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Barry ranks among the nation’s top age-group players and earned the Triple Crown at the U.S. Open in Naples, Fla., in April. He won the men’s 80-plus singles title, the men’s 80-plus doubles title with partner Fred Shuey and the mixed doubles 80-plus title with Susan Mathews. This week, Barry is looking to add to his medal collection by competing in multiple events at the Huntsman Senior World Games in St. George, Utah. The 80-plus mixed doubles finals take place Friday, and the singles finals are set for Saturday.
But in the backdrop were concerns about what’ll come next in light of Hurricane Ian likely making landfall in Florida between Naples and Tampa late Wednesday. Chris Newton, the team’s director of security, and Regan Harris, the assistant director of team services, were among Magic personnel who addressed the team about the hurricane once practice ended. “We just talked about it,” Franz Wagner said. “Obviously, I’m nervous because I’ve never experienced anything like this. Just trying to listen to everybody here, what they’re telling us and making sure we have everything at home. Trying to be safe.”
Bird sold his longtime home on the north side of Indy and he seems to be spending most of his time down in Naples, Fla.. He also has had a home in Brown County, Indiana — where it’s low-key and he can live his quiet life. He’s now a grandpa and his son, Conner, recently got married.
When the Raptors left the lobby of the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Naples, Fla., to make their way to Orlando after having spent two weeks there in ‘pre-quarantine,’ they looked up to see a pair of gleaming buses in the franchise’s Black and Red colour scheme with “Black Lives Matter” emblazoned on the side. “We didn’t know they were doing that, or at least I didn’t know,” said Powell, who has been outspoken in his support for social justice and is donating proceeds of his “Am I Next” shirts from his clothing line to a pair of charities aligned with the cause. “… But it was really cool to walk out of the lobby and see those buses with Black Lives Matter out there. I really like that.”
Nurse knows family time is precious. "It's really another part of the puzzle, and it's a big one," the Raptors coach said on a Zoom call Tuesday from Naples, Fla. "It starts with conversation, when you're bumping into Fred [VanVleet] or Kyle [Lowry], and you're asking them how are the wife and kids, and what are they doing, and when was the last time you talked to them. There's a lot more of that going on than I would say normally would happen... a lot more now because we're all showing pictures and whatever. It's another one of those things you'd be more lenient on. We're getting ready to start a meeting and somebody says 'Oh, man, my kid's FaceTiming me,' and you say 'Take it, go out in the hall and take it, and we'll wait for you."'
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Josh Lewenberg: For those asking, yes, Kyle Lowry IS in Naples with the Raptors. In terms of why he hasn't been in any photos the team is posting, he does his individual workouts early in the morning, in keeping with his regular routine. Would imagine his afternoons are spent on the golf course.
The Raptors have made their settings in Naples as safe as possible, training at Florida Gulf Coast University in small groups and living in a hotel that opened only for the Raptors, and will house only the Raptors for the duration of their stay until next week, when they head to Orlando. VanVleet said he was the first player to arrive, and it was very strange being one of only five or so people staying in a hotel. The Raptors have 45 people in Naples, with only 37 of them allowed in the bubble in Orlando.
Raptors still planning to practice in Florida
Michael Grange: I’m hearing that as of this moment the Raptors plan remains to gather to train in Naples, Florida (in advance of Orlando) with players filtering in Sunday and Monday. Teams start Covid testing on 23rd (Tues).
From within: The Raptors will open their training camp at Florida Gulf Coast University in Naples, Florida. I’m told they’re expected to arrive on June 23. Reconvening in the U.S. (instead of in their home city, like other teams) made most logistical sense.
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Stephenson, who has most recently played in China, lost his biggest advocate within the franchise in Larry Bird, who is now partially retired and living in Naples, Fla. But sources told The Athletic Indiana that Stephenson would welcome a reunion as he’s eager to return to the NBA.
William Hale “Bill” Alverson, who with Embry negotiated the blockbuster trade that sent Abdul-Jabbar to the Los Angeles Lakers, died Wednesday in Naples, Fla. He was 84. Alverson lived in Mequon with Patricia, his wife of 62 years, but the couple wintered in Naples.
Naples could soon lose its cachet as the home of a sports celebrity and one of basketball’s greatest players. NBA Hall of Famer Larry Bird recently put his Naples home for sale, his agent confirmed to The News-Press this week. Bird, who has owned homes in his native Indiana and Naples since retiring from the Boston Celtics in 1992, wants $4.8 million for the home in the Naples’ Park Shore subdivision.
Darren rovell: Larry Bird has put this home of his in Naples, Florida on the market for $4.8M (via @celebrity_homes) pic.twitter.com/UXlrkeb9qP
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