#playmaking

#playmaking

Nylander spoke about his relationship with his coach during an interview with The Athletic's Jonas Siegel, touching on how beneficial Berube has been in playing a simple game. "He's very easy to talk to," Nylander said. "It's like any coach. Sometimes you butt heads, and you get into it now and then. But that's different. That's the hockey part. But he's also just a regular person that you can talk to about whatever."

Spo holds players to standards and challenges them every night. He has the unique ability to take a player who has struggled in the past and build a system to fit what they can do best. Spo has made a living doing this in Miami, and Mitchell is the latest player to see the dividends of trusting (and buying into) the Heat's coaching staff.

Arsenal's star winger, Bukayo Saka, has offered a surprising and glowing tribute to former teammate Mesut Ozil, naming the German playmaker as the best player he has ever played alongside. The endorsement from the 24-year-old, who has shared the pitch with the likes of Harry Kane, Declan Rice, Phil Foden, for England, underscores the unique and undeniable genius of the retired midfielder.

"I thought he was competitive all over the ice," Berube told reporters. "Ended up getting one and one [goal and assist], but, for me, it's like, just watching him and how he competed on pucks all night, I thought he was really good."

Nine-time NBA All-Star Russell Westbrook has agreed to sign with the Sacramento Kings, ESPN confirmed Wednesday through his agent Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management. The 2017 MVP joins the Kings ahead of his 18th NBA season, giving Sacramento an experienced option in a backcourt that lacked depth a year ago. Westbrook, who turns 37 in November, spent last season with the Denver Nuggets, averaging 13.3 points, 6.1 assists and 4.9 rebounds in 75 games while shooting 44.9% from the field.

In his preseason debut for the Miami Heat, Kasparas Jakucionis showed plenty of flashes that he could one day develop into the star playmaking point guard that fans have long desired. After an up-and-down summer league performance, Jakucionis gave Heat fans much to look forward to in his 25 minutes played against the San Antonio Spurs. Jakucionis finished with eight points, 10 assists, and two steals against the Spurs in his preseason debut.

I was just letting the game come to me, Kuminga said. I feel like if one of them, or Steph (Curry), was open, for me it was just about finding the open person. I felt good doing it, because I was letting the game come to me.

He could rather easily wind up getting lost in the rotation shuffle, especially if sophomore swingman Pelle Larsson can make a big leap. For now, though, Miami is positioning Jaquez for a breakout by including him in its starting five for its first two preseason contests. It's a sensible approach given the Heat's lack of playmaking and desire to pick up the pace, but there aren't many arrows pointing toward an actual turnaround.

When he was drafted by San Jose, a large chunk of fans were incredulous that General Manager Mike Grier didn't take Matvei Michkov instead (ignorant of the reality that Michkov almost certainly didn't want to come to the Sharks, given that he said no to Washington and Arizona). When he spent his post-draft year with Boston College, NHL scouts focused on his linemates Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault instead, ignoring the reality that it was Smith's playmaking and play-driving ability carrying the line.

Bub Carrington may be one of the most overlooked players heading into next season for the Washington Wizards. The Pittsburgh product was drafted inside of the NBA Draft lottery by Washington in the 2024 NBA Draft after sending Deni Avdija to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Malcolm Brogdon and the pick that eventually landed the young guard in D.C. Carrington's arrival was overlooked by the team's loaded rookie class that feautured both Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George,

William Eklund's path to the San Jose Sharks has been one of the most closely watched prospect journeys in the league. Drafted 7th overall by San Jose in the 2021 NHL Draft, he came into the organization with huge expectations as a future face of the franchise. After spending time developing in Sweden with Djurgårdens IF and splitting a couple of seasons between the Barracuda and the Sharks, Eklund finally became a full-time NHLer in 2023-24, and he didn't disappoint.

Not only is Herro coming off a career year in which he made the All-Star Game, but he's the team's leading scorer, and paced them in assists as well. Miami's offense was already at a disadvantage with him. It has no top-tier creator. Herro is their best passer, which is a testament to his evolution, and also not ideal. Without him, the Heat's offense could be subject to complete and utter implosion.