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âI was going to retire from footballâ – Forest Green Rovers striker Matty Stevens on boxing career, winning League Two title and future ambitions
Whilst football has brought a lot of success to the life of Matty Stevens, it was never guaranteed that this would be the case.
Born into a boxing family, Stevens had a very successful amateur career himself, never losing a bout.
He was quick to credit how positively the sport has impacted him.
âThe thing about boxing is it’s a very disciplined sport. It’s helped me in a lot of ways with football and in just general life,â he said.
âYou walk into a boxing club, it’s quite a mean place. You’ve got to be a bit brave, a bit tough. Mentally, it is tough, and I think that helped me as I got older as well in the football side of things.
âWith boxing, there’s never been any nerves going into a fight or into a ring in general. So, I think that sort of helped me. Obviously, the discipline side of things away from football, the diet, the training, that helped. But then, when it comes to match day, it helped me massively in terms of my mindset and my nerves going into the game.â
The feeling of rejection and being released from clubs at a young age is something a lot of pros have experienced, and Stevens is no different.
However, unlike many, he had two sports that were serious career possibilities, and therefore a decision had to be made.
âI was going to retire from football,â he stated in a serious tone.
âI was at Reading from eight years old, played up to 16 and got released. I thought it was really harsh. I went around to a few clubs and found it really difficult. Everyone already had their scholars planned.â
Stevens went on to say in a more upbeat mood: âI went to Barnet and had a few friends there who were at Reading before. So, I knew a few of the boys, felt comfortable, ended up signing there and it helped me massively.
âThe first team manager at the time was a man called Martin Allen, whoâs from Reading. His dad used to watch my grandad box. That helped me a little bit as well because obviously he knew the family.
âIt was a really enjoyable time during my short spell at Barnet. I enjoyed it, everyone at the club was good to me, and I scored a lot of goals.â
Fast forward to the 2021/22 season, and the goalscoring was still in full flow. 23 in the league was the second best return in the division, as Forest Green Rovers won the League Two title, with the striker also earning Team of the Season honours.
âIt was unbelievable, it was like playing with your friends. We had a really good group, probably the best group I’ve been with.
âWe were together, a lot of us, for a couple of years, and we just formed really good relationships on and off the pitch.
âI would have loved to have won the Golden Boot, and I do believe that I could’ve won it. I missed a lot of games. I think it was nine or 10 games towards the end of the season.
âI enjoyed the celebrations, but not as much as probably I should have done because I was on crutches at the time with the injury. But definitely my best season to date.â
Embed from Getty Images(Stevens, pictured far left on crutches, celebrating with the 2021/22 title winning Forest Green Rovers team)
Of course, itâs not been quite so positive in the last couple of years, with Forest Green now back in League Two, and potentially facing back-to-back relegations.
Itâs certainly not something Stevens expected going into the season.
âI honestly believed at the start of the season that we would maybe not win the league, but we’d definitely be up there for promotion.
âFor whatever reason, it’s the complete opposite. We’re second from bottom, and fighting to stay up, but I still believe that we can do it.â
The forward also currently finds himself out with an injury, and while his recovery is key, he knows the focal point for the club is survival.
âIt’s not so much me at the minute. I’ve had an injury before and I did look after myself, and the boys are just more focused on getting the points at the minute.â
With Stevens only just turning 26, many would say these next few years are the prime of his career, Despite the vast success already achieved, he knows he wants more.
Embed from Getty ImagesâI’d still like to play as high as I can, I still believe I can play higher.
âI didn’t really have much of an opportunity when we did get promoted to League One to have a good crack at that. Even, with a bit of luck, Championship,â he said confidently.
âI still believe I’m young enough. I’ve scored a lot of goals at League Two level, and that’s something I’d like to achieve, just to see how high I can play.â
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West Bromwich Albion Vs Aldershot Town: An FA Cup run beyond the Shotsâ wildest dreams
The day was finally here.
One of the biggest in Aldershot Town Football Clubâs recent history.
A date with Championship side West Bromwich Albion in the third round of the FA Cup. A modern day David vs Goliath match-up, but one Aldershot Town supporters believed they had a chance of winning.
I, like the majority of Shots fans, made the journey to the Midlands nice and early to soak up the type of atmosphere that doesnât come around for a National League side very often. Heading to the pub, the streets were flooded with red and blue shirts, with the odd chant breaking out from all directions.
The Aldershot takeover continued in The Royal Oak, where the majority of the mutter that could be heard was about the event taking place in a couple of hours time. It was only right that upon exiting, a local food van was the final stop before the stadium, with an aroma of burgers and chips being too tempting for myself, along with many others, to pass up on.
Immediately upon entering, the concourse hosted a real party atmosphere. Balloons were being batted around, the chants were in full flow and everyone was making the most of the special day. âTown, town, Aldershot Townâ and “we’ll keep the red flag flying highâ were just a couple of songs being belted out at maximum volume.
That carried on as everyone piled in and made their way to their seats, and from my position at the front right of the stand, looking behind was a sight to behold. The entirety of the Smethwick End, taken over by 5,000 Aldershot Town fans.
Red and blue pyros were being set off in unison, the balloons had made their way into the fresh air (with any that popped causing quite the unexpected fright), and seeing the players warm-up provided a âthis is realâ moment for those behind the goal.
However, the game didnât quite start how everyone had hoped, with a first, second and third goal being scored by the hosts before the half hour mark. And yet, it was still the Aldershot Town fans out-singing the rest of The Hawthorns.
Those who had remained in full voice for 90 minutes straight wanted to see one thing, and in the fifth minute of additional time, their wish was granted as Ollie Bray put the Shots on the scoresheet, sending the away end into a frenzy. It was as if the winning goal of a cup final had gone in, and in a way, this was the Hampshire sidesâ cup final.
The full-time scenes were equally as brilliant, with the entire squad, manager and staff coming over to applaud those that had stuck with them.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Aldershot Town squad applaud all that made the journey
No one wanted to leave, everyone wanted to sing and chant until they were kicked out, and while it was the visitors that had come out as 4-1 victors, the non-league side made it clear that this day and that goal was a big enough victory for them.
While it wasnât the result Aldershot Town dreamt of, the club dared to dream, and made the dreams of many come true on a day that wonât be forgotten in a long, long time.
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Fifteen seasons on: How Aldershot Townâs first campaign in the English Football League completed the rebirth of the club
âAnd itâs come out here to Scott Davies! There is to be late drama!â
Those were the words of Steve Bower on Setanta Sports as the then 19-year-old midfielder scored in the 94th minute away at Torquay United to put Aldershot Town 12 points clear at the top of the Blue Square Premier.
The Shots would then go on to win the 2007/08 title, with a tally of 101 points and an 18 game unbeaten run to cap off a magnificent season.
But most importantly, it ensured that the 2008/09 campaign was one for the Aldershot Town history books.
After years of scaling the English football pyramid, North Hampshire finally had its beloved club back where they had dreamed since its rebirth in 1992.
Nearly two decades of rebuilding, re-identifying and most importantly believing, and at long last, the town of Aldershot were back in the EFL.
But saying it was a smooth ride getting there would be far from the truth.
Of course, Aldershot F.C, who were established in 1926, had been in the top four leagues of English football, even playing in the third division between 1973-1976. But after the club went out of business and resigned from the Football League in 1992, it was truly back to square one.
Badge of Aldershot F.C.
And by square one, it meant the Isthmian League Division Three, which back in the 1992/93 campaign (which of course also marked the introduction of the Premier League), was the ninth tier of English football.
Craig Matthews has been the public address (PA) announcer at Aldershot Town for 10 seasons, and a supporter since 1976. Heâs one of the unsung heroes at the club, and remembers hearing the dreaded news.
âWe were all at a bit of a loss for the rest of that season because we folded mid-way through. Everyone’s thinking, what are we going to do next year?
âI was adamant that I wasn’t going to be supporting Aldershot in a non-league capacity because they were coming in at the Isthmian League Division Three.
Craig Matthews, Aldershot Town fan and PA announcer
âI don’t know what changed my mind, I came along to a couple of the pre-season friendlies and got hooked, and I’ve been coming ever since.â
It was a strong start to life as the reformed Aldershot Town, with first and third placed finishes respectively seeing them gain back to back promotions.
However, it wasnât quite as easy for the next decade or so, and despite not finishing below seventh in the Isthmian League Division One or the Isthmian League Premier Division, it took four campaigns to get out of the former, and five to win the latter.
All that was left now was to win the Football Conference, and it almost happened at the first time of asking, but penalties in the play-off final were the difference.
More postseason heartbreak in the next season, where penalties were again the cause of elimination, followed on by 13th and ninth placed finishes, meant the wait for EFL football went on.
But then, it happened. Gary Waddock, in his first season as manager, led Aldershot Town to both the Conference League Cup trophy, and more importantly, promotion to the Football League, with the team going up as champions, 15 points clear of their nearest rival.
âThe Wadfatherâ had cemented his name in Aldershot folklore. The phoenix had risen.
Looking at some of the teams that visited The Recreation Ground in 08/09 would certainly make for some great reactions. Brentford, Bournemouth and Luton Town, who of course all now hold Premier League status, were three sides that competed in the fourth tier alongside the Shots.
One of those happened to be the Shotsâ opponent for their first home game in League Two, a 1-1 draw with the Cherries in front of 4,564 fans.
Speaking about this game along with the start of that season, Matthews said: âIt was a real carnival atmosphere.
âFor the first few weeks of that season we were in heaven really, because we were back in the Football League, playing these established clubs again.
âYou look at what Bournemouth have done, they’re in the Premier League now. Brentford were one of the teams who played in that first season. These teams were back in town.â
Fast forward to now, and with Wrexham re-claiming EFL status of their own last year, it means Aldershot Town are currently the longest serving club in the National League, with this campaign being their 11th straight in the division.
It wasnât an easy ride back to the Football League, and itâs been far from easy since then. But the biggest reality check is that, in recent years, Bury and Macclesfield are just a couple of examples of towns that have had to go through losing their heartbeat. Losing what means the most to them. Losing their football team.
Itâs a gentle reminder that having a club is the biggest victory of all.
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Fan-managers, penalties and cold temperatures: How a chilly night at The New Lawn unfolded
It was a long walk up the hill to get to The New Lawn, home of Forest Green Rovers, and a walk that everyone knew would be much nicer going back down.
The League Two side were taking on an obviously youthful Brighton U21âs side in the final group game of the EFL Trophy.
The bright floodlights illuminated the black sky, allowing me to notice every cold breath in front of me.
Through the gates, the main sights were people rubbing their hands, zipping their coats all the way up and hats and scarfs being draped to keep them as warm as possible. After all, at one of the highest stadiums in the UK, the cold is a lot easier to feel.
Even just a couple of minutes inside walking up the stairs was a nice break from what felt like below freezing temperatures outside.
It wasnât the most packed inside the ground, mainly due to it being an EFL Trophy game and not a league fixture. However, hundreds of fans still took their seats for the contest.
Of course, being at the worldâs greenest football club, it was the aroma of vegan food that filled the air, on top of green Coca-Cola cans being cracked open.
The smoke from the hot chocolate of the person sat next to me also lingered for much of the first half, and the occasional gush of warm air.
Rovers fans were quick to applaud at the grit of their side early on, but equally quick at venting their frustrations when it wasnât going how they wanted it to.
Part way through the second half, a light in the main stand was either switched off or turned off itself, one or the other, and saw a few jeers across the stand, the most noise that had been heard in a while other than the occasional fan thinking they were the manager.
One fan even yelled, âHeâs offsideâ as a goal kick was taken, even though you canât actually be ruled offside from a goal kick.
All in all, it wasnât the most thrilling of contests with no goals being scored, but an exciting penalty shootout to close proceedings made it that little bit better and added a sense of excitement within the ground.
However, some fans might not have realised the format was set out this way, as a few left before the referee blew the final whistle.
As each penalty was scored, and eventually as two penalties were saved, you could hear the excitement of the players on the sideline, cheering and punching the air at each vital moment.
It was the visiting side that ended up winning, but nevertheless the result meant both teams progressed to the next round.
Back at the car, the heating was turned straight on, hands placed directly in front of the vent, and the warmth started to rise.
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âIt takes you to strange momentsâ: Murry Toms discusses his media career, experiences heâs had and what he sets out to achieve
(Photo credit – Cameron Ward)
Winning a BAFTA temporarily and working for Cheltenham Town Football Club are two things you would not expect to hear in the same sentence.
But Murry Toms, though humble and conserved as he enters the room, has had a career that includes those exact feats.
âThatâs what I like most about my job. It takes you to strange moments,â he says.
âOne that sticks in my mind is that we did some campaign work for a Channel 4 programme called River Cottage. It was quite successful, we did a campaign called âHugh’s Fish Fightâ.
âIt attracted about a million supporters in the end, and it did very well.
âSo I was nominated for a BAFTA for doing that work, I went to the award ceremony and we got announced as the winner. We got on stage, we picked the award up at which point the host said, âIâve read the card out wrong, you havenât won itâ. Had to get back down, so didnât win the BAFTA.
âWell, I won it for 20 seconds!â he says with a grin.
Toms has spent the best part of 25 years working for a variety of agencies, sports clubs, and on TV programmes such as the early âBig Brotherâ seriesâ. It may seem like normal TV work, but back then it was far more impactful.
âThe thing that was ground-breaking about it was that you were able to watch it online. Before that moment you werenât really able to watch anything online at all, the web was at quite an early stage.
âSo we streamed it, and got a lot of success doing that, and at the time it had become one of the biggest stories in media.â
His job has also taken him across the globe and given him the opportunity to work on an international stage.
âI travelled to Australia once to work at the Commonwealth Games with Wales. That’s a really big experience for me. I think I spent about the best part of a month there with the team.
âIt was quite an intense experience. It was a month away, but it felt like a year. Obviously it’s quite nice to travel somewhere like that and work at an event like that on the international stage.â
Despite all the incredible things the 46-year-old has experienced, itâs Cheltenham Town that remains the closest to his heart.
The Completely-Suzuki Stadium – Home of Cheltenham Town Football Club
Toms started working at his hometown club in 2003, offering his time and media skills that he had already developed to help Cheltenham with their website and matchday programmes. But having the determination that he does, he wanted more.
âMy role has grown and grown at the club, and currently Iâm a director, so I sit on the board of directors at Cheltenham Town.
âIâm one of seven people that form an executive group and effectively run the club. Each of us has got our own specific area that we focus on, and mine is probably that media, marketing and communications.â
But as a fan of the club, those decisions are even more vital, and he knows himself that tough choices have to be made.
âI’ve got members of my family down the years stretching back almost 100 years that have played for the club, so it really feels like my club and I’m not really involved in it from a necessarily a career point of view.
âIt is not difficult to remain a fan, but you do quite often find yourself in meetings where perhaps you kind of find yourself having to make decisions that you probably know will not be popular in the fan base and probably, if I stepped outside myself, I would think I probably would not like this if I was told this is coming.â
The amount of success Toms has achieved speaks volumes to a hard-working, forward thinking individual. But what defines him more is that even with the success, he is still not content, and heâs not sure if he ever will be.
âI donât feel content. I donât know if thatâs just me and my nature, but I would like to build on what Iâve done.
âA lot of the work Iâve done in the past has quite a big social impact, so some of the stuff away from sports has had a positive effect in a number of communities around the country. That gives me a sense of reward in what Iâm doing.â
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2023 NBA Finals Preview: Denver Nuggets Vs Miami Heat
The 2023 NBA Finals are set, with the Denver Nuggets facing the Miami Heat to decide who will raise The Larry O’Brien Trophy. If youâd asked every NBA fan before the season what the finals would look like, very few, if any at all, wouldâve told you this. But stars are going to win their first ring, thatâs a guarantee. Whether itâll be Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and company, or Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and their squad is still undetermined. Both franchises have had very (and I mean VERY) different paths to get to where they are now, and itâs sure to be an entertaining series.
Road to the finals: Denver Nuggets
Weâll start with this seasonâs Western Conference champions, with that being the Denver Nuggets. The team finished the season as the number one seed out West, but many doubted their ability in the postseason. Fast forward to now, and they have fairly comfortably cruised their way through the first three rounds, making it to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history.
The first round saw them face the Minnesota Timberwolves, and if the series had gone on for any longer than the five games it did, it wouldâve been disappointing. Their second round opponent was the Phoenix Suns who, of course, acquired Kevin Durant in a blockbuster trade midway through the season.
When this trade was completed, many saw the Suns as the team to beat in the West, and they immediately became a true championship contender. But what if your best player averages 34.5 points, 13.2 rebounds and 10.3 assists and becomes an unstoppable force? Step forward Nikola Jokic, who put up these quite frankly absurd numbers to lead Denver to the conference finals, and past KD and Devin Booker in six games.
The only thing that stood in the way from their first NBA finals appearances was LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, a repeat of the âBubbleâ back in 2020. The Lakers making the WCF was quite an accomplishment considering where they stood heading into the All-Star break, but multiple trades catapulted their play and secured them a play-in spot. Many said that, if the Lakers ended up getting the 8th seed and had faced the Nuggets in the first-round, that there was a legitimate chance of an upset. This was the chance that they could prove it.
If a team is to have a shot at a championship, then they canât just rely on their best player. But when your second option steps up like Jamal Murray did in this series, then it becomes easier for the team to play at an elite level. Not only did he average 32.5 points, but he did it on 52.7/40.5/95% splits. Jokic also averaged yet another triple-double, and also passed Wilt Chamberlain for the most triple-doubles in a single postseason. He has eight so far, and thereâs still a minimum of four games to play.
Because they wrapped this series up so quickly with a sweep, theyâve had plenty of time to recharge and prepare for whatâs to come. However, we canât say the same about their opponent.
Road to the finals: Miami Heat
Moving onto the Eastern Conference champions, and a quite incredible run to the NBA finals for the Miami Heat. Unlike Denver who finished top of their conference, Miami had to go through the play-in tournament to even secure their spot in the playoffs, and after losing to the Hawks in the 7-8 match-up, they had to beat the Bulls or their season was over. They did, and have now become only the second ever eighth seed in NBA history to make it to the finals. They also did it without the help of both Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo, who have both been sidelined with injury this postseason, although Herro is reportedly expected to return during this series.
Their first-round match-up was against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, who of course won the championship in 2021. Many thought they were going to fairly comfortably make it to at least the conference finals, but the Heat had other ideas. It took them just five games to dispatch of the team with the best record in the NBA, and that was mainly thanks to the greatness of Jimmy Butler.
Thereâs been a conspiracy going around for a while now, in regards to how Jimmy Butler could possibly be the son of Michael Jordan, and based on this series, those rumours could well be true. 37.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game is quite remarkable, and it included a 56 point outburst in game four, and 42 points to close the series.
The second round saw them go up against the Knicks, and whilst Jalen Brunson produced some stellar play for New York, the all-around play from the Heat saw them win in six games. Miami had six players average double figures in this series, and three of those went undrafted.
Undrafted players continued to be the theme of discussion in the Eastern Conference Finals, where the Heat matched up against the Boston Celtics. Like out West, this was a repeat of the 2020 NBA âBubbleâ, and it was also a repeat of the ECF from last season.
The Heat won the first three games, two of which were in Boston, and the series seemed to be wrapped up. However, after Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown said, âDonât let us get one,â the Câs went on to win three straight, which included a buzzer-beating tip-in from Derrick White in game six. Teams were 150-0 when leading a series 3-0, but could the Celtics make history and become the first time to complete the comeback? The short answer is no, but Boston certainly showed fight to be on the brink of history.Â
Out of the nine players that played 10+ minutes per game in this series, five of them did not get drafted, which only makes the run more remarkable. Out of these players, none shined brighter than Caleb Martin. His story is quite remarkable, and Heat fans will have him (and rapper J Cole) to thank.
Martinâs stellar play gave him a genuine case to be named Eastern Conference Finals MVP, and although the voting ended up 5-4 in favour of Jimmy Butler, the Heat would not have won this series without Martin. His averages of 19.3 points and 6.4 rebounds and shooting splits of 60.2% from the field and a ridiculous 48.9% from three have seen his stock rise dramatically, and it proves that if you stay ready, your moment will come.
How do the teams match up?
The Nuggets have dominated the Heat head-to-head over the last few years, winning nine of the last ten encounters between the sides, and both games this season, although one of these saw both teams missing key pieces.
The main talking point is how the Heat are going to deal with Jokic. Whilst Bam Adebayo is an elite defender and made his fourth consecutive All-Defensive Second Team this season, itâs still going to be a tough task stopping an offensive juggernaut like Jokic. When you also realise that Jokic has a couple of inches and about 30 pounds on his primary defender, tough task seems to become more and more of an understatement.
Itâs also very dependent on what version of Jimmy Butler we see. If we see the version from the Bucks series, then the Heat have every shot of winning this series, but if we see the Butler we saw against the Celtics, then it may be too much to ask. The Nuggets also have a lot more options for defending Butler than the Heat do for Jokic, and Aaron Gordon, Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are all likely to have that assignment throughout the series.
Itâs not just the stars that need to step up. Miami is going to need big production from their undrafted guys, with Caleb Martin, Max Strus, Gabe Vincent and Duncan Robinson all needing to step up and provide scoring and three-point shooting. Kevin Love and Kyle Lowry also have championship pedigree, so will be crucial veterans and steady the ship if things take a turn for the worse.
On the other side, the Nuggets wonât be able to just rely on their two stars. Both Michael Porter Jr and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope shot the ball brilliantly from downtown against the Lakers, and those two alongside Aaron Gordon and Bruce Brown all averaged between 12 and 15 points per game in that series. Denver is going to need this scoring to continue, and if the stars are struggling for either side, then some of these guys are going to need to shine bright on the biggest stage of them all.
Of course, the Denver Nuggets have home-court advantage, and are 8-0 at home in the playoffs this season, which could prove pivotal in this series. Ultimately, this isnât going to phase Miami, because all theyâve done this season is prove people wrong. The Nuggets have also had a considerable amount of rest compared to the Heat, but this doesnât necessarily give them an advantage, and some would say the Heat could be better off and more game ready due to them only just finishing up their series with Boston. Of course, these are all questions that will be answered in due time, and itâs sure to be an entertaining series to cap off another great NBA season.
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Oklahoma City Thunder 2022-23 round-up: A season that exceeded all expectations
Itâs fair to say that the Oklahoma City Thunder came into the 2022-23 season with expectations from NBA fans, analysts and experts set extremely low.
When 2nd overall pick Chet Holmgren picked up an injury guarding LeBron James in a pre-season Pro-AM game that sidelined him for the entirety of his rookie season, the already low expectations took another dive, and the Thunder were projected to be one of, if not the worst team in the whole association.
Fast forward to now, and all of those pre-season takes, although realistic then, look laughable. Oklahoma City finished as the 10th seed in the Western Conference, and were just one game away from making the playoffs, so itâs fair to say that OKC fans have a lot to be excited about for next season.
The Draft
Thunder GM Sam Presti loves his draft picks. Itâs something that the team has a historic amount of, and entering the 2022 draft they had three first-rounders and one second round pick. Drafting is something the franchise have been historically good at, with the likes of Kevin Durant, James Harden and Russell Westbrook all being selected, whether that was by the Thunder or the Supersonics.
As mentioned previously, Chet Holmgren was selected at number two, but we’ve yet to see him in action in a Thunder uniform. The Knicks had the 11th overall pick, where Ousmane Dieng was selected and then traded to the Thunder.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnd then came the 12th pick, where the Thunder have a little bit of history. Steven Adams was selected here in 2013, and this time round the Thunder selected Jalen Williams, or J-Dub for short, from Santa Clara, the first player to come out of this programme since Steve Nash.
The 30th overall pick, Peyton Watson, was traded to Denver, and with the singular second-round pick Oklahoma City selected big man Jaylin Williams, aka J-Will. As was done throughout the season, Iâll be referring to the Williamsâ using their nicknames, as they are the two rooks that had the most impact.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a superstar
If thereâs one thing thatâs been established this season for the Oklahoma City Thunder, itâs that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is this franchise’s next cornerstone piece. Everyone knew the talent that the young Canadian had, and the hopeâs from fans before the season started were for him to take that jump to the next level and be named an All-Star.
However, I donât think anyone was expecting the rise of SGA to be this meteoric. Not only was Shai named as an All-Star for the first time in his career, he finished 5th in MVP voting behind only Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum. It meant that he received the most votes amongst guards in the entire league, earning himself a place on the All-NBA First Team.
His averages of 31.4 points, 5.5 assists and 4.8 rebounds, along with 1.6 steals and a block a game, show exactly why he earned his spot amongst the NBAâs elite. He finished as the league’s 4th leading scorer, and led all guards in blocked shots per game.
Heâs one of, if not the best in the game at getting to the rim, and his crafty arsenal, which is ever expanding, means he doesnât need to rely on a three-point shot to get buckets. The Thunder have got their guy for years to come, and fans certainly wonât be getting bored of watching SGA go to work anytime soon.
It also seems like SGA has got his backcourt running mate for the foreseeable future, in the form of Josh Giddey. Giddey was the sixth pick in the 2021 draft, and it was a surprise to some that he went that high. After a rookie campaign where he made All-Rookie Second Team, the potential was clear, and this season he continued to progress. The 20-year-old posted 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game, which are certainly solid numbers for someone that still has a lot of progressing to do.
The Rooks showed out
Weâll start things off with Jalen Williams, aka J-Dub, who had nothing short of an exceptional rookie campaign. The progression throughout the season for the 12th overall pick was amazing to watch, and by the end of the season it was a legitimate debate between him and first overall pick Paolo Banchero for Rookie of the Year honours.
While in the end it did go to the Orlando Magic forward, who had an outstanding rookie year himself and was top of his class from the first game onwards, J-Dub wasnât far behind, finishing 2nd in votes and earning a place on the All-Rookie First Team. He also was just one vote away from being a unanimous All-Rookie First Team member, receiving 99 out of 100 first-team votes.
Moving onto J-Will, who also saw a big increase in his role as the season went on. The early second-round pick started the season not in the rotation of Mark Daigneault, but took over the starting spot consistently in the second half of the campaign. By no means do his stats jump off the page, but one stat worth noting that doesnât show up in the box score is charges drawn. He led the league in this category despite only playing 49 games, and when you find out that he led the NCAA in this category previously, itâs no surprise that heâs already amongst the leagueâs elite when putting his body on the line.
Ousmane Dieng was the rookie that didnât really find his way into the rotation as much as the other two, as he did suffer an injury fairly early on in the season, but still showed plenty of flashes that he could be valuable down the line. Besides, Dieng is one of the youngest players in the entire league, so like the majority of the team, thereâs still plenty of time for him to develop.
Others played their part
Of course, itâs not just the guys that have already been mentioned that solely contributed to the success of this team.
I briefly spoke about Josh Giddey earlier on, and if he can continue to improve his three-point shooting then he is going to be seriously dangerous alongside Shai in the backcourt. His playmaking is already elite, and heâs posted a few triple-doubles too, so his development is going to be fun to watch.
Another guy that certainly deserves his flowers is Isaiah Joe. The Thunder didnât even have to give up anything to get the sharpshooter after he was waived by the 76ers just before the beginning of the season, and in terms of value for money, Joe could be the best value for money player in the entire league. Heâs on a three-year, $6 million minimum contract, and for the scoring beyond the arc that he gives this team, heâs going to be key to the success of this group down the line.
Lu Dort is another player that put together a good season, most notably on the defensive end. From the minute he came into the league, Dort was an elite defender, and nothing has changed in that regard. Nothing has also changed in regards to the fact that he continues to be snubbed by the media, and once again did not make an all-defensive team, despite ranking second in an anonymous NBA player poll in regards to who is the best defender in the league.
Mark Daigneault is an elite coach
Itâs only fitting that the youngest team in the NBA has one of the leagueâs youngest coaches in the form of 38-year-old Mark Daigneault. This was his third season in charge of the team, and Daigneault has established himself as not only one of the best young coaches, but one of the best coaches in the association.
Leading the youngest team to a 40-win season is an achievement that is well worthy of a second placed finish in Coach of the Year voting, with Daigneault finishing only behind Mike Brown of the Sacramento Kings, who was the deserved unanimous winner after leading the Kings to their first playoff appearance since the 2005-06 season.
The group has had nothing but praise for their coach, and he seems to have this group heading in only a positive direction.
Whatâs next?
The question now is, whatâs next for this young and upcoming OKC team? The draft lottery has recently gone by, and the Thunder, as expected, claimed the 12th overall pick, which of course is where the team picked Jalen Williams last year. If Sam Presti, like he so often does, can find another hidden gem late in the lottery, then yet another valuable piece will be getting minutes in the rotation.
Weâve also got to remember that Chet Holmgren will be coming into the starting line-up. If he can adjust to the pro level and fit in well with this group on the floor, then a potential starting five of Shai, Giddey, Dort, J-Dub and Chet could cause teams some serious problems next season.
This group will want to go one step further than they did this year, and while a top-six seed and an automatic playoff spot will be a tough task, this group has established itself as one that loves to prove people wrong. No matter if itâs automatically or via the play-in tournament, a playoff berth would be nothing short of incredible in what is always a stacked Western Conference. Fast forward a few years down the line, and this Oklahoma City Thunder team could be right at the very top.
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âOne of the most dangerous games of the seasonâ – Pardiola praises Everton and knows the tough task ahead
Manchester City manager Gep Pardiola has spoken highly of Everton, who his side face on Sunday, in his recent press conference.
City have won 10 on the spin in their league campaign, and after trailing Mikel Artetaâs Arsenal for the majority of the season, they now sit a point ahead of the Gunners, whilst also having a game in hand.
Despite sitting 17th, Everton have looked much stronger since appointing former Burnley manager Sean Dyche, and climbed out of the relegation zone with a stunning 5-1 win against high-flying Brighton last weekend.
Pardiola spoke extremely highly of the Toffees: âWe fully respect them. For me this is one of the most dangerous games of the season for us.
âEverton were brilliant at Brighton, they’re fighting for their lives, so we will pay them full respect on Sunday.”
The defending Premier League champions are coming off the back of a 1-1 draw on Tuesday against Spanish giants Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.
When asked about the midweek draw, Pardiola was pleased with the outcome, but knows itâs still all to play for: âAny result at the Bernabeu is a positive one.
âTo come back and show the character we did was a real positive, but we know from playing Real in the past what they’re capable of, so for me it’s a 50/50 tie back at the Etihad.â
A big talking point of that game was Haaland managing just 21 touches, and being kept quiet by former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger.
âI just think he’s a bit tired,â said Pardiola regarding the performance of the Norwegian striker.
âIt’s been a long season, 51 goals, we’ve asked so much of him and he’s delivered. It was a tough night for him but he’s a quality player so I’m sure heâll bounce back, but it has been a long season for him.â
Considering the return fixture of the Champions League being next week, it wouldnât be a surprise to see some squad rotation from Pardiola against Everton, as itâs also worth noting that City have not won Europeâs greatest prize since Pardiolaâs appointment.
The likes of Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez did not feature in Madrid, but there is certainly opportunity for them on Sunday.
âI think you can expect to see those players involved.
âThis is why we have a squad, we have many international players of the highest quality. Only eleven players can start one game, but I’ll be quite happy to make changes on Sunday and still be confident that we can get the result we need to.â
With the title race being as close as it is and the treble still being on the cards, there is no room for slip ups in any of Cityâs remaining games.
On judging which games have the focus, Pardiola made it clear.
âItâs the next game. Thatâs always what we look at next, we canât look too far ahead of ourselves. The next game is Everton, we will pick the strongest team that we can, but obviously I have to take lots of things into account.â
As mentioned, Manchester City still have the opportunity to win the treble, with the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup all being up for grabs.
When questioned about the pressure his team and himself are under: âThatâs what we welcome at this stage of the year.
âThis is what we work for all year round, for these opportunities, for these chances. Of course itâs not going to be easy, but it would be great to do it.â
Thereâs no doubt that itâs sure to be a hostile environment inside Goodison Park, and the City boss knows whatâs at stake not only for his side, but for Dyche, his squad, and the Everton faithful.
âAt this stage of the season theyâre fighting for their lives. Itâs very tight at the bottom, they’ve shown how dangerous they are.
âThey have good players, they’ve underachieved this season with the players they have. We expect a very intense atmosphere.â
Of course, the City fans will be behind their team on Merseyside, and Pardiola has nothing but praise for the support.
âThe fans have been superb for us again this season, theyâve stuck with us. Maybe the first half of the season we didnât quite hit our best form, but weâve been excellent recently, ten straight wins now in the league.
âEverything we do, we do it for them.â
With only a handful of games left in the Premier League, the race for top spot is between Pardiola and his âapprenticeâ, with that being Mikel Arteta.
Embed from Getty ImagesArteta was Gepâs assistant at City from 2016, until he took charge of Arsenal in 2019, and there has always been a mutual respect between the two.
âWe didnât want to lose him to Arsenal. I knew that he would make them better. Itâs no surprise to me the improvement weâve seen from them this season.
âObviously weâre still close friends off the pitch but this is football. We all want to win trophies and when we go head-to-head we are enemies, thatâs just how it is.â
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âItâs a privilege to play for the clubâ – Akeel Higgins on being at West Bromwich Albion, reflecting on a heartbreaking loss to Norwich
Local lad Akeel Hggins has emphasised how proud he feels to be able to represent his boyhood club, West Bromwich Albion.
17-year-old Higgins has grown up around the area, and said: âItâs a privilege to play for the club that I grew up around. Itâs my boyhood club, I’ve been here since under-13s so Iâve come up through the YDP (Youth Development Phase).
âItâs like a dream come true playing in the stadium. Iâve driven past it for the whole of my life, going to school I was driving past it so me playing here is a big part, I really enjoy it.â
âI feel like itâs obviously a privilege as I say wearing the badge thatâs close to my heart.â
His side suffered a painful 2-1 defeat to fellow playoff hopefuls Norwich, with the winning goal coming with virtually the last kick of the game after an evenly contested match.
Like any other player, Higgins said the defeat was far from easy to take.
âItâs heartbreaking. We didnât really want to go out like that, and I donât think we really deserved to lose the game.â
âIt was a very close match. Obviously going out the way that we did wasnât the best feeling, but itâs part of football and weâre going to have to cope with it.â
Considering the fact that it was against a team also competing for a playoff place, it could go on to be more costly than most losses.
âIt could probably affect the outcome of our season. But just like any other game, losing in the last minute is not really the best feeling,â said Higgins.
West Brom had to close the game with 10-men after an injury to Josh Shaw and no remaining substitutes, and Higgins had also been taken off just before the hour mark.
Of course, conceding in the last minute is all that will really be on a players mind, but Higgins says that the positives are emphasised in the dressing room to try and lift the spirit.
âHe tells us the good things and encourages us. He doesnât really want to just hammer down all the bad things that we do,â he stated.
âThereâs obviously good things that have come out of the game so we look at those things and turn them into more strengths. He picks out our weaknesses as well, thatâs what we work on in training to just try and make it better and not let it happen again.â
The Baggies had already come back from a goal down, levelling just two minutes after going behind, to which Higgins commented: âWe can use that as confidence as we didnât let our heads drop after the first goal went in.
âWe just got straight back into it and Mo (Faal) scored our goal which gave us a little bit of confidence and a little bit of belief to try and go in front of the game, but unfortunately it didnât happen.â
These games in the Premier League 2 are vital for the young players, Higgins included, with first team manager Carlos CorberĂĄn being heavily involved in and around the under-21âs.
âUs under-21s are around the first team a lot, so when itâs a matchday minus one and they’ve got a game, weâll help them with their shapes and he will tell us what he wants us to do to help the first team,â said Higgins.
âBeing around them is obviously good experience as well, and him (CorberĂĄn) coaching and leading us gives us an idea of what he wants so we then try and implement it into our games as well.â
The next step for Higgins would be aiming to break into the first team, and he knows what he needs to do.
âAs an attacker, goal contributions would be good, and then out of possession I would say pressing. Thatâs what he (CorberĂĄn) likes and I see him doing it with the first team as well. So we just try and use our 21âs games to then try and progress into the first team.â
In terms of the team’s goal, making the playoffs is the main priority, and it is certainly a possibility. Higgins has also set out his personal goals for the remainder of the season.
âMy personal goals are obviously to score more goals, itâs the best thing to do as an attacking player. I showed that in the last game against Newcastle and was just unfortunate not to do it today.â
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âThis is what I dreamt ofâ: British tennis player Marcus Willisâ Wimbledon Wildcard journey beyond anyone’s imagination
(Photo Credit – Sam Moores)
âI remember walking off court after my win, I looked up and I went, âOh s**t!â That was my initial reaction.â Marcus Willis chuckles as he looks back on finding out Roger Federer, arguably the greatest to grace the sport of tennis, was who he was to face on Wimbledonâs Centre Court in the second round of his home grand slam.
âAnd then I was like, well this is what I wanted to do as a kid, this is what I dreamt of. Playing on these big courts against the best player in the world. It was Sampras when I was growing up, and it was Federer then.â
After all, the journey of Willis is remarkable to say the least, and considering that retirement was a serious possibility not even six months before his big break, simply getting to this point was special in itself.
The Britâs journey started at just nine years old, but his rise through the ranks certainly didnât happen overnight. âAt the beginning I probably wasnât even top 10 in my county, and then I was number one in my county,â he tells me.
âBy the age of 14 I was top 10 in Britain, then I played for Great Britain at under-16, then I was number one junior under-18.â
Fast forward to 2016, and Willis was considering giving up the game he loved. In fact, if it wasnât for his then girlfriend and now wife Jennifer, his Wimbledon dream would likely never have become a reality.
âI got injured in January when I hurt my knee. I was coaching a bit, she was an American player. I played a lot of tennis, didnât quite get where I wanted to and never really earned proper money, so I was quite tempted to go (to America).â
âBut I met my now wife. She said Iâll be able to find you a sponsor, just keep going and coach after. So my whole mindset shifted back to being a player again, whether I was delighted about it or not.â
And so, despite all the setbacks heâd had in the past, none of that was relevant anymore. The only thing on Willisâ mind for the next few months was putting in the work and getting that Wimbledon wildcard.
Sure enough, thatâs exactly what happened. Through sheer determination and perseverance, the Brit earned a qualifying spot. But to even get into the first round of the tournament, he would need to win six matches in a row, a tough task to say the least.
But not for Willis. Wins against players such as Daniil Medvedev, whoâs currently ranked seventh in the world and spent 16 weeks as world number one, and Andrey Rublev, currently eighth in the world, saw him defy the odds and get his name into the first round draw.
His opponent was someone ranked over 700 places above him at the time, that being Lithuanian RiÄardas Berankis. Yet, going into this contest, Willis was fearless. âI beat Rublev and Medvedev to qualify, so I had that confidence from there,â he says.
âThey were very good players, so when I played Berankis it wasnât a shock, whereas when I went from pre-qualis to qualis it was a bit of a shock in terms of the level.â
In some ways, going through qualifying actually helped Willis. âI had all those matches under my belt, I set off flying and he never really caught up. I won it in straight sets, played pretty well and he didnât have a great match. I had the belief and the momentum going into that match that he didnât.â
But who would Willis face in the second round of the tournament? Only one of the best to ever pick up a tennis racquet. Roger Federer. Centre Court. On home soil.
One thing Willis had going into this was a crowd that was very much on his side. Despite the love many tennis fans have for Federer, it would be Willis with everyone behind him. âIt was nice, I mean I kind of needed it!â he laughs.
Sadly, the fairytale came to an end at the hands of the Swiss sporting legend. Although the game was over in straight sets, it wasnât a complete whitewash. âI was 4-3 up in the third. A couple of points here or there, I couldâve had a set on the board,â he says.
âHe doesnât really let you relax into any sort of rhythm, he can do so many different things. So you kind of take each point at a time and youâve got to try and make the right decisions, which is hard.â
After initially retiring from tennis in 2021, the 32-year-old has since returned to the doubles circuit. His aim; get back to Wimbledon. âI didnât have high expectations at the start because I hadnât played for a few years, but Iâve got to 450 in the world and won three tournaments,â Willis says.
âIt’s a case of trying to get to Wimbledon in 2023 rather than 2024. But if I donât itâs no failure, itâs still a two year plan. I havenât fully committed to doubles before, so itâs still a bit strange. But Iâve got a regular partner now and Iâm learning a lot.â
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