Arsenal dealt blow as Mikel Merino to miss three huge games after extent of injury revealed

data-mm-id=”_jqxh8ju6s”>The NBA has introduced coach's challenges for the first time this season. So far, it hasn't gone terribly well, as they've run into the same problem that the NFL has — referees are extremely reluctant to overturn the initial call on the floor, even in the face of overwhelming evidence. I wrote about this problem back in November. Things haven't changed. Calls are rarely being overturned and coaches are getting aggravated. It's even getting Brad Stevens mad, and he's as even-keeled as they come. On Sunday, the Celtics played the Knicks. During the contest, Julius Randle made a bucket over Grant Williams, who was called for a blocking foul on the play. Stevens challenged the blocking foul with his coach's challenge and was right…

data-mm-id=”_bqz9d9nun”>James Lipton has died at the age of 93. The New York Times adroitly states he plumbed the dramatic arts during a 23-year run as host of Inside the Actors Studio. He was multitalented and ever-curious. The biggest names in show business came to his intentionally-spartan studio and sat as equals. Substance was celebrated over celebrity, and the human behind the marquee name was always the favored guest. Lipton was part teacher, part host, and fully in control of the little world he created, which merged art and life into one. He was also a visionary ahead of his time, creating content that would become intensely in-demand as the decades passed, demand oftentimes created by those who cribbed heavily off his playbook. Inside the Actors Studio was an incubator for cr…

data-mm-id=”_x8wbt0e9o”>The UFC returned over the weekend for the first live sporting event on American soil in two months. UFC 249 took place in Jacksonville, Florida at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. The event was held without any fans in attendance. Those who were lucky enough to get through the doors – those working and fighting – were asked to sign a waiver saying they would not criticize the UFC's coronavirus protocols. That included media members. Today, the MMA Journalists Association put out a statement advising members not to sign. Via MMAJA.com:”It is our opinion that this document is overly broad and overreaching in its scope, and may interfere with the ability of media members to do their jobs fully and effectively. We are advising members not to sign this document, …

data-mm-id=”_nlwtoclvu”>Tacko Fall has become something of a cult figure in the NBA despite scoring 19 total points in his career thus far. The height, of course, is the big draw. It's impossible to ignore a 7-foot-5 man, especially when he's interviewed by a 4-foot-11 person. But it's his lighthearted personality that plays the biggest role in fans' infatuation with him. Like Shaq, he's not only an oversized human, he's also an oversized kid at heart. So Tacko, if you read this, have some fun and admit this shot of yours is terrible. Tacko Tatum☘️ pic.twitter.com/xYqpXTULIz— Danny Ainge (@danielrainge) June 11, 2020Tacko Tatum really says it all. Danny Ainge knows Tacko developing a 3-point shot is a joke, so why not have fun with it?First of all, t…

data-mm-id=”_3hlc570da”>The Lakers and Rockets are vying for a spot in the Western Conference Finals, but they may as well pack up and vacate their bubble dwellings now because, according to Colin Cowherd, neither can win the NBA championship. Neither the Lakers or Rockets can win the championship. @ColinCowherd reacts to Game 2: pic.twitter.com/uHjrltC9K1— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) September 7, 2020During his show today, Cowherd explained why neither the Lakers nor Rockets can win the title based on his observations from Game 2 of their playoff series, which is tied 1-1. Saying, "they're good teams, but neither one of these teams can win the championship," his theory is as follows for each franchise. For the Lakers, Cowherd says they don't have a third star…

data-mm-id=”_xld0dxd6p”>The Atlanta Falcons fired head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff on Sunday after getting off to a 0-5 start, the worst in franchise history. On Monday, owner Arthur Blank made an odd admission about the firings during a call with media members. He claimed they pair was fired after three-and-a-half years of disappointments. Here's what Blank had to say:Falcons owner Arthur Blank on a media call, asked specifically what he wants fixed: "It's called lack of winning." Adds it's not just about the 0-5 start, "it's a response to three-and-a-half years, post-Super Bowl."— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 12, 2020Well, if that's the case, why did he wait so long? If this dates back to the franchise&#03…

data-mm-id=”_vyh4gpz5p”>We might see Patrick Peterson in a uniform other than Cardinal red in 2021. The former No. 5 overall pick is an unrestricted free agent this offseason and the latest reports suggest Arizona will not be looking to retain his services. Per source, the Arizona Cardinals and former All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson are parting ways barring a significant change in stances. Peterson, 30, has enjoyed eight Pro Bowl and three First-Team All-Pro campaigns since being selected No. 5 overall in the 2011 Draft.— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) February 8, 2021A few years ago, this would have been very exciting news and most of the league's teams would be very interested in adding his skill set. Nowadays? Not so much. Peterson, at 31 years-old, is no longer the athl…

data-mm-id=”_e1gexhbq2″>The Los Angeles Lakers have spent most of the past two seasons floundering near the bottom of the Western Conference. A few weeks ago at the trade deadline, general manager Rob Pelinka transformed the roster with several trades that appear to have turned the season around. On Sunday, the Lakers erased a 27-point deficit to beat the Dallas Mavericks on the road. The rest of the NBA may have to come to grips with the fact that LeBron James and his new-look supporting cast are dangerous. Even with the Lakers' top trade deadline acquisition, D'Angelo Russell, out with an ankle injury, the Lakers took down Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving & Co. after falling behind 48-21 midway through the second quarter. Recent acquisition Jarred Vanderbilt shined, scoring 15…

data-mm-id=”_c2dhlxp59″>Alina Habba, one of Donald Trump's lawyers, appeared on FOX & Friends this morning to talk about the various goings-ons in Trump World these days. Near the end of the interview, Steve Doocy asked Habba if anyone was reviewing the things Trump has been posting on social media, referring to the former president's most recent Truth Social rants as "stuff over the weekend that is getting a lot of attention." The short answer is, of course, no, but Habba tried her best to make it sound like there was a team of professionals all over this. STEVE DOOCY: Is anybody reviewing his social media he hits send? Because he said some, uh, stuff over the weekend that is getting a lot of attentionALINA HABBA: I can't speak to that pic.twitter.com/LWwf…

data-mm-id=”_wfoe941x4″>Brock Purdy was in concussion protocol last week but after only four days, the San Francisco 49ers declared their quarterback ready to play on Sunday. He looked awful during a 31-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. More concerning, late in the game Purdy was hit and slammed his head into the turf but no one pulled him off the field. He stayed in for the remainder of the game. The play in question game with 1:59 left in the game. Purdy dropped back and was intercepted by Bengals safety Dax Hill. Purdy was hit after throwing by D.J. Reader and that drew a roughing the passer penalty, negating the interception. On the hit, Purdy went down hard and slammed the back of his helmet on the turf. He immediately grabbed the top of his head. Watch:49ers QB Brock Purdy grabb…