There they are, a modest third in the NBA's Southeast Division. Owners of a 7-5 record. Nothing too spectacular for the Charlotte Bobcats, except …
- The seven victories already match their total from last season.
- The Bobcats finished 2011/12 on a 23-game losing streak.
- Their final record, 7-59, was the worst in the NBA and their 10.6 winning percentage was the worst in league history.
Few anticipated this flirtation with respectability, let alone a winning record.
They did not sign a superstar. They did not hire a famous coach. The roster was not massively overhauled.
Yet, they are winning. If the season ended today, they would make the play-offs for only the second time in their eight-year existence.
"We are trying to go from the losing-est organisation in NBA history to an establishment where people have to respect us," said Mike Dunlap, the Bobcats coach. "I don't know anything about wins, but I do know about respect."
Dunlap, 55, was hired in June following last season's debacle. He arrived with a marginal NBA pedigree - two seasons as an assistant with the Denver Nuggets.
His experience leading a team was limited to a pair of small US universities, California Lutheran and Metro State, in Denver, and a semi-professional team in Australia.
However modest his CV, Dunlap has the Bobcats in the midst of an amazing turnaround. They play defence, have hiked their scoring average by 10 points per game, to 97, and are gaining confidence that they can be competitive night after night.
On Saturday, Charlotte became the quickest team in NBA history to match their previous season's win total with a 108-106 victory against Washington in double overtime. "We have some fight in us now," said Byron Mullens, a forward.
Mullens is one of six Bobcats averaging more than 10 points per game. The second-year guard Kemba Walker leads the team at 18 points and six assists per game. Ramon Sessions, who failed with the Los Angeles Lakers last season, is averaging 17.2 points and Ben Gordon 12.7. Both Sessions and Gordon are reserves.
Despite their record, the Bobcats did not win the NBA draft lottery but took the forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with the second pick. Like many rookies, he has been inconsistent, but is averaging 11.7 points and 6.9 rebounds.
Balance and a productive bench have been vital to their rise to the seventh-best record in the Eastern Conference. "We've learnt that we're a team that has to get wins like this," Walker said on Saturday. "You got to fight hard. You have to play hard every night. That's what we do; different guys just step up."
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What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
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Scoreline
Germany 2
Werner 9', Sane 19'
Netherlands 2
Promes 85', Van Dijk 90'
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The Disaster Artist
Director: James Franco
Starring: James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogan
Four stars
Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The biog
From: Upper Egypt
Age: 78
Family: a daughter in Egypt; a son in Dubai and his wife, Nabila
Favourite Abu Dhabi activity: walking near to Emirates Palace
Favourite building in Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
US tops drug cost charts
The study of 13 essential drugs showed costs in the United States were about 300 per cent higher than the global average, followed by Germany at 126 per cent and 122 per cent in the UAE.
Thailand, Kenya and Malaysia were rated as nations with the lowest costs, about 90 per cent cheaper.
In the case of insulin, diabetic patients in the US paid five and a half times the global average, while in the UAE the costs are about 50 per cent higher than the median price of branded and generic drugs.
Some of the costliest drugs worldwide include Lipitor for high cholesterol.
The study’s price index placed the US at an exorbitant 2,170 per cent higher for Lipitor than the average global price and the UAE at the eighth spot globally with costs 252 per cent higher.
High blood pressure medication Zestril was also more than 2,680 per cent higher in the US and the UAE price was 187 per cent higher than the global price.