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Atlantic City casinos will continue to allow smoking, as a New Jersey court dismissed a lawsuit that challenged smoking within Atlantic City's casino floors. Casino workers in NJ sued Atlantic City casinos and went against a 2006 Smoke-Free Act that banned smoking in most places - except for casinos in Atlantic City. The long-standing debate over smoking in Atlantic City's casinos took a significant turn this week, as a New Jersey Superior Court judge dismissed a lawsuit defying the state's allowance of tobacco use on the gaming floors. The decision ensures that the controversial practice will continue, despite growing opposition from casino workers and public health advocates. The legal challenge from casino workers The legal challenge was spearheaded by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, representing table game dealers, and Casino Employees Against Smoking's Effects (CEASE), a group advocating for a smoke-free workplace. The plaintiffs argued that the 2006 Smoke-Free Air Act, which prohibits indoor smoking in most public places but exempts Atlantic City's casinos, violated the New Jersey Constitution's protections for workers' health and safety. However, Judge Patrick Bartels ruled against the plaintiffs, stating that the New Jersey Legislature's decision to allow smoking in casinos does not infringe upon workers' constitutional rights. In his opinion, Bartels highlighted the public's awareness of the risks associated with secondhand smoke and noted that the Smoke-Free Air Act does not prevent individuals from seeking employment in smoke-free environments. Given the known risks of secondhand smoke, the fact that smoking has not been banned in casinos except for a brief period during the COVID-19 pandemic, and that the exceptions to the Smoke-Free Air Act are limited to a few industries, it cannot be said that the Legislature's actions restrict casino workers' right to pursue safety under the New Jersey Constitution, Bartels stated. The exemption controversy The 2006 Smoke-Free Air Act was designed to protect the public from the dangers of secondhand smoke by banning indoor tobacco use in most public spaces. However, the law carved out an exemption for Atlantic City's casinos, allowing them to designate up to 25% of their gaming areas for smoking. This exemption has been a point of contention for years, with critics arguing that it puts casino workers at unnecessary risk. Every one of Atlantic City's nine casinos benefits from this exemption, allowing smoking in designated areas. Opponents of the exemption, including many casino workers, argue that smoke is not restricted by boundaries and that toxic secondhand smoke pervades the casino, affecting both smokers and non-smokers alike. Potential for appeal Despite the ruling, the battle over casino smoking in Atlantic City is far from over. Attorney Nancy Erika Smith, representing the UAW and CEASE, has vowed to appeal the decision to the NJ Supreme Court. "While the rest of the nation moves away from poisoning workers for profits, New Jersey shames itself," Smith said in a statement following the ruling. "As long as the governor, the legislature, and the courts allow the extremely rich casino industry to poison its workers, we will continue our fight." Meanwhile, the cofounder of CEASE, Lamont White, echoed Smith's sentiments, stating that the "fight is far from over." He expressed hope that the court's ruling would galvanize support in the state legislature to amend the Smoke-Free Air Act and eliminate the exemption on casino smoking. Casinos' response The ruling was met with relief by Atlantic City's casinos, which have faced significant financial pressures in recent years. The Casino Association of New Jersey, representing the interests of the industry, welcomed the decision as a victory for the city's nine gaming establishments. "We are gratified by the court's decision to dismiss the plaintiff's complaint and deny its attempt to change the Smoke-Free Air Act outside of the legislative process," said the president of Resorts Casino and the Casino Association of New Jersey, Mark Giannantonio. He added that they look forward to continuing to work with stakeholders towards a beneficial solution that addresses the health concerns of their employees while also protecting the collective well-being and interest of the entire Atlantic City workforce. While the immediate future of smoking in Atlantic City's casinos remains secure, the issue is unlikely to fade from public discourse. With an appeal to the state's highest court likely and continued pressure from health advocates and casino employees, the debate over balancing public health and economic interests in Atlantic City is set to continue.

The Virginia Lottery makes history as it becomes the first-ever state to outperform in-person lottery ticket sales with its online tickets. In fact, during a 12-month period, it sold a total of more than $5.5 million tickets online and offline, with over $3 billion coming from online sales. The Virginia Lottery has reached a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first state lottery in the US to sell more tickets online than in-person within a single fiscal year. This significant accomplishment showcases the evolving landscape of lottery sales and marks a pivotal moment in the industry. A record-breaking year for the Virginia Lottery In a fiscal year that ended on the 30th of June, 2024, the Virginia Lottery reported record-breaking ticket sales amounting to $5.521 billion. This figure represents a nearly 20% increase from the previous year's sales of $4.612 billion. Notably, over $3 billion of these sales were conducted online, while approximately $2.45 billion came from traditional in-person retailers for the Virginia Lottery. The Virginia Lottery first introduced online games along with ticket sales on the 1st of July, 2020, a move that has paid off handsomely. John Hagerty, a spokesperson for the Virginia Lottery, noted that yearly internet sales have consistently increased over the past four years, culminating in the record-breaking online sales seen in the fiscal year of 2024. Online lottery legality in Virginia pays off Virginia is one of only nine states in the US where online lotteries are legal. The other states include Illinois, Georgia, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Michigan, North Carolina, and North Dakota, with Washington, DC also allowing iLottery. Massachusetts is expected to join the ranks with its online lottery market set to launch next year. Despite the limited number of states offering online lottery sales, Virginia's achievement is worth noting as it is the first iLottery jurisdiction to report higher annual online sales than in-person purchases. While the rise in online sales may raise concerns for lottery retailers, Hagerty emphasized that in-person sales have also grown in line with the increases in internet sales. For instance, the Virginia Lottery continues to rely on its extensive network of around 5,300 business retailers that contribute to in-person lottery sales. These retailers remain an integral part of the lottery ecosystem, contributing significantly to the overall success of the Virginia Lottery. The lottery's overall benefit to the Virginia public One of the most significant aspects of the Virginia Lottery's operations is its contribution to public education. The lottery primarily helps K-12 public schools in Virginia, generating approximately $2.3 million each day for public education. Since its inception in 1999, the Virginia Lottery has funneled more than $13.6 billion in profits to support public education in the state. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin praised the lottery's latest fiscal performance, noting its positive impact on education funding. "Over the course of my administration, we have been able to achieve record funding for K-12 education, allowing for increased opportunities in the classroom," Youngkin stated. He also said that he is thrilled that these record profits will help provide the necessary resources and support for Virginia's students. The $5.5 billion in game sales during the 2024 fiscal year resulted in a record lottery profit of over $934 million, contributing around 10% of the K-12 education budget. This financial boost will play a crucial role in enhancing educational opportunities and resources for students across the state. A $1 million gift In a heartwarming story that further shows the lottery's positive impact on Virginians, a recent winner used his $1 million prize to help his son start a new chapter in life. Aaron Andrews, a resident of Prince William County, won $1 million in the Cash4Life lottery during the drawing on August 3. Andrews' father, an enthusiastic lottery player, had purchased the winning ticket and decided to gift the money to his son, who had been living in the basement of his father's house with his wife since their wedding in April. The elder Andrews' generosity allowed his son and daughter-in-law to move out and start their own home.

Stephen Curry has signed an extension with the Warriors – but not what you would expect for a star to seal their future in the game as he just inked a one-year deal with the former NBA MVP and four-time champion. This stretches his stay with the Warriors for three more years, all the way to the 2026-27 NBA season. According to reports from ESPN, the deal is at least worth $62.6 million, which will now see Curry play three more years with the Warriors at the very least. He is now guaranteed $178 million through his coming seasons with the team, but while it means that he is set to stay longer with the team, it also hints at Curry’s desire to actually win a title and how he is ready to close down the door with the Warriors. This extension comes after he signed a four-year deal three years ago, which is set at $215 million. It was the second 200-million deal in Curry’s championship-laden career, composed of four NBA titles and two MVP awards amongst many records in the history of the league. Should Curry finish his career at Golden State with the current deal, he would end up with $532 million in total career earnings, which is second to LeBron James’ $580 million in player contracts. End of an Era Stephen Curry enters this season in the aftermath of the Dubs Dynasty in Golden State after Klay Thompson left the team – ending his partnership with Curry as the Splash Brothers – and closing down their trio with Draymond Green as the core of the original winning Warriors squad. An extension with the Warriors did not only spark the end of all free agency discussions that he would be moving on from the Warriors two years after winning their most recent championship. In the 2023-24 season, Curry averaged 26.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game while shooting 45% from the field, including 40.8% from three. The Warriors star led the league in clutch scoring and was named as the Clutch Player of the Year for the previous campaign. He spent the 2023-24 season as his 15th year with the franchise and was also named an All-Star for the 10th time in his career. Curry also remains as the league’s all-time leader in 3-pointers both made and attempted and has won the Finals MVP award in 2022 – which was also the league’s most recent championship. Seeking a Championship Again Curry is set to lead the Warriors to a new dawn in the coming season. Draymond Green still remains by his side but has been far from the efficient playmaker and defender that he’s been over the years. Now Curry will have to lead the rebuild with youngsters who are on the rise such as Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, and Trayce Jackson-Davis. The Warriors went on to miss the playoffs last season, losing to the Sacramento Kings in the Play-In Tournament despite having a turbulent campaign that featured a lot of ups and downs in the campaign. Still, it does seem that the Warriors will now need to come up with a big run if they are going to stay competitive and perhaps help Curry claim a championship – his fifth overall in his already illustrious, influential, and clearly golden NBA career with the Warriors.

Last season was a different view for Derrick Henry when he watched the Baltimore Ravens lose out to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game, which was quite a promising matchup that was initially hyped to be a massive showdown. However, Henry has since joined the Ravens, and now he wants a taste of action in that matchup heading into the season. The Chiefs have always had their way against the Ravens in the past few matchups, and the season opener is not going to be any different at this point. However, Henry thinks that he can actually be a game changer heading into the game. Like many players who play for championship clubs, it is easy to aspire to play against top teams such as the Kansas City Chiefs. But Henry, now more than ever, wants a piece of the action against the Chiefs, and he is not backing down from the challenge considering that this is his chance to prove that he has what it takes to come up with a promising performance against a team that has won the Super Bowl more than once. Eagerness in the Action Henry is definitely considered as one of the biggest additions for the Ravens in the offseason, and it cannot be denied that the running back is expected to deliver one of his best performances to begin the campaign with Baltimore this season. But it is worth noting that the Ravens player is pretty decent in his games with the Mahomes-led Chiefs. In a total of four games ever since Patrick Mahomes became the Chiefs’ starting quarterback, Henry has impressed well with a total of 458 yards and five touchdowns, twice averaging over six yards per carry. Looking back, Henry wished that he could have been ab "I wish I could suit up that day watching the game. But now it's my turn, so got to take advantage of it. It's going to be a hell of a game. The Chiefs are always tough, they're solid on all three teams. Got to be locked in this week to be able to execute on Thursday." The Baltimore Ravens need to come up with a promising start this season if they are going to make a convincing point that they are really going to make the most of their chances as a leading contender. It can be remembered that the Ravens finished no. 1 in the season thanks to their rushing, but that was the same thing that also cost them the AFC Championship Game as well. Proving His Worth The Ravens ran the ball a fewer times than Henry did in the Titans’ AFC game against the Chiefs. So far, Lamar Jackson delivered eight carries into eight yards, while the likes of Gus Edwards, Zay Flowers and Justice Hill combined for another 27 yards on eight attempts. On the other hand, Henry pulled off a promising performance against the Chiefs – finishing with 69 yards and a score on 19 carries and -8 yards on two receptions. If you are not impressed, that was the worst he’s had in all four games against Kansas City. "It's who they lost to to get to the big one, so I'm sure that's in the back of their minds," Henry said of the mood of the team. "We're going to come out and play Ravens style of football, execute so we can get a W, but yeah, I'm sure that's in the back of their minds. I'm sure everybody's locked in and going to be ready to go."

The Nevada Gaming Control Board has just released a report detailing the gross gaming revenue for the month of July, saying the revenue fell 15% to $1.3 billion, its lowest in four months. Slot and table games were to blame, as casinos on the Vegas Strip loosened their games, but the downturn could also be attributed to worsening inflation. The Nevada Gaming Control Board announced on Tuesday that the taverns and casinos in Nevada faced a noticeable slowdown in gross gaming revenue during the summer, particularly in July. Despite the usual fanfare of fireworks in Las Vegas, the Strip's gaming revenue did not mirror the celebratory mood, showing a significant 15% decline compared to the same month last year. This marks the first statewide decrease in gaming revenue in four months. A slow summer on the Strip compared to last year In July, Nevada's gaming showed a decrease to $1.306 billion, and the Las Vegas Strip was the primary contributor to this downturn. The Strip saw its gaming win plummet by 15%, resulting in the first year-over-year decline in statewide gross gaming revenue since March. The $1.306 billion collected in July of 2024 was almost 7% lower than the over $1.4 billion revenue reported in July of 2023. The decline was partly attributed to the loosening of slot machines on the Strip, which resulted in less-than-satisfactory hold rates across various denominations. For instance, Nevada's slot win rates fell into the single digits, from nickel to up to $100 machines. Table games also experienced a decline, with the hold rate dropping from almost 18% in July of last year to under 15% in July 2024. The ongoing challenges Michael Lawton, senior economic analyst for the NGCB, commented on the challenges of matching last year's performance. "July 2023 was a difficult time to emulate, as the $1.404 billion won that month was, at the time, a record high for any month in Nevada’s long and rich gaming history," Lawton explained. While some analysts are concerned about inflationary pressures along with the broader economy, Lawton emphasized that the July report should not be seen as a sign of an industry downturn. "I would not call this the start of any downturn," Lawton said to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He added that this was a very difficult comparison, as July 2023 was the second-highest total win in the history of the Strip and the state. The struggles for the Vegas Strip were the most significant aspect of the July gaming landscape. Gross gaming revenue along South Las Vegas Boulevard dropped by 15% to only $709.3 million, and it highlighted the challenges faced by the state's most critical gaming sector. However, Clark County, home to Las Vegas, slightly counterbalanced the losses, with downtown casino revenue rising by 10% to a total of $71.8 million. Despite this, the county as a whole reported a gross revenue of $1.118 billion, representing a more than 7% loss year over year. A decline in table games, sports betting, and other games Table games, along with revenue from keno, bingo, and sports betting, experienced a sharp 30% decline on the Strip, totaling $290.5 million. Oddsmakers retained only $10.2 million of the wagers placed, marking a 7% drop with a meager hold rate of 6%. Strip slots, although down by less than 1%, generated $418.8 million. Despite the decline in July, statewide GGR continues upward with an overall increase of 3% over the last 12 months. However, the revenue trend has shown a slight decrease of nearly 1% across May, June, and July, raising concerns about the potential impact of inflation on consumer spending. Inflation affecting spending across the US A recent study by WalletHub (a personal finance platform), accentuates these concerns. The study revealed that nearly three in four adults in the US believe inflation is affecting their discretionary spending. According to WalletHub, 74% of workers expressed frustration with rising costs, and two-thirds said financial strain has altered their Labor Day plans. Jim Lee, a professor at Texas A&M's College of Business, stated that even though inflation has subsided, Americans are facing significantly higher hotel rates, airline ticket prices, and gas prices compared to pre-pandemic levels. In spite of these challenges, Las Vegas remains a popular destination for Labor Day weekend, a holiday that celebrates the US workforce. In fact, the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority anticipates that 331,000 people will visit Nevada during the long weekend, marking a 3.4% increase from last year.

Contrary to the usual predictions, Pennsylvania reached an overall iGaming revenue of $217 million this July, according to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. This is the 3rd highest grossing figure and a vast increase from last year’s revenue of $132 million. The middle of the summer season is usually a quiet period for online gambling platforms, with many players stepping away from their screens to enjoy vacations and various outdoor activities. However, Pennsylvania's online casinos bucked this trend in July, recording one of their most lucrative months to date. According to figures released by the Pennsylvania Gambling Control Board, online casino operators in the state nearly hit $217 million in revenue for the month, making it the third-highest revenue month on record for Pennsylvania's digital gambling sector. Surpassing expectations amid seasonal slowdown The robust performance in July is particularly noteworthy given the usual seasonal slowdown. With players returning from holidays, there was a significant surge in activity that has set a high benchmark for the months ahead. This unexpected boost in earnings proves the growing appeal of online casinos in Pennsylvania, which continue to thrive despite broader trends in the industry. The PGCB's report revealed a significant year-over-year increase in revenue, with online casino games generating $174,318,463 in gross revenue for July 2024. This represents a substantial 31.20% increase compared to the $132 million reported in July of 2023. The impressive revenue figures are expected to contribute a total of $75,545,125 to Pennsylvania's tax revenue, further solidifying the online casino sector's role as a vital contributor to the state's economy. Bally's Pennsylvania's remarkable growth, Hollywood Casino dominates overall Among the various online casino operators, Bally’s Pennsylvania stood out with the most remarkable growth. The operator reported earnings of $3,481,003 for July, marking an astonishing 141.31% increase compared to the $1,442,535 it earned in July 2023. This remarkable growth highlights Bally's strategic moves and successful engagement strategies that have resonated well with many players in PA. Despite Bally's impressive growth, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Racecourse continues to dominate the Pennsylvania online casino landscape. The operator reported the highest revenue for July, with earnings reaching $64,006,434. This figure represents a significant increase from the $54 million it recorded in the same month last year, further marking Hollywood Casino's position as the leading online casino operator in the state. The substantial gap between Hollywood Casino and its nearest competitor emphasizes its dominance in the market. Valley Forge Casino Resort, which ranked second in revenue, reported earnings of $45,503,850 for July. Despite trailing behind Hollywood Casino, Valley Forge's performance was still remarkable, with a 55.72% year-over-year growth compared to its earnings in July 2023. This growth is a testament to the operator's continued efforts to expand its market share and attract new players. Rivers Casino Philadelphia rounds out the top three Rivers Casino Philadelphia, which operates the BetRivers platform, secured the third spot in the revenue rankings for July. The operator reported a more low-key growth of 11.24%, with earnings increasing from just under $27 million in July 2023 to nearly $30 million this year. While the growth rate is lower compared to other top operators, Rivers Casino Philadelphia's steady performance demonstrates its consistent appeal to a broad base of online players. The record-breaking earnings reported by Pennsylvania's online casinos in July set a new standard for the industry and signal strong momentum heading into the latter half of the year. As players increasingly turn to digital platforms for their gambling entertainment, Pennsylvania's online casino operators are well-positioned to continue moving upward. The significant revenue growth not only reflects the operators' successful strategies but also showcases the enduring popularity of online gambling in the state. With the summer almost behind us and more players returning to their routines, the sector is all set to capitalize on this momentum.

The WTA Tour has been shocked with a tough news on the intense competition of the US Open as the world no. 4 Elena Rybakina has withdrawn from the US Open after she suffered a lower back injury. This guaranteed Jessika Ponchet to move on to the next round of the competition as she walked over the set match. Rybakina came off a promising pace heading into the US Open. She managed to defeat Destanee Aiava in the first round in straight sets to move on to the next round. The matchup against Ponchet was set to be even an easier win for her. However, it seems that her lower back problems have become quite a nuisance for her to continue competing at a high level in the US Open. This forced the Kazakhstani star to pull out of the competition and opt to retire from the hard-court major instead. Ponchet, on the other hand, is now slated to move on to Round 3, which is slated to be played tomorrow. She will have to battle against Danish star Caroline Wozniacki with the hopes of continuing her impressive run. The French star has made her way right from the tournament’s qualifying stage. An Unfortunate Exit Rybakina started the 2024 Tour on an impressive note. The 2022 Wimbledon champion went on to win two of her first four tournaments played, and it cannot be denied that the recent flurry of injuries has hampered her pace in the game as she struggled to come up with a consistent form. As if those injuries didn’t hold her back from her best form, a case of bronchitis even went in the way of her post-Wimbledon runs. Rybakina was forced to withdraw from the Paris Olympics and in Toronto. She did try to get her pace back into the winning side in the Cincinnati Open, only to fall to Leylah Fernandez in the first match she played in the tournament. Now, the world no. 4 is out of the picture for the US Open – a major that could have lifted her up in the rankings. “Unfortunately, I have to withdraw from my match today due to my injuries," Rybakina said of her abrupt exit in the US Open. "I did not want to finish the last Grand Slam of the year this way but I have to listen to my body, and I hope I can close out the remainder of the year strong. Thank you to all the fans who have and continue to support me, and I wish the remaining players good luck.” More than a Lower Back Injury Recent discussions on the forum site Reddit claimed that the Kazakhstani star was facing stomach issues, even saying that it is a chronic disease. Users point out that this is a side effect of her use of treatments for autoimmune diseases. However, discussions went as far as to compare her to other players who’ve had the same issues. Rybakina was seen heading to the side bench and sitting down for the meantime. It did look like the star was about to throw up, then she later ran off the court and would lead to the retirement for the match. Many fans also speculate that the star’s health has been on decline ever since she opted to part ways with her coach Stefano Vukov. Rybakina’s exit from the US Open also marks the eighth total withdrawal this year, and her undisclosed injury in the tournament just raises further concerns now more than ever.

Amidst the issue of the Hands of Midas, Valve has released a new patch that has changed a lot of the game’s dynamic heading into the biggest stage of the competitive Dota 2 scene, the International. However, there are a few select items and heroes who will be nerfed before the big tournament begins. The International is the biggest tournament in all of Dota 2’s competitive esports scene, and it cannot be denied that there are many players who are seeking to make their name on the big stage. However, the latest Dota 2 patch is set to make some changes in the game as it brings a balance to the bugs and hero disadvantages that will be crucial heading into the tournament. Heroes such as Ringmaster, Nature’s Prophet, and Tinker are all affected by the latest update as the developers have made some changes in the game that would seemingly play a huge role as these heroes are commonly used on the competitive scene. This is why there are a lot of players who are a bit worried as to how the nerfs will affect team selection in the coming tournament. Hero Nerfs Ringmaster, who is just a new hero in the game, has received a couple of nerfs in the latest patch. Movement speed has been reduced, and his Strongman Tonic souvenir has been reduced well after each of the hero’s levels was reduced to just 1 strength instead of the original 1.5 per level. Gleipnir, on the other hand, has a deducted health bonus of 350 to 300, and the item’s active ability has dropped from 180 to 165 On the other hand, Nature’s Prophet has also received a certain downgrade after the Ironwood Treant has been nerfed – with an increase of base attack time at 14%, meaning that it would take at least 1.6 seconds per attack. It is also worth noting that the hero’s ultimate has been weakened having its base damage decreased from 120/155/190 to 100/140/180. Lastly, Tinker’s Defence Matrix has also been nerfed – for the many times it has been changed. It now gives less status resistance on higher levels, rendering it quite less beneficial in the long run, which makes it hard to use, especially in big-game clashes as well. The full list of changes can be visited on the official Dota 2 site. The International Brewing Hot The latest patch will be effective in the coming The International, which is slated to begin next week, September 4th. TI13 brings all of the best players in the world to represent their teams and lead them to bigger glory. With a prize pool of $2,278,937, teams will definitely bring their best to bring home the lion’s share of the prize while fans at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen will be given a promising treat of intense battles and fiery showdowns for all to see. A total of 16 teams will take on the challenge with the hopes of reaching the big stage. The Group Stages will take place from September 4 to 5, and it will be followed by the Seeding Decider for two more days. The main event begins on September 9th and will go all the way to September 15th for the Grand Final – which will be a best-of-five series as opposed to the prior parts of the tournament.

Oklahoma City is expected to make some impressive strides in the coming season after a promising 2023-24 campaign, and it cannot be denied that there are certain expectations to the team’s chances of winning. However, it seems that there are still certain analysts who believe that the team still lacks enough experience to actually win in the NBA this year. From addressing its rebounding issues by signing Isaiah Hartenstein, trading away Josh Giddey in exchange for Alex Caruso, all the way to signing Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins to bigger contracts, it does seem that OKC has had its way for a promising season to come with a promising tweak in their respective rosters, and one can say that it is a good move for the team. Still, the talks of not having enough experience in the playoff stage seem quite to be a bummer at this point, with many critics claiming that the Thunder are expected to be early-round exits once more. However, it can be argued that experience plays a factor as much as team composition does in their chances of winning now more than ever. Arguing the Thunder’s Case Looking at the teams with the best championship odds this season, Oklahoma City does have a strong case heading into the season, considering the fact that they are indeed, a championship contender now more than ever. According to some writers from Bleacher Report, however, the Thunder is still quite inexperienced in contending at a high level in the coming season. “It's difficult to argue against the Thunder, who finished (via tiebreaker) as the No. 1 seed last year in the West and have since improved,” Eric Pincus wrote. “But this is still a very young, inexperienced team. Caruso has a championship with the Lakers, and Hartenstein was vital to the Knicks in their run last season. The Thunder's core players added experience in last year's postseason, but the team may be a year away when it comes to having the "know-how" to close out later rounds of the playoffs.” The Thunder did make a run in the playoff stage last season, and they got eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks in six games in the West Semis, but they did show that they can make changes and find success in some key points that would determine their chances of winning next season. Not a First for OKC Whether you believe it or not, it is actually a running theme that OKC is an inexperienced team whenever it reached the playoff stage in its years with the first core of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook. So far, that iteration of OKC really did enjoy some promising strides, even reaching the NBA Finals in 2012 that time. This just means that there are more expectations for the current Thunder team – one that is deemed to be better than the last. OKC has struggled, made changes, found success, and even went through the highs and lows of the playoffs, and now they should be geared well to be ready for a promising playoff run – contrary to what most people think, including the critics who claimed that they are not ready for the playoffs. At this point, Oklahoma City is definitely hungry enough to bring the best of its games to the big stage, and one can say that this is their big break to make the most of their chances in the game.

The Miami Dolphins will be coming into the 2024 NFL season without one of their best stars in Odell Beckham Jr., who is slated to miss at least the first four games of the season as he is set on the physically unable to perform list in the team heading into the regular season. It does seem that the team will have to come up with bigger strides in their squad while they wait their star to come back. Beckham has been one of the best wide receivers in the game over the years, but due to an undisclosed injury, the Dolphins have not fielded him since last March. He was signed by the team to fill in their need for a reserve wide receiver behind the likes of Tyreek Hill and Jayden Waddle. Of course, the injuries have prevented the trio from being the pass-catching threat that they were expected to be for the Dolphins. Considering that the Dolphins will wait him out, it is easy to expect that Beckham will have bigger chances to prove his worth in the game and come up with a promising run should he ever take to the field. At this point, there are hopes that Beckham will come back to his winning form soon. A Big Loss to Begin the Season There are high expectations that Beckham would play alongside the catching duo of the team with the hopes of igniting their start to the NFL season. This latest development means that Beckham will not be making it to the cut for at least a month, and some would even say that the wide receiver’s health is a major concern that can affect their future in the long run. Injuries have taken him out of the game more than once. Beckham is a promising WR who tallied 4,122 receiving yards from 2014 to 2016, which is the third-most by an active NFL player in their first three seasons. However, Beckham has since tallied 3,810 in six seasons, and he did not even surpass the 1,000-yard mark since 2019. That statistical decline has been due to his injuries. Beckham fractured his left ankle after four games in 2017 and later had a torn ACL in 2020. The wide receiver had the same injury by the end of the Super Bowl in the 2021 season. So far, Beckham’s 565 yards in 2023 is the highest he’s ever tallied since 2019. The Honest Truth According to multiple sources, the Dolphins don’t actually believe that Beckham’s injury is quite a cause of concern, but the fact that he doesn’t start this season with the rest of the receiving unit is not ideal for a team that is hoping to make a playoff push. Even Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa has to accept the hard, honest truth about it. "I've been able to hang out with him a good amount of times," Tagovailoa said of Beckham. "Cool dude, 100%. But does our relationship translate on the field? I couldn't tell you, because I haven't gotten reps with him and that's just the honest truth." While there aren’t a lot of talks as to how the Dolphins will actually try and replace him into the season, it does seem that they do not really have much of a choice as receiver River Cracaft was also listed on the injured reserve heading into the NFL’s cutdown deadline.

Many people expected to see Marco Reus make his debut in late September as issues spiraled as to how the former Bundesliga star did not have a work permit in the United States. However, the ex-Borrusia Dortmund star shocked spectators as he drilled a winning goal to help LA Galaxy win big in its weekend showdown against Atlanta United, 2-0 to begin their second-half campaign this season. From scoring goals, impacting defensive plays, and coming up with impressive plays, it does seem that Marco Reus does not fall far from what was advertised of him – a swashbuckling scorer who can also create plays at will when his team needs it. Now with a reinvigorated squad, it does seem that LA Galaxy can make a deep push count, especially in the closing games of the campaign. Reus comes off as a massive addition heading into that stretch, and one can say that his impact is definitely invaluable at this point, and one can even say that the German star is transitioning well with the team, showing how easy it is for a veteran player like him to immerse in the atmosphere and playing level in the MLS. Making it Look Easy Reus received a lot of praise in his debut with LA Galaxy. Head coach Greg Vanney said that the star brought class, composure, intelligence, and quality on the pitch. It cannot be denied that Reus was a massive game-changer in the win, and he made it look so easy as if he was just in practice with a lot of promising plays in just a short span of time. In just 14 minutes of action, Reus already dished an assist to Riqui Puig. He dribbled across the front of the goal to wait for his teammates to come, spotting an attacking Puig, who buried the pass into a right-foot goal from 18 yards. Just nine minutes after that, Reus drilled his own goal to double the lead, which effectively sealed the deal in the game to cap off a promising start to the second half of the season for LA Galaxy. Reus has not played a game since Dortmund’s loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League Final, where he logged just 19 minutes. He wasn’t even slated to play more than 30 minutes in his MLS debut, but the scoreless game lagged well and forced LA Galaxy to bring in their new weapon, and it turned out to be the best move they made. Bringing in Reus While his on-pitch efforts were definitely a delight, it is worth noting that bringing in the German star came at a huge cost for the team. It took the efforts of many people from the team’s lawyers, front-office employees, and even a congressman just to get Reus a visa right on time for the second half of the season. Reus came in just in time to help them bring their 400th win in team history, and he did so in front of a sell-out crowd of 25,174. At the age of 35, Reus is off to the races in the season, and it does seem that the star is expected to make a bigger impact heading into the rest of their games. With LA Galaxy locked in a tight battle in the West, it does seem that adding Reus will give them a bigger hope of winning it all now more than ever.