BOSTON — Kyrie Irving has been a big fan of playing with Robert Williams when given the chance this season. And Irving, for one, is pretty excited to share the court more with the 21-year-old. “I’ve played with quite a few bigs. I had Timofey Mozgov, I had Tristan (Thompson) in Cleveland. When I was in college I had Mason and Miles Plumlee,” Irving said. “So, you know, having a consistent lob threat at the rim, where you can throw it around the rim and he can go get it, you can see how easy it is for me and Rob. You know going in and people are stepping up on me and he’s always a threat at the
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Manchester United Hires Ole Gunnar Solskjaer As New, Interim Manager
Manchester United will rely on a familiar, baby face to steady its ship. The Red Devils announced Wednesday in a statement they’ve hired Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as caretaker manager. The 45-year-old Norwegian spent 15 years as a Manchester United player and coach between 1996 and 2011, earning the nickname “the baby-faced assassin” for his youthful looks and goal-scoring prowess . He returns to Old Trafford from Norwegian club Molde FK where he had managed since 2015. “Manchester United is in my heart and it’s brilliant to be coming back in this role. I’m really looking forward to working with the very talented squad we have, the staff and eve... NESN.com
NESN Soccer Podcast: Champions League Round Of 16 Draw, Matchups Assessed
The UEFA Champions League will simmer for the next two months before it comes to a boil in February. The Round of 16 matchups were set Monday when UEFA conducted the draw for the first knockout phase of European soccer’s elite competition. Looming matchups between Liverpool and Bayern Munich, Manchester United and PSG and Atletico Madrid and Juventus stand out from the pack of games, as the soccers world’s brightest stars plot their course toward continental glory. NESN.com’s Marc DiBenedetto and Marcus Kwesi O’Mard review the eight matchups, offering their initial reactions and predictions this week on the “NESN Soccer Podcast.” Liste... NESN.com
MLB Rumors: In Dwindled Market, Red Sox Are Craig Kimbrel’s ‘Best Bet’
Craig Kimbrel’s numbers suggest he will go down as one of the greatest closers to ever take the mound. But right now, the 30-year old and his 333 career saves remain very much on the free-agent market, and there is not exactly a hoard of teams lining up to secure the right-hander’s services. Kimbrel’s resume has done little to drive his own market this offseason, and his lofty asking price, reported as six-years at $ 100-million, has not done him any favors as well. With demand down, ESPN’s Buster Olney writes that the Boston Red Sox may remain the best and most-likely option for the fireballer, even if the Sox choose to
Former Packers Safety Lays Into Aaron Rodgers After Packers’ Loss To Bears
It’s no secret the Green Bay Packers are in the midst of a no-good season, and that was cemented Sunday when they officially were eliminated from playoff contention Sunday after losing to the Chicago Bears. Aaron Rodgers didn’t look his best during Sunday’s matchup, completing 25 of his 42 passes with an interception and no touchdowns. And his performance caught the attention of a former Packers safety who questioned just how good the quarterback really is at football. Yikes. Butler hasn’t played for Green Bay since 2001, so he never spent any time around Rodgers. And to criticize the QB over one game against one of the league’s best d... NESN.com
Aaron Rodgers Is Huge Fan Of Danica Patrick’s Sweaty New Instagram
Aaron Rodgers obviously is a great athlete — but his girlfriend might have him beat. Rodgers has been dating Danica Patrick for roughly a year, giving him a front-row seat to the former NASCAR driver’s ridiculous workout habits. And in an Instagram post Saturday night, Patrick reminded everyone of just how fit she really is. Check this out: Rodgers, like so many, was impressed by Patrick’s post. If yo... NESN.com
Bruce Cassidy Laments Bruins’ Lack Of Execution In Loss Vs. Penguins
The Boston Bruins weren’t able to complete their comeback Friday night at PPG Paints Arena. Boston trailed the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-1 entering the third period, but the B’s battled back to tie the game midway through the final frame. But a crucial icing penalty allowed Pittsburgh to take a faceoff in Boston’s zone, leading to Jake Guentzel tipping home the go-ahead goal. After the Bruins’ 5-3 loss, head coach Bruce Cassidy was disappointed with his team’s lack of execution on the crucial icing penalty. To hear from Cassidy, check out the “Bruins Overtime Live” video above, presented by Ace Ticket. Thumbnail photo v... NESN.com