Paul (L) Tyson (R) Made Mega Bucks

Photo: Special to the NY Beacon

By Joshua Garcia

Taylor (L) Serrano (R) Best Fight of the Night

Photo: Special to the NY Beacon

Blurring lines between entertainment and sports can be dangerous when playing the credibility game, and Boxing is currently teetering on the edge with characters like Jake Paul. The sweet science had so much to boast about at the moment, finally seeing the best matchups, albeit in the Middle East, but bringing traditional and casual fans alike for blockbuster fights like Usyk-Fury and Crawford-Spence. But long-retired Mike Tyson versus Jake Paul was not that, not at all. 

A trade off of attention and buzz surrounding marquee events is not worth the risk of turning beloved hand-to-hand combat into a spectacle of embarrassment that will stain the future of the sport forever. Celebrity boxing has gained momentum over the last few years, but last Friday night in Texas, it hit a new all-time low, clearly showing said blurred lines have completely disappeared. 

Mike Tyson, a legend, “the baddest man on the planet” as he was labeled throughout his Boxing career was transformed from a superhero to a punchline in front of our very eyes. It was like watching Superman in reverse, and nobody idolized the regularity of Clark Kent. Watching Tyson struggle with a YouTuber in his domain, a boxing ring, was extremely tough to endure. 

A 58-year-old Mike Tyson stood in the squared circle in front of AT&T Stadium, where the Dallas Cowboys have looked about the same as Iron Mike has this season, tired, old, and ready to call it quits. Jake Paul, would dance around with Tyson for several rounds on a shaky Netflix Stream that was overloaded with consumers and buffered throughout the less than exciting bout. 

As much bad as the Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul damaged the aesthetic, spirit, and soul of the sport, is as much positive as the undercard between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano did for Boxing. Following their incredible first bout at Madison Square Garden, they enthralled the football-sized crowd before the inevitable let down of Tyson versus Paul. 

Matching the ferocity and intensity of the first fight was going to be a challenge, but in many ways it went far beyond the instant classic that was their inaugural battle in New York. Just like their first date however, the fight left fans and analysts everywhere puzzled and up in arms at the controversial judge’s scorecards. 

Following their matchup up at MSG, Amanda Serrano, after coming up short on the decision in the first fight, came out decisively more aggressive and precise. Camp must have been all about efficiency and effectiveness of each individual punch, because Serrano’s accuracy was off the charts. 

Amanda Serrano in the first two rounds was landing at a percentage of 48% punches thrown, and her outstanding targeting saw her stagger Katie Taylor at the end of round 1. A stunned Taylor held on for dear life as the bell for the opening round sounded loudly in Texas. 

Katie Taylor came back strong in rounds 3-5, using her lightning quick hands and combination punches to look busy and like she was bringing the fight to Amanda Serrano, not the opposite. As evidenced by the first fight, Taylor knows just how the judges will lean and never keeps that too far from her minds-eye when developing her in-fight strategy. Keeping busy, standing close in the pocket, trading exchanges all go a long way on narrow ringside official’s cards when scoring rounds. 

Everything was going Amanda’s way until a jolt from the head of Katie Taylor on an inside lockup opened up the entire right eyebrow of Serrano. Although Serrano continued to be tedious and relentless through the entirety of the fight, she lost a bit out of the tank from the headbutt. Be it loss of blood, vision loss, faster fatigue rate, the damage to her eye influenced the rest of the fight, plain and simple.

And on a night where Jake Paul, a YouTuber off the street essentially, fought a Boxing Legend nearing 60 years old, who looked light years away from “the Alien” version of Bernard Hopkins who was winning titles and fighting into his 50s, the biggest disgrace was the robbery of Amanda Serrano. The rivalry between the 7-division champ and Katie Taylor is approaching Juan Manuel Marquez-Manny Pacquiao territory, and the Boxing World is all for a trilogy and possibly more, with the hunger for this matchup that these ladies have created. 

In more ways than one Taylor-Serrano mirrors the four fight epic series between Pacquiao-Marquez, but the most identical is the controversy over their bouts. Juan Manuel Marquez felt he had no shot at a win by decision after coming up short twice and once with a draw against his famous foe, and in their last meeting, nearly sent Manny Pacquiao into the afterlife with one of the greatest KO’s in the sport’s history. A severe knockout was the only thing that finally earned Marquez a victory over Pacquiao, and it may very well be what Serrano needs to beat Taylor in a trilogy next year. 

For one thing and one thing only does Jake Paul deserve some flowers, and that’s giving a platform to that incredible women’s boxing display to which Terence Crawford, the arguable pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter in the world, called “The Fight of the Year!”. Paul has brought eyes to the world of Boxing yes, but there is no chance those eyes enjoyed what they saw on a choppy Netflix stream last Friday night, unless you are talking about Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor, the real fighters. 

Dodgers Soak Up Fans Love

Photo: Joshua Garcia

By Joshua Garcia

They did it. They finally did it. After years of “I’m ready to be hurt again” memes and jokes about how the Dodgers always choke and how the 2020 covid-season Championship didn’t count, the Los Angeles Dodgers are real deal champs for the first time since 1988. 

Countless people at Friday’s Championship Parade near City Hall downtown, were either too young to remember or not even born in 1988 the last time the City of Los Angeles held a ticker-tape fiesta for the Dodgers. The Lakers have done this many times, the Kings after beating the Devils and Rangers from the New York City area have hoisted a Stanley Cup in front of their fellow Angelenos twice in the last decade, but this was special, because it’s the Dodgers. 

Although the Dodgers spent their first 74 years in the Borough of Brooklyn, for 66 years the team has been the soul of Los Angeles and hasn’t had the still waters that the Lakers and other franchises in the same metropolitan area enjoy. Voice of the franchise and Broadcasting Legend Vin Scully always said, “It didn’t come easy, but in the history of the Dodgers both Brooklyn and Los Angeles, nothing has ever come easy.”

So when the beloved Dodgers fought their way through the hated division rival Padres, who many had favored to win the World Series, the up and coming New York Mets, and finally the big bad New York Yankees with MVP Aaron Judge,  on a run to a world championship, oh it feels different. Walker Buehler, who grabbed the last out in the World Series, immediately ran to a microphone to tell the world and in particular the haters and naysayers of the 2020 MLB  champions, to somewhat politely, shut their mouths after now winning a second ring in the span of 5 years. 

Over a million people attended the raucous parade in downtown Los Angeles near City Hall and it all got kicked off with a huge party at Gloria Molina Park, where the double-decker buses were set to take off, filled with Dodger players, coaches, and families. Hearing a crowd of thousands of people sing Happy Birthday to Iconic Pitcher and Announcer Fernando Valenzuela was the emotional and energetic start the big party deserved. People hugged, cried, took video, sang their hearts out, and then were ready party for the first time since 1988. 

As the buses pulled in front of Los Angeles City Hall and what felt like half the town, Dave Roberts lifted up the trophy as he pulled a fat billow of smoke out of his fine cigar, like Tony Soprano. The Dodger coaches soaked in every minute, Roberts enjoyed a quick chuckle at all the times his job was in question, his decisions were second guessed, his acumen as a manager debated, all leading him to this World Series trophy he held. 

Coach Mark Prior not far behind Manager Dave Roberts, should also be applauded for his use of the pitching staff throughout the playoffs and his tremendous contribution to their success. The Dodgers would not be where they are without Prior, and will have to fight off offers from other organizations to make him a manager, but first, let him enjoy his champagne and celebration. 

The DJ dropped “You know how we do it” by Ice Cube, and the buses with the Dodger players entered, a fan held a big sign that could be seen for blocks saying, “Thanks for not stopping Freddie.” In response to a sign a fan held up at Yankee Stadium during Game 5 in New York. Freddie Freeman in fact, did not stop, in 20 at-bats in 5 World Series he posted a .300 average, with four home runs and drove in a ridiculous 12 RBI in his five games. Freeman was named MVP and the crowd bursting with over a million people total, chanted his name as it echoed throughout downtown, “FREDDIE-FREDDIE-FREDDIE!”.

Los Angeles is synonymous with the music it produces, it always has and always will represent LA. At the celebration at Dodger Stadium, team leader and fire starter, Kiké Hernandez, let it be known that when Ice Cube took the stage before Game 2, and even more when Fat Joe took the stage in New York, they knew the series was the going to go the Dodgers’ way. And although it was a subtle jab to the New York and it’s rap, the two rappers signified how the series went, and it’s no coincidence in the year of Kendrick Lamar, the Dodgers are the champions. 

With the King of the City Kendrick Lamar, coming off his epic summer concert, being named to the Super Bowl Halftime Show, and the Dodgers winning their first full-season ring since 1988, can you blame Los Angeles for feeling like, “They not like us”?

Rodgers Helps Break Losing Streak

Photo: Michael Henriquez – NY Beacon

MetLife Stadium

By Shara Talia Taylor

The New York Jets had a turnaround performance on Halloween as they came from behind to defeat the Houston Texans 21-13.

The win was a big treat for fans in costume enjoying the team on an unusually warm October night, but it was especially sweet for Jeff Ulbrich to mark his first victory as interim head coach and the end of five straight losses. New York’s defense stopped any trick plays and allowed only one touchdown in the first half, while the offense came alive after halftime with three touchdowns, including two thrillers by wide receiver Garett Wilson who caught both passes from quarterback Aaron Rodgers with one hand.

“Really cool game for this team after three weeks of a lot of adversity, a lot of setbacks, some self-imposed,” said Coach Ulbrich. “For them to have the resiliency to come back and play the way they did against a really good opponent, I was proud of them.”

The Jets overcame a rocky start to the game and pushed ahead. Neither New York nor Houston scored in the first quarter. Rodgers tossed the ball to (WR) Malachi Corley, who ran for a touchdown in the second quarter. However, he dropped the ball short of the goal line in celebration, and it was ruled a touchback.

“Definitely frustrated, to be honest, and angry at the same time, but what an amazing opportunity for this kid to learn and grow from,” Coach Ulbrich said.

New York trailed 7-0 at the end of the second quarter, but returned from halftime ready to work.

“Just keep communicating,” Rodgers said he told his teammates at halftime. “Talked to the line about what runs they like, talked to receivers about a couple different things that were there before, but we just had to stay positive and had to believe.”

Rodgers passed to Wilson for a touchdown when 9:09 minutes remained in the third quarter. The attempt for the extra point by Riley Patterson, New York’s newly acquired kicker, was good. (K) Greg Zuerlein was placed on the injured reserve list for a knee injury early last week. Patterson joined the team to replace him and added to the active roster.

“I was really proud of him,” Coach Jeff Ulbrich said about Patterson’s play. “He came out on Wednesday and we did a little kicking competition and he won it and the team had some confidence in him.”

Rodgers heaved a 26-yard deep pass to Wilson for a touchdown with about 13:01 minutes left in the fourth quarter. The kick by Patterson was good for the extra point.

Rodgers later connected with (WR) Davante Adams for a 37-yard touchdown pass with about 3:02 minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Patterson then added an extra point.

Rodgers completed 22 of 32 passes for 211 yards. The Jets’ defense made eight sacks, 11 quarterback hits and 64 combined tackles and assists.

Houston’s (QB) C.J. Stroud completed 11 of 30 passes for 191 yards. The Texans defense made two sacks, four quarterback hits and 52 combined tackles and assists.

The Jets next travel to Arizona to take on the Cardinals.

Will Soto Wear The Pinstripes Next Year?

Photo: Special to the NY Beacon

By Matthew Kennedy

Freeman 2024 World Series MVP

Photo: Special to the NY Beacon

New York City is in mourning, as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in the 2024 World Series last night in a gentleman’s sweep. It was an especially painful series for the Bronx Bombers, who have now lost three of their last four Fall Classic appearances. The tone of the series was set in game one, where the Yankees were one out away from going up 1-0 on the road after a dominant start from Gerrit Cole and Giancarlo Stanton’s sixth home run of the playoffs (which tied a franchise record). 

But in the bottom of the ninth inning, manager Aaron Boone opted to bring in Nestor Cortes and intentionally walk Mookie Betts to load the bases and bring up Freddie Freeman, with New York clinging to a one-run lead. Cortes had been sidelined with an injury for over a month and as Yankee fans hoped for the best, they got the worst – a monster grand-slam by Freeman – the first walk-off grand-slam in 120 years of the World Series. 

The Yankees bounced back in game four off the back of an Anthony Volpe grand-slam, and hoped to become the first team in MLB history to force a game six after going down three games to none in the World Series. Cole came out strong once again, and three home runs put his team up 5-0 by the end of the third inning and in a prime position to get the series back to L.A. But no one could predict what was to come. Perhaps the most disastrous defensive inning in baseball history occurred, as the Yankees committed four costly mistakes which allowed the Dodgers to score five unearned runs. After the meltdown, the Yankees never really seemed to recover and Los Angeles ran away with the game, celebrating their eighth World Series championship on New York’s home turf. The inning will go down in sports history as one of the biggest choke-jobs of all-time. 

Despite all this, the Yankees should take pride in making their first World Series appearance since the glory days of Derek Jeter co., even if they came up painfully short in the end. Still, this loss stings a little more than usual because the Yankees have no one but to blame but themselves. It wasn’t superb L.A. pitching or irreparable damage from Shohei Ohtani and the Dodger bats, but their own sloppiness that lost them the series. The combination of six errors (as well as numerous other defensive blunders) and nearly 40 runners stranded in a five-game series is simply too much for any team to overcome. So for now, the “Chase for 28” is very much still in effect.

Haddad Moves On At The US Open

Photo: Special to the NY Beacon

By Shara Talia Taylor

It looked like Danish professional tennis player Caroline Wozniacki, ranked at No. 71 in women’s singles, might upset No. 22 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia of Brazil, after the second set of their match Monday at the US Open.  

She lost the first set and made a comeback in the second set, but Maia bested her in the third set and moved forward to the quarterfinals after winning 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. Wozniacki felt she came up short of the win, because of her start as she tried to adjust to her opponent at Louis Armstrong Stadium .  

“I didn’t start off my best,” Wozniacki said. “I was finding it hard to find a rhythm.” 

The former No. 1 player, made it to the fourth round for the second consecutive year. Last year she was admired as she returned to the sport after retiring in 2020 and having children with husband and former New York Knicks player David Lee.  Wozniacki fell to Coco Gauff in the 2023 US Open. Monday, she expressed challenges facing a left-handed opponent. “I think it’s always tricky playing a lefty,” Wozniacki said. “I think she caught me quite a few times serving that lefty both into the body on the right side, it’s just hard to get out of the way.”

Wozniacki and Maia each had four double faults. Wozniacki made 64% of her first serves compared to Haddad Maia who made 67% of her serves. 

“The first set was pretty good from my side, and then, well, she improved a little bit,” Haddad Maia said.  “I had my up-and-downs during the second set, and I tried to become to understand what was going on and be disciplined, and I’m very happy that I could make this win.” 

Haddad Maia moved ahead to face Karolína Muchová Wednesday. Wozniacki said she did not feel the result of the match would have “any kind of bearing” on her steps for the remainder of the season, but would reflect with her family.

Jones Goes As the Giants The Giants Go

Photo: Special to the Ny Beacon

By Samori Benjamin

The highlight of Daniel Jones career came January 15^th, 2023 when he led the New York Giants to a 31-24 playoff win over the Minnesota Vikings in which he threw for 301 yards, two scores, and ran for another 78 yards. That was the end of his fourth season. We are now already in his 6th season after a injury in the fifth game of last season due to an injury in early November. Up to that point, Jones had thrown two touchdowns compared to six interceptions in six games.

There is plenty of talent around Jones headed into this 2024 season. The Giants added wide receiver Malik Nabers who was a superstar at LSU. Jaylen Hyatt scored five touchdowns on 207 yards receiving against Alabama two years ago in college. The defense is loaded with talent too, including the addition of Pro Bowl free-agent linebacker Brian Burns.

Giants play Minnesota in Week 1 of the NFL season this Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Jones has to pick up from where he finished in that playoff game a year and a half ago. He is the key to their season. How Jones goes will determine everything else for the this Giants season.

Rodgers And Jets Look For A Big Year

Photo: Special to the NY Beacon

By Andrew Rosario

It is more than a year in the making for the New York Jets organization and future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers. They open up the 2024 NFL season next Monday night against the NFC Champion San Fransisco 49ers in Santa Clara California. It only took 4 snaps before Gang Green’s 2023 season was derailed after Rodgers blew out his Achilles tendon. Rodgers did not take a snap in the team’s 3 pre-season games this year as the team did not want to risk injury. The defense will keep the team in every game. The offense will hope to be able to put points on the board led by Rodgers. During the team’s practice sessions, there were issues with Rodgers connecting with his wide receivers. At one point, Rodgers missed on 5 straight attempts. Said third year head coach Robert Saleh of the struggle, “took the guys a little bit to get going. But I still thought it was a good, competitive practice. Guys were communicating, they were executing the way we need them to, but their legs were a little heavy, you can say that.”

The very heavy AFC led by the defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs, who are looking for their third straight Super Bowl, are not the only team the Jets will be battling with. Aside from division rival Buffalo, Miami and New England, the Jets will play Tennessee, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Arizona, Jacksonville, Denver, Colts, Seattle and the Rams. Not to mention the heavily favored the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinatti Bengals.

Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets will have their work cut out for them.

Brunson Makes NBA Playoff History

Photo: Special to the NY Beacon

By Andrew Rosario

After a grueling 6 game series against the Philadelphia 76ers in which they outscored Philly by only 1 point (670-669) the New York Knicks hosted the Indiana Pacers Monday night at Madison Sqaure Garden in game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. The history between has been well documented. Reggie Miller, John Starks, Partick Ewing, Ric Smits and the infamous Spike Lee. They have faced each other 8 previous times in the playoffs starting in 1993. The winner of game one has gone on to win the series. The Knicks went down 9 points in the fourth quarter and it looked like that trend might continue for the 9^th time. Then, Jalen Brunson and crew rallied coming away with a 121-117 victory.

Brunson finished with a game high 43 points as all 5 starters scored in double figures. College teammates Donte Divincenzo 25 and Josh Hart 24 points were big in the comeback win. Said head coach Tom Thibodeau of Donte’s game, “a great effort on the defensive end the whole night and then the big three.” Tibbs then went on to praise the three and how well they have played together. “l just think the way they work, they invested a lot into the season and they put a lot into each and every day. When you make that commitment to each other, you’re not going to give in. You’re going to keep fighting. We know we’re shorthanded. That’s our way. Our way is you have to play real hard.”

The Pacers Myles Turner led his team with 23 points and got big help from bench players TJ McConnell 18 points and ex-Knick Obi Toppin 12 points. Toppin electrified the Garden crowd with a steal finishing with a between the legs slam. Indiana’s bench outscored the Knicks 46-3. Brunson became the first player with 40 plus points and 5 assists in 4 straight playoff games. Said Brunson of his game, “ I’m not thinking l need to score 40. That’s not my mindset at all. My mindset is to be aggressive and to make plays for myself and for others.”

The Knicks look to take a 2-0 lead when they faced Indiana Wednesday night. The series then moves to the Pacers home court Friday and Sunday.

Embiid (L) Maxey (R) Combine For 69 In Loss

Photo: Special to the NY Beacon

By Shara Talia Taylor

The Philadelphia 76ers were within seconds of winning, but after a few missteps they fell to the New York Knicks in a 104-101 loss for game 2 round 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs at Madison Square Garden Monday night. 

It was costly missed shots and rebounds that made the difference at the end of the game. The 76ers believed better rebounding could have improved their game.

“Defensive rebounding,”said Tyrese Maxey was the main thing he wanted to work on before the next game. “They got two offensive rebounds at the end of that game. It would have been tied. If we win the rebounding battle in that game we win the game. And turnovers.”

Philadelphia had 10 total turnovers and four were by Maxey.  Maxey, however, led Philadelphia with 35 points, 10 assists and 9 rebounds, while battling a cold. “I don’t feel great at all, honestly,” he said. “I took medicine, IV. I did everything they asked me to do. I wasn’t missing the game.”

The 76ers second leading scorer center Joel Embiid had 34 points, 6 assists and led Philadelphia with 10 rebounds. He said he felt great following the game. “Offense, defense, shooting, rebounding,” he said were things he wanted to improve before the next game. 

Philadelphia played aggressively to start, but slowed their pace. Although they led 25-18 at the end of the first quarter and 53-49 by halftime, they were outscored by New York 31-28 in the second quarter alone. They trailed off in total rebounds with 16 in the first quarter and 11 in the second quarter. Embiid played 12 minutes in the first quarter and led with eight rebounds, but only played 6:56 minutes in the second quarter and had two total rebounds.

The 76ers were outscored 30-21 in the third quarter alone. Philadelphia was ahead 101-96 in the last 47 seconds of the game following a free throw by Kyle Lowry. He missed his second attempt, New York rebounded and got the ball to Jalen Brunson, who made a 3-pointer. Lowry inbounded the ball to Maxey, but turned the ball over as Josh Hart stole the ball and passed it to Donte DiVincenzo. DiVincenzo missed the shot but Isaiah Hartenstein grabbed the offensive rebound as players scuffled for the ball injuring Lowry in the process, and eventually to DiVincenzo, whose 3-pointer gave the Knicks a 102-101 lead. 

It appeared Sixers Coach Nick Nurse tried to call a timeout in the final 27 seconds of the game, when Lowry inbounded. “We don’t get it in quick I call timeout,” Nurse said. “Referee looked right at me and ignored me.”

Philadelphia made their way to the basket after timeout, but a layup by Maxey was blocked by Hartenstein as OG Anunoby grabbed the rebound and was fouled by Tobias Harris. Philadelphia had one last shot after Anunoby hit 2 free throws. Embiid missed a 3-pointer in the last second.

“Keep fighting, don’t give up, I mean it’s the playoffs,” Nicolas Batum said after the game. “At least it’s not the best of two.”

“I think we played better than we did the other night,” said Nurse.  “I think we can continue to play even better than that and that’s all we got to focus on.”

Teams next head to Philadelphia for Game 3 Thursday at 7:30pm , with New York’s 2-0 lead.

Embiid Paces Sixers Over Brooklyn

Photo: Special to the NY Beacon

By Shara Talia Taylor

The Brooklyn Nets started strong and gave an extra push in the end, but fell way behind in the second and third quarters as they lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 121-99 at Barclays Center last Sunday afternoon.

Brooklyn had 15 turnovers and Philadelphia took more shots as they were led by Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. According to Coach Jacque Vaughn Philadelphia capitalized by playing more physical and the Nets needed more work finishing quarters. “Teams are doing different things at the end of the quarter to disrupt you so you have to have a poise about yourself,” he said.

The Nets trailed the 76ers 23-22 at the end of the first quarter, and almost tied the score with a rebound by Cameron Johnson at the buzzer. Brooklyn out-rebounded Philadelphia 16-11 in the quarter. Philadelphia outscored Brooklyn 38-27 in the second quarter alone and 33-22 in the third quarter. Brooklyn tied the score at 44 in the second quarter, but could not regain a lead the remainder of the game. The Nets trailed by as many as 14 with 1:55 remaining in the final quarter, but fell to 76ers’ pressure.

Lonnie Walker IV led the Nets with 26 points, six of which were 3-pointers, the most on the team. He said Coach Vaughn encouraged them to keep pushing when they were down. “Understanding what their strengths and non-strengths are,” he said. “One of their non-strengths is really just that transition defense. So, when we get a rebound, we got to push it. We got to go.”

Walker IV had a powerful dunk over several 76ers at the end of the first quarter.

Teammate Mikal Bridges added 18 points. Bridges was honored by his college team Friday as Villanova retired his team jersey. “It was dope,” he said. “It was real cool. Just an unbelievable night. Had a lot of family and friends there. It was a great night.”

Philadelphia swept Brooklyn in four games in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs. Coach Vaughn said during pregame the 76ers would present new challenges without P. J. Tucker and James Harden.

“Overall, they are a different team than what we faced in the playoffs just because of Maxey leading the charge makes them entirely different,” Coach Vaughn said.

The Nets lost to the 76ers in preseason. Teams re-worked their roster and changed lineups since then. Maxey was key Sunday. He had 25 points. Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 32 points.

“When you have a dominant big who’s going to command the basketball, get to the free throw line, (and) make you change your defense and the way that Maxey is playing at a high level, his ability to command the basketball, get to his spots, (and) make shots, you see why this is one of the best teams in the league,” Vaughn said.

Philadelphia was runner-up in the Eastern Conference as of Sunday and the Nets in 10th place. Brooklyn was off Monday and faced the Atlanta Hawks Wednesday.