fraught with friction.

    Hearn, who has been vocal about his discontent, recently launched a scathing critique of Alalshikh. During a high-profile interview, Hearn accused the Saudi sports figure of making underhanded moves to manipulate the fight’s logistics and potentially undermine the integrity of the match.

    **The Bombshell Revelation**

    In his latest statements, Hearn claimed that Alalshikh had attempted to exert undue influence over the fight’s promotion and financial arrangements, suggesting that there were attempts to alter the agreed terms and conditions to benefit one side disproportionately. “There have been some questionable tactics at play,” Hearn stated. “It seems Turki Alalshikh is trying to bend the rules in his favor, and that’s not something I can stand by.”

    Hearn’s comments have stirred significant reaction among fans and analysts, many of whom are now questioning the fairness of the fight and the integrity of the promotional process. The feud between Hearn and Alalshikh highlights the growing tensions in the world of high-stakes boxing and the increasing influence of international figures in the sport.

    **Impact on the Fight**

    The ongoing spat between the two figures could have significant repercussions for the Fury-Ngannou bout. As negotiations continue, there are concerns that the fight could be affected by these off-ring dramas. Fans are anxiously waiting to see whether this controversy will impact the match itself or the overall promotional strategy.

    **Looking Ahead**

    As the situation develops, all eyes are on how this dispute will unfold and what it might mean for the future of both fighters and the sport. The Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou fight remains one of the most eagerly awaited events, and with such dramatic behind-the-scenes conflicts, it’s clear that the build-up to this fight will be anything but ordinary.

    Stay tuned for more updates as this story continues to evolve and as Hearn and Alalshikh’s clash shapes the future of this blockbuster matchup.

  • “You Won’t Believe How Close 7-Year-Old Stephen Curry Came to Defeating a Future NBA Star!”

    “You Won’t Believe How Close 7-Year-Old Stephen Curry Came to Defeating a Future NBA Star!”

    Some people are just born to shoot, and Stephen Curry’s shooting skills are truly unmatched. As young as seven years old, Steph had the tough of a pro and nearly used it to beat an NBA shooting guard in his prime during a game of one-on-one.

    “I played this kid when he was 7 years old in his driveway when I was playing with the Charlotte Hornets. I was over there hanging out with his dad, Dell Curry, and he said ‘Ed, I bet my son can beat you.’ So I go out in the driveway and I’m messing around with him and this dude is shooting shots from the street… And they going in… We playing a game of 10, and this dude going [7-0]. I said, ‘Hold up’… I’m in the NBA. I went old man style on him, man. I started backing it down and laying it up. He got mad but I’m not letting him get another shot. I won the game and he was hot

    HOME

    NBA NEWS & MEDIA

    

    Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

    Stephen Curry Almost Beat One Of The NBA’s Top Shooters When He Was 7 Years Old

    Eddie Johnson tells the story of the time he was almost beaten in a one-on-one against 7-year-old Stephen Curry.

    NICO MARTINEZ

    3 HOURS AGO

    NBA NEWS & MEDIA

    STEPHEN CURRY

    GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS NEWS & ANALYSIS

    CHARLOTTE HORNETS NEWS & ANALYSIS

    DELL CURRY

    START CONVERSATION

    Some people are just born to shoot, and Stephen Curry’s shooting skills are truly unmatched. As young as seven years old, Steph had the tough of a pro and nearly used it to beat an NBA shooting guard in his prime during a game of one-on-one.

    “I played this kid when he was 7 years old in his driveway when I was playing with the Charlotte Hornets. I was over there hanging out with his dad, Dell Curry, and he said ‘Ed, I bet my son can beat you.’ So I go out in the driveway and I’m messing around with him and this dude is shooting shots from the street… And they going in… We playing a game of 10, and this dude going [7-0]. I said, ‘Hold up’… I’m in the NBA. I went old man style on him, man. I started backing it down and laying it up. He got mad but I’m not letting him get another shot. I won the game and he was hot.”

    NBA players are known to start young, but Curry may have been an extra special case. For him to almost beat a professional NBA sharpshooter at 7 years old really says a lot about his natural talent. Somehow, even before he was 10, Curry knew how to shoot from long distance and it was enough to keep the world’s best players, like Eddie Johnson, on their toes.

    Eddie Johnson played for 17 years in the NBA, securing the Sixth Man of the Year award in 1989. His shortest stint was with the Hornets. He was there for just a single season and played 73 games in total for them with averages of 11.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game on 45% shooting. He was teammates with Dell Curry during this stretch, which is when he went to his house and played his pickup game with Steph. Naturally, Dell had an inkling that his teammate would struggle to beat the child on his home rim.

    Stephen Curry, who was born in Akron, Ohio, spent much of his childhood in Charlotte, North Carolina. His dad played there for most of his career and he grew up completely immersed in the NBA environment. So by the time Steph was 7, he was already good with a basketball and could shoot better than most professional players

    HOME

    NBA NEWS & MEDIA

    

    Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

    Stephen Curry Almost Beat One Of The NBA’s Top Shooters When He Was 7 Years Old

    Eddie Johnson tells the story of the time he was almost beaten in a one-on-one against 7-year-old Stephen Curry.

    NICO MARTINEZ

    3 HOURS AGO

    NBA NEWS & MEDIA

    STEPHEN CURRY

    GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS NEWS & ANALYSIS

    CHARLOTTE HORNETS NEWS & ANALYSIS

    DELL CURRY

    START CONVERSATION

    Some people are just born to shoot, and Stephen Curry’s shooting skills are truly unmatched. As young as seven years old, Steph had the tough of a pro and nearly used it to beat an NBA shooting guard in his prime during a game of one-on-one.

    “I played this kid when he was 7 years old in his driveway when I was playing with the Charlotte Hornets. I was over there hanging out with his dad, Dell Curry, and he said ‘Ed, I bet my son can beat you.’ So I go out in the driveway and I’m messing around with him and this dude is shooting shots from the street… And they going in… We playing a game of 10, and this dude going [7-0]. I said, ‘Hold up’… I’m in the NBA. I went old man style on him, man. I started backing it down and laying it up. He got mad but I’m not letting him get another shot. I won the game and he was hot.”

    NBA players are known to start young, but Curry may have been an extra special case. For him to almost beat a professional NBA sharpshooter at 7 years old really says a lot about his natural talent. Somehow, even before he was 10, Curry knew how to shoot from long distance and it was enough to keep the world’s best players, like Eddie Johnson, on their toes.

    Eddie Johnson played for 17 years in the NBA, securing the Sixth Man of the Year award in 1989. His shortest stint was with the Hornets. He was there for just a single season and played 73 games in total for them with averages of 11.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game on 45% shooting. He was teammates with Dell Curry during this stretch, which is when he went to his house and played his pickup game with Steph. Naturally, Dell had an inkling that his teammate would struggle to beat the child on his home rim.

    Stephen Curry, who was born in Akron, Ohio, spent much of his childhood in Charlotte, North Carolina. His dad played there for most of his career and he grew up completely immersed in the NBA environment. So by the time Steph was 7, he was already good with a basketball and could shoot better than most professional players.

    Had Eddie Johnson not used his impossible size and strength to beat Curry that day, he might have actually taken the loss against him and it would have been an even crazier story. But when he looks back now, Johnson shouldn’t feel as bad knowing how good No. 30 turned out to be.

    Today, almost two decades later, Curry is still inspiring awe in the NBA’s best. As a 4x champion, 2x MVP, 2x scoring leader, 10x All-Star, and Olympic gold medalist, Steph is one of the GOATs of the game and he has become the face of the modern NBA itself.

    After averaging 26.4 points per game last season, Curry is still among the NBA’s elite and he’s expected to continue leading the Warriors for years to come. Steph Curry is truly a generational legend and the signs were there from very early on that he was going to be special.

     

  • “Iga Świątek i Aryna Sabalenka przechodzą do ćwierćfinałów po deszczowym chaosie w Cincinnati!”

    “Iga Świątek i Aryna Sabalenka przechodzą do ćwierćfinałów po deszczowym chaosie w Cincinnati!”

    Podczas gdy najwyżej rozstawiona Iga Świątek i trzecia rozstawiona Aryna Sabalenka awansowały do ćwierćfinałów turnieju w Cincinnati w piątek, piątą rozstawioną Jasmine Paolini wyeliminowano w trzeciej rundzie w wyniku porannego deszczu. Włoszka została pokonana przez Mirrę Andreevą z Rosji 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, która przełamała serwis Paolini przy stanie 5-3 w drugim secie i już się nie oglądała.

    Andreeva wygrała 60 procent punktów przy pierwszym serwisie w pierwszym secie, a następnie wzmocniła swoją ofensywę, wygrywając 94 procent w drugim secie. Zrealizowała 5 z 8 break-pointów w tym dniu, podczas gdy Paolini wykorzystała 3 z 6. Świątek z Polski bez problemu awansowała do ćwierćfinałów, pokonując Ukrainkę Martę Kostyuk, rozstawioną z numerem 15, 6-2, 6-2. Świątek wykorzystała 27 niewymuszonych błędów Kostyuk i wygrała 71 procent punktów przy pierwszym serwisie. „Wejście na kort bez moich rutyn było na pewno trochę trudne” – powiedziała Świątek w transmisji Tennis Channel, odnosząc się do porannej pogody. „Nie rozgrzewałyśmy się rano, więc wyszłyśmy od razu na kort. Cieszę się, że udało mi się zagrać swoją grę. Było o wiele bardziej wietrznie i wilgotno z powodu deszczu rano. Cieszę się, że udało mi się dostosować.”

    Świątek i Andreeva spotkają się w ćwierćfinale. Sabalenka z Białorusi wygrała bez problemu 7-5, 6-2 z Ukrainką Eliną Svitoliną, wykorzystując wszystkie cztery szanse na przełamanie, a także broniąc 4 z 5 break-pointów przeciwko niej.

    Sabalenka zmierzy się teraz z dziesiątą rozstawioną Liudmilą Samsonovą z Rosji, która pokonała Elinę Avanesyan z Armenii 4-6, 6-0, 6-3. Kanadyjka Leylah Fernandez awansowała po zwycięstwie 6-1, 6-4 nad Rosjanką Dianą Shnaider, podczas gdy Hiszpanka Paula Badosa również awansowała po zwycięstwie 6-4, 6-4 nad Yulią Putintseva z Kazachstanu. W parze meczów drugiej rundy, siódma rozstawiona Qinwen Zheng z Chin wygrała 6-1, 7-5 z Magdaleną Frech z Polski, podczas gdy Rosjanka Anastasia Pawliuczenkowa wygrała 7-5, 6-4 z Duńską Caroline Wozniacki. Zheng i Pawliuczenkowa zmierzą się w trzeciej rundzie później tego wieczoru.

    Zheng zdobyła złoty medal na igrzyskach olimpijskich w Paryżu, pokonując Donnę Vekić z Chorwacji w finale kobiet.

  • “Scottie Scheffler’s Fierce Golf Game Hides a Surprising Soft Spot for These Adorable Details!”

    “Scottie Scheffler’s Fierce Golf Game Hides a Surprising Soft Spot for These Adorable Details!”

    Scottie Scheffler, who is quite legitimately one of the nicest men in professional golf, has a bit of a mean streak. A highly competitive dude, he harbors no compunction about squashing his opponents like a bug. But if an actual bug gets in his way, he shows his soft side.

    Ranked No. 1 in the world by a ruthless margin, Scheffler seems poised to inflict further misery on his peers after shooting a tidy but not especially pleasing five-under 65 Friday at the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind. At nine-under 131, he trails co-leaders Hideki Matsuyama and Denny McCarthy by two strokes, which ain’t much ground to make up for a guy with six wins this year and is coming off a furious rally to win the gold medal in the Olympic golf competition

    Yeah, I could have hit it closer [to the hole], could have hit a few more greens, could have made a few more putts,” said Scheffler, who wasn’t so much complaining about his bogey-free round as he was sounding like your typical weekend woulda-coulda-shoulda golfer. “Nice to have clean card, though.”

    Scheffler, who leads the FedEx Cup standings for the third year in a row after the regular season, simply is not a nice person to be around with a club in his hand. He’s not as cutthroat as Tiger Woods, who gleefully enjoyed running up the score, as it were, during many of his record-tying 82 tour wins. But Scottie is equally determined to get the “W” and is none too pleased when the mission isn’t accomplished.

    While playing for a second day in a row with Xander Schauffele, who is second in both the World Ranking and the FedEx Cup standings, Scheffler showed his softer side. Not to Schauffele, of course. Nope. Beat him by four shots.

    On the 16th hole, a bug of unknown entomology happened to find Scheffler’s ball an accommodating place to rest after Scheffler had hit his tee shot. When he arrived at his ball, the Texan didn’t wave off the interloper or in any way threaten it. He simply carefully removed it.

    “It was some sort of bug,” he said, “but I don’t know exactly what it was, but it had wings, so I was able to grab it and just kind of move it.

    You seemed entertained by it,” asked a questioner, clearly intrigued. He wasn’t alone. This thing now had legs. We’re talking about the story here.

    “It was entertaining because I grabbed both of its wings very gently,” Scheffler said. “I was able to grab it off the ball, and it was trying to flutter as I had it by its wings so you could kind of feel it moving. I just wanted to make sure I put it away from my ball so it wouldn’t be going back on my ball.”

    So why not kill the thing? That would stop it, too, no?

    “I didn’t think I was going to be able to catch it, and then when I did, I was like, I’m not going to kill it now that I caught it,” he explained. “So I just kind of let it fly away.”

    Quite the dog-and-butterfly kind of moment. Scheffler birdied the hole and the next one, too, which made three birdies in a row, and all of a sudden he was looking like the same big ol’ windshield barreling down golf’s highway getting ready to make his opponents go splat.

    The point here is that Scottie Scheffler clearly has a soft side. It’s just rare to see it on a golf course