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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is one of several candidates to have been sounded out by the Football Association to become the next England manager, sources have told ESPN.
The FA has not publicly commented on the process but sources have indicated former Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel is also a possible option.
Tuchel has been out of work since May when he stepped down as Bayern Munich head coach and sources have told ESPN that the German manager would be interested in the England role.
Guardiola's contract with City expires at the end of the season, and he is an intriguing candidate given the FA are open to appointing a foreign coach and the 53-year-old has previously expressed his desire to manage at international level.
However, sources have told ESPN that no formal approach has been made and it is currently unclear whether Guardiola would have any interest in taking the role.
Sources added that City expect to know Guardiola's decision by the end of January at the latest, with his next move potentially informed by the outcome of the club's trial against the Premier League in which they are facing 115 charges of breaking financial rules.
If Guardiola were to sign a one-year contract extension with City to extend his stay at the club to 10 years, he would have to work without longtime colleague Txiki Begiristain, who will leave his role as City's director of football at the end of the season and be replaced by Hugo Viana.
As well as working alongside Guardiola at Barcelona, Begiristain has overseen a period of unprecedented success at the Etihad, including seven Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2023, but sources have told ESPN that City hope Begiristain's exit will not effect Guardiola's decision over his own future.
Next month's international break is viewed as a key period in which Guardiola will examine his future, a moment which coincides with the proposed end of Lee Carsley's spell as interim England boss.
Carsley was appointed on a temporary basis in August following Gareth Southgate's decision to end his eight-year tenure after losing the Euro 2024 final to Spain.
He has repeatedly dodged questions over whether he would be interested in the role on a permanent basis, claiming his "remit" from FA technical director John McDermott was to take charge for England's six autumn fixtures between September and November.
England beat Republic of Ireland and Finland in September before losing to Greece and defeating Finland again this month.
Carsley's final fixtures are against Greece and then Republic of Ireland at Wembley with England in a battle to finish top of UEFA Nations League B, Group 2.
Carsley stepped up from his role as England Under-21s boss and would return there if the FA pursue another candidate to succeed Southgate.
Sources have told ESPN that, while there has been speculation over whether the FA were waiting for Carsley to prove himself in the role, the organisation has in fact been active in speaking to other potential candidates.
The job specification, published in July, said the successful candidate would need "significant experience of English football" and "a strong track record delivering results in the Premier League and/or leading international competitions".
Former Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp was also linked to the role prior to agreeing a new position with Red Bull. Possible English candidates include Newcastle manager Eddie Howe and ex-Chelsea boss Graham Potter, although neither has won a major trophy.
England reached back-to-back Euros finals under Southgate and are targeting a first trophy in 60 years at the 2026 World Cup.
Bangladesh head coach Hathurusinghe suspended on disciplinary grounds
Jaiswal made his international debut in a Test match last year against West Indies where he smashed 171 in his maiden innings. The 22-year-old has already scored 1217 runs in his 11-Test career with seven fifties and three centuries at an average of 64.05. He's converted two of his centuries into double tons and has a highest score of 214 not out.
"The guy has got real talent," Rohit said of Jaiswal. "He has got the game to play in all sorts of conditions. Obviously, very new to international cricket, so very hard to judge right now. But he has got all the ingredients for success at this level.
"What he has shown us in this brief period of time, you can bet on him and expect him to do wonders for the team. He has come through the ranks. He has played a lot of domestic cricket, Under-19 cricket. And obviously, has succeeded as well. That is why he is right now playing for India."
Rohit said that Jaiswal's willingness to learn and adapt makes him stand out.
"He is somebody who wants to learn the game, learn about batsmanship, which is always a nice thing," Rohit said. "When a youngster comes into the team, his mindset is quite critical. And the mindset that he has shown, he always wants to learn, always wants to improve, not happy with what he has achieved which is obviously a great start to a young career.
"So far in his short career, he has shown what he is capable of. I mean, we found a great player. It does obviously bode well for our team as well being a left-hander, being an aggressive batter, it bodes well for the team.
"Hopefully, he can just continue to do what he has done in the last year or so."
Rohit wants to expand India's fast-bowling bench strength
"We want to create a bench strength where tomorrow if anything happens to anyone, we are not worried, and we don't want to be worried or too heavily reliant on a few individuals. That's not the right thing to do," Rohit said on the eve of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru. "We want to look at the future at the same time, try and make sure that we get the right guys in as well.
"We want to create guys where even if there are injuries, we have got someone to quickly step in and take that role.
"It's not about three or four options. We want to try and do that like, you know, when it comes to batting, there are a lot of options. We want to create the same with the bowlers as well."
"You know, the reason we wanted to keep them close to us was because we are thinking of them to take them to Australia," Rohit said. The five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins on November 22. "We just want to monitor them and see their workload. We have seen some talent in them. I understand that they have not played a lot of red-ball cricket, but when you see a talent, you want to try and groom them.
"You want to try and bring them as close to the team as possible. And in a short period of time, they have shown they have some ability as well. So, we want to keep them with the team and see whether they will be ready for international cricket or not, especially Test cricket, because Test cricket is a different ball game compared to white ball cricket. So, we want to keep them, we want to see what they can offer us, and have more options with us, more than anything else.
"Nitish and Harshit both obviously are quite talented individuals, and in the future obviously they are going to provide a lot of stability to the team. So, just want to see what they are capable of, what they have to offer."
Mayank's rise has been both rapid and eye-catching. He burst on the scene during IPL 2024, bowling at speeds of 155kph, and accurately at that, for Lucknow Super Giants. He could only play four matches though with an abdominal issue keeping him sidelined. Still, India had seen enough to fast-track him into their T20 side against Bangladesh earlier this month, where he picked up four wickets from three games while consistently pushing the speed gun into the high 140kph.
"Mayank obviously has shown what he can do, but we just want to be very careful with him, he has had a lot of injuries in the past," Rohit said. "So, we want to progress him, not rapidly, we want to just see every day how he feels.
"We are trying to build his workloads with the red ball. He has not played a lot of red-ball cricket at all. So, for us, it's important that we try and build them gradually, rather than just getting them into international cricket straight away.
"T20 format is such where you can get a lot of these guys and see what they are capable of and if they can handle the international exposure. But Test cricket is a different ball game. The pressure is different. You have to sustain for five days, that's the most important thing. So, we are trying to monitor them and see, you know, what they can offer to us."
"He's always been part of that leadership group and one of the experienced players as well," Rohit said of Bumrah. "He's played a lot of cricket and I've played a lot of cricket with him. He understands the game pretty well. He's got a good head on his shoulders.
"Tactically, I can't say much because he's not captained much. But, when you talk to him, he understands the game. He understands what is required. When you are in a situation where you need a leader to step up, I think Bumrah will be one of them. In the past, he's always been in our leadership group.
"So, it's probably the right thing to just have him around and speak to the bowlers and internally discuss how to take the team forward."
"It all depends on the conditions now. Even today, there has been a lot of rain. The pitch is under the covers. So, we want to take that call when we come here in the morning tomorrow," Rohit said. "And again, it depends on match-to-match, what sort of pitch we play on. Based on that, we want to decide what is going to be our best playing XI. We keep our options open for playing three seamers and three spinners as well."
Ashish Pant is a sub-editor with ESPNcricinfo
Lanning: Ducks purposely induced 12-men penalty
EUGENE, Ore. -- No. 2 Oregon had 12 men on the field late in its 32-31 win over No. 4 Ohio State, with the resulting penalty causing precious seconds to wind off the clock.
Turns out, it was on purpose.
"We spend an inordinate amount of time on situations and some situations don't come up very often in college football, but this was obviously something we had worked on," Oregon coach Dan Lanning said Monday night. "You can see the result."
Oregon took the lead in Saturday night's Big Ten showdown with 1:47 left on Atticus Sappington's 19-yard field goal, giving the Buckeyes time to drive down the field for a potential winning field goal. With Ohio State facing a third-and-25 from Oregon's 43-yard line, the Ducks called a timeout with 10 seconds left.
Just before the ball was snapped, Oregon defensive back Dontae Manning walked onto the field, giving the Ducks an extra defender. Ohio State failed to complete a pass against Oregon's 12-man defense on the next play, and the Ducks were flagged for an illegal substitution penalty.
Ohio State gained five yards on the penalty, but lost four seconds off the clock since the penalty was deemed a live-ball foul. The Buckeyes were left with six seconds to work with, and quarterback Will Howard scrambled up the middle, sliding a second too late for Ohio State to call a timeout for a potential winning field goal at Oregon's 26.
Lanning's ploy helped the Ducks win the game and move up to No. 2 in this week's AP Top 25.
NBA Rank 2024: Who made it in? Where is Klay Thompson? Our countdown begins
NBA Rank is back for its 14th season counting down the best players in the league. Who made this season's cut of the top 100?
Where do MVP contenders such as Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luka Doncic check in? Which young stars are making their debut? Did LeBron James rise or fall on our list as the NBA's all-time leading scorer embarks on his record-tying 22nd season?
To get the final NBA Rank prediction, we asked our expert panel to vote on player vs. player matchups from more than 15,000 possible pairings. Voters were asked, "Which player will be better in 2024-25?" and had to predict how each player will perform this season.
Our countdown kicks off with our ranking of players Nos. 100-51, which includes future Hall of Famers, former Defensive Players of the Year and current (and former) Nova Knicks. The rollout continues Wednesday with Nos. 50-11 and Thursday with the season's top 10 players.
Note: ESPN's NBA Rank panel, comprising more than 150 reporters, editors, producers and analysts, was asked to rank players based on their predicted contributions -- quality and quantity -- for the 2024-25 season only.
100. Anfernee Simons, G, Portland Trail Blazers
2023 NBA Rank: 85
At 6-foot-3, Simons is a small guard who can certainly be exploited defensively at times. His usage rate was uncomfortably high at times in the wake of the Damian Lillard trade, perhaps making it unsurprising that his effective field goal rate was the lowest it's been since the 2019-20 season. But even with more defensive attention, Simons managed to finish last season shooting a career-best 65.8% within three feet of the basket, per Basketball-Reference. -- Chris Herring
99. Chris Paul, G, San Antonio Spurs
2023 NBA Rank: 76
Paul started in the fewest games (18) of his career last season with the Warriors, and, naturally, his production suffered. Paul finished with career lows in points (9.2), assists (6.8), steals (1.2) and field goal attempts (8.1), but that should change now that he's a starter again alongside Victor Wembanyama. Paul's responsibilities in San Antonio extend beyond the court. He's tasked with helping the Spurs reestablish their championship culture. But he'll also prove critical to Wembanyama's development. With a real starting-level point guard on the floor in Paul, expect more efficiency from the Spurs on offense and better execution in clutch time. -- Michael Wright
98. Mike Conley, G, Minnesota Timberwolves
2023 NBA Rank: 93
Conley, who is heading into his 18th NBA season, remains as steady as they come. Perhaps the most telling stat about Conley's impact with the Timberwolves: Minnesota went 53-23 with Conley in the starting lineup and 3-3 in the six games he missed before making a run to the Western Conference finals. He is still a stellar facilitator (5.9 assists per game) who has flourished playing off the ball more alongside Anthony Edwards, shooting a career-best 44.2% from 3-point range last season. -- Tim MacMahon
97. Herbert Jones, F, New Orleans Pelicans
2023 NBA Rank: NR
Maybe Jones should rank higher here, considering he's coming off a campaign in which he made the All-Defensive first team and finished fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Jones turned into a reliable 3-point shooter (41.8%) in Year 3.Perhaps it's time to pump up the volume in that area. Durable and stifling as a defender, Jones could pair with Dejounte Murray in small-ball lineups to form a frightening defensive backcourt for opponents this season. Jones deserves to stay in New Orleans' starting lineup considering he has started in at least 66 games in every year of his career and is still improving. -- Wright
96. Al Horford, C, Boston Celtics
2023 NBA Rank: NR
That Horford, a beloved figure in Boston's locker room, got back onto this list in his age-38 season is a testament to his relentless work ethic as well as the continuing versatility that he brings to the champs. Expect the Celtics to continue to heavily manage and monitor his minutes. But, especially with Kristaps Porzingis sidelined to begin the season, Horford will once again be a critical part of the Celtics' title hopes even at this advanced stage of his career -- Tim Bontemps
95. Jalen Suggs, G, Orlando Magic
2023 NBA Rank: NR
Suggs had a breakout 2023-24 season, averaging a career-high 12.6 points per game, shooting a career-best 39.7% from 3 and being named to the All-Defensive second team. Perhaps most notably, he played in 75 games -- compared with 48 games his rookie season and 53 games his second season. But this season, Suggs is being asked to take on a more typical lead guard role as the Magic need someone to control the offense. -- Kendra Andrews
94. Keegan Murray, F, Sacramento Kings
2023 NBA Rank: NR
Last season, Murray entered his second year labeled as a catch-and-shoot player. But he quickly showed he had added more offensive tools to his game, such as scoring off the dribble and attacking the rim. The greatest sign of his growth was in his defensive assignments. In contrast to his first year in the league, when he was hunted on defense, he now takes on the opponent's best offensive player. With no Harrison Barnes this season, Murray will be asked to lead even more on defense and take on even bigger assignments. -- Andrews
93. Brook Lopez, C, Milwaukee Bucks
2023 NBA Rank: 69
Neither Lopez nor Milwaukee's defense was the same dominant force in 2023-24 as it had been the season prior, when Lopez finished second in the voting for Defensive Player of the Year and the Bucks were ranked fourth in defensive efficiency. But Lopez's offensive production also took a dip, as he averaged 12.5 points on 48.5% shooting from the field (36.6% from 3). Lopez, 35, figures to be at the center of Milwaukee's defensive scheme again this season and a crucial role player alongside the team's stars. -- Jamal Collier
92. Jabari Smith Jr., F, Houston Rockets
2023 NBA Rank: NR
Smith's career might be taking off a little slower than expected, but the rising third-year man appears to be on the verge of a true breakout season coming off a 2023-24 campaign in which he tied his career high with 16 double-doubles while improving as a shooter and rebounder. Smith said veterans such as Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks helped him tremendously last season in teaching preparation, how to take care of his body and how to study film. So, expect him to apply those lessons early this season while likely making the most significant jump in his development. -- Wright
91. Jonas Valanciunas, C, Washington Wizards
2023 NBA Rank: 99
Valanciunas showcased incredible durability last season, playing in all 82 games and averaging a near double-double while shooting 56% from the floor. The 2023-24 campaign marked the eighth season in which the veteran played 70 games or more. Washington features the NBA's eighth-youngest roster, which means the Wizards will lean on Valanciunas' veteran leadership. His prowess in the paint should prove beneficial, too, given that Washington ranked last in second-chance points per game allowed last season and 29th in paint points allowed per game. -- Wright
90. Andrew Wiggins, F, Golden State Warriors
2023 NBA Rank: 54
It was just three seasons ago that Wiggins was an All-Star on the rise. Two seasons ago, he played only 37 games; and last season, despite playing in 71 games, his production took a hit. Wiggins averaged 13.2 points per game -- four points fewer than in his previous two seasons. He lacked the explosiveness on offense and tenacity on defense that helped the Warriors win a title in 2022. Wiggins has been adamant about a return to form, but he did miss all of training camp in Hawaii due to an illness. Warriors coach Steve Kerr is confident this won't derail the start of Wiggins' season, and the Warriors are depending on him to help the team get back in the playoff picture. -- Andrews
89. Michael Porter Jr., F, Denver Nuggets
2023 NBA Rank: 68
Porter played a career-high 81 games last season, just two seasons removed from being limited to nine games due to back surgery. His 3-point shooting dipped slightly to 39.7% last season after he averaged 41.4% from behind the arc the season before. Porter's scoring average also slipped slightly from 17.4 points per game two seasons ago to 16.7 last season, but the forward logged a career-best 7.0 rebounds per game. The Nuggets will rely more on Porter this season with key championship cog Kentavious Caldwell-Pope gone to Orlando in free agency. -- Ohm Youngmisuk
88. Isaiah Hartenstein, C, Oklahoma City Thunder
2023 NBA Rank: NR
After playing for five teams in his first six NBA seasons, Hartenstein has become recognized as an elite role player, as evidenced by the rich contract (three years, $87 million) he signed with the Thunder after a strong stint with the Knicks. Hartenstein doesn't produce gaudy numbers, but the 7-footer has proved himself as a defensive anchor and offensive connector who impacts winning. New York outscored opponents by 10 points per 100 possessions with Hartenstein on the floor last season, the best net rating of eight Knicks who played at least 900 minutes. -- MacMahon
87. Naz Reid, F, Minnesota Timberwolves
2023 NBA Rank: NR
From Minnesota cult hero to NBA Sixth Man of the Year, Reid makes his top 100 debut. He has transformed into a key player for the Wolves, averaging a career-high 13.5 points and 5.2 rebounds in 81 games, as both a key reserve and as a spot starter (the team went 10-4 when Reid started last season). The Wolves, after trading Karl-Anthony Towns, will lean on Reid even more. -- Collier
86. Jaime Jaquez Jr., F, Miami Heat
2023 NBA Rank: NR
It was a stellar rookie season for Jaquez, who immediately earned the trust of coach Erik Spoelstra and played the most games of anyone on Miami's roster and the second-most minutes behind All-Star center Bam Adebayo. Whether Jaquez ultimately starts or comes off the bench this season, he clearly has become a key part of Miami's present and future. It looks like a significant win for the organization to have landed him with a pick outside of the lottery. -- Bontemps
85. Luguentz Dort, G, Oklahoma City Thunder
2023 NBA Rank: NR
Dort developed from an undrafted player on a two-way deal into the epitome of the 3-and-D prototype during his first five NBA seasons. As evidenced by the "Dorture Chamber" nickname, the defense comes naturally for Dort, who has remarkably quick feet, a linebacker's frame and a relentless approach to fighting through screens. He worked to become a prolific 3-point threat, breaking through last season by shooting 39.4% on 5.0 long-distance attempts per game. -- MacMahon
84. CJ McCollum, G, New Orleans Pelicans
2023 NBA Rank: 44
McCollum shot a career-best 42.9% from range last season on high volume (8.4 attempts per game) as an off-ball scorer. But injuries to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram in the playoffs left McCollum as a primary facilitator and he struggled, committing more than twice as many turnovers (4.0 per game) as in the regular season (1.7) while shooting 24.1% from 3-point range. There's a possibility McCollum could be coming off the bench this season as a sixth man due to the sheer number of players in the backcourt, and the veteran has expressed he's fine with a reduced role. -- Wright
83. Marcus Smart, G, Memphis Grizzlies
2023 NBA Rank: 59
It remains to be seen how Smart fits with the Grizzlies. He was frequently on Memphis' long injury list last season, when he was limited to only 20 games after arriving in a three-way trade that delivered Kristaps Porzingis to the Celtics. The hope is that the former Defensive Player of the Year's blend of tenaciousness and playmaking can provide the glue to a Grizzlies team that is hungry to prove itself after a one-year playoff absence. -- MacMahon
82. Mitchell Robinson, C, New York Knicks
2023 NBA Rank: 100
A key factor for Robinson is health. When available, he is one of the best big men in the league. He's an elite rim protector who also possesses enough defensive range to close out on 3-point shooters. His best skill in recent years, though, has been his offensive rebounding. He finished with the second-highest offensive rebounding percentage in 2021-22 and led the league in the category in 2022-23 -- a skill that bolstered New York's rugged style of offense the past few years. -- Herring
81. Myles Turner, C, Indiana Pacers
2023 NBA Rank: 65
Turner has been Indiana's consistent presence at center for nine seasons, and last season was one of his healthiest. Turner played in 77 games, his most since the 2016-17 season, and he played a key role in getting the Pacers to the conference finals for the first time since 2014. Now entering a contract year, Turner will want to prove how valuable he is in Indiana and show the rest of the league he's still operating at a high level. -- Collier
80. Jerami Grant, F, Portland Trail Blazers
2023 NBA Rank: 58
For the third time in his past four seasons, Grant notched a 20-point-per-game campaign. He also shot 40% from deep for the second time, giving a much-needed boost to the rebuilding Blazers in the wake of the Lillard trade. But for all the offensive skill he showcased, his rim protection took a step back. Opponents shot 4.3 percentage points better than their averages around the basket when Grant was defending last season, almost a total reversal from the 3.9 percentage points worse on average they shot when Grant was defending during the 2022-23 season. -- Herring
79. Fred VanVleet, G, Houston Rockets
2023 NBA Rank: 56
VanVleet finished last season with his lowest scoring average since the 2019-20 season, but he averaged a career high in assists (8.1). VanVleet's drop is somewhat surprising considering the leadership and stability the point guard brought last season to a young, often rudderless Rockets squad. Houston brought in VanVleet to be a culture builder, and there's more work there with Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith and Jalen Green still growing. He'll be tasked with helping the youngsters take the next steps in their development while serving as floor general for a team hungry to make the playoffs. -- Wright
78. Brandin Podziemski, G, Golden State Warriors
2023 NBA Rank: NR
This time last year, Podziemski was a 19th pick slated to fill in at the end of the guard depth chart. The Warriors were high on the shooting guard but didn't have high expectations for how much he'd contribute. He ended up averaging 26.6 minutes and starting 28 games and this season is in the hunt for the starting lineup next to Stephen Curry. Podziemski, along with his fellow 2023 draft classmate Trayce Jackson-Davis, is the closest Golden State has gotten to the franchise's "win now while investing in the future" mantra. -- Andrews
77. Jaden McDaniels, F, Minnesota Timberwolves
2023 NBA Rank: NR
Four years into his career yet only 24 years old, the 6-foot-9, 185-pound McDaniels -- who boasts a 7-foot wingspan -- has been aligned by Minnesota management to be the Scottie Pippen to Anthony Edwards' Michael Jordan for years to come. In the modern NBA game, where positions are increasingly fluid, McDaniels is a prototypical defender who can switch on to all five spots and suffocate the opponent from the perimeter to the paint. The Wolves bet big on him, too, trading away a former franchise pillar in Towns just as McDaniels' salary shot from $3.9 million to $23 million -- meaning they're counting on a production spike out of McDaniels to match. -- Dave McMenamin
76. Tyler Herro, G, Miami Heat
2023 NBA Rank: 79
Herro should be higher. The Heat guard averaged career highs in points (20.8) and assists (4.5) last season. But as with his teammate Jimmy Butler, availability matters when it comes to the player rankings. Herro played a career-low 42 games last season dealing with multiple injuries and has never appeared in more than 70 games in one season. -- Bobby Marks
75. Donte DiVincenzo, G, Minnesota Timberwolves
2023 NBA Rank: NR
A huge part of the Knicks' attack last season, DiVincenzo drilled a whopping 283 triples in 2023-24 -- the third most in the NBA and nearly double the number he canned the season before, when he worked alongside Stephen Curry in Golden State. The 27-year-old might still have a decent amount of upside, too. He averaged nearly 23 points in New York's seven-game Eastern Conference semifinal series. Expect DiVincenzo to be a key contributor with the Wolves, who will fully embrace his shooting ability now that Karl-Anthony Towns is a Knick. -- Herring
74. Zach LaVine, G, Chicago Bulls
2023 NBA Rank: 38
LaVine fell in the rankings after injuries limited him to 25 games in a forgettable 2023-24 season that was marred by trade speculation. Yet, a trade market for LaVine never developed, and he's back in Chicago for what will be his eighth season with the Bulls. LaVine says he's on board with the team's pivot to a youth movement, even if that forces him to blend fitting in with recapturing his two-time All-Star form. -- Collier
73. Jarrett Allen, C, Cleveland Cavaliers
2023 NBA Rank: 50
If the rankings were based on the games played from Jan. 3 to the All-Star break, Allen would be in the top 50. Allen averaged 17.3 points, 12.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in those games, and Cavaliers went a league-best 18-2. He finished the regular season averaging a double-double in points and rebounds for the third time in his career. The concern moving forward continues to be the fit on the court with Evan Mobley. According to Cleaning the Glass, Cleveland ranked in the 38th percentile in points per 100 possessions when Mobley and Allen played together. -- Marks
72. Austin Reaves, G, Los Angeles Lakers
2023 NBA Rank: 66
Coming off an arduous summer playing for Team USA at the FIBA World Cup, Reaves took some time to find his groove last season after bursting onto the scene in the 2023 playoffs. His slight slip in NBA Rank mirrors his shooting efficiency from Year 2 (52.9% from the field and 39.8% from 3) to Year 3 (48.6%/36.7%) and L.A.'s abbreviated postseason run after being ousted in the first round, but it fails to recognize Reave's improvement as a playmaker and credit him for playing all 82 games. He should be back on the climb after this season. -- McMenamin
71. Klay Thompson, G, Dallas Mavericks
2023 NBA Rank: 41
Thompson slipped 30 spots after averaging just 17.9 points per game and shooting 38.7% from 3-point range last season in what ended up being the Splash Brother's swan song with the Warriors. As the 34-year-old future Hall of Famer said after joining the Mavs in free agency, Thompson firmly believes he has "a lot of great basketball left" and is eager to prove it while playing for a contender in Dallas. The Mavs hope Thompson's title experience and 3-point shooting are the missing elements needed for them to take the final steps to a championship in Dallas. -- MacMahon
70. Bradley Beal, G, Phoenix Suns
2023 NBA Rank: 37
It was quite the precipitous fall for Beal as he may have had 51/43/81 shooting splits in his first season with the Suns, but he missed 29 games, prohibiting Phoenix from really finding an identity. Since the start of the 2019-20 season, Beal now has missed 130 games because of injury -- which is more than Anthony Davis (120) and in the neighborhood of Kawhi Leonard (161) without taking the hit to his reputation the way those two did. This plummet in the rank is directly tied to his recent unreliability. If he can stay on the court and help the Suns realize their potential, he, too, will rise again. -- McMenamin
69. Jalen Green, G, Houston Rockets
2023 NBA Rank: 80
Green boosted his efficiency last spring and averaged 30.2 points on 50% shooting from the floor and 45% from deep during an 11-game Rockets win streak in March. During the streak, Green became the youngest player in NBA history to average 30 points or more over an 11-game stretch while winning each of those outings. Green improved defensively in his first season with coach Ime Udoka, and it's expected he'll continue to make strides in that department. Green mentioned recently that the Rockets "need the playoffs" and added that "there's no reason for us to not get there." -- Wright
68. Brandon Miller, F, Charlotte Hornets
2023 NBA Rank: NR
In many seasons, Miller's rookie year -- averaging 17.3 points, playing 74 games and shooting over 37% from 3-point range -- would have landed him atop the Rookie of the Year ballot. A lot of seasons, however, don't have fellow contenders for the award such as Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren, both of whom finished ahead of Miller in the voting. Still, Charlotte's decision to take the wing out of Alabama with the second pick in the 2023 draft looked better by the game, and he deservedly rose to the middle of this list. -- Bontemps
67. Cade Cunningham, G, Detroit Pistons
2023 NBA Rank: 74
The former No.1 pick is entering his fourth season, but Pistons fans are still waiting for his true breakout season. Cunningham averaged 22.7 points and 7.5 assists in 62 games, but Detroit had a historic losing streak and NBA-worst 14-68 record
66. Draymond Green, F, Golden State Warriors
2023 NBA Rank: 55
Green is coming off a season that almost ended with his retirement. After two altercations that resulted in suspensions totaling 17 games -- the Warriors were left contemplating if Green's on-court ability was worth his antics. The answer was yes, as Green is still a leader for the Warriors entering this season, even more so after Klay Thompson left in free agency. But Green still has a lot to prove this season -- not only that he is a contributor on the floor but also a reliable teammate. -- Andrews
65. Malik Monk, G, Sacramento Kings
2023 NBA Rank: NR
Last season, Monk got more control over his game, developing some of his chaotic style into a more coherent skill set. Monk finished first in points, assists and clutch points among reserves, making him a leading candidate for Sixth Man of the Year. His upward trajectory and claim over the postseason award were halted after he suffered a season-ending MCL sprain in March. But Monk enters this season healthy and looking to replicate his elite production off the bench. -- Andrews
64. Immanuel Quickley, G, Toronto Raptors
2023 NBA Rank: 92
Quickley, still just 25 years old, took the reins of the rebuilding Toronto offense last season and will seek to build on a solid first impression: 18.6 points and 6.8 assists per game on almost 40% shooting from 3 over 38 games. Specifically, Quickley should improve from a couple of spots inside the arc, where he historically has been better than he was in that half-season stint with the Raptors. His midrange and short, floater-range field goal percentages with Toronto (29.6% and 37.1%, respectively, per Basketball-Reference) both would have registered as career lows. -- Herring
63. Khris Middleton, F, Milwaukee Bucks
2023 NBA Rank: 46
Injuries have continued to limit Middleton's production during the regular season and contributed to his slide down these rankings. He has appeared in just 88 games over the past two seasons while rehabbing injuries. Middleton enters this season coming off surgeries on both of his ankles, minor cleanups according to the team but additional health concerns for the 33-year-old forward entering his 12th season. One positive for the Bucks: Middleton's playoff performance -- 24.7 points and 9.2 rebounds on 48% shooting in six games -- showed he still can reach an All-Star level. -- Collier
62. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, F, Orlando Magic
2023 NBA Rank: NR
Looking to boost the Magic's young core, Caldwell-Pope brings his championship experience and invaluable two-way play to Orlando. His departure from Denver will certainly be a blow to the 2023 champs. Beyond the 10.4 points and 41.5% 3-point shooting he averaged in his two seasons in Denver, his on-ball defense was invaluable to the Nuggets. Denver's loss is Orlando's gain as KCP will have lessons to share with Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs on how to win in the playoffs. -- Youngmisuk
61. Josh Hart, G, New York Knicks
2023 NBA Rank: 91
Few players are more fearless crashing the boards than Hart, who, despite standing 6-foot-4, is one of the most tireless, rugged rebounders in the NBA. The Knicks' Swiss Army knife showed an improved playmaking ability last season by logging six triple-doubles in a two-month span after zero during his first six seasons in the league. A favorite of defensive-minded coach Tom Thibodeau, Hart also logged 48 minutes or more in four playoff games last season. -- Herring
60. Desmond Bane, G, Memphis Grizzlies
2023 NBA Rank: 61
Bane has improved his scoring and assists averages each of his four years in the league, averaging 23.7 points and 5.5 assists per game in his injury-shortened 2023-24 campaign. He was rewarded with a maximum contract extension that kicks in this season, but he remains a bit under the radar, playing in a small market and the shadow of his highlight-creating backcourt partner Ja Morant. That might change if Memphis breaks through with a deep playoff run. -- MacMahon
59. Alex Caruso, G, Oklahoma City Thunder
2023 NBA Rank: NR
Caruso has established himself as an elite perimeter defender, and he makes his debut on the top 100 list after appearing in a career-high 71 games in 2023-24. Caruso helped carry Chicago's defense for the past three seasons while rounding out his game offensively -- he shot 40.8% from 3 on 4.7 attempts per game last season -- and his addition to Oklahoma City will only strengthen last season's No. 4 defense. -- Collier
58. Coby White, G, Chicago Bulls
2023 NBA Rank: NR
White makes his debut on the top 100 list after a runner-up finish in Most Improved Player voting. For a Bulls team depleted by injuries, White averaged a career-high 19.1 points and 5.1 assists in 78 starts, up from 9.7 points and 2.8 assists while starting just two games in 2022-23. The Bulls have a crowded backcourt entering this season, but the 24-year-old White has become a centerpiece of Chicago's young core. -- Collier
57. Darius Garland, G, Cleveland Cavaliers
2023 NBA Rank: 36
Garland has never appeared in more than 70 games and saw his offensive numbers decrease in 2023-24. Last season he had the second-fewest field goal attempts and second-lowest field goal percentage and 3-point percentage in his career. While the concerns on how Garland fits with Donovan Mitchell continue to linger, expect a more efficient season under new head coach Kenny Atkinson. "Just like Donovan, can we create more easy catch-and-shoot [3s]," Atkinson said on media day. "And when you look at the numbers, he's really good coming off ball screens." -- Marks
56. Dereck Lively II, C, Dallas Mavericks
2023 NBA Rank: NR
Lively wasn't on this list a year ago, when he was considered a raw project entering his rookie season. He quickly established himself as an essential part of the Mavs' core. Lively is a springy pick-and-roll partner for Luka Doncic and a spectacular finisher (141 dunks, 74.7% from the floor). He is just starting to tap into his immense defensive potential as a rim protector who is comfortable switching onto elite perimeter scorers. At 20 years old, Lively projects as a premier center for years to come. -- MacMahon
55. Jaren Jackson Jr., F, Memphis Grizzlies
2023 NBA Rank: 31
Jackson, the 2022-23 Defensive Player of the Year, dropped 24 spots after the injury-ravaged Grizzlies limped to only 27 wins. A silver lining of the lost season was that Jackson was forced to spread his wings offensively. He averaged career highs of 22.5 points and 2.3 assists per game, although his shooting efficiency dipped. The hope is that Jackson's improvement as a creator will be beneficial when he's surrounded by the rest of the regular Memphis starting lineup. -- MacMahon
54. Alperen Sengun, C, Houston Rockets
2023 NBA Rank: NR
Coming off his best season, Sengun averaged career highs in points (21.1), rebounds (9.3), assists (5.0) and steals (1.2) on the way to finishing third in voting for NBA Most Improved Player. Along the way, Sengun became the second-youngest Rocket behind Jalen Green in 2022-23 to average 20 or more points in a season. Houston sent three player development staffers to work with Sengun for nearly seven weeks over the summer in his native Turkey, and the club came away even more optimistic about his prospects for the season. The staff focused heavily on Sengun's preparation and believes he has become a more mature player. -- Wright
53. RJ Barrett, F, Toronto Raptors
2023 NBA Rank: 71
The 24-year-old southpaw is coming off a career year statistically, with personal bests in scoring (21.8) and assist (4.1) averages, but also one that came with the emotions of his return to Canada via trade and the death of his 19-year-old brother, Nathan, from an illness. In particular, Barrett -- who enjoyed the best effective field goal percentage of his career with Toronto (55.3%) -- was efficient from the 3-to-10-foot floater range and the 16-to-23-foot midrange portion of the floor, where he shot 45% and 50%, respectively; both personal bests for him. -- Herring
52. Franz Wagner, F, Orlando Magic
2023 NBA Rank: 52
Wagner has been a cornerstone of the Magic's resurgence, resulting in him inking a five-year, $224 million rookie contract extension in July. He had seven 30-point games last season and ranked in the top 10 in layups and dunks, according to Second Spectrum tracking. -- Andrews
51. OG Anunoby, F, New York Knicks
2023 NBA Rank: 67
Anunoby was an immediate fit in New York after joining the Knicks via trade. New York smashed opponents by 21.8 points per 100 possessions with him on the court. Much of that stemmed from Anunoby's stifling defense. But he was also uber-efficient as a transition scorer, where he scored 1.51 points per attempt, the NBA's best rate of any player who had at least 100 transition chances. -- Herring
LOS ANGELES -- A snake slithered through the Los Angeles Dodgers' dugout during Game 2 of the National League Championship Series on Monday.
The reptile appeared in the top of the fifth inning of the Dodgers' 7-3 loss to the New York Mets. It wasn't big enough to put a scare into anyone.
The snake was wrapped in a towel and removed by a member of the grounds crew.
The Dodgers trailed by six runs at the time, but they narrowed their deficit thanks to Max Muncy's solo home run in the fifth and Tommy Edman's two-run single in the sixth.
Los Angeles' rally fell short, however, as the snake didn't have the same effect as the San Diego Padres' rally goose that landed on the field at Dodger Stadium in 2022.
"I was hoping it was a rally snake and we turned a rally around right after that," Los Angeles reliever Brent Honeywell said. "But just something to get the boys moving a little different [after] everything else."
"We've had 'Snakes on a Plane', 'Snakes on a Train' and the latest Hollywood hit: 'Snake in the Dugout,'" joked Fox play-by-play commentator Joe Davis.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Ben Sears ruled out of India tour; uncapped Jacob Duffy drafted into NZ's squad
"Sears experienced pain in his left knee while training during the recent Test series in Sri Lanka and underwent scans in New Zealand last week," a New Zealand Cricket statement on Tuesday morning said. "His departure to India was delayed after scans revealed a tear to his meniscus, and the first available medical consultation was sought in the hope that he might have been cleared.
"However, following the medical advice, the decision was made to rule him out of the series. A plan on the best course of treatment and rehabilitation for the injury will be advised in due course."
In Sears' absence, and without Duffy reaching India in time for the first Test, New Zealand will have to make up their fast-bowling attack from among Tim Southee, Matt Henry and Will O'Rourke. Among frontline spin options, they have Ajaz Patel as their primary bowler, allrounders Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra and Michael Bracewell, and the handy part-time spin of Glenn Phillips. New Zealand can also call upon the pace-bowling services of Daryl Mitchell if required.
"It remains to be seen how long we'll be without him for, but we're hopeful his road to a full recovery will be a short one. It's an exciting opportunity for Jacob, who has been around Test the squad before. With three Tests ahead of us, he has every chance of making his Test debut."
Duffy, 30, has played six ODIs and 14 T20Is so far, and has 299 first-class wickets to his name.
"Jacob's recent experience playing for Nottinghamshire in the County Championship certainly pushed his place," Stead said. "His performances in white-ball cricket for the Black Caps have always been impressive, and we're confident he'll be able to contribute if called upon."
New Zealand's tour of India begins with the first Test in Bengaluru, before the series moves on to Pune and Mumbai.
Rain washes out India's training session on Bengaluru Test match eve
Officiating among Rodgers' gripes in 'giveaway' loss
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- For the third straight week, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers was left to explain a loss in which his team missed an opportunity to win the game on its final possession. This time, he seemed more frustrated -- and concerned -- than ever.
"We need to get going," Rodgers said Monday night after the Jets -- in their first game under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich -- dropped to 2-4 with a 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. "This was a golden opportunity. Some games you win in the NFL and some games you give away. This was a giveaway."
Not only was he critical of the Jets' performance, but Rodgers questioned the officiating, too. The teams combined for 22 penalties and 204 yards, including 11 for 110 by the Jets, who suffered the same issues under former coach Robert Saleh.
"It seemed a little ridiculous," Rodgers said of the officiating. "Some of (the calls) seemed really bad, including the roughing-the-passer on me [by AJ Epenesa]. That's not roughing the passer. You might as well play Sarcastaball [a reference to the TV show 'South Park'] if we're going to call those things. And I thought the one on [Javon] Kinlaw wasn't roughing the passer, either."
Rodgers also bemoaned a "phantom holding call" on tackle Tyron Smith that nullified a scoring run by Braelon Allen that would've given the Jets a 27-20 lead in the third quarter. They got no points out of it, as Greg Zuerlein missed his second field goal of the night.
The Jets, who fired Saleh last Tuesday, capped a tumultuous week with a performance that smacked of so many others. There were too many penalties and too many blown opportunities.
Under new play caller Todd Downing, who replaced the demoted Nathaniel Hackett, the offense managed to produce 393 total yards, but it went 1-for-4 in the red zone. One of their two touchdowns was a miracle play -- a 52-yard Hail Mary to Allen Lazard at the end of the first half, which closed the Bills' lead to 20-17.
"Demoralizing" was how wide receiver Garrett Wilson described the penalties, mistakes and squandered chances. "We have to find a way to score touchdowns because I don't want to keep feeling like this."
The Jets have lost three in a row by a combined total of 10 points, the latter two games ending with a Rodgers interception on their final possession. For the first time in his 20-year career, Rodgers has a losing record after six games.
"It's frustrating," he said. "I'm here to win those games."
This time, Rodgers got the ball at his 30 with 3:43 remaining in the game -- 70 yards away from a touchdown that might have vaulted the Jets into a first-place tie with the Bills (4-2). The last time the Jets shared first place after Week 6 was 2012 -- the NFL's longest drought.
There was no Rodgers magic.
The drive imploded with a sack and two Jets penalties (one offsetting), ending with a third-and-16 deep ball to Mike Williams that was picked off by Taron Johnson at the Bills' 18 yard line. Rodgers intimated that there was a miscommunication between him and Williams, who suffered a head injury on the play.
Rodgers (23-for-35) threw for a season-high 294 yards, including two touchdowns, but he wasn't happy with the overall execution by the offense. He said the attention to detail must improve. He could improve, too. In the red zone, he was only 3-for-8, including four passes that were either tipped or defended.
"I thought we were going to have a big night on offense," he said. "Again, this should have been a 30-plus point game on offense, and this shouldn't even be a conversation."
Owner Woody Johnson fired Saleh with the hope of creating a new energy under the fiery Ulbrich. It worked -- for a short time. After Rodgers' Hail Mary to Lazard -- the fourth Hail Mary touchdown of Rodgers' career -- the Jets went into halftime with the momentum. But they left it in the locker room, managing only a field goal in the second half.
Now they're in danger of falling out of contention.
"We are by no means out of this thing. By no means," Ulbrich said. "I know the character of that locker room. I know the way we will respond. ... We have to start stacking these weeks of exceptional preparation. I promise you it will start to pay off on Sundays."
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