Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo the early All-Star vote leaders
Luka Doncic
The Dallas Mavericks’ wunderkind received more fan votes than any other player in the opening week of balloting for the NBA All-Star Game. The NBA released the first voting totals Thursday and Doncic, only 20, has received 1,073,957 — 599 more than the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, the reigning MVP. LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers is the only other player to top the million-vote mark so far. You might recall that All-Star voting used to be packed with Warriors, and for those sentimental Bay Area fans who miss the good ol’ days, it’s worth noting that Golden State’s Stephen Curry is fourth in the West guard vote so far despite being sidelined by injury.
Dan Snyder
The owner of Washington’s NFL team rarely speaks publicly, but Thursday was an exception: He introduced his newest head coach, former Panthers coach Ron Rivera, and said he will have unique authority. “What the Redskins have needed is a culture change,” Snyder said. “Someone that can bring a winning culture to our organization. That starts and ends with our head coach.” Of course, Snyder didn’t mention part of the culture problem might be him. Washington’s record since Snyder bought the team in 1999 is 142-193-1, and its only playoff victory was in 2005 under Joe Gibbs. So this time, Snyder will defer to Rivera.
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