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Are the revised Celtics really better? This is the year for the new and improved Boston Celtics. This offseason, Joe Mazzula and his team rearranged the roster, including the release of Marcus Smart, the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY), in exchange for 7’ 3” power forward Kristaps Porzingis. This trade adds the much needed size to Boston’s frontcourt, balancing the guard heavy team (NBC Sports). To make the Celtics even stronger, all-star guard Jrue Holiday was added to the roster just two weeks ago. Holiday is expected to play an off-ball role, complementing the skills of the dynamic duo, Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown (Yahoo Sports). These two major trades complement the already well-built Celtics, diversifying the team with size and offensive force. Although the Marcus Smart trade was controversial, Jrue Holiday can replace Smart’s role on the defensive end, as he was voted the best perimeter defender in the league by the general managers (USA Today). Smart is a consistent defensive player, but his lesser offensive role is easily outdone by Holiday’s spot-up shooting, one of the point guard's most desired attributes, which greatly adds to Boston’s starting lineup. As these Celtics add new faces to the starting lineup, one might ask how the chemistry and dynamics of these starters is developing throughout the preseason. Al Horford answers this question perfectly, stating that Porzingis is “having [his] back…and covering different positions on the court” (CLNS Media Boston Sports Network). Furthermore, Tatum and Holiday already have a close relationship on court, playing together on the 2020 USA team and winning the olympic gold medal. Tatum believes that Jrue is an “elite competitor” (NBC Sports) and “big guard” (NBC Sports), and those components will give the team what they have been missing. These new additions won’t just help the team win, but they will bring lessons that each player can absorb, to further their development on the court (NBC Sports). Many fans are saddened by the trading of Rob Williams, but Alex Hoops says it best: “Porzingis can do what Rob was doing and much more” (NBC Sports). Throughout this preseason, Porzingis has been showing Boston what he can do defensively, and how he can improve this top of the line team. Horford shows this appreciation, saying that “on defense he’s been doing a good job of talking to us [Tatum, Brown, Horford, and Holiday], protecting the basket, and staying active” (NBC Sports). Porzingis is known to be an injury prone player, but with Al Horford and Luke Kornet by his side, the load is lightened, and Porzingis is safer than he was with the Wizards. The depth of the Celtic’s roster has been a highly regarded attribute of the team for the past few years, and this season is no different. With three strong players, Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, and Sam Hauser, coming off the bench this season, Boston’s future is bright and full of stars. The Celtics have become an experienced team, with Tatum, Brown, and Horford making it to the finals in 2022, and the conference finals in 2023, and Jrue Holiday winning the finals in 2021. This year’s Celtics are more well rounded than previous years, with the addition of more big players, and that is just what they need to bring home their first championship since 2008. Kaya Surmeli

Aces make history as back-to-back WNBA champions. The Las Vegas Aces take the WNBA Finals series 3-1 after beating the New York Liberty in a comeback victory 70-69. The Aces become the first WNBA team to become back-to-back champions since the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001 and 2002, and only one other team has done it before then. This is the Aces second consecutive championship under coach and former WNBA player Becky Hammon. Game four was one for the ages after a long anticipated matchup between superteams converged. Everyone familiar with the WNBA predicted this finals matchup. The Aces have built up their superteam for years, carefully obtaining just the right pieces and crafting a perfect well-oiled machine. The Liberty, however, were born this offseason in a free agency frenzy as a response to the Aces almost inevitable repeat.The Liberty acquired 2023 MVP Breann Stewart from the Seattle Storm and 2021 MVP Jonquel Jones from the Connecticut Sun. The New York powerhouse was created to stop the Aces, and in the regular season they did just that, beating the Aces three times, including in the Commissioner’s Cup. The Aces did manage to beat the Liberty twice in the regular season, but were forced to reconfigure their starting lineup when star player Candace Parker went out with a left foot fracture. To add to their starting lineup problems the Aces 2022 Finals MVP point guard, Chelsea Gray, went down in game three of the Finals series with a left foot injury. To add insult to injur(ies), Aces center Kiah Stokes was also out, dealing with a right foot injury. Going into game four there were serious doubts about the Aces’ extremely thin roster without two starters. The starting five looked extremely different from the beginning of the season, starting A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Alysha Clark, and Cayla George. Each team managed to put up points until there was 8.8 seconds remaining and the Liberty were down by one, 70-69. Coming out of a timeout the Liberty attempted to run a play for Stewart who was heavily guarded by Alysha Clark. Stewart was forced to kick the ball which ended up in Courtney Vandersloot’s hands deep in the corner. Vandersloot could do nothing by jack up an off-balance three without a prayer. The Aces were down by as much as 12, but their pure team chemistry propelled them to their second consecutive ring. Their team, despite facing adversity this season, stayed strong throughout the playoffs, especially in game four. Their faith in each other as teammates has grown over the seasons and shows in their stats. Four Aces players scored double digits. Wilson, who earned Finals MVP had 24 points and 16 rebounds. Young added 16 points and seven assists, Clark stepped up with 10 points and eight rebounds, and George contributed 11 points. Wilson though has been a true phenomenon, rightfully earning finals MVP along with becoming the first player to have three consecutive 30-point games in the playoffs, and the third player  35-point, 15-rebound game in the playoffs in game two against Chicago. Despite the loss, the Liberty maintained a lead for the majority of the game. Courtney Vandersloot, who has disappeared this series, came out with a vengeance scoring 19 points, with seven rebounds and six assists. Besides Vandersloot, the rest of the Liberty underperformed. 2023 MVP Breanna Stewart shot just 3-of-17 from the field for 10 points. Sabrina Iionescu had 13 points and 2021 MVP Jonquel Jones had just six. If these two teams look similar next season WNBA fans can look forward to a finals rematch as no one in the league can truly compete with these powerhouses. These teams combined have three WNBA MVPs and five former first overall draft picks. The Liberty must shoot better and work on chemistry if they want a chance to beat a fully healthy Aces in 2024. Grace Bishop

Online Image Who here has heard of Starbucks? Or a better question: who here hasn’t heard of Starbucks? The word itself is virtually in the dictionary at this point.According to a 2022 survey conducted by Alexander Kunst from Statista, the coffee brand is familiar to 92% of Americans. But why, one might wonder (as my own mother has). Why does this brand have a chokehold over virtually all of America? Why the obsession with overpriced, artificially flavored drinks? Why the annual seasonal cult over the Pumpkin Spice Latte? The truth is that Starbucks is not just coffee: it’s a way of life. No, it’s life itself. Starbucks is an expression of self-autonomy The Starbucks menu is endless. The simple number of drinks available rivals the number of recorded Florida men; coffees, teas, and drinks galore come in hundreds of different varieties. Take the cold brew – a seemingly simplistic, minimalistic drink – for example. According to the official Starbucks mobile app, there are eight flavors total. This plethora of choices is not the end. No. After going through an existential crisis to choose what to drink, there are still ten more options to get through on the customization page. A million different add-ons can be, you guessed it, added (surprise!) to whatever drink of your choosing. The lengths of these customizations are sometimes long enough to be mistaken for a Middlesex paragraph. The point is that the possibilities are endless! There is no limit! Reach for your dreams! Just ignore your dwindling credit card balance and you’ll be fine. Now excuse me while I go order my iced Tall Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew with 2 Pumps of Caramel Syrup, Extra Salted Caramel Cream Cold Foam, Caramel Crunch Topping, New Dark Caramel Sauce, and Spiced Apple Drizzle (with light ice, of course, to maximize drink space). These options are all for you, valued customer. In the cold, hard world where capitalism reigns over the suffering working class, Starbucks is the lighthouse of hope that guides us in this dark, cruel sea of despair. Every time you decide on your drink, you are defying fate and society. Every time you add in that extra topping, you are forging your own destiny. Every time you order at Starbucks, you are asserting your own self-autonomy. Huzzah! Starbucks is an experience Want a quick cup of coffee? Just go to Starbucks. Want a quick bite instead? Go to Starbucks. A place to sit? Study? Chat? Date? Host business meetings? All of the answers unanimously point toward Starbucks. According to Vox, Starbucks is almost a “semi-public utility” at this point. In every location, there are the same guarantees: the same industrial-use chairs and tables, polished to the brim to imitate luxury while still being cheap enough to mass-produce; charging outlets, bathrooms, and decent Wi-Fi; passable AC and heating; and a degree of cleanliness. And so, entering a Starbucks is like entering a dream: surreal and alienating–in the best way possible. In a world dominated by entropy (not to mention the aforementioned capitalism), Starbucks is the one beacon of stability holding steadfast. No matter what happens, it’ll always be the same, anywhere, everywhere. You always know what to expect when you enter one. You can escape from whatever else is happening. And paramountly (thanks Words 1!), everything’s almost free. If you think about it, all you really have to pay for is a couple of bucks for a drink. The rest is free. Or is it? Morgan Kim

Photo by Max Linton Why pickleball? What is the pickleball craze that seems to be spreading across campus at an exponential rate? Last year, pickleball made its debut as a fall sport. Despite all the jokes, this scrappy team defied all the odds, went undefeated, and won the ISLs, building a strong pickleball culture within the Middlesex community. This year, the pickleball program, led by team captains Thatcher Forreger ‘24 and Gemma Baker ‘24, has built upon last season’s success, attracting thirty eager pickleballers, between a varsity and junior varsity team. In just two short years, this program has seen remarkable access in appealing to various MX students. Although at first glance it may appear as though pickleball is simply a new, fun sport lighting up campus, digging a little deeper reveals a different story. Some beam with pure excitement at the prospect of playing this beloved sport at school; however, others frown at the thought, railing against how a geriatric sport has enraptured so many youthful students. Perhaps it is not purely pickleball itself, but the team’s cultish behavior that has some looking twice at the sanity of their peers. Sit at a table with pickleball players and soon all you’ll hear is “pickleball, pickleball, pickleball.” Ask a pickleball player if they are bored playing the game day after day and one will get strange faces and a sudden chill in the conversation. What is happening? There was only one way to answer this question: I had to infiltrate the heart of this organization shrouded in mystery. I had to speak with varsity captains Thatcher and Gemma. However, Middlesex pickleball kingpins’ individual responses were remarkably plain. In attempting to discern the addictive, mesmerizing, and intangible qualities of this sport that connects to some Middlesex students on a seemingly religious level, the captains only offered simple answers. Nearly every response to my questions consisted of limited and nearly identical vocabulary. Coincidence? Apparently, pickleball was popular because it was “fun.” The three words to describe the team from the captains were always “fun, hype, and lit” . Such forced, meaningless responses appeared unnatural, planned, and well rehearsed. Captain Thatcher Foregger went as far as to only offer a single sentence as an answer to every question. Whether I was asking about the team dynamic, coaches, or a typical pickleball practice, each response was a version of “I leave it all out on the court.” Clearly, in line with every highly organized, secretive, and perhaps corrupt organization, or cult, pickleball expertly guards their inner-workings from the public eye. Ultimately, the true nature of this tight-knit team remains unknown and requires further journalistic inquiries. Hopefully, as this team continues to grow in power, these nefarious secrets will inevitably surface, and we can finally answer the question: what is happening with Pickleball? Kiki Friedbauer

Photo by Max Linton Mr. Harris, the new Director of Student Activities, comes to Middlesex with the goal of “breathing life” into the school’s events, whether that be encouraging clubs to host outings, ensuring that school-wide activities are enjoyable for all, or rejuvenating the Middlesex community service program. Mr. Harris has “always worked in some capacity with youth” because he likes to “create an opportunity to help students grow.” Before Middlesex, he was the middle school director in a program called Stepping Stone, a long-term college preparatory program that works with students from marginalized communities in Boston to help them get into and thrive in college. Because of Stepping Stone, Mr. Harris was exposed to private schools in and around Boston, one of them being Middlesex. As Director of Student Activities, Mr. Harris wants to assist in creating events that “help students share their passions and interests with the rest of the community.” He plans to accomplish this goal by restructuring club programming at Middlesex. He began the year by creating a culture around club heads taking greater responsibility in holding more events and meetings. In years past, many clubs have fizzled out over the school year, but Mr. Harris hopes that the organization he has implemented will “encourage club leaders to take ownership of their activities, so they can showcase their work.” Middlesex already has many annual events, and Mr. Harris wants to improve these traditions to make sure that everyone finds them enjoyable, both during this school year and for years to come. Mr. Harris has already received help from the previous Director of Student Activities, Brenna Morrisey, and he frequently collaborates with senior Student Activities Officers to understand what has worked and what has failed pertaining to past events. At the officers’ advising, he added a point system for Field Day, and, in the future, he intends to plan events according to the advice of students because “at the end of the day, these events are for the students.” Although Mr. Harris’ current focus is clubs and campus events, he also works to create strong community service opportunities for students to take advantage of. He wants to have off-campus weekend community service opportunities, and also looks to create some sort of regular community service programming. Outside of his role as Director of Student Activities, Mr. Harris lives in the Peabody dorm and devotes much of his time to running and following his favorite sports teams: the Miami Dolphins and the Phoenix Suns. He became a Miami Dolphins fan because his father was a fan, and he supports the Phoenix Suns because they were the best team on his first video game, NBA 2K5. He grew an interest in running after a friend encouraged him to join the cross country team during his senior year of high school. At Middlesex, one can find him running with members of the boy’s cross country team, an activity which he has found especially helpful coming back from injury after the Boston Marathon. So far in his time at Middlesex, Mr. Harris has already created palpable change, as his push for active clubs with regular meetings has reshaped extracurricular life; ultimately, his goal is to create a culture where “members of the Middlesex community can share their interests with the rest of the school.” Ella Coffin

Illustration by Lindsay Hur What has constituted and what continues to constitute the true embodiment of a hero? According to the etymology of the word, “hero,” coming from the Greek hērōs, means demigod, an entity characterized as being a minor deity, half-mortal half god, or an individual of divine status. Thus, it is logical that in ancient Greek myth, Odysseus is the great-grandson of Hermes, Perseus is the son of Zeus, and Achilles is the son of the nymph, Thetis. Furthermore, according to Joseph Campbell’s renowned structure of a hero’s journey, heroes must break a threshold into a supernatural world with the help of a supernatural being and then leave with a gift from a deity. Modern fictional characters like superheroes have special powers such as flight, telepathy, invisibility, and teleportation that they rely upon in order to defeat the villain in the narrative. Ultimately, both traditional and contemporary fictional heroes seem to share a range of supernatural relationships and superhuman capabilities. But there does not seem to be anything compelling or sincerely heroic about an individual inherently given the exceptional status and tools needed to succeed in winning; therefore, a hero must be a human. Not a ruler, nor a genius, a hero must lack privileges, powers, and talents. The greatness that a hero possesses is not measured by their title, character, or qualities but rather by their actions and impacts. In fact, there should be nothing special about them, or perhaps they should rather be actually set back by personal struggles or a possible set of flaws. In the end, nevertheless, they are admired and respected, becoming a hero from an unexpected underdog within a story. In my opinion, a hero is this: a commoner who actively faces adversity to serve the universe and better humanity, changing people’s hearts. This definition does not necessarily mean that a hero makes one great leap or decisive victory; rather, this characterization of a hero suggests that a hero can also be the individual whose seemingly small actions accumulate over the course of time, equalling or surpassing the effect of one dramatic act. Thus, a hero is not always necessarily recognized for their works. Mulan is the perfect illustration of this interpretation. Mulan is the daughter of a family that lives in rural China, who, when her father is conscripted into the imperial army, actively chooses to fight in his place, putting herself in danger by fighting in battle and hiding her identity as a woman. Nevertheless, through her determination, discipline, and hard work, she changes the hearts of her fellow soldiers and her commander, revealing to them the authentic nature of friendship and trust. Then, after she cleverly eliminates the Hun army and defeats the army’s leader, she changes the hearts of the Chinese people, showing them the meaning of courage and honor. In the end, however, Mulan’s journey most importantly teaches her father that love is more valuable than honor. Love, despite its complexity, deserves to be the strongest among the other universal forces. A hero proves this point, and makes it come to life. They change people's hearts. They make people choose love. Luca Raffa

Illustration by Katherine Deng Yes indeed, autumn is upon us, and as the New England weather cools from an ordinarily intense summer heat, our closets will indubitably come alive with warmer layers for the colder months. To investigate the many gatekept fall trends, I surveyed a diverse selection of student faculty opinions, and this season’s style direction is clear- it will be a flawless blend of practicality and creativity. Thus, here are five fall essentials to embellish your immaculate style. Roomy bottoms. From baggy pants to maxi skirts, bottoms with enough room to swim around will be a recurring motif this season. Advocated by Lindsay Hur ‘24 and Maya Douge ‘24, bottoms with a relaxed fit will not only accentuate a more appealing silhouette but also give skinny jeans a well-deserved break from the fashion scene. To go even crazier, consider flare jeans, play with different washes, textures (say yes to pleated trousers), and experiment with your grandpa’s belts. Unique sweaters and knitwear. Autumn attire is all about layering- and a unique knitwear statement piece will really make an impression. From a cute cardigan to a V-neck sweater, these autumn-ready gear provide both thermal production and an opportunity to layer over a white tee or beneath a jacket. Luke Power ‘24 personally prefers a cashmere sweater or cable knit, with versatile layers to dress them up and down. Beloved Leanne Winkler in the Academic office says yes to statement sweaters. The perfect knitwear will make you look cozy on an autumn day while they also shout “hug me” to your friends. Spots of Fall colors. Sneak in hints of brown, burgundy, gray, and olive green into your new fit. As the fall foliage slowly engulfs the Middlesex campus, it is pivotal to match the vibe of the picturesque setting. Consider brown trousers or a gray cardigan. Amrita Tromge ‘26 personally loves little pops of red on leather boots or manicures with dark shades of red, as the color is also a recurring trend on the fall-winter 2023 runways. A little color wouldn’t hurt an outfit, right Dr. Wetzel? Just kidding, don’t come at me. Adidas sneakers. You’ve seen them everywhere on Tik Tok and Instagram- the versatile., clean, and frankly, very chic sneakers. Recommended by Esme Coes ’24 and adored by our Tom Kane too, Adidas sneakers are still going strong in 2023, and they will really become a staple in your closet. Pairing well with jeans, skirts, and even formal trousers, the three-striped sneakers bring a sporty look to an outfit, and their versatility is why they are so beloved. Aside from the classic Sambas, other Adidas lines are also making a growing appearance, like the Gazelles, Campus 00s, Superstars, and many more. Accessorize to the moon. It’s all about layering. Whether it is a Carhartt beanie or Mr. Hitzrot’s very own bucket hat, we all need something to cover our heads from the expected cold temperatures this fall. A unique scarf would also be a sublime accessory. Be a little playful. Claire Stone ‘26 says bows, as an accessory, are much in demand, being a versatile headwear that also ornaments flawlessly on dresses. Sixing Wang

Four weeks ago we had a vintage Sunday afternoon in Foxborough. The Patriots played a great game against the reigning NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles, with a fiery fourth quarter comeback taking the game to the wire. Tom Brady made his signature trip down the sideline into the end zone, firing up the crowd with his trademark “let's go”. The issue is, though, was that Brady wasn’t playing. Brady couldn’t suit up to lead the comeback. Nonetheless, it was a special day. The Patriots looked like they could compete. Tom Brady was home, delivering an emotional halftime speech to the 65,000 fans at Gillette Stadium. Mac Jones was finally hitting his stride in Bill O'Brien's offense. All of New England was labeling the game the dreaded “moral victory,” with big things on the way. In the National Football League, though, moral victories never exist. Every loss is a loss, and every win is a win. In Week 2, the Patriots found themselves in yet another second half hole in a game that they absolutely should’ve been leading. More offensive blunders ruined a stellar defensive effort against a dynamic Dolphins offense. But still, there was great reason to be optimistic. Once again, we showed we could compete against the best teams in the league. Great frustration, at least for me, built over the blown opportunities in both games, the Pats had drives to win the game in the final minutes, and made most of Patriot nation long for the days that comeback drives in the closing moments felt automatic. But even with the optimism surrounding the opening weeks of the season, the problems were glaring, and they were exactly what most pundits predicted over the summer. The lack of playmaking ability on the outside and the hodgepodge offensive line have significantly handicapped the Patriots’ ability to score. And, after getting away with it for the first three weeks, they were brutally exposed in Dallas in the largest beatdown of Bill Belichick’s tenure. It was, from start to finish, a pathetic performance by New England, and by far the worst game of Mac Jones’ career. So now, the Patriots are left in a precarious position. They sit at 1-3, with a flailing offense that has scored the second least points in the league so far, and a defense that will now be without its two best players for an extended period of time. Matthew Judon’s bicep injury and reigning Defensive Rookie of the Month Christian Gonzalez’s dislocated shoulder are reported to be extended blows. My problem is that this team has shown such great flashes. First of all (and something that should be overwhelmingly obvious), tanking is not an option (mostly due to this coach and owner, but also due to simple morals). It also should not be considered whatsoever due to the talent on this roster. This talent is still good. This football team is still good. And if they can’t put the pieces together, then so be it. But right now, four weeks into the season, is not the time to pull the plug, and pulling the plug at any point on Bill Belichick is just irresponsible. He’s endured slow starts before. He can do it again. So, with that out of the way, what needs to be done now? First, Mac Jones is the quarterback. Though horrible on Sunday, he played great otherwise. The system looks right for him. Rhamondre Stevenson needs to get back to his 2022 self for the offense to get cooking. We’re built around his explosiveness, and thus far, it has been nonexistent. If this he is the receiving core and the veterans are gonna be as middling as they’ve shown, then it’s time for Demario Douglas to be the guy. He’s a playmaking stud, and deserves the reps. The defense will continue to do its thing. The toughest part of the schedule is over. Believe in Bill, and believe that they will figure it out. Playoffs. George Leness

After a much anticipated year, the New York Jets were ready to start a new chapter in their NFL history, one led by arguably one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time - Aaron Rodgers. As far as legendary quarterbacks go, the Jets have had very little experience. Maybe some would consider Joe Namath a Jets legend as he is still the only player to give the organization a taste of the Super Bowl, but other than that, the Jets’ history has been marred by one common error: the quarterback. In recent history, the Jets have interchanged from Zach Wilson to Joe Flacco to Mike White, trying to find the perfect fit. However the offense never seems to click. When the transfer window rolled around this summer and it was announced that Aaron Rodgers intended to play for the New York Jets, NFL fans around the world waited in excited anticipation to see if the Jets could truly turn their history around. Would this finally be enough? Finally, the Jets’ long-awaited first game against division rival Buffalo Bills rolled around. NFL fans eagerly waited to see the first snaps from Aaron Rodgers and determine if the Jets’ strong defense would finally be backed by a solid offense. Many fans placed the Jets as Super Bowl contenders before the game even started. As Rodgers made his way onto the field, roars from the Jets fans deafened everyone in the arena - their savior was finally here. The first snaps went according to plan as the Jets successfully achieved a first down and began to storm into Buffalo territory. Hopes were as high as ever for Jets fans. Then, on the fourth snap, Rodgers tried to avoid an oncoming Leonard Floyd and was eventually tackled to the ground. At first no one thought twice of the play other than it being a simple snap, yet Rodgers, after standing for a few moments, quickly fell back to the ground holding his leg. The stadium went silent as everyone recognized that position - Rodgers was injured. Zach Wilson replaced Rodgers only 3.45 minutes into the game and left many Jets fans disappointed that they had come to see Rodgers and he was injured so early on in the game. Rumors quickly spread that Rodgers had torn his achilles tendon, and these rumors were eventually confirmed by an MRI detailing that Rodger’s had torn his left achilles tendon and would thus be out for the season. Head coach Robert Saleh is left with “a lot of emotions” for Rodgers and is in shock at such a nightmare ending. Quickly, the fans’ attention turned to the future for the Jets. Who would the next quarterback be? Would it really be Zach Wilson again? Robert Saleh addressed these questions immediately and stated explicitly “Zach [Wilson]’s our quarterback.” So far, Zach Wilson ranks 33rd in quarterback rating for the NFL as the season has progressed, and he has not done much work to keep the Jets in playoff contention as many fans had hoped. The Jets have lost two games in a row since Rodgers’ departure, and it is more than clear that Zach Wilson is simply not the answer. Rodgers, 39, intends to return to the Jets yet his age remains a limiting factor. Can someone of his age recover from such a terrible injury? His body is in weak condition from age and many seasons in the NFL and some fans are beginning to move on, yet only time will tell if the Jets can truly still count on this man to save their franchise. Will Frank

Biles won the U.S classic in her first competition since pulling out of the Olympics in 2020. She pulled out stating mental health reasons and a case of the “twisties.” Now Biles claims she feels good both mentally and physically. The question remains if Biles will compete in the next Olympics. As she almost immaculately landed her famous Yurchenko double pike, Simone Biles pulled off yet another miraculous win, surpassing the second place winner Leanne Wong by five points. Having withdrawn from the world of competitive sports only to come back two years later to once again dominate the world of gymnastics, it seems as if Biles had never left. Back in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the once “invincible” Simone Biles only won bronze in women’s balance beam after opting out of four of the five gymnastic finals. She was experiencing the “twisties,” a mental block that causes gymnasts to doubt their abilities and lose track of their positions in the air. Pulling out of the Olympics was an extremely difficult choice to make, since it is every athlete’s dream to shine on the world stage. However, it seemed the only way to protect her physical and mental health, and Team USA’s medal contention. Critics attacked Biles as a “national embarrassment” and claimed her opting out was a sign of weakness. Some even asserted that she should be disqualified from future competitions for USA Gymnastics. Yet in Biles' opinion, “walking away from the Olympic Games was a win in itself,” and she later regarded this decision as “probably the most courageous I've ever been.” Since then, the athlete widely acknowledged as the greatest gymnast of all times, has taken a two-year-long hiatus to regain her mental health. Now that Biles has staged a comeback with renewed confidence, will she return to the 2024 Olympics? Biles recently made an appearance on “Today” and expressed, “that’s the path I would want to go.” Biles also revealed that she was “feeling really good right now” and that even though she “still sometimes doubts herself”, she is “still doing [her] therapy and making sure everything’s aligned.” Simone Biles dominates the sports world not only because of her phenomenal achievements in gymnastics, but also her admirable courage to stand up — she has helped athletes and audiences realize that mental health is of as much importance as physical health. Fans understand when athletes withdraw from competitions because of physical conditions. So why would athletes opting out of contests because their mental state is in jeopardy face angry backlash? Mental disorders can be even more difficult to detect and measure than physical injuries, and can do immeasurable and even devastating harm to athletes. Gymnasts at the same level as Biles withstand considerable pressure during competitions; when gymnasts suffer from the “twisties,” they are often influenced by their pride, the audience’s expectations, or their team’s chances of winning and compete regardless of their mental state. Competing without full confidence can lead to grave injuries. Biles’ decision demonstrates that mental health, which has been undervalued in athletics for a long term, should be prioritized over winning, and she states that “We’re not just athletes or entertainment, we’re human, too, and we have emotions and feelings and things that we’re working through behind the scenes that we don’t tell you guys about. Put your mental health first, it doesn’t matter if you’re on the biggest stage. That’s more important than any medal you could win.” Biles is also a victim of the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal. Larry Nassar, former sports medicine physician, was the team doctor of the United States women’s national gymnastics team for eighteen years, during which he sexually abused many of them, including Biles. said Biles during her emotional testimony about Nassar’s abuse. Biles also revealed that the drop-out incident during the Tokyo Olympics was closely tied to her struggles to recover from her abuse by Nassar, further shedding light on the significance of this deplorable scandal. Many of the girls and women who suffered under the hands of Larry Nassar battle with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and a few have even attempted suicide. The indelible effects the abuse has had on the mental health of these innocent athletes is unimaginable. Unfortunately, in our society, sexual harassment in girl’s and women’s sports is not an uncommon issue; according to childhelp.org, at least 40% of female (child) athletes have experienced harassment and abuse while playing. It is actually one of the biggest contributors to mental health issues in the sports world, and leaves ineradicable scars on victims. Because of social pressure, many victims choose to conceal the truth and endure this burden on their own, waiting silently for their scars to mend. By advocating for mental health, Simone Biles continues to be a trailblazer by encouraging other athletes to step out and seek help proactively when they experience stress, depression, sexual abuse, and other mental hindrances. Her powerful voice is changing the sporting world. Hopefully, more and more athletes will follow Biles’ path and stand up for their rights. If this necessary work is done, sports associations will be forced to stop turning a blind eye to the mental health issues that overwhelm young athletes and protect the mental health of future athletes. Jessica Wu

Seven Time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard requested a trade in early July, and finally, the Portland Trail Blazers are trading him to the Milwaukee Bucks. While it may have taken almost three months for the Blazers, who did not abide by Lilard’s original request to be traded to Miami, they certainly fulfilled Lillard’s wish of putting him in a position to win and become a world champion. Another key driving factor of the trade is the 7-foot Greek freak, who has dominated the NBA since he was drafted in 2013. While Giannis Antetokounmpo’s fingers itch for another ring, he is conflicted about his loyalty to the Bucks, but feels like the team was not dedicated enough to winning another championship. In a recent interview with the New York Times, he said, “I would not be the best version of myself if I don’t know that everybody’s on the same page, everybody’s going for a championship, everybody’s going to sacrifice time away from their family like I do. And if I don’t feel that, I’m not signing.” He forced the Bucks to create a championship-caliber team. Giannis’ worries were put to rest when the Portland Trail Blazers traded Damian Lillard to the Bucks. Giannis accomplished both goals and avoided a tough decision. The fine details of this three-way trade are that the Bucks receive Damian Lillard, while the Trail Blazers receive Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, Bucks’ 2029 first-round pick (unprotected). The Blazers swap rights on the Bucks’ 2028 and 2030 picks, and the Suns receive Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen, Nassir Little, and Keon Johnson. In this blockbuster deal, the Bucks created a super team only a few years after a championship. This deal creates the best starting five on paper, with Damian Lillard at point guard; while the shooting guard is unknown, it will most likely be Pat Connaughton, a season veteran who has played with Lillard in the past. Then, at small forward, is Chris Middleton, a three-time NBA All-Star. Next, Giannis Antetokounmpo is a power forward. Lastly, the center is Brook Lopez, a one-time NBA All-Star. This All-Star stacked team has become the favorites to win; without Lillard, they already finished first place in the East conference. The only major downside to this deal is that most of their players are old and only have a few years left on their contracts. After a few dominant years, their prospects look bleak by the turn of the decade because they don’t control any of their first-round picks for a seven-year window. Overall, the Bucks won this trade. They got a B+ from ESPN because it is a fair trade, and they gained a crucial piece at a reasonable price to make them favored to win the championship. Portland will now focus on rebuilding their team around No. 3 pick Scoot Henderson with young veteran Deandre Ayton, rookie Toumani Camara, and their newly acquired draft capital; however, it is expected that All-star Jrue Holiday will be traded away to create a younger team. Portland has many young, promising prospects to make a long, fruitful dynasty. Portland also got a B+ from ESPN because this trade puts them in place with many strong years of rebuilding ahead with a talented young team with draft capital, and they traded off Lillard before his value dramatically depreciated. The Suns will also try to win a championship; early this summer, they added Bradley Beal to their star-studded core of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. Then traded away center Deandre Ayton to add more depth to their roster, like Nurkic, who will serve as a replacement for Ayton, but they also got promising young star Little, who, if he emerges as a starter, will be a massive bargain. In the deal, they also received Allen, a skillful shooter, and a replacement for a player the Suns lost while trading for Beal. Another player the Suns received is Johnson, who will most likely be traded, but if no teams are interested, the Suns will cut him to clear up cap space. Overall, the Suns are losers of this trade, with ESPN giving them a B- because they already added depth with free agency signing, making this trade seem superfluous. This major trade made all teams happy in achieving their ultimate objectives, including ring chasing, rebuilding, and adding depth to the roster. While right now, some teams may seem like they got the better deal, only time will tell who got the short end of the stick and who walks away with a championship. Timmy Hale

Michael Oher is a retired NFL player who believed that he was adopted by Sean Tuohy and Leigh Anne Tuohy at the age of 18. However, it turns out that Michael Oher was not actually adopted. Oher had unknowingly signed a conservatorship which allowed the Tuohys to legally make business deals in his name. After realizing in February of 2023 that the Tuohys had not adopted him, Michael Oher sued the Tuohy family for tricking him into signing the conservatorship. Michael Oher had a challenging upbringing. He had 11 siblings, and his mother was addicted to drugs. As a result, he was put in foster care before the age of 11. Michael Oher moved between many different houses and attended 11 different schools in 9 years. In 10th grade he began attending the Christian School located in his Memphis neighborhood, where he played his high school career. Even though Michael Oher didn’t excel academically, he shined in athletics. When he was in 11th grade, he became a part of the football team and a top offensive player. Michael Oher’s excellence in athletics allowed him and the Tuohys family to forge a strong relationship. Michael Oher spent many nights at their home and was eventually asked to move in. At the age of 18, Michael Oher signed a conservatorship which he thought of as a process of legally becoming a part of Tuohys’ family. Through the movie, “The Blind Side”, the Tuohys and their two birth children received $225,000, and 2.5% of the movie’s “defined net proceeds.” However, Michael Oher, whose story was the basis of “The Blind Side”, claimed that he did not receive any money from this film. “The Blind Side” is based on the adoption of Michael Oher, but he was never officially adopted. Since the movie included false information about Michael Oher and created damage to the relationship between the Tuohys family and Michael Oher, it would have been better if the movie was not made in the first place. The Tuohys family denied Michael Oher’s claim and insisted that they did not take money from Michael Oher. Additionally, they admit they never intended to legally adopt Michael Oher in the first place, claiming that Micahel Oher knew about the conservatorship long ago since 2011. As for their current relationship, Michael Oher wants to end the conservatorship with the Tuohys family, and the Tuohy family seems willing to do so. Claire Ryu