Twelve circular neon orange portals appear out of thin air. The citrus hues fly off the spheres’ edges in sparkling fashion, rotating in a clockwise direction as the views of various cities from across the U.S. grow wider and wider. Bellowing horns in the background build to a crescendo. You’ve probably seen this scene before, in a movie theater in 2019. Except this isn’t a movie: These are the greatest hoopers in the United States of America.

While USA Basketball representatives flew around the country presenting each player on the 2024 Men’s National Team with their USA threads in April, users on X flooded the timeline with the only comparison that made any conceivable sense: a 20-second clip from Avengers: Endgame.

In the film’s climax, the full totality of the Avengers team appears, journeying across the universe to join Captain America for one final showdown against Thanos. One by one, the greatest heroes in the galaxy stand shoulder to shoulder. It’s the perfect parallel for this year’s squad: one last ride with the best basketball powers ever assembled.

The USA Basketball’s Men’s National Team has descended on Paris with the sheer force of the Infinity Gauntlet. When the official roster was announced in mid-April, the basketball community erupted in excitement, and rightfully so. We couldn’t stop talking about it either. This amount of talent, all on one team, makes them the modern day Avengers: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Derrick White, Joel Embiid, Jrue Holiday, Bam Adebayo, Tyrese Haliburton, Devin Booker, Anthony Edwards and Jayson Tatum.

On paper, the roster is stacked. For the first time in USA Basketball history, the Men’s National Team will feature four former NBA MVPs: Durant, James, Embiid and Curry. Then there are the team’s 11 combined Olympic appearances, 10 total Gold medals, three FIBA World Cup titles, seven returning Olympians and a combined 84 NBA All-Star selections…yeah, the U.S. ain’t playing fair.

When USA Basketball’s Men’s National Team Managing Director Grant Hill set out to achieve a seemingly simple yet complicated task—construct the best basketball team in the world—what he put together was a 12-man roster, which will be led by head coach Steve Kerr, that can hold their own against one of the toughest Olympic fields in recent memory.

The path to glory and the highest view from atop the podium won’t be easy. It never is. But then again *checks roster* we haven’t seen anything like this before.

It’s been 12 years since we last saw LeBron James bounding down the court with the letters “USA” stamped across his chest. Olympic memories of tomahawk dunks, out-of-nowhere alley-oops and utter dominance from baseline to baseline haven’t been a reality for more than a decade.

James elected to rest his body and opt out of the 2016 and 2020 Games. Now, at 39 years old and with a catalog of accolades longer than Santa Claus’ wish list, he’s back. And 2024 is a different story; it’s his one last shot at Gold.

This isn’t the same LeBron who tore through London while debuting the legendary Nike LeBron X all those years ago, but don’t get it twisted. The explosiveness is still there, the low-post game is omnipresent, the court vision is still staggering and anyone can get clamped at any time. Coming off his 21st season—where he shot a career-high 41 percent from three—LeBron’s refined touch and years’ worth of wisdom will be the soul of the pack. And right next to him will be Kevin Durant, netting jumper after jumper.

The Olympics are KD’s playground. Every four years, the best scorer on the planet toys with defenders and lights nets on fire with a FIBA-certified ball. Durant boasts the most experience of this team with three Gold medals on his résumé, a journey which first started when he was the team’s go-to bucket-getter after stamping his arrival in 2012 at the London Games. He’s got the USA Basketball record books on lock: all-time leader in points (453), scoring average (19.8 ppg), we could go on and on. If this summer goes as planned, Durant will walk away as the most decorated player in USA Basketball men’s history with a record four Olympic Golds.

Stephen Curry, however, is shooting for his first. “We obviously want to go get the Gold, and for this being my first experience, I’m super excited,” Curry told Inside the NBA in mid-April. “I’m 36 now and I don’t know if I’ll have another one, so this is definitely the year.”

After back-to-back Finals runs in ’15 and ’16 and the continuation of the Covid pandemic well into 2021, Curry, much like James, has sat out the past two Olympics to rest and heal some nagging injuries. In the meantime, the country has patiently waited to see him reign down threes against the world’s best.

It may be his debut, but Curry has been instrumental in the team’s success on the international stage, winning Gold at the FIBA World Cup in 2010 and 2014. Now, the future Hall of Famer will get to check “Olympics” off his bucket list.

Anthony Davis was just 19 when he was selected to the 2012 USA Men’s National Team. After taking home the Gold, the five-time All-Defensive Team honoree is now responsible for manning the paint for the U.S. alongside his first-time Olympic teammate, Joel Embiid.

Embiid could have played for France—where he has citizenship—or Cameroon, his native country, but instead, the 2023-24 NBA MVP chose to play for the USA.

“After talking to my family, I knew it had to be [USA Basketball]. I want to play with my brothers in the League. I want to play for my fans because they’ve been incredible since the day I came here,” Embiid posted to X in October of 2023. “But most of all, I want to honor my son who was born in the U.S. I want my boy to know I played my first Olympics for him.”

This year’s team has a bunch of returning members from the USA Basketball’s last Gold medal squad, including one of the most underrated players in the game: Bam Adebayo. A point guard in the open floor, a small forward in the mid-range, a center on the block—the 2020 Olympian is a cheat code in international competition. While Bam, AD and Embiid preside down low, Jrue Holiday, another returning member of the team, lurks on the perimeter.

Holiday will pick your pocket, sneak into the passing lane and sit with the best of them. For years, the two-time NBA All-Star has been the glue for championship-winning and contending teams. He plays to win, and he leads by action. He’s tasked with much of the same in tandem with defensive stalwart Derrick White, who joins Embiid and Curry as the third first-timer on the Olympic team. The NBA is filled with a plethora of scorers, but the selection of various tacticians assembled for the U.S. Men’s National Team is what takes this roster from Gold to Certified Platinum.

“This guy next to me will be the next one,” Kevin Durant told The Boston Herald’s Mark Murphy after becoming USA Basketball’s all-time leader in points in July 2021. The “guy” he was pointing to was Jayson Tatum.

Tatum vividly remembers the 2020 team’s first scrimmage against the USA Select Team in Las Vegas. Someone kicked him the ball on the wing and, instead of getting his, the 23-year-old deferred to Durant who was to his right.

“I remember he got mad at me,” Tatum told Draymond Green on “The Draymond Green Show” in April 2022. “He was like, Yo, don’t look to me. Be yourself. I need you to kill. And I was like damn…he needs me to do me on this team.” So that’s what he did.

After dropping their first contest of the 2020 Tokyo Games to France, the U.S. won its second game in a 54-point blowout against Iran, and then in the third, Tatum led the U.S. squad with a team-high 27 points on 10-16 shooting from the field in a win against the Czech Republic. Point taken. The next talisman had emerged.

And so have Anthony Edwards, Devin Booker and Tyrese Haliburton. With Durant, LeBron and Curry gearing up for one last ride this summer, USA Basketball is looking toward the future of the country’s success on the world stage. It starts with building the next generation of flag bearers.

This past NBA season served as Ant-Man’s official inauguration as the League’s next superstar. When the offense falls flat and energy begins to dissipate, Edwards will smirk as he plans his next jaw-dropping display of athleticism that will ignite a 20-0 run. Haliburton’s arrival extends the country’s long line of offensive orchestrators and visionary passers in transition while Booker’s devotion to the mid-range and mastery of the iso routinely makes for instant offense in the most unlikely scenarios. The next generation of USA Basketball players is a not-so-subtle reminder of why this squad is so damn exciting. Everyone can make their claim for playing time. This isn’t just a 12-man roster, it’s a 12-man deep rotation.

The schedule will be grueling, but the experience will be unforgettable. Memories will be made, legacies enshrined and the next chapter of USA Basketball will be written. Meanwhile, Durant wants to see complete dominance.

“I want to really make a statement on how dominant our players are,” Durant said in his Boardroom cover story in February. “Like 40, 50-point wins. I want to do that.”

SLAM PRESENTS USA BASKETBALL IS AVAILABLE NOW

Photos via Getty Images.

The post Gold Rush: Previewing the 2024 USA Men’s National Team Ahead of the Paris Olympics appeared first on SLAM.

Campers receive mentorship from current and former NBA players and follow an advanced training regimen designed to prepare them for the next level. In addition, every camper participates in group discussions and classes centering on topics such as stress management, recruiting pressures and more. 

Since ’94, hundreds of NBA players have come through the Top 100 Camp. This year’s event is set to take place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, FL, from June 8-13.

But first, to celebrate 30 incredible years, we’re looking back at the top 30 NBPA members who have hit the court at the Top 100 Camp.

30. Zach LaVine 

Of all the high-flyers on this list, Zach LaVine might have the craziest hops. At 6-5, 200 pounds, he somehow makes zipping past defenders, soaring through the air and punching a nasty jam over a seven-footer look effortless. His jaw-dropping highlights and incredible performances in dunk contests—like his legendary duel with Aaron Gordon in 2016—alone make him a suitable candidate for this list, but LaVine is also a two-time All-Star and an elite all-around scorer who has averaged over 20 points per game for his career. 

29. Zion Williamson 

It’s rare for a high school player to land on the cover of SLAM. But then again, it’s rare for a high school player to be like Zion Williamson was in 2017. The kid from Spartanburg, SC, demanded our attention, regularly going viral on social media for his unfathomable dunks and blocks. The eventual cover line: “He’s 16. He’s 6-7. He’s explosive like Russ. He dunks like LeBron. Are you ready for Zion Williamson?” No lies told. In fact, at the Top 100 Camp in 2016, he was named MVP. Unfortunately, the Zion experience has been limited in the NBA due to injuries, but when the New Orleans Pelicans star has been healthy, he’s been an unstoppable force who still lights up social media.

28. Bam Adebayo

In an interview with SLAM in 2019, Jimmy Butler described his teammate Bam Adebayo—now a 3x All-Star—perfectly: “He works super hard and he’s everywhere on the floor. You need him to pass it, he can pass it. He rebounds, he handles the ball, he sets great screens. You can’t take him off the floor. He’s a key part to what we want to do and what we will continue to do. [Head coach Erik Spoelstra] knows—in order to win, you gotta have Bam out there on the floor.” That all still applies today.

27. De’Aaron Fox

Don’t blink—you might miss De’Aaron Fox do something spectacular. The lightning quick guard was a McDonald’s All-American in high school, ranked as one of the top recruits in the nation. He went to the University of Kentucky for one year, starring alongside Bam Adebayo and Malik Monk, before entering the 2017 NBA Draft, where he was picked fifth overall by the Sacramento Kings. Slowly but surely, Fox has developed into an All-Star and made the Kings exciting and relevant for the first time in a long time. 

26. Karl-Anthony Towns

We have seen very few big men in the history of the NBA with the versatility and skill set of Karl-Anthony Towns. That’s to say: We have seen very few big men in the history of the NBA who are just as comfortable behind the arc and in the mid-range as they are in the paint. KAT, now 28, stands seven feet tall, has averaged 10.8 rebounds per game over his nine seasons in the League and is a career 40 percent three-point shooter. And he just helped lead the best Timberwolves team in two decades all the way to the Western Conference Finals.

25. DeAndre Jordan

During those peak Lob City years, DeAndre Jordan owned the paint for the Los Angeles Clippers. He controlled the glass, averaging 13.1 rebounds per game from 2013-18. He protected the rim, averaging 1.8 blocks over that same span. And occasionally, he threw down a dunk so vicious, so powerful, so unbelievable, that teammates and fans were left wondering what the hell just happened (please go rewatch his poster on Brandon Knight). Jordan now brings veteran leadership to the Denver Nuggets, where he helped the franchise capture its first championship in 2023.

24. Donovan Mitchell

Twelve teams passed on Spida in the 2017 NBA Draft. Twelve. Mitchell, who hails from Elmsford, NY, and went to college at Louisville, made most of those teams regret that decision almost immediately. He averaged 20.5 points as a rookie and was an All-Star by his third season. He’s now made five straight All-Star Games, including in 2023 when he was named a starter. Very few players in the League possess Mitchell’s combination of athleticism and skill. To put it plainly: the explosive guard—currently on the NBPA Executive Committee—is impossible to stop. And at 27 years old, he’s just entering his prime.

23. Al Horford

For the past 16 years, Big Al has been a big presence in the NBA. The reliable center is still playing a pivotal role for a historically good Boston Celtics team that just tore its way through the Eastern Conference. Horford was a star at Grand Ledge High School in Michigan, won back-to-back national championships at the University of Florida (2006, 2007) and has been named an All-Star five times during his lengthy NBA career (four times with the Hawks, once with the Cs). And he ain’t done yet. 

22. Kyle Lowry

When he entered the League in 2006, Kyle Lowry didn’t take off right away. In fact, it wasn’t until his fifth season in the NBA that the 6-0 point guard, who had been traded by the Grizzlies to the Rockets in ’09, became a permanent starter. Lowry hasn’t looked back since, guiding teams in Houston, Toronto, Miami and Philly with his hard-nosed, aggressive, energetic style of play—a style that has made him a fan favorite and earned him six All-Star selections. In the North, where he won a championship in 2019, Lowry will always be known as Mr. Raptor.

21. Baron Davis 

Baron Davis was an artist with the basketball. Ridiculous dribble packages, flashy assists, monster posters—the 1997 Gatorade National Player of the Year and two-time NBA All-Star always put on a show. After starring at UCLA, Davis was the third overall pick in the 1999 Draft and helped lead a formidable Hornets team for the first stretch of his pro career. He later joined the iconic “We Believe” Warriors squad that advanced to the second round of the 2007 playoffs as a No. 8 seed. Injuries robbed us of more years watching him play, no question, but when the electrifying guard was at his best, that was some of the most entertaining ball to watch.

The post NBPA Top 100 Camp Top 30 Players: 30-21 appeared first on SLAM.

For the next 30 days—Monday through Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full list here. We’ve also got an exclusive retro collegiate collection, out now, that pays homage to each squad’s threads. Shop here.

Despite being a youthful roster filled with talented stars, the 2017 Wildcats would be questioned at every corner. De’Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, Bam Adebayo, and Derek Willis. Those are only a few names that glued this team together and allowed them to go on the crazy run they accomplished during this season. 

Fox was the facilitator and a pestering defender who averaged 17 points per game and lived up to his social media handle, swipathefox. Meanwhile, Monk brought intensity and determination from start to finish of every game and Bam left opponents shook in the paint. Collectively this group set the tone at the start of every game. From a drop off to Bam in the paint, pass and shot by Monk, or a pass and crazy move from Fox, this Kentucky team would run you up and down a court like no other. And because they were so young, they never got tired, or at least never showed it. There was always some fight and scoring left in them at every game. Running teams out the gym, the Wildcats had over 15 games where they beat their opponents by at least 10 points in the regular season. They were ultimately a scoring madhouse. 

Led by the only John Calipari, their athleticism, drive, and determination brought them all the way to postseason: first, winning the SEC championship and then the NCAA tournament, where they swept past opponents like Northern Kentucky, Wichita State and UCLA—a game in which Fox dropped 39 points in a matchup against the Bruins’ star, Lonzo Ball. 

The Elite Eight showdown against UNC was, well, elite. The pressure was on, especially for Fox and his Wildcats, who eventually lost to the Tar Heels. An emotional Fox later revealed to us that summer: “Just knowing that was my only opportunity to win a National Championship—competitiveness spilled over,” Fox told SLAM. “Just knowing that we were up 5 with like two to three minutes left, knowing that we could have won that game is what really [hurt]. Just losing that game the way we did. It was tough losing like that. It’s not the same when you have another chance to win it. That was the part that hurt the most.”

Despite the season that could’ve been, the 2017 Wildcats helped cement Kentucky’s legacy as one of the most dominant and competitive programs. Fox, Bam and Monk are all hoopin’ in the L today, and never hesitate to support BBN whenever they get the chance, either. That’s just what happens when you rock Kentucky blue…

Photos via Getty Images.

The post The 30 Most Influential NCAA MBB Teams of SLAM’s 30 Years: 2017 Kentucky  appeared first on SLAM.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly interested in trading for Lowry too. The Timberwolves could move D’Angelo Russell to Miami for Lowry, and the Lakers have reportedly decided to stand pat at the trade deadline.

The Heat are still finding itself at the moment. Miami (23-20) is eighth in the Eastern Conference standings due to a dearth of injuries to key players like Lowry, Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, and Victor Oladipo. Lowry is averaging 13.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game while shooting 39.8 percent from the field and 33.6 percent from beyond the arc.

Miami trading Lowry could help them create a younger backcourt that could help reverse their fortunes for the season. Making a move with either the Lakers or T-Wolves could help them make a move in the offseason in the draft or the free agent.

Miami will host the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday afternoon.

The post REPORT: Lakers, Timberwolves Interested in Trading for Kyle Lowry appeared first on SLAM.

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

Darvin Ham Announces the Pain in Anthony Davis’ Foot ‘Has Just About Dissipated’:

Lakers head coach Darvin Ham told reporters that Anthony Davis’ foot has improved to the point that “his pain has just about dissipated” since he first suffered the injury two weeks ago against the Nuggets.

Darvin Ham, two weeks after Anthony Davis suffered the stress injury in his right foot, says “the biggest thing is, his pain has just about dissipated” and says Davis is trending in the right direction when it comes to approaching a ramp up to return to the court.

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 30, 2022

LeBron James Drops 47-10-9 on his Birthday to Deliver a Lakers Win:

LeBron James showed us once again that age ain’t nothing but a number on his birthday. The four-time MVP turned 38 on Friday and celebrated this lap around the sun by dropping 47 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists to lead the Lakers to a 130-121 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

“At 18 years old, I knew how to play the game,” James said, per ESPN. “I knew I belonged in the NBA, but I didn’t know what I could become at 18. But I knew if I continued to put in the work and I continued to reach into the game, then I could be one of the greatest players to ever play this game.”

47 PTS
10 REB
9 AST@Lakers W@KingJames showed out on his 38th birthday!pic.twitter.com/33lO5BnVpo

— NBA (@NBA) December 31, 2022

CJ McCollum Knocks Down A Pelicans Record 11 Three-Pointers:

CJ McCollum was unstoppable Saturday night as he scored 42 points, four rebounds, five assists on a franchise record, and a career-high 11 made three-pointers against the 76ers.

“You don’t just fall into these types of nights,” McCollum said, per The Athletic. “It comes with preparation. It comes with a lot of different sacrifices you make in your household and things like that. Some nights I go to the gym. Some nights I’m getting treatment. Some nights I’m lifting. It’s time away from home. But I joke with my wife all the time and say, ‘I could be gone a lot and suck at basketball. Luckily, I’m gone a lot, and I don’t suck.’”

42 PTS
4 REB
5 AST
11 3PM (franchise-record, career-high)@CJMcCollum went OFF in the @PelicansNBA win. pic.twitter.com/s09E7DdoQr

— NBA (@NBA) December 31, 2022

Tyler Herro Brings in the New Year With a Buzzer-Beater:

Tyler Herro put an exclamation point on Miami’s strong offensive showing with a game-winning buzzer-beater to beat the Utah Jazz on New Year’s Eve, 126-123. Herro posted 29 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, followed by Bam Adebayo’s game-high 32 points and eight rebounds, and Victor Oladipo rounded out the final win in 2022 with 23 points off the bench.

Miami outscored Utah 54-32 in the win and shot 51 percent from the field. As a team, the Heat dished 32 assists on 45 buckets.

“The ball was flying around,” Herro said, per ESPN. “We were making plays for each other, getting stops defensively, and turning it into easy buckets on the other end.”

TYLER HERRO WINS IT FOR THE HEAT #TissotBuzzerBeater | #TimingEmotions pic.twitter.com/MqLHRlsVXL

— NBA (@NBA) January 1, 2023

Luka Doncic Makes More History After Dropping 50+ For the Third Time in 5 Games:

Luka Doncic has been on a historic tear while helping Dallas win six straight games after Doncic dropped 51 points, six boards, nine dimes, four steals, and six made triples to beat San Antonio 126-125. Luka Legend has dropped three 50+ points in his last five outings, put up the most 40+ point games in Mavs history, and became the first player ever to post 225+ points and 50+ rebounds, and 50+ assists over a five-game span.

The three-time All-Star is also the eighth player in NBA history to contribute three or more 50-point outings in a season before he turned 25-years-old. He joins James, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Rick Barry, Nate Archibald, and Wilt Chamberlain in the exclusive Hall-of-Fame club.

51 PTS
6 REB
9 AST
4 STL
6 3PM
W

Luka has dropped 50+ in 3 of his last 5 games. Unstoppable. pic.twitter.com/AFYYqmWaUb

— NBA (@NBA) January 1, 2023

The post NBA Weekend Recap: LeBron James Drops Buckets on His Birthday, and Luka Doncic Makes More History appeared first on SLAM.

The six-time All-Star expressed how he was grateful that the NBA at least sent Miami to play in Mexico this year since they are not getting any nationally televised games.

“I don’t feel like the NBA rock with the Miami Heat too much anyway,” Butler said per Heat Nation. “At least we get to play somewhere. We don’t got no TV games or nothing.”

The Miami Heat finished the 2021-22 campaign with an Eastern Conference-best 53-29 record. Although Miami was last year’s top seed in the East, the Heat weren’t even in the top 10 for most games televised on the major networks. Surprisingly, teams who were missing key pieces for most of the season, like the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers, had more nationally televised games.

Earlier in December, Heat center Bam Adebayo also chimed in on Miami not getting enough media attention.

“You’ve got to think about: we were No. 1 in the East and people didn’t even pay us any mind,” Adebayo said. “Us being where we’re at, they’re definitely not talking about us. The biggest thing for us is to keep stacking these wins.”

The post Jimmy Butler Finds Motivation in Miami Playing Zero National TV Games appeared first on SLAM.

Herro makes NBA History by becoming the first player to record nine or more three points on back-to-back nights. On Thursday, he tied the franchise record for most three-pointers (10) in a single game against the Houston Rockets, which featured a career-high 41 total points for him.

Wednesday night was a similar performance with a victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, as Herro knocked nine 3-pointers to his 35 points. The reigning Sixth Man of the Year has been on a tear lately, but Herro is only focused on what he can contribute to pushing the Heat back into one of the contenders of the East.

“I didn’t know it was the record until last night when I hit nine, and they said I was one short,” Herro said per ESPN. “I didn’t have any intention of coming in to tie the record, but I was just trying to get 3s up. I think shooting more 3s is helping.”

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It’s not like he’s just chucking three balls out there, either. His numbers are looking as efficient as ever from the outside. Herro shot a career-best 10-15 from beyond the arc. While he shot 12-23 from the field against the Thunder, Herro hit the game-winning basket from 15 feet to aid him as the best field goal percentage made shooter among starting guards the last two games.

“Regardless, he’s too good of a shooter for us to not take 3s off the catch,” Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said after the game. “He has to continue to be assertive in those opportunities. He’s just a brilliant shooter. He can do it off the dribble and off the catch.”

The back-to-back historic nights for the Kentucky product aren’t one of his first marks in NBA history. Against the Boston Celtics in the 2020 Eastern Conference Finals, Herro recorded a 37-point game in a critical Game 5 that listed him with the second most all-time playoff points for a player 20 years old or younger behind Magic Johnson(42).

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This time around, Herro, at 22-years-old achieves another Heat record by becoming the youngest player to have a 40-point game in the regular season, breaking franchise legend Dwyane Wade‘s at 23.

Herro has lived up to his $130 million contract this season, and more importantly, he earned himself a spot in the starting lineup, a role he was excited to grab this past summer.

With the presence of All-Stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, the Heat may have solidified a Big Three that can contribute at all ends of the court to reach the destiny of a fourth championship.

For now, only one thing is certain; Herro is indeed a Bucket.

The post Tyler Herro Makes History After Hitting Nine Triples in Back-to-Back Games appeared first on SLAM.

There’s not much to be proud of in their 12-14 record, but the superstardom of Bam Adebayo has finally blossomed, and it’s greatly benefited, Jimmy Butler.

His aggressiveness has been on display, especially in the last six games. The Kentucky product has scored 18.3 points per game in the second half, which is second-best among centers behind Los Angeles Laker superstar Anthony Davis.

Bam keeps getting the job done by any means necessary pic.twitter.com/HIbWrG5Kdk

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) December 9, 2022

After a tight battle last night against the Los Angeles Clippers, Adebayo (31) and Butler (26) combined for 57 points while showing efficient shooting from inside the three-point line. Even with Adebayo’s point total and improvement in the second half, the center wanted Butler to score the team’s last eight clutch points, which he delivered.

“The ball finds the right places,” Adebayo said, according to Sports Illustrated. “Jimmy had the hot hand. He scored our last eight, and that’s what he does. At the end of the game, if he wants to keep doing, I’m fine with that. I have no problem with him shooting step-back, one-footers.”

JB with a game on the line is just different… the Clippers were the latest to find out. #ClutchJimmy

Popular Moment of the Week // @popularbank pic.twitter.com/Zil4anyaCW

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) December 9, 2022

The number one option is expected to deliver in crunch time, no matter the circumstance. In his return from a nearly two-week absence, Butler knocked down a stunning fadeaway blow a week ago against the Boston Celtics to steal a victory at TD Garden.

Adebayo quietly recorded 28 points in that same outing and collected seven boards, forcing the Celtics to account for two of the Heat’s superstars.

The tear Adebayo is on right now has made Butler’s job easier. With Adebayo drawing much more attention, the closing minutes rely on no. 22 to take on isolation assignments in which he’s so potent. Another Adebayo eruption with a closing call from Butler is in the possibilities Saturday night as the San Antonio Spurs come into town.

The post Bam Adebayo Has ‘No Problem’ with Jimmy Butler Closing Games Out appeared first on SLAM.

The aggressive play of star center Bam Adebayo and the leadership of Kyle Lowry have brought the team to four victories in their last five games, with the most notable one being this past Friday against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden.

A game that featured the return of Miami superstar Jimmy Butler saw the forward shatter the hearts of the 19-5 Celtics by hitting one clutch shot after another. After the game, he posed high confidence in the Heat and its resiliency in tight situations but most notably made a promise to team President and all-time NBA legend Pat Riley, as he hopes this season shapes up to be Riley’s 10th championship run.

“When you’re talking about the Heat,” Butler said. “Deep run into the playoffs, championship caliber, that’s the second two is about. You put the two together, Pat Riley; we’re getting your 10th championship.”

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Butler came within reach of Riley’s 10th title on two separate occasions, as in the 2020 NBA Finals, the Heat came up short against the Los Angeles Lakers, losing the series 4-2. Last season, the Heat were once again in the Eastern Conference Finals against the rivaled Celtics, and in Game 7, Butler missed a critical go-ahead three-point shot in the final 18 seconds to give Boston the opportunity to ice the game and move on to the championship series against the Golden State Warriors.

Though the Heat hasn’t looked themselves this season, when Butler is on the court, his elite level of play places him in the upper echelon of star players across the League. He’s currently averaging 21.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.7 steals.

The Heat Culture embodies a ‘bounce back’ mentality through their grit and determination on the floor, and Butler has certainly embraced it. However, at 33-years-old, time is certainly closing on him to achieve the dream of winning a championship.

Butler is capable of taking on the challenge on his own, but basketball is a team game, and Heat fans know that if a championship comes to South Beach, it’ll have to be a high-level team effort.

“We’re still going to win the championship, and I don’t care what nobody says,” Butler said on the early struggle of the Heat. “Count us out. We’re going to win the f—— championship. I’m telling you.”

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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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With three of the four losses coming down to the wire, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra feels the quality of his star players on the court, can set a difference in a short amount of minutes.

“At some point, hopefully, we’ll be getting some guys back,” Spoelstra said per Sports Illustrated. “Even if they’re not fully 100 percent, even if they’re close enough, maybe they can give us a little bit of reinforcement, even if it’s just short minutes. That’s where we are right now.”

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The Heat is dealing with a loss of their defensive identity in just one season. They were one of the best defensive teams last season; now, the Heat are currently tied for 14th in the League with the Atlanta Hawks, who both hold a 111.1 defensive rating. They average the second lowest blocks, even with the 16 out of the 18 games Adebayo has played.

Kyle Lowry isn’t the same focal point of an offense as he once was, but he has kept the Heat within reach in the last four games while averaging 18.3 points and 7.3 assists. The resurgence of Lowry is encouraging, considering his struggling performance in last year’s playoffs, but it’ll have to remain once Butler returns and looks to reclaim his spot as Miami’s top scorer.

“Just give us whatever you have,” Spoelstra said. “Whatever you have, just give us. If you’re used to playing 30 minutes, just give us 15. If you’re used to playing 20 minutes, give us eight, so we can kind of manage things right now.”

For now, the Heat remains without several of their former All-Stars, and it may stay that way for the time coming. Questions are piling up, and a fired-up Spoelstra may be the finishing touch to what has been a roller-coaster season for South Beach.

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

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

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) November 18, 2022

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

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

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

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

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) November 17, 2022

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

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

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

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It wasn’t the prettiest of victories to their now three-game win streak, as the Suns held a 13 point-advantage at one point, but the dominance of Bam Adebayo showed up at the perfect time in the fourth quarter, scoring 15 of his 30 points.

His two-way play seems to be pushing the team in the right direction, as his screens and playmaking are getting Caleb Martin and Kyle Lowry in much needed rhythm.

After the game, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra spoke on the value Adebayo provides on both sides of the ball and how his responsibilities can benefit the rest of the team.

“He’s such a winner. He’s an absolute winner,” said Spoelstra. “He can morph into so many different roles for us where he makes it look so much easier to the average fan – everybody just wants him to score 40.”

Adebayo had been off to a slow start for the first seven games of the season, resulting in the Heat winning just two games in October. Now, winners of five of their seven games in November, Adebayo has jumped his averages to 20.7 points per game, 10.3 rebounds, and 40 assists per game on 52.7 percent shooting from the field.

The Heat is doing better once Adebayo takes over a game, but as co-star Jimmy Butler mentioned last week, Miami’s defense is “not where it needs to be.”

With a 111.8 defensive rating, the Heat are 17th in the League in that category, a major drop from their fourth-best rating last season. However, the team is third in the League in points allowed in the paint (44.7), courtesy of Adebayo’s anchoring down inside.

“Understanding how to read defenses and what’s necessary for this team,” said Spoelstra on Adebayo. “when to be assertive, when to create for others, when to set screens for guys, look, I’ve never coached really somebody where there’s been so many different responsibilities,”

Spoelstra has taken leadership over legends like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and of course, Butler, the current face of the team. Encouraging words like the one Spoelstra said on Adebayo should factor into how confident the big man plays the rest of the year.

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While Vanderbilt has been productive on the glass and in the scoring department, his versatility and ability to defend multiple positions make Miami interested in the 23-year-old.

“They hoped to get Utah to give up Jarred Vanderbilt—they want defense at that spot,” said the executive to Heavy Sports.” They want to see what they have with guys like Caleb Martin, see how he handles that spot.”

Losing P.J. Tucker during the offseason was a significant loss for the Heat, and not bringing in any critical players on top of that did not help their case either. Tucker’s absence is starting to show after Miami opened up the campaign with a disappointing 2-5 record. 

Adding Vanderbilt to this struggling roster can work wonders, and it may just be what this team is missing. The young forward has even shown signs of his new and improved three-point shot, shooting it at a career-best 42.9 percent. Undoubtedly, he would adapt nicely alongside Bam Adebayo in the frontcourt, which operates mainly in the paint. Nevertheless, the Heat have time to make this call. The NBA trade deadline is on Feb.9.

Miami is back in action on Nov. 1 when they take on the defending champs, the Golden State Warriors.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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“Me, and I give Draymond [Green] and probably Giannis [Antetokounmpo],” said Adebayo when naming players that can defend the best players at each position to NBA writer Couper Moorhead. “Three guys who can literally guard 1-through-5 and be effective.”

The Heat used Adebayo to matchup against superstar scorers such as Atlanta Hawks‘ Trae Young and Philadelphia 76ers‘ Joel Embiid in their playoff meetings last season. Young shot 31.9 percent from the field and 18.4 percent from beyond the arc, netting an average of 15.4 points a game, while Embiid was 11 of 29 shooting when guarded by Adebayo during the games he appeared in.

“I’m going to always go for the award,” said Adebayo on the Defensive Player of the Year award. “I’m never going to give up on anything that I set my mind to. It’s set in stone.”

Nonetheless, his three-peat in the All-NBA Defensive Second Team speaks for his case and for how far the Heat get every season is in part to his play against the League’s best scorers. As he enters Year 6 of his career, it’s clear that Adebayo is ready to take his defensive talents to all-time great heights as the Heat look to bring a title to South Beach.

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Miami is headed for another season of action as a top contender to come out of the Eastern Conference and is looking to push one of their stars Bam Adebayo, to have an increased scoring role. Doing so can take the team over the hump.

Last year, Adebayo only averaged 13.7 shot attempts a game. For someone that shoots it at 55.7 percent, the expectation is that more volume will cede more outstanding production. Even Butler chimed in about this push on Media Day.

“We know he knows we want him to score more; we want him to be aggressive. He can do it, and he’s going to — He always is and always will be the engine, the key part on both ends of the floor. So we’re going where Bam takes us.”

Adebayo understands that the team wants him to score more, so he is setting a new goal for himself going into the 2022-23 campaign. On Media Day, the Heat star revealed that he wants to average close to 18 shot attempts per game.

“I’m going to try to get it up this year,” said Adebayo. “I feel like we’re a lot better team when I’m scoring the basketball.”

If the Heat star can remain efficient with that many shot attempts this season, we are potentially looking at an early MIP candidate.

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What happens when you look to blend the best of speed and flight? Jordan Brand asked that question, and the answer was the Air Jordan 37.

Jayson Tatum and Satou Sabally are what we call, in the new age of positionless hoops, the ultimate hybrid. The Prince of Boston coupled with that suave demeanor is smooth yet shifty. He’ll cross you with ease and bully you on the block with his 6-10 frame, fresh out of bed.

Sabally, third-year forward for the Dallas Wings, is brilliantly versatile; her game reads like poetry. The J? Silky. Handles? Filthy. Spin cycle? Gracefully elegant. Chase down blocks? Loads of ’em. 

Two of the most multifaceted hoopers on Jordan Brand’s expanding roster of basketball brilliance not only have the type of games that general managers salivate over, they’re leading the Brand into a new era of sustainability and peak performance.

Built for the future of the game and its athletes’ multi-directional play, Jumpman has always kept the visceral sense of rising through the air with blistering speed at the forefront of its discussions when dropping one of the most coveted performance sneakers on the market. The 37th iteration of Jordan’s signature line isn’t any different in that respect. 

“We wanted to create this pretty much one-of-one system that really no other basketball player could feel other than in the shoe; that really celebrates the best of speed, and the best of flight,” Chad Troyer, Senior Product Line Manager at Jordan Brand, tells KICKS.

And with a roster featuring players of nearly every build in men’s and women’s professional basketball, the 37 needed to be able to blend a myriad of properties to support their athletes; from the debut of a Jordan-only foam, evolving the Leno-weave upper and delving into the three phases of a jump, all while maintaining their commitment to sustainability (but more on that later). 

Nearly four decades of basketball history and heritage reside in Jordan Brand’s upcoming hybrid. So when constructing a lightweight support system that functions with the natural movements of the foot, Troyer and the Brand swung their gaze straight to the Air Jordan VII’s interior make up. 

While serving as a wink to the VII during its 30th anniversary, the buffed-up ankle collar, underlying forefoot pattern and familiar geometric color blocking on the outsole all seek to evoke 1992 nostalgia. 

Bam Adebayo, Rui Hachimura and Dearica Hamby all need both distinctive and effective support while wreaking havoc on the block and drawing defenders out to the midrange. The Leno-weave upper takes direct inspiration from the exoskeleton construction of the famous Nike Air Huarache and the targeted areas of protection of ankle straps and tape. 

Blending Tinker Hatfield’s past innovations with modern-age performance served as an empowering anchor of inspiration throughout the 37’s process. “We’re just wanting to make it newer and better now,” Troyer adds.

From the inner paneling of the VII to the carbon fiber shank’s return for the first time since the 32, the new aesthetic created by merging the structural design with the Leno-weave upper has excited Troyer the most.  

Yet the evolution of the upper is seen in a whole new space with the 37, “allowing the structure to be very strong where you need it,” says Troyer, “and then opened up and lightweight and flexible when you don’t.”  

Allowing varying light and colors to poke through the panels of the forefoot, the introduction of a specialized TPE yarn amidst the tooling of the zoned upper– crafted out of a single fiber of monofilament called Arkema—pays direct homage to the meticulous craftsmanship displayed in West African basket weaving.

“You can really see inside, you can see your sock, you can see the insole. It’s just going to become a unique aesthetic where we haven’t been before,” Troyer adds.

We’re not talking about picking and pulling random ideas and influences just to be sorted 
out later down the line here, we’re talking going into the deepest depths of the bottomless bag of Jumpman’s creative and technological capabilities.

The bevy of His Airness’ insurmountable athletic feats on the hardwood provide Nike’s Sport Research Lab in Beaverton with a scientific treasure trove of jumping sequences to dissect and translate toward designing footwear for the future. The result was an amalgamation of modern sports research and a contemporary treatment of reductive layering. 

The basis of Jumpman’s newest modernization is rooted in NSRL’s study of the three stages of jumping: load, launch and crash. So while the ultimate goal is to create lightweight products, Troyer and the Brand knew in order to achieve their ultimate realization, a little bit of additional weight and structure was necessary—enabling them to remove copious amounts of weight from the upper by way of the Arkema threads. 

The Load Phase acts as a conduit for transferring motion from the heel through the forefoot. By way of the AJ XI’s staple carbon fiber shank underneath the midfoot and the inclusion of Formula 23 foam, which is being debuted in the Jordan Luka 1, the users’ second-long movement of loading is instantaneously softened. 

“It’s more responsive, more comfortable, and also more sustainable than any foam that we’ve been able to use,” Troyer tells KICKS. “So it has performance properties that are great just to provide new solutions.”

The Launch Phase may mistakenly feel like the final stage of the process, but by creating additional protection for the heel and landing, athletes are much more inclined to “engage the rest of the system and ultimately jump higher,” Troyer says. 

Affixed with full-length Zoom Strobel alongside an additional Zoom Air unit in the forefoot for increased responsiveness and the sensation of a double-stacked propulsion, the inserted rebound technology is placed as close to the foot as possible.

The Crash Phase, the instantaneous deceleration of the jump, is an aspect rarely traversed within performance sneakers, but no longer. 

“It’s really integrating those aspects and creating the system based on the insights and asking if we can help athletes crash harder, meaning protecting their heel and allowing them to put more force into their jump, then they’re going to be able to engage the rest of the system and ultimately jump higher,” Troyer says.

The sleek and structured heel features a TPU mold that encases the Brand’s proprietary foam technology, ultimately acting as a crash-landing pad for the energy and force the wearer exudes when striking the court. 

“It’s totally a balance,” Troyer adds.

His Airness was the ultimate hybrid on the court. Just like his game, his 37th signature is a quintessential blend of strength and grace, of dominance and modernism. 

Beefing up their roster with the additions of Paolo Banchero, Rhyne Howard and Isabelle Harrison this summer, the Brand is able to bring their young athletes behind the curtain of crafting the model early in their careers. “They’re really along with us on the journey throughout, before it’s even done,” Troyer says. 

And among the first few flavors of the silhouette to drop—including “Beyond Borders” in September and “The Hare” this Fall—are both Tatum’s and Sabally’s PEs. 

“Now that we have this new roster of young exciting talent,” Troyer says, “we’re really learning from them as well to help inform what the ultimate hybrid means.” 

Photos courtesy of Nike.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Although the Nets have yet to gain traction on a trade, new suitors have emerged in the KD sweepstakes. The Celtics, Raptors, and Heat are the biggest threat to land the 12-time All-Star, but Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the Nets, and those three front-runners, haven’t been having any conversations lately.

Charania reported that the 76ers expressed their interest in acquiring Durant while the Bucks and Nuggets reached out in June and inquired again in July to determine Brooklyn’s asking price. That asking price is still an All-Star, other high-level players, and draft picks to this day. When the Pelicans inquired with the Nets in June, they reportedly told Brooklyn that Brandon Ingram was untouchable, per Charania. Atlanta reportedly offered John Collins, De’Andre Hunter, and a draft pick.

Because of that high price tag, suitors like Toronto possibly pulled out after refusing to make Scottie Barnes available. Boston made Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and a first-round pick available, but Brooklyn didn’t bite. According to Charania, Miami hasn’t offered a package built around Bam Adebayo.

The Memphis Grizzlies have reportedly become the newest trade suitor. Memphis could put together an attractive package surrounding their five first-round draft picks, four unprotected and one protected 2024 pick via Golden State, and young players like Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, Zaire Williams, Brandon Clarke, Kennedy Chandler, and David Roddy.

Despite all the new traction in trade partners, Boston is still the premier front runner to acquire Durant. When Boston offered Brown, White, and a draft pick, Brooklyn countered by requesting Smart, more draft picks, and one more rotation player per Charania. While Boston has the assets to make something happen, there appears to be a reported gap in what the Celtics are willing to let go.

Brooklyn believes they have improved their roster after trading for Royce O’Neal, signing T.J. Warren, and re-signing Patty Mills and Nic Claxton while expecting the healthy returns of Ben Simmons and Joe Harris. Kyrie Irving is set to return as well after signing his player option. According to Charania, Irving has been working out with teammates and held a constructive dialogue with the Nets this offseason.

With four years remaining on Durant’s current deal, Brooklyn has no incentive to move the four-time scoring champ. Entering his age 34 season, Durant is less likely to sit out a season and has already dismissed rumors that he would rather retire than play for Brooklyn again.

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The visit to Mexico is the first time the NBA has played the Mexico City games since December 2019.

San Antonio will showcase their newest rookie Tari Eason, recently re-signed Keldon Johnson, and of course, Coach Gregg Popovich. Meanwhile, Miami returns a team that just went to the Eastern Conference Finals led by Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.

San Antonio made their debut in Mexico in 1994, and the Heat will play in Mexico for the first time since 2017.

The 2022-23 game also be the 30th season of the Mexico Games, which began in 1992 between the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets.

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Banchero joins a Jordan Brand family that includes Chris Paul, Bradley Beal, Luka Doncic, Carmelo Anthony, Bam Adebayo, Jayson Tatum, Russell Westbrook, and of course, Michael Jordan.

Banchero was grinding in the Summer League with the Zion 2s and Air Jordan 36s this year.

Banchero played two Summer League games before Orlando decided to shut him down. In those two contests, Banchero showed why he was the top overall pick coming out of Duke as he averaged 20 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game.

Banchero won ACC Rookie of the Year and was a consensus first-team All-American after scoring 17.2 points a game during his lone season at Duke.

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“As for Kevin Durant, here’s what there is: nothing. There is no movement here. The executives are leaving Summer League. The executives are going on vacation. At this point, the Nets’ preferred situation is for Kevin Durant to stay with them. There is no trade they’ve got that they like.

“A huge question and what the league is in some ways waiting for is what does Durant feel? He’s the one who asked for the trade. Have his feelings changed with some of the avenues for trades dimming?”

Durant made his trade request public a few weeks ago through his business manager Rich Kleiman after the front office Kyrie Irving couldn’t come to terms with a long-term deal. Durant’s preferred trade requests are reportedly Miami and Phoenix.

However, the Nets are looking to receive the house in exchange for Durant’s services. Several teams have extended substantial offers that include multiple draft picks, but most of them weren’t enticing enough for Brooklyn to bite on.

Brooklyn appears to have the leverage since Durant has four years remaining on his contract. It’s doubtful that Durant would waste a season of his prime and sit out before he gets traded. It seems to be a standoff between the two parties as the offseason goes by. Going to Phoenix appears out of the question after they retained restricted free agent Deandre Ayton.

Durant’s best remaining option would be Miami, but Pat Riely would likely have to give up a talent like Bam Adebayo or Tyler Herro to make it happen, along with several draft picks.

The post REPORT: Brooklyn Prefers to Keep Kevin Durant appeared first on SLAM.

Wednesday’s Game 5 was perhaps their best chance to head back to Boston with a 3-2 lead. The Heat was up by five coming out of the halftime break, but Boston outscored Miami 56-38, with their suffocating defense forcing the Heat to miss their first nine shots of the third quarter. The Celtics grabbed a lead they wouldn’t surrender with an 8-0 run, taking a 69-58 lead into the final frame.

From there, Boston blew the game wide open, creating a 23-point cushion in the fourth quarter. Jaylen Brown (25 points) took over in the fourth, knocking down a trio of three-pointers, slamming the door shut on any Miami comeback when he drove down the late and threw down this hammer in the half-court.

“As disappointing and as frustrating as this game can be,” Spoelstra said per Ira Winderman of The South Florida Sun-Sentinel, “We get on to Boston and just come together.”

JB RELAX (via @NBATV) pic.twitter.com/GPksWm5fuG

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 26, 2022

Now, the Heat have one more night to keep their season going, and should they win Friday’s Game 6, they host a win-or-go-home Game 7 in FTX Arena.

Miami’s consecutive losses have been flustering, starting with an uncharacteristic blowout loss 102-82 Game 4 loss in Boston after getting outclassed in the first quarter 18-1. In Game 5, Boston’s decisive 24-2 run in the third quarter put any notion of Miami taking a 3-2 lead into Boston to bed.

Miami’s problems are punctuated by the sudden ineffectiveness of their veteran leaders, Jimmy Butler and Kyle Lowry.

Both have been a step slow in the ECF due to respective knee and hamstring injuries, especially Butler, who hasn’t played with his typical relentlessness. Lowry is 5-23 from the field in the conference finals, going 0-6 from the field and 0-5 from long-distance. Butler finished with 13 points, six rebounds, and four assists, but he’s only attempted six free throws in the past three games after shooting 26 in Games 1 and 2.

To top it off, Sixth Man of the Year winner Tyler Herro has missed the last two games due to a groin injury. Miami’s numerous injuries make it challenging to thrive against a physical defense that ranks No. 1 amongst the final four teams in the playoffs.

“We’re not making any excuses for any kind of health or anything like that,” Spoelstra said. “We’re just going to figure it out and get on up there to Boston and enjoy that competition.”

BAM ON CLEAN UP DUTY!!! (via @NBATV) pic.twitter.com/oF9dSGWtPS

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 26, 2022

Now from this point on, it’s about surviving, taking it one game at a time

Lowry has held himself accountable, telling reporters that he has to play better while he’s out there.

The message is similar is from Butler. The six-time All-Star said that his bothersome knee is okay, but he needs to play better while on the court and help find ways to win. Bam Adebayo also said it’s time to adapt, not accepting the excuse that the Heat is injured when every team is dealing with the same bumps and bruises this late into the season.

“We’re still alive,” Spoelstra said. “We have an opportunity to play in front of a great crowd and an opportunity to make a memory that you’ll remember for a long time. That’s all we’re thinking about right now.

“And we have the kind of warriors that are going to tape up, brace up, do whatever we’ve got to do to get ready for the next one, and just embrace and enjoy that competition.”

Boston has a chance to close the ECF out on Friday when they host Miami for Game 6.

The post Miami Hopes to ‘Make a Memory’ in Wednesday’s Game 6 Against Boston appeared first on SLAM.

Buckets in Boston.

31 PTS
8 REB
5 AST
2 STL
8-16 FGM pic.twitter.com/WD9VOT2ipM

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 24, 2022

Boston never looked back after racing out to a quick 8-0 run to begin Game 3. They eventually grabbed a 20-point lead in the first quarter, preventing Miami from scoring a field goal until the 3:22 mark, the longest drought in playoff history. The Celtics’ defense also held the Heat to 33.3 percent shooting from the field, including 38.9 percent from deep. Miami ultimately missed 15 of its first 16 shots.

“I think just starting off better,” Tatum said when asked about Boston’s stifling defensive effort. “Obviously, last game, we were down 20 in the first quarter; they were just a little too comfortable. They’re a really good team; they got great players. With great players, you can’t just make it easy. You gotta make it tough, stay connected and communicate.”

Jayson Tatum fading away is art.
(via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/HEDU60m8yY

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 24, 2022

Boston also held Miami’s starters to just 18 points on 7-36 combined shooting from the field., Bam Adebayo led Miami’s starting five with nine points and six rebounds. Victor Oladipo led all Heat scorers with 23 points, four rebounds, and six assists.

Meanwhile, Tatum had a redeem game after being held to 10 points in Saturday’s Game 3 loss. Tattum scored 12 points in the opening frame, including this crafty reverse layup nearly four minutes into the game.

“We just came back and redeemed ourselves,” Tatum said. “We knew this was a game that we really needed to protect home court. Just following the last game, we were just ready to play; everybody was just ready to get back out here and play better.

Ain't no lay too tuff for Tatum.
(via @ESPNNBA) pic.twitter.com/7Wl2eQlFPf

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 24, 2022

As Tatum rose to the occasion, so did the rest of his teammates, who kept up the defensive pressure and smothered Miami, and prevented the Heat from getting comfortable at any point. Robert Williams (12 points, nine rebounds, two blocks) and Al Horford (five points, 13 rebounds, three assists, four blocks) recorded six combined blocks, with Tatum contributing two of his own.

“Al is our leader,” Tatum said about the veteran out of Florida. “I’ve been fortunate to have AL as a teammate for three years. He’s been great for me and my development, just the ultimate professional. It’s no surprise how he takes care of himself and the way he performs in big games.”

“Nah.” – Al Horford probably. pic.twitter.com/OwtfIKpu3U

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 24, 2022

Game 4 was never close on Monday, and now Boston and Miami will be wrestling for control when the ECF series shifts back to Miami for Game 4. From this point on, the seven-game series is now a best-of-three series.

The post Jayson Tatum Leads Boston to 102-82 Win Over Miami, Tie ECF Series At 2-2 appeared first on SLAM.

The Heat have thrived in the regular season, the No. 1 seed in the East with a 53-29 record, and have made it to the ECF due to their veterans ensuring that the teams’ most significant strength is their communication with one another. Vets like Kyle Lowry, P.J. Tucker, Jimmy Butler, and Udonis Haslem have made sure that the Heat has held each other accountable while also letting each other know something they noticed on the court.

Having a team with solid veteran leadership makes life easier for you guys like Max Strus or Bam Adebayo, who is coming into his own as a veteran voice on the team. Haslem encouraged Adebayo to be more aggressive on Game 3, leading to the former Kentucky Wildcat scoring 31 points and 10 rebounds on a career-high 15-22 shooting from the field.

Strus (16 points on 4-7 threes) knocked down a clutch triple with two minutes left in Game 3 to stretch Miami’s lead from one point to four moments after Lowry suggested Coach Erik Spoelstra should run a play for Strus.

“To me, it’s a good thing everyone has an opinion instead of Spo always doing the talking and trying to figure everything out,” Adebayo said per the Miami Herald.

“It’s good that we have four or five guys communicating and talking about schemes so we can all get to a comfortable place where we can all agree on [things].”

Lowry has also been a critical mentor for backup point guard Gabe Vincent (11.3 points per game in the ECF). Vincent said Lowry has made sure to speak with Vincent about what he see’s on the court as an OG lead ballhandler and encourages him to maintain Miami’s preferred pace of play.

Spoelstra has solidified and encouraged the Heat’s culture of players leading the players. According to Tucker, Spoelstra permits his veteran circle so much leeway to speak up because they are high IQ players with substantive ideas to contribute to the game. Tucker further gave Spoelstra credit for not being “the dictator-type that he expected.”

“It’s about smart guys respecting each other, knowing what each other brings, and being able to bring that out of each other,” Tucker said. “Each of us calls each other out for not doing something right[but then] respect [each other] and keep going and not take it personally.”

Second-year center Omer Yurtseven summed up the Heat’s leadership structure as so: Tucker is the defensive guy, being more vocal on that side with some bits and pieces for the offense. Lowry is “very detail-oriented and very smart — he will see something and relay it to the team exactly, a clear picture.” Butler and Adebayo are vocal on both ends, and Haslem is “always talking, especially during timeouts.”

Having too many cooks in the kitchen could be a problem for some players. However, according to Strus, it helps “having a lot of guys that keep us stable.”

“All our veterans are really great about that,” Spoelstra said. “You can develop young guys all that you want, and we do — But what really kicks into another gear is just the veteran leadership of infusing confidence. That’s what Kyle has done the entire year.”

The Heat and Celtics will play Game 4 on Monday night, with Miami looking to leave Boston with a 3-1 series lead and home-court advantage heading back to FTX Arena.

The post Miami’s Veteran Voices Power 2-1 Series Lead in Eastern Conference Finals appeared first on SLAM.

Strus came out of DePaul in 2019 and thrived with Boston through the Summer League, even making it past the final preseason cut before former coach-now team president Brad Stevens cut him in favor of Javonte Green another undrafted prospect per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

“I think they went with the more defensive-minded player,” Strus said, per Windeman. “But they said it was a tough decision for them to make. And everything happens for a reason.”

Now facing the team he took a cup of coffee with three years ago, Strus has a chance to make sure Stevens and the Celtics know how wrong they were in cutting him. When you peel back the curtain just a bit more, Strus sees one organization, Boston, giving up on him before his NBA career could start.

While the other, Miami, saw his potential and decided to take a gamble on Strus despite the former DePaul Blue Demon coming off a severe knee injury. The perspective allows Strus to seemingly play in the Eastern Conference Finals without much hate for Boston in his heart.

“No,” Strus said. “This isn’t about me. This is bigger than me. It’s the Eastern Conference finals. There’s no personal vendettas here. We’re just trying to win a series.”

However, Strus revealed that he had a Plan B after being cut by Boston. His hometown Bulls signed him to a two-way contract. Strus played two games with the Bulls before his rookie season ended after he suffered a bruised bone and torn ACL in his left knee while playing with Chicago’s G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls. Strus averaged 18.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 13 G League games.

Strus signed a training camp deal the following offseason, performing well enough to earn another a two-way contract. Strus scored 6.1 points per game in 39 appearances, dropping 21 points against the Rockets on 5-8 shooting from three-point range. Strus then proved that he was worth more after playing well with the Heats summer league team in 2021, and the Heat rewarded that performance by signing him to a two-year deal worth $3.5 million to stay in Miami.

Since then, Strus has averaged 10.6 points and 3.0 rebounds per game while shooting 41.0 percent from distance. The 26-year-old shooting guard has shined in the playoffs, hitting three triples in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals to help Miami gain a 1-0 lead.

Technically, Strus didn’t play for Boston, but the memory of being cut by Boston wasn’t something he could control. The politics of the 2019 Celtics training camp led to him being kept off the Celtics roster. The front office decided to keep Tacko Fall, leaving Stevens and then-GM Danny Ainge to choose to keep either Strus or Green. A decision that Strus was told was difficult during that fateful meeting with Boston’s brain trust.

“Danny said it was a hard decision to make,” Strus said. “And I met with Brad, too, and he said the same thing. So it happens. It’s part of the business.”

While his teammates like Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro had no recollection of Strus playing in the legendary green Boston jerseys, he is seemingly in a better place, playing for an organization that, from the outside looking in, appreciates him.

Strus says he won’t play with any lingering bad feelings against Boston or his former, but he doe shave a chip on his shoulder from that fateful day. In hindsight, the move worked out. Coach Erik Spoelstra caught wind of Strus after assistant GM Adam Simon put him on. Spoelstra reportedly watched the film and was impressed enough to want to sign Strus, and a week later, they brought Strus to South Beach. The rest is history.

“Of course, always,” Strus said. “I have multiple chips on my shoulder, not just that. I have a lot of things that I could fall back on for motivation and to provide energy for me, so it’s not just that.”

Strus may have been willing to bleed green, but for now, he’s soaking in the radiant Miami sunshine, up 1-0 on the Celtics in the ECF. Game 2 will be on Thursday in FTX Arena, and it’ll be another chance to write another page about his time in Boston and a chance to gloss over his time in Beantown.

The post Max Strus’ Journey From Near Boston Celtic to Key Miami Heat Contributor appeared first on SLAM.

The disappointing, shocking third quarter led to Marcus Smart laying into his teammates. Smart missed Game 1 due to a right mid-foot sprain he suffered during Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The former Oklahoma State Cowboy used the break going into the fourth quarter to ignite the fire within his teammates, reportedly pounding his chest and challenging his teammates to give more.

“Just have heart,” Smart said, according to Payton Pritchard.

“He was just telling us to compete, get after it,” Pritchard added. “We were kind of playing soft there for a little bit.”

This isn’t the first time Boston has suffered similar losses due to disastrous quarters. The Celtics lost the ECF to the Heat in the Orlando Bubble because they weren’t physical enough, poised enough, or together enough to work through what Miami was putting the Celtics through. The 25-point deficit Miami created ranks as the second-worst quarter in Celtics playoff history.

According to Coach Ime Udoka, Boston spoke about how Miami would look to ramp up their physicality to impose their will after the break. Despite knowing that Boston still failed to meet the moment and matched Miami’s intensity. One play illustrates just how much more intense and powerful Miami was in Game 1.

On the first possession of the second half, Jimmy Butler (41 points, nine rebounds, five assists, four steals, three blocks) caught the ball in the paint, spun through four Celtics defenders, and drew a foul. The next time the Heat touched the ball, P.J. Tucker missed a corner 3-pointer, but Bam Adebayo (10 points, four boards, four blocks) crashed the glass hard enough to force Grant Williams to foul him.

Had Williams not fouled Adebayon, the play could’ve resulted in a Butler bucket after he beat Jaylen Brown to a rebound anyway.

“Got out-toughed, out-physicaled,” Udoka said. “They looked like they came out in the second half and wanted to up their physicality and aggression on both ends, and they did that. I don’t think we obviously responded well on either end of the floor. We had eight of our 16 turnovers in that quarter, played in the crowd on offense, and got sped up. And then defensively, offensive rebounds, getting muscled around in the post. Some poor fouls got them to the free-throw line. (The game) flipped very quickly, and (we) just lost our composure.”

The destructive third-quarter outing was punctuated by the Celtics not scoring a field goal for the first seven minutes of the second half. Not to mention Brown and Jayson Tatum combined for all eight of Boston’s third-quarter turnovers. In fact, Boston finished the third frame with as many turnovers (eight) as buckets (two).

The moment is here now for Boston to learn from the failures of the 2020 ECF and Game 1 of the 2022 ECF. Boston lost in six games two seasons ago despite outscoring Miami by one point. However, they lost because they didn’t respond when it mattered the most, allowing the Heat to go on big runs during the fourth quarter.

“Throughout the course of the playoffs, we’ve done a great job of responding to runs after calling timeout, things like that,” Tatum said. “But for whatever reason, we didn’t today. I’ll be the first one to say I’ll take the blame for that. I’ve got to lead better. I’ve got to play better, especially in those moments.”

Maybe Boston’s Game 1 was due to coming off an emotionally challenging seven-game series against the 2021 NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks. The Celtics had just one day off between ending their second-round series and beginning the Eastern Conference Finals. Missing Smart and Al Horford (virus protocols) certainly didn’t help either. Regardless, Boston can’t afford to repeat the same mistakes of 2020.

The revenge tour Boston has been on since the 2022 playoffs began has gone well so far; in order for that to happen, the Celtics will have to respond to the Heat’s intensity and physicality and play with a next-man-up mentality until Smart and Horford return., Tatum and Brown need to cut down on turnovers and to respond better to the rough play of the Heat when the two stars have the ball in their hands.

The post Marcus Smart Calls on Boston to ‘Just Have Heart’ appeared first on SLAM.

The Heat had seven scorers in double-figures, led by Jimmy Butler (23 points), Max Strus (19 points, and Gabe Vincent (15 points). Victor Oladipo scored 13, followed by a 12-point effort from Bam Adebayo and 10 points apiece from Tyler Herro and P.J. Tucker.

Jimmy Buckets.

23 PTS
9 REB
6 AST

(via @MiamiHEAT) pic.twitter.com/Q07uFchjN7

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 11, 2022

Defensively, the Heat held the Sixers to 36.5 percent shooting from the field and 28.1 percent from beyond the arc. As for the superstars of the Heat, Joel Embiid was held to 17 points (7-12 shooting) and five rebounds, while James Harden contributed 14 points, six rebounds, and four assists on 5-13 shooting 2-6 from the three-point line.

BAM JAM!

(via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/hzLqkmDuvb

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 10, 2022

The 76ers had a rough night; overall, Miami came out firing on all cylinders, outscoring Philly in all four quarters. Miami shut the door on any comeback hopes immediately in the fourth quarter when they went on a 12-0 run powered by a 7-0 spurt from Herro and Struss, who scored five straight points to open the fourth frame. Adebayo stretched the lead to 25 with a three-point play, forcing Coach Rivers to sub out Embiid since Game 5 was no longer in question.

“We did what we were supposed to do once again,” Butler said during his postgame interview with Chris Haynes of YahooSports. “We won at home, we’re a different team when we make shots, and I don’t like that. I want us to be able to get spots no matter what, and then we worry about making shots. Right now, we’re cool.”

This interview is gold

(via @NBAonTNT) pic.twitter.com/RlR8OdXRsd

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 11, 2022

The post Jimmy Butler on Miami’s 120-85 Win in Game 5: ‘We Did What We Were Supposed to Do Once Again’ appeared first on SLAM.

In the post-game conference, Coach Erik Spoelstra talked about how his team fought through the adversity of losing Lowry and Butler to close out this series. The Game 5 win was Spoelstra’s 89th career playoff win since becoming the head coach of Miami in 2008.

“This was just a really inspiring team win,” Spoelstra said. “We clearly had some adversity in this game not having Kyle or Jimmy, and our group doesn’t even blink. That wasn’t something we even had to address; we just pivot and out in the game plan. Defensively there were some incredibly inspiring plays all game long.”

Victor Oladipo led the team in scoring with 23 points shooting 8-of-16 from the floor. Bam Adebayo followed up with 20 points and 11 rebounds, snagging the game-winning steal to send the Hawks packing back to ATL.

Spoelstra boasted about Adebayo and Oladipo’s great performances to close the series out, especially in the fourth quarter.

“I thought Bam was just tremendous; that’s just winning basketball all the way around. Vic was really good for us, he was able to generate some looks for us in the paint, and I thought it was fitting for us to win this game off that last stop at the end.”

The Heat will face the winner of the Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors series, where the Sixers currently have a 3-2 lead. Game 6 of that series will continue Thursday in Jurassic Park.

The post Erik Spoelstra On Heat Advancing to Eastern Semifinals: ‘We Clearly Had Some Adversity in this Game’ appeared first on SLAM.

Through it all, Oladipo has worked hard to regain his All-Star form and provide some production to the No. 1 seeded Miami Heat. In their 97-94 Game 5 win, the resilience of Oladipo paid dividends after the two-time All-Star finished the elimination game with a team-high 23 points, three assists, and three steals.

Victor is hooooping rn.

(via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/IoeooP25ks

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) April 26, 2022

His big-time performance helped lift a Heat team that was missing Kyle Lowry and Jimmy Butler due to hamstring and knee injuries, respectively.

“There’s nothing I can’t handle,” Oladipo told NBATV. “At the end of the day, I feel like I can come back and get through anything. So when they told me I needed to start tonight, I just stepped up to the plate and did everything I could to help my team win.

“I credit my coaching staff and my teammates for believing in me, my family, my God in heaven for getting me through. It’s only the beginning.”

“There’s nothing I can’t handle.”@VicOladipo talked to @RebeccaHaarlow after the Heat close out the Hawks in Game 5. pic.twitter.com/l6fuHbQlCy

— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 27, 2022

The Heat also relied on their fourth-ranked defense to bottle up Trae Young (11 points, eight rebounds, six assists on 2-12 shooting from the field, 0-5 from the three-point line) and secure the series-concluding win on Tuesday. Miami was down for most of the first half before the Heat went on a 17-0 run late in the second quarter, never surrounding their lead.

However, the Hawks still put their head down and kept making pushes to make a comeback, going on 8-0 and 10-0 runs. Atlanta closed a deficit as large as 15 to within 95-93 before Oladipo closed the door on the comeback after diming Bam Adebayo for a clutch dunk with 59 seconds remaining on the clock.

Vic Oladipo dimes it to Bam to push the lead back to 4!#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel on NBA TV
https://t.co/rTTQ9EtLON pic.twitter.com/afYL5sVV39

— NBA (@NBA) April 27, 2022

The Heat advanced to the second round and will play the winner of the 76ers-Raptors series.

I’m just trying to ball and live. How can I lose when we the who’s who’s? pic.twitter.com/XlaJD69cBp

— Victor Oladipo (@VicOladipo) April 27, 2022

The post Victor Oladipo Leads Miami to Series Closing Win Over Atlanta appeared first on SLAM.

Bam Adebayo says he didn't know he wasn't a DPOY finalist until talking to media after practice. His response:

"Disrespectful… I can do anything those other guys can do."

Goes on to cite the lack of national TV games as a reason. pic.twitter.com/E8wzs3MrqD

— Wes Goldberg (@wcgoldberg) April 18, 2022

Adebayo seemed to have no idea he was snubbed until assembled media made him aware, per Wes Goldberg. Rudy Gobert, Mikal Bridges, and Marcus Smart earned the spots for DPOY finalists instead.

“Disrespectful,” Adebayo said about being overlooked for DPOY. “I feel like I can do anything that two out of the three can do. Besides, I mean, I can’t teach height. But they all three play on TV more than me. So I would expect that. They get more TV games, and they get more exposure. People like to talk about them more. Don’t nobody want to talk about us. So, it’s whatever at that point.”

Adebayo has also been the lynchpin of a Heat defense that finished the regular season fourth in defensive rating (108.4). Adebayo owns a defensive rating of 104.9. Adebayo finished the regular season averaging 7.6 defensive rebounds and 1.6 steals per game.

Coming into the season, the Suns had 34 nationally televised games scheduled. The Celtics had 32, the Jazz had 26, and the Heat had 22. Miami going 17-9 in the games he missed would also suggest that the Heat’s team defense was a major factor in Adebayo’s success within it.

No. 1 seed Miami will look to build a 2-0 lead when they take on No. 8 seed Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night.

The post Bam Adebayo On Defensive Player of the Year Snub: ‘Disrespectful — I Can Do Anything Those Other Guys Can Do’ appeared first on SLAM.

As the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Eastern Conference playoffs, the Miami Heat will possibly play against the Brooklyn Nets if the Nets win their Play-In tournament matchups. The Nets are headlined by perhaps the greatest scorer of his generation, Kevin Durant. Durant is also the same player Adebayo says is the toughest to match up with on defense.

“Hardest dude to guard? I would say Kevin Durant,” Adebayo said. “I mean, 7-foot and can do the things that he do, like that’s not an easy matchup for anybody at any moment on the court.”

Durant is again one of the most gifted and smooth scorers in the history of the Association. The Slim Reaper has posted 29.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game this season and has finished games with 50+ three times, including dropping a career-high 55 points against the Hawks last weekend. KD has also scored at least 30 points 24 times this season.

The Heat (52-28) will host the Hawks (42-38) on Friday, and the Nets (42-38) take on the Cavs (43-37) in Barclays Center to end their final back-to-back series of the season on Thursday.

The post Bam Adebayo Names Kevin Durant ‘Hardest’ to Guard in the League appeared first on SLAM.

KD’s first appearance in SLAM? Issue #92 in November of 2005.

Subscribe now for more gems like this in the SLAM Digital Archive: https://t.co/bjzCbjnqmw pic.twitter.com/Mc9IyV8mWl

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) March 3, 2022

After missing almost a month of basketball due to a sprained MCL, Kevin Durant was surely ready to get back to work. Coming into the contest against Miami, the nine-time All-NBA selection made it clear he didn’t want to be deemed the savior of the Nets’ title hopes.

Easy Money Sniper dropped 17 points, four rebounds, and two assists in the first half of action. His first bucket of the night was a smooth mid-range jumper over Heat center Omar Yurtseven.

After scoring nine points in almost nine minutes of play in the first quarter, Durant didn’t touch the floor again until late in the second quarter when he strung together a vintage scoring outburst, starting with a two-dribble middy over Bam Adebayo.

Moments later, Durant knocked down another mid-range jumper from the right elbow over Duncan Robinson and Caleb Martin.

Then the former MVP turned the temperature up a notch on the Heat after cashing in a hesi pull-up triple with ninety seconds left in the 2nd quarter over Martin, AGAIN!

As expected, the Durants second half was just as good as his first. With the Nets trailing the Heat, 88-84, Durant continued to do what he usually does, get buckets.

Durant tried his best to bring his team back during a gritty fourth quarter during the final frame. The Heat built a lead as large as 10 after two free throws from Tyler Herro. Durant made it interesting late after burying a 13-foot jumper and sinking a pair of free throws to cut the deficit to two, but that’s as close as the Nets would get.

Adebayo slammed the door shut after making a short jumper, and Herro iced the game from the line to give the Heat a 113-107 win.

Although the performance felt sweet to most, winning would’ve put the icing on the cake. Durant ended his comeback game, scoring 25+ for the 30th time this season.

There’s no doubt that Kevin Durant was locked-in and eager to play in front of a jam-packed Barclays Arena, debuting what looks like a new signature colorway for his 14th signature shoe.

After putting on an outstanding performance, Kevin Durant and the eighth seed Brooklyn Nets (32-32) will look to break their four-game losing streak when they take on the sixth-place Boston Celtics (38-27) on Sunday afternoon.

The post Kevin Durant Pours in 31/4/4 in Return Against the Miami Heat appeared first on SLAM.

After right thumb surgery six weeks ago, Miami Heat All-Star center Bam Adebayo is targeting a return vs. the Toronto Raptors on Monday, sources tell ESPN. Adebayo – who averages 18.7 points and 10.2 rebounds — has been ramping up on the court this week.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 14, 2022

Adebayo has missed the last six weeks after undergoing surgery on his right thumb in December. The 24-year-old forward has reportedly been ramping up his conditioning for a return in practice, which comes as the Heat jumped the Brooklyn Nets (26-15) for second place in the Eastern Conference after winning seven of their last nine games.

When he last played, Adebayo averaged 18.7 points and 10.2 rebounds this season.

Bam Adebayo is targeting a return on Monday after right thumb surgery six weeks ago, per @wojespn. pic.twitter.com/yPskZNq7OW

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 14, 2022

The Heat plays their next three games at home, including a back-to-back this weekend when they take on the Hawks (17-23) on Friday and the 76ers (23-17) on Saturday.

The post REPORT: Bam Adebayo Targets Monday For Return appeared first on SLAM.

The Heat superstar returned to action against the Memphis Grizzlies after missing four games with a tailbone injury only to reaggravate it in a 105-90 loss Monday night.

Butler reinjured himself in the first quarter driving to the basket and landing on his back at the tailbone area.

Heat Coach Eric Spoelstra spoke on the matter after the game via ESPN.

“He drew contact and got shoved and landed on his tailbone again,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said after the game. “There could not have been a worst scenario for us to start the game. It is a contact sport. It’s an unpredictable thing. Insult to injury, we didn’t get the call on that either.

“But he definitely re-aggravated it. You can tell from that point on he was not his usual self. So we’ll reevaluate him [Tuesday] and see where we are.”

Butler returned to the game after the fall but eventually left for good in the third quarter with 10 points.

The team will hold Butler out for Wednesday’s home game against the NBA champion, Milwaukee Bucks.

Butler’s injury is just the latest of a long list of players who are banged up or unavailable for the game.

Heat injury update for Wednesday vs. Bucks:
Jimmy Butler (tailbone) out
Markieff Morris (neck) out
Bam Adebayo (thumb) out
Victor Oladipo (knee) out
Marcus Garrett (G League) out
Caleb Martin (knee) questionable

— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) December 7, 2021

Markieff Morris will miss his 16th consecutive game because of a neck injury. At the same time, All-Star Bam Adebayo is reportedly expected to miss four to six weeks after undergoing right thumb surgery last week.

The post Jimmy Butler Held Out Of Miami Lineup Due to Lingering Tailbone Injury appeared first on SLAM.

And though the Heat has been an excellent start to the season, Shooting guard Duncan Robinson has struggled so far.

Robinson, who signed a massive five-year, 90 million dollar contract, is currently shooting 32.8 percent from three, short of his historic 44.6 percent from the season prior. He struggled during Monday’s games against the Denver Nuggets, shooting 1-9 from the three-point line.

Although Duncan has struggled to get his shot to fall, people throughout the franchise are still confident in Robinson’s abilities.

“I know Duncan is a heck of a shooter,” Heat guard Kyle Lowry said to the Miami Herald. “We all understand what he is, what he’s doing and how he can get the ball off, and how many shots he can make.

“Duncan knows exactly what he’s doing,” Heat teammate Max Strus said of Robinson per the Miami Herald, “He just got paid $90 million, I think he’s good enough. So he’s an unbelievable shooter. He’ll be fine. Trust me, it will all come around. It’s just a slump and he’ll get out of it.”

Robinson is still a lethal weapon in the Heat offense and should be more of an asset moving forward with Bam Adebayo out with a thumb injury.

The post Heat Confident Duncan Robinson Shot Will Fall appeared first on SLAM.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Adebayo will undergo surgery this weekend, and the timetable for his return could be anywhere in the ballpark of four-to-six weeks. During Monday’s 120-111 win against the Nuggets, Adebayo put up 24 points, 13 boards, and six assists.

Toward the end of the matchup, Adebayo was seen holding his right thumb with a painful facial expression, but when asked if he had injured himself, he claimed to be “alright.”

Adebayo’s absence will be a big hit for Miami, who is currently tied for the third spot in the East with a 13-8 record. The 24-year-old has averaged 18.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists this season through 18 contests.

The post Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo to Undergo Surgery for Torn UCL appeared first on SLAM.

There’s a new type of highlight starting to regularly circulate on social media. It’s Evan Mobley, rookie center for the Cleveland Cavaliers, contesting and altering shots. 

I know—sounds boring. The clips got lost on my Twitter timeline (which is really just an endless stream of basketball highlights) at first. But they just kept popping up. And the captions just kept getting more and more audacious. Words and phrases like “a force,” “incredibly dominant,” “generational,” and “all-defense” became increasingly harder to ignore. I clicked play on the video you see below and… wow. 

Of course, that montage includes more than just contests—monster blocks, deflections, steals and a Collin Sexton poster snuck in there. But I was also thoroughly entertained by the segments that showed Mobley, a true seven-footer, shuffling his feet to stay in front of a guard up top and then extending his never-ending arm to simply create a bad shot attempt. At one point, he is matched up against the uber-confident Reggie Jackson, who naturally tries to shake him with a couple fancy crossovers. Jackson appears to gain some separation—just a sliver of a cushion to get his shot off—but Mobley uses his 7-4 wingspan and absurd athleticism to immediately close the gap. Even for Jackson, the degree of difficulty on the eventual jumper is extremely high. I mean, how do you even see the rim when Mobley leaps like that? (Please post more clips like this.)

Cleveland took Mobley with the third overall pick back in July largely because of his potential on defense. He averaged 2.9 blocks per game and was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year in his sole season at USC. His versatility on that end—being able to switch onto perimeter players seamlessly and protect the rim like a traditional big—is reminiscent of all-defensive guys like Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo. Here’s another clip from the Twitterverse, of Mobley containing the shifty Trae Young: 

For all the hype surrounding Mobley heading into the draft, he has exceeded expectations so far this season. He is doing “dominant,” “generational” things on defense—leading the entire NBA in contested shots per game (15.1) and averaging 1.3 blocks and 1.1 steals. Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has been exploring different ways to take advantage of Mobley’s gifts, employing him at the top of a 3-2 zone that proved very effective in a 101-95 win over the Hawks, who shot just 32% in the second half. 

“Seeing Evan’s ability to move through that made me think of when [Kevin Garnett] was playing at the top of that zone [in Minnesota],” Bickerstaff said afterwards, via the Akron Beacon Journal. “So over the summer we went and studied it a bunch and put it in, and tonight it was really good for us.

“That position [Mobley] plays in that zone is not an easy position,” he added. “You’ve got to quarterback it from the front and also see and be aware of what’s behind you.”

Teammate Kevin Love also praised Mobley’s performance in the zone. “He’s got a huge future in front of him,” Love said. “It doesn’t surprise me that he’s able to do that. In my mind, he’s going to make a number of all-defensive teams in his career. So he’s just getting started. Once he really goes through the league a couple of times, like any rookie, once he figures it out, realizes how good he is, you’re going to see him make those teams.” 

Mobley has been a real factor on the other end, too. He scores within the flow of the offense—constantly moving, crashing the offensive glass for vicious putbacks (see below), setting screens and rolling to the rim for easy lobs. He’s already averaging 13.3 points (on 49% shooting from the field), and that number should only increase as he gets more comfortable and confident in his jumpshot. 

In the NBA’s annual GM survey, released at the beginning of October, not a single person predicted Mobley to win Rookie of the Year. He did, however, receive the most votes (33%) in response to the question: “Which rookie will be the best player in five years?” So GMs expected big things—just not right away. But Mobley is already contributing significantly, helping Cleveland get off to a 5-4 start and sending Twitter into a frenzy on a nightly basis. 

LeBron James probably summed it up best after his Lakers played the Cavaliers last Friday, and Mobley finished with 23 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals: “He’s going to be a damn good basketball player in this League.” The King has spoken.

The post SLAM x Panini Rookie Spotlight: Evan Mobley appeared first on SLAM.

If you search “Scottie Barnes player comparisons” on Google, you get a wide range of responses. Draymond Green. Jabari Parker. Bam Adebayo. Patrick Williams. Pascal Siakam. Giannis Antetokounmpo. Lamar Odom. OG Anunoby. 

The website NBA Draft Room offers perhaps the broadest spectrum of possibilities: 

“stronger Nicolas Batum”

“dare I say a poor man’s Magic Johnson?”

“taller Draymond Green” 

When we profiled Barnes back in 2019, Jim Carr—his then-coach at University School—brought up two other interesting names: “We were watching clips the other day when they were announcing the All-Americans and they were showing Penny Hardaway,” he told SLAM. “Penny loved to pass the ball. The flare. People say [they see] a lot of Ben Simmons in him, but I always go back to Penny Hardaway.” Barnes himself—who was just a sophomore at the time—likened his game to the Greek Freak: “I would say Giannis, because I’m very long, get to the basket, I’m athletic, and I could rebound the ball and do multiple things.”

For what it’s worth, Draymond Green is probably the name that pops up the most. But all the comparisons—even the ones that seem far-fetched or not quite bold enough—allude to three key characteristics that have come to define Barnes as a player: his size, athleticism and versatility. 

At 6-9, 227 pounds, with a crazy 7-3 wingspan, Barnes has the build of an imposing forward and the agility of a traditional guard. In fact, he ran the point during his sole season at Florida State. While “officially” listed as a forward by the NBA, Barnes’ own Instagram bio reads: “6-9 PG.” He is the prototypical position-less player in an increasingly position-less NBA. He can defend pretty much anyone who steps on the floor (like a combo forward) and orchestrate the offense up top (like a true guard), having led FSU in assists per game last season (4.1). Just check out the two clips below from the Raptors’ win against the Celtics. Dare I say… a poor man’s Magic Johnson?

Barnes finished that game—just his second as a pro—with 25 points, 13 rebounds and 2 assists. 

His outside shooting has always been the biggest question mark. He connected on just 28% of his 1.7 three-point attempts per game in college. But when Barnes gets downhill and attacks the paint aggressively, he is very, very difficult to stop. In other words, while his jumper continues to develop, Barnes can find ways to score just by relying on his physical gifts. Through five games, he’s averaged 17.0 points on 54% shooting from the field. Of his 67 total FGAs, 55 have been within 15 feet of the basket; and he has converted 71% of his attempts at the rim (17/24).

Raptors head coach Nick Nurse wants Barnes to be even more assertive, as he told reporters following a recent loss to the Mavericks, in which the rookie put up 17 points (10 in the fourth quarter alone) and 8 rebounds. 

“What I think he needs to do is more of the things he did at the end [of the game]. Like, when he has the space in a one-on-one matchup, he’s gotta put them in the rim until they stop him,” Nurse said. “He’s gotta put them in the rim until they stop him. Over and over and over and over and over again. And if they do back off and he has to pull up for a 10 or 12-footer, that’s fine, too. But there’s where we’re going to see his passing show up, once he starts drawing other defenders. And again, that’s just him being—he needs to be more aggressive. All those layups you saw in a row, we need to double that number of attempts or triple it even until they stop it. And then we’ll be in the paint and we’ll be firing it out to our open shooters.”

Forget the scoring for a second, though. Toronto drafted Barnes with the No. 4 overall pick because he doesn’t have to score to be impactful (there were plenty of pure scorers available). It’s certainly a welcome bonus when he does—especially since the Raptors have the 23^rd ranked offense in the NBA as of this writing—but the former Seminole does so much else to impact winning. He competes with great energy and intensity (see below—another reason the Draymond comparison is fitting). He crashes the boards effectively (averaging 8.2 rpg so far) and embraces any challenge on defense (he’s already guarded Bradley Beal, Jayson Tatum and Luka Doncic). He handles the ball well and pushes the pace in transition. And, as Nurse touched on, the more he gets in the paint, the more opportunities he’ll be able to create for others.

When a 20-year-old can do all that, finding the right comparison isn’t easy. Even Hall of Famers are in awe of Barnes’ talent at this early stage in his career.  

“Scottie Barnes is a heck of a rookie. He’s a great player,” Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said recently. “He is really, really good. He causes a problem on both ends of the floor and he knows how to play the game. He’s gonna be a star in this league, if he’s not already a star.” 

The post SLAM x Panini Rookie Spotlight: Scottie Barnes appeared first on SLAM.

NBA Champion Jrue Holiday led the U.S. with 18 points, scoring 12 points in the fourth quarter. While that effort helped give Team USA a 74-67 lead with 3:41 left in the game, it wasn’t enough as France went on a 16-2 run to close out the game.

France was led by Evan Fournier‘s 28 points, while Rudy Gobert scored 14 and Nando de Colo had 13.

Meanwhile, Kevin Durant struggled, shooting 4-of-12 from the field and finishing with only 10 points. Bam Adebayo had 12 points and Damian Lillard had 11. 

This loss does not eliminate the U.S. from a chance at the gold medal, but they can’t afford any more losses. The Americans finish out their Group A competition against Iran on Wednesday and the Czech Republic on Saturday. If they win both games, the U.S. qualifies for the quarterfinals. However, one more loss and the Americans will need to finish in the top eight of this 12-team tournament.

The post Post Up: Team USA Loses to France in Tokyo Olympics appeared first on SLAM.

Wade quietly strolled along the makeshift memorial fence, paying his respects to the photos of victims and those still missing. The three-time NBA champ also spoke with and thanked the South Florida Urban Search and Rescue team before they began their shifts Thursday afternoon.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by dwyanewade (@dwyanewade)

According to Miami-Dade County mayor Daniella Levine Cava, the death toll has risen to 64 as of Thursday, with more than 76 individuals unaccounted for.

Wade is the latest Heat star to visit the Surfside site. On the morning of the tragedy, Tyler Herro and multiple Miami coaches brought aid items, food and water to victims and rescue personnel. Heat veteran and legend Udonis Haslem visited hours later and center Bam Adebayo visited the memorial on July 2nd.

The post Dwyane Wade Visits South Florida Collapse Site, Meets With Search Team appeared first on SLAM.

The 12-man roster is as follows.

• Kevin Durant, F, Brooklyn Nets
• Damian Lillard, G, Portland Trail Blazers
• Devin Booker, G, Phoenix Suns
• Jayson Tatum, F, Boston Celtics
• Bradley Beal, G, Washington Wizards
• Khris Middleton, G/F, Milwaukee Bucks
• Zach LaVine, G, Chicago Bulls
• Bam Adebayo, C, Miami Heat
• Draymond Green, F/C, Golden State Warriors
• Jrue Holiday, G, Milwaukee Bucks
• Kevin Love, F, Cleveland Cavaliers
• Jerami Grant, F, Detroit Pistons

Team USA’s basketball program had to whittle down a field of 57 potential roster additions down to 12 for the Olympic Games and several commitment decisions were very recent due to playoff scheduling. Nonetheless, the United States still managed to fill out a roster that will be considered favorites for the gold medal.

Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden had initially committed to the team, but withdrew to recover from a hamstring injury, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, whose team is currently in the Western Conference Finals with a 2-0 lead over the Los Angeles Clippers, recently withdrew his name as well (according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.)

That said, its possible that other players on the roster (namely Booker, Middleton and Holiday) could play in the NBA Finals. If that occurs, they could miss training camp for the Olympics.

Game 7 of the NBA Finals is scheduled for July 22, one day before the Olympic Games are set to begin.

The last time Team USA competed on the international stage, it finished in seventh-place in the 2019 FIBA World Cup due to a number of the league’s preeminent stars withdrawing from the competition. Before that tournament, the team had won 58 consecutive games in international competition dating back to the 2006 World Cup, 

The post Team USA Men’s Basketball Announces 12-Man Roster for Tokyo Olympics 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.

Gobert, the 27th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, was announced Wednesday as the 2020-21 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. This marks the third time that Gobert has won the award in the past four years.

Rudy Gobert is the 2020-21 DPOY

He’s only the 4th player in NBA history to win the award three times. pic.twitter.com/4HUFDKaFun

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 10, 2021

Gobert received 84 of the 100 first place votes and finished with 464 total points. A distant second was Philadelphia 76ers point guard Ben Simmons, who finished with 15 first place votes and 287 total points. 

Golden State Warriors power forward Draymond Green and Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo also received votes.

For Gobert, this is a historic accomplishment. Gobert is only the fourth player in NBA history to win the award three times, joining Dwight Howard (3), Ben Wallace (4), and Dikembe Mutomubo (4), the latter two of whom are Hall of Famers. 

Gobert is one of the best shot-blocking big men and one of the most athletic as well, blessed with elite explosiveness and lateral agility.

The Frenchman led the league in defensive rebounds per game (10.1) and total defensive rebounds (720). He also led the league in total blocked shots (190) and ranked second in the league in defensive win shares, which accounts for a player’s defensive impact on his team’s chances of victory.

These numbers helped the Jazz finish third overall in defensive rating in the league (107.5) and first in record (52-20).

Players with 3+ DPOY trophies:

Dikembe Mutombo
Ben Wallace
Dwight Howard
Rudy Gobert pic.twitter.com/oB9MWaR9v6

— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 10, 2021

“It’s unbelievable,” Gobert said of winning the award three times. “When I started basketball as I kid, if somebody would have told me that I was going to be Defensive Player of the Year, I would have never believed them, let alone three times.”

The post Rudy Gobert Named 2020-21 Defensive Player of the Year appeared first on SLAM.

Congratulations, @Jrue_Holiday11!! pic.twitter.com/1ujUYOnBJt

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) June 4, 2021

“It means a lot,” Holiday said after receiving the Joe Dumars Trophy, which is given to the NBA player who best represents the ideals of sportsmanship on the court. “Just knowing that it came from the players, the guys that go through this with me and put their bodies on the line, train in the offseason, it means a lot.”

Holiday received 130 of 343 first-place votes and was one of six finalists selected by a panel of NBA executives after all teams nominated a player from their rosters. The award honors a player who best represents sportsmanship on the court.

The other finalists included two-time winner Kemba Walker (Boston Celtics); Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat); Harrison Barnes (Sacramento Kings); Derrick White (San Antonio Spurs); and Josh Okogie (Minnesota Timberwolves).

The NBA Sportsmanship Award honors Hall of Famer Joe Dumars, a six-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion. Dumars, who spent all 14 seasons of his career with the Detroit Pistons, won the first Sportsmanship Award after the 1995-96 season.

Holiday, a 12-year veteran that’s long been known to be well-respected by his peers and community, donated a portion of his 2019-20 salary to form the Jrue and Lauren Holiday Social Impact Fund. His foundation funded close to $1 million in grants for African American-owned businesses and other African American organizations in the Milwaukee, New Orleans, Indianapolis and Los Angeles areas.

The 30-year-old won the Twyman-Stokes award as the league’s best teammate last year. This past week, Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers was selected as the award winner.

The post Bucks’ Jrue Holiday Takes Joe Dumars Sportsmanship Award 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.

To Jimmy Butler, that means there’s unfinished business. In fact, he recently talked about how things will be different this time around.  

““I want to let Miami know that we, this organization, want to bring another championship here,” Butler said in an interview with Ocean Drive. “When we get there, which we will, we’re gonna get it done this time.”

Butler is confident that the Heat will make their way back to the NBA Finals, but also finish with a series win and a championship trophy this time around. After acquiring Victor Oladipo at the trade deadline, Miami certainly has the depth to make some noise down the stretch. 

Currently 26-25, the Heat have had quite a bit of success recently, climbing their way up the standings in the East. With teams like the Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers having extremely talented rosters, the path back won’t be easy. Yet, with their roster featuring the trio of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Victor Oladipo, don’t count the Miami Heat out. 

The post Jimmy Butler On NBA Finals: ‘We’re Gonna Get It Done This Time’ appeared first on SLAM.

According to Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, league executives believe the Miami Heat have emerged as the leaders for Tucker.

Tucker has been praised for his defensive skills over the last decade, providing the type of defensive pressure and versatility that’s needed in an increasingly positionless league that’s lacking stout defenders.

Aside from Tucker’s on-court abilities and intangibles like toughness, experience and charisma, it’s clear why the Heat are interested in acquiring the North Carolina native. A team looking to make another deep playoff run after reaching the 2020 NBA Finals, Tucker would provide much-needed depth for Miami’s weakest position group.

Furthermore, while Heat stars Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler have both missed time this year, veteran Andre Iguodala has struggled to be consistent this season.

The Heat aren’t the only team interested in Tucker’s services, as The Athletic’s Sam Amick reports that 70 percent of league is interested in adding him to their stable of talent.

Tucker has been sitting out of recent games while he waits for the Rockets to trade him ahead of the Mar. 25 trade deadline.

The post Rival Executives Believe Heat are Favorites to Land Rockets Veteran P.J. Tucker appeared first on SLAM.

Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press reported that Adebayo had a powerful message following this most recent loss.

“We didn’t play to the Miami Heat culture that we represent….We’re built on the culture. The culture is take a bunch of guys, counted out, overlooked, and you figure it out. Right now, we’re not doing it.”

It’s still early in the season, so the Heat have time to figure things out. With leadership from guys like Adebayo, there’s no question that Miami will be back in the mix with the best in the Eastern Conference by the end of the season. For now, it appears that the Heat need to get back to their roots and the culture that they embody.

Miami’s schedule doesn’t get any easier over the next few weeks. Between now and the end of the month, they’ll face the Raptors twice, Nets twice, Nuggets and Clippers, among others.

The post Bam Adebayo: ‘We Didn’t Play to the Miami Heat Culture’ appeared first on SLAM.

Source: NBA considering a 7 to 14 day pause amidst the growing rate of positive cases within the league. The NBA brass & GMs will meet virtually today or tomorrow to reconsider safety protocols. The league wants to avoid a pause but it is on the table. @kron4news

— Jason Dumas (@JDumasReports) January 11, 2021

NBA spokesman Mike Bass commented on the situation, stating that: “[they] anticipated that there would be game postponements this season and planned the schedule accordingly. There are no plans to pause the season, and we will continue to be guided by our medical experts…”

It should be noted that Bass’ insistence that there are no plans to pause the season doesn’t contradict Dumas’ assertion that a plan to halt play is on the table. However, considering that the League indeed opted to release the schedule in two parts, it’s clear that the NBA was prepared for the possibility that COVID-19 cases would increase at some point; especially with games no longer being held in a bubble.

More than 117 players have contracted COVID-19, per NBC Sports’ Dan Feldman, including marquee players such as Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant.

Miami Heat stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, Boston Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and Denver Nuggets rising star Michael Porter Jr. are among the players who have been listed out due to the NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols.

The NBA announced that 48 of 546 players have tested positive “since testing resumed last week.”

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the “NBA and NBPA are currently working through a minimum two-week window of protocol tightening,” such as enforcing coaches and players on the bench to wear masks and restricting social-interaction and hugging amongst players during games.

Also, sources say: More enforcement of mask-wearing, including coaches during games and players on bench. https://t.co/HgcEghtIYQ

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 12, 2021

The post NBA To Consider Halting Play For 7-14 Days Due To Number Of COVID-19 Cases appeared first on SLAM.

Bam Adebayo and Duncan Robinson have shown up to work through the first stretch of the season and will be instrumental in the team’s success for the rest of the year.

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

Tyler Herro	17.0p, 6.5r, 4.5a
Gabe Vincent	7.0p, 2.0r, 2.0a
Avery Bradley	14.0p, 2.0r, 1.7a
Max Strus	7.0p, 0.0r, 1.0a
Kelly Olynyk	8.3p, 5.3r, 2.3a
Goran Dragic	16.5p, 2.8r, 4.8a
KZ Okpala	1.5p, 2.0r, 0.0a	–
Duncan Robinson	12.5p, 3.8r, 0.5a
Bam Adebayo	19.0p, 7.3r, 5.0a
Andre Iguodala	2.0p, 5.0r, 1.7a
Chris Silva	1.0p, 0.0r, 0.0a
Jimmy Butler	11.5p, 4.5r, 6.0a
Meyers Leonard	4.5p, 1.5r, 0.5a
Kendrick Nunn	6.0p, 1.7r, 2.3a
Maurice Harkless	0.8p, 1.0r, 0.3a

Team-by-Team Breakdown

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

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

Biggest Questions

• Were the things the Heat did on the 2020 postseason run sustainable? They kicked it into another gear once the regular season came to a close. Will the Heat be a top three or four seed in the East?
• Can Goran Dragic stay healthy? He was one of their most important players early in the playoff run and ultimately got hurt. If he gets hurt again in the upcoming season, Miami will look like a completely different team.

All NBA Team Offseason Summaries

The post Miami Heat: Projected 2020-21 Depth Chart appeared first on SLAM.

However, to return to the NBA Finals in 2021, Miami would have to get better with teams like the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks appearing far more formidable than last season.

Heat Roster Additions

Biggest Acquisitions

• Precious Achiuwa: Precious Achiuwa could have been a lottery pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, as the combo forward is prized for his athleticism and defense. If that sounds like it’s right up Miami’s alley, it’s because it is.
• Avery Bradley: Avery Bradley continues to be one of the league’s better 3-and-D guards, and with his playoff experience, he’s going to provide a veteran presence in the Miami Heat’s locker room.

Heat Roster Subtractions

Biggest Losses

• Jae Crowder: Jae Crowder has made a name for himself as a tough and mobile combo guard who can be relied upon as a 3-and-D option. Perhaps the drafting of Precious Achiuwa made him question his future role in Miami but a $30 million contract is an incentive in and of itself.

• Derrick Jones Jr.: The high-flying Derrick Jones Jr. was a decent defender who used his athleticism to sky for rebounds and blocks when in position. Fortunately for Miami, by drafting Achiuwa, they’ll at least be able to replace what Jones provided.

All NBA Team Offseason Summaries

The post Miami Heat: Offseason Summary 2020 appeared first on SLAM.

Now, his sights are on becoming one of very best, to have his name mentioned amongst the greatest power forwards and centers.

According to ESPN’s Nick Friedell, Adebayo shared how he wants to leave a lasting legacy on the game:

“I definitely want to be, long time down the road when my career ends, whenever somebody mentions a top-five center or top-five power forward, they always got to mention my name,” Adebayo says. “That’s how I want to be remembered. Keep changing basketball.”

“I feel like I’m trying to change basketball,” he adds. “Being a center, being able to play both sides of the ball and being able to pass as well as I can, that’s a difference-maker on a team, especially at the center spot, so it’s respect at all levels.”

The NBA All-Star averaged 15.9 points and 10.2 rebounds during the regular season, then played a pivotal role in the Heats’ playoff run. Only in his third season, Adebayo has already earned praise by his peers, including D’Angelo Russell.

As the season approaches, he says that he is currently feeling “good” and “healthy”. His goals are simple: figure out how the team can win and bring the ‘Chip to South Beach.

“Now it’s my time to figure out how we can win, how we can get to that level — where we can raise that trophy,” Adebayo says. “That’s my goal. That’s the responsibility that I have, and I’m going to figure that out one way or another.”

The Heat are all in, having just signed Adebayo to a five-year, $163 million contract extension. They a nickname for him, too:

“My nickname in the organization is ‘No Ceiling,'” Adebayo said. “So that gives you a point of where I want my game to be. I want to have no ceiling and be the best player that I can be and win this city a championship.”

The post Bam Adebayo: ‘I’m Trying to Change Basketball’ appeared first on SLAM.

Ingram was eligible to sign for 25% of the 2019-20 cap figure because his deal will begin immediately, which explains why the $158 max is less than the $163 figure that’s been floated for the recent contract extensions that players like Jayson Tatum and Bam Adebayo have agreed to.

Ingram’s deal, thus, will start at $27.3 million and increased by 8% each year.

Ingram didn’t get a contract extension last offseason, prior to his fourth year, in part due to concerns about the blood clotting issue that ended his 2018-19 campaign prematurely.

Ingram rallied back from that incident and put forth a career year in his first season with the Pelicans. He averaged 23.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game for the Pels, shooting .391 from beyond the arc.

The post Brandon Ingram, Pelicans Agree to Five-Year Max Deal appeared first on SLAM.

Adebayo’s extension will run through the 2025-26 season, a term the Heat are able to offer by making him a designated player. He’ll play out the 2020-21 campaign on the fourth year of his rookie deal.

Like the extensions we’ve seen with De’Aaron Fox, Donovan Mitchell and Jayson Tatum, Adebayo can qualify for a greater base salary in 2021-22 if he meets the criteria of the Rose Rule.

If Adebayo wins MVP, Defensive Player of the Year or is named to an All-NBA squad in 2021, he’ll earn the 30% max, which would equate to roughly $195 million over the course of the five-year deal instead of $163 million.

Those figures are based off of a $112 million salary cap in 2021-22.

If Adebayo doesn’t qualify for the 30% max, he’ll sign on for the 25% that players with less than seven years of experience are typically granted.

The post Bam Adebayo to Sign Five-Year Max Extension appeared first on SLAM.

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

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

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

The injury occurred during a pickup game in Southern Californa on Wednesday, per ESPN’s Marc Spears. Thompson needed to be helped off the court.

Thompson will be forced to miss a second consecutive season after he sat out the 2019-20 campaign with a torn ACL in his left knee. He hasn’t played in an NBA game since Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Finals.

He’s expected to make a full recovery.

The Warriors had hopes of bouncing back in 2020-21 with their championship trio of Stephen Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green returning to the court.

Without Thompson, who will make $35.4 million next season, Golden State may have to temper expectations for next season.

After Wednesday’s NBA Draft, Warriors GM Bob Myers spoke to the media about how Thompson’s injury could alter the team’s roster plans. “We needed wing depth anyway,” he said.

After the news broke of Thompson’s season-ending injury, NBA and WNBA players alike took to social media to wish Thompson a speedy recovery.

Come on basketball gods this is not fair!!! @KlayThompson wishing you speedy recovery.

— Goran Dragić (@Goran_Dragic) November 19, 2020

Damn @KlayThompson prayers up for a healthy recovery

— Robert Covington (@Holla_At_Rob33) November 19, 2020

small thing to a giant https://t.co/TnYFsv6q9C

— Breanna Stewart (@breannastewart) November 19, 2020

Prayers up for my man @KlayThompson hate to see stuff like this! https://t.co/LmLXd4ut6T

— Eric Paschall (@epaschall) November 19, 2020

@KlayThompson

— 13am Adebayo (@Bam1of1) November 19, 2020

Man that’s tough… get well Klay praying for you https://t.co/cx5B5fiO7c

— Jusuf Nurkić (@bosnianbeast27) November 19, 2020

Bro was looking unbelievable too smh! Speedy Recovery Bro… the game needs you @KlayThompson https://t.co/VXDrHzhUIk

— Myles Turner (@Original_Turner) November 19, 2020

Praying for @KlayThompson

— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) November 19, 2020

This is awful news! Praying for a healthy recovery https://t.co/XXR7JcKDZ6

— Nikola Vucevic (@NikolaVucevic) November 19, 2020

Wow. for @KlayThompson! His comeback story is going to be epic. https://t.co/ajKZkoH02g

— Danielle Robinson (@justDROB) November 19, 2020

@KlayThompson

— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) November 19, 2020

Praying for @KlayThompson hoping he has a speedy recovery! Smh

— Rudy Gay (@RudyGay) November 19, 2020

that sucks man. Praying for him https://t.co/o4wfqdRO0m

— Anfernee Simons (@AnferneeSimons) November 19, 2020

https://t.co/RtTvs3yUOC

— Lexie Brown (@lexiekiah_4) November 19, 2020

@KlayThompson praying for you bro! God speed https://t.co/CijEaOkjJV

— Bobby BP Portis (@BPortistime) November 19, 2020

Damn Klay

— Bria Hartley (@Breezyyy14) November 19, 2020

Never like to see a brotha go Down!!! Prayers up https://t.co/Ls2EcVDJZh

— Langston Galloway (@LangGalloway10) November 19, 2020

The post Klay Thompson Suffers Torn Achilles Tendon appeared first on SLAM.

Guided by one of the league’s best coaches in Erik Spoelstra and one of the most influential NBA executives in Pat Riley, the Heat have excelled in the player development department and built a gritty culture in Miami. This bodes well for the Heat entering the 2020 NBA Draft, as they hold a top-20 selection that could be as impactful as Duncan Robinson, Kendrick Nunn, Bam Adebayo or Tyler Herro have been for them.

With Goran Dragic’s future with the team unclear though, Miami may not have the luxury of missing on the pick.

Related: Full Miami Heat 2020 Salary Cap Preview

2020 NBA Draft Picks

Heat Draft Needs

Miami appeared to run out of gas in the 2020 NBA Finals, raising questions about whether or not the Heat truly have enough high-level shot-creators.

Yes, Miami had seven players averaging at least 10 points last season. Yes, the injuries to Dragic and Adebayo severely hampered the offense. Yet, the Heat ranked 15th in the NBA with 112.0 points per game in the 2019-20 regular season and only averaged 104.5 points in the NBA Finals.

This could be an effect of multiple Heat players being better as an off-ball option offensively rather than making a move with the ball in their hands.

In fact, four of Miami’s rotation players — Robinson, Jae Crowder, Andre Iguodala and Kelly Olynyk — took at least 50 percent of their total shot attempts from 3-point range in the 2020 NBA Playoffs. Two others, Nunn and Herro, took at least 45 percent of their total shot attempts from 3-point range.

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 Miami Heat: 2020 NBA Draft Preview appeared first on SLAM.

In a postseason press conference, Riley said that the Heat will focus on keeping their core group together this offseason.

“We know what our priorities are…It is to take care of the players that we have, that we have to make decisions on almost immediately. We know Bam has a decision to make and we do with him. We know the guys that have sacrificed for us that we really like, our free agents, especially Goran.”

With guys like Jimmy Butler, Goran Dragic, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and others, the Heat have great chemistry and play well together. Adebayo is due for a new contract, and Dragic is someone they want to bring back in free agency. 

While it’s likely that Miami is monitoring the Antetokounmpo situation, keeping their current core together will be crucial leading up to that potential opportunity.

The post Pat Riley Says Heat’s Focus Is Keeping Core Intact appeared first on SLAM.

The thought bothers him so much that he believes there should be an asterisk beside the Lakers’ latest championship, considering that the Heat might have taken the Finals to a Game 7 had they not been bitten by the injury bug at the most inconvenient of times.

Not that Riley believes Los Angeles didn’t deserve to win the championship: “They beat us fair and squarely,” Riley said this week. “They were the best team. But there’s always going to be that asterisk, that caveat.

“If we had Bam and Goran—Goran was our leading scorer in the playoffs—at 100 percent, it could have gone to a seventh game,” he continued. “But I’m not going to look back on it, I’m just going to look at all the positive things.”

“Yes, I would like to see what it would be like with everybody whole,” Riley said. “But we’ll get that shot again. I’m just so proud of what our guys did… The Lakers were great; they were a great team and they have the greatest player in the game today in LeBron [James] and Anthony Davis.”

Both Adebayo and Dragic played in the Heat’s Game 6 loss, but Dragic had missed the previous four games with a torn plantar fascia in his left foot, and Adebayo missed Games 2 and 3 with neck and shoulder strains.

Neither player was able to perform up to the same level as they had been before their respective injuries. Nonetheless, this is far from the end for this Miami Heat team.

The post Pat Riley Believes Lakers’ 2020 Championship Deserves An Asterisk appeared first on SLAM.

According to The Athletic‘s Shams Charania, the Heat are “preparing to go all in” on two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in free agency next offseason:

Miami is preparing to go all in on the pursuit of Milwaukee’s two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2021 free agency, sources said. There is a school of thought that salary-wise, waiting on Adebayo’s extension would allow for as much space as possible for 2021.

By holding off on offering Bam Adebayo—their All-Star multifaceted big man—a contract extension, Miami would give themselves a shot at signing the Greek Freak.

Giannis has publicly stated his willingness to stay with the Milwaukee Bucks for his entire career. But the Heat could sway the young superstar’s decision by making another deep playoff run next season.

A team with Antetokounmpo, Adebayo and Jimmy Butler would be a perennial championship contender due to their potential to dominate both offensively and defensively.

The post Report: Heat To Go ‘All In’ For Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2021 appeared first on SLAM.

In the past 10 NBA drafts, UK has had more players selected than any other school (38), the most first-round selections (29), the most lottery picks (21) and the most No. 1 overall selections (3). When the 2019-20 season started, once again, they also had the most active players on NBA rosters with 29.

Then came the 2020 playoffs and the Kentucky effect really started to show. Former Wildcats scored 2,249 points in the playoffs which was 1,458 more than the next-closest school (Marquette). In fact, Anthony Davis scored the most points by a Kentucky player in NBA Playoffs history.

For the fifth time in NBA history, four players from the same college played in the same NBA Finals while UK also became the first school with four former players to post 30 or more points in the Conference Finals with Bam Adebayo, Anthony Davis, Jamal Murray and Tyler Herro.

Murray became first player since Michael Jordan in the 1993 to have three consecutive 40-point games while Herro was the youngest player in NBA history to score 30 points in a game off the bench. Davis shot 50-40-90 in the NBA Finals and was only the fifth player to ever do so. Rajon Rondo became the oldest former Wildcat to win an NBA Championship at age 34. His 105 assists off the bench were good for the most ever by a reserve player and helped him climb to sixth on the NBA’s all-time assists list in the playoffs.

When it comes to colleges that produce top-level talent, look no further than the University of Kentucky. For the last decade and especially in the 2020 NBA Playoffs, their former players have rose to the occasion and broken countless records.

The post Kentucky’s Unprecedented Impact on the NBA 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

• Will the Heat stay over the cap or go under? Miami projects to get to about $22M in cap space this summer if they choose to that route. The other option is to stay over the cap and retain most of their own free agents.
• How much does planning for the 2021 offseason factor into the 2020 offseason? Miami is positioned to go big game hunting in 2021. The market will be filled with superstars and stars. Expect the Heat to be conservative this offseason, in order to retain flexibility for next year.

Projected Team Salary

$85,425,589

Expect the Heat to initially stay over the cap, but to dip under if an unexpected player or deal comes their way. Either way, look for Miami to re-sign Goran Dragic, and possibly Jae Crowder, to bigger than expected contracts, but for only one year. That way, the Heat can overpay both players as a form upfront payment now, for more team-friendly deals down the line. That will allow Miami to have them next year, while maintaining flexibility moving forward. (@KeithSmithNBA)

Cap Space Forecast

$21,917,791 (4^th out of 30)

Team Salary Cap Outlooks

The post Miami Heat: Salary Cap Space 2020 appeared first on SLAM.

During final roster decisions, he was cut from the roster and wouldn’t be part of the team.  

Now, just a year later, it seems that Nigeria may be using that to their advantage to persuade Adebayo to play for their international team. Adebayo’s father is Nigerian, which is one key reason for this even being a possibility. He recently told Colin Udoh of ESPN that he would consider the opportunity. 

Just a few weeks before entering the bubble, Adebayo got news that his dad had passed away. In an interview with The Undefeated, he gave his thoughts on the situation and the relationship he had with his father.

“My father passed away, but I never really talked to him. He was around when I was younger, and then my mom moved to North Carolina. So, he kind of became distant. I can’t really credit him for a lot of stuff… But, at the end of the day, he did make me. So, I give him props for that.”

Adebayo could now have an opporotunity to represent his father and the country of Nigeria if given the opportunity. Musa Kida, Nigeria Basketball Federation President, recently talked about how he would like to have Adebayo on the D’Tigers roster for the Olympic Games next year in a release sent to ESPN.

“Having Bam in our national team is a possibility that we are considering as a federation ahead of the 2020 Olympics and beyond…We are excited about how far he has gone and what he can achieve in his career with D’Tigers if he chooses to play for Nigeria.”

Adebayo and the Miami Heat just finished up their season after losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2020 NBA Finals. Playing for the Nigerian national team in the upcoming Olympics would be a unique opportunity for the 23-year-old rising star. 

The post Bam Adebayo Could Play For Nigeria in Olympics appeared first on SLAM.

After the game, Erik Spoelstra spoke on the topic of Dragic’s status and just how much he wants to be on the court.

“Goran wasn’t ready… he’s doing everything he possibly can… Goran has put his heart and soul in this.”

With two full days to rest between Game 4 and Game 5, Miami was hoping to get their team healthy and rested. Adebayo mentioned after Game 4 that it was something they really needed.

“I feel like collectively we all need two days off. It’s not just me, it’s not just Goran. We need a couple days to re-adjust and re-align”

Even with these two days off, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Dragic will still be out for tonight’s Game 5 matchup, which is bad news for Miami.

What will be fascinating to watch is how healthy Adebayo looks. Although he played in Game 4, he definitely wasn’t fully healthy. When asked after the game how he felt, the answer wasn’t positive.

“Physically… still not 100%. Moving well but still not 100%.”

This is an elimination game for the Heat, so injuries can be no excuse. There’s no guarantee that there will even be a Game 6 in hopes that Dragic can return. We will see how this all unfolds soon enough.

The post Goran Dragic Out for Miami, Bam Adebayo May Not Be Fully Healthy appeared first on SLAM.

Regardless of what happens, the Heat seem to be in one of the best positions in the entire league. According to Kevin O’Connor of the Ringer, front office executives around the league believe the Heat have become the league’s top destination for the next star with a wandering eye.

After the 2020-21 season, Miami is set up to potentially only have $50 million in guaranteed salary on its books, giving them enough cap space to sign a max player while also retaining their current core.

It’s worth mentioning that the free agent class that offseason could be one of the best we’ve seen in a while, headlined by guys like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard, Rudy Gobert, Paul George, Jrue Holiday and Victor Oladipo.

Additionally, even outside of free agents, it’s believed that with Miami’s financial flexibility and assets that could be traded, they could be a top destination for a disgruntled star who demands a trade. With the excellent core they currently have comprised of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Kendrick Nunn and others, the Heat are already one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.

If you add another star to their roster, they could be the best team in the NBA down the road. It also helps that they have an excellent head coach in Erik Spoelstra who has a successful history of coaching some of the NBA’s top players.

The post Report: Executives Think Miami Heat Are Primed To Add A Superstar appeared first on SLAM.

While guesting on the TK Show podcast with The Athletic‘s Tim Kawakami, Kerr said Golden State won’t be “reinventing the wheel” offensively with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green all back to full health.

Kerr: “We’re still going to be the Warriors. We’re not going to all of a sudden turn into the Rockets and change our offense and have one guy go high pick-and-roll 70 times a game.“

That would be so you, Steve. Just do that, just do iso ball, pick-and-roll. I think that’s where your heart is with this [laughs].

Kerr: “[Laughs] I think I would resign first. We’ve got to be ourselves, and what make Steph and Klay [Thompson] the players they are is the combination of what they can do on and off ball. That’s what moves defenses.

“What makes Draymond [Green] special is his ability to distribute from either the 4 or the 5 spot—to have playmaking at that level.”

Kerr went on to say that he thinks the Warriors using Green as a facilitator has influenced other teams in the League—including the Miami Heat who use Bam Adebayo as a playmaker.

Rather than making wholesale changes on the offensive end, Kerr said that the Warriors will focus on defense. Without as many athletic wings and shot-blocking big men, Golden State will need to find new ways to stop opposing offenses.

Special Offer: Click Here To Get 15% Off NBA Store With Code NBASLAM15

The post Steve Kerr Would ‘Resign’ Before Instituting Rockets-Style Offense in Golden State appeared first on SLAM.

Bam Adebayo, who was able to play in Game 4 after coming off of injury, reminisced on the Warriors blowing a 3-1 lead in the 2016 NBA Finals.

“Our backs are against the wall. It’s not like it’s never been done before. We still got hope. We’re still gonna fight until the end.”

It’s ironic because the last time a team came back from being down 3-1 to win the NBA Finals, it was LeBron James who was able to pull it off. It will be difficult for Miami to flip the script and do the same to him just a few years later.

Jimmy Butler, who is the undisputed leader of the Heat, talked postgame about their confidence and how it’s his job to make sure his team stays that way heading into a huge Game 5.

“Our confidence ain’t going nowhere. It’s gonna stay high. I’ve gotta make sure that it says high because it’s gonna have to be at an all-time high to get this next win…I’m excited to see how we bounce back. It’s our time to bounce back. I know we can do it.”

The two days off to rest between Game 4 and Game 5 is much needed for the Heat. With Adebayo confirming postgame that he wasn’t playing at full strength and with Goran Gragic still sidelined due to injury, the extra time off will be beneficial.

Special Offer: Click Here To Get 15% Off NBA Store With Code NBASLAM15

The post Bam Adebayo: ‘It’s Not Like It’s Never Been Done Before’ appeared first on SLAM.

Offensively, he was nearly perfect, shooting. 700 from the floor and racking up 40 points. He also notched a triple-double in a 13 assist and 11 rebound performance. This makes him just the third player to ever record a 40-point triple-double in the NBA Finals.

For the Heat, this was one of the greatest offensive performances in franchise history when it comes to NBA Finals games. Butler joined LeBron James and Dwyane Wade as the only players to ever score 30 points in a finals game as a member of the Heat.

Late in the game, with the win nearly secured, Butler uttered the words “They’re in trouble” in response to James saying something similar to him early in the game.

Speaking of LeBron James, this was the first time he had ever been outscored, outrebounded and out-assisted in a finals game. Butler was clearly the best player on the floor in Game 3.

Butler did all of this without even attempting a three-pointer. In fact, 38 of his points in the paint or from the free throw line. He scored or assisted on 73 points, tied for second-most in an NBA Finals game ever.

For the Heat, this was a huge win that will give the team a boost of confidence. After the game, Butler talked about how the win proved that the Lakers could be beaten.

This victory gives the Miami Heat some life. With Goran Dragic and Bam Adebayo still out, they will look to keep their momentum rolling and get some of their key pieces back in Game 4. Whether they are able to play or not, Jimmy Butler has shown that he has what it takes to carry the Heat in the NBA Finals.

The post Jimmy Butler: ‘They’re In Trouble’ appeared first on SLAM.

In the first half of Wednesday’s 18-point loss, Goran Dragic, who had led the team in playoff scoring heading into the Finals, left the game with a torn plantar fascia in his left foot.

Shortly thereafter, team leader Jimmy Butler rolled his ankle, although he would go on to play over 33 minutes in the game. Later in the game, Bam Adebayo strained the left side of his neck and ultimately only played 21 minutes total.

This leaves the Heat in a tough spot. These are Miami’s three leading scorers and passers, who produced a combined 60.1 points, 21.3 rebounds and 14.1 assists per game through their first three playoff series.

According to a recent Miami Heat injury report, it appears Butler will be good to go, while Dragic and Adebayo remain doubtful.

Head coach Erik Spoelstra was asked after the game how you combat these types of obstacles in a big series like this, saying, “You have to go through your plan A, plan B, plan C.”

If these key guys aren’t able to play, or at least play at full strength, other players will have to step up.

The post Bam Adebayo, Goran Dragic Injuries Linger for Heat appeared first on SLAM.

What’s more, though James’ Heat were facing a formidable foe in the San Antonio Spurs, nobody would have been surprised if they emerged victorious. That’s not the case with this current iteration of Miami, who are facing a team with two players who are considerably more established than they are.

In any case, the Heat are a confident bunch. That’s why Butler, who personifies the culture of Miami’s basketball franchise, refuses to see the Heat as underdogs against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Per ESPN’s Tim Bontemps:

“A really good team,” Butler said Tuesday, during the NBA Finals media day, of how he views the Heat entering this series. “That’s it. A really good team. Not going to say that we’re any better than anybody else, but I just don’t think that we’re underdogs. I don’t.

After Game 1 of the 2020 NBA Finals, Butler may have to re-evaluate his stance.

Despite Miami getting off to a good start, Davis and James led LA to a blowout victory (116-98). What’s more, the Heat are losing a key player for the rest of the series, with Dragic suffering a plantar tear in his left foot.

The post Jimmy Butler: ‘I Just Don’t Think That We’re Underdogs’ appeared first on SLAM.

While the team leaders that have carried their squads through the gruelling 2019-20 campaign, out of the bubble and into the finale are household names like LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Jimmy Butler, those aren’t the only individuals who’ve graced the cover of SLAM over the years.

We didn’t break down each of the SLAM covers featuring a player representing a squad in the NBA Finals – James has been on 25 covers alone – but we did scour the archive for eight memorable ones from years past.

Regardless of which squad you’re rooting for to take home the 2020 title, the personalities on display in the seven-game series have left their mark on the league for the better part of the past two decades.

Join us as we re-live a history chronicled on the SLAM covers of yesteryear.

SLAM #134 – Dwight Howard

This wasn’t Dwight Howard’s first cover, not even his first with the Orlando Magic, but it’s an iconic one from right in the midst of his MVP caliber reign of terror. Howard had led the Magic to the Finals the summer prior to this cover dropping, he was one of the biggest stories in hoops at the time, but it’s still easy to gloss over just how dominant D12 was during his early prime.

SLAM #142 – LeBron James

LeBron James had already blossomed into SLAM royalty by the time his Miami Heat chapter unfolded – this was his 12th cover – but this is where the King would go ahead and win his first title. James eventually broke the curse in Cleveland after all but it took the detour to South Beach for the chosen one to start making his case as a potential GOAT. Nearly one decade later he’s back in the Finals lining up across from the same organization.

SLAM #145 – Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo has settled into his role as a surly veteran capable of the occasional playoff gem, so much so that it’s easy to take for granted how dominant he was early in his career. Rondo won a title as a sophomore with the Boston Celtics in 2008 and he legitimately complicated the narrative that the C’s were were led by their three higher profile superstars.

SLAM #160 – Anthony Davis

This wasn’t Anthony Davis’ first time gracing the cover of SLAM but it was his first time since taking the collegiate hoops world by storm at Kentucky. The Brow put forth a relatively modest rookie campaign after this shoot but transformed into a walking legend shortly thereafter.

SLAM #163 – Dwight Howard

After an enormous level of hype and speculation, Dwight Howard arrived in Los Angeles to co-star with Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. It didn’t go great. Howard’s first stint in California lasted just one season as personalities clashed in the locker room, so much so that it nearly soured him on the idea of returning. It’s 2020 now though and Howard has re-written the narrative surrounding the second half of his career. The purple and gold doesn’t look so bad on the big man after all.

SLAM #197 – Jimmy Butler

Words cannot sufficiently explain Jimmy Butler’s rise from fringe prospect to conference champion but the feisty wing has been making a name for himself since he was an understudy on a classic Chicago Bulls team. Butler bounced between franchises after leaving Chicago and finally found a home with an organization that sees the world much the same way that he does. We’re all better off as a result of it.

SLAM #220 – LeBron James

LeBron James’ free agency decision in the summer of 2018 would have sent shockwaves throughout the hoops world no matter where he signed but when the living legend put pen to paper with the Los Angeles Lakers we knew we were in for something special. It took a year for James to settle in but he’s back in the Finals for the ninth time in 10 seasons, now for the first time representing the Western Conference.

SLAM #225 – Miami Heat

We’re not going to sit here and say that we called the Miami Heat steamrolling their way to the 2020 NBA Finals but it turns out throwing love to an organization loaded with culture and high-ceiling talent would pay dividends. Butler’s arrival in South Beach took this team to new heights but Bam Adebayo’s star turn deserves recognition of its own. The fact that rookie Tyler Herro has had the confidence to shine on the stage he’s found himself on in his debut campaign is a feat in itself.

The post The 2020 NBA Finals, Chronicled in SLAM Covers appeared first on SLAM.

Let’s take a look at what to expect in this Eastern Conference Finals matchup. You can also view our Western Conference Finals Preview.

Regular Season Series

These teams matched up three times during the regular season, twice before the hiatus and once in the bubble. In the two games outside of the bubble, Boston looked like the better team by far, winning both contests by a combined 27 points. Although Jimmy Butler averged 28.5 points in these two games, it wasn’t enough to pull off the a win with the Celtics’ stars all stepping up.

However, more recently, Miami and Boston played in a bubble seeding game. Even with Butler resting, the Heat won this one by six points behind 20-plus-point performances from Goran Dragic, Bam Adebayo and Duncan Robinson. Although Butler has been the best player overall in the regular season series between these teams, the Celtics won the crown 2-1.

The Path Here

The Heat are perhaps the hottest team in the 2020 NBA Playoffs. After an impressive sweep of the Indiana Pacers in the first round, they were set to play the Milwaukee Bucks, who had the best record in the NBA during the regular season. Miami stepped up to the challenge, beating Milwaukee in just five games, bringing their playoff record to 8-1.

While Jimmy Butler has been great, as expected, the hero of their playoff run has been Goran Dragic. After starting just three games all season in a bench role, he has emerged as one of the most important players for the Heat, averaging 21.1 points per game as a starter.

The Celtics also swept their first round series, taking care of the Philadelphia 76ers without a problem. In the second round, however, it took everything they had against the Toronto Raptors. After starting out the series winning the first two games against the defending champions, they would lose their next two and the series was tied up.

From there, the teams would swap wins and ultimately play in a Game 7 to see who would advance. In a gutsy performance, the Celtics won Game 7 behind 50 combined points from Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. These two young, rising stars have been the story of the playoffs for Boston, leading the team in scoring. Kemba Walker has also had his moments, averaging 19.6 points per game in the playoffs as the team’s third leading scorer.

What to Watch For

While the Celtics are slightly favored in this series, it’s not by much. Both teams have a great balance of experienced veterans and young talent. This is yet another series that could go seven games.

The Heat have a ton of shooters and it has shown in the playoffs to this point. They had a lot of success in the regular season, with their .379 three-point percentage being second best in the NBA. This has been consistent in the playoffs, as they’ve shot .380, good for third-best in the playoffs. Boston on the flip side has struggled from deep, at just .341 and worst of any team that made it out of the first round.

To combat their poor shooting, the Celtics have been great defensively. Their defensive rating of 101.9 is the best of any team in the playoffs. Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart have anchored down the team on that side of the floor which has resulted in Boston winning quite a few low-scoring games. In fact, their Game 7 win against the Raptors came with a final score of 92-87.

When it comes to individual matchups, both teams are loaded with talent. The starting lineups seem to be fairly even. The trio of Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum going up against Goran Dragic, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo will be fun to watch. However, this series will come down to the other players on each respective team.

While the Celtics have gotten great production from Marcus Smart in the playoffs, they’ve struggled to get consistent performances from anyone else. Luckily for Boston, Gordon Hayward is set to potentially return to action soon after an ankle injury in their first-round series. Boston’s bench has been their weakest link thus far, giving them just 18.2 points per game. Unlike the Celtics, when it comes to depth, Miami certainly has plenty. Getting 29.7 points per game from their bench has been key for their success behind guys like Tyler Herro, Andre Iguodala, Kendrick Nunn and Kelly Olynyk.

The Miami Heat took Game 1 of this series, winning by a final score of 117-114. Jayson Tatum’s 30 points wasn’t enough to get the win as Goran Dragic led Miami with 29 points.

The post 2020 NBA Playoffs: Eastern Conference Finals Preview appeared first on SLAM.

Leading the first-team was the 2019-20 Defensive Player of the Year Giannis Antetokounmpo. He is joined by the two other main nominees for that award, Ben Simmons and Anthony Davis.

While the nod is Davis’ fourth, it’s Simmons’ first, meaning that his first time being recognized for his defense, he made it to the premier team.

Rudy Gobert, raking in his fourth All-Defensive First Team selection, and Marcus Smart round out the top team.

The second team features two other players making their debut on this type of list, Brook Lopez and Bam Adebadyo. Kawhi Leonard, receiving his sixth nod, Patrick Beverley and Eric Bledsoe round out the second squad.

A total of three Milwaukee Bucks were included, no surprise there given their historically successful season on the defensive end. The Los Angeles Clippers were the only other team with multiple players.

2019-20 NBA All-Defensive First Team

• Giannis Antetokounmpo, F, Bucks
• Anthony Davis, F, Lakers
• Ben Simmons, G, 76ers
• Rudy Gobert, C, Jazz
• Marcus Smart, G, Celtics

2019-20 NBA All-Defensive Second Team

• Kawhi Leonard, F, Clippers
• Brook Lopez, C, Bucks
• Bam Adebayo, F, Heat
• Patrick Beverley, G, Clippers
• Eric Bledsoe, G, Bucks

Related: Complete 2019-20 NBA Award Tracker

The post NBA’s 2019-20 All-Defensive Teams Named appeared first on SLAM.

D’Angelo Russell of the Minnesota Timberwolves was a guest on JJ Redick’s podcast this week. Redick asked Russell which of the league’s young players he would build around if he were a general manager, outside of himself and his teammate Karl-Anthony Towns.

Honestly, the way the league is going, I’m gonna go Bam Adebayo. When you have somebody that big that’s versatile on the defensive end and what he brings on the offensive end, it’s just the way the league is going…so I’m going Bam, for sure.

Russell understands the game, so his praise for the versatile, defensively-gifted, playmaking big man shouldn’t be taken lightly.

As good as 23-year-old Adebayo has been this season, finishing second in the 2019-20 Kia NBA Most Improved Player Award voting, this was an interesting pick for Russell. He would go on to give reasoning as to why Adebayo was who he would build around.

That’s who I remember most when we played in Miami. We came up with the win, but the way they were in the gaps, switching one through five and the way he was making it tough on everybody on our team…that’s hard. Nobody wants to see that. He’s a mismatch problem on the other end, but then on this end you gotta go at him and that’s not what you want to see.

To be clear, Russell made sure to ask that he wasn’t being asked who he would like to add to the current Wolves roster. This was strictly who he would build a team around if he was an NBA general manager.

In just his third NBA season, Adebayo averaged 15.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game.

The post Bam Adebayo Drawing Praise From Peers appeared first on SLAM.

The decision to forego the award show was an obvious one given the global pandemic underway and it allows the league to go back to the way they used to present award winners; before the tip-off of various NBA postseason games.

The exact release dates for each award have not been made public prior to the actual reveal, leaving some room for interpretation as to when the next announcement might come.

We wrote about the three finalists for each 2019-20 NBA award last month and have been breaking down the actual results as they’ve been named over the past two weeks.

We’ll continue to do that and update this tracker, which will consolidate all of the information, including any published release dates if we get them.

Coach of the Year: Nick Nurse

Aug. 22: Nurse edged out Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks and Billy Donovan of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Full Story.

Top Five: Nurse, Donovan, Budenholzer, Spoelstra (Heat), Vogel (Lakers)

Other 1st Place Votes: McMillan (Pacers)

Defensive Player of the Year: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Aug. 25: Antetokounmpo won the award over Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz and Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers. Full Story.

Top Five: Antetokounmpo, Davis, Gobert, Simmons (Sixers), Adebayo (Heat)

Other 1st Place Votes: Beverley (Clippers), Drummond (Cavaliers)

Most Improved Player: Brandon Ingram

Aug. 31: Ingram was named the winner over Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic. Full Story.

Top Five: Ingram, Adebayo, Doncic, Tatum (Celtics), Graham (Hornets)

Other 1st Place Votes: Siakam (Raptors), Wood (Pistons), VanVleet (Raptors)

Sixth Man of the Year: Montrezl Harrell

Sep. 4: Harrell has received the 2019-20 Sixth Man of the Year award, ahead of Dennis Schroder of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Lou Williams of the Los Angeles Clippers. Full Story.

Top Five: Harrell, Schroder, Williams, Wood (Pistons), Hill (Bucks)

Rookie of the Year: Ja Morant

Sep. 3: Morant has been named the Rookie of the Year for 2019-20. He was a nearly unanimous winner, beating out Kendrick Nunn of the Miami Heat and Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans. Full Story.

Top Five: Morant, Nunn, Williamson, Clarke (Grizzlies), White (Bulls)

Most Valuable Player: TBD

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, James Harden of the Houston Rockets and LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers are the finalists for this award.

All-Defensive Teams

Sep. 8: The NBA’s All-Defensive Teams have been named. Full Story.

First Team: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis, Ben Simmons, Rudy Gobert, Marcus Smart

Second Team: Kawhi Leonard, Brook Lopez, Bam Adebadyo, Patrick Beverley, Eric Bledsoe

All-Rookie Teams: TBD

All-NBA Teams: TBD

The post 2019-20 NBA Award Results Tracker appeared first on SLAM.

We broke down both Monday night games below.

No. 5 Heat 115 at No. 1 Bucks 104

MIA leads series 1-0

A late revelation that Eric Bledsoe would sit out Game 1 with a hamstring injury didn’t help Milwaukee’s chances against a disciplined, well-rounded Heat club. Jimmy Butler led Miami with a personal playoff best 40 points but he wasn’t the only one that hit the Bucks where it hurt. Goran Dragic added 27 points of his own and the supporting cast of Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Jae Crowder proved too much. Milwaukee stung themselves by shooting just .538 from the line but the real issue that head coach Mike Budenholzer will need to address is how the Bucks can stay competitive when Giannis Antetokounmpo looks mortal. With a healthy and hungry Butler leading the charge against them, they can’t afford to make mistakes.

No. 4 Rockets 100 at No. 5 Thunder 104

Series tied 3-3

The Rockets erased a fourth quarter deficit to hop out in front of the underdog Thunder but veteran Chris Paul wasn’t about to give up on an opportunity to play into the Western Conference semis. At a time when Houston’s well-oiled offensive machine appeared geared to pull away, Paul hit a pair of gutsy step back threes, renewing Oklahoma City’s bid to force a Game 7 late. Paul scored 28 points in sum, while Danilo Gallinari’s 25 helped make up for the fact that the other two thirds of OKC’s three-headed point guard monster struggled from the field.

• Aug. 29: Post Up: A Guard Duel For The History Books
• Aug. 24: Post Up: Thunder Rally Back
• Aug. 23: Post Up: Where Luka Happens
• Aug. 22: Post Up: Lakers Hit Next Level
• Aug. 21: Post Up: Kawhi Carries Clippers
• Aug. 20: Post Up: The Empires Strike Back
• Aug. 19: Post Up: The Cavalry Has Arrived
• Aug. 18: Post Up: Crazy Eights
• Aug. 17: Post Up: Donovan Mitchell Makes History

The post Post Up: The Jimmy Butler Effect appeared first on SLAM.

Ingram was a sensation for the Pelicans in his first year with the club, scoring 23.8 points per game, dominating particularly in the first half of the season when much of New Orleans offense flowed through him.

While Ingram has always been considered a valuable young talent with a high ceiling, his development was stalled when the Los Angeles Lakers, who drafted him No. 2 overall in 2016, ended up signing LeBron James in the summer of 2018 and going all in on a championship run.

Ingram was a complementary scoring option last season and thus blossomed with the increased opportunities in New Orleans. In addition to his increased point totals, Ingram averaged 6.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game while hitting threes at a .391 clip.

Luka Doncic, the last of the pre-named nominees, was a distant third. The full voting breakdown is below.

The post Brandon Ingram Named 2019-20 Most Improved Player appeared first on SLAM.

This just means that the East was top-heavy, which isn’t surprising based on how the regular season shook out. This also means that both of the second-round matchups should be extremely competitive and fun to watch.

Let’s dive into both of these pairings. Our preview of the Western Conference’s second round will be published when those games are set.

1 Milwaukee Bucks (56-17)
5 Miami Heat (44-29)

The Milwaukee Bucks came out of the gate slow, losing game one of their first-round series against the Orlando Magic. From there, they would go on to win four straight by a combined 58 points. This series wasn’t expected to be particularly close but the Bucks for the most part looked like the team we all expected them to be.

They will now matchup with the Miami Heat, who swept the Indiana Pacers in their own first-round matchup. The Heat won each of their first round games by at least nine points and looked unstoppable in the fourth quarters. In the regular season, these teams played three times, Miami taking two of them to win the regular season series.

When it comes to teams best equipped to take on the Bucks, who had the best record in the NBA this season, there is none better than the Heat. Behind their defensive anchor in Bam Adebayo, who will be expected to slow down Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami has a real shot at making this series interesting.

Jimmy Butler will also be a player to watch for the Heat, especially considering he only suited up in one of the three regular season matchups against the Bucks. Goran Dragic led Miami in scoring in the first round of the playoffs, averaging 22.8 points, 5.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game while shooting .414 from deep.

NBA All-Star Khris Middleton will be key for the Bucks to continue their playoff run as one of the favorites to win a title this season. In their first-round series, Middleton struggled tremendously, averaging just 15.0 points per game and shooting .361 from the floor. Antetokounmpo, who averaged 30.6 points and 16.0 rebounds per game, will need guys like Middleton to step up and help out in this upcoming series if they want to have success. Additionally, a league-worst 16.6 turnovers per game in the playoffs thus far for the Bucks is something else they will need to clean up.

Both teams heavily rely on three-point shooting. In the playoffs thus far, these teams combine for 74.5 attempts per game and both have shot over .380 from beyond the arc. Overall, Milwaukee should be a relatively heavy favorite in this series but don’t be surprised if Miami gives them a run for their money with how well they have played recently.

2 Toronto Raptors (53-19)
3. Boston Celtics (48-24)

Both the Toronto Raptors and the Boston Celtics swept their first-round opponents, making their second-round matchup extremely interesting. The Raptors showed no mercy against the Brooklyn Nets, winning the series by a combined 82 points. The Celtics series wasn’t as much of a blowout but that was largely due to them matching up against a more solid Philadelphia 76ers team. Regardless, these teams finished the regular season just five games apart in the standings and will be very evenly matched.

When it came to the regular season, Boston took care of business against Toronto, winning the season series 3-1. With that in mind, the playoffs are a completely different stage and the Raptors will look to make adjustments and ensure the Celtics don’t have similar success in the playoffs.

A few matchups stick out initially when it comes to these two teams, one of which is Jayson Tatum and Pascal Siakam. Both are young, long wings that led their teams in scoring during the regular season. Point guard play will also be something to watch, as Kemba Walker and Kyle Lowry are both veteran floor generals who will look to keep their respective offenses running smoothly. Although Lowry struggled a bit in the first round, producing just 12.5 points on .368 shooting from the floor, he could be a key piece and bounce back in this series.

Highly productive bench play will also be crucial in this matchup. Through the first round, the Toronto bench has been the best of anyone in the playoffs, averaging 56.5 points per game. A good chunk of this production comes from Serge Ibaka and Norman Powell, who together produced 36.8 points per game in the first round. On the flip side, Boston’s bench through their four playoff games has only averaged 20.0 points per contest, which is the worst of any team still remaining in the playoffs. With the absence of Gordon Hayward, someone on the Celtics’ bench will need to step up and score the ball.

In what could easily be a seven-game series, the Boston Celtics came out hot in the first game of this series, winning 112-94 and taking a quick 1-0 lead. It was a poor shooting night from Fred VanVleet, who will look to turn things around in Game 2 as one of Toronto’s most important offensive pieces.

Nick Crain is a contributor at SLAM. Follow him on Twitter.

The post 2020 NBA Playoffs: Eastern Conference, Round 2 appeared first on SLAM.

It’s well within reason that Antetokounmpo wins MVP again this season but the mere fact that he pairs this year’s defensive trophy with his 2018-19 MVP is enough to put him in the elite company of Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson and Kevin Garnett.

Only Jordan and Olajuwon have previously won both in the same season.

Antetokounmpo’s defensive credentials are no joke, his flexibility on that end of the floor allows the Milwaukee Bucks to trot out a historically dominant defense, as Thinking Basketball’s Ben Taylor laid out in a featured video earlier this year.

Antetokounmpo’s defensive range allows Milwaukee to trot out an ambitious defensive scheme that maximizes shotblockers like Brook Lopez without sacrificing mid-range coverage.

Milwaukee’s league-best defensive rating allowed the Bucks to rack up the best net rating in the league (by far) and march to a first-place finish in the Eastern Conference.

The two other nominees for the Defensive Player of the Year this season were two-time winner Rudy Gobert and Anthony Davis. Ben Simmons, Bam Adebayo, Patrick Beverley and Andre Drummond also received first place votes.

The post Giannis Antetokounmpo Named 2019-20 Defensive Player of the Year appeared first on SLAM.

We broke down each of the day’s games below.

No. 1 Bucks 121 at No. 8 Magic 106

MIL leads series 3-1

The Magic hung around with the Bucks for the first half of their Game 5 battle but in the fourth and final quarter of the contest it was all Milwaukee. Giannis Antetokounmpo continued to fill the stat sheet in a modest work load (31 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists on .667 shooting) and Khris Middleton chipped in with a series-best 22 points and 10 rebounds. It’s little consolation but Orlando is the only underdog opponent still alive in the first round of the Eastern Conference bracket.

No. 4 Rockets 114 at No. 5 Thunder 117

Series tied 2-2

The Thunder survived a three-point rampage from the Rockets and a particularly impressive offensive showing from James Harden to tie their first-round battle at two games apiece. Houston shot a playoff record 58 threes in the game, netting 23 of them and even began to pull away in the beginning of the second half. Despite the monster 32-point, 15-assist night from Harden, Oklahoma City began to chip away over the course of the second half as veterans Chris Paul and Dennis Schroder used and abused any defenders sent their way – including the aforementioned bearded one. Paul and Schroder combined for 56 points, including a number of critical buckets late in the close game and actively sought out and attacked Harden off the dribble. The knotted series is one of the most intriguing of the first round and should only get better.

No. 4 Pacers 87 at No. 5 Heat 99

MIA wins series 4-0

The Heat snuck out in front of the Pacers and never looked back on Monday, completing their four-game sweep of the technically favored No. 4 seed. Miami took and held the lead thanks to contributions from across the spectrum as the hoops world at large is left scratching their heads wondering just how deep and how good the Vice City squad really is. Veteran Goran Dragic led the Heat with 23 points while Bam Adebayo added 14 points, 19 rebounds and six assists of his own. Jimmy Butler, who entered the game with a sore shoulder was able to log just 23 minutes in the series finale. Myles Turner, Victor Oladipo, T.J. Warren and Malcolm Brogdon combined for 81 of Indy’s 87 points in the loss.

No. 1 Lakers 135 at No. 8 Trail Blazers 115

LAL leads series 3-1

The Lakers sprang out to a 15-0 start against the Blazers and didn’t look back. Los Angeles had 80 points at half time and cracked 100 with minutes to spare in the third quarter. LeBron James’ 30 points, six rebounds and 10 assists came in just 28 minutes of action while Anthony Davis add 18, 5 and 5 in just 18 total minutes. Portland got a solid 20 points and 13 rebounds from the violent dunking Jusuf Nurkic but they trailed by nearly 40 before L.A. started to let their foot off the gas. The Blazers will face elimination in Game 5 and may have to do so without star guard Damian Lillard. To add injury to insult, Dame left the blowout in the third quarter with a knee injury.

• Aug. 23: Post Up: Where Luka Happens
• Aug. 22: Post Up: Lakers Hit Next Level
• Aug. 21: Post Up: Kawhi Leonard Carries Clippers
• Aug. 20: Post Up: The Empires Strike Back
• Aug. 19: Post Up: The Cavalry Has Arrived
• Aug. 18: Post Up: Crazy Eights
• Aug. 17: Post Up: Donovan Mitchell Makes History

The post Post Up: Thunder Rally Back appeared first on SLAM.

We’ve broken down each of Tuesday’s matchups below. If you’d like to catch up on Wednesday’s games, including Dallas’ series-tying win over the Clippers click here.

No. 4 Pacers 100, No. 5 Heat 109

MIA leads series 2-0

The Heat rode the hot hand of Duncan Robinson to a second win over the Pacers, capitalizing on the forward’s 7-of-8 three-point shooting night to establish and then maintain a modest lead through the majority of the contest. Robinson’s 24 led the squad but the contributions of its star core helped the team clinch the commanding series lead. Bam Adebayo scored just seven points in the contest but led all players with a plus-19 rating, a testament to the versatile 23-year-old’s ability to impact the game in ways beyond the box score.

No. 4 Rockets 111, No. 5 Thunder 98

HOU leads series 2-0

In a game where James Harden struggled from the field, the Rockets showed once again that their offense can come in many shapes and forms. Houston continued to play five-out unpunished by the Thunder. Oklahoma City kept the game tight for the first half and again at the beginning of the fourth but eventually the Rockets kept getting big buckets from a variety of options. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 31 points but the effort was in vain.

No. 1 Bucks 111, No. 8 Magic 96

Series tied 1-1

The Bucks followed up a stunning loss to the Magic in Game 1 by setting the tone early in Game 2. The top seed in the East stormed out of the gates with a 20-point lead that they ultimately preserved throughout the remainder of the contest. Giannis Antetokounmpo dropped 28 and 20 in the W, becoming the second player in franchise history to do so, along with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Orlando shot just .348 from the field, a number that would drop significantly if you subtracted Nikola Vucevic’s 32 points in the losing effort.

No. 1 Lakers 111, No. 8 Trail Blazers 88

Series tied 1-1

Led by an especially lethal Anthony Davis, the Lakers overpowered the Blazers early in their Game 2 matchup and didn’t look back. What started bad for Portland in the first half only got worse in the second as Los Angeles pulled ahead by 30 and Damian Lillard dislocated his finger swiping for a steal attempt. Dame is expected back in action for Game 3, but the Blazers will need a lot more than just that if they want to prove that their Game 1 win wasn’t a fluke. Portland shot just 8-of-29 from beyond the arc and the short-handed squad scored just 88 points, their lowest point total of the 2019-20 season.

The post Post Up: Empires Strike Back appeared first on SLAM.

We’ve broken down each of the night’s matchups below. Catch up on Tuesday’s action, including Donovan Mitchell’s historic 57-point explosion, right here.

No. 1 Bucks 110, No. 8 Magic 122

ORL leads series 1-0

The Magic have been here before. The last time they stole Game 1 of a first round tilt with a title contender, the 2019 Raptors went on to win the championship. Led by criminally underrated Nikola Vucevic’s 35 and 14, the Magic took an early lead on the Bucks and didn’t bother to look back. There’s never been any doubt that Orlando’s veterans can hoop – Terrence Ross chipped in with 18 points of his own and D.J. Augustin added 11 and 11 in this one – the question is whether they’ll be able to withstand whatever Milwaukee comes back with after the wake up call.

No. 4 Pacers 101, No. 5 Heat 113

MIA leads series 1-0

Jimmy Butler looked every bit the apex predator basketball fans hoped he’d be in his first taste of playoff action with the Heat and his 28 points led a well-balanced attack that ultimately drowned out the best efforts of a short-handed Pacers opponent. A poke to the eye sidelined Victor Oladipo after just eight minutes of action and he’s now considered day-to-day. Despite the uphill battle (the Pacers are also without Domantas Sabonis), Indiana rallied to flirt with the lead in the fourth quarter but couldn’t keep up with Butler, Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic.

No. 4 Rockets 123, No. 5 Thunder 108

HOU leads series 1-0

There was no consensus on how the Rockets would fare with Russell Westbrook on the sidelines but James Harden wasted no time proving that the Houston club is well-equipped to at least balance the scoring load without him. Harden’s 37 points led the game but his six made three-pointers were just the tip of the iceberg. The Rockets hit 20 threes, effectively flooding the Oklahoma City from beyond the arc any time they tried to narrow the gap. Danilo Gallinari scored 29 but the Thunder failed to exercise their will against what could have plausibly been a vulnerable opponent.

No. 1 Lakers 93, No. 8 Trail Blazers 100

POR leads series 1-0

The Blazers are a particularly scary No. 8 seed and they demonstrated exactly why by taking command of their opening game against a rusty Lakers squad. The Los Angeles offense failed to top 100 points for the fourth time in the bubble, shooting just .351 from the field. Still, the Lakers managed to keep the game close into the final quarter, in no small part thanks to LeBron James’ 23-point, 17-rebound, 16-assist triple double. Alas, the discombobulated top seed fell prey to Damian Lillard down the stretch as the Bubble MVP continued to hit gamebreakers from incomprehensible distances. Neither team looked consistently impressive in this one but the series as a whole just became that much more exciting.

The post Post Up: Crazy Eights appeared first on SLAM.

While some of the series in this conference were locked in during the early days of the seeding round, the middle portion of the playoff bracket was in flux up until the final day of the season. Now teams will get the chance to renew rivalries under the spotlight of postseason basketball.

With the playoff matchups finally set, let’s take a look at each Eastern Conference series in the first round. Our Western Conference series preview is available here.

1 Milwaukee Bucks (56-17)
8 Orlando Magic (33-40)

The Milwaukee Bucks were the best team in the NBA during the regular season and their record shows it. Although they struggled in the bubble, going 3-5, there is absolutely no need to worry about this team. Looking at a larger sample size, prior to the NBA hiatus, they were 53-12 and on track to have one of the best regular season records in team history. The Orlando Magic on the other hand had a solid season, earning a second consecutive playoff appearance after a six-season drought.

The Bucks swept the Magic in the regular season, beating them four times by a combined 68 points. There is a good chance this upcoming playoff series will be no different. Behind reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee will look to cruise past Orlando in the opening round while keeping their core fresh for the next few rounds of the playoffs.

2 Toronto Raptors (53-19)
7 Brooklyn Nets (35-37)

One of the biggest surprises all season has been the Toronto Raptors, who ,after losing Kawhi Leonard in free agency, actually finished with a better win percentage this season than last. They will face off against the Brooklyn Nets in the first round – or what is left of them. After a decent season for the Nets, they entered the bubble without most of their key regular season pieces in Kyrie Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie, DeAndre Jordan and Taurean Prince. Regardless, Toronto won the regular season series against Brooklyn, taking three of the four games they played.

Assuming the Raptors play the way they have all season, this series won’t be particularly long. Behind Pascal Siakam, Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, and others, Toronto will be a heavy favorite. With that said, Brooklyn played excellent in the bubble, even without many of their key pieces. They finished 5-3, which gave them the third best record among Eastern Conference Teams in the bubble. For the Nets, this series will still be beneficial for getting some of their guys playoff experience prior to Kevin Durant and Irving looking to take them the distance next season.

3 Boston Celtics (48-24)
6 Philadelphia 76ers (43-30)

The Philadelphia 76ers got the best of the Boston Celtics in the regular season, winning three of the four games they played. However, looking at the bigger picture, they had a variety of problems all season and finished in just the No. 6 seed in the East. The Boston Celtics have been excellent this season with the emergence of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, along with the addition of veteran point guard Kemba Walker.

Although Ben Simmons of the 76ers will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury, Philadelphia still has enough talent to potentially upset the Celtics in the first round, even as an underdog. Boston’s weakest link is their depth and production at the center position. Philadelphia has two guys in Joel Embiid and former Celtic Al Horford who will be a matchup nightmare for Boston, just like they were in the four regular season matchups. Unfortunately for the 76ers, who went 31-4 at home this season, there will be no games played at the Wells Fargo Center in the playoffs.

4 Indiana Pacers (45-28)
5 Miami Heat (44-29)

Miami and Indiana have a long-standing rivalry. Their fourth and final matchup of the 2019-20 regular season took place on Friday, with the winner, Indiana, taking the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference and the loser falling to the No. 5 seed. Up until that game, the Heat had won all three matchups against the Pacers this season. Although home court advantage likely won’t matter much in the bubble, Indiana will hope that they can keep the momentum going.

Indiana will more than likely be without a key piece in Domantas Sabonis in this series who would have been a great matchup against Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat. To combat this, the Pacers will need T.J. Warren to continue his hot streak of scoring, after producing 31.0 points per contest in the bubble. Before he ruptured his quad last season, Victor Oladipo was playing at an MVP-caliber level. Now, fully recovered from that injury, the sky is the limit with how far he can take this Indiana team. On the flip side, NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler will look to take Miami on a deep playoff push in his first season with the team.

The post 2020 NBA Playoff Matchups: Eastern Conference appeared first on SLAM.

We’ve listed the three nominations for each award below.

Most Valuable Player

It’s become commonplace for Giannis Antetokounmpo, LeBron James and James Harden to find themselves duking it out for the Most Valuable Player trophy this time of year, this time of season, you know what I mean. Don’t take greatness for granted. A win would be LeBron’s fifth (and first since 2013) while Giannis and the Beard won the previous two titles.

Rookie of the Year

Kendrick Nunn has been a steal for the Miami Heat but this two-horse race largely comes down to philosophy. Did Zion Williamson play enough games to be a genuine candidate for the title? Zion played less games (proportionate to a full season) than Joel Embiid did when he was looked over for Malcolm Brogdon back in 2017. Perhaps the games played argument is moot, given how sensational Ja Morant was.

Defensive Player of the Year

Defense is obviously two-time award winner Rudy Gobert’s calling card but Giannis Antetokounmpo’s length and athleticism has fueled a historically dominant Milwaukee Bucks defense. Don’t sleep on Anthony Davis either, as his goal to win DPOY is well documented.

Most Improved Player

While the Most Improved award often falls into the hands of a solid rotation piece that stumbled into a new role or opportunity, that’s not exactly the case in 2020. Bam Adebayo has emerged as a franchise cornerstone for a playoff contender, Brandon Ingram started flexing the Kevin Durant-esque scoring ability fans have been salivating over since he was at Duke and Luka Doncic transitioned from incomprehensibly dominant teenager to incomprehensibly dominant human being over night.

Sixth Man of the Year

A fourth Sixth Man of the Year award would push Lou Williams’ legacy to new heights but he’s not necessarily the most effective reserve on his own squad. Montrezl Harrell didn’t let the arrival of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George disrupt his status as a hyper productive presence any time he set foot on the court. Dennis Schroder, on the other hand, made up a third of Oklahoma City’s peculiarly effective three-headed guard rotation.

Coach of the Year

Mike Budenholzer and Nick Nurse spent their 2019-20 campaign polishing and perfecting two Eastern Conference powerhouses that were already at the top of the mountain last season. Billy Donovan, in contrast, built a winner out of a roster that so many were quick to write off following Paul George’s departure.

The post NBA Reveals 2019-20 Awards Nominees appeared first on SLAM.

Robinson may not see quite that volume of shots in Orlando but the fact that he’s emerged as another weapon that can blow up for north of 25 points gives Erik Spoelstra some interesting depth.

When the hiatus began, Tyler Herro had just returned to action after an ankle injury. In fact, the seven minutes he saw on March 11 were his first since early February. Expect business as usual – 12.9 points and 4.0 rebounds per game – from the rookie at Disney World.

SLAM’s Heat Check series compares each individual player’s personal production in the month of March with their production prior. The goal is to get a sense of the direction in which players were trending when the league stood still. For a more in-depth description, check out our Heat Check (Hiatus Edition) introduction.

Heat Check Miami Heat

Duncan Robinson
Andre Iguodala
Derrick Jones Jr.
Bam Adebayo	–
Jae Crowder	–
Solomon Hill
Goran Dragic
Gabe Vincent
Kelly Olynyk
Jimmy Butler
Kendrick Nunn
Chris Silva
Tyler Herro

Team-by-Team Breakdown

The post Heat Check (Hiatus): Miami Heat appeared first on SLAM.

Four months after the NBA became the first North American professional sports league to close its doors as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the Association is back. Despite the chaos of the times, the NBA and the players’ union agreed to reconvene at Walt Disney World for an eight-game addendum to the interrupted campaign, two potential play-in tournaments and a (relatively) traditional postseason.

A total of 22 teams saw their playoff aspirations renewed with the decision to return: the top 8 from each conference back when the League stood still and an additional half dozen that were within six games of sneaking in. The remaining eight teams will watch like the rest of us, from the comfortable confines of self-isolation.

The ambitious bubble plan, including a March Madness-esque carousel of games through the first two weeks of August, gives teams and players an opportunity to take care of their unfinished business. It gives the League a much-needed opportunity to recuperate lost television revenue, too, an essential component of the basketball-related income that benchmarks like the salary cap and luxury tax threshold are tied to.

The NBA’s return plan is experimental and unprecedented—we’re about to watch the biggest games of the season unfold without fans in attendance, across the backdrop of a global pandemic and a massive social justice movement—but basketball is back and that’s a small victory for everyone.

Questions About the Restart

How will playing in the bubble, with no fans or home court advantage, impact the games?

With no fans present in the bubble, home court advantage will be nonexistent in the 2020 NBA playoffs. The great equalizer—so to speak. If there is one team that probably benefits the most from this, it’s got to be the Los Angeles Clippers. If the brackets align the way they’re shaping up to, the Lakers and Clippers could meet in the Western Conference finals (ESPN’s BPI says there is a 31 percent chance of that happening). In a pre-COVID world, that’d mean all games would be held at STAPLES Center, where Lakers fans usually pack the house even when the NBA schedule officially has it down as a Clippers home game. After all, Southern California is predominantly Laker Nation. The Clippers would’ve never had a true home game in a series against the Lakers. The global pandemic may have tipped the scales.

How seriously will the bottom seeds take the Orlando format?

For the teams invited to the bubble without a realistic shot at making the playoffs, the goal will be to get experience for young players without risking injuries to their stars. Look for the Suns, Wizards and Spurs to treat the season resumption like an early Summer League. The Grizzlies, Pelicans, Blazers and Kings will be fighting for the 8-seed in the West, with Memphis having a 3.5-game head start. Portland is looking to salvage a disappointing season, while MEM, NOLA and SAC stand to gain valuable big-game experience.

What will be the effects of a four-month quarantine on the level of play?

There’s no denying that the layoff—a longer layoff than the typical offseason—will have a substantial impact on the basketball we see in Orlando. For the most part, however, the effects of the reduced training camp will be felt evenly across the board. Perhaps the energy level starts lower as teams play themselves into game shape in the seeding round. Some teams, nonetheless, will still come out ahead—like the Philadelphia 76ers now that Ben Simmons has returned to full health. Others, like the Washington Wizards, who lost Bradley Beal to lingering shoulder issues, will have to adapt to life without players that were otherwise available before the shutdown.

What is life in the bubble like for players off the court?

If you really want to know the answer to this question, follow guys like JaVale McGee and Matisse Thybulle, who have been vlogging their daily off-court experiences. We’ve also had multiple players take over SLAM’s Instagram account and give us a behind-the-scenes look at the Disney World campus. On social media, we’ve seen revamped hotel rooms, including elaborate video game set-ups and mini recording studios. Donovan Mitchell has already dubbed himself the “best ping pong player in the bubble.” Other available activities: swimming, golfing, fishing, bowling, tennis and bike riding. Keep your eyes peeled for more incredible content coming out of Orlando.

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Should the championship have an asterisk next to it?

Whoever ends up raising the Larry O’Brien trophy in October should have an asterisk next to their team name. Not because this title will be cheap or unwarranted; but because this will be, perhaps, the most difficult and trying championship race we’ll ever see. The dudes that earn the jewelry will have fought through a pandemic, social upheaval and the passing of a multi-generational basketball hero. So absolutely, throw an asterisk next to ’20 in the record books. This one’s reserved for the strongest group of players out there.

How will players use the platform of the NBA restart to advocate for social justice?

Avenues for change are numerous. And as they’ve proven time and time again, NBA players are leading the way. Some are replacing the names on the backs of their jerseys. Some are going to write messages on their sneakers. Some will undoubtedly use national media interviews as a platform to educate the masses. One thing’s for certain; these players will continue to speak up for what’s right and speak against what’s wrong.

SLAM’s Bubble Awards

*These award predictions are just based on performances in Orlando*

CHAMPS: Los Angeles Lakers

Yes, the Clippers are now well-rested, while the Lakers will be without a couple of their most important pieces—Avery Bradley and Rajon Rondo (’til the end of August, at least). Then you got the Bucks, who are also among the favorites to win it all, according to Vegas. At the end of the day, though, a very eager LeBron James is not one to bet against. Despite being down a couple of players, the team still has plenty of championship experience on its roster. And LeBron has certainly done more with a lot less in the past.

MVP: LeBron James

It’s hard to imagine an athlete better equipped to handle the League’s unconventional return to action than LeBron James. Virtually every hurdle that could negatively affect player performance in the bubble doesn’t apply. James’ unparalleled physical conditioning leaves him particularly well-suited for the return and his years of playoff experience afford him the invaluable discipline to remain focused under such unusual circumstances. Scariest of all? He’s got every reason to be as hungry for a title as he was in March.

BEST NEW KICKS: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nike Zoom Freak 2

White columns twinkled with sunlight on a blazingly hot day in Athens back in June of 2019. Nike had taken over the Zappeion, a landmark in Greece’s capital, for the launch of the Zoom Freak 1, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s debut signature sneaker. Antetokounmpo, through an unbreakable smile, showed the world his kicks under an unforgiving sun. He’ll show the world his second sneaker, the Freak 2, under the bubble this summer. A decoupled outsole built specifically for his Euro Step highlights his sophomore silhouette, along with a forefoot Air unit, an exaggerated Swoosh and multiple callouts to his family.

BEST FITS: Kyle Kuzma and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

It’s not too difficult to predict who the NBA bubble’s fashion kings will be—it’s going to be the same guys who were getting fits off on their own in quarantine without the help of arena photographers. Kyle Kuzma and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t let the pandemic falter their Instagram grid—both of them might’ve actually posted more during quarantine. If there are guys comfortable with getting a fit off at any time and in any place, it’s these two.  Don’t count out Troy Daniels, though—he had two Instagram pictures up from the bubble (word to self-timer flicks) before any other player posted even once.

BIGGEST BREAKOUT: Bam Adebayo

Just this past season, Bam Adebayo became an All-Star and a SLAM cover star. Adebayo isn’t a breakout player candidate in the strictest sense—well-known among hoop fans since his days as a top-10 HS recruit—but Bam has a chance to boost his overall profile tremendously in Orlando. Since becoming a full-time starter, he’s taken on a larger role while remaining an efficient offensive player. He’s a good passer who fits perfectly in Miami’s dribble-handoff-heavy offense. He’s an excellent finisher and draws a ton of fouls but is still just scratching the surface of what he’s capable of offensively. Add the fact that Bam can legitimately lock down any position 1-5, and it’s easy to see why he’s become the fulcrum of Miami’s success.

UNSUNG HERO: Robert Covington

The Houston Rockets experimented with an unconventional small-ball lineup before the break and that hasn’t gone anywhere over the course of the hiatus. Foundational to Houston’s success using Mike D’Antoni’s latest concept roster is trade deadline acquisition Robert Covington. Covington’s defensive versatility allows Houston to get away with starting the 6-5 PJ Tucker at center, which opens the floor for James Harden and Russell Westbrook. The team’s superstar duo will dominate if the strategy works, but don’t sleep on the critical component that allows it all to happen.

SUBSTITUTE PLAYER MVP: JR Smith

Sharpshooter Jamal Crawford will definitely get his buckets for the Nets, but they aren’t likely to make any noise in the playoffs. The veteran Luc Mbah a Moute is a solid addition to Houston’s small-ball rotation. But we picked the Lakers to win it all, and we’re hoping for at least one JR Smith game on their journey to the top. With Avery Bradley opting out of the restart and Rajon Rondo sidelined due to injury, the road is paved for others to step up. JR hasn’t suited up this season but has experience playing alongside LeBron and can get hot in a hurry. Oh yeah, and he’s completely fearless. Let’s get it.

—

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Cover by Tyson Beck.

Photos via Getty.

The post NBA BUBBLE PREVIEW: Questions and Predictions for the Restart appeared first on SLAM.

It was previously known that three Heat players had tested positive for COVID-19, only one of which, Derrick Jones Jr., was confirmed.

Adebayo and Nunn arrived at the Walt Disney World campus earlier in the week and after testing negative twice more than 24 hours apart, were able to join the team in a formal practice.

Adebayo told reporters that he was asymptomatic and bored while recovering from the virus while Nunn experienced symptoms in line with a common cold.

Adebayo and Nunn are permitted to play with the team during their Saturday exhibition, although they may not necessarily suit up so soon after returning to action.

Miami shut down their practice facility in early July, prior to arriving in the bubble, when the three positive cases were detected.

The post Bam Adebayo, Kendrick Nunn Return After COVID-19 Quarantine appeared first on SLAM.

Below is a complete account of confirmed cases where specific players have been reported to have tested positive for COVID-19. Additional instances where cases of the illness were reported can be found at the bottom of this post.

NBA Players Positive For Coronavirus

Additional Coronavirus Cases In NBA

Related: NBA players who have opted out of Disney World games

The post List of NBA Players to Test Positive for Coronavirus appeared first on SLAM.

“The point is we’re right there and we’re a contender, and I’m proud of that,” Riley said in a video released by the team Wednesday.

Miami compiled a 41-24 record, good for the fourth-seed in the Eastern Conference, before the coronavirus global pandemic shut everything down last month.

Per The Miami Herald:

“We had a very, very good basketball team,” Riley said. “Very well-coached, and I think we proved it on the court night in and night out. We overcame some adversity, some injuries. When that happened, next man up. That’s one of [Erik Spoelstra’s] sayings. I think we were [41-24] or something along those lines and headed to home-court advantage in the playoffs. It was a great year. I’m really disappointed that we haven’t seen the finish, especially after we made the trade when we brought in Andre Iguodala, Solomon Hill and Jae Crowder. I thought that was going to give us a little bit of an edge going into the playoffs.”

The NBA playoffs were scheduled to begin April 18, with the Heat owning home-court advantage in a first-round series against the Indiana Pacers based on the current standings.

“For all of us when we started the season, we thought we had something good,” Riley said. “Especially when we had the opportunity to sign Jimmy Butler. We didn’t really know how great Tyler Herro or Kendrick Nunn or Duncan Robinson, Chris Silva at times and a lot of our young guys, Derrick Jones Jr. And having Goran [Dragic] and having Jimmy Butler and having Bam [Adebayo], who has been around three years and having Meyers Leonard and his infectious personality and Kelly Olynyk. For all intents and purposes, I’m so happy that we turned a lot of things around and we found the right players, the right mix of pick-and-roll players, guys that can post up and really found a couple of guys that can shoot the ball — really shoot the ball — so we’re happy for that and we’re really optimistic about moving forward into the future with these players.”

Whether this season is saved or not, Riley’s goal hasn’t changed. At 75 years old, he wants to build another championship team.

“I don’t have much patience. You know me,” Riley said, with the Heat set to have enough cap space to sign a max player in the summer of 2021. “I want to build another championship team and we’re close. Maybe we need another player. Maybe we need less. I don’t know. The point is we’re right there and we’re a contender, and I’m proud of that.”

Related Pat Riley: Heat Drafted Dwyane Wade after a ‘Horrible Workout’

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Each member of the SLAM Fam was assigned a team to pick for. Below are the results + explanations.

Special Offer: Click Here To Get 15% Off NBA Store With Code NBASLAM15

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1. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: Anthony Edwards (6-5 Guard, Georgia)

CLASS: Freshman (18 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 40% shooting from the field

First things first: The Golden State Warriors are not about to draft a third Splash Brother. Anthony Edwards may not be a great three-point shooter, but that’s arguably the only thing he doesn’t already do at an elite level. As he showed pretty much every night during an SEC Freshman of the Year campaign at Georgia—and as comparisons to Donovan Mitchell, Victor Oladipo, and even Dwyane Wade make clear—the 6-5, 225-pound combo guard has all the tools necessary to be a difference maker in the NBA. With Steph and Klay both in their 30s and coming off major injuries, the Dubs need to be thinking about the backcourt of the future. Edwards could be their next All-Star SG. — Ryan Jones

2. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: LaMelo Ball (6-8 Guard, Illawarra Hawks of the NBL)

AGE: 19 years old

2019-20 STATS: 17.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.6 steals, shooting 38% from the field

I’m gonna ignore that this pick adds a third point guard to a young team and just roll with the kid that I think is an incredible talent that any team would be lucky to have. Last we saw of LaMelo, he was a 6-7 point guard who can shoot from deep, put the ball on the floor and make the smart pass. Now I hear he’s sprouted to 6-8, grown into his lanky frame and become a more confident playmaker. That’s tough to pass on, regardless when the pick is being made. I realize this would create a logjam at the PG spot—LaMelo, Collin Sexton and Darius Garland seem unlikely to successfully share the ball—but it gives Cleveland a hell of a group of young players to develop and/or trade for other guys as the next season nears (or in the distant future). — Adam Figman

3. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES: James Wiseman (7-1 Center, Memphis)

CLASS: Freshman (18 years old)

2019-20 STATS (three games): 19.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.0 blocks, shooting 77% from the field

Karl-Anthony Towns’ capacity to match imposing physical size with guard-like quickness has proven to be the quality that separates him from many of the League’s bigs. James Wiseman has a skill-set, frame and athletic ability that almost mirrors that of Towns. Wiseman, who left Memphis after just three games, has consistent 20-point, 10-rebound potential written all over him. Pairing a forceful yet talented big man duo with D’Angelo Russell could be the right way to finally bring the Wolves back to the hunt. — Max Resetar

4. ATLANTA HAWKS: Obi Toppin (6-9 Forward, Dayton)

CLASS: Sophomore (22 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 20.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, shooting 63% from the field and 39% from three

The 6-9 redshirt sophomore became a SportsCenter regular thanks to his high-flying finishes, but overall was a super-efficient scorer despite a high usage. Prior to the NCAA suspending all remaining games, the Brooklyn native had positioned Dayton as a potential No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. The Flyers held a 29-2 record—easily the best season in school history.  He was already named National POY by USA Today, CBS Sports, NBC Sports and The Athletic, and is widely considered the front-runner for the prestigious Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year award. Additionally, Toppin was the only unanimous selection for the AP All-America teams. While the Hawks already have John Collins and Clint Capella in the paint, Toppin’s resume is worthy of serious consideration. — Franklyn Calle

5. DETROIT PISTONS: Deni Avdija (6-9 Forward, Maccabi Tel Aviv)

AGE: 19 years old

2019-20 STATS: 7.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, shooting 51% from the field (19.8 mpg)

Four of the highest ceiling prospects have already come off the board, but the Detroit Pistons can still pocket a valuable building block with this No. 5 pick as they turn to the future. Despite the fact that they already have ambiguously tantalizing combo forward Sekou Doumbouya and breakout stretch Christian Wood, the Pistons should take a long look at 19-year-old utility forward Deni Avdija. Avdija has impressed as a transition quarterback in the Israeli Premier League and looks comfortable enough handling the ball and pulling up from beyond the arc to project as an intriguing offensive option at the next level. Defensively, his length and discipline should help him at least make an impact, but if he’s going to see time at the three, or even at the four, in today’s small ball era, he’ll need to show that he can match NBA speed and athleticism.  — Austin Kent

6. NEW YORK KNICKS: Cole Anthony (6-3 Guard, North Carolina)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 18.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, shooting 38% from the field and 35% from three

This just makes sense for so many reasons. 1) The Knicks continue to search for a consistent playmaker at the point guard position. Cole uses his explosive athleticism to get to the paint and put constant pressure on the defense. Which brings us to 2) The Knicks offense currently ranks 29th in the NBA and they desperately covet scoring. Cole averaged just under 20 points per game for the Tar Heels and, while a solid facilitator, is more aggressive than passive. Right now, the Garden needs that. And, of course, there’s 3) Cole grew up in New York City and his father, Greg Anthony, was a PG for the Knicks from 1991-95, when the team was making deep playoff runs. As long as Cole takes care of the ball and RJ Barrett improves his perimeter shooting, the two could form the backcourt that turns things around for a franchise that hasn’t finished over .500 since 2012-13. — Alex Squadron

7. CHICAGO BULLS: Tyrese Haliburton (6-5 Guard, Iowa State)

CLASS: Sophomore (20 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 15.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 2.5 steals, shooting 50% from the field and 42% from three

The underachieving Bulls showed that they need help in several areas—shooting and defense in particular. Iowa State sophomore point guard Tyrese Haliburton excels in those domains, and then some. Haliburton, who just turned 20, averaged 15.2 points (on 50/42/82 shooting splits), 6.5 dimes, 5.9 boards and 2.5 steals this season. A pass-first playmaker, he would fit perfectly alongside scorers Coby White and Zach LaVine. Standing 6-5 with a crazy wingspan, Haliburton could easily guard positions 1-3, giving Chicago more switch-ability on the perimeter. And not to be overlooked, Haliburton brings great character to a team—lauded by Iowa State coach Steve Prohm for his “winning demeanor.” — Ryne Nelson

8. CHARLOTTE HORNETS: RJ Hampton (6-5 Guard, New Zealand Breakers of the NBL)

AGE: 19 years old

2019-20 STATS: 8.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, shooting 40% from the field

RJ Hampton, a 6-5, 185-pound point guard would be a nice, perhaps long-term fit for the Charlotte Hornets. The 19-year-old, who skipped college and took his talents to Australia, would have an uphill battle for minutes in a backcourt featuring Devonte’ Graham and Terry Rozier. Hampton is an elite ball-handler—able to break down defenses with dribble penetration—and has plenty of athletic ability. Unlike most of his peers in the 2020 NBA Draft, RJ had a taste of the fierce competition that awaits him in the League. His New Zealand Breakers faced both the OKC Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies in a pair of exhibition games last October, and though his jumper struggled, Hampton knows he’s well on his way: “I’m having a lot of fun.” — Marcel Mutoni

9. WASHINGTON WIZARDS: Onyeka Okongwu (6-9 Forward, USC)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 16.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, 1.2 steals, shooting 62% from the field

If you’d heard of Onyeka Okongwu before 2018, it was probably as a footnote in a story about his world-famous high school teammates. Okongwu played at Chino Hills with the Ball brothers, where he spent his early years in anonymity before LaMelo left California for Lithuania. Thrust into a leading role, Big O led Chino to a state title, and added a 35-point, 14-rebound, five-block performance against Zion Williamson at the 2018 Hoophall Classic along the way. In one season at USC, the crazy athletic 6-9 big showed enough potential to warrant top-5 pick consideration. Okongwu’s NBA comparisons range everywhere from Montrezl Harrell to Bam Adebayo—at minimum, he’s a versatile defender who can step in right away and protect the rim for a Washington team sorely lacking in that area. Projecting him alongside a healthy Wall, Beal, Hachimura and (maybe) Bertans in 2020-21 would certainly have Wizards fans eyeing a return to the postseason. — Abe Schwadron

10. PHOENIX SUNS: Nico Mannion (6-3 Guard, Arizona)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 14.0 points, 5.3 assists, 1.2 steals, shooting 39% from the field

Nico Mannion is one of the smoothest and most skilled point guards in this year’s draft. His father, Pace Mannion, played in the NBA and finished his career in Italy, where Nico was born. Once they moved back to the states, Nico played in Phoenix at Pinnacle High School and then for the Arizona Wildcats. At 6-3, he has great pace and court vision. He’s smooth off the bounce and can create for himself and his teammates. He’s a shot maker and has all the tools to be an elite guard at the pro level. Phoenix is a good fit for Mannion, as he can learn alongside Rubio in the city where he’s been playing for years. — Bryan LaRussa

11. SAN ANTONIO SPURS: Jaden McDaniels (6-9 Forward, Washington)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 13.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, shooting 41% from the field and 34% from three

I’m well aware of what happened in his lone season at Washington and what scouts and analysts have said regarding a player that they feel teams should take caution with. I know about the benchings at UW, critiques of his decision-making on the court and the other asterisks that might have been attached to his name. But the Spurs’ culture—and everything they stand for—couldn’t be a better place for McDaniels to start his NBA career. There are valuable OGs on that roster—Patty Mills, DeMar DeRozan, Rudy Gay and LaMarcus Aldridge—and another Washington guy in Dejounte Murray that could take the incoming rook under their wings. And did I mention being in the same vicinity and learning from a HOFer in Tim Duncan? The Spurs have a “we-over-me” ethos and a track record that speaks for itself. San Antonio is a perfect destination for someone with Jaden’s stature and skill set. — Drew Ruiz

12. SACRAMENTO KINGS: Isaac Okoro (6-6 Forward, Auburn)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 12.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, shooting 51% from the field

A year ago, you might not have known the name Isaac Okoro. Coming out of McEachern High School in Atlanta, GA, Okoro was a four-star recruit who didn’t have the hype he likely warranted. That changed quickly, though. The 6-6 freshman was surrounded by seniors in the starting lineup at Auburn and still separated himself. With his versatility and explosiveness, Okoro climbed the ranks and shouldn’t fall past this spot in the 2020 Draft. Isaac is a lockdown defender who can score in a variety of ways but doesn’t demand the ball offensively. He’ll have no problem letting guards De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield and Bogdan Bogdanovich (should they all return) run the show, sliding in seamlessly right away and hopefully helping the Kings level up after a disappointing 2019-20 season. — Alex Squadron

13. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS: Precious Achiuwa (6-9 Forward, Memphis)

CLASS: Freshman (20 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 15.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, shooting 49% from the field

First off, this pick is for Queens, NY, being that I can’t remember the last time the borough had an NBA lottery pick. Coming off an eventful freshman season, Precious Achiuwa averaged 15.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game before the sports world was put on freeze. Achiuwa should be a major addition to the young highlight reel Pelicans. The 6-9, 225-pound forward has all the tools to make an impact right away. With Lonzo Ball coming off his best NBA season and Zion’s short, but dominant, run, the Pelicans should look to add another forward with their star Brandon Ingram possibly testing the FA market this summer. Regardless, Precious will bring more athleticism and explosiveness to a budding roster. — Nick Torres

14. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS: Devin Vassell (6-6 Guard, Florida State)

CLASS: Sophomore (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 12.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.4 steals, shooting 49% from the field and 41% from three

With the Blazers set to enter the 2020-21 season at nearly full strength after an injury-filled 2019-20 campaign, the team needs reinforcements to shore up its roster and make a run at the Western Conference’s best. A rookie that could step in and provide shooting and defense on the wing would help strengthen the team’s supporting cast around the Lillard-McCollum-Nurkic core. Enter Devin Vassell. The 6-6 guard from Florida State evolved into the team’s leading scorer (12.7 PPG) after averaging under five points in his freshman season. He showed off his range with the Seminoles, shooting at or above 41.5% from deep in each of his two seasons. Vassell also brings value on the defensive end, with averages of 1 block and 1.4 steals per game. The forward is the essential 3-and-D complement that Portland has lacked in recent years. He projects as an instant contributor with the potential to take over the wing from the Blazers’ older forwards. — Isaiah De Los Santos

15. ORLANDO MAGIC: Theo Maledon (6-4 Guard, ASVEL of the EuroLeague)

AGE: 18 years old

2019-20 STATS: 7.4 points, 3.1 assists, shooting 46% from the field and 37% from three

There are a lot of good guards on the the board that are excellent talents, but from the standpoint of trying to find a solid backcourt mate for Markelle Fultz, the Magic should consider Theo Maledon. Highlights are obviously skewed, but his decision making as a playmaker seems to be there, both in transition and half-court play. He plays with a patience that is rare to see in an 18-year-old in the EuroLeague. This past season for ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne, he shot 37% from beyond the arc. If he wants to maintain a spot in the NBA, he’ll need to maintain that shooting percentage as his three point attempts go up. — Arvind Pitchai

16. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (VIA BROOKLYN): Tyrese Maxey (6-3 Guard, Kentucky)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 14.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, shooting 43% from the field

Earlier in this mock, the Wolves snagged James Wiseman with the No. 3 pick, pairing him with star Karl-Anthony Towns to give them a massively talented frontcourt for the foreseeable future. With the recently acquired D’Angelo Russell reliably running point, the Wolves still need a wing who can get buckets. Maxey is super shifty and already sports an impressive floater package. He has a strong handle and can effectively slash into the teeth of the defense. He’s also a fantastic on-ball defender. And while his three-point percentages are subpar, his feathery floater touch and excellent free throw percentage (83% on the season) suggest he will be just fine. His 6-3 frame may be on the small side for a SG, but his tremendous strength compensates for the slight height disadvantage. Maxey is young and has tons of room to grow. The Wolves should take a shot on a kid with huge upside who could transform into a perennial 20-point per game scorer. — Isaiah Freedman

17. BOSTON CELTICS (VIA MEMPHIS): Josh Green (6-6 Guard, Arizona)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 12.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.5 steals, shooting 42% from the field and 36% from three

The Celtics are locked in for the future. They have an All-NBA point guard in Kemba Walker, budding superstars in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, a lockdown perimeter defender in Marcus Smart, and the perfect complementary pieces to round out the roster. This gives them the flexibility to take the best, most talented player available—Arizona freshman Josh Green. One of the top defenders in the draft, the shooting guard can cover 1-4 with his 6-6, 210-pound frame and 6-10 wingspan. Offensively, he is an elite athlete who can handle the ball and hit open shots, as he knocked down 39.5% of his three-point attempts in the second half of the season. He fits with what the Celtics continue to stockpile—competitive, versatile wings who can cover and play multiple positions. Green is just 19 years old, but can contribute right away as a role player for a Celtics team that has current championship aspirations. — Ben Simon

18. DALLAS MAVERICKS: Isaiah Stewart (6-9 Forward, Washington)

CLASS: Freshman (18 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 17.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.1 blocks, shooting 57% from the field

Sitting right on the verge of serious contention, the Mavericks will be looking for a player who provides reliable depth and immediate contribution. Washington big man Isaiah Stewart fits that mold. As a freshman, Stewart was a model of consistency for the Huskies. A 250-pound forward with a 7-4 wingspan, Stewart combines impressive athleticism and mobility with a polished finishing ability, making him a perfect fit in a pick-and-roll with Luka Doncic. He shot 77% from the FT line and showed a solid midrange touch. Stewart’s biggest strength, however, is that few, if any players in the draft play with a higher motor. While his back-to-the-basket offensive game may not translate to the next level, his energy and physicality will certainly make him effective as a rim protector and a rebounder on both ends. With Dwight Powell recovering from a ruptured achilles, Stewart can provide immediate depth at the 4 or 5 for a Mavericks team looking to win now. — Sam Squadron

19. MILWAUKEE BUCKS (VIA INDIANA): Vernon Carey Jr. (6-10 Center, Duke)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 17.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, shooting 58% from the field

There’s a reason why Vernon Carey Jr. was voted ACC Freshman of the Year in his lone season at Duke. The 6-10 lefty has an efficient offensive game and can score in a multitude of ways. Vernon has a quick first step and is extremely tough to guard within five feet of the basket. He’ll be joining a team already poised to make a deep playoff run, so there will be little to no pressure for the rook to carry a large load. However, if there’s anything we learned from Vernon Carey Jr in college, it’s that he shows up when it matters most. — Theus McBee

20. BROOKLYN NETS (VIA PHILADELPHIA): Saddiq Bey (6-8 Forward, Villanova)

CLASS: Sophomore (21 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 16.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, shooting 48% from the field and 45% from three

Bey is an athletic forward standing at 6-8, 216 pounds that has levels to his game, but the biggest draw is that he’s a knockdown shooter. He shot 45% from beyond the arc in his sophomore year at Villanova, up from 37% in his first year. The Julius Erving award winner could be a perfect fit for the Nets, who are currently the fifth worst three-point shooting squad in the League based on percentage. Brooklyn will be getting back major offensive pieces next year in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, but with the contract of Joe Harris in question, Bey could be a strong addition should the Nets need to fill that role. — Camille Buxeda

21. DENVER NUGGETS (VIA HOUSTON): Jalen Smith (6-10 Forward, Maryland)

CLASS: Sophomore (20 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 15.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, shooting 54% from the field and 37% from three

Jalen Smith is a rim-running, athletic big with great hands. He’s also a willing and gifted post player who can step out and shoot the three. The 6-10 power forward has a high motor—Smith can bring chasedown blocks, offensive rebounds, and defensive toughness to the Pepsi Center. For good measure, he’s got the lateral speed and shiftiness necessary to defend at the next level. The Baltimore native is fresh off a stellar sophomore season, in which he led Maryland to a 24-7 record and a Big Ten title. Stix was the best player on a Terps team on pace for a 3-seed and poised for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, and Smith would pair well with Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic in Mike Malone’s system. Paul Millsap, Mason Plumlee and Jerami Grant are all free agents this summer. Smith fits Denver’s position need, and he projects to be the kind of player most GMs are looking for in 2020: a stretch-four who defends. — Eli Schwadron

22. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (VIA OKLAHOMA CITY): Aaron Nesmith (6-6 Forward, Vanderbilt)

CLASS: Sophomore (20 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 23.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.4 steals, shooting 51% from the field and 52% from three

When JJ Redick fled from the City of Brotherly Love on the first day of free agency last summer, the Sixers’ long-range marksmanship took an immediate hit. Through 65 games, Philadelphia ranked 14th in three-point field goal accuracy (32.6%), down from eighth the season before. The solution? Enter Aaron Nesmith, the best pure shooter in this year’s draft. Vandy’s 6-6 sophomore slinger averaged 23 points and 4.9 rebounds over 14 games while shooting 52% from deep, before a season-ending stress fracture in his right foot. Nesmith was the fifth-leading scorer in the nation and was on pace to have one of the best three-point shooting seasons in college basketball history. Possessing a combination of size, strength, and deadeye shot-making ability, Nesmith’s game is tailor-made for the modern NBA and fills a much-needed void in Philly. — Peter Robert Casey

23. MIAMI HEAT: Killian Hayes (6-5 Guard, ratiopharm Ulm of Basketball Bundesliga)

AGE: 18 years old

2019-20 STATS: 12.8 points, 6.2 assists, 1.5 steals, shooting 46% from the field and 39% from three

Already an Eastern Conference playoff contender, Pat Riley will search for the final pieces of the puzzle starting in the 2020 Draft. As Goran Dragic enters unrestricted free agency, the Heat will likely target youth to take over the reigns. Although he’s only 18, Killian Hayes boasts the experience and toughness it takes to make an impact in the NBA immediately. Originally born in Lakeland, FL, before moving to France due to his father’s pro career, Hayes has used basketball to bridge the gap between both countries. After playing against older opponents his entire childhood in Europe, Hayes turned professional in France at the age of only 16. During his career with Cholet, Killian also represented the French National team. Now a 6-5 PG with a tight handle, sharp vision and the ability to finish at the rim, he holds all the intangibles NBA scouts seek. The Lakeland native took the opposite journey to the League, and the risk may be worth the reward. Once idolizing Dwyane Wade, Hayes now has the chance to honor Flash as he returns to his home state and aims to ignite South Beach once again. — Daren Scarberry

24. UTAH JAZZ: Aleksej Pokusevski (7-0 Forward, Olympiacos B of the Greek A2 Basket League)

AGE: 18 years old

2019-20 STATS: 10.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.8 blocks, shooting 49% from the field and 32% from three

It’s time to meet your future favorite player, and he goes by the name of Poku. Joining the storied lineage of Serbians (Vlade, Peja, Nikola) in the NBA, Aleksej Pokusevski is the youngest prospect in this year’s draft, not turning 19 until the day after Christmas. And while his 7-0 frame has caused folks that have never heard of him or seen him play to make assumptions, don’t get it twisted—Poku is a point guard trapped in a center’s body. Just like KD (6-10), Giannis (6-11), Jokić (7-0), and Porzingis (7-3), he’s a vertically inclined man with playmaking ability and perimeter skills. Unfortunately, he’s barely seen any EuroLeague action for Olympiacos since joining the club at the age of 13, but he’s had the privilege of learning from legendary Greek teammates Vassilis Spanoulis and Georgios Printezis, along with former head coach David Blatt. While this season he was assigned to play with the development team, Olympiacos B, his time spent with the Serbian national squad has been fruitful and excited NBA scouts. Last July, he opened the FIBA U18 European Championship with 16 points, 13 rebounds, 7 blocks, 5 assists, and 3 steals in a win against Germany. If Poku somehow slips this far to Utah, a team who flew to Athens to see him play in November, they’re in for a treat. — Aron Phillips

25. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (VIA DENVER): Jahmi’us Ramsey (6-4 Guard, Texas Tech)

CLASS: Freshman (18 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals, shooting 44% from the field and 43% from three

Jahmi’us Ramsey, the highest ranked recruit to ever attend Texas Tech, finished off the 2019-20 regular season as Big 12 Freshman of the Year. He’s an explosive combo guard with a great jump shot who can create space, elevate and finish with authority at the rim. Put simply, Ramsey gets buckets. Ramsey would slot right into an Oklahoma City Thunder backcourt that has thrived under the guidance of head coach Billy Donovan and veteran point god Chris Paul. Integrated into a system with a strong track record of player development, Ramsey could carve out a role as a long-term rotation piece in OKC. — Dave Schnur

26. BOSTON CELTICS: Zeke Nnaji (6-11 Forward, Arizona)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 16.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, shooting 57% from the field

Two Celtics picks and two Arizona Wildcats. After choosing Josh Green at 17, the Celtics can afford to take a shot on a sleeper. That comes in the form of Zeke Nnaji. I say sleeper, but he was actually much more productive than Green in their one season of college. The Minnesota native averaged 16.1 points and 8.6 rebounds (including 3.1 offensive boards, giving him the highest total in the Pac 12), while shooting 57% from the field, second best in the conference. The Celtics’ roster is filled out, but they do have one glaring need: a big man who can run the floor and play above the rim. Nnaji can do just that… and then some. He’s an elite finisher who even showed an ability to knock down jump shots. The building blocks are there for him to be an efficient three-point shooter. Nnaji still has glaring struggles on the defensive end, but with Daniel Theis, Vincent Poirier, and Robert Williams under contract next season (Enes Kanter is under a player option), there’s time for him to develop. It’s a low risk, high reward pick that could hopefully fill one of the Celtics’ few holes. Oh, and if you’re short on a pregame National Anthem performer, Zeke Nnaji can do that too.  — Ben Simon

27. NEW YORK KNICKS (VIA CLIPPERS): Jordan Nwora (6-7 Forward, Louisville)

CLASS: Junior (21 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 18.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, shooting 44% from the field and 40% from three

During the past two seasons, Jordan Nwora established himself as the go-to guy for the Louisville Cardinals and deserves to be taken in the first round of the upcoming NBA draft. At 6-7, he’s extremely versatile and has a well-rounded offensive game. Nwora led the Cards in scoring for the second straight year, averaging 18 points on 44% shooting from the field and 40% from deep. He can spread the floor and create spacing for a Knicks team that ranked dead last in total threes in 2019-20. If the Knicks take Cole Anthony at the No. 6 spot to pair with RJ Barrett, they’re going to be searching for reliable prospects like Nwora—athletic forwards who can run in transition, knock down jumpers consistently and don’t clog the paint. — Alex Squadron

28. TORONTO RAPTORS: Yves Pons (6-6 Guard, Tennessee)

CLASS: Junior (21 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 10.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, shooting 49% from the field and 35% from three

While the SEC’s DPOY doesn’t boast the numbers of other first round picks, he has elite athleticism that allows him to guard positions 1-4. Pons is another skilled defensive player, similar to OG Anunoby, who will help the Raptors in an Eastern Conference that is deep at the G/F position. At 6-6, Pons averaged 2.4 blocks per game last season. He will fit right in to Toronto’s talented bench squad. Although his defensive prowess is what will get him drafted, Pons shot 35% from the three-point line in his last season as a Volunteer. This makes him an intriguing possible deep threat, and given the Raptors’ track record of developing talent (Siakam, VanVleet, Powell), he will have a great opportunity to develop his offensive game further. — Greg Cohen

29. LOS ANGELES LAKERS: Tyrell Terry (6-1 Guard, Stanford)

CLASS: Freshman (19 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 14.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 steals, shooting 44% from the field and 41% from three

LeBron loves a point guard that can shoot, and Terry does just that. He’s a score-first PG who also possesses impressive passing ability. Terry is a three-level scorer and a particularly elite three-point shooter. This past season, he shot 48% on catch and shoot threes and is also capable of knocking down jumpers off the dribble. He has a very good feel for the game, knowing when to pass and when to look for his own offense. Tyrell can operate out of the pick-and-roll and moves very well off the ball, similar to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Overall, he’s a playmaker that will develop into a premier guard in the League. — Christian Quezada

30. BOSTON CELTICS (VIA MILWAUKEE): Tre Jones (6-3 Guard, Duke)

CLASS: Sophomore (20 years old)

2019-20 STATS: 16.2 points, 6.4 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 steals, shooting 42% from the field and 36% from three

The oldest position on the Celtics? Point guard. Although Kemba Walker is still earning All-Star appearances, he is less than a month away from being 30. Brad Wanamaker, despite just two years in the NBA, is already 30. Carsen Edwards provides some youth, but might be better served as an off-ball gunner. The Celtics are young and talented at pretty much every other position (center was solved with our last pick). Increased PG depth could provide a nice cushion. Tre Jones brings just that. But the 6-3, 185-pound guard is more than the prototypical backup point guard. Sure, he has a high floor. That happens when you receive ACC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors. Not only can he contribute right away, but he has the chance to grow into a legitimate NBA starter. After shooting just 26% from three during his freshman season, he bumped his average up to 36% this year. He’s a mature, smart guard who can complement the Celtics’ stars by playing defense, facilitating, hitting open threes, and scoring when needed. With Jones and Marcus Smart, they could have one of the best defensive backcourts in the NBA. He’s already a great backup option right now, but as Walker climbs into his 30s, Jones has a chance to be the Celtics’ point guard of the future. — Ben Simon

The post SLAM’s 2020 NBA Mock Draft appeared first on SLAM.

Adebayo, 22, is enjoying a breakout season in Miami and earned his first NBA All-Star nod.

Bam has rewarded the organization’s faith in him after they traded away Hassan Whiteside.

Per The Athletic:

“It’s kind of like, it’s the hard work I put in in the summer and it’s my coach seeing how hard I work and it manifesting on the court. I’m able to thank them for putting me in the position to be who I am and who I want to become,” said Adebayo, who joined [Dwyane] Wade as just the second homegrown All-Star in Heat franchise history. “When the trade happened and it gave me an opportunity to really show my game and not have to have a shadow on my back. My first two years I was kind of timid where sometimes I didn’t want to mess up. Coach [Erik Spoelstra] is really letting me off the leash and letting me do my thing.”

Adebayo has been a stunning revelation this season, ascending from his role as a high-energy, change-of-pace performer off the bench to an essential bedrock of a contender.

This season has provided several “Bam, Oh, Bam” moments. He’s had three triple-doubles and 24 double-doubles, with four coming in the points-assist variety. But he’d put Sunday’s 27-point, 14-rebound, six-assist effort in Washington up with any of them — “my coming out party,” Adebayo called it — when he took over after fellow All-Star Butler and Goran Dragic left the game with injuries and scored or assisted on the Heat’s final 25 points.

“That’s what future max players do,” Butler said. “He’s definitely all of that and more. We’re glad to have him. Glad he’s the leader of this team.”

Related Gregg Popovich Told Bam Adebayo He ‘Wasn’t Ready’

The post Jimmy Butler: Bam Adebayo a ‘Future Max’ Player appeared first on SLAM.

Spencer Dinwiddie scored a team-high 24 points in Brooklyn, including two clutch free throws down the stretch. Joe Harris and Caris LeVert each had 23 apiece.

Pelicans 120 (28-36), Timberwolves (19-44)

Jrue Holiday (37 points) was one rebound and two assists away from a triple-double. Zion Williamson was the Pels’ second-leading scorer with 23 points and had a MEAN windmill dunk the fourth quarter.

Lakers 112 (49-13), Clippers 103 (43-20)

LeBron James (30 points) and Anthony Davis (28 points) combined for 58 points in Sunday’s matinee against the Clippers. Avery Bradley was the other starter who finished in double digits, scoring 24 points.

Suns 140 (26-38), Bucks 131 (53-11)

All five Suns starters finished in double digits – Devin Booker (36 points), Ricky Rubio (25), Aron Baynes (24), Mikal Bridges (24) and Dario Saric (11).

Thunder 105 (40-24), Celtics 104 (42-21)

Dennis Schroder made the game-winning layup after stripping the ball from Jayson Tatum with 8.5 seconds in the 4th quarter. The Thunder overcame a 18-point deficit due to the stellar play of Schroder (27 points) and Chris Paul (28 points).

Heat 100 (41-23), Wizards 89 (23-40)

Bam Adebayo finished with a double-double (27 points and 14 rebounds) in the Nation’s Capitol. Ducan Robinson caught fire from deep, knocking down six 3-pointers, en route to a 23-point performance.

Pacers 112 (39-25), Mavericks 109 (39-26)

Victor Oladpio scored the final six points to give Indiana the W in Dallas. Domantas Sabonis finished with 20 points and 17 rebounds, TJ Warren and Myles Turner had 16 apiece.

Magic 126 (29-35), Rockets 106 (39-24)

Orlando’s bench came up huge in H-Town – D.J. Augustin scored a team-high 24 points, and Michael Carter-Williams and Terrence Ross each had 16. Aaron Gordon finished with 19 points.

Knicks 96 (20-44), Pistons 84 (20-45)

New York pulled away in the fourth to get the win at The Garden. Julius Randle had 22 points and 12 rebounds, Elfird Payton finished 16 points and RJ Barrett added 12.

Queensbridge’s finest. (via @nyknicks) pic.twitter.com/BTUvAOyhTd

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) March 9, 2020

Cavaliers 132 (19-45), Spurs 129 (26-36)

After Rudy Gay hit a jumper to force OT, Kevin Love’s late-game 3-pointer gave the Cavs the lead. Love finished with 14 points, Andre Drummond had 28 points and 12 rebounds and Collin Sexton finished with 26.

Raptors 118 (45-18), Kings 113 (28-36)

Both teams went back and forth, but Pascal Siakam made some huge plays to give Toronto the edge on the road. Siakam finished with 23 points. Norman Powell finished with 31 points and Kyle Lowry had 30 points.

The post Post Up: LeBron & AD Combine for 58 Points in Battle for LA appeared first on SLAM.

New York scored 36 points in the fourth quarter to close out the Bulls, snapping a 6-game losing streak in the process.

Mitchell Robinson dropped a career-high 23 points with 10 boards.

Chicago has lost 10 of their last 11 games.

Blazers 117 (26-35), Hawks 129 (19-43)

Atlanta put up 40 points in the second quarter and 44 points in the third to defeat the Damian Lillard-less Blazers.

Trae Young dropped a team-high 25 points with 15 dimes.

Nets 113 (26-33), Heat 116 (38-22)

Miami blew a 14-point lead with 8:25 left in the game but still managed to hold on for the dub.

Bam Adebayo dropped 16 points with 12 boards and 3 blocks. Kendrick Nunn added a team-high 21 points.

Pacers 113 (36-24), Cavs 104 (17-43)

Indiana outscored the Cavs by 9 in the fourth to pick up the road win.

Domantas Sabonis dropped 18 points with 13 boards and 9 dimes. TJ Warren added a game-high 30 points.

Lakers 88 (45-13), Grizzlies 105 (29-31)

Memphis thoroughly dominated the Lakers to snap a 5-game losing streak.

Fueled by a twitter troll’s comment, Ja Morant dropped a game-high 27 points (10-16 FG) with 14 dimes and 6 boards.

Rockets 111 (39-20), Celtics 110 (41-18) (OT)

Russell Westbrook took over in Boston to lead the Rockets to their sixth straight win.

Westbrook dropped a game-high 41 points with 8 boards, 5 dimes and 3 steals.

Magic 113 (27-33), Spurs 114 (25-33)

San Antonio blew a 15-point third quarter lead, but came away with the victory after Bryn Forbes drained a clutch three late in the game.

Filling in for injured LaMarcus Aldridge, Trey Lyles dropped a team-high 20 points with 9 boards and 4 steals.

Warriors 115 (13-47), Suns 99 (24-37)

Golden State outscored the Suns by 24 points in the second and third quarters combined to snap an 8-game losing streak.

Damion Lee dropped 20 points with 8 dimes. Eric Paschall added a team-high 25 points.

The post Post Up: Russell Westbrook Drops 41 Points to Defeat Celtics in OT 🚀 appeared first on SLAM.

Cavs rookie Kevin Porter Jr. scored a career-high 30 points to help Cleveland upset the Heat. Bam Adebayo almost finished with a triple-double, registering 22 points, 13 rebounds and 9 assists.

Hawks 112 (17-42), 76ers 129 (36-22)

Joel Embiid showed out against the Hawks, dropping a new career-high of 49 points to secure the home win. Trae Young scored 28 points in the loss.

Bucks 137 (49-8), Wizards 134 (20-36)

Bradley Beal did everything he could to drag his team to the win, putting up his second 50-point game in as many nights, but the Wizards fell at home in overtime. Khris Middleton was the standout for Milwaukee, leading the team with 40 points.

Magic 115 (25-32), Nets 113 (26-30)

Aaron Gordon came up with a clutch block in the final seconds that sealed the road win for Orlando; Gordon finished with 27 points and 10 rebounds in the winning effort. Spencer Dinwiddie contributed 24 points for the Nets.

Knicks 112 (17-40), Rockets 123 (37-20)

Houston had no problems in the second half as they coasted to a home win against New York. James Harden scored a team-high 37 points and added 9 assists. Knicks rookie RJ Barrett put up 21 points to lead the team.

Timberwolves 123 (16-40), Mavericks 139 (35-32)

Dallas led from start to finish in their victory against the Wolves. Tim Hardaway Jr. (23 points) and Luka Doncic (20 points) gave the Mavs the scoring edge. D’Angelo Russell scored 29 points for Minnesota.

Suns 131 (24-34), Jazz 111 (36-21)

Ricky Rubio helped his new team beat his ex-team by contributing 22 points and 11 assists in the Suns’ win; his teammate Devin Booker added his own double-double of 24 points and 10 assists. Donovan Mitchell popped off for 38 points in the loss.

Grizzlies 97 (28-28), Clippers 124 (37-19)

LA took a 40-14 lead after the first quarter, a sign of how this game would go. Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 25 points.

The post Post Up: Joel Embiid Drops Career-High 49 Points in Win vs. Hawks appeared first on SLAM.

Only 12 players will be selected to participate in the actual games, so we’ll see a number of these players withdraw from consideration and then a select 12 hand-picked from those that remain.

A total of nine players represented the country at the Olympics four years ago in Rio de Janeiro and the only three from that squad not on this list are Carmelo Anthony, DeMarcus Cousins and DeAndre Jordan.

All of the 12 players who represented America during last summer’s FIBA World Cup have been selected to participate in the preliminary stages of the Olympic roster selection process.

A total of five players have been selected from both the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers.

The post Team USA Men’s Basketball Roster For Tokyo Olympics appeared first on SLAM.

Below are the rosters in the order that they were drafted, pick-up style, by team captains, LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The results are coming in in real-time on TNT and this post will be updated accordingly.

Team Giannis

Starters

F – Giannis Antetokounmpo (C)

C – Joel Embiid (2nd)

F – Pascal Siakam (4th)

G – Kemba Walker (6th)

G – Trae Young (8th)

Bench

G – Khris Middleton (9th)

C – Bam Adebayo (11th)

C – Rudy Gobert (13th)

F – Jimmy Butler (15th)

G – Kyle Lowry (17th)

F – Brandon Ingram (19th)

G – Donovan Mitchell (21st)

Team LeBron

Starters

F – LeBron James (C)

C – Anthony Davis (1st)

F – Kawhi Leonard (3rd)

G – Luka Doncic (5th)

G – James Harden (7th)

Bench

G – Damian Lillard (10th)

G – Ben Simmons (12th)

C – Nikola Jokic (14th)

G – Jayson Tatum (16th)

G – Chris Paul (18th)

G – Russell Westbrook (20th)

C – Domantas Sabonis (22nd)

Notable

• The two starting lineups are split exactly down East/West conference lines.
• For the second time in a row, LeBron James drafted Anthony Davis with his top pick.
• Only two sets of teammates in real-life will play for different All-Star teams. Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum have been split up, as have Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.
• Teammates paired together on All-Star teams: Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Chris Paul, Pascal Siakam and Kyle Lowry, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
• Team Giannis is composed of 9 East players and 9 West players. Team LeBron is composed of 9 West players and 3 East players.

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The 14 reserves will join then 10 All-Star Game starters already selected in a pool of players that will then be drafted, pickup-game style by the two captains.

This year’s captains LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo will divvy up the teams on national television on Feb. 6.

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

Notable

• A total of six All-Star Game reserves will be making their debut in the game this year (Adebayo, Gobert, Ingram, Mitchell, Sabonis, Tatum)
• The reserve with the most experience at All-Star Weekend is Chris Paul. Paul will be making his 10th All-Star Game appearance, with a total of three different franchises. Paul is the 44th player in NBA history to make double-digit All-Star Games.
• Domantas Sabonis has now made more All-Star Games than his Hall of Fame father, Arvydas Sabonis
• Among those notably absent from the list are Bradley Beal (who finished second in player voting) and Kyrie Irving (who finished third in overall starter voting).

Related: The NBA has elected to fully revamp how the All-Star Game works

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