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NBA All-Star snubs: How did LeBron James make it over Kawhi Leonard, others?

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You’ve likely heard that the NBA All-Star Game format is different this season as commissioner Adam Silver continues trying to scrape up interest in a game none of the players take even remotely seriously. So this year, instead of West vs. East or squads chosen by captains, it’s going to be USA vs. the World with three teams of eight (two American and one World) for a total of 24 players competing in round-robin tournament. 

The 10 starters were announced two weeks ago, and on Sunday night the seven reserves from each conference, which were voted on by the coaches, were revealed. Here are the full teams.

I came into this fully prepared to be made about some particular exclusions, but the coaches did the right thing and put both Avdija and Powell in. I didn’t think they would. I’m not surprised at LeBron getting in, and if you’re on Team Lifetime Achievement, that’s cool. I’m not. All four of the guys below, at least, should have gotten in over him. 

Western Conference snubs

Kawhi Leonard, Clippers

Leonard is having a career season for a Clippers team that has been bulldozing teams for the last two months. His 27.7 PPG is a career high. He’s on track to join the ultra exclusive 50/40/90 shooting club. His 94% clip at the free-throw line leads the league, as do his 2.1 steals per game. The side by side vs. LeBron isn’t even close. 

Kawhi, of course, is still the subject of an ongoing NBA investigation into potential salary cap manipulation against the Clippers. 

Still, this exclusion is egregious. Kawhi is having an extraordinary season. If it’s close, fine, give LeBron the benefit of the doubt. But this isn’t close. I’m with Ty Lue on this.

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Alperen Sengun, Rockets

Sengun is one of three players in the league averaging at least 20 points, nine rebounds and six assists. The other two are Nikola Jokić (best player on the planet) and Jalen Johnson (All-Star). Houston is one of the best teams in the league and only Durant gets in? 

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Frankly, you could make a very strong case that they should have gotten three guys in; Amen Thompson is an All-Star in his sleep in the East and for my money should be in over LeBron for sure and arguably Holmgren in the West, although OKC definitely deserves two nods before Houston deserves three. 

Either way, Sengun should be in. If Kawhi should be taking LeBron’s place, then Sengun takes either Murray or Booker. Murray is having an extraordinary season and has long deserved his first selection, but if we’re not playing the “he’s earned it card” with LeBron, then has he really been better than Sengun? That’s close. If I absolutely had to make a call, I’d have Sengun in over Booker. 

James Harden, Clippers

I’ll agree that the Clippers shouldn’t get two All-Stars when they’re clinging to a play-in spot, and Leonard is the biggest snub. But Harden has to be mentioned here. Another victim of playing in the West, Harden isn’t shooting very efficiently but is the driver of what has been the league’s fifth-best offense over the last two months. 

I would obviously have Harden in on pure merit over LeBron, but to be fair, if we’re holding LeBron’s defense against him (which I am) then Harden doesn’t pass that test either. But the offense has been way better. 

Lauri Markkanen, Jazz

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Only in this Western Conference can a seven-footer averaging 27 and 7 not be an All-Star. Again, it’s not a debate against LeBron. Markannen got snubbed (as did his teammate, Keyonte George, but we can only pick one Jazz guy and Markannen is the one). 

I know I’ve mentioned Holmgren a few times as a guy a couple of these snubs have a case against, and it’s not that I don’t view Holmgren as an All-Star. He clearly is. His defense matters tremendously in an argument with a Markannen supporter. And the Thunder are the best team. 

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The truth is the NBA should get rid of the conference requirement in the voting since conferences aren’t even part of the actual game. All of these West guys would be in if we didn’t have to pick seven East guys (no disrespect to Pascal Siakam or Norm Powell or Karl-Anthony Towns). 

But even in the current structure, a 27 and 7 player like Markannen not being an All-Star is pretty crazy.

Eastern Conference Snubs

Michael Porter Jr., Nets

Porter has completely reinvented himself as a bonafide go-to scorer and All-Star player in Brooklyn. He is a real delight as one of the few go-to guys operating almost exclusively off the ball, a Reggie Miller type that almost doesn’t exist anymore. Take a look at this. 

Porter is averaging more points, rebounds and assists than Powell on higher shooting percentages. 

I love Powell. I’m glad he’s in. I would have MPJ in over Towns. 

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Joel Embiid, 76ers

I’m going to include Embiid here because there was a lot of talk about him getting in, but I think the coaches got this one right. Yes, he’s been pretty dominant for a good while now and the Sixers are almost 10 points per 100 possessions better with him on the court, per CTG, but he started out rough and has ultimately only played in 28 games. That means about 20 of them have been truly All-Star level. If you think he should be in over Towns, who is having the worst shooting season of his career, I won’t argue with you. But I’m fine with him being left off. 

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Rasmus Andersson keen to build on family’s Olympic story

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Peter Andersson still remembers the sound of the phone ringing.

Not the roar of an Olympic crowd, not the crunch of a blue‑line hit, not even the unmistakable glide of Borje Salming beside him. 

No, the moment that still echoes loudest came in 1994, just as he stepped out the door toward what he thought would be his second Olympic Games.

“I booked the flight, and as I’m walking out of my house to get to the taxi, the phone rings,” said the 60-year-old Swede.

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“Somebody from the office in New York said, ‘Hey, you can’t go, because if you go, the Rangers have to put you on waivers, and they don’t want to.’ So I had to cancel everything, stayed home, and then I watched on TV when Sweden won the gold medal.”

He pauses, letting the sting of it breathe.

“I was close to having a gold medal, but I couldn’t go.”

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That’s the kind of heartbreak that never fully leaves a player. And it’s the kind of story you tell your son when he’s about to live the dream you were denied.

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“That’s funny, I didn’t know that,” chuckled his son, Rasmus Andersson, who will pull on the Tre Kronor at the Olympics later this week, carrying the family lineage into a new generation. 

“He doesn’t really tell us a lot about the Olympics. He said about ’92 it was the coolest experience he had, playing with Borje, but he doesn’t go in depth. He said, ‘You’ll see when you get there.’”

For Rasmus, the mystery is part of the appeal.

“Half the Olympic experience is staying with other athletes, and seeing what they do, and how they get prepared,” said the 29-year-old Golden Knights defenceman.

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“I think that part will be cool. In our life, it’s just game, hotel, flights, come home. I bet you it will be like your first year in the NHL when you experience everything for the first time. At the end of the day, you’re there for hockey, and that’s the one thing you know what to do. Everything around you, just appreciate the two weeks you have there and take it as it comes.”

Peter certainly approached it with wide eyes as a 27‑year‑old defenceman from Malmö who got the call every Swedish kid dreams of: You’re going to the Olympics.

But the real jaw‑dropper came next.

“The coach called to say he picked me for the team, and that he had a bit of an issue: ‘I want you to play with Borje Salming, but you have to play on the right side’” said Peter of his introduction to the 1992 Olympics in Albertville, France.

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 “I never played on the right side, but I said, ‘Oh, s—, that’s no problem.’ Borje Salming was my idol growing up. Everybody’s idol. He was a legend in Sweden.” 

Imagine growing up with a giant poster of Salming over your bed, then sharing a blue line with the Hall of Famer.

“He was a machine,” said Peter, who played parts of three NHL seasons with the Rangers and Panthers.

“He worked so hard, did absolutely everything for his teammates. A great guy in the locker room. You can’t be better than that.”

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Rasmus, who is known for being the consummate team player, knows what it’s like to be in awe of teammates.   

“At 4 Nations I caught myself just staring at Erik Karlsson and Victor Hedman doing power-play drills,” he said.

“I was the seventh d‑man and was just like, ‘Oh my god.’ Honestly, I just wanted to be a good teammate and would just stand there and watch them. When I see these guys, I totally understand why I’m not playing. You do your thing and I’ll just try to keep the room a little loose. It was a pinch‑me moment of guys I really looked up to.”

And he knows what the Olympics mean back home.

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“In Sweden it’s always The Big 3 – (Mats) Sundin, (Peter) Forsberg and (Nicklas) Lidstrom, because of the 2006 Olympics,” he said.

“If you want to build your brand after your career, especially in Sweden, it’s all about performing in the Olympics.”

The 1992 Games weren’t the NHL‑star‑studded spectacle they are today. Back then, only non‑NHL pros could participate, which gave the tournament a more intimate feel.

Peter remembers Swedish skiers showing up at their games, cheering them on. He remembers going to watch skiing events with teammates. He remembers the apartments, five guys together, cooking meals, hanging out, living like university roommates with national pride on the line.

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“I hope Rasmus and his teammates take some time to see some other stuff,” said Peter, who recently paused his coaching career in Sweden, just in time to join his daughter at the Olympics in Milan.

He knows the Games are bigger than hockey.

Years after the 1994 heartbreak, Peter was playing in Malmö when a teammate, Christian Due‑Boje, walked into practice with something shiny.

“He brought his gold medal with him,” said Peter. 

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“He shows me and goes, ‘Shake my hand.’ And says thank you. I said, ‘What are you talking about?’ He said, ‘Yeah, I got picked instead of you. Here’s the gold medal. You can feel it if you want, but I can’t give it to you.’”

Although his Swedish team lost just once at the ’92 Games, Peter came home empty-handed, with a fifth-place showing.

What he kept were the memories. And now, he’s passing them on.

“A gold medal… could have been for me, but I didn’t get any medal,” he said.

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He doesn’t say it with bitterness.

He says it with pride and hope, because his son is about to write the next chapter.

“I hope Ras will get one.”

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Tom Brady reverses course, sends support to Patriots

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NFL: Detroit Lions at Los Angeles RamsDec 14, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Fox broadcaster Tom Brady is seen prior to the game between the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

A few days after taking a diplomatic stance on the upcoming Super Bowl, Tom Brady changed his approach and sent support to his longtime team on Friday.

Brady won six Super Bowls as New England’s quarterback, but he said earlier this week regarding the Patriots’ pending matchup with the Seattle Seahawks, “I don’t have a dog in the fight in this one. May the best team win.”

Roasted publicly by ex-teammates who decried his position, Brady took to Instagram on Friday to laud Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

Posting a photo of Kraft smiling alongside him, Brady wrote, “You know I got your back RKK. Get that seventh ring so we can match.”

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Following his time with the Patriots, Brady added to his record Super Bowl ring collection by guiding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a title.

Theories about why Brady initially was reluctant to back the Patriots for the Sunday game in Santa Clara, Calif., revolved around his current two roles: as an NFL analyst for Fox Sports and as a part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.

–Field Level Media

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Swiss skier Franjo von Allmen secures first 2026 Winter Olympics gold with men's downhill win

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Swiss skier Franjo von Allmen claimed the first gold medal at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics with a swift victory in the men’s Olympic downhill on Saturday. The Swiss racer was closely followed by Italians Giovanni Franzoni and Dominik Paris.

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Pyramids of Egypt Officials Hail Godswill Akpabio Stadium Turf as One of Africa’s Best

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Officials of Pyramids FC of Egypt have praised the pitch at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, describing it as one of the best in Africa.

Speaking on Saturday, February 7, 2026, ahead of their CAF Champions League Matchday Five clash against Rivers United, the reigning African champions said the grass surface was excellent and suitable for high-quality football.

The comments were made after their inspection of the pitch before the mandatory pre-match press conference at the facility. They noted that the good condition of the pitch would allow both teams to play their best football, entertain fans expected at the stadium on Sunday by 5pm, and help them pursue their target of victory.

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Croatian coach Krunoslav Jurčić, the current manager of the Egyptian side, said he had visited many stadiums across Africa, but poor pitches often made it difficult for his team to play their passing style of football.

“I have been to many stadiums in Africa, and most pitches make it hard to play good football. That is why many teams rely on long balls,” Jurčić said. “But this is a natural grass pitch in very good condition, and it will make for an interesting game on Sunday evening.”

Egyptian international defender Ossama Galal also echoed his coach’s views, adding that the excellent pitch allows players to “display their best qualities” during matches.

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Godswill Akpabio Stadium -venue for Nigeria vs ZimbabweGodswill Akpabio Stadium -venue for Nigeria vs Zimbabwe

The 11-year-old stadium is the home of the Super Eagles of Nigeria and has hosted several international and continental club matches, continuing to earn praise from visiting teams and officials.

Pyramids FC are the reigning champions of the CAF Champions League and will face Rivers United of Nigeria at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium at 5pm on Sunday, February 8, 2026.

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How to defeat Takeda Shingen in Nioh 3 (The Battle of Mikatagahara)

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Takeda Shingen in Nioh 3 is the first major antagonist of the game, and you will have to fight against him during the concluding hours of the Warring States story arc. During The Battle of Mikatagahara mission, you will face off against him for the first time.

This article will cover how to defeat Takeda Shingen in Nioh 3 during The Battle of Mikatagahara main story quest.


How to defeat Takeda Shingen in Nioh 3 (The Battle of Mikatagahara)

During The Battle of Mikatagahara main story quest in Nioh 3, you will come face-to-face against Takeda Shingen, a rival daimyo to the Tokugawa, who is fighting your grandfather, Tokugawa Ieyasu, for the seat of the shogun. Once you defeat Yamagata Masakage, a Crucible will form, and as you try to destroy its core, the final obstacle will be Takeda Shingen in Nioh 3.

Let’s take a look at how to counter his moves and defeat him:

Best setup

  • Guardian Spirit (Samurai): Shin-Roku
  • Guardian Spirit (Ninja): Kusagami
  • Hino-enma summon

Most of your build will depend on what weapon and gear you are compatible with. But when it comes to your Guardian Spirit, use Shin-Roku and Kusagami, as they work the best due to Takeda Shingen being resistant to Wind and Fire. Summon will also depend on you, but having the Hino-enma (Abundant Evil side quest) will allow you to momentarily paralyze the boss.

How to defeat Takeda Shingen in Nioh 3

Takeda Shingen (Image via Koei Tecmo)Takeda Shingen (Image via Koei Tecmo)

Takeda Shingen (Image via Koei Tecmo)

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Attack Patterns

  • Shingen can begin the battle with either one of the following two moves: He will charge at you and swing his Naginata, or he will jump and bring down his Naginata on your head. You can dodge both
  • Shingen can block your attacks. Make sure to get to a slight range and hit him with your Ninjutsu to break his defensive stance (indicated by white talismans flying out). He will counter you if you try to hit him with your melee attacks during this time.
  • Shingen’s attacks will mostly be a swing and then a thrust.
  • Be careful of his unblockable attack, where he will thrust his Naginata forward. If he grabs you, he will initiate a finisher.
  • His burst attack can be countered by activating your burst counter as his weapon is about to land on you.
  • After you land enough damage (chip his HP down to 60 percent), he will ignite his weapon. Most of his combos will remain the same.
  • There is an additional attack that he will initiate, where he will call upon his guardian spirit. Side step to dodge this attack
  • At around 40 percent HP, he will gain Wind Damage on his weapon. In this mode, he can call his Guardian Spirit, which will throw three projectiles at you.

Additional Tips

  • Use Hino-enma to block any attack that you are unsure of being able to dodge
  • During the fight with Takeda Shingen in Nioh 3, you won’t be able to gain your Living Artifact bar that quickly. Call back your guardian spirit and farm the enemies outside of the arena.
  • Try to save your Living Artifact for the final stage of the battle.

Defeating Takeda Shingen in Nioh 3 will unlock the following rewards:

  • Basket Blade and Boar Cutter
  • Potsticker Spear
  • Reputation
  • Title: Takeda Shingen Crusher

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