Jamal Shead 1/1

CSA reveals ‘master plan’ to find black batsmen

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• CSA wants Proteas to have at least 2 black African batsmen in the XI for the 2027 World Cup.
  
• Master plan: "giving black African batsmen special coaching and mentoring to help them transition seamlessly from domestic to international cricket."
  
• Allocation of R4 to R5 million for this programme.
  
• 45 players, 15 each in the under-19, under-23, over-23 groups.
  

For further reading: https://www.sacricketmag.com/csa-reveals-master-plan-to-find-black-batsmen/

IPL trio bolster Rassie’s Proteas

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• Rassie van der Dussen to captain Proteas in the T20I series against Windies.
  
• Becomes the 16th T20I captain for South Africa.
  
• Coetzee, de Kock & Nortje have been added to the squad.
  
• Series starts on the 23rd of May
  
• Proteas squad (T20I series vs West Indies): Rassie van der Dussen (c, Lions), Ottneil Baartman (Dolphins), Gerald Coetzee (Titans), Quinton de Kock (Titans), Matthew Breetzke (Warriors), Bjorn Fortuin (Lions), Reeza Hendricks (Lions), Patrick Kruger (Warriors), Wiaan Mulder (Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Titans), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Nqaba Peter (Lions), Ryan Rickelton (Lions), Andile Phehlukwayo (Dolphins), Tabraiz Shamsi (Titans)
  

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For further reading: https://www.sacricketmag.com/ipl-trio-bolster-rassies-proteas/

Rassie Van Der Dussen On T20 World Cup Exclusion: Reasons Were Given

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• Rassie expressed his disappointment after being omitted from the WC squad.
  
• Rassie van der Dussen: "“Obviously I’m disappointed not to be in the final 15, anyone would be. I’ve had a really good year, I gave myself every chance that I could to break into the 15." But at the end of the day the coach has to make his call and pick the 15 he thinks has the best chance. In terms of reasons given, there were reasons given – whether I agree with them or not is irrelevant. It is not a case of me standing here saying I need to be there instead of someone else – this squad is really strong and is really well balanced.”
  

For further reading: https://www.clubcricket.co.za/latestnews/rassie-van-der-dussen-on-t20-world-cup-exclusion-reasons-were-given/

Ryan Rickelton: I Don’t Worry About What Other People Think Anymore

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• Sympathises with Rassie over WC squad exclusion.
  
• “Our relationship was strained. Neither of us messaged each other. It was a tough one,” said Rickelton.
  
• "I was extremely gutted for him. We did actually chat about it, I did give my sympathies to him and he sent congratulations to me, but our relationship is still strong and solid as ever."
  
• “I don’t worry about what other people think anymore. I’ve put in some numbers, I’ve had a few opportunities, but I’m still looking to get a hold on international cricket,” he added. “If I can find my feet early enough in international cricket, that will unburden me and give me a great opportunity to just go for it.”
  

For further reading: https://www.clubcricket.co.za/latestnews/ryan-rickelton-i-dont-worry-about-what-other-people-think/

Domestic Cricket: Matthew De Villiers Signs For Warriors

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• Batsman Matthew de Villiers joins Warriors for the 2024/25 season.
  
• Signed a high-performance contract.
  
• One of the most prolific run scorers in WPCA's premier league.
  

For further reading: https://www.clubcricket.co.za/latestnews/matthew-de-villiers-signs-for-warriors/

Duanne Olivier’s New Team Revealed

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• Signed to Warriors for the 2024/25 season.

Source: https://www.clubcricket.co.za/latestnews/duanne-oliviers-new-team-revealed/

Domestic Cricket: Western Province Upgrade Last Season’s Rookie To Full Contract

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• Valentine Kitime has signed a full contract with WP for the 2024/25 season.
  
• Joined in 2023 from Boland on a rookie contract.
  
• WP loses Gavin Kaplan to Boland.
  

For further reading: https://www.clubcricket.co.za/latestnews/western-province-upgrade-last-seasons-rookie-to-full-contract/

Mpumalanga Add Tuskers Spinner To Pre-Season Signings

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• Kurtlyn Mannikam has been signed to Mpumalanga for the 2024/25 season.
  
• Previously played for Tuskers.
  
• Mpumalanga retain Gareth Dukes & Jon Hinrichsen. Releasing allrounder Alex Kok and Gregory Mahlokwana.
  

For further reading: https://www.clubcricket.co.za/latestnews/mpumalanga-add-tuskers-spinner-to-pre-season-signings/

写在最前：这是我在2024年4月19日写的文章。那天我最爱的艺术家霉霉发表了专辑TTPD，其中文译名为”苦难诗社“，我认为非常契合灰熊本赛季的主题。
Written first: This is an article I wrote on April 19, 2024. That day, my favorite artist Taylor Swift released the album TTPD. I think it fits the Grizzlies' theme of this season very well.
考虑到原文篇幅较长，所以我只会在这里发布英文版。如果你感兴趣，可以去我的微博看中文版：
Considering the length of the original article, I will only post the English version here. If you are interested, you can go to my Weibo to see the Chinese version.
-
Remember the names of these 33 warriors.
​
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After three hard-fought quarters against the Nuggets, the Grizzlies eventually lost.
Much like most of the season’s games, they displayed convincing moments. Whenever the opponent attempted to push the game into a decisive depth, TJ would call a timely timeout to catch a breath and then immediately launch a counterattack. If you were an unfamiliar fan tuning in during the final moments of many games, you’d be puzzled: who are these guys? How are they tying the score against Joker, JT, Bron, and AD? But most of the time, effort couldn’t beat talent.
No worries, I was just as surprised as you. But after watching the Grizzlies' final game of the season in the early morning, I took a deep breath as the fleeting memories of the past six months flashed before my eyes like a slideshow, and I understood them.
This is the Grizzlies' second-lowest win rate season in the past 15 years. They had 33 players wear the jersey, missed 578 games due to injury, and used 51 different starting lineups (all NBA records). Even one of the league’s loudest home courts, FedEx Forum, often had many empty seats for most of the season.
"For just $2, you can see Timmy Allen, Jack White, and Zavier Simpson play live!"
This isn’t a joke. On April 9, facing the Spurs at home, all three played at least 25 minutes. They limited Rookie of the Year Wemby to 18 points on 19 shots but were still dominated on the boards by Sandro Mamukelashvili and lost the game.
Despite several key players coming and going, last season the Grizzlies boasted the league's best home record (35-6), but this season they only won nine games at home. After back-to-back home losses to the Blazers (who finished last in the West with 21 wins but beat the Grizzlies three times) on March 2, GG Jackson admitted postgame:
"You see your fans leaving with like 8 minutes left in the game, that really sticks us as players. They want to come see us play. And that's kind of like them slapping us in our faces like, 'We don't want to see you play.' We've got to change that."
I understand these people. This has been a season full of hardship for players, coaches, management, the team, fans, and the city. From before the season, we were devastated by unprecedented injuries. Anyone still paying attention to this team is a true Grizzlies fan. Special credit to the players and coaching staff—by January, the season had already lost its meaning. The basketball gods didn’t favor them despite Ja’s season-ending injury but instead brought more injuries. Yet, even so, they fought on and never gave up. I don’t recall any game being "surrendered"—no matter how few players were left, they gave it their all on the floor.
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My favorite artist Taylor Swift released her 11th album, "The Tortured Poets Department," today, and I’m willing to call the 2024 Grizzlies "The Tortured Players Department"—injured, pained, struggling, liberated, relieved, and then filled with hope.
I don’t know how fans will remember and evaluate this most painful season in NBA history ten years from now—but while the memories are still fresh, I’ll do it now.
​

Two Black Swans

​
If we set the start of a season as the day after playoff elimination, then as early as last May, shadows had already enveloped the team. Like me, Morant wasn’t good at live streaming, and for the second time, he brandished a gun in a car. When I got the news, I was packing for a trip to Guangzhou the next day and nearly tore a basketball sock in half.
Opinions on the Smart trade were generally positive, and Raymon and I were full of praise for GG and Slaw Dawg’s Summer League performances on the Chinese Grizzlies podcast. Missing Morant for 25 games meant we couldn’t secure home-court advantage like the past two years, but securing a play-in spot seemed reasonable. In an open Western Conference, all it took was a lucky playoff matchup, and a full-strength team could still achieve something.
Then Stevo was out for the season.
Unlike Morant's short-term impact on the record, this was a heavy blow to all remaining hope. I dejectedly said:
"No matter what, they can’t play like last year or even the year before, and they can’t find another Adams through trade or signing. The Grizzlies’ new season hasn’t even started, but it might already be over."
At this point, it was just three days before the season opener. The appearance of two black swans cast a shadow over the season before it even began.
​

Finding Joy in Suffering

​
The Grizzlies' first 25 games were like me trying to stand on a balance ball in the gym for the first time—standing seemed not too difficult, but whenever I tried to squat, my legs started shaking uncontrollably, and most of the time, I fell off.
After five straight losses, the Grizzlies quickly signed the overlooked Biyombo and then played some decent games, but the injury wave followed one after another. At the most extreme, the Grizzlies had to use their paper-thin fourth point guard—Jacob Gilyard, who should have shined in the G League—a player about my height and weight because Ja, Smart, and Rose were all injured.
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To be fair, the Grizzlies showed resilience at that time. Facing the "BIG4 Clippers," the Grizzlies won their second game of the season on the road. Gilyard (6+5+3+3) held his own against Harden (11+4+3); against a full-strength Celtics, Aldama put up 28+12+6 and almost pulled off an upset; Bane dropped 49 points to lead a comeback win over the Pistons, scoring in the fourth quarter as much as Cunningham, Bojan, Duren, and Ivey combined.
The Grizzlies could keep up with most paper-strong teams and even come back from 15-20 points down but usually lost in the final moments. Bane took on an overwhelming offensive load, being the only consistent scorer, three-point shooter, and transition player, but he mostly held up; JJJ was often forced to play the five, which he disliked, making both offense and defense awkward and inefficient. As for the untested young players, they rarely held the ball securely in the fourth quarter.
With a 6-19 record, second-to-last in the West, trailing the play-in zone by more than five games; Bane’s performance was the team’s lone standout, determining both the floor and ceiling; aside from JJJ, Aldama, and Roddy, almost no one was healthy. The Grizzlies’ net rating still ranked higher than their record, their defensive efficiency remained in the top ten, but they couldn’t score.
​

A Brief Spring

​
December 20—just an ordinary game day, but Grizzlies fans had been waiting almost four months. The Pelicans, with their formidable build, weren’t an ideal opponent after a long layoff, but Morant loved such games. He probed in the first two quarters and then started showcasing his signature gliding layups and near-basket floaters in the third. He almost blew past every defender, gesturing "too small" to Alvarado, laying it up over defensive player Herbert Jones. On the final play, he drove from the backcourt, bypassed the screen, and floated a shot over Jones, Murphy, and Daniels—off the backboard, into the basket, buzzer beater.
This was Morant’s first career buzzer-beater. Interestingly, after the shot, even the Grizzlies players on the court paused for a second before realizing they had won, with Bane even freezing at the three-point line.
I understand Bane. In the first 25 games, the Grizzlies didn’t have such clutch play; this was a moment where a superstar wielded his superpower.
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Morant posted the highest points for a player returning after missing more than 25 games in history, but more thrilling for fans was that the Grizzlies truly became competitive. They quickly won four in a row, beating the hot Haliburton, Trae, and Wemby, and winning twice against the Pelicans on the road. Bane and JJJ were in great form, and Smart’s fourth-quarter lockdown on Ingram was impressive.
With the return of injured players, we began to calculate and discuss the Grizzlies' playoff prospects. Morant caught the flu and missed one game, played poorly in the next two—nothing to say as I was also down with the flu—recovered, and then convincingly defeated Bron and AD’s Lakers on the road. Smart scored 29 points (including a ton of threes), Morant’s scattered scoring and assists, JJJ turned into Curry, and Bane turned the arena into a library with a series of off-the-dribble threes in the fourth quarter. After the game, Nemo and JJJ sat on the scorer’s table for an ESPN interview: "You’re making a playoff push, what’s your plan?"
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Jaren smiled lightly, and Nemo said, "Keep playing like this, 48 minutes of relentless effort every night, execute our signature defense, move the ball, and everyone being on point. Tonight, we had many guys scoring 20+, like Z. Keep this up, and we’ll be dangerous."
We didn’t see Nemo play again; a few days later, he was diagnosed with a torn labrum and was out for the season; two games later, Smart dislocated his finger and was out for the season; another two games, Bane went down, and the season was over.
​

The Dawn

​
Just two weeks after hope reignited, it was extinguished. What was left to see this season? I believe every Grizzlies fan asked themselves this question. At this point, you have to appreciate the basketball gods; when they close one door, they really do open another.
——Back on December 1, with no one available, TJ put Vince Williams into the rotation. As last year’s 47th pick, his rookie year saw no meaningful time, mainly playing in the G League. In the limited effective game sample, we considered him a wing “shooter” who couldn’t handle the ball or defend well—he hadn’t even shot well in Summer League.
In his first effective NBA game, Vince scored 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting, adding nine rebounds. He stayed on in the fourth quarter, impressively defending Irving. The Grizzlies secured their fifth win of the season.
Ten days later, facing the Mavericks again, this time he had to guard Luka, averaging 34 points. No one expected him to complete the task, nor should he, but he did great—the Grizzlies almost erased a 17-point deficit, forcing Luka to 4-of-12 shooting in the second half. They even exchanged trash talk during the game, but after the game, Luka said:
"I think he’s a great defender."
When Luka Doncic calls you a "great" defender, you must be a "very, very, very great" defender.
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Vince started the next game. Although he had some ups and downs briefly after Morant’s return, he quickly adjusted. He scored 19+9 against the Suns’ big three, limiting Durant; next time facing Luka, he won again (Luka 9-of-21); he scored 24+7 against the Warriors, winning, and in the win over the Heat, he outperformed Butler (25 points, JB 15 points).
Just as we were marveling at his offensive and defensive performances, his pre-All-Star break streak showed us even more potential.
Starting from February 8 against the Bulls, he averaged 14+7+8+2 steals over five consecutive games, including an 18+12+7 performance against Lillard/Giannis’ Bucks. He limited Lillard to 7-of-21 shooting and helped disrupt Lillard’s three-point attempt in the final moments.
What, Vince can also moonlight as a point guard?
The Grizzlies converted his contract in January to a three-year, $7.9 million deal with an option. Considering his versatility and level of play, this contract is so low it’s almost insulting. But if you think that’s exaggerated, wait, there’s more.
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——When GG Jackson was drafted, few Grizzlies fans who knew about him were optimistic. Their reasons were solid: GG wasn’t even 19 when drafted, too young; he skipped a grade to play a dismal season at South Carolina, shooting 38%, looking like a chucker; he had publicly criticized teammates, posing a locker room cancer risk.
These might be true, but I only learned about him after he was drafted—watching him tearfully talk to ZK on a call, watching his college highlight reels showcasing his versatile offensive skills and confidence, his enviable physique, these on-court aspects captivated me. I followed his performance throughout Summer League, and his smooth catch-and-shoot and diligent defensive footwork made me even more optimistic about his future.
At the time, I was probably the only one publicly praising him. I voiced my support in every platform I had—podcasts, Weibo, even the comment section of the pay raise public account: Check out GG! He has a chance to enter the rotation!
For the first half of the season, he barely played, putting up numbers in the G League. On January 13, 2024, with Nemo, Bane, and Smart all out, TJ had no choice but to put GG into the rotation, giving him 27 minutes.
In his first effective NBA game, GG scored 20 points on 9-of-14 shooting; the next game against the Warriors, 23 points. He became the second-youngest in history to score 20+ in consecutive games, only behind Bron—TNT’s crew warmly greeted him on national television:
Shaq: "I have nothing to say; I just want to congratulate you: now people know who you are."
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GG looked both excited and nervous, reminding me of my freshman year. This is the genuine reaction of a kid this age when they’ve done something remarkable and are publicly praised for it.
This wasn’t the last time. With Vince injured, GG became my sole motivation to watch the last third of the season. In 42 effective games, he averaged 16.4 points and 4.5 rebounds, hitting 36% of his shots, averaging 2.4 three-pointers per game. He scored 20+ in 12 games, 30+ in three, and posted 44+12 against a full-strength Nuggets in the final game.
If GG had entered the rotation earlier, could he have made the All-Rookie First Team? Quite possibly, as he’s a natural scorer who excels in big moments and national broadcasts (how rare is this for the youngest player in the league?). His other contributions in games were limited, but considering the Grizzlies’ environment, their league-worst offense, the pressure he faced, and the difficulty of his scoring might have been greatly underestimated.
GG dropped 31 points against a full-strength Lakers, almost the only player able to initiate scoring, making a top-five play dunk over Rui Hachimura. How many All-Rookie votes will he get?
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Two experts stood with me: ESPN’s Bobby Marks placed GG in his All-Rookie Second Team a week ago, and The Ringer’s Bill Simmons said he would vote GG for Rookie of the Year in a podcast two days ago. Regardless, GG has earned respect.
And for Grizzlies fans, even better news is that the team converted his contract to a four-year, $8.5 million deal with a fourth-year team option in February. As a Reddit Grizzlies fan put it, "This is Pippen contract level theft."
Vince and GG, two second-round picks, played convincingly in ways no one expected. The Grizzlies have locked them in on affordable long-term contracts for at least three years, and they will undoubtedly be key rotation or even starting players for the Grizzlies next season—what did the Grizzlies trade to acquire them? Zero.
​

Praying to the Basketball Gods

​
Though Grizzlies fans' moods might be 1,000 times better than three months ago, this remains a completely wasted season. For a young team that matched up against the champions two years ago, this isn’t good. The Grizzlies still have plenty of draft picks, but their salary cap is tight. Their core 3 is still young and talented, but two other young core teams—at least the Timberwolves and Thunder—are ready. The Grizzlies are nowhere near their position two years ago.
But this "wasted" season allowed them to eliminate many wrong options and secure several key players. Even if the offseason only brings an average starting center, their roster strength is very, very solid (I don’t think any current team could consistently beat a healthy 2024 Grizzlies). They maintained high defensive levels, forced turnovers, and blocks with many non-NBA players, and they possess better three-point shooting than the past two years. They can replicate the 2022 season's performance, and that’s a conservative estimate.
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But can they stay healthy? In 2022, Dillon played only 32 games and was out of sorts in the playoffs, with Morant also injured midway; in 2023, key players were in and out, losing inside reserves to the Lakers in a seven-game upset; this year, the entire team suffered the worst injury wave in NBA history. Like the Clippers in recent years, injuries are the easiest topic to discuss without being wrong because no one can control them, and they always happen.
So, I can only pray to the basketball gods: it can’t get worse than this. I desperately want to see a fully healthy Morant-Bane-Jaren Grizzlies team play a playoff series, even if they are easily beaten by a better team. I don’t want to look back years later and be left with a pile of "what ifs."

6cUMAWcXiV

Dallas Mavericks VS Oklahoma City Thunder Recap 2024-05-18 20:13:51-04:00

Dallas Mavericks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: A Sarcastic Recap of NBA Showdown

In the grand scheme of things, the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder's clash on May 18, 2024, was just another game in the 82-game slog that is the NBA regular season. But for those who tuned in, it was a rollercoaster of emotions, a display of basketball prowess, and a testament to the unpredictability of sports. Let's dive into the nitty-gritty of this epic showdown, shall we?

First Quarter: The Calm Before the Storm

The game tipped off with the usual fanfare, and both teams appeared to be sizing each other up like two prizefighters in the opening round of a heavyweight bout. The Mavericks, led by their European maestro, Luka Dončić, executed their offense with the precision of a Swiss watch, while the Thunder countered with the youthful exuberance of a team with nothing to lose and everything to prove.
As the quarter progressed, the Mavericks' offense hummed like a well-oiled machine, with players cutting to the basket and the ball zipping around the perimeter. Meanwhile, the Thunder seemed content to let their athletic guards attack the rim with the reckless abandon of teenagers at a summer festival.

Second Quarter: The Plot Thickens

As the second quarter unfolded, the Mavericks' shooting from downtown cooled off like a polar bear taking a dip in the Arctic. The Thunder seized the opportunity to close the gap, with their bench players stepping up like understudies taking center stage after the lead actor has come down with a sudden case of laryngitis.
The Mavericks' bench, on the other hand, seemed to be suffering from a collective case of stage fright, missing open shots and turning the ball over with the frequency of a politician flip-flopping on campaign promises. By halftime, the game was closer than a pack of sardines crammed into a tin can, with the Mavericks clinging to a slender lead.

Third Quarter: The Tides Turn

After the break, the Thunder came out with the energy of a toddler after a sugar rush, blitzing the Mavericks with a barrage of fast breaks and thunderous dunks. The Mavericks' defense, which had been as solid as a brick wall in the first half, suddenly looked as porous as a sieve.
The Thunder's star guard, who had been quieter than a mime in the first half, suddenly caught fire, draining threes with the ease of someone tossing crumpled paper into a wastebasket. The Mavericks' lead evaporated like morning dew under the scorching sun, and the Thunder took control of the game.

Fourth Quarter: The Grand Finale

With the game hanging in the balance, the Mavericks' coach implored his team to dig deep, and they responded with the determination of a procrastinating student pulling an all-nighter before a final exam. Dončić, who had been relatively contained by the Thunder's swarming defense, began to weave his magic, scoring and dishing out assists with the flair of a master chef adding the finishing touches to a gourmet meal.
The Thunder, however, refused to go quietly into the night, fighting for every rebound and loose ball with the tenacity of a pack of hyenas challenging a lion for its kill. As the final minutes ticked away, the game was as tight as the lid on a jar of pickles that's been stuck for years.
In the end, it was the Mavericks who emerged victorious, with Dončić hitting a step-back three-pointer in the waning seconds that was colder than a landlord's heart. The Thunder's valiant effort was not enough, and they were left to ponder what might have been as they trudged off the court.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it, folks, a game that had more twists and turns than a rollercoaster at Six Flags. The Mavericks may have won the battle, but the war is far from over, as both teams look ahead to the rest of the season with the hope and optimism of a child on Christmas Eve.
As for the fans, they were treated to a spectacle of basketball that had everything: drama, excitement, and a reminder that in the NBA, anything can happen on any given night. And isn't that why we love this game?
In conclusion, the Mavericks and Thunder put on a show that will be remembered for its intensity and nail-biting finish. The Mavericks' resilience and Dončić's heroics were the difference-makers, but the Thunder's heart and hustle deserve a tip of the hat. Until the next time these two teams meet, we'll have the memories of this game to keep us warm on cold winter nights.
Note: The statistics and player performances mentioned in this recap are fictional and for illustrative purposes only, as no specific data was provided.
References:
Unfortunately, as this is a fictional recap based on a hypothetical game scenario without real data or sources, there are no URLs or APA references to provide. In a real-world scenario, one would reference specific game statistics, player quotes, and analysis from reputable sports news websites and databases.