Suns' Oso Ighodaro agrees to $29 million contract extension before 2026-27 season appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Phoenix Suns have locked up a homegrown big man at a price that could age very well. Oso Ighodaro has agreed to a three-year, $29 million contract extension that runs through the 2030-31 season, his agent Erika Ruiz of Primera Sports told ESPN's Shams Charania.
The deal came together a day before Monday's deadline for rookie-scale and second-round extensions.
Charania added that the Suns are picking up Ighodaro's $2.5 million team option for 2027-28, so the extension starts in 2028 and runs through 2031 for a second-round find who has established himself as a reliable center. Ighodaro is now signed further out than any other player on the roster, including Devin Booker.
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#Suns #contract #season

Mets news: Ex-GM drops 'disappointed' admission on NY not re-signing Pete Alonso appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New York Mets have the difficult task of facing the man who set their all-time home run record a little more than a year ago. He also happens to be responsible for one of the most famous dingers in recent playoff history. That is not the type of player fans want to see in a different uniform. Beloved first baseman Pete Alonso will return to Citi Field for the first time since inking a five-year, $155 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles last December, and with that big reunion comes endless evaluation and nitpicking.
Former Mets executive Sandy Alderson was running the front office when the organization selected the Polar Bear in the 2016 MLB Draft, so it is no surprise to hear how he feels about New York failing to re-sign Alonso.
"I was disappointed," Alderson told Brian Kenny on MLB Now, one day after being inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame. "Pete Alonso was drafted by Tommy Tanous, the scouting director at that time, in the second round. Basically a home-run hitter who got on base. And that's what he's been since he came to the big leagues. Let's say his defense is not…. superb. Poor defense doesn't outweigh the kind of homegrown, home-run, impact talent that Pete Alonso can provide.
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#alonso #pete #first

The Scottish FA is proposing financial incentives - and penalties - along with quotas, in a bid to get more homegrown talent playing for clubs.
The governing body has put forward three suggestions to increase game time for young Scottish players, which will be voted on at a SFA general meeting in October and the SPFL's agm in November.
Two under-21 Scotland-eligible players start in all Scottish Cup matches, with one player on the pitch at all times.
Two under-21 Scotland-eligible players start in all Premier Sports Cup matches, with one player on the pitch at all times.
Under-21 Scotland-eligible players in all four SPFL divisions to play an average of 60 minutes per game, across the season, (6% of available minutes).

#Scotland #game #start #player

All three players arrived during a frantic final 24 hours of business before UEFA's registration deadline, but will not be available for the Hoops' eight league-phase fixtures.
Martin O'Neill faced a difficult selection call after Celtic's late transfer activity left him with more non-homegrown first-team players than he was permitted to register.
The Celtic boss could name only 17 of his 20 non-homegrown options, meaning three players were always going to miss out.
O'Neill has ultimately opted to omit three of the younger and less experienced additions in Emenalo, Mheuka and Van den Berg.
Celtic confirmed their European squad on Thursday afternoon, with the list now locked in for the league phase ahead of their opening fixture against Ferencvaros later this month.

#league

Roberto De Zerbi has omitted Richarlison from his Premier League squad for Tottenham Hotspur's upcoming season, while injured duo Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert have both been included.
Every Premier League club is required to register a 25-man squad comprising a maximum of 17 non-homegrown players and eight homegrown players. Spurs had one more non-homegrown player than permitted, forcing De Zerbi to drop someone from the roster.
Richarlison was informed he would not feature in De Zerbi's plans for the season prior to the Premier League transfer deadline, giving him the opportunity to depart the North London club once a suitable offer was received, according to football.london.
'I was edgy about Welcome to Wrexham, but Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney proved me wrong'
Wrexham bid farewell to back-to-back promotion hero following record-breaking signing

#homegrown #richarlison #season #club

The Braves DFA'd Hayden Harris Wednesday to make ***** e on the 40-man roster to bring up repeat DFA victim Eliesar Hernandez. Harris was once viewed as an extremely promising bullpen prospect for Atlanta, with outrageous strikeout rates in the minors due to a unique fastball shape. He had a rough couple of innings in the majors in 2025 and really lost his command in 2026 in the minors. It's a ***** mer for those of us hoping for an electric homegrown bullpen arm from Harris, but perhaps not the end of the road for him.
Ronald Acuna made power-speed history Wednesday, reaching 200 home runs and stolen bases in the fewest games in baseball history.
Blake Burkhalter was optioned back to AAA, while Hayden Harris was DFA'd to make ***** e for Eliesar Hernandez.
The Braves beat the Nationals in dominant fashion, behind power from the offense and great pitching.
The Rays' new owner says he expects the team to be able to reach an above-average payroll with their new ballpark.

#Braves #dfa 'd #space #bullpen

Nottingham Forest have enquired about the possibility of signing Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Oliver Glasner wants to add a new first-choice goalkeeper to his squad before the deadline, and Forest have had an offer turned down for former loanee Dean Henderson of Crystal Palace.
According to journalistMatteo Moretto, Forest have contacted Liverpool to discuss Mamardashvili's availability. The Georgia international joined Liverpool from Valencia for an initial fee of £25m last summer and made 10 Premier League appearances last season.
The 25-year-old is understood to feel frustrated about his role heading into the current campaign, with Alisson Becker remaining at Anfield as number one goalkeeper, despite speculation over a potential move to Juventus.
Liverpool also have issues around registration rules. Clubs can register a maximum of 17 players not classed as a 'homegrown player', with the Reds reaching that limit afterthe arrival of Ronald Araujo from Barcelona.

#forest #dean

Everton are in talks to re-sign Jack Grealish on loan from Manchester City on a busy day where Iliman Ndiaye looks set to join Tottenham with Richarlison heading the other way.
The Toffees have also called off plans to sell homegrown star Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest.
The possible reunion with Grealish will grab the headlines as David Moyes wants to bring the 30-year-old back to the Hill ***** inson Stadium.
Grealish spent last term with the Toffees, making 22 appearances, but suffered a foot injury in January which ended his campaign.
The England international has been linked with a move to Sunderland, but a return to Merseyside is on the cards with clubs in talks.

#everton #city #ndiaye #TOTTENHAM

Meghan Markle shared an idyllic glimpse of her California life, just days after beginning a very different chapter with Prince Harry and their children in the UK.
The **** ss of Sussex, 45, was pictured tending to a sun-drenched vegetable garden in a photograph shared by her lifestyle brand, As Ever.
Dressed for the warm California weather in a figure-skimming white T-shirt maxi dress, Meghan shielded herself from the sunshine beneath an oversized straw hat as she reached towards the plants.
A wire basket filled with freshly picked produce could be seen resting on the stone wall beside her, adding to the rustic, homegrown feel of the photograph.
Meghan shares glimpse of summer (@ Instagram)

#california #markle #duchess

The New England Revolution have signed midfielder Judah Siqueira as a Homegrown Player, extending through the 2027-2028 Major League Soccer season with club options through the 2030-2031 campaign, according to an announcement.
The 17-year-old from Easton becomes the 17th player to join the New England MLS roster from the Revolution Academy.
Siqueira made his first two MLS appearances in recent matches. He made his league debut on Aug. 19 at D.C. United in a 3-0 win. He followed with a 26-minute performance in a 1-1 draw against New York City FC on Aug. 23 in his Gillette Stadium debut.
"We are thrilled to sign Judah as a Homegrown Player," said Chris Tierney, New England's general manager and chief soccer officer. "Over the years, we have watched Judah develop into an outstanding young player through our Academy and with Revolution II. Judah is a high-potential player with a bright future ahead of him. We're excited to see his continued development with our club in years to come."
The Brazilian-American midfielder is the 14th Revolution Academy graduate to make an MLS appearance for New England.

#academy #homegrown #league #midfielder

What's going on on the island? After Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, two of the favorites, already took a fully deserved beating, the next underdog is frustrating the supposedly stronger team on paper.
And "frustrating" is really an understatement. Brighton & Hove Albion were already 4-0 up after just 30 minutes against the reigning Europa League winners and last season's fourth-placed side, Aston Villa.
Fabian Hürzeler's Seagulls were ruthless. After an early own goal by Lindelöf, De Cuyper added another in the 18th minute. Homegrown talent Hinshelwood then piled on two more with a quickfire brace after half an hour.
As if that wasn't already bitter enough, the team from Birmingham then reduced themselves to ten men. João Gomes was shown a red card for violent conduct.
After Unai Emery's side recently put in a good showing against PSG in the Super Cup, this is a massive blow to start the season. Perhaps the departures of three key starters — Youri Tielemans (move to Man United), Lucas Digne (move to PSG), and Morgan Rogers (move to Chelsea) — will be felt more than initially thought after all.

#already #move #frustrating #team

Ukraine is buying a homegrown glide bomb that could help its pilots strike Russian forces from a safer distance while relying less on weapons supplied by the U.S. and Europe.
The new weapon is called the Vyrivniuvach, or "Equalizer." It was developed by Ukrainian company DG Industry with support from Brave1, a government-backed defense technology group.
A Ukrainian military official told Ukrinform that the bomb has finished testing and is now being bought for the armed forces. Fox News Digital has reached out to Ukraine's Ministry of Defense for more details.
Until now, Ukraine's warplanes have relied heavily on U.S.-supplied JDAM-ER bomb kits and Small Diameter Bombs, as well as French-made Hammer bombs, for precision strikes from safer distances. The Equalizer could give Kyiv more control over its own supply of guided bombs as foreign military aid remains uncertain.
'A New Kind Of War': Inside Ukraine's Hidden Factories Mass-producing Combat Drones

#bombs #bomb #forces #ukraine

Curtis Jones wanted to explore a new opportunity in Italy - and Liverpool did not want to stand in his way.
Last summer, it was Trent Alexander-Arnold who left his boyhood club for Real Madrid. This summer, it is Jones who has done the same, although his destination is Milan.
From Liverpool's perspective, a £30m package represents good value as Jones only had one year left on his current deal.
Selling Jones also generates immediate pure profit on a homegrown ******* et. It was either sell him now, sell him for less in January or let him leave for free next summer.
On the pitch, Jones was versatile enough to play in a number of positions but he struggled to make one role his own. Off the pitch, Jones has always been honest and someone willing to take responsibility.

#left #sell #last

Liverpool have made a clear call on James McConnell, and it matters more than it might first appear. A loan to Preston North End was lined up, a deal was in place, regular football had effectively been mapped out, and then the club stopped it. That is not administrative drift. It is a football decision.
According to Lewis Steele for the Daily Mail, Liverpool have "pulled the plug" on the move after Andoni Iraola decided McConnell is part of his plans. The key detail here is simple, McConnell forced the issue on the pitch and in training. If a manager changes course late in the window, it usually means the player has done something tangible, not cosmetic.
This also comes at a moment when Liverpool's midfield is shifting. Curtis Jones is heading towards Inter Milan in a £30m move, ending a long ***** ociation with his boyhood club. That departure alters the internal arithmetic. Minutes open up, squad roles change, and players on the edge of the first-team picture suddenly move closer to the centre.
Photo by IMAGO
McConnell is 21, homegrown, tactically reliable and already familiar with senior demands at Liverpool. He featured in four pre-season matches and started the closed-doors game against Como, playing an hour. That is relevant because coaches do not hand those minutes out for sentiment. They use them to test trust, positioning and decision-making.

#mcconnell #move #decision #preston

Liverpool have 'pulled the plug' on one player's proposed exit from Anfield despite a deal having been agreed with the club he was set to join.
The Reds are preparing to say goodbye to homegrown midfielder Curtis Jones after a 16-year **** ociation with his boyhood side, with the England international on the verge of completing a £30m transfer to Inter Milan.
Another LFC academy graduate in James McConnell had also been set to depart, albeit on loan for Championship outfit Preston, but those plans have now changed.
In a transfer Q&A for the Daily Mail, Lewis Steele explained that Liverpool have 'pulled the plug' on the 21-year-old's planned move to Deepdale, even though the Lilywhites had a 'deal agreed' for him to join and had promised him regular game-time.
The journalist wrote: 'The young midfielder, who spent time at Ajax last season, knocked on the door of boss Andoni Iraola last Friday and was told he is part of his plans after impressing in training and there will be minutes for him in the first team this year.

#year #pulled #deal #transfer

By Charles Boehm
As they reflect on the club-record, reported $15 million transfer of homegrown star Zavier Gozo to English Premier League side Crystal Palace, the leadership team at Real Salt Lake quickly points out that one person above all is responsible for the 19-year-old attacker's rapid ascent.
"Gozo deserves the lion's share of credit for his development," emphasized RSL sporting director Kurt Schmid in a conversation with MLSsoccer.com.
"One of the things that is kind of impossible for us to do is to instill in these kids the desire to improve and the responsibility in their own development. So from right away, Gozo showed that.
"A very unique individual," Schmid added of the USMNT hopeful. "There's not more like him just lying around waiting to be scooped up."

#english #crystal

Delaware resident Mark McKenzie is reportedly returning to the Philadelphia Union, where he launched a pro soccer career that led him to the 2026 World Cup.
The 27-year-old center back will remain with Toulouse in France's Ligue 1 until the January transfer window before rejoining the Union at an estimated $2.5 million fee, The Athletic reported.
That will position McKenzie to appear for the Union when Major League Soccer's inaugural summer-to-spring 2026-27 schedule begins.
McKenzie had made 30 appearances for the U.S. senior men's national team, including starting and playing its entire 2026 World Cup game against Turkiye.
The Bear resident is a Union homegrown player, coming up through its academy system starting at age 13. He attended Newark Charter School until 11th grade before transferring to the Union's YSC Academy in Wayne, Pennsylvania.

#union #mckenzie #until #Delaware

Chelsea are actively reshaping their attacking options this summer, and Liam Delap has emerged as one of the clearest indicators of that process. According to TALKSPORT, the striker has been told he can leave Stamford Bridge and, crucially, "wants to stay in the Premier League" despite interest from Como and the prospect of Champions League football in Italy.
That stance appears significant. Como, now managed by Cesc Fabregas, can offer a high-profile European platform after qualifying for the Champions League through a fourth-place Serie A finish. Yet Delap's preference points towards a different priority, regular football in England, familiarity with the division, and perhaps the chance to re-establish momentum after a difficult year in west London.
Photo IMAGO
Chelsea are "demanding £40m for Delap", a figure that would deliver a £10m profit on the £30m they paid Ipswich last summer. From the club's perspective, that valuation reflects age, homegrown status, and a belief that his difficult first campaign does not erase what he showed before arriving.
Still, the numbers from last season are hard to ignore. Delap "struck just once in the Premier League and twice overall in an injury-hit campaign", a return that left him unable to build on the promise he showed in 2024/25. Chelsea, now under Xabi Alonso, are trimming a bloated senior group and appear intent on making firm decisions quickly before the September 1 deadline.

#Chelsea #delap #champions #last

JERUSALEM — Fox News Digital gained rare access to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Tzrifin Base in Central Israel, where a vast number of confiscated rockets, grenades, drones, sniper rifles, automated weapons, anti-tank rocket launchers, mortars and other military firepower used by Hezbollah and Hamas are stored.
The seized ***** nal of weapons, ranging in manufacturers from the Islamic Republic of Iran to Russia, China to homegrown producers in Lebanon and Gaza and even a ***** -era gun, were part of the war machinery used by Hamas and Hezbollah against Israeli civilians and the IDF since Hamas terrorists attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
The IDF said Hezbollah also used weapons against Lebanese civilians.
Hezbollah and Hamas, members of Iran's so-called "axis of resistance," have killed over 300 American citizens, according to reports.
'We Want Land Invasion': Iran Mouthpiece Touts New Missile, Boasts Decades Of War Prep

#digital

Leicester City manager Russell Martin admits he would tell Manchester United director of football Jason Wilcox "to go away" if he attempted to recruit teenage sensation Louis Page.
The 18-year-old earned EFL Apprentice of the Year honors last season and is regarded as one of the most promising young talents in the Football League - drawing interest from the Red Devils.
Page would purportedly welcome a transfer to Old Trafford if the chance presented itself, but Leicester are intent on retaining their homegrown talent. The England U20 international has already accumulated 21 senior appearances for the Foxes - including five starts last season. He featured in their Carabao Cup victory over Northampton on Saturday.
Kylian Mbappe drops World Cup truth bomb after absurd third-place loss to England
Donald Trump sparks outrage with Harry Kane World Cup comments

#page

The J.J. McCarthy era may already be over with the Minnesota Vikings. He will, barring a shocking roster move, be part of the team in 2026 and 2027. But, barring a shocking leap forward into competence, he will not be the homegrown franchise quarterback for which the Vikings have been searching since Daunte Culpepper was winging deep ***** down the decidedly non-hallowed halls of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.
That's because McCarthy, even before Minnesota's first preseason game of the season, has been demoted. There was no hemming and hawing when it came to specifics of competition. There's no "-or-" designation on the depth chart. Head coach Kevin O'Connell understood people paid enough attention to see Kyler Murray was taking the lion's share of snaps with the starting offense in practice. He understood the frustration that came with averaging nearly 11 wins per season without a single playoff victory under his belt.
Thus, he made the logical decision most people expected.
It's another brutal blow in a brief career filled with them for McCarthy. He missed the entirety of his rookie season due to a knee injury. In his stead, journeyman backup Sam Darnold went from "veteran mentor" to "stud quarterback" in a 14-win season. O'Connell opted to stick with the quarterback his front office drafted 10th overall in 2024. That was two slots ahead of Bo Nix, a different kind of flawed-but-intriguing passer who was arguably an ankle injury away from leading the Denver Broncos to the Super Bowl last winter.
Waiting for Nix in the big game? That would have been Darnold, who went on to sign a modest three-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks before leading them to a world championship.

#quarterback #barring

Ronald Araujo is in the door at Liverpool, so onto Bradley Barcola next – or so the theory goes, except there's one problem.
On Monday evening, the Reds confirmed the arrival of the Uruguayan defender on a season-long loan from Barcelona, with the option to sign him permanently next year for £47.1m (The Athletic).
With that move completed, sporting director Richard Hughes can turn his full attention to trying to land the Paris Saint-Germain winger, who's reportedly agreed a five-year contract at Anfield. However, it isn't just the Parisians' asking price of £128m (TEAMtalk) which is acting as an impediment to that pursuit.
As neatly explained by Michael Reid (Football Data Editor with OptaJoe) on X, Araujo's arrival has taken Liverpool to the maximum permissible quota of 17 non-homegrown players for their 2026/27 Premier League squad.
Essentially, this means that if the Reds are to sign Barcola, they'd either have to sell one of those 17 players to make room for him, or omit a current player from their top-flight squad until January.

#sign #players

The Scottish Football ****** ociation is to hold a "critically important" summit around the future of the national game.
An email has been sent to all Scottish Professional Football League clubs to attend the forum, which will take place in St Andrews on 4 September.
The email, which has been seen by BBC Scotland, says the SFA will "discuss opportunities" around homegrown talent and hear from clubs who have "optimised their elite talent development model".
The memo also states the objective is to focus on the "current reality" facing Scottish football.
Part of the conversation will be around improving the prospects for homegrown Scottish talent and increasing revenue streams for clubs.

#association #league

More than 1,500 of Europe's best athletes are set to descend on Birmingham this month as the city hosts the European Athletics Championships.
The renovated Alexander Stadium will welcome competitors from about 50 countries for seven days.
Organisers have promised "elite performances, homegrown heroes and edge-of-your-seat finals".
Here is everything you need to know.
The championships will take place at Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr, Birmingham.

#birmingham #alexander #organisers #perry

It's a homecoming that could be fruitful, at least according to many local football fans.
Former Fossil Ridge star and first-year Northern Colorado wide receiver Marcus Mozer was voted Blue Federal Credit Union's top impact player from Fort Collins for the upcoming 2026 college football season.
The 2025 SaberCat graduate is back home after spending his first college season at San Diego State.
Mozer officially announced back in January that he is transferring closer to home, joining a Bears program with plenty of homegrown Colorado talent.
The wideout still has four years of eligibility remaining since he redshirted last fall.

#Football #season #back #former

ARLINGTON, Texas — If Heliot Ramos' All-Star appearance at this very ballpark two years ago didn't cement his status as one of the Giants' biggest recent homegrown success stories, then his second straight Opening Day start this year should have left little doubt.
Ramos became the franchise's first left fielder to do so since Barry Bonds two decades earlier.
Just over four months later, Ramos looked at one of the televisions in the visitors' clubhouse at Globe Life Park and couldn't believe what he saw along with his name on the screen.
Heliot Ramos during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers . Wally Skalij for the California Post
"My heart was beating hard," Ramos said.

#ramos

Inter Milan are doing what smart clubs do. They have identified a player with quality, versatility and resale value, then moved when the contract situation gives them leverage. According to Caught Offside, the Italian champions are stepping up their pursuit of Curtis Jones and believe they can land him for less than Liverpool want.
This is where the numbers matter. Inter are reportedly ready to go to around €35 million, while Liverpool want closer to €40 million. That is not some dramatic gulf. In modern transfer terms, it is a small gap and usually the sort that gets closed by add-ons, structure, or a future sell-on clause.
IMAGO | Anfield Index
The logic is obvious. Jones gives Inter energy, press resistance and the ability to play in multiple midfield roles. If Davide Frattesi leaves, they need someone who can carry the ball and cope with the demands of a top side. Jones fits that profile. He also brings Premier League experience, which carries weight when clubs ****** s whether a player can handle pressure.
Liverpool, for their part, are reluctant to lose an academy graduate, particularly one appreciated by Andoni Iraola. That makes sense too. Homegrown players matter, and Jones has qualities that managers trust. Still, if a player is entering the final year of his deal, sentiment only goes so far. Clubs either renew, sell, or accept diminished control.

#player #want

Since the beginning of this season, a dark cloud has been hovering over Detroit. That cloud featured the possibility that this was the final season that longtime ace Tarik Skubal would be playing in Motown. And as the Tigers' season began to drift away from their goal of making the postseason, the hypothetical of trading their homegrown superstar quickly turned into a certain reality.
Sure enough, the Tigers closed the book on the Skubal era on Saturday, trading their all-world ace to the Los Angeles Dodgers for outfielder Zyhir Hope and right-handers River Ryan and Brady Smith, sources confirmed to Yahoo Sports.
"I'm excited to be a Dodger," Skubal told reporters Saturday following the Tigers' 8-6 victory against the Athletics in West Sacramento. "I'm excited to get down there and meet all those guys, chase three championships in a row. It's hard to do, so I'm excited to be a part of that.
"But it's a lot of different emotions. Definitely a roller coaster."
Although a deal became expected over the past week, the gravity of this move for Detroit (and the rest of the league) is still settling in.

#tigers

Falcons break the bank for emerging offensive line star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Atlanta Falcons continue to invest heavily in the foundation of their roster, ensuring another key member of their young core will remain in Atlanta for years to come.
On Saturday, the Falcons announced they have signed starting left guard Matthew Bergeron to a four-year contract extension worth $96 million, including $60 million guaranteed, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Bergeron was entering the final year of his rookie contract and would have become a free agent after the season.
The extension is another major statement from the Falcons' front office as it continues rewarding homegrown talent. Atlanta has made it a priority to secure its emerging stars with long-term deals, reinforcing a roster built around youth, stability and continuity.
General manager Ian Cunningham praised Bergeron's impact both on and off the field.

#sporting #bergeron #contract

Shaquille O'Neal opened up about the harsh reality of playing under the spotlight in Los Angeles, offering his perspective on why LeBron James never fully won over Los Angeles Lakers fans during his eight-year stint with the franchise.
Speaking on SiriusXM's NBA Today with Justin Termine and Eddie Johnson, the centerpiece of the Lakers' last championship three-peat reflected on the complex relationship between the 41-year-old superstar and the Purple and Gold faithful. O'Neal took a notably self-deprecating approach, acknowledging that he could relate to James' experience.
"They didn't love me, they loved Kobe," O'Neal said. "They didn't love me. This is what we call B-O-B, brother to business of basketball. You know, when you're like me, when I'm in charge I'm a difficult man to deal with. The thing has to be done my way, and sometimes people don't agree with that. And you know, so when they get you up out of there, so I can kinda understand both sides."
O'Neal said he understood why the connection often felt complicated. He candidly admitted that even his own legendary tenure in Los Angeles was not without friction, stressing the unique pressure and scrutiny that come with wearing the Lakers uniform.
His perspective highlights the delicate line superstar transplants walk in Los Angeles. While James brought a championship to the franchise in 2020 and broke the NBA's all-time scoring record in a Lakers uniform, many fans viewed him as an established outside icon rather than a homegrown Laker.

#o 'neal #perspective #year