The Los Angeles Lakers may be the most invisible two-time champions ever. It is hard to fathom, really. They win consecutive titles, return with all their key players, add a couple of nice pieces and they still seem to be a footnote to the start of the season.
The NBA's spotlight shines brightest in Miami, where LeBron James and Chris Bosh have joined Dwyane Wade. The Heat have received so much attention that the Lakers have been almost overlooked.
The Lakers have Kobe Bryant, one of the world's most famous players, are led by Phil Jackson, the greatest post-season coach in NBA history, play in the backyard of Hollywood … and can barely get a sniff of attention?
If this is irritating the Lakers, they have been careful not to admit it. "I think it's fine," Jackson said. "I'm great with it. It brings excitement to the game."
There is a theory that being overshadowed by the Heat is actually a benefit to a team that normally draws the bulk of national and international media attention.
Alvin Gentry, the Phoenix Suns coach, thinks the Lakers will benefit from avoiding the glare deflected toward the Heat. "There's a lot of talk about that team in South Beach," he said. "I think those [Lakers] guys enjoy that. I think they like flying under the radar."
The Lakers unexpectedly have been handed an us-against-the-world card. And at the right moment, expect them to play it, too.
sports@thenational.ae
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE squad
Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind
Fixtures
Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE
Plan to boost public schools
A major shake-up of government-run schools was rolled out across the country in 2017. Known as the Emirati School Model, it placed more emphasis on maths and science while also adding practical skills to the curriculum.
It was accompanied by the promise of a Dh5 billion investment, over six years, to pay for state-of-the-art infrastructure improvements.
Aspects of the school model will be extended to international private schools, the education minister has previously suggested.
Recent developments have also included the introduction of moral education - which public and private schools both must teach - along with reform of the exams system and tougher teacher licensing requirements.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tottenham 0-1 Ajax, Tuesday
Second leg
Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm
Game is on BeIN Sports
The%20specs
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Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
The bio
His favourite book - 1984 by George Orwell
His favourite quote - 'If you think education is expensive, try ignorance' by Derek Bok, Former President of Harvard
Favourite place to travel to - Peloponnese, Southern Greece
Favourite movie - The Last Emperor
Favourite personality from history - Alexander the Great
Role Model - My father, Yiannis Davos
The specs
Engine: 0.8-litre four cylinder
Power: 70bhp
Torque: 66Nm
Transmission: four-speed manual
Price: $1,075 new in 1967, now valued at $40,000
On sale: Models from 1966 to 1970
Sam Smith
Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi
When: Saturday November 24
Rating: 4/5