Despite the Grizzles losing to the Clippers, it was still a victorious moment for the third-year player. In 18 minutes of action, Jackson finished with 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks.

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Jackson, who missing the first 56 games of the season, says it was a win for him to just be back out there on the court.

“As soon as I checked into the game, I couldn’t help but laugh a little bit,” Jackson says. “Just being out there in general was a win for me. Thank God that joint [the first shot] rolled in.”

The 2018 No. 4 pick out of Michigan St. has shined for the Grizzlies throughout his career. Prior to his injury, Jackson was tearing it up in the bubble last season, averaging 17.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game.

The Grizzlies (29-28) are currently holding onto the 8th spot in the Western Conference, with the Warriors and Spurs only a game behind. Now that Jackson is back and healthy, his return will be a huge addition for Memphis.

The post Jaren Jackson Jr. On Season Debut: ‘Being Out There in General Was a Win’ appeared first on SLAM.

The injury occurred during the second quarter after Avdija cut to the basket and attempted to go for a layup.

Center Jordan Bell ran off the bench and quickly assisted Avdija by covering up his ankle with his warmup shirt. Avdija left the court in a wheelchair.

Prayers up to Deni Avdija

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) April 22, 2021

It’a certainly a tough break for the former No. 9 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, who was averaging 6.3 points and 4.9 rebounds a game at just 20 years old. Thankfully, surgery is not expected according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Teammate Bradley Beal let Avdija know that this is only a minor bump in the road—as he’ll come back a better player and even stronger from this.

My advice would be the same I would give myself when I was a rookie,” Beal said. “Just understanding your body is growing, there are going to be some ups and downs, there is going to be a lot of stuff you can’t control.

The post Deni Avdija Suffers Hairline Fracture—Out For Season appeared first on SLAM.

Suggs, a five-star high school recruit when he committed to Mark Few’s Bulldogs in 2020, was impressive all season and left no doubt that he was the Zags’ best floor general and playmaker.

As if his passing prowess and on the tenacity on the defensive end weren’t enough, the 19-year-old has incredible athleticism and size for his position, which makes his ability to drive downhill a translatable skill at the next level. Suggs was also the hero for the Bulldogs in the Final Four, as he hit an electrifying buzzer-beater to knock the UCLA Bruins out of the 2021 NCAA Tournament, showing his clutch gene in the process.

While Gonzaga saw their perfect season come to an end in the championship game against the Baylor Bears, Suggs’ freshman campaign was certainly one to remember.

Suggs, the West Coast Conference Rookie of the Year and Concensus All-American averaged 14.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.9 steals on the season.

The post Gonzaga’s Star Freshman, Jalen Suggs, Declares for 2021 NBA Draft appeared first on SLAM.

Durant was forced to leave Sunday’s game against the Miami Heat, with what the team is calling a left thigh contusion.

The play happened early in the the Nets’ quarter, as Durant was driving to the basket and on a roll, scoring Brooklyn’s first eight points. KD appeared to get tangled with Heat forward Trevor Ariza as he attempted a layup.

The injury would end up sidelining him for the rest of the game, and Brooklyn would later announce that the star forward had suffered a thigh contusion.

After the game, Nets coach Steve Nash would go on to say Durant would be re-evaluated to determine the status and whether any further testing is needed.

“He’s sore,” Nash told reporters following the game (h/t ESPN’s Malika Andrews). “But we don’t know how severe. We’ll see tomorrow how he wakes up and go from there.”

The team is hoping, it’ll be day-day, as Durant had returned to the lineup just last week, after missing close to two months with a hamstring injury. Brooklyn has already listed Durant as out for Tuesday’s contest against the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Nets are also currently without All-Star guard James Harden, who has been sidelined for the last five games with a right hamstring strain.

It’s been tough for the three stars to establish a rhythm together as injuries have been a problem, and Brooklyn’s superstar trio of KD, Harden, and Kyrie Irving have only played in seven games together thus far.

The post Kevin Durant Out Indefinitely Due to Thigh Contusion appeared first on SLAM.

The WNBA will also be celebrating it’s 25 year anniversary and after a modified 2020 season due to COVID-19, the 12 teams will return to action starting on May 14.

In honor of the leagues monumental year, the season will include the inaugural Commissioner’s Cup and a special selection of The W25, the greatest game-changing players since the league’s inception in 1997.

After playing the 2020 season in the bubble in Bradenton, FL., and playing just 22 games, the 12 teams will play a 32-game regular season schedule this year and teams will be back in their home arenas.

The season will also include a mid-season break from Jul. 12 through Aug. 14, due to the Summer Olympics in Tokyo (per ESPN.com).

“As we tip-off this historic season with teams returning to play in their home markets, we celebrate the impact the WNBA has made on generations of young and diverse athletes and on sports and society since 1997,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “Together with our fans and partners, we look ahead to how the outstanding athletes of the WNBA will continue to provide the best women’s basketball in the world while also driving change, striving for justice and equality, and impacting future generations.”

Throughout this season the WNBA will be using the slogan, ‘Count It’ which will represent the leagues achievements over the years on and off the court. ‘Count It,’ also indicates how the WNBA is by any means, not done yet progressing.

The first game of the season features talented guard Sabrina Ionescu, fresh off an ankle injury, and the New York Liberty facing the Indiana Fever. It will be Liberty’s first game in Brooklyn playing at their new home arena, the Barclays Center.

It will be an intriguing season as the Seattle Storm will look to repeat as champions but, following an off-season filled with unprecedented player movement across the league, it’ll be a difficult journey.

The post WNBA Releases 2021 Schedule Upon Historic 25th Season appeared first on SLAM.

Prior to starring for Tennessee, Johnson was a 5-star recruit from Bell Buckle, TN. After an impressive freshman season that saw him named to the SEC All-Freshman (1st Team), NBA teams will know what to expect from the Johnson but they’ll also be banking on his youth as reason to believe he can continue to improve.

The highly athletic two-way player, averaged 11.3 points per game in 2020-21, the second-highest mark on the Volunteers behind freshman guard Jaden Springer’s 12.5 points per game.

Per Givony, Johnson is the sixth overall prospect in ESPN’s Top 100, as he has elite upside; the 19-year-old excels as a finisher and has the potential to be a lockdown defender as well.

What may be most interesting about Johnson’s rise is a knee injury that caused him to come off the bench in 10 of Tennessee’s first 11 games. Johnson not showed plenty of resolve to make it through an adverse situation but held himself accountable.

“Once I get comfortable and into a groove I understand the different expectations that are given,” Johnson said. “Not starting or not playing as much early in the season didn’t bother me because I knew I needed to grow so I took that upon myself to make that change.”

Johnson would end finishing the season starting 17 games for the Volunteers, as he helped Tennessee make the NCAA tournament as a fifth seed.

The post Freshman Guard Keon Johnson Declares for 2021 NBA Draft appeared first on SLAM.

Following the Cardinals’ electrifying win over the Wildcats, it was widely expected that Williams would take her game to the next level, and the floor general didn’t disappoint as she would announce her decision to declare for the 2021 WNBA Draft in a letter penned on the school’s athletic page:

To Nerd Nation, thank you for welcoming and supporting me as an unassuming freshman determined to make my mark. I couldn’t have asked for a better exit: winning a national championship, in my hometown, my senior year.

Most importantly, I want to give all glory to God: I know who I am and WHOSE I am. With these blessings, I’m honored to embark on this next part of my journey.

Williams has had an impressive career at Stanford as she turned into a great player but more importantly, evolved into an amazing leader that Hall of Fame coach Tara VanDerveer could rely on.

“I am thrilled for Kiana as she is set to embark on this next chapter of her life,” VanDerveer said. “I have loved coaching her over the past four years and am very proud of both the player and person that she has become.”

Named to First-Team all Pac-12 this season, Williams was Stanfords leading scorer with averages of 14.2 points, 3.8 assist and 1.6 steals per game and leaves the program as the all-time 3-point leader with 311 career threes.

Perhaps most impressively, Williams never missed a game and made 128 straight starts, showcasing her durability and reliability.

In ESPN’s most recent 2021 WNBA Mock Draft, Williams is a top-10 pick (selected eighth overall by the Chicago Sky) in next week’s draft due to her versatility and capability to get it done on both ends of the court.

The 2021 WNBA Draft will be aired on ESPN in the USA and on TSN2 in Canada at 7:00 PM (ET).

The post Stanford Guard Kiana Williams Declares for 2021 WNBA Draft After Winning National Championship appeared first on SLAM.

The former 15th overall pick (2017) appeared in 33 games with the Thunder, averaging 7.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 16.5 minutes per game.

In what’s just his fourth season, Jackson has already played for three NBA teams having been drafted by the Sacramento Kings.

At just 25-years-old, he still has time to turn his career around, even if it requires going a roundabout way to return to the league. Entering the league as a prized shooter having knocked down .370 percent of his 3-point attempts in his final season at the University of North Carolina, Jackson’s ability to stick in the league could come down to him returning to form as a specialist.

Jackson has shot .321 percent from 3-point range for his career, and .306 percent from 3-point range this season.

Following their decision to waive Jackson, Oklahoma City used their open roster spot to sign guard Justin Robinson to a 10-day contract.

The post Thunder Release Former First-Round Pick Justin Jackson appeared first on SLAM.

In a game that came down to the wire, No.1 seed Stanford defeated Arizona on Sunday, 54-53, to win the title. This is the first time that two Pac-12 women’s basketball programs have met in the national championship.

Led by legendary coach Tara VanDerveer, Stanford has now won their third national championship in program history, and the first since 1992. They have now tied Baylor for the third most national championship titles in women’s college basketball history, sitting behind UConn (11) and Tennessee (8).

National Champions. @StanfordWBB pic.twitter.com/qEpBPEu0kf

— WSLAM (@wslam) April 5, 2021

In what was a game of runs, Stanford jumped out early—leading by as much as 11, and then 16-8 after the first quarter. However, Arizona would quickly get back into the game, thanks in part to their physical defense.

Arizona, who forced 21 Stanford turnovers and managed to snag 12 steals, went on a 13-4 second-quarter run. They managed to have a brief one-point lead with 4:55 remaining in the half.

Yet, as soon as Arizona made a counter run, Stanford answered right back—helping the Cardinals go on an 11-3 run to give them a seven-point lead at halftime, 31-24.

Lifted by their strong work on the glass, Stanford used their size as an advantage and was able to keep possessions alive and get second chances.

Throughout the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth, Stanford continued to hold the lead and controlled the game. The Cardinals stretched it out to a nine-point lead, 49-40 with 7:32 left after a made jumper by Haley Jones.

Once again, Arizona fought back just as they had all tournament long. Aari McDonald hit two major threes to give the Wildcats within a one-point margin with under three minutes remaining.

Haley Jones‘s clutch three-point shot and an and-1 finish gave Stanford a four-point lead with 2:24 remaining, yet Arizona’s defense came in strong with some key stops and, yet again, McDonald stepped up on the offensive end. Three late free throws from McDonald cut the lead to 54-53 with 37 seconds left.

During the final 6.1 seconds of the game, Arizona forced a shot clock violation and the Wildcats had one final shot for a chance at the title.

Everyone who was in the Alamodome on Sunday and watching it at home, knew who was getting the ball for the Wildcats. Aari McDonald, who finished with 22 points, carried this Arizona team to the national title game, and it was without a doubt her shot to take.

THIS ENDING! pic.twitter.com/eyLSuJAVAC

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 5, 2021

Despite the missed attempt, the Wildcats proved that not only do they belong in the tournament but that they can compete for the National Championship.

“It was going to be Aari or nothing,” coach Adia Barnes said, per ESPN. “I knew she was going to be doubled, but running a screen was the best option

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Meanwhile, Stanford was led by solid contributions from players on both ends of the floor. Sophomore Haley Jones, led the Cardinals with 17 points and was honored as the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.

“I just owe it all to my teammates, they have confidence in me when I don’t have confidence in myself,” said Jones, per ESPN. “I saw they needed me to come up big and I did.”

Jones also elaborated on the difficult obstacles this Stanford team had to go through, and the perseverance this group showed through it all to come out on top.

“It was a long, very difficult journey being on the road, sleeping in hotels, living out of your bag. It’s just a lot. You’re on the bus, you’re on planes all the time and there’s just never really an end in sight so it’s difficult,” Jones said. “But I think from that experience and losing on the road and dropping one at home, I think it just really kind of grew this extra like chip on our shoulder almost.”

As for her teammates, junior Lexi Hull finished with a double-double, with 10 points and 10 rebounds, along with freshman Cameron Brink—who also finished with 10 points—stepped up big and had three blocks. Sophomore, Ashten Prechtel poured in 8 points and grabbed 7 rebounds.

Another key for Stanford was the defense guard Anna Wilson played on Aari McDonald. It won’t show up in the stat sheet, but it was the difference-maker in the game. Wilson has been locking up players on defense all year for the Cardinals, and it was no different in the championship game.

Wilson made it difficult for McDonald to get into any type of rhythm out there.

“Having Anna Wilson on me, them jumping at everything, just making it kind of difficult for me,” said McDonald, Per ESPN. . “I would pretty much say it was the same [as the first two meetings]. Just more physical this time.”

In a championship that was simply built on pure resiliency, Stanford never got discouraged during this atypical season. The Cardinals used their depth on and off the court to overcome adversity all season long.

Champ mood. #NationalChampionship x @StanfordWBB pic.twitter.com/uWCLJ0PL2j

— NCAA Women’s Basketball (@ncaawbb) April 5, 2021

The post Stanford Defeats Arizona, Crowned 2021 NCAA National Champions appeared first on SLAM.

No.1 seed Stanford will take on No.1 seed South Carolina at 6 p.m. ET, followed by No.1 seed Uconn against No.3 seed Arizona at 9:30 p.m ET.

THE FINAL FOUR ARE SET:

UConn vs. Arizona
South Carolina vs. Stanford

Is it Friday yet? pic.twitter.com/2zH0pCv6RL

— WSLAM (@wslam) March 31, 2021

This years Final Four will be led by legendary coaches, many of which are continuing to make history. The UConn Huskies are led by head coach Geno Auriemma, who has led the program to a total of 20 Final Four appearances and 11 National Championships. The Stanford Cardinals, coached by Tara VanDerveer, will be making their 14th Final Four appearance, and if successful, have the chance to win the program’s third National Championship title, the first since 1992.

For the first time, the Final Four will have two Black head coaches, South Carolina’s Dawn Staley and Arizona’s Adia Barnes. This will the Gamecocks’ third Final Four appearance in the past six tournaments, while the Wildcats will be making their first-ever Final Four appearance. Staley and Barnes are also the only former WNBA players to lead a women’s team to the Final Four.

There have been many that paved the way for them, including C. Vivian Stringer—who has led three teams to the Final Four: Cheyney in 1982, Iowa in 1993, and Rutgers in both 2000 and 2007. Carolyn Peck led Purdue to the ‘chip in 1999, making her the first Black woman to win an NCAA championship. Pokey Chatman then led LSU to the Final Four in 2005 and 2006.

“There’s so many Black coaches out there that don’t get opportunities,” Staley said, per ESPN. “Because when ADs don’t see it, they don’t see it. And they’re gonna see it on the biggest stage Friday night.”

“Our history here in women’s basketball is filled with so many Black bodies, for this to be happening in 2021, to me, is long overdue,” she added. “We’re proud, we’re happy. I know my phone is probably full of text messages of Black coaches all across the country just congratulating us on doing it, on being present, being in the moment, being able to take our programs to this place.”

Four legendary programs, full of star power, will faceoff tonight with one goal in mind: the NCAA Championship. To get you ready for it all, here’s a rundown of how each program has performed throughout the tournament:

Coming off both an SEC regular season and tournament title, South Carolina is with no question playing some of their best basketball. Head coach Dawn Staley is leading the Gamecocks to their third Final Four appearance in the past six tournaments.

Staley has established a prominent program at South Carolina and without a doubt have become an elite powerhouse. In the Elite 8 against No.6 seed Texas, South Carolina held Texas to only 34 points, including zero points in the 4th quarter.

Hey FAMS, @dawnstaley had a postgame message for you, too! pic.twitter.com/IZHhpCLJwJ

— GamecockWBB (@GamecockWBB) March 31, 2021

South Carolina is fueled by 6’5″ junior center Aliyah Boston, who is efficient on both sides of the floor. Coming off winning MVP honors during the SEC Tournament, Boston can finish around the rim and is a game-changer on defense with her ability to block shots and rebound.

The Gamecocks also rely on their quicks guards to set the tempo. Junior Destanni Henderson and sophomore Zia Cooke can both score at a high and consistent level.

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Stanford

Out of the Pac-12, the No.1 seed Stanford is making their 14th Final Four appearance and if successful, have the chance to win the program’s third National Championship title—the first since 1992.

During the Elite 8, Stanford stepped up when it mattered. After trailing by 14 points in the third quarter against Louisville, Stanford made a major comeback and outscored Louisville 52-25 in the second half.

Guard Lexi Hull, who scored a team-high 21 points and 9 rebounds, along with Kiana Williams, who poured in 14 points and dished out 5 assists, both led the charge for Stanford in the comeback victory. Haley Jones also contributed offensively and finished with 10 points.

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The Cardinals also are equipped with forwards who can deliver on both ends of the floor, such as versatile big Ashten Prechtel, high-flying forward Fran Belibi, and shot-blocker Cameron Brinks.

The Cardinals have a challenge ahead of them against the Gamecocks, who will surely bring their offensive firepower.

University of Connecticut

Geno Auriemma and the Huskies are no strangers to being one of the last four teams standing. They are currently embarking on their 13th consecutive appearance in the Final Four.

As they look to win their first title since 2016, the Huskies are led by freshman sensation Paige Bueckers—who has been making headlines all season long with her fascinating playmaking ability.

Bueckers has been a star from the moment she stepped foot on campus. She’s caught the eyes of basketball fans around the country, and her numbers prove the hype: Bueckers is averaging 20.1 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.8 rebounds.

On Wednesday, the star guard became the first freshman to win AP National Player of the Year.

Paige Bueckers is the 2021 AP National Player of the Year.

She is the first freshman to ever win the award. pic.twitter.com/HGPcJjmsML

— WSLAM (@wslam) March 31, 2021

Bueckers, along with Christyn Williams and Evina Westbrook, shined against No.5 seed Iowa in the Sweet 16 and brought that fire into the Elite 8. All three players stuffed up the stat sheet, helping will the team into the Elite 8 for a highly anticipated matchup against the No.2 seed Baylor.

The UConn-Baylor matchup didn’t disappoint, either. The Huskies went on an electric 19-0 run in the fourth quarter, led by Bueckers—who scored ten of those points. They ended up defeating the Bears, 69-67, and Bueckers finished with 28 points.

Paige Bueckers in TAKEOVER MODE.

(via @espn) pic.twitter.com/1MI9XMsWzJ

— WSLAM (@wslam) March 30, 2021

In what has been deemed one of the most dramatic games of the tournament thus far—thanks in part to a controversial no-foul call that caused even LeBron James to weigh in—the Huskies were clutch and stepped up when the moment mattered most.

This stacked roster has a chance to carry the torch and write their name in UConn’s history books. The last time the Huskies competed in the Final Four was in 2019 when they lost to Notre Dame.

Arizona Wildcats

You could say this Arizona team is the outlier among the other teams, but make no mistake—they’re just as much of a powerhouse as their opponents.

Pac-12 Player of the Year and senior guard Aari McDonald has been outstanding on both ends of the court throughout the tournament. She dropped an impressive 64 combined points in wins over Texas A&M and Indiana.

Aari is just LIKE THAT. pic.twitter.com/y6dDAo6nCt

— WSLAM (@wslam) March 30, 2021

The matchup between McDonald and Bueckers is sure to be a must-see. When asked about the matchup, McDonald—who was named the Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the Pac 12—says she is looking forward to the opportunity:

“I’m very excited for this matchup,” McDonald says, per SB Nation. “I think I’ve called this since we got here and I’ve been telling my teammates we match up well with them. But she’s a talented player. I’ll give her that. But I’m gonna make it hard for her to score and I’m really excited to defend her.”

The Wildcats are only moments away from playing in their first-ever Final Four—and if they can manage to defeat the Huskies, they will continue to make history as their look to lift up the Championship trophy for the first time.

Let the madness begin.

—

For everything college-basketball, follow @slamuniversity on Instagram.

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The post Women’s Final Four Preview: UConn-Arizona, Stanford-South Carolina appeared first on SLAM.

Heading into April, New York now finds themselves in their first playoff chase since the 2012-13 season, back when Carmelo Anthony’s jerseys were orange and blue rather than red and black and Mike Woodson was a head coach in the NBA, rather than his alma mater.

Unfortunately for the Knicks, they’ll be without their starting center Mitchell Robinson for the stretch as the prized shot-blocker underwent a successful surgery on his fractured right foot on Monday, the team announces.

The injury occurred on Sunday, when the Knicks were in Milwaukee facing the Bucks.

Going for a steal in the opening period, Robinson got tangled up with Bucks center Brook Lopez and then immediately struggled to put any weight on his right foot, in obvious discomfort.

Robinson, 22-years-old, has shown plenty of potential and growth in his short career. In 31 games this year, Robinson was averaging 8.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting .653 percent from the field.

It’s a tough break for Robinson as this will now be his second surgery on the season. Robinson also underwent surgery in February, in order to repair a fractured right hand.

Due to what’s been a close-knit locker room for New York, Robinson’s injury hit his teammates hard. The camaraderie couldn’t have been more evident when sports announcer Mike Breen informed Knicks veteran guard Derrick Rose the significances of his teammates injury.

In the short term, Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau and his staff will have to rely on veterans Taj Gibson and Nerlens Noel to continue to fill the void during Robinson’s absence.

Another possibility for the Knicks is to sign a player to one of their two open roster spots, although the number of high-quality free agent centers dwindled over the past week.

The post Mitchell Robinson Undergoes Successful Surgery to Repair Fractured Foot appeared first on SLAM.

A two-way signing by the Sixers, the DePaul product racked up both the G League MVP and the Rookie of the Year awards on Monday; an impressive feat even if Reed had started the season on everyone’s radar.

Playing for Philadelphia’s official G League affiliate — the Delaware Blue Coats — Reed made an immediate impact with his athleticism and versatility. The 21-year-old averaged 22.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.8 blocks while shooting .588 percent from the field and .444 percent from 3-point range while leading the Blue Coats to their first postseason appearance in franchise history.

Unfortunately, the Blue Coats fell just short of winning the 2021 NBA G League championship, losing to the Lakeland Magic (97-78) on Mar. 11 in a single-elimination tournament. Reed would tally a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds while adding three assists, three steals and three blocks, but shot just 1-8 from 3-point range.

After an outstanding campaign with the Blue Coats in the G League bubble, Reed could find himself significantly closer to a rotation spot with the 76ers should the opportunity arise.

The post Sixers’ Paul Reed Collects 2020-21 G League MVP, Rookie of the Year Awards appeared first on SLAM.

And, even after his playing career, the film room remained his classroom. As portrayed in “Detail”, now streaming on ESPN+, Bryant continued to break down his own games, as well as others, and was constantly looking for even the slightest details and ways to improve. It was up to all of us to listen. 

 If I want to attack the basket, that toe needs to be pointing in the direction I want to go. I need to turn that toe in and then I need to attack in a straighter line.

Yet, Bryant was aware that when it came to the art of the war of basketball, if you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. He studied his opponents just as much as he studied himself, tracking his on-ball defender, finding what their weak tendencies were so he could take advantage. 

When looking back at the film from his matchup against the Denver Nuggets during the 2009 West Conference Finals, Kobe knew that if he wanted to dominate the series, he had to make a statement during Game 1.  

The important part about the playoffs is when a series starts it’s about establishing how you plan to dominate the series.

He says the goal was simple: set the tone. That included making the Nuggets have to double team, and preparing himself to counter their coverage. 

In that game, his moves were carefully calculated, all selected to dominate: the post-ups, the spin moves, the fadeaway jumpers that resulted in and-one finishes. During Game 1, Kobe moved swiftly liked the wind while attacking the rim like fire. And yet at the same time, his focus was still like a mountain. When matched up against a young and long athletic defender like Carmelo Anthony, Kobe reveals in “Detail” that every move was purposeful. 

I need to establish this is what I’m going to do and now this gives me the ability and my teammates the ability to counter off of that.

Bryant wasn’t just a student studying his own game, he became the teacher. Just as basketball is a game of momentum, the tempo is ever-changing and evolving with a new generation of superstars-in-the-making. Kobe broke down the film of Sabrina Ionescu, Donavan Mitchell, Trae Young, Jewell Loyd, Jaylon Brown, Arike Ogunbowale, and Pascal Siakam. 

Tatum, specifically, grew up wanting to be Kobe. He broke down his jab step, watching film and trying to mimic the very-same moves that turned him into a legend. He honed in on every minute detail until it was seamless.

Kobe returned the admiration. During the 2018 Eastern Conference finals, he took a deeper look into Tatum’s film from that series against the Cavaliers. He pointed out Tatum’s left toe placement and how it was pointed towards half-court, while t should be placed towards the basket.

“If I want to attack the basket, that toe needs to be pointing in the direction I want to go. I need to turn that toe in and then I need to attack in a straighter line.”

Tatum—whose 20-point performance during the playoffs had only been achieved by very few under the age of 23, Kobe being of them— knew how special it was to get that kind of feedback from the legend.

“I’ve probably watched it 25 times,” Tatum said of Bryant’s episode on “Detail.”

And confidence, Kobe Bryant once said, comes from preparation. It’s knowing that when the game is on the line, your plan of attack is a move that you’ve done over, and over again until perfection. Not a foot out of line, not a hesitation step out of rhythm. Every detail, even those the enemy might overlook, counts. 

Stream Detail exclusively on ESPN+. 

The post Mastermind of the Game: Stream Kobe Bryant’s series, Detail, on ESPN+ appeared first on SLAM.

NBA Rooks on ESPN+ gave us a behind-the-scenes look at the phenomenon that is Zion Williamson. But for Zion, the fanfare was at an all-time high before he even stepped foot on an NBA court. Go back and rewatch a clip of a Zion Williamson dunk. Now, watch it another time and look closely at the faces of everyone in the crowd. Pay attention to the looks of astonishment, all the wide-eyes, the jaws that drop, the excitement that takes over some people, who without even realizing it, find themselves jumping with him. If reactions are caused by two forces colliding, then this is the Zion effect every time he collides with the rim. It’s this act of athleticism and power that has propelled him to become one of the most electrifying players of this generation. 

Looking back, Zion was destined for legacy the minute he went viral at the age of fifteen for a posterizing dunk that caught the attention of the world (go back and watch that video, too). It’s one thing to see someone so young play with that much athleticism and talent, it’s another to watch them get bigger, stronger, jump higher and, amidst doubts, prove the hype to be true. 

Throughout his high school career at Spartanburg, Zion exceeded expectations. The fifteen year old phenom went on to average 36.8 points, 13 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2.5 blocks per game as a junior, proving that there was efficiency amongst the power. He finished 42 points and 16 rebounds against Cardinal Newman High School, and dropped 50 points in a win against Proviso East High School. Steph Curry caught notice of his game, and Drake wore his jersey in a picture he posted on the ‘gram. 

And with the hype, and the numbers, came the inevitable comparisons. Questions of, could he be the next—? That summer, we put the phenom on the cover of SLAM 210, and even expressed our own curiosity about whether we had seen a player like him before: He’s a lefty with the handles of a point guard and the dunking ability of…well, nobody that’s come along yet. Maybe Vince Carter? Dr. J? Dominique Wilkins? A slightly less springy, definitively more powerful version of Zach LaVine? It’s tough to put into context something that is arriving for the first time.

Yet, it’s fair to say that Zion became his own entity once took his talents to Durham, North Carolina for his freshman season at Duke. Some saw the next so-and-so, while Zion showed the world that he was more than just a high school phenom and must-see dunker. 

He proved his playmaking ability as a tremendous finisher around the rim and passer; proving he had a high basketball IQ amongst the power. He was a scary sight on the defensive end of the floor with his ability to block shots and rebound with so much ease, no one else stood a chance. That season, Zion racked up ACC Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week awards on a nearly-consistent weekly basis, and broke records previously held by former Duke freshman, from Marvin Bagley’s scoring record (which he and Barett both set), to a single game points-record that was held by both Bagley and J.J. 

His performances that season had every hoop fan excited about what he’d do next in the League. In a game against Clemson, Zion’s 360 dunk even had legendary ESPN announcer Dick Vitale feelin’ ready for the dunk contest. 

“OHH, OHH, ARE YOU SERIOUS? SLAM, BAM, JAM. GET HIM READY FOR THE NBA DUNK CONTEST,” said Vitale.

Yet, a Grade 1 knee sprain against North Carolina ignited a different type of chatter. Opinions flared over whether he should continue playing, or just sit out the rest of the season. 

When he did return in March for the quarterfinals of the ACC tournament, Zion hooped with a vengeance. He dropped 29 points in a win against Syracuse, shooting a perfect 13-of-13 from the field. Then, he scored 31 points in a win over North Carolina, and another 21 against Florida State. He became the sixth Duke Freshman to win ACC Tournament MVP. 

While Duke ended up losing to Michigan State in the Elite 8, Zion would take his talents to the biggest stage yet. After getting selected as the No.1 pick by the Pelicans, it didn’t take long for him to start adding to his own NBA highlight reel: in his summer league debut on ESPN, with Lebron James in attendance, he showcased the very same power and athleticism that caught the world’s amazement when he ripped the ball right out of Knox’s hands and finished with a massive dunk. Then, the news broke that he had suffered a bruised left knee injury, only played for nine minutes before suffering a bruised left knee injury. Critics chimed in about his body and whether he was injury-prone: they brought up his injury at Duke, and the knee bruise he had in high school. 

When you’re a once-in-a-generation type of player, you tend to cause a lot of conversation. 

“I did hear those things,” Zion admitted to SLAM going into the Orlando Bubble. “My mom taught me to accept the things I cannot change, and to change the things I can and move on. So, I can’t tell them what they can think or they can’t think. Not everybody is going to agree with what you do or like my body make-up or how you play the game. It’s their opinion and that’s fine. I’m my own person. So, when it comes to worrying about things like that, I don’t.”

You can’t control the past, but you can decide what kind of future you want. Before he’d become an NBA All-Star and average career-highs this season, Zion, in his own words, made it clear that if we wanted to see what he’d do next, we would just have to tune in. 

—

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Follow the journeys of Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, RJ Barrett and more as they begin their pro careers on NBA Rooks, exclusively on ESPN+.

The post Zion Williamson Hasn’t Stopped Ascending appeared first on SLAM.

While the original Space Jam was released in 1996, starring NBA legend Michael Jordan, NBA icon LeBron James is set to star in the upcoming Space Jam sequel dubbed Space Jam: A New Legacy.

James, who served as a producer for Space Jam: A New Legacy (along with Black Panther director Ryan Coogler), has played a major role in two other films (Trainwreck and Smallfoot).

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly’s Derek Lawrence, James admits that he hasn’t had any conversations with his predecessor (Jordan) about his role in the Space Jam franchise but hopes His Airness approves:

“It’s something Mike created and is his.” I held that with a lot of responsibility.”

Originally approached with the idea of being in a new Space Jam film 15 years ago, James’ experiences on and off the court have prepared him for what be the “biggest game” of his lifetime.

Space Jam: A New Legacy is set to to be released in theaters and on HBO Max on July 16.

The post LeBron James Gives Fans First View of ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy,’ New-Look Toon Squad appeared first on SLAM.

Incensed for being assessed a technical on two separate plays, Mitchell would suggest that referees consistently make bad calls against the Jazz during his postgame presser. Though giving credit to Philadelphia for their performance, the All-Star believes that the game was “taken” from Utah.

Per ESPN’s Tim Bontemps:

” We competed. But it’s tough. It’s tough to go out there and see how we fight and compete, and to have a game like that taken from us,”

“Now, I’m never ever one to blame a ref, to blame an official — I can say I could have done more — but this is getting out of hand. There have been games like this that we’ve won; there have been games like this that we’ve lost. But this whole refereeing stuff. … We’re nice, we don’t complain, like, we don’t get frustrated, we fight through things, and the fact that we continually get … screwed, in a way, by this. You know?

The Jazz, led by Mitchell, controlled the majority of the game, until late in the fourth quarter when MVP candidate Joel Embid tied the game with a clutch 3-pointer to force overtime.

In the overtime period, the Jazz would prove no match for the Sixers. Eventually, an increasingly led to more frustration from Utah and Mitchell’s untimely ejection.

Mitchell did his part while on the court as he scored 33 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and dishing out 6 assist. Still after the game for Mitchell, it was all about his frustrations towards the refs.

“We won this game, in my personal opinion. You know?” Mitchell continued.

All-Star center Rudy Gobert was also critical of the officiating:

“Our guys are not able to get calls everybody else in the f—ing league gets,” Gobert said. “We know we are the Utah Jazz, and maybe some people don’t want to see us go as far as we can go, but it’s disappointing.

“Three times in a row, Mike Conley is going to the rim, and they’re grabbing him right in front of the officials, and there’s no calls. And on the other end, there are calls that are invisible that are being made.”

Both Gobert and Mitchell who picked up 5 fouls in the game, were also referring to how this is an on-going problem and not the first time the refs dictated the outcome of their game.

“I think it’s disrespectful, to be honest, to the game of basketball and to our team, and hopefully, they’re going to watch the game when they get home,” Gobert added.

“But it’s very disappointing to be disrespected like that. … It’s not just one play, because we all make mistakes. I have a lot of respect for the officials. It’s a tough job. I think they try their best, but it was too obvious tonight. They can’t make it that obvious. We’re going to watch film and do all that and keep getting better, but we deserve more respect as a team and as human beings for all the work we put in.”

The Jazz will head into the All-Star break and have almost a week off. They finished the first-half of the season with No.1 seed in the Western Conference and best record across the league.

The post Jazz Stars Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert Sound Off on Officiating After OT Loss appeared first on SLAM.

It didn’t take long for McConnell, as he checked into the game with 6:20 remaining in the first quarter. With 15.2 seconds remaining in the second quarter, he had set the record.

The previous single-half record was eight, and the NBA record for steals in a full game is 11, an accolade shared by Spurs’ Larry Kenon (Dec. 26, 1976) and Nets’ Kendall Gill (April 3, 1999).

TJ McConnell had NINE steals in the first half.

The NBA record for steals in a game is 11… (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/qWo6dmzcVd

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) March 4, 2021

Along with setting the record, McConnell stuffed the stat sheet and finished the game with 16 points, 13 assists and a franchise-best 10 steals to mark his second career triple-double. He became only the 11th player to record a triple-double with 10 steals and the first by a player coming off the bench (per NBA.com).

Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised McConnell for his all-around performance:

“McConnell earned it, he earned it tonight. He’s a pest all the time. He’s super competitive all the time.”

TJ McConnell tonight:

16 PTS
13 AST
10 STL (9 in 1st half, NBA record)
8-8 FG

He is the first player to record a triple-double with steals on 100% shooting since steals became official in 1973-74. pic.twitter.com/zv8LpTipAd

— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 4, 2021

The un-drafted six-year point guard prides himself on always being a team-first guy and says that he wasn’t focused solely on snagging steals. McConnell’s defensive effort, and offensive contributions, helped the Pacers come back from a 19-point deficit.

“I was just playing with our defensive principles and trying to help run the team, I wasn’t going out of my way to make steals,” McConnell said. “We kind of dug ourselves a hole, so I’m happiest about the win.”

McConnell and the Pacers will be back on the court tonight as they face off against the Nuggets.

The post T.J. McConnell Breaks NBA Record With Nine First-Half Steals appeared first on SLAM.

Covington, a former 4-year standout at Tennessee State, is currently the League’s only alum from a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). The NBA will be honoring HBCUs at the All-Star event, having pledged more than $2.5 million in resources towards supporting HBCU’s and raising awareness (per ESPN).

The NBA and NBPA will also highlight the important history and influence of HBCUs at All-Star, including special musical performances and content from alumni and current students during the event.

Blazers forward Robert Covington is expected to take part in the Skills Challenge next Sunday before the NBA’s All-Star Game in Atlanta, a source told @TheUndefeated. The ex-Tennessee State star is the only #HBCU player left in the #NBA. The NBA is also honoring HBCUs at All-Star

— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) February 28, 2021

Covington is a 2017-18 NBA All-Defensive first-team selection and won Most Valuable Player in the 2014 G-League All-Star Game (then known as the D-League). He is currently averaging 7.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game for the Blazers in a starting role.

The post HBCU Alum Robert Covington to Take Participate In All-Star Skills Challenge appeared first on SLAM.

Oladipo’s future status with the team has become more in question as, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Oladipo has declined a two-year max extension from the Rockets. The two-year $45 million was reportedly the most the Rockets could offer until the summer.

It could be that Oladipo is looking for a longer-term deal, which the Rockets are reportedly able to offer in the offseason:

After the season concludes, but before the start of free agency, Houston would be able to offer him as much as a four-year, $113 million extension; once free agency begins, Houston can offer up to four years for $151 million or five years for $195 million (per ESPN).

The Rockets could potentially be in a rebuilding mode after the Westbrook and Harden era. If the team fears that they won’t be able to resign Oladipo, then it’s likely we could see the two-time All-Star on the move at the end of this month’s trading deadline.

There are also reports that the Rockets have yet to engage in trade talks surrounding Oladipo, but contending teams including the Heat and the Knicks are among the teams that are reportedly interested.

The 28 year-old is currently averaging 19.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game in his 13 game tenure with the Rockets.

The post Report: Victor Oladipo Declines Two-Year Max Extension From Rockets appeared first on SLAM.

Irving even shared an image, as designed by Tyson Beck, of what a Kobe Bryant logo would possibly look like.

Vanessa Bryant approved of Irving’s idea to honor her husband, and shared his post on her Instagram story with the words, “Love this.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kyrie (Kaire) (@kyrieirving)

In his caption, Irving explained why it’s important to honor Black players, writing:

“Gotta Happen, idc what anyone says. BLACK KINGS BUILT THE LEAGUE”

The current NBA logo is modeled after Hall of Fame guard Jerry West. West told ESPN’s Rachel Nicholas on ‘The Jump’ that he’d be on board to changing it to someone else.

Still, Irving is discussing something even more important than simply changing the logo. All-time greats such as Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Allen Iverson, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant have all changed the game, and Black athletes across the NBA and WNBA have used their platforms to call for social change on, and off the hardwood.

Irving’s post suggests that now is the time to pay homage to that history, influence, and legacy.

The post Kyrie Irving Wants NBA to Honor Kobe Bryant With New Logo appeared first on SLAM.

The NBA regular season game and broadcast schedule for the second half of the 2020-21 season is live, which will begin Wednesday, March 10 and conclude Sunday, May 16!

FULL SCHEDULE: https://t.co/SQYaUqr82I pic.twitter.com/0OW4pylNi9

— NBA (@NBA) February 24, 2021

The League held off on releasing the second half schedule in order to grant themselves some flexibility during this Covid-19 season. The League and players agreed on a 72 game season back in December.

The second half of the season will return on March 10 with two games scheduled. The Wizards will head out on the road to play the Grizzlies, and the Spurs face the Mavericks in Dallas on NBA TV.

Along with the schedule announcement, the NBA has also finalized the dates for the Play-In tournament. The tournament will begin two days after the conclusion of the regular season, starting on May 18-21.

The format of the play-in games is as followed. The teams with the seventh-highest and eighth-highest winning percentages in both conferences will each have two opportunities to win one game to earn a playoff spot.

Then, teams with the ninth-highest and tenth-highest winning percentages in each conference will have to win two straight games to earn a playoff spot (per NBA.com).

The 2021 NBA playoffs are set to begin on Saturday, May 22 and run through Thursday, July 22.

The post NBA Releases Second Half of 2020-21 Season Schedule appeared first on SLAM.

The move came after the Timberwolves lost to the Knicks 103-99. After the game, Gersson Rosas, President of Basketball Operations, informed Saunders of the decision.

“We would like to thank Ryan for his time and commitment to the Timberwolves organization and wish him the best in the future,” said Rosas. “These are difficult decisions to make, however this change is in the best interest of the organization’s short and long-term goals.”

The Timberwolves have now lost 8 out of their last 9 games, as well as having the worst record in the NBA at 7-24.

During his two and a half year tenure, Saunders went 43-94. It was a tough task for Saunders, son of the late great Flip Saunders, as he only got to coach his two All-Stars, Towns and Russell, in five of those games since 2019.

Three years removed from a playoff appearance, the Timberwolves seem to be looking for a fresh start. On Monday, they announced the hiring of new head coach Chris Finch.

Welcome to Minnesota, Coach Finch! pic.twitter.com/YOzvuKRQcp

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) February 22, 2021

Finch, who was serving as an assistant coach for the Toronto Raptors, has a strong relationship with Rosas. They both worked together in Houston (2011-2016), where Finch was an assistant and Rosas was an operations executive (per NBA.com).

“I am excited to announce Chris Finch as our next head coach,” said Rosas. “Chris brings a wealth of basketball experience from his time in the NBA, G League, and Internationally. He is one of the most creative basketball minds in the NBA, has success maximizing players, and I am excited to see him bring our team to the next level and beyond.”

It’s an interesting move as this marks the first time since 2009 that an active assistant became a head coach for a new team, mid-season.r

However, there is certainly potential brewing in Minnesota. Finch will make his head coaching debut Tuesday night, against Giannis and the Bucks.

The post T-Wolves Cut Ties With Ryan Saunders—Hire Raptors Assistant, Chris Finch appeared first on SLAM.

Moving on up!

Congratulations, @carmeloanthony pic.twitter.com/a1ndEDvt58

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) February 10, 2021

Anthony reached this significant mark early in the 4th quarter against the Magic, solidifying the record with his signature pump fake and fade-away jumper. This iconic move will never get old.

Melo moves to 12th on the all-time NBA scoring list with this bucket pic.twitter.com/xHnQdlppt4

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 10, 2021

Along with reaching this milestone, Anthony added a season-high 23 points in 27 minutes. He also went 5-9 from beyond the arc helping the Blazers get past the Magic, 106-97.

So far this season, Anthony is averaging 12.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. At this stage in his career, Anthony isn’t taking anything for granted especially when it comes to passing legends like the ‘Big O’

“I try to play it cool sometimes. I try to sit back and reflect on these moments, take these moments in … but The Big O, that’s big.” @CarmeloAnthony talks to @Brookeolzendam in tonight’s @biofreeze Top Performance Review pic.twitter.com/czuzfp7dHq

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) February 10, 2021

The veteran forward has become the leader of the Blazers second unit as he has been able to redefine his legendary career in Portland primarily coming off the bench. Anthony has now scored 20+ in 3 of the last 4 games for the Blazers helping them go 3-1 in that stretch.

Melo scored a season-high 23 PTS tonight #StayMe7o pic.twitter.com/StvpBWuLpP

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 10, 2021

As Anthony looks to crack the top 10, the next stop will be passing two former NBA greats Hakeem Olajuwon (26,946) and then Elvin Hayes (27,313).

Anthony continues to add to an outstanding basketball career that includes an NCAA National Championship at Syracuse, three Olympic golds, a scoring title in 2012-13, and 10 All-Star appearances.

The post Carmelo Anthony Reaches No. 12 on All-Time Scoring List appeared first on SLAM.

The team expects an update on Hunter’s status in the next two weeks.

An @emoryhealthcare injury update:

D. Hunter will undergo a lateral meniscus arthroscopic debridement procedure on Monday. The surgery will be performed by Dr. Kyle Hammond, the Hawks’ team orthopaedist. An update on his recovery plan will be provided in approximately two weeks. pic.twitter.com/2rFBKKZ1CA

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 7, 2021

The Hawk’s third-leading scorer has missed the last four games after leaving the game against the Wizards in January due to what was described as “right knee discomfort.” He had a nonsurgical procedure done on January 30, per ESPN.

According to Sarah Spencer of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Hawks head coach Lloyd Pierce is optimistic that Hunter will return this season.

It doesn’t sound like a season-ending injury… all signs is that he will be back, we just don’t know when

The No.4 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Virginia has shown plenty of improvements in his second season as his numbers and playing time have increased.

Fortunately for the Hawks, they still have depth at the forward position as Cam Reddish, Kevin Huerter, and Danilo Gallinari will look to fill in for Hunter’s absence.

The Hawks who have been 1-3 since Hunter’s injury, will head to Dallas to play the Mavericks on Wednesday.

The post De’Andre Hunter Set to Have Knee Procedure appeared first on SLAM.