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Bob Arum: Tyson Fury’s promoter savages Kate Abdo as face-off request ignored: ‘F*** her!’ | Boxing | Sport

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Bob Arum: Tyson Fury’s promoter savages Kate Abdo as face-off request ignored: ‘F*** her!’ | Boxing | Sport

Bob Arum has exploded at British presenter Kate Abdo for calling on a face-off between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder at last night’s final press conference. The Hall of Fame promoter and Top Rank chief, who represents Fury, was incensed when Abdo invited the two heavyweight titans to get closer following a heated war of words on stage, claiming it was already agreed the face-off would not be happening.

Promotional teams are now operating with extra caution after pound-for-pound great Canelo Alvarez traded blows with IBF super-middleweight champion Caleb Plant at their press conference last month.

There were already fears over the two heavyweight rivals coming face to face given their bad blood, which has intensified ever further this week after Wilder continued to stand by his claims that Fury cheated in their rematch last February.

Plans for Fury and Wilder to face off had to be hastily scrapped in the end on Wednesday night as things turned heated, with the Gypsy King later joking he “would have nutted” the American if it had gone ahead.

Speaking after the press conference during a media scrum, Arum was not prepared to bite his tongue as he called out Abdo for her actions, while also bizarrely accusing her of being biased towards the American fighter.

JUST IN: Tyson Fury ‘would have nutted’ Deontay Wilder as face-off hastily scrapped in fear of ruck

“They bring this woman in from the UK and she’s slanting all the press conference to Wilder,” Arum was captured saying.

“I don’t give a damn but it’s obvious that’s what she was doing.

“She knew that the understanding was, no face-off.

“Tom Brown argued with FOX no face-off, we said no face-off and what does she say: ‘Now we’re going to do a face-off.’

“F*** her and f*** them, there was no face-off and we save the fight.”

Abdo has since responded with a statement on social media, explaining why she called on the face-off.

She wrote on Twitter: “With regards to the face-off – I was doing what we the broadcaster believed was agreed upon. But I think that’s kind of unimportant now.

“I have nothing but respect for Bob Arum and the empire he has created. I understand what he means to boxing and what this sport owes him.

“I think the language in this interview was entirely inappropriate. Of course it’s disappointing to be disrespected by someone I respect.

“But that’s life, not everyone will give you the courtesy you deserve.”

The foul-mouthed rant was not the only notable incident during the tense media scrum, as Arum also attacked ESPN journalist Mike Coppinger.

Coppinger can be heard confronting Arum over his pay dispute with undisputed lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez in light of complications regarding his first title defence against George Kambosos Jr, which has since been snapped up by Matchroom Boxing and DAZN after Triller failed to deliver the fight.

“Shut the f*** up you little p****, yeah you p****. Go on, get him out of here. Move him out of here.”

Coppinger was then removed from the media huddle and he later hit back at Arum over his comments on Abdo via Twitter.

“Not cool of Arum. Kate does a great job,” he tweeted, in response to the video of Arum berating the presenter.

Fury and Wilder go head to head on Saturday night in Las Vegas with the WBC heavyweight world title up for grabs.

Pau Gasol, two-time NBA champion, announces retirement from basketball

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Pau Gasol, two-time NBA champion, announces retirement from basketball

MADRID — Pau Gasol announced his retirement from basketball Tuesday, ending a career that lasted more than two decades and earned him two NBA titles and a world championship gold with Spain’s national team.

The 41-year-old had already announced his farewell from international basketball in August after Spain lost to the United States in the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Games, which marked his fifth Olympics.

Gasol had been with Spanish club Barcelona since February. His career had stalled before that because a stress fracture in his left foot that lingered and kept him from playing for nearly two years.

“I’m going to retire from professional basketball,” Gasol said. “It’s a difficult decision after so many years, but it’s a decision that I really thought over.”

The retirement announcement was made in an event at an opera house in Barcelona attended by former teammates and family members, including Pau Gasol’s wife, his young daughter and his brother Marc.

Gasol won two NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers, in 2009 and 2010, playing a vital role in the back-to-back championships.

“Pau Gasol brought hope and talent to the Lakers,” former coach Phil Jackson said in a statement to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. “The effect was immediate. His game put LA back into championship contention. He was also a gentleman and generous hero.”

Gasol averaged 17.0 points and 9.2 rebounds in 1,226 regular-season games with five NBA teams, including the Memphis Grizzlies, Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs and Milwaukee Bucks. He was the No. 3 pick in the 2001 NBA draft, being selected by Atlanta and traded to Memphis.

Gasol last played in the NBA with the Bucks in 2019. He signed with the Portland Trail Blazers that year but never got to play.

Gasol won a world championship title with Spain in 2006, in addition to European titles in 2009, 2011 and 2015.

He helped Spain win Olympic silver medals in 2008 in Beijing and 2012 in London, as well as a bronze in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.

Gasol recently won an election to represent athletes for the next seven years with the International Olympic Committee. He joined an IOC membership list drawn variously from European and Middle East royal families, international sports bodies, business leaders and 12 athletes elected by their peers.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report

Keanu Reeves, Damian Warner to be inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame – National

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Keanu Reeves, Damian Warner to be inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame – National

Actors Keanu Reeves and Graham Greene, retired Lt.-Gen. Romeo Dallaire and musician Bruce Cockburn are among this year’s inductees to Canada’s Walk of Fame.

Singer-songwriter Jully Black, late blues artist Salome Bey, wrestling star Bret (The Hitman) Hart and decathlete Damian Warner were also announced as 2021 inductees on Wednesday.

Read more:
Damian Warner chosen as Canada’s flag-bearer for closing ceremony of Tokyo Olympics

The list of 10 is rounded out by Cargojet CEO Ajay Virmani and the University of Toronto scientists who discovered insulin: Frederick Banting, Charles Best, John Macleod and James Collip.

The Dec. 4 Walk of Fame gala at Beanfield Centre in Toronto will also give out two special awards: the Allan Slaight Music Impact Honour to musician Serena Ryder and the Allan Slaight Music Impact Honour to Super Bowl-winning football player Laurent Duvernay-Tardif.

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B.C. superstar Michael Buble honoured with Walk of Fame star

B.C. superstar Michael Buble honoured with Walk of Fame star – Nov 17, 2018

Each year, Canada’s Walk of Fame celebrates Canadian excellence and achievement in the areas of arts and entertainment; entrepreneurship and philanthropy; humanitarianism; science, technology and innovation; and sports and athletics.

This year’s gala will air on a yet-to-be-announced day in December on CTV.

The newest additions bring the total number of inductees to 200. Canada’s Walk of Fame was established in 1998 by the late Peter Soumalias, Bill Ballard and Dusty Cohl, along with Dianne Schwalm and in partnership with Gary Slaight.

News of the death of Soumalias emerged Sunday on the Walk of Fame Twitter account.


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Global BC’s biggest brushes with fame over our 60 year history – Sep 29, 2020

Walk of Fame CEO Jeffrey Latimer paid tribute to his contributions in a press release Wednesday that also announced the class of 2021.

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“Peter was a passionate visionary whose love for Canada and his dedication for celebrating and telling the stories of our country’s great achievers will continue through the legacy that he leaves behind,” Latimer said.

Canada’s Walk of Fame is a national not-for-profit organization that’s grown from honouring inductees with engraved sidewalk stars in Toronto’s Entertainment District to a yearlong national series of programs and celebrations.




© 2021 The Canadian Press

Turkish Grand Prix: F1 title race as close as it gets

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Turkish Grand Prix: F1 title race as close as it gets

istanbul park turkish grand prix aerial view

Lewis Hamilton clinched his seventh Formula 1 world championship in Turkey last year while Max Verstappen had a race to forget, but this time the title remains wide open and the Dutch driver could be the one celebrating on Sunday.

Only two points separate Mercedes’ championship leader Hamilton from his Red Bull rival with six races left after Istanbul and the battle set to go down to the wire.

One mistake, one retirement — whether a mechanical failure or collision — would be a massive blow at this stage in the season and Hamilton may yet have to take a new engine and penalty.

Verstappen turned 24 last week and an eighth win of the season would put him back on top after Hamilton, 36, seized the advantage in Russia two weeks’ ago with his 100th career victory.

Red Bull will also have a special livery on their cars as a tribute to departing engine partner Honda on what would have been the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, but for the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Last year’s Turkish GP was of course not the best weekend for us as a team but I think it will be quite different circumstances this year, hopefully the Tarmac will be a bit more grippy,” said Verstappen, who finished sixth in the 2020 race.

“I think it will be quite a new weekend in general for everyone, there will be a lot to learn so I´m looking forward to seeing how competitive we are there.”

Verstappen has been on pole eight times this year to Hamilton’s three and narrowly missed out on the top slot in Turkey last year.

Last year’s race was the first at the Istanbul track since 2011 and the freshly resurfaced and slippery track triggered plenty of complaints.

Hamilton, the winner on that wet November afternoon, compared conditions to an ice-rink and said organisers had wasted their money.

That should not be such a problem this time, with the surface blasted to make it less slippery and Pirelli bringing softer tyres for a race that is also being held a month earlier.

There will also be a crowd, unlike last year’s race behind closed doors, with organisers hoping for 100,000 over three days.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said his team were still buzzing after the success of Sochi but ‘fortunes can change in the blink of an eye’.

“This season is keeping all of us on our toes and that’s something we’re enjoying immensely, but it also means we have to be aggressive with our approach to the season, in order to maximise the points available,” added the Austrian.

“It’s an exciting track layout and a good one for racing, so I think we’ll be in for another spectacular twist in this brilliant F1 season.”

Canadian Lance Stroll was on pole last year for Racing Point, now Aston Martin, in a career first but it will take something special to be back at the front this time.

Lando Norris put McLaren on pole on a wet Russian weekend and was heading for his first win until late rain wrecked his hopes, and they could again be in the mix if the weather proves tricky.

“I’ve been spending a lot of time in the simulator, learning from the experience in Russia, and I’m ready to go again,” said the Briton.

Reuters Statistics for the 2021 Turkish Grand Prix

  • Istanbul Park circuit
  • Round 16 of the Formula One world championship:
  • Lap distance: 5.338km. Total distance: 309.396km (58 laps)
  • 2020 pole position: Lance Stroll (Canada) Racing Point, one minute 47.765 seconds.
  • 2020 winner: Lewis Hamilton (Britain) Mercedes
  • Race lap record: Juan Pablo Montoya (Colombia) McLaren, 2005 One minute 24.770 seconds.
  • Start time: 1200GMT/1500 local time

Turkish Grand Prix

  • Seven of the eight Turkish Grands Prix to date have been won by a driver starting on the front row. The exception was last year, when Hamilton started sixth. The polesitter in Turkey has won five times.
  • Jenson Button, winner with Brawn in 2009, and Hamilton in 2010 both started in second place.
  • Three of the races have ended in one-two finishes (Ferrari 2007, McLaren 2010, Red Bull 2011).
  • Kimi Raikkonen (2005), Hamilton (2010, 2020), Sebastian Vettel (2011) are the only active drivers to have won in Turkey.
  • The circuit is one of seven anti-clockwise layouts on the calendar, and offers good overtaking opportunities.

Race Victories

  • Hamilton has a record 100 career victories, of which 79 have been with Mercedes, from 281 starts. He has been on the podium 176 times.
  • Championship leader Hamilton has won five times this year to Verstappen’s seven. Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo have won once each.
  • Hamilton’s team mate Valtteri Bottas has now gone a year without a win.
  • Ferrari have won 238 races since 1950, McLaren 183, Mercedes 120, Williams 114 and Red Bull 72.

Pole Positions

Hamilton has a record 101 career poles and has won 59 times from pole. He has had three poles so far in 2021.

Verstappen has been on pole eight times, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was fastest in Azerbaijan and Monaco qualifying. Bottas was on pole in Portugal and McLaren’s Lando Norris in Russia.

World Championship

  • Hamilton is two points ahead of Verstappen. Mercedes lead Red Bull by 33 points.
  • George Russell has scored for Williams in four of the last five races. The team had failed to score a point for two years before that.

Milestones

Hamilton’s victory in Russia made him the first Formula 1 driver to win 100 races. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin)

Dillian Whyte’s Tyson Fury fight hopes boosted if Gypsy King beats Deontay Wilder | Boxing | Sport

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Dillian Whyte’s Tyson Fury fight hopes boosted if Gypsy King beats Deontay Wilder | Boxing | Sport

However, he avenged that loss less than a year later on his march back towards a world title shot.

Beating Wallin will put him in a great position, but his hopes could be brought crashing down if the winner of Fury vs Wilder arranges to unify all world heavyweight titles against Usyk within 30 days.

Whether either fighter would be up for it remains to be seen after Usyk put on a clinic to claim a unanimous decision victory over AJ in September.

Ultimately, the WBC’s decision makes the heavyweight landscape even more complicated, particularly for mega-fights like Fury vs Joshua which many have spent years calling for.

That particular fight now looks to be getting further away, although the general picture in the division should become clearer after October’s high-profile contests.

Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins explains choice to get COVID-19 vaccine

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Warriors’ Andrew Wiggins explains choice to get COVID-19 vaccine

Golden State Warriors swingman Andrew Wiggins on Monday defined his choice to get the COVID-19 vaccine, noting that he felt “compelled” to take action as a way to proceed his NBA profession.

“The one choices had been to get vaccinated or not play within the NBA,” Wiggins mentioned after the Warriors’ preseason opener on the Portland Trail Blazers, his first public feedback since getting the shot. “It was a tricky choice. Hopefully, it really works out in the long term and in 10 years I am nonetheless wholesome.”

Wiggins’ choice comes after the league recently declined his application for a religious exemption. The subject of Wiggins’ vaccination standing got here into query previous to coaching camp given the restrictions from the San Francisco Division of Public Well being requiring anybody age 12 or over to be vaccinated to attend indoor occasions. As a part of that mandate, starting Oct. 13, Warriors gamers should present proof of vaccination earlier than getting into Chase Middle, except there may be an permitted medical or spiritual exemption.

Wiggins, 26, went into element about why he was so hesitant to get the shot, noting that he does not maintain any unwell will towards the Warriors group for the way the scenario performed out.

“They did not make the rule,” Wiggins mentioned. “However I suppose to do sure stuff, to work, I suppose you do not personal your physique. That is what it comes all the way down to. If you wish to work in society as we speak, then I suppose they made the principles of what goes in your physique and what you do. Hopefully, there’s lots of people on the market which might be stronger than me and preserve preventing, stand for what they imagine, and hopefully, it really works out for them.”

Wiggins mentioned he obtained the one-dose Johnson & Johnson shot, which can enable him to not miss any follow time and be absolutely vaccinated previous to the Warriors’ Oct. 21 dwelling opener in opposition to the LA Clippers.

Wiggins famous that he contracted COVID-19 beforehand and “it wasn’t too unhealthy.” He additionally mentioned he had an allergic response to one thing a few years in the past, describing it as a “scary second” that resulted in him now carrying an EpiPen.

“I do know lots of people get reactions or accidents from getting the vaccination, so I do not know what it may do to me in 10 years,” he mentioned.

“I really feel like I might go on for days about why I did not wish to get it. Most significantly, I do not know what is going on to occur or what it may do to my physique in 10, 20 years. … However I suppose it is one thing that needed to get carried out.”

Wiggins mentioned he’s coping with some physique aches and chills after getting vaccinated, however he was nonetheless in a position to play 16 minutes and rating 13 factors in Monday’s 121-107 win over the Blazers.

Wiggins additionally mentioned he’s the one member of his household who’s vaccinated.

“It is probably not one thing we imagine in as a household,” he mentioned. “They know that I needed to. It got here all the way down to get the vaccination or do not play basketball. I am 26. I’ve two children. I would like extra children. I am making an attempt to do one thing that may generate as a lot cash as I can for my children and my future children, [create] generational wealth. So, I took the gamble, took the chance, and hopefully, I am good.”

Wiggins mentioned he was appreciative of a few of the public help he obtained from teammates. Warriors ahead Draymond Green not too long ago mentioned that he didn’t think it was his place to push Wiggins towards getting the vaccine.

“It was good,” Wiggins mentioned. “It was nothing however love. Particularly from Draymond; [Andre] Iguodala mentioned a whole lot of good things. So, there was a whole lot of help on the staff, however no matter choice I made a decision to make, they had been going to face by it.”

Wiggins admitted that “time was not on my facet” and defined why he felt compelled to get the shot when he did.

“It feels good to play, however getting vaccinated, that is going to be one thing that stays in my thoughts for a very long time,” Wiggins mentioned. “It isn’t one thing I wished to do, however I used to be compelled to.”

Manny Pacquiao declares retirement from boxing as he pursues Philippine presidency – Nationwide

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Manny Pacquiao declares retirement from boxing as he pursues Philippine presidency – Nationwide

Boxing star Manny Pacquiao, who’s planning to run for president within the 2022 Philippine elections, mentioned on Wednesday he was retiring from boxing to deal with the biggest fight in his political career.

Pacquiao, a Philippine senator who has been dividing his time between politics and preventing, made the announcement in a 14-minute video posted on his official Fb web page.

“I simply heard the ultimate bell. Boxing is over,” mentioned an emotional Pacquiao, the one man to carry world titles in eight completely different divisions.

“I by no means thought at the present time would come as a I cling up my boxing gloves,” mentioned Pacquiao, as he thanked his followers all around the world.

Learn extra:
Philippine boxing star Manny Pacquiao to run for president in 2022

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Identified for his quick footwork and blistering velocity of punches, Pacquiao was extensively considered one of many high offensive fighters within the sport’s historical past.

Veteran promoter Bob Arum in 2010 mentioned he was unmatched, and rated him better than Muhammad Ali. “His left and proper hand hit with equal energy and that’s what destroys his opponents,” Arum advised Reuters.

In August, the 42-year-old lost a WBA welterweight world title match towards Cuban Yordenis Ugas.

Rising up within the south of the Philippines, Pacquiao’s household was dirt-poor, prompting him to do odd jobs to outlive. He stowed away on a ship to the capital Manila as a teen, the place he began aggressive boxing.


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Manny Pacquiao helps sideline certainly one of Duterte’s most outspoken critics

Manny Pacquiao helps sideline certainly one of Duterte’s most outspoken critics – Sep 29, 2016

Pacquiao was among the many staunchest allies of Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, backing the chief’s bloody struggle on medicine and his bid to reintroduce the demise penalty.

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However their political ties soured after Pacquiao criticised Duterte’s pleasant relationship with China and corruption within the authorities. In July, he was ousted as president of the country’s ruling political party.

Pacquiao began his political profession with failed congressional run in 2007. He received a seat on the decrease home of congress in 2010, representing the southern Sarangani province.

The 2-term congressman was elected for a six-year term within the higher chamber in 2016.

(Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales Enhancing by Ed Davies and Lincoln Feast)




Tyson Fury opens up on intercourse ban and exclaims ‘I don’t even keep in mind once I had my final w*** | Boxing | Sport

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Tyson Fury opens up on intercourse ban and exclaims ‘I don’t even keep in mind once I had my final w*** | Boxing | Sport

Tyson Fury has revealed the intercourse ban he imposes upon himself within the lead as much as a combat as he prepares to fulfill Deontay Wilder for the third time this weekend. The Brit has been present process an intense coaching schedule after opting to alter his sport plan for his newest conflict with the Bronze Bomber. 

Of their first bout, Fury dramatically rose from the brink to drag himself from the canvas and earn a draw with Wilder. 

Within the rematch bout, the 33-year-old defeated the American because of an eighth-round TKO to win the WBC title. 

That second assembly in February 2020 was the final time both man formally fought. 

After his defeat, Wilder accused Fury of dishonest of their rematch. The American posted a video and assertion on social media earlier than persevering with to gas the conspiracy in interviews.

JUST IN: Tyson Fury wary of Wilder ‘trauma’ if American lands ‘atomic bomb’

Turkish Grand Prix Betting: Verstappen tipped to regain F1 title lead

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Turkish Grand Prix Betting: Verstappen tipped to regain F1 title lead

start 2020 turkish grand prix start betting odds-001

There are just seven races left in the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship season and there is still very little to choose between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in terms of both the Drivers standings and the title betting odds.

Hamilton’s triumph in Sochi helped him retake the lead in the championship at the expense of Verstappen but it was the latter who emerged from the Russian Grand Prix with arguably the more impressive and unlikely result.

The Dutchman started the race at the back of the grid but after making his way through the grid even before the rain came, he was set for a top-six finish but he timed his switch to intermediate tyres perfectly and ended up in second as many others faltered.

“Today was like a victory for us,” said Red Bull team principal Christian Horner after the race.

He added: “To come away from two Mercedes strongholds with only a two-point deficit in the drivers’ championship is hugely encouraging.”

And the betting sites agree. Verstappen, who took an engine penalty in Sochi, had been priced at Evens in the Drivers Championship by some bookmakers before race 15 of the campaign, but after limiting the damage and only conceding seven points to his rival, most firms have cut his price to 4/6 or thereabouts.

Hamilton has used three engines so far in 2021 and may have to take a penalty at some point during the run-in – perhaps even at the Turkish Grand Prix.

That could present an opportunity for Verstappen to take a significant lead in the standings, so with that in mind, Hamilton is odds-against at 6/5 to become an eight-time champion.

The Brit is also an underdog this weekend, even though he won in Istanbul last year in what was the first Turkish Grand Prix since 2011 when Sebastian Vettel came out on top.

Verstappen could only muster a sixth-place finish a year ago, but he starts as a 5/6 favourite this time around with Hamilton at an 11/8 price which could be particularly tempting if you use free bets or other betting offers and bonuses.

Valtteri Bottas, still searching for his first win of 2021, is a 16/1 shot, which is a shorter price than both McLarens despite both Daniel Ricciardo (80/1) and Lando Norris (25/1) showing excellent pace in the latter half of the season.

Sergio Perez is also in the mix at 20/1, and it is important for Red Bull that the Mexican manages a good result this weekend at the Turkish Grand Prix because the team’s Constructors Championship hopes appear to be slipping away.

Mercedes have a 33-point advantage and that is largely down to the dropoff in Perez’s results which, over the last six races, are 16th, DNF, 19th, 8th, 5th, and 9th.

Red Bull are 15/8 to claw back the deficit and win their first Constructors Championship since 2013, while Mercedes can be backed at 2/5 to hold them off and make it eight on the trot.

George Russell is 7/4 to score points on Sunday which seems fair given his recent form, and it may surprise some people to see Ricciardo as big as 11/10 to get himself into the top six.

Carmelo Anthony on his role with the Los Angeles Lakers

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Carmelo Anthony on his role with the Los Angeles Lakers

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Nineteen seasons into his NBA career and with a slew of accomplishments to show for his tenure, Carmelo Anthony‘s résumé would suggest an automatic featured role for this season’s Los Angeles Lakers.

However, Anthony, 37, is open to whatever his new team asks of him as he continues to pursue the championship that has eluded him throughout his time in the league.

“At this point, man, whatever we need to do, let’s do it,” Anthony said following the Lakers’ third day of training camp Friday. “It ain’t … ‘I can’t sit,’ and, ‘Oh, I want to start,’ ‘I want to come off the bench.’ Whatever it is, it is.”

Anthony played 69 games for the Portland Trail Blazers last season and was a starter in only three of them. It was the first time in his career, save for the ill-fated 10-game stint he had with the Houston Rockets in 2018-19, when he was primarily used as a reserve.

“I’ve had experience being a starter for 18, 17 years and had an experience of coming off the bench for one year,” Anthony said. “It’s not something I think about.”

Lakers coach Frank Vogel said he is still thinking through the lineup combinations he’ll have at his disposal this season, but has already let Anthony know he will be a necessary piece to L.A.’s success.

“When we spoke before he signed here, I told him that I envisioned a big role on this team,” Vogel said. “I don’t know what that’s going to look like, whether he’s going to start, whether he’s going to come off the bench, but that he’s going to be a factor for us.”

The coach will have to wait to see how Anthony fits in a game situation. Anthony, LeBron James and Russell Westbrook will all sit out Sunday’s preseason opener against the Brooklyn Nets for rest, Vogel said. Trevor Ariza, who has missed most of training camp with a sore right ankle, will also be sidelined. Anthony Davis will play, but likely just the first quarter, the coach said.

But when Anthony does play, there will be minutes for him. Vogel recalled pointing out to Anthony this summer how trading Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a 41% 3-point shooter, and Kyle Kuzma, who shot 36.1% from deep, depleted L.A.’s pool of shooters that was already shallow to begin with. While Anthony played a career-low 24.5 minutes per game last season, he shot 40.9% from 3 — his second-best mark since coming into the league.

“We’ll probably not talk about it again until we get closer to the regular season,” Vogel said. “But I do think he’s going to have a big role on our team.”

Vogel’s communication plan is just fine by Anthony. He credited the “clarity” that his new coach has opened up camp with as he implements offensive and defensive schemes with a roster filled with 11 fresh faces since last season.

“Whatever he wants, let’s do it,” Anthony said. “I’m not even trippin’ about that at this point. Because let’s go. Let’s go win.”

As Anthony spoke to reporters, his face showed that his message wasn’t just lip service. His left eyelid was scratched and swollen from a run-in with Davis on the practice court, but he laughed off the injury with the same good nature with which he is processing his role in the lineup.

“You got to ask Anthony Davis, man. Ask AD. He tried to take me out early,” Anthony said, clearly joking. “Little war wound, that’s it.”

That attitude reflects his appreciation for the game at this stage of his career, a career he isn’t trying to put an expiration date on just yet.

“I’m still able to do what I do, man, at a high clip,” he said. “But the No. 1 thing, I’m still passionate about it. I haven’t lost my passion. My love for game is, I think now, at an all-time high.”

Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka has, on several occasions, cited the Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ 44-year-old quarterback, Tom Brady, as a prime example of how professional athletes are redefining how long a prime can last. Anthony was asked about Brady’s claim that he could still compete in the NFL when he’s 50, and put a limit on just how long his passion will last.

“Brady’s got an offensive line,” he quipped. “They’re going to protect Brady. I don’t want to do that. I ain’t playing to no 50, I’ll tell you that.”

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