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Jason Kidd to the Lakers? The Los Angeles Lakers are currently on the search for a new coach having parted ways with Luke Walton last week. The Lakers have been linked to the likes of Monty Williams and Tyronn Lue, and ESPN’s Dave McMenamin is reporting that Jason Kidd is also a contender: During his days as a player, Kidd was named an All-Star on 10 occasions, while also winning the 2011 NBA Championship with the Dallas Mavericks....

The 2019 Draft is just over a week away and teams will be hoping to strike gold by drafting a future star. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis continues to be linked with a blockbuster trade, while a host of stars including Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, and Jimmy Butler are about to hit free agency. So, with plenty happening around the NBA, here are the biggest news stories and rumors you need to know for June 13th....

NBA News Update: Allen Iverson explains the reason behind the ‘practice rant’ Allen Iverson was a guest on Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson’s ‘All The Smoke’ podcase recently. When asked about the famous ‘practice rant’ back in 2002, Iverson revealed the reason behind him losing his temper. Iverson said: Iverson further went on to explain the hardships he was facing in his personal life due to the death of his best friend....

Each postseason participant is down to just one or two regular season games, yet multiple teams are still jockeying for position. The Eastern and Western Conference standings remain tight, bringing a new level of intensity to the final stretch of the 2021-22 campaign. NBA LEAGUE PASS: Sign up to unlock live out-of-market games (7-day free trial) Where could some of the top contenders finish in the NBA Playoff picture? Here’s a snapshot heading into Saturday night’s set of games....

Thunder-Grizzlies 10:13 pm: Picked up on waivers by the Grizzlies some time ago, Beno Udrih became a source of conversation for the first time since he played in sleeved jerseys for the New York Knicks. Back then, Udrih was trying to find excuses for his poor outside shooting. He doesn't need such excuses these days, as he posted 14 points midway through the fourth quarter and played a part in the Grizzlies lead over the Thunder in Oklahoma City....

Kelly Oubre Jr. and Delon Wright provide the latest example of this postseason phenomenon. Oubre threw the first verbal punch after the Wizards’ Game 5 loss to the Raptors on Wednesday. The Washington forward mentioned that Game 6 would be “a different story” and then, for some reason, directed an insult at Wright. “The next game is a different story. We’re back at home,” Oubre told The Washington Post. Next came this bit of inspiration combined with a touch of an insult: “Just like Delon doesn’t play well anywhere else, you know, other than at home....

ESPN reporter Malika Andrews asked both Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton if they thought experience was a factor in their early exit from the playoffs. Antetokounmpo was clearly frustrated after the 100-94 loss and didn’t answer the question. Instead, he stood up and walked off from his press conference. The move left Middleton with a confused look on his face, but he went on to answer the question. There was some speculation that Antetokounmpo might have taken offense to Andrews’ question because the reporter had just published a piece indicating that Antetokounmpo could leave Milwaukee when he becomes a free agent....

The Spurs topped the Nuggets 120-103 at the AT&T Center on Thursday to tie their series at 3-3. The teams will face off Saturday in Denver in the decisive matchup. Denver and San Antonio played evenly through much of the first three quarters. But, DeMar DeRozan hit a short jumper to put his team up by five to end the scoring in the period. The Spurs then took control with a 17-2 run to open the fourth quarter and cruised from there....

Bryant, who played for the Los Angeles Lakers for 20 seasons, was one of nine people who perished in a helicopter crash Sunday morning outside of Los Angeles. Bryant was 41. His daughter, 13-year-old Gianna, was among those killed in the crash. The Lakers last played Saturday night in Philadelphia, and their next scheduled game wasn’t until Tuesday night (January 28, 2020) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Clippers, which share the Staples Center, agreed to postpone the game against the Lakers....

With a total of 1,230 games over a six-month span, fans are sure to catch more than just the nationally televised broadcasts on ABC, ESPN and TNT, whether it’s the home team in your local region or one of the countless games available via NBA League Pass. Along with each local broadcast comes a local crew illustrating an understanding that reflects the connection that comes from following a team year-round, with a number of announcers that have served as the voice of a franchise for multiple decades....

The Minnesota Timberwolves only have 12 more games remaining this season but are still willing to experiment with new players. As reported by Spanish journalist Chem de Lucas, the Wolves have their eyes on Baskonia’s Pierria Henry. Pierria Henry has played 34 games for Baskonia in the EuroLeague this season, averaging 10.5 points, 7.3 assists and 3.2 rebounds per outing. He had a league-high 59 steals as well. As is evident from the aforementioned stats, the 6'4 guard is a good playmaker and active defender....

Philadelphia 76ers general manager Daryl Morey is one of the most active front office executives in the league, and it could be a busy summer for the Eastern Conference team. NBA Rumors: Philadelphia 76ers holding out for a bigger name than Kyle Lowry According to Kevin O’Connor of the Ringer, the Philadelphia 76ers are not looking to sign Kyle Lowry. Daryl Morey believes the franchise needs a player of even higher stature than the Raptors guard....

The league produces a “Last Two Minutes” report for all games that are within five points with two minutes remaining or that go into overtime. Nine incorrect non-calls is two to three times the number in a normal report. By comparison, in Friday’s other reports, the Heat-Kings game had three missed calls, and the Raptors-Grizzlies and Bucks-Magic games had four. MORE: Every playoff team’s most feared Round 1 matchup...

In a media interaction here today, the 7-footer gave the example of the United States newfound love for football through Major League Soccer and felt a similar professional basketball league would help in honing the skills of Indian hoopsters further. “Its (soccer) increasing in popularity in America obviously and has been for a while. Interest in the MLS has been increasing a lot every time the (FIFA) World Cup comes around....

There will be seven games on Day 6 of the 11-day event, beginning at 5 p.m. ET when the Raptors take on the Bulls at the Thomas & Mack Center. The full day of action consists of a pseudo-Finals rematch when the Celtics face the Warriors at 8 p.m. ET. The highest draft pick from the 2022 class slated to take the floor is No. 6 overall pick Bennedict Mathurin, whose Pacers face the Pistons at 9 p....

The Cavaliers owner suffered a stroke May 26 and remains hospitalized, but Cleveland’s front office intends to move forward with the offseason plan that Gilbert helped create before he was hospitalized. According to cleveland.com, which cited unidentified sources, Gilbert “gave the front office the go-ahead to be aggressive” in making roster moves, even if it means taking on more salary. Cleveland.com notes the Cavaliers’ payroll was around $123 million this past season, and the franchise has committed about $134 for the upcoming season, which is expected to be one of the highest in the league....

The Red Raiders sophomore guard announced Thursday he will forgo his final two years of eligibility and declared for the 2019 NBA Draft during a press conference at The United Spirit Arena. “Coach, he coaches me hard every day. He brought the best out of me every day. He made me a better player and a better person,” Culver said. “And I want to thank my teammates, this year’s and last year’s....

It had been reported that Harden was unhappy, and that he could try to force a trade this year, but similar NBA disputes have historically played out to their conclusion mostly out of public sight with occasional leaks from agents serving as primary story advancers. When Anthony Davis pushed out of New Orleans in 2019, for example, there was an exit request made and then a whole bunch of awkward silence....

Our biggest call for Game 1 is fading Jimmy Butler. It’s next to impossible to play all four of Davis, James, Butler and Adebayo, and so the choice to fade Butler was made. He’s probably the least likely of the big names to have a monster game of more than 50 or 60 DK points, and the Lakers have a few strong wing defenders to help slow Butler down....

Many of the greatest players have battled on the league’s brightest stage in the 75 years since, making history with record-breaking performances that will never be forgotten. Just about every NBA fan knows about Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point performance in the regular season but who has poured in the most points in a single game in the NBA Finals? Warriors sharpshooter Klay Thompson drilled an NBA record 14 3-pointers in Oct....