The question still looms though, if Cleveland can’t pull off one of the biggest upsets in NBA history after trailing 3-1, will ‘The King’ yet again be denied his third Bill Russell Trophy which is awarded to the Most Valuable Player in the NBA Finals. Only one man has ever been on the losing side and still won the trophy, ‘The Logo’ Jerry West, in the inaugural year of the award....
This year, two of the NBA’s most decorated franchises in the Celtics and Warriors will face off for a chance to take home the Larry O’Brien Trophy. For Golden State, it’s the sixth Finals trip in eight seasons, while Boston is in the NBA Finals for the 22nd time in franchise history. Will the Warriors extend their dynasty by winning the seventh title in franchise history? Or will the Celtics reclaim their stake as the NBA’s most successful franchise with a record 18th NBA championship?...
Let’s break down the top eight players available via restricted and unrestricted free agency, starting with a few restricted guys hoping to cash in… MORE: NBA free agent tracker — see who goes where Restricted free agents remaining Clint Capela — A rim-running, shot-blocking center who is reportedly upset with how the Rockets are handling negotiations. Houston will likely match any offer for Capela given his fit alongside James Harden and Chris Paul, but the Rockets don’t want to throw out a huge number with no competing offers on the table....
According to the report, the 10-time All-Star has been “participating in informal team workouts and scrimmages with Brooklyn Nets players in Los Angeles recently.” Kyrie Irving, signed by the Nets in free agency this offseason, reportedly organized the workouts. This news might mean absolutely nothing, or it could mean the Nets have genuine interest in Anthony. The report concludes: “Nets’ interest level in signing Anthony is unknown.” The 35-year-old forward is long removed from his days of scoring 25-plus points per game, but he could still be useful as a scorer coming off the bench....
MORE: The 23 best available free agents The Vertical reported late Wednesday that Noah is scheduled to meet with Knicks team president Phil Jackson shortly after midnight ET Friday, the earliest teams can officially make their pitches to free agents under the NBA’s moratorium period. USA Today Sports reported Noah also plans to speak with two additional teams, but no other visits are scheduled. No contracts can become official until July 7....
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, citing several unnamed league sources, reported James could be taking his talents to California, where he owns a sprawling $21-million mansion, to join the Lakers or Clippers, potentially linking up with friend and former teammate Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony when he becomes a free agent in 2018. DEVENEY: Even LeBron can’t do it alone Sounds farfetched? Of course it does, but so did James going back home to Cleveland after four straight Finals trips and two championships, with the Heat to rejoin the Cavs after owner Dan Gilbert’s scathing open letter following his departure in 2010....
The free-agent guard has agreed to a three-year contract worth $40 million to remain with the Clippers, his agent, Kevin Bradbury, told ESPN. Beverley seemingly confirmed the news early Monday morning on Twitter. Beverley got the exact deal he had reportedly been after following interest from the Lakers, Bulls and Mavericks, which prompted the Clippers to lock him down. “I feel like any team I’m on, I can help take that team to the playoffs,” Beverley told the Chicago Tribune last month....
With both teams fielding their bonafide lineups, the 48 minutes of action proved to be a treat for the fans at the NSCI Dome. Moreover, the dramatic end was something that made the game even more memorable for all the Indians watching and hopefully sparked some much-needed domestic interest for the game amongst the youngsters as well who were in attendance. In the first period, Pacers’ Sabonis caught an elbow and bled his way off the court, only to return with a headband during the second quarter....
Let us sum up Embiid’s year so far in five statistics: Nobody has averaged 27 points and 13 rebounds per game in the first 25 games of the season since the three-time MVP Moses Malone did it back 1981-82 season. Embiid is already disturbing the history books in his third season for the 76ers. Embiid’s performance is, so far, matching the MVP season of Shaquille O’Neal’s in 1999-2000 where Shaq averaged 29....
This is clearly the most laughable and stupid narrative that is still talked about in “Kobe vs LeBron” or “Kobe vs Jordan” debates. Many people are brainwashed by the posts all over the internet that Kobe was just another guy on the team who enjoyed the 3 Championships only because of the brute force of one Mr. Shaq. In reality, Shaq needed Kobe just as much Kobe needed Shaq to win those three rings....
A number of teams are preparing for potentially pivotal offseasons, and the upcoming NBA draft is just six weeks away. Meanwhile, a number of the league’s leading stars continue to be linked with trades, and the likes of Kyrie Irving and Kawhi Leonard will also hit free-agency in the coming weeks. So, with plenty going on around the NBA, here are the biggest news stories and rumors you need to know for May 6th....
Teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Houston Rockets are also attempting to make big moves as they look to build a roster that can compete during the 2019/20 season. So, here are all the latest NBA rumors you need to know for June 23rd. Lakers will pursue either Kyrie Irving or D’Angelo Russell in free agency D’Angelo Russell was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the second overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft, although the young point guard was traded after just two seasons....
Meanwhile, several teams such as the Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, and Detroit Pistons remain ambitious, and it is possible that we could see at least one major move ahead of the new campaign. So, with plenty happening around the NBA, here is all the latest news and rumors you need to know for October 15th. #1 Anthony Davis receives positive injury update Over the weekend, Anthony Davis injured his thumb during the first half of the Los Angeles Lakers’ preseason defeat to the Brooklyn Nets....
Here are some NBA news updates that might not have made your feed: NBA News Update: Adam Silver speaks about the league’s relationship with China Recently, NBA commissioner Adam Silver spoke to CNN’s Bob Costa about the league reconciling its message of social justice domestically with its ongoing relationship with China. Speaking on the subject, Silver was quoted as saying: The commissioner further added: The USA and, by extension, the NBA, have not enjoyed a good relationship with China in the last few years....
NBA News Update: DeMarcus Cousins discusses his excitement for the new season and reuniting with John Wall The Houston Rockets had another successful regular season last year, finishing 4th in the West. However, it was their playoff performance that was their Achilles heel yet again after they were crushed 4-1 by the LA Lakers in the semifinals. This prompted questions in NBA News over the future of their superstars and what they could do to keep James Harden....
Tonight’s doubleheader is a throwback to 7 years ago, as the matchups are reminiscent of the 2012 Eastern and Western Conference Finals as the Boston Celtics take on the Miami Heat and the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the San Antonio Spurs. In addition, we will see the Western Conference’s first-seeded Denver Nuggets in action against the Los Angeles Clippers as well as the only cross-conference game as the Detroit Pistons take on the Sacramento Kings....
Leonard said that standing for “The Star Spangled Banner” was very much informed by the fact that his brother is a U.S. Marine who served in Afghanistan. He said that while he believes in the Black Lives Matter movement that his fellow teammates are kneeling for, his gesture does not show a lack of support for the movement. “I am with the Black Lives Matter movement and I love and support the military and my brother and the people who have fought to defend our rights in this country,” he said....
SAN ANTONIO — After nearly falling on their face in the opening round of the playoffs, the San Antonio Spurs found their footing Tuesday night and ran the Portland Trail Blazers off the court. Tony Parker had 33 points and nine assists and San Antonio never trailed in a resounding 116-92 victory over Portland, bullying the younger Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. "He's been doing that for a lot of years," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said....
Leonard scored a career playoff high 45 points and claimed 11 rebounds as the Raptors won at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday. The Raptors superstar also became only the sixth player in NBA history to pour in at least 45 points, grab 11 rebounds and make three or more three-pointers. Raptors head coach Nurse praised the contribution that the outstanding forward made both in attack and defense. “A big-time performance at both ends,” he told reporters....
The Spurs coach had what might be the shortest press conference ever ahead of San Antonio’s Game 4 matchup against the Nuggets. Popovich merely said “thank you” before leaving the stand, as there appeared to be nothing the media wanted to ask him. The seventh-seeded Spurs have made postseason appearances for 22 consecutive seasons and won five championships under Popovich during that span. The face of the organization is likely just focused on gearing up his team to make another deep playoff run....
