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The NBA had its first exhibition game on Saturday, in the city of Johannesburg. Some of the most talented athletes from the across the world have proven their skills, starting with an incredible dunk straight from the tipoff by Luc Mbah a Moute. Following, the crowd went absolutely wild when legends, Hakeem Olajuwon and Dikembe Mutombo arrived. The duo ditched their suits and dribbled back into their glory days.

Not only was the crowd wowed by the experience but NBA stars such as Chris Paul commented with wide eyes during the extraordinary event.

“That’s one of the most memorable experiences ever. I told Dream, if he’s still moving like that at his age now, I couldn’t imagine him in his day.”

Paul’s Team World proved impressive in the 4th quarter of the game with a 14 point lead to beat “home” Team Africa 101 – 97.

Pau Gasol of Team World said:

“In the second half we decided enough was enough and we needed to do a lot better if we didn’t want to lose by 40″.

Also very motivated was Washington’s Bradley Beal who led Team World with 18 points and Chris Paul had 12 points.

 “For me, as a kid, [I wanted] to play basketball and never had the access to meet NBA players, or watch NBA,” said Luol Deng. “Now to be part of a team coming back to play for Africa. I can’t describe it.”

Many went to Twitter to show their appreciation for the successful event.

It was a real honor to be part or the first #NBAAfricaGame Thank you Africa. pic.twitter.com/FtLGpM6TE6

— Nicolas Batum (@nicolas88batum) August 1, 2015

Thank YOU @DR34M and @officialmutombo for the incredible memories and making history with us! #NBAAfricaGame pic.twitter.com/WCV7KRnS0g

— NBA Africa (@NBA_Africa) August 1, 2015

Blessed to be part of this historical event! https://t.co/cQmKTDKaCb

— Luc Mbah a Moute (@mbahamoute) August 1, 2015

Through these efforts it has been made possible for organizations such as Basketball without Borders to create grassroots for these athletes in Africa. The league increased its efforts this season bringing several high-profile NBA players and coaches to this game. There are many bright futures ahead.

The post NBA Stars Rally Team World to Beat Team Africa 101 – 97 appeared first on Insider Sports Network.

Philly.com Staff Photographer

Wrestling legend Roderick Toombs, aka “Rowdy” Roddy Piper”, has died at the age of 61, WWE announced today, July 31st.

According to a variety of sources including, variety.com, Piper suffered a heart attack at his home located in Hollywood, California.

WWE commented on their website extending their sincerest condolences to friends, family, and fans. The site stated, “Roddy Piper was one of the most entertaining, controversial and bombastic performers ever in WWE, beloved by millions of fans around the world,” said WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon. “I extend my deepest condolences to his family.”

Roddy Piper’s career started differently than you may remember; although he enjoyed his favored status as a “WWE Hall of Famer”, Roddy Piper began his WWE career as one of the most-hated wrestlers ever to step into the ring. After making his mark in the NWA during the seventies, he started to make his true mark when he came to WWE in 1984, where he quickly rose to fame.

His battles with Hulk Hogan became historical moments to remember for WWE fans everywhere. He and the renown Hulk went back and forth in heated banter during interview segments that rank among the most-entertaining interview segments in the history. Even if you’re not a fan of the sport, the banter is very interesting. The two continued their battles for years. Following these events, some of Piper’s career highlights include: Intercontinental Champion, World Tag Team Champion, WCW U.S. Champion, and, in 2005, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

An interesting tid bit about Piper is his acting career. He famously starred in John Carpenter’s sci-fi movie “They Live.” But even the hot lights of Hollywood couldn’t keep “Hot Rod” away from the ring of WWE. He maintained quite a career and Piper was even interim President of WWE for a period of time during 1996. Piper has claimed he was “born to controversy”, and his wild, freewheeling life has proven that statement to be more than true.

He wrestled for five whole decades. Piper had an incredible and absolutely unforgettable career. He will be missed.

The post ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper dies at age 61 appeared first on Insider Sports Network.

David Maialetti/Staff Photographer

As many of you may have heard, the ongoing dispute between the two rap stars, Drake and Meek Mill, has garnered a lot of attention, even in the NFL and NBA.

A certain third party Philadelphia Eagles linebacker has something to say about the dispute. Mychal Kendricks states that “too many people” have compared him to Drake, and goes on to comment, “I wonder how it’s gonna be if Drake tries to come and perform there…” Following these comments Kendricks said that Meek ‘runs Philly’. He has a point in saying it should be interesting next time Drizzy comes around the city. Doesn’t seem like Mill and Drake will be sharing a cheesesteak there anytime soon.

After Mill released his own diss track, ‘Wanna Know’, it didn‘t go over all too well among many of today’s top athletes. Naturally they took their opinions to Twitter:

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant showed his support by referencing Drake’s “Charged Up” in a tweet Thursday evening.

— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) July 31, 2015

Orlando Magic Forward, Tobias Harris tweeted referencing Drake’s “Marvin’s Room” and the diss:

Drake like…… "I’m just sayin’, you could do better" pic.twitter.com/rMv72blxjp

— Tobias Harris (@tobias31) July 31, 2015

Backing up Drake as well were Le’Veon Bell of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Golden State Warriors’ Harrison Barnes and the Boston Celtics’ Isaiah Thomas. The athletes went to twitter:

Man….he really took that L lol

— Harrison Barnes (@hbarnes) July 31, 2015

Dang that was disappointing smh

— Isaiah Thomas (@Isaiah_Thomas) July 31, 2015

And lastly, the ever so humorous Le’Veon Bell:

Meek diss is TRASH!!! if Drake make another diss track, Meek won't ever be relevant in this "beef" again…

— Le'Veon Bell (@L_Bell26) July 31, 2015

…and:

Nicki Minaj should've just wrote Meeks diss! lol for real tho

— Le'Veon Bell (@L_Bell26) July 31, 2015

Meek continues to “Wanna Know” many things and so do we. This dispute seems to be far from over.

The post Athletes Respond to Drake vs. Meek Mill appeared first on Insider Sports Network.

Photo Credit: Michael Conroy – Associated Press

After being released by the New Orleans Saints, the Washington Redskins have signed linebacker Junior Galette to “a one-year contract for the league minimum”, according to his agent.

Galette was released from the Saints for off-the-field issues. The Saints cut Galette loose just 10 months after signing him to a four-year contract extension. On July 7, Galette was cited for driving a vehicle with a suspended license, driving with an expired license, and not having a proper brake tag.

In addition, Galette was charged with domestic violence back in January after allegedly injuring a female houseguest while attempting to remove her from his home. Charges were dismissed in that case, although a civil suit is still pending. Lastly (hopefully), the Saints and the NFL were made aware of a 2013 video that surfaced in early July that allegedly shows Galette striking a woman with a belt during a group scuffle on a beach that was recorded by an onlooker.

It’s been a really eyeopening season as far as off-the-field disputes. We can only wish that Galette gets his act together and shows the Redskins an excellent year.

However, when he plays, he is a dominant pass rusher and constant contributor on defense. Last season, Galette accumulated 10 sacks and three forced fumbles.

This will be Galette’s sixth season in the NFL. His agent went to twitter to say Galette “is grateful for the second chance he is being afforded.” Lucky number 6, right? Galette is due a $745,000 salary on this league-minimum deal.

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Nine months after the brutal crash during the Japanese Grand Prix, F1 driver Jules Bianchi has passed away. 

Bianchi suffered a diffuse axonal injury from the crash. After coming out of a nine month coma, he fought tirelessly to survive, ultimately passing beside his family in Nice, France.

The Marussia team, now known as “Manor”, said Bianchi had left an “indelible mark on all our lives.”

After Bianchi’s death, his family stated, “We thank Jules’s colleagues, friends, fans and everyone who has demonstrated their affection for him over these past months, which gave us great strength and helped us deal with such difficult times.” 

Bianchi is the first F1 driver to die from injuries sustained in a grand prix since Ayrton Senna at the San Marino Grand Prix in Imola in 1994.

Many have gone to social media such as Twitter and Facebook to mourn the loss of the talented and courageous driver: “No words can describe what his family and the sport have lost. All I can say it was a pleasure knowing and racing you,” tweeted British driver Max Chilton,  who was Bianchi’s teammate last year.

Jules Bianchi will be missed and his family will be held in our prayers.

The post Jules Bianchi dies from Suzuka crash injuries appeared first on Insider Sports Network.

Manny Pacquiao- Getty Images

Manny Pacquiao underwent arthroscopic surgery on his injured right shoulder in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Pacquiao is expected to make a full recovery.

It has been a controversial topic, whether or not Pacquiao actually injured his shoulder. Many unsettled fans have been going to court with their complaints, suing Pacquiao and others for failing to disclose an injury prior to his “Fight of the Century” on Tuesday, May 2nd. Others have commended the fighter for going through with the event with a shoulder injury. Skip Bayless from ESPN says, “Manny Pacquiao should be praised for fighting through a shoulder injury, not derided and sued.”

It was an injury that Pacquiao did not properly disclose to the Nevada State Athletic Commission, this situation could result in fine and cause him to be suspended for lying on his prefight medical questionnaire. Had Pacquiao disclosed the injury when it happened, about 2½ weeks before the fight, the commission doctor would have worked with Pacquiao’s team on a treatment plan and likely would have allowed him to receive an anti-inflammatory shot on May 2nd, But due to the lack of communication, the commission said it did not know about Pacquiao’s injury until a couple of hours before the fight, and denied all requests for the shot.

Regardless of it all, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, performed the procedure to repair Pacquiao’s torn rotator cuff, said he could not be “more pleased with the results.”

ElAttrache says he expects Pacquiao to return to the ring and estimates that Pacquiao will be able to fight in about nine months to a year.

The post Manny Pacquiao undergoes surgery appeared first on Insider Sports Network.

Photo Credit: Jim Rogash/Getty Images

In the upcoming season, there looks to be a bit of turbulence for Patriot’s running back, LeGarrette Blount. A statement from an National Football League (NFL) spokesperson has been released that says the following.

“LeGarrette Blount of the New England Patriots has been suspended without pay for the first game of the 2015 regular season for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse. Blount is eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games.”

Unfortunately due to his arrest, along with Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell for marijuana possession last August, he will not be playing in the Pat’s season opener. He was dropped from the Steelers last November after a string of unfortunate events, but Blount’s charge was dropped in January after completing community service. The NFL is tightening up on carrying out their policies after all that has occurred during 2014 throughout the league.

Blount has provided the Patriots with stability at the running back position. Knowing Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick, Blount will need to prove his way back to the top of the depth chart. Belichick has been known to throw a variety of players into the infamous doghouse.

Overall it is the right thing to do, but an upset after the past season. As a two-year Patriot, Blount has totaled 1,053 rushing yards and ten touchdowns.

The post Patriots’ LeGarrette Blount Suspended 1 Game in 2015 appeared first on Insider Sports Network.

Photo Credit: Sean Gardner – Getty Images

There’s a chair that has the potential to be more famous than any of us will ever be. Georgia State University’s coach Ron Hunter had a Humpty Dumpty moment on the sidelines while celebrating his son, R.J. Hunter, hitting the game-winning shot to upset third seeded Baylor Bears.

It seems like Coach Hunter’s celebrating techniques have gotten him into a bit of trouble. He tore an Achilles tendon while celebrating the Panthers’ win in the Sun Belt title game and cannot stand for more than a couple minutes. This rolling blue office chair became credible after the game. So famous that son, R.J. reenacted the incident. The chair has its own twitter page, with featured comments such as “Getting some heat for collapsing under Ron as RJ’s shot went thru. Sit a mile in my wheels before you pass judgment, OK?” Give the chair a break, it’s been carrying quite a bit of weight recently.

All jokes aside, coach Hunter had his first career NCAA tournament win. R.J. Hunter’s three-pointer with 2.7 seconds remaining summarized an ideal comeback from a 12-point deficit. Hunter scored nine consecutive points, including the three that brought chants of ”R.J. 3, R.J. 3, R.J. 3” from the Panthers’ fans section. Baylor finished with 21 turnovers. R.J. Hunter finished with 16 points on 5-of-12 shooting. Markus Crider had 10 for Georgia State while Ryann Green scored 11 points.

Coach Hunter ends the game with grateful remarks, ”These kids are so resilient. It’s been like this all year. We kind of laugh because nothing’s been given to us… This group is just unbelievable. We never gave up.”

The chair will be pushed on to Xavier in the round of 32.

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