標籤: compete

After competing for the services of Sunny Mehta, it looks like the New Jersey Devils and Toronto Maple Leafs may be facing off against each other for another front office executive.

After learning he was also a candidate for the job in Toronto, the Devils were not going to let Mehta slip through their fingers.

He immediately fired Tom Fitzgerald and secured Mehta’s arrival in New Jersey.

Mehta didn’t have to wait long to make changes to his front office and has now relieved former assistant general manager Dan MacKinnon and senior advisor Chuck Fletcher.

Now the Devils GM has a cabinet to build, and he may seek the services of Florida Panthers Director of Player Development Brian McCabe.

“One of the guys I’m curious to see if Mehta will try to add is Brian McCabe.

“Former Maple Leaf defenseman Brian McCabe has a really good reputation for player development,” Elliotte Friedman said on the latest 32 Thoughts podcast. “Mackenzie Weegar is one of those guys who has credited McCabe in the past for really helping him become the player he’s become.”

However, Friedman noted that although John Chayka and Mats Sundin have not yet made a move, McCabe could also be a candidate in Toronto – where he has played before.

Friedman said, “But I’ve also wondered if, for whatever reason, if, if, if, if Toronto makes a change, would Sandin commit to him in a player development role as well.”

McCabe will be a welcome asset to New Jersey. Given his success in developing players like Weegar, Gustav Forsling and Dmitry Kulikov into vital blueliners, this kind of guidance would prove tremendously helpful to Devils defensemen like Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec.

McCabe isn’t the only Panthers executive Mehta may have his eye on.

The Devils GM needs a right-hand man, and Braden Burch is the name being whispered about.

“The other guy I heard might be on Sunny Mehta’s radar is a guy named Braden Burch. Now, Burch’s official position is this [Florida’s] Director of hockey operations and salary cap management. He played hockey. he was actually drawn by [Chicago] Blackhawks in 2008, and then he moved abroad. “He’s been around hockey his whole life.”

“When we were talking about… how some of these teams felt that some of the guys they were interviewing were very quiet and didn’t really have a lot of experience in a lot of different areas, one of the future candidates, because I don’t think he’s ready yet, some people reached out to me about Burch, and they wondered if he was ultimately going to be Sunny Mehta’s right-hand man with the Devils. So just a few names that I pointed out there. Wanted to do.

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

Aston Villa Marcos is working on a deal to sign Senesi on a free transfer but now faces competition Tottenham Hotspur.

The defender’s Bournemouth contract expires in the summer, with the player not renewing his deal. He has impressed in the Premier League this season, playing 30 times.

sports witness Having recently covered how Barcelona are pursuing the target, the Argentine is likely awaiting a formal approach from the Catalan side.

Juventus have already done so, with the defender potentially appealing for a move to Italy.

There are now significant signings from a host of players including Aston Villa and Tottenham.

English clubs are ready to offer salary

tuttosport Today’s report Juve have been tracking Senesi for weeks. They have been in contact with his representatives, as well as showing interest in Leon Goretzka.

Senesi is believed to have informed Bournemouth of his decision to leave. He is now 28 years old and wants the opportunity to play for a top club and potentially earn a higher salary.

The Bianconeri have offered €3 million per season on a four-year deal but that is difficult for Senesi to accept. The main reason for this is that Aston Villa and Tottenham are also keen and are willing to offer €4m per season.

The newspaper believes it will be difficult for the Old Lady to compete, with Borussia Dortmund also offering a high salary.

Money is the only thing that will come down to it, especially since Juve is not guaranteed Champions League football.

Our opinion: Aston Villa could have the upper hand

For largely the same reasons as Juve, Tottenham may not have an advantage in this race. They will not play in Europe next season, with Aston Villa still in the race to qualify for the Champions League.

Villains boast a more stable project under Unai Emery and this could define Senesi’s career.

If Micky Van de Ven leaves Tottenham, Senesi could get more regular football in London. But Spurs have been plagued by instability in recent years.

Argentina would probably want to stay away from this, making Villa Park a more viable destination.

Fulham’s pursuit of Ricardo Pepi is sending shockwaves not just in the Premier League, but across European football.

In the Netherlands, Ronald de Boer has reacted with open disbelief. PSV Eindhoven are preparing to sell the American striker in a deal that could reach €40m including bonuses.

Reports indicate that Fulham have now agreed a deal with PSV Eindhoven For striker. The breakthrough came after months of negotiations, including a failed attempt during the January transfer window.

A deal was blocked by the Dutch side at the time, but negotiations have continued behind the scenes since then. Now Pepi looks ready for his big-money move. For the former Dutch international, the fee is about more than money, it is a symbol of the growing financial gap.

“We can no longer compete”

“Fulham, right? About €40m,” He said on Ziggo Sport, Relayed by PSV Inside.

“Fulham can already sign strikers for that kind of money. We can’t compete with that anymore. It’s unbelievable.”

Premier League spending leaves Europe behind

The disappointment reflects a wider reality: the financial power of the Premier League is widening the gap between other leagues to extremes.

Even clubs outside England’s traditional elite can now overtake major European teams without blinking.

This season alone, nine of the ten biggest spending clubs in Europe come from the Premier League. That group also includes Nottingham Forest, as well as newly promoted Sunderland.

They are ahead of traditional European giants like AC Milan, Real Madrid and Juventus. In fact, 12 of the top 20 spending clubs in Europe come from the Premier League. Even Wolves, facing relegation, are among Europe’s biggest spenders.

“Look, Fulham are doing well,” De Boer added. “But we’re talking about Fulham. They can also pay huge sums these days.”

Why do players still want the Premier League?

Despite his concerns, De Boer understands exactly why Pepi is tempted. The Premier League remains the ultimate destination, the league where careers accelerate and salaries rise.

“The Premier League is still the best league in the world. They can do whatever they want,” He concluded.

Now Fulham have matched their ambition with some big spending of their own. The same question is being asked across Europe: how does one compete with the Premier League?

If such deals become the norm, future transfer windows could only deepen the divide, with even Europe’s biggest clubs struggling to keep pace with mid-table Premier League spending.

🇮🇹 Pervis Estupinan | West Ham and Fulham fullbacks ready to defend ➡️ Return to PL, perfect fit for Hammershttps://t.co/dONQJEY4Gh #whufc #ffc

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 10 March 2026

The math says Zion Williamson’s injured New Orleans Pelicans have almost no chance of reaching the NBA Play-In Tournament. Dejounte Murray says otherwise. After spending 13 months recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, Murray made his season debut on Tuesday and immediately took to social media with some bold announcements.

There will be no holidays in New Orleans. A handful of people in the organization, including Murray and broadcaster Antonio Daniels, suggest the Pelicans will make a push for the final NBA Play-in Tournament spot.

Murray posted on “Can we treat every game like a championship game and win, win, win? Yes. Can we get the last spot in them in the play-ins??? Duhhhh.”

The All-Star point guard’s postseason aspirations are, generously speaking, optimistic. The excitement after the start of the season is understandable; The reality is serious. New Orleans won two of their first three games after the NBA All-Star break and will soon have a fully healthy roster. According to Borrego, Murray’s return actually added some ‘balance’ to the process.

However, the basement-dwelling Pelicans have less than two dozen games left to overcome their 11-game deficit. The schedule is manageable, but the bigger picture of what the LA Clippers are trying to pursue is undeniable.

Murray’s henchmen are about to embark on a six-game road trip, although five of the next seven games are against lottery-bound squads looking to lose to improve their odds. Unfortunately, the Clippers have the third-easiest schedule to end the regular season. Still, the core of this team could build some momentum and chemistry that should be valuable next season, when the team hopes to compete for a top-six seed.

Pelicans moving towards stability

James Borrego’s improved starting five features two All-Star-caliber veterans instead of two rookies. At least one current starter will be replaced when Trey Murphy III and Yves Missy become available, which should be soon.

“It’s very complicated right now,” Borrego confessed. “It’s going to be more complicated over the next game or two. It’s a good problem; we’ve been waiting for it. We’ve got healthy bodies back, we’re playing good basketball, and guys are confident right now. It’s complicated, a puzzle I have to figure out night after night. I can’t make 15 guys happy, but I know 15 guys are ready to go. And I have confidence in all 15. At any given moment, it’s their night, your moment, “Maybe your quarter.”

The main points are becoming clear. Murray will run point for the next six weeks. Given the continued communication with Joe Dumars and the urgency to return to action, fans can expect the former All-Star to be in Metairie for training camp next September. Zion Williamson’s value ahead of the NBA trade deadline was a wake-up call to the sagging face of the franchise. However, the front office has found a way to get Williamson on the court and smiling, so hopefully the experiment will be extended.

Fans can expect Williamson and Murray to take turns handling the ball and setting the table to create chances for everyone else. Herb Jones is beloved by fans, admired by teammates and feared by enemies around the world. Not on Herb for not starting the game on the bench. Trey Murphy III is arguably the best player in the Big Easy, and possibly the best shooter on the planet. His length and versatility fit him well on the wing opposite Jones.

Depending on the matchup, Yves Missy, Derrick Queen and Saddiq Bey will likely alternate as the fifth starter. Bey is a tactical play as a sixth man option to boost scoring off the bench. For example, it gives Jeremiah Fear a new outlet. However, the Pelicans have played from behind too often this season. Building momentum and allowing young players to thrive against other units is the only way to keep the play-in tournament dreams alive until March Madness begins.

The guard should be the first to keep fear off the bench. Murray is on a minutes restriction right now, and the recent first-round investment means the rookie will get significant development time on the court next season. Jordan Poole is clearly out of Borrego’s metaphorical doghouse, but his potential with the team this postseason is limited. Expect Poole to punch out an average of about 20 minutes per night, depending on whether his shot is falling and passing is on point.

The queen and bay together should log about 50 minutes per night. The potential of that pair should be given time to develop. If the pool is playing a lot, Micah Peavy and Bruce McGowens are ready for a bigger role in getting the data. The Pelicans are getting serious about setting a new standard in every way. When Missy and Queen get tired or face obstacles, Karlo Matkovic substitutes the pace front court. Matkovic is still earning Borrego’s trust in small increments.

It may not be enough to clinch the final NBA Play-in Tournament spot, but this gameplan gives the Pelicans a real chance to try for an NBA playoff spot next season. Joe Dumars has arguably walked away from some sensible offseason controversy if Poole and Jordan Hawkins are among those taking a pay cut.

Murray, Williamson, Murphy III and Queen have All-Star potential. Fear is a firecracker. Not on Herb could still win Defensive Player of the Year. Bey may have been the best buy-low deal bet of the last 12 months. The outline is there. He just needs one season without injuries to light the championship fire. The next six weeks are the lowest of low-pressure situations to show fans why they should still be excited about the viability of this foundation.

Ahead of LA Clippers veteran Kawhi Leonard’s seventh All-Star Game appearance, he expects a competitive schedule despite not fully understanding the new format. Leonard led the Clippers’ hard-fought 105-102 win against the Houston Rockets.

According to NBA on Prime Insider Chris Haynes, he said, Leonard is also expecting a competitive night.

“It’s going to start with the starters, whoever gets there first,” Leonard said. “For me, personally, we need to get back to the way it was, and if guys are going to play hard, they’ll play hard. I think it will be competitive this year. I don’t know what the format is like. But hopefully, guys are competing. They usually do, but it’s also an All-Star Game.”

The NBA’s new USA vs. World format will feature three teams – Team World, USA Stars and USA Stripes – each with eight players, competing in a round-robin tournament.

Leonard will play for Team USA Stripes alongside Houston Rockets’ Kevin Durant, Los Angeles Lakers All-Star LeBron James and New York Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson, as well as Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown and Cleveland Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell. Brandon Ingram of the Toronto Raptors and De’Aaron Fox of the San Antonio Spurs are replacing injured All-Stars Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks.

Lakers All-Star Luka Doncic, Denver Nuggets two-time MVP Nikola Jokic and first-time All-Star Jamal Murray will play for Team World. Alperen Sengun of the Rockets, Karl-Anthony Towns of the Knicks and Victor Vembanyama of the Spurs are also on the team, as well as first-time All-Star forwards Danny Avdija of the Portland Blazers and Pascal Siakam of the Indiana Pacers.

Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Anthony Edwards will join Team USA stars along with Phoenix Suns All-Star Devin Booker, Philadelphia 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey and the Detroit Pistons’ All-Star duo of Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren. The Raptors’ Scottie Barnes is also on the team, along with Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, who is making his first All-Star appearance.

Kawhi Leonard’s opinion on Clippers’ Darius Garland trade

Clippers veteran Kawhi Leonard discusses Darius Garland following the Clippers’ trade with the Cavs during All-Star weekend. While Garland recovers from a toe injury, Leonard can’t wait to join the team’s offense when healthy.

“I believe he was probably about 20 or 21 years old when I first came here,” Leonard said. “He was probably in his third year in the league, so he just kept working and over time he transitioned from being the guy that stayed in the fourth quarter and held down the fort for us in the paint. Also became very efficient in the post, creating mismatches or double teams on guys his size.

“His development has been great, he’s playing well, and he’ll still have a chance to win at Indiana when Tyrese comes back, and they get their whole group together. I told him, it’s not the worst, so just enjoy your kid, and he’ll get a chance to play for a championship.”

The Clippers have won three of their last four games before the All-Star break.

Chris Bosh believes the Miami Heat still had championship potential after LeBron James left in 2014 and said he was motivated to win a title without his former teammate.

Speaking on the latest episode of the All the Smoke podcast with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, the Hall of Famer reflected on the immediate aftermath of James’ return to the Cleveland Cavaliers and the direction of the Heat franchise.

“We had a squad man, I felt like not to say we were going to win it all, but we could compete for a championship… I wanted to establish myself in the record books, I wanted to establish myself without LeBron, to be honest with you. Honestly, we wanted to win without him. That’s like saying Shaq won without Kobe, Kobe won without Shaq. I wanted to put myself in that category and on that pedestal. Was.” Bosh continued. “I wanted to help D.Wade get back to that position as well. I felt very good about my team. We were in second or third place. If we get to the Eastern Conference Finals, let’s play some ball. “I’m not worried about it at all.”

Earlier in the podcast, Bosh recounted the moment when James informed him via a last-minute message that he would be leaving Miami. He previously admitted that he was “displeased” with how the decision unfolded, adding that it took him several months to fully process the departure and adjust to life without the four-time MVP.

Despite the disappointment, Bosh said he believed the Heat were ready to compete in the Eastern Conference. Miami finished 37–45 in the 2014–15 season due to injuries to both Bosh and Dwyane Wade. However, the following year, the team bounced back with a 48–34 record during the 2015–16 campaign.

Chris Bosh believes the Heat could have competed for a championship before being sidelined due to blood clots and says he wanted to prove he could win a ring even without LeBron.

“We had a squad man, I felt like I can’t say we were going to win it all, but we could compete… pic.twitter.com/mmBtylmPPb

– Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) 13 February 2026

Heat’s 48-win resurgence boosts Chris Bosh’s confidence in title hopes after LeBron James

The Heat advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals that season and pushed the Toronto Raptors to seven games, but fell just short in a Conference Finals matchup against James and the Cavaliers. Bosh was sidelined for the postseason due to recurring blood clotting issues, a condition that ultimately ended his playing career.

At the time of his absence, Miami was one of the top teams in the East standings, strengthening Bosh’s belief that the group could compete at a high level without James.

Bosh said, “We were very confident, but it wasn’t meant to be, but eventually I realized what more do you want? Don’t be greedy, you did everything brother.” “Me and my man Maverick Carter were talking, just talking and I said, this doesn’t happen the way it’s supposed to happen. He said, ‘It never happens the way it’s supposed to happen.’ And when he said that, I was surprised, you’re right. And it kind of put me in a position where I had to figure something else out because God forbid if something happened while I was on the court, which has happened several times, I feel like I’ve done a lot because people die at very little cost. I was like, ‘I should be here’ because usually the people who have the thing that I have, aren’t here anymore. I just took it to heart and moved on and got it out of my system and moved on.

Bosh’s career was short, championship confidence never wavered

Bosh averaged 21.1 points and seven rebounds during the 2014–15 season and 19.1 points and 7.4 rebounds in 2015–16 before his career was cut short. He was later inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.

While Miami never returned to the Finals during Bosh’s tenure following James’ departure, the franchise later reached the NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023 under a new core led by Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.

Looking back, Bosh said the Heat had the talent and confidence to compete for another championship – even without James – if circumstances had turned out differently.