Jokic in ‘category of his own,’ despite Nuggets defeat to Celtics in Abu Dhabi

Jokic in ‘category of his own,’ despite Nuggets defeat to Celtics in Abu Dhabi
Nikola Jokic is coming off a hectic summer during which he helped guide Serbia to a bronze medal at the Olympic Games. (AP)
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Updated 05 October 2024
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Jokic in ‘category of his own,’ despite Nuggets defeat to Celtics in Abu Dhabi

Jokic in ‘category of his own,’ despite Nuggets defeat to Celtics in Abu Dhabi
  • Russell Westbrook praised the Serbian star after Boston beat Denver 107-103 in first of pre-season games at Etihad Arena

ABU DHABI: Russell Westbrook believes his new teammate Nikola Jokic “belongs in a category of his own,” the 16-year NBA veteran said in Abu Dhabi on Friday after making his first appearance for the Denver Nuggets.

Playing the first of two preseason games against the Boston Celtics in the UAE capital, the Nuggets squandered a 14-point lead en route to a 107-103 defeat to the reigning NBA champions.

Westbrook, a former MVP and nine-time All-Star, joined the Nuggets in July after spending last season with the LA Clippers, and the 35-year-old made his debut for his new team on Friday, sharing some minutes with Jokic in the first half.

“As we all know, he sits in a category of his own. He’s so unique in the sense of he’s so unselfish,” said Westbrook of the three-time MVP.

“He loves to be able to make the game easy for his teammates and he’s done that and won a championship and multiple MVPs and he’s still the same person since I’ve been around.

“Getting a chance to know a little about him and his background, I really enjoyed that and I’m grateful to be on his team and learn from him as well.”

Jokic is coming off a hectic summer during which he helped guide Serbia to a bronze medal at the Olympic Games.

In a clash that pit the last two NBA champions in front of a capacity crowd at Etihad Arena, Jokic had 14 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and a 71.4 field goal percentage in under 17 minutes of play.

“Last time, I remember, when I played for the national team, we won the championship, so maybe that’s saying something, maybe not, who knows. Most players say that summer tournaments, like the Olympics, kind of helps you stay in shape or to get better maybe,” said Jokic.

“I don’t know if that’s the case or not, but I definitely had a really good time and I think I improved playing for the national team.”

The Celtics started with Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Luke Kornet, Derrick White and Jrue Holiday, but it was their second unit that cut their deficit against the Nuggets, with guard Payton Pritchard scoring 21 points, including six 3-pointers from 12 attempts.

Boston players combined for 61 3-point attempts, which would have been a franchise record had it been an official game.

“I feel like we took a lot of 3s last year. I don’t know if we’ll take 61 most nights, but obviously we don’t have two of our interior players and it’s the first game, getting our legs under us, so sometimes repeatedly is tiring. I think we’ll get to the rim more during the season,” said Pritchard, referring to coach Joe Mazzulla emphasizing shooting from beyond the arc throughout their run to the championship.

NBA Finals MVP Brown, who addressed the Abu Dhabi crowd with some Arabic words ahead of the game, had eight points, two rebounds and two assists in 19 minutes of play, while Tatum had 12, six and five.

“We’re definitely getting back into season form, just finding that continuity again, we had some good spots, defensively made some good plays, offensively we got some good looks,” said Brown, who spent a large portion of his summer in the Arabian Peninsula.

“A lot of excitement here in Abu Dhabi as well, so I think the next game we should be better.”

The night in the UAE capital was a star-studded affair with a host of football legends in attendance, including Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry, Roberto Carlos and Alessandro Del Piero.

Jokic said he was happy to see them all in one place, adding: “Thierry Henry was my favorite player, when he was in Arsenal, I really loved him. He was really fast and I’m going to say a game-changer. He was a really good player.”

Boston and Denver will square off again in a second preseason game on Sunday, Oct. 6. The 2024-25 NBA season tips off on Oct. 22.


F1 surges in popularity in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East new data reveals

F1 surges in popularity in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East new data reveals
Updated 27 sec ago
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F1 surges in popularity in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East new data reveals

F1 surges in popularity in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East new data reveals
  • 11 percent rise in female interest and 10 percent uptick among male fans in the Kingdom
  • Globally, F1’s fanbase has grown by 5.7 percent since 2021

LONDON: Formula 1 has experienced a surge in popularity, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East, according to a new study released on Tuesday by Nielsen Sports.

With a global fanbase now exceeding 750 million, the sport has gained 50 million fans since 2021, fueled by rising interest in the Middle East region as well as among young female fans, the report showed.

The study revealed Saudi Arabia as one of the sport’s fastest-growing markets, with an 11 percent increase in fans compared to the 2023 season.

The surge in popularity also spans demographics, with an 11 percent rise in female interest and a 10 percent uptick among male fans. Among older Saudi audiences, enthusiasm has soared, with 22 percent more fans aged 50-69 following the championship than in the previous season.

The UAE also saw a significant boost, with fan interest rising by 6 percent. Together, these countries solidify the Middle East as a critical growth region for Formula 1 in 2024, the Nielsen report concluded.

Globally, F1’s fanbase has grown by 5.7 percent since 2021, with women now making up 41 percent of all fans. Young women aged 16-24 represented the fastest-growing demographic, reflecting the sport’s evolving accessibility and appeal.

Jon Stainer, global general manager at Nielsen Sports, attributed this success to Formula 1’s innovative fan engagement strategies.

“Formula 1 is a perfect example of a rights owner innovating its relationship with fans,” he said.

“Growth of interest, especially among women and newer markets like Saudi Arabia, can be attributed largely to a shift in how the teams and drivers are profiled today, and the access they are affording global audiences.

“New sponsorship categories are opening up. We’re seeing a significant shift in the brands engaging in the sport, attracted to this changing fan demographic,” he added.

Netflix’s acclaimed docuseries, “Drive to Survive,” has played a pivotal role, with 35 percent of viewers of the show expressing intent to watch more races. Another quarter of surveyed fans credited the series with their newfound passion for the sport.

F1’s commercial prospects have also increased, with sponsorship deals seeing a 56 percent rise in value since 2019.

The average sponsorship deal now stands at $5.08 million, up from $2.87 million from pre-pandemic levels. The diversification of sponsors — which range from luxury brands such as LVMH to IT giants such as HP and Dropbox — has cemented the championship’s status as a commercial powerhouse, the Nielsen report said.

While the Middle East leads the charge of new fans, the series continues to thrive in traditional strongholds, especially in Europe. Interest in the UK rose by 2.3 percent, while Germany saw a 4.5 percent uptick.


LaLiga opens Riyadh workspace to strengthen Saudi Pro League ties

LaLiga opens Riyadh workspace to strengthen Saudi Pro League ties
Updated 1 min 32 sec ago
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LaLiga opens Riyadh workspace to strengthen Saudi Pro League ties

LaLiga opens Riyadh workspace to strengthen Saudi Pro League ties
  • New office will be at SPL headquarters, with the two organizations exchanging best practices and driving innovation
  • SPL CEO Omar Mugharbel and LaLiga President Javier Tebas attend the official opening

RIYADH: The Saudi Pro League has welcomed Spain’s LaLiga to Riyadh with the inauguration of a dedicated workspace within its headquarters, it announced at the World Football Summit on Tuesday.

This strategic move is the latest in the SPL’s efforts to build ties with the global football community, with the new workspace, designed for use by LaLiga and Spanish clubs, officially commencing operations on Dec. 2.

SPL CEO Omar Mugharbel and LaLiga President Javier Tebas attended the official opening at the SPL headquarters.

This initiative aligns with LaLiga’s broader international strategy, which includes a presence in 34 countries through 11 global offices. Additionally, a LaLiga delegate will soon be based in Riyadh to further strengthen the new partnership.

Mugharbel said: “We are thrilled to welcome LaLiga to Riyadh. This collaboration represents a vital step in forging closer ties between the SPL and other leagues, showcasing our dedication to opening the SPL to the world.”

He also underscored the partnership’s role in exchanging best practices and driving innovation within the league.

Tebas added: “LaLiga is committed to supporting the growth of the sports and entertainment industry in Saudi Arabia. This workspace marks a new chapter in our relationship with the region and the SPL, and we are confident that this partnership will pave the way for exciting new projects.”

This partnership between the SPL and LaLiga paves the way for enhanced cooperation, enabling both organizations to share expertise and further elevate the sport, while helping the SPL develop the next generation of Saudi footballers.


Man Utd not yet out of Premier League title race, says Arteta

Man Utd not yet out of Premier League title race, says Arteta
Updated 6 min 2 sec ago
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Man Utd not yet out of Premier League title race, says Arteta

Man Utd not yet out of Premier League title race, says Arteta
  • “It’s still very early in the season,” said the Spaniard
  • Arteta said champions Manchester City were still a danger despite their recent slump

LONDON: Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says it is too early to rule Manchester United out of the Premier League title race as he prepares his in-form team to face Ruben Amorim’s resurgent side on Wednesday.
United are 15 points behind leaders Liverpool and four points off the Champions League spots after 13 matches.
Arteta was asked at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday whether United could be in the title mix despite their poor start to the season under the sacked Erik ten Hag.
“It’s still very early in the season,” said the Spaniard, whose team are second in the table, six points clear of United.
“Any team that has the capacity to put five or six wins in a row is going to be up there because it’s so tough and you see every week how all the teams are struggling to maintain winning, winning and winning. So I think anything is possible.”
And Arteta said champions Manchester City were still a danger despite their recent slump — Pep Guardiola’s men have lost their past four league matches to fall 11 points behind Liverpool.
“Again, if there is a team with the capacity to turn it around and start to win, win, win and win — don’t rule them out because you know how much quality they have,” he said.
Arsenal have a good recent home record against United, who have won two and drawn one of their first three games in all competitions under Amorim.
Arteta said he could already see the influence of the former Sporting Lisbon boss, just weeks after he replaced Ten Hag.
“You can see his fingerprints in what he wants to do straight away,” he said. “I think he’s been very clear, he’s been very successful with Sporting.
“He brings energy to a new club and to the players new ideas and that’s always something positive but we have to focus on what we have to do.”
Arsenal have also been drawn against holders United in the third round of the FA Cup, which takes place early next month.
“We play at home, it’s going to be a big match again and it’s a little bit of the story of the last few seasons that in the third or fourth round we are playing big opponents,” he said.
“But we want to do what we have done historically at this club and in the end, you have to beat the big teams to win it. It is what it is. We are excited.”


Muqeem stars as Pakistan crush Zimbabwe to win T20 series

Muqeem stars as Pakistan crush Zimbabwe to win T20 series
Updated 40 min 39 sec ago
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Muqeem stars as Pakistan crush Zimbabwe to win T20 series

Muqeem stars as Pakistan crush Zimbabwe to win T20 series
  • The 25-year-old took five consecutive wickets for the loss of only three runs
  • Zimbabwe crumbled to 57 all out in 12.4 overs after making a promising start

BULAWAYO: Pakistan wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem starred in a series-clinching 10-wicket Twenty20 international rout of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old took five consecutive wickets for the loss of only three runs as Zimbabwe crumbled to 57 all out in 12.4 overs after making a promising start.
Pakistan then sped to 61-0 off 33 balls through Saim Ayub (36) and Omair Yousuf (22) to follow up a 57-run victory last Sunday in the first of three matches.
Victory completed a white-ball double for the tourists, who won a one-day international series 2-1 last week.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha said: “Losing the toss did not concern us because we had plans and executed them really well. The bowling of Sufiyan was outstanding.
“We have a young side full of quality players and the way they are performing is very heartening for me.”
Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza admitted his team were “all hurting and in a pretty bad place at the moment.
“My biggest concern is whether we are learning our lessons when we suffer defeats because we seem to be making the same mistakes match after match.”
Zimbabwe openers Brian Bennett (21) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (16) — the only batters to reach double figures — built a 37-run partnership in four overs.
Then, both fell within five balls, and the home team lost their 10 wickets for just 20 runs as Muqeem wreaked havoc.
Marumani was caught by Tayyab Tahir at cover point and Bennett by Irfan Khan at deep square leg at the Queens Sports Club.
All-rounder Raza, often the batting savior for Zimbabwe, made just three before his off stump was uprooted by Abbas Afridi.
Raza was among four bowlers who had no success trying to contain Ayub and Yousuf. The openers struck 10 boundaries, including a six each, between them.
A four from Ayub past backward point sealed victory.
Pakistan complete the T20 series against Zimbabwe on Thursday. They then travel to South Africa for an eight-match all-formats tour, including two Tests.


Guardiola says Man City can hit top form again despite slump

Guardiola says Man City can hit top form again despite slump
Updated 03 December 2024
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Guardiola says Man City can hit top form again despite slump

Guardiola says Man City can hit top form again despite slump
  • “With all the squad this season, we’ll be close to the level that we reached last season,” Guardiola said
  • The club have been beset by injury problems this season, most notably the loss of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri for the rest of the campaign

LONDON: Pep Guardiola says struggling Manchester City can hit the heights of recent seasons once he has all his top players back despite their alarming slump.
The defending Premier League champions have lost six of their past seven games in all competitions — falling 11 points behind leaders Liverpool in the English top flight.
It is an extraordinary collapse for a team that have won six of the past seven Premier League titles, including the past four.
Guardiola, whose team host Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, told a pre-match press conference he was confident City’s decline is not terminal.
“With all the squad this season, we’ll be close to the level that we reached last season,” he said on Tuesday.
The club have been beset by injury problems this season, most notably the loss of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri for the rest of the campaign.
A number of other key players have spent time in the treatment room including Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Dias.
Guardiola described City as “magnificent” at Liverpool on Sunday despite their 2-0 defeat.
“I would say we are not far away from the team second in the Premier League (City are two points behind Arsenal),” he said.
“But always it’s the way you play, the consistency you have in the boxes, and many things that give you the positive thoughts of what is going to happen in future.”
Guardiola said the club would talk “internally” over whether they would bolster the squad in next month’s transfer window.
And he confirmed that Ederson remained his number one goalkeeper after he was dropped for the Liverpool match in favor of understudy Stefan Ortega following a mistake in last week’s 3-3 draw against Feyenoord.
He said the Brazilian had reacted well to his decision.
“Ederson number one, Stefan number two,” he said. “But maybe Stefan continues. We’ll see tomorrow and the next games.”
Guardiola called on City’s fans to help lift the team against Forest, who are sixth in the table, a point behind his men.
“Many, many good moments we’ve lived together,” he said. “They know that we need absolute support because all of us, the players especially, are human beings.”