Since the death of his father Messi seems depressed - (Lionel Messi - photo)

Luis Suarez is stepping up in rare form. The Shark is second to Messi on the club scoring 10 goals and six assists in 17 matches for Inter Miami - (Maxifranzoi - Photo)

Allen Iverson is recognized with changing how the game is played. Despite his amazing talent he was never on an NBA Title winning team ALL TIME NBA NEVER WON-NA NBA TITLE TEAM

Robert Lewandowski is off to a strong start with the Chicago Fire - (Sven Mandel - Photo)

Brittany Griner 35, was a prisoner in Russia that cost her to miss the 2022 season. The remarkable thing is how she handled her business by returning and not complaining about her nightmare of a Russian prison experience - (John Mac - photo)

Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics ALL TIME NBA 1st TEAM - BREAKING IT DOWN

SPORTS NOTES Extra Extra - LIONEL MESSI'S SHARK

James Loving/National Radio Text Service

Fortunately for Miami Luis Suarez is stepping up in rare form. The Shark is second to Messi in goals scored - The Chicago Fire's Robert Lewandowski has scored 3 goals in his first three games - Apparently Britttney Griner was used as a hostage for The Merchant of Death Victor Bout - NBA's ALL TIME BEST PLAYERS 1st and 2nd TEAMS

Tuesday August 25, 2026

SOCCER

MLS

LIONEL MESSI'S SHARK

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are in a slump are falling behind league leaders Nashville. Since the death of his father Messi seems depressed.

The smile and gleam in his eyes are gone. He had an altercation with a with a young 22-year-old Philadelphia Union player and was fined by the league for slapping the boy on the back of his head.

Apparently, this is a case of a young player wanting to make his bones by taking on an established player. This happens in the NBA and NFL as well. It's their macho stance in order to impress the coaches to make the team. It's mostly apparent in training camp.

At this time Miami trail Nashville by 7 points 46-39 in the standings. Fortunately for Miami Luis Suarez is stepping up in rare form. The Shark is second to Messi on the club scoring 10 goals and six assists in 17 matches.

Messi has tallied 14 goals, 10 assists in 18 appearances. You know the song: When the shark bites with his teeth dear. Get the picture? The shark is biting. The question is can Suarez keep picking up the slack with Messi in a mental funk?

LEWANDOWSKI on CHICAGO'S FIRE

Robert Lewandowski is off to a strong start with the Chicago Fire in the MLS. Lewandowski has scored 3 goals in his first three games with the side. That already makes him third best scorer on the team.

Of active players Philip Zinckernagel leads the team with five goals in 18 matches. The Fire are in third place of the Eastern Division in the league. They trail Inter Miami by four points 39-35.

WNBA

BRITTNEY GRINER PRISON FOE, VICTOR BOUT IS ON

A big move for Brittany Griner 35, who is now with the Connecticut Sun departing form the Atlanta Dream. Griner is having a productive season averaging 13 points, 2.5 assists and 5 rebounds. Most notably the 6'9" center was averaging playing 25 minutes of a 40-minute game, just 4 minutes less than her career average.

One must remember that Griner was a prisoner in Russia that cost her to miss the 2022 season. The remarkable thing is how she handled her business by returning and not complaining about her nightmare of a Russian prison experience. She simply sucked it up and went back to work in the WNBA. Her attitude demonstrates her commendable mental toughness.

Her prison grind recovery was evident when she was named to the 2024 US women's Olympic team to compete in France. She contributed four points to help the United States defeat France 67-66 in the final earning Griner her third consecutive Olympic gold medal.

During the medal ceremony when the U.S. national anthem was played, Griner would get emotional at the event, thinking she wouldn't even be here again following her arrest in Russia in 2022.

Apparently, she was used as a hostage for the freedom of Russian and charged arms dealer, Victor Butt who served a lengthy sentence US prisons. A film Lord of War was made supposedly with him as the central character. In real life he was portrayed as The Merchant of Death.

Recently Butt appeared on the RT Channel's Rick Sanchez Show. He is now a Russian politician. Butt denies he was an arms dealer. His personality is now jubilant, leaning on the comedy side.

This show is a must watch and is available now on the RT channel.

VICTOR BOUT on the RICK SANCHEZ SHOW

https://www.rt.com/shows/sanchez-effect/643613-bout-american-prison-experience/

'Democracy in the West is dying; it's basically on life support' - Victor Bout

30 Jul, 2026

The famous 'merchant of death' pays a visit to Sanchez Effect! Victor sheds light on his experience in an American prison, calling the charges against him absurd. He also shares his thoughts on Russian and international politics, as well as Europe's involvement in the Ukrainian crisis. Bout explains that if the West keeps pushing for escalation, Moscow will be forced to offer up its best response. He suggests NATO won't enjoy It. Watch the whole episode on RT or on BitChute at 'ricksancheztv'.

THIS DAY IN THE NBA

August 25, 1965

Boston Celtic Bill Russell signed a contract as the NBA's highest paid player, making one dollar more than arch-rival Wilt Chamberlain.