Keen to make the most of their time in Abu Dhabi, the Denver Nuggets had an eventful first day in the UAE capital ahead of their two scheduled pre-season games against the Boston Celtics this weekend.
The 2022/23 NBA champions touched down in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday night and joined NYU Abu Dhabi students at Jumeirah Saadiyat Beach the following morning for an NBA Green event to clean up nurdles (microplastics) and learn about the habitat.
Later in the day, after completing a practice session, Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Russell Westbrook and the rest of the Nuggets squad took part in a social responsibility clinic at NYU Abu Dhabi for 120 youth participants from Kyros Era Academy, NBA Basketball School Dubai and Special Olympics.
The Denver crew then went on a trip to the desert, where the players took camel rides and enjoyed the scenery.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone believes it’s important for the team to engage with the community in that way, and make a positive impact during their stay in the Emirates.
“A small thing like that, giving up your time to give back to a local community, the local habitat, I think it’s a small gesture of appreciation,” Malone said on Wednesday.
“And then you come to the gym today you see all these young men and young girls, working with our players, that reminds our players that, yes, we are professional, you get paid to win, but we also get paid to give back and never lose sight of all the people that helped us to get to where we are.
“And that’s something, being selfless and sacrificing for the greater good, and I’m just really thankful to be a part of a day like this here in Abu Dhabi.”
The Nuggets won their first NBA title in franchise history in 2023 but suffered a second-round exit to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the play-offs the following season. The Celtics ultimately emerged victorious and will be looking to become the first back-to-back NBA champions since the Golden State Warriors clinched consecutive titles in 2017 and 2018.
Coach Malone says there were many lessons learnt from their unsuccessful title defence last season.
“It's hard. It’s really hard. Golden State was the last team to do it in 2017-2018. You have 29 other teams that are coming for you every night. And then the biggest thing I learnt is that the physical, emotional, spiritual toll it takes on you when you win a championship and having to regroup and do that again can be exhausting,” said Malone.
“But I tell you, we’ve had a great training camp so far, and our guys are excited to try to get back and take what Boston has, as well as every other team in the league. They did a great job last year, we give the Celtics credit, they’re a hell of a team and we look forward to competing against them here.”
The preseason games against Boston on October 4 and 6 at Etihad Arena will give fans a first look at Russell Westbrook and Dario Saric in Denver colours. The two veterans are new additions to the Nuggets roster and looked just at home among their teammates during practice and the children’s clinic on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi.
“We have a core group that’s been together for a while and the best thing about both Russell Westbrook and Dario is they’re veterans. So they’re acclimating very quickly, our players have welcomed them with open arms, open hearts,” said Malone.
“Russell Westbrook, is great leader, intense, he’s going to really help our group. And Dario Saric, veteran, skilled, high IQ, can play different positions. Both those guys are going to fit in very nicely with our returning group.”
Michael Porter Jr., who has been with the Nuggets since they drafted him in 2018, says the team is eyeing a second championship but is well aware it will be no easy feat.
“It’ll be really difficult, there’s a lot of good teams in the NBA this year. The energy and the hunger has been there. We have a lot of motivation coming off of last year, guys like Russell, guys like Dario, just add to that,” said the 26-year-old forward.
“Russell has done everything in the league there is to do except win a ring, so we’re all very motivated to win a championship this year and we’re just ready to get it going.”
Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics have also had a packed schedule since their arrival, with Joe Mazzulla and his coaching staff holding a Jr. NBA kids clinic on Tuesday and the team visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque after practice on Wednesday.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
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Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
How The Debt Panel's advice helped readers in 2019
December 11: 'My husband died, so what happens to the Dh240,000 he owes in the UAE?'
JL, a housewife from India, wrote to us about her husband, who died earlier this month. He left behind an outstanding loan of Dh240,000 and she was hoping to pay it off with an insurance policy he had taken out. She also wanted to recover some of her husband’s end-of-service liabilities to help support her and her son.
“I have no words to thank you for helping me out,” she wrote to The Debt Panel after receiving the panellists' comments. “The advice has given me an idea of the present status of the loan and how to take it up further. I will draft a letter and send it to the email ID on the bank’s website along with the death certificate. I hope and pray to find a way out of this.”
November 26: ‘I owe Dh100,000 because my employer has not paid me for a year’
SL, a financial services employee from India, left the UAE in June after quitting his job because his employer had not paid him since November 2018. He owes Dh103,800 on four debts and was told by the panellists he may be able to use the insolvency law to solve his issue.
SL thanked the panellists for their efforts. "Indeed, I have some clarity on the consequence of the case and the next steps to take regarding my situation," he says. "Hopefully, I will be able to provide a positive testimony soon."
October 15: 'I lost my job and left the UAE owing Dh71,000. Can I return?'
MS, an energy sector employee from South Africa, left the UAE in August after losing his Dh12,000 job. He was struggling to meet the repayments while securing a new position in the UAE and feared he would be detained if he returned. He has now secured a new job and will return to the Emirates this month.
“The insolvency law is indeed a relief to hear,” he says. "I will not apply for insolvency at this stage. I have been able to pay something towards my loan and credit card. As it stands, I only have a one-month deficit, which I will be able to recover by the end of December."
Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do
Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.
“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”
Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.
Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.
“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”
For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.
“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”
Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The five pillars of Islam
Fight card
Preliminaries:
Nouredine Samir (UAE) v Sheroz Kholmirzav (UZB); Lucas Porst (SWE) v Ellis Barboza (GBR); Mouhmad Amine Alharar (MAR) v Mohammed Mardi (UAE); Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) v Spyro Besiri (GRE); Aslamjan Ortikov (UZB) v Joshua Ridgwell (GBR)
Main card:
Carlos Prates (BRA) v Dmitry Valent (BLR); Bobirjon Tagiev (UZB) v Valentin Thibaut (FRA); Arthur Meyer (FRA) v Hicham Moujtahid (BEL); Ines Es Salehy (BEL) v Myriame Djedidi (FRA); Craig Coakley (IRE) v Deniz Demirkapu (TUR); Artem Avanesov (ARM) v Badreddine Attif (MAR); Abdulvosid Buranov (RUS) v Akram Hamidi (FRA)
Title card:
Intercontinental Lightweight: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) v Angel Marquez (ESP)
Intercontinental Middleweight: Amine El Moatassime (UAE) v Francesco Iadanza (ITA)
Asian Featherweight: Zakaria El Jamari (UAE) v Phillip Delarmino (PHI)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
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COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
UAE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Mohammed Al Shamsi, Adel Al Hosani
Defenders: Bandar Al Ahbabi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Mohammed Barghash, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Hassan Al Mahrami, Yousef Jaber, Mohammed Al Attas
Midfielders: Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Abdullah Al Naqbi, Majed Hassan, Abdullah Hamad, Khalfan Mubarak, Khalil Al Hammadi, Tahnoun Al Zaabi, Harib Abdallah, Mohammed Jumah
Forwards: Fabio De Lima, Caio Canedo, Ali Saleh, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue
Predictions
Predicted winners for final round of games before play-offs:
- Friday: Delhi v Chennai - Chennai
- Saturday: Rajasthan v Bangalore - Bangalore
- Saturday: Hyderabad v Kolkata - Hyderabad
- Sunday: Delhi v Mumbai - Mumbai
- Sunday - Chennai v Punjab - Chennai
Final top-four (who will make play-offs): Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bangalore
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Chelsea 2 Burnley 3
Chelsea Morata (69'), Luiz (88')
Burnley Vokes (24', 43'), Ward (39')
Red cards Cahill, Fabregas (Chelsea)
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
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Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
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'How To Build A Boat'
Jonathan Gornall, Simon & Schuster
Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
