PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 21: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns shoots the ball during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 21, 2026 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
This was supposed to be my first article for the Bright Side of the Sun: a literature review of ongoing discrimination issues in the National Basketball Association.
I left my proposed draft title in place even though the subject has changed. It was titled “The Answer” before Voita changed it to something more SEO appropriate. Remembering The Answer, Allen Iverson, should bring joy to all basketball fans. Pause, reflect. On to the present.
Wednesday night’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers changed that, as did our editor John Voita’s request for commentary on what was a disaster of an opening season for the Suns.
What was truly gut-wrenching about last night’s game was not the Suns’ loss. It could have been anticipated. Since this was the Trail Blazers’ home opener, they had several reasons to celebrate: new players and the return of Portland legend Damian Lillard.
No. What was truly disheartening and unexpected was the lack of team effort. The total unpreparedness of a Suns team that looked at times like they had never played together during preseason.
John is a lifelong Suns fan, like many of us. He also couldn’t anticipate the events of yesterday’s game. He asked in good faith whether he was alone in his assessment that yesterday’s game was very much like a crime scene.
I assert John is not alone in his assessment, and many of you may feel the same way. Please comment below to let us know what your take is on the Suns opener. Let’s also all look forward to Saturday’s home game. The most important for the Suns, in my estimation, for the coaching staff and the players in years.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN. - MAY 2026: Minnesota Twins pitcher Zebby Matthews (52) reacts after giving up a 2 run homer to Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes (15) in the first inning, Tuesday, May 19, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. The Minnesota Twins hosted the Houston Astros at Target Field. (Photo by Jerry Holt/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images) | Star Tribune via Getty Images
For the majority of the 21st century, the Minnesota Twins were known for a playoff losing streak—0-18—that became the longest in North American professional sports history. Though finally breaking that curse in 2023, the Twins are likely now associated with a different sort of collapse—the kind that happens in the dog days of summer (August/September).
A landslide, if you will.
2022
On August 1, the Twins were a respectable 54-48 and a game up on the Cleveland Guardians for the AL Central lead. Two months later they were 78-84 (a 25-36 Aug/Sept) and out of the playoffs entirely. A 1-7 record against the Guardians down the stretch was the main culprit.
2024
The landslide started later in ’24 but was even more pronounced. On September 1, the Twins had a strong 74-62 record—just 3.5 GB Cleveland and solidly in control of a Wild Card berth. Famously, MN’s playoff odds on Sept 5 were 95.4%–which was about when they pulled a Han Solo. A 9-18 September—including one series win and a 2-9 final two weeks—dropped the final tally to 82-80 and again the postseason was a pipe dream.
2025
Though considerably less dramatic from a competitive mindset—the Twins limped into August 51-58—the ’25 tumble was perhaps even more dramatic organizationally. After literally trading away every high-leverage bullpen arm at the deadline, a somewhat-predictable 19-35 Aug/Sept was the result.
2026
After four months of ’26 baseball, MIN was even-steven: 56-56. They sat about three games behind division-leading CLE/CWS and a similar 3 GB the final WC berth any given day. Even after acquiring bullpen arms—their biggest need—at the trade deadline, a 10-17 August and 11-13 September immediately followed (with most of the Sept wins coming in garbage time after realistic elimination).
If one possessed a 20-game season ticket plan the last few years, a wise deployment decision would be to follow my lead: load up on games in the early goings, as you don’t know how things will shake out late. Far more often than not, I’ve been trudging to Target Field in September out of habit and “I’m gonna miss this when it’s gone” motivations than anything competitive.
How to shake this reputation for rapid free-fall? A look to 2023 provides at least a few answers. That ownership/front-office…
-Cultivated a deep cadre of SP (and did get “good injury luck”, admittedly)
In short: ‘23 was the singular year that Joe Pohlad truly invested in a roster built to withstand injuries and the 162-game grind—with a playoff berth & series win the result. Will Tom Pohlad’s promises of payroll proliferation pay off similarly in 2027?
While the baseball world has been hesitant to embrace displays of personal expression like the bat flip or tilted caps, jewelry is the way that players have shown their style.
Ahead of Game 1 of the World Series on Friday, Oct. 23, here is a brief look at this season's jewelry for the two teams in the World Series and other sartorial highlights from the past:
Tampa Bay Rays jewelry for World Series
Van Cleef & Arpels continues to be a favorite jewelry brand among baseball players. On the Rays, Junior Caminero wears a long double-stranded Alhambra necklace featuring the brand's signature clovers.
The third baseman completes his look with a pair of dangly earrings that make his celebrations extra lively.
This year, Díaz played with layers of gold chains around his neck. Two necklaces had large charms, one was a spider based on his nickname, "Arañita," and the other was his No. 2 in a scope.
For the Brewers, Jackson Chourio holds it down in the swag department. The outfielder wears a chunky gold interlocking chain that hangs just around his neck.
Milwaukee pitcher Trevor Megill also adds some flair to his game day look. He wears two simple gold chains that flow with his movements.
Last season, the Dodgers stormed the fashion world with their accessory game. Fashion content creator Jack Savoie became the go-to expert in breaking down the drip.
Miguel Rojas wore blue jewelry from Van Cleef & Arpels' Alhambra collection en route to Los Angeles' World Series victory. He not only had a necklace with the blue charms, but also had matching earrings.
This year, Rojas continued to show off his style. At media day, he was a reporter for MLB Español and interviewed members of the Rays and Brewers as they got ready for their chance to hoist the Commissioner's Trophy.
The infielder wore huggie earrings in his ears and his monstrous World Series ring on his finger.
During the 2025 World Series, Rojas wasn't the only Dodgers player to catch the attention of style experts with his accessories. Pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto dazzled in a sapphire tennis necklace.
Mookie Betts has also worn strings of necklaces throughout his career, including one with a charm of a baseball bat. His swagger was on full display during the championship series.
Joc Pederson's pearls at 2021 World Series
Joc Pederson's pearls put a stamp on MLB fashion in a major way for the 2021 World Series when he won the title with the Atlanta Braves. And it wasn't just a strand of small pearls. Per Sports Illustrated, compared to the average size 8-millimeter pearls, Pederson's were nearly double the size at 14 millimeters each.
The necklace, which was crafted by Happy Jewelers, created such a buzz that the Braves sold replicas for $5. After the season, the real one was sent to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
As for his inspiration for the fashion statement, Pederson said, "I just saw the pearls and I was, like, you know what? That looks cool."
Ken Griffey Jr., Deion Sanders influenced baseball fashion
There are several other players who have influenced baseball fashion through their accessories.
Back in the 2000s, Ken Griffey Jr. became known for wearing his baseball cap backwards, but added some flair to his uniform with diamond earrings and a silver chain.
Deion Sanders is among the most influential figures in all of sports fashion. He is responsible for the phrase, "Look good, feel good, play good," and, although he's primarily known for his swagger in the world of football, he wore large necklaces that helped baseball find its fly.
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 28: Corey Kispert #24 of the Atlanta Hawks poses for a portrait during NBA Media Day on September 28 2026 at PC&E in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Corey Kispert was a mid-season addition for the Atlanta Hawks last season, as he was part of the Trae Young trade that sent him to the Washington Wizards. It was an up-and-down 39 games for Kispert, and he saw his minutes decrease toward the end of the season and into the playoffs.
Coming into this season, it looks like he may be an end-of-bench guy for the Hawks, and if they need offense, he’ll be called upon.
During the preseason, Kispert mentioned how having a full offseason and training camp with the team was big for him coming into his second year.
“It’s been really great; I feel much more comfortable, feel more like myself, and looking forward to hitting the ground running,” Kispert said.
He showed how beneficial it was at times during the preseason, as he was able to play within the flow of the offense and get some good shots from the perimeter. He even showed an effort to put the ball on the floor and get to the rim. At times, he did struggle on offense, and that would be the one concerning thing about him, as well as his defense.
Kispert lost most of his minutes down the stretch of last season probably because of his defense, and Quin Snyder was looking to shorten his rotation going into the playoffs.
With the additions of Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins, it’s hard to see when he Kispert could truly get minutes on the floor. That was evident in the Hawks’ preseason finale against the Dallas Mavericks, where it resembled more of a dress rehersal for the team. Dort and Wiggins led the bench in minutes, and Kispert didn’t see time on the floor until late in the game.
For Kispert, it will most likely take someone getting in foul trouble or an injury for him to see real minutes. Nonetheless, he has to be ready when his name is called, and the hope is that he can make an impact when he’s on the floor.
The good news is that he feels better coming into the season, and that should help him throughout the season. Kispert’s still one of the better 3-point shooters on the team, and if he can show some consistency on defense, he could make a case for possibly sliding into the rotation.
It’ll be interesting to see how things pan out for him as the season goes on.
The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the New York Rangers 5-4 on Thursday to extend their winning streak to three games. But before the game took place, they got some bad news when it comes to Marshall Rifai.
“He thought he was fine, but it turns out he’s not.”
Rifai took part in the club’s morning skate but left the ice twice, once before the session got underway and again seven minutes into the club’s full morning skate on Thursday.
“As I get older and once you get more reps at it, you can only control your effort, your attitude and how you are in the room, and when your opportunity comes, you gotta be ready,” Rifai said. “Being healthy too, that’s a big thing this year. Happy to be healthy.”
It’s a tough break for Rifai who will have to practice staying positive while being unavailable yet again with another injury.
Adding to the defensive health woes is Nick Blankenburg leaving in the third period against the Rangers after getting hit along the boards by Will Cuylle. There was no immediate update on the defenseman’s status.
Dakota Mermis next up?
The Leafs announced that Rifai will go on injured reserve and that opens up a roster spot. While not official, Dakota Mermis’ stall was set up with his gear in the locker room when the doors opened for Thursday’s postgame, suggesting he will be called up as a reinforcement, or possible option for the upcoming four-game road trip that begins Saturday in Edmonton and wraps up a week later in Vancouver.
Mermis has one assist in seven games with the Marlies this season. In the last two seasons, the 32-year-old Mermis has played a total of 14 games with the Leafs, where he scored one goal and registered an average ice time of 13:49.
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Going forward, the Philadelphia Flyers will be seeing an old friend line up for a division rival, and one in direct competition with them for a playoff spot this season at that.
On Thursday, it was announced that ex-Flyers forward Luke Glendening had signed a one-year, $850k contract with the Metropolitan Division rival New York Rangers, resurfacing after remaining unsigned through the early portion of the 2026-27 season.
Glendening, 37, previously signed a professional tryout offer with the Tampa Bay Lightning, the team for whom he played from 2023 to 2025, but ultimately did not do enough to earn an NHL deal.
Earning another PTO with the Rangers earlier this month, the undrafted wily vet has cashed in at long last, signing on for his 14th NHL season.
After a unproductive stint with the New Jersey Devils last season, scoring just four assists in 52 games, Glendening latched on with the Flyers via waiver claim, playing an important role for Philadelphia down the stretch.
In search of a right-shot center, and especially after losing Nikita Grebenkin to injury, the Flyers thrust Glendening into a key checking role, and he excelled almost immediately.
The 37-year-old scored two goals, three assists, and five points in just 18 regular season games with the Flyers, featuring on a fourth line alongside Sean Couturier and Garnet Hathaway.
Glendening also chipped in a goal in 10 playoff contests, but despite his line giving the Flyers a bit of an identity, only Couturier, the team captain, remains from the unit.
With Rangers forward Joe Veleno tending to a lower-body injury on injured reserve, Glendening will have the chance to reprise his role as a depth forward and faceoff specialist in New York in the twilight years of his NHL career.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - OCTOBER 20: After a flagrant foul by De'Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs on Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder an official had to separate the players In the second half at Frost Bank Center on October 20, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In the midst of the Spurs’ season opener, this happened:
De’Aaron Fox, in attempt to keep Chet Homlgren from an easy shot, threw him to the ground like a sack of potatoes. Whether Fox was venting some frustration about how the Spurs were playing or he was exuberant in his attempt to quell the play, the outcome was strange considering Holmgren bulked up this summer adding two lbs. to his 7’1” frame.
A skirmish quickly developed between Victor Wembanyama and every player on the Oklahoma City Thunder whose last name is Williams. A review took place with Fox landing a flagrant foul. Technicals were handed out like Halloween candy to members of both teams, and the game resumed shortly thereafter.
When asked about the incident after the game, Fox shrugged off aggression as an element of the penalty.
Fox responded by saying, “If somebody grabs you like that and you go flying on the floor like that, you got other problems to worry about.”
When asked about his reaction, Holmgren skirted around the play and focused more on his team having his back. Considering that the team has embraced flopping as part of their strategy (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander most readily resembles a Thumb Push Puppet unable to land on two feet), it stands to reason that no one on the Thunder addressed the absurdity of Holmgren’s flailing.
The internet did not let it go unnoticed. A comparison to the painting The Abduction of Persephone by Nicola Maria Rossi has made the rounds.
The resemblance is uncannily down to Victor Wembanyama peering over his shoulder like the angel in the painting.
Missed calls and bad officiating aren’t limited to the reining MVF (most valuable flopper) and his squad, turnign a blind eye to an egregious violation is a league wide concern.
In what amounts to a “Shaqtin’ The Fool” type clip, LaMelo Ball square dances his way to the three point line. The video exposes that the Minnesota guard travels directly in front of referee Jonathan Sterling, who watches on with all the expertise of a WWE official.
Spurs are in Austin tonight against the Houston Rockets, their Interstate rivals. Go Spurs Go.
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MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 22: Members of the Tampa Bay Rays warm up during the 2026 World Series workout day and media availability at American Family Field on Thursday, October 22, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Aaron Gash/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Good morning, Camden Chatters.
It’s time for the World Series. And for the 43rd consecutive year, the Orioles will not be participating. They don’t want to be greedy, you know. Those World Series spots are pretty coveted, and the O’s prefer to hang back for a few decades and let everyone else have a chance. It’s pretty generous when you think about it.
While the O’s rest on their three-championship laurels, another team is about to win its first. Either the Milwaukee Brewers, who have been around since 1970 (plus one season as the Seattle Pilots in 1969), or the Tampa Bay Rays, who came into existence in 1998, will add a long-awaited World Series title to their trophy case. That’s pretty neat! Again, both teams owe a debt of gratitude to the Orioles for graciously stepping aside — by playing terrible baseball — to give them this opportunity.
Game 1 is tonight at 8 PM on Fox. Do you have a rooting interest, Camden Chatters? I’m pulling for the Brewers, mainly because their fans have had twice as long of a wait as the Rays. Think of all the long-suffering Orioles fans, many of whom have never seen their favorite team win it all, and then add another 13 years to that. Let these folks experience some joy after all this time.
Whichever team ends up winning, this should be an exciting, hard-fought series (if not exactly a TV ratings bonanza). The 103-win Brewers and the 98-win Rays were the best teams in their respective leagues this season, and both play the kind of high-quality, crisp baseball that is unfamiliar to O’s fans. Each team has its share of young, homegrown stars — Jacob Misiorowski, Jackson Chourio, and Brice Turang for the Brewers; Junior Caminero and Jonathan Aranda for the Rays, among others — proving that it is actually possible to develop talent that can succeed at the major league level. Who knew?
Both these teams are fundamentally sound on defense and grind out great at-bats on offense, showing excellent plate discipline and delivering big hits when they need them. Their rosters are well-constructed and cohesive, and of course, the vibes in the dugout are off the charts. And both teams are succeeding without being particularly big spenders; according to Spotrac, the Brewers’ payroll of $146.2 million was just the 19th highest in the majors, and the Rays’ $95.6 million was 28th out of the 30 major league clubs. (The Orioles’ $167.0 million mark ranked 17th.)
The Brewers and Rays have proven — not just this year, but for many years running — that a team can be a perennial contender on a smaller payroll by making shrewd trades and canny, low-cost free agent signings, and by building a prospect-rich organization and doing an excellent job of developing them. It’s a formula that Mike Elias has tried — and mostly failed — to replicate with the Orioles these past eight seasons.
Maybe it’ll finally happen in 2027. Otherwise we’ll be looking at a 44th straight Orioles-less World Series at this time next year.
I’m finding it hard to get hyped about Nestor German, but I am intrigued by a potential future Orioles team that includes German, (Ike) Irish, and (Drew) French. Let’s build an entire roster out of European demonyms.
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Three players in Orioles history were born on this day: outfielder Dylan Carlson (28), right-hander Kyle Gibson (39), and the late infielder Vern Stephens (b. 1920, d. 1968).
Nothing has really happened on Oct. 23 in Orioles history, but in Orioles-adjacent history, the Dodgers hired Davey Johnson as their manager on this day in 1998. The former O’s player and skipper landed his first managerial job since he abruptly resigned from the Orioles in November 1997, on the same day he was named AL Manager of the Year. Johnson would last just two years as the Dodgers’ manager — the same length as his Orioles tenure — and failed to make the playoffs either season.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 01: Brandon Marsh #16 of the Philadelphia Phillies at bat against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning in game three of the National League Wild Card Series at Truist Park on October 01, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As few as four, as many as seven. That’s how many games we’ve got left in 2026.
Baseball: Chicago Cubs Rick Sutcliffe (40) in action, pitching vs Philadelphia Phillies at Wrigley Field. Chicago, IL 9/13/1984 CREDIT: Ronald C. Modra (Photo by Ronald C. Modra /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: X30490 TK1 R13 F16 )
Free of charge for the discerning reader.
Happy birthday to Dylan Carlson, and a mighty host of others.
1993 – In one of the most dramatic endings in World Series history, Joe Carter hits a three-run, ninth-inning home run off Mitch Williams for an 8-6 win and Toronto’s second straight World Championship. Paul Molitor, who hits .500 (12 for 24), is named Series MVP while Lenny Dykstra of the Phillies, who hit .348 with four home runs, did everything except pitch. Following the 2010 season, a panel of experts at the MLB Network will vote this game the 14th greatest of the past fifty years.
2005 – The Chicago White Sox crash two of the more dramatic home runs in recent World Series history to score a 7-6 victory against the Houston Astros and take a two-games-to-none lead in the Series. Paul Konerko, who hit 40 homers in the regular season, and Scott Podsednik, who hit none, provide the fireworks. Konerko, the ALCSMVP, hits a grand slam in the seventh inning to give the White Sox a 6-4 lead. After the Astros tie the score in the ninth against Chicago closerBobby Jenks, Podsednik smacks a 2-1 pitch from Houston closer Brad Lidge into the bleachers in right-center field to trigger a boisterous celebration.
2013 – The Red Sox jump on the Cardinals early, scoring five runs in the first two innings, to cruise to an 8-1 win in Game 1 of the World Series. Mike Napoli hits a bases-clearing double in the 1st and the Sox add two more runs in the second in spite of Carlos Beltran robbing David Ortiz of a grand slam with a great catch. Jon Lester pitches 7.1 scoreless innings for the win while Adam Wainwright takes the loss.
2015 – In a nail-biting Game 6 of the ALCS, the Royals defeat the Blue Jays, 4-3, to return to the World Series. After a 45-minute rain delay, Lorenzo Cain scores all the way from first base on a single by Eric Hosmer in the eighth for the winning run. Jose Bautista drives in all three Toronto runs with a pair of homers, but the Jays are undone by their inability to cash in runners in scoring position throughout the game. For the Royals, Ben Zobrist and Mike Moustakas, with the assistance of a fan, hit solo homers to give the Royals an early 2-0 lead.
2022 – The Astros complete a sweep of the Yankees in the ALCS to return to the World Series for the fourth time in six years. The key plays in the 6-5 win are a three-run homer by ALCS MVPJeremy Peña off Nestor Cortes in the third, and a botched double play grounder by 2B Gleyber Torres that leads to two Houston runs in the seventh.
2023 – The Rangers jump all over the Astros in Game 7 of the ALCS, scoring three runs in the 1st and chasing Cristian Javier before the end of the inning, then adding four runs against J.P. France in the fourth, on their way to an 11-4 win. Adolis García, the winner of the ALCS MVP Award, hits two more homers and drives in five runs, finishing with 15 RBIs for the series. Jordan Montgomery wins in relief of Max Scherzer and, as in the 2019 World Series, the visiting team won each of the seven games. The win sends the Rangers to the World Series for the first time since 2011, and ensures that once again there will not be a repeat champion, something that has not happened since 2000.
1091 – Tornado (possible T8/F4) strikes the heart of London, killing two and demolishing the wooden London Bridge.
1731 – Library of manuscript collector Robert Cotton is badly damaged in a fire in London, lost are one of only two surviving copies of King John‘s Magna Carta (1215) and Asser’s biography of King Alfred.
1814 – One of the first modern plastic surgeries in the West is performed by Joseph Carpue on a soldier’s nose in England using Indian techniques.
1911 – First aerial reconnaissance mission is flown by an Italian pilot over Turkish lines during the Italo-Turkish War.
1921 – Green Bay Packers play 1st APFA (forerunner to NFL) game; beat Minneapolis Marines, 7-6 at Hagemeister Park, Green Bay, WI.
1923 – A US patent (No. 1471465) is issued to American inventor Sebastian Hinton for a playground climbing structure popularly known as “monkey bars.”
1933 – John Dillinger and his gang rob Central National Bank, in Greencastle, Indiana; they steal $75, 000.
1964 – Future undisputed world heavyweight boxing champion Joe Frazier dominates German Hans Huber for an easy points win and the Olympic heavyweight gold medal in Tokyo.
2018 – The world’s oldest intact shipwreck, an ancient Greek vessel 2,400 years old, is found by archaeologists at the bottom of the Black Sea.
Today in music history:
1972 – “I’m Still in Love with You,” the fifth studio album by Al Green, is released (Billboard Album of the Year 1973).
1978 – Punk rock singer Sid Vicious attempts suicide while at Riker’s Detention Center in NYC.
1989 – George Harrison releases “Best of Dark Horse 1976-89” album.
2001 – Apple releases the iPod.
2006 – “Irreplaceable” single released by Beyonce (Billboard Song of the Year 2007).
2006 – My Chemical Romance releases their third studio album, “The Black Parade.”
2007 – Rounder Records releases “Raising Sand,” a collaborative album by American bluegrass singer Alison Krauss and British rock vocalist Robert Plant; tops the chart in Norway, peaks at No. 2 in US, UK, and Sweden.
2015 – Adele releases her single “Hello,” becomes the first song with more than a million downloads in its first week.
2020 – Columbia Records releases Bruce Springsteen‘s 20th studio album “Letter To You,” recorded with the E Street Band.
Lakers guard Luka Doncic has gone from teenage sensation with Real Madrid to superstar in the NBA by his mid-20s. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
Luka Doncic has never met a microphone he liked. Yet when Lakers staffers approached the star guard a few days before the Lakers dominated their season opener against the Golden State Warriors to ask him if he wanted to address the crowd, Doncic didn’t just agree to the task.
“Of course,” he said afterward.
Standing at the center of the home court under a spotlight, Doncic welcomed Laker Nation to a new season, one he promised would be special. In a nervy, shy, 15-second speech, Doncic also unofficially introduced a new era of himself.
This prodigy once known as the “Wonder Boy” is all grown up.
“It’s a more refined Luka,” Lakers assistant coach Greg St. Jean said. “He’s the same person and he still is leading with joy and that is something that he loves to do, but it’s something that is continuing to grow and understand that the Lakers leadership might be a little different than the Mavericks leadership and the 27-year-old Luka might lead a little different than the 23-year-old.”
A more mature Doncic steps into the Lakers spotlight during a transitional period for the franchise. After an amicable, but necessary split with LeBron James, who has taken his talents to Philadelphia, the Lakers are entirely Doncic’s team.
Lakers guard Luka Doncic shoots a patented step-back midrange shot over Warriors center Al Horford (20) and forward Yaxel Lendeborg (1) during the first half of their season-opening game on Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
Doncic is adamant to remind anyone who asks that this is not the first time he’s been entrusted with the stewardship of a team. Don’t forget he was the youngest player in Real Madrid history to make his senior team debut.
Still only a teenager whose magical passes screamed louder than any of his two-word interview answers ever could, Doncic didn’t say a word with Real Madrid, his longtime Spanish agent Quique Villalobos said.
Instead, Doncic led by competing “like an animal” on the court. Teammates, some more than a decade older, followed that example to a EuroLeague championship in 2018. At 19, he was the youngest-ever EuroLeague most valuable player.
When Doncic plays with the Slovenian national team, his “peak leadership” comes out, said St. Jean, who worked with Doncic in Dallas as an assistant from 2021-23 and as an assistant on the Slovenian national team in 2022 and 2025. He was communicating with teammates during huddles and film sessions. He reinforced messages from coaches and added his own opinions. And while he had those same moments with the Lakers, on the national team Doncic did it all with rare consistency and confidence.
Those closest to Doncic already know this side of him. The reason it comes out most with the national team is that those players have known each other for decades, St. Jean said. They went through similar youth academies in their native country. The coaches have known Doncic since he was a boy.
“He feels like those players are his family,” Villalobos said. “He’s able to do these things when he feels comfortable in that type of atmosphere. I think he’s getting there with the Lakers.”
It’s why Doncic brought all his Lakers teammates to Slovenia this summer on a team trip that was part basketball, part vacation and all team bonding.
The five-day mini camp was a rare moment of vulnerability for the usually guarded Doncic. He said he was nervous about the trip. He packed in pick-up games, not-so-friendly competitions of golf, rowing and bike riding, and sight-seeing throughout the Slovenian capital where Doncic first fell in love with basketball. Almost as important as learning his new teammates, Doncic wanted for them to learn about him.
“With there being so many new faces and so many new guys on the team, for him to take the initiative to step up and make sure we’re all over there and trying to build that team chemistry, that was huge,” said guard Collin Sexton, who is one of nine new players the Lakers signed this offseason.
Doncic’s dueling personalities — the charismatic showman on the court and the reserved personality off it — overlap in his generosity. He takes care of the people he loves. In the arena, that means throwing lobs that bring a smile to everyone’s face. He treated teammates to a Porsche driving experience last year, feeding his most glamorous vice of rare sports cars, and bought everyone in the Lakers organization e-bikes — 103 in total.
The appreciation extends to fans. He donated $500,000 to wildfire relief only weeks after arriving in L.A. and paid for parking for Lakers fans before games. Before the season opener, when he also covered the price of Metro bike rentals, Doncic took out a full-page advertisement in the Los Angeles Times, promising fans the team would “give you everything we have, every single night. No excuses. No nights off.” He asked for their support in return.
The selfless acts aren’t just feel-good stories for business. Doncic said there has always been something in him that compelled him to establish connections with fans. The responsibility in L.A. is as great as it’s ever been.
Lakers guard Luka Doncic points to a teammate after making a basket against the Warriors in the season-opening game. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
“Obviously it’s the Lakers, it’s one of the biggest organizations in the world, if not the biggest,” Doncic said. “A lot of honor, just to be the face of the franchise and, you know, I hope I can stay here long.”
Doncic once thought he would retire a Dallas Maverick, building deep bonds with the fan base and franchise that traded for him on draft day and watched him soar to the NBA Finals. He has seen how the best-laid plans go awry. While teammates still marveled at his talent during his debut season in L.A., they also noticed that he kept to himself off the court at first.
Doncic is naturally shy, St. Jean said. He’s been that way even as a teenager. Villalobos met him thinking the 14-year-old prodigy he was trying to recruit to his agency would have the same outgoing personality off the court that he did on it.
But he’s just a simple guy, Villalobos testifies. After viciously hitting step-back threes, trash talking anyone who dares tempt him and racking up two NBA scoring titles, Doncic just likes to stay home, maybe get lunch or play cards. Despite becoming a Slovenian hero with the national team, he still slept at the same team hotel, shared meals with his teammates and had no problem wearing the same practice gear, St. Jean said.
Doncic loves his two daughters — Gabriela, 2, and Olivia, 10 months — and wears their initials on his shoes during games. Sexton called him “a jokester” off the court. He’s just goofy, said Lakers guard Jaden Hardy, who played with Doncic in Dallas from 2022-2025.
“To be clear, he’s not a normal human being,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said with a smile. “But in terms of, like, a superstar, he’s just normal.”
Lakers guard Luka Doncic, center, passes around Warriors center Al Horford, left, and guard Will Richard on Wednesday. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
The transformation from on-court assassin to reserved father of two is like Clark Kent and Superman, St. Jean said. Only instead of just peacefully apprehending opponents, Doncic’s super-competitive alter ego wants to smash them all under an array of increasingly rude step-back jumpers.
“All of the great, great players that have ever played have also been in the 1% competitor [level],” St. Jean said. “They’ve always been the guy that is able to inspire the players around him and be able to do things that don’t even seem like they’re possible. And he does that nightly.”
Maybe competing for a championship in this top-heavy Western Conference doesn’t seem possible for Doncic and the Lakers. He’s pulled off more difficult magic tricks.
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 22: Arseny Gritsyuk #81 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates his goal with teammates on the bench during the first period against the Anaheim Ducks at Prudential Center on October 22, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Here are your links for today:
Devils Links
The Devils took their fourth win in five games as Arseny Gritsyuk, Nico Hischier, Anthony Mantha and Jack Hughes found the back of the net on Thursday. Devils beat the Ducks 4-1. [Devils NHL]
“Dylan Larkin would accept a trade to the New Jersey Devils, but is there still a fit?” [Devils on the Rush ($)]
“Briefly evaluating whether or not Red Wings center Dylan Larkin is a player that Sunny Mehta and the New Jersey Devils would target in a trade.” [Devils’ Advocates]
On Dougie’s start to the season:
Sheldon Keefe on Dougie Hamilton:
"Dougie’s in a really good headspace. The best I’ve seen him, in terms of watching him around the facility, meeting with him and speaking with him myself.
He’s in a really good place. He understands exactly what we need and want from him. He… pic.twitter.com/QuFZPspkAz
“While it’s still early to roll out a full-blown Big Board, it’s not too soon to start identifying the top players who could play a role in the weeks and months ahead. Let’s start with 10 players to watch.” [The Athletic ($)]
“For the unlucky teams already stuck at the bottom of the NHL standings less than a month into the 2026-27 season, it’s never too early to start dreaming about Landon DuPont.” [Daily Faceoff]
Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.
From top left: Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy, designated hitter Christina Yelich, second baseman Brice Turang, owner Mark Attanasio; center fielder Garrett Mitchell (Photos by Associated Press and Getty Images; photo illustration by Tim Hubbard / Los Angeles Times)
For the first time in three years, Los Angeles faces a Fall Classic with no rooting interest.
Might we suggest the Milwaukee Brewers?
No?
So maybe the sting has not dissipated, not after the Brewers so rudely swept the Dodgers in the National League Championship Series. But did you see the thousands of Brewers fans that arose within Dodger Stadium to salute the newly crowned NL champions, sticking around long after the Dodgers fans had retreated to traffic jams in the parking lot?
“It’s a good time to be a Milwaukee Brewers fan, for sure,” NLCS MVP Jake Bauers said. “It’s always fun going into a road stadium, especially in a postseason environment, and coming out with a win and seeing how many people hang around after the game.”
The Brewers are L.A.’s team, at least for the next week.
Bauers and closer Trevor Megill played at Marina High in Huntington Beach. Team captain Christian Yelich played at Westlake High. The roster also features infielders Brice Turang (Corona Santiago) and Joey Ortiz (Garden Grove Pacifica), outfielder Garrett Mitchell (Orange Lutheran), and pitcher JoJo Romero (Oxnard).
It’s not just about a count of hometown players. The Brewers have left their mark on our area in a much more lasting way.
In 2018, Yelich and former Brewers teammates Ryan Braun (Granada Hills) and Mike Moustakas (Chatsworth) launched California Strong, a disaster relief fund born of twin tragedies: the mass shooting that killed 13 at the Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks and the Woolsey fire, which roared from Simi Valley to Malibu, burned almost 100,000 acres and forced nearly 300,000 people to evacuate their homes.
“Just trying to do some good,” Yelich said. “It was something we wanted to do to try to help out the community.”
Milwaukee designated hitter Christian Yelich takes part in a team workout on Thursday ahead of Game 1 of the World Series on Friday. (John Fisher / Getty Images)
Former Rams quarterback Jared Goff pitched in, as did Mike Attanasio, a son of Brewers owner Mark Attanasio. The local YMCA agreed to administer the funds, and the group on occasion met at Mark Attanasio’s Los Angeles home, said Ronnie Stone, president of the Southeast Ventura County YMCA.
Nearly a decade later, California Strong is still going strong, providing more than $3.7 million in financial relief to families affected by disasters across the state, most recently the Altadena and Palisades fires last year.
“We’re not the biggest dollars. We’re the immediate dollars,” Stone said. “Getting money from the government and things like that always takes time. But we’re typically giving money out to people within a couple weeks, as opposed to months. So that was the cool thing about what we did.”
The money could pay for a couple nights at a hotel, or new clothes for work or school. Mark Attanasio recalled how his son delivered $700 to a family in need.
“They started crying,” he said. “Now they could get a computer. It’s easy to lose touch with the reality of what happens when you lose everything.
“When you see there’s people who care, that’s tangible, because I’m sure it feels hopeless.”
Attanasio, who made his fortune in money management in Los Angeles, serves on the board of LA28, Harvard-Westlake High and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. But few things attract attention like professional sports, and the curiosity of folks from a Milwaukee team helping out L.A. might have helped grow a Brewers fan base far from Wisconsin.
“I think, over the years, it did,” Attanasio said. “And frankly, over the years, because we crisscrossed with the Dodgers so much, more people know us in California than they would otherwise.”
The Dodgers, grrr. The sting really has not dissipated. We need a laugh.
For that, we turn this column over to Pat Murphy, the Brewers’ manager. In 1986, as the 28-year-old head coach at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, Murphy came across a man in a tan suit, standing on the side of the road beside a broken-down car.
Cellphones had not yet been invented, but the coach offered the stranger a ride to his office, where he could call for assistance. The two men started talking baseball, and eventually Murphy asked the man in the tan suit what he did for a living.
“I work for the Dodgers,” the man said.
“What do you do?” Murphy said.
“I catch,” the man said.
He was Mike Scioscia, and this was the year after he finished ahead of Tony Gwynn and Fernando Valenzuela in the MVP voting.
“I feel like a total fool,” Murphy said. “I gave him a ride home that night and got his car fixed, and we became friends.”
MILWAUKEE, WI - SEPTEMBER 26: Alec Burleson #41 of the St. Louis Cardinals rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the third inning during the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Saturday, September 26, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Kylie Bridenhagen/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Over the course of the next couple of months, we might end up looking at this question for a number of players. Winn, Walker, Burleson, Rodriguez. This seems a natural outcome of having a bunch of young players, especially those entering their arbitration-eligible years.
Which takes us to the first discussion point when looking at a potential extension for Alec Burleson. This off-season, Alec is arbitration eligible and will be getting his second bite at the arbitration process this winter. Exact time TBD, depending on CBA machinations. Last spring, I wrote an article asking this same question about JJ Wetherholt. That article dissected what typical pre-arb extensions looked like and anticipated what JJ’s might look like. With Burleson, since he is arbitration-eligible already, we have to look at another class of extension contracts, which are notably quite different than pre-arb extensions. Alec fits in this class called, shockingly, arbitration avoiding extensions.
As I looked over the history of arbitration-avoiding extensions, I had a few observations pop up. One, the frequency of these extensions seems to have abated over the last few years. Right after the last CBA (spring, 2022), teams were hot to sign arbitration avoiding extensions with 19 extensions signed in 2022 (most right after the CBA was ratified) and another 23 in the 2022-2023 off-season (data from Sportrac). In the last three years, that number has tapered off noticeably to 10 (2024), 3 (2025) and 6 (2026).
I created a spreadsheet showing the last 2 years, thinking it is most relevant, but also digestible. I looked back as far as 2021 and really didn’t see many variations, other than volume.
Signed
Player
Tm
Pos
Age
YRS
FA Yrs
Plyr Opt
Club Opt
Committed
AAV
Disc. AAV
NPV Total
2025
Crochet
BOS
SP
25
6
4
0
1
$170,000,000
$28,333,333
$20,704,812
$124,228,872
2025
Raleigh
SEA
C
28
6
3
0
1
$105,000,000
$17,500,000
$15,266,384
$91,598,303
2025
Kirk
TOR
C
26
5
4
0
0
$58,000,000
$11,600,000
$10,238,085
$51,190,426
2025
Perdomo
ARI
SS
24
4
2
0
1
$45,000,000
$11,250,000
$12,165,551
$48,662,205
2025
Rasmussen
TBR
SP
29
2
0
0
0
$8,500,000
$4,250,000
$4,106,516
$8,213,031
2026
Baz
BAL
SP
26
5
2
0
0
$68,000,000
$13,600,000
$12,002,042
$60,010,212
2026
Rooker
ATH
DH
29
5
1
0
1
$60,000,000
$12,000,000
$10,844,837
$54,224,184
2026
Garcia
KCR
3B
25
5
2
0
1
$57,500,000
$11,500,000
$10,166,990
$50,834,950
2026
Pasquantino
KCR
1B
28
2
0
0
0
$11,100,000
$5,550,000
$5,397,165
$10,794,330
Arbitration avoiding extensions signed for 2025 and 2026
The reasons for arb-avoiding extensions appear to vary. Of course, there are handful of situations where it is clear both player and team are basically getting an early sign on the players’ first bite at free agency – Crochet with Boston, Raleigh with Seattle, Kirk with Toronto and Perdomo with Arizona fit into this group. High value players signing the high-value contracts. These teams had players approaching that goldilocks moment of trade value (4.5 years service time) and they want to lock up the player and avoid the pressure of trading them at peak value or risk losing them for nothing or a steep discount.
A second reason for arb-avoiding extension is … to avoid the arbitration process itself, without buying out FA years. Pasquantino fits this mode, as does a previous contract with Tommy Edman (one of StL’s arb-avoiding extensions). Drew Rasmussen of Tampa fits, too. I write this even as I watch him price himself out of Tampa with a stellar game against the, ahem, Guardians, but also likely guarantee they take his option and flip him in July. Such is the life of a player on a churn team.
My first look at Alec Burleson is … does he neatly fit either category? The second category is likely just a personal preference and since he has not gone through the actual arbitration process, we don’t know his feelings about that. So, unknown.
On the first category, is he a player the Cardinals will want to lock up? His goldilocks value point is coming up and would be the trade deadline during the 2027 season. A key question here revolves around whether the Cardinal’s believe they have adequate talent to replace him if he were to depart 1) as a free agent following the 2028 season or 2) in trade before that time, likeliest to happen July, 2027? Interestingly, the Cardinals do have a couple of MLB players (Walker, Herrera) with valuable bats and limited defensive prowess that might be viewed as good fits for first base. They also have a couple bat-first prospects rising in the minors (Deniel Ortiz, Jack Gurevitch) who might factor into their thinking, as well.
Probably the tougher question is around the cost relative to the value. While he is arguably the Cardinal’s best overall hitter, he is not an elite hitter overall and has some serious platoon-split disadvantage when facing left-handed pitching, finishing the 2026 season with an OPS of 51 against LHP.
Another factor in an extension decision is age. Burly is entering his age 28 season and his first free agent year will be his age-30 season. While not unheard for hitters to retain offensive prowess into their thirties, one has to wonder if the Cardinals are eager to pay full FA wages for this hitter’s age 30 and 31 seasons (arb-avoiding extensions typically buy out 2 years of free agency, rarely more, and even then only for younger players with more prime years coming).
If all these considerations come up positive and the Cardinals and Alec Burleson come to agreement, what might it look like? Interestingly, very few first basemen are signed to arb-avoiding extensions. Since the last CBA, I could only find four such characters. Darin Ruf, Matt Olson, Yandy Diaz and Vinnie Pasquantino. Ruf and Pasquantino were not free agency buy-outs, so they fit neatly in the arb-only extension group, which I don’t think is a good comp for Burleson’s case. Matt Olson might be viewed as a different caliber of player, befitting the 8 yr/$168m contract he received from the Braves. I don’t view this as a good comp, either.
That leaves Yandy Diaz in the comp pool (since 2022). Some of the attributes fit. He was a bit older, though, signing at age 31. Not defensively strong. A really good hitter, without necessarily elite power tool, but a really solid hitter. I can see the comp. Now, his contract was back in the post-2022 CBA heyday, and was 3 years/$24m guaranteed, plus a club option for a fourth year at $12m. Does that fit? May be a little low by today’s standard and also may be discounted a bit more heavily due to Diaz’ advanced age at time of signing (he was a late bloomer).
Diaz’ 4 seasons were scheduled to pay out at $6m – $8m – $10m – $12m (option). For comparison, Burly’s 2nd year of arb-eligibility is expected to payout around $8.3m (as compared to Diaz’ 2nd year arb salary of $6m). If I assume the difference is inflation (plus an age discount), a similar Burleson extension (done before the 2027 season) could look like 3-year/$36m guaranteed ($10m – $12m – $14m) with a $16m option on the end, taking him through his age-31 season.
I found another comp in Brent Rooker, although it is not a great comp. The AAV I proposed above matches up at $12m/yr but Rooker signed for 5 years and his power is in the next tier up (or maybe the stadium he plays in is next-tier down, I dunno). As well, the A’s appeared to have other motivations for this sign that the Cardinals probably don’t match. Can we see the Cardinals going here, either in years or in total dollars?
Would a deal somewhere between 3yr/$24m and 5yr/$60m make sense to both parties? It leaves Burly with another bite at the free-agency apple coming into his age-32 season. He seems destined for Philly or New York (Yankees), in my view. The total guaranteed amount of such a contract wouldn’t be burdensome to the Cardinals and unlikely to become an albatross, something a risk averse organization prizes.
On Thursday at practice, Jakub Dobes spoke to the media for the first time since he took an unfortunate penalty in the Montreal Canadiens’ last game against the San Jose Sharks, which cost the team a point. On Tuesday night, the media waited to talk to the netminder, but the Habs’ PR team couldn’t find him. Dobes explained that his name wasn’t on the board to speak when he got back to the dressing room, so he went to work out after the game.
It’s easy to imagine that the netminder had some anger to get rid of after that result, but he refused to call his penalty a mistake:
I wouldn’t call it a mistake; I mean, it’s unfortunate. Obviously, I don’t want to take a penalty during overtime, but in that situation, I felt like we were under pressure and a couple of guys were changing and tired, so it was my intuition to try and help the team. Unfortunately, it cost us. I feel like the play I was trying to make was to benefit the team, and unfortunately, it didn’t. I wouldn’t call it a mistake, but it is what it is.
- Dobes on his ill timed penalty against the Sharks
That’s an interesting reaction from the goaltender, who could have offered a mea culpa of sorts but chose to defend his play, despite a couple of his teammates speaking out against the penalties called at the tail end of the game. Of course, nobody thought that Dobes was trying to get a penalty and just felt like getting in the way of the Sharks player just for fun, but given the fact that Martin St-Louis has often said that his players shouldn’t be giving the referees an opportunity to make a call, Dobes’ move was ill-advised at best.
Still, if he were put in a similar situation in the future, it would be surprising to see him make the same move. Overall, Dobes feels like he played a pretty good game and gave the team an opportunity to win, but they [including himself] need to be better at the end, have a better third period, not take dumb penalties, and he’s glad it happened at the start of the season rather than toward the end or during the playoffs.
