Stephen Curry had just signed with Under Armour a few months before his first cover of SLAM dropped in December of 2013. When the shoot took place that late September, his new shoe deal hadn’t even become official yet. As Curry told writer Marcus Thompson for his very first cover feature, he was thinking big, both on and off the court, as he was set to begin his fifth NBA season. 

“There is no question I am looking to make my mark in this great league,” the then-25-year-old said. 

It just might be one of the biggest understatements in SLAM history. What a run Curry has had in the decade since. 

He’s now the President of Curry Brand, his own damn brand within the Under Armour umbrella, as part of a new lifetime deal he landed with the company a year ago. Four rings and nearly 4,000 threes later on the court — you know the rest of the accolades — and Curry has cemented himself as one of the most impactful players not only of his generation, but in league history. 

On the original SLAM cover, he’s wearing the Anatomix Spawn, a sneaker that marked a new era of design for UA. It was the first model he wore with the brand to start the 2013-2014 season.

Curry always reflects back fondly on the Spawn, as during his sneaker free agency that summer, his daughter Riley picked it out of a pile of sneakers from a handful of brands as her favorite. 

The real story behind the cover shoot is the shoe that Stephen had on his feet as he sat in the St. Joe’s bleachers in Alameda was actually a mix of blue, purple and teal. In a full circle moment I couldn’t have imagined, I actually photoshopped the original picture, shifting the purple midsole to royal blue, and the teal collar to a Warriors-matching yellow.

This was long before the league let go of their color rules, of course. Now, we’re re-creating that very first Warriors’ hued shoe that didn’t actually exist, in a clean and classic Dub Nation colorway. His newest signature shoe, the Curry 12, is also flooded out in loud yellow, tying back to the original yellow SLAM cover header.

While SLAM #173 was just the starting point of Curry as cover man, SLAM and Curry Brand have teamed up to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the magazine through collaboration editions of both the first and the most recent sneakers headlined by Curry.  

Dubbed “The Can’t Miss Kid” on the December 2013 cover text, both the Spawn Flotro and Curry 12 feature graphics from the magazine throughout. Inspired by readers tearing out the pages of SLAM to tack up on their bedroom walls, each shoe also features an all-over collage print of Curry’s ten different SLAM covers, with torn detailing. 

Recently re-launched through its Flotro filter, the updated Spawn sneaker incorporates the custom cover print along the upper, while the Curry 12 highlights the print along its hero molded midsole piece. 

The cover collage concept is also a nod to the generational impact that Curry has had on the game, inspiring young readers and players around the world to reimagine how they approach the game, extend their shooting range, and experience the joy of hoops. 

Both sneakers include a SLAM woven label tag along the heel, with each pair individually numbered out of just thirty total pairs. A series of three pearls can be found along the bottom lace lock, highlighting the meaningful 30th anniversary gift. 

To celebrate SLAM’s impact on basketball culture and the magazine’s 30th anniversary, Thirty debuted both sneakers on Sunday, fittingly dropping 30 points in a home win. 

Curry in each SLAM sneaker. (Photos by Noah Graham & Jed Jacobsohn / NBAE via Getty Images)

The post SLAM’s Curry Brand Pack Celebrates Stephen Curry, The Can’t Miss Kid   appeared first on SLAM.

Paige Bueckers and Nike announced on Monday that the UConn star is the first-ever NIL athlete to design and drop a Nike Player Edition basketball sneaker, the Nike G.T. Hustle 3. She’s ready to get to work in them, too.

“It’s definitely motivating to wear your own shoe,” Paige says in an official press release. “I grew up wearing Nikes —all the signature shoes —so it’s surreal to have this Player Edition model. I just want to show out in it.”

Here’s everything you need to know about the kicks, from the inspiration behind the design to when they’re dropping and more.

Wait, Paige Buckets is getting her own sneaker!

Her own Nike Player Editions, that is. The Nike G.T. Hustle 3 is meant to “propel her performance during the final season of her illustrious collegiate career,” at UConn.

What do they look like?

The silhouette was made with her style, and elite game, in mind. The beauty is in the details: from the baby blue and lavender purple colorway—her favorite colors—to the area codes for the University of Connecticut and Paige’s hometown in Minnesota that are on the left tongue, as well as an embroidered bucket on the right (iykyk).

There’s also a text bubble with the very message Bueckers gets from her dad before every game: “Be You, Be Great.”

When do they drop?

Mark your calendar: the Nike G.T. Hustle 3 will be available December 7 on SNKRS and at select retail locations.

The post Paige Bueckers is Getting Her Own PE: Everything You Need to Know About the Nike G.T. Hustle 3s appeared first on SLAM.

There was a time when every hooper wanted to rap, and every rapper wanted to hoop.

Hip-hop and hoops is a marriage that can’t be divorced. In its truest essence, they’ve been partners since the musical genre was first created in the early 1970s. Hip-hop’s rhythm resonated from the Bronx and cascaded over hardwood surfaces and blacktops across the globe. It’s a dance that moves through crowds and invites participants to sing along to the melody of its hook.

This inseparable union is why Shaq featured Biggie, why AI sparked a dress code, why Kobe took Brandy to the prom. It’s Funk Flex DJing the Dunk Contest. It’s Drake’s commitment to the Raptors games. It’s LeBron throwing up the Roc. It’s The Knuckleheads. It’s Stephon Marbury. It’s Jigga bringing the Nets to Brooklyn. It’s an AND1 Mixtape. It’s the Knickstape. It’s why SLAM exists.

It’s why a young rapper named Dame D.O.L.L.A. would raise the bar by rocking a throwback Bill Walton Blazers jersey and a mic around his neck for SLAM 205. It was 2017, and at just one album deep (another would drop later that year), he had proven that music was more than a mere hobby. It had started from childhood when his cousin drove from New York to Dame’s boyhood home in Oakland in the early ’90s, bringing hip-hop with him. Dame just wanted to be in the car. Another family member and gifted MC, Brookfield Duece, would demonstrate that music was in his blood. It would never leave.

Although Drake had broken new ground by joining Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan on a SLAM cover the year before, SLAM 205 was the first time that we’d ever had a solo cover with a rapper front and center. It was “The Music Issue,” a momentous celebration of the basketball/music crossover that was executed with an intentionality that had only been alluded to previously.

Following this introduction to the basketball universe, Dame D.O.L.L.A. would go on to release four more albums and gain ongoing respect in his field. He would work with the likes of Jadakiss, 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne. He would contribute to the soundtrack of NBA 2K and enjoy recognition on the indie album charts. And he shows no signs of putting the mic down.

There was a time when every hooper wanted to rap, and every rapper wanted to hoop. Dame is pretty good at both.

The post The SLAM Archives: SLAM 205 Featuring Damian Lillard From March of 2017 appeared first on SLAM.

It’s hard to believe but there was a time when the Boston Celtics weren’t a top team. You’ve gotta hand it to them, though, they had a solid start—winning almost 11 successive titles from 1957 through the following decade. Following that, if the trophy wasn’t residing in Bean Town, they pretty much remained in the championship conversation until the late ’80s. Despite their rich, dynasty-defining imprint on NBA history, something changed in the early ’90s. The combination of Larry Bird inevitably calling time on his storied legacy, then the tragedy of Reggie Lewis, passing away in 1993 meant that some shaky seasons followed.

Sure, some solid draft picks made for potential franchise players (we see you, Toine), and there were a couple of savvy signings (much love, Dana). But chemistry lacked and the newly built TD Garden (then the FleetCenter) felt like an unworthy new address for the banners imported from their old home. Boston’s lack of success would be reflected in their notable absence from the first five years of SLAM covers (not counting iconic gatefold joints), with a worthy face not emerging until 1999—Issue 35, to be exact.

In the 1998 NBA Draft, the Celtics would use their 10th pick to select Paul Pierce. Despite Pierce’s hatred of the franchise (understandable, being from Cali), he would prove to be an excellent choice, putting up numbers that placed him in the Rookie of the Year conversation toward the end of the ’98-99 season.

This conversation was seemingly wide open and crashed into the SLAM offices in what would prove to be a toxic fashion. Some team members chose Vince (the eventual Rookie of the Year), Scoop was counting on J-Will and Tony G had The Truth as his pick. “If we were a band, we would’ve split up,” was how Tony described how real it got at the SLAM Dome. Three dope covers was the compromise and, as a result, the Celtics would solidify their biggest basketball achievement of that particular decade: their first solo SLAM cover.

Boston’s journey to the championship over these past few years has been a long flight with turbulence. I know I speak for the worldwide hoops community when I say that it’s dope to see such a storied franchise continuing to build on its legacy and reclaim its place as the best in NBA history.

No doubt.

The post The SLAM Archives: SLAM 35 Featuring Paul Pierce From August of 1999 appeared first on SLAM.

I wonder if my love for collecting comes from the satisfaction gained from knowing that everything is in order and accounted for. That the numbers line up and everything slots into place. The fact that every SLAM issue ever released has a number, and this number represents a date on the basketball timeline appeals to me. I’m a weirdo. Don’t judge me.

In terms of issue numbers, our last milestone was when we hit you with the Iverson/Jordan double whammy on Issue 200, August 2016. In the eight years that have passed since, things have changed—not necessarily in drastic ways, but there are changes nonetheless. By contrast, when we hit our first major landmark, Issue 50, back in 2001, the changes that had happened since our conception in 1994 were wild.

The internet had immensely changed the way we consumed basketball information. Salaries had evolved from weighty to astronomical. Streetball had infested our DVD collections and the baggy fashion era was about to get real. Very real. One thing remained, though. Michael Jordan was our basketball god.

It was fitting, then, that one of the most iconic MJ moments should inhabit the front page of our 50th drop. It was the infamous free-throw line jam, the Windy City version—the White Cements…Only we did it different. I’m not only talking about the three alternate covers, I’m talking about the never-seen-before camera angles. Our short but significant stint in the game meant editors Russ Bengtson and Tony G had built a solid relationship with legendary NBA photographer Nat Butler. Nat has taken (and continues to take) some of the most iconic pictures in basketball history. To put it plainly, you likely rock his pics on tees, post them on your feed and choose them as your background. The (possibly) unlikely friendship that our forefathers made with Nat meant that he granted access to—and permission to use—previously unseen shots of one of the most significant moments in Mike’s career. The result was a fitting cover series for our 50th issue.

The “familiar but different” element of the SLAM 50 covers epitomizes those early SLAM years. Giving you something you thought you knew, but making you look twice. Reminding us that everything changes, while somehow staying the same. All executed chaotically but perfectly. Everything slotting into place. Numbered in the basketball timeline.

The post The SLAM Archives: SLAM 50 Featuring Michael Jordan From April of 2001 appeared first on SLAM.

Ever since I can remember playing the game, watching the game, loving the game — SLAM Magazine has been right there. I’ve been wearing a rubber band ever since that first KICKS issue.

It was the foundation. The blueprint. The culture. All along. For both basketball and sneakers. For the last thirty years, and however many years it runs from here…

I knew I could also contribute to the anniversary in a unique way. 

To celebrate the impact of SLAM and its 30th anniversary, we’ve partnered with footwear brands across the industry. We’re looking back at some of the most iconic covers and players over the last 30 years, to tell the story of SLAM’s impact on the basketball world, all through some fire collaborative sneakers. 

My favorite part about SLAM is the chapters. The eras. The way that the magazine and the platform meant different things to different people along the way — each decade — but always made an impact and left its mark.

Tonight in New York, we’ll be previewing some of our upcoming SLAM 30th Anniversary footwear to come at the magazine’s 30 YEARS OF SLAM party, with a runway spanning throughout the entire rest of 2024 of more heat on the way. Here’s an early look at what to expect all year long. 

SLAM x LEBRON x NIKE

By the time the already-dubbed “King James” appeared on the cover of SLAM #78 at the midway point of his rookie season, the most hyped prospect in league history was already meeting, and even exceeding the hype.

“It’s only the beginning,” read the cover text. 

He was lacing up his first signature shoe, the Air Zoom Generation, throughout his historic 20.5.5 rookie year. It wasn’t just the league that had stamped him as the future, but Nike coined him “generational” off top with a record-setting $90 Million rookie shoe deal. 

The history between SLAM and Bron is also long stamped. The text behind the tongue of the SLAM x Air Zoom Generation is updated from the cover and says as much: “Since The Beginning…” 

Flipping the hues of his first shoes, a rich red suede takes on the base color, while a series of design details celebrating his debut signature all come to life. There’s a nod to his first PE, the “Laser” Generations worn on Christmas Day, which was also the first lasered hoop shoe to hit the NBA hardwood. A detailed lasered graphic highlighting the SLAM logo and James’ upbringing tells the story further.

For the first time, there’s a collar Swoosh placement, just as Aaron Cooper originally designed them. The molded parts on the shoe that drafted off of his much-discussed Hummer H2 are all chrome to honor his 18th birthday gift. We’re only just getting started with this one.

***

SLAM x AND1

When SLAM #41 dropped in April of 2000, we had just witnessed perhaps the greatest Dunk Contest performance of all time. Vince Carter was famously a sneaker free agent in just his second season, and he laced up the white and red AND1 Tai Chi for that instant classic array of dunks. 

AND1 had been around for a few years as a rising apparel company by that point and their transcendent streetball Mixtapes were moving major, but now, their footwear was taking off too. VC laced up a simple black and white pair of the Tai Chi on the very next cover slot that was available. The header was straightforward:

“The Greatest Show On Earth” 

To celebrate the 2000s era of AND1 and the impact of the Tai Chi on sneaker culture, we’re creating a new version that brings to life SLAM’s heritage colors of white, grey, black and orange, fittingly the exact shades from that cover shot of Issue 41. 

The mesh fade is a nod to another model from the era that I always loved, the Finger Roll, and a way to bring the Tai Chi’s original yin and yang inspired split read to the side of the shoe. As always, the shoe looks best with a suede color along the inside panel — a bright orange suede is seen on the SLAM edition. 

Our 30th anniversary crest can be seen along the inner collar, along with the three vertical stars found on the cover text. The 3M hits throughout tie back to the bright lights of All-Star Weekend, and the impact of The Greatest Show On Earth all these years later. 

***

SLAM x CURRY BRAND

Stephen Curry had just signed with Under Armour a few months before he was on his first cover of SLAM in December of 2013. And man, what a run he’s had in the decade since. He’s now the President of Curry Brand, his own damn brand within the Under Armour umbrella.

On the original cover, he’s wearing the Anatomix Spawn, a sneaker that marked a new era of design for UA, and the first model he wore with the brand to start the 2013-2014 season. 

The real story is the shoe that Stephen wore for the cover shoot was a mix of blue, purple and teal. In a full circle moment I couldn’t have imagined, I actually photoshopped the original picture, shifting the purple midsole to royal blue, and the teal collar to a Warriors-matching yellow. This was long before the league let go of their color rules, of course. 

A decade later, and Curry Brand has recently launched the Anatomix Spawn through its Flotro filter, remixing the company’s innovative Flow midsole with a modernized version of the original upper. 

While SLAM #173 was just the starting point of Curry as cover man, the SLAM x Spawn Flotro celebrates all of the covers that the 4-time champ has appeared on in the years since. 

The design incorporates a collage of his covers across the entire upper, with torn edges inspired by everyone’s childhood ritual of tearing out the pages of SLAM to tack up on their bedroom walls. 

The concept is also a nod to the generational impact that Curry has had on the game, inspiring young readers and players around the world to reimagine how they approach the game, extend their shooting range, and experience the joy of hoops.

The heel hang tag features the SLAM logo, while a pearlized midsole references the common 30th anniversary stone. The lace tips are a nod to both the milestone and Curry’s iconic jersey number, simply reading “THIRTY.” 

Stay tuned for more on the full SLAM x Curry Brand pack to come. We’ve got another model on the way, too…

***

SLAM x SABRINA x NIKE 

A year after being selected #1 overall in the WNBA draft, SLAM stamped Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu as “The Next Queen of NY” for the mag’s Future Issue. 

The following year, Sabrina was launching her very own signature shoe with Nike, taking her starpower and impact on the game to yet another level. An All-Star and All-WNBA PG in each of the last two seasons, the 3-Point Contest record setter will once again be running point this season for a loaded Liberty squad that reached the WNBA Finals last year.

The expectations are rightfully high yet again as Sabrina enters her fifth season. There’s also equally high expectations for her follow-up signature shoe, the Nike Sabrina 2.

After her debut signature model broke barriers and saw adoption at all levels of the game, inspiring “anyone, anywhere,” the momentum around her second sneaker makes it one of the anticipated models of the entire year.

We can’t wait to share how SLAM x Sabrina comes to life in New York later this year.

***

SLAM x LAMELO x PUMA

Since he was a teenager, LaMelo Ball has been SLAM Fam. He was doing full-scale photoshoots throughout his high school run at Chino Hills, with his starpower and basketball journey taking him around the globe ever since. 

After his Rookie of the Year start in the league, the face of Puma Hoops saw the launch of his first signature shoe coincide with his first All-Star Game appearance during his sophomore season. It was on Issue #237 that he pulled up for the cover of SLAM in his unlaced MB.01s, hitting the league’s longtime logo pose in a custom LaFrancé jersey from his own clothing line. 

With an iced out, 3D UFO pendant on his neck, the cover declared him “Out Of This World.”

With more to come later this year, look for SLAM and LaMelo to bring to life his “rare” and “1 of 1” personality in the loudest way possible, as we team up with Puma to celebrate Ball’s impact on the sneaker industry and his place in the future of both the game and SLAM’s next chapter ahead. 

***

SLAM x PENNY x NIKE 

As we looked back through the decades of SLAM covers over the years, we also looked at the various milestone issues since the very first cover went to print in ’94.

The 30th issue of SLAM featured none other than Penny Hardaway, with a Scoop Jackson-penned cover story that perfectly captured his immediate rise with the Orlando Magic and his mission to stay on top of the game that he poured everything into. 

Around that same time in the late ’90s, Nike had just unveiled one of their most innovative sneakers ever with Penny as the headliner. The Foamposite One has been one of the most unique and iconic sneakers across the industry ever since, with its molded upper and clear bottom making for an unmistakable look and a global following. 

The SLAM x Penny Foamposite takes it back to one of the earliest sketches from designer Eric Avar, who somehow saw the future when first crafting the shoe in the mid-90s. The molded Foamposite upper found here features a printed graphic inspired by Avar’s concept sketch, with the details dialed in from there. 

For the first time, there’s a Swoosh along the shank, just as Avar had sketched it. The tongue logos alternate between Hardaway’s sleek 1 Cent logo and the SLAM logo. The heel tabs feature the three vertical stars found on every cover throughout the magazine’s 30 years, and a number 30 that also honors SLAM’s 30th Issue. 

***

SLAM x ADIDAS 

When you ask anyone to pick their favorite cover of SLAM, it’s the 15th issue featuring a fold-out cover of rising rookies “set to blow up” that quickly comes to mind for many. One of the deepest Draft classes ever posed in front of a brick wall, and SLAM was right there in 1996 to stamp the collection of future Hall of Famers as next up. 

In partnering with Adidas, we’ll be bringing to life one of the brand’s most forward-thinking designs in company history. Yes, that means the Crazy Two is retroing in the future, for the first time. 

With a molded silhouette drafting from the automotive industry, the sneaker was every bit as boundary pushing as it was polarizing when it originally launched.

You’ll be seeing the outsized proportions of the sneaker come to life in an entirely new way later this year, as SLAM looks back to the shades found along the classic “Ready Or Not…” cover from the earliest days of the magazine.

***

SLAM x BUBBA CHUCK x REEBOK 

You already know this was a must. 

As Allen Iverson writes in the foreword of the “30 YEARS OF SLAM” book:

“I am SLAM.” 

The bond and timeline of the two have been linked ever since Iverson was first featured on the cover, while still in college. When Issue #32 dropped though, the impact reached beyond basketball. 

It’s not just an iconic SLAM cover. It’s an image that kickstarted an entire throwback jersey era for the 2000s, and cemented AI as the most culturally impactful icon that the league has ever seen. 

Throughout the detailed Russ Bengtson feature interview with The Answer, there’s a layout graphic featuring Iverson that’s centered around “The 3 of Diamonds.” 

As we all know, there isn’t much explanation needed to explain Allen’s affinity for ice.

The throwback “PHILA” jersey he’s wearing was custom made by a local nearby manufacturer named Mitchell & Ness, to highlight the history of the league in an “Old School Issue” as the NBA was dealing with a lockout that year. It was the chains, the tats, the watch and the earrings that let you know this was still a modern icon of the next millennium. 

Inspired by “frosted” diamond watches, the midsole of the SLAM x Reebok Question Low features a metallic frosted texture that extends up into the shoe’s iconic toe cap. The SLAM logo appears on the heel, while the lettering up the eyelets have been switched out to read Allen’s longtime nickname among his closest friends, “Bubba Chuck.” 

The “3 of Diamonds” logo from the original cover story layout can be found on both the heel of the shoe and through the clear outsole, bringing one of the most impactful covers in SLAM’s 30-year history full circle, celebrating once again that “Allen Iverson is Soul On Ice.” 

***

The post SLAM Celebrates 30 Years With Upcoming Sneaker Collabs  appeared first on SLAM.

Down since DAY 1? You’ve probably noticed that we’re celebrating our 30th anniversary this year. Yep, we’ve been handling business since 1994 (quick math) and holding it down ever since.

A dope year for many reasons, 1994 was not only our birth year but hip-hop and fashion were at all-time pinnacles. Nas dropped Illmatic. The Fugees dropped Blunted on Reality. Biggie dropped Ready to Die. In the world of fashion, things were popping off, too—NBA fan gear was a staple for any kid who valued style and popularity, with any article of clothing involving the Orlando Magic or Charlotte Hornets a safe bet for fitting in with the coolest kids in school. Think about it…this was the year that Scottie rocked bright red Air Maestros for his ASG MVP performance. Like I said, it was a dope year! And to top it all off, Larry Johnson was the baddest mofo on the basketball planet (apart from JR Rider…maybe…)

In many ways, LJ would epitomize what this magazine is all about and set the stage for what we would become. His cover was busy and eye-catching, with the OG SLAM logo smacking us in the face alongside a plethora of cover lines, each one pulling us in. Johnson was front and center, “Grandmama” in all his glory—gold tooth, teal pinstripes and throwing down a jam from his underrated Dunk Contest performance. The cover wasn’t watered down but instead added an exclamation mark to a side of NBA basketball that other publications disregarded: the personality of the game.

In a recent interview, Johnson discussed the fact that he’s asked about this cover all the time. Like SLAM, his impact on the League goes far beyond the game itself. The Larry Johnson of 1994 embodied the legacy that would follow for both his career and the future of this publication.

SLAM has been the theme song of many a storied NBA career, celebrating the talent, style and personality of your favorite icons. Shout out to everyone who’s been down since LJ.

The post The SLAM Archives: SLAM 1 Featuring Larry Johnson From Spring of 1994 appeared first on SLAM.

Highly anticipated draft prospects are as old as grandparents. Whether Kareem, Ewing, Shaq or LeBron—the fanfare that has preceded the professional journey of a college (or high school) superstar has rarely proved anticlimactic. In ’97, a modest but significant level of anticipation would almost personify the subsequent career of the San Antonio Spurs’ number one pick: Timothy Theodore Duncan.

At SLAM, we knew the hype wasn’t just hot air. We even collaborated with the trading card company The Score Board to create SLAM cover-style cards featuring TD—10 in total—each one educating the collector on a legit element of his game. All this before he’d even stepped foot on NBA hardwood.

Three years later, Tim Duncan had become a household name. He’d found a perfect fit in the Spurs’ winning culture, humbly taking on the position of protégé to the great David Robinson. Not only had TD collected ROY honors, but he’d also made the NBA First Team, become a staple at All-Star Weekend and won a title with a Finals MVP cherry on top. When he took a seat on the cover of SLAM 47’s George Gervin homage masterpiece (shout out to Russ Bengtson), we were presented with an image that articulated what we already knew—Timmy D is cold.

This year’s number-one draft pick has us on board the hype train for sure. I’m riding first class with popcorn and free Wi-Fi. In other words, I’m invested in traveling this journey with Victor Wembanyama. Not only is he joining a franchise that specializes in producing elite players who win titles, but he also possesses the physical and skill attributes that the NBA has been evolving toward for the past 20 years. Wemby is the fulfillment of basketball prophecy. Not that I’m getting carried away or anything…

In the words of Yasiin Bey: “The kids better buy my rookie card now, ’cause after this year the price ain’t comin’ down.” I’m assuming you copped the rookie card already—so let me make one last bold statement: You need that Wembanyama Issue 240 and 247 cover. Gold Metal Edition. Do it for the grandkids.

The post The SLAM Archives: SLAM 47 Featuring Tim Duncan From December of 2000 appeared first on SLAM.

Think for a moment about what our beloved game of basketball will look like in the year 2041. Sounds far away, right? Yep. Eighteen years. Now, hit rewind. It was 18 years ago (from when I’m writing this) when SLAM slapped us across the face with a cover for the ages. SLAM 93. King James had begun his NBA reign just two years earlier, and he carried the pressure of a world that often longs to see the mighty fail. And yet, two years in, he still hadn’t broken under the hefty weight of a crown. While most were considering draft eligibility, he’d already established himself as the League’s superstar. The throne was his.

At this point, LeBron had formed enough of a relationship with SLAM that we had his trust. Trust enough to rock a sword and crown, as well as a flimsy- looking cape and know that we’d make it look incredible. Add the King of Diamonds playing-card cover design, the look of nobility in King James’ eyes and incredible was indeed the result.

SLAM 93 was the dictionary definition of dope. The top 10, probably even top 5, covers ever type of dope. But perhaps even more striking than that, is that the cover still makes sense now. When this issue dropped, 2023 seemed like a long way off, and it was. During the decades that have passed, LeBron has led three different franchises to NBA championships. He’s stayed in the MVP conversation consistently and been an undisputed All-Star. His 2K rating from 2005 is only 7 points lower than this year’s. Boom.

Even us older heads are becoming progressively less dismissive of hearing his name mentioned in the GOAT debate. As each year goes by, the consistency of his sway becomes more difficult to ignore. Less disputable. A lot has changed since 2005, but when LeBron steps on the basketball court or graces a SLAM cover, a lot of things haven’t. The King still reigns.

The post The SLAM Archives: SLAM 93 Featuring LeBron James From December of 2005 appeared first on SLAM.

What beats a classic SLAM solo cover!? An iconic duo cover, for sure. Think about it: Showbiz and KG, C-Webb and White Chocolate, Shaq and Kobe—all more than 20 years old, all still rockable on a cover tee (shout out SLAM Goods!). Players tag-teaming on a SLAM cover has been popping off recently, too—even Stockton and Malone finally got their joint on the All-Star Weekend special edition earlier this year! The chemistry is tangible and the shots are unforgettable. Duo covers are sick.

The fact is that a superstar can rarely win it all alone. Let’s think some more: Kareem needed Magic, Mike needed Pip (awkward!), Bron needed Wade, Curry needed Klay. When you think of a championship team, what comes to mind is usually plural.

When the Nuggets lifted the trophy this year, the sentiment was the same. The Joker—former League MVP in 2021 and 2022—is far from a one-man show. Murray, Gordon and Porter Jr are all appropriate counterparts in nailing a solid one-two punch with Jokic. But this isn’t the first time we’ve witnessed a championship caliber duo in Denver.

Back in 2006, NBA vet Allen Iverson joined a young but established Carmelo Anthony on a fresh and exciting Nuggets squad with high aspirations. Two years later, SLAM 115 dropped. Denver’s shot at a title wasn’t too far-fetched. However, it was yet another year where Kobe Bryant had his sights set on NBA greatness and the Lakers swept the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs. Worse than that, the Melo and AI combination drew to a close. Of course, we wish it would’ve lasted longer, but judging by the smiles on this iconic cover, those dudes are as happy as we are that it ever even happened. Although relatively short-lived, this moment being immortalized on a SLAM cover means that it will last forever. We got another dope duo cover in our collection, and the Nuggets—eventually—got their chip.

The post The SLAM Archives: SLAM 115 Featuring Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson From March of 2008 appeared first on SLAM.

The cover of SLAM 8 captured an iconic moment in time. Picture this: in March 1995—March 18, to be exact—Michael Jordan announced his highly anticipated comeback. A few days later, on March 24, he would step on to the court at a sold-out United Center with Air Jordan Xs on his feet and 45 on his back to face a young and swaggy Orlando Magic squad. These were hallowed moments.

Orlando’s Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway was unfazed. It was just his second season in the NBA, but he had already established himself as a superstar. Forget the “what ifs” for a moment—Penny was one of the most exciting players we’d seen. He was a Magic Johnson remix. You could’ve compiled a top-10 highlight reel for every game he played. He already had a signature shoe and one of the dopest ad campaigns of all time to match (a campaign that this very cover would later appear in). Let me explain it this way: when my closest friend, Neil Stansbie, copped the black pinstripe Hardaway Magic jersey that spring, I asked no questions. Not one. It was a no brainer.

The Bulls won this matchup, but as I said, the image on the cover of SLAM 8 captured something significant. It was MJ in the frame, but instead of denting somebody’s ego, he was on the other end of things. At that moment, Penny had us wondering if Mike was regretting turning his back on those batting cages in Birmingham. A student was getting the better of a basketball master.

Recent interactions have demonstrated that you should avoid talking smack to the greats, but there’s still something in us as basketball fans that loves to see a young dude giving an OG a run for his money. Ultimately, for Anfernee Hardaway, it didn’t turn out great in terms of ever surpassing the exploits of MJ—and there were reasons for that. For me, though, this moment will always represent what should’ve been had the basketball gods been kinder to Penny. There’s so much that we’ll never know, but I do know this: These young dudes need to keep the OGs on their toes, never back down and not be afraid to put a legend on a poster. Or, if you’re truly special, a SLAM cover.

The post The SLAM Archives: SLAM 8 Featuring Penny Hardaway, Michael Jordan From November of 1995 appeared first on SLAM.

Do you have a favorite SLAM cover? Of course you do. Many of us take it a step further—we have a top 5 list. A list that we keep stored away for barbershop discussions or comments sections. Our GOAT list usually ticks a few criteria boxes: 1, how iconic the cover is; 2, the impact of the player’s career; and 3, the cover’s concept.

One of the dopest concepts in recent years was SLAM 222. It was the second year SLAM dropped “The Future Issue,” this time with a Back to the Future theme that saw each cover athlete rocking a SLAM cover tee—of the cover they were on. It. Was. Sick.

Not only did the concept hit very different, the choice of ballers was perfect. The first cover featured Zion Williamson, the No. 1 draft pick (already on his second SLAM cover). The second cover featured 2020 draftee LaMelo Ball. They both had enough hype from their pre-NBA careers to make them household names in the basketball universe.

But it would be Ja Morant who would make this trilogy truly complete. The discussion around the other two names meant that the 2019 draft prospect got comparatively little airtime, so the casual hoops fan might have been forgiven for not knowing who he was. Like any classic SLAM issue, though, its iconic status would develop as a player’s career gained traction. Ja’s reputation as one of the most spectacular players in the L grew quicker than his locks, putting dudes on posters early.

Zion’s cover probably goes the hardest in this set, but the fact that Ja is fast becoming your favorite player’s favorite player means that his SLAM cover debut has secured its place in SLAM cover history, and all three versions of SLAM 222 on your top 5.

The post The SLAM Archives: SLAM 222 Featuring Ja Morant, Zion Williamson and LaMelo Ball From July of 2019 appeared first on SLAM.

If you’re a true SLAM head, then you’ll have keenly observed that we drop team/multiple-player covers with a consistent frequency these days. Sure, some of our most iconic covers have been solo joints, but love simply has to be shown to our first duo.

Leading up to 1995, the Warriors were a team who’d had some great players, from the backcourt trio of Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin (aka Run TMC) to No. 1 draft pick Chris Webber, who would win Rookie of the Year. Which leads us to the cover of SLAM 5, and the unforgettable personalities of Tim Hardaway and Latrell Sprewell.

Spree was a ferocious dunker. He threw it down as though the rim owed him money, insulted his mother and looked at his girl all at the same time. Tim Hardaway was the OG ankle-breaker, putting dudes on skates and then telling them about it. As a duo, they should’ve been primetime, top-10 plays of the week type of stuff, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite work out that way.

Still, the cover of SLAM 5 remains historic for a couple of reasons. It was the first non-solo cover. In addition, Tony Gervino, SLAM’s editor at the time, once told me that the two weren’t on speaking terms when the cover was shot. Mean-mugging became a staple for players on SLAM covers after this, but in this case, the disgruntled faces were real. The cover was a trendsetting blueprint for covers in the years to come—namely, players not smiling. [FYI, we’ve never directed players to not smile! It’s just always been how they wanted to be photographed.—Ed.]

It’s crazy to think of the Golden State Warriors as a bottom-of-the-League team, but this is what they would be for the (almost) 10 years that followed this cover (an apparent SLAM curse was whispered about during this era, too). Both Warriors and multiple-player SLAM covers are common these days, as are Dubs championships. I hope that conversations between Spree and Hardaway happen more often than they used to do.

The post The SLAM Archives: SLAM 5 Featuring Tim Hardaway, Latrell Sprewell From May of 1995 appeared first on SLAM.

Remember when we used to call Steve Nash “Nashty Nash?” Probably not. Partly because we rarely/never called him that, but also because we didn’t talk about him enough at the time to realize that we should have.

Yeah, I know what you’re thinking—the dude won 2 MVPs back-to-back, we were obviously talking about him, right? Nah. In 2005 we were talking about Kobe, we were realizing that NBA 2K was legit, we were whining about LeBron not winning a title after two seasons in the League. Meanwhile, Nashtradamus (we didn’t call him that?) was a legitimate nightmare for teams stepping into the heat of the Phoenix desert. Nonetheless, the murmur of haters seemed to hum in the background of Nash’s success. It’s easy to see why; his hair was unique but his numbers weren’t.

Although Steve “Cash” (how was that never his nickname?) had one of the best jumpers in the League, he rarely went for buckets. He was a pass-first point guard with a stupidly high basketball IQ. This, paired with the fearlessness of a hockey player—and the chipped tooth and bloody nose to prove it—saw him drawing double teams, attacking the lane and slicing passes to Amar’e Stoudemire or Shawn Marion to finish the job at the rim. These League-leading assists were a thing of beauty, too, behind-the-back, no-look dishes served with precise excellence on a nightly basis.

On the November 2005 issue of SLAM, before he secured a double MVP award, Nash would hit a double cover. This was one of the only times that the same player would be featured on both alternate SLAM covers, and it dropped in the dopest way. One had an ’05 flavor, and the other looked like it had dropped in ’95. Honestly, prime Steve Nash would’ve been an MVP in either year.

Captain Canada (that one’s legit) traveled a bumpy road as a coach in recent months, but he’s no stranger to the grind (see: the bloody noses, the chipped tooth and the murmur of haters). Like SLAM 92 said: “Steve Nash is no joke.” His name deserves respect.

The post The SLAM Archives: SLAM 92 Featuring Steve Nash From November of 2005 appeared first on SLAM.

The two-time MVP acknowledges Sengun’s improvement from the low post, which he believes can help spread the ball in different areas of the floor for the Rockets.

“I think he’s very talented. It might sound weird, but I think they should play through him more,” Jokic said per Sports Illustrated. “The man is talented. He can pass the ball, post up, has the touch, and is a good finisher around the rim. You can see different moves when he is playing. “

Lacing up against your idol pic.twitter.com/k6c3exPesX

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) November 29, 2022

Sengun believes his game shares similarities to that of Jokic, and his play this season back up that talk. The 6’9” center currently averages 15.4 points, nine rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 blocks in the 17 games played this season.

Although it’s not the triple-double stats NBA fans are accustomed to seeing from Jokic, Sengun’s teammate Jalen Green believes the Rockets center has all the potential to run the offense to the similar all-around play of what Jokic does in Denver.

“I agree with what he is saying,” Green said on Jokic’s comment on Sengun. “I feel we will get a lot more open three’s running the offense from Alperen. It’s a lot of inside-outside game, and I think it opens up the middle of the floor for him.”

Solid night for Alpi

18PTS 7REB 3AST@CreditKarma | #MoneyMoveoftheGame pic.twitter.com/Bz1eirpeyA

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) November 29, 2022

The Rockets are building a young talented group filled with athleticism and outside shooting. A player capable of handling all the offensive duties may soon push the squad toward playoff contention, but head coach Stephen Silas has to decide whether he wants Sengun to be that factor.

Considering the development in recent years of international players like Jokic or Luka Doncic, Sengun could potentially be added to the list as one of the most skilled offensive players in the League.

The post Jalen Green Agrees With Nikola Jokic: Rockets ‘Should Play Through’ Alperen Sengun More appeared first on SLAM.

However, as the Grizzlies prepare to take on the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday at 8:00 P.M, the team listed their All-Star point guard as questionable via NBC Sports. A potential return to the court after missing only one game against the Brooklyn Nets is definitely possible.

For the Grizzlies, there’s no better time to get Morant back than now. The Kings are on a six-game winning streak, and with Memphis still without Desmond Bane, it’s going to take a little more from this team to come out with a win. Bane was averaging 24.7 points with an impressive shooting percentage from three at 45.1 percent.

On the season, the Grizzlies are 10-7, which is good enough for the eighth seed in the Western Conference. These next two games will be important because Memphis has a chance to overtake the fifth seed from Sacramento (9-6). A win on Tuesday for the Grizzlies and a win on Friday versus the New Orleans Pelicans (10-7) will put them in a prime position to do so.

The post Ja Morant Set to Return From His Ankle Injury Sooner Than Expected appeared first on SLAM.

The Heat seemed like the clear landing spot for Mitchell as NBA fans believed they had enough assets to send the Utah Jazz in exchange for the shooting guard. A deal like that would have pushed the Heat toward favorited championship odds, especially considering Mitchell and Adebayo’s chemistry at the Miami Pro League over the summer. Mitchell and Adebayo were also seen working out with one another throughout the offseason

“I said this to somebody, I was like, ‘Man, I’m working out with Bam [Adebayo] and others, and I’m thinking like, ‘This is just preparing. This is what it’s going to look like.'” Mitchell said on J.J Redick’s “Old Man and the Three Podcast.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 13am Adebayo (@bam1of1)

Adebayo wasn’t the only player in the Heat roster that would spark rumors of Mitchell joining the Heat. Jimmy Butler had spent the second week of his off-season with Mitchell at a restaurant in Miami for basketball media influencer Chris Brickley’s birthday

In that same late June period, rival Kevin Durant had requested a trade from his team and the NBA world believed Heat President Pat Riley would pull the trigger for the future Hall of Famer.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chris Joseph Brickley (@cbrickley603)

The Heat ended up standing pat during the off-season, but they extended Tyler Herro to a four-year deal worth $130 million. Though securing the young star bodes well for the Heat, the East has gotten much more competitive, especially with Mitchell making the Cavs a potential top-five seed in the conference.

Cleaveland’s future success rides on the play of Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley in order to consider the Cavs the winners of the trade. As for Miami, the team’s lack of trades and signings puts pressure on them to succeed at the same rate they did last season. If this season goes any worse, the question arises of why the Heat didn’t make the effort of making the Butler, Adebayo, and Mitchell big three.

The post Donovan Mitchell Touches On Working Out With Bam Adebayo Over the Summer appeared first on SLAM.

The talent may not be elite on the roster, but that’s what makes Lakers Coach Darvin Ham even more impressed with Brown’s start.

“Mike [Brown] is a great ambassador for the game and a great coach in his own right,” Ham told the Sacramento Bee after the Lakers lost to the Kings to end the preseason. “making sure they’re detail-oriented, making sure they’re consistent. He’s a guy that’s passionate but not emotional — At the end of the day, he’s going to make sure he has all of his resources in order — to reemphasize why they should be doing exactly what he’s asking of them to do.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sacramento Kings (@sacramentokings)

Brown is at the helm of a team in a 16-season playoff drought, the longest of any franchise in the history of the NBA. It may be a mountain to climb in this new tenure, but Brown has been through the highest and the lowest of being an NBA head coach.

Notable moments of Brown’s career were when he led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a trip to the 2007 NBA Finals, surrounding the team’s former superstar, LeBron James, with various shooters and stout defenders. Later in his tenure with the Cavs, Brown orchestrated back-to-back 60+ win seasons, earning Coach of the Year honors in 2009.

Although his coaching career took a slight bump with the Cavs and Lakers in the early 2010s, Brown picked his name right back up as an assistant coach on Steve Kerr’s coaching staff, winning three championships in five years (2017-2022) with the Golden State Warriors.

One of the philosophies Brown has seemed to incorporate into the Kings from the Warriors is the expectation of relentless defense from the young assets. Kings star De’Aaron Fox believes Sacramento has benefitted from Brown’s heavy ‘attention to detail’ defensively. James noticed that playing defense is also a tenet of Brown’s coaching philosophy.

“He’s someone that, if you don’t defend, you won’t get on the floor,” James said. “When he came to Cleveland, we became one of the best defensive teams in the League every single year. That gave us a chance to win every single night. Offensively, some nights we weren’t that good, but we were always in games because we defended.”

IT’S GAME DAY! #RoarWithUs pic.twitter.com/2CsVAhTlTi

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) October 19, 2022

Sacramento fans could be heavily intrigued by that, considering Fox hasn’t returned to that pesky defender he once was in the 2018-19 season, where he attributed 133 total steals (sixth best). Of course, Brown first wants to see stout defensive teamwork before jumping into individual accolades.

“Although we want everybody to bring it defensively as an individual, it’s not one guy guarding the ball,” said Brown, per Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee. “It’s five guys guarding the ball, so we want to see five guys on a string. We want to communicate — Those are some of the things which are staples that we want to see on the defensive side of the ball, but the biggest thing is competing.”

The Kings aren’t expected to become the NBA’s best defensive team or break the 16-year curse of missing the playoffs, but wilder things have happened from first-year coaches, and Brown looks to fill the hearts of the many Sacramento fans that have been desperate for a team built towards long-term success.

The post ‘Detail-Oriented’ Mike Brown Inspiring Confidence in and Out of Sacramento appeared first on SLAM.

What the 37-year-old was referring to was what he has been foreshadowing since June on an episode of The Shop: James wants to own an NBA team in Sin City. 

Silver has previously touched on the League expanding in the near future.  “At some point, this League invariably will expand, but it’s not at this moment that we are discussing it,” said the commissioner in June. “Las Vegas, where we will be at our Summer League in July, has shown itself to be a great sports market as well.”

Following the game on Wednesday, James declared Vegas as having the best fanbase in the world. 

“It’s the best fanbase in the world,” said the Lakers star. “I would love to bring a team here at some point. That would be amazing.”

The Lakers will open up their season on Oct.18 against the Golden State Warriors.

The post LeBron James ‘Wants the Teams in Vegas’ When the NBA Expands appeared first on SLAM.

Time flies.

This summer marked 25 short years of SLAM KICKS. These days, as an adult, it feels like the annual issues drop monthly, with each year coming around faster than I can keep up. When you’re a kid, though, time moves in slow-mo. Years dragged, NBA seasons felt never ending and KICKS releases took a lifetime to come back around. A kid named Kobe Bryant soared onto the cover of KICKS 3 back in 2000. Despite being just 21, he had achieved more in the four long years that he’d been in the League than most NBA vets had in a 16-year stint.

From high school to The Forum, from The Forum to STAPLES Center, from skin-fade to ’fro, from classic showtime Laker jerseys to millennium-worthy Nike joints. Rookie to All-Star. Elden to Shaq. From learning from Mike to doing what Mike did; winning stuff. A lot changed in those early slow-mo years.

It’s only by reflecting through my adult-years mindset that I can soberly look back and appreciate just how quickly Bryant evolved from dunk contest participant to a franchise dynasty builder. Things moved so fast for Kobe from 1996-2000, it’s as if the world had to hit the accelerator pedal to keep up. The rise of the internet playing the biggest part of all, and (among other things) profoundly impacting the way that we discovered and copped sneakers.

Although the internet was gaining crazy traction, sneakerheads looking for a forecast on any upcoming heat would still lean on KICKS as their expert guide and, thanks to Russ Bengtson, KICKS 3 was stacked. It announced the Air Jordan VI “Olympic” drop and broke down how the Audi TT influenced the design of Kobe’s latest adidas sneaker. (Does it get more 2000 than that?!) It showed the upcoming on and off-court drops for each brand and reflected on the best shoes worn by key players around the League. Kobe on the cover was fitting. KICKS put in some serious work and on their way to building a dynasty.

The post The SLAM Archives: SLAM KICKS 3 Featuring Kobe Bryant From 2000 appeared first on SLAM.

At that moment, the 33-year-old admitted that he had some uncertainty with the team last year. To Durant, the franchise’s direction was going away from a championship culture, which is important to be a part of at this late stage of his career.

“As the season went on, you seen what happened with our season,” said Durant on Media Day. “Guys in and out the lineup. Injuries — just a lot of uncertainty, which built some doubt in my mind about the next four years of my career. I mean, I’m getting older. I want to be a place that’s stable and trying to build a championship culture. I had some doubts about that. I voiced them to Joe (Tsai).”

“There was a lot of uncertainty around our team last year… We came to a mutual agreement that we should keep moving forward.”

-Kevin Durant on his offseason with the Nets. #NBAMediaDay pic.twitter.com/dlYEGmeoPP

— NBA TV (@NBATV) September 26, 2022

A change of scenery seemed like the only thing that could have done the 2014 NBA MVP justice. Teams such as the Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, and even the Golden State Warriors were rumored as possible destinations for Durant. To the relief of many Brooklyn fans, the sweepstakes for the Nets star ended in late August after a meeting between Durant and the front office. 

After the meeting, both sides agreed to move forward, and Durant emphasized this on Media Day. When asked if he was surprised to be a Net going into the season, the twelve-time All-Star said he wasn’t because the Nets know how valuable he is.

“Nah, I mean … I know I’m that good that you just not going to give me away. That’s one thing that I did appreciate about Sean (Marks) and Joe (Tsai). It’s like, ‘You’re too great for us to give you away. Just that easy and that simple.’ I get that. I know who I am.”

KD and the Nets begin the season with a matchup against the Pelicans on Oct. 19.

The post Kevin Durant on Staying with the Nets: ‘You’re Not Just Going to Give Me Away’ appeared first on SLAM.

“Just being able to get “insight, see how other franchises and organizations do things,” said Stewart about undergoing free agency during her exit interview following the Storm’s Game 4 loss to the Aces. “Obviously, with Sue coming back, it was very sure that I was coming back to Seattle, but still able to test the waters, and I will do that again.”

There’s still hope that Stewart will return to the Seattle next season. In her exit interview, the two-time champion expressed how much she loved playing with fellow teammate Jewell Loyd.

“She’s someone that I really love playing with,” Stewart said. “Just thinking about where we started when we were 14, 15 to where we are now, it definitely makes you think about how exciting we can continue to be as we are entering our primes, in our prime. It’s a duo that’s tough to stop.”

Until she decides, the three-time All-Star will be heading to Australia to play for Team USA in the 2022 Women’s FIBA World Cup. A training camp for the Red, White, and Blue wrapped up on September 12, lasting a total of six days. With the team making their way to Australia, they will be training until the commencement of the tournament.

The post Breanna Stewart Set to ‘Test the Waters’ This Offseason appeared first on SLAM.

The Miami Heat come off a 53-29 record that earned them first place in a loaded Eastern Conference. Their championship dynamic seemed to have shined all post-season long as they knocked off the Atlanta Hawks and the Philadelphia 76ers.

In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Vincent scored 17 points to go along with three blocks, helping Miami rally to a 118-107 victory over the Boston Celtics. Vincent’s production took a slight decline for the next few games as Miami ended up finding themselves down 3-2 in the series.

The back-and-forth bout left for a critical Game 6 in Boston’s roaring TD Garden. Players and fans around the league had already written off the Heat before the pivotal game, as Draymond Green boldly said that the Warriors were prepared to face Boston in the NBA Finals.

The confident statement from Green sparked Jimmy Butler to go off for 47 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists to force a series-deciding Game 7.

The Heat had fought through Game 7, even when trailing by 15 with three minutes to go in the fourth quarter. It came down to a transition three attempt from the top of the break by Butler that, had he made it, would’ve punched Miami’s ticket back to the NBA Finals. However, the ball went off the rim and landed in the hands of Boston, allowing them to ice the game and have a date with the Warriors.

That miss started the off-season of the Heat, and there were many rumors about everyone not named Jimmy Butler or Bam Adebayo. PJ Tucker joined the 76ers while Max Strus, Tyler Herro, and Kyle Lowry were linked to trade talks for big-name superstars around the League like Brooklyn Nets’ Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving or now-Cleveland Cavalier Donovan Mitchell.

The summer of rumors had worn off, and the Miami Heat kept most of their pieces together. Miami will be on the short list of Eastern Conference Finals threats that can make it out of the conference and into the Finals.

The post Gabe Vincent: Miami Has ‘What It Takes to Get Back to the NBA Finals’ appeared first on SLAM.

Like undersized icons Spud Webb, Muggsy Bogues, Earl Boykins and Nate Robinson who went before him, Isaiah Thomas’ NBA journey is one that die-hard and casual fans alike have taken to. We’ve fed off of the unlikely nature of their success and received a fresh dose of inspiration while observing their highs and lows. IT would surpass his short-guy predecessors, though, with 30+ games becoming the norm. When he joined the Boston Celtics in 2015, he was far from a novelty act and would comfortably step up to the role as the team’s key player.

Isaiah Thomas was never supposed to be on the cover of SLAM, just like he was never meant to get drafted, become a deadly scorer or establish himself as a superstar on a storied franchise like the Celtics. The cover of SLAM 208 was a defiance of all these odds and an image that every fan of basketball could appreciate.

His journey has been epitomized by hard work and a refusal to give in. Despite battling serious injury, devastating personal tragedy and crushing trades that had him bouncing around the League in recent years, he kept on grinding. And he continues to…

For me, Boston was always the best fit for Isaiah, regardless of how things ended. There’s something in that Celtic tradition of grit and hard work that equated to success that suited what he was all about. That same grit saw some serious progress made by the young Celtics team in this year’s pursuit of a championship. Although they were beaten to the title by a team building on a new, 21st-century dynasty for the ages, they were damn close. Don’t rule out the Celtics reclaiming that dynasty, though. And don’t rule Isaiah Thomas out either. I have a feeling that his NBA journey isn’t finished yet.

The post The SLAM Archives: SLAM 208 Featuring Isaiah Thomas From June of 2017 appeared first on SLAM.

Hip-hop references have permeated the pages of SLAM since our premier issue hit newsstands back in ’94, from cover lines, spine lines and story titles to Drake being the first rapper on the cover (SLAM 198). But Issue 214 was something different.

Back when old guys like me used to go to physical stores to buy music, album covers meant everything. We would flip through CD racks and search for the joints that weren’t just what the billboard charts told us were hot. Where the opportunity to listen before you buy was often scarce, a project would be judged by its artwork instead of its content. Records that consistently stood out more than the rest were usually the work of Shawn Brauch, founder and head designer of Pen & Pixel. His distinctive style characterized the style of hip-hop coming out of the south. The designs were bold and flamboyant and captured the themes being communicated through the music, namely: women, cars and bling.

When DeMarcus Cousins joined Anthony Davis in New Orleans in early 2018, something of that southern exuberance felt like it was being recaptured. The South had something to say and pulling Pen & Pixel out of retirement was the perfect way to express it. The cover of SLAM 214 stood out on newsstands (like they usually do!) in the same way Cash Money and No Limit Records did in the year 2000. It was the perfect way to celebrate this collaboration of premier big men.

As fate would have it, Cousins tore his Achilles the day after this cover came out and the duo never quite brought what the city was hoping for. Even so, this remains one of our most iconic covers. Kevin Durant even crowned it his favorite in a recent interview.

The Boogie and AD link-up may not have created historic basketball memories on the court, but it did produce what is arguably one of our greatest covers of all time. I’m still waiting on the mixtape…

The post The SLAM Archives: SLAM 214 Featuring Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins From March of 2018 appeared first on SLAM.

.@kendra__andrews to Stephen Curry: What’s the game plan for tonight?

Curry: Whoop. That. Trick.

We’re in for a good game tonight. pic.twitter.com/MWXAbbJ8q7

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 11, 2022

During an appearance on ESPN’s NBA Today, NBA reporter Kenda Andrews asked two-time MVP Stephen Curry, about the strategy the Warriors had for the elimination game.

“Whoop, that trick. That is our game plan.” Curry said when asked about the Warriors’ plan for Game 6.

The Warriors-Grizzlies series has been incredibly entertaining due to its physical nature, late-game theatrics, and constant jaw-jacking from both sides. The intensity coming from the two proud franchises has created the makings of another great rivalry in the Western Conference.

The post Stephen Curry on Game 6 Strategy: ‘Whoop That Trick—That Is Our Gameplan’ appeared first on SLAM.

Was the hype too much?

LeBron had yet to play a single NBA game when he appeared on his second SLAM cover. It should’ve been his third. We’d missed an opportunity a couple of years prior and weren’t about to play it cool for SLAM 71. Former Ed. Ryan Jones had invested in the LBJ tokens early, forging a relationship with The Chosen One and his family that would lead to open doors for the SLAM Fam in the years to come. Not least, this opportunity to capture the globally anticipated dawn of James’ NBA career. Iced out, Bron rocked an MJ All-Star jersey, requested a SLAM headband and held the poise of either an established vet or a high school kid who somehow knew the future. The moment was immortalized by legendary photographer Jonathan Mannion, the genius who shot images for your favorite rapper’s greatest album.

Was it too much? Was he ready?

At just 18 years old, Lebron James was not only built like a super-human adult, but he also held a maturity and determination that enabled him to face the fiercest of battles, the toughest of these battles (perhaps) being off the court. The steady drone of unrelenting criticism has played on throughout his basketball career. Even so, he has repeatedly demonstrated an incomparable ability to ignore negativity and surpass the mindless demands for failure.

Studying this cover, and observing a certain Super Bowl commercial had me reflecting on what is possibly the biggest achievement in his storied career: resilience.

I think LeBron will hang up the sneaks at some point in the next few years. When we reflect on the last two decades, we will of course discuss his sensational rookie season, his multiple playoff appearances, the Olympic golds, the Heatles, the return to Cleveland, the L.A. years, the MVP seasons, the All-Star Games, Space Jam 2: A New Legacy and the rest that we are yet to witness. The GOAT discussions, the heated debates…they’ve already been going on for a few years now. And the fact that all of this derived from a high school kid with the world on his shoulders, not to mention an immeasurable amount of haters, is nothing less than remarkable.

Was the hype too much? Not even close. Was he ready? Incredibly, he was.

The post The SLAM Archives: SLAM 71 Featuring LeBron James From July of 2003 appeared first on SLAM.

It was back in March 2009 when Stephen Curry’s name first ran through the pages of Issue 125. A short piece by Bonsu Thompson reported on a fresh-faced kid out of Davidson. Curry was noted for his “well-honed” basketball skills, as well as his cool, calm demeanor. He appeared skinny and short. He looked forgettable, not dominant. If not for Bonsu’s credibility and reputation for writing about legit ballers, I wouldn’t have paid any attention to Dell Curry’s son.

I fell in love with basketball while playing NBA Jam. The game dominated arcades in the early ’90s and its winning strategy reinforced a concept reflected in the League that big, strong players owned the sport. We wanted athletic dunkers and shot blockers, post-up killers who would occupy the paint. Small players were just the facilitators and sharp-shooters might be helpful in the clutch. Occasionally.

In hindsight, I’d underestimated Stephen Curry. By the time he calmly took a seat on the cover of SLAM 173, “The Can’t Miss Kid” had not only established himself as one of the League’s premier three-point shooters, he was also shifting the way the game was played. Kids were no longer being scolded by coaches for ambitious dunk attempts; instead, they were being benched for pulling up from the logo in the second quarter. Why? Because Chef Curry was cooking up half-court buckets on a nightly basis. He made it look easy. His combination of exquisite ballhandling, lightning-fast release and unparalleled accuracy meant that he was a deadly scoring threat as soon as he reached 40 feet from the nylon. Teams were switching up their whole strategy. This was cheat code basketball. This was, and is, history being carved out right before our very eyes.

Nine SLAM covers and 3 titles later, and the journey isn’t over. I watched Stephen light up MSG in December, surpassing the sharp-shooting legacies of Reggie and Ray, who graciously (even joyfully) crowned him as the greatest shooter ever. This short pause had me reflecting in admiration, but also considering what lies ahead. He’s still cash from the logo. He still has the rock on a string. He’s still as calm as they come. This isn’t NBA Jam anymore, even so, as the SLAM 173 spine-line pointed out, he’s (still) on fire.

The post The SLAM Archives: SLAM 173 Featuring Stephen Curry From December of 2013 appeared first on SLAM.

This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

Password:

The post Protected: password test blah blah appeared first on SLAM.

In 1997, Allen Iverson was tough. He had to be. Not only was he fearlessly navigating lanes with 7-footers, but he was also driving against the NBA’s resistance to change. Whether on the hardwood or in the media, AI was familiar with being knocked down.

The iconic cover of SLAM 18 is mild by today’s standards, mild in the sense that we wouldn’t notice anything unusual. The braids, the tats, the chain…all common in 2021. In the mid-’90s though, not so much. Not in the clean-cut mainstream. Like this cover, Allen Iverson was radical. Corporate America wasn’t enamored with him. His wasn’t an image that many powers that be wanted to promote. So to answer the semi-rhetorical question posed: Who was afraid of Allen Iverson? If I may take it there, it was much of White America and most of the suits in power. So while other publishers would one day airbrush out his tattoos and attempt to mute the volume on AI’s increasingly influential voice, we were turning the up volume. This was a watershed moment for the League and the individuals who competed in it. It separated the poster boy athletes from the legit icons who kids were replicating on the playgrounds and (in the case of AI) in their wardrobes.

As this current New World issue of SLAM points out, our world has changed a lot over the past couple of years, and basketball, like most things, has been affected. Thankfully, the shift hasn’t all been about COVID. We’re discussing racism, sexism and homophobia more than ever, fueled by people willing to take a stand and often inspired by those who’ve gone before.

Almost 25 years ago, it took just one tough individual to change the cultural rhetoric of basketball. Allen Iverson’s influence broke down racial and cultural barriers, helped popularize hip-hop culture and challenged societies’ stereotype of young Black men. He also happened to be one of the most phenomenal basketball players I have ever seen. AI was often knocked down, but he always got up. He was tough, and his SLAM 18 cover is one of the toughest there is.

The post The SLAM Archives: SLAM 18 Featuring Allen Iverson From June of 1997 appeared first on SLAM.

Head coach Tom Thibodeau was so unhappy with the starters’ performance that he benched them for the entire fourth quarter of the game.

After the game, Thibodeau ripped into his starters and condemned the excuse that the team just needs more time to jell.

The Knicks starting five were benched in the fourth when the team trailed 82-66 to the Bucks.

Thibodeau has a reputation for playing his starters more than any other coach in the league. That holds up this season as the starting five of Julius Randle, Kemba Walker, Evan Fournier, Mitchell Robinson, and RJ Barrett have played the most minutes in the league of any five-player lineup.

The Knicks have had an up and down start to the season, currently sitting seventh in the Eastern Conference with a record of 7-5. They’ll have a chance to correct course on Friday when the Knicks take on the Charlotte Hornets.

The post Knicks Coach Tom Thibodeau Goes Off on Starters Needing More Time to ‘Jell’ appeared first on SLAM.

It was all a dream—a championship dream—when Shaquille O’Neal left Orlando for the Malibu sea-breeze in 1996. He kicked in the door rocking the 3-4 and a solid list of accolades. In just a few years he’d achieved Rookie of the Year honors, a scoring title, multiple all-Star Games and an NBA finals appearance. The sky was the limit but a ring was the goal.

Initially, some lost chips on Lakers, gassed off Shaq. It was easily done, although Shaq was sicker than your average NBA superstar, the team still needed to form. They would need to gel and to mature, to gain playoff experience and to develop a collective hunger to win. It would take time. Trades were made, rookies and sophomores became vets, Kobe became Kobe, and by the time the ’99-00 season rolled around, they were unbelievable.

An O’Neal SLAM cover was always memorable. The “Shaq Daddy” cover line of SLAM 3, the mean muggin’ shot on SLAM 34. And when he pointed to his ring finger on the cover of SLAM 43, all we could do was relax and take notes as we watched the inevitable unfold. Here’s another one—SLAM 45, the victorious League and finals MVP had begun forging his Lakers dynasty and his championship mission was complete. This cover was perfect. Champ covers would become a SLAM staple and this one, for me, served as a benchmark. The Lakers colorway was dope, Shaq’s victory pose was iconic and the cover line is an unmistakable reference to the greatest rapper of all time. It was all good baby (baby).

Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most dominant players we’ve ever seen, and although he had many nicknames, Shaq has been notoriously unwilling to part with his “Superman” title. As our 2021 champ cover drops, the League and finals MVP featured is the only player Shaq has deemed worthy of carrying this mantle. Giannis’ style and grace has given the center position a new lease on life, and one more chance for us to remember when the big men ruled the game. Although no one will ever do it quite like Shaquille, Giannis has got a story to tell.

…And if you don’t know, now you know.

The post The SLAM Archives: SLAM 45 Featuring Shaquille O’Neal From September of 2000 appeared first on SLAM.

We can’t count on much these days, but in SLAM’s early years you could count on baggy shorts, Shawn Bradley cameos and some beautifully wild cover lines. Issue 25 featured (almost) all of these elements, and while the “Champs by 2001” coverline wasn’t the craziest thing we’ve ever put out there (sorry, Grant Hill), it sure felt bold and somewhat far-fetched in 1998.

The reality was that this young and dynamic Nets squad had pulled together a team with depth and experience. They were a legit playoff bet in an NBA on the brink of change—bracing itself for the dominant Michael Jordan/ Chicago Bulls dynasty to draw to a climactic close, and opening the door for Eastern Conference hopefuls to dream big once again.

The cover line was provocative, and the team pic characterized the playful arrogance of its words perfectly. It was the first time a starting five had collectively hit the cover, capturing a moment which compelled readers to react, preempted the scoffs and demanded that we consider a team that we previously hadn’t.

These Nets weren’t champs by 2001, but hey, a readjusted team made back-to-back NBA finals appearances in ’02 and ’03 and saw multiple All-Stars play some of their best years in Jersey. The Larry O’Brien may not have been lifted, but 1998 was the start of a dope trajectory and—in hindsight—SLAM 25 wasn’t such a questionable cover after all.

Champs by 2021? A new home and an unexpected emergence of a super team in BK had many of us counting on it. It would’ve been dope if SLAM’s prediction was realized a neat 20 years later, but untimely injuries, a two-time League MVP on a championship mission and KD’s “big-ass foot” put it on ice for another year at least.

We may not see so much of Shawn Bradley in our pages these days, even baggy shorts seem to be a thing of the past. But be sure of this: for as long as this magazine exists, we’ll be putting out historic covers and some of the dopest cover lines you’ll ever read. Count on it.

The post The SLAM Archives: SLAM 25 Featuring the New Jersey Nets From April of 1998 appeared first on SLAM.

In the history of the NBA conference finals, teams down 3-1 have only won the series seven percent of the time. While this doesn’t happen often, Clippers Head Coach Ty Lue has pulled off this feat before. 

In the 2016, the Cleveland Cavaliers were coached by Lue and became the first team in NBA Finals history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit. 

While it’s going to be difficult, Lue is still optimistic that the Clippers came come back and win the series to advance to the NBA Finals. 

“We beat Utah and won four games in a row. So it’s very doable,” said Lue after Game 4. 

Game 5 will take place Monday evening, where the Clippers will once again be without Kawhi Leonard. 

The post Ty Lue Calls 3-1 Comeback ‘Very Doable’ appeared first on SLAM.

Jokic, now in his sixth season after being selected with the 41st overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, becomes the lowest draft pick in NBA history to win the MVP award.

Jokic, oftentimes compared to a modern-day Larry Bird due to his dynamic abilities on the court (and an appearance that screams “average Joe” rather than basketball prodigy), had a career season in 2020-21 with averages of 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.7 blocks in 34.6 minutes per game.

Despite being an aggressive high-volume scorer, Joker also managed to shoot 56.6 percent from the field, 38.8 percent from 3-point range and 86.8 percent from the free-throw line; good for a career-high true shooting percentage of 64.7. Looking at other numbers, such as win shares per 48 minutes (.301), box plus-minus (8.7) and total RAPTOR (+9.3), Jokic’s contributions to the 47-25 Denver Nuggets’ success are startling.

Games like a 50-point, 12-rebounds affair against the Sacramento Kings on Feb. 6, an 18-assist triple-double against the Houston Rockets on Dec. 28 or a seven-steal performance against the Brooklyn Nets on Jan. 12 help highlight Jokic’s dominance this season, with Jokic powering the Nuggets through injuries, COVID-related absences and a Western Conference stacked with as much talent as ever.

Jokic, currently averaging 31.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.0 block and 0.7 steals per game in the 2021 NBA Playoffs, is as deserving of the award as any player in recent seasons.

The Serbian warrior, blessed with soft touch, nifty footwork, preternatural passing ability, an elite basketball IQ and a bevy of unique moves to get his shot off, should become a household name after being named the 2021 NBA MVP.

Jokic will formally be announced as the 2021 NBA MVP Award winner during TNT’s pregame show, which begins at 7:30 (EST) on June 8, per the Denver Post’s Mike Singer.

The post Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic Named 2020-21 NBA MVP appeared first on SLAM.

Was the NBA ready for Chamique Holdsclaw back in 1998? Sadly, I doubt it. The sports realm was yet to be shaken up by the likes of Serena Williams and the issue of gender equality had barely been addressed generally in wider society. As for the basketball world, we were still getting used to the idea that the WNBA—still in its infancy—was here to stay.

Perfect timing then, for the In Your Face basketball magazine to challenge our ignorance by putting Holdsclaw— WNBA ready, a threepeat NCAA champ—in a Knicks uniform on SLAM’s cover. A move which—according to former SLAM editor Tony G—could’ve cost Holdsclaw her draft eligibility (since she was rocking a professional uniform) and subsequently, cost him a verbal beatdown in a heated phone call from legendary Tennessee Lady Vols head coach Pat Summitt (RIP).

The cover was a risk worth taking and posed a question worth asking, but Holdsclaw’s presence represented something more. Chamique was known as a tough, physical player who had honed her game playing against the guys in Queens, NY. Having her on SLAM’s cover—the most coveted magazine cover in basketball—sent a message that was ahead of its time.

This message was that women play with passion and aggression. That female achievement would not be secondary to the achievements of men. That women had their own place in a sport that most people (allegedly) preferred to watch men compete in.

Thankfully, many female ballers have graced a SLAM cover since Chamique Holdsclaw rocked the orange and blue on issue 29. They’ve continued to represent something more powerful than basketball alone. I’d also like to hope that our perceptions of female athletes continue to be shaped by the skills of those playing the game, not the haters in the comments sections.

SLAM wasn’t suggesting an integrated league when we put out one of the illest covers of all time in October 1998. Why would we? The WNBA pioneered their own culture, their own game. I can’t lie though, the Knicks could’ve really used Chamique’s help in the ’00s…

The post The SLAM Archives: SLAM 29 Featuring Chamique Holdsclaw From October of 1998 appeared first on SLAM.

In 2018-19, a groin injury managed to keep the Chosen One out for 17 games, as his streak of reaching eight straight NBA Finals came to an end. This season, a high ankle sprain had kept James out of the lineup since March 20, a 20-game stretch in which his Lakers went 8-12 while trying to keep their ship afloat.

On Friday, James would step foot on the hardwood, and this time it wasn’t just to grace the court with his presence.

Operating off intel from basketball insiders like ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and The Athletic’s Shams Charania, fans were prepared for James’ long-awaited return, with the Lakers set to match up against the Sacramento Kings.

However, it wasn’t until Los Angeles would warm-up that James was officially declared as active for the contest, much to the imprimatur of fans league-wide.

Playing 32 minutes in the contest, James tallied 16 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, two steals and one block against five turnovers, while shooting 6-12 from the field, 1-5 from 3-point range and 3-5 from the free-throw line.

While James would likely benefit from regaining his midseason rhythm and conditioning, Friday’s matchup — which resulted in a 110-106 loss for Los Angeles — was undoubtedly a positive step forward.

With the Lakers getting fully healthy just some of their biggest competition loses key players, the stars may be aligning for James to embark on yet another celestial climb.

Despite being all but out of the running for his fifth regular season MVP award, James and the Lakers are one of the favorites to win the 2021 NBA Finals, which would net LeBron his fifth championship and edge him even closer to Michael Jordan’s famed six championships.

The post LeBron James Makes Long-Awaited Return from Ankle Injury appeared first on SLAM.

What does a Canadian basketball player look like?

Ten years ago, the answer to that question would’ve probably involved picturing Steve Nash who, in some ways, affirmed some of our stereotypes. I can still see rookie Nash skating around a hockey rink holding a stick and wearing his full Suns uniform.

Yep. That happened.

As a player, Nash was tough, not too flashy and quick to pass before taking a shot. For a while he was our point of reference (in terms of both his appearance and playing style) for Canadian ballers, and this was difficult to shift. Oh, there was Bill Wennington too, and I also heard a rumor about Rick Fox…

What does a Canadian basketball player look like? When SLAM 189 came out in the summer of 2015, Andrew Wiggins had already begun breaking the image we had lodged in our fickle minds. Remarkably, Wiggins was only the second Canadian to be picked No. 1 in the draft and was already doing significantly better than his predecessor (respectfully), by taking home Rookie of the Year honors. This would not be an award earned through assists and long-range jumpers alone (although there were plenty of those). Wiggins was swatting shots, catching lobs, posting up and hammering it down on defenses regularly. Don’t let the haters fool you, Andrew Wiggins has game.

At only 25, Wiggins is just getting started. While he may not be the superstar that some expected (yet), his numbers are solid and he continues to improve steadily. Perhaps bigger than that, though, he has paved the way for a new wave of Canadian basketball players to make their mark in the League. So much so that when we realize the likes of RJ Barrett and Jamal Murray hail from The Great White North, hopefully we aren’t surprised anymore.

What does a Canadian basketball player look like?

The type of dude who might just drop 50 on you.

The post The SLAM Archives: SLAM 189 Featuring Andrew Wiggins From July of 2015 appeared first on SLAM.

The Magic have also reportedly signed Markelle Fultz.

“We are thrilled to keep both Markelle and Jonathan in a Magic uniform,” said the team’s president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said per ESPN. “They both have a very bright future and they mean a lot to our organization, both on and off the court.”

The 23-year old was having a breakout season before tearing his left knee in August, an injury that came just after he had returned from hyperextending the same knee back in January.

The sixth pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Isaac was averaging 11.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game last season prior to his injury. He had solidified himself as one of the league’s top shot-blockers alongside Anthony Davis, and his name quickly had emerged as a candidate for DPOY.

Over the weekend, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the Magic have been “granted a disabled player exception” worth $3.7 million following Isaac’s season-ending injury.

The post Magic, Jonathan Isaac to Sign Four-Year Extension appeared first on SLAM.

“We are not trading Ben Simmons—he is an important part of our future,” Morrey said on Thursday according to Shams Charania, who initially reported the news.

Charania had first reported that “conversations [between the two teams] aren’t fluid as of now,” while ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted that “those talks have come nowhere close to a deal.”

For those that have been following all of the recent drama surrounding Harden and the Rockets, the 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets were two teams Harden had reportedly expressed interest in being traded to. The Miami Heat are also reportedly interested in the shooting guard and open to making Tyler Herro available.

Woj and ESPN senior writer Romona Shelburne also report that the Rockets have been talking to teams beyond Harden’s “preferred” list:

“Several playoff-caliber teams in the Eastern and Western conferences have told ESPN that they’re finding increased comfort in committing high-level trade assets in talks to acquire Harden,” ESPN’s staff writes. “The Rockets have ongoing discussions on several fronts and have been communicating with Harden about those scenarios,” sources said.

If a trade would have happened with Philly, the 76ers would have lost a major talent in Simmons, who averaged 16.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.0 assists last season despite shooting troubles.

Simmons, 24, is a two-time All-Star and was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team last season.

The post Daryl Morey: ‘We are not trading Ben Simmons—he is an important part of our future’ appeared first on SLAM.

Note: Check back frequently for updates and additions to this list.

SLAM’s Holiday 2020 Collection

Browse our holiday apparel, which includes Gameday and Varsity shorts, Empire and Script hoodies, and sweats. We also have dozens of tees, hoodies, sweats, and jackets on sale for a limited time.

NBA Store

The NBA’s official online store has some steep sitewide discounts on the dates designated below. Also, there’s free shipping for select items.

• Thru Dec. 31: Click here for 15% off sitewide with code NBASLAM15.

Stadium Goods

Peep all of the sale items on Stadium Goods by clicking here. The Nike Dunk High SP “Michigan” sneakers are discounted for a limited time.

Nike

Also, get up to 40% off on select products at Nike.com by clicking here to browse the sale items. The Nike Air Max 270 React is one of the sneakers on sale. This is valid through Dec. 19.

Goat

Check out one of the world’s biggest style platforms. Here are all of the winter sale items available for a limited time. Also, they got the Air Jordan 11 Retro ‘Jubilee / 25th Anniversary’ sneaker available.

The post SLAM’s Holiday Shopping Guide appeared first on SLAM.

Although some feel like Wiggins has been disappointing since his arrival in the NBA, he has not let the naysayers affect his confidence and hopes for his future with the Dubs:

“Everyone has something to say. Everyone has their own opinions and stuff. You only can control what you do, how you do things. That’s my thought process,” Wiggins said, per CBS Sports. “I’m coming into the season, I want to do what I have to do to help the team win, and I think I can do it.”

According to Colin Ward-Henninger of CBS Sports, “inefficient scorer” is one of the many negative connotations that have been attached to Wiggins; name—although he averaged 19.4 points last season and 22.4 the year before with the Timberwolves.

Wiggins will be expected to be a leader in scoring while the other half of the Splash Brothers is out for the season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon.

Warriors GM Bob Myers had hopes of Wiggins playing a pivotal role next to Steph Curry and Thompson, but with the change-up in the team’s dynamic, he now has different expectations for him:

“We’ll see what Andrew can do. He’ll probably get more opportunity offensively than he would have, and that’s not something we wanted — probably not something he wanted,” Myers said of Wiggins’ revised role. “He’d love to share the ball with a Klay Thompson, give Andrew space. But he still hasn’t played with Steph or Klay or Draymond much for that matter — a little bit. So we’ll see. We’ll see what he does.”

The post Andrew Wiggins Could Be A Crucial Component To The Warriors appeared first on SLAM.

Less than a month ago it was reported that both Harden and Russell Westbrook wanted out of Houston—and earlier this week, the team traded Westbrook to the Wizards for John Wall in an unexpected blockbuster deal.

According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN, Harden has reportedly informed the Rockets’ organization that he wants to join the Brooklyn Nets and get a “fresh start” on a team with Kyrie Irving and former teammate Kevin Durant.

With everything going on, Silas has decided to give the Rockets’ 2017-18 MVP some space:

“When stuff like this kind of happens where there’s a little indecision and stuff going on, I kind of take a step back and allow guys some space,” Silas said per ESPN.

“From my perspective, my communication has been, ‘I’m giving you space,’ and that’s kind of where it’s been as far as my communication with him. Guys like that need that. They need to figure it out, and they don’t need someone banging on them all the time to kind of figure out where they’re at and whatnot.”

Silas also says that he is not looking to “change things drastically” with his offensive lineup following the Westbrook and Wall trade, and he is hopeful that Harden will be ready for showtime once training camp begins:

“We’re going to try to change things to make it a little bit more diverse, but he’s going to have the ball quite a bit,” Silas says, adding:

“I’m confident that he’ll be all-in. That’s where I’m leaving it. As I said, I’m giving him his space to do his thing, but I’m confident that he’ll be here when we get started.”

The post Rockets Coach Stephen Silas Giving Harden ‘Space’ Amid Preseason Transactions appeared first on SLAM.

With a silver sharpie in hand, he began the process of “touching immortality.” He double checked he was about to spell his own name right and then added his signature underneath Jordan’s. A bold move. 

Haters would say that he had ruined the basketball, but this was more so a statement piece for him set with intention. Winston was reimagining what it meant to idolize a legend, to respect all that he’s done for the game, while knowing that he, himself, has what it takes to succeed. 

“As hard as it probably is for some people to understand it is an image, it is out of appreciation for [Jordan],” Winston said via FaceTime in October, calling from his studio that resides on the border of Bushwick and Maspeth. “I grew up collecting basketball cards, going to autograph signings. The idea 20 years ago of someone handing me a Michael Jordan basketball and then me thinking, ‘Well, yeah, then you put your name on it,’ that’s just madness, that’s just crazy. I love the reaction that some people are like, ‘Well, you just ruined that ball’ and it’s just like, well, we’ll see about that.”

Winston, who grew up in California but has lived in New York City for the past 15 years, didn’t go to art school and doesn’t have an MFA in art history or contemporary art. Yet, through hustle and innate curiosity, his work has garnered the attention of many and has been featured in galleries across the country and Europe. His work has been included in shoots with Adidas and Pharrell as well as Louis Vouitton and the NBA.

After graduating from Wagner College, having studied art administration, Winston wanted to “make a lot of money” to pay off college debt but struggled to find a job after the housing market crashed. Frustrated, he felt like the world “owed” him something and as he walked to job interviews, he found himself noticing bits of paper along the streets on the ground. This became a catalyst for his own artistic medium, taking what others discard or scorn — trash, cigarettes, drug paraphernalia — and bringing them to light in his collages.

Yet, as Winston recalled, looking at the ground all the time got hella depressing and as he was sweeping cigs off the ground around the Marcy Houses, he heard a few kids on the basketball court complaining about the broken basketball nets. As a hoops fan, he understood their pain. 

“I hated playing on broken basketball nets my whole life,” he said. “You don’t get to call swoosh, you know?” 

So he went out and bought 10 basketball nets from Modell’s and replaced the broken basketball nets with new ones. He used the discarded nets in pieces like, “Better On The Nose Than in The Eye,” which exists as an act of exchanging old and new.

“That really was the snowball that created the avalanche in terms of what my work is today.”

Basketballs that had been left by their lonesome on empty courts around the city also caught his eye, as if stories and hoop dreams were scuffled onto the worn-out leather. He intentionally assembles them into neat lines and “X” shapes, like beanstalks, he explained, leading you to new places. 

“I think one of the things so many people are drawn to about basketball is it’s one of those sports you can literally make something out of almost nothing… I do think, these pieces, for me, as kinda dark and dirty as they might be perceived are about hope.”

Having grown up a Clippers, Knicks and Lakers fan (in that order), Winston like many of us, wanted to be just like Mike. There’s a parallel between his work and using familiar objects, like basketballs, that others can also connect to. 

 “Art can be super intimidating and it can be very elitist and I want people to understand like you can do it too and you shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions,” he said. 

He admires the work of creatives and supporters, like Virgil Abloh. The two “met on the internet five years ago” and have had in-depth conversations about the idea of celebrity and putting people and athletes on pedestals. 

“When [Abloh] had his line before Off-White, Pyrex Vision, I just remember thinking like this wild, this guy is putting Caravaggio painting on clothes, referencing Pyrex, the crack epidemic,  hip-hop, bridging all this stuff together… That ethos that he has is something that I’ve been drawn to and I just think that he’s just a really brilliant mind.”

The two have also talked about how in today’s era, the selfie is “far superior to the autograph.” While a signed ball by Jordan is worth thousands of dollars, a selfie with him is worth some valuable cultural capital. 

“If you walk up to someone these days, let’s say a kid who is 16 or 17 years old, I don’t think they’re as floored as I would have been at the same age if someone showed me an autograph from an athlete or a celebrity that I really liked,” he said. “Some of the paintings that I’m making, some of the text is now becoming blurry and I’m almost making it unreadable because these ideas that we have are dissolving about what celebrity is and they’re becoming something else.”

Winston said he feels fortunate to be able to do this work, to live out a dream he once didn’t know he had. While he calls himself a “relatively unknown artist in this scheme of art history,” he’s turning heads as a notable artist all on his own hustle and grind. Sometimes you gotta AI them for your own survival, to be bold and ballsy enough to find treasure along the discarded, to stamp your own name along the greats. 

“I revel in the fact that, like, I kind of figured out a lane and a system that works for me and I’m constantly tweaking it but that ball was an ode to that,” he said. “The greatest athlete to me is Michael Jordan and so it’s like when Iverson crossed up Jordan his rookie year or when Iverson stepped over Tyronn Lue, those [are] moments of defiance, of announcing, like, I’ve arrived even if the odds are stacked against me.” 

Deyscha “Sway” Smith is an Associate Editor at SLAM. Follow her on Twitter @deyschasmith

Photos courtesy of Johnny Lewis. Johnny is a Social Media Manager at SLAM, you can follow him on Instagram @johnnysilk

The post The Defiant One: Artist Tyrrell Winston Found the Beauty In Old Basketballs appeared first on SLAM.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania reports that the Lakers forward will sign a two-year, $85 million contract extension.

According to Charania, the 35-year old’s contract will run through 2023, the same year his son, Bronny, will graduate high school. Whether the Sierra Canyon sophomore will make it to the league is yet to be determined, but James has said that he’d “love” play alongside his son in the NBA — even if he’s “washed up” by then:

“I don’t know if I could play washed, but I damn sure would love to stick around if my oldest son can have an opportunity to play against me,” James told GQ. That’d be, that’d be the icing on the cake right there.”

“I’d give him all six fouls. I’d foul the shit out of Bronny, man.”

Until then, James’ most pressing matter is defending the Lakers’ championship title. He averaged 25.3 points, 7.8 boards and led the league in assists (10.2) last season, helping carry the Lakers to the NBA Finals.

In Game 6 against the Miami Heat, James dropped 28 points, 10 assists and 14 rebounds to win his fourth title, unanimously earning Finals MVP. He is the first player in NBA history to ever win the award with three different franchises.

Bron is confident that Lakers could win another ‘chip this season, especially with the roster they’re adding to this offseason. The team will bring back Markieff Morris and have signed both Marc Gasol and Dennis Schroder, who has expressed that he wants to start at PG.

“We did get younger,” James said on the “Road Trippin'” podcast, hosted by Richard Jefferson, Channing Frye and Allie Clifton. “We have a 27-year-old point guard [in Schroder]. We got the 27-year-old Sixth Man of the Year award [winner] in Trezz. We got younger. We got Marc, who is a Defensive Player of the Year and his IQ, not only playing against him in the NBA, but also playing against him versus Spain with the national team.”

“We can [repeat]. I mean, it’s that simple. We absolutely can.”

The post LeBron James to sign a two-year contract extension with the Lakers appeared first on SLAM.

Check out our top picks below and enjoy the savings on premium gear for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Note: Check back frequently for updates and additions to this list.

SLAM’s Holiday 2020 Collection

We got our own Black Friday items for sale. Also, browse our holiday apparel, which includes Gameday and Varsity shorts, hoodies, and sweats. We also have dozens of tees, hoodies, sweats, and jackets on sale for a limited time.

NBA Store

The NBA’s official online store has some steep sitewide discounts on the dates designated below.

• Thru Dec. 31: Click here for 15% off sitewide with code NBASLAM15

Reebok

Reebok has several sitewide discounts through Dec. 2. See below for the complete rundown with links. Also, check out these NBA City Edition jerseys.

• Nov. 30 – Dec. 2: 50% Off Sitewide + Extra 10% Off By Clicking Here!

Stadium Goods

Click here for 15% off on Black Friday. Also, peep all of the sale items on Stadium Goods by clicking here. 

Nike

Nike’s got a Cyber Flash Sale. Click here for an extra 25% off new sale styles with code CYBER25. This is valid thru Dec. 1.

Also, get up to 40% off on select products at Nike.com by clicking here to browse the sale items. This is valid through Nov. 30.

Goat

Check out one of the world’s biggest style platforms. Visit Goat.com/blackfriday for all of the specials on sneakers and apparel. Also, here are all of the winter sale items available for a limited time.

The post SLAM’s Top Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals appeared first on SLAM.

Miami Heat center has reportedly opted to exercise his $13.6 million player option for the 2020-21 season, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

In his third season with the team, Olynyk averaged 8.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 67 games last season. As a role player, he stepped up to fill in for an injured Bam Adebayo last season during the Heat’s playoff run to NBA Finals.

The post Kelly Olynyk to exercise player option in 2020-21 appeared first on SLAM.

Shams reported last week that Bradley was considering declining his player option, as well as changing representation. The team’s starting point guard had missed the remainder of the 2019-20 season, citing his family’s health.

Bradley, joined the team last July, averaged 8.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists during his short time suiting up for the Lakers. A lockdown defender, Bradley helped solidify the team as one of the top defenses in the league, inspiring the team to create “The Avery Challenge” when Bradley missed fourteen games due to a hairline fracture in his leg.

“I was a little embarrassed when he said it,” Bradley said according to the OC Register’s Kyle Goon. “But, no, it’s cool, man. I think it challenges us every single day. Every single game. We have the personnel to be able to be the No. 1 rated defensive team and so I think Coach is just trying to motivate us and make it fun at the same time.”

ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reports that Bradley was interested in returning to the Lakers, but wanted a bigger contract over an extended amount of years.

 I am told that he would like to stay in Los Angeles, but he wants another deal. He only has one year on this deal.

“If he opted out, they could then sign him to a larger deal, a longer-term deal, give him some security,” Shelburne stated. “But where are they finding that money from? How does that fit on the board with KCP, who also declined his player option. There is interest for KCP all around the league, he’s going to have other suitors.”

Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes reports that Golden State, Milwaukee and “several contenders” are interested in him.

The post Avery Bradley to decline player option in 2020-21 appeared first on SLAM.

The news comes at a time when the team will reportedly tender qualifying offers to point guard Jevon Carter and forward Dario Saric, according to NBA Insider Keith Smith.

The 27-year old played just one season with the Suns, averaging 9.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists during the 2019-20 season. He played in a role in the Suns’ improvement last season, in which they went 34-39 and had an 8-0 run in the Orlando bubble.

Photo creds Getty Images

The post Frank Kaminsky to become a free agent, Suns decline player option appeared first on SLAM.

In 2012, the Summer Olympics came to London, where I live. For basketball fans like me, the chance of getting a ticket to witness Team USA live up to their usual hype was a fictional concept. It wasn’t going to happen. I took some work out of town, trying to forget the fact that one of the best men’s USA basketball squads was catching lob passes on my doorstep, and I wouldn’t be a part of it.

My brother-in-law, a world-class barber, got in touch with the crazy news that he’d been asked to trim the US men’s basketball team while they were in town. Word?!? There was no possible way that I’d be able to tag along, but he’d keep me posted about how it all went down.

Phone calls followed. He talked about Bron being mad chill, Kobe being mad focused and how DWade (who wasn’t on the squad) showed up one day and got a fresh cut. Another dude who stood out was a young kid, the first draft pick that year. Yet to play an NBA game, he was a boy among men at the Olympics. “They were all talking about his eyebrow,” my brother-in-law said. It had to be Anthony Davis.

We’d previously seen The Brow on the cover of SLAM 149. At that point, he was a stand-out SLAM HS All-American. A year later and AD was called up to the Olympic squad. He was fresh out of breaking records and winning a title at Kentucky. He’d made headlines for his insane defense and had gained a reputation for leading a new breed of big men. The three-point shooting, fast-break finishing (while still shotblocking) kind. He was another product of Chicago’s prestigious basketball history, and his NBA career was about to go off.

In that summer of 2012, SLAM put Davis on the cover of Issue 160. Like so many times before, SLAM saw his future. The All-Defensive, All-NBA and League-leading block seasons, the All-Star Game MVP honors. Sadly, I passed on the opportunity to get a signed copy of his cover that year. I slept on his potential for a moment. This year, Anthony Davis has made me regret that decision more than ever.

The post The SLAM Archives: SLAM 160 Featuring Anthony Davis From August of 2012 appeared first on SLAM.

Brown had been at the helm of the Sixers for seven years, through the infamous rebuilding years. Brown won just 47 games during his first three years with the franchise but eventually ‘The Process’ began to bear fruit.

For the last four seasons the Sixers have been among the most intriguing teams in the Eastern Conference thanks to their core built around Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.

The dismissal of Brown may not be the only leadership change in the organization, Wojnarowski adds. Something that may be welcomed by Philly fans depending on where they stand on the viability of Simmons and Embiid as the team’s foundation.

Prior to landing in Philadelphia during the Sam Hinkie Era, Brown served in the San Antonio Spurs system from 2002 to 2013.

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, among those expected to be considered for the position are Sixers assistant Ime Udoka, Villanova head coach Jay Wright and current Clippers assistant Tyronn Lue.

The post Sixers Fire Head Coach Brett Brown appeared first on SLAM.

Click here and use code NBASLAM15 at checkout to unlock the discount. This is valid through the end of the year, and it can’t be combined with other offers.

See below for our top picks from NBA Store.

NBA Playoff Gear

Rep your squad during this postseason with a new NBA Mantra tee that displays each team’s rally cry. Check out some of the options below, and click here to get 15% off with code NBASLAM15.

NBA-Branded PPE Masks

Face coverings are required to reduce the spread of infections, so find a mask and show off your NBA team loyalty. Choose from a variety of styles from each team. Below browse a few of the options, and click here to get 15% off with code NBASLAM15.

Disney x Junk Food NBA T-Shirt Collection

Get your hands on some vintage-looking Disney-style NBA gear with Mickey Mouse. A variety of apparel is available with different styles. See below for some options, and click here to get 15% off with code NBASLAM15.

The post Get Fitted For the NBA Playoffs And Get 15% Off Your NBA Store Order appeared first on SLAM.

The cry of injustice has been drowned out for a long time. Recent events have suspended basketball and life as we know it. As one normality has been interrupted, another more uncomfortable truth has continued and the world has had time to notice. The pause has been necessary. For Maya Moore, it was her awareness of injustice that caused her to suspend basketball long before we did.

When she hit the cover of SLAM back in 2018, Moore was just 29 and overwhelmingly accomplished. Four-time champ, six-time All-Star, League MVP and far from slowing down. Still, away from basketball, there were far bigger things to achieve. Off the court, as her community suffered, she joined her WNBA colleagues in refusing to be silenced in their political protests. At the time, they were threatened with disciplinary action by the League, but they fought and won. Her biggest battle has been against the justice system itself, being so committed to criminal justice reform that she stepped away from the game to commit to fighting for one man’s freedom. It was a big deal. She missed two seasons while arguably in her physical prime, turning down another opportunity to play in the Olympics. Basketball wasn’t her priority. Instead, she was invested in fighting for justice for a man she believed was unjustly imprisoned. It would be a long and challenging process. Earlier this year, he was released.

Maya Moore’s SLAM 217 cover isn’t easy to find. [It sold out quick on SLAM’s online store, and it’s not readily available on eBay…yet.—Ed.] When I finally track it down, I’m going to frame it and put it on my daughter’s wall. When she’s old enough to understand who she’s looking at, I’ll want her to know that she can ball like Maya, and if she works hard enough, maybe her hands can be as quick and her shot as sweet. More than this, I hope she’ll understand that some achievements are bigger than basketball and that justice is worth fighting for.

The post The SLAM Archives: SLAM 217 Featuring Maya Moore From September of 2018 appeared first on SLAM.

As a kid, I had a basketball sticker album, and working on it, in ’94-95 got me connected to the NBA. I learned every team and all the players, the rookies and the superstars, the championship contenders and the teams who would rarely make the playoffs. It was my encyclopedia. On the opening page of the book, there was an introduction to two teams who were “coming soon.” The teams were the Toronto Raptors and the Vancouver Grizzlies. The Raptors logo was cool, if not a little childish, but the Grizz looked insane…chunky bold letters, sick Turquoise colors and a ferocious looking bear holding a basketball. My 10-year-old mind was blown.

Although both Toronto and Vancouver were considered small-market expansion teams, tackling a country where hockey fans rule, it would be the Grizzlies who would struggle the most. Their consistently poor performance led to their eventual relocation in 2001, but there was one player who was willing to stick it out in Vancouver. When Shareef Abdur-Rahim hit the cover of SLAM 39 in January 2000, he was already averaging over 20 points a game and lighting up highlight reels, later giving Mitchell & Ness a solid reason to retro that now-iconic ’90s Grizzlies uniform. While others were refusing to play in Vancouver (much love Stevie Franchise), Reef was weathering the snowstorm and putting in work for the team who drafted him back in ’96.

In the headline of his cover story, writer Michael Bradley highlights the fact that Abdur-Rahim was grinding quietly, without the hype of TV cameras or superstar teammates. He became one of the league’s best all-around ballers, and he did so modestly. Shareef eventually moved cities at the same time that the Grizz did, going home to ATL, but he’ll always be remembered in the city of Vancouver.

The Grizzlies have had stronger squads following their move to Memphis (word to SLAM 165) and some basketball icons have enjoyed some of their best years there (shout out to J-Will), but for a long time, Shareef was the only Grizzlies player in history to have a solo SLAM cover.

Until now.

The post The SLAM Archives: SLAM 39 Featuring Shareef Abdur-Rahim From January of 2000 appeared first on SLAM.

Following its 2015 premiere in New York City, The Legend of Swee’ Pea, can be purchased from video-on-demand services. And with professional sports currently on standstill, it couldn’t come at a better time.

WATCH ‘THE LEGEND OF SWEE’ PEA’ DOCUMENTARY ON ITUNES

To learn more about Daniels and his fascinating and troubled story, be sure to read former SLAM Editor-in-Chief Ben Osborne’s feature from Ish 46.

The post Lloyd Daniels Documentary ‘The Legend of Swee’ Pea’ Released on Video-on-Demand appeared first on SLAM.

Carmelo Anthony knows about questions. When he entered the NBA as part of the greatest draft class in recent years, his name was already synonymous with LeBron James. Cue the questions. Who’d be better? Who would be ROY? Others questioned whether he should’ve been picked second instead of third. Could he have won a championship with the Pistons his rookie season? Questions. By the time he hit his fourth SLAM cover in November 2009, Melo had carried the previously laughable Denver Nuggets to a winning record. The team now dripped with an appeal based on performance, as well as their baby blue jerseys.

Melo was a walking bucket, but could he become the two-way player that he needed to be? Could he take the Nuggets deeper into the playoffs? Even when he was joined by The Answer in 2008, there were still questions. When SLAM asked Carmelo to rock the cover of Issue 132, he (according to former SLAM Editor at Large, Lang Whitaker) asked to do so in a director’s chair to show that he was in charge of his life and career. He went on to have elite Olympic performances, which earned him three gold medals. He would join the chaotic Knicks and bring them something they hadn’t experienced this millennium: hope. But could he win a championship? Would he take a lesser role on a better team or would he always want to be “the guy?” More questions. The NBA is a better place with Melo in it, so I ask the question that rings out on Issue 132: Why are you still hating on Carmelo Anthony?

The post The SLAM Archives: SLAM 132 Featuring Carmelo Anthony From November of 2009 appeared first on SLAM.

Four of five of Milwaukee’s starters finished in double digits with Giannis Antetokounmpo (33 points) leading all scorers. Khris Middleton was the Bucks’s second-leading scorer with 28 points and Brook Lopez had 19.

Hawks 129 (16-41), Heat 124 (35-20)

With Quavo in attendance, Trae Young put up a career-high 50 points at Phillips Arena on Thursday night. De’Andre Hunter and Kevin Huerter put up 17 points apiece and rookie Cam Reddish added 16 points off the bench.

Hornets 103 (19-33), Bulls 93 (19-37)

Charlotte took care of business in the Windy City. Miles Bridges led all starters with 22 points and Malik Monk added 25 points off the bench.

Malik Monk taking FLIGHT (via @BR_NBA) pic.twitter.com/bkad4zC7GO

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 21, 2020

Sixers 112 (35-21), Nets 104 (25-29)

The Nets only scored one point in overtime as Philly prevailed at home. Joel Embiid finished with 36 points and grabbed 16 rebounds. Tobias Harris had a double-double of his own (22 points, 12 rebounds) and Alec Burks had 19 points.

Kings 129 (21-33), Grizzlies 125 (28-26)

Harrison Barnes (32 points) and De’Aaron Fox (26 points) combined for 58 points in the home win. Buddy Hield added 20 points.

Rockets 135 (34-20), Warriors 105 (12-44)

Houston jumped out the gate with a double-digit lead and had that cushion throughout the contest. The Rockets also shot 25 3-pointers, including 15 in the first half.

All five of the Houston’s starters finished in double figures. James Harden put up 29 points in 30 minutes and Russell Westbrook had 21 points and dished out 10 dimes.

The post Post Up: Trae Young Puts Up Career-High 50 Points Against Heat 🤫 appeared first on SLAM.

Golden State owes it to its fans for a now “perfectly healthy” Curry to suit up, says Kerr.

As for Klay Thompson, who suffered a torn ACL in last summer’s NBA Finals, Kerr says “that’s a totally, totally different conversation… there’s a big distinction.”

Per The Mercury News:

“He’s perfectly healthy. He’s in the prime of his career. If the point [of not playing him] is because he might get hurt, then what’s the point of ever playing anything?” Kerr said.

“I guess the argument would be, ‘Well, we’re not going to the playoffs.’ Are we not trying to entertain our fans? We’re selling tickets to all these people who love basketball, and Steph Curry is one of the most amazing, graceful, exciting basketball players on earth. If he were healthy and we didn’t present him to our fans and say, ‘Here you go, here’s your gift for staying with us for this whole season,’ what would that say about us? As soon as he’s ready, he’s coming back. Our fans deserve it… It’s the right thing to do.”

[Draymond Green] pointed out that then-Pelicans, now-Lakers big man Anthony Davis “shut it down” last season ahead of the NBA trade deadline.

“Everybody was like, ‘He’s wrong. What is he doing?’ Then you get a guy coming back, and [they’re like], ‘Why is he coming back? They’re not making the playoffs,’” Green said. “It’ll never be the right thing, it will never be enough.”

Related Stephen Curry Could Return On March 1

The post Steve Kerr: ‘Perfectly Healthy’ Stephen Curry to Play appeared first on SLAM.

All five of Utah’s starters finished in double figures with Bogdan Bogdanovic scoring a game-high 31 points. Rudy Gobert had 21 and 14, and Jordan Clarkson added 23 off the bench.

Knicks 124 (11-29), Heat 121 (27-12)

Julius Randle finished with 26 points and RJ Barrett added 23 points at MSG to snap a five-game losing streak. The Knicks rallied back from being down 14 in the third quarter.

Grizzlies 122 (18-22), Warriors 102 (9-32)

Jonas Valanciunas posted a double-double (31 points, 19 rebounds) to give Memphis its fifth consecutive win. Jaren Jackson Jr added 21 points and Ja Morant posted a near triple-double (11 points, 10 assists, 7 rebounds).

Nets 108 (18-20), Hawks 86 (8-32)

In his return back to the starting lineup, Kyrie Irving finished with a team-high 21 points at Barclays Center. Tauren Prince had 14 points and DeAndre Jordan put up 13 and 8.

Spurs 105 (13-21), Raptors 104 (25-14)

DeMar DeRozan put up a game-high 25 points, including a nasty poster on Chris Boucher. Rudy Gay, who also had an impressive dunk of his own, finished with 15 points. Derrick White added 13.

Suns 100 (16-23), Hornets 92 (15-27)

Kelly Oubre led all scorers with 25 points in the home win. Devin Booker finished with 12 and Ricky Rubio and Mikal Bridges finished with 10 apiece.

Nuggets 112 (267-12), Clippers 104 (27-12)

The Clippers showed signs of closing the gap, but couldn’t convert down the stretch. Nikola Jokic finished with 20 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. Jamal Murray finished with 19 points and Michael Porter Jr (13 points) and Monte Morris (12 points) combined for 25 points off the bench.

The post Post Up: Kyrie Irving Leads Nets to Win Over Hawks in Return 😤 appeared first on SLAM.

Before this season’s Clippers excitement, there was Lob City. Before Lob City there was that time when Mark Jackson dunked off a bounce pass to himself…and shimmied. Apart from that, the team’s (more recent) history had mostly consisted of jokes about how bad the city-sharing, playoff-missing, draft busting Los Angeles Clippers were. But with the turn of the century came the first glimmer of hope. Back in 2002, Elton Brand joined point forward Lamar Odom and a knucklehead named Darius Miles on the cover of SLAM 57.

It’s in every SLAM historian’s top 10 cover list. The flipped and reversed jerseys spoke of a brotherhood; the headwear connected with a streetball-crazy fan base and the hip-hop culture affiliated with it. The entire aesthetic reminded us that regular dudes play in the NBA, that sometimes sick players are on wack teams, and that even the worst of teams have a future. Out of nowhere, the Clippers were now dominating highlight reels. The cool kids were digging that unmistakable script font on the chest (or back) of their red and white knee brushing 3XL jerseys. Once you realize that the 2002 Clips L.A. Familia also included Q-Rich and Corey Maggette, you understand where this team could’ve gone. They may not have achieved the success that they arguably could have, but as a wise man (and former SLAM Ed.) named Russ Bengtson once said, “Maybe this was what they were supposed to be, what they were supposed to do.” True. Winning is cool, but legacy, like this cover, is forever.

The post The SLAM Archives: SLAM 57 Featuring the Los Angeles Clippers From February of 2002 appeared first on SLAM.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tied his career-high 32 points back home in the 6, including hitting the go-ahead bucket with 36 seconds to go. Chris Paul was the team’s second-leading scorer with 25 points and 11 rebounds.

Pelicans 127 (11-23), Rockets 112 (22-11)

It was a career night for Lonzo Ball, who knocked down seven 3-pointers, en route to a 27-point performance in the Big Easy. Brandon Ingram finished with 27 points, too, and Jrue Holiday and E’Twaun Moore had 27 apiece.

Grizzlies 117 (13-21), Hornets 104 (13-22)

Three of Memphis’ starters finished in double figures with Dillion Brooks putting up a team-high 20 points. Jaren Jackson Jr had a double-double (14 points, 12 rebounds) in the win.

Nuggets 120 (23-9), Kings 115 (12-21)

Michael Porter Jr, who had his first career start, had 19 points at home. Will Barton finished with 19 as well and Mason Plumlee had 15 points off the bench.

Lakers 108 (25-7), Mavericks 95 (21-10)

LeBron James became the only player in NBA history with 9,000 assists and 9,000 rebounds on Sunday night at Staples Center. Anthony Davis led all scorers with 23 points. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope finished with 19 points and Dwight Howard had 15 points.

The post Post Up: LeBron James Gets 9,000th Career Assist Against Mavericks appeared first on SLAM.

Nike and the Los Angeles-based boutique have collaborated on eight pairs of Air Max 90s. UNDFTD has picked four colors – Infrared, Laser Blue, Yellow and Green – on one of Tinker Hatfield’s iconic sneaker designs. Each shoe, featured on a white or black base, has a stripe in the aforementioned color that goes around the sneaker, covers the mudgaurd and is branded with the company’s five-strike logo on the heels.

Hit StockX to cop your pair(s).

The post The ‘UNDFTD’ Nike Air Max 90s Are Now Available on StockX appeared first on SLAM.

A fan favorite in the SB community, the “Raygun” released in white and black back in 2005 and is releasing 15 years later. The updated pair features pebbled leather, the iconic alien on the sides and has a tie-dye print that is featured near the Swoosh and along the heel counter.

The white pair has an average sale price of $305 while the black pair is selling for $260. Looking to add to your SB collection? Hit StockX to grab the “White” and “Black” Raygun SBs.

The post The ‘Black’ & ‘White’ Nike SB Dunk Low Raygun Tie-Dye Are Now Available on StockX appeared first on SLAM.

But then, after nearly six minutes, the conversation shifts to Garnett and he springs to life, just like when he was hooping. Animated, thoughtful, honest—KG’s demeanor is unchanged, whether on the court or off it. He commands the room, with the full attention of Sandler and the Safdie brothers. 

The flick centers around Sandler’s character, a jeweler in New York that can’t stop making bets on sports. Garnett, who plays himself in the movie, runs into Sandler’s store and develops a relationship with his character. It all goes to hell after that, when Sandler’s character places a bet on Garnett and the Celtics during the 2012 playoffs. 

Garnett speaks about how the movie, and the betting that takes place in everyday life, has given him perspective as a former professional athlete. 

“You’re not thinking about things that doesn’t confine what you’re doing and the objective out there,” KG says. “It’s just funny to hear. It’s funny to us. But theses are life-changing things that people are doing.”

Sandler says that the cast and crew spent a whole lot of time with former gamblers who lost everything, from money to houses to relationships with their families. He says that they ran the gauntlet of research, investigating the worlds of jewelry, gambling and sports. 

The movie reaches extremely high-highs and extremely low-lows. The Safdie brothers had a few different ballplayers in mind throughout the production process, including Joel Embiid and Amar’e Stoudamire. They got connected to Garnett one day during the nearly nine-year film development stage. A one-hour phone call was scheduled, but that one hour turned into three because their chemistry was immediate. Garnett was messing with them and Josh and Benny, who grew up as diehard Knicks fans in Queens, felt a connection right away. And when Garnett got to work with Sandler for the first time, it felt easy. 

“Even talking to Adam, it was like having a conversation with Adam,” Garnett says. “It didn’t feel like a script.”

“You were incredible,” Sandler says to Garnett. “He was so focused in on every moment,” he then says aloud. 

Garnett, as he’s shown he’s capable to, goes in-depth following that. 

“Acting is preparation, just like anything else,” the Hall of Famer says. “And coming into this I didn’t want to fail them. They took the risk on me being in here, playing this part. I figured you got a list of people you could pull for this. The least you could do is come in here and be professional, be prepared. Everyday I come in here and I sit in my room and it took me back to just Rasheed Wallace or Tim Duncan and watching film and I did those same things. I came in here, when I showed up to set, I was ready, I knew what I was doing. Someone once told me in television know where you’re going when you come out of the driveway, so I had direction on what I wanted, the energy, what the scene called for, all of that. I was totally ready.”

And he had to be ready because Uncut Gems is a nonstop, tension-filled rollercoaster ride. It’s not meant for the weak. It’s for the hitters, the dudes like Garnett and Sandler that have been winning for decades. 

The post Adam Sandler and Kevin Garnett on Making ‘Uncut Gems’ appeared first on SLAM.

Originally a Friends & Family release, StockX is giving 30 consumers a chance to own a pair of the Paris-based boutique’s collab with Jordan Brand with a $20 donation. All net proceeds will benefit Oceana, an organization committed to the protection and restoration of our oceans.

Promo ends 12/20 at 11:59 p.m. EST and is available to legal residents of the U.S., UK, Germany and France who are 18 years or older. For full details, click here.

The post StockX Gives Consumers Chance to Own ‘colette’ AJ1 for $20 appeared first on SLAM.

Four of Orlando’s starters finished in double digits with Jonathan Issac scoring a team-high 21 points. D.J. Augustin put up 17 bench points as the Magic handed NOLA its 12th-straight loss.

Pacers 107 (18-9), Hornets 85 (12-17)

Myles Turner posted a double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds) in the W on Sunday night. Domantas Sabonis also had a double-double of his own, too – 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Nets 109 (14-12), Sixers 89 (20-8)

Spencer Dinwiddie (24 points) led Brooklyn as the Nets snapped Philly’s five-game winning streak. Joe Harris was the team’s second-leading scorer with 16 points.

Lakers 101 (23-3), Hawks 96 (6-20)

The Hawks cut the deficit and had a chance to tie it late in the game, but rookie Cam Reddish missed a wide-open 3-pointer. LeBron James (32 points) and Anthony Davis (27 points) combined for 59 points in the road win.

Nuggets 111 (16-8), Knicks 105 (6-20)

With the game close, Denver scored 13 unanswered to extend the lead down the stretch and win their 11th home game of the season. Nikola Jokic finished with a team-high 25 points and 10 rebounds.

Kings 100 (12-4), Warriors 79 (5-23)

Buddy Hield led all scorers with 19 points, and Bogdan Bogdanovic (25 points) and Marvin Bagley III (17 points) combined for 42 bench points in the Bay Area.

The post Post Up: LeBron & AD Combine for 59 Points in Atlanta 🍿 appeared first on SLAM.

Jordan Brand has brought back one of the most iconic XI colorways during holiday season as they’ve been doing since 2009. The 2019 version of XIs features black uppers with the popular patent leather overlays, red Jumpman, white insignia “23” on the heel and red translucent outsole.

On the Three Stripes side, Adidas is dropping another volt-colored Yeezy Boost. The sneaker features black accents interwoven along the Primeknit base with teal laces.

Looking to complete that Christmas fit? Hit StockX to grab the “Bred” XI and “Yeezreel” 350s.

The post The ‘Bred’ AJXI & ‘Yeezreel’ Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Are Now Live on StockX appeared first on SLAM.

As part of the “Fearless Ones” Collection, this pair is of 1s is from the brainchild of Edison Chen and Clot. The pair features the famous silk detailing, removable uppers, a coin-like feature on the laces and black Swoosh with stitching that fades and becomes a single stitch towards the heel. The price premium (over original retail price) is at 187.9% with an average sale price of $388.

Looking to add another pair of AJ1s to your collection? Hit StockX to grab your pair.

The post The ‘Clot’ Air Jordan 1 Mid is Now Live on StockX appeared first on SLAM.

The post Bronny James & Sierra Canyon BLOWOUT Team in Home Opener! 🤯 appeared first on SLAM.

Jimmy Butler scored a team-high 20 points in Brooklyn. Bam Adebayo finished with a double-double (17 points, 16 rebounds).

Grizzlies 115 (6-13), Timberwolves 107 (10-9)

With Ja Morant still out, Dillion Brooks filled in the void on offense, leading all scorers with 26 points. Jae Crowder, Jaren Jackson Jr and Tyus Jones had 12 apiece. Grayson Allen had 13 off the bench.

Celtics 113 (14-5), Knicks 104 (4-16)

Jayson Tatum (30 piece) and Jaylen Brown (28 points) combined for 58 points at The Garden. Kemba Walker had 16 points and 10 dimes.

Mavericks 114 (13-6), Lakers 100 (17-3)

With Dirk courtside, the Mavs snapped the Lakers’ 10-game winning streak. Luka Doncic scored 21 of his 27 points in the second half, and Kristaps Porzingis finished with 15 points. Dallas trailed at the half, but went on a 28-5 run in the third quarter.

Don't sleep on Luka's bunnies. (via @NBATV)pic.twitter.com/m3pap4wsNg

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) December 1, 2019

Thunder 107 (8-11), Pelicans 104 (6-14)

Four of five of OKC’s starters scored in double figures with Danilo Gallinari scoring a team-high 23 points. Dennis Schroeder had 17 points off the bench.

Pistons 132 (7-13), Spurs 98 (7-14)

Christian Wood had himself a night, scoring a career-high 28 points in 22 minutes at home. The Pistons had 75 bench points.

Raptors 130 (15-4), Jazz 110 (12-8)

Pascal Siakam put up 35 points in 35 minutes in Toronto on Sunday night. Fred Vanvleet was the team’s second-leading scorer with 21 points to give Toronto a 9-0 record at home.

Magic 100 (8-11), Warriors 96 (4-17)

Evan Fournier finished with 32 points, tying his career-high, in Orlando against the Dubs. Terrence Ross put up 19 points and Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac had 14 apiece.

Clippers (15-6) , Wizards (6-12)

Kawhi Leonard (34 points) and Paul George (31) combined for 65 points in front of their home crowd on Sunday night. Montrezl Harrell finished with 23 points and 15 rebounds off the bench.

The post Post Up: Luka Doncic & Mavericks Snap Lakers’ 10-Game Winning Streak in LA appeared first on SLAM.

For more information, terms and conditions and a full product list, click here.

The post Black Friday. StockX. Big Wins All Weekend. appeared first on SLAM.

The AJ1, a popular sneaker and a fan favorite, has released in a “Bloodline” colorway, which is now available on StockX. This latest colorway pays homage to the Chicago Bulls with black along the uppers with red lining, laces and a trim on the sole that makes it pop. The popular “Nike Air” branding is featured on the tongue with the aforementioned colors, too.

Sneakerheads can never have enough pairs of 1, so hit StockX to grab your pair.

The post The ‘Bloodline’ Air Jordan 1 is Now Live on StockX appeared first on SLAM.

First up is the restock of the popular “Static Black” Yeezy Boost 350 V2 that released back in June in anticipation of the big shopping day. Featuring an all-black upper with the iconic side stripe and reflective hints along the laces and red touches along the heel tab.

Missed out or looking to re-up? Hit StockX to grab your pair.

The post The ‘Static Black’ Yeezy Boost 350 V2 is Now Live on StockX appeared first on SLAM.

The latest Mr. Cartoon-branded collaboration is with the Clippers, who unveiled their City Edition jerseys last Friday against the Rockets at Staples Center. The jerseys, which have a black and white color combo with hints of red and blue, pay homage to Cartoon’s famous designs and the authentic spirit of the city’s street culture, featuring “Los Angeles” in Old English font on the front.

The Clippers will wear their City Edition jerseys 16 more times throughout the season, including the highly-anticipated Christmas Day matchup against the Lakers. There will also be a City Edition Court to accompany the jerseys, displaying Los Angeles geography woven into the court’s design.

During the Clippers’ 122-119 win, we caught up with Cartoon to talk the inspiration behind the design, collabs, LA culture and more.

—

SLAM: How did this whole concept come to life? 

Mr. Cartoon: The concept of bringing street art—an artist that was born and raised here—to a pro team and connecting those two. For me, it’s showing all these youngsters here that they can do that shit. If they see me do it, then they’ll be like, ‘Oh, Cartoon did this then I could do it.’ It starts off with a conversation and then you have another meeting, a meeting about a meeting and then next you know four months go by, and it takes about a year to make it to today. So it’s a year in the process, so it’s us talking to each other and having a conversation on how to make this pop.

SLAM: What’s your process when it comes to working with brands?

MC: I definitely have to be selective and think about a) Do I already support that movement? And if it’s something I can’t [get] behind and talk from my heart then I can’t do it. It’s difficult sometimes because I’m turning away some of those checks, but if they don’t match then they don’t match. For us, we want to do a big collaboration and then we want to do some crazy-ending street shit. … I’ll speak to a group of 24 at-risk students and talk to them about art. All this is pre-thought-out and pre-meditated of how we’re going to approach it. The outcome is always spontaneous and how people feel about it, but it’s been positive all the way through.

SLAM: What does LA culture mean to you?

MC: West Coast culture is different from anywhere in the world. We have summertime all year long. Home of the white tee; the black tee. Some people don’t even own a jacket, you know what I’m saying? With that, we have a head start when it comes to tattooing, car culture, of course West Coast rap, so this was about embodying the street level. The Clippers have done a good job by saying, ‘Hey, we’re not in a private jet, we’re in a ’64 rag on the street with you.’ I dug that whole concept so that was important.

SLAM: The Old English font holds weight and is prestigious. Why do you think that is?

MC: I think some smart guys figured out in the ‘50s and ‘60s that everything that was important was written in this font—the LA Times, your death or wedding certificate—so the homies figured out if I write my neighborhood in that font and put it on the back of a hoodie, it’s got power; if I write it on a wall mural, it’s got power. It’s elevating me and my homies on this level, so I think that people, no matter where they live, it’s neighborhood pride. You can write your neighborhood in that lettering and it looks official.

SLAM: The Clippers have adopted this gritty, blue-collar identity. Overall, how do you identify with that mantra?

MC: I just love the idea that with hard work and persistence and a clear vision on where you want to go, you can achieve what seems to be impossible. Their way is they don’t even own [Staples Center] and they’re the underdogs in here. And I definitely identify with being an underdog even though the youngsters coming up may think I’m on the opposite. We’re still barely chipping away at this state as far as street artists making it mainstream.

SLAM: Are there any other projects you have in the works?

MC: I have a collaboration with Neighborhood from Tokyo coming, which is crazy. Man, I got so much cool stuff I can’t even say it because I don’t want to jinx it before it comes out. I have two pairs of Vans coming out in 2020, too.

SLAM: You’ve done collabs with Nike, Supreme, Vans, the LA Kings and now the Clippers. What’s something else—brand or product—you’d like to be a part of?

MC: I’m definitely pushing towards animation and making my characters. A picture of that teardrop falling to the ground. Picture it moving and have pictures behind it is where I’m pushing myself. Always push yourself into uncharted territory. It seems like you always start from the bottom and always [are] that underdog, but if you’re not the underdog then it’s probably time to check out and get in the wood box. Other than that, you’re always learning, working at perfecting yourself and surrounding yourself with talent. There’s going to be ups and downs and you’re going to fall on your face, but if you love what you do then you’re going to get up because you got to—especially if your family’s relying on you.

—

Drew Ruiz is an Associate Editor at SLAM. Follow him on Twitter @DrewRuiz90

Photos via Jineen Williams & Getty Images

The post Mr. Cartoon Talks Designing Clippers City Edition Jerseys, LA Culture & More appeared first on SLAM.

To commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the IV, Jordan Brand honors the four original colorways – White Cement, Fire Red and Military Blue and Black Cement – with a mashup on the iconic Tinker Hatfield-designed sneaker. Each sneaker features a white leather upper with Fire Red, black, and Military Blue detailing with a cement midsole, mismatched tongue and the popular “Nike Air” heel branding.

The Price Premium (over original retail price) is at 4.0% with an average sale price of $237. Hit StockX to add another pair of IVs to your collection.

The post The ‘What The’ Air Jordan IV is Now Live on StockX appeared first on SLAM.

The post Terrence Clark Throws Down MEAN Dunk! Brewster Remains Undefeated! 😈 appeared first on SLAM.

Tobias Harris put up a team-high 27 points in the win and all of the Sixers’ starters (excluding Josh Richardson) finished in double figures. James Ennis (14 points) and Furkan Kormaz (13 points) combined for 27 bench points.

Kings 100 (5-7), Celtics (10-2)

Buddy Hield caught fire from behind the arc, knocking down 7 3-pointers en route to a 35-point performance, as the Kings snapped the Celtics’ 10-game winning streak at home.

Magic 125 (6-7), Wizards 121 (3-8)

Markelle Fultz scored a career-high 19 points in front of his home crowd and got the game-winning steal and bucket. Nikola Vucevic put 30 points and grabbed 17 rebounds in the win.

Nuggets 131 (9-3), Grizzlies 114 (5-8)

Jamal Murray went off against the Memphis, scoring 39 points in 31 minutes. Paul Millsapt was the Nuggets’ second-leading scorer with 23 points.

Pelicans 108 (4-9), Warriors 100 (2-12)

Jrue Holiday had a near triple-double (22 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds) in NOLA. Rookie Jaxson Hayes finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds – his first double-double of his NBA career – and this block that sent the ball into the stands.

Lakers 122 (11-2), Hawks 101 (4-9)

With Kobe courtside, the Washed King put up a double-double (33 points and 12 assists). The Lakers opened up the game 17-2 and controlled the game the entire night. Anthony Davis finished the night with 14 points and 5 rebounds.

The post Post Up: LeBron James Puts Up 33 & 12 Against Atlanta in L.A. 👑 appeared first on SLAM.

Originally the Yeezy Boost 350 V3, Ye’s newest silhouette in his Three Stripes line was given its own name. The sneaker, which features the same shape as the 350s, comes with a never-before-seen PrimeKnit pattern on the upper and doesn’t come with the popular lateral side strip. There’s also an upgraded Boost midsole and an engineered outsole grip that adds the finishing touches on the sneaker.

The Price Premium (over original retail price) is at 239.1% and has an average sale price of $722. Hit StockX to grab your pair.

The post The ‘Alien’ Yeezy Boost 380 is Now Live on StockX appeared first on SLAM.

After a successful first AF100 collab, Travis Scott’s latest collaboration pays homage to his grandmother’s house Missouri City, TX. The AF1 draws inspiration from workwear gear and features all types outdoor material – canvas, suede, corduroy, leather and flannel along the uppers of the sneaker. La Flame’s AF1 also has a removable tongue with a utility zipper that goes through the middle.

The Price Premium (over original retail price) for the “Cactus Jack” AF1 is currently at 299.6% with an average sale price of $680. Secure your pair and hit StockX to grab your pair.

The post The ‘Cactus Jack’ Air Force 1 is Now Live on StockX appeared first on SLAM.

The post Sharife Cooper Drops EASY 37 Points in McEachern Season Opener! 🤫 appeared first on SLAM.

Late in OT, Nikola Jokic hit the game-winning bucket over Karl-Anthony Towns to give the Nuggets the win on the road. Jokic had a team-high 20 points to go with 7 dimes and 6 rebounds.

Pacers 109 (6-4), Magic 102 (3-7)

Domantas Sabonis put up a double-double (21 points, 16 rebounds) to give Indiana its third-straight win. T.J. Warren and Malcolm Brogdon had 19 apiece, while Doug McDermott had 18 off the bench.

Sixers 114 (6-3), Hornets 106 (4-6)

Four of Philly’s starters scored in double figures – Joel Embiid (18 points), Al Horford (15 points), Tobias Harris (14 points) and Josh Richardson (11 points).

Bucks 117 (7-3) , Thunder 114 (4-6)

Tied 114-all with under a minute, Brook Lopez knocked down a 3-pointer to give the Bucks the W. Giannis Antetokounmpo had another monster performance, finishing with 35 points and 16 rebounds.

Cavaliers 108 (4-5), Knicks 87 (2-8)

Collin Sexton finished with 21 points at The Garden. Kevin Love was the second-leading scorer with 17 points.

Suns 138 (6-3), Nets 112 (4-5)

All five Suns starters finished in double figures as Devin Booker led the team with 27 points. Ricky Rubio had 22 points and 12 dimes; Kelly Oubre also had 18.

Trailblazers 124 (4-6), Hawks 113 (3-6)

Damian Lillard and Kevin Huerter traded back-to-back buckets to force it to overtime, but the Blazers prevailed at home. Lillard (30 points) and CJ McCollum (23 points) combined for 53 points, and Anfernee Simons finished with 20 points off the bench.

Raptors 113 (6-2), Lakers 104 (7-1)

Toronto extended the lead to 10 in the 4Q and closed it off when the Lakers started to make their run. Last season’s MIP finished with a game-high 24 points and 11 rebounds. Fred VanVleet also had 21 points in the win to snap the Lakers’ 7-game wining streak.

The post Post Up: Pascal Siakam Helps Snap Lakers’ Seven-Game Win Streak appeared first on SLAM.

As part of the “Fearless Ones” Collection, Los Angeles-based artist Blue the Great adds his personal touches on the iconic silhouette. Taking on the mid cut, the sneaker features an array of colors from red, blue, orange and green in suede. Cream corduroy is also featured with a black chenille swoosh. A “Blue” in bubble-lettered graffiti tag sits near the heel.

The “Blue the Great” AJ1 Mid has an Average Sale Price of $245 is now available for purchase on StockX.

The post The ‘Blue the Great’ Air Jordan 1 Mid is Now Live on StockX appeared first on SLAM.

Twenty-five years ago Shaq released his second rap album, Patrick Ewing was releasing his own shoes, ’Rap Jam Volume One’ cartridges were being crammed into Super Nintendos around the world, and a young “Vincent Carter” got his first mention in SLAM No. 3. Vince got some more love from SLAM 6 and 7, and by Issue 26 he was featured in one of the dopest concept articles of all time. It included a Compact-Disc/Dolby Digital style theme (you kids wouldn’t understand). By the time he hit the cover as a rookie on SLAM 35 in ’99, we were talking mainly about one thing: his dunks. I waited for the VHS cassette tapes to arrive in the mail; Vince waited for the SportsCenter highlights in the backseat of his limo. I’d hit rewind on grainy footage of baseline reverse double clutch two-handers over the Pacers, while questioning if I’d just seen what I thought I just saw. In 2000, his participation in the previously anticlimactic Dunk Contest meant that Shaq purchased new tapes for his camcorder, and Vince’s name became so synonymous with dunks that in the ensuing SLAM issue, SLAMADAMONTH temporarily changed its name to VINCEADAMONTH.

SLAM is here to stay, but VC’s career must end. As he enters his final season, I’m praying that his knees have some juice, just enough, so that he can throw down one more off-the-glass, full extension reverse 360 windmill, elbow in the rim one last time. Preferably on (or over) Dikembe Mutombo…or Frédéric Weis. If that’s too much to ask, I’ll settle for a simple tomahawk. And I’ll have my 4K Smartphone ready.

The post The SLAM Archives: SLAM 35 Featuring Vince Carter From August of 1999 appeared first on SLAM.

As part of the “Fearless Ones” Collection, this AJ1 pays homage to UNC and Chicago, the sneaker features a patent leather upper with half Carolina Blue, Bulls red, a white midsole and red along the bottoms. The famous “Nike Air” is also featured on the tongue.

The Price Premium (over original retail price) is currently at 118.1% with an average sale price of $354.

Hit StockX to cop your pair.

The post The ‘Fearless’ Air Jordan 1 is Now Live on StockX appeared first on SLAM.

Kanye West’s latest iteration of his sneaker has a light lavender on different materials like leather, mesh and cow suede along the upper. A gum bottom sole is featured, too. The Price Premium (over original retail price) is at 57.5% with an average sale price of $342.

Struck out on release day? Hit StockX to grab your pair.

The post The ‘Soft Vision’ Yeezy Boost 500 is Now Live on StockX appeared first on SLAM.

Mission accomplished: Young has torched the Detroit Pistons (38 points, seven rebounds and nine assists) and Orlando Magic (39 points, seven rebounds and nine assists) to kick things off for the 2-0 Atlanta Hawks.

The explosive 21-year-old guard says a summer of hard work is “paying off right now.”

Per The AJC:

“The stars shine brightest in those type of moments,” Young said of his play in the final minutes. “That’s what makes the big-time players who they are. They step up in those moments for their team and it helps them win. So for me, it’s just the mentality you have to have. And for me, I feel like I have it.”

Young attributes his strong start to work he put in during the offseason, and also growing more comfortable in the league in Year 2.

“I put in a lot of work this summer and just for me, going into my second year, I knew what to really work on,” Young said. “Going in as a rookie is kind of hard, you don’t know what to expect. You just go in there with an open mind. But going into my second year I knew what I needed to get better at and I did it, and my hard work is paying off right now.”

Remaining the NBA’s leading scorer certainly isn’t the focus for Young.

“Hell nah,” Young said when asked if being the league’s leading scorer is his goal. “That’s not my goal. I don’t care about all that. I’m just caring, focusing on winning.”

Related ‘I Was Asking a Lot of Questions’: Trae Young Trained With Steve Nash

The post Trae Young: ‘My Hard Work is Paying Off Right Now’ appeared first on SLAM.

After a 24-year hiatus, this Seattle Supersonics-inspired colorway is being released to the public again. As part of the original “City Pack” in 1995, the Seattle AJX joined Chicago, New York, Sacramento and Orlando as a five-pair lineup that was an ode to each of the aforementioned NBA cities. Sonics forward Kendall Gill rocked these during his final season with the Sonics.

The sneaker features a white leather upper with black details, green accents on the collar as well along the outsoles that also features a yellow Jumpman.

Hit StockX to cop your pair.

The post The ‘Seattle’ Jordan X is Now Live on StockX appeared first on SLAM.

Sell any item on StockX at a minimum price of $150 for streetwear and collectibles or $250 for sneakers, handbags and watches to receive a 50% discount on your seller fee.

Full details below:

• Create a StockX account online or via our mobile app, which is available in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
• Sell any item on StockX at a minimum price of $150 for streetwear and collectibles or $250 for sneakers, handbags, and watches to receive a 50% discount on your seller fee.
• This promotion runs from October 17, 2019 at 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EDT.
• Please note: Your Ask must be accepted within the above timeframe to receive the discount.

Click here for more info.

The post StockX Offers 50% Off Seller Fees During Fall 🍂 appeared first on SLAM.

“Our identity is defense,” Simmons told reporters following Philly’s 100-87 Friday night preseason win over the Charlotte Hornets.

Head coach Brett Brown, who wants his team going after the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, says locking people up can be a “launching pad” for their offensive attack.

Per USA Today:

“Yeah this is what this team’s about,” said Simmons who had 15 points and five rebounds. “That’s the meeting we had, our identity is defense. We want to be the best defensive team in the NBA.”

The Sixers forced 22 turnovers on Friday including 14 steals, four coming from Thybulle, and they had 13 blocked shots. That type of defensive production with Embiid out has coach Brett Brown excited.

“I thought at times our defense was swarming,” said Brown. “We were able to take that energy and turn them over and then took off. It was a great launching pad to our fastbreak.”

Related ‘I Had to Take a Shot’: Ben Simmons Hits First Career Three-Pointer

The post Ben Simmons: ‘We Want to Be the Best Defensive Team in the NBA’ appeared first on SLAM.

La Flame’s latest collab with Jordan Brand features an Olive upper, black along the tongue, red Jumpman and on the pull tab and an icy bottom that makes the VIs that much better. A first for the VIs are the cargo pockets placed on each side of the sneaker.

When it comes to all of Scott’s shoes – “Cactus Jack” AJIV, AJI low and high, and his friends-and-family IVs – where does his latest collab rank?

The VIs price premium (over original retail price) is at 400.0% and has an average sale price of $1,232. To avoid any L’s on release day, hit StockX to grab your pair early.

The post The ‘Travis Scott’ AJVI is Now Live on StockX appeared first on SLAM.

Japan-based brand Sacai and the Swoosh have been a great 1-2 punch this whole year. The two new colors are the latest release after the “Black Legend Blue” and “Yellow Red” pairs.

“White Grey” features a white base with different hues of grey along the swooshes and a deconstructing layering tongue to give it that vintage feel.

The “Black Grey” pair has a black base with an overlapping black swoosh. Grey is featured on another swoosh as well as the toe cap and a lining that goes to the upper of the shoe.

Currently, the price premium (over original retail price) for the “White Grey” is 121.4% with an average sale price of $405 while the “White Black” is at price premium of 185.7% with an average sale price of $440.

Hit StockX to cop your pairs.

The post The ‘White Grey’ & ‘Black Grey’ Nike Sacai Blazer is Now Live on StockX appeared first on SLAM.

Check out all the highlights from Day 1.

The post Isaiah Thomas Catches FIRE 🔥 Teams up with Kevin Porter Jr & Kelly Oubre at Zeke-End! appeared first on SLAM.

Williams also went up against Rayvon Griffith, one of the top incoming freshman prospects in the nation.

The post Mikey Williams HUGE Chase-Down Block Gets Nate Robinson HYPED! 😱 appeared first on SLAM.

The Blue Chips put on a show with LeBron James courtside.

The post Bronny James Ends Game with BANGOUT! 💪🏽 The Chips are Finals Bound! appeared first on SLAM.

“I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of the Jordan Brand family,” Williamson says via Nike. “Since I was a kid, I dreamed of making it to the league and having the type of impact on the game Michael Jordan had and continues to have today. He was one of those special athletes I looked up to, and I really can’t express how happy and excited I am for this journey.”

“Zion’s incredible determination, character and play are inspiring,” Michael Jordan said via Nike. “He’s an essential part of the new talent that will help lead the brand into the future. He told us he would ‘shock the world,’ and asked us to believe him. We do.”

Stay tuned to see the sneakers that Williamson will be lacing up during his rookie season.

The post Zion Williamson Announces He’s Signed with Jordan Brand appeared first on SLAM.

The post #NYvsNY Week Three Recap appeared first on SLAM.

Simmons’ camp and Philadelphia’s front-office are expected to come to an agreement soon.

The 22-year-old former Rookie of the Year averaged 16.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists last season.

Per ESPN:

The Philadelphia 76ers offered All-Star guard Ben Simmons a five-year, $170 million maximum extension, and the sides are working through contract details toward an eventual agreement, league sources tell ESPN.

Sixers general manager Elton Brand and Simmons’ agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, have until mid-October to finalize a rookie extension, but there’s a shared expectation a signed agreement will come significantly sooner, league sources said.

Simmons, the 2016 No. 1 overall pick and 2018 NBA Rookie of the Year, is one of the cornerstone stars for the 76ers. His teammates, including All-Star center Joel Embiid (five years, $150 million), Tobias Harris (five years, $180 million) and Al Horford (four years, $109 million) have been secured with long-term deals.

Related Report: Jimmy Butler Turned Down the Sixers’ Max Offer

The post Report: Sixers Offer Ben Simmons 5-Year, $170 Million Max Extension appeared first on SLAM.

We spent the day with Ball back in May for the SLAM 222 shoot.

The post LaMelo Ball Gets Tested in Close Game at the Drew League! 👀 appeared first on SLAM.

Peep the eldest O’Neal’s HS highlights.

The post Shareef O’Neal Teams Up with Brandon Jennings at the Drew League 👀 appeared first on SLAM.

The post 50 BALL!?! Daeshun Ruffin Drops 51 Points at 8 AM 😱 appeared first on SLAM.