Culture
Carroll Dawson, legendary Rockets assistant coach and GM, dies at 86
![Carroll Dawson, legendary Rockets assistant coach and GM, dies at 86 Carroll Dawson, legendary Rockets assistant coach and GM, dies at 86](https://cdn.theathletic.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,height=630,fit=cover/app/uploads/2024/09/09121101/carroll-dawson-scaled.jpg)
Former Houston Rockets assistant coach and general manager Carroll Dawson has died at age 86, the team announced Monday.
The cause of his death was not disclosed.
Dawson, known as “CD,” spent nearly three decades with the Rockets from 1980 to 2007, starting as an assistant coach under Del Harris and working with Bill Fitch, Don Chaney and Rudy Tomjanovich before transitioning to the front office in 1996. He remains the lone figure in franchise history to have served as an assistant during each of their four NBA Finals runs, most notably during the back-to-back championships in 1994 and 1995.
“While CD’s contributions to basketball were remarkable, it was his character that truly stood out,” the Rockets said in a statement. “We will deeply miss his uplifting spirit, infectious humor, and kind-hearted nature. We are proud that CD’s legacy will forever be honored with his banner hanging from the rafters of Toyota Center, alongside our other Rockets legends.”
The Rockets family mourns the loss of beloved former coach and general manager, Carroll Dawson, affectionately known as “CD.”
For nearly three decades, CD was a cornerstone of our organization, instrumental in shaping the careers of stars like Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson.… pic.twitter.com/U0iE3EIET1
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) September 9, 2024
As an assistant, Dawson built a reputation around the league for developing big men, working closely with Hall of Famers like Elvin Hayes, Hakeem Olajuwon, Ralph Sampson and Moses Malone. His proficiency in player development carried over to his role as general manager, tasked with the day-to-day running of the Rockets’ scouting department.
Dawson constantly sought avenues to upgrade the roster, successfully pulling off trades for the likes of Scottie Pippen, Charles Barkley, Cuttino Mobley and Tracy McGrady — along with drafting of Yao Ming in 2002. In 2007, Dawson hired Daryl Morey as his successor.
That year, the Rockets hung a banner with the initials “CD” from the rafters at Toyota Center to honor Dawson’s work with the franchise.
But Dawson’s impact wasn’t just limited to the NBA. He was also an instrumental figure in the construction of four-time WNBA Champion Houston Comets, which still stands as the most successful WNBA franchise of all time. As executive vice president of the organization, Dawson played a monumental role in signing WNBA legends Tina Thompson, Cynthia Cooper and Sheryl Swoopes along with the hiring of coach Van Chancellor.
“I’m lucky to have the chance to get to know and work with (Dawson),” Rockets general manager Rafael Stone told The Athletic in a statement. “He’s a Houston Rockets legend and someone I learned a lot from, particularly his ability to use humor to make his point and connect with people. That’s a timeless quality that not many people possess and it was cool to get the chance to observe.”
(Photo of Dawson at the 2006 NBA Draft Lottery: Jennifer Pottheiser / NBAE via Getty Images)
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Culture
Taylor Fritz’s U.S. Open final offers hope for men’s tennis — and a reality check
![Taylor Fritz’s U.S. Open final offers hope for men’s tennis — and a reality check Taylor Fritz’s U.S. Open final offers hope for men’s tennis — and a reality check](https://cdn.theathletic.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,height=630,fit=cover/app/uploads/2024/09/08192618/GettyImages-2170256136-1-1-scaled-e1725838929939.jpg)
NEW YORK — In the build-up to Wimbledon, Taylor Fritz said men’s tennis feels more open now, compared with the Big Three era.
“It took just one of them to be playing incredibly well,” he said of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
“We were younger and not as good as we are now. You were hoping that they’d have an off day and you’d have an on day,” Fritz said. “Nowadays, anyone in the top 15, it’s kind of whoever plays better.
“It’s exciting for all of us because we know that all it takes is two weeks or 10 days of playing really high-level tennis, and taking the opportunity as best as possible.”
This U.S. Open has proved Fritz right and wrong. Early exits for Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz offered hope to the chasing pack, but the tournament ended upholding the status quo, as world No. 1 Jannik Sinner won his second Grand Slam of the year by beating Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-5.
With the other two majors of 2024 going to Alcaraz, 21, he and Sinner, 23, have won five of the last six Slams. They are delivering at the sharp end of majors with Big Three-like efficiency, and they’re still quite young.
Their domination feels different to the rest of the locker room, though. After Frances Tiafoe was defeated by Fritz in Friday’s semifinal, he said this tournament had been “big” in showing the best of the rest that a Grand Slam win is within reach. “It shows that it’s definitely possible,” he said. “The game’s open. Even with Alcaraz and Sinner and these other guys, it’s not what it used to be.”
Alexander Zverev, ranked just ahead of Alcaraz at No. 2 but without the same major success, expressed similar sentiments ahead of Wimbledon.
Part of the sentiment comes from the fact that even if they’re winning the bulk of the slams, Sinner and Alcaraz are not yet at the point of being a shoo-in for the semis or finals of every big tournament. Alcaraz showed that with his second-round exit here. Djokovic is still wildly talented but has been more uneven, offering the field a glimmer of hope after his worst Grand Slam year since 2017 (and second worst since 2009).
Fritz said Sunday that what encourages him is that he reached the final without playing that well.
“I think it’s really positive for me because I don’t feel like at any specific point in these two weeks … I was playing, like, amazing tennis,” he said. “Maybe it is a bit more open. I don’t think you have to, I don’t know, play unbelievable to go deep in tournaments and contend.”
“When I play good tennis,” Taylor Fritz said, “I think that level is good enough to win.” (Jamie Squire / Getty Images)
Players such as Fritz also haven’t built up the kind of scar tissue with Alcaraz and Sinner that they had with the Big Three. Even if they find themselves losing to them, at least they feel like they have a chance of winning.
With the Big Three, players such as Fritz largely went in with hope rather than expectations. By contrast, before facing Sinner, Fritz said: “I have a feeling I’m going to come out and play really well and win. When I play good tennis, I think that level is good enough to win.”
In the end, Sinner proved too strong. Fritz acknowledged afterward that: “I think that (now) you can find yourself a little deeper in the draws — quarterfinals and stuff — if you just play solid tennis. I still think to beat the top guys, you need to bring your best game.”
And that is the rub. For a player like Fritz to break through and win a slam, he more than likely still has to face Sinner, Alcaraz or Djokovic. And as much as this tournament showed there might be more chances for players outside the elite to reach the quarters, semis and finals, none of those players recorded a landmark win against one of the top three.
Djokovic’s conqueror, Alexei Popyrin, is a rung or two below the group of main challengers, and Botic van de Zandschulp, who defeated Alcaraz, isn’t likely to be at the sharp end of slams anytime soon.
Fritz, though, will come out of this tournament with his standing in the game slightly altered. He spoke after losing to Sinner about how you can only beat what’s in front of you, and the way he navigated the highly stressful and slightly strange semifinal against his good friend and compatriot Tiafoe on Friday seems to have boosted his confidence.
There had always been a competition between those two and the rest of the close group of American players about who would get to a Grand Slam final first. Fritz has done it and, in his mind, while not playing his best. That bodes well for him heading into the Australian Open in January.
But Sunday, Fritz was reminded he’s still a way off from taking that final step. He spoke about how his Plan B of grinding it out works against most players but not those at the very top. He knows he’ll need to add more to his game to take that next step.
Because while the paths to the semis and finals might be getting easier, as long as Alcaraz and Sinner are delivering, the chasing pack still has a way to go.
(Top photo: Kena Betancur / AFP)
Culture
Do You Know These Sports Books That Became Movies?
![Do You Know These Sports Books That Became Movies? Do You Know These Sports Books That Became Movies?](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2024/09/09/books/review/09Quiz-sports-books-movies/09Quiz-sports-books-movies-facebookJumbo.jpg)
Welcome to Great Adaptations, the Book Review’s regular multiple-choice quiz about books that have gone on to find new life as movies, television shows, theatrical productions, video games and more. This week’s challenge is focused on sports books that have been adapted into films within the past 25 years.
Just tap or click your answers to the five questions below. And scroll down after you finish the last question for links to the books and their movie adaptations.
Culture
Cardinals’ DeeJay Dallas scores first kickoff return touchdown of 2024 season under new format
![Cardinals’ DeeJay Dallas scores first kickoff return touchdown of 2024 season under new format Cardinals’ DeeJay Dallas scores first kickoff return touchdown of 2024 season under new format](https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2024/09/08160123/GettyImages-2169783262-scaled.jpg)
The NFL saw a record-low 22 percent of kickoffs returned last season, and only four of those were returned for scores. The NFL introduced significant changes to its kickoff rules for the 2024 season to boost the incentive for more players to return kickoffs — while limiting touchbacks and injuries.
In Week 1 of the new kickoff format, Cardinals returner DeeJay Dallas ignited the comeback with a thrilling 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
THE FIRST DYNAMIC KICKOFF RETURN TOUCHDOWN.
DEEJAY DALLAS. 96 YARDS.
📺: #AZvsBUF on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/COYfonnYxR— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024
Slicing through three tackles at the 40-yard line, he dashed toward the end zone, diving past kicker Tyler Bass to score. The Bills, leading 31-20 with 8:44 left, regretted kicking deep. The Cardinals then capitalized with a successful two-point conversion by James Conner, narrowing the gap to 31-28.
The touchdown marked Dallas’ first career kickoff return in his NFL and collegiate careers, although he has return experience, having returned kicks in all three of his seasons in the league.
Although the new rule had a slow start, the first Sunday of the NFL season still delivered excitement with three kickoff returns exceeding 50 yards. In 2023, there were only 10 returns of 50 yards or more.
The Bills held on to their lead to start the season 1-0 as they beat the Cardinals 34-28. Buffalo will face AFC East rival Miami on the road during Week 2 of “Thursday Night Football.”
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(Photo: Brooke Sutton / Getty Images)
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