El Diario Urbano

Category: Deportes

  • Gianni Infantino busca el respaldo de Donald Trump y Marco Rubio tras la controversia en la FIfa



    Gianni Infantino busca el respaldo de Donald Trump y Marco Rubio tras la controversia en la FIfa











































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    Donald Trump y Gianni Infantino Foto: Cuenta oficial de Instagram de los presidentes

    Las conversaciones diplomáticas de Infantino con la administración Trump

    El presidente de la Fifa, Gianni Infantino, busca el apoyo de la administración encabezada por Donald Trump para sostener su posición institucional tras la fallida propuesta de privatizar los activos comerciales del Mundial. Según reveló el periódico New York Post, el directivo suizo programó llamadas telefónicas privadas con el secretario de Estado de Estados Unidos, Marco Rubio, con el objetivo de entablar un diálogo de cooperación y obtener respaldo político directo.

    Gianni Infantino Foto:EFE

    Fuentes citadas por el medio estadounidense señalaron que las gestiones diplomáticas de Infantino buscan presentar al fútbol como un instrumento de influencia cultural para la nación norteamericana. No obstante, las mismas fuentes afirmaron que el propósito central de estas aproximaciones es proteger su cargo directivo y contrarrestar el impacto mediático generado por sus recientes decisiones administrativas al frente de la entidad rectora del fútbol global.

    FLUSHING MEADOWS ( Foto:JOHN G. MABANGLO

    Aislamiento en la FIFA y la búsqueda de aliados clave

    La iniciativa de venta del 20 % de los activos comerciales de la Fifa a inversores privados, desestimada tras el rechazo de confederaciones como la Uefa y diversos gobiernos europeos, dejó al dirigente de 56 años en una posición de aislamiento político. De acuerdo con la información publicada por The Post, Infantino ha intentado comunicarse de forma reiterada con el presidente Donald Trump desde la cancelación del proyecto, aunque sin obtener respuesta hasta el momento.

    Infantino corre contra el reloj: busca blindar su mandato con aliados de peso

    El mandatario del organismo internacional busca adhesiones públicas de figuras políticas de peso internacional que le permitan amortiguar la ola de críticas mediáticas y preservar la estabilidad de su mandato. El deterioro del respaldo continental en Europa, sumado a la pérdida de apoyo de federaciones clave de cara al próximo Congreso de la Fifa, ha acelerado los intentos de Infantino por consolidar alianzas estratégicas en el territorio estadounidense antes de las futuras definiciones institucionales.

    Gianni Infantino Foto:EFE

    Ante el desgaste en Europa y la presión interna, el presidente de la FIFA apela al respaldo político en Estados Unidos para ganar legitimidad y asegurar votos clave en la próxima asamblea.

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  • Bears’ Ben Johnson compares Luther Burden to Amon-Ra St. Brown: ‘Desire to be great’

    Noting his time with Jarvis Landry in Miami and Amon-Ra St. Brown in Detroit, the coach said the way top-tier receivers elevate the play of others around them and attack every single rep separates them from the pack. Johnson sees those traits in Burden.

    “St. Brown in Detroit, who I have a strong affinity for, he plays the game the same way,” Johnson said. “I feel that from Luther. I know he wasn’t a full-time starter for us a year ago, but the snaps that he did have, he’s got that competitive edge and desire to be great. It’s carried over into the spring and summer as well. He’s been a regular in the building, working with our strength staff. He wants to be the most conditioned player on the team. Wants to be one of the strongest receivers on the team and just continues to soak in all the knowledge.”

    The expected Year 2 leap from Burden allowed the Bears to move on from veteran DJ Moore this offseason. The move opened up more targets for the youngster.

    Burden generated 652 yards and two touchdowns on 47 catches in 15 games during his rookie season. The bulk of that production came down the stretch, with roughly 74% of his receiving yards coming in his last eight regular-season games played.

  • Top 100 Players of 2026, Nos. 40-39: Justin Herbert rises; Trent Williams makes 13th appearance

    2025 stats: 16 games | 66.4 pct | 3,727 pass yds | 7.3 ypa | 26 pass TD | 13 INT | 498 rush yds | 2 rush TD

    Herbert had the unenviable task of spending much of last season without his starting offensive tackles. The result? Facing 268 pressures and a 43.3% pressure rate, both league highs, and yet the Pro Bowler still guided the Chargers to their first back-to-back playoff berths since 2008-09. He also constantly made magic while avoiding the rush. Herbert threw 10 touchdowns on the run in 2025, most in the NFL, and his 1,192 passing yards under pressure ranked fourth. With better protection on the way this season, perhaps Herbert will achieve his first postseason win — or even stack a few of them.

    NFL Pro Insight for Herbert: Herbert threw deep (20-plus air yards) on 11.1% of his attempts last season, the second-highest rate of his career, completing a personal-best 40.4% of those attempts for eight deep passing TDs, third-most in the NFL.

  • ‘It doesn’t get any better than this.’ Tracy McGrady revives ABCD Camp

    ‘It doesn’t get any better than this.’ Tracy McGrady revives ABCD Camp

    Tracy McGrady is mentoring the next generation at the legendary adidas ABCD camp.

    PHOENIX – The ABCD Camp was the premier summer event for 22 years in the ‘90s and early 2000s. Basketball legend Sonny Vaccaro founded the camp in 1984, and the stories and matchups to come out each year changed the trajectory for some players. The camp ended in 2006, but Tracy McGrady and Vaccaro revived it 20 years later, and 50 of the top players in the country came out to compete over the weekend. 

    Kobe Bryant was the camp MVP in 1995, and in 2001, it was16-year-old LeBron James who solidified himself as the best prospect in the nation. James stole the ball from Lenny Cooke and hit the game-winner, a one-legged 35-foot jumper, in the championship game. James’s nickname “The Chosen One” resulted from the ABCD Camp. 

    Maybe the best story to come from the ABCD Camp was in 1996 when an unknown prospect, McGrady, received the last invite to the camp from Vaccaro and ended up completely dominating all competition. The 6-foot-8 wing received MVP honors and skyrocketed into the No. 1-ranked player in the country. 

    “I still remember my time as a camper and what it did for my career,” McGrady told NBA.com. “It was the best of the best, and that brought out everything in me. I’m just happy to be back in the gym and give these kids the same opportunity I had. This is a legendary camp, and I’m glad to be a part of it, and it doesn’t get better than this.” 

    McGrady was the No. 9 pick in the 1997 NBA Draft and went on to play 13 years in the NBA. 

    This year marks the first time since 2006 that the camp has run. Some of the top players in high school competed over three days in front of NBA scouts and executives from all 30 teams. There were also some NBA legacy kids in attendance like Pierre Rondo (Rajon Rondo) and RJ Evans (Reggie Evans). Rajon was like any typical dad, taking pictures and videos on his phone of Pierre during drills and scrimmages. RJ Evans is one of the top players in the 2029 high school class and was a top performer of the camp, coming off a strong AAU season on the adidas 3SSB circuit.

    “I’ve heard the stories of this camp growing up, and it’s just cool to come out here and be included in the first one back in 20 years,” Evans said. “I’m one of the younger guys here, so I just want to go out and cook and show that I’m one of the best players in the country.” 

    The high school players were being coached by current NBA assistant coaches, and a few NBA players were on hand for mentorship and different panels off the court. Darryn Peterson, the No. 2 pick in the draft, was there for the first two days and made a point to watch the No. 3 player in the incoming senior class, Demarcus Henry, during scrimmages Friday night. 

    “He’s cold,” Peterson said of Henry, who had 15 points and six rebounds. “The game slows down for him; he’s patient, he’s a good player.” 

    Mikel Brown Jr., the No. 6 overall pick to the Brooklyn Nets, was on the bench coaching his little brother Zach, who’s an incoming freshman. Brown took time to really sit with each player when they left the game and recognized what it means to bring this camp back. 

    “It’s just a privilege to be here and help the next group of players coming up,” Brown said. “I was just a camper in this same gym two years ago for Dame’s [Lillard] camp, so I know what any sort of advice or anything I can give will help these guys. It’s crazy just being here coaching my little bro too. I’m glad they brought this back.” 

    Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. and 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe were also coaching on the sidelines and in drills. It was an opportunity for them to get in and get reps with the younger players but also work out themselves. 

    “Just having some of the young NBA talent in the building is so crucial for these young kids,” McGrady said. “They’re really dialed in on how they see the game and approach different sets and read things. It’s something I didn’t really have coming up, and it’s just cool to see how everything has come together on every level.” 

    Even though it’s the end of the summer, there is something about the ABCD Camp that elevates the game for players, and the scrimmages were highly competitive. Vaccaro and his wife Pam were in the stands watching all weekend long and had some long conversations with some of the top players in the camp. 

    Lewis Uvwo, a 6-foot-10 center, won camp MVP and went from being ranked in the 90s in his class to now the No. 6 player in the country. He had 16 points, eight rebounds, three blocks, three assists and two steals in the championship game and capped off his summer on a high note. 

    “Just being here and competing against these guys and learning from the NBA players has been amazing,” Uvwo said. “Sonny Vaccaro is a legend and just meeting him and being able to talk to him was something I’ll never forget. The amount of basketball he’s seen and what he’s done for the game is crazy.” 

    The ABCD Camp has been dormant for 20 years, and the spirit was revived for the first time with a lot of tough competition and excitement. Even Lenny Cooke was quietly in the stands watching some of the best basketball players coming up. A legendary camp with legends in the stands watching possibly the next great player to hit the NBA in a few short years.

  • The Athletic: Labaron Philon is trying to prove he belongs on a loaded Sixers roster

    Labaron Philon, the Sixers’ first-round pick, had himself quite the Summer League debut with 18 points and seven assists.

    Editor’s Note: Read more NBA coverage from The Athletic here. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA or its teams. 

    ***

    Labaron Philon is entering a rookie season that could be intimidating for some in the same situation.

    By the time he began his summer-league stint in Las Vegas, his Philadelphia 76ers traded for Jaylen Brown. After a few games, the LeBron James-to-Philly rumors were running rampant. Once July wound down, he was teammates with James. And as September enters the chat, Philon is teammates with Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.

    To say the first-year point guard from Alabama is entering a stacked backcourt might be an understatement when December rolls around. Shooting. Ballhandling. Bucket-getting. Playmaking. Firepower off the bench. In almost every offensive situation, the 76ers can cover it with their backcourt.

    But Philon, one of college basketball’s best players last season, will have every chance to contribute to the collective. As Philadelphia’s first-round pick this June, he begins his career on a team with great expectations. And there is a good chance he gets rotation minutes.

    “I’m lucky and fortunate that I’m coming to a team that’s a contender,” Philon told The Athletic. “I’m grateful for that. I feel like I’m going to have a chance to compete on a team full of veterans. That doesn’t happen to everyone, so I feel lucky with that. My mindset is to continue to work and continue to get better. I want to embrace this, and coming into the league, I want to embrace what’s in front of me.”

    Philon joins a roster with a chance to compete for the ultimate prize: an NBA championship. How can he add to that? How will he handle it physically and mentally? He will have opportunities with the second unit to positively impact one of the league’s most talented teams. When you watch the swag and confidence Philon plays with, it’s evident he’s ready for the opportunity. He plays fearlessly and believes he belongs.

    This is someone who spent the better part of two seasons generating offense almost at will against SEC athletes. And in his sophomore season, he became one of the best scorers in the conference and in the country. His ability to handle the basketball and reach spots on the floor made him a projected first-round pick. In a class full of dynamic point guards, the Sixers went into draft night thinking one would fall to them at No. 22. That one happened to be Philon.

    “He’s talented, and, in my mind, he’s going to begin camp in the rotation,” coach Nick Nurse said. “He’s dynamic with the basketball, and he plays with a short memory. Those are things that you can’t teach.”

    Philon’s summer-league run opened eyes. He had inefficient moments and bouts of turnovers, specifically as teams began to key on him. But he left no doubt about his ability to score and create offense for himself and others. He was Philadelphia’s best player. And yet, because he was the Sixers’ only player guaranteed a multiple-year career in the league, he was the subject of more defensive attention than other rookies with NBA-level players around them.

    This was good, though.

    Philon saw ample double-teams. His pick-and-rolls were blitzed, and, as summer league progressed, he had to adjust. Philon’s flashy ability to handle the ball made for highlights, but the Sixers’ coaching staff implored him to beat his man off the bounce and get inside the paint, instead of using too many dribbles. Once he got inside the lane, he was able to finish plays at all three levels, traits that should get him on the court as a rookie.

    “I think I’m learning on and off the court,” Philon said. “I think being able to play on and off the ball has been valuable for me. Being able to defend at a high level has been valuable for me. That’s one of the reasons I went back to Alabama for my sophomore season. I wanted to learn how to space, and I wanted to continue to figure out ways to affect the game at a high level. That’s always been my mindset. I want to continue to get better. I want to continue to evolve as a person and as a basketball player.”

    So, where does Philon fit in Nurse’s rotation?

    The easy answer is at backup point guard, filling in for Maxey. But it’s probably more complicated than that, since the Sixers now have James on the roster. James likely has to take a step back on his usage in a star-studded starting lineup. One of the ways to get the ball in Philon’s hands is to play him at point guard with the second unit in the non-Maxey minutes. That being said, Philon has always been effective without the basketball. In his freshman season at Alabama, he played with Mark Sears, who was perhaps the best collegiate point guard in the country, leaving Philon to play a lot on the wings.

    He can do that in a lineup with James, and particularly in Nurse’s system, which has a lot of interchangeable movement. The most important thing Philon may do for the Sixers this season — and this may also apply to two-way guard Caleb Love — is give Philadelphia real regular-season insurance. For much of last season, the Sixers were so short on bodies in the backcourt that Maxey and Edgecombe were their only two real ballhandlers. Even if Philon isn’t in the rotation, he ensures Philadelphia won’t suffer from a dearth of talented guys off the bench.

    And, in a larger sense, that is what will make this Philadelphia team rare. It will be a star-studded squad with impressive depth. And for a team that limped through 82 games last season, that could be a significant development.

    ***

  • Se complica la llegada de Rodri al Real Madrid: revelan la escandalosa cifra que le piden al club español

    Rodri es el jugador que quiere contratar el Real Madrid. Al menos eso aseguran en España, pero la operación no ha podido concretarse por diferentes razones, entre ellas, el elevado costo del traspaso.

    En España se reveló la millonaria cifra que le exigen al conjunto madridista para quedarse con el futbolista.

    Se complica la llegada de Rodri al Real Madrid  

    La llegada de Rodrigo Hernández, de 30 años, al Real Madrid se sigue cocinando a fuego lento. El centrocampista del Manchester City tiene contrato hasta junio de 2027 y todavía no ha respondido a la oferta de renovación que le presentó el club, contó el diario Mundo Deportivo.

    Rodri con el Balón de Oro Foto:EFE

    Su deseo, al igual que el del conjunto de Chamartín, es terminar vistiendo la camiseta del Real Madrid, pero para ello ambas entidades deberán llegar a un acuerdo, señaló el medio.

    La cifra que piden por Rodri

    Según las informaciones conocidas en los últimos días, las pretensiones de ambas partes se han ido acercando, aunque todavía existe una diferencia importante. Una de las últimas novedades la entregó el periodista de Sky Sports Patrick Berger, quien aseguró que el Manchester City tasó el traspaso del futbolista en 75 millones de euros.

    Rodri Foto:AFP

    La misma fuente indicó que el Real Madrid no está dispuesto a superar los 50 millones de euros, por lo que aún existe una brecha de 25 millones. Sin embargo, esa diferencia podría reducirse mediante variables incluidas en la operación, una fórmula que Florentino Pérez sí estaría dispuesto a aceptar, precisó.

    José Mourinho Foto:EFE

    Pese a las dudas iniciales, la llegada de Rodri al Real Madrid parece ir tomando forma. La sensación es que todas las partes avanzan en la misma dirección y que el aspecto económico no representa un obstáculo insalvable.

    Real Madrid Foto:EFE

    Si finalmente se alcanza un acuerdo, Rodri firmaría un contrato con el Real Madrid hasta junio de 2030, sentenció.

    Deportes

  • Gianni Infantino sigue contra las cuerdas y se le viene la noche: el presidente de la Fifa recibe duro mazazo tras la crisis que protagonizó

    El presidente de la Fifa, Gianni Infantino, sigue contra las cuerdas tras la crisis que generó su idea de abrir la puerta a inversores privados en la entidad rectora del fútbol mundial. La iniciativa ha perdido fuerza hasta el punto de que varias federaciones ya comenzaron a retirarle su respaldo.

    Lo que se conoció este lunes es que la Asociación de Fútbol de Gales (FAW) se convirtió en la primera federación en retirar su apoyo a Gianni Infantino, quien busca la reelección para un nuevo mandato, debido a su fallido plan para aceptar inversión privada en las competiciones organizadas por la Fifa.

    Gianni Infantino sigue contra las cuerdas: presidente de la Fifa recibe duro mazazo  

    Infantino anunció la semana pasada que abandonaba el proyecto, que había provocado una protesta internacional. Sin embargo, la asociación galesa anunció este lunes que, pese al paso atrás dado por el dirigente italosuizo, no respaldará su candidatura, precisó la agencia AFP.

    Gianni Infantino Foto:Gianni Infantino

    La asociación galesa emitió un comunicado en el que citó “fallos en materia de buen gobierno, proceso y liderazgo”, y añadió que no apoyará la candidatura de Infantino para el mandato 2027-2031, informó la agencia.

    Lo que dijeron en Gales

    “La Asociación de Fútbol de Gales confirma mediante este comunicado el retiro de su apoyo a la candidatura del señor Gianni Infantino”, indicó la FAW.

    Gianni Infantino (izq) y Aleksander Ceferin Foto:EFE

    La federación añadió que también existen deficiencias “en materia de valores, gestión de las partes interesadas, comunicación y buen criterio”. La FAW señaló que todos esos desacuerdos con la gestión del dirigente la han llevado a considerar que “Infantino ha perdido la confianza necesaria para seguir al frente del fútbol mundial”.

    “No poner los intereses del fútbol por encima de todo lo demás es un fracaso que no podemos aceptar”, añadió la federación galesa.

    Gianni Infantino Foto:EFE

    El viernes, el primer ministro británico, Andy Burnham, estimó que Infantino es “la persona equivocada” para dirigir la Fifa, tras el anuncio de su proyecto para abrir la organización a inversores privados.

    “Fue una propuesta escandalosa. El mero hecho de que se haya contemplado demuestra, en mi opinión, que Gianni Infantino es la persona equivocada para dirigir la organización”, declaró el jefe de Gobierno británico durante una visita a Sheffield, en el norte del país.

    Esas declaraciones de Burnham reafirmaron las que había hecho en su primera reacción al conocer el proyecto de la Fifa.

    Gianni Infantino Foto:EFE

    “El fútbol no pertenece a inversores”, escribió el primer ministro el martes en la red social X. “Pertenece a quienes llenan las tribunas y están al borde del terreno de juego semana tras semana, llueva o haga sol. El Mundial no es un producto. Es la competición más grande del deporte mundial y nunca le ha pertenecido a nadie para ser vendido”, reaccionó este reconocido aficionado del Everton, concluyó la agencia.

    Deportes

  • Offseason Power Rankings: Spurs and Thunder rule the West

    The Spurs and Thunder battled through a contested seven-game series in the 2026 Western Conference Finals.

    • Download the NBA App
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    • Every reported deal for all 30 teams

    The Eastern Conference may be the deeper when it comes to teams that could finish with winning records in the 2026-27 season. But the West still has the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder.

    Over the last two seasons (and including playoffs), the Thunder have outscored their opponents by an amazing 11.2 points per game. Simply, they’ve had two of the best seasons in NBA history. But they met their match last season, with the Spurs winning eight of the 12 head-to-head matchups, including Game 7 of the Western Conference finals in Oklahoma City.

    The Thunder have had to shed some of their depth, but they should be getting more games and minutes from Jalen Williams than they did last season, while seeing some improvement from their young core. Speaking of young cores, the Spurs’ Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama are just 20, 21 and 22 years old, respectively.

    So it looks like we’re going to get another epic battle between Oklahoma City and San Antonio, both in the regular season and in the playoffs. But is there a third Western Conference team that can challenge the top two? Can a Play-In or Lottery team from last season climb into the top six?

    Here’s a crack at how the Western Conference stacks up as we enter the month of August, with some offseason business still to be done.

    Note: For these offseason rankings, we’re looking at each conference separately, with the Eastern Conference rankings having been published last week. All stats refer to the 2025-26 regular season unless otherwise noted. Last week’s rank is based on how team’s finished in the playoffs, Play-In and regular season.

    Previously…

    OffRtg: Points scored per 100 possessions (League Rank)
    DefRtg: Points allowed per 100 possessions (League Rank)
    NetRtg: Point differential per 100 possessions (League Rank)

    The league averaged 114.8 points scored per 100 possessions and 100.2 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes last season.

    NBA.com’s Power Rankings, released every Monday during the season, are just one man’s opinion. If you have an issue with the rankings, or have a question or comment for John Schuhmann, contact him via Bluesky.

    #1

    Logo

    Oklahoma City Thunder

    Last Week:2↑

    2025-26 record: 64-18

    OffRtg: 117.6 (7) DefRtg: 106.5 (1) NetRtg: +11.1 (1)

    Key addition: Aday Mara

    Key departures: Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins

    Three numbers to know…

    • The Thunder allowed 8.3 fewer points per 100 possessions than the league average (114.8), which was the second best differential for any team in the 30 seasons for which we have play-by-play data, topped by only that of the 2003-04 Spurs.
    • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 1.18 points per possession as a pick-and-roll ball-handler, the best mark for a player with at least 200 ball-handler possessions in the 22 seasons of Synergy tracking. He was the first player in the 13 seasons of camera-tracking data to shoot 55% or better on at least 500 pull-up 2-point attempts.

    Key question: How much does depth matter?

    The Thunder have had the league’s top-ranked bench (by wide margins) in each of the last two seasons. But they’ve just salary-dumped guys who ranked second, fifth and sixth on the team in total minutes over those two years. Both Ajay Mitchell and Cason Wallace appear ready for bigger roles, but Gilgeous-Alexander probably won’t be the only Thunder player averaging at least 30 minutes this season, and it’ll be tougher to be extra cautious with Alex Caruso’s playing time.

    It may all come down to how well the Thunder match up with the Spurs, with the 107.9 points per 100 possessions they scored in the conference finals being their worst offensive mark for any of their nine playoff series in the last three years. But they basically had Jalen Williams for just one of those seven games, and he could make up for much of the lost depth if he’s fully recovered from his multiple injuries over the last 16 months.

    #2

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    San Antonio Spurs

    Last Week:1↓

    2025-26 record: 62-20

    OffRtg: 118.7 (3) DefRtg: 110.4 (3) NetRtg: +8.4 (3)

    Key addition: Tobias Harris

    Key departures: N/A

    Three numbers to know…

    • The Spurs were one of two teams (the Celtics were the other) to rank in the top five on both ends of the floor. They were 11.2 points per 100 possessions better than they were in 2024-25 (minus-2.8, 22nd), with that being the fifth biggest season-to-season jump for any team in the last 30 years.
    • Stephon Castle averaged 8.9 assists per 36 minutes, up from 5.5 as a rookie. That was the biggest jump among 290 players who played at least 500 minutes in each of the last two seasons. He had 130 total assists to Victor Wembanyama, a rate of 3.9 per 36 minutes on the floor together. That was the highest rate among 56 combinations where one player had at least 75 total assists to the other.
    • The Spurs were 16.4 points per 100 possessions better with Wembanyama on the floor (plus-17.0) than they were with him off the floor (plus-0.6). That was the biggest on-off differential among 263 players who played at least 1,000 minutes for a single team.

    Key question: How much more is Dylan Harper going to play?

    The Spurs are running it back, with players under contract accounting for 94% of their 2025-26 regular-season minutes, the league’s highest rate. They actually gained a rotation player (Harris) without losing any. But Harper needs to be on the floor more than he was last season, when he ranked eighth on the team at 22.6 minutes per game. He averaged 26.8 in the playoffs, but that was still 6.7 fewer minutes per game than De’Aaron Fox.

    The team was at its best in the regular season (plus-27.0 per 100 possessions) with Harper and Wembanyama on the floor together, but they were the Spurs’ 33rd most-used combination at just 560 total minutes. Might they make another big step forward if Harper is improved and playing more?

    #3

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    Denver Nuggets

    Last Week:5↑

    2025-26 record: 54-28

    OffRtg: 121.2 (1) DefRtg: 116.0 (21) NetRtg: +5.2 (7)

    Key addition: Marvin Bagley III

    Key departures: Tim Hardaway Jr., Jonas Valančiūnas

    Notable free agents: Bruce Brown, Peyton Watson

    Three numbers to know…

    • The Nuggets have ranked in the top seven offensively in each of the last 10 seasons, with last season (when they scored 6.4 points per 100 possessions more than the league average) being their best offensive season in that stretch. They were the only team that ranked in the top five in field goal percentage, 3-point percentage and free throw percentage.
    • Cam Johnson had a usage rate of 14.4%, down from 22.4% with Brooklyn in 2024-25. That was the biggest drop among 290 players who played at least 500 minutes in each of the last two seasons.

    Key question: How much depth are they losing?

    Hardaway and Valančiūnas are gone, and keeping Watson may lead to another rotation player being traded. Depth has always been an issue with the Nuggets (they’ve been outscored by 7.7 points per 100 possessions with Jokić off the floor over the last five years) and their depth is taking more hits. They finished 2025-26 with a league-high 10 players who shot the league average or better from 3-point range, and they have just six under contract for ’26-27, with three of the other four – Brown, Watson and Jalen Pickett – still free agents.

    The Nuggets can hope that Aaron Gordon is healthier after playing in only 36 games in the regular season and in only three of their six playoff games. They need to get back to being an average-ish on defense, and Gordon’s health is obviously the most important thing in that regard. They can also hope for a healthier Christian Braun (44 games in the regular season), who could also get back to shooting from 3-point range as well as he did through his first three seasons (38.4%) after dropping to 30.1% last year.

    #4

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    Los Angeles Lakers

    Last Week:3↓

    2025-26 record: 53-29

    OffRtg: 117.0 (10) DefRtg: 115.5 (20) NetRtg: +1.5 (14)

    Key additions: Quentin Grimes, Jaden Hardy, Walker Kessler, Kevon Looney, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Collin Sexton

    Key departures: Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura, Jaxson Hayes, LeBron James, Luke Kennard, Marcus Smart

    Three numbers to know…

    • The Lakers were 53-29 with the point differential of a team that was 46-36, in part because they were a league-best 22-8 (starting the season with 13 straight wins) in games that were within five points in the last five minutes. They scored 129.3 points per 100 clutch possessions, the second best mark for any team in the 30 seasons of play-by-play data.
    • They outscored their opponents by 3.6 points per game at the free throw line, leading the league in free throw differential for the fourth straight season.
    • They outscored opponents by 10.1 points per 100 possessions in 532 minutes with Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves on the floor without James.

    Key question: Can they defend?

    It’s a restart of the Dončić era in L.A., with the Lakers set to return only 42% of their regular-season minutes from last season, easily the league’s lowest rate. (The Clippers are the only other team currently under 50%.) They’ll be elite offensively with a full season from Dončić, but their biggest issue is the same as it was last season, when they had their second worst defensive season (they allowed 0.7 points per 100 possessions more than the league average) in the last nine years. Defending opposing perimeter stars is tough when you’re starting Dončić and Reaves at the guard positions.

    Kessler should be able to clean things up better than last year’s centers, but the length and mobility they need to defend at a high level is coming from guys – Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams – who don’t offer much offensively and might see limited minutes in the playoffs.

    #5

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    Houston Rockets

    Last Week:6↑

    2025-26 record: 52-30

    OffRtg: 117.5 (8) DefRtg: 112.1 (6) NetRtg: +5.4 (6)

    Key additions: Bogdan Bogdanović, Marcus Smart

    Key departure: Josh Okogie

    Key return: Fred VanVleet

    Three numbers to know…

    • The Rockets have led the league in rebounding percentage in each of the last two seasons, with their 54.5% last season being the highest for any team in the 30 years of play-by-play data.
    • They were tied with the Pistons for the fewest losses (they were 30-7) in games that weren’t within five points in the last five minutes. They had the second biggest differential between their record in non-clutch games and their record in games that were within five in the last five (22-23).
    • Amen Thompson shot 61.2% in the paint, but had an effective field goal percentage of just 30.3% on shots from outside the paint. That was the biggest such differential among 149 players with at least 200 field goal attempts both in and outside the paint.

    Key question: How important is VanVleet?

    The Rockets desperately needed a point guard last season. Not only did they rank 27th in turnover rate (15.7 per 100 possessions), but, on average, they were the slowest team to cross midcourt in the 13 seasons of tracking data. VanVleet will get them into their offense a little quicker, while also giving them some much-needed perimeter shooting. The Rockets have just three of the 154 players – Kevin Durant, Reed Sheppard and Jabari Smith Jr. – who shot the league average (36.0%) or better on at least 100 3-point attempts last season.

    This team was better than its record, finishing with the league’s sixth best point differential, that of a team that was 56-26. And it destroyed the Lakers in the possession game (averaging 17 more shot opportunities) in the first four games of the first round, but was just unable to make shots in the first three. Some improvement with offensive execution could make all the difference.

    #6

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    Minnesota Timberwolves

    Last Week:4↓

    2025-26 record: 49-33

    OffRtg: 115.6 (13) DefRtg: 112.5 (8) NetRtg: +3.1 (10)

    Key additions: LaMelo Ball, Josh Green, Trey Lyles

    Key departures: Mike Conley, Julius Randle, Naz Reid

    Three numbers to know…

    • The Wolves are one of two teams (the Celtics are the other) that have ranked in the top 10 defensively in each of the last four seasons. But last season (when they allowed 2.3 fewer points per 100 possessions than the league average) was their worst defensive season of the last three.
    • Ayo Dosunmu (from 32.8% to 43.9%) and Jaden McDaniels (from 33.0% to 41.2%) saw the biggest and third biggest jumps in 3-point percentage from 2024-25 to ’25-26 among 222 players with at least 100 3-point attempts in each of the last two seasons.
    • Anthony Edwards had an effective field goal percentage of 64.7% with the game within five points in the last five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime. That was the best clutch effective field goal percentage for a player with at least 75 field-goal attempts (491 total instances) across the 30 seasons for which we have clutch data.

    Key question: Can Rudy Gobert continue to hold up?

    Ball should help Edwards, who shot 69-for-139 (49.6%) on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers, the best mark among 308 players with at least 75 catch-and-shoot attempts last season and much better than he shot (35.3%) on pull-up 3s. Increase the percentage of his attempts that come off the catch to around 50% and Edwards is a much more efficient player. Ball’s teammates had an effective field goal percentage of 61.8% on his passes last season, the third-highest mark among 139 players who were the passer on at least 500 shots.

    But with the departures of Randle and Reid, the Wolves are more dependent on Gobert than they’ve ever been. He’s obviously the biggest reason they’ve been so good defensively over the last four years, in which he’s averaged 73.5 games played. But he’ll be entering Year 14 at the age of 34, and the only other centers on the roster – Joan Beringer and Rocco Zikarsky – played a total of 23 minutes over the Wolves’ 12 playoff games.

    #7

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    Phoenix Suns

    Last Week:7

    2025-26 record: 45-37

    OffRtg: 114.2 (17) DefRtg: 112.9 (9) NetRtg: +1.4 (15)

    Key additions: Miles Bridges, Luke Kennard

    Key departures: Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale

    Three numbers to know…

    • The Suns were the league’s most improved team (by a wide margin) in regard to the possession game. They averaged 3.1 more shot opportunities than their opponents, the league’s third best differential last season and up from 4.3 fewer than their opponents (third worst) in 2024-25. But they lost the possession game in three of their four games as they got swept by the Thunder in the first round of the playoffs.
    • Last season was their second-best defensive season (1.9 fewer points allowed per 100 possessions than the league average) in the last 25 years. They saw the league’s biggest jump in opponent turnover rate (see note above) and its second biggest drop in opponent 3-point percentage.
    • Dillon Brooks had a usage rate of 27.9%, up from 17.6% with Houston in 2024-25. That was the biggest jump among 290 players who played at least 500 minutes in each of the last two seasons.

    Key question: Is more Jalen Green a good thing?

    After playing all 82 in each of the previous two seasons, Green was available for just 32 regular-season games last year, logging just 291 total minutes (regular season, Play-In and playoffs combined) alongside both Brooks and Devin Booker. But the offense worked with all three on the floor, with the Suns scoring an efficient 122.6 points per 100 possessions in those minutes, even though 37% of them came against the Thunder. With Brooks’ ability to play the four, they didn’t necessarily have to play without a real point guard, and Collin Gillespie was also on the floor for 64 (60%) of the trio’s playoff 107 minutes.

    The Suns can certainly compete with the second tier of Western Conference teams if they can score that efficiently in a larger sample size with a healthier Green, while also continuing to win the possession game. It’s a huge year for the Suns-Green relationship, with him having a player option for 2027-28.

    #8

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    Utah Jazz

    Last Week:15↑

    2025-26 record: 22-60

    OffRtg: 112.7 (22) DefRtg: 120.8 (29) NetRtg: -8.2 (27)

    Key additions: Josh Okogie, Darryn Peterson

    Key departure: Walker Kessler

    Three numbers to know…

    • The Jazz are the third team in the 30 years for which we have play-by-play data to rank in the bottom two on defense in three straight seasons. They’ve ranked last in both transition points allowed and 3-pointers allowed in all three.
    • Their opponents took 45.1% of their shots, the league’s highest opponent rate, from 3-point range. And 59% of their opponents’ 3-point attempts, also the league’s highest rate, were wide open.
    • Lauri Markkanen scored 0.505 points per touch, the highest rate among 426 players with at least 500 total touches.

    Key question: How easily can they flip the switch?

    The Jazz have finished last in the Western Conference in each of the last two seasons. Will Hardy has a .326 winning percentage in his four years as head coach, and Lauri Markkanen has never made the playoffs in his nine-year career. Now, they have the talent to compete for a top-eight spot in the West. But how easy is it to turn the ship around after not caring about wins and losses for so long?

    There’s obviously more room for improvement on defense, where the Jazz could take a step forward by just trying to get back in transition every once in a while. They actually allowed only 90.4 points per 100 possessions in Jaren Jackson Jr.’s 72 minutes on the floor in February (before he was shut down for the season), but there aren’t many other plus defenders on this roster. There’s more talent on offense, but how it all fits together without a natural playmaker in the starting lineup will be an interesting puzzle for Hardy to solve.

    #9

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    Portland Trail Blazers

    Last Week:8↓

    2025-26 record: 42-40

    OffRtg: 113.1 (21) DefRtg: 113.5 (12) NetRtg: -0.4 (19)

    Key addition: Ja Morant

    Key departures: Jerami Grant, Matisse Thybulle

    Key return: Damian Lillard

    Coaching change: Tiago Splitter out, Micah Nori in

    Three numbers to know…

    • Last season was the first in the last seven years that the Blazers had a better-than-average defense. They had the ninth-ranked defense (116.3 points allowed per 100 possessions) in games against the league’s top 10 offenses.
    • According to tracking data, they ranked second in shot quality. But they were 22nd in effective field goal percentage. They ranked in the bottom five in both mid-range field goal percentage (38.0%, 26th) and 3-point percentage (34.3%, 28th).
    • They averaged 18.4 second-chance points per game, the second most for any team in the 30 seasons for which second-chance points have been counted. Donovan Clingan (14.9%) and Robert Williams III (13.3%) ranked second and seventh in offensive rebounding percentage among 305 players who averaged at least 15 minutes in 40 games or more.

    Key question: How is this going to work … on either end of the floor?

    Talent is the most important thing, and this looks like the Blazers’ most talented roster in the last six years. But it also may be the most unbalanced roster in the league, comprised mostly of guards and centers, with Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara the only true forwards.

    Avdija will be a better perimeter shooter playing more off the ball; He shot 36.0% on catch-and-shoot 3-pointers and just 25.0% on pull-up 3s last season. But his efficient trips to the line will be reduced if he’s ceding touch time to Lillard and Morant.

    The Morant-Avdija combination will be lethal in transition, but transition opportunities require stops on the other end of the floor. And it will be difficult to maintain a better-than-average defense if Lillard and Morant are playing a lot of minutes, even if Jrue Holiday can hold up against opposing forwards.

    #10

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    Golden State Warriors

    Last Week:9↓

    2025-26 record: 37-45

    OffRtg: 113.8 (19) DefRtg: 114.4 (16) NetRtg: -0.5 (20)

    Key addition(s): Yaxel Lendeborg

    Key departure: Quinten Post

    Three numbers to know…

    • Last season was just the second time in the last 14 seasons that the Warriors had a negative point differential. It was both their third worst offensive season (they scored 0.9 fewer points per 100 possessions than the league average) and their third worst defensive season (they allowed 0.4 fewer than average) over those 14 years.
    • They had the league’s highest 3-point rate, taking 49.7% of their shots from beyond the arc. They outscored their opponents by 8.3 points per game, the league’s second biggest differential, from 3-point range.
    • The Warriors scored 1.13 points per chance when they set a ball-screen for Stephen Curry. That was the highest mark for any player (minimum 500 ball-screens set) in the 13 seasons of tracking data.

    Key question: Will there be other trade opportunities?

    Curry remains one of the most impactful players in the league, but the Warriors haven’t had enough complementary players to take advantage of his gravity on offense, and they haven’t been able to add veteran talent to guarantee him another playoff appearance. Might there be more opportunities to add another starter between now and the trade deadline?

    Better health from Curry himself would keep the Warriors more competitive. His 43 games last season were the second fewest he’s played in the last 14 years, but they were 24-19 in the games he played, putting up the numbers (117.9 points scored per 100 possessions) of a top-five offense. Kristaps Porziņģis played in 16 of their final 22 games (including the Play-In), just turned 31 on Sunday, and could certainly raise the floor if the Warriors have figured out how to keep him healthy.

    #11

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    Dallas Mavericks

    Last Week:12↑

    2025-26 record: 26-56

    OffRtg: 110.3 (27) DefRtg: 115.5 (19) NetRtg: -5.2 (22)

    Key additions: Santi Aldama, Morez Johnson Jr., Zaccharie Risacher, Marcus Sasser

    Key departures: Marvin Bagley III, Ryan Nembhard

    Key return: Kyrie Irving

    Coaching change: Jason Kidd out, Dusty May in

    Three numbers to know…

    • The Mavs were one of two teams (the Kings were the other) that ranked in the bottom five in both 3-point percentage (34.4%, 26th) and the percentage of their shots that came from 3-point range (35.5%, 27th).
    • They had the league’s biggest differential between their effective field goal percentage in the first six seconds of the shot clock (64.1%, fifth best) and their effective field goal percentage thereafter (52.7%, 28th).
    • Cooper Flagg was the eighth qualified rookie in NBA history to average at least 20 points, six rebounds and four assists per game. His 11.3 points in the paint per game were the most for a qualified rookie in the last seven years.

    Key question: What becomes of Kyrie Irving?

    Irving is a good offensive fit with Flagg, but he’s 15 years older than the reigning Rookie of the Year and (with a player option) can be a free agent next July. So the Mavs’ best play may be to trade the star guard at some point. First, they (and the rest of the league) need to see how well he’s recovered from the torn ACL he suffered 17 months ago.

    More important in regard to the Mavs’ long-term plan is the health of Dereck Lively II, who’s played in just 43 games over the last two years and logged just 84 minutes (over six games) alongside Flagg last season. The on-court sample size isn’t big (948 total minutes), but over the last two years, the Mavs have allowed 10.0 fewer points per 100 possessions with Lively on the floor (105.9) than they have with him off the floor (115.9).

    #12

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    LA Clippers

    Last Week:10↓

    2025-26 record: 42-40

    OffRtg: 116.3 (11) DefRtg: 115.2 (18) NetRtg: +1.1 (16)

    Key additions: Rui Hachimura, Keaton Wagler

    Key departure: John Collins

    Notable free agent: Bennedict Mathurin

    Pending trade: Kawhi Leonard for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and picks

    Three numbers to know…

    • The Clippers have had a winning record in each of the last 15 seasons, the fourth longest streak in NBA history. But last season was the second in that stretch in which they missed the playoffs, and it’s now been five years since they last won a playoff series (2021).
    • They had the league’s biggest differential between their record when their opponents shot worse than the league average from 3-point range (30-9) and their record when their opponents shot the league average or better (12-31).
    • They’ve ranked in the bottom three in both ball and player movement in each of the last three seasons. Last season, they ranked last in ball movement, averaging just 292 passes per 24 minutes of possession.

    Key question: What is this team’s identity?

    It’s kind of amazing how much the Clippers have turned over the roster in less than a year. Bradley Beal, Bogdan Bogdanović, John Collins, James Harden, Chris Paul and Ivica Zubac are all gone from the veteran-laden group that began last season with a loss in Utah.

    Leonard may be gone as well, with the Clips having been 13.8 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor (plus-7.5) than they were with him off the floor (minus-6.3) last season. That was the third biggest on-off differential among 263 players who played at least 1,000 minutes for a single team.

    There’s still some talent here, and the Clippers can put together some good defensive lineups that include returnees Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr. But they don’t have a lot of guys that have played a lot of minutes together, and it will be fascinating to see how they win possessions offensively. It’s certainly an opportunity for Darius Garland (11th in the league in time of possession after his Clippers debut) to put up All-Star numbers.

    #13

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    New Orleans Pelicans

    Last Week:11↓

    2025-26 record: 26-56

    OffRtg: 113.3 (20) DefRtg: 117.6 (23) NetRtg: -4.4 (21)

    Key additions: N/A

    Key departures: N/A

    Coaching change: James Borrego out, Jamahl Mosley in

    Three numbers to know…

    • The Pelicans led the league in the percentage of their shots (58%) that came in the paint, but ranked 29th in field goal percentage in the paint (55.4%). They had three of the 41 players – Herb Jones, Micah Peavy and Jordan Poole – that shot worse than 50% on at least 100 shots in the paint.
    • They outscored their opponents by 6.6 points per 100 possessions in 303 total minutes with Dejounte Murray on the floor with at least two of Jones, Trey Murphy III or Zion Williamson. But they were just 3-6 in games that all four played in.
    • As things stand on Monday morning, the Pels are set to return 15 players, accounting for 93% of their minutes last season. That’s the league’s second highest rate, trailing only that of the Spurs (94%).

    Key question: Can Williamson and Derik Queen play together?

    The Pelicans basically gave up on the Williamson-Queen combo in late February. Over the last 20 games that both were available, they averaged just 5.9 minutes on the floor together, down from 14.5 prior to that. In total, the Pelicans were outscored by 11.0 points per 100 possessions in 711 total minutes with both bigs on the floor. But they’re bringing back the same group that finished 11 games out of the Play-In.

    In Saddiq Bey and Yves Missi, the Pels have other useful bigs. But they should obviously try the Williamson-Queen combo again. It might not ever work defensively, but maybe the offense can be good enough to make up for that. It was on offense where they were at their best (116.2 points scored per 100 possessions) with Murray on the floor.

    #14

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    Memphis Grizzlies

    Last Week:13↓

    2025-26 record: 25-57

    OffRtg: 112.4 (23) DefRtg: 118.4 (27) NetRtg: -6.0 (24)

    Key additions: Cameron Boozer, Jerami Grant, Quinten Post, Isaiah Stewart

    Key departures: Santi Aldama, Ja Morant

    Three numbers to know…

    • The Grizzlies were 10.5 points per 100 possessions worse after the All-Star break (minus-12.8, 28th) than they were before the break (minus-2.3, 21st). That was the fifth biggest post-break drop-off for any team in the last 25 years.
    • Cam Spencer shot 73-for-129 (56.6%) on wide-open 3-pointers, the second-best mark for a player with at least 100 wide-open attempts in the 13 seasons of tracking data.

    Key question: How good is Ty Jerome?

    Jerome averaged 31.4 points and 9.0 assists per 36 minutes last season and, over the last two years, he’s shot 43.3% from 3-point range and 54.2% on pull-up 2-pointers. He was coming off the bench in Cleveland two seasons ago and played just 339 total minutes last season, and Jerome is 10 years older than Boozer, so he doesn’t fit the optimal timeline for the Grizzlies. Still, it will be fascinating to see if he can come close to matching last season’s per-minute production in a larger sample size and earn a big pay day next Summer.

    It’s also a big year for Cedric Coward, Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells, who all fit the Boozer timeline. They played just 158 minutes together last season, but the Grizzlies outscored their opponents by 66 points (20.9 per 100 possessions) in that time. If Edey can stay healthy (he played fewer minutes than Jerome last year), he could be one of the most impactful defensive players in the league.

    #15

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    Sacramento Kings

    Last Week:14↓

    2025-26 record: 22-60

    OffRtg: 110.6 (26) DefRtg: 120.3 (28) NetRtg: -9.7 (28)

    Key addition: Darius Acuff Jr.

    Key departure: DeMar DeRozan

    Three numbers to know…

    • The Kings were outscored by 10.0 points per game, the point differential of a team that was 16-66 and the worst differential in franchise history.
    • They were outscored by 10.6 points per game from 3-point range, the worst discrepancy for any team in the last three seasons. Their 10.3 3-pointers per game were the fewest for any team in the last five seasons.
    • Dylan Cardwell grabbed 14.8% of available offensive rebounds while he was on the floor. That was the second highest rate among 234 players who averaged at least 20 minutes in 40 games or more. The Kings outscored their opponents by 1.9 points per 100 possessions in 569 minutes with Cardwell and Nique Clifford on the floor together.

    Key question: How good are the second-year guys?

    Acuff is the most important guy on the roster, but does he have a running mate when it comes to the Kings’ long-term future? All three of last season’s rookies – Cardwell, Clifford and Maxime Raynaud – have shown some promise, but could any of the three develop into a top-six player on a good team?

    Cardwell and Raynaud got opportunities, in part, because Domantas Sabonis played in only 19 games last season. But both of the rookies played some minutes alongside the veteran, and they also played 234 minutes together. So Sabonis’ return shouldn’t keep the young bigs from seeing the floor, and letting the young guys develop should obviously be the priority going forward. The phone lines are probably open in regard to the veterans that are still here.

  • Luis Díaz vuelve a la oficina: reto y duro itinerario en Bayern Múnich

    Luis Díaz ha vuelto a la oficina. Después de pasar el trago amargo de su desconcertante Mundial 2026, está listo para una nueva temporada en Bayern Múnich, su casa, su lugar feliz, el que apostó como nunca y merecidamente se benefició de su talento desde el primer día. 

    Uno de los mejores extremos del mundo estrena look en la temporada en la que aspira, como reto más ambicioso, a poner en su vitrina la tan esquiva Orejona, que reconoce al mejor equipo de la Champions League.

    Luis Díaz vuelve a la oficina: reto y duro itinerario en Bayern Múnich  

    Viene de un debut por el que no apostaban ni los hombres fuertes del Bayern que fueron por él hasta Liverpool con un maletín cargado con poco más de 70 millones de euros. 

    Luis Díaz Foto:Bayern Múnich

    Fue pieza clave en la tarea de arrasar con los títulos en Alemania y llegar hasta el último instante de la semifinal de la Champions League vivo, marginado solo por el incontenible PSG de Luis Enrique. Fue pulmón por la banda, 9 falso, sacrificio en el retroceso y el dueño del caos que su entrenador, Vincent Kompany, le reconoce como una de sus principales virtudes. 

    Fue, por mucho, el fichaje del año en Alemania, en Bayern, en el mercado europeo del último año. Díaz disputó 51 de los 55 partidos oficiales del Bayern en la temporada 2025/ 2026, siendo titular en 46 encuentros y con un balance de 26 goles y 23 asistencias entre todas las competencias.

    Luis Díaz Foto:Bayern Múnich

    En Bundesliga tuvo un impacto enorme en ataque. Bayern marcó 122 goles en el campeonato y Lucho participó en 32 de ellos gracias a sus 15 anotaciones y 17 asistencias. Lo natural es que haya una expectativa enorme y una cálida bienvenida a un jugador con semejante influencia. 

    Calendario agotador 

    El primer compromiso en la agenda, en esta segunda temporada en Bayern, será la Audi Summer Tour en Corea del Sur y Hong Kong, entre el primero y el 8 de agosto. En este certamen enfrentará mañana al Jeju SK FC y el viernes a Aston Villa.

    Luis Díaz Foto:Bayern Múnich

    Como Kane y Olise jugaron el octavo partido con sus selecciones en el Mundial aún no se incorporan, lo que deja a Díaz como la gran figura de ataque en la gira.

    De vuelta de territorio asiático, el colombiano tendrá otro amistoso contra RB Leipzig, el 15 de agosto, en el Allianz Arena, antes de disputar el primer título de la temporada. El 22 de agosto, Bayern visitará al Borussia Dortmund en el Signal Iduna Park para decidir el campeón de la Supercopa de Alemania, que enfrenta a los mejores del curso anterior. Ya el guajiro ganó este trofeo en su aterrizaje en Múnich. 

    Retos ambiciosos

    El desafío pasa por repetir el triplete alemán, con los títulos de Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal y Supercopa y apuntar a la revancha en la Champions League, de la que fue marginado por el campeón PSG.

    Luis Díaz Foto:Bayern Múnich

    La competencia oficial en la liga alemana empieza el 28 de agosto contra Stuttgart, en el Allianz Arena. Volver a un ritmo descollante es lo que se espera de un hombre clave del tridente, con Kane, Olise y un par de nuevas incorporaciones.

    Deportes

  • Luis Díaz y la infeliz historia de un unicornio… (Opinión)

    Terminan las vacaciones para las grandes estrellas del fútbol mundial y, mientras algunos especulan con el Balón de Oro y otras vanidades, para Colombia llega la hora de un aterrizaje forzoso

    Ahora que los analistas debaten sobre qué hace mal Real Madrid para no disfrutar de la versión de Mbappé o Bellingham en el reciente Mundial 2026, qué le queda a Cristiano Ronaldo tras la debacle de Portugal o si a Messi le alcanzan cinco semanas de excelso nivel para superar a un Harry Kane que demolió marcas a lo largo de la temporada o un Rodri que, como campeón del mundo, reclamara un lugar en el Olimpo, las miradas en este lado del mundo deberían apuntar, primordialmente, hacia adentro. 

    Luis Díaz vuelve a la acción tras el Mundial del 2026

    Hoy, que todo está listo para ver rodar la pelota en Europa, lo único que hay para presumir en este lado del mundo se llama Luis Fernando Díaz Marulanda. Uno de los mejores extremos del momento en la élite buscará el tan esquivo título de la Champions League tras barrer en su primera temporada con todo lo que jugó en Alemania. Este nuevo año debe ser el de la consolidación.

    Luis Díaz Foto:Bayern Múnich

    Atrás quedará su gris Mundial 2026, del que aún no se han conocido todos los secretos.

    Y aquí hay una primera gran lección para Colombia: nunca, en 100 años de historia de este deporte, un campeón mundial se coronó por cuenta de la virtud de un solo jugador. Maradona, Pelé, Messi y todos en los demás en el intermedio tuvieron un equipo que supo rodearlos, que tuvo cracs de perfil mediano pero influencia decisiva en todas las posiciones, que encumbró a su líder sobre la base de aquello que suena tan cliché pero acaba siendo tan determinante: una familia. 

    El técnico campeón del mundo, Luis de la Fuente, decía antes de que España eliminara a Francia, la gran favorita, que el problema del equipo de Deschamps era que al intentar bloquear a Mbappé se soltaba Olise, que al taparlo a él aparecía Dembélé, que al bloquear al Balón de Oro encontraban espacio los número 9, que al final había tanto trabajo que el arco francés parecía a una distancia sideral. 

    James Rodríguez Foto:AFP

    Y fue así con todos los que llegaron de cuartos de final hacia adelante: tenían tantos happy problems que multiplicaban las preocupaciones y dificultaban la planeación. Colombia, en cambio, se hizo tan predecible que bastó con escalarle la marca al número 7 para anular a un equipo prometedor. 

    Ni el recuerdo de James, las escaramuzas de Quintero, el nerviosismo de Suárez, el empeño de Muñoz, el sacrificio de Dávinson Sánchez o Lucumí alcanzaron para hacerle sombra a un jugador de élite como Díaz, Están todos, juntos e incluso sumados los prometedores Durán, Villarreal, Perea, Barrera, Asprilla, Puerta, Rengifo y hasta Samuel Martínez, a un millón de años luz. Tenemos un unicornio y creímos que rodearlo de buenos tipos era suficiente. Y no.

    Dávinson Sánchez. Foto:AFP

    El dolor es que se perdió una oportunidad para acercar a los que, en un mundo ideal, deberían reemplazar a los del ciclo cumplido, empezando por el capitán. No hay superestrellas, es cierto, pero es lo que hay y debería ser el punto de partida de una necesaria refundación. Lástima. Difícil ilusionarse con dosis de la misma medicina.

    Jenny Gámez

    Editora de deportes de EL TIEMPO

    @jennygameza