Tag: NBA

‘The Last Dance’

“The last dance” is a 10 episodes documentary revolving around one of the greatest sports teams of all time – The 90’s Chicago Bulls and their last championship run with arguably the best player of all time – Michael Jordan. Every week Netflix and ESPN will air 2 episodes.

The first two episodes brought up multiple interesting topics, one of the was the construction and the split up of this 97′-98′ Chicago Bulls by their general manager Jerry Krause. His famous quote – “Players and coaches don’t win championships, organizations do”, drew much attention Sunday night as it drew over 20 years ago.

Current NBA players reacted to it –

Another key aspect that was discussed on the first two episodes is Scottie Pippen’s relationship with the management and the fact that Scottie was under paid and under appreciated. At some point he also demanded a trade and said he will never play for the Bulls again.

Other NBA legends and players commented about this documentary –

No Fans? No LeBron!

The NCAA’s worst nightmare is happening… We all know March is the time of the year every NCAA fans are waiting for – March Madness is in less than 2 weeks, but with the coronavirus outbreak threatening players and fans, it’s not sure what will happen.

Brian Hainline, the NCAA’s chief medical officer said on Friday –
“I think a worst-case scenario is that it’s played behind closed doors, it would be very, very difficult to cancel a championship and have it at any other time.”

The NBA is also gets ready for taking steps in order to ensure the safety of its players and fans. LeBron James, one of the best players in the league commented on the possibility to play in empty arenas –

“You mean play games without the fans? No. It’s impossible. I ain’t playing. Not without the fans in the crowd, that’s who I play for. … If I show up to an arena, and there ain’t no fans there, I ain’t playing. So they can do what they want to do”.

On Friday, the NBA sent some instruction regarding the situation asking them to check the temperatures of staff members, players, referees and everyone else who is relevant.

The regular season is ended on April 15th.

NBA All-Star Game Snubs

This week, the roster for the NBA All-Star game have been published and as always, we hear some voices of players who aren’t happy with their absence in those published rosters.

3 of the biggest names in the NBA who won’t be playing in the traditional All-Star Game are Kyrie Irving (mostly due injuries), Bradley Beal and Devin Booker.

Beal said – “A little pissed off about it … It’s disrespectful. … I’m gonna try and get my team in the playoffs for sure.”

Devin Booker said – “It was always a goal of mine, but it just re-proves the point that the NBA is different than the game that I fell in love with at the beginning of all the best players in the All-Star game growing up, And now it’s an entertainment, drama, political-filled league. But we’re a part of it now. It pays well, so I guess we should be quiet about it.”

Other NBA players shared their thoughts about it –

And on the other side of the coin, there will be 9 first time all stars in the game, on of them is Bam Adebayo who got the news with his family –

The game this year will be dedicated to Kobe Bryant who died in a helicopter crash in January.

NBA Players Honors Kobe Bryant

A few days ago we informed that NBA legend Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash along with his daughter Gianna.

credit to CLUTCHPOINTS

In this horrible crash 9 people died –

Gianna Bryant, 13

Payton Chester, 13

Alyssa Altobelli, 14

Keri Altobelli, 46

Christina Mauser, 38

Kobe Bryant, 41

John Altobelli, 56

Sarah Chester, 45

Ara Zobayan , 50

Players across the league paid tribute to Kobe by taking 8-sec violation and 24-sec violation in honor of his jersey no.

In the past days players also started to retire Kobe’s jersey no. unofficially –

Markieff Morris from the Detroit Pistons is changing his number from No. 8 to No. 88
Alec Burks from the Golden State Warriors is changing his number from No. 8 to No. 20
Mason Plumlee from the Detroit Pistons is changing his number from No. 24 to No. 7

NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’neal who played with Kobe and won 3 rings with him shared his feelings –

Dwayne Wade shared a story too –

Retired NBA Legend Kobe Bryant Died In Helicopter Crash

Kobe Bryant, Writer, Producer, Investor and former NBA legend died at a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.

Bryant was traveling in his private helicopter, the aircraft burst into flames mid air, and crashed into the ground. No survivors found. His wife Vanessa wasn’t with him on the helicopter.

The cause of the crash are still under investigation.

Kobe, 41 years old, was one of the most decorated basketball players in NBA history. Played 20 years, all of them in the Los Angeles Lakers –

5 NBA championships

2 Final MVP

1 Regular Season MVP

15 All-Team Selections

12 All-Defense Selections

15 All-Star Appearnce

4 ASG MVP

After his retirement,in 2018, Kobe won an Oscar for best short animated film – Dear Basketball.

NBA players shared their thoughts on social media –

David Stern, Former NBA Commissioner, Passed Away at 77

Stern always had a plan B (lawyer) in case his passion to basketball won’t yield a job in the NBA.

He never used that plan B.

Stern served as the NBA commissioner for 30 years and turned the league. From a league which was known for its drug addicts and unprofitable games to a league that worth Billions of dollars.

Michael Jordan said –

“Without David Stern, the NBA would not be what it is today, he guided the league through turbulent times and grew the league into an international phenomenon, creating opportunities that few could have imagined before.”

David suffered a brain hemorrhage in mid-December and underwent emergency surgery.

The NBAPA announced –

“The entire basketball community is heartbroken. David Stern earned and deserved inclusion in our land of giants.”

Stern was the commissioner of the NBA from Feb 1st, 1984 until 2014. Under his control the NBA became a $5 billion industry per year.

The current NBA commissioner, Adam Silver said – “Because of David, the NBA is a truly global brand — making him not only one of the greatest sports commissioners of all time, but also one of the most influential business leaders of his generation. Every member of the NBA family is the beneficiary of David’s vision, generosity and inspiration.”

Social Media Posts about Stern –

The Battle of L.A Just Started

It’s really happening, both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers are title contenders, each team had a superstar due –

The Lakers have Anthony Davis and Lebron James, while the Clippers has Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.

How did it all happened?

Kawhi was a free agent and set up meetings with the Raptors, Lakers, and Clippers.

According to some reports, Kawhi told the Clippers that he won’t sign with them. This move let the Clippers work behind the scenes and kept the Lakers and the Raptors from doing some offseason moves.

Apparently, Paul George asked for a trade and Kawhi told the Clippers that he will sign with them if they get George.

The Clippers realized that this is their time to shine and sent 2 players and about 5 draft picks in order to acquire George from the Thunder.

Kawhi and Paul now join a team that took the Warriors to 6 game series and made the Clippers into a serious contender.

The Lakers signed lots of role players to surround Davis and James and now we will just have to see how things will turn around.

Kyrie Irving Will Probably Move To The Brooklyn Nets

The amazing point guard might leave Boston and move to the Nets.

The NBA season is coming to an end (Toronto leads 2:1 over the Golden State Warriors), and with it the rumors starts spreading all over the place.

Kyrie is considered as one of the biggest free agents this summer and few reports says he already picked Brooklyn to be his next destination.

ESPN reporter Stephen A. Smith said – “I have learned that Kyrie Irving has given every indication to the Brooklyn Nets that that is where he wants to go, not the New York Knicks” 

Nets all star point guard, D’angelo Russell said to The Post– “It’s the waiting game as far as chess moves have to be made. … There’s a lot of big fish out there that have to find their destinations so I think I’ll [fall in line after that] … So whenever that times comes that I have decisions to make on my own, I think I’ll be well ready for it.”

The Nets might consider pairing Russell and Kyrie in the backcourt. Kevin Boyle, who coached both guards said it will “1,000 percent” work.

For the first time ever – The Raptors are in the NBA finals!

It wasn’t easy at first, but a 26:3 run in the second half helped the Raptors to win Milwaukee 100:94 in game 6 of the eastern conference finals and advance to the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors.

Toronto managed to get to the finals for the first time ever in franchise history. Toronto have the home court advantage in this series and will host the Warriors Thursday night.

The Bucks opened the game strong and in the end of the first quarter they led 31:18. The Raptors fought back and the half time score was 50:43 for the guests.

Milwaukee led by as much as 15 when the clock showed 2 minutes left in the 3rd quarter, but 10:0 run led by Kawai Leonard in the last 2 minutes of the 3rd, cut down the lead to just 5 points.

From then on, the Raptors took the lead and finished the game strong.

Kawai scored 27 points, collected 17 rebounds and dished 7 assists and made history by carrying the team to its first final appearance ever.

The Golden State Warriors advanced to 5th straight finals

It was pretty obvious at the begging of the season after signing Demarcus Cousins, but things didn’t go their way throughout the season with many injuries and too many shocking loses.

Later in the post season, they lost Kevin Durant, arguably the best player in the world, and Demarcus Cousins, one of the best centers in the league.

Some reporters and sport analysts said it’s over for them after losing Durant in the series against Houston.

But then things started to click, and the Warriors went to beat the Rockets in 6 games, and swept Portland in the conference finals.

Curry was huge and had MVP like stats, Green was a defensive force and a triple double machine, and Klay provided lockdown defense and spacing the floor. They looked like the team that won 73 games 3 years ago, poetry in motion.

In my opinion, the absent of Durant and Cousins just showed the world that the Warriors is the best team in the world, and they can lose two all-stars to free agency but still be a force to reckon with.

Just INCREDIBLE!