Our photographer is snapping away, and Williamson needs to get on the same page as his fellow KICKS cover stars—Luka Doncic and Jayson Tatum. Smiles or straight faces?

On this day in early July, it’s hard not to smile. We’re on a boat in the heart of Paris, docked along the Seine. The Eiffel Tower—about a mile up the river—creates a backdrop so stunning it looks almost fake. After a morning of rain, the clouds have parted and the sun shines down, beaming through the ceiling windows. Biggie’s “Sky’s the Limit”—Zion’s choice—blasts through a speaker. Williamson, Doncic and Tatum are standing on white seamless paper, delicately holding the latest offerings in their signature lines with Jordan Brand—the Zion 3, Luka 2 and Tatum 1—like they’re newborn babies. A large-scale media event has been organized for the afternoon, where the three sneakers will officially be introduced to the world.

So, yeah, there’s a lot to smile about. But the verdict? Straight faces. Mean mugs.

KICKS 26 featuring Zion, JT and Luka is available now. Shop here.

On the surface, Williamson, Doncic and Tatum have a lot in common. They are all young superstars (Tatum is the oldest at 25, Doncic is 24 and Williamson just turned 23 in July)—leaders of the next generation to take over the NBA. They are all versatile, positionless players—embodiments of the direction the game is heading. And, of course, they are all part of Jordan Brand’s exclusive roster of signature athletes.

Yet, it’s the uniqueness of each player that makes the design process both challenging and stimulating for the Jordan team. “It makes it more interesting, to be real,” says David Cin, Jordan Brand Senior Design Director of Performance Footwear. “It’s definitely challenging—you have to study what their needs are.”

The Brand constructs its basketball products based on two core principles: motion and emotion. First, silhouettes are crafted to benefit the motion of players on the floor. Designers study game film (not unlike how coaches do) to discern the precise movements and styles of their athletes. They grab clips and break them down into individual frames, laying out the images on a giant mural board. The question then becomes, How do we build a shoe perfectly tailored to these types of movements? Mechanical engineers work with material experts and other specialists to come up with the right solutions.

Of course, design decisions are also informed by meetings with the athletes themselves. That’s where the emotion component of each pair—which deals more with the narrative that surrounds it—is mostly unpacked. Beyond creating products that enhance performance, the Brand aims to evoke emotion through storytelling. The Zion 3, Luka 2 and Tatum 1 are all reflections of their namesakes’ journeys to this point.

“At the end of the day, it’s about really digging deeper into who our athletes are as people and allowing our consumer to see that other side,” says Kelsey Amy, Jordan Brand Expert Color Designer of Performance Footwear.

“We knew that had to be a part of the equation, too,” adds Cin. “Thinking about, Hey, what’s that feeling you get [from shoes]? How can we tap into that? How can we inspire kids?”

Williamson is seated on the lower deck of the boat, where the multi-hued carpet nearly matches the “Sanctuary” colorway of his Zion 3. We’ve asked the Pelicans star to describe his emotions on this dreamlike afternoon. He takes a deep breath, and that youthful smile returns to his face. “Two words,” he says. “Lord Jesus! Lord Jesus! Lord Jesus!”

It’s a cliché, but Williamson really looks like a kid on Christmas morning—only he’s seen this present before, many, many times. As he tells KICKS, he’s even more excited about the Zion 3 than he was about the first two releases in his signature line.

“When you look at my signature shoes, each shoe was built to represent what I was doing extremely well during that time,” he explains. “During my first year and a half in the League, I was more of a post player. I could handle [the ball], but I was mostly, like, a stretch 4, so when I would do certain moves, it would be [about] power or my second jump. So my first shoe was designed on that. If you look at my second shoe, I started handling the ball more, so it was about containment of power while still being able to have finesse. The third one, I think—I’m sorry, I know—that the third one represents who I am and what my game is like.”

In an early meeting about the Zion 3 almost two years ago, Williamson opened up to the Jordan team about a piece of his story that had yet to be fully explored through his line. His path to the NBA, Zion explained, is often misconstrued as having been easy, largely due to his athletic gifts and ridiculous highlight tapes.

“He talked about how people think that it’s just been sweet,” says Jarrett Mann, Jordan Brand Global Product Director of Performance Footwear. “They think that he was an overnight sensation—that he basically came on the scene as a 16-year-old YouTube phenom, and it was dunks and blocks and he was the highest sought-after recruit since LeBron [James]. But he talked a lot about coming to that moment.”

It was far from easy, Williamson stressed. 

I’m gonna shock the world. Y’all just gotta wait.

– Zion Williamson tells SLAMKicks

As a kid growing up in Florence, SC—not exactly known as a hotbed for basketball—he had to get it out the mud. “A lot of people where I’m from, when you talk about making it out, it’s not just basketball we’re using,” says Zion. “We’re just trying to make it out in any way.”

By the age of 9, Williamson was waking up at 5 a.m. every day to train with his stepfather (in the South, it’s wise to beat the blistering sun). Coming from a state with so few NBA players, he struggled with self-doubt. “I would always just kind of have in my mind, I’m not gonna make it, I don’t think I’m gonna do it,” he says. “That way, if something went wrong—like I heard in all the stories growing up—then I wouldn’t feel as bad about it. I always had self-doubt, but the older I got and the more I trusted my game and trusted who I was—who I am—the doubt has been erased.”

The Zion 3 was structured to communicate this lesser-told part of Williamson’s past, and the “out the mud” mentality it cultivated in him. Joël Greenspan, Jordan Brand Senior Designer of Performance Footwear, worked with a computational designer to simulate the visual effect of Zion’s foot last launching through mud (they went as far as to study different viscosities and the mud specific to South Carolina). It wasn’t just about creating a color-splatter design on the upper; the Jordan team also sought to make the mud a useful component of the shoe.

“The mud is a metaphor. It’s the hardship, the difficult times that Zion had to go through,” says Greenspan. “It’s therefore the thing that made him strong. We knew immediately that we had this idea of mud to armor. We wanted the mud to be the thing that makes the shoe strong.”

The solution? Haptic ink—a special kind of screen print previously used on Nike’s Metcon silhouettes, which are, according to Expert Material Designer of Performance Footwear Jacqueline Lefferts, “the only shoes where people can climb up a rope without holes being burnt through them.” The haptic ink provides extra reinforcement and containment in stress areas. “I guess the process was really, How do we tell this narrative in a beautiful way but still make it performance enhancing?” Lefferts says. In addition to the ink, the shoe features a Formula 23 drop-in midsole for enhanced court feel and a Zoom Air bag for crash protection. Williamson’s “Zion” logo is displayed prominently on the heel.

Of course, the man behind that logo hopes that his new sneaker gives others the confidence to overcome their own uphill battles—to make it out the mud, just as he did. “No matter where you’re from, no matter what situation you’re in, no matter how bad things are looking, no matter how good things are looking—when you put the [Zion 3] on, you should feel that you can literally do anything,” he says. “Whatever your aspirations are, with the Zion 3 on, you got a chance. That’s what I want people to feel.”

That’s what Williamson will feel when he laces up the Zion 3 this upcoming season. “One of my favorite things [about the shoe]—you can zoom in on that,” he tells us, flipping up the tongue to reveal three words printed on the inside: Shock the World. “I still stand on that. I’m gonna shock the world. Y’all just gotta wait.”

“I would say of our portfolio of athletes, in terms of just chapters of life, [Luka] has the most unique journey to him arriving at where he is,” Amy says.

That journey spans thousands of miles, beginning in the beautiful city of Ljubljana, Slovenia, where Doncic—Jordan Brand’s first European born-and-raised signature athlete—grew up. His father, Sasa, played professional ball for several years, and Luka fell in love with the game right away. “I was basically with basketball my whole life,” he says. “My father was playing and I was always with a ball in my hands, always at his games. So I was just connected to basketball.”

He had a natural feel for the sport and played whenever and wherever he could, flocking to an outdoor court every day after school. By the time he was 8, Doncic was already running with a group of 12- to 14-year-olds. “It all just came naturally,” he says. “I always played with older guys and then I could learn a lot from them.”

At 13, Doncic was offered a five-year contract by Real Madrid. Accepting the deal meant leaving his family and friends behind and moving to a country where he didn’t even speak the native language. “It was tough. At first it was a for sure no,” he admits. “I didn’t want to go.” But Doncic eventually decided to make the leap, determined to continue chasing his NBA dream. He picked up Spanish in just three months and blossomed on the court, earning numerous Liga ACB honors and winning EuroLeague MVP for a championship squad in 2018.

Doncic developed a unique skill set while competing overseas. The court is smaller and there’s no defensive three seconds in the international game, shrinking the space that players have to operate. Doncic had to focus on how to create space, despite not being the most athletic player in the league. The result? A combination of footwork, vision and balance that is one of one—and makes the task of designing his signature line extremely challenging.

“With the Luka franchise in general, we have an athlete who really gives us some very unique problems to solve,” says Chad Troyer, Jordan Brand Global Senior Product Line Manager of Performance Footwear.

Problems like, How do we account for Doncic’s elite step-back? Answer: the IsoPlate, an innovation built exclusively for Luka that wraps up the medial and lateral forefoot and secures the foot when shifting from front to back.

Informed by meetings with the Mavericks training staff and additional insights from Doncic, the Luka 2 combines the IsoPlate and full-length Formula 23 with a new medial Cushlon 3.0 wedge foam to keep Luka’s foot in control and propel him out of his moves, facilitating even more separation between him and his defenders. “It’s always going to be about space creation for Luka,” says Greenspan.

Colorways of the Luka 2 celebrate the many chapters of Doncic’s life. The “Lake Bled” is a nod to the scenic body of water in Luka’s hometown in Slovenia—“I think it’s one of the most beautiful places not only in Slovenia, but in the world,” Doncic says—and the teal-based “Matador” is inspired by his pro career in Madrid.

“Luka has taken the world by storm, with kids all over the globe from every different kind of culture,” Troyer stresses. Those kids, from as far away as Slovenia and Madrid, can look at Doncic’s story as proof that your dreams are never too far-fetched. That it’s possible to make it all the way to the NBA if you chase that ambition just as Doncic did.

“It’s up to us as a Brand to be able to dig deeper on those stories and educate our consumer on who Luka is as a person,” adds Amy, “and how he got from point A to point B.”

Truth is, there was no magic formula—just hard work, a lot of sacrifice and a real passion for the game. “Ljubzen” (“Love” in Slovenian) is printed on the top eyelet of the Luka 2, and the words “NON DESISTAS” and “NON EXIERIS” are featured on the heel of each shoe respectively, which translates from Latin to “Never give up, never surrender.”

“It was tough leaving Slovenia and moving to Madrid when I was 13. But looking back, I think that experience pushed me to where I am today,” Doncic reflected upon the 2’s release. “I hope my journey, from a kid in Slovenia dreaming of playing in the NBA, can inspire people everywhere to go after their dreams and stay true to themselves no matter what.”

It was June 2020, and Jayson Tatum was chatting over Zoom with his team at Jordan. That’s when they suddenly dropped the news on him: the Brand was giving him a signature. And Tatum…barely reacted. He froze—not on Zoom, in real life. He was in complete shock. It wasn’t until the design process kicked off that it really began to sink in. This is actually happening. This is my dream.

During those early brainstorms, Tatum expressed his preference that his signature be lightweight and feel connected to his foot in a way that was second nature. “As a basketball player, you don’t want to think about the shoe when you’re playing,” he explains. “You just want to lace your shoes up and go play the game. That level of comfort and trust in a way from your sneaker allows you to be yourself.”

The eventual product—the Tatum 1—is the lightest sneaker in Jordan Brand’s performance line. “That’s what we tried to target first and foremost,” says Derek Foster, Global Product Line Manager of Performance Footwear. “And then, within that, we were just really trying to nail down some of the attributes that relate to Jayson. We looked at his biomechanics and the way he plays—he’s a very forefoot-dominant athlete.”

Designers were able to remove weight while still maintaining a strong TPU frame that supports Tatum’s side-to-side movements—as does the outsole, which implements a plate technology. An uncaged Zoom Air bag is included in the forefoot, allowing Tatum to play efficiently on his toes just the way he likes.

Aside from the sneaker’s functionality, Tatum emphasized the importance of the Tatum 1 being for kids, not just for him. He prioritized creating a kids-specific design that utilizes an innovative tailgate system for easy entry. His son’s nickname, Deuce, is also featured on the inside of the tongue of three of the first four colorways. “[Deuce] challenges me to be a better person, because I always know that he is watching everything that I do,” Jayson says. “He’s inspired me to be a better man, to be a better role model, to be a better basketball player.”

“What [Tatum] brought to the table, what felt important to him, was to be about the future—to inspire kids,” says Bryant Klug, Jordan Brand Expert Designer of Performance Footwear. “He isn’t treating it like a scrapbook of all his own details—we have some of that stuff on the shoe, but he always talked about it, like, who it was for. And it was always for other people.”

There are two things that I’ve kind of always lived by. [One], you can never dream too big…

Another thing that goes hand in hand with that is, the bigger you dream, the harder you have to work.

– Jayson Tatum

Those details—like the coordinates of St. Louis and the words “I Just Didn’t Quit” (inspired by a Nipsey Hussle quote) on the TPU piece of the outsole, as well as “Living Proof” on the outer part of the rubber—reflect his own journey, for sure, but with the intent of influencing the next Jayson Tatum. They tell the story of a kid from the Midwest—raised in a city that, like Williamson’s hometown, isn’t known for basketball—working tirelessly to reach the NBA. His head coach at Chaminade HS, Frank Bennett, insists Tatum took just two days off during his four years there—the two days following their state championship victory his senior season.

“There are two things that I’ve kind of always lived by,” Tatum says. “[One], you can never dream too big. I grew up in St. Louis. My mom lived check to check—she was 19 when she had me. We’re not supposed to be here. I had dozens of people when I was younger tell me that I should choose a different dream or another profession—you know, something more realistic. But another thing that goes hand in hand with that is, the bigger you dream, the harder you have to work. And I was never going to let anybody outwork me.”

As a young boy, Tatum looked up to Kobe Bryant. He had on “What The” Kobe 9s in the state title game as a senior and rocked the “Prelude” colorways of the Kobe 5 and 6 when he played on the EYBL circuit. He was inspired by the Mamba’s blueprint. Now Tatum is the one setting his own blueprint, and he has a brand-new canvas with which to convey it.

“I know firsthand the influence that you can have on somebody without ever knowing them or meeting them,” Tatum says, reflecting on the impact that Bryant—all the way out in Los Angeles—had on him in St. Louis.

“So I understand the responsibility that I have, with the platform that I have, to inspire the next generation, whether they want to be a basketball player or the best doctor in the world—whatever it is, just to inspire somebody.”

Portraits by Alex Woodhouse.

The post Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum & Zion Williamson All in Paris?! SLAMKICKS Exclusive appeared first on SLAM.

“I would expect him, if things go the right way, sometime early next month,” Bickerstaff said. “So we’re definitely progressing in the right direction.”

#Cavs J.B. Bickerstaff on Ricky Rubio’s progression: “I would expect him, if things go the right way, sometime early next month. So we're definitely progressing in the right direction.”

— Kelsey Russo (@kelseyyrusso) December 27, 2022

Rubio was averaging a career-best 13.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game on 36.3 percent shooting from the field and 33.9 percent from beyond the arc when he suffered the injury on Dec. 28. At the time, Rubio played a significant role in Cleveland’s massive turnaround to becoming a play-in tournament participant.

As a veteran point guard, Rubio helped Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen become All-Stars. The positive impact he had was so palpable that after he got traded to Indiana for Caris LeVert, Cleveland re-signed him over the summer to a three-year pact despite Rubio missing a chunk of time rehabbing his knee.

The post J.B. Bickerstaff: Ricky Rubio’s Torn ACL Rehab ‘Progressing in the Right Direction’ appeared first on SLAM.

“He’s Mitchell,” LeBron James said, per ESPN. “He’s a special kid.” 

pic.twitter.com/0lHc7ZjOtw

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) December 7, 2022

Last season, Cleveland rose to playoff contention thanks to their top-10 defense and All-Star play of Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen, but mid-season injuries led to Cleveland collapsing and finishing the season looking to win the play-in tournament to make the postseason. However, the Cavs lost to the Nets in the first play-in game, and then their season was ended by Atlanta Hawks shortly after.

The Cavs went into the offseason knowing they had a recipe for success with their stifling defense and All-Star play, as well as the emerging talent of second-year big man Evan Mobley. When the rebuilding Utah Jazz made Mitchell available via trade, Cleveland swooped in as a partner and has greatly benefitted from the transaction.

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Mitchell has embraced becoming a key leader on this young team and his role as THE featured scorer on a team looking to take the next step. This season, he’s averaging 29.0 points. 4.0 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game on 49.6 percent shooting from the field and 42.4 percent from beyond the arc. The Cavs rank in the top 10 in offense (113.2 offensive rating) and are the No. 1 defensive team in the League (106.6 defensive rating).

“I think I fit in because I filled a void,” Mitchell said last week after Cleveland played Orlando, per The Athletic. “It’s what was needed. Darius in the backcourt did a lot last year, I’ve been saying that, and did it phenomenally well, but just kind of being in the game on the other side of the backcourt, making life easy for him and vice versa.

“It’s a comfortability thing coming into that situation, and then (coach) J.B. (Bickerstaff) going out and saying, ‘Be yourself.’ When you have the full support of your teammates and your coaches, it goes a long way. When a team trades for you, that means they see value in you and what you can possibly do. Just doing that on a nightly basis.”

The Cavs also embrace their “Let ’em Know” team motto and Junkyard Dog chain confidence, giving the three-time All-Star the chain after he dropped 43 points to help the Cavs beat the Lakers on Tuesday.

“It’s a guy that you can depend on in the thick of it, which isn’t always easy, and not everybody wants it, but he gives confidence to everybody on the floor because they believe in him, and they know that he’s capable of it, but he doesn’t do it in a way that takes away from other people,” Bickerstaff said, per The Athletic. “He empowers his teammates around him. He shares the ball. He’s not coming down just every possession and it’s just about him. He comes down, and the possession is about what’s the best shot available. If that’s a pass because they double-team him, he makes the pass; if it’s his shot, he takes his shot; if it’s attack and drop off to the big, he makes that play. To be honest with you, it’s unique in that, in his ability to take and make big shots, but to empower his teammates at the same time.”

pic.twitter.com/ENydzrIjnr

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) December 7, 2022

Mitchell is becoming an MVP candidate with the third-best record in the East while leading this young and fun Cleveland team to prominence. Spida seems to be enjoying the vibes his Cavs teammates have bought, and his resulting play is all the proof they need to know they’re doing something right.

It remains to be seen how far Mitchell can lead Cleveland after all, he’s only won a playoff series three times in his career, and he’s gone one-and-done in the playoffs just as many times. Not to mention that Mitchell is a proven playoff killer, averaging 28.3 points per game on 43.1 percent shooting during his postseason career.

The post ‘GO THE F HOME’: Donovan Mitchell’s Dominance Sends a Message to the Lakers (and the NBA) appeared first on SLAM.

A key piece for this Cavs team’s production, however, has come from second-year player Evan Mobley. The team wanted to get Mobley more involved this season, and the coaching staff has even said they see Hall-of-Fame potential within Mobley.

When Mobley was asked about his offensive growth per The Athletic, he said;

“You definitely want to get better every single time and get more uses for sure. So I was expecting that.”

So far this season, Mobley has a total of seven double-doubles and has taken his offensive game up a notch shooting a career-high 54.5 percent from the field. With each game, Mobley continues to improve from the previous one, and his teammates are all for it.

When asked about how it has been to play with Mobley, Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland stated;

“It’s crazy ’cause he’s 21 like he hasn’t really just got all his tools together. I mean, sometimes it still looks like he’s trying to get used to his seven-foot size out there. I mean, he’s really a unicorn, like there’s not a lot of people like him on this planet, and it’s cool to just have him as a teammate for sure.”

Mitchell also spoke on Mobley’s noticeable improvement this season, saying;

“I’ve never seen a young guy on a nightly basis, not knowing if it’s going to be offense or defense or show up on the stat sheet, but understanding it and not complain, that’s huge,” Mitchell continued, “that’s not typical for a second-year player who should have been the Rookie of the Year last year. Like, typically, you come into your second year expecting to be that guy, and he’s understanding that the role is going to change night to night — damn near triple-double with blocks some nights, holding down the defensive end when Jarrett Allen is out, when J.A. is in, being able to be there for us on the offensive end. I’ve never seen that out of a young guy. That’s a huge credit to him. And him as a person as well.”

Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff praised Mobley for stepping out on the court and focusing on the one thing that matters, winning instead of hunting for shots and being a player that “tried to get his stats as a rookie.”

Mobley is definitely a future star in this League, and it seems like he’s made a true home within the Cavaliers organization. SLAM can’t wait to see what the rest of this season has in store for Mobley and the resurged Cavs.

The post Evan Mobley’s Teammates Are Impressed With His Development in Year Two appeared first on SLAM.

pic.twitter.com/hHYM8Q7vx0

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) November 14, 2022

Garland’s career-best outing was briefly the season-high across the League before Joel Embiid erupted and dropped a career-high 59 points against the Utah Jazz. Garland is the fourth player in Cavs history to score at least 50 points, joining LeBron James (nine times), Kyrie Irving (twice), and Walt Wesley (once) on the exclusive list. Cleveland’s single-game scoring record is 57 points, shared by James and Irving.

Garland was four points shy of tying the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse mark held by Irving and James Harden.

“I didn’t even know I had 50 until I went to the bench,” Garland said, per ESPN. “No one told me, and I wasn’t paying attention to anything except trying to win the game. That’s the great thing about this group of guys. No one cares about individual numbers. It’s all about the team.”

Garland played a significant role in Cleveland even being competitive. The Cavs were down 99-75 late in the third quarter before DG had a fourth quarter for the ages.

The fourth-year guard scored 27 points in the final frame, routinely slicing and dicing offense (4/6 from the free-throw line) and stretching (six made triples) Minnesota’s defense to its utter limit.

“Incredible performance, master class by Darius, and we’re hoping for many more of those out of him,” teammate Kevin Love said. “That was just beautiful. He got to his spots, kept us right there, and gave us a chance at the end, and that’s all you can ask.”

27 points in the final 12 minutes.@dariusgarland22 scored the most points in a 4th quarter by a single player in franchise history. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/QsdBgw9qaC

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) November 14, 2022

Cleveland ultimately lost its fourth game in a row, but it comes with the caveat of missing Donovan Mitchell (sore ankle) and Jarrett Allen (sprained ankle) from their lineup. The Cavs will look to break their losing streak on Wednesday when they take on the Bucks at Milwaukee.

The post Kevin Love Calls Darius Garland ‘Incredible’ After 51-Point “Masterclass’ appeared first on SLAM.

Garland didn’tmissed a beat despite doing no live work since he suffered a laceration on the inside of his eyelid in Cleveland’s season opener against the Raptors. He stepped on the court ready to go and recorded the highest-scoring opening quarter of his career with 14 points on 3-3 shooting from three. 

Garland admitted he was “super scared,” per The Athletic when his injury first happened. 

“I rolled over; I felt blood coming out of my eye. So that’s when I got really nervous. And I was ready for surgery in Toronto. I was expecting that. I was expecting stitches and being out a couple of months. But by the grace of God, I’m here with two eyes now, and I’m back, and I’m healthy.”

The guard “tried to stay high” during his two weeks on the sideline, but he had his struggles.

“Just sitting over there and just have to wait and just seeing everybody get loose warming up and going through full practice and stuff, it was just kinda aggravating. I just tried to stay high. My teammates, they were winning. They was doing well, so I was happy about that. But I just wanted to be on the floor with them. I wanted to feel that energy. But I’m happy to be back now.”

Garland’s backcourt partner Donovan Mitchell doubled down on Garland’s excitement to be back.

He looked “like a little kid” during shootaround, Mitchell said.

“You could tell he was excited, just running around the gym, kinda just happy, a little bit of a different step to him. When you’re out for that long, and I’ve been there, it can kind of take a toll on you.”

Coach J.B Bickerstaff echoed Mitchell. “I mean, like you could feel it. [Garland] was excited this morning at shootaround. He was ready to contribute in a big way. And I mean, like, there was not any shyness to him. It was, I’m going out here, and I’m gonna assert myself on this game, and his teammates followed him.”

The Vanderbilt product led the Cavs to a 114-112 OT win against the Boston Celtics, finishing with 29 points, 12 assists, five rebounds, and three steals. And, of course, the Junkyard Dog Chain.

“Boy, did I,” Mitchell said about missing Garland. “He really set the tone tonight. I can’t speak for everybody else; I just didn’t know what his rhythm was going to be like after being out (two weeks). I think that’s the biggest thing. When you have your legs, when you have your energy, you’re excited, and he came out like he’s been playing with us down this whole stretch. He’s going to score the ball, and his passing, man, he’s creating, finding guys, making the game look easy, and really kind of sparked us, especially in that first half. Always under control. It’s great to have him out there.”

Now that the Cavs have Garland back, the Cleveland quartet of Mitchell, Garland, Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley can continue to build their chemistry and solidify their spot atop the Eastern Conference. The Cavs look to extend their record to 7-1 with a win against the Pistons tomorrow night.

The post Darius Garland ‘Happy as Hell’ To Rejoin Cavs After Eye Laceration appeared first on SLAM.

The injury happened in Charlotte and started a wild string of injuries for the Nets.

Before Dinwiddie was injured, numerous trade rumors were swirling around involving Dinwiddie and eventual-now-former Net James Harden. If Dinwiddie had not gotten hurt, then there is a huge chance he might have been involved in a trade deal for Harden. Had Dinwiddie stayed in Brooklyn, he would have played a significant role as the primary point guard because of the vaccination rules situation with Kyrie Irving.

Due to the injury, Dinwiddie was traded as part of a 5-team sign-and-trade that dealt him to the Washington Wizards.

Let it fly pic.twitter.com/W3U2W50lL6

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) October 26, 2022

Dinwiddie was always a media favorite during his time as a Net. After the Maverick’s win against the Nets Thursday night, Dinwiddie was asked if he ever thought about how his career would look if his time in Brooklyn never ended on an ACL tear.

“I don’t know if the trade still happens or not or if I’m in it,” Dinwiddie said per The Athletic. “Regardless of whether it happens or not, I believe the Nets are a championship team. Just because if you look how close that team was, we were steamrolling people before I got hurt. Even if they make the trade and I’m in it, that means they probably get to keep one of Caris (LeVert) or Jarrett (Allen), which obviously really would have been needed. Or I’m not in it; it means I’m still here, and I’m with Harden. So either way you slice it, all three of those scenarios, the team probably wins the championship.”

The Nets would definitely benefit from an energetic rim protector like Jarrett Allen right now, who has emerged as an All-Star center since signing a five-year deal worth $100 million with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Though Nets coach Steve Nash said a while ago, he wasn’t sure the team would have been able to offer Allen the five-year, $100 million contract he got from the Cavs. Ironically since all this, Allen and Caris LeVert have reunited and are once again on this year’s Cavs squad.

One thing is for sure; both guys are currently making huge differences for their respective teams. It is still early in the season, so there is still a ton of optimism for Net’s fans that the team will be able to turn things around. The team, without question, has enough talent to make a deep playoff run with a lineup headlined by Irving, Kevin Durant, Patty Mills, and Ben Simmons.

Just need to give them some time and let the chemistry develop because they still have a long season ahead.

The post Spencer Dinwiddie Opens Up About Getting Traded After His Knee Injury appeared first on SLAM.

“It meant a lot,” Mitchell said. “The guys in the locker room, when I saw RoLo get it last time, I was like, ‘Oh, this is pretty dope.’ For me, just to feel a part of the group. They’ve accepted me since day one. Just to go out there and continuously just find my way, whether it’s offensively, defensively. Then to get this, it’s awesome.”

Even before Mitchell arrived in the Land, it was becoming clear that the team was truly starting to buy into the underdog-mentality. Darius Garland, who averaged a career-high 21.7 points last season, once described the team as a “pest” on the hardwood, and that’s become apparent not only in their on-court play and defensive dominance, but in their demeanor. Lamar Stevens was the one who started the barking last year, and since then, the whole team has caught on to it.

“Lamar [Stevens] started it, but I kinda adopted it,” Jarrett Allen told SLAM. “I think it’s perfect for what the team is trying to achieve…. We’re a young team, but we have the talent to back up the scrap.”

The Junkyard Dog Chain perfectly encapsulates all of the energy and excitement building around the Cavs’ young squad—designed by The Foundry at Jared, the hardware is made up of 14k Yellow Gold and features the 216 Cleveland area code, JYD [Junkyard Dog] acronym and Cavalier logos from throughout franchise history on the piece. Past recipients to rock the Junkyard Dog Chain, which is given to a player after every team win, includes Stevens, Garland, Kevin Love, Dylan Windler, Isaac Okoro and 2021-22 Rookie of the Year runner-up Evan Mobley.

Last Saturday, Robin Lopez became the first recipient of this season’s Junkyard Dog Chain after putting up 12 points in his Cavs debut.

As the latest Cavalier to win the award, Mitchell is continuing to impress and is setting franchise records, including being the first in Cavs’ history to put up back-to-back 30-plus point games to start the season. With a new superstar at the helm and a stacked roster of hungry talent, this is only the beginning of the team’s continued ascension.

But then again, Darius Garland did warn us back in February that the Cavaliers are ready to earn their respect.

“I think we’re starting to put the League on notice that we’re not just any slouch anymore. Like, you just can’t come into Cleveland and roll over us. I think we definitely deserve our respect.” 

Photos via Cleveland Cavaliers.

The post How the Cleveland Cavaliers Have Bought into the Underdog Mentality this Season with the Junkyard Dog Chain appeared first on SLAM.

The rebuilding Jazz decided to move Mitchell to the Cavs over the summer, but it seems like Spida may have found an ideal fit in Cleveland. Mitchell has been labeled an All-Star piece that can help push Cleveland over the top as a playoff contender. The Lousiville product grew into that while in Utah; as a Cav, Mitchell has a better idea of how to mesh well with his new teammates and seems to be at ease.  

“He’s comfortable,” Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff said per ESPN. “I think it’s that easy. This isn’t something he hasn’t done before. He’s carried teams on his back, so he understands the moment, and he’s capable of it. It’s not new, and it’s what we expected from him.”

Mitchell allowed the game to come to him on Wednesday, starting slowly with just four points in the first quarter. However, when his All-Star teammate Darius Garland exited the game with a left eye laceration, Mitchell ramped it up and carried a more significant offense load on his shoulders.

“That’s the big thing playing with a bunch of good guys, trying to find your spots, especially against a team like Toronto,” Mitchell said. “You don’t want to come in full bore; that’s how they want to turn you over. And then [Garland] goes down, so I’m on the ball more, directing traffic.”

“He’s an elite basketball player. There’s not many guys in this league that are better than Donovan or are capable of doing the things he can do. He puts so much pressure on the defense,” Coach Bickerstaff added. “He has the ability to make all the passes, so again that’s, he’s hard to deal with, but he makes defenses have to make tough decisions over and over again.”

Despite a few miscommunications with his new teammate and fellow All-Star Jarrett Allen, Spida had a strong debut. Natural growing pains will come with learning each other’s games, and the vibes remain positive after they opened the season with a 108-105 loss to the Raptors.

“It’s part of the game, part of the growing as teammates. It’s our first game playing together, our first official game playing together. We still have a lot of things to iron out, a lot of things to communicate about off the court after it happens,” said Jarrett Allen.

For the Cavs, Mitchell’s record night signals a high ceiling for the marriage between the All-Star and the rest of the team. As the guard put it, the Cavs “did a good job. But [they] can do an even better job.” Cleveland looks onwards and upwards as they seek to grab their first win of the season against the Chicago Bulls this Saturday.

The post ‘Comfortable’ Donovan Mitchell Drops 31 in His Cleveland Cavaliers Debut appeared first on SLAM.

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

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

Anthony Holt, Slam Goods Apparel Designer

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

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

NBA Finals Matchup: Bucks vs Grizzlies

Deyscha “Sway” Smith, Associate Editor

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

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

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

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

ECF Matchup: Celtics vs Nets

Joshua Tapia, Editorial Intern

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

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

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

Adam Figman, Chief Content Officer

The Sixers are winning the championship.

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

Michael Harris, Editorial Intern

The Lakers will make the Western Conference Finals.

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

NBA Finals Matchup: Heat vs Lakers

Ajayi Browne, Editorial Intern

The Dallas Mavericks will win the NBA Finals.

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

Theus McBee, Co-Host of No Pump Fakes

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

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

Check out the latest episode of No Pump Fakes below:

Najee AR Fareed, Editorial Intern 

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

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

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

Colby Cusano, Brand Partnerships and Analytics Intern

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

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

NBA Finals Matchup: Mavs vs Celtics

Delon George, Marketing Manager SLAMgoods

The Brooklyn Nets will win the title.  

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

Brooke Brennan, WSLAM Intern

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

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

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

Andrew “Pitt” Pitagorsky, VP of Brand Partnerships

RJ Barrett will win Defensive Player of the Year. 

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

Andres Puerta, Social Media SLAMFTW 

The Miami Heat will win the Eastern Conference Finals. 

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

Arvind Pitchai, VP of Social Media

Luka Doncic will average a triple double and win MVP. 

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

Marcus Allen, Social Graphic Designer

The Knicks will make the Eastern Conference Finals.

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

Dave Schnur, President

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

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

Max Resetar, Editor 

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

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

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

Photos via Getty Images.

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

The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired Donovan Mitchell in a trade, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 1, 2022

Utah received Lauri Markkanen, Ochai Agbaji, Collin Sexton, three unprotected first-round picks, and two picks, according to Woj. Restricted free agent Sexton reportedly agreed to a sign-and-trade deal so the Cavs could move him to Utah.

Sexton has agreed to a sign-and-trade deal to join Utah, sources said.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 1, 2022

According to Woj, Cavs GM Koby Altman “circled back” with Utah GM Justin Zanik on Tuesday. The two teams negotiated a deal they had discussed previously. The Knicks declined to do a trade deal on Monday night after re-signing RJ Barrett, opening the door for Cleveland to secure a deal.

https://t.co/5lqkyvBvSP

— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) September 1, 2022

The epic trade makes Cleveland a more significant threat in the East as they form a Big 3 around Mitchell, their All-Star duo of Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen, and their future All-Star building block in Evan Mobley.

The post REPORT: Cavaliers Acquire Donovan Mitchell in a Blockbuster Trade appeared first on SLAM.

Where the Cavs front office and Sexton may disagree is the amount of money Young Bull will make. According to NBA insider Michael Scott of the Hoopshype podcast, the Cavs want to retain Sexton, and Sexton will be demanding “starting guard money.”

“The Cavaliers want to retain Collin Sexton,” NBA insider Michael Scotto said on the HoopsHype podcast. “He’s going to demand starting guard money, I’m told.

“There are some teams who will be in the market for a point guard this summer, including the New York Knicks and Washington Wizards, who would have to acquire Sexton in a sign-and-trade if they want to get him. Last season, no restricted free agent signed an offer sheet, and players such as Cavaliers forward Lauri Markkanen switched teams via sign-and-trade.”

Sexton led the Cavs in scoring in 2020-21 (24.1 points per game) and 2021-22 (16.0 points per game) before he suffered a season-ending torn meniscus in his left knee 11 games into the season.

Should Cleveland decide to extend Sexton, he will be joining a team with a new pecking order after Darius Garland, and Jarrett Allen broke out and earned All-Star nominations. With Allen, Garland, and Evan Mobley as their franchise cornerstones, the Cavs (44-38) earned a spot in the Play-In Tournament thanks to their identity as a top-five ranked defense.

The Cavs also acquired Caris LeVert at the trade deadline. Both Sexton and LeVert play the same position. If Sexton returns, the Cavs will be facing a question of who starts and who comes off the bench. Both guards have experience playing a reduced role, with Sexton embracing the Cavs and asking him to take fewer shots for the team’s benefit. LeVert went from key weapon to coming off the bench to playing second-fiddle in his short time in Indiana.

The experience the two have in different roles will help make whatever transition Coach J.B. Bickerstaff will make. The main question will be if Cleveland wants to pay Sexton when they have a logjam at guard and will also need to prepare for extension talks when Garland becomes eligible in 2023. The other question will be does Cleveland believe they will repeat their success with Sexton next to Garland, LeVert, Allen, and Mobley.

Regardless, Cleveland has a bright future with Bickerstaff and GM Koby Altman at the top of the helm and Garland’s rise as the team’s face combined with the rapid development of All-Rookie center Mobley.

The post REPORT: Collin Sexton Wants ‘Starting Guard Money’ in New Cavs Deal appeared first on SLAM.

The sudden rise could certainly be attributed to the All-Star campaigns of Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen and the outstanding play of rookie big man Evan Mobley and a top-5 defense, but the longest-tenured vet Kevin Love, who finished the season as a finalist for the Sixth Man of the Year award, noted that team therapy played a significant role in the team gelling well and helping them to focus.

According to Insider, Love told his teammates that they should work with the therapist in question, Mayur Pandya. Love also credits Pandya with helping improve his and his teammates’ game overall, at least from a mental standpoint.

“Boosting mental performance and resilience is the reason we are here today,” Love said, “We’re all much better for it and having these conversations, and having Dr. Pandya taking the time, and for the organization understanding that it’s important.”

Pandya has been with the Cavs since the 2018-19 season, but his services weren’t highly sought after according to Love, at least not until this year.

Love said his teammates grew more comfortable with going to a therapist after DeMar DeRozan opened up about his battles with mental health last June, with his Instagram post serving as the catalyst for mental-health treatment becoming normal for NBA players.

Pandya worked with the Cavs individually and in group sessions per Love, with groups being split up into two groups featuring vets and younger players in both groups. The two groups used meditation and therapy to help players sharpen their mental focus, resilience, and chemistry.

“Everybody has their own journey and mental-health journey, but we’re not meant to go through this alone,” Love said. “Having diversity within our group, how we grew up, where we were born, socioeconomic status, wherever we may be, I think there’s a lot of problem-solving there.”

Love said meditation and therapy helped the players sharpen their mental focus, resilience, and chemistry. Love said he discovered meditation in 2017 when the James-led Cavaliers were in the middle of four straight seasons in which they made it to the NBA Finals.

The post Kevin Love Credits Cavs Therapist With Cavs Resurgent Season appeared first on SLAM.

#LetEmKnow, K Love pic.twitter.com/YPIvJSnf3P

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 5, 2022

Instead, the idea of a rise to playoffs was catapulted to Finals contenders status when LeBron James decided to sign with Cleveland as a free agent. The Big 3 guided the Cavs to a historic championship in 2016, bringing the Cavs back from a daunting 3-1 deficit to beat the 73-9 Warriors.

The Cavs would meet the Dubs two more times in the Finals, losing both, and the last without Irving, who requested a trade out of Cleveland and landed in Boston. Since then, Love has gone through some injury-plagued seasons, and at the same time, the Cavs struggled to remain relevant after James left Cleveland for a second time, missing the playoffs for three straight seasons.

The 2021-22 season offered some hope and reprieve for Love and the Cavs. Cleveland finished the regular season at 44-38, finishing eighth in the East thanks to a top 5 defensive team and the breakout seasons of Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, and the excellent play of rookie big man Evan Mobley. Love also finished as the runner-up for the Sixth Man of the Year award after averaging 13.6 points and 7.2 rebounds.

However, the Cavs could not win either of their play-in games, losing to the Nets and then the Hawks, leaving them with a 10th place finish.

In his latest Instagram post, Love revealed just how gratifying the productive season was after the five-time All-Star prioritized making his body durable and buying into improving the culture around a young Cavs team that’s not close to their ceiling. The change in Love’s perspective allowed him to accept a new role as the first player off the bench so that Mobley and Allen could thrive like they did as well.

Love captioned his reflective post stating he wanted to ‘help lead a young team in taking the next step’ in their evolution while also striving to ‘be the vet I never had early in my career.’ He also emphasized just how necessary sacrifice was in order to help the team make a leap in their development. He went on to thank J.B. Bickerstaff for trusting him and being honest so that he could ‘be the best version of myself.’

The 2011 Most Improved Player then listed off his accomplishments of the season, leading bench players in double-doubles, breaking a franchise record for made three’s off the bench, leading the team in made triples, and tying the League leader in charges taken. Love also made sure to brag on his availability and leading the Cavs in games played, reiterating that he played every game this season except for eight after he tested positive for COVID-19.

Love also stated that he felt like a runner-up finish for 6Moty ‘meant something to me to earn my respect back in a League and game that I’ve dedicated my life to.’ He concluded his post by saying, ‘keep showing up. Remain hungry.
And fuck what THEY think.”

The post Kevin Love Reflects on ‘Helping Lead a Young Team in Taking the Next Step’ appeared first on SLAM.

ESPN Sources: Cleveland’s All-Star center Jarrett Allen (finger) is a go vs. Atlanta in the Play-In Tournament game (7:30 PM ET, ESPN). Allen completed his pregame routine and will play for the first time since March 6.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 15, 2022

The Cavaliers will get to play their Triple Towers lineup after it was reported that Jarrett Allen would play against the Hawks, barring a setback, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Jarrett Allen will play tonight vs. Atlanta in elimination Play-In Tournament game, barring setback in warmups, per @ShamsCharania. pic.twitter.com/exIpyYBiQl

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) April 15, 2022

Allen suffered a fractured finger on his left hand on March 6. The injury forced him to miss 19 games, including the Cavs’ Play-In tournament loss to the Brooklyn Nets.

The Cavs went 7-11 after Allen went down. The late-season slide forced the Cavs to fall from sixth in the East standings to eighth and play in the Play-In Tournament for the first of two chances to clinch a playoff appearance. The winner of the Cavs-Hawks matchup will take on the No. 1 seed Miami Heat on Sunday

Allen finished the regular-season averaging 16.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game in 56 appearances.

The post REPORT: Jarrett Allen to Play Friday Play-In Game Against Atlanta appeared first on SLAM.

First winning season secured since 2017-18 #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/nE2FXoPDcI

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 29, 2022

The Cavs’ turnaround to seventh place in the Eastern Conference was created by GM Koby Altman, who has built this franchise around a mix of youth in All-Stars Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley, who have been guided by the leadership of veterans like Kevin Love, Rajon Rondo, two former NBA champs, and Caris LeVert who arrived in Cleveland at the trade deadline.

Keys to the City. : @CGatewood_ pic.twitter.com/CKnUHz6COk

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) March 29, 2022

Garland has posted career-high numbers across the board at 21.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 8.6 assists per game. He’s also shooting a career-best 46.3 percent from the field. Allen has also averaged a career-high 16.1 points and 10.8 rebounds per game.

Mobley is averaging 14.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in his first season out of USC.

The Cavs are ranked fourth in the League in defensive rating (108.0) but 20th in offensive rating (110.4) with a net rating of 2.5, which sits them at 11th.

Cleveland (42-33) return to the hardwood on Tuesday when they host the Mavericks.

The post Cavs Achieve First Winning Season Since 2017-2018 Campaign appeared first on SLAM.

Three players made early news for the All-Star Game. Donovan Mitchell sat out with a non-COVID-19 related illness, and it was announced on TNT that Chris Paul suffered a thumb fracture which will keep him out for six to eight weeks just before the game. He checked in late in the first quarter.

Suns star Chris Paul has suffered a right thumb avulsion fracture and will be re-evaluated in six to eight weeks.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 21, 2022

Kevin Durant was also unable to attend the All-Star festivities after his mother, Wanda Pratt announced that his grandmother passed away Sunday and left Cleveland to be with his family.

The grandmother of Kevin Durant passed away this morning, Wanda Durant announces. Kevin Durant – named one of the 75 greatest players ever – will no longer attend 75th Anniversary team ceremony tonight at NBA All-Star Game as the family mourns loss.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 20, 2022

The event was not just for entertainment but for a good cause. Team LeBron and Team Durant competed for $750,000 in donations for two organizations. Team LeBron played for the Kent State I Promise Scholars Program, and Team Durant played for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. The competition was spread out over three quarters for $100,000 apiece.

Each organization started with a $150,000 contribution, with the winning team earning $150,000 for their respective organization.

First Quarter:

Defense was optional in the first quarter for the players, with the exception of Stephen Curry, who had the game’s only two blocked shots for an extended period. A point that Draymond Green trolled him for during the TNT broadcast.

“Why are you playing so much defense bro?”

This @StephenCurry30 and @Money23Green exchange pic.twitter.com/5V9Nz4TiLm

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 21, 2022

Otherwise, it was lighthearted, running up and down the floor with some high-flying dunks and long-distance shots. On a side note, Giannis Antetokounmpo finally missed a field goal attempt after hitting all 16 of his shots in last year’s event.

Throwback to last year’s Finals… Book and Giannis trading buckets at #NBAAllStar!

TNT & TBS pic.twitter.com/6iEs9nuxD2

— NBA (@NBA) February 21, 2022

Another great moment was watching Trae Young and Curry match each other in three-point marksmanship. Knowing that these two will be compared to each other for the next several seasons, this moment sends a message that fans will be enjoying 30 footers for years to come.

In the end, despite Team LeBron running out to an early lead, Team Durant’s late first-quarter run was not enough to make up the deficit at the end.

Winner: Team LeBron wins the quarter 47-45. Kent State I Promise Scholars Program receives $100,000.

Second Quarter:

After showing his defensive prowess in the first quarter, Curry reminded NBA fans of his real forte, shooting the long ball. Chef Curry set the All-Star Game record by knocking down an absurd eight 3 point shots in the first half.

#NBAAllStar record for threes in a half.
There’s nobody quite like Stephen Curry pic.twitter.com/dnKw86B04i

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) February 21, 2022

Before the Curry fireworks started, Cavs representatives Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland had some solid moments in the second quarter. Garland looked very comfortable on the floor and used this long-range bomb from the logo to spark a 10 point quarter.

Darius Garland from the logo to hype up the Cleveland crowd! #NBAAllStar on TNT & TBS pic.twitter.com/WgjqAk1P5M

— NBA (@NBA) February 21, 2022

While Team LeBron had all of the flash, Team Durant had the substance with LaMelo Ball combining with Dejounte Murray making plays for his teammates like Rudy Gobert, Devin Booker, and others. They ran out to a lead and never were in any trouble of losing it.

Team Durant win 49-46. The Greater Cleveland Food Bank receives $100,000.

Third Quarter:

Surprisingly, Curry has been shooting 37.9 percent from deep this season, well short of his career 42.8 mark. Well, he found his stroke in this game. If anyone thought SC30 was hot in the second quarter, the greatest three-point shooter of all time was burning up in the third quarter.

The two-time MVP broke the record for most three-pointers in an All-Star game by this point held by Paul George in 2016, and it was the way he was doing it that set the building on fire.

Stephen Curry is heat checking like no one ever has in an #NBAAllStar Game.

He’s got 13 threes.

Get to TNT & TBS now. pic.twitter.com/Fvj2Ep3fjB

— NBA (@NBA) February 21, 2022

Even though Curry was stealing all of the thunder in the third quarter, Team Durant pretty much held the lead the entire quarter. But Team Durant got cold at the end and allowed Team LeBron to pull to a tie at the end of the third quarter.

Even though the period ended in a tie, the third period belonged solely to Stephen Curry, who cemented his claim to MVP after pouring in 45 points on 15-21 shooting from behind the line. At this point, he was only seven points away from the all-time scoring record.

Drive. Give it up. Relocate. Get it back.

Stephen Curry is playing his brand of basketball in the #NBAAllStar Game…

Oh, and he’s made 15 threes pic.twitter.com/FC6cQcdp0p

— NBA (@NBA) February 21, 2022

Team LeBron and Team Durant finish the quarter with a 45-45 tie. Now the score is 139-138 Team Durant.

Final Quarter:

In the final quarter, the target score to end the game was set at 163. The gas Curry was cooking with ran out, and he finished with 50 points. Like in previous years, the ball was given to Joel Embiid in the post to score. But Jarrett Allen, with the assistance of LeBron James and Antetokounmpo, slowed him up just enough.

In the end, it was the Captain’s choice on who would close the game out!

BRON. CALLED. GAME.

Listen to the conclusion of the 2022 All-Star Game on NBA Radio.

https://t.co/AYipQpw9t4
pic.twitter.com/ivRfKU2iI3

— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) February 21, 2022

Team LeBron defeats Team Durant 163-160. Kent State I Promise Scholars Program receives a donation of $150,000 for a total of $450,000. The Greater Cleveland Food Bank received a total donation of $300,000.

All-Star Game MVP: Stephen Curry with 50 points.

The post Team LeBron Wins the 2022 NBA All Star Game Behind Stephen Curry’s 50 appeared first on SLAM.

One of, if not the most important connection that resides on the court lies between the point guard and his big man down low. Being able to effectively read one another’s movements, eyes, even predicting each other’s decisions before they’re made, all heavily contribute to the depth of a team’s offensive repertoire. In Cleveland, the offensive depth between the trio of Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen is otherworldly. 

“I mean, they do it all for me,” Garland tells SLAM of Mobley and Allen over Zoom. “They’re setting all the screens and stuff, so [I’m] just trying to keep the connection with them going and with my teammates as well.”

The chemistry the three have built is unlike any other guard/big pairing in the League. A little under eight times per game, the 6-1 Garland will snake around a neck-jerking screen set by either the 243-pound, 7-6 wingspaned Allen, who has had beef with the rim all season, or by the mobile 6-11 newcomer Mobley, who will snatch the ball out of the air and slam it down on your head with ease. Or, you could drop down and take away both options, and leave a 37.7 percent three-point shooter open at the top of the key, waiting for the ball to drop through the net. 

It’s a pick your poison situation in Cleveland, and one of the youngest cores in the NBA is beginning to realize just how lethal of a connection they’re building. 

In his third year in the League, Garland is averaging career-highs across the board, good for 19.7 points, 8.2 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game, as of late January. The Gary, IN, native’s ability to score with ease has been on display ever since he was picked 5th overall by the Cavs back in the 2019 Draft. His continued ability to make the players around him better has made waves across the League. 

In 10 out of 11 games played in December, Garland dropped five or more assists, gathering three double-doubles, including back-to-back 30-pieces against the Wizards and Jazz in the first week of the month. Within this world of hyper-proficiency resides the imposing forces of Mobley and Allen, who have received more than half of their buckets via Garland’s hand. DG’s assisted on 81 for Allen and 73 for Mobley. His career and team-high 8.2 assists has him on pace to rank in the League’s top 20 in assists per game for the second-straight season. 

The 22-year-old knows that as the team’s leader on the floor, he needs to make his voice heard. 

“I’m starting to become more vocal, talking to a lot of the guys and trying to put them in the
right situation where we can be successful,” he says. “So that’s just changed over my last couple of years, for sure.”

After Collin Sexton underwent left knee surgery for a torn meniscus in late November, DG took the reins of a team with a 9-8 record and whose identity was slowly being chiseled out behind head coach JB Bickerstaff. Two things were for sure, though: lobs and threes were plentiful, and Garland went to work with both, averaging two more shots from beyond the arc with defenders dropping underneath top of the key screens in order to take away easy toss ups at the rim to Mobley and Allen. 

“My teammates and coaching staff, they give me the confidence to shoot the ball. And even if I don’t shoot it, my teammates are on me, talking about, Shoot the ball, and stuff like that,” he says. “So they’ve definitely forced me to shoot it a little bit more than I want to, but as long as the teammates want me to and the coaching staff wants me to, I’ll do whatever it takes.”

The ascension of DG’s control over the flow of the game, coupled with the immeasurable wingspan taking up the paint, has given way to lots of excitement for hoops fans in Northeast Ohio. Lobs, threes and blocks are bountiful and the rest of the League has been paying attention.

On November 5, with 4.8 seconds left in the game, Garland calmly walked to the stripe, down one to the Toronto Raptors. Cool, calm and collected, the former Vanderbilt guard sank both free throws, snapping the Raptors’ five-game winning streak, and scoring 17 of his 21 points in the second half. In the locker room, Garland’s composure was doused by the water bottles of his teammates, as he wiped his soaked face with a towel, looked around the room and let out a series of barks, the team’s unique celebratory cheer. 

From grabbing every 50/50 ball and finishing each possession to knocking down clutch free throws down the stretch, Garland has proven this season that his continued progression and connection with the Cavs young core is built to disrupt the fabric of the League for years to come. 

The Cavs’ 102-101 November win over the Raptors may not have been the teams’ first realization of their dog mentality, but it was certainly the start of many instances in which Garland and the Cavs put everyone else on to it. 

That mentality has resided in the Cleveland organization for a minute now—a young team with a scrappy spirit and with the game to back it up. “Just being a pest, really,” Garland says of the team’s character.

“I think we’re starting to put the League on notice that we’re not just any slouch anymore. Like, you just can’t come into Cleveland and roll over us. I think we definitely deserve our respect.” 

SLAM Presents All-Star Vol 2: The Land is available now!

Portrait by Jimmy Longo/Cleveland Cavaliers and Getty Images.

The post Darius Garland’s Elite Play Has the Cavs Ready to Disrupt the Fabric of the NBA appeared first on SLAM.

Three players from the Cleveland Cavaliers teamed up to participate in the All-Star Skills Challenge. First-time All-Stars, Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen teamed up with rookie Evan Mobley, whose star shined brightly in the NBA Rising Stars tournament, took on the Antetokounmpo brothers (Giannis, Thanasis, and Alex) and a team of rookies that consisted of Cade Cunningham, Josh Giddey and Scottie Barnes.

The Skills Challenge received a new look as the NBA revamped All-Star Weekend. The format featured the three teams participating in a competition broken down into three rounds of shooting, passing, and dribbling ability.

Round One (Shooting):

Team Cavs should thank their lucky stars they dominated this part of the competition because the next two rounds were not as kind. The Cavaliers trio played strategically, placing Jarrett Allen first and downsizing to Evan Mobley then Darius Garland. Garland dropped 24 points, outscoring the Antetokounmpos brothers by himself, followed by Mobley with 18.

Evan Mobley and Darius Garland close out the first round of #TacoBellSkills with a show for the Cleveland crowd!

Team @cavs in the lead on TNT pic.twitter.com/5vMS172BPh

— NBA (@NBA) February 20, 2022

Round Two (Passing):

At this point of the competition, it looked like it was a two-team race between Team Cavs and Team Antetokounmpo despite the smooth execution of the weave to pile up the points by Team Cavs.

“This is poetry right here”

Cavs were in sync during the #TacoBellSkills challenge pic.twitter.com/pGugDBdLCw

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 20, 2022

The Greek Freak turned on the competitive drive that captured him two MVP awards, and his brothers tied Team Rooks at the end of round two. However, Team Antetokounmpo won the tiebreaker to collect 100 points from the passing competition for a tie leading into the skills competition that counted 200 points.

Round Three (Skills competition) and tiebreaker:

The idea of giving 200 points to the winner of the third round made this competition much more exciting. At this point, Team Rooks looked dead in the water when they put up a time of 1:18.5. That time presumably wasn’t fast enough to win the round.

In the end, poor shooting by Team Giannis and slow times by Team Cavs bailed the rookies out, and they took the 200 points to go to the final round. That left Team Giannis and Team Cavs with one shot for a chance to take on the rookies in the final round.

Darius Garland knocks out Team Antetokounmpo

Cavs move on to the final of the #TacoBellSkills pic.twitter.com/mfmkFOftPt

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 20, 2022

In a surprise to some, Giannis did not take the shot, and Thanasis missed to the right. On the other hand, Garland hit his attempt to win the tiebreaker and a trip to the finals.

Final Round (Half-court shot):

The rules were simple, whichever team could make a half-court shot the fastest would be declared the winner of the Skills Challenge. Cade Cunningham knocked down the half-court shot for the rookies to set the bar at 9.9 seconds.

It didn’t take long for Evan Mobley to close the deal for the hometown Cavaliers. The moment became a classic after legendary sharpshooter Reggie Miller screamed, “Cleveland, this is for you!” over the airwaves as the competition concluded.

“CLEVELAND THIS IS FOR YOU!”

Evan Mobley wins the #TacoBellSkills Challenge for Team Cavs pic.twitter.com/hORIPbs6mS

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 20, 2022

The post Cleveland Cavaliers Represents By Taking the NBA All-Star Skills Challenge appeared first on SLAM.

We’ve got a myth to get out of the way: NBA defense wasn’t better in the ’80s and ’90s. 

Those dudes, for the most part, just hit people. They called that defense. 

There are exceptions, of course. Scottie Pippen, Joe Dumars, Dennis Rodman, Michael Jordan, 
David Robinson, Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, Gary Payton, John Stockton, Dikembe Mutombo and Alonzo Mourning were all defenders ahead of their time—mentally, physically, technically and strategically. 

But defense in this era is a different game. This isn’t just about the new glossary of fancy terms that get yelled out on courts today. This is about a total redefinition of defensive responsibilities, an intellectual overhaul that has swept across the League. 

The new standards for guarding have touched down in Cleveland, where Jarrett Allen is an all-encompassing fortress. He doesn’t just lock down the interior. What started as something of a joke has become something closer to a revelation; the 6-10 Allen has been entrusted to switch pick-and-rolls on the perimeter. 

“I don’t really know how it happened, to be honest,” Allen tells us about the decision that he’d be guarding in space this season. “But I know last year, we were joking around, saying, you know, Let’s just switch 1 through 5. Partly just joking. And then this year we ended up adding Evan [Mobley] and Lauri [Markkanen] and Isaac [Okoro], great defenders. And then DG, he’s alright,” he says with a pause to allow his point guard, Darius Garland, the proper time to react to the playful slight on the group Zoom call. 

“And then we decided, Hey, you know, we’ve got all these bigs, why not just switch 3 through 5? Nobody’s gonna be able to really score against us in the paint. You blow by Evan, then you have to go up against me and Lauri. So we decided, Hey, this just might work. We tried it, what, in like the fifth game? And it worked. So don’t change what’s working.”

SLAM Presents All-Star Vol 2: The Land is available now!

“Working” is a humble way for the 23-year-old to talk about his breakout season.  

Allen’s numbers are career-best across the board. The 2017 draftee has never averaged more points, rebounds or assists, played as many minutes per game or had a better shooting percentage. 

If the season ended today (as of early January), Allen would finish with the seventh best single season field goal percentage in the history of the League. That’s seventh ever, throughout 75 years. 

It’s been dunks, lays, jump hooks and extensions out to the middle. And, as confirmed by the history-maker himself, a three-ball is in the works. 

“It’s just a testament to the team and how we’re playing together,” the Texas alum says. “As corny as it sounds, it’s a team game. Everybody sharing the ball, especially my point guard DG getting me open, throwing me lobs. That’s one of the main reasons that I’m doing what I’m doing. And partly to the work I put in this summer. I made a big emphasis to improve my offensive game, whether it’s passing, scoring in the post, just all of it.”

That connection with Garland has proven devastating for opponents, something the old NBA defenses would’ve needed Hakeem or one of the Georgetown boys to contain. 

“DG, he just said he’s shooting seven threes a game and he’s shooting them super efficiently,” Allen continues. “So it’s really one of those pick-your-poison things. Do you want DG to get hot on the pick-and-roll? Shoot this floater? Or do you want to get dunked on by him throwing the lob to me? It’s one of those things. It’s tough to guard because each option usually leads to a bucket.”

Allen, DG and Mobley make up the Cavs’ young core. Hitters like Markkanen, Okoro and Cedi Osman have filled in the gaps. There’s even more talent—losing Collin Sexton and Ricky Rubio to unfortunate injuries until the 2022-23 campaign stings, but the rest of the active players, including NBA champion and five-time All-Star Kevin Love, have the Cavs in the hunt for home court advantage in the 2022 playoffs.  

“Kevin’s a kid at heart, to be honest,” Allen says. “He kinda fits into our group, our young guys.”

It’s a group that has started barking together. Yeah, barking. Like dogs. Literally. 

“I didn’t start it,” Allen says. “Lamar [Stevens] started it, but I kinda adopted it. I think it’s perfect for what the team is trying to achieve. And it was fun. People look at us like, Why the hell are they barking? Honestly, I don’t know why, but it gets the team going. It’s funny. It’s one of those scrappy mentalities that I think works well with us. We’re a young team, but we have the talent to back up the scrap. I think that’s a perfect mentality for this team right now.”

Team, indeed. Excluding Sexton and Rubio, who would be part of this statistical crew, there are six Cavs averaging at least 11 points per game, as we head to press. Allen, Mobley and Love combine to pull down around 26 boards a night. Over 60 percent of their buckets come from assists. And thanks to Allen, the team has the third best defensive rating in the NBA, behind just the Warriors and the Suns. 

“It’s not a fluke,” Allen says. “That’s what people need to start realizing. You see people saying, Oh, man, they got the three bigs. Oh, this was just a lucky game for them. Oh, it’s not the new Cavs. It’s just a lucky game for them.

“But I’m just gonna keep asking: How many lucky games are we gonna have in a row? How many times are we gonna have to show that we’re a tough team, [that] you’re gonna have to play us hard, before they realize that we’re actually one of the top teams now?” 

Portrait Jimmy Longo/Cleveland Cavaliers and Getty Images.

The post How Jarrett Allen Established Himself as One of the Best Defenders in the League appeared first on SLAM.

When Daniel Arsham was told that he would become the creative director of the Cleveland Cavaliers, it was such a historic move that even he wouldn’t be able to tell you that he dreamt of it. The opportunity had never existed until he and the Cavs made it one. 

The genre-bending artist, who is most well known in the world of art galleries and museum exhibits, and has produced collaborations with Porsche, Dior and KITH, to name a few, became the first creative director in franchise history in the fall of 2020. 

Arsham was most recently contracted by recording artist Gunna to design the album cover for his latest project, Drip Season 4, which he brought to life via a casting of the College Park native’s face adorned with an iced-out chain and black angular sunglasses and sky-blue diamonds jutting out of the sculpture’s shoulders, forehead and face. 

Drippy https://t.co/Uy8MIeHzPQ

— Daniel Arsham (@DanielArsham) January 5, 2022

Arsham’s love and admiration for hoops is reflected in some of his most well-received pieces, including Moving Basketball, which was featured as the centerpiece of the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse Public Art Collection, launched by the family of Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert. 

After his installation at the arena, Arsham says numerous conversations with director of brand strategy Grant Gilbert is what led to the brand-new role, placing the contemporary artist in command of the organization’s visual identity. 

“I mean, frankly, I sort of just kept telling [Grant], like, You guys need to change this, you need to change that. The jerseys this season are a little bit lacking. You know, court designs. I had comments about a lot of different things, more so just as a fan of the team,” Arsham tells SLAM. 

“And at some point, he sort of jokingly said, Why don’t you work for us and, like, fix it? Arsham says with a laugh.

The 41-year-old fine artist grew up watching the navy blue and orange Cavalier uniforms jet up and down the court. Arsham, his father and grandfather were all born in The Land. His personal history with the city and the team is more than rich, it’s historic, making this year’s All-Star Weekend even more special. 

When conversations surrounding the organization’s plans for the weekend began, Arsham was told that teams are typically given the option between handing the responsibility off to the League or designing the logo themselves. As soon as he heard the latter, Arsham knew this would be something that would definitely be completed “in-house.”

Alongside the Cavs’ design team, Arsham led the creative direction for this year’s All-Star logo, which features the team’s wine and gold coloring. Most noticeable is the fifth tip of the star, which morphs into Terminal Tower, the landmark skyscraper of downtown Cleveland. 

“The game itself is not really about the team, it’s more about the city. And in some ways, I think that’s also my job—really not only to highlight the Cavs themselves, but it’s such a team that’s ingrained within the city,” Arsham says.

A city whose working-class history often overshadows its modern evolution, Cleveland has seen quite the revitalization on the court, thanks to the continued growth of Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. Now it’s Arsham’s turn to convert the grind, the wins and the growth into the next set of ground-breaking pieces. 

From collaborations with StockX, pop-up team shops and art exhibits to highlighting local designers and artists, Arsham and the city of Cleveland will be putting on a show throughout All-Star Weekend. 

“Cleveland, it’s a midsize city,” says Arsham. “So, for it to be able to host an event of that scale, and have all those people in town and everything, it’s obviously a moment for us to show what we’ve got.” 

SLAM Presents All-Star Vol 2: The Land is available now!

Photos courtesy of Daniel Arsham.

The post Daniel Arsham’s Creative Vision is All Over This Year’s All-Star Weekend appeared first on SLAM.

There’s no myth or magic to Evan Mobley’s game. He does what he does. After sweeping nearly every postseason conference award during his lone-season at USC, including Pac-12 Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year, the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft says he came into the League with the goal of finding his rhythm and making an immediate impact. “I just wanted to come in and get acclimated as quick as possible,” he says over Zoom. “I feel like I’ve been getting better and better every game and feel like I still have a little bit to go. But I feel like it’s been good so far.”

A few games into the regular season, Mobley soon realized that he could hold his own in the Association, playing against the very same stars he watched growing up. “You start seeing that they’re players just like you, and you don’t have to look at them as anything more than [what] you are because you’re in the same position,” Mobley says. “I try to go out there and trust in what I’ve been doing my whole life.”

SLAM Presents All-Star Vol 2: The Land is available now!

Now, those same players around the League have started taking notice of Mobley, including the King himself. “He’s going to be a damn good basketball player in this League,” LeBron James said back in October after the Cavs played the Lakers. Mobley finished with 23 points that night. 

Added Anthony Davis: “His game is going to progress. He’s going to keep getting better and better. You see the potential to be a three-level scorer, watching film on him a little before the game.”

Against the Wizards, Mobley dropped 21 points and impressed Kyle Kuzma so much with his up-and-under finish at the rim that Kuz dapped him up right after the play. “You damn right I’m going to dap him up. I just saw the closest thing to George Gervin in the flesh!!!” Kuzma tweeted.

So yeah, Mobley really is that guy. And the Cleveland Cavaliers really are that team again—by the time we went to press, they’re sitting at No. 4 in the Eastern Conference. They’re young, hungry, and equipped with a standout rookie who can hold it down on both ends of the floor—from finishing at the rim like a guard to snagging his own offensive rebounds to dishing out some assists, and against the Bulls, a notching a career-high 5 blocks, which was a first for any rookie this season and the first time a Cavaliers rookie has had 5 blocks since LeBron James in ’04. 

“I felt like coming in, my defense was going to be a strong attribute that I have just because of my length and agility. That’s what I normally just rely on, and depending on who I’m guarding, I’ve just tried to play him differently—if it’s, like, a guard, [I] give him a little bit more space, so I can react in time. And then if it’s a big, press up a little bit more [and] just use my length at the end of the shot and contest all shots. And if not contest, block it. Coming in, that was what my mindset was: to have a strong defensive presence.”

As of this writing, Mobley is ranked No. 6 in the League in blocks and No. 27 in defensive rebounds. He’s also leading all rookies in rebounds (8.1) and blocks (1.7) per game and sitting at No. 3 in field goal percentage (50.5). 

“It’s great, but I feel like I’m not satisfied,” he says when asked what it’s like to see his name at the top of the statistical leaderboards. “I still feel like I need to get better in certain areas, so I’m gonna still keep working, get better at those things and hopefully keep making a big impact on my team and keep winning.”

When asked to elaborate on what he wants to work on, he says: “[Be] a little bit more attack-minded offensively, and then defensively, just maintaining what I’ve been doing and gradually getting better throughout the years and learning new things, because, I mean, you can always get better at something.”

He credits his teammates for helping with his transition from college to the NBA, specifically vets like Kevin Love, as well as the young core guys like Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland—both of whom were also on the same Zoom call when we caught up with Mobley back in early December. 

When asked what advice they’ve given their new rook, Garland and Allen both harped on the fact that it’s a long, 82-game season. “Keep working,” Allen says. “This is a long season, there’s gonna be ups and downs. But, [when] Evan came in, he blew away all of our expectations. Like, man, does he really need our advice? You know, he’s already coming out here and killing it.”

“I was the same way, just telling him that it was going to be a long season and just enjoy it,” Garland adds. “I mean, it really goes by fast. I only have three years in it, but [they] went by super quick. Just enjoy the process and have fun with it.”

With his name among the top candidates in the Rookie of the Year conversation and with a pivotal starting role on the team, Mobley says he doesn’t feel any added pressure this season. He’s just out there hoopin’ with his teammates and posterizing his opponents along the way. 

“I just go out there, have fun with my guys and play the game. I feel like they’ve helped me not feel pressure because they believe in me. Same with the coaching staff, they all believe in me and put trust in me to do the right things. And they believe that I’m a good player. So there’s no pressure when I go out there. I just go out there and play.” 

Portrait by Jimmy Longo/Cleveland Cavaliers.

The post Rookie Sensation Evan Mobley is Putting His Own Stamp on the Association appeared first on SLAM.

Cleveland’s Jarrett Allen has replaced James Harden in the NBA All-Star Game.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 14, 2022

Darius Garland is the other player that will be representing the Cavaliers at the All-Star game. Both Garland and Allen will be on Team LeBron this year.

Cleveland officially has TWO All-Stars this season.

Darius Garland AND Jarrett Allen (replacement for James Harden) are going to the All-Star Game #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/0VdRU2sSy8

— Whistle (@WhistleSports) February 14, 2022

As of Monday, Allen has averaged a career-high 16.2 points and 11.2 rebounds, along with 1.4 blocks per game as a vital piece of the Cavs’ three-headed monster of seven-footers that Coach J.B. Bickerstaff has utilized throughout the season.

The Cavs have been the darling of the NBA as they’ve seemingly taken a considerable step forward as playoff contenders, sitting at third in the Eastern Conference at 35-22.

The post Jarrett Allen Named to First All-Star Game appeared first on SLAM.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

According to Camryn Justice from News 5 Cleveland, Antetokounmpo praised the young Cavs team on their surge up the NBA standings following the game.

“This is not the Cleveland that we knew in the past years…they’re a playoff team, they’re out there fighting for the title themselves,” Antetokounmpo said.

That change in mentality from the Cavs is clear to see on the court and is reflected in their current position in the standings. The Cavaliers are currently third in the Eastern Conference with a record of 30-19, and only 1.5 games back of the first-place Miami Heat.

Cleveland had already surpassed its win total from last season when the Cavs finished 13th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 22-50. The Cavaliers haven’t even made the playoffs since the departure of LeBron James following the 2017-18 season.

The last time the Cavaliers made the playoffs without James on the roster was in 1998.

The Bucks dropped to sixth in the Eastern Conference after the loss with a 30-20 record.

The revamped Cavs are led by their homegrown Big 3 of Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley. This season, that trio of players has combined to average 50.8 points, 12.7 assists, and 22.4 rebounds per game, with Garland and Allen getting All-Star considerations and Mobley being a front-runner for Rookie of the Year.

The Cavs will go again this Sunday when they head to Detroit to take on the Pistons (11-36) at 6:00 p.m. EST.

The post Giannis Antetokounmpo on Cavaliers: ‘They’re a Playoff Team’ appeared first on SLAM.

On Tuesday night, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Cavs GM Koby Altman received an extension through the 2027-28 season and promotion to President of Basketball Operations for the franchise.

Altman was first hired by the Cavs’ front office in 2012 but didn’t get the General Manager role until 2017, before the 2017-18 NBA season.

Altman oversaw the Cavaliers’ massive rebuild following the departure of LeBron James in 2018, but this season the Cavs have been a huge surprise. Halfway through the season, Cleveland is tied for fifth in the Eastern Conference with the Philadelphia 76ers with a 23-16 record.

A lot of the success this season is due to Altman’s management, as he was responsible for bringing in the entirety of the Cavs starting lineup, drafting Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and the injured Collin Sexton, and trading for Jarrett Allen and Lauri Markkanen. As of Wednesday, the Cavaliers rank 14th in offensive rating (109.9) and have transformed their bottom-five defense into the third-best in the League with a 105.0 defensive rating.

Garland leads the team in scoring and assists with 19.5 points and 7.3 dimes per game too. The 21-year-old guard out Vanderbilt holds a 111.7 offensive rating and 102.4 defensive rating. Even as a rookie, Mobley has been a revelation at the center position, averaging 14.8 points and 8.1 boards, and 1.8 blocks per game, good for seventh place amongst block leaders.

The Cavaliers play against the Jazz (28-13) on Wednesday.

The post REPORT: Cavaliers Extend General Manager Koby Altman appeared first on SLAM.

Kevin Love has been the subject of trade rumors for years on the Cavs, but the recent winning culture has seen him happy with his situation.

When speaking with Evan Dammarell of Meta, Love said he was “having a lot of fun” with the young and improving Cavs team.

“I’m having a lot of fun. Really, it’s been a lot of fun watching this team grow. It’s so fun I’m losing track of games, I don’t even know what game we’re at now. I think sacrifice gives back more than the cost. … It’s joyous.”

The Cavs young squad has been rolling to start the year, sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 17-12, just 3.5 games back of the 19-8, first-place Brooklyn Nets.

The surging Cavs are led by third-year guard Darius Garland, fourth-year big Jarrett Allen, and rookie center Evan Mobley, but Love’s contributions have also been significant. Love is coming off the bench this year, and in 21 games, he is averaging 11.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.

Love is in his 14th season in the NBA and his eighth with the Cavs, playing in 759 career games, and has is a five-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection.

The post Kevin Love Says He’s ‘Having A Lot of Fun’ With Young Cavaliers Team appeared first on SLAM.

Cavaliers’ Kevin Love has entered health and safety protocols and is expected to miss several games, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Love is averaging 9.9 points and 7.3 rebounds this season.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 1, 2021

This latest bout with adversity couldn’t have come at a stranger time for Love, who reportedly has no interest in a buyout despite the youth movement taking over the franchise. The Cavs are off to a 3-4 start since deciding to emphasize the development of their younger players.

That includes the decision to start seven-footer Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen next to Lauri Markkanen over Love. While coming off the bench for the first time since his second year with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Love has put up 9.9 points and 7.3 boards per game.

With Love set to make roughly $60 million over the next two seasons, the Cavs have yet to find a suitable partner to facilitate a trade for the five-time All-Star. It’s unclear what Cavs GM Koby Altman is asking for but the latest trade rumor came from the Hoops Wire’s Sam Amico, who reported that the Denver Nuggets have “displayed trade interest” in him.

By the time Love will hit free agency in 2023, he will be turning 35 by the time and entering the 15th season of his career.

The post REPORT: Kevin Love ‘Expected to Miss Several Games’ After Entering Health and Safety Protocols appeared first on SLAM.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Pacers found that LeVert has a stress fracture in his back and will likely be out for the preseason.

However, Wojnarowski reports that there is optimism from the Pacers camp that this injury won’t cause LeVert to miss significant time, and he should return “sometime around the start of the season.

LeVert missed time last season after being traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Pacers when a medical revealed a cancerous lump in the guard’s kidney. Thankfully, he had successful surgery and returned to action for Indiana in March.

LeVert was traded to the Pacers in January as part of the multi-team trade that saw James Harden make his way to the Nets, Victor Oladipo make his way to the Houston Rockets and Jarrett Allen make his way to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

LeVert managed to get 35 games in for the Pacers before the end of the season, averaging 20.7 points, 4.9 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game. In LeVert’s five-year career, he has played in 260 games, averaging 14.1 points, 3.9 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game.

The post REPORT: Pacers Guard Caris LeVert Sustains Stress Fracture, Likely Out for Preseason appeared first on SLAM.

Free agent C Isaiah Hartenstein has agreed to a training camp deal with the Clippers, source tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 12, 2021

The Clippers continue to search for depth at center. Serge Ibaka’s return date is still unknown due to back surgery that kept him out a portion of the regular season and all of the playoffs. Ivica Zubac missed some time with a sprained MCL in his knee.

Hartenstein played last season with the Denver Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers. He collected career-best numbers with 8.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 16 games with Cleveland after being acquired at the trade deadline. But despite showing promise backing up Jarrett Allen, the Cavaliers now are loaded at center. Facing the reality of no playing time, Hartenstein turned down his player option of $1.7 million for next season and opted for free agency.

The Clippers have 14 guaranteed contracts on the roster. Hartenstein will be battling Harry Giles III for the 15th spot on the roster on opening night.

The post Los Angeles Clippers Add Depth to Frontcourt By Signing Isaiah Hartenstein appeared first on SLAM.

According to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com, free agents Garrison Mathews and Denzel Valentine both have interest in joining the Cavs before the start of the season.

Mathews is a 24-year-old sharp-shooter coming off his second season in the NBA. Mathews has played in 82 NBA games, 64 last year, with an average of 5.5 points per game and a 38.9 field goal percentage from three-point range.

Valentine is a former first-round draft pick out of Michigan State, coming off four seasons in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls. Valentine has played in 223 career games and has career averages of 7.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.

The Cavs have already made quite a few moves this offseason, drafting Evan Mobley in the NBA Draft, trading away Larry Nance Jr. in a sign-and-trade to acquire Lauri Markkanen and trading for Ricky Rubio and giving center Jarrett Allen a five-year $100 million contract extension.

The Cavs are coming off another tough season, finishing 13th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 22-50.

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The hesitance behind offering Fall, who is 7’5″ and 311 pounds, anything outside of a training camp deal at this point is understandable given his relative lack of NBA experience.

Over the past two seasons, Fall has only logged 169 total minutes in the regular season, spending the majority of his time developing with the Boston Celtics’ G League affiliate (the Maine Red Claws).

With the Red Claws, who opted out of the 2020-21 G League season, Fall has played a grand total of 677 minutes in 29 games (including 11 starts). In that time, the Senegal native averaged 12.9 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in just 23.3 minutes per game, a testament to his dominance.

Not the most lithe or explosive athlete, Fall nonetheless knows how to use his physical advantages on both ends to make his impact felt. Fall, whose size obviously makes him an easy target for inside passes, also possesses decent footwork and touch on the outside. As determined a rebounder as he is a shot-blocker, Fall may be quite useful for the Cavs.

Although Cleveland already has Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley ready to play minutes at center, and players like Kevin Love and Lauri Markkanen capable of playing the position, Allen is the team’s only true center; while Mobley and Markkanen lack the strength, Love lacks the length at 6’8.”

That’s Fall’s in, along with his intangibles, as he quickly endeared himself to the Celtics fan base with his relatability and innocent demeanor. On a young team sure to have it’s share of growing pains in a tough season, having players who aren’t just beneficial to the team on the court but in the locker room as well is important.

The post REPORT: Cavs Sign Center Tacko Fall to 1-Year Deal appeared first on SLAM.

Jordan signed with the Nets in the same offseason that saw Brooklyn sign scoring savants Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, longtime friends of the Houston native.

The veteran started just six games in the 2019-20 season as the development of then-Nets center Jarrett Allen skyrocketed but, despite Allen’s trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the emergence of Nic Claxton continued to cut into Jordan’s playing opportunity. Jordan then failed to appear in the final 18 games of the Nets 2020-21 season (including the playoffs), with Blake Griffin eventually taking over the starting center role.

Charania reports that while neither side has made a final decision, Jordan’s odds of suiting up in a Nets uniform next season have become increasingly slim.

While last season saw Jordan start 43 of the 57 games in which he appeared and forward-center Jeff Green has moved onto the Denver Nuggets, the re-signing of Griffin and offseason pursuit of free agent Paul Millsap leaves little room for Jordan to impose his presence on the court.

One suitor to keep an eye on, sources said, should DeAndre Jordan and the Brooklyn Nets reach a contract buyout: the Los Angeles Lakers.

— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) August 30, 2021

Jordan’s name has been most recently linked with the Los Angeles Lakers, after veteran center Andre Drummond signed a one-year minimum deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The post REPORT: DeAndre Jordan Working Towards Buyout Agreement with Brooklyn Nets appeared first on SLAM.

Millsap just finished up a four-year stint with the Denver Nuggets that saw his veteran presence help push the Nuggets to three straight playoff berths and a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2020.

While he may not be churning out the same numbers he was in his prime, the four-time All-Star would add significant value to any bench within the league. A consistent outside shooter with bursts of aggressiveness at 36-years-old, Millsap averaged 9.0 points and 4.7 rebounds in 20.8 minutes per game last season.

After losing bigs Jeff Green and Jarrett Allen (and potentially DeAndre Jordan, per Charania) in the span of just one year, the Nets have been linked Millsap for multiple weeks.

Chicago has been the next-most talked about destination for the 15-year vet, as the Bulls seek additional depth in the frontcourt behind star center Nikola Vucevic and second-year power forward Patrick Williams. Millsap’s efficiency (he boasted true shooting percentage of 56.5 percent last season) would pair nicely next to the Bulls’ splash signings this offseason: Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan, both high-level playmakers.

The Los Angeles Clippers have also expressed interest in Millsap, per Charania.

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According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, Cleveland will send prized forward Larry Nance Jr. to the Blazers in return, while the Portland Trail Blazers will send forward Derrick Jones Jr., a protected first-round pick and a protected 2023 second-round pick (via the Denver Nuggets) to Chicago.

With the Cavs the stars of the show in this deal, it makes sense to focus on what the trade means for them, particularly with Markkanen’s contract indicating a significant role in Cleveland’s rotation.

Nance provided the Cavs with a defensive-minded forward who could wreak havoc in passing lanes with his length but found himself at a physical disadvantage against larger players at 6’7.”

Despite this, Nance was also developing on the offensive end. Already a sound decision-maker as a passer and an excellent leaper who routinely made above-the-rim highlight plays, Nance was making strides as an outside shooter (36.0 percent from 3-point range last season) and ball-handler, often playing a quasi-point-forward role with Cleveland.

He’ll now bring those skills to the Blazers, who finished 29th in defensive rating last season (116.0).

Jones will join the Bulls as a defensive-minded forward, although his shooting development is behind the latter’s (31.6 percent from 3-point range last season). The Bulls, who traded versatile veteran forward Thaddeus Young to the San Antonio Spurs this offseason and will need to a player with a similar skillset to help compensate for Nikola Vucevic and DeMar DeRozan’s defensive limitations.

To that point, Markannen’s defensive reputation isn’t stellar. That matters less so on the Cavs, who have an above-average defensive frontcourt with Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen starting, and second-year forward Lamar Stevens likely to receive minutes with the second unit as well.

However, what will make all the difference for the Cavs is Markkanen’s combination of height (7’0″), shooting ability (36.6 percent from three for his career) and guard skill, as he compliments a frontcourt lacking dependable shooting outside of Dean Wade and Kevin Love (a buyout candidate).

The post Cavs Complete Sign-and-Trade for Lauri Markkanen with Bulls, Blazers appeared first on SLAM.

Turning 33 years old next week, he also can’t stay healthy, appearing in just 103 games combined over the past three NBA seasons.

According to Jason Lloyd of The Athletic, buyout discussions haven’t occurred to this point in the offseason. Rather, Cleveland has already spoken to Kevin Love about his role and minutes moving forward, which could include coming off of the bench considering the young core the team has built out. 

Love hasn’t made an All-Star team since the 2017-18 season and is coming off of the worst year of his career. Last season, he averaged just 12.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. 

As the offseason continues, the Love situation could change, but for now it appears he will be part of the team’s plans for the 2021-22 season. 

The post Cavaliers Haven’t Yet Discussed Kevin Love Buyout appeared first on SLAM.

Allen, 23-years-old, was acquired by the Cavs in January as part of a four-team trade headlined by the Houston Rockets and All-NBA guard James Harden.

In the deal, Cleveland only had to surrender guard Dante Exum, a 2022 first-round pick (to the Rockets) and a 2024 second-round pick (to the Brooklyn Nets) while acquiring Allen and forward Taurean Prince (since traded in a package for veteran playmaker Ricky Rubio).

Last season, Allen continued to emerge as one of the league’s better shot-blockers after posting at least three blocks in 10 games and at least one block in 51 contests. By the end of his 2020-21 campaign, Allen amassed career-highs of 12.8 points and 10.0 rebounds per game (while averaging 1.0 block per game as well).

Allen’s chemistry with Cavs fan favorite Darius Garland is also likely another reason for his return, as the duo managed to establish a consistent and impressive connection in their short time together.

The post REPORT: Jarrett Allen Agrees to Five-Year, $100 Contract with Cavs appeared first on SLAM.

According to Sam Amico of Hoops Wire, the Cavaliers will try to move Kevin Love in a trade this summer. He reported that potential Love suitors include the Pelicans, 76ers, Heat, Clippers and Trail Blazers.

Last season Love had the worst year of his career, averaging 12.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game while shooting 36.5 percent from deep. 

Love will spend part of the offseason with Team USA in the Tokyo Olympics as they look to win the gold medal. 

The post Cavaliers Could Have Several Suitors For Kevin Love appeared first on SLAM.

Prince, now in his fifth season in the NBA and his first season with the Cavs, has been quite the find for a Cleveland team lacking wing depth.

After being traded to the Cavs in a three-team deal that also netted them center Jarrett Allen back in January, the Baylor product has been putting up solid numbers. Due to his jack-of-all-trades skillset, Prince has improved Cleveland’s play on both ends, averaging 10.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game while shooting .415 percent from 3-point range.

Playing in a bench role for the Cavs, Prince’s on-off plus-minus of +0.8 points per 100 possessions actually ranks fifth among the players currently in the team’s rotation. Without a doubt, Cleveland will miss his play, but fortunately his contract will last through the 2021-22 season.

The post Cavs Forward Taurean Prince Undergoes Season-Ending Ankle Surgery appeared first on SLAM.

15 of the finalists were added to the 2021 USA National Team roster on Thursday, with U.S. Men’s National Basketball Team managing director Jerry Colangelo revealing the rationale for an expanded field of finalists in an official press release:

“With the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics from 2020 to 2021, it’s important that we continue to remain flexible and consider all players who can contribute to our efforts to field the best USA team possible. These additions we are announcing today will help ensure that we are doing that.”

The 15 finalists that were added to the original list of 42 players is as follows:

Center Jarrett Allen (Cleveland Cavaliers); guard Eric Gordon (Houston Rockets); forward Jerami Grant (Detroit Pistons); forward Blake Griffin (Brooklyn Nets); guard Jrue Holiday (Milwaukee Bucks); center DeAndre Jordan (Brooklyn Nets); guard Zach LaVine (Chicago Bulls); forward Julius Randle (New York Knicks); forward Duncan Robinson (Miami Heat); center Mitchell Robinson (New York Knicks); Guard Fred VanVleet (Toronto Raptors); guard John Wall (Houston Rockets); forward Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans); center Christian Wood (Houston Rockets); and guard Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks).

Among the 57 finalists, 29 players have participated in international competition, whether it was the Olympic Games or a FIBA World Cup. This includes 11 players who were represented on the 2019 FIBA World Cup roster.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, who remains noncommittal about playing in the upcoming Olympic Games, has the most Olympic appearances in the player pool, appearing on the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympic rosters.

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul and Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant both have two Olympic appearances each.

Of the 57 players, only two have never represented the United States internationally or participated in a United States Basketball training session: Wood and Robinson.

Meanwhile, only 24 of the NBA’s 30 teams are represented in the player pool, with only the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Orlando Magic, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder not represented.

The U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball Team will be coached by San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, with Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, Villanova head coach Jay Wright and former Atlanta Hawks head coach Lloyd Pierce joining him on the bench as assistants.

The 2021 Olympic Games are scheduled to take place from Jul. 23 – Aug. 8 in Tokyo, Japan.

The post USA Basketball Men’s National Team Announces 57 Finalists for Tokyo Olympics appeared first on SLAM.

Per Dumas, the Nets are in active discussions to acquire Cleveland Cavaliers center, JaVale McGee. Dumas adds that Brooklyn also has an interest in stretch big Kevin Love, a five-time All-Star.

While the Nets have the most talented and decorated star trio in the NBA, their second unit has holes that both McGee and Love could help fill.

Perhaps ironically, McGee would be helping replace the shot-blocking and interior defense provided by Jarrett Allen, who the Cavaliers acquired in the trade that brought Harden to Brooklyn. Nets head coach Steve Nash has recently been critical of his team’s defense and it’s no coincidence that his comments have come so soon after Allen and forward Taurean Prince were shipped to Cleveland.

Love, an excellent defensive rebounder, would help Brooklyn defensively by limiting the number of possessions the opposing team has. Furthermore, as a career .370 percent shooter from deep, his biggest contribution could be as a 3-point shooter that plays off the dribble-drives of the Nets’ Big Three.

That said, Love is a more-than-capable three-level scorer who could help carry their second unit while talented guard Spencer Dinwiddie is out for the season with an ACL injury.

For the Cavs, trading McGee frees up a logjam at center that they’ve had since acquiring Allen. Love, though beloved in Cleveland, is past his prime but has a pricey contract that the Cavaliers have had difficulties moving.

The post Nets Interested In Acquiring Kevin Love, JaVale McGee appeared first on SLAM.

After being traded away from the Nets, Allen spoke to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype and other members of the media about the trade as a whole. Allen was asked if he would have made the trade if he were the Nets, and gave quite the answer:

“I would do it, I’m not going to lie. If you look at the Lakers, they did the same thing. They went and got their ring. I would’ve loved to stay in Brooklyn, but I understand that an opportunity like that, you have to do it.”

That’s unique perspective from Allen, who was able to take an unbiased look at the situation. The Los Angeles Lakers made a similar move last offseason, trading almost all of their future draft capital and a lot of their young talent to acquire Anthony Davis. It worked out for them, as their superstar talent at the top proved to be more valuable than retaining their depth. 

The Nets will be in a similar situation now, as they have a dynamic superstar cast, but lack the depth and future picks they once had. Over the next few months, they will look to build out the remainder of their roster and strive towards an NBA championship, following in the footsteps of the Lakers. 

The post Jarrett Allen On James Harden Trade: ‘I Would Do It, I’m Not Going To Lie’ appeared first on SLAM.

After a surprisingly hot start, an injury bug that left them down three starters has completely slowed their momentum. With leading scorer Collin Sexton nearing his return and freshly acquired center Jarrett Allen looking like their center of the future, the Cavs were preparing to turn the corner and re-right the ship.

There was even news that fan favorite Kevin Porter Jr.—who ran into legal issues during the offseason—was being reintegrated into team activities.

However, the excitement that was brimming in Cleveland has dampened considerably in just the last 24 hours, with multiple outlets reporting that the Cavs now plan to trade or release Porter.

According to The Athletic’s Jason Lloyd and Joe Vardon, Porter grew incensed that his locker had been moved with the end-of-the-bench players in favor of Taurean Prince (who was acquired in the trade that brought Allen to the Cavaliers).

Porter then began to throw food and confront Cavs general manager Koby Altman in a heated argument; the latter of which ultimately led to the team’s decision to trade or release him.

Per ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Porter has been told to clean out his locker and the Cavs’ players were informed that he would no longer be on the team.

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According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Nets will the Rockets four first-round picks and four pick swaps as part of the package. Shortly after, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the Pacers and Cavaliers would get involved in the transaction as well, making it a four-team trade. (Read our full coverage of the deal here.)

When it was all said and done, this blockbuster deal has four different teams around the league looking very different. We broke down the deal below.

Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets got a haul of draft picks in exchange for their superstar guard. While they were short on future draft capital entering today, they replenished their stash of picks while also acquiring an All-Star caliber player in Victor Oladipo. With that in mind, Oladipo is expiring and will require quite the payday this offseason if Houston wants to keep him long-term.

Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets went all in today as they acquired James Harden to complete their superstar trio with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. While they essentially gave up all of the future draft picks they possibly could, they instantly became the favorite in the Eastern Conference.

Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers becoming the fourth team in today’s transaction was something that nobody saw coming. With Victor Oladipo on the verge of free agency this summer as he plays out the final year of his contract, the Pacers were able to flip him to Houston to acquire Caris LeVert who is under a longer-term and very manageable contract.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers were sneaky winners in the blockbuster deal that sent Harden to the East. While they gave up an interesting piece in Dante Exum, the first-round pick they surrendered will likely be a late pick via Milwaukee. The Cavs now have a young center in Jarrett Allen who can be their guy going forward as Andre Drummond plays out the final year of his deal in Cleveland.

The post A Closer Look at the Four-Team James Harden Trade appeared first on SLAM.

The trade will also include the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports. The Cavs will acquire Jarrett Allen and Taurean Prince in the deal while LeVert and four future first-round picks are among the package heading to Houston.

Those picks will be unprotected in 2022, 2024 and 2026.

The Pacers, a late addition to the deal, will take LeVert and a second-round pick from the Rockets and send Victor Oladipo to Houston.

Overall, the Rockets will onboard Oladipo, three unprotected first-round picks from Brooklyn, four additional pick swaps with Brooklyn, Dante Exum and Rodions Kurucs.

Related: DeMarcus Cousins: ‘My interest is to play with John Wall, to be brutally honest’

The post Brooklyn Nets to Acquire James Harden in Trade appeared first on SLAM.

Although they’ve already experienced injury troubles with Spencer Dinwiddie going down for the year with a partially torn ACL, they are still deep enough to be a top team in their conference. Bruce Brown has gotten off to a slow start, but could turn into a key piece off the bench down the road.

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

Caris LeVert	15.6p, 4.6r, 6.2a
Chris Chiozza	14.0p, 1.0r, 4.0a
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot	8.8p, 1.8r, 1.0a	–
Jarrett Allen	9.6p, 12.0r, 1.2a	–
Joe Harris	13.8p, 4.0r, 1.6a
Kyrie Irving	28.3p, 3.8r, 6.0a
Jeff Green	4.4p, 1.4r, 1.0a
Landry Shamet	6.0p, 1.4r, 0.4a
DeAndre Jordan	3.6p, 8.0r, 2.0a
Rodions Kurucs	1.5p, 1.0r, 0.0a
Tyler Johnson	1.5p, 0.5r, 0.0a
Taurean Prince	5.8p, 2.2r, 0.2a
Spencer Dinwiddie	6.7p, 4.3r, 3.0a
Bruce Brown	1.0p, 1.0r, 0.5a

Team-by-Team Breakdown

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

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

Biggest Questions

• How long will it take for the team to mesh? Like we’ve seen with new superstars playing together in the past, sometimes the first season can be full of ups and downs.
• What version of Kevin Durant will we get? The injuries he is coming off of are some of the most devastating in the sport. If Durant is able to get back to the player he once was, the Nets will be a scary team.

All NBA Team Offseason Summaries

The post Brooklyn Nets: Projected 2020-21 Depth Chart appeared first on SLAM.

Even if they don’t manage to secure a trade for Houston Rockets superstar James Harden, the Nets find themselves in prime position to make a surprise run through the Eastern Conference Finals. They had one of the most quiet offseasons of any team and everyone is wary of what Durant and Kyrie Irving can do with the Nets.

Nets Roster Additions

Biggest Acquisitions

• Bruce Brown: Despite being one of the more unheralded players in the NBA, Bruce Brown has proven himself to be a well-rounded wing who can hang his hat on his defense. Brown could be one of the smartest trade acquisitions made by any team, as he’s a low-profile player with a indelible impact on both sides of the court.

• Jeff Green: Veteran big man Jeff Green is still athletic at 34-years-old and although he’s streaky from beyond the arc, can still operate as a stretch-four or stretch-five with his length and mobility. He complements Brooklyn’s more traditional big men in DeAndre Jordan and Jarrett Allen.

Nets Roster Subtractions

Biggest Losses

• Garrett Temple: A lanky veteran point guard with a high basketball IQ and solid perimeter shooting, Garrett Temple is a player that the Nets may have managed to replace during the offseason by trading for Bruce Brown. Nonetheless, Temple is the most productive player that Brooklyn lost this fall.

• Jamal Crawford: Jamal Crawford was initially signed by the Nets to be a playmaker for the second unit, what he’s always done. With Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving ready to return to the court, perhaps the Nets no longer need an additional playmaker though; especially if the Nets stagger their minutes.

All NBA Team Offseason Summaries

The post Brooklyn Nets: Offseason Summary 2020 appeared first on SLAM.

With three championships combined between KD and Kyrie, there are championship expectations but there shouldn’t be any particular pressure on them to win it in 2020-21. This is especially true in light of both stars’ recent injury history.

This offseason should be about bolstering the roster around those two and with a top-20 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Nets should be able to add a quality piece.

Related: Full Brooklyn Nets 2020 Salary Cap Preview

2020 NBA Draft Picks

Nets Draft Needs

There should be two main focuses for Brooklyn heading into the offseason: making a decision on re-signing sharpshooter Joe Harris and deciding how to improve their play at forward (outside of Durant).

Harris is a great fit in the starting lineup because of how his off-ball scoring complements both Durant and Irving’s ability to get into the teeth of the defense with the ball in their hands. However, after being paid a total of $16 million over the past two seasons, Harris may be in line for a pay raise.

The 29-year-old has been shooting an absurd .448 percent from 3-point range since 2018-19 (on 5.5 attempts per game) and he’s as professional as veterans come.

There’s quite a few prospects who excel as perimeter shooters in this year’s draft so, if Brooklyn feels the need to replace Harris, they should be able to.

At power forward, Taurean Prince could be a solid three-and-D option for the Nets. Nonetheless, they have a plethora of lower-level players — Dzanan Musa, Rodions Kurucs and Wilson Chandler — who can be replaced.

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 Brooklyn Nets: 2020 NBA Draft Preview appeared first on SLAM.

Stoudemire, 37, starred alongside Nash on the Phoenix Suns from 2002-2010, where they became one of the League’s most lethal tag teams. Stoudemire’s athleticism and Nash’s passing precision made for frequent highlight-reel plays.

A six-time All-Star and 2003 Rookie of the Year, Stoudemire will focus on player development with the Nets. Brooklyn’s roster is primarily composed of young players, including big men in Jarrett Allen and Nicolas Claxton.

Stoudemire, who played professionally in the 2019-20 season in China and Israel, spent 14 seasons in the NBA (where he played against both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant). His combination of experience and relatability will be ideal for Nash’s coaching staff.

With coaching decisions that point to a lighthearted atmosphere off the court and an uptempo style on it, the Nets could be on their way to providing the League with the excitement that Nash and Stoudemire’s Suns used to.

The post Amar’e Stoudemire Reunites With Steve Nash on Nets’ Coaching Staff 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

2020 NBA Draft Picks

Exceptions Available

• Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception – $5,718,000
• Bi-Annual Exception – $3,623,000

Key Offseason Decisions

• How much can Brooklyn afford to offer Joe Harris to retain him? Harris is a great fit for the Nets when Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving return, but Brooklyn is already over the tax. If the tax is a concern, could a team offer Harris more than the Nets will match?
• With the returns of Durant and Irving looming, does Brooklyn look to rebalance the roster by moving another high usage player like Caris LeVert or Spencer Dinwiddie?
• How do the Nets fill the hole at power forward? This is the most glaring need on the roster.

Projected Team Salary

$163,282,027

Brooklyn’s projections are pretty easy to make. The one question may be picking up Garrett Temple’s team option. He’s worth at least $5M as a veteran combo-guard, so it’s likely he’ll be back. Beyond that, the Nets will retain rights for their free agents, as they all have some value to the team. (@KeithSmithNBA)

Cap Space Forecast

-$54,142,027 (26^th out of 30). $892,918 over the Luxury Tax.

Team Salary Cap Outlooks

The post Brooklyn Nets: Salary Cap Space 2020 appeared first on SLAM.

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

Nets NBA 2K21 Ratings

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

The post Brooklyn Nets: NBA 2K21 Ratings appeared first on SLAM.

Such an opportunity came during Irving’s absence in the first chunk of the 2019-20 campaign. In five March games before the shutdown, LeVert had averaged 27, 6 and 6 and while that may be buffed by a 51-points March 3 outing, we may see similarly impressive command of the squad in Orlando.

Don’t sleep on guard Chris Chiozza either, the point guard saw his workload double in March and averaged 10 points per game during that period (up from 2.1 previously). Now with Spencer Dinwiddie sidelined, too, he’ll get even more of an opportunity to show what he’s made of.

Jarrett Allen saw a reduced role in March (21.2 minutes per game, down from 26.1) but with so many absences in Brooklyn’s frontcourt, it’s hard to imagine his opportunities won’t ramp back up again.

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.

Brooklyn Nets Heat Check

Caris LeVert
Chris Chiozza
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot
Jeremiah Martin
Joe Harris	–
DeAndre Jordan	–
Rodions Kurucs
Spencer Dinwiddie
Garrett Temple
Theo Pinson
Wilson Chandler
Taurean Prince
Jarrett Allen

Team-by-Team Breakdown

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

Hall signed back-to-back 10-day deals with the Detroit Pistons this spring but the team didn’t move to re-sign him when the transaction window opened in late June. The rookie big man out of Alabama thus became an unrestricted free agent.

Hall played sparingly during his four games with the Pistons but was a mainstay for their G League team ever since he was cut from the big league club in training camp. For the Grand Rapids Drive, Hall averaged 15.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.

Hall will share an undersized frontcourt with Brooklyn’s Jarrett Allen. The next biggest players on the squad are Michael Beasley and Rodions Kurucs.

The post Nets Sign Donta Hall as Substitute Player appeared first on SLAM.

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

Players Unlikely To Be Traded

• Karl-Anthony Towns
• Jarrett Culver

This is a team that could look drastically different at the beginning of the 2020-21 season; it’s just a matter of whether Minnesota makes moves prior to the deadline or this summer. The franchise had hopes of making the postseason, though it would be a wild upset if that happens now after a half-season of injuries and disappointment. Despite all the Karl-Anthony Towns trade speculation, the team isn’t moving its franchise cornerstone over the next week. It would be nearly as surprising if the Wolves deal Jarrett Culver, who was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 draft.

Biggest Name Available On Market

• Robert Covington

The Wolves are shopping Covington and several teams are interested. The Sixers have eyes for their former wing and the Mavs have been linked to him. He’s on a team-friendly contract that will pay him $11.3M this season, $12.1M next, and $13.0M in 2021-22. Contenders with higher payrolls would love to have someone who can contribute at this price tag.

Logical Trade Pieces

• Andrew Wiggins

Andrew Wiggins hasn’t lived up to the expectations of being the No. 1 pick back in 2014. However, he’s having a bit of a resurgence this season, scoring 22.9 points while sporting a career-high 16.9 player efficiency rating. He’s making $27.5M this season and he’s owed over $94M in the ensuing three years. That deal has never looked as attractive as it does this season. 

Trades Are Possible

• Allen Crabbe
• Gorgui Dieng
• Jake Layman
• Josh Okogie
• Noah Vonleh
• Shabazz Napier
• Jordan Bell
• Keita Bates-Diop
• Jaylen Nowell
• Naz Reid

Allen Crabbe recently came over in the Jeff Teague trade. While it’s unlikely that the team deals him, if the Wolves do, they’ll face restrictions: Crabbe can’t be combined with other players on the team in a deal. Gorgui Dieng is available. He’s got one more year on his contract after this season. Jake Laymen signed with the team over the summer. He has appeared in just 14 games for the club. Josh Okogie has seen action in 46 games for Minnesota. He’s under team control through the 2021-22 campaign. Noah Vonleh joined the team during the offseason on a one year, $2.0M deal. He’s sporting a career-high 15.6 player efficiency rating. Shabazz Napier joined Minnesota via a trade with the Warriors (he was dealt to Golden State in the Kevin Durant sign-and-trade over the summer). Jordan Bell inked a one-year deal with the Wolves back in July and he hasn’t really had too much of an impact for the team other than having his shirt untucked during a December game which cost them the win. Keita Bates-Diop has appeared in 35 games for Minnesota. His contract for next season is non-guaranteed. Jaylen Nowell has seen action in just seven games for the club. The 2019 No. 43 overall pick spent much of his rookie season in the G League. Undrafted rookie Naz Reid has received some opportunity for the club, though he has some work to do on his game. The center is making just 39.6% of 91 attempts from the field.

The post 2020 NBA Trade Deadline Primer: Minnesota Timberwolves appeared first on SLAM.

Rudy Gobert once again came up huge on the defensive end as the Jazz won their 19th game in their last 21 contests.

Gobert finished with 22 points, 17 boards and 5 blocks. Donovan Mitchell added a game-high 25 points.

Nets 121 (19-25), Pistons 111 (17-30) (OT)

Kyrie Irving and the Nets caught fire in overtime to snap a five-game losing streak.

Irving dropped a game-high 45 points with 7 dimes and 6 boards. Jarrett Allen added 20 points with 15 boards and 4 blocks.

Bulls 118 (18-30), Cavs 106 (12-34)

Chicago went on a furious tear to end the third quarter, outscoring the Cavs by 21 points in the period.

Zach LaVine dropped a game-high 44 points with 10 boards and 8 dimes.

Cleveland has now lost 7 straight games.

Thunder 113 (28-19), Timberwolves 104 (15-31)

Chris Paul sank a clutch floater to give the Thunder a 7-point lead with 47 seconds remaining as OKC won their fifth straight game.

CP3 dropped 25 points with 10 dimes. Dennis Schroder added a team-high 26 points.

Minnesota has lost 9 games in a row.

Lakers 91 (36-10), Sixers 108 (30-17)

The Sixers—without Joel Embiid and Josh Richardson—dominated the Lakers on the night that LeBron James passed Kobe Bryant for third on the all-time scoring list.

Ben Simmons led the way for Philly, dropping 28 points with 10 boards, 8 dimes and 4 steals. Tobias Harris added a team-high 29 points.

The post Post Up: Sixers Thwart Lakers as LeBron Moves Up All-Time Scoring List appeared first on SLAM.

Both Teague and Crabbe are on expiring contracts this season, as is Treveon Graham who is also Atlanta-bound alongside Teague.

The move sends Teague back to the franchise that he broke into the league with. Teague played for the Hawks from 2009 to 2016. More importantly for Atlanta, it gives new starting point guard Trae Young an experienced backup at the point guard position.

Given that they only had 14 players on standard deals prior to the trade, Atlanta need not cut anybody to accommodate the extra body. Naturally the two-for-one swap opens a roster spot for the Timberwolves.

The addition of Crabbe will give the floundering Wolves a fresh face as they try to rally after an underwhelming first half of the 2019-20 campaign. The 27-year-old will add length and three-point shooting to the roster.

By unloading Teague, the Wolves free up additional opportunities for Jarrett Culver and Shabazz Napier at the point.

In addition to the familiar face in Teague, who the organization could theoretically turn around and flip before Feb. 6, the Hawks will get the opportunity to size up 26-year-old wing Graham.

Graham has found his way into the rotation of the Wolves, Brooklyn Nets and Charlotte Hornets over the past three seasons.

Related: Hawks, Pistons end Andre Drummond discussions

The post Hawks Acquire Jeff Teague In Trade With Wolves appeared first on SLAM.

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

Players Unlikely To Be Traded

• Kevin Durant
• Kyrie Irving
• DeAndre Jordan
• Taurean Prince
• Caris LeVert

Brooklyn didn’t sign Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving this summer just to deal them away before the duo has a chance to play together on the court. Durant, who is recovering from a torn Achilles, seems unlikely to return this season. Irving, who has only appeared in 11 games during his first season in Prospect Heights, is dealing with a serious shoulder injury and as of this writing, there’s no timetable for him to return. DeAndre Jordan’s relationship with Durant played a role in him signing with the franchise, which from the outside, makes a trade for him hard to envision.

The Nets could certainly trade Caris LeVert and Taurean Prince, though doing so will be difficult. Each player signed a contract extension this fall, which will likely extend their stay in Brooklyn. Should the team trade either player, they’d be subjected to the Poison Pill Provision, which makes salary matching a chore.

Biggest Name Available On Market

• Joe Harris

It’s hard to find a major move for the Nets to make given that they are in a state of limbo with their star players. 

Joe Harris is making just $7.7M this season in the last year of his contract and if the team feels like he will be too pricey (he’s expected to garner a significant raise on that figure), perhaps the team deals him away for future assets. General manager Sean Marks and company haven’t given any indication that Harris is on the block, though if he’s available, there would be no shortage of suitors for the career .427 three-point marksman.

Logical Trade Pieces

• Garrett Temple

Again, this team is in the midst of a wacky season where the franchise’s short-term intentions aren’t exactly clear. If the Nets decide bringing Irving back is too risky regardless of the progress he makes with his shoulder woes, then selling a veteran like Garrett Temple could make sense.  

Trades Are Possible

• Spencer Dinwiddie
• Jarrett Allen
• Dzanan Musa
• Rodions Kurucs
• Wilson Chandler
• Theo Pinson
• Nicolas Claxton

Where would the Nets be without Spencer Dinwiddie? The potential first-time All-Star has kept the team in the playoff picture and it’s hard to envision the franchise trading away the combo guard. However, it’s worth noting that Atlanta will get Brooklyn’s 2020 first-round pick if the team makes the postseason, so the Nets would have an incentive to “focus on player development,” especially if Irving never returns. Jarrett Allen will be eligible for a rookie-scale extension this summer. His playing time has increased slightly this season despite the presence of Jordan on the roster. Second-year wing Dzanan Musa, who was the No. 29 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, has seen spotty playing time for the Nets lately, which coincides with the return of Wilson Chandler. Chandler is on the veteran’s minimum. Rodions Kurucs appears to have made his way into Kenny Atkinson’s rotation. He has two seasons left on his deal after this one, including a team option in 2021-22. Theo Pinson has the right to veto any trade by virtue of re-signing with the club on a one-year deal with an option. 2019 No. 31 overall pick Nicolas Claxton is the only rookie on the team. He hasn’t played since November.

The post 2020 NBA Trade Deadline Primer: Brooklyn Nets appeared first on SLAM.

Malcolm Brogdon finished a tough, go-ahead layup with 36 seconds left to lift the Pacers over the Lakers, snapping LA’s 14-game road winning streak. The Lakers streak will finish as tied for the third longest in NBA history, 2 shy of the all-time record. For the Pacers, Domantas Sabonis recorded his 13th straight double-double, finishing with 26 points and 10 rebounds. Dwight Howard led the Lakers, dropping 20 points on 10-10 from the field. LeBron added 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists in the loss.

Hornets 110 (13-17), Kings 102 (12-15)

The Hornets outscored the Kings 30-23 in the fourth quarter to secure the win in Charlotte. Malik Monk led the way with 23 points and 10 rebounds on 9-12 shooting for the Hornets. De’Aaron Fox returned after missing 17 games with an ankle injury, dropping a team-high 19 points in the loss.

Knicks 143 (7-21), Hawks 120 (6-22)

The Knicks’ 143 points is the most the franchise has scored in regulation in 39 years. New York was led by RJ Barrett, who dropped a career-high 27 points on 10-13 shooting. Mitchell Robinson also finished with a career-high of 22 points (9-13 shooting) to go along with 13 rebounds and 2 blocks. The Knicks’ youth movement is showing out under interim coach Mike Miller, who is now 3-3 since taking over for David Fizdale. Even in the loss, Trae Young went off for 42 points and 7 made threes. Vince Carter added 15 off the bench in his final game in MSG.

Nets 108 (15-12), Pelicans 101 (6-22)

The Nets outscored the Pelicans 15-8 in overtime to pick up the win on the road. Spencer Dinwiddie led the way, finishing with a game-high 31 points. Joe Harris added 24 points, and Jarrett Allen finished with 12 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 blocks for Brooklyn. New Orleans was led by Brandon Ingram, who finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.

Jazz 109 (16-11), Magic 102 (12-15)

The Jazz held off a late surge from Orlando to secure the win at home. Donovan Mitchell and Bojan Bogdanovic each dropped 30 points in the win, the first time since 2008 that two Jazz players finished with 30+ points in the same game. Rudy Gobert added 12 points and 19 rebounds in the win. For the Magic, D.J. Augustin scored 14 of his team-high 22 points in the fourth quarter.

Clippers 120 (21-8), Suns 99 (11-16)

Kawhi Leonard (20), Lou Will (24), and Paul George (20) all dropped 20+ points as the Clippers dominated the Suns in LA. For Phoenix, Deandre Ayton returned from his 25-game suspension and led the team with 18 points and 12 boards. Kelly Oubre added 19 points on 8-14 shooting in the loss.

The post Post Up: Pacers Snap Lakers’ Road Win Streak appeared first on SLAM.

Spencer Dinwiddie finished a tough, go-ahead layup with 26 seconds left to lift the Nets to their 3rd win in a row and 8th in their last 10. Dinwiddie dropped a team-high 24 points and added 8 assists, and Jarrett Allen finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds in the win. Nikola Jokic stuffed the stat sheet with 24 points, 11 boards, and 6 assists, and Jamal Murray added 21 for Denver.

Hawks 122 (6-17), Hornets 107 (9-16)

The Hawks outscored the Hornets 34-24 in the fourth quarter to secure the win in Charlotte. Trae Young did his thing, dropping a game-high 30 points and adding 9 dimes. The Hornets were led by PJ Washington and Miles Bridges, who both finished with 20 points in the loss.

Clippers 135 (17-7), Wizards 119 (7-15)

The Clippers’ superstars were dominant as LA cruised to a win in Washington. Kawhi finished with 34 points, 11 boards, and 5 assists on 12-18 shooting, and PG dropped 27, 6, and 6. Montrezl Harrell added 20 points off the bench. For the Wizards, Davis Bertans hit 6 threes and finished with 25 points in the loss.

76ers 110 (17-7), Raptors 104 (15-7)

Philly came away with a big win in a battle between two of the top teams in the East. Tobias Harris led the way with 26 points, and Ben Simmons added 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists. Kyle Lowry dropped 26 on 7-14 shooting for Toronto.

Heat 110 (17-6), Bulls 105 (8-16)

It was the Tyler Herro show in Miami.

The rookie hit big shot after big shot in the Heat’s thrilling overtime win over the Bulls. Herro finished with 27 points, including 16 of the team’s last 18 and 11 of 13 in overtime. It’s safe to say that this young bucket getter has officially arrived.

Jimmy Butler added 23 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists in the win. The Bulls were led by Lauri Markkanen, who dropped 22 points in the loss.

Kings 110 (9-13), Mavericks 106 (16-7)

The Kings went up big early and held off the Dallas comeback to secure a big road victory. Nemanja Bjelica led Sacramento with 30 points on 13-18 shooting, and Buddy Hield added 26 points on 10-15 shooting. For Dallas, Tim Hardaway Jr. dropped a team-high 29 in the loss. Luka Doncic (27p, 7r, 8a) extended his streak of consecutive games with 20+ points, 5+ rebounds, and 5+ assists to 19, passing Michael Jordan for the most since the ABA-NBA merger in 1976. The 20 year old has been unstoppable all year and is showing no signs of slowing down.

Thunder 108 (10-12), Blazers 96 (9-15)

OKC outscored Portland 26-18 in the fourth quarter to grab their 10th win of the season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 14 of his team-high 21 points in the 4th quarter for the Thunder. For the Blazers, Damian Lillard finished with 26 points and 7 assists, and CJ McCollum added 20 in the loss.

Lakers 142 (21-3), Timberwolves 125 (10-12)

There’s something special brewing in LA, and it all starts with the dominant duo of Anthony Davis and LeBron James.

AD went OFF for a season-high 50 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists on 20-29 shooting, his first 50-piece as a member of the Lakers. The King added 32 points and 13 assists on 12-20 shooting in the win. The LakeShow secured their NBA-best 21st win of the season and have won 9 of their last 10.

Are the Lakers the early favorites to win it all? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

The post Post Up: AD Drops 50 to Lead Lakers to Win Over Wolves. appeared first on SLAM.

After a sluggish start to the season, the Magic have found their grove, winning four of their last five contests and getting to a .500 record. Starting point guard Markelle Fultz may have had a substandard stat line, but it’s clear he is becoming more comfortable with his game. On one early play, he spun between two defenders and spoon-fed Aaron Gordon an easy layup.

The Cavs’ season has been the opposite of the Magic. They started off playing inspired ball, but have since tailed off, losing 11 of their last 12 games amid reports of discontent with coach John Beilein’s tendency to treat his team like a college program, according to Shams Charania and Joe Vardon of the Athletic.

Pistons 108 (9-14), Pacers 101 (14-8)

Andre Drummond had a monster double-double with 25 points and 22 rebounds, while Blake Griffin, who has become one of the most well-rounded players in the league, chipped in 25 points, 5 assists and 2 steals.

The Pacers are a tough, disciplined team, and no wins come easy against them. TJ Warren led Indiana in scoring with 26 points, but only contributed 1 assist and 1 rebound. Malcolm Brogdon had a solid outing with 21 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds.

Nets 111 (12-10), Hornets 104 (9-15)

The Nets have done an excellent job withstanding Kyrie Irving’s lingering shoulder injury. It was another balanced effort, with Joe Harris (22 points, 5 assists, 6 three-pointers) leading the way and Jarrett Allen, Spencer Dinwiddie, DeAndre Jordan, Taurean Prince and David Nwaba hitting double-digits.

There were some bright spots for the Hornets amid defeat. Devonte’ Graham (who is making a strong case for Most Improved Player) dropped 29 points and eight assists, while backcourt mate Terry Rozier added 24 points of his own, as well as this slick step-back jumper:

Heat 112 (16-6), Wizards 103 (7-14)

Jimmy Butler tripled-doubled (28-11-11) and Bam Adebayo double-doubled (24-13) as the Heat breezed by the Wizards without Goran Dragic and Justise Winslow.

For the Wiz, Bradley Beal put up 23 points and 8 assists, but also 6 turnovers. Second-year big man Mo Wagner was solid, with 19 points and 10 boards.

Warriors 100 (5-19), Bulls 98 (8-15)

The Warriors broke a mini four game skid to take down the struggling Bulls. Well, truth be told, both these squads have been struggling, but there is hope. The Warriors found a late-round gem in Eric Paschall, while the Bulls have a promising young core that simply has not jelled yet. Zach LaVine is prone for a scoring explosion at any second. Also, Coby White is electric.

Celtics 108 (16-5), Nuggets 95 (14-6)

After a bumpy season for both of them last year, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have morphed into complete wings capable of winning games by themselves. Tonight was yet another test the two passed with aplomb. Tatum dropped 26 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, as well as some advanced step-back three-pointers, while Brown added 21 points and 7 rebounds of his own and a monster jam in transition.

Thunder 139 (8-12), Timberwolves 127 (10-10)

If it seems as if every Thunder-Wolves game is a banger, that’s because they are. From Andrew Wiggins half-court buzzer beaters to what feels like dozens of nail-biters, this latest edition did not disappoint. There was a plethora of gaudy stateliness (30 points for KAT, 32 for Jeff Teague, 30 for CP3, 29 for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and 22 for Steven Adams), quirky calls (Jordan Bell getting called for a delay of game because Chris Paul told the refs he did not have his jersey tucked in) and an electric finish.

Trailing by 2 points in regulation with one second to go from under their own basket, Steven Adams heaved a beautiful touchdown pass to Dennis Schroder, who floated in a graceful shot. The Thunder proceeded to dominate in OT, and you have to think that completion pass gave them a jolt of momentum.

Bucks 119 (20-3), Clippers 91 (16-7)

Well that was surprising.

In what was supposed to be the marquee matchup of the night and a feasible Finals matchup, the Bucks trounced the visiting Clippers.

On his 25th birthday, Giannis Antetokounmpo had 27 points, 11 rebounds and one poster dunk in only 26 minutes, while the rest of the Bucks shot efficiently and held the Clips to a measly 35% from the field. Kawhi led the Clippers with 17 points, but he was inefficient (5-14 FG) and sloppy with 5 turnovers. The takeaway here is it’s probably a blip in the road, but it’s nonetheless an impressive win by a Bucks team now on pace for 70 wins.

Spurs 105 (9-14), Kings 104 (8-13)

The Spurs are having a small resurgence after going on a brutal losing streak, as they’ve quietly won three of their last four games. Thanks to a clutch Marco Belinelli three-pointer to force overtime, the Spurs eked out the one-point victory. The Kings had plenty of opportunities to score on the final possession (four of them, to be exact), but just couldn’t cash in.

Lakers 136 (20-3), Blazers 113 (9-14)

Before we get into the results, let’s send some prayers up for Rodney Hood, who suffered a torn achilles and is out for the year. He was in the midst of an awesome campaign, and was shooting a blistering 49% from beyond the arc, the fourth best rate in the entire league. Come back better than ever, Rodney.

LeBron and AD had another amazing day at the office, with AD pouring in 39 points and 9 rebounds to complement LeBron’s 31-7-8 line. Damian Lillard mustered 29 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists, but it wasn’t nearly enough to dethrone the Lakers.

The post Post Up: Bucks Blow out Clippers on the Greek Freak’s Birthday appeared first on SLAM.

After succumbing to a pre-Thanksgiving loss to the Celtics, the Nets roared back in their second consecutive game against Boston. Guard Spencer Dinwiddie was fantastic in Kyrie Irving’s absence, scoring 32 points, dishing out 11 assists and swiping 2 steals. Third year center Jarrett Allen continued his solid play of late, scoring 14 points and grabbing 11 boards on 7-12 shooting.

The Celtics have played excellent ball recently, despite losing Gordon Hayward to a hand injury. Jayson Tatum has bounced back from his sophomore slump to take over the scoring reigns this year, and he scored 26 points, corralled 9 rebounds and collected 4 steals in the first game of Black Friday.

Raptors 90 (14-4), Magic 80 (7-11)

The Raptors just keep on winning. Amid a slew of free agent departures and injuries to Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka, Toronto has kept on chugging. They can even sustain an off-night from Pascal Siakam thanks to Norm Powell exploding for 33 points and Fred VanVleet putting up 22 and 7 steals.

The Magic shot 34% from the field, and that’s really the only stat you need to know to get an idea of how their night went.

Hornets 110 (8-12), Pistons 107 (6-13)

PJ Washington has continued his impressive rookie campaign, scoring 26 points and grabbing 4 steals on an efficient 9-12 shooting performance.

It’s been an uninspiring start to the season for Detroit, but at least Derrick Rose has proven to be a spark plug off the bench. He dropped 23 points on 8-12 shooting, and also provided us this adorable moment with his son, PJ, before the game.

Bucks 119 (16-3), Cavaliers 110 (5-14)

Giannis set the tone instantly with a dunk on the first play of the game, as the Bucks won their 10th straight game to finish off the Cavaliers. The Greek Freak remains a beast, and it’s incredible that he makes 33 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks seem ordinary.

Even in defeat, the Cavs have been competent. Rookie Darius Garland showed out with 21 points, 6 assists and 5 three-pointers. Keep an eye on the rook, because he’s going to be a stud in this league for a long time.

76ers 101 (13-6), Knicks 95 (4-15)

The 76ers had a sluggish start, as they were outscored 18-31 in the first quarter, but they eventually got their act together to take care of business. Joel Embiid was fantastic, scoring 27 points (albeit on a subpar 7-19 shooting), corralling 17 boards and swatting 3 shots, while Ben Simmons brought the 76ers home with a late-game inbounds steal and score.

He also converted this acrobatic layup on the move.

Jazz 103 (12-7), Grizzlies 94 (5-13)

In perhaps the most visually appealing game this season (seriously, each team absolutely nailed their throwback jerseys), the Jazz were too much to handle for the young Grizz. Bojan Bogdanovic put up 33 points, Rudy Gobert chipped in a solid double-double and Donovan Mitchell added 20 points of his own.

Thunder 109 (7-11), Pelicans 104 (6-13)

The Thunder came back by outscoring the Pelicans 30-20 in the 4th quarter. Dennis Schroder led the way off the bench with 25 points and 7 assists, while Steven Adams finished them off with a thunderous (pun intended) slam dunk down the stretch.

The Pelicans are swill biding time before the Zion Williamson’s highly anticipated debut, but in the meantime, Brandon Ingram seems content to keep on cooking. He had the smoothest transition from spin move to dunk:

Heat 122 (13-5), Warriors 105 (4-16)

It’s so weird to see the record 4-16 next to the Warriors, but that’s what happens when Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston are absent.

The Heat have been one of the best stories of the young season, riding a new wave of their young talent (Tyler Herro, Kendrick Nunn, Bam Adebayo and Justise Winslow) to supplement their veteran core of Jimmy Butler, Goran Dragic and Kelly Olynyk. the team shot a blistering 52% from deep. Also, they never miss on the gorgeous Miami Vice city edition jerseys.

Spurs 107 (7-13), Clippers 97 (14-6)

The Spurs broke out of their surprising downward spiral by giving the Clippers their first loss when Kawhi Leonard and Paul George both shared the court together.

For the Spurs, LaMarcus Aldridge had one of his most complete games of the season, going for 17 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 blocks.

Pacers 105 (12-6), Hawks 104 (4-15)

Despite a monstrous Trae Young performance (49 points on 16-28 shooting with 8 three-pointers and 9-9 from the line), the relentless Pacers pulled away in overtime. No other starter on the Hawks scored more than 7 points.

With Malcolm Brogdon back in the fold, Indiana has been rock solid this season. Every starter scored between 16 and 20 points; the epitome of a group effort.

Mavericks 120 (12-6), Suns 113 (8-10)

Luka Doncic went scorched earth all over the poor Suns. The Slovenian sensation dropped 42 points, 9 rebounds and 11 assists in a convincing victory against the Suns. Tim Hardaway Jr also chipped in 26 points.

The Suns have slowed down a tad after an impressive start to the season, but a core four of Devin Booker, Aron Baynes, Kelly Oubre and Ricky Rubio has outscored opponents by 8 points per 100 possessions all season, and center DeAndre Ayton is set to return soon. The future is bright in Phoenix.

Blazers 107 (8-12), Bulls 103 (6-14)

Melo is looking like his old self, and every moment is beautiful to watch. He scored 23 points and grabbed 11 boards, while teammate Hassan Whiteside swallowed a Blazers franchise record 10 blocks to go along with 15 rebounds. Maybe he grew dissatisfied with his NBA 2K rating again.

For the Bulls, Zach LaVine led the way with 28 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, and so far, zero public disputes with Jim Boylen today.

Lakers 125 (17-2), Wizards 103 (6-11)

Well, that was certainly a blowout. The Lakers have been on fire this season and they showed no signs of letting up Friday at Staples. LeBron James and Anthony Davis led the way per usual, with commendable contributions from Rajon Rondo (who threw two beautiful alley-oops), JaVale McGee and Danny Green.

The post Post Up: Trae Young Drops 49 Points, But Hawks Succumb to Pacers in OT appeared first on SLAM.

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

Brooklyn Nets NBA 2K20 Ratings

This table is updated as of Nov. 22, 2019

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

More NBA 2K20 Ratings

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

Brooklyn Nets

Jaylen Hands signed a contract with Brooklyn’s G League affiliate; the Long Island Nets.

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

More NBA Training Camp Rosters

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COP THE LOU WILLIAMS COVER TEE

Lou Williams is somehow both underappreciated and respected. He’s arrogant and humble. He’s young and old. He’s super laid-back and he’s an assassin.

He lives in a quiet town and throws parties so big they inspire hit rap songs. He makes his own music and doesn’t care to promote it much.

He never starts and is always one of the best basketball players in a game. He won’t go unnoticed and he won’t say a word. He does things his way and is the ultimate teammate. He keeps to himself and he’s cool with every celebrity you know.

He hasn’t been an All-Star and he regularly puts up All-Star numbers. He writes his name in record books and could not give a shit about his legacy.  

The story of Lou Will can be broken down into what seem like a million contradictions, but they’re not. They all make perfect sense for the Underground GOAT. 

It’s a beautiful Thursday in mid-June and Lou Williams is kicking it at LouWillVille, his now-fabled home in suburban Atlanta. Wearing black sweatpants and Uggs that aren’t fully slipped on, he crashes on the living room couch. A nearby trophy case displays two Sixth Man of the Year awards—from 2015 and 2018—and a ledge for a third has already been put in place, even though a formal announcement of the 2019 winner has yet to come.

Jerseys hung up in the basement trace Lou’s journey from a kid dreaming of the NBA to the No. 1 bench scorer in league history. Trying to explain that path and all that it’s encompassed isn’t easy. The truth is, it’s had a little bit of everything. Five different cities, an idol turned big brother, an acceptance and mastery of a unique role, a 3 a.m. trade call in China, an absurd amount of buckets. It’s featured a wide array of characters: Jermaine Dupri, Bow Wow, Allen Iverson, Meek Mill, Drake, Doc Rivers. It’s had ups and downs and strange twists, but the action continues to rise.

Its protagonist is only 32 years old and has enough tales to fill several books.

He once hosted a party so epic that it inspired Meek Mill, one of his best friends, to write the well-known song “House Party.” It went on to be certified gold and the music video was filmed back at LouWillVille.

Lou raps himself and has collaborated on projects with Meek, 2 Chainz, Jadakiss and numerous others. He started his own label—Winners United—that has three artists currently signed to it.

As a teenager, he was introduced to Jermaine Dupri and Bow Wow at a Jay-Z concert and would keep in touch with them on AOL Instant Messenger. They all remain tight to this day.

He joined an unknown, unsponsored AAU club called the Suwanee Players and made them so good that they were eventually absorbed by a premier program—the Georgia Stars.

At South Gwinnett High School, he scored 40 or more points in nine straight games.

He spent a lot of time in the studio with Drake as the album If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late was being recorded. One of the tracks, “6 Man,” opens with a shout out to him.

He led the Clippers back from a 31-point second-half deficit against the Warriors during the first round of the 2019 playoffs, dropping 17 of his 36 in the third quarter alone.

A gunman attempted to rob him on Christmas Eve in 2011, but Lou talked the guy out of it. The two took a trip to McDonald’s instead, where they chopped it up about life.

Who is this figure who’s transcended basketball, who has earned the respect of seemingly everyone he’s come across? Who is Lou Will?

“I’m super laid-back,” Williams tells SLAM. “I mind my business. I stay in my own zone. And I do my own thing.”

“Lou is just cool,” explains Andrea Hamilton, his manager. “He has that vibe, that aura. When people are around him, they gravitate toward him. They like his energy. He’s not one of those people walking around flashy. He’s the everyday guy who can go anywhere, talk to anyone, be in rooms with whoever.”

“You know man, he’s just a regular dude,” says Jarrett Jack, who’s been close to Lou for the past 15 years. “One thing that I love about him—he seems like that regular dude that’s just from the neighborhood. Through and through, he’s still a ‘Let me get a 10-piece wings’ guy.”

“He’s your favorite player’s favorite player,” adds Mike Scott, a friend of Lou’s since they were first teammates on the Hawks. “Lou is like an uncle. He’s just cool with everybody and everybody respects him. He’s like an old soul, man. He looks young, but Lou is really, like, 60.” 

“He’s Uncle Lou,” says Jordan Clarkson, who played with Williams on the Lakers. “He’s on his own wave, he’s on his own vibe. He’s going to do what he wants to do. I think that’s why people look at him and respect him for who he is.”

“He’s very humble, first and foremost,” describes his longtime trainer Chuck Ellis. “He’s a very loyal person. If you’re in his inner circle, if you’re his family, he’ll do anything he can for you. And he has a big heart—I’ve never seen him tell one fan no about taking a picture or signing an autograph or anything like that.”

As the legend of Lou has grown, the man himself has never switched up. He’s the type of guy who loves to debate, mainly because his core values and beliefs cannot be shaken. He’s stubborn about his ways and constantly tries to impart wisdom. He even has his own little proverbs.

“He’s always got something to tell you or some insight to give you,” Clarkson says. “He for sure got go-to quotes.”

Do you think anyone’s gonna care about this in 15 years? is a popular one.

Over the course of his career, Lou has often deserved a bigger spotlight. He has more than 13,000 total points and has been a major contributor to multiple organizations. This past season, he averaged 20.0 points and 5.4 assists in merely 26.6 minutes.

But Williams doesn’t seek the public eye. He’s barely promoted any of his music and you won’t see him doing many interviews or photo shoots. 

“He has always never really cared to get any recognition,” says Hamilton. “Even with us, he doesn’t want to do press, he doesn’t want to do media, he doesn’t want to do anything. I have to force him. I always tell him, ‘You owe me 10 things a year with no pushback. Just give me my 10.’”

Others who’ve come to appreciate his game have made a point of speaking up for him. They understand how great he is and sense that outsiders don’t.

“You can’t just say, ‘I’m gonna stop Lou Williams tonight,’” Kevin Durant told reporters during Golden State’s playoff series against L.A.

“He’s straight buckets,” says Scott. “He’s a professional scorer. You know, he’s not the strongest, he’s not the fastest. But I mean, I can’t explain it.”

No one can, really.

Everyone knows what Lou’s going to do and yet he can’t be stopped. He likes to go left and has certain spots on the floor that he navigates toward. The pace is slow, methodical and intentional. He’s a killer out of the pick-and-roll and has a slight fade to his shot that creates just enough separation. As he dismantles a defense possession after possession, his expression doesn’t waver.

“I’m an assassin,” Williams states. “I’m one of those people that—I’m not really talked about, but everybody knows that I’m there. No matter how many All-Stars are on the floor, I’m going to be one of those guys that’s gonna be talked about as well. There’s a lot of guys that you have to deal with on the frontline, but you know that somewhere, there’s somebody [else] that you got to look out for. I’m that person.”

People with his skill don’t usually come off the bench. As an All-American in high school, Lou opted to bypass college and was the 45th pick in the 2005 NBA Draft by the 76ers. He got the chance to learn under his childhood hero in Allen Iverson, but barely saw the floor. Iverson was soon traded to Denver and Lou’s role gradually increased. He started nearly half the games for Philly during the 2009-10 campaign, before AI—now more like family to Lou—returned to finish his career there.

From then on, Williams has embraced being a reserve.

“My position was kind of weird because I’m coming off the bench, but I’m doing everything career-wise that you would expect from All-Star guys,” says Lou, who passed Dell Curry for the most bench points ever back in March. “So why not embrace it? It’s a different lane. There’s rarely guys that do that. It’s a small group of guys when you mention great six mans.”

His role has been pretty consistent even as he’s changed teams. He signed with his hometown Hawks in 2012, won his first Sixth Man award with the Raptors in 2015, was with the Lakers during Kobe’s 2015-16 farewell tour and spent less than half a season with the Rockets before being hastily dealt to the Clippers in June of 2017.

Within a five-month span, Williams found himself on his third franchise. He’s not one to lack confidence, but questions started to flood his mind. He was visiting China when the trade to the Clippers happened and remembers getting a call around 3 a.m. from his agent. Upon hearing the news, he “cried like a baby.”

“Being on three teams in six months was an eye-opener for me,” Williams says. “Like, maybe I value myself more than other teams value me or the League values me. So I had to look in the mirror like, This is Year 12, you’ve had a pretty good run, you’ve had a pretty good career, are you coming to the end of the road?”

In an ongoing group chat with his teammates from Toronto (DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry, Chuck Hayes and Amir Johnson), Williams disclosed that he would play one more year—the last on his contract—and then retire.

“Just to be frank, I told those guys, ‘This year in L.A., I’m going to go out with a clear mind and go do what the fuck I want to do and I’m gonna go home,’” he recalls with a smile. “That was my mindset. I was planning my own farewell tour without telling anybody.”

He went to L.A. to do the press conference but really didn’t want to be there (“You can look at my face—I’m holding the jersey like, let’s get this over with”). He planned to leave immediately and was en route to the airport when his phone rang. It was Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, insisting that they meet right away.

The message Doc had for Williams was simple and clear: I don’t know what those other front offices were thinking, but you can get comfortable here. This is going to be home. It was exactly what Lou, who signed a three-year extension in February of 2018, needed to hear.

He’s enjoyed the top two seasons of his career with the Clippers, claiming back-to-back Sixth Man of the Year trophies. Despite not having an All-Star on their roster—although many would argue Lou’s been more than deserving—the team has thrived, primarily because they all get along and love going to battle together. Now they’ll add Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to the mix and instantly become serious title contenders, if not the favorite.

Though he’ll be turning 33 in October, Williams feels like he’s right in his prime. He recently came across a list of “The Top 10 Old Guys in the NBA” and was startled to see his name at No. 2, just after LeBron James.  

“I was like, Damn, I’m considered one of the old guys.”

—

Ask those close to him for their most legendary Lou Williams story and you get a wide range of responses.

“Most legendary Lou Will story? I don’t know—the off-the-court ones might not be the ones that could go in [the story],” jokes Jarrett Jack.

There was the time he took Jordan Clarkson to a Waffle House in Atlanta and shut the joint down. They had the whole restaurant to themselves.

Or when he faced off against Mike Scott’s squad in the AEBL—Atlanta’s Pro-Am league—and made a dude fall on his way to another 50-point performance.

Or when he hosted a summer camp in Philly in 2012 even though he knew he wasn’t returning to the 76ers. Rather than cancel and begin his move to Atlanta, Lou stayed an extra month to put on the event.

Piece together all of these anecdotes and you start to get a complete picture of Williams.

On a peaceful Thursday afternoon, he relaxes on the edge of his pool. With the built-in stretch of sand and the mini palm plants, the setting resembles a Florida beach resort more than a backyard in Georgia. It’s quiet now, but there were over 700 people here not too long ago. Remnants of the annual MDW party (Meek, Iverson, Rick Ross, French Montana and James Harden are among the guests who’ve come through) aren’t hard to find. Garbage cans are packed to the brim. An outdoor seat cushion has been ripped up. The cabana has several “RESERVED” labels on it.

Lou is fresh off an incredible season—perhaps his best—but he’ll tell you straight up: He doesn’t care how the overall basketball world remembers him. All that matters is that he has the respect of his peers. That much is undeniable.

“You look at rap, you have your Jay-Zs, you have your Lil Waynes and all of those guys,” Lou says. “And then you have the guys that Lil Wayne and Jay-Z appreciate, like Bun B and Pimp C. Underground Kingz.

“So in basketball you have your GOATS. You’ve got Michael Jordan. You’re going to have LeBron, you’re going to have Kobe, you’re going to have KD. And then you got guys like me who are from the underground, who are the underappreciated, the underdogs.

“I feel like I’m the Underground GOAT. I’m the underground greatest of all time.”

—

GRAB YOUR COPY OF SLAM 223 FEATURING LOU WILLIAMS

COP THE LOU WILLIAMS COVER TEE

Alex Squadron is an Associate Editor at SLAM. Follow him on Twitter @asquad510.

Portraits by Ryan Young.

The post THE UNDERGROUND GOAT: Lou Williams Is Your Favorite Player’s Favorite Player appeared first on SLAM.

On this fine evening, the night of the 2019 NBA Draft we’ve already seen a plethora of draft trades and you know as well as I do that Woj is just getting warmed up.

Below is a list of the draft results as we get them. We’ll be updating this list as journalists break the news, so don’t be alarmed if we end up getting a bit ahead of the live broadcast.

Peep the list, refresh the list, love the list, we’ll make sure to include any relevant reading or viewing material with the picks as we get them.

RELEVANT: Hit up SLAM Newswire’s running repository of NBA Draft content.

First Round

No. 1: New Orleans Pelicans – Zion Williamson
Must Watch: Zion Williamson is going to shock the world

No. 2: Memphis Grizzlies – Ja Morant
Must Watch: Ja Morant got it out the mud

No. 3: New York Knicks – R.J. Barrett
Must Read: R.J. Barrett is the most decorated prospect since LeBron James

No. 4: Atlanta Hawks – De’Andre Hunter
–The Hawks acquired this from the Pels in a pick swap prior to the draft (story).
–Previously the Pelicans acquired this from the Lakers in the Anthony Davis trade (story).
–Must Read: De’Andre Hunter has more to prove

No. 5: Cleveland Cavaliers – Darius Garland
–Must Watch: From injury to lottery pick

No. 6: Minnesota Timberwolves – Jarrett Culver
–The Wolves acquired this from the Suns in the Dario Saric trade prior to the draft (story).
–Must Watch: From slept on recruit to lottery pick

No. 7: Chicago Bulls – Coby White

No. 8: New Orleans Pelicans – Jaxson Hayes
–The Pels acquired this pick from the Hawks in a pick swap prior to the draft (story).

No. 9: Washington Wizards – Rui Hachimura
–Must Read: Gonzaga star about to make history

No. 10: Atlanta Hawks – Cam Reddish
–Must Read: Don’t sleep on killa Cam Reddish

No. 11: Phoenix Suns – Cam Johnson
-The Suns acquired this from the Wolves in the Dario Saric trade prior to the draft (story).

No. 12: Charlotte Hornets – P.J. Washington

No. 13: Miami Heat – Tyler Herro

No. 14: Boston Celtics – Romeo Langford

No. 15: Detroit Pistons – Sekou Doumbouya
–Must Read: Europe’s next elite NBA prospect

No. 16: Orlando Magic – Chuma Okeke

No. 17: New Orleans Pelicans – Nickeil Alexander-Walker
-The Pels acquired this from the Hawks in a pick swap prior to the draft (story).
–Previously the Hawks acquired this pick from the Nets in the Allen Crabbe trade (story).

No. 18: Indiana Pacers – Goga Bitadze

No. 19: San Antonio Spurs – Luka Samanic

No. 20: Philadelphia 76ers – Matisse Thybulle
-This Sixers acquired this from the Celtics in a pick swap during the draft (story).

No. 21: Memphis Grizzlies – Brandon Clarke
-The Grizzlies acquired this from the Thunder in a pick swap during the draft (story).

No. 22: Boston Celtics – Grant Williams

No. 23: Oklahoma City Thunder – Darius Bazley
-The Thunder acquired this from the Grizzlies in a pick swap during the draft (story).
–Must Read: From high school to the G League, Bazley is riding his own wave

No. 24: Phoenix Suns – Ty Jerome
-The Suns acquired this from the Celtics in a pick swap during the draft (story).
–Previously the Celtics acquired this from the Sixers in another pick swap during the draft (story).

No. 25: Portland Trail Blazers – Nassir Little
–Must Read: Continuing Carolina’s championship legacy

No. 26: Cleveland Cavaliers – Dylan Windler

No. 27: Los Angeles Clippers – Mfiondu Kabengele
–The Clippers acquired this from the Nets in a pick swap during the draft (story).

No. 28: Golden State Warriors – Jordan Poole

No. 29: San Antonio Spurs – Keldon Johnson

No. 30: Cleveland Cavaliers – Kevin Porter Jr.
–The Cavaliers acquired this from the Pistons in a pick swap during the draft (story).

Second Round

No. 31: Brooklyn Nets – Nicolas Claxton

No. 32: Miami Heat – KZ Okpala
-The Heat acquired this from the Pacers in a pick swap during the draft (story).

No. 33: Philadelphia 76ers – Carsen Edwards
-The Sixers acquired this from the Celtics in a pick swap during the draft (story)

No. 34: Atlanta Hawks – Bruno Fernando
-The Hawks acquired this from the Sixers in a pick swap during the draft (story).

No. 35: New Orleans Pelicans – Marcos Louzada Silva
–The Pels acquired this from the Hawks in a pick swap prior to the draft (story).

No. 36: Charlotte Hornets – Cody Martin

No. 37: Detroit PIstons – Deividas Sirvydis
–The Pistons acquired this from the Mavs in a pick swap during the draft (story).

No. 38: Chicago Bulls – Daniel Gafford

No. 39: Golden State Warriors – Alen Smailagic
-The Warriors acquired this from the Pelicans during the draft (story) .

No. 40: Sacramento Kings – Justin James

No. 41: Golden State Warriors – Eric Paschall

No. 42: Philadelphia 76ers – Admiral Schofield

No. 43: Minnesota Timberwolves – Jaylen Nowell

No. 44: Denver Nuggets – Bol Bol
-The Nuggets acquired this from the Heat during the draft (story).

No. 45: Dallas Mavericks – Isaiah Roby
–The Mavs acquired this from the Pistons in a pick swap during the draft (story).

No. 46: Los Angeles Lakers – Talen Horton-Tucker
-The Lakers acquired this from the Magic in a pick swap during the draft (story).

No. 47: New York Knicks – Ignas Brazdeikis
-The Knicks acquired this from the Kings in a pick swap during the draft (story).

No. 48: Los Angeles Clippers – Terence Mann

No. 49: San Antonio Spurs – Quinndary Weatherspoon

No. 50: Utah Jazz – Jarrell Brantley
-The Jazz acquired this from the Pacers during the draft (story).

No. 51: Boston Celtics – Tremont Waters

No. 52: Charlotte Hornets – Jalen McDaniels

No. 53: Utah Jazz – Justin Wright-Foreman

No. 54: Philadelphia 76ers – Marial Shayok

No. 55: Sacramento Kings – Kyle Guy
-The Kings acquired this from the Knicks during the draft (story).

No. 56: Brooklyn Nets – Jaylen Hands
–The Nets acquired this from the Clippers during the draft (story)

No. 57: Detroit Pistons – Jordan Bone
-The Pistons acquired this from Philly during the draft (story).
–Previously Philly acquired the pick from Atlanta during the draft (story).

No. 58: Utah Jazz – Miye Onei
-The Jazz acquired this from Golden State during the draft (story).

No. 59: Toronto Raptors – Dewan Hernandez

No. 60: Sacramento Kings – Vanja Marinkovic

The post 2019 NBA Draft Results: Your Pick-By-Pick Guide appeared first on SLAM.

Brooklyn held a narrow lead for most of the second half, but Philly rallied back to take the lead late in the fourth quarter.

Jared Dudley and Jimmy Butler were ejected in the third quarter after Dudley shoved Joel Embiid from behind. Embiid had hit Nets big man Jarrett Allen with a hard foul and pointed at him afterward.

Embiid dropped game-high 31 points with 16 boards, 7 dimes, 6 blocks and a +18 plus/minus.

Mike Scott sunk the go-ahead three with 18.6 remaining for the Sixers.

Nuggets 117, Spurs 103 (Series tied 2-2)

Trailing by 12 points after the first quarter, Denver tied up the score by halftime and would lead by as much as 19 in the fourth.

Nikola Jokic scored a game-high 29 points with 12 boards, 8 dimes, 0 TOs and a +17 plus/minus.

Bucks 119, Pistons 103 (Milwaukee leads 3-0)

Despite Blake Griffin’s (knee) return and a sub-par game from Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee dominated this game from start to finish.

Khris Middleton dropped a game-high 20 points with 8 boards, 4 dimes and a +21 plus/minus. Brook Lopez added 19 points, 7 boards, 5 blocks and a +27 plus/minus.

Rockets 104, Jazz 101 (Houston leads 3-0)

Despite shooting just 3-20 (and starting the game 0-15), James Harden dropped 14 of his team-high 22 points in the fourth quarter.

The Rockets outscored the Jazz by 9 points in the second half to gut out the win.

The post Post Up: Rockets Take 3-0 Lead Despite James Harden’s 3-20 FG 🤯 appeared first on SLAM.

“That’s coming from Jared Dudley. Come on,” Simmons told reporters Thursday.

Brooklyn players, adding some spice heading into tonight’s Game 3 tilt, are also upset with Sixers center Joel Embiid‘s faux apology for elbowing Jarrett Allen in the face.

Nets fans, it goes without saying, are ready for war.

Per Philly.com:

“I think Ben Simmons is a great player in transition. Once you slow him up in the halfcourt, I think he’s average,” Dudley said Wednesday. “He’s a player that when he picks up speed he’s a load, so you have to [send] guys with him. It’s taking away his easy baskets.”

Dudley did a solid job of defending Simmons in Game 1 on Saturday. The Australian finished with 9 points on 4-for-9 shooting in the Sixers’ 111-102 setback. However, he scored only 2 points in the 22 possessions in which Dudley guarded him.

Dudley missed Game 2 on Monday with a calf injury. Simmons responded with a triple-double of 18 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds, making 8 of 12 shots, in the Sixers’ 145-123 win. Dudley is listed as probable for Thursday night’s Game 3 at the Barclays Center.

“That’s coming from Jared Dudley. Come on,” the 22-year-old said dismissively when a reporter asked his thoughts.

Related Ben Simmons Notches Game 2 Triple-Double vs Nets

The post Ben Simmons Dismisses ‘Average’ Comment from Jared Dudley appeared first on SLAM.

Simmons joked that he was “thinking about the boos” from the series-opener.

Joel Embiid added 23 points and 10 rebounds, and (sort of) apologized for throwing an elbow at Jarrett Allen.

Per The AP:

“I was just trying to be me,” Simmons said.

The Sixers busted the game open with a 14-0 run to start the second half and then stretched the lead to 20 on a Simmons steal and fastbreak basket. With a packed house standing, Simmons got a massive ovation when he cupped his hand to his right ear just like [Allen] Iverson did in his prime.

“I was thinking about the boos from the last game,” Simmons said, smiling. “I have a lot of love for this city.”

Embiid was whistled for a flagrant foul for throwing an elbow at Jarrett Allen late in the half and the Sixers nursing a 65-64 lead.

“I got him pretty good and I’m sorry about it,” Embiid said, laughing at the pseudo apology.

Related Ben Simmons: ‘If You’re Going to Boo, Then Stay on That Side’

The post Ben Simmons Notches Game 2 Triple-Double vs Nets appeared first on SLAM.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

—

COP THE D’ANGELO RUSSELL SLAM TEE HERE.

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

Photos via Getty.

The post FUTURE VVV BRIGHT: Jarrett Allen Is Balling Like a BIG Shot appeared first on SLAM.

Toronto took care of business at home as four Raptors finished with 20-plus-point performances: Pascal Siakam (23 points), Norman Powell (23 points), Kawhi Leonard (22 points) and Danny Green (21 points).

Spurs 112 (47-34), Cavaliers 90 (19-62)

LaMarcus Aldridge posted a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds. DeMar DeRozan, Patty Mills and Davis Bertans had 14 apiece.

Hornets 104 (38-42), Pistons 91 (39-41)

Kemba Walker scored 20 of his 31 points in the first half as the Hornets have won three straight and are doing everything to get that eighth seed.

Thunder 132 (47-33), Timberwolves 126 (36-44)

Russell Westbrook (27 points, 15 assists, 10 rebounds) got his 32nd triple-double of the season in Sunday’s matinee. Paul George also had 27 points, too, and Dennis Schroder had 14 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter. The Thunder are currently in seventh place in the Western Conference.

Nets 108 (41-40), Pacers 96 (47-34)

D’Angelo Russell posted 30 points to give the Nets a playoff berth since 2015. Joe Harris was the team’s second-leading scorer with 19 points. Jarrett Allen had 12 and Spencer Dinwiddie and Caris LeVert had a combined 30 bench points.

Mavericks 129 (32-48), Grizzlies 127 (32-48)

Salah Mejri’s bucket in the fourth quarter kept Dallas’ hopes alive. He then scored the first seven points in overtime, finishing the game with 19 points.

Rockets 149 (53-28), Suns 113 (19-62)

James Harden only needed three quarters to get a 30-piece in the rout. The Rockets also made 27 3-pointers, setting a new NBA record for most made 3’s by a team. Eric Gordon (26 points) led the team with eight triples.

Bucks 115 (60-21), Hawks 107 (29-52)

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 30 points helped the Bucks get to 60 wins for the first time since 1981. Khris Middleton chipped in 21 points.

Magic 116 (41-40), Celtics 108 (48-33)

The Magic will see postseason play after breaking a seven-year playoff drought. Terrence Ross was Orlando’s leading scorer with 26 points; Nikola Vucevic finished with a double-double (25 points, 12 rebounds) and Evan Fournier dropped 24.

Knicks 113 (16-64), Wizards 110 (32-49)

Mario Hezonja put a 30 points (career high) and hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with under a minute left. Kevin Knox put up 16 points and Dennis Smith Jr had 15 off the bench.

Blazers 115 (51-29), Nuggets 108 (53-27)

Damian Lillard led all scorers with 30 points. Enes Kanter, filling in the void with Jusuf Nurkic out, had 11 points and 13 rebounds. Seth Curry and Rodney Hood had 11 points apiece off the bench.

Pelicans 133 (33-48), Kings 129 (39-42)

Ian Clark had a career-best seven 3-pointers to finish the game with 31 points. Elfrid Payton was big down the stretch, scoring 12 of his 25 points in crunch time.

Lakers 113 (37-44), Jazz 109 (49-31)

Four of five starters finished in double digits. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 32 points. Despite finishing with five points, Jemerrio Jones, who was a late season acquisition, grabbed 16 rebounds in his first start in front of the Staples Center crowd.

Warriors 131 (56-24), Clippers 104 (47-34)

It was a special night at Oracle Arena. Golden State brought out the “We Believe” jerseys for their final regular season game at home. Stephen Curry had 27 points as the Warriors clinched the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.

The post Post Up: Warriors Clinch Top Seed in Win Over Clippers appeared first on SLAM.

“Brooklyn’s back on the map, I’m not bragging. Defeating all foes, bring your styles.”

Jeru the Damaja introduced that lyric to the world in “Brooklyn Took It,” which dropped in 1994. It’s been 25 years since then, but for the Brooklyn Nets, it still holds weight today. The Nets are most definitely back. They’re in the middle of the playoff picture, holding on to a future that’s shimmering with potential, while rolling through a fast-tracked rebuild in the present. Their nimble turnaround from a team burdened with horrible contracts, aging centerpieces and no draft picks is a credit to great coaching, fluid team-oriented offense, a sound defense and, most importantly, D’Angelo Russell.

Russell earned his first All-Star selection this season, convincingly evolving into the best player on a team headed to the postseason. He’s fought through years of deafening criticism to become one of the League’s most effective and entertaining point guards. He’s an artist in the pick-and-roll, a ballplayer with no fear. Give him the rock in the clutch and get out the way.

The all-around growth is simple. It’s come down to confidence, opportunity and patience. Because all of this was supposed to happen—the All-Star appearance, being the clear-cut franchise cornerstone, making the playoffs. Ever since he was little, growing up in Louisville, KY, Russell has been putting in work on the court.

“We got our first rim in our grannie’s backyard and we used to shoot all the time,” Russell remembers. “I used to shoot really high. It was just my thing. All the kids would come over—you shoot high, you shoot high. And they just started calling me Rainbow.”

“He wasn’t strong enough to shoot it, to really shoot it,” his older brother Antonio says. “He would have to throw it. And it always went in. Everybody around the neighborhood used to call him Rainbow. ‘Rainbow, there’s Rainbow.’” While cracking a smile, Antonio brings his voice up higher, imitating the kids from their hometown.

Antonio, who’s two years older than D’Angelo, goes on to say that his brother’s skill-level was advanced from the very start.

“We had a few neighborhood friends that would come over,” Antonio says. “And he was the youngest. Everybody was my age group or a year older than me. They would all come over there and everybody would be going at it. I think that’s where he developed that toughness. Everybody would try to go at him. He was already equipped as to how to handle them. He knew that the only way to get everybody’s respect was to go at them. He had to.”

D’Angelo’s mental stamina was already being developed, and he would need it early on in his career. After a standout freshman season at Central High School in Louisville, he transferred to Montverde Academy, a national powerhouse in Florida that’s become a breeding ground for future pros. But he got benched immediately. His head coach, Kevin Boyle, was always dogging him, cursing him out. Russell’s tolerance was running low.

“I remember coming in, I was coming off the bench,” Russell says. “I would dominate practice. I didn’t understand why I wasn’t playing. I called my dad after, like, a month or two and I was like, ‘I wanna come home.’ He was like, ‘Nah, stick it out. You wanna win a national championship or a state championship?’ I was like, damn, OK. Then we ended up winning. The pain, the storm that you go through, it’s always brighter on the other side when you just deal with it.”

The lefty wasn’t done with the pain, though. When he was selected by the Lakers in the 2015 draft, things looked like they were going to be all good. 

“We had a lot of players there that could dominate the game,” Russell says. “You go back to Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, Brandon Ingram. We had a lot of dudes there.”

But shit got rocky and he could sense a trade was coming. A deal announced two days before the 2017 draft sent him to the Nets. Instead of being salty, he was hype for the opportunity.

“When he first got traded, I remember exactly where I was at,” Antonio says. “I was in Kentucky at a movie theater. I called him right away. I was like, ‘Yo, what is it?’ He was just like, ‘Bro, you do not know how excited I am right now to have a clean slate.’”

“For me to get traded first, I knew that I was prepared to go dominate wherever I went,” Russell says. “I was ready.”

Nonstop hate and doubt followed him from L.A. to BK, but Russell was never shook.

“It’s just this…” Russell says about the internet’s and the media’s constant desire for drama. He makes a talking, Pacman-like motion with his hands. “I knew my circle. We were tight and we knew what it was.”

It was a chance to start fresh with a young team that was squarely off the national media’s radar. Russell’s first season in Brooklyn was solid. He put up good numbers, posting averages of 15 points and 5 assists. But he only played in 48 games after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in November of 2017.

When the season ended and the Nets missed the playoffs for the third consecutive time, Russell took a long look in the mirror. He’s always been able to assess whatever’s going on in his life, good or bad, and be honest with himself about it. For only being born in 1996, he’s mature for his age, a psyche battle-tested by years of living in the spotlight and performing under pressure. He was just 22 when last year’s campaign wrapped up, but he knew it was time for a change. The 2018-19 season was going to be his.

So rather than going home to Louisville or spending the summer in Los Angeles, Russell stayed in Brooklyn with a hunger that was totally revived. He damn near lived in the gym. He made adjustments that he never had before. He worked on basketball and updated everything about his body.

Antonio says his brother cut out junk food and that his renewed dedication to eating right has rubbed off on the entire Russell family. They’re all following in D’Angelo’s footsteps. But D’Angelo wasn’t following in anyone else’s. He made the decision to switch up his eating habits by himself.

“I didn’t know, you know? As soon as practice was over I remember I was the first one to leave,” Russell says. “I’d get my shots up, but I wasn’t getting treatment. I wasn’t getting massages, ice cold tub, doing all of that, because I didn’t know.”

So who told him?

“Man, I’ve picked so many peoples’ brains,” he says. “[Rajon] Rondo, Chris Paul, James Harden, LeBron. All those dudes. There’s a reason they’re there. They know the secret, they know what it takes off the court. Everybody can play but what are you doing for your body to be prepared for every practice, every game?”

After a summer spent renovating everything about his game and physique, Russell took a backseat to Caris LeVert and Spencer Dinwiddie to start the season.

“It was tough to begin the season,” Nets’ forward Jared Dudley says. “He was getting benched in fourth quarters. He was struggling offensively, trying to find his role. Caris took off and to see [Russell] cheer on the bench, take constructive criticism in film sessions and it finally clicked. I think it took Caris’ injury and him to be a little more aggressive and the coaches to have a little more faith. But he’s responded. Once he got his rhythm, his confidence just kept building.”

But the confidence, according to his brother, has never been an issue.

“Yeah, the confidence has been there. Been there, man,” Antonio says with a laugh. “There’s not much that can take that from him. And when the opportunity came and he needed to display it, he took it and ran with it.”

Russell flipped everything about his game once he was given the reins. Floaters, midrange fadeaways, rainbow three-pointers, ice-in-his-veins buckets in close games, they all started to fall. Forty points and a game-winner in Orlando. Thirty-six points, 8 assists and 7 boards to outlast the Cavaliers in a triple-overtime marathon. A 34-point outing against the Celtics; a night with 14 dimes against the Raptors; a 22-point and 13-assist performance in a win over the Lakers. An absurd 44-point performance in Sacramento, that included 27 points in the fourth quarter, en route to a 28-point comeback. Averages of 23.6 points and 7.7 assists since January 1. And a wild performance on his 23rd birthday, one that both D’Angelo and Antonio count as their favorite moment of the season.

“I surprised myself,” Russell says about that night in Charlotte when he scored the Nets’ final 12 points. “I just looked up and I had 40. Damn.”

“And [the Nets] having the lead, losing the lead and then coming back,” Antonio remembers. “And [D’Angelo] being the catalyst for that comeback. That was special.”

Even more than the stats and individual performances, though, Russell’s teammates say the biggest leap he’s made is as a leader. They repeat the word over and over.

“He’s a great leader,” rookie Rodions Kurucs says. “He gives me all the tips. Always coming to talk to me. Just explaining things, trying to motivate me also.”

“From what I’ve heard, I’ve heard he’s matured a lot,” Ed Davis says. Davis, a defensive-minded veteran, has been in the League since 2010 and his locker is right next to Russell’s. “Since I’ve been here, he’s been a great teammate, a good leader.”

“He’s the best player on this team and [he’s] leading us,” high-flying center Jarrett Allen says. “I’ve seen him grow in that area. People don’t understand. They understand he’s taken a step but not how big of a step it is.”

“He’s 50 percent more vocal now than he was in the beginning of the year,” Dudley echoes. “He leads our huddle, leads our breaks. People critiqued that early in his career, being young. I would say that he was quiet early in the year and he’s definitely vocal now. It’s been a nice, natural progression.”

Russell’s progression, both on and off the court, has been all about finding his way through landmines of drama. High school, his brief time with the Lakers, his start with the Nets, they were all tests. Perseverance and persistence have been Russell’s calling cards for years now.

It’s led to the photos you see here. The tribute to Biggie, crown on his head, Brooklyn across his chest, that means something. That’s earned.

“I get so focused on what I’m trying to achieve and I just look up and all of this is here,” Russell says about the playoffs, All-Star Weekend, his career-best season.

“If the game shakes me or breaks me, I hope it makes me a better man, take a better stand. Stay far from timid, only make moves when your heart’s in it. And live the phrase ‘Sky’s the limit.’”

Christopher Wallace introduced that lyric to the world in 1997. It’s been 22 years since then, but for D’Angelo Russell, it still holds weight today. 

—

GRAB YOUR COPY OF SLAM 221 FEATURING D’ANGELO RUSSELL

Max Resetar is an Associate Editor at SLAM. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram.

Portraits by Justin Borucki.

The post THE NOTORIOUS D-LO: D’Angelo Russell Is Built for This appeared first on SLAM.

Team World’s Luka Doncic and Ben Simmons will face Team USA’s Donovan Mitchell and De’Aaron Fox. Dirk Nowitzki (World) and Kyrie Irving (USA) will serve as the honorary coaches for the game.

Be sure to check out the full rosters below.

The 2019 Rising Stars teams have been announced.

Thoughts on Team USA and Team World? pic.twitter.com/tc7Tir0614

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 30, 2019

TEAM USA

Donovan Mitchell, Jazz
Jayson Tatum, Celtics
De’Aaron Fox, Kings
Trae Young, Hawks
Jaren Jackson Jr, Grizzlies
Lonzo Ball, Lakers
Kyle Kuzma, Lakers
Jarrett Allen, Nets
Marvin Bagley III, Kings
John Collins, Hawks

TEAM WORLD

Luka Doncic, Mavs
Ben Simmons, Sixers
DeAndre Ayton, Suns
Lauri Markkanen, Bulls
OG Anunoby, Raptors
Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kings
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Clippers
Rodions Kurucs, Nets
Josh Okogie, Wolves
Cedi Osman, Cavs

The post Luka Doncic, Ben Simmons Headline 2019 Rising Stars Rosters 🌟 appeared first on SLAM.

Tobias Harris scored 28 points in the Sunday afternoon victory. Danilo Gallinari and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also had 13 apiece. The Clippers have 11 consecutive games against the Magic.

Nets 117 (20-21), Bulls 100 (10-30)

The Nets won in the Windy City with D’Angelo Russell leading the way with 28 points. Russell caught fire from behind the perimeter, making six three-pointers. Jarrett Allen was the team’s second-leading scorer with 19 points. Brooklyn’s currently on a three-game winning streak.

Timberwolves 108 (18-21), Lakers 86 (21-18)

The Lakers got off to a rough start, scoring three points halfway through the first quarter. L.A. is still without LeBron James, who’s missed the last six games with a groin injury, and are 1-5 without James. Four of five of the Wolves’ starters scored in double digits. Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins had 28 apiece on a day where head coach Tom Thibodeau was fired after the double-digit win.

Hi haters, Andrew Wiggins just scored 25 points in the first half. (via @nba) pic.twitter.com/RxR2VPrXIf

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 6, 2019

Hawks 106 (12-27), Heat 82 (19-19)

Trae Young’s 19 points and John Collins’ double-double (13 points, 13 rebounds) played a big role in Atlanta’s win. Dwyane Wade scored 11 points and hit one three-pointer to make 500 three-pointers in his career. After the game, Young and Wade swapped jerseys.

The rookie and OG. Respect. (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/EX9yhdv48W

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 7, 2019

Wizards 116 (16-24), Thunder 98 (25-14)

Bradley Beal scored 25 points on the road against the Thunder. Otto Porter had 20 points and five dimes, and Jeff Green also had 16. Despite the loss, Russell Westbrook posted his 116th career triple-double after dropping 22 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists.

Raptors 121 (29-12), Pacers 105 (26-12)

Norman Powell had a season-high 25 points in the home win. He made 10-of-12 shots and scored 11 points in the fourth quarter. Kyle Lowry, who missed the last six games, scored 12 points dished out eight assists.

Hornets 119 (18-20), Suns 113 (9-31)

Both teams battled down the stretch as Hornets came out with the win in the desert. Kemba Walker scored Charlotte’s last 11 points to complete his 29-point performance, including a mean side-step coming downhill. Devin Booker left the game with sore back and only had seven points in the contest.

Cardiac Kemba ICED the game with this. #BuzzBoyz (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/6SJPHAOctW

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) January 7, 2019

The post Post Up: Bradley Beal Drops 25 Points Against Thunder 🙌 appeared first on SLAM.

Allen says a rim protector can’t worry about the possibility of getting put on a poster.

"I'm on the list forever now."

– Jarrett Allen on rejecting LeBron James, who has attempted more than 1,800 dunks over the course of his career, but has only been blocked 9 times pic.twitter.com/U609vV2kIk

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) December 19, 2018

James, meanwhile, shrugged off the highlight play by pointing out that Allen is much younger than he is.

Per ESPN:

“If you go up and you block it, you’re going to be on the highlight. You get dunked on, you’re going to be on the highlight. So just go up and protect the rim,” Allen said.

That approach led to a remarkable block on James in the first quarter of the Nets’ 115-110 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Allen is only the eighth player to block the four-time MVP, who has 1,850 dunk attempts in his career, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.

“That’s a helluva list to be on. He’s an amazing player,” Allen, 22, said. “I got the chance to do it, so I’m on the list forever now.”

Said James: “He’s in his 20s, I’m in my 30s, it takes me a little longer to get warmed up. But that’s fine. I mean, you’re a shot blocker. You should, you can, get a block. It happens. It’s probably all over social media, so, that’s cool.”

Related
Post Up: D’Angelo Russell, Nets Beat Lakers for 6th Straight Win

The post ‘I’m on the List Forever Now’: Jarrett Allen Stuffs LeBron James at the Rim appeared first on SLAM.

Cleveland fell short in its first game of the post-LeBron James era (part two). Kawhi Leonard, however, put on a show in his first game with Toronto, scoring 24 points and putting Tristan Thompson on a poster.

KAWHI BACK (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/MRWtH5jvZq

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) October 18, 2018

Kyle Lowry had 27 points in his first game without backcourt mate DeMar DeRozan.

Bucks 113 (1-0), Hornets 112 (0-1)

The Hornets mounted a furious comeback in the fourth quarter but couldn’t close it out as the Bucks came out on top. Nicolas Batum missed a chance to win it as the buzzer sounded.

Nic Batum wasn't even close pic.twitter.com/8rd8VMqMvX

— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) October 18, 2018

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 25 points, 18 rebounds and eight assists in the win.

Nets 100 (0-1), Pistons 103 (1-0)

The Pistons held on to the win in Detroit thanks to 24 points and 20 rebounds by Andre Drummond. Blake Griffin had 26 points of his own, but was also rejected hard at the rim by Jarrett Allen.

JARRETT ALLEN DENIES BLAKE GRIFFIN AT THE RIM (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/FQ1oFKniyK

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) October 17, 2018

Grizzlies 83 (0-1), Pacers 111 (1-0)

Bojan Bogdanovic (19 points) and Victor Oladipo (16 points) helped the Pacers make easy work of Memphis. The game marked Mike Conley’s return to the court after missing most of last season; he made Cory Joseph fall at one point during the game.

WE GOT A MAN DOWN IN INDIANA (via @NBAonTNT) pic.twitter.com/QJIyrbYbRV

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) October 18, 2018

Heat 101 (0-1), Magic 104 (1-0)

Aaron Gordon’s 26 points and 16 rebounds led the way for Orlando in the win. Mo Bamba had 13 points and seven rebounds in his NBA debut. The Heat’s Dwyane Wade received a huge applause as he entered the game that kicks off his last season in the league.

Dwyane Wade gets the BIG applause as he enters the game. Respect to the legend's last season (via @MiamiHEAT) https://t.co/nO0KNmwoZC

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) October 17, 2018

Hawks 107 (0-1), Knicks 126 (1-0)

The Knicks set a franchise record with 49 points in the second quarter against Atlanta. New York was led by 31 points from Tim Hardaway Jr. against his former team. Undrafted rookie Allonzo Trier surprised with a huge slam.

Allonzo Trier with the HAMMER (via @nyknicks) pic.twitter.com/S1CJA31E1k

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) October 18, 2018

Pelicans 131 (1-0), Rockets 112 (0-1)

New Orleans spoiled James Harden’s MVP trophy celebration with an easy win on ESPN. Anthony Davis and Nikola Mirotic combined for 62 points while Elfrid Payton added a triple-double.

32 PTS, 16 REB, 8 AST, 3 BLK for Anthony Davis in Houston!@PelicansNBA beat the @HoustonRockets 131-112.

Nikola Mirotic: 30 PTS, 10 REB, 6 3PM
Elfrid Payton: 10 PTS, 10 REB, 10 AST
Julius Randle: 25 PTS, 8 REB
James Harden: 18 PTS, 10 AST, 9 REB#DoItBig #KiaTipOff18 pic.twitter.com/G4Et321Rvd

— NBA (@NBA) October 18, 2018

Timberwolves 108 (0-1), Spurs 112 (1-0)

DeMar DeRozan marked the start of his Spurs career with a win behind his 28 points and go-ahead bucket. LaMarcus Aldridge added 21 points and 19 rebounds to the effort. Jimmy Butler had 23 points in his return after a drama-filled last week; he chopped it up with DeRozan in pregame.

What Jimmy Butler and DeMar DeRozan talkin' about? (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/xhNGd8So0q

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) October 18, 2018

Jazz 123 (1-0), Kings 117 (0-1)

Donovan Mitchell (24 points) led the way for Utah with support from Joe Ingles (22 points) and Rudy Gobert (19 points, 15 rebounds). Willie Cauley-Stein (23 points, seven rebounds) led a scrappy Sacramento team that didn’t go away easily.

SPN CYCLE#UTAatSAC | #TakeNote https://t.co/I1nSB7Pg1K

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 18, 2018

Mavericks 100 (0-1), Suns 121 (1-0)

No. 1 and 3 picks Deandre Ayton and Luka Doncic squared off in Phoenix, with the Suns coming out on top thanks to Devin Booker’s 35 points. Doncic had 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists in 31 minutes while Ayton had 18 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in 36 minutes.

It's halftime but we're still thinking about this pass. How Luka how? (via @dallasmavs) pic.twitter.com/1B0kvZyIs8

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) October 18, 2018

Nuggets 107 (1-0), Clippers 98 (0-1)

Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets in scoring with 21 points while Paul Millsap led the team in rebounds with 16 on the night. Will Barton and Gary Harris combined for 39 points. Boban Marjanovic stole the show with 18 points and a poster, standing dunk.

Boban doesn't even need to leave the ground to put you on a poster (via @LAClippers) pic.twitter.com/yB566ahktB

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) October 18, 2018

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Lonzo Ball Reveals Second Signature Sneaker, The BBB ZO2.19

The post Post Up: Kawhi Leonard’s Debut Headlines Big Opening Night Slate appeared first on SLAM.

The “on-court” side. The “competitive” side. The “killer” side.

“Yeah, absolutely I feel like I was snubbed from that game,” he tells SLAM. “Last year as well with the All-Rookie Teams, I felt like I should’ve been on that too. That’s really nothing new for me. I feel like I get snubbed from a lot of things, but that’s just motivation.”

It’s not a cocky side – those who know Caris well rave about his humble attitude – but the Nets wing brings an edge when it comes to basketball. That’s just how he was taught.

“A lot of people who have never seen me play really don’t know that [side],” he adds.

They know the “off-court” Caris. A soft-spoken, polite kid from a small suburb just outside Columbus, Ohio.

“He’s the sweetest, most docile person,” Brooklyn’s head coach Kenny Atkinson described to the New York Post. “When you see his personality, it’s not a big bravado.”

Chill, laid-back. Sometimes this Caris will manifest mid-game, and Atkinson hastily implores the 23-year-old to adopt his alter ego. Because that Caris can straight up ball.

LeVert was born and raised in Pickerington, OH, where he dreamed of playing in both the NFL and NBA. Football was actually his favorite sport until around the eighth grade. As he transitioned to high school, LeVert was taller than most of his peers but, due to his rapid growth, had fallen behind in terms of strength. His position on the gridiron was going to change from running back to wide receiver, which Caris wasn’t as enthused about, so the skinny, promising athlete zeroed in on basketball.

By his senior year, LeVert had earned a scholarship to Ohio University. His recruitment opened up when the OU coach, John Groce, left to take a job at Illinois, and Caris chose to go to Michigan instead. There, he helped the Wolverines make back-to-back Elite Eight appearances during an impressive four-year stint with the program. It left little doubt that he could contribute on the next level, but just how much was a question mark.

Caris had undergone three foot surgeries on the same place over the course of his college career. Entering the draft still banged up, with an unclear timetable to return, he was projected as a second rounder.

Yet members of the Nets front office were intrigued by his versatility. If you could look past the injuries, the tools were all there. At 6-7, with a 6-10 wingspan, he could consistently hit from the perimeter, handle the ball well for his size, find the open man on drive and kicks, and guard multiple positions on defense. For a struggling Brooklyn franchise trying to climb its way out of a deep hole, it was a worthwhile risk. They traded away one of their best players, veteran Thaddeus Young, to secure the 20th overall pick and used it on LeVert.

It wasn’t until December that Caris was ready to take the floor, but the rookie got right to work. Through 57 games, logging just under 22 minutes per, he finished with averages of 8.2 points and 3.3 rebounds. There were enough eye-opening glimpses during that span – like a 17-point, 6-assist, 5-rebound night in which Caris shot 6-6 from the field and 3-3 from deep in a victory – to reassure fans of the gamble. LeVert was the real deal.

The team as a whole, however, still stumbled its way to a League-worst 20-62 record. Nonetheless, there remained this strong sense of confidence in their rebuild, from general manager Sean Marks, to the coaches, to the players. Caris offered hope that the process would move quicker than anticipated. He went into the 2017 offseason determined to improve in all facets and help the squad get back to winning ways as soon as possible.

On opening night of this past season, Brooklyn’s starting point guard Jeremy Lin ruptured the patella tendon in his right knee. His backcourt mate, D’Angelo Russell, suffered a left knee contusion not a month later. With two playmakers down, LeVert suddenly found himself stepping into a bigger, less familiar role.

While he played the 1 occasionally in high school and college, it was never his primary position. Now he was being asked to orchestrate the offense and be the leader off the bench – a challenging transition for any player, let alone a second-year guy still getting accustomed to the NBA.

But that “killer” side emerged.

Caris averaged 14.3 points, 5.3 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game in the month of December, shooting 49 percent from the field and 45 percent from three.

“That was good for me to be able to experience because I’ve played point guard sparingly, but probably never for that long of a span,” Caris says. “I was the second unit’s point guard for probably 25-30 games straight and I got into a rhythm and started to get very comfortable with that.

“So I think going forward that’s definitely something that I proved I can do.”

There’s little doubt about that. LeVert hung 21 points and 10 assists on the Thunder in a 100-95 win on Dec. 7. He had 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists against the Pelicans a few weeks after. On the road against the Clippers, he sparked an impressive comeback that fell just short, scoring a career-high 27 points and hitting five three-pointers. Amid the difficult role change, some may have been taken aback by this production. Not Caris, though.

“It’s always good to see your hard work paying off, playing good against top competition,” he says. “But I wouldn’t say I surprised myself with any game because I feel like I’m that talented and capable of doing that.”

As a group, the Nets played far more exciting, competitive basketball in 2017-18. The roster is loaded with young talent – including LeVert, Russell, Spencer Dinwiddie, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Allen Crabbe, Jarrett Allen and more – and the trend should only continue upward.

According to Caris, the vibe in the locker room is loose. Guys like to have fun, make jokes, play video games, watch film, etc. And they are unified by this palpable excitement about their potential to develop together.

“You know, our core of guys is pretty young,” he describes. “We’re all around the same age. We’re all trying to figure out things in the League and for us to be close on and off the court as a unit is going to be huge for us moving forward.”

Although Lin was traded to Atlanta, the Brooklyn backcourt is still crowded. They signed former Trail Blazers guard and UConn standout Shabazz Napier. Russell is back healthy and Dinwiddie thrived in his absence, seemingly solidifying an important spot in the rotation. When we spoke with LeVert earlier this summer, he wasn’t entirely sure what his role will be this year.

“I’m just preparing myself mentally and physically obviously to play whatever position need be, to do whatever is needed on the court,” he explains. “Whether that’s the point guard, shooting guard, small forward, whatever it may be. I’m trying to prepare myself mentally for whatever is being thrown at me.”

Whatever it may be, the adaptable LeVert should be able to handle it as long as he can avoid the injury bug; and it’s obvious to everyone that time has to be made for him. The Nets have expressed their utmost trust in Caris, opting to hold on to him at the 2018 trade deadline and ahead of the 2018 draft despite getting significant interest from other teams.

His future, it seems, is in the BK. And that future should only get brighter from here.

Ask Caris about what’s in store, and you’ll once again get a peek at that competitive side.

“We’re super confident that we can take that step,” he says. “It’s just a matter of time before we knock that door down. We got the right guys, we play the right way.

“Like I said, it’s just a matter of time.”

—

Alex Squadron is an Associate Editor at SLAM. Follow him on Twitter @asquad510.

Photos via Getty.

The post On The Rise: Caris LeVert is Ready to Go Beast Mode appeared first on SLAM.

Celtics wing Jayson Tatum would have been unanimous First-Team, if not for one Second-Team vote.

A panel of 100 media members voted for the 2017-18 NBA All-Rookie Teams, with a First Team vote counting for 2 points, and a Second Team vote counting for 1 point.

Check out the full results below:

2017-18 NBA All-Rookie Team Voting Results

First Team: Kyle Kuzma (193), Lauri Markkanen (173), Donovan Mitchell (200), Ben Simmons (200), Jayson Tatum (199)

Second Team: Lonzo Ball (87), Bogdan Bogdanovic (75), John Collins (76), Josh Jackson (45), Dennis Smith Jr (96)

Other rookies receiving votes: Bam Adebayo (44); De’Aaron Fox (34); OG Anunoby (25); Jarrett Allen (18); Dillon Brooks (14); Jordan Bell (5); Royce O’Neale (4); Zach Collins (3); Milos Teodosic (3); Luke Kennard (1); Frank Mason III (1); Malik Monk (1); Frank Ntilikina (1); Semi Ojeleye (1); Sindarius Thornwell (1)

The 2017-18 NBA All-Rookie First Team! @spidadmitchell @BenSimmons25 @jaytatum0 @kylekuzma @MarkkanenLauri pic.twitter.com/9Sk3KGHlOI

— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2018

RELATED:
Ben Simmons Responds to Donovan Mitchell’s ‘Rookie’ Hoodie

The post Mitchell, Simmons Voted Unanimous All-Rookie First Teamers appeared first on SLAM.

Ben Simmons didn’t record another triple-double, but he was nonetheless phenomenal as the Sixers won their 10th game in a row. The rookie finished with 20 points and 15 assists, helping Philly record at least 30 assists for a team-record ninth-straight game. A 14-0 run from the Sixers in the third quarter, which came right after the Hornets momentarily grabbed the lead, put the game away. Marco Belinelli led all scorers with 22 points, and Malik Monk and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist each had 16 to lead the Hornets.

Ben Simmons put on a show in the first half (via @NBATV) pic.twitter.com/rXKETkkM78

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) April 1, 2018

Bulls 113 (26-51), Wizards 94 (42-35)

Lauri Markkanen scored 23 points on 5-8 shooting from three as the Bulls handed the Wizards their third-straight road loss. As a team, the Bulls were on fire from deep, making 18 of 34 three-point attempts. Bobby Portis went 4-5 from three off the bench and scored 18 points. The Wizards, a day after wrapping up a playoff spot, turned the ball over 16 times, but got 17 points from Otto Porter Jr.

Give it to the big man (via @chicagobulls) pic.twitter.com/VdKkOTnULS

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) April 1, 2018

Pacers 111 (46-31), Clippers 104 (41-36)

Victor Oladipo filled the stat sheet with 30 points, 12 assists, five steals, and four rebounds to lead the Pacers on the road. Indiana earned its 12th win in 16 games thanks to Oladipo’s heroics, a 35-26 fourth quarter, and 24 points from Myles Turner. Tobias Harris had 21 and Lou Williams scored 20 to lead the Clippers, who are now two games out of the 8 spot in the West with five remaining.

Why you hustle back (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/463sYaRRuU

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) April 1, 2018

Spurs 100 (45-32), Rockets 83 (62-15)

The Rockets still have the best record in the NBA, but the Spurs held them to their lowest point total of the season on Sunday. Houston shot just 34 percent overall and went 7-31 from three. On the other end, LaMarcus Aldridge had 23 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Spurs, while Rudy Gay added 21. James Harden had 25 points and eight assists for Houston.

on one end
on the other

Rudy Gay is on a mission today. (via @spurs) pic.twitter.com/FkfZzd3Ct6

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) April 1, 2018

Hawks 94 (22-55), Magic 88 (22-54)

Back-to-back buckets from Tyler Dorsey with under two minutes to go gave the Hawks all the breathing room they needed to hold off the Magic in a back-and-forth game. Dorsey scored a team-high 19 off the bench on 8-11 shooting, including three from long distance. D.J. Augustin had 20 to lead the Magic.

I mean…

That’s a good way to end a quarter. pic.twitter.com/9KMkbm5hnt

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 1, 2018

Pistons 108 (37-40), Nets 96 (25-52)

Playing without Blake Griffin once again, the Pistons earned their fifth win in a row, this one behind 29 points from Reggie Jackson. Detroit is still alive in the playoff hunt, albeit just barely, at four games out of the 8 seed with five remaining. Jarrett Allen and Joe Harris each scored 15 points for the Nets.

JARRETT ALLEN TAKES FLIGHT! (via @BrooklynNets) pic.twitter.com/hk7xftFM68

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) April 1, 2018

Cavaliers 98 (47-30), Mavericks 87 (23-54)

LeBron James endured a rough day offensively and still somehow managed a triple-double with 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists. That pretty much says it all about LeBron. Cleveland has won eight out of nine as it tries to wrap up the 3 seed in the East. Harrison Barnes had 30 for the Mavericks, but only one other Dallas player scored more then nine.

This dish from @JmCalderon to @KingJames is [insert adjective here]!#CavsMavs on FSO & FOX Sports GO: https://t.co/cAF8QeAZBW pic.twitter.com/SkW8oT5CNH

— FOX Sports Ohio (@FOXSportsOH) April 1, 2018

Thunder 109 (45-33), Pelicans 104 (43-34)

Russell Westbrook’s triple-double (26 points, 15 rebounds, 13 assists) and Paul George’s 19 first-half points lifted the Thunder in a close game over the Pelicans. They stayed within reach of the 4 seed, or even the 3 with some luck, while New Orleans’ path to wrapping up a playoff spot narrowed a little bit. Anthony Davis had 25 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Pelicans.

Pass + Finish (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/zKNxhMUiUR

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) April 1, 2018

Jazz 121 (44-33), Timberwolves 97 (44-34)

The Jazz shot a season-best 60.5 percent from the field to blow out the Timberwolves and improve to 25-5 over their last 30 games. Some of the shooting numbers were outrageous. Donovan Mitchell had 21 points on 10-15 shooting. Ricky Rubio had 23 and shot 9-14. He also went 5-6 from three. Andrew Wiggins had 23 and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 20 for the Timberwolves, but it wasn’t close to enough.

Jazz. Basketball. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/rBgZl6OTjg

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 2, 2018

Warriors 117 (56-21), Suns 107 (19-59)

The Warriors didn’t look like themselves for the first half of this one, but came alive with a 36-18 third quarter to beat the Suns. Kevin Durant led the way with a near triple-double (29 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists), and Draymond Green had 13 points and 12 assists. Marquese Chriss and Josh Jackson each had 22 for the Suns who, somehow, have lost 25 out of 26.

Give him the bucket and the assist. (via @Suns) pic.twitter.com/utlfTeNda3

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) April 2, 2018

Nuggets 128 (42-35), Bucks 125 (OT) (41-36)

The Nuggets trailed by eight in the final minute of regulation but rallied to force overtime on three Jamal Murray free throws with 2.8 seconds left. Denver never trailed in overtime as Jabari Parker missed what would have been the game-tying three in the final seconds. Nikola Jokic had 35 points and 13 rebounds, while Paul Millsap added 26 and 13 of his own. Parker had 35 for the Bucks.

t o u c h pic.twitter.com/YmSxDShATx

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) April 2, 2018

Trail Blazers 113 (48-29), Grizzlies 98 (21-56)

The Blazers clinched a playoff spot behind 27 points from Damian Lillard and 20 from CJ McCollum. Portland led by as many as 23 but had to fend off a late rally from Memphis to hold on. Dillon Brooks had 28 to lead the Grizzlies. While it took until Sunday for the Blazers to officially clinch the playoffs thanks to a crowded middle of the field, they’re in good shape for the 3 seed and home court in the first round.

Dillon Brooks hit one from Eugene! (via @memgrizz) pic.twitter.com/jzy7rXfq5W

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) April 2, 2018

Kings 84 (25-53), Lakers 83 (33-43)

Buddy Held broke an 80-80 tie on a dunk with 37 seconds left and De’Aaron Fox made what proved to be the game winner 26 seconds later to hand the Lakers their third loss in four games. Hield led the Kings with 19 points and Julius Randle matched him to lead the Lakers. Neither team shot well for the game as the two combined to go 14-56 from three 23-39 from the line.

When Trill jumps, you better look up pic.twitter.com/GcQeEUe28o

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) April 2, 2018

The post Post Up: Sixers Win 10th Straight And Spurs Knock Off Rockets appeared first on SLAM.

Emmanuel Mudiay scored 14 first quarter points as the Knicks raced out to a fast start and actually held the lead at halftime, but a 39-18 onslaught from the Warriors in the third quarter put the game to bed. Klay Thompson led all scorers with 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field.

yo who taught JaVale how to do that..?(via @warriors) pic.twitter.com/rPirfjIirk

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 27, 2018

Lakers 123 (26-34), Hawks 104 (18-43)

The Lakers turned in a stellar offensive showing despite only a single player scoring 20 points or more–Brandon Ingram with 21. Nine different players scored at least 10 as the Lakers came out strong and never looked back.

Lonzo Ball’s strong shooting continued as he went 4-of-4 from the field for 13 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals in just 24 minutes with a +18 plus-minus.

Grizzlies 98 (18-41), Celtics 109 (43-19)

The Celtics got 52 points out of the bench and a team-high 25 from Kyrie Irving as Boston led by 26 at halftime. JaMychal Green had 21 points and 11 rebounds for Memphis.

Kyrie is out here turning lost dribbles into buckets…

Best handles in the NBA? (via @Celtics) https://t.co/eIIWry2wva

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 27, 2018

Jaylen Brown hits ‘em with the spin and goes coast to coast (via @Celtics) https://t.co/YuI4nPtHnL

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 27, 2018

Bulls (20-40), Nets (20-41)

The Nets stole the show in a crucial matchup for NBA Draft Lottery balls as rookie Jarrett Allen had the highlight of the night with his posterizing dunk over fellow rook Lauri Markkanen. Allen finished with 18 points and nine boards in just 23 minutes on the floor.

ROOKIE ON ROOKE CRIME

JARRETT ALLEN JUST PUT THE HAMMER DOWN ON LAURI MARKKANEN (via @DefPenHoops) pic.twitter.com/kzIrJLK6Pb

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 27, 2018

Pistons 94 (28-32), Raptors 123 (42-17)

The post-Blake Griffin trade magic is starting to fizzle out for the Pistons as the squad delivered a paltry 38.3 percent shooting night.

Toronto’s dynamic duo of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan each scored 20 points to lead all scorers.

Suns 116 (18-44), Pelicans 125 (34-26)

SLAM 214 cover co-star Anthony Davis has been putting up insane numbers over his last six games, but none quite as impressive as the 53-point, 17-rebound, five-block performance and the ‘W’ he delivered against the Suns. Jrue Holiday added 20 points and Rajon Rondo dished out 12 assists.

It didn’t come easy for New Orleans, though, as Devin Booker turned in a 40-point, 10-rebound and seven-assist night for Phoenix.

Anthony Davis through his last 6⃣ games:

4⃣1⃣.5⃣ points
1⃣4⃣.8⃣ rebounds
3⃣.2⃣ blocks
3⃣.0⃣ steals

Oh, and the Pelicans are 6-0 in that stretch. pic.twitter.com/TEJtL93aSC

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 27, 2018

Magic 105 (18-42), Thunder 112 (35-27)

Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony struggled with their shot, but 26 points from Paul George, 16 from Steven Adams and four bench players in double-digits allowed Oklahoma City to bounce back from a tough loss in Oakland.

Evan Fournier and Jonathon Simmons each scored 19 for the Magic.

Pacers 103 (34-26), Mavericks 109 (19-42)

The Pacers got solid nights out of Victor Oladipo (21 points, 8-for-13) and Myles Turner (24 points, 10-for-14), but couldn’t overcome the Mavericks’ balanced attack led by Harrison Barnes’ 21 points.

Rockets 96 (47-13), Jazz 85 (31-30)

James Harden led all scorers with 26 points while Luc Mbah a Moute scored 17 points on a perfect 7-for-7 shooting night off the bench to give the Rockets their 13th straight win.

Rookie phenom Donovan Mitchell had 16 points, four assists and three steals for the Jazz.

You know Donovan Mitchell for his dunks, but the rook has a handle on him, too

(via @utahjazz) https://t.co/uaLPp9mRLh

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 27, 2018

Chris Paul really got a turnover for giving James Harden’s mom a high five…

(via @HoustonRockets) https://t.co/OaZ3UlY5Wb

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) February 27, 2018

Timberwolves 118 (37-26), Kings (18-41)

Andrew Wiggins, Karl0-Anthony Towns and Jeff Teague combined for 68 points. Buddy Hield scored 16 off the bench for the Kings.

The post Post Up: Anthony Davis’ Monster Night Wins Pelicans’ Sixth Straight appeared first on SLAM.

Despite the devastating injury that will sideline him until next season, he’s staying busy this year, most recently at the National Basketball Players Association HQ. Lin was there to host a one-day, all-inclusive camp alongside PGC Basketball. When he finished working with dozens of high school kids, he sat down with SLAM to talk about the camp, his own foundation, and what’s to come in Brooklyn.

***

SLAM: How’s your rehab coming along? I don’t see a knee brace there.

Jeremy Lin: No knee brace, no issues. I’m moving really well, so everything’s going according to plan. I’ve been completely mobile for months now.

SLAM: The Nets have been entertaining and competitive this season. A lot of young talent has shined through. For those who don’t know about Brooklyn, I want scouting reports on some of your young teammates. Let’s start with Caris LeVert.

JL: Caris is definitely a playmaker. He can affect the game in a variety of ways. He’s an extremely mobile and disruptive defender, gets in a lot of passing lanes. He was probably our best player during the summer in pickup, and he’s going to be really good—he’s going to grow and he’s super hungry. I think he can play pick and roll, off the ball, he can really do a lot. That’s my guy. I think he’s going to be big time for the franchise.

SLAM: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

JL: He’s unorthodox, but he’s worked really hard at his game, spent a lot of time shooting, and he just, to me, finds a way. He just finds a way to put the ball in the hoop. It can be weird scoop shots or one-legged fades, but he has a great understanding of his game and I think he’s really good at just breaking down the defense. A lot of one-on-one coverages are mismatches for him.

SLAM: D’Angelo Russell.

JL: He’s so good, so skilled and talented. I think it’s been difficult with the [knee] injury, coming back, minutes restrictions. But spending training camp with him, he can really do it all. He’s just a tremendous point guard. Passing, shooting, breaking down a defense, reading a situation—he’s really good. He’ll be huge for us.

SLAM: Jarrett Allen.

JL: I’m so excited about him, man. He’s grown a lot and has great footwork, great touch, lefty, righty, can shoot the free throw. He’s just really scratching the surface, so young and raw, but you see glimpses where you’re like, Man, who knows.

SLAM: Spencer Dinwiddie.

JL: Just huge steps from him going forward. Just playing much more confident and I’m super proud of him because he’s such a good guy. I think he’s just been like a glue guy, but he’s also more than that.  He’s been our primary playmaker. He’s just figuring out what he can do and getting more and more confident.

SLAM: What about yourself? Are you happy with how things have gone in Brooklyn?

JL: Definitely. I just need to get healthy. Everything else looks great on paper.

SLAM: How did your foundation partner up with PGC? What’s the focus of today’s camp?

JL: We like to find organizations that do really good work and support them. The thing I love about PGC is they teach kids to think the game. It’s not all skills-oriented. They spent first hour-and-a-half in the classroom learning about leadership, how to communicate, how to stretch yourself, take on risk—just life lessons. It’s a different level of understanding of the game, and then they took that into a session on the court, they do film, and things like that.

SLAM: What’s the Jeremy Lin Foundation all about?

JL: We work with underprivileged children in a lot of different areas, and we try to find issues that are swept under the rug, and organizations that are “underdogs.” When I was in Houston, we worked with PAIR, which was about immigrant and refugees, which isn’t really talked about as much in Houston. In California, East Palo Alto (where Lin is from), it’s right next to Palo Alto, which is known to be a tech capital and the headquarters of Google and Facebook and so on, but across the highway is a rough area—so spending a lot of time trying to invest in that community. When we go to Taiwan, we work with native Taiwanese people—the equivalent of Native Americans in the United States—and in China we worked with migrant children. So it’s issues that aren’t talked about as much as we wish they were, and organizations that are doing a great job and maybe need a push of exposure or resources and that’s where we try to fill the void.

—

Leo Sepkowitz is a Senior Writer at SLAM. Follow him on Twitter @LeoSepkowitz.

Photo via Getty Images

The post Jeremy Lin Talks Knee Rehab and Young Nets Core appeared first on SLAM.

It may be time to panic in Cleveland. With Thursday’s trade deadline creeping up and the Cavs continuing to struggle mightily — they were outscored 65-31 in the second half and scored just nine points in the final frame — GM Koby Altman might have to make a big move this week, and you definitely can’t blame him for wanting to do so.

MAGIC WIN @ThaRealJsimms erupted for a career-high 34 points as Orlando rallied back from a 21-point deficit to beat the Cavs, 116-98! pic.twitter.com/QuRw5qtVqt

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) February 7, 2018

LeBron led Cleveland with 25 points and 10 rebounds, but no other Cavalier scored more than 12. After a hot start, Isaiah Thomas (11 points and 8 assists on 3-of-13 shooting) struggled as the Cavs’ offense grinded to a halt after a solid 24 minutes of play. Orlando was led by Jonathon Simmons (34 points on 17 shots) and shot nearly 53 percent from the field as a team, despite Aaron Gordon being sidelined due to injury. That’s three losses in four games for the Cavaliers.

Raptors 111 (37-16), Celtics 91 (39-16)

The NBA’s best home team just keeps on going. The Raptors moved to within just one game of the Atlantic Division-leading Celtics with the W tonight, getting 23 points and 8 rebounds from Kyle Lowry and 20 points from C.J. Miles off the bench. Toronto went 17-for-36 from three and held Boston below 40 percent shooting in Kyrie Irving‘s (17 points in 21 minutes) return to the floor.

Practicing for the #JBL3pt contest. pic.twitter.com/yUQfNczQwx

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 7, 2018

Brad Stevens’ squad snapped a four-game winning streak with the loss. The Celtics have slowly ceded ground to the Raptors for the past couple of weeks with Toronto hitting a stride, so the divisional race is as close right now as it has been in awhile and probably will come right down to the end of the season.

Hawks 108 (17-37), Grizzlies 82 (18-35)

Anytime a team commits 25 turnovers, it makes winning in the NBA a pretty tough task. That was too much for the Grizzlies to overcome down in Atlanta, as they went down by 16 at the break and weren’t able to recover. Scoring has been an issue for Memphis all year — even when Mike Conley was healthy — and the struggles have continued. The Grizzlies made just 4 three-pointers all night and were led by reserves Mario Chalmers (13 points) and Ivan Raab (10 points, 11 rebounds).

The Hawks took full advantage of Memphis’ miscues. Dennis Schroder had 22 points on 15 shots while rookie John Collins (15 points, 10 rebounds) made a difference off the bench. Both teams could look different after the deadline, as Tyreke Evans and Marco Belinelli both sat out to stay healthy for potential trades.

Rockets 123 (39-13), Nets 113 (19-36)

It was another one of those games for Chris Paul and James Harden. The Rockets’ stars combined to score 61 points on 20-of-38 shooting to bury a Nets team that hung around for over three quarters before Houston pulled away. Clint Capela (18 points, 11 rebounds) also played well around the rim.

Casual 36 points in 34 minutes for Beard (via @HoustonRockets) pic.twitter.com/t4K9tXzUH3

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) February 7, 2018

CP3 and Beard both got whatever they wanted offensively. The problem, for awhile, was that was also the case for Brooklyn which got 21 points from trade candidate (and former Rocket) DeMarre Carroll as well as 18 points and 9 assists from Spencer Dinwiddie. Jarrett Allen continued his strong play, posting 16 points. But when the Nets needed stops to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter, they just couldn’t get them.

Bucks 103 (30-23), Knicks 89 (23-32)

The awesome matchup of Kristaps Porzingis and Giannis got off to a fun start, as expected, but the excitement was cut short when KP fell awkwardly in the second quarter after throwing down a dunk. He suffered a left knee injury and had to be helped off the floor. A postgame MRI confirmed a torn left ACL, which means KP is done for the rest of the season.

Obviously, that put a damper on the game a bit, at least until Giannis went full Greek Freak on Tim Hardaway Jr. in the second half with possibly the biggest poster of the season. It’s incredible what that dude can do on the floor.

SHEESH (via @Bucks) pic.twitter.com/LGAIYdeSNA

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) February 7, 2018

He wound up with 23 points, 11 boards and 6 assists. Eric Bledsoe (23 points, 8 assists) and Khris Middleton (20 points) chipped in. Enes Kanter‘s 19 points and 16 rebounds paced a Knicks team that has lost four in a row and might be without its best player for awhile.

76ers 115 (26-25), Wizards 102 (31-23)

The inconsistent Wizards struck again on Tuesday, as their five-game winning streak was basically ended in the first quarter. Philadelphia exploded to build a 37-20 lead in the opening frame and never looked back, even as Washington threatened to make a move toward the end of regulation.

Bradley Beal‘s 30 points wasn’t enough for the Wizards, who have played well without John Wall but need both Otto Porter (17 points, 8 rebounds) and Kelly Oubre (10 points on 4-of-13 shooting) to step up in his absence for them to tread water in the East.

Washington had no answer for Joel Embiid (27 points, 12 rebounds) or, for that matter, the rest of the 76ers. Philly shot over 55 percent from the field and was 14-for-28 from three with contributions coming from up and down the entire roster. Dario Saric (20 points, 7 rebounds) had a big game.

Lakers 112 (22-31), Suns 93 (18-37)

Don’t look now, but the Lakers are starting to play some pretty good basketball. That’s three straight wins for LA and seven wins in their last nine games, all with Lonzo Ball sidelined. Brandon Ingram (26 points on 12 shots) and Julius Randle (21 points, 8 rebounds) were great again, as was Josh Hart (15 points, 11 rebounds). The youth movement has sparked the winning, which only makes what the Lakers do this summer — when Randle is a restricted free agent — all the more interesting.

Julius finds Ingram to start off the second half #LakeShow (: @SpectrumSN & @spectdeportes) pic.twitter.com/MWJKnGtyct

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 7, 2018

Phoenix had no trouble scoring in the first half, even with Devin Booker on the bench, but the shots stopped falling after the break as things slowly slipped away from the Suns. TJ Warren had 24 points in the loss.

Thunder 125 (31-24), Warriors 105 (41-13)

The Russell Westbrook revenge tour continues. A few months after the Thunder crushed the Warriors down in Oklahoma City, the same thing happened in Oakland as the combo of Russ (34 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists) and Paul George (38 points) was way too much for Golden State. OKC roared out of the gates, scoring 41 first quarter points — 21 of which were from Russ — and the Dubs never really responded.

Man, OKC is out for blood! (via @okcthunder) pic.twitter.com/QsSzL3Q0QR

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) February 7, 2018

OKC was like a team possessed at Oracle Arena and — on both ends of the floor — completed dominated play. Kevin Durant got his 33 points and Steph Curry scored 21 in the Thunder’s first win at Golden State since 2013.

The post Post Up: Rivalry Time appeared first on SLAM.

The cellar dwelling Hawks needed some late game heroics (and Knicks mishaps) to put another one in the “W” column. Kent Bazemore’s 3-pointer in the closing seconds secured the win.

Dewayne Dedmon led the Hawks with 12 points and 14 rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis had 22 points to go along with his five blocks and four steals for New York.

Trail Blazers 96 (29-24), Celtics 97 (39-15)

Portland’s dynamic duo of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum combined for 43 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Boston’s balanced attack that ran the show with Kyrie Irving absent from the lineup due to injury.

Al Horford scored 22 points including the final shot of the game, a fadeaway that just beat the buzzer to secure the dub.

Bucks 109 (29-23), Nets 94 (19-35)

The Bucks scored 36 first quarter points and never looked back as they built up a 21-point halftime lead.

Eric Bledsoe exploded for 28 points and Giannis Antetokounmpo had Twitter popping after a pair of posterizing dunks over Nets rookie Jarrett Allen. John Henson notched 19 points and 18 rebounds.

Caris LeVert dropped 15 points off the bench for the Nets.

Grizzlies 86 (18-34), Raptors 101 (36-16)

The Raptors turned on the locks in the final period of play, outscoring the Grizzlies 25-12 in the final 12 minutes.

Despite Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan scoring far below their season average, the rest of the Raptors stepped up big time with Fled VanVleet being the unsung hero with 13 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and two steals off the bench.

Marc Gasol led the Grizzlies with 20 points.

Lakers 108 (21-31), Thunder 104 (30-24)

The Thunder lost its fourth game in a row despite a stellar 36-point outing from 2017 MVP Russell Westbrook as six Lakers scored at least 13 points.

The Lakers led by as many as 12 in the final two minutes of play and heroics from Westbrook and Paul George cut that down to as little as three as the rambunctious home crowd edged them on.

Brook Lopez led the Lakers with 20 points.

Hornets 115 (23-29), Suns 110 (18-36)

It was an afternoon of milestones for Charlotte as Kemba Walker became the franchise’s all-time leader in 3-pointers made, Dwight Howard became the eighth player since 1983 to notch 700 career double-doubles and Treveon Graham scored a career-high 15 points.

Rookie Josh Jackson led the Suns with 23 points.

The post Post Up: Al Horford Nails Buzzer-Beater Against Portland appeared first on SLAM.

Charlotte dropped 49 points in the first quarter — the most by any team in any quarter this season — and, despite a second half surge from Indiana, was able to hold on behind 72 combined points from Kemba Walker (41 points, 9 assists) and Nicolas Batum (31 points, 9 rebounds).

The Hornets just dropped 49 points in the 1st Q… (via @hornets) pic.twitter.com/YjveFDFjYU

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) February 3, 2018

Neither team had much trouble scoring in this one. Victor Oladipo led the visitors with 35 points on 21 shots while Myles Turner (19 points, 11 rebounds) and Bojan Bogdanovic (18 points) helped with the offensive load. The Hornets hit 15 threes on 33 attempts.

Lakers 102 (20-31), Nets 99 (19-34)

On the night Brook Lopez made his return to Brooklyn to take on the team whose franchise scoring list he leads, the Lakers’ young guns stole the show in a close win. Brandon Ingram (16 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists) nearly posted a triple-double and Julius Randle (19 points, 12 rebounds) dominated the Nets down low. Lopez added 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting.

(via @Lakers) pic.twitter.com/gjqF9htDF6

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) February 3, 2018

Joe Harris missed the game-tying three at the buzzer for Brooklyn, which was led by Spencer Dinwiddie (23 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists) and rookie Jarrett Allen (career-high 20 points). LA won the rebounding battle by a margin of 56-38 and had 18 offensive boards, leading to 10 more field goal attempts.

Celtics 119 (38-15), Hawks 110 (15-37)

Looking for just their fifth road win of the season, the Hawks showed some life early on as they led for much of the first half. Then, the third quarter happened. Atlanta got cold while Boston got hot, and the Celtics outscored the Hawks by 41-20 in the period to take control. Terry Rozier (31 points, 7 rebounds) had another career game in the absence of Kyrie Irving. Jayson Tatum (27 points, 4 steals) played well on both ends of the floor.

The rookie spins baseline for the jam! pic.twitter.com/VkgkR9UoEJ

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 3, 2018

Taurean Prince, the injury replacement for Malcolm Brogdon in the Rising Stars Challenge, dropped 31 points and eight rebounds to pace the Hawks. Dennis Schroder had 25 points on 10-of-20 shooting.

Raptors 130 (35-16), Trail Blazers 105 (29-23)

This one was never in doubt. Toronto led by 19 after a monster first quarter and never looked back. DeMar DeRozan needed just 30 minutes to score his 35 points on a night when the Raptors went 19-for-40 from three-point range. Six Raps scored in double figures. Toronto is now 20-4 at home this season, which is the best home record in the NBA.

30 piece, no sauce… And counting. pic.twitter.com/1mCOhv5O66

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 3, 2018

Damian Lillard (32 points, 10 assists) was the best Blazer all night but — other than Jusuf Nurkic (20 points) and C.J. McCollum (21 points) — he didn’t get much help. Those three accounted for all but 32 of Portland’s total points.

Bucks 92 (28-23), Knicks 90 (23-30)

Despite going just 5-for-25 from beyond the arc, the Knicks held a slim lead down the stretch in Milwaukee before Giannis Antentokounmpo (29 points, 11 rebounds) tied up the game at 90 with two minutes left to play. New York had a pair of great chances to take the lead after that, but Tim Hardaway Jr. missed a pair of free throws and Enes Kanter‘s layup rolled off the rim. That gave Giannis a chance to be the hero, and he took full advantage.

The game-winner in Milwaukee! (via @Bucks) pic.twitter.com/qfPqMynyW0

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) February 3, 2018

Kanter was great all game, finishing with 17 points and 18 rebounds. But, Hardaway was 1-for-14 from the field and Kristaps Porzingis (17 points, 7 rebounds) struggled with his outside shot, so points weren’t easy to come by for the Knicks. Jabari Parker scored 12 off the bench for Milwaukee in his season debut following his recovery from an ACL tear that kept him out of the lineup since last February.

76ers 103 (25-24), Heat 97 (29-23)

Even an extended 32-11 fourth quarter run by Miami couldn’t help the Heat overcome a rough first 36 minutes on Friday in Philly. The 76ers used a balanced scoring attack — all five starters had 13+ points — to build a huge lead early in the second half. But, Miami didn’t go away, cutting the Philly lead to just five with under two minutes to play. Back-to-back buckets from Ben Simmons (20 points) and Joel Embiid (17 points, 11 rebounds), though, cut down the comeback attempt.

The perks of being 7-feet tall. pic.twitter.com/rNIDj3qIN1

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 3, 2018

Kelly Olynyk scored 19 points as a reserve to lead the Heat, while Bam Adebayo (15 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists) continued to impress. Miami shot under 40 percent from the field and just 65 percent at the free throw line.

Pelicans 114 (28-23), Thunder 100 (30-23)