data-mm-id=”_awhun3gyb”>INDIANAPOLIS — Terry Rozier has always been a team-first player. His talent is up there with some of the best guards in the NBA. However, he's never had a chance to lead a team. The one time he got his chance was the 2018 playoffs, when he started 19 games and averaged over 16 points, five assists and five rebounds while leading the Celtics to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Fast-forward to this season. On a lottery-bound Charlotte Hornets team, he still has to share the point guard duties with second-year standout Devonte' Graham. Tuesday night in Indiana, Graham did not play, putting Rozier in a position to shift to the point. Ultimately, he struggled to find his shot, going 2-for-13 in a lopsided loss to the Pacers. "It felt good to just be on the ball a lot more than usual," Rozier said afterward. "We didn't get the results we wanted tonight." After signing a multi-year contract worth over $50 million with the Hornets last summer, he was the obvious replacement to Kemba Walker, who had departed for the Celtics. The simultaneous moves seemed to fit like a puzzle piece. However, Graham suddenly came on strong to start the season, earning a lion's share of ball-handing duties."It's tough," Rozier admitted. "At the same time, I don't want to be that guy that will be complaining. I don't want to be a cancer to a team. That's not me. I'm about the team first.""I like Charlotte a lot as a city," he added. "It's real chill. I like chill environments. Obviously coming here to play I had thoughts of being a point guard. Things change and that's just part of basketball. You've got to be able to adjust. That's what I've been doing, I'm just trying to make the best of it. I don't want to try and live for the excuses."On top of the point guard position not being solely his, the team is nowhere near as talented as his Celtics teams. In the last two seasons, he has gone deep into the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Hornets have a minimal chance to make any noise in the postseason and are likely to watch the playoffs at home. "It's definitely a different feel not coming out on top most nights," he said. "You just try to stay in it. You try to value practice as much as you can because it's going to put you where you need to be on game night." Even though he is 25-years-old, he is a veteran on this team. Experience playing on a prior elite team gives him the ability to be a strong leader in the locker room in addition to the 17.6 points and 4.0 assists he puts up per game. "[I] Just try to lead by example," he said. "I can talk until I can't talk any more but you've just got to lead by example. Sometimes it's better for guys to see it and hear it." To him, good habits spawn from being a gym rat. "There ain't no right way to be a pro," he said. "As long as you're being a professional getting those extra reps in, getting extra shots up, learning the game watching film and stuff like that, that's the most important thing." Ultimately, the fifth-year player from Louisville is doing and saying all the right things. During the 2018 playoffs, he showed that there is an All-Star caliber player capable of breaking out. At some point, his team-first effort will indeed allow him to shine.
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Monaco have high expectations and a mid-table position just will not cut it for the principality club.
Pressure may have eased on Leonardo Jardim after his inconsistent team thrashed Lille on Saturday, but fresh reports claim Monaco are looking at options for a new head coach.
Could Unai Emery a Ligue 1 winner with Paris Saint-Germain but a disappointment at Arsenal be just the man for the job?
TOP STORY EMERY SET FOR DUGOUT RETURN?
Monaco are reportedly hunting for a new boss as Jardim s future looks bleak with the Monegasque club, and Emery is said to be a target.
According to Le 10 Sport, Monaco officials are considering former Valencia boss Marcelino and ex-PSG and France head coach Laurent Blanc.
A third coach reported to …
Toby Alderweireld s scan on a knee injury came up clear, but the Tottenham defender will miss Saturday s trip to Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino delivered an update on Alderweireld s fitness after the Belgian suffered the setback in last weekend s 1-1 draw at West Brom.
Alderweireld joins Harry Kane (ankle) on the sidelines, but there was better news for Danny Rose, who may be fit despite bruising his foot in Tuesday s 0-0 Champions League draw with Bayer Leverkusen.
Toby s scan was clear, but he is still in a lot of pain, said Pochettino. Like Harry, he is not available for the weekend. We re happy that Toby does not have a big issue, but it was a very heavy knock.
Harry is going very well. We are happy with him. He ha…
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Manager Jurgen Klopp said further tests were required to determine the level of damage, casting doubt on Robertson s availability for Liverpool s opening game of the Premier League season away to Norwich City on August 14.
Ahead of Monday s friendly with Osasuna, the Reds final warm-up game before the 2021-22 season, Robertson said via Twitter that he expected to be sidelined for a time.
Thanks to everyone for the kind messages and support, he wrote. Scan suggests nothing too major but there s some li…
Bayern Munich s eventful week took another turn on Saturday as they were held to a 1-1 Bundesliga draw at home by lowly Hoffenheim.
Thomas Tuchel s side suffered a 3-0 defeat in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Manchester City in midweek, with more headlines made after the match when Sadio Mane allegedly punched team-mate Leroy Sane in the dressing room, leading to a fine and suspension for the Senegal international.
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Jefferson Farfan put the Bundesliga outfit ahead with a 32nd-minute strike in Gelsenkirchen but Miroslav Stoch scored a crucial equaliser for PAOK in the second half.
Keller said his side s performance had been solid but urged them to stay positive despite being frustrated with the result.
We are not happy with the final result. We played a great first half and performed as we wanted to and should have got a result from that, the 42-year-old coach told reporters after the draw.
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Athletic Bilbao have confirmed they have rejected a €30million bid for Ander Herrera, widely reported to be from Manchester United.
President Josu Urrutia confirmed on Friday that the La Liga club flatly turned down the approach, but refused to confirm the identity of the bidding club.
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Moyes is keen to strengthen his midfield, but Urrutia insisted Herrera is not for sale.
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Verdict: Sevilla
Best Odds:
Bookamker:
Unbeaten in Group H, both leaders Sevilla and runners-up Juventus will look to finish their job of securing the knockouts qualification when they lock horns at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Tuesday night in what promises to be a scintillating clash.
Sevilla
The Rojiblancos apparently won’t be able to defend the UEFA Europa League crown they’ve been wearing for three years in a row now. This will hardly come as a disappointment to Sevilla supporters however who have been waiting for quite some time for their team to make a step further at the international scene. Not many fans would have hoped and anticipated such outcome following a hugely turbulent summer which ended up in Unai Emery and the host of the …
Andy Gray believes it is only a matter of time before Chelsea sign John Stones and the Everton legend has backed the defender to secure a place in the Premier League champions starting line-up sooner rather than later .
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The Queen: ´She served her country with dignity and grace´ – Beckham, Federer and Pele lead tributes
Meanwhile, footballing legend Pele added on Twitter: I have been a great admirer of Queen Elizabeth II since the first time I saw her in person, in 1968, when she came to Brazil to witness our love for football and experienced the magic of a packed Maracana.
Her deeds have marked generations. This legacy will last forever.
Speaking after Roma s Europa League clash with Ludogorets, head coach Mourinho said: I m so sorry. I have lived in England for many years, my family is there. I don t think there s anyone who doesn t appreciate this great woman.
Current Three Lions skipper Harry Kane described the Queen as an amazing inspiration, while team-mate Marcus Rashford also paid tribute to the late monarch.
Rest in peace, Queen Elizabeth II
— …
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker:
Looking to continue on their purple patch under Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea will make the trip to an empty Bramall Lane on Sunday night.
Sheffield United
Starting with the hosts, while Sheffield United might still find themselves facing an almighty uphill battle if they re to somehow hang onto their Premier League status, the Blades have made some much-needed improvements of late. With Chris Wilder promising that his side will keep fighting, they managed to land themselves what was a crucial three points in a must-win showdown. Welcoming fellow relegation scrappers West Brom to Bramall Lane in midweek, United came from behind to pick up a late 2-1 win against the Baggies on home soil. However, still sat rock-bottom of the table and chasing …