SEAN McDERMOTT FIRES BACK AT NARRATIVE CRITICS — “THEY DON’T KNOW US, SO THEY DON’T DEFINE US”
When national headlines labeled Buffalo a “city of losers,” Sean McDermott didn’t stay silent. The Buffalo Bills head coach, known for his stoic composure and relentless discipline, delivered one of his most impassioned public defenses yet — not just of his team, but of the entire city that stands behind it.
The criticism came after Buffalo’s recent stretch of inconsistent performances, prompting pundits to revive old wounds about the franchise’s Super Bowl heartbreaks in the 1990s. But McDermott made it clear: that narrative doesn’t define who they are now.
“Criticism is part of the game, but they don’t know us, so they don’t define us. I’ve seen the hustle. I’ve seen the heart. As for those throwing out ‘city of losers’ — I’ll let our football do the talking. We’re not here to prove them right. We’re here to prove them wrong.
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Speaking to reporters, McDermott’s voice carried both conviction and pride. “That bothers me,” he said. “Because that’s not what I’ve experienced. They don’t know this community, they don’t know us.”
The coach, now in his eighth season with Buffalo, reminded critics of the resilience it takes to even reach that level of competition. “People forget how hard it is to make four straight Super Bowls,”
Under his leadership, the Bills have transformed from a rebuilding project into a perennial playoff contender.
Still, the team’s recent struggles — including red zone inefficiency and late-game lapses — have drawn heavy scrutiny. McDermott addressed that directly:
Inside the locker room, players backed their coach’s passionate defense of Buffalo. Veteran safety Micah Hyde said, “He’s right — people outside don’t know what we put into this. We fight for this city every day.”
Bills fans, famous for their loyalty and grit, rallied around McDermott’s words almost instantly. Social media lit up with messages of pride: “We’re not a city of losers — we’re a city that never quits.”
The moment underscored what makes Buffalo football special. It’s not just about wins or losses — it’s about identity, community, and defiance in the face of doubt.
For Sean McDermott and the Bills, this season isn’t just another fight for the playoffs. It’s a fight for respect — one that they’re determined to win not through words, but through the kind of football that speaks for itself.
“They don’t know us,” McDermott said. “So they don’t define us.”
And in Buffalo, that statement isn’t just a quote — it’s a creed.
Los Angeles Lakers’ Title Hopes Start and End With Overlooked Player
Despite 40-year-old LeBron James serving as a focal point, the Los Angeles Lakers are in the midst of a retool and youth movement. As the team pivots to Luka Doncic
Of course, the Lakers have an entire season to get through before then, and they are definitely in the mix. Despite losing
Ayton and Jaxson Hayes are the only two true centers on the roster, and while Ayton has had his fair share of ups and downs in his career, Los Angeles will lean on him as their most important player.
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 9: Deandre Ayton of the Los Angeles Lakers practices before throwing the ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays at Dodger Stadium on August 9, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Deandre Ayton Named Los Angeles Lakers’ Key Piece
The three best players on the Lakers are pretty obviously Doncic, James, and Reaves, in that order. After that, things get murky, and the Lakers will need their role players to successfully step up.
After losing Finney-Smith, wing defense is a massive concern for the Lakers, although all of their major flaws could be fixed if Ayton can hold down the paint as an above-average starter.
“Deandre Ayton is the piece,” said Bryce Simon on the September 22nd episode of the Game Theory Podcast. “If he comes in and he’s a lob threat and figures out things defensively, or what if he does develop chemistry with Luka in the pick-and-roll?
A lineup with Doncic handling the ball, James serving as a secondary scorer, and Reaves and LaRavia spacing the floor only works if Ayton fills his role well, which is why he is the most important player on the team.
Lakers Don’t Have a Backup for Ayton
In his seven NBA seasons, Ayton has averaged 16.4 points and 10.5 rebounds while being an efficient interior scoring threat. He is far from a star, although the Lakers don’t need an All-Star down low, just someone reliable.
While he will have less responsibility than the three stars, the Lakers don’t really have a backup plan if he gets injured or falls short. In the event that one of the stars misses time, the other two can shoulder a larger scoring load, although the Lakers don’t have another proven pick-and-roll scorer or rebounder.
“No matter what the wing situation is, if Ayton is a disaster, you have to go solve that, even if [LaRavia, Knecht, and Hachimura] aren’t the answer on the wing,” Simon added. While James, Reaves, and Doncic are not great defenders, all of them can be capable, giving LA some flexibility on the wings if needed.
Hayes is a better defender than Ayton, although he has rarely been used as a starter and was benched by JJ Redick in the Lakers’ first-round playoff exit, so the brunt of the frontcourt play is clearly on their offseason addition.
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