Like any young hooper, Caleb Wilson tended to look to the most obvious sources for inspiration. “When I was younger, I used to only look at the stars—LeBron, Kobe, the big names,” he explains. “But my dad brought it to my attention that there were a lot of people I didn’t know about.”

A willingness to accept his father’s guidance helps explain how, when asked to name some of the players whose games he admires, the 18-year-old rattles off a list of guys who would impress any hoop-savvy dad—and probably a lot of grandfathers, too. “I watch Tracy McGrady, Penny Hardaway, John Stockton, Steve Nash, David Thompson, Alex English. I watch Clyde Drexler, Rick Barry, Chris Mullin and Run TMC, Nique, young Shaq in Orlando, and then the Lakers—I could go on and on about Magic and Kareem…”

He smiles. “I can keep going. I know a lot about basketball.”

Of course, his appearance in this magazine means Wilson is more than just a well-informed fan. The 6-9, 205-pound forward at Atlanta’s Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School is also a consensus top-10 prospect in the 2025 class, with a game informed both by that multigenerational collective of NBA greats and current stars like Nikola Jokic. With the game’s positionless revolution firmly entrenched, it only makes sense that a dude like Wilson would look far and wide for inspiration. “I feel like every player has aspects you can learn from,” he says, “especially the great ones.”

Wilson has a long way to go before he hears his name mentioned in the same breath as the aforementioned All-Stars and Hall of Famers, but then he’s already come a long way. He was a relatively late bloomer compared to most of his peers near the top of the rankings, and the memories of how far he felt from the game’s elite provides ample motivation now that he’s among the best high schoolers in the country. “I feel like a lot of younger kids look up to me because of that, so I want to talk about my humble beginnings, my struggles as a young player,” he says. “I remember not being the best player—it sticks with me. Just because you’re not good at something now doesn’t mean you can’t be good at it later.”

Wilson’s rise is proof of that, as evidenced by his production at Holy Innocents (he averaged 21 points, 15 rebounds and over 4 blocks last season) and on the Nike EYBL circuit, as well as his invite to this summer’s USA Basketball U18 junior national team camp. Of course, big-time programs have noticed. As we went to press, Auburn, UNC, Stanford and Duke were among the favorites to bring him to campus in 2025.

Low-key off the court—“I like to play video games, I watch a lot of TV, especially anime, and sometimes I do Legos,” he says—Wilson is committed to the game and usually in the gym. Still somewhat raw offensively, he’s athletic and savvy enough to still get his points or get teammates involved, and as those blocked-shot numbers attest, he’s got the potential to be a game-changer on D. Talent and motivation go a long way, of course, but ultimately, Wilson says the foundation of his game comes down to nothing more complicated than holding himself accountable and putting in work.

“I feel like it’s just discipline and commitment,” he says. “Once you tell yourself, I’m gonna do something, and you follow through with it, you build trust with yourself. I became true to myself about that: Caleb, you’re going to dribble every single day for 30 minutes, you’re going to do push-ups, you’re going to do sit-ups every single day. It allows for belief that you can do better. You’re competing with yourself.”

Portraits via Omar Rawlings.

The post Caleb Wilson Studied the Legends of the Game, Now He’s Channeling Their Wisdom as He Makes His Own Mark as a Top 10 Player in the Class of 2025 appeared first on SLAM.

SLAM 251 featuring Naz Reid is available now.

The name of the reigning Sixth Man of the Year represents more than just a name at this point. Naz Reid has become a greeting between Minnesota Timberwolves fans outside of home games. It’s turned into a consistent stream of car horns outside of Parkway Pizza in Northeast Minneapolis with the now famous “Honk If You Love Naz Reid” sign sitting right outside. It’s transformed the seats of the Target Center into a beach day with Naz Reid towels in late March. It’s seen hundreds of yard signs plastered with his face strewn about lawns across the greater Minneapolis area.

It’s the name of a Jeopardy contestant’s cat. It’s even become the first tattoo for everyone from 18-year-olds kids to 82-year-old grandmothers. Naz Reid has got a hold on the Timberwolves fan base and the greater NBA community. There’s no explanation, no broader details. This is the epitome of if you know, you know. And trust us, after this past season, everyone and their momma, and their mommas, knows about the rise of Naz Reid.

But at first, Naz didn’t think the ink was real.

After the Timberwolves took down the Denver Nuggets by 26 points in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals—featuring 14 points, 5 boards, 4 blocks and 4 threes from the man himself—two lifelong Wolves fans and artists at Beloved Studios in Roseville, MN, set the stage for the community’s latest outpouring of admiration.

At 12:29 a.m. on May 7th, tattoo artist JC Stroebel tweeted out, “Will tattoo ‘Naz Reid’ on anyone for $20. I’m dead serious.”

Hundreds of requests followed.

“It was crazy. I think the 82-year-old lady was the first person that I saw, and then the list just goes on, I think 200-plus,” Naz tells SLAM. “It was up to the point where I was at the barbershop one day and two kids came in [and] my name was their first tattoo. So, that was crazy to experience. Definitely super exciting. It’s something you obviously dream about as a kid, to have that type of fan base and that excitement around your name is huge.”

From the back of the tricep to the lower thigh just above the kneecap, that excitement is on permanent display in Times New Roman font. The feeling has been surreal, in Naz’s words.

His name has become celebrated among a small market fan base longing for a return to prominence. Yes, the Timberwolves have a bonafide superstar in Anthony Edwards, alongside All-Stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert manning the paint. But it’s the 6-9 versatile New Jersey native with the bag of a guard that has completely won over the hearts and minds of Timberwolves fans. And it’s the reason he’s on this very cover.

Naz Reid is the unsung hero of Minnesota. His quiet confidence is on full display as soon as he walks into the gym we’ve rented out in Las Vegas for his first SLAM cover shoot. Summer League games are taking place just a few miles away, but Naz is suited in his midnight blue and white Timberwolves threads with contrasting “Reverse Grinch” Kobe 6s on his feet as we snap away flicks. He’s paying no mind to the record-setting 116-degree heat that awaits just outside. 

Reid is only the third-ever undrafted player to win the Sixth Man of the Year award—joining John Starks and Darrell Armstrong—and the first Timberwolves player to take home the honor. His 13.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game on 41 percent shooting from three weren’t just a bump across the board from years’ past. The 2023-24 season served as his arrival as a full-fledged force in the L.

“This is the craziest I’ve ever seen it, especially this past season with how far we made it in the Western Conference Finals,” Naz says of the culture in Minnesota. “It’s been crazy. We have posters everywhere, chalk on the ground everywhere. It’s super exciting. Definitely something that we’re looking forward to for years to come.”

If you were to truly dive into why the Timberwolves fan base has such a deep-rooted love affair with the stoic 25-year-old, the overwhelming answer would probably be the relatability of his journey. And definitely the way he moves with the rock.

It’s the opening round of the Western Conference playoffs and the Wolves are cruising with a 17-point lead over the Phoenix Suns. With 9:53 left in the fourth quarter, Naz snags a loose ball and sets out in transition. A duo of rapid in-and-out dribbles follow, keeping Eric Gordon from planting his back foot confidently. As Naz finishes the second move with the ball, he whips it wide over his right shoulder, high above Gordon’s head, into a fluid pro hop. Time stops for a moment, as he cradles it in his chest and Bradley Beal enters the scene to contest. Except this is Big Jelly we’re talking about. With ease and a calming finesse, Naz pulls his momentum to the left side of the basket and lays the ball onto the glass and through the net with a clean right-handed reverse.

These routine displays of basketball artistry have sent home crowds into a frenzy, but for those in Asbury Park, NJ, they’re reminiscent of the days Naz was cooking at Roselle Catholic and dropping highlight after highlight as an official member of the Jelly Fam.

“That’s just my go-to. I’ve been doing that for a long time, long time,” Naz says of his transition excellence. “I think Jersey guys are just shiftier than a lot of other people. We just come with a different type of swag and game to any move that we put into play. That’s just kind of how we roll. You think about all the guards that have been in the NBA or near the NBA. You’ve got Kyrie Irving, Isaiah Briscoe, Kyle Anderson; you’ve got a lot of guys who are shifty and move with a different type of swag. I think it’s just kind of how we roll and where we come from.”

Looking back on the days when high school phenoms were stitching a new era into the cultural fabric of hoops, Naz now appreciates the impact being surrounded by guys like Jahvon Quinerly, Atiba Taylor and Luther Muhammad had on his game. “Everything has definitely translated and taken off to what it was back then to where it is now,” Reid says.

Twenty-seven points, 6 rebounds and 7 threes against Dallas in mid-December. A 31-piece and 11 boards while shooting 75 percent from the field in an early April dub vs. the Lakers. Twenty-three points on 78 percent shooting from three in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.

From Roselle Catholic to Minneapolis, Naz has blended a guard-like fluidity and pace with the size and skills of a stretch big. He punishes smaller mismatches in the low post with surgical footwork and hook shots while dusting slower opponents at the elbow. He cashes in corner threes before his defender even realizes he left the paint. And he thrives, absolutely thrives, in any position head coach Chris Finch puts him in.

“We’ve had lineups this past year where I was the 3. We’ve had big lineups, so that’s something that I’ve been working on and continuing to work on,” Naz says. “Time will tell, but I can probably transition to a 3, 4 or 5 in this League. So, I’m just going to keep working on it and keep expanding my role.”

In that role as first off the pine, Naz recorded the most consistent season of his career in ’23-24. Fourteen 20-plus point performances in the regular season behind a career-high shooting from deep. And his defensive instincts began to shine. With No. 11 on the floor, the Timberwolves recorded a League-best 107.9 defensive rating. The infamous Game 2 that spawned a litany of tattoos saw Naz enact a defensive masterclass. In the first half alone, he stuffed Jamal Murray twice, then rejected Nikola Jokic on a pair of shots.

Ahead of the ’23-24 season, Naz signed a three-year, $42 million extension with the Timberwolves. The deal was five years of tumultuous work in the making.

His illustrious rise from Jersey to LSU wasn’t met with the same amount of enthusiasm you might have expected when he set his sights on the NBA. After a lone season in Baton Rouge, the 6-9 forward went undrafted in 2019.

His 13.6 points and 7.2 rebounds during that season were enough to receive SEC All-Freshman team honors, but the League wasn’t biting. Concerns around his draft workouts and size were highlighted.

“It just made me more hungry. It kind of rose, kind of changed to where I was the hunted, now I’m hunting at that point,” Naz tells SLAM. “In high school, I was a top recruit, five-star, McDonald’s All American, things like that, to where now I had to grind to be in a position where I had to compete against others who were at high levels, who were drafted and things of that nature. So [I was] putting myself in that perspective of just hunting.”

Over the past five seasons, Naz has hunted for more minutes, more shots, more defensive assignments and more responsibility. In every role he’s found himself in, he’s progressed. Dialing into the specifics matters—who he works out with, his daily routines, even what time he goes to sleep at night—all of his habits are predisposed to how things carry over into the next season. Consistency in his role, in his growth, “that’s just the key to the sauce, to be honest.”

As a result, the fame, the outpouring of love and the appreciation he’s received have reached yet another peak. From influencing an entire generation with how they lay the ball up as a 17-year-old to the cult following of his name in the League, Naz has been dealing with the many waves of notoriety for years.

“I treat it as second hand and whatever comes with me putting the work that I put in, I’m excited to have,” Naz says. “Obviously, I’m truly humbled to have all that. I think as anyone should at the professional level, take that along with the bumps and bruises. Just keep being you and playing your game.”

Standing in front of a blue seamless backdrop that lets the aurora green piping of his shorts pop, Naz holds the infamous “Naz Reid” towel outstretched across his back. That March 22 evening was his favorite from this past season. As 18,000 faithful unfurled the towels throughout the arena, Naz dropped 18 points en route to a 13-point win over the Cavaliers. “That moment was a moment where I had to really take it in,” he says. “I haven’t really explained how much I appreciated that moment and how much that really made me feel as far as excited and wanted and loved.”

So we asked him to expand on that appreciation, to speak directly to the fans. From Naz to the Timberwolves fan base, NAZ REID the cat and those who hold his name in ink, this is his message:

“I appreciate every single one of you guys. You guys have seen me come in and work since day one, since the two-way signing to where I am now to this point,” Naz says. “I think everybody knows how much work and dedication I put in and [the] aspirations that I put in to get to where I am now. It’s not going to stop now. This is only the beginning.”

Portraits by Erik Isakson. Action photos via Getty Images.

The post Naz Reid Explains His Cult Following, Winning Sixth Man of the Year and Building a Newfound Culture in Minnesota appeared first on SLAM.

At the age of 10, Kateryna Koval had to make a potentially life-changing choice between her first two loves: ballet and basketball. Fast forward to the present, and the 6-4 center reflects back knowing that she made the obvious right one. Surprisingly, Koval and her family had doubts about her pursuing hoops. To be fair, basketball didn’t run in the family and no one envisioned that she would develop into a five-star prospect.

“I was thinking of choosing ballet because I didn’t like basketball at first. But then…I fell in love with the game,” she says. 

Born in Ukraine, Koval knew she was talented enough to pursue a career in hoops when she was just 12, back when she was playing against 15-year-olds. Two years ago, Long Island Lutheran head coach Christina Raiti saw Koval’s highlights and convinced her to move 4,664 miles from her childhood home to join the program. “It was hard knowing I’m leaving my family, my friends, everything I love and [am] used to,” she says. 

Although it was potentially a life-changing decision, she was also excited to take the leap. “The idea of exploring new things, getting a better education, playing basketball against the best players in the country is so exciting for me,” she says. “That part covered all the stress.” 

You’ll find Koval on a highly ranked squad for any tournament she’s in, including her national team (which she started playing on when she was 12). She was a certified baller at the FIBA U16 Women’s European Challengers, averaging 26 points and 14.2 rebounds per game. Koval models her game after NBA and WNBA champions Nikola Jokic and A’ja Wilson. “I love Nikola Jokic and the way he is able to pass the ball and shoot.” she says. “I [also] love A’ja Wilson, her game and physicality.” 

Koval’s versatility allows her to stretch the floor and knock down threes without hesitation. “It’s kind of disrespectful to me—leaving me open, thinking I can’t shoot,” she says. All business on the court, her competitive nature is what makes her personality. “You’re probably not going to see me smile or laugh during the game,” she says. “We can be friends outside the court. I can hug you after the game, but if we play against each other, you know I love winning and I hate losing.”

Koval has become “the girl” that opposing coaches have to scheme against. “I go into every single game knowing I’m going to be double-teamed, even triple-teamed,” she says. Dare to put three defenders on her and she’ll dish the ball to her teammates for wide open shots. “I’m going to pass that ball,” she says, “and I’m going to continue to do that because it’s the right play.” 

Koval already has her career goals mapped out. This year? Win “a national title with my team,” she says. Then she smiles and adds, “and make my college decision.” Koval’s rising number of offer letters includes top programs like LSU, Notre Dame, Duke and Stanford, and she still has more official recruiting visits lined up. Whichever program she decides to commit to, her goal remains the same.

“The goal is winning the national championship with my college team,” she says. Koval also has her eyes set on the big League. “The long, long term is going pro, WNBA.”

Portraits by Marcus Stevens.

The post Meet Kateryna Koval: the Class of 2024 Star Who Moved from Ukraine to the United States to Pursue Her Hoop Dreams appeared first on SLAM.

As the name indicates, it’s the fourth version of New Balance’s flagship performance basketball silhouette. The NB design team turned up the volume with this one. The v4 is the first time that they’ve combined their high-quality cushioning technologies. FuelCell and Fresh Foam dance around each other, weaving and mixing on the v4. Things are gonna get all kinds of plush when the pair drops later this year. 

Time to get scientific. It’s the only way to correctly articulate the incoming elegance. Please peep the elevated diction in honor of the opulence. This is decadent expressionism. 

KICKS 26 featuring Jamal Murray is out now. Shop now.

Starting with FuelCell, New Balance took foam cushioning and hit that sucka with nitrogen. By infusing it with an element straight from the periodic table, some serious softness gets unlocked. The FuelCell cushioning that’s packed with nitrogen was seen on the v3, but it wasn’t joined by Fresh Foam. Now it is. Fresh Foam was made by 3D motion capture study. The engineers who worked on it collected data from pressure mapping and force application and then used that data to get the ideal comfort. 

When the dust settled on the v4’s final form, the FuelCell showed up in the lateral forefoot
and the medial heel. Fresh Foam popped out in the medial forefoot and the lateral heel. The v4’s outsole shows how the setups unite. It’s impressive engineering to get different compounds to interact with each other. FuelCell’s job is to provide dynamic responsiveness. Fresh Foam’s objective is comfort. Breathable mesh then covers the v4’s upper. There are also mid-foot webbings for lockdown and a big external heel counter. 

“Smooth,” Murray says about the v4. “It’s light. Comfy.”

He’s been a member of the New Balance squad for nearly three years now. As one of their most important athletes, the brand relies on his input to drive the TWO WXY franchise’s direction. 

“Just comfort, first and foremost,” he says on what he asked New Balance to deliver in the v4. 

“And I like colors. I like being able to separate the colors. I just want to be able to have more play in what it’s going to look like on the court. Even the black and white, something so simple as black and white, kinda reminds me of the old T-Macs in a way. Just kinda brings back memories. And I see the potential in what we can do this season.”

Speaking of what he and New Balance can do this season, he offers a slight preview of the v4 PEs he’ll be rocking in 2023-24. 

“You’ll definitely see the flooded out again, for sure,” he answers. That’s a reference to his preference for sneakers made up of mostly one hue, so much so that it floods the entire sneaker. “That’s my favorite. I like to have a sleek look, clean look, nothing too fussy. But I think with this, the way they designed it, I can still be creative.

“This doesn’t look blocky,” he goes on about the sneaker. “And I can obviously play with the colors and put it to my liking. As long as it doesn’t look too fussy. I can still look clean. I can either go with the flood look or I can mix it up.”

Murray says that footwear played a big role in his creativity as a kid. 

“That was the first thing I was able to create,” he says. “I did a lot of drawing growing up. My dad did a lot of drawing and sketching. He did t-shirts and hoodies and all that. And I feel like shoes were my first way to, you know, put what I had in my mind onto the court.”

Though NB doesn’t offer much on Murray’s v4 PEs, reps confirm that allusions will be made to Murray’s heritage, his love of the UFC and even his appreciation for red and white wines. 

These days, Murray says that music has become his creative outlet. He likes to read lyrics as artists like Lil Wayne, Eminem or J. Cole are mid-flow. With all the traveling he does and the time he spends getting mentally prepped for high-octane physical performance, he’s constantly listening to music, so much so that it’s helped him off the court. 

“Actually, music helped me speak a little bit better,” Murray says. “Getting in front of big crowds, I used to get really nervous. I still do to a point, but it used to be bad back then. And being able to read lyrics at a faster pace helped me articulate what I’m trying to get across better.”

It’s only been about two years since reading the lyrics has made him feel more comfortable with speaking in public. He’s pretty comfortable right now at our shoot. He’s gravitated to the white/black/red v4s since he came on set. In between rapping along to every line of these Cole songs, he’s been coming up with ideas. He’s thrown up a few peace signs. He’s pointed to his ring finger. He’s done his own styling and picked out what he feels most comfortable in, namely the dark green hoodie he’s wearing on this cover. 

Always a floor general.

Just less than a month has gone by since the championship-clinching win on June 12. 

Murray’s story is well known by now. He tore the ACL in his left knee on April 12, 2021, and still managed to climb all the way up the mountain to win the title. 

What’s less known is the man who lived the story. Murray has a tendency to stay quiet and not open all the way up. It’s not out of difficulty. He’s not a disrespectful human. In fact, it’s because he doesn’t think people will understand. He lives his life in the details. This is somebody who understands the feeling of individual muscles.

He pays attention to the heel movements of his opponents. He’s extremely attentive, but he operates in a world where speed and ease are the social currency. His true love of the game definitely takes more than 15 seconds to explain and that’s just about the attention span for most of the basketball-viewing public. That’s part of the game’s beauty. It can be fast food, or it can be a five-course meal that lasts four hours. Murray likes the latter. It just takes him a while to show it. 

Go back and watch his postgame press conference after the Nuggets won it all. He had been at the podium for about two and a half minutes when he started to break down the way his shot was feeling. Headed into a very technical territory of jump shooting, he stopped himself. “Forget—whatever,” he said on stage. He cut himself off. He stopped himself again during our interview. He was asked about an infamous staircase. It’s a staircase he’s mentioned in interview after interview and would prove to be a barometer for his rehab. 

“Obviously when I first got hurt, I couldn’t even bend my legs,” he says. “So going up the stairs, that’s why it sticks in my head so long. And with the injury and the knee, when you’re going down the stairs, you feel the tendon working. So when I was healthy enough to go down and up stairs, I could feel the wiggle on the way up and down. I could feel [that] I couldn’t bend as much. So that was stuck in my mind. Like, I gotta lift more, I gotta go deeper in my lifts when I’m doing single leg. I gotta do a heavier weight, I gotta ice more. I’m too sore today. That was my tell of how my body was feeling and where I was at.”

He almost didn’t allow himself to speak at a granular level about the sensation of one tendon in his left knee. But the granular level is the very best level. 

After that, it was only about the details. Jamal Murray, NBA champion, New Balance athlete, pride of Kitchener, Ontario, broke down his approach to watching film and shooting the basketball at a very, very, very granular level. Here’s some real insight into the mind of a title-winning point guard: 

“I go home and I watch so much film. I’ll be at dinner, throwing on my highlights. I’ll be watching some other guys. Talking about movements in basketball, and feel, and rhythm, and that hop that you’re talking about. Trae Young does the hop, too. Every time I do the hop, I’m probably rejecting. Every time he does it, he’s looking to reject or he’s looking to pull up. It’s a deceptive thing. You create an off-beat step to get your opponent going one way. You’re trying to make your defender think that you don’t see what’s there. Even if he’s sending me that way, I’ll just turn my body more and hesitate so that as he steps, I haven’t gone anywhere. Now I can reject or I can play off it. [Nikola Jokic] flips the screen, pull-up three. It’s all a read, and the reads are so minute, so detailed, a lot of people don’t know what I’m talking about. 

“So when I watch a highlight, right? Say I reject a screen and I shoot a pull-up three. An easy example. I’ll watch my shot, my steps. I’ll watch especially the timing. A lot of times, especially in transition, I’ll throw the ball to Jok and you don’t even see that we made eye contact. But I remember, OK, he looked at me then. His defender wasn’t looking. That pass is there. Or, The help defense didn’t see that so I know that’s there. When I shoot that pull-up three, as soon as the defender goes like that, that’s when I go. It’s hard for them to look back and see that. I’ll look at all that. Then when I get to the shot, I’ll look at how I went to my shot. Did I go left-right? Did I go right-left? Did I hop? Did I lean too forward? Did I jump too high? Did I not jump at all? Did I take too long? Did I arc it too much? Did I not hold my follow-through? Did I lean to the left because I was going to the left? Did I lean to the right? Did I over-lean? Did I over-kick? And they’re all makeable shots so when I dissect myself, I’m not—I could always do something better. But if I’m going to take that shot again, there are things I can fix to make it. So then I watch reactions. I’ll watch the fun stuff. I’ll watch the coach. How’d he react to a bad shot I made? Who stood up on my team to celebrate the three? Stuff like that.”

This section has not been for the casuals. This section has been for the ’heads. It’s been for the basketball-playing, mechanic-loving, film-obsessed nerds. Just a little bit of revenge for all of us. 

An orange couch has been sitting in the corner of the studio. Murray moves from the first photo setup over to the couch and quickly says these flicks are his favorite of the day. Looking over at the monitor, his face instantly shifts from mean mug to smile when he sees himself propped up with the v4 colorways all around. 

Click, snap, lightbulbs go off. 

The photos taken, the interview done, the real love for the game showcased, Jamal Murray takes off the yet-to-be-released New Balance TWO WXY v4 and exits the photo studio we’ve rented in Denver. 

Portraits by Marcus Stevens.

The post Jamal Murray Debuts the New Balance TWO WXY v4 and Shares the Secrets to His Jumpshot appeared first on SLAM.

It’s a simple but important designation that has become a rallying cry of sorts for fans who’ve waited nearly half a century to be taken seriously on the game’s biggest stage. Because despite the lazy misnomer that Denver is some barren mountain town only capable of football obsession, hoops culture in this part of the country has been thriving. And now, for the very first time, that basketball city is home to the best basketball team in the world.

It has taken exactly 47 years, 29 trips to the playoffs and one exceptionally talented man from Serbia to fully exorcise the NBA demons that have haunted this land for decades. That’s not even taking into consideration the extra nine campaigns that Denver spent in the ABA prior, each also ending in postseason heartbreak. But that was then.

This is now; a now where the Denver Nuggets really are world champions and a fan base can finally break free from playoff purgatory. It’s a beautiful outcome for a dream that has been brewing for years, with a team culture all their own. Equipped with a starting unit all age 30 or under and all returning next season, it might actually be the beginning of a whole new future for both the franchise and city, too.

Having grown up in Denver myself, it’s also something I’ve thought about for well over two decades. What if they actually won it?

So, as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope snatched that final rebound in the waning moments of Game 5 against Miami, and confetti rained down from the Ball Arena heavens above, it made me reflect on the road the Nuggets took to get there. On how far the city has come in reclaiming its passion for the sport. And on how powerful the connection to both a team and a hometown can be for so many.

Let’s take it back. I didn’t inherit this path—I chose it. As the son of a Midwestern salesman and realtor, my family moved around a lot before settling down in the surprisingly vast metropolitan sprawl of Denver, CO. After living in basketball-obsessed cities like Chicago and Dayton, OH, I touched down in Denver in 1998. The Nuggets had won just 11 games all season and couldn’t fill their arena. It wasn’t exactly electric, but it was the beginning. The Nuggets have held a piece of my heart since, but it took a minute to capture everyone else’s.

The thing about Denver is that despite its mid-market classification, it’s still a city with teams in all four major professional sports—three of which have been crowned champions since 2015. If we’re talking about the last decade, the Mile High City has as good a case as any for the distinction of Title Town. So, fighting for relevancy and attention doesn’t always come easy, even locally.

One thing that is sure to bind the masses, though, is an underdog. And what’s great about an underdog story is that it can assume many forms. It can be about a city that feels overlooked and miscast as some small David out west. It can be about a franchise that was close to glory before, but never able to summit the mountain until now.

It can be about Jamal Murray, a flamethrower from Kitchener, Ontario, returning stronger after a devastating knee injury to light up the 2023 Playoffs. Or Nikola Jokic, a back-to-back MVP from Sombor, Serbia, who has defied both logic and expectation at every turn since he was drafted 41st overall. Similar can be said about players up and down this roster, from Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr to Bruce Brown and rookie Christian Braun. Each carries a chip on their respective shoulders—both individually and together as one.

This town has always embraced that underdog mentality, and its basketball team has embodied that to its core.

Head coach Michael Malone knew that when he first came to Denver in 2015. So did the front office when it went to work rebuilding a team in that image.

Think what you want about his delivery methods, but there’s nothing vague about both Malone’s personality or the culture he’s worked to instill. He’s direct, often bluntly so, passionate and intensely steadfast about what the mission at hand is—driving home the narrative, round after round, that Denver was disrespected and overlooked. Whether you agree or not, that locker room believed it in its bones. Underdog fuel.

Hell, Malone popped off one of the greatest championship parade performances of all time at the podium, and I’m confident it was only partially due to the cinnamon whiskey coursing through his veins. Still, all that fire(ball) and fierceness only goes so far unless your players are buying into the message. Thankfully for Denver, if playing the role of challenger is the script bonding its players together, selflessness is the super glue keeping anything from falling apart.

“When we win a championship, it’s 17 players strong,” said Malone in front of an estimated 750,000 Nuggets faithful at the championship parade, screaming until his voice was gone. “It’s the coaching staff, it’s the front office, it’s the ownership, but more importantly, it’s all of you [the fans].”

He paused slightly before extending out the mission.

“Y’all wanna do it again? Let’s do this. Dynasty. Dynasty. Dynasty. I love y’all.”

You could almost feel him working through next season’s narrative in real time. Surely no one believes they can repeat again next year, right??? Underdog fuel.

These Nuggets have embraced the journey. They play for each other and often talk about how, to win for the next man, you’ve gotta sacrifice your own ego at the door. Every player, every coach, every fan. That’s the only way you can break a curse that’s lasted 47 years—and how you run through Minnesota, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Miami to do it. You’ve got to earn it.

I’ve never been to a championship parade before, so I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect.

I definitely didn’t expect that upwards of 750,000 people would come out to celebrate on a Thursday morning. But they did—littered in championship swag, Mile High jerseys and about a thousand shirts featuring Murray and Jokic photoshopped onto the Step Brothers movie poster.

It also became clear that not only had the city’s passion and mentality rubbed off on the team, but the fans had taken a page straight from the Nuggets handbook.

What’s immediately evident when you watch Denver play is that they all seem to genuinely like each other. In every interview and at every opportunity, each player on the team comes back to this central point: they root for the guy next to them. And granted, every fan who found themselves at the parade was there to celebrate a literal world championship, but for at least a few hours it did feel like everyone in the city genuinely liked each other, too. Not one of them can drop a 30-point triple-double in the Finals, so maybe that’s where the similarities end, but it was admittedly cool to see.

For a guy who has largely watched this current team blossom and grow from a thousand miles away in California, it was a bit surreal to see how many, and how much, other people truly cared.

It meant something to these fans, and it means something to this city. That something is different for everyone, including Jokic, who also provided the most notable on-stage appearance of parade day.

When it was finally his turn at the microphone, he stood there for a minute and waited, smiling and taking in the overwhelming chants of “M-V-P” below, with his entire team hyping up the crowd from behind. That moment of crowd swell felt like an avalanche of joy and relief. Like a great communal weight had finally been lifted.

Being a fan of anything is a journey, and it can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. A connection to home, a love for the game, a family bond, a piece of a community. For 47 years, this community has seen the ups and downs of where that journey can take you. From the lottery to the bubble to the Finals. The painful lows only made the epic ascent mean that much more.  You’ve got to earn it.

Yet, and rightfully so, none of that seemed to matter much as Joker finally quieted the crowd back down to reality. In the end, maybe we don’t need to overcomplicate it, but rather just enjoy the view. Especially when you’re looking at it from an all-new elevation.

“I f—ing want to stay on parade,” said Joker smiling to the crowd. “This is amazing. We are all going to remember this our whole lives.

“We love you Denver, this one is for you.”

Amen, brother. It’s finally a parade inside my basketball city, yeah.

SLAM 245 featuring Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets is available now.

Photos via Getty Images.

The post The Denver Nuggets’ Rise to Becoming NBA Champions Marks a New Beginning for the City appeared first on SLAM.

To celebrate Denver winning their first-ever title, we just dropped SLAM 245, the Champs Issue, featuring none other than the Champion and Finals MVP himself.

Get your copy of SLAM 245 right now so you can read it at your home, whether that’s in Serbia, Denver or beyond. Also, this issue is available now in an exclusive Gold Metal Edition and Cover Tee.

The post Nikola Jokic Covers SLAM 245: Gold Metal Editions, Cover Tees and More appeared first on SLAM.

The United States will enter the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup in August as the second- ranked country in the world.

Yes, the second-ranked country.

For the first time in more than a decade, US men’s basketball slipped to No. 2 in the FIBA world rankings back in November. The top spot currently belongs to Spain, winners of the 2022 FIBA EuroBasket—the championship of Europe for men’s national teams—and the 2019 FIBA World Cup (a tournament in which the Americans finished seventh). The US does not send its A-team to events such as the FIBA AmeriCup, where it came in third last year after being knocked out by Argentina, but the results of those tournaments still impact the rankings. And while the squad put together for the Tokyo Olympics emerged victorious two summers ago, it lost to France during the preliminary round and only won by 5, 87-82, in a rematch in the Final. 

You don’t have to look hard for proof that the game is growing around the world. The three finalists for the 2023 NBA MVP hailed from countries outside the United States—winner Joel Embiid (Cameroon) and runners-up Nikola Jokic (Serbia) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece)—as well as six of the top eight vote-getters. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada) finished fifth, followed by Domantas Sabonis (Lithuania) in seventh and Luka Doncic (Slovenia) in eighth. This marked the fifth straight season that a foreign-born player was crowned MVP, dating back to Antetokounmpo’s first triumph in 2019.

Most of those stars have confirmed that they intend to play in the upcoming World Cup, which will take place in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia. This year’s event will be the second to feature 32 teams and the first to be hosted by multiple nations. It’s also the gateway to the 2024 Olympics in Paris, as seven countries will qualify based on their performances: two from the Americas, two from Europe, one from Africa, one from Asia and one from Oceania.

For the US, the tournament will be far from a cakewalk, regardless of who lands on the team’s final roster. 

“There are quality players around the world—I think we’re starting to see that,” says Carlan Gay, deputy editor at The Sporting News and an announcer for international competitions. “Four of the five that finished at the top of the MVP voting aren’t American born—that just tells you that the world isn’t catching up, it has caught up.” 

“I think that we have this idea that, well, if it’s not American, it’s not as good,” says Jeff Taylor, an international basketball commentator since 1997. “I understood immediately watching the [1997] EuroBasket—watching a game between Poland and Germany—I was struck by how good they were.” 

Taylor has covered most of FIBA’s flagship events since then, observing firsthand how the level of talent has risen in other countries. “It’s grown exponentially,” he tells SLAM. “I think it was already good at the time, but I think there are different factors at work here [that have made it even better].”

For one, an increasing number of Europeans jumped to the NBA in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The success of guys like Dirk Nowitzki, Pau Gasol and Tony Parker helped erase stigmas about foreign players—mainly, that they were too soft and not athletic enough to succeed in the States—and inspired others to follow in their footsteps.

Emerging talents overseas join top professional organizations as teenagers, where they are exposed to elite coaching and stiff competition that accelerates their development. Doncic signed a five-year contract with Real Madrid at the age of 13, and No. 1 NBA draft prospect Victor Wembanyama has been a pro since he was 15. Of course, those high-level prospects also join their respective national team programs early on, which facilitates even more growth.

“There’s more opportunity for development within your national team program [overseas],” says University of Alabama assistant coach Ryan Pannone, who has previously coached in the NBA, G League, China Germany, Slovakia and Israel. “And the pressure those guys are playing under and the pride for their national teams is really high. [For example], Luka was playing within the national team obviously from a very young age in Slovenia, and he was in the academy within Real Madrid in Spain. So he’s getting professional coaching seven days a week from coaches whose full-time jobs are to make sure he develops; and then in the summer, he’s in the national team system of Slovenia, where he’s playing in high-pressure-filled games.”

Basketball journeyman Scotty Hopson, who has played in 10 countries and suited up for the 2018 USA World Cup Qualifying Team, notes that the “athleticism level” has increased among international players. “Whenever I go to these countries and play against other teams and players, I feel like they always have a knowledge of basketball that’s pretty high level,” says Hopson. “And now you add the component that guys are starting to get more athletic, starting to understand how to take care of their bodies, how to train more.”

It’s important to mention that the FIBA game is different—harder, in a lot of ways. Quarters are 10 minutes long as opposed to 12. The court is smaller (91 feet-10 inches by 49 feet-2.5 inches, compared to the NBA’s 94 feet by 50 feet), and the three-point line is about a foot closer. There’s no defensive three seconds, and goaltending rules are modified: players are allowed to swat the ball off the cylinder as soon as it touches the rim.

All of these changes result in a distinct style of play: more strategic and methodical, less spaced. Teams value possessions more because there are fewer of them. On defense, it’s easier to pack the paint and provide help. Closeouts are faster—there’s not as much ground to cover—so coaches emphasize shooting and making quick reads. “The game internationally can be very physical, very tactical. And if you’re going to play it, you have to be very intelligent,” explains Taylor.

“The game in Europe is way harder than the game in the NBA,” Antetokounmpo said last September. “The talent obviously in the NBA is way higher, but the space [is better]—you have a lot of lanes to drive the ball, a lot of lanes to create. Over there it’s more intense.” 

During the 2022 FIBA EuroBasket last summer, Antetokounmpo had to work extremely hard for his points, as opponents clogged the middle and sent double or triple teams his way. “And in the past, this has helped me a lot, like when I came back from [the World Cup] in 2019,” he added. “That was the year we went to the bubble. The first couple of games, I felt like the court was huge.”

“Is it harder? Yes, because I think you really need to have quick thinking,” Jokic said about the international game after EuroBasket. “In the NBA, if you go by the guy, you can see the help is coming. In Europe, help is always there. So you need to think and play ahead.” That challenge helped Jokic evolve into the playmaker that he is today and made transitioning to the NBA much easier. Similarly, Doncic told SLAM in 2022: “I think from [Europe] comes my reading the game, all the passing skills.”

Thus, current and future NBA players can benefit tremendously from participating in FIBA events, especially given the intensity of those environments. Many of those players also assume bigger roles for their national teams, which allows them to showcase other parts of their games. Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, for example, shined as the number one option for Finland at the 2022 EuroBasket, averaging 27.9 points on 54 percent shooting from the field and 41 percent from three.

When he returned to the States for the 2022-23 NBA season, Jazz head coach Will Hardy encouraged Markkanen to play exactly as he had for Finland—confident, assertive, in more of a central role. And Markkanen had the best year of his NBA career, making his first All-Star team and winning the Most Improved Player award.

Says Coach Pannone, who was an assistant for the New Orleans Pelicans in 2022-23, “Obviously, Lauri Markkanen and the way that panned out doesn’t happen for every [NBA] team, but [FIBA events] certainly give you the chance to see one of your players in more of a star role—how they’re used, how they handle it, how successful they are. And you get that opportunity without it costing you games by trying to experiment with that throughout the NBA season.”

Markkanen will be with Finland again this summer for the World Cup. Other international players expected to compete include Antetokounmpo, Doncic, Jokic, Gilgeous-Alexander, Sabonis, Wembanyama, Rudy Gobert (France), Karl-Anthony Towns (Dominican Republic), Kristaps Porzingis (Latvia), Franz Wagner (Germany), Josh Giddey (Australia), Nikola Vucevic (Montenegro), Jordan Clarkson (Philippines) and more. The US will likely enter the tournament as a significant favorite, but the depth of talent this year will once again make the road to the Naismith Trophy very difficult.

“Whether you’re from the United States or not, there’s going to be amazing competition here because the level of basketball in this World Cup, I think, will be unprecedented,” NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum said during an episode of One Sports’ The Game.

Defending champions Spain should have another formidable roster, led by veteran point guard Ricky Rubio, MVP of the 2019 FIBA World Cup, and Willy Hernangomez, MVP of the 2022 FIBA EuroBasket. Australia, ranked third, should have Giddey and several other NBA players, including Patty Mills, Joe Ingles, Matisse Thybulle, Josh Green and Jock Landale. The likely presence of Antetokounmpo, Doncic and Jokic ensures that Greece, Slovenia and Serbia will all be tough opponents. Canada could be stacked with household names: Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray, RJ Barrett, Andrew Wiggins, Kelly Olynyk, Dwight Powell, Lu Dort, Dillon Brooks and more. And then, of course, there’s France, a country that nearly toppled the United States in the Tokyo Olympics and should have a similar squad, plus the 7-4 phenom Wembanyama. 

The list of worthy competitors for the ’23 World Cup title goes on and on—each one composed of prideful players determined to reach the podium for their countries. 

“You can go down the list of guys who really take pride in putting on that [national team] jersey,” says Gay. “I don’t think it’s something that we truly understand in North America—how much passion there is for basketball outside of these borders and how much passion there is for performing on the world stage for your country—because of the NBA factor. I think kids around the world grow up not dreaming to be in the NBA but dreaming to play and win a World Cup and win an Olympic gold medal.”

“Representing your national team, it’s heavy,” said Antetokounmpo in September. “You represent your whole country.”

Asked about facing Antetokounmpo during the 2019 FIBA World Cup, then-United States head coach Gregg Popovich said this of international superstars: “When they play for their countries, we like to say that they become superheroes. They get together and, through their relationships and their views about their game, they just form a team that—they fall in love with each other. They enjoy playing with each other. And that goes across the board for everybody that’s in the tournament. A lot of them have grown up together, a lot of them have spent a lot of time playing together, and you can see that.”

“The biggest advantage I felt like [other countries] had was that those teams play together for years and years and years,” Hopson reiterates. He speaks from experience, having lost to a cohesive and well-coached Argentina squad during qualifiers for the 2019 FIBA World Cup. “You’re going into a situation where you’re playing against guys who have probably been playing together since they were kids. They have an advantage with that because the chemistry is already built.” 

Combine that chemistry with the rising talent and the hunger of players to win for their countries and the US will certainly have its hands full trying to reclaim the World Cup title and the No. 1 FIBA ranking.

“The gap has closed, but also, the fear factor is gone,” Gay says. “No one’s afraid to play Team USA. In fact, they’re circling that date on the calendar to try to make history.”

SLAM 244 is also available in this exclusive Gold Metal Edition.

Photos via Getty Images.

The post International Superstars are Now Dominating the Game More Than Ever Before appeared first on SLAM.

Here’s what happened in the NBA and WNBA over the weekend. Let’s get it!

Draymond Green Gets Candid in Interview with Taylor Rooks

Draymond Green recently sat down with Taylor Rooks of Bleacher Report. The Warriors legend dropped some revealing gems during their interview. Green admitted “the writings on the wall” when he was asked about leaving the Warriors as a free agent.

The two parties have had some incredible highs as four-time champs and a record-setting 2015-2016 regular, but the lows have been low during public spats with head coach Steve Kerr, Kevin Durant, and a controversial altercation with teammate Jordan Poole. When it comes to that infamous moment, Green said their relationship is “a work in progress,” and he’s willing to do the work because he was wrong.

He also said they “definitely moved forward” and that he’s “seen improvements day by day, week by week, month by month.”

TOMORROW pic.twitter.com/avHPFxt6MV

— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) January 13, 2023

Ja Morant’s Challenge to All Rim Protectors: ‘Jump with Me if You Want to Go Viral’

Do not get it confused; Ja Morant will never back down. The former No. 2 overall pick has posterized many a rim protector. Few, if any, were as impressive as Morant’s yam on Jalen Smith. The unbelievable slam was punctuated by Memphis winning their ninth straight game after beating Indiana, 130-112, on Sunday.

Postgame, Morant admitted his thunderous dunk was his best of the difficulty. Morant felt so good about it that he challenged all rim protectors to jump with him if they wanted to go viral.

“It’s what everybody has been waiting for. I finally made it.”

jump with me if you want to go viral https://t.co/3ESSiC3A1w

— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) January 15, 2023

Jonquel Jones is Headed to New York Via Blockbuster Trade

Jonquel Jones is on the move! The 2021 MVP was a part of a three-team deal that will send her to the New York Liberty, while Rebecca Allen and Natasha Howard will be sent to the Connecticut Sun and Dallas Wings, respectively. The Wings will also receive Liberty guard Crystal Dangerfield, Kayla Thornton will go to New York, and Ty Harris is headed to Connecticut.

Connecticut will also receive the No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft.

JONQUEL TO BROOKLYN?!

Welcome to free agency @RachGall @Winsidr pic.twitter.com/PpZqvW1hgn

— WSLAM (@wslam) January 15, 2023

Nikola Jokic’s Game-Winner Sinks Orlando

Nikola Jokic delivered a stepback game-winner to sink the Orlando Magic 119-116. The back-to-back MVP posted 17 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists on 8-11 shooting from the field and 1-4 from beyond the arc.

“He stepped back, got the space, and just shot over the top,” teammate Aaron Gordon said per ESPN. “It was a beautiful shot.”

EVERY ANGLE OF NIKOLA JOKIC’S STEPBACK GAME-WINNER pic.twitter.com/007JQYDLas

— NBA (@NBA) January 16, 2023

LeBron James Inches Closer to History After Scoring 38,000 Career Points

The King is the second player to score 38,000 career points and is now 364 points away from breaking Hall-of-Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbarr’s career scoring record. James accomplished the historic feat after knocking down a three-pointer from the top of the arc. The four-time MVP posted 35 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in the Lakers’ heartbreaking 113-112 loss to the 76ers.

LeBron tonight:

35 PTS
8 REB
10 AST

Only the second player in NBA history to score 38,000 career points pic.twitter.com/W7DvUvFB7s

— NBA (@NBA) January 16, 2023

The post Weekend Recap: LeBron James Makes History and Ja Morant Challenges All Rim-Protectors appeared first on SLAM.

Here’s what happened across the L over the weekend. Let’s get it.

James Harden is Reportedly “Seriously Considering” Returning to Houston:

According to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski at ESPN, Harden is reportedly considering a reunion with the Rockets if he doesn’t re-sign with Philadelphia as a free agent in July.

However, after the Sixers’ win over the Knicks on Christmas Day, Harden addressed the media and let them know how he really feels about being in Philly.

“I’m here, we’re playing very well, and I don’t know where that report came from,” Harden said, per NBC Sports Philadelphia. “But I’m excited to be here, and we’re playing well. We’re continuing to get better.”

Meanwhile, Harden caught everyone’s attention with this colorful holiday fit. Hide y’all presents.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by LeagueFits (@leaguefits)

Joel Embiid and Harden Combine to Score 64 Points against the Knicks:

The Beard (29 points and 13 dimes) and Joel Embiid (35 points) put up a combined 64 points, 12 rebounds, and 14 assists to help the 76ers extend their win streak to eight games with a 119-112 dub over the Knicks on Sunday.

The Sixers outscored the Knicks 24-9 to open the fourth and turned a one-point deficit into a 116-102 lead late in the fourth quarter.

“It was one of those games where you’ve just got to stick around,” Harden said per ESPN. “Like, stick around, stick around, and then fourth quarter, you give yourself a chance.

64 PTS | 12 REB | 14 AST @JHarden13 & @JoelEmbiid‘s combined Christmas Day stat line. vote both for NBA All-Star: https://t.co/kNf5hhEIQx.

presented by @palottery pic.twitter.com/Lu2cQROE6c

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) December 25, 2022

Jayson Tatum Torches the Bucks For 41 Points while Jaylen Brown Takes Over:

Jayson Tatum posted 41 points, including a ferocious first-half yam over Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Jaylen Brown scored 29 points to help Boston (24-10) reclaim the top record in the League with a 139-118 win over the Bucks (22-11).

Boston grabbed a 100-86 lead after Tatum scored 20 points in the third quarter, and Brown brought the Celtics home with 13 points in the final frame; he also refused to back down after posting a screen that sent the Greek Freak to the ground. Brown and Antetokounmpo had a back-and-forth, but y’all know it’s only basketball. The players don’t take it seriously, and neither should basketball fans.

Boston gave Milwaukee their first three-game losing streak, while the Celtics have now won back-to-back contests after losing five out of six recent games.

HE CAUGHT ONE @jaytatum0 hammered it home in tonight’s @JetBlue Play of the Game pic.twitter.com/ZU6oCbvRB0

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 26, 2022

Jordan Poole Put Up a Dominate 32 Points to Lead Golden State Past Memphis:

Jordan Poole did what he had to do to play Grinch and ruin the Grizzlies’ Christmas after he dropped a team-high 32 points to lead the Warriors past Memphis on Sunday. Draymond Green (13 rebounds, 13 assists, two blocks) and Klay Thompson (24 points on 8-25 shooting) also put up some solid performances. They played up the burgeoning rivalry they have with Memphis with some sublime shi*t talking toward Dillon Brooks as well.

“He knows that he can’t get a second one. He’s still a young player,” head coach Steve Kerr said per ESPN. “Jordan was fantastic tonight, and we needed his offensive firepower.”

Dray Jordan

» https://t.co/ocDF2EGGU9 pic.twitter.com/HL0YggMOBa

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) December 26, 2022

Nikola Jokic Drops a Christmas Day Triple-Double Against the Suns:

Nikola Jokic (41 points, 15 boards, and 15 dimes) dropped his 83rd career triple-double and led the Nuggets to a 128-125 win over the Phoenix Suns. The two-time MVP recorded a 40-point, 27-rebound, 10-assist performance a week ago. It was the fourth 40-point, 15-rebound, 15-assist game in League history. Oscar Robertson (1961, 1962) accomplished it twice, and James Harden did it in 2016.

“Sick,” Aaron Gordon said of Jokic’s outing, per ESPN. “Those are video game numbers.”

Another MVP performance

41/15/15. Triple-Double 8⃣3⃣ pic.twitter.com/W5PNYlDFar

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 26, 2022

Jamal Murray (26 points, five rebounds, and five assists) forced overtime with a game-tying dunk, and Aaron Gordon put the exclamation point on the win with a poster over Landry Shamet.

“Yeah,” Gordon said. “Because of the time and score.”

Nuggets Nation BROUGHT THE ENERGY tonight. For that, we leave you with this

Goodnight, Wuggets Wation pic.twitter.com/WOYUm1twk7

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 26, 2022

The post NBA Weekend Recap: Elite Christmas Day Matchups and James Harden Addresses Reports of His Return to Houston appeared first on SLAM.

Let’s get it!

Anthony Davis (right foot) is Out At Least One Month After Suffering A Foot Injury On Friday:

According to NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic, Antony Davis will reportedly miss at least one month after suffering an undisclosed right foot injury.

AD has been dominant this season while helping the Lakers surge to a 6-4 stretch over their last 10 contests. The Brow is averaging 27.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game on 59.3 percent shooting from the field and has dropped 19 30+ games with one 44-point game against the Bucks and a dominant 55-point effort against the Wizards.

Before he got hurt, AD had a three-game streak of scoring at least 30 points that were broken when he suffered his foot injury against the Nuggets.

Lakers are bracing for an indefinite absence for the Lakers star, sources say, after he sustained the right foot injury in Friday’s win over Denver. Davis has played arguably the most dominant ball of his career this season. https://t.co/WCTr2y7eNp

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 18, 2022

Devin Booker Puts Up a Historic 58-Point Effort to Beat New Orleans:

Devin Booker lifted the Suns over the Pelicans 118-114 after dropping a season-best 58 points. It was the second time this season that Book scored 50 points after he posted 51 against Chicago on Nov. 30.

He’s now the sixth-youngest player to score 12k points in his career, trailing only LeBron, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, and Tracy McGrady.

“Once I get it going a little bit, shooting over a hand is the right play,” Booker said per ESPN.

.@DevinBook‘s second 50-point game of the season. pic.twitter.com/CMwBniJ5Mv

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 18, 2022

Nikola Jokic Posts His 81st Career Triple-Double After Dropping 40-27-10 Against the Hornets:

Nikola Jokic (40 points, 27 rebounds, and 10 dimes) f***ed around and got his fifth triple-double of the season to lead Denver to a 119-115 win over Charlotte on Sunday night.

The two-time MVP sealed the W with two game-winning free throws with 13 seconds left on the clock. Nuggets head coach Mike Malone said he didn’t know Jokic was putting up massive numbers but knew that Jokic was having “another Nikola Jokic stellar performance, efficient,” and praised Jokic for his “ability to make every one of his teammates better,” and called Joker a “generational talent.”

“To be honest, I think it’s because of our defense, and I was just in the right spot to rebound the ball,” Jokic said per ESPN. “It’s not that I was grabbing for them or whatever, chasing for them. It just happened, you know? I wish it could be every night, to be honest.”

Triple double # 8️⃣1️⃣

40-27-10

m.v.p pic.twitter.com/ljQpTIVCHl

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 19, 2022

Jordan Poole has a Career-High Night For the Ages:

Jordan Poole hung a career-high 43 points on 14-23 shooting from the field and 5-11 from beyond the arc. He also handed out six assists and scored career-best 25 points in the first half to lead the Warriors past the Raptors. The 126-110 win was the Dubs’ first win in five attempts without Stephen Curry in the lineup. ˝Golden State also snapped their three-game losing streak and are now 3-14 on the road.

“He was incredible on both sides of the ball,” Draymond Green (17 points and nine rebounds) said per Yahoo Sports. “And when you connect the game like that, things will go your way. We all know what a special talent he is. He’s been going through some growing pains. To see him come out tonight and have the game that he had – especially with Steph being down and us needing to get a win – was really huge.

“His effort on the defensive end carried over to the offensive end.”

What a night for 3️⃣.@googlecloud || Player of the Game pic.twitter.com/lKxkgmnlJz

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) December 19, 2022

WNBA Won’t Expand in 2024:

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert told The Athletic that the League’s plan for franchise expansion will be delayed until at least 2025. The commission is in touch with 10 investor groups discussing potential arenas, practice facilities, season ticket markets, and potential corporate partners.

Engelbert said that a new team would need around 18-24 months to hire coaches and executives and bring on players through an expansion draft, among the many preparations it takes to build a professional basketball franchise. Although expansion is delayed, Englerbet said it’s still a part of the W’s long-term plans and reiterated that the WNBA is on a growth trajectory.

Toronto, Nashville, and the Bay Area (Oakland and San Francisco) are on the short list of expansion cities.

“I’m a big, big believer in: let’s transform the economics, and then we’ll expand, not expand and then hope that economics transform,” she said per Front Office Sports. “We want to bring new owners in that are going to be successful in standing up a franchise that can compete for a championship.”

The post NBA Weekend Recap: AD is Out, Devin Booker and Jordan Poole Put Up Season and Career Best Performances appeared first on SLAM.

However, in the final month of the year, the Joker hasn’t been able to get much-valued production from the Nuggets bench unit, who’s currently averaging the fifth most turnovers (6.2), the third-worst Plus-Minus (-3.6), and the eighth-lowest steal rate (2.3).

The dysfunction was evident Sunday night when Pelicans backup point guard Jose Alvarado erupted for 38 points on 8-11 shooting from downtown. Head coach Mike Malone has been around long enough to know he has to send a statement to his bench unit, and he started by sitting out Bones Hyland for the rest of the second half against the Pelicans.

“As I told him this morning, ‘Offensively, we need your scoring, but it’s required to give forth the same effort on both ends of the floor,’” Malone said on Hyland’s production from the bench. “I felt he competed, I felt he fought, he contested, he tried to be physical with guys. That’s all I’m ever asking for, from Bones or for anybody.”

“I felt [Bones] competed, I felt he fought, he contested, he tried to be physical with guys. That’s all I’m ever asking for. For Bones or for anybody” pic.twitter.com/dez6uBX4Tb

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 7, 2022

After the zero points against the Pels, Hyland responded against Dallas the way Malone would love to see, scoring 20 points with five assists and making those hustle plays with two steals.

Though the loss, Hyland has committed to his role and hopes to keep track of that ‘effort’ Malone eluded to.

“We’re on the same page now,” Hyland said on Malone. “I know I can guard. It’s not something that’s mind-blowing or crazy.”

THAT’S NUMBER 5 FOR BIZZY pic.twitter.com/zfGrwYKNvx

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 7, 2022

Of course, accountability has to be taken for the rest of the team, but Malone has been made appreciative of the authentic leadership of his backup point guard. Hyland’s explosive outing against the Mavs was an exposure to how he handles criticism of his play and the mentality he feels he needs to respond in.

The Nuggets still have enough time to turn things around, and there’s no secret that winning a championship takes a team effort. Finishing this month strong can be part of that journey, and answering the bench unit’s woes is the way to begin for Malone.

The post Bones Hyland Says He’s ‘on the Same Page’ as Mike Malone After Benching Against the Pelicans 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.

He is Nikola Jovic, the 27th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Though many speculated he was the steal that night, the opportunity to showcase his talents hasn’t been presented enough until last night against the Toronto Raptors.

“next man up” mentality pic.twitter.com/hniB9AJiE8

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) November 18, 2022

The absence of Bam Adebayo and Omer Yurtseven made the Heat relatively thin at the front court, and considering their lack of length, Spoelstra had to turn to one of his forwards to fill in the center position. Surely enough, Spoelstra called on the 6’10” rookie out of Serbia for rim protection against Toronto stars like OG Anunoby, Fred VanVleet, and Scottie Barnes.

In the 24 minutes the 19-year-old played, Spoelstra had nothing but positive things to say about Jovic.

“We felt putting him with the starters would give him the best chance to compliment that group,” Spoelstra during a TV interview, per BallySports. “He was terrific, particularly in that first half. He played with a lot of energy. He gave us some relief baskets. His skill level — all of those things are good.”

Jović already at 9 points, let’s hear those hot takes #HEATTwitter pic.twitter.com/fS6fIDNn4b

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) November 17, 2022

Although the Heat took another loss, it’s encouraging to see Jovic stride in different positions. His versatility could undoubtedly be used further down the season, but the Heat should strongly consider evaluating him for the starting four spot right now due to their lack of length and offensive firepower.

Jovic’s intentions are where they need to be, stating there’s plenty more he looks to improve upon, specifically on the glass. The Heat is the third-worst rebounding team in the League, and If Spoelstra looks to turn the Heat season around, giving his rookie more minutes may pay dividends to reclaim that top seed in the Eastern Conference.

“I want to be more efficient rebounding,” said Jovic after the 19 rebound margin in favor of the Raptors. “If I’m the biggest guy on the court, someone needs to grab that ball, and it should be me, and I’m going to work on that more.”

The post Nikola Jovic Impresses Erik Spoelstra in First Career Start appeared first on SLAM.

Jokic stuffed the stat sheet recording his 79th career triple-double with 15 points, 14 assists, and 13 rebounds to lead the Denver Nuggets to victory. He passed the legendary Wilt Chamberlain, who has 78 triple-doubles in his career. 

Congrats to Nikola Jokic of the @nuggets for moving up to 6th on the All-Time TRIPLE-DOUBLES list! pic.twitter.com/njUbjnNYIT

— NBA (@NBA) November 4, 2022

Following the game, Jokic’s teammates got the game ball and signed it to give to him to take home as a souvenir. When commenting on the gesture in the postgame press conference, the Nuggets big man told the media,

“It’s nice because it’s not just my success. I can not do it without my teammates. I just want to remember one day, when I find that ball somewhere in my closet, to see who I played with.”

“It’s just not my success. I cannot do it without my teammates.”

Nikola on breaking Wilt’s record and the game ball pic.twitter.com/dBwSZutnU7

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) November 4, 2022

Jokic now sits sixth on the all-time triple-doubles list, trailing the fifth place LeBron James by 26 triple-doubles.

Denver will be back in action on Saturday when they take on the San Antonio Spurs.

The post Nikola Jokic Becomes the All-Time Leader in Triple-Doubles For Centers appeared first on SLAM.

Bogdanovic has scored over 20 points in his last three appearances and is shooting 52.6 percent from the field and 50.9 percent from deep for the season. Although the season is just beginning, it is a great sign to see Bogdanovic shooting lights out early and with great confidence.

Bogdanovic’s stellar shooting made him a huge trade target for other teams, and that specific skill was vital in many of the Utah Jazz‘s playoff runs these past few years.

You could tell that Bogdanovic is worth every penny to the Pistons, as his most recent offensive masterpiece helped to lead the Pistons to their second win of the season against the reigning champs, the Golden State Warriors. Bogdanovic finished with 21 points, three rebounds, and three assists on 5-8 shooting from the field and shot 50 percent (3-6) from three on Sunday.

Cade + Bojan = @BELFORGroup | #AssistOfTheWeek pic.twitter.com/N9TfqUd5Ba

— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) October 30, 2022

After being in rebuild mode these last few years, it seems like the Detroit Pistons are turning the corner. By making moves like drafting former OSU standout and SLAM 238 cover star Cade Cunningham with the No. 1 overall pick in 2021, extending Bogdanovic, and adding an explosively offensive rookie Jaden Ivey, along with keeping defensive pressure with Saddiq Bey and Isaiah Stewart, the Pistons seem to have certainly put their foot on the gas this year.

Detroit vs Everybody is the motto.

Cade Cunningham covers SLAM 238. https://t.co/P0L78ZkhIu pic.twitter.com/hqxiGN8J1r

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 26, 2022

Earlier this season, Cunningham said he was confident that the Pistons could “turn the corner.” Although the season has not gotten off to the best of starts for this young Pistons squad, there is still plenty of time left in the season to turn things around. That win against the Warriors proves that this Pistons team has what it takes to play and win against any team they face. They are scrappy, hungry, talented, and young, which is a great combination.

The post REPORT: Bojan Bogdanovic and Detroit Agree On A Two-Year Extension appeared first on SLAM.

AD dropped 23 points and 15 rebounds, and Brodie posted 18 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in 32 minutes off the bench. LeBron James led the Lakers in scoring with 26 points, six rebounds, and eight assists on 10-22 shooting. The Lakers also knocked down a season-high 13 three-pointers on 43.5 percent shooting from deep.

Davis deserves plenty of credit for guiding the Lakers through a gutsy win. AD is battling through lower back soreness that’s forced him to labor up and down the court. However, the Brow still found a way to gut it out against the back-to-back and reigning MVP, Nikola Jokic (23 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, and two blocks), a player that could wear you out thanks to his physicality and ability to beat you multiple ways.

“Huge impact, man, the way he fought through that,” Ham said, per The Athletic. “I care about his body. I want him to be the AD that we all know he can be on that championship run. He showed it tonight. His tenaciousness on defense. Timely shot-making. Communicating.”

+2, AD. pic.twitter.com/FCxHmxFVOh

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 31, 2022

The eight-time All-Star also scored eight points in the fourth to help the Lakers fend off a charging Nuggets team looking to mount a comeback. The tough win drew some cheers and applause for Davis, who left everything on the court. Especially after a scary moment where, after AD tapped in a missed shot, he audibly groaned as his back flared up.

When Ham asked Davis if he wanted to come out, Davis said, “no. Hell no. I got you. I’m with you.” Ham remarked how “determined” Davis was “to finish this game.”

“You saw on that putback, it kinda just comes and goes, these little shocks that go,” Davis said. “But at that point, it’s like you’re playing off of adrenaline. So, I know tonight, maybe tomorrow, I’m probably going to feel it more. But it’s all manageable. Just gotta do what I can to make sure I’m on the floor to help the team win.”

Postgame, David admitted he was in a “pretty good amount of pain” but also reiterated that the pain he was feeling was manageable. He also said he dislikes the injury-prone label he’s received over the last two seasons and was candid about the mental toll all the injuries took on him.

Ham said he doesn’t need the two-time block leader to be a “hero.” Davis said he’s “in a great space mentally” and that he’s not letting his injury “stop me” while imploring that he’s “doing everything I can to make sure I can go out there and play, and we’ll deal with the rest when that time comes.”

The Lakers are now 1-5 with clashes against the Pelicans, Jazz, Cavaliers, and Clippers coming up.

The post Anthony Davis On Playing Through ‘Manageable’ Back Injury appeared first on SLAM.

To push the panic button right now is an over-exaggeration. Despite the endless drama centered around its players, Lakers superstar LeBron James believes there have been encouraging signs at one end of the floor that keeps them close games.

“For the first three games, it hasn’t,” James said regarding the team’s shooting, per Lakers Daily. “We still can’t shoot a penny in the ocean, but it hasn’t stopped us from competing and defending. That’s given us a chance in all three games to win.”

Dialed in pic.twitter.com/GaiApLt1C7

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 23, 2022

The Lakers rank at the top of the League in steals averaging 11.3 a game. It’s partly thanks to Patrick Beverley and Russell Westbrook, who is averaging over two steals a game. However, Anthony Davis’ third-best steals (2.7) and fourth-best blocks (2.3) around the League have given the Lakers a chance at victory in the new year.

James fully supports the defensive play thus far when opponents try to get easy buckets inside. However, the number of fouls given up, especially against the amount they gave up against the Portland Trailblazers, won’t rest easy with the four-time champion.

“I think it’s understanding that no one is on an island by themself,” said James. “When guys penetrate, we try to get multiple bodies in front of bodies, and if the ball is on the ground or it’s loose, we try to get good hands in there — when you’re defending at a high level like we are, we can’t allow teams to get easy buckets by going up there and not facing the defense with free throws.”

Transition Bron lookin' scary pic.twitter.com/VOYJW2NzcK

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 21, 2022

According to James, the frustrating losses have been put in the past, but if the team looks to avoid missed back-to-back playoffs, they must turn defense into offense. Easy buckets off fast-break opportunities could do wonders for the aging group, and it’ll likely lower the habit of shooting 39 three attempts a game.

The Lakers are back in action Wednesday night to face the two-time MVP Nikola Jokic and his Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center.

The post LeBron James Likes Lakers ‘Competing and Defending’ Amidst 0-3 Start appeared first on SLAM.

As the starting point guard of a 76ers team looking to feed MVP candidate Joel Embiid and as the mentor of a rising star in Tyrese Maxey, Harden will have a chance to dispel those misconceptions while looking to make Philly a championship contender. On Monday, Harden told The Athletic that he hadn’t been given the proper credit for taking a $14 million pay cut so that the 76ers could build a title-threat roster around him and Embiid.

“Nope, but guess what? I don’t care,” Harden said when asked, shaking his head for emphasis. “There’s like a stereotype (of Harden) where people always want to talk. People don’t really know me, so they feel like they can just say anything. One thing I won’t do is give them any attention. I won’t say anything, media-wise, publicly. I don’t care because I’m comfortable, and I’m confident in the things I do on and off the court.”

what’s @JHarden13 listening to?

wrong answers only! | @SociosUSA pic.twitter.com/jOhQZVr3fj

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) October 10, 2022

what’s @JHarden13 listening to?

wrong answers only! | @SociosUSA pic.twitter.com/jOhQZVr3fj

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) October 10, 2022

Harden called his new contract “the right decision not only for myself but our organization, giving us a really good chance of putting the right pieces together.” The 2018 MVP can opt out next summer and look for a bigger payday with the Sixers or leave.

Last season, Harden averaged 22.0 points (lowest since his third year in the League), 7.7 rebounds, and 10.3 assists per game on 41.0 percent shooting from the field and 33.0 percent from deep, the worse of his career. His dip in scoring led to Embiid saying that this current version of Harden is “more of a playmaker.”

“You do things, handle business on the court and off the court, and the money will always come back,” Harden said. “So, I’m fortunate and blessed to be in the position I am, and I’ll just continue to be me.”

top of the three. pic.twitter.com/UHQKSIqv75

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) October 11, 2022

Coming off a rough regular-season and postseason, Harden’s choice to take a pay cut helped Philly acquire P.J. Tucker and Danuel House Jr. to their bench. The 76ers are now a deep team with a dangerous lineup headlined by Harden, Embiid, Maxey, and Tobias Harris. Embiid will be looking to exercise his MVP demons this season and could make a compelling case after losing the reward to back-to-back MVP winner Nikola Jokic.

“That’s what we’re going through right now,” said Harden, who finished with 11 points, six rebounds and four assists in 24 minutes against Cleveland. “The world knows how dominant Joel is, how versatile Joel is, and I’m playing with a sense of not even scoring but making guys better, making guys’ jobs a lot easier. That’s what I’m here for, whether it’s Joel or Tyrese or Tobias or anybody on our team.”

The 76ers will open the season with a road game against the Boston Celtics.

The post James Harden Believes Signing Pay Cut Was ‘the Right Decision’ appeared first on SLAM.

His imminent return alongside Jamal Murray and back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic has made the Nuggets a threat to win the 2023 NBA Championship. However, Nuggets Coach Mike Malone still thinks Porter Jr. has room to improve. 

“I think if you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse,” Malone said. “I really feel that way. You never say the same, any of us. So for Michael, yes, he’s dealt with the injuries but understanding that for him, it’s a discipline within his offensive spacing. Get to the corner. Getting to the corner is not stopping above the break. He’s not a good; he’s a great corner three-point shooter. Well, have the discipline to get there every time.” 

Porter has averaged 14.1 points per game and 6.1 rebounds per game over his four-year career. In his most productive season as a professional, the 2020-2021 campaign, Porter Jr averaged 19 points per game and 7.3 rebounds per game on 54.2 percent shooting from the field and 44.5 percent shooting from the three-point line. 

Malone says the former lottery pick must also work on his off-ball awareness.

“Moving without the ball and spacing off the ball. He has the tendency, sometimes, to gravitate to the ball. Trust me, man, the ball is gonna find you. That’s the way we play.” 

Despite playing in 125 of 309 possible regular season games in his four-year career, MPJ earned a five-year contract extension last summer. The Nuggets will look for him to take another jump after he competed in only nine games last season before being sidelined by injury. 

The post Coach Mike Malone Hoping to See More ‘Discipline’ From Michael Porter Jr. appeared first on SLAM.

The Suns brought back Ayton by matching his agreement on a massive contract with the Indiana Pacers this past summer. The deal made him the third highest-paid center at 30 million dollars, behind Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid. The Suns were hesitant to extend their 2018 first-overall pick last summer because they reportedly believed they could get a similar player at a better price.

Although the Suns and Ayton agreed on a massive deal, Ayton seemed aloof to the teams’ commitment to him. When reporters asked him about the deal, he said, “I’m here,” When he was asked if he was happy in Phoenix, Ayton added, “I’m alright.” Ayton also revealed that he hasn’t spoken with Coach Monty Williams since he was benched in Game 7 of their semifinal series against the Dallas Mavericks for “internal reasons.”

“I haven’t spoken to Monty,” Ayton said definitively. “I haven’t spoken to him at all. Ever since the game.”

When Ayton was asked what he would say to Williams, he said the following.

“I can show him better than I could tell him,” Ayton said.

Asked if he’s happy here in Phoenix, DA said “Yeah, I’m all right.”

Asked what he’d want to say to Monty, he replied, “I can show him better than I can tell him.”

— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) September 27, 2022

When Williams was asked about what the apparently disgruntled Ayton said, the reigning Coach of the Year said he hasn’t spoken to a lot of guys over the summer.

“As I said earlier this summer, they needed a break from me, the gym,” Williams said. “Unless you are in the gym, like every day I’ve had interactions with everybody but talking to guys about deep stuff, there’s a number of guys I haven’t talked to. I think when you’ve been around our group as much as we have the last three years with (the) first year, the bubble, condensed seasons, I felt like guys needed a break; even when guys were in the gym, I wouldn’t come downstairs just cause I wanted them to get a break from me.”

“I haven’t talked to a lot of guys.”

Monty Williams addressing Deandre Ayton saying the two haven’t talked since Game 7. #Suns pic.twitter.com/hDSFVuRAiK

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) September 27, 2022

In the 58 games he played last season, Ayon averaged 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game on 63.4 percent shooting from the field.

Ayton and Williams will have a chance to hash out any problems they have as training camp rolls along. Their harmony will help determine the success of the franchise this season.

The post DeAndre Ayton Reveals He and Coach Monty Williams Haven’t Spoken Since Game 7 appeared first on SLAM.

Per CBS Sports, When it comes to who’s currently the best player in the world, the Greek Freak believes it’s LeBron James’ job to lose. The 37-year-old future Hall-of-Famer is still doing incredible things after 19 seasons and 51,899 minutes of action. Last season, James averaged 30.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game on 52.4 percent shooting from the field.

“It’s interesting to me how LeBron is still [in] one of the best shapes [of] his life and being the best player in the world and still being in year 18,” Giannis told Marca Basket. “Like, that’s really interesting. I want to know how he does that. He’s been consistent for 18 years. He’s always there. He’s always showing up. That’s unbelievable.

“He obviously gets credit, but I think we’ve got to give him more credit. Doing it for 18 years guys, that’s hard. And hopefully, hopefully I can be there. Hopefully, I can do this for 18 years, 20 years. That’s the goal.”

James is on an uphill battle to add a fifth title to his legendary resume at this point in his career. The Lakers are going into the 2021-22 season with a new head coach in Darvin Ham but plenty of questions surrounding the viability of keeping Russell Westbrook on the team.

The Lakers added some youth and athleticism to their lineup, but questions also linger about their long-range shooting capabilities. Add in James fighting off Father Time, Anthony Davis’ durability, and the rise of Western Conference rivals like the Nuggets and the Grizzlies, and the resurgence of veteran units like the Warriors and Clippers, and the Lakers’ climb to playoff contention and becoming a championship contender will be an exciting storyline next season.

The post Giannis Antetokounmpo Calls LeBron James ‘the Best Player in the World’ appeared first on SLAM.

Two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic has agreed to a five-year, $264 million supermax contract extension with the Denver Nuggets, the richest deal in NBA history, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Fifth season (2027-28) will be a player option at $60M.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

The back-to-back MVP and the Nuggets agreed to a five-year $264 million supermax contract extension. The Joker reportedly also has a player option worth $60 million for the 2027-28 season. The 27-year-old center has led the Nuggets to the playoffs each of the last four seasons, including a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2020.

This last season, Jokic led the Nuggets to a 48-34 record and a sixth-place finish in the Western Conference playoffs while Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. missed most if not all of the season due to respective knee and back injuries. The Joker averaged 26.7 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game on 57.5 percent shooting from the field. Jokic also led the League in player efficiency for the second year in a row.

“I would like it, of course, but it’s not something that I’m deciding,” Jokic said, per Sam Amick of The Athletic when asked about winning another MVP. “I think of course if it’s offered—if (the) offer is on the table—of course, I’m going to accept it because I really like the organization and really like the people who work here.”

Amick reported that Denver was expected to offer Jokic a five-year, $254 million extension that would make him the highest-paid player in the game. Assuming Murray comes back near his top form, Porter Jr. is healthy, and Jokic continues to play at a high level, the Nuggets could be a significant playoff threat next season.

The post Nikola Jokic Signs Richest Contract in NBA History appeared first on SLAM.

So far we have seen the Knicks land, Jalen Brunson, on a massive four-year deal, and Nikola Jokic and Karl-Anthony Towns have re-signed to their teams on supermax deals. Zach LaVine and Bradley Beal will remain with the Bulls and Wizards respectively after signing max deals. Young All-Stars like Ja Morant, Darius Garland, and Zion Williamson have also signed max extensions with their teams.

The Warriors will also look to be putting a different bench mob on the court this coming season after they let Gary Payton II, Otto Porter Jr., and Juan Toscano-Anderson walk away in free agency. The decision seems to imply that the Warriors will invest 100 percent into their win-and-develop model as they keep their championship core intact while empowering Andrew Wiggins, Jordan Poole, Jonathan Kuminga, James Wiseman, and Moses Moody.

Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber is finalizing a three-year, $33 million contract extension, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Kleber was entering the final year of his deal, now under contract through 2025-26.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 8, 2022

Montrezl Harrell is headed to Philly after a tumultuous offseason where he dealt with some legal troubles surrounding marijuana trafficking that was later reduced to misdemeanor possession in a Madison County (KY) courthouse. The charge will be expunged from his record in 12 months if Harrell doesn’t get in any more legal trouble.

James Harden recruited Harrell due to their relationship as teammates on the Rockets. Harrell is expected to bring some toughness and grit to a Philly team that needed a backup big man behind two-time MVP runner-up Joel Embiid.

ESPN Sources: Free agent C Montrezl Harrell is signing two-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, including a player option. Harrell brings more toughness to a team searching for it this offseason. He was Sixth Man of the Year with Doc Rivers/Sam Cassell in 2019-2020 w/ Clippers.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 6, 2022

Sources: The Toronto Raptors signed Thaddeus Young to a two-year, $17 million extension, which includes player incentive bonuses and a $1 million partial guarantee for the 2023-24 season, @hoopshype has learned.

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 5, 2022

Gary Harris’ two-year extension with the Orlando Magic is flat $13M each season. The second season is fully non-guaranteed, a league source told @spotrac.

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 5, 2022

Sumner is fully recovered from a torn left Achilles that cost him the entire 2021-2022 season. He had been coming off his best NBA season with the Pacers prior to the injury, and now he’ll join the Nets’ backcourt rotation. https://t.co/5HfzZmkDZN

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 5, 2022

Free agent TJ Warren has agreed to a deal with the Brooklyn Nets, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 5, 2022

Free agent center Gorgui Dieng has agreed to a one-year deal with the San Antonio Spurs, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 5, 2022

Cole Swider signed a two-year Two-Way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, a league source tells @spotrac.

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 4, 2022

Free agent center Serge Ibaka has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Milwaukee Bucks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 4, 2022

The Brooklyn Nets signed Wake Forest Alondes Williams to a 2-way deal.

— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) July 4, 2022

Dragic is signing a one-year, $2.9M deal with the Bulls, sources said. https://t.co/f6VK9np1cf

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 3, 2022

Free agent Josh Okogie has agreed to a one-year deal with the Phoenix Suns, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 3, 2022

New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has agreed on a five-year, $193 million designated maximum rookie extension that could earn him as much as $231 million, CAA Sports’ Co-Head of Basketball Austin Brown tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/z4lnVLD1GM

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2022

Restricted free agent Cody Martin has agreed to a four-year, $32 million deal to return to the Charlotte Hornets, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 2, 2022

Free agent G Eugene Omoruyi has agreed to a two-way contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, his agent Mike George of @OneLegacySports tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2022

Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star guard Darius Garland has agreed on a five-year, $193M maximum designated rookie contract extension that could be worth as much as $231M, @KlutchSports CEO Rich Paul tells ESPN. It is the largest deal in franchise history.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2022

Free agent guard Damion Lee has agreed to a one-year deal with the Phoenix Suns, source tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2022

Free agent Donte DiVincenzo has agreed to a two-year, $9.3M deal with the Golden State Warriors, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

Free agent guard Raul Neto is signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022

Free agent center Kevon Looney has agreed to a three-year, $25.5M deal to return to Golden State, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

Free agent forward Derrick Jones Jr. has agreed to a two-year, $6.6 million deal to return to the Chicago Bulls, with player option in second season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022

Free agent center Robin Lopez has agreed to a one-year deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

Free agent F/C Drew Eubanks is returning to the Portland Trail Blazers on a one-year deal, his agent James Dunleavy of @excelbasketball tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

John Wall officially agrees with the Clippers on a two-year deal for the taxpayer midlevel. https://t.co/5yCuV4cePg

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) July 1, 2022

Free agent C Jusuf Nurkic has agreed on a new four-year, $70 million deal to stay with the Portland Trail Blazers, @KlutchSports CEO Rich Paul tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/6vmHrdOZI3

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

NBA All-Star Zach LaVine has agreed to a five-year, $215.2 million maximum contract to return to the Chicago Bulls, with a player option in Year 5, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022

The defending champs lose another valuable two-way star after Otto Porter Jr. signed with the Raptors on a two-year deal that has a player option.

Free agent Otto Porter Jr. — vital member of Golden State Warriors championship team — reached an agreement with the Toronto Raptors on a two-year deal with a player option, league sources tell @YahooSports. https://t.co/ck81fptKZh

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 1, 2022

Free agent G Theo Pinson is returning to the Dallas Mavericks on a one-year deal, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

Free agent Aaron Holiday has agreed to a one-year deal with the Atlanta Hawks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022

Free agent center Mitchell Robinson has agreed on a new four-year, $60 million contract to stay with the New York Knicks, his agents Thad Foucher and Joe Smith of @Wassbasketball tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/dnKtVQmln9

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

Bruce Brown has agreed to a 2-year, $13M+ deal with the Denver Nuggets, sources tell ESPN.

— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) July 1, 2022

#Pistons to re-sign Marvin Bagley III, add Kevin Knox as free-agent frenzy begins: https://t.co/WVHahAmeKR

— Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) July 1, 2022

Ricky Rubio played an integral part in the Cavs’ resurgence to the playoff scene last season before suffering a season-ending torn ACL in December. Rubio was traded to the Pacers near the trade deadline but the Cavs and Rubio were mutually interested in bringing back the former lottery pick point guard.

Free agent guard Ricky Rubio is nearing a deal on a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

Zion Williamson, the 2021 All-Star phenom, has locked in on signing a max extension deal with the Pelicans. Williamson missed all of the 2021-2022 season while he recovered from foot surgery. The deal keeps Williamson in New Orleans through 2027-28.

Williamson said after the season ended, “I couldn’t sign it fast enough.” Indeed, the All-Star locks in commitment to New Orleans.

The deal is expected to include protections that both sides were sorting through overnight and will finalize, sources said. https://t.co/n0hyRwRk9e

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022

The Golden State Warriors lose one of their best and most versatile defenders after Gary Payton II decided to head towards playing for the Portland Trail Blazers on a three-year deal. Payton led the League in steals per 36 minutes.

Warriors were unwilling to meet that high of a price tag (and resulting tax spike) for Gary Payton II and have now lost their defensive ace off the bench to the Blazers. He led the NBA in steals per 36 minutes last season. https://t.co/iaY6xmUrG7

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) July 1, 2022

Free agent center Andre Drummond is finalizing a deal with the Chicago Bulls, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022

Free agent Kevin Knox has agreed to a two-year, $6 million deal with the Detroit Pistons, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022

Free agent Kevin Knox has agreed to a two-year, $6 million deal with the Detroit Pistons, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2022

Free agent JaVale McGee has agreed to a three-year, $20.1 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks, with player option for third season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Ja Morant is locked in with the Grizzlies after his agent told Woj that he signed a five-year max extension to lead Memphis as its lead guard for the foreseeable future.

Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant has agreed on a five-year, $193M designated rookie maximum extension that could become worth $231M, his agent Jim Tanner of @_TandemSE tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

Karl Anthony-Towns has reportedly agreed to a four-year super max extension per his agent. KAT’s contract will begin during the 2024-2025 season.

Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns has agreed on a four-year, $224M super max extension, his agent Jessica Holtz of @CAA_Basketball tells ESPN. Deal begins with the 2024-25 season and delivers Towns’ total contract value to six years and $295M.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

Jalen Brunson has reportedly agreed to the four-year deal that the Knicks offered him. Woj reported that the near-max deal includes a player option on its final season.

Free agent guard Jalen Brunson has agreed to a four-year, $104 million deal with the New York Knicks, his agents Aaron Mintz and Sam Rose of @CAA_Basketball tell ESPN. The deal includes a player option on the final season.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

The Wizards have added three veteran guards to join Bradley Beal in recent days — Will Barton, Monte Morris and now Delon Wright leaves the Hawks for Washington. https://t.co/4YFMxR2o7Z

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

Kyle Anderson has agreed to a two-year, $18M deal to join the Timberwolves, his agents Thad Foucher and Joe Smith of @wassbasketball tell ESPN. https://t.co/fWzhFhVfkx

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

Orlando Magic guard Gary Harris has agreed on a two-year, $26 million contract extension, his agents Austin Brown and Aaron Mintz of @CAA_Basketball tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

Anthony Gill is signing a two year-deal with the Washington Wizards, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

Restricted free agent C Nic Claxton has agreed on a two-year, $20 million deal to return to the Brooklyn Nets, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

Free agent Troy Brown Jr. has agreed to a minimum deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Lonnie Walker IV is signing a one-year, $6.5M deal with the Lakers, sources said. https://t.co/7xBnStLWfo

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Rockets restricted free agent Jae’Sean Tate has agreed to a three-year, $22.1 million deal to return to Houston, his agents E.J. Kusnyer and Jordan Cornish of @beyond_am tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Free agent center Dewayne Dedmon has agreed to a two-year, $9 million deal to return to the Miami Heat, agents Mike Silverman and Brandon Grier of @steinbergsports tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Free agent Davon Reed has agreed to a two-year deal to return to the Denver Nuggets, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Free agent guard Jevon Carter has agreed to a two-year deal to return to Milwaukee, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Free agent Wesley Matthews has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Milwaukee Bucks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Free agent G Trevelin Queen has agreed a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

Free agent F Nic Batum has agreed to a two-year deal to return to the Los Angeles Clippers, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

Free agent G Lu Dort has agreed to a five-year, $87.5M deal to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder, his agent Thad Foucher of Wasserman tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

Chris Boucher is returning to the Toronto Raptors on a three-year, $35.25M deal, his agent Sam Permut of @RocNationSports tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

Jones’ agent, Austin Brown of @CAA_Basketball, tells ESPN the second year is a player option.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

Amir Coffey has agreed to a three-year, $11M deal with the Clippers, his agents Bill Duffy and Marlon Harrison of @BDA_Sports and WME Sports tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

Free agent G Tyus Jones is returning to the Memphis Grizzlies on a two-year, $30M deal, his agent Kevin Bradbury of @REP1Basketball tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

Free agent Danuel House has agreed to a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Free agent Bobby Portis has agreed to a four-year, $49 million deal to return to the Milwaukee Bucks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Deal includes a player option in Year 4.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Free agent PJ Tucker is finalizing a three-year, $33.2 million fully guaranteed deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, his agent Andre Buck (@andrebuck14) told @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Free agent Victor Oladipo has agreed to a one-year, $11 million deal to return to the Miami Heat, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Free agent center Isaiah Hartenstein has agreed to a two-year, $16 million-plus deal with the New York Knicks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Fully guaranteed deal for Hartenstein.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Free agent center DeAndre Jordan has agreed to a deal with the Denver Nuggets, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Sources: Malik Monk is signing a two-year, $19M deal to join the Kings. https://t.co/spgbvRZspx

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns have reportedly finalized a four-year supermax extension that he will likely sign sometime next week. Shams Charania reports that he will be the cover athlete for NBA 2K23.

The Phoenix Suns and All-NBA guard Devin Booker are finalizing a four-year, $214 million supermax contract extension that he’s set to sign as soon as next week, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

Booker will also be the cover athlete for NBA 2K23, per sources.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Nikola Jokic has reportedly signed the richest deal in NBA history after signing a supermax contract extension with the Nuggets on Thursday.

Two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic has agreed to a five-year, $264 million supermax contract extension with the Denver Nuggets, the richest deal in NBA history, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Fifth season (2027-28) will be a player option at $60M.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Bradley Beal will stay in the Nation’s Capital after he reportedly signed a five-year max deal.

All-Star guard Bradley Beal has agreed to a five-year, $251 million maximum contract to stay with the Washington Wizards, his agent Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons has agreed on a four-year, $100 million contract extension, his agent Bill Duffy of @BDA_Sports + WME Sports tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

The Spurs are pulling the qualifying offer on Lonnie Walker IV, making him an unrestricted free agent, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Expect a strong market for Walker immediately.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

Jalen Brunson is headed to New York after Shams Charania reported that he intends on signing a four-year deal with the franchise.

Free agent Jalen Brunson intends to sign a four-year, near $110M deal with the New York Knicks in free agency, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The Mavericks never received chance to make offer, sources said.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

According to Alex Schiffer of The Athletic, P.J. Tucker will be pursued by Atlanta, Minnesota, Brooklyn, Chicago. and Philadelphia during the free agency period of the NBA offseason. Furthermore, Schiffer reports that Tucker is unlikely to return to South Beach.

Multiple teams — including Atlanta, Minnesota, Brooklyn, Chicago and Philadelphia — are expected to compete for PJ Tucker in free agency. All are expected to offer the full mid-level/TPMLE exception. He is unlikely to return to Miami, per sources.

— Alex Schiffer (@Alex__Schiffer) June 30, 2022

Trent Forrest will be an unrestricted free agent after the Jazz decided not to extend a qualifying offer to the point guard out of Florida State.

The Utah Jazz will not extend a qualifying offer to point guard Trent Forrest, making him an unrestricted free agent, League Sources tell The Athletic. There is interest in working something out during free agency. Forrest was a member of the rotation this past season

— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) June 30, 2022

Per Marcus Thompson of The Athletic, Juan Toscano-Anderson will be an unrestricted free agent once the free agency period of the NBA offseason begins on Thursday. The 29-year-old became the first Mexican-American to win an NBA title after the Warriors won the 2022 NBA Finals.

“I got a championship with my hometown team,” JTA told Thompson during a phone interview Wednesday night.

“I’m stamped in the Town. I’m stamped in my country. That shit can’t nobody take from me. You’ve got to give a little to get a little. And I gave up playing time to, you know, become a legend. I’m a legend in the Town. I’m a legend in Mexico. And I’m not saying that myself. It’s showing, know what I mean?”

Juan Toscano-Anderson is at peace with leaving the Warriors.

“I’m stamped in the Town. I’m stamped in my country. That shit can’t nobody take from me.”

It’s time for the next chapter of his storybook journey.https://t.co/m94B7ILm2u pic.twitter.com/5OxoGWXG6P

— Marcus Thompson II (@ThompsonScribe) June 30, 2022

According to Tim Reynolds, the Heat does not have a meeting scheduled with restricted free agent Jalen Brunson on Thursday.

The Heat are not planning to meet with Jalen Brunson today, and they did not have such a meeting scheduled, per league source.

— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) June 30, 2022

The Cavs are reportedly expected to match offers given to restricted free agent Collin Sexton. Multiple reports say Sexton wants a “starting guard” extension. The Alabama product is coming off a season-ending torn meniscus.

Cavs Expected To Match Outside Offers For Collin Sexton – Hoops Wire https://t.co/9k5zuRmUAd

— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) June 30, 2022

The Jazz won’t extend a qualifying offer to forward Eric Paschall, sources tell @Tjonesonthenba.

He will become an unrestricted free agent.https://t.co/fcOCtqEmMN pic.twitter.com/ok07Xpx9Dr

— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) June 30, 2022

Kemba Walker and the Pistons have reportedly agreed to a contract buyout. Walker will be a free agent after he clears waivers. Walker last played for the Knicks last season before he was traded to the Pistons as New York clears space to sign fellow free agent Jalen Brunson.

Four-time All-Star guard Kemba Walker and the Detroit Pistons are finalizing a contract buyout, sources tell ESPN. Once Walker clears waivers, he’ll join free agency.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2022

Per Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, the Heat have guaranteed the contracts of Max Strus, Gabe Stevenson, and Omer Yurtseven as of Thursday morning.

Max Strus, Gabe Vincent and Omer Yurtseven are still on the Heat’s roster this morning, which means their full $1.8 million salaries for next season are now guaranteed. This was seen as a formality. Carry on.

— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) June 30, 2022

The Sacramento Kings are exercising the option on PF/C Chimezie Metu for the 2022-2023 season, sources tell ESPN. Metu averaged 8.9 points and 5.6 rebounds in 21 minutes a game for the Kings last season.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022

Patty Mills will be exploring his options on the free-agent market after declining to sign his player option with the Nets on Wednesday afternoon.

Brooklyn Nets guard Patty Mills declined his $6.2M option and will become a free agent, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022

The Kings won’t be offering a qualifying offer to Donte DiVencenzo, making him an unrestricted free agent.

The Sacramento Kings are declining to offer Donte DiVencenzo a qualifying offer, which will make him an unrestricted free agent, sources tell ESPN. There will be significant interest in DiVencenzo on the open market.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022

Lu Dort will be a restricted free agent after the OKC Thunder decided to not sign Durt’s team option for the 2022-23 season, per Shams Charania.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are declining the $1.9 million team option on froward Lu Dort for 2022-23 season, which makes him a restricted free agent and allows sides to negotiate a new deal in free agency, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2022

James Harden will hit the free-agent market for the first time in his career but he is likely to re-sign with the 76ers.

ESPN Sources: 76ers star James Harden has declined his $47.3M option and become a free agent. He keeps real the possibility of negotiating a new deal that would deliver the Sixers roster-building flexibility in free agency – including use of the full $10.5M exception.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022

Bobby Portis told the Bucks that he’ll decline his player option and will instead become a free agent.

Portis has early bird rights in Milwaukee.

The maximum that he can sign for is 4 years/$49M.

The contract has to be for a minimum of 2 seasons and cannot include an option in year 2. https://t.co/Nu5KC9G8D9

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 29, 2022

Bradley Beal has made his long-awaited decision and will become a free agent for the first time in his career after declining his player option.

Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal has declined his $36.4M option and become a free agent, his agent Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tells ESPN. Beal is eligible to sign a 5-year max to return to Wizards – or sign elsewhere on a 4-year deal.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022

Jae-Sean Tate will be a restricted free agent after the ROckets declined his team option for the 2022-23 season. Shams Charania reports that Houston and Tate are mutually interested in signing a new deal once free agency begins on Thursday.

The Houston Rockets have declined forward Jae’Sean Tate’s $1.8 million team option for next season, making him a restricted free agent, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Rockets and Tate have mutual interest in discussing new deal in free agency beginning Thursday night.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2022

The Cavaliers have reportedly elected to not offer Moses Brown a qualifying offer to Moses Brown, per Michael Scott of the Hoopshype. The decision allows Brown to enter the free-agent market as an unrestricted free agent.

Sources: The Cleveland Cavaliers won’t tender a qualifying offer to center Moses Brown, @hoopshype has learned. The 7-foot-1, 22-year-old center will become an unrestricted free agent. Brown could be an intriguing development option for NBA teams around the league.

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 28, 2022

According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Taurean Prince and the Timberwolves have reportedly agreed to a two-year contract extension.

Minnesota Timberwolves F Taurean Prince has agreed on a two-year, $16 million contract extension, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2022

Ivica Zubac and his reps have reportedly agreed to a three-year extension with the Clippers, per Woj. The Clippers declining to sign his team option led to the agreement with Zubac.

Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac has agreed on a three-year, $33 million extension, his agents Jeff Schwartz and Mike Lindeman of @excelbasketball tell ESPN. The Clippers declined his $7.5M team option for 2022-2023, clearing the way for Zubac’s new deal.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2022

Tony Bradley is reportedly opting into his player option and will remain with the Bulls next season, per Woj.

Chicago Bulls center Tony Bradley is exercising his $2M player option for next season, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2022

The post 2022 NBA Free Agency Tracker appeared first on SLAM.

The NBA allows 100 media members to vote for awards like MVP and the All-NBA teams every year. The media had the choice to vote Embiid into the first team as a forward but chose not to because Embiid isn’t considered a forward. As a result, Nikola Jokic earned not only his second consecutive MVP over Embiid, but he was voted an All-NBA First-Teamer over Embiid as well.

The controversial exclusion has led Commissioner Adam Silver to consider reshaping the voting rules for All-NBA selections. Should Silver’s rule change be implemented, All-NBA selections will become positionless.

“I think we’re a league that has moved increasingly towards positionless basketball,” Silver said Thursday in San Francisco, in his annual press conference at the start of the NBA Finals. “The current system may result in some inequities just based on the happenstance of what your position is.

“It’s something that we will discuss with the players’ association because it has an impact on incentives in players’ contracts.”

Jokic and Embiid have finished 1-2 in MVP voting in back-to-back seasons. Embiid lost out on MVP both times and was named to the All-NBA Second Team twice in a row. The Process being left off the second team has caused quite a stir on NBA Twitter and on sports talk shows across the country. Jayson Tatum, a First-Team selection, said Embiid being snubbed “doesn’t really make too much sense.”

The post Adam Silver Considering Making All-NBA Teams Positionless appeared first on SLAM.

2021-22 All-NBA teams:

First: Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum

Second: Joel Embiid, Ja Morant, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, DeMar DeRozan

Third: Karl-Anthony Towns, LeBron James, Chris Paul, Trae Young, Pascal Siakam

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 25, 2022

Although Jokic is the reigning MVP, he wasn’t the leading vote-getter for All-NBA First Team, Antetokounmpo was. The Greek Freak received all 100 votes for one of the forward spots on the First-Team. Jokic and Joel Embiid, who finished as runner-up for the ’21 and ’22 MVP, split votes as the First-Team center. Embiid ended up being named as the center for the Second-Team.

Antekounmpo was not only the lone unanimous All-NBA selection this season, but he also became the first player over the last 50 years to be a unanimous selection to the All-NBA First Time in four consecutive seasons, according to ESPN Stats and Information research.

Doncic became the fourth player in NBA history to earn his third First-Team selection before turning 24-years-old, joining Kevin Durant, Tim Duncan, and Max Zazlofsky. Jokic, Antetokounmpo and Doncic were joined by Jayson Tatum and Devin Booker. According to the NBA, this is the first time since 1954-55 that the First-Team comprises players at least 27-years-old or younger.

Booker and Tatum earned the First-Team nod for the first time in their career. This is the first overall All-NBA selection for Booker and Tatum’s second nod. Tatum is the first Celtic to make All-NBA First-Team since Kevin Garnett did it in 2008. He’s also the youngest Celtic to earn an All-NBA First-Team selection since Larry Bird in 1980.

The Second-Team is rounded out by Stephen Curry, Ja Morant, DeMar DeRozan, and Durant. Chris Paul, Trae Young, LeBron James, Pascal Siakam, and Karl-Anthony Towns filled out the Third-Team. James picked up his record 18th All-NBA nod, placing him ahead of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, and Tim Duncan for most All-NBA picks, and became the first player in League history to make the All-NBA in his 19th+ season.

Paul is the first guard since Bryant to make an All-NBA team in his 17th+ season.

The post Nikola Jokic Headlines 2021-2022 All-NBA Teams appeared first on SLAM.

That subsequent offseason featured a roster overhaul after two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant left for Brooklyn, and Andre Igoudala was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in a deal to acquire D’Angelo Russell. The Warriors would also lose Klay Thompson for the first of two-and-a-half seasons after he tore his ACL during Game 6 of the 2019 Finals.

The following two seasons were a far departure from the supernova of greatness NBA fans grew accustomed to for the previous five seasons. The Warriors moved to San Francisco, leaving the fan-favorite Oakland Arena for the posh new Chase Center. What followed the subsequent two regular-season campaigns was a 15-50 COVID-19 shortened season 2019-2020, punctuated by the three-month absence of Stephen Curry due to a broken hand.

“None of these people really removed us from this space,” Green told ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk of the team missing the playoffs the previous two seasons. “Toronto beat us, but no one really came and said, ‘All right, the Golden State Warriors’ time is up.'”

Draymond: “None of these people really removed us from this space. Toronto beat us, but no one really came and said, 'All right, the Golden State Warriors' time is up.'" https://t.co/gNK8gsRYwV

— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) May 23, 2022

The Warriors didn’t spend that season just losing; at the 2020 trade deadline, the Warriors acquired Andrew Wiggins, a top-3 protected first-round pick and a second-rounder. Although the Warriors weren’t invited to the Orlando Bubble, the future looked bright.

The Warriors spent the offseason going into the 2020-21 season drafting James Wiseman with the No. 2 overall pick. However, the Warriors’ wind got knocked out of them when Thompson tore his Achilles during a pickup game, forcing him to miss the entirety of the season.

The Warriors responded to yet another tumultuous season by qualifying for the newly-created Play-In Tournament thanks to Curry’s scoring prowess, winning his second scoring title and leading the Warriors to a 39-33 record. However, the Warriors hit a brick wall after playing so hard to get to the Play-In Tournament, ultimately losing to the Lakers and the Grizzlies for the final two spots in the playoffs.

“We didn’t leave the space because we just got too old to do it,” Green told Youngmisuk. “We didn’t leave the space because all of us went our separate ways. We left the space because Klay Thompson was out, and then he was out again, and Andre [Iguodala] wasn’t here.

“And then Steph Curry was out. We didn’t leave this space because we weren’t capable of being in the space anymore.”

Heading into this last regular-season campaign, many around the NBA believed that the Warriors would once again be title favorites when healthy. Thompson finally had his glorious on-court return, playing for the first time in 941 days in January against the Pacers. But the season was marred by injuries to Draymond Green and Curry. However, the emergence of third-year guard Jordan Poole helped offset those losses.

The Warriors (53-29) finished the regular season with the third-best record in the West. They went on to gentlemen sweep the Nikola Jokic-led Nuggets, beat Ja Morant and the upstart Grizzlies in six games, and are on the verge of zooming past another superstar in Luka Doncic and the Mavs in a sweep.

His movement off the ball is god-tier. Curry with the iconic look-away three.

(via @warriors) pic.twitter.com/QApyPsgQCJ

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 23, 2022

This run is even more impressive because the Warriors have beaten the young teams and superstars who are supposed to have next as this Warriors core grows older. Even as their Western Conference foes continue to grow, none of them have close to replacing the Warriors at the top of the League they ruled for five straight seasons.

Heading into Tuesday’s Game 4 against the Mavericks, the Warriors will have their first chance to sweep a WCF foe since 2019, when they beat the Trail Blazers to advance to that fateful 2020 NBA Finals loss. The Dubs have won nine straight conference finals games, going back to a Game 7 win against the Rockets in 2018

“For us to get back to this stage and win one playoff series, let alone where we are now, it’s not motivation,” said Curry, who finished Game 3 against Dallas with 31 points, 11 assists, and five rebounds. “It’s more of an excitement that we can do it a different way.

“The motivation is that we’re back on this stage with an opportunity to chase the Finals appearance after a two-year hiatus with our core and a new cast of characters.”

The post Draymond Green Speaks On the Warriors’ Two-Year Playoff Hiatus appeared first on SLAM.

Embiid answered that he wasn’t surprised by the news, claiming that he had been expecting the result since a straw poll by ESPN’s Tim Bontemps toward the end of the regular season indicated that most voters were leaning towards making Jokic a back-to-back MVP. The mindset resulted in Embiid not being as upset about being snubbed for the second year.

Should Joel Embiid have won MVP? pic.twitter.com/Pl4EHF5CA4

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 10, 2022

“Obviously, congrats to Nikola; he deserved it. He had an amazing season. There’s no right or wrong. There was a lot of candidates. It could have gone either way. Giannis, Devin Booker being on the best team in the league by far, so I guess every year it’s all about whatever you guys decided, whatever fits the narrative as far as who’s going to win.”

It’s perhaps the biggest open secret that there is a narrative aspect behind voting and reasoning behind whoever wins MVP. If voting were simply about “being the best player in the League,” LeBron James would’ve won more than four MVPs, and Kevin Durant or Kobe Bryant would’ve perhaps won more than one.

Here’s Embiid’s full quote on the MVP decision, voters on the award, and focusing on the bigger picture: pic.twitter.com/1H14Rc30qm

— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) May 11, 2022

There are several criteria voters look at to determine who they select for the League’s ultimate individual regular-season award. Such as It’s about team success, health, career arc, and past results. Funny enough, Embiid not winning two years in a row may help him get over the hump next season if he puts up another MVP-like season next season.

“I’m not mad. The last two years in a row, I’ve put myself in that position. It didn’t happen. It’s almost like, at this point, it’s whatever. Whatever happens, happens. Last year I campaigned about it, this year, I answered questions when I was asked, and the next, you know, a few years before I retire, it’s almost like I don’t know what else I have to do to win it. To me, it’s just whatever. It’s all about — not that I wasn’t focusing on the bigger picture, but it’s really time to really put all my energy into the bigger picture, which is to win the whole thing.”

Finishing as one of three finalists and the runner-up for MVP means Embiid, in no uncertain terms, did enough to win MVP this year. Moving forward, the former Kansas Jayhawk will have to control what he can control and continue to play at an MVP level, so in the following years, there is no doubt he is deserving of the prestigious award.

The Philadelphia 76ers look to tie their second-round series with Miami on Thursday.

The post Joel Embiid on Focusing On the ‘Bigger Picture’: ‘Which Is to Win the Whole Thing’ appeared first on SLAM.

Count Coach Doc Rivers amongst the masses, the 76ers coach advocated for his MVP candidate Joel Embiid to be the winner of the prestigious award.

“I don’t know if I could’ve done more than he did this year, play without the second-best player all year. Listen, his resume was great. I’m not taking anything away from Jokic either because he’s a hell of a player. I do think this whole analytic-drive society world is out of control at times with some of the measures that they use. Like, watch the dang game and decide is what I’ve always said.”

“But at the end of the day, if Joel had won, which I thought he should have, there would have been criticism that way if Giannis (Antetokounmpo) had won. Only one guy could win, unfortunately.”

Doc Rivers on the MVP race: “I do think this whole analytic-driven society, world is out of control at times with some of the measures that they use. Like, watch the dang game and decide is what I’ve always said.”

Full quote below. pic.twitter.com/3gWVQBvmAA

— Rich Hofmann (@rich_hofmann) May 10, 2022

The case for Jokic is that he put together a historically great season this season without Jamal Murray (torn ACL) and Michael Porter Jr. (lower back) by his side for most if not all of the regular season. Jokic finished the 2021-22 campaign, averaging 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game on 58.3 percent shooting from the field. He also led the League in PER (32.8), win shares (15.2), box plus/mins (13.7), and value over replacement player (9.8).

The Joker also became the first player in NBA history to hit 2,000 points, 1,000 boards, and 500 dimes in a single season.

For Embiid, he led the Sixers (51-31) to a tie with the Bucks and Celtics for second best in the Eastern Conference while becoming the first center since Shaquille O’Neal to lead the League in scoring with 30.6 points per game. Embiid also finished fifth in rebounds (11.7) and played in a career-high 68 games this year. All without his All-Star partner in crime Ben Simmons.

Embiid has finished as the runner-up twice in a year now, both times to Jokic, who completed both seasons with historical numbers. Jokic becomes the first player since Russell Westbrook to win MVP with the sixth-best record in their conference. Brodie won the MVP after becoming the first player to average a triple-double since Oscar Robertson.

The post Doc Rivers on Joel Embiid’s MVP Snub: ‘Only One Guy Could Win, Unfortunately’ appeared first on SLAM.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has been voted the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for a second consecutive season, sources tell ESPN. A formal announcement is expected this week.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 9, 2022

The League will make a formal announcement sometime this week, according to Woj. The Joker became the 14th player in League history to win back-to-back MVPs and the first since Giannis Antetokounmpo did it in ’19 and ’20. Stephen Curry went back-to-back in ’15 and ’16.

Jokic put together a historically great season this season without Jamal Murray (torn ACL) and Michael Porter Jr. (lower back) by his side for most if not all of the regular season. Jokic finished the 2021-22 campaign, averaging 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game on 58.3 percent shooting from the field. He also led the League in PER (32.8), win shares (15.2), box plus/mins (13.7), and value over replacement player (9.8).

The Joker also became the first player in NBA history to hit 2,000 points, 1,000 boards, and 500 dimes in a single season.

Denver posted a 48-34 record for the year, good for sixth in the Western Conference, with Jokic guiding the Nuggets’ sixth-ranked offense in the League.

The other finalists for the MVP were Giannis Antentokounmpo and Joel Embiid.

The post REPORT: Nikola Jokic Wins Second Straight MVP appeared first on SLAM.

And to Nuggets Nation,

The best is yet to come. pic.twitter.com/OAxTbwtK3V

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) April 28, 2022

During his postgame press conference with assembled media, Nikola Jokic implied he would sign what will reportedly be the largest supermax extension in NBA history after finishing the season with a historic individual season that could help him win his second consecutive MVP award. According to Bobby Marks of ESPN, the contract will be worth $254 million over five years.

Footwork clinic pic.twitter.com/GOZP0mT0DX

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) April 28, 2022

“I would like it, of course,” Jokic said per ESPN. “But it’s not something that I’m deciding. I think if [the] offer is on the table, of course, I’m going to accept it because I really like the organization, I really like the people who work here. I’m in [a] really good relationship with everybody from [the] owner to equipment manager.”

pic.twitter.com/6GodKkOoON

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) April 28, 2022

The reigning defending MVP became the first player in League history to register 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 500 assists in a single season. Jokic also became the first to average at least 25 points, 13 rebounds, and seven dimes in a season and the first to lead his teams in all traditional stats, including field goal percentage, since steals and blocks became an official stat in 1973-74, according to ESPN.

“I mean, I never dream about it,” Jokic said of possibly becoming a back-to-back MVP. “It’s something that if it happened, it’s a great thing, of course. It’s something that probably legacy; my name is always going to be there.”

“But if I don’t get it, I’m not going to die. … It would be nice, but if it happens, happens.”

The post Nikola Jokic on Signing Supermax Extension: ‘I’m Going to Accept It’ appeared first on SLAM.

The Denver Nugget hung on to beat the Warriors, 126-121 to force a Game 5 on Wednesday night. Jokic was the orchestrator on offense, as usual, putting up 37 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists, but it was his leadership and basketball I.Q. that was the difference.

Nikola Jokic had it rolling from tip-off, scoring 18 of the @nuggets first 23 points on his way to 37 points, 8 boards, and 6 assists to force Game 5! #MileHighBasketball

Game 5: GSW vs DEN, Wed. 10pm/et on TNT pic.twitter.com/ACg4mKCwkY

— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2022

Jokic, who averaged 29.3 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists over the first three games of the series, dropped 18 points in the first quarter that almost matched the Warriors entire total.

These two plays down the stretch helped sealed it for his Nuggets. First, he warned his teammates about a Warriors lob play from out of bounds that led to a turnover with just over 30 seconds left to go in the game…

Jokic called out the play from the bench #NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel on ABC pic.twitter.com/e3gQkSHyas

— NBA (@NBA) April 24, 2022

Then his drive and kick to Will Barton in the left corner led to the clincher off a perfect pass to send it to Game 5.

WILL W THE DAGGER TO FINISH pic.twitter.com/cuPC9anvuX

— x – Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) April 24, 2022

Although 143 other teams who faced a 3-0 deficit in the NBA playoffs has never bounced back to win a series, Denver is the only team to overcome 3-1 deficits, having beaten the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers two years ago in the bubble. Jokic believes that is enough cause to have faith via ESPN.

“The odds are against us. But we’ve beaten the odds a couple of times, so why not?”

The post ‘The Odds are Against Us’: Nikola Jokic Leads Nuggets to Game 4 Win appeared first on SLAM.

In the post-game press conference, Green explained how he was not worried about how many fouls he had but about stopping the Nuggets’ best player from making a play in the final minutes.

“You can’t play defense the final minutes of the game and worry about fouling out,” Green said. “If I do that, I’ll be doing my team a disservice. I’m going against the Joker. I have to be willing to use all six of my fouls at some point.”

Green followed up by talking about the importance of winning on the road, especially in a playoff atmosphere, and taking advantage of silencing an away crowd.

“That’s what it’s all about going into an opposing team’s building and shutting that crowd up; it doesn’t get much better than that. There is no better feeling in sports than entering a hostile environment, and the crowd is yelling and booing, and ultimately you come out with the victory. It’s hard to duplicate that feeling and rush you get from experiences like that. For me, I enjoy the boos and everything that comes with it. I always say the real ones show up and make plays on the road, and then some people just show up at home.”

The Warriors look to complete the sweep on Sunday in Denver to advance to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

The post Draymond Green On Clutch Play in Game 3 Win: ‘The Real Ones Show Up and Make Plays On the Road’ appeared first on SLAM.

The one issue that remains is the Golden State backcourt. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Jordan Poole are still hot, and each was on fire in Game 3.

Steph
Klay
JP
BUCKETS. pic.twitter.com/cKcxHKYLe2

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) April 22, 2022

Curry and Poole each finished with 27 points apiece, and Thompson dropped 26 points on his own to cancel out a monster 37-point, 18 rebound game by Nikola Jokic to beat the Nuggets 118-113. The Warriors now lead 3-0 in their first-round series with a chance to sweep over the weekend.

The three guards have led a small ball lineup that has been the difference in this series. Each player has had their chance to shine individually and collectively throughout this series. In Game 1, Jordan Poole got rolling with a historic start. Then it was Curry who exploded in Game 2 to eclipse the playoff career 3,000 point mark while scoring a game-high 34 points in only 23 minutes.

In Game 3, all three made history. Thompson passed Ray Allen for third all-time in playoff three-pointers made. Chef Curry passed James Worthy for 26th on the playoff scoring list. As for Jordan Poole, he became the first guard since the merger to score 25 Pts on 60 percent shooting in three straight playoff games. Jerry West, Lou Hudson, and Brian Winters were the only guards to have done it in history, according to ESPN Stats and Information.

Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole are the 3rd trio in Warriors history to each record 25 points and 50% shooting in a playoff game and the first since 1989.

1989: Chris Mullin, Mitch Richmond & Terry Teagle

1958: Neil Johnston, Paul Arizin & Tom Gola pic.twitter.com/wJbmus6noh

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 22, 2022

All three became the first trio in franchise history to record 25 points on 50 percent shooting and the first to do since Chris Mullin, Mitch Redmond, and Terry Teagle did so in 1989.

“He looks like a seasoned vet,” Thompson said about Poole via Yahoo Sports. “The shots he’s been making and taking, he’s kind of been our catalyst on offense. JP, I’ve seen him put in so much work behind the scenes that he deserves this.

“I’m incredibly proud of him.”

Not only is Thompson enjoying his teammate’s play but the opportunity to be back on the floor with his teammates in general.

“So much,” he said when asked how much he missed playoff games on the road. “It’s what you dream of, it’s what you prepare for and I don’t take granted nights like these. That was a ton of fun and just a gutsy win by our squad.

“Everything I worked for the past two years has come to fruition. I’m just incredibly grateful to be here and having fun.”

Golden State will try to close out the series on Sunday.

The post Golden State Warriors Take Command Of Series With Backcourt Brilliance appeared first on SLAM.

SCORING CHAMP.

: @Lukesflicks pic.twitter.com/tSZKFMtm3T

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) April 10, 2022

Embiid clinched the NBA scoring title on Sunday to become the first Sixer to win a scoring title since Allen Iverson won the last of his four titles during the 2003-2004 campaign.

“He’s done it the right way. He’s made the right passes. He’s passed the ball, and he’s passed the ball more this year than in past years, yet he still leads us in scoring,” Rivers said per NBA.com. “It’s a pretty cool thing. Very happy for him. I don’t know what it means, but I know that it means he’s dominant.”

The No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 draft reportedly set out to win MVP at the beginning of the season. Embiid finished the season on a streak of nine games with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds. He also posted 12 games of 40 points and 10 boards, joining an exclusive club that only Russell Westbrook and Moses Malone have been a part of since the NBA and ABA merged during the 1976-1977 season.

Embiid averaged 30.6 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game on 49.9 percent shooting from the field and 37.1 percent from long distance in 33.8 minutes per game. The fewest minutes averaged in a season by a scoring champ in the shot-clock era.

your 2021-22 @NBA scoring champion: @JoelEmbiid. pic.twitter.com/mbUySlOSH0

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) April 11, 2022

With one major accomplishment out of the way, Embiid and the 76ers will wait to see if The Process will bring the MVP trophy for the first time since Allen Iverson did so in 2001.

“I don’t do a lot of campaigning, and I’m not going to sit here and do a whole bunch,” Rivers said. “I think Joel has campaigned enough with his play. He really has. I don’t think people realize how hard it is for a center to lead the NBA in scoring. It’s so much easier for guards because they have the ball, and they can shoot whenever they want to. Centers are incumbent not only on getting the ball, but they’re the easiest guy to get trapped as well.”

JEEZ JOEL. pic.twitter.com/QQ96h3ca6K

— x – Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) April 1, 2022

Embiid finished as the runner-up to 2021 MVP Nikola Jokic.

The Sixers take on the Raptors in the first round of the playoffs with the goal of winning their first title since 1983.

The post Doc Rivers on Joel Embiid Winning Scoring Title: ‘He’s Done It the Right Way’ appeared first on SLAM.

While there’s been optimism all season that Denver could get one or both of these guys back for the playoffs, those hopes are starting to fade. 

As first reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic, Murray and Porter Jr. will both miss the final game of the regular season and are “unlikely” to return during the postseason. 

Despite being without these two key pieces for nearly the entire season, the Nuggets have played very well. Entering the final day of the regular season, they’re tied for the fifth seed in the Western Conference with a record of 48-33. 

Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic has once again been spectacular this season, carrying Denver throughout the season as they played shorthanded.

Anytime Jokic is on the floor, Denver has a chance to win. As such, the Nuggets are a team nobody should want to play in the first round of the playoffs. 

The post Denver Nuggets Could Be Without Two Key Pieces In Playoffs appeared first on SLAM.

NBA HISTORY

(Stat via @NBABlackburn) pic.twitter.com/hXmrp1wgKs

— x – Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) April 8, 2022

Joker was serenaded with “M-V-P” chants after scoring a fourth-quarter bucket to become the first player in NBA history to accumulate 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 500 assists in a single season. Jokic also became the first player since Wilt Chamberlain to register at last 35 points and 12 rebounds in five straight games.

We liking the headband ? The Joker always has something up this sleeve.

(via @nuggets) pic.twitter.com/Ukl8VQbqae

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) April 8, 2022

The only other player who’s come close to accomplishing the same combination of stats was Wilt Chamberlain during the 1967-1968 campaign when he led the League in assists but came up eight points short of 2k. However, Wilt the Stilt won his third straight MVP that season. It remains to be seen if Jokic will. He’s in a tight race for the award with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid.

“I mean, it’s cool,” Jokic said per NBA.com. “I like it. Hopefully, I can do it a couple of more times.”

To top off all the good news, the Nuggets (48-33) clinched their fourth straight playoff appearance after beating the Grizzlies, 122-109, led by Jokic’s 35 points, 16 rebounds, and six assist double-double performance. If they beat the Lakers on Sunday and the Jazz suffers two more losses against the Suns and Trail Blazers, the Nuggets can win the Northwest Division, their third divisional title since 2019.

Jokic has averaged 27.1 points, 13.8 boards, and 7.8 dimes per game this season while leading the Nuggets to a sixth-place finish in the always-packed Western Conference without Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. by his side. When it comes to winning a second straight MVP award, Jokic says, ‘if that’s enough, it’s enough. If not, you cannot control that.”

Coach Michael Malone wasn’t so subtle with his compliments on the Nuggets’ franchise cornerstone.

“The MVP isn’t even a competition,” Malone said. “There’s other great players. I’m not saying they’re not great players. But what Nikola Jokic has done this year — with this team — everything we’ve had to go through is just incredible. He was good last year, and he’s even better this year.”

The Nuggets can still win the Northwest Division with a victory Sunday night against the Lakers and two losses by the Utah Jazz (48-32), who finish up against Phoenix (63-17) and Portland (27-53).

The post Nikola Jokic First to Hit 2k Points, 1K Rebounds, and 500 Assists appeared first on SLAM.

The 7-footer has scored a total of 232 points while shooting 70.6% from the floor over his past seven games. No player in NBA history has scored more points over a seven-game span in which they’ve shot at least 70% from the field.

Not only is Jokic scoring a ton of points, but he’s doing it efficiently. 

Over this stretch, Denver has gone 5-2 in its effort to climb the Western Conference standings. As we enter the final week of the regular season, every game counts. The Nuggets just recently moved up into the fifth seed, jumping the Utah Jazz. 

During his last seven games, Jokic has also produced 14.4 rebounds and 7.7 assists per contest. He’s once again an MVP candidate, doing whatever it takes to get his team wins down the stretch. 

With a record of 47-32, Denver has just three games remaining in the regular season. 

The post Nikola Jokic Is Making History Down The Stretch Of The Regular Season appeared first on SLAM.

But on this night, many die-hard hoops fans are glued to their television screens and phones while the NBA celebrates the culmination of the 2018-19 season. The third annual NBA Awards, live from the Barker Hangar in Los Angeles and airing on TNT, will reveal the winners of some of the League’s most prestigious accolades. Giannis Antetokounmpo is about to earn his first of back-to-back MVPs. Luka Doncic is picking up his ROY hardware. Superstar hoopers aside, though, the night also features celebrity presenters. Samuel L. Jackson. Tiffany Haddish. Issa Rae. Shaquille O’Neal. And then there is actor and comedian Hasan Minhaj, who takes the stage to let off a few jokes. One joke in particular is about to become a trending topic on Twitter. 

“In the past two months, AD got traded, Zion went first and LaMelo Ball got shipped to boarding school in Australia. I can say that joke—neither of us will ever make the NBA,” says Minhaj, as some laughs break through the crowd.

Comedians crack jokes. That’s the point. But whether Minhaj actually believed what he said, only he knows. 

The irony of it all (aside from the fact that Melo went on to become the third overall pick in the draft the following year and won ROY a few months later) is that here was a 17-year-old kid who had become such a staple of hoops culture that he was the subject of a joke on a night meant to celebrate the game’s current greatest.  

About 50 miles east from where the awards were taking place, it didn’t take long before LaMelo, at home in Chino Hills, reacted online. He posted a comment, which was later deleted, that essentially questioned if Minhaj would say that to his face. Normal teenager reaction. All harmless. 

Almost three years later, LaMelo is now sitting on a table in a Charlotte hotel conference room on a late February afternoon. He’s wearing a custom 1-of-1 LaFrancé-branded basketball uniform (his personal lifestyle brand, named as a nod to his middle name) while rocking a No. 1 jersey, which he says he expects to be his new number starting next season. And then there’s the humongous iced out double chain around his neck with a 3D UFO spaceship. Casual. 

We just wrapped up his cover shoot and he is comfortably lounging as he reminisces on his journey so far.

SLAM 237 featuring LaMelo Ball is available now!

He’s no longer that bubble gum teenager who many predicted was all internet hype and would eventually fade into obscurity. To be fair to Minhaj, he was probably just repeating what he had heard others say—some who even consider themselves basketball experts repeated those same sentiments back then, too. On the night of the 2019 awards ceremony, ESPN had Melo projected as a second rounder in the draft. The 32nd pick, to be exact. 

As Melo is reminded of the days when many doubted him, and specifically the night of the awards, he begins cheesing hard. It’s the smile of someone who knows he’s had the last laugh. He always knew he would. And he enjoys every bit of it these days. But as I remind him of his deleted comment from that night, he can no longer control his laughter.    

“Oh, I said that?! That was probably me on some young shit. I’ll smack that n—a, for real!” he says before breaking out into more laughs. 

“Nah, I don’t really give a fuck when people said stuff like that. It’s all jokes to me, for real. When you say something, I’m gonna say something back. You mean it? Eh, I don’t mean it. Could mean it. Probably don’t. Probably do. It’s whatever.” 

Melo ain’t really sweating it. He never has. His nonchalant demeanor has lowkey played a big role in getting him here. If anything, it’s probably what kept him sane when his notoriety was exploding in high school, and yet media outlets and online trolls alike refused to acknowledge him as a legitimate high-level NBA prospect. Talent is obviously needed to get here. But ask all of the cautionary tales and highly touted high school players who never panned out about their voyage, and the importance of mental strength will be a common theme. Goes without saying that being under a microscope and the type of spotlight that Melo grew up in is not for the faint of heart. 

Melo, though, shrugs and scoffs at the thought (technically, the question) that there was ever even the smallest of chances that all that noise was ever hard on him. That lowlight mixtape that accumulated millions of views online when he was only 15 years old? He’s practically offended at the thought that he would ever be offended by it. 

“I ain’t gonna lie, everything was just normal to me. I give a lot of credit to my pops, just the way he had us. Pretty much saying, If they not talking about y’all and they not hating on you, you’re pretty much not doing nothing. You feel me? If they not hating on you, you obviously not doing something. If they talking about you good, if they talking about you bad, they’re still talking about you,” says Melo. “I never really looked at it like, Oh, why are they talking about me like that? If you not really in my household, I don’t really care what you got to say. No disrespect, but it’s like that.” 

Continuing to look back on his father’s words: “He said, Y’all destined for the League, type-shit. Made us really believe it. I came out the womb believing it. When you got that factor and really believe it, that’s really it. All you could do is make it, for real. That’s what our mindset was…I felt like I could play in the League when I was 14, 15. I probably couldn’t have, but that’s just how I thought. I was like, It’s just basketball. He could shoot, I could shoot. He dribbles, I dribble. From the beginning, I thought I was always—no one could really f**k with me. I just always had that attitude.”  

In late 2017, when Melo left Chino Hills High School at the beginning of his junior year and turned pro in Lithuania, he says that’s when he received his big affirmation—or rather, revelation—that there was nothing that could stop him. At the time, people criticized the move, saying it would hinder his growth and development, and ultimately obliterate any probabilities of him making the NBA.     

“Honestly, after Lithuania, I didn’t give a fuck where I got drafted to. The beds? You roll off to the left, you fall off. You roll off to the right, you fall off. Motherfucking calves hanging off the bed—not feet, calves hanging off the bed! It was bad, bro. Once you get through that, it was like, I don’t care where y’all put me in. As long as I’m in the States and I got water, I’m good,” Melo says confidently. “That whole shit, bruh—it felt like one big ass night! That shit was crazy. Food was hard to eat out there. Hella cold. Nobody around. That’s pretty much when I just locked in. I’m like, Yeah, I don’t really need too much. Just get it done and grind. That right there was big, I feel like. Sacrifice—you feel me? That’s what I looked at it as.  

“The mental shit goes back to Lithuania. Ever since all that, I aint gon’ lie, my mental has been straight. It ain’t nothing you can do. I even sat the bench there. I literally did everything out there.” 

LaVar still remembers Melo getting in trouble in preschool as if it was yesterday. One day, the teacher had asked the class what their favorite song was. Every kid took turns as the teacher went around the room. When it was finally Melo’s turn to speak, he excitedly shared with the class his favorite lyrics. 

“This dude starts reciting a DMX song with all the cuss words in it! His teachers said, Hold up, wait a minute! He had never been [in a situation] where someone would say, Hey, don’t say those cuss words! ’Cause I let him listen to rap when getting ready for the games. So he was always listening to DMX and what his older brothers were listening to,” recalls LaVar. In 2016, Zo did say that his five favorite rappers of all time were Lil Wayne, Future, DMX, 50 Cent and Tupac, so it’s easy to see where that came from.   

LaVar shares the childhood story to get to a bigger point. Being the youngest, Melo would always hang around his older brothers. Wherever Zo and Gelo went, Melo was there. That included the basketball court. Melo felt he could hang with them on the court, but then also invited himself to hang off the court, too. It got to the point where Melo was practically hanging with Zo’s and Gelo’s friends more than kids in his own grade. It was really just an extension of what was happening on the hardwood. LaVar had his boys playing up in age in AAU. Do some Googles and you’ll find videos of an 11-year-old Melo playing against high school kids next to his brothers at AAU events. Not just playing against high school kids at 11, giving them buckets.    

“We used to have movie night every weekend. I used to say, Each of you guys invite a couple of your friends. And Melo never invited his. He always invited Lonzo’s and Gelo’s. The older guys. Melo never wanted to hang out with no little guys,” LaVar says. “By the time we were playing in the high school leagues, and the boys were super young, I always had a couple of guys on the team that were 17 to balance that stuff out—needed some big boys to rebound. These dudes had tattoos and goatees and my dudes were barely in elementary. But they looked at [Melo, Gelo and Zo] as little brothers and protected them. [Melo] always talked crazy. He talked like them. You’d hear a little kid’s voice talking, and then you hear him talking about stuff that grown folks talking about. He was always like that.”  

But on-court development was only part of the plan. There was a whole other social aspect to it. LaVar decided to raise the family in the relatively affluent Chino Hills enclave, far away from the South Central L.A. streets he grew up in. He and his wife Tina would end up taking the boys back to W. Slauson and S. Van Ness all the time, though. After all, their grandparents still lived in the neighborhood. And aside from visiting family, he also wanted the boys to build up that same inner-city grit and toughness he had mastered. He wanted the boys to appreciate the unique situation they were in back in Chino Hills, and to also be cognizant and understanding of the different social conditions others less fortunate were born into. The routine trips to South Central ultimately became a major part of the boys’ development. 

Still, part of that preparation was also about making sure that Melo and his brothers wouldn’t get caught up in the glitz and glamour when they finally made it to the League. That the transition would be as seamless as possible because their lifestyle would be no different when that day came. Growing up around gated communities in Chino Hills was one thing. But Zo pulling up to high school in a new white BMW 7 Series and Gelo pulling up in a separate one—yes, to the same school parking lot—was just as much about preparing for the League as any drill was. When Melo finally turned 16, he famously got a Lamborghini gifted to him. Not many outside of the family understood the purpose of it all at the time. 

“If I wanted my sons to live the NBA lifestyle, you can’t dangle no fucking shoe in front of them, like you can do with the other superstars. You offered them some shoes, they were gonna be like, What am I supposed to do with these shoes when I got a BMW outside? You get to the League and now you can finally buy that BMW or Escalade you always wanted. [Melo, Gelo, and Zo] already had that in high school,” says LaVar. “Just like with Melo, when the media asked him if he was happy to have his own signature shoe [with Puma], he told them he’s had that since he was 16. He’s not gonna feel any different if we made sure that he felt those experiences at 16. Guys are out there breaking their neck trying to get a signature shoe. He’s been through all of that. You can’t re-do it. You can only have that feeling one time.” 

Adds Melo: “Right when I hit that age, everything started making sense. I had been through everything. Even with the whole playing on teams—I really started to see what my pops was doing. Even when we were younger, we always used to play on our own team under him, with just local kids. We wouldn’t go find the best teams. Then you look back at it and it’s like, Damn, that’s ’cause he wanted me to pass, shoot, rebound, steal. Damn near do everything. So, when you do get on those types of teams and you got that [NBA] talent around you [now], it’s way easier.”

So here we are today. Melo is now the face of an NBA franchise at only 20 years old. A franchise and a city that didn’t have much to cheer about prior to his arrival in 2020. The impact is evident in the significant increase of new season ticket holders that the team has reported since he touched down in the Queen City. In the fact that they’ve been in contention for a playoff spot the last two seasons after finishing almost 20 games under .500 right before he got to town. 

Some of his early accolades make his trajectory scary—in the best way. He’s already joined some elite company in his short time in the League. Fourth-youngest ever to be an NBA All-Star, behind only Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Magic Johnson. He finished with 18 points off the bench that night. There was a period earlier this season when he was the team’s leader in points, rebounds, assists and steals per game (Mason Plumlee has since taken over the rebounds category). The only other player in the League who was leading his team across all four categories at the same time this season was reigning MVP Nikola Jokic. Melo became the second youngest player in NBA history to reach 700 career assists in February, behind only LeBron. There’s a bunch of other similar milestones, where his name sits next to some of the best.

But it hasn’t all been peaches and cream. As we headed to press, the team had dropped 13 of its last 17 games. The Hornets are fighting tooth and nail to hold on to one of the last remaining play-in game spots. And while Melo is focused on securing a postseason opportunity, he’s also aware that it’s all just a process. Just like his road to the NBA. From Lithuania to LaVar’s JBA world tour (which took him across Europe) to Australia, he’s become confident in knowing that not much in his life has been a matter of if, only when.    

“When they really put them keys in my hand, I feel like it’s gonna be a whole new situation. But until then, I’m gonna keep doing what I need to do, just try to get these wins,” says Melo. “I ain’t gonna lie, every game I feel like I can do more than what I’m doing. It’s just [about] reading the whole game and reading the whole situation. And everybody being on the same page. The consistency part. Once all that clears, I feel like we’ll be straight. 

“The season isn’t successful until you win a championship. But it’s [also] pretty much always about being better than the last year. So, last year we were in the play-in. This year hopefully we get in the playoffs, win a first round, something like that. Just keep going up from there. I just feel we’re like a big away. One that can clog up the whole paint, rebound. Put that bitch in my hands [and] let me rock! That’s how I be feeling. And then we’re gonna be straight.”

SLAM 237 is available now in these gold and black metal editions, plus an exclusive SLAM 237 Cover Tee.

Portraits Diwang Valdez.

The post The King of Queen City: LaMelo Ball’s Ascension to the Top is Only a Matter of Time appeared first on SLAM.

We have never seen a basketball player like Joel Embiid. Like it or not, it's just a fact.

(: @goodlooksfamily) pic.twitter.com/F5UWkiHsAG

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) March 24, 2022

After a dramatic offseason and even messier divorce surrounding Ben Simmons, Embiid has emerged as the leader of a 76ers squad that has relied heavily on 29.9 points and 11.4 rebounds per game production. At 46-28, the Sixers are in second place and just one game behind the Eastern Conference-leading Miami Heat (48-28). Since the 76ers added James Harden via trade, Embiid has averaged 31.0 points and 12.4 rebounds per game.

“Last year, I got hurt. That was the knock on me with not being healthy,” Embiid said per NBA.com. “This year, I’ve gone to a different level. I’m healthy. I don’t know what else I have to do to be able to [win MVP]. I feel like it is my time. But I have a lot of respect for the other guys, and I think they’re great players.”

“It’s nice to be recognized as the MVP,” Embiid said. “That’s the biggest thing you can win. I would love that. But then again, I want to win a championship. The championship trumps everything.”

Embiid was just inches away from winning his first MVP award last season, getting injured late into the season, and losing the MVP to Nikola Jokic. The perceived slight and falling to the Hawks in the second round inspired, Embiid to enter the offseason hungrier and more determined than ever. Over the summer, Embiid worked on his game with vaunted NBA trainer Drew Hanlen.

Instead of worrying about what Simmons would do, the former Kansas Jayhawk just went to work and trusted the process.

“Joel paid no attention to it,” Drew Hanlen, Embiid’s trainer, said. “Joel was more focused on how he can improve as a player and what he needed to do to make up for the talent that they lost in Ben. Why waste energy on things that don’t deserve energy? There was nothing Joel could do about it.”

Embiid was also entrusted with leading the 76ers on his own, implementing an offseason training regimen that helped include studying Kobe Bryant’s game film, Kevin Durant, Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Dirk Nowitzki to breakdown how to get buckets in various ways. Embiid also addressed his conditioning, nutrition and improved his handle and ability to pass out of double-teams.

“We’ve always talked about, ‘Can you carry a team. Can you do it, not by yourself, but can you do it without another All-Star?'” Embiid said. “I just wanted to go on and prove that. To win a championship, I can’t win alone. I need great teammates. But I just wanted to set the foundation.”

“The game has started to slow down for him. The countless hours of film, plus the countless hours of decision-making in workouts, has allowed him to really grasp what is coming next and seeing the play before it unfolds.” Hanlen added.

With eight games remaining in the regular season, Embiid ranks ahead of fellow frontrunner Jokic in points and defensive rating, while Joker has the edge in rebounding and assists. Jokic also leads the League in triple-doubles (18), but Embiid has a 50-point game and six 40-point outings, while Jokic has scored at least 40 just two times this season.

The post Joel Embiid on MVP Chances: ‘I Feel Like It Is My Time’ appeared first on SLAM.

Then there was the performance of Grant Williams, who played solid defense on reigning MVP Nikola Jokic and even blocked his shot in the second quarter. After the game, teammate Jaylen Brown told the media that Williams “wants his nickname to be Batman.”

According to Williams, his dad came up with it awhile back.

“My dad came up with that over a year ago,” Williams said, per Taylor Snow of Celtics.com. “We played Denver, he was joking about it saying, ‘We should just call you Batman from now on.’ It wasn’t just because of the whole Joker thing. It was more so I’m not like the most athletic, I’m not the most incredible, but brains and then like everything else you work with, that was the Batman kind of spiel.”

Williams apparently has other nicknames for his teammates, too, based off of Marvel characters. Given the Celtics “superhero-like” ascent this season into a top spot in the East, they might be fitting, as the team currently holds the highest defensive rating in the League.

On Monday night against the Thunder, Williams’ continued to impress and posted his first career double-double, scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds in the 132-123 win.

In the postgame press conference, teammate Al Horford interrupted and asked, “IS THIS BATMAN?”

Williams is currently averaging a career-best 7.8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. The Celtics will head back home to face the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.

The post Grant Williams Posts First Career-Double and Nicknames Himself ‘Batman’ appeared first on SLAM.

So far, Antetokounmpo has gotten less attention in the MVP race behind entrenched candidates like Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic despite averaging 29.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game and leading the Bucks (44-27) to the second-best record in the Eastern Conference. The stats rank him second, fifth, 20th, and 11th in the League, respectively.

“Oh, hell no. I’ve done it. I’ve done it. I’m OK. I’m OK with myself. You know, I don’t have social media on my phone. Like I cannot follow it,” Giannis said about keeping track of the MVP race.

However, the lack of acknowledgment from media and fans doesn’t seem to impact Antetokounmpo and his ultimate goal this season, winning a second championship and regaining that feeling the Bucks had when they beat the Suns in Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Finals, winning their first title since 1971.

In his latest performance against the Kings, Antetokounmpo posted 36 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block as the Bucks edged the Kings, 135-126. It was Antetokounmpo’s fifth straight game with 30 or more points.

“Nah, I want another championship. You know, like, the joy that I felt when I won the MVP was unbelievable. I was with my family. I wish my (late) Dad was there. That was an unbelievable feeling. Grateful. But the joy that I felt when I won a championship, there’s no comparing. There’s no comparing (an MVP) to the joy of being on the bus and seeing 200,000 people celebrating—white, Black, Hispanic, or whatever the case may be. Everybody was celebrating, and you’re giving everybody that joy.”

“There were people that had never seen a championship for 50 years. (They’d say), ‘The last time I saw the championship, I was two years old.’ You know? That’s a different type of joy. It’s not just me being able to win the award. The whole city won an award. That’s what I want, you know? And hopefully, God can bless me and give me that. I’ll do whatever I can do to do it.”

The Bucks have won eight of their last 10 contests, including three of their previous five. On Tuesday, the defending champs will be hosting the Bulls (41-29).

The post Giannis Antetokounmpo on the MVP Race and the ‘Joy’ of Winning a Championship appeared first on SLAM.

Per Amick, Porter is set to return by mid to late March. The Missouri product was thought to be done for the season after undergoing his third back surgery in November.

Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., is progressing to be cleared for on-court contact within the next week, freeing a path for him to return to the lineup sometime in March, his agent Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tells ESPN. Story: https://t.co/kGgAmFvgZs

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 27, 2022

The 25-year-old guard has been out since April 2021, when he tore the ACL in his left knee. At the time, Murray averaged a career-high 21.2 points per game on career-best 40.8 percent shooting from distance. According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, the target for Murray is sometime in March as well.

Denver could potentially get back both Porter and Jamal Murray in the next month. They have the potential to be an extremely dangerous team come playoff time if they can get healthy. In a very brief sample last year, those two, Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon were dominant together https://t.co/h2vNimwKEV

— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) February 27, 2022

Denver has seemingly been optimistic about Murray and Porter coming back since early February when team president Tim Connely told Denver sports radio that both franchise cornerstones could return “in the not too distant future.”

On Wednesday, the Nuggets (36-25) will play the Trail Blazers (25-36). The return of Porter in the coming weeks could provide a big boost for a Nuggets team that’s struggled with injury but stayed afloat because of another MVP-quality season from reigning MVP Nikola Jukic.

The post REPORT: Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. On Track to Return By Playoffs appeared first on SLAM.

Bones Hyland tweeted that at 10:38 am on July 29, 2021—the day of the NBA Draft. It sums up who he is—and what he brings to the table—pretty perfectly. Later that evening, the Denver Nuggets selected Hyland with the 26^th overall pick. The 6-3 guard, originally from Wilmington, Delaware (just the third player from the state ever to be drafted in the first round), had dominated the previous season at Virginia Commonwealth University, averaging 19.5 points and leading the Atlantic 10 Conference in three-pointers made (69). He was considered one of the most talented perimeter shooters in the 2021 Class, capable of pulling up from anywhere and knocking down tough, contested looks. With his elite quickness and crafty handles, Bones also showed an ability to get to the rim. If it wasn’t obvious from the tweet above, he plays with a lot of energy, passion and confidence—on both ends of the floor. He added 4.7 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game last year for the Rams.

Still, it was Hyland’s potential to deliver “instant offense” at the NBA level—to be a flamethrower, electrifying sixth-man type—that stood out to most scouts. Here are some of the players he was compared to heading into the ’21 Draft: Immanuel Quickley, Jordan Clarkson, Devonte Graham, Jamal Crawford and Ben Gordon.

Those comparisons should give you a good sense for Hyland’s game, and they have proved apt during his rookie campaign so far. The 21-year-old has been a much-needed scoring spark for the Nuggets, especially with primary weapons Michael Porter Jr and Jamal Murray sidelined. In just 18 minutes per game, Bones is averaging 8.7 points and shooting 36 percent from three. He hasn’t been shy or hesitant at all, ranking 12^th in the entire NBA at one point in three-point attempts per 100 possessions (min. 25 games played) with 13.3. Among rooks, he is fourth in total three-pointers made (80), trailing just Cade Cunningham (89), Chris Duarte (87) and Jalen Green (83). Worth noting: Hyland has played 500 fewer minutes than all three of those lottery picks.

In other words, Hyland is doing exactly what the Nuggets want him to do: providing a lift on offense and being aggressive from the moment he steps on the floor. He also brings an intensity, flair and competitiveness that can be contagious. Stuff like this tends to inspire the whole team: 

Bones has been improving steadily throughout his first year, developing more chemistry with former MVP Nikola Jokic and earning more trust from the coaching staff. Before the All-Star break, he had five-game stretch in which he averaged 12.4 points, including a 22-point outing in a 132-115 win over the Knicks.

As expected, there have been several nights when Bones has caught fire and quickly lit up opposing defenses. He dropped 24 points in 26 minutes—shooting 8/11 from the field and 4/5 from three—against the Hawks in December. A month later, facing the Lakers at Staples Center, he went off for a career-high 27 points and 10 assists, knocking down 6/10 from deep. Watch how fearlessly he attacks in the highlight video below, whether he’s unleashing a stepback, coming off a ball screen or launching from way behind the arc. 

Hyland replaced the injured Davion Mitchell in last Friday’s Rising Stars Challenge and showed why he belonged. He was, unsurprisingly, a source of instant offense, notching 10 points and hitting a pair of threes. Hall of Famer Gary Payton—his team’s coach—was apparently telling him, “They can’t guard you, go get a bucket every time.”

“Man, this is just the beginning for me,” Bones said afterwards. “Just to see everything and knowing what I can be in this league—[with] what I provide, what I can bring, I know I’m going to be an All-Star in this league. So seeing this stuff firsthand, it’s big for me. I’m soaking all of this in.”

The post SLAM x Panini Rookie Spotlight: Bones Hyland appeared first on SLAM.

Some good news coming from #Nuggets President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly, on @AltitudeSR, on the status of both Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., saying he thinks they will physically cleared to return “hopefully in the not too distant future.”

— Chris Dempsey (@chrisadempsey) February 11, 2022

When Murray makes his way back to the court, it’ll be the first time he’s played for the Nuggets since tearing his ACL last April. Porter hasn’t played since undergoing surgery on his lower back in November.

Murray averaged 21.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists per game before getting injured. Porter played nine games before going under the knife and averaged 9.9 points, 6.6 boards, and 1.9 dimes per game.

The Nuggets are 30-24 under the MVP-led play of Nikola Jokic, sitting at sixth place in the always competitive Western Conference.

The post Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. Close to Return appeared first on SLAM.

On Thursday night, LeBron James and Kevin Durant – the two captains for the All-Star game – selected their teams for the All-Star Game taking place in just under two weeks.

Each captain had to select their starting lineups first and then select their reserves. Because Durant is injured and will not be playing in the game, nine players were available to be drafted instead of eight, with Jayson Tatum replacing Durant as a starter.

James opened the draft up by selecting Giannis Antetokounmpo first overall, with Durant using his first pick to draft Joel Embiid.

James rounded off his starting lineup by selecting Stephen Curry, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Jokic. Durant’s starting lineup will consist of Embiid, Tatum, Ja Morant, Andrew Wiggins, and Trae Young. Wiggins and Young were the final two starters selected in the draft.

Between the two, Durant has the least experienced starting lineup with Wiggins and Morant, both first-time All-Stars and Young just in his second All-Star Game.

Durant got the first pick to open up the reserves section of the draft and used the pick to select Devin Booker, and James used his first pick to draft Luka Doncic.

Durant filled out his reserves by selecting Karl Anthony-Towns, Zach LaVine, Dejounte Murray, Khris Middleton, LaMelo Ball, and Rudy Gobert.

James reserves will be Darius Garland, Chris Paul, Jimmy Butler, Donovan Mitchell, Fred VanVleet, and James Harden.

Harden was the last pick of the All-Star Draft, with Durant creating a funny moment where he opted against drafting his former teammate, who was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, to take Gobert instead.

The All-Star Game is scheduled to occur in Cleveland on Sunday, Feb. 20.

The post NBA All-Star Teams Set, Giannis Antetokounmpo Selected First Overall appeared first on SLAM.

On Thursday, during a broadcast on TNT, the NBA announced the reserves for the upcoming 2022 All-Star game, a week after the starters had been announced.

In the West, the Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz had two players named: Chris Paul and Devin Booker for the Suns and Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell for the Jazz. The roster comprises Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl Anthony-Towns, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, and Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic.

The West will have to add one additional player before the All-Star game, as Green won’t be active for the festivities. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will name Green’s replacement before the All-Star Game draft.

The remaining West All-Stars are made up by the five starters, Nikola Jokic, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins, and Ja Morant.

In the East, Zach LaVine, Jimmy Butler, Darius Garland, James Harden, Fred VanVleet, Jayson Tatum, and Khris Middleton all got the nod, representing different teams from each other. They’ll be joining the East’s five starters of Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, DeMar DeRozan, Joel Embiid, and Trae Young.

While there is a boatload of talent in this year’s All-Star game, some names that arguably deserved consideration were left off. Dejounte Murray and Deandre Ayton are putting together excellent seasons in the West but were not named to the All-Star team. Paul George was having another All-Star-caliber season but hasn’t played in over a month due to an elbow injury.

In the East, Jarrett Allen, Jrue Holiday, and Jaylen Brown have seasons potentially worthy of the All-Star distinction.

All-Star captains James and Durant will draft their teams live on TNT on Feb. 10 at 7:00 p.m. EST. The NBA All-Star Game is on Sunday, Feb. 20.

The post NBA Announces Reserves for 2022 All-Star Game appeared first on SLAM.

On Thursday, the NBA announced the five starters from both the Western and Eastern Conferences, with a few first-time All-Stars making the list.

The two captains are a pair of familiar faces to the All-Star Game in LeBron James, making his 18th All-Star appearance, and Kevin Durant, making his 12th All-Star appearance.

Joining James in the west as starters are Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic, Andrew Wiggins and Ja Morant. Joining Durant in the east are DeMar DeRozan, Joel Embiid, Trae Young and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

There are two first-time All-Stars among the 10 starters, both in the west, in Wiggins and Morant. Young will be making his second All-Star appearance.

The All-Star reserves, which are voted on by the head coaches across the NBA, will be announced on Feb. 3.

The All-Star Game will take place in Cleveland on Sunday, Feb. 19.

The post NBA Announces Starters for 2022 All-Star Game appeared first on SLAM.

The 26-year-old center being so overlooked has riled up Nuggets Coach Michael Malone. During his postgame press conference with media following the Nuggets’ 87-85 to the Clippers, the veteran coach didn’t hold back on the perceived Jokic slander.

“I think he is one of the more disrespected reigning MVPs that I can think of in terms of the attention,” Malone said per ESPN.

“But if you open up the dictionary, look up the word consistency, there’s going to be a picture of Nikola there. That’s going back to the bubble, that’s going back to a 72-game season last year, and this year we knew Jamal [Murray] was going to be out for an extended period. When you add a Michael Porter, when you add a P.J. Dozier to that [injured] list, it even becomes more incredible what he’s doing.”

As of Wednesday, Jokic is putting up 25.7 points, 14.1 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game. As far as analytics goes, Jokic holds a 112.4 offensive rating, 103.6 defensive rating and leads the League in player impact estimate. The Joker is also in the top 5 for usage, assist percentage, defensive rebound percentage, and rebound percentage.

Compared to last season when Jokic averaged 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 8.3 assists on 56.6% shooting, Jokic holds even more responsibility with Murray, Porter, and Dozier out with injuries. Like no other time during his Nuggets tenure, how Jokic goes is how the Nugget will go. The Nuggets are currently sixth in the West with a 20-19 record.

A big reason Jokic hasn’t been in the MVP conversation with Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Giannis Antetokounmpo is the Nuggets’ record. The last MVP to win without having a top-three record was 2017 MVP, Russell Westbrook. The former Thunder guard won it after averaging a triple-double, the first since Oscar Robertson did it during the 1961-1962 season but didn’t win the MVP after guiding the Cincinnati Royals to a 43-37 record.

“I mean, Nikola Jokic is not sexy,” Malone said. “He’s just not. There is nothing about Nikola — his wife might disagree. But if you are a true student of the game, a coach, someone that loves the game being played the right way, then you appreciate him at the level that he should be appreciated at.

— But if you appreciate passing, IQ, reading the game, just what he does every night from a scoring, rebounding, playmaking standpoint, and finally, I am starting to hear that he is getting a little more credit as a defender, and it is well deserved.”

The post Michael Malone on Nikola Jokic: ‘One of the More Disrespected Reigning MVPs That I Can Think Of’ appeared first on SLAM.

On Thursday, the NBA released its first returns on All-Star fan voting, and there are a few surprises sprinkled throughout.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry leads the way in voting, who has accumulated nearly 2.6 million votes, almost around 200,000 more than the second-place vote-getter, Kevin Durant. A familiar face rounds out the position leaders in LeBron James, the top vote-getter among forwards in the Western Conference and an unusual but deserved face in DeMar DeRozan, the top vote-getter among guards in the Eastern Conference.

DeRozan’s lead and now expected All-Star appearance is much deserved, as he is having a career year for the Chicago Bulls, averaging 26.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game.

Other players to accumulate over one million votes thus far include Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, and Paul George. Andrew Wiggins just missed out at 933,355 votes.

Every year, a few unexpected names pop up and receive hundreds of thousands of votes, and this year is no different. Klay Thompson has yet to play a game this season for the Warriors, but he is still the fourth-highest vote-getter among Western Conference guards. Kyrie Irving is sixth amongst guards in the East, despite just making his season debut on Wednesday.

Derrick Rose is averaging just 12.0 points per game for the New York Knicks coming off the bench and has received nearly double the votes of Darius Garland and Fred VanVleet. Two other vets coming off the bench received a hefty number of votes: LaMarcus Aldridge and Carmelo Anthony, who have started a combined 13 games between them.

If you want your favorite player to be further up the list, you still have some time! NBA All-Star fan voting doesn’t close until Saturday, January 22, and the full rosters will be announced in full on February 3.

The NBA All-Star game will take place in Cleveland at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Saturday, February 20.

The post Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant Lead NBA All-Star Fan Vote Returns appeared first on SLAM.

Before you watch the highlight, just remember that Sengun is 6-10, 243 pounds and 19 years old. Okay, roll it…

His game is a captivating mix of old school and new school. Yes, he likes to post up and that type of basketball has largely become extinct in the pace-and-space era; but he also has the vision and savvy playmaking ability that today’s teams desire out of their big men (think Nikola Jokic, Domantas Sabonis or Draymond Green). He combines physicality and grace; bully ball and finesse; strength and a soft touch; production and flair.

Before coming to the NBA, Sengun was the 2020-21 MVP of the Turkish Basketball Super League, averaging 19.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.3 steals. Houston traded a pair of future first-rounders for the 16^th overall pick in the 2021 Draft so they could take him. “He’s unique. He doesn’t really play like anybody,” Rockets general manager Rafael Stone told the media afterwards. “But having said that—that he doesn’t really have a game that looks like anyone else’s—he’s a good basketball player. He’s a skilled basketball player. He’s not just somebody who does one thing. He does a lot of really interesting things. And so, we think he potentially has a chance to be special.”

Sengun’s development was projected to take time, especially given the drastic differences between the game in Turkey and the NBA. But, of course, the Rockets are in no rush. The full rebuild is on, and Sengun is expected to be one of the centerpieces of it. 

Here’s the thing, though: Sengun is really good already. It’s not just the occasional viral clip—the numbers tell the same story. As of this writing, Sengun is averaging 9.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in merely 18.4 minutes per game. Per 36, that’s 17.6 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists—not to mention 1.8 steals and 1.7 blocks. He put up 15/6/6 and three blocks in a game against the Grizzlies in mid-December. A few days later, he dropped 19/11/5 against the Cavaliers.

At times throughout the season, Houston’s offense has looked significantly better with Sengun on the floor. He scores efficiently, shares the ball and creates for others. Some of his assists, like the one above and the one below, seem impossible until he makes them.

Head coach Stephen Silas has also given him more opportunities to work on the post, seeing how Sengun has thrived there. His footwork is extremely advanced for his age (check the spin) and he finishes nicely with both hands. As he told Kelly Iko of The Athletic, the rookie is planning to train with Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon in the near future, picking up more moves for his arsenal. 

“Obviously we’ve been posting up a lot more than I had anticipated,” Silas said, via The Athletic. “And the more I see [Sengun] do, the more I give him. He likes the ball on the left block, and I’ve been giving it to him on the right block, and he’s been successful. We’ve been running after-timeout plays for him to catch it in the post, whether it’s a cross-screen or rip or whatever. I’m going back to my old playbook with Elden Campbell and Jamal Mashburn and those guys, posting those guys up. I had not anticipated playing as much post-up basketball as we are, and he’s earned it.”

Going forward, Sengun needs to improve as a perimeter shooter (so far, he’s shooting just 31 percent from three) and on the defensive end, where he fouls too much (averaging 6.0 per 36 minutes) and the Rockets have struggled overall with him in the game. A lot of that will come with experience, reps and getting increasingly accustomed to the speed of the NBA. Though the highlights regularly circulating on social media can be deceiving, he’s still just a 19-year-old rook.

Speaking of those highlights, a couple more for you…

The post SLAM x Panini Rookie Spotlight: Alperen Sengun appeared first on SLAM.

Congrats to Nikola Jokic of the @nuggets for moving up to 8th on the all-time TRIPLE-DOUBLES list! #NBA75 pic.twitter.com/UDqElBOphs

— NBA (@NBA) December 7, 2021

Joker finished the Nuggets’ 109-97 loss to the Bulls with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and 15 assists.

It took Jokic 471 games to post 60 triple-double, versus the 897 it took for Larry Legend to reach 59. He is currently just two triple-doubles behind James Harden, who surpassed Bird in November and has since posted two more for a total of 62.

The post Nikola Jokic Surpasses Larry Bird to Become Eighth on All-Time Triple-Double List appeared first on SLAM.

Nuggets F Michael Porter Jr., will undergo a surgical procedure on his lower back and miss an indefinite period, his agent Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tells ESPN. Bartelstein says Porter’s expected to make a full recovery; timetable on return will come after surgery.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 29, 2021

According to his agent, Mark Bartelstein, the operation will happen Wednesday, and Porter is expected to make a full recovery. League insider Shams Charania has reported that his sources said that Porter would be out for the remainder of the season. The Nuggets are reportedly taking a “big picture approach to his health” as his five-year extension begins next season.

Sources: Denver forward Michael Porter Jr. is expected to miss the remainder of the season due to back surgery. Tough blow, but with Porter’s five-year extension kicking in next season, he and the Nuggets take big-picture approach to his health.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 29, 2021

Porter will be undergoing third back surgery since 2017 when he experienced a microdiscectomy procedure of the L3 and L4 spinal disks during his freshman season at Missouri. His second came during his rookie season in 2018 when he had a “breakthrough surgery” to help alleviate his back issues.

The Nuggets are currently 9-10 and have been dealing with an injury bug with Nikola Jokic dealing with a wrist injury, Jamal Murray still rehabbing from his knee injury, and P.J. Dozier out for the season with a torn ACL.

Losers in their last six outings, the Nuggets look to right the ship Monday against the Miami Heat (13-7).

The post REPORT: Michael Porter Jr. Set For Season-Ending Lower Back Surgery appeared first on SLAM.

Denver Nuggets guard P.J. Dozier is feared to have suffered an ACL tear to his left knee, sources tell ESPN. More evaluation needs to be done today, but initial imaging late Tuesday in Portland suggested a possible end to his season.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 24, 2021

Dozier only played four minutes before getting his legs tangled up with Cody Zeller’s while attempting a layup in the first quarter. He finished the night with two points and two rebounds.

another Nuggets injury, Dozier just tore his ACL pic.twitter.com/bfkwMM4Xkz

— Ted Buddy (@TedBuddy8) November 24, 2021

This injury couldn’t come at a worse time for the Denver Nuggets, a team without Jamal Murray, who hasn’t suited up this season dealing with his own knee issues. Michael Porter Jr.’s back injury suffered a few weeks ago is still a significant topic of concern. Their reigning MVP center, Nikola Jokic, has not played in the Nuggets’ last three games with a wrist injury with no set timetable on his return to the lineup. 

P.J. Dozier averaged 5.4 points and 3.5 rebounds through the first 18 games of the 2021-22 season.

The post REPORT: Denver Nuggets To Lose P.J. Dozier With ACL Tear in Left Knee appeared first on SLAM.

Porter Jr. has been out since November 6 when he seemed to injure his back on a botched layup attempt against the Rockets. The incident looked to have worsened a back injury that Porter Jr. has been dealing with all season. An injury that looks like it played a role in his unexpected struggles scoring just 9.9 points and grabbing 6.6 boards per game on 21 percent shooting from deep.

“He’s 23 years old,” teammate Austin Rivers told the Denver Post recently. “He’s gotta take care of himself and get himself right physically, and that way mentally he can come to the court playing the way that we know he can play. He’s playing hurt this whole season. It’s hard to do that. Hopefully, he comes back soon because he’s a huge part of our team.”

Porter Jr. has had a long history of back injuries, going under the knife twice for back surgeries. The first time happened during his one-and-done season at Missouri that kept him out for nearly four months. The second came during his rookie season, a surgery that forced Porter to miss his entire rookie season.

Nuggets head coach Michael Malone told the Denver Post Sunday after a loss to the Suns that Porter is away from the team and in Florida; League sources told the Post he was seeking more opinions on how to treat his injury aside from the reported daily treatment Porter receives to strengthen his back.

The Nuggets signed Porter to a five-year max contract in late September. At least $145 million in the max extension is guaranteed.

The Nuggets are also awaiting the return of reigning MVP Nikola Jokic from a sprained wrist, Jamal Murray from a torn ACL, and Zeke Nnaji from a sprained ankle. The next time Denver plays is Tuesday against the Trail Blazers on TNT at 10 PM.

The post REPORT: Michael Porter Jr Dealing With Nerve Issue That Could End Season appeared first on SLAM.

“It’s an ongoing thing, trying to figure out what’s going on…” Malone said according to ClutchPoints. “I’d still say that Michael’s out for the foreseeable future. We’re trying to take it one day at a time with him and see what the best way to approach getting him back healthy is.”

“There’s no doubt, regardless of his mood, we all have to support Michael, just like we support Jamal [Murray],” Malone told CBSSports. “And again, Michael could be back in a week, it could be more than that. So when I say, ‘foreseeable future,’ I’m not really sure what that means, I just know that he’s not playing tonight.”

“This is a process where we’re being very cautious, talking to doctors, getting imaging all that kind of stuff,”

Porter Jr. injured his lower back on a play during the team’s win over the Houston Rockets missing a layup. A short time later he left the game and never returned.  

Michael Porter Jr. really missed this layup pic.twitter.com/kFlZ2zvUau

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 6, 2021

Michael Porter Jr. has had a tough start to his 2021-2022 campaign, averaging just 9.9 points and 6.6 rebounds on 35.9 percent shooting from the field and just 20.8 percent from three-point range. Despite that, the Nuggets (9-5) have won five straight games in a recent homestand before losing to the Mavericks (9-4), 111-101, Monday.

The high-level play of reigning MVP Nikola Jokic has bought them time to figure out the severity of their young forward’s injury and the timeframe of his return but they will need a healthy Porter Jr. and Jamal Murray to be a true threat out of the Western Conference.

The post Head Coach Michael Malone on Michael Porter Jr.: ‘We’re Trying To Figure Out What’s Going On’ appeared first on SLAM.

It’s mid-morning on the West Coast, where Kevin Garnett lives now, and the sun is shining through the window behind him, gleaming off his Larry O’Brien trophy (“Just always know when you see me, you see her, and when you see her, you see me”) as well as his luxuriously moisturized bald dome (“It’s all coconut oil and sunshine, it ain’t built for everybody, you know what I’m sayin’?”). KG is 44 now, five years removed from his last NBA game, but he still looks like he could get out there right now and give somebody buckets.

This is not going to happen, of course. KG spent his 20-plus-year NBA career squeezing it all out down to the pulp, retired—if I can mix metaphors here—with the tank on E. But that intensity, that drive, that demon that drove him, that didn’t just go away. The fire still burns. So what’s supposed to be a half-hour Zoom call goes on for an hour, then an hour and a half, despite the fact that he’s got a whole gang of other interviews to get to. KG might be retired from the NBA, but he sure ain’t retired-retired.

Back in his playing days, Garnett was always the last to speak after games. He’d get his half-hour or so of treatment in the back, then get dressed, and only then—when everything was perfect—would he come out and answer questions. The entire media contingent was always still out there waiting, because we all knew he always had something to say. 

That, at least, hasn’t changed.

SLAM: I want to start going back to—I think this was the very first time I ever met you—and it would have been the Wheelchair Classic at Madison Square Garden.

KG: Wheelchair Classic, Wheelchair Cla—oh wow. Wow, wow, wow. That’s a throwback.

SLAM: Do you remember what it was like getting out on the court with those guys?

KG: Anytime when I was in high school I stepped on the court with any pro player, I was always in awe, I was always in awe of the difference and I always wanted to see the difference in what makes this mug a motherfuckin’ pro. And then when you play, you actually saw, you actually experienced a pro. You saw the difference in the style of play, the style of pace, the patience. And that’s what separates, to me, the professional from just a regular basketball player. You learn how to attack, you learn how to defend on all genres, on all categories—fast, big, strong, long, lean, you learn how to guard it all. So whenever I would step on a court, I would always be in awe of pros just because of that reason. But man, the Wheelchair Classic, you took me back. That’s deep.

SLAM: With young guys coming up back then, it flowed the other way, too, because you guys were so different from people who were already in the NBA. There was definitely a shift coming.

KG: Mm-hmm, definitely an energy coming, definitely a different—I think after you saw UNLV start making their run, you start seeing, like, the Fab Five come into it, the energy started to change a little bit, at least for me. Growing up during the crack era, kids getting killed for they shoes was, like, a new thing. Remember the first time you heard a kid got killed in Chicago for a pair of Jordans? That changed everything for me, man. Like, kids at school and all of us growing up and the way we competed. MJ made it cool to dress up and be professional, and then it’s like, Onyx came out and it was like “Duh duh duh, duh, duh, duh. Let the boys be boys!” It was a different energy vs the Anita Baker and the Luther Vandross. Our generation was coming off a bunch of, like, Yo, my dad ain’t in here, we single mom kids, we coming up like this. You learn to slap box, you learnin’ the street. It was just all of it, all of it at the same time, kind of rush the door and hit it all at once. And it was crazy that SLAM was, like, the birth of all of that, was at the same time.

SLAM: Did you feel that extra weight on you coming into the League? From that?

KG: Not weight, but I felt like I was representing. When I came out, no bullshit, this is a true story, I actually thought Felipe Lopez had the tools and the confidence and the skills to actually do what I did. When I actually sat back and thought about why more people didn’t actually take this route, it was really because of the education. I don’t think too many kids, any city kids, country kids, kids from the suburbs, didn’t matter. Overseas. All that. I didn’t think people was educated enough on the possibilities and the options of actually going from high school to the pros. And with that, I felt like I was representing Steph [Marbury]. I felt like I was representing AI [Allen Iverson], Shareef [Abdur-Rahim], Big [Robert] Traylor, Paul—Paul Pierce, Vince Carter, because I had played with all these guys. And I felt like I was representing that. I was representing the next wave of players that wanted to come in and make their mark and be impactful in the League.

SLAM: Your first game you were 4-4, you were pretty comfortable right from the start. Was there a moment when you thought, Wait a minute, I belong with all these guys.

KG: Comfortable, but I went through a couple preseason games against Big Dog [Glenn Robinson], which was like a grand opening for the League. He was the first superstar I played that didn’t take it easy. Big Dog was talking shit, it was bucket for bucket, and it grew a fire in me. And you know, the first couple games I was—I won’t say gullible, but I knew all these guys and I looked up to ’em, even Joe Smith and Rasheed [Wallace] and Stack [Jerry Stackhouse] and all those guys, even though we was all in the same [draft] class. I was a true fan. I was a kid who had posters on his wall. So Webb [Chris Webber] was my favorite player. And when I played Webb, he shot a jump hook on me, and I was looking so googly-eyed, and Sam Mitchell—to his credit—slapped the shit out of me like, Look, hey, you can’t come out here and appreciate these guys like this. I know you got these guys on your wall, fuck all that, we out here now. And it wasn’t until then, I can honestly say that moment there for me, was actually like, OK, OK, you can appreciate these guys and respect them, but not out here.

SLAM: Do you think about how coming out straight from Farragut shaped you? How maybe you would have been different had you gone to college? I know you were talking about Michigan, Carolina… 

KG: If I’m being honest, I’m glad I came out of high school, man. I see how college muzzles these kids and how these kids don’t really have a voice, how they get told and controlled so much. You know my biggest thing coming out of high school was [deep breath] just the control of me, man. I felt like so many times, you didn’t really get to make a decision, someone was making the decision for you. You know part of what took me so long in picking a school was me actually liking it vs a crew of people around me or people that want the best for me telling me. I wasn’t feeling that. I was like, Look, when I make a decision, I’ll make a decision. When I got to Chicago, I was a lot more mature than I was in South Carolina. I grew up a lot faster and the city helped me deal with a lot of intangibles and little things that kids really go through. I ain’t had no Mom and Pop to bounce things off of, I had to grit and grind and make decisions on my own, and those decisions, I had to stand on ’em. And they had to be decisions that carried a workload, and I was committed. I was committed to basketball day one, and I wasn’t gonna let anything stop me. And although I did have some, you know, bumps in the road, I kept it moving and I kept it going.

SLAM: Was there an exact moment when you’re like, OK, NBA, we’re doing this?

KG: I played Scottie Pippen in the summer one time. And we got to, like, a little shit, like, a little, I don’t even know. A little pushing match? Elbow? Some shit, I don’t know what Scottie was doing. But you know, he’s Scottie Pippen, and he’s a beast. Super GOAT. And I just stood my ground. But it wasn’t until then that I had confidence in myself and my skills, that the stuff that I was having confidence in was working, which built my confidence even more after playing him. 

Then I sat and I had a conversation, probably like a three-, four-hour conversation with Isiah Thomas about the West Side of Chicago and 16th Street and what I have to deal with every day, and he knew all of it. And the ABCs that goes with Chicago. Again, I’m gonna use the word “intangibles,” that come along with Chicago and going to school and playing in the Red West [Conference]. Like, he understood all that. We got to talk about street shit and just everyday stuff, right? Soon as I talked to Isiah Thomas, I knew it. I was committed. I came in, I knocked on Wolf’s [William “Wolf” Nelson, Farragut’s coach—Ed.] door. I was like, Yo, sit down, I need to tell you something. He thought something was wrong, he thought I got a girl pregnant or some shit, he was looking at me like, What? I was like, I’m going to the League. I need you to write this down. Tomorrow I need you to look up these agents…and da, da, da. He was looking at me and laughed. He’s like, What? He saw my face. And he saw how I was looking. And he saw how I looked at him. And I wasn’t smiling. I was deadass and I was looking at him like, I ain’t fuckin’ around, after you get through laughin’ I need you to get a piece of paper and write this down. This is what I need you to do. And I was talking to him with so much conviction that it wasn’t no laughing in the room. It felt like a Sunday but it was really a Saturday, and Monday got here and it started. And I can honestly say that that moment, after speaking to Isiah, and feelin’ that synergy, feeling like, I’m about to do something that everybody else ain’t did, I ain’t going to junior college, I’m not going to college. I’m about to bet on myself. I’m one of the hardest-working people I know. Don’t nobody work harder than me. Don’t nobody want this more than me. I’m fittin’ to go all in with this, and I jumped out and I jumped right in the rabbit hole. I didn’t care what it was. And in my mind, it couldn’tve been no harder than getting up, surviving every day in Chicago from the time I walked out of my house to the time I walked back in it. I looked at the League like it couldn’t have been harder than the West Side. I was like, No, it can’t be harder than this shit.

SLAM: I feel like from the moment you stepped on the floor, first game, your rookie year, you were influencing people, people who maybe never thought you could make the jump from high school to the pros. But you stepping on that floor made that real. Were you aware of that from the get-go?

KG: I wasn’t aware of it, but you know, you know how something is there, like a consistency of something being there? I felt that. And then people who know me, know I have, like, a little presence about myself. As a rookie, I would talk, but then I was listening so much and I was trying to soak up so much. And again, you’re trying to prove yourself so much that you find yourself just in this state of just always, always soaking up something, always gravitating toward something. Always. I don’t care what it is, it was always a learning moment for me. So I felt like I didn’t have the privilege of going to school like these other guys. I didn’t have the privilege of coming in here learning and all this other stuff. But Kevin McHale put me in a position that I can learn under him. And he put me in position to where I can be transparent with him and all the older guys that were there. And then I had a great group of older guys. Sam Mitchell was probably the best fit for me, very aggressive guy, from the South, he’s from Georgia. So he kind of understood, but he understood my motor, too, and that I wanted things. And then you know, when we got on the same page as far as where we come from and start peeling back layers about who we are, that’s when our relationship grew. And he knew I was a competitor, and I wasn’t backing down from nobody. And he loved that. I was a fucking pit bull. And I didn’t care about who—after that Webber incident, I didn’t care about any of that shit no more. I took more of a West Side kind of Chicago attitude with some South Carolina skill and discipline. And I worked my ass off. 

SLAM: When were you able to take the time to start looking back? Was it after you retired?

KG: I still haven’t looked back on shit. Fans send me videos or stuff all the time—fans make fan pages, tag you in shit, fans make YouTube joints and all this, and I like to thank all the fans, too, because half the shit that I’ve done I forgot about. You don’t really think about how much time you’ve actually put into this until you look up and your kid is 12 or 13. The only reason I think I actually look back at it now is because my kids actually want to converse and talk about it, and then I get younger fans coming up to me and their friends. That’s the only time I really talk about it. I don’t really like going back in time, unless I’m talking to [young players], I used to train some of these young guys, so giving them examples of things that I’ve been through and stuff I recall. But I never wanted to be the guy to be like, Hey, man, when I played…

SLAM: It’s funny to me that people talk about you acting in Uncut Gems, but my introduction to Kevin Garnett the actor was the Fun Police commercial with Cherokee Parks—you, Cherokee and Tom Gugliotta.

KG: The Fun Police was fun. I remember Cherokee and Googs being in it. I remember my best friend Bug being in it with me. Fun Police was fun—Trump was in one of my Fun Police joints, too. You remember that? Fun Police was probably one of my favorite commercials that I’ve ever done. And Uncut Gems was just a gem within itself, if I’m being 100. It fell in my lap. Adam [Sandler] was unbelievable. I got to see the true essence of his greatness. Julia Fox was great, she was unbelievable in this. The Safdie brothers was…they was just so easy to work with. They was so simple, so down to earth, so encouraging. I was like, You motherfuckers should be some goddamn coaches the way y’all do this shit.

SLAM: Do you want to do more acting? 

KG: I have a production company called Content Cartel, and we are co-producing my documentary along with Blowback Productions. Shout out to Marc Levin. Shout out to SHOWTIME. Got a bunch of projects coming up. This is my second calling. I love storytelling. Believe it or not, I have a ton of stories that I don’t tell on purpose. Production is something that I think I get, and it’s a lot of stories that need to be told. 

SLAM: What about from an NBA perspective? I don’t want to bring up sore subjects, but I know the Timberwolves thing didn’t necessarily go the way you wanted it to go. Is there still interest in being involved at an ownership level? 

KG: I noticed that in this boys club of owners, you have to play the game and know the game. And, you know, I think at this point, I’m considered a worker from that standpoint, I don’t think that the [owners] overall see the value in players coming back in ownership, which is sad, because, you know, Michael Jordan was once a player. Needless to say, I felt like the new wave of things to be done is coming. And this old wave is on its way out. So I’m just gonna wait for this old way to just kind of die out and new ways of business start to take over. And I think that’s the way that kind of fits me and suits me. If not, if I’m not able to be in an ownership group, then it’s all good. But it’s not gonna stop my greatness and other things that I want to accomplish. 

I love Minneapolis dearly. I do have an opinion on the reactivation or at least the reoccurrence of the city in which I think some real development in capital dollars in education, police reform—like all that needs to be addressed. We need education, we need our communities to feel like they’re safe. Real shit. And I think Minneapolis has a bunch of underlying issues that need to be addressed. And I think the ownership can play a huge part in not just educating, but bringing two parts together and bringing people together. Sports, believe it or not, and, you know, you can agree or disagree, but I think that sports brings the world together like music, you know? And my only real take in all of this was to be able to bring the city back together for what I know the city to be. 

And that was my real influence with trying to go in so hard and trying to make this work. But you know, in all things, if you’re gonna dance, if you’re gonna dance with somebody or if you’re going to partner with somebody, it’s got to be a two-way street. And it’s got to be something that both of you see the vision of, and I just, I think that in this situation, the vision wasn’t valued, nor looked at, and I think that it was ignored. I’m looking forward to being part of a different group, if it’s in Minnesota with the Timberwolves, cool. It doesn’t look like that. But if anything else comes up, I know Vegas is on the rise for getting a franchise soon. I know Seattle has roots, so we’ll see, I’m not going anywhere. And that situation too, it helped me and it educated me. So, you know, the second time that I come, I think I’m gonna come a whole ’nother way than I actually went this first time. But it was a great education for myself, all parties involved. I appreciate the experience. But yeah, I’ma fall back, I’ma regroup and then I’m gonna come back at this again. So you ain’t seen the last of me. So we’ll see. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

SLAM: You’re sounding like somebody who could be governor of Minnesota instead of just the owner of the Timberwolves.

KG: [Laughs] Hell no, hell no. There’s too much responsibility, man. I’ve been really, you know, chill, playing the shadows, I’m watching everything. I’m paying attention. I’m staying in tune. I’m staying in tune with the street. I’m listening to the community, I’m listening to all the kids that’s going through it. A lot of those kids that’s going through it and are really standing on the front line in Minneapolis are kids that I actually know, been through programs that I actually set through with the city. 

I went back to see the George Floyd memorial and the monument and just walk through there to get like a real feel for myself and, you know, get down on ground zero and feel the people, man, and it was one of the better things I did because I haven’t done it in a long time. I haven’t been back to Minneapolis in a minute. I still have a home there, I still have family there, still live there. Yeah, so things like that are just in my heart to do, but you know, I’m not a politician, I’m more the people’s champ. I fuck with the people. I don’t want to get mixed up with lobbyists and a bunch of other shit that I don’t really truly understand at the end of day. Nor will I give something to be something, you know. I stand on my square, you know what I’m saying, I’m five all day. And people know that. That means more to me than anything. But if the governor wants to reach out to me and help to bring some type of reform or some type of balance back to the city, I’m all ears, but it’s gonna be something of my own imagination and vision that I would like to see for the city and my people.

SLAM: I know the actual ceremony got pushed back because of COVID, but have you thought a lot about getting into the Hall of Fame and what that milestone means?

KG: When it first happened, I was all gassed. It’s just, it’s hard to actually feel good about the Hall of Fame with so much real-life issues and stuff that’s going on. I’m super gassed. And I’m just overwhelmed with the concept of being one of the best ever to do this. It hasn’t really settled in for me. COVID got everything effed up, you know what I’m saying? COVID got everything kind of, you know, sideways. But yeah, it wasn’t expected, to be honest. I got so much other shit going on in my life that I forgot about the Hall of Fame, if I’m being honest.

SLAM: It hurts with Kobe not being there for it.

KG: Yes, Kob’ fucks with me to this day, man. I still haven’t gotten over that. I feel some type of way when I look up and they just got him on TV every day. Like still here and…yeah. For all of us who had a relationship with Kob’, that’s gotta be hard. Because we’re all trying to get past it, we’re all trying to move on. And his energy and his legacy is still here. Somebody was asking me something the other day and before you answer you got to always take a breath, you know what I’m saying? Shout to Kob’, rest in peace to Mamba, man. Always. Till we meet again.

SLAM: What would it be like if you had a chance to do it all over? What would it be like if 19-year-old Kevin Garnett was joining the NBA in 2021?

KG: If I was joining the League in 2021? Well, my energy and my vision to be the best wouldn’t change, none of that. None of the intangibles would change for me. You gotta know, I competed differently, I competed angrily, I competed very aggressively. But that was the time. That’s not really the energy now, the energy now is more skilled, it’s more—it’s probably more skilled than ever. Like, do you see some of the shots that these kids are making? Jayson Tatum, every time I watch him, every shot that he takes looks difficult. He’ll shoot a turnaround going over his right shoulder, and I’ll be like, man, you really—for anybody who knows that move, you really got to get your right leg around and square up and—I’m just amazed at the skill level, man. 

If I was playing today, I definitely would have a three ball. I probably would have displayed a lot more one-on-one. I was really an unselfish player to a fault and my mentality was more of, If I can get everybody else involved and they get going, then I can have chances to take advantage of one-on-one opportunities because of double teams. I had a lot more one-on-one game than I actually displayed in the League, because during the time that I played, you had to, it was more systematic, it was more plays being called, you didn’t really break the play. You know, I actually like to blame Kob’ and T-Mac for that shit, they broke more plays than anything, you know what I’m sayin’? And the Mamba Mentality wasn’t always accepted either. 

I saw Joker [Nikola Jokic] do a step back off the so-called wrong foot and it was so unorthodox, but I had to sit back and as a student of the game I said, Hmm, there goes the Dirk part of his influence in our League and what Dirk brought to our League with that whole one-legged fadeaway off the glass with the 6-11, 7-foot guy shooting threes, being mobile. You know, as I go through and I watch the League and what we’ve actually given the League, I started looking at it like, Wow, I see Dirk’s influence, I see Timmy’s influence, I see Rondo’s influence, I see P’s [Pierce’s] influence, I see LeBron’s—I started to see my own influence. And then where they’ve taken our influence and doing one-legged step backs off the glass and facing up one dribble? The moves, man, the moves. The skills! Like, I heard Shaq say this, and just shout out to Shaq, man, and I love you Big Fella, but I don’t know if everybody from the older generation could have played in this generation. Just because it’s a faster pace, no one’s been at that Golden State pace as a League when you scorin’ 136-133. 

SLAM: Did you ever think 25 years ago that you would be in this position? Did you think your career would last as long as it did? That you would reach the heights that you did?

KG: I want you to go and ask Kevin McHale a lot of the stuff you been asking me, and I’ll tell you, he’ll tell you, Day one, he wanted to be the best player in the League, he wanted to outlive everybody in the draft, he wanted to outplay everybody, he wanted to be the best hands-down in the All-Star Game, he wanted Olympics, all that. I wanted to cross everything off the list that you got to actually cross to be a master. You know? And I went in there like that, and more importantly, I worked my ass off. Part of why I definitely can’t run as fast or I can’t run after my kids is because I did go so hard, but there’s no regrets. And you asked me earlier what I would change, and I wouldn’t change anything. Maybe some tweaks here and there but nah, nah, working with Kevin McHale was a gift. I could never thank him more. Or, I couldn’t thank him enough for the knowledge in the stuff that I was able to get, I couldn’t have gotten that anywhere else but him. I’m very fortunate. I took that and I ran with it, and I grew it, and I put my own little vision on it. And it was only right to give it back and be able to give it to players so they can use it. Anything that you go into as a young kid, you hope that you come out on the other end as someone that is accomplished. I felt like I reached a lot of those things.

SLAM: Does that intensity go away? If you stepped out on a court right now and somebody rolled a ball out—

KG: I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t. No, I wouldn’t. The demon never goes away. And if you do put the demon up, it’s banging on the door at times to come out so I have to be under control. I do a bunch of yoga, I do a bunch of meditating, manifesting, just to keep things at bay. But yeah, I’m pretty sure that if we started racing and I got to losing, or anything competitive and I start losing, then you start to hear the banging at the door, Uh oh, the demon’s trying to come out. So these days I keep shit real chill and calm. I haven’t played ball in a very long time, believe it or not. But I’m shooting stuff in the basket, I have a little son so we mess around and stuff. Basketball is something that I put in the closet for a reason. Whenever I have a long day or I’m having difficulty or something, I take a ball and I’ll just go dribble at the beach or just kinda get lost in it. That’s kinda always been my therapy. It probably always will be. 

KEVIN GARNETT: Anything Is Possible is a feature-length chronicle of Kevin Garnett’s remarkable career and the pivotal moments that defined it. Stream the documentary on SHOWTIME. 

Photos courtesy of KEVIN GARNETT: Anything is Possible and via Getty Images.

The post Kevin Garnett Opens Up About the Early Years and How He’d Have a ‘Three Ball’ If He Was Playing Today appeared first on SLAM.

The reigning NBA MVP went down after knocking knees with Jazz center Rudy Gobert with 1:54 remaining in the second quarter. Jokic warmed up to play in the second half, but Nuggets head coach shut him down for the night.

Malone then discussed what happened in warm ups and what transpired after the game:

“I went up to Nikola as he was warming up at half time and asked him ‘How does it feel?’ He said, ‘It feels a little weak,’ so I just shut him down,” said Malone when he met with the media postgame.

“He’s far too important for this team for us to risk him being out there if he’s not feeling confident about it,” Malone added.

Nuggets teammate Monte Morris reportedly said, per the Denver Post’s Mike Singer, that Jokic “said he think he’s fine.”

Per Monte Morris on Nikola Jokic: “He said he thinks he’s fine.”

— Mike Singer (@msinger) October 27, 2021

Jokic has a few days to rest the knee before the Nuggets play the Dallas Mavericks at home on Friday night.

The post Nuggets HC Michael Malone on Nikola Jokic’s Knee Injury: ‘I Don’t Think It’s Anything Too Too Serious’ appeared first on SLAM.

Per Wojnarowski, Porter’s deal is worth $172 million and must make an All-NBA team in order to reach the designated max criteria.

Last season, MPJ had a breakout season for the Nuggets after averaging 19.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting 44.5 percent from deep in 61 games played. He got the chance to take on more responsibility with point guard Jamal Murray suffering a significant injury following the trade deadline and responded by averaging 23.9 points per game in April (21.0 points per game in May) .

It’s been well-documented that the Nuggets took a risk drafting Porter with 14th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft.

However, although he missed a significant amount of time due to his back injury, sitting out of what would have been his original rookie season, he’s routinely flashed the shooting potential that made him such an enticing prospect prior to his indoctrination into the NBA.

Now, he’s a major factor in Denver’s championship aspirations, and his extension serves to highlight his importance. Furthermore, with this agreement, the Nuggets now have their core of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Porter all locked up long-term.

The post Michael Porter Jr. Agrees to 5-Year, $207 Million Max Extension with Nuggets appeared first on SLAM.

Gordon was traded to the Nuggets ahead of the 2021 NBA trade deadline, promptly finding a fit with reigning MVP Nikola Jokic the Western Conference contenders after spending the beginning of his career as the face of the Orlando Magic.

The fourth overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft and three-time Slam Dunk Contest participant, Gordon has become more known for his high-wire act than his proficiency as a basketball player.

However, Gordon’s defensive pressure and his diverse offensive skillset allow him to be a significant piece of the Nuggets’ rotation, as evidenced by the team winning their first seven games with him on the roster and 12 out their first 15.

Gordon has also struck up a close friendship with Denver’s youngest star, Michael Porter Jr., another player deemed to be key to the Nuggets’ championship hopes. While less of a factor than his overall fit with the club, this also likely played a part in Denver’s decision to extend Gordon’s contract, particularly with them currently working on a contract extension for MPJ.

Now approaching his eighth season in the NBA, Gordon holds career averages of 12.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks per game.

The post REPORT: Aaron Gordon Agrees to Four-Year, $92 Million Extension with Nuggets appeared first on SLAM.

For the most part, Bol Bol has taken advantage of his opportunities on the hardwood.

“We got him playing the five and the four,” assistant coach Charles Klask said earlier in August. “He’s going to kind of be our Summer League version of Nikola (Jokic) when he’s at the five. We’re going to try to play through him a lot. He’s a really good passer. He can see over the defense…He’s got a unique skillset and we’re going to try and highlight that in some different ways.”

Coast 2 coast

Bol Bol goes the length of the floor for the and-1! #NBASummer pic.twitter.com/tMCYTxVjW0

— NBA (@NBA) August 9, 2021

Bol has shown the ability to draw the whistle from the officials and has been rewarded with and-one baskets on top of it. If he can keep being consistent drawing fouls and getting to the line, it could lead to more minutes in the regular season.

Overall, the Nuggets center has looked fluid and has shown versatility and guard-like skills that put him in the spotlight as one of the top-ranked prospects in high school.

BOL BOL put on a show!

26 PTS in 24 MINS
8/12 FG (3 3PT)
9 REB, 2 BLK#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/MEiq9jgpnK

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) August 11, 2021

The post Bol Bol Impresses in Summer League Play appeared first on SLAM.

Up-and-coming players such as Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Devin Booker, and Nikola Jokic have continued to shine brightly, thriving in what have been perceived to be less glamorous NBA markets, while the parity amongst teams provided the thrillingly unpredictable season that fans have been clamoring for.

On top of all that, as the league’s collection of stars continues to grow, the pantheon of current all-time greats does as well. LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry have been joined by Giannis Antetokounmpo, Russell Westbrook, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden in recent years.

With that said, although today’s fans have a natural inclination to try to establish who the best player in the NBA is (perhaps due to what will be a never-ending ‘GOAT’ debate), what’s become clear is that the days when that was possible—if there even has been in the post-Michael Jordan era—is gone.

There’s no sole Wilt Chamberlain that’s performing athletic feats that lead to astronomical numbers that don’t look real on paper. There’s no, as previously mentioned, sole player reminiscent of a matured Jordan whose playmaking was as masterful as his aggressive play style was menacing.

These days are a lot like the ones is Jordan’s early years, where he, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Larry Bird could have been considered equal. Or like James’ early years, with he, Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan vying for the title of best player in the world.

There’s no longer one king of the court, and perhaps there may not need to be.

Instead of one face of the NBA, there are now several players deserving of the title:

King James, commander of the 10th Legion (pointed Julius Caesar reference).

King KD, basketball savant (and renowned tweeter).

King Curry of the Bay, master archer (and golfer).

King Giannis the Humble, of Greece and Nigeria.

King Kawhi, the second cyborg on this list.

The five players with a right to claim the title as best player in the league due to the combination of their abilities, impact and accomplishments.

This coregency is routinely noted by fans that would rather rank players by tiers but the idea hasn’t gained enough traction among mainstream analysts and media. If it had, the mystifying debates about the best player in the league would have given way to discourse about how this quintet has succeeded in very different ways and the different groups of people each represent.

One last thing: the Hardens, Jokics and Westbrooks also deserve praise as recent MVPs. Their crowning—their coronation as kings—occurred during their award ceremony.

Without multiple championships or MVP awards (either in the Finals or regular season), they won’t be seen in the same light as the aforementioned players.

Even still, in an empire, there are multiple kings.

[Editor’s note: In this metaphor, one may still wind up wondering who the emperor—the king of kings—is (if anybody, it would likely be LeBron, who’s also known as “the Little Emperor” in China).]

The post State of the NBA: There’s No Longer, and No Need For, One King appeared first on SLAM.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Denver Nuggets’ associate head coach Wes Unseld Jr. has emerged as the likely candidate to fill the role, with Unseld gaining steam in Washington’s coaching race over the past week.

Unseld — and his family — have deep roots in Washington. His father, Wes Unseld Sr., was an electrifying player for the Washington Bullets, his storied career eventually culminating in a Hall of Fame nomination and his number 41 being retired by the organization. The younger Unseld spent 15 years working for the Wizards organization, starting as a scout in 1997 and eventually became an assistant coach with Washington in 2005, where he would remain until the 2011-12 season.

From there, Unseld Jr. then spent one season as an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors and three seasons with the Orlando Magic before landing a role as the associate head coach of the Nuggets.

Unseld Jr. is known for his defensive acumen — especially with his work in helping turn the Nuggets (with players like Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. who are known more for their propensity to score rather than defend) into a serviceable defensive team.

Per The Athletic’s Charania and Fred Katz, one person who worked closely with Unseld said, “You got guys like [Jokic], Jamal Murry, Michael Porter Jr., where their strength is not defense. … The fact that he makes them even average defenders in this league is an impressive feat.”

With the Wizards, Unseld will inherit a veteran, albeit disjointed team in the Wizards; one coming off a 34-38 season that ended in a first-round playoff exit to the Philadelphia 76ers. The franchise has not finished inside the top-10 in points allowed since 2015, and their veteran stars Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook have not figured out yet how to operate as a cohesive unit.

Unseld has the ability to rejuvenate this team and turn them into a defensive-minded squad. Nonetheless, their success will still largely revolve around the play and drive of their star backcourt.

The post Wes Unseld Jr. Emerges as Frontrunner in Wizards Head Coaching Search appeared first on SLAM.

In what was an expectedly tight race, Jones received nine of 30 first place votes and 65 total points. Jones edged out Utah Jazz vice president of basketball operations, Dennis Lindsey, who followed closely with nine first place votes and 61 points. Brooklyn Nets general manager, Sean Marks, finished in third with five first place votes and 51 points.

The 2020-21 NBA Basketball Executive of the Year is… James Jones of the @Suns! #NBAAwards #ThatsGame pic.twitter.com/FmrpE6jgt4

— NBA (@NBA) June 20, 2021

After being hired in 2018, Jones has been the mastermind behind the Suns foundation for success. A former player and three-time champion who made the jump to the front office after retiring in 2017, a flurry of moves headed by Jones bolstered a young and hungry roster.

Chief among these were the hiring Monty Williams as coach prior to last season and swooping up a rugged two-way forward in Jae Crowder to pair along Mikal Bridges and Deandre Ayton in the frontcourt.

The most notable, and most successful, deal was the blockbuster trade in the offseason to acquire the on and off the court leadership of Chris Paul.

Just before tip-off, Jones received a standing ovation from a nearly sold out Phoenix Suns Arena.

Suns announce general manager James Jones as NBA executive of the Year pre-game. pic.twitter.com/DYXIpjQU5V

— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) June 20, 2021

Phoenix finished with the league’s second-best record while advancing past the Los Angeles Lakers (led by four-time NBA champion LeBron James) and Denver Nuggets (led by 2020-21 NBA MVP Nikola Jokic) before taking a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.

The Clippers and Suns tip off for Game 2 tomorrow night in Phoenix at 9:00 p.m. EST.

The post Phoenix Suns GM James Jones Named Executive of the Year appeared first on SLAM.

Jokic had a grueling season; he played 2,488 total minutes this season, ranking third in the League. 

Denver’s Nikola Jokic announced in his native Serbia today that he will not play for the national team in Olympic qualifying or if they earn a spot in Tokyo after two grueling NBA seasons back-to-back with little break.

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 16, 2021

“To my great regret, this is the moment when I have to announce that despite my great desire, I am not able to play for the national team,” Jokic told the Tanjug News in Serbia.

“Simply, the condition of my body requires a longer absence from the field for recovery. That is the attitude and suggestion of the club and one inevitably that I have to accept. I am convinced that guys without me have the quality to make a result that will bring us all a lot of joy.”

The Serbian National Team is among the strongest in the world (featuring NBA players such as Bogdan Bogdanovic and Nemanja Bjelica), and with Jokic, would have a significant chance in placing for a medal. The Serbians won silver in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro—although Jokic was largely stifled by the American squad in the 96-66 loss, being held to six points and four rebounds. 

However, apart from Jokic, two other players also announced that they will not be participating in the qualifiers: Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Aleksej Pokusevski and Golden State Warriors center Alen Smailagic. 

Serbia is hosting the qualifying tournament in close to two weeks.

The post Nikola Jokic Announces He Will Not Compete for Serbia in Olympic Qualifiers appeared first on SLAM.

Ball, the third pick in 2020 NBA Draft class, had a storied high school career at Chino Hills, a televised journey to play semi-professional ball in Lithuania and an impressive stint with the Illawarra Hawks in the NBL, where he averaged 17.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game.

He was faced with lofty expectations immediately upon arriving into the league as his brother, Lonzo, was the second overall pick in the 2017 draft, and his entire family has been at the center of the basketball world’s attention following he, Lonzo, and eldest brother LiAngelo’s dominance at Chino Hills. 

LAMELO WINS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR (per @wojespn) pic.twitter.com/85pxM6CIej

— Overtime (@overtime) June 16, 2021

Impressively, Ball leapt up and over any bar expected from him this year.

His crafty playmaking, jaw-dropping passes through (and up-and-over) traffic, and his ability to slither through lanes and into the paint for feathery lay-ups have confounded defenses.

While only playing 51 games this season due to a wrist injury, Ball posted averages of 15.7 points (on 43.6 percent shooting from the field and 35.2 percent from three), 5.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game. 

LaMelo Ball ROTY season:

15.7 PPG
5.9 RPG
6.1 APG
1.8 3PG
44/35/76%

He and Luka Doncic are the only rookies in NBA history to average 15/5/5 and 1.5+ threes in a season. pic.twitter.com/H1A3bMc8Vf

— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 16, 2021

Melo’s stats are even more impressive when compared against his peers and rookies of olde.

Going into the All-Star Break, Ball was the only rookie in the past 60 years to lead all rookies in points, rebounds, assists and steals. It’s worth noting Ball did this without starting a game until Feb. 1.

His per-36 stats (19.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.7 assists) were only matched or surpassed by six players: Luka Donic, James Harden, Lebron James, the reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, and Russell Westbrook. To that point, Ball joins Doncic as the only rookies in NBA history to average 15+ points, 5+ assists, 5+ rebounds and 1.5+ 3-pointers per game.

Prior to the season and following his injury, Ball’s status as a shoo-in for the award was in question.

In fact, any in the NBA community believe Minnesota Timberwolves rookie (the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft) Anthony Edwards was deserving of the award. Edwards played in 21 more games than Ball, and averaged 19.3 points, 2.9 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting 41.7 percent from the field and 32.9 percent from 3-point range.

However, what was likely the deciding factor was Ball’s ability to contribute to a winning team. Whereas Edwards’ Timberwolves only won 23 games despite being led by a preeminent talent in Karl-Anthony Towns, Ball helped lead a Charlotte team that considered first-time starters Terry Rozier and Devonte Graham their best players last season to 33 wins (and a spot in the play-in tournament).

With a full offseason ahead of him and a Rookie of the Year award for his trophy case, the sky’s the limit for the youngest Ball brother.

The post Charlotte Hornets Guard Lamelo Ball Wins 2020-21 NBA Rookie of the Year Award appeared first on SLAM.

The Phoenix Suns are heading to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in 11 years after their 125-118 win over the Denver Nuggets; completing the series sweep.

The maturity and veteran leadership of Paul combined with Booker’s elite shooting arsenal have coalesced into a unique and more than effective backcourt for the Suns in their seventh straight playoff win, a franchise record.

“A couple years ago they were writing me off. This ain’t about me. It’s about us,” Paul said.

Billed as the ‘Point God,’ CP3 shut the door on father time as he became the oldest NBA player to ever record 25+ points and 10+ assists in a playoff series. The 36-year-old also dished out 41 assists in the series, while only turning the ball over 5 times.

You in deep trouble when CP3 starts laughing like this. (via @NBAonTNT) pic.twitter.com/E471BvCjnc

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) June 14, 2021

Paul dragged defender after defender off a ball screen to his sweet spot – the right elbow – putting up a high-arching middy while fading to the baseline. The shoulder injury he suffered in the first round seems to have subsided as Paul shot 22-for-34 from the midrange during the series.

The barrage of mid-range jumpers allowed Paul explode for 37 points, 7 assists and 2 steals while shooting 14-for-19 in the Suns 125-118 win. Booker poured in 34 points and 11 boards.

After knocking out the defending champions (the Los Angeles Lakers) in the first round, the Suns dismantled a hampered Nuggets squad that lost reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic in the third quarter to a Flagrant 2.

Jokic becomes the first MVP to be swept in a playoff series since Magic Johnson in 1989.

The Nuggets sorely missed their star point guard Jamal Murray as the rest of the team grappled with making up his production on the scoreboard. However, by the end of what turned out to be a hard-fought contest, Will Barton scored 25 points, while Michael Porter Jr., added 20, Monte Morris dropped in 19 and Facu Campazzo added 14 points off of the bench.

It just wasn’t enough.

This is for YOU, Phoenix!#RallyTheValley pic.twitter.com/SpQBZqXjeW

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) June 14, 2021

The Suns will get more than a weeks worth of rest and hold home court advantage for the first two games of the Western Conference Finals, where they will face either the Los Angeles Clippers or the Utah Jazz.

The post Chris Paul, Devin Booker Dismantle Nuggets in Series Sweep appeared first on SLAM.

We’ve broken down both of Sunday’s games here.

No. 2 Nets 96, No. 3 Bucks 107

Series tied 2-2

The one thing that could hold the talented Brooklyn Nets down in the postseason was injuries. After losing James Harden early in this series, Kyrie Irving’s status is now in question after leaving Game 4 with an ankle injury. The Milwaukee Bucks have taken full advantage, winning their last two games against the Nets and tying the series after being down 2-0 last week. 

Kevin Durant struggled from the field (9-for-25) but still finished with a team-high 28 points. Irving, who played just 17 minutes, was the only other member of the Nets to score in double digits. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way for Milwaukee with 34 points and 12 rebounds while Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday combined for 33 points and 17 assists in the win. With the series tied up, anything could happen with the Nets facing major injuries. 

No. 2 Suns 125, No. 3 Nuggets 118

PHX wins series 4-0

After making the playoffs for the first time in over a decade, the Phoenix Suns have now made their way to the Western Conference Finals. After taking down the Los Angeles Lakers with ease in the first round, they swept the Denver Nuggets in round two. Behind brilliant performances from Devin Booker and Chris Paul, the Suns made a statement to the rest of the NBA on Sunday night in the sweep. 

Unfortunately for the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic was ejected for a Flagrant 2 foul on Cameron Payne in the third quarter, leaving Denver without their League MVP down the stretch of Game 4. Will Barton led the Nuggets with 25 points while Michael Porter Jr. and Monte Morris scored 20 and 19 respectively. Booker and Paul combined for 71 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists.

The post Post Up: Bucks Top Injured Nets and Suns Complete Sweep appeared first on SLAM.

The Nuggets, running out of steam in the desert in Game 1, had the opportunity to even the series after a disappointing opening game.

Would a hobbled Michael Porter Jr. and the return of Will Barton be enough to help newly crowned MVP Nikola Jokic take control of Game 2?

No. 2 Phoenix Suns 123, No. 3 Denver Nuggets 98

PHX leads series 2-0

Early on, there was a similar feel to the Nuggets’ performance against the Suns in Game 2 after their Game 1 letdown. While they played a more competitive first half in Game 1, Denver entered halftime trailing just 10 points despite poor shooting from MPJ and Monte Morris.

However, the second half was a much different story, with the Suns jumping to a 20-point lead almost immediately. With the Nuggets’ playing passively on offense and lacking the defensive wherewithal to hold up on the other end, Denver entered the fourth quarter trailing 19 points.

Quite frankly, by then it was already over.

The Suns starting lineup brought their A-game on Wednesday night, with all of them scoring in the double-digits.

“Point God” Chris Paul led the way with a 17-point, 15 assist double-double, failing to turn the ball over a single time.

Franchise pillars Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton each recorded double-doubles of their own, with Booker having a team-high 18 points and 10 rebounds and Ayton chipping in 15 points and 10 rebounds. 3-and-D specialists Jae Crowder (11), Mikal Bridges (16) and Torrey Craig (10) all finished with double-digit scoring numbers as well.

While Porter, who played with a back injury, had a poor game with 11 points on 3-for-13 shooting from the field, the Nuggets’ backcourt was mediocre for the second consecutive game.

Denver’s guard play has clearly been a step behind Phoenix’s, with starting point guard Facundo Campazzo tallying three points on 1-for-7 shooting, starting shooting guard Austin Rivers scoring six points on 2-for-5 shooting, backup guard Monte Morris ice cold with three points on 1-for-7 shooting and rookie guard Markus Howard scoring six points on 2-for-6 shooting.

The Nuggets’ guard rotation combined to score 18 points, as many as Booker had in the entire game for Phoenix.

The lone bright spot for Denver was the aggressive playmaking from Jokic and Barton. Jokic had a game-high 24 points to go along with 13 rebounds and six assists, while Barton (who hasn’t played since April) managed 10 points and three assists in just 16 minutes.

Now trailing 2-0, the Nuggets will have to rebound quickly as the series shifts to Denver for Game 3 on Friday, June 11. The Nuggets will need a healthy Porter and Barton to have a chance to compete on Friday.

Otherwise, it may already be too late.

The post Post Up: Suns Take Down Nuggets Thanks to Second Half Surge appeared first on SLAM.

Fine, let’s put it this way: This version of Denver Nuggets do-all frontman Nikola Jokic is playing like the best basketball player in the world right now.

 The skills, stats and eyeballs all pass the same test; at 6-11 and 26 years old, Jokic has become the most uniquely skilled player in the Association today. Because despite his fun-loving Joker persona and unheralded path to the NBA via the 41st pick in the 2014 Draft out of Sombor, Serbia, Jokic is both the League’s frontrunner for MVP (as of this writing, which we now know he’s taken the crown) and perhaps its most unsolvable matchup equation.

If he does take home the MVP crown, he’ll be the lowest-drafted player in NBA history to claim the honors, and the first in Nuggets team history. Still, how the Joker ascended from quiet second-round pick into one of the most unguardable players on Earth, and fearless leader of those Nuggets, well, that’s another thing.

 “He’s an algorithm,” Nuggets President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly tells us. “The game’s going at half speed for him…he’s impossible to guard.”    

 Jokic is a problem, alright, one that 29 other teams are routinely left scratching their collective heads on just how exactly it is you stop this guy.

 That’s because while Nikola has been busy dissecting the game at half speed for the better part of six seasons, the rest of the League is still trying to adjust to his pace. Which, as is well-documented by now, is not exactly in the express lane. For an era built on extreme athleticism and fast-twitch quickness, it seems only fitting that one of its most statistically efficient players approaches the game from a far different vantage point. In fact, as this mag went to print, Jokic was working with the fifth highest total box plus/minus score for a season of all time. The only guys ahead of him? Stephen Curry (’16), Michael Jordan (’88, ’91) and LeBron James (’09); not exactly the easiest group to crack.

 “I think just because you are slow, it’s going to give you more options,” Jokic told Dwyane Wade and the NBA on TNT in-studio crew after a win against Portland in February. “The game is so fast, but when you slow it down, then you kind of slow everybody down and that’s not their rhythm. If you can just freeze them, then they’re playing in my rhythm.”

 Brilliant. It’s also clear just how easy the game is for Joker right now—and even easier to take for granted just how often and successfully he makes the right play, every play. And because he processes the game on a near molecular level, opposing defenses have found there aren’t a whole lot of ways to limit him. Leave him open on the perimeter or uncovered on the roll? He’ll bury the jumper (good for 42 percent from deep through 57 games). Press up or double? He can see over the defense and pick you apart with passing. Let him get down on the block 1-on-1? It’s a wrap.

 “I think people overlook the way he’s dominating the game so easily, night to night. I just don’t think he gets enough credit for what he does and the way he plays, the way he sees the game,” Nuggets star guard Jamal Murray told reporters in February. “He’s never trying to force it, always trying to make the right play and keep everybody happy. It’s a lot of fun.” 

 “I just think it looks like that,” laughs Jokic, as to why it seems like he’s never forcing game action. “Sometimes I just maybe know what’s going to happen. Maybe know where [defenders are] coming from, like if they’re going to double me. Sometimes I just go aggressive and force it. Maybe it doesn’t look like I’m forcing it, but I’m forcing it. To me, it’s just playing basketball.”

That’s actually a good way of putting it, because in a season largely shaped by injuries, infrequent rest and strict safety protocols League-wide, Jokic hasn’t missed a game. He’s also doing so while playing the third highest total minutes in the NBA. Hell, despite a shortened offseason made even shorter after Denver’s postseason run to the Western Conference Finals in the Orlando bubble last fall—done while overcoming two 3-1 series deficits in the process—that’s just about all Jokic has done, just play basketball.

 But to say that Jokic is the probable MVP mainly due to injuries of other superstar players does a disservice to just how good he’s been.

 He’s had a 50-ball this season. An 18-assist game. Fifteen triple-doubles, and career highs across the board with 26.2 points, 10.9 boards, 8.6 assists and 1.4 steals a game—all as both Denver’s center and its main ballhandler, through which almost everything on offense flows. In fact, the Nuggets local broadcast crew threw up an in-game graphic that showed how Nikola led Denver in nearly every conceivable stat worth recording. According to Jokic, both he and the Nuggets play at their best when they’re having fun, and that’s exactly what they’ve done with him at the helm. When the ball is popping, cutters are moving and Jokic is dealing, everyone in Denver eats on game day.

 “He has to have fun,” Connelly says. “He’s going to play with intensity, but [we tell him to] take chances, do funky things. Don’t play in a box. Have a bad turnover here or there; he’s an artist, man. He’s like a jazz player, he’s not playing classical music. [Coach Michael Malone] and his staff have done a great job. We want him to be this guy.”

 Ahh, but therein lies the conundrum of the modern pro athlete and marketer; Joker is not loud about his prowess. He’s not on social media or proclaiming he’s the rightful MVP from a media scrum. “I’ve been an underdog my whole life, to be honest,” he says, after dropping 17, 10 and 11 in a win over Miami. “I’m kind of used to it; it’s a normal position for me.”

 “I think he got [to Denver] wide-eyed; he wasn’t some Serbian wunderkind, he wasn’t a prodigy,” Connelly adds. “So, he had pretty modest expectations. I remember the first year we met after the season, Yo, what do you think? He’s like, I can’t believe how well I played, I’m shocked I can play at this level. So, I think [he’s got] that kind of modesty mixed with an unbelievably fierce competitive freak between the lines.”

 Jokic is an anomaly; a basketball savant who regularly turns garbage into gold. It’s where the true genius of his game lies, in the little details that would otherwise pass by most players and fans. His use of leverage, touch and timing is on another planet, and his game oozes with creativity. Plays normally destined for turnovers actually become opportunities for him to attack. Take what was supposed to be a simple give-and-go between Jokic and guard PJ Dozier against the Detroit Pistons in early April. As Dozier looked to dump it down to Jokic with a blind wrap around pass on the baseline, the ball was tipped, sending it flying in the opposite direction. In the span of a nanosecond, Jokic water polo-flipped it to himself and into the basket, never needing to properly gather the ball with two hands. It was the stuff of basement mini hoop lore, and yet, just another footnote in Nikola’s night.

And before you fall prey to old and tired narratives of defense and athleticism, watch the man play this season. Yes, Jokic is not an elite shot blocker or making a push for the All-Defensive team, but he’s not exactly getting roasted on that end either. As of this writing, the Joker was top 10 in both rebounds per game and total steals, thanks to his long arms and extremely active hands. He’s also ranked fifth in the NBA in total defensive plus/minus on the season, pairing nicely with his ranking of first League-wide in offensive plus/minus. The Nuggets have partnered him with two hyper-athletic big wings in Michael Porter Jr and Aaron Gordon, filling in the front court around him with size to allow Joker more freedom outside of the paint. Malone no longer needs to hide Jokic on defense because he’s actually been pretty good on defense.

He’s also got 36 dunks and counting through 57 games, up from 26 in the prior two seasons combined. I know this because the Nuggets broadcast team keeps a very loud running counter every time he throws one down, followed promptly by screams to “put him in the Dunk Contest!” When asked about leveling up his aerial game and the potential of challenging Gordon, a three-time Dunk Contest veteran, he gave a very Joker-esque response.

“I don’t know, it just seems like I’m dunking more—well, I am dunking more, that’s a fact. I’m just trying to be aggressive,” says Jokic. He pauses and laughs sarcastically, “…and yeah, I think I’m a much better dunker than Aaron Gordon.”

Jokes aside, it’s no secret that Denver asks a lot of their point-center. They count on him to control the pace and flow of an entire game from the tip to its final shot. That formula will surely be tested to its limits this postseason, where Denver will now be without the aforementioned Murray, who’s recovering from a season-ending ACL tear suffered in early April. And in the Western Conference, that will be no small feat; good teams will most certainly get bounced in the first round. Joker will be sure to stay focused.

“To be honest, I think my life is not really creative,” he laughs. “All my creativity goes to basketball.”

 Compared to the majority of the League, that creative process can appear slow. Yet, few can overwhelm an opponent, or a stat sheet, quite as quickly as Nikola.

 Relentlessly imaginative, effortlessly composed and entirely clutch, this is the Nikola Jokic experience in 2021. And in the end, what it all adds up to this season is actually quite clear—that despite both the injury woes and stellar play of his fellow All-Stars across the League, in the opinion of this writer, Jokic is very much the deserving MVP.

 Guess some algorithms are easy to solve after all.

—

Get your copy of SLAM 232, available now.

Photos via Getty Images.

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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.

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The early evening game saw a chance for the Milwaukee Bucks to rebound after a disappointing loss to the Brooklyn Nets in Game 1, while the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns kicked off their first game of their semifinals series to end the night.

No. 2 Brooklyn Nets 125, No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks 86

BKN leads series 2-0

Milwaukee struggled to deal with the Nets’ offensive weapons in Game 1 but longtime head coach Mike Budenholzer and the Bucks looked no more prepared in Game 2.

By the end of the first quarter, Brooklyn had already jumped to a 36-19 lead, and at no point for the rest of the game did the Bucks ever look like they had a chance. The ever-lethal Kevin Durant was automatic for Brooklyn, scoring 32 points on 12-for-18 shooting while chipping in six assists. Kyrie Irving ended the night with 22 points (on 9-17 shooting) and six assists, and fellow starters Joe Harris and Bruce Brown each had 13 points apiece.

The Nets also get big minutes from their second unit, getting 38 points from seven different players on their bench (including 23 combined points from Landry Shamet, Nic Claxton and Mike James).

Despite Brooklyn not having All-NBA guard James Harden, Milwaukee still couldn’t find an answer on either end of the floor. No Bucks player scored at least 20 points, and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo finished his night with a team-high 18 points (on 8-15 shooting).

Though the Greek Freak was efficient, Milwaukee had another poor shooting night from distance, knocking down just 29.6 percent of their 3-point attempts in the game. All-Star forward Khris Middleton struggled the most, going 7-20 from the field and committing a game-high five turnovers.

The Nets, on the other hand, lit it up, going 21-for-41 from deep and took care of the ball, with just eight team turnovers to the Bucks’ 16.

Now down 2-0 against a team looking like the favorites to come out of the East, Milwaukee will have to find a way to close the gap before heading back home for Game 3 on Thursday night.

No. 2 Phoenix Suns 122, No. 3 Denver Nuggets 105

PHX leads series 1-0

The Nuggets and Suns kicked off their first game of the Western Conference semifinals on Monday, and though the Nuggets did lose by a double-digit deficit, it was a closer game than its predecessor for the majority of the contest.

In fact, Denver entered the half with a 58-57 lead over the Suns but Phoenix shut down the Nuggets’ star frontcourt in the second half, allowing just 47 points over the last two quarters. Four players finished with at least 20 points for the Suns in Mikal Bridges (23), Chris Paul (21), Devin Booker (21) and Deandre Ayton (20) as Phoenix picked apart Denver’s defensive strategy.

The Nuggets got uncharacteristically poor shooting nights from their two stars; Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr.

Jokic had a team-high 22 points but got there on 10-for-23 shooting, including 3-12 shooting in the second half. Porter, who would leave the game with a back injury, had 15 points on 6-for-13 from the field but shot just 1-5 from the field in the second half.

Monte Morris had a solid series against the Portland Trail Blazers but it would be a game to forget for the Nuggets fan favorite, who played 23 minutes and scored two points on 1-for-10 from the field. A 47.9 percent shooter for his career, Denver will certainly be looking for more from Morris and company with a chance to even the series on Wednesday night.

The post Post Up: Are the Playoff Nightmares Back for the Bucks? appeared first on SLAM.

We’ve broken down each of the Thursday’s matchups below.

No. 3 Nuggets 126, No. 6 Trail Blazers 115

DEN wins series 4-2

While the Nuggets struggled early overall, Michael Porter Jr. kept the team afloat with 22 first quarter points. From there, MVP-favorite Nikola Jokic finished the job with a final line of 36 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Monte Morris continues to fill Jamal Murray’s void as well as Denver could ask, finishing with 22 points and nine assists off the bench.

For Portland, there will be decisions to be made this offseason as the duo of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum once again fall short in the playoffs. After the best postseason game of his career earlier this week, Lillard finished with just 28 points in this elimination game, although he dished out 13 assists. The Nuggets will take on the Phoenix Suns in round two of the playoffs.

No. 2 Suns 113, No. 7 Lakers 100

PHX wins series 4-2

Although Anthony Davis returned in Game 6 for the Lakers, he re-aggravated his groin within five minutes of the game and would not return. Devin Booker set the tone early, scoring 22 first-quarter points while the Lakers scored only 14 points as a team in the opening frame. Los Angeles clawed back into the game late, but Phoenix held on.

This marks the first playoffs series win for the Suns in 11 years. It’s well deserved, as Chris Paul and Devin Booker are the perfect duo for the biggest of stages. LeBron James and the defending champion Lakers will head home, as there will officially be a new NBA champ this season. The Suns will take on the Denver Nuggets in round two of the playoffs.

The post Post Up: Lakers, Trail Blazers Eliminated appeared first on SLAM.

Lillard, living up to his “Dame Time” moniker, scored two seemingly impossible stepback three-pointers to send the game into the first, and then second, overtime. 

His scoring outburst was also a historical one; he nailed 12 3-pointers in the contest, a playoff record. His 80 combined points from his own baskets and those he assisted on tied another playoff record.

Lastly, his masterpiece was historically efficient. Dame shot 17-24 from the field, and 9-10 from the free-throw line – good for a 96.8 percent true shooting percentage, the highest in playoff history. 

All around the league and on social media, players voiced their utter amazement and respect for Lillard’s performance.

“I had like 4 tweets I wanted to write to describe this MASTERPIECE by Damian Lamonte Ollie Lillard Sr, but I am seriously at a loss for words…,” tweeted Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant.

“Someone gotta put this Dame Dolla performance in The Louvre!,” wrote Golden State Warriors wing Damion Lee. “This is a masterpiece!”

“It was kind of a pleasure to be on the court just to witness that,” admitted Nuggets leader Nikola Jokic.

“The degree of difficulty in which he hit some of those shots is god-like,” said teammate CJ McCollum.

However, while all across the league those in the NBA community were singing his praises, Lillard shrugged off his accomplishments after the game. Looking to avoid his second consecutive first-round exit from the playoffs, the 30-year-old was more concerned with the fact that his team wasn’t able to pull out the victory.

“Doesn’t matter,” Lillard said of his performance. “We lost the game. I mean, at this point, all that matters is that we can’t lose another game in this series.”

The Blazers and Nuggets play Game 6 on Thursday, June 3 at 8:00 EST.

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We’ve broken down each of the Tuesday’s matchups below.

No. 2 Nets 123, No. 7 Celtics 109

BKN wins series 3-1

While it wasn’t surprising, the Brooklyn Nets were able to finish the Boston Celtics off on Tuesday night in Game 5 of the series. Without a handful of key pieces, the Celtics were just no match for the most talented team in the NBA.

Jayson Tatum continued his hot scoring streak with 32 points on the night, but was matched by James Harden who put in 34 points of his own. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant also combined for 49 points to help the Nets move to the second round with ease.

No. 3 Nuggets 147, No. 6 Trail Blazers 140

DEN leads series 3-2

In a contest that went into double overtime, Game 5 of Nuggets/Blazers was the game of the night without a doubt. In fact, it might go down as the best game of the entire first round. Damian Lillard went off for 55 points and ten assists, including two shots that sent the game into the first and second overtime periods respectively.

Nikola Jokic continued to impress and led the Nuggets with 38 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists while Monte Morris had a huge night with 28 points, 23 of which came in the second half. Michael Porter Jr. knocked down a huge three in the second overtime and finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds. Lillard broke the NBA playoff record for most threes made in the game with 12, but it wasn’t enough in this instant classic.

No. 2 Suns 115, No. 7 Lakers 85

PHX leads series 3-2

Without Anthony Davis on Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Lakers looked lost. LeBron James and the rest of the Lakers struggled tremendously and were out of the game early on. Down by 30 points at half, Los Angeles only scored ten points in the second quarter and never recovered.

LeBron James finished with only 24 points, seven assists and five rebounds while Kyle Kuzma was the only other Laker who showed up offensively, finishing with 15 points. Phoenix looked excellent, with Devin Booker leading the charge offensively with 30 points. Cameron Payne continues to be a huge spark plug off the bench, finishing with 16 to lead the reserves. If we learned anything as the Suns took the series lead, it’s that the Lakers need Anthony Davis back as soon as possible.

The post Post Up: Nets Advance While Suns Take Series Lead and Lillard Has Career Night appeared first on SLAM.

While already considered the heavy favorite to win the award this season, if the accolade factored in playoff appearances, the Joker would be running away with the Maurice Podoloff Trophy.

Jokić has placed the Nuggets back in control of their first round series against the Portland Trail Blazers, where they lead 2-1 after a 120-115 win in Game 3 that saw the Serbian sensation post 36 points, 11 boards and 5 assists.

Just as an uncharacteristically aggressive Jokic impressed in the regular season, the franchise center take yet another statistical leap in the postseason, averaging 36.0 points per game while shooting 57.7 percent from the field, 50.0 percent from 3-point range and 94.4 percent from the free-throw line.

He’s the first player to record 30 points while shooting at least 50 percent in each of his first three games of a postseason since Hall of Fame shooting guard Michael Jordan in 1992, per ESPN Stats & Info. Jokic is the fourth player in franchise history to score at least 30 points in the team’s first three playoff games, joining Alex English, Carmelo Anthony and Jamal Murray, according to The Athletic.

Who else but the MVP to close it out

pic.twitter.com/Ct72uBhkkI

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) May 28, 2021

While the 2021 NBA MVP Award shouldn’t factor in Jokić’s superb first round, considering that it’s a regular season award, his postseason showing has only underscored his worthiness.

The MVP of the 2020-21 season won’t be announced until later in the playoffs but, in the meantime, expect Jokic and the Nuggets to look to push the series to 3-1 on Saturday when they face off against the Blazers in Portland.

The post Nikola Jokic is Putting the Spotlight on his MVP Status in the Playoffs appeared first on SLAM.

We’ve broken down each of the Thursday’s matchups below.

No. 3 Bucks 113, No. 6 Heat 84

MIL leads series 3-0

In Game 3, the Bucks once again took care of business, proving they’re different from their playoff teams of the past. While they’ve mastered regular season success over the past few years, they couldn’t ever get over the hump in the postseason.  

With the addition of Jrue Holiday, this looks like a completely different team on both ends of the floor. Their ceiling appears higher and their role players are stepping up to help their talented trio. At this point, it’s hard to see a world where Miami climbs out of this hole. 

No. 2 Suns 95, No. 7 Lakers 109

LAL leads series 2-1

Thursday night marked the first time LeBron James played a playoff games in Staples Center as the Lakers took on the Suns in Game 3.  As the series continues to shift, the Lakers have all the momentum heading into Game 4 with yet another home game ahead of them and a series lead.

Chris Paul was able to play 27 minutes on Thursday night, which is a promising sign for the Suns. However, he still didn’t look full strength and his numbers showed it. Devin Booker struggled as well, but DeAndre Ayton continues to show flashes of greatness. LeBron James and Anthony Davis combined for 55 points and 17 rebounds in the win.

No. 3 Nuggets 120, No. 6 Trail Blazers 115

DEN leads series 2-1

Damian Lillard continues to show that he can’t be guarded, but it wasn’t enough Thursday against the Nuggets. He dropped 37 points alongside CJ McCollum who scored 22 points. Portland just couldn’t slow down Denver from beyond the arc, as they converted on 20 3-point attempts.

Nikola Jokic looked like a real MVP, producing 36 points, 11 rebounds and five assists on Thursday night. Recently-acquired Austin Rivers continues to look like a quality pickup as he chipped in 21 points of his own. Even without Jamal Murray, the Nuggets look like the better team in this series.

The post Post Up: A Change of Scenery appeared first on SLAM.

Undrafted in 2018, with pit stops in Belgium and Australia the last two seasons, the 6-4, 230-pound, 25-year-old lefty brought his relentless nature on the court to the league and has started since day one for the rebuilding Rockets. 

Without a clearly defined position, questions from those who aren’t hip to his game seem to linger. The same questions all 30 GM’s had in the 2018 draft. 

“There’s always been question marks around my size, if I can shoot well enough, or what position I am,” Tate said. “They judge a book by its cover until I actually start playing.” 

Since coming into the NBA, he’s put smaller defenders in the torture chamber on the blocks, taken bigger defenders out to the perimeter, and guarded all five positions on defense.

Averaging 11.3 points per game, 5.5 boards, 2.5 assists and a tad over a steal, Tate has proven to have All-Defensive 1^st Team potential down the road. JT should also be a lock for 1st Team All-Rookie – not bad for a dude without prototypical measurables.

“Up to the trade deadline, and still now, I approached every day like I need to fight to stay,” he said. “The mindset never changes. I just control what I can, and do what got me here.”

SLAM first wrote about Tate when he was 16, playing with the same nasty disposition coupled with a smooth feel for the game. Following a four-year career at Ohio State, he got a crack at the league the ensuing summer as part of the Milwaukee Bucks’ Summer League Team. Unfortunately for Tate, his chance to earn a training camp invite was over before it began. 

In a practice leading up to the Summer League, Tate was injured going up for a rebound. 

The Basketball Gods were working their magic because some of those same Summer League teammates (Christian Wood, Sterling Brown, and D.J. Wilson) were part of the Rockets squad this year. 

“Sterling was actually the one who broke my finger,” Tate said. “He got some big ol’ hands. I always give him mess for that. It’s crazy how it’s come full circle and we’re all here.”

Houston General Manager Rafael Stone is tasked with rebuilding the Rockets back into a perennial playoff team, and all four former Bucks Summer League players showed glimpses this season that they may be around for the long haul. Tate seems like a no-brainer to be in that mix. 

Rockets coach Stephen Silas used Tate all over the court on both ends, which is a luxury few coaches have in the league. He found himself matched up with just about every superstar the league has to offer and even put potential league MVP Nikola Jokic into the hoop during the preseason.  

“I’m just a competitor,” said Tate, who posted a season-high 25 points in a late March game against the Atlanta Hawks. “I take things very personal. I take my matchups very personal and trying to win games very personal. Like I’ve been saying since high school, I’m trying to prove myself right and ultimately that proves the non-believers wrong. I feel comfortable with being that underdog or people telling me it can’t happen. It just makes me more competitive.”

Any fan of the game who watched Tate throughout his career at Ohio State was well aware of what he brings to the court. ‘Energy guy’ is somewhat of a backhanded of a label for a hooper because it implies they may not have as much skill as others. Make no mistake, Tate is skilled with the rock in his hands both with handle and passing ability to complement his prowess scoring around the rim. His three-point shooting remains the biggest area for improvement, as he shot 30% from downtown this season. His competitiveness will definitely inspire him to be better next year in that regard. 

Every time he steps on the court, he seizes the opportunity to announce his presence. It’s the same way his professional career started in Belgium. 

“I was getting antsy because it was late in the process,” said Tate of the time period after he broke his finger during August and September. “I had an offer in Israel’s second division, and I thought I’d have to take that because I didn’t have many other offers. Belgium came out of the blue. I went to go see the Jay Z and Beyonce concert in Buffalo, and they called me that I could come out for a try out but I’d have to leave that weekend. I didn’t get to say goodbye to anyone, I just had to go with what I had.”

With barely two weeks to practice, and no belongings, he joined Antwerp in hopes of getting them in that league’s Champion’s Cup for the first time. 

“I played my butt off,” Tate said. “I averaged 19 and 9 or something like that in the qualifying rounds, so they kept me. We won the Cup and got to host the Final Four.”

After endearing himself to the fans there, he became a fan favorite as part of the NBL’s Sydney Kings the following season for the same reasons Rockets fans fell in love with Tate as soon as they got to see what he brings to a team. 

With the Covid pandemic restricting fans in the arena, it seems like fans will be allowed back into arenas during the 2021-22 season. Tate can’t wait. 

“I think that’s a really important piece of the game that’s been missing,” Tate said. “There’s no way to simulate an atmosphere of fans in an arena. It’s kind of weird because it’s become more normal to not have fans. Even when there are a couple people in the crowd it really does make a big difference. I’m looking forward to when we can get back to regular basketball where fans can be a part of it. They have a huge impact on games and feeding teams energy.”

Be on notice, Tate will be bringing the noise for many years to come and be a primary reason the Toyota Center is rocking again.  

The post Jae’Sean Tate is Ready to Bring the Noise to Houston appeared first on SLAM.

After teammate Jamal Murray suffered an unfortunate season-ending injury back in April, Porter—outspoken, confident and arguably the team’s most naturally gifted talent—knew he needed to step up. He was expected to.

And, as we’ve seen over the past few months, when the moment has called upon MPJ to help lead his team, he’s answered right back.

“At first, I was playing more off-ball. Playing off of Jamal and [Nikola] Jokic on the weak side, getting wide-open threes and driving closeouts,” Porter tells SLAM. “But when Jamal went down, more was expected of me and my role expanded.”

Was it difficult, I wondered, for Porter to compensate for Murray’s absence when given more opportunities within the offense?

“To be honest,” Porter says, “it wasn’t difficult because it’s something I’ve done my whole life.”

That being said, despite his confident nature weathering stormy stretches over the past two seasons, it does appear that Malone’s holistic and structuralist philosophies have rubbed off of Porter.

“It’s about roles,” Porter would insist when asked about a heftier workload being placed on his shoulders. “I’m still playing plenty off-ball.”

However, while his role as a secondary scorer or rebounder may be the first thought many have when assessing Porter’s performance as of late, it appears that it’s actually the intangibles that have been at the forefront of Porter’s mind during Murray’s absence.

“When Jamal went down, my mentality had to switch to more of a leadership role. Being a consistent leader with my energy and my consistency.”

In that aspect, Porter has learned plenty from Jokic. While some may scoff at the notion of the understated Jokic being a leader, Porter has developed plenty of respect for the face of the Nuggets, paying close to attention to how the MVP candidate improves every day.

“First off, Joker’s not even from here. So he’s not going to be the most vocal. But you don’t have to preach and tell people what to do to be a leader; you can lead by example.”

Jokic’s leadership, “his consistency [and] how he takes care of his body,” haven’t just rubbed off on Porter though. They’ve become formulas for him to be just as successful as the Serbian center, both individually and for the Nuggets.

In a similar vain, Porter can also reflect on conversations he’s had with veteran guard Austin Rivers, invaluable lessons from a player who went from a lottery pick to almost out of the league in what seemed like the blink of an eye.

Rivers, who signed a rest-of-the-season contract with Denver on April 30, is a player Porter has long been fond of.

“He has one of the best high school mixtapes ever,” Porter exclaims. “But even though you want to be this—you want to be an All-Star—it’s about what’s best for the team.

“It’s about roles,” Porter says.

While Jokic and Rivers have all played the part of the veteran mentor, Porter really has to look no further than close friend Aaron Gordon for an example of why roles may be the most important factor in a players success.

Gordon, whom Porter calls “one of the coolest people that he’s met in the NBA” because of how well they click off the court and their similar interests, was acquired by the Nuggets back in March while they looked to shore up their frontcourt defense.

The former fourth overall pick had been miscast in a two-way role in Orlando that did a disservice to his elite athleticism and defensive versatility. Finally, after seven-plus seasons with the Magic, the 25-year-old requested a trade that eventually led him to Denver.

No longer tasked with being a go-to scorer, Gordon hasn’t looked back, reveling in his role as a defensive specialist while the Nuggets have looked the part of a legitimate championship-contender ever since.

The same level of peace appears to be on the horizon for Porter, whose desire to develop to be a complete player doesn’t have to come with the same level of burden that was cast upon Gordon.

All because Porter has bought into a role and because his organization understands the importance of them.

Nuggets head coach Michael Malone, who has had somewhat of a contentious relationship with Porter at times, has probably been the largest catalyst for MPJ’s shift in mindset though.

Discussing his coach’s approach and the growth in their relationship following a record-setting victory over the Toronto Raptors on April 30, Porter candidly notes how “growing up you play for certain coaches that literally let you do whatever and you develop bad habits.

“I was lucky enough to have some coaches that didn’t do that. They knew my potential, so they were super hard on me. Coach Malone is no different.”

A five-star recruit who played under former NBA star Brandon Roy at Nathan Hale High School in Seattle, Porter is still only a few years removed from leading his teams to state championships (2016, 2017), being named the McDonald’s All-American MVP (2017), or being named as the National High School Player of the Year (2017).

In fact, considering that his rookie season in the NBA is the only time in his basketball career that Porter wasn’t looked at as a go-to player, it shouldn’t be surprising that he needed time to adjust to a tertiary role.

A role that he excelled in but one that truly has expanded over the past couple of months.

The numbers themselves only tell part of the story, with Porter averaging 23.5 points per game on a blistering hot .560 percent shooting from the field and .489 percent from 3-point range since April 14.

A three-level scorer who can make tough shots look like run-of-the-mill acrobatics, Porter operates as pressure relief valve for Jokic and the Nuggets, especially when he’s dotting i’s from behind the 3-point line.

Blessed with as pure a shooting stroke as you’ll find, Porter’s 6-10 frame and shooting touch have all but prevented Denver from missing a beat, with the Nuggets going 13-5 (in the regular season) following Murray’s injury.

Still, for a player who once made headlines by suggesting that he—then a rookie—needed more touches for his team to play up to its potential, Porter’s elevated mindset can only be attributed to the leadership found in the Mile High.

Not that Porter wasn’t on the money when he advocated for greater ball-movement and a few more touches during the 2020 NBA Playoffs. His soundbite simply led many to wonder—and not quietly—whether MPJ was a team player.

Yet here Porter is, reveling in the fact that he’s part of a system rather than the face of it. In a year’s time, that type of evolution isn’t unprecedented, but it’s certainly fascinating. The evolution has even been televised.

With the Nuggets set to embark on their most promising postseason journey since 2009, facing the Portland Trail Blazers (and former franchise cornerstone Carmelo Anthony) in the first round will be a test that determines the true identity of the Nuggets.

Regardless of their showing in these following weeks, Porter’s transformation into a sagacious sharpshooter appears to have the same level of solidity as Jokic’s standing as an elite player.

The show has already started, but the best has yet to come.

—

Photos via Getty Images.

The post It’s Showtime: The Evolution of Michael Porter Jr. appeared first on SLAM.

The first game of the evening saw a Miami Heat team looking to even the series against the Milwaukee Bucks after a heartbreaking game one defeat. The nightcap featured the Denver Nuggets looking to get revenge after a disappointing loss in game one against the Portland Trailblazers.

No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks 132, No.6 Miami Heat 98

MIL leads series 2-0

After a tight overtime game that saw the Milwaukee Bucks narrowly escape with a win, game two was a much more comfortable experience. The Bucks led from start to finish, with the game being all but wrapped up by the end of the first quarter when the Bucks led by 26 points.

The Bucks hit 22 three-pointers as a team by the end of the game, with Bryn Forbes hitting six and finishing with 22 points and Pat Connaughton hitting five and finishing with 18 points. But Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way for Milwaukee, scoring 31 points and chipping in 13 rebounds and six assists for good measure. This will be a game to forget for Miami, but role players Goran Dragic and Dewayne Demon showed well, scoring 18 and 19 points, respectively.

No. 3 Denver Nuggets 128, No. 6 Portland Trail Blazers 109

Series tied 1-1

After a tough night for the Nuggets in their opening game, they bounced back with force in game two. Denver got an MVP performance from Nikola Jokic, who had 38 points, eight rebounds and five assists to help lead the Nuggets to a comfortable win. Damian Lillard didn’t make it easy; he finished with a game-high 42 points, which included an outstanding 32 point, eight three-pointers first half.

The Nuggets got big minutes from Monte Morris, Paul Millsap and Shaquille Harrison off the bench. Morris scored 12 points and dished seven assists, Harrison only played 10 minutes, but they were crucial minutes as he guarded Lillard while on the court and Millsap dropped 15 points. C.J. McCollum and Norman Powell both had efficient scoring nights for Portland, scoring 21 and 15 points, respectively, but the bench will need to provide more. Portland’s bench scored just 21 total points as a unit, and only 15 of those points came before the final few minutes when Terry Stotts admitted defeat and pulled all the starters.

The post Post Up: Who Can Bounce Back? appeared first on SLAM.

Playoff seeding came down to the wire, with a play-in tournament deciding the final two seeds in each respective conference. In a season where things seem wide open, nearly every series should be competitive.

With the playoff matchups finally set, let’s take a look at each Western Conference series in the first round. Our Eastern Conference series preview is available here.

1 Utah Jazz (52-20)
8 Memphis Grizzlies (38-34)

The Memphis Grizzlies, although finishing the regular season with the ninth-best record in the West, won two games in the play-in tournament to capture the No. 8 seed in the playoffs. After beating the San Antonio Spurs, the Grizzlies beat Steph Curry and the Warriors in overtime on Friday night to secure this spot.

Now, Memphis will take on the Utah Jazz, who finished the season with the best record in the League. Ja Morant is the clear player to watch for the Grizzlies in this series, as the rising star will make his playoff debut. For the Jazz, Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert will look to show exactly why they both signed massive contracts last offseason. In the regular season, Utah won all three matchups against the Grizzlies and will look to continue that trend in the postseason.

2 Phoenix Suns (51-21)
7 Los Angeles Lakers (42-30)

After a season full of injuries, the Lakers fell in the standings late in the year and were ultimately part of the play-in tournament. In an absolutely exceptional game, the Lakers beat Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors to claim the seventh seed in the Western Conference and a series with the Phoenix Suns. On the back of a LeBron James’ game-winning three, both he and Anthony Davis will look to defend their title.

In three matchups this season, the Suns got the best of the Lakers, winning the season series 2-1. However, the Lakers were without one or both of James and Davis in all three games. Although Phoenix was excellent in the regular season, they’re going to face one of the most talented No. 7 seeds we’ve seen in the last decade or more. With veteran point guard and a future Hall of Famer at the helm, an overall young Suns team will need him to help navigate the playoff waters. One key storyline to watch will be Devin Booker and his first ever playoff appearance.

3 Denver Nuggets (47-25)
6 Portland Trail Blazers (42-30)

Unlike last season, there was a pretty significant drop-off between the top and bottom halves of the Western Conference playoff race. Although just a few seeds apart, the Nuggets finished the shortened regular season five games ahead of the Trail Blazers. Although they lost their starting point guard in Jamal Murray late in the season, Denver finished the season as strong as anyone could have expected.

The Nuggets won the regular season series against Portland 2-1, proving to be the better team. With that in mind, both teams will look a bit different in this series. Denver made a significant move at the deadline acquiring Aaron Gordon, while the Blazers made a splash bringing in Norman Powell. Nonetheless, the question for the Nuggets will be where their ceiling is without Murray. Although they’ve got the projected NBA MVP in Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter Jr. will need to continue his dominance to keep their offense alive.

4 LA Clippers (47-25)
5 Dallas Mavericks (42-30)

In one of the most anticipated matchups of the first round, the Mavericks will take on the Clippers for the second-straight season. The only first round rematch in Western Conference year-over-year, Dallas will hope for a different result this time around. This is yet another series in which the seeding is close, but five games separate the two teams.

After being knocked out in the first round by the Clippers last season, Dallas took the regular season series 2-1 during the 2020-21 season. This included hem coming out swinging in 51-point win early in season after their first matchup since the 2020 playoffs. In their last playoff series, Kristaps Porzingis missed the final three games of the series due to a knee injury and will likely be the X-factor of the entire series this time around. If he can stay healthy and contribute on both ends of the floor, him and Luka Doncic have a real chance at a first-round upset.

The post 2021 NBA Playoff Matchups: Western Conference appeared first on SLAM.

MVP FINALISTS:

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The MVP race will be a tight one, with three very deserving finalists. Stephen Curry ended the season as the NBA’s leading scorer, averaging 32 points per game this year while shooting 42.1 percent from three-point range on over 12 attempts per game.

Nikola Jokic, the favorite for the award, played in every game this season and averaged 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game. Joel Embiid had an incredible season and is averaging 28.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game.

DPOY FINALISTS:

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Defensive Player of the Year may be less of a mystery, with Rudy Gobert, who is averaging 13.5 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game, is the runaway favorite. Ben Simmons, who is averaging 7.2 boards and 1.6 steals per game, and Draymond Green (7.1 rebounds, 1.7 steals) both had excellent seasons on the defensive end as well.

SIXTH MAN FINALISTS:

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The sixth man of the year will come down to a pair of Utah Jazz players, Jordan Clarkson and Joe Ingles, and Derrick Rose. Clarkson has been a scoring machine all year, averaging 18.4 points per game.

As for his teammate, Ingles has a well-rounded case and is averaging 12.1 points, 4.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game. Rose has been no slouch either, with his time with the Knicks proving crucial to their success and averaging 14.7 points per game to boot.

ROY FINALISTS:

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Rookie of the Year is down to three young guards. Anthony Edwards put up gaudy scoring numbers all season, averaging 19.3 points per game, while LaMelo Ball’s 15.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game for a near playoff team is hard to ignore. Tyrese Haliburton is a distant third in this race, but he had a very respectable rookie season for Sacramento.

MOST IMPROVED FINALISTS:

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The Most Improved Player Award is another one where little debate is needed. Julius Randle has had an unbelievable season for the Knicks, going for more than 24.1 points per game on the fourth-best team in the Eastern Conference while being named an All-Star.

The two other finalists are one current Denver Nugget, Michael Porter Jr., and one former Nugget, Jerami Grant. Porter Jr. took a huge step in his second season, averaging 19 points per game while shooting 44.5 percent from three-point range. Grant went from averaging no more than 14 points per game at any point in his career to averaging 22.3 points per game.

COACH OF THE YEAR FINALISTS:

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Quin Snyder and Monty Williams will both have excellent cases, leading their teams to first and second in the Western Conference, respectively. Tom Thibodeau has a great case himself, taking a Knicks team that finished 12th in the Eastern Conference last year and pushing them to fourth in his first season.

The post NBA Announces Finalists for End of Season Awards appeared first on SLAM.

According to ESPN, Williamson underwent a CT scan on Thursday that revealed the injury. His treatment and return will be determined based on evaluation.

Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, David Griffin criticized the NBA for how his superstar has been officiated.

“I’m really frustrated because this was avoidable,” Griffin says, via NBA.com. “We told the NBA through every means available to us, through sending in film, through speaking to everybody in the officials department, everybody in basketball operations, that the way they were officiating Zion was going to get him injured. Quite frankly, he’s injured now because of the open season that there’s been on Zion Williamson in the paint. He’s been absolutely mauled in the paint on a regular basis to the point other players have said to him (they will) keep doing this to you because they don’t call it.”

However, Griffin believes that the injury could have happened over time, rather than from one specific incident, adding:

“I believe he probably suffered the injury over a period of time,” Griffin said. “It’s a striking injury. It’s a blunt-force injury. He was being beaten on the hand over and over and over again. For me to tell you one time, I don’t think I can do that. I don’t think he knows one time.

Griffin’s overflow of frustrations could be about recent matchups. During the final few seconds of the recent 114-112 loss to the Denver Nuggets, Nikola Jokic appeared to slap Williamson on the wrist as the Pelicans standout attacked the basket for a dunk. No call was made.

Ummmm … pic.twitter.com/yDPT7L4SNa

— Bally Sports New Orleans (@BallySportsNO) April 29, 2021

The next day, the NBA admitted that Jokic should have been called for fouling Williamson. Head coach Stan Van Gundy weighed in on the treatment the referees give to Williamson:

“He certainly takes a lot of hits. We’ve been on the referees hard. I know I have been every game,” Van Gundy says, via ESPN. “I get the response that, ‘Well, how many free throws has he shot?’ and my response is always, ‘Not enough.’

The 20-year-old forward is averaging 27 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 61 games this season. The Pelicans are 2½ games out of the last play-in spot behind the San Antonio Spurs, with five games left in the season.

The post Zion Williamson Fractures Finger, Pelicans Call Out Officiating appeared first on SLAM.

And, while young stars like Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton deserve their flowers for their performances this season, the Suns rise out West starts and ends with their captain: 15-year NBA veteran Chris Paul.

Paul, who was traded to Phoenix last November with the Oklahoma City Thunder looking to rebuild, has been one of the league’s most polarizing figures. Often criticized for his ball-domineering ways and tenuous relationships with the stars on his teams, Paul is — and has always been — one of the league’s most intelligent players.

An extension of the coach when he’s on the floor, Paul’s pitbull-like demeanor in combination with his understanding of the game allows him to be the type of floor general that’s become rare in the modern NBA. Where most guards’ biggest threat today is their ability to score, Paul is a throwback that reminds of us point guards like Steve Nash, Jason Kidd and John Stockton.

That may be a long-winded way to explain what Paul brings to every team he plays for but it’s useful in understanding why the Suns, with 10 players holding no more than five seasons of experience, needed Paul.

Why they needed their second high-level facilitator of the Booker Era.

While alleviating Booker from a substantial portion of his playmaking responsibilities, Paul has become an excellent pick-and-roll partner with Ayton, thanks to the threat of his 3-pointer and floater. In fact, with Paul’s basketball IQ, passing ability and improved spacing, even players like Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson are finding it easier to score around the rim.

The identification and simplification of everyone’s roles, quite simply, has allowed everyone to play to their strengths without overthinking.

Averages of 16.2 points, 8.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game (on a true shooting percentage of .594) may not jump off of the page when assessing MVP candidates. Especially when compared with the volume scoring of players like Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid or New York Knicks power forward Julius Randle.

Further, when assessing the roles of each player on their respective team, Jokic’s playmaking for the Nuggets is as essential as Paul’s is for the Suns.

Still, there’s something to be said for a team that’s at the top of the Western Conference standings when they were the 10th seed just a season ago. When they hadn’t won more than 25 games in any season of the Booker Era before 2019-20.

Certainly, the improvement of their defense has been particularly important, and Paul’s ability to generate turnovers has always been a key part of his game. However, the steal numbers for Rubio and Paul were identical from their time with the Suns and though Paul has a better defensive rating (107.9 compared to 108.4), the difference is negligible.

That said, this is where the defensive-minded wings and forwards that Phoenix possesses have been important.

Johnson, now in his second season, has improved his defensive rating from 108.3 to 105.9 with increased familiarity and play recognition. Craig, who Phoenix signed in the offseason, has held opponents to .444 percent shooting from the field and .353 percent from 3-point range.

Moving Dario Saric to the second unit, in favor of third-year forward Mikal Bridges, has been what’s the biggest boost for Phoenix’s defense. With a bench role and less defensive responsibility, his defensive rating has improved the most, going from a 112.0 in 2019-20 to 102.6 in 2020-21.

In a nutshell, Paul’s biggest contribution to the Suns isn’t to their defense. Nonetheless, while he’s helped enhance their offense, it’s difficult to say he’s the most essential piece of it. Especially as Booker perhaps, who averages 25.6 points per game, brings the Suns’ offensive rating all the way up to 120.2 when he’s on the court (versus 111.3 when he’s off the court).

Paul’s biggest contribution is intangible: it’s his leadership, his ability to get his troops focused and his ability to make the game easier for his teammates.

“He watches so much basketball,” Bridges says of Paul on The Ringer’s ‘Real Ones’ podcast. “He tells you so much about the opponent… he kind of mentally gets you locked in before the game even starts, before we even know our opponent yet.”

CP3’s key to unlocking Phoenix’s potential is, quite simply, being the player he’s always been.

Is that deserving of an MVP award this season? Likely not.

However, entertaining the conversation creates a deeper appreciation for the future Hall of Famer and what he’s meant to one of the league’s most adored franchises.

Per Sports Illustrated’s Michael Shapiro:

“Chris’s mindset is just different. It rubs off on all of us,” Johnson says. “He’s always a couple of steps ahead of the game, he’s always teaching. … He’s pulling us aside, telling us things to pick up, when to roll, when to pop, where to rotate. He really seems to see everything out there.”

The post Chris Paul’s Case for Laying Claim to 2021 NBA MVP Award appeared first on SLAM.

However, since he went down with the ACL injury that would keep him out for the remainder of the year, thee Nuggets are 9-1, and have jumped to the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. 

Battling through adversity, Denver’s MVP frontrunner Nikola Jokic has stepped up in a huge way. Additionally, Michael Porter Jr. has emerged as the second-best player for the Nuggets in Murray’s absence. In the ten games since his injury, Porter Jr. has averaged 25.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per contest on .513 from deep. 

Although they’re without their superstar point guard heading into the playoffs, the Denver Nuggets look like they’ll still have the talent to make a deep playoff run. 

The post Nuggets Continue To Have Success After Jamal Murray’s Season-Ending Injury appeared first on SLAM.

Embiid is having his best season as a pro for the Philadelphia 76ers, and his is traditional post-player brand of basketball has dominated the NBA with his ability to score from multiple areas while playing at an NBA All-Defensive level. Meanwhile, All-Star center Nikola Jokic’s part in the MVP debate is his averages of 26.2 points, 10.9 rebounds and 8.6 assists per game so far this season.

However, The Process has really impressed former MVP Shaquille O’Neal, who won the award in 2000. Shaq recently shared that he’d picked Embiid over Jokic for MVP.

“He’s playing the game like he’s supposed to play”
@SHAQ says he’d take Embiid over Jokic for Kia MVP. pic.twitter.com/XRi81YXf8A

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 22, 2021

Shaq also shared on the All The Smoke podcast that aired on Thursday that Embiid is one of his top-five players in the League right now, along with Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James.

If Joel Embiid does win MVP, he will probably be thanking both O’Neal and Barkley for pushing him to get to the next level.

“When all those guys, Shaq, Charles Barkley, they just kept talking about how dominant I could be, I understood. They saw the talent. They saw what I could really do. But I wasn’t using it. I wasn’t doing it. So when they were criticizing me, I just saw it as a way to kinda open my eyes and actually be better.”

Embiid is averaging 29.2 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.

The post Shaquille O’Neal Picks Joel Embiid Over Nikola Jokic For MVP appeared first on SLAM.

In what was a controversial no-call, many members of the Pelicans thought Williamson was fouled on this last-second shot attempt. In fact, Williamson himself commented on this postgame to Will Guillory of The Athletic and other media members, discussing the foul call scenario.

“I’ve got to earn my respect. I’m only in Year 2. I’ve got to get a couple more years under my belt, and hopefully, things change with that.”

This is certainly a real thing in the NBA, as the top offensive players in the league are known for getting superstar treatment. As you become a better player, it seems you get more foul calls on the offensive floor. Nonetheless, Williamson recognizes that even though he’s one of the best players the league, he will only continue to get more crucial foul calls as his career goes on.

The post Zion Williamson Reflects On Getting Crucial Foul Calls appeared first on SLAM.

Currently 42-21, the Nuggets have won eight of their last nine contests, all of which came after Murray tore his left ACL in mid-April.

While the production of Jokic and Porter has allowed Denver to dominate, it’s been the performances of their recent signings that’s prevented the injuries of players like Murray, Will Barton and Monte Morris from being bigger obstacles to their success.

This includes veteran guard Austin Rivers, who the Nuggets signed to a 10-day contract shortly after Murray’s diagnosis.

Rivers, 28-years-old, has averaged 5.2 points, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steal in 24.2 minutes per game while playing for Denver.

Most notably, Rivers has been playing strong defense, holding opponents to .313 percent shooting from 3-point range (per NBA’s Advanced Stats) while with the Nuggets have allowed opponents to shoot .361 percent from 3-point range throughout the season.

Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Denver is now planning to sign Rivers for the remainder of the season.

The Nuggets are the sixth franchise that Rivers has played for and, while he has appeared to enjoy his time in the Mile High, minutes would be scarce for the heady guard with a fully healthy roster.

That being said, with Denver set to embark on yet another trek through the Western Conference Playoffs, having Rivers on board can only help the Nuggets reach their ultimate goal.

The post Nuggets Plan to Sign Austin Rivers for Remainder of 2020-21 Season appeared first on SLAM.

After peaking at averages of over 40 points per game for the month of April, Curry finished with one of his worst shooting performances of the season scoring only 18 points on 7-25 shooting. His 2-14 numbers from beyond the arc was his season worst.

After the game, Steph reflected on his flame throwing stretch.

“It was a great run,” Curry said after the game. “It was something that hadn’t been done before.”

“It was going to end at some point. Now you got to start another one. So it’s just a matter of the next-play mentality. Just try to get rejuvenated when we go home — to do it home, road, some big games, put a streak together. It was a special ride, for sure. And never really get too hyped up on individual streaks or accolades like that. There were some historical names that I was able to pass. And doing something at this age was pretty special.”

Pretty special indeed.

Curry became the first player to surpass the 30-point plateau in 10 consecutive games since the late Kobe Bryant did it back in Dec. 2012. He’s now the oldest player in NBA history (33) to drop 30 points in 11 straight games after lighting up the Philadelphia 76ers for 49 points earlier this week.

Despite his cold shooting against the Wizards, Curry is still shooting lights out overall for the month of April, averaging 40.8 points on 54.9 percent shooting.

Steph will have a chance to start a new streak when the Warriors face MVP frontrunner Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on Friday.

It will be the first time the Chase Center will be allowing fans in the arena since the restrictions put in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The post Stephen Curry on Historic Scoring Streak: ‘Now You Got to Start Another One’ appeared first on SLAM.

With just a fraction of the season remaining, Embiid has quite a bit of ground to make up if he’s going to surpass the opposing center in the race. To Embiid, his dominance all season speaks for itself, so missing time shouldn’t hold him back as he continues to showcase his talent for the Sixers.  

In an interview with Shams Charania of The Athletic, Embiid gave his thoughts on his performance this season. 

 “There’s no doubt (I’m MVP). I’ve been dominant all season. I’m not going to stop.”

On the season, Embiid is averaging 30.1 points and 11.3 rebounds per game while shooting .387 from beyond the arc. Additionally, he’s been just as good defensively, producing 1.4 blocks and 1.0 steals per contest. 

Doing it on both ends of the floor, don’t count Joel Embiid out on making a late push for MVP. 

The post Joel Embiid On If He’s the MVP: ‘There’s No Doubt’ appeared first on SLAM.

Rivers had been connected to the Nuggets for weeks, with Denver looking to add a shooting guard even before star guard Jamal Murray went out with a torn ACL. In fact, on April 14, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported that the Nuggets were in advanced talks to sign the 28-year-old.

Rivers, whose physical similarities to Murray at 6’4″ and 200 pounds are as striking as his determination to create separation off-the-dribble, has a career scoring average of 9.1 points per game.

However, Denver would likely want to see if Rivers can return to his 2017-18 form, when he averaged a career-high 15.1 points per game for the Los Angeles Clippers while starting in 59 contests.

In addition, with a 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio, Rivers is a high IQ basketball player who knows how to find his teammates.

With the Nuggets playing six games within next 10 days, both sides will have ample opportunity to assess the fit. Nonetheless, with the 2021 NBA Playoffs starting in May, time is of the essence for a team considered to be a championship-contender just a week ago.

The post Nuggets Sign Veteran Guard Austin Rivers to 10-Day Contract appeared first on SLAM.

In Embiid’s absence, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic became the heavy favorite for the award. With just 17 games left in the season for Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers, he will have to have a spectacular end to the season to pass Jokic. However, Embiid still thinks his dominant play offensively is deserving of the award when being asked about his case for the MVP award.

“When I get the ball, it’s either a foul or a bucket. I feel like I’m right there.” 

Through 37 games this season, Embiid truly has been dominant on both ends of the floor. He’s averaged 29.8 points, 11.0 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 steals per game. He’s been great both in the paint as well as from beyond the arc, converting on .389 of his threes.

While the center position has seemingly become less important in the modern NBA, it’s refreshing for NBA bigs to see a couple of centers at the top of the NBA Most Valuable Player Award candidates.

The post Joel Embiid on MVP Case: ‘I Feel Like I’m Right There’ appeared first on SLAM.

More recently, they’ve taken things to a whole new level. This has been a direct result of their trade deadline acquisition of Aaron Gordon from the Orlando Magic. While the Nuggets gave up quite a bit to acquire the forward, it’s paid off in a big way. Denver is now 6-0 with Aaron Gordon in the active lineup.

Gordon does so many things on the floor. While he’s not necessarily elite at any particular part of the game, he’s solid everywhere and does everything for the Nuggets. Additionally, the connection between him and superstar center Nikola Jokic has clicked from their first game together. 

In his six games with the Nuggets, Gordon has averaged 12.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists per games while shooting an efficient .608 from deep. 

The post Nuggets Winners of Six Straight with Aaron Gordon in Lineup appeared first on SLAM.

Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor clarifies that the draft compensation the Cavs will receive are a (top-46) protected 2023 second-round pick and an unprotected 2027 second-round pick.

For the Nuggets, McGee provides Denver with an athletic rim-protector that they desperately needs due to their woes defending along the perimeter. A three-time NBA champion with 58 playoff games under his belt, McGee will can supplant the void left by center Mason Plumlee last offseason.

The 33-year-old also has previous experience playing with the franchise (though not it’s current roster) after playing for the Nuggets from 2011-12 to 2014-15.

Hartenstein, raw and skilled at 22-years-old, is in his 3rd NBA season.

With the Nuggets, his developmental curve was stunted by playing behind All-NBA center Nikola Jokic and on a contending team where he would be afforded little time to correct mistakes. Now in Cleveland, currently 12th place in the Eastern Conference standings at 17-27, he’ll get a chance to audition for a future with the Cavs.

The post Nuggets Acquire JaVale McGee from Cavs for Isaiah Hartenstein, Draft Picks appeared first on SLAM.

Gordon, 25-years-old, is averaging 13.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 0.8 blocks per game this season while shooting a career-high .368 percent from 3-point range. The fourth overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, his current contract is set to expire after the 2021-22 season.

Denver has interest in Orlando forward Aaron Gordon ahead of next Thursday’s trade deadline, league sources told The Denver Post, and the Nuggets need to assess on-court fit and whether he’s a player capable of vaulting them past some of the other Western Conference powers.

Singer adds that the Nuggets completing a trade for Gordon is unlikely given that the deadline is just around the corner. That being said, teams looking to add Gordon are expected to surrender at least young one player and a draft pick.

If it was March Madness, the Nuggets would have been one of the Cinderella teams of the 2020 NBA Playoffs with their historical comeback performances against the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers in consecutive rounds.

This season, the Nuggets’ have achieved national relevance only to get off to a slow start that highlighted their offseason loss of forward Jerami Grant while putting their burgeoning Big Three of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. in the spotlight.

Now 24-16, tied for the fifth-best record in the Western Conference, Denver has caught it’s stride in recent weeks thanks to the improved play of Murray and Porter. Adding Gordon, who could replicate Grant’s 2019-20 role as a tertiary scorer and versatile defender, may be what puts the Nuggets over the top during the second half of 2020-21.

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Following a Thursday night victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday, the MVP gauntlet wasn’t quite the topic of conversation after James impressed with a stat line of 37 points, eight rebounds and six assists but another, well-discussed discourse was.

Per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma would say that while “NBA MVP is a very political award,” James “should have been the MVP eight, nine, 10 times.”

A sentiment shared by Lakers head coach Frank Vogel, once a constant opponent of James as head coach of the Indiana Pacers.

“It’s a mistake on the voters’ part to go season after season without voting the best player in the league MVP,” Vogel said. “You know what I mean? That’s the simplest way to put it. There’s been other players that have been deserving, but he’s been the best player in the league for as long as I can remember.”

James is known to have dismissed the relative importance of the award as it relates to his goal of winning championships and performing well in the postseason as he gets older.

However, not having won a regular season MVP award since 2013 (when he was 29-years-old) despite being considered as the best player in the NBA for much of the time since does raise questions about how James doesn’t have more hardware to add to his trophy collection.

In James’ opinion, he “should have more than four.”

“But … I don’t sit around thinking about it or crying about it, or whatever the case may be. I just try to come in the next season and be the MVP and be talked about [for] it again. I bet a lot of the greatest that played this game feel like they should have more as well, if you ask any one of those guys.”

While it’s difficult to make an argument for James from 2016 to 2019, with Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo deserving in each of those season, the surrounding seasons have presented more favorable MVP arguments for the Chosen One.

Now in his 18th season, James is averaging 25.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting .514 percent from the field and .367 percent from 3-point range. As he continues to be the league’s standard bearer for excellence, t he future Hall of Famer may finally capture what’s been an incredibly elusive fifth MVP award.

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Per ESPN’s David Purdum, Caesars Sportsbook has Embiid as the consensus favorite to win MVP for the 2020-21 regular season at +200. James, not far behind by any stretch of the imagination, is at +225.

Trailing behind Embiid and James are Nikola Jokic (+350), Luka Doncic (+1300), Stephen Curry (+1400), Giannis Antetokounmpo (+1600).

With the Sixers currently holding the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference standing at 24-12, Embiid has averaged 30.2 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.2 steals in 33.0 minutes per game. The four-time All-Star is also shooting a career-high .416 percent from 3-point range and leads the league in free-throw conversions (298).

Advanced stats also paint a positive picture of Embiid’s season.

According to Basketball Reference, The Process is averaging .283 win shares per 48 minutes (ranked second in the NBA) and recording a box plus/minus of 8.5 (also ranked second in the NBA).

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However, while the King retained his crown, Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo earned All-Star Game MVP honors and winning The Kobe Bryant Trophy (the official name for the All-Star Game MVP Award).

Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA MVP and reigning Defensive Player of the Year, had a perfect outing during the 2021 NBA All-Star Game. The Greek Freak shot a record 16-16 from the field (including 3-3 from 3-point range) and dominating the interior on his way to 35 points and the first perfect shooting night in the All-Star Game’s 70-year history.

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry, Antetokounmpo’s teammate on the LeBron James-led All-Star team, also had a terrific night as he lit up Team Durant from behind the arc with 8-16 shooting from deep. Portland Trail Blazers leader Damian Lillard would match Curry’s output from beyond the arc, going 8-16 from long-distance himself and scoring 32 points to Curry’s 28.

Though Antetokounmpo may have been the most dominant player on Sunday night, Lillard had the two biggest shots of the night.

The first? A 3-point bomb from beyond halfcourt.

The second? A 3-point shot from just past halfcourt to seal the victory for Team LeBron.

Phoenix Suns veteran point guard Chris Paul, who dished out 16 assists, Boston Celtics wing Jaylen Brown (who scored 22 points in 26 minutes) and Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George (who knocked down five 3-pointers) also played well for Team LeBron.

Meanwhile, James would only play 12 minutes, tallying four points and four assists.

For Team Durant, who would play without one-third of the Brooklyn Nets’ superstar trio, Nets guard Kyrie Irving delivered the best performance with 24 points and 12 assists.

Irving made it look easy as he carved up defenses on his way to the rim, teammates James Harden and Bradley Beal couldn’t be stopped from beyond the arc, knocking down 13 combined 3-pointers. Celtics forward Jayson Tatum would join Irving, Harden and Beal as the only players on Team Durant to score at least 20 points.

Following their victory, spirits were high for the winning team and the mutual respect was flowing.

James shouted out MVP-winner Antetokounmpo (prompting the Greek Freak to applaud James’ roster-building skills), called his on-court pairing with Curry “well overdue” and continued to display his fondness for Lillard.

Antetokounmpo, in a lighthearted mood, would say that he and Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic need their own show.

Antetokounmpo would also speak on winning the Kobe Bryant MVP award, saying that “having an award named after Kobe Bryant in my house is a great feeling… I know he would be happy.”

As part of the 2021 NBA All-Star Game’s charity efforts, Team LeBron earned a grand total $1.25 million for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund while Team Durant earned $500,000 for the United Negro College Fund.

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LeBron, who finished with the highest vote count among fans, got the first pick in the draft and selected Milwaukee Bucks forward and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Team LeBron’s starting lineup for the game will consist of himself, Antetokounmpo, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic; all five of whom are or have been considered MVP candidates this season.

Meanwhile, Team LeBron’s bench will feature Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons, Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, Boston Celtics wing Jaylen Brown, Los Angeles Clippers wing Paul George, Indiana Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis and Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert.

Durant, opting for chemistry, selected Brooklyn Nets teammate Kyrie Irving with his first pick in the draft.

Team Durant’s starting lineup will feature Irving, Sixers center Joel Embiid, Clippers wing Kawhi Leonard, Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal.

However, Durant won’t be playing in this season’s All-Star Game, as he’s currently recovering from a left hamstring injury. This circumstance will only fuel the perception, even from the Greek Freak, that Team LeBron is the overwhelming favorite to win.

Durant got the first pick of the reserves in the draft, and with that, he took another Nets teammate in James Harden (LeBron’s first reserve selection was Lillard).

The remainder of Durant’s reserves will be composed of Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell, Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (who replaced injured Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis), New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine, New York Knicks forward Julius Randle and Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic.

The two members of the Jazz, Mitchell and Gobert, were the last two players taken in the draft (with Gobert being the final selection).

This became the source of some playful quips by LeBron.

Team Durant has the more inexperienced roster of the two teams, with Williamson, LaVine and Randle all playing in their first All-Star Games and Mitchell, Vucevic, Booker and Tatum playing in their second. with Durant unable to play, Harden is the player with the most All-Star Games under his belt, with this being his ninth appearance.

Team LeBron has only Brown playing in his first All-Star Game, and Sabonis, Gobert and Doncic are playing in their second. LeBron also has the most experienced non-captain in Paul, who is playing in his 11th All-Star Game.

In total, Team LeBron has a combined 66 All-Star appearances on their roster compared to Team Durant’s 39 total appearances.

The NBA All-Star Game will be played on Sunday, March 7, in Indianapolis, Indiana. The game will be broadcast on TNT, with tip-off scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James and Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant, widely considered to be the two best players in the league, will be the two captains of the All-Star Game after receiving the most total fan votes.

James and Durant will draft their teams from the All-Star player pool on Mar. 4.

LeBron will be playing in his 17th All-Star Game, the most among all active players and only two shy of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s long-standing record of 19 All-Star selections.

Durant is the only other starter with at least 10 All-Star selections, with this year being his 11th appearance. Furthermore, the Nets are the only team with two players starting in the All-Star Game, with Durant being joined by Kyrie Irving. Irving, who’s having the best season of his career, is making his seventh appearance.

Receiving his seventh All-Star nod is Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who’s averaging 30.2 points per game on .426 percent shooting from 3-point range from 3-point range in what’s been a comeback season for the two-time NBA MVP.

Meanwhile, Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard both will be playing in their fifth All-Star Game, with at least one of the two present in the All-Star Game every season since 2015-16.

The NBA’s leading scorer with 32.7 points per game, Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal, will make his third All-Star appearance. Beal’s selection is particularly notable given that he was universally seen as an All-Star snub last season.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, averaging 29.8 points per game, will also start in the All-Star Game for his fourth appearance.

Embiid’s rival for the title of the best center in the NBA, Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, will be making his third All-Star Game appearance and his first as a starter.

However, the starter with the least All-Star experience is fellow Euro sensation Luka Doncic, who’s making his second appearance (in just his third year in the NBA). Doncic will now have started both All-Star Games he has taken place in.

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Last season, Giannis Antetokounmpo won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award for the second straight season. While he certainly will be considered to win it for a third straight season, he’s got plenty of competition. The NBA has seen an emergence of the big man this season, with most of the guys in the MVP race playing the forward or center position.

A third of the way through the 2020-21 season, we broke down our top five MVP candidates.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)

28.0 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.3 BPG, 1.1 SPG

Only Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain and Larry Bird have ever won three straight NBA Most Valuable Player Awards. While the odds are against him, Antetokounmpo will have the chance to be the fourth player to ever accomplish this.

While his numbers are down from a season ago, there’s no denying the massive impact he makes for the Bucks every single night. Both offensively and defensively, Antetokounmpo is typically the best player on the floor at any time. His fate of winning this award may come down to if he can once again lead Milwaukee to the best record in the NBA.

Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets)

29.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 5.3 APG, 1.4 BPG, .434 3P% 

Kevin Durant is coming off of an Achilles injury looking as good as he ever has. After missing the entire 2019-20 season, he’s been one of the most lethal scorers in the league all season long and is second in the NBA in points per game.

Leading the star-studded Brooklyn Nets, Durant will have the opportunity to push for his third NBA championship since 2018 while also winning an MVP award along the way. With his size and length, there’s really nobody who can slow him down when he puts his mind to scoring.

Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)

29.6 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 1.3 SPG, 1.2 BPG, .400 3P% 

When it comes to pure dominance, Embiid has taken the cake this season. To this point, nobody has even able to slow him down offensively. He’s averaging a career high in points per game as well as three-point percentage.

On the glass, Embiid has been among the best in the NBA while also being one of the best defenders in the league. He’s averaging over one steal and block per game and has been the defensive anchor that the Sixers have needed, leading them to a top-three defensive rating this season.

LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)

25.5 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 8.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, .381 3P%

While he hasn’t won an MVP award since the 2012-13 season, he’s deserving of being in the conversation every single year. This year is no different, as he has been one of the best players in the league even in his 18th NBA season at age 36.

While his numbers aren’t the best they’ve ever been, the impact he’s made and the efficiency that he has played with have been impressive. Coming off of an NBA title, James once again has the Lakers looking like a clear favorite to win another this season. When LeBron James is on the floor, the Lakers are nearly impossible to beat. He’s also shooting one of the best three-point percentages of his entire career.

Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)

26.5 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 8.7 APG, 1.5 SPG, .381 3P% 

After putting his talent on full display once again in the 2020 NBA Playoffs, helping the Nuggets to a Western Conference Finals appearance, Jokic has continued to improve in the 2020-21 season. At the center position, he averages the most assists per game (8.7) in the league.

When it comes to the modern NBA big, Jokic is exactly what a team is looking for. Not only can he pass, but the 25-year-old can score from anywhere on the floor. Whether he attacks you in the paint with his craftiness around the rim, or steps out and shows you his range, good luck slowing Jokic down offensively.

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