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As the holiday season approaches, Switzerland’s alpine villages transform into enchanting winter wonderlands, with Gstaad as a beacon of elegance and exclusivity. Nestled amidst snow-capped peaks and breathtaking landscapes, this picturesque resort becomes the ultimate destination for those seeking luxury and charm.
This year, the House of CHANEL returns to Gstaad for the second consecutive winter, unveiling its ephemeral boutique from December 12, 2024, to March 9, 2025. Housed in a traditional wooden chalet, this exclusive space invites visitors to experience the brand’s iconic creations in a setting that seamlessly merges Parisian sophistication with alpine allure. Whether exploring CHANEL’s latest collections or simply soaking in the serene ambience, this boutique promises an unforgettable journey into the heart of timeless style and mountain magic.
The CHANEL Ephemeral Store in Gstaad: Everything You Need to Know
From December 12, 2024, to March 9, 2025, CHANEL once again transforms Gstaad into a hub of luxury with its ephemeral boutique. This captivating space celebrates the House’s timeless elegance amidst the picturesque Swiss Alps. Set just outside the resort’s bustling centre, the boutique is nestled in a charming early 20th-century wooden chalet, blending traditional Swiss alpine architecture with CHANEL’s signature aesthetic.
Spanning 120 square meters across two floors, the chalet exudes a warm, inviting atmosphere reminiscent of a holiday retreat. Upon entering, guests are welcomed into a vestibule leading to the Coco Neige 2024/25 collection, a line designed to marry comfort, style, and sophistication. Inspired by the 1970s, this collection redefines winter sportswear with a casual yet technical approach, offering everything from après-ski attire to refined evening wear. Highlights include white and black skis adorned with CHANEL’s iconic double C logo, ensuring ultimate elegance on the slopes.
Accessories take centre stage on seamlessly integrated shelves, featuring quilted gloves, cowls, glacier glasses with a retro twist, and cosy quilted sneakers and shearling boots. Essential knitwear and cashmere pieces, both playful and classic, round out the collection, providing luxurious options for braving the winter chill.
The boutique’s interior design reflects CHANEL’s impeccable attention to detail, harmoniously merging antique mountain furniture with contemporary elements. A palette of white, beige, black, and gold—Gabrielle Chanel’s signature colors—enhances the chalet’s cozy ambiance. Upstairs, the boutique’s first floor offers an intimate salon-like setting, with sleek rails and mannequins showcasing silhouettes from the Cruise 2024/25 and Coco Neige collections. Two fitting rooms, elegantly decorated with tweed armchairs, faux fur rugs, and embroidered works by Lesage, complete the immersive shopping experience.
Beyond fashion, the boutique features a curated selection of CHANEL’s iconic timepieces, including the J12 and Première watches and the limited-edition Première Sound. Emblematic jewellery from the N°5, Camélia, and Comète collections, alongside timeless creations from the 1932 Haute Joaillerie collection, are also on display, highlighting the brand’s exceptional craftsmanship.
For CHANEL enthusiasts and Gstaad lovers alike, this boutique is more than a shopping destination—it’s a celebration of alpine luxury and Parisian sophistication, a true testament to the House’s enduring legacy. Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to experience CHANEL in the heart of the Swiss Alps.
The Coco Neige 2024/25 Collection: A Fusion of Elegance and Technicality
The CHANEL Coco Neige 2024/25 collection epitomizes the perfect balance between high fashion and functionality, designed to seamlessly transition from snow-dusted peaks to bustling city streets. Rooted in the legacy of Gabrielle Chanel, who revolutionized women’s fashion with her embrace of sporty, liberating designs, this collection reinvents alpine chic with a contemporary edge.
This season, CHANEL blends a sporting spirit with technical innovation, delivering a wardrobe as practical as it is sophisticated. The collection combines cutting-edge materials designed to withstand the rigours of winter sports with the brand’s signature elegance. The result is an array of garments and accessories that offer comfort and style for winter adventures and urban outings. From sleek quilted jackets to cashmere layers, each piece is thoughtfully crafted to provide warmth and mobility without compromising aesthetic appeal.
The Coco Neige 2024/25 campaign is brought to life by Loli Bahia, whose graceful presence captures the essence of CHANEL’s vision. Photographed by the renowned Juergen Teller, the campaign takes place in an unexpected yet meaningful location: Gabrielle Chanel’s iconic apartment on Rue Cambon in Paris. This setting, steeped in the brand’s history and creativity, contrasts the collection’s snowy inspiration, underscoring its versatility and cosmopolitan allure.
A standout feature of the collection is its nostalgic nod to the 1970s, with retro-inspired pieces like quilted gloves, glacier glasses, and shearling boots. These touches infuse a playful yet refined aesthetic into the lineup, while the signature CHANEL colour palette—white, black, and gold—ensures timeless appeal. Accessories like white and black skis adorned with the double C logo elevate the notion of alpine luxury, turning practical gear into style statements.
Whether carving down the slopes or strolling through the city, the Coco Neige 2024/25 collection embodies the spirit of winter with unmatched elegance. It celebrates CHANEL’s enduring ability to merge technicality and design, honouring the House’s heritage while embracing modernity.
Nestled in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland, Gstaad is a picture-perfect alpine village renowned for its blend of traditional charm and modern luxury. With a population of just over 9,000, this exclusive resort has evolved from a quaint farming community into a world-class destination for the global elite. Its rise to fame began in the early 20th century, catalyzed by the arrival of the railway in 1905, which opened its pristine landscapes to discerning travellers seeking tranquillity and sophistication.
Gstaad’s reputation for luxury is matched only by its idyllic surroundings. The village is adorned with Swiss chalets and cobblestone streets set against snow-covered peaks. Its car-free centre boasts high-end boutiques, gourmet restaurants, and cosy cafes, making it a haven for relaxation and indulgence. Among its standout accommodations are the iconic Gstaad Palace, a historic hotel known for its opulent service and old-world charm, and The Alpina Gstaad, a contemporary retreat celebrated for its design and world-class spa.
Photo: https://www.gstaad.ch
Over the decades, Gstaad has become a magnet for celebrities and royalty alike. From Elizabeth Taylor and Grace Kelly to Madonna and Bernie Ecclestone, the village has played host to countless luminaries, adding glamour to its serene mountain vibe. Despite its celebrity allure, Gstaad has retained its authenticity, emphasizing sustainable tourism and preserving its cultural heritage.
Gstaad offers over 200 kilometres of ski slopes suitable for all levels in winter, complemented by top-tier ski schools and cosy mountain huts. For non-skiers, the village provides activities such as horse-drawn sleigh rides, scenic hiking trails, and cultural events like the Menuhin Festival, a classical music highlight.
Gstaad’s seamless blend of alpine tradition, modern luxury, and cultural vibrancy ensures its place as one of the world’s most sought-after ski destinations. Whether you’re drawn by its serene beauty, exclusive experiences, or vibrant social scene, Gstaad promises an unforgettable escape into the heart of the Swiss Alps.
To conclude,
CHANEL’s return to Gstaad for the 2024/25 winter season celebrates elegance, exclusivity, and alpine charm. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Swiss Alps, the temporary boutique captures the essence of CHANEL’s timeless sophistication, blending seamlessly with the resort’s understated luxury. Whether exploring the latest collections, indulging in exquisite timepieces, or embracing the spirit of the mountains through the Coco Neige line, this boutique offers a unique experience for fashion enthusiasts and mountain lovers alike.
Paired with Gstaad’s unparalleled allure, world-class amenities, rich history, and captivating landscapes, this initiative reaffirms the region’s status as a global destination for luxury and style. As the snow blankets the village and the festive season lights up the chalets, CHANEL’s presence adds a new layer of magic to Gstaad, making it a must-visit for the season. Prepare to be inspired by the perfect harmony of Parisian elegance and Swiss alpine splendour.
José Amorim The author sourced the information for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted, and reproduction rights are not available. Images are for illustration purposes only.
Hosted by Nikki Glaser, this year’s 82nd Golden Globes aired on Sunday night, and while there were plenty of upsets, the award ceremony managed to get at least one thing right. Similar to Ricky Gervais’ stint as host, the ceremony was rife with hilarious yet sometimes uncomfortable laughter. That being said, it was a great night. Glamorous as ever, the evening welcomed some of 2024’s biggest films, including Dune: Part Two, Wicked, A Complete Unknown, and The Substance, as well as many others. While some of this year’s nominees dominated at the box office, others stayed under the radar but managed to completely captivate critics. Either way, each film showcased at this year’s Golden Globes was certainly worthy of their nominations.
While Dune: Part Two and Wicked were some of 2024’s highest-grossing films with a combined box office takeaway of nearly $1.4 billion, such a factor isn’t always the most important during award season. Other films like The Brutalist, Anora, September 5, and Emilie Pérez were recognized with nominations but only brought in a combined box office that just barely broke $33 million, most of which is thanks to Anora. While some of those films have yet to be widely released, it’s unlikely they’ll reach the same heights as their fellow nominees. Clearly, each film and performance that was nominated deserved to be, but one award in particular deserved it the most. Thankfully, the Golden Globes looked beyond the hype and bestowed the award to the correct winner.
Who Are This Year’s Golden Globe Nominees?
This year’s nominees were some of the best 2024 had to offer. Needless to say, it was definitely a stellar year for cinema. Across the board, those nominated for their performances were undoubtedly well-deserved, and the same can be said for the films slotted in both Best Picture categories. The films nominated for Best Picture – Musical or Comedy include Anora, Challengers, Emilie Pérez, A Real Pain, The Substance, and Wicked. On the flip side, the films nominated for Best Picture – Drama include The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Dune: Part Two, Nickel Boys, and September 5.
The actor got candid about his first Academy Award, which he says led to “bad movies.”
Accompanying those nominations were some of those films’ phenomenal performances, including Adrien Brody, Guy Pearce, and Felicity Jones for The Brutalist, Mikey Madison and Yura Borisov in Anora, Ralph Fiennes and Isabella Rossellini in Conclave, and Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldaña, and Karla Sofía Gascón in Emilia Pérez. To no one’s surprise, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were nominated for their amazing and dynamic performances in Wicked, while Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley each left viewers aghast with their performances in The Substance.
There was also a slew of nominated performances whose films didn’t manage to garner a nomination for Best Picture, including Angelina Jolie in Maria, Nicole Kidman in Babygirl, Kate Winslet in Lee, and Amy Adams in Nightbitch, as well as Colman Domingo in Sing Sing, Jesse Plemons in Kinds of Kindness, Glen Powell in Hit Man, and Sebastian Stan in A Different Man. Some actors and actresses were in multiple films nominated this year, including Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, whose epic performances in Dune: Part Two were overlooked. However, each was nominated for their roles in other films, Chalamet for his role as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown and Zendaya for her electric performance in Challengers.
Demi Moore Absolutely Deserved to Win for ‘The Substance’
Your changes have been saved
Release Date
September 20, 2024
Runtime
140 Minutes
Cast
Demi Moore
, Margaret Qualley
, Dennis Quaid
, Gore Abrams
, Hugo Diego Garcia
, Olivier Raynal
, Tiffany Hofstetter
, Tom Morton
, Jiselle Burkhalter
, Axel Baille
, Oscar Lesage
, Matthew Géczy
, Philip Schurer
After decades in the industry, Demi Moore finally took home a Golden Globe for her phenomenal performance in The Substance, which was a well-deserved surprise. In her acceptance speech, the actress acknowledged that she had almost given up on the profession. After a producer told her she was merely a “popcorn actress” 30 years ago, Moore held onto the notion that awards were never in the cards for her. Believing she didn’t necessarily deserve such recognition, she was ready to bow out. However, when she received the script for The Substance, she decided to take a chance. After Sunday night’s ceremony, it’s quite clear Moore deserves all the recognition.
Who Were Some of This Year’s Golden Globes Winners and Snubs?
As always, there were plenty of well-deserved wins as well as a few unfortunate snubs. In many ways, this year’s winners surprised no one. Emilie Pérez won Best Picture – Musical or Comedy, although many thought Anora would win, while The Brutalist won Best Picture – Drama. Kieran Culkin won for his role in A Real Pain, Zoe Saldaña won for her versatile performance in Emilia Pérez, Adrien Brody won for his role in The Brutalist, and Sebastian Stan took home the award for his performance in A Different Man, all of which were expected.
Adrien Brody reveals he went through a harrowing experience when making ‘The Pianist’.
Brady Corbet won Best Director for The Brutalist, while Peter Straughan won Best Screenplay for Conclave. However, many expected that award to go to Sean Baker for Anora. Fernanda Torres garnered a surprise win for her role in I’m Still Here, which many believed would go to Nicole Kidman for Babygirl. While there were certainly plenty of singular surprises, Anora’s lack of wins being the most egregious, Sunday night’s ceremony generally panned out as expected.
The developers of Helldivers 2, Arrowhead Game Studios, are reportedly working on another game. Released last February to near-universal critical acclaim and a massive player base that seemed to pop up overnight. Despite a controversy caused by the game’s mandatory PSN linking, and a dearth of content in the latter half of the year, the game is still going strong, with promises of massive updates to Helldivers 2 in 2025.
But Arrowhead Game Studios isn’t stopping there; Johan Pilestedt, the CCO of the Swedish development company and Creative Director of Helldivers 2 recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to solicit fan opinions on what the studio’s next game should be. Pilestedt says he’s already working on the “high concept” of the next game, but was curious to hear what fans are expecting from the studio. While it’s unclear whether these expectations will actually influence Arrowhead’s output, Pilestedt engaged directly with the collective brainstorming session, responding to fan speculation and sharing concepts for similar projects that Arrowhead has previously scrapped.
Helldivers 2 Fans Speculate What’s To Come Next From Arrowhead
Vehicular Combat, A New Helldivers, Or A Return To Form?
Many fans had opinions on what Arrowhead’s next game should be, but some of them seem more familiar than others. Naturally, many suggested just making Helldivers 3, but if his concept were as simple as that, Pilestedt likely wouldn’t have sought their input. But other fans came surprisingly close to scrapped game concepts that Arrowhead has worked on in the past, including @SoundwaveSpectr‘s suggestion for an on-rails aerial combat simulator a la Starfox.
Others, like @BlueFinn42, knew exactly what they were doing. This user suggested bringing back Magicka, a largely forgotten co-op game released by Arrowhead in 2011. In gameplay, it’s similar to the first Helldivers – just replace Stratagems with spells. It takes place in a Norse myth-inspired fantasy universe with a uniquely Arrowhead satirical bent – see the expansion Magicka: Vietnam.
And still others, like @archibald_liu, had bizarre-yet-brilliant ideas for a Helldivers sequel. Instead of making another shooter, this fan suggested, Arrowhead’s next game should take inspiration from other co-op titles like Overcooked. This would focus on the lesser-known Helldivers – not the ones on the surface of alien worlds fighting for Super Earth’s peace, but those stuck on the ships above them, performing all the mundane tasks that keep the war machine going.
Whatever the case, it’s clear Arrowhead has something big planned. Still, Pilestedt is careful not to give anything away, and considering he’s still only working on the concept for the game, it’s likely still years away from release. But that doesn’t mean there’s no room for rampant speculation about what Helldivers 2‘s successor could be.
Our Take: What Could The Next Arrowhead Title Be?
And Now, For Something Completely Different
As much as I would like to see more Helldiversor a Magicka 3, it looks like Arrowhead is really gearing up to surprise us. In recent years, the studio has become known for three things: shooters, sci-fi, and satire. It’s a brilliant combo reminiscent of the best Paul Verhoeven films, and Helldivers 2 has proven that it’s a viable formula with widespread appeal.
After a wildly successful launch and a series of less successful updates, is Helldivers 2 still worth playing, a year after its initial release?
But there’s something very tongue-in-cheek about the tone of Pilestedt’s original Tweet. It’s not a warm invitation to fans to influence the nature of Arrowhead’s next game; it’s definitely an attempt to gauge the temperature of the fan base, but there’s a taunting aspect to it, as if Pilestedt is confident he’s got a big surprise in store. My guess is, whatever Arrowhead puts out next, it’ll be a massive surprise to onlookers one and all. It’ll be unlike anything else its previous output, up to and including Helldivers 2, has led us to expect.
Helldivers II is the follow-up to the 2015 multiplayer top-down single-player/co-op shooter from Arrowhead Game Studios. The sequel, which has shifted gears to a third-person shooter format, drops players into the boots of elite super-soldiers who fight to protect Super Earth from invading alien forces while taking the fight to those who threaten the “democracy of Super Earth.”
Systems
Franchise
Helldivers
Developer(s)
Arrowhead Game Studios
Publisher(s)
Sony
Multiplayer
Online Co-Op
Engine
bitsquid
ESRB
M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence
LeBron James stepped into a three-point shot on the far side of the court, the ball perfectly rotating through the Friday night air, before it swished through the net. As he ran down the court, he shook his head and gritted his teeth.
Then, James got to the right block, the Atlanta defender on his back, before he spun and swished a midrange jumper. After a stop, he took a step closer to the Atlanta bench, got back to almost that same spot, spun and swished another fadeaway, running past the Hawks as their coach, Quin Snyder, frustratingly called a timeout to try to put a stop to it.
A day after James scored 38 points to lead the Lakers to a shorthanded win against Portland, he was at it again, this time against a dangerous Atlanta team. Looking ageless against a parade of young, athletic, long wings helplessly trying to stop him, James led the Lakers to a 119-102 win — their 20th of the season.
James’ 30 points — the final two of which forced Snyder into that late timeout — gave him his 563rd 30-point game, one more than Michael Jordan for the most in NBA history.
“It’s someone I idolized in my childhood, and I wear 23 because of him,” James said of Jordan. “So, to know that I can sit here and be in the room or in the conversation or whatever it is, when you mention MJ, it’s just super-duper dope for me, being a kid from where I’m from.”
Lakers star LeBron James drives to the basket against Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels in the first half Friday.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
James, who starred without Anthony Davis against Portland, got Davis back on Friday. Davis scored 18 points and grabbed 19 rebounds, anchoring a terrific defensive performance.
The win, the Lakers’ seventh in their last nine games, was one of the team’s better all-around performances outside of 19 turnovers against Atlanta’s aggressive perimeter defense.
While Trae Young scored 33 points for Atlanta (18-17), Max Christie harassed him for most of the game. The Lakers (20-14) held Atlanta to just six-for-34 shooting from three while outrebounding Atlanta by 17.
After the game, coach JJ Redick didn’t start his media availability by praising the Lakers for their overall effort but by pointing out his frustrations with the defense, particularly Finney-Smith’s performance, in the first half.
On a night when James added another accomplishment to a career defined by greatness, Redick saw a chance to try to pull greatness from his roster.
“[Finney-Smith] had an awful first half. It was bad,” Redick said. “He was great in the second half. I told him that at halftime, he was awful. I don’t know where that came from — I played with him, watched him. Our game-plan discipline in the first half was so bad. It was so bad.”
Redick was aggravated with the Lakers’ transition defense and their coverages of Bogdan Bogdanovic in the halfcourt.
Lakers star Anthony Davis battles for a rebound against Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels in the second half Friday.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
“I’m encouraged by our team in general. I think the message that I relayed to them at halftime is the reason why that stuff matters, the reason why executing a personnel-based scouting report that we talked about, is because I don’t want to coach a good team. I don’t want to be a part of a good team,” Redick said. “I want to be a part of a great team and I believe this team can be a great team. So it is about the small details.”
The Lakers will head to Texas for a pair of tough games. First, against Houston on Sunday and then against Dallas on Tuesday before returning to L.A. for their next eight games (seven at home and their first at the Intuit Dome).
Jimmy Butler‘s six-season tenure with the Miami Heat appears to be nearing its end. Butler, who led Miami to the NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023, was suspended by the team Friday for “conduct detrimental to the team,” one day after indicating to the Heat that he would like to be traded.
Butler, who arrived at training camp this season with a declaration of “no shenanigans,” had scored only 18 points combined in the past two games after sitting out the previous five because of an illness. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Dec. 10 that the Heat were listening to offers on Butler and then on Dec. 25 that Butler preferred a trade out of Miami.
The situation escalated to a point that after Thursday’s loss to the Indiana Pacers, Butler said he wanted to find his joy again on the court. When asked if he could do that in Miami, he answered “probably not.”
ESPN insiders Tim Bontemps, Bobby Marks, Kevin Pelton and Brian Windhorst look at how the situation between the six-time All-Star and the franchise he has played for since 2019 got to this point, why a trade might not be as easy as it seems and what Butler could bring to a contender.
How did Pat Riley go from vowing not to trade Butler to a seven-game suspension with the Heat now listening to trade offers?
Butler’s tactics to force Miami’s hand and reverse its stance have appeared to work in the short term. The Heat didn’t fully articulate all the components of what they felt was his “conduct detrimental” that led to the suspension, but Butler clearly wanted to be traded and took measures to get the Heat to come to the same conclusion. His lackluster play the past two games after sitting out five because an illness are probably on the list. In the short term, this play by Butler will cost him $2.35 million in salary but he could eventually win some or all of it back through a planned players’ union grievance. — Windhorst
How have Riley and the Heat handled similar situations in the past?
Riley has never been afraid to say no to star players or walk away from them when he doesn’t want to pay them. Tim Hardaway, Alonzo Mourning, Dwyane Wade all left to sign elsewhere at various points. He traded Shaquille O’Neal and Shawn Marion, among others, when he wanted to pivot the franchise. Now Butler will be on that list. Riley has always been able to acquire major talents, and that reputation has always emboldened him to play hardball. — Windhorst
This isn’t the first time Butler’s tenure with a team has ended poorly. What happened in Chicago, Minnesota and Philadelphia?
Each of those situations were different. Chicago refused to give Butler a max contract and traded him to Minnesota for a package of young players and draft picks.
The Minnesota situation was very similar to this one: Butler was unhappy with his contract and requested a trade. But there was one massive difference: Butler had just turned 29, not 35. He eventually was sent to the 76ers for Dario Saric, Robert Covington, Jerryd Bayless and a second-round pick.
Then, after one season in Philadelphia, the 76ers essentially chose to pay a combination of Tobias Harris, Josh Richardson and Al Horford over Butler and sent him to Miami in a sign-and-trade during the summer of 2019. — Bontemps
Can the 7-game suspension be extended? Have previous players been suspended this long for similar standoffs?
The suspension includes Saturday’s home game against the Utah Jazz and the upcoming six-game trip. It’s clear Riley is sending a message that he does not want Butler around the team right now. The unknown is what happens when the suspension ends ahead of Miami’s Jan. 19 home game against the San Antonio Spurs.
Unless Butler is considered to violate the conduct detrimental policy in his contract from the time the suspension starts, Miami cannot extend the suspension to include more games. Because the suspension is by the team and not the NBA, the Heat will not receive luxury tax savings.
How much will Butler be fined and can a grievance be filed?
Butler is being fined $336,543 for each of the seven games missed. The amount equals 1/145 of his $48.8 million salary, totaling around $2.4 million. Butler has 30 days to file a grievance, and the amount fined will sit in an escrow account until the situation is resolved. The grievance process could take up to a year. The NBA Players Association issued a statement late Friday that the suspension was excessive and inappropriate.
Which teams could actually trade for him?
Butler asking to be traded and the Heat now listening to offers does not change the challenges of finding the former All-Star a new home. The combination of Butler’s $48.8 million salary this season and nearly a third of teams not allowed to take back more salary in a trade makes any potential deal complicated.
Three out of the four teams on Butler’s preferred list — the Dallas Mavericks, the Golden State Warriors and the Phoenix Suns — would need to trade a quarter of their roster. The Suns would need to have Bradley Beal waive his no-trade clause. Sources told ESPN, that the Heat have no desire to take back the $110 million owed to Beal and that Phoenix would need to find a third team. The Warriors and Mavericks probably would need to find a third or fourth team to reroute some of the contracts sent out.
The Heat also are not allowed to take back more salary because they are an apron team. — Marks
Could Butler help a contender this season and in the future (if he were to re-sign with that team)?
That depends on how much Butler benefits from rediscovering the joy in basketball with another team. Butler’s 17.6 scoring average is his lowest since 2013-14, the season before he won Most Improved Player and was voted an All-Star for the first time, but there’s reason to believe Butler has more to give elsewhere.
Butler’s 21% usage rate is down substantially from last season’s 24%. At the same time, Butler is scoring more efficiently. His .648 true shooting percentage would be the best of his NBA career, narrowly ahead of 2023-24. And Butler’s 58% 2-point shooting is easily a career high, suggesting his scoring downturn is more about being selective than an inability to create shots.
Not only do Butler’s peripheral stats remain strong, we have ample evidence of “Playoff Jimmy” playing his best when the stakes are the highest. During Butler’s four playoff runs in Miami — before he sat out the Heat’s 2024 first-round loss to the Boston Celtics because of an MCL sprain — he led the NBA with 12.4 wins by my WARP (wins above replacement player) metric over that span.
During the regular season, Butler was just sixth in total WARP during the corresponding seasons. He produced 3.7 more WARP in the playoffs than we’d expect based on his regular-season performance. Only Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray was a greater playoff overperformer than Butler from 2020 through 2023.
At some point, Butler’s age (35) will undoubtedly take a toll, explaining Miami’s reluctance to offer him a max extension. Over the next three seasons, my SCHOENE projection system forecasts Butler to decline by about three wins in terms of regular-season value based on the development of similar players at the same age. Though Butler’s 2025-26 projection still puts him in the NBA’s top 20 players, by 2027-28 that forecast drops to 45th. — Kevin Pelton
What kind of extension is Butler looking for? What’s the most likely outcome ahead of the trade deadline?
Because of the league’s Over-38 rule, the maximum extension Miami could sign Butler is for two years, $112.6 million. That would replace his $52.4 million player option for next season with a new salary starting at $54.1 million. The second year would pay Butler $58.5 million when he is 37.
If Butler were traded, he would be eligible to sign a two-year, $111 million extension with his new team.
A trade demand by Butler and now suspension does not mean the Heat are mandated to make a trade. If Miami does not receive an offer of its liking, it can either let Butler walk in free agency if he declines his player option — or work together on a trade.
Butler, who will turn 36 in September, does not fit the roster timeline of the Brooklyn Nets, the only team that projects to have more than $40 million in cap space. — Marks
Are we sure he’ll be traded at all?
No. The way things played out with Paul George last season with the LA Clippers is a blueprint for how this situation could unwind over the next few months.
The longstanding paradigm in the NBA in these situations is that the team with a disgruntled player like Butler “has to get something” and trade him somewhere. But that was in a previous financial reality in which the league existed.
Under this far more restrictive collective bargaining agreement, the NBA is operating in what is much closer to a hard cap environment than it used to. So if the process of getting something in a deal requires a team to take back negative long-term salary, that can cause real problems for a club trying to pivot past such a deal in the future. That’s doubly true for the Heat, who remain one of the league’s most desirable destinations for players and want to have as much flexibility to acquire more high-end talent in the future.
That’s one of several reasons why the Heat, according to sources, are reluctant to take back long-term money in a Butler trade. Coupled with the trade restrictions that have made it hard for any big salaries to be moved across the league, sources are far from convinced a deal is guaranteed to happen in the next month. — Bontemps
KAPALUA, Hawaii — Collin Morikawa has played Kapalua enough to know that trailing Hideki Matsuyama by seven shots early in the second round was no reason to panic. Sure enough, he nearly caught up to the Japanese star Friday at The Sentry.
Matsuyama played bogey-free on another gorgeous day on Maui with moderate wind, making seven birdies in a 10-hole stretch in the middle of his round and posting an 8-under 65 for a one-shot lead going into the weekend of the PGA Tour season opener.
Morikawa ran off five straight birdies in the scoring stretch late — only one of them longer than 5 feet — until his streak ended on the par-5 closing hole at the Plantation course with a 12-foot birdie putt that missed on the high side.
He also had a 65 and was expecting more of the same on the weekend. Conditions are prime for scoring, and The Sentry has the best players from the PGA Tour last year.
“When you look at the leaderboard, I’m through six holes and I’m even par and guys are lapping the field already,” Morikawa said. “But like I said, it’s not telling myself I’ve got to be patient. I just know this golf course, and I know at any point you can go on a little stretch of birdies, and I just had to keep playing my game.”
It was the eighth time Morikawa had 65 or better at Kapalua, the most of any player since 2020 when the two-time major champion made his debut.
Matsuyama went about his business, breaking into a big smile when he holed a 35-foot birdie putt across the green on the par-3 11th. He was at 16-under 130 with a pack of players lining up behind him.
“I’m definitely satisfied with where I am,” Matsuyama said.
Ten players were separated by three shots going into the weekend of the tournament that invites only PGA Tour winners from 2024 and the top 50 from the FedEx Cup.
Corey Conners of Canada and Thomas Detry of Belgium were among those at 14-under 132 thanks to big finishes of their own.
Conners holed a 40-foot eagle putt on the par-5 15th, followed with two medium-range birdie putts and two-putted from the front of the green on the 18th for another birdie and a 66. Detry was 6 under on the final six holes. He drove the green on the 306-yard 14th hole to 10 feet for eagle and had to settle for par on the 18th for a 65.
The field averaged 68.1, which was skewed slightly by Davis Riley posting the first 80 of the season. He made four straight birdies, a tough two-putt par and then took a 9 on the 17th hole with a lost ball to the right on one tee shot and a second tee shot into the left hazard. The margin of those misses was about the length of a football field.
Only four players failed to break par.
For everyone else, it was a case of taking aim at spots on the contoured greens that feed to the hole and cashing in with birdies.
Sepp Straka birdied every hole on the back nine until he hit what he considered his best shot, a 6-iron to 20 feet, only to miss the putt. He shot 65.
Eight players shot 64, a group that included Davis Thompson, who was 14 shots better than his first round of the year. Patrick Cantlay was 10 shots better with his 64.
“Now I need to do it again,” said Cantlay, who still was eight shots behind Matsuyama.
Among the group three shots behind was former U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark, who birdied eight of his last 10 holes. Clark made the argument the low scoring was a product of the players, not the course.
“I don’t necessarily prefer this low, but at the same time, we make courses like this look easy,” Clark said. “To be honest, it’s not that easy. Typically, there’s a lot of wind here, and we didn’t have much wind today, so you’re going to have a lot of birdie looks and sometimes eagle looks.
“I’ve never really shot 20 under on the PGA Tour, so maybe I can break it this week.”
At this rate, that won’t be enough.
Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley also had a 64, marked by an eagle on the final hole and his two sons racing onto the fairway as he walked to the 18th green. Bradley has not ruled out playing in the Ryder Cup. But that’s a long way off.
“We’re two rounds into 2025,” he said. “So if we get to July and it’s looking like that, then we’ll start to talk, but for now I’m just going to keep playing my best.”
Three days after announcing that he’d pulled out of a planned performance at this year’s edition of the venerable English music festival, the 79-year-old rock legend said Friday that the gig was “happily” back on his touring itinerary and that he and his collaborators “look forward to playing.”
Young had written Tuesday on his website that he and his band the Chrome Hearts “were told that BBC was now a partner in Glastonbury and wanted us to do a lot of things in a way we were not interested in. It seems Glastonbury is now under corporate control and is not the way I remember it being.”
On Friday, Young updated his post and blamed an unspecified “error in the information received” for his cancellation.
“What a start to the year!” festival organizer Emily Eavis wrote on Instagram shortly after Young’s announcement that he’d reversed his decision. “Neil Young is an artist who’s very close to our hearts at Glastonbury. He does things his own way and that’s why we love him.”
According to the Guardian, Young tussled with the BBC — which the paper said has partnered with Glastonbury for nearly three decades — when he headlined the festival in 2009 over how much of his set it could broadcast.
In March, Young put his music back on Spotify after pulling his catalog in 2022 to protest what he described as vaccine misinformation spread by podcaster Joe Rogan.
Young announced Friday that he’ll issue a previously unreleased album called “Oceanside Countryside” on Feb. 14. The LP was recorded in 1977 and features two sets of songs: one performed solo by Young and one performed with accompaniment by Ben Keith, Rufus Thibodeaux, Karl T. Himmel, Joe Osborne, Tim Drummond and the Band’s Levon Helm.
While speaking toBillboard‘s Kyle Denis for a cover story published Monday (Jan. 6), the dancehall artist didn’t hold back when prompted to share his thoughts on rap’s biggest feud in recent memory. “I’m not a fan of Kendrick,” Kartel began frankly. “I don’t even listen to Kendrick, so I wouldn’t know.”
“What does he rap?” the “Ramping Shop” musician continued. “I saw it on the internet, but no disrespect to the dude, I hear him, but I don’t listen to him. Drake is more in tune with Jamaica and the culture.”
Kartel added, “Drake is a better and bigger artist.”
The reggae star’s cover story comes less than a week after he made his grand return with a massive Freedom Street concert in front of more than 35,000 people at Kingston’s National Stadium in Jamaica on New Year’s Eve, performing for the first time since his July prison release. Kartel had served a 13-year sentence for the murder of Clive “Lizard” Williams, for which he and his co-accused — Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones and Andre St. John — have always maintained their innocence.
During the tail end of Kartel’s sentence, Drake and Lamar’s beef simmered over into an explosive rap back-and-forth that fans are still talking about months later. The beef started with the Toronto artist dissing Dot on “Push Ups” and “Taylor Made Freestyle” in April. Lamar clapped back with a slew of searing response tracks including “Euphoria,” the Billboard Hot 100-topping “Not Like Us” and more, while Drake added fuel to the fire with songs such as “Family Matters” and “The Heart Pt. 6” in May.
Lamar is now set to headline the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show, while Drake is in the midst of taking legal action against Universal Music Group for allegedly conspiring to “artificially inflate” the Compton musician’s streams on “Not Like Us” and for allegedly allowing Lamar to defame Drake on the track. In November, UMG denied the accusation — which the company called “offensive and untrue” — and added in a statement to Billboard, “We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns. No amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments in this pre-action submission can mask the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear.”
As for Vybz? He’s in the running for the best reggae album Grammy for Party With Me, which was “done in prison,” the artist tells Billboard. “I was writing to keep my mind occupied, ended up with these songs and said, ‘Let me just put them on a little EP.’ Bam, Grammy.”
Half of Brits are unaware that they can choose the hospital for their NHS operation, according to a recent study. This research comes after the Labour Government’s Elective Reform Plan was announced.
The Prime Minister said he aims to make the 18-week wait the norm instead of 18 months by making improvements to the NHS app and raising awareness that private surgeries can be used for NHS treatment.
The recent survey involving 2,000 adults found that 47% were unfamiliar with patient choice, with many under the impression that they are simply placed on a waiting list and have no alternative but to wait their turn, regardless of how long that is.
A quarter were oblivious to the fact that they could receive treatment in a private hospital as an NHS patient – with this rule applying to operations with lengthy waiting lists such as hip and knee replacements. One in five thought they would have to fork out extra to be seen at a private hospital.
At the timing of polling 14% of people polled were waiting for an operation, with nearly a fifth of those having been on hold for over twelve months.
The study was conducted by Practice Plus Group, a provider of both NHS and private surgeries. Its CEO, Jim Easton, expressed his enthusiasm saying: “It’s fantastic news for patients that the government is committed to ensuring more people exercise their right to choose.”
But he recognises there’s more ground to cover highlighting the need for a more long term partnership between the NHS and private hospitals. He also added: “We need to see more GPs empowering their patients to make choices about their healthcare.”
Interestingly, those in the know regarding their right to choose have learned from sources such as friends, family, or media rather than directly from their healthcare providers.
This was the case for former ‘Great British Bake-off’ favourite Val Stones, aged 74, who took matters into her own hands, opting for her NHS-funded hip replacement at a private clinic, significantly shortening her wait. After visiting her GP about her inability to walk, stand straight, or sleep due to the pain, she got referred to a local NHS centre.
Val, having heard from pals about choosing her treatment location, stated: “I had a few friends who had been to Practice Plus Group in Shepton Mallet. I’d always thought it was just a private hospital but some of these friends had been there on the health service.
“It had shorter waiting times, but I also wanted to go somewhere that specialised in joint replacements.”
She continued: “After my assessment I was sent a form with some choices on – there wasn’t much information about each option, but I already knew where I wanted to go. I believe I was seen in months rather than years because of my choice and I couldn’t have been happier with the quality of care.”
When asked about their primary considerations when deciding where to undergo a procedure, 43% cited waiting time as the most significant factor.
Convenience was paramount for four out of 10 respondents who stated that proximity to home is crucial, while the reputation of the hospital or surgeon was a major consideration for 39%.
Jim commented: “Elective operations may be classed as ‘routine’ but for the people waiting for them who can’t walk, can’t work or enjoy the things they like to do, they are life changing.”
He added that six out of 10 people believe that choosing where to receive treatment under the NHS could enhance the likelihood of someone receiving better quality care.
“The private sector doesn’t have a silver bullet, but working with our NHS partners, we can make a significant difference,” Jim further noted. “In the last year alone, the sector has delivered over a million procedures for the NHS, and we can do more.”
