{The Official 2021-22 NBA Thread} - Finals: Warriors vs Celtics…{4-2 advantage warriors } Dubs NBA champs, Curry MVP
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Heat's Haslem returning for 20th NBA season
Heat forward Udonis Haslem announced Sunday he's returning for his 20th NBA season.
Yanks retire O'Neill's No. 21; GM Cashman booed
On Sunday, the Yankees retired Paul O'Neill's number as he became the 23rd player or manager in the franchise's history to have that happen.
New York Yankees retire Paul O'Neill's No. 21; GM Brian Cashman, owner Hal Steinbrenner booed by fans
NEW YORK -- Eight years ago, Paul O'Neill was thanked by the New York Yankees for his contributions to their dynasty with a plaque in Monument Park.
On Sunday, the Yankees retired his No. 21 -- making him the 23rd player or manager in the franchise's history honored in such a way.
The ceremony was drastically different than others, not only because he isn't vaccinated against COVID-19 but also because the Yankees entered Sunday with 14 losses in their past 18 games. Frustrations are high to the point that there were noticeable boos for managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner and general manager Brian Cashman during the 33-minute ceremony.
New York's first jersey retirement ceremony since 2017, when Derek Jeter's No. 2 was honored, had the usual video tributes and messages, gifts and an acceptance speech.
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner gets a fist bump from Paul O'Neill during the ceremony to retire the former outfielder's No. 21. Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
During his roughly eight-minute speech, the 59-year-old O'Neill thanked the fans numerous times. He opened by saying: "You Yankee fans have obviously been practicing and it sounds great still today."
A four-time World Series champion as a Yankee, O'Neill was nicknamed "The Warrior" by late owner George Steinbrenner. "The fans remember the teams that win and we won," O'Neill said. "And we won a lot."
O'Neill hit .303 with 185 homers and 858 RBIs for the Yankees from 1993 to 2001. He was a four-time All-Star with the team and won the 1994 American League batting title during a strike-shortened season.
He wore No. 21 for his entire big league career, starting as a rookie with the Reds in 1985.
"That's why I'm celebrating this day, because this is the biggest dream that I've ever had in my life," O'Neill said in his speech.
Six minutes into the ceremony, O'Neill stood next to his wife and family to unveil his retired number in Monument Park. He was brought onto the field in a golf cart as highlights played on the videoboard -- including his final home game in Game 5 of the 2001 World Series and his running catch to end Game 5 of the 1996 World Series.
Then there were brief video messages from Jeter, Joe Torre, David Cone and Don Mattingly, along with a message from Roberto Clemente Jr., the Hall of Famer's son and a former Yankees Spanish-language announcer.
"Obviously, Paul is a central figure in one of the many great times in Yankee baseball and dynasties," manager Aaron Boone said before the Yankees faced Toronto, adding, "It's fun to know Paul [as] a friendly, even silly guy that sometimes is a contrast with who he was in between those lines."
Steinbrenner gave O'Neill a framed plaque of his jersey; other gifts included a custom wine bottle with his No. 21, a framed jersey signed by current Yankees and a water cooler, a nod to his tendency to slam water coolers in the dugout.
The signed, framed jersey was the closest thing O'Neill had to any interaction with New York's current roster because of his vaccination status; unvaccinated personnel are barred from interaction with any players in the dugout and clubhouse.
O'Neill has called games on the YES Network from his Ohio home since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. In an interview with NJ Advance Media published Saturday, O'Neill said of his vaccination status, "I'd rather not discuss that."
Since O'Neill retired after the 2001 World Series, the only New York player to wear No. 21 was reliever LaTroy Hawkins at the opening of the 2008 season, but he switched it not long after the season started.
He cant instill and live "the culture" from behind the bench?
It's not the same.
"Reached an agreement"? FOH! They told his ass to sit down and STFU!
"Reached an agreement"? FOH! They told his ass to sit down and STFU!
Your choice, pull a Ben Simmons or you play
Those were pretty much his options with four years left
When heat checks go wrong.
KD tried to play a game of chicken with Brooklyn and Brooklyn was like"Reached an agreement"? FOH! They told his ass to sit down and STFU!
Sidebar...
History is written by the victor.
I have searched everywhere to find where Durant was QUOTED as asking for Nash as coach specifically
Can't find it
But the narrative is KD wanted Nash
And now every single article and social media post states the KD "signed off " on it.
And for eternity that is what it is no matter WHAT any KD fan says there are literally millions of pieces that say he co signed Nash
So that's it.
This attempt to force a trade was a very serious miscalculation on KD and Rich part.
And is going to have serious repercussions going forward
Yall thought the Lebron to Miami thing was serious?
This along with the Kyrie and Ben stuff?
Woo boy.
Sidebar 2:
I can't believe this but I am actually rooting for the Nets this season.
I ain't defending the fuckery but the media also did them boys real dirty.
Best revenge?
Go win.
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