Dan Da Dan is in a hot streak of two incredible episodes, and Episode #3 will likely see a continuation of this amazing route. The series was exciting to fans for many reasons, including the story and characters as well as the great production and graphics. The Dan Da Dan Anime is establishing itself as one of the best, if not the best, this fall season.

Dan Da Dan is an anime based on the manga written and illustrated by Yukinobu Tatsu and published in Shonen Jump+. Starring the duo Momo and Okarun, this series is as unique and interesting as it gets, with romance, sci-fi, aliens, ghosts and much more. Produced and animated by studio Science SARU, the season is scheduled to have 12 episodes, with 10 more episodes to come. Here’s when and where to watch episode #3 Dan Da Dan.

When does Dan Da Dan Episode #3 come out?

Produced by Science Saru, based on the manga by Yukinobu Tatsu

Dan Da Dan Episode #3 is scheduled to be released on October 17, 2024 at 12:26 a.m. Japan Standard Time (JST). International viewers can watch the episode here 9:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, 11:00 p.m. Central Standard Time and 12:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. The episode will be available to stream Crunchyroll, Netflix and Hulu.

For fans of the dubbed version of the anime: Dan Da Dan will premiere on the same day as subtitles for all episodes. In addition to Japanese and English dubs, the episodes are also available in German and French.

What happened in Dan Da Dan Episode #2?

A desperate fight with no way out

After their life and death fight, Momo and Okarun decide to go to her house to change since it is morning and they can only find Turbo Granny at night. Okarun was initially unable to enter the area because there was a protective spell that created a barrier that warned of ghosts, and Okarun was possessed by a ghost. Momo removed it and they both went inside. As Momo was changing, the two were talking about this situation and this is where it came to this Momo assured Okarun that he had found a friend in herand they would remain friends afterward.

This pleasant moment was interrupted when the doorbell rang and Momo quickly found out that there was a supernatural being behind the door. Now that the barrier had fallen, an alien sneaked in and wanted revenge on Okarun. Aside from being huge, the monster also sprayed poisonous gas, so the clock was ticking for the two of them. They couldn’t leave the area because the alien had created a new barrier, so their only choice was to get past it. The alien was too powerful, but Okarun came up with the idea of ​​Momo suppressing his mind while allowing Turbo Granny to take over the body.

Okarun’s Turbo Mode is very powerful and he actually punches the alien and knocks him back. However, he couldn’t maintain this mode for too long due to the strain on his body. At this point, Momo decides to take the initiative and take on the alien alone. Using a clever strategy involving the protective spell, she took a severe beating from the alien, but outsmarted him and resulted in him being exorcised. When Momo finally leaves the premises, he collapses from complete exhaustion. Unfortunately, Turbo Granny possesses Okarun after Momo passes out, and the episode ends with him looming over Momo’s unconscious body.

Dan Da Dan Episode #2 Review

Even though the episode wasn’t as explosive as the first, the fight against the alien was definitely great. The black and white graphics were a nice creative choice that definitely made the combat feel more intense. Okarun’s transformation with the red coloring and the overall animation of the scene definitely did justice to the long-awaited moment.

Aside from the action and interesting lore revelations about aliens and ghosts, the highlight of this episode was definitely the blossoming friendship between Momo and Okarun. The scene where Okarun is self-deprecating about his lack of friends and reassures Momo that she will be his girlfriend was heartwarming and beautiful.

What will happen in Dan Da Dan Episode #3?

A main character’s hype appearance soon follows

The situation is bad for both Momo and Okarun and there is no one to stop Turbo Granny. However, this presents a great opportunity for a highly anticipated character who has the power to suppress spirits. The series has established Momo and Okarun as the main characters, and fans can look forward to new supporting characters who will help the two as they enter the world of the occult.

In just 2 episodes, Dan Da Dan did a fantastic job of making viewers bond with Momo and Okarun and building up their romance. Their motivations, backstory, and relationship are interesting to say the least, and episode #2 made them an even better duo. Episode #3 will be a good episode that starts with a bang and gradually levels off, giving viewers a chance to see a great character.

Don’t miss episode #3 of Dan Da Dan when it premieres on October 17, 2024.

Thomas Tuchel appointed England coach – LIVE!

The FA has appointed Thomas Tuchel as the new England coach. Former Chelsea manager Tuchel has been confirmed as Gareth Southgate’s permanent successor and will lead the Three Lions to the 2026 World Cup.

The German becomes the third non-British coach of the England national team after Sven-Göran Eriksson and Fabio Capello. The 51-year-old described his appointment as a “huge privilege” and said: “The opportunity to work with this special and talented group of players is very exciting.”

Tuchel, who led Chelsea to the Champions League title in 2021 and has been unemployed since leaving Bayern Munich at the end of last season, will start work on January 1 and will be supported by his assistant Anthony Barry. Tuchel will be introduced at a press conference at Wembley Stadium later on an important day for English football. Follow all the updates, reactions and latest news LIVE on the Standard Sport blog!

Latest news: Thomas Tuchel appointed England coach

• Tuchel appointed England coach

• Deutscher is “proud” to take on the role, which starts in January

• The press conference is scheduled for 1:30pm BST at Wembley Stadium

• Tuchel is supported by Anthony Barry

• Harry Kane praises Tuchel as a “fantastic coach” ahead of the reunion.

The FA interviewed several candidates

10:42 , Jamie Dickenson

The FA have revealed they interviewed “several candidates” before identifying Thomas Tuchel as their “preferred appointment”.

The extensive recruitment process to find Gareth Southgate’s successor began in July after England lost the Euro 2024 final to Spain.

Mark Bullingham, FA CEO, said: “We are delighted to have hired Thomas Tuchel, one of the best coaches in the world, and Anthony Barry, one of England’s best coaches, to support him.”

“Our recruitment process was very thorough. Before the European Championships, we had an emergency plan and defined exactly what qualities we expected from a coach.

“Since Gareth’s resignation we have worked through the candidate pool, met a number of coaches and assessed them against these criteria.

“Thomas was very impressive and stood out for his great expertise and drive. Anthony is a top English talent and also has international experience in the Republic of Ireland, Belgium and Portugal.”

Kane praises Tuchel as a “fantastic coach”

10:36

Harry Kane has hailed Thomas Tuchel as a “fantastic coach” ahead of England’s reunion.

Kane left Tottenham for Bayern Munich as Tuchel was in charge of the German giants, scoring 44 goals and providing 12 assists in just 45 games in their only season together.

Before Tuchel’s appointment as England manager was confirmed, Kane told reporters: “To be honest, I don’t know, I haven’t been told anything.

“I know Thomas well from last year [he’s a] A fantastic coach and a fantastic person. So I’m sure the guys at the FA will get in touch with me when they know more about it.”

Anthony Barry appointed assistant

10:20 , Jamie Dickenson

Anthony Barry has been appointed as Thomas Tuchel’s assistant in England.

Barry worked closely with Tuchel at the likes of Chelsea and Bayern Munich and also served as an assistant for Portugal, Belgium and the Republic of Ireland.

The FA described the 38-year-old as “internationally known” in its statement.

Barry said: “For any Englishman in football, working with the national team is the pinnacle and I didn’t hesitate when Thomas asked me to rejoin him.”

“I know what a great place St George’s Park is and what a huge advantage it gives our England teams and the support it provides to the coaches.

“This team is very talented and has done so much to bring the country together. I look forward to meeting them and working with them on this exciting project.”

Tuchel press conference at Wembley Stadium at 1.30 p.m

10:12 , Jamie Dickenson

Thomas Tuchel will be unveiled at a press conference at Wembley Stadium this afternoon at 1.30pm.

Tuchel will be in attendance along with FA chief executive Mark Bullingham.

We will share any updates with you as soon as the time comes. In the meantime, we’ve got all the latest updates, reactions and opinions on the big news.

Tuchel is “proud” to take over and will take up his role in January

10:06 , Jamie Dickenson

Thomas Tuchel has revealed he is “proud” to have been appointed England coach and will take up his new role in January.

Tuchel signed his contract last Tuesday but the announcement was delayed to minimize the distraction of England’s recent games against Greece and Finland.

He brings with him his former assistant at Chelsea and Bayern Munich Anthony Barry.

“I am very proud to be given the honor of leading the England team,” he said in a statement released by the FA.

“I have long felt a personal connection to the game in this country and it has already given me some incredible moments.

“Having the chance to represent England is a huge privilege and the opportunity to work with this special and talented group of players is very exciting.”

“Working closely with Anthony as my assistant coach, we will do everything we can to make England successful and the fans proud. I would like to thank the FA, especially Mark [Bullingham] and John [McDermott]for their trust and I look forward to beginning our journey together.”

Tuchel will take up his role as England coach on January 1, 2025, ahead of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Lee Carsley will continue to take charge of England’s final two Nations League games against Greece and Ireland next month.

Good morning!

09:55 , Giuseppe Muro

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Thomas Tuchel’s appointment as England coach!

A big day for English football as former Chelsea manager Tuchel is named Gareth Southgate’s permanent successor.

The German becomes the third non-British coach of the English national team after Sven-Göran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.

We get the latest news, updates and reaction ahead of his unveiling press conference at Wembley Stadium at 1:30pm BST from Wembley.

As I begin the Week 7 fantasy football slate, I want to start at the wide receiver position, as there are potential streaming options – with positive matchups – that can strengthen your lineup this week.

There’s a dynamic slot receiver here, a perimeter target for Lamar Jackson and more. And with injuries to running backs occurring on a daily or week-to-week basis across the league, I need to look at several ball carriers whose roles could potentially increase based on the reports we’re getting closer to the game over time.

As always, I’ll cover the quarterback position, with two signal callers I like this week, while also giving you a tight end and a matchup-based defense to use as a streaming option.

The players listed below are targets from lower leagues who play in less than 50% of the ESPN leagues entering the exemption period this week. While you may notice some overlap with Eric Moody’s waiver statement column published on Monday, an important difference is that the options mentioned in that column apply solely to this week’s matchups and are not based on players’ values ​​for the remainder of the season.

Wide receiver

DeMario Douglas, New England Patriots (21.1% on roster; at Jaguars)

Douglas scored a team-high nine times in his first game with rookie Drake Maye at quarterback, catching six passes for 92 yards and adding a late touchdown. This deployment bodes well for Douglas, who will face a Jags defense in Week 7 and give opposing wide receivers the most fantasy points. For me, he’s a flex player in the deeper league this week, and he should see a lot of targets in the midfield/below the field compared to the Jags’ 2-deep coverages.

Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals (14.2% on roster; vs. Chargers)

With Marvin Harrison Jr. potentially out (concussion), Wilson would move up to the lead in the Cardinals’ receiving game. Wilson scored just four goals in the Week 6 loss to the Packers, but found the end zone and scored a total of 22 goals in his three previous games. Wilson is a small to medium route runner and has enough energy to reach the third level. He could face a heavier workload against the Chargers on Monday night. Let’s monitor this situation.

Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens (5.9% on roster; at Bucs)

Bateman is becoming a solid perimeter target for Lamar Jackson as he has scored 10 or more points in three of his last four games and has a touchdown reception in two games. Bateman, who has seen 12 targets in the last two weeks, also gets a matchup against a Bucs defense ranked in the bottom 10 at wide receiver.

Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers (28.9% in squad; at Commanders)

Legette has a touchdown reception and double-digit points in two of his last three games. And while his target volume is down over the last two weeks (five targets), I view this as a matchup-based game against a Commanders defense that allows 7.5 YPA. Take Legette as a deeper league option this week.

JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kansas City Chiefs (17.8% on roster; at 49ers)

In the Chiefs’ last game in Week 5, Smith-Schuster experienced a role change as he scored 20.0 points and caught seven of eight targets for 130 yards in the win over the Saints. Smith-Schuster is willing to work the high-traffic areas of the field and he can produce after the catch-on-down throw. With his ability to play through contact, I like Smith-Schuster as a backup this week in San Francisco.

Bub Means, New Orleans Saints (0.0% on roster; vs. Broncos)

With Chris Olave in the concussion protocol and the Saints playing a short week of Thursday night games, Means is a potential flyer to consider. Means scored 15.5 points in the Week 6 loss to Tampa Bay, catching five of quarterback Spencer Rattler’s eight targets for 45 yards and a score. Sure, Means and Rattler have a much tougher time against the Broncos’ defense, but if you’re in a 14- or 16-team league, you might want to take a chance here.

Running backs

Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins (9.1% on roster; at Colts)

With De’Von Achane still suffering from a concussion, managers may switch to Wright depending on injury reports later in the week. Wright can absolutely roll. He has a speed rating of 4.3 and rushed for a season-high 86 yards (on 13 carries) in the Week 5 game against the Patriots. If Achane can’t go, get Wright in the backfield rotation with Raheem Mostert against a Colts defense that allows 155.2 rushing yards per game (31st in the NFL).

Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers (0.9% on roster; vs. Chiefs)

Guerendo could be a potential addition at the end of the week as we await injury news from running back Jordan Mason (shoulder). In relief of Mason last Thursday night against Seattle, Guerendo had 99 yards rushing on 10 carries, highlighted by a 76-yard run late in the game. If Mason is out, Kyle Shanahan will fill in for Guerendo. And he can leave once he reaches the second level.

Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas Raiders (35.6% on roster; at Rams)

Mattison’s deployment is related to the health of Zamir White (groin), so we’ll need to stay abreast of the Raiders’ injury reports this week. However, if White is still out for the Week 7 game against the Rams, then get Mattison. He has recorded at least 17 touches in each of his last two games and has recorded a total of seven touches in that span. Additionally, with four games of double-digit fantasy production this season, Mattison is solid against an LA defense that ranks in the bottom 10 compared to running backs.

Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons (43.0% on roster; vs. Seattle)

Allgeier continued to share running duties with Bijan Robinson in the Falcons’ backfield as he led the teams with 18 attempts for 105 yards and a score in the Week 6 win over the Panthers. While this game plan was more run-heavy due to the match, the Falcons were able to rely on the ground attack again this week against Seattle. The Seahawks are allowing 5.0 yards per carry (28th in the league), which could open the door for Allgeier and Robinson to be back at the top of the roster. I see Allgeier, who scored double-digit points in two of his last three games, as a flex player from a deeper league.

Sean Tucker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1.0% on roster; vs. Ravens)

Tucker’s unexpected 34.2 points led all running backs in Week 6 as he recorded 192 total yards – and two touchdowns – with a team-high 17 touchdowns. And that creates real intrigue as to how the Bucs backfield will perform in the future. Rachaad White (foot) missed the Week 6 win over the Saints and Bucky Irving totaled 105 yards on 16 touches. So let’s keep an eye on the reports out of Tampa this week because if White is down again, Tucker can be played in deeper formats as he will most likely be sharing touches with Irving.

D’Ernest Johnson, Jacksonville Jaguars (0.3% on roster; vs. Patriots)

With Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring injury) potentially out in London this week, Johnson could move into the backfield with Tank Bigsby. In last week’s loss to the Bears, Johnson totaled 42 yards on eight touches and led the Jags with 28 yards rushing.

Quarterbacks

Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (46.4% on roster; at Vikings)

Goff is playing his best football of the season, and it’s reflected in both the numbers and the game tape. In his last three games, Goff completed 81.8% of his throws with multiple touchdown passes in each, and he scored over 25 fantasy points in his last two games. Goff’s offensive system in Detroit relies on timing concepts that also create open gaps in coverage. Yes, Goff will see a more pressure-heavy defense in Week 7 against the Vikings, but I still like that he fits in here as a streamer in an important NFC North matchup.

Drake Maye, New England Patriots (3.8% on roster; at Jaguars)

If you’re playing in a 2QB superflex format, take a look at starting Maye this week as the matchup against a Jags defense is allowing a league-worst 276.7 yards per game. In his first professional start against the Texans in Week 6, Maye threw three touchdown passes and finished the game with 19.52 points. Yes, his point total was affected by three turnovers (two picks, one fumble). However, Maye’s ability to add numbers on the ground (38 rushing yards in Week 6) and extend plays outside the pocket can give you some upside in the lineup.

Tight end

Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (18.3% on roster; at Jaguars)

Henry had 15.1 points in Week 6, his first double-digit scoring game since Week 2, and he added a touchdown. I expect Henry to see the volume against Jacksonville as a way out for Maye, with targeted throws to test the seams.

D/ST

Cincinnati Bengals (21.4% on roster; at Browns)

The Bengals recorded defensive turnovers in each of their last three games and held the Giants to just seven points in Week 6. So let’s take the matchup against a Cleveland offense that posted a league-worst 3.9 yards per game while scoring just 15.83 points per game (30th in the NFL). And with quarterback Deshaun Watson’s subpar play, I think the Bengals defense can have another solid week.

LUTCHER, La. (WAFB) – The St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that left one man dead and another man injured.

According to the sheriff’s office, at approximately 8:40 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15, officers were dispatched to a shooting in the 2100 block of Highway 44 in Lutcher following a report that a man had been shot.

Authorities said about 10 minutes later, a second caller reported that another man had been shot in the same area.

Both victims were taken to a hospital for treatment. One was transported by a family member and the other by ambulance. One of the victims died in hospital from his injuries. Out of respect for the victim’s family, no name will be released at this time, the sheriff’s office said.

A possibly suspect vehicle was located in an eastbound lane on the west side of the Veterans Memorial Bridge and was damaged by gunfire. The sheriff’s office reported that officers received information that four men allegedly got out and left on foot.

Officers from the St. James Parish and St. John Parish Sheriff’s Offices searched the area but were unable to find anyone.

The investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information, please contact the St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office at (225) 562-2200 or 911.

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German auto giant Skoda is gearing up to launch its sub-four meter Kylaq SUV in India. The Kylaq is scheduled to be phased out on November 6th and go on sale in 2025. This marks Skoda’s entry into the increasingly competitive subcompact SUV segment in the Indian market.

According to HT Auto, this move is part of Skoda’s larger India 2.0 strategy, which sees the brand focus heavily on SUVs. With the Kodiaq and Kushaq already on sale, the Kylaq is expected to further consolidate Skoda’s presence in the Indian market. The name “Kylaq” is inspired by Mount Kailash and the Sanskrit word for crystal and is a tribute to India’s cultural heritage.

According to reports, the Kylaq will be the third Skoda product to be built on the MQB-A0-IN platform, a derivative of Volkswagen Group’s MQB modular architecture that has been specifically adapted for the Indian market.

As for the design, the Kylaq will come with LED projector headlights, a vertical slatted grille that is characteristic of Skoda’s signature look and chunky front and rear bumpers, the report adds. It also features LED daytime running lights, pentagonal taillights with LED inserts, blacked alloy wheels, roof rails and rear disc brakes, giving it a robust and modern aesthetic.

In terms of dimensions, the Kylaq will have a length of 3,995 mm, a wheelbase of 2,566 mm and a ground clearance of 189 mm. The SUV was reportedly subjected to over 800,000 kilometers of testing in a variety of conditions, from extreme temperatures of -10°C to 85°C and altitudes from sea level to 3,000 meters, the release said. Skoda has also taken special measures to ensure the vehicle’s resilience to monsoons by testing water intrusion under intense simulated conditions.

Under the hood of the Kylaq is a 1.0 liter three-cylinder TSI petrol engine with 114 hp and 178 Nm of torque. This engine is mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission, providing consumers with versatile driving options.

When it comes to safety, the Kylaq is expected to match the high standards of its Kushaq and Slavia siblings, both of which have received five-star safety ratings in global NCAP tests. It will be equipped with over 25 active and passive safety features, including six airbags, traction and stability control, and multi-collision braking, making it a robust contender in the subcompact SUV segment.

The Kylaq will compete with popular rivals like the Tata Nexon, Kia Sonet, Mahindra XUV300, Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Hyundai Venue.

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Eric Peterson, who played the affable but clueless Kevin McRoberts on AMC’s Kevin Can F**K Himself, spoke about his experience on the series in a recent interview.

“Kevin Can F**K Himself” – A TV series that deserves far more recognition

It’s baffling that “Kevin Can F**K Himself” stays under the radar and rarely receives the media attention it deserves. In the show, Emmy winner Annie Murphy, known for her role as Alexis Rose on Schitt’s Creek, plays Kevin’s wife, Allison. Murphy is just as incredible in this dramatic role as he is as Alexis. But it’s not just her performance that makes the show fascinating; it is the premise itself.

“Kevin Can F**K Himself” juxtaposes sitcoms and dramatic television. It’s not just about comedic and dramatic tones; The show literally switches between multi-cam and single-cam formats, changing color grading, adding and removing laugh tracks, and switching filming styles to tell its story.

This story explores the reality of being the wife of a goofy, often incompetent sitcom protagonist. These shows often feature attractive wives who are abused by their husbands. “Kevin Can F**K Himself” adds another layer by portraying this relationship as an allegory for abuse.

Eric Petersen on playing Kevin McRoberts in AMC’s “Kevin Can F**K Himself”

In the interview, Peterson offered insight into his approach to playing the sitcom version of Kevin, a character designed to be a stereotypical sitcom husband. He revealed that his main task was to portray Kevin as static and unchanging, even as the other characters around him underwent significant development.

I’ve played villains before, not in my entire career, but I’ve played villains in other things. One of the most important things about playing a villain as an actor is that you can’t judge whether they’re a villain. Each character sees themselves as the hero of their own story, even the worst of the worst. Even if you’re an insane, psychopathic guy who could say “I want to murder the world,” you’d have a reason for it. “The world is terrible and it must end.” For you as a villain, that’s a positive goal you’re moving towards, right? As an actor, you can never judge your character’s actions, intentions, desires, or goals as bad. They think they are good. The way I saw Kevin, even though he was a selfish idiot who was oblivious to the people around him and the impact his actions had on them, he saw it like this: “Man, I have a great life, and I don’t.” I’m proud of myself for creating this great life? Everything seems to be working for me. I have great people around me and they seem to be having a good time too. So I bring the life to the party.” These are all positive things. Although Kevin is truly delusional, in his opinion he is not doing anything wrong. “I’m a great guy to be with.” So you have to look at it through that lens. You can’t judge, “Oh man, he’s so rude to his wife. He’s so rude to his friends and his father.” He doesn’t see it that way. As an actor you can’t put yourself in that situation. Once the show is over and I watch it again, I can say, “Oh man, he really is such an idiot.” Then you can make those judgments once the project is finished. But when you actually do it, you have to find the positive in that character’s head. This is how I approached the basics of the character. –Eric Petersen

This deliberate lack of growth underscores the series’ exploration of sitcom tropes and the contrast between Kevin’s perception of reality and the darker reality experienced by his wife, Allison. Ultimately, Peterson’s portrayal of Kevin McRoberts is a crucial part of Kevin Can F**K Himself, contributing to the series’ commentary on sitcom conventions and the stark contrast between the two worlds it presents.

Additionally, the actor discussed the challenges of playing a character that remains essentially the same throughout the series. Despite the turmoil and changes around him. He noted that while it was fun to portray Kevin’s ignorance, it was also a unique challenge for an actor to resist the urge to add depth and growth to the character.

About Eric Petersen

Eric Petersen is a dynamic American actor who has made a name for himself on both stage and screen. First and foremost, he is an experienced Broadway performer. He appeared in numerous popular productions, including playing the title role in Shrek the musical. Furthermore, he has showcased his talent in shows like The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee And Escape to Margaritaville. He demonstrates his versatility as an actor.

In addition to his stage work, Petersen has also made a name for himself on television. You might recognize him from his roles in series like KirstieDisney Channels Jessie, Pair of kingsAnd Kirby bucket. In addition to his live-action roles, Petersen has particularly lent his voice to animated projects The Angry Birds Movie 2. This shows his ability to bring characters to life in various media.

You can find Eric Peterson on Instagram: @EricPete Eric Peterson and TikTok: @EricPeterson44. You can even check out his Instagram account dedicated to men’s fashion: @ThePortlyGentleman.

About the Temple of Geek Podcast

Launched in 2012, the Temple of Geek Podcast features a rotating cast of geeky hosts from the Temple of Geek team. We cover a wide range of geek and pop culture news and events. You can listen to the Temple of Geek Podcast directly on this page. Additionally, you can stream it on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, iHeartRadio, and Spotify.

GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — Guadalajara is the capital of a Mexican state that is home to tequila and mariachi music. It is also considered the birthplace of a less flattering tradition – a homophobic soccer chant that has cost Mexico hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines over the past two decades.

It was no surprise that the chant, a one-word insult that literally means “male prostitute” in Spanish, was heard from the crowd at Akron Stadium in Guadalajara on Tuesday during a friendly match between Mexico and the United States.

Although messages and banners on the screen urged fans to stop chanting and instead chant “Mexico,” the crowd shouted the insult at U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner within a minute of kickoff.

Multiple sanctions from FIFA and campaigns by Mexican soccer officials to educate fans have failed to eliminate the problem. The chant persists in both club and national team football in Mexico, not least in games between the two North American rivals, who will co-host the 2026 World Cup with Canada.

When the U.S. men’s team played Mexico in the CONCACAF Nations League final in Texas in March, the referee stopped the game twice due to homophobic chants from Mexican fans. Last year, a game between the two teams in Las Vegas was canceled for the same reason.

On Tuesday, the referee didn’t stop the game, but organizers tried at one point to drown out the singing by playing “Cielito Lindo,” a popular folk song, over the stadium speakers. Mexico won the game 2-0.

In Guadalajara, a city with a strong soccer tradition that has two teams in Mexico’s top soccer league and two more in the second division, many local fans told The Associated Press that they thought the chant was harmless and intended only to to make fun of the opposing teams.

“Football is still a party and the singing is just for fun. “People shouting that doesn’t mean an insult to the rival,” said Luis Gallardo, a 38-year-old wearing the black away jersey of the Mexican national team. “It’s been going on for years and I don’t think anything will change.”

While the insult, typically used when the opposing goalkeeper takes a goal kick, is not the only insulting chant heard in soccer stadiums around the world, its continued use in international tournaments has become costly for the Mexican soccer federation become embarrassment.

The association has been fined countless times by FIFA for “discriminatory behavior” by fans, including 100,000 Swiss francs ($114,000) for two incidents during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Mexico has appealed these penalties.

The Mexican Football Association has long argued that the chant was not aimed at gays and that the word has a different connotation in contemporary Mexican culture. However, in recent years the association has launched campaigns to prevent this. Stadium announcers urged the audience to refrain from discriminatory chants and enlisted the help of soccer stars and other celebrities to spread the message.

In 2022, the association threatened fans who shout the insults at games with five-year stadium bans. At the time, then federation president Yon de Luisa said that regardless of the intention of those who use the insult, what matters is how it is received by others.

“If it is discriminatory, we should avoid it,” said De Luisa, who later resigned after Mexico’s poor performance in Qatar, where the team was eliminated in the group stage.

The origin of the song is somewhat unclear, but it can be traced back to a 2004 Olympic qualifying match between Mexico and the United States in Guadalajara, the capital of the state of Jalisco. It then spread to stadiums across Mexico with fans of Guadalajara soccer club Atlas.

Francisco Acuña, a 55-year-old Atlas fan, said the chant was a way for fans to express their emotions during the game and should not be taken too seriously.

“The people who know football know that the game is intense and even players get hot-headed on the field and hug each other at the end of the game,” he said.

Alejandro Oliva, a 40-year-old soccer fan from downtown Guadalajara, said he doesn’t understand why some people find the chant offensive.

“I’m surprised that people outside of Mexico think it’s a homophobic song. In Mexico it is normal and does not offend anyone,” he said. “I think even people in the gay community use the word and don’t get offended by it.”

Not everyone sees it that way.

“It is clearly homophobic because you humiliate a person with an insult of sexual and negative connotation,” said Andoni Bello, an LGBTQ+ activist and outspoken critic of chanting who played for Mexico in amateur soccer tournaments organized by the International Gay and Lesbian Association Football Association were organized.

He said Mexico must refrain from this chant until the 2026 World Cup, when the eyes of the world will be on the country. Mexico is scheduled to host 13 World Cup games, including four in Guadalajara.

Bello urged tournament organizers to reach out to the LGBTQ+ community and ask for help in addressing the issue.

“It’s not just about taking pictures of them and saying they’re against homophobia in the stadiums,” he said. “There is a real opportunity to educate the Mexican fan. At the 1986 World Cup we were world famous thanks to the “Mexican wave”. We had a great celebration. Let’s hope we can eradicate the saying because it is very sad to be known for homophobia.”

___

AP Football:

It’s week 7, people! Time to set up those fantasy lineups! Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em is the ultimate look at a week’s best and worst matchups in fantasy football leagues. Each week I examine the quarterbacks who may or may not exceed expectations based on their weekly opponent…like Caleb Williams and Jared Goff in Week 6!

For your final lineup decisions, check out my fantasy player rankings. I update them daily! Also, be sure to subscribe to the Fantasy Dirt Podcast with Lindsay Rhodes and I as we break down all things fantasy football five days a week!

All positions: QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | K & DSTs

1. Lamar Jackson at Buccaneers (Mon.)
2. Jalen is hurting the Giants
3. Jayden Daniels vs. Panthers
4. Josh Allen vs. Titans
5. Baker Mayfield vs. Ravens (Mon.)
6. Jordan Love vs. Texans
7. Joe Burrow at Browns
8. Sam Darnold vs. Lions
9. Jared Goff at Vikings
10. CJ Stroud at Packers

Complete Week 7 Quarterback Rankings (Coming Soon!)

Bye: Bears, cowboys

beginning of the week

Baker Mayfield vs. Ravens (Mon. 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN): Mayfield has become one of the best quarterbacks in fantasy football, averaging 22.5 points per game. He will undoubtedly need to be featured in surprising lineups in the future, and that includes this week’s game against the Ravens. Their defense struggled against quarterbacks, giving up a total of 11 touchdown passes and the second-most fantasy points per game in 2024.

Start them

Jordan Love vs. Texans (1 p.m. ET, CBS): Fantasy managers “love” Jordan as he is averaging more than 20 fantasy points in his four starts this season. I would keep him active this week against the Texans in a potentially high-scoring game at Lambeau Field. Their defense has allowed three quarterbacks to beat them by more than 19 points after six weeks, a list that includes rookie Drake Maye in his first NFL start last week.

Sam Darnold vs. Lions (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Darnold has been solid for the most part this year, scoring 19+ points in three of his last four games. Next up is a match against the Lions, in a game that opened with a total of 51 players, so Vegas is expecting a high-scoring game. Their defense held Dak Prescott to just 3.2 points last week, but Detroit has also given up more than 18 points to two quarterbacks since Week 2 and will be without Aidan Hutchinson.

Jared Goff on Vikings (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Goff has been hot lately, scoring 25+ fantasy points in each of his last two games. He has also thrown for multiple touchdowns without a single interception in each of his last three contests. I would use him in a Minnesota shootout, even against a Vikings defense that was pretty tough on opposing quarterbacks. So in this case I’m going with fantasy rather than matchup.

Kirk Cousins ​​vs. Seahawks (1 p.m. ET, Fox): Cousins ​​was a disappointment last week as he only scored 12.5 points despite a great match in Carolina. Still, he’s worth a look when the Falcons host Seattle in Week 7. Their defense allowed three different signal callers to beat them and score more than 22 points, including Daniel Jones. Additionally, all three of these quarterbacks beat Seattle and scored more than 22 points in each of their last three games.

QBs with good matchups

Seat of the week

Justin Fields vs. Jets (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Fields is a tough player as he has put up 18+ points in three of his last four games, including two of 23+ points. Still, this week’s matchup against the Jets isn’t favorable at all. Their defense has given up four touchdown passes and the third-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks. There have also been reports that Fields could lose his starting role to Russell Wilson.

Set them

Patrick Mahomes at 49ers (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox): Mahomes has been very mediocre this year (and really since the second half of last season), averaging 14.2 points per game. I would still use him if you have a viable alternative this week, as Mahomes faces a 49ers defense that only allows two quarterbacks to beat them for more than 12.8 fantasy points. Additionally, only one of them has thrown more than one touchdown against them.

Kyler Murray vs. Chargers (Mon. 9 p.m. ET, ESPN+): Murray, who was last week’s Sit of the Week, scored just 11.9 fantasy points in a loss to the Packers. I would also keep an eye on him this week as he faces a Chargers defense that is allowing just five touchdown passes and an average of 13 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks this season. Additionally, Murray could be without his best wideout, Marvin Harrison Jr., who suffered a concussion.

Deshaun Watson vs. Bengals (1 p.m. ET, CBS): You might look at Watson’s matchup against the Bengals and think it’s favorable (and it is). But as we saw last week, he simply cannot be trusted, no matter the opponent. Watson hasn’t scored more than 12.2 fantasy points in each of his last three games, and he hasn’t managed to throw for 200 yards in a single game as a member of the Browns! At this point, Watson is likely a waiver claimer in 2024.

Aaron Rodgers at Steelers (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC): Rodgers hasn’t scored more than 15.1 points in all but two of his first six games this season, and a matchup against the Steelers this week makes him a sit-’em player. Pittsburgh’s defense has not allowed an opposing quarterback to beat them for more than 16.4 fantasy points in a game this season, and only two opposing field generals have thrown multiple touchdowns against them.

QBs with bad matchups

-The Eastern Conference is the home of the NBA’s reigning champions … and also the home to a lot of teams that are straining to chase them.

The Boston Celtics blew through the competition last season while hardly breaking a sweat and have now won eight of their last nine playoff series against East foes. Anything can happen in a short series, of course, but at the very least, Boston has to be the odds-on favorite to finish with the conference’s best record after finishing a whopping 14 games ahead of the second-place New York Knicks a year ago.

That said, the competition didn’t stand pat. New York and Philadelphia took big swings to try to catch Boston in the talent department. The Orlando Magic, Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers are coming on, and the Milwaukee Bucks still have Giannis Antetokounmpo. Whether any of them can actually threaten the Celtics remains to be seen, but the chase for spots No. 2 through No. 8 should be thrilling, just as it was a season ago when only four games separated those seven places in the final standings.
 
Here’s how the East playoff teams look to me this season, along with their projected records:

Are the Heat stuck in the middle?

Yes, there is an underlying presumption that, one way or another, Miami will eventually figure things out. No matter how crappy or disjoined the Heat might look in the opening weeks, there’s a sense that we’ll look at the standings in mid-January and say, “Oh, Miami just won seven straight.”

This season may test those assumptions. Miami low-key wasn’t all that good a year ago, ranking 18th in scoring margin, but the automatic wins in the wastelands of the East (15-1 against the five worst teams) helped boost the Heat to a respectable mid-40s win total. Boston then cleaned Miami’s clocks in the first round, with four defeats by an average of 22 points surrounding Miami’s lone win.

Health was a factor, with Jimmy Butler out for his usual 22 games and Tyler Herro and Terry Rozier missing significant time, but Miami’s depth was a strength. The bigger issue was the lack of plus-starter talent at the top of the lineup. After Butler and defensive ace Bam Adebayo, Miami’s third-best player was … Herro? I guess? He’s fine, but he’s topped out as more of a volume guy as he enters Year 6 — a minus defender with a 55.8 career true shooting percentage — and he’s owed $93 million over the next three years.

That takes us to the financial decisions that cloud Miami’s future. The Heat can’t trade a first-round pick until 2029, are deep into the luxury tax this year and are facing Butler’s possible free agency after the season. Paying him isn’t an easy decision — not when he’s already 35 and misses a guaranteed 20 games every year (he hasn’t played more than 65 since he was a Bull), and not when last season’s Heat seemed miles from contending even with him.

One wonders if the Heat might pivot to build around Adebayo and some promising youngsters — the last two first-round picks (Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kel’El Ware) look like keepers. But Butler would be the first domino, and trading him for value with his age, injury history and lack of 3-point game is tricky. Duncan Robinson’s half-guaranteed season in 2026-27 makes his contract a likely salary match in any deal, but for what? And how far out do you want to go surrendering draft picks for this roster?

Miami has the league’s best coach and a proven pipeline for turning two-ways into real contributors. The Heat lost one in free agency in Caleb Martin but may develop another in summer-league find Josh Christopher. Haywood Highsmith is back on a value deal, Kevin Love can still play, and maybe Nikola Jović can be something. Depth alone should keep them bouncing along somewhere near .500. But the issue here is a top five that isn’t scaring anybody, even when they’re all in the lineup. The sad-trombones bottom of the East might be the only thing still propping up Miami in the top eight.

7. Indiana Pacers (44-38)

This may seem a bit low for last year’s conference finalists; the Pacers won 47 a year ago with half a season of Pascal Siakam and half a season of the peak version of Tyrese Haliburton. Haliburton, in particular, is an elite shooter, shot creator and pace-pusher who was the top reason the Pacers finished with the league’s second-best offense in 2023-24.

Historically, however, “Hangover year after a surprise conference finals run” is kind of a thing: The 2023 Lakers, 2022 Mavericks, 2021 Hawks and Clippers, 2020 Nuggets, 2019 Blazers and my own 2013 Grizzlies (I was vice president of basketball operations at the time) combined to win (checks notes) one playoff series the following season. Dallas and the Clippers missed the playoffs entirely, the Mavericks and Trail Blazers had losing records, and all but the Lakers had a worse record in the season after.

The good news here for Indiana is that it’s easy to see the Pacers winning at least half their games because of the injury resilience up and down the roster.

Indy’s subs were nearly as good as its starters in 2023-24, with a career year from 31-year-old T.J. McConnell fueling a frenetic, running, pressing unit. With Obi Toppin re-signed, McConnell extended and Bennedict Mathurin back from injury, that part figures to continue. On the sideline, Rick Carlisle’s mad-scientist tricks a year ago showed his X’s and O’s still have zing at 64.

At the top end, however, this roster pales next to the conference’s big four. Haliburton-Siakam is a solid nucleus, but the Pacers are a star short of their rivals. Myles Turner is the other key player to watch; he’s a free agent after the season, and his contract can’t be extended. The Pacers may be in a pickle after paying Toppin and McConnell and signing an extension with Andrew Nembhard that changed his salary from $2 million to $18 million in 2025-26. As a result, any realistic salary for Turner will put the historically tax-averse Pacers well beyond the tax threshold. Is this the one time they finally pay?

One can fairly wonder if there is a trade pathway here to a more small-market-friendly 2025 payroll, whether or not it involves Turner. The Pacers have other tradeable salaries up and down the roster and can also trade future first-round picks in 2029 and 2031 after surrendering multiple picks to get Siakam in February. Their 2023 lottery pick, Jarace Walker, is another trade candidate. He seems crowded out of the rotation unless he can play small forward, which his limited shooting ability would seem to rule out. I’m more bullish on 2024 second-rounder Johnny Furphy, but he may be a year or two away.

Siakam is 30, and while he played well after the trade, the only surprises he’ll be delivering from here are on the downside. The best bet for an upside surprise would be Mathurin, an athletic foul magnet whose struggles with defense and dribble blindness were nudging him out of the mix last season before his season-ending shoulder injury.

Last season’s conference finals run was a tremendous proof of concept for this group, even if it was wind-aided by a plague of injuries to their opponents. If everyone is at full strength, however, the Pacers probably need one more player on Siakam’s level to push into the East’s upper crust.

6. Milwaukee Bucks (46-36)

It seems like an appropriate time to start worrying about the Bucks, at least as far as their continued residence in the penthouse of contenders is concerned.

Last season’s move to bring in Damian Lillard didn’t exactly backfire — he was good! But it didn’t advance the ball either, as the Bucks landed at 49 wins before they were wiped out by injuries in a first-round playoff loss. With age and salary-cap restrictions placing an ever-increasing drag on Antetokounmpo’s brilliance, it’s fair to question whether the Bucks can still hang with the elites. And if they can’t, what does that portend for the next dominoes?

Let’s back up, though. Milwaukee went through a bumpy few months under Adrian Griffin, hired Doc Rivers at midseason and never totally got the chemistry rolling between Lillard and Antetokounmpo. It didn’t help that several veterans either fell off a cliff (Jae Crowder, Pat Connaughton) or were recovering from injuries (Khris Middleton); the Bucks’ bench units in particular were often inadequate.

That latter part is the one area you could argue for Milwaukee to be improved in 2024-25. The minimum-contract additions of Delon Wright, Gary Trent Jr. and Taurean Prince should add reliable shooting and guard play around the Bucks’ stars and offset the departures of Patrick Beverley and Malik Beasley. However, any search for young talent on this roster yields only tumbleweeds, with 2024 first-rounder A.J. Johnson feeling like another MarJon Beauchamp-esque reach on draft night. The one possible exception is 2023 second-rounder Andre Jackson Jr., a smart, athletic hustler who has rotation upside if he can ever score a basket.

Nonetheless, the more salient story is that the four most important players on the roster all are on the downslope of their careers. Brook Lopez is 36, and his scoring tailed off last season. Middleton is 33 and, though he looked great in the playoffs, had offseason surgery on both ankles. Lillard is 34, and his numbers also tailed off last year, although the Bucks might have survived Indiana if he’d been available for all six games (33.1 points on 64 percent true shooting in the four games he played that series).

And then there’s Antetokounmpo. He’s the youngest of the bunch at 29 but also the most dependent on athletic gifts rather than skill. His missing the playoffs due to a calf strain was an unfortunate break after playing 73 games — his most since 2017-18. Yet the toll of nagging lower-body injuries on both his availability and performance could be another drag.

Roster-wise, the Bucks are what they are at this point; they have essentially no escape hatches. They can’t trade a first-round pick until 2031 and have only a 2031 second available for smaller fry. Additionally, the collective bargaining agreement’s second-apron rules block most semi-plausible trade scenarios.

Surely that core is still good enough to make the playoffs in a soft East, and nobody will be excited about facing them in the first round if they’re at full strength. As a title contender, however, they may be a spent force. That reality, in turn, could heavily impact the payroll and roster decisions that come after this season, when Lopez, Middleton and Bobby Portis can all be free agents.

5. Orlando Magic (47-35)

I thought the Magic would kind of suck last year. They … did not. Orlando struggled with shooting as much as I expected, finishing 25th in 3-point frequency, 24th in accuracy and dead last in made 3s per game. The twist was that the Magic were so good on defense, and generated so many free throws on offense, that it overcame their key deficiency most nights.

In particular, Orlando’s second-ranked showing on the defensive end was a shocking outcome for such a young team, one for which coach Jamahl Mosley likely hasn’t received enough credit. Jalen Suggs broke out as a stopper in his second season, a healthy Jonathan Isaac(!) gave them monstrous minutes off the bench and scrap-heap find Goga Bitadze kept the party going with 33 midseason starts during Wendell Carter Jr.’s injury absence.

Meanwhile, Orlando’s two giant forwards, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, barreled to the rim over and over and over again, resulting in the league’s best free-throw rate and enough paint points and offensive boards to offset the glaring lack of shooting.

Orlando won that much even with 33 charity starts for ineffective lottery pick Anthony Black; I was bullish on him in the 2023 draft, but he wasn’t ready yet. The departure of Markelle Fultz may open more pathways for Black to get time with the second unit in a role that is perhaps better suited to his current skill set.

More notably, it’s not really an Orlando offseason until it adds a former Nuggets shooting guard, and this year, the Magic’s one big move was signing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency. Orlando might have had chances to swing bigger, but Caldwell-Pope is a much-needed 3-and-D guy to round out the wing rotation, and his contract is very manageable. His arrival likely pushes fellow Denver refugee Gary Harris into a more appropriate role with the second group and adds one more shooter to a team desperate for spacing.

Caldwell-Pope was a big get, but Orlando mostly is running it back. Particularly on the wing, internal candidates will get a shot to replace the departed Joe Ingles. Jett Howard will get another chance to show something after the 2023 lottery pick had a positive Las Vegas Summer League; he only played 67 NBA minutes in his rookie season and didn’t exactly tear up the G League in his 35 assignment games. I was down on their 2024 first-round pick, Tristan da Silva, but he had a tremendous summer league and could fill in the shooting and secondary passing gaps that previous draft stabs (Howard, Caleb Houstan) have failed to fix in the current rotation.

The Magic have a chance to move up in the East if the defense can hold up, but is last year repeatable? Can they really have the league’s second-best defense again and generate enough rim buckets to offset the shooting issues? Maybe so. With size everywhere and players like Suggs and Isaac, the defense seems legit, and there’s more shooting than a year ago. The key players are all in their early 20s and should only get better too.

Fair questions can be asked about the Magic’s long-term ceiling, which is mostly tied to Banchero improving his shooting and efficiency well beyond his current level and Wagner making a 3 at some point. Going all-in on extending Wagner on a max deal wasn’t fatal, but it did feel premature; he’s not yet that caliber of player, and Orlando likely could have played its hand more forcefully to get better terms.

A team with Wagner and Banchero on max deals starting in 2026 won’t have much flexibility left over, especially assuming Suggs gets a payday too. On the other hand, using their excess cap space to renegotiate-and-extend Isaac’s deal could pay off massively if he can stay even remotely healthy, as the next four years after this one are locked in at a value rate. The Magic also extended Carter at a fair number, and they’ve maintained flexibility by having an amazing 11 players with either team options or non-guaranteed years.

Overall, then, this season probably looks a lot like the last one. The Magic aren’t challenging the East’s elite just yet, but they’re a young, tough playoff-caliber team with a bright future.

4. Philadelphia 76ers (50-32)

Three All-Stars: One in the backcourt, one in the frontcourt, one on the wing. That’s the magic formula every NBA franchise seeks, and the Sixers have it. Landing Paul George on a max contract was a jackpot outcome for the Sixers’ high-risk, high-reward offseason plan of going with cap space and hoping for the best, and it makes the Sixers a legitimate threat to make a deep postseason run if everyone stays healthy.

Um, about that last part…

The fact Joel Embiid played 39 games last year and has a career high of 68, and that he’s missed at least one postseason game in five of the last seven seasons, doesn’t really bode well for the prospects of riding him through June. Embiid was present for all six playoff games against New York in 2024 but was clearly limited by a late-season injury and didn’t look a whole lot better at the Olympics.

One reason to bet on Philly finishing closer to the middle of the East pack is that he’ll likely need to be managed pretty heavily through the season to assure he’s at his best come May. Reading the preseason tea leaves, it seems the Sixers are very aware of this and won’t be hustling to get him to the 65-game threshold for postseason awards.

As for Embiid’s offseason contract extension, I’m not sure what else either side was supposed to do. The Sixers’ title odds hinge on Embiid’s health either way, but he’s a top-three player in the league (at least) at full strength. The Sixers essentially added two years to his deal while removing the threat of him pushing his way out ahead of a 2026 walk year.

George, however, should be a big help on the non-Embiid nights. He’s the league’s perfect third banana, a knockdown shooter off the ball but one who can ramp up his usage to pick up the slack for a missing star … something he’s all too familiar with after half a decade next to Kawhi Leonard. George is 34 and has had some injury woes of his own — he hadn’t played more than 56 games as a Clipper until last year’s 74 and sustained a left knee injury in Monday’s preseason game worth monitoring — but the biggest risk on his contact is the out years on a four-year max deal that pays him through age 37.

The thing that makes this all possible, though, is Tyrese Maxey’s emergence as an All-Star after the Sixers selected him with the 21st pick in 2020. While he could still improve as a distributor, his blazing speed instantly breaks down defenses, and his short-range finishing craft helps him avoid the need to get all the way to the cup against bigger players. It’s possible his game can still go up another level.

With three max players, building the rest of the roster was a challenge, but the Sixers’ creativity with the salary cap helped them, er, max out their possibilities. Yes, there’s the typical assortment of veterans nearing the end of the line here (Kyle Lowry, Reggie Jackson, Eric Gordon), but Philly also unexpectedly snagged Martin from Miami with a small chunk of leftover cap room, brought back Kelly Oubre with the room exception and found a solid backup center in Andre Drummond, who was low-key tremendous in Chicago last season.

Other possibilities lie around the roster’s edges: First-round pick Jared McCain can shoot it, converted two-way Ricky Council IV is an athletic defender with stopper upside and re-imported stretch big Guerschon Yabusele is a better (and slimmer) player than he was with the Celtics. He could help, in particular, with the glaring lack of a true power forward on the roster.

The Sixers also kept Kenyon Martin Jr.’s cap hold on the books and then paid him to be a walking trade exception, one who can match $8 million in returning salary or more if aggregated. (As an aside, the Sixers now have two 6-6 guys named Martin who play the same position and make almost the same salary but aren’t related and are basically polar opposites of each other as players.)

I have the Sixers finishing with the fourth-best record in the East, but in a playoff series, they should be a daunting opponent if Embiid is at full strength. Those ifs, of course, are an annual trick-or-treat that haunts every Sixers postseason, and even at his best, Embiid’s playoff output hasn’t matched his regular-season dominance. But if a seer gazed into the future and told me Boston didn’t win the East in 2025, I’d assume it was because Philly did.

3. New York Knicks (51-31)

Tom Thibodeau and a short bench. What can go wrong?

The way last season ended is perhaps not a great omen on that front, but the good news in New York is that the offseason moves did raise the Knicks’ ceiling. Blockbuster trades for Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges cost them five first-round picks and left them scrambling to fill out the bench pieces, but a strong argument can be made that the Knicks’ best five-man lineup in the fourth quarter of a playoff game is significantly better than a season ago.

That won’t get them through an 82-game slog, however, which is why I’ve set a modest win total here. Beyond that, Thibodeau’s history of overusing his starters makes one wonder if everyone will make it to May intact.

The one part that stands out, however, is how the Knicks have somewhat emulated Boston by adding the best deep-shooting center on the planet and putting him next to a bunch of switchable wings. That’s going to be a pretty dramatic U-turn in terms of spacing; last season, with beast-ball centers playing the minutes, opposing shot-blockers were closer to the rim against New York than versus any other team. Jalen Brunson and friends might be shocked to find out how much easier it is to get to the cup when one of your teammates isn’t already standing there.

On the other hand, the Knicks might have pushed too hard on the Towns deal. Including Donte DiVincenzo in the trade robbed them of a starter-caliber player on a great contract, while putting Julius Randle in the deal puts even more shot-creation pressure on Brunson. Defensively, Thibodeau has always valued mobile rim-protectors, but that isn’t Towns’ game. One wonders if the Knicks will try to acquire another center and move Towns to power forward, just as Minnesota did previously. If Mitchell Robinson were healthy, that would be one option, but it doesn’t sound like he’ll be ready any time soon.

Also, acquiring another big will be … challenging, to say the least. New York is hard-capped at the second-apron level and sits just pennies beneath it, plus it has no true first-round picks left to trade after sending four out for Bridges. Even with one of the league’s most creative front offices when it comes to cap gymnastics, in-season work will be difficult.

And the bench? Egads. Let’s just say a Miles McBride-Landry Shamet-Precious Achiuwa second unit isn’t scaring anyone, and that’s when New York is at full strength. The Knicks have to keep the roster at 14 nearly all season and man the last three roster spots with rookie contracts just to stay below that second-apron cap.

The good news, besides that Brunson-Towns pick-and-pop combo, is that the Knicks are solid up the middle. With Josh Hart, Bridges and OG Anunoby as the other three starters, New York can match up against virtually any opposing perimeter threat and smoke teams in transition.

Where does that all lead? Probably not to dominance, especially in the regular-season grind where bench minutes matter more; my projection tool thought they were better before the trade. The fun part, however, is if all five starters are healthy in May. Much like Philadelphia above, New York’s median outcome might not be that spectacular … but there’s a puncher’s chance the upside scenario hits.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers (56-26)

Cleveland is good. Shhhh, don’t tell anyone.

I think the Cavs made one possibly important mistake this offseason, which I’ll talk about in a minute, but aside from that, they had themselves a very good summer. Extensions for Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen assure this core group will be together for years, re-signing Isaac Okoro on a reasonable deal locks in the wing stopper who was the one looming weakness on the roster and first-round draft pick Jaylon Tyson could push for minutes right away after an impressive summer league.

Cleveland won 48 games a season ago despite Mitchell missing 27 games, Evan Mobley missing 32 and Darius Garland missing 25. Their “core four” of Mitchell, Garland, Mobley and Allen only played 28 games together and just four of their 12 playoff games. They’ll almost certainly have their best players more often this season.

There’s a case that core four will be better individually too. Garland struggled after an early-season jaw injury and had his worst season since his rookie year, something that untracked the offense in the non-Mitchell minutes. Mitchell made his fifth straight All-Star Game, but sore knees had him running in mud for much of the second half of the season. Mobley is just 23 and entering his fourth season. And if the spacing doesn’t work, Allen is still tradeable despite his offseason extension.

The Cavs also replaced J.B. Bickerstaff with Kenny Atkinson on the sideline; it’s not clear this will materially change things, but it also doesn’t have to. The Cavs were already good, sporting the league’s second-best scoring margin in 2022-23 with something closer to a full-strength season (a fact everyone forgets due to their implosion in the first round of the playoffs).

Going forward, however, Cleveland made one move it might want to have back: a max extension for Mobley a year before he hits restricted free agency. While Mobley is an elite defensive player, it seems questionable whether he will ever have enough offensive impact to warrant a paycheck anywhere near this stratosphere; fourth options don’t get the bag in this league. Bidding against themselves to get a commitment a year early had the benefit of a fifth year with no player option … but do they even want the fifth year at this price (a projected $51 million in 2029-30)? All-NBA language in the deal can also bump it up to 27.5 percent of the max, or by about $4 million a year.

Making that decision instead of holding a harder line at a lower number is critical because it pushes the Cavs so much closer to the tax and first-apron lines. Even if ownership is willing to spend, CBA rules mean they will start to have a negative drag on team-building after this season. Cleveland is in great shape for this season regardless, but on a team without a top-five player in the league, it needs superior depth and talent across the board to truly contend. Mobley’s deal may end up pricing the Cavs out of building it.

OK, enough of my negativity. Other than “they’re not the Celtics,” there isn’t a whole lot to complain about for 2024-25. The Cavs have shooting, size and defense, and while the backcourt is small, they have multiple wing options with Max Strus, Caris LeVert, Okoro, Tyson and 2023 scrap-heap find Sam Merrill. Backup power forward looms as the biggest issue after Dean Wade and Georges Niang both struggled last year.

Of course, there’s another question with the Cavs: What does this add up to in the playoffs? The Knicks walloped the Cavs in 2023, and they barely outlasted Orlando in last year’s first round, although they did take it to Boston for one glorious afternoon before running out of players. Can they thrive in the playoffs with two non-shooting bigs and two small guards, or is that where they hit their limit and end up playing a desperate game of Mitchell-on-five again this spring?

1. Boston Celtics (62-20)

The Celtics likely have one more exhilarating ride in them before the tax-apron cops burst in and break up the party. While hitting last year’s win total (64) and staggering plus-11.6 net rating required a perfect storm of excellence and fortune that is unlikely to repeat itself, Boston enters this year as a solid favorite to come out of the East and has decent odds of repeating as champs.

If you’re circling reasons Boston might have a more difficult slog this season, focus on the center position. The Celtics were such a unique problem last season because everyone could make a 3, including centers Kristaps Porziņģis and Al Horford, and nobody was a defensive liability. That might change this year; Porziņģis is likely to miss a big chunk of the season with an unusual ankle injury suffered in June’s NBA Finals, while Horford is 38 and will have to bear a greater load in Porziņģis’ absence.

That said, Porziņģis missed 37 games in 2023-24 between the regular season and the playoffs, and the Celtics won 30 of them. There’s a lot of talent here, and it all fits: Boston’s five-out spacing is a force multiplier that basically broke the game last year, especially since the Celtics do it without compromising their defense.

Jayson Tatum might not be a top-five player, but he’s not far from it and has an awesome contingent around him. Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and Jrue Holiday could each be featured players on lesser teams, Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser are knockdown shooters off the bench, and each player accentuates the others’ strengths because they can all space the floor and guard their position.

Things on the back end of the roster feel squishier, with the Celtics likely needing to find one more rotation-caliber perimeter player among Jaden Springer, first-round pick Baylor Scheierman and 2023 second-rounder Jordan Walsh. Up front, Xavier Tillman Sr. and Luke Kornet will likely play heavier roles given Porziņģis’ injury and Horford’s age; Neemias Queta also could factor in. (I’d say rostering five centers adequately covered their flank on this.) Also note that Boston faces a withering luxury-tax bill and will likely shed one or two players of this ilk at the trade deadline to lower the hit.

Going forward, the repeater tax will hammer Boston a year from now, and the impending sale of the team could impact how it operates in future seasons. Regardless of who owns the team, Boston will probably have to make some hard choices in the summer of 2025. On the other hand, the Celtics still could trade three firsts on draft night to upgrade the amazing roster they already have, and at the moment, none of their contacts seem toxic.

Brad Stevens hasn’t missed a trick since taking over the front-office reins — including value extensions for Pritchard and Hauser to help keep this thing going. But in the NBA, all that does is ramp up the degree of difficulty, like climbing levels in a video game. The bus will almost drive itself this season; barring injury, the Celtics are heavy favorites to win the East. However, Stevens’ next task will be figuring out how to squeeze 60 wins from less payroll and a suffocating CBA in 2025 and beyond.

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Required Reading

(Illustration by Meech Robinson: The Athletic; photos by Maddie Meyer, Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images)

The first official trailer for “The Man in the White Van,” a suspense thriller with a clear connection to Jacksonville, was released this week, about two months before the film hits theaters.

The film, from Jacksonville director Warren Skeels, is scheduled to hit theaters nationwide on December 13th – Friday the 13th – from Relativity Media.

“It has all the makings of a hit,” said Lawrence Najem, a Jacksonville attorney who serves as the film’s executive producer. He expects a streaming deal to be negotiated once the film is in theaters.

Set in the 1970s, the story follows a teenage girl (Madison Wolfe, who could become a star) living in Brooksville, north of Tampa, who is threatened by a man in a white van, even though she initially only a few believe claims. Sean Astin (“Lord of the Rings,” “Stranger Things,” “Goonies” and “Rudy”) and Ali Larter from “Varsity Blues” and “Heroes” play her parents.

Skeels said he wanted to make a thriller rather than a slasher film, although “The Man in the White Van” does have horror elements. He cites “Halloween,” “Jaws” and “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” as inspirations for his film.

“The aim was to make an exciting thriller that presents an authentic version of events and comes as close as possible to the true crime story. “I think we did it,” Skeels said. “The audience that saw the film was very receptive and engaged and asked a lot of questions afterwards, particularly about the true-crime nature of the film.”

It is inspired by the true story of Hernando County, Florida serial killer Billy Mansfield Jr., now in his mid-60s. He was convicted of five murders, four of them in Florida, and is serving a life sentence in California for a murder there.

Skeels, executive producer of the hit MTV reality show “Siesta Key,” lives in Jacksonville. He began researching Mansfield and then reached out to Jacksonville screenwriter Sharon Cobb, who collaborated with him on the script.

Other locals are involved in the film, including Jacksonville native and Flagler University graduate Gareth Cox, who worked with Skeels on “Siesta Key.” He is the cinematographer of the film. Meanwhile, Jacksonville native Scott Borland created the spooky score.

Skeels and Cobb said as they dug deeper into Mansfield’s story, they noticed some troubling developments.

“The more investigation we did, the scarier it became. I’m not kidding,” Cobb said. “We found many other cases that we thought were certainly related to him.”

Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Sharon Stone: Some Hollywood glamor came to Jacksonville in the early 2000s

In fact, Cobb and Skeels saw Mansfield’s methods in a long-unsolved murder of an Ohio teenager kidnapped from Daytona Beach in 1980. Her body was found the next day off Interstate 95 in Jacksonville on Pecan Park Road. Those suspicions were confirmed this year after the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office announced that Mansfield had confessed to killing teenager Carol Ann Barrett, who was 18 at the time of her death.

More murders could be confirmed later, the scriptwriters say. “It is an ongoing case. “They are still working on several cold cases in both Florida and California,” Skeels said.

Although The Man in the White Van is set in Florida, the film was shot in Louisiana. It made no financial sense to shoot the film in Florida, which has long lacked the incentives offered by other states to entice filmmakers to come. This is a source of frustration for Skeels and Najem.

It’s about $$$: The movie “The Man in the White Van” has ties to Jacksonville but was filmed out of state. Why?

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan’s administration recently committed just over half a million dollars to attract film and television projects to the city. But the lack of government support has crippled production teams, Najem said: “It’s a shame, people had to get up and leave Florida to find work.”

“The Man in the White Van” debuted in July at Comic-Con, the influential entertainment convention in San Diego. Promotions included poster unveiling, trailer release, interviews and a question-and-answer session with Skeels and actors.

It was a multi-year odyssey to bring the film to the public. “It’s very gratifying,” Cobb said. “We’ve been through the strike, all the different strikes and COVID, all these setbacks, and here it is. Now it’s here.”