LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers have unveiled a statue of Pat Riley outside their downtown arena to honour the head coach who masterminded their Showtime championship era.
Riley was in attendance Sunday when the Lakers revealed the 8-foot bronze likeness of the Hall of Fame coach in one of his famed Giorgio Armani suits. The statue stands in Star Plaza between statues of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson, the two pillars of the Lakers’ five championships in the 1980s.
Riley was an assistant for that first title before leading the Lakers to the next four, reaching seven NBA Finals in his nine years as their head coach. Riley had never been a head coach before owner Jerry Buss installed the former Lakers player in 1981, but he went on to become one of the greats in his profession.
“The time has gone so fast,” Riley said. “I feel like everything I’ve ever done, I’ve been blessed. I was surrounded by greatness.”
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The 80-year-old Riley went on to major successes in New York and Miami, where he still serves as the Heat’s president. But Riley proudly recognizes his NBA roots are in Los Angeles, where he remains a city icon after spending two decades with the Lakers as a player, a broadcaster and a coach. He won six total championship rings in purple and gold.
Abdul-Jabbar and Johnson lauded Riley during the unveiling ceremony, with Abdul-Jabbar reminiscing about a relationship that goes all the way back to their high school days in New York.
“When they say, ‘City of champions,’ we can look at you as one of the architects of that slogan,” Johnson said to Riley. “You’ve done more for us than we could ever thank you for.”
Riley also shared the stage with Lakers governor Jeanie Buss, Heat great Dwyane Wade, and actor Michael Douglas, a longtime friend who adopted Riley’s signature ’80s look for his Academy Award-winning role as banker Gordon Gekko in Oliver Stone’s “Wall Street.” Douglas laughingly told the story of eagerly waiting for Moroccan customs officials to release his Betamax tapes of the Lakers’ NBA Finals games while the actor was trying to avoid spoilers on set shooting “The Jewel of the Nile.”
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“Pat really was a guardian angel for this franchise,” Jeanie Buss said. “The epitome of an era, the stylish leader of the Showtime Lakers, Pat did it all with flair and swagger.”
Many other basketball greats who played for Riley watched from the crowd, including James Worthy, Jamaal Wilkes, Norm Nixon, Bob McAdoo, A.C. Green, Kurt Rambis, Byron Scott and Alonzo Mourning.
The inscription on the base of the statue is advice that Riley attributes to his father: “There will come a time when you are challenged, and when that time comes, you must plant your feet. You must stand firm. You must make a point. About who you are, what you do, and where you come from. When that time comes, you do it.”
Riley was awash in memories during his latest return to Los Angeles. He told stories of joining the Lakers as a player after being cut by Portland, winning a ring in 1972 and eventually entering the broadcast booth alongside Chick Hearn, who encouraged him to do the New York Times crossword puzzle each morning to improve his vocabulary.
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Riley became an assistant coach and eventually got the head job — and the NBA was never the same. The coach freed Johnson and Abdul-Jabbar to lead the up-tempo, flashy style known as Showtime, and they rolled to championships in 1982, 1985, 1987 and 1988.
Riley’s statue is the eighth honouring the Lakers to be installed in Star Plaza, joining Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal — who sent a video praising his former coach in Miami — and Hearn.
“That statue is loaded up with all of us who took that magical journey together,” Riley said.
Manchester is set to host it’s sixth heavyweight world title fight when Fabio Wardley attempts a first defence of his WBO crown, tasked with former IBF ruler Daniel Dubois. Ahead of the showdown, fellow British heavyweight Derek Chisora has altered his prediction.
Wardley has shown the guts and guile of a worthy champion in wins over Justis Huni and Joseph Parker, as well as in his draw with Frazer Clarke back in 2024.
Although, after being elevated to become a world champion, the unbeaten Ipswich fan-favourite remains unproven as a true titleholder in the eyes of some.
A second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk last July brought his reign to an early end.
The May meeting between the domestic duo is poised to be a cracker, but when originally quizzed on the outcome, fellow heavyweight Chisora gave the edge to the champion, believing Wardley’s mental toughness to be the difference maker.
“I believe that Fabio and Daniel [is a] great fight. I see Fabio winning it. Fabio’s tough. Fabio hasn’t got boxing skills; what he has is f***ing heart, bro. When you fight somebody with heart, it’s going to be a long night. He got hit [against Parker], but he carries on coming.”
Yet, just weeks later, Chisora has told Seconds Out of his new view on the fight, where he believes the contest to be a 50/50 affair with added intrigue due to the fact that Dubois’ trainer will collides with Anthony Joshua’s former trainer once again.
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“It is a 50/50 fight. It is going to be a good fight because remember Ben Davison got beat by Don [Charles] once and now this is going to be a rematch for the trainers. Ben Davison, he has got to get one over Don now.
“Has he got the right horse to get him that victory? Yes. Is Don Charles’ horse going to quit? We don’t know. So it is a 50/50 fight.”
Wardley-Dubois takes place on Saturday, May 9, at the Co-op Live in Manchester, as both men seek to prove themselves as Britain’s top heavyweight and as a potential successor to Usyk.
If you’re a Minnesota Vikings mock draft savant — you probably are if you’re reading stuff from this website — you probably know the name Dillon Thieneman by now, a safety from the University of Oregon. He’s popping up all over the place for the Vikings in mock drafts, even drawing ESPN’s Mel Kiper’s attention this week.
Minnesota’s safety need keeps pointing back to Thieneman.
While the team has a large draft mystery this time around, mainly because Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was fired at the end of January, Thieneman is rapidly becoming Minnesota’s draft favorite, at least according to pundits and fans.
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Thieneman Feels Like a Natural Match for Brian Flores
The Oregon Duck as Harrison Smith’s replacement is all the rage.
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning, left, speaks with defensive back Dillon Thieneman during an open practice at the Moshofsky Center in Eugene, Oregon on Dec. 27, 2025, as the Ducks prepared for the Orange Bowl with a focus on defensive communication and adjustments ahead of a major postseason matchup. Mandatory Credit: Ben Lonergan-Imagn Images
Kiper: Thieneman to MIN at No. 18
The Vikings have a need at safety, especially if Smith retires, and Thieneman would emphatically fill that with his rookie profile.
That’s why Kiper mock-drafted him to Minnesota on Tuesday and wrote, “We still don’t know whether 37-year-old Harrison Smith will keep playing (and if so, whether he’ll return to Minnesota as a free agent). Joshua Metellus, Jay Ward and Theo Jackson are the top safeties on the Vikings’ depth chart. In a division with Caleb Williams, Jordan Love and Jared Goff, this has to be a priority at the draft regardless of whether Smith is back for Year 15.”
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“I had Thieneman to the Vikings in my last mock draft. He reminds me a lot of Smith in the way he reads the QB and reacts in a flash. I could see defensive coordinator Brian Flores getting creative with Thieneman, lining him up all over the formation and letting him use his great ball skills to pile up takeaways.”
Since the NFL Combine three weeks ago, Thieneman to the Vikings has taken on a life of its own.
The Combine Breakout
In Indianapolis, Thieneman took the Combine by storm, banking 4.35 forty and jumping a 41-inch vertical. He also showed incredible — somewhat unexpected? — backpedal motion and fluidity. The event alone shoved him into Round 1 of mock drafts after previously living near the top-middle of Round 2.
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Thieneman also has the size at 6’0″ and 200 pounds. His versatility is noteworthy, as he can play single-high coverage and play at the line of scrimmage when needed.
If Thieneman flies off the board in Round 1 to the Vikings or another team, he can thank his Combine showing.
Thieneman’s Scouting Report
Thieneman played two seasons at Purdue — Minnesotans know him because of the Big Ten connection — before transferring to Oregon in 2025. He’s played 39 games collegiately and banked 306 tackles, 8 interceptions, and 10 tackles for loss. His coverage skills are phenomenal for a rookie safety, and the elite speed will make defensive coordinators salivate. Thieneman shows hesitation at times, but that’s not unusual for a rookie defender.
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The Draft Buzzon Thieneman: “Thieneman is the kind of safety who walks into a defensive meeting room on Day One and immediately earns his keep. The coverage grades speak loudly, but what separates him is the totality of the package.”
“This is a player who can align in a two-high shell pre-snap, rotate down to a robber look post-snap, and then fill an alley against the run with real physicality, all within the same drive. The modern NFL is demanding exactly this type of defensive back, and Thieneman’s college production in multiple schemes and alignments suggests his transition should be smoother than most.”
Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman meets with reporters during Media Day at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on July 28, 2025, discussing his role in the secondary and expectations for the upcoming season as Oregon prepared for another high-profile campaign in front of local and national media. Mandatory Credit: Ben Lonergan-Imagn Images
If Minnesota brings Kiper’s mock to life, Thieneman would almost certainly grab Theo Jackson or Jay Ward’s job immediately, assuming Smith returns for one more year.
TBD added, “His best fit is in a defense that values pre-snap disguise and post-snap versatility in the secondary. Defensive coordinators who run multiple coverage structures and ask their safeties to communicate and adjust on the fly will love what Thieneman brings to the table.”
“His coverage instincts and diagnostic ability make him a natural fit in split-safety looks, but his tackling and run support are good enough that he won’t be a liability when asked to come down into the box.”
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The Other Round 1 Draft Possibilities
Of course, the Vikings aren’t guaranteed to pick Thieneman if he’s there at No. 18. Interim general manager Rob Brzezinski and Minnesota’s coaching staff may have a different take early in the draft. In all likelihood, if Minnesota does not trade down, the Vikings’ pick in Round 1 will be one of these men:
C.J. Allen (LB) — Georgia
Caleb Banks (DT) — Florida
Mansoor Delane (CB) — LSU
Keldric Faulk (EDGE) — Auburn
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren — Toledo
Makai Lemon (WR) — USC
Akheem Mesidor (EDGE) — Miami (FL)
Jermod McCoy (CB) — Tennessee
Kayden McDonald (DT) — Ohio State
Kenyon Sadiq (TE) — Oregon
Dillon Thieneman (S) — Oregon
Avieon Terrell (CB) — Clemson
Jordyn Tyson (WR) — Arizona State
Peter Woods (DT) — Clemson
Outside linebacker isn’t a pressing roster need, but it could move up the list if Minnesota trades Jonathan Greenard, who lives hot and heavy in the rumor mill.
Purdue defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) celebrates with teammates Smiley Bradford (6) and Jamarrion Harkless (97) after a tackle against Penn State at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana on Nov. 16, 2024, reacting to a key defensive stop during a physical Big Ten matchup. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
On Thieneman, the best stylistic comparison currently in the pros may be Atlanta Falcons safety Jesse Bates III, a three-time All-Pro.
Phil Parkinson believes Wrexham’s recent meetings with Sheffield United have typified the club’s remarkable journey since he took charge in the summer of 2021.
The UEFA Champions League round of 16 concluded this Wednesday (March 18), with a whopping 68 goals across 16 matches. The last-16 stage of the tournament saw a number of high-profile stars impressing in the final third, helping their teams reach the quarter-finals.
So, who were the best 5 performers from the recently concluded UEFA Champions League round of 16?
Thanks for the submission!
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UEFA Champions League R16: 5 best players
#5 Luis Diaz (Bayern Munich)
Colombia winger Luis Diaz started both of Bayern Munich’s last-16 games against Atalanta, playing a vital role in the Bavarians’ 10-2 win on aggregate. The 29-year-old provided an assist in the 6-1 win at Atalanta before registering one goal and an assist in the 4-1 victory at Allianz Arena. He completed an impressive nine dribbles and also created five chances across two legs.
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#4 Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid)
Argentina striker Julian Alvarez led from the front for Atletico Madrid in his side’s 7-5 aggregate win against Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League round of 16. He scored twice on either side of the break and laid out an assist in the 5-2 first leg win, while he contributed a goal and an assist in the 3-2 second leg loss to help his club seal a quarter-final tie against Barcelona.
#3 Raphinha (Barcelona)
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Brazil forward Raphinha shouldered most of the responsibility of guiding Barcelona to the quarter-finals after his club were held to a 1-1 draw at Newcastle United. He failed to register a goal involvement in the first leg, but recorded two goals and two assists in the 7-2 second leg triumph at Camp Nou. He also created nine chances, including four big chances, in two last-16 games.
#2 Federico Valverde (Real Madrid)
Uruguay midfielder Federico Valverde produced a captain’s display in his side’s 3-0 Champions League round of 16 first leg win against Manchester City. He scored three goals in the first half at Estadio Bernabeu before his tireless performance in the 2-1 second leg triumph at Etihad Stadium. He created three chances and won 15 of his 28 overall duels across two contests.
#1 Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain)
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Georgia winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia turned heads with his excellent goalscoring performances in Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) 8-2 aggregate win over Chelsea. He scored a brace and provided an assist in his second half cameo in the 5-2 first leg. He then netted the opener in PSG’s 3-0 second leg victory at Stamford Bridge after starting the match on the left-side of the pitch.
Ronnie O’Sullivan produced a superb display to beat Shaun Murphy 5-3 and reach the quarter-finals of the World Open in Yushan.
After O’Sullivan’s 96 break in the first frame, Murphy hit back with a 139 in the second before edging ahead.
But seven-time world champion O’Sullivan responded with runs of 77 and 121 to retake the lead.
Although Murphy drew level again, O’Sullivan produced further breaks of 89 and 76 to see off his fellow Englishman and advance to his 150th ranking quarter-final.
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The 50-year-old will face Wales’ Ryan Day, who defeated Latvia’s Artemijs Zizins 5-4 in the last eight on Friday.
Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen is also through to the quarter-finals, recording a 5-0 win over Zhou Yuelong of China.
He will face Wu Yize, also of China, for a place in the semi-finals after the 22-year-old came through 5-2 against 2024 world champion Kyren Wilson.
His displays attracted praise from Ireland head coach Andy Farrell and earned him the Six Nations ‘Rising Player’ award.
Farrell will hope Baloucoune recovers in time for the start of Ireland’s Nations Championship campaign, with fixtures against Australia, Japan and New Zealand in July.
Baloucoune’s injury is another blow for Ulster boss Richie Murphy, who is without several players for Friday’s URC game against Connacht.
Earlier this week, the province confirmed Cormac Izuchukwu, James Hume and Dave Shanahan will miss the inter-provincial fixture after sustaining concussions in last week’s win over Edinburgh.
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Jude Postlethwaite, who was part of Ireland’s Six Nations squad, will be unavailable for several weeks after suffering a hand fracture, while versatile back Jake Flannery is nursing a shoulder issue.
Second row Harry Sheridan is suspended following his red card against Edinburgh.
Iran’s players pose for a team photo at Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Iran (left) and US President Donald Trump receives the FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA president Gianni Infantino in Washington, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo)
Iran Football Federation president Mehdi Taj said Iran will take part in the upcoming FIFA World Cup but intends to boycott the United States amid ongoing tensions.“We will be preparing for the World Cup. We will boycott the United States but not the World Cup,” Taj said in a video released by the Iranian press agency Fars News Agency on Wednesday, as cited by news agency AFP.Iran are currently scheduled to play their group-stage matches in the United States. However, the federation has started discussions with FIFA about the possibility of shifting those fixtures to another venue. FIFA has so far said that the tournament schedule remains unchanged.Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Tuesday that Mexico is ready to host Iran’s group matches if required. “Yes,” she said when asked about the possibility. “Mexico maintains diplomatic relations with every country in the world, therefore we will wait to see what FIFA decides.”Iran’s participation in the tournament, which will be held across the United States, Canada and Mexico, has come under focus since the conflict in the Middle East began last month. US President Donald Trump had earlier warned that the safety of Iranian players could be at risk if they travelled to the United States.Gianni Infantino had initially said that assurances were received from Trump that the Iranian team would be allowed to participate. Iran are scheduled to face New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, followed by a match against Egypt in Seattle.However, Trump later said that Iran’s team should not travel to the tournament “for their own life and safety”, drawing strong reactions. Iran responded by stating that “no one can exclude Iran’s national team from the World Cup”.Iran had qualified for the tournament almost a year ago after topping their group, becoming the second Asian side after Japan to secure a place.The team’s base camp for the tournament is currently planned in Tucson, Arizona.Meanwhile, Abolfazl Pasandideh criticised “the US government’s lack of cooperation regarding visa issuance and the provision of logistical support” for the Iranian delegation in a statement released on Monday.If Iran eventually withdraws from the tournament, it is not yet known which team would replace them.
Galatasaray also confirmed that Victor Osimhen suffered a fracture to his right forearm during the first half.
The Nigeria forward went down holding his arm following a challenge with Ibrahima Konate in the eighth minute, but he played on until he was replaced by Leroy Sane at half-time.
“Following the match, a check-up at the hospital under the supervision of our medical team revealed that our player had a fracture in his right forearm, and a cast was applied,” Galatasaray said.
“A decision regarding surgery will be made in the coming days after further evaluation.”
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Buruk complained about referee Pawel Raczkowski’s decision-making following Osimhen’s injury.
“Looking at Osimhen’s position, we saw that Konate was able to commit these fouls very easily, he could easily apply any kind of foul,” Buruk said.
“While we were expecting the best referee in the world, perhaps one of the worst referees officiated the game.”
Liverpool will face reigning champions Paris St-Germain in the quarter-finals.
Bruno Guimaraes is one of many midfield transfer targets for Manchester United with Casemiro set to leave at the end of the season
Manchester United are in ‘advanced talks’ to sign Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes, as per Reuters. Their report has claimed it would be in an €80million (£69m) summer move but that Real Madrid’s interest threatens to complicate a switch.
Los Blancos’ interest dates back to 2022 with the Brazilian midfielder seeming likely to join before Newcastle’s hefty bid was sent to Lyon. However, initial contact between United and Guimaraes’ camp have suggested that both parties want the move.
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The Magpies’ elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Barcelona has increased the likelihood of Guimaraes departing with European qualification for next season currently unlikely. Guimaraes would almost certainly arrive as a replacement for the outgoing Casemiro.
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Two additions in the centre of the park would likely be needed this summer as United are light in midfield even with Casemiro still currently at the club. Champions League football also looks destined to return to Old Trafford for the 2026/27 campaign which makes the need for a deep squad even more important.
Having been knocked out of both domestic cup competitions at the first round, United will only play 40 games this season which has allowed focus to be firmly on the Premier League.
United have subsequently moved up to third in the table, six points clear of Chelsea, who occupy the first position outside of Champions League qualification.
United could also be just four points behind Manchester City heading into the March international break as they are in Carabao Cup final action this weekend.
Despite mostly only playing once every week, injury problems have ramped up for Carrick in recent weeks and some key players are set to remain absent.
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On Lisandro Martinez and then Matthijs de Ligt, Carrick said: “He’s [Martinez] a lot closer. He’s getting there. After this one, I think he’ll be alright Frustrating for Mata (De Ligt), he’s been trying to work towards getting back, it’s a back issue that’s proving difficult. We’ll keep working as hard as we can.”
Mason Mount returned to the matchday squad last weekend but is unlikely to be in the starting XI while Patrick Dorgu remains absent.
Carrick also revealed that Noussair Mazraoui has missed some training this week through illness but he is confident the defender can still feature at the Vitality Stadium.
Reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy has unveiled a distinctive menu for the traditional Champions Dinner, featuring grilled elk sliders and a dish inspired by his mother.
The Northern Irishman, who completed a career Grand Slam with his play-off victory over Ryder Cup team-mate Justin Rose at Augusta last April, will host the exclusive event.
Held in the clubhouse on the Tuesday evening of Masters week, the dinner sees the reigning champion curate a bespoke menu for fellow past winners.
Among the four appetisers are bacon-wrapped dates, a nod to McIlroy’s mother Rosie, alongside the grilled elk sliders, rock shrimp tempura, and peach and ricotta flatbread.
McIlroy explained the personal touch behind his choices, stating: “My mum does these really, really nice dates stuffed with goat cheese wrapped in bacon, so I put those on the appetisers list. So thanks to Rosie for that one.”
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McIlroy won the Masters in dramatic fashion last year (Getty Images)
He added: “In the build-up to the Masters last year, I got this big shipment of elk and I was eating a lot of that, and I didn’t want elk to be the main course because I didn’t know if everyone would like that. I incorporated that into the appetisers so I’m doing grilled elk sliders, which I think is fun.”
For the first course, Yellowfin tuna carpaccio has been selected, replicating a dish from Le Bernardin, McIlroy’s favourite restaurant in New York City.
Main course options include Wagyu filet mignon and seared salmon, accompanied by Irish champ (mashed potatoes with spring onions), followed by sticky toffee pudding for dessert.
McIlroy described his selections as being “from the heart and from personal experience, and I guess a little bit of nostalgia for me of what I wanted to serve.”
The 36-year-old was particularly enthusiastic about the wine list, which includes a 2015 Salon Brut champagne, a 2022 Domaine Leflaive Batard Montrachet – the first white wine he “actually liked” – a 1990 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, and a 1989 Chateau D’Yquem dessert wine.
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The 1990 Chateau Lafite Rothschild was enjoyed the night he won the Masters, while the dessert wine hails from his birth year and is described as “like liquid gold.”
“I wanted to be really intentional with the wines,” he said, highlighting his growing passion for collecting. “To work with the sommeliers at the club and be able to choose these wines was a lot of fun.”
The 2026 Masters is scheduled to begin on Thursday, April 9.
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