Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce on taking charges on a dunker and its dangers

The two hosts of the Showtime Basketball “KG Certified” podcast broke down how they feel about those recent events and the idea of taking charges on dunkers more generally.

When it comes to the politics of taking a charge on a player gathering for a dunk, timing is everything when it comes to intent. Or so says a Hall of Fame Boston Celtics alumnus who has thrown down more than his fair share of flushes on hapless defenders.

That Hall of Famer is of course Kevin Garnett, who recently got into the topic with fellow Boston alum and Hall of Famer Paul Pierce after a rash of accidents in similar situations afflicted players in the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs. With stars like Ja Morant and Giannis Antetokounmpo going down injured, should the league take action to change the game’s rules?

The two hosts of the Showtime Basketball “KG Certified” podcast broke down how they feel about those recent events, and the idea of taking charges on dunkers more generally — check it out in the clip below!

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Marcus Maye recovering from Achilles injury but facing possible DUI suspension

New Saints safety Marcus Maye is recovering well from an Achilles injury, but he’s facing a possible suspension following a 2021 DUI charge:

Well this puts a dampener on things. The New Orleans Saints are going to get a good player once Marcus Maye is medically cleared from his Nov. 2021 Achilles injury; NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill reports that the expectation is Maye will be ready to go in training camp. Maye agreed to sign a three-year contract valued at up to $28.5 million with New Orleans once he becomes a free agent on Wednesday, March 16 at the start of the new NFL fiscal year.

Unfortunately, health is only half of the issues with Maye’s availability. Maye is also facing potential NFL discipline stemming from a Feb. 2021 arrest in Florida, in which he was charged with driving under the influence. Six weeks later he was charged with driving with a suspended license. Court proceedings have been slow, with his latest appearance rescheduled for June 1.

The precedent for a DUI-related suspension suggests Maye could be suspended two or three games during the 2022 season, as was the case for Saints wide receiver Deonte Harty in 2021 (who missed three games) and defensive back P.J. Williams in 2019 (who missed two). These suspensions are typically not handed out until the court hands down its judgment, so it may take a while to clear up. That’s disappointing, but hopefully the 29-year-old learned from the experience and will avoid finding trouble moving forwards.

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Alvin Kamara could face 6-game suspension after Las Vegas arrest

Alvin Kamara could face 6-game suspension after Las Vegas arrest, per NFL personal conduct policy:

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This situation with Alvin Kamara isn’t looking any better by the day. After being arrested in Las Vegas — picked up by police at Allegiant Stadium following the Pro Bowl — and released from custody upon posting bail, the next step is considering whether the New Orleans Saints running back will face any league discipline in addition to, you know, legal penalties.

It’s important to note that Kamara has not yet been charged with a crime. He was booked in on suspicion of battery causing substantial physical harm; police say the victim was diagnosed with a fractured orbital bone which may require surgery. The courts will circle back to this investigation in March and choose how to proceed. If formally charged and convicted of this, a felony in Nevada, it would carry a mandatory $10,000 fine and sentencing of between one and five years in prison.

But the NFL can choose to suspend Kamara for at least six games regardless of what the courts decide. The league office will conduct its own independent investigation to determine whether Kamara’s conduct violated the league personal conduct policy, which says of violent offenses including assault and battery, “a first offense will subject the offender to a baseline suspension without pay of six games, with consideration given to any aggravating or mitigating factors.”

So that’s obviously not great. The Saints fielded the worst offense in the NFL last year when Kamara missed time with an injury — he’s quite literally their best player regardless of position. If they don’t make some big investments at the skills positions in the months ahead, they risk starting the Dennis Allen with more of the same stale offense that defined Sean Payton’s last year in New Orleans.

On the other hand, there’s some precedent for a different suspension here than that six-game baseline. As observed by Amy Dash at League of Justice, Antonio Brown was suspended eight games not too long ago stemming from battery charges on a truck driver. On the other end of the spectrum, Tyreek Hill was not suspended after an investigation into alleged battery on his son resulted in no criminal charges. It’s possible Kamara ultimately dodges a suspension, depending on how this investigation turns out. It’s just too early to say anything definitively.

However, we know the stakes involved. We know what’s at risk. Seeing Kamara miss the first month or two of the 2022 season due to something so easily avoidable would be tough to swallow. For now, all we can do is wait and watch to see what happens next.

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New details emerge on Alvin Kamara incident report

New details emerge on Alvin Kamara incident report; court appearance rescheduled for March

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Las Vegas police have shared more information from their report on the incident involving Alvin Kamara this weekend, in which the New Orleans Saints running back was arrested following the 2022 Pro Bowl game at Allegiant Stadium. Police say Kamara has been fully cooperative with their investigation, and that he was picked up at the stadium following the game on Sunday afternoon.

Additionally, Las Vegas police claim that surveillance video from the venue in which Kamara is accused of assaulting a man, Darnell Greene, supports the victim’s account of events though it has not been made publicly available. Greene states in the police report that he started a conversation with a member of Kamara’s party and was stopped from boarding an elevator by Kamara, who he believes shoved him to the ground, at which point a group of people hit and kicked him until he lost consciousness. He was later diagnosed with an orbital fracture which may require surgery.

Kamara is also quoted in the police report as identifying each member of his group in surveillance photos, though he says Greene was approached them and called one of his friends ugly while threatening to fight them. Kamara allegedly adds that he didn’t throw the first punch, he did get involved once “he saw a fight break out next to him.” Additionally, Kamara says he thought Greene was fleeing from the fight and pursued him, punching Greene several times. The police report counters by claiming video shows Greene did not run away.

So what happens next? Kamara posted the $5,000 bond to leave custody on Sunday, and his initial court appearance scheduled for Monday afternoon has been postponed to March 8. He faces a charge of battery resulting in substantial bodily harm, which is a felony in Nevada and carries a possible prison sentence of between one and five years, with a mandatory $10,000 fine pending conviction. It’s unclear what, if any, penalty or suspension the NFL will hand to him at this early stage in the process.

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Watch: Baby elephant’s charge cuter than it is ferocious

An adult bull elephant’s charge can strike terror into the targets of such behavior. But that of a baby elephant?

An adult bull elephant’s charge can strike terror into the targets of such behavior.

But when a baby elephant charges, it’s perhaps more amusing than it is harrowing.

The accompanying footage, captured recently at Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve, shows a spirited elephant calf rushing a vehicle full of tourists. (The charge occurs at 20 seconds.)

“This little bull captured my heart,” Elephant Stories with Fiona, which shared the footage, wrote on Facebook. “He decided it was time to charge…. It’s hard to imagine this little elephant growing up to be 6 tons.”

ALSO ON FTW OUTDOORS: Yellowstone wolves run down elk in rare ‘circle of life’ footage

Viewers will note that while the elephant stops well short of the passing vehicle, its occupants are concerned enough to place their arms inside the open windows.

“He is just one of the reasons we all need to be involved and care for the preservation and support conservation efforts to help these incredible animals,” Elephant Stories with Fiona continued. “African or Asian, elephants are a keystone species and this planet needs them.”

The Samburu National Reserve is located alongside the Ewaso Ng’iro river, across from Buffalo Springs National Reserve.

–Image courtesy of Elephant Stories with Fiona

 

Deonte Harris sentenced to 1-year probation; Saints WR facing 3-game suspension

Deonte Harris sentenced to 1-year probation; Saints WR facing 3-game suspension

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So this could be a problem. Deonte Harris was sentenced to a year of probation following an offseason arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol, per Amie Just of the Times-Picayune | Advocate. Now that his case has been closed, the NFL will be able to issue him a potential suspension.

The new collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and its players introduced in 2020 extended first-time suspensions for DUI arrests to three games rather than two, which was the previous standard. The league typically waits until a case is closed to hand down a suspension which explains why no suspension has been announced for Harris yet. We’re going to have to wait and see.

It couldn’t come at a worse time for the Saints, who have seen Harris climb the depth chart to become their most dynamic receiver. He leads the team with 46.1 receiving yards per game while also ranking first in the NFL with 27.6 yards per kickoff return (and second in punt return yards at 15.6 a pop, though opposing teams have only given him 7 returnable tries).

This follows news that Michael Thomas will not play in 2021 after a setback from ankle surgery, and a loss to the Atlanta Falcons in which the Saints’ receiving corps dropped between 3 and 7 passes, depending on which stats service you prefer. They need Harris in the worst way, but his decision to drink and drive this offseason, putting himself and others at risk — and the subsequent arrest — are hurting them.

At this point we don’t know when Harris will be suspended. Here’s how the rest of the Saints’ schedule shakes out:

  • Week 10 at Tennessee Titans
  • Week 11 at Philadelphia Eagles
  • Week 12 vs. Buffalo Bills
  • Week 13 vs. Dallas cowboys
  • Week 14 at New York Jets
  • Week 15 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Week 16 vs. Miami Dolphins
  • Week 17 vs. Carolina Panthers
  • Week 18 at Atlanta Falcons

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Watch: Elk not shown proper respect, knocks man over wall

A man who walked within feet of a bull elk as the animal stood guard over his harem was toppled by the animal in a scary incident captured on video.

A man who walked within feet of a bull elk as the animal stood guard over its harem was toppled by the animal in a scary incident captured on video.

The accompanying footage, captured by Eric Burley in the northern Colorado town of  Estes Park, shows the elk flipping the man head over heels after a series of warnings issued by Burley.

Burley, who lives in Denver, said the man was not seriously injured. The footage shows passersby helping him to his feet, placing themselves in danger.

Burley said he and his wife visited the elk herds gathered in Estes Park on Oct. 31. The scene was “peaceful” until another bull elk approached the alpha elk defending his harem.

Burley knew it was time to give the animals a wide berth, but many tourists ignored the warning signs and remained in close proximity.

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“The two male elks made eye contact and started showing teeth,” Burley told FTW Outdoors. “That’s when I knew to clear a path between the two and let mother nature take its course.

“However the person thought it would be wise to walk right in front of one of the male elks. This person also didn’t listen to my commands to watch out and that’s when the person got attacked.”

Viewers can hear Burley’s warnings at 1:18. “Sir, watch out, watch out!” he says, as the man seems intent on walking directly past the elk. The man is knocked over the wall, onto his head and shoulders, at 1:40.

“The person seemed fine, thankfully, but the message here is to respect the space of wildlife and to use common sense,” said Burley, who also put his video to music on TikTok.

Steven Adams just as excited about taking his second career charge

Adams took the second charge of his career during the third quarter of Oklahoma City’s 121-106 win over the Cavs on Saturday night.

It took him more than six full seasons to draw his first charge, and now, less than a month later, Steven Adams has drawn his second.

And if you think he’d be any less excited about it, you’d be wrong.

The play happened during the third quarter of Oklahoma City’s 121-106 win over Cleveland on Saturday night. With the Thunder leading 89-74, Adams picked up Tristan Thompson near the foul line as Thompson drove the lane.

As he got near the basket, Thompson lowered his shoulder into the chest of Adams before he went up to dunk, sending Adams tumbling backward. It was an easy call for the officials.

Much like his celebration after the first, Adams pumped his fist in excitement, with a big smile on his face.

The first charge of Adams’ career came on December 9th in 104-90 win over the Utah Jazz.

After that game, the charge was all Adams wanted to talk about with reporters, despite going for a double-double in that win.

Adams posted a double-double in Oklahoma City’s win on Saturday as well, scoring 10 points and grabbing 16 rebounds.

The Thunder will be back in action on Monday when they take on the 76ers in Philadelphia. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. CT.

Steven Adams super proud of his first-career charge

Adams recorded a double-double in Monday night’s win over the Jazz, but he’s most proud of taking the first charge of his seven-year career.

Most people are proud of themselves when they’ve accomplished something new.

Steven Adams is no different.

In Monday’s 104-90 win over the Utah Jazz, Adams had a career-defining moment: he took the first charge of his career.

The play happened with just under 6:30 to play the third quarter and the Thunder leading 64-57. With Adams guarding him, Rudy Gobert crossed over and started to drive towards the basket, lowering his shoulder into Adams’ chest as he went.

Adams hit the deck, the whistle blew, and the first charge Adams ever took was called.

Adams was immediately elated, smiling, fist-pumping and high-fiving his teammates on the bench.

He recorded another double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, but everyone on Monday paled in comparison to the charge.

After the game, Adams made it clear to reporters that taking his first charge in seven years was a headline-worthy event.

“However, did you guys see the charge?” Adams said. “That’s the first one of my career. I don’t usually brag, but it’s the first one of my career. Seven years. So, write about that please. Screen shot it. Whatever you guys got to do. Send it to me.”

Maddie Lee of The Oklahoman did note that Jazz head coach, Quin Snyder, did try to “steal the moment” by issuing a coach’s challenge. But the call was confirmed and no one can ever take that charge away from Steven Adams.