Ben Simmons faces hate speech and abuse again at the Brooklyn Nets. Russell Westbrook is also in the criticism. The details and all the news in the new BASKET update.
Westbrook in criticism.
Critical voices have been raised after a preseason video surfaced of Russell Westbrook ignoring a team huddle. Westbrook is accused by some fans and Lakers-related media of not being a good team player and of destroying the chemistry in the team. Westbrook has since spoken out, emphasizing that he’s always followed the ritual of having a moment to himself before tip-off. “Someone cuts the video together and the internet grabs it and does what it wants with it,” said the 33-year-old. Westbrook was of all things agreed by his longtime rival and now new teammate Pat Beverley, who rates the relationship between the two as great.
Nowitzki opens restaurant in Dallas.
CBS News reports that Dirk Nowitzki will be opening a restaurant at Dallas Airport. Appropriate approval from the airport management was recently granted. Classic German dishes are expected on the menu. In the summer of 2023, the “Nowitzki”, as the restaurant with its own bar will be called, is to be officially inaugurated.
Little encouragement for retirement.
The NBA’s plans to lower the draft age from 19 to 18 have stalled. There is said to be insufficient support for such a change from the players’ association as a whole, since the NBA players would not see any real added value in taking even younger teenagers into the league. Commissioner Adam Silver, on the other hand, thinks the move is the right one and hopes to convince teams and clubs in the coming months. The change would take effect from 2024 at the earliest.
Simmons defends himself against criticism.
After a one-season hiatus, Ben Simmons returned to the court for the Brooklyn Nets’ first preseason games. Also back are hate messages and insults on the net, with which the 26-year-old has to struggle. He explained that the Internet has shot down his person and that it still sometimes pulls him down – but unfortunately it’s just a part of his life at the moment. In the coming season he wants to do everything to change the narrative around his name for the better and silence critics.
Sources: SkySports,YahooSports, NBC News, SPOX
Sources: SPOX, SID, TheAthletic, NBC Sports
