![Setter Emma Lee (9) sets the ball to the middle during the match against Pinewood on Sept. 12. “[I’m looking forward to] getting more skilled, learning more about my position and also becoming better friends with all of my teammates, Emma said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC_4917-2-1200x795.jpg)
![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasnt been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but Ive had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. Theres so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesnt exist, you can build it yourself, Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“Animation just clicked in a way. I had been interested in art, but that felt different. [Animation] felt like it had something behind it, whereas previous things felt surface level. I wasnt making that crazy of things, but just the process of doing it was much more enjoyable, Carter Chadwick (22) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-16-at-9.44.08-AM-900x598.png)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and its played such a major role in who Ive become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something Im [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala (21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“Im not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that theres a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyones so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you arent going to get those championships if you arent fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
Kick Back with Kushal: Another unusual NBA offseason
August 30, 2019
Absent for the summer? Or a rookie NBA fan not yet able to understand the gigantuan and mind-boggling moves this past offseason? Or just absolutely missed out on the cosmic waves that were emanated from the depths of the NBA’s offseason earth-shattering blockbuster deals? No worries! Your Sportsman is here and reporting for duty.
First off, it should be said that as of this moment, it is a widely believed notion that with the crumbling of the once-dominant Warriors in the last NBA Finals, the Dubs’ throne atop the league is now ripe for the taking. Indeed, it is now open season on who will replace the former champions, and if anything, this past offseason is clear-cut proof of this with all teams vying for, without question, the most dominant NBA All-Stars of this generation, who will, they hope, advance their squad to the throne. I stray, however, let’s dive right in.
On June 30, the 2019 NBA free agency kicked off with perhaps one of the most influential offseason signings — the departure of Kevin Durant. With KD leaving the Warriors for the Brooklyn Nets, the move was certainly not expected, though it was not exactly unexpected, either. Early in the 2018-19 season, there were reports of KD distancing himself from his team as well as an intense locker room altercation involving teammate Draymond Green regarding the upcoming offseason where it was rumored that KD would be leaving. Despite this, from a personal viewpoint, this is the best move KD could make: he no doubt yearns for an opportunity to step out of Steph’s shadow and to take the full reins of his own team. Besides, by signing with the Brooklyn Nets, KD will assert his dominance over the previously laughable Brooklyn Nets and transform it into a championship contender, which would cement his legacy as an NBA all-time great.
Unfortunately for him, however, he will have to wait until his ruptured Achilles has completely healed, which may take up to the 2020-21 season. But, fortunately for the Nets, the Brooklyn based squad were also able to lure All-Star guard Kyrie Irving to their roster, an addition that will certainly draw benefits for the team, as well as former All-Star Deandre Jordan, who has the power and size to post up and crash the boards.
In the Western Conference, it appears that the All-Star hub has relocated to Los Angeles, home to two NBA teams: the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers. The Lakers are currently quite the star-studded team with Lebron James, “The King,” Anthony Davis, “The Brow,” and now newly acquired Demarcus “Boogie” Cousins. In fact, Boogie was Davis’ former teammate from the New Orleans Pelicans, and the duo have a great chemistry — something many fans undoubtedly were looking forward to. However, just a couple weeks ago, Boogie suffered a devastating ACL injury; thus making a return this upcoming season unlikely.
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, the Los Angeles Clippers made a staggering move to obtain, arguably the offseason’s most sought after player, Kawhi Leonard, the man who, some claim, single-handedly destroyed the Warriors dynastic run. In another brilliant deal, the Clippers traded for the OKC Thunder’s Paul George, another All-Star. Boy, oh boy, is LA going to be a force to be reckoned with this season.
Lastly, but certainly not least, we have the Golden State Warriors, who have already been, in my opinion, unreasonably, been disregarded as a championship contending team. Honestly, I feel offended and so should the rest of Dub nation. Here’s my case. First, there are two main reasons why the Warriors have been discounted: they lost to the Raptors in the Finals and they lost KD, an integral role player.
