Dennis Rodman says he plans to travel to Russia in an effort to get Britney Griner, who was sentenced to nine years in prison for drug-related charges.
“I got permission to go to Russia to help that girl,” Rodman stated to NBC News on Saturday. “I’m trying to go this week.”
This is not Rodman’s debut foray into diplomacy on the international stage, having previously established a tense relationship to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
However, Biden’s trip Russia could do greater harm than benefit, says an official in the senior Biden government official.
“It’s public information that the administration has made a significant offer to the Russians and anything other than negotiating further through the established channel is likely to complicate and hinder release efforts,” the official told NBC.
The United States strongly advises against travel to Russia and has a number of reasons for this, such as that of the “unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine,” possible “harassment against U.S. citizens by Russian government security officials” and the potential for “wrongful detention.”
But Rodman remains unfazed.
“I know Putin too well,” the Russian added.
Udonis Haslem is scheduled to come back for his 20th season as a player for the Miami Heat, per a report by Shams Charania from The Athletic and Stadium.
Haslem 42 has been an important fixture in the Heat locker room for more than two decades.
In his 19 years with on the squad, Haslem is averaging 7.5 points. 6.5 rebound, as well as 0.8 assists on shooting splits of 49%/10%/76.
In his last year, Haslem averaged 2.5 points and 1.9 rebound over 13 matches.
It’s a little odd that the Heat continue to offer Haslem an opportunity to play on the roster, when he has such a limited amount of minutes.
Haslem hasn’t played over 16 games in the span of six seasons. He hasn’t scored over five point during 10 seasons.
OKC Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren injured his ankle while blocking LeBron James’s fastbreak in the first minutes of CrawsOver on Saturday evening in Seattle.
Holmgren was bouncing back while James took off for the court at full speed.
The 20-year-old’s lanky frame forced James to make a wild shot but he injured his ankle during the play and had to sit out for the remainder of the game.
The game was suspended during the second quarter because of the humidity in the courts.
Seven-foot Holmgren is the 2nd selection in the 2022 Draft and will join forces with the rookie sensation from last year’s draft Josh Giddie in Oklahoma City.
The former Gonzaga Bulldogs scored 14.1points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists during a single season. He also earned 2021-22 All-WCC 2021-22 All WCC ROY and DPOY, WCC All-Freshman, and 2022 All-WCC Tournament honours.
Although there’s been some debate regarding the question of whether Holmgren is physically prepared to play in the NBA He’s received lots of positive feedback about his performance.
“Watching Chet Holmgren in person was an experience,” said Old Man & the Three podcast host J.J. Redick. “He’s confident in his game. He’s competitive in his game. He has a confidence in himself.”
Redick was the first to get a look at the rookie and one-year veteran Josh Giddey on the floor during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
“Watching that frame move effortlessly, and his ball-handling abilities made me think of a younger Giannis. I don’t like the comparison, because Giannis is just one of the many and hopefully, Chet will soon be one. However, watching him in the transition reminded me of a youthful Giannis,” said Redick.
The Thunder begins their preseason on September 3 in the Denver Nuggets.