Daily Archives: June 6, 2024

Its pretty obvious that some WNBA players arent too fond of Caitlin Clark.

Which should turn out to be a pretty good thing for the WNBA.

The anti-Caitlin sentiment has been growing clearer with each passing game. It flared up in the biggest way Saturday, when Chicagos Chennedy Carter threw a shoulder into an unsuspecting Clark, knocking Clark to the ground. Carters teammate, Angel Reese, an old Clark rival from college, cheered the move on from the bench.

This was a clear escalation of some head-to-head play between the two over the previous few possessions, including Clark appearing to throw an elbow at Carter and appearing to say something to her face.

Clark is a marked woman and its adding plenty of spice to a season where, unlike back in college, she cant dominate the competition.

Anyone tuning in expecting 40-point performances with Magic Johnson-like passes was always going to be disappointed. Watching Clark fight through adversity and rack up rivals is going to have to be drama enough. Besides, Indiana (2-9) is terrible.

Clark went just 1 of 10 from the field and scored a meager three points in a Sunday blowout loss to New York. She left that game with an apparent ear injury after getting bumped on a screen.

The league clearly believes it can physically knock her off her game, a fairly common tactic against young players at all levels of basketball.

We understand who kind of the head of the monster is on that team, New York veteran guard Sabrina Ionescu said of Clark. We are trying to just make everything tough and difficult.

Some of it is simply business. Some of it, though, appears personal. Neither one is wrong.

Maybe its her fame. Maybe its her money. Maybe its the attention she commands. Maybe its just being the hotshot rookie who still needs to prove herself. Youd find all of these motivations in other sports and other circumstances as well.

Or maybe it's just that Clark plays a hard, physical and in-your-face game herself.

Whatever it is, the spice and shoving has become a constant and that should add a nice bit of interest to things. The most popular sport in America? Controversy. Nothing like some bad blood and uncertainty of what might happen next to draw in fans, or at least keep them as Clarks game comes together.

"Yeah, I wasn't expecting that," Clark said of the shoulder knock down. "But it's just like, Respond, calm down and let your play do the talking. It is what it is. It's a physical game, go make the free throw and then execute on offense. Feel like that's what we did."

Carter, for her part, didnt want to discuss it with the media but made her points on social media.

"Beside three point shooting what does she bring to the table man," Carter asked in a post.

Later she embraced the backlash of those siding with Clark.

I grew up with all brothers, Carter, a fourth-year player, wrote. All we did is fight and argue. I love the hate more than the love Id rather you hate me [than] love me and I mean that on my dead aunt.

The mere fact that I mean that on my dead aunt has entered the lexicon is enough to make this kerfuffle fun.

What would make it even better is if everyone embraced what appears to be Caitlin Clarks mindset this isnt a big deal. Carters shoulder was deemed a Flagrant 1 foul by the league and Chicago head coach Teresa Weatherspoon said in a statement that the action was "not appropriate," but there will be no discipline. The way to end this is courtesy of a hard screen or a push back or, best of all, Clark using it as motivation to win.

The fact that Golden States Draymond Green weighed in saying the Fever need to sign an enforcer to protect their star like Green has done for Steph Curry who was constantly physically challenged and most people agreed is its own small victory for womens sports legitimacy. No kids gloves here. Play ball.

Yes, ideally, every game is played with sportsmanship and respect, but that isnt how the real world, especially in competitive sports, is played. Nor would many fans even want that.

In a pure business sense, WNBA players should love Caitlin Clark for the sponsorship money, fan attention and media coverage she is bringing to a league that failed to truly break through in over a quarter century of existence.

Maybe Carter is correct and Clarks rookie game is mostly just 3-point shooting. Its a big adjustment from the college ranks, where there are only a few good teams and players, versus the W, with just 144 roster slots featuring the best players in the world. It stands to reason Clark will continue to settle in and show the passing skills, scoring and leadership that she did back at Iowa.

What Clark brings, undoubtedly, is attention. If this happens a year ago, with another player, then only the diehard fans even know. Or care.

Everything is bigger with Caitlin Clark, which is why that smackdown spun heads and wont stop until she smacks back in one way or another.

Caitlin Clark was never going to instantly overwhelm the WNBA. Her attempt to get there against those who dont appear to care for her at all will be worth watching.

More here:

Opposing players aren't fond of Caitlin Clark ... which should be good for the WNBA - Yahoo Sports

The NFL has been testing the public-relations waters in floating an 18-game schedule.

Ryan Kelly is here for the counterpoint. The Pro Bowl center and NFLPA representative for the Indianapolis Colts spoke candidly against an expanded schedule on Wednesday. He's "absolutely not" interested in an 18-game slate or commissioner Roger Goodell's effort's to push one.

"Yeah, 18 games sounds great when Roger is saying it on the Pat McAfee podcast," Kelly said in a post-practice media scrum from Colts minicamp. "But until youre the one going out there and putting a helmet on for 18 of those games, yeah, then come talk to me."

Roger, in this instance, is Roger Goodell. Kelly, who's also a vice president on the NFLPA's executive committee, was referring to Goodell's appearance on the "The Pat McAfee Show" in April at the NFL Draft in Detroit.

Speaking to McAfee in front a crowd of fans, Goodell took on the role of cheerleader in promoting an 18-game schedule.

"I think we're good at 17 now," Goodell said. "But, listen, we're looking at how we continue. I'm not a fan of the preseason. I don't think we need three preseason games anymore. I don't buy it."

Goodell then turned and pointed to the crowd.

"I don't think these guys like it either," he continued. " ... The reality is, I think I'd rather replace a preseason game with a regular-season game any day. That's picking quality, right? If we got to 18-2, that's not an unreasonable thing."

Goodell got no pushback from a ginned-up crowd that showed up to watch the second day of the draft in person. Fans cheered on his proposal of a schedule of 18 regular-season and two preseason games.

Kelly didn't find the proposal so reasonable. He lamented the creep of additional games while citing the league's expansion from 16 games to 17 in 2021. That expansion was collectively bargained and made amid the backdrop of an increased awareness of the physical toll football takes on players that includes concussions and CTE.

"If people understood how hard it was to play 16, then they [add] another one, right?" Kelly said. "They get rid of preseason games. Well, OK. Who's that gonna hurt? The guys who don't have a shot, the undrafted guys or late-round guys that need to go out there and improve themselves.

"The fans see it as they don't watch the preseason games. But they have no idea what goes on inside the building, right?"

The back-and-forth on expansion is happening amid the backdrop of a reported NFLPA proposal to revamp the league's offseason schedule. Some have speculated that the proposal is a precursor to inevitable schedule expansion.

The NFL, meanwhile, is taking cues from fans, who continue to consume as much football as the league will offer. Moving forward, that means multiple games on Christmas, including two in 2024 when the holiday falls on a Wednesday. Goodell clearly hopes that also means an 18-game schedule and the additional revenue it will produce.

Will the NFLPA ultimately sign off? Kelly's not on board, but it appears inevitable. It will ultimately come down to a vote of players who approved the expansion from 16 to 17 games and whether ownership will offer enough concessions to entice them in the bargaining process.

Link:

Colts Pro Bowler, NFLPA rep Ryan Kelly calls out Roger Goodell, blasts talk of 18-game schedule: 'Absolutely not' - Yahoo Sports

Germany's Alexander Zverev plays Australia's Alex De Minaur this Wednesday in the French Open Quarterfinals. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

The 2024 French Open at Roland Garros is now in full swing, and it's time for Alexander Zverev's next match. The No. 4 seed on the men's side will face Alex De Minaur this Wednesday, June 5 in the early afternoon (in the US). The Quarterfinals match will start shortly following the Sabalenka vs. Andreeva match on Court Philippe Chatrier. You can find the full order of play at Roland Garros here. Are you ready to watch Alexander Zverev vs. Alex De Minaur at the 2024 French Open? Heres everything you need to know about the tennis tournament at Roland Garros, including the full broadcast schedule, where to stream matches for free and more.

Date: Wednesday, June 5

Time: Afternoon, not before 2:15 p.m. ET

Location: Roland Garros, Paris, FR

Court: Court Philippe-Chatrier

Round: Quarterfinals

TV channel: Tennis Channel

Streaming: Fubo, DirecTV, VPN

No. 4 seed Zverev plays Alex De Minaur this Wednesday in the quarterfinals.

The Zverev vs. De Minaur match will be played on Court Philippe-Chatrier, beginning sometime after Sabalenka vs. Andreeva, but not before 2:15 p.m. ET. You can find the exact order of play at Roland Garros here.

You'll need access to the Tennis Channel to tune into Alexander Zverev's match against Alex De Minaur. This Wednesday, the US broadcast schedule for the French Open is as follows:

Wednesday, June 5: Quarterfinals

No tennis channel? No problem. You could always catch an uninterrupted livestream of the tennis tournament with the help of a VPN more on that below.

Fubo TVs Elite tier will get you access to NBC, NBC Sports and the Tennis Channel, along with 200+ more live channels. At $90 per month, the live TV streaming service is definitely the priciest option on this list, but still leaves you with major savings compared to a traditional cable package, and is also a great option for NFL fans. So if you're a sports fan looking for one simple subscription, Fubo might be it for you. Fubo subscribers also get 1000 hours of cloud DVR storage. The platform offers a free trial period, so you can stream the start of the French Open totally free.

If you want to catch every match of the French Open and dont want to have to hop around between NBC, Peacock and the Tennis Channel all week, in Australia a majority of the action is streaming free with ads on 9Now, and in Austria it's all streaming free with ads on ServusTV.

Dont live in either of those places? Don't worry, you can still stream like you do with the help of a VPN. A VPN (virtual private network) helps protect your data, can mask your IP address and is perhaps most popular for being especially useful in the age of streaming. Whether youre looking to watch Friends on Netflix (which left the U.S. version of the streamer back in 2019) or tune in to the F1 race this weekend without a cable package, a VPN can help you out. Looking to try a VPN for the first time? This guide breaks down the best VPN options for every kind of user.

ExpressVPN offers internet without borders, meaning you can tune into an Austrian or Australian livestream this month as opposed to paying for Peacock and the Tennis Channel for US coverage of the tennis tournament. All you'll need to do is sign up for ExpressVPN, change your server location and then find free livestream coverage on 9Now or ServusTV.

ExpressVPNs added protection, speed and range of location options make it an excellent choice for first-time VPN users looking to stretch their streaming abilities, plus, it's Endgadget's top pick for the best streaming VPN. New users can save 49% when they sign up for ExpressVPNs 12-month subscription. Plus, the service offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, in case you're nervous about trying a VPN.

The Roland Garros tennis tournament runs for two weeks, ending with the mens final on June 9.

Unfortunately for US fans, matches start bright and early at 5 a.m. for those in the Eastern timezone (and even earlier or later, depending on how you look at it for those on Pacific time).

US coverage of the French Open will be split across NBC Sports, the Tennis Channel and Peacock this year. This Sunday and Monday, French Open matches will air live on NBC and Peacock, before the action moves to the Tennis Channel for the week. Then the semifinals and finals will return to NBC/peacock.

All the NBC coverage will also be available to stream on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app for those with an eligible cable or live TV streaming package. For the tennis super fan, the Tennis Channel now offers streaming directly through their app, Tennis Channel+. So if you really want to catch every early morning match (without the help of a VPN), you may want to check out Tennis Channel+.

All times Eastern.

Wednesday, June 5: Quarterfinals

Thursday, June 6: Women's Semis

6 a.m.-2 p.m. - Tennis Channel

11 a.m.-2 p.m. - NBC, Peacock

Friday, June 7: Mens Semis

8 a.m.-4 p.m. - Tennis Channel

11 a.m.-3 p.m. - NBC, Peacock

Saturday, June 8: Womens Final

Sunday, June 9: Mens Final

Men's singles seeds

Novak Djokovic

Jannik Sinner

Carlos Alcaraz

Alexander Zverev

Daniil Medvedev

Andrey Rublev

Casper Ruud

Hubert Hurkacz

Stefanos Tsitsipas

Grigor Dimitrov

Alex de Minaur

Taylor Fritz

Holger Rune

Tommy Paul

Ben Shelton

Nicolas Jarry

Ugo Humbert

Karen Khachanov

Alexander Bublik

Sebastian Baez

Felix Auger-Aliassime

Adrian Mannarino

Francisco Cerundolo

Alejandro Tabilo

Frances Tiafoe

Tallon Griekspoor

Sebastian Korda

Tomas Martin Etcheverry

Arthur Fils

Lorenzo Musetti

Mariano Navone

Cam Norrie

Women's singles seeds

Iga Swiatek

Aryna Sabalenka

Coco Gauff

Elena Rybakina

Marketa Vondrousova

Maria Sakkari

Qinwen Zheng

Ons Jabeur

Jelena Ostapenko

Daria Kasatkina

Danielle Collins

Jasmine Paolini

Beatriz Haddad Maia

Madison Keys

Elina Svitolina

Ekaterina Alexandrova

Liudmila Samsonova

Marta Kostyuk

Victoria Azarenka

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

Carolina Garcia

Emma Navarro

Anna Kalinskaya

Barbora Krejcikova

Elise Mertens

Katie Boulter

Linda Noskova

Sorana Cirstea

Veronika Kudermetova

Dayana Yastremska

Leylah Fernandez

Katerina Siniakova

US viewers can tune into NBC's French Open coverage live on NBCSports.com or the NBC Sports app if they have a cable or satellite subscription to log in with.

View original post here:

French Open 2024: How to watch the Alexander Zverev vs. Alex De Minaur match - Yahoo Sports

At a certain point, with all the tinder lying about, a spark was bound to set fire.

Chennedy Carter was the flint. Caitlin Clark was the stone. And days later, the landscape is still raging with ever-growing flames.

Its true that Carters shoulder check on Clark was not a basketball play. Its also true that type of competitive physicality happens in basketball, and especially in the WNBA, quite a bit. If things were different, if history were more kind to womens athletic and professional endeavors, it could have stayed a moment in the seasons timeline. A video to put in the bucket for a rivalry feature.

Instead, it gave fuel to the growing discourse around Clark and the WNBA. The same way leaders have described the rising tide in womens basketball that resulted in another sold-out crowd watching Clarks Indiana Fever defeat Carters Chicago Sky on Saturday afternoon, the play in question prompted the collision of too many atoms that were already active.

Clark is almost undeniably the most well-known name to enter the 28-year-old WNBA. There have been plenty of other superstars, but none were able to come into the league already in national TV commercials and on window stickers at the grocery store. Only the inaugural 1996 players Sheryl Swoopes, Rebecca Lobo, Lisa Leslie, Cynthia Cooper, etc. might come close. Because of that, many people are watching the WNBA for the first time. There are media personalities talking about it for the first time, and their takes arent always rooted in historical knowledge. Players are faced with media coverage and criticism theyve rarely received at this level.

Carters shoulder check was cheap, even within the accepted reality of physical W basketball. It was clear it wasnt a basketball play, nor was it necessary. Referees often go to the monitors to review for possible upgrades on lesser, more incidental acts, and befuddling technical calls could be considered a WNBA hallmark. The flagrant should have been assessed for unnecessary contact, and we should have all moved on.

Before Saturdays game, three players received fouls that were upgraded during in-game reviews. Mercury guard Kahleah Copper received a flagrant 1 on opening night when her shooting hand came down on Kelsey Plums face. Sparks guard Aari McDonalds foul on Clark was upgraded to a flagrant 1 for a reckless closeout while defending a deep transition 3-pointer. Alyssa Thomas drew the previously most high-profile flagrant this season when she threw Angel Reese to the ground on a rebound opportunity and was ejected with a flagrant 2.

That Clarks most recent incident wasnt reviewed nor upgraded in the moment as it clearly should have been set the initial spark. Even in the hours after the incident, fans and personalities on social media continued to insist it wasnt a big deal because the play, in fact, was called a technical. Add in the TV angle and slo-mo replays making the hit look worse with Carter yelling something at Clark as she hit her, and Angel Reese jumping up in celebration on the bench, and we had all the ingredients of a good, old-fashioned disagreement. And the talk continues no matter how misguided, with Pat McAfee being another bold, ill-advised example.

Clark followed up a grueling college schedule with 11 games in 20 days for the Fever. Thats about one-third of a collegiate season crammed into three weeks, and shes the No. 1 target in defensive game plans for the leagues best teams. A lot of the physicality shes facing is part of the game and part of being a star rookie by whom veterans dont want to get embarrassed. Clark herself has said repeatedly she understands the nature of the league, and with a full offseason, shell have time to bulk up and compete better just as guards Sabrina Ionescu and Kelsey Plum have done in recent years. She doesnt need anyone to protect her from that reality. Shes an actual fan of the game, having grown up attending Minnesota Lynx games with her dad during their dynasty run. She knows.

Other stuff, like that hit from Carter, is borderline and shouldnt be let go without repercussion. And while on paper that meant merely one more free throw and the ball for the Fever, in reality, a stronger message should have been sent that that type of play wont be tolerated.

Physical play, intensity and a competitive spirit are hallmarks of Chicago Sky basketball, Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon said in a statement Monday. Chennedy got caught up in the heat of the moment in an effort to win the game. She and I have discussed what happened and that it was not appropriate, nor is it what we do or who we are.

Weatherspoon is right. Sports are a competitive atmosphere and the emotions can get away from a player. Why the Hall of Fame player didnt say anything regarding the play after the game other than her blunt all they're doing is competing only dropped more brush on the fire.

Weatherspoon cut off postgame media questions directed to Carter that offered the player an opportunity to explain the incident in her own words. In the Fevers room down the hall, Clark took the high road in answering multiple questions about the interaction and didnt place blame on anyone. It is what it is, she said a few times. She sits for 10-15 minutes at a time, three times a day on game days, of which shes already had 11 to the Skys seven, and answers easy, tough and sometimes repetitive questions. Fans see that and react to it.

Meanwhile Reese, one-half of the headlining rookie duo alongside Clark, declined Saturday to speak with the media. That lit anew the charred branch of media access and player accountability in a league known to ask for more coverage. WNBA media protocol requires teams to make two players and a head coach available in a news conference after a maximum 10-minute cooling off period. Every other healthy player is required to be made available should they be requested by a media member via written and verbal communication. The arrangement was agreed upon by the WNBA Players Association and league to replace open locker room access that was closed ahead of the 2023 season.

Multiple media members requested to speak with Reese on Saturday. It doesnt help that the Sky franchise has a history of not abiding by the rules and often makes access to players difficult. The WNBA fined Reese and the franchise, as it has done with the 2023 Finals runner-up Liberty and 2021 runner-up Mercury.

In the absence of context from the players themselves, the controversy spread further. It opened up room for people, some of whom have never watched womens basketball but saw a clip on their social-media timeline, to fill in their own assumptions and misguided claims about intent.

Carters only significant postgame comment I aint answering no Caitlin Clark questions just added to it all. And she kept her feet away from the heat, because while she might not have wanted to answer questions about Clark, she clearly had things to say about the star rookie. She shut off replies and bounced wherever she wanted on social media after the game.

Carter, a 2020 lottery pick who has a rocky history in the league, can talk whatever trash she wants. Anyone who has followed Clark, a well-known talker, to the WNBA should appreciate that. But if youre going to talk trash, stand on it when it matters.

Cheap shot aside, though, the league could use the beef. It used to market itself as the 144, a nod to the number of roster spots. It now wants to lean into rivalries and marketing superstars, because thats how sports work. More people saw Carters dustup with Clark live because they tuned in to see Clark, Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. The number of people who are now eyeing the Sky-Fever rematch is growing.

Years of flagrant fouls predated Carters and drew significantly less attention. An iconic clip of Diana Taurasi bumping Seimone Augustus and giving her a peck on the cheek in the 2013 playoffs made the rounds this weekend as an example of W drama. Taurasi was issued a technical. They each answered to it in postgame media availability (again, iconic).

Yet, that was a different time on a smaller platform. The game is growing now, and the players need to grow along with it.

More:

Why the Caitlin Clark-Chennedy Carter incident has struck such a chord with the public - Yahoo Sports

Celebrini interviews with Sharks, unsure about going pro yet originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The San Jose Sharks interviewed Macklin Celebrini on Monday.

The Sharks and Celebrini are both in Buffalo, in preparation for the 2024 Draft Combine. San Jose is expected to make Celebrini the first-overall pick of the 2024 Draft on Jun. 28 in Las Vegas.

"The interview was good, it went really well," Celebrini told NHL.com. "It was great to kind of meet everyone. It was a great experience. I've heard a lot about (Sharks) general manager Mike Grier while at Boston University, so it was good to finally meet him."

According to NHL.com, the Sharks are one of Celebrinis seven interviews at the Combine. The Boston University center says he hasnt decided if hes going to turn pro yet.

I havent made up my mind yet, Celebrini told NHL.com. Thats a decision that Im going to make a little bit later. I wish I could tell you Ive made up my mind because thatd be a lot easier.

That may well be the case, but its still San Jose Hockey Nows expectation, speaking with a variety of sources in and around the Celebrini circle, that he will forgo his college eligibility to play for the San Jose Sharks next year.

Download and follow the San Jose Hockey Now podcast

Follow this link:

Celebrini interviews with Sharks, unsure about going pro yet - Yahoo Sports

He was a two-time All-American at Michigan and the offensive most valuable player in the Wolverines national championship game victory over Washington.

So running back Blake Corum had pedigree when the Rams selected him in the third round of the NFL draft.

Yet Corum has gone through the Rams offseason program with an attitude that tilted more neophyte than seasoned performer.

You just have to go in with a humble heart, and the mindset of, I dont know anything, Corum said Tuesday after practice, adding, Im going to grow from the good I do and whatever bad I do. Im never going to stop growing so it was easy for me to come in and basically start over.

The Rams selected the 5-foot-8, 210-pound Corum to complement third-year pro Kyren Williams, who made the Pro Bowl last season after rushing for 1,144 yards and scoring 15 touchdowns for a team that finished 10-7 and made the playoffs.

With Williams sidelined for voluntary offseason workouts because of a foot injury, Corum is taking advantage of increased reps as he learns the offense.

Read more: Rams' Stetson Bennett is getting back in form after improving mental health

Ive seen a very mature rookie, coach Sean McVay said, adding, I love his mental makeup, love the way he handles himself as a person and how locked in and focused he is.

Corum is part of a position group that includes Williams, Ronnie Rivers, second-year pro Zach Evans and recently signed veteran Boston Scott.Each hasdisplayed talent and growth in the meeting room and on the field during the offseason program, running backs coach Ron Gould said.

Upon Corums arrival in Thousand Oaks, Gould sat down with the rookie and urged him not to be too hard on himself if he committed mistakes. The worst thing Corum could do, Gould said, was put pressure on himself.

He hasnt done that up to this point, Gould said. Hes taken everything in stride. Hes a learner, and I see him growing every single day.

Corum used a tough running style to rush for 3,737 yards and 58 touchdowns during four seasons at Michigan.

After selecting Florida State edge rusher Jared Verse in the first round of the draft, and trading up to pick Seminoles defensive tackle Braden Fiske in the second, the Rams chose Corum with the 83rd pick.

I went into the draft just planning on going on Day 2, Corum said. I didnt know if it would be the second or third [round] for me I just wanted to go to the right situation.

When I got the call from the Rams I was like, 'You know what? This is the right situation.'

McVay, Gould, offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and the other running backs have eased his transition to the pros, Corum said.

I thought I had a great family at Michigan, Corum said. We built a great culture there, and I didnt know what to expect coming to the NFL where it is a business now. But it feels like family.

After the Rams conclude workouts next week, Corum said he would leave Southern California briefly to conduct football camps in Michigan and home-state Virginia. He will return quickly to prepare for training camp, which begins in late July.

Maybe go down to Malibu, check out a beach or two, he said. But other than that, Im going to be spacing my time wisely, taking care of my body, training every day to make sure Im in shape for camp and staying in the playbook.

McVay provided no update on quarterback Matthew Staffords contract situation. Stafford is signed through 2026, but during the NFL draft McVay acknowledged a report that the 15-year veteran wants the deal adjusted. Stafford has participated in the offseason program and will participate in final workouts next week, McVay said. Linebacker Ernest Jones IV has participated in the offseason program but not on-field team workouts because of a knee issue, McVay said.

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Go here to read the rest:

Rams rookie Blake Corum hits the ground running during offseason workouts - Yahoo Sports