“If you hear ‘D,’ for those of us in America, well, where’s the B League? Where’s the C League? You think about the grading scale,” says play-by-play broadcaster Kevin Danna, who has been calling Santa Cruz Warriors games since 2012. 

Back when Danna started working in Santa Cruz, the D-League wasn’t regarded as a natural part of the NBA development process. Not yet. Guys who were sent down to the minors often felt extremely discouraged by the news. “When most people talked about the D-League at the time when I came into being a professional, it was more so looked down upon,” says College Park Skyhawks guard Langston Galloway, whose first stint in the D-League came in 2014-15 with the Westchester Knicks.

Concerning assignment players, Galloway adds: “If you got sent down to the D-League [in 2014-15], it was like, either you weren’t retaining the information fast enough or you weren’t being successful when you got your opportunity. So… We need you to pick it up. We need you to be better.”

In other words, the D-League could feel like a punishment. A demotion, rather than an opportunity. Three steps back (B, C, D) instead of just one.

That has changed dramatically as the league has grown, however. Now the G League is considered an important part of the journey for a majority of young players. “It’s a lot more normalized than it was,” explains Danna. “It’s an expected part of the process.” One that is viewed with far more acceptance than it used to be. 

“There’s a definite process in place for most—if not all—teams that includes the G League,” adds Billy Campbell, general manager of the Birmingham Squadron.

So how did we get here? How did that evolution occur?

The most notable development has been the steady increase in the number of teams. Campbell worked as a basketball operations coordinator for the D-League from 2012-16, and when he first started, there were only 16 teams. Some, like the Bakersfield Jam and Fort Wayne Mad Ants, were shared among four different NBA parent clubs. The lack of one-to-one affiliations with the NBA created a sense of disconnect that clouded perceptions of the league. When a player was assigned from the Toronto Raptors to the Jam, for example, he suddenly found himself thousands of miles away, representing a completely new and unfamiliar organization. How could he not feel separate, ostracized, relegated?

“You had those teams that seemed like they were so far away from their affiliates, you didn’t feel like you were a part of the NBA,” says journeyman guard Scotty Hopson, whose first taste of the D-League came in 2014 with the Canton Charge. 

Without a true minor league system in place, there was far less movement back and forth from the NBA. Assignments were less frequent, as were call-ups. Rookies—or struggling older players—didn’t necessarily anticipate spending time in the D-League, so when they were sent down, it was a significant blow.

But the addition of more teams began to transform how the D-League was utilized, and therefore how it was looked upon. The total rose to 18 by 2014-15, then 22 by 2016-17, then 27 by 2018-19. Today, there are 30 teams, 28 of which are single affiliates of NBA franchises.

“It was a really great thing when it was the D-League and it was its own sort of niche league, where we all understood that we had to band together to keep the league afloat,” says Campbell. “The executives and coaches and everybody understood that. There was great basketball being played and there were great players, but now it’s become really the minor league for the NBA in a way that it couldn’t have been until they expanded to have this many teams.”

Player development plans have become more thorough. G League staffs have expanded to help carry out those plans. Communication from the top has increased, making G Leaguers still feel a part of the NBA ecosystem, not banished to some far-off and detached organization.  

“Now [when] you’re sent down, it’s like, We know you don’t get time to play on the main team right now, but we need you to just go out there, get these minutes and play in meaningful minutes at that, too,” Galloway tells SLAM. “I think that’s where it’s kind of changed—where the perception has continued to get better for not just the young guys, but as talent continues to come through this league.”

In 2012-13, there were 186 total assignments (58 players) from the NBA to the D-League. As of this writing, there have been 540 assignments (92 players) to the G League this season. For most emerging talents, especially those with limited or no college experience, the G League is now perceived as an inevitable—and valuable—destination. A place to keep maturing and progressing. 

An opportunity, rather than a demotion.

Perception has also improved as former assignment players have found tremendous success in the NBA. Khris Middleton (Fort Wayne Mad Ants, 2012-13), Rudy Gobert (Bakersfield Jam, 2013-14) and Pascal Siakam (Raptors 905, 2016-17) all made appearances in the D-League before becoming NBA All-Stars, as did CJ McCollum, Clint Capela and Terry Rozier.

Of the 92 players assigned to the G League this year, 21 are former top 20 draft picks, including James Wiseman, Jonathan Isaac, Moses Moody, Johnny Davis, Kira Lewis Jr, Mark Williams, Ousmane Dieng and James Bouknight.  

“Now that the G League has been in place for 20-something years, as opposed to 10 years when I got into the league, there’s an understanding that most first round picks are going to play at least a few games in the G League,” Danna says. 

And it’s easy to see why. 

“I’m a big believer that you get better at basketball by playing basketball,” Campbell says. “Guys who aren’t playing in NBA games aren’t really working on their craft during the season as much as they’d like to, and this gives them that opportunity to play with some freedom and sort of discover that joy, that passion, that swag, that confidence in their own abilities and their games to sort of get back to the guys that they were.”

The talent level has always been high in the G League (yes, even when it was the D-League), and the intense competition brings the best out of players. Just ask Hopson: 

“It’s a dog eat dog league down there, man. It’s cutthroat, it’s real, it’s raw. But there’s beauty in that journey—in that struggle—to get to what you [want to] achieve. There’s a lot of growth that takes place. There are a lot of learning opportunities. And there’s an opportunity as well just to grow yourself as a professional. If guys come down here and take advantage of that, it’ll do wonders for their careers, even if they take it outside of the G League. The G League is a really great place to be, especially right now. It’s the best it’s ever been, and it’s going to continue to grow.” 

Photos via Getty Images.

The post How the Perception of the G League Has Changed Amongst the Players as Being Part of the Process appeared first on SLAM.

ICYMI: 

Most of the fireworks on Friday night happened in Houston in an absolute shoot-out between the Rockets and Atlanta Hawks. Trae Young and Dejounte Murray combined for 83 points, but it wasn’t enough. After leading by as much as 16 points in the third quarter, Atlanta squandered the lead, and the Rockets surged late to capture their fourth win of the season, 128-122.

Despite Murray scoring a career-high 39 points and making a career-high eight threes, the Hawks couldn’t get the job done. A big reason for this was their performance on the boards in the absence of Clint Capela, who was out due to dental pain. Houston outrebounded Atlanta 59-28. This included a 22-6 drubbing on the offensive boards and a 37-22 advantage on the defensive boards.

Most of the headlines after the game were about the aftermath of a third-quarter scrum between each team’s respective backcourt. Young and Murray did plenty of showboating on the way to scoring a combined 83 points, and you get the sense that Green and Kevin Porter Jr. didn’t like it one bit. Green and Porter took to Instagram to mock Young following the game. Green waved goodbye to the Hawks after their 18-point fourth quarter. 

Ja Morant messed around and dropped a triple-double in Madison Square Garden, dropping 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 dimes. He’s been highly productive during Desmond Bane, who suffered a sprained big toe injury on Nov. 15 and won’t be back for at least another week.

Postgame, Morant credited New York Knicks point guard and Chicago/Memphis legend Derrick Rose for paving the way for hyper-athletic guards by saying; 

“He really made it to where people believe in guys like me,” Morant told the Commercial Appeal. “Coming in, athletic guards, I felt like he was pretty much the one who kind of made it more famous. With how acrobatic his finish is, his touch around the rim, and how explosive he was. Coming in, he was my comparison. It’s crazy to be out there on the floor sharing a court with him.”

Klay Thompson was off to a rough start on the offensive side of the ball to begin the season, but he’s beginning to get on track. He shot 61.5 percent from the field in Sunday’s win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Golden State scored 47 points in the first quarter and never really looked back. They had crisp offensive execution the entire game. 

The Boston Celtics continued their winning ways. They have won 12 of their last 13 games. They are a League-best 16-4 on the season. Jaylen Brown had 36 points in their most recent win sans Jayson Tatum against the Washington Wizards. The Celtics are poised for a return to the NBA Finals if they keep playing the way they’re playing. 

Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and the Brooklyn Nets are now only a single game under .500 following their 111-97 win against the Trail Blazers on Sunday night. Seth Curry was a big factor in the win against his former squad, with 29 points on 11-15 shooting. 

Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox has been playing out of his mind and is turning some heads. Fox has been shooting a career-high 53 percent from the field, helping him average 25.1 points per game, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game.

Fox has the Kings sitting in sixth place in a jammed Western Conference with a record of 10-8. Fox’s play has been so good that this past weekend, he inked a deal with one of the biggest and most well-known sports agencies in basketball Klutch Sports. For Sacramento, Fox’s recent play and lead role in the Kings’ resurgence could be just what the team needs to end their 16-year playoff drought.

The Kings have the talent and youth to be very disruptive if given a postseason opportunity. The team’s additions of Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk (in addition to Fox’s play) have been a great fit. Hopefully, Fox and the team can continue this momentum.

Over the weekend, the Lakers played the San Antonio Spurs for the third time in their last four games. During the third quarter of Saturday’s game, Russell Westbrook was going up for a layup after previously grabbing a rebound and was fouled on the way up by Spurs center Zach Collins. When Westbrook rose up from the ground heated from the foul, you could see that he had a cut and was visibly bleeding from his forehead.

The two teams got together for what seemed like a couple of seconds after the foul, but everyone was calmly escorted to their respective benches. Westbrook, who was fuming for a good reason, was taken away by LeBron James, who quickly compressed Westbrook’s head wound with a towel and walked him over to the bench to be further examined by the Lakers team doctors.

Once the situation calmed down, a Flagrant 2 foul was given the Collins, and a tech was given to Westbrook. Postgame, James commented on the altercation, saying;

“I saw where the cut was immediately. It was just common sense to put pressure on the cut right away. Don’t let it continue to go. Before we became teammates, we’ve always been like brothers and cool and things of that nature. His health is more important than the game of basketball. We were just trying to stop that and let the training staff do their job after we got him over to the bench.”

Miami center Bam Adebayo has had a quiet yet phenomenal stretch over the Heat’s last six games averaging 25.5 points per game and 10.2 rebounds on 52 percent shooting from the field. However, in Adebayo’s last two games, he has scored over 30 points and has been a key contributor toward the end of games on both the defensive and offensive sides.

The Heat are currently on a three-game win streak led by Adebayo’s diverse and consistent play, and the team looks to carry that momentum into their Wednesday matchup with the 2022 Eastern Conference Champion Celtics. 

QUOTE OF THE WEEKEND:

Ja Morant’s father asked for his son’s jersey for the first time in Morant’s career. Morant stated that it was “special” for him to get a triple-double in the Garden and that it was a place that he always had a special feeling for.

Morant admitted after Sunday’s game that MSG was special for him to have a triple-double since it was a place he watched in so many games on television as a kid — which was why his father made the unusual request for his jersey.

“It’s just the bright lights, man,” Morant told ESPN post-game. “Having a triple-double in the Garden is crazy. Growing up actually watching teams come here and play, watching the Knicks play — everybody loves the Garden. We really called it the bright lights. Everybody is watching. So for me to be able to go out and play like I played tonight was big-time for me.”

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The energy has truly shifted around the Association since the Golden State Warriors put the haters to sleep and won another NBA championship. This offseason, there was a sudden coaching change in Boston, a reported trade request in Brooklyn by Kevin Durant (that didn’t actually happen), and some major moves during free agency, from Donovan Mitchell teaming up with Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley on the Cavaliers to Jalen Brunson becoming a New York Knick. Then there’s the highly-anticipated return of Zion Williamson, Ben Simmons and SLAM 240 co-cover star Kawhi Leonard, who is sure to be a scary sight alongside Paul George now that they’re both healthy.

While we’ve dished out some bold takes in the past, this year’s preview might feature our boldest takes yet. Here’s the official 2022-23 SLAM Staff NBA Preview:

Anthony Holt, Slam Goods Apparel Designer

The Cavaliers will emerge as a top three seed in the East. 

With the blockbuster trade for Donovan Mitchell, the Cavaliers will claim the No. 3 seed. The championship experience of Kevin Love and Luke Walton will evolve Mitchell into the leader the franchise needs to make a playoff run. The Cavs will reach the second round of the playoffs before being eliminated by the Celtics, who will face the Bucks in the ECF.

NBA Finals Matchup: Bucks vs Grizzlies

Deyscha “Sway” Smith, Associate Editor

Ben Simmons will make a case for winning Most Improved Player of the Year.

Before any of you mention me on Twitter or pop off in the comment section, hear this one out. We all know what happened last year, and by no means is Ben Simmons, a three-time NBA All-Star, any sort of “up and coming player.” But if this preseason showed us anything, it’s that Ben is actually back and playing basketball again. After averaging 15.9 points per game during his time in Philly, if he brings that same energy and presence (both literally and in terms of his defensive game) to the Nets this year, by technicality, it’s really only up from here in terms of his overall improvement.

Will he win MIP? Unlikely, but then again, just imagine if he actually did put himself in the running for the award.

PS: When I predicted the Celtics would make the ECF in our season preview last year, y’all called me real bold for that take back then. If Ben gets active and starts playing at that All-Star level again, just make sure your apology is as loud as the disrespect has been.

ECF Matchup: Celtics vs Nets

Joshua Tapia, Editorial Intern

Damian Lillard takes the Portland Trailblazers to a top 5 seed in the West while securing his first MVP. 

Damian Lillard will finish the season above 32 points a night with eight assists. If he disciplines himself defensively, Dame could become a reliable defender against the League’s best scorers.

Here’s my playoff prediction: Lillard will lead the Blazers past the No. 4 seed Mavericks in the first round, the Warriors in round 2, but get defeated in Game 6 against the Clippers.  

Adam Figman, Chief Content Officer

The Sixers are winning the championship.

Everything is coming together at the perfect time in Philly: James Harden is healthy and more motivated than ever, Joel Embiid has a better understanding of how to treat his body to make it last a full season plus playoffs, Tobias Harris is the perfect starter to play next to two stars, Tyrese Maxey is making a leap, and Daryl Morey is going to be aggressive adding role players throughout the season to put around this group in order to ensure the team has everything it needs come postseason time. The 76ers: 2023 Champs. 

Michael Harris, Editorial Intern

The Lakers will make the Western Conference Finals.

The Los Angeles Lakers will figure it out this season. Russell Westbrook will embrace his role off the bench, Anthony Davis will be healthy and be a top three candidate for MVP, while Patrick Beverley will bring the defense at the guard spot necessary to help the Lakers lock down shooters. The Lakers will also finish as the top three seed in the West and make it all the way to the WCF to face the Grizzlies.

NBA Finals Matchup: Heat vs Lakers

Ajayi Browne, Editorial Intern

The Dallas Mavericks will win the NBA Finals.

The Dallas Mavericks will reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2011 and Luka Doncic will average career-highs across the board while having his most efficient season on his way to winning MVP. The team’s new additions, Christian Wood and Javale McGee, will give this team what they were missing last year, while Tim Hardaway Jr’s return will be vital, too.

Theus McBee, Co-Host of No Pump Fakes

Anthony Edwards will make his first All-Star Game and the Minnesota Timberwolves will make it to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in nearly 20 years. 

The conversation of Ant Man “possibly” being a part of the top five under 25 group will come to an end and we will finally give him his rightful title of “Best Shooting Guard in the NBA.”

Check out the latest episode of No Pump Fakes below:

Najee AR Fareed, Editorial Intern 

Trae Young will make First Team All-NBA, lead the League in assists and take the Hawks all the way to winning a championship. 

The Hawks had a down year last season but their defense should be bolstered by a resurgent Clint Capela, Dejounte Murray’s arrival, and the rise of Onyeka Okongwu. The offense? Ice Trae might hold it down on the offensive end, but the Hawks have much more than just him. Deandre Hunter is taking big steps and John Collins’ lesser offensive load, with the addition of Murray, should free up his game for lobs and catch-and-shoot threes.

The Hawks will win one this season. For 3 Stacks and Lemon Pepper Wings and Zone 6 and Old Nat and everything else we love.

Colby Cusano, Brand Partnerships and Analytics Intern

Zion Williamson will bring the New Orleans Pelicans from an No. 8 seed to a No. 4 seed in the Western Conference and take home the Most Improved Player Award. 

After a decent season that saw them squeeze into the playoffs, the Pelicans are ready to make another run and with a healthy Zion Williamson. They now contain one of the most talented trios in the League.

NBA Finals Matchup: Mavs vs Celtics

Delon George, Marketing Manager SLAMgoods

The Brooklyn Nets will win the title.  

Though a lot of politics surround the Nets’ Big 3, I believe they have a lot to prove individually and together as a team this season. With Kyrie Irving will playing full-time from the start of the season and Kevin Durant avoiding injuries, the Nets are bound to have momentum this year. 

Brooke Brennan, WSLAM Intern

Lonzo Ball will return mid-season and take control of the Bulls’ offense, pushing them to be a top four seed team in the East.

While injury plagued his 2021-2022 season, Lonzo’s return mid-way through this year could give the Bulls the point guard anchor they need to take control on offense. After losing in the first round to the Bucks last year, the Bulls proved that they can be a playoff team, but have to make those adjustments. Returning key players, rising young talent, and added veteran depth will help to develop this team unit.

As for Zo, I project he’ll make an All-Star team in the near future. 

Andrew “Pitt” Pitagorsky, VP of Brand Partnerships

RJ Barrett will win Defensive Player of the Year. 

RJ Barrett will become an NBA All-Star and win Defensive Player of the Year. Going into Year 4 of his young career, RJ will take the next step in his growth and make the leap to the All-Star player we all know he could become. With the help of the coaching staff, and a pure point guard in the lineup, RJ can focus more on the defensive side of his game, and be an elite defender of the League.

Andres Puerta, Social Media SLAMFTW 

The Miami Heat will win the Eastern Conference Finals. 

The Miami Heat have a solid starting lineup. They are coming off a great season, with a solid performance in the playoffs from Jimmy Butler who showed what he can do in the playoffs. Tyler Herro showed out as the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year. They have a competitive group of guys and it doesn’t matter who is on the court. With the Heat being one of the top teams in the East last year, this will be the year they win the Eastern Conference Finals.

Arvind Pitchai, VP of Social Media

Luka Doncic will average a triple double and win MVP. 

Here’s another Luka Doncic prediction: when he averages a triple-double this season, he’ll definitely win MVP. We all know about Luka’s scoring prowess and ability to see the floor, but he also can clean the glass at a high clip. Will this lead the Mavs to the Finals? Who knows but it’s going to be a fun season watching Luka regardless.

Marcus Allen, Social Graphic Designer

The Knicks will make the Eastern Conference Finals.

A big season from the New York Knicks is upon us as they will make the ECF in 2023. Future star, RJ Barrett will have the best season of his career with his new backcourt partner Jalen Brunson and ultimately earn Most Improved Player and or Defensive Player of the Year. Let’s get it.

Dave Schnur, President

The T-Wolves and the Cavs will go on a playoff run and make the Conference Finals.

Karl-Anthony Towns moving to the 4 full time will be a matchup nightmare for opposing teams. He’ll hit a career high number of threes this season, Ant Edwards will make his first All-Star Team, Rudy Gobert is gonna Gobert and D-Lo will get his, too. The Cavs already have a great young core with Garland, Mobley and Allen. Adding a perennial All-Star SG like Spida that can stretch the floor and facilitate will bolster an already potent offense. Garland and Donovan may be the best backcourt in the East. 

Max Resetar, Editor 

Stephen Curry will break his own record of 402 threes in a season. 

The Dubs finally have everyone healthy. Every player on the roster has a clearly defined role and they each understand that their number one target on offense is No. 30, whether that means passing to him, screening for him, or getting the f— outta his way when the reign starts to rain. With a complete season of all the major hitters, their offense is gonna hum all the way to an easy 450 threes for the most recent Finals MVP. 

Celebrate the return of the NBA season, the 2022 WNBA champs and the future of the game with SLAM 240.

Photos via Getty Images.

The post SLAM’s 2022-23 NBA Preview: Crazy Bold Takes for this Season appeared first on SLAM.

While it helps, you don’t have to win a championship to be on this list. There were some pretty incredible NBA teams that fell short of championships but were still so far ahead of the rest of the League (besides the champion) that they deserve to leapfrog some actual champions. 

This week, we’re unveiling who we think deserves to be included on this list, which is featured in our SLAM Presents TOP 75 NBA Teams of All Time special issue. Here’s our top 65-55:

65. 1983-84 Los Angeles Lakers

Coach: Pat Riley

Record: 54-28

Roster: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Cooper, Calvin Garrett, Magic Johnson, Eddie Jordan, Mitch Kupchak, Bob McAdoo, Mike McGee, Swen Nater, Kurt Rambis, Byron Scott, Larry Spriggs, Jamaal Wilkes, James Worthy

The Lakers would have to wait one more year to finally beat the Celtics when it mattered most. Led by Kareem’s 26.6 ppg and 8.1 rpg in the series, the Lakers forced a Game 7 on the road. But whether it was the mystique of Boston Garden, that famously tricky parquet floor or simply a deep and talented Celtics team that had the benefit of homecourt advantage and League MVP Larry Bird, L.A. couldn’t quite vanquish its franchise kryptonite.

64. 1976-77 Philadephia 76ers

Coach: Gene Shue

Record: 50-32

Roster: Jim Barnett, Henry Bibby, Joe Bryant, Fred Carter, Harvey Catchings, Doug Collins, Darryl Dawkins, Mike Dunleavy, Julius Erving, World B. Free, Terry Furlow, Caldwell Jones, George McGinnis, Steve Mix

This Sixers squad might be best remembered for a roster that included future coaches (Doug Collins, Mike Dunleavy) and the fathers of future All-Stars (Joe Bryant, Harvey Catchings, Henry Bibby). Of course, Philly also had Dr. J in his first NBA season after a legendary five-year ABA run, and second-year big man Darryl Dawkins, a few years shy of his Chocolate Thunder prime. A fascinating roster, but no match for Bill Walton and the Blazers in the Finals.

63. 1967-68 Philadelphia 76ers

Coach: Alex Hannum

Record: 62-20

Roster: Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Costello, Billy Cunningham, Ron Filipek, Johnny Green, Hal Greer, Matt Guokas, Luke Jackson, Wali Jones, Bill Melchionni, Jim Reid, Chet Walker

Philly finished with the League’s best record, eight games clear of the Celtics in the East, thanks to balanced production from future Hall of Famers Hal Greer (24.1 ppg), Billy Cunningham (18.9 ppg), Chet Walker (17.9 ppg) and of course, Wilt Chamberlain, who put up 24.3 points and pulled down 23.8 boards per. The Sixers didn’t lose more than two straight all season…until the East Finals, when they blew a 3-1 lead against Russell, Havlicek and the eventual champs from Boston.

62. 2001-02 Sacramento Kings

Coach: Rick Adelman

Record: 61-21

Roster: Mike Bibby, Chucky Brown, Doug Christie, Mateen Cleaves, Vlade Divac, Lawrence Funderburke, Bobby Jackson, Scot Pollard, Brent Price, Jabari Smith, Peja Stojakovic, Hedo Turkoglu, Gerald Wallace, Chris Webber

For Kings fans, it is still a crime, the grandest larceny ever. Game 6 of the Western Finals against the Lakers was flat stolen from Sacramento. Missed calls. Allegations of referees fixing the proceedings. It was ugly, nasty business. And it robbed the team with the NBA’s best record, the one with Chris Webber in charge down low, Peja Stojakovic shooting from everywhere and a deep supporting cast of a title. It’s that simple. And that outrageous.

61. 1995-96 Seattle Supersonics

Coach: George Karl

Record: 64-18

Roster: Vincent Askew, Frank Brickowski, Sherell Ford, Hersey Hawkins, Ervin Johnson, Shawn Kemp, Nate McMillan, Gary Payton, Sam Perkins, Steve Scheffler, Detlef Schrempf, Eric Snow, David Wingate

What happens when one of the greatest teams in franchise history meets the greatest team in NBA history? Well, you can figure it out. The Sonics won the Pacific by 11 games and had a star-studded lineup with ferocious Shawn Kemp, Gary Payton on the perimeter, talking junk and stealing everything, smooth Detlef Schrempf all over the place and Hersey Hawkins shooting the lights out. Seattle was great. Really great. Unfortunately, the Bulls were greater.

60. 1956-57 Boston Celtics

Coach: Red Auerbach

Record: 44-28

Roster: Bob Cousy, Tom Heinsohn, Dick Hemric, Jim Loscutoff, Jack Nichols, Togo Palazzi, Andy Phillip, Frank Ramsey, Arnie Risen, Bill Russell, Bill Sharman, Lou Tsioropoulos

The birth of a dynasty. Led by the in-their-prime backcourt of Bob Cousy and Bill Sharman, and the frontcourt pairing of rookies Tom Heinsohn and Bill Russell, the Celtics made the franchise’s first Finals appearance in the spring of ’57. St. Louis took Boston to double OT in Game 7, but Heinsohn (37 points, 23 boards) matched Bob Pettit (39 and 19), and Russell went for 19 and 32 to help the Celtics claim the first of their 17 banners.

59. 2017-18 Houston Rockets

Coach: Mike D’Antoni

Record: 65-17

Roster: Ryan Anderson, Trevor Ariza, Tarik Black, Bobby Brown, Markel Brown, Isaiah Canaan, Clint Capela, Eric Gordon, Gerald Green, James Harden, Nene, RJ Hunter, Aaron Jackson, Demetrius Jackson,  Joe Johnson, Luc Mbah a Moute, Chinanu Onuaku, Chris Paul, Zhou Qi, Tim Quarterman, PJ Tucker, Briante Weber, Troy Williams, Brandan Wright

Unfortunately, these Rockets, which featured the dynamic backcourt of James Harden, Chris Paul and Eric Gordon, won’t be remembered for their NBA-best record or high-scoring ways. They will be remembered for that 25-point second half in Game 6 of the Western Finals against Golden State and then a homecourt loss two days later that ended the series. Houston played fast, used Clint Capela to handle the rough stuff inside and still wonders what might have been.

58. 2004-05 Phoenix Suns

Coach: Mike D’Antoni

Record: 62-20

Roster: Leandro Barbosa, Zarko Cabarkapa, Steven Hunter, Jim Jackson, Casey Jacobsen, Joe Johnson, Maciej Lampe, Shawn Marion, Walter McCarty, Steve Nash, Bo Outlaw, Smush Parker, Quentin Richardson, Paul Shirley, Amar’e Stoudemire, Yuta Tabuse, Jake Voskuhl, Jackson Vroman

These Suns didn’t care much about defense, and they flamed out in the Western Finals against San Antonio, despite having the NBA’s best record. But what a fun team to watch. Led by League MVP Steve Nash, Phoenix pushed the tempo feverishly and featured a talented collection of scorers. Nobody could dunk like Shawn Marion, unless it was Amar’e Stoudemire. Joe Johnson was deadly from three, and Quentin Richardson shot from everywhere. Good times.

57. 2019-20 Los Angeles Lakers

Coach: Frank Vogel

Record: 52-19

Roster: Kostas Antetokounmpo, Avery Bradley, Devontae Cacok, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Alex Caruso, Quinn Cook, Troy Daniels, Anthony Davis, Jared Dudley, Danny Green, Talen Horton-Tucker, Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Kyle Kuzma, JaVale McGee, Markieff Morris, Zach Norvell, Rajon Rondo, JR Smith, Dion Waiters

One year after failing to make the playoffs, the Lakers won it all in the COVID-19 bubble. Anthony Davis joined LeBron James in a formidable pairing, and the duo combined for 51.4 ppg. The Lakers lost only five games in their four playoff series. James led the NBA in assists, the supporting cast handled its roles without complaint and the Lakers won it all in a season they dedicated to the late Kobe Bryant.

56. 2009-10 Boston Celtics

Coach: Doc Rivers

Record: 50-32

Roster: Ray Allen, Tony Allen, Marquis Daniels, Glen Davis, Michael Finley, Kevin Garnett, JR Giddens, Eddie House, Lester Hudson, Oliver Lafayette, Marcus Landry, Kendrick Perkins, Paul Pierce, Nate Robinson, Rajon Rondo, Brian Scalabrine, Henry Walker, Rasheed Wallace, Shelden Williams

The Celtics’ Big Three led the squad on another trek to the Finals that included an Atlantic Division title. Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen were again the engine on an Eastern Conference title team, with help from point man Rajon Rondo and center Kendrick Perkins, while Rasheed Wallace provided support up front. Boston led the Lakers, 3-2, in the Finals, but ultimately lost a seven-game decision.

55. 1996-97 Utah Jazz

Coach: Jerry Sloan

Record: 64-18

Roster: Shandon Anderson, Antoine Carr, Howard Eisley, Greg Foster, Jeff Hornacek, Stephen Howard, Adam Keefe, Karl Malone, Chris Morris, Ruben Nembhard, Greg Ostertag, Bryon Russell, John Stockton, Brooks Thompson, Jamie Watson

The Jazz had plenty of great seasons during the Karl Malone-John Stockton years, but this might have been the best. Malone was League MVP, and Utah set a franchise record for wins that still stands. Stockton once again ran the show and set up everyone, while Jeff Hornacek and Bryon Russell were valuable on the perimeter. The Jazz looked good, but as usual, the Bulls looked better, taking the Finals in six.

Read here to find out who made the No. 75-66 spot on the list.

Get your copy of SLAM Presents TOP 75 NBA Teams Of All Time

Photos via Getty Images.

The post SLAM’s TOP 75 NBA Teams of All Time: No. 65-55 appeared first on SLAM.

The Hawks initially believed Capela would be out for at least a week before getting his knee examined again, which would happen when the series shifts to Atlanta in Games 3 and 4. However, the Hawks received the excellent news that Capela’s MRI was clean and showed no further damage to his knee.

Here's a look at Clint Capela doing some physical therapy.

Nate McMillan says he doesn't have a specific timeline for how long Capela will be out, but he will definitely be out for Game 2. pic.twitter.com/OkV1RsRAd4

— Sarah K. Spencer (@sarah_k_spence) April 18, 2022

The good news kept rolling after Travis Schlenk, general manager of the Hawks, revealed that Capela “restarted strength exercises and will be re-evaluated on Friday” when he appeared on 92.9 FM The Game.

Capela’s return could swing the pendulum towards Atlanta with his ability to patrol the paint on both ends of the court. The Swiss center finished the regular season, averaging 11.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game.

The post Hawks Say Clint Capela Will Be Re-Evaluated On Friday appeared first on SLAM.

The Hawks big man had to be helped off the floor after fouling Evan Mobley and forcing him to the floor. When Capela grabbed Mobley by the shoulders, the momentum caused a collision by the sidelines.

Clint Capela went to the locker room with an apparent leg injury after this foul on Evan Mobley. pic.twitter.com/hGv3O9KvSd

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 16, 2022

According to the Hawks, Capela would not return to the game after suffering what was diagnosed as a hyperextended right knee. ESPN’s NBA insider, Adrian Wojnarowski, reported that Capela would undergo an MRI on Saturday to determine the extent of the damage. The timetable of his return is unknown.

There’s initial optimism that Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela hasn’t suffered significant right knee damage, but an MRI on Saturday will determine extent of possible injury, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 16, 2022

Before the injury, Clint Capela had seven points and eight rebounds in 13 minutes of action. 

The injury is a significant loss for the Atlanta Hawks. Capelaposted a strong performance in the first play-in game against Charlotte with 15 points, 17 rebounds, three blocks, and two steals. Without Capela, Coach Nate McMillan and his staff have to find other production options to replace the Swizz product, who averages a double-double with 11.1 points and 11.9 rebounds in the regular season.

SLAM will follow this injury situation as it develops.

The post Clint Capela Suffers Knee Injury in Atlanta Hawks Victory Over the Cavs appeared first on SLAM.

The Hawks were in control for the entire game, but a 42-point third-quarter explosion basically put the game away to the point that questions were raised on why the starters were in the game so late in the final quarter.

The Hawks DOMINATE the Hornets, 132-103, to move on to a 2nd play-in game pic.twitter.com/Z6vn0T1q8W

— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 14, 2022

Hawks Coach Nate McMillan answered that question jokingly after the game via ESPN.

“The coaches were yelling and screaming at me, ‘Get the guys out so that we could get them a rest in!'” McMillan said via ESPN. “But it’s time to play. It’s game time. We should be ready when we go to Cleveland.”

Trae Young is definitely ready for the Cleveland matchup. Even with a 3-13 shooting performance in the first half, the attention of the Hornets’ defense opened up opportunities for his teammates, particularly Clint Capela. Capela exposed Charlotte’s need for a center, putting a stat line of 15 points, 17 rebounds, three blocks, and two steals.

The no-look alley pic.twitter.com/XTudyKwcio

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 13, 2022

After knocking down a second-quarter buzzer-beater just before the half, Ice Trae took advantage of Charlotte’s adjustments to his playmaking by knocking down open shots in the second half and finished with 24 points and 11 assists.

After stating that the Hawks needed to find motivation in the regular season to play like it was the playoffs, Young has again raised his level of play in big games. As the Knicks, Bucks, and Sixers saw last year, when he connects with his patented floaters and logo threes, it opens up lanes for his teammates that deflates defenses.

Trae draws four (4) defenders then drops a no-look dime pic.twitter.com/lt9P8MePsz

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 14, 2022

The winner of the Hawks and Cavaliers collision course on Friday night will face the Eastern Conference’s top seed in the Miami Heat.

The post Atlanta Hawks Stamp Their Ticket To Play Cavs By Blowing Out Charlotte appeared first on SLAM.

‘He’s rookie of the year’: Cade Cunningham leads #Pistons to first three-game winning streak of season: https://t.co/kwDqmGbAqi

— Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) March 8, 2022

Led by Cunningham (28 points, six rebounds, and 10 assists) and Jerami Grant (23 points and four rebounds), the Pistons made a comeback late in regulation after a back-and-forth fourth quarter that saw the Hawks and Pistons exchange leads.

“He’s rookie of the year. It’s not even close as far as talent evaluation. I’ve been in it a long time and seen (a lot of) players,” coach Dwane Casey said of Cunningham per Rod Beard of Detroit News.

“The only thing that (voters) can hold against us is we are a young team rebuilding, but talent-wise, he’s the guy that can finish games for you, and that’s what you need in those situations. He’s playing like a 10-year vet, so to get 10 assists and 28 points is big time.”

Cunningham nearly put the game away with 1.6 seconds left after sinking a pair of free throws, but John Collins was fouled on the subsequent inbounds play, but he split the ensuing free throws.

Cunningham took over in the extra period, scoring seven points, including a huge three-pointer to give the Pistons a 107-102 lead. After the Hawks responded with an alley-oop slam from Clint Capela, Cunningham came back with two straight buckets of his own to extend their back to five with just over two minutes to go. Grant then sank his tough fadeaway jumper to extend the lead to 113-107.

“I really like how the Pistons are playing right now. We’re playing really hard and playing for each other, and that’s what’s letting us win some games,” Cunningham said. “I really appreciate my team and my teammates trusting me with the ball, allowing me to get things going.”

The Pistons will look to extend their win streak to four when they host the Bulls on Wednesday.

The post Cade Cunningham Leads the Pistons to Season-High Three-Game Win Streak appeared first on SLAM.

Atlanta sits 12th in the Eastern Conference at the moment with a record of 17-23 and three games back of the 10th and final play-in seed.

The Hawks’ lack of success on the court has led to rumors of a shake-up coming. Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report reported that the Hawks could trade anyone on the roster, with the only exceptions being Clint Capela and all-star Trae Young.

“Everyone but Trae Young and Clint Capela are available,” one assistant general manager told B/R earlier this week before the Reddish trade,” Fischer reports. “

Fischer explicitly named third-year forward De’Andre Hunter as a player that opposing teams believe could be on the move, with the Hawks’ reportedly looking to acquire a “significant veteran contributor.”

What Atlanta needs is help on the defensive end. The Hawks currently have the fifth-best offense in the League, with an offensive rating of 112.1 offset by the third-worst defensive rating in the NBA, clocking in at 113.1, ahead of only the Portland Trail Blazers and Houston Rockets. If Atlanta can correct course defensively, the pieces are already in place to get this team back to its winning ways.

According to Fischer, one player who could potentially turn the tide for the Hawks on defense is the 76ers’ disgruntled star, Ben Simmons. Fischer reports that the Hawks have “entered the field of teams interested in Simmons,” but a deal with John Collins as the center-piece in a two-team deal was considered a “wonky fit.” However, the Spurs and Mavericks have reportedly expressed interest in Collins before.

The NBA trade deadline is just under a month away on Thursday, Feb. 10.

The post REPORT: ‘Everyone’ but Clint Capela, Trae Young Available in Atlanta appeared first on SLAM.

On Tuesday, Marc Stein reported that Lance Stephenson had signed a 10-day hardship contract with the Atlanta Hawks.

Stephenson is getting the chance with the Hawks as part of the NBA’s new hardship contract program, allowing teams struggling with COVID-19 outbreaks to sign short-term replacement players to continue playing games.

It’s been over two years since Stephenson last suited up for an NBA team, playing 68 games with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2018-19 season and averaging 7.2 points per game in the process.

However, Stephenson is an NBA vet, having played 508 career games with seven different NBA teams. Most will remember Stephenson for his six seasons spent with the Indiana Pacers, where he averaged 9.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.

If Stephenson suites up for the Hawks during his 10-day contract, that will make Atlanta the eighth different franchise he’s played for in his career.

The Hawks have been hurt hard by the league’s health and safety protocols, with Trae Young, Clint Capela, and Danilo Gallinari all currently unavailable.

The post REPORT: Lance Stephenson Signs 10-Day Contract With Hawks appeared first on SLAM.

The third overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Okafor played for the Pistons last season after signing with the team in December, averaging 5.4 points and 2.4 boards in the 27 games he played in. Prior to his stint with Detroit, the former Blue Devil played for the Nets, Philadelphia 76ers and New Orleans Pelicans, averaging 11.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in just 20.4 minutes per game.

As Atlanta enters training camp ahead of the 2021-22 season, Okafor will battle for spot on the 15-man roster with former Nets forward Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, who has also signed a non-guaranteed contract with the Hawks.

The 6-10 big man, who came into the league praised for his interior scoring, is coming off of his first-ever Olympic appearance for the Nigerian men’s national basketball team (D’Tigers). Although D’Tigers failed to advance from Pool B, Okafor averaged 9.0 points and 4.7 rebounds in 15.0 minutes per game (3 contests) while shooting 85.7 percent from the field.

With Atlanta already being stacked at the pivot, between starter Clint Capela, second-year center Onyeka Okongwu and the recently signed Gorgui Dieng, Okafor’s chances of sticking with the Hawks aren’t ideal. However, with Okongwu recovering from a shoulder surgery that will sideline him through December and Dieng’s ability to play power forward (he’s shot 37.8 percent from 3-point range over the past two seasons), Okafor could find himself not just on the roster, but on the floor for Atlanta.

The post REPORT: Jahlil Okafor Signs Non-Guaranteed Contract with Hawks appeared first on SLAM.

No more deafening screams. No more thunderous ovations. No more “F you” chants.

Just silence. 

The type of silence that’s palpable. The type that’s uncomfortable. The type only preceded by deafening screams, and thunderous ovations, and “F you” chants.

Swaggering back down the court, Trae Young peers up at the crowd and scrunches his face into a scowl. Thousands of shocked fans return his gaze, suddenly tight-lipped. Young slowly lifts a finger to his own mouth. Shhhh. 

Yeah, it’s quiet now. Real quiet. 

About three hours earlier, Young sat in the visitor’s locker room at Madison Square Garden, eagerly awaiting his playoff debut. He was finally here, finally on the big stage, despite every bit of criticism and doubt directed his way. He began the mundane routine of lacing his sneakers; only this time, things were slightly different. He wasn’t wearing the hi-top, futuristic adidas N3XT L3V3Ls, as he had been previously. This time, he was lacing his sneakers for real. A bright orange, size 13 pair of Trae Young 1s, his first signature sneaker with the Three Stripes—a low-cut model that features a combination of BOOST and LIGHTSTRIKE cushioning.

“To be honest with you, I wasn’t supposed to wear them until next year,” Young tells KICKS. “Probably game 1 of next year. But I really wanted to play in my first playoff series in my shoe.”

Get your copy of KICKS 24 featuring Trae Young NOW!

So adidas got to work. They expedited the product’s original timeline, one that can take up to two full years from conception to release. The new plan had been set in stone a couple of weeks prior to the series, but Young had kept it mostly hushed. Only a handful of reps from the brand and people in his inner circle knew what was coming.

“He had mentioned it, but I didn’t know for sure he was going to wear them,” says NBA trainer and close friend Irv Roland, who’s from the same area in Oklahoma as Trae and has become like family through the years. “We FaceTime every couple of days and I had seen him. We had talked about it but I wasn’t sure he was going to do it.”

Now, as Young tightened the knots on the “Peachtree” colorway (a nod to the Atlanta street of the same name), teammates started to take notice. “Obviously when you put them on for the first time, everybody knows it’s your first time,” recalls Trae. “Your teammates are talking you up and hyping you up. It was a cool moment because I had really cool teammates who were doing that to me and wanted me to play well in my debut in them.”

Signature sneaker debuts are rarely calm—they are methodical, well-thought-out and tactically organized around a marquee game. There’s an elaborate marketing strategy in place with detailed photos and promotional videos to drum up excitement. The debut of the Trae Young 1 didn’t have any of that—considering the sneaker wasn’t scheduled to hit shelves for months—but it was perhaps the loudest sneaker unveiling in NBA history. 

“Adidas did a great job of helping me, making it possible for me to wear my shoe in the playoffs. When they gave me the opportunity to do that, I knew I needed to take advantage of the moment,” Young explains. “Playing in the Garden, playing the Knicks in the first round, I knew it was a great opportunity for people to see not only our team and me, but they get to see my shoes, too.”

In the predictably hostile MSG environment, Young dominated from the jump. He controlled the flow of the game and, despite the deafening screams and thunderous ovations and “F you” chants, was completely composed. He torched the Knicks’ defense out of the pick-and-roll, hitting floater after floater and throwing perfect lobs to Clint Capela and John Collins. And then, with less than 10 seconds left and the score tied at 105 apiece, he danced his way to the paint and nailed yet another floater. 

The game-winner.

The silencer.

He finished with 32 points, 10 assists and 7 rebounds in the 107-105 victory, becoming just the fourth player ever to record at least 30 and 10 in their postseason debut. “It’s still kind of surreal to me,” Young says, thinking back on that night. “When you’re in those games, you’re in those moments, you’re so locked in that you don’t really appreciate them until later on. So after the playoffs and everything, it’s been kind of crazy just knowing that our team did what we did and I was able to go in there and hit a game-winner in my first playoff game ever. It’s definitely an experience I won’t forget.”

A few days prior, Young had actually teased the sneaker debut on his Instagram. He posted a short video of the sample box, revealing the message printed in his handwriting across the top: “Always remember when they doubted you…” 

The line has become a mantra for Trae, a code that he’s lived by ever since high school, when the doubters began to emerge. He has the words “Always Remember” tatted on his right forearm and constantly shares the message on social media. He remembers when critics said he was too small, not athletic enough, couldn’t thrive at the highest level. He remembers when they said he was an empty-stats guy, all flash and no substance, not a winner. He remembers all of it.

From day one, that negativity has been fuel for his rise. 

“A lot of people say they don’t look at social media and stuff like that. But I’m not going to lie to you: I’m a 19-year-old kid, I look at Twitter, I look at Instagram, I look at the mock drafts,” Young told SLAM in January of 2018, when he was still at the University of Oklahoma. “I noticed in the summertime that I wasn’t on anything.”

“Keep that same energy is something that I live by today,” he said almost two years later, gracing his second SLAM cover. “People that had that energy of just always talking bad or just not believing in me, it’s just something that has motivated me. Every high-level player has something that motivates them. And criticism is one thing that motivates me.”

It’s not the only thing—Young draws inspiration from a number of sources. But he also hears the outside noise. Often, it’s impossible not to. 

“You ain’t got no choice but to hear it when a whole arena is chanting ‘F you,’” he says with a smile. “That’s just fun. Me, I’m a competitive person in whatever I’m doing. Anytime somebody’s talking trash, whether it’s my little brother, my dad, or a random person playing pick-up ball with me, I’m going to be the same way. That’s just my mindset. I’ve had this approach with everything I’ve done up until now. And I ain’t gonna change anytime soon, for sure.”

To represent him properly, Young’s signature sneaker had to incorporate that message. Always remember. It’s a mindset that has helped him achieve remarkable success at a rapid pace. He was the first player in NCAA Division I history to lead the nation in scoring and assists. He was named an All-Star starter in merely his second season in the NBA. He averaged 28.8 points and 9.5 assists in his first playoff run, leading the Hawks on an unexpected journey to the Eastern Conference Finals. And, after signing a long-term extension with adidas, he’s set to drop his own sneaker and apparel line at the age of just 22. He joins James Harden, Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell and Derrick Rose as the fifth active adidas basketball signature athlete. 

Trae’s younger brother, Tim, played a significant role during the design process, sharing his creative, outside-the-box ideas. So far, we’ve seen Trae wear colorways that pay homage to his new hometown (a green pair inspired by the imagery for the 1996 Summer Olympics in 
Atlanta; a black edition to match the team’s MLK jerseys, including hues that mimic the stained-glass design on their court) and reflect his own persona (a light blue version with red accents and a polar bear printed on the heel, alluding to his “Ice Trae” nickname). There are plenty more flavors with innovative themes on the way next season, too.

Young doesn’t need further validation, but the arrival of his signature sneaker is yet another sign that he’s proved his doubters wrong. The shoe is a symbol of what’s possible when you don’t let the doubters deter you—when you use them as extra motivation instead.

KICKS 24 featuring Trae Young is available NOW!

Though less orchestrated than usual, the Trae Young 1’s debut seemed flawlessly scripted in hindsight. The 6-1 guard has relished silencing his critics forever—and in his first playoff game, wearing his signature sneaker for the first time, he literally got to silence an arena full of them.

“I was at the game and excited to see him because coming from a small place, a kid like this that has received so much doubt and so many people saying what he wasn’t gonna be, and for him to now be a max-deal player with his own shoe, playing in his first playoff series in his third year, it was pretty incredible,” describes Roland. “It was almost like a movie scene. For him to come to New York, one of the toughest places in the League to play, with those fans—I mean, on the first play of the game, he gets the ball and they’re yelling ‘F you, Trae Young!’ His whole family was there. It was his very first playoff game. And for him to get the game-winner in Madison Square Garden. You can’t really draw up a better script. I’ve seen him hit big shots and stuff like that before, but that was literally like something out of a movie.”

The lasting image of Young standing in the middle of the Garden floor, a finger to his lips, the orange of his “Peachtree” 1s glistening under the bright lights is a perfect embodiment of who he is. Self-assured. Confident. Defiant. Fearless.

“He’s always been a guy who was putting in hours where other people were just doing the minimum,” Roland continues. “He was doing extra to separate himself. And I think that’s where the confidence comes from, from the hours and the reps that he’s put in. And so with all the doubt, with all the noise that comes from the outside, he’s able to just stay cool because he’s so confident in his skill set.”

“He’s small, but he’s a tough kid and he’s not afraid. He’s not afraid of taking that shot,” Hawks head coach Nate McMillan told reporters afterward. “He’s a guy who believes in himself.”

The hope is that everyone who laces up the Trae Young 1 will believe in themselves the same way; that they are inspired to be like Trae, undaunted by obstacles and doubt, bolstered by that inner-confidence.

“I’m always going to stay true to myself no matter what,” Young says. “I think this shoe is going to bring out a lot of the creative ideas in my mind and hopefully influence [people] and give a lot of people inspiration when they put them on.”

“When I put these shoes on, I want to have fun with whatever I’m doing,” he adds. “So if I’m on the court and I got them on, I’m gonna put on a show.” 

KICKS 24 feat. Trae Young is available now in gold and black metal editions.

Shop here.

Portraits by Atiba Jefferson. Follow Atiba in Instagram, @atibaphoto.

Action photos via Getty Images.

The post Trae Young on the Debut of the adidas Trae Young 1 appeared first on SLAM.

Capela, who only had two years remaining on his previous contract, came up big last season for the Hawks, leading the league rebounding at 14.2 per game while anchoring the defense for a team that surprised and shocked everyone on the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. 

In the postseason itself, of which he was no stranger of as a former member of the James Harden-led Houston Rockets, Capela continued to shine. Averaging 10.1 and 11.2 points per game throughout the 2021 NBA Playoffs, Capela’s toughness and experience only served to magnify his contributions.

As a result, he’s been handsomely rewarded.

Per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Sarah K. Spencer, Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk views Capela as a vocal leader and long-term piece for their team:

“Clint is one of the premier defensive and rebounding big men in the league,” Hawks GM Travis Schlenk said. “His presence in the paint and voice on defense had a tremendous impact on our success last season. He is a great teammate who leads by example and we are excited to have him as a part of our team long-term.”

The post Clint Capela Agrees to Two-Year, $46 Million Contract Extension with Hawks appeared first on SLAM.

A restricted free agent, Collins has long since expressed a desire to remain with the Hawks when his rookie contract expired but reportedly believed his play was deserving of a maximum salary contract, which he was holding out for (h/t The Athletic and Stadium’s Shams Charania).

Collins’ athleticism, shooting range and hustle had made him all but a franchise cornerstone in Atlanta but now he has the contract to confirm his status.

A player who produced consistently every season, Collins’ 2020-21 campaign was an extension of his near All-Star-worthy 2019-20 season, as he finished the year with averages of 17.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game (with a true shooting percentage of 64.5) despite sharing the frontcourt with Clint Capela (14.3 rebounds per game) and Danilo Gallinari (13.3 points per game).

After the first playoff run of his career, John The Baptist only increased the likelihood he would be resigned, not only crashing the glass and doing the dirty work but taking it to his opponent’s without fear.

With Collins locked in for the foreseeable future, the Hawks will look continue to developing internally, banking on the combination of their young core—led by superstar Trae Young—and veteran additions to lift them to the top of the Eastern Conference.

The post REPORT: John Collins Agrees to Five-Year, $125 Million Contract with Hawks appeared first on SLAM.

It’s a move that looks like it will benefit all parties as Atlanta receives a solid backup guard in Wright who averages 10.2 points, 4.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game last season while shooting .372 percent from 3-point range.

Although the Hawks selected talented point guard Sharife Cooper in the 2021 NBA Draft, having Wright onboard not only prevents Atlanta to work the rookie point guard in a rotation before he’s ready and being over-reliant on the elite Trae Young because they lack enough production from their backup point guard.

In return, the Hawks only had to surrender Dunn, who missed all but four games last season due to injury. At 27-years-old, the former fifth overall pick has not lived up to his billing out of Providence but a return to the New England area and playing for a competitive team that prides itself of defense (Dunn’s specialty) may see him providing valuable minutes for the re-tooling Celtics.

If nothing else, Dunn is great value as depth. The same could be said for Fernando, a skilled big man whose role was frequently diminished in Atlanta due to the arrivals of Clint Capela and the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Onyeka Okongwu.

As for the Kings, having a blue-collar worker on the court like Thompson will fit the mold of their offseason thus far after they selected Davion Mitchell and Neemias Queta in Thursday’s draft.

While it lessens the likelihood that shot-blocking big man Richaun Holmes is re-signed, another benefit of adding Thompson is the latter’s prowess at creating screen assists, which will be quite beneficial to Sacramento’s projected three-guard starting lineup.

Thompson, who would likely prefer playing on a bonafide playoff contender, could also eventually be re-routed by the Kings. Though it appeared that the big man had found a home in Boston, the Celtics at least appear to be all-in on Robert “Time Lord” Williams III, as well as recently acquired bigs Al Horford and Moses Brown.

The post Hawks, Kings, Celtics Reportedly Agree to Three-Team Trade appeared first on SLAM.

After exiting Game 4 loss to the Atlanta Hawks with a left knee injury, Antetokounmpo is scheduled for a MRI on Wednesday (according to ESPN’s Malika Andrews).

The Bucks called the injury an hyperextension after the game on Tuesday.

Giannis hurt his knee trying to block an alley-oop dunk by Hawks center Clint Capela at the seven minutes mark in the third quarter. The two-time MVP buckled his knee and was on the floor for a while before being helped off the floor.

Giannis appears to have injured his leg.

Prayers up pic.twitter.com/cHZXCIsBEd

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 30, 2021

Bucks head coach, Mike Budenholzer, weighed in on what he observed after the game.

“It just looked like their legs got tangled up. They both landed awkwardly. That’s what I saw live. I haven’t seen anything else.”

After Antetokounmpo’s injury, Milwaukee fell apart; following a made basket from Jrue Holiday, the Bucks offense went scoreless for three and a half minutes. Atlanta would use that drought to go on a 15-0 run of their own to effectively put the game away.

Ultimately, Milwaukee was defeated 110-88 by a Hawks team without Trae Young and the series is now tied at 2-2.

Now that the series shifts back to the Bucks home court, the results of Giannis’ MRI looms large determining his status for Game 5 and beyond. Bucks forward, Khris Middleton, believes the team will be okay to hold down the fort if the two-time MVP does not return.

“We’ll see what happens with Giannis,” Middleton said. “It would be great if he plays, but if not, we still have a capable team of going out there and winning.”

Game 5 between the Bucks and Hawks is slated for July 1 on TNT.

[Update: ESPN’s Adrian Wojanrowski and Zach Lowe report that there’s no structural damage to Antetokounmpo’s left knee.]

The post Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo Scheduled for MRI on Injured Left Knee appeared first on SLAM.

(#3) Milwaukee Bucks 113, (#5) Atlanta Hawks 116

ATL leads 1-0

Trae Young has had an outstanding playoffs but Wednesday night, the up-and-coming suprstar may have been his best game to date.

Young, facing a long and lean Bucks squad led by two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, went for 48 points, 11 assists and six rebounds in the Hawks’ nail-biter victory. He was so dominant, in fact, that he scored or assisted on 80 of the 108 points scored by Atlanta when he was on the floor.

Hawks forward John Collins continued to play strongly, hustling his way to 23 points and 15 rebounds, while the steady Clint Capela finished with 12 points and 19 rebounds.

Despite the loss, Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday both played stellar games.

The Greek Freak had a team-high 34 points with Holiday not far behind, chipping in 33 points of his own. It was another night to forget for Khris Middelton, however.

Middleton ended the night on 15 points, shooting a woeful 6-for-23 from the field and 0-for-9 from three.

However, despite a substandard game from Middleton, Milwaukee held a 111-110 lead with less than two minutes to go and were in the game all the way until the final horn sounded.

The Bucks will have the chance to even the series on Friday night in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, looking to avoid another slow start in a series against a formidable team.

The post Post Up: Hawks Make a Statment in Game One appeared first on SLAM.

Headlining the All-Defensive 1st team were the two players in the running for Defensive Player of the Year—Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert and Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons. Simmons and Gobert were the only two players in the league to be unanimously voted to the 1st team. 

The 2020-21 NBA All-Defensive First Team:

Giannis Antetokounmpo
Rudy Gobert
Draymond Green
Jrue Holiday
Ben Simmons pic.twitter.com/ZlflnyWlLR

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) June 14, 2021

This was Gobert’s fifth straight year on the All-NBA Defensive first team, and Simmon’s second.

Rounding out the top-five were Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (his fourth time on the first team), Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (his second) and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (his third consecutive first team nomination).

The All-NBA Defensive teams are selected from a group of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters from across the League — a first-team vote notches a player two “points,” while a second-team vote notches them one. Each voter chooses two guards, two forwards, and one center.

The Lakers had the league’s best defensive rating this season.

They have 0 All-Defense players. pic.twitter.com/NZQUa31ewg

— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 14, 2021

The second team boasts Kawhi Leonard (his seventh overall selection), teammates Joel Embiid and Matisse Thybulle, and Heat duo Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. As is the case every year, there were some surprising omissions from the ten players selected. Perhaps most notably, there were no Lakers on either team, even as the Lakers finished with the best defensive team in the league (106.8). Specific players to just miss selection were Mikal Bridges (Bridges finished with 39 total points, 4 less than Leonard), Clint Capela, and Myles Turner.

The post NBA Announces Selections for All-NBA Defensive Teams appeared first on SLAM.

(#1) Philadelphia 76ers 100, (#5) Atlanta Hawks 103

Series tied 2-2

Things looked bleak for the Hawks early in Game 4, with star guard Trae Young struggling to score in the first half and their bench going 0-8 from the field, being outscored 20-10.

As a result, Atlanta found themselves in an 13-point hole.

Entering the second half 3-12 from the floor, Young eventually was able to flip the switch and erase the deficit, squeaking out a narrow three-point win in the end. Young finished his night with 25 points (on 8-26 shooting) and 18 assists, tied for the second-most in playoff history.

Continuing a strong semifinals series, Bogdan Bogdanovic tallied 22 points for the Hawks, who had double-double performances from both Clint Capela (12 points, 13 rebounds) and John Collins (14 points, 12 rebounds). It was a rough night of shooting for the entire Hawks team, with Atlanta shooting just 36.6 percent from the field and 30.0 percent from three but they willed themselves to a win nonetheless.

While losing a winnable playoff game is already bad enough for the Sixers, there are reasons to be even more upset for Philadelphia fans, as All-Star center Joel Embiid exited the game in the second quarter with a knee injury.

Embiid returned for the second half but struggled, going 0-for-12 from the field and ending the game with 17 points and 20 rebounds. However, the scoring of starters Seth Curry (17 points) and Tobias Harris (20 points) kept Philadelphia’s offense afloat.

The 76ers shot the ball much better than their opponents (43.5 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from 3-point range) but their 12 turnovers (compared to just four for the Hawks) may have been the difference.

Game 5 is set for Wednesday night, at 7:30 PM (EST) on TNT.

(#1) Utah Jazz 104, (#4) Los Angeles Clippers 118

Series tied 2-2

In the first two games of the series, the Clippers looked overwhelmed by the Jazz. Four games into their matchup against their series against Utah, the Big Two of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George seem to have found their groove during back-to-back blowout wins.

Los Angeles bolted to a 17-point lead in the first quarter and maintained that gap for nearly the rest of the game. By the end of the contest, both The Klaw and Young Trece dropped 31 points, while veteran forward Marcus tacked on an additional 24 points.

Unfortunately, injuries were a talking point following the contests, with Leonard suffering a knee injury late in the Clippers’ victory.

With Donovan Mitchell going 9-26 from the field while facing LA’s stifling perimeter defenders, the Jazz struggled to be competitive in Game 4 despite Spida getting to the line a game-high 15 times to score 37 points. Fellow guard Jordan Clarkson had a tough shooting night, scoring eight points in 30 minutes on 3-for-12 from the field and 2-8 from deep.

Sharpshooter Joe Ingles was massively efficient for the Jazz though, scoring 19 points on 7-for-9 from the field, while Bojan Bogdanovic chipped in 18 points.

The Jazz will have a chance to retake the series lead in Game 5, back home in Utah, on Wednesday night.

The post Post Up: We’re All Tied Up appeared first on SLAM.

In what have been two of the most discussed first-round matchups, Dallas Mavericks floor general Luka Doncic stole the spotlight in the final game of the evening thanks to his 42-point, 14-assist outing.

But was it enough to get past a Los Angeles Clippers team that had won two straight to even the series?

No. 1 Philadelphia 76ers 129, No. 8 Washington Wizards 112

PHI wins series 4-1

The first of three teams to be bounced from the playoffs tonight, the Washington Wizards couldn’t hang with the Philadelphia 76ers even without Joel Embiid playing.

Sharpshooter Seth Curry exploded for a team-high 30 points and Defensive Player of the Year finalist Ben Simmons silenced his critics with 19 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds, one steal and two blocks. Meanwhile, veteran forward Tobias Harris rounded off a nice first-round series with 28 points and six assists of his own.

Washington showed some promise at points over the five-game series but, ultimately, Philly had too much talent for the D.C.-based squad.

The Wizards got another good game from youngster Rui Hachimura, who had 21 points on 8-for-13 from the field. All-Star Bradley Beal capped off another spectacular season with a game-high 32 points, while Russell Westbrook chipped in 24 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds.

Nonetheless, Washington’s lack of depth proved to be costly down the stretch. The Wizards trailed by just two at halftime, but as the game got deeper, Washington’s starters began to lose steam, and Philadelphia pulled away.

No. 4 New York Knicks 89, No. 5 Atlanta Hawks 103

ATL wins series 4-1

The New York Knicks disappointed a packed Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night when they were the second team pf the day to be eliminated from the playoffs.

In what was a tough series for the big man, Knicks star forward Julius Randle had another disappointing outing for New York, putting up 21 points on 8-for-21 shooting, while also turning the ball over eight times.

Randle finished the playoffs averaging 18 points, 4.0 assists and 4.6 turnovers per game while shooting 29.8 percent from the field—a stark contrast from the 45.6 percent he shot from the floor in the regular season.

Reggie Bullock, who averaged 8.0 points on 37.9 percent shooting from the field and 28.6 percent from 3-point range, started the game off well. Bullock went for 12 points in the first quarter after nailing four shots from beyond the arc; but he was held scoreless for the rest of the game.

The star of the show, 22-year-old point guard Trae Young, put together another masterpiece with a game-high 36 points. Wednesday was the third time in the series where Young scored at least 30 points in the series, as the Knicks defense continued to be confounded by his craftiness.

Atlanta also received double-digit contributions from De’Andre Hunter (15), Clint Capela (14) and John Collins (13) in the points column, while holding the Knicks to 37.8 percent shooting from the field.

The Hawks will be moving to the second round of the NBA Playoffs, where they’ll take on the 76ers.

No. 1 Utah Jazz 126, No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies 110

UTA wins series 4-1

The third and final team to get booted from the playoffs was the Memphis Grizzlies.

Still, just as young guns Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks shined for the Grizzlies throughout the series, the duo was excellent yet again on Wednesday, with both scoring 27 points.

Brooks’ scoring output through the series was impressive, putting up 25.8 points per game on 51.5 percent shooting, and Morant paired that with his 30.5 points per game on 48.7 percent shooting. While Memphis’ season may be over, their young core is only just getting started.

Despite feeling ill coming into the game, Utah Jazz centerpiece Donovan Mitchell handled the Grizzlies with ease, dropping 30 points and dishing out 10 assists.

Defensive weapon Rudy Gobert may have had even more impact than Mitchell though, as the Steiffel Tower notched a 23-point, 15-rebound double-double while blocking three shots.

Despite moving on to the second round, the Jazz didn’t leave the court entirely happy, as starting guard Mike Conley left the game early due to injury. The All-Star’s status moving forward is unclear, but Utah will need him when they take on one of the Dallas Mavericks or Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Conference semifinals.

No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers 100, No. 5 Dallas Mavericks 105

DAL leads series 3-1

Playmaking extraordinaire Luka Doncic rewrote history books at the end of Wednesday night’s slate of games.

Doncic put up a blistering 42 points and 14 assists, scoring or assisting on 31 of the Mavericks 37 made field goals. The only other player to finish with double-digit scoring for Dallas was Tim Hardaway Jr., who had 20 points.

Fifth-year pro Dorian Finney-Smith was hugely impactful for Dallas on the defensive end, helping keep Kawhi Leonard (who shot 7-19 from the field) contained, while snatching the opponent five times and recording a block.

The Los Angeles Clippers, who had even the series at 2-2 following Game 4, kept the game within reach all night. They even cut the Mavs’ lead to one point with under one minute left.

But, in the end, they couldn’t stop Doncic enough to come out on top. Clippers forward Paul George finished with a team-high 23 points, while Leonard and Reggie Jackson (6-12 from 3-point range) each had 20 points.

LA just couldn’t get the buckets to fall on Wednesday night, shooting just 41.3 percent from the field as a team.

Game 6, which will be in Dallas, takes place on Friday, June 4.

The post Post Up: Three Teams Sent Packing appeared first on SLAM.

Following the Hawks’ Sunday night win over the Knicks, Capela told the media he didn’t appreciate the Knicks’ physical play but that it soon wouldn’t matter.

“We can push guys around too and we can talk s**t as well and get a win with it, so what are you going to do about it,” Capela said. “We’ll send you on vacation.”

Thus far, the Hawks have shown to be the better team, with Trae Young proving why he’s one of the best young players in the league. Young is averaging 27.5 points and 10 assists per game through four playoff games and has given Atlanta a 3-1 series lead.

The Hawks will have a chance to close the series in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.

The post Clint Capela Says the Hawks are About to Send the Knicks on ‘Vacation’ appeared first on SLAM.

Now that the playoffs are finally here, and the bracket completely set, it’s time to preview the Eastern Conference side of the playoffs.

1 Philadelphia 76ers (49-23)

8 Washington Wizards (34-38)

#WizPacers W in a tweet

– CLINCHED 8 in the East
– BB3 25p
– Russ 18p-8r-15a
– DG 15p-13r-5b pic.twitter.com/GhfjflXlrY

— x – Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) May 21, 2021

On the surface, this is just another one-seed that should dominate this eight-seed Wizards team that went 34-38 in the regular season, but the Wizards have more fight than that. The Wizards have two All-Star level guards in Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal and are coming into the playoffs hot, having won 14 of their last 20 games. The Wizards will look to win games by pushing the pace, as their 104.1 pace rating is far and away the highest mark in the NBA.  

With that being said, the 76ers should expect nothing less than an easy four or five-game series. Philadelphia has the best record in the Eastern Conference, going 49-23, paired with an elite defense, ending the season with a defensive rating of 107.0, second-best in the NBA. If the 76ers championship ambitions are to be taken seriously, they need to dispose of the Wizards with minimal problems to open their playoff push.

2 Brooklyn Nets (48-24)

7 Boston Celtics (36-36)

Get ready for Game 1 with a look back at some of our top moments vs Brooklyn pic.twitter.com/DFt2vLztHl

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) May 22, 2021

The Nets have the most dynamic offense in the League, featuring a lethal trio of future Hall of Famers Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden. But all eyes will be not on the Nets’ offense, but rather their defense, which ranked eighth-worst in the NBA in defensive rating. The Celtics will serve as an excellent test to see if the Nets’ potent offense has enough firepower to overcome their defensive lapses.

The Celtics torched the Wizards to earn the seven-seed thanks to Jayson Tatum’s 50 point outing, but the Nets will prove to be a different foe. The Celtics have struggled this season and enter the playoffs having lost six of their last eight games to end the regular season, and All-Star forward Jaylen Brown due to a wrist injury. Boston will need even more Tatum heroics to get them out of this series. Otherwise, it will be difficult for the Celtics to keep pace with the high-powered Nets’ offense.

3 Milwaukee Bucks (46-26)

6 Miami Heat (40-32)

Khris is locked in. pic.twitter.com/SseanrLZ7K

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) May 22, 2021

This Bucks vs. Heat matchup serves as a repeat of last year’s Eastern Conference Sem-Finals, where the Heat dispatched the Bucks in just five games. However, this is a different Bucks team. The addition of point guard Jrue Holiday to pair with two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo makes the Bucks defense more formidable than last year with Eric Bledsoe. But head coach Mike Budenholzer will have to show a willingness to adapt on the fly, as that has been his Achilles heel in the past two playoffs.

The Heat have had a rollercoaster season, with many key players missing serious time, eventually landing them the six-seed in the Eastern Conference. Jimmy Butler had another fantastic season in Miami, and him paired with defensive menace Bam Adebayo will undoubtedly give them a strong shot at taking down Milwaukee. They’ll have to do it without Victor Oladipo though; he will miss the entire playoffs due to a quad injury.

4 New York Knicks (41-31)

5 Atlanta Hawks (41-31)

Playoff basketball is back where it belongs.

WE HERE. pic.twitter.com/4W7HVAuo2b

— x – NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) May 19, 2021

The Knicks vs. Hawks series is a battle between two teams that had very different paths to get here. The Knicks earned their way into the playoffs with their elite defense, finishing the season with the fourth-best defensive rating in the League of 107.8. The Hawks, on the other hand, got to the playoffs with their offense, finishing with the ninth-highest offensive rating with 114.3. One commonality between the two teams can be seen with their coaches. Both Tom Thibodeau and Nate McMillan have come to these franchises after disappointing at their previous stops to help turn their new franchise around

The Hawks will have to find a way to hide Trae Young’s defensive woes, as they need him on the floor to run their offense. Clint Capela had a monster defensive season and will prove a worthy matchup to All-Star Julius Randle. The Knicks will need R.J. Barrett, Derrick Rose and Alec Burks to continue their strong regular seasons into the playoffs to score enough points to beat the Hawks.

The post 2021 NBA Playoff Matchups: Eastern Conference appeared first on SLAM.

The NBA ain’t ever seen a player like me.

Three years later, Ayton still means it. It wasn’t for clout or to make his SLAM 216 cover story sound good. He knew, even back then, that the League had never seen a player like him. When asked about it again during our interview in April, he makes it clear to everyone on the Zoom call that today he means it even more.

“I was serious. And I’m deadass. I’m serious, to the bone,” Ayton says. “I’m something the League has never seen: a 5 that can guard 1-5. A player that can anchor a defense, that can play like this every night.” 

His voice is stern and unwavering, the same way someone speaks when they’re right and they know it. “I love it,” he continues. “That’s the day and era that we’re in, where young guys like the Luka Doncics and the Trae Youngs are carrying teams, literally. But we love it. It’s who we are. It’s the life we chose. Simple as that.”

He has a point. There are a handful of players, all under the age of 25, that are helping carry their teams to potential playoff runs. Ayton is one of them, and as of writing this, he’s ranked 13th in the NBA in rebounds (10.7) this season. The Bahamian-born center is only four years younger than Clint Capela, who is leading the L. Ayton, only in his third season, turns 23 in July.

As the Suns continue to dominate the West and look to make a run in the playoffs—which would mark their first postseason appearance since 2010—DA is playing with a new type of energy and responsibility. His teammates are depending on him to grab every rebound that floats in the air, to help generate the offense by getting it done on the defensive end of the floor. It was once written that “there’s beauty in how the Suns turn Ayton rebounds into points,” but that might be too flowery. His job, he says, is to not only dominate the paint but to protect it.

“I’m a Leo, so I be roaring,” he says bluntly. “I don’t back down, I don’t do none of that. I love to compete, I love to defend. If I’m not there, people are going to see food…You might scoot by me, but I’m here. At the end of the day, you’re gonna come back down and see DA. This is basketball.”

And while many have criticized him for not shooting enough threes, Ayton knows that’s not his role on a team full of shooters. Devin Booker is averaging 25.4 points per game, and the Suns are led by the point god himself, Chris Paul, who can dish a dime to anyone on the floor at any moment in time. Ayton is expected to make things happen on the glass from anywhere on the court, to grab boards, set screens and help generate the offense, every single night.

“When I’m on the glass, I’m a presence. I don’t even call myself a big man. I never do. On my team, nobody calls me big fella. I really don’t compare myself to bigs. I can score like a big, that’s my system and that’s what’s best for my team, but I do all of that,” he says. “I know that CP and Book are depending on me to get them open, they’re expecting me to roll to create offense and generate in the middle.”

There’s a sense of pride you get when knowing that one of the best point guards in the game knows you can compete and expects it of you. Demands it. 

“CP3 is on our ass,” Ayton says about Paul. “I’m talking about he be on my ass, man. It ain’t no slip ups. I’m talking about paying attention to the details to the finest, almost perfection. He knows you’re human, but if he trusts you, when a superstar like that trusts you, you know, [it gives] superpowers almost. It’s like, You believe in me that much?”

It’s that belief, and his own self-assurance, that has added more fuel to Ayton’s fire this season. In 60 games, all of which he’s started, DA has 32 double doubles—and is on pace to have the most of his career. He’s running the floor, running pick and rolls with ease and playing with the confidence needed to get his shooters wide open. The two-man game that he plays with Paul has become one of the Suns’ most lethal weapons. And when asked about Ayton’s ceiling and potential, CP3 let us know back in February that the not-a-big-man is ready. He’s in full control now.

“I ain’t never been on this type of competitive team, to have this type of competitive spirit around you, [where] other dudes are on the same page as me. So why not? I’m cursing myself every day. Why not? I’m asking myself, knowing the answer. I just got to go out there and do it.”

DA will be the first to tell you that with everything he’s been through in his three years in the League, he’s not taking this moment for granted. But he hasn’t forgotten, either, about the moments when he and his team were doubted.

He knew the odds of the Suns dominating in the bubble: Fivethirtyeight.com projected they’d go 3-5 and had a “less than minuscule” chance of making the playoffs.

But, what the Suns did in the bubble wasn’t a fluke, and that 8-0 run wasn’t just a moment of good fortune. The numbers were wrong.

“Even going into the bubble with the -0.3 percent, all that stuff, I remember all of that,” he says. “That’s why I got this thing up in my room, you know what I’m sayin?” Ayton says, pointing to the jersey that is hung up behind him. “Like, ah, I just got to turn around sometimes, and [nods head] aight.”

Ayton then motions with his thumb to the RESPECT US jersey that’s hung up behind him on his wall, the same one he wore last season in the bubble. It’s a reminder of the journey, the process. But it’s also a demand.

“I’m from a different country and it’s hard to really adapt to new things and things that we’re not used to,” he says. “I think that’s what this world lacks a little bit and we’ve got to respect people’s ways and it’s who they are and what they do. That’s the thing, we have a hard time doing this in this world, and not only did I do that for us but for the team as well, as respect for the Suns before these wins.”

DA knows better than anyone that these wins shouldn’t be taken for granted.

He admits that the bubble, and the drug suspension he faced last season for unintentionally ingesting a diuretic, has made him who he is today. It’s made this player right now.

DA was coming off a fairly solid rookie season before his suspension. He registered a double-double in his NBA debut, making him the first player to do so in their debut game since Lew Alcindor in ’69 and Oscar Robertson in ’60—and, despite ankle injuries, he went on to break the Suns’ record for most double-doubles by a rookie (previously set by Alvan Adams in 1975-76) against the Washington Wizards in March, the same night teammate Devin Booker dropped 50.

But then, shortly after getting another double-double (18 points, 11 rebounds) in the season-opener against the Kings the following year, he was suspended for 25 games for violating the League’s drug-policy.

They say the higher that you climb, the further you can fall. The unintentional mistake he made back in October of 2019 was called a “false start” for Ayton and a “disappointment” for an organization that has had “nothing but disappointment for the last decade.” The former No. 1 pick thought that everyone was done with him.

“I’m thinking everybody hates me,” Ayton admits.

Well, everyone except for Diana Taurasi.

“I would walk past her every morning, going [into the gym] early and she’d be parking her car,” he says about one of his favorite players. “She’d stop me every time and tell me to keep my head up. And I’m like, for who she is, stopping me, someone who got suspended, who is damn near is done, my name got dropped, I [was] so surprised someone was talking to me. She had faith in me and told me, Nah, everybody makes mistakes.”

The suspension, he admits, felt like another chance to do things right. He spent that time watching film and going at it in workouts. While he’d be training, everything that Taurasi had said to him would run back through his head. He felt more locked in than ever.

Yo. Just remember, every time you’re doing these little workouts or whatever, just know, it’s only really important when nobody is watching.

But second chances don’t always come easy, and oftentimes, life is the hardest teacher. He returned in December, getting another double-double against the Clippers, only to sprain his right ankle three days later against the Thunder. It felt like another harsh reality he had to face about being in the League.

“It was like, Man. This is what it’s about, this is really the NBA. You can work for something so hard and it can go away like that,” he says with the snap of his finger.

He missed five games, but returned with redemption on his mind. He dropped double-doubles for three straight games against the Lakers, Knicks and Grizzlies, and then had a monster game against New York on their home court in January. Ayton finished with 26 points and a career-high 21 rebounds against the Knicks, making him the youngest player since Amar’e Stoudemire to record at least 25 points and 20 rebounds in a game for the Suns, and the youngest player ever to drop 25-plus points against the Knicks.

He was back, and so were the Suns. Looking back at that time, Ayton says he not only learned how to win, but what it felt like to win as an underdog.

“We were acting like we were winning championships in there. We were locked in. It felt like the playoffs because it was really intense and everybody was hungry, man. Every team brought it, but we was bringing it to them. We really wanted it more.” 

He’s keeping that same energy this season on a team that not only knows how to win, but expects it. And no one is more in control right now of how Deandre Ayton plays than Deandre himself.

“There’s no turning back from here,” he says. “I know what to do to prepare myself for the next level, I know what’s ahead of us. I have the guys around me to tell me what the hell I’m about to get myself into, how things are about to play. I like damn near have a chain around my neck about to pop, because I’m beyond ready for this shit. I’m just happy the front office really put some serious winners around me because now I feel it. I see the confidence certain teams get when they’re on a roll. It’s contagious throughout our whole team.”

The battle isn’t over, though, and in his own words, this the NBA, love. You can’t be content with a winning record in the NBA before the playoffs. DA is hungry for more, and his jersey from last season is a reminder to keep going. That respect has to be earned. It’s not just given.

“It’s to remind myself, Yo, we ain’t it. Only 40 wins, we ain’t got it. We ain’t there yet, it feels aight but we ain’t got it. There’s so much more. There’s so many more. I’m tryin’ to flip this city upside down. Tryin’ to have the whole roster and names on the streets, like, that’s just the energy I’m on.”

We haven’t seen the Phoenix Suns like this before. And, if we’re being real, the NBA hasn’t seen Deandre Ayton play like this before, either. Forget about stats and shooting percentages and all of that—just watch the way that he plays. His confidence is unwavering, every rebound is a testament to greatness and greatness to come.

But if we are talking numbers, then here’s one for you: 3.9 seconds. Back in April against the Jazz, per Arizonasports.com, it only took on average 3.9 seconds (give or take) for the Suns to attempt a shot on offense after Ayton secured the rebound. After grabbing a defensive board, he then hit a 15-foot jumper three seconds later. When Jae Crowder missed a three, Ayton was right there to snag the offensive rebound and dish it to Chris Paul for another shot. While the ball didn’t go through the net every time, Ayton’s 12 rebounds that night—seven of which were offensive and five defensive—helped guarantee more opportunities for the Suns. They went on to defeat Utah, who have the best record in the L and are sitting at a spot above them in the West, in overtime.

So if the Suns performance in the bubble wasn’t enough to prove to you that this team isn’t playing around, and if Ayton’s double-double performances and playmaking ability this season aren’t enough, then let these words, his own, be a final warning to dispel your lingering doubt:

“I’m ready to see it. I can already taste it. I’m craving it. I want to win every day…It’s like, why not be No. 1? Why not do certain things that people wouldn’t expect us to. We young, we’re just young and hungry. We’re competitive. We’re taking everybody. Straight up.”

And as we say on the islands, No let dat go ova yu head top. Blessings soon come.

—

Get your copy of SLAM 232 now!

Deyscha Smith is an Associate Editor for SLAM. Follow her on Instagram, @deyschasmith.

Photos via Getty Images.

The post Deandre Ayton and the Phoenix Suns are Ascending Towards Greatness appeared first on SLAM.

According to Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer, the Dallas Mavericks have expressed interest in the 27-year-old center in recent days. However, the addition of Drummond wouldn’t be to replace Kristaps Porzingis but rather to play alongside him.

“They want a big to pair with him,” a league source told Fischer in regard to Porzingis. “Obviously with physicality, rebounding, toughness.”

Drummond was averaging 17.5 points, 13.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks per game before being held out. His rebounding average is the second-best in the NBA, trailing only Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela (14.0 rebounds per game).

A nine-year veteran, Drummond has built a name for himself as a dominant rebounder with decent guard skills, respectable defensive ability and upper echelon athleticism for a player his size. As a result of his availability, skillset and his production, Drummond is rumored to have multiple teams interested in his services.

These teams include contenders such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat.

Porzingis himself has been subject to trade rumors, as he’s had a disappointing and injury-plagued 2020-21 season thus far. The skilled seven-footer is averaging 20.5 points and 8.2 rebounds per game but has struggled on the defensive end of the floor and has only played 17 games this year.   

The NBA trade deadline is Mar. 25, just little over a month away.

The post Mavericks Rumored to Have Interest in Andre Drummond Trade appeared first on SLAM.

Capela is averaging 14.2 points, 14.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game while shooting 56.9 percent from the floor for the Hawks this season. On Friday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he became the first Hawks player with a triple-double including 10 blocks since Dikembe Mutombo in 2000. 

The Hawks are 8-8 to this point in the season and positioned at No. 7 in the Eastern Conference. With a great mixture of young talent and experienced veterans, they should certainly be a team competing for a playoff spot down the stretch. With big nights like this from Capela, Atlanta will be tough to beat.

The post Clint Capela Is Making History In First Season Playing For Hawks appeared first on SLAM.

Initially, team doctors reported McCollum’s injury as a foot sprain and he didn’t return after halftime. Additional imaging revealed that he has both a mid-foot sprain and a small hairline fracture “to the lateral cuneiform in his left foot,” possibly from when Hawks center Clint Capela stepped on his foot in the first quarter.

McCollum will be fitted with a walking boot and subsequently be re-evaluated in four weeks.

Now in his eighth NBA season, McCollum has gotten off to a sizzling hot start this season, averaging 26.7 points and 5.0 assists on .473 percent shooting from the field and .411 percent shooting from 3-point range. All career-highs.

After getting off to an 8-5 start, the Trail Blazers have dropped to sixth in the Western Conference in their first game without McCollum. They lost to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday in a 21-point drubbing.

The post CJ McCollum Fractures Left Foot, To Miss At Least 4 Weeks appeared first on SLAM.

With a good mix of young guys like Cameron Reddish playing well and veterans like Rajon Rondo giving them a lift, Atlanta looks to be one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference. As expected, Trae Young has gotten anything he wants offensively.

For more information about the numbers behind our Heat Check series, hop over to our main Heat Check 2020-21 post.

Cam Reddish	12.8p, 4.8r, 1.5a
De’Andre Hunter	12.0p, 7.0r, 2.5a
Rajon Rondo	6.0p, 1.0r, 7.0a
Trae Young	33.0p, 4.5r, 8.3a
Bogdan Bogdanovic	15.3p, 6.3r, 2.5a
Bruno Fernando	2.5p, 6.5r, 1.0a
Kevin Huerter	12.0p, 2.3r, 3.5a
Brandon Goodwin	4.0p, 1.0r, 2.0a
Solomon Hill	6.8p, 2.3r, 0.0a
John Collins	18.0p, 7.3r, 1.3a
Danilo Gallinari	9.0p, 2.5r, 1.5a
Clint Capela	7.0p, 10.5r, 0.5a

Team-by-Team Breakdown

The post Heat Check 2020-21: Atlanta Hawks appeared first on SLAM.

Instead, we decided to switch it up and hit you with some predictions that you haven’t thought about—or that you have but are afraid to admit.

From playoff predictions to thoughts on who will run the East and West, here is our official 2020-21 NBA preview:

Jayson Tatum and the Celtics Will Run the East

Deyscha Smith, Associate Editor

A 22-year-old destined to lead, having reigned supreme since he was only 19. Time Lord says he’s ready to move past his past performances. Fearless point guard is hurt, but his guards (in) waiting for minutes can now fill his place. Winter is, literally, coming.

This is SLAM, not HBO, but stay with me here. If the Celtics stick to the script and deliver a performance of their young careers, the team can rule the East this season. Brad Stevens has the right cast, but he’ll need Jayson Tatum to make an All-Star level sequel, Jaylen Brown to step up and lead, Jeff Teague to find chemistry amongst the youth, and the actual youth, Williams, Pritchard, Nesmith, Waters, to embrace the lights and be about that action.

The Midrange Jumpshot Will Come Storming Back

Max Resetar, SLAMKICKS

Analytics and space-and-pace philosophies have focused on guarding the three pointer with so much intensity that big men pretty much only play drop defense out of pick-and-roll.

As long as bigs continue to stay back in the paint on the PNR, a new crop of midrange shooters, along with mainstays like KD and Kawhi, will have the middie back in the League this season. Because, at the end of the day, a bucket is a bucket.

Donovan Mitchell: MVP Candidate

Adam Figman, Chief Content Officer

There are two types of MVP seasons: the “This guy ran the regular season by any statistical measure” seasons (every LeBron MVP, Giannis last season), and “This guy was fun as hell and built up an amazing narrative, so he gets it even though it’s kinda debatable” seasons (D-Rose in 2011, Russ in 2016). If Giannis’ stats improve, he could grab a third. But it says here that the media is bored of all that, opening the door for a fun superstar to make The Leap and ride a bunch of game-winners and insane scoring nights to an MVP trophy. That superstar? Donovan Mitchell.

The Hawks will make the Playoffs

Ryne Nelson, Senior Editor

Thanks to a busy offseason, this year’s Hawks will be a completely different team with a souped-up offense centered around Trae Young. They signed Bogdan Bogdanovic to provide scoring and playmaking, Danilo Gallinari to pick-and-pop, and Rajon Rondo to run the second unit. Even ATL’s sieve-like defense should improve with the additions of Clint Capela and Kris Dunn. Atlanta could still struggle on that side of the ball, but an electric offense should be enough to carry them into the playoffs.

The Nets Will Win 28+ Straight

Arvind Pitchai, VP, Social Media

KD. Kyrie. Spence. Caris. JA. Joe Harris. DJ. Taurean. Jeff Green.

We’ve been waiting on the KD/Kyrie duo, but the Nets’ depth hasn’t been talked about enough.

Unfortunately for the rest of the NBA, they are going to gel. The most studious player in the League, Kevin Durant, will allow that to happen. The last great win streak was 27 games from the 2012-2013 Miami Heat. The Brooklyn Nets will take that throne.

LaMelo will make the All-Star Game, the first rookie since Blake Griffin in 2011

Ian Pierno, Senior Producer

We’ve known that LaMelo Ball can put up numbers ever since his 92-point outing at Chino Hills, and he’s going to put up All-Star caliber numbers in Charlotte, too. The Hornets are unlikely to contend, but they’ve put pieces around Ball that can score in a variety of ways—Miles Bridges will finish the oops, Devonte Graham can snipe from deep and Gordon Hayward for everything in between. He’s going to run up his dime numbers, and his scoring history speaks for itself.

Lakers repeat/LeBron’s fifth title same week as Space Jam

Franklyn Calle, Senior Producer

Space Jam: A New Legacy has a July 16 release date, while the current NBA playoff dates are May 22-July 22. Meaning, LeBron James will win his fifth NBA championship and finally stand within one title from MJ’s career total in the same weekend that he debuts the sequel to a film Jordan once starred in 25 years earlier. In another stars aligned twist, the original Warner Bros. film hit theaters at the beginning of the same season that MJ won his fifth ring; LeBron will now be getting his fifth ring just hours after starring in the sequel.

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The Phoenix Suns will finish 3rd in the West.

Theus McBee, Associate Social Media Editor

There is not a single back court in the entire Western Conference that is better than the one in Phoenix. Additionally, Deandre Ayton, also known as the most underappreciated center in the National Basketball Association, will be playing in his first NBA All-Star Game months from now. With that being said, the Phoenix Suns will be a top 3 seed in the 2020 NBA Playoffs.

Avery Bradley will help the Miami Heat remain an Eastern Conference powerhouse

Aron Phillips, Chief Operating Officer

While the Lakers were able to take home the Larry OB after 95 days in the Bubble, they did so with Avery Bradley watching from home. But don’t worry—Bradley will have his chance to play in the Finals this season, only now as a member of the Heat. A cagey 10-year vet who started 44 of 49 games for the Lakers last season, Bradley is the perfect piece to round out Miami’s All-Star core and he’ll be ready to lockup his former teammates as he goes for back-to-back rings.

With Russ, Wizards are Legit Contender in the East

Mike Harris, eCommerce Specialist

It’s never easy when you get out of a 10-year relationship. But when Russell Westbrook—a nine-time All-Star/former MVP who averaged a triple-double three years in a row—comes to town, you begin to think the future is bright. Paired with a 27-year-old All-Star snub coming off his highest scoring avg to date named Bradley Beal, there is no reason this team should not be a top 4 team in the East that’ll make the ECF.

Karl-Anthony Towns is Going to Have a Monster Season

Christian Quezada, Senior Video Producer

Karl-Anthony Towns AKA The Most Unappreciated Talent in our League is everything you want offensively from a big man. He’s going to sneak the Wolves into the crowded Western Conference playoffs—and that, plus his incoming 30-and-10 averages, will be enough to make him First Team All-NBA. Bet that.

A Few More Bold Predictions…

Markelle Fultz will win Most Improved Player

Lonzo Ball will win Defensive Player of the Year

Vince Carter will be the best NBA studio analyst ever

Miles Bridges will have the highest body count in the League

James Harden will score 75 points in a game

Facundo Campazzo will get punched in the face

DeMarcus Cousins and/or John Wall will be on a SLAM cover before the end of 2021

Damian Lillard will make 15 threes in one game

Ja Morant will be in a Lil Baby video before October

Zach LaVine will average 30+ PPG

Kawhi Leonard will avenge last season’s disappointment with a playoff sweep

Kelly Oubre will be the second-best player on the Golden State Warriors

The post SLAM’s Official 2020-21 NBA Preview: Everything You’re Not Talking About appeared first on SLAM.

We broke down the Hawks’ depth chart for the 2020-21 season below. We’ve also previously published a summary of the Hawks’ offseason.

Biggest Questions

• Was it too early to make the switch into win-now mode? The Hawks were starting to build one of the best young cores in basketball. With the addition of the new veterans, will that temper their development?
• Can Danilo Gallinari and Rajon Rondo stay healthy? Both of these guys have had their history of injuries. If the Hawks can stay healthy overall, they should have a good shot at a playoff berth.

All NBA Team Offseason Summaries

The post Atlanta Hawks: Projected 2020-21 Depth Chart appeared first on SLAM.

The move gives the Hawks a three-and-D wing on an expiring contract in exchange for a big man owed north of $25 million through the 2021-22 season. The final year of his deal is non-guaranteed, however, so Detroit could part ways with him and avoid the cap hit.

The Hawks have made no secret of their intentions to compete with their young core this season and the addition of Snell gives them a more productive use of the eight-digit contract previously allocated to Dedmon.

Atlanta added Onyeka Okongwu with the No. 6 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, adding yet another body to their already crowded frontcourt featuring Clint Capela and John Collins, hence even less of a need for Dedmon.

The move will free up room in Detroit for some of the rookies the Pistons drafted and the young players on their roster. As they’ve completely leaned into a rebuild, a veteran like Snell would find himself on an entirely different timeline.

The post Hawks to Acquire Tony Snell from Pistons appeared first on SLAM.

They may even want to use their cap space to sign one or two high quality free agents to supplement their rotation while using the bulk of it to facilitate the trade for a star.

Nonetheless, with the trade market scarce on All-Star talent, Atlanta may be forced to keep their first-round pick no matter what they desire.

Related: Full Atlanta Hawks 2020 Salary Cap Preview

2020 NBA Draft Picks

Hawks Draft Needs

The Hawks have one of the best young cores in the league and with the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, they can add a solid young player that will them keep their potential championship window open for a considerable amount of time.

Looking at the roster, Atlanta could use another shooting guard but a combo guard would be ideal. Not just because they need to find ways to address what happens if Trae Young isn’t available but because they need to find ways to generate offense without Young being on the court.

Last season, with Young on the court, the Hawks’ offensive rating was 112.6. With him off of the court, their offensive rating plummeted to 98.5.

Atlanta also needs to address the depth behind starter John Collins. Collins has developed into a big man who’s equally proficient around the rim and the perimeter, so it may be difficult to find a player who can replicate that. However, the 2020 NBA Draft is littered with power forward (and combo forward) prospects.

2020 NBA Draft Prospect Watchlist

What The Mocks Are Saying

Projected Roster

Team-by-Team NBA Draft Guides

More: SLAM’s 2020 NBA Draft Preview

The post Atlanta Hawks: 2020 NBA Draft Preview appeared first on SLAM.

In addition to a summary for each of the 30 teams (accessible in the link grid below), we’ve also tiered the top NBA free agents league-wide and published a general comparison of all teams’ cap space. Follow @SLAMnewswire on Twitter for constant offseason updates as we head into free agency.

Projected Roster Players

Projected Free Agents

Projected Dead Money

Projected Renouncements/Waivers

2020 NBA Draft Picks

Exceptions Available

• Room Exception – $4,767,000

Key Offseason Decisions

• Should Atlanta waive Brandon Goodwin? Goodwin showed some promise as a backup for Trae Young and his deal is only for $1.7M for 2021. On the flip side, Atlanta would only need to eat $100K to waive him. The Hawks can always re-sign Goodwin to a minimum deal after they complete other offseason moves.
• Is it time to push in for free agents? Atlanta has good, young player in place at every key position. It is time to supplement them with veteran free agents? If so, how much do you spend and how long do you let those deals run for?
• How much do you offer John Collins in an extension? Collins has proven to be a very good offensive player for Atlanta. He’s capable of spacing the floor at the four or the five. Collins is also a plus rebounder. The question is his defense. How much do you pay for an offensive-minded big on a team full of offensive-minded players?

Projected Team Salary

$62,115,976

The Hawks have been building towards this point for a while now. Most of the roster is still on the first NBA contract. The lone exceptions are Clint Capela and DeWayne Dedmon, who were both acquired at the 2020 trade deadline to stabilize the center position. For Atlanta’s free agents, none of them are part of the long-term vision. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Brandon Goodwin, Skal Labissiere or Jeff Teague return, but all would be coming back for far less than their cap hold. Therefore, the projection is the Hawks renounce all of them to maximize cap space initially. (@KeithSmithNBA)

Cap Space Forecast

$44,329,094 (1^st out of 30)

Team Salary Cap Outlooks

The post Atlanta Hawks: Salary Cap Space 2020 appeared first on SLAM.

We’ve listed the entire roster with comparisons to last year’s launch rating below. We’ve also identified some general NBA 2K21 ratings trends for the league as a whole.

Hawks NBA 2K21 Ratings

View the NBA 2K21 player ratings for other teams below.

The post Atlanta Hawks: NBA 2K21 Ratings appeared first on SLAM.

Collins, the 19th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, will be eligible to sign a rookie scale contract extension this offseason and feels that he’s worth a max deal starting at 25% of the salary cap in 2021-22.

“When we’re talking max numbers and money, I feel like I definitely [am in] the conversation to have earned that money,” Collins told Sarah K. Spencer of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The 22-year-old says that he’d like to stay with the Hawks specifically but adds that he understands that in the business of basketball, players don’t necessarily get what they want.

“I want to know I’m locked in as soon as I can rather than having to wait, which I know happens,” Collins said. “[…] when you do wait, a lot of other stuff mentally creeps in during the season.“

In a vacuum, Collins would have a legitimate case to at least request max money, he’s averaged 21.6 points and 10.1 rebounds per game thus far in 2019-20, all while shooting .401 from beyond the arc.

In a post-hiatus NBA, however, all bets are off.

Collins’ 2020-21 contract, the fourth year of his rookie deal, is already locked in at $4.1M. It’s in the 2021-22 season that a Collins extension would take effect.

Beyond the five rookie contracts of their Trae Young-led core, only Clint Capela is on the books for the team that season.

Should Collins and the Hawks not reach an agreement on an extension, Collins would play through the 2020-21 campaign as a pending restricted free agent.

Before the Hawks can decide whether they’d like to invest heavily in Collins long-term, a process that would involve gauging how he fits alongside Young long-term and how much of an overlap there is between he and Capela, the club will await the financial implications of the COVID-19 suspension.

The Hawks are in as safe a position as any to avoid a salary cap crunch but the uncertainty is troubling for any franchise attempting to plan for the future.

It’s unclear how much revenue the league has lost due to the shutdown and how the following season will be impacted. The league’s salary cap is typically tied to basketball related income but as Adam Silver implied in a press conference last week, the current collective bargaining agreement wasn’t built for such an extended pandemic.

For that reason, Collins and others in his position could be left in limbo, giving the organization plenty of time to debate just how much they value him now and how much they’d be willing to risk him hitting restricted free agency in the summer of 2021 whenever the offseason after this one is.

The post John Collins Seeks Max Deal Amid Hiatus Uncertainty appeared first on SLAM.

Last Week’s Notebooks: East || West

• Atlanta Hawks – With Dewayne Dedmon out and Clint Capela yet to make his Hawks’ debut, Atlanta has gone to some minutes with their “core five” as a lineup. In 181 minutes over 20 games, the Hawks are +25 with Trae Young, John Collins, Kevin Huerter, De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish on the floor together. That might not sound like a lot, but considering Atlanta is -8.1 points per game on the season it’s meaningful. Those five are the Hawks building blocks, so it’s good to see them able to share the floor together.
• Boston Celtics – Boston was expected to struggle with interior defense after losing Al Horford in the offseason. Instead, the Celtics rank fifth in the NBA in blocks per 100 possessions. Some of that is long wings like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown blocking jumpers, but most of it comes at the rim. Boston actually ranks ahead of much bigger Philadelphia in blocks/100, which is one of the surprises of the season.

• Brooklyn Nets – Kyrie Irving underwent successful surgery on his right shoulder impingement. As expected, Irving will join Kevin Durant on the sidelines for the rest of this season. The Nets are hanging in there without Irving though, as Caris LeVert exploded for 51 points in an upset win over the Celtics in Boston. LeVert scored 37 of his 51 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. He went for 26 in the fourth and then scored all 11 of the Nets points in overtime.

• Charlotte Hornets – With the focus on youth, the Hornets are giving almost all their minutes to players who are 26 years old and under. That’s given increased opportunities to rookies Cody and Caleb Martin and Jalen McDaniels. Those three combined with PJ. Washington and Mile Bridges give Charlotte a really interesting group of forwards. None of the five can really play up and defend the five, and only Cody Martin has shown the ability to play down and defend the two. That makes it a challenge for James Borrego and Mitch Kupchak to figure out how they call fit, but that’s what rebuilding seasons are for.
• Chicago Bulls – Last week we wrote about how banged up the Bulls were. Well, they’re finally getting healthy! Zach LaVine went down with a quad injury, but it’s not expected to be a long-term thing. Otto Porter Jr. returned to the lineup for the first time since early-November. Lauri Markkanen got back after missing over a month. And Wendell Carter Jr. is back as well. That’s important as Chicago can use the last month of the season to see exactly who fits together and how. Look for Coby White to possibly take over as the starting point guard, as it’s getting harder for Jim Boylen to keep White on the bench. White has averaged 28 points per game on 51/49/95 shooting splits over his last six games.
• Cleveland Cavaliers – Cleveland is a mess with injuries. Andre Drummond (calf), Darius Garland (groin), Tristan Thompson (knee) and Dante Exum (ankle) are all out. Drummond, Garland and Thompson aren’t expected to be down long-term, but the Cavs also lost Kevin Porter Jr. to a head injury against Boston on Wednesday night. This point in the year should be about evaluation and development and injuries are robbing Cleveland of that.
• Detroit Pistons – How much are the Pistons hurting for guard depth? Jordan McRae was claimed off waivers on Wednesday afternoon and then played 25 minutes on Wednesday night. McRae did what he does and scored 15 points, but that says a lot about where things are at for the Pistons. Also, keep an eye on Christian Wood. He scored 29 points on Wednesday, bringing his average to 20.1 points per game since the start of February.

• Indiana Pacers – The Pacers lost Jeremy Lamb last week and now Victor Oladipo is back on the shelf with right knee soreness. Indiana knew that they’d have to deal with that as Oladipo works his way back from last season’s knee injury. What the Pacers weren’t expecting is for Malcolm Brogdon to continue to get nicked up. Brogdon left Wednesday’s loss against his former team in Milwaukee with a sore left hip. Injuries to their top three guards have Indiana relying heavily on Aaron and Justin Holiday and T.J. McConnell in the backcourt.
• Miami Heat – The Heat got back home after a tough road trip and ripped off a four-game win streak. That improved their record to 27-4 in Miami. More importantly, the Heat now have a three-game lead over both the Pacers and 76ers in the race for homecourt advantage. And Miami is quietly only 2.5 games behind Boston for the third seed.
• Milwaukee Bucks – The Bucks actually lost a game in the last week! They were handled fairly easily by the Heat in Miami. But it doesn’t really matter. Milwaukee is 12-2 in their last 14 games. And if you’re looking for a weakness on the road, it doesn’t really exist. The Bucks and Lakers are tied at an NBA-best 25-6 away from home. By any measure, Milwaukee is dominant.
• New York Knicks – RJ Barrett played one of the best games of his career this week as the Knicks upset the Rockets in New York. Barrett scored 27 points on 10-of-18 shooting to go along with five rebounds and five assists. Overall, Barrett has scored 14 or more points in seven of his last eight games and is averaging 16.8 points per game during that stretch. It’s incremental, but signs of improvement are there for the Knicks young wing.

• Orlando Magic – Just when things were looking up for Orlando, they dropped three straight games to fall back behind Brooklyn in the standings. The Magic still have a healthy 4.5 game lead over the Wizards for the eighth spot in the East, but could be on a collision course with the Bucks in the first round. That’d be bad news for Orlando, as they are 0-3 against Milwaukee and have lost by an average of 19.6 points per game in those three losses.
• Philadelphia 76ers – Shake Milton stepped up on Sunday with a career game. He scored 39 points, which topped his previous career-high of 27. And Milton sent an NBA record with 14 consecutive made three-pointers over a two-game stretch. Philadelphia’s roster is expensive and will only get more expensive down the line. Milton on a minimum contract through 2022-23 is huge for helping to keep a mounting tax bill down.
• Toronto Raptors – One man in, one man out for the Raptors. Toronto got Norman Powell back, but lost Serge Ibaka. Without Ibaka and Marc Gasol, the Raps have gone small with Pascal Siakam and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson starting at the five. They’ve also given increased minutes to Chris Boucher. He responded with 19 points and 15 rebounds in Tuesday’s win at Phoenix. That play has helped keep Toronto just ahead of Boston in the race for the second seed in the East. And despite it all, Toronto can clinch a playoff spot with a win on Thursday at the Golden State Warriors.
• Washington Wizards – The Wizards are clinging to life in the Eastern Conference playoff race. They’ve dropped 4.5 games behind Orlando and a full five games behind Brooklyn. Injuries continue to be a challenge for Washington, as Thomas Bryant can’t play back-to-backs due to foot soreness and Ish Smith went down with hamstring soreness. Once Washington falls out of the race fully, look for the team to actively sit some of their veterans and focus on the younger players the rest of the way.

The post Newswire Notebook: Caris LeVert Goes Off and More appeared first on SLAM.

Russell Westbrook is many things on the surface: an MVP, a nine-time All-star, an eight-time All-NBA selection, a two-time leading scorer, and the only player in NBA history to average a triple-double in three straight seasons.

He’s brash, supremely confident, determined, ferocious and one of the most competitive athletes the league has ever seen. He brings 100% energy and effort no matter if it’s a prime-time national TV game, or a random Monday night against a bottom five team. 

He does not care what anyone thinks of him, his playing style, his leadership, his personality. None of it. If you’re his teammate, he’s going to support you until the very end. But if you’re his opponent? He won’t speak to you, and he’ll stop at nothing to destroy you.

Taking it all into consideration, it’s unsurprising that Westbook is one of the league’s most polarizing figures. Critics harp on his lack of efficiency, paucity of championships and low three-point percentages. Misinformed fans breathe life into the narrative that he is somehow a poor teammate, a statement rebuked by virtually all of his current and former comrades.

Take Victor Oladipo, for example, a player who thrived once he was traded away from OKC to Indiana. For some reason, his surge in virtually all the major statistical categories led people to believe he was unhappy playing with Russ, even though that couldn’t be further from the truth.

In an interview with Bleacher Report’s Yaron Weitzman during his breakout season, Oladipo was adamant that Westbrook was a close friend, and a key mentor in helping him become a better player.

“I learned so much from Russ,” Oladipo said. “Just his mindset, how relentless he is, those are things I’ve definitely taken with me.“

If that’s not enough, ask former Thunder sharpshooter Anthony Morrow about Russ.

“I never played with a dude that dynamic before,” Morrow told Bleacher Report’s Jon Hamm. “So I think my game changed once we got on the same page and I realized like ‘yo, it’s different.’ He kinda motivated me to become even a better pro myself just by playing with him.”

Even though he was traded this past off-season, Russ will forever be loved in Oklahoma. He forged a genuine bond with the city. From the heartbreaking playoff defeats, exhilarating outbursts of superhuman athleticism and so many acts of kindness (such as Russell’s Reading Room), he endeared himself in the community. He was the one who stayed while other stars left or were shipped off. He missed only 14 combined games his last four seasons there, a microscopic number in today’s load management era.

And while he’s already had a fantastic career, this upcoming season still carried tons of importance. Could he mesh with another ball-dominant guard? At 31-years-old, would he still be athletic enough to sustain his playing style? So far, he’s answered those questions by simply dominating.

Westbrook has been consistently excellent this season. He’s one of only two players to average at least 27 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists, the other being Slovenian sensation Luka Doncic. He’s scoring 1.17 points per possession coming off screens, which ranks in the 87th percentile league-wide.

“You can’t match the passion that [Russ] plays with,” James Harden recently told GQ’s Mark Anthony Green. “You can’t name another person who can match it. You know what I’m saying? That’s what makes him who he is.”

The Brodie has taken his game to another level ever since the Rockets traded away center Clint Capela, a move which has spread opposing defenses paper thin as they try to account for the arsenal of three-point marksmen the Rockets employ. During his time in OKC, Russ usually played alongside a non-shooting big (either Kendrick Perkins or Steven Adams) and a non-shooting wing (Thabo Sefolosha or Andre Roberson). Each of those players were phenomenal on defense, but their inability to consistently make (or even shoot) three-pointers led to a constantly cramped floor.

With his ability to turn on the jets in an instant and strength finishing around the rim, it’s not a shocker Russ has thrived in his new Rockets environment. As ESPN’s Tim MacMahon pointed out, he’s averaging 34 points on 56% shooting since Capela left town. In that timespan, the Rockets are obliterating opponents with Russ on the court by 18 points per 100 possessions.

There’s no doubt Russ has been phenomenal on the court this season, but part of his greatness has always been his off-court endeavors. He’s a private man, which explains his frosty relationship with the media. But consider some of his deeds that have reached the public’s ear: his Why Not? Foundation, which strives to inspire children and empower them to never give up, or the time his childhood friend Khelcey Barrs tragically passed away in high school and he took over doing Barrs’ chores at his grandmother’s house for the rest of the year.

Russ is not perfect, but nobody is. We all have flaws, but Westbrook’s are simply magnified under the unforgiving microscope of an audience that reaches millions. But he’s a superb basketball player, and an exemplary guy off the court. Let former teammate Enes Kanter sum it up for us.

“Ten or 20 years from now I’m gonna look back and say, ‘man, I played with that dude,’” Kanter said a few years ago. “I’m gonna tell my kids and tell my grandkids one day that I played with Russell Westbrook.”

Isaiah Freedman is a social editor at SLAM. He also works with the NBA Summer League, Syracuse Men’s Basketball team, and as an assistant player trainer for Chris Johnson Hoops.

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• Atlanta Hawks – The Hawks are going to be shorthanded at the center spot once again. Dewayne Dedmon had a non-surgical procedure to help alleviate some right elbow pain. Dedmon is expected to miss at least three games and will be re-evaluated after that. With Clint Capela still out for at least another week due to an injured heel, Atlanta will lean on rookie Bruno Fernando and Damian Jones for minutes at the five.
• Boston Celtics – The Celtics return home to Boston off a 3-1 trip to west coast. All four of those games were played without Kemba Walker. You probably know all about how Jayson Tatum went off, and you might be aware that Jaylen Brown had a big trip as well. But did you know that Daniel Theis averaged 16.8 PPG on 64.1% shooting and 10.3 RPG out west?

• Charlotte Hornets – Charlotte has begun to focus on their future, as the 2020 playoffs have slipped out of reach. Terry Rozier, Devonte’ Graham, Miles Bridges and P.J. Washington will all be in the starting five, while rookies Cody Martin, Caleb Martin and Jalen McDaniels are now rotation fixtures. That means veterans like Cody Zeller, Bismack Biyombo and Nic Batum will likely see sporadic minutes the rest of the way.
• Chicago Bulls – There might not be an NBA team more banged-up than Chicago. The Bulls are already without starting big men Wendell Carter Jr. and Lauri Markkanen and now their backup Luke Kornet is joining them on the shelf. Kornet has a severely sprained ankle and a fracture in his foot and will likely miss the rest of the season. The wing group is also struggling, as Kris Dunn is likely out for the year and Chandler Hutchison and Denzel Valentine haven’t been able to stay healthy. On the plus side, Otto Porter Jr. recently returned to practice, so he could come back soon on a limited basis.
• Cleveland Cavaliers – The Cavs are finishing the season in a bit of a weird spot. They’ve got older players in the frontcourt and mostly young players in the backcourt and on the wing. Collin Sexton and rookies Darius Garland and Kevin Porter Jr. have all had flashes. Porter dropped 30 points this week in a win over the Miami Heat. Look for new head coach J.B. Bickerstaff to emphasize the team’s youth the rest of this season.

• Detroit Pistons – Reports surfaced this week that Detroit will not attempt to work a buyout agreement with Derrick Rose. The Pistons like Rose’s fit with their team and he’s signed for a reasonable salary for next season. With Reggie Jackson out of the mix, Rose has taken over as the starting point guard for Detroit. He’s expected to hold that role for the rest of the season.
• Indiana Pacers – Indiana lost Jeremy Lamb this week to a torn ACL, torn meniscus and a fracture in his left knee. Lamb had started for the Pacers while Victor Oladipo rehabbed during the first half of the season, and went to the bench when Oladipo re-assumed his starting two-guard role. Now, instead of having a double-digit scorer off the bench, Indiana will ask more of Justin and Aaron Holiday and T.J. McConnell on their second unit.
• Miami Heat – The Heat’s road woes continued this week, as they dropped their sixth-straight game away from South Beach. Miami was also upset at home by the Minnesota Timberwolves. With key rotation players Tyler Herro and Meyers Leonard out, the Heat’s depth has been tested. Erik Spoelstra is also dealing with the task of trying to work Andre Iguodala and Jae Crowder into his rotation. All of that has added up to Miami slipping five games behind Boston in the race to stay out of Milwaukee’s half of the Eastern Conference bracket.
• Milwaukee Bucks – Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: The Bucks are on a win streak. This time around it’s “only” four games (and counting!). The most recent of those games was a victory on the road against the Toronto Raptors. Giannis Antetokounmpo said that last year’s playoff loss to Toronto was on his mind entering that game and a motivating factor to come away with a win. The Bucks also became the earliest playoff-clinching team, when they locked up a postseason spot this week.
• New York Knicks – The Knicks continue to have flux at the point guard position. This week Frank Ntilikina went down with a groin injury. This time around Ntilikina will likely be out for a couple of weeks according to head coach Mike Miller. As Ntilikina went out, Elfrid Payton returned from a sore right ankle. Payton immediately reassumed his starting spot, which sent Dennis Smith Jr. back to the bench. The point guard revolving door continues in the Big Apple.
• Orlando Magic – The Magic have inserted trade deadline addition James Ennis III into the starting lineup. Ennis’ presence as a starter gives Orlando another shooter on the floor. While Ennis’ stats aren’t great, it seems to have opened things up for Aaron Gordon. In the month of February, Gordon is averaging 19.9 PPG, 9.0 RPG and 5.0 APG. That’s helped Orlando climb to within half a game of Brooklyn for the seventh seed in the East.

• Philadelphia 76ers – Philadelphia is going to be down both of their All-Stars for at least a little while, as Joel Embiid hurt his left shoulder on Wednesday. Embiid will join Ben Simmons on the sidelines, as Simmons’ return from an impingement in his back is still unclear. Philadelphia went back to Al Horford in the starting lineup with Simmons out, and Horford will remain a starter for however long Embiid is shelved.
• Toronto Raptors – The Raptors dropped a game to the Bucks, but have won 17-of-19 games, including a 15-game win streak. Toronto is getting a little bit healthier too, as they’re now down just Marc Gasol and Norman Powell from their regular rotation. Powell’s return is imminent, as he returned to full practice this week. Gasol will be a little bit longer, as he just started light practice, but the Raps are almost back to full strength in time for the stretch run.
• Washington Wizards – Bradley Beal is playing out of his mind right now. Beal has scored at least 26 points in 14 straight games. This week, he went supernova, as he scored 53, 55 and 30 points. That scoring binge has helped the Wizards cling to playoff life, as they’re 4.5 games behind Orlando for the final postseason spot in the Eastern Conference.

The post Newswire Notebook: Brad Beal’s Scoring Spree and More appeared first on SLAM.

“We’re really good,” says Fertitta, adding that the Rockets don’t fear the Lakers, Clippers or Nuggets the way they once feared Golden State.

The voluble owner also can’t figure out what the big deal is about H-Town going super-small for the stretch run.

Per The Austin American-Statesman:

“We’re really good,” Fertitta said in a half-hour phone conversation Monday. “We’ve lost a few games on last-second 3-pointers when we were ahead by two or we would be right there as the second seed now. But I’m not worried about anybody in the West.”

They just shook up their lineup by trading away solid center Clint Capela for a smaller Robert Covington and are embracing a small-ball philosophy that might or might not work in the postseason.

“We basically changed out a guy who’s 6-10 to a guy who’s 6-7, 6-8,” he said. “Are you really that much smaller? It makes the big guy for the other team go out on the perimeter. Did you see Rudy Gobert trying to keep up with Russell [Westbrook]? Russell was running him around like crazy. It’s working.”

But will it work over an extended postseason? No one knows, but the 2012 Heat employed it with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade for a title.

“None of us fear L.A. or the Clippers or Denver like we feared Golden State,” he said. “It’s not like how we were scared of them. We could easily win the West this year or get knocked out in the first round. Both L.A. teams, Denver, Houston, we’re all excellent teams. Just comes down to somebody gets hot and makes a shot. Our chances are as good as they’ve ever been.”

Related Rockets Owner: Title Window ‘Next Three or Four Years’

The post Rockets Owner: ‘I’m Not Worried About Anybody in the West’ appeared first on SLAM.

Harden told reporters that Houston’s superstar duo is “pretty scary.”

The loss snapped Beantown’s seven-game winning streak.

Per The AP:

“It’s pretty scary,” Harden said.

Harden had eight rebounds and seven assists and Westbrook finished with 10 rebounds and five assists as the Rockets used a starting lineup without a true center after trading Clint Capela last week.

“It’s helping both of them,” coach Mike D’Antoni said. “It should. It opens up the floor for them. Both of them are great drivers and great finishers … and it should trickle down to everybody else, too.”

Houston broke it open with a 15-2 run that made it 116-98 with about two minutes left. Harden scored six points during the decisive stretch, and Danuel House had five.

“Harden was great … and Westbrook was great,” Boston coach Brad Stevens said. “Those guys are two of the best in the world and they showed it again tonight.”

Related Rockets GM: ‘We Feel Very Comfortable We Can Beat the Lakers’

The post ‘Pretty Scary’: James Harden, Russell Westbrook Dominate Boston appeared first on SLAM.

We’ve got an entire list of the trades that have been agreed upon in this post and have consolidated our 2020 NBA trade deadline coverage so that you can easily access the most substantial of reports that we’ve been keeping our eye on.

February 6

Reported – The Los Angeles Clippers agreed to acquire Marcus Morris and Isaiah Thomas in a three-team trade with the New York Knicks and Washington Wizards. A total of four players and a pick were involved. Full story.

Reported – The Orlando Magic agreed to acquire James Ennis from the Washington Wizards in exchange for a second-round pick. Full story.

Reported – The Washington Wizards agreed to trade Jordan McRae to the Denver Nuggets for Shabazz Napier. Full story.

Reported – The Miami Heat, Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to seven-player trade built around Andre Iguodala, Justise Winslow and Gorgui Dieng. Also changing places are Dion Waiters, Jae Crowder and more. Full story.

Reported – The Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed to acquire Andre Drummond from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for John Henson, Brandon Knight and a second. Full story.

Reported – The Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to trade Skal Labissiere to the Atlanta Hawks for cash. Full story.

Reported – The Houston Rockets have agreed to deal Jordan Bell to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Brunoc Caboclo. The two teams are also exchanging future picks in the trade. Full story.

Reported – The Golden State Warriors have agreed to trade D’Angelo Russell to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Andrew Wiggins. A number of players and picks are also in play. Full story.

Reported – The Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to trade Derrick Walton Jr. to the Atlanta Hawks for cash. Full story.

February 5

Reported – The Golden State Warriors agreed to trade Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson III to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for three second-round picks. Full story.

Reported – The Sacramento Kings have agreed to send Dewayne Dedmon and two second-round picks to the Atlanta Hawks for Jabari Parker and Alex Len. Full story.

February 4

Official – The Atlanta Hawks acquired Clint Capela in a four-team trade involving the Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets. The Rockets will bring aboard Robert Covington, the Wolves will get a look at Malik Beasley and total of 12 players will change teams. Full story.

January 24

Official – The Dallas Mavericks acquired Willie Cauley-Stein from the Golden State Warriors in exchange for a second-round pick. Full story.

Official – The Dallas Mavericks acquired Justin Patton from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Isaiah Roby. Full story.

January 18

Official – The Portland Trail Blazers acquired Trevor Ariza, Caleb Swanigan and Wenyen Gabriel from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Kent Bazemore, Anthony Tolliver and a pair of seconds. Full story.

January 16

Official – The Atlanta Hawks traded Allen Crabbe to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Jeff Teague. Full story.

December 23

Official – The Utah Jazz acquired Jordan Clarkson from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Dante Exum and a pair of second-round picks. Full story.

The post 2020 NBA Trade Deadline Tracker appeared first on SLAM.

The Raptors’ win streak seemed to be in jeopardy after they entered the half trailing 63-48, but a second half charge secured a franchise-record 12th straight win for Toronto. The win put the Raptors one game ahead of where they were through 51 games a season ago.

Pascal Siakam had 25 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals, Kyle Lowry had 32 points and 10 assists and Serge Ibaka scored 30. Ibaka’s clutch 3 sealed the win.

Nuggets 98 (36-16), Jazz 95 (32-18)

The Jazz looked ready to cruise to victory, but they were only able to muster up five points in the final six minutes of the third quarter as the short-handed Nuggets clawed their way back in to the game.

Nikola Jokic put the team on his back, racking up 30 points, 21 rebounds, 10 assists and 2 steals. The Nuggets were only able to dress seven players due to injuries and a pending trade.

Heat 111 (34-16), Clippers 128 (36-15)

The Clippers’ stars carried them to victory as Kawhi Leonard recorded a +24 plus-minus in 31 minutes and Paul George notched a +22 in 26 minutes. The Clippers hit 24 threes — a franchise-record.

Landry Shamet and George each scored 23 points to lead the Clippers and Derrick Jones Jr. scored 25 off the bench for Miami.

Suns 108 (20-31), Pistons 116 (19-34)

The Suns’ young core of Devin Booker (22 points, 7 assists), Kelly Oubre Jr. (30 points) and DeAdnre Ayton (26 points, 12 rebounds) showed up, but 21 team turnovers plagued Phoenix.

Despite allowing the Suns to shoot 54.5 percent from the field, the Pistons were able to take care of business thanks to 31 points, 19 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals from Andre Drummond. The Pistons also had 14 offensive rebounds as a unit.

Magic 100 (22-29), Celtics 116 (35-15)

Jayson Tatum did a little bit of everything as he picked up 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks to accompany his 33 points on the stat sheet.

Warriors 88 (12-40), Nets 129 (23-27)

D’Angelo Russell (17 points) received a warm welcome in his return to Brooklyn, but his new squad suffered the largest loss in Barclays Center history as six Nets players scored at least 10 points. Caris LeVert’s 23 points and 8 assists led the way for Brooklyn.

Hawks 127 (14-38), Timberwolves 120 (15-35)

The Timberwolves dropped their 13th straight game as Vince Carter hit a game-clinching 3 for the Hawks on the 22nd anniversary of his NBA debut.

Trae Young had 38 points and 11 dimes for Atlanta.

Cavaliers 103 (13-39), Thunder 109 (31-20)

The Cavaliers had a well-balanced offensive attack with seven players scoring double-digit points (Kevin Love’s 20 and Collin Sexton’s 23 led the way), but they couldn’t stop Oklahoma City’s bench.

Dennis Schroder was a team-best +13 as he scored 30 points and dished out 6 dimes off the pine. No Thunder bench player had a negative plus-minus.

Grizzlies 121 (26-25), Mavericks 107 (31-20)

Memphis’ offense was nearly flawless, shooting 52.8 percent from the field and 48 percent from deep while turning the ball over just 10 times.

Jaren Jackson Jr. (19 points, 4 threes), Ja Morant (21 points on 10-for-12 shooting), Brandon Clarke (18 points on 7-for-10 shooting) and Tyus Jones (19 points on 8-for-8 shooting) pushed the Grizzlies’ scoring effort.

Kristaps Porzingis had 32 points, 11 rebuonds, 2 steals and a block in just 29 minutes for Dallas.

The post Post Up: Raptors Win Franchise-Record 12th Straight after 19-Point Comeback appeared first on SLAM.

The Lakers dealt away nearly all of their young prospects in the Davis trade, sending former top-2 picks Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram along with Josh Hart to the Pelicans.

Isaac Bonga and Moritz Wagner received a trip to Washington in order to facilitate the deal but through it all Kuzma remained in purple and gold.

While it doesn’t seem like a third star is in the cards for Los Angeles before Thursday, the Kuzma trade chatter hasn’t ceased since the Lakers’ big offseason. 

Sacramento reportedly had interest in Kuzma, though it’s unclear where those talks currently stand. The Kings proposed an offer of Nemanja Bjelica and an additional asset while the Lakers were set on obtaining Bodgan Bogdanovic. 

The Knicks had exploratory talks recently with the Lakers over bringing Kuzma to New York. Perhaps Marcus Morris would intrigue the Lakers, though the two players’ salaries do not align and other pieces would need be involved.

The situation is worth monitoring given that Kuzma is represented by CAA and the Knicks have a long history of catering to the agency’s clients.

The Wolves have interest in the former No. 27 overall, though the team views pursuing D’Angelo Russell as a higher priority. Minnesota just agreed to a four-team trade that brought them an additional asset: a first-round pick, that the franchise would like to use in a deal for Russell.

While Kuzma’s 2019-20 numbers are down from last year when he was a more prominent part of the offense, the 24-year-old has had a consistent role off the bench for Los Angeles this season. He’s averaging 25.0 minutes per game off the bench for the ultra-competitive Lakers.

The post Kyle Kuzma Awaits Fate Ahead Of Trade Deadline appeared first on SLAM.

The move isn’t especially surprising given that the 34-year-old remains sidelined with a broken foot. His release will free up a roster spot for the Nuggets, who had one open prior to the big trade.

That could come in handy if the team is eager to make further deals ahead of Thursday’s deadline.

Although Green isn’t likely to contribute to any team over the course of the rest of the 2019-20 campaign, the beloved Houston native couldn’t return to the Rockets this season even if the two parties wanted to.

The NBA’s CBA forbids players from re-signing with a team that traded them that season.

The post Nuggets Expected To Waive Gerald Green appeared first on SLAM.

The team had initially sought to offload Parsons’ contract via trade but the four-team deal in which they parlayed a Brooklyn Nets first-round pick into Clint Capela has to be regarded as an even bigger W.

In that trade the Hawks are bringing on two players and only giving up one so space had to be made.

Parsons saw limited time with Atlanta after he ended up in town following an offseason salary dump with Memphis and his brief run came to a premature end when he was involved in a serious car accident earlier this year.

It’s unclear if there would be any sort of buyout. The Hawks aren’t even above the salary cap let alone the luxury tax and may be happy to eat the contract in full given what the four-team deal has netted for them.

The post Hawks To Waive Chandler Parsons appeared first on SLAM.

The biggest name involved in the deal is Clint Capela but what’s most important about the pact is how four different teams with four different motives ended up checking off items on their wish list.

We’ll jump into the details of the still evolving deal below:

Atlanta Hawks

In: Clint Capela, Nene

Out: Evan Turner, BKL’s 2020 1st, GSW’s 2024 2nd

The Hawks were on the hunt for a long-term five and managed to get a highly respected one with an excellent contract and plenty of team control. Capela averaged 16.6 points and 12.7 rebounds per game last season, earns $14.9M this year and makes less than $20M per year through 2022-23.

Atlanta acquired Evan Turner from the Blazers in the offseason for his $18M expiring deal. The draft pick they’re parting ways with is a top-14 protected pick from Brooklyn (via the Allen Crabbe trade that led up to the draft).

The move eats into Atlanta’s cap room this summer given that Capela is with them long-term and Turner wasn’t going to be but they’ll still have plenty of cash to play around with in a weak free agency class.

In order to execute the trade, the Hawks will need to first waive a player and free up the roster spot. They could also unload another player in the deal if they find a willing partner. (Edit: they waived Chandler Parsons)

Houston Rockets

In: Robert Covington, Jordan Bell, GSW’s 2024 2nd

Out: Clint Capela, Nene, Gerald Green, HOU’s 2020 1st

The Rockets have had some success with a super small-ball lineup of late and are now entirely committed to employing it full time. Houston will part with their only truly reliable five and hope that P.J. Tucker is enough to sustain them at the position.

Alas, Daryl Morey wouldn’t have parted with an asset without a reason and the club yields one of the game’s most respected perimeter defenders with three-point range in Robert Covington.

Don’t sleep on Jordan Bell as a contributor for a Rockets team that helped Kenneth Faried thrive in half a season last year.

Another significant part of this deal for Houston is the amount of money it will save the previously tax-bound squad. In one fell swoop, the Rockets have gone from over the tax threshold to roughly $6M under.

Minnesota Timberwolves

In: Malik Beasley, Juan Hernangomez, Evan Turner, Jarred Vanderbilt, BKL’s 2020 1st

Out: Robert Covington, Jordan Bell, Noah Vonleh, Keita Bates-Diop, Shabazz Napier

The Wolves desperately attempted to get Golden State involved in this deal so they could land D’Angelo Russell but couldn’t offer an enticing enough package in time.

What they’ll get instead is a promising pending RFA in Malik Beasley, a substantial expiring contract in Evan Turner and a semi-decent first-round pick.

The Wolves may still attempt to persuade the Warriors to give them Russell and this trade could give them more flexibility in doing so but even if that doesn’t pan out, they’ve still converted a 30-year-old Covington into a 23-year-old Beasley, significant cap relief and a draft asset that could fall in the teens.

Denver Nuggets

In: Gerald Green, Keita Bates-Diop, Shabazz Napier, Noah Vonleh, HOU’s 2020 1st

Out: Malik Beasley, Juan Hernangomez, Jarred Vanderbilt

The Nuggets, blessed with considerable roster depth, were faced with the reality that it would be difficult to retain Malik Beasley and Juan Hernangomez, not just financially but logistically with a finite number of minutes available.

With this deal the Nuggets bring back several affordable deep bench pieces and a late first-round pick. The team may have been able to hold out for more from Beasley but they may not be done dealing.

Austin Kent is a News Editor at SLAM. Follow him on Twitter @AustinKent.

The post Breaking Down The Four-Team, Clint Capela Mega-Trade appeared first on SLAM.

Update #1, 12:25 AM: The four-team trade between the Hawks, Rockets, Timberwolves and Nuggets has been agreed upon, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

The Hawks will acquire Clint Capela, as previously reported, and Nene. The Rockets will acquire Robert Covington.

The Timberwolves will now acquire Malik Beasley, Juan Hernangomez and the top-14 protected Brooklyn 1st-rounder that Atlanta was in possession of. The Nuggets acquire Gerald Green, Keita Bates-Diop and Houston’s 2020 1st.

The Golden State Warriors have moved on from trade discussion regarding D’Angelo Russell with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports, but that won’t necessarily derail the first component of a potential multi-team trade in the works.

Earlier today we wrote about how the Hawks, Rockets and Timberwolves were in discussions to send Clint Capela from Houston to Atlanta, Robert Covington from Minnesota to Houston and an expiring contract from Atlanta to Minnesota.

In his latest tweet, Charania reports that Evan Turner is a name in play for the Wolves. Turner has an $18.6M expiring contract. Naturally, as The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on prior, there would likely be draft assets headed to Minnesota.

That three-team deal was the first step of what was being floated as a potential two-step, four-team scenario. That would give Atlanta the additional frontcourt depth they seek while giving Houston reinforcements on the perimeter. The deal was also framed as a way for Minnesota to acquire assets that could be then flipped to Golden State in exchange for Russell.

The sense now, per Charania and Wojnarowski, is that the gulf between the Warriors and Wolves is too significant. It’s important to remember that there isn’t a ton of urgency for Golden State to part with their summer sign-and-trade acquisition if they’re not pleased with the return. After all, the Warriors still haven’t gotten an extended look at Russell in a backcourt together with a healthy Stephen Curry.

The Wolves, to their credit, seem intent on attempting to accrue enough assets to offer a compelling enough package, one that could potentially include multiple draft assets like their own first-round pick and at least one other that they would acquire in the three-team swap (likely Brooklyn’s top-14 protected pick that the Hawks possess).

Such a deal would also need to include enough outgoing salary to fit with what the Wolves would be onboarding in Russell’s $27.3M pact. That could be Andrew Wiggins and his $27.5M but he’ll be on the team payroll through 2022-23 which diminishes the appeal.

A package built around draft assets and Wiggins doesn’t offer Golden State any short-term cap relief like one built around expiring contracts would.

All told, this hasn’t been enough to convince Golden State to pull the trigger thus far and that may not change before the deadline.

Interestingly, Minnesota’s inability to parlay their haul into Russell may not lead them out of the trade entirely. Now Wojnarowski adds that another fourth team could emerge, potentially the Denver Nuggets.

It’s unclear what the Wolves would seek from the Nuggets, or how else Denver might be looped into the deal but SLAM’s Chris Crouse reported earlier today that Minnesota has shown interest in both Malik Beasley and Gary Harris.

We’ve heard previously that the Wolves seek a pair of first-round picks for Covington. They could be getting one from Atlanta but Denver doesn’t have a 2020 pick of their own to extend.

Consider Minnesota and Denver’s involvement the bottleneck as we inch closer to the Thursday trade deadline.

Austin Kent is a News Editor at SLAM. Follow him on Twitter @AustinKent.

The post Despite Warriors Hiccup, Teams Reach Agreement On Mega-Trade appeared first on SLAM.

The potential deal, which was first reported by Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer and later corroborated by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski would involve Clint Capela, D’Angelo Russell, Robert Covington and a number of first-round picks.

In the discussed swap, the Rockets would land Covington, the vaunted, affordable three-and-D perimeter threat that they’ve been chasing for wing depth. The Hawks would, in turn, bring back Capela, a pivot that they’ve had their eyes on.

Where things get interesting is with the Timberwolves. If the initial three-way framework successfully yields draft assets for Minnesota, they could then turn around and offload those on the Warriors in exchange for Russell.

In his original report, O’Connor wrote that such an arrangement had been discussed by the Hawks, Wolves and Rockets but was put on pause after Minnesota dangled the draft assets to Golden State and were rejected.

The draft assets that the Wolves would have available in that scenario would be their own 2020 first-round pick and the Brooklyn 2020 first-round pick that the Hawks are currently in possession of.

Wojnarowski adds that the Wolves could potentially be landing a pair of first-round picks in the three-way portion of the deal, which would give them additional resources to offer Golden State if they’re serious about prying Russell away.

The ambitious move is still in discussion and it’s important to note that the teams hit a dead end with Golden State’s apparent refusal to part with Russell in exchange for what the Minnesota had made available.

For the math to work in a potential Russell-to-Minnesota swap at all, there would need to be salary sent back to Golden State in addition to convincing draft assets.

The Warriors are close to the hard cap and are limited in what they can take back above and beyond Russell’s deal but Andrew Wiggins’ $27.5M contract would fit.

What we’ll wait on now is for further reports about how Minnesota’s offer to Golden State may evolve as the Thursday trade deadline approaches. If they’re unable to put together a suitable package for Russell then they may not be inclined to participate in the initial three-team portion of the swap.

The post Russell, Capela In Play In Possible Multi-Team Deal appeared first on SLAM.

The Hawks have been linked to Capela since Friday when The Athletic’s Shams Charania wrote of their desire to bring the Swiss big man to Georgia. At that time the Rockets were said to be unlikely to move Capela barring an overwhelming offer.

Wojnarowski’s report notes that there are several multi-team options in play for the 24-year-old dropping 14 and 14 in a relative down year and the Rockets could feasibly use Capela to bring back a draft asset that they could then flip for a wing.

According to Wojnarowski, atop Houston’s wish list for trade deadline acquisitions is a wing and a center.

Capela’s $14.9M contract is an intriguing one for a franchise looking to invest in a promising pivot with plenty of team control. For the Rockets to complete a deal, however, they’d need to find a way to make the money work knowing that they’re already above and beyond the luxury tax.

The Hawks have several expiring contracts available that could be in play if the Rockets are serious about completing a swap and they are in possession of a pair of first-round picks, including Brooklyn’s lottery protected first in the event that they want to hold onto their own more lucrative pick.

The post Rockets Engaged With Multiple Teams On Clint Capela appeared first on SLAM.

In this post, just one of a series of 30, we’ll break down the reports that have started to trickle out about Rockets players that may or may not be on the move. While there’s no guarantee when it comes to a league as wild as the modern NBA, it doesn’t hurt to brush up on each squad’s roster as the deadline draws near.

Players Unlikely To Be Traded

• James Harden
• Eric Gordon
• Chris Clemons

Few players are safer bets to remain with their team through the trade deadline than James Harden. The Rockets have built their entire system around their perennial MVP candidate and while there’s no trade that general manager Daryl Morey hasn’t thought about making, Harden will be a Rocket on Feb. 7.

The team won’t deal Eric Gordon or Chris Clemons, as neither player is eligible to be traded before the deadline. Gordon signed a contract extension prior to the season and won’t be eligible to be moved until after the season. Same with Clemons, whose two-way contract was converted to a three-year deal in December.

Biggest Name Available On Market

• Russell Westbrook (maybe?)

The Rockets made a major investment to trade for Russell Westbrook this offseason, surrendering two first-rounders and Chris Paul in order to bring the former MVP to Houston. Marc Stein of the New York Times writes that it wasn’t a realistic option to keep Paul for another season due to the “irretrievably broken” relationship between him and the team. Morey needed to make a move, something that was difficult to do because of Paul’s inflated salary ($38.5M). While the deal reunited Westbrook with Harden – his former Thunder teammate – it arguably isn’t the most ideal fit.

This begs the question: Could the Rockets look to trade Westbrook before the deadline? There are people around the league that believe Westbrook is available, The Ringer’s Ryen Russillo claims on his podcast. Finding a taker for the point guard won’t be easy. Not because of his talent but rather his contract. Westbrook is making $38.5M this season (he’s owed roughly $85.6M over the ensuing two years of his deal and has a $47.1M player option for 2022-23). 

The Rockets have had four back-to-backs this season and they’ve rested Westbrook on each occasion. The strategy could be classified as simply maintenance, though if you’re a franchise looking to acquire the 31-year-old, this has to be something to consider. For teams that aren’t locks to make the postseason, those 8-10 load managed contests might actually matter and we haven’t even gotten into Westbrook’s lengthy injury history.

Still, this is a player as recent as last year who showed MVP flashes. This season, the fit in Houston has been awkward at times but the former No. 4 overall pick is still having an All-Star worthy season. He’s scoring 24.2 points per game, while dishing out 7.1 assists and grabbing 8.0 boards per contest. He’s got six of his signature triple-doubles so far this season. 

The Rockets don’t need to make a move, as opposed to how they felt with Paul over the summer. Keeping Westbrook, who has by all accounts a great relationship with Harden, is arguably more likely than any other scenario, though with Morey running the show, nothing can be ruled out.

Logical Trade Pieces

• Clint Capela
• Nene

Clint Capela was rumored to be available during the offseason and he’ll have no shortage of suitors should the Rockets look to make significant roster moves. The Celtics were eyeing the big man back in June. The Lakers met with Capela back when he was a free agent and the Kings had interest in the big man, though both California franchises have made significant changes to their frontcourt since the 2018 offseason.

Nene was signed to be traded, as the Rockets included “likely bonuses” that would allow his $2.6M base salary to rise to $10.0M and therefore allow the team to take back more salary in a trade. The NBA ruled that the contract circumvented the collective bargaining agreement. Nene, who remains away from the team, is eligible to be traded on Jan. 15 but now, his outgoing salary will only count for $2.6M.

Trades Are Possible

• P.J. Tucker
• Danuel House
• Austin Rivers
• Ben McLemore
• Gerald Green
• Thabo Sefolosha
• Tyson Chandler
• Isaiah Hartenstein
• Gary Clark

For how important 34-year-old P.J. Tucker has been for the Rockets this season (Harden is the only member of the Rockets with a higher TPA than Tucker), it would be surprising to see the team trade him unless it’s part of a bigger deal for a star. Nearly half of the team is making less than Danuel House’s $3.5M, which suggests that should the Rockets need to compile salary to acquire a mid-sized contract, House would likely need to be included. Austin Rivers, who has seen his minutes fluctuate this season, has the ability to veto any trade by means of signing a one-year deal with an option. Gerald Green, who hasn’t played this season because of a left foot injury, also has the right to veto a trade. Ben McLemore has had a mini-resurgence in Houston. His full $2.0M salary becomes guaranteed on Jan. 10 and his $2.3M salary for next year is non-guaranteed. Thabo Sefolosha became trade eligible on Dec. 23 and hasn’t played since. Tyson Chandler is on the veteran’s minimum and has played in just four of the team’s last 14 games, including the two where Capela sat out. Gary Clark and Isaiah Hartenstein will each see their contracts become fully guaranteed on Jan. 10. Clark has appeared in 18 contests and Hartenstein has appeared in 12 games for the Rockets, including a spot start for Capela.

The post 2020 NBA Trade Deadline Primer: Houston Rockets appeared first on SLAM.

The Celtics did not miss a beat without star guard Kemba Walker, as they defeated the Hawks to bring their home record to an admirable 14-2. Jaylen Brown was excellent, scoring 24 points on an efficient 8-13 shooting with 10 rebounds and 2 steals. Marcus Smart, back from a recent eye infection, stuffed the stat sheet as usual, and even though he only scored 15 points, he made his presence felt with 6 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks. If I’m in the playoffs, I want him on my team.

For the Hawks, Trae Young was marvelous, with 28 points, 10 assists and some jawdropping long-range bombs, but this game showed exactly why the Hawks were reportedly targeting Andre Drummond. They lost the rebounding battle 42-54, and the Celtics had twice as many offensive rebounds. Bring on the trade rumors.

Magic 106 (16-19), Heat 85 (25-10)

Remember when 85 points was a normal score? Nowadays, if a team scored that many, it usually doesn’t end well. Despite a valiant effort from star Jimmy Butler (23 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals), center Bam Adebayo was the only other player to reach double-digit points.

Thanks to 25 points on a scorching 6-10 from deep from Terrence Ross, the Magic were able to take advantage of Miami’s off night. They also got this wild dunk from renowned leaper Aaron Gordon:

Blazers 122 (15-21), Wizards 103 (10-24)

The Blazers easily handled the Wizards thanks to their core four. Damian Lillard dropped 35 points, CJ McCollum contributed 24 of his own, Hassan Whiteside had 23 points, 21 rebounds and 5 blocks, and Melo had a sweet put back jam to go along with 16 points on 7-9 shooting

The Wiz can take solace in an unexpected 35 points from reserve guard Jordan McRae at least.

Rockets 118 (24-11), 76ers 108 (23-14)

James Harden broke out the braids, and the results were fantastic as usual. The braided Beard dropped 44 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in a convincing win over the inconsistent 76ers. Clint Capela also exploded for 30 points and 14 rebounds on 80% shooting.

Sure, Ben Simmons had 29 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists, but it simply was not enough.

Suns 120 (14-21), Knicks 112 (10-25)

The Suns got to throw out their original starting lineup of Ricky Rubio, Devin Booker, Kelly Oubre, DeAndre Ayton and Aron Baynes for the first time in a while, and the result was a victory. Sure, it was against the Knicks, but it was a victory nonetheless.

Booker was fantastic per usual, with 38 points and 7 assists; it was his fifth straight game of 30 or more points. Oubre continued his phenomenal season with 29 points on 11-16 shooting and Ayton added a double double and 5 assists.

Lakers 123 (28-7), Pelicans 113 (11-24)

It was a big reunion night for all involved from the blockbuster Lakers-Pelicans trade this summer. Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball combined for 45 points, but it was not enough against the rolling Lake Show.

AD was out for vengeance, exploding for 46 points, 13 rebounds and 3 steals, while LeBron supplanted a modest 17 points with a monster 15 assists. Danny Green also splashed home six 3-pointers for 25 points.

The post Post Up: The Braided Beard Handles 76ers in Primetime appeared first on SLAM.

The Celtics lead from start to finish and cruised to an easy win on the road. Boston was lead by Jayson Tatum, who finished with 24 points and 7 rebounds, and Gordon Hayward, who stuffed the stat sheet with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists. Kemba Walker added 22 points and 7 assists.

Pacers 115 (22-12), 76ers 97 (23-13)

Indiana outscored Philly 38-16 in the second quarter and held on to the large lead for the remainder of the game, securing an easy win at home. Domantas Sabonis continued his impressive play, finishing with 23 points (10-16 FG), 10 rebounds, and 5 assists to lead the Pacers. T.J. Warren added 21 points on 9-11 shooting. Josh Richardson led the 76ers with 20 points, and Ben Simmons added 18 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.

Clippers 105 (24-11), Kings 87 (12-22)

The Clippers secured their 10th road win of the season in convincing fashion. LA was lead by Kawhi, who finished with 24 points and 7 assists, and PG, who dropped 21 points to go along with 11 rebounds and 9 assists. Richaun Holmes finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds, and Buddy Hield added 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists in the loss.

Raptors 117 (23-11), Cavs 97 (10-23)

The defending champions closed out 2019 with an easy win at home. Kyle Lowry finished with 24 points and 8 assists to lead the Raptors, and Serge Ibaka added 20 points and 10 rebounds. Collin Sexton dropped a team-high 22 points in the loss for Cleveland.

Rockets 130 (23-11), Nuggets 104 (23-10)

The Rockets dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring the Nuggets 38-15 to get the win at home. Russell Westbrook and James Harden showed out in their last game of the decade. The Beard finished with 35 points on 10-17 shooting, and The Brodie added 28 points and 8 assists. Clint Capela returned from injury and dropped 16 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 21 points in the loss.

Spurs 117 (14-8), Warriors 113 (9-26)

The Spurs outlasted the Dubs in an overtime thriller, outscoring Golden State 17-13 in the extra period. DeMar DeRozan led the Spurs with a team high 24 points on 11-18 shooting, and Patty Mills added 18 off the bench. For the Warriors, Alec Burks finished with 28 points, and Glenn Robinson III dropped 25 on 10-17 shooting in the loss.

Thunder 106 (18-15), Mavericks 101 (21-12)

The last game of 2019 was a great one, as the Thunder outscored the Mavs 29-23 in the fourth quarter to pick up the win at home. Danilo Gallinari and Dennis Schroder both dropped a team-high 20 points, and Chris Paul added 17 points (including 13 in the fourth), 8 rebounds, and 7 assists for the Thunder. For the Mavs, Luka Doncic finished with 35 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists in the loss.

The post Post Up: Harden and Westbrook Combine for 63 in Rockets Win appeared first on SLAM.

Donovan Mitchell put up a team-high 30 points in 36 minutes in the A. Rudy Gobert finished with a double-doule (20 points, 13 rebounds) as the Jazz won their fourth-straight game.

Bucks 111 (25-4), Lakers 104 (24-5)

Giannis Antetokounmpo hit a career-high 5 three-pointers en route to a 34-point performance to give Milwaukee its 25th win of the season. George Hill scored 21 points off the bench. The Bucks shot 41% from behind the arc.

Spurs 118 (11-16), Nets 105 (15-13)

Patty Mills (27 points) was one of two players to have 20 or more points. LaMarcus Aldridge finished with 20 and 10.

Rockets 122 (18-9), Clippers 117 (21-8)

Houston overcame a double-digit deficit as Russell Westbrook (40 points) and James Harden (28 points) combined for 68 points. Clint Capela had 16 points, and PJ Tucker and Danuel House finished with 10 apiece.

The post Post Up: Giannis Antetokounmpo Has Career Night Against Lakers 😤 appeared first on SLAM.

Below is a list of the contract types the Houston Rockets have heading into training camp. This resource will be updated as players are signed and waived. Check back often to see if your team’s roster configuration has changed.

Houston Rockets

-The Rockets cut William McDowell-White in order to sign Ryan Anderson. McDowell-White will have financial incentive to play for Houston’s G League affiliate.

For a complete list of all the NBA teams and links to each team’s roster breakdown, check out our 2019 NBA Training Camp Index. Follow the curators of this database, Chris Crouse and Austin Kent, on Twitter.

More NBA Training Camp Rosters

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Houston entered the day with 18 players under contract, so there is no need for the club to make a corresponding move, as the training camp maximum is 20. Only 10 of their players’ contracts are guaranteed. Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle hears that the 35-year-old’s pact is for one year and the veteran’s minimum.

Sefolosha has previously played alongside both James Harden and Russell Westbook while each was in Oklahoma City and he has a relationship with center Clint Capela, who is also a Switzerland-native. Feigen notes that coach Mike D’Antoni had hoped to draft Sefolosha back in the 2006 draft when he was leading the Suns.

The post Rockets To Sign Thabo Sefolosha appeared first on SLAM.

Otherwise, “we probably aren’t going to win one in the next 10 years,” says Fertitta.

Fertitta adds that newcomer Russell Westbrook‘s athleticism is an element Houston was “a little short on,” and is confident he can happily co-exist with fellow superstar teammate James Harden.

Per Yahoo Sports:

“I think we put ourselves in the position that if we don’t win it in the next three or four years, we probably aren’t going to win one in the next 10 years,” Fertitta told Yahoo Sports in an interview to promote his debut book titled “Shut Up And Listen,” which hits all major bookstores on Tuesday. “This is our window, and we need to seize the opportunity.”

The Texas billionaire, who is also sole owner of Fertitta Entertainment, the restaurant giant Landry’s and the Golden Nugget Casinos and Hotels, is running his NBA team in the same manner as his other business ventures: audaciously and unwavering.

“This is the time,” Fertitta told Yahoo Sports. “I just re-signed Eric Gordon who is 30 and I’ve got Russell and James and Eric and Clint Capela for the next four years. P.J. [Tucker] is 34 and our two stars are 30. So this is their window. Let’s seize the opportunity.”

Fertitta says he was never concerned about bringing in another ball-dominant guard to pair with Harden.

“No, because I can remember watching Russell Westbrook against us a couple of times last year and I saw how he ran up and down that court and how his athleticism was so superior,” he told Yahoo Sports. “And I think it’s one of the things that we were a little short on.”

Related Rockets Owner: Russell Westbrook and James Harden ‘Wanted to Play Together’

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We’ve broken down the overall ratings for each player and sorted them by team so that you can see how your squad stacks up against the rest of the league.

Houston Rockets NBA 2K20 Ratings

This table is updated as of Nov. 22, 2019

Can’t get enough 2K? SLAM’s dedicated gaming channel, @SLAMftw, is blowing up. Hit us with your best uploads and watch our streams!

More NBA 2K20 Ratings

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At this point in the summer, the number of teams able and willing to offer more than minimum contracts is slim but that doesn’t mean squads aren’t interested in fortifying their rotations with affordable but experienced assets.

Below is a list of the top remaining players available to ink deals with new teams, I’ve ranked them in the order of the potential impact they could still have on an NBA roster.

1. Carmelo Anthony

There’s been no shortage of criticism for Carmelo Anthony and some of that criticism is justified. That said, the 35-year-old remains one of the most offensively gifted isolation players available in basketball.

If Anthony is truly ready to accept a bit role, he could be a major asset to a contending NBA squad. He may not be capable of providing plus value as a starter or even as a sixth man in today’s NBA but you know as well as I do that a dialed in Melo could get hot at just the right time and move the needle in a pivotal 2020 postseason matchup.

The question is what kind of team he’d do that for.

2. Joakim Noah

Joakim Noah didn’t put forth the same statistical outbursts as some of the other players below him on this list did but I’ve ranked these players based on their potential impact on an NBA team in 2019-20. At 34 years of age, Noah’s game is more or less a subdued version of what it always was; a poetic blend of intelligence and rabid energy.

There’s not one team that wouldn’t benefit from an experienced, smart, defensive-minded rotation big like Noah and the former All-Star seems to have finally adjusted to his new reality, post-Chicago.

Noah is reportedly being hounded by a club in New Zealand, so NBA teams may not be able to grab him if they wait until the season is underway.

3. Kenneth Faried

Kenneth Faried was a revelation for the Rockets when they signed him mid-season last January. The 29-year-old immediately began stuffing the stat sheet just as he’d done for so long with the Denver Nuggets earlier in his career and averaged 13.5 points and 8.8 rebounds in games in which he saw at least 20 minutes of playing time.

Faried’s production dipped when Houston welcomed an injured Clint Capela back into their rotation in late February but he remains a productive big that no longer comes with an eight-digit price tag.

4. Shaun Livingston

Although he never averaged more than 20 minutes per game in his five seasons with the Warriors, Shaun Livingston became a vital piece of the team’s rotation throughout the peak of its dynasty. The guard is a stabilizing force with elite length that doesn’t squander possessions.

Livingston may not be able to anchor a second unit but he’s a low-risk depth piece that would make any team better.

5. Ryan Anderson

Despite the fact that we’ve all been conditioned to shun Ryan Anderson because of the albatross price tag that haunted him, when utilized consistency, he’s a competent stretch four capable of flirting with the .400 mark from beyond the arc.

Anderson on a near $20M contract is unpalatable, yes, but Anderson on a minimum deal is something that any team looking to add floor spacers should consider. There’s no guarantee that a 31-year-old Anderson could make waves on a competitive basketball team but I’d be surprised if a team doesn’t take a chance on him before the end of the season.

6. Iman Shumpert

Iman Shumpert is another example of a player who has become somewhat radioactive for financial reasons but his eight-digit annual cap hit is a thing of the past. Don’t bet your house on the 29-year-old matching the .366 he shot from beyond the arc in Sacramento last season but he seemed to be a positive influence on the Kings during his stay there.

Unlike most of the players on this list who seem hand picked to fill gaps on a contending team, Shumpert could be a valuable addition for a team still trying to establish itself. The energy he brought to the Kings locker room last season is no joke.

8. Marquese Chriss

There’s no denying that Marquese Chriss has had plenty of opportunities to carve out consistent playing time across stints with the rebuilding Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers. The fact that he hasn’t, should not go unnoticed.

That being said, I’m not ready to give up on the the 22-year-old former lottery pick just yet. Chriss averaged 16.5 points and 6.8 rebounds when given more than 20 minutes of playing time during his rookie season three years ago.

Yes, that’s a cherry picked stat, but it’s not Chriss’ fault that he landed in a terrible developmental environment when he was drafted. If Chriss was going to be a competent starter, he would have forced a team’s hand by now, but there’s no reason why he can’t still be a valuable, athletic, rotation big with upside.

8. Amir Johnson

Amir Johnson has never been a high maintenance NBA player and as a result has put together a long career as a valued rotation player for a number of competitive basketball teams. Sure he may not be the endless source of bounce and athleticism that he used to be but the prep-to-pros veteran is still just 32 years old.

Don’t expect Johnson to be a game-changer if he ends up back on an NBA squad but do realize that he’s an adaptable high character guy that could provide front court depth cheap.

9. Justin Anderson

Justin Anderson has bounced around a number of franchises since arriving on the NBA radar in 2015 and shown flashes of potential as a solid defensive wing with good size. If he ever lands with a team that can coax more out of his jumpshot, he could have a long career as bench piece on the perimeter.

That sort of late-blooming project may not appeal to rebuilding teams but where’s the downside for a playoff club with their rotation set and a roster spot available this late in the offseason?

10. Jamal Crawford

If you don’t day dream about Jamal Crawford landing on a playoff team, filling his role as token elder statesman on farewell tour admirably throughout the regular season before ultimately rising to the occasion as an injury replacement when his down-and-out championship hopeful squad needs him, immediately dropping 30-plus off the bench and punctuating a crucial postseason victory with a loping crossover that frees him up for a game winning jumper then who even are you?

The post The Best NBA Free Agents Still Available appeared first on SLAM.

Chandler spent the majority of 2018-19 with the Lakers after an early season buyout with the Suns. In Los Angeles he posted averages of 3.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

In addition to providing modest hustle stats off the bench, Chandler is a defensive presence that should add depth to a rotation that could surely use it. At present, neither Nene or Kenneth Faried are under contract for 2019-20.

Chandler will re-unite with Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni. The two previously worked together with the New York Knicks.

The post Rockets Agree To One-Year Deal With Tyson Chandler appeared first on SLAM.

Jimmy Butler has scheduled meetings with two teams and will be pursued by several more. The swingman is being floated as a potential sign-and-trade chip as well as a coveted free agency target.

Below we’ve summarized and outlined various reports that have come in about the superstar’s potential landing spot. Other teams may be interested in Butler but these are the teams that we feel have the most traction.

As news breaks and we learn more about where Butler stands regarding free agency, we’ll update this briefing. Similarly, if other teams appear to gain ground in their own pursuit of Butler, we’ll add them here.

Philadelphia 76ers

Salary Cap Room: $0

The Sixers technically are over the salary cap thanks to the cap holds for Butler ($30.7M), Tobias Harris (22.0M), and J.J. Redick ($15.9M). If things go the way Philadelphia hopes, they’ll re-sign all three via Bird Rights (Early Bird for Redick; Butler and Harris with full Bird) and won’t have cap space at any point this offseason.

Both Butler and Harris are expected to garner max deals. The Sixers remain focused on bringing both players back, though competition for each players’ services will be fierce.

The fifth year on Jimmy Butler’s potential max contract could be considered to be a trump card for Philly. If the Sixers offer it, he signs or at least that’s what some within the league believe. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported in an Instagram story that Philadelphia may be hesitant on offering that final year and perhaps that is why Butler is meeting with other teams to begin free agency.

Miami Heat

Salary Cap Room: $0

The Heat are meeting with Jimmy Butler to open free agency and he is expected to tell them that he wants to play in Miami. If Pat Riley wants to welcome him into the organization, he’ll then have to work with the Sixers to find a sign-and-trade deal to their liking.

Philadelphia is open to a sign-and-trade should Butler choose a team without the requisite cap room to sign him outright and while it’ll be better for the franchise to get something in return for an outgoing player, the team isn’t going to simply take just any deal.

Josh Richardson is reportedly among the players on the table in Butler sign-and-trad scenarios. Miami is unable to trade their 2020 or 2022 draft pick, having already sent out its 2021 selection previously, so it might be difficult for them to dictate terms with Philadelphia.

Los Angeles Clippers

Salary Cap Room: $52,928,034

The Clippers are toying with the idea of adding Butler along with Kawhi Leonard if the Finals MVP decides to join Steve Ballmer’s team. Los Angeles appears to have some trepidation about adding Butler on a four-year max deal, though if Leonard joins him, the duo’s upside will be too great to worry about Butler’s age concerns on the back end of his max.

As we mentioned in Kawhi Leonard’s briefing, the Clippers have the ability to carve out max slots for two players, though they still need to make additional moves to do so.

Houston Rockets

Salary Cap Room: $0

Houston is another team needing the Sixers to play ball on a sign-and-trade in order to land Butler. General manager Daryl Morey’s Plan A is to convince Butler that playing with James Harden and Chris Paul is the best move for the four-time All-Star’s career.

The Rockets have reportedly put Eric Gordon, P.J. Tucker and Clint Capela on the table in potential sign-and-trades with the Sixers. Salary cap rules may prevent Philadelphia from taking more than roughly $20M back in such a deal and Houston is prepared for the scenario, already lining up a potential three-way deal with another team that sends them Capela.

Brooklyn Nets

Salary Cap Room: $32,655,942

Butler and Kyrie Irving, who will sign with the Nets, have previously been rumored to have interest in playing together. Kevin Durant appears to be the top target for Brooklyn’s other star spot, though if he chooses the Knicks or another team, I wouldn’t rule out Butler moving two hours north (on a good day of traffic).

As mentioned in Durant’s free agency briefing, the Nets do not yet have enough cap room to sign two max players, though they can easily make additional moves to get there. Butler will be an easier addition cap-wise than Durant, as the starting salary on his max comes in at $5.46M less than Durant’s.

Los Angeles Lakers

Salary Cap Room:  $  32,149,063

The Lakers are still in search of a third star to add to the LeBron James-Anthony Davis pairing and Marc Stein of The New York Times hears that the franchise will make an aggressive attempt to land Butler. Yet, as of this writing, the Lakers remain without a official meeting.

Even after altering the Davis deal and getting him to waive his no trade clause, the team remains short of necessary cap space to sign Butler to a full max. However, Los Angeles can get awfully close to that figure and the lure of the Lakers should not be underestimated.

Related: 2019 Free Agency Briefing: Kawhi Leonard
Related: 2019 Free Agency Briefing: Kevin Durant

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The Houston Rockets don’t have the available cap space to pursue unrestricted free agent Jimmy Butler but that doesn’t mean they aren’t still interested in his services. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN writes that the Rockets very much plan to recruit Butler and intend to push the Philadelphia 76ers for a sign-and-trade agreement.

Although Philly can technically offer Butler considerably more money than he could attract with a new team, there’s no guarantee that the 29-year-old wishes to remain with the franchise. A sign-and-trade, in that scenario, would help the Sixers recoup assets if they consider his departure inevitable.

Given that he’s their own player, Philadelphia could offer as much as $190 million on a five-year max deal in an attempt to keep him. In contrast, Butler would have to settle for $140 million across four years if he chooses to pack up and head to a new organization.

If the two parties opt to explore a sign-and-trade, there’s one more thing to consider: As Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors explains, under the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement, teams are no longer permitted to sign their own free agents to max deals if they intend to package them in a sign-and-trade. That means Butler wouldn’t be able to take his $190 million haul with him to Houston.

That leads back to one scenario, in which the Sixers ink Butler to a four-year, 30% max deal with 5% raises and then package him for the Rockets while taking back adequate salaries to make the math work. This, Wojnarowski suggests, could necessitate the addition of a third team due to complicated base year compensation rules.

In sign-and-trade scenarios, the team getting rid of the signee needs to match salaries with one figure (either 50% of the player’s new deal or 100% of the player’s previous deal, whichever is higher), while the team accepting the signee needs to match the new deal.

In Butler’s case, Philly would need to match Butler’s 2018-19 salary of $19.8 million while Houston would need to match Butler’s 2019-20 salary of approximately $32.7 million. They’d be playing by two different sets of rules.

Given that salary matching mechanisms in this scenario only allow for 125% breathing room, Houston would need to bring back about $26 million (because 125% of that is about $32.7 million) while Philadelphia could accept a max of approximately $25 million (roughly 125% of $19.8 million).

The discrepancy between the two goal numbers is what would likely necessitate a third team.

Wojnarowski adds Clint Capela and Eric Gordon as potential Rockets who could be involved in such a multiteam deal.

The post Rockets To Pursue Jimmy Butler, Push Sixers For Sign-And-Trade appeared first on SLAM.

Chris Paul and big man Clint Capela are said to be “realistic trade targets.”

General manager Daryl Morey is said to be far less enthused about making James Harden available.

Per ESPN:

The possibility of trading All-NBA guard James Harden is believed to be extremely limited, but the rest of the roster — including even Chris Paul and Clint Capela — could be more realistic trade targets, sources said.

Paul’s remaining contract (three years, $124 million) and advancing age (34) does make deal possibilities somewhat prohibitive.

The Harden-Paul dynamic wasn’t without its challenges this year for the Rockets, league sources said.

The Rockets have been more aggressive in offering up Capela in recent days, sources said. Houston has lost in the conference finals and conference semifinals to Golden State in consecutive years.

Related Report: James Harden, Chris Paul Had a ‘Verbal Exchange’ Following Game 6 Loss

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James Harden led the way with 26 points as Houston polished off the Utah Jazz with a 100-93 victory in Game 5.

“To be the champion, you have to beat the champion,” Capela told reporters.

Per The Houston Chronicle:

“That’s what I want,” center Clint Capela said of facing Golden State again. “I want to face them.”

Hearing this, Rockets teammate Chris Paul groaned, smiled and said, “Oh man, he’s going to be all over Bleacher Report.” The guard then turned to the media and said, “You can’t wait to tweet that.”

Capela did not back down, however, saying, “To be the champion, you have to beat the champion.”

As much as the Warriors are still struggling with the Clippers (Los Angeles won 129-121 Wednesday night to take that series to a sixth game on Friday), the Rockets left little doubt of what they expect to be waiting for them when the second round begins.

“If they come out of it, it’s going to be a great series,” [Mike] D’Antoni said of the Warriors. “We said all year, ‘Let’s run it back.’ Well, OK. I guess we’re going to run it back.”

Related Clint Capela: Rockets ‘Are Better’ Than the Warriors

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Irving’s latest Nike Kyrie 5 was another tribute to Kobe and featured a snakeskin-like patterned upper along with a split logo on the heal featuring both his signature K.I. mark along with Kobe’s “Sheath” mark.

Tatum came out in a white-based colorway of the Nike Adapt BB with light green and black accents. Up to this point, the Adapt BB’s colorways have been limited to the original black colorway along with team colors on the heal so this latest iteration definitely turned heads.

Speaking of turning heads, PJ Tucker did just that with his pairs of KDs. Tuck came out in the vintage “Wanda Pratt” Nike Zoom KD4s and followed that with KD’s latest silhouette, the 12s, done in a red and white colorway with PJ’s initials on the heel.

Closing out, Langston Galloway continued his epic season of Q4 Specialist customs with another banger featuring character’s from Disney’s Aladdin.

Take a moment and peruse all the aforementioned kicks and a few more in our latest NBA playoff kicks recap.

Photos via Getty Images

The post NBA Playoff Kicks of the Night appeared first on SLAM.

Along with CP3, two more of the League’s superstar point guards wore notable kicks with Kyrie Irving breaking out a dope, cotton candy-like colorway of his Nike Kyrie 5 and Russell Westbrook coming through with his extra wild “What The” Jordan Why Not Zer0.2.

Make sure to check out the rest of Sunday’s NBA playoff kicks in our gallery below.

Photos via Getty Images

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In his first playoff game as a Celtic, Kyrie Irving scored 20 points and dropped seven dimes at TD Garden. Jayson Tatum finished with 15 points, and Al Horford posted a double-double (10 points, 11 rebounds).

Boston also got 30 combined bench points from Marcus Morris and Gordon Hayward.

Blazers 104, Thunder 99 (Portland leads 1-0)

Damian Lillard scored 30 points, knocking down five triples, as the Blazers protected home court. CJ McCollum had 24 points and Enes Kanter had a 20-point, 18-rebound performance.

Bucks 121, Pistons 86 (Milwaukee leads 1-0)

All five starters finished in double digits, as Giannis Antetokounmpo was the team’s leading scorer with 24 points in 23 minutes. He also had a mean dunk from inside the free throw line.

Eric Bledsoe finished with 15 points, and Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez had 14 apiece. Sterling Brown had 11 points.

Rockets 122, Jazz 90 (Houston leads 1-0)

Houston went up 20 points under the nine-minute mark as they cruised to victory. James Harden was two rebounds shy of a triple-double, leading the team with 29 points and 10 rebounds. Eric Gordon was the second-leading scorer with 17 points, and Clint Capela finished with 16 points and 12 boards.

The post Post Up: Damian Lillard Drops 30 Points As Blazers Defeat Thunder in Game 1 🎯 appeared first on SLAM.

As LeBron reached for the sky with his right arm extended, Allen—the 6-11 (opulent afro not included) 20-year-old starting center for the Brooklyn Nets—bent his knees, thrust his massive right hand into the air, and, nearly a foot away from the basket, cancelled the dunk.

The incredible play enhanced Allen’s visibility and, dare it be said, changed his life. A bashful soul, he submits to this new reality even when it gets a little annoying. Double takes and shout outs are now inescapable on strolls through his Brooklyn neighborhood, up the aisles of the Gowanus Whole Foods he frequents to shop for food he’ll cook later. When spotted in public, Allen does his best to leave before anyone can make a scene or even realize exactly who he is. The increased attention doesn’t upset him, but it’s clear he’s most comfortable in the background. And in his mind, that’s also where his block on LeBron probably belongs.

“I don’t want to be that guy to make it like, ‘I blocked LeBron!’ and then post it on Twitter,” Allen tells SLAM. “I don’t want to be that guy. I’m still respecting him. He’s an amazing player, I just made the play on him.”

Sitting on a folding chair inside the Nets’ Sunset Park practice facility a couple months later, Allen appreciates the glow that still surrounds that moment, but it comes with a tint of embarrassment, crossed with the even-keeled modesty that defines him. In response to more questions about it—along with his at-the-rim stuffs against Blake Griffin, James Harden, Anthony Davis and Giannis Antetokounmpo—Allen adopts the tone of a bored contrabassoon: “That’s what I’m here for. That’s what I want to help my team with. So I’m not really super ecstatic about it. I mean, I’m happy about it, but I’m not gonna like jump out of my seat or whatever.”

Bring Allen up with almost anyone around the Nets and “quiet” is the first word that’s used to describe him. “I’m never really the one to outwardly converse and start up a conversation,” he says. (While growing up in Austin, TX, Allen’s general demeanor led people to call him Tim Duncan Jr). That oak-tree stoicism doesn’t go anywhere when he’s on the court, but it’s complemented by a critical fearlessness. Allen throws himself into unforgiving airborne clashes that promise to live on forever, in one form or another, whether he’s victorious or not. “Giannis was like that,” Nets forward Jared Dudley says. “When I played with Giannis four years ago, he would get dunked on once every four or five games. He didn’t care. Jarrett Allen doesn’t care.”

Already one of the League’s most disruptive rim protectors, Allen spends every game actualizing his potential within the confines of his limited role. But as the center position emerges from an identity crisis, his basketball-related ambition exceeds the duties of a rim-rolling gatekeeper. Instead, it mostly revolves around becoming what Al Horford is now: a tide-riser whose mere presence on both ends elevates those around him. “[Horford] is able to spot up at the three. He’s good at passing. He’s good at taking it to the rim. So just a little bit of all of the stuff he does,” Allen says.

This is life as an overlooked cog who’s undeniably invaluable. It feels like a fitting destiny, though one he isn’t particularly close to realizing. Allen’s usage is down from his rookie year, there are very few opportunities within Brooklyn’s offense for him to create his own shot and he isn’t strong or assertive enough to impact this season’s games the same way he someday may. That’s fine. This is only year two, and even the most optimistic expectations have already been surpassed. “He’s embraced contact more than I thought he would when I saw him in the draft,” Chicago Bulls head coach Jim Boylen says. “You’ve gotta give him credit for it. You’ve gotta give him a lot of credit.”

Heading into the All-Star break, Giannis was the only player in the Eastern Conference with more dunks than Allen. (“Trust me,” Memphis Grizzlies rookie Jaren Jackson Jr says. “We account for him.”) There’s confidence in Allen’s outside shot, too, but Brooklyn has understandably resisted giving him a permanent green light on non-corner threes. If he’s wide open, the instruction is to engineer a dribble hand-off with one of Brooklyn’s many capable ball-handlers. But it won’t always be that way.

“I still insist that when I look at his shot and see him practice that he can stretch the floor eventually,” Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson says. Several of Allen’s teammates feel like a $100 million contract is on the horizon, and during a recent appearance on ESPN’s “The Jump,” Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie called Allen “a future top-five center.”

“I look at [Clint] Capela, and you can’t tell me Jarrett can’t be just as good if not better than Capela. I think his shot blocking is already better than Capela right now,” Dudley says. “I think he’s more mobile and active than Rudy Gobert…I think the high is him being an All-Star player, averaging around 19-20 points, 10 rebounds, and about 3-4 blocks.”

All those marks are far from guaranteed, but Allen’s selfless, simple nature makes reaching them extremely plausible. Off the court, his free time better reflects a soft-spoken college junior than a building block for one of the NBA’s most intriguing teams. He sinks into Haruki Murakami novels (“From what I think I know about Japan, they have their traditional side, and then they have their more modern side,” he says. “I just love how they stick to traditions but they’re still evolving.”), glues himself to Nintendo Switch, follows the Overwatch League, peruses Star Wars subreddits, and, whenever possible, constructs 1700-piece Lego sets.

(A Star Wars fan since he was little, watching VHS tapes over and over, Allen was a tad turned off by The Last Jedi: “They tried to put too much comedy in it for me,” he says. “I don’t know how to describe it. Just, like, Luke throwing his lightsaber behind his head was too much.”)

Video games have been a huge part of his life for as long as he can remember. In a league that’s increasingly populated by aspiring media tycoons who leverage their humongous platforms to self-promote, Allen prefers to explore someone else’s creation. Half Life 2 and Zelda: Twilight Princess are two favorites he’d rather play than watch a random game on NBA League Pass (Allen has yet to set up his free account, but it’s on his to-do list).

“When he leaves here he probably plays video games 80 percent of the time,” Dudley says. “He still has that college mentality. That will change, but why do you want that to change right now? Let him live in the moment. Let him have a good time. Let him play basketball and have fun.”

Allen grasps and accepts who he is in a way that’s both refreshing and impressive, a truth that was never more clear than after the Rising Star Challenge at All-Star Weekend, when he tucked his lanky frame behind a small round table for a makeshift post-game press conference. For the next few minutes, Allen politely batted down random questions, including an unexpected inquiry that wondered which hip-hop song he’d choose as his own entrance music before each game, if that sort of thing was ever up to him. 

“Darude’s Sandstorm always gets me,” Allen, who doesn’t like hip-hop, says. “You’re gonna laugh, but there’s something about that song that gets me going.” Almost every answer in the session was punctuated by a nervous chuckle: You probably weren’t expecting me to say that but I don’t feel the need to explain why I said it. 

There’s a through line from this exact moment to Allen’s pre-draft interview process, when teams likened his low intensity to questions about his desire. “In my eyes I’ve always loved basketball. I just went about showing it differently from everybody else,” he says. 

At the time he thought about shifting his answers to appease NBA front offices, but decided it’d be too stressful to manufacture and then maintain an inauthentic facade for the rest of his career. “If I didn’t love basketball they’d be able to tell that I didn’t love basketball,” he says. “So I stuck to what I wanted to say.”

There are instances where Allen’s reticence will clash with his professional curiosity.  He wants to know how to shoot like Joe Harris—his teammate and newly crowned Three-Point Contest champion—but never asks him about mechanics or form. Same goes with D’Angelo Russell’s vision. Allen wants to understand how his most talented teammate makes quick decisions with the ball, but never raises it in conversation. 

“When I roll and I get the ball, I can’t always score,” Allen says. “So I have to make the decision to pass it. I’m interested to see how [Russell] does that…I never really talk to him about it. I kinda don’t want to steal his style, but I’m gonna try to take pieces from him.” (Russell’s response when asked about this: “He’s definitely a shy dude, just in general. But I think [playmaking] will come naturally as the game slows down for him.”)

Back behind that small round table at All-Star Weekend, Allen is asked about one specific play that occurred midway through the third quarter, when Philadelphia 76ers phenom Ben Simmons (who he’ll meet in the playoffs) attempted a dunk that wasn’t too far removed from what LeBron tried a week before Christmas. Once again, Allen denied an easy two points. But before he could comment on the decision to play defense in a defense-optional exhibition, Rodions Kurucs, Allen’s Brooklyn teammate, interrupted with insight that was at once obvious and necessary.

“He never hesitates,” the rookie said, eyes wide, still bordering on disbelief. “He always goes for everything!”

—

COP THE D’ANGELO RUSSELL SLAM TEE HERE.

Michael Pina is an NBA reporter who lives in Brooklyn. Follow him on Twitter @MichaelVPina.

Photos via Getty.

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JJ Redick (30 points) tried to keep the 76ers in the game without Joel Embiid, but Philadelphia fell short in Atlanta. It was another standout performance by Trae Young, who totaled 33 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds.

Pacers 108 (47-32), Pistons 89 (39-39)

Indiana enjoyed scoring from every player that touched the floor as they cruised to a road win. Thaddeus Young led the team with 21 points. Andre Drummond put in 28 points and 19 rebounds for the Pistons.

Knicks 100 (15-63), Magic 114 (39-40)

Orlando pulled away with a 32-point second quarter and never looked back. All-Star Nikola Vucevic put in a team-high 29 points and 13 rebounds, while Terrence Ross added 23 points.

Bulls 115 (22-57), Wizards 114 (32-47)

Walt Lemon Jr. scored a career-high 24 points to help lift the Bulls on the road. It was Lemon’s free throws with 1.8 seconds left that sealed the win for Chicago.

Raptors 115 (56-23), Nets 105 (39-40)

Toronto held off a late comeback attempt by Brooklyn to secure win No. 56 on the season. They were led by the scoring trio of Pascal Siakam (28 points), Kawhi Leonard (26 points) and Serge Ibaka (23 points). D’Angelo Russell scored 27 in the loss.

Celtics 112 (47-32), Heat 102 (38-40)

Gordon Hayward came off the bench to provide a spark, putting in 25 points, eight rebounds and five assists in the road win. Kyrie Irving and Al Horford added 23 and 21 points, respectively.

Hornets 115 (36-42), Pelicans 109 (32-47)

Kemba Walker scored 21 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter to propel the Hornets to a win and keep their playoff hopes alive. Julius Randle scored 34 points in the loss.

Timberwolves 110 (35-43), Mavericks 108 (31-47)

Josh Okogie found Andrew Wiggins for the go-ahead layup to give Minnesota the win. Wiggins finished with 19 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns led the team with 28 points and 13 rebounds. Luka Doncic put in 27 points for the Mavs.

Spurs 85 (45-34), Nuggets 113 (52-26)

Denver coasted to the home win thanks to six double-digit scorers, led by Nikola Jokic’s 20 points in 28 minutes. Jokic also recorded 11 rebounds and nine assists.

Jazz 118 (48-30), Suns 97 (18-61)

Donovan Mitchell and Joe Ingles combined for 56 points including 10-for-15 shooting from deep to lead the Jazz past Phoenix. Devin Booker left the game with a left ankle injury but x-rays came back negative.

Grizzlies 89 (31-47), Blazers 116 (50-28)

Portland was led by Enes Kanter (21 points, 15 rebounds) and Damian Lillard (20 points, 10 assists). The win marked the Blazers’ 50th of the year as they battle for one of the top spots in the Western Conference playoffs.

Rockets 135 (51-28), Clippers 103 (47-32)

Houston was in control from the jump, scoring 39 points in the first quarter and maintaining their lead throughout. James Harden (31 points), Chris Paul (29 points) and Clint Capela (24 points) all contributed to the Rockets’ overwhelming offensive attack.

RELATED: ‘Luka. For Sure’: Ben Simmons Makes Rookie of the Year Pick

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The Clippers outscored the Cavs by 14 in the final quarter to secure their 12th win in 14 games.

Montrezl Harrell dropped a team-high 23 points (10-13 FG) off the bench. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 22 points (9-12 FG) and 8 dimes.

Cleveland has now lost six straight.

Celtics 96 (45-32), Nets 110 (39-38)

Brooklyn outscored the Celtics by 11 in the third quarter and maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the way.

D’Angelo Russell dropped 20 of his game-high 29 points in the third quarter. He also dished out 10 dimes.

Kings 108 (37-39), Rockets 119 (49-28)

James Harden went off for the fifth 50-point triple-double of his career and his second this season. He finished with 50 points, 11 boards, 10 dimes and a +17 plus/minus.

Clint Capela added 24 points (10-13 FG), 15 boards and a +21 plus/minus.

Blazers 90 (48-28), Pistons 99 (39-27)

Detroit erased a 12-point second quarter deficit to snap the Blazers’ six-game win streak.

Reggie Jackson dropped a game-high 28 points, and Andre Drummond added 22 points (9-13 FG) with 19 boards, 4 steals and 3 blocks.

Magic 121 (38-39), Pacers 116 (45-32)

Orlando picked up another huge win for their playoff hopes.

Aaron Gordon dropped a team-high 23 points with 10 boards and 7 dimes.

Heat 100 (38-38), Knicks 92 (14-62)

After falling behind by 9 with 9:32 left in the third, the Heat outscored the Knicks by 17 points the rest of the way.

Dion Waiters dropped a game-high 28 points with 6 dimes.

New York has now lost six straight.

Raptors 124 (54-23), Bulls 101 (21-56)

No Kawhi Leonard, no Pascal Siakam, no problem?

The score was tied with 8:42 left in the second quarter, and then it was all downhill for the Bulls. The Raptors’ lead kept growing until it reached 25 points by the end of the game.

Serge Ibaka scored a game-high 23 points and added 12 boards. Fred VanVleet dropped 23 points with 6 assists and a tremendous +30 plus/minus.

Sixers 118 (49-27), Wolves 109 (34-42)

Even without Joel Embiid, the Sixers led for nearly the entire game.

Jimmy Butler dropped 12 points with 13 boards and 5 dimes in his return to Minnesota. Ben Simmons narrowly missed a triple-double with 20 points, 11 boards and 9 dimes, and had a +20 plus/minus on the night.

Grizzlies 120 (31-45), Suns 115 (17-60)

Memphis withstood yet another scoring onslaught by Devin Booker (48 points) to get back in the win column.

Mike Conley dropped 33 points with 5 assists and a +20 plus/minus.

Phoenix has now lost six straight.

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While DeRozan broke out an exclusive for Manu, PJ Tucker rocked one of DeRozan’s old PEs in Houston’s tilt with Denver. Tuck sported the red and white Nike Zoom Kobe 1 Protro along with a pair of the Nike Zoom Kobe 4 FTB. Since debuting his Jordan CP3.XII, Chris Paul has been wearing some pretty wild colorways and his latest pair followed that tune as it featured a two-tone white and volt upper with red accents.

Montrezl Harrell is finishing the regular season strong as he brought out another two pairs of vintage Bron lows as he donned the “Multicolor” Nike LeBron 11 and “Red Plum” Xs. Out in Miami, Derrick Jones Jr flexed with the “Easter” Nike Zoom KD 4 and Dwyane Wade wore a custom pair of his Li-Ning Way of Wade 7.

Make sure to scroll through our latest NBA sneakers’ recap located right below.

Photos via Getty Images

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The Bucks, not to be outdone, trolled Harden’s teammates on social media, slyly arguing that Giannis Antetokounmpo deserves the award.

Per The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

The ad takes a conversational and conciliatory approach to laying out its argument and begins with the title “A message regarding James Harden (which he understands you may not read).”

“You’re also free to be mad at James Harden’s step-back,” the ad reads. “You’re free to call it a travel and torch it on your podcast. Quick question though: if YOU could pull off that step-back wouldn’t you do it? James Harden thinks you might. But he freely accepts you might not. …

“The point is, whomever you vote for MVP, it won’t change James Harden. He feels free to play the game how he plays it. James Harden is free to be James Harden. And you are free to be you.”

Despite the Houston Rockets’ 108-94 road loss, Chris Paul told reporters that his teammate’s “historic run” this season gives him the edge.

Per ESPN:

“James went on a historic run. Know what I mean?” Paul said, referring to Harden’s streak of 32 consecutive 30-point performances, carrying the Rockets from 14th place to third in the Western Conference standings during that stretch despite Paul and center Clint Capela missing extended time due to injuries. “Obviously, I’m biased about the MVP and whoever or whatnot, but those of you that decide it on head-to-head games with a few games left in the season, good luck with that. Happened to me in ’08.”

Paul finished second in the MVP voting that season behind Kobe Bryant, who had 29 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 107-104 win over Paul’s New Orleans Hornets in the final week of the regular season.

Paul said he meant no disrespect to Antetokounmpo, whose all-around excellence for the team with the NBA’s best record has made the MVP race competitive despite Harden being in the midst of one of the greatest offensive seasons in NBA history.

“I get to see James play a lot more,” Paul said. “You’ve got to understand that me saying that doesn’t mean that Giannis hasn’t had an amazing season and stuff like that. He’s been great for his team and all that, but I see what James does every night too.”

Related Giannis Antetokounmpo: ‘There’s More to This Than Just the MVP’

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Like we’ve often done, we’ll start off with the League’s premier footwear kings, Montrezl Harrell and P.J. Tucker. Trezz went double-duty with a pair of the Air Jordan VII Retro “Marvin the Martian” and the funky Nike LeBron 11 EXT “King’s Crown.” For Tuck, another one of his March Madness favorites was on his feet, as he donned the classic Nike Air Force Max 93.

Nike Hyperdunks were once again a prominent wear and Karl-Anthony Towns led the way with two custom Hyperdunk X bangers including a Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 themed pair. Justin Jackson used his Hyperdunk X Lows to call attention to World Down Syndrome Day and Kevin Love wore a fresh pair of PEs that tied back to the Cavs’ City uniforms. On the vintage tip, Josh Richardson took it back with the “Puerto Rico” edition of the Hyperdunk ’08.

Plenty of newer looks were also on display as Jayson Tatum came with a new colorway of the Nike Adapt BB, Kyle Kuzma rocked a Lakers’ colorway of the Nike Zoom Kobe 4 Protro, LeBron James went with another PE model of his LeBron 16s and Greg Monroe came with the “Cactus Jack” Air Jordan XXXIII.

With all of Tuesday’s heat rock around the League, make sure you get caught up on all the sneaker action below.

Photos via Getty Images

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The Nike LeBron models was also quite a hit Sunday night with no less than five colorways seeing the hardwood. Mason Plumlee donned the “Equality” 16 model, Malik Beasley rocked the “Orange Box” 15, Torrey Craig brought the “SuperBron” 16 and Montrezl Harrell wore the “King” 16 in addition to the “What The” LeBron 11. Rounding out the parade of 16s was the king himself as LeBron James wore an all-white colorway.

Other kicks of note included P.J. Tucker wearing another of his favorite March Madness sneakers in the Nike Air Max 2 Uptempo 94 OG, DeMar DeRozan in another new colorway of the Nike Zoom Kobe 4 Proto and Kawhi Leonard steppong out in a new colorway of his New Balance signature, the OMN1S, which features a flip of the Jurassic Park logo.

Sunday was a pretty dope night in kicks so if you missed any of the action make sure you check our gallery below.

Photos via Getty Images

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Four of five Clippers starters finished in double digits, as Danilo Gallinari posted 26 points. Ivica Zubac had a double-double (10 points and 10 rebounds), Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell combined for 53 points off the bench. The Clippers are now in fifth place in the Western Conference.

Bucks 127 (55-19), Cavaliers 105 (19-55)

Giannis Antetokounmpo put up 27 points and grabbed 10 boards. Khris Middleton had 17 points and Eric Bledsoe and Tony Snell had 12 apiece. The Bucks improved to a League-best 55-19.

Pacers 124 (45-29), Nuggets 88 (49-23)

Bojan Bogdanovic scored 26 of his 35 points in the first half, setting a career high. Both Myles Turner (17 points, 11 rebounds) and Domantas Sabonis (15 points, 13 rebounds) had double-doubles. Aaron Holiday and Tyreke Evans had 11 off the bench.

Hornets 115 (34-39), Raptors 114 (51-23)

Trailing two, Jeremy Lamb got the ball, lost control and heaved it from half court to give Charlotte the win at the buzzer. He finished with 13 points. Dwayne Bacon was the team’s leading scorer with 20 points.

Rockets 113 (47-27), Pelicans 90 (31-44)

James Harden had 29 points in 28 minutes of action. Eric Gordon, who knocked down six 3-pointers, finished with 18 points. Chris Paul had 10 points and 13 dimes, and Clint Capela was two points shy of getting a double-double, but had 17 rebounds.

Spurs 115 (43-31), Celtics 96 (43-31)

Boston had no answer for LaMarcus Aldridge, who scored 48 points at TD Garden. He also grabbed 13 rebounds. DeMar DeRozan had a double-double (16 points, 11 rebounds).

Warriors 121 (50-23), Pistons 114 (37-36)

Twenty-four hours after losing to Dallas, Steph Curry (26 points) and Klay Thompson (24 points) combined for 50 points in the home win. Kevin Durant and Draymond Green each had 14 points. This is the Warriors’ sixth-straight season with 50 or more wins.

Lakers 111 (32-41), Kings 106 (36-37)

LeBron James finished with 29 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds to get his eighth triple-double of the season and snap a five-game losing streak. Kyle Kuzma had 21 third quarter points and finished with 29 points. The Kings came back from a double-digit deficit and cut it to two with 16 seconds in the game, but LeBron James made it a two possession game.

The post Post Up: LaMarcus Aldridge Puts Up 48 Points Against Celtics appeared first on SLAM.

In a game with 15 ties and 22 lead changes, the Sixers were able to prevail when it mattered most—outscoring the Hornets by 8 points in the fourth.

Ben Simmons dropped a game-high 28 points (11-12 FG) with 8 boards and 5 dimes.

Philly has now won five straight.

Rockets 121 (45-26), Hawks 105 (24-48)

The game was tied after the first quarter, but Houston gradually built a 20-point lead by the fourth.

James Harden scored a game-high 31 points with 10 assists and 8 boards. The performance made him the first player to score 30+ points against all 29 opponents in the same season. Salute.

Clint Capela added 26 points (11-13 FG) with 11 boards and a +21 plus/minus.

Lakers 101 (31-40), Bucks 115 (53-18)

Both Giannis Antetokounmpo (ankle) and LeBron James (groin) sat out the game as their supporting casts duked it out. Milwaukee just had more firepower.

Brook Lopez scored 28 points (8-14 FG) with 9 boards, 4 blocks and 3 steals. Khris Middleton dropped a team-high 30 points with 10 boards, 5 dimes and a +24 plus/minus.

Warriors 117 (48-22), Wolves 107 (32-39)

After falling down by 13 points in the first quarter, Golden State recovered to take a 12-point lead into halftime. The lead grew to 20 points by the fourth quarter.

Stephen Curry dropped a game-high 36 points with 5 dimes and a +15 plus/minus.

Nets 123 (37-36), Kings 121 (34-36)

Brooklyn couldn’t buy a bucket in the third quarter, falling behind by 28 points.

But then D’Angelo Russell caught fire in the fourth quarter, scoring 27 of his career-high 44 points in the final frame.

The Nets would score 45 points in the quarter to secure the biggest comeback in franchise history.

Pacers 109 (44-28), Clippers 115 (42-30)

L.A. built a 17-point lead in the beginning of the fourth and the Pacers weren’t able to battle back.

Danilo Gallinari scored a game-high 24 points—his seventh straight 20-point performance. Montrezl Harrell dropped 20 points (8-12 FG) with 12 boards.

The post Post Up: D’Angelo Russell Drops Career-High 44 POINTS in Comeback Win Over Kings ❄️ appeared first on SLAM.

Back in Los Angeles, Montrezl Harrell did his sneaker thing as he broke out his own pair of ‘Brons, rocking the “Pure Platinum” Xs along with the “N7” Nike KD6 in the Clippers thrilling last-second win over the Nets. Fellow sneaker titan P.J. Tucker also went the KD route as he brought out a pair of KD4s in a sample colorway made for the 2012 Finals.

Another pair of Marquette Golden Eagle PEs made waves in the NBA sneaker world as Jimmy Butler rocked a wild pair of the Jordan Supreme Elevation. As y’all might recall, fellow Marquette alumni Jae Crowder wore a pair of the Jordan Jumpman Hustle PEs which we featured here just a few nights ago.

Several other pairs will definitely catch your attention so make sure you peruse the rest of our Sunday’s NBA footwear recap below.

Photos via Getty Images

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New York ended the game on a 13-1 run to get the late win at Madison Square Garden. Mario Hezonja, who found himself in between the basket and LeBron James, shadowed James as he drove and blocked the potential game-winning shot. All five Knicks starters finished in double digits with Emmanuel Mudiay leading the way with 28 points.

Heat 93 (33-36), Hornets 75 (31-38)

Goran Dragic (19 points) and Dwyane Wade (17 points) were big off the bench for Miami, who are now two games ahead of Charlotte in the eighth seed. Bam Adebayo (16 points, 9 rebounds) was one rebound shy of a double-double.

Sixers 130 (45-25), Bucks 125 (52-18)

Sunday’s matinee between two of the top teams in the East lived up to its expectations. Giannis Antetokounmpo (career-high 52 points) and Joel Embiid (40 points) dueled, as the Sixers came out with the win on the road. Jimmy Butler was the Sixers’ second-leading scorer with 27 points.

Pistons 110 (36-33), Raptors 107 (49-21)

Blake Griffin and Reggie Jackson combined for 45 points as Detroit came out with the win down the stretch. Andre Drummond posted another double-double with 15 points and 17 rebounds.

Magic 101 (33-38), Hawks 91 (24-47)

Nikola Vucevic had a monster stat line – 20 points and 27 rebounds – at Amway Center. Aaron Gordon added 22 points, and D.J. Augustin and Evan Fournier finished with 11 apiece.

Kings 129 (33-35), Bulls 102 (19-51)

De’Aaron Fox dropped 17 points and Buddy Hield had 16 points in front of their home crowd. Marvin Bagley III scored a game-high 21 points off the bench, and Harry Giles finished with 16 points. The Kings dominated the paint, outscoring the Bulls 80-56.

Rockets 117 (44-26), Timberwolves 102 (32-38)

Chris Paul had 25 points and 10 dimes, and James Harden and Clint Capela had 20 points apiece. The Rockets made 17 3-pointers and are 11-1 in their last 12 games.

Clippers 119 (41-30), Nets 116 (36-36)

With the game tied at 116, Lou Williams got the rock, shot from way behind the arc to knockdown his first career game-winning buzzer beater on Sunday night. Williams finished with 25 points and six rebounds. Six Clippers finished in double digits.

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James Harden and his teammates, however, downplayed the significance of the defeat which snapped a nine-game winning streak.

Clint Capela was quick to remind reporters that the Rockets are 3-1 against Golden State this season.

Per ESPN:

“Well, it better be,” D’Antoni said of experiencing the Warriors live as opposed to trying to learn from film. “Sometimes you don’t learn a lot when you win. … If this didn’t get their attention, then we’re in big trouble. It’ll get their attention. And we just gotta figure some things out and do a better job.”

After watching the Golden State Warriors snap the Houston Rockets’ nine-game win streak, James Harden wanted people to know what the 106-104 loss meant.

“It’s OK,” Harden said when answering a question that started with how the Rockets were on a roll. “Yeah. Nah, it’s all right, man. We lost. We know we did. Good thing about it is we play again on Friday. It’s one loss.”

“Yeah, that’s a great team,” Houston center Clint Capela said. “Tonight, we lose by two, just because they were a little better in the details … They just did a good job, a little bit better than us.

“But that’s OK. That’s 3-1 [in the regular-season series].”

Related ‘Not Sure Stupidity Juices Anyone’: Draymond Green Dismisses Rockets’ Chatter

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Kawhi Leonard scored 25, but the Raptors’ supporting cast couldn’t get the job done as six Cavs scored at least 12 points with Collin Sexton’s 28 leading the way.

Serge Ibaka and Marquese Chriss were both ejected have exchanging #ThemHands.

Celtics 115 (41-27), Clippers 140 (39-29)

Lou Williams surpassed Dell Curry’s career points of the bench record (11,147) as he dropped 34 points in just 23 minutes of work against the Celtics. His bench-mate, Montrezl Harrell, added 20 points in 21 minutes on 8-for-12 shooting from the field as the Clippers blew out the Celtics at home.

Kings 115 (33-33), Wizards 121 (28-39)

The Kings fell four games behind the Jazz for the 8-seed in the Western Conference as Bradley Beal’s 27 points pushed Washington to a W.

Pistons 75 (34-32), Nets 103 (36-33)

Spencer Dinwiddie scored a game-high 19 points off the bench for the Nets as the Pistons struggled to get going on offense, shooting just 27.8 percent from the field as a unit.

Thunder 98 (41-26), Jazz 89 (37-29)

Russell Westbrook had 23 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists and Donovan Mitchell scored 25 as the Thunder took care of business in Salt Lake City.

There was an altercation between Westbrook and a fan after the fan said to “Get down on your knees like you’re used to.”

Hornets 106 (30-37), Rockets 118 (42-25)

The Rockets came out rolling on all cylinders as they ran out to a 71-44 halftime lead. Kemba Walker’s 40-point outburst helped cut the deficit back down to a little as 10 points, but the Rockets were able to hold on in the fourth quarter.

James Harden had 28 points, 10 assists and three steals while Clint Capela added 19 points and 15 boards.

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Dwyane Wade, a.k.a. Father Prime, had to flex his magic Wednesday night. Wade hit an improbable buzzer-beater against the Warriors that was nothing short of otherworldly. He sent the Miami crowd and his teammates into hysteria following the shot.

Wade finished with 25 points.

Rockets 118 (36-25), Hornets 113 (28-33)

Houston scored 28 points in the fourth quarter to get a win on the road. James Harden contributed 30 points and dished out seven assists while Clint Capela scored 23 points and grabbed 17 rebounds. Kemba Walker had 35 points for the Hornets.

Timberwolves 123 (29-32), Hawks 131 (21-41)

Atlanta was able to come out on top in overtime thanks to the duo of Trae Young (36 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds) and John Collins (34 points, eight rebounds). Karl-Anthony Towns scored 37 points in the loss.

Wizards 125 (25-36), Nets 116 (32-21)

Bradley Beal (31 points) and Trevor Ariza (23 points, 10 rebounds) led Washington to a road win in Brooklyn. D’Angelo Russell put in 28 points and seven rebounds for the Nets.

Blazers 97 (38-23), Celtics 92 (37-25)

Damian Lillard’s 33 points propelled the Blazers to a win in Boston despite a comeback attempt by the Celtics. Kyrie Irving scored 31 points in the loss.

Bulls 109 (17-45), Grizzlies 107 (24-39)

The Bulls’ trio of Zach LaVine (30 points), Lauri Markkanen (22 points) and Otto Porter Jr. (20 points) helped Chicago hold off Memphis. Avery Bradley put in 23 points for the Grizzlies.

Pistons 93 (29-31), Spurs 105 (34-29)

San Antonio used a 27-point third quarter to expand their lead and cruise to the home win. LaMarcus Aldridge led the team with 24 points while DeMar DeRozan added 17 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists.

Pacers 101 (40-22), Mavericks 110 (27-34)

Dallas turned the tide in the fourth quarter, putting in 31 points that pushed them ahead for the win. Rookie Luka Doncic flirted with a triple-double yet again, registering 26 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

Clippers 105 (34-29), Jazz 111 (34-26)

Utah enjoyed double-digit scoring from six players, including each of their starting five. Donovan Mitchell led the team in scoring with 32 points, while Rudy Gobert added 20 points and 13 rebounds.

Bucks 141 (47-14), Kings 140 (31-30)

Milwaukee and Sacramento played an electrifying game that went down to the final seconds in overtime. Eric Bledsoe led the Bucks with 26 points and 13 assists. Buddy Hield scored 32 points for the Kings.

Pelicans 119 (27-36), Lakers 125 (30-31)

With his team up three and time winding down, LeBron James nailed a one-legged 3-pointer from the corner to seal the game. James finished with 33 points and 10 assists as the Lakers exacted revenge after a loss to the Pelicans last week.

RELATED: Dwyane Wade Channeling His ‘Inner Allen Iverson’ With Braids

The post Post Up: Dwyane Wade Hits Ridiculous Buzzer-Beater Against Warriors ⚡️ appeared first on SLAM.

Check out what LeBron James, Donovan Mitchell, Trae Young and more had to say about Tom Brady and the Pats.

Man where Shams, Woj, Haynes, McMenamin at????….

— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 4, 2019

The real MVP’s of the game gotta be the punters forreal!

— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) February 4, 2019

Best part of the whole halftime show was Spongebob opening for Travis Scott

— Josh Hart (@joshhart) February 4, 2019

I don’t want nobody to ever say the NFL is more entertaining than the NBA…EVER…EVER… Thank you #SrSwagDaddy

— DeMarre Carroll (@DeMarreCarroll1) February 4, 2019

NBA FINALS > SUPER BOWL

— Dejounte Murray (@DejounteMurray) February 4, 2019

That first half though…

— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) February 4, 2019

I am asking to all football fans: it’s a boring game as a lot people are saying or just a great defensive game?

— Nicolas Batum (@nicolas88batum) February 4, 2019

Based on my timeline, not much to see #SBLIII

— Clint Capela (@CapelaClint) February 4, 2019

That @pepsi / @iamcardib commercial is at Panns in LA. Random fact. Real ones know.

— Spencer Dinwiddie (@SDinwiddie_25) February 4, 2019

Congrats Pats!!!!

— Al Horford (@Al_Horford) February 4, 2019

Tom Brady does it again

— Tristan Thompson (@RealTristan13) February 4, 2019

Bradys gotta be the official after another chip

— Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) February 4, 2019

Brady the !! .

— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 4, 2019

.@Patriots like that team that runs the floor in open gym and never loses and u hate em…unless you them.

Champs. Again!!!!!!!!!!!!@BumpNrunGilm0re what size ring u wear? #INTKING

— marcus smart (@smart_MS3) February 4, 2019

The post NBA Players React To Patriots’ Super Bowl LIII Win appeared first on SLAM.

The Rockets will have until Monday to clear a roster spot for Faried. He's expected to move into the Rockets lineup with significant minutes immediately with absence of Clint Capela, league sources said. https://t.co/fE0GsWcjUW

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 19, 2019

Houston will have to create a roster spot for Faried, who will likely be inserted into the starting lineup to replace injured center Clint Capela. According to Wojnarowski, the team is “aggressively working to find a trade for the exiled Carmelo Anthony before Monday’s 5 p.m. ET deadline.”

The Rockets will continue to probe for Carmelo Anthony trades to clear roster spot for Kenneth Faried, but have no intention of waiving ‘Melo, league sources tell ESPN. More likely scenario is releasing James Nunnally, who is on 10-day contract.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 19, 2019

The Nets acquired Faried in the offseason, but he has appeared in just 12 games.

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MRI showed ligament damage today on Capela, league sources said. https://t.co/JLkF06eABd

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 14, 2019

The 6-10 center is averaging 17.6 points, 12.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks this season. Houston is currently the No. 6 seed in the West with a 24-18 record.

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After this summer’s blockbuster trade, we knew Kawhi Leonard’s return to San Antonio and DeMar DeRozan facing his old team for the first time would be an emotional night. But we probably didn’t have the foresight to predict the 7th seed Spurs blitzing the 2nd seed Raptors in a blowout.

Spurs fans started the night by savagely booing Leonard, as well as chanting “traitor” when the 2014 Finals MVP went to the free throw line. And their home team started off white hot, doubling the Raptors score 38-19 in the 1st quarter and never looking back.

DeRozan led the way for the Spurs, recording his first career triple double (21 pts/14 rebs/11 ast) and being the first Spurs player since Tim Duncan in 2007 to record at least 15 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in the first half of a game.

Every Spurs starter scored in double figures and Lonnie Walker IV made his NBA debut and splashed a 26-foot three for his first NBA bucket. Overall, tonight could not have gone better for the Spurs.

The Spurs have come out HOT (via @NBAonTNT) pic.twitter.com/aqUtoohMU3

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 4, 2019

DeMar put up his 1st career triple double.
-21 points
-14 rebounds
-11 assists.
Respect (via @SportsCenter) pic.twitter.com/mV2HOvkyvq

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 4, 2019

Nuggets 117 (25-11), Kings 113 (19-19)

In a battle between two young, up-and-coming franchises, the Nuggets got the better of their Sacramento counterparts, coming away with a gritty victory that required herculean efforts from stars Jamal Murray (36 points and a clutch 4-point play) and Nikola Jokic (26 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists).

For the Kings, 25-year…excuse us, 26-year-old Buddy Hield led the way with 29 points, while De’Aaron Fox had this nifty steal and go-ahead pass to Willie Cauley-Stein.

SWIPER NO SWIPING! (via @SacramentoKings) https://t.co/AV37t1tqep

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 4, 2019

Rockets 135 (22-15), Warriors 134 (25-14)

James Harden is insane.

The reigning MVP (and if he keeps this up, we might as well add two-time to that title) delivered another blockbuster performance against the Warriors. In his eleventh straight game scoring over 30 points, the Beard dropped a 44 point triple double with 10 rebounds and 15 assists, sprinkling in some backbreaking daggers along the way. Ironman Clint Capela also helped immensely, scoring 29 points and corralling 21 rebounds in a thrilling Rockets OT victory.

For the Warriors, Steph Curry dropped 35 points, while KD and Klay Thompson each contributed 26 of their own.

But ultimately, they were no match for the Beard.

The Beard ties the game and sends it into OT!!! (via @NBAonTNT) pic.twitter.com/9opvXP5tnS

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 4, 2019

James Harden IS A SIMULATION (via @NBAonTNT) pic.twitter.com/9dooaCWy2I

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 4, 2019

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The post Post Up: James Harden Buries Warriors with Dagger 3-Pointer appeared first on SLAM.

Harden says “of course” he should be in the conversation for the Maurice Podoloff Trophy, which he won in 2017-18.

New ESPN story: James Harden is not only confident he should be in the MVP conversation, but that he'll win it for a second straight year. "You can name a few other people that should be in the conversation. But realistically? It’s coming back."https://t.co/EUbOkHxFN2

— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) December 28, 2018

Harden has scored 388 points over the last 10 games—single-handedly rescuing the Houston Rockets’ season—the most of any player since Kobe Bryant‘s 396-point rampage during a 10-game stretch in 2007.

Per ESPN:

“I mean, yeah. Of course I should be in that conversation,” Harden said, followed by a laugh and a shake of his head after he scored 45 points in Houston’s 127-113 victory Thursday over the Boston Celtics. “I mean, I receive a lot of hate, but it won’t stop me from going out there and killing every single night, being that dog that I am.

“You can name a few other people that should be in the conversation. But realistically? It’s coming back.”

James Harden had 45 points and six assists, Clint Capela added 24 points and 18 rebounds, and the Houston Rockets beat the Boston Celtics 127-113 on Thursday night for their eighth win in nine games.

Harden now is averaging a career high in points (32.7) and effective field goal percentage (54.7) while matching his true shooting percentage (61.9) from last season’s MVP run.

“He just has a mastery of the game and a control and an ease at which he plays,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said. “It’s fun to watch. On this side, it’s fun.”

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The post ‘It’s Coming Back’: James Harden Confident He’ll Be the MVP Again appeared first on SLAM.

To kick off the NBA’s Christmas slate of games, the Bucks got their sweet revenge after losing to the Knicks 134-136 in an overtime thriller at the Garden on December 1st.

Unfortunately, we were not treated to a Giannis-Mario Hezonja rematch (Hezonja picked up a DNP.) But the Greek Freak still dazzled under the bright Christmas lights, stuffing the stat sheet with 30 points, 14 boards, four steals and two blocks, making him the first Buck to score 30 points on Christmas since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

For the struggling Knicks, who have won only one of their past 11 games, rookie Kevin Knox led the way with 21 points.

GREEK FREAK IN THE OPEN COURT (via @Bucks) pic.twitter.com/d3KffVKNZM

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) December 25, 2018

Oklahoma City Thunder 109 (21-12), Houston Rockets 113 (18-15)

In a highly anticipated matchup between the previous two MVPs, Rockets vs. Thunder did not disappoint. After trailing for the majority of the game, Houston pulled away in the fourth quarter, outscoring OKC 27-21.

James Harden put the team on his back, scoring 41 points, which was the most ever for a Houston Rocket on Christmas. It is Harden’s seventh game in a row in which he has dropped more than 30 points. Center Clint Capela also chipped in with a strong double-double, featuring a monstrous 23 rebounds.

For the Thunder, Paul George continued his stellar season with another superb performance, putting up 28 points, 14 rebounds and three steals while his co-star Russell Westbrook was within reach of yet another triple double (21-9-9).

The Beard with the drive and dish! (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/iCfOeNAPwh

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) December 25, 2018

Celtics 121 (20-13), Sixers 114 (22-13)

Down two with less than 30 seconds left in the game, Kyrie Irving took matters into his own hands, dancing through the lane with Jimmy Butler guarding him as his jumper tied the game at 108 to send the game to overtime.

In OT, Irving hit clutch back-to-back three-pointers to cap off his 40-point performance. Jayson Tatum and Marcus Morris scored 23 each for Boston, and Terry Rozier contributed 10 of his own off the bench.

The C’s now lead the season series against the Sixers 2-0.

All we want for Christmas are some 1s like Kyrie Irving. (via @celtics) https://t.co/FgDdSSRGlr

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) December 26, 2018

Lakers 127 (20-14), Warriors 101 (23-12)

LeBron James said he “felt a pop” in his groin and left the midway through the third quarter. It felt like the Warriors would take over from that point, but instead the Lakers stood their ground and came out with a blowout road win.

It was in large part due to Rajon Rondo’s steadying hand when James left the game; the former finished with 15 points and 10 assists, doing most of his damage as the Warriors tried to break through the Laker lead.

James after the game played off the injury as it was diagnosed as a “slight groin strain.”

Air guitar Lance is a BIG mood (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/saENUpBdzL

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) December 26, 2018

Blazers 96 (19-15), Jazz 117 (17-8)

While the game was tied coming out of the first quarter, it became Utah’s in the second and Portland never caught up. Seven Jazz players scored in double digits, led by Donovan Mitchell’s 19 points.

Rudy Gobert delivered on both ends of the court, contributing a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds, along with seven blocks.

Damian Lillard scored 20 points in the loss.

DONOVAN MITCHELL (via @utahjazz) https://t.co/UgdTHYDvzV

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) December 26, 2018

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The post Post Up: Kyrie Irving Delivers in the Clutch on Christmas Day 🎁 appeared first on SLAM.

Their was a 90s vibe in the air with Lance Thomas leading the way in the legendary Nike Air Max Uptempos. Thomas has lowkey been wearing some of Nike basketball’s classic kicks over the past few seasons including several models from the Penny line. Darius Miller continued the 90s trend with the recent retro release of the “Concord” Air Jordan XI, Jerami Grant rocked out in the Air Jordan VIII Retro “South Beach” and Thabo Sefolosha wore his flashiest pair of Nike Air Max 90s to date.

On the topic of wild sneakers, Clint Capela wore the craziest pair of the Nike Kobe A.D. Exodus to-date. The shoe featured a yellow, navy and red color palette and definitely was the most eye-catching of the Kobes that hit the floor last night. Red sneakers have been very popular around the League this year and several were spotted last night including the aforementioned Exodus, the Nike PG 2.5 and the P.J. Tucker’s Nike Hyperdunk X PE.

Make sure to peep all these and the rest of the night’s NBA kicks in our gallery below.

Photos via Getty Images

The post NBA Kicks of the Night appeared first on SLAM.

It was a double-overtime battle for these two teams, with top players rising to the occasion time after time. Jaren Jackson Jr. hit a 3-pointer to send the game to OT, then Mike Conley hit a floater to send it to 2OT before Memphis finally captured the win. Conley led the team with 37 points, and Jackson Jr. added 36.

JAREN JACKSON JR. CLUTCH (via @NBATV) pic.twitter.com/C9TG9wwizo

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) December 1, 2018

Nuggets 113 (14-7), Blazers 112 (13-8)

The end of Nuggets-Blazers was a wild adventure. Jamal Murray was called out of bounds incorrectly with just under seven seconds left, but then he actually did step out of bounds when play resumed. That gave CJ McCollum a chance to win it at the buzzer, but his midrange shot didn’t fall. Paul Millsap led Denver with 22 points and 10 rebounds.

LUCKY AND GOOD

GOOD AND LUCKY https://t.co/yYzVvE00eM

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) December 1, 2018

Mavericks 103 (10-10), Lakers 114 (13-9)

Luka Doncic got the best of LeBron James early on with two quick blocks, but the King soon took over. James scored 28 points and added five rebounds and four assists in typical fashion. Kyle Kuzma contributed 15 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.

LeBron pulling from wayyyyyy out there (via @ESPNNBA) pic.twitter.com/hMUV56Fac1

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) December 1, 2018

Cavaliers 95 (4-17), Celtics 128 (12-10)

Boston coasted to a victory at home against Cleveland thanks to an all-around scoring effort. Every Celtic scored in the game, and seven players posted double digits. Kyrie Irving led the team with 29 points.

Kyrie got the ball on a string (via @celtics) https://t.co/j8jj9Uoifx

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) December 1, 2018

Jazz 119 (11-12), Hornets 111 (11-11)

Utah led this one from start to finish, thanks to 45 percent shooting from the 3-point line. Donovan Mitchell led the team in scoring with 30 points, while Jae Crowder and Rudy Gobert added 24 and 20 points, respectively. Jeremy Lamb paced Charlotte with 24 points.

*Major Heart-eyes* https://t.co/DndhfUpg8f

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 1, 2018

Bulls 88 (5-18), Pistons 107 (12-7)

Detroit was led by a pair of double-doubles from their frontcourt of Blake Griffin (20 points, 10 rebounds) and Andre Drummond (19 points, 20 rebounds). Bulls rookie Wendell Carter Jr. put in 28 points and seven rebounds in the loss.

Blake getting down to business. #PistonsNow

(via @FOXSportsDet) pic.twitter.com/c89XkFzaXL

— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) December 1, 2018

Wizards 98 (8-14), 76ers 123 (16-8)

It was a team effort for Philadelphia to get the win at home. Jumping out to a big lead allowed each player to get some run, and it kept minutes low for their starters. Joel Embiid led the team with 16 points and 15 rebounds in just 22 minutes.

Ben Simmons getting fancy with the assist to Embiid (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/DA8lUaglD1

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) December 1, 2018

Pelicans 101 (11-12), Heat 106 (8-13)

Miami held a lead as large as 31 in this one before New Orleans mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter. The Pelicans shot just 21.4 percent from 3-point land, compared to 33.3 percent for the Heat. Dwyane Wade had 18 points, six assists and five rebounds in the win.

D-Wade is just different (via @BR_NBA) pic.twitter.com/PJQlnHK3MC

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) December 1, 2018

Hawks 109 (5-18), Thunder 124 (14-7)

Russell Westbrook paced his team with another near triple-double, registering 23 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. Paul George added 20 points and five rebounds. Alex Len and John Collins each had 19 for Atlanta.

Stealing
Lobbing
Scoring

It’s a @USCellular Connection Highlight pic.twitter.com/TZGreloMRM

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 1, 2018

Rockets 136 (10-11), Spurs 105 (10-12)

In another of the night’s blowouts, Houston jumped all over San Antonio from the start. The game featured Chris Paul’s return from a hamstring injury, putting in 14 points and 10 assists. Clint Capela led the team with 27 points and 12 rebounds.

This James Harden block … #Rockets pic.twitter.com/oxtoAf2eXZ

— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 1, 2018

Magic 99 (11-12), Suns 85 (4-18)

Phoenix felt the absence of Devin Booker (toe injury). They only managed 85 points without their star, as Deandre Ayton led the team with 19 points. Nikola Vucevic paced Orlando with 25 points and 15 rebounds in the road win.

D.J. throws it @Double0AG throws it https://t.co/r7Y9a8bfBq

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) December 1, 2018

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All eyes were on Cleveland as LeBron James made his first return since becoming a Los Angeles Laker. He made the most of it, leading his new team to the win with 32 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists. JaVale McGee came up with a huge block on a bucket that could’ve tied the game.

Cleveland pays tribute to LeBron (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/fby2wP1dLq

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) November 22, 2018

Pelicans 120 (10-8), 76ers 121 (13-7)

In the battle of star big men, Joel Embiid shined bright. Embiid registered 31 points and 19 rebounds for the 76ers in the win. On the other end, Anthony Davis contributed 12 points and 16 rebounds; he also hit 10,000 career points.

.@JoelEmbiid @Xfinity | #HereTheyCome https://t.co/ffB8FdRKMZ

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) November 22, 2018

Pacers 109 (11-7), Hornets 127 (9-8)

While Kemba Walker has done a lot of heavy lifting over the past week for the Hornets, Charlotte put in an all-around effort to overcome the Pacers. Seven Hornets hit double-digit points, led by 21 from Jeremy Lamb. The Pacers were without Victor Oladipo due to a sore right knee.

NOPE @MilesBridges isn't having it #Hornets30 @HornetsOnFSSE https://t.co/yqAsxGpu5n

— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) November 22, 2018

Raptors 124 (15-4), Hawks 108 (3-15)

Kyle Lowry’s triple-double (21 points, 12 rebounds and 17 assists) led Toronto to the win, becoming the first team in the NBA to 15 wins. Veteran Vince Carter surpassed the 25,000 career-point landmark on, of course, a dunk.

25K CAREER POINTS FOR VINCE CARTER (via @ATLHawks) pic.twitter.com/XOwVjx96dV

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) November 22, 2018

Knicks 117 (5-14), Celtics 109 (9-9)

It became the Trey Burke show in Boston with the guard notching 29 points and 11 assists off the bench. He even hit a dagger 3-pointer that put New York safely ahead for good. Kyrie Irving led Boston with 22 points and 13 assists.

Ice in his VEINS. pic.twitter.com/sGG66hypN7

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 22, 2018

Suns 116 (3-14), Bulls 124 (5-13)

Zach LaVine went off for a game-high 29 points and contributed six assists. Jabari Parker added 20 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. Devin Booker led Phoenix with 23 points.

That’s now 15 games that @ZachLaVine scored 20 points or more

Zach poured in 29 against the Suns: pic.twitter.com/cTjQkUd8xE

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 22, 2018

Pistons 124 (8-7), Rockets 126 (9-7)

The trio of James Harden, Chris Paul and Clint Capela combined for 90 (!) points and helped Houston continue to right the ship. Blake Griffin put in a heroic effort on the other end, dropping 37 points in the loss.

https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/1065425951494979584

Blazers 100 (12-6), Bucks 143 (13-4)

It was not the Blazers’ night. Coming into the game on a back-to-back, playing in New York last night, the team didn’t have enough gas to keep up from the jump. Giannis Antetokounmpo made sure Portland didn’t sniff a comeback, putting in 33 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists as the Bucks won by 43.

The disrespect. #FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/6bLLbScCZk

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) November 22, 2018

Nuggets 103 (11-7), Timberwolves 101 (7-11)

Nikola Jokic’s near triple-double (seven points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists) inched Denver ahead in a close game in Minnesota. Paul Millsap added 25 points as well. Karl-Anthony Towns led the Wolves with 22 points.

START THE HALF THE RIGHT WAY https://t.co/WLD35dp633

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) November 22, 2018

Nets 113 (8-11), Mavericks 119 (8-9)

Harrison Barnes provided the scoring (28 points), DeAndre Jordan provided the boards (14 rebounds) and Luka Doncic provided a little bit of both (21 points, nine rebounds) in the Dallas win. The game was also highlighted by Dirk Nowitzki receiving a key to the city of Dallas.

"You have given this city so much…"

Mayor @Mike_Rawlings hands @swish41 his own key to the city!#MFFL pic.twitter.com/b415jMvqI3

— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) November 22, 2018

Grizzlies 104 (12-5), Spurs 103 (8-9)

Marc Gasol put the Grizzlies ahead for good with two free throws with only 0.7 seconds remaining. Gasol had 20 points and 10 rebounds while Mike Conley had 30 points and nine rebounds. DeMar DeRozan scored 24 points for the Spurs in the loss.

WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW pic.twitter.com/YGXTUd8aU7

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) November 22, 2018

Kings 119 (10-8), Jazz 110 (8-10)

It was a battle between two of the top players from the 2017 NBA Draft class, with De’Aaron Fox coming out on top thanks to his 17 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds. Meanwhile Donovan Mitchell had 35 points for Utah, continuing some strong play from him as of late.

Blink and De'Aaron Fox is already dunking on the other side of the court (via @SacramentoKings) https://t.co/vgrBIxDYRf

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) November 22, 2018

Thunder 123 (11-6), Warriors 95 (12-7)

The loss for Golden State marks their first four-game losing streak under current head coach Steve Kerr. Russell Westbrook’s triple-double (11 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists) and Paul George’s near double-double (25 points, nine rebounds) paced OKC to the win. Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson each had 27 points.

Diallo with the block, PG13 with the dunk (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/bPZGM6SKqw

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) November 22, 2018

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Los Angeles was trailing by 9 heading in to the fourth quarter and hadn’t held a lead all game.

But the Clippers outscored the Nets by 15 in the final frame to get their fourth consecutive victory.

Danilo Gallinari (28 points) and Tobias Harris (27 points) led the way for L.A. Sparkplug Montrezl Harrell had 16 and 10 off the bench.

Trezz is just nonstop energy (via @LAClippers) pic.twitter.com/zswwifCCXr

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) November 18, 2018

Sixers 122 (11-7), Hornets 119 (7-8) (OT)

After scoring just 7 points against the Cavs in the Hornets’ previous game, Kemba Walker went nuclear with a 60-point night.

The point total was the highest of any player this season, and he clearly gets up whenever Charlotte is playing the Sixers.

Kemba almost single-handedly dragged the game into OT, but it became clear that the Sixers just had too many weapons at their disposal.

Jimmy Butler, who had been relatively quiet, swatted Kemba’s layup attempt from behind and then proceeded to hit the game-winning three on the next possession. Jimmy Gets Buckets.

JIMMY G. BUCKETS DAGGER (via @NBCSPhilly) pic.twitter.com/XKUTn8yhk7

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) November 18, 2018