Doc Rivers: DeAndre Jordan ‘sees himself now as a star’

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Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan was one of the standouts for Team USA at the Olympics this summer, and coach Doc Rivers thinks he’s just figuring out how good he is.

Rivers hopes and expects Jordan to bring the swagger and confidence he found in Rio back to the Clippers for the NBA season.

“He sees himself now as a star,” Rivers said, via Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. “As good as he is, I don’t think he’s ever seen himself as one. He’s always been the third guy so he’s looked at himself as a role player in some ways. Now he knows how good he is and I think any time you’re around winning, it’s important, and I think DJ now knows what winning looks like.

“Of all our guys, I think he’s the most important guy this summer for us.”

Jordan’s drive and confidence has always been questioned. These quotes from the Olympics brought that to light again. Plus, Jordan isn’t an elite offensive presence and likely never will be – his game is more about creating space for other players. That’s perfectly fine, of course, and Ben Wallace was a star without having an elite offensive game as well. If Jordan does have renewed confidence, particularly on the defensive end, he could take the next step and really help the Clippers, who would certainly appreciate the boost.

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‘Shame on You’: Gold Star Mom Unloads on Colin Kaepernick for Refusing to Stand During National Anthem

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San Fransisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick became the subject of heated debate — literally — when he refused to stand for the national anthem during a preseason game last week, and now a Gold Star mom is weighing in on the issue.

“My heart is exploding, my lungs are without air, my blood is boiling, my body is shaking, and tears are running down my face,” the mother, whose comments were first shared by CNN’s Jake Tapper, wrote of the athlete’s controversial decision.

San Fransisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images for Haute Living)

Kaepernick said he refused to “show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” He argued doing so would be “selfish” because “there are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

But the unnamed Gold Star mom reminded the football player of other bodies laying in the streets — veterans who have lost their lives in combat.

“I am sitting in my living room looking outside at my American flag — flying at half staff,” she wrote. “You see, my son’s body lay in a street after an [improvised explosive device] blew up the vehicle he was fighting in. His blood stains the sands of Afghanistan. He died protecting the ideals of the flag you refuse to respect.”

“He died so that ungrateful, privileged, and arrogant men like you can be just that — ungrateful, privileged, and arrogant,” she continued. “There are brave men and women all around that stand between evil and you. Men and women willing to die to protect you because they believe in the ideals this country was founded on.”

Whatever you may think about Colin Kaepernick"s decision, here"s how it impacted one Gold Star Mom. pic.twitter.com/3uaUxNsFoM

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) August 28, 2016

Of his decision, Kaepernick said he is not “looking for approval,” but is just “stand[ing] up for people that are oppressed.” And on Sunday, he doubled down on his defense of the move, telling reporters he will continue to sit during the “Star-Spangled Banner” until he sees “significant change and I feel like that flag represents what it’s supposed to represent, this country is representing people the way that it’s supposed to.”

But the mother of the slain soldier wondered, what about honoring veterans?

“Ask them how their heart feels when they hear the national anthem being sung? You are a public figure, someone young people look to as an example. Shame on you,” she charged. “Shame on you for your disrespect towards those who are true examples of honesty, integrity, pride, and leadership. Shame on you for disrespecting my son and his life. His sacrifice.”

—

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Euro 2016 Star Takes Drastic Action To Force Premier League Move

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Newcastle United midfielder Moussa Sissoko is a man who is desperate for a move to the Premier League.

He feels like he deserves to be there, after turning in his only decent performances of the entire season during Euro 2016, and promptly getting carried away with his own hype.

And after his latest actions, it looks like he’ll do anything to secure an exit from St James’ Park.

Sissoko is training alone after returning from his extended break after the Euros, and he’s probably pissed off he’s still at Newcastle after being linked with Real Madrid and Juventus this summer.

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He’s an unhappy bunny, and has also broken club rules by talking to French media about a potential move (just in case it wasn’t clear he wants out):

I resumed training on Monday.

I am preparing with my own coach. I joined the squad slowly, hoping the transfer will be soon. But I am not going to sign without thinking. With everything, I take time to think.

Real Madrid are a very big club, but you have to think and have no regrets.

I still hope to have the chance to join a more exclusive club. Now we are negotiating with Newcastle.

My agent has had discussions with the club. They are open to a departure. We are in discussions. We’ll see what happens.

If you’re struggling, that translates as ‘I want to go to Real Madrid, but they don’t want me and I’ve ended up back at Newcastle’.

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Liverpool and Arsenal have also been rumoured to be interested in Sissoko, because Liverpool are quite good at buying Newcastle players for big money (Gini Wijnaldum and Andy Carroll have earned the Geordies £60 million in the last few years), and Arsene Wenger loves buying midfielders he doesn’t need.

Wherever he goes, Sissoko’s quotes certainly qualify as a ‘come and get me’ plea, although who answers – if anyone – is yet to become clear.

Another interested club is West Bromwich Albion, and it would make every Newcastle fan’s day/year/life if Sissoko became the first player to end up playing for Tony Pulis after thinking he was about to run out at the Bernabeu.

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Klopp Accepts Unwanted Star In Squad After Failure To Sell

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Poor old Christian Benteke.

The Liverpool striker has been frozen out of the Reds’ pre season plans, and had been told by Jurgen Klopp that he’s free to leave Anfield for another club this summer.

There’s been plenty of interest for the former Aston Villa striker, but Klopp is not prepared to let the Belgian leave ‘as a present’, and wants most of the £32 million Brendan Rodgers spent on him back.

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Crystal Palace failed with a £25 million bid last month, while Everton, West Ham United and Besiktas have all been credited with interest.

Benteke has fallen behind Daniel Sturridge, Danny Ings and Divock Origi in the battle for the lone striker role, while Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane are unlikely to be dropped to accommodate the 25-year-old.

Speaking about the striker, Benteke’s agent, Eris Kismet, told The Guardian:

We are waiting for any news but at this moment there is nothing concrete.

There are several teams interested in signing him so hopefully we can reach a resolution soon.

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Alan Pardew is rumoured to be still interested in signing Benteke – why wouldn’t you be when your best striker is Connor Wickham – but there’s been no second bid.

And Klopp has all but confirmed he will block an exit should their valuation fail to be met:

If there are clubs that want a striker from us they have to make real offers and are not hoping for anything else, otherwise we will find solutions.

If there is a need on the other side then go for it – but not as a present. That’s how transfers are.

A few clubs try to gamble but we are not part of the gambling side. We are serious people, and if there is an offer we will think about it.

We will see what happens but at the end if someone wants a player from us he has to pay as we have only good players.

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Sounds like Benteke could start the season as a totally unwanted part of the Liverpool squad – which is good news for Mario Balotelli, who is in the exact same position, and might now have a friend in the stands.

The former Manchester City striker has been linked with a return to Italy all summer, and Chievo are the latest name linked with the firework loving 25-year-old, but nothing has yet materialised.

Looks like there’s going to be an expensive car boot sale at Anfield sometime soon.

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Europe’s Top Clubs Alert As Real Madrid Name Price For Creative Star

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PSG are flexing their financial muscles again.

Fresh from losing Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the end of last season, new boss Unai Emery has wasted no time reshaping his squad.

The former Sevilla boss has added Hatem Ben Arfa and Grzegorz Krychowiak to his ranks, and has now agreed a fee with Real Madrid for winger Jese Rodriguez.

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A price of €25m is enough to prise Jese from the Santiago Bernabeu, ending a nine year spell at the club after he joined from Las Palmas as a 14-year-old.

Jese missed out on Spain’s Euro 2016 squad, as Vicente Del Bosque opted to take Lucas Vasquez instead, and had been advised by Zinedine Zidane to leave the club in search of regular first team football.

PSG should be able to provide that, although the Spaniard will have to dislodge either Angel Di Maria or Lucas Moura from the first team.

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Emery is a long term admirer of Jese, having tried to bring him to Sevilla from Madrid three years ago, but being denied as it looked like the speedy attacker may have broken into the first team.

That hasn’t materialised though, and PSG now look certain to sign the 23-year-old.

Whether or not Madrid will insert a buyback clause into his contract like they did with Alvaro Morata is yet to be seen, but it may be a wise move with the amount of players returning to their previous clubs for huge money this summer *cough Pogba, cough*.

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Madrid may use the money to move for Newcastle United’s Moussa Sissoko, as they prepare to give up on the chase for Paul Pogba.

Looks like Real are adopting a more standard approach to transfer business.

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La Liga Star Urges Chelsea Attacker To Join Him In Spain

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Filipe Luis is a sentimental man.

The former Chelsea left back spent a year at Stamford Bridge, before quickly realising that he loved Atletico Madrid too much to stay in London, and moved back.

And he wants his former team mate Diego Costa to follow his career path, and has urged the striker to rejoin him at the Vicente Calderon next season.

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Atleti boss Diego Simeone is keen for Costa to return to Spain and has been chasing him all summer, but any move is dependent on the Blues signing a replacement striker to lead the line next season.

That man could be Romelu Lukaku, but Everton are playing hard ball over the transfer fee, and it’s holding up the Filipe/Costa bromance reunion.

Speaking about his mate, Filipe said:

[Costa] is the player who gave me the most advice in my career, and I love him like a brother.

We both know that our mutual love for Atletico is a common theme in our relationship. I have no doubts that he would be very happy here.

He has been the best ‘9’ in the world and can be the best again depending on what he does at his club. I always want him on my team, so hopefully I can get back to playing with him.

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Looking at those quotes, it’s in the best interests of everyone involved to reunite Costa and Filipe, as it’s genuinely worrying how much the Brazilian misses his old mate.

We think Filipe needs to realise that if he was playing against Costa, he wouldn’t think twice about getting a swift elbow in the face.

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Manchester United Star Claims He’s Willing To Fight For Future

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Since Jose Mourinho began his reign at Old Trafford, Manchester United has been all about new signings.

Eric Bailly, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have all boosted the squad, but United have not yet sold any of their first team stars.

Marouane Fellaini, Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo were all linked with an exit, but Dutch defender Blind has hit back at the people who expected him to leave Manchester this summer.

Given Mourinho’s preference for players who can play in one position, Blind’s versatility looked to have put him at a disadvantage, and Arsenal were linked with a move.

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But after getting some game time on United’s pre season tour of America, the 26-year-old has spoke about his future.

Talking about the rumours, Blind said:

People were making that mistake [me leaving] very quick.

But nothing was said and just like all the other guys, I want to work very hard and get my spot in the team.

I think in football, you never really have assurances. But I believe if you are confident and work hard that you will get chances.

What I’m saying is not only for me, but everyone in the squad. That’s what I do, work hard and I want to be part of the team.

Blind was part of United’s kit launch in China recently – which, by the rules of modern football, means he’s seen as someone who is unlikely to leave in the near future.

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Whether or not the former Ajax man will get games is another matter, with Bailly, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones all seemingly ahead of him in the race for a centre back spot.

However, with doubts over Bailly’s suitability for the Premier League, Blind could be handed another chance to impress.

Let’s hope Jose doesn’t give Fellaini a similar chance.

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Klopp Powerless To Keep Star As European Giants Step Up Chase

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Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool midfield is becoming rather crowded.

The German has already added Marko Grujic, Sadio Mane and Gini Wijnaldum to his ranks this summer, and along with his existing options, there isn’t room for everyone.

One of those who may be forced to leave is Lucas Leiva, with the Brazilian attracting interest from a number of clubs this summer.

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Last month, the defensive midfielder was rumoured to be part of the deal to take Wijnaldum from Newcastle United to Anfield, but a reunion with Rafa Benitez never materialised.

And that’s left Galatasaray in pole position to sign the 29-year-old, who joined Liverpool way back in 2007.

The Turkish giants can offer Lucas a regular starting place, something which Klopp will struggle to do, despite rating the midfielder highly.

Last season, Klopp used Lucas as an emergency centre back, and the former Gremio man didn’t let his side down in the makeshift role.

But now, with Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan coming in to solve the defensive crisis, Lucas may not get the pitch time he craves – making a move to Turkey more appealing.

Gala boss Jan Olde Riekerink has confirmed his interest in Lucas, and wants to take him across Europe before the new season kicks off in two weeks time.

Klopp has a decision to make, as one of his most senior players is clearly chasing first team football that he won’t get on Merseyside next season.

It’s safe to say we’ll all miss Lucas if he does leave, mainly because of his brilliant shooting that entertains us all…

Hopefully there’s many more moments like this to come!

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